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Fantasy Basketball Waiver Wire: Quentin Grimes should be added in shallow leagues

Depending on the league's settings, many fantasy managers will compete for a championship during Week 21. The "silly season" has been in full effect for a few weeks, meaning some players on lottery-bound teams have firmly established themselves as worthwhile additions to fantasy rosters. The lingering concern is a player performing so well that they lose out on playing time to protect- or improve- the team's lottery odds. This week's Waiver Wire begins with a player who could find himself in that situation, but fantasy managers must operate under the assumption that he'll continue to play starters' minutes.

Priority Adds

1. Quentin Grimes (shallow leagues)

2. Toumani Camara

3. Kyle Filipowski

4. Jeremy Sochan

5. Aaron Nesmith

6. Kyshawn George

7. Cason Wallace

8. Keon Ellis

9. Kevin Huerter

10. Ziaire Williams

SG/SF Quentin Grimes (63%), Philadelphia 76ers

Usually, this list is limited to players rostered in no more than 50 percent of Yahoo! leagues. But an exception must be made for Grimes, who has been elite recently. According to Basketball Monster, he's ranked fifth in eight-cat formats over the past two weeks. The 76ers have been willing to let Grimes play heavy minutes, and he has made the most of his opportunities. Even if the team cut Grimes' minutes, that should not be a significant concern for fantasy managers.

SG/SF/PF Toumani Camara (46%), Portland Trail Blazers

Camara is still rostered in less than 50 percent of Yahoo! leagues, meaning he can help some managers compete in 12-team leagues. While he has only been a 12th-round player in eight-cat formats over the past two weeks, the percentages (41.5 percent from the field, 40.0 percent from the foul line) have been the problem. Camara continues to provide excellent defensive production, making him worth the risk in category leagues.

SF/PF/C Jeremy Sochan (43%), San Antonio Spurs

Sochan's production hasn't been great, as he's ranked outside the top 200 in eight-cat formats over the past two weeks. However, he has played 31 minutes or more in two of his last three outings, most recently logging 38 as the starting center in a March 19 win over the Knicks. Also, Sochan has hit double figures in five straight appearances, his longest streak since mid-December. And with the Spurs playing four games during Week 21, he'll be worth the risk, even if Bismack Biyombo returns to the starting lineup.

PF/C Kyle Filipowski (32%), Utah Jazz

Even though the franchise was fined $100,000 in early March due to its handling of Lauri Markkanen, the team continues to take steps to limit the playing time of its more established players. That frees up additional minutes for players like Filipowski, who has been an 11th-round player in eight-cat formats over the past two weeks. Utah doesn't have the best schedule for Week 21, as its three-game week concludes on Friday, but Filipowski is one of the youngsters who will not lack opportunities to perform.

SF/PF Aaron Nesmith (31%), Indiana Pacers

Over the past two weeks, Nesmith has provided seventh-round value in eight-cat formats, averaging 15.7 points, 4.0 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 1.3 steals and 2.9 three-pointers per game. He reclaimed his place in the starting lineup just before the All-Star break, and Tyrese Haliburton's recent absence has raised Nesmith's offensive ceiling slightly. And even if the star point guard is available for the start of Week 21, the Pacers will play four games.

SG/SF Kyshawn George (26%), Washington Wizards

The Wizards have a four-game schedule for Week 21, and George was removed from the injury report after missing the team's March 19 loss to the Jazz. Over the past two weeks, the rookie wing has provided top-60 value in eight-cat formats. Along with Alexandre Sarr (62 percent), Tristan Vukcevic (13 percent) and Jordan Poole, George is one of four Wizards who has provided top-100 value over the past two weeks. And the Wizards may look to trim Poole's minutes in the final weeks in favor of the team's younger players getting more minutes. Although he's already a starter, George may benefit from an offensive usage standpoint if the team takes that approach.

PG/SG/SF Keon Ellis (23%), Sacramento Kings

While Zach LaVine's return after missing one game for personal reasons pushed Ellis back to the bench, he has a higher fantasy ceiling due to the Domantas Sabonis ankle injury. With Jonas Valanciunas now in the starting lineup, there's a greater need for Ellis to provide consistent production off the bench, even if they don't play the same position. He's worth a look for category league managers needing steals, as Keon has averaged 1.5 per game over the past two weeks.

