Steve Kerr makes history with 600th win as NBA head coach

Phil Jackson. Pat Riley. Gregg Popovic.

Only those legendary Hall of Fame coaches reached 600 wins as head coaches faster than Steve Kerr, who hit the milestone on Monday night when the Warriors beat the Washington Wizards.

"It's surreal to hear my name in that group, but I can tell you that it's one thing that bonds us all together, those names and mine," Kerr said after the win, via NBC Sports Bay Area. "It's talent. It's talent. I mean, you can't win in this league without great players, and I was blessed from the day I took this job with incredible talent with Steph [Curry] and Klay [Thompson] and Andre [Iguodala] and Andrew Bogut and down down the list ...

"All these guys are just amazing, and so I owe the honor to incredible talent and a great organization. Just to work for the Warriors, to be part of this amazing group of people that [Warriors owners] Joe Lacob and Peter Guber put together. Just to be a part of this, I'm so blessed, and most organizations are not this strong and this aligned, and I'm very, very lucky."

There are 28 coaches who have reached 600 wins, but Kerr does it with four titles and coaching the team of a generation. Kerr won rings as a player for Jackson and Popovich and served as a bridge from that era to the modern game — which his Warriors helped form.

This current Warriors team — with both Jimmy Butler (ACL) and Stephen Curry (knee) — out injured is struggling to hold its position in the West and appears headed for the play-in. The Warriors did get Kristaps Porzingis and Draymond Green back for the win in Washington.

Kerr is in the final year of his contract but has put off discussing his future with the team until this season ends. That said, around the league, the expectation is that he will be back coaching the Warriors next season.

The disappearance of Mikal Bridges

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - MARCH 13: Mikal Bridges #25 of the New York Knicks walks off the court after the game against the Indiana Pacers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on March 13, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana. 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 Justin Casterline/Getty Images) | Getty Images

With just 13 games left to go in the regular season, it’s go time for the New York Knicks. The boys in orange and blue have won their last three outings, and after a lengthy west coast road trip, should be excited to stick around the eastern time zone for their next few games.

As the playoffs become more and more in focus, it’s imperative that the Knicks are playing the best ball towards the end of the year. You want to be peaking at the right time. Brunson, Towns, and Anunoby have all been playing up to their standards. Mitchell Robinson has been attacking the glass hard. The bench has had a lot of different contributors as of late.

The most noticeable absence from that list, of course, is Mikal Bridges. And what a glaring absence it is.

Over his last six games, Bridges is averaging 6.5 points per outing. 

That’s not a typo. Soak it up. 6.5 points. That’s nearly a first-rounder given up per point at that rate. Are we serious?

Bridges, shooting 32% from the floor and 21% from three over that span, has been playing just over 26 minutes per night over the same period of time. He’s been benched in the fourth quarter multiple times. While he still delivers a steadying presence on the defensive end, the man who once averaged over twenty points per game has now turned into an offensive afterthought.

In general, it’s indicative of a season-long regression. Bridges’ average points have decreased from 17.6 to 14.8 between his two years as a Knick – still very solid, but for the blockbuster price New York paid for him, they just had to be expecting more. He has little to no aggression with the ball in his hands, and when the fadeaway jumpers aren’t falling, things get ugly fast.

Remember, Bridges was hailed as the missing piece when New York traded for him. He was the last of the Nova Knicks, destined to become a part of Madison Square Garden lore and propel the Knicks into championship contention.

Yes, New York may be viewed as a contender, but the reality of the situation is that it’s not because Bridges came in and elevated the level of play.

After last year’s playoffs, we’ve seen Bridges show up in the biggest of moments while under immense scrutiny. I’ll take any opportunity I can get to link these.

You could argue that the two plays above made the trade worth it alone. I don’t know if you’d be right, but you certainly could argue it, and I certainly would have to smile as I imagined the first two games of the Knicks-Celtics series last year. Bridges is a dog. He has it in him. We all know it. However – and most importantly – if this year’s Knicks want to win a championship, they’ll need Bridges to at least revert to the levels he played at last postseason to go on a true run.

The fate of New York may be in his hands, and a championship push might ultimately be dependent on which version of Mikal Bridges shows up in the playoffs. He has thirteen more games to figure it out before we see for ourselves.

Game Preview: Knicks vs Pacers, March 17, 2026

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - MARCH 13: Mitchell Robinson #23 of the New York Knicks and T.J. McConnell #9 of the Indiana Pacers battle for the ball during the second quarter at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on March 13, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana. 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 Justin Casterline/Getty Images) | Getty Images

They’re back at it again. Thankfully, for the fourth and final time this season, the Knicks (44*-25) will face the Pacers (15-53). Just two games ago, New York had to extert more effort than expected to knock of these cellar dwellers in Indiana. Tonight, they take the floor at Madison Square Garden in the first of seven remaining regular season home games.

Over their last 10 games, the Knicks have gone 7-3. The Pacers have lost 13 straight.

In their last meeting, on March 13, 2026, the Knicks won 101-92. Jalen Brunson led New York with 29 points and nine assists, while Mitchell Robinson hauled down a career-high 22 boards and OG Anunoby added 25 points. Jarace Walker led the Pacers with 18 points and nine rebounds.

The Pacers have had a dismal season defined by poor efficiency on both ends. Their offensive rating is last in the league and their defensive rating rates 25th. They average 111.2 points per game (27th in the league) and rank in the bottom 10 for wins, points allowed, field goal percentage, and net rating.

The best player on the Pacers is Pascal Siakam, who averages 24 points per game and shoots 36.2% from three while adding 6.7 rebounds and 3.9 assists. He’s missed four straight games, though, and Indiana might be inclined to shut him down for the remainder of the campaign. Andrew Nembhard contributes 17 points and leads the team with 7.3 assists per game. Bennedict Mathurin provides scoring punch at 17.8 points per game with 37.2% from downtown in limited appearances.[Editor’s Note: D’oh.] Aaron Nesmith adds 13.5 points and solid defense.

The Pacers are already without Tyrese Haliburton (Achilles) and Johnny Furphy (ACL) for the season, and could be even more shorthanded Tuesday with Pascal Siakam (doubtful) and a long list of rotation players—McConnell, Nembhard, Nesmith, Toppin, Zubac, Sheppard, Jackson, and Potter—listed as questionable. For the Knicks, Jalen Brunson is listed as a game-time decision as he’s managing an ankle sprain and neck pain. And I have my suspicions about Landry Shamet’s neck.

