Category: NBA

March Madness is expanding.

The men’s and women’s NCAA basketball tournaments will grow to 76 teams starting next season, following a vote by the NCAA selection committees, Thursday, May 7.

CBS Sports' Matt Norlander reported Thursday's vote was unanimous: "Not a single dissenting vote."

OPINION: Expanding the NCAA Tournament won't make it better

It’s the first time the NCAA tournament will expand on the men’s side since it went for 65 to 68 teams in 2011, and the women’s side followed suit in 2022. However, it’s the first major expansion since the men went from 53 to 64 in 1985, and the women’s jumped from 48 to 64 since 1994.

NEW YORK — OG Anunoby is playing the best basketball of his nine-year career.

Not coincidentally, the New York Knicks are playing their best ball of the season, and at the right time.

Yet, as New York has taken a 2-0 lead over the Philadelphia 76ers in the conference semifinals, Anunoby has been diagnosed with a right hamstring strain and is listed as day to day, per a May 7 social media post by ESPN's Shams Charania.

Anunoby suffered the injury late in New York’s 108-102 Game 2 victory on May 6.

Late in the fourth quarter, Anunoby attempted to cut to the basket when he pulled up and grabbed his right leg, near his hamstring. In the moments that followed, Anunoby remained on the floor and even attempted a dunk when the ball found him down low.

OG came up gimpy on this cut. Then tried and missed a dunk. Then asked out.

Ugh. pic.twitter.com/DM9HMoCfE7

— Rit Holtzman (@BenRitholtzNBA) May 7, 2026

It became clear, however, that Anunoby was hobbled by the injury and limped fairly significantly once he tried to jog to the other side of the court. He asked to be subbed out and left the game with 2:31 to play, replaced by backup guard Miles McBride.

Anunoby did not return to the bench for the remainder of the game.

Anunoby has emerged as a multi-purpose threat for the Knicks in the playoffs and is integral to their title hopes, so the injury is a bit of a setback.

Not only has he been tasked with guarding a premier offensive player — on May 6 he was the primary defender on Paul George — but he has ramped up his effort on rebounding. Anunoby is also a reliable perimeter shooter, the Knicks now must find how to replace him.

Throughout the first two games of this series the Knicks have been able to slow down the Sixers’ offense in a way they really hadn’t experienced in their first-round series against Boston. On top of the 4-of-19 shooting performance that sunk them in the fourth quarter of Game 2, they’ve really struggled to take care of the basketball.

It’s starts at the very top. After turning it over nine times throughout the entirety of the seven games against the Celtics, Tyrese Maxey has already given it away 10 times in the first two games against New York. VJ Edgecombe has given it away at a rate more expected for a rookie, but his four turnovers in Game 2 were just as costly.

With stops having come at such a premium for the Sixers, they haven’t been able to afford giving away free possessions. The inability to “keep the scoreboard moving,” as Nick Nurse would put it, is what the difference was in Game 2. Live ball turnovers obviously compound the issue, giving the Knicks fast break opportunities. The Sixers conceded 23 points off their 18 turnovers in Game 2.

“They were active… they were blitzing some,” Nurse said after the game. “I think they got their hands on a couple, we made a couple mistakes on inbounds [passes.] That was certainly one negative of the game and then they turn those into points.”

To Nurse’s first point, the Knicks have thrown a lot of ball pressure at Maxey, especially in Game 2 with Joel Embiid sidelined. Maxey attributed New York’s double teams for their ability to turn him over, but also felt like he was trying to go too fast at times.

“They did a good job of kind of taking away certain passes that I like, like to make when I get trapped,” he said, “and then it was a couple times we didn’t just execute our trap offense.”

Maxey also said that he jammed his right pinky at some point in the second quarter, the same finger he sprained back in March, and that impacted his confidence dribbling around and splitting double teams.

With OG Anunoby’s upcoming status suddenly in doubt, those double teams on Maxey aren’t going anywhere. Neither are the immediate pinky concerns either — Maxey confirmed earlier in the playoffs he’ll have to wear a brace on it the rest of the season.

Something the Sixers will have to do away with though is unforced errors. A specific turnover Maxey and Edgecombe both got asked a lot about was an inbounds pass to no one. After a basket and a stop that had them up two, Edgecombe tried to get the ball in quick and to get the ball back with no one guarding him.