SG/SF Kevin Huerter (21%), Chicago Bulls

Josh Giddey returned from a sprained ankle on Wednesday, playing 31 minutes off the bench in a loss to the Suns. He'll likely return to the starting lineup before Week 21, but there will still be minutes available to Huerter. He logged 32 minutes against the Suns and has been a top-75 player in eight-cat formats over the past two weeks. While Huerter has been most valuable in the points, rebounds, and three-point categories, he has also averaged 1.7 steals per game over the past two weeks.

PG/SG Cason Wallace (20%), Oklahoma City Thunder

While he was one of the Thunder rotation players who did not play in the team's March 19 rout of the 76ers, Wallace could be given more opportunities as the regular season approaches its conclusion. He's played 27 minutes or more in each of his last four appearances, and the second-year guard would have added value if the team were to give Shai Gilgeous-Alexander the occasional night off in preparation for the postseason. And even if that would not be Oklahoma City's approach, Wallace has been a sixth-round player in nine-cat formats over the past two weeks.

PG/SG Scotty Pippen Jr. (17%), Memphis Grizzlies

While Ja Morant's absence due to a shoulder injury did not result in Pippen moving into the starting lineup (Luke Kennard did), his fantasy value has increased. Over the past two weeks, the Grizzlies' backup has been a top-50 player in nine-cat formats. Pippen is still playing just under 26 minutes per game, and the steals production (2.4 per game) has been noteworthy. Averaging 1.3 per game on the season, he's recorded two or more steals in eight straight outings. The Grizzlies only play three games during Week 21, but Pippen will be worth a look if Morant remains out.

SG/SF Ziaire Williams (16%), Brooklyn Nets

The Nets are effectively playing out the string, and Williams is one of the team's younger players who hasn't lacked opportunities. And over the past two weeks, he has provided sixth-round value in nine-cat formats. With Cam Thomas done for the season, there's no reason why Williams won't continue to surpass 30 minutes consistently. While Brooklyn's Week 22 schedule isn't good, the team will play four games during Week 21.

SF/PF Brice Sensabaugh (8%), Utah Jazz

As mentioned in the Filipowski portion, the Jazz are in a situation where their younger players will see plenty of time as the season winds down. Over the past two weeks, Sensabaugh has averaged 13.4 points, 3.5 rebounds and 2.1 three-pointers per game. While he doesn't provide much value in the rebound or defensive stat categories, the second-year forward is worth rostering due to his opportunities and scoring ability.

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Why Draymond earned Pippen, Rodman comparison from Kerr

Why Draymond earned Pippen, Rodman comparison from Kerr  originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

Warriors coach Steve Kerr showered Draymond Green with more two-way praise just days after labeling the veteran forward the “best defender in the world.”

Golden State’s coach compared Green to two of the NBA’s all-time great defenders in talking to reporters on Thursday before the Warriors’ 117-114 win over the Toronto Raptors at Chase Center.

Kerr first cited similarities between Green and his former teammate and Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame inductee Scottie Pippen. 

“I have a top two, and that’s Scottie Pippen and Draymond,” Kerr told reporters. “And I think what makes Draymond different from Scottie is that Draymond is physically stronger and more capable of guarding low-post players. 

“I’ll give Scottie a break because, back then, the low-post guys were [Shaquille O’Neal] and Patrick Ewing and Hakeem [Olajuwon]; it was a very different game back then where it was very low post-centric, and now hardly anybody goes down to the block.”

Pippen made 10 NBA All-Defensive teams over his 17 seasons and held his own around the rim despite being his best around the perimeter.

Kerr gives Green, 6-foot-6, the edge versatility-wise because he consistently has defended well against some of the league’s top bigs. But as the coach noted, there aren’t any Shaqs in today’s NBA compared to Pippen’s era, which nullifies Kerr’s point.

Still, Green is as strong as they come. But strength is just one of many things the eight-time All-Defensive honoree can bring to the table, as Kerr has seen for himself for over a decade and four NBA championship runs.

“What I see with Draymond when he’s guarding the post, it’s incredible when you then add on top of that his ability to guard [the] pick-and-roll all the way at halfcourt; I think Dennis Rodman is actually a great [comparison] for Draymond in that regard,” Kerr added.

“I should definitely have Dennis in that conversation too, probably those three: Dennis, Scottie and Draymond. And you can see the parallels – the length, the physicality, the speed, the versatility – but ultimately it’s up here, the brain. And Dennis and Scottie were two of the smartest defenders I’ve ever been around, and Draymond is amazing in that regard, just his ability to process.”

