Category: Basketball

The Golden State Warriors got a big win in Minneapolis with a 111-85 victory over the Timberwolves in Sundays’ makeup game from Saturday, and somehow, that 26-point margin feels like it coulda been even wider. The Warriors took care of business in a game they had to have to get their mojo back after the Jimmy Butler ACL injury and Jonathan Kuminga tweaking his own knee. The Dubs blew this game open with a big 38-17 third quarter and never looked back.

Steph Curry did Steph Curry things, dropping 26 points on 7-of-18 shooting while handing out seven dimes while collecting four steals. Meanwhile, Anthony Edwards activated video game mode for Minnesota with 32 points on 13-of-20 shooting, and it still wasn’t enough. When your best player cooks like that and you lose by 26, that’s a tough pill to swallow. It’s enough to make you wanna fight!

Quinten Post and Joe Ingles received double technicals after this scuffle 😳 pic.twitter.com/v1bOjK4rJO

— Warriors on NBCS (@NBCSWarriors) January 26, 2026

Golden State’s defense actually showed up. Holding Minnesota to 38% shooting and forcing 26 turnovers is the kind of effort that used to be standard around here. The Warriors turned those giveaways into 25 points while keeping the Wolves out of rhythm all night. When you’re getting 20 steals and limiting a team with Edwards and Julius Randle to 85 points, you’re doing something right. Golden State’s defense actually showed up. Holding Minnesota to 38 percent shooting and forcing 26 turnovers is the kind of effort that used to be standard around here. The Warriors turned those giveaways into 25 points while keeping the Wolves out of rhythm. When you’re getting 20 steals and limiting a team with Edwards and Julius Randle to 85 points, you’re doing something right.

Moses Moody quietly put together another solid performance with 19 points on 7-of-15 shooting, including five triples. Moody nailed 5-of-9 from deep and added 8 rebounds, another example of when he’s on he’s a guy who gives the Dubs a big lift. Brandin Podziemski snagged four steals of his own, added six dimes, grabbed five rebounds, and tallied 12 points in a spirited effort.

Podz has six straight to start the half 🔥 pic.twitter.com/1GY1D4izpn

— Warriors on NBCS (@NBCSWarriors) January 25, 2026

The win pushes Golden State’s record to 26-21, but with Butler done for the season and Kuminga’s future still murky, every victory feels like borrowed time. They defended well, shot well enough, and got contributions up and down the roster. That’s the blueprint. Whether they can replicate it tomorrow night in their second straight game in Minnesota? That’s the question that remains to be answered, in the meantime the Dubs can get some relief from a well earned victory.

For both Miles McBride and Landry Shamet, 3-point shooting is what most associate them with.

They are shooting 43.7 percent and 43.5 percent from deep, after all. Their ability on the other end of the floor often gets lost in the discourse.

But their defending is crucial, and something the Knicks can hardly replicate.

“Shots fall, sometimes don’t. It’s not as much of a controllable as your effort,” Shamet told The Post after the Knicks’ 112-109 win over the 76ers on Saturday in Philadelphia. “On the defensive end, you gotta find ways to — coaches and good coaches say it all the time — you gotta find ways to win games when the ball’s not going in. I think you just take pride in our principles and just try to guard. It’s a pride thing, a personal thing.”

Coach Mike Brown has long praised and identified McBride and Shamet as the Knicks’ two best point-of-attack defenders — particularly when they were injured and the Knicks defense was shredded without them. It is the biggest weakness on their roster — Mikal Bridges has struggled in the role, allowing ball-handlers to break down their defense, get into the lane and hurt them.

Notably, it was McBride and Shamet — not Bridges — who were on the floor at the end of the game. Yes, Bridges was struggling badly with his shot, going 3-for-16 from the field. But it also became clear that McBride and Shamet were better equipped at guarding Tyrese Maxey and VJ Edgecombe.

Maxey and Edgecombe torched the Knicks in the first two matchups between the two teams this season — both 76ers wins at Madison Square Garden. McBride missed the first matchup, and Shamet missed both of the first two.

It’s not a coincidence Saturday’s results were much better, with both healthy and in the lineup.

“They’re huge,” Brown said. “Again, you don’t stop those types of guys [Maxey and Edgecombe], but to have a guy like Deuce coming off the bench, have a guy like Landry — both those guys are physical at the point of attack, whether those guys are trying to get over pick-and-rolls or trying to get over [dribble handoffs] or even pindowns. And to have that type of relentless pursuit with athleticism and strength and toughness and the mindset is phenomenal. And obviously, we need those guys.”

