LOS ANGELES, CA - MARCH 14, 2026: Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) dives for a loose ball between Denver Nuggets guard Christian Braun (0) and Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray (27) in overtime at Crypto.com Arena on March 14, 2026 in Los Angeles, California.(Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
Given that LeBron James has played more basketball season that any other player you’d think he was done with firsts in his career.
However, he gave us all a new one in LA’s matchup against the Nuggets.
In the fourth quarter, LeBron dove on the floor, fully extending his body and going airborne to try and gain possession for his team. The play didn’t ultimately lead to the Lakers having the possession as they lost the jump ball, but it did make it clear that this level of hustle was the standard for everyone donning a purple and gold uniform.
The Lakers were pushed to the brink by the Nuggets but they came out on top winning 127-125 in overtime. The victory not only gave them their first season series win over Denver since 2021, but it also meant that they’ll have the tiebreaker over them in playoff seeding.
Considering how tight the Western Conference race is, that’s a big deal and a huge advantage the Lakers now have.
After the win, Lakers head coach JJ Redick spoke about his oldest player making such a shocking dive during clutch time.
“I told him after the game, I said, ‘In 23 years of watching you play in the NBA and the three years I watched him play in high school, I never saw him make a full-out extension dive like that,’ Redick said. “He said, ‘You’re right. I’ve never done that.’ It’s awesome. I know he’ll feel that tomorrow, but that’s a winning play.”
Seeing LeBron sacrificing his body like that made it clear that he was going to do anything to tip things in LA’s favor.
Teams take the identity of their leaders. For the Lakers Luka Dončić, Austin Reaves and LeBron are the players who establish what the Lakers are. If LeBron, the oldest player in the league is out there diving on the floor, then no one has excuses for not bringing their best.
After the game, LeBron discussed why this was the contest to be out there diving for loose balls.
“Just living in the moment and understanding the impact of the game, implications of the game and our opponent and what we’re trying to build,” James said. So, every possession matters.”
This is just another example that for LeBron it’s all about sacrificing in any way possible to earn wins and go after the main goal, which is a title.
Hopefully, there aren’t any more dives on the floor for James this season. Because while it was amazing to see him do it, the Lakers will need him healthy if they are going to maximize their potential this postseason.
Let’s tip off the new week of NBA action with some slam dunk winners in the player prop markets.
My best NBA player props include Zion Williamson dominating the paint against the Mavericks, and Victor Wembanyama continuing his block party when he travels to L.A. to take on the Clippers.
Those and more NBA picks for Monday, March 16, below.
The tank is real for the Memphis Grizzlies. Ty Jerome has been the team’s last reliable scorer. But he hasn’t played back-to-back games since coming out of the All-Star break. And he played last time out.
So, who’s left? Give me Cam Spencer in this matchup against the Chicago Bulls. Spencer is averaging 13.3 points and shooting 47.3% from three.
The Bulls don’t play much defense, ranking 23rd in defensive rating and 21st in opponent effective field goal percentage.
Spencer has a point total of 11.5. A number he’s topped in four of his last five games.
Time: 8:00 p.m. ET
Where to watch: FanDuel Sports Network Southeast-Memphis, CHSN
Prop #2: Zion Williamson Over 21.5 Points
-120 at bet365
You’d think a team like the New Orleans Pelicans would be in full tank mode. But Dejounte Murray is back, and Zion Williamson is consistently playing.
So, the Pels don’t look like the teams at the bottom of the West, like tonight’s opponent, the Dallas Mavericks.
Injuries have hampered the Mavs, but it's their interior presence that has really been hurt, ranking last in opponent points in the paint per game.
Williamson has a point total of 21.5 and is averaging 22.7 points over his last 11 full games and has topped this number in both of his games against the Mavs.
The San Antonio Spurs star has been having his own block party, averaging 4.3 blocks per game over 12 games since coming out of the All-Star break, blocking four or more shots 10 times over that stretch.
His block prop for tonight’s game against the Los Angeles Clippers is sitting at 3.5 with the Over at a tantalizing plus-money price.
Cash your ML bets quicker with bet365's early win payout!
Take advantage of the early win payout at bet365, where any pre-game NBA moneyline bet gets paid out as a winner if your team goes up by 20+ points!
Learn more about this feature, and all of bet365's offerings, with our comprehensive bet365 review!
Sign Up Now atimg src="https://img.covers.com/betting/sportsbooks/2/bet365.svg" alt="bet365" width="100" height="28" style="vertical-align: middle;"
21+. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change. 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.
The 2026 NCAA Tournament will finally commence with the First Four games on Tuesday, March 17, from Dayton, Ohio. That means March Madness is finally upon us.
UMBC and Howard will kick off the action at 6:40 p.m. from UD Arena with a matchup that will determine the No. 16 seed in the Midwest Region, with the winner taking on No. 1 Michigan.
The second game will pit Texas against North Carolina State to decide the No. 11 seed in the West Region, and the first opponent for No. 6 seed BYU.
Wednesday, March 18, will feature two more First Four games before we dive into first-round action on Thursday, March 19.
