Category: Basketball

San Antonio Spurs vs. Los Angeles Lakers Preview 

The San Antonio Spurs (28-38) and Los Angeles Lakers (41-25) are all set to square off from Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles.

The Lakers are still without LeBron James and Rui Hachimura is a game-time decision.

They have fallen a bit down the Western Conference rankings since James’ injury.

The Spurs are currently 10-21 on the road with a point differential of -2, while the Lakers have a 9-1 record in their last ten games at home. 

We’ve got all the info and analysis you need to know ahead of the game, including the latest info on the how to catch tipoff, odds, recent team performance, player stats, and of course, our predictions, picks & best bets for the game from our modeling tools and staff of experts.

Listen to the Rotoworld Basketball Show for the latest fantasy player news, waiver claims, roster advice and more from our experts all season long. Click here or download it wherever you get your podcasts.

Game details & how to watch Spurs vs. Lakers live today

• Date: Monday, March 17, 2025
• Time: 10:30PM EST
• Site: Crypto.com Arena
• City: Los Angeles, CA
• Network/Streaming:

Never miss a second of the action and stay up to date with all the latest team stats and player news. Check out our day-by-day NBA schedule page, along with detailed matchup pages that update live in-game.

Game odds for Spurs vs. Lakers
The latest odds as of Monday:

• Odds: Spurs (+337), Lakers (-433)
• Spread:  Lakers -9
• Over/Under: 229 points

That gives the Spurs an implied team point total of 113.47, and the Lakers 118.16.
 
Want to know which sportsbook is offering the best lines for every game on the NBA calendar? Check out the NBC Sports’ Live Odds tool to get all the latest updated info from DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM & more!

Expert picks & predictions for Monday's Spurs vs. Lakers game

NBC Sports Bet Best Bet

Please bet responsibly. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline at 1-800-522-4700.
 
Our model calculates projections around each moneyline, spread and over/under bet for every game on the NBA calendar based on data points like recent performance, head-to-head player matchups, trends information and projected game totals.

Once the model is finished running, we put its projections next to the latest betting lines for the game to arrive at a relative confidence level for each wager.

Here are the best bets our model is projecting for today’s Spurs & Lakers game:

• Moneyline: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the Los Angeles Lakers on the Moneyline.
• Spread: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play ATS on the San Antonio Spurs at +9.
• Total: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play on the under on the Game Total of 229.

Want even more NBA best bets and predictions from our expert staff & tools? Check out the Expert NBA Predictions page from NBC Sports for money line, spread and over/under picks for every game on today’s calendar!

Important stats, trends & insights to know ahead of Spurs vs. Lakers on Monday

• The Lakers have won 7 games straight at home, while the Spurs have lost on 8 of their last 10 road trips
• The Under is 24-17 in the Lakers' matchups against Western Conference teams this season
• The Lakers have won 4 of their last 5 home games against teams with losing records

 
If you’re looking for more key trends and stats around the spread, moneyline and total for every single game on the schedule today, check out our NBA Top Trends tool on NBC Sports!
 
Bet the Edge is your source for all things sports betting. Get all of Jay Croucher and Drew Dinsick’s insight weekdays at 6AM ET right here or wherever you get your favorite podcasts. 
 
Follow our experts on socials to keep up with all the latest content from the staff: 
- Jay Croucher (@croucherJD)
- Drew Dinsick (@whale_capper) 
- Vaughn Dalzell (@VmoneySports) 
- Brad Thomas (@MrBradThomas)

Washington Wizards vs. Portland Trail Blazers Preview 

The Washington Wizards (15-51) and Portland Trail Blazers (29-39) are all set to square off from Moda Center in Portland.

The Wizards may be in the biggest bogey spot of the season. They are coming off of two massive wins. They beat the Pistons and the Nuggets in succession. They now play against the Trail Blazers. They could sleep walk their way through this game.

The Wizards are currently 8-25 on the road with a point differential of -12, while the Trail Blazers have a 7-3 record in their last ten games at home. 

We’ve got all the info and analysis you need to know ahead of the game, including the latest info on the how to catch tipoff, odds, recent team performance, player stats, and of course, our predictions, picks & best bets for the game from our modeling tools and staff of experts.

Listen to the Rotoworld Basketball Show for the latest fantasy player news, waiver claims, roster advice and more from our experts all season long. Click here or download it wherever you get your podcasts.

