Category: Basketball

Basketball News

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Celtics post best road record in franchise's history

Celtics post best road record in franchise's history originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston

The Boston Celtics fell to the Orlando Magic in their final road game of the 2024-25 season Wednesday night, but the defeat won’t keep them out of the franchise’s record books.

Their 33-8 road record this season is the best in franchise history. They came just one win shy of tying the 2015-16 Golden State Warriors for the best road record in the history of the NBA.

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That’s quite a feat, especially when you consider that Warriors team won a league-record 73 games in the regular season before ultimately losing to LeBron James’ Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 7 of the 2016 NBA Finals.

The Celtics also set a franchise record for the most road wins and best road win percentage in a season in franchise history.

  1. 2024-25: 33-8, .805 win percentage
  2. 1972-73: 32-8, .800
  3. 1974-75: 32-9, .780
  4. 2007-08: 31-10, .756
  5. 1959-60: 23-9, .719

In addition to the records explained above, the Celtics also finished with a plus-9.3 scoring margin on the road, which currently ranks No. 3 all-time behind the 1971-72 Los Angeles Lakers and this season’s Oklahoma City Thunder. The Thunder have three road games remaining, so Boston could jump back to No. 2 all-time by season’s end.

  1. LA Lakers, 1971-72: 11.3 road scoring margin
  2. Oklahoma City Thunder, 2024-25: 9.6
  3. Boston Celtics, 2024-25: 9.3
  4. New York Knicks, 1969-70: 9.1
  5. Chicago Bulls, 2007-08: 8.2

The Celtics did not secure homecourt advantage throughout the 2025 NBA playoffs. They’ll finish the regular season with the second-best record in the Eastern Conference and the third-best record in the league. The C’s wouldn’t have homecourt advantage if they met the Cavs in the Eastern Conference Finals and/or the Thunder in the NBA Finals.

So it’s encouraging for the Celtics that they are such a good road team and can play at a high level without the tremendous boost the TD Garden crowd provides. They might need to lean on their road dominance at some point in the postseason.

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3 observations after Dowtin's career-high performance leads Sixers over Wizards

3 observations after Dowtin's career-high performance leads Sixers over Wizards  originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

WASHINGTON — The Sixers snapped their skid and enjoyed a win Wednesday night in their road finale.

The team ended its 12-game losing streak by earning a 122-103 victory over the Wizards at Capital One Arena. 

Jeff Dowtin Jr. scored a career-high 30 points and Lonnie Walker IV added 24. 

The 17-63 Wizards’ top scorer was Tristan Vukcevic with 24 points. 

Justin Edwards (rib contusion) remained among the Sixers’ injured players. Tyrese Maxey (right finger sprain) was officially ruled out for the season before the game. Alex Reese exited in the fourth quarter with a right Achilles tendon strain and did not return.

The 24-56 Sixers will host the Hawks on Friday night. Here are observations on their win over the Wizards:

Bona strong vs. Sarr

The Sixers started nicely, taking a 10-2 lead with two Walker three-pointers sandwiched between a pair of Adem Bona dunks. 

Bona was eager to do damage in transition and gave the Sixers an ultra-athletic, high-leaping pick-and-roll threat. The rookie big man finished the first quarter with nine points on 4-for-4 shooting.

He was also good defensively against No. 1 overall pick Alex Sarr, tightly contesting shots without fouling. Bona does have a habit of cutting it very close on goaltends, but the Sixers definitely don’t mind his hunger for blocks. 

He picked up two more rejections Wednesday, extending his run of consecutive games with at least one block to 14. 

Dowtin lights it up  

The Sixers’ usual go-to guy late this season was ice-cold in the first half. At intermission, Quentin Grimes was 0 for 10 from the field. 

With Grimes sitting, the Sixers’ second unit played well early in the second quarter. Dowtin got his first NBA action since the Sixers’ March 26 loss to the Wizards and served as the backup point guard. The Sixers’ other subs were Ricky Council IV, Reese and Colin Castleton. 

