Category: NBA

The Warriors traded someone who didn’t work for someone who can’t work.

They wouldn’t play Jonathan Kuminga. They aren’t able to play Kristaps Porzingis. 

If the Kuminga experiment was a blight, the Porzingis tenure has been a black hole, punctuated by him missing his fourth straight game Saturday because of an illness as the Warriors fell to the Lakers,129-101.

They sure could’ve used the 7-foot-2 big man, who draws fouls and is a silky 3-point shooter on a night when they had only nine free-throw attempts (less than half as many as the Lakers) and were outshot from beyond the arc, 46.3 percent to 27.3 percent. 

Porzingis’ current illness is apparently contagious and has caused him to lose fluids. It supposedly has nothing to do with the extended illness he battled during his final season in Boston and limited him to just 17 games with Atlanta this season. 

That longterm illness was postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) — or so we thought.

That’s where things get even more murky. 

Kerr went on local Bay Area radio Friday and revealed that Porzingis doesn’t have POTS.

“I read about the POTS diagnosis and called the Hawks [general manager] Onsi Saleh,” Kerr said. “He’s a good friend of mine and I said, ‘Is this POTS story real?’ He said it’s actually not POTS. That was some misinformation out there.”

When asked for clarification Saturday, Kerr essentially issued a retraction. 

“It was a stupid mistake by me to talk about something that I’m not qualified to talk about,” he said. “I regretted even trying to discuss the diagnosis. That was my mistake and I need to leave that to the professionals.”

It’s hard to makes heads and tails of what’s going on, 

But it has been that kind of a season for the Warriors, who lost Jimmy Butler to a torn ACL last month and have been without Steph Curry (runner’s knee) for 10 straight games. Now, the Warriors are just trying to keep their heads above water long enough to make the play-in tournament. 

For that to happen, they need Porzingis. 

When the Warriors pulled the trigger on Porzingis, it was a smart move. Things had become untenable with Kuminga, who viewed himself as a star while the team just wanted him to star in his role. 

Kuminga’s relationship with Kerr degenerated. His play was inconsistent. Eventually, things became so unworkable that he played in only three games from Dec. 6 until he was traded just under two months later. 

The Warriors tried to take a big swing at the trade deadline for Giannis Antetokounmpo, but the Milwaukee Bucks decided to hold onto their superstar. So, the Warriors pivoted to Porzingis. 

Porzingis seemed like a great get. 

He fills a lot of the Warriors’ holes. He mixes things up down low and has a shot that needs to be respected, which opens up the court for everyone around him. If Butler weren’t injured and Porzingis wasn’t a giant question mark, the Warriors could be really good.  

But the problem is that’s a lot of hypotheticals. 

Porzingis has only played in one game for the Warriors so far against Boston on Feb. 19. He finished with 12 points in 17 minutes, including making two 3-pointers.

There’s a lot of upside there. But if he can’t stay on the court, it’s all for naught. 

So far, the Warriors have traded a guy who was ill-fitted for a guy who can’t stay in uniform.

What’s going on? Is Porzingis actually really going to be able to play? What even is his illness?

When the Warriors acquired Porzingis, Warriors general manager Mike Dunleavy Jr. said he believed he’d be able to make an impact. “We feel good about it,” he said. Porzingis added that he was “confident” he’d be on the court. 

But so far, there are more questions than answers around Porzingis. 

So, without Butler, Curry and Porzingis, the Warriors allowed a Lakers team that had lost three games in a row to stop the bleeding with a blowout win. 

The Warriors still believe anything could happen if they make the play-in tournament. And they’re not wrong. With Curry, anything is possible. 

But without Porzingis, nothing is possible. Not without Butler, too. Curry and Draymond Green just wouldn’t have enough help.

So, while the Kuminga experiment was a failure, the Porzingis experiment so far is an enigma. 

All we really know is he has missed seven of the team’s eight games since becoming a Warrior, leaving Green to try and lead a developing team as Curry rehabs his knee. 

Looking forward, Kerr is unsure whether Porzingis will play against the Clippers on Monday. 

There’s so much uncertainty around the big man. 

For the Warriors, it means they went from having a Kuminga issue to a Porzingis disappearing act.

Or, in other words, they traded a headache for knots in their stomach. 

Villanova men's basketball's 89-57 loss on Saturday, February 28 at No. 15 St. John’s brought back memories for Wildcats coach Kevin Willard, who previously worked under Red Storm coach Rick Pitino as an assistant.

They weren’t fond ones, either.

Following Villanova’s 32-point loss at Madison Square Garden in New York, Willard was asked what Pitino was like at practice immediately following a lopsided defeat. He didn’t hold back with his answer.

