The Sixers have decided to send Jared McCain to the defending champion Thunder.
The team has agreed to trade McCain to Oklahoma City, a source confirmed Wednesday to NBC Sports Philadelphia. The Sixers are set to receive one first-round draft pick and three second-rounders in the deal. The full haul is below:
2026 first-round pick from the Rockets
2027 second-round pick, most favorable of OKC, Houston, Indiana and Miami
McCain was awfully impressive as a rookie, displaying exceptional shooting talent and a deeply polished mental game, but he had unfortunate injury luck as a Sixer. He suffered a season-ending left knee lateral meniscus tear in December of 2024 and tore the UCL in his right thumb just before media day this year.
“The universe is throwing haymakers at me,” McCain said in October. “But it’s all part of the process. I’ve just got to trust that it happened for a reason.”
Once he returned to action, McCain dealt with lingering rust. The No. 16 selection in the 2024 draft posted only 6.6 points, 2.0 rebounds and 1.7 assists per contest over 37 games this season. McCain had two G League stints and wasn’t a regular member of head coach Nick Nurse’s rotation the past several weeks. However, he’d played well lately, including a 17-point performance on 6-for-8 shooting in the Sixers’ win last week over the Bucks.
Without McCain, All-Star Tyrese Maxey, outstanding rookie VJ Edgecombe and sixth man Quentin Grimes stand as the Sixers’ main guards. The trade deadline is Thursday at 3 p.m. ET.
After snapping their five-game losing skid, the Milwaukee Bucks look to make it two straight wins when they host the New Orleans Pelicans.
The Pels have dropped the first two games of a four-game road trip, but taking on the Bucks without Giannis Antetokounmpo gives them the edge against the spread in my Pelicans vs. Bucks predictions and NBA picks on Wednesday, February 4.
Pelicans vs Bucks prediction
Pelicans vs Bucks best bet: Pelicans -4.5 (-115)
Life without Giannis Antetokounmpo (calf) hasn’t been great, as the Milwaukee Bucks dropped three straight before beating the Bulls 131-115 on Tuesday.
That point total is an outlier, though, as the Bucks had been averaging just 100 points per game across their previous three outings.
They’re 1-3-0 against the spread without their star, but the ship wasn’t right with "The Greek Freak" at the helm, either, with Milwaukee going just 2-8-0 ATS in its last 10.
The New Orleans Pelicans are struggling too, dropping three of four and averaging just 104.5 points per game, which ranks fourth-worst in the NBA over that span.
The one advantage they do have, and have maxed out on, is playing with a rest advantage.
The Pels are 5-2-0 ATS in that scenario, the second-best mark in the league. Throw in the fact they’ve covered two of the last three against the Bucks, plus no Giannis, and this feels like a good cover for New Orleans, which is 4-2-0 ATS in its previous six road games.
Pelicans vs Bucks same-game parlay
A Kyle Kuzma scoring binge is a great time to wager the Under on his scoring line. He’s gone for 25+ three times this season, and he’s scored 13 points or less in the follow-up, going for single digits twice.
Trey Murphy III is coming off a 27-point effort last game against Charlotte, but his 22.5-point scoring line is a little inflated, considering he’s topped that mark just twice in his last eight.
Pelicans vs Bucks SGP
Pelicans -4.5
Kyle Kuzma Under 17.5 points
Trey Murphy III Under 22.5 points
Our "from downtown" SGP: Queen of the Court
Bucks guard Ryan Rollins scored 21 against Chicago and has gone for 20+ in four of his last five, making his 19.5 line very gettable.
And Derik Queen has worked the glass well of late, pulling down at least seven rebounds in four of his last six games. Milwaukee is also a Bottom-4 rebounding team in the NBA.
Pelicans vs Bucks SGP
Pelicans -4.5
Kyle Kuzma Under 17.5 points
Trey Murphy III Under 22.5 points
Ryan Rollins Over 19.5 points
Derik Queen Over 7.5 rebounds
Pelicans vs Bucks odds
Spread: Pelicans -4.5 (-115) | Bucks +4.5 (-105)
Moneyline: Pelicans -185 | Bucks +155
Over/Under: Over 222.5 (-110) | Under 222.5 (-110)
Pelicans vs Bucks betting trend to know
New Orleans has covered the spread in each of its last seven games as a favorite. Find more NBA betting trends for Pelicans vs. Bucks.
How to watch Pelicans vs Bucks
Location
Fiserv Forum, Milwaukee, WI
Date
Wednesday, February 4, 2026
Tip-off
8:00 p.m. ET
TV
Pelicans+, FDSN Wisconsin
Pelicans vs Bucks latest injuries
Not intended for use in MA. Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here
Jan 20, 2026; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves guard Mike Conley (10) bring the ball up the court against the Utah Jazz during the second half at Delta Center. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images | Rob Gray-Imagn Images
Action around the NBA is starting to heat up. Not only is the league’s trade deadline on Thursday afternoon, next weekend will be the annual All-Star Game in Los Angeles. Currently there are eight former Ohio State players on NBA rosters, and one of them has already been moved ahead of Thursday’s trade deadline.
With the season having already passed the halfway point when it comes to games played, now feels like a good time to give an update on how the former Ohio State players currently in the NBA have been doing this season, and what might be expected for them the rest of the way.
Mike Conley
After starting more than 60 games in each of the last two seasons for the Minnesota Timberwolves, Mike Conley has seen his role diminish this season, averaging a career-low 18.5 minutes per game and 4.4 points per game.
In the 44 games he has played this season, Conley only reached double figures in three games, scoring 10 points on all of those occasions. The last time the guard hit that mark was on November 19th against the Washington Wizards.
On Tuesday, Conley was shipped to Chicago in a three-team trade that also involved the Detroit Pistons. By moving the veteran guard, Minnesota reduced their luxury tax bill from $24 million to $3.8 million, which will help them in their pursuit of Giannis Anteteokounmpo. The Bulls also acquired Jaden Ivey from the Pistons in the trade, as well as Anfernee Simons in a separate trade.
