Category: Basketball

PALLEKELE, Sri Lanka (AP) — Fast bowler Sam Curran became the second Englishman to achieve a Twenty20 hat trick as Sri Lanka was beaten by 11 runs in a rain-affected series opener on Friday.

Rain allowed only 17 overs to Sri Lanka, which was all out for 133 with four balls unused. England was cruising to victory when rain ended its innings after 15 overs. But at 125-4 England won by the DLS method.

Curran was smashed for 35 runs in his first two overs but made a stunning comeback by taking three wickets in three balls in his last over to finish with 3-38. Sri Lanka was dismissed two balls later. The only other England men's T20 hat trick was by Chris Jordan against the United States at the 2024 T20 World Cup.

The three-match series is a final tune-up before next week's T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka.

Curran’s expensive first two overs helped Sri Lanka surge to 76-1 after seven overs thanks to Kusal Mendis and Pathum Nissanka.

But spinners Adil Rashid (3-19) and Liam Dawson (2-31) ripped out the middle order. Curran added his hat trick and Jamie Overton took the last wicket.

England made a blazing start to the chase when Phil Salt smashed Maheesh Theekshana for 6-4-4 off the first three balls. Jos Buttler welcomed fast bowler Eshan Malinga with four straight boundaries.

The Sri Lanka fielders were sloppy. Salt top-scored with 46 runs off 35 balls but was dropped on 17 off the bowling of Wanindu Hasaranga and on 41 off Matheesha Pathirana by Nissanka. Another Nissanka drop also cost Pathirana taking Harry Brook's wicket on 11.

Tom Banton smashed 29 off 15 balls with some attractive reverse-swept boundaries and Brook was a casual 16 not out.

The second match is on Sunday and the final game on Tuesday.

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

The Los Angeles Clippers and Denver Nuggets are two of this month’s best NBA storylines, and tonight’s matchup could yet prove to be a playoff preview.

Denver’s 10-6 mark without Nikola Jokic (and plenty of other starters) is beyond stunning, but L.A. has flipped the script even more dramatically, and my Clippers vs. Nuggets predictions expect Ty Lue’s squad to have revenge on their minds at Ball Arena.

Read on for my free NBA picks and betting tips for this January 30 clash.

Clippers vs Nuggets prediction

Clippers vs Nuggets best bet: Clippers -6.5 (-110)

There’s never a dull moment with these Los Angeles Clippers, and they’re authoring one of the great in-season turnarounds after a miserable 6-21 start.

Powered by Kawhi Leonard and James Harden, L.A. has won 16 of its past 19 contests. The next mission is avenging a Game 7 no-show in Denver in last year’s playoffs.

All the signs look promising. The Clippers are 8-2 ATS in their last 10 outings, and they’ve won five of their last six matchups away from Intuit Dome.

The visitors have also held opponents under the 110-point mark in eight of their last 10 games.

While the Denver Nuggets have surpassed expectations during a nightmare injury crisis, this is the kind of matchup where the absences of Nikola Jokic, Aaron Gordon, Christian Braun, and Cam Johnson will be felt.

Jamal Murray will have a huge burden to carry, with Kris Dunn shadowing him all night.

Denver has clearly unlocked newfound depth with extra minutes across the rotation, but four of its past seven wins have come against NBA minnows.

This is a different proposition against a veteran L.A. team, so I’m laying the points and trusting the Clippers to bring the intensity that was badly missing on their last visit to Mile High City.

Clippers vs Nuggets same-game parlay

Ivica Zubac had some big rebounding games in Denver in last season’s playoffs, and he’s nailed this Over in five of his past seven outings, including a 19-board effort against the Lakers last week.

His battle with Jonas Valanciunas will be key, and Zubac could feast against the Nuggets’ untested backup frontcourt options.

It’s tough to see the Clippers covering the spread without a dynamic Harden performance, so this assists pick is a natural SGP add.

The Beard ranks fourth in the NBA in assists this year, and he’s dished 9+ dimes in four of his past six games.

Clippers vs Nuggets SGP

• Clippers -6.5
• Ivica Zubac Over 10.5 rebounds
• James Harden Over 8.5 assists

Our "from downtown" SGP: More boards for Hardaway

Tim Hardaway Jr. does most of his damage as a shooter, but he’s also quietly chipped in on the glass lately. He’s grabbed 3+ boards in four straight outings.

Clippers vs Nuggets SGP

• Clippers -6.5
• Ivica Zubac Over 10.5 rebounds
• James Harden Over 8.5 assists
• Tim Hardaway Jr. Over 2.5 rebounds

Clippers vs Nuggets odds

• Spread: Clippers -5.5 (-110) | Nuggets +5.5 (-110)
• Moneyline: Clippers -225 | Nuggets +185
• Over/Under: Over 210.5 (-110) | Under 210.5 (-110)

Clippers vs Nuggets betting trend to know

The Nuggets are 1-4 ATS in their last five home games. Find more NBA betting trends for Clippers vs. Nuggets.

How to watch Clippers vs Nuggets

Clippers vs Nuggets latest injuries

This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here

There hasn’t been much different of late in the NBA Power Rankings Watch. Not for the Mavericks, at least. They collected a handful of wins, and followed it with a free fall of losses. The kind of thing a lottery team tends to do. But what to make of all of it, ahead of next week’s NBA trade deadline that so far has been remarkably quiet. Not just for Dallas, but across the league.

