Category: NBA

NBA News

Posted on

LaVine, Kings showcase valiant effort in needed win vs. Blazers

LaVine, Kings showcase valiant effort in needed win vs. Blazers originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

With 10 regular-season games remaining, on a four-game losing skid and an NBA playoff push beginning to fade, the Kings had to dig deep and respond. 

They did just that.

With every starter scoring in double digits, Sacramento propelled to a 128-107 win over the visiting Portland Trail Blazers on Thursday night at Golden 1 Center. 

Star guard Zach LaVine, who criticized the Kings’ locker room environment after Monday’s loss to the Boston Celtics, erupted for a game-high 29 points on 13-of-18 shooting from the floor. 

Unlike throughout the losing streak, Sacramento showcased a valiant effort on both ends of the floor and an urgency to win. As the most vital part of the regular season approaches, the expectation to fight is a non-negotiable for the Kings. 

“To that effort part, I think it’s a do-or-die situation,” LaVine told reporters. “If we’re not going to play with that effort, it might not fall our way.” 

As a team, the Kings shot nearly 65 percent from the floor while dominating points in the paint 60-32 over a young, versatile Blazers team. Center Domantas Sabonis recorded his 53rd double-double of the 2024-25 NBA season.

Defensively, Sacramento outrebounded Portland 46-32. Guard Keon Ellis recorded a career-high six steals in 31 minutes of play. 

When the Kings play with the tenacity like they showcased Thursday, naturally, the chances of losing are slimmer. 

“So, at least playing that hard we are giving ourselves our best shot to go out there and compete at the highest level and give us a chance to play our best,” LaVine added.

“I think you attribute that to just wanting it more. These last 10 or nine, we’re going to have to play the same way.” 

At 36-37, Sacramento stands No. 9 in the Western Conference, sitting half a game ahead of the Dallas Mavericks and one ahead of the No. 11 seed Phoenix Suns. 

Although nine games separate the Kings from a possible postseason appearance, the immediate task at hand will be a challenge in and of itself for coach Doug Christie and Co.: Keep the foot on the effort pedal throughout the upcoming six-game road trip. 

It’s Sacramento’s pathway to playoff basketball.

Download and follow The Deuce & Mo Podcast

Posted on

Jazz guard Jordan Clarkson out for season after undergoing procedure to address plantar fasciitis

Veteran guard Jordan Clarkson, who has been in and out of the Utah lineup and played in just 37 games, is now out for the remainder of the season after undergoing "a medical procedure to address plantar fasciitis in his left foot," the team announced Thursday.

When he did play, the 32-year-old showed he can still get a bucket averaging 16.2 points a game, shooting 36.2% from 3, plus adding 3.7 assists and 3.2 rebounds a night. However, the combination of some nagging injuries and the Jazz looking toward the lottery saw Crawford getting limited run.

Utah was already leaning into young guards Isaiah Collier, Keyonte George and Johnny Juzang, trying to get them run and the chance to develop. Crawford's injury will just increase that.

Crawford has one more season on his contract at $14.3 million. Expect his name to come up in trade talk this offseason (as it did at the trade deadline), as a number of teams could use both the scoring punch and the expiring contract the former Sixth Man of the Year can bring.

Posted on

Lakers sign Jordan Goodwin, waive Cam Reddish

Los Angeles, CA - March 20: Lakers guard Jordan Goodwin, #30, center, steals a loose ball from Bucks forward Taurean Prince, #12, left, and guard Kevin Porter Jr., #3, right, in the first half at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles Thursday, March 20, 2025. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)
Lakers guard Jordan Goodwin gathers a loose ball between Milwaukee forward Taurean Prince, left, and guard Kevin Porter Jr. during a game earlier this season. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

The Lakers have signed guard Jordan Goodwin, who has been on a two-way contract since Feb. 7, for the rest of the season Thursday with a team option for next season.

To make room on the roster, the Lakers waived forward Cam Reddish.

Goodwin, 26, recently cemented himself in the Lakers' rotation. He used up all of his allotted days with the Lakers under the two-way deal as of Wednesday's win over Indiana.

