LIVIGNO, Italy (AP) — Chloe Kim and Eileen Gu, two Olympic standouts who have faced their share of hate over the years, each weighed in Monday on Donald Trump's bashing of their friend, American freeskier Hunter Hess, for having said he didn't back the U.S. president's heightened crackdown on immigrants.
“I think in moments like these, it is really important for us to unite and kind of stand up for one another for all that’s going on," said Kim, the two-time Olympic gold medalist whose parents are South Korean immigrants and who has faced racism throughout her career for her Asian heritage.
Gu, the American-born freeskier who competes for China, said after her silver-medal win in slopestyle that she had been in touch with Hess, who told her she was one of the few people who could relate to what he's going through.
“As someone who’s been caught in the crossfire before, I feel sorry for the athletes,” said Gu, who was born in San Francisco and whose decision to compete for China turned her into a lightning rod.
Hess drew Trump’s ire when he was asked by reporters to give his views on the immigration crackdown that has claimed the lives of two protestors in Minnesota and disrupted thousands of lives of immigrants and U.S. citizens. Hess answered: “Just because I’m wearing the flag doesn’t mean I represent everything that’s going on in the U.S.”
The next day, Trump lashed out at Hess on his Truth Social account, calling him “a real Loser” and saying he would be hard pressed to root for him at the Games. Hess's friends — snowboarders and freeskiers competing this week in Livigno — were asked for their reaction.
“My parents being immigrants from Korea, this one definitely hits pretty close to home,” said Kim, who begins defense of her title Wednesday.
"I’m really proud to represent the United States,” she said. “The U.S. has given my family and I so much opportunity, but I also think that we are allowed to voice our opinions of what’s going that we need to lead with love and compassion.”
Other American snowboarders spoke out for diversity and the right of expression.
“I think there are a lot of different opinions in the U.S. right now. Obviously we’re very divided,” snowboarder Bea Kim said. “I personally am very proud to represent the United States. That being said, I think diversity is what makes us a very strong country and what makes that so special.”
Teammate Maddie Mastro added: “I’m also saddened with what’s happening at home."
“It’s really tough and I feel like we can’t turn a blind eye to that. But at the same time, I represent a country that has the same values as mine of kindness and compassion. And we come together in times of injustice,” Mastro said.
Gu called it “an unwinnable press war” for Hess and lamented the fact that the controversy could be a distraction for the athletes, and overshadow the beauty of the biggest event in winter sports.
“I’m sorry that the headline that is eclipsing the Olympics has to be something so ... unrelated to the spirit of the Games," she said. "It really runs contrary to everything that the Olympics should be.”
A wild week in men’s college basketball produced considerable shuffling in the updated USA TODAY Sports Top 25 coaches poll. The changes didn’t quite reach the very top, but that could change soon.
Arizona will spend at least one more week as the No. 1 team. The Wildcats received 30 of 31 first-place votes, but their perfect record will be on the line immediately as they visit surging Kansas in a Big Monday showdown. Michigan solidifies its hold on the No. 2 spot this week, even picking up a No.-1 vote.
The rest of the top 10 looks different, with several of Arizona’s fellow Big 12 contenders leading the charge. Houston makes the biggest move forward among the contenders, vaulting all the way from No. 8 to No. 3 after defeating Brigham Young. Iowa State is back up to No. 4. Kansas, as mentioned, is also on the move climbing to No. 9.
Connecticut slips a couple of positions to No. 5 after its Friday night loss at No. 17 St. John’s ended a run of 18 consecutive wins, and Duke also falls two places to No. 6 after Saturday’s last-second setback at No. 13 North Carolina. Illinois drops just one spot to No. 7 after its loss at No. 10 Michigan State, and Nebraska is back up a notch to No. 8. Gonzaga tumbles to No. 11 after its midweek loss at Portland but remains ahead of No. 12 Purdue.
Defending national champion Florida, back on top of the SEC standings, is also on the rise checking in at No. 14 this week. Iowa nudges back into the poll at No. 25 as Texas A&M drops out.
The Bottom 2 teams in the Western Conference will face off on Monday night as the New Orleans Pelicans host the Sacramento Kings.
While both teams have struggled to win games this year, New Orleans has been the better team in recent weeks, and I’m taking it to cover in my Kings vs. Pelicans predictions below.
Read on to see which bets I like for this matchup in my free NBA picks for Monday, February 9.
Kings vs Pelicans prediction
Kings vs Pelicans best bet: Pelicans -7.5 (-115)
When breaking down a game between two teams with very little motivation to win that are both sitting at the bottom of the standings, it’s often worth considering which side has been showing some signs of life. It’s clear the New Orleans Pelicans have been the better squad in recent weeks.
The Sacramento Kings are on the verge of setting a franchise record for most consecutive losses. They come into tonight’s game riding a 12-game losing streak and are playing with a roster that has often leaned on younger players with Keegan Murray, Malik Monk, Zach LaVine, and Domantas Sabonis missing time.
Most of those players are out again tonight, with Sabonis listed as questionable.
New Orleans is offering up the best version of their lineup right now. Zion Williamson (21.6 ppg) is healthy, and his presence and physicality always cause trouble for opponents when he’s able to take the court. He makes a solid pairing with Trey Murphy III (22.2 ppg).
New Orleans is 4-4 SU in its last eight games, and while that’s hardly setting the world on fire, it’s a bit of proof that this is a legitimate NBA team when healthy.
