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Game Thread: Small ball galore!
Report: NBA GMs, owners leaning toward approving 18-team lottery with flattened odds
NBA Draft lottery reform is coming, Adam Silver wants it and what the NBA Commissioner wants, he gets. The only question is what it will look like.
There is a growing momentum behind a formula that would expand the lottery to 18 teams and flatten the odds, reports Sam Amick at The Athletic.
Yet according to league and team sources, a heavy front-runner has emerged among the three proposed solutions... 18 teams would be part of the draft lottery (rather than the current 14) and the bottom 10 teams would all have an 8% chance of landing the No. 1 pick. The remaining odds — 20 percent in all — would be divided among the remaining eight teams.
There's a lot to unpack, and a lot of questions about this:
• Nothing can become official until the Board of Governors meets and votes on it next month. Meaning nothing is set in stone.
• Expanding to 18 teams means that not only are the four teams that lose in the play-in going to be in the lottery, but so are the four teams with the worst record that make the playoffs but lose in the first round. If it were in place this season, teams such as Toronto and maybe Phoenix would be in the lottery.
• While the odds are small, wait for the outcry the first year one of the playoff teams wins the lottery and gets the No. 1 pick, something Amick gets into at The Athletic:
As several general managers pointed out, there is a fear that implementing Option No. 1 might simply create new problems that will eventually need to be addressed. What might the league-wide reaction be, for example, when one of those two lottery teams that actually took part in the playoffs gets lucky by landing the No. 1 pick?
• If Adam Silver and the owners vote to do nothing, just leave the system as is, there will be far less tanking next season because it is seen as a much weaker draft class. That said, you can be sure a year from now Silver and the NBA league office will take a victory lap about how great their tanking solution worked.
• Giving all 10 teams that miss the playoffs entirely an equal 8% chance to win the No. 1 pick does reduce the incentive to race all the way to the bottom and have the worst record in the league. It could mean that at the end of the season, struggling teams will play their young players and develop them a little more... so long as it doesn't get them into the play-in and hurt those lottery odds. And in the years there is a Victor Wembanyama or Cooper Flagg in the draft — or another crazy deep draft like this year — teams will tank to get into the bottom 10 if needed.
• This new system gets further away from the reason to have a draft in the first place. Teams tank — or are just bad and end up in the lottery — because they lack the high-level talent, they don't have a Cade Cunningham, Anthony Edwards, Luka Doncic or Victor Wembanyama, and the best way to get a franchise-changing player like that is through the draft. (For middle and small market teams, it can be the only way.) The more the odds are flattened, the harder it becomes for the worst teams to get those players, forcing them to be bad for longer and making the fan base suffer more.
The entire point of the draft is to help the worst teams get the best players — the Las Vegas Raiders are the worst team in the NFL, they get to draft Fernando Mendoza. Simple. Clean. The NBA continues to move away from that: Last season, 11 teams had worse records than the Dallas Mavericks, but the basketball gods smiled on them and their 1.8% chances, and they got the No. 1 pick and Cooper Flagg. How does that help struggling teams?
Game Preview: Suns face elimination on their home floor for Game 4
Who: Phoenix Suns vs. Oklahoma City Thunder
When: 6:30 pm Arizona Time
Where: Mortgage Matchup Center — Phoenix, Arizona
Watch: NBCSN/Peacock
Listen: KMVP 98.7
This very well could be the final game of the 2025-26 NBA season for the Phoenix Suns. If it is, what a ride it’s been.
No team in league history has ever come back from down 3-0. Phoenix is also the only team without a playoff win this year after the Rockets finally got one against the Lakers last night.
Phoenix made things slightly more interesting last game, but Shai had a performance for the ages, and the Suns just couldn’t hang despite an early 9-point lead in the first quarter. But, as we’ve seen all series long… the Thunder are just simply too good. They are the defending champs and won 64 games for a reason, after all.
The adjustments have been minimal from first-year head coach Jordan Ott. Will we see more of the same? If this team is who they’ve said they are all season long, they should go down swinging.
Probable Starters
Injury Report
Suns
- Mark Williams — OUT (Left Foot Soreness)
- Jordan Goodwin — QUESTIONABLE (Left Calf Soreness)
Thunder
- Thomas Sorber — OUT (Right ACL)
- Jalen Williams — OUT (Left Hamstring Strain)
What to Watch For
Jalen Williams is out again, and that means plenty more Alex Caruso, Ajay Mitchell, Cason Wallace, and Aaron Wiggins minutes. This team is deep. Shai’s firepower led the way in Game 3, with eight players contributing 6+ points.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has been nearly unstoppable. He is hitting tough contested shots, he is getting downhill with ease, and drawing fouls when he needs to. Or kicking it to his open teammate if the Suns overcommit. Slowing him down has been virtually impossible. If they want any chance at an upset tonight, the defense on him has to improve. Easier said than done.
One person who could certainly help with that would be Jordan Goodwin. Goody’s status is in question again, as he has been sidelined since the first game of the series with a calf injury. There’s been a lot of chatter about how much the Suns have missed Mark Williams, and rightfully so due to the size disadvantage. But to me, Jordan Goodwin’s absence has been the most negatively impactful for this Suns squad. His presence changes everything defensively.
Outside of Dillon Brooks, he is the culture setter. The big momentum-shifting plays and the “little things” he does over the course of the game add up.
Key to a Suns Win
It’s simple, really. Take care of the ball. Rebound.