None of the other Sixers picked up on this and continued running the play, letting Edgecombe’s pass sail across the court and out of bounds on the other sideline.

“I was trying to run the play, and I just wasn’t looking,” Maxey said. “It happens.”

Miscommunications do happen, but the Sixers can afford them less and less as the stakes get higher. Another series deficit will be impossible to climb out of if they keep shooting themselves in the foot.

“We know we got to cut down on turnovers. That’s not who we are as a team,” Edgecombe said. “We all can protect the ball, pass the ball, so we just got to be more responsible with the ball.”

Now that they’ve played a game in this series without Embiid, they’ve seen how the Knicks will guard Maxey as the primary scoring threat.

“They just want someone else to beat them, regardless of who it is, just not Tyrese,” said Edgecombe. “I’m gonna do my part, create for everyone, and go from there.”

Now that the Sixers have seen how the Knicks will defend both versions of this team, it’s up to them to adjust accordingly.

The 76ers put up a much more valiant fight in Game 2 against the Knicks, but one of their final shots was not at all ideal in the closing seconds of a game they had a chance to win to tie the conference semifinal series.

With the Knicks up by five points as 30 seconds remained on the clock, Paul George got the look after a dribble handoff from VJ Edgecombe and launched an off-balanced, heavily contested 3-pointer.

It was an airball that eventually led to the 76ers’ 108-102 loss at Madison Square Garden and Quentin Grimes took issue with that in what became a viral moment.

Quentin Grimes COULDN'T BELIEVE Paul George chucked up an off balance airball with the game on the line pic.twitter.com/L3j5uIjUyA

— Hater Report (@HaterReport) May 7, 2026

Following the shot, Grimes confronted George about his shot selection when the 76ers had 18 more seconds on the shot clock to find a better look. The nine-time All-Star seemingly defended his decision.

Grimes walked away looking deflated and disappointed at the lost opportunity.

However, George’s shot wasn’t the one thing that sealed the loss for Philadelphia.

The 76ers struggled as a group in the fourth quarter, scoring just 12 points versus the Knicks’ final 19 on the board. They shot just 21.1 percent in the fourth quarter.

They scored at least 28 points in all the previous quarters.

“I thought we just might’ve ran out of gas a little bit in the fourth,” George said after the game. “We could’ve did a better job of getting some easier ones, but I think we did just run out of gas a little bit in the fourth.”

The 36-year-old finished the night with 19 points, shooting just 5-for-13 from beyond the arc. He also logged six rebounds, four assists, two steals and two blocks.

Grimes, a fifth-year guard and former Knick, came off the bench to score seven points while adding three rebounds, three assists and one steal.

The series shifts to Philadelphia for Game 3 on Friday where the 76ers will try to get their first win of the series.

“We like where we’re at. We played good defense, I thought, all the way until the fourth quarter,” George said. “We just didn’t make shots, but a lot of positives coming out of the game tonight.”

Embiid, Anunoby, Hart all listed as questionable for Sixers-Knicks Game 3  originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

Three important players received questionable designations on the initial injury report for Game 3 of the Sixers vs. Knicks second-round playoff series.

The Sixers listed Joel Embiid (right ankle sprain and right hip soreness) as questionable Thursday night after he sat out the team’s tight Game 2 loss the day prior. Sixers head coach Nick Nurse said Embiid “woke up with a bunch of soreness” Wednesday morning and was ruled out following the Sixers’ shootaround at Madison Square Garden.

Embiid returned from an April 9 appendectomy in the middle of the Sixers’ first-round series win over the Celtics and had played through lingering physical issues, but he didn’t get the green light for Game 2. While Embiid had a subpar Game 1 in the Sixers’ blowout defeat, he was strong in the Boston series, averaging 28.0 points, 9.0 rebounds and 7.0 assists.

The Knicks’ two questionable players were OG Anunoby (right hamstring strain) and Josh Hart (left thumb sprain). New York also listed backup center Mitchell Robinson as probable. He was sidelined by an illness Wednesday.

Anunoby exited with 2:31 left in the fourth quarter of Game 2 and did not return. He’s had an excellent start to the 2026 playoffs, posting 21.4 points, 7.5 rebounds, 1.9 steals and 1.1 blocks per game. Anunoby has shot 61.9 percent from the field and 53.8 percent from three-point range over New York’s eight postseason contests. 

