Category: Basketball

Want to get more Covers content? Add us as a preferred source on your Google account here.

The Milwaukee Bucks welcome the Toronto Raptors to Fiserv Forum on Sunday afternoon as both teams look to stay in the win column following the All-Star break.

Both teams will be missing key players today, but the visitors’ depth and defense will give them the edge.

I’ll break down the pick in my Raptors vs. Bucks predictions and NBA picks for Sunday, February 22.

Raptors vs Bucks prediction

Raptors vs Bucks best bet: Raptors -3 (-110)

The Toronto Raptors will be without Scottie Barnes, but the Milwaukee Bucks might be in even rougher shape with Giannis Antetokounmpo sidelined and Myles Turner listed as questionable.

Milwaukee has the fifth-worst offense in the NBA, and they’ll be even more crippled without Giannis, who’s scoring 28 ppg — 25% of the Bucks’ points.

The Raps don’t need to outscore you to win — they’ve got the eighth-best defense in the league and have allowed just 108.5 ppg over their last six contests.

Toronto also has a 63% win rate on the road, tied for sixth-best in the NBA. 

Raptors vs Bucks same-game parlay

Brandon Ingram scored 33 points in his first contest back from the All-Star Game, with his 26 field goal attempts tying his second-highest mark this season. He’s also hit Over 24.5 points in five of his last eight games.

With Barnes out, Ingram will be Toronto’s main man on offense again.

Raptors vs Bucks SGP

• Raptors -3
• Ingram Over 24.5 points

Our "from downtown" SGP: Rollin' in the deep

The Bucks are 24th in opponent three-point percentage and 26th in threes allowed per game, so Ingram, RJ Barrett, and Immanuel Quickley should rain down plenty of points from downtown.

Ryan Rollins has been hot from long range for Milwaukee, hitting Over 2.5 threes in six of his last seven, while Cameron Thomas is averaging 1.6 threes per game this year.

Raptors vs Bucks SGP

• Brandon Ingram Over 1.5 threes made
• RJ Barrett  Over 1.5 threes made
• Immanuel Quickly Over 2.5 threes made
• Ryan Rollins Over 2.5 threes made
• Cameron Thomas Over 1.5 threes made

Raptors vs Bucks odds

• Spread: Raptors -3 | Bucks +3
• Moneyline: Raptors -150 | Bucks +125
• Over/Under: Over 220 | Under 220

Raptors vs Bucks betting trend to know

The Raptors have hit the Under in 32 of their last 50 games (+12.20 Units / 22% ROI). Find more NBA betting trends for Raptors vs. Bucks.

How to watch Raptors vs Bucks

Raptors vs Bucks latest injuries

This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here and view our best betting sites or check out our top sportsbook promos.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Duke basketball and coach Jon Scheyer got exactly what it wanted against Michigan — a March test in February.

The No. 3 Blue Devils (25-2, 13-1 ACC) took down No. 1-ranked Michigan (25-2, 15-1 Big Ten), 68-63, on a neutral floor at Capital One Arena, a venue that could host Duke again for the NCAA Tournament’s East Regional where Duke is projected to be a No. 1 seed.

And it looked the part.

"That was a game that didn't feel like that was played in February, that felt like a March or April game," Scheyer said.

It was the highest attended college basketball neutral-site game, with 20,537 fans in attendance. 

Cameron Boozer posted a team-high 18 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists in the win, where Duke outrebounded Michigan 41-28 and dominated in the paint, 34-24. Duke used a 6-0 run to regain the lead and close the first half up, 35-33, a lead it did not relinquish for the remainder of the contest. Michigan got within one twice in the second half, but that's as close as the Wolverines could get.

Scheyer went into the game knowing it would be a great test for his team. While he said he did not necessarily learn anything new from his squad, he instead saw growth.

"I see the connectivity on defense," he said. "I see the plays they're making on offense of how to win in March and how to win going forward. And that's the biggest thing that I saw.

"I think there's a lot that we could have done better, and I think that's a good thing. It doesn't diminish how proud I am of our team. I think we still can get a lot better, but I think we've done that. I think this was just the next step in order to prove that, to show it." 

For junior guard Caleb Foster, who finished with 12 points, four rebound and four assists, the atmosphere reflected that of one come March.

"It definitely felt like a tournament game, obviously going against Michigan and then having a neutral site in the environment, both Michigan and Duke fans," Foster said. "It was a great environment to play in."

While Scheyer emphasized staying in the present, he didn’t shy away from recognizing how much Saturday’s environment could matter later.