Kings vs Pelicans same-game parlay
The Pelicans have hit the Under in five of their last seven games, while Sacramento has come in Under on tonight’s total in five of its last seven contests.
Murphy has scored Over 22.5 points in each of his last three games.
Kings vs Pelicans SGP
Pelicans -7.5
Under 231
Trey Murphy III Over 22.5 points
Our "from downtown" SGP: Derik from deep
Derik Queen appears to have fallen in love with the 3-pointer lately. The center has hit at least one in three of his last four games, and went 4-for-4 from deep against the Timberwolves on Friday.
Kings vs Pelicans SGP
Pelicans -7.5
Under 231
Trey Murphy III Over 22.5 points
Derik Queen Over 0.5 made threes
Kings vs Pelicans odds
Spread: Kings +7.5 | Pelicans -7.5
Moneyline: Kings +250 | Pelicans -310
Over/Under: Over 231 | Under 231
Kings vs Pelicans betting trend to know
The Pelicans are 5-3 ATS in their last eight overall. Find more NBA betting trends for Kings vs. Pelicans.
How to watch Kings vs Pelicans
Location
Smoothie King Center, New Orleans, LA
Date
Monday, February 9, 2026
Tip-off
8:00 p.m. ET
TV
NBC Sports California, GCSEN
Kings vs Pelicans latest injuries
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Durant and Hakeem trade notes on post work, precision, and obsession, revealing how greatness lives in basketball’s smallest details in the latest Boardroom Talks.
The exchange unfolds less like an interview and more like a private gym conversation that just happens to have microphones on. Kevin Durant isn’t there to be praised, and Hakeem Olajuwon isn’t there to reminisce. They’re trading notes in the kind of dialogue that only makes sense when two players have lived inside the same details for decades.
Durant sets the tone by admitting he recently spent nearly 40 minutes watching nothing but post work, possession after possession, all the mid-post touches, face-ups, and subtle angles. It wasn’t about highlights or ego. It was about feeling the rhythm again, letting the movements reset his mind. Olajuwon immediately meets him there, talking not in generalities but in specifics: positioning, how ground is gained before the move even starts, how strength shows up in ways the eye doesn’t always catch.
From there, the conversation turns collaborative. Leverage. Timing. Durant nods along because he’s felt it himself. Olajuwon pushes the idea further, reinforcing that innovation doesn’t come from flash but from understanding when and how to apply force. Size and position matter less than precision.
There’s humility threaded throughout. Durant openly critiques himself, admitting he sometimes stands too upright, that his spin can be slow, that he knows exactly where the improvement is waiting. Olajuwon doesn’t posture or lecture. He offers small corrections, the kind only someone who mastered the craft can give. Less talk about highlights, more about the invisible details — the pounding dribble, the balance, the moment when the defender’s weight shifts just enough.
By the end, the conversation feels like a bridge between eras. Olajuwon represents the blueprint of post dominance; Durant is the evolution, stretching those principles across positions and body types no one once imagined could live there. What connects them is obsession. The willingness to watch, steal, tweak, and refine.
Two generations, one shared truth: Greatness is built in the details most people never notice. Be sure to catch the full conversation here.
DETROIT, MICHIGAN - FEBRUARY 06: Daniss Jenkins #24 of the Detroit Pistons celebrates against the New York Knicks during the third quarter at Little Caesars Arena on February 06, 2026 in Detroit, Michigan. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Nic Antaya/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Detroit Pistons travel to the Bible Belt to take on the hottest team in the NBA. The Charlotte Hornets are winners of nine in a row, and they’ve been more than an exciting young core. They’re figuring it out.
The Pistons wear you out with defensive pressure and intensity, while the Charlotte Hornets zoom up and down the floor with an elite offense. With Charlotte’s recent surge and the Chicago Bulls and Milwaukee Bucks slipping, Pistons-Hornets is a legit potential first-round matchup. Sign me up for that.
Game Vitals
When: 7:00 p.m. ET
Where: Spectrum Center, Charlotte, North Carolina
How: FanDuel Sports Network Detroit
Odds: Pistons -3
Analysis
The Pistons have been the best team in the East all year, but Charlotte dominated January. The Hornets had a league high 11 wins, the best net rating (11.5), the best offensive rating (121.1), and the fifth best defensive rating (109.6). That’s not a cute team; that’s a group one has to take seriously.
LaMelo Ball, Brandon Miller, and Kon Knueppel are the team’s foundation. Ball is known for why’d-he-shoot-that shots and lackadaisical defense, but he’s running the show on this winner. Those insane one-legged shot attempts are there, but he’s contributing to winning basketball.
Miller has the potential to be a perennial top 20 scorer. He’s smooth overall and can be vicious when attacking the basket. Knueppel is the easy rookie of the year front-runner in most seasons. His efficiency and shotmaking as a rookie aren’t normal. The way he attacks off the bounce and defends on the other end shouldn’t go under the radar. Knueppel is a complete player with limited holes.
Those are the three this thing in Charlotte starts with. Compare that to three of Detroit’s young core, and you’ll see Detroit still has the upper hand.
Cade Cunningham and Jalen Duren (probable) are both All-Stars. Ausar Thompson will more than likely get some league honors under his belt after this season. Those three are as good as it gets as an under-25 trio. Add Ron Holland (out, personal) to the mix, and that’s a fantastic four that front offices would kill to have at their disposal.