If they do those two things while playing their brand of hard-nosed basketball, they have a chance against anyone. If they continue to carelessly turn it over or allow second-chance points, they are toast. The margin for error against this Thunder team is microscopic.
The possessions where the Suns had an excellent defensive stand for 20-to-23 seconds that led to a miss, only for the Thunder to grab the offensive board and hit a triple are the backbreakers. Those momentum shifts are the difference between a transition opportunity for your offense and your defense getting overworked for another 10-13 seconds and a potential 5-point swing on a single possession.
Shooters need to shoot. We’re going to need Collin Gillespie and Grayson Allen to knock their shots down. Royce O’Neale as well. The “Big 3” of Booker, Brooks, and Green will draw the most defensive attention, so it sets up the role players for quality looks. They surprisingly had plenty of good looks from deep in the last game; the shots just weren’t falling at the rate they needed to.
The list of things that have to go right to win is pretty long. Do we have one last fight in us?
Prediction
This thing is over. I expect the Thunder to aim to put one final bow on this thing and wrap it up so they can enter their next series well rested against the Lakers or Rockets. Prove me wrong one last time, Suns.
Suns 101, Thunder 119
Where to watch Detroit Pistons vs Orlando Magic Game 4 NBA playoffs: Live stream, start time, TV channel, odds for Monday, April 27
The Detroit Pistons will try to even their first-round playoff series with the Orlando Magic in Game 4. The top-seeded Pistons have dropped two of the first three games to the Magic. Detroit is a 2.5-point favorite in Game 4. The over/under for the matchup is set at 213.5.
How to watch Detroit Pistons vs. Orlando Magic
Date: Monday, April 27
Time: 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT
Where: Kia Center, Orlando, Florida
TV Channels: NBC, Peacock
Live Stream:NBA League Pass | Follow on Yahoo Sports
Odds
Spread: Orlando Magic +2.5
Moneyline: Orlando Magic +125 (42.2%) / Detroit Pistons -155 (57.8%)
Over/Under: 213.5
Series results, schedule (all times Eastern)
Game 1:Magic 112, Pistons 101
Game 2:Pistons 98, Magic 83
Game 3:Magic 113, Pistons 105
Game 4: Mon. April 27, at Orlando (8 p.m., NBC/Peacock)
Game 5: Wed., April 29, at Detroit (7 p.m., Amazon)
*Game 6: Fri., May 1, at Orlando (time and network TBD)
*Game 7: Sun., May 3, at Detroit (time and network TBD)
*if necessary
Trail Blazers vs Spurs Prediction, Picks & Best Bets for Tonight's NBA Playoffs Game 5
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The top of the Western Conference continues on its pace toward a Western Conference Finals matchup that we could see for many years to come.
The San Antonio Spurs suffered a brief hiccup against the Portland Trail Blazers, but my Trail Blazers vs. Spurs predictions and these NBA picks expect the series to end in five games on Tuesday, April 28.
- UPDATE: Added a prediction for who will win tonight.
Trail Blazers vs Spurs prediction
Who will win Trail Blazers vs Spurs Game 5
Spurs: You had your chance, Portland. But you did not capitalize on Victor Wembanyama’s Game 3 absence, and that has cost you. This never would have been een a gentleman’s sweep if Wembanyama did not suffer that concussion, something that should be made clear tonight.
Trail Blazers vs Spurs best bet: Stephon Castle Over 17.5 points (-110)
However far the San Antonio Spurs advance in these NBA playoffs, enjoy Stephon Castle’s further emergence in each round. The second-year guard is considered the third banana for the Spurs, behind Victor Wembanyama and De’Aaron Fox, but Castle may actually be the most fun player on the roster.
He makes everyone else better while also pushing the pace himself and is capable of hitting just about any shot.
Castle has cleared this points prop in only two of the four games in this series, but the two games in which he fell short still featured 17 and 16 points while San Antonio won so handily that Castle’s minutes were a bit shortened.
There should be no such cruise control in Game 5. The Spurs can dispatch the Portland Trail Blazers. They should play with that clinching mentality; Castle can rest this weekend. Furthermore, Portland should go down swinging; a 20-point lead will still require protecting in the fourth quarter.
Let’s put it this way: Castle has cleared this prop in every game he has played at least 34 minutes in this series. Per 34 minutes, he is averaging 21.8 points.With a chance to win a postseason for the first time in San Antonio since 2017, expect Castle to play at least 34 minutes.
Trail Blazers vs Spurs same-game parlay
First of all, Castle has hit 9-of-21 shots from beyond the arc in this series, 42.9%, and cleared this prop in three of the four games. He is very much a shooter, and that only raises his scoring ceiling.
Second of all, it may seem counterintuitive to bet on Castle’s props because he should play a full workload tonight to clinch the series and then still expect a blowout, but those are actually hand-in-hand thoughts. Portland should press until the very, very end. That does not mean the game will get closer.
Trail Blazers vs Spurs SGP
- Stephon Castle Over 17.5 points
- Stephon Castle Over 1.5 threes
- Spurs -12
Our "from downtown" SGP: Quickly, Spurs
The Spurs should want to put this series to bed more than a team normally would up 3-1. Victor Wembanyama may be back on the court, but rest will help him recover from his Game 2 concussion.
His shot did not look great in his Game 4 return, though he did find 12 rebounds in only 34 minutes.