This week’s reporting on Milwaukee Bucks’ on-again-off-again superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo and a “new” trade request likely halted actions from leadership across the league while his market is calibrated. And while the Mavericks shouldn’t figure at all in those actual dealings, a direction for the organization and their roster strategy remains unclear.

ESPN

Rank: 23

Last week: 24

Naji Marshall has been phenomenal since being plugged into the starting lineup as the de facto point guard in early January. Marshall has averaged 20.0 points, 5.9 rebounds and 4.5 assists while shooting 57.6% from the floor to help the Mavs go 6-4 during that stretch. The 6-foot-6 wing has quietly emerged as one of the NBA’s most efficient drivers this season, in large part due to Marshall’s lethal floater. According to NBA tracking data, Marshall is shooting 60.5% from the floor on drives, trailing only Luka Doncic among the league’s top 40 scorers on such plays. — MacMahon

NBA

Rank: 22

Last week: 24

Three takeaways

• The Mavs rank seventh defensively and the last five games (107.8 points allowed per 100 possessions) have been their best stretch on that end of the floor since early November. Two of those games came against teams that rank in the top 10 offensively and their win last Monday was the Knicks’ worst offensive game of the season (97 points on 105 possessions).
• Max Christie has shot 20-for-38 (53%) from 3-point range over the last four games and is now at 45.5% for the season. That’s the second-best mark among 88 players with at least 200 attempts and is up from 36.6% last season. He’s shot 50% from the corners, with his 51 total corner 3s just one off the league lead.
• P.J. Washington and Daniel Gafford both returned from short absences last week, but Dwight Powell has remained in the starting lineup. He’s played just 478 total minutes thus far, but the Mavs have been at their best (plus-11.6 per 100 possessions) with Powell on the floor.

Coming up: The Mavs’ defense will continue to be tested, with seven of their final eight games before the All-Star break coming against teams that rank in the top 10 offensively. They’ve held the Rockets (fourth) to just 108.0 points per 100 possessions (Houston’s second-worst mark vs. any opponent) in three meetings thus far, set to complete the season series on Saturday.

Bleacher Report

Rank: 23

Last week: 23

The Dallas Mavericks followed up an undefeated week by going 0-4 since the last edition of the power rankings.

If they have a few more runs like this most recent one, great. Adding one of this draft class’ potential stars to Cooper Flagg could set Dallas up for contention for years.

And if the Mavs can combine more losing with more games like Thursday’s from Cooper Flagg, even better.

Dallas came up short against the Charlotte Hornets on Thursday, but Flagg showed his upside as a volume scorer with a career-high 49 points.

The Athletic

Rank: 24 (Tier 4: Not the Tier to Fear)

Last week: 24

No team has lost more clutch-time games than the Mavericks this season. The latest was a fourth-quarter catastrophe against the visiting Los Angeles Lukas, a game where the Mavericks overcame a 14-point deficit just to blow a 15-point lead with seven minutes to play. Dallas missed 10 straight shots and also failed to grab a rebound until the final seconds while getting outscored 29-8 to end the game Saturday. The Mavericks have played adequately since a 5-15 start, but the offense is bad, and a team that stocked up on size uses painfully little of it on the glass.

The good news for the Phoenix Suns is their competition for the top Play-In spot in the West is also beset by injury. The bad news for Phoenix is that the Cleveland Cavaliers should hand it a loss tonight.

My Cavaliers vs. Suns predictions may not back Cleveland outright, but that is because injuries always create value elsewhere in a roster.

Let's get into why in my NBA picks for Friday, January 30.

Cavaliers vs Suns prediction

Cavaliers vs Suns best bet: Dillon Brooks Over 22.5 points (-105)

Dillon Brooks may not be known as a scorer, but he has poured in 26, 26 and 40 points in the three games since Devin Booker’s ankle sprain. Maybe more notable, Brooks has averaged 20 field-goal attempts per game in those three games.

Even looking beyond this past week, it is clear Brooks is comfortable chucking when Booker is not around. He has averaged 23.6 points in seven games this season with Booker sidelined and 20.5 points in 35 games alongside the Phoenix Suns cornerstone.

Brooks’ shot volume ticks up to 19.4 attempts per game, from 16.7, without Booker, and he takes nearly twice as many free throws.

If this seems too obvious, it may be. But that does not mean it is wrong.

Cavaliers vs Suns same-game parlay

As much of a delightful surprise as the Suns have been this season, losing Devin Booker for an unknown stretch dampens all that enthusiasm.

The Cleveland Cavaliers should prevail with a rest advantage, and it is worth noting the three Phoenix games since Booker’s injury have all gone Under their totals.

Cavaliers vs Suns SGP

• Dillon Brooks Over 22.5 Points
• Cavaliers moneyline
• Under 220

Our "from downtown" SGP: Cavs show up the Suns

When you are already shorthanded, the second night of a back-to-back is not the time to be a short underdog. Phoenix should actually be blown out late tonight.

