Luke Kennard has unclogged the Lakers’ offense

Mar 10, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Luke Kennard (10) moves the ball against Minnesota Timberwolves forward Kyle Anderson (12) during the first half at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images | Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

When the Lakers traded for Luke Kennard at the deadline, the majority of the team’s fanbase let out a collective shrug. 

No one debated that the 29-year-old journeyman would help address a clear need as arguably the most efficient 3-point shooter in the NBA since entering the league. But the tepid reaction stemmed not from who he is, but from who he wasn’t. 

Kennard isn’t the wing stopper, starting center or the needle mover who would propel the Lakers into title contenders. However, as he’s shown since his arrival, sometimes swinging for contact instead of for the fences still could be valuable from a trade perspective. 

Unlike most late-season acquisitions, Kennard has acclimated to his new surroundings almost immediately. The seamless fit is not only due to his elite shooting ability, but rather, how he leverages it on this team specifically.

For one, Kennard’s addition has opened up the playbook for head coach JJ Redick. Before the sharpshooter’s arrival, the Lakers did not have the type of movement shooter who could dart off screens and fire all over the floor. This resulted in an often vanilla and predictable half-court attack.  

Now, the Lakers’ actions have far more zip and, more importantly, purpose when Kennard is on the floor.

Whether it’s been flying off flare screens, sought out on pindowns or serving as the cog to the Lakers’ stack actions, Kennard has introduced a new dimension to the team’s gameplan.

Since landing in Los Angeles, 25.2% of Kennard’s shots have come off screens, according to the NBA’s Synergy data. That ranks second-highest among all players this season behind only Klay Thompson.

The other way Kennard’s elite marksmanship has helped the Lakers is in the moments when he doesn’t shoot at all.

On track to become only the seventh player in NBA history to convert 50% of their 3-point attempts in a season, Kennard is what Stu Lantz would call an “uh-oh shooter.” If you need proof, just watch how defenses react to him when he catches a pass beyond the arc. There’s fear in their eyes and desperation in their feet.

Kennard’s gravitational pull is so strong that he often even lures multiple defenders into his orbit. And when this happens, advantages are created.

The embodiment of what Redick calls “the blender,” Kennard routinely gets opposing defenses into scramble mode by using the threat of his jumper against them. Although not always given the opportunity, he can do this because he is more than just a stereotypical shooter.

“It kind of gives confidence in me, not just being a spot-up shooter,” Kennard recently said. “There’s been stops, I think, where that’s kind of what I’ve been, and I’ll find my role and try to do the best I can with that. But I think just creating havoc offensively, just getting in the paint … when we get in the paint and we have multiple passes on possession, we’re such a different team.

“I can kind of initiate some of that. If two guys are on, like Luka, Bron or Austin, and I get a swing pass, if I don’t have a shot, I can get in the paint and try to make a play. I pride myself on that, trying to make the right play every single time. I’ve been having a good time.”

When defenders close out hard on Kennard, which is almost always, he attacks pressure with pressure. He can put the ball on the floor, extend advantages created by the team’s stars and has shown impressive passing feel to find the open teammate.

Take this play below, for example. Kennard comes off a flare screen and finds that the Warriors’ big man has met him at the level. The slight pump fake gets the defender to engage fully, and this is when he can strike.

Kennard gets downhill — averaging 5 drives per game, fourth-most on the team — draws multiple bodies and then kicks it out. The blender has officially been started.

After the Lakers swing it around the perimeter and the Warriors’ defenders are caught in rotation, the ball ultimately finds its way back in Kennard’s hands for a three. This was not a drawn-up play, but rather, an encapsulation of what Kennard has brought to the table.

“His ability to make plays, getting to the paint, uses his (shooting threat); because he shoots the ball so well, a lot of teams like to run him off the line,” LeBron James told reporters. “But his ability to get into the lane and make plays for others as well has been a big part of what we want to do, too. Just making that extra pass, those kick-out plays and those extra ones, he’s damn good at it.”

As much as Kennard’s impact has popped on tape, the numbers have been just as impressive.

Individually, Kennard is shooting a blistering 72% on his twos, 49% on his threes and has an incredible 72.7% effective field-goal percentage in his 15 games with the Lakers. Those marks rank in the 99th, 100th and 100th percentile among all wings this season, respectively.

And from a team perspective, the Lakers are +7.7 points better with Kennard on the floor and have an offensive rating of 125.8.

Perhaps more encouraging is how well Kennard has fit next to Luka Dončić in particular. The Lakers have a +17.3 net rating when the two have shared the floor and an unbelievable 129.9 offensive rating. To put this in context, the Denver Nuggets currently lead the NBA with an offensive rating of 121.3.

This is an important development because while a championship is always the end goal for the Lakers, another this season should be finding the players — and archetypes — that complement Dončić going forward. 

It remains to be seen how much of Kennard’s impact thus far will translate to the playoffs, where his defensive limitations will surely be tested. How he fares may ultimately sway how much desire the Lakers have in bringing him back next season. Kennard will be an unrestricted free agent in the summer.

Regardless of what the future holds, the trade and Kennard’s success have proved just how valuable shooting and the ability to play off the gravity of stars truly are. 

Kennard likely isn’t a long-term answer for the Lakers, but he is a proof of concept.

All stats courtesy of Cleaning the Glass unless otherwise stated. You can follow Alex on Bluesky at @alexregla.bsky.social.

Is it time for the Sixers to tank?

If you’re looking on the bright side, we’re at least writing this about three months later this season than we were last season. For about 35-45 games, the Sixers gave their fans enough of a reason to tune in. But the last five to six weeks of the 2025-2026 season have been far from fruitful. Not only have the Sixers lost a lot of games since the beginning of February, but they’ve lost players to injuries and suspension and have lost a lot of their fans with a perplexing trade deadline as well.

With Philly’s next game likely to be another loss in the Motor City against the Eastern Conference leading Detroit Pistons, now feels like a good time to entertain a scenario we haven’t really discussed all season. Are the Sixers best off losing as many games as possible in the regular season’s final month, bowing out quickly in the play-in tournament, and participating in this year’s draft lottery?

Granted, it’s highly unlikely Philadelphia could lose enough to fall below the play-in tournament cut line, so even a bad final month of the regular season would still have the Sixers playing beyond the season’s 82nd game. However, as many know by now, jumps up in the lottery from play-in tournament losers into the top four have happened a few times in recent years.

In 2019, the NBA debuted its new lottery in which the ping-pong balls determined the first four picks instead of the first three. This was part of an unsuccessful effort to curb tanking as the league thought that more randomness in the lottery would increase competitive balance. Since the reform, there have been seven draft lotteries. In three of them, a team from outside the league’s 10 worst records has jumped into the top four of the draft order. That includes the last two lotteries in which play-in tournament losers Atlanta and Dallas won the first pick in the 2024 and 2025 drafts respectively.

To be very clear, we’re still talking about approximately a 10% chance that Philadelphia drafts in the top four in 2026 which would again allow the Sixers to keep their first-rounder and not send it to the Thunder. But haven’t we all resigned ourselves to the fact that there’s a 0% chance of a deep playoff run coming? It feels like a dart worth throwing if you ask me.

