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Knicks vs. Cavaliers Predictions: Odds, expert picks, recent stats, trends and best bets for April 2

It’s Wednesday, April 2, and the New York Knicks (48-27) and Cleveland Cavaliers (60-15) are all set to square off from Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Cleveland.

The Knicks are currently 22-15 on the road with a point differential of 4, while the Cavaliers have an 8-2 record in their last ten games at home. Cleveland has won both meetings versus New York by six and 37 points.

New York is on a three-game winning streak and is 5-1 over the last six games, including a 14-point win over the 76ers last night. Cleveland is 4-1 over the past five games and coming off a five-point win over the Clippers on Sunday.

We’ve got all the info and analysis you need to know ahead of the game, including the latest info on how to catch tipoff, odds, recent team performance, player stats, and of course, our predictions, picks & best bets for the game from our modeling tools and staff of experts.

Listen to the Rotoworld Basketball Show for the latest fantasy player news, waiver claims, roster advice and more from our experts all season long. Click here or download it wherever you get your podcasts.

Game details & how to watch Knicks vs. Cavaliers live today

  • Date: Wednesday, April 2, 2025
  • Time: 7:00PM EST
  • Site: Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse
  • City: Cleveland, OH
  • Network/Streaming: ESPN

Never miss a second of the action and stay up to date with all the latest team stats and player news. Check out our day-by-day NBA schedule page, along with detailed matchup pages that update live in-game.

Game odds for Knicks vs. Cavaliers

The latest odds as of Wednesday:

  • Odds: Knicks (+404), Cavaliers (-549)
  • Spread:  Cavaliers -10.5
  • Over/Under: 230 points

That gives the Knicks an implied team point total of 113.96, and the Cavaliers 119.44.

Want to know which sportsbook is offering the best lines for every game on the NBA calendar? Check out the NBC Sports’ Live Odds tool to get all the latest updated info from DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM & more!

Expert picks & predictions for Wednesday’s Knicks vs. Cavaliers game

NBC Sports Bet Best Bet

Vaughn Dalzell (@VmoneySports) leans the Cavs on the spread and Mobley Over his stocks prop:

"The Knicks playing last night as -14 point favorites then turning around and being 10-point underdogs is not ideal. The Knicks are not full strength and it'll be a tough task to hang with the Cavs. Evan Mobley is coming off a three-block game and had four combined blocks and steals in the previous meeting versus New York, plus three blocks in the first meeting. If you get +100 or better on his Over 2.5 blocks and steals prop, that's another lean of mine as he continues to build his Defensive Player of the Year campaign."

Please bet responsibly. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline at 1-800-522-4700.

Our model calculates projections around each moneyline, spread and over/under bet for every game on the NBA calendar based on data points like recent performance, head-to-head player matchups, trends information and projected game totals.

Once the model is finished running, we put its projections next to the latest betting lines for the game to arrive at a relative confidence level for each wager.

Here are the best bets our model is projecting for today’s Knicks & Cavaliers game:

  • Moneyline: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the Cleveland Cavaliers on the Moneyline.
  • Spread: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play ATS on the New York Knicks at +10.5.
  • Total: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play on the under on the Game Total of 230.

Want even more NBA best bets and predictions from our expert staff & tools? Check out the Expert NBA Predictions page from NBC Sports for money line, spread and over/under picks for every game on today’s calendar!

Important stats, trends & insights to know ahead of Knicks vs. Cavaliers on Wednesday

  • The Cavaliers have won 12 of their last 14 games when having a two-day rest advantage
  • The Over is 20-17 in the Knicks' road games this season
  • The Cavaliers have covered in 11 of their 17 matches against Eastern Conference Atlantic Division teams this season
  • The Cavaliers have won 12 of their last 15 home games but could be pushed by a New York Knicks outfit who head to the Rocket Arena following five wins in their last six.

If you’re looking for more key trends and stats around the spread, moneyline and total for every single game on the schedule today, check out our NBA Top Trends tool on NBC Sports!