Unfortunately for Conley it’s unlikely he is going to see much playing time in Chicago. The Bulls are loaded with younger guards, which will likely have Conley riding the bench the rest of the season. Conley’s best hope for seeing any playing time is if he can agree to a buyout with the Bulls and find a team who could use his services.
Brice Sensabaugh
The most exciting former Buckeye in the NBA this year has been Brice Sensabaugh. Unfortunately Sensabaugh plays for the Utah Jazz, who are one of the worst teams in the league.
Sensabaugh is averaging 12 points per game this season, which is the highest mark of his three-year NBA career so far.
The forward is coming off a January where he averaged 18 points per game, and scored at least 20 points in seven games. His best effort came against Chicago when he scored 43 points. The increased scoring didn’t help Utah on the court, as the Jazz were just 2-11 in games Sensabaugh played in last month.
The rest of the season became a little muddier for Sensabaugh when the Jazz agreed to a trade with Memphis, acquiring Jaren Jackson Jr., Jock Landale, and Vince Williams Jr. from the Grizzlies. The addition of those three players could see Sensabaugh’s minutes cut for the remainder of the season.
Jae’Sean Tate
While Sensabaugh won’t be sniffing the playoffs this year, Jae’Sean Tate will be in the postseason this year with the Houston Rockets. With Kevin Durant sitting out on Wednesday night, Tate actually had one of his best games of the season, tying a season-high with eight points in a 118-114 win over the Indiana Pacers.
The 2.7 points per game and 8.2 minutes per game are both low marks in the six-year NBA career of Tate, but he has still appeared in 30 games this season for a team that is headed to the playoffs. Even though Tate is far down Houston’s depth chart, if his number is called there is no question that he will give maximum effort on the court.
D’Angelo Russell
Another former Ohio State player who could be moved before the trade deadline is D’Angelo Russell. The Dallas guard has only appeared in one game in 2026, scoring 8 points in 19 minutes against Chicago on January 10th.
One would think that would injuries to Kyrie Irving and Anthony Davis the Mavericks would want a veteran like Russell on the floor. Instead, Dallas has opted to let rookie Cooper Flagg run the show and is leaning on veterans like Naji Marshall and Max Christie.
In 26 games this season, Russell is averaging 10.2 points per game, which is a career-low. Russell’s best effort of the season came on the first day of November when he scored 31 points against Detroit in a game played in Mexico City.
If Russell isn’t moved at the trade deadline, it is possible he could agree to a contract buyout with the Mavericks and find a team who could use his services down the stretch run of the season.
Jamison Battle
Following one season at Ohio State, Jamison Battle has spent the first two years of his NBA career with the Toronto Raptors.
Battle’s role is currently a bench guy who usually sees the majority of his playing time in blowouts. Through 36 games this season, Battle is averaging 8.5 minutes per game, which is half the amount of what he received last year.
Battle’s best game of the season came on Halloween when he was a perfect 7-7 from the field, scoring 20 points in a NBA Cup group stage win over Cleveland. Since then Battle has reached double figures in scoring in just two games, with both of those contests coming in December.
Even though he isn’t playing much, at least Battle is on a team heading to the playoffs, as the Raptors currently have a 30-21 record, which is fourth-best in the Eastern Conference.
Malaki Branham
Another former Buckeye who is seeing less than 10 minutes of playing time per game is Malaki Branham.
The former first round pick is averaging 4.6 points per in 9.8 minutes per contest for the Washington Wizards. In his first season with Washington after three years with the San Antonio Spurs, Branham has appeared in just 28 games.
Despite playing on a team that is just 13-35 this season and riding the bench, Branham is coming off his best game with the team after scoring 17 points in 22 minutes on Friday against the Lakers.
It will be interesting to see if his performance last time out leads to the former Ohio State forward seeing more opportunities the rest of the year with a Washington team that doesn’t have anything to play for.
E.J. Liddell
Much like Sensabaugh and Branham, E.J. Liddell is on a team that has essentially already been eliminated from playoff contention.
So far in 2026, Liddell has appeared in just three games for a total of 17 minutes. At least Liddell is still playing hard in the little playing time he is receiving. On Sunday, Liddell scored a season-high 5 points in the 130-77 loss to the Detroit Pistons.
Liddell’s situation might be the toughest to deal with, since he isn’t seeing much playing time on a team that is really bad. At least Utah and Washington have some interesting young players on their roster. The same can’t really be said about Brooklyn.
Hopefully the Nets give Liddell some more playing time so he can generate a little bit of interest for wherever the next stop in his NBA journey might be.
Three-game win streaks are on the line Wednesday as the Boston Celtics travel to Toyota Center to face the Houston Rockets.
With Anfernee Simons traded to the Chicago Bulls, my Celtics vs. Rockets predictions call for a strong performance from Payton Pritchard.
Here are my best free NBA picks for this marquee matchup on Wednesday, February 4.
Celtics vs Rockets prediction
Celtics vs Rockets best bet: Payton Pritchard Over 24.5 points + rebounds + assists (-112)
Payton Pritchard is averaging a career-best 26.5 PRA this season, and he’s gone for 25+ in 23 of 49 appearances.
He’s posting 24.7 at home compared to 28 on the road, and he's gone for 25+ in 14 of 24 away games.
The Boston Celtics’ electric guard has been even more productive as of late, averaging 28.2 PRA across his last seven games. He’s hit the Over on this line four times in that span, including a 26/4/7 showing in Tuesday's win over the Dallas Mavericks.
Pritchard shifted to the bench in favor of Baylor Scheierman against the Mavs, but he still saw 35 minutes as Boston kept its lineup tight.
Pritchard finished with just 19 PRA in his first matchup with the Houston Rockets, but he saw only 26 minutes in that game. Since January 1, he’s logged 32.4 minutes per game, including 33.9 minutes per game on the road.
With Anfernee Simons traded to the Chicago Bulls, Pritchard should be in line for big minutes and big numbers.
Celtics vs Rockets same-game parlay
The Celtics got smoked in their last matchup with the Rockets, but they're playing better basketball now and should keep this one competitive.