Of course, the elephant in the room here will be if Joel Embiid is OK with being shut down. At this rate, it seems reasonable that Tyrese Maxey may not play for the rest of the regular season. Does anyone even care how many games Paul George plays after his suspension? But Embiid went public with comments before the trade deadline hoping that the front office would add to the roster and give him the best chance possible to make a deep playoff run given he may not have many chances left. We all saw that happened at the deadline. 

Embiid certainly isn’t thinking about a 10% chance the Sixers draft in the top four this summer. If you’re a big draft nerd too, you might be tracking the Houston first-rounder which the Sixers now own via the Jared McCain trade. There’s still a world in which the Sixers get out of the play-in tournament, send a pick in the late teens to Oklahoma City, and the Houston pick lands in the mid 20s and this whole thing is water under the bridge.

Perhaps this is all just one sad pity piece on what this season has turned into. There were certainly times this season in which the Sixers gave the fans reason to be excited. Heck, there’s a reason there was a sentiment leading up to the trade deadline that they could be a buyer and really make a run in a wide-open Eastern Conference this spring. But those hopes are crushed now, and the Sixers are back to churning out fringe NBA players in their rotation on a regular basis. So yeah, maybe they should just exit early in the play-in tournament and then we can all ask ourselves how lucky are we feeling on lottery night yet again.

Nets vs. Hawks preview: Back on the road

ATLANTA, GA - MARCH 10: Onyeka Okongwu #17 and Jalen Johnson #1 of the Atlanta Hawks high five during the game against the Dallas Mavericks on March 10, 2026 at State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia. 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 2026 NBAE (Photo by Adam Hagy/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
ATLANTA, GA – MARCH 10: Onyeka Okongwu #17 and Jalen Johnson #1 of the Atlanta Hawks high five during the game against the Dallas Mavericks on March 10, 2026 at State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia. 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 2026 NBAE (Photo by Adam Hagy/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

It’s what the people wanted! The Brooklyn Nets took on the Detroit Pistons on Tuesday night and got the hell beat out of them as they lost by 38 points.

The opponent tonight is flying high. The Atlanta Hawks pushed their winning streak to seven after beating the Dallas Mavericks on Tuesday night. They’re solidly in the play-in tier and have an outside chance of breaking in to the top six.

Where to follow the game

YES Network on TV. Gotham Sports on streaming. WFAN on radio. Tip after 7:30 PM.

🤕 Injuries

The following are out:

  • Egor Demin
  • Michael Porter Jr
  • Nolan Traore
  • Day’ron Sharpe

Ziaire Williams is questionable. The three two-ways available.

For the Hawks, Jonathan Kuminga and Dyson Daniels are questionable.

🏀 The game

Atlanta won the first and second meetings. They wrap the series up in April.

With both guards out, Drake Powell will get as many minutes as he can handle. It should be a great opportunity for the rookie to figure things out, and as our Tyler Carmona writes, he can grow into a really solid pro:

“With some added physical development in the offseason, he could grow into a reliable defender capable of guarding positions one through four and giving head coach Jordi Fernández some breathing room when facing elite offensive talent.“

With Traore and Porter Jr out, who will take the shots for the Nets tonight? That’s the question Jordi Fernandez will have to figure out and figure out fast. Danny Wolf figures to start again and should get plenty of opportunities to make something happen.

This is also a night for Noah Clowney to do a bit more. Clowney has had plenty of bright spots this season and now that we’re moving in to the middle of March, this represents a chance for him to do a bit more on offense. Games like this will help him figure out what parts of his game can get better as he fights to be a starter next season.

Jalen Johnson has been one of the best players in the NBA this season, and he’s picked things up as of late. During the Hawks’ winning streak, he’s averaging around 20/7/6 on 50 percent shooting from the field. A walking triple-double threat, Johnson does a lot of things well and hopes to put on a show in the postseason if the Hawks make it there.

Now that the Hawks are in serious playoff contention, they have some things to figure out. One of them will be how they best utilize CJ McCollum. The Hawks have youngsters that figure to be key parts of their program going forward and while still capable of heating up at a moment’s notice, CJ does have flaws in his game. Over at Peachtree Hoops, Hassan Ladiwala explores the conundrum Atlanta finds themselves in:

“To be clear, while I am of the opinion that the decision to start McCollum over Risacher is a touch short-sighted*, I do understand it from the perspective that it’s a move that helps the team win games this season. Putting a high-level offensive player like McCollum alongside Atlanta’s ‘core four’ has raised the group’s offensive ceiling and eased the ball-handling burden on Johnson and Daniels. You would also be justified in pointing out that Risacher had done little to justify keeping his job in the starting unit prior to the lineup change.

*It’s unclear whether McCollum will be on the team next year while Risacher was drafted #1 overall just last season and has a ways to go before reaching his potential.

That said, despite the staggering plus-minus numbers*, I am not fully convinced that McCollum is a part of the Hawks ‘best’ five-man unit – and their opponents woeful three-point shooting during his minutes is a big factor in my skepticism. Next time you see a stat praising McCollum’s on/off impact in Atlanta, just know that it hasn’t been because the Hawks shot-making, it’s been because of their opponents shot-missing.“

Give your youngsters more run, or turn to your vet and try to win? Everybody’s got to find the proper balance.

🏀 Player to watch: Onyeka Okongwu

Steady growth is always welcome. When you add to your game every year, you become more reliable and someone the team can trust. It’s a sign that you’re a part of their plans and it leads to great things if you keep at it. Onyeka Okongwu has seen his scoring average increase in each season of his career and even as he expands his game, he’s still shooting well and someone opponents have to respect. Atlanta hopes to be a steady playoff contender for many years to come, and Okongwu’s rise will be a shining light in Atlanta.

Nic Claxton will be tasked with controlling the middle for the Nets tonight. When the Nets lose on the boards, it’s impossible for them to win games. And with no Sharpe, the Nets have even less help on the glass. Claxton has to be better and playing in front of friends and family should give him an extra bit of motivation.

📺 From the Vault

On Tuesday, Bam Adebayo scored 83 points, now second most in NBA history. With that in mind, let’s take a trip back in time and look back at the mark Bam suprassed

More reading: Peachtree HoopsSB Nation NBANew York PostNew York Daily NewsClutch PointsNets WireSteve’s Newsletter

I don’t know how to feel about Bam Adebayo’s 83-point game

NEW YORK, NY - DECEMBER 21: Bam Adebayo #13 of the Miami Heat handles the ball during the game against the New York Knicks on December 21, 2025 at Madison Square Garden in New York City, 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 Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

Tuesday night was fascinating for me as a sports fan.

I started my night by watching my college’s depressingly bad basketball team lose to Northwestern to end its season in the Big Ten tournament, then switched the channel to watch Team USA lose in embarrassing fashion to Italy in the World Baseball Classic.

At the same time, I was mildly aware of Alexis Lafreniere scoring a hat trick for the Rangers, Jaylen Brown getting ejected in a high-profile game against the Spurs, and a niche game between the Heat and Wizards that would later go down in NBA history.

I was first aware of Bam Adebayo’s historic night when someone told me he scored 31 points in the first quarter. It was surprising, sure, but it’s the 2026 Wizards. At some point, the Heat will begin to blow them out, and Adebayo will eventually hit the bench with a career scoring effort. He had 43 at half, another shocking sum, but nothing insane was on the radar with the Heat well on their way to a blowout victory.