Game details & how to watch Wizards vs. Trail Blazers live today

• Date: Monday, March 17, 2025
• Time: 10:00PM EST
• Site: Moda Center
• City: Portland, OR

Never miss a second of the action and stay up to date with all the latest team stats and player news. Check out our day-by-day NBA schedule page, along with detailed matchup pages that update live in-game.

Game odds for Wizards vs. Trail Blazers
The latest odds as of Monday:

• Odds: Wizards (+156), Trail Blazers (-187)
• Spread:  Trail Blazers -4.5
• Over/Under: 231 points

That gives the Wizards an implied team point total of 114.62, and the Trail Blazers 116.97.
 
Want to know which sportsbook is offering the best lines for every game on the NBA calendar? Check out the NBC Sports’ Live Odds tool to get all the latest updated info from DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM & more!

Expert picks & predictions for Monday's Wizards vs. Trail Blazers game

NBC Sports Bet Best Bet

Please bet responsibly. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline at 1-800-522-4700.

 Brad Thomas (@MrBradThomas) is leaning towards the Trailblazers -6…

Thomas: “It’s a game where I’d prefer not to invest in. The Trailblazers are not 100%, but this is a great spot for the Trailblazers to win by margin against the Wizards. Betting on the Blazers, would require faith in a team who is just 29-39 and has only won four of their last 10 games.”

Our model calculates projections around each moneyline, spread and over/under bet for every game on the NBA calendar based on data points like recent performance, head-to-head player matchups, trends information and projected game totals.

Once the model is finished running, we put its projections next to the latest betting lines for the game to arrive at a relative confidence level for each wager.

Here are the best bets our model is projecting for today’s Wizards & Trail Blazers game:

• Moneyline: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the Portland Trail Blazers on the Moneyline.
• Spread: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play ATS on the Washington Wizards at +4.
• Total: NBC Sports Bet is staying away from a play on the Game Total of 231.

Want even more NBA best bets and predictions from our expert staff & tools? Check out the Expert NBA Predictions page from NBC Sports for money line, spread and over/under picks for every game on today’s calendar!

Important stats, trends & insights to know ahead of Wizards vs. Trail Blazers on Monday

• The Trail Blazers have won their last 5 home games against teams with losing records
• 6 of the Trail Blazers' last 7 home games stayed under the Total

The Trail Blazers have won 4 of their last 5 home games against teams with losing records
 
If you’re looking for more key trends and stats around the spread, moneyline and total for every single game on the schedule today, check out our NBA Top Trends tool on NBC Sports!
 
Bet the Edge is your source for all things sports betting. Get all of Jay Croucher and Drew Dinsick’s insight weekdays at 6AM ET right here or wherever you get your favorite podcasts. 
 
Follow our experts on socials to keep up with all the latest content from the staff: 
- Jay Croucher (@croucherJD)
- Drew Dinsick (@whale_capper) 
- Vaughn Dalzell (@VmoneySports) 
- Brad Thomas (@MrBradThomas)

Toronto Raptors vs. Phoenix Suns Preview 

The Toronto Raptors (24-44) and Phoenix Suns (31-37) are all set to square off from Footprint Center in Phoenix.

The Suns seem to be stuck in neutral and can’t quite make a playoff push. They have only won four of their last six games and are 11^th in the Western Conference.

The Raptors are inching closer to a play-in spot. They have won six of their last four games.

The Raptors are currently 8-24 on the road with a point differential of -5, while the Suns have a 5-5 record in their last ten games at home. 

We’ve got all the info and analysis you need to know ahead of the game, including the latest info on the how to catch tipoff, odds, recent team performance, player stats, and of course, our predictions, picks & best bets for the game from our modeling tools and staff of experts.

Listen to the Rotoworld Basketball Show for the latest fantasy player news, waiver claims, roster advice and more from our experts all season long. Click here or download it wherever you get your podcasts.

Game details & how to watch Raptors vs. Suns live today

• Date: Monday, March 17, 2025
• Time: 10:00PM EST
• Site: Footprint Center
• City: Phoenix, AZ
• Network/Streaming:

Never miss a second of the action and stay up to date with all the latest team stats and player news. Check out our day-by-day NBA schedule page, along with detailed matchup pages that update live in-game.