Here's what you need to know about Tuesday's schedule for the First Four games, including how to watch:
NCAA Tournament schedule: First Four games today
First Four
(16) UMBC vs. (16) Howard | 6:40 p.m. | truTV (Sling TV)
(11) Texas vs. (11) North Carolina State | 9:15 p.m. | truTV (Sling TV)
UMBC and Howard kick off the 2026 NCAA Tournament with a game that will determine the No. 16 seed in the Midwest Region. The Retreivers and Bison are scheduled for a 6:40 p.m. ET tip, from UD Arena, in Dayton, Ohio.
Following that will be a matchup for the No. 11 seed in the West Region, when Texas takes on North Carolina State.
Both First Four matchups will be nationally broadcast on truTV. Jordan Kent and Jim Spanarkel will be on the call for UMBC and Howard, with Jenny Dell as the courtside reporter. Brian Anderson, Charles Barkley and Dick Vitale will call the second game, with Dell as the courtside reporter.
SOUTH BEND, INDIANA - FEBRUARY 24: Boston Celtics General Manager Brad Stevens smiles courtside before the game between Duke v Notre Dame at Purcell Pavilion on February 24, 2026 in South Bend, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Miller/ISI Photos/ISI Photos via Getty Images) | ISI Photos via Getty Images
If you thought NBA expansion had become a never-ending rumor cycle, the latest reporting suggests the league may finally be ready to move forward.
According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, the National Basketball Association Board of Governors will vote later this month to begin exploring expansion to Seattle and Las Vegas, with the league targeting the 2028–29 season for two new franchises.
Just into @GetUpESPN on momentum for the NBA to begin exploring expansion teams exclusively in Las Vegas and Seattle ahead of a vote at the Board of Governors this month: pic.twitter.com/Rlb7FRguKL
The price tag alone almost feels like satire. Industry projections place potential expansion bids somewhere in the $7 to $10 billion range per team. The owners may be thrilled about that windfall, but it also means the ripple effects for teams across the league will be very real once the league reaches 32 teams.
For the Celtics, the challenge will be making sure those ripples don’t rock the roster too hard.
Expansion drafts force teams to expose players they would rather keep, and Boston happens to be built around the exact type of depth that expansion drafts tend to punish. To follow up on my piece earlier this year about who the Celtics might protect, it’s worth revisiting the conversation now that the expansion timeline is finally coming into focus.
The latest expansion update from Shams
The report from Shams adds a few meaningful details about how the expansion process would unfold.
First, the upcoming vote would allow the league to begin exploring purchase processes for teams in Seattle and Las Vegas. If those processes produce bids that reach the league’s desired valuation range, a final vote later in the year could formally approve expansion to 32 teams. Both votes require approval from 23 of the league’s 30 governors.
Second, the timeline attached to the report also clarifies when the league expects these franchises to begin play. The 2028–29 season currently sits as the target.
That places the expansion draft in the summer of 2028, likely between the NBA Finals and the NBA Draft. In league terms, that is not far off at all. Front offices around the NBA plan several years ahead when structuring contracts and building rosters. Brad Stevens likely plans decades ahead, but not everyone can be Brad Stevens.
If this holds, there would be two NBA Drafts between now and the expansion draft, which means the Celtics’ protection list will largely revolve around the roster they already have, plus whoever Brad Stevens selects in the 2026 and 2027 drafts.
All that’s to say, the Celtics will have more than eight players they would prefer not to leave out in the open. That is the squeeze expansion creates for good teams: not “who do we keep?” but “who are we okay losing?”
What the Celtics’ expansion decisions could look like
The rules for the expansion draft are simple enough. Each team gets to protect eight players. Everyone else becomes eligible for selection by the expansion team (or teams in this case). Seattle and Las Vegas can take one player from each franchise, but once someone is taken from a franchise, that team is off the board and can’t be taken from again.
Sounds manageable, right?
But a quick scan of Celtics fan guesses already shows the tension. If you want to understand why expansion could get uncomfortable for Boston, look at where the production has come from over the last ten games and then try talking yourself into protecting only eight players.
Brad Stevens has quietly built a roster where the eighth-best player might still be someone another team would gladly take a chance on. Which means the hard part isn’t naming the protected eight, but deciding which good player Boston has to expose.
The locks
For the Celtics, the no-brainers to protect are:
Jayson Tatum
Jaylen Brown
Derrick White
Payton Pritchard
Tatum and Brown define the franchise timeline. White is still one of the most valuable connectors in the league, the kind of player every serious team needs and almost no team wants to give away. Pritchard belongs here too, both because of his production and because smaller contracts attached to real rotation players become even more valuable in roster-building situations like this. Boston is not exposing him if he is still part of the picture when expansion arrives.
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – JUNE 09: Derrick White #9, Jayson Tatum #0, and Jaylen Brown #7 of the Boston Celtics huddle during the first quarter against the Dallas Mavericks in Game Two of the 2024 NBA Finals at TD Garden on June 09, 2024 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 Adam Glanzman/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Barring unexpected developments (and those happen a lot in the NBA), those four players will get protection spots. That means Boston will be halfway through its protected list before the difficult decisions even begin.
The real debate
Sam Hauser is where the conversation starts to become a conversation.
If I had to choose today, I’d lean toward protecting him. Shooting this clean, at his size, in a role he already knows how to play next to stars, is useful on any contender. But I also understand the other side of that coin. By the time an expansion draft arrives, Hauser will be older, more expensive, and closer to a finished product than some of Boston’s younger options. That does not make him expendable, it just means the argument is no longer automatic.
