PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - JANUARY 19: Tyrese Maxey #0 of the Philadelphia 76ers controls the ball against Ben Sheppard #26 of the Indiana Pacers at Xfinity Mobile Arena on January 19, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The 76ers defeated the Pacers 113-104. 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 Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Philadelphia 76ers are coming off a desperately needed win over a shorthanded Minnesota Timberwolves team. Now they head to Indiana for the final stop on this three-game road trip, where they’ll face the Pacers with a chance to finish 2–1.
For the Sixers, the win couldn’t have come at a better time. Losses had started to pile up, and with the Orlando Magic and other play-in teams closing in on the sixth and final playoff spot, the pressure was building. Still, there were plenty of positives to take from that performance.
Tyrese Maxey was instrumental in the blowout victory, delivering his best outing in weeks. He scored 39 points on an efficient 16-of-28 shooting, added eight assists and came up with two steals. Maxey went toe-to-toe with Anthony Edwards and consistently answered when Minnesota threatened to make a run.
The Timberwolves boast far more perimeter defensive talent than the Pacers, which makes Maxey’s performance even more encouraging. With Joel Embiid and Paul George sidelined, Maxey has drawn heavy defensive attention, so it was especially promising to see him put together such an efficient game in a comfortable win. He’ll look to carry that momentum into a matchup against a Pacers team that doesn’t offer the same level of defensive resistance on the perimeter.
Beyond Maxey, there was more backcourt success for the Sixers. Rookie VJ Edgecombe was phenomenal, matching up against one of his favorite active players in Edwards. He shot a blistering 6-for-7 from three and once again showed off his midrange game, which helped open everything up for him offensively.
Quentin Grimes also delivered his best performance in quite some time, finishing with an efficient 19 points and, perhaps even more importantly, seven assists. With Embiid’s status still up in the air, it will be another crucial outing for the Sixers’ trio of guards.
The Pacers’ season has had its share of highs, but far more lows, and that’s understandable given the circumstances. Franchise cornerstone Tyrese Haliburton is still working his way back from an Achilles injury, in addition to dealing with shingles. As it stands, Indiana sits 15th in the Eastern Conference and appears focused on the draft lottery. They’re just one game “ahead” of Brooklyn for the second-best odds, clearly hoping to land a true difference-maker in what has largely become a gap year.
That said, this isn’t a team devoid of talent. Pascal Siakam remains a steady presence, though he’s coming off a brief absence for personal reasons. Andrew Nembhard has taken advantage of expanded opportunities, averaging an impressive 17.2 points and 7.5 assists in nearly 32 minutes per game. Indiana has also added pieces like Ivica Zubac to bolster the rotation, though he won’t suit up tonight.
We’ve seen what this group is capable of, especially coming off a Finals run, and they’ll be a team to watch once Haliburton returns next season. For now, though, the Sixers can’t afford to overlook them. Philadelphia has won the first two meetings by a combined 19 points, but both games were tighter than the final scores indicated. Even with the absences, Indiana has enough firepower and strong coaching to protect its home floor if the Sixers aren’t locked in.
The main storyline heading into tonight centers on Embiid. He’s officially listed as questionable with right shin soreness and knee management, which is the most encouraging designation he’s received since this latest setback. It’s at least a sign that things may be trending in the right direction. Elsewhere for the Sixers, George remains out due to suspension, and rookie Johni Broome is sidelined after tearing his meniscus.
Indiana has a lengthy injury report as well. Zubac, Obi Toppin, Aaron Nesmith, Tyrese Haliburton and Johnny Furphy have already been ruled out. T.J. McConnell (hamstring soreness), Nembhard (back injury management), and Kam Jones (back soreness) are all listed as questionable. Siakam is doubtful with a wrist sprain, while Micah Potter is probable.
The Sixers could use all the breathing room they can get. They’ve already burned through much of the cushion they built up earlier in the season, and there isn’t much margin for error left. A win here would secure a 2-1 finish on the road trip, which, given the circumstances, would be a solid outcome.
The bigger question is whether they can build on their last performance. Was it the start of something, or just a night where everything finally broke their way? This matchup should give us a better sense of whether the Sixers are truly getting back on track.
Game Details
When: Sunday, February 24, 7:00 p.m. ET Where: Gainbridge Fieldhouse, Indianapolis, ID Watch: NBC Sports Philadelphia Radio: 97.5 The Fanatic Follow:@LibertyBallers
The Cleveland Cavaliers return home to Rocket Arena to host the New York Knicks in a battle between two Eastern Conference powerhouses.
Cleveland acquired James Harden for games like this, and my Knicks vs. Cavaliers predictions expect a strong offensive showing.
Find out more in my NBA picks for Tuesday, February 24.
Knicks vs Cavaliers prediction
Knicks vs Cavaliers best bet: James Harden Over 18.5 points (-115)
James Harden is averaging 18.7 points per game with the Cleveland Cavaliers, shooting an efficient 50% from inside the arc and 47% from downtown, and he has a terrific matchup tonight.