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Bridges has been miscast in that role since the Knicks traded five first-rounders to acquire him last year. He has good straight-line speed, but is not as quick laterally. McBride and Shamet are both stronger as well, helping them keep ball-handlers in front of them.

It would not be surprising if McBride and Shamet continue to see more late-game minutes at Bridges’ expense.

“They were huge,” Josh Hart said. “I think Sham got two offensive fouls drawn from blowing up handoffs or stuff like that. So he was huge. Dude was great all game. Obviously that’s a tough match over there with Tyrese. So give those guys a lot of credit. He did really well and we need that.”

With better pressure at the point of attack, it better masks Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns’ defensive deficiencies. Without constant penetration into the lane, OG Anunoby can operate where he’s best — acting like a free safety in football where he can be disruptive in passing lanes and create turnovers.

It can be contagious as well.

“I think it’s just coming in — if you’re coming off the bench you’ve got fresh legs,” Shamet said. “You’ve been observing and watching what’s been going on in the game. ‘How can I integrate myself as quickly as possible to what’s going on without any drop-off’ or ‘how can I elevate what’s going on?’ Sometimes it’s just as simple as ball pressure and picking up full court one or two times. Like I said, if you can start the domino the trickle down effect is real.”

Brown had begun to sound a bit like a broken record when he constantly mentioned missing McBride and Shamet in that role. But clearly there was a reason for it.

It can be a game-changer for the Knicks. 

Late night Nets! NFL Conference Championship games are clearing up in LA nonetheless, which means folks are gearing up for Nets-Clippers. The Nets will be shorthanded yet again in the first of five on the road.

🏀 Nets (12-31) @ Clippers (20-24)

⏰ 9:00 PM ET
📍 Intuit Dome (Inglewood, CA)
📺 YES Network

“As the Nets PR staff noted to ND, the trip west was eventful thanks to the weather in the Northeast… but they are now safely ensconced in L.A. where it’s 62 degrees and partly sunny. Nic Claxton and Day’ron Sharpe are going to be in for a fight on the inside tonight. Ivica Zubac is tied for fifth in the NBA in rebounding at a shade over 11 boards per game. He’s especially tough to deal with on the offensive glass as he captures almost four o-boards a night. To make things more challenging for the Brooklyn duo, Zu is tremendous at the rim.”- Brian

⚠️ INJURY REPORT

Nets

• Cam Thomas
• Nolan Traore
• Noah Clowney
• Haywood Highsmith
• Chaney Johnson
• Tyson Etienne

Clippers

• Bradley Beal — OUT (hip fracture)
• Bogdan Bogdanovic — OUT (hamstring)
• Derrick Jones Jr. — OUT (knee)
• Kawhi Leonard — QUESTIONABLE (knee)

💬 DISCUSSION

Share thoughts and react, but please be respectful. NetsDaily prides itself on being a safe space for Nets and basketball fans alike to have healthy conversation. Reach out to Anthony Puccio or Net Income with any issues.

Everything had to go right for the Lakers down the stretch to beat the Mavericks. With Dallas going on a 6-0 run to start the fourth, LA was down by 14 with just under 10 minutes left.

The comeback that followed as the Lakers beat Dallas 116-110 was improbable given the flow of the game. But they didn’t do it by being offensively overwhelming the Mavericks. Instead, they grinded out the win.

Marcus Smart was hustling hard, doing everything he could to help the Lakers, including popping his dislocated finger back in place. Rui Hachimura was hitting clutch baskets to get the scoring going, and Luka Dončić was relying on his defense, not his offense, to help turn the tables on his former team.

JJ Redick said Luka Dončić had six-straight stops as the primary defender in the 4th

— Dan Woike (@DanWoikeSports) January 25, 2026

After the victory, Lakers head coach JJ Redick talked about how Luka’s defensive commitment was a factor in the game.

“I thought he did a great job containing the basketball, being physical with his first bump outside the bump,” Redick said. “That was part of it and then the back side with our shifts and our low man and our gang rebound mentality down the stretch allowed us to get stops.”

It’s no secret that Luka is considered a poor defender. And with the Lakers being a switch-heavy defense, teams can easily target him and look to exploit his flaws.

