Category: NBA

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The Philadelphia 76ers will look for a third straight win when they travel south to face the Miami Heat at Kaseya Center tonight.

The 76ers’ "Big Three" is finally available at the same time, and my 76ers vs Heat predictions expect the trio to deliver a big performance on the road.

Here are my free NBA picks for Monday, March 30.

76ers vs Heat prediction

76ers vs Heat best bet: Joel Embiid Over 28.5 points (-105)

Joel Embiid has had trouble staying on the court again this season, but he’s played in two straight contests and is absent from Monday morning’s injury report.

In two games since returning from a lengthy absence, Embiid shows no signs of rust, posting 29 and 35 points. 

Embiid has scored 29+ in 16 of 35 games overall this season, reaching that mark in two straight and 11 of his last 14.

The big man has logged 30+ minutes in 23 games this season, averaging 29.3 points in those games and hitting the Over on this scoring line 13 times. Embiid has recorded 30+ minutes in 11 of 15 road games.

Over the last 10 games, the Miami Heat have allowed the third-most points and the third-highest 3-point percentage, and they own the eighth-worst defensive rating.

Both teams rank in the Top 4 in pace, and the point total for Monday’s matchup is set at a whopping 246.5. 

Embiid should push for 30 minutes, and he should see plenty of opportunities in a fast-paced, high-scoring environment.

76ers vs Heat same-game parlay

The Philadelphia 76ers are one of the best teams against the spread on the road this season, going 23-13. In the last game out with all of Philly's Big Three — Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, and Paul George — available, the Sixers earned a quality win over the Charlotte Hornets.

They dropped 157 points on the Chicago Bulls with Embiid and George in the lineup, and Maxey sidelined. The Sixers will also have Kelly Oubre Jr. back for a second straight game, and a healthy team will overwhelm Miami's lackluster defense.

The Heat have hit the Over in four of their last five games at home and eight times across their last 10 games overall. The 76ers have hit the Over in three of their last five on the road. 

76ers vs Heat SGP

• Joel Embiid Over 28.5 points
• 76ers -2
• Over 246.5

Our "from downtown" SGP: Big 3

Miami's defense has been one of the most generous in the Association over the last 10 games, and I expect Embiid, Maxey, and George to feast tonight in South Beach.

Maxey returned from a 10-game absence and dropped 26 points against the Charlotte Hornets in his last game out. He’s scored 26+ in 45 of 62 games overall, including 26 of 30 on the road.

Since returning from suspension, Paul George has played like a man possessed. He scored 28 and 26 in his last two games, and he’s reached 17 points in six of 13 road games.

76ers vs Heat SGP

• 76ers -2
• Over 246.5
• Joel Embiid Over 28.5 points
• Tyrese Maxey Over 26.5 points
• Paul George Over 16.5 points

76ers vs Heat odds

• Spread: 76ers -2 | Heat +2
• Moneyline: 76ers -130 | Heat +110
• Over/Under: Over 246.5 | Under 246.5

76ers vs Heat betting trend to know

The Philadelphia 76ers have hit the team total Over in 23 of their last 35 away games (+8.95 Units / 22% ROI). Find more NBA betting trends for 76ers vs. Heat.

How to watch 76ers vs Heat

76ers vs Heat latest injuries

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Donovan Mitchell and the Cleveland Cavaliers hit the road tonight to visit his former team, the Utah Jazz, at the Delta Center. 

My Cavs vs. Jazz predictions are targeting Spida to bounce back after a quiet game in his last appearance. 

Read more in my NBA picks for Monday, March 30. 

Cavaliers vs Jazz prediction

Cavaliers vs Jazz best bet: Donovan Mitchell Over 26.5 points (-115)

Donovan Mitchell is having another stellar campaign for the Cleveland Cavaliers. He’s seventh in the league in scoring, averaging 27.9 PPG. Mitchell is a walking bucket, and his ability to score from all three levels is usually present on a nightly basis. 

While Spida was held to just six points in 31 minutes of action on Friday against the Heat, the Louisville product did cash the Over in three straight appearances before that, dropping 28, 42, and 27 points. 

It’s very rare for Mitchell to be held to just single digits, and tonight is a prime opportunity for him to respond as he faces his former team in the Utah Jazz. Utah is an easy matchup for opposing shooting guards, and they’re one of the worst defensive clubs in the Association. 

Mitchell is averaging 27.4 points per contest on the road, and he scored 27 in his last road game in New Orleans. 

He’ll cook tonight in Salt Lake City.

Cavaliers vs Jazz same-game parlay

James Harden is averaging 8.1 dimes per game this season, which ranks fifth in the NBA. The guard has cashed the Over in assists in three of his last five, and he just dished out 14 on Friday against the Heat. Utah is allowing over nine assists per game to point guards. 

Mitchell scores a decent amount of his points from downtown, averaging 3.3 makes on 9.0 attempts per game. He’s cashed the Over in treys in three of his last four, and the Jazz are allowing 3.8 triples per contest to opposing shooting guards. 

Evan Mobley is a physical presence down low, averaging 8.9 rebounds per game. Coming off a 10-board performance, the big man is averaging 9.2 rebounds on the road, and he’s cashed the Over in two of his last three away from home. Utah is allowing nearly 15 boards per contest to opposing centers.

Cavaliers vs Jazz SGP

• James Harden Over 8.5 assists
• Donovan Mitchell Over 2.5 made threes
• Evan Mobley Over 9.5 rebounds

Our "from downtown" SGP: Web-slinging goodness

Mitchell has averaged 5.8 assists this season to go along with his 27.9 points, and he’s hit the Over in points+assists in two of his last three games. The Jazz are weak on the perimeter, so he could truly thrive as a passer tonight as well. 

Sam Merrill is averaging 13 PPG, and he’s cashed the Over in two of his last three appearances. Before a 10-point performance on Friday, he had posted 18 and 19 points in back-to-back games.

