Category: Basketball

According to Shams Charania, Karim Lopez has declared for the 2026 NBA Draft and is projected to become the first Mexico-born first-round pick in league history. ESPN currently has him ranked as the 11th best prospect on their Big Board, but as we approach the NBA Draft I wouldn’t be surprised if we see him improve his stock to the Top 8. He has some things that need to be worked on, but I believe the he has the makings of a really solid pro.

Tale of the Tape

Team: New Zealand Breakers (NBL)

Position: Forward

Height: 6’9”

Weight: 225 lbs

Counting Stats: 11.9 PPG, 4.3 RPG, 2 APG, 2.2 Stocks (steals + blocks) per game

Shooting Splits: 50.2 FG%, 32.6 3P%, 71.7 FT%

Hardware/Honors: NBL Ignite Cup Winner (NBL’s version of the NBA Cup)

Triumphs

The things that Karim does well, he does really well. He’s physical, he’s tough, he’s gritty, and his 7’1” wingspan allows him to have impressive defensive counting stats. He isn’t the fastest guy on the court; as a matter of fact Utah Jazz Legend “Slow Mo” Kyle Anderson probably comes to mind while watching him, but when he is asked to self-create it usually ends in a positive result as he uses that unorthodox timing and rhythm to get to his spots.

After he uses his physicality to get to the rim he also has a very soft touch. During his tenure in the NBL he’s been able to display a beautiful blend of power and finesse that you don’t usually see in a teenager. He was also asked to be a huge part of the team’s operations and finished the season in the top 5 of each counting stat (points, rebounds, assists, steals, and blocks per game).

Arguably my favorite part of his game is his relentless motor. You can see in his rebounding effort (and the aforementioned physicality to get to the rim) that he has a “never say die” attitude on the basketball court. His effort kind of reminds me of Boston Celtics Rookie Hugo Gonzalez, and I think you’d be hard pressed to find anyone who’s tapped into the league that would say that Hugo isn’t impactful. His counting stats might not scream “mega-star” but his contributions to winning for the Celtics franchise this year are undeniable.

Shortcomings

When I made the comparison to Kyle Anderson earlier, I meant it as both a term of endearment and a red (orange potentially?) flag. Lopez is slow; I feel pretty comfortable in saying that we’ll probably never see anyone touch Earth falling for one of his left-to-right crossovers. I’m not worried about his speed on the offensive end (I mean, look at Luka Doncic and Nikola Jokic for goodness sake), but I am quite concerned about his slowness on defense.

With all due respect to the National Basketball League, they do not have the same kind of speed and athleticism that the NBA has. There are times in the NBL where he is targeted on defense and opposing offenses are able to get the best of him. To say I’m scared to see what someone like De’Aaron Fox or even Rob Dillingham would do to him would be an understatement. I think he does have the physical tools to make up for some of his lack of speed, but at that point you are banking on his upside.

The other notable shortcoming he has is his shooting ability. I won’t say that his jump shot is textbook but I do think that it is foundationally solid enough to believe he could improve. Will he turn into Duncan Robinson in three years? I doubt it, but will he become someone that you can’t leave alone? I think so. Shooting 32% from deep on 3 attempts a game isn’t incredible but it seems like there are plenty of prospects in this draft that need to work on their outside scoring, so we can add Karim’s name to that list.

Is He Worth The Pick?

The answer to this question largely depends on where the Front Office’s head is at. As it stands right now we will have 10 players on the roster for next year (11 if we can/will resign Walker Kessler), so there are roster spots to fill. If we believe that we need a player with a lot of upside for the future then I think that drafting someone like Tennessee’s Nate Ament may be the better option. However, if you believe in what this team could be with a healthy Keyonte George, Lauri Markkanen, and Jaren Jackson Jr. (not to mention the strides we’ve seen over the past month from Cody Williams and Ace Bailey) and the Front Office thinks that we just need a reliable, ready to contribute player on a cheap deal then I think Lopez may be the guy.

It’s a gamble; I won’t pretend like it isn’t, but the one thing that I think the league will NEVER say no to is a skilled wing player. After seeing what Cody Williams has been over the past few weeks after a rough start to his career, I do tend to believe in this team’s player development system. If we were to draft him I think that he would spend some time in the G-League, but when he does get his number called I think that he’s displayed enough maturity in his game to be a valuable role player for us. Now I will say, as a personal note, that I would hope we give the “role player/glue guy” responsibility to someone who’s displayed that ability already for us this year (looking at you Elijah Harkless and Blake Hinson) but if the brass doesn’t believe in them as players I think that taking a chance on Lopez wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world.

I certainly would hope that our pick lands in the Top 4 where we have pretty good odds of landing a future superstar in the league, but if we get cursed by the Basketball Gods again we’ll probably have to start thinking about high end role players. I certainly don’t envy a Front Office’s responsibility because if I was the one calling the shots I would trade the non-Top 4 pick for more draft capital until I have a surefire thing; just another reason why I’m writing about draft prospects and not actually drafting them.

What do you think of Karim Lopez? Do you think his play in the NBL will translate to the NBA? Do you think that he’s ranked too high on ESPN’s Big Board? Sound off in the comments below!

Be kind. Tell someone you love them.

The Los Angeles Lakers are in the middle of a nine-game winning streak. LeBron James, during this stretch, is thriving as the second-fiddle for the first time in his life. Transitioning into a play-finishing wing next to another ball-dominant star might be the final evolution of LBJ’s career.

But would he be better suited to do this in LA, or back home with the Cleveland Cavaliers?

The answer to that question felt obvious less than two months ago.

Per Sam Amick of The Athletic, executives across the league were reaching a consensus on LeBron’s future as recently as late January.

“As recently as late January, not long after an ESPN report detailed so much of the dysfunction in James’ relationship with the Lakers organization, the widely-held consensus around the league was that there’s no way he’d be back in a Lakers jersey. The Cleveland Cavaliers and Golden State Warriors were, and are, often mentioned by league executives as his most likely destinations.”

Via The Athletic

A lot has changed since then. James has gone from the odd-man-out in LA to fitting in nicely with the rest of his team. He’s emerged from his cocoon as a new player, showcasing that he’s able to embrace a new style even in his 23rd NBA season.