Prediction

Quoth Vermont Knicks Fan, “I call BS on the Pacers injury report.” Indeed. It’s Indiana’s special duty to make our lives miserable every time they face the Knicks, and tonight will be no exception. ESPN.com gives the Knicks an 87% chance of winning, but if I were a betting man, I’d count on the Hoosiers to cover the spread.

Coach Mike Brown should rest Brunson. We’ll need Cap’s gas tank as full as possible when the playoffs start, and this would be a prime opportunity for the other point guards on the bench (Tyler Kolek, Jose Alvarado) to show what they can do. We don’t doubt that the Knicks will win, given that the Pacers focused on tanking. It just might not feel like a sure thing until midway through the fourth. The Kolek Game? The Diawara Game? The McCullar Game? Carpe diem, gents. Knicks by 12.

Game Details

Who: New York Knicks (44*-25) vs Indiana Pacers (15-53)
Date: Tuesday, March 17, 2026
Time: 7:30 PM ET
Place: Madison Square Garden, NYC
TV: MSG Network
Follow: @ptknicksblog and bsky

* Should be one more, but NBA Cup wins lurk in the shadows

Kevin Durant says he ‘lost the game’ for Rockets vs. Lakers with second-half meltdown

An image collage containing 2 images, Image 1 shows Kevin Durant double teamed by Austin Reaves and LeBron James, Image 2 shows Houston Rockets star Kevin Durant vs. Los Angeles Lakers LeBron James
Kevin Durant was his own harshest critic following Monday's deflating loss.

Kevin Durant was his own harshest critic Monday night.

The Rockets star was brutally honest with reporters after getting neutralized by late-game defensive adjustments, blaming himself for the Houston’s 100–92 home loss to the Lakers.

With its offensive engine hindered by a flurry of double-teams, Houston scored just 12 points on 4-for-16 shooting while committing nine costly turnovers in the final period. 

Houston Rockets star Kevin Durant blamed himself for Monday’s loss to the Los Angeles Lakers. Getty Images

“I just felt like I lost the game for us tonight,” said Durant, who scored just two of his 18 points in the second half and accounted for seven of Houston’s 24 turnovers. “It’s that simple. Of course we probably could make more 3s, but it’s on me. I mean, to be honest, I’m the offense and the opposing team is going to use all their resources and not let me get comfortable.

“First half, I got comfortable in iso, comfortable coming off of pindowns, pick-and-rolls and they decided not to let me get comfortable no more,” he added. “So I got to be smarter, better with the ball. I got to maybe shoot over some of them double-teams, but space out, be ready to catch and shoot, be ready to be a screener, just be in a dunker spot, just being able to be there as a resource for my teammates to provide space. I didn’t need to have the ball as much as I did tonight.”

The Rockets (41–26) have frequently struggled late in games when teams send reinforcements at Durant, but were further strained Monday night as All-Star center Alperen Sengun was sidelined to nurse lower back pain.

The Lakers (43–25) — who have won nine of their last 10 games behind an emerging defensive identity — planned accordingly, deploying several different coverages to disrupt Houston’s sole source of offense.

It proved a winning strategy for Los Angeles, which offset its own offensive struggles — save for Luka Doncic’s 36 points — by holding Houston to just 35 points and 15 forced turnovers, including six from Durant, after intermission.

Kevin Durant was hit with several double-teams during the second half of Monday’s loss to the Lakers. NBAE via Getty Images

“[Durant’s] one of the greatest players we’ve ever seen play obviously, so you’ve just got to try to show him different looks, try to keep him off balance,” said LeBron James, who scored 18 points.

“And when he shoots, hope he misses. He don’t miss many shots. So I thought we did a good job of having a game plan, but also just switching up our pitches. Can’t show a great like that too many of the same coverages just throughout the whole game.”

The Rockets — now 1 1/2 games behind Los Angeles for third place in the Western Conference — will host the Lakers again Wednesday night. 

Durant, who finished 8-for-16 from the floor but shot just 1-for-5 during the second half, would seemingly like to see Houston implement a different strategy in the rematch — questioning his effectiveness as the primary ball handler down the stretch.

“I just feel like it just makes us stagnant,” Durant said. “When I come across half [court] and then they waited on me to drive, but I know they’re coming to double, so I wait a split second. I just think the whole process is too slow.

“And I just think that it’s all on me, because the team, when they see me, it just feels like one-on-five, to be honest,” he added. “You know what I’m saying? Because I see two guys coming up out the corner to help at the elbows and guys at the boxes. It’s almost like a zone when I get the ball up top. When I try to post up anywhere, it’s going to be double-teams. So I’m just trying to find out ways to open myself up, open my teammates up.”

Breaking down the Wizards’ loss to the Warriors

WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 16: Kristaps Porzingis #7 and De'anthony Melton #8 of the Golden State Warriors celebrate in the first quarter against the Washington Wizards at Capital One Arena on March 16, 2026 in Washington, DC. 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 Greg Fiume/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The Washington Wizards lost to the Golden State Warriors last night, 125-117. Kevin Broom is out today, so let’s break down the numbers, starting with the four factors.

TeamPaceeFG%TOV%ORB%FT/FGAORtg
Warriors101.60.55514.134.10.264123
Wizards101.60.59618.8250.308115.2

Let’s go with the pros:

  • Effective field goal percentage:Despite the loss, the Wizards still had a higher shooting percentage here thanks to a better three point shooting night.
  • Three Wizards players scored 21 points: Will Riley, Bilal Coulibaly and Trae Young scored this magic number each and at a good efficiency.

And the cons:

  • Kristaps Porzingis: There was no Stephen Curry or Jimmy Butler. Draymond Green was the assist and rebounding power. But Porzingis came off the bench and scored 30 points.
  • Turnovers: Washington gave up 21 turnovers last night compared to 17 for Golden State. Against a more established team, that’s how things work against the Wizards.
  • 12 straight losses? I’d like to see a win every now and then.

No rest for the weary. The Detroit Pistons are in tonight so let’s hope the Wizards don’t lose 13 in a row.

Clutch your pearls Charles Barkley: The Lakers actually are contenders

Sorry, Sir Charles. 

The Lakers have won six games in a row, including nine of their last 10 contests. Their offense is clicking. Their defense is formidable. 