Then there is Neemias Queta. Functional center depth cannot be underestimated in the modern NBA, and teams do not casually throw away size if they believe it can hold up in real minutes. If Boston still views Queta as a reliable rotation big in 2028 (like they do in 2026), he has a legitimate case for one of the final protection spots.
And then you get to the trio that makes this whole exercise interesting and a little nauseating: Hugo Gonzalez, Baylor Scheierman, and Jordan Walsh. If the six above are in, you can only protect two from this group.
These three are exactly the kinds of players expansion teams tend to talk themselves into. Young. Relatively cheap. Not fully formed yet. Easy to imagine in a bigger role.
Scheierman may be the easiest of the three to picture helping another team quickly because he already looks like an actual NBA player. Gonzalez brings the kind of physical upside teams chase, while Walsh is the classic “if the shot comes around, there’s something here” bet. You can make a case for any of them, and you can also make the case that Boston would hate to spend years developing one of those players only to lose him right before the payoff.
Payton Pritchard was asked what he’s learning about some of the young Celtics coming off the bench:
“We’re not learning anything. You guys have already seen it. They come ready to play and play winning basketball. So it’s nothing new.”
That is why the eighth spot matters so much more than the first four. The Celtics are deciding which developmental bet they trust the most.
The leftovers
Veteran back-end pieces such as Nikola Vučević are not likely to be at the heart of the expansion dilemma.
The rest of the roster mostly falls into the category of players who would need to force their way into the long-term picture before expansion becomes a real concern. Big men like Luka Garza and Amari Williams still have development ahead of them. Wings such as Ron Harper Jr. and rookie guard John Tonje would need to carve out consistent roles to enter the protection conversation.
Newer additions like recently converted Max Shulga and depth options such as Charles Bassey fall into a similar category. If any of them make a leap over the next two seasons, the math gets harder. But if they remain deep bench pieces or early-stage projects, they likely sit outside the protected eight.
Expansion will test what Boston has built
Expansion will be good for the league. And honestly, it will be fun to watch a real piece of NBA history take shape in real time, hopefully with better results than the last time the NBA expanded when it welcomed the Charlotte Bobcats in 2004. It’s never a good sign when an expansion team rebrands back to an old team name before you’ve expanded again.
For now, Celtics fans can keep the conversation light. What will the Las Vegas team name be? Do the SuperSonics get to claim Kevin Durant as part of their history? Which Western Conference team gets shoved East and immediately starts annoying everyone?
Boston’s harder questions can wait a little longer.
But if expansion is going to punish teams for being too deep, too well run, and too full of interesting young players, I’d rather be the Celtics than anyone else.
PHILADELPHIA, PA - MARCH 15: Justin Edwards #11 of the Philadelphia 76ers dunks the ball during the game against the Portland Trail Blazers on March 15, 2026 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 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 Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Justin Edwards was one of the few bright spots of the Sixers’ disastrous, cursed 2024-25 season. His second year in the NBA hasn’t progressed as smoothly as both he and the Sixers would have liked. Fighting to make the fringes of the rotation, his field goal and three-point percentages have dropped significantly. In 15 games this year he’s been DNP-CD.
He’s been forced into the rotation as of late with 80% of the starting lineup out with injury for an extended period of time. Edwards has taken advantage of the opportunity, putting together three solid performances that helped the Sixers pick up two much-needed wins.
He dropped 19 points on the Brooklyn Nets and 21 on the Portland Trail Blazers while being insanely efficient. Edwards shot 69% and 64% from the field in those games, respectively.
His mentality over this stretch is very to similar to the team’s as a whole as they have plummeted down the Eastern Conference standings. There’s no time to reflect on it — he just needs to play quality minutes when he’s out there to try to pick off a win.
“I can’t think of it like that — guys are down so I got a bigger role on the team,” Edwards said after the Brooklyn game. “So I’m just trying to take advantage of that right now.”
Admittedly, it hasn’t been easy for him to fight for his playing time. As understanding of the business as he is, he wants to be in the rotation and playing every night as well.
“You know, I’m in the NBA, I’m part of that percentage that’s made it to the NBA,” he said. “I can’t think like that at the end of the day because this is my dream job and this is something I want to do for a long time. It always comes back around so I just got to stay ready and stay patient.”
Edwards sees the benefits of reserves deep on the bench having these games to build confidence while they’re shorthanded. He hopes that’s something that remains as the bigger names on the roster return from injury.
“I feel like it’s a confidence booster for coach,” he said, “being able to look down at the bench and say those guys are ready, they’ve been playing consistent minutes the last couple of games.”
There’s a lot of different ways the Sixers have to play based on who’s available. That especially makes it a challenge for guys on the fringes of the rotation to figure out their exact role. Edwards is hopeful this stretch makes his spot a little more clear when things look more normal.
“I feel like I could be a lot more comfortable, but as far as what my role is on this team, I’m getting a little more comfortable,” he said.
Edwards will have to continue playing like this in the meantime to retain that rotation spot if and when the starters return from injury. Putting up 20 points a night is a good place to start though.