"I do know this game helped us understand what a tournament environment is," he said. "... I'm thankful for this, just this whole event, the game, because I think it really simulates what it's going to be and whether we have an opportunity to play in Washington or not, this helped us a lot."

Anna Snyder covers Duke for The Fayetteville Observer as part of the USA TODAY Network. Reach her at asnyder@usatodayco.com or follow her @annaesnydr on X, formerly known as Twitter. 

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Duke vs Michigan: Blue Devils, Cameron Boozer get best of Wolverines

Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Philadelphia 76ers
Date: February 22nd, 2026
Time: 6:00 PM CST
Location: Target Center
Television Coverage: FanDuel Sports Network – North
Radio Coverage: KFAN FM, Wolves App, iHeart Radio

The Wolves survived their first post–All-Star break game by taking what looked like a chill Friday night win over Dallas and turning it into a full emotional cardio session that required a late-game Anthony Edwards rescue mission.

Of course they did.

For a while, it looked like we were getting the “responsible adult” version of Minnesota that comes out humming, defending, sprinting, moving the ball, and stacking a lead. They jumped Dallas early, built a sizable cushion by the end of the first quarter, kept the momentum rolling into the second… and then the Rudy Gobert flagrant happened.

And I swear, the moment they went to the monitor, it was like someone hit pause on Minnesota’s soul.

The stoppage. The review. The weird dead-air energy that comes from watching referees freeze-frame a boxout like it’s the Zapruder film. The Target Center crowd going from “we’re cooking tonight” to “uh oh, we’ve seen this movie.” It’s the exact same script that played out when the Suns were in town and Gobert got hit with a flagrant two against Mark Williams.

When play resumed, the Wolves weren’t the same. Dallas suddenly had life. The lead started leaking. The Mavericks crept within 12 at halftime, and then came the third quarter. Minnesota came out flat, Dallas came out sharp, and that 18-point lead evaporated until the game was tied.

You could feel it. The Wolves were about to do the thing again. The thing where they take a game that’s supposed to be a comfortable cruise and turn it into a late-night therapy appointment. And then Ant checked in midway through the fourth, threw on the cape, and basically told Dallas, “This was fun, but I have stuff to do.”

That’s what stars do. They end the nonsense.

Ant picked Dallas apart from every level. He was getting downhill, finishing through contact, hitting the midrange stuff that feels like the final form of his offense, then pulling out those patented momentum threes.

This wasn’t just “Ant got hot.” This was controlled domination. The kind you only see from a guy who knows exactly where the game is going and decides he’s not letting it go there.

Rudy Gobert was also huge. The Mavericks had no answer for him on the glass. He cleaned up rebounds, finished putbacks, gave Minnesota easy points when the offense got a little sticky, and generally made life miserable around the rim. Which is why the flagrant is so brutal. Now that he’s suspended, Sunday against Philly beomes that much more difficult.

Naz was the third key performer, acting as the perfect antidote to the Wolves’ inevitable offensive lulls. Threes, paint buckets, quick-hitter offense. When the offense starts looking like it’s moving through wet cement, Naz is one of the few guys who can just… generate.

---

Now Comes the Sixers Game: No Rudy, No Excuses

So the Wolves get Philadelphia at Target Center on Sunday, trying to make it four straight, and they’ll have to do it without the guy who basically serves as their defensive operating system.

The loss of Gobert is monumental, especially for a team that has periodically treated defense like a suggestion this season. Without Rudy as the safety net, Minnesota’s margin for error gets smaller, and the habits become everything.

The good news? Sometimes the Wolves weirdly thrive when the situation gets harder. They’ll play like maniacs against OKC, then sleepwalk against the Jazz. They’ll show up for Denver, then treat New Orleans like a preseason scrimmage. It makes no sense, but it’s been real all season.

And with that, here are the keys to the game…

---

#1: Everyone Has to Defend Like Rudy’s Watching From the Stands

Without Gobert, Minnesota cannot afford lazy blow-bys, sloppy closeouts, or that “Rudy will clean it up” mindset, because Rudy will be in street clothes.

This becomes a perimeter accountability game.

Jaden McDaniels has to be a menace. Ayo Dosunmu has to pressure the ball. Ant has to lock in when he’s guarding a primary creator. Julius has to give real resistance instead of “turnstile-and-pray.”

Because if Philly starts living at the rim, Minnesota’s defense will unravel quickly.

#2: Julius and Naz Have to Own the Paint

No Rudy means the rebounding burden shifts immediately to Randle and Reid. They have to clean the glass like it’s their job, because for this game, it is. If the Wolves lose the paint battle and the rebounding battle, they’re basically spotting Philly extra possessions and extra confidence.