Trail Blazers vs Spurs SGP
- Stephon Castle Over 17.5points
- Stephon Castle Over 1.5 threes
- Victor Wembanyama Over 12.5 rebounds
- Spurs -7.5 — 1H
- Spurs -12
Trail Blazers vs Spurs odds for Game 5
- Spread: Trail Blazers +12 | Spurs -12
- Moneyline: Trail Blazers +500 | Spurs -700
- Over/Under: Over 215.5 | Under 215.5
Trail Blazers vs Spurs betting trend to know
Not only have three of the four games in this series gone Under their totals, but all three of the regular-season matchups between these two also went Under their totals. Find more NBA betting trends for Trail Blazers vs. Spurs.
How to watch Trail Blazers vs Spurs Game 5
| Location | Frost Bank Center, San Antonio, TX |
| Date | Tuesday, April 28, 2026 |
| Tip-off | 9:30 p.m. ET |
| TV | ESPN |
Trail Blazers vs Spurs latest injuries
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How to watch Oklahoma City Thunder-Phoenix Suns, Game 4: TV, live stream info for tonight's NBA playoff game
The NBA playoffs on NBC continue Monday night with the Oklahoma City Thunder on the road against the Phoenix Suns in Game 4 of their first-round series on Peacock and NBCSN.
In winning the first three games by an average margin of at least 20 points, Oklahoma City (the top seed in the West) is on the verge of its third consecutive first-round sweep (after ousting New Orleans in 2024 and Memphis in 2025.
The Thunder's 11 consecutive victories in the first round are tied with the Heat (2012-16) for the fifth-longest streak in NBA history behind the Lakers (20 in 1984-90), the Cavaliers (14 in 1990-95) and the Bulls (14 in 1990-1995, 13 in 1995-05).
No. 8 seed Phoenix has lost nine consecutive playoff games, and a 10th in a row would move the Suns into a tie for the longest active playoff losing streak with Brooklyn (2021-23). Phoenix's most recent playoff win was at home on May 7, 2023 over Denver in Game of the Western Conference Semifinals.
See below for additional information on the Thunder-Suns game and how to watch the 2026 NBA Playoffs on NBC and Peacock.
Click here to sign up for Peacock!
How to watch Thunder vs. Suns, Game 4:
- When: Monday, April 27
- Where: Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix, Arizona
- Time: 9:30 p.m. ET
- Announcing team: Terry Gannon (play by play), Jamal Crawford (analyst), Jordan Cornette (courtside reporter)
- YouTube TV: NBCSN
- Live Stream:Peacock
- Series: Thunder leads 3-0
What other games are on NBC and Peacock tonight?
- Detroit Pistons vs. Orlando Magic, 8 p.m. ET, NBC, Peacock
- Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Denver Nuggets, 10:30 p.m. ET, NBC, Peacock
The Thunder bench tripled the output of the Suns bench, and that’s not counting Ajay Mitchell moving into a starting role.
Kurt HelinOklahoma City Thunder vs. Phoenix Suns game preview:
Reigning Thunder MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had a career-high 42 points while shooting 15 of 18 (83.3%) from the field in Game 3. In breaking his previous mark of 40 (set last year against Minnesota, Gilgeous-Alexander became only the fifth player to score at least 40 points in a playoff game while shooting at least 80% from the field (joining Terry Porter, 41 pts on 85.7% in 1992; Elton Brand 40 pts on 81.8% in 2006; Dirk Nowitzki 48 pts on 80% in 2011; and Devin Booker (47 pts on 80% in 2023).
The rest of the OKC starters combined for 43 points with swingman Jalen Williams out for Game 3 with a left hamstring injury that will sideline him for at least a week. Ajay Mitchell got his first career playoff start and had 15 points and six rebounds.
“He’s obviously not shy," Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault said of Mitchell. "Winners fail and losers hide. He wasn’t hiding.”
Dillon Brooks led the Suns in Game 3 with a playoff career-high 33 points. Devin Booker, Phoenix's five-time All-Star and 11-year veteran, went to the locker room in the third quarter of Game 3 with an apparent left ankle injury. He returned after missing only 3 minutes of the game and quickly scored five points before being held scoreless in the 4th quarter.
In his fifth playoff appearance, Booker is averaging postseason career lows in points per game (20.3), assists per game (4.3), and steals per game (0.3). He is down from averaging 26.1 points per game in the regular season.
How to watch the NBA on NBC and Peacock:
NBC Sports will present up to 23 games in the First Round and 11 games in the Conference Semifinals across either NBC and Peacock, or Peacock and NBCSN. Playoff programming concludes with exclusive coverage of the Western Conference Finals on NBC and Peacock.
RELATED:Ludacris, NBC Sports team up for ‘It’s Time’ spot promoting NBA Playoffs return to NBC
Which playoff rounds will be available on Peacock?
Peacock’s NBA Playoffs coverage spans multiple rounds, including Round 1, the Conference Semifinals, and the Western Conference Finals, with coverage evolving as the postseason progresses.
Will Peacock show both Eastern and Western Conference playoff games?
Yes. During earlier rounds such as Round 1 and the Conference Semifinals, Peacock will carry a mix of Eastern and Western Conference playoff games.
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Sign up here to watch all of our LIVE sports, sports shows, documentaries, classic matches, and more. You'll also get tons of hit movies and TV shows, Originals, news, 24/7 channels, and current NBC & Bravo hits—Peacock is here for whatever you’re in the mood for.