Game odds for Raptors vs. Suns

The latest odds as of Monday:

• Odds: Raptors (+287), Suns (-362)
• Spread:  Suns -8.5
• Over/Under: 229 points

That gives the Raptors an implied team point total of 113.4, and the Suns 117.83.
 
Want to know which sportsbook is offering the best lines for every game on the NBA calendar? Check out the NBC Sports’ Live Odds tool to get all the latest updated info from DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM & more!

Expert picks & predictions for Monday's Raptors vs. Suns game

NBC Sports Bet Best Bet

Please bet responsibly. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline at 1-800-522-4700.
 
Our model calculates projections around each moneyline, spread and over/under bet for every game on the NBA calendar based on data points like recent performance, head-to-head player matchups, trends information and projected game totals.

Once the model is finished running, we put its projections next to the latest betting lines for the game to arrive at a relative confidence level for each wager.

Here are the best bets our model is projecting for today’s Raptors & Suns game:

• Moneyline: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the Phoenix Suns on the Moneyline.
• Spread: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play ATS on the Toronto Raptors at +8.
• Total: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play on the under on the Game Total of 229.

Want even more NBA best bets and predictions from our expert staff & tools? Check out the Expert NBA Predictions page from NBC Sports for money line, spread and over/under picks for every game on today’s calendar!

Important stats, trends & insights to know ahead of Raptors vs. Suns on Monday

• The Suns have won 4 of their last 5 home games against teams with losing records
• The Under is 4-1 in the Suns' last 5 games
• The Raptors have covered the Spread in their last 4 road games
• The Suns have won 15 of their last 20 home games against teams with losing records

 
If you’re looking for more key trends and stats around the spread, moneyline and total for every single game on the schedule today, check out our NBA Top Trends tool on NBC Sports!
 
Bet the Edge is your source for all things sports betting. Get all of Jay Croucher and Drew Dinsick’s insight weekdays at 6AM ET right here or wherever you get your favorite podcasts. 
 
Follow our experts on socials to keep up with all the latest content from the staff: 
- Jay Croucher (@croucherJD)
- Drew Dinsick (@whale_capper) 
- Vaughn Dalzell (@VmoneySports) 
- Brad Thomas (@MrBradThomas)

Memphis Grizzlies vs. Sacramento Kings Preview 

The Memphis Grizzlies (43-25) and Sacramento Kings (33-33) are all set to square off from Golden 1 Center in Sacramento.

The Kings are on a slide. They have lost four straight games and are close to losing their play-in position.

The Grizzlies have moved up to fourth in the Western Conference, but that has more to do with the Lakers losing a few games than the Grizzlies winning. They are .500 in their last five games.

 The Grizzlies are currently 18-14 on the road with a point differential of 6, while the Kings have a 7-3 record in their last ten games at home.
 
We’ve got all the info and analysis you need to know ahead of the game, including the latest info on the how to catch tipoff, odds, recent team performance, player stats, and of course, our predictions, picks & best bets for the game from our modeling tools and staff of experts.

Listen to the Rotoworld Basketball Show for the latest fantasy player news, waiver claims, roster advice and more from our experts all season long. Click here or download it wherever you get your podcasts.

Game details & how to watch Grizzlies vs. Kings live today

• Date: Monday, March 17, 2025
• Time: 10:00PM EST
• Site: Golden 1 Center
• City: Sacramento, CA

Never miss a second of the action and stay up to date with all the latest team stats and player news. Check out our day-by-day NBA schedule page, along with detailed matchup pages that update live in-game.

Game odds for Grizzlies vs. Kings
The latest odds as of Monday:

• Odds: Grizzlies (-110), Kings (-109)
• Spread:  Grizzlies 1
• Over/Under: 242 points

That gives the Grizzlies an implied team point total of 121.26, and the Kings 120.74.
 
Want to know which sportsbook is offering the best lines for every game on the NBA calendar? Check out the NBC Sports’ Live Odds tool to get all the latest updated info from DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM & more!

Expert picks & predictions for Monday's Grizzlies vs. Kings game

NBC Sports Bet Best Bet

Please bet responsibly. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline at 1-800-522-4700.

Brad Thomas (@MrBradThomas) is leaning towards Jaren Jackson 30+ points +230…

Thomas: “Jackson has scored at least 30 points in three of the last four games without Ja Morant. They get a good matchup against the Kings, who allow the 11^th most points to power forwards.”