Follow our experts on socials to keep up with all the latest content from the staff:

- Jay Croucher (@croucherJD)

- Drew Dinsick (@whale_capper)

- Vaughn Dalzell (@VmoneySports)

- Brad Thomas (@MrBradThomas)

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Hawks vs. Mavericks Predictions: Odds, recent stats, trends, and best bets for April 2

Atlanta Hawks vs. Dallas Mavericks Preview 

The Atlanta Hawks (36-39) and Dallas Mavericks (37-39) are all set to square off from American Airlines Center in Dallas.

The Hawks are coming off an embarrassing home loss to the Portland Trail Blazers last night. They must turn around and play on the road against the Mavericks.

 The Hawks are currently 17-20 on the road with a point differential of -2, while the Mavericks have a 4-6 record in their last ten games at home. 

We’ve got all the info and analysis you need to know ahead of the game, including the latest info on the how to catch tipoff, odds, recent team performance, player stats, and of course, our predictions, picks & best bets for the game from our modeling tools and staff of experts.

Listen to the Rotoworld Basketball Show for the latest fantasy player news, waiver claims, roster advice and more from our experts all season long. Click here or download it wherever you get your podcasts.

Game details & how to watch Hawks vs. Mavericks live today

  • Date: Wednesday, April 2, 2025
  • Time: 8:30PM EST
  • Site: American Airlines Center
  • City: Dallas, TX
  • Network/Streaming:

Never miss a second of the action and stay up to date with all the latest team stats and player news. Check out our day-by-day NBA schedule page, along with detailed matchup pages that update live in-game.

Game odds for Hawks vs. Mavericks

The latest odds as of Wednesday:

  • Odds: Hawks (+140), Mavericks (-165)
  • Spread:  Mavericks -4
  • Over/Under: 237 points

That gives the Hawks an implied team point total of 117.67, and the Mavericks 119.75.
 
Want to know which sportsbook is offering the best lines for every game on the NBA calendar? Check out the NBC Sports’ Live Odds tool to get all the latest updated info from DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM & more!

Expert picks & predictions for Wednesday's Hawks vs. Mavericks game

NBC Sports Bet Best Bet

Please bet responsibly. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline at 1-800-522-4700.
 
Our model calculates projections around each moneyline, spread and over/under bet for every game on the NBA calendar based on data points like recent performance, head-to-head player matchups, trends information and projected game totals.

Once the model is finished running, we put its projections next to the latest betting lines for the game to arrive at a relative confidence level for each wager.

Here are the best bets our model is projecting for today’s Hawks & Mavericks game:

  • Moneyline: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the Dallas Mavericks on the Moneyline.
  • Spread: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play ATS on the Atlanta Hawks at +4.
  • Total: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play on the under on the Game Total of 237.

Want even more NBA best bets and predictions from our expert staff & tools? Check out the Expert NBA Predictions page from NBC Sports for money line, spread and over/under picks for every game on today’s calendar!

Important stats, trends & insights to know ahead of Hawks vs. Mavericks on Wednesday

  • The Mavericks have lost 4 of their last 5 home games
  • 7 of the Hawks' last 8 road games have gone over the Total
  • The Hawks have covered the spread in 4 of their last 5 games against teams with better records
  • The Mavericks have won 4 of their last 5 matchups against Eastern Conference Southeast Division teams

 
If you’re looking for more key trends and stats around the spread, moneyline and total for every single game on the schedule today, check out our NBA Top Trends tool on NBC Sports!
 
Bet the Edge is your source for all things sports betting. Get all of Jay Croucher and Drew Dinsick’s insight weekdays at 6AM ET right here or wherever you get your favorite podcasts. 
 
Follow our experts on socials to keep up with all the latest content from the staff: 
- Jay Croucher (@croucherJD)
- Drew Dinsick (@whale_capper) 
- Vaughn Dalzell (@VmoneySports) 
- Brad Thomas (@MrBradThomas)

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Pistons vs. Thunder Predictions: Odds, recent stats, trends and, best bets for April 2

Detroit Pistons vs. Oklahoma City Thunder Preview 

The Detroit Pistons (42-33) and Oklahoma City Thunder (63-12) are all set to square off from Paycom Center in Oklahoma City.

The Pistons are having a great season. They are fifth in the Eastern Conference and just a few wins away from clinching a playoff berth. They have won six of their last 10 games and will be playing in the playoffs for the first time since the 2018-2019 season.