Duren is a man amongst boys, but he needs to be ready to go in a matchup against Moussa Diabaté. Per Basketball-Reference, Diabaté is second in the league with a 17 percent offensive rebound percentage. Duren is actually third at 15 percent. Diabaté isn’t the rebounder Duren is overall, but he’s an energy bunny who doesn’t quit on the O glass. He’s the cherry on top of this Hornets roster. Charlotte is 15-8 when he starts this season.
Daniss Jenkins isn’t quite Detroit’s cherry on top, but he’s one of the X-factors who can swing a game. Jenkins is arguably the best two-way player story the league has seen. Congrats to him on getting a new contract. Detroit is going to need his shotmaking, creation for others, and his grit as we inch closer to the postseason.
How can you not love his post-game comments after the Knicks game? That massive chip on his shoulder fits right into Detroit’s contagious culture.
Every game moving forward is another opportunity for Kevin Heurter to get more comfortable in his new environment. Tonight wouldn’t be a bad time for him to find his spark because the Hornets let it fly!
Charlotte shoots the fourth most 3s in the association, and they make the 3rd most. Volume plus efficiency is the name of the game for the Hornets. We know that’s not Detroit’s forte, but they strangle teams defensively. This is the best Pistons defense since their early 2000’s run that featured the best modern-day defense.
If Detroit stays put at No. 1 in the East, I think this is a likely playoff matchup. The Hornets are the 10th seed and would need to win two play-in games on the road to secure the eighth seed if the postseason started today.
I’d favor Charlotte over any team in the East play-in. Orlando, Miami, and Atlanta aren’t as consistent as Charlotte. Orlando has more top-end talent, but the Hornets are on a string, and the roster has bought in.
If it is Pistons-Hornets in the first round, then Detroit wouldn’t have any “easy” matchups. The Hornets have shown they won’t be a cakewalk in any one-off game. The nature of the playoffs can change that when schemes get more tailored to the opponent, but Detroit taking Charlotte out of what they do would be a testament to their great team defense.
PHOENIX, ARIZONA - FEBRUARY 07: Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers reacts after a three pointer against the Phoenix Suns during the second half at Mortgage Matchup Center on February 07, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Chris Coduto/Getty Images) | Getty Images
It’s been a weird week. An underwhelming trade deadline overlapped with what’s already been a successful West Coast swing. The Sixers are 3-1 — and could very easily be 4-0 — during this slate as they take on the Portland Trail Blazers Monday night. They’ll return home to play the red-hot New York Knicks Wednesday and then it’s time for the All-Star break.
So, how are you feeling now? Joel Embiid is looking more and more like Joel Embiid. Tyrese Maxey is still playing at a high level. Trendon Watford appears to emerging more and more as a solid bench piece. The main guys are still playing a ton of minutes, but it seems like Nick Nurse is mostly hitting the right buttons.
Hit me with your thoughts and questions in the comments.
Looking for some bench scoring, the Milwaukee Bucks have signed free agent guard Cam Thomas for the remainder of the season, the team has announced.
The Brooklyn Nets had waived Thomas on Thursday after he was not traded at the deadline. Thomas had wanted to be waived so he could pick his next team, and explained to Marc Spears of ESPN’s Andscape why he chose Milwaukee.
"I picked Milwaukee because they wanted me and they told me they've been interested for years now. So, it's good to have this opportunity come to fruition. And I'm just hoping to meet everybody, get to know everybody and contribute as soon as possible."
He signed a veteran minimum deal for the rest of the season. In 24 games with Brooklyn (he missed time due to a hamstring strain), Thomas averaged 15.6 points and 3.1 assists per game. In that, Thomas had a few high-scoring nights, including three 30-point games and a season-high 41-point performance against San Antonio. Thomas is an old-school volume scorer who puts up points but hasn't been efficient doing that this season, shooting 39.9% overall and 32.5% from 3-point range.
Tonight’s matchup between the Oklahoma City Thunder (40–13) and the Los Angeles Lakers (32–19) features two teams sitting atop their respective divisions but forced to suit up tonight minus their leaders. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (abdomen) will miss his third straight game for OKC while the Lakers will be minus Luka Doncic for the second straight game.
The Lakers won their third in a row with a 105-99 victory at home against Golden State. LeBron James led Los Angeles with 20 points and 10 rebounds with Luka sidelined. Austin Reaves chipped in with 16 points and eight assists off the bench.
The Thunder has struggled minus the MVP SGA, losing their second in a row Saturday at home to the Rockets, 112-106. Cason Wallace led Oklahoma City with 23 points in the loss. The good news for OKC is the expected return of Jalen Williams (hamstring) to the lineup tonight.
These teams met on November 12 in Oklahoma City and the Thunder stomped the Lakers, 121-92 in the first of four regular season meetings. Following tonight’s game, they are slated to meet April 2 in OKC and April 7 in Los Angeles.
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 courtesy of DraftKings recent team performance, player stats, and of course, our predictions, picks best bets for the game from our modeling tools and staff of experts.
After 24 years, the NBA is back on NBC and Peacock, combining the nostalgia of an iconic era with the innovative future of basketball coverage. The NBA on NBC YouTube channel delivers fans must-see highlights, analysis, and exclusive and unique content.
Game Details and How to Watch Live: Thunder at Lakers
Rotoworld has you covered with all the latest NBA Player News for all 30 teams. Check out the feed page right here on NBC Sports for headlines, injuries and transactions where you can filter by league, team, positions and news type!
Game Odds: Thunder at Lakers
The latest odds as of Monday courtesy of DraftKings:
Moneyline: Oklahoma City Thunder (-258), Los Angeles Lakers (+210)
Spread: Thunder -6.5
Total: 223.5 points
This game opened Thunder -5.5 with the Total set at 220.5.