#3: Keep the Ball Moving

Minnesota actually did a solid job sharing the ball against Dallas. When the Wolves move it, they get cleaner looks, they play faster, and the offense feels inevitable. When the offense stagnates, it turns into late-clock Ant bailouts, Randle dribbling into traffic, contested jumpers, and turnovers that lead to runouts.

The Wolves don’t need “pretty.” They need connected. Make the extra pass. Keep everyone engaged. Make Philly guard actions, not just talent.

#4: Lean Into the Spacing Advantage

Here’s the weird silver lining: without Gobert, Minnesota can play five-out or at least five-threats lineups more often. That means the paint is less crowded. So instead of mourning what Rudy does offensively (putbacks, lobs), Minnesota needs to weaponize what his absence opens up: more driving lanes.

You can’t replace Gobert’s defense, but you can make Philly pay on the other end by spacing them out and attacking.

#5: Ant Has to Put His Superstar Stamp on This One

Ant followed up the All-Star MVP weekend with a 40-piece. Now he gets a real test: short-handed, higher stakes, tougher opponent, and momentum on the line.

He needs to outshine Tyrese Maxey. He needs to control the game emotionally and tactically. He needs to score and facilitate, because without Rudy, Minnesota’s safety net is gone. And when the safety net is gone, your superstar has to become the floor and the ceiling.

But here’s the important part: He needs to do it within the flow. No hero-ball spirals. No heat-check threes with 18 seconds on the shot clock because you’re mad about a missed call. Pick spots, bend the defense, make the right play, then punish them when they overreact.

This is what “face of the league” looks like in February: not highlights… control.

---

This Is a “Prove You’re Serious” Game

The league just tied a hand behind Minnesota’s back with the Gobert suspension. The Wolves don’t get to whine about it, not if they’re serious about climbing from the 6-seed into the home-court range.

This is a game that will tell us something. If Minnesota shows up locked in defensively, shares the ball, wins the rebounding battle by committee, and lets Ant steer the ship like a grown-up superstar? That’s a team building real momentum into March.

If they come out sloppy, casual, turnover-prone, and surprised that Philly doesn’t roll over? That’s the Wolves doing their thing again.

They don’t need perfection Sunday.

They need professionalism.

Because if you’re going to make a real run in April and May, you better learn how to survive a February game without your Defensive Player of the Year.

The Milwaukee Bucks are back in Fiserv this afternoon, playing host to the Toronto Raptors. This game begins a stretch in which they play nine out of their next 10 games at home. With Giannis out, the Bucks have found a nice groove with their recruits. That said, we should also acknowledge that the Bucks have had a favorable schedule of late and/or played banged-up teams. This game should be a good barometer of where they’re at (though the Bucks catch something of a break with Scottie Barnes being out). Milwaukee is 1-2 against Toronto this season.

Where We’re At

As mentioned, the Bucks have won six of their last seven. They just came off a W over their pick-swap nemesis, the Pelicans, and beat the Thunder and Magic before the All-Star break. Over the aforementioned seven-game stretch, the Bucks have the seventh-best net rating in the NBA (fourth on offence, 17th on defence). One stat I found quite interesting was that, even though it feels like the Bucks have been moving the ball more, they actually rank 26th in assist percentage across that seven-game stretch. So in reality, it’s been more about the isolation scorers (namely Cam Thomas and Kevin Porter Jr.) getting into their bags more than anything else—which is maybe a little concerning?

The Raptors, winners of three of their last four, have made the jump they intended to make this year after trading for Brandon Ingram in the middle of last season. They are no longer a team hanging at the bottom of the standings. The primary reason for that has been their defence, which ranks fifth for the season and 11th over the last five games. Of course, the recent drop-off could be tied to their anchor, Jakob Poeltl, missing significant time due to a back injury. However, Poeltl’s absence has opened the door for their lottery pick, Collin Murray-Boyles, to start and flourish in a larger role. Poeltl is back now, but Murray-Boyles has remained the starter. Seems like a positive long-term for the Raps.

Injury Report

For the Bucks, Giannis (calf) and Taurean Prince (neck) are out. Myles Turner (calf) is questionable.

For the Raptors, Scottie Barnes (personal) is the only out.

Player To Watch

Let’s go with Cam Thomas. Since getting real minutes from the second game against Orlando, CT has averaged 24.3 PPG. I mean, he just diced the Pelicans’ defence; it’s going to be interesting to see how he fairs against the Raptors, though. This is a team that backs itself to switch at an elite level. They have a trove of lanky, strong wings (as is Toronto tradition), and a bunch of hard-nosed guards. One of those guards is Jamal Shead, who, if you haven’t watched him, might be one of the NBA’s best point-of-attack defenders; no, I’m not exaggerating. Cam will likely have to deal with Shead for much of the game—it will be interesting to see if he can still score at the same rate.

