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Mavericks vs. Clippers Predictions: Odds, recent stats, trends, best bets for April 4

Dallas Mavericks vs. Los Angeles Clippers Preview 

The Dallas Mavericks (38-39) and Los Angeles Clippers (44-32) are all set to square off from Intuit Dome in Inglewood.

The Mavericks are coming off a big win against the Atlanta Hawks. Anthony Davis had a monster game and will have a major impact for the rest of the season as the Mavericks push for the playoffs.

The Clippers have been playing great basketball. They have won eight of their last 10 games and are eighth in the Western Conference.

The Mavericks are currently 17-22 on the road with a point differential of 0, while the Clippers have a 9-1 record in their last ten games at home. 

We’ve got all the info and analysis you need to know ahead of the game, including the latest info on the 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 Mavericks vs. Clippers live today

  • Date: Friday, April 4, 2025
  • Time: 10:30PM EST
  • Site: Intuit Dome
  • City: Inglewood, CA
  • 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 Mavericks vs. Clippers

The latest odds as of Friday:

  • Odds: Mavericks (+285), Clippers (-361)
  • Spread:  Clippers -8.5
  • Over/Under: 224 points

That gives the Mavericks an implied team point total of 110.9, and the Clippers 115.33.
 
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 Mavericks vs. Clippers game

NBC Sports Bet 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 today’s Mavericks & Clippers game:

  • Moneyline: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the Dallas Mavericks on the Moneyline.
  • Spread: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play ATS on the Dallas Mavericks at +8.5.
  • Total: NBC Sports Bet is staying away from a play on the Game Total of 224.

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 Mavericks vs. Clippers on Friday

  • The Clippers have won 4 of their last 5 matchups against Western Conference Southwest Division teams
  • The Under is 26-20 in the Clippers' matchups against Western Conference teams this season
  • The Mavericks are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games as an underdog
  • The Under is 26-20 in the Clippers' matchups against Western Conference teams this season

 
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!
 
Bet the Edge is your source for all things sports betting. Get all of Jay Croucher and Drew Dinsick’s insight weekdays at 6AM ET right here or wherever you get your favorite podcasts. 
 
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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Live updates: Celtics seeking bounce-back win vs. Beal, Suns

Live updates: Celtics seeking bounce-back win vs. Beal, Suns originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston

What to Know

  • Coverage begins at 6:30 p.m. ET with Celtics Pregame Livefollowed by a 7:30 p.m. tip-off on NBC Sports Boston.
  • Boston (56-20) had its nine-game win streak snapped Wednesday vs. Miami.
  • Phoenix (35-41) has lost four straight.
  • Bradley Beal is back in the Suns’ lineup after an eight-game absence.
  • Jaylen Brown (questionable) is the only Celtics player on the injury report.

The Boston Celtics will look to back in the win column Friday night and make some history in the process.

The Celtics need eight 3-pointers to break the 2022-23 Golden State Warriors’ NBA record for most made threes in one season (1,363). That seems like a safe bet against a Phoenix Suns team that’s lost four in a row and given up an average of 134 points per game during that span.

Follow along with our live blog below for live updates throughout Celtics-Suns.

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Pelicans vs. Lakers Predictions: Odds, recent stats, trends, best bets for April 4

New Orleans Pelicans vs. Los Angeles Lakers Preview 

The New Orleans Pelicans (21-55) and Los Angeles Lakers (46-30) are all set to square off from Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles.

The Lakers are coming off a home loss to the Golden State Warriors. Now they must rebound against the 21-55 Pelicans.

The Pelicans are currently 7-31 on the road with a point differential of -9, while the Lakers have a 7-3 record in their last ten games at home. 

We’ve got all the info and analysis you need to know ahead of the game, including the latest info on the 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 Pelicans vs. Lakers live today

  • Date: Friday, April 4, 2025
  • Time: 10:30PM EST
  • Site: Crypto.com Arena
  • City: Los Angeles, CA
  • 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 Pelicans vs. Lakers

The latest odds as of Friday:

  • Odds: Pelicans (+621), Lakers (-943)
  • Spread:  Lakers -14
  • Over/Under: 220 points

That gives the Pelicans an implied team point total of 109.03, and the Lakers 116.33.
 