What devices does Peacock support?
You can enjoy Peacock on a variety of devices. View the full list of supported devices here.
Boston Celtics Daily Links 4/27/26
Herald Jaylen Brown reveals new nickname for Celtics’ Baylor Scheierman
Jayson Tatum pledges support for Wolves guard after Achilles tear
Payton Pritchard, Celtics spoil Joel Embiid’s return in Game 4 rout of 76ers
GlobeWhat Magic Johnson had to say after the Celtics’ dominant Game 4 win vs. the 76ers
Payton Pritchard’s huge night propels Celtics over 76ers in Game 4 blowout: 8 takeaways
Payton Pritchard continues to prove he’s a bargain for the Celtics
Scottie Barnes, Brandon Ingram score 23 each as Raptors beat Cavaliers to tie series at 2-2
Celtics GreenComments from the Other Side – 76ers Game 4 4/26/26
CelticsBlog 10 takeaways from Boston solving Embiid and the Sixers
Catan, blacking out, and Reggie Miller: inside Payton Pritchard’s Game 4 masterpiece
For a moment, the Celtics felt at home in Game 4 victory over the Sixers
Jordan Walsh’s Game 4 impact can’t be overlooked
Pritchard pilots Celtics to 128-96 rout of Sixers, 3-1 series lead
For Luka Garza, staying ready isn’t optional — it’s everything
CLNS Media Is Jayson Tatum Fully Back? | The Garden Report
Payton Pritchard Dominates in Game 4 win over 76ers | You Got Boston w/ Noa Dalzell
INSTANT REACTION: Noa Dalzell & Bobby Manning on Celtics Game 4 Win vs Sixers
Celtics .comPritchard’s Career Night in Philly Lifts Celtics to 3-1 Lead
Keys to the Game: Celtics 128, 76ers 96
NBC Sports BostonCeltics-Sixers recap: Pritchard stars in C’s blowout Game 4 win
NESNCeltics-Sixers recap: Pritchard stars in C’s blowout Game 4 win
Former Knicks Player Calls Celtics ‘Guaranteed’ To Win Eastern Conference
Report: Former Celtics All-Star, NBA Champion Interviews For Head-Coaching Job
Baylor Scheierman Sets Record Straight On Jaylen Brown’s Hilarious Fake Rumor
Payton Pritchard Inspires Legendary Celtics Announcer To Break Silence
Joe Mazzulla Reveals What Payton Pritchard Means To Celtics After Monster Game 4 Vs. 76ers
Jayson Tatum Praises Teammate’s Shocking Transformation Into NBA Star
NBA Legend Pays Celtics Ultimate Compliment After Historic Game 4 Rout Vs. 76ers
Celtics Gain Ground In NBA Finals Odds Following Game 4 Win Against 76ers
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Mass Live Former Celtics captain interviews for head coach job with Pelicans
NBA legend calls Celtics’ win ‘best all around team performance’ in playoffs
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Payton Pritchard talks Reggie Miller friendship after Game 4 heroics
Sixers coach perplexed by defense after blowout Game 4 Celtics loss
Payton Pritchard is the Celtics ‘Name to Know’ Player of the Game in Sunday’s win over 76ers
4 takeaways as Celtics blow out Sixers in Game 4, Payton Pritchard goes off
Celtics WireReport: Celtics alum Rajon Rondo interviewed for Pelicans coaching job
How the Celtics are containing the Sixers guard duo
The Boston Celtics pick-and-roll defense has been limiting the Sixers
Payton Pritchard on how Boston Celtics prepared for Joel Embiid return
Mazzulla credits Pritchard for knowing what the game needs with Celtics
Payton Pritchard found a ‘flow state’ in the Celtics latest win
Celtics’ Jaylen Brown reveals hilarious Baylor Scheierman nickname
Jeff Teague can’t believe how Danny Ainge fought everyone with Celtics
The Athletic What I’m hearing about NBA Draft Lottery changes and coaching hot seats
Inside Payton Pritchard’s lifestyle changes: Better sleep, big results for Celtics
NBA playoffs first-round series odds: Thunder heavily favored to finish off sweep
Celtics take series stranglehold with rout of 76ers in Game 4, push Philly to brink
Boston Sports JournalSimone: Boston turned Philadelphia into a home game in Game 4
BSJ Game Report: Celtics 128, 76ers 96 – Boston ruins Embiid’s return
Hardwood Houdini Celtics proven right for controversial move at the most crucial time
Unexpected Jaylen Brown issue quickly coming to light in playoffs
Vulnerable-looking East must motivate Celtics to heighten urgency
Celtics’ big playoff secret weapon is still flying under the radar against 76ers
Payton Pritchard’s competitive character shines as he flirts with Celtics history
Celtics’ frustrating center problem working itself out for now at least
Celtics continue to assert dominance in way everyone should know by now
Celtics just showed fans exactly why they should start dreaming of a 19th NBA title
CLNS Media/YouTubePayton Pritchard GOES OFF As Celtics Rout 76ers in Game 4 | Garden Report Postgame Show on CLNS
INSTANT REACTION: Noa Dalzell & Bobby Manning on Celtics Game 4 Win vs Sixers
Payton Pritchard GOES OFF As Celtics Rout 76ers in Game 4 | Garden Report Postgame Show on CLNS
Payton Pritchard EXPLAINS Why He Yells at Reggie Miller | Celtics vs 76ers Game 4 Postgame
Jayson Tatum REACTS to Donte Divincenzo Achilles Tear | Celtics vs 76ers Game 4 Postgame
Jaylen Brown REVEALS Baylor Scheierman’s Team Nickname | Celtics vs 76ers Game 4 Postgame
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Six Thoughts: Sixers Get Spanked in Joel Embiid’s Return, Season Now on the Brink
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Winners and Losers from Sixers’ Blowout Game 4 Loss vs. Celtics
Jayson Tatum’s Powerful Message to Donte DiVincenzo About Achilles Tear: ‘He Has Me in His Corner’
