Category: Basketball

HeraldCeltics roster outlook: What will Boston change this offseason?

Globe Jaylen Brown fires back at Stephen A. Smith, tells him to ‘be quiet’ and ‘retire’

Celtics alternate governor Aditya Mittal to partner with Wyc Grousbeck in bid to buy NFL’s Seahawks

If this was Jaylen Brown’s ‘favorite’ Celtics season, maybe it’s time to let him leave town at a peak

Celtics roster evaluation, Part 1: Taking a look at the reserves heading into the offseason

CelticsBlogReluctantly considering Derrick White trade options

CLNS MediaGary Washburn: Joe Mazzulla is Being Out-Coached in Celtics Playoffs | Big 3 NBA Podcast

NBC Sports BostonBrad Stevens revs the Hugo Hype Train, then offers some offseason fuel

Brad’s bottom line: Stevens delivers clear message after C’s playoff exit

Why Jaylen Brown isn’t backing down from ‘favorite season’ statement

NESNCeltics Predicted To Add 6‑Foot‑9 ‘Vertical Weapon’ To Boost Frontcourt

Report: Former Celtics Assistant Interviews For NBA Head-Coaching Job

Report: Brad Stevens Expected To Explore Trade Market For Celtics Superstar

Stephen A. Smith Responds Sharply To Jaylen Brown’s Remarks

Mass LiveGiannis Antetokounmpo trade rumors: Celtics had cursory interest at deadline

Kevin Garnett questions Jayson Tatum sitting Game 7 loss to Sixers

Celtics Mailbag: Offseason trade possibilities and a new center option?

Jaylen Brown urges Stephen A. Smith to ‘give the people what they want’ and retire

Celtics WireCedric Maxwell does not get splitting Brown, Tatum Celtics narratives

Kevin Garnett supports Boston Celtics alum Rajon Rondo for New Orleans Pelicans coaching job

Report: Boston Celtics only expressed cursory interest in Giannis Antetokounmpo trade

Joe Mazzulla’s best moments from the 2025-26 season

Sam Hauser 2025-26 regular season highlights

Ron Harper Jr. 2025-26 regular season highlights

Hugo Gonzalez 2025-26 rookie season highlights

Luka Garza 2025-26 regular season highlights

Jaylen Brown regular season highlights 2025-26

Celtics history: Jimmy Rodgers fired; Kemba Walker, Keyon Dooling born

What tools do the Celtics have to reshape their roster this offseason?

Jaylen Brown Boston Celtics frustration rumors are falling apart

Brad Stevens weighs whether Jayson Tatum minutes impacted Game 7 absence

Former Celtics’ guard shuts down Jaylen for Giannis talk

Are the Celtics falling behind their conference rivals?

Is Joe Mazzulla’s playoff record a concern for the Celtics?

Jaylen Brown’s frustration with refs dismissed by Dan Patrick

The Athletic The Bounce: What is Jaylen Brown trying to accomplish, exactly?

Boston Sports Journal Simone: Jaylen Brown hasn’t left the headlines since Celtics’ playoff exit

Hardwood HoudiniKevin Garnett & Paul Pierce add insult to injury for Jayson Tatum & the Celtics

Rumored Giannis interest should instead push Celtics to Kevin Durant pursuit

Jaylen Brown turning down $142M might be exactly what the Celtics need

Jaylen Brown winning back hearts by going after famously obnoxious Knicks fan

Neemias Queta’s future with the Celtics couldn’t be clearer after playoff exit

CLNS Media/YouTubeWhat BIG CHANGES Can Celtics Make this Offseason? | Celtics Daily

What Moves Do Celtics NEED to Make in Offseason? | BIG 3 NBA Podcast

Locked on CelticsAngry Brad Stevens on Adding Players, Mazzulla’s Job, How Good Team Really Is

The Arena/YouTube Jayson Tatum Hurt Again TRIGGERS Gil’s Arena

WEEI/YouTubeWhy Did Celtics Struggle at Home in Playoffs? Could ‘Big Moves’ Be Coming? ||The Greg Hill Show

The Sports Hub As the Celtics look to improve, Brad Stevens knows other team will close the gap

Jaylen Brown supports Celtics amid questions of ‘frustration’

HeavyCeltics Take Notice as Owner Updates Giannis Antetokounmpo Trade Plan Amid Rumors

Stephen A Smith Responds To Jaylen Brown’s Vicious Insults

Celtics Should Deal Jayson Tatum, Not Jaylen Brown–If Any Trade Happens

NBA Trade Rumors: All 30 Teams on Jaylen Brown Trade Watch

Celtics’ Brad Stevens Reveals Offseason Priority After Playoff Exit

Giannis’ Latest Social Media Post Gives Celtics Fans Trade Hope

Former NBA Player Pitches Kevin Durant Boston Celtics Trade

Yahoo Sports/YouTubeJaylen Brown vs. Celtics: The Superstar Rift That Could End an Era

Basketball Network“Move on from Derrick White” – Jeff Teague reveals the bold trade Boston must make to save Tatum and Brown

The SpunThe Celtics Could Trade Jayson Tatum, Not Jaylen Brown

Awful AnnouncingJaylen Brown fires back at Stephen A. Smith for telling him to ‘be quiet’

ESPN/YouTube Alan Hahn calls for Jaylen Brown to ‘GET OFF THE INTERNET!’ | Get Up

AudacyJaylen Brown Want Out of Boston?