Be sure to check out DraftKings for all the latest game odds & player props for every matchup this week on the NBA schedule!
Expected Starting Lineups: Thunder at Lakers
Oklahoma City Thunder
PG Cason Wallace
SG Luguentz Dort
SF Jalen Williams
PF Chet Holmgren
C Isaiah Hartenstein
Los Angeles Lakers
PG Marcus Smart
SG Jake LaRavia
SF Rui Hachimura
PF LeBron James
C Deandre Ayton
Injury Report: Thunder at Lakers
Oklahoma City Thunder
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (abdomen) has been declared OUT for tonight’s game
Nikola Topic (cancer) has been declared OUT for tonight’s game
Ajay Mitchell (abdomen) has been declared OUT for tonight’s game
Los Angeles Lakers
Luka Doncic (hamstring) has been declared OUT for tonight’s game
Deandre Ayton (knee) is listed as probable for tonight’s game
Important stats, trends and insights: Thunder at Lakers
The Thunder are 18-7 on the road this season
The Lakers are 14-8 at home this season
The Thunder are 25-28 ATS this season
The Lakers are 29-22 ATS this season
The OVER has cashed in 28 of the Lakers’ 51 games this season (28-23)
The OVER has cashed in 27 of the Thunder’s 53 games this season (27-26)
Jared McCain scored 5 points (1-3 from 3-point range) in 14 minutes in his debut with the Thunder Saturday
Chet Holmgren is averaging 15.7ppg and 9.3 rebounds through 3 games in February
Austin Reaves is averaging 22ppg through 3 games in February
Luke Kennard scored 10 points in 26 minutes in his debut with the Lakers Saturday
Rotoworld 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 tonight’s Thunder and Lakers’ game:
Moneyline: Rotoworld Bet is staying away from a play on the Moneyline
Spread: Rotoworld Bet is recommending a play on the Thunder -6.5 ATS
Total: Rotoworld Bet is recommending a play on the Game Total OVER 223.5
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!
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!
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Jazz vs Heat best bet: Bam Adebayo Under 10.5 rebounds (-115)
Bam Adebayo is a physical presence down low for the Miami Heat, averaging 9.8 rebounds per night. However, his total is 10.5 here, and based on Bam’s recent play, I see value in the Under.
The big man has cashed the Under in boards in three of his last four appearances, only hitting double digits once during that span. He’s also averaging 9.6 rebounds at home compared to 9.9 on the road.
While the Utah Jazz aren’t an elite rebounding team, they’re around the middle of the pack in boards allowed, and we have to remember they now have a new big man in Jaren Jackson Jr.
I have no doubt Adebayo will be a factor down low tonight — I just don’t see him grabbing more than 10 rebounds.
Jazz vs Heat same-game parlay
Jusuf Nurkic is an important piece for the Jazz, averaging 11 points and 10.3 rebounds per game. He’s cashed the Over in points in 13 of his last 14 games. With his total sitting at only 9.5 points, this one is a no-brainer.
Andrew Wiggins isn’t a super high-volume 3-point shooter, but he’s still draining 1.9 treys at a 39% clip. The Canadian wing has hit the Over back-to-back games and in three of his last four.
Jazz vs Heat SGP
Bam Adebayo Under 10.5 rebounds
Jusuf Nurkic Over 9.5 points
Andrew Wiggins Over 1.5 threes
Our "from downtown" SGP: Dimes for days
Jaime Jaquez Jr. is averaging 4.7 dimes this season, and he’s cashed the Over in assists in two consecutive games.
Jazz vs Heat SGP
Bam Adebayo Under 10.5 rebounds
Jusuf Nurkic Over 9.5 points
Andrew Wiggins Over 1.5 threes
Jaime Jaquez Jr. Over 4.5 assists
Jazz vs Heat odds
Spread: Jazz +7.5 | Heat -7.5
Moneyline: Jazz +245 | Heat -305
Over/Under: Over 240 | Under 240
Jazz vs Heat betting trend to know
The Utah Jazz have hit the game total Over in 29 of their last 45 games (+11.40 Units / 23% ROI). Find more NBA betting trends for Jazz vs. Heat.
How to watch Jazz vs Heat
Location
Kaseya Center, Miami, FL
Date
Monday, February 9, 2026
Tip-off
7:30 p.m. ET
TV
KJZZ, FDSN Sun
Jazz vs Heat latest injuries
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This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here
The Milwaukee Bucks (21-29) put their three-game winning streak on the line tonight in the first of two in a row against the Orlando Magic (27-24).
With Giannis Antetokounmpo still sidelined, the Bucks look to begin a three-game road trip with a pair of games in Orlando. Doc Rivers offered an update to the 2-time MVP’s calf strain late last week: “He’s going to play when he’s healthy. We’ve just got to make sure he’s healthy. He’s getting close. He’s working out. He looks good. I would say hopefully sooner than later.”
The Magic have won their last two taking advantage of a stretch in their schedule at home against teams under .500 and out of playoff contention. With back-to-back home games against the Bucks, its an opportunity for Orlando to build some momentum heading into the All-Star Break. The Magic are currently 7th in the East (trailing 6th-place Philadelphia by 2.5 games for the final guaranteed playoff spot).
Milwaukee sits 12th in the Eastern Conference, 2.5 games behind the Hornets for 10th and the final spot in the Play-In Tournament. The Bucks string of nine straight seasons of reaching the postseason remains very much in jeopardy.