Rodman, another of Kerr’s former teammates in the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame, would suffocate opposing offenses from halfcourt, as reflected by his eight NBA All-Defensive Team selections and two Defensive Player of the Year awards.

Green can guard James Harden’s pick-and-rolls from halfcourt as much as he can a Victor Wembanyama back-to-the-basket situation – that says a lot about the Warrior’s defensive versatility.

Throughout his career, Green also has demonstrated one of, if not the, smartest basketball minds the game has ever seen. It is no secret why Kerr, who has played with and coached the best for generations, sees parallels between Green, Pippen and Rodman.

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Draymond reveals NSFW defensive mindset vs. NBA opponents

Draymond reveals NSFW defensive mindset vs. NBA opponents originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

Draymond Green’s love for defense has been no secret over his illustrious 13-year Warriors career.

And on the latest episode of his “Draymond Green Show with Baron Davis,” the four-time champion revealed his blunt, not-safe-for-work defensive approach.

“I take a great deal of pride in f—–g up your team’s offense,” Green proudly admitted Friday.

That should come as no surprise.

Green, recently declared the “best defender in the world” by longtime Warriors coach Steve Kerr, has been known in his time as arguably the league’s most versatile stopper with a peak rivaled by few; really, who can competently guard everyone from LeBron James to Victor Wembanyama?

Green’s 2016-17 NBA Defensive Player of the Year award and eight All-Defense team nods only cement his continuous two-way legacy.  

“As much as I enjoy locking one guy down, I take more pride in locking your entire offense down,” Green explained. “Your coach has to figure something else out, making your offense have to make adjustments; I take more pride in that. 

“For me, there’s a lot of pride in how you guard your matchup, how you guard the ball. I almost enjoy more messing up your offense from the weak side. I think when you start talking about guys who can guard the ball and guys who can be great help-side defenders, I think I’m elite at all of that.”

Most of the league’s stellar defenders specialize in a certain area like the perimeter or paint. Green, however, survives – shines, rather – wherever he or Kerr sees fit.

Green isn’t your typical star-stopper. Instead, he proudly is an offense ruiner.

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Draymond reveals KAT's blunt trash talk during heated matchup

Draymond reveals KAT's blunt trash talk during heated matchup originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

Typically Draymond Green is the one delivering trash talk on the court, but the Warriors star revealed Knicks big man Karl-Anthony Towns provided plenty of commentary during their matchup last weekend.

The fued between Green and Towns took center stage during Golden State’s gritty 97-94 win, but the Knicks star made sure that the four-time NBA champion wasn’t the only one chirping.

On a recent episode of “The Draymond Green Show with Baron Davis,” Green revealed what Towns told him during their intense matchup.

“I think this was a big moment for Towns in my opinion, and I’m going to go more into why I think it was a big moment, but I’m going to tell you what he said,” Green explained. “He said I called him, ‘soft.’ I said he’s soft. He said, ‘You a hoe.’ I said, ‘oh.’ He said, ‘hoe, hoe, hoe.’ I said get him out of here, go sit him down. Go sit him on the bench, ‘Hey [Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau], get him out of here. He said, ‘You a hoe!’ “

Green explained that he believes Towns is an exceptional talent but could benefit from the kind of motivation the Warriors star’s trash talk appeares to provide.

“So listen, I’m loving that … If Karl-Anthony Towns is my teammate, that’s what I’m looking to get out of him every single night.,” Green said. “I need you on this type of time, and here’s why. I need to get that from him because there’s guys like Karl-Anthony Towns that are that talented that sometimes they need somebody to put the battery pack in their back. And Karl-Anthony Towns in my opinion is one of those guys. Because he’s got the size, he’s strong as hell and he obviously has the skill.

So, if I can get you to play with that level of physicality more often than not, We’re going to win way more games than we lose and I’m going to get you to be a better player than you knew or thought you were. So he would 100 percent be better off if he always played that physical, and by the way, if he played that physical all the time he’d be a lot more respected around the NBA than he is.”

Towns finished with a game-high 29 points and 12 rebounds in the loss, giving the Warriors all they could handle right down to the final minute of the hard-fought game.

Green shared that if Towns plays with that chip on his shoulder in every game, it will provide an incredibly difficult challenge for the opponents tasked with slowing him down.

If KAT comes out and plays with the type of dog that he played with against me the other night, man good luck guarding Karl-Anthony Towns. The way he shoot the ball like a guard and he got that type of dog, you’re not stopping him.

