Category: Basketball

Picking NCAA Tournament brackets are hard. Usually they end up in the trash can by the end of the first weekend.

Iowa's upset over Florida wiped out a large portion of the field. And Tennessee's win over No. 3 Virginia in the second round claimed the final last perfect bracket of the more than 35 million submitted in the major online challenges, including USA TODAY's.

So keep that in mind when taking a look at how our staff fared through March Madness' first two rounds.

March Madness bracket hot takes: From Sweet 16 upsets to Final Four predictions

Sweet 16 predictions: Experts pick who will advance in March Madness bracket

Grading our March Madness bracket predictions: Our best, worst picks

Blake Toppmeyer (full bracket)

• Round 1: 23 of 32
• Round 2: 11 of 16
• Sweet 16: Has 11 teams left
• Elite Eight: Has 5 teams left
• Final Four: Has all 4 teams left
• Champion: Arizona

Worst pick: He had BYU going to the Elite Eight. The Cougars didn't get out of the first round. We get it, AJ Dybantsa is really good. But he needed help.

Best pick: Called the VCU upset of North Carolina.

Matt Hayes (full bracket)

• Round 1: 24 of 32
• Round 2: 13 of 16
• Sweet 16: 13 teams left
• Elite Eight: Has 7 left
• Final Four: Has 3 left
• Champion: Arizona

Worst pick: Hurt most by Florida's second round exit. Matt had the Gators reaching the Final Four.

Worst pick II: Took a chance on McNeese as a sleeper Sweet 16 pick. The Cowboys lost to Vanderbilt in the first round.

Best pick: Had the High Point upset of Wisconsin.

Jordan Mendoza (full bracket)

• Round 1: 23 of 32
• Round 2: 9 of 16
• Sweet 16: Has 9 teams left
• Elite Eight: Has 6 left
• Final Four: Has 3 left
• Champion: Arizona

Worst pick: Picked Wisconsin to reach the Sweet 16. Badgers lost to High Point, so this was Jordan's low point.

Worst pick II: Took a chance on Akron as a sleeper Sweet 16 pick. Texas Tech zipped that up by 20.

Worst pick III: Swear we're not picking on Jordan, but he lost three Sweet 16 teams in the first round. He was a believer in AJ Dybantsa and BYU.

Paul Myerberg (full bracket)

• Round 1: 25 of 32
• Round 2: 13 of 16
• Sweet 16: Has 13 teams left
• Elite Eight: Has 7 teams left
• Final Four: Has all 4 teams
• Champion: St. John's

Brent Schrotenboer (full bracket)

• Round 1: 25 of 32
• Round 2: 11 of 16
• Sweet 16: Has 11 teams left
• Elite Eight: Has 6 teams left
• Final Four: has 3 teams left
• Champion: Florida

Worst pick: Lost his champion in the second round. Gator baited.

Worst pick II: Had UNC going to the Sweet 16. That looked good until Tar Heels blew 19-point lead in first round loss to VCU.

Worst pick III: Took a chance on Texas Tech. Shot himself in the foot.

John Brice (full bracket)

• Round 1: 26 of 32
• Round 2: 12 of 16
• Sweet 16: Has 12 left
• Elite Eight: Has 6 left
• Final Four: Has all four left
• Champion: Arizona

Best pick: The entire East Region. He got it all right.

Worst pick: Gonzaga to the Elite Eight. Not the first to be stung by the Zags.

Craig Meyer (full bracket)

• Round 1: 30 of 32
• Round 2: 13 of 16
• Sweet 16: Has 13 teams left
• Elite Eight: Has 7 teams left
• Final Four: Has 3 teams left
• Champion: Florida

Best pick: The entire top half of the bracket. Got every pick right so far in the East and West regions. That includes the High Point upset and Texas making the Sweet 16.

Worst pick: Craig was doing so well. But then the Gators bit him in the butt.

Eddie Timanus (full bracket)

• Round 1: 23 of 32
• Round 2: 9 of 16
• Sweet 16: Has 9 teams left
• Elite Eight: Has 7 teams left
• Final Four: Has 3 left
• Champion: Arizona

Worst pick: Had Wisconsin going to the Sweet 16. Tough break. Nearly every other Big Ten team made it.

Matt Glenesk (full bracket)

• Round 1: 24 of 32
• Round 2: 11 of 16
• Sweet 16: Has 11 teams left
• Elite Eight: Has 6 left
• Final Four: Has 3 left
• Champion: Florida

Worst pick: Florida winning it all? Ugh.

Worst pick II: Had Miami (Fla.) going to the Elite Eight. This Floridian got burned twice by Sunshine State.