In the fourth quarter, the Mavs tried to do just that, but Luka more than held his own. Here is a breakdown of the defensive battles he won in that quarter.

• 11:07 — Caleb Martin misses a 3-pointer after Luka close out
• 6:55 — Dončić blocks a Brandon Williams
• 6:26 — Max Christie misses a runner, contested by Luka
• 6:01 — Williams attacks the paint, but Luka holds his ground. LeBron James comes in for the steal.
• 4:44 — Luka forces Cooper Flagg to take a long two, which he misses
• 1:20 — Flagg tries to penetrate, but Luka denies him
• 0:41 — Luka sacrifices his body, drawing a charge on Naji Marshall.

Luka might never be an elite defender, but he just needs to use his size and instinct to disrupt and discourage teams from attacking him. In Saturday’s game, he demonstrated that he can do this.

Steph Curry has already proven it can be done. As his career progressed, he took pride in getting stops late. While Curry would still get picked on from time to time, it became less of a concern as he improved his defense.

There’s still a long way to go for Luka to get to the point where teams no longer wish to target him relentlessly in close games. But hopefully, a game like this gives Luka the confidence and desire to reach this level more consistently.

You can follow Edwin on Twitter at @ECreates88 or on Bluesky at @ecreates88.bsky.social.

PHOENIX (AP) — Phoenix Suns All-Star guard Devin Booker will miss at least a week with a sprained right ankle.

Booker will be re-evaluated in a week, the Suns said before Sunday night's game against Miami.

He and guard Jalen Green both went down with injuries in Phoenix's 110-103 loss to the Atlanta Hawks on Friday night.

Booker, a four-time All-Star, went down with five seconds remaining in the third quarter after stepping on the foot of the Hawks’ Onyeka Okongwu. Booker leads the Suns with 25.4 points and 6.2 assists per game.

Green re-injured his right hamstring against the Hawks in his second game since missing 33 games. He was walking without a limp after the game and the Suns hope it won't be a long-term injury.

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AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/nba

UPDATE: The Lakers did, in fact, make it out of Dallas, getting through half the battle, at least. The team took off from Dallas-Fort Worth instead of Love Field, allowing them to get out of Dallas when the Mavericks could not.

The Lakers, I'm told, have at last managed to take off and are in the air headed to Chicago for tomorrow night's game against the Bulls.

Their flight was shifted to depart from DFW rather than Love Field, where the Mavericks' flight was stalled today for several hours and… https://t.co/R2P5K5nM53

— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) January 25, 2026

This doesn’t mean the Lakers-Bulls go is definitely on for Monday, but it does improve the chances.

Original story follows.

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For now, the Lakers appear set on attempting to fly out of Dallas for Monday’s game against the Bulls in Chicago. However, don’t hold your breath.

As a snowstorm rips across much of the south and Midwest, NBA games are being postponed left and right. As of Sunday afternoon, the Lakers’ game was still on with the team set to attempt to fly out of Dallas on later in the day.

Mavericks at Bucks tonight is now officially postponed.

The Lakers, meanwhile, will be attempting this afternoon to fly to Chicago for tomorrow’s game against the Bulls. They also remain in Dallas for the moment. https://t.co/PoyjXawgJx

— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) January 25, 2026

For obvious reasons, it’s unlikely to expect the Lakers to be able to fly out if Dallas could not while both teams are in the same city. The city they’re landing in could also factor into this but the Midwest is getting hammered with snow as things stand, so it seems unlikely Chicago would be a viable landing spot.

The NBA has spent Sunday postponing a number of games, including the Mavs-Bucks contest. The Nuggets and Grizzlies game, slated for Sunday, was also postponed. Meanwhile, the Pacers game in Atlanta and the Sixers-Hornets game in Charlotte were both moved to afternoon tips on Monday due to weather as well.

The Lakers are currently scheduled to play the Bulls at 5 p.m. PT. There’s a possibility of them moving the game back, but it seems more likely that the game is postponed. The Lakers play on Wednesday in Cleveland after Monday’s game, so perhaps the game is postponed to Tuesday.

What seems least likeliest right now, though, is the Lakers playing on Monday.

You can follow Jacob on Twitter at @JacobRude or on Bluesky at @jacobrude.bsky.social.

The Cleveland Cavaliers could be seeing the return of one of their key bench players. Sam Merrill, who has missed the team’s last five games with a right-hand sprain, is listed as questionable for Monday’s game against the Orlando Magic.