While the Warriors wont see the Knicks again during the 2024-25 NBA regular season, there is a chance Golden State and New York could meet in the Finals, which would provide the ultimate stage for a Green-Towns showdown that would be sure to deliver fireworks.

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Stephen Curry suffered pelvic contusion from fall, no structural damage, he is out Saturday vs. Hawks

Stephen Curry suffered a pelvic contusion, but an MRI showed no structural damage from a nasty fall Thursday night against the Raptors, the Golden State Warriors announced Friday. Curry is not traveling with the team to Atlanta for a game against the Hawks on Saturday, and he will be re-evaluated on Monday.

The Warriors are on the road for their next six games and after Atlanta will face Miami on Tuesday — it's difficult to imagine Curry being cleared Monday and making a cross-country flight to play Tuesday — then the New Orleans Pelicans on Friday.

The injury occurred in the third quarter against Toronto when Curry drove the lane and was hit as he made a pass from under the basket, causing the All-NBA guard to land flat on his back.

The Warriors can't afford to be without Curry for long. Golden State sits sixth in the West — currently avoiding the play-in — but two hot teams in the Timberwolves and Clippers are tied just 1.5 games back with a dozen games to play.

Curry is averaging 24.2 points and 6 assists a game this season — up to 28.1 points and a game for the 18 games prior to Thursday. On the season, the Warriors are outscoring opponents by 1 point per 100 possessions (almost even) when Curry is on the court, and if he misses time it will put more pressure on Jimmy Butler and Jonathan Kuminga (just back from injury himself) to carry the offensive load.

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Jayson Tatum reacts to Bill Chisholm purchasing Celtics

Jayson Tatum reacts to Bill Chisholm purchasing Celtics originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston

Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum is optimistic about the franchise’s future under new majority owner Bill Chisholm.

Chisholm, a Massachusetts native and Dartmouth College graduate, purchased a majority stake in the team at a $6.1-billion valuation. The lifelong Celtics fan is the managing director and co-founder of private equity firm Symphony Technology Group.

On Friday, Tatum explained why he believes Chisholm could be the right fit for the organization.

“I mean, just everything you all heard,” Tatum said. “Grew up around the area, big Boston fan, is proud of what we’ve accomplished and understands what the Celtics mean to the city and to the NBA. Wanted to be a part of that and help take it forward any way he can.”

Tatum and fellow Celtics star Jaylen Brown weren’t caught off guard by the ownership change. Longtime team owner Wyc Grousbeck kept them informed throughout the sale process and assured them it would be a smooth transition.

When asked how much he had thought about the team sale during the season, Tatum responded, “Not much. I talked to Wyc a few times. He’s still going to be around, and he kept me updated, saying whoever takes over will be great for the organization. I told Wyc I trust him, and I have no doubt things will continue to run smoothly.”

Grousbeck revealed after the sale that Chisholm asked him to stay on as CEO and governor for the next three seasons, and he is “glad to do so.”

Chisholm takes over a Celtics team with its sights set on its second consecutive NBA championship. Boston entered Friday with a 50-19 record that puts it on track for the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference.

Watch NBC Sports Boston’s exclusive interview with Chisholm and Grousbeck below or on YouTube:

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The 75 million reasons — and more — Cooper Flagg not returning to Duke, will enter NBA draft

Nobody in the NBA believes it will happen — and there are more than $75 million reasons why.

As Cooper Flagg leads Duke into the NCAA Tournament Friday — where they are among the favorites to be standing on stage in San Antonio holding up the NCAA Championship trophy — there will be talk about Flagg returning to Duke for another season. He has said he's thought about it, even telling The Athletic," S***, I want to come back next year."

Wanting to is one thing — the college experience can be special, and Flagg is young at age 18 — but actually doing it is another. It can't be stressed enough that nobody in the NBA thinks Flagg will pass up being the No. 1 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft to return to Durham, North Carolina, for another season. There are $75 million reasons why, but they break down into two key areas.

Injury risk

Flagg would likely be the No. 1 pick in 2026 as well — although the 2026 NBA Draft is deeper with projected franchise players including A.J. Dybantsa, Cameron Boozer, Nate Ament and Darryn Peterson — but the biggest risk is a major injury.

Every time any player steps on the court there is the risk of injury, but for Flagg it could have massive financial consequences. First, a significant knee, back, or foot injury could put doubt in the minds of the always risk-averse general managers picking at the top of the 2026 draft. With other high-level players available who teams like, Flagg could fall down draft boards.