Sweet 16 schedule, game tip times, dates

THURSDAY, MARCH 26

• 7:10 p.m.: No. 2 Purdue vs. No. 11 Texas (West), CBS
• 7:30 p.m.: No. 4 Nebraska vs. No. 9 Iowa (South), TBS/truTV
• 9:45 p.m.: No. 1 Arizona vs. No. 4 Arkansas (West), CBS
• 10:05 p.m.: No. 2 Houston vs. No. 3 Illinois (South), TBS/truTV

FRIDAY, MARCH 27

• 7:10 p.m.: No. 1 Duke vs. No. 5 St. John's (East), CBS
• 7:35 p.m.: No 4 Alabama vs. No. 1 Michigan (Midwest), TBS/truTV
• 9:45 p.m.: No. 2 UConn vs. No. 3 Michigan State (East), CBS
• 10:10 p.m.: No. 2 Iowa State vs. No. 6 Tennessee (Midwest), TBS/truTV

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Grading our March Madness bracket predictions: Our best, worst NCAA picks

The Dallas Mavericks lost 137-131 to the Golden State Warriors in an overtime thriller Monday night in Dallas. Cooper Flagg led all scorers with 32 points but a balanced Warriors attack and sloppy Mavericks miscues prevented the Mavericks from a feel-good win.

Dallas nearly blew the game open in the second quarter, outscoring Golden State 42-29 and taking a 15-point lead at one point. After halftime it was all Warriors, and a frantic comeback late in the fourth left Dallas with a chance to win on the final possession, only for Naji Marshall to miss a wide-open potential game-winning three. In overtime it was all Warriors.

Here are the numbers to know.

15: Combined turnovers for Cooper Flagg, Naji Marshall

Mavericks coach Jason Kidd continues to experiment with Cooper Flagg at point, and yet again the Mavericks ball handling woes bit them. Dallas actually shot the ball when when they got up a shot, the problem was they didn’t get up a shot enough — the team had 23 turnovers, with Flagg and Marshall responsible for 15 of them, Marshall having eight, Flagg having seven.

Those two were the perimeter players that touched the ball the most, and for them to cough the ball up so frequently really stalled the Mavericks out in the third quarter, which ignited the Warriors rally. Kidd throwing Flagg into the deep end of the pool, and it was frankly uncomfortable to watch Flagg sink a bit in the second half, when the Warriors full-court pressure forced multiple turnovers.

It’s a shame because Flagg did such a good job scoring, but the ball control was a major issue.

23-8: Warriors 2nd chance points advantage

Dallas shot nearly 60 percent from the field and 55 percent from three on 36 three point attempts. How did they lose? Well besides turnovers, the Mavericks gave up 17 offensive rebounds, good for 23 second-chance points from the Warriors.

No one on the Mavericks did well on the boards. Starting center Daniel Gafford only had five defensive rebounds in 32 minutes. Mavericks forwards PJ Washington and Cooper Flagg each had three defensive boards. So that’s 11 combined defensive rebounds from the Mavericks starting front court, so to speak (even if Flagg is running point). That’s just not good enough, and it cost Dallas.

8: Warriors in double digits

The Warriors are a very unique team, in which their offense is truly more than the sum of its parts — lots of cutting, lots of off-ball action, less isolations and direct pick and roll. It’s a fun system, tailored made to take advantage of Steph Curry’s almost limitless on-floor gravity off the ball. Even without Curry, like the Warriors were tonight, it can be impressive.

Golden State had eight players with 10 or more points, led by Moses Moody with 23 points. The one that jumped out the most, however, was Gary Payton II and his 17 points on perfect 8-of-8 shooting. Payton seemed to make the right play at the right time throughout the second half, including a giant corner three late in the game, along with two steals.

Payton is fun to watch when being utilized well — he was basically rim-running as a guard, and it threw the Mavericks offense off on multiple occasions.

Atlanta Hawks (40-32, sixth in the Eastern Conference) vs. Detroit Pistons (52-19, first in the Eastern Conference)

Detroit; Wednesday, 7 p.m. EDT

BOTTOM LINE: Detroit hosts Atlanta looking to prolong its four-game home winning streak.

The Pistons are 34-11 against Eastern Conference opponents. Detroit leads the Eastern Conference with 57.8 points in the paint led by Jalen Duren averaging 14.4.

The Hawks are 22-21 against Eastern Conference opponents. Atlanta ranks seventh in the league averaging 14.5 made 3-pointers per game while shooting 36.9% from downtown. Nickeil Alexander-Walker leads the team averaging 3.1 makes while shooting 39.2% from 3-point range.

The Pistons average 117.3 points per game, 0.9 more points than the 116.4 the Hawks allow. The Hawks average 8.8 more points per game (118.3) than the Pistons give up to opponents (109.5).

The teams square off for the fourth time this season. The Pistons won the last matchup 142-115 on Dec. 13, with Isaiah Stewart scoring 17 points in the victory.