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 Pelicans vs. Lakers game
NBC Sports Bet 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.

 Brad Thomas (@MrBradThomas) is leaning towards Pelicans +14.5…

Thomas: “The Lakers spread is likely to be a popular bet tonight. The Pelicans have covered in four of their last five games. The noncover was a push against the 76ers as 16-point dogs.”

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 Pelicans & Lakers game:

  • Moneyline: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play on the Los Angeles Lakers on the Moneyline.
  • Spread: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play ATS on the New Orleans Pelicans at +14.
  • Total: NBC Sports Bet is staying away from a play on the Game Total of 220.

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 Pelicans vs. Lakers on Friday

  • The Pelicans have lost 4 of their last 5 games as an underdog
  • The Over is 41-35 in Pelicans' games this season
  • The Lakers are 8-2 ATS in their last 10 games as a home favorite
  • The Lakers have won 10 of their last 12 home games against the Pelicans

 
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!
 
Bet the Edge is your source for all things sports betting. Get all of Jay Croucher and Drew Dinsick’s insight weekdays at 6AM ET right here or wherever you get your favorite podcasts. 
 
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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Knicks' Jalen Brunson returns to practice ahead of likely weekend return

The signs of Knicks captain Jalen Brunson returning to the starting lineup this weekend are right on track.

The superstar guard practiced on Friday for the first time since spraining his right ankle in early March. While it's unclear if Brunson participated fully without any hitches, Knicks star Josh Hart revealed that his longtime teammate looked "so normal" on the court.

SNY NBA Insider Ian Begley recently projected Brunson to play either Saturday on the road against the Atlanta Hawks, or back home on Sunday against the Phoenix Suns. Following this weekend's back-to-back, the Knicks will play four more regular-season games.

The ankle injury to Brunson occurred in overtime against the Los Angeles Lakers on March 6, after he landed on Austin Reaves' foot during a layup attempt. Since then, the two-time All-Star has missed 14 games, and in order to qualify for league postseason awards, he needs to play four more times.

Brunson expressed optimism in his recovery last week, stating that his realistic goal was to be ready before the first round of the playoffs arrive on April 19. He's now in a prime position to achieve that goal and get back into game shape with intense, physical basketball on the horizon.

It's no secret that the Knicks will only go as far as Brunson takes them. He's the undisputed catalyst, who's averaged a team-high 26.3 points and 7.4 assists in 61 games. Entering the All-Star break, he ranked first in points, assists, and minutes among all 28-year-olds in the NBA this season, and he recently became the fastest player in franchise history to score 5,000 points.

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Nuggets vs. Warriors Predictions: Odds, recent stats, trends, best bets for April 4

Denver Nuggets vs. Golden State Warriors Preview 

The Denver Nuggets (47-30) and Goden State Warriors (45-31) are all set to square off from Chase Center in San Francisco.

The Warriors are coming off a big win in LA against the Lakers last night.

The Nuggets are coming off a loss to the Spurs, where they sat the majority of their starters.

The Nuggets are currently 22-16 on the road with a point differential of 4, while the Warriors have a 9-1 record in their last ten games at home. 

We’ve got all the info and analysis you need to know ahead of the game, including the latest info on the 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 Nuggets vs. Warriors live today

  • Date: Friday, April 4, 2025
  • Time: 10:00PM EST
  • Site: Chase Center
  • City: San Francisco, CA
  • 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 Nuggets vs. Warriors
The latest odds as of Friday:

  • Odds: Nuggets (-104), Warriors (-115)
  • Spread:  Warriors -1.5
  • Over/Under: 235 points

That gives the Nuggets an implied team point total of 117.12, and the Warriors 117.9.
 