The Thunder have the best record in the NBA and continue to roll. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is on his way to his first league MVP.

The Pistons are currently 21-17 on the road with a point differential of 2, while the Thunder have a 8-2 record in their last ten games at home. 

We’ve got all the info and analysis you need to know ahead of the game, including the latest info on the how to catch tipoff, odds, recent team performance, player stats, and of course, our predictions, picks & best bets for the game from our modeling tools and staff of experts.

Listen to the Rotoworld Basketball Show for the latest fantasy player news, waiver claims, roster advice and more from our experts all season long. Click here or download it wherever you get your podcasts.

Game details & how to watch Pistons vs. Thunder live today

  • Date: Wednesday, April 2, 2025
  • Time: 9:30PM EST
  • Site: Paycom Center
  • City: Oklahoma City, OK
  • Network/Streaming:

Never miss a second of the action and stay up to date with all the latest team stats and player news. Check out our day-by-day NBA schedule page, along with detailed matchup pages that update live in-game.

Game odds for Pistons vs. Thunder

The latest odds as of Wednesday:

  • Odds: Pistons (+715), Thunder (-1136)
  • Spread:  Thunder -14.5
  • Over/Under: 231 points

That gives the Pistons an implied team point total of 114.61, and the Thunder 122.16.
 
Want to know which sportsbook is offering the best lines for every game on the NBA calendar? Check out the NBC Sports’ Live Odds tool to get all the latest updated info from DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM & more!

Expert picks & predictions for Wednesday's Pistons vs. Thunder game

NBC Sports Bet Best Bet

Please bet responsibly. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline at 1-800-522-4700.

Brad Thomas (@MrBradThomas) is leaning towards Thunder -13…

Thomas: “The Thunder get to play the shorthanded Pistons at home. They have covered in five straight, and continue to be the best team in the NBA. Without Cade Cunningham, the Pistons have an uphill battle just to cover the spread.”

Our model calculates projections around each moneyline, spread and over/under bet for every game on the NBA calendar based on data points like recent performance, head-to-head player matchups, trends information and projected game totals.

Once the model is finished running, we put its projections next to the latest betting lines for the game to arrive at a relative confidence level for each wager.

Here are the best bets our model is projecting for today’s Pistons & Thunder game:

  • Moneyline: NBC Sports Bet is staying away from a play on the Moneyline.
  • Spread: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play ATS on the Detroit Pistons at +14.5.
  • Total: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play on the under on the Game Total of 231.

Want even more NBA best bets and predictions from our expert staff & tools? Check out the Expert NBA Predictions page from NBC Sports for money line, spread and over/under picks for every game on today’s calendar!

Important stats, trends & insights to know ahead of Pistons vs. Thunder on Wednesday

  • The Thunder have won 5 straight home games
  • 6 of the Pistons' last 8 matchups with the Thunder have stayed under the Total
  • The Pistons have covered in 23 of their 38 road games this season
  • The Thunder have won 17 of their last 20 games at home

 
If you’re looking for more key trends and stats around the spread, moneyline and total for every single game on the schedule today, check out our NBA Top Trends tool on NBC Sports!
 
Bet the Edge is your source for all things sports betting. Get all of Jay Croucher and Drew Dinsick’s insight weekdays at 6AM ET right here or wherever you get your favorite podcasts. 
 
Follow our experts on socials to keep up with all the latest content from the staff: 
- Jay Croucher (@croucherJD)
- Drew Dinsick (@whale_capper) 
- Vaughn Dalzell (@VmoneySports) 
- Brad Thomas (@MrBradThomas)

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Embiid to undergo arthroscopic surgery on knee, Sixers say

Embiid to undergo arthroscopic surgery on knee, Sixers say originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

Joel Embiid has decided on his next step.

The Sixers released the following statement Wednesday on their star center, who was ruled out for the season on Feb. 28 because of persistent left knee problems:

“Following consultations with medical experts, it has been determined that Joel Embiid will undergo arthroscopic surgery next week to address his left knee. Further updates will be provided following the procedure.”

ESPN’s Shams Charania reported Embiid “will be re-evaluated in six weeks and is expected to make a full recovery.”