Cavaliers vs Jazz SGP

• James Harden Over 8.5 assists
• Donovan Mitchell Over 31.5 points+assists
• Evan Mobley Over 9.5 rebounds
• Sam Merrill Over 14.5 points

Cavaliers vs Jazz odds

• Spread: Cavaliers -17 (-110) | Jazz +17 (-110)
• Moneyline: Cavaliers -2000 | Jazz +1000
• Over/Under: Over 242.5 (-110) | Under 242.5 (-110)

Cavaliers vs Jazz betting trend to know

The Cleveland Cavaliers have hit the 4Q Moneyline in 28 of their last 40 away games (+13.40 Units / 24% ROI). Find more NBA betting trends for Cavaliers vs. Jazz.

How to watch Cavaliers vs Jazz

Cavaliers vs Jazz latest injuries

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On his eponymous podcast Sunday night, Bill Simmons took a bucket of cold water and poured it on the idea of the NBA expansion plans. Then he refilled the bucket and held the NBA expansion plans — including the idea of placing a team in Las Vegas — under the water until it was but a memory.

In short: Simmons, who has octopus-like connections throughout the NBA, thinks it ain’t happening.

He broke it down into two parts, with the first — and most pressing — issue being his certainty expansion will not pass muster with the owners. There are 30 NBA franchises, and 23 have to approve any expansion. Simmons is sure NBA Commissioner Adam Silver is going to have problems with nearly half of the owners.

“They don’t have the votes,” Simmons said, in conversation with fellow podcaster/NBA insider Zach Lowe. “I think it got a little testy in the Board of Governors when they were all together last week, with some people like, ‘Why are we doing this? I’m never voting for this. This is stupid. We’re not doing this.’”

Then Simmons went through 13 owners who he believes are either wholly against the idea or would need some serious arm-twisting.

He first broke down the “new” generation of owners, such as the groups that control the Celtics, Jazz, Hornets, Rockets, Suns, and Timberwolves, and how as new (or relatively new) owners, they don’t want to dilute their chances at winning a title.

Then he went into Jim Dolan, the owner of the Knicks who is against it, as well as the new Trail Blazers owner, who Simmons questioned whether he’d want a team two hours away in Seattle.

Then he noted Steve Ballmer, owner of the Clippers, whose net worth is north of $100 billion and couldn’t care less about the proposal for each team to get upward of $500 million if the league expands by two.

“They don’t have the votes. I’m just telling you they don’t,” Simmons said.

New BS Podcast w/ @ZachLowe_NBA
—The UConn Miracle
—The MVP not-a-debate-yet
—Zach’s lottery guard blink text
—Scariest 1-Round Playoff Teams
—Please don’t take NBA “expansion” seriously (yet)
—Is this the weirdest NBA season ever?

Spotify (or Netflix) https://t.co/NdluxDTMHw

— Bill Simmons (@BillSimmons) March 30, 2026

Timing off

Simmons was also put off by the timing of the announcement about the expansion plans, as it was leaked to the press last Monday.

“And when my s**t detector started going off — it was a Monday morning news leak, which as we know, Monday morning is always when you put a story out trying to set the tone for the week, and they put it out in a way that made me think this almost seems like they’re testing this out to see what the reaction is,” he said. “Like they’re either trying to convince the fans this is a good idea or they’re trying to convince the votes that they don’t have that this is a good idea. So I do not think they have the votes.”

Simmons also isn’t sold that Seattle and Vegas are slam dunks to get the teams if expansion did happen.

“This is a two-part process where part one is you get the 30 owners together and they have to vote, you need 23 votes to proceed,” Simmons said. “And basically, Silver is going, ‘I want to see what we can get for these two teams. We’ve decided it’s going to be Seattle and Vegas. We haven’t decided if we’re expanding, but let’s see what kind of price we can get for each of those, and then I’ll bring that back to you and we can vote on it.’”

The number floated was $8 billion per team, a figure Simmons thinks is a fugazi.

“I don’t think the owners are going to necessarily vote for it even if they do get $8 billion a team. And if it’s like $5 to $6 billion, they’re definitely not voting for it,” he said. “And I don’t really understand the point of any of this. Why not just be transparent and say, ‘Hey, we’re just curious to see what we get for these expansion teams, this doesn’t mean we’re gonna have expansion.’”

UConn coach Dan Hurley is known for his high-energy antics on the sideline. That unsurprisingly didn't change after true freshman Braylon Mullins buried a game-winning 3-pointer with 0.4 seconds left in the Huskies' 73-72 win over top-seeded Duke in the Elite Eight.

Hurley, a two-time national champion at UConn, came face-to-face with the referee after Mullins' shot, despite there still being 0.4 seconds left on the clock. He wasn't given a technical foul despite coming in contact with the referee, resulting in UConn moving onto the Final Four.

pic.twitter.com/kMA7lvN1av

— SendDaVideo (@SendDaVideo) March 30, 2026

Former Wisconsin star Sam Dekker, who played in the Final Four in 2014 and 2015, was one of many that said Hurley should've been given a technical foul in the moment.

"I have no bias here," Dekker wrote on X. "This is a tech 10/10 times. For multiple reasons… it would have lost the game for his team and he would have tried to fight the officials like he did nothing wrong. I just don’t understand it at all. Also, referees need to grow a spine in instances like this."

Hurley went wild in the aftermath of the shot, just like any personnel would given the intensity of the moment. He threw his arms up in celebration and even had his suit jacket fall halfway off after multiple other staff members swarmed him.

Duke's radio play-by-play announcer also noticed UConn guard Malachi Smith allegedly running off the bench onto the court after Mullins's shot.

“Malachi Smith ran off the bench! That should be a technical!" David Shumate said on the broadcast.

It's all nothing new for one of college basketball's most successful coaches of the past few years. Hurley was fined $25,000 by the Big East after UConn's final loss of the regular season to Marquette after he appeared to come in contact with the referee. He was called for a double-technical ejection in the moment, which sealed the win for the Golden Eagles on March 7.

Hurley even offered his glasses to an official during UConn's eventual 67-63 win over No. 3 Michigan State in the Sweet 16, due to UConn winning a challenge.

Prior to the Sweet 16 against Michigan State, Hurley told Pat McAfee he'd done a decent job this year with his behavior. Apparently, all bets were off come UConn's biggest two games of the season, though.

"For the most part, I think I've been a pretty good boy this year," Hurley said. "My behavior's been pretty good. Even in that situation, I didn't touch him. I never made contact with the official. There was actually never contact made, the official said that. Again, that was quite a long time ago."

