PARIS (AP) — Franck Haise's first game in charge of Rennes started with a clinical 3-0 win at Auxerre in Ligue 1 on Sunday.

Midfieler Mahdi Camara scored two first-half goals either side of an effort from striker Esteban Lepaul to put Rennes 3-0 up at halftime. Haise replaced Habib Beye, who split with Rennes and is now with Marseille.

Rennes was hardly troubled in the second half and moved provisionally up to fifth place, three points behind fourth-placed Marseille in the race for a Champions League place.

Lille need to win at Angers later Sunday to reclaim fifth spot on goal difference. Struggling Auxerre is in 16th.

Later Sunday, Lyon went to Strasbourg looking for its 14th straight win in all competitions. Bordeaux and Paris Saint-Germain share the French record with 16 straight wins overall.

It has been a remarkable turnaround for coach Paulo Fonseca’s Lyon side, which avoided relegation to the second tier for financial irregularities after winning an appeal in July.

In Sunday's other matches, Nice hosted Lorient and struggling Nantes faced Le Havre.

PSG went back to the top on Saturday after title rival Lens lost at home to Monaco. ___

AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer

While many Cleveland Cavaliers fans were blindsided by the Darius Garland trade to the Los Angeles Clippers, the one person who was not was Garland himself.

“It was going to happen regardless, either at the [trade] deadline or this summer,” Garland told Marc J. Spears at Andscape. “[My agent] Rich [Paul] had that conversation with me last summer.”

The Cavs clearly had made a decision internally about how they wanted to approach the inevitable shakeup required to not only make the team fit, but also be financially feasible. Trading Garland, who was an All-Star last season, has failed to live up to that stature this year. The 26-year-old suffered a mysterious toe injury in the playoffs last season, requiring offseason surgery and a delayed start to the season. But even after returning, Garland did not look like himself.

“The toe definitely had a factor in it (the trade),” Garland continued. “They didn’t know if I was going to be healthy for this season, which I will be.”

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The consistent injury issues, coupled with the reality that the Cavs’ window of opportunity is now, made the trade all that much more necessary. And the player Cleveland got in return is awfully good, fitting into that “win-now” mode.

“They thought that James (Harden) had something that I didn’t, I believe,” Garland said. “He has experience in playoffs and All-Star numbers still to this day, even though he wasn’t an All-Star this year. But yeah, they want to win right now. They have a group, too. And I guess I really wasn’t part of the plan.

“But now, I’m over here in a really good situation.”

Garland has yet to appear in a game for the Clippers this season, though both he and the team remain adamant that his debut is coming soon. The Cavs may have made the right decision on their former franchise point guard, with his inconsistent health becoming an excuse too often. While his departure from Cleveland came under unfortunate circumstances, it seems both sides are happy with the deal.

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One of the most iconic rivalries in NBA history gets renewed tonight when the Boston Celtics visit the Los Angeles Lakers.

Celtics vs Lakers prediction

Celtics vs Lakers best bet: Jaylen Brown Over 28.5 points (-120)

Jaylen Brown's career-best campaign is the driving force for the Boston Celtics' success, and his scoring prowess will be on full display against the Los Angeles Lakers tonight.

Los Angeles is a below-average defense, and Brown torched the Lakers for 30 points in his first matchup.

Celtics vs Lakers same-game parlay

The Celtics rank second in offensive rating, and despite recurring injuries, the Lakers rank 11th. Both rosters will be at full strength tonight, which should lead to plenty of scoring.

Celtics vs Lakers SGP

• Jaylen Brown Over 28.5 points
• Over 228
• Lakers moneyline

Our "from downtown" SGP: LeBron shares the love

James is averaging 7.2 assists per game this season. He's recorded double-digit dimes in five straight and at 7+ in six straight.

With Doncic and Reaves available, James' elite playmaking abilities will shine as he gets his high-scoring teammates involved.