But they just kept feeding him. He kept going to the line. I got Real notifications that he had 50; he had SIXTY points in the third quarter. At that point, I still didn’t turn on League Pass. In my mind, there was no way he’d stay in the game to make any serious history, right?

But he played most of the fourth quarter. He got to 70, and I finally relented. What I saw in the final five minutes of that game was some of the most shameless basketball I’ve ever seen from the referees, the players on both teams, and the coaches. The Wizards were sending triple-teams, the Heat were intentionally fouling to get more possessions, and Erik Spoelstra refused to remove his big-money star in a 30-point game.

Adebayo ultimately did get to end the game on the bench, but not before scoring 83 points. There’s a sect of the NBA community that sees the lack of broadcast evidence of Wilt Chamberlain’s 100-point game and refuses to believe it exists. Putting aside the fact that it’s totally irrational that it was totally ridiculous that the basketball media would make up a black man scoring 100 points in a game in 1962, there are people who consider Kobe Bryant’s 81 points in 2006 against the Toronto Raptors as the single-game scoring mark to beat.

So, for those people who believe Wilt never scored 100, Bam Adebayo is now the standard for single-game dominance. Bam Adebayo, who has never scored 45 in a game prior to Tuesday night, had indisputably scored the most points in an NBA game in over 60 years and, to some people, the most points ever.

That fact is just jarring to me. Bam is an incredible player, don’t get me wrong. He’s a multi-time all-star, a staple on All-Defensive teams, a two-time Olympic gold medalist, and will almost certainly have his No. 13 retired by a Heat organization that’s had many great players don its colors. He’ll likely be enshrined in the Hall of Fame one day, but he isn’t known as a pure scorer.

The players to score 70 points in an NBA game are a who’s who of scoring talent: Wilt Chamberlain, Kobe Bryant, Luka Doncic, David Thompson, David Robinson, Elgin Baylor, Joel Embiid, Devin Booker, Damian Lillard, and Donovan Mitchell. All of these guys are or were capable of scoring 40 on any given night, even if only a few are inner-circle Hall of Famers.

How far down the list do you have to go before you find a player on the level of Adebayo’s offensive skills? MJ scored 69. Pete Maravich scored 68. Giannis and Rick Barry scored 64. The most points ever scored by a player to average under 20 PPG for his career is Joe Fulks, who scored 63 in 1949.

Fulks was the first NBA player to score 60 in a game and held the single-game scoring record until Elgin Baylor’s 64-point game in 1959. Fulks is an interesting piece of trivia in NBA history as maybe the league’s first shot-chucker. He averaged 19.1 FGA per game in his career and shot 30.2% from the field. He led the NBA in scoring in 1947-48 while shooting 25.9% from the field on over 25 shots per game. He’s the Father of NBA Tour Dates. If you want a laugh, go to @extrastats on Twitter and search for Fulks on his account.

The day Fulks scored 63 points, he attempted 56 shots and took 14 free throws. He shot 48.2% from the field, which is a modern-day equivalent of if Cam Thomas shot 70% from the field in a 40-piece. No player had ever scored more than 63 points and shot worse than 50%… until Adebayo on Tuesday. His 67.0 TS% is the least efficient 65+-point game since the invention of the 3-point line.

But I think the thing that’s been bothering me the most about this game is the way it progressed. Adebayo was absolutely tremendous in the first quarter, scoring 31 points on 10-for-17 from the field and making five three-pointers. Even if he was playing the Wizards, it was an all-time great quarter.

But the way the game ended is what soured me. The Wizards, in their desperate attempt to tank and keep their draft pick, load managed Trae Young. Alex Sarr scored 28 points, but he was limited to 20 minutes and sat out the game’s final 18. They did the same with Tre Johnson. The poor players that had to stop a coordinated effort to give Adebayo his moment were the likes of Will Riley, Anthony Gill, and Jalen Hardy.

Granted, part of that is because the Wizards were being blown out, but that’s another thing. Adebayo was being force-fed the ball and was just running full speed into defenders to draw fouls in the paint. Miami’s benchwarmers were fouling to get more possessions. It’s as if Jalen Brunson was playing with Trey Jemison III, Kevin McCullar Jr., and Pacome Dadiet in the final minutes of a blowout victory.

Speaking of Brunson, can he get some of these free throws next time he plays the Wizards? An NBA-record 43 free throw attempts. The only other players to even get within 10 of that number were notoriously bad free-throw shooters who were intentionally put on the line (or Wilt, who was both a poor free-throw shooter and dominant enough to get to the line naturally). Brunson’s 61-point game against the Spurs a few years ago is the second-best in history with less than 10 FTA (Rick Barry had 5 FTA in a 64-point game in 1974).

But we’d be getting into a whole different debate if we were talking about how ethical a high-scoring game is. Kobe’s 81-point game saw him put the finishing touches on a blowout, but he also had to power a very bad supporting cast back from a 14-point halftime deficit. Bryant scored his last seven points from the free-throw line in the final 2:36, but it was only a 13-point game at that point, and even then, that’s 74.

There are even reports of similar tactics to the ones the Heat used back in 1962, used by the Philadelphia Warriors to get Wilt to 100. You can argue that if we’re talking about ethics, Wilt’s 78-point game in a double-overtime win three months before he dropped 100 is the standard for ethical, ballistic scoring games. (Fun fact about that one: Wilt went 16-for-31 at the line. He would’ve scored 90 if he shot granny-style like he did when he scored 100.)

In the end, it happened. Regardless of how you feel, Bam Adebayo made history on Tuesday night. It was surreal to watch as someone who didn’t see Kobe score 81.

It just feels weird.

March Madness bracket live updates: Miami Ohio loss shakes up NCAA Tournament field

Wednesday was a brutal day for teams on the NCAA Tournament bubble.

Indiana, California, SMU, West Virginia, Cincinnati and Texas all lost at their respective conference tournaments.

Thursday didn't start any better with Miami (Ohio) and their curious case for the tournament getting tested. The MAC tournament began Thursday and the 31-0 RedHawks were knocked off by Massachusetts after having a double-digit lead in the second half. The record may have one blemish, but Miami's metrics don't make an at-large bid a sure thing.

The results leave the door open for teams like Auburn, and even Oklahoma, to slip into the field of 68. If the Tigers can manage to beat Tennessee in Thursday's SEC tournament second round, they'd almost certainly be able to overcome the 15 losses that weighs their resume down.

Oklahoma (18-14) gets a shot at Texas A&M in the SEC second round, and while they may have more work to do than Auburn, if they keep winning while all the other bubble teams are already at home, who knows?

Heck, in the ACC, even Florida State has some renewed hope. Beat No. 1 Duke in Thursday's ACC tournament quarterfinal and perhaps the Seminoles (18-14) can leapfrog into March Madness.

Fourteen teams have already punched their tournament tickets in Long Island (NEC), Queens (Atlantic Sun), High Point (Big South), Northern Iowa (Missouri Valley), Tennessee State (OVC), Furman (SoCon), North Dakota State (Summit League), Troy (Sun Belt), Gonzaga (WCC), Siena (MAAC), Wright State (Horizon), Hofstra (CAA), McNeese State (Southland) and Idaho (Big Sky).

Here's a the latest look at how the NCAA Tournament bracket may look on Selection Sunday. We'll be providing live updates, so be sure to hit refresh for latest seedings.

