Category: Basketball

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The banged-up Los Angeles Lakers and Dallas Mavericks square off tonight, two nights removed from NBA Rookie of the Year favorite Cooper Flagg’s 51-point outburst against Orlando. 

We’ve looked at the stats, the betting data, as well as our Covers projection model to see where the market missed the mark. 

To accompany our Lakers vs. Mavericks picks and predictions, here are our top Lakers vs. Mavericks NBA player prop projections and NBA picks for Sunday, April 5.

Lakers vs Mavericks computer picks for April 5

Lakers	Mavericks
Hachimura o14.5 points -120	Christie o9.5 points -120
L. James o1.5 threes -125	Christie o2.5 rebounds +100
LaRavia o4.5 rebounds -150	Flagg u24.5 points  -105

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Lakers computer picks

Rui Hachimura Over 14.5 points (-120)

Projection: 16.8 points

Rui Hachimura has struggled with consistency lately, but the Dallas Mavericks are the right matchup. 

The Mavericks' interior defense is a sieve, and Hachimura attacks the paint effectively. Expect an uptick in his usage and finishing opportunities tonight against a vulnerable front court.

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Lebron James Over 1.5 made threes (-125)

Projection: 2.0 made threes

LeBron James has been cold from 3-point range lately, but he continues to launch as many as four attempts per night. 

The Los Angeles Lakers legend may catch a break against the Mavericks, who have allowed the 27th most made threes per game over their last 10 contests.

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

Jake LaRavia Over 4.5 rebounds (-150)

Projection: 5.7 rebounds

Jake LaRavia has seen an uptick in minutes since Luka Doncic hit the IR, and he’s made the most of his time, pulling down at least seven boards in his previous two games.

Dallas ranks 26th in the NBA in opponent rebounds in their past 10 contests, and won’t have enough size to handle LaRavia. 

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

---

Mavericks computer picks

Max Christie Over 9.5 points (-120)

Projection: 10.7 points

Dallas guard Max Christie has been in a scoring slump but seems to have turned things around after scoring 14 points against Orlando.

Christie should have ample opportunities to score tonight, as he won’t have to deal with Austin Reaves defending him. 

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Max Christie Over 2.5 rebounds (+100)

Projection: 3.1 rebounds

Christie may be in a scoring slump, but he’s been a sneaky rebounder and has snatched at least three boards in four straight games.

The Dallas guard should grab at least three tonight, as he won’t have to worry about the handsy Reaves or Bronny James slowing him down. 

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

Cooper Flagg Under 24.5 points (-105)

Projection: 22.5 points

Cooper Flagg is coming off a 51-point explosion against the Magic, but this Lakers defense is a tough test. 

Before that outburst, Flagg stayed Under his scoring prop in five of eight games. Expect the Lakers to slow him down again, making the Under our play tonight.

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

How to watch Lakers vs Mavericks tonight

Location	American Airlines Center, Dallas, TX
Date	Sunday, April 5, 2026
Tip-off	7:30 p.m. ET
TV	Peacock

Not intended for use in MA.
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Coming off a blowout win against the Los Angeles Clippers, the Spurs traveled to Denver for their last road game of the regular season. Victor Wembanyama returned from injury management. Both teams started the game blazing from the field, with the Spurs outscoring the Nuggets 43-36 in the first quarter. The pace continued in the second, as the Spurs took a seven-point lead into halftime. Denver chipped away at the Spurs’ lead in the third, and the lead shrank to four to start the fourth. The Spurs were in a great position to close out the game multiple times late in the fourth.

With 1:39 remaining, the Spurs held a six-point lead. Then, Cam Johnson drained a three while being fouled by De’Aaron Fox to cut the lead back to two. After an alley-oop dunk by Devin Vassell, the lead grew back to four. However, after two Nikola Jokic free throws, the Spurs had a chance to clinch the game on their next offensive possession. After draining the clock, Fox missed a three-pointer, and the Nuggets called a timeout. Aaron Gordon tied the game with a dunk, and the Spurs had yet another chance to close out the game with a victory. Wemby put up a tough fallaway shot that grazed the rim, and the game went to OT. After some back-and-forth buckets, the Spurs had a chance to tie the game late. After Wemby stole the ball from Jamal Murray, Fox led the fastbreak. He then threw an errant pass to a cutting Vassell but quickly recovered the ball. Unfortunately, he missed a wide-open short jumper, and the Nuggets were fouled on the rebound. The Nuggets ultimately won 136-134 in OT.

Victor Wembanyama returned and dropped another MVP-type performance: 34 points (16-17 FT), 18 rebounds, seven assists, five blocks, and a steal. Wemby shot just under 50% from the game, but made up for it at the free-throw line. He dominated the paint defensively, aside from Jokic draining impossible jumpers. Wemby battled a contender and did not blink. In his last three games, he is averaging 38.7 points per game, 17.3 rebounds, 4.7 assists, and 3.7 blocks. If it wasn’t for Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jokic having MVP seasons in their own right, Wemby would be the favorite. Look for him to use this game as fuel for his confidence heading into his first playoffs.

UFO APPROACHING! Stephon Castle finds a cutting Wemby on the alley-oop slam for the AREA 51 connection!

RIDICULOUS! Wemby is guarded tightly as he hurls a skip pass to an open Harrison Barnes for the corner three!

Another drive, another dime! Wemby drives in on Tim Hardaway Jr., attempts a fadeaway, but then changes his mind at the last second for a tough reverse layup for HB!

