Category: NBA

BOSTON — The Celtics will be without several key players when they face the New Orleans Pelicans on Friday night. Jayson Tatum (right Achilles injury management) is sidelined on the second night of a back-to-back, while Jaylen Brown (left Achilles tendinitis) is questionable.

Tatum is currently not playing back-to-backs as he returns from an Achilles injury, and opted to play on Thursday night at Madison Square Garden in order to overcome that mental hurdle. He finished with 24 points, 13 rebounds, and 8 assists in a 112-106 loss to the Knicks.

Brown has missed three games in the past two weeks due to Achilles soreness, but said he was not concerned about the injury long-term.

“Nah, everybody’s dealing with something — just some soreness,” Brown said in Atlanta in late March. “Definitely want to make sure you stay healthy as much as possible & you don’t want to risk anything, but it’ll be fine going forward.”

In addition to Tatum and Brown both potentially being sidelined, Sam Hauser (low back spasm), Derrick White (right knee contusion), and Neemias Queta (toe sprain) are all on the injury report and listed as probable to play. All three players were on the injury report ahead of Thursday’s Celtics-Knicks game, but all ultimately played.

Of note, White is two blocks away from becoming the first player in NBA history to record 200 three-pointers and 100 blocks in a single season — though he hasn’t recorded a block in four straight games for the first time all season.

With the Celtics shorthanded, Baylor Scheierman and Jordan Walsh will likely both continue to see increased run. Scheierman is coming off a career night in which he exploded for 20 points on 7-8 shooting, 18 of which came in the second half. And Walsh has fully returned to the rotation over the past two weeks, starting on Thursday night in place of Jaylen Brown.

The Pelicans are 26-54 and have the 11th-best record in the Western Conference. They’ll be without several key players: Dejounte Murray (left hand contusion), Zion Williamson (right knee injury management), Trey Murphy III (right ankle sprain), Yves Missi (right hand sprain), Bryce McGowens (right small toe fracture), Karlo Matkovic (low back injury management), Herbert Jones (rest), and Saddiq Bey (rest).

Friday’s game actually has seeding implications for the Celtics

The Celtics (54-26) currently have a two-game lead in the standings and need to win one of their next two games to secure the No. 2 seed. They face the Pelicans on Friday, and the Orlando Magic on Sunday.

The Knicks (52-28) face the Toronto Hornets on Friday and the Charlotte Hornets on Sunday. If they drop one of those games, the Celtics will automatically secure the No. 2 seed, regardless of the Celtics’ outcomes over the next two games.

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The Miami Heat waived guard Terry Rozier, who has been on league-mandated leave since October amid a federal illegal sports betting investigation, ESPN’s Shams Charania reported Friday.

Key Takeaways

• The Heat traded for Rozier about nine-and-a-half months after the incident in question.
  
  
• The NBA did not find evidence of any wrongdoing by Rozier.
  
  
• A pro sports bettor won all 30 of their prop bets involving Rozier for more than $13,000.

Rozier, 32, has been away from the Heat since his FBI arrest Oct. 23. He had been under investigation by the NBA from the season’s onset.

The NBA’s investigation concluded without finding evidence that Rozier had violated league rules. However, the league insisted after Rozier’s arrest that it did not “clear” him of wrongdoing.

Rozier’s arrest came as a surprise to the NBA. FBI director Kash Patel, who worked with the U.S. Attorney’s Office from the Eastern District of New York, Homeland Security Investigations, and local New York law enforcement officials, said there were “tens of million of dollars in theft, in fraud, in robbery” between Rozier, former NBA player and assistant coach Damon Jones, and Portland Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups, all of whom were arrested on the same day.

Rozier has consistently denied any wrongdoing. He pleaded not guilty in federal court Dec. 8 and was released on $3-million bail.

His attorney, Jim Trusty, also issued a statement to CNN last November, saying his client “looks forward to winning this fight.”

“It is unfortunate that instead of allowing (Rozier) to self surrender they opted for a photo op,” Trusty wrote. “They wanted the misplaced glory of embarrassing a professional athlete with a perp walk. That tells you a lot about the motivations in this case. They appear to be taking the word of spectacularly in-credible sources rather than relying on actual evidence of wrongdoing.”

Incident in question

Rozier’s charges stem from a matchup between the Hornets and the New Orleans Pelicans on March 23, 2023. 