UConn trailed by as many as 19 points late in the first half and faced its largest halftime deficit of the season when behind 44-29 at the break. It started 1-of-18 from 3-point range, before ending the game 4-of-5 from distance, all of which makes came in the final few minutes of regulation.

Hurley and UConn are still alive, looking for their third national championship of the last four seasons. And UConn and college basketball fans alike won't have to worry about Hurley not bringing the energy down the stretch as he reaches another Final Four.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Dan Hurley comes face-to-face with official in UConn's historic win

NC State has found its replacement for Will Wade. The Wolfpack are hiring former NC State guard Justin Gainey as their new basketball head coach, three people with direct knowledge told USA TODAY Sports on Sunday, March 29 and Monday, March 30.

Gainey, who just wrapped his fifth season on Rick Barnes' Tennessee staff Sunday when the Vols lost to No. 1 seed Michigan in the Elite Eight, interviewed in person with NC State officials Saturday in Chicago, sources confirmed to USA TODAY Sports. The news was first reported by On3's Mike Wilson.

The sources spoke on anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly.

Just a year after being hired, Wade abruptly left NC State last week to return to coach at LSU.

Opinion: Will Wade's LSU comeback makes perfect sense

Boo Corrigan, NC State's athletics director, has spearheaded the search to find Wade's replacement since Wade left in the days after the Wolfpack's NCAA Tournament First Four loss to Texas.

Over the weekend, the search zeroed in on Gainey, Furman coach Bob Ritchey and Saint Louis coach Josh Schertz; all had in-person meetings with Wolfpack officials, sources told USA TODAY Sports. Schertz posted on social media Sunday saying he will remain at Saint Louis.

The NC State contingent met Saturday with Gainey in Chicago, where Tennessee was between games in the Midwest Region.

A Greensboro, N.C., native, Gainey starred for the Wolfpack from 1996-2000, being named a team captain as a senior and then spent his first four seasons as a collegiate staff at his alma mater from 2006-09.

A candidate at NC State during the last search that resulted in the hiring of Wade, Gainey also has served as the associate head coach at Marquette (2020-21) and for the past four of his five years at Tennessee.

He is considered a particularly strong developer of guards and is credited with helping eight players become NBA draft picks during his past six seasons as a collegiate assistant.

Gainey's previous coaching stops also include Elon, Appalachian State, Arizona and Santa Clara.

As Coorigan embarked on the Wolfpack's second basketball search in as many years, he ripped Wade on Thursday, March 26, in a news conference on the school's Raleigh, N.C., campus.

"We thought we had someone that came in last year to lead our men's basketball program," said Coorigan, who a year ago fired Kevin Keatts after his eight seasons at the helm included a 2024 Final Four appearance. "Over the course of the last year, we developed a relationship that I believe was based on trust and accountability.

"There were a number of different conversations that had occurred over the past year involving our program, the landscape, and everything else — including Tuesday evening (March 24) for two hours to talk about the entire program, scheduling, the players, the staff, and everything that goes into that."

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Justin Gainey hired by NC State basketball, replacing Will Wade

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Just when the Minnesota Timberwolves should be tuning up for a postseason run, injuries have ripped through their backcourt, and it’s going to take a “next man up” mentality as they host the Dallas Mavericks.  

Anthony Edwards has missed six straight, and he’s joined on the injury report by Jaden McDaniels and Ayo Dosunmu, so my Timberwolves vs. Mavericks predictions pivot to a Minnesota sharpshooter who’s had an even brighter green light during this short-handed stretch.

Check out my NBA picks for this March 30 matchup.

Timberwolves vs Mavericks prediction

Timberwolves vs Mavericks best bet: Donte DiVincenzo Over 13.5 points (-110)

Donte DiVincenzo rarely has to be asked twice when it comes to launching 3-pointers, and the Minnesota Timberwolves have needed his volume shooting more than ever over the past few weeks. DiVincenzo has responded with 39 points across his last two outings, while making 10 of his 26 attempts from beyond the arc.

Though Anthony Edwards and Ayo Dosunmu could return tonight to beef up Chris Finch’s backcourt, that shouldn’t drastically alter the script for DiVincenzo, and I’m counting on the recent extra reps translating to another Over on his points prop.

DiVincenzo is attempting almost eight 3-pointers a game this season, but don’t be surprised if he ends up with double-digit shots from downtown for the fourth time in his past five contests.

Most of all, Minnesota is desperate for spacing, and that makes DiVincenzo a lock for steady minutes. With Edwards sidelined, the visitors have been held below 105 points in three of their last four games, but the Dallas Mavericks’ defense could be the perfect medicine to get the T-Wolves firing again.

Dallas has given up 135+ points in four of its past five matchups en route to the draft lottery, and the Nuggets shot 56% from the field against Cooper Flagg & Co. last Wednesday. With the Mavs going through the motions, sign me up for a splashy effort from DiVincenzo tonight.

Timberwolves vs Mavericks same-game parlay

If DiVincenzo gives the offense a jolt, Rudy Gobert can carry Minnesota on the other end of the floor. The Frenchman has cashed this Over in three of his last four games to keep the Wolves’ defense afloat, and he’s got a natural assignment around the rim against Daniel Gafford.

Minnesota has won five in a row against Dallas, so I’m riding with the visitors, who should come out with urgency after being blown out at home over the weekend. The prospect of Ant getting back on the court is enticing, but the Wolves have enough talent to grind out a win regardless.

Timberwolves vs Mavericks SGP

• Donte DiVincenzo Over 13.5 points
• Rudy Gobert Over 12.5 rebounds
• Timberwolves moneyline

Our "from downtown" SGP: Championship Remix

I’m reuniting championship teammates in this SGP, with two sweet-shooting former Bucks.

DiVincenzo is poised for another high-volume night, while Khris Middleton has knocked down 1+ 3-pointers in four of his last five, as well as dishing eight assists across his last two games. The Wolves have covered the spread in three of their past four trips to Dallas and will do so again.