The 6-foot-5 guard has averaged 6.4 points, 3.9 rebounds, 1.4 assists and 1.2 steals in 20.5 minutes a game. In his 19 appearances with the Lakers, he shot 47% from the field, 41.3% from three-point range and 81.8% from the foul line.

Undrafted coming out of college in 2021, Goodwin in four NBA seasons has averaged 6.4 points, 3.8 rebounds and 2.5 assists in 18.3 minutes a game with Memphis, Phoenix, Washington and the Lakers.

Reddish played in 33 games this season with the Lakers, averaging 3.2 points, 2.0 rebounds and 1.0 steals in 17.9 minutes.

Sign up for our weekly newsletter on all things Lakers.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.

Posted on

Warriors' Gary Payton II out indefinitely with torn ligament in left thumb

Gary Payton II has become a solid part of the Warriors' rotation since Jimmy Butler arrived in the Bay Area. In his last 10 games, Payton has averaged 20.8 minutes a game off the bench, adding 11.1 points a game and shooting 50% on the 2.6 3-point attempts he takes a game, plus he is a quality perimeter defender Steve Kerr leans on in certain matchups.

Now the team will be without Payton indefinitely due to a torn ligament in his left thumb, a story broken by Shams Charania of The Athletic.

Payton had already been playing through an injury, wearing a mask since suffering a non-displaced nose fracture against the Hornets on March 3. The thumb injury is not something he can simply play through. Expect Steve Kerr and the Warriors to lean into Gui Santos and Pat Spencer for the team's remaining 10 regular-season games, or at least until Payton can return.

This is a rough time for Golden State to lose a key rotation player as it needs wins. The Warriors and Clippers are currently tied for the No. 6 seed in the West and avoiding the play-in, with the Timberwolves half-a-game back of both (Minnesota is one game back in the loss column). Whichever teams finish 7-8 will face each other in the first round of the play-in, and the loser of that game will need to beat the winner of the 9-10 game to advance as the No. 8 seed and face Oklahoma City in the first round.

Posted on

NBA and FIBA to take next steps for a new European league, sides announce

NBA and FIBA to take next steps for a new European league, sides announce originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

The NBA may soon be significantly expanding its presence in European basketball, in the form of partnering with FIBA on a new league that the sides have been talking about for many years.

Specifics are few, with the initial target — for now — being that it would be a 16-team league. But the announcement made Thursday by NBA Commissioner Adam Silver and FIBA secretary general Andreas Zagklis is a major step forward after a long process of the sides going back and forth with ideas about what might work.

The league would likely use FIBA rules, such as a 40-minute game instead of the NBA’s 48-minute model, Silver said. But much of the other details — who, when, where — will be determined in the months ahead.

“We feel now is the time to move to that next stage,” Silver said, noting that NBA owners offered “enthusiastic support” for such a move.

The NBA and FIBA, the sport’s global governing body, were in discussions for some time about adding either an annual competition in Europe or having an NBA-operated league there. It was a topic at a Board of Governors meeting this past September, one where Zagklis took part.

Zagklis was back for this meeting, and clearly things were trending this way since at least last summer if not even longer.

“Coming out of the most successful World Cup and Olympics ever, we also believe it is the right time to take the next step for club basketball,” Zagklis said.

In January, speaking at the NBA Paris Games — when the league took advantage of the trip to France to meet with European stakeholders on the topic of the future of basketball on that continent — Silver said he believes the NBA remains “on track” in the process of expanding its footprint in Europe. That was also when he said the league’s governors would be briefed further at the March meeting.

“The response we’ve gotten from the marketplace is very positive,” Silver said.

Zagklis said FIBA’s leadership also unanimously agrees that it’s the right time to partner with the NBA on a new league.

“Our role as a federation is to unite the basketball ecosystem,” Zagklis said.