Bleacher ReportCeltics’ Jayson Tatum Posts Cryptic Denzel Washington Video on ‘BS’ Amid Jaylen Brown Rumors

SI .com All the Celtics Things You Missed During The Crash Out Over Jaylen Brown

Ranking Power Forward Rotations in the Atlantic Division From the 2025-26 Season

Jaylen Brown Roasts Stephen A. Smith For Telling Him To ‘Be Quiet’

ATL All DayJaylen Brown Revives Hawks Trade Dream

The Sporting NewsCeltics-Rockets trade pitch sends $90 million ex-Warriors two-time NBA champion star to Boston

SLC DunkJaylen Brown might be available, here’s a Jazz trade idea to get him

Barstool Sports Jayson Tatum Broke His Silence And Put Out A Late Night Instagram Story That Seemed To Not Only Support Jaylen Brown But Also Take Shots At The Media

Hoops WireBrad Stevens: Celtics need to add interior presence

The Rich Eisen Show/YouTube Is Celtics G Jaylen Brown Trying to Talk His Way Out of Boston??? | The Rich Eisen Show

The Sports Hub/YouTube Cedric Maxwell: Don’t Think Jaylen Brown is Frustrated with Celtics

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The Philadelphia 76ers return home in desperate need of a spark down 0-2, leaning on the energy of the Wells Fargo Center crowd as they try to claw back into the series. 

For Game 3 against the New York Knicks, our NBA player prop projections are locked in, highlighting several high-value opportunities identified by the model.

By analyzing the data against current market lines, we’ve identified where the strongest edges exist.

These 76ers vs. Knicks predictions are driven by numbers instead of guesswork.

If you’re building your card, here are the model’s top NBA picks for Friday, May 8.

Knicks vs 76ers computer picks for Game 3

Knicks	76ers
Brunson o26.5 points -112	George o2.5 3-pointers  -135
Towns u11.5 rebounds +100	Oubre Jr. o11.5 points -125
Hart o4.5 assists -135	Maxey o6.5 assists +120

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Knicks Game 3 computer picks

Jalen Brunson Over 26.5 points (-112)

Projection: 28.17 points

Jalen Brunson has been a driving force for the New York Knicks, helping them jump out to a 2–0 series lead over the Philadelphia 76ers. He was incredibly efficient in Game 1, shooting 67% from the field en route to 35 points, then followed it up in Game 2 with 26 points on 43% shooting.

He’s either cleared this prop or landed just short of it in recent outings, and he looks like he's well in position to keep that production rolling as the Knicks head to Philadelphia for Game 3.

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Karl-Anthony Towns Under 11.5 rebounds (+100)

Projection: 11.97 rebounds

Karl-Anthony Towns has posted 6 and 10 rebounds in Games 1 and 2 as the Knicks head on the road, and the task won’t get any easier on the glass in a hostile Philadelphia environment where the crowd will be eager to rattle him.

After falling short of this rebound line even at home in New York, it’s fair to expect an even tougher night trying to get there on the road in Philly.

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Josh Hart Over 4.5 assists (-135)

Projection: 4.83 assists

Josh Hart is currently listed as probable for Game 3 with a thumb injury, but if he’s cleared to play, expect him to be heavily involved on both ends as he looks to impact the game in whatever way the New York Knicks need.

From a production standpoint, Hart has consistently delivered in this area, clearing his assists line in 5 of 8 playoff games so far. He’s also recorded six assists in each of the first two games of this series against Philadelphia, reinforcing his steady playmaking presence.

Even with the thumb issue in the background, the expectation is that he continues facilitating and keeping the offense moving without much drop-off in involvement.

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76ers Game 3 computer picks

Paul George Over 2.5 3-pointers (-135)

Projection: 2.74 3-pointers

Paul George has been knocking down shots from beyond the arc with consistency. After drilling 67% of his threes in Game 1 against the Knicks and opening Game 2 on a heater with five made triples, he’ll look to stay aggressive from deep.

With that kind of rhythm already established, he should be even more inclined to keep firing from three-point range in front of the Philly crowd and push past this prop line.

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Kelly Oubre Jr. Over 11.5 points (-125)

Projection: 12.89 points

After putting up 12 and 19 points in Games 1 and 2 against the Knicks, Kelly Oubre Jr.’s scoring line looks well within reach. Philadelphia will need his offensive output — and then some — to help keep New York in check.

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Tyrese Maxey Over 6.5 assists (+120)

Projection: 6.56 assists

Whether Joel Embiid suits up for Game 3 or not, Tyrese Maxey will be the focal point in Philadelphia’s effort to keep their season alive and they’ll need him to do a little bit of everything.

Getting his teammates involved will be key to slowing down the Knicks, while also easing some of the scoring burden on his shoulders. That balance should work in Maxey’s favor with so much being asked of him.

The more Maxey leans into his role as a facilitator, the better chance the 76ers have of keeping New York off balance and less locked in on their primary playmaker.

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How to watch Knicks vs 76ers Game 3

Location	Xfinity Mobile Arena, Philadelphia, PA
Date	Friday, May 8, 2026
Tip-off	7:00 p.m. ET
TV	Prime

Not intended for use in MA.
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The Milwaukee Bucks face a difficult decision this offseason regarding Giannis Antetokounmpo and his future with the franchise. Antetokounmpo could be seeking a trade to a team closer to competing for a championship as he enters his 30’s and the Bucks’ attempts at remaining competitive have fallen short, especially after a 50-loss campaign that saw Milwaukee miss the playoffs for the first time since the 2015-16 season.