Dowtin was the standout, tallying 11 points in the second quarter. He looked to be coasting to 13, but Dowtin somehow missed a completely uncontested layup after sneakily swiping a steal from Sarr. 

That play was a blip for Dowtin, who kept on rolling in the third quarter, He exploded for 11 points in a span of 85 seconds, capping his flurry by draining a deep, heat-check three. The Wizards called timeout and Dowtin grinned on his way back to the Sixers’ celebrating bench. 

Finally tasting victory again

Seeking their first win in over three weeks, the Sixers entered the fourth quarter with an 89-79 edge.

They played decent zone defense early in the fourth and continued to run much of their offense through Dowtin. The 27-year-old reached his new career high by knocking down a confident baseline jumper.

Walker also scored steadily. Fifty-three points over his last two games is not shabby at all for a player looking to prove that he deserves a stable spot in the NBA.

In the end, the Sixers didn’t have to conquer any late-game obstacles. They pulled away from the Wizards and, for the first time in a long time, were decisively better than their opponent. The team’s nightmarish season won’t end with a 15-game losing streak.

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3 observations after Dowtin's career-high performance leads Sixers over Wizards

3 observations after Dowtin's career-high performance leads Sixers over Wizards  originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

WASHINGTON — The Sixers snapped their skid and enjoyed a win Wednesday night in their road finale.

The team ended its 12-game losing streak by earning a 122-103 victory over the Wizards at Capital One Arena. 

Jeff Dowtin Jr. scored a career-high 30 points and Lonnie Walker IV added 24. 

The 17-63 Wizards’ top scorer was Tristan Vukcevic with 24 points. 

Justin Edwards (rib contusion) remained among the Sixers’ injured players. Tyrese Maxey (right finger sprain) was officially ruled out for the season before the game. Alex Reese exited in the fourth quarter with a right Achilles tendon strain and did not return.

The 24-56 Sixers will host the Hawks on Friday night. Here are observations on their win over the Wizards:

Bona strong vs. Sarr

The Sixers started nicely, taking a 10-2 lead with two Walker three-pointers sandwiched between a pair of Adem Bona dunks. 

Bona was eager to do damage in transition and gave the Sixers an ultra-athletic, high-leaping pick-and-roll threat. The rookie big man finished the first quarter with nine points on 4-for-4 shooting.

He was also good defensively against No. 2 overall pick Alex Sarr, tightly contesting shots without fouling. Bona does have a habit of cutting it very close on goaltends, but the Sixers definitely don’t mind his hunger for blocks. 

He picked up two more rejections Wednesday, extending his run of consecutive games with at least one block to 14. 

Dowtin lights it up  

The Sixers’ usual go-to guy late this season was ice-cold in the first half. At intermission, Quentin Grimes was 0 for 10 from the field. 

With Grimes out, the Sixers’ second unit played well early in the second quarter. Dowtin got his first NBA action since the Sixers’ March 26 loss to the Wizards (he’d be sitting because two-way contract players can only be active for 50 games in a season) and served as the backup point guard. The Sixers’ other subs were Ricky Council IV, Reese and Colin Castleton. 

Dowtin was the standout, tallying 11 points in the second quarter. He looked to be coasting to 13, but Dowtin somehow missed a completely uncontested layup after sneakily swiping a steal from Sarr. 

That play was a blip for Dowtin, who kept on rolling in the third quarter, He exploded for 11 points in a span of 85 seconds, capping his flurry by draining a deep, heat-check three. The Wizards called timeout and Dowtin grinned on his way back to the Sixers’ celebrating bench. 

Dowtin, who’s from Upper Marlboro, Maryland, called it a “special” night. He had “30-plus” friends and family in attendance.

“Cousins, uncles, aunts, you name it,” he said. “Everybody wanted to show their support, and that’s big for me. I really appreciate them and I’m glad I was able to play a great game for them.”