Celtics vs Lakers SGP

• Jaylen Brown Over 28.5 points
• Over 228
• Lakers moneyline
• LeBron James Over 6.5 assists

Celtics vs Lakers odds

• Spread: Boston -2 (-110) | Los Angeles +2 (-110)
• Moneyline: Boston -130 | Los Angeles +110
• Over/Under: Over 228 (-110) | Under 228 (-110)

Celtics vs Lakers betting trend to know

The Lakers have hit the 2Q Over in 25 of their last 35 games at home (+13.65 Units / 34% ROI). Find more NBA betting trends for Celtics vs. Lakers.

How to watch Celtics vs Lakers

Celtics vs Lakers latest injuries

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BYU basketball star freshman AJ Dybantsa wants you to know he's got no issues staying on the court.

There's been a lot of discussion about playing time and availability when it comes to Darryn Peterson, the presumed No. 1 pick in the 2026 NBA draft.

The Kansas freshman has missed 11 games and has pulled himself out of games in the second half on occasion, causing many to question his perch as college basketball's top prospect.

NCAA tournament top 16 seeds: A rough day just hours after reveal

March Madness power rankings: Ranking top 16 teams based on odds

Dybantsa, a rival for that No. 1 spot in the draft, offers no such concerns.

The Cougars star led No. 22 BYU to a 79-69 upset win over No. 6 Iowa State on Saturday, Feb. 21, finishing with 29 points, 10 rebounds, nine assists — and maybe more importantly, 40 minutes.

"If they need me to play 40 minutes, I’ll play 40 minutes," Dybantsa said postgame Saturday.

Dybantsa has averaged 40.5 minutes over his past four games (includes an overtime win over Colorado).

Peterson is averaging 27.2 minutes per game.

Dybantsa is averaging 24.9 points, 6.7 rebounds and 4.0 assists per game for the Cougars (20-7, 8-6), while Peterson leads the Jayhawks with 19.8 ppg.

They are the headliners of a super-talented freshman class that should dominate the summer's draft. It will be interesting to see how much NBA scouts value availability and whether Peterson can calm any fears teams may have.

AJ Dybantsa highlights vs Iowa State

AJ Dybantsa's last 6 games

The potential No. 1 pick just went off against No. 6 Iowa State

29 PTS | 10 REB | 9 AST
35 PTS | 13-28 FG | 7 REB
20 PTS | 13 REB | 8 AST
36 PTS | 14-20 FG | 7 AST | 5 REB
28 PTS | 9-14 FG | 5 REB | 4 AST
36 PTS | 13-20 FG | 7 REB | 4 AST pic.twitter.com/9u7u9vVyVz

— B/R Hoops (@brhoops) February 22, 2026

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Darryn Peterson may worry about his minutes. AJ Dybantsa will play 40.

Houston’s effective offense and solid board play allowed them to take a commanding early lead, going up to 18 points in the first three quarters.

Early in the fourth quarter, the Knicks were behind 91-75, but they totally turned the tide thanks to defense and clutch shots, pulling off one of their largest comebacks of the year. After Houston had a sizeable lead going into the fourth quarter, the Knicks began to run away with the game as Houston began to turn the ball over.

After being smothered for the first three quarters, Jalen Brunson made a midrange jump shot over Tari Eason to take the lead with 29 seconds remaining, tying the score at 103. In all honesty, Brunson really came alive in the fourth and had a tremendous final quarter. A jump shot that would have knotted the game was missed by Kevin Durant. Jabari Smith Jr. missed a contested 3-pointer after Houston grabbed the offensive rebound, causing the Rockets to intentionally foul.

Before Durant’s 3-pointer, Houston was behind by four points. Durant had another chance, a near half-court heave that missed, but the Knicks made one of their two free throws, sealing a heartbreaking 108-106 defeat.

Despite leading Houston with 30 points, Durant had a terrible fourth quarter, shooting only 2-for-7 and causing three of Houston’s nine turnovers.In the fourth quarter, the Rockets’ field goal percentage was 27.8%. After three quarters with 12 points on 2-for-8 shooting, Brunson finished with 20 points after making all four of his baskets in the last quarter. New York was led by Karl-Anthony Towns, who scored 25 points. Alperen Şengün and Jabari Smith Jr. made significant contributions that helped Houston manage rebounds and transition offense.