What the Bucks are saying about Giannis

Bucks co-owner Jimmy Haslam spoke about Antetokounmpo’s future and what to expect from him to reporters, including Athletic insider Eric Nehm:

“Listen, Giannis has brought Milwaukee its second championship and the first in 50 years. He’s a phenomenal player. He’s a phenomenal person. He’s arguably one of the best basketball players in the world, and we will do what’s best for Giannis and what’s best for the organization… We don’t know whether Giannis will stay with us or not, but we’ll work through that with Giannis in the coming weeks.”

The Bucks appear to be putting the ball in Giannis’ court, at least publicly. If he wants to stay, the Bucks aren’t going to rush trading him away. As Haslam mentioned, he is one of the greatest players in franchise history, and the Bucks would be silly to trade him for a number of reasons. The owner also told reporters that if the decision is to trade him, they want to have it settled by the draft:

“I just think before the draft is a natural time, right? Because if Giannis does play somewhere else, then we ought to get a lot of assets, and it’s (general manager Jon Horst‘s) job to do it. If he’s here, then you build the team differently.”

Why the Bucks should trade Giannis

The Bucks could benefit from a trade as it will force them to start over with a clean slate to get the rebuild started. Antetokounmpo’s value may not be higher than what it currently is, so the Bucks should cash in and acquire a pillar or two that will help them lay the foundation for what the future of the team will look like. It’s not an easy decision to make and the Bucks have delayed this move for as long as possible, but they may be reaching the end of the road.

Why the Bucks should keep Giannis

Very few legends stay with one team their entire career, and it says something if the Bucks were capable of doing that with Giannis. It would help create a culture that could last way beyond the time Giannis plays his final game with the Bucks. This isn’t to say that once Giannis stops playing in Milwaukee, he won’t be remembered for his time with the franchise, but it will add an extra bit of legacy, satisfaction, and respect around the league if he were to stay with the Bucks for his entire career. The Bucks want to keep Giannis as long as possible, but their willingness to do right by their superstar is a sign of respect in itself, and the team has doubled down on that sentiment many times over the past several years.

Has Giannis played his final game with the Bucks? Chime in in the comments section below.

In today’s Dub Hub:

• Warriors enter Sunday’s NBA Draft Lottery with the 11th-best odds for the number-one overall pick.
• Austin Rivers challenges Draymond Green to a 1-on-1 matchup amid their ongoing feud.
• Top NBA Draft prospect Darryn Peterson says high doses of creatine caused his midseason cramping issues.

This weekend marks an important date for the future of the Golden State Warriors.

The 2026 NBA Draft Lottery is set for Sunday, May 10 at 12:00 p.m. PT on ABC, as the league’s 14 lottery teams vie for the top spot in what is viewed as one of the strongest draft classes in recent history. For the Warriors, they enter the lottery with the 11th-best odds for the No. 1 overall pick at 2.0% after finishing the 2025-26 regular season with a 37-45 record.

Here’s a full look at the odds for every team entering Sunday’s lottery:

According to the chart, Golden State holds a 9.4% chance of jumping into the top four. However, the Warriors’ most likely outcome is remaining at No. 11, where they currently hold a 77.6% probability of selecting. It should also be noted that there is a 12.6% chance they fall to No. 12 and a 0.4% chance they slide to No. 13.

While Golden State’s chances of landing the top pick remain slim, Sunday’s lottery results will still play a major role in determining the franchise’s direction as they attempt to balance competing around Stephen Curry while also preparing for the next era of Warriors basketball.

For more on this and other news around the NBA, here is our latest news round-up for Friday, May 8th:

Warriors News:

2026 NBA draft lottery: Odds for every team, potential picks | ESPN

No. 1 pick odds: 2% | Top-four pick odds: 9.4%

Most likely pick if they stay at No. 11: Karim Lopez, SF/PF, New Zealand Breakers

Similar to Milwaukee, the direction Golden State takes here will be indicative of where the franchise’s goals lie. The Warriors can try to continue to maximize the final phase of Stephen Curry‘s career with a more NBA-ready prospect, or they could take a longer view. Assuming they don’t move up, this would become an interesting juncture in the draft, with the top freshmen all potentially off the board.

Lopez might marry those two goals, with a good mix of size, skill, feel and pro experience for a teenage prospect. On the other end of the age spectrum, forward Yaxel Lendeborg should get a long look from the Warriors because of his versatility to plug in right away.

Austin Rivers challenges Draymond Green to 1-on-1 amid back-and-forth feud | NBC Sports Bay Area

After Austin Rivers responded to Draymond Green’s brutal comments regarding his career, the former NBA veteran added fuel to the fire by asking the Warriors star to prove his basketball talents in a non-team setting.

“Why don’t you play me 1-on-1, Draymond?” Rivers exclaimed on Tidal League’s “To The Baha” podcast. “You can’t do handoffs in 1-on-1. You can’t set no pick-and-roll in 1-on-1. So, all that extra talk was BS.”

ClutchPoints insider Brett Siegel’s update on Steve Kerr: “Everything stands in the direction of Steve Kerr being back”

NBA News:

Darryn Peterson says high doses of creatine led to cramping | ESPN

One of the top prospects in this year’s NBA draft spent much of his freshman season at Kansas trying to solve mysterious and sometimes debilitating cramping. But in an extended interview with ESPN this week, Peterson said that a new round of bloodwork and other tests after the college basketball season led his doctors to conclude that his use of high doses of creatine created the condition.

“I’d never taken it before [going to college],” Peterson said of the popular supplement which helps to increase muscle strength, power and growth. “But after the season I took two weeks off and they did tests which showed my baseline level was already high. So, they said when I dosed [a process of increasing a dose over time to create maximum benefit at the beginning of taking a supplement], it must’ve made the levels unsafe.”