Posted on

NBA owners to discuss launching new league in Europe as early as 2026, would challenge EuroLeague

"While Europe continues to develop some of the best players in the world, many of our most recent MVPs, of course, are European, we think that the commercial opportunity has not kept pace with the growth of the game," NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said in January of a potential NBA-affiliated league in Europe. "What we do at the NBA is we run leagues. We, of course, run the WNBA; we have the league in Africa I mentioned; we have the G League; and we have a 2K video league, so we operate five different leagues, and we think it's an expertise we have.

"So we are looking very closely to see if there's an opportunity to professionalize the game to another level here, to create a larger commercial opportunity."

Thursday, the NBA board of Governors will hear more about those plans in detail, according to multiple reports. Silver is not seeking a formal vote from the owners but is seeking guidance to move forward with the discussions. Nothing is yet official, but the plan is picking up steam.

The plans for the new league include:

• There could be between eight and 16 teams, some existing and some new. It could launch as early as 2026, although it likely is later than that.

• This league would be a direct challenge to the existing EuroLeague structure. According to The Athletic, there is potential interest from four existing EuroLeague teams: Real Madrid, Barcelona, Fenerbahce (from Istanbul), and ASVEL (the team from Lyon, France, where Tony Parker is president).

• The league would have new "permanent" teams, and potentially, there would be a chance for some clubs to play their way into the league in a sort of promotion system (not unlike the current EuroLeague model).

• New teams would be a 50/50 owned proposition with the league and new investors, including sovereign wealth funds (which are limited in how much they can invest in an NBA team).

• The buy-in for those teams would be around $500 million.

• This is a partnership between the NBA and FIBA, the latter of which has been trying to break the EuroLeague's current grip on the top teams.

• The goal is to ultimately have teams in major cities around the globe, often tied to major European soccer clubs. Markets mentioned include London, Manchester, Berlin and Munich. For example, Qatar Sports Investments could own a new team in Paris, tied to its soccer powerhouse Paris Saint-Germain, the Athletic reports.

The goal behind all this is money — both expanding the NBA brand and bringing in new revenue to the league. While the domestic market is still the primary revenue driver for the NBA, especially with the new television deal kicking in, the biggest growth opportunities for the league are international.

While they will have questions, it's difficult to imagine NBA owners telling Silver anything other than to go forward with this effort — there are no real downsides for them at this point.

Posted on

Lakers vs. Bulls Predictions: Odds, expert picks, recent stats, trends and best bets for March 27

It’s Thursday, March 27, and the Los Angeles Lakers (44-28) and Chicago Bulls (32-40) are all set to square off from United Center in Chicago.

The Lakers are currently 16-19 on the road with a point differential of 1, while the Bulls have a 4-6 record in their last ten games at home. Chicago beat Los Angeles 146-115 on Saturday, March 22, so this will be a revenge spot for the Lakers.

Los Angeles is coming off a buzzer-beating tip-in by LeBron James last night to beat Indiana that snapped a three-game losing streak. For Chicago, they are 8-2 over the last 10 games and riding a three-game winning streak.

We’ve got all the info and analysis you need to know ahead of the game, including the latest info on how to catch tipoff, odds, recent team performance, player stats, and of course, our predictions, picks & best bets for the game from our modeling tools and staff of experts.

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

Game details & how to watch Lakers vs. Bulls live today

  • Date: Thursday, March 27, 2025
  • Time: 8:00PM EST
  • Site: United Center
  • City: Chicago, IL
  • 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 Lakers vs. Bulls

The latest odds as of Thursday:

  • Odds: Lakers (-163), Bulls (+138)
  • Spread:  Lakers -3.5
  • Over/Under: 239 points

That gives the Lakers an implied team point total of 120.58, and the Bulls 118.76.

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 Thursday’s Lakers vs. Bulls game

NBC Sports Bet Best Bet

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

"The Lakers are coming off a buzzer-beating win over the Pacers thanks to a LeBron James tip, so this is a letdown spot as they travel to Chicago the following day. The Bulls aren't a juggernaut or a team to watch out for, but they've been playing better over the last 10 games with an 8-2 record, and with their tempo and age, they can outrun opponents who fall into their pace. That was shown against the Lakers in the last meeting (146-115 win for Chicago). The Lakers will likely be one of the heaviest public bets today, so I do like the Bulls for that reason too. It's Chicago or pass, but I'd rather live bet this game."