Embiid had been considering treatment options. Sixers head coach Nick Nurse recently said that the team’s vice president of athlete care, Simon Rice, was also a key part of those conversations with doctors.

Embiid publicly indicated multiple times this season that non-surgical approaches were not working and his knee continued to bother him. He ultimately played in just 19 games for the injury-riddled Sixers, who have fallen far out of playoff contention.

“I wish I could play every game,” Embiid said on Feb. 4. “My goal is to be available and play every game. Whatever God decides, from that point on, I can’t control it. I can only control what I can do every single day, what I should focus on, what keeps me on the floor. And whatever happens, happens.

“I don’t really worry about how many games I’m going to play, how much I’m going to be available. The goal is to be available every single night and if God wants it to happen, good. If he doesn’t, back to the drawing board.”

The Sixers went 8-11 in his appearances and Embiid averaged 23.8 points, 8.2 rebounds and 4.5 assists. For the most part, he did not come close to reaching the MVP contender level he’d grown accustomed to over the prior four seasons.

“The way I was playing a year ago is not the way I’m playing right now and it sucks,” Embiid said on Feb. 20. “But I believe I probably need to fix the problem and I’ll be back at that level. But it’s hard to have the trust when you’re not yourself.

“I’m not as dominant as I was a couple months ago, but that doesn’t mean I still can’t have a lot of impact on the game. … But my dominant self, I’ll get there. It’s just tough because you know you can do so much more. There’s no excuses; it’s just the way it is. Just got to keep finding ways to figure it out and get better.”

Last February, Embiid underwent surgery on his left lateral meniscus. He returned for the end of the regular season and the playoffs, then played in the Paris Olympics and earned a gold medal with Team USA. 

He missed the beginning of the 2024-25 regular season. The Sixers started horrendously and never truly recovered. They’ve used an NBA-record 52 different starting lineups and are 23-53 overall. 

Along with Embiid, Paul George (adductor and left knee injuries), Jared McCain (left lateral meniscus surgery) and Eric Gordon (right wrist surgery) have been ruled out for the remainder of the year. Tyrese Maxey hasn’t played since March 3 because of a right finger sprain. 

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Joel Embiid to undergo arthroscopic surgery on knee, Sixers say

Joel Embiid to undergo arthroscopic surgery on knee, Sixers say originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston

Joel Embiid has decided on his next step.

The Sixers released the following statement Wednesday on their star center, who was ruled out for the season on Feb. 28 because of persistent left knee problems:

“Following consultations with medical experts, it has been determined that Joel Embiid will undergo arthroscopic surgery next week to address his left knee. Further updates will be provided following the procedure.”

ESPN’s Shams Charania reported Embiid “will be re-evaluated in six weeks and is expected to make a full recovery.”

Embiid had been considering treatment options. Sixers head coach Nick Nurse recently said that the team’s vice president of athlete care, Simon Rice, was also a key part of those conversations with doctors.

Embiid publicly indicated multiple times this season that non-surgical approaches were not working and his knee continued to bother him. He ultimately played in just 19 games for the injury-riddled Sixers, who have fallen far out of playoff contention.

“I wish I could play every game,” Embiid said on Feb. 4. “My goal is to be available and play every game. Whatever God decides, from that point on, I can’t control it. I can only control what I can do every single day, what I should focus on, what keeps me on the floor. And whatever happens, happens.

“I don’t really worry about how many games I’m going to play, how much I’m going to be available. The goal is to be available every single night and if God wants it to happen, good. If he doesn’t, back to the drawing board.”

The Sixers went 8-11 in his appearances and Embiid averaged 23.8 points, 8.2 rebounds and 4.5 assists. For the most part, he did not come close to reaching the MVP contender level he’d grown accustomed to over the prior four seasons.

“The way I was playing a year ago is not the way I’m playing right now and it sucks,” Embiid said on Feb. 20. “But I believe I probably need to fix the problem and I’ll be back at that level. But it’s hard to have the trust when you’re not yourself.

