Category: Basketball

The Charlotte Hornets are creating quite the buzz, riding a four-game winning streak heading into tonight’s matchup against the banged-up Dallas Mavericks.

My Hornets vs. Mavericks predictions and NBA picks break down why Buzz City still isn’t getting enough respect in this matchup, set to tip off at the American Airlines Center in Dallas at 8:30 p.m. ET on Thursday, January 29.

Hornets vs Mavericks prediction

Hornets vs Mavericks best bet: Hornets -4.5 (-110)

The Charlotte Hornets have won four in a row and have been playing excellent basketball for the better part of a month, going 7–3 over their last 10 games.

They’re doing it at both ends of the floor, leading the NBA in offensive rating and ranking fourth in defensive rating over that span.

I’m not concerned about Charlotte playing the second half of a back-to-back. The Dallas Mavericks — who rank 27th in offensive rating this season — are in the same spot and are also dealing with a lengthy injury list.

Buzz City wins its fifth straight, covering the spread along the way.

Hornets vs Mavericks same-game parlay

The Hornets are finding success in part because of their balance. All five starters scored double figures in the last game.

On top of that, Brandon Miller is starting to flash his potential. The 23-year-old is averaging 24.8 points per game over his last eight contests, eclipsing 20.5 points seven times during that span.

Another area where the Hornets can exploit the Mavs is on the glass. Dallas is surrendering the fourth-most opponent rebounds per game, so give me Collin Sexton to grab a pair of boards — something he’s done in five of his last seven outings.

Hornets vs Mavericks SGP

• Hornets -4.5
• Brandon Miller Over 20.5 points
• Collin Sexton Over 1.5 rebounds

Our "from downtown" SGP: Blue Devil Bromance

Wouldn't it be fun to watch former Duke teammates go back-and-forth tonight?

Hornets vs Mavericks SGP

• Cooper Flagg Over 18.5 points
• Cooper Flagg Over 5.5 rebounds
• Kon Knueppel Over 16.5 points
• Kon Kneuppel Over 5.5 rebounds

Hornets vs Mavericks odds

• Spread: Hornets -4.5 (-110) | Mavericks +4.5 (-110)
• Moneyline: Hornets -170 | Mavericks +145
• Over/Under: Over 226.5 (-110) | Under 226.5 (-110)

Hornets vs Mavericks betting trend to know

The Hornets have cashed the moneyline in 10 of their last 15 road games (+17.50 Units / 104% ROI). Find more NBA betting trends for Hornets vs. Mavericks.

How to watch Hornets vs Mavericks

Hornets vs Mavericks latest injuries

This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here

The Minnesota Timberwolves have had an ugly January, but much of that consternation would be wiped away with an upset of the Oklahoma City Thunder tonight.

While Minnesota is at a scheduling disadvantage, OKC is a bit shorthanded.

My Thunder vs. Timberwolves predictions see a path for Minnesota’s best player to attack.

Let's break down my NBA picks for Thursday, January 29.

Thunder vs Timberwolves prediction

Thunder vs Timberwolves best bet: Anthony Edwards Over 25.5 points (-125)

Even though Anthony Edwards has been managing some foot pain, he has cleared this prop in three of his last five games.

Frankly, this prop is at least a bucket lower than usual for Edwards, a nod to the Oklahoma City Thunder’s defense. But he has still scored at least 30 points in three of his last six games against OKC and cleared this prop in a fourth.

Edwards often finds things tougher against Alex Caruso, whose disciplined on-ball pressure disrupts drives without sending opponents to the line, a Thunder staple.

But with Caruso ruled out due to a right adductor strain, Edwards should see a few more clear paths to the basket. And a few more clear paths to the basket should get Edwards into a rhythm that should clear 30 points tonight.

Thunder vs Timberwolves same-game parlay

The Minnesota Timberwolves have covered the spread in both meetings against Oklahoma City this season, partly because both those games fell short of their totals.

Thunder vs Timberwolves SGP

• Anthony Edwards Over 25.5 points
• Timberwolves +6.5
• Under 224.5

Our "from downtown" SGP: SGA erratic from the perimeter

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is 1-of-8 from long range in his last three games, part of falling short of this modest prop in 13 of his last 18 games.

Thunder vs Timberwolves SGP

• Anthony Edwards Over 25.5 points
• Timberwolves +6.5
• Under 224.5
• Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Under 1.5 three-pointers

Thunder vs Timberwolves odds

• Spread: Thunder -6.5 | Timberwolves +6.5
• Moneyline: Thunder -240 | Timberwolves +195
• Over/Under: Over 224.5 | Under 224.5

Thunder vs Timberwolves betting trend to know

The Timberwolves are 7-3 against the spread in their last 10 games against the Thunder. Find more NBA betting trends for Thunder vs. Timberwolves.

How to watch Thunder vs Timberwolves

Thunder vs Timberwolves latest injuries

This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here

Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks are on the verge of a breakup after months of intense speculation about his future, and it is the potential move that looms over the entire NBA trade deadline this year. The Bucks are finally listening to offers for the two-time MVP, according to multiple reports, as the team's hopes of being an Eastern Conference contender again dwindle and Antetokounmpo is on the shelf with a calf injury.

Teams are lining up their best assets to try to pry Antetokounmpo away from Milwaukee before the Feb. 4 NBA trade deadline, with front offices willing to part with players and assets not previously mentioned as available with a superstar still in the back-end of his prime on the market. But that could also slow trade talks for other players over the next week, as everybody holds off until Antetokounmpo's situation is resolved. The Bucks also may wait until the offseason to move Antetokounmpo, when draft picks are settled.

It nonetheless adds another layer to this year's NBA trade deadline and the list of notable players who could be on the move keeps growing. What happens in the coming days may shake up the playoff race and, in Antetokounmpo's case, change the trajectory of the only NBA franchise he's called home.