March Madness bracket update: March 12, 1:15 p.m.

Last updated: Thursday, March 12, 1:15 p.m.

* bold means automatic berth clinched.

  1. Duke, Arizona, Michigan, Florida
  2. Connecticut, Houston, Illinois, Michigan State
  3. Iowa State, Nebraska, Texas Tech, Gonzaga
  4. Purdue, Alabama, Virginia, Kansas
  5. Vanderbilt, Arkansas, Tennessee, Wisconsin
  6. North Carolina, St. John's, Louisville, Brigham Young
  7. Kentucky, Miami (Fla.), Utah State, Saint Mary's
  8. Villanova, Iowa, Saint Louis, Georgia
  9. Clemson, TCU, UCLA, North Carolina State
  10. Central Florida, Ohio State, Texas A&M, Missouri
  11. Texas, Akron, SMU/Virginia Commonwealth, Santa Clara/Miami (Ohio)
  12. Northern Iowa, Yale, South Florida, McNeeseState
  13. Hofstra, Utah Valley, High Point, Sam Houston State
  14. UC Irvine, North Dakota State, Wright State, Troy
  15. Tennessee State, Siena, Furman, Idaho
  16. Queens (N.C.), Long Island, Maryland-Baltimore County/Florida A&M, Howard/Lehigh

March Madness last four in

  • Santa Clara
  • Virginia Commonwealth
  • SMU
  • Miami (Ohio)

March Madness first four out

  • Auburn
  • New Mexico
  • Indiana
  • Oklahoma

March Madness next four out

  • San Diego State
  • West Virginia
  • Virginia Tech
  • Cincinnati

NCAA Tournament bids conference breakdown

Multi-bid leagues: SEC (11), Big Ten (9), ACC (8), Big 12 (8), Big East (3), West Coast (3), Atlantic 10 (2), Mountain West (2).

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: March Madness bracket predictions, updates NCAA Tournament bracketology

Dejounte Murray hit NBA’s most disrespectful 3 after making Raptors defender touch Earth

The Toronto Raptors will likely be going to the 2026 NBA Playoffs. After three straight years of missing the postseason, this qualifies as a feel-good campaign for the franchise. Some good things have happened for the Raptors this year: Scottie Barnes has taken a big leap in his scoring efficiency, Brandon Ingram earned an All-Star nod in his first year with the team, and the defense has jumped from No. 17 last year to No. 6 this season.

The Raptors also feel like a flawed team that beats up on bottom-feeders and loses to anyone good. On Wednesday, they suffered their biggest indignity of the season against a team that has nothing to play for when Dejounte Murray sealed a New Orleans Pelicans win over the Toronto Raptors with an incredibly brutal three-pointer.

Murray was hounded by Toronto’s Jamal Shead late in the fourth quarter. Murray’s crossover put Shead on the floor, then he ripped a three, then he bent at the waist to yell at Shead in the face. Sheesh. Watch the full play here:

This angle of it is even worse:

The Pelicans beat the Raptors, 122-111. The Raptors are now in play-in territory as the No. 7 seed in the East, a half-game behind the Miami Heat for the No. 6 seed. It’s cool that Toronto fans have had something to cheer for this season, but I just don’t believe in this team in the playoffs at all. The Raptors can’t beat good teams, and they have been embarrassed by a tanking team.

The Pelicans only have 22 wins, but that’s suddenly good enough to put them in No. 7 in the reverse standings when they were No. 1 a couple months ago. That’s good, because their draft pick is owed to Atlanta. Maybe the Derik Queen trade won’t age so poorly after all.

Sixers travel to Detroit to take on the one-seeded Pistons

DETROIT, MI - NOVEMBER 14: Quentin Grimes #5 of the Philadelphia 76ers drives to the basket during the game against the Detroit Pistons during the 2025-26 Emirates Cup on November 14, 2025 at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan. 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 Chris Schwegler/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

The Sixers are coming off a feel-good victory, defeating the tanking Memphis Grizzlies 139-129 in a game where they were without Tyrese Maxey, Paul George and Joel Embiid. Now they’ll look to keep their playoff hopes alive in a much tougher game, traveling to Detroit to face the first-seeded Pistons.

As many know, the Pistons are having their best year in quite some time. They’ve already surpassed the 46-win mark, a feat they haven’t accomplished since the 2007-08 season. The tip of the spear is Cade Cunningham, who is firmly in the MVP mix and in the midst of a stellar season. On the year, Cunningham is averaging 25.1 points, 9.9 assists and 5.6 rebounds on 45.9/35/80.1 splits. Strong, well-rounded numbers for the former No. 1 overall pick.

But of course, with any winning team there are guys behind the guy, and the Pistons are no exception. Jalen Duren has been the other star beside Cade, developing into a double-double machine averaging 18.6 points and 10.6 rebounds on 63.1 percent shooting. Isaiah Stewart has also developed into a capable two-way player, one who can match up against most bigs and not only hold his own, but hit shots on the other end. Duncan Robinson has been strangely important for this team as a vital floor spacer. They also have no shortage of contributors, with Caris LeVert, Ausar Thompson and Ron Holland all offering a varying set of skills.

And of course, our old friends Paul Reed and Tobias Harris are there as well. For those curious, Harris has averaged 13.1 points, 5.1 rebounds and 2.2 assists on 45.1/33/87.9 splits, while Reed has been excellent in a limited role, averaging 6.9 points and 4.5 rebounds on 60.1 percent shooting in 13.1 minutes per contest. Even beyond all of those guys, the Pistons have even more players capable of giving quality minutes. Between the star power of Cunningham and Duren and their depth, it’s easy to see why this team has won so many games.

The Sixers and Pistons have faced off twice this year, with the Pistons taking both games. With two matchups remaining, Philadelphia will look to split the season series before it’s all said and done.

Despite the slew of injuries, there has been some recent positives with this team. You just have to squint. Really hard. VJ Edgecombe is back and playing basketball, which is wonderful to see. A silver lining of the Sixers being decimated by injuries is that Edgecombe will have the ball a lot more, and will have to stretch out those playmaking skills. The Sixers have frankly asked him to do way too much for a 20 year old rookie, and he’s answered the call almost every time.

Beyond Edgecombe, Cameron Payne is coming off what might be the best game of his career. Payne put up 32 points, 10 assists, three rebounds and five stocks with zero turnovers, shooting a blistering 9-of-10 from the field and 8-of-8 from three. It would be unreasonable to expect that type of performance again, but Payne has quietly settled in nicely with the Sixers. It’s a shame we aren’t able to see his production alongside the bigger names.

Quentin Grimes has also picked things up as of late, coming off back-to-back double-digit performances.

Heading into this one, Maxey, Embiid, and George are all out, as expected. Kelly Oubre Jr., who was coming off one of his best games of the season, will also miss a few weeks with an elbow sprain, while Adem Bona is questionable due to back soreness. On the Detroit side, Thompson is out and LeVert is doubtful with a wrist sprain.

If the Sixers aren’t in free fall yet, they’re damn close. The margin for error is slim, and they’ll need everyone firing on all cylinders to get this W. Let’s see if they can pull off the impossible, or if this turns into yet another ugly one.