“I’m not as dominant as I was a couple months ago, but that doesn’t mean I still can’t have a lot of impact on the game. … But my dominant self, I’ll get there. It’s just tough because you know you can do so much more. There’s no excuses; it’s just the way it is. Just got to keep finding ways to figure it out and get better.”

Last February, Embiid underwent surgery on his left lateral meniscus. He returned for the end of the regular season and the playoffs, then played in the Paris Olympics and earned a gold medal with Team USA. 

He missed the beginning of the 2024-25 regular season. The Sixers started horrendously and never truly recovered. They’ve used an NBA-record 52 different starting lineups and are 23-53 overall. 

Along with Embiid, Paul George (adductor and left knee injuries), Jared McCain (left lateral meniscus surgery) and Eric Gordon (right wrist surgery) have been ruled out for the remainder of the year. Tyrese Maxey hasn’t played since March 3 because of a right finger sprain. 

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Former Knicks star Carmelo Anthony elected to Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame Class of 2025: report

Carmelo Anthony is a first-ballot Hall of Famer.

According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, Anthony has been notified that he’s been elected to the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame Class of 2025.

Anthony, who played parts of seven seasons with the Knicks, was a 10-time All-Star who ended up playing 19 seasons in the NBA with six different teams. He finished his career 10th on the NBA’s all-time scoring list with 28,289 points.

Acquired by the Knicks during the 2010-11 season in a blockbuster trade with the Denver Nuggets, Anthony helped the Knicks get back to the playoffs that season for the first time since 2003-04.

The peak of Anthony’s time in New York was the 2012-13 season, when the Knicks won 54 regular season games and advanced to the Eastern Conference Semifinals for the first time since 1999-2000.

In 412 regular season games as a Knick, Anthony averaged 24.7 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 3.2 assists per game.

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Jazz vs. Rockets Predictions: Odds, recent stats, trends and best bets for April 2

Utah Jazz vs. Houston Rockets Preview 

The Utah Jazz (16-60) and Houston Rockets (49-27) are all set to square off from Toyota Center in Houston.

The Jazz will be without Lauri Markkanen for at least seven days. He’s been ruled out due to injury.
The Rockets are coming off a loss on Monday against the Los Angeles Lakers. Before that loss, the Rockets had won three straight.

The Jazz are currently 7-30 on the road with a point differential of -9, while the Rockets have a 8-2 record in their last ten games at home. 

We’ve got all the info and analysis you need to know ahead of the game, including the latest info on the how to catch tipoff, odds, recent team performance, player stats, and of course, our predictions, picks & best bets for the game from our modeling tools and staff of experts.

Listen to the Rotoworld Basketball Show for the latest fantasy player news, waiver claims, roster advice and more from our experts all season long. Click here or download it wherever you get your podcasts.

Game details & how to watch Jazz vs. Rockets live today

  • Date: Wednesday, April 2, 2025
  • Time: 8:00PM EST
  • Site: Toyota Center
  • City: Houston, TX
  • Network/Streaming:

Never miss a second of the action and stay up to date with all the latest team stats and player news. Check out our day-by-day NBA schedule page, along with detailed matchup pages that update live in-game.

Game odds for Jazz vs. Rockets

The latest odds as of Wednesday:

  • Odds: Jazz (+1058), Rockets (-2083)
  • Spread:  Rockets -17.5
  • Over/Under: 225 points

That gives the Jazz an implied team point total of 111.74, and the Rockets 120.85.
 
Want to know which sportsbook is offering the best lines for every game on the NBA calendar? Check out the NBC Sports’ Live Odds tool to get all the latest updated info from DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM & more!

Expert picks & predictions for Wednesday's Jazz vs. Rockets game

NBC Sports Bet Best Bet

Please bet responsibly. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline at 1-800-522-4700.

 Brad Thomas (@MrBradThomas) is betting on Johnny Juzang over 8.5 points…

Thomas: “With the Jazz shorthanded and a spread of 16.5, Juzang could see extended minutes in this contest.”

Our model calculates projections around each moneyline, spread and over/under bet for every game on the NBA calendar based on data points like recent performance, head-to-head player matchups, trends information and projected game totals.

Once the model is finished running, we put its projections next to the latest betting lines for the game to arrive at a relative confidence level for each wager.