Amid their win-streak, they’ve beaten multiple teams atop the NBA standings, including the Knicks, Timberwolves, Nuggets and Rockets. 

It’s time to accept the reality you’ve been dreading: The Lakers are contenders. 

On Saturday, Charles Barkley antagonized Lakers fans by saying he hoped they didn’t beat the Nuggets. He said that would be his “worst nightmare” because then he’d have to hear sports shows calling them contenders. 

Getty Images
NBAE via Getty Images

Not only did the Lakers beat the Nuggets in overtime, 127-125, but they then won their next game against the Rockets on Monday, 100-92, holding Kevin Durant to nearly as many field goals (eight) as turnovers (seven). 

Over the past two weeks, the Lakers have piled on increasingly impressive wins. It’s time to accept the fact that a pattern has formed. 

The Lakers win over the Knicks in which they never trailed wasn’t an anomaly. Their victory over the Timberwolves wasn’t because Anthony Edwards was having an off night, shooting 2-for-15 from the field. Their nail-biter over the Nuggets wasn’t luck. And their grind-it-out win over the Rockets wasn’t a one-off victory. 

The Lakers are good. Perhaps they’re even really good. 

Something has changed for the team. 

Luka Doncic is playing MVP-caliber basketball for the second time this season after his sizzling performance amid the Lakers’ 15-4 start. Over the month of March, he’s averaging 34.3 points, 9 rebounds and 7.7 assists. 

Austin Reaves is being aggressive and has turned into a bonafide star, cementing his Arkansas flag among the elite of the league. 

LeBron James has embraced being the team’s third option even though he’s arguably the greatest player of all-time. 

Getty Images
NBAE via Getty Images

Deandre Ayton is playing with force. Marcus Smart is reminding everyone that he’s a former Defensive Player of the Year. 

Lakers coach JJ Redick can finally exhale. His long nights in his dark basement poring over film have paid off. Everyone has bought in. 

The Lakers are in third place in the Western Conference. They’ve hit their stride at just the right time. WIth only 14 games remaining, they’re one of the top teams in the NBA. 

Those are whiplash-inducing sentences considering they were counted out mere weeks ago. After going 4-4 on their eight-game homestand, a purple and gold-stained natural disaster had officially struck Los Angeles. 

You know, Doncic wasn’t a winner. James was a blight on the Lakers. Reaves was a disappearing act. And former No. 1 overall pick Deandre Ayton didn’t even compare to Rockets’ center Clint Capela.

Oh, how things have changed. 

Now, Doncic is a legitimate MVP-contender. James is a selfless winner for playing behind Doncic and Reaves. Reaves is a sensation. Ayton has looked like DominAyton recently. And Smart has become the hard-nosed defender the Lakers needed. 

Of course, it remains questionable whether the Lakers could beat the crème de la crème of the West in a seven-game series. The reigning NBA champion Oklahoma City Thunder made them look old and tired last time they met. And it’s uncertain whether the Lakers have answers for the 7-foot-4 alien that is Victor Wembanyama and his Spurs. 

But the Lakers can no longer be counted out. 

They’re tough. They’re able to adapt. They tallying wins against the best teams in the league. 

It’s no longer hyperbolic to call them contenders. If everyone keeps starring in their roles, the Lakers could really make some noise in the playoffs. 

The four-time NBA champion James obviously knows a thing or two about winning. Doncic carried Dallas to the Finals in 2024 and is desperate to make former Mavericks general manager Nico Harrison regret the day he put his signature on the most shocking trade in NBA history. 

Reaves is anxious to play well in the playoffs following his 2025 postseason struggles, especially with a potential max contract awaiting him. Ayton wants to prove he’s not a bust. And Smart is ready to show the world what he can do again. 

The Lakers aren’t just a group of mismatched stars who can’t jell anymore. They’ve sacrificed to make The Big Three shine. They’ve filled their holes on the defensive end and from beyond the arc, masking their deficits with unyielding effort. 

The Lakers have arrived. 

Sorry, Sir Charles. We all know the narrative that the Lakers are good is as abhorrent to you as setting foot in San Antonio. 

This postseason, looks like you’re going to be in for a lot of grief. 


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Milwaukee Bucks vs. Cleveland Cavaliers Preview & Game Thread: Fear what sword?

MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - FEBRUARY 25: Ryan Rollins #13 of the Milwaukee Bucks dribbles the ball against Dennis Schröder #8 of the Cleveland Cavaliers during the fourth quarter at Fiserv Forum on February 25, 2026 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. 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 Patrick McDermott/Getty Images) | Getty Images

After a back-to-back where the Milwaukee Bucks lost to the fiery-hot Hawks on the road and beat the Pacers at home, they’ll take on the Cleveland Cavaliers at Fiserv Forum on Tuesday. The last time these two Central Division teams met, KPJ iced the game with a clean fadeaway over Jarrett Allen in one of the more memorable plays of the season. Since then, Milwaukee’s momentum has been halted by a difficult stretch of games, while Cleveland continues to wrestle for playoff positioning. Tuesday will mark the last time Milwaukee plays Cleveland this season.

Where We’re At

After a difficult stretch of games where Milwaukee has won just two games (Utah, Indy) in their last ten, they seem primed to miss the playoffs for the first time since 2016. The Bucks are struggling with consistency in scoring and concede an uncomfortable amount of three-pointers. Milwaukee’s shootout against the 15-53 Pacers marked a burst of offensive firepower Milwaukee has missed for most of the season. After shooting north of 50% from three through the efforts of players like Bobby Portis and Ryan Rollins, the Bucks will look to continue their solid shooting in their home matchup against Cleveland.

Cleveland, much like Milwaukee, is looking for some steadiness after a tumultuous stretch of games. The Cavaliers are mired in a difficult playoff race, and recent losses to the likes of Boston and Orlando have knocked them down to fourth place, 7.5 games behind first-place Detroit. They travel to Fiserv Forum coming off an “embarrassing” 130-120 loss to Dallas, where they’ll try to fix their defensive mishaps and careless turnovers.

Injury Report

For the Bucks, Giannis is questionable with a sprained ankle. His ankle has been bugging him recently, and a potential hyperextended knee that took him out of Sunday’s game against the Pacers hasn’t helped. Although Giannis downplayed the scary leg injury, his ankle troubles make playing him a risky bet against the Cavs, especially with low stakes in a relatively meaningless game. Ousmane Dieng (illness) and Myles Turner (calf strain) are also marked as questionable.