Following Games tonight and Wednesday in Orlando, these teams meet for a final time during the regular season on March 8 in Milwaukee.
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 courtesy of DraftKings recent team performance, player stats, and of course, our predictions, picks best bets for the game from our modeling tools and staff of experts.
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Game Details and How to Watch Live: Bucks at Magic
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Game Odds: Bucks at Magic
The latest odds as of Monday courtesy of DraftKings:
Giannis Antetokounmpo (calf) has been declared OUT for tonight’s game
Taurean Prince (neck) has been declared OUT for tonight’s game
Orlando Magic
Franz Wagner (ankle) is listed as questionable for tonight’s game
Important stats, trends and insights: Bucks at Magic
At 21-29, Milwaukee has its worst record through 50 games since the 2015-16 season (20-30) – the last time the Bucks missed the playoffs
In Orlando’s 118-98 win vs Brooklyn on Feb. 5, the Magic held their opponent under 100 points for the 3rd time this season and the first time since Feb. 14
Last season, the Magic held opponents under 100 points in an NBA-high 21 games
The Bucks are 9-17 on the road this season
The Magic are 16-8 at home this season
The Bucks are 22-28 ATS this season
The Magic are 20-31 ATS this season
The OVER has cashed in 20 of the Bucks’ 50 games this season (20-30)
The OVER has cashed in 26 of the Magic’s 51 games this season (26-25)
Paolo Banchero leads Orlando in scoring (21.7 ppg), though he’s averaging more than 4 points per game fewer this year compared to last season, when he averaged a career-high 25.9 ppg
Jalen Suggs has 7 steals and 6 blocks over the last 2 games and recorded his first career triple-double on February 5 vs Brooklyn
Rotoworld 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 tonight’s Bucks and Magic game:
Moneyline: Rotoworld Bet is staying away from a play on the Moneyline
Spread: Rotoworld Bet is leaning towards a play on the Bucks +10.5 ATS
Total: Rotoworld Bet is leaning towards a play on the Game Total OVER 218.5
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!
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Bulls vs Nets best bet: Nic Claxton Under 12.5 points (-112)
Nic Claxton is having a respectable campaign for the Brooklyn Nets. However, he hasn’t been scoring the rock at a very high level over the last couple of weeks.
The big man has cashed the Under in points in seven of his previous eight appearances, and he’s averaging just 11 points per game across three meetings with the Chicago Bulls this season.
He’s also hit the Under in points in two straight contests at the Barclays Center.
Bulls vs Nets same-game parlay
Noah Clowney has hit the Over in points in two of his last four, and he just scored 18 on Saturday at home against Washington. He’s also averaging 16.7 ppg this season vs. Chicago.
Matas Buzelis is a respectable 3-point shooter, averaging 2.0 makes on 5.5 attempts. He’s averaging 2.2 makes on the road at a 41% clip, and has hit the Over in two of his last three.
Bulls vs Nets SGP
Nic Claxton Under 12.5 points
Noah Clowney Over 14.5 points
Matas Buzelis Over 2.5 threes
Our "from downtown" SGP: Board room
Nolan Traore has grabbed Over 2.5 rebounds in three straight games.
Bulls vs Nets SGP
Nic Claxton Under 12.5 points
Noah Clowney Over 14.5 points
Matas Buzelis Over 2.5 threes
Nolan Traore Over 2.5 rebounds
Bulls vs Nets odds
Spread: Bulls -3.5 (-115) | Nets +3.5 (-105)
Moneyline: Bulls -170 | Nets +145
Over/Under: Over 221.5 | Under 221.5
Bulls vs Nets betting trend to know
The Chicago Bulls have hit the second-quarter game total Under in 24 of their last 35 games (+11.55 Units / 29% ROI). Find more NBA betting trends for Bulls vs. Nets.
How to watch Bulls vs Nets
Location
Barclays Center, Brooklyn, NY
Date
Monday, February 9, 2026
Tip-off
7:30 p.m. ET
TV
CHSN, YES
Bulls vs Nets latest injuries
Not intended for use in MA. Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here
We’ve reached the final week of the NBA season before the All-Star break, and “silly season” has already arrived. This week’s recommended pickups include rookies from two of the Association’s worst teams, two players who made their season debuts within the last two weeks and shockingly … Brook Lopez and Marvin Bagley III.
Here are the top fantasy basketball waiver wire adds for Week 17.
→ Watch an NBA doubleheader on Peacock on Monday night, as the Bucks take on the Magic at 7:30 p.m. ET before the Thunder square off against the Lakers at 10 p.m. ET.
Keyonte George missed three games due to a left ankle sprain before returning on Saturday and injuring his right ankle. Over the last four games with George out or limited, Collier has averaged 20.3 points, 4.5 rebounds, 12.5 assists and 2.5 steals across 39.5 minutes. He’s posted three straight double-doubles, and he handed out a career-high 22 assists in Tuesday’s win over the Pacers. Even if George is cleared to take the court before the All-Star break, Collier has standalone value as a premier backup, and Utah is clearly interested in tanking after sitting all of Lauri Markkanen, Jusuf Nurkic, and Jaren Jackson Jr. in the fourth quarter of Saturday’s loss to the Magic. Expect Collier to continue seeing big minutes as “silly season” fast approaches.
