HOUSTON, TX - JULY 2: Head Coach Ime Udoka, Reed Sheppard #15 and General Manager Rafael Stone of the Houston Rockets pose for a photo during a press conference on July 2, 2024 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2024 NBAE (Photo by Logan Riely/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The Houston Rockets have some work to do, from a roster standpoint. This couldn’t have been made more obvious following Houston’s disappointing first-round postseason series against the Los Angeles Lakers, who were playing without their best player in Luka Doncic, while their second-best player in Austin Reaves was limited to just two games.
The Rockets were dominated by Marcus Smart and Luke Kennard for much of the series. Which is a major concern. Especially considering the landscape of the top of the Western Conference.
We just saw Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals between the Oklahoma City Thunder and San Antonio Spurs (which was an instant classic, by the way). Both of those teams are leagues ahead of the Rockets.
Either of them would likely sweep the Rockets, with each side at full strength. Okay, maybe Houston would win a game, but you get the point.
There’s a rather steep lag between Houston and the top teams in the West. And it doesn’t appear as if the Rockets’ brass is on the same page, as it pertains to roster alignment.
Which is also a major concern.
Following Houston’s season-ending defeat to the Lakers, Rockets coach Ime Udoka emphasized the need for a multitude of skillsets on the roster.
Take a look (and figurative listen) for yourself.
“We do need to address some needs. The shooting, lack of shooting….at times. I think we will have soem very interesting conversations on having a little more of a mix, instead of some duplicates out there.”
Rockets general manager Rafael Stone took to the Ryen Russilo Show to share his thoughts on the matter, illustrating a clear difference in perspective.
“I do think you’re 95 percent of the time better off having redundant strengths than you are having a guy who fits, but isn’t as good of a basketball player. There’s trade-offs.”
This isn’t necessarily the first time that the two have seemingly been misaligned, as it pertains to the roster. Reed Sheppard has been another illustration, as the team invested heavily in him, taking him third overall in his draft class (ahead of even Stephon Castle), while Udoka hasn’t exactly given him consistent playing time.
Outside of the Rockets being without one of their starters, due to injury (in which case Udoka has been forced to dole out major playing time to Sheppard).
But even that wasn’t exactly vocalized by both Udoka and Stone, like we’ve seen here, regarding duplicity on the roster.
The two sides will need to get on the same wavelength, because this roster needs work. The team lacked outside shooting this past season and has ever since Mike D’Antoni and Daryl Morey left the franchise in 2020. And Houston needs playmaking guards (which also isn’t a new development).
It’s great to have formidable wings, but you need more than just that player profile.
May 19, 2026; New York, New York, USA; New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson (11) controls the ball against Cleveland Cavaliers guard James Harden (1) during the fourth quarter of game one of the eastern conference finals during the 2026 NBA playoffs at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images | Brad Penner-Imagn Images
That was a soul-sucking loss for the Cleveland Cavaliers. To go from a 22-point lead with roughly seven minutes left in the fourth quarter to an overtime loss is beyond demoralizing. Those who chose to engage in the toxic social media spaces had all of their darkest thoughts validated in a maddening echo chamber.
Count me among those who went to bed depressed and wondering where it all went wrong.
Spoiler: it went wrong in a lot of areas during those final seven minutes of the fourth quarter and overtime.
One of the common themes in the doomsday discourse centered around James Harden. It feels like the Cavaliers community operates in absolutes when it comes to Harden; either the Cavaliers were geniuses for bringing him in, or he needs to be launched out of a cannon into the surface of the sun.
But Harden in Game 1 was the victim of the true culprit behind Cleveland’s collapse: Kenny Atkinson.
Atkinson saw what every viewer saw, or at least he should’ve. The New York Knicks identified Harden as the weak point defensively and spammed the same action repeatedly, high screen-and-rolls designed to force Harden onto an island against one of the league’s most methodical isolation scorers in Jalen Brunson.
The result was predictable.
Brunson scored 13 of his 38 points during the final seven minutes. Because Harden was on the receiving end of much of that scoring run, many fans immediately threw his name into the conversation about why the Cavaliers blew the game.
But Harden became the scapegoat for a disaster-class coaching performance from Atkinson in the fourth quarter.
The Knicks closed the game on a staggering 44-11 run. During that collapse, Atkinson held onto his timeouts while watching a 22-point lead shrink to five with three minutes remaining.
There were no noticeable defensive adjustments for far too long. The Cavaliers continued allowing Harden to get dragged into the same matchup over and over again, turning him into the basketball version of a “barbecue chicken” alert. It also took far too long for Cleveland to start trapping Brunson and forcing the ball out of his hands.
And by the time the Cavaliers finally adjusted, the Knicks were already one step ahead. Mike Brown countered by replacing Josh Hart, who had struggled from three, with Landry Shamet to improve spacing and punish the extra help defense.
Meanwhile, Atkinson; who had spent the first three quarters adjusting effectively on both ends of the floor, suddenly looked like a deer in headlights.
