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Even by Luka Dončić’s standards, the run he’s been on recently has been something special.

He led the Lakers on a nine-game winning streak, which included a game-winner over the Nuggets and a 60-point performance against the Heat.

Luka has been named Western Conference Player of the Week for back-to-back weeks, and with the Lakers now sitting at No. 3 in the West, he is being discussed more as an MVP candidate.

But with only a couple of weeks left, is it too late for him to make a run at the current favorite, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander?

For our SB Nation Reacts survey this week, we asked if you think Luka should be in the conversation for MVP and where he finishes in MVP voting.

Luka has a strong case as an MVP candidate. He’s an All-Star, the NBA’s leading scorer and undeniably the best player on a contending team.

The pushback he could face is that his defensive numbers don’t make a compelling case for him, and if the Lakers fall to fifth or sixth in the standings, critics will say he’s a great player on a mediocre team.

Still, voting hasn’t happened yet, so Dončić could still win. Also, if he keeps playing at this high a level the rest of the way, he could continue garnering support.

The KIA MVP Ladder has Luka at No. 2 in the MVP race, behind only SGA, and Nikola Jokić is third.

All three players have great cases. With the Thunder as defending champions and SGA having another great season, his individual reward might be another MVP.

Jokić remains the engine that keeps Denver running and he’s set to finish the year once again averaging a triple-double. Over the past five seasons, he’s won the MVP three times and the worst he’s finished in voting is second.

Can Luka make a push here and finish as a top vote getter in MVP voting or even win the award?

Share your opinion by voting and letting us know down below!

You can follow Edwin on Twitter at @ECreates88 or on Bluesky at @ecreates88.bsky.social.

Don’t look now, but the Sixers actually might have over half of their starting lineup available.

Philadelphia released their injury report ahead of their matchup with the Chicago Bulls, and there’s some potentially good news: Joel Embiid is listed as questionable. Embiid has yet to play in the month of March, suffering an oblique strain on Feb. 26 after a collision with Miami Heat center Kel’el Ware. Embiid has only played in five games since the beginning of February.

During this absence, there was a slight glimmer of hope he’d get on the court earlier. Embiid was briefly listed as doubtful for their March 19 matchup against the Sacramento Kings, but was ultimately ruled out hours before tip-off.

The Sixers didn’t hold an official practice Tuesday, but Nick Nurse said in a pregame availability the day before that Embiid would go through a heavier workout and the team would go from there. Given the upgrade in status, it would seem everything is going well so far.

After being banged up for most of the month, the Sixers could suddenly get a lot of reinforcements back all at once. Regardless of if Embiid is able to go against the Bulls or not, Paul George will play in his first game back from his 25-game suspension. Despite the lack of practice, George did speak to reporters for the first time since the suspension.

Quentin Grimes, who missed the Sixers’ last game against the OKC Thunder with an illness, is only questionable against the Bulls. Dominick Barlow, who sprained an ankle two games ago in Utah, is not listed on the injury report.

Another reunion with an old friend isn’t likely for this one though. For the Bulls, Guerschon Yabusele is listed as doubtful with an ankle sprain. He didn’t play in their most recent matchup against the Houston Rockets. On top of guys they’re trying to shut down for the year, Anfernee Simons and Isaac Okoro are also doubtful for Chicago.

When the Celtics and Oklahoma City Thunder face off on Wednesday night, both teams will be at relative full-strength. Everyone is available for the Celtics, except for Nikola Vucevic, who first suffered a fractured right ring finger on March 6th and remains out.

Jayson Tatum, meanwhile, will appear in his 9th game for the Celtics; so far, he’s averaged 19.1 points and 8.9 rebounds.

For the Thunder, Jalen Williams will play in his second consecutive game; he’s coming off an 18-point performance on Monday night against the Philadelphia 76ers. Williams has appeared in only 27 games this season, dealing with a myriad of wrist and hamstring injuries.

How the Celtics, Thunder stack up

Despite having an injury-riddled season, the Thunder have been the NBA’s most dominant team all season. They currently have the league’s best net rating at a +11.1. The Celtics have the league’s third-best net rating at a +7.8.

The Thunder have won 15 of their last 16 games, and 12 straight.

The Celtics, meanwhile, will look to bounce back from a loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves on Sunday night. The Celtics have won 6 of their last 10 games, and are 6-2 with Jayson Tatum in the lineup.

Last time the two teams faced off, the Thunder came away with a 104-102 victory, thanks to game-winning free throws from Chet Holmgren off of an offensive rebound. But both teams were without key players in that March 12th game; the Thunder were without Jalen Williams and Isaiah Hartenstein, while the Celtics were without Tatum and Derrick White.

Celtics-Thunder tips off at 7:30pm at TD Garden.

Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Houston Rockets
Date: March 25th, 2026
Time: 8:30 PM CDT
Location: Target Center
Television Coverage: ESPN, FanDuel Sports Network – North
Radio Coverage: KFAN FM, Wolves App, iHeart Radio

When the Minnesota Timberwolves walked out of TD Garden with a victory, their first in that building since 2005, it wasn’t just another road win. It was the kind of bizarre, rollercoaster performance that perfectly encapsulates this entire Timberwolves season.