TOP PERFORMERS: Ausar Thompson is averaging 9.9 points, 5.8 rebounds and 1.9 steals for the Pistons. Duren is averaging 23.4 points over the last 10 games.

Dyson Daniels is scoring 11.8 points per game and averaging 6.6 rebounds for the Hawks. Alexander-Walker is averaging 24.1 points and 2.6 rebounds over the last 10 games.

LAST 10 GAMES: Pistons: 7-3, averaging 119.3 points, 42.5 rebounds, 30.2 assists, 10.0 steals and 5.9 blocks per game while shooting 49.4% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 108.9 points per game.

Hawks: 9-1, averaging 123.6 points, 44.0 rebounds, 30.1 assists, 10.0 steals and 4.9 blocks per game while shooting 50.1% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 110.3 points.

INJURIES: Pistons: Cade Cunningham: out (lung), Isaiah Stewart: out (calf), Marcus Sasser: day to day (hip).

Hawks: Jalen Johnson: day to day (shoulder).

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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.

Brooklyn Nets (17-55, 13th in the Eastern Conference) vs. Golden State Warriors (34-38, 10th in the Western Conference)

San Francisco; Wednesday, 10 p.m. EDT

BOTTOM LINE: Brooklyn enters the matchup with Golden State after losing eight straight games.

The Warriors have gone 19-15 at home. Golden State averages 15.0 turnovers per game and is 20-12 when it wins the turnover battle.

The Nets are 8-29 on the road. Brooklyn averages 15.3 turnovers per game and is 4-17 when turning the ball over less than opponents.

The Warriors average 115.1 points per game, 0.7 fewer points than the 115.8 the Nets give up. The Nets average 13.3 made 3-pointers per game this season, 0.7 more makes per game than the Warriors allow.

The teams play for the second time this season. In the last meeting on Dec. 30 the Warriors won 120-107 led by 27 points from Stephen Curry, while Michael Porter Jr. scored 27 points for the Nets.

TOP PERFORMERS: Brandin Podziemski is shooting 44.4% and averaging 12.9 points for the Warriors. LJ Cryer is averaging 2.0 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games.

Nic Claxton is averaging 11.8 points, seven rebounds and 3.8 assists for the Nets. Tyson Etienne is averaging 2.1 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games.

LAST 10 GAMES: Warriors: 2-8, averaging 113.3 points, 41.1 rebounds, 28.4 assists, 10.1 steals and 4.3 blocks per game while shooting 45.1% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 119.9 points per game.

Nets: 2-8, averaging 102.7 points, 38.2 rebounds, 23.3 assists, 8.0 steals and 5.7 blocks per game while shooting 43.2% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 115.8 points.

INJURIES: Warriors: Jimmy Butler III: out for season (knee), Seth Curry: out (adductor), Al Horford: out (calf), Stephen Curry: out (knee).

Nets: Noah Clowney: out (wrist), Terance Mann: out (rest), Danny Wolf: out (ankle), Egor Demin: out for season (foot), Day'Ron Sharpe: out for season (thumb), Michael Porter Jr.: out (hamstring), Drake Powell: out (knee).

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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.

Los Angeles Lakers (46-26, third in the Western Conference) vs. Indiana Pacers (16-56, 15th in the Eastern Conference)

Indianapolis; Wednesday, 7 p.m. EDT

BOTTOM LINE: Indiana is looking to end its nine-game home losing streak with a win over Los Angeles.

The Pacers are 10-25 on their home court. Indiana is 4-34 in games decided by 10 points or more.

The Lakers have gone 23-14 away from home. Los Angeles is eighth in the Western Conference with 14.6 fast break points per game led by LeBron James averaging 5.7.

The Pacers are shooting 45.4% from the field this season, 2.9 percentage points lower than the 48.3% the Lakers allow to opponents. The Lakers average 12.0 made 3-pointers per game this season, 0.1 more makes per game than the Pacers give up.

The teams play for the second time this season. The Lakers won the last matchup 128-117 on March 7, with Luka Doncic scoring 44 points in the victory.

TOP PERFORMERS: Pascal Siakam is averaging 24 points, 6.6 rebounds and 3.8 assists for the Pacers. Jarace Walker is averaging 14.3 points over the last 10 games.

Doncic is scoring 33.4 points per game and averaging 7.9 rebounds for the Lakers. Austin Reaves is averaging 2.2 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games.

LAST 10 GAMES: Pacers: 1-9, averaging 113.6 points, 38.4 rebounds, 30.1 assists, 7.0 steals and 4.5 blocks per game while shooting 47.4% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 125.4 points per game.

Lakers: 9-1, averaging 120.0 points, 41.4 rebounds, 25.4 assists, 8.6 steals and 4.4 blocks per game while shooting 50.2% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 112.6 points.