How To Watch

FanDuel Sports Network Wisconsin at 2:30 p.m. CST.

---

---

The injury news for the Phoenix Suns keeps getting worse.

After losing star guard Devin Booker to a hip strain suffered in Thursday's game, the Suns fear forward Dillon Brooks could be out for an extended period of time with a hand injury.

ESPN is reporting Brooks broke his left hand in the first quarter of a double-overtime win over the Orlando Magic on Saturday, Feb. 21. ESPN reported that doctors will meet Sunday to determine a timetable for his recovery.

Brooks, who's averaging 21.2 points per game, had scored five points in seven minutes against the Magic before the injury occurred.

The Suns (33-24) have been a surprise playoff contender this season under first-year head coach Jordan Ott, with Brooks among the biggest contributors.

Booker, meanwhile, is the team's leading scorer at 24.7 points per game.

With neither of their big guns on the floor, the Suns' leading active scorer would be guard Grayson Allen at 17.3 points a game.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Dillon Brooks to miss extended time with broken hand, per report

The Los Angeles Lakers will celebrate Pat Riley with an unveiling of a statue outside Crypto.com Arena on Sunday, Feb. 22.

The team will hold a private ceremony before the Lakers’ tip-off against the rival Boston Celtics on Sunday afternoon.

Riley played an integral role in helping the Lakers’ organization achieve on-court success and a strong brand identity during the 1980s.

It will be the 15th statue outside of Crypto.com Arena, joining a list of other notable figures from LA Sports history, including Kobe Bryant, Magic Johnson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.

Why is Pat Riley getting a Lakers statue? History and record

Riley has spent 58 years in the NBA, serving as a player, coach, and executive.

He’s won an NBA championship in each of those roles, including as a player (1972), assistant coach (198), and a coach (1982, 1985, 1987-88). He also led the Miami Heat to a championship as a head coach in 2006 and as an executive in 2012 and 2013.

Riley not only helped bring championships to the respective organizations but also instilled a unique culture. 

Riley became the perfect fit for the Lakers during the 1980s, which is referred to as the "Showtime Lakers" era because it blended the perfect combination of Hollywood flair and on-court showmanship using a roster that included Johnson, Abdul-Jabbar and James Worthy.

Riley matched that flair with his own signature slicked-back hair and Armani suits. The legend’s success and signature look have carried on in the decades that followed.

He currently serves as the Miami Heat’s president, a role he’s had since 1995 and applied what he’s learned during his time with the Lakers.

Riley drafted Dwyane Wade and acquired Shaquille O'Neal before winning his first title away from the Lakers in 2006. He would resign as head coach in 2008, but would remain in his role as president. As an executive, he helped build a super team, having Chris Bosh and LeBron James join Wade to win back-to-back titles for Miami.

Is Pat Riley a basketball Hall of Famer?

Riley is among the all-time winningest coaches in NBA history, compiling a record of 1,210-694 (.636%). He was enshrined in the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in 2008.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Lakers to honor Pat Riley with statue outside of arena

Want to get more Covers content? Add us as a preferred source on your Google account here.

The Cleveland Cavaliers are riding a seven-game winning streak when they visit Paycom Center and the Oklahoma City Thunder.

The Cavs have also won five straight on the road, and my Cavaliers vs. Thunder predictions and NBA picks are backing Cleveland over shorthanded OKC on Sunday, February 22. 

Cavaliers vs Thunder prediction

Cavaliers vs Thunder best bet: Cavaliers moneyline (-130)

The Cleveland Cavaliers have the edge as the Oklahoma City Thunder are missing two-way impact players in Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams.

SGA and Williams aren’t just scorers. Their absence weakens the perimeter defense, a major concern given Donovan Mitchell and James Harden's recent hot hands.

Cleveland seeks an eighth straight win and is 5-0 with Harden in the lineup. The Cavaliers are the deeper, more complete group and are chasing a sixth consecutive road victory.

Rather than lay the points, I’ll back them on the moneyline against the shorthanded Thunder.

Cavaliers vs Thunder same-game parlay

Evan Mobley has cleared his combo prop in ten of 11 games and had 21 points, rebounds, and assists in 19 minutes against Charlotte. 

James Harden’s playmaking has stabilized Cleveland’s offense, and he’s dished at least nine in two of his five games with the Cavs, and twice he dropped eight. 