UNSTOPPABLE! Wemby powers through Murray and skies for the colossal slam!

Stephon Castle dropped 20 points (9-17 FG), nine assists, and five rebounds. Steph started the game guarding Murray, but after picking up two quick fouls, Mitch Johnson had him guard Christian Braun instead. The result: a career-high five threes on a career-high 11 attempts. Granted, Steph wasn’t responsible for all of the open threes, but regardless, it was not his usual defensive game. Nonetheless, Steph nearly garnered a double-double and drained middies, and earned tough and-one opportunities.

AND-ONE JUMPER! Steph absorbs the contact from Gordon and drains the midrange jumper for the and-one!

AREA 51 x2! Steph lobs it up from the three-point line to a high-flying Wemby, who slams it home!

HEART AND HUSTLE! Steph created two more offensive possessions thanks to his hustle on the boards, and he gets rewarded with a putback bucket!

Devin Vassell dropped 18 points, five rebounds, two assists, and a block. Dev started the game with a laser three and dropped clutch buckets to end the fourth. Although, like Steph, he would sometimes lose track of Denver’s open shooters. He still stepped up when the team needed an offensive spark, which is exactly what this team needs heading towards the postseason.

Sniper! Dev knocks down an early three!

Clutch finger roll! On the fastbreak, Dev takes the points while driving in and finishing with a finger roll!

CLUTCH DUNK! Wemby leads the fastbreak and finds a cutting Dev for the alley-oop slam!

Julian Champagnie dropped 18 points (6-9 3PT), five rebounds, and two assists. Julian was on fire from three. Denver decided to have Jokic covering him, which in turn allowed Julian to take open threes and allowed him to drive past him to the cup. Unfortunately, some of those drives turned into missed shots and a blocked dunk. Nonetheless, Julian eclipsed Danny Green for the franchise record for most threes in a season for the Spurs with 192!

All in all, this game was much needed for the Spurs. Whether they won or lost, it is important for this young team to encounter a contender right before the playoffs start. The game itself felt like a playoff game, where every single shot or mistake changed the outcome late. Everything is magnified in a hostile environment, and while some players stepped up, some faltered. For example, Keldon Johnson, Castle, and Fox all shot a combined 0-16 from three. Luckily, that is not likely to happen again. The perimeter defense will have to step up as the teams get tougher. With one week remaining in the regular season, the Spurs will look to close the season on a high note, with a rematch against the Nuggets on April 12th.

Finally, here are the full game highlights.

The Spurs return home to face the Philadelphia 76ers on Monday at 7:00 P.M. (CST) on FDSN-SW.

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The Cleveland Cavaliers will look to get closer to clinching a top-four playoff seed as they host the Indiana Pacers tonight.

Cleveland and Indiana have both been playing to big scores in recent games, and I’m taking the Over to hit again tonight in my Pacers vs. Cavaliers predictions below.

Let’s look at the full breakdown of tonight’s matchup as I share my free NBA picks for Sunday, April 5.

Pacers vs Cavaliers prediction

Pacers vs Cavaliers best bet: Over 239 (-110)

The Indiana Pacers have been bad at just about everything this season, but their biggest failures have come on defense. Indiana is allowing 120.8 points per game with a defensive efficiency of 116.2, both of which rank among the Bottom 5 in the NBA. 

That already had Indiana leaning toward the Over, but the Pacers have added to that trend by finding some offensive spark in recent weeks. Over their last eight games, they are averaging 124.6 PPG, a total that would make them the league's best offensive team if they had maintained that level all year.

A Top-10 pace means both Indiana and its opponents have plenty of possessions, resulting in frequent Overs.

At 119.3 PPG, the Cleveland Cavaliers have one of the most prolific offenses in the NBA. They're shooting 48% from the field and will likely do even better against the Pacers, who are allowing opponents to hit 49.1% of their shots.Donovan Mitchell (27.7 PPG) and James Harden (20.2 PPG) have this offense humming, with Cleveland hitting the Over in three of its last four games.

These trends are all likely to continue tonight. The Pacers may suffer a bit with the loss of Pascal Siakam, but that’s going to hurt them on both sides of the ball, meaning Cleveland’s offense can pick up any slack if Indiana struggles.

I’m expecting a fast-paced game that will bring home the Over.

Pacers vs Cavaliers same-game parlay

Along with taking the Over tonight, I’ll be looking at Cleveland’s Max Strus to continue his recent run of strong play for our parlay. Strus has averaged 18.8 PPG and five made threes over his last four games. Given the expectation of a high-scoring game — and the likelihood that the Cavaliers will be on the winning side — Strus has every opportunity to hit the Over on both his points and threes made props tonight.

Pacers vs Cavaliers SGP

• Over 239
• Max Strus Over 3.5 made threes

Our "from downtown" SGP: Cleveland rocks

For our long-shot SGP tonight, I’m going to look at a few different Cleveland props that will come together in this game.

That starts with taking James Harden to pick up his 21st double-double of the season. I also like Dennis Schroder to hit his assists total, as he’s averaging 4.8 assists per game on the year and dished out six against the Golden State Warriors on Thursday. 

Finally, let’s back Donovan Mitchell to get Over 4.5 rebounds, a total that’s right at his season average (4.5) and should be boosted against an Indiana team that ranks second-last in the NBA in rebound rate.