The Cavs will miss Jarrett Allen, who averages north of 15 points per game, with tendonitis in the knee. Allen has missed the last five games with the injury and will miss Cleveland’s three-game road trip to undergo treatment. Craig Porter Jr. (groin) and Tyrese Proctor (quad) are also out, while Sam Merrill (questionable, hamstring) and Jaylon Tyson (probable, ankle) round out their injury list.

Player to Watch

Cam Thomas has logged 19 minutes across the last three games, even sitting out the entirety of the Bucks’ Sunday win over Indiana. Thomas is a gifted scorer whose main strength comes from his ability to create separation off the dribble and convert tough jumpers. However, struggles with efficiency and an inability to mesh with the established Bucks rotation have left Thomas in the dust when it comes to playing time. Thomas is averaging 7.4 points in 13.4 minutes per game, posting shooting splits of .375/.278/.667 in March. Could Doc take another chance on such an unpredictable scorer, especially against a floundering Cavaliers defense?

How To Watch

Watch on NBC/Peacock or FanDuel Sports Network at 7 p.m. CDT.



76ers at Nuggets Prediction: Odds, recent stats, trends, and best bets for March 17

The 76ers (37-31) travel to the Mile High City to take on the Nuggets (41-27) in the nightcap of a doubleheader on Peacock.

Philadelphia will be without multiple starters in the start of this three-game road trip. The 76ers have won back-to-back games and three of the past four with a lone loss to the Pistons. Philadelphia has climbed to 1.5 game back from the No. 6 seed in the Eastern Conference and are tied with the Hawks for the 8th spot.

Denver is tied with Minnesota for the No. 5 spot and 0.5 game back from Houston for the No. 4 seed. The Nuggets are 5-5 in the last 10 games and are at home in six of the next eight games. The Nuggets won 126-125 in OT of the only meeting versus the 76ers this season.

Lets take a closer look at tonight’s matchup and take into consideration lineups, injuries, and other factors affecting the line and total.

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: 76ers at Nuggets

  • Date: Tuesday, March 17, 2026
  • Time: 10 PM EST
  • Site: Ball Arena
  • City: Denver, CO
  • Network/Streaming: Peacock/NBC Sports

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: 76ers at Nuggets

The latest odds as of Tuesday courtesy of DraftKings:

  • Moneyline: Denver Nuggets (-1200), Philadelphia 76ers (+750)
  • Spread: Denver -15.5
  • Total: 235.5 points

This game opened Nuggets -12.5 with the Total set at 228.5.

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: 76ers at Nuggets

Denver Nuggets

  • PG Jamal Murray
  • SG Christian Braun
  • SF Cameron Johnson
  • PF Aaron Gordon
  • C Nikola Jokic

Philadelphia 76ers

  • PG VJ Edgecombe 
  • SG Quentin Grimes
  • SF Justin Edwards
  • PF Dominick Barlow
  • C Adam Bona

Injury Report: 76ers at Nuggets

Denver Nuggets

  • Peyton Watson (hamstring) is listed as OUT for tonight’s game

Philadelphia 76ers

  • Tyrese Maxey (tendon) is listed as OUT for tonight’s game
  • Kelly Oubre Jr (elbow) is listed as OUT for tonight’s game
  • Joel Embiid (oblique) is listed as OUT for tonight's game
  • Jabari Walker (illness) is listed as OUT for tonight's game

Important stats, trends and insights: 76ers at Nuggets

  • Denver is 38-30 ATS and 15-16 ATS at home
  • Denver is 11-12 ATS as a home favorite
  • Denver is an NBA-best 43-25 to the Over
  • Denver is 16-15 to the Over at home
  • Philadelphia is 36-32 ATS and 35-33 to the Over
  • The 76ers are 17-15 to the Over on the road
  • The 76ers are 10-9 ATS as the road underdog

Rotoworld Best Bet

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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 76ers and Nuggets’ game:

  • Moneyline: Rotoworld Bet is leaning towards a play on the Nuggets’ Moneyline
  • Spread: Rotoworld Bet is leaning towards a play on the Nuggets -15.5 ATS
  • Total: Rotoworld Bet is leaning towards a play on the Game Total UNDER 235.5

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!

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)
  • Trysta Krick (@Trysta_Krick)

Fantasy Basketball Stock Up, Stock Down: DeMar DeRozan finds vintage form for fantasy playoffs

The fantasy playoffs are here! An uncharacteristically subpar or a surprisingly exceptional game or two can make all the difference in the world during this time of the year. For fantasy managers, here’s a look at which players could fall into those categories.

Let's get started!

→ Watch the NBA Coast 2 Coast Tuesday on NBC and Peacock: The Cavaliers and Bucks tip things off at 8 p.m. ET before the 76ers and Nuggets square off at 10 p.m. ET. Both games are available on Peacock. Check your local listings for the NBC game in your area.

NBA: Utah Jazz at Sacramento Kings
Achiuwa is one of the players on lottery-bound teams who have provided excellent value during the “silly season.”

STOCK UP

DeMar Derozan — SF/PF, Kings

The veteran mid-range technician has come alive just in time for the fantasy playoffs, even if it’s played a role in costing the Kings to lose some ground in top-3 NBA Draft pick projections this upcoming offseason. Sacramento has won four of its last five games, and although DeRozan missed one of those contests, he’s averaging 29.8 points and 6.3 assists per game in that stretch, which includes 41-point and 39-point outings. Fittingly, he’s made just one three-pointer during this run of high-scoring performances. Injuries to Keegan Murray (ankle) and Malik Monk (ankle) have eaten into the Kings’ depth and scoring, making DeRozan all the more likely to maintain his workload and production. Stock up!

VJ Edgecombe — PG/SG, 76ers

A back injury kept Edgecombe on the sideline for three games early in March, but in the four games since his return, he’s played some very good basketball. Specifically, Edgecombe is averaging 16.3 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 3.8 assists in 33.5 minutes per game since making his way back to the rotation. Arguably, the lone weakness over that stretch has been three-point shooting — he’s gone 2-of-18 from deep over his last four appearances. The rookie guard isn’t doing anything otherworldly from a numbers standpoint, but he’s trending in the right direction and helping the Sixers get back on track. He should continue to progress here in the fantasy playoffs.