Cavaliers vs Thunder SGP

• Cavaliers moneyline
• Mobley Over 21.5 P/R/A
• Harden Over 8.5 assists

Our "from downtown" SGP: Deep'n delicious 

Jared McCain has knocked down two or more triples in four of seven games since joining the Thunder. 

Cavaliers vs Thunder SGP

• Cavaliers moneyline
• Mobley Over 21.5 P/R/A
• Harden Over 8.5 assists
• McCain Over 1.5 threes

Cavaliers vs Thunder odds

• Spread: Cavaliers -1 | Thunder +1
• Moneyline: Cavaliers -115 | Thunder -105
• Over/Under: Over 223.5 | Under 223.5

Cavaliers vs Thunder betting trend to know

The Cleveland Cavaliers have hit the Moneyline in 14 of their last 16 games (+12.10 Units / 25% ROI). Find more NBA betting trends for Cavaliers vs. Thunder.

How to watch Cavaliers vs Thunder

Cavaliers vs Thunder latest injuries

This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here and view our best betting sites or check out our top sportsbook promos.

Year after year, the salaries of NBA players increase.

Dylan Harper, the Spurs second overall pick last summer, is making $56M on a rookie contract compared to $35M, the total career earnings of his father Ron Harper. It’s not that the senior Harper was underpaid, that was just what a player of his stature made during that era.

By comparison, Michael Jordan earned $94M during his 15 seasons in the NBA.

It stands to reason that the highest paid players of all time are currently playing.

But what may come as a surprise is how many games have been missed by the players who earn the most.

This list from Clutch Points illuminates the high cost of signing superstars.

All 10 of the highest-paid NBA players in history played this season 💰

But most of them are having a hell of a time staying on the floor.

Here's the list in order:

1. LeBron James ($581 million)
2. Kevin Durant ($501 million)
3. Steph Curry ($470 million)
4. James Harden… pic.twitter.com/JZ20iNYCvP

— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) February 19, 2026

“Here’s the list in order:

1. LeBron James ($581 million)

2. Kevin Durant ($501 million)

3. Steph Curry ($470 million)

4. James Harden ($411 million)

5. Paul George ($406 million)

6. Chris Paul ($404 million)

7. Kawhi Leonard ($378 million)

8. Jimmy Butler ($366 million)

9. Damian Lillard ($365 million)

10. Anthony Davis ($364 million)

The main thing that sticks out when looking at this list is injuries. AD, Dame, and Jimmy are already out for the rest of this season. LeBron missed the first 14 games of the year, Steph’s been on the bench for 16, while Kawhi’s sat for 13. PG13 is suspended, but even when he isn’t, it seems like he’s always hurt as well.

And, of course, CP3 was cut by the Clippers 16 games into the season and eventually retired.“

Obviously, CP3 did not make the bulk of his money this season, but it does underscopre just how much goes into signing and maintaining high-quality players.

Teams invest in players who don’t pan out, waive players paying on those contracts, and make trades that do not support their bottom line.

It is a business after all.

---

Welcome to the Thread. Join in the conversation, start your own discussion, and share your thoughts. This is the Spurs community, your Spurs community. Thanks for being here.

Our community guidelines apply which should remind everyone to be cool, avoid personal attacks, not to troll and to watch the language.

The Phoenix Suns have mostly hovered around the seventh seed in the Western Conference for the last two months, but fans don’t think that will last.

When asked where the team will finish in the standings, more than two-thirds of them think they’ll end up out of the play-in and in the top-six of the West.

I’m typically not surprised by votes on Suns Reacts, but this one got me. While Phoenix has been one of the most surprising teams across the NBA this year, not only have they been struggling of late, but the teams around them in the standings are starting to get healthy and play better basketball.

2-5 in February so far, the Suns are only eight games above .500 for the first time since January. Additionally, the Los Angeles Lakers, who are two spots ahead of the Suns in the standings, have their big three of Austin Reaves, LeBron James and Luka Dončić all healthy for the first time since Christmas, and the Minnesota Timberwolves, who are a spot ahead of Phoenix, are 3-1 since adding Ayo Dosunmu at the trade deadline and have won eight of their last 11.

The good thing for the Suns is that while they are two and a half games behind the Lakers and Wolves, they have the tiebreaker over Minnesota, and are in the drivers seat to have it over the Lakers.

Minnesota has the third-toughest regular season left based on strength of schedule, Los Angeles has the 10th, and Phoenix has the 15th.

For the Suns to get out of the play-in, they’re going have to finish games stronger. Duds like their performance against the Spurs on Thursday out of the break are inevitable, especially against a team they dominated so handily the first two times the team played, but they are going to have to be better down the stretch.