The NBA was alerted to suspicious betting activity related to Rozier’s prop betting lines, or wagers that dealt with his individual performance, but did not directly relate to the outcome of the game. 

Sportsbooks mostly set Rozier’s prop odds around 21.5 points, six assists, and four rebounds that night. Rozier removed himself from the game with a foot issue after nine minutes and 36 seconds of playing time, finishing with five points, four rebounds, and two assists. 

The incident initially flew under the radar since the Hornets were well out of the playoff picture. Rozier also did not play in another game during the 2022-23 season, making it seem as if Charlotte had shut down the veteran guard for the year. 

The incident was seen in a new light in January 2025 when ESPN’s David Purdum reported that a professional sports bettor went 30-for-30 with prop bets exceeding $13,000 in combined value, all of which targeted Rozier. The bets were placed in a 46-minute window at Caesars Sportsbook in Harrah’s Gulf Coast in Biloxi, Mississippi, and resulted in $13,017.70 in winnings.

“It's unfortunate that he's a big name in sports and is having to endure all this,” Trusty said after the report, per ESPN. “My hope and expectation is that at some point that they'll be done with their investigation and will be professional enough to let us know that it's 100% over and that they reached the same conclusion that was reached in 2023.”

Innocent until proven guilty

Rozier's former Louisville head coach and current St. John’s bench boss, Rick Pitino, said he does not believe it is in Rozier’s character to participate in an illegal gambling scheme.

“It’s not like him,” Pitino said on “Dan Dakich Unfiltered” in November. “I love Terry. I texted him: ‘Terry, if I can be of any help. I love you, son. If there’s anything I can do to help you, please get a hold of me.’”

Rozier was traded to the Heat for a 2026 second-round pick and a 2027 lottery-protected first-rounder that will convert to an unprotected 2028 first-round selection if it doesn’t convey. He made 95 appearances for the franchise, averaging 12.5 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 3.3 assists.

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Our NBA player prop projections are set for tonight’s last regular season meetup between the Oklahoma City Thunder and Denver Nuggets, with the model pinpointing several standout opportunities.

By analyzing the data and comparing it to current market lines, we’ve uncovered the bets with the highest value.

These Thunder vs. Nuggets predictions aren’t guesswork — they’re driven by the numbers.

For those building their cards, here are the model’s top NBA picks for Friday, April 10.

Thunder vs Nuggets computer picks for April 10

Thunder	Nuggets
Williams o14.5 points -105	Murray u22.5 points  -120
McCain o3.5 3-pointers  +125	Jokic u13.5 rebounds -110
McCain o19.5 points -120	Gordon o2.5 assists -130

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Thunder computer picks

Kenrich Williams Over 14.5 points (-105)

Projection: 15.1 points

The Oklahoma City Thunder enter this matchup as the league’s second-highest scoring offense over their last 10 games.

They should also benefit from an uptick in pace, drawing the Denver Nuggets, who rank ninth in tempo across the past 25 games.

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Jared McCain Over 3.5 3-pointers (+125)

Projection: 3.7 3-pointers

The Thunder have played as the eighth-most aggressive team from beyond the arc over the past five games, creating a favorable setup for Jared McCain to capitalize from deep.

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Jared McCain Over 19.5 points (-120)

Projection: 20.7 points

McCain is averaging 12.4 points per game across his last 10 road outings (4.3 higher than his overall mark away from home this season) and with an uptick in minutes, he’ll have every chance to elevate his production and rise to the occasion.

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Nuggets computer picks

Jamal Murray Under 22.5 points (-120)

Projection: 21.6 points

The Thunder have operated at the 10th-slowest pace in the league over their last five road games, which should limit overall possessions for the Nuggets and work against Jamal Murray clearing this scoring line, especially after he’s fallen short in five of his last 10 games at a 22.5-point number.

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Nikola Jokic Under 13.5 rebounds (-110)

Projection: 13.2 rebounds

The Nuggets rank as the third-worst offensive rebounding team at home over their last 25 games, putting added pressure on Nikola Jokić to clean up the glass against the Oklahoma City Thunder—but even with that role, he could fall just short of this number after going Under in two of his last 10 games at a 13.5 rebound line.

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Aaron Gordon Over 2.5 assists (-130)

Projection: 2.8 assists

The Nuggets have operated at the ninth-fastest pace in the league over their last 25 games, which should create added playmaking opportunities for Aaron Gordon against a different Thunder rotation. 