Pacers vs Cavaliers SGP

• Over 239
• James Harden double-double
• Dennis Schroder Over 3.5 assists
• Donovan Mitchell Over 4.5 rebounds

Pacers vs Cavaliers odds

• Spread: Pacers +15.5 (-110) | Cavaliers -15.5 (-110)
• Moneyline: Pacers +900 | Cavaliers -1600
• Over/Under: Over 239 (-110) | Under 239 (-110)

Pacers vs Cavaliers betting trend to know

The Over is 9-1 in Indiana’s last 10 games overall. Find more NBA betting trends for Pacers vs. Cavaliers.

How to watch Pacers vs Cavaliers

Pacers vs Cavaliers latest injuries

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INDIANAPOLIS – Michigan star Yaxel Lendeborg said he feels great and is expected to "give it a go" in the national championship game after he was injured in the Final Four on Saturday, April 4.

Coach Dusty May provided an update to his player on Sunday, April 5, after Lendeborg suffered a sprained MCL of his left knee and an injured ankle, per CBS Sports' Tracy Wolfson. Lendeborg had an MRI earlier in the day and all imaging came back clean and he'll be receiving treatment.

"I'm sure he'll give it a go tomorrow, but that'd be entirely up to him and the medical staff," May said.

Michigan vs UConn prediction, spread: Who is favored to win national championship?

Lendeborg didn't speak with media, but was seen inside the stadium walking around without much of a limp. When asked how he feels, he said, "great" and he didn't fall during the day.

Yaxel Lendeboeg walking pretty well today, said he feels good pic.twitter.com/S0mcSx4L0I

— jordan mendoza (@jordan_mendoza5) April 5, 2026

Michigan guard Roddy Gayle Jr. added Lendeborg has done a "tremendous job" with his recover and the team knows "nothing's going to stop Yax being available and being able to play on Monday."

"Right now it's just about how comfortable does he feel and I think that he's more than excited to be in this one," Gayle added.

While concerning, Michigan was able to continue without its star as it dominated Arizona in the semifinal to punch its ticket to the national championship game. After the win, Lendeborg told reporters he is "playing Monday night regardless" against Connecticut, going for the Wolverines' second national championship, and first since 1989.

"He played the second half like a 38-year-old at the YMCA, and a really good 38-year-old at the YMCA," May said. "Whatever version of Yaxel we get it's going to be somebody that helps us play better basketball."

From 68 teams, to just two.

The 2026 Men's NCAA Tournament is down to its final game: the national championship game between No. 1 seed Michigan and No. 2 seed UConn.

ARMOUR: Yaxel Lendeborg is best player in Final Four. Toughest, too.

Michigan, seeking its second national championship and first since 1989, is also looking to become the first Big Ten Conference men's basketball team to win the NCAA Tournament since rival Michigan State knocked off Florida in the 2000 national championship game.

Meanwhile, UConn is looking to become the first team to win three national championships in four seasons since UCLA won 10 in 12 seasons from 1964-75. No other team has won more than two in three seasons in the 50-plus seasons since John Wooden's Bruins dynasty ended.

What does artificial intelligence think about the 2026 national championship game? Here's how AI predicted the matchup between Michigan and UConn will go:

REQUIRED READING: Michigan vs UConn prediction, spread: Who is favored to win national championship?

AI predicts NCAA championship game between UConn, Michigan

Microsoft Copilot notes that Michigan ranks No. 1 across major efficiency models (KenPom, Torvik, EvanMiya) entering the national championship game and following a historic run of five straight NCAA Tournament games scoring 90-plus points (all featuring double-digit wins).

Copilot also pointed out that Michigan will want a game with a score in the 80s or low 90s, while UConn prefers a slower game with scores in the 60s or low 70s — which was the case for the Huskies' last four tournament games.

However, Yaxel Lendeborg's injury changes the equation of the game: "If Lendeborg is limited, UConn gains a rebounding and rim‑protection edge," Copilot says. "If he’s close to full strength, Michigan’s offense remains nearly unguardable."

Despite Copilot's note that Dan Hurley is 18-1 in his last 19 NCAA Tournament games — and a predicted score that veers more toward the Huskies' style of play than the Wolverines' — the AI predicted Michigan and its higher ceiling will ultimately beat out the experience of UConn.

• Score prediction: Michigan 78, UConn 72

"A heavyweight fight where Michigan’s offensive ceiling ultimately outweighs UConn’s championship pedigree — but not without a deep push from the Huskies," Copilot said.

"Michigan’s historically dominant offense meets UConn’s championship‑tested defense, but the Wolverines’ overwhelming firepower and efficiency give them a narrow but decisive edge. This prediction reflects Michigan’s unprecedented scoring run and UConn’s proven ability to drag elite opponents into lower‑scoring, grind‑heavy games."

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: AI predicts UConn-Michigan winner in NCAA Tournament championship game

Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James has been in the news for some of his recent comments during an appearance on a Bob Does Sports YouTube video. James criticized Memphis and Milwaukee as cities he doesn’t like to play in. And in an effort to explain what he meant by those comments on Saturday, he went out of his way to say he doesn’t like playing in Cleveland either.

While that may be true, James will likely be remembered most as a Cavalier and the 11 seasons he spent with the team. More specifically, he’ll be remembered for his greatest accomplishment: coming back from a 3-1 deficit to defeat the greatest regular-season team of all time, the 73-9 2016 Golden State Warriors.