Timberwolves vs Mavericks SGP

• Donte DiVincenzo Over 13.5 points
• Khris Middleton Over 1.5 assists
• Khris Middleton Over 0.5 made threes
• Timberwolves -7

Timberwolves vs Mavericks odds

• Spread: Timberwolves -7 (-110) | Mavericks +7 (-110)
• Moneyline: Timberwolves -270 | Mavericks +220
• Over/Under: Over 236 (-110) | Under 236 (-110)

Timberwolves vs Mavericks betting trend to know

The Timberwolves are 16-7 SU this season as road favorites. Find more NBA betting trends for Timberwolves vs. Mavericks.

How to watch Timberwolves vs Mavericks

Timberwolves vs Mavericks latest injuries

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As the Knicks gear up for another playoff run, we’ve learned a few strengths and weaknesses of the club. But still, questions remain about how the team will fare in the postseason. 

After New York’s 111-100 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder on Sunday night, there are just seven games left in the regular season. With the playoffs on the horizon, here are four questions the club is facing as the postseason rapidly approaches.

Is Towns ready for the postseason?

The 2025-26 season has been an adjustment for Karl-Anthony Towns. The Knicks All-Star center is averaging 20.0 points, the lowest scoring average of his career since his rookie season, and a career-low 30.9 minutes. 

But recently, Towns has improved his play. His defense has taken a step in the right direction, he’s cut down fouls and his offensive efficiency has risen. In March, Towns is averaging 20.6 points on 57.1 percent from the field and 12.9 rebounds.

But Towns can still be susceptible to having stretches of ineffectiveness. In New York’s 114-103 loss against the Charlotte Hornets on Thursday night, Towns scored just 13 points. He seemed uninvolved for most of the game, scoring just two points in the first half. On Sunday night, Towns had just four points in the first half as the Thunder had smaller defenders like Jalen Williams and Alex Caruso guard him.

If the Knicks are going to make any noise in the postseason, they will need Towns to be productive and consistent.

Does the club have enough depth?

One of the top priorities for the Knicks heading into the season was shoring up the bench. New York has added depth to the roster. Mitchell Robinson and Miles McBride have been integral pieces of the rotation. Landry Shamet has emerged as a valuable reserve. Jordan Clarkson has seen a recent boost in minutes. Young players like Mohamed Diawara and Tyler Kolek have shown flashes at times. 

Despite these positives, the Knicks bench hasn’t been exactly electric. New York’s reserves have the third-lowest scoring output in the NBA. They also are ranked just 28th in total minutes.

In the postseason, many teams stick with a short rotation. That favors the Knicks. But any injury to its core players could be hard to recover from.

Can the Knicks limit opponents from three?

All season long, the Knicks have struggled to defend the three-point line. New York is giving up 38.9 three point attempts per 100 possessions, the fifth-highest mark in the NBA. The Knicks are tied for 19th in opponents three-point, percentage.

The three-point defense issue was a factor in the loss to Charlotte. The Hornets connected on 16-of-41 threes (39 percent). Even in wins against the Washington Wizards and the New Orleans Pelicans, the Knicks gave up 18 and 15 trifectas, respectively.

Under head coach Mike Brown, the Knicks defensive strategy leans on helping in the paint and then recovering back to the perimeter. The extreme help around the basket is giving opponents easy looks from three.

New York’s overall defense has been much better over the past two months. The club has risen to fifth overall in defensive efficiency. But in the wrong matchup, the three ball could become pivotal.

Will the team fix first quarter struggles?

A trend for New York throughout the season has been the club getting off to slow starts. During its recent seven-game win streak, the Knicks trailed in the first quarter of three games.

The Knicks starting lineup has been passable, outscoring opponents by 3.3 points per 100 possessions in 459 minutes before Sunday night per NBA Stats. But the group has struggled in the first quarter. In 184 first quarter minutes, New York’s starting five has a net rating of -4.5 points per 100 possessions.

It seems too late to make a change to the starting lineup. But falling behind at the start of games creates a tough task to have to make the uphill climb of getting back into a game. And in the playoffs, where every moment matters, that’s even more important.

For every iconic moment we see on television during March Madness, there are many other captivating subplots going on at the same time.

Weaving them all together is what makes the best in the TV production business so great at what they do.

During CBS's coverage of UConn's improbable 73-72 comeback win over Duke in the Elite Eight, Braylon Mullins' 35-footer to beat the buzzer was obviously the focal point. But the network's camera operators also had to be ready for the reaction shots.

Shortly after the game ended, the NCAA released its own "sizzle reel" with 10 different angles of the key game-ending sequence and its aftermath that wonderfully captures the wide range of emotions.

Bench angles of UConn's unbelievable shot 🎥#MarchMadnesspic.twitter.com/alunQ3Ks4q

— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) March 30, 2026

One angle that didn't make the cut there was a reaction shot of CBS announcers Bill Raftery and Grant Hill as they joined play-by-play man Ian Eagle on the call.

Here’s another view.

Unapologetically.

Cannot get enough. pic.twitter.com/gOvzP6sbLx

— Big East Rewind & Hoops 24/7 (@bigeastrewind) March 30, 2026

It certainly was a magical moment for UConn. And a bitter defeat (once again) for Duke.

It's just another reason why we can't get enough of March Madness.

The USA TODAY app gets you to the heart of the news — fast.Download for award-winning coverage, crosswords, audio storytelling, the eNewspaper and more.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: See UConn-Duke finish from 10 different camera angles

The undermanned Milwaukee Bucks lost 127-113 at the hands of the Los Angeles Clippers yesterday in what was their first “meaningless” game after being eliminated from play-in contention. The game was trending toward embarrassing blowout territory, but a fourth-quarter rally from Milwaukee made the final score look respectable. The Clippers sealed a 2-0 season series victory over the Bucks with this win. Read our full summary of the game here and catch a six-minute audio recap on the Bucks+ podcast, Bucks In Six Minutes, below.

Player Grades

Gary Trent Jr.

37 minutes, 36 points, 2 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals, 5 turnovers, 12/21 FG, 9/15 3P, 3/4 FT, -8

Trent was lights-out in this one. He started off hot, scoring 11 of Milwaukee’s first 15, and he never lost his groove. The veteran delivered 16 points in the fourth quarter as part of a late rally for the Bucks. Awesome performance from a guy who keeps stacking good days. Gary’s 36 points were a season-high and the most he’s scored in a game since March 11th, 2022, when he had 42 against the Suns.