Here's a breakdown of the top candidates potentially available at the 2026 NBA trade deadline and how they rank:

GIANNIS LANDING SPOTS: Best trade partners for Bucks

Other players to monitor: Ochai Agbaji, Jose Alvarado, Lonzo Ball, Nic Claxton, DeMar DeRozan, Ayo Dosunmu, Keon Ellis, Daniel Gafford, Jerami Grant, Jrue Holiday, De'Andre Hunter, Tyus Jones, Kyle Kuzma, Zach LaVine, Naji Marshall, Bennedict Mathurin, Khris Middleton, Malik Monk, Jusuf Nurkic, Immanuel Quickley, Chris Paul, Jakob Poeltl, Jordan Poole, Bobby Portis, Kristaps Porzingis, Collin Sexton, Dennis Schroder, Anfernee Simons, Jeremy Sochan, Nikola Vucevic, Coby White, Guerschon Yabusele

10. Jonathan Kuminga, Golden State Warriors

Golden State's situation at the NBA trade deadline changed when Jimmy Butler suffered a season-ending knee injury, but Kuminga is still a player who could be traded. He filled in well for Butler in one game before suffering his own knee injury that has him currently sidelined. Now, with Antetokounmpo talks heating up, the Warriors are being mentioned as a prime candidate to land the Bucks' superstar. That potential deal would likely include Kuminga's contract, which has a team option for next season.

9. RJ Barrett, Toronto Raptors

The Raptors are reportedly looking to upgrade their roster after a strong start to the 2025-26 season and their No. 3 overall pick from the 2019 NBA Draft could be the piece Toronto is willing to part with to find another player to team with Scottie Barnes and Brandon Ingram. Jakob Poeltl and Ochai Agbaji have also been mentioned as possible trade chips.

8. Domantas Sabonis, Sacramento Kings

Sabonis has returned from a knee injury just as the Kings appear ready to move on from most of the veterans on their roster, including Zach Lavine and DeMar DeRozan. Sabonis is more intriguing because he's younger and more accomplished. But he has two more years left on his contract and serious defensive limitations that have muted his effectiveness in the playoffs. Sabonis is just a year removed from consecutive all-NBA nods and could help a playoff contender with a need at center. A trade involving Barrett has been mentioned as a possibility.

7. Ja Morant, Memphis Grizzlies

The Grizzlies are listening to trade offers for Morant, though it's unclear exactly what his trade value is after several years marred by durability issues, off-court concerns and declining production. Morant indicated publicly he wants to remain in Memphis. He's injured again and unlikely to return before the trade deadline, complicating any potential deal. When properly motivated, the 26-year-old point guard can still impact NBA games in a major way.

6. Tyler Herro, Miami Heat

Herro is having an injury-riddled season, but he was an all-star last season and continues to be an effective offensive threat from multiple levels when he does play. The Heat have long been rumored as a team that would go all-in to get Antetokounmpo if he were made available, and they would certainly part with Herro to get a deal done.

5. Julius Randle, Minnesota Timberwolves

Randle has performed well with the Timberwolves since coming over in the Karl-Anthony Towns trade before the 2024-25 season and agreed to a 3-year, $100-million extension with Minnesota less than a year ago. But like Herro, Randle is on this list now because of recent developments surrounding Antetokounmpo. The Timberwolves are among the teams pursuing the Bucks' star and Randle (and perhaps Naz Reid and/or Jaden McDaniels) would likely have to be part of a potential deal to make it work.

4. Michael Porter, Jr., Brooklyn Nets

Porter has turned into a potential trade-deadline asset after taking on a leading role and producing a career year in Brooklyn following an offseason trade from the Nuggets. Porter's combination of size and shooting would help any contender, much like he did as a role player in Denver during its 2023 NBA title run.

3. Anthony Davis, Dallas Mavericks

Trading Davis is complicated due to his ongoing hand injury, but he could be available for the postseason and remains a dominant two-way player when he's available. His lengthy injury history and contract, with two years and more than $120 million remaining after this season, will limit his options. But he could nonetheless alter the postseason picture if he goes to the right contender.

2. Karl-Anthony Towns, New York Knicks

There have been conflicting reports about Towns' potential availability at the NBA trade deadline over the past week, but Antetokounmpo's status change in Milwaukee means speculation about Towns' future with the Knicks will persist. If New York were to pull off an Antetokounmpo trade ‒ the Knicks reportedly held trade talks with the Bucks this past offseason – Towns would likely be the major salary in the deal. His transition under new Knicks coach Mike Brown hasn't gone as smoothly as hoped.

1. Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks

There is little doubt at this point that Antetokounmpo is the biggest prize at this trade deadline and reports this week suggest he and the team have reached a breaking point after 13 seasons together. But it still remains to be seen if the Bucks can get the kind of haul they want, like a young star and a plethora of first-round picks. The Miami Heat, New York Knicks, Minnesota Timberwolves and Golden State Warriors are considered serious suitors, according to ESPN, but the Bucks might be able to extract more by waiting to trade Antetokounmpo.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: NBA trade deadline power rankings 2026: Ranking best players available

Coming off a disappointing loss to the New Orleans Pelicans, the Spurs took two days off before traveling to Houston to take on the Rockets. What followed was a tale of two halves. The first half consisted of the Rockets shooting the lights out and the Spurs bricking their shots with a side of turnovers. The Spurs trailed by 10 after the first quarter, and trailed by as much as 16 in the second. However, they made a small run to cut the deficit to eight at halftime. The second half flipped the script. The Spurs started to crawl their way back, and Keldon Johnson and Dylan Harper kick-started it. After outscoring the Rockets 30-24 in the third, the Spurs dominated the fourth. They started the quarter on an 11-0 run and shut down Alperen Sengun and Kevin Durant. From the 3:41 mark to 40 seconds remaining, the Rockets could not score. The Spurs outscored them 27-13 in the quarter, and ultimately won 111-99.