Finally tasting victory again

Seeking their first win in over three weeks, the Sixers entered the fourth quarter with an 89-79 edge.

They played decent zone defense early in the fourth and continued to run much of their offense through Dowtin. The 27-year-old reached his new career high by knocking down a confident baseline jumper.

Walker also scored steadily. Fifty-three points over his last two games is not shabby at all for a player looking to prove that he deserves a stable spot in the NBA.

In the end, the Sixers didn’t have to conquer any late-game obstacles. They pulled away from the Wizards and, for the first time in a long time, were decisively better than their opponent.

The team’s nightmarish season won’t end with a 15-game losing streak.

“I feel like we’d been playing well lately,” Jared Butler said after posting 13 points, six rebounds and four assists against his former team. “I feel like we’d been playing the right way, playing with the right tenacity. It feels good to finally get a dub.”

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Rockets vs. Clippers Predictions: Odds, recent stats, trends, and best bets for April 9

Houston Rockets vs. Los Angeles Clippers Preview 

The Houston Rockets (52-27) and Los Angeles Clippers (47-32) are all set to square off from Intuit Dome in Inglewood.

The Rockets have clinched the No.2 seed, while the Clippers look to avoid falling in a play in position.
It's unknown if the Rockets will rest today, however. With their team playing such great basketball, it's hard to trust taking the Clippers at any number.

The Rockets are currently 23-15 on the road with a point differential of 5, while the Clippers 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 Rockets vs. Clippers live today

  • Date: Wednesday, April 9, 2025
  • Time: 10:30PM EST
  • Site: Intuit Dome
  • City: Inglewood, 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 Rockets vs. Clippers

The latest odds as of Wednesday:

  • Odds: Rockets (+260), Clippers (-324)
  • Spread:  Clippers -8
  • Over/Under: 219 points

That gives the Rockets an implied team point total of 108.39, and the Clippers 112.56.
 
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 Wednesday's Rockets vs. Clippers 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 suggesting Clippers or pass:

Thomas: “Betting on the team after they clinch becomes very difficult. The Rockets have been phenomenal this season and are on a pretty good run. The Clippers are the hottest team in the NBA, there's no question about that. However, can you trust the Clippers against a red-hot Rockets team? Or can you trust that the Rockets will bench some of their starters to give them a rest? I don't think I could trust either, so I must pass.”

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 Rockets & Clippers game:

  • Moneyline: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the Los Angeles Clippers on the Moneyline.
  • Spread: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play ATS on the Houston Rockets at +8.
  • Total: NBC Sports Bet is staying away from a play on the Game Total of 219.

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 Rockets vs. Clippers on Wednesday

  • The Rockets have won 15 of their last 17 games
  • 8 of the Rockets' last 10 games have gone over the Total when they've had a 2-day rest advantage
  • The Rockets have gone 22-17 on the road against the spread this season
  • The Rockets have won 4 of their last 5 at Western Conference teams

 
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)

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Thunder vs. Suns Predictions: Odds, recent stats, trends and, best bets for April 9

Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Phoenix Suns Preview 

The Oklahoma City Thunder (65-14) and Phoenix Suns (35-44) are all set to square off from Footprint Center in Phoenix.

The Suns do not control their own destiny for the No. 10 seed. They need some help from the teams around them and must win a few games to end the season.

The Oklahoma City Thunder have clinched the No.1 seed.

The Thunder are currently 29-8 on the road with a point differential of 13, while the Suns have a 6-4 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 Thunder vs. Suns live today

  • Date: Wednesday, April 9, 2025
  • Time: 10:00PM EST
  • Site: Footprint Center
  • City: Phoenix, AZ

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 Thunder vs. Suns
The latest odds as of Wednesday:

  • Odds: Thunder (-725), Suns (+513)
  • Spread:  Thunder -12.5
  • Over/Under: 233 points

That gives the Thunder an implied team point total of 121.99, and the Suns 115.48.
 