Game Details

When: Tuesday, March 12, 7:00 p.m. ET
Where: Little Caesars Arena, Detroit, Michigan
Watch: Prime Video
Radio: 97.5 The Fanatic
Follow: @LibertyBallers

Bulls vs Lakers Prediction, Picks & Odds for Tonight’s NBA Game

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With a rough patch in the rearview mirror, the Los Angeles Lakers have found their groove as of late, and they’ll look to extend their current three-game win streak when they host the surging Chicago Bulls at Crypto.com Arena tonight.

Fresh off the best scoring performance of his career, I expect Matas Buzelis to stay hot on offense, and my Bulls vs. Lakers predictions call for him to hit the Over on his points prop as he and Josh Giddey keep Chicago within striking distance on the road.

Here are my best free NBA picks for this cross-conference showdown on Thursday, March 12.

Bulls vs Lakers prediction

Bulls vs Lakers best bet: Matas Buzelis Over 18.5 points (-112)

Chicago Bulls forward Matas Buzelis posted a career-best 41 points on Tuesday, but I’m not chasing points after one big game. The second-year man has averaged 24 points across his last six outings, scoring 20+ in all five games in which he logged at least 30 minutes. 

In 35 games with 30+ minutes, he’s averaged 19 points, compared to just a 12-point average in games with fewer than 30 minutes.

Buzelis averaged just 14.8 points across the first 50 games, but he’s averaged 19.4 in his last 14. The Los Angeles Lakers rank in the bottom third in defensive efficiency, giving Buzelis even more runway to clear this total.

Bulls vs Lakers same-game parlay

The Bulls are 12-8 ATS as the road dog and have covered the spread in four of their last five. The Lakers should win, but the spread is a tad high to bet against a visiting team that’s nearing full strength.

The Bulls and Lakers each sport Top-10 defensive ratings across their last eight games, and each team has hit the Under in eight of their last 10. The point total is set high enough to bet the Under as improved defenses collide.

Bulls vs Lakers SGP

  • Matas Buzelis Over 18.5 points
  • Bulls +11
  • Under 234.5

Our "from downtown" SGP: Feelin' Giddey

Josh Giddey has averaged 18.5 rebounds+assists on the road this season, and he's averaged a whopping 21.8 across his last five games. Giddey has hit the Over on this line in 25 of 43 games overall, including 12 of 19 games on the road. Big games from him and Buzelis should keep the Bulls competitive tonight.

Bulls vs Lakers SGP

  • Matas Buzelis Over 18.5 points
  • Bulls +11
  • Under 234.5
  • Josh Giddey Over 15.5 rebounds + assists

Bulls vs Lakers odds

  • Spread: Bulls +11 (-110) | Lakers -11 (-110)
  • Moneyline: Bulls +450 | Lakers -600
  • Over/Under: Over 236 (-110) | Under 236 (-110)

Bulls vs Lakers betting trend to know

The Chicago Bulls have hit the Game Total Under in 30 of their last 50 games (+8.00 Units / 15% ROI). Find more NBA betting trends for Bulls vs. Lakers.

How to watch Bulls vs Lakers

LocationCrypto.com Arena, Los Angeles, CA
DateThursday, March 12, 2026
Tip-off10:30 p.m. ET
TVCHSN+, Spectrum SportsNet

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Wizards vs Magic Prediction, Picks & Odds for Tonight’s NBA Game

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The Orlando Magic will be looking to extend their win streak to six tonight as they face the Washington Wizards at the Kia Center. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET.

Paolo Banchero is torching his opponents right now, and my Wizards vs. Magic predictions are targeting him to make quick work of Washington.

Read more in my NBA picks for Thursday, March 12.

Wizards vs Magic prediction

Wizards vs Magic best bet: Paolo Banchero Over 23.5 points (-110)

Paolo Banchero is having a solid campaign, averaging 22.3 PPG across 54 games. While that’s down a bit from last season's 25.9 points, the Orlando Magic forward also played just 46 games last season.

March has been solid so far for the former first overall pick. He’s averaging 26.7 PPG, and Banchero has hit the Over in points in three straight contests.

The Duke product just dropped 25 on the Cleveland Cavaliers on Wednesday. He also showed out for 35 on Sunday against the Milwaukee Bucks. Back on March 3, Banchero erupted for 37 against the lowly Washington Wizards as well.

Wizards vs Magic same-game parlay

Desmond Bane is also doing his thing offensively right now. He’s cashed the Over in points in two of his last three, and both of those outings were 30+ performances. He dropped 30 against Minnesota and then 35 on Wednesday versus Cleveland.

The TCU product also scored 25 against the Wizards at the beginning of the month.

Orlando beat Washington by 17 points in their last meeting, and they’ve covered tonight’s spread in two of the last three meetings. 

The Wizards are in the midst of a nine-game losing skid, with their last two defeats finishing as blowouts. The Pelicans beat them by 20 before Bam Adebayo’s 83-point win propelled the Heat to a 21-point victory.

Wizards vs Magic SGP

  • Paolo Banchero Over 23.5 points
  • Desmond Bane Over 21.5 points
  • Magic -15

Our "from downtown" SGP: Bane Damage!

Bane has cashed the Over in dimes in two straight, dishing out 15 assists combined.

Wizards vs Magic SGP

  • Paolo Banchero Over 23.5 points
  • Desmond Bane Over 21.5 points
  • Magic -15
  • Desmond Bane Over 4.5 assists

Wizards vs Magic odds

  • Spread: Wizards +13.5 (-110) | Magic -13.5 (-110)
  • Moneyline: Wizards +754 | Magic -1200
  • Over/Under: Over 230 (-110) | Under 230 (-110)

Wizards vs Magic betting trend to know

The Orlando Magic have hit the 4Q Game Total Over in 21 of their last 30 games at home (+10.65 Units / 31% ROI). Find more NBA betting trends for Wizards vs. Magic.

How to watch Wizards vs Magic

LocationKia Center, Orlando, FL
DateThursday, March 12, 2026
Tip-off7:00 p.m. ET
TVMNMT, FDSN Florida

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Celtics vs Thunder Prediction, Picks & Odds for Tonight’s NBA Game

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The Boston Celtics lost a hard-fought battle to the Spurs on Tuesday, but the road ahead only gets tougher as the C’s head to Paycom Center to face the NBA’s winningest team in the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Key frontcourt injuries have opened up golden opportunities to crash the glass, and my Celtics vs. Thunder predictions and NBA picks expect Neemias Queta, Jaylen Brown, and Chet Holmgren to clear their rebound props.

Celtics vs Thunder prediction

Celtics vs Thunder best bet: Neemias Queta Over 8.5 rebounds (-110)

Neemias Queta is grabbing a career-high 8.3 rebounds per game, and he’s corralled at least nine in 23 appearances and exactly eight in 10 more. He's averaged just 7.5 rebounds against Eastern Conference opponents but a whopping 9.6 against the West.

Over the last four games with Isaiah Hartenstein out or limited, the Oklahoma City Thunder have surrendered the second-most rebounds. Hartenstein is out again, and Queta should stay hot in this advantageous matchup after grabbing 9+ boards in two of his last three outings overall and three of his last six on the road.

Celtics vs Thunder same-game parlay

Prior to his ejection in Tuesday’s loss to the Spurs, Jaylen Brown recorded 7+ rebounds in eight straight games. Averaging a career-best 7.1 rebounds this season, Brown has recorded 7+ rebounds in 35 of 58 games, including 15 of 28 on the road. The potential absence of Jayson Tatum could force Brown to take on more rebounding responsibilities.