Grade: A

Taurean Prince

38 minutes, 18 points, 7 rebounds, 8 assists, 1 steal, 1 block, 5 turnovers, 7/12 FG, 4/7 3P, -2

Usually, you don’t want a player like Prince playing such a featured role, but to his credit, he was good in this one. TP hit timely shots and kept the ball moving, tying his career-high with eight assists. Five turnovers isn’t ideal, but he wasn’t the only guy coughing it up too much.

Grade: A-

Andre Jackson Jr.

33 minutes, 13 points, 6 rebounds, 2 steals, 4 turnovers, 5/8 FG, 1/2 3P, -15

AJax continues to look more aggressive on the offensive end. He made solid plays within the team’s sets and disrupted a bit on defense. More and more, he’s showing flashes that justify Milwaukee’s decision to keep him around.

Grade: B

Pete Nance

38 minutes, 5 points, 3 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 steals, 2 turnovers, 2/9 FG, 1/6 3P, -10

Nance’s offensive production has begun to tail off lately, and it’s limiting his ability to impact the game. He does enough on defense and as a hub at the five to make himself a factor when he isn’t hitting shots, but he’s gotta start doing that again.

Grade: C-

Ousmane Dieng

21 minutes, 7 points, 2 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 steal, 3 turnovers, 6 fouls, 3/8 FG, 0/4 3P, -5

This was one to forget for the young Frenchman. Dieng forced some tough shots, missed all his triples, turned it over too much, and fouled out. This feels like a needed reminder to some fans who jumped the gun with him. Ous is still raw and young with a lot of development left.

Grade: D

AJ Green

28 minutes, 15 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals, 6 fouls, 4/8 FG, 2/5 3P, 5/5 FT, -18

Dairy Bird was aggressive, but maybe a little too much, as he also fouled out. But on the positive side, he set a new career-high in free throws made with five.

Grade: B-

Jericho Sims

22 minutes, 6 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal, 2 turnovers, 3/5 FG, -16

Somewhat pedestrian game for Sims, relative to the heightened standards he’s beginning to set for himself. Two of his three baskets came in the first two minutes of the game, both of which were impressive finishes over Brook Lopez.

Grade: C

Cormac Ryan

20 minutes, 13 points, 1 steal, 4/6 FG, 3/5 3P, +4

The rookie had the first double-digit outing of his young career yesterday. He looked comfortable, confident, and energetic. He hit a three as part of a big fourth-quarter run that got the few faithful fans in Fiserv jumping. Fun game for the kid.

Grade: B

Doc Rivers

“Playing the right way” has been Doc’s go-to buzzword phrase this season, but honestly, it’s the most accurate way to describe how the Bucks played in this game. Every guy on the floor kept the ball moving and played unselfishly. The offense really felt connected from start to finish, with each player (save maybe Dieng) hunting the best shot for the team. They turned it over too much, but that’s a natural byproduct of having no point guards in the lineup (where’s Mark Sears when you need him). So, assuming the structure of the game plan can be attributed to Doc, he did a solid job.

Grade: B

Inactive: The Antetokounmpos (Giannis, Alex, Thanasis), Ryan Rollins, Kyle Kuzma, Myles Turner, Bobby Portis, Kevin Porter Jr.

Bonus Bucks Bits

• Doc on Brook Lopez, who made his return to Milwaukee yesterday for the first time since he left in free agency:
  • “I wasn’t here when he won the title. I can just tell you what he meant to me, and I texted him and this, after everything went down, you know, I hate ranking cause every time I rank somebody I get some blowback, you know, but he is a top five character person, by far, I’ve ever been around in the NBA, forget coaching, player. Brook was, I fell in love with the guy as a human being. He did everything right. Prepared right. He’s emotional about the game. You know, people don’t see that because he’s so stoic, but Brook is fiercely competitive. He hates… last year, when we were struggling, that one stretch with all the injuries, every time we lost a game, he would text me, ‘what can I do more?’ That was all. Not, what someone else is not doing, I want more shots, it was ‘what can I do more to help you help the team?’ That’s, I’ve never got that text from any player in my career, like that, and he did it every time, and he meant it, and so he was amazing. This city should embrace him every time he comes to the city.”
• Tyronn Lue on one thing that’s surprised him about Brook Lopez in his first season with the Clippers:
  • “His work ethic. I mean, every single day, coming in with JVG, doing his shooting every day, doing his defensive stuff every single day, and no days off. You know, a guy who’s been in the league that long and that’s solidified as a great player this whole time, to just see him come in every single day and work, and so the same routine every single day, you can see why he’s had a long career. He’s a really good player.”
• Gary Trent Jr. on what he does to stay positive and loose regardless of the outcome of games and how many minutes he’s playing:
  •  “Again, you can only really control what you can control. I’m going into the eighth year of my NBA career. I’ve starred in games, I’ve been benched, I’ve been behind the bench in a suit, I done started and scored 40 before, so again, I done touched every aspect that you can be a part of, good and bad, so really just over those years, throughout my course of my career, helped me how to deal with things, how to stay sane, how to continue to keep working, little things like that.”
• Cormac Ryan went down chasing after a loose ball in the fourth quarter, and two Clippers helped him up. Always fun seeing little displays of sportsmanship like that, and Ryan’s overall energy has been very noticeable since he joined the team. He’s constantly standing up on the bench and cheering his teammates on.

Up Next

The Bucks will continue their homestand on Tuesday night, March 31st, against the Dallas Mavericks. Catch that one at 7:00 p.m. CDT on FanDuel Sports Network Wisconsin. 

Things are looking up for the Sixers. Their stars are finally healthy, Paul George is suspension free, and they’ve won their last two games to start getting on track as each win becomes increasingly important in the Eastern Conference standings.

After beating the Bulls and Hornets, next up the Sixers are heading to Miami to take on the 39-36 Heat, now down at ninth place in the East.

The Heat will also be at a rest disadvantage, as they’ll be finishing a back-to-back following a hefty 135-118 loss to the Pacers on Sunday.

Meanwhile for the Sixers, I can write a phrase that’s rarely been uttered for a long time: Philly will have their full rotation for this game. The recovering Johni Broome is the only player on the team’s injury report.