Victor Wembanyama led the way with a double-double: 28 points (8-15 FG, 12-15 FT) and 16 rebounds to go along with five blocks, three assists, and two steals. Vic battled with multiple defenders all game. The Rockets were rough and physical, so Wemby drew contact almost every time he touched the ball in the paint. As far as his defense, Wemby showed up and showed out. After not blocking a single shot against the Rockets on the 20th, Wemby swatted five- a truly dominant performance in a rivalry game.

TWO-WAY PLAYER! After Wemby comes up with the steal, Stephon Castle lobs it back to him on the fastbreak, and he posterizes Amen Thompson!

OH MAMAAAAA 🤯 👽

📺 ESPN pic.twitter.com/z1dLN6V30F

— San Antonio Spurs (@spurs) January 29, 2026

Here’s another angle!

⚠️ ENTERING AREA 51 ⚠️

📺 ESPN pic.twitter.com/YdBEpd04Hy

— San Antonio Spurs (@spurs) January 29, 2026

ANOTHER POSTER! After Vic secures the rebound, De’Aaron Fox throws a nice bounce pass to a cutting Vic, who spins for a reverse poster over Josh Okogie!

VICTOR. AGAIN. 😤

📺 ESPN pic.twitter.com/GmB5l1Fi9g

— San Antonio Spurs (@spurs) January 29, 2026

LOCKDOWN DEFENSE! After Castle bodies up Durant, Wemby helps out with a rejection that forces a Rockets shot-clock violation!

Locked down 🔒

📺 ESPN pic.twitter.com/AlvMeOFcn8

— San Antonio Spurs (@spurs) January 29, 2026

De’Aaron Fox dropped 18 points (6-11 FG), eight assists, five rebounds, and a block. After struggling to take care of the ball in the first half, D-Fox’s scoring climbed up as the Spurs inched their way back in the second half. His craftiness allowed him to get into the paint and create easy shots for himself and his teammates. Swipa continues to be the scorer San Antonio needs.

SPLASH! D-Fox fakes out Thompson and then knocks down the open three!

SWIPA FOR THREE 🎯

📺 ESPN pic.twitter.com/z4LvoCL1p3

— San Antonio Spurs (@spurs) January 29, 2026

Keldon Johnson dropped 17 points (8-15 FG), seven rebounds, and five assists. If it wasn’t for KJ’s constant pressure getting the basket, the Spurs might not have completed their comeback. He was fearless posting up players like Sengun in the paint. He continues to be the Spurs’ savior off the bench, and his energy sparked the rest of the team as the comeback was completed. It has been said in almost every Spurs game this season: KJ deserves 6MOTY.

SPIN X2! KJ pulls out the double spin move on Thompson and converts a tough bucket!

KJ with the double spin 🌀🌀

📺 ESPN pic.twitter.com/HjkkcETw9p

— San Antonio Spurs (@spurs) January 29, 2026

KJ DAGGER! As the shot clock dwindled, KJ caught the Rockets falling asleep and slammed home the finishing touch on the game!

KJ THROW IT DOWN 😤

📺 ESPN pic.twitter.com/HyRGub61PZ

— San Antonio Spurs (@spurs) January 29, 2026

Stephon Castle dropped 16 points (7-12 FG), six assists, five rebounds, and two steals. Steph was an absolute game-changer on defense. Mitch Johnson had him guard Durant and Sengun, and he managed to hold his own against two near-seven-footers. His strength and balance are excellent for a second-year guard, and he frustrated the Rockets’ top scorers. Steph also managed to fill up the stat sheet on offense, and he continues to impress.

TOO SLOW! Steph catches Jabari Smith Jr. flat-footed and drives right past him for the easy jam!

Steph comin' through 😤

📺 ESPN pic.twitter.com/aE6mtbaVuC

— San Antonio Spurs (@spurs) January 29, 2026

SPIN AND-ONE! Steph spins off of KD and finishes through contact for the and-one!

TUFFFF 😤

📺 ESPN pic.twitter.com/ptmAzuNgEf

— San Antonio Spurs (@spurs) January 29, 2026

Dylan Harper dropped 16 points (8-11 FG), four rebounds, three assists, and a block. Dyl co-led the comeback team in the third with KJ and made quick work of the Rockets’ defenders in the paint. His confidence continues to grow as he slashes his way into the paint without fear. Games like these remind fans that his potential is limitless, and he will continue to shine off the bench for the silver and black.

A familiar sight! Dyl finds Devin Vassell on the sideline, and he drains the contested three!

D3V 🏹

📺 ESPN pic.twitter.com/kl3iXnTRCX

— San Antonio Spurs (@spurs) January 29, 2026

TOO FAST! Dyl takes it coast to coast, speeds past Reed Sheppard, and finishes over KD!

Rook goes all the way 🚗

📺 ESPN pic.twitter.com/xSAzhZTbpj

— San Antonio Spurs (@spurs) January 29, 2026

DEEP IN HIS BAG! Dyl drives on KD and finishes with the reverse layup off the glass! So smooth!

ROOK BIG TIME BUCKETS 💪

📺 ESPN pic.twitter.com/KpC175g4QA

— San Antonio Spurs (@spurs) January 29, 2026

All in all, this was an inspiring comeback win. After it looked like the Spurs were dead in the water during the second quarter, they continued to claw their way back and buckled down defensively. A key moment in the game came when Mitch decided to let Thompson shoot, and it completely derailed the Rockets’ offense. This is when this team is at its best. They put pressure on defense, and it resulted in key buckets. Defeating a playoff team is never easy, but when the Spurs play like this, they can beat anyone.