Betting on the Boston Celtics to cover is tempting, but Tatum and Derrick White are questionable, and Payton Pritchard may not be 100%. OKC has been tremendous at home, and I’m far more confident betting the total. The Celtics are 12-22 to the Under on the road, while the Thunder are 16-17 to the Under at home.

Celtics vs Thunder SGP

  • Neemias Queta Over 8.5 rebounds
  • Jaylen Brown Over 6.5 rebounds
  • Under 216

Our "from downtown" SGP: Board men get paid!

Over the first 32 games of the season, Chet Holmgren averaged just 8.2 rebounds, but he's averaged 10.2 across his last 24. In that span, the big man has grabbed 9+ boards 17 times. Hartenstein's absence opens up additional rebounding opportunities for Holmgren, and he should have no problem clearing this line.

Celtics vs Thunder SGP

  • Neemias Queta Over 8.5 rebounds
  • Jaylen Brown Over 6.5 rebounds
  • Under 216
  • Chet Holmgren Over 8.5 rebounds

Celtics vs Thunder odds

  • Spread: Celtics +6.5 | Thunder -6.5
  • Moneyline: Celtics +225 | Thunder -270
  • Over/Under: Over 216 | Under 216

Celtics vs Thunder betting trend to know

The Celtics have cashed the Under in 29 of their last 40 games for +16.9 units and a 38% ROI. Find more NBA betting trends for Celtics vs. Thunder.

How to watch Celtics vs Thunder

LocationPaycom Center, Oklahoma City, OK
DateThursday, March 12, 2026
Tip-off9:30 p.m. ET
TVPrime Video

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Mavericks vs Grizzlies Prediction, Picks & Odds for Tonight’s NBA Game

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The Memphis Grizzlies look to make it eight straight wins against the Dallas Mavericks tonight. 

Even with Dallas on an eight-game losing skid and wrapping up a gruelling six-game road trip, my Mavericks vs. Grizzlies predictions and NBA picks have the visitors finally breaking a couple of lengthy slides on Thursday, March 12.

Mavericks vs Grizzlies prediction

Mavericks vs Grizzlies best bet: Mavericks -5 (-110)

The Dallas Mavericks have lost five straight on this trip, with double-digit losses in four of them.

It’s part of a bigger skid, where they’ve gone an NBA-worst 2-18 over the last 20 games, averaging just 109.8 points per game.

But road-weary bodies still beat unhealthy ones, and the Memphis Grizzlies, who’ve also dropped five straight, will be without their leading scorer, rebounder, and assist man, as Santi Aldama, Scotty Pippen Jr., and Ja Morant are all sidelined.

Plus, Cedric Coward, Walter Clayton Jr., and Ty Jerome are all doubtful.

Dallas will avoid a four-game regular-season series sweep.

Mavericks vs Grizzlies same-game parlay

Rookie Cooper Flagg has scored just 12 points in each of the two games he’s played against Memphis and has scored sub-20 points in four straight since returning from a foot injury.

That hasn’t affected his rebounding effort, though, as he’s picked up at least eight boards in each of his last three games.

Mavericks vs Grizzlies SGP

  • Mavericks -5
  • Cooper Flagg Under 21.5 points
  • Cooper Flagg Over 6.5 rebounds

Our "from downtown" SGP: The Flagg Bearer

Let’s stick with the rook as we build out a monster SGP that pays out at +2100.

Flagg has hit at least one triple in three of four games since returning from injury.

And while his scoring has been down, he’s been keeping his teammates well fed, doling out at least six assists in three of his last four games.

Mavericks vs Grizzlies SGP

  • Mavericks -5
  • Cooper Flagg Under 21.5 points
  • Cooper Flagg Over 6.5 rebounds
  • Cooper Flagg Over 0.5 made threes
  • Cooper Flagg Over 5.5 assists

Mavericks vs Grizzlies odds

  • Spread: Mavericks -5 (-110) | Grizzlies +5 (-110)
  • Moneyline: Mavericks -205 | Grizzlies +170
  • Over/Under: Over 239.5 (-110) | Under 239.5 (-110)

Mavericks vs Grizzlies betting trend to know

The Memphis Grizzlies have only hit the Moneyline in 12 of their last 40 games (-20.45 Units / -38% ROI). Find more NBA betting trends for Mavericks vs. Grizzlies.

How to watch Mavericks vs Grizzlies

LocationFedExForum, Memphis, TN
DateThursday, March 12, 2026
Tip-off8:00 p.m. ET
TVKFAA, FDSN SE-Memphis

Mavericks vs Grizzlies latest injuries

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Rockets may have to consolidate their roster

It’s time for harsh truths. Cold, unrelenting reality. Words must no longer be minced.

The Houston Rockets’ situation has materially worsened in 2025-26.

Place the blame where you will. Ime Udoka’s offense lacks sophistication. Rafael Stone picked Jalen Green with the most consequential draft pick of the rebuild. Kevin Durant has a burner.

Each of the young players is flawed. This won’t devolve into a “who are the Rockets trading” piece. It’s a tangentially related “the Rockets will have to trade someone” piece.

Again: Cold, unrelenting reality.

Rockets’ rebuild did not go according to plan

It may be cold, but it shouldn’t be particularly surprising.

Historically, this is the rebuilding cycle, whether a team tanks or not. You have low expectations as a young team, start winning games as an up-and-coming squad, the expectations rise, and then you see if any of your young players can meet them at the highest level. If even one can, you’ve found your franchise player:

If nobody does, then nobody is safe.

That’s when consolidation happens. It’s a dirty word for “young core” enthusiasts. Fine, but NBA years are like dog years – each year is more than a year.

In a couple of seasons, the Rockets’ “young core” will be an “in-prime core”. If you think they project as title contenders, it would be impossible for us to have a conversation. I think that’s utterly delusional.

(Luckily, this is not a conversation, and you are a captive).

Sorry, I do. Let’s talk about it. Alperen Sengun has regressed to his previous standard on defense. He’s as inefficient as ever on offense. If this looks like a franchise player to you…again, delusion is the word.

The same goes for Amen Thompson. I’m not trying to play favorites. His one-level scoring will be exposed in the postseason. Even if Houston ditched Sengun for a floor spacing big and ran a pick-and-spread offense around Thompson, there’s little evidence that it would be viable. The Spurs would love to defend that offense in a seven game four game series.

Reed Sheppard? The last bastion of hope. This is the one player who it’s too soon to dismiss. He’s been outstanding as a sophomore. Yet, as early as it would be to dismiss him, it would be equally early to coronate him. All of which is to say, it would be better to keep him, but he shouldn’t hold up consolidation either.

Moreover, even the idea of running a “team first, no franchise player” team is problematic. To make that work, the synergy needs to be perfect. It isn’t with this team. Sengun and Sheppard are a rough defensive pairing. Sengun and Thompson are a poor offensive pairing.

This is the situation the Rockets are in. They tanked for three years (plus a bonus year of reaping the Nets’ rewards), and they didn’t net a franchise-caliber player or a perfectly constructed roster. They just didn’t.