The New York Knicks don’t consistently trap high, and if they choose to guard him straight up, they’ll see a healthy diet of mid-range jumpers, pull-up threes, and layups.
Games like tonight are why the Cavs traded for Harden. They’ve lost two straight to the Knicks, but Harden is a wily and creative scorer, and I’m betting on a vintage scoring night from the veteran guard.
Knicks vs Cavaliers same-game parlay
Karl-Anthony Towns leads the NBA in double-doubles and only needs a typical 22-10-3 line to clear his PRA combo prop.
Landry Shamet is averaging 13.7 points in 27 minutes since February 1, making 10 points a very reachable number.
Knicks vs Cavaliers SGP
James Harden Over 18.5 points
Karl-Anthony Towns Over 33.5 points + rebounds + assists
Landry Shamet Over 9.5 points
Our "from downtown" SGP: Cleveland rocks the house
Cleveland is deeper, healthier, and playing its best basketball at home. They are 8-2 straight up over their last 10 games and have more offensive firepower with Harden in the lineup.
Knicks vs Cavaliers SGP
James Harden Over 18.5 points
Karl-Anthony Towns Over 33.5 points + rebounds + assists
Landry Shamet Over 9.5 points
Cavaliers moneyline
Knicks vs Cavaliers odds
Spread: Knicks +4 (-105) | Cavaliers -4 (-115)
Moneyline: Knicks +150 | Cavaliers -180
Over/Under: Over 231.5 (-110) | Under 231.5 (-110)
Knicks vs Cavaliers betting trend to know
The Cleveland Cavaliers have hit the Moneyline in 14 of their last 17 games (+10.35 Units / 20% ROI). Find more NBA betting trends for Knicks vs. Cavaliers.
How to watch Knicks vs Cavaliers
Location
Rocket Arena, Cleveland, OH
Date
Tuesday, February 24, 2026
Tip-off
7:30 p.m. ET
TV
Peacock
Knicks vs Cavaliers latest injuries
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The Mavericks were 1-3 over the past two weeks and remain firmly in 12th place in the West. They lost to Phoenix (120-111), the Lakers (124-104), and Minnesota (122-111), and beat Indiana (134-130). Naji Marshall led the team in scoring with 20.5 points per game. Cooper Flagg has missed the last three games with a foot contusion, while Kyrie Irving (knee) was ruled out for the year. Khris Middleton made his Mavericks debut against Phoenix.
Grade: B-
The Mavericks three losses in the last two weeks were by a combined 40 points. In those games, they were dead even with their opponents in the second through the fourth quarter. This leaves a 40-point discrepancy in those first quarters, which our very own Kirk Henderson described as a “masterclass in tanking”:
And it is. Throwing the first quarters of games, intentionally or not, actually makes it so that Dallas can have their cake and eat it too. We get three competitive quarters of basketball and a loss that moves them closer to the top five in the draft. A true win-win!
Jason Kidd still has the team playing hard every night. There will be wins in the next month and a half against superior opponents that come simply from them overlooking this team. It is hard to get up for games without Cooper Flagg, but a lot of the guys playing will be here next season. And knowing they will not lie down inspires hope that next season will not be another rebuild year, but one where the Mavericks try to get back to the playoffs. Dallas has Brooklyn, Sacramento, Memphis, and Oklahoma City on the slate this upcoming week. I would not be surprised if the Mavericks won two of those games.
Straight A’s: Naji Marshall
Marshall has earned A’s all year. He once again averaged over 20 points for a four-game stretch and shot over 50 percent from the field (57.1). He is efficient in a 2007 type of way, and while the Mavericks have no identity, he provides a steady hand and enjoyable basketball to watch. He is shooting a mind-boggling 68.9 percent at the rim this season, and makes floaters in the paint with an ease that I have never seen. He has quickly become one of my favorite Mavericks in recent memory.
Currently Failing: Tyus Jones
As of right now, the Mavericks starting point guard spot next year is still wide open. I am sure Dallas targeted Jones at the trade deadline to vet him and see if there was anything there going forward. Unfortunately for Jones, he has not had a great audition thus far, shooting just 18.2 percent from three in 18 minutes a game. At 6’0”, he has a lot of the same issues that Ryan Nembhard has, except it seems like defenses pick on him even more than Nembhard. Jones has always been a steady hand on offense, averaging less than one (0.8) turnover per game in his career. But if he is not shooting the ball well, it’s hard to see how he fits next to Cooper Flagg going forward.
