Category: Basketball

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The NBA Play-In Tournament can't do much better than Steph Curry vs. Kawhi Leonard as the Golden State Warriors take on the Los Angeles Clippers tonight.

We use our NBA player prop projections to deliver you the best Warriors vs. Clippers predictions and NBA picks on the board tonight.

Warriors vs Clippers computer picks for April 15

Warriors	Clippers
Green o7.5 points  +100	Mathurin o11.5 points -120
Santos o10.5 points  -115	Leonard u29.5 points  -110
Porzingis u18.5 points  -105	Mathurin o3.5 rebounds -125

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Warriors computer picks

Draymond Green Over 7.5 points (+100)

Projection: 9.48 points

Draymond Green has been a quiet scorer to end the season, but he averaged 8.9 points per game in March and reached double figures in seven of his 13 games. Curry's gravity alone will create some easy buckets for Green.

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Gui Santos Over 10.5 points (-115)

Projection: 12.96 points

This is a short line for a guy who's averaged north of 15 points per game since the start of March and scored 20+ five times over that span. 

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Kristaps Porzingis Under 18.5 points (-105)

Projection: 16.41 points

It's been hard for Kristaps Porzingis to find a rhythm, considering he's played just 32 games this season (15 for the Warriors). In those 15 games, he's cleared this number just five times. 

span style="font-size: 14px;"🔥/span spanBet PORZINGIS Now at bet365!/span

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Clippers computer picks

Bennedict Mathurin Over 11.5 points (-120)

Projection: 15.37 points

Bennedict Mathurin is coming off a 20-point night against these very Warriors and scored 17 points when these teams met on March 2.

span style="font-size: 14px;"🔥/span spanBet MATHURIN Now at bet365!/span

Kawhi Leonard Under 29.5 points (-110)

Projection: 26.19 points

The insane scoring totals Kawhi Leonard posted through much of the season took a slight dip at the end, clearing this total just once in his last 10 games. His minutes could see a slight bump, but a 30-point night is still a lot to ask.

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Bennedict Mathurin Over 3.5 rebounds (-125)

Projection: 5.09 rebounds

He's cleared this number in four of his six games this month and 15 of 20 going back to the start of March. He's averaged 5+ rebounds per game every month this season, making this a low bar to clear.

span style="font-size: 14px;"🔥/span spanBet MATHURIN Now at bet365!/span

How to watch Warriors vs Clippers tonight

Location	Intuit Dome, Inglewood, CA
Date	Wednesday, April 15, 2026
Tip-off	10:00 p.m. ET
TV	Prime Video

Not intended for use in MA.
Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.

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This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here and view our best betting sites or check out our top sportsbook promos.

Just over a week after the NCAA transfer portal opened, college basketball fans have a glimpse of what rosters will look like next season.

Another week remains for players to enter the portal until Tuesday, April 21. Even when the portal closes, teams will be able to make additions to the roster ahead of next season.

As the 2025-26 season taught us with Michigan winning the national title, building through the transfer portal is as important as ever in college basketball.

College basketball transfer portal rankings: Top 40 available players

With the NCAA approving a shortened transfer portal window for the 2026 season, the window for teams to add talent becomes even more crucial.

Here's a look at the list of winners and losers through the early portion of the transfer portal movement for the 2025-26 season:

Transfers by conferences: ACC | Big Ten | Big 12 | SEC | Big East

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The Orlando Magic face the Philadelphia 76ers in the NBA Play-In Tournament on Wednesday night.

Superstar center Joel Embiid is once again sidelined for Philadelphia, and that factors into my NBA picks in the player props markets.

See why my Magic vs. 76ers props for April 15 are backing one point guard and fading another.

And don't miss Jason Logan's full-game Magic vs. 76ers predictions!

Best Magic vs 76ers props

Player	Pick
Tyrese Maxey	Under 6.5 assists	-145
Goga Bitadze	Over 4.5 rebounds	+100
Jalen Suggs	Over 2.5 threes	+150

Prop #1: Tyrese Maxey Under 6.5 assists

-145 at bet365

Tyrese Maxey leads the Philadelphia 76ers with 28.3 points and 6.6 assists per game. That said, Maxey's assist numbers have fluctuated depending on whether or not Joel Embiid is in the lineup.

In 35 games with Embiid this season, Maxey averaged 7.5 apg, but that number dropped to 5.7 apg in 35 games without the high-scoring center.

The All-Star point guard has logged five assists or less in four of his last five games. Meanwhile, the Orlando Magic have allowed the eighth-fewest assists per game (25.3) in the NBA. 

Prop #2: Goga Bitadze Over 4.5 rebounds

+100 at bet365

Goga Bitadze saw his playing time increase towards the end of the regular season, and his production ramped up with it. Orlando's backup center grabbed 7+ boards in four of his last five contests, averaging 9.0 rebounds per game over that span.