Tonight's Peacock NBA Monday slate features an exciting tripleheader. First, at 7:00 PM ET, it's a showdown between two of the hottest teams when the Orlando Magic take on the Atlanta Hawks. At 9:30 PM, the Los Angeles Lakers take on the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center, followed by a San Antonio Spurs vs Los Angeles Clipper match up at 10:00 PM ET. Live coverage begins at 6:00 PM with NBA Showtime on NBC and Peacock.
See below for additional information on how to watch tonight's tripleheader. Follow all of the NBA action on NBCSN and Peacock. Peacock will feature 100 regular-season games throughout the course of the 2025-2026 season.
The Lakers extended their win streak to five games after a statement 127-125 overtime victory against the Denver Nuggets on Saturday.
Austin Reaves forced extra minutes after rebounding his intentionally missed free throw, and it was Luka Doncic who sealed the win, hitting a baseline fadeaway with 0.5 seconds left.
LeBron James was back in the lineup after missing three consecutive games. He played a season-high 40 minutes, finishing with 17 points, 6 rebounds, and 5 assists.
"I think it feels like we're coalescing right now in a really nice way. Still got a long way to go… but certainly optimistic with how we handled this stretch of games. ... It's big time," said Lakers head coach JJ Redick after the win.
The Lakers are currently third in the Western Conference with a 0.5 lead on the Rockets.
Tonight's game is the second of three meetings between the two teams who will face off again this Wednesday night. Houston won the first matchup on Christmas Day. The Lakers will need to win both games to claim the tiebreaker over the Rockets.
James and Kevin Durant will face off for the 45th time tonight. The two superstars have combined for 6 championships, 38 All-Star appearances, 32 All-NBA teams, and 76,368 points over the course of their careers.
Peacock NBA Monday will stream up to three Monday night games each week throughout the regular season. Coast 2 Coast Tuesday presents doubleheaders on Tuesday nights throughout the regular season on NBC and Peacock. On most Tuesdays, an 8 p.m. ET game will be on NBC stations in the Eastern and Central time zones, and an 8 p.m. PT game on NBC stations in the Pacific and often Mountain time zones.
Check local listings each week. Both games will stream live nationwide on Peacock. Sunday Night Basketball coverage will also be available on NBC and Peacock. For a full schedule of the NBA on NBC and Peacock, click here.
How to sign up for Peacock:
Sign up here to watch all of our LIVE sports, sports shows, documentaries, classic matches, and more. You'll also get tons of hit movies and TV shows, Originals, news, 24/7 channels, and current NBC & Bravo hits—Peacock is here for whatever you’re in the mood for.
NBA on NBC 2025-26 Schedule:
Click here to see the full list of NBA games that will air on NBC and Peacock this season.
The Los Angeles Lakers (42-25) travel to Houston to take on the Rockets (41-25) in the second of a doubleheader on Peacock.
The Lakers and Rockets are the No. 3 and 4 seeds in the West. Los Angeles is a 0.5 game had of Houston, so this game will determine who is ahead of who. The Rockets are 1.0 game had of the Nuggets and Timberwolves, so a loss is more detrimental in the standings for Houston, but both would be in jeopardy of moving down the poll.
Los Angeles has won five-straight game and Luka Doncic has been on tear in that span! Doncic is averaging 38.2 points, 9.8 rebounds, and 8.4 assists in that five-game span, including a 51-point performance against the Bulls and 44 points against the Pacers. The Lakers lost its only meeting versus the Rockets this season by 23 points as they held Doncic to 25 points.
Houston is 4-4 in the past eight games and ranks 23rd in offensive net rating, 21st in defensive net rating, and second-to-last in true shooing percentage (55.1%) in that span. The Rockets are in the second game of a five-game home stand and the first of two meetings versus the Lakers as they play on Monday Night and Wednesday night.
Lets take a closer look at tonight’s matchup and take into consideration lineups, injuries, and other factors affecting the line and total.
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: Magic at Hawks
Date: Monday, March 16, 2026
Time: 9:30 PM EST
Site: Toyota Center
City: Houston, TX
Network/Streaming: Peacock
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: Lakers at Rockets
The latest odds as of Monday courtesy of DraftKings:
Moneyline: Houston Rockets (-135), Los Angeles Lakers (+114)
Spread: Houston -2.5
Total: 226.5 points
This game opened Rockets -2.5 with the Total set at 225.5.
Be sure to check out DraftKings for all the latest game odds & player props for every matchup this week on the NBA schedule!