Maybe even more impressively, it was the second time in about a month they slayed a two-decade dragon. First Toronto. Now Boston. What’s next? A 37-year NBA Finals drought???

But here’s the thing. If you tuned in early, you probably weren’t thinking “professional win.” You were thinking, “Oh no, here we go again...“

The Wolves Flip the Script

The opening minutes looked exactly like a team missing its superstar playing on the road against a contender. The Wolves came out disjointed, sloppy, and unable to buy a basket. They were turning the ball over and struggling to generate any sort of offensive rhythm. Boston held a 15-point lead in the 2nd quarter, and it felt like one of those nights where the postgame write-up basically writes itself: “They fought hard, but without Edwards…”

And then, because this team refuses to follow any predictable script, they flipped it. Minnesota steadied itself. The defense tightened. The ball movement improved. Shots started to fall. And slowly but surely, that 15-point deficit disappeared… until somehow, almost unbelievably, the Wolves took the lead into halftime on a Bones Hyland buzzer beater.

Right on cue, the third quarter began with Boston ripping off an 11–0 run, part of a brutal trend where Minnesota was outscored 22–2 to start the first and third quarters combined. That’s the kind of stat that usually ends games. That’s the moment where most teams, especially shorthanded ones, fold.

But not this group. Not on this night. Instead of spiraling, they regrouped again. The defense locked back in. The offense found its footing. And from that point forward, Minnesota outplayed Boston on its home floor, grinding out a win that had no business existing based on how the game started.

That’s the paradox of this team in a nutshell. They can look completely lost… and then turn around and beat a contender in its own building.

The Bones and Ayo Show

Without Anthony Edwards, this game needed someone, or multiple someones, to step into the vacuum. And once again, it was the backcourt duo of Ayo Dosunmu and Bones Highland who answered the call.

Ayo continues to look like one of the most important midseason additions this team has made in years. He plays with control, makes smart reads, and most importantly, shoots with confidence and efficiency. When he’s knocking down threes and keeping the offense moving, the Wolves feel organized, which is something that hasn’t always been the case this season.

Bones, meanwhile, brought exactly what Bones always brings: instant offense. The kind of microwave scoring that can swing a quarter in a matter of minutes. His ability to heat up quickly has become invaluable in this stretch without Edwards.

Together, they provided the offensive spark Minnesota needed, continuing a trend that’s quietly become one of the most important storylines of the Edwards absence.

The Bigger Picture

Here’s what makes this win both encouraging and frustrating at the same time. The Wolves have now shown they can beat elite teams, even on the road, without Anthony Edwards. And yet, against the teams they’re directly battling in the standings? They’re 2–9 against the Lakers, Nuggets, Suns, and Rockets.

That’s not bad luck. That’s a pattern.

Which is why what comes next matters more than what just happened.

Houston and a Season-Altering Opportunity

Wednesday’s matchup against Houston isn’t just another game.

It’s the game.

The Wolves are tied in the standings with the Rockets, and unlike with the Lakers or Nuggets, this is one of the few scenarios where Minnesota can still flip the tiebreaker in its favor.

Win this game, and suddenly you’re talking about climbing into the top four. Lose it, and you’re once again chasing ground you’ve already given away too many times this season.

And the Wolves will likely have to do it, again, without Anthony Edwards.

Which means everything we saw in Boston needs to carry over.

Keys to the Game

#1. Lean into connected, disciplined team defense.
What worked in Boston wasn’t just effort. It was structure. The Wolves stayed connected, rotated properly, and forced the Celtics into difficult looks while limiting the damage from secondary options. Against Houston, that same formula has to apply. You’re not stopping Kevin Durant. You’re trying to contain him, and that requires five-man defensive cohesion, not just individual matchups.

#2. Win the rebounding battle and control the paint.
Houston is a physical team that thrives on second-chance opportunities. If Gobert and Randle don’t show up on the glass, this game will tilt quickly. Minnesota has to treat every missed shot like a 50/50 ball and put forth pure effort on the boards. This is a game where Gobert needs to feel like a vacuum.

#3. Continue the backcourt production without Edwards.
Ayo and Bones don’t need to replicate Edwards individually. but collectively, they need to continue filling that scoring and playmaking gap. If they can combine for another strong offensive performance, it gives Minnesota a legitimate pathway to generating enough offense against a tough Houston defense.

#4. Demand more from Randle and McDaniels as offensive initiators.
Without Edwards, the burden shifts. Randle needs to be both a scorer and facilitator, while McDaniels has to remain aggressive and attack mismatches. Passive play from either one will stall the offense and allow Houston to dictate the game.

#5. Stay composed when the game tightens.
This is where the Wolves have failed repeatedly this season. In big moments of big games with big stakes, things have unraveled. Against Houston, that cannot happen. The Wolves need to stay within themselves, avoid the careless turnovers, play settled and focused basketball, and trust the system that worked in Boston.

A Chance to Change the Narrative

Beating Boston was impressive. Beating Houston would be meaningful.