Our model calculates projections around each moneyline, spread and over/under bet for every game on the NBA calendar based on data points like recent performance, head-to-head player matchups, trends information and projected game totals.

Once the model is finished running, we put its projections next to the latest betting lines for the game to arrive at a relative confidence level for each wager.

Here are the best bets our model is projecting for today’s Grizzlies & Kings game:

• Moneyline: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the Sacramento Kings on the Moneyline.
• Spread: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play ATS on the Sacramento Kings at +1.
• Total: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play on the under on the Game Total of 242.

Want even more NBA best bets and predictions from our expert staff & tools? Check out the Expert NBA Predictions page from NBC Sports for money line, spread and over/under picks for every game on today’s calendar!

Important stats, trends & insights to know ahead of Grizzlies vs. Kings on Monday

• The Kings have lost 4 games in a row
• The Over is 13-7 in the Kings' last 10 home games and the Grizzlies' last 10 on the road combined
• The Grizzlies are 37-31 against the spread this season
• The Kings are on a 3-game win streak at home to the Grizzlies

 
If you’re looking for more key trends and stats around the spread, moneyline and total for every single game on the schedule today, check out our NBA Top Trends tool on NBC Sports!
 
Bet the Edge is your source for all things sports betting. Get all of Jay Croucher and Drew Dinsick’s insight weekdays at 6AM ET right here or wherever you get your favorite podcasts. 
 
Follow our experts on socials to keep up with all the latest content from the staff: 
- Jay Croucher (@croucherJD)
- Drew Dinsick (@whale_capper) 
- Vaughn Dalzell (@VmoneySports) 
- Brad Thomas (@MrBradThomas)

The Mavericks—their fans, players, and front office—are still dealing with the fallout and emotional aftereffects of the stunning Luka Doncic trade. Not everyone is processing this in the same way, and many people — particularly fans — are not ready to move on.

Dallas Mavericks talisman Dirk Nowitzki spoke to that on the German 41 Campus podcast (hat tip to Hoopshype for the translation). Nowtizki talked about going to the first Lakers game Doncic played.

"It was such a strange situation. I was standing in that empty stadium, and then he ran onto the court—in yellow. It was just an unbelievably bizarre moment for me. And of course, it's going to take weeks and months before it starts to feel a little more normal. It's a tough situation, but in my tweet, I made it clear—I will always be a Mavs fan. But this trade really hurt. And it will take a while before everyone processes it and moves on."

Nowitzki also talked about the shock of learning about the trade while on vacation with his family.

"At the end of the trip, we were in the Maldives, just relaxing at the beach. It was literally the last day, and I was in my room, about to pack my things. Then suddenly, my phone exploded with calls and messages from all over the world. I immediately went on Twitter, read the news, and at first, I was just shocked—like everyone else. I don't think anyone saw it coming that the Mavs would ever trade Luka. So for me, it was totally unexpected, completely out of nowhere."

That shock and pain still impacts Mavericks fans, who have lashed out at general manager Nico Harrison and team governor Patrick Dumont.

The players have no choice but to move on — they still have to take the court and play games (on a team ravaged by injuries). Which is why P.J. Washington said the "fire Nico" chants need to end, speaking to Mike Curtis of the Dallas Morning News.

"All that 'Fire Nico' stuff, we're sick and tired of hearing it. We just want to go out there and play and we need the fans to support us no matter who's on the floor. That's just how I feel about it."

It's understandable Washington feels that way. The fans aren't there yet. Part of that is that since the trade Kyrie Irving, Anthony Davis (nearing a return) and so many other players have been injured that the team is struggling to fill the required eight roster spots each night. Winning would have eased some of the pain fans felt, but with injuries piling up the team has lost 8-of-9 and is in danger of sliding out of even the play-in.

It's going to take a while for fans to embrace the Mavericks the same way again. Everyone is going to process this at their own pace, and that might be slower than Washington or Mavericks management wants.

Denver Nuggets vs. Golden State Warriors Preview 

The Denver Nuggets (43-25) and Golden State Warriors (39-28) are all set to square off from Chase Center in San Francisco.

The Nuggets are coming from a bad loss against the Wizards on Saturday. They must focus tonight on one of the hottest teams in the NBA.

The Warriors are on a seven-game winning streak and have won nine of their last 10 games. The addition of Jimmy Butler seems to be the best trade deadline acquisition so far.