James is averaging 19 points on 60% shooting during the Lakers’ streak. He’s found chemistry with Luka Doncic, who just scored 40 points per game across a four-game stretch. This synergy between James and Doncic could reshape his future.

“It was the lack of synergy and consistent success with James on the court, above all else, that drove the idea of an unavoidable exit,” said Amick.

The Lakers are rolling, and James is fitting in more than fitting out. That’s opened a new door for him to remain in LA, where he already has everything he needs to compete. Of course, he could potentially take on the same role in Cleveland, joining another contending roster and playing off the backcourt of James Harden and Donovan Mitchell.

The fit in Cleveland looks better on paper. James is insulated by better defenders and fills a much larger need for the Cavs than he does with the Lakers. Then, obviously, there’s the storybook ending of winning one final title with his hometown. That’s hard to deny.

A Brief Rant on Social Media

I don’t know what James will do this summer. No one does.

All I can say for certain is that rumors aren’t always what they seem.

If you’ve seen Amick’s story aggregated today on Twitter, you might have assumed James already packed his bags and was ready to leave Hollywood. That’s because a handful of accounts have taken this report out of context, posting that James is “reportedly NOT expected to return to the Lakers.”

That, of course, was not at all implied in Amick’s story. In fact, I’d argue his story does the opposite. James seems more likely to stay in LA now.

I don’t have to explain to anyone why an account would intentionally (or unintentionally) frame the report this way. We all understand the concept of clickbait at this point. And, in fairness, even our lovely Fear The Sword has to blur the lines at times to keep the blog running. But the truth still matters — and there’s a difference between an engaging headline and straight-up lying.

So, let that be a lesson in social media aggregation.

If you read a report that surprises you, take the extra minute to find the original source and read it for yourself. Then take it a step further and mute any accounts that frequently mislead you. That’s what I do, at least.

The 22nd week of the NBA season for the Phoenix Suns is finally over, and honestly, good riddance.

It was one of those strange weeks. Five games in seven nights, a heavy schedule that hit at the worst possible time. This team is already dealing with injuries across the roster, something that has defined the second half of the season, and then you layer that kind of workload on top of it. It is a tough formula.

They simply cannot get healthy. And when you are fighting for relevance in a packed Western Conference, that matters. Every game carries weight, every opportunity counts, and this was a week where Phoenix had a chance to make a move. The sixth seed was sitting there. That’s an important place in the standings. It keeps you out of the Play In, where one or two bad nights can undo an entire season. It matters because it gives you a cleaner path into the postseason. Avoiding that Play In game is everything when you have worked this hard to stay above water.

It also matters because of the matchup. If you land in that six spot, you are not staring at the top of the conference in round one. You are looking at the three seed, which right now is trending toward the Lakers. That is a different path, a different challenge, and one you would take every time over having to deal with the top tier right away.

Week 22 had that opportunity. And it slipped. So yeah, it was a long week, and I know people are probably tired of hearing me complain about the schedule. Especially when you look ahead to Week 23 and see a game on Tuesday, then nothing until Saturday. It makes you shake your head a little. But every team plays 82, and sometimes the calendar hits you at the wrong time. For the Suns, five games in one week came when they were already limping, and they quite literally staggered through it.

If you ask what we learned, it is hard to land on anything definitive. We learned the depth is real. Even with all the injuries, this team stayed competitive and gave itself a chance in nearly every game. We also saw how hard it is to close when you are missing that many key pieces. That is not a revelation as much as it is confirmation. We already knew it, we simply watched it play out over the course of a full week.

At least it ended on a high note. Snapping the five game losing streak matters, even if it does not change much in the standings. And that is where the focus begins to shift. With 10 games left, the Suns feel locked into the seventh seed. So this is no longer about climbing. It is about preparing. Get healthy. Get guys back into rhythm.

That is the real challenge. We watched how long it took Jalen Green to find his legs again, and there is a chance that same process is coming for others returning from injury. That is what these final games are for. Find some cohesion. Build some rhythm. Become as difficult as possible to deal with. Because if this team can get closer to whole, they might not be a favorite, but they can still be a problem.

Week 22 Record: 1-4

@ Boston Celtics, L, 120-112

• Possession Differential: -1.1
• Turnover Differential: -4
• Offensive Rebounding Differential: +1

The Suns wandered into TD Garden and, for three quarters, it was pure cinema. Devin Booker went full scorched-earth, rattling off 23 straight points, keeping Phoenix breathing while Boston rained fire.

But then, the familiar late-game rigor mortis set in. The offense turned into a predictable slog, orbiting Booker until the Celtics’ defense simply swallowed him whole. A late Celtics’ run salted it away.

@ Minnesota Timberwolves, L, 116-104

• Possession Differential: +3.4
• Turnover Differential: -5
• Offensive Rebounding Differential: +2

The Suns marched into Minnesota with a chance to shift the vibe, but instead, they got swallowed by a forest of Timberwolves’ limbs. Eleven blocks? That’s not basketball, that’s a SWAT team. Phoenix looked gassed, surrendering 16 fourth-quarter points in the paint as their defensive edge vanished like a mirage.

@ San Antonio Spurs, L, 101-100

• Possession Differential: +1.4
• Turnover Differential: -3
• Offensive Rebounding Differential: +1

Losing a heartbreaker to the NBA’s silver-medal Spurs should make me want to throw my remote into the Gila River. Especially after blowing a ten-point lead and watching Rasheer Fleming’s missed free throws feed the ever-growing Wembanyama mythos. But honestly? I’m not even mad. Down five rotation players, the Suns played with actual, tangible grit.

vs. Milwaukee Bucks, L, 108-105

• Possession Differential: +0.7
• Turnover Differential: -5
• Offensive Rebounding Differential: +4

The Suns’ five-game slide is officially a foul-smelling stew of CVS-receipt injury reports and late-game execution that resembles a dumpster fire in a hurricane. With Booker shooting a cold 4-of-17 and Jalen Green hoisting “heat check” bricks, this team is currently allergic to closing out winnable games.

vs. Toronto Raptors, W, 120-98

• Possession Differential: -0.3
• Turnover Differential: -3
• Offensive Rebounding Differential: +7

The Suns finally traded their CVS-receipt injury reports for a shovel and buried that five-game skid by absolutely dismantling a fifth-seeded Raptors squad. Instead of the usual late-game “Booker-ball” cardiac arrest, Phoenix actually punched back and proved they aren’t just a collection of available bodies and good intentions.