Because this season, more than anything, has been defined by missed opportunities in games that matter most.

This is one of those games.

The Wolves have shown they can rise to the occasion. Now they have to prove they can do it when it actually changes something.

Since signing his max contract during the early stages of free agency in 2024, Paul George has been in uniform for just 68 games with the Sixers.

Even if George plays the remaining 10 games of the 2025-26 campaign, he won’t hit the 82-game mark over the course of two seasons combined. The nine-time All-Star’s tenure has been disappointing to say the least.

It’s been a trying two seasons for George as his body hasn’t allowed him to take the court as much as he’d like. Even when he’s been available, the 35-year-old has struggled to regain his form. Those frustrations culminated in George seeking help in the form of a banned substance to deal with the mental struggles of the last year-plus.

Now set to return from his 25-game suspension Wednesday night against the Chicago Bulls, George came across contrite when speaking to reporters at the team’s practice facility Tuesday (h/t Ky Carlin of Sixers Wire for all quotes).

“I think first and foremost, just give my apology to, obviously, the city of Philadelphia,” George said in an opening statement. “My family, my teammates, the organization, everybody that was affected through this suspension.”

George was brought to the Sixers as the missing piece — a third star whose skills perfectly complemented those of former MVP Joel Embiid and rising star Tyrese Maxey. Expectations were sky high for a team that won 47 games the season prior, despite the James Harden saga lingering over the start of the year and another Embiid meniscus injury threatening to derail everything.

We all know it hasn’t worked out that way.

Between injuries to Embiid, George and seemingly everyone else on the roster over the past two seasons, the Sixers have been unable to coalesce in any meaningful way. Instead, we’ve seen spurts from certain players (or groups of players) which seem to inevitably end with an injury — or in the most recent case with George, a suspension.

The team seemed to be hitting its stride previously. Just two games prior to the news dropping, George hit a career-high and tied a franchise record with nine made threes in a win over the Milwaukee Bucks. He had another solid outing in a victory over the Sacramento Kings before the league handed down the suspension.

George’s body failing him led to issues mentally, which had him searching for ways to get better. In this instance, that search led to a poor choice.

So, after missing the last 25 games, where is George mentally and physically?

“I’m in a better place,” he told reporters. “Again, being a pro athlete, and the most difficult thing is when your body isn’t where you know it needs to be, or where it once was. That leads and bleeds into the mental side of things, knowing that you’re limited, but for me, if I feel good, my body is feeling great. Mentally, I know I’m capable of doing what I can do, and what I’ve been able to do on the court for years. So the mental thing only comes from the physical side not being in a great place.”

The Sixers, somewhat impressively considering it wasn’t only George who missed time, went 13-12 during the veteran forward’s absence. Though they fell into Play-In territory at 39-33, they’re just 1.5 games back of the Toronto Raptors for the fifth seed. Meaning with 10 games left, there’s time to get back into a guaranteed playoff spot.

When news of George’s suspension broke, the rose-colored glasses view was the time could be used for him to get his body right. Well, to hear George tell it, that time off did help his balky knee.

“I think I’m in a much better place physically,” he told reporters. “So, I’m, from a personal standpoint, really excited about that. These 25 games was just what I needed, I think, for my body to kind of heal, and be in a better place, and I’ve been feeling great. I’ve been feeling awesome on the court, and so I’m looking forward to putting it to the test now.”

One positive is that George was able to continue working out and practicing with the team during his suspension. Though he wasn’t allowed to participate in games, his teammates and coaches made sure he was still a part of things. George himself was able to stay in shape and get plenty of on-court work in.

Though he acknowledged there could be some rust initially, he should be all systems go.

“Obviously, I’ve done a ton of cardio, but you can never simulate a game,” he said. “So, I think more so than anything, it’s just gonna be the cardio that should come back fairly quick. But then just timing. Obviously, we try to simulate as much as possible game-like situations, but nothing’s like a game until you’re in it.”

George will be fully in it Wednesday night against the tanking Bulls.

And not a moment too soon for the Sixers.

It's been over two years since North Carolina basketball won an NCAA Tournament game. Is a coaching change coming for one of the sport's most-recognizable brands?

Fifth-year Tar Heels coach Hubert Davis could be in trouble following North Carolina's loss to No. 11 seed VCU in the first round. UNC blew a 19-point lead in the loss, which is the sixth-largest deficit overcome in the history of March Madness.

REQUIRED READING: If North Carolina fires Hubert Davis, here are six candidates to consider

Multiple reports have said North Carolina is weighing its options regarding Davis' future, with a decision to be made in the coming days. His weekly radio show scheduled for Monday, March 23, was postponed, swirling rumors even further.

History matters less than ever before in college sports.

Consider the case of Indiana. Once a basketball power, the Hoosiers rarely make the NCAA Tournament anymore, while Indiana rules college football. That's an Indiana football program that was forever-a-doormat until two years ago.

Oh, and get a load of this: Nebraska basketball is in the Sweet 16. Nebraska football gives contract extensions for 7-6 seasons.