Extra Credit: Khris Middleton
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – FEBRUARY 22: Khris Middleton #20 of the Dallas Mavericks shoots the ball against Jarace Walker #5 of the Indiana Pacers during the first half at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on February 22, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana. 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 Michael Hickey/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Mavericks are going to be doing a lot of losing until the end of the season. Whether that is through the injury report or the rotations, Dallas’ goal is to jockey for a better draft pick. Something that often gets overlooked in a so-called “tank” is the balance between losing and accidentally establishing a losing culture. It truly is a tightrope, and one that a lot of organizations cannot walk without falling. Khris Middleton, like Kyrie Irving and Klay Thompson, has won a championship. He has played winning basketball nearly his entire career and is another guy who can level the ship if the water seeps through the cracks. Dallas had lost 10 in a row entering Sunday’s contest in Indiana. And, like someone messaged one of my group chats, “I don’t think it’s good for anyone to lose 11 straight games”. Middleton’s 25 points, seven rebounds, and seven assists made sure they didn’t. His presence will benefit the Mavericks down the stretch more than it will hurt, even if he wins them a few more games than the organization would like. Ultimately, the draft will work out the way it was meant to, and establishing a winning culture now, before they start winning games, will be key to the quick turnaround they hope to have around Cooper Flagg.
Dec 25, 2025; New York, New York, USA; A detailed view of the Christmas snowflake patch and back of the jersey worn by Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell (45) while reacting during the second half against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images | Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
The Cleveland Cavaliers have a big challenge in front of them tonight. They’ll be hosting the New York Knicks in what could be a potential NBA Playoffs preview between two Eastern Conference contenders.
This is the second challenge Cleveland has faced this week. On Sunday, they lost to the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder.
New York isn’t on the same tier as OKC. Nor do they play the same style. The Thunder win games on the defensive end, generating turnovers and slowing opponents down. New York leans the other way, posting the league’s third-best offense and 12th-best defense.
Cleveland is somewhere in between. This Cavalier squad hasn’t really formed an identity throughout the season. At times, they lean on their defensive frontcourt. Other times, they feel like they are at their best when the offense is leading the charge. It’s unclear which side of the ball they are truly at their best.
Either way, the Cavs have a chance to make a statement tonight with a win over a quality opponent. Let’s see how they approach this matchup.
Tonight, New York Knicks (37*-21) take on Donovan Mitchell and the Cleveland Cavaliers (36-22) at the Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. A win would give the third-place Knicks some breathing room over the fourth-place Cavaliers, but that’s easier said than done. Despite their recent loss to the Thunder, the Ohio Players have been on a tear of late, winning 12 of their last 15. Meanwhile, the Knicks have gone 7-3 over their last ten games.
The Knicks put a win in their stocking when they edged the Cavs 126-124 on Christmas Day at MSG. Jalen Brunson and Donovan Mitchell both scored 34 points.
Tonight’s foe ranks third in the league with 119.7 points per game. Cleveland’s offensive rating sits at 118.4, good for fifth, and their defensive rating is 114.2. They also fire off about 40 three-pointers per outing, making 36%.
Mitchell leads the Cavaliers with 28.6 points per game and shoots 37% from three. Evan Mobley averages 17.7 points and grabs 8.6 rebounds. Newest furry face James Harden puts up 18.7 points and dishes 8.7 assists. Jarrett Allen contributes 14.8 points and 8.5 rebounds.
Coach Kenny Atkinson is expected to start Spida, Harden, Mobley, Dean Wade, and Allen. Max Strus is out for the Cavaliers with a foot injury, and Miles McBride remains out for the Knicks.
Prediction
ESPN gives the Knicks a 42% chance to win. Ouch. To win tonight is an inside and outside job. New York needs to apply strong perimeter defense on Mitchell and Harden, and they must dominate the boards against a very tall frontcourt. Mitchell Robinson should be available, and we expect to see Coach Brown pair him with Karl-Anthony Towns. Will it be enough to complete a three-game season sweep? Sure, why not. Knicks by one.
Game Details
Date: Tuesday, February 24, 2026 Time: 7:30 PM ET Place: Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse, Cleveland, OH TV: MSG, Peacock Follow: @ptknicksblog and bsky
* Should be one more, but the Cup Final warn’t worth nuffin.
How serious are the hamstring and cramping issues that have limited Peterson to playing in 17 of his team’s 28 games and just 465 of the 1,130 minutes his team has played?
Is he soft, is he disinterested, or is he really that impaired by injuries? Are these health issues that’ll clear up with a little time, or will the durability concerns follow him long-term into the pros?
Force yourself to look at this from a different vantage point, and perhaps you might even convince yourself Peterson is persistent for still playing and not shutting it down and proceeding directly to the NBA lottery.
Anyway, these are questions NBA evaluators must consider.
The bigger question atop Bill Self’s mind: Can his team — his team, with or without Peterson on the floor — develop the consistency necessary to make a deep run in the NCAA Tournament?
On its good nights, No. 14 Kansas looks like a bruiser with enough balance and mettle to be a March Madness menace.
Bad Kansas, then good Kansas. Good Jayhawks show up against Houston
The past two games illustrated this team’s bipolarity. The Jayhawks were woeful in a blowout loss to Cincinnati, a team on the wrong side of the March Madness bubble. Two days later, Kansas routed a Houston squad with Final Four potential.