After the game, Atkinson’s explanation only added to the frustration. Instead of fully owning the collapse, phrases like “unlucky” were tossed around while avoiding accountability for timeout management and the lack of decisive adjustments that may have helped stabilize the game.
It’s not Harden’s fault that he was repeatedly left isolated defensively possession after possession. At some point, a coach has to recognize what is happening and react.
Atkinson didn’t.
He didn’t make substitutions. He didn’t implement meaningful defensive changes. He didn’t even call a timeout to regroup while the game spiraled out of control.
Fans blamed what they saw on the screen: Harden getting hunted.
They should be blaming what they didn’t see: Kenny Atkinson responding with decisive coaching action.
How the Oklahoma City Thunder adjust to their Game 1 loss to the San Antonio Spurs should be the most intriguing part of Game 2. That conversation can start with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, whose impact is altered by overlapping so many minutes with Victor Wembanyama.
These Spurs vs. Thunder predictions dive into the Shai Gilgeous-Alexander oddsand will not bet on the two-time MVP staggering his minutes entirely away from the Defensive Player of the Year, though that is an adjustment worth pondering for Game 2 tonight.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander prop pick for Game 2
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander best bet: Over 28.5 points (-105 at bet365)
In a game that went to double overtime and saw the Oklahoma City Thunder eventually lose by seven points, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander playing 51 minutes and posting a -15 stands out.
Wembanyama is the best rim deterrent in the NBA, the best rim deterrent since... well, that historical lookback can be pondered another day.
The Thunder are deep. It is one of their greatest assets. They have the personnel to better stagger SGA into the minutes Wembanyama rests, and there should be more minutes without Wembanyama after that double-overtime effort on Monday.
Such a stagger would immediately boost Gilgeous-Alexander’s shooting; his 7-for-23 showing in Game 1 was ugly yet still yielded 24 points. Any improvement in his shooting should set up the MVP to reach 30 points in what is effectively a must-win for OKC.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander same-game parlay
Wemby’s rim presence often turns drives into passes, part of how Shai Gilgeous-Alexander managed 12 assists in Game 1. Just as vitally, the MVP’s teammates showed up. The Thunder shot 17-for-45 (38%) from deep, boosted by Alex Caruso’s 8-for-14 mark.
Even if (when) Caruso’s shooting tails off, SGA’s assist numbers should still be near double digits all series long. Wembanyama’s rim presence demands that.
Simply put, Gilgeous-Alexander needs to do a bit of everything in this series, as he often has to for the Thunder. That is the burden of being a ball-centric MVP.
He will need to find his moments to preserve some energy, and that should come on the glass. Gilgeous-Alexander grabbed only three rebounds in 51 minutes in Game 1. Credit Wembanyama. Credit Stephon Castle. Credit Dylan Harper.
Also realize it is somewhat prudent of SGA to sacrifice some rebounds in the name of playing aggressive defense and dictating OKC’s offense.
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There's a +9.36% EV edge associated with this play. Our system is backing him to stay hot as a visiting player.
"Stephon Castle has tallied 22.8 points per game over the last five games while playing away from home."
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Thunder Game 2 computer picks
Isaiah Hartenstein Over 4.5 rebounds (+105)
Projection: 7.16 rebounds
With our system calling for Isaiah Hartenstein to top his rebounding prop by over two full boards, this a five-star play.
Hartenstein came up short of this number in Game 1, but beat this line in eight of his last nine before that.
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Ajay Mitchell Over 9.5 points (-110)
Projection: 12.98 points
Ajay Mitchell is projected to beat this line by a dramatic margin of 3.5 points, good for a +25.28% EV edge. Our computer values his feverish recent output.
"Mitchell has averaged 18.8 points per game over the last five games, 4.7 higher than he's averaged in all games this year."
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Chet Holmgren Over 13.5 points (-125)
Projection: 16.43 points
Our computer is calling Chet Holmgren to top this prop handily, so this is a five-star play with a +24.46% edge.
Holmgren has cleared this line in eight of his last 10, and recent team trends suggest it will happen again.
"The Thunder rank as the 3rd-highest scoring offense in the league over the last 20 games. The San Antonio Spurs have played at the 9th-quickest pace in the NBA over the last 5 games, which ought to boost opportunities for the Thunder."
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How to watch Spurs vs Thunder Game 2
Location
Paycom Center, Oklahoma City, OK
Date
Wednesday, May 20, 2026
Tip-off
8:30 p.m. ET
TV
NBC/Peacock
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NEW YORK, NY - OCTOBER 16: A generic photo of the Larry O'Brien championship trophy during the NBC Sports and Rockefeller Center 30 Rocks Activation in Celebration of the NBA's Return to NBC and Peacock on October 16, 2025 at Rockefeller Center in New York , New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2025 NBAE (Photo by David Dow/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
After both the Nuggets and the Celtics were eliminated from the playoffs in the first round, Lakers fans of the more petty variety could rejoice that their most recent and their most longstanding playoff rivals were no longer in contention to win the championship. Add in the Clippers and the Warriors not even escaping the play-in, and there’s been a near clean sweep of the most offensive teams who could claim the Larry O’Brien trophy all out of the mix.