Expected Starting Lineups: Lakers at Rockets
Los Angeles Lakers
PG Luka Doncic
SG Austin Reaves
SF Marcus Smart
PF LeBron James
C Deandre Ayton
Houston Rockets
PG Amen Thompson
SG Tari Eason
SF Kevin Durant
PF Jabari Smith
C Alperen Sengun
Injury Report: Lakers at Rockets
Los Angeles Lakers
Maxi Kleber (lumbar) is listed as OUT for tonight’s game
Houston Rockets
Alperen Sengun (back) is listed as QUESTIONABLE for tonight’s game
Jae'Sean Tate (knee) is listed as OUT for tonight's game
Important stats, trends and insights: Lakers at Rockets
Houston is 29-37 ATS, ranking 7th-worst
Houston is 12-19 ATS at home, ranking 2nd-worst, and 12-18 ATS as a home favorite, which is 3rd-worst
Houston is 37-28-1 to the Under, ranking 7th-best
Houston is 20-10-1 to the Under, ranking 4th-best
Los Angeles is 38-29 ATS, ranking 7th-best
Los Angeles is 17-15 ATS as the road team, but 6-9 ATS as a road underdog, ranking 5th-worst
The Lakers are 35-32 to the Over, ranking 7th-best, but are 18-14 to the Under as the road team
Los Angeles is 8-7 to the Under as a road underdog
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 Lakers and Rockets’ game:
Moneyline: Rotoworld Bet is leaning towards a play on the Lakers' Moneyline
Spread: Rotoworld Bet is leaning towards a play on the Lakers +2.5 ATS
Total: Rotoworld Bet is leaning towards a play on the Game Total UNDER 226.5
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:
PHOENIX, ARIZONA - FEBRUARY 24: Jalen Green #4 of the Phoenix Suns handles the ball against Jordan Walsh #27 of the Boston Celtics during the first half at Mortgage Matchup Center on February 24, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Celtics defeated the Suns 97-81. 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 Chris Coduto/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Who: Phoenix Suns (39-28) vs. Boston Celtics (44-23)
When: 4;30 pm Arizona Time
Where: TD Garden — Boston, Massachusetts
Watch: Arizona’s Family 3TV, Arizona’s Family Sports
Listen: KMVP 98.7
The Phoenix Suns look to shake off their tough loss vs the Toronto Raptors as they travel to Boston. With this six-game road trip meaning a lot to the standings, they must take advantage of every contest. So far, the team is 2-1 on this trip, but with another back-to-back on the horizon, they must get a win here. This year, they played the Celtics on their home court, and it did not go their way. Both teams also dealt with injuries to key players, whereas now the injury report is a bit cleaner for this contest.
For the Celtics, they are looking to keep this rhythm going. Fueled by the motivation from Joe Mazzulla, they have not skipped a beat this year. Now adding Jayson Tatum back makes them an even more lethal juggernaut, one that the Suns want to dethrone on the road.
In this game, though, one thing that will be fun to watch is the stars playing against each other. Tatum has not played the Suns since 2024, and this game between him and Devin Booker should be another classic. Will Booker find his offensive groove in the building, and will he have his career high? Only time will tell for the Suns fans who anticipate a great game.
Probable Starters
Injury Report
Suns
Dillon Brooks – (Left Hand Fracture) – OUT
Mark Williams – (Left Foot Third Metatarsal Stress Reaction) – OUT
Celtics
Nikola Vucevic – (Right Ring Finger Fracture) – OUT
What to Watch For
One thing to watch for in this one is how the Suns continue to use the rookies in this matchup. With the Suns still having injuries to Dillon Brooks and Mark Williams, it is still evident that both Rasheer Fleming and Khaman Maluach will see some time in this one. That being said, they are both coming off a great week, with Fleming having a career-high 3 blocks in the last game and going 3/3 from behind the arc.
He was so impressive that head coach Jordan Ott even trusted him to start the fourth quarter with the Suns in a close game. Not to mention, he has also seen plenty of minutes at the center position, playing some small-ball five. This is where he has been able to get these incredible blocks and continues to prove he deserves to be a part of this rotation when fully healthy.
With him going up against a scrappy Celtics team that has plenty of players fighting for spots like his, I only hope this brings the best out of the young wing. He has something to prove to the team and has some good matchups against Tatum and Brown to keep an eye on.
Key to a Suns Win
The big key to his game is going to be dominating the rebound game. Last time these two played, Phoenix was outrebounded 61-34, and it was a major factor in their loss. Only having 9 offensive rebounds compared to Boston’s 22 basically sealed the deal, as they dominated in paint scoring and second chances. This also all happened with no Brown and Tatum in their lineup. Baylor Scheierman and Neemias Queta had 24 boards on their own, which is alarming if the Suns as a team only had 10 more.
Making sure they can limit those second-chance opportunities for Boston while creating their own fast break in transition should be the plan to help them execute a much-needed victory.
Prediction Time
The Suns get the revenge they need against a top-tier team in the Eastern Conference.
Mar 14, 2026; San Antonio, Texas, USA; San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama (1) hugs guard Devin Vassell (24) after the game against the Charlotte Hornets at Frost Bank Center. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Dunn-Imagn Images | Daniel Dunn-Imagn Images
Welcome to Week in Review: a Monday feature that looks back at the week that was for the San Antonio Spurs, takes a look at the week ahead, and more. Enjoy!
Week 20: From a massive blowout in Philadelphia to close the Rodeo Road trip with an 8-1 record, to another competitive win over the Pistons in the return home, an emotionally draining 25-point comeback against the Clippers, and finally a comfortable blowout of their rival Rockets, it was a fun week that had it all as the Spurs played in San Antonio for the first time in a month.
With Jayson Tatum back from a ruptured Achilles suffered last season, the Spurs traded leads with the Celtics in a highly competitive first half, but things took a turn in their favor when Jaylen Brown got himself ejected late in the second quarter for volatilely arguing for a foul on a Stephon Castle “push” (that looked much more like a flop on Brown’s part). The Spurs held the lead for the entire second half, countering a 34-point outing from former Spur Derrick White with a 39-point one from Victor Wembanyama, which included tying his career high of 8 made three-pointers.