Liberty BallersJoel Embiid returns but Sixers get crushed in Game 4, face elimination
Sleepwalking Sixers pushed around on the boards and pushed to the brink
ESPNCeltics spoil Embiid’s return to action after appendectomy, beat 76ers to take 3-1 series lead
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The Sporting NewsJayson Tatum leads Celtics to 3-1 lead over 76ers, grabs new NBA Playoffs feat
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4 takeaways: Joel Embiid returns as Celtics cruise to big win and 3-1 lead
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Joe Mazzulla highlights “mental toughness” after Celtics’ Game 4 win over 76ers
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Celtics news: Joe Mazzulla drops truth bomb on Joel Embiid after Game 4 blowout
NBA/YouTube EXTENDED: #2 CELTICS at #7 76ERS | FULL GAME 4 HIGHLIGHTS | April 26, 2026
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76ers vs Celtics Same-Game Parlay for Tuesday's NBA Playoffs Game 5
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The Philadelphia 76ers are “shipping up to Boston” but could be shipping out to Cancun if they can’t survive Game 5.
The Boston Celtics hold a 3-1 series edge, but my 76ers vs. Celtics SGP expects Philly to go down swinging on April 28.
Be sure to also read my full 76ers vs. Celtics predictions for more NBA picks.
Our best 76ers vs Celtics SGP for Game 5
SGP leg #1: 76ers +11.5
Do I think the Philadelphia 76ers can stave off elimination? Not really. But I do see the 11.5-point spread as something they can manage? Yeah.
With Joel Embiid shaking off the rust, he can help the 76ers fight the Boston Celtics off the offensive glass, which will cut down on second-chance points that buried them in Game 4.
Embiid returning to form also gives Philly an inside-out attack that was sorely lacking with Adem Bona and Andre Drummond down low.
SGP leg #2: Joel Embiid Over 8.5 rebounds
Speaking of the big man, he grabbed 10 rebounds on 21 rebounding chances in his Game 4 return. With the Sixers putting in an extra effort to box out Boston, I like Philadelphia's center to snatch up nine or more rebounds, and so do game projections.
Current models are hovering around 10.4 rebounds for Embiid, which is more than enough for him to cash this leg of the SGP.
SGP leg #3: Paul George Over 3.5 threes
Paul George has taken a step back in this offense, especially with Embiid returning. He does still pose a threat from distance, and with Embiid packing the paint, PG finds extra space on his 3-pointers.
George finished 3-for-3 from 3-point land in Game 4 and made four triples in Game 3. Game script has Philly fighting from behind, prompting plenty of 3PAs from PG.
Covers NBA betting tools
See our full 76ers vs Celtics Game 5 preview
Get Jason Logan's full breakdown of this game, including his best bet, plus the latest NBA odds, injuries, and betting trends, in his 76ers vs Celtics predictions for Game 5.
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Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
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LeBron James and Luka Dončić stood up for Adou Thiero after Game 4 ejection
On a night where there were some ridiculous refereeing decisions, perhaps the most inexplicable in Game 4 between the Lakers and Rockets came at the end of the game.
Late in garbage time, Adou Thiero and Aaron Holiday had a minor scuffle that should have resulted in nothing notable. Instead, James Williams instantly ejected both players after giving each a technical in a truly bizarre decision.
After the game, LeBron was asked about Deandre Ayton’s ejection for a questionable Flagrant 2 foul and while he spoke of his displeasure of that, he also brought up, unprompted, Thiero’s ejection.
“I’m more p—– off about them kicking Adou out,” LeBron said. “That was uncalled for and made no sense. I think that’s the first time he’s ever been thrown out of a game in his life. I don’t think that was warranted. Give him two technicals? The kid just got in the game. That was ridiculous.”
It was a sentiment shared by the locker room as a whole. According to Dave McMenamin of ESPN, Luka Dončić has Thiero covered.
In the locker room after the game, Lakers star Luka Doncic told Thiero he would pay whatever fine the NBA imposes for the infraction.
This altercation — and it doesn’t even feel like it should be called as much given how minute it was — was part of a testy final few minutes between the two sides. At the end of the game, the two teams had what amounted to an intense staredown before exiting to their locker rooms.
After the final buzzer, the trash talk continued between both teams at center court. Several Lakers players told ESPN that Rockets forward Jae’Sean Tate was taunting their team, using curse words to name call, and invited the 6-foot-10, 240-pound Kleber to fight him.
Genuinely, it feels like a lot of this was created by how the game was officiated. Ayton’s ejection started it to a degree, but the ejections of Thiero and Holiday raised the emotions of the two teams.
Now, at the same time, we’re at the point in the series where the two teams will naturally not like each other, having played four times in a week. But three ejections preceding an on-court brouhaha of sorts at the final buzzer is not normal.