The 76ers have struggled on the glass, especially when Embiid isn't in the lineup. Philly is 22nd in the NBA in rebounds allowed per game (45.3), with that number ticking up to 47.0 over the last month. 

Prop #3: Jalen Suggs Over 2.5 threes

+150 at bet365

Even without Embiid, the Sixers clog the paint on defense, which has led to them allowing 40.2 3-point attempts per game since the All-Star break — the third-highest number in the league. 

The Magic will have to utilize their outside shooting to get their offense going, and Jalen Suggs has been their most reliable option from the arc. 

Suggs has knocked down 2.6 threes per game at a 36.4% clip over his last 20 contests. He's coming off a game where he drained seven shots from deep, and he has eclipsed 2.5 threes in five of his last six games.

This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here and view our best betting sites or check out our top sportsbook promos.

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The NBA Play-In Tournament continues this evening as the Golden State Warriors travel to Inglewood to take on the Los Angeles Clippers.

With tonight’s winner living to see another day for a shot at the postseason, we break down Kalshi’s win probability markets and deliver Warriors vs. Clippers predictions to help guide your NBA picks for Wednesday, April 15.

Who will win Warriors vs Clippers?

Warriors win probability:34% (+194)
Clippers win probability:68% (-213)

Los Angeles is 9-1 ATS in its last 10 matchups against Golden State, and that has oddsmakers trading the Clippers at 68% (-213) to prevail at the Intuit Dome. 

Our prediction:Warriors to win

For one more night, perhaps one last night, two of the three key pieces to this Warriors dynasty can rekindle those memories. No “Wall” will bother Curry or Green.

They have faced Kawhi Leonard countless times before, and with veterans like Al Horford and Kristaps Porzingis now their running mates, Golden State as a whole should embrace this road atmosphere.

Read more in Douglas Farmer's full Warriors vs. Clippers predictions.

More Warriors vs Clippers prediction markets

You're certainly not limited to the main game outcome for Warriors vs. Clippers at Kalshi; you also have options to trade on the spread, total, and more, among other NBA odds markets.

You can buy either side of a market — for example, "Yes" on the Clippers -4.5 spread means the Clippers will cover, while "No" means the Warriors will cover — with each side priced based on the implied probability (which can be converted to American, Decimal, or Fraction odds using the Covers odds converter).

Warriors vs Clippers spread and total at prediction markets

Our predictions: Over 220.5 points — No

All four matchups between these two teams have gone under the total this season, by an average of 17.25 points per game.

Other Warriors vs Clippers prediction markets available

• Steph Curry 4+ threes (Yes: 61¢)
• Kristaps Porzingis 6+ rebounds (Yes: 56¢)
• Derrick Jones Jr. 1+ blocks (Yes: 57¢)

What is Kalshi and how does it work?

Kalshi is a federally regulated U.S. exchange where you trade directly on the outcome of real-world future events. Instead of traditional bets, you trade "Event Contracts," which are simple Yes/No questions like "Will the Clippers win tonight?" These events are priced between $0.01 and $0.99, and the prices reflect the market’s estimated probability of that event occurring. For instance, $0.55 equals a 55% chance. If your prediction is correct, the contract pays out exactly $1.00; if not, it settles at $0. Kalshi is essentially a stock market for reality.

How does Kalshi differ from sportsbooks?

In a sportsbook, you bet against the bookmaker, who sets fixed odds and takes a "vig," which is a kind of commission. On Kalshi, you trade against other users. This peer-to-peer model means prices are driven by supply and demand, often resulting in fairer odds. Additionally, because these are financial derivatives, you can exit your position early. If your team takes a 14-point lead, the contract price will rise, allowing you to sell your "Yes" shares for a profit before the final whistle even blows.

Why should I wager on Warriors vs Clippers at Kalshi?

Kalshi offers four unique advantages over traditional sportsbooks:

1. Flexibility: Unlike a "locked-in" bet, you can sell your contract at any time.
   
   
2. Transparency: You trade against other users, which can allow you to find better value.
   
   
3. Federal regulation: As a CFTC-regulated exchange, your funds are held in a secure, transparent environment.
   
   
4. Availability: Kalshi is available in 49 states (excluding Nevada) and D.C., including many regions where traditional sportsbooks aren't yet legal.

This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here and view our best betting sites or check out our top sportsbook promos.

Thanks to CelticsBlog, I had the pleasure of covering the final two games of the Boston Celtics’ regular season as credentialed media, making the journey from Tasmania, Australia. I won’t bore you with the details of the journey, but despite a 45-hour, door-to-door journey and some horrendous jet lag, I still had the time of my life.

Quickly, for those curious as to how and why an Australian became so passionate about the Boston Celtics: my dad is from Andover, Mass., and moved to Australia when he was 25 years old, against his mother’s wishes — “you’ll meet a girl, and never come back.” Mothers are always right. I was lucky enough for my Dad to pass on the passion for Boston sports.