One could argue, then, that any of the four remaining teams would not only make a worthy champion but would be a mostly unoffensive title holder to Lakers fans.
I, however, won’t argue that.
You see, I’m someone who, despite loving the NBA beyond the Lakers, truly does root for great performances regardless of what non-Celtic delivers it and wants to see the best games on a night-to-night basis. I am not immune to having rooting interests that are at least somewhat informed by a certain pettiness and dislike fomented by whatever thing matters only and specifically to me.
These things can be small or large, be rooted in historical truths or grievances of the more made-up variety, or just plain old resentment. What can I say? I might pride myself on being objective about the Lakers and seeing them through clear eyes, but I’m not above finding a reason to either cheer on or root against someone else’s team.
With that, let’s take a look at the final four teams and who I think Lakers fans should be rooting for to advance to the Finals and then win it all.
Western Conference Finals — Thunder vs. Spurs
It feels like two bad choices here.
The Thunder just swept the Lakers out of the playoffs. Some might say that having them advance as far as possible helps the Lakers in the eyes of history in a “at least they lost to the eventual champion” sort of way, but I don’t care about that this time!
Because while OKC is a wonderful team that deserves all the praise and respect they get, they are also a team who, despite their nightly advantages in top-end talent and depth, will foul on defense and flop on offense to gain even more of an edge over their usually overmatched opponents. And while I’m sure this can sound like — and even might be! — sour grapes, the sheer irritation I feel when watching them milk every microadvantage out of a possession when simply being naturally better is enough against nearly every team endures beyond my general appreciation for how good they are.
As for the Spurs, they’re also a historical rival of the Lakers whose five title run over the last 25-plus years has them consistently discussed as a model franchise even though the Lakers’ run to six titles in that same time frame — which included dispatching San Antonio out of the playoffs more times than they did the Lakers — doesn’t earn the same accolades, which continues to irk me to this day.
Yes, the Lakers had some lean years over that stretch before LeBron signed with them in free agency, but the Spurs current team is built on the strength of six straight sub-35-win seasons, which netted them the picks that turned into Victor Wembanyama, Stephon Castle, and Dylan Harper.
My point is, rooting for the Spurs to win feels antithetical to the rivalry these teams have shared over the past quarter-century.
But, I’m doing it anyway. At least for now. Because from my vantage point, I’d prefer to see the Thunder bounced and their burgeoning dynasty put on hold in favor of a Spurs team that has had their number all season. Also, that the “If OKC wins the title for the second straight year with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander winning back-to-back league and Finals MVP’s, is SGA better than Kobe???!!!” stuff that is on the tips of so many people’s tongues feels fairly disrespectful and I want that put to a halt ASAP.
So, for one round at least, go Spurs go.
Eastern Conference Finals — Knicks vs. Cavs
If the previous series felt like there was no good answer, this one feels much more like a strain to find a bad one.
The Cavs not only have no historical rivalry with the Lakers, they did a trade with the Lakers back at the 2018 trade deadline that helped the Lakers clear the cap space they used to sign LeBron in free agency in July of that year!
The Cavs also have multiple players whom I either like or am neutral on, with Donovan Mitchell being someone I think quite highly of, and both Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen being players whom I’ve thought would be good Lakers trade targets before their salaries got too big with their latest deals. James Harden is not my fave and is someone whose grift-heavy style and big game struggles have led to me cracking jokes at his expense, but there are plenty of other players I’ve enjoyed watching fail more than him.
As for the Knicks, they have several players I like a lot and I generally don’t have much anything bad to say about them. Jalen Brunson certainly hunts his fair amount of fouls, but he’s also a supremely clutch player whose Game 1 push in the fourth quarter is the stuff playoff legends are made of.
The rest of their team is either guys I would love to have on the Lakers, including OG Anunoby, Mikal Bridges, and one of my favorite former Baby Lakers in Josh Hart. I’ve even warmed up to Karl Anthony Towns, whose general game bothered me more in his early days in Minnesota, but his playoff effectiveness of the last few years has mostly washed that away for me.
Because of these factors, and despite James Dolan (another one of not my faves), I was already slightly leaning towards the Knicks, but them being the only big market team remaining in the playoffs swings things all the way in their favor in this series.
Us big market fan bases gotta stick together.
NBA Finals — Spurs vs. Knicks
This is easy. Knicks all the way. Call it the revenge of the lockout Finals of 1999 — a title that no one seems to go out of their way to disparage the way that some do the 2020 Lakers title, but I digress.
One of the only reasons I can justify rooting for the Spurs in the Conference Finals is because I think the Knicks pose an interesting challenge to them with their combination of a spacing big man in Towns, a great pick-and-roll guard in Brunson, a bruising offensive rebounder like Mitchell Robinson and the elite defensive wings in Bridges and Anunoby.
The Spurs would clearly be favored if such a matchup happened, but that would only make the Knicks winning more fun and sweeter. Plus, considering the general rivalry between Boston and New York, if having the Knicks win a year after eliminating the Celtics from the playoffs were to give that city and their fans one more thing to be even slightly upset about, it’s worth it.