Dejounte Murray — PG/SG, Pelicans

Speaking of returns from injury, Murray’s strong play has caught many by surprise. He returned from an Achilles injury and made his season debut in late February, immediately produced, and has only become more productive since. The veteran combo guard has scored 35 and 27 points in his past two appearances and is averaging 6.5 boards and 5.0 assists across six games in March. Murray’s nightly contributions across the stat sheet have quickly made him one of New Orleans’ most reliable and intriguing fantasy options. He’s been able to log close to 30 minutes per game consistently; if that number increases, so could the production, which would make him one of the better late-season roster additions across fantasy leagues.

NBA: Utah Jazz at Sacramento Kings
Cody Williams is breaking out at just the right time for fantasy managers.

STOCK DOWN

Collin Gillespie — PG/SG, Suns

A strong fantasy season has stalled at the completely wrong time, from a fantasy basketball perspective. The third-year guard has totaled seven points and eight assists over his past three games after averaging 16.0 points and 6.3 assists over the three games prior. The good news for fantasy managers is that the minutes and opportunities haven’t evaporated — the recent slowed production seems to boil down to inefficient shooting more than anything else, which seems like a simple fix. However, with the fantasy basketball playoffs already underway in most leagues, those fantasy managers with Gillespie rostered are hoping he can shake out of this funk quickly.

Rudy Gobert — C, Timberwolves

The Timberwolves are struggling, and not many of their players have consistently played well enough to get the team back on track. That includes Gobert, whose recent numbers haven’t led to much fantasy production either. The four-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year has totaled one blocked shot and two steals over the past four games, and although his defensive impact stretches far beyond something as simple as blocked shots, in the fantasy world, his inability to erase shots at the rim lately has cost him some production. Additionally, Gobert has scored in single digits and brought down fewer than 10 rebounds in three of his last four appearances. Both the Timberwolves and fantasy managers alike will need Gobert to produce numbers that more closely resemble the 18/9/2/1/1 line against the Warriors than the 2/7/2/0/1 line in the Wolves’ most recent loss to the Thunder.

Nic Claxton — C, Nets

The month of March has not been one of Claxton's better months, if we’re strictly looking at statistics. Before Monday’s 12-point, 11-rebound double-double against the Trail Blazers, he had scored in single figures four games in a row, averaging 5.5 rebounds over that span. The lack of production came as a surprise, given that the seventh-year center had averaged 14.2 points in February, marking his most productive and efficient scoring month of the season. How and why did things suddenly take a turn? Hard to say. And maybe his double-double against Portland can serve as a turning point. But I, presumably like many, will need to see more production before becoming optimistic about Claxton for the rest of the season.

Cavaliers at Bucks prediction: Odds, recent stats, trends, and best bets for March 17

Cleveland (41-27) and Milwaukee (28-39) meet on Peacock in the first of a doubleheader. The Cavaliers are 2-1 versus the Bucks this season with Milwaukee taking the previous matchup, 118-116.

The Cavaliers lost its previous matchup with the Mavericks and are 4-3 since the start of March. Cleveland is sitting at 4th in the Eastern Conference and 2.5 games behind the Knicks. This is the first of a three-game road trip for Cleveland as they take on Milwaukee, Chicago, and New Orleans — a more than manageable three-game stretch.

Milwaukee beat the Pacers in their last outing to end their four-game losing streak. The Bucks are 2-8 over the last 10 games and close to being eliminated from playoff contention. Milwaukee is 5.5 games behind Charlotte for the final spot and begins a rough four-game road trip after this home outing at Utah, Phoenix, Los Angeles, and Portland.

Lets take a closer look at tonight’s matchup and take into consideration lineups, injuries, and other factors affecting the line and total.

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: Cavaliers at Bucks

  • Date: Tuesday, March 17, 2026
  • Time: 8 PM EST
  • Site: Fiserv Forum
  • City: Milwaukee, WI
  • Network/Streaming: Peacock/NBC

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: Cavaliers at Bucks

The latest odds as of Tuesday courtesy of DraftKings:

  • Moneyline: Cleveland Cavaliers (-470), Milwaukee Bucks (+360)
  • Spread: Cleveland -10.5
  • Total: 228.5 points

This game opened Cavaliers -9.5 with the Total set at 228.5

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: Cavaliers at Bucks

Cleveland Cavaliers

  • PG James Harden
  • SG Donovan Mitchell
  • SF Dean Wade
  • PF Dean Wade
  • C Evan Mobley

Milwaukee Bucks

  • PG Kevin Porter Jr.
  • SG Ousmane Dieng (questionable)
  • SF Kyle Kuzma
  • PF Giannis Antetokounmpo (questionable)
  • C Myles Turner (questionable)

Injury Report: Cavaliers at Bucks

Cleveland Cavaliers

  • Jarrett Allen (knee) is listed as OUT for tonight’s game
  • Sam Merrill (hamstring) is listed as QUESTIONABLE for tonight's game
  • Jaylon Tyson (ankle) is listed as QUESTIONABLE for tonight's game

Milwaukee Bucks

  • Myles Turner (calf) is listed as QUESTIONABLE for tonight’s game
  • Giannis Antetokounmpo (ankle) is listed as QUESTIONABLE for tonight’s game
  • Ousmane Dieng (illness) is listed as QUESTIONABLE for tonight's game

Important stats, trends and insights: Cavaliers at Bucks

  • Cleveland is 28-40 ATS, ranking tied for worst
  • Cleveland is 15-18 ATS on the road
  • Cleveland is 20-13 to the Over on the road, ranking 3rd-best
  • Cleveland is 35-33 to the Under overall
  • Milwaukee is 29-38 ATS, ranking 6th-worst
  • Milwaukee is 19-15 to the Over at home, ranking 7th-best
  • Milwaukee is 38-29 to the Under, ranking 8th-worst
  • Milwaukee is 15-19 ATS at home

Rotoworld Best Bet

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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 Cavaliers and Bucks’ game:

  • Moneyline: Rotoworld Bet is leaning towards a play on the Cavaliers’ Moneyline
  • Spread: Rotoworld Bet is leaning towards a play on the Cavaliers - 10.5 ATS
  • Total: Rotoworld Bet is leaning towards a play on the Game Total UNDER 228.5

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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Highlights: Stephon Castle and Victor Wembanyama prove too much for the Clippers

INGLEWOOD, CA - MARCH 16: Stephon Castle #5, Victor Wembanyama #1, De'Aaron Fox #4 of the San Antonio Spurs look on during the game against the LA Clippers on March 16, 2026 at Intuit Dome 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

At this point in the season, each win has to feel like finding gold. Monday night in Los Angeles wasn’t the prettiest, but it kept the goal alive to snatch the first seed, which would at least give them a seventh game at home against all West opponents in the playoffs. On top of that, Stephon Castle is only in year two, but if he keeps having these types of impressive performances, especially on national TV, he’ll be among the league’s best soon. That could mean more favorable calls from refs. 