Due to the time difference between Boston and the East Coast of Australia, Celtics games are typically anywhere between 9.30 am – 12.30 pm. Perfect if you have a free day. But on days that either of us are working or engaged in an activity that has sadly had to be prioritised over watching the Boston Celtics, we developed a simple code to avoid spoiling the results of these games. A quick “I finished the game” text to let the other party know that we are free to start breaking down the game and gushing about how mind boggling it is that Jayson Tatum already looks this good less than 12 months removed from tearing his Achilles. 

There was no amount of jet lag that could dampen my spirit as I made my way to TD Garden from the South End, where I stayed during my five days in Boston. Boston was blessed with lovely weather during my stay, so I opted to walk whenever possible, including to TD Garden, through Boston Common, which was packed with people and squirrels, which were a nice novelty addition to my walk. The squirrels were the novelty, not the people. We have a few of those in Tasmania.

When I’m back home in Australia, whenever I spot someone wearing Celtics gear, I’ll often stop them and deliver a quick quip about the team. This season it was a lot of “how about Jaylen Brown, hey?” Often, the response is “oh I just like the gear.” But sometimes, I strike gold and find another Celtics sicko to have a chat with. I had to fight to break this habit once arriving in Boston. Otherwise, I would have spoken to the entire city’s population in my five days. This urge was especially hard to fight the closer I got to the Garden, and as the closer I got, the thicker the stream of Celtics gear became.

I was walking behind a group of one dad and five young boys, all decked out in Cs gear and were bouncing with excitement for the Pelicans game. The kids were arguing over who their favourite Celtics were. Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum featured prominently in this passionate debate. Payton Pritchard received an honourable mention.

The only other time I had been to TD Garden was in the first round of the 2022 playoffs when the Celtics faced off against the Brooklyn Nets for Game 2 of that series’ a game that featured Payton Pritchard sparking a double-digit comeback. That time, I turned left as we got to the gigantic TD Garden foyer, to make our way up the main entrance escalators. This time, I made my way past that entrance, and around the building towards the staff and media entrance. I hadn’t been nervous until this moment.  While I knew that Celtics PR was expecting me, it still did not feel real that a media credential would be waiting for me.

I put my bag through security, told the PR lady who I was, she handed me my credentials, and not thirty seconds later, I was walking through the tunnel and found myself six feet from the parquet. I located my fellow beat reporters, who at least pretended to be very excited to see me and were impressed that I had made the journey across the world to join them in covering the Celtics. 

I was just in time to watch the bench guys go through a high-intensity workout; Amari Williams, Max Shulga, and John Tonje were battling it out. I knew, conceptually, how big NBA players (and coaches) are, but seeing Amari and Tonje banging bodies in the post hammered home that reality. The next thing I know, I hear a Ric Flair-style “Wooooo” from behind me. It was assistant Coach Sam Cassell making a grand entrance onto the court. I’m told this is a regular occurrence. Cassell jumped straight into trash-talking all three young players for getting scored on by each other and not corralling rebounds. 

As we inched closer to game time, the arena slowly filled up, not just with fans but with some familiar faces. The experience of being at TD Garden, wandering through the labyrinthine hallways of the bowels of TD Garden, was like being dropped into the middle of my favourite TV show — one I’ve watched religiously for most of my life, and feel like I know all the characters intimately.

I bumped into Drew Carter in the media dining room, as we both went to grab a snack. “Wow, you’re in Boston?! How’s it going, mate?” The fact that Drew remembered me from his appearance on First to the Floor was incredible. Moments like almost crashing into Derrick White as I rounded a corner as I looked for a bathroom will never be forgotten. Thankfully, it was just almost; I would never have forgiven myself if I were the one to give Derrick a knee contusion. It was a truly surreal feeling.

Next, it was time for Joe Mazzulla’s pregame press conference, an obligation I’m not sure Joe would describe as his favourite part of being head coach of the Boston Celtics. At this moment, the press conference room is buzzing with various conversations. I believe Robbie Hodin and I were discussing the merits of Paolo Banchero as part of the “who would you rather play: Philly or Orlando?” conversation that everyone had multiple times in my two days at The Garden. A hush came over the room as Mazzulla marched towards the interview table. I sat back and observed the media veterans like Gary Washburn and John Karalis do the heavy lifting for this pregame interview. I wanted to see how the mechanics of the interviews work before I launched myself into the firing line of a Joe Mazzulla response. 

It was then time to make the journey up to the rafters, which is where I would be sitting, a perfect vantage point for seeing the activity of all ten players on the court at once. I know players from the Celtics and around the league consistently mention TD Garden as one of the best atmospheres in the NBA, but I was still blown away by the crowd in both the game against the New Orleans Pelicans and the regular-season finale against the Orlando Magic. In the first game, the Pelicans were without the top end of their rotation, and for the final game of the regular season, the Celtics were missing their top seven rotation players. I would not have faulted the Garden faithful for conserving their energy for the playoffs. However, the energy was palpable from the player intros.