Rockets will look to get back on track Monday as they return to Toyota Center to take on the Utah Jazz at 8:30. As always, make sure to check back here at the Dreamshake for pre- and postgame coverage.

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The Denver Nuggets travel to the Bay as they face the Golden State Warriors for the third time this season.

Nikola Jokic is generous to teammates in San Francisco, and my Nuggets vs. Warriors predictions expect him to rack up double-digit assists.

Here are my best free NBA picks for this Western Conference showdown on Sunday, February 22.

Nuggets vs Warriors prediction

Nuggets vs Warriors best bet: Nikola Jokic Over 9.5 assists (-135)

Nikola Jokic has had great success as a facilitator in the Bay, and he should easily clear his assists line tonight. Across his last five games at Golden State, Jokic averaged 11 assists and finished with 10 or more four times.

With 10.5 helpers per game, Jokic leads the NBA in assists this season. He's dished 10+ dimes in 26 of 41 games overall, and he's averaged 9.9 on the road. Jamal Murray is banged up, which could mean additional playmaking responsibilities for the Joker.

Nuggets vs Warriors same-game parlay

The Denver Nuggets sport the second-best ATS record on the road this season at 20-1, and the Nuggets are 12-9 ATS as the road favorite. The Golden State Warriors are just 14-15 ATS at home, and the Dubs have covered in just one of five games as the home dog.

The Nuggets' offense is the highest-scoring in the Association, and the team set a franchise record for points on the road with 157 in Friday's win over the Portland Trail Blazers. Denver has hit the Over in eight of its last 10 games, and Golden State has done so in three straight.

Nuggets vs Warriors SGP

• Jokic Over 9.5 assists
• Nuggets -6.5
• Over 229.5

Our "from downtown" SGP: A Nugget party

Kristaps Porzingis finished with 12 points across 17 minutes in his Warriors debut, and he's expected to see his minutes tick up on Sunday. He can get one more bucket and clear this scoring line, especially in a high-scoring matchup with the Nuggets.

Nuggets vs Warriors SGP

• Jokic Over 9.5 assists
• Nuggets -6.5
• Over 229.5
• Porzingis Over 13.5 points

Nuggets vs Warriors odds

• Spread: Nuggets -6.5| Warriors +6.5
• Moneyline: Nuggets -240 | Warriors +195
• Over/Under: Over 229.5 | Under 229.5

Nuggets vs Warriors betting trend to know

The Golden State Warriors have hit the Team Total Over in 15 of their last 20 games at home (+9.20 Units / 39% ROI). Find more NBA betting trends for Nuggets vs. Warriors.

How to watch Nuggets vs Warriors

Nuggets vs Warriors latest injuries

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Sunday night in L.A. brings one of the NBA’s marquee matchups, and we’ve run the numbers to find the edges.

These NBA player prop projections break down where our model sees separation between posted lines and expected output.

In our Celtics vs. Lakers predictions, we’re focused strictly on the props with real value — the ones that make sense if you’re building sharper NBA picks for February 22.

Celtics vs Lakers computer picks for February 22

Celtics	Lakers
Brown o28.5 points  -120	Smart o7.5 points -110
Pritchard o2.5 threes  -112	Reaves o4.5 assists  +125
White Over 3.5 rebounds  -120	Doncic Under 30.5 points  -120

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Celtics computer picks

Jaylen Brown Over 28.5 points

Projection: 30.5 points

This isn’t a thin edge — the model has Jaylen Brown clearing 30. When you’re getting a two-point cushion on a high-usage scorer, that’s meaningful. He’s carrying a consistent offensive load and doesn’t rely on one scoring lane to get there. If the minutes are secure, 29+ is the expectation, not the ceiling.