It can simply be summarized as a weird night. Players didn’t have the same early juice because Kawhi Leonard wasn’t playing, and it got close in the second half. Still, finding a way to win ugly is what separates the great teams from the good ones. Some of these highlights should help erase the shaky finish from memory.

Think of how many times you’ve seen Victor Wembanyama’s rejection lead to something quickly on the other side. The way Castle dribbled behind his back was sick, and it was the play of the night since Brook Lopez is so much bigger than him. These days, many players would have hoisted a 3-pointer in transition, which wouldn’t have been a bad option, but Castle’s inclination to attack the lane makes him special.  

This happened during the Spurs’ tsunami. The lob to Wemby was reminiscent of Randy Moss going down the middle in the end zone because he was just too skilled and talented for everyone else.

Wemby’s isolation that led to an and-one should make those who have seen every minute of his Spurs journey smile. There was once a time when he would bail out much smaller defenders with a jumper, and now he rarely flinches when going at them. Additionally, two years ago, the bump Bennedict Mathurin gave him before the spin may have stopped him from advancing. Lots of teams will be hopeless if their physicality can’t get to him.

This side-step triple is simple, but it was hilarious since Derrick Jones Jr. first committed the sin of biting on a fake, then he somehow thought he could block or disrupt a release point that high. His coaches probably looked at each other, thinking, “How many times do we have to tell him?” 

The best part is that Jordan Miller put his head down in disgust. It’s like he was thinking, What are we supposed to do about him? 

The clip is too short, but this stemmed from two of Carter Bryan’t offensive rebounds in one possession, one coming off his own missed free throw. His intensity is vital for the team because it inspires others.

I just want to see how many of these in a row the Spurs could do in a quarter.

Darius Garland is twitchy with a quick first step. It says a lot about Castle that he embraces getting on island with him, and in this case, his timing was impeccable.

Devin Vassell was steady and is one of the heroes of the night. This was badly needed as the team got jumped at the start.

Anyone that plays this hard will always find minutes.

How many times have you seen Kevin Durant do that?

Finally, the complete highlights:

10 takeaways from a back-and-forth battle with the Suns

BOSTON, MA - MARCH 16: Jaylen Brown #7 of the Boston Celtics is fouled by Devin Booker #1 of the Phoenix Suns as he hits him in the face during the second half at TD Garden on March 16, 2026 in Boston, Massachusetts. 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 Winslow Townson/Getty Images) | Getty Images

#1 – Call your team, the Jay’s are back

Slowly but surely, the synergy between Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum is coming back. There hasn’t been a big highlight with an alley-oop yet, but some plays are showing that they can both be so impactful together.

This pick-and-roll manipulation from Tatum with Luka Garza’s screen breaks the Suns’ defensive shell and, despite having three players in front of him, JT finds JB in the corner. The defense collapses even more, Brown swings it to Garza, and that’s an easy one.

Over Jaylen Brown’s six assists, three were for Jayson Tatum. Having JT pass away from JB, with all his improvement in reading two-vs-one situations, is just too much to handle for the defense.

Because JT isn’t just a regular shooter next to JB. If the defense closes too hard, or sends two players by mistake, he can already drive and make sure to use the gap in the defense to capitalize on JB’s first drive.

Both Jay’s had a great night against a fierce defense, and it all started with Brown’s willingness to get to the line no matter what.

#2 – Brown energy shifted early

At the end of the first quarter, Jaylen Brown had made just one field goal, yet he was up to 11 points. The Celtics’ leading scorer quickly understood that the calls would be made last night, so he drove to the rim. Relentlessly.

This level of aggression was particularly oriented towards Jalen Green, probably one of the worst defenders among the Phoenix Suns’ core rotation. The 2024 Finals MVP went at this mismatch, forced great positions for himself in the post, and just went after the former Rocket.

This most impressive drive came a little later and was concluded by a beautiful pass to Pritchard, who swung it to Baylor Scheierman for a corner three. With great gravity comes great responsibility, and Brown is showing how much he has learned to deal with the space he creates for his teammates.

As he kept on driving, Jaylen finished with 41 points, 21 free-throw attempts, and well-deserved MVP chants that echoed with the chants he got in South Boston a couple of days ago.

#3 – Tatum versatility

Who wouldn’t dream of a player who can play both the ball-handler and the roll man in a pick-and-roll situation? Well, the Celtics have him, and he is just getting started.

On this first bucket from the Celtics, Neemias Queta plays the roll man and sets a beautiful flare screen for Tatum, who uses his speed with the ball. His gravity forces a second defender to help, and he finds the Portuguese big man on the roll. Well done.

A few possessions later, Tatum becomes the screener in the pick-and-roll. His screen quality creates a switch, and he gets the mismatch he was looking for. He traps the defender on his back before getting the ball, rolls to the rim, and that’s a layup.

Two buckets at the rim he generated, once as a ball-handler, once as a roll man. It doesn’t get much better than that.

#4 – Derrick White’s Celtics

When the second quarter started, both Jaylen and Jayson were sitting on the bench, leaving the creation to White. And you know what? He scored 13 of the first 16 points in that quarter. It all started with a good old pull-up from three above a mismatch created by Queta’s screen.

Then, the Celtics use Queta as a ball-handler to put pressure on the Suns’ off-ball defense. As the big man gets the ball, Sam Hauser sets a slip screen for White. His quick cut to the rim attracts two defenders with him, and there you go, an open three for the Defensive Player of the Month.

On the next play, he is off-ball while Scheierman and Hauser go into a two-man action. The drive and Queta’s cut create an imbalance in the Suns’ defense, and guess who is open for three again?

The last play of that run might be my favorite. The Celtics are in a horns situation with the ball in Queta’s hands again. White goes to the ball for a handoff, and in the meantime, Brown cuts to the rim. These movements create space for White as Brown seals his defender on his back.