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 Nuggets vs. Warriors game

NBC Sports Bet 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.

 Brad Thomas (@MrBradThomas) is leaning towards the Nuggets +1…

Thomas” It’s difficult to make an accurate bet suggestion in this game, given the fact that we do not have lineup clarity yet. My guess is we see some players out for the Warriors and the Nuggets close to full strength.”

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 Nuggets & Warriors game:

  • Moneyline: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the Denver Nuggets on the Moneyline.
  • Spread: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play ATS on the Denver Nuggets at +1.5.
  • Total: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play on the under on the Game Total of 235.

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 Nuggets vs. Warriors on Friday

  • The Nuggets are on a 4-game win streak at the Warriors
  • Each of the last 3 matchups between the Warriors and the Nuggets have stayed under the Total
  • The Nuggets have covered the Spread in 4 of their last 5 road games against the Warriors
  • The Nuggets have won 9 straight games against the Warriors

 
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!
 
Bet the Edge is your source for all things sports betting. Get all of Jay Croucher and Drew Dinsick’s insight weekdays at 6AM ET right here or wherever you get your favorite podcasts. 
 
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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Chris Paul, about to turn 40, talks retirement: 'I’m going to keep playing, I think'

Chris Paul has been solid on the court and the veteran leader the San Antonio Spurs brought him in to be this season. He has played a role in the growth of Victor Wembanyama and Rookie of the Year frontrunner Stephon Castle.

He's also averaging numbers — 8.8 points, 7.6 assists a game — well below his career averages. He turns 40 just after the season ends. Does he want to keep going? Marc Spears of ESPN's Andscape brought up the dreaded retirement word to CP3, but it sounds like he will return.

"I'll be 40 in May. So, yeah man, I'm going to keep playing, I think," Paul told Andscape recently. "At the end of every season, I evaluate everything. Evaluate playing. Evaluate how my body feels. But the more years that go by, it's more conversations with my family, with my kids. They have a lot of say so. They got a lot of input.

"Obviously, I got a lot of homies, friends that have retired or whatnot. And they are always like, 'Man, play as long as you possibly can. Play as long as you possibly can.' And I appreciate that. But I also, I just always want to talk to my kids about it because that's the most important job that I have. I love to play. I definitely love my kids and my family more than I like to play. Anybody who's in this knows the sacrifice could goes longer. I said this summer I will evaluate it and talk to my family about it."

His choice may well come down to situation and money.

Paul is making $10.5 million this season on an expiring contract, can he find that kind of money again next season? It's also unclear if he would return to San Antonio, the Spurs traded for De'Aaron Fox and want to give heavy minutes to him and Castle at the one, so there may not be a lot of minutes for CP3. Other teams would be interested, but Paul has prioritized trying to be close to his family in Southern California during the season. Paul also would prioritize playing for a team expected to make a deep playoff run. That's a lot of things that have to come together.

There will be teams interested in Paul. If he wants it, he will be able to play a 21st season in the league. It's just a matter of priorities for the future Hall of Famer.

Posted on

Thunder vs. Rockets Predictions: Odds, recent stats, trends and, best bets for April 4

Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Houston Rockets Preview 

The Oklahoma City Thunder (64-12) and Houston Rockets (50-27) are all set to square off from Toyota Center in Houston.

Rockets star Dillon Brooks will miss tonight's game because he was suspended for one game for receiving his 16th technical.

The Thunder are currently 29-7 on the road with a point differential of 13, while the Rockets have a 8-2 record in their last ten games at home. 

We’ve got all the info and analysis you need to know ahead of the game, including the latest info on the 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 Thunder vs. Rockets live today

  • Date: Friday, April 4, 2025
  • Time: 8:00PM EST
  • Site: Toyota Center
  • City: Houston, TX
  • 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 Thunder vs. Rockets

The latest odds as of Friday:

  • Odds: Thunder (-266), Rockets (+215)
  • Spread:  Thunder -6.5
  • Over/Under: 230 points

That gives the Thunder an implied team point total of 117.36, and the Rockets 113.97.
 