Lakers, Austin Reaves meet with the officials following their 125-107 loss vs. the Thunder

In case you missed it at Golden State of Mind:

Warriors mailbag: The draft, the offseason, and Steve Kerr

I’d be surprised if they trade their first-round pick for anything other than a star player. It seems unlikely that they would want to trade down to get more draft picks, and put more young, raw players on the roster, though they’ll probably do something in the second round, because that’s just what they do. But with the first-round pick, they’ll want to get the best player they can, rather than multiple lesser players.

A post to end the week:

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

New York Post may be compensated and/or receive an affiliate commission if you click or buy through our links. Featured pricing is subject to change.

The Knicks are heading to Philadelphia with a 2-0 lead ahead of Game 3.

In a Game 2 defined by lead changes and physical defense, the Knicks pulled away from the Sixers late thanks to Jalen Brunson, who finished with 26 points and hit a series of clutch jumpers in the final minutes.

Despite being without Joel Embiid, who was sidelined with hip and ankle soreness, the 76ers remained competitive throughout the night thanks to a 26-point effort from Tyrese Maxey and double-doubles from both Paul Reed and Kelly Oubre Jr.

Embiid is listed as questionable tonight, and the Knicks have two starters who left Game 2 with injuries. Both Josh Hart (thumb) and OG Anunoby (hamstring) will be game-time decisions tonight.

The next game in the Knicks vs. 76ers series is scheduled for Sunday night.

Knicks vs. 76ers start time:

Tonight’s (May 8) Knicks vs. 76ers Game 3 is scheduled to tip off at 7 p.m. ET.

How to watch Knicks vs. 76ers for free:

Tonight’s game is one of the NBA Playoffs games streaming exclusively on Prime Video, so you’ll need an Amazon Prime subscription to watch.

If you aren’t a Prime Video subscriber yet, you can get started with a 30-day Amazon Prime free trial, including Prime perks like the Prime Video streaming service, free two-day shipping, exclusive deals, and more. After the free trial, Amazon Prime costs $14.99/month or $139/year.

All 18- to 24-year-olds, regardless of student status, are eligible for a discounted Prime for Young Adults membership as well, with age verification. After a six-month free trial, you’ll pay 50% off the standard Prime monthly price of $14.99/month — just $7.49/month — for up to six yearswith all the perks.

Knicks-76ers second round playoff schedule

• Game 1: Knicks 137, 76ers 98
• Game 2: Knicks 108, 76ers 102
• Game 3: Friday, May 8 (7 p.m. ET, Prime Video)
• Game 4: Sunday, May 10 (3:30 p.m. ET, ABC)
• Game 5: Tuesday, May 12*
• Game 6: Thursday, May 14*
• Game 7: Sunday, May 17*

* if necessary

Why Trust Post Wanted by the New York Post

This article was written by Angela Tricarico, Commerce Streaming Reporter for Post Wanted Shopping, Page Six, and Decider.com. Angela keeps readers up to date with cord-cutter-friendly deals, and information on how to watch your favorite sports teams, TV shows, and movies on every streaming service. Not only does Angela test and compare the streaming services she writes about to ensure readers are getting the best prices, but she’s also a superfan specializing in the intersection of shopping, tech, sports, and pop culture. When she’s not writing about (or watching) TV, movies, and sports, she’s also keeping up on the underrated perfume dupes at Bath & Body Works and testing headphones. Prior to joining Decider and The New York Post in 2023, she wrote about streaming and consumer tech at Insider Reviews.

While Game 2 did not go the way any Wolves fans would want, it’s still an opportunity to reload and reflect. Canis’ Thilo Widder is joined by our Spurs’ sister site Pounding the Rock EIC JR Wilco to discuss what could change in a pivotal Game 3 return to Minnesota.

Thilo Widder

Okay, maybe I shouldn’t have called the last frat “slightly braggadocious” but alas, when else am I going to be able to use that word?

That was certainly a game. Not a good one, but it was certainly one. The Wolves guards imploded under the weight of a Stephon Castle without foul trouble while Jaden McDaniels unfortunately found himself on the wrong side of Scott Foster.

The Wolves continue to be one of the least consistent teams in the league, but a 16-7 run was enough of a run to build a 25 point lead that just got worse and worse. That run was the least of the numerous problems Minnesota had, as their guards shot 10/36 on the game.

Ayo Dosumnu, who I highlighted as a swing player, had only a block and a steal in 10 minutes of playtime before getting injured again. Bones Hyland continues to play very badly. Anthony Edwards is still so clearly hobbled.

If that was a representation of the rest of the series, that would suck (for me as a fan at least, I’m sure you’d disagree). Fortunately for us as content creators and fans of good basketball, it probably won’t be.

On that note though, I’m curious what the biggest changes you saw and if they are sustainable. Obviously, DeAaron Fox and Victor Wembenyama played better, but that was always to be expected. What turned this from a neck and neck Game 1 to a blowout of that scale in Game 2?

J.R. Wilco

One of the reasons we watch sports is to see something that we don’t expect. And nothing fulfills that purpose less than a blowout. I had an absolute blast watching Game 1, and even though the evening ended poorly for me, I have good memories of that tightly contested game that felt like each play mattered. 

In the regular season, when the other team goes on a run, you tell yourself that there’s plenty of time in the game and your team can definitely make it back. But in a game like we saw on Monday, even a seven point lead seems daunting. Both teams dialed into that extent is one of the joys of being a fan. Nothing else quite touches it.