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 Wednesday's Thunder 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.

Brad Thomas (@MrBradThomas) is passing...

Thomas: “Thunder are sitting their starters, not worth an angle here."

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 Thunder & Suns game:

  • Moneyline: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play on the Oklahoma City Thunder on the Moneyline.
  • Spread: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play ATS on the Oklahoma City Thunder at -12.5.
  • Total: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play on the over on the Game Total of 233.

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 Thunder vs. Suns on Wednesday

  • The Thunder have won 4 of their last 5 at Western Conference teams
  • The Suns' last 3 home games have gone over the Total
  • The Thunder have won 4 of their last 5 matchups against Western Conference Pacific Division teams

 
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)

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Spurs vs. Warriors Predictions: Odds, recent stats, trends, and best bets for April 9

San Antonio Spurs vs. Golden State Warriors Preview 

The San Antonio Spurs (32-47) and Golden State Warriors (47-32) are all set to square off from Chase Center in San Francisco.

The Spurs have lost three straight and only won two of their last 10 games.

The Warriors continue to play great basketball. They have won seven of their last 10.

The Spurs are currently 12-26 on the road with a point differential of -3, while the Warriors have a 8-2 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. Warriors live today

  • Date: Wednesday, April 9, 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 Spurs vs. Warriors
The latest odds as of Wednesday:

  • Odds: Spurs (+800), Warriors (-1389)
  • Spread:  Warriors -15.5
  • Over/Under: 234 points

That gives the Spurs an implied team point total of 116.14, and the Warriors 124.23.
 
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 Wednesday's Spurs 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 taking Jimmy Butler under 16.5 points…

Thomas: “There’s the sense that Jimmy Butler doesn’t overexert himself in meaningless games. Not that this game doesn’t matter, but they are 17-point favorites and should cover with ease.

Butler’s shot volume has been low recently as well. He took 11 shots in his last two games combined. This should be a game where the role players feat.”

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 & 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 San Antonio Spurs at +15.5.
  • Total: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play on the under on the Game Total of 234.

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. Warriors on Wednesday

  • The Spurs have lost 3 straight games as an underdog
  • The Over is 22-17 in the Spurs' road games this season
  • The Spurs have covered the Spread in 6 of their last 8 road games against the Warriors
  • The Spurs have covered the Spread in 6 of their last 8 road games against the Warriors

 
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)

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Lipscomb’s Lennie Acuff is heading home to Alabama to take job at Samford

Lennie Acuff, who coached Lipscomb to three straight 20-win seasons and an appearance in the 2025 NCAA Tournament, has been named successor to Bucky McMillan at Samford, athletic director Martin Newton announced Wednesday. Acuff had winning records in five of his six seasons at Lipcomb, with this past season's team sweeping the Atlantic Sun regular-season and tournament championships before losing to Iowa State in March Madness and finishing 25-10. The 60-year-old Acuff is a native of Huntsville, about 90 minutes northeast of Birmingham, and was head coach at Division II Alabama-Huntsville from 1997-2019.

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Lakers' Luka Doncic gets emotional after watching Mavericks tribute video

Lakers' Luka Doncic gets emotional after watching Mavericks tribute video originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston

It appears Luka Doncic is still not over leaving Dallas.

Doncic was back playing basketball in Dallas on Wednesday — but not wearing blue and white.

The Los Angeles Lakers star returned to the city that drafted him for the first time since the blockbuster trade in early February, with the Mavericks playing a tribute video before tipoff to honor his contributions.

Doncic got emotional as the video continued.

To briefly recap, the Mavericks, led by general manager Nico Harrison, traded Doncic, a five-time All-Star, to the Lakers for Anthony Davis, Max Christie and a future first-round pick.

The Mavericks, who made the 2024 NBA Finals but lost, have regressed since the move as Davis suffered a multi-week injury shortly after, followed by Kyrie Irving’s torn ACL, among other notable injuries.