Inside the Possession Game

• Weekly Possession Differential: +4.1
• Weekly Turnover Differential: -20
• Offensive Rebounding Differential: +15
• Year-to-Date Over/Under .500: +8

It is kind of wild when you look at the weekly possession battle graph, because on paper, the Suns had a good week. They won the possession differential, took care of the ball, and finished with 20 fewer turnovers than their opponents. They also grabbed 15 more offensive rebounds. Those are winning metrics. And yet, they went 1–4.

The culprit is clear. Late game execution in the fourth quarter.

In Week 22, the Suns struggled in that final frame. They averaged 22.2 points, which ranked 26th in the league for the week. They shot 28.9% from three, 20th, and 35.5% from the field, 29th. If not for a strong fourth against Toronto on Sunday, they would have finished dead last in plus/minus. Instead, they ended at -20.6, tied for 28th.

That tells the story. It reinforces what we have been seeing. This team needs to get healthy. And it also shines a light on Devin Booker’s fourth quarter performance this week. He averaged 4.8 points, shooting 30% from the field and 20% from deep, with a 1-to-1 assist-to-turnover ratio.

There is context there. Part of it comes from not having his usual group around him. Fewer outlets, fewer options, more pressure. At the same time, part of it falls on him. When the roster is depleted, that is when your best player has to elevate and find a way to close. Right now, that balance has not been there.

Week 23 Preview

After an arduous week that saw the Suns play five games in seven nights, things slow down a ton. Only two games on the schedule this week, both at home, which feels like a much-needed reset.

It starts Tuesday night against the Denver Nuggets. Denver is a team that has had Phoenix’s number this season, and they are right in the middle of a tight race with Houston and Minnesota, all sitting 12.5 games back of first. That means urgency. That means focus. And it means they are going to come in ready, especially against a team they have handled well.

Then comes Saturday. The Suns face the Utah Jazz, who sit at 21–50 and have leaned fully into the tank. It is the most favorable matchup remaining on Phoenix’s schedule. Outside of Utah, the other lighter opponents left are Dallas, Memphis, and Chicago, but none present the same level of opportunity as this one.

So it is a lighter week in terms of volume. Not in terms of importance.

Only 5% of the community expected the Suns to go 1-4 in Week 22. The majority thought 3-2 was their destiny. Fewer options to choose from this week. Where do they end up?

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The Houston Rockets have struggled to put together a functional NBA offense lately, but that may not matter tonight against a Chicago Bulls team heading for the draft lottery.

While Houston is just 6-5 this month, Chicago has lost five of its last seven contests, and my Rockets vs. Bulls predictions expect the visitors to do enough defensively to land a big road win. 

Read on for my free NBA picks ahead of this March 23 matchup.

Rockets vs Bulls prediction

Rockets vs Bulls best bet: Rockets -8.5 (-110)

Despite some of the Houston Rockets' flailing crunch-time efforts this month, I’m not ready to write off Ime Udoka’s squad, especially when the Rockets are allowing just 109.9 PPG, the fourth-lowest mark in the league.

Defense is the visitors’ edge here, and Houston has won four straight meetings against the Chicago Bulls. This spread could be bigger when you look at Chicago’s recent blowout losses against the Raptors, Lakers, and somehow, Kings.

Though Josh Giddey is a threat, the Rockets have the perimeter hounds to limit his scoring, and they’re coming off encouraging victories over the Hawks and Heat.

Rockets vs Bulls same-game parlay

A Houston win tonight starts with Amen Thompson and Kevin Durant. Thompson has been a beast on the glass lately, with 11+ rebounds in four of his last five games, and KD’s latest masterpiece — 27 points against the Heat — took him past Michael Jordan in the all-time scoring chart.

Rockets vs Bulls SGP

• Rockets moneyline
• Amen Thompson Over 7.5 rebounds
• Kevin Durant Over 25.5 points

Our "from downtown" SGP: Amen to that

This is the matchup within the matchup. Thompson is averaging a monster 21.3 PPG and 9.5 RPG in March, while Giddey has dished double-digit dimes in four of his last five outings, even with the Bulls’ faltering form.

Rockets vs Bulls SGP

• Amen Thompson Over 19.5 points
• Amen Thompson Over 7.5 rebounds
• Josh Giddey Over 9.5 assists
• Josh Giddey Over 7.5 rebounds

Rockets vs Bulls odds

• Spread: Rockets -8.5 | Bulls +8.5
• Moneyline: Rockets -370 | Bulls +290
• Over/Under: Over 229.5 | Under 229.5

Rockets vs Bulls betting trend to know

The Over is 9-1 in the last 10 meetings between these teams. Find more NBA betting trends for Rockets vs. Bulls.

How to watch Rockets vs Bulls

Rockets vs Bulls latest injuries

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Luka Doncic and the Los Angeles Lakers will head to the Motor City to take on the Detroit Pistons tonight, and our NBA player prop projections have found plenty of high-value plays. 

Still hungry for more NBA picks? Our complete Lakers vs. Pistons predictions have you covered.

Lakers vs Pistons computer picks for March 23

Lakers	Pistons
Doncic u4.5 threes  -140	Thompson o9.5 points -125
Reaves o4.5 assists  -105	Duren u21.5 points -110
Ayton o9.5 points -115	Huerter o8.5 points -125

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Lakers computer picks

Luka Doncic Under 4.5 threes (-140)

Projection: 3.5 threes

Luka Doncic is the best scorer in the world right now, but that play has caused the books to push his 3-point total a little too high. He's surpassed this line in just two of his last five games, and even if he hits four, he'll still stay Under this line.

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Austin Reaves Under 4.5 assists (+115)

Projection: 4.4 assists

The Los Angeles Lakers and Detroit Pistons have been slowing down the pace in their recent outings, which will surely cut into the amount of possessions we'll see in the Motor City tonight.

With LeBron James and Luka Doncic getting their fair share of ball handling, Austin Reaves will see his time with the ball cut down, leading to fewer assists.