Despite both games on paper being somewhat underwhelming, both games overdelivered. On night one, the Celtics blasted the Pelicans and fell one three-pointer short of breaking the NBA record for most threes in a game. You could feel the crowd’s energy build as the record came within reach. It was as exciting as a 36-point blowout could be.

The second night against the Orlando Magic delivered one of the most memorable games of the year, a game that the Celtics were given no chance to win, which is the 2025–2026 Celtics’ specialty — they came out and laid the smackdown on the Orlando Magic. On that night, I was treated to the Garden crowd losing their minds amidst a third quarter avalanche fueled by Baylor Scheierman, Ron Harper Jr., and Luka Garza dismantling the Magic’s starters. 

As the games conclude, it was time to race back down for Joe Mazzulla’s postgame press conference. After the Pelicans game, I was ready to ask Mazzulla a question about Nikola Vucevic stringing another strong performance together after a solid second half against the New York Knicks. As to be expected, I was towards the back end of Joe’s press conference, giving priority to the more experienced reporters, which led to the great Bobby Manning of CelticsBlog and CLNS beating me to the punch on the Vucevic topic. I was, in theory, ready for this situation, as I had prepared a long list of questions to ask Joe during the aforementioned 45-hour journey across the world.

However, I hadn’t been rehearsing those questions in my head for the last 15 minutes. I was already nervous, but it was too late to back out. I had already signalled to Celtics PR that I had a question; there was no stopping the microphone being placed in my hands at this point. I have no idea what John Karalis asked Joe; all I could do was try to formulate my question. The mic was passed to me. I could feel my heart beating in every cell in my body. I delivered my question about Joe’s perspective on the playoffs being different from the regular season, and Mazzulla blessed me with an introspective, thoughtful answer, of which I heard some of. 

The following night after the Magic game concluded, I was at least 50% less nervous when the microphone was passed to me. I was lucky enough to get to ask Joe another question, and then what is a rare occurrence at this point in the season, a player at the podium as well. After the Orlando Magic game, it was Baylor Scheierman who had just dropped a career-high 30 point, 7 rebound, 7 assist game on the heads of the Orlando Magic. At this point, the confidence was brewing. I even started my question with a “Hey, Baylor,” to which he gave me a head nod. Did we just become best friends? 

A couple of miscellaneous moments that would feel rude not to share: Dalano Banton had just been brought back by the Celtics for the third time to play in Game 82. Banton had just finished his pregame warmup as the President of Basketball Operations, Brad Stevens, made his way over to him. They shared what appeared to be an incredibly positive interaction. I found this interesting as their relationship is somewhat complicated. On one hand, the Celtics and Brad clearly like Banton as they keep bringing him in. On the other hand, they don’t like him enough to keep him around long term. Well, Banton gave the Celtics front office another reminder as to why they like him by showing out in a monster win against the Magic. 

I was just a few feet away when observing Ron Harper Jr.’s warmup. Something that jumped out at me was that the word “warmups” doesn’t do justice to what the players go through before a game. The assistant coaches who play one-on-one with the players are all former Division I. In this case, six-foot-six, and obviously incredible at basketball. They go at it during these warmups. Ron Harper Jr. made this specific coach look like a high school player, effortlessly cooking him while sweat was pouring out of the coach. This showing during the warmup ended up being a precursor to the best night of Ron Harper Jr.’s young career.

Finally, one of my favourite things about this experience was that, after all the post-game interviews had wrapped up and players and coaches had left the building, the reporters had started filing stories and finishing recording podcasts, a quiet settled over the arena. Once I had finished writing on both nights, I made a point to go back through the tunnel to take a final look at the parquet and soak in the experience of the night.

From feeling like a part of the beat reporting team to bumping into Derrick White, there were so many moments I was trying to burn into my memory. My expectations for this experience could not have been higher, and somehow they were blown out of the water. I am eternally grateful to CelticsBlog for giving me this opportunity. I hope to be back in the building again one day. 

The Spurs are headed to the playoffs for the first time since 2019, and we now know their first round opponent will be the Portland Trail Blazers, with Game 1 set for 8 PM CT on Sunday. That’s still several days out, so in the meantime, we’re looking back one of the best regular seasons in franchise history.

Yesterday, we looked at the first part of the season, which featured a 5-0 start, followed by the Spurs continuing to roll despite missing Victor Wembanyama for 12 straight games thanks to a calf strain. In his absence, the Spurs still thrived thanks to the leadership of De’Aaron Fox and the superior depth they had developed over the years via the draft and free agency. It all added up to a win on the road against the Lakers to earn a trip to Las Vegas for the NBA Cup Semi-Finals, which is where we’re picking things up today.

Part 2: Dec. 13 – Dec. 31 (7-2*)

* Not counting their loss in the NBA Cup Final to the Knicks.