Ty Jerome, Memphis Grizzlies (34 percent rostered)
Jerome has appeared in four games this season, and he’s averaged just 20.3 minutes. A lack of big minutes hasn’t stopped him from delivering big numbers, as Jerome is averaging 20 points, 2.3 rebounds, 5.5 assists, 1.0 steals and 2.3 triples while shooting a highly efficient 56.5% from the floor and 86.4% from the charity stripe. His workload should gradually increase down the stretch, and he could push for 25+ minutes after getting some additional time to recover and ramp up over the All-Star break.
Moussa Diabaté, Charlotte Hornets (26 percent rostered)
Charlotte’s starting center gig is Diabaté’sto lose, and he’s been excellent over the last two weeks. Across his last eight appearances, Diabaté has averaged 10.4 points, 11.1 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 0.8 blocked shots over 29.9 minutes while shooting 67.3% from the field and 75% from the charity stripe. The big man isn’t an elite contributor of defensive stats, but he’s offered strong rebound numbers and solid efficiency.
Cason Wallace, Oklahoma City Thunder (24 percent rostered)
Wallace has at least a week of runway, as Shai Gilgeous-Alexander will be out through the All-Star break, and the Thunder play three more games between Monday and Thursday. Across his last four outings, Wallace has averaged 17 points, 3.5 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 3.3 steals and 2.3 triples over 30.3 minutes while shooting 51/83/41 splits. His elite contributions in the scarce steals category make him worth an add as a category specialist, but his recent production highlights his ability to post meaningful numbers across the board.
Will Riley, Washington Wizards (21 percent rostered)
Riley is yet another talented rookie in the nation’s capital, and he’s been on a scorching heater as of late. Across his last four games, Riley has averaged 20.5 points, 5.3 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 1.5 steals and 3.0 triples across 32.3 minutes. He’s scored 20+ points in back-to-back games and delivered the best performance of his career in Saturday’s loss to the Nets. Riley turned in a humongous 27/3/2/3/1 line with four triples across 45 minutes on Saturday, and his arrow is clearly pointing up.
Brook Lopez, Los Angeles Clippers (18 percent rostered)
With Ivica Zubac traded to Indiana, BroLo has the runway to be a viable option in standard fantasy leagues. He posted a 15/9/2/1 line with three swats and two triples across 36 minutes in Friday’s win over the Kings, and Lopez has averaged 9.6 points, 4.4 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 0.6 steals, 1.3 blocks and 2.1 triples across nine starts this season. Scoring, rebounding and efficiency will be inconsistent, but Lopez is a reliable source of blocked shots and triples and should be added wherever he’s available.
Henderson made his season debut in Friday’s win over the Grizzlies, posting an 11/5/9/1 line across 21 minutes off the bench. He sat out Saturday’s rematch on the second leg of the Blazers’ back-to-back set, but he’s got a chance to be back in action on Monday against the 76ers. Henderson will need some ramp-up time, but his strong production with such limited playing time is highly encouraging.
Gui Santos, Golden State Warriors (11 percent rostered)
Stephen Curry is still without a timeline for return, and with injuries mounting in Golden State, role players will continue to see meaningful run and take on new responsibilities. One of those players is Santos, who has been productive across his last six outings. In that span, he’s averaged 14.8 points, 4.7 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 1.3 steals, 1.2 blocks and 2.2 triples across 26.8 minutes.
Marvin Bagley III, Washington Wizards (7 percent rostered)
Bagley III came to Dallas by way of the Anthony Davis trade, and he made an immediate impact. Daniel Gafford logged nearly 29 minutes per game across his last three before Bagley III arrived, but the former saw only 18 minutes Saturday’s loss to the Spurs, with Bagley III garnering 24. Foul trouble certainly played a role in the minutes disparity, but given Gafford’s history of injuries and foul trouble, it’s safe to say Bagley III should see enough playing time down the stretch to be a viable option in standard leagues. He posted a loaded 16/12/2 line with a steal, four blocks and a triple, and fantasy managers should expect more strong performances moving forward.
Clifford has been electric across his last three games, going for 20.0 points, 3.0 rebounds, 3.7 assists, 1.3 steals, 1.0 swats and 3.0 triples across 33 minutes. He had his best game of the season in Saturday’s loss to the Cavaliers, delivering a monstrous 30/4/4/2/2 line with five triples across 40 minutes. Sacramento’s backcourt lineup is thin after Dennis Schroder and Keon Ellis were traded, and the Kings have no incentive to play Zach LaVine or Russell Westbrook big minutes while they careen toward the 2026 Draft Lottery. Clifford looks poised to see increased run after the All-Star break, and he has the skills to handsomely reward fantasy managers who add him off the waiver wire.
The Philadelphia 76ers look for their fourth win to close out a five-game road trip as they take on the Portland Trail Blazers tonight.
Portland has had a rough go against teams with winning records, so my 76ers vs. Trail Blazers predictions and NBA picks have the visitors wrapping up their trip in style.
76ers vs Trail Blazers prediction
76ers vs Trail Blazers best bet: 76ers -4 (-110)
The Philadelphia 76ers have been dominant of late, winning six of seven to hit the 30-win mark, eight games above .500, and currently sitting sixth in the East.
They grinded out a tough 109-103 last time out against Phoenix, but that’s been more the outlier than the norm during this fun run, with four of Philly’s six wins coming by double digits.
However, load management may keep Joel Embiid sidelined tonight. The big man has led the team in scoring in each of the last two games, topping 30+ points each game.
The Portland Trail Blazers have righted the ship after dropping six straight, taking both ends of a two-game home set against the Grizzlies.
However, beating up on Memphis is one thing: at 13-21 against teams with winning records, Portland has the most losses among teams currently in the Top 10 of each conference.