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Deandre Ayton Over 9.5 points (-115)

Projection: 10.8 points

While the possessions may be cut down, Los Angeles has the fifth-best offense over the last 15 games. With Detroit trying to slow down Luka and Bron, Deandre Ayton will go to work down low.

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Pistons computer picks

Ausar Thompson Over 9.5 points (-125)

Projection: 11.4 points

Ausar Thompson is a monster on the boards despite his size, and the Pistons have grabbed the second-most offensive rebounds in the NBA over the last 20 games. Thompson will eat on the offensive glass, leading to easy second-chance buckets.

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Jalen Duren Under 21.5 points (-110)

Projection: 18.5 points

Our projections page sees this as a five-star play, projecting three points fewer for Jalen Duren's line tonight. A drop-off in possessions will hamper Duren's shot total, leading to a lower points total than we've seen from the big man in recent outings.

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Kevin Huerter Over 8.5 points (-125)

Projection: 9.6 points

No Cade means Detroit needs to find offense elsewhere, and that came from Kevin Huerter in his last outing. Huerter dropped 14 points, and our projections page has him pegged for nearly 10 points tonight.

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How to watch Lakers vs Pistons tonight

Location	Little Caesars Arena, Detroit, MI
Date	Monday, March 23, 2026
Tip-off	7:00 p.m. ET
TV	Spectrum SportsNet, FDSN-Detroit

Not intended for use in MA.
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DETROIT — The Lakers will be without one of their starters and a key bench player during Monday’s road game against the Pistons.

Starting guard Marcus Smart (right ankle soreness) and Rui Hachimura (right calf soreness) were downgraded to unavailable against the Pistons after entering the game as questionable. 

Magic big man Goga Bitadze fell on Marcus Smart’s right foot after Smart drew a shooting foul on a layup attempt late in the first half of the Lakers’ Saturday win in Orlando. 

Hachimura was seen on the bench with his right half wrapped up to start the second half of the game against the Magic. He played five minutes in the third quarter on Saturday but wasn’t seen on the bench to close out the game.

Reserve big man Maxi Kleber (lumbar back strain) is available for the first time since March 8.

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The Atlanta Hawks will try to extend their home winning streak as they host the floundering Memphis Grizzlies on Monday night.

Atlanta is blowing out teams left and right, and I’m taking it to cover tonight in my Grizzlies vs. Hawks predictions below.

Read on for the full analysis in my free NBA picks for Monday, March 23.

Grizzlies vs Hawks prediction

Grizzlies vs Hawks best bet: Hawks -14 (-110)

The Atlanta Hawks are one of the hottest teams in the NBA, winning 10 in a row at home and 12 of their last 13 overall.

Meanwhile, the Memphis Grizzlies have lost 10 of 11 and are playing with a hobbled roster, with Ja Morant and many other notables out for tonight’s game. 

Atlanta has a point differential of +12.8 over its last 10 games. The Grizzlies are coming off a 23-point loss to the Charlotte Hornets and have lost each of their last three road games by 16 points or more.

I’m taking the Hawks to cover at home.

Grizzlies vs Hawks same-game parlay

Dyson Daniels showed up big for the Hawks on Saturday without Jalen Johnson in the lineup, but the 23-year-old has been playing well recently, no matter who Atlanta puts on the court. I like Daniels to hit the Over on his scoring and rebounding totals, as he’s hit both in six of his last eight.

I’m also backing the Under tonight, as both teams have played below this total in almost all of their recent games.

Grizzlies vs Hawks SGP

• Dyson Daniels Over 13.5 points
• Dyson Daniels Over 6.5 rebounds
• Under 240.5

Our "from downtown" SGP: Okongwu shows versatility

For my long-shot SGP, I’m focusing on Onyeka Okongwu, another Hawks contributor who sometimes gets overlooked. 

Over his last five games, Okongwu has dished out at least four assists on four different occasions. He’s also a capable 3-point shooter, averaging 1.9 makes per game from beyond the arc in 10 games this month.

Grizzlies vs Hawks SGP

• Hawks -14
• Under 240.5
• Onyeka Okongwu Over 3.5 assists
• Onyeka Okongwu Over 1.5 made threes

Grizzlies vs Hawks odds

• Spread: Grizzlies +14 (-110) | Hawks -14 (-110)
• Moneyline: Grizzlies +625 | Hawks -950
• Over/Under: Over 240.5 (-110) | Under 240.5 (-110)

Grizzlies vs Hawks betting trend to know

The Hawks are 11-2 ATS in their last 13 games. Find more NBA betting trends for Grizzlies vs. Hawks.

How to watch Grizzlies vs Hawks

Grizzlies vs Hawks latest injuries

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While it isn’t ideal to want your team to lose, the Nets kind of did what they were supposed to last night against the Sacramento Kings. After a back and forth outing at the Golden 1 Center, Brooklyn lost 126-122, which means they are now one and a half games ahead of the Kings and only two games behind the overall No. 1 held at the moment by the Indiana Pacers. Perfect timing considering the fact that A.J. Dybansta and Darryn Peterson should now be all in to their NBA training at this point.

Tonight, the Nets will continue their West Coast road trip against the Portland Trail Blazers. Portland currently sit as the ninth seed in the Western Conference and a game behind the Los Angeles Clippers for playoff contention. If you ask me, both teams can definitely use each other’s help in this one if you know what I mean (wink wink).

Where To Watch

Catch the late night action tonight at 10:00 p.m. ET on the YES Network and NBA League Pass, as well as streaming on the Gotham Sports App.

Injury Report

Danny Wolf is out with a sprained ankle sprain and Noah Clowney with a sprained right wrist. Drake Powell is also unavailable for left knee injury management. Terance Mann is resting and three Nets remain out for the season: Michael Porter Jr. (left hamstring strain); Egor Demin (left plantar fascia injury management); Day’Ron Sharpe (left thumb surgery) — four if you want to count Grant Nelson (left knee tendinitis.) That means more minutes for the team’s three two-ways.

For the Trail Blazers, Shaedon Sharpe (calf) and Vit Krejci (calf) will be out of action tonight. Damian Lillard will not play of course He’s recovering from his left achilles surgery.

The Game

If there is a team to look out for in the future, it is the Portland Trail Blazers. Even though they have been plagued with injuries this season, the pieces around this team could shape this organization into a playoff contender very soon. 