SNY’s Ian Begley reported Anunoby is considered “day-to-day.” Trailing 2-0 in the series, the Sixers will host Game 3 on Friday night and Game 4 on Sunday afternoon.

The Knicks may have avoided the worst with OG Anunoby’s injury.

The forward, who has been the Knicks’ best player this postseason, is day to day with a right hamstring strain, The Post’s Stefan Bondy reported Thursday.

He is questionable for Friday’s Game 3.

OG came up gimpy on this cut. Then tried and missed a dunk. Then asked out.

Ugh. pic.twitter.com/DM9HMoCfE7

— Rit Holtzman (@BenRitholtzNBA) May 7, 2026

Anunoby came up lame while cutting to the basket with about three minutes left in the Knicks’ 108-102 Game 2 win over the 76ers on Wednesday night.

He labored through one defensive possession before Knicks coach Mike Brown took him out for Miles McBride.

The 28-year-old — always a defensive force — has averaged 21.3 points per game this postseason, while shooting 53.8 percent on 3-pointers.

Brown said after the game that he noticed Anunoby “hopping” on the court, but did not have any further details.

McBride is expected to get a majority of the minutes while Anuboby is sidelined.

“He’s one of the best two-way players in the league, and it’s tough to replace that,” McBride said. “You don’t replace it with one guy. Everybody’s going to have to step up.” 

The Knicks are up 2-0 over the rival 76ers with the series shifting to Philadelphia on Friday night.

They have won five straight dating back to the Hawks series, but may have to continue that momentum without Anunoby.

The teams only have one day of rest between contests through Game 6 before two off days preceding a potential Game 7 next Sunday.

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If the Philadelphia 76ers are going to spark a comeback, it starts with finding a way to slow down Jalen Brunson in Game 3.

My Knicks vs. 76ers predictions point to Philly doing just that — or at least keeping him below his elevated scoring line — with my NBA picks backing the Under for this Friday, May 8 showdown.

Knicks vs 76ers Game 3 prediction tonight

Who will win Knicks vs 76ers Game 3?

76ers: The series swings to Philadelphia and home teams down 0-2 seem to find another gear in front of their faithful in Game 3 scenarios. The 76ers could get Joel Embiid back, which gives them a big body in the paint on both ends of the floor.

The Knicks could be without sparkplug OG Anunoby, which is a bigger loss than most realize. He’s been electric for the Knicks in the playoffs and creates scoring outside of the structured offense. Philadelphia leans into its defense and gets one back from New York in Game 3.

Knicks vs 76ers best bet: Jalen Brunson Under 26.5 points (-112)

Following his explosion in Game 1, the Philadelphia 76ers had to figure out a better way to defend Jalen Brunson. 

The Sixers sent longer defenders at him in Game 2, utilizing Kelly Oubre Jr. and VJ Edgecombe, and Brunson finished just 9-for-21 from the field. The bulk of those shots came inside the key, which will be off limits if Joel Embiid returns in Game 3.

Nick Nurse says the 76ers did an "above average" job defending Jalen Brunson:

"He certainly wasn't getting near the clearance as he was in Game 1. He was getting practice shots a lot in that game. I think the challenges were much better." pic.twitter.com/cvEFxOIihU

— Knicks Videos (@sny_knicks) May 7, 2026

With OG Anunoby questionable, the Knicks’ rotation loses offensive punch, and Philadelphia can afford to put even more emphasis on defending Brunson.

Projections for Brunson are good but not great, ranging from 26.6 to just over 24 points on Friday.

COVERS INTEL: Brunson has benefited from some “hometown calls” in the playoffs. He’s averaged 6.6 FTM on 7.8 FTA inside MSG but just 3.33 makes on 3.6 free throws on the road. That holds true for the entire season, averaging 6.1 FTM at home vs. 3.5 FTM on the road.

Knicks vs 76ers Game 3 same-game parlay

The 76ers played with better tempo in Game 2 and traded shots with the Knicks. Philadelphia allowed 56 points in the paint, but getting Embiid back puts an end to those easy looks inside. New York also could be without a significant scorer in Anunoby, leaving them with poor offensive options off the bench.