Meanwhile, Doncic has been vital to Los Angeles’ resurgence toward the top of the Western Conference. Now partnered with LeBron James, Doncic leads the Lakers in points, rebounds, assists, steals, 3-pointers and plus-minus since the move.

Doncic did play the Mavericks once prior to Wednesday, but it came in Los Angeles on Feb. 25. Doncic had a 19-point, 15-rebound, 12-assist triple-double in the Lakers’ 107-99 win.

Along with the tribute video, the Mavericks also laid out shirts for fans in attendance. A white shirt with black lettering, it read “Thank you for everything” in Slovenian.

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Lakers' Luka Doncic gets emotional after watching Mavericks tribute video

Lakers' Luka Doncic gets emotional after watching Mavericks tribute video originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

It appears Luka Doncic is still not over leaving Dallas.

Doncic was back playing basketball in Dallas on Wednesday — but not wearing blue and white.

The Los Angeles Lakers star returned to the city that drafted him for the first time since the blockbuster trade in early February, with the Mavericks playing a tribute video before tipoff to honor his contributions.

Doncic got emotional as the video continued.

To briefly recap, the Mavericks, led by general manager Nico Harrison, traded Doncic, a five-time All-Star, to the Lakers for Anthony Davis, Max Christie and a future first-round pick.

The Mavericks, who made the 2024 NBA Finals but lost, have regressed since the move as Davis suffered a multi-week injury shortly after, followed by Kyrie Irving’s torn ACL, among other notable injuries.

Meanwhile, Doncic has been vital to Los Angeles’ resurgence toward the top of the Western Conference. Now partnered with LeBron James, Doncic leads the Lakers in points, rebounds, assists, steals, 3-pointers and plus-minus since the move.

Doncic did play the Mavericks once prior to Wednesday, but it came in Los Angeles on Feb. 25. Doncic had a 19-point, 15-rebound, 12-assist triple-double in the Lakers’ 107-99 win.

Along with the tribute video, the Mavericks also laid out shirts for fans in attendance. A white shirt with black lettering, it read “Thank you for everything” in Slovenian.

Posted on

Nuggets vs. Kings Predictions: Odds, recent stats, trends and, best bets for April 9

Denver Nuggets vs. Sacramento Kings Preview 

The Denver Nuggets (47-32) and Sacramento Kings (39-40) are all set to square off from Golden 1 Center in Sacramento.

Since firing Mike Malone a few days ago, the Nuggets are still trying to find the winning column. They are dangerously close to falling into a play-in position.

The Kings have secured a spot in the Play-in. They will finish the season as the No. 9 or No. 10 seed.
The Nuggets are currently 22-17 on the road with a point differential of 4, while the Kings 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 Nuggets vs. Kings live today

  • Date: Wednesday, April 9, 2025
  • Time: 10:00PM EST
  • Site: Golden 1 Center
  • City: Sacramento, 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 Nuggets vs. Kings

The latest odds as of Wednesday:

  • Odds: Nuggets (-123), Kings (+103)
  • Spread:  Nuggets -1.5
  • Over/Under: 234 points

That gives the Nuggets an implied team point total of 117.41, and the Kings 116.63.
 
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 Wednesday's Nuggets 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 toward Denver Nuggets -4…

Thomas: “Denver nearly has a full squad tonight in a must-win game. The Kings are in the Play-in regardless of how their season finishes. The Nuggets are on a four game losing streak and have only won three of their last 10 games.

The sense of urgency has to come from the Nuggets tonight. They are too talented to to fall into the Play-in spot”

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 & Kings 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 Sacramento Kings at +1.5.
  • Total: NBC Sports Bet is staying away from a play on the Game Total of 234.