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 Lakers & Bulls game:

  • Moneyline: NBC Sports Bet is staying away from a play on the Moneyline.
  • Spread: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play ATS on the Chicago Bulls at +3.
  • Total: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play on the under 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 pagefrom NBC Sports for money line, spread and over/under picks for every game on today’s calendar!

Important stats, trends & insights to know ahead of Lakers vs. Bulls on Thursday

  • The Bulls have won four of their last five matchups against Western Conference teams
  • The last seven matchups between the Bulls and the Lakers have gone over the expected total
  • The Bulls have covered in four of their last five home games
  • The Bulls have won 8 of their last 10 games, while the Lakers have lost 5 straight on the road

If you’re looking for more key trends and stats around the spread, moneyline and total for every single game on the schedule today, check out our NBA Top Trends tool on NBC Sports!

Follow our experts on socials to keep up with all the latest content from the staff:

- Jay Croucher (@croucherJD)

- Drew Dinsick (@whale_capper)

- Vaughn Dalzell (@VmoneySports)

- Brad Thomas (@MrBradThomas)

Posted on

Hawks vs. Heat Predictions: Odds, expert picks, recent stats, trends and best bets for March 27

It’s Thursday, March 27, and the Atlanta Hawks (35-37) and Miami Heat (31-41) are all set to square off from Kaseya Center in Miami.

The Hawks are currently 16-19 on the road with a point differential of -2, while the Heat have a 3-7 record in their last ten games at home. Atlanta has won two of the three meetings versus Miami, but the Heat won the previous matchup.

Miami is coming off a win versus Golden State whereas Atlanta is coming off a loss against Houston. The Hawks are 3-1 in the past four games, while the Heat are on a two-game winning streak, but are also 2-10 in the past 12 games.

We’ve got all the info and analysis you need to know ahead of the game, including the latest info on how to catch tipoff, odds, recent team performance, player stats, and of course, our predictions, picks & best bets for the game from our modeling tools and staff of experts.

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

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

  • Date: Thursday, March 27, 2025
  • Time: 7:30PM EST
  • Site: Kaseya Center
  • City: Miami, FL
  • 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 Hawks vs. Heat

The latest odds as of Thursday:

  • Odds: Hawks (+104), Heat (-124)
  • Spread:  Heat -1.5
  • Over/Under: 227 points

That gives the Hawks an implied team point total of 113.13, and the Heat 113.92.

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

Expert picks & predictions for Thursday’s Hawks vs. Heat game

NBC Sports Bet Best Bet

Vaughn Dalzell (@VmoneySports) leans the Hawks to cover and win against the Heat:

"Miami is coming off that emotional and motivated win against Jimmy Butler and the Warriors, which now sets them up for a letdown spot against an Atlanta team that is playing well and sporting a 3-1 record over the past four. The Hawks are in a bounce-back spot after losing to Houston on the road and have had MImai's number with two wins out of three meetings. It's Atlanta or pass for me."

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 Hawks & Heat game:

  • Moneyline: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the Miami Heat on the Moneyline.
  • Spread: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play ATS on the Miami Heat at -1.
  • Total: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play on the under on the Game Total of 227.

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

Important stats, trends & insights to know ahead of Hawks vs. Heat on Thursday

  • The Hawks have won 4 of 5 games at divisional opponents
  • The Over is 4-1 in the Hawks' last 5 matchups against Eastern Conference teams
  • The Heat have covered in 4 of their last 5 home games
  • The Heat have covered in 4 of their last 5 home games

If you’re looking for more key trends and stats around the spread, moneyline and total for every single game on the schedule today, check out our NBA Top Trends tool on NBC Sports!