Paul George came out firing in Game 2 but cooled as the contest played out, still finishing with 19 points in the loss. George has quietly come through for Over bettors on his scoring prop in four of his last five games. He’s forecasted for 17+ points back in Philly on Friday.

Knicks vs 76ers SGP

• 76ers moneyline
• Jalen Brunson Under 26.5 points
• Paul George Over 16.5 points

Our "from downtown" SGP: Philly Cheese Stakes

Philadelphia leaned into its defense to rally in Round 1 and does the same in Game 3 at home. The 76ers keep the Knicks out of the paint, which sees a dip in New York’s shooting success, and ups Tyrese Maxey’s rebounding chances. Paul George has been a consistent contributor in the postseason and is projected for 17+ points.

Knicks vs 76ers SGP

• 76ers moneyline
• Under 213.5
• Paul George Over 16.5 points
• Tyrese Maxey Over 3.5 rebounds

Knicks vs 76ers odds for Game 3 tonight

• Spread: Knicks +1 | 76ers -1
• Moneyline: Knicks -105 | 76ers -115
• Over/Under: Over 213.5 | Under 213.5

Knicks vs 76ers betting trend to know

The Under is 23-18 with the Philadelphia 76ers coming off a loss this season, including 3-1 in the playoffs so far. Find more NBA betting trends for Knicks vs. 76ers.

How to watch Knicks vs 76ers Game 3

Knicks vs 76ers latest injuries

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Monday night, the Knicks won by TKO. Last night, they won on points. Tomorrow night, they may have to fight with one arm tied behind their back.

While the absence of Joel Embiid for any extended time dooms any chance the 76ers have of winning this series, his absence in Game 2 was an ironic boost for Philadelphia. The Sixers split their centers’ minutes evenly between Andre Drummond and quick-footed reserves Adem Bona and Dominick Barlow, flipping the Game 1 script of Jalen Brunson attacking Embiid relentlessly; last night the 76ers were aggressive defensively, blitzing and doubling Brunson.

Karl-Anthony Towns was omnipotent but also omnifouling, though when he was kicking the Knicks was clicking: KAT, OG Anunoby and Mikal Bridges scored 62 points on 65% shooting. Without Embiid’s supernova gravity, Tyrese Maxey and Paul George showed flashes but ultimately spun out of orbit, combining to shoot just 39%. Despite being down 0-2, the 76ers head “home” with reasons for hope.

While the non-Embiid starters again played 40-plus minutes — 47 for Maxey — they expanded from what’s been a six-man rotation this postseason to eight, which could ease the heavy load Maxey, George, VJ Edgecombe and Kelly Oubre have been carrying. Bona grabbed six offensive rebounds in his 16 minutes, and Barlow’s strength and length made Brunson have to work harder than Embiid or Drummond do dropping in coverage. It also freed George to spend more time guarding KAT, and George gave him some trouble.

The Sixers were tied with just over five minutes left, and had George’s 3-point try with 27 seconds left fallen, who knows how the endgame may have played out? Zoom out and all that’s happened is that the Knicks defended their homecourt. If the Sixers can win a home game Friday, they’re just another home win away from returning to New York with this series having a whole new feel.

Hanging over all of this are the injury unknowns. There’s still no work on Embiid’s status for Game 3. Mitchell Robinson was a late scratch due to an undisclosed illness. Anunoby left for the locker room with about three minutes left after appearing to suffer a calf injury. OG’s having such a sick playoff that right after hurting his leg, he nearly dunked. Current status: “questionable.”

Knowing the Knicks, Anunoby could be dead and they’d list him as “questionable” till the very last minute.

While OG is all anyone can think stress freak about today, the Knicks regardless have an incredible opportunity in front of them. The 76ers won their championship when they beat the Celtics; their season is already a success. They’re short-handed, exhausted and out-gunned. Their home games aren’t quite home games, not against this team this time of year. The Sixers have a chance to flip the script by Sunday. The Knicks can end it then. History says they better.

In 2013 the Knicks were up 3-0 on the Celtics; a sweep would give them nearly a week off before the next round, time they could rest and work a recently recovered Amar’e Stoudemire back into the team. STAT would have been invaluable for them against the Pacers, as after Carmelo Anthony the Knicks were dependent for points on Tyson Chandler, Kenyon Martin, Jason Kidd, etc. (also Chris Copeland never existed). Then JR Smith got a bad batch of something and took it out via elbow on what turned out to be Jason Terry’s noggin. Instead of a clean sweep, the Knicks barely avoided being pushed to Game 7, Stoudemire never got that practice time, and, well, you know.