We should have known a bounce-back performance was coming. Couple of things you must know about Self: He doesn’t lose back-to-back home games. And he doesn’t lose at home on Big Monday. Period.
Big Monday serves as a good test of a squad's durability, because it thrusts teams back into action two days after their previous game. In that way, it mimics the March Madness structure of playing twice in three days.
Houston had dead legs at Allen Fieldhouse. Two days after losing to Arizona, and one week after losing to Iowa State, the Cougars shot 32% against Kansas. That’s three straight losses for Houston against top-15 teams within the nation’s most rugged conference.
“We just ran out of steam,” Houston coach Kelvin Sampson said.
Contrast Houston’s fatigued performance to that of Kansas, which kept playing better the longer the game went.
Afterward, Self kept looking at the box score printout during a postgame interview with Scott Van Pelt.
He couldn’t have cared less that Flory Bidunga only scored four points, because Kansas’ big man made life miserable for Houston at the other end of the court.
“Totally dominant,” Self said of Bidunga.
Self noticed, too, that Tre White shook of his shooting slump to pour in a season-high 23 points.
“He was great tonight,” Self said.
And although he made no mention of it, it couldn’t have been lost on Self that Peterson played 30 minutes. Didn’t play great, but he made some significant buckets. Neither the best nor the worst player on the court, but a guy on the court all the same for most of the game, long enough to score 14 points.
Darryn Peterson quiets hot takes for one night, anyway
At no point during this game could you have rationally believed Kansas would be better off parting with Peterson, as some have recently suggested.
Everyone’s got a hot take on Peterson, and that includes the personalities who wield the largest megaphones.
“Sometimes a divorce is good for everyone involved,” Dick Vitale wrote on social media after the Cincinnati loss, and “I firmly believe that needs to happen NOW (at Kansas). The Darryn Peterson soap opera needs to end.”
Well, that’s a take.
Here’s an alternative one: Kansas cannot count on Peterson to be the driving force behind a Final Four run. He’s talented, but unreliable. The Jayhawks likely need him to be on the court, contributing, to advance to the tournament’s final weekend, but they’ll also need elite defense from Bidunga and big performances from White and Melvin Council Jr., like the Jayhawks got against Houston.
At times throughout this season, Self has sounded understandably frustrated at Peterson’s sporadic availability.
“There is one way (for Peterson) to change the narrative. Play. Finish,” the veteran Kansas coach said earlier this season.
Now, Self acknowledges Kansas playing so many minutes without the future NBA lottery pick has “forced our other guys to grow up.”
Those are the type of compliments that follow an impressive victory. Just two days earlier, Self called his team soft — not just Peterson, but the whole dang team.
From soft, to resolute, in two days’ time.
Kansas has now beaten Arizona, Iowa State and Houston. Those are caliber of opponents a team must be able to handle to reach April.
And still, even Self doesn’t sound like he knows what to expect from his team from one game to the next or whether Peterson will be on the court from one minute to the next.
“I have a decent feel of who we need to be,” Self said. “Do I know who we are? No. But, I still think we’ve got time to figure it out.”
SAN ANTONIO, TX -FEBRUARY 19: Victor Wembanyama #1 of the San Antonio Spurs reacts after a dunk against Phoenix Suns in the second half at Moody Center on February 19, 2026 in Austin, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ronald Cortes/Getty Images) | Getty Images
It’s a thing. It has its own Wikipedia entry.
The 40-20 Rule states that a team must win 40 games before losing 20 to have a chance at winning the championship in that season. Since 1980, only four teams have won a championship despite not winning 40 before losing 20.
The rule was introduced by Phil Jackson, which should make Spurs fans suspect. After all, this is the man who posited the 1999 NBA Championship should have an asterisk for being a shortened season. To the best of my knowledge, Jackson never made a comment when the Lakers won the 2020 title in a shortened season. But I digress…
After earning their 40th win on Saturday night against the Sacramento Kings, Spurs forward Harrison Barnes commented that hitting 40 wins before 20 losses was a goal the team had. And Barnes should know about setting goals as a team, he was a member of the Golden State Warriors 2015 title run.
Now keep in mind, the Spurs are not alone. The Oklahoma City Thunder and Detroit Pistons also hit the mark, and the Boston Celtics are three wins away from being the fourth team positioned to follow the rule.
Out of those four teams, the Spurs are definitely making their run ahead of pundit predictions. But if you ask the members of the Silver & Black, they’ll tell you they are right on schedule.
In the midst of a nine-game winning streak (the most recent also ending the Pistons five-game streak), the Spurs have a tough schedule ahead, especially considering they will spend the remainder of the month on the Rodeo Road Trip.
How are you feeling, Pounders? Put your Silver & Black tinted glasses aside and see through an impartial viewer’s eyes.
Is this the Spurs year?