The Sixers are coming off the kind of win we needed to see in Charlotte. It was a glimpse of what this team was meant to be this season, before injuries, suspensions and bad vibes (from all the above and things like the Jared McCain trade) derailed it. George looked good physically on both ends and tallied 26 points and 13 rebounds, Joel Embiid got to the line like his usual self and scored 29 points, and Tyrese Maxey easily dropped 26 points and eight assists on 10-of-18 shooting (3-of-6 from three).

Throw into that the accompanying performances — from Kelly Oubre Jr. off the bench, to Andre Drummond’s strong minutes and VJ Edgecombe’s sharp complementary play at both ends — and the strong finish late in the third quarter and through the fourth to overcome a 15-point deficit, and it was actually a fun night.

It’s been hard to remember what a healthy and fun team looked like, so let’s see if they can keep it rolling. The Sixers should have another winnable game ahead of the them.

Norman Powell, the Heat’s All-Star, has been having a quality season. He’s taken on more on-ball duties, especially during all Tyler Herro’s absences, and has put together the best year of his career as a result. He’s put up 22.1 points per game with a 61.1 true shooting percentage, while gunning away from three with 7.1 attempts per game at a 38.4 percent clip.

However, Powell was out on Sunday with a upper respiratory infection. We’ll need to wait until closer to tip-off for Miami’s injury report, but Powell is the clearly the biggest name to look out for.

If Powell is available, it’ll be particularly helpful now that Kelly Oubre Jr. and George are back to help contain him. George was spry and moving well on Saturday, while Oubre’s agility and size advantage over Powell making him a pretty good defensive matchup too.

Another good matchup will be Jaime Jaquez Jr. against George and Oubre whenever they’re squared up. The Heat’s sixth man has been having a very well rounded year, putting up by far the best numbers of his young career with 14.9 points, 5.0 rebounds and 4.8 assists per game with a 56.3 true shooting percentage (albeit lacking three-point efficiency) and reliable defense.

Handling Bam Adebayo is the other main challenge for the Sixers in this one. With Embiid back, though, the frontcourt battle in this one goes from being tough to a clear advantage. Embiid has always had the upper hand against Bam when they’ve faced off, utilizing his plethora of face-up and post-up moves and superior size and strength. Even if Embiid doesn’t have a big scoring night, he only needs to bully Adebayo a bit to force help and double teams to come in order to free up the extra three-point shooting the Sixers have again now George and Maxey are back.

The Herro matchup will be an interesting one to watch, especially if Powell’s out and guys like Herro (plus Andrew Wiggins and Pelle Larsson) get more touches as a result. Even though Herro’s been scoring an efficient 20.9 points per game this season (on 60.5 percent true shooting), his defense still remains an issue for an otherwise strong Miami defense that ranks ninth in the league. Especially now that Maxey is back alongside Edgecombe, it’ll be fun to see if/how they use ball screens to get matched up against Herro more often and use their explosive drives to attack him downhill.

To avoid better defenders in Davion Mitchell, and wings with more size like Jaquez Jr. and Wiggins, let’s see what Maxey and Edgecombe can cook up.

Hopefully for the Sixers, Saturday’s game against Charlotte was a sign of more positivity to come. Now that they have star power, health, and some depth on their side again, it’s time to see if they can start making that more of a regular thing.

Game Details

When: Monday, March 30, 7:00 PM ET
Where: Kaseya Center, Miami, FL
Watch: NBC Sports Philadelphia
Radio: 97.5 The Fanatic
Follow: @LibertyBallers

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The San Antonio Spurs are surging toward the playoffs like an express train, and the Chicago Bulls have nowhere to hide in tonight’s matchup.

Gathering speed every week, San Antonio is 13-1 in its past 14 outings, so my Bulls vs. Spurs predictions don’t give Chicago much chance here, especially with the hosts going 0-3 so far on this road trip.

Get the lowdown on this clash on Monday, March 30, with my NBA picks and betting angles.

Bulls vs Spurs prediction

Bulls vs Spurs best bet: Stephon Castle Over 29.5 points + rebounds + assists (-115)

It’s a no-brainer to say that Victor Wembanyama is the No.1 reason to take the San Antonio Spurs seriously as a title contender. But Stephon Castle’s development as a two-way stud has to be second.

Castle is coming off a 22-10-10 triple-double against the Bucks on Saturday, and he’s walking into another favorable matchup tonight, with the Chicago  Bulls limping towards the regular season finish line.

There’s been a ferocity to Castle’s play all year, but this month has provided some new peaks, and he’s gone past this combo O/U number in seven of his last nine contests.

Big scoring nights are just a bonus when you consider Castle is averaging 8.5 APG and 5.8 RPG in March. But he’s still very capable as a bucket-getter, and he’s shooting 41% from 3-point range across his past 13 outings. That’s perhaps an inevitable outcome of all the attention that Wemby attracts in the paint.

A visit from the Bulls can only boost those stats. Chicago has coughed up 124+ points in four straight games, including a horror show in Philadelphia last Wednesday, where Billy Donovan’s squad allowed 157 points.

Castle feasted in the teams’ prior meeting this season, with 19 points and 11 assists back in November. A massive spread suggests one-way traffic here, but don’t expect the Spurs to ease up. With Castle at the controls, the hosts should be at their relentless best.

Bulls vs Spurs same-game parlay

With Castle playing at such an elite level, the Spurs are big favorites for a ninth straight victory. San Antonio is 28-7 straight up at home, while Chicago is just 11-25 SU on the road.

I’m doubtful about the Bulls’ chances of posting a big total against an in-form Spurs defense, so the Under offers nice value to round out my SGP. It’s 43-32 for San Antonio this season, and the hosts have held their past two opponents under the 100-point mark.

Bulls vs Spurs SGP

• Stephon Castle Over 29.5 points + rebounds + assists
• Spurs moneyline
• Under 242.5

Our "from downtown" SGP: Nothing Else Matas

If the Bulls are going to put up a fight here, it starts with Matas Buzelis filling the box score. He’s grabbed 8+ rebounds in three straight, and he’s got the size to shoot over the Spurs’ smaller guards. For all Chicago’s struggles lately, the visitors are a respectable 6-4 ATS in their last 10, so this spread feels a little inflated.