INJURIES: Pacers: Johnny Furphy: out for season (knee), Ivica Zubac: out for season (rib), Tyrese Haliburton: out for season (achilles).

Lakers: Marcus Smart: day to day (ankle), Rui Hachimura: day to day (calf).

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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.

Oklahoma City Thunder (57-15, first in the Western Conference) vs. Boston Celtics (47-24, second in the Eastern Conference)

Boston; Wednesday, 7:30 p.m. EDT

BOTTOM LINE: Oklahoma City will try to keep its seven-game road win streak alive when the Thunder face Boston.

The Celtics are 24-11 in home games. Boston is third in the Eastern Conference with 12.8 offensive rebounds per game led by Neemias Queta averaging 3.0.

The Thunder have gone 28-8 away from home. Oklahoma City has a 5-6 record in games decided by 3 points or fewer.

The 114.1 points per game the Celtics average are 6.6 more points than the Thunder give up (107.5). The Thunder are shooting 48.2% from the field, 4.1% higher than the 44.1% the Celtics' opponents have shot this season.

The teams square off for the second time this season. The Thunder won the last matchup 104-102 on March 13, with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scoring 35 points in the victory.

TOP PERFORMERS: Derrick White is shooting 39.6% and averaging 17.3 points for the Celtics. Jaylen Brown is averaging 25.7 points over the last 10 games.

Chet Holmgren is averaging 17.2 points, nine rebounds and 1.9 blocks for the Thunder. Gilgeous-Alexander is averaging 26.5 points over the last 10 games.

LAST 10 GAMES: Celtics: 6-4, averaging 109.6 points, 48.5 rebounds, 23.7 assists, 6.3 steals and 3.3 blocks per game while shooting 43.9% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 107.0 points per game.

Thunder: 10-0, averaging 116.1 points, 45.2 rebounds, 25.4 assists, 8.7 steals and 4.7 blocks per game while shooting 47.5% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 105.0 points.

INJURIES: Celtics: Nikola Vucevic: out (finger).

Thunder: Thomas Sorber: out for season (knee).

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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.

Orlando Magic (38-33, eighth in the Eastern Conference) vs. Cleveland Cavaliers (44-27, fourth in the Eastern Conference)

Cleveland; Tuesday, 8 p.m. EDT

BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Cavaliers -10; over/under is 229.5

BOTTOM LINE: Cleveland will try to keep its three-game win streak going when the Cavaliers take on Orlando.

The Cavaliers are 28-17 against Eastern Conference opponents. Cleveland is fifth in the Eastern Conference with 28.3 assists per game led by James Harden averaging 8.0.

The Magic have gone 24-22 against Eastern Conference opponents. Orlando is seventh in the Eastern Conference with 32.5 defensive rebounds per game led by Paolo Banchero averaging 7.2.

The Cavaliers score 119.0 points per game, 4.5 more points than the 114.5 the Magic allow. The Magic are shooting 46.3% from the field, which equals what the Cavaliers' opponents have shot this season.

The teams play for the fourth time this season. The Magic won the last meeting 128-122 on March 11. Desmond Bane scored 35 points to help lead the Magic to the win.

TOP PERFORMERS: Donovan Mitchell is averaging 28 points, 5.8 assists and 1.5 steals for the Cavaliers. Harden is averaging 22.3 points, 5.8 rebounds and 7.7 assists over the last 10 games.

Bane is scoring 20.4 points per game and averaging 4.2 rebounds for the Magic. Jalen Suggs is averaging 1.9 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games.

LAST 10 GAMES: Cavaliers: 7-3, averaging 116.1 points, 43.9 rebounds, 27.0 assists, 6.4 steals and 5.2 blocks per game while shooting 48.2% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 111.6 points per game.

Magic: 5-5, averaging 119.5 points, 44.0 rebounds, 26.5 assists, 8.5 steals and 2.9 blocks per game while shooting 46.7% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 115.3 points.

INJURIES: Cavaliers: Craig Porter Jr.: out (groin), Jaylon Tyson: out (toe), Tyrese Proctor: day to day (quadricep), Jarrett Allen: out (knee).

Magic: Franz Wagner: out (ankle), Jalen Suggs: day to day (illness), Anthony Black: out (abdomen), Jonathan Isaac: out (knee).

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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.

Washington Wizards (16-55, 14th in the Eastern Conference) vs. Utah Jazz (21-51, 14th in the Western Conference)

Salt Lake City; Wednesday, 9 p.m. EDT

BOTTOM LINE: Washington heads into the matchup with Utah after losing 16 in a row.

The Jazz have gone 13-24 in home games. Utah ranks second in the Western Conference with 16.6 fast break points per game led by Lauri Markkanen averaging 3.3.

The Wizards are 5-29 in road games. Washington is 9-10 when it has fewer turnovers than its opponents and averages 15.3 turnovers per game.