Of course, another joy of being a fan is watching your team absolutely pummel a squad that they’ve recently lost to, and so I’m not gonna lie:  Wednesday night was fun too. Just a different kind of fun. Fox was slithering through the lane. Wembanyama was flying all over the court — I mean that literally and not just vertically, because I saw a still shot of the rebound dunk he threw in for his first points, and Victor isn’t even on the screen when Julian Champagnie starts his shooting motion. And the screen covered all the way to mid court! Julian and Vassell pilled off one of the most rare plays in basketball, the alley-oop three-pointer. I’m still geeking out about it. 

I’m also geeking out about the chess match Johnson and Fitch are engaged in. Here are the things that I think our responsible for the way, the Spurs ran the table.

They turned Edwards and Randle into passers by doubling and trapping, much like OKC did in last year’s WCF. When the Wolves doubled back on all of the talk about how Wemby would have to keep blocking every shot they took, he recognized that they weren’t coming at him and stayed down so he could just challenge and rebound instead of trying to go after every attempt. That kept Minnesota’s possessions mostly one and done. Third, San Antonio committed to running at every opportunity, especially after scores. They just had so many buckets early in the shot clock and Minny looked unprepared for those quick strikes. 

Those are the things Finch needs to respond to. What do you see happening in Game 3?

Thilo

God, hard to say. The Wolves of yesteryear (or yesteryesteryear, I forget) were absolutely incapable of stopping the fast break, or any team with pace in general. I don’t doubt that this is a return to that form.

The Wolves are built first and foremost on turning defense into offense, not in the typical sense but by wearing out their opponents with their defense until Minnesota faces no pushback on the other end.

It is, by and large, a war of attrition.

However, for that to work, you cannot allow any easy points. 29 fast break points is far too much. Hell, 15 is probably too much for the “beat them with hammers” approach to work. 

I think part of that problem will fix itself with Ayo and Ant getting healthier – more bodies back typically means less opportunities on the break – but I think the solution is in committing to one of two extremes

The Wolves of the past, the ones that would bleed points in transition, were violently pursuant of offensive rebounds. Karl-Anthony Towns would crash the glass. Rudy Gobert would crash the glass. Jaden McDaniels would crash the glass. There were even possessions where Minnesota would leave Michael Conley Jr. as the only man back in pursuit of those ever alluring extra possessions.

Now, would I suggest doing that against the eight foot demigod and his trusty sidekick, possibly the fastest player in the league? No, probably not. That would be dumb and obscenely risky and I simply would not have the heart to bring that up in fear of being yelled at like an old school scout on the set of Moneyball.

But it is an option.

The other, more likely option is far less fun. Instead of going all in on extra possessions, you do the opposite. You abandon the offensive glass as much as you can. A five-on-four break is infinitely easier to defend than a two-on-one or three-on-one alternative. Rudy Gobert becomes your only offensive rebounder. Julius Randle commits to getting back after his mid-range shots.

This sucks though. And more importantly, it doesn’t fix the turnover problem. Quite simply, this is also a part of who the Wolves are. They’re not 22 per game bad, but they tend to play fast and loose with the ball far too often. 

Ultimately, I think Chris Finch will try incredibly hard to make this series be played in the half court entirely. That could mean a lot of conservative calls. Rebounding is the start of that, but I think Mike Conley probably gets more run, simply because he’s not as prone to bad choices as TJ Shannon or Bones Hyland.

To follow that up, I think Bones has lost his spot in the playoff rotation of this series. While the Thunder of last year absolutely broke Julius Randle with ball pressure and pass-forcing, the Spurs are breaking Bones by simply letting him overdribble.

That may not be a full answer, but it’s certainly a start: play slower, be more boring, keep going to the rim, and, Jaden, stop fouling.

To that point, it feels like the underspoken most important data point of this series will be who can foul out the opposing team’s perimeter stopper first. McDaniels and Castle are so hugely important in these next three to five games that it feels like losing either loses the game.

How did the Spurs play without Castle during the regular season? Is there a backup plan if he’s sitting like he was in Game 1? How do the Wolves attack him without burning through their usable possessions?

(God, Donte would be eating the Spurs drop coverage alive right now. Truly a crushing loss. Fly high, Big Ragu.)

J.R.

There was a point when one of the main fears I had about the T-wolves was how we could keep DiVincenzo from going off for an entire series. Talk about a man who can’t be left alone at the arc! I’ve been an admirer of Dante’s for a while now. All the best to him, and a quick recovery. Now to your questions. 

San Antonio was 11-3 without Castle this year, but that was the regular season and we know that the playoffs are a different animal. But one of the accidental benefits of the Spurs’ bottoming out wasn’t just the timing, it was the repetition. Trading for Fox and then getting the second pick last draft means that we have a three-headed guard lineup, which is an incredible crutch to lean on when any of them have to take a breather, need a night off … or happen to foul out. 

We love our Castle, no doubt, but I know a number of Spurs fans who swear that Harper will be even better than Steph. Yeah, the fact that backup plan is a rookie point guard would usually terrify me, but Harper isn’t your typical rookie, and he’s not yet the defender that Castle is, Dylan shoots for a higher percentage, is impossibly smooth around the basket, and takes better care of the ball. As much as Steph’s defense is missed when he’s not on the floor, the team plays quite well without him. 