Follow our experts on socials to keep up with all the latest content from the staff:

- Jay Croucher (@croucherJD)

- Drew Dinsick (@whale_capper)

- Vaughn Dalzell (@VmoneySports)

- Brad Thomas (@MrBradThomas)

Posted on

Pacers vs. Wizards Predictions: Odds, expert picks, recent stats, trends and best bets for March 27

It’s Thursday, March 27, and the Indiana Pacers (42-30) and Washington Wizards (16-56) are all set to square off from Capital One Arena in Washington.

The Pacers are currently 17-19 on the road with a point differential of 1, while the Wizards have a 2-8 record in their last ten games at home. Indiana has won both meetings versus Washington this season and has one more matchup remaining after tonight.

Indiana lost 120-119 on a buzzer-beater by LeBron James last night, but this is a good spot to get a bounce-back win after that loss snapped a five-game losing streak. Washington is 1-5 in the past six games and coming off a 119-114 win over the 76ers last night.

We’ve got all the info and analysis you need to know ahead of the game, including the latest info on how to catch tipoff, odds, recent team performance, player stats, and of course, our predictions, picks & best bets for the game from our modeling tools and staff of experts.

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

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

  • Date: Thursday, March 27, 2025
  • Time: 7:00PM EST
  • Site: Capital One Arena
  • City: Washington, DC
  • Network/Streaming:

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

Game odds for Pacers vs. Wizards

The latest odds as of Thursday:

  • Odds: Pacers (-546), Wizards (+402)
  • Spread:  Pacers -11
  • Over/Under: 236 points

That gives the Pacers an implied team point total of 122.65, and the Wizards 116.9.

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 Thursday’s Pacers vs. Wizards game

NBC Sports Bet Best Bet Vaughn Dalzell (@VmoneySports) leans the Pacers on the spread and Tyrese Haliburton to double-double once again:

"Tyrese Haliburton and the Pacers earned the push last night, but the loss to the Lakers snapped a five-game winning streak, while the Wizards earned a win in Philly over the 76ers to snap a five-game losing streak. I'd imagine the Pacers have the motivation edge and the Wizards would like to avoid winning two straight games in favor of tanking. It's Pacers or pass and once again, Tyrese Haliburton to double-double is a good play considering he has now done so in 12 consecutive games."

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 Pacers & Wizards game:

  • Moneyline: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the Indiana Pacers on the Moneyline.
  • Spread: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play ATS on the Washington Wizards at +11.
  • Total: NBC Sports Bet is staying away from a play on the Game Total of 236.

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

Important stats, trends & insights to know ahead of Pacers vs. Wizards on Thursday

  • The Pacers have won 6 of their last 8 games against the Wizards
  • 13 of the Pacers' last 16 road trips to the Wizards have gone over the Total
  • The Wizards have covered the Spread in their last 3 home matchups with the Pacers
  • The Pacers are 2-8 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!

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)

Posted on

Spurs vs. Cavaliers Predictions: Odds, expert picks, recent stats, trends and best bets for March 27

It’s Thursday, March 27, and the San Antonio Spurs (31-40) and Cleveland Cavaliers (58-14) are all set to square off from Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Cleveland.

The Spurs are currently 11-23 on the road with a point differential of -2, while the Cavaliers have an 8-2 record in their last ten games at home. This is the first of two meetings over the next seven days between the two teams. They have not met yet this season.

Cleveland has won two straight games after dropping four in a row against playoff teams. San Antonio is 3-1 over the last four games, but coming off a 26-point loss to Detroit.

We’ve got all the info and analysis you need to know ahead of the game, including the latest info on how to catch tipoff, odds, recent team performance, player stats, and of course, our predictions, picks & best bets for the game from our modeling tools and staff of experts.

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

Game details & how to watch Spurs vs. Cavaliers live today

  • Date: Thursday, March 27, 2025
  • Time: 7:00PM EST
  • Site: Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse
  • City: Cleveland, OH
  • 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 Spurs vs. Cavaliers

The latest odds as of Thursday:

  • Odds: Spurs (+612), Cavaliers (-917)
  • Spread:  Cavaliers -13.5
  • Over/Under: 238 points

That gives the Spurs an implied team point total of 118.05, and the Cavaliers 125.09.