There’s no taking it back now, either. The rest of this series is going to be particularly chippy and everyone is going to have a bit of a shorter fuse than normal.
But to circle back to Thiero, it’s nice to see the team’s two leaders immediately step in to defend their rookie after a pretty egregiously bad decision.
You can follow Jacob on Twitter at @JacobRude or on Bluesky at @jacobrude.bsky.social.
It's official, MRI shows Anthony Edwards has bone bruise in left knee, listed as "week to week"
This is the report we expected, but now it is official.
Minnesota's Anthony Edwards underwent an MRI, and it "revealed a left knee hyperextension injury and bone bruise. Edwards will be considered week-to-week," the Timberwolves announced. Edwards will miss the rest of Minnesota's first-round series with the Denver Nuggets — the Timberwolves lead that 3-1 — and could miss some or all of the team's second-round series as well.
Edwards injured his knee when he lept to contest a shot by Denver's Cameron Johnson and landed awkwardly, hyperextending his left knee. This is the opposite knee from the one with runner's knee that had bothered him through the end of the regular season and into these playoffs.
Anthony Edwards was helped to the locker room after an apparent knee injury. pic.twitter.com/rMAHGMK1ie
— ESPN (@espn) April 26, 2026
Timberwolves coach Chris Finch said that Edwards will push hard to return this postseason if the Timberwolves can stay alive for that long. He might well return in the next round, a matchup likely against the Spurs, if the Timberwolves advance.
76ers vs Celtics Prediction, Picks & Best Bets for Tonight's NBA Playoffs Game 5
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Joel Embiid’s presence in the interior is undeniable, and my 76ers vs. Celtics predictions believe he will gorge himself on the glass tonight.
Read on for more in my NBA picks for Tuesday, April 28, and don't miss tip-off at 7:00 p.m. ET on ESPN.
- UPDATE: Added a prediction for who will win tonight.
76ers vs Celtics prediction
Who will win 76ers vs Celtics Game 5?
Celtics: The spread says it all. The Celtics are laying -11.5 at home in Game 5 after another dominant performance. The 76ers looked disjointed on both ends of the floor with Embiid back in play, especially compared to the seamless execution of Boston and its deep bench.
76ers vs Celtics best bet: Joel Embiid Over 8.5 rebounds (+110)
Heading into the series, the Philadelphia 76ers knew rebounding was going to be an issue, especially with Joel Embiid recovering from an appendectomy for the first three games.
The Boston Celtics are one of the best offensive rebounding teams in the NBA, with guards crashing the glass and snatching up long rebounds from the team’s surplus of outside shots.
Even with Embiid back for Game 4, Boston rounded up 14 offensive rebounds Sunday, which led to 19 second-chance points. Afterward, Philadelphia head coach Nick Nurse criticized his team’s lack of effort on the glass.
Embiid played 34 minutes in his first game since April 6, and while his conditioning was poor, he still finished with 10 rebounds. However, he was in position for 21 rebounding chances, which would normally fetch between 12 and 15 boards for most centers.
The 7-footer doesn’t stray too far from the rim, even when defending the Celtics' pick-and-roll. He’s opting for drop coverage, which keeps him in a prime position to get after it on the glass.
Before his surgery, Embiid was rebounding well despite coming in and out of the lineup with shin/ankle/oblique injuries in February and March. In his final eight games of regular-season action, he averaged 8.8 boards on 14.5 rebounding chances.
I expect him to be a bit livelier in Game 5, having shaken off the rust. With the 76ers' guards making a concerted effort to box out, that surge in rebounding chances converts into actual boards.
Player projections sit as high as 10.4 rebounds from Embiid on Tuesday.
76ers vs Celtics same-game parlay
Do I think the 76ers can stave off elimination? Not really. But I do see the 11.5-point spread as something the Sixers can manage? Yeah.
With Joel Embiid shaking off the rust, he can help the 76ers fight the Celtics off the offensive glass, which will cut down on second-chance points that buried them in Game 4.
Embiid returning to form also gives Philly an inside-out attack that was sorely lacking with Adem Bona and Andre Drummond down low.
Paul George plays fourth fiddle now that Embiid is back, but he benefits from the big man’s gravity in the paint and will get more space on the arc.
George finished 3-for-3 from 3-point land in Game 4 and made four triples in Game 3. Game script has Philly fighting from behind, prompting plenty of 3PAs from PG.
76ers vs Celtics SGP
- 76ers +11.5
- Joel Embiid Over 8.5 rebounds
- Paul George Over 2.5 threes
Our "from downtown" SGP: Back the big man
Embiid had an immediate impact on offense in his return to play and can beat up on a soft Boston interior. He’s forecasted for 25 points, 10+ rebounds, and has turned away at least one shot in nine of his last 10 games overall.
With Embiid putting in his best effort, the 76ers can manage a cover of this double-digit spread.
76ers vs Celtics SGP
- 76ers +11.5
- Joel Embiid Over 24.5 points
- Joel Embiid Over 8.5 rebounds
- Joel Embiid Over 0.5 blocks
76ers vs Celtics odds for Game 5
- Spread: 76ers +11 | Celtics -11
- Moneyline: 76ers +400 | Celtics -550
- Over/Under: Over 215.5 | Under 215.5
76ers vs Celtics betting trend to know
The Celtics have been double-digit favorites 22 times this season, and those games have produced a 7-15 Over/Under record (68% Unders). Find more NBA betting trends for 76ers vs. Celtics.