After clearing this 2.5 assists line in six of his last 10 outings, he’s in a strong spot to get Over once again.

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How to watch Thunder vs Nuggets tonight

Location	Ball Arena, Denver, CO
Date	Friday, April 10, 2026
Tip-off	9:00 p.m. ET
TV	FDSN Oklahoma, Altitude

Not intended for use in MA.
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The regular season for the Phoenix Suns is all but over. Two games remain on the schedule, but in the grand scheme, they feel meaningless. The Suns have locked up the seventh seed and will host a Play-In Tournament game next Tuesday, with the opponent still to be determined.

There is no real reason to exert unnecessary energy against either the Lakers or the Thunder over these final two games, and the team should avoid putting itself in a position where injury could occur, especially to primary players. Rest over the last few days, prepare for the Play-In, and get ready for the grind that comes with the second season.

When the injury report dropped Thursday evening and stated that Devin Booker would be out with ankle injury management, it did not come as a surprise. After a long, arduous season, any opportunity for rest stands out, and that opportunity presents itself in a game against the Lakers.

I understand the thinking. I do not doubt or criticize the methodology. Well, kind of. But as Randy Travis once said, on the other hand…

This is not an ideal situation for Phoenix as the regular season comes to a close and the team is playing far from its best basketball. The team is 5-5 in their last 10. There is an argument to be made that these final two games could be used to continue finding the chemistry and geometry of a team that has lacked both for the past two months. There is still time to see what certain lineups can do together.

Which lineups am I speaking of? Any that have Devin Booker, Jalen Green, and Dillon Brooks.

Unfortunately, injuries have cost the Phoenix Suns any real opportunity to see what their three highest-paid players can do together on the court. Devin Booker has missed 16 games and is set to miss his 17th tonight against the Lakers. Dillon Brooks has missed 35 games. Jalen Green has missed 48. Finding consistent combinations with all three available has been a challenge due to a lack of availability, and the truth is there simply is not much data on lineups featuring them together.

They have played 10 games alongside each other this season. 133 total minutes. That’s it. They are a +8 in that time. Collectively, the team shot 47.7% from the field in those minutes, 37.5% from deep, and had a 1.7 assist-to-turnover ratio.

According to NBA.com stats, there have been only eight lineups that include all three:

When you dig into those lineups, the one with the most run features Booker, Brooks, and Green alongside Jordan Goodwin and Mark Williams. That group has logged 32 minutes, scored 84 points, and sits at a +14. It also shot a mundane 31.8% from beyond the arc and posted a 1.7 assist-to-turnover ratio, so it has not exactly been a dominant or sustainable lineup.

The lineup with the next-best plus-minus swaps Goodwin for Gillespie. We saw it for four minutes at the end of the game against the Bulls, and it was a +7.

The Suns could have used these final two games to learn something, to get a better feel for how lineups around their three highest-paid players function. Instead, it feels like they are heading into the postseason without that clarity. I understand the decision. The NBA season is a grind, and when there is a chance to rest, teams take it.

Still, it would feel different if this team were playing better entering this point of the season. They barely got past the Chicago Bulls. The Dallas Mavericks, who did everything short of waving a white flag late, were not an easy out either. The team feels like it is sputtering.

There is an appreciation for what they have accomplished this season. That part is real. The in-the-moment product feels different. And the rest conversation matters. If you take care of business in the Play-In game, you earn a few extra days. If you enter that game stale, you can forget about rest. You are right back on the floor a couple of nights later.

So I see the strategy. I understand it. It does not fully land with me. I would rather see a team building momentum, using every opportunity to gel, especially one that has dealt with this many injuries and is still searching for its identity. But that is where we are. Limping into the postseason, hoping it clicks when it matters most.

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LeBron James was asked what the Los Angeles Lakers need from him in these final games of the regular season.

His answer was simple: Everything.

With Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves injured, James is battling to keep L.A. as the No. 4 seed in the Western Conference. And he’s done just that – everything – for the Lakers, totaling 56 points, 26 assists, and 17 rebounds the past two games.

Our Suns vs. Lakers predictions see LeBron’s stat line taking a step back Friday, at least in one category.

My NBA picks are playing it cool with LeBron’s assist total tonight.