Merrill has been dealing with a hand sprain for much of the season. He injured it originally in a November win against the Milwaukee Bucks. This resulted in him missing just over a month of games. When he did return to the lineup, he wasn’t pain-free, as head coach Kenny Atkinson said at the time that he couldn’t even shake Merrill’s hand after games due to the pain he was in.

Merrill injured his hand again in the team’s Jan. 14 win over the Philadelphia 76ers. That’s the same game in which Darius Garland injured his other toe.

We don’t have any further updates on Garland’s injury beyond what the team released last Sunday. The Cavs said that Garland would be reevaluated in seven to 10 days after suffering a Grade 1 right great toe sprain. That initial timeframe would put the reevaluation happening anytime between now and Wednesday.

Even though the Cavs won’t be fully healthy for their game against the Magic, it would be beneficial to possibly get Merrill back in the lineup. Merrill has the third-best on/off differential on the team this season (+4.7 points per 100 possessions, 75th percentile). They’re 16-8 in the games he’s played.

On the season, Merrill is averaging 13.8 points on .470/.455/.882 shooting splits.

The Magic will once again be without their leading scorer, Franz Wagner (ankle), in Monday’s rematch.

Mitchell Robinson asked, and his Knicks teammates listened.

It has been noticeable that, in recent games, they are looking to find him more when he’s rolling to the basket after setting a screen. It has mostly resulted in alley-oops.

“I tell them when we’re watching film, ‘Look here, I’m wide open. Throw it to me. I do a little dirty work so reward me,’ ” Robinson said after the Knicks’ 112-109 win over the 76ers on Saturday in Philadelphia. “That’s kinda how that is.”

In Year 8, Robinson has yet to develop a polished offensive game. That allows his defender to help off him aggressively when he sets a screen — often for Jalen Brunson.

But if he can be a threat as a roller, it changes that dynamic.

“Whoever’s guarding Mitch is aggressive,” coach Mike Brown said. “So if teams keep stepping up and trying to be aggressive on the ball screens, Mitch has to get out quick and he’s gotta look for it at the rim.”

After a bit of a lull for a few games, Robinson is also back to his best on defense and the offensive glass. He neutralized Joel Embiid — particularly in the third quarter, when he held him scoreless — Saturday and grabbed six offensive rebounds.

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“Our defensive player was Mitch,” Brown said. “Mitch was phenomenal on the offensive glass, but he was really, really good for us defensively. Four deflections. Couple of 50-50 balls. Rebounding the ball really well. Couple of blocks. Big, big night from Mitch, especially on the defensive end of the floor.”

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After losing nine of 11 games, the Knicks have won two straight for the first time since late December.

Josh Hart isn’t putting too much stock into it.

“It is good, but also it’s January,” Hart said. “You can’t get too high or too low. I think that’s the biggest thing. I think that’s where y’all can write whatever y’all want to write. Three games ago we were turning into a lottery team, and now you guys are like, ‘Oh, they’re battling the East.’ So that’s for y’all to do. Us, we’re trying to stay levelheaded and not get too high or too low.” 

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — The Wienermobiles are coming back for a bite at the Brickyard in May, giving them another chance to relish the spotlight of racing's biggest weekend.

Oscar Mayer announced Sunday all six of its famed street-ready vehicles will compete for the second straight year on Indianapolis Motor Speedway's historic 2.5-mile oval. The Wienie 500 is scheduled for May 22 during the track's annual Carburation Day festivities.

Last year's race was such a hit, organizers wanted to give fans a second round to savor the flavor of a light-hearted competition just two days before IndyCar's marquis race — the Indianapolis 500.

The presentation will have a familiar look for fans who watched last year's inaugural race.

Each Wienermobile will feature toppings representing an American regional favorite while carrying carry custom decals. Drivers will don Hotdogger racing suits while the iconic “Wiener Song” plays and the champ drives into “wieners circle.”

Slaw Dog, which represents the Southeast, will try to prove it is beefy enough to defend last year's crown. Four other regional favorites also are expected to return — Chi Dog (Midwest), New York Dog (East), Chili Dog (South) and Seattle Dog (Northwest).

But the Sonoran Dog may be replaced after failing to cut the mustard in 2025.

Fans can choose the final entrant from a menu of seven possibilities, including the Sonoran Dog, by visiting Instagram in the first “Pick Your Dog” Wienie 500 bracket. Updates will be provided on the Instagram account or on TikTok.