Coaching a blue-blood means subjecting yourself to the highest degree of pressure and expectations, with fewer advantages than those programs were once accustomed to enjoying.

Take this college basketball season.

Follow the latest news, updates: Will UNC basketball fire Hubert Davis?

Indiana missed the tournament, for the eighth time in the past 10 years. UCLA lost in Round 2, and Mick Cronin complained he needs more NIL money. NIL money isn’t the issue at Kentucky, but its expensive roster went bust, and the Wildcats got trounced in the second round. North Carolina lost in the first round for the second straight season, and Hubert Davis’ rump sits on a hot seat.

No. 1 Duke carries the torch for the blue-bloods. A more newly minted blue-blood, UConn, also remains in the tournament. Overall, though, these are not glory days for blue-bloods.

No coach wants to work for a program that resides in the poorhouse and can’t finance a roster, but you could make a compelling argument that a coach is better off at a nouveau riche program than a blue-blood. What do all those banners in the rafters really get you, nowadays?

And, still, coaching a blue-blood offers an intoxicating ego-stroke in an industry full of egomaniacs.

If North Carolina fires Davis — a decision on his fate has yet to be announced — the Tar Heels need only one A-list candidate to say yes to the pressure in exchange for being at a school where basketball reigns supreme.

On this edition of “SEC Football Unfiltered,” a podcast from the USA TODAY Network, hosts Blake Toppmeyer and John Adams debate the appeal of coaching a blue-blood and whether two of the SEC’s star coaches, Florida’s Todd Golden and Alabama’s Nate Oats, might consider leaving a stable job for a premier opportunity like North Carolina, where the pressure is high but so is the ceiling.

Toppmeyer: He played possum! John Calipari uncorked oldest trick in the book

Adams: Preach it, Rick Barnes. Team effort carried Tennessee basketball to Sweet 16

Oats and Golden are proven coaches in their prime. Oats’ Crimson Tide reached the Sweet 16 for a fourth straight year. They made the Final Four in 2024, beating UNC along the way.

Although Golden’s Gators suffered a surprising second-round loss to Iowa, his stock remains red-hot after last year’s national championship made him the youngest coach to win a title since Jim Valvano.

Would Todd Golden or Nate Oats consider leaving for UNC basketball?

Adams: A coach as successful as Golden or Oats doesn't think he'd fail at UNC. They probably think they’d crush it there and be the king of Chapel Hill — and, maybe, they would crush it there. They’re winners, and although UNC comes with a mountain of pressure, it also comes with a lot of resources. Talent is the name of the game, and UNC attracts top talent, even in an era where the newly rich programs can buy talent, too.

My only hesitation with leaving a good situation at Florida or Alabama in favor of UNC? Well, there's this: If you wait another year, perhaps you could have the Kentucky job. How's that for a blue-blood?

UNC must face Duke two or three or even four times a season. Why subject yourself to being compared to Duke, if you could instead be at Kentucky? The Wildcats have rivals, but nothing as intense as the intra-conference battle between Duke and UNC. Kentucky has shown it’ll spare no expense on its roster. It just needs a better coach. Come 2027, it might find itself in hot pursuit of one.

Toppmeyer: Golden and Oats have it quite good right where they’re at. They can have all of the success of a blue-blood, without about half of the pressure. It's the same reason why Curt Cignetti would've been a fool to leave Indiana for Penn State.

The football programs act as a heat shield for coaches at Alabama and Florida. If Oats’ team loses in the Sweet 16, he’ll get a satisfied thumbs up from Alabama fans, before they turn their attention to A-Day and demand a football national title from Kalen DeBoer.

Bottom line: So long as you can build a competitive roster, it’s not such a bad thing to be a successful basketball coach at a football school. Ask Rick Barnes.

Plus, the SEC is enjoying a basketball uprising. It led all conferences with 10 bids to the NCAA Tournament this season, after 14 bids last year and a national title from Golden’s Gators. Win 20 games as an SEC team, and you’re dancing.

Programs like UNC and Kentucky need coaches like Golden and Oats a lot more than those ace coaches need a blue-blood.

Which SEC school will be left standing in the Sweet 16?

The SEC advanced four teams into the Sweet 16, second only to the Big Ten’s six Sweet 16 teams. But, with the Gators eliminated, will any SEC teams be left standing in the Elite Eight?

Adams: Tennessee has the best chance to reach the Elite Eight, especially if Iowa State star Joshua Jefferson (ankle injury) doesn’t play in this Sweet 16 game. Arkansas is the hottest SEC team, but better to face Iowa State than No. 1 Arizona, which will play the Razorbacks.

Toppmeyer: Take Tennessee as the last SEC team standing in the Elite Eight. This looks like a winnable matchup for the Vols. Tennessee and Iowa State are blue-collar teams built on defense. Barnes has two straight Elite Eight appearances. Make it three in a row.

Where to listen to SEC Football Unfiltered

• Apple
• Spotify
• iHeart
• Google

Blake Toppmeyer is the USA TODAY Network's national college football columnist. John Adams is the senior sports columnist for the Knoxville News Sentinel. Subscribe to the SEC Football Unfiltered podcast, and check out the SEC Unfiltered newsletter, delivered straight to your inbox.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: UNC still a blueblood. Is that enough to lure Todd Golden or Nate Oats?