 The Nuggets are currently 20-14 on the road with a point differential of 4, while the Warriors have a 9-1 record in their last ten games at home. 

We’ve got all the info and analysis you need to know ahead of the game, including the latest info on the how to catch tipoff, odds, recent team performance, player stats, and of course, our predictions, picks & best bets for the game from our modeling tools and staff of experts.

Listen to the Rotoworld Basketball Show for the latest fantasy player news, waiver claims, roster advice and more from our experts all season long. Click here or download it wherever you get your podcasts.

Game details & how to watch Nuggets vs. Warriors live today

• Date: Monday, March 17, 2025
• Time: 10:00PM EST
• Site: Chase Center
• City: San Francisco, CA

Never miss a second of the action and stay up to date with all the latest team stats and player news. Check out our day-by-day NBA schedule page, along with detailed matchup pages that update live in-game.

Game odds for Nuggets vs. Warriors

The latest odds as of Monday:

• Odds: Nuggets (+166), Warriors (-201)
• Spread:  Warriors -5
• Over/Under: 236 points

That gives the Nuggets an implied team point total of 117.06, and the Warriors 119.67.
 
Want to know which sportsbook is offering the best lines for every game on the NBA calendar? Check out the NBC Sports’ Live Odds tool to get all the latest updated info from DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM & more!

Expert picks & predictions for Monday's Nuggets vs. Warriors game

NBC Sports Bet Best Bet

Please bet responsibly. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline at 1-800-522-4700.

Brad Thomas (@MrBradThomas) is leaning towards the Nuggets +4.5…

Thomas: “Despite the Warriors being 5-0 in their last five games, they are just 1-3-1 against the spread in those games. This is a big game for the Nuggets, they will not take the Warriors lightly. The matchup in the post between Nikola Jokic and Draymond Green is a massive advantage for the Nuggets.”

Our model calculates projections around each moneyline, spread and over/under bet for every game on the NBA calendar based on data points like recent performance, head-to-head player matchups, trends information and projected game totals.

Once the model is finished running, we put its projections next to the latest betting lines for the game to arrive at a relative confidence level for each wager.

Here are the best bets our model is projecting for today’s Nuggets & Warriors game:

• Moneyline: NBC Sports Bet is staying away from a play on the Moneyline.
• Spread: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play ATS on the Denver Nuggets at +5.
• Total: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play on the under on the Game Total of 236.

Want even more NBA best bets and predictions from our expert staff & tools? Check out the Expert NBA Predictions page from NBC Sports for money line, spread and over/under picks for every game on today’s calendar!

Important stats, trends & insights to know ahead of Nuggets vs. Warriors on Monday

• The Warriors have won 4 of their last 5 matchups against Western Conference Northwest Division teams
• 5 of the Nuggets' last 6 matchups with the Warriors have stayed under the Total
• The Warriors are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games as a favorite
• The Warriors have won 4 of their last 5 matchups against Western Conference Northwest Division teams but are 1-4 against the spread in their last 5 games. Back Denver to push them close.

 
If you’re looking for more key trends and stats around the spread, moneyline and total for every single game on the schedule today, check out our NBA Top Trends tool on NBC Sports!
 
Bet the Edge is your source for all things sports betting. Get all of Jay Croucher and Drew Dinsick’s insight weekdays at 6AM ET right here or wherever you get your favorite podcasts. 
 
Follow our experts on socials to keep up with all the latest content from the staff: 
- Jay Croucher (@croucherJD)
- Drew Dinsick (@whale_capper) 
- Vaughn Dalzell (@VmoneySports) 
- Brad Thomas (@MrBradThomas)

Chicago Bulls vs. Utah Jazz Preview 

The Chicago Bulls (28-39) and Utah Jazz (15-53) are all set to square off from Delta Center in Salt Lake City.

The Bulls are 10^th in the Eastern Conference but have won six last 10 games. The Jazz are on operation #FailForFlagg. They have won just one game in their previous 10 games and have the worst record in the NBA.

The Bulls are currently 15-17 on the road with a point differential of -4, while the Jazz have a 3-7 record in their last ten games at home. 

We’ve got all the info and analysis you need to know ahead of the game, including the latest info on the how to catch tipoff, odds, recent team performance, player stats, and of course, our predictions, picks & best bets for the game from our modeling tools and staff of experts.