Cavaliers vs Suns SGP

• Dillon Brooks Over 22.5 points
• Under 220
• Cavaliers -3.5

Cavaliers vs Suns odds

• Spread: Cavaliers -3.5 | Suns +3.5
• Moneyline: Cavaliers -170 | Suns +245
• Over/Under: Over 220 | Under 220

Cavaliers vs Suns betting trend to know

Cleveland is 6-2 against the spread in its last eight games. Find more NBA betting trends for Cavaliers vs. Suns.

How to watch Cavaliers vs Suns

Cavaliers vs Suns latest injuries

This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here

In this week’s Tuesday Tracker, we pick up the pieces from last Friday’s Giannis injury amid more reporting from the usual national sources that Giannis’ time in Milwaukee may be ending by the deadline. Here are the highlights:

• 85% of fans surveyed now want the Bucks to forget about making the playoffs completely, even via the play-in (they’re currently two spots behind the 10th seed).
• Perhaps relatedly, 66% want the Bucks to shut down Giannis for the rest of the season to heal his calf.
• 65% believe Giannis will still not request a trade before the deadline, despite the injury and the aforementioned reporting.
• 33% of our respondents think the Bucks should just trade him anyway, but 58% oppose a team-initiated trade. That’s consistent with a poll we ran on X, where “no” got 62% of the vote.
• The majority of fans polled want Milwaukee to trade one or both of Kyle Kuzma and Bobby Portis. 26% want to sell high on Portis for whatever they can, and 25% want to do the same with Kuzma. The most popular option at 31% is to trade both of them together for someone who makes more than their $34.9m combined next season.

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Thanks again for voting! Check back on Tuesday for another slate of questions.

I recently wrote that if the Washington Wizards are rewarded with the No. 1 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, that they should not hesitate to take Kansas freshman guard Darryn Peterson. While I still believe that Peterson should be at the top of the Wizards’ big board, it would not be a disaster if they end up selecting No. 2 and Peterson is unavailable.

BYU freshman wing AJ Dybantsa and Duke freshman forward Cameron Boozer have long been considered part of the consensus top three alongside Peterson. North Carolina freshman forward Caleb Wilson and Houston freshman point guard Kingston Flemings have both had dramatic rises up draft boards and will likely be picked after the Peterson-Dybantsa-Boozer trio. 

But, there is a clear option for the Wizards after Peterson.

AJ Dybantsa, 6’9” Wing from BYU

Talent evaluators have had their eye on AJ Dybantsa since he was a freshman in high school and he won the Massachusetts Boys Basketball Gatorade Player of the Year. It has seemed like a foregone conclusion for years that Dybantsa would be one of the top picks in the 2026 NBA Draft. Dybantsa came to BYU with sky-high expectations, and has not only met them, but surpassed them. He has put together a dominant and historic campaign and is helping make BYU a legitimate national championship contender.

At 6’9”, 210 pounds with elite athleticism, Dybantsa has truly enviable positional size that will allow him to be a difference-maker on both ends of the floor at the NBA level. He can score at all three levels, play above the rim and has even shown flashes of some advanced playmaking abilities. He has combo guard skills and plays with a comfortability and fluidity rarely seen in someone so big at his age.

Many questioned Dybantsa’s decision to attend BYU, which is not known as a program that normally attracts elite prospects and one-and-done candidates. But, head coach Kevin Young has revitalized the program in just his second year at the helm. Young, who was an NBA assistant from 2016-2024 with the Philadelphia 76ers and the Phoenix Suns, has turned BYU into a dream landing spot for players with NBA aspirations. Egor Dëmin, who was on last year’s BYU’s team, was drafted eighth overall last year and has been one of the best rookies in the NBA so far. Young has not only turned BYU into a winning team, but has made them one of the top developmental programs in the country.

Dybantsa is averaging 23.6 points, 6.7 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 1.3 steals and 0.5 blocks per game while shooting 53.0% from the field, 31.8% from three and 76.2% from the free throw line. He is leading the entire NCAA in points per game. On Jan. 24 in a 91-78 victory over Utah, Dybantsa scored 43 points and made four threes, both season highs, while also grabbing six rebounds, dishing out three assists and blocking a shot. 

43 points on 24 shots for potential No. 1 pick AJ Dybantsa in BYU's win over Utah. Season-high four 3s, while showing his lethal shot-creation and finishing prowess scoring in every which way from all over the floor. pic.twitter.com/vlzmANRq1f

— Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) January 25, 2026

Dybantsa’s biggest test of the season came on Monday against an undefeated Arizona team. While his 24 points, four rebounds and five assists look solid on the surface, along with his crucial role in helping orchestrate a frantic BYU comeback attempt in the final minutes, his game showed some cracks going up against a frontcourt featuring the 7’2”, 260 pound Montiejus Krivas and likely top-10 pick Koa Peat. Dybantsa showed some tunnel vision and often settled for contested mid-range jumpers instead of looking for teammates or making the extra effort to find a more efficient shot.

While Dybantsa has not looked like a superstar on the defensive end at the collegiate level, he still has the potential to be an elite NBA defender because of his length, quickness and athletic tools. His positioning and timing need work, but those should come with time. It is easy to see how Dybantsa could become a versatile, switchable Swiss Army Knife on defense.