In today’s Dub Hub:

• Steve Kerr, Warriors teammates react to Moses Moody’s knee injury after 137-131 OT win vs. Mavericks.
• In an interview with 95.7 The Game, The Athletic’s Nick Friedell recalls the scene following Moses Moody’s knee injury.
• In a recent article by The Athletic, Spurs’ Victor Wembanyama makes his case for this year’s MVP award.

The Golden State Warriors picked up a much-needed win over the Dallas Mavericks on Monday night, but it came at a devastating cost.

Moses Moody, who had just returned after missing 10 games due to a wrist injury, went down late in the game with a left knee injury on a non-contact play. He was eventually stretchered off the floor as players, coaches, and everyone in attendance looked on in silence.

Despite the Warriors’ 137-131 overtime win, all anyone could think about was Moody’s status after the game.

“We don’t know what it is, but it sure looked bad,” said Warriors head coach Steve Kerr. “Just hoping for the best.”

Moody was arguably the Warriors’ best player on the night before the injury, leading the team with 23 points in 34 minutes in what should have been a celebratory end to a rough six-game road trip. But that all changed after what appeared to be a routine fast break dunk instantly shifted the tone of the night.

“[Moses Moody] is such a great human being, great teammate, and a wonderful guy to coach,” Kerr said. “He just puts in the work every day and was brilliant, by the way. He played so well defensively changing the game for us with his ball pressure and knocking down big shots. It was so great to finally have him back after missing [10 games] and then for that to happen, we’re just praying it’s not too serious, but it sure looked serious.”

That sentiment carried throughout the locker room, especially for a Warriors team already hammered by season-altering injuries. It’s yet another tough blow, and for now, all eyes are on Moody as the team awaits further evaluation.

For more on this and other news around the NBA, here is our latest news round-up for Tuesday, March 24th:

Warriors News:

Warriors’ Moses Moody suffers noncontact knee injury in OT win | ESPN

“It’s brutal, you know we’ve been waiting to get back healthy,” Green told NBA on ESPN Radio after the game. “Moses is a guy who does everything right … and he changed the game for us tonight.

“Everything started going bad, he picked up his defensive intensity, knocked shots down, he changed the game for us. To see him go out like that [was] bad.”

Jonathan Kuminga posts distraught reaction to Moses Moody’s knee injury | NBC Sports Bay Area

Despite no longer being teammates, Kuminga, in a post on Threads, was one of many NBA players who reacted to Moody’s gruesome knee injury in Golden State’s 137-131 overtime win vs. the Dallas Mavericks on Monday at American Airlines Center.

The Athletic’s Nick Friedell recalls the scene following Moses Moody’s injury

NBA News:

Victor Wembanyama says he’s the NBA MVP. I asked him to debate his case | The Athletic

“My first one would be that defense is 50 percent of the game and that is undervalued, so far, in the MVP race,” Wembanyama said. “I believe I’m the most impactful player defensively in the league. Second argument would be that we almost swept OKC in the season and we dominated them three times with their real team and four times with the, you know, more rotation players. My third argument would be that offense impact is not just points.”

Bucks waive guard Cam Thomas, per ESPN’s Shams Charania

In case you missed it at Golden State of Mind:

Steph Curry not cleared for scrimmage in Atlanta

However, it turns out that Curry did not scrimmage in Atlanta. Rick Celebrini, the Warriors’ director of sports medicine and performance, did not clear Curry for a scrimmage. Instead, he and Curry did more court/rehab work. According to the Warriors, this doesn’t necessarily signal a setback; rather, that Curry just wasn’t ready to progress to the next stage of recovery.

Follow @unstoppablebaby on X for all the latest news on the Golden State Warriors.

With the Western Conference a tight-knit race yet again this season, this series will look at the standings and games to watch across the league as the Lakers look to secure home court and move up the standings.

The Lakers’ winning streak has come to an end, with a loss against the Pistons, but they’ve maintained distance from the teams they are bunched up with in the West.

Currently, they remain the third seed and with multiple teams in the standings playing each other this week, they will be gaining ground on a couple of these rivals.

Here’s a look at the current playoff standings in the middle of the conference:
3. Lakers — 46-26, 11 GB
4. Nuggets — 44-28, 13 GB
5. Wolves — 44-28, 13 GB
6. Rockets — 43-28, 13.5 GB
7. Suns — 40-32, 17 GB

While the Lakers have gone 9-1 in their last 10 games, the rest of their competition has meandered in mediocrity. The Wolves, Rockets and Suns have gone 5-5, and the Nuggets have only been slightly better at 6-10.

With just 10 or so games left on the season, another strong week for LA could all but secure homecourt for the opening round of the playoffs.

Let’s take a look at the big games to watch around the league for the next couple of days and who Lakers fans should be rooting for.

Tuesday

Nuggets at Suns — At this point, it seems Phoenix is destined for the play-in. So, Lakers fans should be rooting for the Suns to beat the Nuggets.