They’ll also be shorthanded, as Shaedon Sharpe (calf) and Kris Murray (back) are both out, with leading scorer Deni Avdija (back) listed as questionable.
Philly is also the NBA league leader in both cover record as the visitor (17-7 ATS) and the road favorite (9-2 ATS). They’ve won four of the last six meetings, with three wins coming by 10+ points.
76ers vs Trail Blazers same-game parlay
Jerami Grant has been the leading scorer for the Blazers in three straight, going for 20+ in each, but the books have listed Avdija’s scoring line, which means it’s a good chance he returns. That should push Grant down to a secondary option, and his scoring will suffer.
Meanwhile, Tyrese Maxey is fourth in the NBA with 169 made 3-pointers, but he’s only made 4+ triples three times in his last 14 games, and only hit four in a game once in nine meetings against Portland.
76ers vs Trail Blazers SGP
76ers -4
Jerami Grant Under 19.5 points
Tyrese Maxey Under 3.5 threes
Our "from downtown" SGP: Living on the Edgecombe
Donovan Clingan’s got a high rebounding line, but he’s been cleaning a ton of glass lately, going for double-digit rebounds in 10 of 12 games, and 13+ in seven of those.
As for VJ Edgecombe, it’s been a shaky road trip, as he scored just five points against Phoenix, the second time in a week he’s finished at or below that number.
He opened this trip with five points against the Clippers, and he responded with 25 against the Warriors.
76ers vs Trail Blazers SGP
76ers -4
Jerami Grant Under 19.5 points
Tyrese Maxey Under 3.5 threes
Donovan Clingan Over 12.5 rebounds
VJ Edgecombe Over 13.5 points
76ers vs Trail Blazers odds
Spread: 76ers -4 | Trail Blazers +4
Moneyline: 76ers -165 | Trail Blazers +145
Over/Under: Over 230.5 | Under 230.5
76ers vs Trail Blazers betting trend to know
The 76ers have covered the spread in 18 of their last 25 road games for +11.4 units and a 41% ROI. Find more NBA betting trends for 76ers vs. Trail Blazers.
How to watch 76ers vs Trail Blazers
Location
Moda Center, Portland, OR
Date
Monday, February 9, 2026
Tip-off
10:00 p.m. ET
TV
NBCS-Philadelphia, KUNP
76ers vs Trail Blazers latest injuries
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LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 5: Tyrese Maxey #0 of the Philadelphia 76ers and Kelly Oubre Jr. #9 of the Philadelphia 76ers high five during the game against the Philadelphia 76ers on February 5, 2026 at Crypto.Com Arena in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Just as the Sixers seemed more normal and the vibes were good, Paul George got suspended… And then they went and gave up on Jared McCain at the trade deadline. It’s rightfully led to a bunch of harsh criticism being thrown their way.
But as I try to keep things positive and focused on basketball, while Josh Harris celebrates ducking the luxury tax yet again, the plus side is that the Sixers have still won six of their last seven games. There may have been a few close calls in there, but wins are wins. It’s allowed them to take a firmer hold of the sixth seed as the NBA All-Star break approaches, and they now have a chance to close out their current West Coast road trip with a very respectable 4-1 record.
On Monday, they’re up against the 25-28 Trail Blazers. Portland have been more competitive than last season and their defense has been just shy of middle of the pack at 18th, but they’re still stuck at 10th in the West and continue to struggle on offense, ranking only 23rd in offensive rating.
As for the injury report, the only addition for the Sixers is Joel Embiid, who’s questionable with right knee injury management. The Blazers, on the other hand, will definitely be shorthanded. Apart from Damian Lillard who remains out for the season with an achilles injury, Kris Murray (lumbar strain), Matisse Thybulle (right knee tendinopathy), and the team’s second-leading scorer Shaedon Sharpe (left calf soreness) are all out. Robert Williams III (left knee injury management) is questionable, as is Deni Avdija due to a low back strain, which would be a particularly big loss for the Blazers on Monday.
Avdija has been having an excellent season as the Blazers’ leader on offense. He’s putting up by far the best offensive numbers of his career with 25.5 points and 6.7 assist per game, all while maintaining better efficiency than ever with a 61.1 true shooting percentage. His lofty free throw rate has given him a nice boost there, with him taking 9.5 a game.
Scoot Henderson has also just returned for the first time in 51 games. He tallied 11 points and nine assists in 21 minutes on Friday against the Grizzlies. It’ll be interesting to see if he can find some consistency and improve his efficiency moving forward.
Sophomore center Donovan Clingan will be one to keep an eye on too. He’ll obviously have a hard time containing Embiid and keeping the big fella off the free throw line, but Clingan is building off what he did as a rookie. He’s also leading the NBA in offensive rebounds with a seriously impressive 4.7 per game, so the Sixers’ boxouts will have to be consistent in this game to avoid giving up easy second chances. The 7-foot-2 center has been on a roll over the last week too, averaging 13.8 points, 15.8 rebounds and 2.0 blocks over his last four games.
Especially if Embiid is out, the huge physical presence of Clingan will be a good test for Adem Bona as well whenever they’re matched up. And if the offense is missing Embiid, then hopefully for the Sixers they’ll continue to get similar helpful contributions from their forwards. Kelly Oubre Jr. (who’s having a quality two-way season in general) and Trendon Watford both provided a spark to help beat the Suns on Saturday.
Ultimately, Monday’s contest should be a solid opportunity for the Sixers to pick up another win as the All-Star break approaches. And before they have a far tougher matchup on Wednesday against the Knicks, this is one they should really be capitalizing on.