In 1994 the Knicks were up 2-0 on the MJ-less Bulls, having ground them to dust over two games at MSG. If they could win Game 3, the Bulls would be mentally beaten and the Knicks could exorcise some playoff demons by closing the Bulls out in their last-ever game at Chicago Stadium. They would have had some time off, an oasis of rest from the playoff intensity and from Pat Riley wearing a six-man rotation down to the nub. Maybe that little bit of rest gives John Starks the lift he needed weeks later to get the title-winning shot up over Hakeem Olajuwon’s fingertip. Instead he Knicks fell behind big, staged a furious late comeback to tie the game in the final seconds, and well, you know.

Quoth 90sRback: “I love him again.” Right now that’s what a lot of Knick fans are saying. About Bridges. Towns. Mike Brown. Five-game playoff winning streaks give everyone good cheekbones. There’s more uncertainty than usual heading into Game 3, but what is certain is winning then could help the Knicks win even bigger games later this spring.

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The Los Angeles Lakers are trying not to hit the panic button as they strive to snatch Game 2 in a tough environment against the Oklahoma City Thunder, where our NBA player prop projections has pinpointed several high-value opportunities.

By breaking down the data and comparing it to the latest market lines, we’ve uncovered where the strongest betting edges lie for this pivotal matchup.

These Lakers vs. Thunder predictions are driven by numbers instead of guesswork.

If you’re building your card, here are the model’s top NBA picks for Thursday, May 7.

Lakers vs Thunder computer picks for Game 2

Lakers	Thunder
Reaves o18.5 points -120	Gilgeous-Alexander o29.5 points  -112
Hachimura o1.5 3-pointers  -165	Holmgren o8.5 rebounds  -135
James o6.5 rebounds -120	Mitchell o3.5 assists -130

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Lakers Game 2 computer picks

Austin Reaves Over 18.5 points (-120)

Projection: 20.97 points

Oklahoma City Thunder made life difficult for Austin Reaves in Game 1, as he struggled to a 3-for-16 shooting night and finished with just eight points.

With the Los Angeles Lakers trying to avoid falling into an 0–2 hole before heading back home, expect Reaves to come into Game 2 with something to prove.

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Rui Hachimura Over 1.5 3-pointers (-165)

Projection: 2.11 3-pointers

Rui Hachimura has been as steady as it gets from deep throughout the Lakers’ playoff run, shooting 50% or better from three in every game and clearing this prop in all but one.

With L.A. needing every bit of confidence it can find heading into Game 2 against OKC, expect Hachimura to keep delivering on his end.

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LeBron James Over 6.5 rebounds (-120)

Projection: 7.15 rebounds

Limiting the Thunder’s second-chance opportunities will take a full team effort from an older Lakers squad working to keep pace with OKC’s youthful energy.

That puts added emphasis on LeBron James to be more active on the glass, as he and the Lake Show must consistently outwork Chet Holmgren and Isaiah Hartenstein to secure rebounds first.

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---

Thunder Game 2 computer picks

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Over 29.5 points (-112)

Projection: 32.34 points

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander turned in a relatively quiet 18-point outing in Game 1, yet the Thunder still cruised to a blowout win over the Lakers without needing much from him offensively.

With L.A. expected to respond with more urgency, OKC will likely lean more on SGA in Game 2 to keep control in front of the home crowd; setting him up to clear this points prop.

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Chet Holmgren Over 8.5 rebounds (-135)

Projection: 9.13 rebounds

Chet Holmgren made his presence felt on the glass in Game 1, posting a dominant double-double with 24 points and 12 rebounds.

With the Thunder focused on defending home court and maintaining their strong playoff momentum, expect Holmgren to stay aggressive on the boards and pick up right where he left off — putting him in a great spot to clear this prop once again.

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Ajay Mitchell Over 3.5 assists (-130)

Projection: 3.79 assists

Ajay Mitchell has been right around this assists line, clearing it in three of the last five playoff games and narrowly missing in the other two.

With the Thunder facing a Lakers squad playing with their backs up against the wall, expect Mitchell to take on a larger role as a facilitator and do enough to push past this mark.