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Payton Pritchard Over 2.5 threes (-112)

Projection: 3.2 threes

Payton Pritchard doesn’t hesitate — if he’s open, it’s going up. He’s clearing this in most normal shooting nights, and volume isn’t the issue. With the projection comfortably above three, this is a rhythm-and-minutes bet more than anything else.

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Derrick White Over 3.5 rebounds (-120)

Projection: 4.1 rebounds

Derrick White plays bigger than his position when it comes to rebounding. He crashes from the perimeter and benefits from long misses in guard-heavy matchups. The model has him clearing four boards, which gives this a bit of cushion.

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---

Lakers computer picks

Marcus Smart Over 7.5 points (-110)

Projection: 9.0 points

Marcus Smart isn’t out there to score 20, but eight points is well within his normal workload. A couple of drives, a corner three, maybe a transition bucket — it adds up fast. The projection puts him comfortably above this number.

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Austin Reaves Over 4.5 assists (+125)

Projection: 4.9 assists

Even with Luka Doncic and LeBron James in the lineup, Austin Reaves handles enough of the offense to flirt with five assists on most nights. At plus money, you’re getting paid for a line that sits just below his expected output. If teammates knock down open looks, this clears.

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Luka Doncic Under 30.5 points (-120)

Projection: 28.6 points

Thirty-one is considered a light night for Luka Doncic, but tonight will be tricky. He can get there, but the projection leans toward a high-20s night rather than an explosion. If the defense shows extra bodies and forces the ball out of his hands, this Under has a path.

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How to watch Celtics vs Lakers tonight

Location	Crypto.com Arena, Los Angeles, CA
Date	Sunday, February 22, 2026
Tip-off	6:30 p.m. ET
TV	NBC

Not intended for use in MA.
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NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) — South African golfer Casey Jarvis won the Kenya Open by three shots on Sunday to clinch his first title on the European tour.

The No. 195-ranked Jarvis rolled in an eagle putt on his 72nd hole to post 8-under 62 for the final round and finish on 25-under par for the tournament at Karen Country Club in Nairobi.

Jarvis also eagled the short par-4 12th hole Sunday, making a winding right-to-left putt over a ridge, on the way to shooting 30 in his back nine.

Jarvis shared the lead in each of the first three rounds — and each time with a different player — before finally pulling away.

American Davis Bryant (64) was alone in second place and Hennie Du Plessis (65) of South Africa was third.

___

AP golf: https://apnews.com/hub/golf

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Less than 24 hours after a tough 2OT loss, the Orlando Magic are back at it again as they visit the Los Angeles Clippers, where they’re pegged as 4-point underdogs in the NBA odds.

Based on the schedule and injury situations for both sides, my Magic vs. Clippers predictions and NBA picks are targeting the Under on Sunday, February 22.

Magic vs Clippers prediction

Magic vs Clippers best bet: Under 215.5 (-110)

It was a taxing night for the Orlando Magic in a 113-110 2OT loss in Phoenix. Six players logged at least 33 minutes, with Desmond Bane, Anthony Black, and Paolo Banchero playing 40+.

The Los Angeles Clippers just lost to the Lakers, where Kawhi Leonard (ankle) couldn’t finish the game. He is questionable tonight. John Collins and Darius Garland are also out for the fourth-lowest scoring team in the league.

Orlando has hit the Under in five of its last seven games, and the Under is 4-1-1 in the last six head-to-head meetings.

Magic vs Clippers same-game parlay

Bane is coming off a team-high 34 points against Phoenix, and he’s got a generous scoring line of 18.5 against the Clippers, considering he’s gone for 19 or more in 11 of his last 13.

It’s been good vibes for Bennedict Mathurin since being traded by Indiana. He’s topped his 22.5-point line in two of three games with L.A. With Kawhi questionable, he’s one legit offensive source for the points-hungry Clips.

Magic vs Clippers SGP

• Under 215.5
• Desmond Bane Over 18.5 points
• Bennedict Mathurin Over 22.5 points

Our "from downtown" SGP: Bank on Banchero

Banchero dished out eight assists vs. Phoenix, and has had 5+ assists in back-to-back games.