If the rest of this series turns into a battle of defensive aces struggling against foul trouble, that’ll be a shame. We already have too much talk about the timing and the frequency of the whistles in the rest of the matchups for that mess to invade ours too. But it’s 2026 after all, what else should we expect if not some top-tier controversy? Hopefully, we’re spared that, and Friday night’s game is another competitive and enjoyable contest.

Embiid returns for Sixers vs. Knicks Game 3, Anunoby sits  originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

Joel Embiid returned to the Sixers’ lineup Friday night for Game 3 of the team’s second-round playoff series vs. the Knicks. 

After missing the Sixers’ 108-102 loss in Game 2 with right ankle and right hip injuries, Embiid was back in the Sixers’ starting five. Tyrese Maxey, VJ Edgecombe, Kelly Oubre Jr. and Paul George joined him. 

The Sixers fell into a 2-0 series hole Wednesday in New York without Embiid and used Andre Drummond, Adem Bona and Dominick Barlow at center. Barlow gave the Sixers a strong second-half stint and Sixers head coach Nick Nurse said pregame that he’ll remain an option at center. 

According to Nurse, Embiid has been “getting better all the time” and participated in the Sixers’ Friday morning shootaround. 

The Knicks ruled out OG Anunoby (right hamstring strain) for Game 3. Josh Hart (left thumb sprain) and Mitchell Robinson (illness) were both available.

Knicks head coach Mike Brown said that Anunoby is “day-to-day.”

His absence is a significant development. Anunoby has been great in the 2026 playoffs, averaging 21.4 points and 7.5 rebounds.

“OG’s been unbelievable,” said Nurse, who coached Anunoby at the start of his NBA career with the Raptors. “He’s been amazing both in the Atlanta series and this series. OG has been as good as I’ve ever seen him. He just keeps getting better and better. That’s a testament to him. 

“His shooting’s been great. His cutting game is great. You used to think, ‘Well, let’s force him inside the line and see what’s going to happen.’ Now he’s dunking on people and hitting that 17-footer. He’s been doing everything at a super-high level. … Let’s hope he’s out there. I’m a big fan of OG’s.”

The Knicks shifted to a smaller starting lineup without Anunoby, sliding guard Miles McBride up to the first unit. Jalen Brunson, Mikal Bridges, Hart and Karl-Anthony Towns rounded out the Knicks’ Game 3 starters. 

The Houston Rockets are sitting at home for the second round of the playoffs trying to make sure they don’t suffer the same fate next season.

This could lead to another aggressive offseason where the team scours the trade market. One player that could be on the Rockets’ radar is Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell.

“The one thing they (the Rockets) do have, they’ve got assets. They’ve got the 2027 and 2029 Suns picks. They’ve got the 2029 Mavs pick. They’ve got a swap in 2027 with the Brooklyn Nets. They are loaded, and they’ve got their own picks moving forward,” MacMahon said h/t Rockets Wire reporter Ben DuBose.

“So, if they want to make a blockbuster trade… and look, we’ll see what happens with the Cavaliers. If Donovan Mitchell’s available, that is a guy I could see the Rockets being aggressive to go get.“

The Rockets should value the experience of going deep in the playoffs, much like they have with Fred VanVleet and Kevin Durant. Mitchell has won a playoff series in each of the last three years with the Cavs and has 72 playoff games under his belt since 2018, reaching the postseason in all of his nine NBA seasons.

Mitchell’s contract expires at the end of the 2027-28 campaign, so it’s possible the Cavs may look to trade him this offseason if they were to fall short once again and he doesn’t want to sign an extension.

TDS community, what do you think of the idea of trading for Mitchell? Give us your thoughts in the comments section below.

Five players Celtics should target with $27.7M traded player exception originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston

The Boston Celtics will look to upgrade their roster this offseason after a stunning first-round exit in the 2026 NBA playoffs. During his end-of-season press conference, C’s president of basketball operations Brad Stevens identified one area of the team that needs addressing.

“One of the things that we’ve got to figure out is how to have more of an impact at the rim, and I think we do need to add to our team to do that,” he said. “Everybody plays a role in that, but at the end of (Game 7), (Philadelphia 76ers big man Joel) Embiid is standing at the rim on all those possessions, or a lot of those possessions.”

Boston’s frontcourt was exposed when Embiid returned to the Sixers lineup, and that was among the biggest reasons for its collapse after taking a 3-1 series lead. While Neemias Queta and Luka Garza played significant roles all season long, the Celtics need someone they can count on to anchor their frontcourt when facing tough playoff matchups. Nikola Vucevic wasn’t the answer, and even if he re-signs this summer, it’s worth wondering whether he’d have a major role.

Unfortunately for the C’s, this year’s free agent class of centers leaves plenty to be desired. The good news, though, is that Boston can add an impactful big man via the trade market with the $27.7 million traded player exception (TPE) it gained from the Anfernee Simons/Vucevic trade back in February.

So, what are the top realistic trade options? Here are five big men the Celtics should consider acquiring with their TPE.

Nic Claxton, Brooklyn Nets

• 2026-27 Salary: $23.1 million
• 2025-26 Stats: 57.1 FG%, 11.7 ppg, 6.9 rpg, 3.7 apg, 1.1 bpg (69 games)

Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

The Celtics have been linked to Claxton in trade rumors before, and it’s easy to see why. The 6-foot-11 center is an above-average defender who can switch and guard anyone on the court at a high level. He consistently averages double digits in points per game while racking up rebounds and blocks.

Claxton is an athletic, versatile rim protector who should be relatively affordable in a deal with the rebuilding Nets. He’s coming off a down season by his standards, but joining a contender could help him return to form.