Suns vs Lakers prediction

Suns vs Lakers best bet: LeBron James Under 9.5 Assists (-120)

With Luka Doncic down, LeBron James has taken over as the Los Angeles Lakers’ primary ball handler, and that’s pumped up his passing potential, recording 11 and 15 dimes the past two games. 

However, while LeBron has been doing it all for L.A., he could get some help in the backcourt.

Veteran guard Marcus Smart is trending toward a return tonight. Smart hasn’t played since March 21 due to an ankle injury, but coach J.J. Redick is “hopeful” to have him back versus the Phoenix Suns.

Smart gives L.A. much-needed backcourt depth and allows James to play his natural position off the ball, making him more of a shooter than a facilitator. Before Luka got hurt, James was averaging around seven assists during the Lakers’ red-hot run through March.

There are a few other factors that could temper his passing prowess versus Phoenix. 

James did hurt his hand attempting a block last night, yet stayed in the game. He’s now taking the court for the second of back-to-back outings after logging 32 hard minutes Thursday.

And then there’s always Dillon Brooks. 

The Suns’ pest will only have eyes for James tonight. Brooks is a premier defender, and while LeBron has had mixed scoring results against him, he’s posted three, four, and six assists in their three head-to-head meeting this season.

Player projections are also cooling on James’ playmaking versus the Suns. His assist forecasts top out at 8.1, with most sitting shy of eight dimes against an inflated assist O/U.

Suns vs Lakers same-game parlay

Los Angeles is pushing for the No. 4 seed and can’t afford a loss. Phoenix has nothing at stake, parked at No. 7, and is playing without its starting backcourt, including Devin Booker.

James sees his 3-point activity spike whenever Austin Reaves is out. He’s attempted 11 triples the past two games, including making three shots from distance in the win over Golden State last night.

Suns vs Lakers SGP

• Lakers moneyline
• LeBron James Under 9.5 assists
• LeBron James Over 1.5 made threes

Our "from downtown" SGP: Hollywood Knight

If Smart returns, LeBron can play an off-ball scoring role and set up his shots. He’s been big on the boards, with eight and nine rebounds the last two games. The Suns run a lot of small ball, so James can body his way on the glass. Projections sit at 7+ rebounds.

Suns vs Lakers SGP

• Lakers moneyline
• LeBron James Under 9.5 assists
• LeBron James Over 1.5 made threes
• LeBron James Over 6.5 rebounds

Suns vs Lakers odds

• Spread: Suns -2.5 | Lakers +2.5
• Moneyline: Suns -120 | Lakers +140
• Over/Under: Over 218 | Under 218

Suns vs Lakers betting trend to know

The Lakers are 17-10 SU and ATS in the second game of back-to-back games over the past two seasons, including an 8-5 ATS record in those turnarounds this year. Find more NBA betting trends for Suns vs. Lakers.

How to watch Suns vs Lakers

Suns vs Lakers latest injuries

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The Mavericks were 1-3 this weekend and remained in 13th place in the West. They lost to Orlando (138-127) and beat the hobbled Lakers (134-128) before heading out West for back-to-back losses to the Clippers (116-103) and Phoenix (112-108). Cooper Flagg led the team in scoring with, and this is not a typo, 33 points per game. Daniel Gafford left the game against the Lakers with a shoulder injury. Naji Marshall, P.J. Washington, and Klay Thompson all missed the game in Phoenix.

Grade: A-

The Mavericks played two incredibly fun games last Friday and Sunday. They earned their first home win since late January after defeating the Lakers, and it felt good. In a season full of losing, the occasional win is a good reminder of better times, and hopefully times to come. They played a pretty uneventful back-to-back against the Clippers and Suns, save for the last five minutes of the game against Phoenix. Cooper Flagg, Max Christie, and Ryan Nembhard were all pulled with 4:37 left, Dallas down seven. The Mavericks lost by just five, and that was only three when the Mavericks had the ball with 44 seconds left. They avoided a hilarious win, but provided entertainment regardless. 

Dallas will finish the season at San Antonio Friday and at home against Chicago on Sunday. Then, our focus turns to the ping pong balls.

Straight A’s: Cooper Flagg

There are few new words left to describe Flagg’s rookie season. He now owns the two highest-scoring games for a teenager in NBA history (51, 49), and trails only Luka Doncic (5) and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (4) for most 45-point games in the NBA this season (Flagg has three). He scored 96 points in the two games against Orlando and Los Angeles on 33-of-57 (58 percent) shooting. Not only was he efficient from the floor, but he also had 12 assists and just 3 (!) turnovers. And one of the turnovers was an uncalled foul that got Jason Kidd ejected. So, if you’re counting, that is three turnovers to 69 shots and assists.