Starting with the guards, the Trail Blazers have a good group in the backcourt. Jrue Holiday is still a great piece at 35 years old. He is averaging 16 on 45.6% from the field. Scoot Henderson has shown promise after many thought he was a bust as a top 3 pick in his draft class. Newcomer Caleb Love has proved himself an NBA level scorer and shooter. And the best part of it all, the franchise’s best two players in Damian Lillard and Shaedon Sharpe will most likely be back at the start of next season.

Combining this with a forward who gives you 24 a game like Deni Avdija and a center like Donovan Clingan who gives you a double double in his sleep, Portland has much to be happy for.

For this game specifically, those certain players would be able to do a lot of damage against Brooklyn tonight, especially as Jordi Fernandez continues to lose players. Danny Wolf, who left the game last night against Sacramento due to a left ankle sprain, has become another Net who we will most likely not see for the rest of the year.

But all will be well soon, Nets fans. The tank will continue on, and before you know it, the Draft will bless the organization with something they have been looking for some time now, hope.

Player to Watch

A couple of years back, a lot of fans subscribed to the vague rumor that the Nets should trade Mikal Bridges to Portland for the rights to Scoot Henderson. Sean Marks & co. instead waited and got a haul from the Knicks for Bridges. Whether that rumor was real or not we don’t know, but his story remains a cautionary tale.

The Blazers took Henderson at No. 3 and although there have been patches of light seeping through, the picture remains cloudy. One of those patches took place last week and as Joe Moore of Blazer’s Edge, our sister site in Portland, admitted this is a time when some gaudy numbers come from unlikely names. That said, Moore wrote Henderson did indeed play well last week.

Henderson averaged 17.3 points, 2.5 assists and 2.5 rebounds per game in 22.8 minutes per game this week through the four games. The assist numbers were much lower than his season average of 4.0 per game, but that came as a result of him playing extended minutes alongside Jrue Holiday and Deni Avdija who averaged 5.0 and 7.3 assists respectively this week.

In a role that was more off-ball, Henderson showed great improvement on his shot from deep. He made 14 of his 23 attempts from behind the arc, good for a blazing 60.9% mark. He shot 47.9% from the field overall.

Moreover, Moore noted that Henderson, 22, is playing less out-of-control basketball and perhaps just maturing.

His explosiveness was one of his best qualities coming into the 2023 NBA Draft, and he does not seem to have lost a step after coming back from injury. He still struggles with being out of control at times, as evidenced by his low two-point percentage and averages of 3.0 turnovers and 3.3 fouls this week, but his confidence is growing every game and he has been able to string together a group of good games showcasing a newfound consistency.

There’s no doubt fans are disappointed in Henderson’s progress. The organization may be more patient. He’s averaging 13.5 points but on mediocre shooting numbers: shooting splits of 41/32/81. For tonight’s purposes, it should also be remembered that it was a little more than a year ago that Henderson had his best game: a 39-point explosion vs. the Nets in same arena where they play Monday.

The cautionary tale(s) out of the Scoot Henderson experience is that even super-hyped players given the right situation don’t always make it or you have to be, yes, patient.

From the Vault

January 23, 1991 is not seen as a great date in NBA history, but it is. That was the day the New Jersey Nets traded for Drazen Petrovic in a three-team deal involving the Blazers, Nets and Nuggets. Petrovic had been stuck behind Clyde Drexler and Terry Porter and the knock against European players was that they were soft if skilled.

Petrovic, of course, proved that notion incorrect. He was both and he could lead an NBA team. Not only was the trade lopsided for the Nets (Portland and New Jersey also exchanged firsts) but more importantly, it broke down stereotypes and the league slowly but surely became more international. A year later, he led Croatia to the silver medal at the Olympics which became a huge milestone for a worldwide game.

And so, there is never a bad time for a look back at Petrovic’s career:

Portland’s loss was the Nets gain.

More reading: Blazers Edge, SB Nation NBA, New York Post, New York Daily News, Clutch Points, Nets Wire, Steve’s Newsletter

• Brooklyn Nets Game Notes – Brooklyn Nets
• Portland Trail Blazers Game Notes – Portland Trail Blazers
• Brooklyn plays Portland, looks to stop road losing streak – AP

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It’s been a tough couple of games for the Toronto Raptors. They couldn’t hold on to another double-digit lead against the Nuggets on Friday, which led to a predictable letdown against the Suns.

But they’ll need to refocus quickly as they play the second half of a back-to-back tonight against the Utah Jazz.

Toronto is a big favorite, but is the number too big? My Raptors vs. Jazz predictions and NBA picks break it all down for this matchup set to tip off at 9 p.m. ET at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City, on Monday, March 23.

Raptors vs Jazz prediction

Raptors vs Jazz best bet: Jazz +12.5 (-110)

The Toronto Raptors generally get the job done against weaker teams. However, I’m not sold on them covering a number this large in this spot.

The second half of a back-to-back at elevation in Salt Lake City. And the Utah Jazz haven’t been as bad as you might think.

While they’re just 3-8 straight up in March, they’re 6-5 ATS and rank 21st in net rating. Toronto is just 17th in net rating over the same stretch and is 1-4 ATS this season when laying double-digit chalk.

The Raps should pull out the win, but this is too many points.

Raptors vs Jazz same-game parlay

Ace Bailey is showing why he was a high lottery pick in last June’s NBA Draft. He's averaging 18.1 points while shooting 37.5% from 3-point range over 13 games since the All-Star break. 

He’s hit three or more threes in four of his last games, and the Raptors perimeter defense has dropped off in March, ranking 28th in opponent 3-point shooting percentage.

For the Raptors, Immanuel Quickley has also been jacking up the treys. He’s hit three or more threes in seven of his last 14 games, and the Jazz allow the most made threes per game in the NBA.

Raptors vs Jazz SGP

• Jazz +12.5
• Ace Bailey Over 2.5 threes
• Immanuel Quickley Over 2.5 threes

Our "from downtown" SGP: Make It Rain

The Raptors' heavy legs will be evident in this one, and defense will likely become an afterthought for both teams, leading to jacking up more shots from long range. 