A player like Dybantsa is versatile enough to thrive on almost any roster in the entire NBA, but the Wizards would be an especially perfect fit. He would instantly form one of the best scoring wing/forward duos in the entire league alongside Kyshawn George, really only behind Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown on the Boston Celtics and Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner on the Orlando Magic. If Trae Young signs an extension, Dybantsa would benefit from his playmaking and the open looks he would get from sharing the court with such an effective on-ball creator. Positionally, the Wizards could go big and play Dybantsa at the two with George at the three, or go for a smaller lineup with Dybantsa at his more natural position at the three and have George play up at the four.

The NBA comparisons for Dybantsa are endless. The most common one is probably NBA legend Tracy McGrady. Like McGrady, Dybantsa has the skills and fluidity of a much shorter player and can score from anywhere on the floor. Other comps include Paul George, Kevin Durant, and Jaylen Brown. 

I project Dybantsa to immediately be a 20 point per game scorer the second he enters the NBA. He has the potential to grow into one of the league’s truly elite bucket-getters along with having real two-way potential. Those types of players do not come around very often. While Peterson is still looking like the real prize of this draft, Dybantsa is no ordinary consolation prize. He is a player the Wizards could build around and who could play a key role in getting them out of their rebuild and back into playoff contention.

The New York Knicks will try to run their winning streak to five games as they host the Portland Trail Blazers at Madison Square Garden tonight.

New York’s defense has been on point over the past week after some earlier lapses, and I’m counting on that trend to continue as I back the Under in my Trail Blazers vs. Knicks predictions.

Find out more in my free NBA picks for Friday, January 30.

Trail Blazers vs Knicks prediction

Trail Blazers vs Knicks best bet: Under 224.5 (-110)

The New York Knicks recently went through a stretch in which they won just two of 11 games from New Year’s Eve through January 19. At the time, it seemed the lack of defense was the problem, with opponents averaging 117.2 ppg during that stretch.

New York has turned that around in a heartbeat ever since. The Knicks have won four in a row, with opponents averaging only 88.5 ppg in those contests, and three of the four have been held below 100 points.

Yes, those numbers are skewed by the ridiculous 120-66 win over the Brooklyn Nets last week, but the team does appear to be playing with renewed urgency.

That sets up a tough matchup for the Portland Trail Blazers. Portland might like to run the court, but they are near the bottom of the league in offensive efficiency (109.9), and have been held below 100 points in two of their last three games – all of which have gone to the Under.

Overall, the Knicks have now hit the Under in six straight games, while the Blazers have done so in four of their last five. But beyond the trends, it’s New York’s defensive effort that is likely to define this game.

I’m taking the Under tonight.

Trail Blazers vs Knicks same-game parlay

I’m pairing the Under with the Knicks to cover in my SGP, as New York’s renewed defensive intensity has led it to cover in each of its last four games.

I’m also taking Mikal Bridges (16.0 ppg) to hit his scoring total of 15.5 points, as he’s hit that number in each of his last two games, including a 30-point performance against the Toronto Raptors on Wednesday.

Trail Blazers vs Knicks SGP

• Under 224.5
• Knicks -7.5
• Mikal Bridges Over 15.5 points

Our "from downtown" SGP: Dishing!

OG Anunoby is only averaging 2.3 assists per game this year, but has dished out at least three in three of his last four games during the Knicks’ winning streak.

Trail Blazers vs Knicks SGP

• Under 224.5
• Knicks -7.5
• Mikal Bridges Over 15.5 points
• OG Anunoby Over 2.5 assists

Trail Blazers vs Knicks odds

• Spread: Trail Blazers +7 (-110) | Knicks -7 (-110)
• Moneyline: Trail Blazers +222 | Knicks -270
• Over/Under: Over 227 (-110) | Under 227 (-110)

Trail Blazers vs Knicks betting trend to know

The Under is 6-0 in New York’s last six games overall. Find more NBA betting trends for Trail Blazers vs. Knicks.

How to watch Trail Blazers vs Knicks

Trail Blazers vs Knicks latest injuries

This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here

Thursday night in Dallas, Cooper Flagg and Kon Knueppel had their first NBA game against each other as the Charlotte Hornets visited the Dallas Mavericks and man, did they both ball out.

Flagg finished with 49 points, 9 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal and one block while Knueppel racked up 34 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists and 1 steal.

None it was selfish or gunning: Flagg shot 20-29 (68.9%) while Knueppel hit 10-16 (62.5%) and all of it came in the flow of the game for both.

It was an interesting stop in the Rookie of the Year race, which will go to one or the other, unless they split the award, which would be amazing.

At this point, on an individual basis, you might have to give to Flagg, but in terms of impact on the team, Knueppel has the edge. The nature of his game has persuaded everyone to buy in and he has transformed the Hornets into something unusual. We heard today that with Knueppel, LaMelo Ball, Brandon Miller, Moussa Diabate and Miles Bridges starting, the Hornets are 10-1 and their offensive efficiency with that group is off the charts good.

Here are some videos of last night’s game and some links below that.