Brook Lopez is coming off his best rebounding game of the year with 10 boards against the Lakers. He’ll have more resistance against Orlando, but getting six boards shouldn’t be a struggle for him as the main big in the Clippers’ rotation.

Magic vs Clippers SGP

• Under 215.5
• Desmond Bane Over 18.5 points
• Bennedict Mathurin Over 22.5 points
• Paolo Banchero Over 4.5 assists
• Brook Lopez Over 5.5 rebounds

Magic vs Clippers odds

• Spread: Magic -3 | Clippers +3
• Moneyline: Magic +122 | Clippers -144
• Over/Under: Over 215 | Under 215

Magic vs Clippers betting trend to know

Orlando has win five straight games when playing with a rest disadvantage. Find more NBA betting trends for Magic vs. Clippers.

How to watch Magic vs Clippers

Magic vs Clippers latest injuries

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The NCAA Tournament selection committee offered a first glimpse into what this season's March Madness bracket could look like.

After one day, they'll need to go back to the drawing board.

The selection committee unveiled the first in-season top 16 seeds on Saturday, Feb. 21, and of those 16, six lost on Saturday.

March Madness bracket tracker: Who's in, out and on NCAA bubble

March Madness power rankings: Ranking top 16 teams based on odds

The official NCAA Tournament bracket will be revealed on Selection Sunday, March 15.

Here's a look at how the top-16 seeds fared this weekend.

NCAA Tournament selection committee's top 16 seeds

1. Michigan: lost to Duke, 68-63
2. Duke: beat Michigan, 68-63
3. Arizona: beat Houston, 73-66
4. Iowa State: lost to BYU, 79-69
5. UConn: beat Villanova, 73-63
6. Houston: lost to Arizona, 73-66
7. Illinois: lost to UCLA, 95-94
8. Purdue
9. Florida: beat Ole Miss, 94-75
10. Kansas: lost to Cincinnati, 84-68
11. Nebraska: beat Penn State, 87-64
12. Gonzaga: beat Pacific, 71-62
13. Texas Tech: beat Kansas State, 100-72
14. Michigan State
15. Vanderbilt: lost to Tennessee, 69-65
16. Virginia: beat Miami, 86-83

When is Selection Sunday 2026?

The 68-team bracket for the 2026 NCAA men’s basketball tournament will be unveiled on 6 p.m. ET, Sunday, March 15.

When does March Madness start? 

The first men’s game of the 2026 NCAA tournament will be on March 17 with the start of the First Four in Dayton, Ohio.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: March Madness top 16 seeds struggle after selection committee reveal

Fresh off a fourth-quarter heist at the Garden, the Knicks (36*-21) head to the United Center to face the Chicago Bulls (24–33). The matchup gives New York a chance to firm up its hold on third place against a Bulls team that has lost as many consecutive games as an octopus has arms. (That’s eight, buddy.)

The season series sits tied at one apiece. When they last met, the Knicks beat the Bulls 128-116 on November 2, 2025. Jalen Brunson led New York with 31 points. Josh Giddey paced Chicago with 23.

The Bulls are planning a massive offseason bender to forget this campaign. They rank 23rd in offensive rating at 114 and 26th in defensive rating at 118.1. They can score a bit, averaging 116.4 points per game, which puts them 11th in the league, but no team sees them on the schedule and says, Uh-oh, better double-knot my Nikes.

Aussie hair model Josh Giddey leads the brigade, averaging 18.4 points per game and spreading 8.5 assists. Matas “Line Drawing Face” Buzelis averages 15 points per game and shoots 36% from three. Their starting five will likely be Giddey, Anfernee Simons (20.1 PPG), Isaac Okoro (9.1 PPG), Buzelis, and Jalen Smith (10.2 RPG). Last night, with Simons out, our old pal Guerschon Yabusele was in the starting lineup. As I said, good times in Chicago!

On Chi-Town’s injury report, Simons is day-to-day with a wrist injury. Zach Collins is out for the season for the Bulls with a toe problem, as is Noa Essengue with a shoulder injury.