Finally, here are the full game highlights.

The Spurs travel to Charlotte this Saturday to take on the Hornets at 2:00 P.M. (CST) on Prime Video/KENS.

Shockwaves were felt across the NBA on Wednesday when ESPN’s Shams Charania reported that the Milwaukee Bucks were, for the first time, genuinely listening to trade offers for Giannis Antetokounmpo. A number of teams have since been linked to the former Finals MVP, with Miami, New York, Minnesota and Golden State emerging as the most frequently mentioned suitors. So far, however, the Sixers have not been connected to the superstar forward.

Jake Fischer and Marc Stein have been closely tracking the developing trade market and recently shed light on Philadelphia’s position. Their reporting suggests the Sixers’ level of interest, or lack thereof, while also offering an intriguing detail about how the situation is unfolding:

“League sources say Philadelphia, furthermore, has not contacted Milwaukee about a possible Antetokounmpo deal in the wake of a better-than-expected first half, but The Stein Line has learned that the prospect of teaming up with Tyrese Maxey — who, like Giannis, works with prominent NBA trainer Drew Hanlen — does have the 76ers on Antetokounmpo’s radar.“

Many will focus on the latter detail in the quote, but the more surprising revelation is that the Sixers have not contacted Milwaukee at all. I’m not arguing that they should trade for Giannis Antetokounmpo, or that it would even make sense. Still, this is Daryl Morey we’re talking about. He’s a known star hunter, the executive who’s always willing to make a call about your best player. The fact that there hasn’t been even a preliminary inquiry is notable and reinforces the idea that the Sixers are operating on a longer timeline, one that likely centers on Tyrese Maxey and VJ Edgecombe.

That said, it’s still interesting that Maxey was mentioned as a potential running mate for Antetokounmpo. That part isn’t much of a surprise, given how seamless the fit would be. Maxey has arguably been the best guard in the Eastern Conference, and Philadelphia would still have flexibility to build around those two. So far, the only other player reported as a possible partner alongside Antetokounmpo is Minnesota’s Anthony Edwards, according to ESPN’s Brian Windhorst.

Despite interest from Antetokounmpo’s side, the path to a Giannis-to-Philadelphia deal is murky at best, which likely explains why the Sixers haven’t shown much interest. For salary-matching purposes alone, Philadelphia would have to include at least one of Paul George or Joel Embiid. Embiid has been playing his best basketball in years, while George, despite some ups and downs, has done a solid job filling gaps on both ends of the floor.

And that’s before factoring in what Milwaukee would almost certainly demand on top of the contracts, likely a significant haul of draft capital and young players. When viewed through that lens, the lack of movement from the Sixers becomes far easier to understand.

Despite the overwhelming odds that nothing ultimately develops between the Sixers and Antetokounmpo, it’s worth noting that he singled out Maxey as one of just two players he’d be interested in playing alongside early in the process. That detail alone makes it difficult to completely dismiss the idea.

Still, unless there’s a significant shift in the Sixers’ stance, this appears more like an interesting footnote than a realistic outcome. For now, Philadelphia seems committed to a longer-term vision, one centered on Maxey and the pieces around him, rather than making a franchise-altering swing for a superstar whose fit, cost and timing don’t quite align.

It’s a great night of hoops action with eight games on the NBA board, highlighted by the defending champs, the Oklahoma City Thunder, heading to Minnesota to take on the Timberwolves.

In a game full of stars, you know I’ve got an NBA player prop pick for that one, plus my other favorite NBA picks for Thursday, January 29.

Best NBA player props today

Prop #1: Kyshawn George Over 6.5 rebounds

-105 at bet365

It’s hard to be one of the worst rebounding teams in the NBA when Giannis Antetokounmpo is on your roster. But the Milwaukee Bucks have figured it out.

Now, Giannis is injured and the subject of many trade rumors. So, I’m fading Milwaukee on the boards even against a team like the Washington Wizards.

Tonight, I’m targeting sophomore Kyshawn George. The 22-year-old is showing some promise, averaging 15.6 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 5.1 assists this season.

He’s got those rebounding numbers up to 8.0 over his last six games, grabbing eight or more four times. His rebounding total is 6.5.

• Time: 7:00 p.m. ET
• Where to watch: Prime Video

Prop #2: Jalen Smith double-double

+185 at bet365

I’m getting greedy by taking Chicago Bulls big man Jalen Smith to go for a double-double in back-to-back games.

Smith is playing the best basketball of his career, averaging 12.3 points and 9.2 rebounds over his last 13 games, which includes six double-doubles over his last 13 games.

Tonight, he faces one of my favorite rebounding fades, the Miami Heat.

The Heat aren’t the worst rebounding team, but their high pace means they take a lot of shots and, in turn, a lot of rebounds. They allow the second-most per game, meaning Smith hauls down enough boards for another double-double.

• Time: 8:00 p.m. ET
• Where to watch: FDSN, CHSN+

Prop #3: Naz Reid Over 2.5 threes

+120 at bet365

The Minnesota Timberwolves aren’t about to let the Oklahoma City Thunder run away with the Western Conference. 

And the T-Wolves are one of the few teams that can outshoot OKC. The trio of Anthony Edwards, Donte DiVincenzo and Naz Reid can take advantage of a shockingly suspect Thunder perimeter defense.

OKC surrenders the fifth-highest three-point shooting percentage and the sixth-most made threes per game.

So tonight, I’m backing Reid. The Timberwolves’ stretch big is scorching, knocking down 45.9% of his threes over the last 10 games and clearing three-plus in seven of those. No reason that trend stops tonight.