P.J. Washington, Dallas Mavericks

• 2026-27 Salary: $19.8 million
• 2025-26 Stats: 45.0 FG%, 32.5 3P%, 14.2 ppg, 7.0 rpg, 1.8 apg, 1.1 bpg (56 games)

Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images

At 6-foot-8, Washington isn’t the prototypical big man you may have had in mind, but the 27-year-old can play the five when the Celtics go small. Boston would benefit from his versatility, as he can protect the rim as well as switch and hold his own defensively against players of all sizes. Offensively, he’s capable of shooting the 3 and making his presence felt in the post.

Washington is a rell-rounded player who could help the C’s in a wide variety of ways.

Wendell Carter Jr., Orlando Magic

• 2026-27 Salary: $18.1 million
• 2025-26 Stats: 51.2 FG%, 31.9 3P%, 11.8 ppg, 7.4 rpg, 2.0 apg, 0.6 bpg (78 games)

Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images

The Magic might look to move Carter Jr. to get under the second apron of the luxury tax. If so, the Celtics should give them a call.

Carter Jr. is a rock-solid defender who can also occasionally provide a spark on the offensive end. He isn’t the best rim protector, but he’s a versatile big who excels at switching and can anchor the paint. His play style would work well in Boston.

Daniel Gafford, Dallas Mavericks

• 2026-27 Salary: $17.2 million
• 2025-26 Stats: 65.5 FG%, 9.5 ppg, 6.9 rpg, 1.1 apg, 1.3 bpg (55 games)

Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

If the Celtics prefer a more traditional center, Gafford could be their guy. The 27-year-old averaged 9.5 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks over 55 games last season in the first year of his three-year contract extension with Dallas

Gafford is an exceptional rim protector. Offensively, he offers little upside but can do some damage in the paint.

If the C’s are looking for a Kristaps Porzingis-like big man who can shoot the 3 and provide rim protection, they should look elsewhere. If they want an elite presence in the paint, Gafford should be on their list of targets.

Santi Aldama, Memphis Grizzlies

• 2026-27 Salary: $17 million
• 2025-26 Stats: 47.9 FG%, 35.0 3P%, 14.0 ppg, 6.7 rpg, 2.9 apg, 0.7 bpg (43 games)

Petre Thomas-Imagn Images

Aldama checks a lot of boxes for Boston. The 7-footer is only 25, he’s affordable, and he provides value on both ends of the court.

Last season with Memphis, Aldama averaged a career-high 14.0 points and 6.7 rebounds per game while shooting 35 percent from 3-point range. He also notched just under one block and steal per game. The only concern with Aldama is injuries, as he was limited to only 43 games last season.

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Hollywood loves an underdog story.

Too bad those long shots are reserved to the silver screen and not the purple and gold hardwood of Crypto.com Arena. 

The Los Angeles Lakers are back in La-La Land buried in a 0-2 series hole to the Oklahoma City Thunder. My Thunder vs. Lakers predictions and same-game parlay for Game 3 doesn’t buy into that Tinsel Town magic, taking OKC to cover on the continued dominance of their big man in the middle, Chet Holmgren.

Here are my best NBA picks for May 9.

Our best Thunder vs Lakers SGP for Game 3

SGP leg #1: Thunder -8.5

The Oklahoma City Thunder haven’t got the best from their top star, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and honestly haven’t looked dominant in the first two games of this Round 2 series. However, OKC has won the battle over 48 minutes, wearing down a talent-thin Los Angeles Lakers squad to pull away and cover massive spreads in the first two contests.

The 8.5-point spread for Game 3 is just the second time Oklahoma City has laid single digits in the playoffs and OKC seems to have L.A.’s number, boasting a perfect 6-0 SU and ATS mark against the Lakers so far this season.

SGP leg #2: Marcus Smart Over 3.5 assists

Marcus Smart is shooting too much in the first two games of this series. Los Angeles needs the veteran point guard to be just that, prompting extra playmaking from Smart in Game 3.

He’s already dished out five and seven assists in the opening two games of this series and passing on shots and generating more potential assists will see him top four or more dimes for the seventh time in nine postseason games Saturday.

SGP leg #3: Chet Holmgren Over 16.5 points

The Lakers don’t have the size or versatility in their frontcourt to properly counter Chet Holmgren.

With the Lakers focused on flustering SGA, Holmgren is getting plenty of space to operate down low and is killing the Lakers whenever he steps outside the arc. He’s scored 22 and 24 points so far in this Round 2 set and his Game 3 models all sit above this modest total of 16.5 points for Saturday night.

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I enter tonight’s game more calm and serene than any other game this postseason. And I don’t particularly think I’m the only Knicks fan who feels that way. For many, the last 36 hours involved being an involuntary passenger on a roller coaster ride of emotions.

After seeing the Knicks win an ugly and gritty Game 2, the win almost felt meaningless due to the large void left by the uncertainty surrounding OG Anunoby’s injury. His suffering a significant injury would be a gutshot to fans, and a death sentence for a Knicks championship run.

Following hours and hours of refreshing social media feeds, trying not to have PTSD from Anunoby’s hamstring injury in 2024, and role-playing as an orthopedic doctor, fans let out a collective sigh of relief when reports started surfacing that Anunoby’s hamstring strain was mild and that he was just day-to-day.

Because fans, for the most part, were expecting the worst, his diagnosis feels like a bullet dodged, making tonight’s game against the 76ers somehow feel less dire. That being said, it’s still a road playoff game against a desperate and hungry rival looking to claw itself back into the series. A loss tonight means a little less room for error moving forward, while also giving Philadelphia a bit more confidence and momentum. Meanwhile, a win tonight would buy them, and more specifically, Anunoby, more time.