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. Kings on Wednesday

  • The Nuggets have won four straight games against the Kings
  • The Nuggets' last four games at the Kings have gone over the total
  • The Kings have covered the spread in their last three games against teams with winning records
  • The Kings have lost 7 of their last 10 games

 
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)

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Jase Richardson enters NBA draft, leaving Michigan State sooner than father expected

Jase Richardson is entering the NBA draft, a year or two sooner than his father expected.

The Michigan State freshman announced his decision on social media Tuesday.

“I’m forever grateful to the Spartan community for all their support throughout the season and honored to be a Spartan Dawg,” Richardson wrote in a post.

His father, Jason Richardson, a former Spartans star and NBA standout, helped his son gather feedback from the league to assist in the decision-making process.

“I have a lot of ties in the NBA — know a lot of GMs and scouts — and heard he would probably be a late, lottery pick,” Jason Richardson told The Associated Press. “He’s pursuing the dream he’s had since he was a kid.

“I’m surprised it happened this fast. I knew he was a really good basketball player, but I didn’t think he would be one and done. I thought he would take two years, maybe three, but he did some amazing things and helped his team accomplish some great things.”

The 6-foot-3 guard averaged 12.5 points, making 48.5% of his shots overall and 41.1% of 3-pointers. He helped Michigan State win the Big Ten title by three games and advance to the Elite Eight of the NCAA Tournament.

For Michigan State’s national championship team in 2000, Jason Richardson averaged five points in 15 minutes as a freshman for coach Tom Izzo. He stayed for his sophomore season and nearly tripled his scoring production.

“Coach Izzo was the first to say Jase should test the waters, and it was the same thing he told me when I had an opportunity to go to the NBA,” Richardson told the AP. “He was supportive and positive about Jase’s decision.”

During the season, Izzo told reporters that Richardson should enter the draft and praised the process that led to his decision.

“Not only did I say it publicly, I encouraged him and his family,” Izzo told the AP. “I have no issues the way this was handed by Jase, his family or the agent. We’re all on the same page. This is absolutely the right decision.

“I’m pulling for him and I hope Michigan State fans are, too.”

Izzo is working on filling some big sneakers this offseason.

Richardson is the fourth player to leave the program early, joining Tre Holloman, Xavier Booker and Gehrig Normand after they entered the transfer portal last week. Booker is transferring to UCLA.

The Spartans also will lose a trio of key players who have no more eligibility: Jaden Akins, Szymon Zapala and Frankie Fidler.

Izzo will hope to retain two starters, point guard Jeremy Fears and center Jaxon Kohler, along with high-flying wing Coen Carr and 6-11 center Carson Cooper for next season’s team, which also will have four-star recruits Cam Ward and Jordan Scott.

“I like my team coming back next year,” Izzo said.

The 6-3, 185-pound Richardson was perhaps the most consistent player for the surprising Spartans, who were unranked for the first month of the season in the AP Top 25 and surged as Richardson took on a larger role.

Richardson started for the first time midway through the season when Fears was out with an illness, and after scoring a career-high 29 points in a win over Oregon, he didn’t come off the bench again.

“There can’t be many guys that I’ve coached that are as efficient and as confident — not cocky, not arrogant,” Izzo said.

Richardson averaged nearly two assists and fewer than one turnover per game.

“He impacts the game in so many ways,” Michigan coach Dusty May said. “His poise is extremely impressive, especially factored in that he’s a freshman.”

Entering the Big Ten Tournament, Richardson was named the Big Ten Freshman of the Week for the third straight week and earned a spot on the All-Big Ten third team.

“He’s efficient in every facet and his demeanor is really like an upperclassman,” TV analyst Robbie Hummel said. “I just love his calmness.”

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Why Draymond believes ascent of young Warriors players ‘great to see'

Why Draymond believes ascent of young Warriors players ‘great to see' originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

The Warriors’ young core of Jonathan Kuminga, Brandin Podziemski, Moses Moody and Gui Santos has caught Draymond Green’s attention as it continues to flourish toward the end of the 2024-25 NBA season.