Prediction

ESPN gives the Knicks an 82% chance to win. Oh, they’d better. Last night, the Knicks opened the game strong, then looked dead in the water for two quarters until Jose Alvarado injected life into them. Is Jose your new favorite Knick, yet? Or do you still cling to Bridges like a weird old Teddy? (Bear, Ruxpin, Pendergrass—whatever you’re into.)

Chicago also played at home last night, in a 16-point loss to Detroit that would have been uglier if not for a 34-point fourth quarter. We doubt the Bulls are even playing for pride at this point, so the Knicks’ bench should take care of business and let the starters cool their heels. Knicks by a dozen.

Game Details

Date: Sunday, February 22, 2026
Time: 8 PM ET
Place: United Center, Chicago, IL
TV: MSG
Follow: @ptknicksblog and bsky

* Should be one more, but the Cup final was just an acid flashback. 

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After a tough slate coming out of the All-Star break, the Charlotte Hornets look to get back on track as they battle the Washington Wizards on Sunday.

My Hornets vs Wizards prediction and free NBA picks expect the visitors to dominate the lottery-bound home team.

Hornets vs Wizards prediction

Hornets vs Wizards best bet: Hornets -11.5 (-110)

The Charlotte Hornets have played tough but come up short in close losses to both the Rockets and the Cavaliers, but they’ve remained a solid cover team, going 7-1-0 against the spread in their last eight.
 
The Washington Wizards swept a two-game home set against the Pacers, but Indiana had so many regulars out, it’s hard to imagine they’ll be able to match that effort when the competition levels up.
 
The Wiz did play the Hornets tough last game in a 4-point loss, but that’s the outlier: Charlotte has slammed them the two other times, winning by at least 17 points in each. 

Hornets vs Wizards same-game parlay

Kon Knueppel has been lighting it up from distance of late, nailing at least four 3-pointers in six of his last nine games. Against the Wiz, he’s drilled five moneyballs twice in three games.
 
Brandon Miller’s scoring has dipped in February, scoring 24 points or more just twice in seven games. He’s yet to hit 24+ points in two meetings with Washington this year.

Hornets vs Wizards SGP

• Hornets -11.5
• Knueppel Over 3.5 threes
• Miller Under 23.5 points

Our "from downtown" SGP: Wizards feel the sting

Let’s roll out a big SGP for the rest of the Hornets’ starters that are on the board.
 
LaMelo Ball has gone Under 7.5 assists in six of seven games, but take the Over as he’s doled out at least nine dimes in each of the three games against Washington this year.
 
Ryan Kalkbrenner is coming off a season-high 13 rebounds in a season-high 36 minutes. With Miles Bridges and Moussa Diabate still serving suspensions, he’ll be a prominent big man for Charlotte on Sunday.

Hornets vs Wizards SGP

• Hornets -11.5
• Knueppel Over 3.5 threes
• Miller Under 23.5 points
• Ball Over 7.5 assists
• Kalkbrenner Over 7.5 assists

Hornets vs Wizards odds

• Spread: Hornets -11.5 | Wizards +11.5
• Moneyline: Hornets -602 | Wizards +450
• Over/Under: Over 226.5 | Under 226.5

Hornets vs Wizards betting trend to know

Charlotte has nine straight wins as a betting favorite. Find more NBA betting trends for Hornets vs. Wizards.

How to watch Hornets vs Wizards

Hornets vs Wizards latest injuries

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The Knicks looked like they were about to put us into another deep depression…

…until they didn’t. Oh, boy, they didn’t.

Here’s everything to know about the night in which New York sent KD back to Twitter.

Mike Brown

On comeback resilience:

“We found a way, that’s what I’m most excited about; we found a way.”