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 Thursday’s Spurs vs. Cavaliers game

NBC Sports Bet Best Bet

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

"While San Antonio is 3-1 over the last four games, the wins came against the 76ers, Knicks, and Raptors, who are all playing some of their worst stretches of basketball right now whether it's because of tanking or injuries. Cleveland may have lost four straight but followed that up with wins of 29 and 11 points. It's Cleveland or pass for me in their first home game after a five-game road trip."

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 Spurs & Cavaliers 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 +13.
  • Total: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the under on the Game Total of 238.

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

Important stats, trends & insights to know ahead of Spurs vs. Cavaliers on Thursday

  • The Cavaliers have a winning record (20-6) in matchups against Western Conference teams this season
  • The Cavaliers' last 3 home games have stayed under the Total
  • The Cavaliers have won 4 of their last 5 home games against Western Conference teams

If you’re looking for more key trends and stats around the spread, moneyline and total for every single game on the schedule today, check out our NBA Top Trends tool on NBC Sports!

Follow our experts on socials to keep up with all the latest content from the staff:

- Jay Croucher (@croucherJD)

- Drew Dinsick (@whale_capper)

- Vaughn Dalzell (@VmoneySports)

- Brad Thomas (@MrBradThomas)

Posted on

Mavericks vs. Magic Predictions: Odds, expert picks, recent stats, trends and best bets for March 27

It’s Thursday, March 27, and the Dallas Mavericks (35-38) and Orlando Magic (35-38) are all set to square off from Kia Center in Orlando.

The Mavericks are currently 15-22 on the road with a point differential of 0, while the Magic have a 3-7 record in their last ten games at home. Dallas is 1-0 against Orlando this season with a 108-85 win back on November 3.

Orlando has won three straight games and four of the past five contests, while Dallas is 2-5 in the past seven games and coming off a loss that broke a two-game winning streak.

We’ve got all the info and analysis you need to know ahead of the game, including the latest info on how to catch tipoff, odds, recent team performance, player stats, and of course, our predictions, picks & best bets for the game from our modeling tools and staff of experts.

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

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

  • Date: Thursday, March 27, 2025
  • Time: 7:00PM EST
  • Site: Kia Center
  • City: Orlando, FL
  • Network/Streaming: NBA TV

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

Game odds for Mavericks vs. Magic

The latest odds as of Thursday:

  • Odds: Mavericks (+230), Magic (-286)
  • Spread:  Magic -7
  • Over/Under: 219 points

That gives the Mavericks an implied team point total of 108.44, and the Magic 112.09.

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 Thursday’s Mavericks vs. Magic game

NBC Sports Bet Best Bet

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

"These teams met earlier in the year when Luka Doncic was still a Maverick and it was a relatively easy win and cover for Dallas. This time around, the Mavericks are in a bad position and the team and fanbase lack confidence. Orlando has won three straight, including an upset over the Lakers, so this team is feeling good and worth backing. It's Magic or pass."

Please bet responsibly. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline at 1-800-522-4700.

Our model calculates projections around each moneyline, spread and over/under bet for every game on the NBA calendar based on data points like recent performance, head-to-head player matchups, trends information and projected game totals.

Once the model is finished running, we put its projections next to the latest betting lines for the game to arrive at a relative confidence level for each wager.

Here are the best bets our model is projecting for today’s Mavericks & Magic 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 +7.
  • Total: NBC Sports Bet is staying away from a play on the Game Total of 219.

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. Magic on Thursday

  • The Mavericks have won 3 straight games against the Magic
  • 5 of the Magic's last 6 home games have gone over the Total
  • The Magic have covered the Spread in their last 3 games as a favorite
  • Western Conference Southwest Division teams have won 4 of their last 5 matchups against Eastern Conference Southeast Division sides

If you’re looking for more key trends and stats around the spread, moneyline and total for every single game on the schedule today, check out our NBA Top Trends tool on NBC Sports!