Here are the best bets our model is projecting for today’s Jazz & Rockets game:

  • Moneyline: NBC Sports Bet is staying away from a play on the Moneyline.
  • Spread: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play ATS on the Utah Jazz at +17.5.
  • Total: NBC Sports Bet is staying away from a play on the Game Total of 225.

Want even more NBA best bets and predictions from our expert staff & tools? Check out the Expert NBA Predictions page from NBC Sports for money line, spread and over/under picks for every game on today’s calendar!
Important stats, trends & insights to know ahead of Jazz vs. Rockets on Wednesday

  • The Jazz have lost 6 games in a row
  • The Under is 5-0 in the Jazz's last 5 road games
  • The Rockets are 40-36 against the spread this season
  • The Jazz's last 5 road games have stayed under the Total

 
If you’re looking for more key trends and stats around the spread, moneyline and total for every single game on the schedule today, check out our NBA Top Trends tool on NBC Sports!
 
Bet the Edge is your source for all things sports betting. Get all of Jay Croucher and Drew Dinsick’s insight weekdays at 6AM ET right here or wherever you get your favorite podcasts. 
 
Follow our experts on socials to keep up with all the latest content from the staff: 
- Jay Croucher (@croucherJD)
- Drew Dinsick (@whale_capper) 
- Vaughn Dalzell (@VmoneySports) 
- Brad Thomas (@MrBradThomas)

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Arenas admits watching Steph's 50-burger over son's All-American game

Arenas admits watching Steph's 50-burger over son's All-American game originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

Warriors superstar Steph Curry’s 50-burger caught everyone’s attention on Tuesday night.

One admirer was retried three-time NBA All-Star and former Golden State guard Gilbert Arenas. He spent his evening watching his son and USC commit Alijah play in the 2025 McDonald’s All-American Game at Barclays Center, but admitted his mind partially was elsewhere.

“I’m here at [2025 McDonald’s All-American Game] watching, everybody’s here, but (inaudible) all that,” Arenas said in a video shared to his X account. “Steph. Fifty-two. Fifty-two, eight and 10. Oh my God. Unreal. Ugh. I’m out here watching high school basketball; I know it’s the top 24, but they’re not Steph. They’re not out here being Steph – I mean, maybe combined. But 52 … congratulations, man.”

Who can blame Arenas?

For the All-American game’s West squad, Alijah finished with a formidable 11 points on 4-for-9 shooting from the field; but, sorry kid, you played on the same night as Curry.

In the Warriors’ 134-125 win over the Memphis Grizzlies at FedExForum, the four-time NBA champion finished with 52 points – on 16-of-31 shooting from the field, 12 of 20 on 3-point shots and 8 of 8 on free throws – with 10 rebounds, eight assists, five steals and one block.

Arenas couldn’t help but monitor Curry’s night. He also begged Golden State’s No. 30 to throw on the Los Angeles Lakers’ purple and gold, in what would be a universe Dub Nation, among others, couldn’t fathom.

“Listen, come on to the Lake Show so I can put you [as the] all-time GOAT,” Arenas pleaded. “I’ll put you in front of [Michael] Jordan for sure. For sure. Just put that Lakers jersey on … please. But congratulations, sir. Amazing.”

Don’t fret, though; Arenas made sure his son was recognized and was up front and center in supporting him at the All-American game and on his social media accounts.

Download and follow the Dubs Talk Podcast

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Steph, Jokić make unreal NBA history together in Tuesday's games

Steph, Jokić make unreal NBA history together in Tuesday's games originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

Warriors superstar Steph Curry and big-time Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokić had quite the Tuesday night.

In fact, the pair had two of the NBA’s best regular-season performances of the 2020s.

What a Tuesday it was.

In the Warriors’ 134-125 win over the Memphis Grizzlies at FedExForum, Curry scored 52 points – on 16-for-31 shooting from the field, 12-for-20 on 3-point shots and 8-for-8 on free throws – with 10 rebounds, eight assists, five steals and one block. He finished as a game-high plus-17 and entered halftime with 32 points, eight triples, seven rebounds, five assists and two steals.