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How to watch Lakers vs Thunder Game 2

Location	Paycom Center, Oklahoma City, OK
Date	Thursday, May 7, 2026
Tip-off	9:30 p.m. ET
TV	Prime Video

Not intended for use in MA.
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The NBA playoffs are in full swing, and like many people, Atlanta Dream forward Angel Reese chimed in on the action.

The playoffs have been well underway for several days with intense buzzer-beaters, back-and-forth matchups and even some serious dunks. Reese has been a witness to the best basketball of the year and took to social media to share her thoughts. She appeared to give a shoutout to rumored boyfriend, Orlando Magic center Wendell Carter Jr, on her Instagram story by posting a shot of Carter dunking on Detroit Pistons center Jalen Duren during their first-round playoff series.

The post gained traction online because many people on social media pointed to past rumors that Reese potentially dated Duren before connecting with Carter. Fans assumed the posts could have more meaning. The post also caught the attention of Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham.

The subject came up on a recent episode of Cunningham's Show Me Something podcast. "Something had to have happened for her to want to embarrass (Jalen Duren) in some way," Cunningham said. "Or nothing happened," her co-host replied. Then, Cunningham chimed in again, offering words on how she felt Reese should operate.

"Valid. But then move on," Cunningham said. "Worry about the current boyfriend."

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It has become quite clear that the Oklahoma City Thunder will not be bothered by the Los Angeles Lakers, especially with L.A. potentially without Luka Doncic for the entire series.

However, my Lakers vs. Thunder props and NBA picks actually question Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, as Oklahoma City’s reigning MVP won't need to exert much effort for Game 2 on Thursday, May 7.

Best Lakers vs Thunder props for Game 2

Player	Pick
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander	Under 29.5 points	-112
Austin Reaves	Under 18.5 points	-105
Jared McCain	Over 4.5 points	-110

Game 2 Prop #1: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Under 29.5 points

-112 at bet365

What happens when Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is awarded only three free throws? He falls short of 20 points for the first time since last year's postseason.

The Oklahoma City Thunder star doesn't need to hurl himself into the floor in this series to produce offense. Given how outgunned the Los Angeles Lakers are, the Thunder will find offense regardless.

On top of that, the Lakers ranked No. 4 this year in foul rate. Opponents took fewer than one free throw for every four field goal attempts.

Perhaps that is a Los Angeles bias; perhaps it is quality defense. Either way, it is a reality.

And without renting space at the free throw line, Gilgeous-Alexander should fall short of his points prop for most of this series, something that will reverse quickly next round with the return of the free throw merchant.

Game 2 Prop #2: Austin Reaves Under 18.5 points

-105 at bet365

Austin Reaves really struggled in Game 1, going 3-for-16 from the field for eight points in 36 minutes.

With injuries working their way through the Lakers’ rotation, Reaves is likely to see even more of a workload, worrying oblique notwithstanding. The problem is that Oklahoma City is well aware of that Los Angeles necessity.

The Thunder have a bounty of defenders seemingly designed to bother a scorer like Reaves. With so few genuine threats in the Lakers’ rotation, Reaves never has a moment away from someone like SGA, Lu Dort, or Alex Caruso.

It is, not to be dramatic, a miserable existence, and it will be the case throughout this entire series for the ailing Reaves.

Game 2 Prop #3: Jared McCain Over 4.5 points

-110 at bet365

Did the oddsmakers not watch Game 1? Do they think the Lakers are suddenly going to solve the Thunder despite going 0-5 against the spread against them this season?

Jared McCain played 15 minutes in Game 1, going 4-for-7 from the field for 12 points, and there is no reason to think Game 2 will be close enough to limit his playing time.

Oklahoma City can't reach much further than McCain in a blowout. He is the ninth or tenth man on this roster, a reflection of the Thunder's embarrassment of riches.

There is even some logic in firing on the McCain 20-point milestone prop, available at +3500. He could get there in a blowout, and this should be exactly that.

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It’s easy to have camaraderie when teams are winning. Jokes are funnier, roles are embraced and the game of basketball is pure bliss.

How you respond to adversity, though, says a lot more about your team. So far, the Lakers remain united even after falling behind 1-0 in their series against the Thunder.