How to watch 76ers vs Celtics Game 5
| Location | TD Garden, Boston, MA |
| Date | Tuesday, April 28, 2026 |
| Tip-off | 7:00 p.m. ET |
| TV | ESPN |
76ers vs Celtics latest injuries
Not intended for use in MA.
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On top of being outplayed, the Sixers simply can’t make shots
It was always going to take a lot for the Sixers to pull off a first-round upset over the second-seeded Boston Celtics. They were going to have to make the rebounding battle look respectable, which they haven’t done. They were going to have to keep Boston’s role players in check, which they haven’t done. Their stars needed to take over games, which they haven’t done.
On top of all that, the Sixers were going to need some shooting luck. Clearly, one game of VJ Edgecombe and Tyrese Maxey going nuclear wouldn’t be enough. They needed to have their role players shoot it well consistently all series.
After getting blown out in Game 1, having shot just 38% from the field and 17% from three, there was solace to be taken in the fact that the Sixers couldn’t possibly shoot that bad the rest of the way, especially given the fact that it was a lot of open looks they shot poorly on.
Three games later, the Sixers have not been able to dig themselves out of the hole, and their inability to hit open shots is a huge reason for that. Through their four games the Sixers have the second-worst field goal percentage on open shots at 30.3%, just barely better than Denver’s 30%. They are 11th out of the 16 playoff teams in field goal percentage on open threes, making 33.3% of them.
The inability to finish good possessions has notably taken the wind out of their sails. After they were blown out again in Game 4, Nick Nurse detailed how he thought the Sixers got good looks on the first 10-12 possessions of the game, but they had only put eight points on the board.
Here are a couple of examples of that, with the ball swinging to Edgecombe and Kelly Oubre Jr. to what would qualify as wide-open threes.
As their wide-open field goal percentage would indicate, they’re shooting even worse on open twos than threes. Here’s a couple examples of shots the Sixers definitely want to generate from inside the arc just not falling.
This has been a bottom-10 outcome for the Sixers shooting in the playoffs, but there is more to it than shooting variance. The Sixers were not a good three-point shooting team in the regular season, ranking 23rd in the league. It’s hard for them to rely on getting good shooting luck because the best three-point shooters on the team are the highest usage players.
Along with Maxey and Paul George, the other three of the top five Sixers in three-point percentage this season were Justin Edwards, who’s on the fringes of the rotation, Andre Drummond, who shoots one a game, and Oubre, who’s had the best season from three of his career.
It sure is bad luck that Oubre has followed up the best three-point regular season of his career by shooting 17% in the playoffs, but it’s also bad roster construction that they are so dependent on shooters like him. The Sixers had a chance in this series to prove they’re closer to Boston than many may think, but they’re inability to put the ball in the hoop has prevented them from getting out of the gate.
Lakers playoff struggles due to offensive incompetence
HOUSTON — To see the Lakers struggle offensively as much as they did in Sunday’s Game 4 loss to the Rockets wasn’t surprising.
As coach JJ Redick reminded reporters, the Rockets had been a top-10 defensive team the entire 2025-26 season, finishing at No. 6 in defensive rating for the regular season.
The Lakers were also due for shooting regression after making a playoff-best 46.1% of their 3-pointers through the first three games of the best-of-seven first round playoff series against the Rockets.
But it also wasn’t surprising because most of the Lakers’ offensive struggles from Sunday night carried over from Friday’s Game 3 win, in which the Lakers needed a miraculous comeback to pull off the victory.
The Lakers have averaged 22.3 points over the last six quarters of regulation against the Rockets after scoring a series-low 96 points in Game 4 and being held to a combined 38 points in the third and fourth quarters of Game 3.
“It’s obviously very challenging without your two leading scores to generate offense,” Redick said, referring to Luka Doncic (hamstring) and Austin Reaves (oblique) and the 55.8 points and 13.8 assists they averaged during the regular season being sidelined.
Redick added: “We’ll take a look at the process again on that end as well. And I know our points per shot and our expected points per shot were slightly below our season average. So to me, again, it goes back to the two keys: Take care of the ball, and we’ll look at that and how we can be better there.”
LeBron James took responsibility for the Lakers’ struggles with ball security on Sunday.
He finished with 8 of the Lakers’ 24 giveaways, marking back-to-back games in which James finished with that many turnovers after having 8 of the Lakers’ 21 giveaways in Game 3.
The Lakers won Game 1 and Game 3 despite struggling with turnovers.
That wasn’t the case in Game 4.
“We knew coming into the series, we have to protect the ball versus them and not have not have too many pick-sixes, which we did all [Sunday] night,” James said. “It started with me obviously. My turnovers were unacceptable. But we’ll do a better job with that on Wednesday.”
Marcus Smart, who had four turnovers in Game 4, said a majority of the Lakers’ were because of mental fatigue instead of physical fatigue, with Game 4 being the first matchup of the series that had a one-day break between games.
There’s another two-day break before Wednesday’s Game 5 at Crypto.com Arena before one-day breaks ahead of a potential Game 6 on Friday at the Toyota Center and Game 7 on Sunday in Los Angeles.
“We were dropping passes, myself included,” Smart said. “I was throwing passes to guys’ legs, you know, normal passes that we make on a regular basis, right? But it’s something we gotta clean up. We know it, we understand it. It’s not gonna get easier.”