A wonderful display of how the Celtics can have a lot of different approaches on offense. And if you look closely, Neemias Queta is one of the reasons why.

#5 – Queta the hub

How do you trick a defense that loves to put a lot of pressure on the ball-handler with their wings? You put the ball into your center’s hands – and pray he can execute. Great news for the Celtics: Neemias Queta keeps showing promise as a passer. Last night, he finished with a team-high 6 assists in 33 minutes.

This play above, and the one we looked at earlier in this article with Derrick White’s off-ball movement, are clear indicators that the Celtics’ coaching staff is confident relying on Neemias to have the ball in his hands and on his decision-making to make the right play when needed. That development is great for the Celtics, who can play some 5-out offense even with him on the court.

#6 – No center, no problem?

To close the second quarter, the Celtics went small-ball with Jayson Tatum as their tallest player (not their center, just the tallest guy out there). The reason I emphasize that he is not a center is because the Celtics use that lineup to really spread the floor as much as possible, and it created chaos in the Suns’ defense.

On the play below, Phoenix players look a bit lost. White cuts, and JT finds him with a gorgeous pass in the paint. Pritchard sees it and cuts right away for an easy layup. No center, more space, more speed to attack the rim.

The Celtics used off-ball gravity to run plays where the movement freezes the defense so Brown can keep driving with as much space as needed.

But no center also means a lot less rim protection, and the Suns quickly figured it out with high pick-and-rolls to stretch the Celtics’ defense early in the rotation.

What the Celtics gained on offense with that lineup, they lost on defense, and the score remained pretty even during this stretch.

#7 – The Suns tried to avoid half-court situations

What stood out pretty early was that the Suns were here to steal the ball and run as fast as possible. Before the game, Jordan Ott told us he preferred to avoid having to attack the Celtics in half-court situations as much as possible. So, to do so, they went for the ball aggressively.

Overall, they succeeded with 13 forced turnovers, but it wasn’t enough to win it all. Plus, contrary to the previous game, the Celtics were very disciplined in transition defense and allowed only 1 point per possession in transition.

#8 – The possession battle

Before the game, Jordan Ott mentioned that the Celtics had 15 more possessions than the Suns in their last matchup, and that was something he wanted to fix.

Well, the Suns definitely came prepared and were able to win the possession battle thanks to turnovers but also far better box-outs. After allowing 22 offensive rebounds the last time they faced Boston, the Celtics only got 7 extra chances tonight, leading to a much closer game.

That was a rare occasion where the Celtics lost the possession battle and still won the game, showing the gap in talent between the Suns and the Celtics, especially with Jayson Tatum back in the roster.

#9 – The Celtics were okay giving mid-range shots

It felt like Joe Mazzulla and the coaching staff wanted the Phoenix Suns to have those mid-range opportunities. With 20% of their shots attempted between 14 feet and the three-point line, the Suns were forced (or invited?) to shoot from the middy a lot. What might not have been expected was how efficient they would be from that zone.

Indeed, on average this season, the Suns are making 42.6% of their long mid-range shots – last night, it was up to 58.8%! That shooting variance allowed Booker and his teammates to stay in the game despite the Celtics taking away the rim, with only 14 shots allowed in that zone.

So, when clutch time arrived, the Celtics wanted to make sure they weren’t leaving the game result in the hands of lady variance.

#10 – Until they were not

As Nik breaks down for us in the post below, the Celtics changed their coverage in the final minutes to take the ball away from Devin Booker. Instead of the usual drop, they switched and even doubled him, leaving the weakside corner open and making sure the decision would have to be made under pressure.

A great adaptation in the final minutes of the game, where every bucket matters. Overall, it made sense to leave the pull-up mid-range shots open because it invites players to take inefficient shots that don’t generate fouls and lack collective synergy. Booker almost won it from the middy, but the Celtics closed that zone right when they needed to.”

Sam Kerr lifts Australia past China 2-1 and into the Women’s Asian Cup final

PERTH, Australia (AP) — Sam Kerr broke a second half deadlock and Australia edged defending champion China 2-1 for a spot in the Women’s Asian Cup final on Tuesday.

The veteran Chelsea forward started the attacking movement on halfway and finished it off with a left-foot shot from a tight angle in the 58th minute, the decisive moment of a semifinal that was tied 1-1 at halftime.

The Australians will play the winner of Wednesday’s semifinal between Japan and South Korea. Australia last won the continental championship in 2010.

Caitlin Foord gave the host the lead in the 17th when she finished off an attacking raid that started with Mary Fowler combining with Ellie Carpenter on the right. Carpenter crossed back into the area, where Fowler cut the ball back for Foord to fire.

China equalized in the 26th through Zhang Linyan from the penalty spot. Zhang won the penalty after she swooped on a defensive blunder and was felled in the area by goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold.

All of the semifinalists qualified automatically for the 2027 Women’s World Cup. The losing quarterfinalists go into playoffs for two more guaranteed places in Brazil.

Iran’s exit

The two Iran players who remained in Australia on protection visas following their team's group-stage exit joined a practice session Monday with a professional club in Brisbane in their first publicly shared appearance since it emerged they were given asylum.

Fatemeh Pasandideh and Atefeh Ramezanisadeh were pictured smiling and wearing the club’s training uniform as they posed alongside a women’s elite squad in photos posted to social media by the Brisbane Roar.

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AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer

Iran’s Mexico Embassy says Iran is negotiating with FIFA to move World Cup matches

MEXICO CITY (AP) — Iran’s Embassy in Mexico on Tuesday said the country is negotiating with FIFA to move Iran’s World Cup matches from the U.S. to Mexico after President Donald Trump discouraged the team from attending the tournament, citing safety concerns.

It was unclear whether such talks are happening with FIFA, which did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Iranian officials have previously said it is up to FIFA and the U.S. to keep the team safe during the World Cup.

The Embassy posted a statement attributed to Iranian soccer federation president Mehdi Taj saying Iran wants to move its group stage matches to Mexico to ensure the safety of players and officials.

“When Trump has explicitly stated that he cannot ensure the security of the Iranian national team, we will certainly not travel to America,” the statement said. “We are currently negotiating with FIFA to hold Iran’s matches in the World Cup in Mexico.”