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SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 29: Jordan Poole #3 of the New Orleans Pelicans warms up before the game against the Golden State Warriors at Chase Center on November 29, 2025 in San Francisco, 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. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Let’s talk about a fun contest ahead, Dub Nation. The Golden State Warriors are rolling into the Smoothie King Center tonight looking like the world’s most talented MASH unit, missing Steph Curry, Draymond Green, Kristaps Porzingis, and Jimmy Butler. That’s four All-Stars sitting in street clothes while this team somehow just beat the third-place Denver Nuggets 128-117 on Sunday without their starpower.
Now the Warriors head to New Orleans on the front end of a road back-to-back, and that’s where it gets spicy. Because waiting for them in that locker room is Jordan Poole, a man whose Warriors career ended in one of the stranger chapters in recent franchise history, and whose Pelicans career has been one long identity crisis with occasional flashes of brilliance.
Golden State Warriors at New Orleans Pelicans
When: Tuesday, February 24, 2026 | 5:00 PM PT
Where: Smoothie King Center | New Orleans, Louisiana
TV: NBC Sports Bay Area
Radio: 95.7 The Game
Here’s the thing about JP right now: his back is genuinely against the wall. He spent the final nine games before the All-Star break completely out of the Pelicans’ rotation while the front office shopped him around. Then interim coach James Borrego threw him back out there against Philly, and Poole dropped 23 points on 53.3% shooting in 24 minutes, draining five threes like a man who had something to prove to everybody in the building and several people who weren’t. With Dejounte Murray potentially making his season debut tonight after missing the entire year with a torn Achilles, Poole’s rotation spot could shrink again the moment the final buzzer sounds. He doesn’t have the luxury of a bad night.
The Pelicans actually play Jordan Poole and he drops 23 and 5 anddd and win? Wow who coulda guessed that would happen 😂 https://t.co/trKleQ5ve8
The Pelicans at 16-42 are not a good basketball team, but the Warriors have not earned any off nights especially without their best players.
Golden State’s depth has been the real story of this stretch. Moses Moody, Al Horford, and De’Anthony Melton all scored 20+ against Denver. The Warriors posted 42 assists on 48 made field goals, the kind of number that reflects genuine team cohesion rather than desperation. This isn’t a team just limping through the motions; it’s a squad adapting.
But don’t let the Pelicans’ record fool you. Poole with a chip on his shoulder and something to prove is genuinely dangerous, and tonight he gets to demonstrate it against the franchise that once thought he was worth a $140 million investment before reconsidering. That’s the kind of psychological fuel that turns a 23-point night into something considerably more devastating.
CLEVELAND, OHIO - FEBRUARY 11: James Harden #1 of the Cleveland Cavaliers talks with Dennis Schroder #8 prior to a game against the Washington Wizards at Rocket Arena on February 11, 2026 in Cleveland, Ohio. 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 Nick Cammett/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Cleveland Cavaliers drastically changed their team at the start of the month when they traded multiple rotation players for James Harden, Dennis Schroder, and Keon Ellis.
They’ve played eight games since their first trade for Schroder and Ellis. That isn’t a huge sample size — and they haven’t exactly played the best defensive teams during that stretch — but it’s large enough to make analyzing some of the impact stats worthwhile, even if nothing conclusive should be drawn.
With that in mind, let’s look at some of the new strengths and weaknesses of this team based on the numbers.
Harden has taken the offense to another level
Harden was brought in to boost the offense, and he’s done just that. The Cavs have registered an absurd 128.1 offensive rating (99th percentile) when Harden is on the court. That’s nine points better than it has been without him during that same timeframe. And for context, the Cavs had a 116.3 offensive rating (61st percentile) with Darius Garland playing this season.
There’s multiple areas Harden has been able to help the offense.
First, the Cavs have gotten to the rim much better due to his ability to drive inside and playmake for the bigs.
They’re taking 3.4% more of their shots at the rim with Harden on the floor than they are without him (89th percentile). More importantly, they’re converting 69.8% of them (82nd percentile), which is 5.7% better than they are when he isn’t playing (93rd percentile).
Second, the Cavs are getting to the line much more easily. The Cavs have had a free-throw rate of 28.2 with Harden on the floor (99th percentile). For context, their season-long free-throw rate is 20, which is good for 22nd in the league.
Lastly, the Cavs are hitting more threes.
Cleveland has connected on 37.3% of their triples with Harden on the court. That’s above their season-long average of 35.9%. Harden shooting 47.1% from distance certainly helps.
The three most efficient ways to score are getting to the basket, getting to the free-throw line, and making more threes. Harden has helped drastically in each of these areas. From that perspective, it isn’t a surprise the offense has helped boost an already great offense.
Harden has made the offense work no matter who he plays with
It was fair to wonder how Harden and Donovan Mitchell would pair offensively. It usually takes time for two high-usage players to coalesce. That hasn’t been an issue as the offense has put together an out-of-this-world offensive rating of 132 (100th percentile) when both are on the court. This has led to the Cavs outscoring opponents by 10 points per 100 possessions in such lineups (91st percentile).