Bulls vs Spurs SGP

• Matas Buzelis Over 6.5 rebounds
• Matas Buzelis Over 1.5 assists
• Matas Buzelis Over 2.5 made threes
• Bulls +18

Bulls vs Spurs odds

• Spread: Bulls +18.5 (-115) | Spurs -18.5 (-105)
• Moneyline: Bulls +1000 | Spurs -2000
• Over/Under: Over 244.5 (-110) | Under 244.5 (-110)

Bulls vs Spurs betting trend to know

The Bulls are 6-1 ATS in their last seven matchups against the Spurs. Find more NBA betting trends for Bulls vs. Spurs.

How to watch Bulls vs Spurs

Bulls vs Spurs latest injuries

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St. John's amazing return to national prominence in men's basketball has earned the architect of the renaissance a new contract.

School officials confirmed to ESPN on Sunday, March 29, that Rick Pitino has signed a new contract that will make him the Big East's second-highest paid-coach behind UConn's Dan Hurley.

"Coach Pitino has changed the culture of our community and we want his presence to be felt on this campus for years to come," athletic director Ed Kull said in a statement. "We look forward to more Big East championships and NCAA tournament runs with Coach Pitino at the helm."

Pitino led the Red Storm to a 30-7 record and their first appearance in the Sweet 16 this century before a season-ending loss to Duke on Friday, March 17.

In his third year at St. John's, the 73-year-old Pitino made history as the Red Storm became the first program ever to win back-to-back Big East regular season and tournament titles.

The Hall of Fame coach has an overall record of 915-318 (.742) over 38 seasons. He has taken three different schools (Providence, Kentucky, Louisville) to the Final Four and won two national championships.

The USA TODAY app gets you to the heart of the news — fast. Download for award-winning coverage, crosswords, audio storytelling, the eNewspaper and more.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Rick Pitino signs lucrative new contract as St. John's head coach

The torrid stretch of play Luka Dončić has been on during March will cool down, at least for one night, when the Los Angeles Lakers host the Washington Wizards on Monday.

With the NBA not rescinding Dončić’s technical foul from Friday’s win over the Nets, which was his 16th tech of the season, the Lakers star guard will serve a league-mandated one-game suspension when the Lakers match up against the Wizards at Crypto.com Arena. 

Dončić averaged 36.5 points (49.3% shooting, 39% on 3-pointers), 8.1 rebounds, 7.1 assists and 2.3 steals during the Lakers’ 14–2 stretch going back to Feb. 28 before the league announced on Saturday that he’d be suspended for Monday’s game. 

He’s the reigning Western Conference player of the week, receiving the honor back-to-back weeks. 

“He’s disappointed,” coach JJ Redick said after Sunday’s practice. “He wants to be there for his teammates, and again, I’ve talked about this all year, he plays. He’s not a guy that takes games off. He can be banged up and he’s gonna play. He was like that when I was his teammate in Dallas.”

With the way the Lakers have leaned on Dončić, their game plan against the Wizards will have to look different.

More time for Austin Reaves to be the primary ball handler with Dončić out.

Possibly more playing time for Bronny James, Jarred Vanderbilt and Maxi Kleber, with starting guard Marcus Smart and Adou Thiero both being “day-to-day,” in addition to Dončić’s absence.

Smart has missed the last three games because of a right ankle contusion, while Thiero has been sidelined for the last couple of days because of left knee soreness. 

“For [Monday], we’ve gotten some great contributions from guys that haven’t necessarily been in, like the nine-man rotation when we’ve been fully healthy,” Redick said. “Bronny’s had some good moments. Vando’s had some good moments, Maxi’s had some good moments. But we’re gonna need everybody.”

Jersey swap

When Reaves conducted his post-practice media availability, he had centers Deandre Ayton and Jaxson Hayes by his side.

But Reaves was wearing Ayton’s practice jersey. And Ayton was wearing Reaves’.

Hayes was wearing second-year wing Dalton Knecht’s jersey during a practice nobody wore their own number.

“We all just traded,” Hayes explained. “Dalton, I saw he was still wearing his jersey, so I gave him Vando’s. I had Vando’s jersey on, we traded. Everyone had on a different jersey.”

Golf time

Reaves joked that Redick needed to quickly finish his post-practice availability so Reaves could go so he wouldn’t be late for his tee time.

Golf has quickly become one of the frequently-discussed topics among Lakers, a significant amount of the team playing.

“It’s funny, because when I first got in the NBA, there were a lot of guys that golfed and then nobody golfed for a long time,” Redick said. “And then post-bubble [in 2020], guys started getting back into it, and it became more common. For our team, we have 3–5 guys, at least three, that this time last year, have never played golf before: Bronny, Luka, LeBron, kind of Dalton, I think Jaxson started to work on his game.

“It’s a good team-bonding thing. For our team in LA, I talked about this in a press conference recently, it’s really hard in LA to bond. You live in Manhattan Beach, you live in Calabasas, you live in Westside, whatever. You’re hours, sometimes, away from your teammates. So finding tee times, being with each other for four hours where you can shoot the proverbial S-H-I-whatever and not have to be in a high pressure moment or on a team bus and kind of be away from the facility, I think it’s great.

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As Week 23 comes to a close, you take a step back and ask what did we learn about the Phoenix Suns? And the answer is not something new. It is more of a reinforcement of what has already been there all season. This team competes.

Even during that 1–6 stretch, the effort never disappeared. The pressure was there, the identity was there, the foundation of what we call Suns basketball was still present. What was missing was the ability to close. Late in games, the execution slipped, and when you are missing key pieces due to injury, that margin becomes even thinner. It is hard to finish when the other side has its full arsenal, and you do not.

That reality carried into the conversation this week, especially after the loss to the Denver Nuggets. Devin Booker had a clean look from three late, a wide-open shot that would have flipped the outcome. He missed it, and that moment lit the fuse on a familiar debate. Why does it always end in isolation? Why does the ball always find Booker? Why is he the one taking that shot?

It is an interesting conversation, and it always seems to surface when the shot does not fall. There is a push from some to see more movement, more sharing, a search for the next pass and the next open look, regardless of who ends up taking it. The idea sounds clean. The execution is not always that simple.

In that moment, the Suns created a clean look for their best player. Booker was open, the shot was there, and those are the situations you live with. The debate lingers because of the result, but the process itself was sound. And that is where it becomes a little puzzling, because sometimes the difference between the right play and the wrong outcome is nothing more than a made shot.