There are plenty of things the Lakers can do better as a unit and as individuals, but a lot of the criticism has been aimed at Austin Reaves. Which is understandable since he had a putrid performance, going 3-16 from the field, scoring just eight points.

With LA taking on the best team in the NBA on the road, their best player can’t be a no-show on this stage. However, after the loss, his teammates all advocated for him and reminded everyone of the situation Reaves is in.

“He was out a month,” LeBron James said. “We know he’s going to make shots and make plays but that’s tough. You’re out a month toward the end of the season. Obviously, we were trying to fast track him getting back on the floor and doing the things he was doing before the injury but he was out a month so rightfully so if he has some games where he’s missing shots or whatever the case may be. But his presence alone helps us, no matter what.”

It’s true that this is far from an ideal scenario for Austin. He did everything he could to come back from his Grade 2 oblique strain and returned earlier than anticipated. For him to get back so fast and immediately have to play in close-out playoff games is tough. He has no time to ramp up or get whatever rust he has off his game.

Instead of bemoaning his misses, his teammates are focused on how to get Reaves going.

“Just try to get him some easy shots,” Marcus Smart said. “Do a good job of putting him in spots to not only create for himself but create for others as well and just talking to him. We understand that he’s coming back. It’s only his third game back. We understand that. We understand it’s going to take some time. But we’re here and that’s why you got four other guys out there with him to help pick him up and we got to do a better job.”

Reaves wasn’t just missing wide-open shots against the Thunder, OKC worked hard to make him earn every shot he got.

Most of Reaves’ shots required a ton of on-ball activity before an attempt went up. Reaves took four shots, where he had to take seven or more dribbles. No other Lakers took as many shots, dribbling that much. In the paint, he was surrounded by OKC defenders, and they forced him to settle for tough twos. On his attempts outside of the restricted area, but inside the arc, Reaves went 1-6.

“He didn’t play well, but he’s going to bounce back,” Lakers head coach JJ Redick said. “He’s a great player.”

Even superstar Luka Dončić chimed in on Reaves’ struggles and offered some vocal support.

“My message to him is just be yourself,” Luka said. “We all know he’s an amazing player, and we all know he’s going to bounce back. So I’m just here to support and whatever he needs I can help, but. Just, just be yourself. He’s an amazing player.”

We have years of data that Reaves is a special talent. Overreactions to Game 1 of a series are commonplace and always a bit too much.

Sure, Reaves was awful, but he’s played great games at this stage plenty of times before. He’s had a 23-point performance against the Grizzlies, Warriors, and Nuggets during the team’s 2023 Western Conference Finals run. He’s only gotten better since then, and one bad night doesn’t erase years of hard work.

His teammates have his back, and so does his coach. The playoffs are all about adjustments, and now that the Lakers have seen how the Thunder defend Reaves, changes will be made and it’s more likely than not that Reaves will bounce back.

You can follow Edwin on Twitter at @ECreates88 or on Bluesky at @ecreates88.bsky.social.

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The Cleveland Cavaliers made a late push, but the Detroit Pistons held on to secure the win in Game 1.

Our NBA player prop projections are littered with NBA picks involving star players on both sides.

If you're looking for deeper analysis, look no further than our Cavaliers vs. Pistons predictions for May 7.

Cavaliers vs Pistons computer picks for Game 2

Cavaliers	Pistons
Wade o3.5 rebounds +105	Duren o14.5 points -125
Mitchell o3.5 assists -140	Thompson o10.5 points +105
Harden o19.5 points -112	Harris u17.5 points -110

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Cavaliers Game 2 computer picks

Dean Wade Over 3.5 rebounds (+105)

Projection: 4.19 rebounds

Jarrett Allen looked unplayable in Game 1, meaning the Cleveland Cavaliers may have to mix up rotations. That will provide Dean Wade with more minutes, which will lead to more rebounds

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Donovan Mitchell Over 3.5 assists (-140)

Projection: 4.60 assists

Donovan Mitchell is known for his scoring, but he's a capable playmaker as well. Spida's shot hasn't been falling the way he's wanted to, and our model suggests he'll look to pass more in Game 2.

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James Harden Over 19.5 points (-112)

Projection: 20.40 points

No matter how bad he's shooting, James Harden has no fear. He still put up 22 points in Game 1 after shooting an abysmal 6-for-15 from the floor. His field-goal percentage will even out, getting him to this point total.