It was Curry’s second 50-point game of the 2024-25 NBA season, as he scored 56 on Feb. 3 in Golden State’s 121-115 win over the Orlando Magic, and the 16th of his 16-year career (including his victorious 50 points against the Sacramento Kings in Game 7 of the 2023 Western Conference opening playoff round).

Jokić, meanwhile, reached the 60s.

In the Nuggets’ 140-139 double-overtime loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves, Jokić posted 61 points – on 18-for-29 shooting from the field, 6-for-11 on triples and 19-for-24 from the charity stripe – with 10 rebounds, 10 assists and a pair of steals.

Jokić’s 61 points were the most any player scored in a game during the 2024-25 season and were the most scored in a triple-double in league history. It also was Jokić’s second 50-point game of the season, as he scored 56 on Dec. 7 in a 122-113 loss to the Washington Wizards, and the fourth of his 10-year career (including his unvictorious 53 points against the Phoenix Suns in Game 4 of the 2023 West semifinals).

Curry and Jokić, two future first-ballot Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Famers, have two of the most stacked résumés in NBA history.

Tuesday, though, will forever be remembered as the day the pair each had 50-plus points, 10-plus rebounds, eight-plus assists and five-plus triples. After all, It isn’t too often fans get to see two superstars have career games on the same night.

Download and follow the Dubs Talk Podcast

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NBA futures betting 2025: Odds, expert picks, predictions including JB Bickerstaff for COY

We're nearing the end of the regular season and a few NBA awards are heating up like Coach of the Year as Cleveland's Kenny Atkinson and Detroit's JB Bickerstaff. Let's take a look at the best bet between the two with less than a dozen games remaining.

We’ve got all the info and analysis you need to know ahead of the game, including the latest info on how to catch tipoff, odds, recent team performance, player stats, and of course, our predictions, picks & best bets for the game from our modeling tools and staff of experts.

Listen to the Rotoworld Basketball Show for the latest fantasy player news, waiver claims, roster advice and more from our experts all season long. Click here or download it wherever you get your podcasts.

Coach of the Year: JB Bickerstaff (+210)

Kenny Atkinson's main argument for the Coach of the Year award was boasting the NBA's best record when the Thunder or Celtics were expected to, but now that Oklahoma City owns the league's best record, what is Atkinson's argument? Best in the East? 60-plus wins? I am not sure that will be enough compared to Bickerstaff's argument.

The Pistons were expected to make the play-in by some experts, but the majority of the public expected Detroit to be out of the playoffs and tanking at this point. To Bickerstaff and his players' credit, Detroit is the No. 5 seed at 42-33 (2.0 games back from No. 4) and continues to win with its best player, Cade Cunningham sidelined over the last four games (3-1 record and beat the Cavs).

Since January 1st, the Pistons rank second in defensive efficiency behind the Thunder (Cavs are 14th), eighth in offensive rating (Cavs are second), the third-best defensive rebounding percentage (Cavs are 10th), top six in blocks and steals per game, third in opponent points in the paint, and are tied for the fifth-most wins (28-15 record). Granted, the Cavaliers are 31-11 since the new year, Detroit continues to impress and hang with the best of the best with grit and great defense.

Cleveland had a win total of 47.5 entering the season, ranking tied for the 10th-highest, while Detroit's was 22.5, tied for the second-lowest with Washington (16-59) and Portland (33-43), only ahead of Brooklyn (21.5, 25-51) The Pistons are going to double their expected win total this season, while the rest of those teams are planning trips to Cancun.

At +180 to +210, I think the value on Bickerstaff for COY was still disappearing, so I say get involved now.

Pick: JB Bickerstaff to win Coach of the Year (2u)

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Joel Embiid to undergo arthroscopic surgery on knee, Sixers say

Joel Embiid to undergo arthroscopic surgery on knee, Sixers say originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

Joel Embiid has decided on his next step.

The Sixers released the following statement Wednesday on their star center, who was ruled out for the season on Feb. 28 because of persistent left knee problems:

“Following consultations with medical experts, it has been determined that Joel Embiid will undergo arthroscopic surgery next week to address his left knee. Further updates will be provided following the procedure.”

ESPN’s Shams Charania reported Embiid “will be re-evaluated in six weeks and is expected to make a full recovery.”