With Wemby a late scratch due to a sore ankle, at first the Spurs didn’t miss a beat without him, leading by has much as 20 points and in control for the first 2 1/2 quarters of the game while using Castle’s second career 30-point triple-double to offset a 30-20-12 night from Nikola Jokic. Unfortunately, the offense went cold late in the third quarter, and combined with Jokic’s pleading for calls finally getting in the refs’ heads and Jamal Murray going nuclear on offense, the Nuggets rallied back to hand the Spurs just their second loss since January 31 and end their five-game winning streak.
Speaking of January 31, the Spurs were ready to get revenge for that winter debacle that involved gametime changes and getting stranded in the snow in Charlotte. With Wemby back from his one-game absence, the Spurs returned to their February/March selves with a steady beatdown of the Hornets. They led for the final 45 minutes and always had an answer whenever Charlotte threatened to make things interesting. Wemby remained hot from three with five more makes and just missed his own triple-double with 32 points, 12 rebounds and 4 assists.
Victor Wembanyama missed a game for the first time since early January and the Spurs blew a 20-point lead to the Nuggets. But they’ve won 17 of the last 18 games that Wembanyama has played in, with the last five having come against the Pistons, Clippers, Rockets, Celtics and Hornets.
Three takeaways
1. The Spurs have outscored their opponents by an amazing 23.6 points per 100 possessions in Wembanyama’s 540 minutes on the floor over those 18 games. That’s the best on-court mark among 339 players who’ve played in at least 10 games since Feb. 1. And 13 of those 18 games he’s played in have come against teams currently at or above .500. 2. The Celtics dared the Spurs to shoot 3-pointers, and they did, registering their highest 3-point rate (55% of their shots) of the season on Tuesday. They shot 20-for-46 (43%) from deep, but also outscored the Celtics at the free throw line, with Wembanyama going 8-for-15 from beyond the arc and 9-for-12 from the stripe. Stephon Castle (who had a 30-point triple-double in the loss to Denver) still isn’t shooting a lot of 3-pointers, but he’s 18-for-45 (40%) from beyond the arc since the All-Star break, up from 29% prior. 3. The Spurs have been at their best (plus-12.3 points per 100 possessions) in the first quarter and have led by double-digits in 13 (72%) of their 18 losses. That would be, by far, the highest rate for any team in the 30 seasons of play-by-play data, with only one other team in that time (the 2019-20 Heat, 55%) having had double-digit leads in at least half of the games it lost.
Coming up: The Spurs will play eight of their next 11 games on the road, with a potential first-round preview at the Intuit Dome on Monday. They came back from 25 points down to win their first meeting with the Clippers 10 days ago.
San Antonio went 5-1 on its homestand, with the loss coming in the game that Victor Wembanyama missed; the Spurs also blew a 20-point lead to the Nuggets, and their defense was horrible. If the intent was to help Wembanyama get a Defensive Player of the Year trophy, it did the job. Harper has a calf contusion, but he has been a helpful part of a San Antonio team that has arguably the most enviable guard depth in the league. Harper isn’t in a position to shine while sharing the ball with starters Wembanyama, De’Aaron Fox and Stephon Castle, and Harper has to iron out his jumper. But he is an assignment-sound rookie, while Bryant is the 10th man in the rotation due to his strong defense.
The only reason the San Antonio Spurs dropped a spot behind the Thunder is because of their loss to Denver this past week and Oklahoma City’s win over the same team. Still, this doesn’t impact the Spurs’ chances of competing for a championship, as they are still widely expected to meet the Thunder in the Western Conference Finals.
After some key tests at home, all of which (except Denver) the Spurs passed comfortably, this team now enters a stretch where five of their next eight games are against teams below .500 on the season to close out March.
With Victor Wembanyama continuing to elevate his play on both ends, as well as the Spurs’ youngsters in Dylan Harper and Carter Bryant becoming more comfortable in their secondary roles, San Antonio looks very strong heading into the postseason.
Coming up: Mon. 3/16 at Los Angeles Clippers (34-33); Tues. 3/17 at Sacramento Kings (15-51); Thurs. 3/19 vs. Phoenix Suns (39-28); Sat. 3/21 vs. Indiana Pacers (15-53)
Prediction: 4-0 — Are the Spurs unbeatable when Wemby plays right now? That may be a stretch, but this is a relatively friendly schedule after that gauntlet of a six-game homestand in which they still went 5-0 when he played. They have a couple of match-ups with potential first-round opponents, along with two games against teams that are already eliminated from playoff contention and have nothing but draft odds to play for. As they showed last week, the Clippers will be the hardest matchup of these games (especially with Dillon Brooks out for the Suns), but the Spurs won’t be at a rest disadvantage this time, plus they now know what to expect from Kawhi and Co.
The Orlando Magic (38-28) and Atlanta Hawks (36-31) meet on Peacock in the first of a doubleheader. Atlanta has won both meetings versus Orlando and both teams enter as two of the hottest squads in the NBA. Atlanta has won nine-straight games, while Orlando is victorious in the past seven.
The Hawks are winners in the past nine games beating only one team with a winning record in that span (76ers). Atlanta has won both against Orlando earlier this season back in October and November by four and 15 points. The Hawks are on the final game of a five-game home stand before they travel to Dallas and Houston.