Raptors vs Jazz SGP

• Ace Bailey Over 2.5 threes
• Brice Sensabaugh Over 2.5 threes
• Immanuel Quickley Over 2.5 threes
• Brandon Ingram Over 1.5 threes

Raptors vs Jazz odds

• Spread: Raptors -12.5 | Jazz +12.5
• Moneyline: Raptors -800 | Jazz +550
• Over/Under: Over 231 | Under 231

Raptors vs Jazz betting trend to know

The Jazz have hit the Game Total Over in 29 of their last 40 games at home for +16.90 Units and a 38% ROI. Find more NBA betting trends for Raptors vs. Jazz.

How to watch Raptors vs Jazz

Raptors vs Jazz latest injuries

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March Madness is underway and today's college stars have a chance to cement themselves in this summer's NBA draft class. But one international prospect not in the tournament already has caught the eye of many scouts — Mexico's Karim Lopez.

The forward is expected to go in the first round. Here's how USA TODAY currently projects his draft night will play out.

Karim Lopez 2026 NBA Draft prediction: Pick No. 17 overall, Oklahoma City Thunder

All picks based on Tankathon lottery projection

Kalbrosky's Analysis:

The Thunder have drafted several players from Australias NBL, including Josh Giddey. They could dip into this well again by selecting Karim Lopez with their pick from the Los Angeles Clippers. While the Mexican-born forward still needs some development, the physically gifted forward is widely seen as the top prospect from this class currently playing overseas. He exploded for 32 points (11-of-13 FG) with eight rebounds, two blocks and one steal against Melbourne on Jan. 30. Even if he is a draft-and-stash player, that is ideal for a team with a rotation as crowded as the Thunder.

See USA TODAY's full mock draft here

Karim Lopez player profile

(all stats as of March 15)

• Position: Forward
• Current Team: International (Australia)
• 11.9 points per game
• 6.1 rebounds per game
• 2 assists per game
• 50.2% field goal percentage
• 32.6% three-point field goal percentage

Oklahoma City Thunder 2026 projected draft picks

• No. 15 (via LAC), No. 16 (via PHI) and No. 36 (via DAL)

All picks based on Tankathon lottery projection

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Karim Lopez NBA mock draft projection: Where International (Australia) star is expected to land

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The Miami Heat have dropped four straight games, and they’ll look to get back on track Monday when they host the San Antonio Spurs, winners of five straight.

The home team will be close to full strength, and my Spurs vs Heat predictions expect Miami to keep it close against the powerhouse visitors.

Here are my free NBA picks for this cross-conference showdown from Kaseya Center on Monday, March 23.

Spurs vs Heat prediction

Spurs vs Heat best bet: Heat +4.5 (-110)

The Miami Heat have played great basketball at home this season, winning 23 and covering in 36 games at Kaseya Center. Miami sports the second-highest cover percentage as a home underdog, going 7-2 against the spread.

Miami just covered in a one-point loss to Houston, and that was without Norman Powell, Jaime Jaquez, and Andrew Wiggins.

All three are expected to suit up, and they'll all play a part in helping the Heat's Top 10 home offense keep up with the San Antonio Spurs' explosive offense, while Bam Adebayo can focus on containing Victor Wembanyama.

Spurs vs Heat same-game parlay

The Heat rank 10th in offensive rating at home, while the Spurs rank ninth on the road.

Bam has been on a heater, and Miami has a plethora of scoring options to rack up points. The Spurs will have Stephon Castle back, and Devin Vassell could return as well, giving San Antonio extra firepower.

Since scoring a historic 83 points, Adebayo has averaged 25.3 points across his last four outings, going for 22+ three times. He leads the Heat in minutes in that span, clocking in at a whopping 39.1.

Spurs vs Heat SGP

• Heat +4.5
• Over 243
• Bam Adebayo Over 21.5 points

Our "from downtown" SGP: Bunch of buckets

Wemby has averaged 28.7 points across his last nine games, going for 27+ in six of them. He finished with 27 points in his first matchup with the Heat, and he’ll need to be at his best to keep up with a hot Miami offense.

Castle will return following a two-game absence, and Andrew Wiggins is expected to play after eight games on the sidelines.

Castle scored 21 against the Heat earlier in the season, and he averaged 21.8 points in five games before sustaining his hip injury. Wiggins scored 12+ in seven of eight contests before injuring his toe, and he dropped 24 in his first meeting with the Spurs.

Spurs vs Heat SGP

• Bam Adebayo Over 21.5 points
• Victor Wembanyama Over 26.5 points
• Stephon Castle Over 16.5 points
• Andrew Wiggins Over 11.5 points

Spurs vs Heat odds

• Spread: Spurs -4.5 | Heat +4.5
• Moneyline: Spurs -200 | Heat +165
• Over/Under: Over 243 | Under 243

Spurs vs Heat betting trend to know

The Miami Heat have covered the first-half spread in 33 of their last 50 games (+15.85 Units / 27% ROI). Find more NBA betting trends for Spurs vs. Heat.

How to watch Spurs vs Heat

Spurs vs Heat latest injuries

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Don’t blame Mikal Bridges for his paltry stats. Blame the role.

That was the message from teammate Josh Hart, who said the criticism of Bridges is “unfair” since he’s getting even fewer opportunities than even last season.

“He’s been doing what’s been asked of him,” Hart said. “And I’ve said it before — when you’re a guy who, for a year and a half [with the Brooklyn Nets] when you’re the No. 1 guy and he’s getting those plays called for him.

“Last year, he didn’t have many plays called for him. This year, he probably has even less plays called for him. So obviously there’s a mental hurdle he needs to get through and that’s something where some of us can help him. I think he gets some of that unfair flak just because he’s doing what’s asked of him. And if we were to sit there and say, go shoot 15 shots a game, he would be efficient and he could do it. But that’s not what’s been asked of him.”

Indeed, Bridges is averaging fewer shot attempts, minutes and points than in his previous three seasons — including his 1 ½ years with the Nets as their top scorer. On the Knicks this season, he’s been the fourth or fifth option. But Bridges was also misfiring with his opportunities and stuck in a deep slump.

Since the All-Star break, entering Sunday’s win over the Wizards, he was averaging just 10.4 points on 40.6 percent shooting and 31.3 percent from beyond the arc.

And it was worse lately.