Former Villanova center Duke Brennan is beginning to gain plenty of heat from teams ahead of the 2026 NBA Draft.
Brennan’s agency shared that the big man will work out for the Detroit Pistons on Wednesday.
The 6-foot-10 center spent last season at Villanova. He averaged 12.4 points and 10.3 rebounds per game while shooting 65.8% from the floor. Brennan tied a program record with 14 double-doubles as he was a driving force at the Wildcats returning to the NCAA Tournament.
Brennan showed an interest in returning to school as he entered the transfer portal following the announcement that the NCAA could be moving toward a five-year eligibility rule change — although it felt like a long shot.
It will be interesting to see how Brennan’s game is viewed at the next level. He struggled from the free throw line while also displaying a lack of a jump shot. To Brennan’s credit, his motor was unmatched and he proved to be a strong rebounder and defender at the rim. He worked to get his field goal percentage up as he was able to finish around the rim at a high rate.
The Pistons finished at the top of the Eastern Conference standings during the regular season, earning the No. 1 seed in the playoffs. Detroit is coming off a Game 7 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference semifinals.
There is a chance that Brennan can be taken in the second round of the draft, but if not, he will be an undrafted free agent option for many teams.
Brunson was seen taking the lead with his teammates during a timeout in the third quarter with Knicks down 63-54.
According to Mike Brown, Brunson was telling his teammates to play faster, in general, and with more focus on defense.
Another part of the Knick captain’s message?
"Obviously they were down, and he was telling them to keep fighting, keep battling," people who were close enough to hear the message told SNY. "He was saying that even if they lose (Game 1), they needed to keep fighting because they could take that (approach) into Game 2."
The message didn’t pay immediate dividends as the Knicks fell behind by 22 points with just under eight minutes left in the fourth quarter. But it ultimately was an important precursor to one of the most memorable comebacks in Knicks playoff history.
The Knicks ended up on a 44-11 run, igniting the crowd and forcing overtime. They outscored the Cavs 14-3 in the extra period to earn an improbable comeback win.
Brunson has talked often about the importance of this team sticking together through adversity, remaining focused on each possession. With Game 1 slipping away, the Knicks captain delivered a similar message during a timeout huddle.
"There were a couple things that he felt, and he made sure that we knew (them) and our guys responded to him," Brown said.
A BetMGM user won nearly half a million dollars Tuesday thanks to the New York Knicks’ improbable overtime victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 1.
The user laddered $775,000 in wagers on five different Knicks spread lines, resulting in $466,718 in winnings.
Key Takeaways
The bets ranged from $75,000 on Knicks -2.5 to $70,000 on Knicks -6.5.
This same bettor won several spread ladders for five- and six-figure payouts earlier in the playoffs.
ESPN Analytics said the Knicks only had a 0.1% live chance to win Tuesday.
The Knicks trailed the Cavs by 22 points with less than eight minutes remaining in regulation. Teams that had faced a deficit of that size at any point in the fourth quarter were 1-594 since 1997-98.
With 7:49 remaining, the Knicks had fallen to a 0.1% chance to take the Eastern Conference finals opener. New York went on a 30-8 run from that point until the end of the quarter before eventually stealing the game in overtime, 115-104.
According to ESPN Analytics, the Knicks win probability was as low as 0.1% 🤯
Teams trailing by 22 points in the fourth quarter of a playoff game since 1997-98 were 1-594 entering Tuesday. pic.twitter.com/vk7NUIilGQ
While the Knicks took a morale-boosting series lead in front of their home fans, perhaps nobody secured a bigger win than the BetMGM user. Their five-staged bet slip required the Knicks to win by at least seven points to maximize the winnings, meaning they needed every ounce of magic in the comeback to get there.
The Knicks went on to win the overtime period 14-3, giving them an 11-point margin of victory.
The bettor’s wagers included:
$75,000 on Knicks -2.5 (-210)
$350,000 on Knicks -3.5 (-185)
$185,000 on Knicks -4.5 (-160)
$95,000 on Knicks -5.5 (-140)
$70,000 on Knicks -6.5 (-120)
A winning history
BetMGM has not confirmed the identity of the big-bank bettor - but they did offer a clue.
Earlier in the playoffs, BetMGM shared that one user won a series of similarly laddered spread bets for multiple five- and six-figure payouts.
In Game 2 of the conference semifinals between the Detroit Pistons and Cavaliers, the user risked $225,000 for a total payout of $419,641.58. They followed that up on the same day by placing $190,000 in bets on the Oklahoma City Thunder to cover against the Los Angeles Lakers, claiming $291,860.10 after the defending champs won by 18 points.
BetMGM did not provide a name for the bettor, but he was referred to as “our ladder bettor” in the tweet promoting the wagers for Tuesday’s matchup.
No ladder wagers have been shared for any upcoming games. That lines up with previous rounds, during which the bettor only laddered spreads for select contests. Plus, they may still be recovering from the sweat of the Knicks’ historic victory.