The same can be said of just about every other Cavalier Harden has played alongside.
These numbers actually got worse when Garland was forced to carry the Mitchell-less lineups. The Cavs registered a -9.5 net rating (15th percentile) and a 111.1 offensive rating (22nd percentile) when Garland was on the court without Mitchell. There’s context behind why this was the case, but the ineffectiveness of those lineups was a major issue.
It’s difficult to find a guard who can both play well with Mitchell and hold things down when he isn’t on the floor. Harden has done that extraordinarily well so far in his time in Cleveland.
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The offense has been elite since the trades
I don’t want to give Harden all the credit for the offense being better, even though he deserves plenty of praise. The Cavs as a team have played well on that end since the initial trades for Schroder and Ellis.
Since the beginning of February, the Cavs have had the second-best offense in the league with a 124.9 offensive rating.
Harden isn’t a good defender. Even though he can hold his own in the post, the rate at which he gets blown by on the perimeter far outweighs that. So far, the Cavs haven’t found a good way to mask his ineffectiveness on that end.
The Cavs have registered a poor 120.8 offensive rating (16th percentile) when Harden is on the floor. That’s 20.8 points worse than it is with Harden off the floor since the trade. That disparity is artificially high due to the defense being uncharacteristically good with Harden off the floor, but it does speak to some of the issues.
Harden hasn’t helped the Cavs’ rebounding problem
Cleveland is 29th in defensive rebounding percentage since the beginning of February. In that time, opponents are collecting 34.2% of their missed shots.
Defensive rebounding has plagued the Cavs all season, but it’s actually worse when Harden is on the floor. Opponents are collecting 35.1% of their misses when he is playing (second percentile).
The Cavs have been great defensively with Ellis and Schroder
It’s worth noting that these lineups have been good offensively as well. The defense, however, has been elite. That means something on a team that has struggled on that end with Harden in the lineup.
Lineups with Ellis and Harden have been good defensively
The interesting part about these lineups is that there isn’t much commonality with the other three players. The Cavs have run this duo out in many different combinations, and nearly all of them have worked so far.
Groups with Schroder and Harden, but without Mitchell, have worked well. They’re in the 64th percentile for net rating (+2.7) due to being good offensively in their 85 possessions together. That is perfectly fine, even though it doesn’t live up to the other grouping.
This makes sense conceptually. Mitchell needs to play with a point guard, and Schroder fits that mold well. Harden needs additional spacers, not ball handlers. Schroder can do that, but that isn’t his area of expertise.
What do we make of all this?
It’s dangerous to read too much into the data that we have. The sample size is still incredibly small, the Cavs have played some horrible defenses, some good offenses, and the rotations haven’t been set yet.
That said, the numbers do conclusively show that the offense is much more well-rounded than before. They’re getting to the rim and the free-throw line more than they have in the past. Their attack is much more diversified, so that they don’t have to live and die by the three-ball as much as they have in the past.
Additionally, they need to find ways to make it work defensively with Harden. They haven’t figured out a system that best hides his deficiencies. It’s difficult to have a solid defense if your back court with him and Mitchell is that susceptible to being blown past. Going with more zone defenses could be a solution, but I’m not sure if having him at the top of a 3-2 zone is the best way to do so.
I would lean more into playing Harden with Ellis. It’s not a huge sample size, but their fit matches the eye test. Harden just needs floor spacers on offense, and that’s one of the few things Ellis can do well on that end. And Harden also needs people who can cover for him defensively. Ellis can do that as he’s one of the most disruptive defenders in the league for his size.
The main takeaway, however, is that the Cavs are implementing many changes in their rotations and style of play. It takes time to work those things out, and that’s not something this team has.
Right now, Atkinson will need to decide if he values trying as many lineup combinations as possible or if he wants to do less experimenting in an effort to establish some continuity. I would opt for the latter, but neither is a perfect solution.
These trades were a bet on Atkinson’s ability to figure out the rotations and style of play. So far, he’s done a great job, but there’s still plenty of work to be done before the playoffs. We’ll see if Atkinson can get this group to reach their potential.
In any event, we’ve had to reexamine the committee’s order and come up with a new template for our latest bracket projection. Duke, now topping the USA TODAY Sports coaches poll, strengthened its case for the No. 1 overall seed with its neutral-site victory against Michigan. Arizona also has an argument, with its win at Houston adding to an impressive list of high-end triumphs away from home. Michigan remains well-positioned as a top regional seed. Iowa State holds down the fourth No. 1, as its recent decision against Houston helps offset Saturday night’s loss at Brigham Young.
Houston is still very much in the No. 1 conversation but remains a 2 for now after a loss to Kansas on Monday. We also differ with the committee on Florida, which was outside the top 10 but projects as a No. 2 seed in our bracket. Purdue and Connecticut round out the second line.