Follow our experts on socials to keep up with all the latest content from the staff:

- Jay Croucher (@croucherJD)

- Drew Dinsick (@whale_capper)

- Vaughn Dalzell (@VmoneySports)

- Brad Thomas (@MrBradThomas)

Posted on

Trail Blazers vs. Kings Predictions: Odds, recent stats, trends, and best bets for March 27

Portland Trail Blazers vs. Sacramento Kings Preview 

The Portland Trail Blazers (32-41) and Sacramento Kings (35-37) are all set to square off from Golden 1 Center in Sacramento.

The Kings desperately need a win tonight. They are currently on a four-game losing streak. The Trail Blazers have lost back-to-back games.

The Trail Blazers are currently 12-23 on the road with a point differential of -3, while the Kings have a 4-6 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 Trail Blazers vs. Kings live today

  • Date: Thursday, March 27, 2025
  • Time: 6:00PM EST
  • Site: Golden 1 Center
  • City: Sacramento, CA

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 Trail Blazers vs. Kings
The latest odds as of Thursday:

  • Odds: Trail Blazers (+186), Kings (-226)
  • Spread:  Kings -5.5
  • Over/Under: 225 points

That gives the Trail Blazers an implied team point total of 111.54, and the Kings 114.41.
 
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 Thursday's Trail Blazers vs. Kings 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 toward taking the Kings -6…

Thomas: “This is a great buy-low spot for the Kings. They played well in the second half against the Thunder, but couldn’t sustain in the fourth quarter.”

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 Trail Blazers & Kings game:

  • Moneyline: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the Sacramento Kings on the Moneyline.
  • Spread: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play ATS on the Portland Trail Blazers at +5.
  • Total: NBC Sports Bet is staying away from a play on the Game Total of 225.

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 Trail Blazers vs. Kings on Thursday

  • The Kings have won 4 straight home games against the Trail Blazers
  • The Under has cashed in the Kings' last 3 games
  • The Kings have failed to cover in 7 of their last 9 games (78%)
  • The Kings have won 4 straight home games against the Trail Blazers

 
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)

Posted on

Rockets vs. Jazz Predictions: Odds, recent stats, trends and best bets for March 27

Houston Rockets vs. Utah Jazz Preview 

The Houston Rockets (47-26) and Utah Jazz (16-57) are all set to square off from Delta Center in Salt Lake City.

The Utah Jazz are currently in a tankathon for Duke Superstar Cooper Flagg. Tonight, they are 12.5-point underdogs against the Rockets.

The Rockets are currently 20-14 on the road with a point differential of 4, while the Jazz have a 2-8 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 Rockets vs. Jazz live today

  • Date: Thursday, March 27, 2025
  • Time: 9:00PM EST
  • Site: Delta Center
  • City: Salt Lake City, UT

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

Game odds for Rockets vs. Jazz

The latest odds as of Thursday:

  • Odds: Rockets (-699), Jazz (+498)
  • Spread:  Rockets -12.5
  • Over/Under: 227 points

That gives the Rockets an implied team point total of 118.97, and the Jazz 112.45.
 
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 Thursday's Rockets vs. Jazz 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 Jalen Green over 23.5 points…

Thomas: ”Green has been phenomenal. He’s been particularly great against bottom-half defending teams. He should cook, if this one does not get out of hand early.”

Our model calculates projections around each moneyline, spread and over/under bet for every game on the NBA calendar based on data points like recent performance, head-to-head player matchups, trends information and projected game totals.

Once the model is finished running, we put its projections next to the latest betting lines for the game to arrive at a relative confidence level for each wager.

Here are the best bets our model is projecting for today’s Rockets & Jazz game:

  • Moneyline: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the Houston Rockets on the Moneyline.
  • Spread: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play ATS on the Utah Jazz at +12.
  • Total: NBC Sports Bet is staying away from a play on the Game Total of 227.