In the eight games before the Knicks’ win over the Wizards on Sunday, Bridges was down to averages of just 7.3 points on 33 percent shooting — including 25 percent on 3s. So he was taking fewer shots but missing them at a much higher rate since February.

On Sunday, coach Mike Brown reiterated his belief that Bridges would break out of the slump. The coach said his faith stems from Bridges’ attitude and his long history as a productive player. He had 14 points on 6-for-11 shooting against Washington.

“He’s shown time after time that he’s a high-level player. And he’s done it,” Brown said. “I’ve been around many players who have gone through their ups and downs throughout the course of the season.

“And he works at it very hard. And he cares at a high level. Usually when you have that combination from a veteran guy that’s produced the way he’s produced in the NBA, it tends to lead to good results, eventually.”

Still, Bridges’ slide felt more prolonged and severe than the run-of-the-mill funk. And Brown responded by giving Bridges fewer minutes, which was easier since Landry Shamet was surging as the backup.

One difference Sunday was that the insurance option — Shamet — was unavailable. The two-way guard sat for the first time since Jan. 14 because of a knee injury sustained in Brooklyn two nights earlier.

Shamet’s official injury designation was a sore right knee, which Brown said was banged. It meant opportunities were available for other bench players — specifically Mohamed Diawara and Jordan Clarkson — or potentially for Bridges to get more runway to break out of his slump.

“There are going to be some minutes to grab,” Brown said. Bridges played 30 minutes Sunday.

Hart wants to help where he can — but he also noted that Bridges’ reduced role shouldn’t be overlooked.

“Try to make sure to get him involved a little bit more, get him the ball when he’s running in transition, get him in position to be successful,” Hart said. “He’s been doing what’s been asked of him.”

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The Milwaukee Bucks are still barely eligible for the Play-In tournament, while the Los Angeles Clippers are playing for seeding.

The 29-41 Bucks will be the best team the Clippers have faced in the last four games, but Milwaukee will be without Giannis Antetokounmpo and possibly Kyle Kuzma. 

That’s why my Bucks vs.Clippers predictions and NBA picks look for L.A. to cover the big spread on Monday, March 23.

Bucks vs Clippers prediction

Bucks vs Clippers best bet: Clippers -13)

The Los Angeles Clippers are 7-2 in their last nine games as a home favorite. 

Many of their woes can be traced back to an awful start to the season. Overall, the Clippers boast the ninth-best offensive efficiency in the NBA, which will help against a Giannis-less Milwaukee Bucks team that can't stop anyone.

Milwaukee has struggled recently, particularly against good teams. It had lost six of seven before winning Saturday.

That win over Phoenix was the Bucks' first in 13 games vs. a team with a winning percentage above .300. They won't be remotely competitive in Inglewood tonight.

Bucks vs Clippers same-game parlay

Both teams rank in the Bottom 10 in pace of play, but the cutoff takes that into account. This is the lowest Over/Under Los Angeles has faced in the last 11 games. And it's gone Over seven times against those higher totals. 

Darius Garland has blossomed since arriving in Los Angeles at the trade deadline, increasing his scoring by more than three points per game. He’s averaged 24.2 in the last seven and 25 in the last five. He’s also shooting 40 percentage points higher from the field and 130 percentage points higher from three.

Bucks vs Clippers SGP

• Clippers -13
• Over 222
• Darius Garland Over 20.5 points

Our "from downtown" SGP: No Kawhi, no problem for Garland & Jones

Garland has averaged 3.9 made treys a game with Los Angeles and 4.7 over the last six, including five or more in four of those. He’s 28 for his last 52 from deep for a .538 percentage.

Derrick Jones Jr. has 23 assists in March, but nearly half (11) have come in the last three games. Jones has also been scoring, with double figures in 10 of 13 March games, including 37 across the last two. With Kawhi Leonard questionable, he’ll have more opportunities on offense.

Bucks vs Clippers SGP

• Clippers -13
• Darius Garland Over 20.5 points
• Darius Garland Over 3.5 made threes
• Derrick Jones Jr. Over 12.5 points
• Derrick Jones Jr. Over 1.5 assists

Bucks vs Clippers odds

• Spread: Bucks +13 (-110) | Clippers -13 (-110)
• Moneyline: Bucks +575 | Clippers -850
• Over/Under: Over 222 (-110) | Under 222 (-110)

Bucks vs Clippers betting trend to know

The Clippers have covered the Spread in 32 of their last 50 games. Find more NBA betting trends for Bucks vs. Clippers.

How to watch Bucks vs Clippers

Bucks vs Clippers latest injuries

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Week 21: The Spurs’ “return from the Rodeo Road Trip” six-game homestand continued against three more postseason-bound teams. After a tight first half against the Boston Celtics, who had Jayson Tatum back from last season’s Achilles rupture, the Spurs took control after Jaylen Brown got himself ejected, with Victor Wembanyama leading the way with 39 points on 8 three-pointers. He then missed the next game against the Nuggets with a sore ankle, and while the Spurs were in control most of the night, they went cold late in the third quarter, blowing a 20-point lead as Denver rallied back to end their five-game winning streak. Finally, they returned to form to get revenge on the Hornets for their January 31 winter storm debacle to finish the homestand 5-1.

Week 22: 4-0 (53-18, 2nd in West)

119-115 win at Los Angeles Clippers

Back on the road facing a Clippers squad missing Kawhi Leonard, the Spurs got out to a sluggish start, getting down 17-3 before surging back to take a 66-52 halftime lead. They would eventually get ahead by 24 points, but then the Spurs got complacent and let the Clippers, led by Darius Garland, back in the game, causing fears of a reverse outcome from a couple weeks prior. Fortunately, the Spurs did just enough to stay ahead and hit their free throws in the waning seconds to secure the victory.

132-104 win at Sacramento Kings

The Spurs continued their season-long trend of dominating on the second night of a back-to-back, and they didn’t need much help against a lowly, shorthanded Kings squad. The Spurs were red hot from three, hitting a franchise-record 25 of them from 10 different players, and the game was essentially over by halftime. About the only thing of note that happened was Russell Westbrook passed Steve Nash on the all-time assist leaders board.