Technically, this is just nine games (10 if you count the Cup Final that fortunately counts as Wemby’s 65th game and makes him award eligible but not in any other capacity), so it might be a stretch to consider this an entire segment of the season, but it was too memorable not to! Still, even though I counted the first part of December in Part 1 (since we’re using Wemby’s return as the launching point for this part), we’ll still point out that a win in New Orleans on December 8 kicked off their first 8-game winning streak since 2019, and they went 11-3 overall (again, not counting the Cup Final). Also, the Spurs had 8 different players lead the team in scoring in December, which is mind-blowing and another reminder of their insane depth (hat tip to TontonOngBak).

The third game of that winning streak is where we’re kicking things off here, beginning in Las Vegas with Wemby returning to from his extended absence, albeit in a bench role and on minutes restrictions, just in time for the first of what would be three surprising victories over the Thunder, beginning with a Cup Semifinal win after a back and forth 4th quarter, which officially brought the Spurs to the national audience’s attention.

While they would go on to lose the Cup Final to the Knicks (who are a surprisingly stubborn matchup for them), it didn’t officially count, although Keldon Johnson still got a big enough bonus to get his llamas! From there, they continued their win streak with a few easy games against the Wizards and Hawks before a home-away miniseries against the Thunder, in which they blew them out at home before a surprisingly comfortable win in OKC on Christmas Day. As Shai Gilgeous-Alexander went on to say, you don’t lose to the same team three times in 12 days without them being better than you.

After all that excitement, they returned home for a couple of letdown losses against the Jazz and Utah before ending on a high note. In what is becoming a trend in their home games against the Knicks, a random role player steps up with a historical performance to lead the Spurs to an exciting victory. Last year, it was Sandro Mamukelashvili with 34 points on 93% shooting (7-7 from three!), and this season, it was Julian Champagnie with a career-high 36 points while hitting a franchise record 11 threes on 17 attempts to lead them to a come-from-behind 134-132 win on New Year’s Eve and cap off a memorable 2025 for the team.

It sure was a December to remember after such an amazing run, and now, the Spurs were officially on everyone’s radar. Check back tomorrow as we visit part three, which was arguably their only “rough” patch of the season.

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It's a true coin-flip game when the Orlando Magic visit the Philadelphia 76ers tonight in NBA Play-In Tournament action.

Our Magic vs. 76ers predictions and free NBA picks will tell you what the best bets for this matchup are, and how you can use prediction markets like Kalshi to get the most bang for your betting buck.

Who will win Magic vs 76ers?

Magic win probability:47% (+113)
76ers win probability:54% (-117)

Prediction markets currently favor the Philadelphia 76ers, giving them a 54% chance to win. The Orlando Magic are live underdogs with a 47% chance to win.

Our prediction:76ers to win

Here's what our expert has to say about tonight's game: "Even with Joel Embiid out after an appendectomy, the Philadelphia 76ers will get past a shaken Orlando Magic squad Wednesday night. The Sixers know how to operate without their oft-injured big man and went 19-8 SU as home favorites this season."

Read more in Jason Logan's full Magic vs. 76ers predictions.

More Magic vs 76ers prediction markets

You're certainly not limited to the main game outcome for Magic vs. 76ers at Kalshi; you also have options to trade on the spread, total, and more, among other NBA odds markets.

You can buy either side of a market — for example, "Yes" on the 76ers -2.5 spread means the 76ers will cover, while "No" means the Magic will cover — with each side priced based on the implied probability (which can be converted to American, Decimal, or Fraction odds using the Covers odds converter).

Magic vs 76ers spread and total at prediction markets

Our predictions:76ers -2.5 — No and Over 223.5 points — No

The Magic are the team with momentum on its side, having won five of its last six overall. The Sixers' recent 2-3 run is notable in that they beat up on the dregs of the league (Milwaukee, Indiana) but couldn't run with the big boys (Houston San Antonio, Detroit).

Both squads can't throw a pea in the ocean at times, with Orlando ranking 25th in eFG% and Philly one spot behind, so give me the Under.

Other Magic vs 76ers prediction markets available

• Tyrese Maxey 30+ points (Yes: 53¢)
• Paolo Banchero 5+ assists (Yes: 61¢)
• VJ Edgecombe 6+ rebounds (Yes: 53¢)

What is Kalshi and how does it work?

Kalshi is a federally regulated U.S. exchange where you trade directly on the outcome of real-world future events. Instead of traditional bets, you trade "Event Contracts" which are simple Yes/No questions like "Will the 76ers win tonight?" These events are priced between $0.01 and $0.99, and the prices reflect the market’s estimated probability of that event occurring. For instance, $0.55 equals a 55% chance. If your prediction is correct, the contract pays out exactly $1.00; if not, it settles at $0. Kalshi is essentially a stock market for reality.

How does Kalshi differ from sportsbooks?