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 Thunder vs. Rockets game

NBC Sports Bet 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.

Brad Thomas (@MrBradThomas) is betting on the Thunder -6

Thomas: “The Thunder have won 18 of their last 19 games. They have covered in eleven straight games. In that span, they have done it all. They have covered as underdogs, they have covered as double-digit favorites, and and they have covered as 20+ point favorites. They have been the model of excellence. The Rockets are no layup by any means. However, with Brooks sidelined tonight, the Rockets and their emotional leader will be without their primary defender on SGA.”

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 Thunder & Rockets game:

  • Moneyline: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the Oklahoma City Thunder on the Moneyline.
  • Spread: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play ATS on the Houston Rockets at +6.5.
  • Total: NBC Sports Bet is staying away from a play on the Game Total of 230.

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 Thunder vs. Rockets on Friday

  • The Thunder have won 11 straight road games
  • The Over is 25-21 in the Thunder's matchups against Western Conference teams this season
  • The Rockets have covered in 41 of their 77 games this season
  • The Thunder are on a streak of 11 straight road wins

 
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!
 
Bet the Edge is your source for all things sports betting. Get all of Jay Croucher and Drew Dinsick’s insight weekdays at 6AM ET right here or wherever you get your favorite podcasts. 
 
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 break Warriors' single-season 3-point NBA record vs. Suns

Celtics break Warriors' single-season 3-point NBA record vs. Suns originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

The Boston Celtics broke one of the NBA’s 3-point records in Friday’s win over the Phoenix Suns, and it probably won’t be the only one they set during their historic season from beyond the arc.

The Celtics have passed the 2022-23 Golden State Warriors for the most 3-pointers made by one team in a single season. The Warriors’ record was 1,363, and the Celtics currently stand at 1,370 after making 14 3-pointers against the Suns.

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Payton Pritchard’s 3-pointer in the second quarter Friday night was the record-breaker for Boston, which still has five regular-season games remaining to extend the record.

Back in 2016-17, Isaiah Thomas set the Celtics record for most 3-pointers made in a season with 245. Derrick White broke this record on Monday, and it’s likely Jayson Tatum and Payton Pritchard will surpass Thomas before the regular season concludes.

Barring a surprise downturn in the Celtics’ 3-point shooting, they are on track to break two more 3-point records.

The Utah Jazz set the record for most 3-point shots made per game with 16.74 during the 2020-21 season, and the Celtics are at 17.9 per game.

The Houston Rockets set the record for most 3-point attempts per game with 45.38 in the 2018-19 campaign, and the Celtics are at 48.5 per game.

The Celtics have ranked first or second in both 3-pointers made and attempted per game every season since Joe Mazzulla took over as head coach in 2022. His 3-point-heavy strategy has produced fantastic results. Boston reached the NBA Finals in 2022 and 2024 (won the title) and Game 7 of the 2023 Eastern Conference Finals.

It’s very difficult to beat the Celtics when they’re firing on all cylinders from beyond the arc. The C’s have made 15 or more 3-pointers in 62 of their 75 games so far this season, and they’ve won 48 of those matchups.

If the Celtics continue to hit 17.9 3-pointers per game throughout the 2025 NBA playoffs, it’s hard to imagine any team beating them four times in a seven-game series.

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Cavaliers vs. Spurs Predictions: Odds, recent stats, trends and, best bets for April 4

Cleveland Cavaliers vs. San Antonio Spurs Preview 

The Cleveland Cavaliers (61-15) and San Antonio Spurs (32-44) are all set to square off from Frost Bank Center in San Antonio.

The Cavaliers have been up and down recently but are currently riding a two-game winning streak. They get a massively shorthanded San Antonio Spurs team tonight.

The Spurs are coming off a big win over the Nuggets. The win should be taken with a grain of salt. The majority of the Nuggets starters did not play in that game.

The Cavaliers are currently 28-10 on the road with a point differential of 10, while the Spurs have a 5-5 record in their last ten games at home. 