Boston is 16-10 ATS on the road and 6-3 ATS as the road underdog, while Houston is 8-13 ATS at home and 8-12 as the home favorite.
Boston allows the second-fewest points per game this season, and Houston allows the fourth-fewest. The Celtics and Rockets have each hit the Under in eight of their last 10 games.
Houston is 7-13-1 O/U at home, and Boston is 10-16 O/U on the road.
Celtics vs Rockets SGP
Payton Pritchard Over 24.5 points + rebounds + assists
Celtics +5.5
Under 216
Our "from downtown" SGP: Sengun stuffs stat sheet
Alperen Sengun has hit the Over on this combo line in four straight, and I expect him to extend that streak tonight. He's averaging 16.8 rebounds + assists at home, and he's gone for 16+ in 12 of 17 at Toyota Center.
Celtics vs Rockets SGP
Payton Pritchard Over 24.5 points + rebounds + assists
Celtics +5.5
Under 216
Alperen Sengun Over 15.5 rebounds + assists
Celtics vs Rockets odds
Spread: Boston +5.5 (-110) | Houston -5.5 (-110)
Moneyline: Boston +180 | Houston -220
Over/Under: Over 216 (-110) | Under 216 (-110)
Celtics vs Rockets betting trend to know
The Rockets have hit the Under in 17 of their last 21 games (+12.60 Units / 55% ROI). Find more NBA betting trends for Celtics vs. Rockets.
How to watch Celtics vs Rockets
Location
Toyota Center, Houston, TX
Date
Wednesday, February 4, 2026
Tip-off
8:00 p.m. ET
TV
Space City Home Network, NBC Sports Boston
Celtics vs Rockets latest injuries
Not intended for use in MA. Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here
Just over a year after being traded to Dallas for Luka Doncic, the Mavericks have reportedly dealt Anthony Davis to the Wizards as part of an 8-player deal, according to multiple reports.
ESPN’s Shams Charania is reporting the Mavericks are sending the 10-time All-Star to Washington along with Jaden Hardy, D’Angelo Russell and Dante Exum. In exchange, Charania said the Mavericks will receive Khris Middleton, AJ Johnson, Malaki Branham, Marvin Bagley III, two first-round picks and three second-rounders.
“Dallas is receiving a 2026 Thunder first-round pick and a 2030 protected Warriors first-round pick in this deal from the Wizards along with second-rounders in 2026 (Phoenix), 2027 (Chicago) and 2029 (Houston),” Charania tweeted.
Davis came to Dallas with a long history of injury issues and aggravated an abdominal strain in his debut. In his year with the team, he has missed more games than he has played for Dallas due to various ailments and he’s currently out until after the All-Star break with ligament damage in his left hand.
When he’s been healthy for the Mavs, Davis has averaged 20 points per game and nearly 30 minutes on the court per game. For the Wizards, Davis will join point guard Trae Young as the second former All-Star acquired in a trade this season.
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - FEBRUARY 03: Ryan Rollins #13 of the Milwaukee Bucks dribbles the ball against Lachlan Olbrich #47 of the Chicago Bulls during the third quarter at Fiserv Forum on February 03, 2026 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Milwaukee Bucks started their three-game homestand with a win against the Chicago Bulls 131-115. Despite a scare in the third quarter, the Bucks held off the Bulls and coasted to the win in the fourth. Milwaukee won the season series against Chicago, taking the first three games of their four-game set. Read our full summary of the game here and catch a six-minute audio recap on the Bucks+ podcast, Bucks In Six Minutes, below.
He did pick up a couple of early fouls, but other than that, it was a good game for Turner. I’m interested in how he will be used if Giannis and KPJ come back, but I hope this time has shown the coaching staff there’s a lot more to use Turner in other than spot-up shooting.
What a game it was for Rollins. He hit a vital three-pointer to stem the tide that the Bulls were throwing the Bucks’ way. You can’t ask for much more from a player who gives you a 21-point and 10-assist double-double.
It was a solid night for Dairy Bird, who helped Milwaukee with their initial run to take the lead against Chicago. It wasn’t all just catch-and-shoot threes for Green, as he continues to expand his three-point arsenal.
Coffey got the nod in the starting lineup with Bobby Portis as a late scratch. He didn’t look good at all, and there’s a reason he’s typically a bench warmer when everyone is healthy.
After some rough performances, this was a much-needed game for Sims. He was active on the boards and aggressive in the right spots. The only true lowlight was him falling to the floor as Buzelis nailed a three (even if it might have been an offensive foul).
These are the type of games they need to see from Anthony moving forward. He needs to play within himself and fill the box score with contributions beyond scoring.
Grade: B-
Gary Trent Jr.
23 minutes, 15 points, 5/8 3P, +17
Out of everyone on the Bucks who needed a good shooting performance the most, it was Trent. He’s had a significant drop-off from last year, but he tied a season high in three-point makes with five. He’s only done that twice this season, once in the season opener against the Wizards and against the Heat back in November.
Keep giving this man more minutes. Nance showed off all his skills, especially his basketball IQ and shooting. There were times he was outmatched on defense, but he gave full effort all night.
Even with the Bucks missing five rotational players, Jackson continues to get the short end of the minutes. He looked ok during his time on the court, but unless there is a coaching change, I don’t see Jackson sticking in Milwaukee past this season.
Grade: C+
Doc Rivers
It’s hard to give Doc much praise considering the Bucks finally made their shots. Yet, if Doc’s game plan was for them to attempt 38 threes, then I have to give him credit for it.
Grade: C+
Garbage Time: Thanasis Antetokounmpo
Inactive: Alex Antetokounmpo, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Gary Harris, Kevin Porter Jr., Bobby Portis Jr., Taurean Prince
Bonus Bucks Bits
We received injury updates before the game about a couple of Bucks guards. Kevin Porter Jr. is close to returning from his oblique injury, according to Doc Rivers. He could be back as early as today or as late as Friday against the Indiana Pacers.
Gary Harris, on the other hand, will be out for the next couple of games, and potentially longer.