The conference finals have already provided two of the most exciting games of the year, and both needed extra time to produce a winner.
While the San Antonio Spurs find themselves up 1-0 over the Oklahoma City Thunder, OKC is still a +130 leader in NBA championship odds and -115 to win the West. The Spurs are +150 to win it all and -105 to advance to the Finals.
The Knicks are +400 to win the NBA Finals and strong -450 favorites to advance past their ongoing series. The Cavs have the longest championship odds on the board at +4,000 and are +350 to eliminate New York.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - DECEMBER 03: Jalen Brunson #11 of the New York Knicks prays prior to the game against the Charlotte Hornets at Madison Square Garden on December 03, 2025 in New York City. (Photo by Kenneth Richmond/Getty Images) | Getty Images
I’ve never done time in San Quentin, but MSG must have felt like the legendary penitentiary. James might be able to tell you after spending Tuesday at the venue.
Torture chambers weren’t meant for multipurpose arenas, but there they were. Intimidated, threatened, bullied, harassed, coerced, and terrorized. Ultimately, all of it combined for the men in black to get disgraced.
Neither Mike nor Kenny called for a late break. The former wanted and was denied, while the latter didn’t even entertain it— nor benching Harden.
You see, anyway, them the Knicks. They got both the lead plumber and the pipe fixer. Dr. Mario got the pills, the beard trimmer, and the ill will.
Duck after duck, the Cavs saw their advantage vaporize. Large feet didn’t win in their first-ever ECF trip. Bright lights were too bright for the former Brooklynites.
Lose by 40 or lose by 10, a loss’ a loss that you can’t escape.
According to ESPN Analytics, the Knicks win probability was as low as 0.1% 🤯
Teams trailing by 22 points in the fourth quarter of a playoff game since 1997-98 were 1-594 entering Tuesday. pic.twitter.com/vk7NUIilGQ
Who takes his place? Who is the next head coach in Dallas?
Kidd's exit — as well as that of other members of the scouting, analytics and front office staff in a house-cleaning — was orchestrated by new team president Masai Ujiri. He has established that this is going to be his franchise, run his way, with his people. And we have seen Ujiri hire two coaches before, both in Toronto: Nick Nurse (2018) and Darko Rajaković (2023). Neither was a head coach before, although both had some experience as head coaches in the G League or internationally, and both were seen as rising stars. As ESPN's Tim MacMahon put it on The Hoop Collective Podcast, Ujiri is looking for the "next great coach," not a retread. So who are the names to watch?
Sean Sweeney
Sweeney is still busy as an assistant coach and defensive coordinator for the San Antonio Spurs, but he's also a name mentioned by ESPN's MacMahon and Marc Stein of the Stein Line.
Sweeney is seen as one of the top assistant coaches in the league and at or near the front of the "he should get a chance" line. He also has ties to the Dallas Mavericks, having been on Kidd's staff between 2021 and 2025. Sweeney is reportedly on the list of coaches the Chicago Bulls want to talk to about their open head coaching position — but thanks to Cooper Flagg, Dallas would be a much more appealing job.
Micah Nori
The longtime assistant coach has been Chris Finch's right-hand man in Minnesota for the past five years. Nori is also at the front of the line for assistants who have interviewed for other jobs and deserve a shot somewhere.
Stein mentions Nori along with Sweeney as guys seen as around the league as potentially being star head coaches somewhere.
Billy Donovan
While it goes against Ujiri's pattern in past hires, Donovan is a proven NBA coach with a strong reputation and is the best and biggest name on the market, and Donovan has to at least be considered. Along those same lines, James Borrego — the former Hornets coach who did a respectable job stepping in as the interim coach in New Orleans last season — could get a look.
Donovan walked away from the Chicago Bulls this summer, saying he wanted to coach meaningful games for a team that is thinking playoffs, and ideally a deep playoff run. It’s why he’s considered the frontrunner in Orlando. Dallas, with Cooper Flagg, presents that same kind of opportunity, the chance to help build and be part of something lasting. Donovan at least has to be a name to watch.
The San Antonio Spurs and Oklahoma City Thunder delivered an instant classic in Game 1. A competitive Game 2 tonight should be more than enough for an encore.
These Spurs vs. Thunder props and NBA picks recognize the lineup adjustments that already came to pass in Game 1, and that's why Dylan Harper's assist prop stands out as incredible value on Wednesday, May 20.
Game 2 Prop #1: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Over 29.5 points
-110 at bet365
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander played well in Game 1, a sentence made true because his 12 assists made up for wretched shooting. Facing Victor Wembanyama is a reality; SGA needs to shoot better than 7-for-23 despite that reality.
Betting on the Oklahoma City Thunder star to reach 30 points may be bold, but realize he scored 24 points despite his terrible shooting. It is only fair to remove overtime from his stats to get a better baseline: Gilgeous-Alexander went 6-for-19 in regulation for 22 points.
So, realize he still scored 22 points in regulation despite shooting 31.6% from the field.