James was asked during his appearance on Bob Does Sports which championship was a greater weight lifted from his shoulders. LeBron said the first championship with the Miami Heat in 2012 provided more relief, but the 2016 championship was the most special.

James said:

“Winning the first one was more weight off my shoulders, but winning in Cleveland was a goal that I wanted to do. I needed to close that chapter and that’s why I went back. I wanted to close that chapter. I always wanted to win one back home and obviously the organization never won one, and 50-plus years for the city alone, not winning a championship, not just basketball, but the city alone.

“So, me going back there, that was my main mission was like, I want to win one for this city and for this state as well. So the first one weight off my shoulder, it solidified me being what I thought I always was, but the one in Cleveland was probably the most special one.”

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The 2016 championship was indeed special. The circumstances surrounding it — including James’s long and complicated journey back to the organization he left in 2010 — can’t be replicated. And on top of it, Game 7 of the 2016 Finals had one of the most memorable endings to a game in NBA history, which includes James’s signature moment of his career with his block on Andre Iguodala.

James is still performing at a high level a decade later at age 41. The Lakers were playing some of the best basketball of the season, but injuries to both Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves could cost them a chance to see how far this group could go in the playoffs.

LeBron is in the last year of his current deal with the Lakers. There has been plenty of speculation about whether or not James will continue his career in Los Angeles or seek an opportunity to play elsewhere. If he decides to leave, Cleveland would seem to be the logical destination to end his career.

We’ll see how the postseason and summer play out for the Lakers. At this time, it’s difficult to predict how the NBA landscape will look then.

What we do know is that the 2016 championship means something to LeBron, and it always will to all of Northeast Ohio.

The Washington Wizards play the Brooklyn Nets at 3 p.m. today. Watch the game on Monumental Sports Network.

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After slim options on Saturday, NBA player props bettors have a wealth of options to wrap up the weekend, as there’s a full slate of 11 games on tap today.

I’m looking at three very different players in my NBA picks for Sunday, April 5. Let’s take a look at why I like Jayson Tatum to continue his strong return to action, as well as how role players like Donte DiVincenzo and Tari Eason can pay off for bettors in their own ways tonight.

Best NBA player props today

Player	Pick
Jayson Tatum	Over 22.5 points	-120
Donte DiVincenzo	Over 2.5 threes	-120
Tari Eason	Over 16.5 PRA	-115

Prop #1: Jayson Tatum Over 22.5 points

-120 at bet365

Jayson Tatum has now been back in the Boston Celtics lineup for nearly a full month, and he’s starting to look like the superstar they'll need in the playoffs. Tatum picked up his first triple-double of the year on Wednesday, and nearly repeated the feat on Friday, coming up one assist short against the Bucks.

In his last four games, Tatum is averaging 26.5 points. He’s also enjoyed some of his best shooting of the year recently, shooting 48.3% in his last three contests on heavy volume.

The Toronto Raptors are a solid defensive team, but they haven’t slowed the Celtics this year, with Boston averaging 119.3 PPG in the first three meetings with Toronto. With Tatum back in the lineup, the Celtics are even more potent offensively, and there should be plenty of points available for him to hit the Over on his points total.

• Time: 3:30 p.m. ET
• Where to watch: Sportsnet, NBC Sports Boston

Prop #2: Donte DiVincenzo Over 2.5 made threes

-120 at bet365

Donte DiVincenzo has been firing away from deep all season long for the Minnesota Timberwolves, averaging 3.0 made threes per game on 38.1% shooting from beyond the arc. Minnesota has been struggling lately, losing four of seven, but DiVincenzo continues to play his role, hitting at least three shots from 3-point range in six of his last eight.

There’s no reason why the Timberwolves would change DiVincenzo’s role or usage against the Charlotte Hornets tonight. Charlotte isn’t great defensively on the perimeter, allowing opponents to shoot 35.9% from deep.

If anything, DiVincenzo will be among the players who get a couple more shots per game with Jaden McDaniels now out with a knee injury. He’s averaged 10 attempts from deep in Minnesota’s last seven games, and I expect him to get that same volume in tonight’s game.

• Time: 7:00 p.m. ET
• Where to watch: FDSN SE-Charlotte, FDSN North

Prop #3: Tari Eason Over 16.5 points + rebounds + assists

-115 at bet365

The Houston Rockets are riding a five-game winning streak, and Tari Eason has been a huge part of avoiding the Play-In bubble. During the winning streak, Eason is averaging 13.8 points and 6.4 rebounds per game, both up from his season averages.

Eason, who may be primarily known as a defensive presence, also appears to be building confidence. He’s shooting 48.1% from the field and 37.0% from 3-point range on increased volume, showing Houston trusts him with the ball and may be getting him in a rhythm ahead of the postseason.

I expect that usage to continue tonight, as Eason should find success against a mediocre Golden State Warriors defense, especially on the glass, with the Dubs ranking just 21st in the NBA in rebounding rate. I like Eason to hit his PRA total, as he’s gone Over 16.5 in four of his last five games overall.

• Time: 10:00 p.m. ET
• Where to watch: NBC

These props are available now at bet365, one of our best betting sites.

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After more than two months on the sideline, Stephen Curry will make his long-awaited return to face a former teammate when the Golden State Warriors host Kevin Durant and the Houston Rockets.

Durant has been stuffing the stat sheet as of late, and my Rockets vs. Warriors predictions expect another strong showing as he returns to the Bay.

Here are my best free NBA picks for this marquee Western Conference matchup on Sunday, April 5.