The World Cup is being co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico. Iran is scheduled to play against New Zealand on June 16 and Belgium on June 21 in Inglewood, California, before finishing group play in Seattle against Egypt on June 26.

Moving the games would be unprecedented less than three months before the start of the World Cup.

Trump said last week that the Iran team was welcome at the World Cup despite the ongoing war in the Middle East but “I really don’t believe it is appropriate that they be there, for their own life and safety.”

Iran has sent mixed signals about its participation in the tournament after the U.S. and Israel launched attacks that killed the Islamic republic's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and dozens of other senior figures.

Sports minister Ahmad Donyamali told state TV last week that it was not possible to play "due to the wicked acts they have done against Iran.”

But after Trump's post the national team said on Instagram that “no one can exclude” it from the tournament and a government spokesman in Tehran stressed in it was the responsibility of FIFA and the U.S. as a co-host nation to keep players safe and secure.

“FIFA is the organizer of the World Cup,” Iran Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei said. “When warnings are issued at the highest level about the environment being unsafe for Iranian football players, this indicates that the host country apparently lacks the capacity and ability to provide security for such an important sporting event.”

Soccer is followed passionately in Iran, a nation of more than 90 million people which has qualified for seven men's World Cups and each of the past four editions. The team is ranked No. 20 in the world by FIFA and behind only Japan from Asia.

FIFA has not commented in recent days beyond an Instagram post by president Gianni Infantino last week that he'd received assurances from Trump that Iran was welcome at the tournament.

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AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer

5 big storylines to watch as NBA regular season hits stretch run

It’s the final month of the 2025-26 NBA regular season.

This means teams are running out of chances to make their final arguments for playoff seeding, just like players are running out of time to convince voters to select them for individual awards. It also means the best basketball of the year is in front of us, as the two-month marathon that is the NBA playoffs gets underway April 18.

But, before we get ahead of ourselves, this should make for a compelling finish to what has been an interesting season.

Here are the top five storylines to watch for the rest of the 2025-26 NBA regular season:

Can anyone catch the Pistons and Thunder atop the Eastern and Western Conferences?

Since the start of the season, the Oklahoma City Thunder have led the West wire-to-wire, even in the face of significant time lost due to injury. In the East, the Detroit Pistson took over sole possession of first on Nov. 7 and haven't looked back since.

Being practical, there are only two teams in the East — the Boston Celtics (3½ games back) and the New York Knicks (5) — who can potentially catch Detroit. And while it doesn’t help that Detroit has the 22nd-toughest remaining schedule (.485, per Tankathon.com) and that the Pistons don’t play either Boston or New York the rest of the way, Detroit has been more vulnerable recently, losing six of its last 12 games.

The case is perhaps stronger for the San Antonio Spurs, who are just 3 games back of Oklahoma City. San Antonio has the NBA’s fourth-easiest remaining schedule (.452), while the Thunder have the league’s 11th-toughest (.519). And while the Thunder are playing extremely well and should get Jalen Williams back soon, the Spurs have been the hottest team in basketball, losing just two of their last 20 games.

Will the 65-game rule disqualify any stars in the MVP, individual awards races?

Injuries early in the season to some of the game’s biggest stars have complicated the pathway for individual awards.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (12 games missed) appears to be safe, with the ability to miss up to five games while maintaining eligibility. Gilgeous-Alexander has been consistent and appears to be the odds-on favorite to win his second-consecutive MVP.

Nikola Jokić (16) can miss only one more game, and, as the only players averaging a triple-double, he has a very compelling case for MVP.

Victor Wembanyama (15) can sit out no more than two of San Antonio’s remaining games. The overwhelming favorite for Defensive Player of the Year, Wembanyama has an outside shot at MVP consideration.

In the East, the race to avoid the play-in will be tight

After Monday night’s games, just 1½ games separates the No. 9 seed in the East from the No. 5 seed. And, since the top six teams in the conference claim automatic playoff bids, the battle to stay out of the play-in picture should intensify as the season wears on.

Teams headed in the right direction include the Orlando Magic (38-29; winners of seven of their last eight), Miami Heat (38-30; winners of 10 of their last 13) and the Atlanta Hawks (37-31; winners of 10 consecutive). Teams headed in the wrong direction include the Toronto Raptors (38-29; losers of six of their last 10) and the Philadelphia 76ers (37-31; losers of nine of their last 16). Injuries to Tyrese Maxey and Joel Embiid obviously don’t help Philadelphia, either.

Who will tank hardest? And who will win the sweepstakes for the No. 1 pick?

The picture at the bottom of the standings looks altogether different. It has become clear, whether through shutting players down or through unconventional player rotations, that certain teams are doing all they can to improve their positioning in the 2026 NBA Draft. This is particularly magnified for teams whose picks carry protections, like the Indiana Pacers.

Indiana’s first-round selection is Top-4 and 10-30 protected, which means that if the lottery places the Pacers (15-53; worst record in NBA) in any slot No. 5 through 9, that pick will convey to the Los Angeles Clippers. The same goes for the Top 8 protected pick belonging to the Washington Wizards (16-51; second-worst record in NBA).

Teams have become creative with injury reporting and are relying on maintenance surgeries to shut players down. With a very deep draft class that has elite star talent at the top, look for the tanking to become even more pronounced.

Will the NBA and its officials ease up on enforcement of foul baiting calls?

From Celtics star Jaylen Brown calling out players who intentionally seek contact to bait officials into making calls, to scores of fans complaining about the tactic on social media, will the NBA listen to appeals to change the way it officiates games?

Interestingly, the average number of personal fouls per game this season (19.9) is well off of the record mark for the modern era (26.2, in 1981-82), though it is a modest increase from last year’s total (18.6). Yet, somehow, the problem feels as worse as it has ever been.

Physicality and intensity always ramp up late in the regular season and postseason, and the NBA needs to determine whether its current strategy is viable. Certain players – Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Brunson, Jokić, Luka Dončić among them – resort to the maneuver when faced with tight defense.

Frankly speaking, it’s a copout. Granted, they typically are taking advantage of overzealous defenders, but it also leads to a disjointed and often frustrating viewing experience.

The league typically doesn’t like to make such drastic corrections in the middle of a season, so this may be an issue it looks at in the offseason. But the viewing experience would go a long way if officials stopped falling for the bait. Once the NBA stops rewarding players, eventually they will cease trying.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: NBA 2025-26 regular season winds down. 5 storylines to watch