REQUIRED READING: March Madness power rankings: Ranking top 20 teams based on odds

“I’m not [expletive] you — I don’t have hair because of this guy,” said Willard, who is bald. “I had a full set of hair when I started working for him. It’s the most miserable experience in life. You fear for your life every day. Everyone laughs when I say that, but you think you’re going to get fired. It’s miserable.”

Willard started his coaching career by working under Pitino as an assistant with the Boston Celtics from 1997-2001 and then at Louisville from 2001-07. Willard’s father, Ralph, was also an assistant for Pitino, with the New York Knicks from 1987-89, at Kentucky from 1989-90 and at Louisville from 2009-11.

Though the younger Willard hasn’t worked for Pitino since leaving Louisville to become the head coach at Iona in 2007, he imagines his old boss has only changed so much.

“As he’s gotten older, he’s probably become more of a cranky old [expletive] than he was when I worked for him, but you literally fear for your life,” Willard said. “He walks into the facility at 6:30 and you’ve been there since 5:30 thinking you have everything right and he comes in and asks you the one question you don’t know. He’s that intense. He always has been. He’s got the most energy of any coach I’ve ever been around. I think that’s why he’s got 900 wins and national championships because he does it better and more intense than anybody.”

Willard is in his first season at Villanova, where he has the Wildcats at 22-7 and in position to make the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2022.

The 50-year-old Willard was previously the head coach at Maryland, Seton Hall and Iona. He has a career head coaching record of 357-256 and has led his teams to the NCAA Tournament in seven of the previous nine seasons in which the event was held.

So, for all the misery he endured working for Pitino, at least some of the lessons from the legendary coach apparently stayed with him.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Willard says working for Pitino was 'the most miserable experience'

It was close, until it wasn’t. The Brooklyn Nets hung around for about a half, but the Boston Celtics separated themselves from the Nets and cruised to a 37 point win. The streak is now at seven losses in a row.

The opponent tonight is climbing the charts in the Eastern Conference. The Cleveland Cavaliers are looking a bit different these days, but they keep on keeping on. The team was up three in the final seconds of regulation against the Detroit Pistons on Friday night, but they fouled up three… while the Pistons threw up a heave from halfcourt. Detroit made all three free throws and he Cavs wound up losing in overtime. THAT’S WHY YOU DON’T FOUL UP THREE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Where to follow the game

YES Network on TV. Gotham Sports on streaming. WFAN on radio. Tip after 3:30 p.m. ET.

🤕 Injuries

Nic Claxton is questionable with a right thumb sprain. Egor Demin is out. The three two-ways remain with Long Island who plays the Westchester Knicks at 3:00 p.m. ET. (If you like, you can watch the first quarter of that game here)

The following are out:

• Donovan Mitchell
• Dean Wade
• Max Strus
• Keon Ellis

James Harden is questionable with a right thumb fracture.

🏀 The game

Cleveland won the first two meetings. This is the last meeting between the teams this season.

A lot of former Nets in the house today. Dennis Schroeder is starting for former Net Harden and the former Nets coach, Kenny Atkinson, is in the house! Scoop B caught up with Kenny a few weeks back and got to reminiscing

Sometimes you reminisce on bad memories!

The Nets have to avoid the one big run. When you’re at a talent deficit in the ways Brooklyn are, you can’t afford to let a team go on a big run and put you deep in a hole. Being at home should help that out, but it’s the team’s third game in four nights so who knows.

Nolan Traore will look to put another good outing together. He tied a career high with three steals on Friday night and the next two months should help his growth. He’s done a good job of finding his way throughout the year and good games like build confidence that will carry him in to next season.

Without Mitchell and Harden at less than full strength, Michael Porter Jr is the player most likely to hit for 30+ points tonight. He’s started to find his shot in recent games after a slump, and now that we are officially entering the time of year when people start to focus more on the playoff contenders, he’ll be a bit more under the radar than usual. Either way, seeing him start to figure things out again is helpful and will make the last two months of the season entertaining enough.

👀 Player to watch: Jarrett Allen

It’s always fun to watch a player to go on the run of a lifetime. Allen had the best month of his career in February as he averaged around 22 points and 11 rebounds a night on 74 percent shooting from the field. Allen has leveled up in a special way and has the coaches thinking of ways to build on his momentum.

“We just got to keep him there,“ Kenny Atkinson said after the game on Friday. ”You know, it’s our job as coaches to keep him in this great, great space. But I loved his energy tonight.”