“The response to the first Wienie 500 was overwhelming, and we heard the fans loud and clear that they were hungry for more,” Kelsey Rice, Oscar Mayer brand communications director said in a statement. “This year, we’re supercharging the experience, delivering an even bigger, bolder and more unforgettable event that puts the fans at the forefront. With amplified engagement, intensified rivalries and more surprises in store, we’re giving the people what they want — an unparalleled live experience that will leave them craving more.”

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AP auto racing: https://apnews.com/hub/auto-racing

BOSTON — The Celtics could be without Neemias Queta when they face the Portland Trail Blazers on Monday night. Queta has been dealing with an illness since Friday, but he’s played through it, logging 28 minutes on Friday in Brooklyn and 24 minutes on Saturday in Chicago.

In addition to Queta, Josh Minott, who has been sidelined with a left ankle sprain since January 3rd, has been upgraded to questionable. And, Jayson Tatum continues to be listed as out as he recovers from a right Achilles repair.

Jaylen Brown, who has been dealing with hamstring tightness, is off the injury report.

Celtics Injury Report vs. Portland (1/26):

Josh Minott – Left Ankle Sprain – QUESTIONABLE
Neemias Queta – Illness (Non-Covid) – QUESTIONABLE
Jayson Tatum – Right Achilles Repair – OUT

— Noa Dalzell 🏀 (@NoaDalzell) January 25, 2026

The Trail Blazers have a far lengthier injury report than the Celtics: Deni Avdija is questionable with a lower back strain. At the same time, former Celtic Robert Williams is questionable with left knee injury management. Williams has yet to lace up against his former team since being traded to Portland three years ago.

Damian Lillard (left Achilles tendon injury management), Scoot Henderson (left hamstring tear), Kris Murray (lumbair strain), Matisse Thybulle (right knee tendinopathy), Blake Wesley (right foot fracture), and Duop Reathe (right foot soreness).

Former Celtic Jrue Holiday, who appeared in just 18 games this season, is available and will make his return to TD Garden.

Last time the two teams faced off in late December, the Blazers pulled out a 6-point victory.

The Celtics and Blazers will face off for the second and final time this season

The Celtics are fresh off a last-second loss to the Chicago Bulls on Saturday night, and will look to bounce back on Monday against the Blazers. The Blazers are coming off a 12-point loss to the Toronto Raptors on Friday.

The Celtics have won 5 of their last 10 games, and currently have the second-best record in the Eastern Conference at 28-17. They have the second-best net rating in the league (+7.2) and the best offensive rating (+121.2). They have the 12th-best defensive rating (+114).

The Blazers have won 7 of their last 10 games and hold the 9th-best record in the Western Conference at 23-23. They have the NBA’s 21st-best net rating (-1.6), 21st-best offensive rating (113.5), and 18th-best defensive rating (115.1). They’ve been led by Deni Avdija (26 points, 7.1 rebounds, 6.9 assists per game), Shaedon Sharpe (21.9 points, 4.6 rebounds), Jerami Grant (19.2 points), and Jrue Holiday (15.4 points, 7.1 assists).

Celtics-Blazers tips off at 8pm at TD Garden.

Welcome to the Game Thread. Veterans of the Game Thread know how we do things around here, but for all you newbies we have a few rules. Our community guidelines apply and basically say be cool, no personal attacks, don’t troll and don’t swear too much.

The conventional wisdom is that the Spurs should have an easy time with the New Orleans Pelicans, who sit at the bottom of the Western Conference standings and are tied for the second worst record in the league with the Indiana Pacers, just one win ahead of the cellar-dwelling Wizards. The truth is that the Pelicans are a talented team and have most of the roster available for tonight’s game. Zion Williamson is an enigma wrapped in a mystery wrapped in a beignet, but when he plays, he can do amazing stuff. Williamson, Saddiq Bey, and Trey Murphy III combined for 94 points in a 133-127 victory over the Grizzlies on Friday night, and they’re all available tonight. They also have a spectacular pair of rookies in Jeremiah Fears and Derik Queen who are already making waves. This is a team that can beat the Spurs if they play to the level of the competition as they have often done in 2026. The Spurs are currently a half game ahead of the Nuggets for second place in the west, and Denver could take second if they beat the Grizzlies today and the Spurs can’t take care of New Orleans. [UPDATE: Nuggets/Grizzlies game has been postponed]