On Wednesday, the four-time NBA champion took to his “Draymond Green Show” podcast with co-host and retired Golden State guard Baron Davis to show his young teammates love.

“They’ve both been extremely aggressive, and like you said, Moses as well,” Green told Davis about Kuminga, Podziemski and Moody. “Moses [has] been stepping up and taking that challenge of guarding the other team’s best guard. … Podz has been shooting the s–t out of the ball, which is great for us. JK [has] been all over the floor defensively, rebounding and getting up the court and downhill. It’s good to see him taking that challenge … because that’s how you earn your minutes. Gui Santos also [is] another young fella [who has] been playing extremely well.”

Golden State has won 20 of its last 25 games and is in the thick of the dramatically congested Western Conference. While the Warriors’ trade-deadline acquisition of Jimmy Butler III has stolen much of the national shine, Golden State’s young core has been electric and timely, as Green highlighted.

Moody has stepped up defensively and has collected two steals in three consecutive games and 23 steals over his last 16 games. After missing 31 games with an ankle injury, Kuminga has averaged 12.4 points, 3.8 rebounds and 2.5 assists while impacting the game on both ends, beyond the stat sheet. Podziemski has been a big-time scorer over his last six games, averaging 21.7 points on 56-percent shooting on two-point shots and a dominant 58.7 percent on 3s. 

Even Santos has been providing key spot minutes for coach Steve Kerr and has averaged 4.4 points, 3.5 rebounds – 2.2 offensive boards – and 0.8 steals in 15.8 minutes over his last eight games.

“We need them to play well in order to make the run we want to make; so it’s good to see them play the way they’re playing, as confident as they are,” Green told Davis. “We’re about to make this run and need everybody. … The young fellas [are] playing well, man. It’s great to see because we need it.”

Green and the Warriors are trying to win their fifth NBA championship in 11 seasons. Golden State still has a long way to go, but its young core couldn’t have stepped up at a better time.

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Kevin Willard says he’ll maintain culture Jay Wright built while trying to turn around Villanova

Kevin Willard paid homage to Villanova basketball standard-bearer Jay Wright on Wednesday and pledged to foster the Wright-built culture of attitude, hard work and toughness while he attempts to return the Wildcats to their place among the nation's elite. The school announced Willard’s hiring March 30, three days after his Maryland team lost in the NCAA Sweet 16. Wright left coaching in 2022 after leading the Wildcats to six Big East titles, 16 NCAA Tournaments, four Final Fours and two national championships in 21 seasons.

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Lakers' Luka Doncic gets emotional after watching Mavericks tribute video

Lakers' Luka Doncic gets emotional after watching Mavericks tribute video originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

It appears Luka Doncic is still not over leaving Dallas.

Doncic was back playing basketball in Dallas on Wednesday — but not wearing blue and white.

The Los Angeles Lakers star returned to the city that drafted him for the first time since the blockbuster trade in early February, with the Mavericks playing a tribute video before tipoff to honor his contributions.

Doncic got emotional as the video continued.

To briefly recap, the Mavericks, led by general manager Nico Harrison, traded Doncic, a five-time All-Star, to the Lakers for Anthony Davis, Max Christie and a future first-round pick.

The Mavericks, who made the 2024 NBA Finals but lost, have regressed since the move as Davis suffered a multi-week injury shortly after, followed by Kyrie Irving’s torn ACL, among other notable injuries.

Meanwhile, Doncic has been vital to Los Angeles’ resurgence toward the top of the Western Conference. Now partnered with LeBron James, Doncic leads the Lakers in points, rebounds, assists, steals, 3-pointers and plus-minus since the move.

Doncic did play the Mavericks once prior to Wednesday, but it came in Los Angeles on Feb. 25. Doncic had a 19-point, 15-rebound, 12-assist triple-double in the Lakers’ 107-99 win.

Along with the tribute video, the Mavericks also laid out shirts for fans in attendance. A white shirt with black lettering, it read “Thank you for everything” in Slovenian.