Orlando has won seven consecutive games and beat three playoff teams in that span (Cavaliers, Heat, Timberwolves). The Magic are rated as the 9th-best offense during March and the 4th-best defense. Orlando is sporting the 9th-best turnover to assist ratio and 8th-best true shooting percentage as well in that span.
The Hawks are 9th in the Eastern Conference and a 0.5 game back from the 76ers for 8th and 1.5 back of the Heat for the 7th spot. For the Magic, they have crept into the No. 5 seed in the East and are a 0.5 game ahead of the Raptors and 1.0 game ahead of the Heat. This is a monumental matchup for both teams to continue their climb in the Eastern Conference.
Lets take a closer look at tonight’s matchup and take into consideration lineups, injuries, and other factors affecting the line and total.
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: Magic at Hawks
Date: Monday, March 16, 2026
Time: 7 PM EST
Site: State Farm Arena
City: Atlanta, GA
Network/Streaming: Peacock
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: Magic at Hawks
The latest odds as of Monday courtesy of DraftKings:
Moneyline: Atlanta Hawks (-148), Orlando Magic (+124)
Spread: Atlanta -3.5
Total: 231.5 points
This game opened Magic -1.5 with the Total set at 230.5.
Be sure to check out DraftKings for all the latest game odds & player props for every matchup this week on the NBA schedule!
Expected Starting Lineups: Magic at Hawks
Atlanta Hawks
PG CJ McCollum
SG Nickeil Alexander-Walker
SF Dyson Daniels
PF Jalen Johnson
C Onyeka Okoungwu
Orlando Magic
PG Jalen Suggs
SG Desmond Bane
SF Tristan De Silva
PF Paolo Banchero
C Wendell Carter Jr.
Injury Report: Magic at Hawks
Orlando Magic
Anthony Black (abdomen) is listed as OUT for tonight’s game
Jhett Howard (illness) has been ruled QUESTIONABLE of tonight’s game
Jonathan Issac (knee sprain) has been ruled OUT for tonight's game
Atlanta Hawks
Jonathan Kuminga (knee) is listed as QUESTIONABLE for tonight’s game
Important stats, trends and insights: Magic at Hawks
Orlando is 30-36 ATS, ranking 10th-worst
Orlando is 15-16 ATS on the road and 9-7 ATS a road underdog
Orlando is 7-9 on the ML as a road underdog
Orlando is 35-31 to the Over, ranking 5th-best
Orlando is 16-15 to the Under on the road
Atlanta is 35-32 ATS and 35-32 to the Under
Atlanta is 16-18 ATS at home and 9-11 ATS as a home favorite
Atlanta is 21-13 to the Under at home, ranking 8th-best
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 Magic and Hawks’ game:
Moneyline: Rotoworld Bet is leaning towards a play on the Magic Moneyline
Spread: Rotoworld Bet is leaning towards a play on the Magic +3.5 ATS
Total: Rotoworld Bet is leaning towards a play on the Game Total UNDER 231.5
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:
This would be the first formal vote on accepting bids for those specific markets. The NBA Board of Governors meeting is set for March 24-25, and if approved, the goal would be for the teams to begin play in the 2028-29 NBA season.
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said during All-Star weekend that the owners would be "having further discussions around an expansion process" during the March meeting, but would not be voting. That timeline may have sped up in the past month as Siver counted the votes and realized he has the support needed, as Charania suggests.
There is momentum within the board of governors and league office to approve moving forward with taking bids for franchises in Las Vegas and Seattle, according to sources with knowledge of the discussions.
Seattle and Las Vegas have long been the strong frontrunners to be the cities the NBA expands to. Seattle had a thriving franchise and fan base in the Sonics, but new owners who wanted to move the team to Oklahoma City, combined with an arena issue that gave them leverage, led to the team's relocation and the formation of the Thunder. The NBA owes Seattle a team. Las Vegas has seen a thriving NHL team, the Golden Knights, an NFL team, the Raiders, and a championship and well-backed team in the WNBA's Aces all become part of the city, plus the construction of an MLB stadium for the A's to start playing in starting in 2028 is well underway.
"I think Seattle and Las Vegas are two incredible cities," Silver said back in December. "Obviously, we had a team in Seattle that had great success. We have a WNBA team here in Las Vegas, the Aces. We've been playing the summer league here for 20 years. We're playing our Cup games here, so we're very familiar with this market. I don't have any doubt that Las Vegas, despite all of the other major league teams that are here now, the other entertainment properties, that this city could support an NBA team."
A team in Seattle would likely play at the renovated Climate Pledge Arena (formerly the Key Arena), where the NHL's Kraken play. In Las Vegas, while the T-Mobile Arena is a viable venue — it is home to the Aces and Golden Knights, and the NBA Cup semifinals and finals are played there — there is considerable speculation in the city that a new ownership group would build a new arena further down the Las Vegas strip, which would anchor a completely new resort and casino complex.
A few questions remain. One is what the franchise fee paid to the league by the prospective owners will be — money that gets divided up among the current owners and goes straight as a one-time boost to the bottom line. Charania reported that "Industry executives project proposals in the $7-10 billion range for each team." Whatever that number is, it needs to be high enough that a majority of owners are willing to dilute their shares in the league (and its revenue) from 1/30th to 1/32nd.