If Allen can play anything close to this level in April and May, then the Cavs have a chance to do something really special.

Nic Claxton will look to slow JA down on the inside. A matchup against a resurgent Allen should be a great warmup for the back-to-back he’ll have against Bam Adebayo next week in Miami.

📺 From the Vault

We are officially on the Road to WrestleMania!

More reading: Fear the Sword, SB Nation NBA, New York Post, New York Daily News, Clutch Points, Nets Wire, Steve’s Newsletter

• Brooklyn Nets Game Notes – Brooklyn Nets
• Cleveland Cavaliers Game Notes – Cleveland Cavaliers
• Brooklyn takes on Cleveland, seeks to stop 7-game slide – AP
• Is James Harden playing today? Cavs vs. Nets injury report – Malik Brown – Clutch Points

JUPITER, Fla. (AP) — St. Louis manager Oliver Marmol signed a two-year contract extension through at least the 2028 season, the Cardinals announced Sunday.

The deal includes a club option for 2029, the club said.

“As I’ve gotten to know Oli, I’ve seen someone who cares about this organization and knows what has made the Cardinals special over time, and who understands that for us to get where we need to go, we must compete relentlessly to set new standards in everything that we do,” Cardinals president Chaim Bloom said in a statement. “He is invested in the progress of our young core and is unafraid to challenge himself and to help those around him grow."

The 39-year-old Marmol has led the Cardinals for the past four seasons, taking them to the National League wild-card round in his first season as manager. But he has failed to return to the playoffs the last three years, and St. Louis was just 78-84 last season.

Yet the Cardinals have long considered the past couple of seasons as an opportunity to reset with Bloom taking over for longtime executive John Mozeliak and a roster in need of a refresh. So it makes sense to provide some stability with Marmol, the third-longest tenured manager in the NL behind the Dodgers' Dave Roberts and the Diamondbacks' Torey Lovullo.

Marmol has been with the Cardinals since 2007, when he was still in his playing days. He spent five seasons as a manager in the minors before joining the coaching staff in 2017, and he was elevated to the St. Louis manager on October 25, 2021.

Marmol is 324-323 in four seasons with the Cardinals.

___

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/mlb

The Philadelphia 76ers are headed to TD Garden to take on the Boston Celtics for the fourth and final time this regular season.

Joel Embiid will not be shipping up to Boston, however, after an MRI on Saturday confirmed that Embiid suffered a strained right oblique in the team’s win over the Miami Heat on Thursday night. He will miss the Sixers’ next three games (including Sunday’s) before being re-evaluated. Other than Embiid, Philadelphia will also continue to be without Paul George on Sunday as he sits out his suspension.

After facing off three times in the first three weeks of the season, the Sixers and Celtics haven’t met since way back in November. Philadelphia actually leads the series against Boston so far with two wins and one loss, but all three games were extremely close — the largest margin being two points, the other games decided by a single point.

For this fourth and final meeting the Celtics will, despite rumors and rumblings as of late, still be without Jayson Tatum, who has not played this season after tearing his Achilles tendon in his right leg in the playoffs last season.

Baylor Scheierman also is questionable for Boston for Sunday due to a thumb fracture. Scheierman isn’t a name you might not recognize, but the sophomore guard has actually become a bigger piece of the Celtics rotation as of late. He played 24.3 minutes per game in February and started in the Celtics’ last six contests, averaging 8.7 points and 5.0 rebounds while playing some good defense in that span.

Even without Tatum this season, Boston has been looking pretty damn good, especially since the turn of the calendar year. The Celtics have won 10 of their last 12 games and are currently second in the Eastern Conference at 39-20, trailing only the 44-14 Detroit Pistons.

Jaylen Brown has been far and away the Celtics leader all season, averaging a career-high 29.1 points per game in 53 contests, but he has a supporting cast playing good basketball right now as well. Payton Pritchard and Derrick White are chipping in career-highs of 17.3 points and 17.1 points per game, respectively.

There’s also Nikola Vucevic, who was moved to Boston from the Chicago Bulls at the trade deadline. He has played just eight games with the Celtics but came alive for a big double-double in their most recent contest, putting up 28 points on 9-for-13 field goal shooting and 3-for-3 from long range with 11 rebounds. Sure, it was in a blowout win over the Brooklyn Nets, but still something to watch as Vucevic continues to acclimate to the Celtics squad.

The Sixers have been on a positive streak recently as well — a short one, but positive nonetheless — winning their last three games in a row and putting momentum back in their favor after losing four straight prior. The most recent two of those victories came with the help of Embiid, while the first (against Anthony Edwards and the Minnesota Timberwolves) was without him. Philadelphia has been shooting the ball well (or at least better than their usual) in that three-game stint as well, hitting 51.7% from the floor and 42.3% from long range.