Flagg is defying what it means to be not only a rookie, but a teenager. At 19, he is doing things that the league’s best are doing, and controlling the game in a way you normally only do after years of experience. He is the best rookie, regardless of what the voters decide. In fact, he is one of the best rookies ever, and we may finish this year with him in some uncomfortable conversations.

Currently Failing: Khris Middleton

It is hard to overstate how bad Middleton has been. He scored less than four points a game in 16.7 minutes a night over the last week. He shot 21 percent from the floor and turned the ball over nearly double the number of times he made a shot. It will all be over soon, Khris. 

Extra Credit: Frank Vogel

Vogel was the stand-in coach after Kidd was ejected last Friday. Flagg was at 45 points in a game out of reach, and Vogel put him back in the game to score six points in just over a minute to eclipse the 50-point plateau. Very cool, Frank, very cool.

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Two Play-In teams go to battle tonight as the Los Angeles Clippers visit the Portland Trail Blazers at the Moda Center.

My Clippers vs. Trail Blazers predictions are eyeing Portland to keep up their winning ways at home.

Read more in my NBA picks for Friday, April 10.

Clippers vs Trail Blazers prediction

Clippers vs Trail Blazers best bet: Blazers moneyline (-115)

The Portland Trail Blazers are in the midst of a two-game losing skid, but they return to the Moda Center tonight for a two-game home stand to finish up the regular season. 

The Blazers have compiled a 22-17 record at home in 2025-26, and they’ve won five of their last six games at the Moda Center.

Also, Portland just ended a four-game losing streak against the Los Angeles Clippers last month, beating them 114-104 on the road. Meanwhile, Los Angeles is coming off an 18-point defeat to the OKC Thunder, and they’re just 19-21 away from the Intuit Dome.

The Blazers will grind out a victory tonight.

Clippers vs Trail Blazers same-game parlay

Deni Avdija has been balling out this season, averaging a career-best 24 ppg. He’s cashed the Over in four straight appearances, and he just dropped 29 points in a loss to the San Antonio Spurs on Wednesday.

The 25-year-old is one of Portland’s top options, and he already scored 28 against the Clippers on March 31. He’s also averaging 24.8 ppg at home.

Jrue Holiday has cashed the Over in dimes in three consecutive outings, and he’s averaging 6.2 assists overall. In his last home game, Holiday dished out nine dimes.

Scoot Henderson dropped 15 points versus Los Angeles in March, and he’s in his bag right now, cashing the Over in three of his last five appearances.

The guard has played 36 minutes or more across the last two games, and he had 20 points on Wednesday. Heavier minutes mean a better chance for more offensive output.

Clippers vs Trail Blazers SGP

• Deni Avdija Over 25.5 points
• Jrue Holiday Over 5.5 assists
• Scoot Henderson Over 15.5 points

Our "from downtown" SGP: All eyes on Avdija

Avdija is also averaging 6.7 assists, serving as one of Portland’s best facilitators. He had eight dimes against the Clippers last month, and he’s cashed the Over in three of his previous four.

Clippers vs Trail Blazers SGP

• Deni Avdija Over 25.5 points
• Jrue Holiday Over 5.5 assists
• Scoot Henderson Over 15.5 points
• Deni Avdija Over 6.5 assists

Clippers vs Trail Blazers odds

• Spread: Los Angles +1 (-110) | Portland -1 (-110)
• Moneyline: Los Angeles -105 | Portland -115
• Over/Under: Over 226.5 (-110) | Under 226.5 (-110)

Clippers vs Trail Blazers betting trend to know

The Portland Trail Blazers have hit the 3Q Moneyline in 27 of their last 45 games (+10.35 Units / 16% ROI). Find more NBA betting trends for Clippers vs. Trail Blazers.

How to watch Clippers vs Trail Blazers

Clippers vs Trail Blazers latest injuries

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In the second game of a back-to-back, the Knicks (52*-28) host the Raptors (44-35) tonight at Madison Square Garden. New York ranks third in the Eastern Conference, while riding a four-game win streak and having beaten the Celtics in a thriller last night, 112-106. The Raptors are scrappy but inconsistent, in a three-horse race with the Hawks and the Magic for the fifth, sixth, and seventh seeds.