We’ve got all the info and analysis you need to know ahead of the game, including the latest info on the 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 Cavaliers vs. Spurs live today

  • Date: Friday, April 4, 2025
  • Time: 8:00PM EST
  • Site: Frost Bank Center
  • City: San Antonio, TX

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 Cavaliers vs. Spurs
The latest odds as of Friday:

  • Odds: Cavaliers (-980), Spurs (+642)
  • Spread:  Cavaliers -14
  • Over/Under: 239 points

That gives the Cavaliers an implied team point total of 125.85, and the Spurs 118.56.
 
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 Cavaliers vs. Spurs game

NBC Sports Bet 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.

Brad Thomas (@MrBradThomas) is betting on the Cavs -14…

Thomas: “The Cavaliers are at full strength. The two played each other on March 25th, and the game was closer than Cavs might have liked. The Spurs won the turnover battle and went to the line more than the Cavs. It was also a poor three point shooting night for the Cavs. That should not happen for a second time. They win by margin.”

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 Cavaliers & Spurs game:

  • Moneyline: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play on the Cleveland Cavaliers on the Moneyline.
  • Spread: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play ATS on the San Antonio Spurs at +14.
  • Total: NBC Sports Bet is staying away from a play on the Game Total of 239.

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 Cavaliers vs. Spurs on Friday

  • The Cavaliers have won 4 of their last 5 matchups against Western Conference Southwest Division teams
  • The Spurs' last 4 home games have gone over the Total
  • The Cavaliers are 3-7 against the spread in their last 10 games as a favorite
  • The Cavaliers are 3-7 against the spread in their last 10 games as a favorite

 
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!
 
Bet the Edge is your source for all things sports betting. Get all of Jay Croucher and Drew Dinsick’s insight weekdays at 6AM ET right here or wherever you get your favorite podcasts. 
 
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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Fantasy Basketball Waiver Wire: Now-or-never pickups to help your playoff run

The majority of names on this list were likely not even on the radar for you a month ago. However, as is the experience at this time every year, deep-diving is a skill in itself. All five teams featured here have well and truly packed their bags for this season and are marching proudly toward the 2025 NBA Draft. If you are lucky enough to have made it this far, your season could very well come down to quantity over quality.

Whether it's targeting an offensive threat capable of delivering points and threes or a defensive-minded player who can help boost your blocks and steals, narrowing your focus can prove vital as you battle for seedings. Let's dive into five players who are currently rostered in fewer than 50% of Yahoo leagues.

It's been a meteoric rise for Bona over the past week, putting up top-30 value in that time. Across four games, he is averaging 16.8 points, 8.0 rebounds, 1.5 steals and 3.5 blocks in 30.8 minutes, shooting 80.6% from the floor and 69.2% from the line. He had built some momentum earlier in the month before an injury ended up costing him five games. However, he has well and truly established himself as the starting center and, honestly, should serve as the primary backup behind Joel Embiid next season. Andre Drummond, despite still being an elite rebounder, is very limited offensively, and speed is certainly not a strength. As for the remainder of this campaign, Bona is someone who simply needs to be rostered in all formats.

Carrington's rookie season has been a mixed bag, despite playing a relatively consistent role. Fresh off a career-high 32 points in a loss to the Magic, Carrington has now played at least 35 minutes in three straight games. He has scored double-digits in five of the past seven fixtures, seemingly becoming more comfortable on an NBA court. In nine games over the past two weeks, he is averaging 12.4 points, 5.1 rebounds, 5.3 assists and 2.3 3-pointers in 29.8 minutes per game. While his offensive output will likely fluctuate from one game to the next, he is a reliable source of assists and 3s, while also providing above-average rebounding numbers from the guard position.