• Time: 9:30 p.m. ET
• Where to watch: Prime Video

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

This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here

Cade Cunningham is the high-octane petrol fueling the Detroit Pistons offense.

The point guard is at his best creating for his teammates in the open floor and has dished out double-figure dimes in three of his last four outings. But there’s a speed bump in the way when Detroit visits the Phoenix Suns tonight. 

My Pistons vs. Suns predictions are buying back Cunningham’s inflated assist total against one of the best defenses in the NBA.

Here are my NBA picks for Thursday, January 29.

Pistons vs Suns prediction

Pistons vs Suns best bet: Cade Cunningham Under 9.5 assists (-112)

Cade Cunningham has eclipsed his assist prop total in five of his last seven appearances, including 11 assists against this very same Phoenix Suns squad on January 15.
 
Cunningham was mired in a shooting funk in that matchup, including a 0-for-7 night from 3-point range, but found ways to spark the Detroit Pistons with his passing. 

Player projections for tonight’s trip to the desert aren’t as advantageous when it comes to his assists. Models range from 7.7 to 9.5 dimes, with the majority of those forecasts falling short of the 9.5 O/U. 

And for good reason. The Suns are a Top 10 defense and do an exceptional job putting the brakes on foes who want to push the ball. 

They give up the fourth fewest fast-break buckets and limit those teams to the second-lowest transition points per play. Phoenix also holds opponents to the fourth fewest assists and, more importantly, the sixth lowest assist-to-FGM rate.

The Pistons record the eighth most points per play in transition and sit third in average fast-break points (18.0). Cunningham sets the tempo for that transition attack, but will be forced to play more half-court sets against the Suns.

My number for Cunningham comes out to 8.6 assists Thursday night.

Pistons vs Suns same-game parlay

The Suns have some offensive weapons nursing ailments, but can put the brakes on the Pistons’ fastbreak attack.

Cunningham’s projections call for a downtick in dimes compared to his recent distribution.

Dillon Brooks battles on the boards with models calling for 4.7 rebounds tonight.

Pistons vs Suns SGP

• Under 214.5
• Cade Cunningham Under 9.5 assists
• Dillon Brooks Over 3.5 rebounds

Our "from downtown" SGP: Check engine light

Our game predictions forecast both teams staying short of 210 points.

Cunningham’s projections sit as low as 7.7 assists tonight.

Brooks is averaging more than four rebounds this month, with the Suns' backcourt running thin.

Royce O’Neale is forecasted for double figures with a busy night beyond the arc.

Pistons vs Suns SGP

• Under 214.5
• Cade Cunningham Under 9.5 assists
• Dillon Brooks Over 3.5 rebounds
• Royce O’Neale Over 9.5 points

Pistons vs Suns odds

• Spread: Pistons -4.5 | Suns +4.5
• Moneyline: Pistons -185 | Suns +155
• Over/Under: Over 214.5 | Under 214.5

Pistons vs Suns betting trend to know

Detroit has produced a 5-9 Over/Under count in non-conference games this season. Find more NBA betting trends for Pistons vs. Suns.

How to watch Pistons vs Suns

Pistons vs Suns latest injuries

This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here

Hawks forward Onyeka Okongwu has some serious dental work in his future after taking an elbow to the face during Atlanta’s 117-106 win over the Boston Celtics Wednesday.

Taking to his Instagram Story after the game, Okongwu shared a photo of his bloodied mouth and some of his front teeth, which appeared pushed back and knocked out of place.

“Good winssss birdsss,” Okongwu wrote.

Okongwu caught an elbow in the mouth from Celtics guard Jaylen Brown, who was trying split a double-team from Okongwu and Hawks guard Dyson Daniels during the fourth quarter.

Brown was assessed a flagrant 1 offensive foul.

Okongwu went over to the bench and then jogged back onto the court to shoot his two free throws.

Jaylen Brown’s elbow DESTROYED Okongwu’s right side of his mouth pic.twitter.com/zJJq9aI2Vs

— Logion Noops (@LogionNoops) January 29, 2026

He made one to give the Hawks a 107-92 lead over Boston.

After the game, Brown explained that his elbow to Okongwu’s face “wasn’t intentional,” and sympathized with him over the injury.

“Just being aggressive like I always am,” Brown said. “Just a basketball play. It’s unfortunate. Okongwu is a good player.

“I know from my own experiences with a fractured face and chipped teeth, that s–t is a hassle. It wasn’t intentional, and I know it’s going to be a long day at the dentist tomorrow, so hopefully he has a good recovery.”

It’s unclear if Okongwu, who’s only missed two of the Hawks’ games this season, will miss time for dental work.

“I mean, he’s tough,” Hawks head coach Quin Snyder said after the game. “He took quite a shot. It’s a good thing that dentistry as a profession is — I don’t know what he’s going to need, but he’s pretty banged up. He took quite a shot.

“I told him he’s still handsome, but it’s a good thing that people can repair his teeth, because he’s going to need some work.”

Okongwu finished with 17 points, six rebounds and three assists.

I was tired before this game even started. I had just spent two straight days in 10 hours of meetings, and I was mentally done. It was my department’s annual meeting at work, and usually it’s a “destination” event. Sometimes it’s in San Antonio — yes to that! It’s my hometown, an easy drive from Houston, and the Riverwalk rocks. It’s been in Dallas before (no fun — longer drive and an uninteresting city in my opinion), but this year, it was going to be in Florida! (Fun, plus I haven’t been there since I was four years old!)

Regardless of where, it’s supposed to be anywhere but Houston since over half my department is here, with the rest scattered around the eastern half of the country, and the goal is to have everyone together where there’s dinner and bonding afterwards while no one can slip out and go home. It’s tiring, but I enjoy the bonding part of it (at least dinner, I’m not part of the crowd that goes drinking until 2AM just to be suffering through the next day of meetings).