Illinois, which lost a third consecutive overtime contest, might have missed out on its shot at heading a regional and slips to the third line along with Nebraska, Texas Tech and Gonzaga. The middle portion of the bracket wasn’t drastically altered by the weekend’s results, but there was a change on the fringe of the at-large pool as UCLA, thanks to its buzzer-beater against Illinois, replaces rival Southern California in the field.
March Madness bracketology: NCAA Tournament projection
March Madness last four in
TCU, New Mexico, UCLA, Santa Clara.
March Madness first four out
Southern California, California, Virginia Commonwealth, San Diego State.
NCAA tournament bids conference breakdown
Multi-bid leagues: Big Ten (10), SEC (10), ACC (8) Big 12 (8), Big East (3), West Coast (3), Mountain West (2).
Feb 22, 2026; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard James Harden (1) gestures to his team during a play against the Oklahoma City Thunder during the second half at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images | Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images
Good morning, it’s Tuesday, February 24th. The Cleveland Cavaliers are 36-22 and host the New York Knicks tonight. The last time they played the Knicks was in New York on Christmas Day. Since then, the Cavs have turned the corner and are playing like a new team.
New York still stands as one of the Cavaliers’ biggest obstacles in the Eastern Conference. This game can give them valuable intel into how James Harden changes the dynamic of this matchup.
Also, I’m hoping to see a bounce-back game from Evan Mobley.
Today’s Game of the Day
Boston Celtics at Phoenix Suns – 9 PM, NBA League Pass
The Celtics are in the middle of their West Coast road trip. They previously dismantled the Los Angeles Lakers and now face a scrappy Suns squad. This could make for a fun matchup as both teams have surpassed expectations this season.
Boston is a dark-horse contender in the East this year and should be on the mind of every Cavs fan. Especially if Jayson Tatum returns before the playoffs. This isn’t a team to ignore.
The rest of the NBA schedule
Philadelphia 76ers at Indiana Pacers – 7 PM
Oklahoma City Thunder at Toronto Raptors – 7:30 PM
Washington Wizards at Atlanta Hawks – 7:30 PM
Dallas Mavericks at Brooklyn Nets – 7:30 PM
Miami Heat at Milwaukee Bucks – 8 PM
Golden State Warriors at New Orleans Pelicans – 8 PM
Charlotte Hornets at Chicago Bulls – 8 PM
Minnesota Timberwolves at Portland Trail Blazers – 10 PM
MILAN (AP) — Inter Milan must overturn a two-goal deficit against Bodø/Glimt in Tuesday's Champions League playoffs if it is to avoid becoming the latest giant to be cut down by the tiny Norwegian team.
Bodø/Glimt leads 3-1 after the first leg and has its sights on the round of 16.
Inter — the beaten finalist in two of the last three seasons — plays the second leg at home but is in danger of suffering one of the biggest upsets in the competition's history.
“We should have done better, and there’s a lot of disappointment,” Inter coach Cristian Chivu said. “But we’ve reset and I’m now interested in our approach and our confidence, being the best version of ourselves and knowing we can turn it around.”
“We feel we can compete with most teams but at the same time we have nothing to lose,” Bodø/Glimt midfielder Patrick Berg said.
Atletico has work to do after drawing at Club Brugge 3-3.
Newcastle appears to be cruising into the next round after a 6-1 win in Qarabag, while Bayer Leverkusen is in control against Olympiakos following a 2-0 win in the first leg.
SAN FRANCISCO, CA - FEBRUARY 22: Brandin Podziemski #2 of the Golden State Warriors handles the ball during the game against the Denver Nuggets on February 22, 2026 at Chase Center in San Francisco, 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 Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Let me set the scene for you in Sunday’s game against the Denver Nuggets.
The Warriors were down on starpower. Steph Curry was out. Draymond Green got ruled out before tip-off. Kristaps Porzingis? Nope. Jimmy Butler III? Not available. You’re essentially running a nine-man road crew against Nikola Jokic, who just posted his 185th career triple-double like it was a grocery errand.
And third-year Golden State guard Brandin Podziemski? He was 1-for-10 through three quarters, couldn’t hit the side of a barn with a beach ball. The kind of performance that makes trade rumors feel justified. Then the fourth quarter happened.
Podziemski scored 15 points on 6-for-6 shooting to fuel a 20-2 run that buried Denver 128-117. He finished with 18 points, a career-high 15 rebounds, and9 assists. One assist away from a triple-double and a plus-19 in 37 minutes. On National TV!
The historical context here matters deeply, because a Basketball Reference query shows Podziemski’s 18-15-9 line against Denver makes him just the 28th entry in Warriors franchise history to post at least 18 points, 15 rebounds, and nine assists in a single game. The names above him on that list? Wilt Chamberlain, Nate Thurmond, and Draymond Green. That is the full list of Warriors players who have done something in this neighborhood. Brandin Podziemski is 22 years old and carved his name into that wall Sunday afternoon.
The heavy.com report from December noted the Warriors had shifted from treating him as “untouchable” to being “more open than ever” to moving him before the trade deadline. That’s a real tension that exists around this young man that I see around Podz in the fanbase; and performances like these make believers.