Their losses against the Warriors, Pistons and Heat in the last month are demonstrations of how the team was not able to hit shots when they needed to and pick up important stops. Credit, Devin Booker either didn’t play or finish any of those games, and the team is better down the stretch when he is in the lineup.

With four-straight home games to end the month, the Suns have an opportunity to get back in a rhythm and potentially make some ground in the standings, ending the month against the Lakers.

The entire country of Canada will have an early start to their sports viewing experience on Sunday, and the Toronto Raptors could surely benefit from leaning into the hockey pride sweeping the nation. 

After the Olympic gold medal game between Canada and the United States, the Raptors are set to take on the Milwaukee Bucks. With the province of Ontario permitting the sale of alcohol as early as 6 a.m EST, the Raptors have a tough act to follow for a likely rowdy audience, regardless of the outcome on the ice. 

But ahead of tip-off, scheduled for 3:30 p.m. EST on TSN, it’s worth noting that the Raptors and the Canadian men’s hockey team share surprising narratives and traits headed into their respective matchups. 

Here are three storylines to watch out for. 

Life without their leader

With the team declaring Scottie Barnes out due to personal reasons, the Raptors will be without their All-Star for the second time this season. Similar to Sidney Crosby for Team Canada, Barnes is the heartbeat of the team. The last time Barnes missed action was during a 125-117 loss to the Boston Celtics on Jan. 9. Toronto is 4-14 without Barnes over the last two seasons. 

Even against a Bucks team without Giannis Antetokounmpo, losing Barnes is a big deal. His ability to ignite opportunities in transition off defensive stops is reminiscent of the Edmonton Oilers’ Connor McDavid launching himself out of a cannon through the neutral zone. Passing lanes materialize out of nowhere when Barnes has the ball in his hands, even when the defence seemingly has the advantage. While the Bucks aren’t as imposing defensively without Antetokounmpo, they did look rejuvenated in their 139-118 win against the Pelicans on Feb. 20, finishing with nine steals and eight blocks. 

On the defensive end, Barnes is more like Colorado Avalanche defenceman Cale Makar. They’ve got a similar defensive genius that is leveraged into offensive wizardry. The Bucks have a duo of streaky scorers in Kevin Porter Jr. and Cam Thomas. Without Barnes, it’ll be up to perimeter defenders like Jamal Shead and Ja’Kobe Walter to help keep them in check. Porter and Thomas combined for 52 points, while shooting 75 per cent from three against New Orleans. 

A shaky last line of defence

Jakob Poeltl has officially played in back-to-back games for the first time since Dec. 15. Seeing the Austrian on the court is a welcome sight, but there’s something visibly off about Poeltl. Whether it’s due to his back injury or because he’s still ramping up to his usual workload, Poeltl doesn’t look the same. 

What he’s supposed to be is the steady rock of the team. A reliable and calming presence on the defensive end and someone who takes pressure off the offence. In many ways, both good and bad, he’s the Jordan Binnington of the Raptors. How far the Raptors go this year will be heavily determined by what Poeltl has left in the tank. His ability to grind out possessions in close games, and especially in contests that slow the pace down, extends Toronto’s runway for mistakes. 

Even with calf strains potentially holding out Myles Turner in addition to Antetokounmpo, the Raptors will still need Poeltl to help deal with the athletic Jericho Sims and pesky Bobby Portis. Sims recorded two blocks against the Pelicans, while Portis finished with a double-double (17 points, 11 rebounds). 

Next star up

It’s tricky to find an apt hockey comparison for Brandon Ingram. The one that makes the most sense would be a combination of the expectations that come with the Colorado Avalanche’s Nathan MacKinnon and the explosive offensive volume generated by the San Jose Sharks’ Macklin Celebrini. Unlike MacKinnon, who isn’t 100 per cent at the Olympics, Ingram has luckily avoided any season-derailing injuries with the Raptors. But the two share a similar burden this weekend, with the forwards having to step their game up in the absence of their co-star’s unavailability. 

Ingram dropped a cool 31 points against the Bulls on Feb. 19, including a mid-range jumper that helped seal the win. One day later, MacKinnon scored the game-winning goal to send Canada to the gold-medal game. 

Stage presence is everything as the playoffs loom, and Ingram will need to lean on his confidence to keep the Raptors in the Eastern Conference race. 

The NBA has evolved quite a bit over the last several decades. When it started in 1946, or 1949 depending on whether you count the pre-merger BAA as some do (the BAA and the NBL merged to make the NBA in 1949), the league was very much old school.

When Bill Russell came along in 1956, he revolutionized the game with his combination of extraordinary athleticism and intelligence. Yet you see arguments periodically from people who think guys from his era couldn’t play today.