The good news For the Spurs is the return of Devin Vassell, who has been out of the lineup for the last 13 games (seems like forever) will be returning today, although on a minutes restriction. It will be interesting to see how much his shooting and defensive activity open up the game for the Silver and Black. I think having another shot creation threat on the perimeter should open up the paint for Steph Castle and De’Aaron Fox, and provide more area for Dylan Harper to freewheel and create offense. After tonight, the Spurs have a few days off before they return to Houston for a rematch against the Rockets, who defeated the Spurs with a potent fourth quarter comeback earlier this week, and it will be interesting to see what adjustments Mitch Johnson will put in place for the rematch. The return of Vassell should be helpful as the Spurs try to take the lead in the season series on Wednesday night.

San Antonio is in the middle of an ice storm so if you’re going to the game, drive carefully and allow plenty of extra time to get to your destination. If you don’t have to travel, stay home and stay warm. Stay safe, everyone, and GO SPURS GO!!

Game Prediction:

I usually try to say something funny here, but with everything going on, I just don’t have it in me. Please treasure they ones you love and be safe. Hold love in your heart and take care of the people around you.

San Antonio Spurs vs New Orleans Pelicans
January 25, 2026 | 6:00 PM CT
Streaming: NBA League Pass
TV: FanDuel Southwest
Reminder: It is against site policy to post links to illegal streams in the comments.

The Cleveland Cavaliers will look to make it two-straight wins over the Orlando Magic as they host them in Cleveland on Monday evening.

The Cavs executed their defensive gameplan perfectly in their first meeting on Saturday. Cleveland packed the paint and forced a bad Magic team to beat them from behind the arc. They weren’t able to do so as they went 11-40 (27.5%) from three and were held to just 105 points as a result.

We’ll likely see the Cavs use the same strategy again on Monday.

The Cavaliers also benefited from a superb showing from Donovan Mitchell. He scored 36 points in the win as Orlando wasn’t able to keep him out of the paint.

Who: Cleveland Cavaliers (27-20) vs. Orlando Magic (23-21)

Where: Rocket Arena – Clevelanad, OH

When: Man., Jan. 26 at 7 PM

TV: Peacock

Point spread: Line not yet set

Cavs injury report: De’Andre Hunter – QUESTIONABLE (knee), Darius Garland – OUT (toe), Sam Merrill – QUESTIONABLE (hand), Max Strus – OUT (foot), Chris Livingston – OUT (G League), Luke Travers – OUT (G League)

Magic injury report: Franz Wagner – OUT (ankle),Colin Castleton – OUT (G League)

Cavs expectedstarting lineup: Donovan Mitchell, Jaylon Tyson, Dean Wade, Evan Mobley, Jarrett Allen

Magic expected starting lineup: Jalen Suggs, Desmond Bane, Tristan de Silva, Paolo Banchero, Wendell Carter Jr.

Previous matchup: The Cavs defeated the Magic 119-105 on Saturday.

Here’s a look at both teams’ impact stats via Cleaning the Glass.

	Offensive Rating	Defensive Rating	Net Rating
Cavs	117.2 (9th)	114.6 (12th)	+2.6 (12th)
Magic	114.4 (20th)	115.3 (150th)	-0.9 (17th)

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Chad Baker-Mazara made five 3-pointers and scored 29 points, Ezra Ausar added 17 points, and USC beat Wisconsin 73-71 on Sunday to snap the Badgers' five-game win streak.

Jacob Cofie had 11 rebounds to go with nine points and five assists for USC (15-5, 4-5 Big Ten).

Nick Boyd hit a 3-pointer, made two free throws and added a layup to spark a 17-2 run that gave the Badgers a 58-46 lead with 12 minutes to play, but the Badgers made just 4 of 16 from the field the rest of the way. Baker-Mazara scored nine points — which included the final seven — in a 16-2 run over the next seven-plus minutes to take a two-point lead with 4:54 remaining.

John Blackwell made two free throws that tied it 65-all with 3:13 left, but Ausar made back-to-back baskets, Baker-Mazara scored in the lane, and Jerry Easter II hit two free throws with two seconds left that made it a four-point game.

Boyd made 10 of 17 from the field, hit 8 of 9 from the free-throw line, and led Wisconsin (14-6, 6-3) with 29 points. Nolan Winter added 12 points and Blackwell 11.