Denver’s potential as a title contender is obvious, but they’ve been up and down recently, beating top teams like the Spurs, but then losing to tankers like the Grizzlies.

If the Suns come out aggressive early, they can absolutely win this game.

Wednesday

Mavs at Nuggets — Dallas has no incentive to win, so fans have no incentive to watch.

Rockets at Wolves — This is a tough one to figure out what is best for the Lakers. They have the tiebreaker over each team, but who do they want to play? If Houston is the desired opponent, then them losing is what’s best. If the playoffs started now, they’d be playing the Lakers in the first round.

However, if a rematch with the Wolves is desired, an opposite outcome would help set it up.

Regardless, this should be a very entertaining game to watch.

You can follow Edwin on Twitter at @ECreates88 or on Bluesky at @ecreates88.bsky.social.

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The Denver Nuggets need every win they can get right now, and they’re finally nearing full health at the perfect time. The Phoenix Suns, meanwhile, have a bit more breathing room as the postseason approaches.

Yet this line sits at just two possessions.

My Nuggets vs. Suns predictions and NBA picks expect Phoenix to key in on Nikola Jokic — and that defensive attention should open the door for a monster night on the glass, with Jokic clearing his rebound prop on March 24.

Nuggets vs Suns prediction

Nuggets vs Suns best bet: Nikola Jokic Over 13.5 rebounds (-110)

The obvious handicap is that Denver Nuggets star Nikola Jokic has cleared this prop in four of his last six games. There should still be some worry tonight, though.

The Phoenix Suns are slowing things down these days to hide their disadvantages as injuries expose their roster, but those injuries will play a big part in Joker eclipsing this number. 

Oso Ighodaro and Jordan Goodwin will mount only so much resistance to Jokic, and he'll dominate this frontcourt.

Nuggets vs Suns same-game parlay

Jokic should dominate his every matchup against the Suns, which should also reduce his need to pass the ball. Then, if Phoenix does indeed slow down the game, that should further lessen Jokic’s chances to move the ball to his teammates.

Not to mention, bet365 is offering a 30% boost on this same-game parlay, raising it to +780 if applied.

Nuggets vs Suns SGP

• Nikola Jokic Over 13.5 rebounds
• Nikola Jokic Over 28.5 points
• Nikola Jokic Under 10.5 assists

Our "from downtown" SGP: Let Jokic eat

Phoenix knows it is thin these days, yet the Suns rank No. 13 in offensive rating in March and No. 12 in defensive rating. They're hanging on in intentional ways. Tonight’s intention will be to let Jokic feast, but no other Nugget beats them.

Clearly, the Under on Jokic’s assists is correlated to the Under on Jamal Murray’s points. And both thoughts tie to the Suns setting tonight’s terms.

Nuggets vs Suns SGP

• Suns +5.5
• Under 232.5
• Jamal Murray Under 23.5 points
• Nikola Jokic Under 10.5 assists
• Nikola Jokic Over 13.5 rebounds

Nuggets vs Suns odds

• Spread: Nuggets -5.5 | Suns +5.5
• Moneyline: Nuggets -240 | Suns +195
• Over/Under: Over 232.5 | Under 232.5

Nuggets vs Suns betting trend to know

Phoenix has cashed four straight Unders, falling short of bookmakers’ expectations by an average of 8.5 points per game. Find more NBA betting trends for Nuggets vs. Suns.

How to watch Nuggets vs Suns

Nuggets vs Suns latest injuries

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The Charlotte Hornets just keep winning games, and are going to be a team that no one wants to face in the playoffs.

The offense is buzzing, and they’re massive favorites for tonight’s matchup against the Sacramento Kings. That has my Kings vs. Hornets predictions locked in on a team total.

That and more NBA picks for this game set to tip off at 7:00 p.m. ET at the Spectrum Center on Tuesday, March 24.

Kings vs Hornets prediction

Kings vs Hornets best bet: Hornets team total Over 124.5 (-115)

The Charlotte Hornets are 11-3 in their last 14 games overall and have the second-highest net rating in the NBA over that span. 

The last three games have been particularly good, with Buzz City averaging 130 points while shooting 52.9% from the floor, and there’s no reason to think they’re going to slow down in this matchup against the Sacramento Kings.

The Kings are just playing out the season at this point, with their recent wins coming against the likes of the Nets and Jazz. Sacramento has the third-worst defensive rating and ranks next-to-last in opponent eFG%.

Kings vs Hornets same-game parlay

The Hornets are so dangerous because they have so many great shooters, with LaMelo Ball being just one of them. And Ball is on fire right now.

The Buzz City point guard is putting up 25.2 points while shooting 42.1% from 3-point range over his last five games, scoring 29 or more three times.

Another reason why buzz is so big around the Hornets has been the development of Brandon Miller.

He’s shooting nearly 50% from three-point range on 7.8 attempts per game over his last 15 games. He has drained four or more threes in three straight games, and eight times over this 15-game stretch.