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 Rockets vs. Jazz on Thursday

  • The Jazz have lost 17 of their last 20 games as an underdog
  • The Jazz have failed to cover the Spread in 5 games in a row as a home underdog
  • The Rockets have a winning record in their last 10 games (9-1)

 
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)

Posted on

Grizzlies vs. Thunder Predictions: Odds, recent stats, trends, best bets for March 27

Memphis Grizzlies vs. Oklahoma City Thunder Preview 

The Memphis Grizzlies (44-28) and Oklahoma City Thunder (60-12) are all set to square off from Paycom Center in Oklahoma City.

The Grizzlies ended their skid with a win over the Utah Jazz. Now they play against a smoking hot Thunder team. The Thunder lead the Western Conference, and are on a seven game winning streak. The joint longest streak in the NBA.

The Grizzlies are currently 19-17 on the road with a point differential of 6, while the Thunder 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 Grizzlies vs. Thunder live today

  • Date: Thursday, March 27, 2025
  • Time: 8:00PM EST
  • Site: Paycom Center
  • City: Oklahoma City, OK

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 Grizzlies vs. Thunder
The latest odds as of Thursday:

  • Odds: Grizzlies (+353), Thunder (-457)
  • Spread:  Thunder -10
  • Over/Under: 239 points

That gives the Grizzlies an implied team point total of 118.4, and the Thunder 123.6.
 
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 Thursday's Grizzlies vs. Thunder 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 taking the Thunder -10…

Thomas: “There will come a moment when the bottom falls out for the Memphis Grizzlies. This is a team keeps finding themselves in early holes. Against a talented team like the Oklahoma City Thunder, you cannot come out slow. They will bury you.”

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 Grizzlies & Thunder 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 Memphis Grizzlies at +10.
  • Total: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the under 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 Grizzlies vs. Thunder on Thursday

  • The Thunder have won 17 of their last 20 games
  • The Under is 4-1 in the Thunder's last 5 matchups against Western Conference teams
  • The Grizzlies are 38-34 against the spread this season
  • The Thunder have won 6 of their last 8 home games against the Grizzlies

 
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)

Posted on

Who will Celtics face in first round? Bulls making late charge

Who will Celtics face in first round? Bulls making late charge originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston

The Boston Celtics are pretty much a lock to finish as the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference, but their first-round opponent in the 2025 NBA playoffs is still up in the air.

Boston has a 98.5 percent chance of finishing second in the conference, per Basketball Reference’s playoff probabilities. Despite a seven-game win streak and nine victories in their last 10 games, the C’s still trail the first-place Cleveland Cavaliers by 4.5 games.

The race for the No. 7 seed, which will be determined by the winner of the No. 7 vs. No. 8 play-in tournament game, is still mostly a two-horse race between the Atlanta Hawks and Orlando Magic.

Here’s an updated look at the probabilities:

!function(){“use strict”;window.addEventListener(“message”,(function(a){if(void 0!==a.data[“datawrapper-height”]){var e=document.querySelectorAll(“iframe”);for(var t in a.data[“datawrapper-height”])for(var r,i=0;r=e[i];i++)if(r.contentWindow===a.source){var d=a.data[“datawrapper-height”][t]+”px”;r.style.height=d}}}))}();

The Hawks remain in the driver’s seat to host the first play-in tournament game, but their margin for error is slim. However, one factor in Atlanta’s favor is it has the fourth-easiest remaining schedule in the league, per Tankathon.

The Magic have won three games in a row for the first time since December, including a 118-106 home victory over the Los Angeles Lakers on Monday. The Magic have two more games against the Hawks over the final four matchups of the season, including the regular season finale April 13. Those games will be pivotal.

The red-hot Chicago Bulls, who have won eight of their last 10 games, remain in the mix. Bulls point guard Coby White is playing the best basketball of his career, averaging 29.8 points in March (12 games).

The Miami Heat were in the race at one point, but a 2-8 record over their last 10 games has made it quite difficult for them to get the No. 7 seed.

The Celtics know where they’ll land in the playoff seeding, but the race for the No. 7 seed is worth paying close attention to over the final couple weeks of the regular season, especially with the Bulls making a late charge to challenge the Hawks and Magic.