It’s a good thing that the Sixers have been hotter from beyond the arc, too, because they’re likely going to need those threes to keep up with Boston. As of Saturday evening, the Celtics are second in the NBA in offensive rating at 120.2. For reference, the Sixers are more of a middle-of-the-pack team at 15th (115.0) in the category.

This is going to be a tough one for the Sixers sans Embiid to kick off a busy March, with 16 games in the month. It is certainly possible, with Philadelphia having done it before without their star center back in that two-point victory way back in November, but that’s ancient history now. Based on how the Celtics have been playing recently, it’s likely going to be one of those games the Sixers need everyone at their absolute best: they’ll need Tyrese Maxey and VJ Edgecombe to both score and facilitate well, Kelly Oubre Jr. to keep shooting as well as he has the past couple weeks, Quentin Grimes to chip in off the bench, everyone doing their jobs defensively, and someone… anyone… to be aggressive rebounding.

It’s going to take everyone.

The Sixers and Celtics tip off from TD Garden at 8 p.m. ET.

Game Details

When: Sunday, March 1, 8:00 p.m. ET
Where: TD Garden, Boston, MA
Watch: NBC, NBC Sports Philadelphia
Radio: 97.5 The Fanatic
Follow: @LibertyBallers

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The Philadelphia 76ers and Boston Celtics square off tonight, and we’re leaning on the model to find the best NBA player prop projections value on the board.

For the full slate, check out our 76ers vs. Celtics predictions and daily NBA picks for more traditional sides and totals.

76ers vs Celtics computer picks for March 1

76ers	Celtics
Drummond u9.5 rebounds  -120	Hauser o3.5 rebounds  +102
Maxey o2.5 threes  -170	White o16.5 points  -115
Grimes o11.5 points  -105	Pritchard o17.5 points  -115

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76ers computer picks

Andre Drummond Under 9.5 rebounds (-120)

Projection: 8.7 rebounds

Andre Drummond is still an elite rebounder, but the matchup and projected minutes don’t scream double-digit boards. The model has him landing just under this number, and if the pace stays in check, there simply won’t be enough misses to clear 10. Under 9.5 is the value spot.

span style="font-size: 14px;"🔥/span spanBet Drummond Now at bet365!/span

Tyrese Maxey Over 2.5 threes (-170)

Projection: 3.5 threes

Tyrese Maxey is letting it fly right now. The volume is there, the green light is there, and the projection has him comfortably above this line. If he gets his usual run and touches, three triples is a very realistic baseline. The juice isn’t pretty, but the number makes sense.

span style="font-size: 14px;"🔥/span spanBet Maxey Now at bet365!/span

Quentin Grimes Over 11.5 points (-105)

Projection: 12.1 points

Quentin Grimes doesn’t need a monster night to get there. He just needs steady usage and his normal shot diet. The model has him clearing this number, and at near even money, we’re basically asking for a modest scoring night. Over 11.5 is playable.

span style="font-size: 14px;"🔥/span spanBet Grimes Now at bet365!/span

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Celtics computer picks

Sam Hauser Over 3.5 rebounds (+102)

Projection: 4.5 rebounds

Sam Hauser isn’t just a standstill shooter — he crashes the glass when he’s out there. With projected minutes holding steady, the model gives him a full rebound cushion over this line. At plus money, that’s a bet worth taking.

span style="font-size: 14px;"🔥/span spanBet Hauser Now at bet365!/span

Derrick White Over 16.5 points (-115)

Projection: 18.5 points

Derrick White’s role in this offense is secure. He gets clean looks, he attacks closeouts, and he can get there from three or at the rim. The projection clears this line by two points, which is enough margin to justify the Over at this price.

span style="font-size: 14px;"🔥/span spanBet white Now at bet365!/span

Payton Pritchard Over 17.5 points (-115)

Projection: 19 points

Payton Pritchard has the green light with the second unit and isn’t shy about taking shots. When the minutes are there, the scoring follows. The model has him just under 20, which gives us enough cushion to ride the Over 17.5.

span style="font-size: 14px;"🔥/span spanBet pritchard Now at bet365!/span

How to watch 76ers vs Celtics tonight

Location	TD Garden, Boston, MA
Date	Sunday, March 1, 2026
Tip-off	8:00 p.m. ET
TV	NBC

Not intended for use in MA.
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The Boston Celtics host the Philadelphia 76ers in a matchup of Atlantic Division rivals on Sunday night.