Embiid had been considering treatment options. Sixers head coach Nick Nurse recently said that the team’s vice president of athlete care, Simon Rice, was also a key part of those conversations with doctors.

Embiid publicly indicated multiple times this season that non-surgical approaches were not working and his knee continued to bother him. He ultimately played in just 19 games for the injury-riddled Sixers, who have fallen far out of playoff contention.

“I wish I could play every game,” Embiid said on Feb. 4. “My goal is to be available and play every game. Whatever God decides, from that point on, I can’t control it. I can only control what I can do every single day, what I should focus on, what keeps me on the floor. And whatever happens, happens.

“I don’t really worry about how many games I’m going to play, how much I’m going to be available. The goal is to be available every single night and if God wants it to happen, good. If he doesn’t, back to the drawing board.”

The Sixers went 8-11 in his appearances and Embiid averaged 23.8 points, 8.2 rebounds and 4.5 assists. For the most part, he did not come close to reaching the MVP contender level he’d grown accustomed to over the prior four seasons.

“The way I was playing a year ago is not the way I’m playing right now and it sucks,” Embiid said on Feb. 20. “But I believe I probably need to fix the problem and I’ll be back at that level. But it’s hard to have the trust when you’re not yourself.

“I’m not as dominant as I was a couple months ago, but that doesn’t mean I still can’t have a lot of impact on the game. … But my dominant self, I’ll get there. It’s just tough because you know you can do so much more. There’s no excuses; it’s just the way it is. Just got to keep finding ways to figure it out and get better.”

Last February, Embiid underwent surgery on his left lateral meniscus. He returned for the end of the regular season and the playoffs, then played in the Paris Olympics and earned a gold medal with Team USA. 

He missed the beginning of the 2024-25 regular season. The Sixers started horrendously and never truly recovered. They’ve used an NBA-record 52 different starting lineups and are 23-53 overall. 

Along with Embiid, Paul George (adductor and left knee injuries), Jared McCain (left lateral meniscus surgery) and Eric Gordon (right wrist surgery) have been ruled out for the remainder of the year. Tyrese Maxey hasn’t played since March 3 because of a right finger sprain. 

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Kerr half-jokingly reveals Steph's secret to 52-point Warriors game

Kerr half-jokingly reveals Steph's secret to 52-point Warriors game originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

Steph Curry appeared rejuvenated on the floor Tuesday night as he erupted for 52 points and 12 3-pointers in the Warriors’ 134-125 win over the Memphis Grizzlies at FedExForum.

But what sparked the star point guard’s scoring onslaught? Golden State coach Steve Kerr revealed after the game that it was Curry’s other favorite sport — along with a week off due to injury — that might have had him feeling refreshed before the pivotal Western Conference matchup.

“I think it helped,” Kerr told reporters of Curry’s recent break. “And I think two rounds of golf on this road trip helped. Yeah — I’m only half joking, you know. But yeah, the week off was helpful for him. I think he looks recharged, rejuvenated.”

Curry was relegated to the sidelines for the Warriors’ losses to the Atlanta Hawks and Miami Heat on March 22 and 25, respectively, after suffering a pelvic contusion in Golden State’s 117-114 win over the Toronto Raptors. The 37-year-old has worn protective tailbone padding since his return on March 28 against the New Orleans Pelicans, and it certainly didn’t hinder him in Tuesday’s win.

Some time on the golf course appears to have served Curry well, too, as the 2023 American Century Championship victor got some swings in when he rejoined the Warriors on their road trip last week.

In Tuesday’s game, Curry again came close to breaking former Warriors teammate Klay Thompson’s single-game 3-point record. And even though he didn’t eclipse his fellow Splash Bro’s mark of 14, his coach still was impressed.

“The guy is 37 years old,” Kerr said. “It’s incredible. Fifty-two points, with people draped all over him, all game long. The conditioning, the skill, the audacity, the belief. It’s just incredible to watch Steph at work. I can’t believe he’s still doing this at this age, but he’s put the work in, and he’s still got it.”

Another night, another Curry performance for the ages. But it’s clear Kerr wanted to credit Curry’s work — and relaxation — on the golf course in addition to his effort on the court.

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