Kings vs Hornets SGP

• Hornets team total Over 123.5
• LaMelo Ball Over 20.5 points
• Brandon Miller Over 3.5 threes made

Our "from downtown" SGP: Buzz 3-ball

Buzz City lets it fly against a Kings team that surrenders the second-worst opponent 3-point shooting percentage in the NBA. 

Kings vs Hornets SGP

• Brandon Miller Over 3.5 threes made
• LaMelo Ball Over 3.5 threes made 
• Kon Knueppel Over 3.5 threes made
• Coby White Over 2.5 threes made

Kings vs Hornets odds

• Spread: Kings +17.5 | Hornets -17.5
• Moneyline: Kings +1000 | Hornets -2000
• Over/Under: Over 231.5 | Under 231.5

Kings vs Hornets betting trend to know

The Hornets have covered the spread in 34 of their last 50 games for +17.50 Units and a 32% ROI. Find more NBA betting trends for Kings vs. Hornets.

How to watch Kings vs Hornets

Kings vs Hornets latest injuries

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The Knicks are back on the schedule to face Zion’s Pelicans on Tuesday evening.

New York is just half a game behind the Celtics for the No. 2 seed in the East. Would you believe it!?

Here’s the latest.

Mike Brown

On Mikal Bridges’ history of production:

“He’s shown time after time that he’s a high-level player. And he’s done it. I’ve been around many players who have gone through their ups and downs throughout the course of the season. And he works at it very hard. And he cares at a high level. Usually when you have that combination from a veteran guy that’s produced the way he’s produced in the NBA, it tends to lead to good results, eventually.”

On Tyler Kolek playing two games in one day:

“That’s an amazing feat. To play in a G-League game in the afternoon and come play in an NBA game, it’s gotta be a weird feeling. But these guys are pro athletes, they do a great job taking care of their bodies and our performance group does a good job with them in that area too. For them to be able to do that, to me, is an amazing thing. And then the group came out and I thought they played well. It was fun to see Tyler hit some shots and hear the crowd cheering his name.”

On Jordan Clarkson setting an example:

“One hundred percent. Not just for guys who are in a funk, but guys who are not playing. You might only play 20 minutes tonight — or may only get five shots. You may sit down here. But you’re talking about the former Sixth Man of the Year — that should tell anybody and everybody that if he can handle that as professional as he is, then anybody on this team should be able to handle it. From minutes to shots to whatever it may be. That should definitely send a message to everybody loud and clear.”

Josh Hart

On the unfair criticism of Mikal Bridges:

“He’s been doing what’s been asked of him. And I’ve said it before — when you’re a guy who, for a year and a half with the Brooklyn Nets when you’re the No. 1 guy and he’s getting those plays called for him. Last year, he didn’t have many plays called for him. This year, he probably has even less plays called for him. So obviously there’s a mental hurdle he needs to get through and that’s something where some of us can help him. I think he gets some of that unfair flak just because he’s doing what’s asked of him. And if we were to sit there and say, go shoot 15 shots a game, he would be efficient and he could do it. But that’s not what’s been asked of him.”

On trying to help Bridges find his rhythm:

“Try to make sure to get him involved a little bit more, get him the ball when he’s running in transition, get him in position to be successful. He’s been doing what’s been asked of him.”

On Zion Williamson’s talent level:

“Extremely talented. When he’s locked in and he’s focused, he’s one of probably 15 or 20 top players in the league, if not better.”

On Williamson posing a challenge to the Knicks:

“He’s a freak of nature. I say that with all due respect. He’s obviously extremely explosive, the way he’s able to maneuver and contort his body, and he has a great touch around the rim. That’s going to be a challenge for us. We got to make sure we’re just solid. Don’t swipe down. Don’t smack down. And try to make him finish.”

On Williamson’s skill set and natural abilities:

“I think what’s really impressive is that first burst but also his second jump. When I first saw him, the way he shoots the ball around the rim, you’d think he has no touch. But he has an amazing touch. And the ones where he doesn’t, he has a quick enough second jump where he’s able to get the rebound and sometimes before guys even get off the ground.”

Jalen Brunson

On Tyler Kolek’s professionalism:

“It’s tough. He was able to play well down there and then came here and continued it. That’s just him being professional, that’s him being himself. We have a lot of guys on this team that are very high character, very good work ethic and he’s one of them. That’s just who he is.”

On Jordan Clarkson’s perseverance:

“It can be example for anybody. It doesn’t matter where you are in your career. Things may not be going your way and continue to work, continue to persevere. And you never know when things are going to fall into place.”

Karl-Anthony Towns

On Clarkson’s impact off the bench:

“When he’s doing that he’s playing with that fire and that passion he has, there’s not many players in the NBA coming off the bench you feel better about.”

On ignoring the standings:

“Honestly, I’m not even looking at the standings. I didn’t even know that. I’m just focused on this locker room and this team. We can’t control Boston losing, Detroit losing.”

John Calipari is quite proud of Darius Acuff Jr. and others for getting their own signature shoe. It helps that the Arkansas star is partnered with Reebok and Allen Iverson.