More concerning, he might not be the same player physically. Scouts NBC Sports has spoken with believe Flagg could well become an All-NBA player — top 15 in the league — and saying he becomes a top-five player in the league who garners MVP votes someday is undoubtedly possible. A significant injury could put that in jeopardy, or at least lead to a career when his injury status is as discussed as much as how great he is when healthy (think Zion Williamson or Kawhi Leonard, for example).

Money

However, the real reason Flagg likely enters the 2025 NBA Draft is money — next season and beyond.

This season it is estimated Flagg makes about $4.8 million in NIL money (those figures are not official and public), which would be the most of any college basketball player and trails only Texas quarterback Arch Manning ($6.5 million) in all of college sports. If Flagg returned to Duke, maybe deals could be found to increase that number — but not enough to match the rookie scale salary of the NBA. Last year's No. 1 pick, Zaccharie Risacher of the Atlanta Hawks, is making $13.6 million this season in salary alone and will make $57 million over the first four years of his rookie contract (and Flagg's contract would be larger as the NBA salary cap will go up by 10% this season.

And that's not the "real" money. Flagg staying in college would delay starting the clock on his second contract, where the real generational wealth will come into play. This coming summer, sure-fire rookie contract max extension players such as Cade Cunningham and Evan Mobley can sign five-year deals worth $224.3 million — at least. Make an All-NBA team (or be named MVP or Defensive Player of the Year) in that stretch and the max can jump to $269 million. Years from now, when Flagg would be eligible, that max extension will be more.

Then there's the longer-term, on the back end of Flagg's future NBA career, which Bobby Marx of ESPN discussed.

ESPN's Bobby Marks projects that Flagg returning to Duke could cost him, based on estimated cap numbers, $75 million to $125 million in potential salary on the backend of his NBA career since he would delay the start of his service clock for his second and third pro contracts. Players with 10 years of service are eligible for a supermax deal, a type of contract extension in which teams can give eligible players up to 35% of the total cap space allotted to that team for up to five years.

It's too much money to leave on the table.

There is no doubt Flagg loves Duke and his college experience — he's just 18, and he may love it more by the time the NCAA Tournament ends. However, taking less money in the short- and long-term while adding increased injury risk is just not smart. And Flagg, if nothing else, is smart. He will enter the 2025 NBA Draft and go No. 1. Around the NBA, there is no doubt.

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Draymond reveals Steph gave him ‘night night' tips before Bucks game

Draymond reveals Steph gave him ‘night night' tips before Bucks game originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

Draymond Green always takes notes, even when it comes to perfecting Warriors superstar Steph Curry’s iconic “night night” celebration.

Green took his first shot at mimicking his teammate’s celly after a game-sealing dunk against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Dec. 8. The Warriors forward hit the pose from baseline to baseline in true Draymond Green fashion.

While it certainly was iconic in its own right, the master of the celly, Curry himself, couldn’t help but share some pointers with his teammate.

And that eventually carried over into the second and latest “night night” celebration from Green, who whipped it out with 25 seconds remaining in the Warriors’ 97-94 win over the New York Knicks last Saturday.

“Here’s what I will say: everything I do I do aggressively,” Green said on “The Draymond Green Show with Baron Davis.”
“My shoulders come up. If you watch Steph, Steph shoots the ball and it goes through, he’s just going to do it like this. When I do anything, my shoulders do this, I’m tense. The first time I did the ‘night night,’ which was after the Rudy Gobert play when I dunked, I hit the ‘night night’ and it was way up here. It was aggressive as hell.

“Now, Steph gave me notes after that one, and he said it was a little aggressive, you were too high up, you got to come down a little. So I took notes. What I will say is on that one, I think my hands were a little lower, I learned to drop that down a little more.”

You be the judge, Dub Nation. Did Green correct his flaws the second time around?

Curry seems to think so.

“[Green] has evolved his version of it since the Minnesota game earlier in the year,” Curry told reporters. “He’s softened it a little bit. He’s brought it down to where a pillow is supposed to really be. I realized he does everything aggressive and with his whole body.

“I’m giving that a solid A-minus effort on the “night night” tonight. That was beautiful.”

While Green is well on his way to perfecting the “night night,” or what his teammates have twisted into something more fitting for Green, “The Nightmare,” he also figures it might be time to craft his own celebration given how well he’s been playing as of late.