On Towns’ role in the Knicks’ scoring hierarchy:

“Knowing that those two guys are our leading scorer, our second-leading scorer [Jalen Brunson and Towns], first-most shots, second-most shots; trying to fit those two guys in that order and then everybody else is what’s most important. I look at KAT and he’s probably right where he should be. Maybe he should be the leading scorer, I don’t know, but for sure the second-leading scorer — he’s that. He gets the second-most field goal attempts behind Jalen. … The No. 1 guy is probably gonna get the most stuff, because he’s the No. 1 guy. The No. 2 guy, he’s gonna get the second-most stuff because he’s the No. 2. So whatever you do, hopefully it averages out to you getting the second most, if you’re the No. 2 guy.”

On trying to simplify the offense:

“We’ve simplified it a lot. We’ve simplified it a lot to try to fit him in and everyone else at the same time. … Our offense is different now than it was in the preseason because I’ve had to try to adjust and make it fit everybody to where Jalen’s getting his first, KAT’s getting his second, then we go from there.”

On Brunson in crunch time vs. Houston:

“Jalen was in a groove. It didn’t matter who was on him; he found a way to score.”

On the fourth-quarter defense:

“In the fourth quarter, our guys found a way. They buckled down defensively.”

On Alvarado spark decision:

“[Assistant coach] Rick Brunson was the one that suggested throwing Jose in the game at the time, which was the right call. We threw Jose in, and he gave us a spark on both ends of the floor.”

On Jose and Tyler Kolek reps:

“Jose’s played, obviously. Jose’s played well for us. He’s given us a different look. Tyler’s been awesome, for Year 2. He has a chance to be a good pro, really good pro. He’s just gotta stick with it, and we gotta keep trying to help him by finding ways for him to get reps. So today was a good opportunity for us to find a way for him to get a rep.”

On evolving offense philosophy:

“If you watch us closely from the beginning of preseason until now, our offense is different. And it’s different because… it’s evolving to try and fit not just Jalen, not just KAT, but all of our guys. Knowing that those two guys are our leading scorer, our second leading scorer, first most shots, second most shots; trying to fit those two guys in that order and then everybody else is what’s most important.”

On Towns’ season evaluation:

“In a game, you can literally dissect every single game and say this guy didn’t get a shot. And yeah, that’s correct. It happens sometimes. That’s life. Sometimes OG [Anunoby] may have 15 shots and KAT may have nine shots and Jalen may have 26 shots. But as long as at the end of the day it averages out to what it needs to be or what it should be, I think that’s what the season’s about. (The offense is) a work in progress. You’ve gotta continue to feel and evolve as a group and hopefully you can do it around the guys that you need to knowing, ‘OK if this doesn’t work, I’ve gotta go and change this,’ and like I said earlier, our offense is different from now than it was in the preseason because I’ve had to try to adjust and make it fit everybody to where Jalen’s getting his first, KAT’s getting his second, then we go from there.”

On his time with the Warriors and the team’s ever-adjusting with Durant:

“Even our teams in Golden State, when we got KD, we had to change. It was a little different before KD, and KD gets here, we had to change it, and then as the season went along, we were like, okay this is not gonna work, we’ve gotta change it.”

Karl-Anthony Towns

On challenging his teammates before the comeback:

“I just challenged our team to start the fourth. I said, ‘we can win this game and I’ve seen us do it and it starts with the first possession of the fourth quarter playing defense. We gotta get a stop.’ I wanted to do my part as well and glad I was able to find a way to get that stop and from then I wanted to set the tone for our team and set the intensity level that we needed to play for for 12 minutes if we expected to come out with a win.”

On the Knicks’ defense on Saturday:

“We got stops. We got turnovers and that translated into offense and it gave us a confidence boost, that momentum. The crowd was amazing, all 15 guys on the team were amazing.”

On prioritizing the championship over individual performances, in response to Shaq:

“Nah, for sure. But what you said, too, if we win a championship, they can talk about anybody as long as we all get a ring. That’s the most important thing. I don’t care about none of that.

“I wanna make sure we all understand that the biggest goal, the main goal here, is to win. It don’t matter about who gets the credit or whatever.”

Jalen Brunson

On switching his mindset midgame:

“Didn’t like how I was playing. Decided that I had to switch it; that simple. It’s the mentality of trying to get downhill, make plays, not being hesitant, not being passive. If there are mistakes, they’re aggressive mistakes. Don’t want to be on your heels. I just feel like the first two quarters, I was.”