This is the version of Podziemski that had Mike Dunleavy Jr. telling him “you’re ours” when teams were calling with draft picks during the offseason. This is the version Joe Lacob saw when he believed him to be a future All-Star. And 15 rebounds from the guard feels rather Prime Westbrookian, amirite? They say if you can’t score, find other ways to contribute, don’t let your shot drag down your game. Those boards represent effort and will to affect the game in multiple ways.
Al Horford had great insight and perspective into Brandin Podziemski’s huge game after last night’s Warriors game pic.twitter.com/CpvfaLLAVO
Here’s what I keep coming back to from what Podziemski said in October that stuck with Dub Nation. He talked about wanting Curry and Green to be able to leave the franchise with him, to go to Joe Lacob and say “he’s the one.” But Sunday against Denver was Brandin answering that challenge without saying a word. Podziemski was ice cold for three quarters and then he willed them to a win against the fourth-best team in the Western Conference.
That’s not just promise; that’s character. As to whether Podziemski is catching his stride, and the answer has to be: he’s catching something. Call it confidence. Call it clutch gene. Call it the beginning of a player materializing the understanding of what he’s capable of when the lights get bright.
Imagine being this dude who dropped $124K on the Nuggets to beat the Warriors last night only to see Podz go full Curry mode in the fourth 😭
The baton metaphor he used in October looked premature when December came around. Sunday it looked like a sneak peek at a very favorable future in the Bay.
HOUSTON (AP) — Rockets forward Kevin Durant will be less than two months shy of his 40th birthday when the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics begin, but he said Monday night he told USA Basketball Managing Director Grant Hill he’d like to be considered for the U.S. men’s team when the time comes.
“I didn’t want to just take my name out of consideration just because of the simple fact that I’m older and I did it before,” Durant said after scoring 18 points for Houston in a 125-105 win over the Utah Jazz. “Grant understands my love for Team USA. That’s my family. The level of love I have for Team USA and the whole organization over there is unmatched, so I’d love to be part of it until I’m done playing.”
Durant has played in the last four Olympics, becoming USA men’s basketball’s career scoring leader in the process, but he says he doesn’t want to just be handed a spot on the 2028 team. He wants to earn it.
“I understand how tough that decision is for Grant, and how many great players are going to emerge the next year and a half, and I’m also very old compared to a lot of these players,” Durant said. “I know I've got my work cut out for me to make that team.”
During the 2024 Paris games, Durant became the first American player to win four Olympic gold medals in men’s basketball. United States stars Diana Taurasi and Sue Bird won five gold medals in women’s basketball, but Durant says joining that club is not his motivation for wanting to go through another Olympic cycle.
“I just love playing for Team USA. I love representing my country. That’s the first and most important thing — it’s putting that USA across my chest and representing where I come from,” he said.
Durant is averaging 25.9 points per game on 50.7% shooting in his 18th NBA season.
Sacramento Kings (13-46, 15th in the Western Conference) vs. Houston Rockets (35-21, third in the Western Conference)
Houston; Wednesday, 8 p.m. EST
BOTTOM LINE: Western Conference foes Houston and Sacramento face off on Wednesday.
The Rockets have gone 20-16 against Western Conference opponents. Houston averages 114.5 points and has outscored opponents by 5.1 points per game.
The Kings are 9-30 in Western Conference play. Sacramento has a 5-29 record in games decided by 10 points or more.
The Rockets average 114.5 points per game, 6.5 fewer points than the 121.0 the Kings give up. The Kings are shooting 46.2% from the field, 0.6% higher than the 45.6% the Rockets' opponents have shot this season.
The teams square off for the fourth time this season. The Kings won the last matchup 111-98 on Jan. 12. DeMar DeRozan scored 22 points to help lead the Kings to the win.
TOP PERFORMERS: Kevin Durant is averaging 25.9 points, 5.4 rebounds and 4.5 assists for the Rockets. Jabari Smith Jr. is averaging 18.6 points over the last 10 games.
Russell Westbrook is scoring 15.1 points per game and averaging 5.5 rebounds for the Kings. Malik Monk is averaging 1.7 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Rockets: 6-4, averaging 107.3 points, 45.3 rebounds, 24.0 assists, 9.6 steals and 6.3 blocks per game while shooting 46.5% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 106.4 points per game.
Kings: 1-9, averaging 109.3 points, 43.4 rebounds, 24.9 assists, 8.6 steals and 5.0 blocks per game while shooting 43.8% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 122.8 points.
INJURIES: Rockets: Jae'Sean Tate: out (knee), Fred VanVleet: out for season (acl), Steven Adams: out for season (ankle).
Kings: Domantas Sabonis: out for season (back), Dylan Cardwell: out (ankle), De'Andre Hunter: out for season (eye), Zach LaVine: out for season (finger), Devin Carter: day to day (back).
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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