Let me start here. Isolation is part of basketball. It always has been, and it always will be. When games get tight, when you hit those final possessions, offenses across the league slow down, become more deliberate, and the ball finds one player. That is not a Suns thing, that is a basketball thing. We all love the flow. The ball whipping around, transition opening up shooters, sets unfolding the way they are drawn up. That is the beauty of the game over 48 minutes. But late in games, it becomes about control. It becomes about putting the ball in the hands of your best player and living with the result.

For the Phoenix Suns, that player is Devin Booker.

You can debate where he sits among the league’s elite, you can stack numbers, you can build arguments on both sides, but the reality inside that locker room and on that floor is clear. He is the guy. He is paid like it, he plays like it, and he has earned that responsibility over time. That is not about forcing shots because of a contract, it is about trusting the player who has carried that load night after night.

Does it always work? No. But the objective in those moments is simple. Get your best player a clean look and give him a chance to win the game. And when you do that, when the process is right, you live with the outcome, make or miss.

"Great shot. Probably won't get one that good at the end of a game."

Devin Booker as he missed a late 3 for the win in Phoenix Suns 125-123 loss Tuesday night to Denver Nuggets. #Sunspic.twitter.com/Ak2xTTmvm0

— Duane Rankin (@DuaneRankin) March 25, 2026

What gets lost in all of this is the simple truth that games like Denver only matter because Devin Booker is on the floor. He is the reason you are in that moment to begin with. He is the one carrying possessions, bending defenses, creating something out of nothing when things stall. Without him, this team drifts. We have seen it. There is no direction, no steady hand guiding it. So when it comes down to that final shot, it should not feel complicated. The same player who got you there should have the chance to finish it. He earned that. Through the work, through the production, through the responsibility he has taken on all season. You live with the result, but you do not take the opportunity out of his hands.

Yes, other Suns’ players have hit big shots this season, and that is what good teams do. It is a sign of depth, a sign of trust, a sign that multiple guys are capable when the moment arrives. But it is always interesting how the conversation shifts when Devin Booker misses. The immediate reaction becomes that someone else should have taken it, that the ball should have moved one more time, that there was a better option waiting somewhere else. It turns into the ‘disease of what if’, a loop that never really ends.

“But Booker is only shooting 26.1% from deep in clutch situations.” True. And Grayson Allen is at 22.2%, Collin Gillespie is at 31.3%, Jalen Green is at (hides eyes with hands) 14.3%, and Royce O’Neale is at 33.3%. Every player on the Suns regresses in those situations, which is a greater conversation to be had in my opinion.

There is a comfort for some in imagining a different outcome. If the ball swings to Grayson Allen and he misses, it feels easier to accept. You shrug it off, say it was a bonus opportunity, and move on. But that same scenario would spark the opposite reaction from others, the question of why Booker did not take it. That is the catch. There is no version of it that satisfies everyone.

The reality is simple. Booker is the best player on the Phoenix Suns, and the offense should be geared toward getting him the best look possible in those moments. Defenses know it, they load up for it, they try to take it away. And still, that is where the ball is supposed to go. That is how this works across the league. Nikola Jokic gets that shot for Denver. Victor Wembanyama gets that shot for San Antonio. They convert, and it reinforces the idea. When they miss, the noise is there too.

There are levels to this. Booker sits within that hierarchy, even if he is not at the very top tier occupied by generational players. But for Phoenix, he is the guy. He is the one everything runs through, the one who carries the weight of those moments. This team goes as far as he takes it, and we have seen both sides of that this season.

Sometimes he delivers, like he did against Oklahoma City. Sometimes the shot does not fall, like it did against Denver. That is the nature of it. No one is perfect in those situations. Nobody is batting 1.000. And at the end of the day, if the Suns are going to live with anyone taking that shot, it should be Devin Booker.

Week 23 Record: 1-1

vs. Denver Nuggets, L, 125-123

• Possession Differential: +2.1
• Turnover Differential: -6
• Offensive Rebounding Differential: -4

The Phoenix Suns did a stellar job competing against a team that, quite simply, is better than them right now. They stayed in it, they pushed, they gave themselves a real chance. And you cannot help but wonder how it looks if they are whole, if the full roster is available, if the margins shift even slightly. Maybe the outcome does too.

vs. Utah Jazz, W, 134-109

• Possession Differential: +0.9
• Turnover Differential: -2
• Offensive Rebounding Differential: +10

Yeah, it’s only the Utah Jazz. But it felt good. It felt right. Watching the Phoenix Suns play that kind of basketball again, connected, sharp, purposeful, moving the ball, defending with intent, it reminded you what this team can look like when it all clicks.

Inside the Possession Game

• Weekly Possession Differential: +3.0
• Weekly Turnover Differential: -8
• Offensive Rebounding Differential: +6
• Year-to-Date Over/Under .500: +8

And now, the graph that I soon will no longer have to make…

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Week 24 Preview

Week 24 arrives, and with it comes April basketball. You can feel the end of the regular season getting close now, as the runway is shortening. Four games on the schedule, all on the road, and all sitting there as winnable if the Suns handle their business.

It starts with a back-to-back. Monday brings the Memphis Grizzlies, a group that has shifted its focus and is playing out the string. That is one you have to take care of. No messing around, no letting it linger.

The next night, the Suns head to face the Orlando Magic, a team that has found some life. Phoenix needed double overtime to get past them after the break, a 113–110 win fueled by 27 points from Grayson Allen, and you know this one will have a similar feel. Competitive, physical, the kind of game that tests your legs on the second night of a back-to-back.

Thursday sends them to Charlotte against the Charlotte Hornets, a team they have already beaten once, but one that can still sting if you lose focus. They play loose, they play free, and that can create problems if you are not locked in. Then it wraps on Easter Sunday in Chicago against the Chicago Bulls, a chance to clean up a loss that did not sit well earlier this month. That one carries a little extra edge, a little extra motivation.

Four games, all on the road, all right there for the taking. This is where you sharpen things, where you build rhythm, where you make sure you are ready for what comes next.

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65% of voters called the 1-1 record for the Suns this past week. A little bit harder to predict in Week 24. How do you think the team will do?