“I’ve had a couple ‘night night’ moments over the last week and a half, so maybe I need to come up with my own celebration,” Green said. “But I love paying homage to the GOAT, Steph.”

At least we know if Green plans to do the “night night” — or some variation of it — again this season, third time will be the charm.

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Rockets vs. Heat Predictions: Odds, expert picks, recent stats, trends, and best bets for March 21

It’s Friday, March 21, and the Houston Rockets (45-25) and Miami Heat (29-40) are all set to square off from Kaseya Center in Miami.

The Rockets are currently 19-14 on the road with a point differential of 5, while the Heat have a 3-7 record in their last ten games at home. Miami won the only meeting of the season 104-100.

Houston is riding an eight-game winning streak entering this contest, while Miami is on a nine-game losing streak.

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, recent team performance, player stats, and of course, our predictions, picks & best bets for the game from our modeling tools and staff of experts.

Listen to the Rotoworld Basketball Show for the latest fantasy player news, waiver claims, roster advice and more from our experts all season long. Click here or download it wherever you get your podcasts.

Game details & how to watch Rockets vs. Heat live today

  • Date: Friday, March 21, 2025
  • Time: 8:00PM EST
  • Site: Kaseya Center
  • City: Miami, FL
  • Network/Streaming: NBA TV

Never miss a second of the action and stay up to date with all the latest team stats and player news. Check out our day-by-day NBA schedule page, along with detailed matchup pages that update live in-game.

Game odds for Rockets vs. Heat

The latest odds as of Friday:

  • Odds: Rockets (-206), Heat (+171)
  • Spread:  Rockets -5.5
  • Over/Under: 213 points

That gives the Rockets an implied team point total of 108.35, and the Heat 105.49.

Want to know which sportsbook is offering the best lines for every game on the NBA calendar? Check out the NBC Sports’ Live Odds tool to get all the latest updated info from DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM & more!

Expert picks & predictions for Friday’s Rockets vs. Heat game

NBC Sports Bet Best Bet

Vaughn Dalzell (@VmoneySports) leans the Rockets against the Heat:

"Houston has won eight straight games, while Miami has lost the past nine. Miami won the only meeting of the season in Houston, so I like the Rockets to get revenge while they are hot. It's Houston or pass."

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 today’s Rockets & Heat game:

  • Moneyline: NBC Sports Bet is staying away from a play on the Moneyline.
  • Spread: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play ATS on the Miami Heat at +5.
  • Total: NBC Sports Bet is staying away from a play on the Game Total of 213.

Want even more NBA best bets and predictions from our expert staff & tools? Check out the Expert NBA Predictions pagefrom NBC Sports for money line, spread and over/under picks for every game on today’s calendar!

Important stats, trends & insights to know ahead of Rockets vs. Heat on Friday

  • The Heat are on a 6-game win streak at home to the Rockets
  • The Over is 7-3 in the Heat's and the Rockets' last 5 games combined
  • The Rockets have covered in 5 of their 8 matchups against Eastern Conference Southeast Division teams this season
  • The Heat have won 10 of their last 12 home matchups against the Rockets

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:

- Jay Croucher (@croucherJD)

- Drew Dinsick (@whale_capper)

- Vaughn Dalzell (@VmoneySports)

- Brad Thomas (@MrBradThomas)

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Magic vs. Wizards Predictions: Odds, expert picks, recent stats, trends and best bets for March 21

It’s Friday, March 21, and the Orlando Magic (32-38) and Washington Wizards (15-53) are all set to square off from Capital One Arena in Washington.

The Magic are currently 14-21 on the road with a point differential of -2, while the Wizards have a 2-8 record in their last ten games at home. Orlando has won both meetings this season by 20 and 27 points. This is the third of four matchups.

Washington lost the past two games and four of the previous six, while Orlando is 3-3 in the previous six contests.

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, recent team performance, player stats, and of course, our predictions, picks & best bets for the game from our modeling tools and staff of experts.

Listen to the Rotoworld Basketball Show for the latest fantasy player news, waiver claims, roster advice and more from our experts all season long. Click here or download it wherever you get your podcasts.

Game details & how to watch Magic vs. Wizards live today

  • Date: Friday, March 21, 2025
  • Time: 7:00PM EST
  • Site: Capital One Arena
  • City: Washington, DC
  • Network/Streaming:

Never miss a second of the action and stay up to date with all the latest team stats and player news. Check out our day-by-day NBA schedule page, along with detailed matchup pages that update live in-game.