Although his role is typically dependent on whether Immanuel Quickley is resting or not, Shead has done enough over the past two weeks to warrant a roster spot in most formats. Across seven games during that time, he is averaging 12.1 points, 2.6 rebounds, 5.4 assists, 1.9 steals and 1.4 3-pointers in just 23.8 minutes per game. The Raptors appear to have settled into a rhythm in which they give Quickley every second game off. This means Shead should be viewed as a part-time starter, at least for now. However, with a floor of 24 minutes per game, managers should seriously consider grabbing him, especially if in need of assists and steals.

Thybulle was basically a forgotten man this season due to an ankle injury, which prevented him from making his season debut until mid-March. However, since making his debut, Thybulle has played in 10 straight games, logging at least 25 minutes in each of the past two contests. The Trail Blazers are in no hurry to rush anyone back onto the court, meaning Thybulle should be able to hold down a relatively solid role for the remainder of the season. His fantasy value is quite clearly tied up in just one category, that being steals. Across his 10-game span, Thybulle is averaging 2.4 thefts per game. For anyone battling in their playoffs, 8-10 steals across a seven-day period could mean the difference between winning and losing, making him a viable streaming candidate, assuming he fills a need on your squad.

With LaMelo Ball undergoing surgery on his wrist and ankle, Simpson has seemingly supplanted him as the starting point guard for the remainder of the season. He has assumed that role in four straight games, averaging 10.5 points, 4.5 rebounds, 4.3 assists, 1.3 steals and 1.8 3-pointers in 30.8 minutes per contest. His offensive game leaves a lot to be desired, but he is going to be given every opportunity to demonstrate what he can do down the stretch. Player development is the top priority for the Hornets at this point, and Simpson should be near the top of that list. Much like Shead, Simpson offers upside in assists and steals, while history would tell us that he could get hot at some point in the next two weeks, providing managers with a sneaky points boost.

  • Kevin Durant, Phoenix Suns (96% rostered)

  • Tyrese Maxey, Philadelphia 76ers (92% rostered)

  • Anfernee Simons, Portland Trail Blazers (89% rostered)

  • Zion Williamson, New Orleans Pelicans (86% rostered)

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NBA fines Ja Morant $75,000 for making finger gun gesture despite warning from league

Ja Morant had used a finger gun gesture toward the Warriors bench on Tuesday night, and on Wednesday he got a formal warning from the league.

Thursday night in Miami, he used it again.

The NBA came down on Morant Friday with a $75,000 fine "for twice making an inappropriate gesture on the playing court... Morant was previously warned by the league office that this gesture could be interpreted in a negative light."

Morant said after the Heat game, "I'm well aware" of the controversy and headlines the gesture was drawing.

"I was pretty much a villain for two years now. Every little thing, if somebody can say something negative about me, it's going to be out there," Morant said. "So, yeah. I don't care no more."

The league now needs to be consistent with this warning and fine, because Morant is not the only player who has used it, multiple players have done so throughout the season.

The gesture drew attention when Morant did it because of his history. Morant was suspended for eight games near the end of the 2022-23 season after he showed off a gun on Instagram Live while at a strip club in Colorado. Just a couple of months later, Morant was seen again on Instagram Live with a gun while riding in a friend's car, and this time the league suspended Morant 25 games at the start of the 2023-24 season.

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Why LeBron likens Warriors' Butler trade to KD acquisition

Why LeBron likens Warriors' Butler trade to KD acquisition originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

LeBron James had plenty of praise for the new-look Warriors with Jimmy Butler, likening the mid-season trade to Golden State’s signing of Kevin Durant in 2016.

In the aftermath of Golden State’s 123-116 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers on Thursday, James gave his thoughts on facing the Warriors with Butler.

“I’ve been a part of them making big acquisitions that changed the dynamic of their team before,” James told reporters. “I had to go against them when they added Kevin Durant. So, Jimmy Butler is great. He adds toughness to them, and he adds championship DNA. It’s always the same; they always figure it out, and they always add someone that makes them dynamic.”

The Warriors sputtered through the first half of the NBA schedule, well on their way to another mediocre season, until making the trade deadline move for Butler on Feb. 5. Since then, Golden State is 20-5 and surging up the Western Conference standings.