In addition to Acuff, Calipari mentioned that he had numerous players with mega shoe deals and worth a lot in endorsements. While speaking on the Pat McAfee Show, Calipari was eager to talk about the partnership, but also get ready for Arkansas’s next game in the NCAA tournament against Arizona.

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“Having a signature shoe with AI, who I coached when we were in Philadelphia. And I love him. He and I have stayed in touch,” Calipari said. “I got about 10 guys that have signature shoes. And, you know, I have them all in my office. We have 13 all-stars, two MVPs, $6 billion in salaries, I mean, and the guys I have on this team, they’re going to be NBA players because they deserve to be. 

“Now, they got the challenge of their lives with Arizona. Tommy’s done an unbelievable job with his team. And so we’re going in like, let’s go, let’s see who we are. Probably have to make adjustments as the game unfolds, because of how they’re going to play, and seeing what they’ll do defensively to us, because we’re a good offensive team. We score 90 a game. And so they’ll probably do some different things. We’ll have to see.”

Acuff Jr. originally signed an NIL deal with Reebok last May, joining Tennessee freshman Nate Ament and Chicago Sky’s Angel Reese on the brand’s roster. Following a stellar freshman campaign, which saw him become just the second freshman in the past 13 seasons to win SEC Player of the Year, he now earns his first signature shoe before landing on an NBA team.

The Detroit native averaged 23.3 points, 6.5 assists, and 3.1 rebounds this season for John Calipari‘s Razorback team. He has been even better in the postseason play, averaging 30.2 points in five SEC Tournament/NCAA Tournament games this season.

The announcement comes as Reebok continues to invest more in basketball after legends Shaquille O’Neal and Allen Iverson joined the company in 2023. Angel Reese is a key part of the roster and launched her own signature shoe last September, as part of an extension with the brand. The company added other stars such as Dink Pate, Matas Buzelis and DiJonai Carrington, as well.

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Our NBA player prop projections are locked in for tonight’s clash between the Denver Nuggets and Phoenix Suns, with the model highlighting several standout opportunities.

After digging into the data and lining it up against current market prices, we’ve identified the bets with the strongest value.

These Nuggets vs. Suns predictions aren’t based on feel — they’re backed by the numbers.

If you’re putting together your card, these are the model’s top NBA picks for Tuesday, March 24.

Nuggets vs Suns computer picks for March 24

Nuggets	Suns
Murray o23.5 points -115	Booker o25.5 points -115
Jokic o13.5 rebounds -110	Gillespie u4.5 assists  -140
Hardaway Jr. u2.5 3-pointers  -150	Ighodaro o6.5 rebounds -130

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Nuggets computer picks

Jamal Murray Over 23.5 points (-115)

Projection: 23.8 points

From an offensive standpoint, the Denver Nuggets lead the league with an impressive 120.8 points per game this season.

This matchup against the Phoenix Suns sets up favorably, as they’ve allowed a league-high 29.2 points per game to opposing starting point guards over their last five contests.

That trend creates a strong opportunity for Jamal Murray to clear his 23.5-point line, especially after going Over in four of his last 10 games.

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Nikola Jokic Over 13.5 rebounds (-110)

Projection: 13.7 rebounds

The Nuggets have pushed the fastest pace in the league over their last 10 road games, and Nikola Jokić continues to pile up rebounds with ease, clearing the 13.5 line in five of his last 10 outings.

Expect him to get Over that number again tonight.

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Tim Hardaway Jr. Under 2.5 3-pointers (-150)

Projection: 2.3 3-pointers

Tim Hardaway Jr. has gone Under his 2.5 three-pointers line in six of his last 10 games, and this matchup suggests that trend is likely to continue against the Suns. 

Against Phoenix, that concern is amplified. The Suns have done a solid job of running shooters off the line and forcing opposing wings into mid-range looks or drives into traffic.

With defenders closing out aggressively on the perimeter, Hardaway may struggle to find clean catch-and-shoot opportunities, which is usually his bread and butter.

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Suns computer picks

Devin Booker Over 25.5 points (-115)

Projection: 26.3 points

Devin Booker has averaged 29.8 points Over his last 10 games, about 5.4 more than his season-long average.

With the Suns set to face the Nuggets, who’ve played at the fastest road pace in the league over that span, this matchup should create an uptick in scoring opportunities.

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Collin Gillespie Under 4.5 assists (-140)

Projection: 4.4 assists

The Suns have played at the slowest home pace in the NBA over their last 20 games, which could limit playmaking opportunities for Collin Gillespie.

With that tempo working against him — and having gone Under this 4.5 assists line in four of his last 10 games — he’s at risk of falling short of the mark again.

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Oso Ighodaro Over 6.5 rebounds (-130)

Projection: 7.2 rebounds

The Suns rank as the top offensive rebounding team in the NBA over their last 10 home games, creating extra opportunities on the glass.

That sets up well for Oso Ighodaro to see an uptick in rebounds, especially after clearing the 6.5 line in three of his last 10 outings.

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How to watch Nuggets vs Suns tonight

Location	Mortgage Matchup Center, Phoenix, AZ
Date	Tuesday, March 24, 2026
Tip-off	11:00 p.m. ET
TV	Peacock

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