Game odds for Magic vs. Wizards

The latest odds as of Friday:

  • Odds: Magic (-309), Wizards (+247)
  • Spread:  Magic -7.5
  • Over/Under: 216 points

That gives the Magic an implied team point total of 110.83, and the Wizards 106.92.

Want to know which sportsbook is offering the best lines for every game on the NBA calendar? Check out the NBC Sports’ Live Odds tool to get all the latest updated info from DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM & more!

Expert picks & predictions for Friday’s Magic vs. Wizards game

NBC Sports Bet Best Bet

Vaughn Dalzell (@VmoneySports) leans the Magic to cover:

"In two meetings this year, Orlando did not play with its food one bit when it came to Washington. With two 20-plus point wins, the Magic should earn another double-digit victory against the Wizards if they want to stay in the play-in tournament. Orlando currently sits as the No. 8 seed and Washington is ahead of Utah for the worst record in the NBA, something they're likely to hold onto. It's Magic or pass."

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 today’s Magic & Wizards game:

  • Moneyline: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the Orlando Magic on the Moneyline.
  • Spread: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play ATS on the Washington Wizards at +7.
  • Total: NBC Sports Bet is staying away from a play on the Game Total of 216.

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!

Important stats, trends & insights to know ahead of Magic vs. Wizards on Friday

  • The Magic have won their last 3 matchups against divisional opponents
  • Each of the Magic's last 8 games at the Wizards have gone over the Total
  • The Magic have covered in 4 of their last 5 road games
  • The Magic have won 8 straight games against the Wizards

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:

- Jay Croucher (@croucherJD)

- Drew Dinsick (@whale_capper)

- Vaughn Dalzell (@VmoneySports)

- Brad Thomas (@MrBradThomas)

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Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla reacts to change in team ownership

Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla reacts to change in team ownership originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston

The Boston Celtics will have a new owner soon.

An investment group led by Massachusetts native Bill Chisholm — the managing director and co-founder of private equity firm Symphony Technology Group — has agreed to purchase a majority of the team at a $6.1 billion valuation.

Celtics owner Wyc Grousbeck will stay on as CEO and governor of the team through the 2027-28 season.

Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla reacted to the news in an interview with 98.5 The Sports Hub’s Zolak & Bertrand show Friday morning.

“I just spoke to (Chisholm) yesterday, briefly, but that was a good conversation,” Mazzula said.

“I think it’s two-fold, right? I think you’re grateful for what our ownership has done up until this point, and it kind of goes back to what we’ve always talked about is, the Celtics have always been in great hands. And the people who have either coached, played, owned it and been a part of it have left it in a better place.

“I think Wyc and (Steve Pagliuca) have done that, and now we transition into Bill and his group and Wyc still being there, but it’s great that we have someone that is from the area and has a passion and commitment to just keep pushing the Celtics forward and trying to make it the best it can be. He shares that, and I’m looking forward to growing our relationship with him.”

The Celtics have won two championships since the Grousbeck family bought the team in 2002, including last year’s league record 18th title in franchise history.

The C’s are in a good position to win another one this season. They entered Friday with a 50-19 record, good enough for second place in the Eastern Conference standings.

They start a six-game road trip Friday against the Utah Jazz.

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Bronny talked about improvement then on Thursday showed it off scoring 17 on 7-of-10 shooting

Milwaukee Bucks v Los Angeles Lakers

LOS ANGELES, CA - MARCH 20: Bronny James #9 of the Los Angeles Lakers drives to the basket during the game against the Milwaukee Bucks on March 20, 2025 at Crypto.Com Arena in Los Angeles, California. 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 2025 NBAE (Photo by Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images)

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"I definitely think I've improved, not only as a player, but just having a different mindset as a player to go out and play my game and play the game that I know how to play. I feel really good about it — I see the progress."

Bronny James talked about his improvement, then went out and showed it on Thursday. Going against the Milwaukee Bucks on a night the Lakers were shorthanded (no LeBron James or Luka Doncic), Bronny had a career-high 17 points, shooting 7-of-10 from the field and 2-of-4 on 3-pointers, plus five assists in 30 minutes of action.

That's a career-high for Bronny, but what's more important is the efficiency of his shot. It's a sign of progress (although he was a team-worst -36), which is all the Lakers have asked of him this season. The Lakers drafted Bronny with the No. 55 pick — a spot deep in the draft where few players ever make the league — and locked him up on a cheap contract. He was a project and the Lakers were all in on giving him a chance (even if they drafted him to please LeBron, give Bronny credit for taking advantage of his opportunity and putting in the work).