In a sportsbook, you bet against the bookmaker, who sets fixed odds and takes a "vig," which is a kind of commission. On Kalshi, you trade against other users. This peer-to-peer model means prices are driven by supply and demand, often resulting in fairer odds. Additionally, because these are financial derivatives, you can exit your position early. If your team takes a 14-point lead, the contract price will rise, allowing you to sell your "Yes" shares for a profit before the final whistle even blows.

Why should I wager on Magic vs 76ers at Kalshi?

Kalshi offers four unique advantages over traditional sportsbooks:

1. Flexibility: Unlike a "locked-in" bet, you can sell your contract at any time.
   
   
2. Transparency: You trade against other users, which can allow you to find better value.
   
   
3. Federal regulation: As a CFTC-regulated exchange, your funds are held in a secure, transparent environment.
   
   
4. Availability: Kalshi is available in 49 states (excluding Nevada) and D.C., including many regions where traditional sportsbooks aren't yet legal.

This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here and view our best betting sites or check out our top sportsbook promos.

For the third consecutive year, the Sixers have failed to hit that vaunted 50-win total in the regular season. They have not held home-court advantage in a playoff series since Doc Rivers was here. Joel Embiid is dealing with yet another crushing injury, one in a long line of them that have defined his career. Paul George, raking in a cool $51 million this season, served a 25-game suspension this season that did not help matters at all. Everyone in this fan base wants the head coach and the general manager fired.

I don’t argue with any of that. If anything, I’m more pessimistic and angry about the state of things when it comes to this franchise than most. The roots of this organization’s incompetence are deep seeded. There is no quick fix.

The Sixers will host the Magic in a Play-In game in South Philadelphia this evening. What would a victory over Orlando mean for them? It would put into motion a first-round matchup with the loathsome Celtics, a team that has thoroughly owned the Sixers for the last four decades. It would be a series that I can’t fathom the Sixers winning, particularly with Embiid’s current absence.

Despite all of that, I went on SeatGeek yesterday and bought a ticket for tonight’s game.

Why?

The obvious answer would be saying, “Because you’re a frigging clown.” Sure, that’s true in a vacuum, but there is something more to it.

I want to soak up the crowd at the arena. I pray to the basketball gods that it is rocking and this fan base has some juice. I can be rational and take a 10,000-foot view of things and see that beating the Magic does absolutely nothing to truly move the championship needle for the Sixers, but it could make for an entertaining, memorable time at the Sports Complex regardless. I want to see VJ Edgecombe get his first taste of what a playoff atmosphere will be like. I want to see Tyrese Maxey carry this team to a level I perhaps previously thought impossible. I mean, I just want to have some fun with the Sixers, however fleeting that fun may ultimately be, before they inevitably piss me off again.

I’ve spent (wasted?) so much time and energy on the Sixers in my life through both bad times and worse times. What’s one more night of Lucy ripping the football away as I go to kick it?

Jalen Brunson

It goes without saying, but this team, especially in the postseason, needs Jalen Brunson to be at his best. New York has had games, especially in the first round of the last couple of playoffs, where they have won, even when Brunson has had off nights. But they’ll need him to be great if they want to eliminate the Hawks. Whether it’s his scoring, playmaking, or late-game heroics, Brunson will be relied on heavily as he has been throughout his entire Knicks tenure. With a lot of pundits and Hawks fans doubting the point guard, Brunson will have the opportunity to make a lot of people eat their own words yet again. Expect a big series from the captain, who averaged 29.3 PPG and 7.7 APG against the Hawks during the regular season.

Karl-Anthony Towns

If Brunson dictates the Knicks’ floor, Karl-Anthony Towns very well may dictate their ceiling. While Brunson is unequivocally the best player on the team, and unquestionably the leader, and face of the franchise, Towns is just as, if not more, important. There is a very clear difference in just how good the Knicks can be when Towns is on his game and when he isn’t. In the games where the big man is mentally engaged defensively, aggressive offensively, and locked in on the boards, this team is capable of beating anyone. With how small the Hawks are, Towns can, and should, dominate the series. Atlanta will be throwing defensive stand out Dyson Daniels at Brunson, so Towns may be in for a very big series, especially since the Hawks were the team Towns averaged the most points per game against this season.

Mitchell Robinson

There’s a rather strong case for Mitchell Robinson being the most impactful bench player in the league. He’s one of the best offensive rebounders in the league, and it is something the Knicks have learned to build their offense around. And his ability to be both a rim protector, and one of the few centers who can actually hold his own on the perimeter makes him a unique player. With the aforementioned lack of centers on the Hawks, Robinson could team up with Towns to be the biggest difference makers. Fun fact: in two games against the Hawks this regular season, Robinson averaged 10.5 RPG and had an impressive offensive rating of 177, as well as a solid defensive rating of 97.

Deuce McBride

If Robinson isn’t the most impactful bench player in the league, Deuce McBride has a strong argument to swoop in and take that honor. The backup guard has become one of the most pivotal pieces to the Knicks, thanks in large part to his now deadly outside shot, point-of-attack defense, and willingness to make the connective plays. Regardless of what his counting stats say, McBride is often among the team leaders in plus-minus, spearheading big runs, and closing the game. His shot has looked somewhat inconsistent since returning from his two-month absence, but if he can get close to where he was pre-injury, the Knicks’ bench gets a massive boost.

Josh Hart

I had a tough one deciding between Josh Hart and Mikal Bridges. Before writing this, my gut feeling was to go with Bridges. Then once I sat down, I started to lean towards Hart. But prior to making my final decision, I decided to look at the two players’ splits this season, and something interesting came up. Bridges, despite everyone asking him to be more aggressive, has actually averaged less points per game and has a lower usage rate in their wins than he does in their losses. Now, that doesn’t tell the whole story, and it does not make me want to get off of the “I wish Bridges shot more” bus. But maybe his aggression, or lack thereof, doesn’t have as much of a correlation to how the Knicks play as we all thought.

With Hart, though, it’s pretty clear that it does. The guard averages three more points per game, one more rebound per game, and half an assist more per game in their wins. He also has a higher usage rate and is shooting much better from both the field and three in those games. If the Knicks want to not only win, but make light work of a Hawks team they should definitely beat, Hart, being a willing shooter, and an active player on offense, will go a long way.

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The Golden State Warriors have the same interest in the NBA Play-In Tournament as my wife does in my plans to rewatch the “John Wick” movies. 

They’re both on a minutes restriction.

Golden State is taking it easy when it faces the Los Angeles Clippers Wednesday night, with head coach Steve Kerr stating his stars will be limited. 

That keeps oddsmakers on their toes, especially when it comes to player prop markets. And where there’s uncertainty, there's value.

Here are my best NBA picks and prop predictions for Warriors vs. Clippers on April 15.

Best Warriors vs Clippers props

Player	Pick
Draymond Green	Over 5.5 rebounds	-110
Kristaps Porzingis	Under 18.5 points	-105
Darius Garland	Over 2.5 3-pointers	-145

Prop #1: Draymond Green Over 5.5 rebounds

-110 at bet365

Could tonight be Draymond Green’s curtain call? If so, expect Steve Kerr to let Draymond go out on his shield.

The Golden State Warriors’ veteran forward has voiced mixed emotions about the team’s standing and its Play-In positioning but told reporters he’s always going to compete. That’s been true for the “16-Gamer”, who raises his play when the stakes are high. 

Green has career average of 8.6 rebounds in the postseason – versus 6.8 in the regular season – and enters tonight well rested after sitting out the finale (against the L.A. Clippers).

Draymond will be called upon to guard Kawhi Leonard but also get run at center, given the injuries to the Clippers frontcourt. Los Angeles is down to one healthy(ish) center in Brook Lopez and has struggled when going small. 

Draymond’s projections range from 5.01 to 7.1 rebounds but considering the matchups and minutes restrictions for the Dubs' centers Kristaps Porzingis and Al Horford, Green will have plenty of chances to clean the glass.

Prop #2: Kristaps Porzingis Under 18.5 points

-105 at bet365

Kristaps Porzingis has only played 15 games in a Warriors jersey since being acquired at the trade deadline. With so many pieces in and out of the Golden State rotation, he admitted it’s been tough to find his spot in the offense. 

He finished the regular season averaging just over 16 points as a Warrior, but his usage nosedived when Stephen Curry returned. Porzingis led the team with a 28.8% usage rate in March (18.2 ppg) with that metric sliding to 22.6% in April (12.0 ppg).

It also helped that the Warriors took on some horrible defenses during Porzingis’ uptick in scoring. The 7-footer lit up the likes of Chicago, Washington (twice), Dallas, and Brooklyn – all of which sit bottom 10 in defensive rating since the All-Star break.

Porzingis has yet to play 30 or more minutes for the Dubs and likely won’t breach that bar in the Play-In, given Kerr said he would be on a minutes restriction tonight. Couple that with postseason intensity from the L.A. defense and Porzingis’ point total is a stretch.

Forecasts sit between 16.5 and 17.7 points for “The Unicorn”, who has scored 19 or more points in just five of his 15 games for the Warriors – all coming before Curry returned. 

His point markets for Wednesday ranges from 19.5 (Under -126) to 17.5 (Over -125), so shop around for the best of the number but going Under anything 18.5 or higher looks good.

Prop #3: Darius Garland Over 2.5 3-pointers

-145 at bet365

Clippers guard Darius Garland is expected to go toe-to-toe with Curry in the Play-In, which means also countering his output from beyond the arc. 

Garland is Los Angeles’ most active outside threat, firing up almost eight shots from distance for 3.3 makes per game since coming to the team at the trade deadline.

His output from outside dwindled down the stretch as Garland saw his minutes shrink after an ankle injury and a lingering toe ailment. That also slimmed his 3-point prop totals, dropping those numbers from highs of 3.5 O/U.