This was the third career game in which Rollins has dished out 10 or more assists. He was asked about which area in his playmaking has improved the most after the game:
“I’m just making the right reads and getting down hill. Just letting the game develop for me and I’m not forcing things and forcing my shots too early.”
With the trade deadline just a day away, Kuzma was asked how he handles the distraction of it all:
“Me personally, I manage it because this is year nine and I’ve been in trade deadlines since I came into the NBA. My experince is a lot different from others, I’m going to go home after this and go to sleep. I sleep every night, I don’t think about it too much, but when you’re a younger player it’s a little bit different. If you’re a guy on the bench, it’s a lot different. We’re all human and you really can’t esacape it. You can’t escape the talks, you can’t escape because of the world we live in, but they pay us the big bucks. It doesn’t matter if you get traded the next day, whoop-de-do. It’s a buisness and we’re all like contractors and we move and play and it’s just how it goes.”
The Bucks set a new season best with 23 made three-pointers, shooting 60.5%. It’s the first time since December 5, 2023 that the Bucks have shot over 60% from deep.
Pete Nance also put up a season high 15 points, and was just two points shy of tying his career high in scoring.
Up Next
Last night was the first game of a back-to-back at home. They will host the New Orleans Pelicans today with draft lottery implications on the line. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. Central and will be televised on FanDuel Sports Network Wisconsin.
BOSTON, MA - SEPTEMBER 29: Brad Stevens, president of basketball operations for the Boston Celtics, leaves a press conference at Boston Celtics media day at the Auerbach Center on September 29, 2025 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo By Winslow Townson/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Yesterday’s big trade finally solved the glaring issue of needing more center depth (with all due respect to Queta and Garza). It cost the Celtics some guard depth though. So will the team make another move to add a backup guard or go with what they have?
In theory Jayson Tatum coming back gives the Celtics the scoring punch that they are losing with Simons heading out. While Simons wasn’t exactly a “ball handler” or “distributor,” he was at least capable of bringing the ball up on occasion. Here again, Tatum (at nearly full speed) can help out in this regard.
Still, it would be nice to have a guy that can give us some point guard minutes in a pinch. Maybe that guy can be found in the buyout market (Mike Conley? CP3?). Or maybe there’s someone kicking around the G-League that could use a call-up.
Or maybe there’s another deal out there that Brad is looking into. I’m not sure why the Bulls seem to have a team full of guards and couldn’t throw one of them our way in yesterday’s deal (well, technically they haven’t completed the deal yet and could expand it in the coming days). After a relatively quiet month, things sure are picking up lately.
So what do you think? Is Brad done dealing before the deadline? Or is he going to keep making moves?
The NBA was busy yesterday afternoon with a handful of big names changing teams. The biggest of those trades saw James Harden on the move once again in his career. The 9-time All-Star is now a Cleveland Cavalier. Ironically, the Cavs (30-21) take the court tonight against his old team, the Los Angeles Clippers (23-26) in Southern California.
This is the fifth time the veteran has been traded in his career. In 2012 the former Arizona State Sun Devil was traded from OKC to Houston. In 2021 Harden went from Houston to Brooklyn before going from Brooklyn to Philly in 2022. His stay in Philly was brief as he was traded from the Sixers to the Clippers in 2023 before landing in Cleveland yesterday.
The backcourt in Cleveland is possibly the league’s best…on the offensive end.
The Clippers now employ Darius Garland, the son of former Clipper Winston Garland. The Cavs’ point guard has played well – 18PPG and 6.9AST – but has played sparingly due to foot and toe injuries.
Neither Garland nor Harden is expected to play for their new teams tonight, but we can expect to see the NBA’s 6th-leading scorer, Donovan Mitchell (28.8PPG), and a resurgent Kawhi Leonard (27.6PPG).
This is the second of two games scheduled between these teams this season. The Cavs won on November 23, 120-105, in Cleveland. Donovan Mitchell had 37 points to lead the Cavaliers to the win.
We’ve got all the info and analysis you need to know ahead of the game, including the latest info on how to catch tipoff, odds courtesy of DraftKings recent team performance, player stats, and of course, our predictions, picks best bets for the game from our modeling tools and staff of experts.
After 24 years, the NBA is back on NBC and Peacock, combining the nostalgia of an iconic era with the innovative future of basketball coverage. The NBA on NBC YouTube channel delivers fans must-see highlights, analysis, and exclusive and unique content.
Game Details and How to Watch Live: Cavaliers at Clippers
Date: Wednesday, February 4, 2026
Time: 10:30PM EST
Site: Intuit Dome
City: Inglewood, CA
Network/Streaming: FDSN Ohio, FDSN SoCal
Rotoworld has you covered with all the latest NBA Player News for all 30 teams. Check out the feed page right here on NBC Sports for headlines, injuries and transactions where you can filter by league, team, positions and news type!
Game Odds: Cavaliers at Clippers
The latest odds as of Wednesday courtesy of DraftKings:
Moneyline: Cleveland Cavaliers (-130), Los Angeles Clippers (+110)
Spread: Cavaliers -2.5
Total: 223.5 points
This game opened Cavaliers -1.5 with the Total set at 221.5.
Be sure to check out DraftKings for all the latest game odds & player props for every matchup this week on the NBA schedule!
James Harden (personal) is doubtful for tonight’s game
Evan Mobley (calf) has been declared OUT for tonight’s game
Max Strus (foot) has been declared OUT for tonight’s game
Los Angeles Clippers
Darius Garland (toe) has been declared OUT for tonight’s game
TyTy Washington (hamstring) has been declared OUT for tonight’s game
Bradley Beal (hip) has been declared OUT for tonight’s game
Chris Paul (susp) has been declared OUT for tonight’s game
Important stats, trends and insights: Cavaliers at Clippers
The Cavaliers are 13-10 on the road this season
The Clippers are 13-10 at home this season
The Clippers are 24-25 ATS this season
The Cavaliers are 20-31 ATS this season
The OVER has cashed in 24 of the Clippers’ 49 games this season (24-25)
The OVER has cashed in 24 of the Cavaliers’ 51 games this season (24-27)
Kawhi Leonard has scored at least 20 points in each of his last 28 games
Jaylon Tyson has totaled at least 4 assists in 7 of his last 8 games
Jarrett Allen has pulled down at least 9 rebounds in 4 of his last 7 games
Rotoworld Best Bet
Please bet responsibly. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline at 1-800-522-4700.