The Jazz score 117.4 points per game, 6.7 fewer points than the 124.1 the Wizards give up. The Wizards' 46.1% shooting percentage from the field this season is 2.9 percentage points lower than the Jazz have allowed to their opponents (49.0%).

The teams square off for the second time this season. The Jazz won the last meeting 122-112 on March 6, with Ace Bailey scoring 32 points in the victory.

TOP PERFORMERS: Kyle Filipowski is averaging 10.5 points and 6.9 rebounds for the Jazz. Brice Sensabaugh is averaging 19.9 points over the last 10 games.

Alex Sarr is averaging 16.5 points, 7.4 rebounds and two blocks for the Wizards. Will Riley is averaging 14.4 points over the past 10 games.

LAST 10 GAMES: Jazz: 3-7, averaging 116.4 points, 43.3 rebounds, 27.7 assists, 9.9 steals and 4.4 blocks per game while shooting 45.9% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 122.7 points per game.

Wizards: 0-10, averaging 114.3 points, 37.4 rebounds, 24.5 assists, 6.9 steals and 4.5 blocks per game while shooting 47.1% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 130.6 points.

INJURIES: Jazz: Lauri Markkanen: out (hip), Isaiah Collier: out (hamstring), Keyonte George: out (leg), Cody Williams: out (shoulder), Walker Kessler: out for season (shoulder), Jusuf Nurkic: out for season (nose), Jaren Jackson Jr.: out for season (knee).

Wizards: Anthony Davis: out (finger), Tristan Vukcevic: day to day (back), Cam Whitmore: out for season (shoulder), Alex Sarr: day to day (toe), Tre Johnson: day to day (foot), Kyshawn George: out (elbow), D'Angelo Russell: out (not injury related), Trae Young: out (quad).

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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.

Toronto Raptors (40-31, fifth in the Eastern Conference) vs. Los Angeles Clippers (35-36, eighth in the Western Conference)

Inglewood, California; Wednesday, 10:30 p.m. EDT

BOTTOM LINE: Los Angeles hosts the Toronto Raptors after Darius Garland scored 41 points in the Los Angeles Clippers' 138-131 overtime victory over the Dallas Mavericks.

The Clippers have gone 20-15 at home. Los Angeles has a 6-8 record in one-possession games.

The Raptors are 21-15 on the road. Toronto ranks eighth in the NBA scoring 51.9 points per game in the paint led by Scottie Barnes averaging 10.5.

The Clippers' 12.3 made 3-pointers per game this season are only 0.5 fewer made shots on average than the 12.8 per game the Raptors allow. The Raptors average 11.5 made 3-pointers per game this season, 1.9 fewer made shots on average than the 13.4 per game the Clippers allow.

The teams play for the second time this season. The Clippers won the last meeting 121-117 in overtime on Jan. 17. Jordan Miller scored 19 points to help lead the Clippers to the win.

TOP PERFORMERS: Kawhi Leonard is averaging 28.3 points, 6.3 rebounds, 3.7 assists and two steals for the Clippers. Garland is averaging 16.9 points over the last 10 games.

Barnes is averaging 18.6 points, 7.8 rebounds, 5.4 assists and 1.5 blocks for the Raptors. RJ Barrett is averaging 22.7 points and 5.1 rebounds over the last 10 games.

LAST 10 GAMES: Clippers: 5-4, averaging 122.0 points, 37.6 rebounds, 25.5 assists, 11.2 steals and 5.5 blocks per game while shooting 51.3% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 116.7 points per game.

Raptors: 5-5, averaging 117.5 points, 39.5 rebounds, 29.4 assists, 9.0 steals and 5.2 blocks per game while shooting 50.6% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 114.2 points.

INJURIES: Clippers: Yanic Konan Niederhauser: out for season (foot), Bradley Beal: out for season (hip), Bennedict Mathurin: out (toe), John Collins: out (ankle).

Raptors: Jakob Poeltl: out (back), Immanuel Quickley: out (foot), Brandon Ingram: out (heel).

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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.

Houston Rockets (43-28, sixth in the Western Conference) vs. Minnesota Timberwolves (44-28, fifth in the Western Conference)

Minneapolis; Wednesday, 9:30 p.m. EDT

BOTTOM LINE: Houston visits the Minnesota Timberwolves after Kevin Durant scored 40 points in the Rockets' 132-124 loss to the Chicago Bulls.

The Timberwolves have gone 27-21 against Western Conference teams. Minnesota has a 5-4 record in games decided by less than 4 points.

The Rockets are 23-21 in conference play. Houston is fourth in the league giving up only 110.2 points while holding opponents to 46.1% shooting.

The Timberwolves make 48.4% of their shots from the field this season, which is 2.3 percentage points higher than the Rockets have allowed to their opponents (46.1%). The Rockets average 114.2 points per game, 0.3 fewer than the 114.5 the Timberwolves give up to opponents.