While the weight and emotions going into the game may feel different, the significance of the game doesn’t change. Nick Nurse and the 76ers will continue to change some things up. They’ll likely be better prepared to deal with the aggressive trapping of Tyrese Maxey. They’ll also likely double down on pressuring Jalen Brunson now with OG Anunoby out. And as backup point guard Kyle Lowry mentioned, they’ll make sure to pressure Karl-Anthony Towns more on the perimeter.

Unlike the fans, though, the Knicks likely aren’t going into this game as though they have multiple lives. While human nature may take over and give them at least a slight sense of relief, these Knicks have displayed more sense of urgency and focus since their Game 3 loss to the Hawks in the last round. From Brunson, Towns, and Mikal Bridges, who have been playing incredibly well, to bench players Deuce McBride, Landry Shamet, Jordan Clarkson, and Jose Alvarado, along with the now probable Josh Hart, and Mitchell Robinson, this team should come into the game ready to compete.

Whether they win or not is still up in the air, but they have the depth, offensive firepower, and defense to defeat what is still a fatigued and very thin 76ers team.

Prediction

If Joel Embiid is out again tonight, which I suspect will be the case with the Knicks being sans Anunoby, I expect another close back-and-forth affair between these two teams. I do think the 76ers will come up hot, much like they did in Game 1. They’ll be back home, knowing they are a loss away from going down 3-0, and will also know that the Knicks are wounded, missing one of, if not, their best postseason performers.

But this battle-tested Knicks have been like roaches, and I mean that in the most endearing way someone can use that word. Even when they look tired, or out of sorts, or are just not executing well, they have a remarkable tendency to always give themselves a chance. They’ve got the will and the grit that cannot be quantified by counting stats or analytics. And I think that bodes well for them tonight in a game where things may not go their way. But unlike the last time Anunoby missed a postseason game with a hamstring injury, this team also has depth.

McBride, Shamet, Clarkson, Robinson, and even Mo Diawara have all had huge moments for this team this season and have won multiple games. Replacing Anunoby with one player will be impossible. But they might just be able to recreate him in the aggregate (yes, that was a Moneyballreference).

Knicks win: 105–102

Game Details

Who: New York Knicks (2-0) vs Philadelphia 76ers (0-2)
Date: Friday, May 8, 2026
Time: 7:00 PM ET
Place: Xfinity Mobile Arena, Philadelphia, PA
TV: Prime Video
Follow: @ptknicksblog and bsky

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Veteran point guard Marcus Smart served as a finger in the dam for the Los Angeles Lakers when Austin Reaves was out of the lineup. 

Now that Reaves is back and rolling, Smart should be taking a step back in terms of his shooting activity. That hasn’t been the case.

Our Thunder vs. Lakers predictions believe that if L.A. is going to climb out of a 0-2 hole versus the Oklahoma City Thunder, it needs less shooting and more playmaking from Smart.

My NBA picks like Smart to top his assist prop in Game 3.

Thunder vs Lakers Game 3 prediction

Thunder vs Lakers best bet: Marcus Smart Over 3.5 Assists (-115)

When Austin Reaves was out, Marcus Smart filled that scoring role. And when Reaves returned at the end of Round 1, naturally, Smart’s shots slimmed. 

Through two games with the Oklahoma City Thunder, however, Smart is a collective 8 for 28 from the field. He’s not who the Los Angeles Lakers need shooting the ball. 

Rather, the Lakers need Smart to set up Reaves, LeBron James, and Rui Hachimura.

Smart has dished out five and seven assists so far and has recorded four or more dimes in six of eight playoff outings. Yet, his assist total for Game 3 sits at 3.5 O/U.

Saturday's projections lean toward four assists from Smart.

COVERS INTEL: Marcus Smart is actually second on the team in touches in Round 2, ahead of LeBron James. He’s generated 12 dimes from 16 potential assists vs. OKC and is averaging 5.6 assists on 9.8 potential assists per game for the playoffs.

Thunder vs Lakers Game 3 same-game parlay

Game 3 will be just the second time the Thunder have been single-digit favorites in the postseason. Despite covering big piles of chalk at home, OKC didn’t look dominant in those wins. Instead, Oklahoma City slowly drifted away from the Lakers.

Los Angeles’ frustrations are starting to boil over, and we’ve seen OKC crush a much stronger version of this L.A. team at times in the regular season. I like them to cover the modest -8.5 in La-La Land on Saturday.

Chet Holmgren is the MVP for this series. With Shai Gilgeous-Alexander commanding extra attention from Los Angeles’ defense, Holmgren has stepped up with efforts of 22 and 24 points in the opening two games.

The Lakers don’t have the size or versatility to counter the 7-footer, especially when he steps out and knocks down perimeter shots. Chet is projected for 17+ points in Game 3.

Thunder vs Lakers SGP

• Thunder -8.5
• Marcus Smart Over 3.5 assists
• Chet Holmgren Over 16.5 points

Thunder vs Lakers odds for Game 3

• Spread: Thunder -8.5 | Lakers +8.5
• Moneyline: Thunder -390 | Lakers +380
• Over/Under: Over 212 | Under 212

Thunder vs Lakers betting trend to know

The Thunder are a perfect 6-0 SU and ATS versus the Lakers this season and own an 8-1 SU/ATS record against L.A. over the past two years. Find more NBA betting trends for Thunder vs. Lakers.

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