Our model calculates projections around each moneyline, spread and over/under bet for every game on the NBA calendar based on data points like recent performance, head-to-head player matchups, trends information and projected game totals.
Once the model is finished running, we put its projections next to the latest betting lines for the game to arrive at a relative confidence level for each wager.
Here are the best bets our model is projecting for tonight’s Cavaliers and Clippers’ game:
Moneyline: Rotoworld Bet is recommending a play on the Cavaliers on the Moneyline
Spread: Rotoworld Bet is leaning towards a play on the Cavaliers -2.5 ATS
Total: Rotoworld Bet is staying away from a play on the Game Total of 223.5
Want even more NBA best bets and predictions from our expert staff & tools? Check out the Expert NBA Predictions page from NBC Sports for money line, spread and over/under picks for every game on today’s calendar!
If you’re looking for more key trends and stats around the spread, moneyline and total for every single game on the schedule today, check out our NBA Top Trends tool on NBC Sports!
Follow our experts on socials to keep up with all the latest content from the staff:
SAN FRANCISCO — As the buzzer sounded and capped the Golden State Warriors' final game before the NBA trade deadline, Draymond Green was on the court sharing laughs and conversations with teammate Stephen Curry and Philadelphia 76ers guard Kyle Lowry.
Was the 113-94 loss on Tuesday, Feb. 3 at Chase Center Green's final game as a Warrior?
The Warriors have had multiple players' names swirling around the rumor mill ahead of the 3 p.m. ET (noon PT) trade deadline on Thursday, Feb. 5, and Green was one of them.
The Warriors' next game against the Phoenix Suns on Feb. 5 at 10 p.m. ET (7 p.m. PT) is after the deadline.
Green has been mentioned in a potential trade that would send him and other Warriors players to the Milwaukee Bucks for Giannis Antetokounmpo, according to ESPN. NBA insider Marc Stein reported on Jan. 23 that Green would be included in a trade, rather than Jimmy Butler, who tore his ACL in a season-ending injury on Jan. 9.
Stein said the potential trade would include Green, Jonathan Kuminga and Brandin Podziemski, who grew up in Greenfield of Milwaukee County in Wisconsin.
The Warriors are willing to trade Draymond Green, Brandin Podziemski, and Jonathan Kuminga for Giannis Antetokounmpo, per @TheSteinLine
“The Stein Line was the first to report on Jan. 23 that Jimmy Butler would not be included in Golden State's Giannis offers and it has since… pic.twitter.com/va391CKEbG
Green said after the loss to the Sixers that he doesn't know if he's played his last game for the Warriors.
"Maybe," Green told USA TODAY Sports. "I don't know. I don't foresee it that way. But if I have, like I said it's been an amazing run. But I don't know, we'll see. I don't sit and think about the possibilities of what may happen. It's gon' be what it's gon' be, regardless. That just, it is what it is."
Green finished the game with six points, seven rebounds and three assists in 25 minutes. He wore his jersey during his postgame conference with reporters as he does with most postgame scrums, nothing unusual. But he acknowledged that there's a "possibility" he could be traded.
"It's a possibility that I might get traded. It's kind of just what it's like −yeah but at some point it's going to come to an end," Green told reporters about being involved in trade rumors and his Warriors' tenure. "Whether it's a day or two or a year or two, it's going to come to an end at some point. You got to be okay with that. It's not something that I can hold onto forever because I can't play basketball forever. It's got to come to an end at some point anyway."
Green is 35 years old. He was drafted by Golden State out of Michigan State with the 35th pick in the 2012 NBA Draft. He's become a Defensive Player of the Year, four-time All-Star and a four-time NBA champion in 14 seasons with the Warriors.
Green told ESPN's Anthony Slater that Warriors head coach Steve Kerr talked to him before the game that his name has been mentioned in trade talks and asked how his wife was handling it. Green said "that's when it got real" to him and he spoke to his son about it on the way to Tuesday's game.
"I was like 'yo what if I get traded?' He was like 'well why would they trade you,'" Green said summarizing the chat pregame with his son. "I was like 'It's just the business. I've never been traded but it can happen to anybody.' He was like 'Oh, I just don't understand why they would do that.'"
He told reporters that he's spoke to the front office, but added, "it's probably not quite the conversation you think it was" and that he talks to them "pretty often."
Green didn't feel like he played his last game with the Warriors. But he reflected on his time in the Bay Area after 13 to 14 years.
He said "it's business as usual."
'All good things must come to an end at some point'
Green has been getting the question for the last couple days now and said "it doesn't wear" on him since he can't control it. If anything, he said, he can't wait for the deadline so people will stop asking him about it.
"A lot of people want to know how I feel about it, if I'm upset about it, I'm not at all," Green said. "If that's what's best for this organization, that's what's best for this organization. I'm not like 'aww man, they (expletive) me over' or something like that, I don't really feel that way."
Green has averaged 8.4 points, 5.7 rebounds, 5.2 assists, 0.9 steals and 0.7 blocks in 42 games with the Warriors in the 2025-26 regular-season. For his 14-year NBA career, he averages 8.7 points, 6.9 rebounds, 5.6 assists, 1.3 steals and 1 block per game.
He won the 2017 NBA Defensive Player of the Award after being named runner-up in 2015 and 2016. Green has made NBA All-Defensive team nine times.
Kerr said that Green will have a statue outside of the Chase Center for what he's meant to the franchise, on 95.7FM The Game's Willard and Dibs radio show.
"[Draymond and I] have talked [about the trade rumors]. I think what's really tricky for Draymond is this is the only place he's ever known. He's going to have a statue outside the building someday.