Tyrese Maxey is on a roll offensively, and my 76ers vs. Celtics predictions call for another big game from the All-Star guard.

Here are my best free NBA picks for this Atlantic Division showdown on Sunday, March 1.

76ers vs Celtics prediction

76ers vs Celtics best bet: Tyrese Maxey Over 26.5 points (-120)

Tyrese Maxey has been on a heater, and I expect his elite scoring to continue on the road against a familiar opponent. Maxey has scored 27+ in eight straight games, including five straight on the road. He’s reached that mark in 39 of 57 games overall and 21 of 27 away from Philadelphia.

The Philadelphia 76ers' superstar guard has posted point totals of 40, 33, and 32 across his last three matchups at TD Garden. With Joel Embiid and Paul George sidelined, he’ll need to shoulder the load on offense, and I expect him to comfortably clear this scoring line.

76ers vs Celtics same-game parlay

The 76ers and Boston Celtics have hit the Game Total Under in two of their last three head-to-head matchups. Philly's offense has been tremendous across its last three games, but Boston's elite defense can limit the scoring at home.

Philly has won and covered in three straight games, and the Sixers sport the best road ATS record in the Association at 19-9. Boston is just 11-12 ATS as the home favorite.

76ers vs Celtics SGP

• Maxey Over 26.5 points
• Under 221.5
• 76ers +9.5

Our "from downtown" SGP: Max production

Nikola Vucevic finished with a monster 28/11/4 line in his last game out, and I expect him to keep the momentum going tonight. He's in an advantageous position against a Sixers team missing Joel Embiid.

76ers vs Celtics SGP

• Maxey Over 26.5 points
• Under 221.5
• 76ers +9.5
• Vucevic Over 22.5 P/R/A

76ers vs Celtics odds

• Spread: 76ers +9.5 | Celtics -9.5
• Moneyline: 76ers +280 | Celtics -360
• Over/Under: Over 221.5 | Under 221.5

76ers vs Celtics betting trend to know

The Philadelphia 76ers have covered the Spread in 21 of their last 30 away games (+12.20 Units / 37% ROI). Find more NBA betting trends for 76ers vs. Celtics.

How to watch 76ers vs Celtics

76ers vs Celtics latest injuries

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GLASGOW, Scotland (AP) — Celtic fought back from two goals down to draw 2-2 with Rangers on Sunday and handed a major boost to Hearts' unlikely Scottish title bid.

The result leaves Hearts six points clear of Rangers at the top of the standings. Celtic is two points further back in third.

Reo Hatate leveled in added time after seeing his penalty and rebounded effort saved by Rangers goalkeeper Jack Butland in a dramatic finale at Ibrox. At the third time of asking, the Celtic midfielder bundled the ball over the line to share the points.

Rangers looked like closing the gap on Hearts when going two goals ahead inside 26 minutes and potentially turning the title run into a two-horse race.

Youssef Chermiti scored in the eighth with an overhead kick. He doubled the lead in the 26th to put the home team in control.

But defending champion Celtic rallied after the break.

Kieran Tierney pulled a goal back in the 56th with a header and Celtic was given a late chance to level when Dujon Sterling was adjudged to have handled in the box.

Hatate eventually made the opportunity count in the first minute of added time to spark wild celebrations from Celtic fans. But Hearts will have had the most cheer after watching its two main rivals drop points.

___

AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer

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With Shai Gilgeous-Alexander back in action, the Oklahoma City Thunder have regained some of their swagger, and they’re big favorites tonight as they visit the Dallas Mavericks.

Dallas has dropped 10 of its past 12 games and is dealing with an array of injuries, but my Thunder vs. Mavericks predictions point to both teams’ offenses showing up in this one.

Keep scrolling for my NBA picks and betting tips ahead of this March 1 battle.

Thunder vs Mavericks prediction

Thunder vs Mavericks best bet: Over 234 (-110)

While we may think of the Oklahoma City Thunder for its excellent defense, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Co. also boast the league’s third-most prolific offense at 119.5 PPG, so I’m buying into a shootout.

The Over is 8-2 in the Thunder’s last 10 contests, and it’s 16-11 this year when OKC is a road favorite. Shai’s return shifts the visitors’ rotation back into more natural roles, and they’re facing a Dallas Mavericks squad that’s allowed 120+ points in eight of its past nine outings.

Sure, the Mavs’ injuries put a dent in their playmaking, but they’ve still hit the Over in three of their last four games.

Thunder vs Mavericks same-game parlay

SGA was back with a bang on Friday, with 36 points and nine dimes, and I’m jumping on this assists Over here. Going back pre-injury, that’s now four straight games where the MVP has eased past the O/U line.