• 1/X
• 2/X
• 3/X
• 4/X
• Cooper Flagg vs Kon Knueppel in Historic Duke Rookie Showdown 
• Kon Knueppel’s HISTORIC Night From Deep | January 29, 2026

• Duke alums Cooper Flagg, Kon Knueppel set career highs in first NBA matchup
• Cooper Flagg and Kon Knueppel set career highs in duel of star rookies
• The Athletic: Cooper Flagg and Kon Knueppel: Friends, former roommates and now Rookie of the Year favorites
• Knueppel, Hornets overcome Flagg, Mavs in rookie showdown
• Kon Knueppel, Hornets win in epic rookie duel with Cooper Flagg, Mavs
• Cooper Flagg–Kon Knueppel stats: Former Duke roommates combine for 83 points, offer glimpse into NBA’s future
• Kon Knueppel Calls Cooper Flagg ‘Best Player’ He’s Faced in NBA After Historic Matchup
• Hornets’ Kon Knueppel Reacts After Epic Duel With Cooper Flagg in Dallas Win

Go to the DBR Boards to find Blue Healer Auctions | Drop us a line

If the Pistons needed a wakeup call about the flaws of their roster, this West Coast trip has been a bit of an eye-opener. After nearly losing to the Denver Nuggets due to a lack of shooting and discipline at the end of the game, the luck ran out for the Pistons as they once again struggled to hit outside shots before getting run off the floor against the Phoenix Suns last night.

It wasn’t just the lack of shooting that has pretty much been a concern all season, but the Pistons were out-hustled, out-worked, and put in their place by the short-handed Suns, which also happened against the even more short-handed Nuggets. Luckily, they have a chance to bounce back against the Golden State Warriors tonight on ESPN.

The Warriors have been hot the last month, but they also recently lost Jimmy Butler to a torn ACL, so they are definitely vulnerable and it provides an opportunity for the Pistons to finish off this road trip with a winning record.

Game Vitals

Where: Chase Center in San Francisco, CA
When: Friday, January 30 at 10 pm EST
Watch: ESPN
Odds: Golden State (-1.5)

Analysis

The Warriors really looked like they were finally starting to put things together to go on one last run as Steph Curry reaches the end of his legendary career, but a torn ACL for Jimmy Butler has put the Warriors in a position where they pretty much have to shoot for a big move at the deadline to try to keep their season on track.

Don’t get me wrong, the Warriors are still a good team without Jimmy Butler simply due to the extensive Championship experience for their core of Steph Curry and Draymond Green, but missing a 2nd option that can take pressure off of Curry on offense while also taking pressure off Green on defense in Butler is a huge loss.

The Pistons and Warriors are actually on a very similar level offensively this season, but the Pistons obviously have the edge defensively. But, the one thing the Pistons do not have is somebody that can take over a game shooting the ball like Steph Curry, who is still averaging 27.3 points per game at 37 years old and just barely shooting under 40 percent from beyond the arc.

The build of the Warriors without Jimmy Butler is actually pretty similar to the Pistons where they have Steph Curry to carry the offense like the Pistons have Cade Cunningham and they surround him with role players that can defend, but leave a little to be desired on offense. They aren’t quite as poor at shooting from beyond the arc as the Pistons are, but in a playoff setting, not having that secondary creator to take some pressure off of your main guy is a huge problem to overcome.

I haven’t canvased the rest of the league to officially confirm, but I think I can go out on a limb and say the Warriors have the oldest starting frontcourt in the NBA with the 39 year-old Al Horford and 35 year-old Draymond Green. Both players are still very solid defenders, but their best days on that end of the court are behind them.

The one positive from last night’s game against the Suns was their inability to slow down Jalen Duren, which was probably the solution for the Pistons’ 2nd half offensive struggles, but he didn’t end up playing as much as he should. Peak Horford and Green would have no issue with slowing down Duren, but he has a huge athletic advantage over both of them that he will have to take advantage of if the Pistons want to win.

In reality, the key for the Pistons is to simply not shoot as poorly as they have on this West Coast road trip. They were 6-of-29 from beyond the arc against the Suns and 6-of-31 against the Nuggets. That isn’t going to cut it against some of the better teams in the West no matter how short-handed they may be. The Pistons do not have a ton of shooters, but Duncan Robinson being 1 of his last 14 from beyond the arc is a huge reason for the shooting numbers for the Pistons.

They have gotten by this year with Duncan Robinson as the main spacing threat and it has been able to work against so many different teams because of the Pistons dominant defense and ability to control the glass and the paint, but when they are not controlling the paint and Robinson is shooting like this, everything looks ugly on offense. They have not been able to do either thing against both the Nuggets and Suns, which is why they had to squeak out a win against the Nuggets and were run off the court by the Suns.

The solution is going to probably have to be sacrificing some defense for more shooting, but that also messes with the Pistons identity, one which has been very clearly established this season.

It will be interesting to see how Trajan Langdon balances that, but for now, the Pistons have an important game against the Warriors with a chance to head home with a winning record on this road trip.

Lineups

Detroit Pistons (34-12): Cade Cunningham, Duncan Robinson, Ausar Thompson, Tobias Harris, Jalen Duren

Golden State Warriors (27-22): Steph Curry, Brandin Podziemski, Moses Moody, Draymond Green, Al Horford

Question of the Day

How concerned are you with the Pistons shooting? Does a drastic move need to be made at the deadline to fix it?

Sometimes there is a calm before the storm. A moment of clarity before chaos ensues. An instant where anticipation creeps in and you have to grab your emotions by the collar before they sprint off without you.