Rockets vs Warriors prediction

Rockets vs Warriors best bet: Kevin Durant Over 35.5 points + rebounds + assists (-110)

The Houston Rockets are riding a five-game win streak, and Kevin Durant’s stellar play has been a huge contributing factor in the recent string of victories.

Across his last five games, KD has averaged 36.2 PRA and gone for 36+ three times. He’s been even more productive across his last seven games, averaging 39.1 PRA while clearing this combo line five times.

The future Hall-of-Famer has averaged 34.5 PRA at home but a whopping 37.5 on the road, and he’s gone for 36+ PRA in three of his last four away games. Durant has cleared this line in 38 of 74 games overall, including 24 of 36 on the road.

Over the last 10 games, the Golden State Warriors have surrendered the 11th-most points and 11th-most assists, and rank 18th in defensive rating. This is not a scary matchup.

Durant could have some extra motivation while facing his former team. In 11 games since leaving Golden State, he’s averaged 34.8 PRA overall and 34.4 in the Bay. I expect the Slim Reaper to show out in Golden State as he looks to extend Houston’s win streak and earn a victory over his former team.

Rockets vs Warriors same-game parlay

Both teams have covered only four times across their last 10 games, but the Rockets are hot and have the health advantage.

Curry’s return will certainly help Golden State on offense, but Houston sports a healthier and deeper roster. Houston is 3-2 ATS during its current win streak, and Golden State is just 2-3 across its last five.

The Rockets and the Warriors have each hit the Over in three of their last four games, and the teams have gone Over in four of their last six head-to-head meetings. Houston is 18-13 to the Over as the home favorite, and Golden State is 7-4 as the home underdog. I expect the Dubs to get an offensive spark from Curry’s return.

Rockets vs Warriors SGP

• Kevin Durant Over 35.5 points + rebounds + assists
• Rockets -4
• Over 225

Our "from downtown" SGP: Former teammates, familiar foes

Curry might face a minutes restriction in his first game back, but he should see enough playing time to knock down four triples and reach 19 points.

The Chef has scored 19 points in 31 of 39 games this season, and he did so in under 30 minutes eight times. Curry has finished with four triples or four assists 26 times. He pushed to be ready to play Sunday, making this a meaningful contest in which he should be highly motivated.

Durant has been particularly effective as a playmaker as of late. After handing out 6+ dimes in only 20 of his first 68 games of the season, he’s reached that mark in six straight contests.

Rockets vs Warriors SGP

• Stephen Curry Over 18.5 points
• Stephen Curry Over 3.5 made threes
• Stephen Curry Over 3.5 assists
• Kevin Durant Over 24.5 points
• Kevin Durant Over 5.5 assists

Rockets vs Warriors odds

• Spread: Rockets -3.5 (-110) | Warriors +3.5 (-110)
• Moneyline: Rockets -160 | Warriors +135
• Over/Under: Over 226.5 (-110) | Under 226.5 (-110)

Rockets vs Warriors betting trend to know

The Golden State Warriors have hit the Team Total Over in 30 of their last 45 games at home (+12.55 Units / 24% ROI). Find more NBA betting trends for Rockets vs. Warriors.

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Toronto Raptors (43-34) at Boston Celtics (52-25)
Sunday, April 5, 2026
3:30 PM ET
Regular Season Game #78  Home Game #38
TV:  NBCSB, Sportsnet, NBA-TV
Radio:  98.5 Sports Hub,TSN 1050, Sirius XM
TD Garden

The Celtics return home to take on the division rival Toronto Raptors. This is the 4th, and final meeting between these two teams this season. The Celtics won 121-113 on December 7 in Toronto. They won 112-96 on December 20, also in Toronto. They won 125-117 on January 9 in Boston. The Celtics have won their last 8 games against the Raptors in Boston. The Celtics won the series 3-1 last season, losing one game in Toronto. The Celtics are 76-43 overall all time and they are 45-14 in games played in Boston.

The Raptors made 2 minor deals at the trade deadline . They traded Ochai Agbaji to the Clippers for Chris Paul, who they then waived and CP3 chose to retire. Similar to several of the Celtics deadline deals, this was to bring the Raptors under the tax line. They also traded a second round pick to the Warriors for Trayce Jackson-Davis to fill the need for a back up center.

The Celtics are 2nd in the East, 4.5 games behind 1st place Detroit. They are 2.5 games ahead of 3rd place New York, 4 games ahead of 4th place Cleveland, 7.5 games ahead of 5th place Atlanta, and 9 games ahead of 6th place Toronto and 9.5 games ahead of 7th place Philadelphia. The Celtics are 33-15 against Eastern Conference opponents. They are 26-11 at home and 8-2 in their last 10 games. They have won their last 2 games.

The Raptors are 6th in the East, 6.5 games behind 3rd place New York, 5 games behind 4th place Cleveland, and 1.5 games behind 5th place Atlanta. They are half a game ahead of 7th place Philadelphia, 1.5 games ahead of 8th place Charlotte, and 2 games ahead of 9th place Orlando. They are 30-17 against Eastern Conference opponents. They are 22-17 on the road and 5-5 in their last 10 games. They are coming off a win in their last game.

After this game at home against Toronto they will host Charlotte before one game on the road at New York. They will finish the season with 2 games at home against New Orleans and Orlando. After this game on the road at Boston for Toronto, they will return home to play 2 games against Miami. They will then play at New York before finishing the season at home against Brooklyn.