Just like those golden years with Durant, Golden State now is brimming with swagger and confidence. Steph Curry continued his late-season scoring barrage, dropping 37 points on Los Angeles, who had no answer for the Warriors’ sharpshooter. The offensive explosion was enough to give Golden State its first win over Los Angeles this season.

With six games left in the regular season, the Warriors are one game back of the Lakers for the West’s No. 4 playoff seed. Moreover, the organization has a renewed sense that it can make a deep postseason run.

Still, challenges await in the next two games as they face the Denver Nuggets (47-30) and the Houston Rockets (50-27), two of the elite teams in the Western Conference.

Expect plenty of dynamic performances from Butler, Curry and the rest of the Golden State squad as they make their playoff push.

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Podziemski reveals season-long half-court competition with Steph

Podziemski reveals season-long half-court competition with Steph originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

Over the course of an 82-game NBA season, Warriors teammates Steph Curry and Brandin Podziemski have found a fun yet competitive way to keep things light.

The sharpshooters are partaking in a friendly half-court shooting competition that began at the start of the season and will continue for the six remaining regular-season contests.

And the standings are closer than some might have guessed — as in tied.

“Me and Steph have shooting competitions, half-court competitions all the time,” Podziemski told reporters Thursday night in Los Angeles after the Warriors’ big 123-116 win over the Lakers. “We’re actually tied, 24-24, right now on the half-court competition.

“Just a few shootarounds left, but I think we just try to have fun with it and understand that Steph’s the best shooter that’s stepped foot on Earth so to pick his brain, not only with shooting but that flow state that he gets into when he’s shooting lights out like he did in Memphis, just trying to pick his brain on that and try to get in that type of rhythm yourself. I’ve had two good shooting games on this trip, so just continuing to lean on that.”

Podziemski wowed the crowd at Crypto.com Arena after banking in a half-court shot as the shot clock expired just before halftime. But no one was as impressed as the Warriors’ bench.

And per usual, leading that reaction was veteran teammate Draymond Green, who got on Podziemski for passing up a buzzer-beater opportunity against the San Antonio Spurs on Sunday.

“Him and Steph shoot half-court shots against each other every day,” Green told reporters in LA postgame. “I know you’d imagine the standings is Steph [winning]. I’m not sure what their count is but BP could be possibly leading. He hits those shots very frequently. So we get in the game in San Antonio and he’s at the buzzer and he threw it to Jimmy [Butler]. And we’re all like, ‘What’re you doing? No, you have to take that shot.’

“He took it tonight and he made it. So that’s why you seen everyone’s reaction from the bench going crazy. And he’s running off yelling, ‘Get me my money,’ because we shoot half-court shots when someone’s late for money and he’s yelling and running, ‘Get me my money, get me my money.’ So it was a great moment. It’s good to see him make that shot. It was a huge shot. Completely shifted the momentum going into the half back to us.”

Podziemski finished with 28 points on 10-of-17 shooting from the field and a career-best 8 of 10 from 3-point range, with eight rebounds, six assists and one steal in 36 minutes.

After struggling early in the 2024-25 NBA season, the second-year guard appears to have turned things around. And it all starts with the good vibes behind the scenes with his star teammates.

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Draymond vs. Jokić is matchup to watch in Warriors-Nuggets game

Draymond vs. Jokić is matchup to watch in Warriors-Nuggets game originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

Draymond Green’s 2025 Defensive Player of the Year campaign, moribund before the All-Star break, now is conspicuous and impressive, gliding across the NBA sky like a comet.

Now that Green is close enough to almost touch the award, he faces a threat that can interfere with his flight. Denver’s redoubtable Nikola Jokić, three-time MVP and perhaps the league’s most skilled offensive player, is coming to town Friday night.

This is the daunting welcome-home greeting that awaits Draymond and the Warriors after a stirring two-week road trip. Coverage on NBC Sports Bay Area begins with “Warriors Pregame Live” at 6 p.m., followed by tipoff from Chase Center shortly after 7.