The Mavs will need to play their part, too. Even though the offense can get clunky at times, Khris Middleton is averaging 15.2 PPG in his last five outings.

His veteran savvy will be key against this OKC defense.

Thunder vs Mavericks SGP

• Over 234
• Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Over 6.5 assists
• Khris Middleton Over 13.5 points

Our "from downtown" SGP: Show the bigs some love

Get ready for some bruising collisions in the paint.

I’m loading up on rebounds and blocks Overs, with Chet Holmgren, Isaiah Hartenstein, and Daniel Gafford all capable of dominating the paint.

Thunder vs Mavericks SGP

• Chet Holmgren Over 9.5 rebounds
• Isaiah Hartenstein Over 8.5 rebounds
• Isaiah Hartenstein Over 0.5 blocks
• Daniel Gafford Over 1.5 blocks

Thunder vs Mavericks odds

• Spread: Thunder -16 | Mavericks +16
• Moneyline: Thunder -1205 | Mavericks +750
• Over/Under: Over 234 | Under 234

Thunder vs Mavericks betting trend to know

The Mavs are 13-26 ATS against Western Conference opponents this season. Find more NBA betting trends for Thunder vs. Mavericks.

How to watch Thunder vs Mavericks

Thunder vs Mavericks latest injuries

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DOHA, Qatar (AP) — The Qatar soccer federation postponed all tournaments and matches until further notice on Sunday amid global tensions following the U.S.-Israel strikes on Iran.

The QFA did not specifically mention the strikes when it announced the postponements on X, adding only that “new dates for the resumption of competitions will be announced in due course.”

There are disruptions at Qatar’s Doha airport as the strikes on Iran affected flights across the Middle East and beyond. Israel, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar closed their airspace on Saturday.

Iranian missiles could be seen being intercepted above Doha on Saturday night and into Sunday morning.

Earlier on Sunday, Asian soccer's governing body postponed continental club championship playoffs scheduled in the Middle East this week, saying AFC Champions League Elite Round of 16 games will be rescheduled.

Formula 1 season approaching

The Formula 1 season is scheduled to start next Sunday in Melbourne, Australia, and then has races in Bahrain on April 12 and Saudi Arabia the following week. The season ends with back-to-back races in Qatar (Nov. 29) and Abu Dhabi (Dec. 6).

With Doha and Dubai traditionally acting as major stopover hubs, teams reportedly had to change their routes to reach Australia.

The U.S. has large military installations in Bahrain, Kuwait and Qatar.

Bahrain said a missile attack targeted the U.S. Navy’s 5th Fleet headquarters in the island kingdom, and three buildings were damaged in the capital, Manama.

British forces in Bahrain were within 200 metres of an Iranian missile strike, Britain's Defence Secretary, John Healey, said.

The 24-race F1 season was expected to start as planned.

Four years ago, Houthi rebels attacked an oil depot near the gleaming Saudi F1 track.

Youth basketball team stuck in Abu Dhabi

Monaco's under-18s basketball team is waiting inside an Abu Dhabi hotel until the airport reopens.

Monaco was taking part in a NextGen EuroLeague qualifying tournament in Abu Dhabi, which has now been canceled.

“EuroLeague got back to us to tell us that the airport is closed until 2 pm on Monday,” Monaco coach Mickaël Pivaud told sports daily L'Équipe. "We’re pretty settled in at the hotel, but we can’t leave. We went out for three seconds to get some fresh air earlier and it exploded right above us. We didn’t hang around and quickly went back inside.”

___

AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer

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It’s probably a few years too late, but the Chicago Bulls have finally picked a direction, and they bring an 11-game losing run into today’s matchup with the Milwaukee Bucks.

Chicago has dropped the last three battles against this division rival, and my Bucks vs. Bulls predictions favor a gritty Milwaukee squad that’s refused to throw in the towel without Giannis Antetokounmpo.

Get the lowdown on the best NBA picks for Sunday, March 1. 

Bucks vs Bulls prediction

Bucks vs Bulls best bet: Bucks -3.5 (-110)

The Milwaukee Bucks are still outside the play-in spots, but the supporting cast has rallied impressively lately. The Bucks are 7-3 SU in their last 10 games, and they’ve covered the spread in each of those victories.

But this pick is equally about the Chicago Bulls' miserable form. With a growing injury report and an eye on the draft, the Bulls are 1-9 ATS in their past 10 outings. 

Milwaukee leads the season series 3-0, with all of those wins coming by a margin of 9+ points, and I’m laying the points with the visitors, who’ve picked up three straight Ws on their travels.