The teams meet for the second time this season. The Rockets won 110-105 in the last matchup on Jan. 17.

TOP PERFORMERS: Julius Randle is averaging 21 points, 6.8 rebounds and 5.1 assists for the Timberwolves. Ayo Dosunmu is averaging 13.5 points and 3.3 assists over the past 10 games.

Durant is averaging 25.9 points, 5.5 rebounds and 4.4 assists for the Rockets. Amen Thompson is averaging 21.7 points, 8.5 rebounds and 4.9 assists over the past 10 games.

LAST 10 GAMES: Timberwolves: 5-5, averaging 114.0 points, 43.4 rebounds, 25.0 assists, 8.1 steals and 5.4 blocks per game while shooting 48.3% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 114.7 points per game.

Rockets: 5-5, averaging 111.1 points, 44.7 rebounds, 25.9 assists, 8.0 steals and 5.1 blocks per game while shooting 49.0% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 115.0 points.

INJURIES: Timberwolves: Anthony Edwards: out (knee).

Rockets: Fred VanVleet: out for season (acl), Steven Adams: out for season (ankle).

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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.

Chicago Bulls (29-42, 12th in the Eastern Conference) vs. Philadelphia 76ers (39-33, seventh in the Eastern Conference)

Philadelphia; Wednesday, 7 p.m. EDT

BOTTOM LINE: VJ Edgecombe and the Philadelphia 76ers host Matas Buzelis and the Chicago Bulls.

The 76ers have gone 22-23 against Eastern Conference opponents. Philadelphia ranks sixth in the NBA with 17.0 fast break points per game led by Tyrese Maxey averaging 5.7.

The Bulls are 17-28 against Eastern Conference opponents. Chicago ranks ninth in the league with 45.0 rebounds per game. Jalen Smith leads the Bulls with 6.8.

The 76ers score 115.6 points per game, 4.7 fewer points than the 120.3 the Bulls allow. The Bulls average 116.0 points per game, 0.2 fewer than the 116.2 the 76ers give up.

The teams play for the third time this season. The Bulls won the last meeting 109-102 on Dec. 27, with Zach Collins scoring 15 points in the victory.

TOP PERFORMERS: Edgecombe is averaging 16 points, 5.7 rebounds and four assists for the 76ers. Cameron Payne is averaging 2.1 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games.

Josh Giddey is averaging 17.5 points, 8.3 rebounds and 9.1 assists for the Bulls. Buzelis is averaging 19.6 points and 5.9 rebounds while shooting 44.7% over the past 10 games.

LAST 10 GAMES: 76ers: 5-5, averaging 114.2 points, 44.2 rebounds, 25.1 assists, 9.3 steals and 6.3 blocks per game while shooting 47.4% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 118.1 points per game.

Bulls: 4-6, averaging 117.4 points, 47.6 rebounds, 27.9 assists, 7.2 steals and 4.7 blocks per game while shooting 46.9% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 121.5 points.

INJURIES: 76ers: Tyrese Maxey: out (finger), Johni Broome: out (knee), Quentin Grimes: day to day (illness), Joel Embiid: day to day (oblique), Kelly Oubre Jr.: out (elbow).

Bulls: Anfernee Simons: day to day (wrist), Guerschon Yabusele: day to day (ankle), Isaac Okoro: day to day (knee), Noa Essengue: out for season (shoulder), Jaden Ivey: day to day (knee), Zach Collins: out for season (toe).

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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.

What looked like the exclamation point on an incredible overtime performance from Moses Moody turned into a horrific injury. After the 23-year-old scary collapse, it barely matters that the Golden State Warriors defeated the Dallas Mavericks, 137-131.

Moody had 23 points and sank four three-pointers in the win, turning up his intensity in the extra period. Moody hit a three, threw a beautiful pass to Gary Payton II for a layup, played solid defense and with just over a minute to go, stole the ball from Cooper Flagg. But what looked like an uncontested layup turned tragic when Moody’s left knee simply gave out as he tried to jump.

Moses Moody had to be carted off after appearing to suffer a leg injury on this play pic.twitter.com/qKgi0Y8RUZ

— Warriors on NBCS (@NBCSWarriors) March 24, 2026

It’s hard to speculate about his specific injury, but it looked awful. The arena went silent, Steve Kerr covered his face, and Moody himself looked horrified, before he was wheeled off the court on a stretcher.

Warriors announcer Kelenna Azubuike said it reminded him of his own leg injury in 2009, when he ruptured his patella less than three minutes into a game against the Milwaukee Bucks, a game best known for Brandon Jennings hanging 55 points on the Warriors in his seventh NBA appearance. The injury and botched surgeries that followed effectively ended Azubuike’s career.