It’s like Phil Collins’ In the Air Tonight, right before the drums crash down. You feel it coming. You anticipate your air drum solo. The note hangs in the room. You are ready, but you wait. There is beauty in the pause. Because on one side lives restraint, and on the other lives release.

Well, the hurt doesn’t show, but the pain still grows
It’s no stranger to you and me…

Dillon Brooks knows that space well. You see it before every game. The vacant stare. Eyes locked somewhere past the hardwood, past the noise, past the stakes. It looks like intimidation, but it is not. It is meditation. It is breath control. It is taking in the sights and the sounds, the crowd humming, the moment stretching. Calm first, chaos later. Control now, eruption soon. The drum solo is coming. He is preparing himself to meet it head-on.

It was an unbelievably impressive effort by Dillon on Thursday night against the Detroit Pistons. Against the Eastern Conference’s best team, and the second-best team in the league by defensive rating, he had a night. A career night. 40 points. 4-of-7 from beyond the arc. 10-of-12 at the free throw line. Add 8 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 stocks, and you are staring at the most complete game of his career.

Then came the contrast.

As he walked into the postgame press conference, the game ball tucked calmly against him, the chaos disappeared.

Villain got the game ball pic.twitter.com/t19dKgNetH

— John Voita, III (@DarthVoita) January 30, 2026

This is a man who lives on the edge during games, who thrives in disruption and confrontation, suddenly quiet. Grounded. Almost serene. No bravado. No chest pounding. Even after a performance he will remember forever and the leather under his arm to prove it, he spoke softly. He reflected on that moment before the storm. The meditation. The calm that makes the chaos possible.

“It’s just me focusing on my breathing, trying to calm myself down before the game starts,” Brooks noted of his pregame ritual. “Just getting into like feeling the whole crowd and the whole like atmosphere of the game.”

It’s a “Medataive thing”, he added. “It puts me in my mode.”

He was in his mode on Thursday night, all right. His 40-point performance surpassed his previous career high of 37, which came in a loss as a member of the Grizzlies in 2021.

But that stare comes from somewhere else too. Yes, it is meditative. But it also serves another purpose entirely. Dillon admitted as much afterward. He talked about being a kid and watching Iron Mike Tyson. That is where it started.

Oh “When I was a kid, I used to watch Mike Tyson,” he said. “That’s probably where I got the stare from, too, was probably Mike Tyson.”

That is the contrast. Stillness paired with menace. Meditation paired with aggression. A man at peace who is fully prepared to drag you into chaos. Dillon is not staring into nothing. He is staring into you. And once he senses the balance tilt, once he feels the fear creep in, the switch flips. Calm gives way to attack. And by then, it is already too late.

Dillon the Villain, right?

It was Villain t-shirt night, after all, and his head coach entered the press room donning one. When Suns’ sideline reporter Amanda Pflugrad said, “Love the shirt,” Jordan Ott responded.

“Yeah, I do, too, after that. Like I said, we can give it away every night.”

Coach Ott rocking the Villain shirt 🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/L5aPv2QO7R

— John Voita, III (@DarthVoita) January 30, 2026

“He had a great night, obviously, career high…and we needed all of them.”

That Brooksian edge does not live on adrenaline alone. It is built. Repeated. Earned in empty gyms when nobody is watching. “There’s a piece that you guys don’t get to see is like off outside of the game,” Ott said. “How he communicates on the court in practice or shootaround, in our film sessions.”

“I saw Dillon was working last night in the gym,” he added.

Brooks pointed to Kobe Bryant as the blueprint. He talked about watching Kobe Muse a couple nights earlier, soaking in that footage. The idea that readiness is not a switch you flip on game night. It is something you drag with you every day. Off days included. Especially off days.

That is the contrast again. Chaos on the floor, discipline behind the scenes. The snarling competitor versus the quiet worker. While others rest, he shoots. While the noise fades, he sharpens. Kobe understood that separation is created when effort becomes routine. Dillon has taken that lesson and made it personal. Work now, fear later. Preparation first, eruption second.

I happened to be sitting courtside during shootaround, talking with former Solar Panel Podcast host and PHNX GM Greg Esposito, when Mat Ishbia walked up. He acknowledged the work we do at Bright Side, and I thanked him in turn for giving me reasons to write positive things. About this team. About the way they play. He smiled and fired back a familiar refrain. “Well, I told you guys.” You damn right he did.

Behind him stood Dillon Brooks. Not listening. Not watching. Locked into his routine. Multiple basketballs pounding the floor at once, a blur of motion and intent, hands busy, mind elsewhere. Work before words. Process before praise. A few minutes later, he drifted to his usual spot. Feet set. Breathing controlled. Eyes distant. Living fully in the moment before the moment.

Contrast does the rest. Quiet preparation versus loud results. Empty gym habits colliding with a packed arena payoff. That calm turned into the best scoring night of his career. Not a fluke. Not a surprise. A culmination. In a game that was not only enjoyable to watch, but a genuine pleasure to witness. Chaos earned. Release delivered.

I can feel it coming in the air tonight…

Luka Dončić was almost seriously hurt in LA’s loss in Cleveland.

He took a stepback three and fell because the floor was raised, injuring his ankle. This is an uncommon scenario in the NBA. Typically, the court extends to the point where falling off it would be impossible.