Really weird position for him to be in for sure because there's never really… pic.twitter.com/JmBG1tvgR0
"If you would have told me 13 and a half years ago like 'yo I'm going to hand you this sheet of paper and you can sign it to be in a place for 13 years and a half years, would you sign it?' I would've signed it faster than you can blink," Green told reporters. "So what do I have to sit and worry about? What do I have to be upset about? I've been here for 13 and 1/2 years. That's longer probably than 98% of NBA players have been in one place and a guy from Saginaw has been in one place for 13 and a half years. I don't know that it ends at 13 and a half, but if it does what a (expletive) run it's been."
He's seemingly content with whatever his destiny may be. There's no animosity from Green towards the Warriors, he said that he's "blessed," "lucky" and "grateful."
"My family hasn't had to move anywhere since I started my family," Green said. "That's incredible. I don't take that for granted. There's guys that's been on the move every year, moving their family two, three times in a year. So, I have so much gratitude for where I am in my career, the run I've been on here And I don't know that it ends or what not. We'll all see. But if it does, it does. All good things must come to an end at some point."
If it comes to a point where Green needs to say goodbye, then he'll say goodbye, he said.
The Knicks’ All-Star guard reflects on the unexplainable energy of Madison Square Garden, road playoff battles, and what winning in New York truly demands.
Madison Square Garden has a way of turning basketball games into something closer to mythology, and for Jalen Brunson, it’s a feeling that still resists explanation. The New York Knicks’ All-Star point guard has played on some of the sport’s biggest stages, but when the Garden tightens into playoff mode, it becomes something else entirely. In a conversation for Boardroom’s latest Cover Story, Brunson tried to put words to the electricity that ripples through the building when the stakes rise.
“You can sit here and talk about how crazy it is and how it’s jumping and how you’re going to feel the energy, good or bad,” Brunson told Rich Kleiman. “You’re going to feel the energy. You can’t just explain it; you have to experience it.” He paused, then said what most players eventually realize. “It’s insane. There’s no better place to do anything, not just play basketball, to do anything, perform anything that goes on in that arena.”
For Brunson, that atmosphere isn’t just fuel; it’s responsibility. Still early in his Knicks tenure, he’s already acutely aware of what it means to carry expectations in a city that remembers everything. Legacy is part of the conversation, whether he invites it or not. But Brunson keeps his focus narrow.
“I know I got a lot more to do, a lot more,” he said. “This is cool and all, but my goal is to win. I want to win. I’m going to do whatever it takes, and I’m going to die trying.”
That same playoff intensity showed itself on the road, too. Brunson pointed to a night in Detroit, where clutch shots silenced a roaring crowd that refused to let up. “Their crowd was loud,” he said. “Detroit in the playoffs was crazy. That was a really cool moment.” When asked about Pistons star Cade Cunningham, Brunson saw a familiar trait: leadership without noise.
“He’s not loud,” Brunson said. “He gets the job done. He gets his teammates involved. He does everything you ask of him, and then he goes home.”
In New York, that quiet resolve plays just as loudly as any roar. And inside the Garden, Brunson is learning exactly how far it can carry him.
WASHINGTON, DC - FEBRUARY 3: Mikal Bridges #25 of the New York Knicks shoots the ball during the game against the Washington Wizards on February 3, 2026 at Capital One Arena in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Stephen Gosling/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The Knicks extended their winning streak to seven last night, shellacking the Washington Wizards in what felt like a home game, 132-101.
It was the exact kind of win that inspires confidence, the kind of win where every single player who steps on the floor contributes in a big way. Four starters had 19 or more points – hold for Josh Hart, who added seven points and seven dimes of his own. Ariel Hukporti shined in a backup center role, posting 12 points, 9 rebounds, and 2 blocks. Shamet, Clarkson, and Kolek all made their marks off the bench.
The Knicks were far superior to a younger Washington team, and it showed.
Tonight, the win streak gets seriously tested as New York travels back home to take on the 33-18 Nuggets, the third seed in the West that just welcomed back three-time MVP Nikola Jokic to the lineup. They’re still a bit banged up, with Aaron Gordon and Cam Johnson sidelined, but it’ll be a formidable test nevertheless. Denver sustained their winning ways even with Jokic sidelined, and it’ll be interesting to see how the Knicks compete with them on the second end of a back-to-back.
Denver’s offense is one of the best in the league – as a team, they average 120 PPG on 49.5/39.8/81.4 splits. Jeez. That being said, their defense is only middle of the pack, which is to say that points should be abundant tonight.
Jokic leads Denver with 29.3 points, 12 rebounds, and 10.5 assists per game. Jamal Murray is a motor, scoring at 25.5 points per game. Peyton Watson contributes on both ends with averages of 15 PPG and 1.2 BPG, and Christian Braun delivers nine points and his three-ball has fallen off a cliff this season. Their likely starting five tonight:: Jokic, Murray, Braun, Jalen Pickett (8.2 PPG), and Watson.
Prediction
The Knicks have been rolling as of late, and I truly believe they can continue their winning ways at the Garden. Denver is still working Jokic properly back into the lineup. No Mitch, no Deuce, no problem. It’ll be a close one, but the Knicks take this one by four tonight.
Game Details
Teams: New York Knicks (32-18) vs Denver Nuggets (33-18) Date: Wednesday, February 4, 2026 Time: 7:00 PM ET Location: Madison Square Garden, New York, NY TV: ESPN, MSG Follow: @ptknicksblog and bsky
WASHINGTON, DC - FEBRUARY 1: AJ Johnson #4 of the Washington Wizards dunks the ball during the game against the Sacramento Kings on February 1, 2026 at Capital One Arena in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Stephen Gosling/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The Wizards traveled to New York where they took on a savvy, veteran, professional team and got vanquished, 132-101. The home town crowd enjoyed the New York-sized victory, chanting “MVP” when Jalen Brunson shot free throws in the third quarter.
Editor’s Note: The game was played in DC.
Note back to the Editor: On TV, they showed entire sections of the stadium filled with people wearing Knicks regalia. Are you sure?!
Editor’s Note: Yes.
Wizards guard AJ Johnson scores in the team’s loss to the New York Knicks. | NBAE via Getty Images
In the grand tradition of Wizards/Bullets seeing their home stadium taken over by the opposing team’s fans, this one lands near the bottom. Sure, Lakers games probably take the top (bottom?) spot, but the Knicks faithful gave them a good run for their money last night.
Bright side: at least I got to listen to Walt Frazier, who remains thoroughly unique. Just once, I’d love to hear him on a broadcast with Charlotte Hornets play-by-play man Eric Collins. For fellow veteran Frazier watchers, last night he wore a leopard print blazer and a leopard print necktie. This ensemble is actually somewhat tame by his standards. I hope there’s a social media account that posts pictures of his outfits.
In addition to entertaining with his one-of-a-kind rhyming and SAT-word vocabulary, Frazier is a worthwhile listen on basketball topics. Last night, he shared how he returned from a sprained ankle in half the expected time by spending his nights in a chair putting his foot in and out of a bucket of ice. He talked about how some of the players being honored on “Black Excellence Night” were “my nemesis.”
And, he quickly and correctly answered the evening’s trivia question, “When was the last time the Knicks had two All-Stars in the same season.” He did have something of a cheat, considering that the correct answer was himself and Dave DeBusschere in 1974.
He also had this observation, which sounded like it could have been ripped from my notebook every time the Wizards play: “You can tell these guys are young by the turnovers they make. So careless with the ball.”
Speaking of being a “veteran,” every time I see AJ Johnson, my brain says, “A.J. English.”
For those readers who are younger than LeBron James, English was a 1990 second round pick out of Virginia Union University by the Bullets. He played two seasons for the team— 1990-91 and 1991-92. He actually wasn’t bad — at least good enough to think he could be on an NBA roster for a few years. He signed with the Portland Trail Blazers after those two years in Washington, didn’t make the team and never played in the league again.
Other highlights from the game: late in the half, the Knicks broadcaster shared the news that the Los Angeles Clippers had traded James Harden to the Cleveland Cavaliers for Darius Garland and a second round pick.
Thoughts & Observations
In the first two minutes of the game, I jotted three notes, “Walt Frazier!!!” and “George out of control closeout” and “KAT overpowers Sarr for oreb and putback hook.” Feels like I could have copy-and-pasted that over and over all night long.
In the first quarter, Mikal Bridges made a crosscourt pass to the weakside corner that used to be an example of amazing court vision and skill. It’s one John Wall made regularly. Now it’s routine in the NBA.
Under new head coach Mike Brown, the Knicks tried to manage Karl-Anthony Towns’ defensive deficiencies by forcing penetration to the middle (somewhat unorthodox at the NBA level) and helping hard from the perimeter. The result: New York gave up tons of threes and still had trouble controlling the paint. Now the Knicks are back to “icing” pick-and-roll (forcing the ball to the sideline) and trying to keep the ball out of the middle. In other words, the kind of scheme Tom Thibodeau was using.
I had several notes about Wizards players doing a poor job of helping at-rim. One example was in the second quarter — Towns drove on Sarr for an and-one dunk. The weird thing was that Kyshawn George rotated into the perfect place to contest…and did nothing. He literally just stood there with his arms at his side and watched Towns dunk. On another second quarter play, OG Anunoby drove past George. Both Bub Carrington and Bilal Coulibaly were in good “low man” position on opposite sides of the lane. Neither came over to cut off the drive or contest the dunk. I’m not sure what happened to George on the first example other than maybe he thought Sarr was in position to make a play. On the second, I suspect it was communication issue.
The Knicks led by 27 at the half, which was their biggest halftime lead of the season.
At the half, the Wizards were -25 or worse with each of the five starters on the floor. They finished the game at -30 or worse.
Especially when he’s pivoting on his left shoulder, I’d very much prefer for Sarr to settle himself and shoot the jump hook rather than a fading jumper.
In the third quarter, Walt Frazier joined me in wondering why the Wizards kept letting Jalen Brunson go left. It’s right up there with why they were literally trying to force Harden left when they played the Clippers earlier this season.
The only real drama in this one was whether the Knicks could hold Washington under 100 points (as they have each of their victims in their current seven-game winning streak), and whether they could win by 40 or more. The Knicks failed on both counts.
Four Factors
Below are the four factors that decide wins and losses in basketball — shooting (efg), rebounding (offensive rebounds), ball handling (turnovers), fouling (free throws made).
The four factors are measured by:
eFG% (effective field goal percentage, which accounts for the three-point shot)
OREB% (offensive rebound percentage)
TOV% (turnover percentage — turnovers divided by possessions)
FTM/FGA (free throws made divided by field goal attempts)
FOUR FACTORS
KNICKS
WIZARDS
LGAVG
eFG%
61.7%
47.1%
54.3%
OREB%
22.0%
19.6%
26.1%
TOV%
8.9%
12.9%
12.7%
FTM/FGA
0.233
0.233
0.209
PACE
101
99.5
ORTG
131
100
115.5
Stats & Metrics
PPA is my overall production metric, which credits players for things they do that help a team win (scoring, rebounding, playmaking, defending) and dings them for things that hurt (missed shots, turnovers, bad defense, fouls).
PPA is a per possession metric designed for larger data sets. In small sample sizes, the numbers can get weird. In PPA, 100 is average, higher is better and replacement level is 45. For a single game, replacement level isn’t much use, and I reiterate the caution about small samples sometimes producing weird results.
POSS is the number of possessions each player was on the floor in this game.
ORTG = offensive rating, which is points produced per individual possessions x 100. League average so far this season is listed in the Four Factors table above. Points produced is not the same as points scored. It includes the value of assists and offensive rebounds, as well as sharing credit when receiving an assist.
USG = offensive usage rate. Average is 20%.
ORTG and USG are versions of stats created by former Wizards assistant coach Dean Oliver and modified by me. ORTG is an efficiency measure that accounts for the value of shooting, offensive rebounds, assists and turnovers. USG includes shooting from the floor and free throw line, offensive rebounds, assists and turnovers.
+PTS = “Plus Points” is a measure of the points gained or lost by each player based on their efficiency in this game compared to league average efficiency on the same number of possessions. A player with an offensive rating (points produced per possession x 100) of 100 who uses 20 possessions would produce 20 points. If the league average efficiency is 115, the league — on average — would produced 23.0 points in the same 20 possessions. So, the player in this hypothetical would have a +PTS score of -3.0.
Players are sorted by total production in the game.
NBA trade season is in full swing, and the Boston Celtics are in the thick of the action.
The Celtics made a significant trade Tuesday, reportedly sending Anfernee Simons and a second-round pick to the Chicago Bulls in return for big man Nikola Vucevic and a second-round pick. But president of basketball operations Brad Stevens still has time to make more moves before the NBA trade deadline on Thursday at 3 p.m. ET.
After Boston’s win over the Dallas Mavericks on Tuesday night, Celtics Insider Chris Forsberg broke down the additional flexibility Stevens and Co. gained by trimming about $6 million in salary (Simons is making $27.7 million this season, while Vucevic is making $21.5 million) and ducking under the first apron of the NBA’s luxury tax.
“They’re now off the first apron, which essentially unlocks one key benefit: If a player is waived who is making more than the mid-level exception — about $14.5 million — the Celtics can now make a play for that person,” Forsberg explained on the Celtics Talk Podcast with co-host Kayla Burton.
“Most of the time that’s minimum deals, but the Celtics actually have some trade exceptions if they needed to (take on) more (salary). … Long story short, they could make an aggressive offer towards a player who maybe was an All-Star in the past, but for whatever reason has been waived by their team.”
Forsberg is referring to the buyout market, where players who are released as a result of trades are free to sign with other teams after Thursday’s deadline. More often than not, those players are aging veterans who weren’t making a significant impact for their other teams. But there are diamonds in the rough, as the Celtics themselves proved in 2008 when they signed P.J. Brown and Sam Cassell, who were important depth pieces on a championship team.
As Forsberg pointed out, it’s also possible Boston makes another deal, with end-of-the-bench big man Chris Boucher a likely trade candidate.
“There’s probably another shoe to drop,” Forsberg said. “It’s not hard to put these pieces together. Chris Boucher was unlikely to be here long-term … so we’ll see what happens from here.
“They could look on the trade market. They still have plenty of exceptions. They have plenty of means. They might crawl back onto the first apron depending on how much salary they take on, but they could figure that part out. With the fact that Boucher’s money will come off, it should clear enough money to make some moves.”
So, which type of player should the Celtics target, either in a small trade or as a buyout signing? Forsberg lobbied for a steady veteran guard who can bolster the backcourt behind Payton Pritchard and Derrick White.
“The comp I would always use is a Kris Dunn type: a veteran guy who plays defense, can be a secondary ball-handler, spell Payton and Derrick at times,” Forsberg said. “(He’s) probably not going to play a ton of minutes in the postseason, but if you could get somebody like that on a minimum deal or end-of-season money, then it’s just another body to navigate both the end of the regular season and potential spot minutes in the postseason.
“Sometimes those guys catch lightning in a bottle.”
Dunn is set to take on a larger role with the Los Angeles Clippers after they traded James Harden, so he might be staying put. But one name to watch is veteran guard Mike Conley, who is expected to be bought out or traded by the Bulls after a three-team trade that sent him from Minnesota to Chicago.
While Conley’s best days are behind him at age 38, he has a wealth of playoff experience (108 postseason games played) and would provide experienced depth.
This came across my social media feed recently and I must admit, I got caught up in the scroll. Clickbait aside, there are some interesting trades that made quite a difference for a player or a team.
Some highlights:
#47- Hawks trade Rasheed Wallace to the Pistons (2004). This was an immediate impact as the Pistons won the Championship that year against a stacked Los Angeles Lakers. And the trade was lopsided as thr Hawks made no real gains from the exchange.
#44- Pelicans trade for Dejounte Murray (2024). Murray has struggled to find a home, and injuries haven’t helped. Dyson Daniels has shined for the ATL, making the trade even worse for New Orleans.
#42- Suns trade for Kevin Durant (2023). Just the thought that trading for KD could be a bad thing makes me shudder. While KD is still one of the purest scores, his time to lead a team toward championship seems to have passed.
#40- Spurs trade Dennis Rodman to thre Bulls (1995). This is the first trade listed involving the Silver & Black. While Rodman is the greatest rebounder of all-time, San Antonio seems to be where he decided to let his freak flag fly. But The Alamo City, with its heritage and military background, was not the spot for him to plant it. The Spurs took a hit on the trade in hopes of retaining the Spurs culture through its leader David Robinson.
#35 and #34 both involve Damian Lillard, but Portland is not the loser on either.
#27 Timberwolves trade Kevin Garnett to Celtics (2007). Celtics get a Defensive Player of the Year and a title in KG’s first year. Minnesota got some pieces who never panned out and still seek a title.
#25 Cavs trade the pick that becomes James Worthy (1980). Can you imagine the different trajedctory for the Los Angeles Lakers had they not acquired James Worthy?
#19 Pacers trade Kawhi Leonard to Spurs on draft night (2011). Love him or despise him, he brought a lot to San Antonio in his time with the Spurs. The 2014 Finals MVP impeded LeBron’s three-peat and grabbed a pair of Defensive Player of the Year trophies during his time in San Antonio.
#17 Luka Doncic on draft night. You think that was a bad idea not knowing hoe Trae Young and Doncic would develop, check out #1…
#10 Hornets trade Kobe Bryant to the Lakers (1996). And the legacy begins.
#7 SGA to OKC while Paul George heads to Clippers. It sounded good at the time. No one knew just how Shai Gilgeous-Alexander would blow up. Hindsight.
There were multiple bad trades involving the same teams, or the same players. What does that say about front offices and the longevity of a player? How about those few that traded for franchise legends- Kobe, Dirk, Dr. J, Bill Russell all could have (should have?) ended up on other teams.
Lots to unpack here.
Welcome to the Thread. Join in the conversation, start your own discussion, and share your thoughts. This is the Spurs community, your Spurs community. Thanks for being here.
Our community guidelines apply which should remind everyone to be cool, avoid personal attacks, not to troll and to watch the language.