Moody is still only 23 years old despite being in his 5th NBA season, two years younger than Azubuike is. Regardless of the future, we can safely expect that Moody’s season is over. He was one of the Warriors’ best players this season, improving his scoring and rebounding, while making more than 40% of his threes. He averaged 15.9 points in February, capably stepping up his offensive contributions with Steph Curry and Jimmy Butler out.

The Warriors ended up in overtime thanks to a very nice second-half comeback and a very rough final four minutes of regulation, where the Warriors and Mavs took turns topping each other’s ridiculous turnovers. Naji Marshall duped Pat Spencer by sneaking in for a “Grand Theft Alvarado” steal, only to give the ball back a few minutes later by both traveling and double dribbling on the same play. Marshall also missed a potential game-winner at the buzzer with no Warrior within 10 feet of him.

Naji Marshall misses the open 3 and the Warriors can't convert the lob in the final seconds, sending the game to overtime!

📺 Peacock and NBCSN pic.twitter.com/YQ8ZfJ7dxv

— NBA on NBC and Peacock (@NBAonNBC) March 24, 2026

The Warriors had eight players score in double figures despite De’Anthony Melton missing all six of his shots and committing seven turnovers. Melton ended up scoreless after missing three shots in the game’s first three minutes and basically deciding he didn’t have the range, though he still had three steals and six assists.

GPII shot 8-for-8 from the floor and scored 17 points,

Flagg scored 32 points and handed out nine assists in an impressive performance, though he may be only the second-best rookie Caucasian forward from Duke University this season. Though he hit a lot of big shots, the Warriors managed to force some turnovers late. Flagg finished with seven TOs, Marshall with 8. Center Daniel Gafford also shot 8-for-8 from the floor, Max Christie hit some big threes, and our old friend Klay Thompson sank five threes, once making Draymond Green wince after his shot fell, unhappy to be on the other side of one of those heaters.

Yessirrrrr 🫡

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— Dallas Mavericks (@dallasmavs) March 24, 2026

The rookies were on fire from three-point range Monday. Will Richard was a perfect 4-for-4 from distance and LJ Cryer shot 4-for-6, crucial on a night where Gui Santos, Green, and Melton combined to go 0-for-13 behind the arc. Kristaps Porzingis gave another tantalizing glimpse at his potential in the offense, scoring 22 points, grabbing seven boards, and getting five assists, while playing 29 minutes.

There were positive moments up and down the roster Monday night, with some usual Warriors red flags: 24 turnovers, inexplicably leaving three-point shooters open to help off-ball, and mental lapses at the end of quarters.

For conspiracy theorists, the Mavericks were having an unusual amount of trouble wiping off sweat and keeping the floor dry. The end of the game really dragged because the Mavericks were sending out a three-man team to wipe floors at every stoppage of play, who seemed confused about what equipment to even use — towels, mops, and P.J. Washington’s shoe were all tried — and why they couldn’t keep the floor dry. Bob Fitzgerald couldn’t believe how much more competent the Detroit Pistons’ army-like crew of sweat fighters from earlier in the road trip.

Moody didn’t appear to slip; it looked like his knee buckled. But it’s hard not to see the desperate toweling efforts as foreshadowing the freak accident that would come minutes later.

Get well, Moses Moody. This season’s list of casualties to continues to grow. The Warriors are one win away from clinching a play-in spot. What a world.

The Golden State Warriors can't catch a break this season when it comes to the injury bug.

After receiving news that Stephen Curry has made "good progress," the Warriors seemingly lose another player to injury.

Moses Moody went down with a gruesome, apparent knee injury during the Warriors' 137-131 overtime win against the Dallas Mavericks.

Moody got a clean steal, poking the ball away from Mavericks rookie Cooper Flagg with 1:15 remaining in the overtime period.

Moody was all alone on a fast break when he exploded to the rim for a dunk. It appeared his knee gave out on him, which caused him to land awkwardly. He never attempted the shot.

Moody stayed down and was carried off of the court on a stretcher. He received a MRI at American Airlines Center in Dallas, Warriors head coach Steve Kerr told reporters after the game.

"I saw his leg buckle and saw him go down in a heap in pain," Kerr said. "We don't know what it is, but it sure looked bad, and it's just hoping for the best. You know, whatever the best case scenario is that's what we're all hoping for. But it looked bad."

Moody missed the Warriors' previous 10 games with a sprained right wrist. He ended the game against the Mavericks with 23 points on 8-of-20 shooting, including four made 3s. He also added three steals and two blocks.

"He was brilliant, by the way, played so well defensively, changed the game for us, or, you know, with his ball pressure, and knocked down big shots," Kerr said. "So great to finally have him back, you know, after he missed whatever it was eight or 10 games and then for that to happen, like I said, we're just praying that it's not too serious, but it sure looked serious."