Bucks vs Bulls same-game parlay

The Bucks’ path to a road win starts with Ryan Rollins, who’s excelling in the lead guard role. Rollins averaged 20.9 PPG in February on 50% shooting, including a 21-point effort against Chicago. 

He also made his 3-pointers at a 50% clip last month, and he’s ended up with 3+ made triples in eight of his past 13 contests. There will be openings to attack against a Bulls defense that’s allowed 120+ points in three of its last four outings.

Bulls vs Bucks SGP

• Bucks -3.5
• Rollins Over 19.5 points
• Rollins Over 2.5 threes

Our "from downtown" SGP: P for perfection

Doc Rivers will gladly accept offense from any source as Milwaukee tries to paper over Giannis’ absence. Kevin Porter Jr. averaged 8.1 APG last month, but his rebound tallies are more erratic, while Bobby Portis has finished with double-digit points in five of his last six games.

Bucks vs Bulls SGP

• Porter Jr. Under 5.5 rebounds
• Porter Jr. Over 7.5 assists
• Portis Over 10.5 points
• Porstin Over 5.5 rebounds

Bucks vs Bulls odds

• Spread: Bucks -3 | Bulls +3
• Moneyline: Bucks -155 | Bulls +130
• Over/Under: Over 229 | Under 229

Bucks vs Bulls betting trend to know

The Bulls are 16-26 SU against the East this year. Find more NBA betting trends for Bucks vs Bulls.

How to watch Bucks vs Bulls

Bucks vs Bulls latest injuries

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Two teams in play-in position in their respective conferences clash Sunday, when the Portland Trail Blazers visit the Atlanta Hawks.
 
Despite likely missing their best player, my Trail Blazers vs. Hawks predictions and NBA picks believe Portland can keep it close in Atlanta on March 1. 

Trail Blazers vs Hawks prediction

Trail Blazers vs Hawks best bet: Trail Blazers +5.5 (-105)

The Portland Trail Blazers will be playing the second night of a back-to-back after getting crushed Saturday night in Charlotte. 
 
All-star Deni Avdija (back) missed that one, and his status is still undetermined. Shaedon Sharpe (calf) is also out. 
 
However, Portland is one of the best cover teams playing on consecutive nights, going 8-4-0 against the spread this season.
 
The Atlanta Hawks have won three straight, but they’ve been against bottom-feeding Washington (twice) and Brooklyn. This will be a level-up game.
 
They’re just 1-4-0 ATS in the last five vs. Portland, and both Nickeil Alexander-Walker (foot) and Jalen Johnson (hip) are both questionable.

Trail Blazers vs Hawks same-game parlay

Jrue Holiday led the Blazers in scoring against the Hornets, going for 25. But he’s been silent against Atlanta of late, going for 16 points or less in five straight games vs the Hawks.
 
CJ McCollum must love playing his former team: he’s gone for 20+ points in six straight games against Portland.

Trail Blazers vs Hawks SGP

• Trail Blazers +5.5
• Holiday Under 17.5 points
• McCollum Over 18.5 points

Our "from downtown" SGP: Blazing a trail

Donovan Clingan is third in the NBA in rebounding at 11.5 per game. He’s grabbed at least 13 boards in six of his last 10 games overall. He just missed the Over in his last game against Atlanta on Jan 26.
 
And Dyson Daniels has only hit 11 triples all year, but after making a three last game, he has a chance for his fourth set of made threes in back-to-back games.

Trail Blazers vs Hawks SGP

• Trail Blazers +5.5
• Holiday Under 17.5 points
• McCollum Over 18.5 points
• Clingan Over 12.5 rebounds
• Daniels Over 0.5 threes

Trail Blazers vs Hawks odds

• Spread: Trail Blazers +5.5 | Hawks -5.5
• Moneyline: Trail Blazers +190 | Hawks -230
• Over/Under: Over 236.5 | Under 236.5

Trail Blazers vs Hawks betting trend to know

The favorites have won each of the Trail Blazers' last 13 games. Find more NBA betting trends for Trail Blazers vs. Hawks.

How to watch Trail Blazers vs Hawks

Trail Blazers vs Hawks latest injuries

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The Milwaukee Bucks leave home briefly to take on the struggling Chicago Bulls in the Windy City this afternoon. The Bucks have won each of the three matchups this season, with this one wrapping up the season series. On its face, this game looks like a gimme for Milwaukee, but Chicago is on a huge losing streak and thus will probably come out with extra juice.