Jose Alvarado

On playing at MSG:

“It’s always gonna [feel] amazing. It’s kind of like a pride thing I got. It’s like when I play for my national team [Puerto Rico] or my country, I’m playing for my hometown, and I’m always gonna have to represent on another level, and just compete.”

On building rhythm with the team:

“Just getting a real rhythm. Like I’ve said, it just comes with spending time with the guys and being around them and slowly getting it. But we’re passing that, we’re in rhythm now so we’ve got a good stretch ahead of us and we’re trying to do something special here.”

On doing little things in the comeback:

“Sometimes it’s not gonna be shots falling and you gotta do the little things, get steals, and do that. But it’s always gonna be a different type of motor when I put that jersey on. I’m from here, and I gotta represent the best way I can.”

Shaquille O’Neal

On criticizing Towns’ softness:

“At the beginning of the game, I said you were playing soft because I’ve seen you at times when you play great. And what you must understand in New York, you need to be great for you guys to win the championship. It’s high aspirations. If you guys win the championship, of course, they’re gonna talk about [Jalen] Brunson, but it’s you and your play. You have to be dominant. You responded very, very well. You played well, you played in the paint, that’s how you should play. You should always play great. Being from Jersey, good ain’t good enough. You had a great game tonight. I’m proud of you.”

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The Milwaukee Bucks welcome the Toronto Raptors to Fiserv Forum on Sunday afternoon as both teams look to stay in the win column following the All-Star break.

Both teams will be missing key players today, but the visitors’ depth and defense will give them the edge.

I’ll break down the pick in my Raptors vs. Bucks predictions and NBA picks for Sunday, February 22.

Raptors vs Bucks prediction

Raptors vs Bucks best bet: Raptors -3 (-110)

The Toronto Raptors will be without Scottie Barnes, but the Milwaukee Bucks might be in even rougher shape with Giannis Antetokounmpo sidelined and Myles Turner listed as questionable.

Milwaukee has the fifth-worst offense in the NBA, and they’ll be even more crippled without Giannis, who’s scoring 28 ppg — 25% of the Bucks’ points.

The Raps don’t need to outscore you to win — they’ve got the eighth-best defense in the league and have allowed just 108.5 ppg over their last six contests.

Toronto also has a 63% win rate on the road, tied for sixth-best in the NBA. 

Raptors vs Bucks same-game parlay

Brandon Ingram scored 33 points in his first contest back from the All-Star Game, with his 26 field goal attempts tying his second-highest mark this season. He’s also hit Over 24.5 points in five of his last eight games.

With Barnes out, Ingram will be Toronto’s main man on offense again.

Raptors vs Bucks SGP

• Raptors -3
• Ingram Over 24.5 points

Our "from downtown" SGP: Rollin' in the deep

The Bucks are 24th in opponent three-point percentage and 26th in threes allowed per game, so Ingram, RJ Barrett, and Immanuel Quickley should rain down plenty of points from downtown.

Ryan Rollins has been hot from long range for Milwaukee, hitting Over 2.5 threes in six of his last seven, while Cameron Thomas is averaging 1.6 threes per game this year.

Raptors vs Bucks SGP

• Brandon Ingram Over 1.5 threes made
• RJ Barrett  Over 1.5 threes made
• Immanuel Quickly Over 2.5 threes made
• Ryan Rollins Over 2.5 threes made
• Cameron Thomas Over 1.5 threes made

Raptors vs Bucks odds

• Spread: Raptors -3 | Bucks +3
• Moneyline: Raptors -150 | Bucks +125
• Over/Under: Over 220 | Under 220

Raptors vs Bucks betting trend to know

The Raptors have hit the Under in 32 of their last 50 games (+12.20 Units / 22% ROI). Find more NBA betting trends for Raptors vs. Bucks.

How to watch Raptors vs Bucks

Raptors vs Bucks latest injuries

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