Social media reactions to Moody's injury

Players reacted and consoled Moody on the court as he was taken off. Many others took to social media to react to Moody's injury. Please be advised that some of the following images are graphic.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Golden State Warriors guard Moses Moody has non-contact knee injury

Normally the Rockets scoring 124 in regulation time would signal a win. Normally, though, the team wouldn’t give up 41 points in the first quarter, while only scoring 21 points themselves. That’s truly awful offense AND defense. The deficit would grow to over 22 points, but the Rockets, to their credit, did in fact come back in this one, and take the lead in the fourth quarter*.

This game, though, definitely had a “Make or Miss” aspect to it. The Bulls shot 38 three pointers and made 19 of them for a robust 50% average. The Rockets shot 41 three pointers (Wow!) and made 11 of them (Wow…) for a less than robust 27%. The Bulls shot 28 free throws and made 23 of them for 82%. The Rockets shot 24 free throws and made 15 of them, for 63%. Those are the kind of numbers that will rarely get it done on either end of the court. And yet the Rockets almost did get it done. If not for a late flurry of made three pointers by the Bulls the Rockets might well have won this one.

That we’re talking about the Rockets valiantly coming back from way behind to the 28-42 Bulls is a bit sad, but the Bulls do have a solid offense. Though they’re not a good team, the Bulls offense is second in the NBA in pace, and averages 116 points per game, two points per game better than the Rockets 114. They’re much better with Josh Giddey in their lineup as well, as he’s missed around 25 games this season, and is probably their best player. They won’t make their usual play in game assignment with Atlanta and Miami, but that’s likely due to the aforementioned absence of Josh Giddey, rather than a steep fall from mediocrity. All this to say, the Bulls aren’t terrible and are at least a good to decent offense.

The game ended up wasting very good efforts from Alperen Sengun, who scored 33pts on an impeccable 16-19 shooting, including 1-3 from three point range, along with 13 rebounds and 10 assists to two turnovers, as well as two steals and a block. The past few games have seen a return to Alpie looking more like the All Star and often dominant player. Some of this might be a return to health, and some other factors might play into it as well, to be covered elsewhere.

Amen Thompson, due to Reed Sheppard starting again, played off ball, and spent much of his time as a pure downhill attacker, without point guard responsibilities, and in the dunker’s spot, where he’s simply a terror. He scored 23 on 8-12 shooting, went 7-9 from the free throw line, mostly from attacking into contact, added 3 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 steals, and 2 blocks. This was one of the best looking overall Thompson games I’ve seen in a while.

Kevin Durant, also largely freed of initiating the offense from the exact same place, the exact same way, every time, scored a mere 40 points, going 15-23, 5-10 from three, adding 7 rebounds, 5 assists (to 4 turnovers) and nearly won the game with clutch makes down the stretch, before being called for a real, but ticky tack, push off on an inbounds play late, when the Rockets still had a chance to comeback.

On the negative side in terms of scoring were Reed Sheppard and Jabari Smith. The two combined to score 19 points in 70 minutes. Reed was 5-17 shooting overall, and an uncharacteristic 3-14 from three point range. He added 5 rebounds, 6 assists, but had 4 turnovers, as well as 4 stocks (2 each). It wasn’t an awful game from Reed, and I think his presence with the starters has helped enable some of the great games we’ve seen recently from Sengun, Amen and KD. But he’s still a raw PG, and the learning curve remains steep.

Jabari was just not good tonight. He didn’t score until late in the game, and was 2-10, 1-7 from three point range, and only managed 5 rebounds. Worse still was Tari Eason, whose slump has turned into a full on collapse. I hope it’s a health issue, as he’s shooting 31% for the month of March, and about 8% from three point range, on 33 attempts. Yes, eight percent.

The near unplayability of both Tari and Dorian Finney-Smith is really hurting the Rockets. JaeSean Tate made a return tonight, and the Rockets need him. Why Josh Okogie got only 3 minutes tonight, despite the clear ineffectiveness of Eason and DFS in 20 minutes combined is another Ime Mystery. Josh is shooting 40% from three this season, and is a good defender. The Rockets bench contributed next to nothing.

The season is winding down, and every win is crucial for playoff position. The Rockets needed to get it done tonight, and almost doesn’t do that, despite the comeback being a lot of fun to watch. There might be something happening with the offense, but with 11 games left, it had better happen quickly.

The Rockets head to Minnesota to play the Timberwolves, who have also been slumping lately. That win would get them the tiebreaker with the Wolves.

*The Rockets own a commanding lead over the entire NBA with 16 blown fourth quarter leads as of tonight. That’s more than several teams combined totals! With 11 games remaining there’s still a chance of catching the record 22 blown 4th quarter leads held by the immortal 2010 Sacramento Kings. It would take a kind of reverse miracle, fortunately. Still, august company you’re keeping there, Rockets and Ime.