Where We’re At

After winning eight of 10, the Bucks were brought back down to earth in their last game against the Knicks, losing by nearly 30 points. Milwaukee’s offence—which had been keeping them afloat—failed to fire against New York, leaving them dead in the water. They have been shooting the cover off the ball, with the highest effective field goal percentage in the NBA over the past 10 games, but they still need their defence to turn up—we’ll see if that happens today.

The Bulls… well, things have gone downhill fast (though that seems to be the goal). This team lost 11 straight games in February, the worst month in franchise history. The front office finally decided to bite the bullet and trade away franchise cornerstones Nikola Vucevic, Coby White, and Ayo Dosunmu at the deadline for a bunch of seconds, hitting the eject button on this season in the process. How much higher will they be able to get in the lottery with so few games left? Probably not much, but hey, at least they’ve chosen a direction?

Injury Report

For the Bucks, Giannis (calf) and Taurean Prince (neck) are both out.

For the Bulls, the following players are out: Zach Collins, Noa Essengue, Jaden Ivey, Anfernee Simons, Jalen Smith, and Patrick Williams.

Player To Watch

After a mixed bag of games, I’m watching for what Ousmane Dieng can do today. Theoretically, this game should provide him a runway to explore more on offence than he’s been doing. In particular, I’m watching his free throw attempts. Dieng has taken a total of 10 free throws in eight games with the team. The criticism of him in OKC was that he didn’t play with enough force and aggression, and that hasn’t really changed with the Bucks—let’s hope it does today.

How To Watch

FanDuel Sports Network Wisconsin at 2:30 p.m. CST.

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The Detroit Pistons hit the road for an NBA Eastern Conference clash with the Orlando Magic.

Detroit is a huge road favorite, but my Pistons vs. Magic predictions expect Orlando to battle hard and to cover the spread tonight at Kia Center. 

Read on for my NBA picks for Sunday, March 1. 

Pistons vs Magic prediction

Pistons vs Magic best bet: Magic +5.5 (-109)

The Orlando Magic have won the last five home meetings against the Detroit Pistons and are 17–10 SU at Kia Center this season. 

Both teams rank bottom 10 in pace over their last 10 games, which means fewer possessions and fewer chances to build a large lead. 

Detroit remains elite defensively, but Orlando ranks 12th in defensive efficiency over that same span and has the size to compete inside. 

In a slower-paced game, getting five points at home carries real weight, and I am in on the Magic covering the still-inflated spread.  

Pistons vs Magic same-game parlay

Desmond Bane is averaging nearly 29 points per game over his last five outings. With Franz Wagener out, expect the versatile-scoring Bane to once again take the offensive lead and clear his prop.

Cade Cunningham has dished 56 assists in his past five games. The slower pace and the Magic defense will thwart any chance of him dropping 11 or more dimes tonight. 

Pistons vs Magic SGP

• Magic +5.5
• Bane Over 19.5 points
• Cunningham Under 10.5 assists

Our "from downtown" SGP: A magical Under

Tonight’s matchup projects as a slow, physical grind. Both defenses have been effective, and with each team ranking in the bottom 10 in pace over the last 10 games, possessions should be limited. 

In a half-court battle where clean looks are harder to find, scoring opportunities will be at a premium. That sets up well for the Under to be part of the card.

Pistons vs Magic SGP

• Magic +5.5
• Bane Over 19.5 points
• Cunningham Under 10.5 assists
• Under 221.5

Pistons vs Magic odds

• Spread: Pistons -6.5 | Magic +5.5
• Moneyline: Pistons -240 | Magic +195
• Over/Under: Over 220.5 | Under 220.5

Pistons vs Magic betting trend to know

Orlando is 7-3 ATS across their previous 10 meetings with Detroit. Find more NBA betting trends for Pistons vs. Magic.

How to watch Pistons vs Magic

Pistons vs Magic latest injuries

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ROME (AP) — AC Milan needed two late goals to secure a 2-0 win at Cremonese in Serie A on Sunday and bounce back from its second loss of the season.

Strahinja Pavlovic scored in the 90th and Rafael Leão added another five minutes into stoppage time for Milan, which had wasted a series of chances earlier on.

Second-place Milan moved back within 10 points of Italian league leader Inter Milan entering next weekend’s derby.

Milan’s only losses this season came against Cremonese in its opener in August and at home against Parma last weekend.

Pavlovic’s goal came following a corner, and a VAR review that confirmed the ball went in off his shoulder instead of his arm.

Then Leão finished off a counterattack.

Later, fourth-place Roma was hosting sixth-place Juventus in a key matchup for the Champions League places.

___

AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer