Category: Basketball

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Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves was the beating heart of the team’s recent winning run, logging major minutes during L.A.’s nine-game streak. But with that red-hot stretch coming to an end at Detroit on Monday, and a matchup with the lowly Indiana Pacers on deck, the spunky shooting guard will see his floor time dip.

My Lakers vs. Pacers predictions read into tonight’s game script, and my NBA picks see Reaves coming up short on the scoresheet on Wednesday, March 25.

Lakers vs Pacers prediction

Lakers vs Pacers best bet: Austin Reaves Under 22.5 points (-110)

During the Los Angeles Lakers’ winning streak, head coach J.J. Redick tightened his rotation and really leaned into the starters. 

That had Austin Reaves averaging a team high 38.8 minutes per game over the past 10 showings — more than five minutes above his season average.

That additional floor time came with a boost in offensive activity. Reaves’ field goal attempts jumped from 14.8 to 16.5 per contest, and he scored 23.4 points during this span, including a few 30-point efforts.

Reaves’ spike in scoring had him topping his player points prop in six of the last nine outings, including dropping 24 points versus a prop total of 20.5 O/U against the Detroit Pistons.

Los Angeles has played in several tight games during this recent run, with eight of the 10 spreads closing below five points. Tonight’s point spread versus the Indiana Pacers, however, is set at -10.5. Game script says Los Angeles cruises to an easy win, limiting Reaves’ late-game usage.

We could see Redick gear down his starters in this final stop on a six-game road swing. Monday’s loss to Detroit burns any incentive to keep the streak going, and he has to be careful to protect his top talents for the final nine games, as the Lakers try to hang on to the No. 3 seed in the West.

Reaves’ player projections range from 22.1 to 20.1 points. My number comes out to 21.25, which should have the Under 22.5 priced around -140. We can get that same total at a flat -110 at bet365.

Lakers vs Pacers same-game parlay

The spread and game models say the Lakers pick up where they left off, bouncing back from Monday’s loss. Los Angeles is trying to keep Denver at bay in the Western Conference standings.

Jarace Walker has been solid from outside. The Pacers forward has made two or more 3-pointers in six straight games, and is a much better shooter from deep at home (40.9% vs. 33.5% road).

Lakers vs Pacers SGP

• Lakers moneyline
• Austin Reaves Under 22.5 points
• Jarace Walker Over 1.5 3-pointers

Our "from downtown" SGP: Going through the paces

The Pacers snuffed out a streak of their own last time out, snapping a 17-game losing skid with a win over Orlando. If Los Angeles is in a bit of a letdown after the loss Monday, all those points add quite a cushion for the home team.

Lakers vs Pacers SGP

• Pacers +10.5
• Jarace Walker Over 1.5 3-pointers
• Pascal Siakam Over 5.5 rebounds
• Jay Huff Over 10.5 points

Lakers vs Pacers odds

• Spread: Lakers -10.5 | Pacers +10.5
• Moneyline: Lakers -550 | Pacers +400
• Over/Under: Over 239.5 | Under 239.5

Lakers vs Pacers betting trend to know

For as bad as the Pacers are, they’re 12-7 ATS (63%) as double-digit underdogs this season. Find more NBA betting trends for Lakers vs. Pacers.

How to watch Lakers vs Pacers

Lakers vs Pacers latest injuries

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Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs visit the Memphis Grizzlies tonight at the FedExForum, with tip-off scheduled for 8 p.m. ET. 

Second-year guard Stephon Castle has been in his bag, and my Spurs vs Grizzlies predictions expect him to show out. 

Read more in my NBA picks for Wednesday, March 25.

Spurs vs Grizzlies prediction

Spurs vs Grizzlies best bet: Stephon Castle Over 17.5 points (+100)

While Victor Wembanyama gets a ton of credit for the San Antonio Spurs’ success, other pieces have also been key to their rise to the second-best team in the Western Conference.

Stephon Castle is a perfect example. 

The 21-year-old is averaging 16.5 points per game, cashing the Over in points in five of his last seven contests. 

Castle has hit the Over in two of his last three road outings, also scoring 23 last week against the Los Angeles Clippers. The Memphis Grizzlies are an easier matchup for shooting guards, allowing 22.8 ppg to the position. 

Also, Castle’s backcourt mate, De’Aaron Fox, won’t play in Memphis due to back soreness. That means the young guard will have a heavier workload for the Spurs.

In nine games without Fox, Castle has averaged 18.9 points.

Spurs vs Grizzlies same-game parlay

Wemby just dropped 26 against the Heat, and he’s cashed the Over in five of his last nine appearances. The big man is averaging 24.3 ppg overall and 26.6 per outing in March. 

Wembanyama already erupted for 30 earlier in the campaign vs. Memphis, and he’ll also benefit from Fox’s absence with more offensive workload. 

Dylan Harper is a sparkplug off the bench for the Spurs, and he’s one of their better playmakers. Harper is averaging 3.8 dimes per game, and he just dished out six assists on Monday evening. 

The Rutgers product had finished with five dimes in four of five games before Monday, and without Fox — an elite facilitator — he’ll be tasked with stepping up as a passer. 

Spurs vs Grizzlies SGP

• Stephon Castle Over 16.5 points
• Victor Wembanyama Over 26.5 points
• Dylan Harper Over 5.5 assists

Our "from downtown" SGP: Spur of the moment

The Spurs are averaging 119.2 ppg this season, which ranks third in the Association. They’ve cashed the Over in three of their last four, and San Antonio just scored 136 against the Heat. 

They’ve hit the Over in team points in two of the last four meetings with Memphis, who is 22nd in defensive rating. 

Keldon Johnson has cashed the Over in triples in back-to-back contests and in three of his last four appearances. He’s 5-for-9 from downtown across his last two games alone. 

Spurs vs Grizzlies SGP

• Victor Wembanyama Over 26.5 points
• Dylan Harper Over 5.5 assists
• Spurs team total Over 124.5
• Keldon Johnson Over 1.5 threes

Spurs vs Grizzlies odds

• Spread: Spurs -16.5 (-115) | Grizzlies +16.5 (-105)
• Moneyline: Spurs -1600 | Grizzlies +900
• Over/Under: Over 232.5 | Under 232.5

Spurs vs Grizzlies betting trend to know

The Spurs have hit the moneyline in 27 of their last 40 away games (+29.25 Units / 32% ROI). Find more NBA betting trends for Spurs vs. Grizzlies.

How to watch Spurs vs Grizzlies

Spurs vs Grizzlies latest injuries

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Butler named Ronald Nored as its next men's basketball coach Wednesday, March 25.

Nored, 36, will be the 25th coach in program history, replacing Thad Matta after his retirement following the 2025-26 season. Nored is first coach hired by athletic director Grant Leiendecker, a former Butler basketball player who took over for outgoing AD Barry Collier in December of 2024.

Nored told the Atlanta Hawks, where he was an assistant coach, Wednesday morning, Leiendecker sharing a photo of the moment on Twitter.

"The term ‘dream job’ doesn’t do justice to how I feel about the opportunity to lead the Butler program," Nored said in a release. "Butler is an incredibly special place. As a player, I poured blood, sweat and tears into this program. No one appreciates both the responsibility and the potential that comes with this position more than me. Passionate fans, Hinkle Fieldhouse, the Big East, storied tradition, a world-class education, a thriving city … there is incredible momentum at Butler right now and I can’t wait to hit the ground running as we elevate Butler to new heights."

Nored emerged as a candidate to replace Matta due to his strong relationship with Leiendecker. Nored and Leiendecker played together at Butler for three seasons, including Butler's back-to-back national championship runner-up teams in 2010 and 2011. Of the potential coaching candidates, Nored was the only one without head-coaching experience at the college level, but his relationship with Leiendecker provides a level of familiarity and comfort for the AD.

“In a rapidly evolving college basketball landscape, our priority was identifying the absolute best leader to spearhead the future of Butler Basketball. Ronald Nored is that leader,” Leiendecker said.

“Ron is a relentless worker with an elite basketball IQ and a proven track record of developing talent at the highest level of basketball. He is the ultimate competitor, and he will cultivate that same quality within his team and staff. He is a gifted relationship builder who commands respect through his character and his craft. While he understands the soul of this university, we didn't hire him for his history here — we hired him for his vision of what we can become and how we will get there. His experience in the NBA provides us with a distinct competitive advantage as we navigate this new era of college basketball. He will attract an elite staff and student-athletes and build deep relationships within the Butler and Indianapolis communities. I have total confidence that Ron will put his own fingerprints on this program, set a new standard for our student-athletes, and elevate Butler Basketball to new heights.”

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Butler hires Ronald Nored as next men's basketball coach

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The Denver Nuggets hope to avoid a season series loss when they host the Dallas Mavericks tonight at Ball Arena.

Nikola Jokic is one of the best playmaking bigs the NBA has ever seen, and my Mavericks vs. Nuggets predictions expect a big night of dishing for the Denver legend. 
 
Read on for my NBA picks for Wednesday, March 25. 

Mavericks vs Nuggets prediction

Mavericks vs Nuggets best bet: Nikola Jokic Over 10.5 assists (-115)

Nikola Jokic does not chase assists. They come from how the Denver Nuggets run their offense, with the ball in his hands at the elbow or in the post on most possessions. 

Mavericks vs Nuggets same-game parlay

Without Aaron Gordon, there’s more pressure on Denver’s secondary scorers like Christian Braun and Cam Johnson to finish plays, and they have.

Braun should see 30+ minutes, and has scored 13 or more points in four of his previous five games.

Johnson should see more scoring opportunities with Gordon likely out. He’s scored at least 13 points in seven of his previous eight contests. 

Mavericks vs Nuggets SGP

• Nikola Jokic Over 10.5 assists
• Christian Braun Over 12.5 points
• Cam Johnson Over 12.5 points

Our "from downtown" SGP: Mile high total

Cooper Flagg is the Mavericks' offense, and has scored 21+ points in four of his last six.

March has been kind to Tim Hardaway Jr. He’s averaging 13 ppg during March, while Peyton Watson missed Tuesday night’s clash with Phoenix but has scored 11 points or more in eight of his last nine.

All signs point to high scoring.

Denver is 12-4 to the Over on zero days' rest. Dallas has allowed 130 or more points in four of its last six games, while all three head-to-head meetings this season have eclipsed the total. 

Mavericks vs Nuggets SGP

• Over 245.5
• Cooper Flagg Over 20.5 points
• Tim Hardaway Jr. Over 12.5 points
• Peyton Watson Over 10.5 points

Mavericks vs Nuggets odds

• Spread: Mavericks +14.5 |  Nuggets -14.5
• Moneyline: Mavericks +523 | Nuggets -730
• Over/Under: Over 245.5 | Under 245.5

Mavericks vs Nuggets betting trend to know

The Over is 3-0 in their three previous meetings this season. Find more NBA betting trends for Mavericks vs. Nuggets.

How to watch Mavericks vs Nuggets

Mavericks vs Nuggets latest injuries

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LAWRENCE, Mass. — Jordan Walsh knew that his Celtics team was going to be just fine.

In the offseason, when many in the media and the public predicted the Celtics would end up a lottery team, Walsh could only laugh.

“As soon as I started hearing people talking about losing and tanking and all that stuff, I immediately knew that that was never gonna be us,” Walsh told CelticsBlog at a PIMCO-sponsored dinner at the Lawrence Boys and Girls Club.

The discourse around the Celtics tanking was particuarly wild for the 22-year-old to digest.

“What is that? What does that mean purposely lose? Like, try not to win? Walsh said. ”There’s never going to be a situation where I feel like the Boston Celtics are not going to try to win — especially with Joe as the head coach.”

“Nobody in our organization wants to lose. I don’t care what it’s for – from Brad [Stevens] all the way down to me, nobody ever wants to lose.”

But, what kind of season was he, individually, destined for?

That, he wasn’t sure.

In total, Walsh has appeared in a 58 games this season, averaging 17.2 minutes a night. He’s tallied 5.3 points per game on 52.5% shooting, including 40.8% from three. All of those numbers are career-bests.

Walsh wasn’t in the rotation to start the year, but quickly emerged as a key part of the Celtics’ early success. He began starting games in November, and in December, he became one of the Celtics’ most crucial two-way players. That month, he shot 54.2% from three-point range, and was regularly tasked with guarding opposing teams’ best players.

After one December match-up, Los Angeles Lakers star Austin Reaves praised Walsh’s defense, per CLNS Media’s Bobby Manning.

“I can see him being one of the best defenders in the league for many years to come,” Reaves said,

But, the Celtics’ rotation continued to change, largely dependent on needs and recent play. Sam Hauser replaced Walsh in the starting lineup in January, and around that time, Baylor Scheierman also emerged as a key contributor and a secondary playmaker for the Celtics who demonstrated a proclivity for crashing the glass.

How Jordan Walsh has dealt with fluctuating minutes

Walsh’s minutes have steadily declined throughout the season; he averaged 24.1 minutes per game in November, 20.6 minutes in December, 15.8 minutes in January, 14 minutes in February, and 11.8 minutes in March.

Since Tatum’s return, he has mostly racked up DNPs as the odd man out from the Celtics’ pack of wing defenders. But, when he reflects on the year, he feels good about what he accomplished, even if it wasn’t always perfect.

“I’m still okay with where I’m at because Year 1, I had no chance of playing,” Walsh said. “This year, I started 20 games, and we went 15 and 5 — and I proved that I can play at a high level.”

It also helps that there are many other players on the Celtics roster who have also dealt with fluctuating minutes and benchings throughout their career.

“I’ve gotten a piece of everybody’s story — Payton [Pritchard], JB [Jaylen Brown], Xavier [Tillman], all these people kind of went through similar things,” Walsh said. “I’ve gotten their story, and they gave me their knowledge on it.”

Tillman, however, has been a notable absence in the locker room. Walsh said last month that Tillman was his closest friend on the roster, and someone he often turned to for motivation and support. But, Tillman was traded to the Charlotte Hornets in the hours ahead of the trade deadline, and Walsh said soon after that he’d have to find another teammate to lean on.

For now, that teammate is Jaylen Brown, who he sits next to on the team plane. But, Tillman is irreplaceable.

“I still talk to Xavier all the time — that’s my guy,” Walsh said. “He’s got a special place in my heart because of how he helped me get through certain things, and even just stuff that has nothing to do with basketball. But, JB is a good second, though.”

Walsh and his teammates are a few weeks away from postseason action, and he’s excited to kick off his third playoff run as a Celtic.

“As a competitor, as somebody who wants to be the best and wants to bring the best at other people around him, like there’s no better place to be, for sure,” he told the students at the Lawrence Boys and Girls Club.

The season has been made extra sweet because of the fact the team has defied expetations. Walsh didn’t take offense to the misconceptions on the outside, but he understood from the jump that outside discourse has severe limitations.

“The media, they report what they can,” he said. “They do it the best they can. And most of the time, or some of the time, it’s not like they’re wrong. They just — they’re not in the inside, so they don’t know the inside scoop. But I think that with that going around, and people saying it, podcast, TV and stuff saying it – completely wrong.”

“I never had a doubt that we were going to be a good team.”

As far as his own individual season?

He’s embracing a changing role and ensuring his mindset doesn’t change, even when opportunities do.

“It’s kind of just doing my best in the role that I am in now, and that’s just supporting the guys, showing up to practice, being the last one to leave,” Walsh said. “Like, all that stuff is so cool to me.”

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The Philadelphia 76ers welcome the Chicago Bulls to Xfinity Mobile Arena tonight as they look to bounce back from a tough loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder. 

My Bulls vs. 76ers predictions are eyeing Philly to get back in the win column on its home court. 

Read more in my NBA picks for Wednesday, March 25. 

Bulls vs 76ers prediction

Bulls vs 76ers best bet: 76ers -6 (-110)

The Philadelphia 76ers are staying afloat despite being bitten by the injury bug. They’re in seventh place in the Eastern Conference with a 39-33 record, and will likely be in the Play-In Tournament. 

Tyrese Maxey remains out, while Joel Embiid is a game-time decision due to an oblique injury. Paul George is also on track to return from a 25-game suspension. 

Nonetheless, Philadelphia has still found ways to win without its stars. It's won four of its last six games, and Nick Nurse’s squad covered tonight’s spread in three of those. While the Sixers have lost both meetings with the Chicago Bulls this season, they were on the road and came from a time when Chicago was competitive. 

The Sixers are 20-17 at home, and the Bulls are 11 games below .500 on the road. Philly has also covered the spread in two of its last three games at Xfinity Mobile Arena. Meanwhile, Chicago has lost three of their last four on the road, failing to cover the spread in each of those defeats. 

Philadelphia will finally end its losing skid against the Bulls and strengthen its case for the Play-In. The return of both Embiid and PG will be huge.

Bulls vs 76ers same-game parlay

VJ Edgecombe has been a brilliant piece for the Sixers in 2025-26, averaging 16 points per game. He’s had even more of a run lately due to the absences, and the youngster has cashed the Over in three straight. Edgecombe just dropped 35 points on the Thunder. 

He had 38 points last Thursday against the Kings, too, and he’s hit the Over in points in two of his last four at home. 

He’s also cashed the Over in triples in two of his last three, and Edgecombe just went 7-for-15 from deep in the loss to Oklahoma City. 

Bulls vs 76ers SGP

• 76ers -6
• VJ Edgecombe Over 20.5 points
• VJ Edgecombe Over 2.5 made threes

Our "from downtown" SGP: By George, he's still got it!

Nurse said George won’t require a ramp-up period, which means he should play decent minutes tonight. He’s averaging 2.3 makes from deep for a 38% clip this season at home, and in one meeting against the Bulls, PG was 4-for-9 from 3-point territory.

Dominick Barlow is averaging 8.0 PPG for the Sixers and 7.4 at home. He’s averaging 7.5 in March so far, and the big man has cashed the Over in points in five of his last eight appearances.

Bulls vs 76ers SGP

• VJ Edgecombe Over 20.5 points
• VJ Edgecombe Over 2.5 made threes
• Paul George Over 2.5 made threes
• Dominick Barlow Over 7.5 points

Bulls vs 76ers odds

• Spread: Bulls +6 (-110) | 76ers -6 (-110)
• Moneyline: Bulls +195 | 76ers -240
• Over/Under: Over 239.5 (-110) | Under 239.5 (-110)

Bulls vs 76ers betting trend to know

The 76ers have covered the 4Q Spread in 10 of their last 12 games (+7.65 Units / 55% ROI). Find more NBA betting trends for Bulls vs. 76ers.

How to watch Bulls vs 76ers

Bulls vs 76ers latest injuries

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Who would you consider the best at each individual skill in the NBA?

Is Luka Doncic the best pure scorer? Is Nikola Jokic or Tyrese Haliburton the best pure playmaker? Is Stephen Curry the best shooter? Is Victor Wembanyama the best defender? When healthy, does Kyrie Irving have the best handles?

But notice how all of those guys are superstars. All of them have millions of kids around the globe draped in their jerseys, have multiple endorsement deals, and are recognized as pillars of the game. But can you say the same for, say, the best rebounder?

In terms of overall rebounding, it’s hard to quantify who’s the best at the overall skill exactly, but in terms of offensive rebounding? It’s very clearly one man, a backup center for the New York Knicks who makes just $14 million a year and almost never plays more than 27 minutes in a game.

"FREAKIN' MITCH ROBINSON. OH MY GOD. 8 FREAKIN' OFFENSIVE REBOUNDS! WAY TO GO MITCH!"

Mike Brown was enthused about Mitchell Robinson's performance tonight 😂 pic.twitter.com/7pjrrlaZX1

— Knicks Videos (@sny_knicks) November 15, 2025

Robinson is an artist at what he does. It’s not as simple as camping in the paint as the team’s lob threat; it’s all about positioning. He always seems to be in the right spot, reading the ball in the air to see the way it would bounce off the rim. You’ll naturally get enough offensive rebounds as a center just from standing there, but to do what Robinson does consistently? You have to be an artist.

Mitchell Robinson in 16 minutes tonight:

8 points
10 rebounds (9 offensive😭)
3 blocks
4-5 FG

23 SAVAGE
pic.twitter.com/ywNVLojtl0

— Teg🚨 (@IQfor3) November 6, 2025

Over the last five seasons, Robinson has per-36 averages of 6.4 OREB per game. In 2025-26, he’s pushed that number to an impossible 8.1, which leads all players who’ve played at least 10 games (Steven Adams, 7.1). He also towers over the likes of Donovan Clingan and Andre Drummond, two elite rebounders, in total rebounds per 36 (16.4).

It’s even baffling on a team-by-team basis. By himself, he’d be tied for 18th in the NBA in offensive rebounds per 36 minutes. There are 10 entire teams he is outrebounding on a rate basis by himself. His offensive rebounding prowess is a big reason why the Knicks have had a supercharged net rating despite efficiency numbers on both sides of the ball not being inherently elite.

You want to know what impact looks like? I went and looked at each of his 235 offensive rebounds this season, through Tuesday’s win over the Pelicans, and sorted them by result:

Mitch layup/dunk attempt: 91 (52 made, 57.1%)
2-point attempt: 19 (8 made, 42.1%)
3-point attempt: 69 (29 made, 42%)
Foul: 29 (17-32 FT, not just Mitch)
Turnover: 16 (11 by Mitch himself)
Other: 11

Here are some other stats:

• 24 of Mitchell Robinson’s 50 assists on the season are off his OREB, 18 of them three-pointers.
• Only twice in 54 games has he been held without an offensive rebound. He has more games with eight (8) than he has fewer than two (5). That’s consistency.
• Here’s how other players are shooting off of Robinson’s OREB:
  Brunson: 11-18 (10-15 3pt)
  Bridges: 2-14 (2-13 3pt)
  Clarkson: 4-11 (2-6 3pt)
  Anunoby: 6-10 (5-8 3pt)
  Towns: 6-7 (2-2 3pt)
  Kolek: 3-7 (3-5 3pt)
  Hart: 2-6 (0-2 3pt)
  Shamet: 3-4 (3-4 3pt)
  McBride: 1-4 (1-4 3pt)

Let’s put something else in perspective. Robinson’s penchant for getting the team extra possessions has stolen multiple wins. These are all the games that, if the Knicks don’t score the points they do off his offensive rebounds, they lose the game:

• 11/19 @ DAL
• 12/25 vs CLE
• 12/27 @ ATL
• 1/24 @ PHI
• 2/4 vs DEN
• 3/15 vs GSW
• 3/24 vs NOLA

That Dallas game, if you remember, saw a controversial Brandon Williams offensive foul crush the shorthanded Mavericks’ dreams of an upset. Mitch’s three offensive rebounds led to five points in a two-point win.

On Christmas Day against Cleveland, Robinson grabbed eight offensive rebounds and it led directly to 13 points, including three triples in the fourth quarter of the miraculous comeback.

Tyler, the Kreator 😮‍💨 pic.twitter.com/maQu1U1iFB

— NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) December 25, 2025

Two nights later, against Atlanta, the Knicks would’ve blown a huge lead if not for Robinson’s four offensive rebounds leading to six points.

Three days after a beatdown of Brooklyn ended the 11-game skid from hell, the Knicks held off a mostly healthy Sixers squad in Philly, thanks to Mitch’s six OREB that led to seven points.

That double overtime game against Denver never gets to overtime without Robinson’s putback layup in the first quarter.

They would’ve taken that embarrassing loss to a heavily shorthanded Warriors team in MSG without Robinson’s three offensive rebounds leading to four points.

Last night, against a suddenly healthy Pelicans team, the Knicks scored seven points off his four offensive rebounds.

Mitchell Robinson (4th made FG in a row) pic.twitter.com/74dXq1afU5

— He's On Fire! (@nba_on_fire) March 25, 2026

Imagine the Knicks with six more losses. They’d be 41-32 and tied for sixth in the East. Imagine how toxic social media would be then, when it’s this toxic already with the Knicks tying the Celtics for the No. 2 seed.

Without Robinson’s offensive rebounding alone, the Knicks would be in danger of falling into the play-in tournament.

It’s going to be interesting to see what the offseason looks like with Robinson’s expiring contract and how the Knicks will be able to manage him, Mo Diawara, and Jose Alvarado’s impending free agencies while juggling the second apron, but we don’t have to worry about that for now.

Just enjoy greatness while you can. It’s not often you get a unicorn who’s this special at something like this.

Mitchell Robinson abusing teams on the offensive glass for 4 minutes and 14 seconds
pic.twitter.com/Rs35BICVEX

— Teg🚨 (@IQfor3) December 18, 2025

NBA owners approve exploring expansion bids for teams in Las Vegas and Seattle originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

Seattle and Las Vegas are one step closer to having NBA teams.

The league’s board of governors voted Wednesday to approve a plan that will allow NBA officials to “formally explore potential team expansion” to those two cities, which have long been thought of as the front-runners to land franchises.

“Today’s vote reflects our Board’s interest in exploring potential expansion to Las Vegas and Seattle — two markets with a long history of support for NBA basketball,” NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said. “We look forward to taking this next step and engaging with interested parties.”

Silver will hold a news conference later Wednesday to discuss next steps. The league said investment bank PJT Partners has been brought on “as a strategic adviser to evaluate prospective markets, ownership groups, arena infrastructure, and the broader economic implications of expansion.”

Expansion isn’t a done deal. But it’s not just a dream anymore, either.

New Orleans guard Dejounte Murray was 11 years old when Seattle last had an NBA team. He grew up with hopes of being like Gary Payton, Ray Allen and Shawn Kemp, and even remembers a rookie who played for the SuperSonics named Kevin Durant.

It’s been nearly two decades since those days ended. That said, Wednesday’s vote should finally fuel real hope of a basketball revival for Seattle — and a new chapter in Las Vegas.

“It’s a basketball city, basketball culture, so it’s mandatory I think that they get it back over there,” said Murray, a Seattle native.

Added Orlando’s Paolo Banchero, another Seattle native: “I think it’s been a long time coming for the city. I think everybody was pretty bummed out when they left. And since then it’s just been waiting and hoping that one day they will come back. I’m sure with the news, everybody’s excited. I know I’m excited for all the kids growing up because Seattle’s a really big basketball city.”

It is, and so is Las Vegas — which has become a major part of the NBA ecosystem even without a team.

The NBA’s Summer League is held in Las Vegas each year and has become a can’t-miss event for league executives, coaches, media, agents and even players who aren’t taking part in the games. The championship round of the NBA Cup, the in-season tournament, has been held in Las Vegas as well. And the city used to play host to the occasional regular-season game; for example, in 1984, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar of the Los Angeles Lakers broke the league’s career scoring record in a game against the Utah Jazz — who used Las Vegas for some of their home games at that time.

The idea of putting a franchise there might have seemed unlikely a couple of decades ago. Not anymore, especially not with the NFL’s Raiders, the NHL’s Golden Knights and the WNBA’s Aces all already there and with Major League Baseball on the way.

“I think Seattle and Las Vegas are two incredible cities,” Silver said in December, speaking about expansion while in Las Vegas for the NBA Cup.

Assuming owners will eventually decide to actually expand the NBA past its 30-team footprint, there will be much to figure out. On the short list: the expansion fee (expected to be at least $6 billion), the timeline for adding the clubs (2028-29 would almost certainly be the earliest this could happen) and how the Western Conference will be realigned (at least one team is likely to join the Eastern Conference).

Golden State Warriors coach Steve Kerr said the SuperSonics were “one of the iconic franchises in the NBA.” The team left in 2008 and became the Oklahoma City Thunder.

“I was shocked when the league left Seattle,” Kerr said. “Incredible fan base. Great basketball market. A ton of talent coming from Seattle. Top 10 media market. Incredible sports city. So, it was kind of shocking to all of us when the league left Seattle. And I think we all hoped it would be a lot sooner than 18, 19 years, whatever it’s going to be, before they got back in the league.

“They belong in that city, and a team belongs there,” he added. “Those fans deserve it.”

___

AP Basketball Writer Brian Mahoney and AP Sports Writers Schuyler Dixon and Joe Reedy contributed to this report.

Hours after it was announced that Hubert Davis would not return as basketball coach next season, we already have our first name removed from the list. Matt Norlander of CBS Sports reports that President of Basketball Operations for the Celtics, Brad Stevens, has removed his name from consideration for the job.

Bringing Stevens back to college basketball was an intriguing idea to many Carolina fans in the wake of the Davis news. Stevens is widely regarded as a brilliant basketball mind and his success with the Celtics has been impressive. Still, the college game is markedly different now than it was when Stevens was coaching it and navigating the world of NIL and the transfer portal has not come easily for everyone. It’s easy to understand by UNC would be interested in Stevens and equally easy to understand why Stevens would want to stay put in the NBA.

Stevens was definitely one of the bigger long shots on the list of names that Carolina might be interested in. The other NBA-connected name on the list has been Billy Donovan, which does not have nearly the support of bringing in Stevens. The most likely outcome is that a current college coach ends up in Chapel Hill.

Just have to figure out the who.

Last summer, the Houston Rockets pulled off the blockbuster trade of the offseason, acquiring Kevin Durant from the Phoenix Suns, for the nominal outgoing package of Dillon Brooks, Jalen Green and the 10th pick of the 2025 NBA Draft. Houston has been at a near identical pace to last season’s team but is on pace to finish with right at 50 wins, which would be just two wins short of last season’s 52-win finish.

The fact that Houston is even on track to finish that close to last season’s Cinderella team is a testament to Durant, as the team has been without three starters from last season’s starting five in Fred VanVleet, Jalen Green and Dillon Brooks. Not to mention Steven Adams, who has been the key to Rockets coach Ime Udoka’s offensive strategy of getting additional high-percentage bites at the apple, by way of second-chance scoring opportunities.

Houston is clearly in need of more consistent, high-level play. Teams have found it rather easy to neutralize Durant by either double-teaming him at halfcourt or sending traps and blitzes at him. According to Chris Mannix of Sports Illustrated, the Rockets could make a pursuit for Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo.

Mannix took to his signature Open Floor: SI’s NBA Show to elaborate on Houston’s potential summer plans.

“Look, the Giannis thing that’s out there. I know…I believe that they’re going to try to make a run at him in the offseason. So that looms.”

Mannix continued.

“I was up and down there a couple of times and I have talked to Rafael Stone about this and the front office people there, like they made a great deal for Durant. They didn’t give up all of their assets. They’ve still got a treasure trove of assets that they can use to make a deal. So, if they can make one more big swing, whether it’s Giannis or someone else, to get another player that fits the timeline of Kevin Durant, what they did this season was worth it.”

From a salary standpoint, an outgoing package of Alperen Sengun, Jabari Smith Jr. and Clint Capela would clear enough salary for the 31-year-old two-time MVP.

The Milwaukee Bucks wrap up their four-game West Coast road trip against the Portland Trail Blazers tonight at Moda Center. Embarrassed by Brook Lopez and Los Angeles Clippers on Monday, the Bucks look for better fortune against another former franchise icon, Jrue Holiday. But the task will be anything but easy against a Trail Blazers team that has won four out of its past five. The Bucks and Blazers have played once already this season, with the Blazers claiming a 115-103 victory behind 35 points—including 16/19 free throws!—from Jerami Grant.

Where We’re At

Prior to the Clippers game, I likened the Bucks’ season to Cormac McCarthy’s TheRoad. As it turns out, I may have been too kind. Down by as many as 46 points against the Clippers, things looked bleaker than ever. Ryan Rollins and Ousmane Dieng, saviours against the Phoenix Suns, tied for a team-worst—and personal season-worst—plus/minus (-37), while committing five and four turnovers, respectively. And after several minutes-long stretches where the Bucks couldn’t buy a basket, Cam “I’m a bucket” Thomas’ waiving just hours earlier seemed cruelly poetic. On the plus side, Pete Nance’s conversion to a standard, multi-year NBA contract is well deserved and a testament to the work he’s put in all year long (and prior to that). Additionally, Gary Trent Jr. (20 points, six threes) had his most prolific outing since dropping 20 points against the Brooklyn Nets in December.

The Blazers, meanwhile, have put themselves in the thick of play-in action. Currently sitting ninth, just half a game behind the Clippers, Portland has benefited from a career-year from Deni Advdija (24.1 PPG, 6.9 RPG, 6.7 APG), internal growth from the likes of Donovan Clingan (12.4 PPG, 11.7 RPG, 1.7 BPG), and the steady veteran presence of Holiday (15.8 PPG, 4.5 RPG, 6.7 APG). Most recently, they demolished the Brooklyn Nets 134-99 behind 35 points (9/11 from three) from 2024-25 All-Defensive Second Teamer Toumani Camara and 15 rebounds and a season-high seven blocks from Clingan.

Injury Report

For the Bucks, Giannis (Left Knee; Hyperextension; Bone Bruise), Kevin Porter Jr. (Right Knee; Synovitis) and Gary Harris (Left Groin; Contusion) are out. Kyle Kuzma (Right Achilles; Soreness) and Bobby Portis (Right Wrist; Sprain) are questionable.

For the Blazers, Damian Lillard (Left Achilles Tendon; Injury Management), Shaedon Sharpe (Left Fibula; Stress Reaction), and Yang Hansen (G League – On Assignment) are out. Jerami Grant (Left Foot; Soreness), Vit Krejci (Left Calf; Contusion), and Robert Williams III (Left Knee; Injury Management) are all questionable.

Player to Watch

Hours after the world discovered Pete Nance’s contract conversion, he put up a career-high-tying 12 field goal attempts (in a team-high 32 minutes). Granted, the game was over early, and it’s not within Nance’s character to suddenly become a gunner. Still, it will be interesting to see how Nance’s new contract—and the security that comes with it—impacts his overall play. Even more interesting is how Nance’s role evolves moving forward. Does Nance remain in his current role, handy but often out of the rotation when everyone is healthy, or do the Bucks envision him as something more and look to simulate that for the remainder of the season? Either way, Nance has earned his spot, making the most of the minutes he has played—13.3 PPG, 6.4 RPG, 2.1 APG, and 1.4 stocks per 36 minutes, while shooting 55% from the field and 47% from three.

How To Watch

Tune in at 9:00 p.m. CDT on FanDuel Sports Network Wisconsin.