Listen to the Rotoworld Basketball Show for the latest fantasy player news, waiver claims, roster advice and more from our experts all season long. Click here or download it wherever you get your podcasts.

Game details & how to watch Bulls vs. Jazz live today

• Date: Monday, March 17, 2025
• Time: 9:00PM EST
• Site: Delta Center
• City: Salt Lake City, UT

Never miss a second of the action and stay up to date with all the latest team stats and player news. Check out our day-by-day NBA schedule page, along with detailed matchup pages that update live in-game.
Game odds for Bulls vs. Jazz
The latest odds as of Monday:

• Odds: Bulls (-218), Jazz (+180)
• Spread:  Bulls -5.5
• Over/Under: 238 points

That gives the Bulls an implied team point total of 120.89, and the Jazz 118.02.
 
Want to know which sportsbook is offering the best lines for every game on the NBA calendar? Check out the NBC Sports’ Live Odds tool to get all the latest updated info from DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM & more!

Expert picks & predictions for Monday's Bulls vs. Jazz game

NBC Sports Bet Best Bet

Please bet responsibly. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline at 1-800-522-4700.
 
Our model calculates projections around each moneyline, spread and over/under bet for every game on the NBA calendar based on data points like recent performance, head-to-head
player matchups, trends information and projected game totals.

Once the model is finished running, we put its projections next to the latest betting lines for the game to arrive at a relative confidence level for each wager.

Here are the best bets our model is projecting for today’s Bulls & Jazz game:

• Moneyline: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the Chicago Bulls on the Moneyline.
• Spread: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play ATS on the Utah Jazz at +5.
• Total: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play on the under on the Game Total of 238.

Want even more NBA best bets and predictions from our expert staff & tools? Check out the Expert NBA Predictions page from NBC Sports for money line, spread and over/under picks for every game on today’s calendar!

Important stats, trends & insights to know ahead of Bulls vs. Jazz on Monday

• The Jazz are on a 3-game losing streak at home
• The Jazz's last 4 games versus the Bulls have gone over the Total
• The Jazz are 7-3 ATS in their last 10 games as a home underdog
• The Bulls have won 4 of their last 5 away games against teams with losing records

 
If you’re looking for more key trends and stats around the spread, moneyline and total for every single game on the schedule today, check out our NBA Top Trends tool on NBC Sports!
 
Bet the Edge is your source for all things sports betting. Get all of Jay Croucher and Drew Dinsick’s insight weekdays at 6AM ET right here or wherever you get your favorite podcasts. 
 
Follow our experts on socials to keep up with all the latest content from the staff: 
- Jay Croucher (@croucherJD)
- Drew Dinsick (@whale_capper) 
- Vaughn Dalzell (@VmoneySports) 
- Brad Thomas (@MrBradThomas)

Anthony Davis wants to return to the court for the Mavericks this season.

He has been ramping up workouts, nearing a return, and the latest step along that path came Monday when Davis was assigned to the Texas Legends of the G-League, where he could get in some 5-on-5 work in practice (something that was not going to happen with the big club).

Since Davis was traded to Dallas, he has played in just one game, during which he looked amazing (26 points, 16 rebounds, seven assists) until he strained his adductor (groin) and had to be helped off the court. He has missed 16 games since but appears eager to get back on the court and silence the "fire Nico" chants aimed at Mavericks GM Nico Harrison over the Luka Doncic trade that brought Davis to Los Angeles.

As a side note, P.J. Washington wants the "fire Nico" chants to end, as he told Mike Curtis of the Dallas Morning News: "All that 'Fire Nico' stuff, we're sick and tired of hearing it. We just want to go out there and play and we need the fans to support us no matter who's on the floor. That's just how I feel about it."

The question in Dallas' front office is, should they bring Davis back this season? That front office is divided, according to multiple reports.

With Kyrie Irving out for the season with a torn ACL, and the Mavericks having lost 8-of-9 as they appear likely to slide out of the play-in (if Phoenix can get its act even partially together), what is the point of pushing Davis back into action? The same is true of Dereck Lively II (although he is farther away from a return). Is the risk of another injury worth the reward of maybe making the No. 10 seed (then having to win two play-in games on the road to make the playoffs, where No. 1 seed Oklahoma City will be waiting)?

What matters most is that Davis wants to be out there playing, and with this temporary assignment to the G-League, he seems to be nearing a return.