The Badgers shot 34% (23 of 67) overall and made 9 of 37 (24%) from behind the arc.

Up next

USC: The Trojans visit Iowa on Wednesday.

Wisconsin: The Badgers host Minnesota on Wednesday.

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After losing the Battle of the Thompson Twins on Friday night and ending their four-game winning streak, the Detroit Pistons showed up to their Sunday matinee against the Sacramento Kings with an opportunity to bounce back. Detroit showed their strength as the #1 team in the East as they dominated the Kings 139-116.

Jalen Duren kicked off Detroit with a strong first quarter as Sacramento struggled to defend JD inside – though, they would go on to struggle defensively the whole night. Duren would score 10 of Detroit’s first 20 points while a Tobias Harris three-pointer at the buzzer put the game at a 35-35 tie at the end of the first.

After shooting poorly the last few games with an injured wrist, Cade Cunningham showed up playing aggressive. He was punishing smaller Kings defenders in the post and found his jump shot in this one. He had 19 points, five rebounds, and eight assists in 19 first half minutes and that helped Detroit score 43 second quarter minutes to take a 78-65 lead. It’s the most they’ve scored in the first half all season.

It was one of those games that felt over by halftime.

There were still more than four minutes left in the third by the time Detroit had 100 points. The Pistons kept their foot on the gas and would extend their lead to 20 by the start of the fourth quarter. Sacramento does not have the defensive answers against Detroit, though, they didn’t seem to have the effort, either.

JB Bickerstaff would get to empty the bench in the final frame as 14 Detroit players got to see the court. Eight guys of the usual 10-man rotation (no Caris LeVert) would finish with double-digit points. Detroit would go on to shoot 55% from the field and 16-for-31 from deep on their route to a 139-116 final score.

Cade finished with 29 points, five rebounds, and 11 assists after being on triple double watch at halftime. He had a couple of sloppy turnovers, but still had a very efficient game despite shooting only one free throw. Jalen Duren faced little opposition down low and added 18 points.

Good things happen with this team gets three-point makes out of their starting SG and PF positions. Tobias Harris and Duncan Robinson combined to shoot 7-for-12 from deep, each with six attempts. In the seven games this season where Tobias Harris attempted at least six three-pointers, the Pistons are 6-1. This proves we should trade for a sharpshooting PF, right?

Bench players Ron Holland, Jaden Ivey, Daniss Jenkins, and Javonte Green would all go on to score 11 points each. After a strong showing, Holland received an unfortunate ejection after a weird tussle with Keon Ellis.

Another strong win for the strongest team in the East. Detroit next plays Tuesday night as they head west to take on Nikola Jokic and the Nuggets up in the Denver mountains.

Go Stones.

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (AP) — Jessica Timmons scored a career-high 28 points, she and Karly Weathers dominated the fourth quarter on offense, and No. 23 Alabama rallied to defeat Mississippi State 85-78 on Sunday.

Weathers scored 11 of her 13 points in the fourth quarter and Timmons had seven fourth-quarter points, 18 in the second half.

Timmons scored 11 points in the third quarter while Alabama built an eight-point lead with 3 1/2 minutes remaining in the period. But the Bulldogs hit their next six shots — four of them by Jaylah Lampley — and they took a 60-56 lead into the fourth.

There were three lead changes in the fourth quarter and Alabama went ahead for good when Weathers hit a layup and a 3-pointer followed by a three-point play by Timmons.

Mississippi State was within 74-70 before another 3 from Weathers put the Crimson Tide up by seven with two minutes remaining.

Diana Collins scored 15 points and Naomi Jones and Ace Austin added 10 each for Alabama (18-3, 4-3 SEC).

Favour Nwaedozi scored 19 points, Madison Francis 16, Lampley 14 and Trayanna Crisp 11 for Mississippi State (15-6, 2-5 SEC). Francis had eight rebounds and seven steals.

Four players hit 3-pointers for Alabama in the first quarter, helping the Crimson Tide take a 15-14 lead. There were five lead changes in the first few minutes of the second quarter, then Alabama went on to lead 35-31 at halftime.

Timmons made 11 of 11 free throws and the Crimson Tide hit on 20 of 24 from the foul line. Mississippi State made 18 of 21 free throws.

Up next

Mississippi State: The Bulldogs play Thursday at No. 17 Tennessee.

Alabama: The Crimson Tide visit Georgia on Thursday. ___

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