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The only thing keeping the Golden State Warriors in the Play-In is the absolute trash heap beneath them in the standings.

They look for back-to-back wins for the first time in the Steph Curry injury run as they host the Brooklyn Nets, a team that’s lost eight straight and is already eliminated from playoff competition.

However, my Nets vs. Warriors predictions and free NBA picks have Brooklyn taking advantage of all those extra points against a Golden State team that is lost without Curry on Wednesday, March 25.

Nets vs Warriors prediction

Nets vs Warriors best bet: Nets +11.5 (-110)

Add another critical injury to the Golden State Warriors’ woes.

Moses Moody suffered a torn patellar tendon in a non-contact injury during the Dubs' OT win in Dallas on Monday, joining Jimmy Butler in the out-for-the-year gang.

Meanwhile, Steph Curry will miss his 23rd straight game. Golden State has gone 7-15 without Curry, and is just 8-14-0 against the spread in those games. The Warriors have also failed to cover in 10 of their last 11 home games.

The Brooklyn Nets aren't exactly a clean bill of health, with Noah Clowney, Danny Wolf, Michael Porter Jr., and Nolan Traore all out tonight.

Despite losing eight in a row, the Nets have gone 4-4-0 ATS.

The Warriors are just a shell of themselves without Curry, though, scoring just 111.4 points per game in the last 22 sans their star, the seventh-worst mark in the league.

The Dubs only have one win by 12 points or more during Curry's extended leave. Yes, Brooklyn is bad, but Golden State is not the team to bet on to exploit that.

Nets vs Warriors same-game parlay

Quite literally, where is the offense going to come from for the Warriors? Brandin Podziemski is the only player left standing who can create offense for himself or others, and is coming off a 20-point game against the Mavericks.

Kristaps Porzingis has hit at least two triples in four of his last six games, including last time out against Dallas. The other two games he missed the Over were by one make each.

Nets vs Warriors SGP

• Nets +11.5
• Brandin Podziemski Over 15.5 points
• Kristaps Porzingis Over 1.5 made threes

Our "from downtown" SGP: Cobbling Together Points

It was a forgettable one against Dallas for De’Anthony Melton, who failed to score on 0-for-6 shooting, including 0-for-3 from downtown. But he’s shot well from distance against BK, nailing at least two in six of nine career games.

Ziaire Williams rounds out this SGP, and he’s been on one of his best scoring stretches this season, averaging 17 points in his last three games. He’ll top his 11.5 scoring line.

Nets vs Warriors SGP

• Nets +11.5
• Brandin Podziemski Over 15.5 points
• Kristaps Porzingis Over 1.5 made threes
• De'Anthony Melton Over 1.5 made threes
• Ziaire Williams Over 11.5 points

Nets vs Warriors odds

• Spread: Nets +11.5 (-105) | Warriors -11.5 (-115)
• Moneyline: Nets +450 | Warriors -600
• Over/Under: Over 215.5 (-110) | Under 215.5 (-110)

Nets vs Warriors betting trend to know

Golden State has failed to cover the spread in 10 of its last 11 home games. Find more NBA betting trends for Nets vs. Warriors.

How to watch Nets vs Warriors

Nets vs Warriors latest injuries

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 Denver Nuggets are a formidable opponent, and on Tuesday night, the Suns had a real shot to take one from them. They were down by 12 at one point, and against a team like Denver, that can get away from you quickly. Especially when you are dealing with a multi-time MVP who drops 23 points, grabs 17 rebounds, and hands out 17 assists. Yeah, Jokic had the kind of stat line that bends the entire game around it.

Even with that, Phoenix stayed in it. They competed, they responded, and when the fourth quarter arrived, it turned into a back-and-forth battle that felt like something bigger than a late-season game. Possessions carried weight, execution mattered, and you could feel the intensity rise with each trip down the floor.

If you are searching for something to get you ready for the postseason, this is the kind of game that does it. It had that edge, that urgency, that sense that every decision mattered.

The Nuggets are a tough solve, and on this night, Phoenix did not quite crack it. You can trace it through the small moments, the possessions that tilt a game one way or the other, and one of the more interesting threads was how Jordan Ott handled Khaman Maluch’s minutes. He saw only 11, and they were impactful. You could feel it. He gave Nikola Jokic a bigger body to navigate, he brought a presence inside, and for stretches it nudged the game in a different direction.

Maluach Tower changed this game

— John Voita, III (@DarthVoita) March 25, 2026

Denver made it clear where they wanted to go. They leaned into the interior. They tested the Suns there repeatedly. Oso Ighodaro does a lot of things well, but interior protection is not where he makes his living. And free throws are not his forte. Denver astutely went to hack-a-Oso, and I thought we’d see some Khaman minutes, but alas, I was wrong.

In his minutes, Malauch looked comfortable and engaged. And it leaves you wondering what it might have looked like if he was out there in the final five minutes, learning in real time, growing through those possessions.

There is risk in that. Denver has spent years putting Phoenix in the blender with Jamal Murray and Nikola Jokic in the two-man game, and it does not take much for that action to start humming. It is a brutal test for any big, especially one still finding his footing. And if you need a reminder of how that matchup has gone historically, Jamal Murray is 19–2 in 21 career games against Devin Booker. That tells its own story.

Jamal Murray is now 19-2 in 21 career games against Devin Booker

— John Voita, III (@DarthVoita) March 25, 2026

It was a good, competitive game, and you can feel this Suns team starting to move toward something healthier, something more whole. When you get 21 points from Grayson Allen off the bench, when Royce O’Neale is knocking down 5-of-8 from deep on his way to 17 points, it tells you something is lining up. The supporting pieces are finding their rhythm, and that matters as you inch closer to games that carry real weight.

With the postseason sitting just beyond the horizon, every opportunity to sharpen iron has value. You take these games, you absorb them, you learn from them, because they mirror what is coming. This one did not shift anything in the standings — Phoenix still holds that seventh spot — but it felt like more than a routine loss.