One way or another, expect Gilgeous-Alexander’s shooting to improve in Game 2, even if that comes from throwing his body to the floor to get to the free-throw line more often.
Game 2 Prop #2: Dylan Harper Over 3.5 assists
+125 at bet365
De’Aaron Fox is officially questionable for Game 2, a game-time decision with a sprained ankle lingering from the last round. Logic suspects Fox will not play.
The San Antonio Spurs have a 1-0 lead in the series; they do not intend to ease up in Game 2, but it would be only human nature, just as it will be human nature for the Thunder to play with distinct desperation.
Which is all to say, the Spurs may look at tonight as a likely loss with or without Fox. Getting him closer to 100% health for Games 3 and 4 should take priority.
If Fox does indeed miss tonight, that will lead to more minutes for Dylan Harper, though Harper’s postseason play already demands more minutes. His six assists in Game 1 come across as inflated — two did come in overtime — but the ball is in Harper’s hands more often for a reason. He has become San Antonio’s third-best player, and that assessment might actually be true with or without Fox in the lineup.
This prop bet makes sense because of those plus-money odds. If this were priced at -110, it would not be worth pondering. But +125 simply ignores how vital Harper has become for the Spurs.
Game 2 Prop #3: Isaiah Hartenstein Under 4.5 rebounds
-135 at bet365
This is not going to be Isaiah Hartenstein’s series. He cannot defend Victor Wembanyama. Hartenstein’s strength is mitigated on the perimeter and in transition.
He played just 12 minutes in Game 1, including exactly nine seconds in the 10 minutes of overtime.
Hartenstein totaled two points and two rebounds in his 12 minutes in Game 1. Those might be his series averages.
Until oddsmakers drop his props to 3.5, bet these Unders. It is not a knock on Hartenstein that he will play so little in this series; it is simply another way in which Wembanyama changes every game he is in.
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The San Antonio Spurs drew first blood with a double-overtime thriller in Game 1, but our expert NBA picks expect the Oklahoma City Thunder stars to do their part in trying to even the series up tonight.
See what our basketball experts are keying in on as their best bets for Game 2, which tips off at 8:30 p.m. in OKC.
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Jon Metler's expert pick: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Over 28.5 points
Price: -105 at bet365
Don't overthink this one. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is a back-to-back MVP, an elite scorer, and his team needs him more than ever right now. This total is sitting at 28.5 points — not 30.5 or 31.5, which is more typical for Gilgeous-Alexander — and a big reason for that is he finished well below his scoring totals in the previous series... because the Oklahoma City Thunder didn’t need his scoring against the Lakers. Now, down 0-1 in the series, elevated minutes and usage are absolutely on the table in this spot. If you go back and watch Game 1, where he shot 7-for-23 from the field, he was still getting to his spots in the mid-range. He just missed shots he normally makes. Mark Daigneault is also an excellent coach, and I expect him to run actions designed to pull Victor Wembanyama away from the paint as a help defender against SGA. At 28.5 points, I think this is a number we can attack, as I price the Over closer to -155.
Jason Logan's expert pick: Jalen Williams Over 9.5 rebounds + assists
Price: -105 at bet365
Jalen Williams was suddenly OKC’s busiest shooter in his Game 1 return, with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander playing passively in the opening half. As SGA got more aggressive in the second half, Williams’ playmaking potential ticked up. He finished with only three assists on six potential dimes, but he settles back into his role tonight after averaging 5.5 assists on the season. As for the boards, Williams hauled in seven rebounds on 16 chances in Game 1. Most models have Williams’ assist forecast flirting with five dimes, and his rebounding projections all lean toward five boards tonight.
Joe Osborne's expert pick: Under 216.5
Price: -110 at bet365
This matchup features elite offenses on both sides, but Game 1 showed how impactful the defenses can be, with just 202 combined points scored in regulation. The pace also slowed dramatically after the opening quarter, as the teams played at an average pace of 89.3 from quarters two through four. For comparison, the slowest average team pace during the regular season was 95.58. While Game 1 won’t perfectly predict tonight's tempo, it’s hard to expect an up-and-down game coming off Monday’s double-overtime battle.
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change. 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.
There's no way Game 2 can live up to Game 1…. Can it? Could our hearts and minds even take it?
Game 1 will be remembered for Victor Wembanyama's dominance — and his ridiculous 3-pointer from Stephen Curry range to force double-overtime. However, Game 1 was really a master class in defense from both teams. The Spurs won but had an offensive rating of 108, which would have been the league's worst this season, and was 12.3 per 100 possessions worse than their regular-season average. OKC's offensive rating of 102.7 was 16.5 points below its season average (stats via Cleaning the Glass).
Both teams struggled to score or get to their pet plays, resulting in fewer buckets. How they adapt in Game 2 will be one of the most interesting things to watch on Wednesday night.
Here are three things to keep an eye on in Game 2, where the Spurs are looking to take a commanding 2-0 series lead.
You can watch Game 2 from OKC starting at 8:30 ET on NBC, or stream it on Peacock.
What do Thunder do about Wembanyama?