101-100 win vs. Phoenix Suns

The Suns may have been missing Dillon Brooks, but they continued to show why they are a thorn in the Spurs’ side and potentially tough first round opponent. The Suns shooters were hot, and without Stephon Castle’s perimeter defense, the Spurs had trouble containing Collin Gillespie and Devin Booker. But like always, they fought back, with Wemby going into MVP mode to hit his first NBA go-ahead game-winner with a second left, after the Spurs had successfully forced the ball into rookie Rasheer Felmming’s hands on the other end, who missed both free throws. The thrilling victory secured the Spurs’ first playoff berth since 2019.

134-119 win vs. Indiana Pacers

It wasn’t always pretty, but even without trying their hardest for much of the game, the Spurs were simply too talented for the severely shorthanded Pacers. With Castle and Devin Vassell sitting this one out, Dylan Harper got the first start of his NBA career and didn’t flinch, tying his career high of 24 points to go along with 4 rebounds and 3 assists, and Keldon Johnson led the bench with 24 points in a wire-to-wire blowout that wasn’t as close as the final score indicated.

Power Rankings

John Schuhmann, NBA.com — 2 (last week: 2)

OffRtg: 118.0 (4) DefRtg: 110.5 (3) NetRtg: +7.5 (4) Pace: 100.8 (12)

The Spurs might not catch the Thunder, but they’re looking good to finish with the league’s second-best record. They’re 21-2 since Feb. 1, with 12 of those 21 wins coming against other teams with winning records.

Three takeaways

1. The Spurs ranked seventh offensively at the All-Star break, and they’ve had the league’s fourth-most-improved offense since the break. They’ve scored 124.7 points per 100 possessions over their last 11 games, with eight guys averaging double-figures over that stretch. Not all eight have played in all 11 games, but the offense has continued to roll, even though at least one of Dylan Harper, Stephen Castle or Devin Vassell has missed each of their last five.
2. The Spurs came back from 10 points down with less than five minutes left to beat the Suns on Thursday, with Victor Wembanyama draining the game-winning jumper with 1.1 seconds left. San Antonio is one of two teams – the Sixers are the other – with a league-high five wins (they’re 5-11) in games they trailed by double-digits in the fourth. Wembanyama is one of eight players with at least five buckets (he’s 5-for-8) to tie or take the lead in the final minute of the fourth quarter or overtime.
3. It’s worth remembering that the Spurs were one of four teams that were worse than average on both ends of the floor in each of the last three seasons. They’re now 10.3 points per 100 possessions better than they were last season (minus-2.8), which would be the eighth biggest season-to-season jump in the 30 seasons for which we have play-by-play data. (The Hornets have seen the second biggest.)

Coming up: The Spurs will play six of their next seven games on the road, but after visiting the Heat on Monday, they’ll play five straight games against teams with losing records. Both Castle and Vassell are listed as questionable for the game in Miami.

Law Murray, The Athletic — 2 (last week: 2)

New players added after Week 1: C Mason Plumlee, PF Emanuel Miller (two-way)
Departed players from Week 1: PF Jeremy Sochan, PF Riley Minix (two-way)

The Spurs are officially back in the playoffs for the first time this decade. They are 26-5 since they last lost back-to-back games (at Minnesota and Oklahoma City more than two months ago). And we all have our alien overlord Victor Wembanyama to thank. You all know what comes next, and that is all of you hating the Spurs again, if nothing else because of Wemby’s commitment toward farm-to-table ethical hoops. I’m fascinated to see what this group does starting next month. They are basically the 2024 Thunder, which means seeing Luka Dončiç in the second round is going to get spooky. Prepare for “lack of experience” narratives and the like. Yes, I know De’Aaron Fox and Week 1 starter Harrison Barnes are here. But Fox has won as many playoff series as you and I, and Barnes hasn’t won one since leaving the Warriors a decade ago. San Antonio even has former 2024 Thunderbuddy Bismack Biyombo to warn his new teammates about the upcoming playoff run, along with Mason (not Mike Muscala) Plumlee, who is here because Jeremy Sochan is not. Every first-time playoff team needs a lottery-pick scapegoat, and the Spurs figured to get off Sochan before the playoff run. See, the Thunder had to wait for the maiden playoff run to get off Josh Giddey. Maybe the Spurs really are ahead of the curve.

Brett Siegel, Clutch Points — 2 (last week: 2)

The Spurs’ recent string of success goes back even longer than the Thunder entering March. Since the start of February, the Spurs have gone 21-2, ranking first in win percentage and first in offensive rating and also leading the league in net rating. Their only two losses during this span were to the New York Knicks and Denver Nuggets, two premier playoff threats in both conferences.

Aside from their depth and defensive toughness, what makes the Spurs a real title threat this season is none other than Wembanyama. He sets the tone for San Antonio on offense, and Wemby alters his opponent’s offensive mindset every play because of his defensive abilities and length in the paint.

Oh, and Wembanyama has made it his personal mission to step up and play his best basketball of the season heading into the playoffs.

“Right now, in my mind is taking great care of my body cause I also want to win the MVP and the DPOY,” Wembanyama stated recently. “So, I’m trying to press the gas from now until the end of the season. Really take care of my treatment, take care of my sleep, take care of my routine, and show up for my team.”

Just because they don’t have a whole lot of playoff experience doesn’t mean the Spurs won’t be successful in the postseason. This team has exceeded expectations all season, and we have yet to see them play their best basketball. Other than the Thunder, nobody else has the depth and size to be able to compete against the Spurs.

Coming up: Mon. 3/23 at Miami Heat (38-33); Wed. 3/25 at Memphis Grizzlies (24-46); Sat. 3/25 at Milwaukee Bucks (29-41)

Prediction: 3-0 — No reason to predict a loss here. While the Spurs embark on a stretch that will feature six of seven games on the road before they close on a four-game homestand, this is arguably their easiest of the remaining three weeks (not than any will be that hard) despite being entirely on the road. The Heat have gone 1-4 since Bam Adebayo’s (infamous?) 83-point game, in including losing four straight, but they are in a brutal standings battle between the 5th and 10th seeds, so the Spurs should expect their best effort. Beyond that, the Grizzlies and Bucks are all-but eliminated from the postseason, stars Ja Morant and Giannis Antentokounmpo are out, and former problem Grizzly for the Spurs Jaren Jackson Jr. was traded to Utah.