It’s not as egregiously unfortunate as many will frame it. In that entire window, the only high lottery picks who turned out to be one of those have been Victor Wembanyama and Cade Cunningham. Even Paolo Banchero, the patron saint of Rockets’ would-bes, hasn’t met that bar. This happens. It’s happened before. The question is this:

What happens when it happens?

Rockets need to rebuild the rebuild

The year is 2018. The Toronto Raptors are the second-best team in the Eastern Conference almost annually, but they are second by such a massive margin that it’s moot. The team is homegrown. It’s talented. Pascal Siakam, OG Anunoby, Jakob Poeltl. It is never going to win a championship as constructed:

So, they trade for Kawhi Leonard.

The year is now 2019. LeBron James has joined the Lakers for no reason other than they’re the Lakers. That may break the analogy for you, but the Rockets did land Kevin Durant for just a bit more than nothing, so the situations are comparable enough. Beyond James, the Lakers have a similar collection of strong, but sub-elite talent. Brandon Ingram. Lonzo Ball. Josh Hart. Julius Randle. None of these guys are a viable co-star for James:

So, they trade for Anthony Davis.

Turn the clock back further. Now it’s 2007. Sorry, the time machine is on the fritz. The Boston Celtics have a solid group of young talent. Rajan Rondo, Al Jefferson, Gerald Green. Not going to win a championship, etc.

Yada yada yada, Kevin Garnett.

Take a deep look in the mirror. Be brutally honest with yourself. Take a look at this Rockets core.

Do we have Baby Jokic, Turbo Igoudala, White Curry, and wings? Or, does this look a bit more like Siakam, Anunoby, and Poeltl. Ingram, Ball, and Hart.

(OK, it’s probably better than Rondo and Jefferson).

So, what should the Rockets do?

The Rockets need to make a decision soon

It doesn’t have to be this summer. It doesn’t have to be Giannis. If the Rockets want to kick the can, they can wait to see if they can find a franchise-caliber diamond in the rough in the 2027 draft. Heck, they could wait for the 2029 draft. They have major skin in that game with multiple swap rights with potential lottery teams, but good luck selling Tilman Fertitta on waiting four more years for a “guy”.

So Antetokounmpo should be on the table. Nothing should be sacred between these walls. Still, Antetokounmpo is not the perfect answer. No matter who the Rockets move, they’ll be pairing him with another non-spacer unless they’re moving both Sengun and Thompson.

Alternatively, Antetokounmpo is almost certainly the best player who’s going to shake loose during the Rockets’ consolidation window. Remember: That window isn’t particularly wide. Once these guys are in-prime players, teams will be thinking about their next deal. In two seasons, Alperen Sengun will be two (or three, pending his player option) seasons away from his first non-rookie deal.

As it stands, Reed Sheppard is an outstanding value on his rookie contract. When it comes time for his rookie extension, his team will have to answer (theme alert) difficult questions. The same holds for Amen Thompson, only a year sooner. How much do you pay the best defensive wing in basketball if he’s a non-shooting role player?

None of this is optimal, but can we be realistic for a moment? The Spurs have Victor Wembanyama, and Dylan Harper would be the Rockets’ franchise player. The Thunder. Period.

Sure, that’s just two teams. Otherwise, as Nikola Jokic eventually ages, the Rockets have an opportunity to solidify themselves as the third-best team in the Western Conference for years to come.

…Hang the banner.

The third-best team in the conference consolidates, especially with another half-decade as the fourth-best team in front of them. It isn’t good enough to win an NBA championship.

This isn’t what we wanted. It wasn’t Plan A. Historically speaking, it is the de facto Plan B.

Rockets fans will say that our guys are not being optimized. There’s some truth in that. Ime Udoka’s read-and-react offense is suboptimal for a roster that’s light on pass/dribble/shoot players. Yet, that points to the broader issue:

This roster is light on pass/dribble/shoot guys.

It’s heavy on specialists. Players who are outlier strong in one area, but struggle in another. The closest player to reaching pass/dribble/shoot in the young core is Sheppard, and only time will tell if Udoka can scheme around his defensive shortcomings.

Maybe you love these kids. Perhaps you’ve grown attached. That’s cute, but if you take a long, honest look at the Oklahoma City Thunder and the San Antonio Spurs, it’s impossible to come away feeling like the Rockets have enough.

Harsh, but true.

Even as Tatum returns, Jaylen Brown continues to level up his passing

Even as Tatum returns, Jaylen Brown continues to level up his passing originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston

A few minutes before the ejection that stole the spotlight of the Celtics-Spurs showdown, Jaylen Brown calmly dribbled out of an impending corner trap with Victor Wembanyama racing his way, then patiently examined the floor before feeding Sam Hauser for a straightaway 3-pointer.

It was Brown’s seventh assist in little more than 10 minutes of floor time. Brown had fed five different teammates with those helpers and was fueling Boston’s early offense with his combination of scoring and playmaking.

Overshadowed by his scoring output in the absence of Jayson Tatum, and further clouded by Tuesday’s ejection when an official overstepped his bounds, Brown has leveled up as a playmaker in recent weeks and is confidently making all the right reads on the floor.

For all the consternation about shot distribution and how the offense would run upon Tatum’s return from a nine-plus-month absence, Brown’s playmaking numbers have spiked both before and after Tatum’s season debut. Over the two-and-a-half games he’s been available with Tatum back in the lineup, Brown is averaging 7.3 assists per game leading to 19.3 assist points created per game. 

If maintained for the season, that potential assists mark would rank just outside the top 20 in the entire NBA, while the assist points created would slot in the top 10. For a comp: Luka Doncic generates 21.2 assists points per game on 8.5 assists (and 14.0 potential assists) this season. 

Just look at Brown’s playmaking uptick both over Boston’s last 10 games, and especially since last season:

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Teammates’ shooting percentages off Brown feeds over the last three games are rather astounding: Boston players are shooting 58.1 percent off Brown passes in that span. The biggest beneficiary has been Derrick White, who is 5-for-7 (71.4 percent) off Brown feeds in those games.

Take out Tatum (1-4 FG off Brown passes) and Payton Pritchard (4-10 FG on Brown passes) and the rest of Boston’s roster is shooting 69 percent (20-for-29) off Brown feeds in those games.

Suyash Mehta robbed all of us of the opportunity to see what kind of assist numbers Brown might have put up overall in Tuesday’s showdown between two of the best teams in the NBA. Brown always seems to thrive in these big-stage moments, particularly with other MVP-caliber players across the court. But his outburst after a lack of a whistle on a turnover left him susceptible to getting tossed.

Brown’s assist percentage for the season is at 25.6 percent, which ranks in the 99th percentile among wings, per Cleaning the Glass data. It’s 5.2 percent higher than last year’s mark and easily the best mark of his career. 

Brown averages 13.7 potential assists per 100 possessions, ranking in the 91st percentile overall. Teammates have an effective field goal percentage of 69 percent on his feeds, which ranks in the 70th percentile. When Brown limits his turnovers, his playmaking stats further leap off the page.

The best version of the Celtics moving forward is when the Brown/Tatum combo is able to use all the attention they draw to bring out the best in the supporting cast. It’s no surprise that White’s scoring has already spiked since Tatum’s return. 

Brown shouldered a heavy load in Tatum’s absence, and even after Tatum’s return, Brown is using his playmaking to continue elevating everyone around him.