After being out 4 weeks due to surgery to stabilize a fracture in his right ring finger, Nikola Vucevic has been upgraded to questionable for this game. His status will be a game time decision. For the Raptors, Chucky Hepburn is out due to a torn meniscus in his right knee. Immanuel Quickley will miss his eighth straight game due to right foot plantar fasciitis.

Probable Starting Matchups
PG: Derrick White vs Ja’Kobe Walter

SG: Jaylen Brown vs RJ Barrett

SF: Sam Hauser vs Brandon Ingram

PF: Jayson Tatum vs Scottie Barnes

C: Neemias Queta vs Jakob Poeltl

Celtics Reserves
Payton Pritchard
Hugo Gonzalez
Luka Garza
Amare Williams
Jordan Walsh
Baylor Scheierman
Max Shulga
John Tonje
Ron Harper, Jr

2-Way Players
None

Injuries/Out
Nikola Vucevic (finger) questionable

Head Coach
Joe Mazzulla

Raptors Reserves
Jamison Battle
Gradey Dick
Trayce Jackson-Davis
Sandro Mamukelashvili
Jonathan Mogbo
Collin Murray-Boyles
Jamal Shead
Garrett Temple

2 Way Players
Chucky Hepburn
AJ Lawson
Alijah Martin

Injuries/Out
Chucky Hepburn (knee) out
Immanuel Quickley (foot) out

Head Coach
Darko Rajakovic

Key Matchups
Sam Hauser vs Brandon Ingram
Ingram is averaging 21.4 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 3.6 assists per game while shooting 47.2% from the field and 37.7% from beyond the arc. In the 2 games against the Celtics this season, he averaged 27 points, 4 rebounds and 5 assists while shooting 56.8% from the field and 50% from beyond the arc. The Celtics need to do a better job of defending him in this game.

Jayson Tatum vs Scottie Barnes
Barnes is averaging 18.2 points, 7.5 rebounds, 5.9 assists, 1.5 steals and 1.5 blocks per game while shooting 50.4% from the field and 29.6% from beyond the arc.  In the 2 games against the Celtics this season, he averaged 15 points, 10 rebounds, 7 assists, and 1.5 blocks per game while shooting 40.7% from the field and 16.7% from beyond the arc.  Although he has been struggling to hit 3’s, he is capable of hitting them if left open.

Honorable Mention
Jaylen Brown vs RJ Barrett
Barrett is averaging 19.2 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 3.4 assists per game while shooting 49.5% from the field and 34.6% from beyond the arc.  He played in just 1 game against the Celtics this season and finished with 19 points, 4 rebounds,  and 7 assists while shooting 40% from the field and 60% from beyond the arc.  The Celtics have to defend him better in this game. 

Keys to the Game
Defense – Defense is the most important key to winning.   The Celtics are 4th in the league with a defensive rating of 111.8. The Raptors are 7th with a defensive rating of 114.7. The Celtics must stay committed to playing tough, lock down defense, especially against a Raptors team that plays good defense themselves.  The Celtics must especially defend in the paint as the Raptors put up 53 points in the paint per game (5th).

Rebound – As with defense, rebounding will always be a key to winning every game.  The Celtics are 4th with 46.5 rebounds per game.  The Raptors are 23rd with 42.2 rebounds per game.   The Celtics will need to rebound as a team with players crashing the boards from every position.  The Celtics can’t score without the ball and rebounding is a great way to get the ball and to get extra possessions and to also deny the Raptors extra possessions and 2nd chance points.

Move the Ball Carefully – The Celtics are at their best when the ball moves and they make the extra pass. When the ball sticks and players try to do too much, the Celtics struggle. They are 34-2 this season when they have 25 or more assists and they are 18-0 when they have 29 or more assists.  The Raptors are 2nd with 29.5 assists per game.  But, the Celtics have to make careful passes and not get sloppy because the Raptors are 5th in the league, averaging 20 points off turnovers and 18.9 fast break points per game (1st).

Play with Energy and Focus for 48 Minutes – The Celtics must play with effort and energy and they have to play harder than the Raptors for all 4 quarters.  The team that plays the hardest and that is more aggressive will usually get a better whistle.  They also must stay focused on taking good shots and making them.  If the 3’s are falling, they are tough to beat. But, if the 3’s aren’t falling, it can get ugly and so the Celtics need to focus on taking the best shots, whether that means shooting more 3’s or taking the ball into the paint if they aren’t falling. 

Home Game – The Celtics are once again home and they should get a boost from the home crowd and they have the benefit of not having to travel. The Raptors are playing in the 2nd straight game on the road and may be a little road weary. They also have the distractions of travel, staying in hotels, and playing in front of a hostile crowd.

Officiating – The officiating can always be an x-factor. Every crew calls the game differently.  Some call it tight with a lot of fouls while others let them play and let a lot of contact go. The Celtics have to adapt to how the game is being called and not allow bad calls and no calls to take away their focus on playing the game.  If they play well enough, the refs won’t make a difference.

There hasn’t been much to learn from the San Antonio Spurs’ 10-game winning streak. Most of the games were against tanking or shorthanded teams, and the result was decided before halftime. With only a handful of games left before the playoffs, there have been murmurings of concern that the young team hasn’t faced enough adversity before the games really start to count.