Maybe the better question would be: "Is there anything the Thunder can do about Wembanyama?"
"Everything's on the table," Thunder coach Mark Daigneault said on Tuesday. "In these series, you can't just throw one pitch throughout the whole series…
"But in these series, one of the things you got to do is you got to figure out what the problems are, and you got to put the fires out pretty quickly. And so that's our challenge and we got to work on that with the team."
For all the focus on Wembanyama's 41 points and offensive production, it was his defense that really changed the game — he forced the Thunder to reconsider every drive into the paint. Chet Holmgren would grab an offensive rebound and hesitate to go back up, such is Wemby's presence.
There is no simple answer to this, but the one adjustment ties into our next topic — the Thunder need shooters all over the floor when Wembanyama is on the court to force him out to the arc, and then those shooters have to actually hit shots. Sounds much more simple than it is.
On the other end of the court, Alex Caruso spent the most time guarding Wembanyama in Game 1, according to NBA tracking data, and at least limited his shots. Jalen Williams particularly struggled with the matchup, with Wembanyama only missing one shot while Williams covered him. Chet Holmgren has moments, but can't slow him consistently. Isaiah Hartenstein can't be on the floor with Wemby (because he's a non-shooter, which allows Wembanyama to hang out around the rim on defense without consequence, which is why Hartenstein was subbed out two minutes into Game 1 and likely doesn't start Game 2).
Expect Daigneault to throw a variety of looks at Wembanyama, but the real key may be this: Oklahoma City needs to win the non-Wembanyama minutes by more than the nine they did in Game 1.
Can either team find an offensive groove?
With two of the top three defenses in the league facing off, we knew this would be a low-scoring series, but Game 1 was a defensive masterclass from both teams. Points were at a premium and will be all series — neither of these teams rolls to an easy target to exploit (like the Knicks did to James Harden and the Cavaliers).
For Oklahoma City, they need better performances from Holmgren and Ajay Mitchell, flat out. Same with the streaky Lu Dort. Those guys combined for 17 points on 6-of-18 shooting. They may not get the clean looks they're accustomed to, but they need to knock down the shots they get.
Expect the Thunder also to try to get the ball to Shai Gilgeous-Alexander more on the move or in more favorable matchups, not that there are great ones against a deep San Antonio lineup of defenders.
Daigneault has to play shooters every second Wembanyama is on the court and ruthlessly sit anyone cold. This is where the Thunder's depth comes into play. Not everyone is going to have an Alex Caruso night, but the Thunder need more players closer to that than we saw in Game 1.
The Spurs will keep trying to run everything through Wembanyama, but they need just more efficient shooting as well: Julian Champagnie was 3-of-11 from deep, Devin Vassell was 5-of-12 overall and even Stephon Castle, who had a good game, shot 5-of-14 overall and 1-of-6 from 3. They need more ball movement and to finish their contested shots better. One thing that may help with that is…
How does De’Aaron Fox’s return spark Spurs?
After missing Game 1 with ankle soreness, starting point guard De'Aaron Fox is set to return in Game 2. Spurs coach Mitch Johnson said this is just something that will linger through the playoffs, and Fox will play through it as best he can.
One area where Fox's return matters: The Spurs had 23 turnovers in Game 1, resulting in 28 Thunder points. Fox, a veteran point guard and floor general, will help cut down that number and the easy buckets the Thunder get in transition off them. That alone will help boost the Spurs' offense.
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - MAY 18: Head Coach Steve Kerr of the Golden State Warriors and head coach Jason Kidd of the Dallas Mavericks look on during the first quarter in Game One of the 2022 NBA Playoffs Western Conference Finals at Chase Center on May 18, 2022 in San Francisco, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The NBA coaching carousel is spinning today, and Dub Nation needs to take a second to look at the full picture.
Jason Kidd is out in Dallas after five seasons, and before we say anything else, let’s give J-Kidd his flowers. He’s a Bay Area legend and Hall of Famer. He’s absolutely one of the greatest point guards to ever lace them up. He took the Mavs to the 2022 Western Conference Finals and the 2024 NBA Finals. That’s generational work for a franchise that hasn’t sniffed success since Dirk Nowitzki and Kidd won a title 15 years ago as players.
But this just shows exactly how cold this business is. New president Masai Ujiri got full authorization to determine his future per ESPN, and after taking your franchise to the Finals two years prior Coach Kidd is out of the picture. And with that, Kidd, Jalen Brunson, and of course Luka Doncic are now gone from a team that the Warriors knocked out of the Western Conference Finals in 2022, at a time when the Mavs looked like a team that was up next.
EXCLUSIVE: Jason Kidd didn't just part ways with the Mavs—a league source tells me simply:
“He wanted out.”
So what’s next? Think a J-Kidd & Giannis reunion in Minnesota?
“Not out of the question,” says a trusted league fixture.
Now look across the league at what’s happening in San Francisco.