Luka had to go back to the locker room after an apparent leg injury at the edge of the court. pic.twitter.com/QxPvkiE5p0

— ESPN (@espn) January 29, 2026

Luka had to be taken out of the game, but luckily, he was able to return. However, he is now listed as questionable for the Lakers’ upcoming contest against the Wizards due to this ankle injury.

After the game, Lakers head coach JJ Redick stated that the raised floor was a hazard.

It seems that the league agrees with Redick. According to an article by Joe Vardon of The Athletic, the NBA and the Cavs are seeking solutions to prevent other players from being injured like this.

“While improvements have been made to the arena floor over the years to address this issue, the NBA and the Cavaliers are revisiting the situation given the incident last night,” a league spokesperson said Thursday night.

This isn’t the first time this season Luka has dealt with a floor causing him problems. Dončić complained about the NBA Cup court being slippery and the Lakers sent it for repairs. LA never played on that floor again.

It’s unfortunate that it took Luka almost getting seriously injured to resolve this issue, but if it means no other player has to deal with this, then something good came out of this situation.

Further in Vardon’s piece, he provided some more details on the talks the Cavs have had with the NBA regarding their court.

The discussions Thursday between the league and the Cavs were taken up mutually, a league spokesperson said. Earlier Thursday, a Cavs spokesman told The Athletic, “The basketball court layout and design at Rocket Arena is fully compliant with NBA rules and has been in place for [20-plus] years, with ongoing collaboration and regular evaluation between our organization, the league and independent flooring experts to support player safety and performance. We constantly evaluate every aspect of the arena to ensure the highest standards of fan experience are achieved and (the) safest environment for players, team members, performers and guests is maintained.”

While the court may follow the rules, that doesn’t mean it’s safe enough. Clearly, it’s very easy for a player to fall off as Luka did. When you watch the play, it’s not like he was pushed or made a ridiculous move that is uncommon in a basketball game.

These guys are playing a sport and injury risk is always possible. But a court shouldn’t be a reason for increased danger. This needs to get fixed, and it appears that’s going to happen sooner rather than later.

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

Finding the right value on a Friday night slate is all about identifying trends and mismatches before the market catches up. For this January 30 lineup, I’ve put together a three-leg moneyline parlay that balances momentum with favorable matchups.

My NBA picks start at Madison Square Garden, where the Knicks are looking to capitalize on their home-court advantage against the Blazers. From there, we head to the Bayou for a Southwest Division showdown between the Pelicans and Grizzlies, before wrapping things up in Phoenix, where the Suns will try to extend their current winning streak to three games.

This parlay has been BOOSTED from +598 to +708 by our friends at bet365.

NBA moneyline parlay for January 30

Portland Trail Blazers vs  New York Knicks

• Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
• Location: Madison Square Garden
• TV: NBA League Pass, KUNP, MSG
• Pick: Knicks (-280)

If you’re looking to slow down the Trail Blazers’ offense, it starts with Deni Avdija—and that’s where OG Anunoby becomes a major asset. Avdija relies on his size and strength to bully smaller defenders and get downhill, but that approach won’t work against Anunoby, who can match his physicality step for step. It’s simply a brutal matchup for Avdija.

On the other end of the floor, the Knicks can also exploit Donovan Clingan. While Clingan is an elite rim protector, he’ll struggle to defend Karl-Anthony Towns on the perimeter. If Clingan is consistently pulled out of the paint to guard KAT, the lane opens up for Jalen Brunson to operate. There’s a lot of juice at -280, but given these matchup edges, this number should be even shorter—closer to -345.

Memphis Grizzlies vs  New Orleans Pelicans

• Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
• Location: Smoothie King Center
• TV: NBA League Pass, FDSN, GCSEN
• Pick: Grizzlies (+125)

The Memphis Grizzlies are +125 on the moneyline on Friday against the New Orleans Pelicans, and at that price point, I’m hitting the button, as I believe they should be trading closer to a -115 favorite.

The injury report is long for the Grizzlies, but as long as Jaren Jackson Jr. is on the floor, they’re in good shape in this matchup. JJJ is someone who can move his feet against Zion Williamson and meet him at the rim to protect it. Not only do the Grizzlies have a defender for Zion, but the wingspan of Vince Williams Jr. and the length of Jaylen Wells could also be disruptive to Trey Murphy’s shooting.

The wrong team is favored in this matchup—give me the Grizzlies on the moneyline.

+708 BOOSTED ML PARLAY 📈@JonMetler breaks down all three legs 🗣️🗣️

Only available at @bet365_us💰 https://t.co/G1v5sc873tpic.twitter.com/3LWuG4qrgD

— Covers (@Covers) January 30, 2026

Cleveland Cavaliers vs Phoenix Suns

• Time: 9:00 p.m. ET
• Location: Mortgage Matchup Center
• TV: NBA League Pass, FDSN, KTVK, KPHE
• Pick: Suns (+145)

The Phoenix Suns will be without Devin Booker, but let’s not overlook the fact that the Cleveland Cavaliers are also missing key pieces in Evan Mobley and Darius Garland. While this is the second night of a back-to-back for Phoenix, both games are at home, and their win over Detroit was so comfortable that Khaman Maluach logged minutes—hardly a taxing outing for the starters.

Defensively, the Suns can throw Dillon Brooks at Donovan Mitchell and rely on Mark Williams to anchor the paint to match Jarrett Allen’s vertical presence. Brooks guarding Mitchell is a very different look when Garland isn’t there to help initiate the offense. Given all of that, I believe this line should be closer to +120, which is why I’m backing the Suns.

This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here

The Toronto Raptors came home from a productive road trip only to fall into a classic letdown spot against the New York Knicks.

They’ll look to get back on track when they head to Orlando to face the Magic. Injuries and uneven play have held Orlando back this season, leaving the Magic just two games over .500 — yet they still enter as slight home favorites.

My Raptors vs. Magic predictions and NBA picks break down why the Raptors will get back to roaring in this Eastern Conference clash, set to tip off at 7:30 p.m. ET at the Kia Center in Orlando.

Raptors vs Magic prediction

Raptors vs Magic best bet: Raptors moneyline (+105)

The Toronto Raptors saw their winning streak snapped by the New York Knicks on Wednesday, but the team has played well overall.

They won the last four games of a West Coast road trip, including a win over the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder. They’re eighth in the NBA in defensive rating, and have gone 10-4 ATS as a road underdog this season.

Meanwhile, the Orlando Magic are struggling. They have the sixth-worst net rating in January, and it’s clear they are missing Franz Wagner.

Brandon Ingram and Co. will lock down the Magic and get back in the win column. 

Raptors vs Magic same-game parlay

Ingram is having a solid first season with the Raptors, and tonight I want to focus on his playmaking ability. He's averaged 4.2 assists over his last nine games, recording four or more dimes in six of those outings.

Orlando is a strong defensive team, and their game plan figures to involve getting the ball out of Ingram’s hands.  

Then there is Jalen Suggs. The Magic guard is just 2-for-16 from three in his three games since his return from injury and now faces a Raptors team that allows the second-lowest opponent 3-point shooting percentage in the NBA.

Raptors vs Magic SGP

• Raptors moneyline
• Brandon Ingram Over 3.5 assists
• Jalen Suggs Under 1.5 threes

Our "from downtown" SGP: Dino Dimes

The Raptors have the sixth-highest assist rate this month, while the Magic rank 19th in opponent assists per possession during the same period.

Raptors vs Magic SGP

• Immanuel Quickley Over 5.5 assists
• Scottie Barnes Over 4.5 assists
• Brandon Ingram Over 3.5 assists
• Collin Murray-Boyles Over 2.5 assists

Raptors vs Magic odds

• Spread: Raptors +1.5 | Magic -1.5
• Moneyline: Raptors +105 | Magic -125
• Over/Under: Over 219.5 | Under 219.5

Raptors vs Magic betting trend to know

The Raptors have hit the moneyline in 23 of their last 40 away games (+11.75 Units / 22% ROI). Find more NBA betting trends for Raptors vs. Magic.

How to watch Raptors vs Magic

Raptors vs Magic latest injuries

This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here

Friday night is more than alright for NBA player props, with nine games on the slate giving bettors plenty to work with.

I’ve locked in my three favorite plays for tonight, including Brandon Ingram handing out dimes against the Magic and Shaedon Sharpe continuing to be a thorn in the Knicks’ side.

Find out more in my NBA picks for January 30.

Best NBA player props today

Prop #1: Brandon Ingram Over 3.5 assists

+122 at bet365

Brandon Ingram is enjoying a solid first season with the Toronto Raptors, averaging 21.7 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 3.7 assists per game. For tonight’s matchup against the Orlando Magic, the focus shifts to his playmaking.

Ingram has averaged 4.2 assists over his last nine games, recording four or more dimes in six of those outings.

Orlando is a strong defensive team, and their game plan figures to involve getting the ball out of Ingram’s hands. He logged four assists the last time these teams met back in December, and I love him to reach that mark again tonight.

• Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
• Where to watch: ESPN

Prop #2: Shaedon Sharpe Over 21.5 points

-120 at bet365

The Portland Trail Blazers are playing an exciting brand of basketball, and Shaedon Sharpe has been a major driver of that surge.

The Blazers guard is averaging 22.9 points while shooting 39.3% from beyond the arc over his last 12 games, and I’m backing Sharpe to deliver another strong showing against the New York Knicks.

New York has been inconsistent all season, due in part to shaky perimeter defense. The Knicks allow the sixth-most 3-pointers per game and surrender the most points per game to opposing guards.

With that in mind, Sharpe is well-positioned to clear this line for the ninth time in his last 13 games.

• Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
• Where to watch: KUNP, MSG

Prop #3: Egor Demin Over 2.5 threes

+110 at bet365

The Brooklyn Nets appear to have something special in Egor Demin. The BYU rookie is averaging 13.1 points per game while shooting an eye-popping 43.9% from beyond the arc over his last 18 outings.

Demin has knocked down three or more triples in 11 of those games, and there’s little reason to expect that trend to slow against the Utah Jazz.

Utah owns arguably the worst defense in the NBA, ranking dead last in both defensive rating and opponent points per game.

It should come as no surprise that the Jazz's perimeter defense has been just as porous, sitting last in opponent-made threes per game.

• Time: 9:30 p.m. ET
• Where to watch: YES, KJZZ

These props are available now at bet365, one of our best betting sites.

This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here