To the Rockets’ credit, their defensive pressure and tenacity played a part in the Lakers’ offensive struggles over the last six quarters.
Houston was already playing physically, but with their season on the line, the heightened desperation led to more possessions with intensified ball pressure and more focused off-ball defense.
The Lakers weren’t rattled after Game 4.
And understandably so, having a 3-1 lead in the series which will go back to Los Angeles with the Lakers having three more opportunities to close out the series.
The decisions from the referees were just as much of a talking point inside of the locker room and at the podium as their offense was.
But the Rockets have shown enough during the series that it shouldn’t be a foregone conclusion the Lakers will close it out on Wednesday.
“There’s no such thing as being comfortable until a series is done,” James said. “None of us are.”
If the offense on Wednesday looks anything like it did on Sunday, the Lakers will find themselves coming back to Houston.
Edgecombe finishes 3rd in Rookie of the Year voting, Flagg wins
Edgecombe finishes 3rd in Rookie of the Year voting, Flagg wins originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia
The Sixers’ No. 3 pick finished third in the NBA’s Rookie of the Year voting.
In the results announced Monday night, VJ Edgecombe received one second-place vote and 93 third-place votes from the 100-person media panel. The Mavericks’ Cooper Flagg won the award with 412 total voting points and the Hornets’ Kon Knueppel came in second with 386 total points.
The No. 1 overall pick out of Duke, Flagg averaged 21.0 points, 6.7 rebounds and 4.5 assists. Knueppel was a constant for Charlotte, playing 81 games and posting 18.5 points, 5.3 rebounds and 3.4 assists per contest.
Edgecombe cemented himself as a starter for the Sixers in the preseason and averaged 35.0 minutes over 75 regular-season games. He posted 16.0 points, 5.6 rebounds, 4.2 assists and 1.4 steals per game.
Among the many highlights of Edgecombe’s season were a 34-point performance in the Sixers’ opening-night win over the Celtics; game-winning hoops in December vs. the Warriors and Grizzlies; and a 38-point, 11-assist outing in a March 19 victory against the Kings. Edgecombe also earned the Rising Stars MVP award at his first NBA All-Star weekend.
Edgecombe logged 153 regular-season minutes in “clutch” situations, which the NBA defines as games within a five-point margin and under five minutes left. He was excellent on both ends of the floor in those spots. Edgecombe ranked second on the Sixers in clutch points (73), first in made clutch threes (12), first in clutch rebounds (31) and first in clutch steals (eight). The 20-year-old shot 58.7 percent from the field in the clutch and 54.5 percent from three-point range.
Edgecombe’s averaged 14.8 points, 6.8 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 1.5 steals in his first four career playoff games. He’s shot 0 for 16 from three-point range in the Sixers’ first-round playoff series vs. the Celtics outside of Game 2, when he went 6 for 10 beyond the arc. Edgecombe was tremendous in that game, which is the Sixers’ one win so far of the series, tallying 30 points and 10 rebounds.
Facing a 3-1 series deficit, the Sixers will visit the Celtics on Tuesday night at TD Garden.
“Our backs are already against the wall,” Edgecombe said Sunday night. “It’s win or go home. That’s the mentality we’ve got to play with. If we lose, we’re done until October. … We’ve got to come out and play hard. We have to play like we have nothing to lose. I think that’s going to help us.”
Knicks know they must bring 'higher level of desperation' into Game 5 vs. Hawks
After dropping two straight games, the Knicks did what they needed to in Atlanta on Saturday night, winning Game 4 to even up their first round playoff series and regain homecourt advantage.
The series heads back to New York for a pivotal Game 5 on Tuesday night, and head coach Mike Brown believes his team is ready for the moment.
“This group is a relentless group, they’re an experienced group,” Brown said. “They perform best, it seems, when their backs are against the wall. So, I believe our guys are ready.”
After two straight one-point losses, the Knicks earned a convincing 114-98 win in Atlanta in Game 5, regaining some momentum as things come back to The Garden.
But the Knicks know they’re going to see the Hawks come out playing with some desperation on Tuesday night.
“We just have to have a higher level of desperation, because we know they’re not going to come in and ease into this game,” said Miles McBride.
“This is the playoffs. Nobody’s just going to hand you a win, hand you a game. Obviously, our two losses were very close games, but you don’t lose the games always at the end of the game. It’s a possession here or in the first half when you missed a box out, or somebody didn’t run to the lane and there wasn’t anybody to kick it out. So it’s little things like that that we’re more focused on and have to be focused on moving forward.”
Jalen Brunson, who has had an up-and-down series from a shooting perspective (41.6 FG percentage), told reporters that the Knicks must bring the same “focus and attention to detail” into Game 5, knowing the Hawks are going to throw their best counterpunch.
“Throughout a series, there’s always going to be adjustments,” said Brunson. “When a team loses, they’ve got to figure out what they did wrong and how they’re going to adjust. I think it’s constant adjustments and a constant chess game. You see what move they make and you come back with a different move.”
History tells us that teams who win Game 5 in a 2-2 series become overwhelming favorites to win a best-of-seven series.
But according to Brunson, the Knicks don’t need any extra motivation to come out and win.
“This is what we work all year for, what we work all summer for, to have an opportunity to play in the playoffs,” Brunson said. “There’s not a lot of motivation left that’s needed really. This is an opportunity for teams to go and put their names in history if they want it, so there’s no more motivation.”