However, for budgetary reasons, Florida got canceled, and the meeting was here in our downtown Houston office, with all the remote folks on conference call. Without being in a hotel, there was still the commute to and from work, making the day even longer, and I didn’t get to see coworkers from around the country whom I talk to often but am lucky to see in-person once a year. And for the cherry on top, this was the third year in a row the meeting was impacted by a winter storm, which ended up canceling Monday’s events and jamming everything into Tuesday and Wednesday. In other words, it was just two super long work days with the only plus being free breakfast and lunch.

After all that, an 8:30 Spurs-Rockets tip-off felt even more brutal than usual. Compound that with a horrible first 20+ minutes of action where the Spurs looked completely helpless — it felt like they weren’t even trying while the Rockets were slicing right through their defense on their way to a 16-point lead with 3:22 left in the first half — and I was ready to write a cranky WWL this morning. Longtime Pounders probably know I’m usually an optimist and try not to be too critical (they’re young, this is Mitch Johnson’s first full season as a head coach, give him a chance, etc.), but I wasn’t having it last night. Not after they showed a similarly atrocious effort in a home loss to the Pelicans a few days ago, and not after this issue with complacency and inconsistency has been going on for over a month now.

This was what I had to say while texting with Jeje Gomez and Jacob Douglas during the first half, right after a slew of Rockets offensive rebounds (including one where the ball bounced between three Spurs who were just watching before a Rockets player who was outside the play grabbed it) and careless backcourt turnovers: “I can give them (the Spurs) a grace period for stuff like shooting slumps, but poor effort and complacency is unforgivable. How many more ‘wake up call’ games do the need (before they get the memo)?”

Apparently, my superpower is the reverse jinx, because not long after that, they figured something out. They got more physical, stopped being careless with the ball, and started getting stops and rebounds. I was personally shocked that they were still in the game and only down by eight at the break, and in a reverse from last week’s game in Houston, the team that started hot fell off a cliff in the second half, especially the fourth quarter, and by then the Spurs were running over them so badly that even Kevin Durant was about to throw a fit.

The Spurs got Kevin Durant IN HELL pic.twitter.com/HQx4s0Z5DD

— Hater Report (@HaterReport_) January 29, 2026

This is what we expect to see from this team: physical, hungry and determined. The second half brought me joy the same way the first half brought me frustration, and it turned this entire WWL on its head. Was this finally the wakeup call they will take to heart, or are we destined to be frustrated again if a Charlotte Hornets team currently playing well above its record catches them off guard on an early Saturday tip-off? We’ll find out then, but in the meantime, I’ll relish the win against a rival that I already saw as a scheduled loss, which seemed even more likely after 21 minutes of play.

Takeaways

• Just like this game and the Spurs as a whole, it was a tale of (almost) two halves for Stephon Castle. For the first 21 minutes, he was the frustrating version of himself: sporadic on defense, indecisive on offense, and leaving everyone clamoring for him to just let De’Aaron Fox have the ball-handling duties. Then, like everyone else, he flipped a switch and was the best version of himself by the second half. He guarded and annoyed the Rockets best players, from Kevin Durant to Alperen Sengun, and contributed on offense by not trying to do too much, simply taking the lanes the defense gave him and finishing at the rim. As he showed last night, he’s a game changer for the Spurs when everything is clicking, and now we just need to see it on a more consistent basis.
• I was ready to give Victor Wembanyama an equally hard time on here while watching the first half. He was passive and looked frustrated on both ends, which has been a common theme for him against physical teams like the Rockets. But perhaps my biggest concern was watching him get manhandled by the similarly slender Durant. Granted, Durant is a bit thicker with 4 extra pounds to cover at last 5 fewer inches (I still say Wemby is closer to 7’7” than 7’4”, but whatever), but he’s still 15 years older. While he’s still a very good player at age 37, he should not be pushing Wemby around on his way to the basket or preventing Wemby from doing the same on the other end. Fortunately, Wemby figured that out in the second half and picked up: attacking everyone on defense, blocking shots, and muscling his way to the rim for shots or free throws. To both Wemby and Castle: more of this, please.
• Our Editor-in-Chief J.R. Wilco has told me he feels the same way, but I have a passionate sports hate for Sengun, and I’m not even going to pretend like I don’t know why. I’m sure he is a great guy off the court, but man, I can’t stand watching him play basketball. He flops too much for such a big dude, he’s a Luka Doncic-level whiner with the same whiney face and “I’ve never committed a foul in my life but am fouled every time I touch the ball” attitude, and his body language is terrible. He’s an All-Star level player that I’m sure we would love if he was a Spur — we all know the mistake the Spurs made in drafting you-know-who ahead of him in 2021 — but ultimately, I’m glad he’s not. I just don’t like him, and it’s only compounded by him being on a direct rival.

Why are we talking about trade rumors? How many of these articles…

Oops. Sorry. Thought I was in the comments section.

Look. It’s trade season. There will be trades. There will be trade discussions. If you’re someone who gets irrationally furious at the mere mention of an NBA trade (a surprisingly common cohort), the internet is not for you. Go to the park.

If you’re still here, let’s take a look at some Houston Rockets trade rumors.

Coby White

We’re mostly talking about guards here, for obvious reasons.

Whether those reasons are obvious to Ime Udoka is a different question.

To us laymen, it sure looks like Houston needs a player who can handle the ball. It ought to be someone who also has at least a semblance of off-ball value. The Rockets don’t need to revolutionize their offense by bringing in a ball-dominant star. Alperen Sengun is doing well with playmaking reps, and both Amen Thompson and Reed Sheppard are making progress throughout the season.