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Pistons Game 2 computer picks

Jalen Duren Over 14.5 points (-125)

Projection: 16.79 points

Jalen Duren is a must-have for the Detroit Pistons as they try to deal with Cleveland's size, which will keep his minutes up all series. Our models have him scoring close to 17 points after a rough shooting night in Game 1.

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Ausar Thompson Over 10.5 points (+105)

Projection: 11.28 points

Ausar Thompson scored 11 points in Game 1 on an efficient 4-for-6 shooting. He knows when to pick his spots, and he'll take enough shots to reach 10 points.

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Tobias Harris Under 17.5 points (-110)

Projection: 17.06 points

With our model expecting strong games for Thompson and Duren, it sees Tobias Harris regressing slightly in Game 2. He's had a good run, but Detroit will look to get everybody involved as it looks to go up 2-0.

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How to watch Cavaliers vs Pistons Game 2

Location	Little Caesars Arena, Detroit, MI
Date	Thursday, May 7, 2026
Tip-off	7 p.m. ET
TV	Prime

Not intended for use in MA.
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When the offseason hits, part of me gets excited. The season is long, and anytime there’s an opportunity for a reprieve, I’ll take it. That feeling doesn’t last long, however. I get restless fast. I need to occupy my time, whether it be movies (I’ve watched 25 Marvel movies since the regular season ended as I prepare for Doomsday), video games (God of War is filling some time), or TV shows (have you checked out The Audacity?). Whatever it is, I have to be doing something.

Thankfully, even with the Phoenix Suns’ season over, there’s still work to do. Player reviews. Free agent lists. SunsRank. It almost feels administrative, and that’s kind of what this process is. We’re closing the book on the season while also creating a snapshot of how we currently view every player on the roster.

We’re halfway through, so where do we stand?

After going through the Wild Card tier, you can once again see the differences in opinion. Not massive gaps, still noticeable ones.

On to the Pillars tier. Five players landed here, and what’s interesting is how much changed from preseason SunsRank to postseason SunsRank. Before the season started, the community had Ryan Dunn and Royce O’Neale in the pillars conversation. Both slid down into the Wild Card tier. That tells a story. Some players grew, while others regressed.

That’s where the real value of this exercise lives. Once it’s complete, we can compare where the community stood before the season to where it stands now. From there, you can start building theories about what the Suns should do next. Who should stay? Who should go? Which assets does the community believe are trending in the wrong direction?

We’ll get there soon enough. First, let’s get to the Pillars tier. Definition? “Not quite cornerstones, but strong enough to hold weight. These are the stabilizers, the players who give structure to the roster. If they rise, the ceiling rises.”

Five players, with spots 4 through 8 up for grabs. Let’s delve.

Grayson Allen

It was a regression year for Grayson. His three-point percentage dipped, and his overall efficiency fell as he battled injuries, often limping around while trying to tough it out. Still, he averaged a career-high 16.5 points per game, surpassing his previous best by three points. Considering his production, experience, and skill set, it’s easy to see why he belongs in this tier.

Collin Gillespie

Collin took a massive leap as a player, setting career highs across the board. He’s firmly established himself in the Suns’ rotation and has significantly boosted his value on the open market, especially with unrestricted free agency looming this offseason. It’s a stark rise. Just two years ago, he ranked 17th in SunsRank, and now he’s in the Pillars tier, a clear testament to his progression.

Jordan Goodwin

To think that Jordan Goodwin was a castoff from the Lakers just makes you smile. He put together a stellar season and was one of the biggest surprises, especially considering he barely made the roster. Remember the Jordan Goodwin vs. Jared Butler debate? He pretty clearly put that to rest, and his place in the Pillars tier reflects that.

Oso Ighodaro

Whether you love Oso or not, his impact was certainly felt this season. For a team focused on development, his progression was a clear example of that approach paying off. Is he perfect? Far from it. Players drafted 40th overall rarely are right away, but he undeniably took a step forward this past season.

Mark Williams

It was nice to have a capable rim-running big, even if the team didn’t always utilize him as effectively as they could have. Still, Mark Williams showcased his value and reinforced the reasoning behind trading for him on draft night.

We turn to you, faithful readers of Bright Side, to assist in ranking The Pillars.