The Knicks lead the season series 4-0. The teams last met on March 3 in Toronto, where New York cruised to a 111-95 victory. Jalen Brunson led the way with 26 points, while Brandon Ingram scored 31 points for the Canucks.

The Raptors have relied on a mix of veterans and young pieces, with Brandon Ingram leading them in scoring with 21.1 PPG. When healthy, Jakob Poeltl anchors the frontcourt (he missed half of the season with injury), while OAKAAKUYOAK Immanuel Quickley commands the backcourt when healthy (IQ has played 68 games this season). Toronto ranks around the middle of the pack offensively (scoring in the 114-point range) but they rate fifth for defense. Scottie Barnes, playing his fifth season, has been an anchor for them defensively and chips in about 18 points per game.

Injury notes: Tyler Kolek remains a question mark for the Knicks with an oblique issue. The Raptors have been cursed with various ailments throughout the year. Chucky Hepburn (knee) and Trayce Jackson-Davis (illness) are game-time decisions for them.

Prediction

The Knicks are solid favorites, with ESPN giving them a 65% chance for victory. Right on. Toronto has shown fight at times, but they’ll face a locked-in Knicks squad at MSG—one that has recently taken care of business against stiffer competition like Boston and Atlanta. Should be another tough night for the visitors, despite potential fatigue for the home team on a SEGABABA. The Raptors will be motivated to win, sure, but the Knickerbockers look playoff-ready and should handle this one without too much drama. Knicks by eight.

Game Details

Who: New York Knicks (52*-28) vs Toronto Raptors (44-35)
Date: Friday, April 10, 2026
Time: 7:30 PM ET
Place: Madison Square Garden, New York, NY
TV: MSG
Follow: @ptknicksblog and bsky

* Should be one more, but NBA Cup wins are biodegradable.

Currently, WNBA teams, including the Washington Mystics are negotiating with free agents who may be interested in coming to their team. One of the key things that remains in teams’ hands is whether to give the core player designation on one player. According to Alexa Philippou of ESPN, most teams have, but the Mystics appear not to have done that.

This is not particularly surprising. According to Sportrac, the 2025 Mystics roster at the end of the season had two players with cap hits above $100,000: Alysha Clark and Stefanie Dolson. However, both Clark and Dolson are longtime veterans and wouldn’t be able to be cored. The remaining players are primarily on rookie scale contracts.

What this means is that the Mystics are in prime position to spend on free agents though they can’t give a supermax salary. They have over $5 million in cap space out of a $7 million salary cap. Remember, the Mystics, EVEN IF THEY CHOOSE TO …. deconstruct like the Wizards … HAVE TO PAY SOME PLAYER a big salary, likely at around $1 million.

Also, out of their cap space, some of these players will be used on their three first round picks (No. 4, No. 9, No. 11) and there’s a good chance that their second round picks (No. 19, No. 30) could ALL make the roster. If that happens, there will still be cap room to sign a free agent or two at a very large salary.

Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.

Another dust-up is waiting to be settled as the Detroit Pistons face the Charlotte Hornets for the first time since the February game that ended in chaos and suspensions.

The Pistons are locked at the one seed, and the Hornets appear to be headed for the play-in tournament. Everything is on the table for them, and tonight is a must-win.

Do the Pistons rest vs the hungry Hornets? Or does Cade Cunningham continue to get his legs under him? It will be interesting to see how JB Bickerstaff plays his hand against another potential playoff opponent.

Game Vitals

Where: Spectrum Center, Charlotte, North Carolina

When: 7:00 PM

Watch: FanDuel Sports Network Detroit

Odds: Pistons (+5)

Analysis

The Hornets have been the best offense in the league since Dec. 2. They hit the offensive glass, get up 3s, and have multiple 20-point threats. With their high 3-point rate comes variance.

The Hornets are an interesting watch when they do not have it going from 3 because they do not have many consistent 2-point scorers. None of their go-to options gets to the rim a lot compared to other offensive engines.

The Pistons are the complete opposite. They live in the paint. Cade Cunningham played 26 minutes after missing time. It was good to see him attacking the basket. Cade was 5/7 from the restricted area (PivotFade). He got back in the lineup and immediately began dropping his shoulders and making contact with defenders to get buckets. Getting more minutes tonight before the playoffs could keep Cade sharp after his layoff.