The Spurs faced plenty of adversity in their 136-134 loss to the Denver Nuggets. Despite leading for 87% of the game, San Antonio couldn’t execute in clutch time, letting go of a 6-point lead with a minute and a half remaining, allowing Denver to force overtime and eventually secure the victory.

Several silly mistakes beat the team. Victor Wembanyama and Julian Champagnie failed to communicate if they were switching screens, which led to Aaron Gordon getting a wide-open dunk after both Spurs defenders went to guard Jokic. De’Aaron Fox fumbled the ball while trying to go between the legs on a jumper over Jokic, and mishandled his dribble, forcing an errant shot. They were too slow to get into their sets, making it hard to run offense. Of course, there was the blown fast break between Fox and Devin Vassell that would have tied the game in overtime.

It may have just been the regular season, but with the Nuggets fighting for the third seed, this felt like a playoff game. The Spurs learned that in a high-stakes game, there is another level of basketball perfection they must reach to win a championship. They have to execute late in the game when the pressure goes up another level. The players and the coaching staff have to find ways to get their best players the ball in advantageous situations to score, even when the opposing team is honing in on them. Then, it’s on those players to make big plays.

The good news is the Spurs learned this lesson without there being actual playoff stakes. They have four more games to right the ship before it really counts. Saturday’s loss showed them there is another level they must get to if they want to contend.

Takeaways:

• Wembanyama vs. Jokic was an outstanding battle. A 7-game series between the two would be a special moment for the sport, as two foreign-born superstars duel on a huge stage. Jokic is one of the few players in basketball who has the touch to get the ball over Wembanyama and still make the shot. His body control and shotmaking ability make him a fascinating matchup for the Spurs’ big man. On the flip side, Wembanyama was able to play through the physical Denver defense to get to the free-throw line and convert. San Antonio used Wembanyama as a screener to get smaller guards switched onto him, creating a mismatch he could exploit in the paint. Wembanyama had 34 points, 18 rebounds, 7 assists, and 5 blocks, while Jokic had 40 points, 8 rebounds, 13 assists, and 3 blocks.
• The Spurs tried a few different approaches to guarding Jokic. Their primary option was to have Wembanyama guard him one-on-one. It worked some times, but in the clutch, it may have been better for them to get the ball out of his hands. They used smaller, physical defenders, like Keldon Johnson, to guard him while Wembanyama acted as a roamer. It seemed like Jokic did most of his damage against this defensive scheme, as he avoided Wemby and scored over the smaller defender. I’d be interested in seeing the French Vanilla lineup against Denver. Luke Kornet can’t guard Jokic 1-on-1; no one can. But Kornet has the size and strength to hold position against Jokic inside, while Wembanyama roams as a shot blocker. Offensively, we’ve seen Kornet and Wembanyama play well together. There is no way to stop Jokic, but maybe French Vanilla could slow him down.
• On the flip side, the Spurs have found a pretty sound end-of-game offensive strategy. Get a smaller guard switched on to Wembanyama and then play off that. The counter for Denver was to put Aaron Gordon on Wembanyama, so when the switch happens, a physical, athletic defender was hounding the guards, making it hard for them to get Wemby the ball. This is what happened on the airball three from Fox late in the fourth quarter. On top of that, Wembanyama faced two to three defenders every time he touched the ball near the paint late in the game. To a certain point, the rest of the Spurs are going to have to beat opposing defenses that key in on Wembanyama.
• Fox has to be better, especially in the clutch. He’s on the team to come up in big moments. The former clutch player of the year has been solid year-round, but faltered against Denver. It’s not just that his shot wasn’t falling, but the failed lob to Vassell in transition, and losing his handle against tight defense late in the game were mistakes that really hurt the team. He’ll have a chance to redeem himself and show why he’s the Spurs’ second star in the playoffs.
• The Spurs’ shooters stepped up on Saturday. Champagnie, Vassell, and Harrison Barnes hit shots from deep. Combined, the trio was 11-for-20 from deep. Having those players hit shots is crucial to San Antonio’s playoff success.

INDIANAPOLIS – Solo Ball's status for UConn in the men's basketball NCAA championship game is in doubt after spraining his foot.

Ball said he is feeling "alright," and will leave a decision on his status for the game Monday, April 6, up to UConn's medical staff. He's wearing a walking boot and won't practice on Sunday, April 5.

"I'm doing everything I can to prepare for tomorrow," Ball said.

UConn coach Dan Hurley announced Ball's injury earlier, saying his junior guard has "some type of foot sprain." Ball said the injury occurred in the first half when he got tangled up with Tarris Reed Jr.

Michigan vs UConn prediction, spread: Who is favored to win national championship?

Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James made headlines for signaling out Memphis and Milwaukee as places he doesn’t enjoy playing when he was on a golf YouTube video with Bob Does Sports. Those comments — particularly saying he doesn’t enjoy playing in Memphis — made people angry.

“A random f***** Tuesday in Milwaukee,” James said on the YouTube video when talking about life in the NBA. “Staying at the f****** Hyatt at 41 years old. You think I want to do that shit? Being in Memphis on a f****** random ass Thursday? I’m not like the first guy to even talk about it in the NBA. We’re all like, ‘You guys have to move. Go over to Nashville.’”

James was asked to clarify those comments on Saturday. And in the process, he decided to do a drive-by on his hometown in the process.

“41 years old, it’s two cities I do not like playing in right now,” James said on Saturday. “That’s Milwaukee, and that’s Memphis. What is the problem? I don’t like going home either. Shit, and I’m from there.”