They were right there. One clean look, a wide-open three from Devin Booker, and the outcome could have flipped. That is how thin it was. So you walk away from it seeing the positives, recognizing the growth, understanding where a few tweaks could have made the difference. It was a good game, one that showed progress, even if it stopped short of becoming a great one.

Bright Side Baller Season Standings

The efficient 25-point performance against the Bucks gives Book his 17th Bright Side Baller of the season!

Bright Side Baller Nominees

Game 73 against the Nuggets. Here are your nominees:

Devin Booker
22 points (5-of-14, 1-of-4 3PT), 3 rebounds, 8 assists, 11-of-13 FT, 0 turnovers, +1 +/-

Jalen Green
21 points (6-of-13, 3-of-6 3PT), 6 rebounds, 6 assists, 2 turnovers, +9 +/-

Grayson Allen
21 points (8-of-19, 5-of-12 3PT), 5 rebounds, 3 assists, 0 turnovers, -16 +/-

Royce O’Neale
17 points (5-of-8, 5-of-8 3PT), 5 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal, 0 turnovers, 3 blocks, +10 +/-

Oso Ighodaro
15 points (6-of-7), 6 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, 0 turnovers, -7 +/-

Collin Gillespie
11 points (4-of-11, 2-of-7 3PT), 3 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, 0 turnovers, -1 +/-

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Time to cast your vote.

Just last year, this rivalry was so legendary that Adam Silver had to personally step in and punish these teams by giving them the mathematically worst outcome on draft lottery night. The embers are still in the air, but these organizations are no longer the juggernauts of Tankathon. They’re retired, choosing to pave their own way and gaining a new appreciation of life, more importantly the Playoffs.

Take the Jazz for instance, who are far past the days of Kira Lewis Jr., Luka Samanic, Kenny Lofton, Talen Horton-Tucker with the exception of that one time he dropped 41 — that was pretty cool. Jaren Jackson Jr. was the character progression Utah needed to reject their life of ruthless loss mongering.

The Wizards once tried to do right by the code and made several attempts of postseason success in the olden days with supermax no-trade clause Bradley Beal and Kristaps Porzingis, before wrecking it all down to capture a Flagg. Trae Young, and half of Anthony Davis is certainly…an improvement-ish? No, no it’s nice and all, but I have mixed feelings considering I would’ve avoided these guys like the plague in a Jazz fan perspective.

But I’ll stand up for what is right, and that’s tanking actually creates more winners. These teams would have, in fact, been chasing for wins right now if they weren’t personally screwed in the lottery year after year. Instead, they’re taking part of the 10-way deadlock for the bottom to put the finishing touches on their rosters.

And tonight will be no exception. Only one can remain defeated. It’ll be a tough cookie to crack. Washington is on the verge of snapping their loss-streak record with a staggering 16 LOSSES IN A ROW. Tonight would make it 17. If I could print out both team’s injury reports on paper, I’d be able to build us a new Archie and Lois Archuleta Bridge.

The @UtahJazz Injury Report:

OUT:
Isaiah Collier (hamstring)
Keyonte George (hamstring)
Jaren Jackson Jr. (knee)
Walker Kessler (shoulder)
Lauri Markkanen (hip)
Jusuf Nurkic (nose)
Brice Sensabaugh (rest)

DOUBTFUL – Kyle Filipowski (illness)

QUEST – Cody Williams (shoulder)

— Ben Anderson (@BensHoops) March 24, 2026

Injury report ahead of tomorrow night's game in Utah.#ForTheDistrict | @ChasenBoscolopic.twitter.com/oxQVV4e8xG

— Washington Wizards (@WashWizards) March 24, 2026

D’Angelo Russell is just ‘out’ — I mean, sure, why not.

The Jazz would technically have six players available if all choose to sit out of tonight’s blood fest. They’ll have to get creative, and restart the cogs of Kevin Love and Svi Mykhailiuk. Make sure they don’t overdo those joints, they haven’t been put to good use since January.

But let’s talk about what has been active, like the dominant force that is March Ace Bailey. Who has, in fact, netted more three-pointers (42) than Kon Knueppel (32) in the month of March. His 37-6-3 performance against Toronto tied him for the most points by a 19-year old with 30+ points and 5+ three-pointers. Sure, I’m a firm believer in the March theory, where nearly all statistics are fabricated by the fact that half the teams are putting in about 70% effort. But just watching him with your own two eyes is enough evidence you need to know Ace Bailey is legitimately legit.

On the Wizards’ end, I’ve been struggling to find a player who’s actually been consistently available. Bub Carrington is cool, I suppose. That game-winner he hit to solidify our Ace Bailey hopes earned him respect in my book. And on the basketball court, he’s been a nice fill-in for the Wizards for the other half of the game Trae is missing.

Also, don’t forget about Utah’s original selection in the 2025 NBA Draft, before being sent to Washington for Walter Clayton Jr., that being Will Riley. He’s another rookie who’s been climbing up the rookie rankings in the latter part of the season. He’s knocked down the fourth-most three-pointers (21) in the month of March. There’s the concern of him being disproportionately light (180 lbs) for his 6’10” frame. He has certainly been the Washington Wizards version of Ace Bailey, if Danny Ainge ended up being scared by the Omar Cooper tactic.

Let’s all come together, hold hands, and truly witness the final tank-off between these two franchises. You will truly be missed by basketball sicko watchers.

How to watch:

Who: Utah Jazz (21-51) vs. Washington Wizards (16-55)

When: March 25th, 6:00PM Mountain Time

Where: Delta Center, Salt Lake City

Channel: Peacock, Jazz+, KJZZ

Radio: 97.5/1280 The Zone

HAFJELL, Norway (AP) — Mikaela Shiffrin wins record-tying sixth women’s overall World Cup skiing title.