White would suffice. He’d make the offense more dynamic. He’s averaging 19.0 points and 4.7 assists per game this year, and shooting 37.0% from long-range.

There are complications. White’s on an expiring deal. The Rockets would likely be looking at flipping Dorian Finney-Smith’s nearly identical contract and a heavily-protected first-rounder for a potential rental. It doesn’t feel like Stone’s style.

Let’s look at some lower-risk moves.

Jose Alvarado

Here’s the conundrum: lower risk means lower reward. Spoiler: The other guards on this list would not be certain to usurp Aaron Holiday in the rotation.

Although it wouldn’t be absurd to prefer Alvarado’s statistical profile. He’s averaging 12.9 points, 5.2 assists, and 1.6 steals per 75 possessions to Holiday’s 15.9, 2.7, and 1.1. Alvarado (-2.2) has a marginally better Box Plus/Minus than Holiday (-2.6). He may be the better player.

Does he move the needle enough to be worth doing – well, anything? That’s a different question. If Alvarado can be had for a couple of second-round picks, the juice should be worth the squeeze, but parting with anything substantial would be a mistake.

On that note…

Chris Paul

The Clippers have to trade Paul. They won’t get anything valuable in exchange for the right to roster him for the second half of the last season of his career. The Rockets could send Jeff Green, and unless the Clippers are including Paul in a larger deal elsewhere, they’d have to accept that deal.

So, for the Rockets, the question becomes three-pronged: Will they play Paul, do they want his voice in the locker room over Uncle Jeff’s, and will they play him enough to justify making that deal if not?

It seems like Paul began to grate on the Clippers. He’s always been prickly. It shouldn’t have shocked anyone if he wasn’t able to co-exist with James Harden.

…

Personality-wise, it feels like he’d be a better fit in Houston. There’s no coddling under the Ime Udoka regime. If Paul is cussing Reed Sheppard out for overhelping on defense, Udoka is likely to nod in agreement.

Still, there are basketball realities to consider. Paul averaged 7.7 points, 8.7 assists, and 1.8 steals per 75 possessions in 16 games for the Clippers. This is a man who can no longer score at an NBA level, as evidenced by Paul’s 41.3 True Shooting % (TS%) during that stretch. It’s hard to think of the right adjective for that number. Horrifying? Yes. Paul’s efficiency this year should make you feel horrified.

Still, as Sigmund Freud said, sometimes a 16-game stretch is just a 16-game stretch. If Paul even just caught fire from beyond the arc at the right time for Houston, he could change their season. He’s still evidently haunted by nightmares where he makes the wrong read in the pick-and-roll. Paul can still orchestrate an offense as well as anyone.

Honestly, I don’t know. Maybe? That’s where I stand on any of these. An emphatic maybe.

Here comes a stronger opinion…

Another Big

Here’s what I initially wrote:

No!

No, no, no. One more no: No. Wait, that’s two more no’s. Nooooooo!

On the buyout market? Sure. Where is Nerlens Noel? Isn’t it time for his annual half-season of NBA basketball?

Trading for a big man would be comically absurd. If the deadline comes, and the Rockets acquire Yves Missi at nearly the same price the Timberwolves pay for Coby White…

Well, I’ll write an article about it.

That was before the Adams injury. Hopefully, the big man rests up well and is back on the floor as soon as possible, but there may be an opportunity here.

I’ll cede some ground: Get a stretch big. Adding another non-shooting big – so, not Missi – would still be senseless. The double big lineups have been lacklustre this year. Now that we’re tinkering, let’s try something new. Someone like Andre Drummond (yes, he shoots now), Bobby Portis, or Zach Collins would be good. Just know that if the Rockets get a non-shooting big…

I will write an article about it.

A 60-second tribute video honoring LeBron James has become routine over the past eight years whenever he returns to Cleveland, the city where his NBA journey began.

But Wednesday night at Rocket Arena was different – and it felt that way long before James’s Los Angeles Lakers fell 129-99 to the Cavaliers in a nationally televised game.

For the first time, James struggled to contain his emotions.

As his name was announced during pregame introductions, the crowd rose in a thunderous standing ovation that lingered longer than usual. Minutes later, during the game’s first break, the tribute video played on the jumbo screen hanging above the court. James remained seated on the Lakers’ bench, watching intently along with nearly 20,000 fans who understood they were witnessing something more than a routine return.

The video featured a montage of historic moments from James’s Cavaliers career, highlighted by his unforgettable performance in Game 5 of the 2007 Eastern Conference Finals – when he scored 25 consecutive points, capped by a game-winning layup against the Detroit Pistons. It was the night that first cemented James not only as a superstar, but as Cleveland’s own.

Several times Wednesday night, James lowered his head and wiped away tears with the inside of his jersey. He later reached for a paper towel, dabbing his eyes before the game resumed.

“The moment they put up [the tribute video], the Detroit game, looking up in the rafters and I saw our championship banner [from Cleveland’s 2016 NBA title] … it was a lot of reflection,” James said after the game. “Being present in the moment. It got to me a little bit for sure. I was super thankful.”

On Wednesday, James finished with 11 points, five assists and six turnovers – his worst performance in his return games – but the stat line was secondary to the night’s emotion.

Now in his 23rd NBA season since he was drafted No 1 overall by the Cavaliers in 2003, James’s Hall of Fame résumé includes being the league’s all-time leading scorer, four championships with three different teams, countless playoff moments and nearly every significant individual milestone the league has to offer. Yet as the finish line slowly comes into view, whenever that may be, moments like Wednesday carry deeper meaning. This may have been the final time James played an NBA game in the city where it all began.

Related: Welcome to Duncanville: why the road to the NBA runs through Dallas

“Because it could be [my last season]. I haven’t made a decision on the future, but it very well could be [my final game in Cleveland],” James said. “No matter if it’s here or in Washington playing in our next game, or in the Barclays on this road trip. Obviously, it means more here for me personally because I grew up 35 miles south of here.”