James tried to clarify that he wasn’t taking a shot at the city or their people when listing places he doesn’t enjoy going to.

“I’m not talking about the city, like the people in Memphis,” James said. “I don’t like staying at the Hyatt Centric. What’s wrong with that?”

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How much you want to read into him saying he doesn’t enjoy going home to Cleveland for games is up to you. In context, it seemed like he was saying he doesn’t like going to the hotel and traveling there in the winter, as was the case this season when the Lakers made their lone trip to play the Cleveland Cavaliers. However, you could read it another way if you wanted to as well.

What we do know is that James is in the last year of his current contract with Los Angeles. And while things have been working out well for him and the Lakers over the last month, it’s clear that he isn’t the focal point of the franchise anymore. He’s adjusted to that well on the court, taking a tertiary role alongside both Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves when the trio is healthy, which they won’t be heading into the playoffs. Whether or not James wants that to continue to be his reality off the court remains to be seen.

Some of the buzz about James joining the Cavs next season has died down. Even last week, ESPN’s Brian Windhorst said that he’s not seeing a return to Cleveland “at the top of the probability list” for James next summer.

That said, it’s difficult to picture James playing anywhere but Cleveland and Los Angeles next season. We’ll see how this all unfolds this summer. A lot can change between now and July.

Who: Phoenix Suns (42–35) vs. Chicago Bulls (29–47)

When: 12:30 PM Arizona Time

Where: United Center — Chicago, Illinois

Watch: Arizona’s Family 3TV, Arizona’s Family Sports, NBATV

Listen: KMVP 98.7

The Suns are about to play their 78th game of the season (yeah, the postseason is coming in fast), and it’ll be their final matchup against an Eastern Conference team: the Chicago Bulls.

About a month ago, Phoenix got caught off guard by this same team, losing by just two points in a messy and somewhat concerning game. The Suns never even held the lead, largely due to poor shooting: 39% from the field, 28% from three, and 67% from the free-throw line.

As for recent form, it hasn’t been pretty for either side. The Suns are 3–7 over their last 10 games, while the Bulls are even worse at 2–8, including a five-game losing streak. One team is trying to regain confidence and rhythm to secure the 7th seed, while the other is basically playing for nothing. Too far from the Play-In, too far from the lottery.

Probable Starters

Injury Report

Suns

• Amir Coffey — QUESTIONABLE (Left Ankle)
• Haywood Highsmith — OUT (Right Knee)

Bulls

• Zach Collins — OUT (Right Toe)
• Noa Essengue — OUT (Left Shoulder)
• Josh Giddey — QUESTIONABLE (Left Hamstring)
• Lachlan Olbrich — PROBABLE (Plantar Fascia)
• Nick Richards — QUESTIONABLE (Right Elbow)
• Collin Sexton — PROBABLE (Right Finger)
• Anfernee Simons — OUT (Left Styloid)

What to Watch For

The Suns are facing a Chicago team that plays at one of the fastest paces in the league (3rd this season), driven by transition engines like Josh Giddey, Tre Jones, and Collin Sexton. The first key matchup will be tempo control: Booker needs to dictate a more controlled pace against a team that constantly wants to run, and fast, rushed basketball hasn’t exactly worked out for Phoenix lately.

Another key factor is the matchup between Matas Buzelis and the Suns’ wings. Buzelis has taken a real leap this season. He’s not in the MIP race, but his improvement is undeniable. He’s long, offensively versatile, and has no problem putting up double-digit rebounding performances. If given too much freedom, he can be dangerous—Brooks, Fleming, and the rest will need to stay locked in.

Finally, the battle inside could be intense: Mark Williams (if he plays), Oso Ighodaro, Khaman Maluach, Guerschon Yabusele, Nick Richards, and Jalen Smith will all be involved. The Bulls are the second-best defensive rebounding team (34.8 per game), while the Suns rank 4th in offensive rebounds. This could turn into a real war in the paint in Chicago.

Key to a Suns Win

The first key is simple: slow the game down. Chicago is only dangerous when they control the pace. If Phoenix dictates tempo, forces the Bulls into half-court sets, and limits turnovers, the advantage shifts immediately.

The second focus is attacking Chicago’s perimeter defense, one of the weakest in the league (24th this season). Booker, Green, and Gillespie need to hunt switches, go at Giddey and Tre Jones, and generate open looks for O’Neale, Allen, Fleming. Or even Oso Ighodaro (okay, maybe not him).

Defensive discipline is also crucial. The Suns need to rediscover consistency in their help defense, traps, and pick-and-roll coverage. Mistakes will happen, that’s inevitable — but they need to be minimized. This is the kind of game where you clean things up and prepare for bigger challenges ahead.

Lastly, Phoenix absolutely has to win the non-Booker minutes, which is a recurring issue. That means giving clear playmaking responsibility to Green, Gillespie, or even Allen, running simple sets (Spain PnR, ghost screens, off-ball actions), and leaning into Oso’s simplicity. A more defensive-minded lineup could also help create extra possessions and tempo swings — which, in 2026, is basically the foundation of winning basketball.

If these three levers are pulled, the Suns should be in control.

Prediction

I don’t expect an easy game. Not at all. It should be fast-paced and entertaining, and if the shot-making is there, we could see a really fun matchup between two teams with completely different approaches to tempo.

That said, Phoenix is still the better team (and nearly at full strength), so I’m going with a solid win for the Suns.

Suns 121, 110 Bulls