Nets vs Hawks Prediction, Picks & Odds for Tonight’s NBA Game

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The Brooklyn Nets head to State Farm Arena tonight to face the Atlanta Hawks in an Eastern Conference clash. The tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET.

Jalen Johnson has found his best shooting lately, and I’m eyeing him to ball out in my Nets vs. Hawks predictions.

Read more in my NBA picks for Thursday, March 12.

Nets vs Hawks prediction

Nets vs Hawks best bet: Jalen Johnson Over 22.5 points (-120)


Jalen Johnson has been the Atlanta Hawks' best player this season, averaging 23 PPG. The Duke product has broken onto the scene, and he’s killing the competition lately. Johnson has cashed the Over in back-to-back games.

The 24-year-old erupted for 35 against the Philadelphia 76ers on Saturday before dropping 27 points on Tuesday against the Dallas Mavericks. Johnson is averaging 24.5 PPG this season against the Brooklyn Nets, who just allowed 138 points to the Detroit Pistons.

Nets vs Hawks same-game parlay

CJ McCollum is averaging 3.8 dimes in 25 games with the Hawks since coming over in the Trae Young trade. He’s cashed the Over in assists in four straight appearances.

Dyson Daniels is questionable tonight, which means there could be even more playmaking duties on CJ’s shoulders. Whether Daniels plays or not, though, McCollum will drop at least four dimes.

Nickeil Alexander-Walker has hit the Over in treys in three straight, and he was 3-for-9 against the Nets at the end of February. Brooklyn is dead last in the Association in opponent three-point percentage, with teams shooting 38.2% from deep against them.

Nets vs Hawks SGP

  • Jalen Johnson Over 22.5 points
  • CJ McCollum Over 3.5 assists
  • Nickeil Alexander-Walker Over 2.5 made threes

Our "from downtown" SGP: Brooooooklyn!

Brooklyn only lost by 11 to the Hawks on February 22, and they’ve actually won two of their last three. I still expect Atlanta to win here at home, but the Nets will make it relatively competitive.

Nets vs Hawks SGP

  • Jalen Johnson Over 22.5 points
  • CJ McCollum Over 3.5 assists
  • Nickeil Alexander-Walker Over 2.5 made threes
  • Brooklyn Nets +15

Nets vs Hawks odds

  • Spread: Nets +14 (-110) | Hawks -14 (-110)
  • Moneyline: Nets +637 | Hawks -950
  • Over/Under: Over 226.5 (-110) | Under 226.5 (-110)

Nets vs Hawks betting trend to know

The Atlanta Hawks have hit the Moneyline in 14 of their last 20 games (+8.80 Units / 21% ROI). Find more NBA betting trends for Nets vs. Hawks.

How to watch Nets vs Hawks

LocationState Farm Arena, Atlanta, GA
DateThursday, March 12, 2026
Tip-off7:30 p.m. ET
TVYES, FDSN SE-Atlanta

Nets vs Hawks latest injuries

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Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.

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Milwaukee Bucks vs. Miami Heat Preview & Game Thread: Call the fire brigade

MIAMI, FLORIDA - APRIL 05: Bam Adebayo #13 of the Miami Heat and Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks look on at Kaseya Center on April 05, 2025 in Miami, Florida. 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 Brennan Asplen/Getty Images) | Getty Images

After playing nine of their last 10 games at home, the Bucks are back on the road tonight taking on the Miami Heat at Kaseya Center. Losers by 15 to the Suns, Milwaukee will need every bit of juice it has against a Miami team that has won six on the trot, including a 150-129 demolition of the Washington Wizards in which perennial Defensive Player of the Year candidate Bam Adebayo scored 83 points! Tonight’s game is the final regular-season matchup between the teams, with the Heat taking the first matchup behind 29 points from Tyler Herro, and the Bucks winning the second thanks to Kevin Porter Jr.’s clutch play down the stretch.

Where We’re At

In a reversal of their season-long trend of small-ball, the Bucks have opted to go big lately, starting Myles Turner, Giannis, Kyle Kuzma, Ousmane Dieng, and Ryan Rollins. That’s a whole lot of length, Rollins’ 6’10” wingspan the only one under seven feet. And while the results haven’t been there in the win column, it at least bodes better in theory while enabling the Bucks to look towards the future—namely, what role Dieng plays in it. As a starter, Dieng has certainly been promising, averaging 11.8 PPG on .475/.406/.500 shooting, 6.3 RPG, 4.3 APG, and 0.8 BPG in 31.2 MPG across six games, and of the five-man lineups he’s been part of, this is the most successful one (-2.2 net rating, while all others are -17.5 or worse). Food for thought.

The Miami Heat, on the other hand, are firing on all cylinders despite their extensive injury report. Now up to sixth in the Eastern Conference standings, the Heat are just three games behind the Cleveland Cavaliers (i.e., within striking distance of a top-four finish), and have recorded recent quality wins against the Houston Rockets and Detroit Pistons. But all the latest talk, rightfully so, has been on Bam Adebayo’s history-making performance against the Wizards. His 83-point outburst is now the second-highest scoring total in NBA history. Wilt, Bam, then Kobe. Let that sink in. This season, Adebayo has struggled offensively against the Bucks (17.5 PPG, 43% FG), so his offensive explosion comes at unideal timing from a Bucks’ perspective. Regardless, Milwaukee mustn’t be too Bam focused, as Tyler Herro (26.3 PPG on .537/.517/.947 to go along with 5.5 RPG and 4.8 APG) and Jamie Jaquez Jr. (16.6 PPG, 5.2 RPG, 6.0 APG) have also been balling over the past five games, giving the Bucks more than enough reasons to keep 911 on speed dial.

Injury Report

For the Bucks, Kevin Porter Jr. (Right Knee; Synovitis), Bobby Portis (Back; Thoracic Spine Contusion), and Jericho Sims (Right Patella; Tendonitis) are all questionable.

For the Heat, Tyler Herro (Left Quadriceps; Soreness) and Kel’el Ware (Right Shoulder; Strain) are questionable, while Nikola Jovic (Low Back; Injury Management), Norman Powell (Right Groin; Strain), Terry Rozier (Not With Team), and Andrew Wiggins (Left Big Toe; Sesamoiditis) are out.

Player to Watch

Once more for good measure: Bam Adebayo dropped 83 frickin’ points when he last played. Eighty. Three. If he’s not the player to watch, then this section needs a new name. In addition to scoring the second most points of all time, Adebayo’s 36 free throws and 43 attempts were the most in NBA history, and his 22 three-point attempts tied for third-most in a game in NBA history. So, what does he have in store as an encore? While Adebayo has struggled so far this season against Milwaukee, he typically fares better, averaging 19.9 PPG on 47% over his last 10 games against them. Of course, the Bucks have a pretty good front-court player of their own. But while all the hoopla around Adebayo could give Giannis extra incentive to remind the world who he is, turning this into a mano a mano matchup might hurt Milwaukee more than it helps.

How To Watch

Tune in at 6:30 p.m. CDT on FanDuel Sports Network Wisconsin or the following stations:

  • WMLW & WYTU (Milwaukee)
  • WISC (Madison)
  • WMEI (Green Bay)
  • WECX (Eau Claire/La Crosse)
  • WYOW (Wausau)
  • WQAD (Davenport, IA, Rock Island/Moline, IL)