Another question is conference realignment. Both Las Vegas and Seattle would unquestionably be added to the Western Conference, which means one team in the West would move to the East — and teams will be lobbying and jockeying to make that move (wanting to go to an Eastern Conference seen as not as deep as the West). Minnesota and Memphis are the teams seen as most likely to move East, as Charania reports, but New Orleans also makes geographic sense.
Alabama basketball star Aden Holloway was arrested on Monday, March 16, four days before the Crimson Tide is scheduled to play in the Men's NCAA Tournament.
According to the Tuscaloosa News — part of the USA TODAY Network — Holloway was charged with first-degree possession of marijuana and failure to affix a tax stamp. More than a pound of marijuana, paraphernalia and cash were found inside the residence on the 400 block of 30th East Avenue on Monday morning by the West Alabama Narcotics Task Force.
Holloway, 21, was transported to the Tuscaloosa County Jail and had his bond set for $5,000, according to the Tuscaloosa News. He was no longer listed as an inmate, which indicates he was released on that bond.
With Alabama as a 4-seed in the NCAA Tournament, it is scheduled to open the tournament against at 3:15 p.m. Friday, March 20, from the Benchmark International Arena in Tampa, Florida.
It is unclear if Holloway will face a suspension from the program following the arrest and felony charge. The junior guard was second on the Crimson Tide with 16.8 points per game, while also adding 3.8 assists and 2.8 rebounds per game.
Tonight's Peacock NBA Monday slate features an exciting tripleheader. First, at 7:00 PM ET, the Atlanta Hawks host the Orlando Magic. At 9:30 PM, the Los Angeles Lakers take on the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center, followed by a San Antonio Spurs vs Los Angeles Clipper match up at 10:00 PM ET. Live coverage begins at 6:00 PM with NBA Showtime on NBC and Peacock.
See below for additional information on how to watch tonight's tripleheader. Follow all of the NBA action on NBCSN and Peacock. Peacock will feature 100 regular-season games throughout the course of the 2025-2026 season.
With less than a month left in the regular season, the Magic and Hawks — two of the league's hottest teams — continue to fight for one of the top 6 playoffs spots and look to avoid the Play-In Tournament.
Orlando has won it's last seven consecutive games and sits two games behind Cleveland for the 4 seed in the East. Atlanta has won nine straight — which is the longest active streak in the league — and is currently two games back of Toronto for the sixth and final guaranteed playoff spot in the East.
Tonight's contest is the third of four meetings between the Magic and Hawks this season. Atlanta won the first two match ups on October 24 and November 4.
Peacock NBA Monday will stream up to three Monday night games each week throughout the regular season. Coast 2 Coast Tuesday presents doubleheaders on Tuesday nights throughout the regular season on NBC and Peacock. On most Tuesdays, an 8 p.m. ET game will be on NBC stations in the Eastern and Central time zones, and an 8 p.m. PT game on NBC stations in the Pacific and often Mountain time zones.
Check local listings each week. Both games will stream live nationwide on Peacock. Sunday Night Basketball coverage will also be available on NBC and Peacock. For a full schedule of the NBA on NBC and Peacock, click here.
How to sign up for Peacock:
Sign up here to watch all of our LIVE sports, sports shows, documentaries, classic matches, and more. You'll also get tons of hit movies and TV shows, Originals, news, 24/7 channels, and current NBC & Bravo hits—Peacock is here for whatever you’re in the mood for.
NBA on NBC 2025-26 Schedule:
Click here to see the full list of NBA games that will air on NBC and Peacock this season.
There’s no doubt in Steve Kerr’s mind that Steph Curry will return this season.
“We expect him back,” the Warriors coach told NBC’s Bob Costas in an on-court interview before their 110-107 loss to the Knicks on Sunday.
Stephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors celebrates after a three point shot in the fourth quarter against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on March 04, 2025 in New York City. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
Getty Images
Curry, who turned 38 over the weekend, missed his 17th consecutive game with inflammation in his right knee, commonly known as runner’s knee. He has been ruled out for at least three more contests but joined Golden State as it began a six-game road trip.
The loss to the Knicks dropped Golden State to 9-19 without Curry this season and 5-12 over his current absence. Their current five-game losing streak is the Warriors’ longest of the season.
Curry will be re-evaluated again Saturday, before the Warriors visit the Mavericks. The team said in its last update that he had made “good progress” and was intensifying individual work but had not begun doing anything with the rest of the team.
“He’s trending in the right direction,” Kerr said. “It’s been a tricky injury. But I think he’ll be back, for sure.”
Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr yells during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the New York Knicks Sunday, March 15, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig) AP
Curry also appeared on the broadcast for an in-game interview with Mike Tirico, Reggie Miller and Jamal Crawford. He wasn’t asked about his status, but they did ask about playing with his younger brother, Seth, a 13th-year vet who the Warriors signed in December.
One problem: Injuries have prevented the Curry brothers from sharing the floor yet this season.
“We’ve been the rehab brothers,” Curry said. “That’s not a good title to have.”
Cam Spencer
Zion Williamson
Victor Wembanyama
Raphielle Johnson