The issue had been Bronny's handles and shot, and while he has to show he can be this guy consistently, what we saw Thursday was a positive sign. He's not going to get a lot of time on the court once the Lakers get healthy, or in the playoffs, but it's about stacking good days for Bronny and improving his game to the point J.J. Redick has to play him. For Bronny, Thursday was a good day.

The shorthanded Lakers still lost the game to the Bucks 118-89, with Giannis Antetokounmpo leading the way with 28 points.

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How Warriors tied franchise history with successful homestand

How Warriors tied franchise history with successful homestand originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

There is nothing quite like home.

The Warriors proved that to be true during their recent impressive homestand, in which they went 6-1 and improved to 41-29 on the season.

Golden State’s six wins and one loss over that seven-game stretch tied its franchise record.

The victories came over the Detroit Pistons, Portland Trail Blazers, Sacramento Kings, New York Knicks, Milwaukee Bucks and, most recently, the Toronto Raptors.

Golden State’s lone loss at Chase Center during that near two-week stretch came at the hands of the Denver Nuggets, who pulled off a stunning victory playing without Nikola Jokić and Jamal Murray.

The momentum came at the perfect time for the Warriors battling to stay in the top-six seed in the wild Western Conference. They currently hold a 1.5-game advantage over the No. 7 Los Angeles Clippers, and they are creeping two games behind the fifth-place Memphis Grizzlies with 12 games remaining in the regular season.

After they wrapped up a successful homestand, the Warriors now will embark on a six-game road trip as the playoff race continues to tighten.

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Warriors share positive Steph injury update before six-game road trip

Warriors share positive Steph injury update before six-game road trip originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

Take a sigh of relief, Dub Nation.

An MRI on Warriors superstar Steph Curry confirmed he sustained a pelvic contusion but no structural damage, the team shared in a release Friday morning.

Curry won’t travel with the team as it begins a six-game road trip Saturday against the Atlanta Hawks, and he has been ruled out of the game.

He will be re-evaluated Monday.

Curry sustained the injury during the third quarter of Golden State’s win over the Toronto Raptors on Thursday night after he had a scary fall under the basket. The star guard immediately grabbed his lower back in pain and went to Golden State’s locker room shortly after.

The Warriors later ruled Curry out of the game with a pelvic contusion. He finished the game with 17 points on 6-of-8 shooting and 2 of 4 from 3-point range.

In Year 16, Curry is averaging 24.2 points on 44.7-percent shooting from the field and 39.4 percent from long-range, with 4.4 rebounds, 6.0 assists and 1.1 steals in 32.2 minutes through 60 games this season.

After the Hawks, the Warriors will face the Miami Heat, New Orleans Pelicans, San Antonio Spurs, Memphis Grizzlies and Los Angeles Lakers before returning home on April 4 to face the Denver Nuggets.

Entering the road trip, Golden State is 41-29 and sixth in the Western Conference after an impressive 6-1 homestand.

The Heat are 11 games under .500 and on a nine-game losing streak. The Pelicans have a 19-51 record, and the Spurs are just above them in the Western Conference standings.

Golden State has the fourth-easiest remaining schedule in the West, per Tankathon, so the Warriors likely will be extra cautious with their superstar while banking on their other leaders, Jimmy Butler and Draymond Green, and key role players, to step up in Curry’s indefinite absence to ensure he’s fresh and ready to go come playoff time.

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Stephen Curry leaves game after frightening fall, suffers pelvic contusion

Nothing sucks the air out of the Chase Center like Stephen Curry lying on the court in pain.

That's what happened in the third quarter Thursday night against the Raptors when Curry drove the lane, drew the defense, passed out of it, and was hit as he did, landing flat on his back.

After the game, coach Steve Kerr said Curry wanted to re-enter the game, but the medical staff would not allow that. Postgame Curry got an MRI. It should be noted that Curry's back was bothering him earlier in the week, which is why he sat out the game against Milwaukee. Don't be surprised if Curry misses a few games, the Warriors are going to want to slow-play this and make sure there are no lingering issues heading into the playoffs.

The Warriors went on to win 117-114 behind a triple-double from Jimmy Butler (16 points, 12 rebounds and 11 assists) plus 21 points from Draymond Green and 17 from Curry before his injury. The Warriors need all the wins they can get to hold on to the No. 6 seed in the West and avoid the play-in.