The Green-Jokić matchup is the backdrop of a game with serious implications. Golden State (45-31) is fifth in the Western Conference standings, 1.5 games behind the third-place Nuggets (47-30). Both teams are eager to remain in the top six, thereby avoiding the play-in tournament.

Jokić simply presents more problems for a defense than any other player in the NBA. He’s third in scoring (29.7 points per game), second in rebounding (12.8), second in assists (10.2) and is shooting a career-high 41.6 percent beyond the arc.

“I feel very confident that most centers in the NBA, I can outthink – maybe not Joker,” Green, who gives away five inches and about 50 pounds, said a few weeks ago.

Jokić is the exception to most every rule. Nobody “stops” him, but Draymond approaches the task by trying to bother the 6-foot-11, 280-pound superstar enough to disrupt rhythm. He’s averaging 21.6 points per game over his last 10 matchups with Green.

Considering Jokić in his last game produced 61 points, 10 assists and 10 rebounds, Draymond – and the Warriors – would gladly take a 22-point night at Chase.

If the Nuggets prevail with Jokić dominating the action on Friday – he obviously has the capacity to do so – it could slow the momentum of Green’s DPOY campaign. One game, however, should not have a massive impact on voters.

But a Golden State victory, coupled with a defensively impactful game from Draymond, surely would impress voters still studying the work of other candidates, such as Cleveland’s Evan Mobley and Oklahoma City’s Lu Dort.

This is a night on which the Warriors have a chance to accomplish two important goals. Winning would snap a nine-game losing streak against the Nuggets that dates to March 10, 2022. And Green has a chance to clinch the second DPOY award of his 13-year career.

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Watch Stephen Curry drop 37 on Lakers in Warriors win in potential first-round preview

NBA: Golden State Warriors at Los Angeles Lakers

Apr 3, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) moves to the basket agianst Los Angeles Lakers forward Dorian Finney-Smith (17) and guard Luka Doncic (77) during the second half at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

We're only going to get so many more of these entertaining showdowns between Stephen Curry and LeBron James. We need to savor them.

Although we could get six or seven more in the first round of the West playoffs in a 4/5 matchup — and if Thursday night was any indication, it would be appointment viewing.

Stephen Curry dropped 37 points on the Lakers, outdueling LeBron James and his 33, giving the Warriors a 123-116 win on the road Thursday night.

This win was huge for Golden State, as it moved the No. 5 seed Warriors within a game of the No. 4 seed Lakers in a tight Western Conference. The Grizzlies and Timberwolves are tied for the 6/7 spots, just half a game back of the Warriors (one back of Golden State in the loss column). The Lakers are just half a game back of the Nuggets for the No. 3 seed, putting the Warriors 1.5 games back, and those teams face off Friday night in the Bay Area.

As great as Curry was, the Warriors won this game by winning the non-Curry minutes — Golden State was +8 with Curry off the court. The Warriors' other players also stepped up: Brandin Podziemski hit a career-high eight 3-pointers on his way to 28 points, while Jonathan Kuminga came off the bench with 18 points and nine rebounds, plus played fantastic defense at times on Luka Doncic, Dorian Finney-Smith, and Austin Reaves. Draymond Green also strengthened his case for Defensive Player of the Year with this performance.

On the other side, as J.J. Redick put it about Luka Doncic, "Wasn’t his night." Doncic finished with 19 points, eight rebounds and 7 assists but was 0-of-6 on 3-pointers and just did not control the game the way he has of late in Los Angeles. Austin Reaves had another strong offensive outing with 31 points.

The Warriors with Jimmy Butler in the lineup continue to look like a genuine threat to Oklahoma City in the playoffs. The Lakers do as well at points, but as Redick said, Los Angeles is still building its playoff mentality: "We're not there."

The Lakers will need to get there in a couple of weeks when the playoffs start, and they could see Curry and these Warriors in the first round.