What made the night feel different wasn’t the tribute itself – the Cavaliers have done this many times before – but the collective awareness inside the building. This didn’t feel like a reunion tour stop. It felt like a pause. A moment when a city and its greatest athlete quietly acknowledged, without saying it out loud, that there may not be many of these nights left.

The ovation lingered. Fans stayed on their feet. Some recorded on their phones. Others simply watched. Cleveland no longer demanded anything from James. The city was offering gratitude.

The emotions extended well beyond the court. The night was even more meaningful because James was able to share it with his son and teammate, Bronny, along with several family members watching from a suite.

“It was pretty cool just sitting over there and watching [Bronny] continue to live out his dream,” James said. “My mom was here watching her son and her grandson. I don’t even know how to wrap that all into one in my brain. It’s so weird and so cool and so surreal.”

Bronny, who scored eight points in the loss, felt the weight of the moment himself. As in his game at Rocket Arena last season, the crowd erupted when he entered the game and cheered loudly after his fourth-quarter dunk. It was a symbolic passing of time inside the same building where his father once ruled the league.

“Very nostalgic to be here,” Bronny said. “I was here pretty much every day as a kid, so it feels good to be out here. I was almost emotional myself. Being home is another feeling. It’s crazy to come back and have so much love. It got him. It almost got me.”

James’s mother, Gloria James, was also reflective. She has been present for nearly every step of her son’s career, from his earliest NBA games to the moment he lifted Cleveland’s first championship banner in 2016.

“I don’t get as emotional as I used to, but I did a little,” Gloria James told the Guardian. “I’ve been there from day one, every single game he’s played in the NBA. Thinking about all of those years and being here tonight – it’s memorable and awesome.”

For those who know James best, the emotion wasn’t surprising.

Chris Dennis, once a James family adviser, said the reaction inside the arena reflected how intertwined James’s story is with Cleveland’s identity.

“They were hyped when LeBron came back into the game after the video, because the fans are a part of who he is,” said Dennis, who is managing partner of Tribute Sports. “A lot of those fans grew up watching LeBron. When you grow up with a dude that represented your city, you’re going to show that love.”

Dennis said the moment hit harder because James understands, even if he hasn’t said so publicly, that time is no longer on his side.

“I’m not basing this on anything I’ve heard,” Dennis said. “But he knows he’s toward the end of his career. It’s harder for him to prepare for games. It’s not easy for a 41-year-old to get ready and play at this level every night.”

Planning for the end is new to James, whose career for most of its duration centered on what he would accomplish next. Now, the question lingers quietly in the background: what comes after?

Several paths remain. James, who spoke before the game about mapping out offseason golf plans, could retire. He could re-sign with the Lakers. Or, in a storybook ending, he could return once more to Cleveland.

Only James knows which direction he will choose.

“The question gets asked more, and the thought creeps into my mind more at 41 years old,” James said. “Of when the end is and where the finish line is when it comes to hanging this thing up. I’m in a battle with Father Time, and I’m taking it personally – seeing how many times I can be victorious over him. But I won’t be one of those guys who won’t be able to walk off the court. That’s for sure.”

On Wednesday night, near the Lakers’ locker room after the game, James gathered with family members, including his mother, surrounded by love, memories, and reflection – not knowing if it would be the last time in this arena.

Time will tell.

This won’t help Charles Barkley re-enter Michael Jordan’s good graces.

Barkley called out NBC for its controversial Michael Jordan usage during its NBA coverage, with one interview being splintered into different segments to be used throughout the season instead of regular chats with the legendary player that some expected for the format.

“It’s a bad look for NBC and it’s just a bad look, plain and simple,” Barkley said on SiriusXM Radio on Wednesday, according to Awful Announcing.

“They couldn’t fly to Michael like once a month and do a new interview? That makes NBC look really bad, plain and simple.”

Many NBA fans loved the idea that Jordan — who can be reclusive — agreed to contribute to the new “NBA on NBC” coverage in its return to the air, hoping to regularly here his takes on the league.

NBC stated Jordan would be a “special contributor.”

Barkley, who had a falling out with Jordan due to critical comments about his Charlotte ownership, said in May that he was “shocked” to learn of Jordan’s decision, but added that he did not expect a ton from him.

Well, it turns out the Round Mound of Rebound had the right idea.

The special contribution from Jordan consisted of one sit-down interview with Mike Tirico that has been cut into different clips for his “MJ: Insights to Excellence” segment.

Instead of Jordan touching on the topics of the day, such as Giannis Antetokounmpo asking out of Milwaukee, the interviews are focused on broader topics.

“I was excited. We need Michael Jordan affiliated with the NBA, but now you see this thing coming out with NBC and you’re like, ‘Wait, y’all did one interview like five months ago and y’all gonna sprinkle it throughout the season?’ Come on, man,” Barkley said. “That’s disingenuous by NBC. That’s crazy, man. I’m so disappointed at the way that worked out.”

Tirico recently addressed the pushback against the segments, focusing on the positives while noting there are no plans yet for a second interview.

“Was it what everyone wanted? Probably not,” Tirico said on the “SI Media with Jimmy Traina” podcast earlier this month. “Was it better than not hearing from Michael Jordan? You’re damn right it was. And if we get another shot at it, will I be more than excited to be a part of it? You betcha. In our world right now, all you want to do is make the final answer before you know everything. I love that Michael trusted us enough to sit and do something that he hasn’t done in a long, long, long time.”

As Barkley criticizes NBC, he’s also expressed some frustration with his new bosses at ESPN over the lack of usage of his “Inside the NBA” show in its transition after exiting TNT.