Well, some probably couldn’t. Tom Heinsohn smoked and it’s unimaginable that a heavy smoker could keep up with today’s pace. But genetics haven’t changed and guys like Russell, Wilt Chamberlain, Oscar Robertson, Jerry West and Russell, once they got up to speed on today’s game, would be just fine.

This video from the 1963 NBA Finals, from the decisive Game 6, is beautifully restored. You get a really good look at Russell, who had 12 points, 28 rebounds, 9 assists and 7 blocks, several of which are shown.

It’s also fun to watch Bob Cousy, when the clock is almost expired, toss the ball to the rafters.

A lot has changed in basketball, but the sheer joy in victory hasn’t changed at all. Keep in mind this is Boston’s fifth straight title and the sixth in seven years. These guys are absolutely ecstatic.

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

LIVIGNO, Italy (AP) — Eileen Gu defends Olympic ski halfpipe title for her 6th career medal at Winter Games.

Less than a week remains before the college basketball calendar turns to March.

The NCAA Tournament field is somewhat starting to shape up, with multiple teams pulling ahead as potential national championship favorites. Saturday, Feb. 21, was potentially even a Final Four preview, with No. 3 Duke defeating No. 1 Michigan and No. 4 Arizona beating No. 2 Houston.

March Madness bracketology: NCAA Tournament field prediction has new No. 1 seed

There are also assuredly to be a few bid stealers come conference championship season, which almost always throws a wrench when in the NCAA's plans with crafting the 68-team bracket.

Here's a look at the latest NCAA Tournament preview, including bubble teams and locks to reach March Madness:

March Madness bracket bubble watch tracker

Based on games through Saturday, Feb. 21

NCAA Tournament locks

• Big Ten (7): Michigan, Purdue, Nebraska, Michigan State, Illinois, Iowa, Wisconsin
• Big 12 (6): Iowa State, Arizona, Kansas, Houston, BYU, Texas Tech
• ACC (6): Duke, Louisville, Virginia, North Carolina, Clemson, NC State
• SEC (5): Florida, Vanderbilt, Alabama, Arkansas, Tennessee
• Big East (3): UConn, Villanova, St. John's
• Other (2): Utah State, Saint Louis

There are 27 virtual locks for the NCAA Tournament, according to Bart Torvik's "TourneyCast," one of multiple metrics used by the NCAA in deciding the bracket. Each team listed has a 99.8% chance or better to reach the Tournament, per Torvik.

Torvik's metrics are part of the NCAA's BPI equation, alongside other third-party analyst Ken Pomeroy, who runs KenPom.

NCAA Tournament likely ins

• Big 12(1): UCF
• Big Ten (2): Indiana, UCLA
• ACC(2): SMU, Miami
• SEC (4): Kentucky, Texas A&M, Texas, Georgia
• Big East(0): N/A
• Other(3): Saint Mary's, New Mexico

There are a lot fewer likely-in teams than locks, due to there still being a few weeks left in the regular season, along with conference tournaments. Teams included have between a 70% and 99.8% chance to reach the NCAA Tournament, per Torvik.

NCAA Tournament bubble teams

• Big 12(3): TCU, West Virginia, Cincinnati
• Big Ten (3): Ohio State, USC, Washington
• ACC(2): Virginia Tech, Cal
• SEC (2): Auburn, Missouri
• Big East(1): Seton Hall
• Other(3): Santa Clara, San Diego State, VCU

Not all of these teams will reach the NCAA Tournament, and some might only have a chance at earning a bid through the conference tournament. Still, these teams have between a 5% and 57% chance of reaching the tournament as an at-large team, per Torvik.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: March Madness bracket tracker: Who's in, out and on NCAA Tournament bubble

Boston’s secret weapon this year has been the play of guys that were, basically, afterthoughts in assessments of the team coming into the season.

Sure, among Boston cognoscenti, there were expectations that Jordan Walsh, Baylor Scheierman, Neemias Queta, and Sam Hauser would be able to fill in some gaps caused by the loss of Jayson Tatum, Jrue Holiday, Luke Kornet, Al Horford, and Kristaps Porzingis. But even among these fans, there was little expectation that the C’s would see such massive steps up in production from players that had pretty uneven playing time last season, and there were few expectations for the C’s rookies, Amari Williams and Hugo Gonzalez, as well.

So what happened?

First of all, it’s my belief that your typical NBA bench player has a fair bit more to show than what his role allows him. These guys are all pretty much All-Americans—at least the ones that come up through the US college system. Some of them come in raw and need training to develop their games up to a point where they can contribute meaningful minutes; other guys are closer to finished products who need game reps to get used to the NBA’s pace and intensity. But I am firmly convinced, and I use the Boston Celtics as my chief example, that a lot of bench talent in this league is being wasted by teams that are focused primarily on their stars—or the process of acquiring stars.