Game Details
When: Monday, February 9, 10 p.m. ET Where: Moda Center, Portland, OR Watch: NBC Sports Philadelphia Radio: 97.5 The Fanatic Follow:@LibertyBallers
NEW YORK, NY - MAY 12: Bad Bunny attends the game between the Boston Celtics and the New York Knicks during Round 2 Game 4 of the 2025 NBA Playoffs on May 12, 2025 at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2025 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The Celtics lost early.
The Patriots lost late.
‘Twas a wonderful day.
‘Tis a time to celebrate.
"Tip off today was 12: 30…Celtics haven't played a game all season before 3: 30"
"All the Patriot fans sold their tickets so Knicks fans invaded"
“Our group is resilient. Sometimes things like that happen in Detroit. None of us like it. None of us want to go through it. Give Detroit a lot of credit, but we know it’s not who we are. We played a lot better than that. We will. But I do think this group is resilient because they’ve shown time and time again after tough losses or multiple losses playing the next game usually doing a pretty good job of playing again.”
On the team’s defensive effort:
“Our starter group did a nice job defensively, and I take my hat off to everybody in that locker room. Offensively, I thought we did a pretty good job of taking care of the basketball. It was big for us.”
On adjusting against Jaylen Brown:
“You get a guy like Jaylen Brown who is a heck of a player. In the first half he was having his way with us a little bit. He was 6-for-11, he was rolling. In the second half, we did a better job defensively as a team. I got to give Mo some credit. Mo was our defensive player of the game. We threw Mo on him for a little bit. We thought we’re going to try to make Jaylen work, be physical, get up into him, stuff like that, and he did it without fouling. He did a nice job with it. So to see that from a young guy at this point in his career was a lot of fun as a staff.”
On the Knicks getting back to the W column:
“Our team is so resilient. They’ve shown time and time again that after tough losses we can do a good job to come back and play again.”
On bounceback win in Boston after losing in Detroit:
“We know we’re better than we showed in Detroit.”
On Jose Alvarado’s impact:
“He brings a level of toughness to this team, his energy is unmatched. What he can do defensively in the full court and even in the front court with the ball especially on the pick-and-rolls and stuff, is at a pretty high level. He shoots it better than people think, too. We want to play fast and we believe he’s a guy who will come in and push the pace, get into our offense, and all of that because he’s quick and has a low center of gravity — excited to have him.”
“To be honest, I can’t say I ever dreamed about this. If you know my story — I’m not saying I wasn’t gonna make it to the NBA — but there were big questions for me. So just to be part of the city, it’s such a surreal feeling. I can’t wait to put the jersey on and get a few stops in it.”
On returning home to NYC:
“Too many messages, but this is a blessing. I’m from here. My family never left the city. So just to be in the atmosphere—they’ve been Knicks fans probably since before me, and to be on a team that’s trying to contend for something and me be part of it is pretty special.”
On competing for a title with the Knicks:
“We’ve gotta contend. We wanna win games, and that’s what we’re trying to do. And I get to be a part of that. I’m excited for that. I’ve just gotta be myself. Let’s get this ball rolling.”
On responding to a missed shot pulling off a Grand Theft Alvarado:
“They basically said, ‘You’re going to miss.’ And I said, ‘That’s how you get it back.’ Who cares about the miss if you get it back on the back tip and layup and it worked out in my favor.”
On his Knicks debut feeling natural:
“It’s crazy. But I just feel like it was meant to be. It feels like I’ve been part of it for a while, even though it was the first game. It felt like nothing. It felt like home. It felt like it was supposed to happen this way. And I’m glad I did.”
On Puerto Rican pride:
“Hell yeah. Can’t wait. That’s a big opportunity for Puerto Ricans expanding. Especially me, being Boricua.”
On Bad Bunny’s performance:
“It was the best show I’ve ever been a part of. And he’s just doing a great job and I’m glad he’s able to show it at the highest level.”
“I think the beginning of the year, training camp, everybody was like, ‘He’s gonna be good.’ And I think with him, it was just more about getting more comfortable, more experience, more minutes, those kinds of things. But he’s gonna be extremely good. He’s extremely talented, defensively he can be all over the place but offensively he’s knocking down shots.”
On Jose Alvarado’s style of play:
“That’s him. You know he’ll be a really good on-ball defender, take the challenge, a great secondary ballhandler for us, be able to playmaking, in the paint and pressure, so what you got from today is the player you’ll get.”
“For me, it’s just been fluctuation of play, really. In and out the lineups. DNPs. Sometimes you’re getting five minutes in the game, here and there. But it’s a whole new process for me, and a new role. Offensively and defensively. They’re asking me to do things defensively as well. And then offensively, I got to figure it out and make stuff out of what comes in the offense in terms of opportunities. It’s not like I’m featured in the offense or anything. I’m playing hard, I’m crashing the glass, figuring out different things — little things to be effective on that end. So it’s a whole new thing for me. But I’ll continue to be a pro and stay in the gym and working on my craft and keep it going.”
On defensive responsibilities:
“Sometimes I have to guard maybe the second or third option with a different unit. I’m usually guarding weaker guys on different teams. But yeah, being asked to do that at some times, on different plays, it’s all an adjustment.”
On embracing a new role:
“It’s not that big of an adjustment. But it takes some getting used to, for sure. I’m in a whole new role and try to play the best role I can on this team.”
Kurt Helin
Raphielle Johnson