Jalen Duren is an automatic 2-point player. In a playoff series, the Hornets would try to get JD on the perimeter and hunt 3s. He has to be ready for that, no doubt. But how would the Hornets solve the Duren puzzle on the other end?

Moussa Diabaté is Charlotte’s offensive rebound machine, and he kicks it out to his shooters like his life depends on it. He is a ball of energy, but is not sturdy enough to handle Duren in the paint. Not many are. Grant Williams is a good undersized defender, but he would struggle with Duren’s mass. Ryan Kalkbrenner would too, despite his length.

While Charlotte has been the top 3-point shooting team all year (2nd in attempts, third in %), Detroit is on a heater. They are shooting 39 percent (sixth in league) in the last 15 games. Duncan Robinson, Daniss Jenkins, Javonte Green, Tobias Harris, and Marcus Sasser are all shooting over 40 percent during this hot stretch from triple.

Ron Holland is on the 3-point action, shooting 44 percent on three attempts over the last seven games. Holland is going to let it fly every time. He knew these shots were down as soon as they left his hands. That is progress.

On the other side, the Hornets have shooters galore. Kon Knueppel (268) and LaMelo Ball (261) are first and second in total 3s. Brandon Miller is 38.5 percent on over eight attempts. Grant Williams, Coby White. There are some guys over there who can shoot it. While their trigger-happy offense results in tons of 3s, turnovers come with Charlotte’s package. This team turns the ball over a ton (15.4 TO #24), and Detroit feasts off those.

Detroit is the best turnover creation team in basketball. They have the best wing defender in Ausar Thompson. All of those Hornets snipers will deal with him at some point.

It is not fair what Ausar can do to offensive players. The save on this possession was just as impressive as Ausar’s perfectly-timed block. The balance and awareness needed to pull off this sequence is wild.

On the next possession down, it seemed like Ryan Rollins, who is having a Most Improved Player-type year, was fine immediately giving up the ball because of the harassment from Ausar. The turnover-prone weapons in Charlotte cannot be loose with the ball in this matchup.

Daniss Jenkins, who trains with Rollins, will be a critical piece tonight and on this postseason run. He is the backup ball handler who needs to stay prepared. He is good enough to be more than a neutral, but even that would be enough. Detroit needs Jenkins to remain competent with Cade back in the lineup.

We will see how Bicketstaff handles the rotation tonight. The chase for 60 wins and the need to stay sharp are reasons to get starters on the floor. The Hornets will be desperate, and the Pistons can spoil their standings push tonight.

Lineups

Detroit Pistons (58-22):

Cade Cunningham, Duncan Robinson, Ausar Thompson, Tobias Haris, Jalen Duren

Charlotte Hornets (43-37):

LaMelo Ball, Kon Knueppel, Brandon Miller, Miles Bridges, Moussa Diabaté

Question of the day

Are you team rest or team play?

Report: Sixers make late-season moves, converting Terry and waiving Payne originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

The Sixers on Friday reportedly made a couple of late-season roster moves.

The Athletic’s Tony Jones reported that the team is converting Dalen Terry from a two-way contract to a standard NBA deal that includes a team option for next season. The Sixers are waiving Cameron Payne to make room for Terry, The Athletic reported. 

Terry was the 18th overall pick in the 2022 NBA draft. Since joining the Sixers in the middle of this season, Terry’s appeared in 13 games and averaged 4.3 points, 1.8 assists and 1.5 rebounds in 13.0 minutes per contest. 

He’s a versatile 6-foot-6 wing who passes well and has had good steal and block rates through his NBA career. Terry’s been a subpar shooter as a professional. Over 217 games in the NBA, he’s gone 44.2 percent from the field, 31.4 percent from three-point range and 64.2 percent at the foul line. 

Terry joins Dominick Barlow and Jabari Walker as Sixers converted from two-way to standard NBA contracts this year. 

The Sixers signed Payne in February and the 31-year-old guard came back to the NBA from Serbia. Payne played 22 games in his second stint with the Sixers and averaged 7.4 points, 2.6 assists and 2.0 rebounds.

He suffered a right hamstring strain during the Sixers’ loss last Saturday to the Pistons. On Sunday, a team official said Payne would be re-evaluated in approximately two weeks.