In the final moments of the Warriors’ season, Steve Kerr quietly told Steph Curry and Draymond Green that he loved them both, then sat in a hotel lobby bar in Phoenix with his coaching staff counting the years they’d all spent in the game together. And after a month of genuine internal conflict, walks with Lulu through the Presidio, sandwiches at Golden Gate Deli, and real conversations with Steph, Dray, Joe Lacob, and his own family, he said yes to coming back.
That contrast should hit different right now.
Kerr’s loyalty isn’t blind sentimentality. It’s earned, deliberate, and mutual. Lacob and Dunleavy sat with him and asked one shared question: what honored the Warriors’ past while setting the franchise up for the best future? The four Larry O’Brien Trophies in Lacob’s office are standing monuments to what this relationship is about. That’s a front office that treats its coach like a partner, not an employee with an expiration date.
Dallas handed J-Kidd a 26-56 season after trading Luka Doncic for Anthony Davis, a deal that Kidd insisted he wasn’t aware of until the eleventh hour, then showed him the door when a new regime walked in. Ujiri will build something in Dallas eventually. He always does. But don’t let the business language of “new direction” fool you into thinking a Finals trip two years ago didn’t happen. I’ll be interested to check out the opinions of those who watched his coaching tenure; will Coach Kidd get another landing spot soon?
I covered Jason Kidd when he played for the Nets. I know one of his childhood friends. I've been to his house, met his kids, then-wife, and Pilates Instructor. And I have insight from many people who worked with him in his coaching years. This is a great firing.
Meanwhile, Steve Kerr is coaching Steph Curry hopefully until the end of both of their careers.
Kerr himself said he was the luckiest coach in NBA history because he lucked into over a decade of Steph. I’m definitely gonna believe J-Kidd deserves better than what Dallas gave him. LET HIM COOK, DAMN!
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The Garden is in full bloom.
Following their nine-day (!) hiatus from playoff basketball, Jalen Brunson and the New York Knicks miraculously triumphed over Donovan Mitchell’s Cleveland Cavaliers in a comeback victory for the ages at Madison Square Garden in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals.
“Find a way,” Brunson said after scoring 38, including a heroic layup to send the game into overtime. “We got some stops, kept fighting, kept believing. We just kept chipping away.”
Next up, Brunson, Bridges, Anunoby, Hart and KAT will start from scratch and attempt to do it all over again in Game 2 at MSG on Thursday, May 21 at 8 p.m. EST.
If you’d like to be there, last-minute tickets are still available for the sure-to-be electric contest at the Garden the House that Brunson Built.
At the time of publication, the lowest price we could find on tickets for Game 2 was $715 including fees on SeatGeek.
Potential home Games 5 and 7 back in NYC — if the series goes that far — are quite a bit pricier starting at $878 including fees.
While prohibitively expensive, it’s hard to put a price on playoff basketball- especially when it’s this good.
Case in point, Yahoo! Sports described witnessing the Knicks’ already historic fourth-quarter rally where Jalen Brunson led the team on an improbable 44-11 run as “something akin to a full-scale collective out-of-body experience.”
“I don’t know if I’ve seen that in a playoff game,” Knicks Head Coach Mike Brown said afterwards. “I don’t know if I’ve been a part of it.”
“What did I just see? Let’s gooooo,” Oscar nominee and Knicks diehard Timothée Chalamet shared in an Instagram Story.
Kicking yourself for missing Game 1?
No need to worry, Knicks fans.
Our team has everything you need to know about Game 2 of the Knicks vs. Cavaliers Eastern Conference Finals series at Madison Square Garden below.
New York Knicks playoff home game tickets
A complete calendar, including all announced Knicks Eastern Conference Finals home game dates and the best prices on tickets, can be found here:
New York Knicks home game dates
Ticket prices start at
Game 2 Thursday, May 21
$715(including fees)
Game 5 Wednesday, May 27 (if necessary)
$878(including fees)
Game 7 Sunday, May 31 (if necessary)
$1,124(including fees)
Cleveland Cavaliers playoff home game tickets
All Cavs Rocket Arena playoff home game dates and the cheapest tickets available can be found below.
Cleveland Cavaliers home game dates
Ticket prices start at
Game 3 Saturday, May 23
$257 (including fees)
Game 4 Monday, May 25
$160 (including fees)
Game 6 Friday, May 29(if necessary)
$233 (including fees)
How to watch the Knicks and Cavs on TV
Fans hoping to catch Brown’s ballers on the tube can watch all first-round playoff games on MSG, ABC, ESPN, TNT, Prime Video, NBC, and NBA TV.
Just make sure to review your local listings before tuning in.
If you don’t have cable, your best bet may be DIRECTV.
2026 NBA playoff schedule
Been meaning to see how the postseason has shaken out?
This article was written by Matt Levy, New York Post live events reporter. Levy stays up-to-date on all the latest tour announcements from your favorite musical artists and comedians, as well as Broadway openings, sporting events and more live shows – and finds great ticket prices online. Since he started his tenure at the Post in 2022, Levy has reviewed a Bruce Springsteen concert and interviewed Melissa Villaseñor of SNL fame, to name a few. Please note that deals can expire, and all prices are subject to change.
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