While he averaged just 1.6 makes from distance in April, he finished March knocking down almost four triples per outing and hitting at least three in 11 of his first 13 games for the Clips.

Golden State has the fifth worst 3-point defense since the break (37.6%) and most player projections lean toward three hits from long range for Garland, sitting between 2.5 and 3.0 3-pointers.

This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here and view our best betting sites or check out our top sportsbook promos.

The Los Angeles Lakers got good news late Tuesday night.

Following Portland’s thrilling victory over the Suns in the NBA Play-In Tournament, the NBA announced the rest of the schedule for the NBA playoffs — and Laker Nation should be celebrating.

In a shocking revelation — or not so shocking, if you believe media pundits and conspiracy theorists — the first-round series between the Lakers and Rockets is one of the most drawn out of the opening round.

Game 1 is set for Saturday, April 18, which was known. But the real juicy part came in the remainder of the schedule.

Game 2 is set for Tuesday, April 21 in Los Angeles, before the series moves to Houston for Games 3 and 4 on April 24 and 26, respectively. That gives the Lakers two full days off between Games 1 and 2 and 2 and 3, almost unheard of in an NBA playoff situation.

However, that wasn’t the most shocking revelation.

Should the series get to a Game 5 back in Los Angeles, that will be played on Wednesday, April 29, 11 days after Game 1.

Games 6 and 7 are set for May 1 and May 3, respectively.

This is huge news for the Lakers as they enter the postseason one of the most snake-bitten teams in the NBA.

Luka Dončić (Grade 2 left hamstring strain) and Austin Reaves (Grade 2 left oblique strain) both suffered regular season-ending injuries during the Lakers’ April 2 road loss to the Thunder.  

When asked on Tuesday about their availability for Game 1, head coach JJ Redick was blunt in his response.

“They’re out indefinitely,” Redick said. “I’m not going to have an update for you this week. They’re out indefinitely.”

Dončić was having an MVP-caliber season before suffering the injury with five games remaining in the regular season. He led the league in scoring (33.5 points), was third in assists (8.3) and sixth in steals (1.6). 

While not as heralded as Dončić and LeBron James, the Lakers looked like a true title contender when Reaves returned from injury. With him in the lineup, Los Angeles went 15–2 in March and surged.

Reaves was at the Lakers’ practice facility on Tuesday and was seen shooting on the court during the portion of practice that was open to media members.

While wearing slides, Reaves participated in a free throw shooting contest at the end of practice, missing a trio of free throws to the delight of his teammates. He made a corner 3-pointer before walking off the court.

It’s expected that both injuries take around 4–6 weeks to heal.

Dončić is attempting to speed up that process by traveling to Spain to receive special treatment (he’s scheduled to return to stateside on Friday), while Reaves’ situation is more about pain management.

With the way the first round schedule has been set, Dončić and Reaves could potentially return for Game 5, which would be four weeks since they both suffered the initial injury.

Any bit of a hope is reason for celebration if you’re Los Angeles.

First Round Schedule (if necessary)

Game 1: Saturday, April 18 (Los Angeles) — 5:30 p.m. (ABC)

Game 2: Tuesday, April 21 (Los Angeles) — 7:30 p.m. (NBC)

Game 3: Friday, April 24 (Houston) — 5 p.m. (Prime)

Game 4: Sunday, April 26 (Houston) — 6:30 p.m. (NBC)

Game 5: Wednesday, April 29 (Los Angeles) — TBD (TBD)

Game 6: Friday, May 1 (Houston) — TBD (TBD)

Game 7: Wednesday, May 3 (Los Angeles) — TBD (TBD)

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The Lakers are going into the playoffs with few expectations.

Injuries to Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves leave them in an unenviable position. While they secured the No. 4 seed, they’ll limp into the playoffs as a clear underdog.

Predictably, no one is picking the Lakers to win. On Monday, ESPN’s writers selected winners for each series and not one person picked LA to win.

Shoutout to a handful of writers who think the Lakers are going to take it to Game 7 but lose at home with LeBron James and maybe a returning Luka Dončić and/or Austin Reaves. On the other hand, though, they at least have the Lakers winning some games.

Having said all that, it’s time to revive the #WeBelieve hashtag.

According to ESPN’s Basketball Power Index, the Lakers have just a 32% chance of beating the Rockets. FanDuel’s odds for Saturday’s game list LA at +5.5. CBS Sports had similar expert predictions to ESPN with no one picking the Lakers to advance.

No one believes in the Lakers.

Even if it is just in this moment, it’s going to be a pretty easy rallying cry for head coach JJ Redick. An “us against the world” narrative can work for the first round with Luka and Austin out.

The purple and gold are going to have to figure a lot of things out on the fly. They’re going to have to heavily rely on LeBron James. They’ll need role players to step up in big ways. All of those things are tall asks. But there’s a path and that’s all the Lakers need.

#WeBelieve.

You can follow Jacob on Twitter at @JacobRude or on Bluesky at @jacobrude.bsky.social.