The difference between the Celtics and most teams in this league is the way they evaluate and develop all of the talent on their team.

Last week I wrote about how the Celtics had been scouting Baylor Scheierman for years—and along with that, they probably had broken down more film on him than your typical draft analyst. They also had another thing going for them that the typical draft analyst doesn’t. They’d actually interviewed him. Twice.

Player evaluations prior to the 2024 draft consistently highlighted Scheierman’s perceived weakness at the defensive end of the court: “he’s not a big time athlete and might struggle defending at the next level,” “defense is the primary concern at the next level,” “he could have problems defending quick guards and bigger players,” and “struggles handling quick players in space defensively; will likely be targeted often in switches and have to be either hidden or in a highly disciplined scheme to mask his athletic deficiencies on this end” were typical pre-draft assessments.

The Celtics saw something different, though. They saw a gifted basketball player whowas willing to put in the work. The results speak for themselves. This season, the C’s are ten points per 100 possessions better than their opponents when Scheierman is on the floor.

Of course, the Celtics haven’t just drafted ‘proven quantities’ into supporting roles. They’ve also taken flyers on 19-year olds like Walsh and Gonzalez. We tend to forget that Jordan was taken after just one season at Arkansas.

Here’s where the C’s player development coaches have really shined. Walsh was an incredibly raw prospect coming out of the Razorbacks program, and the C’s player development team have basically spent the last two and a half seasons providing the sort of assistance with skill acquisition that used to take place in college.

With Walsh, the Celtics knew going in that they he was a work in progress. Their expectations for him differed from Scheierman. Stevens said after drafting Scheierman, “he’s a basketball player now.” His comments about Walsh last December were different, “When he got here, he was young,” adding, “You have to give [young players] the grace of time.”

The C’s have shown patience with player development that seems to be a rarity in the NBA. Neemias Queta is an example of Boston benefiting from another team’s lack of patience. Queta was drafted by Sacramento, given a two-year contract, and then ditched. Their loss was Boston’s gain. Queta signed with Boston as a free agent, and has grown into a starting caliber center for an upper division team in the NBA. This only happens when a team is willing to invest time in player growth.

In 2023, when the C’s signed Queta to a standard contract, Stevens said, “we think [Queta] is more than just a right now player. We think he’s a guy that can help us in the future.” He was right.

In comments after drafting Gonzalez, Stevens gave a window into what the team looks for when they’re acquiring players, either through the draft or free agency: “when we interviewed Hugo a couple of weeks ago on Zoom, it’s really clear that he’s about the team and he accepts and is willing to play any role it takes.”

Where other teams saw Gonzalez as a high-risk player because he’d not even cracked the starting rotation for Real Madrid, the Celtics saw a player who had valued and learned how to make the most of limited minutes. Adding to his comments above, Stevens said that Gonzalez benefited from logging a lot of time on the bench: “with that comes a humility and also an understanding that you’ve gotta invest every day just to take advantage of whatever opportunity you get.”

The Celtics were also willing to bring Gonzalez over right away. There were teams ahead of Boston who had strong interest in Hugo, but they wanted him to stay in Europe for a year or two. Gonzalez is still very much a rookie, but he’s shown flashes of brilliance that the C’s player development team can hone much more effectively than spending a couple years in Europe playing against weaker competition.

Another factor that the Celtics have going for them is the personnel in their front office.

The Celtics haven’t just shown skill in drafting players and putting together a solid coaching staff; they’ve also rolled out the red carpet for free agents like Neemias Queta and undrafted rookies like Sam Hauser.

For Sam, the choice came down to offers from the Heat and the Celtics.

The Heat wanted Sam to compete for a two-way spot during Summer League, while the Celtics had a two-way deal on the table.

At the time, Miami had a strong reputation for developing overlooked talent, and Boston didn’t.

But what sold Hauser and his family on Boston was former head coach and President of Basketball Operations Brad Stevens. Talking about it after the fact, Sam’s mom said, “everything about him was very trustworthy. So the fact that he saw things in Sam had a lot of value to us.”

That comment, by the way, is a Midwesterner’s way of saying, “We didn’t trust Pat Riley.”

Mies van der Rohe, one of the most influential architects of the 20th century, was fond of replacing the old phrase “The devil’s in the details” with “God lives in the details.”

Now that might not be the case, but the Celtics have been far more detail-oriented when it comes to roster construction than their peers. They have spent more time and attention on these players and it has unquestionably paid off.