"It's been my dream and my goal my whole life to play in the NBA," Lopez told ESPN. "Honestly, since I can remember. I was probably like 5 years old, making drawings of myself playing in the NBA. ... It's pretty special, you know, to be in this position right now."
Lopez, a 19-year-old 6'8" wing, is projected to go in the late lottery or just after and is the highest-ranked international player on most boards. He played the past two seasons for the New Zealand Breakers in the Australian NBL (through its Next Stars program) and averaged 11.9 points and 6.1 rebounds per game this season. The Breakers used him primarily as a guy with the ball in his hands because he was such a mismatch, according to scouts, and his playmaking and skills have grown in the past year.
There have been players in the NBA of Mexican heritage, with the current example being Miami's Jamie Jaquez Jr. Previously, we had seen Juan Toscano-Anderson, the only player of Mexican heritage with an NBA championship ring. There have also been players born in Mexico in the league, such as Eduardo Nájera.
Lopez is expected to take part in the NBA draft combine, May 10-17, in Chicago.
The Toronto Raptors will be out for some revenge after being humiliated by Dejounte Murray and the New Orleans Pelicans when they last met earlier this month.
Murray and the Pels literally flexed over the Raps in a 122-111 win as 2-point home dogs. But this time, the Raps are at home and favored by nearly double-digits.
Can Toronto exact some revenge, or is this number too big? My Pelicans vs. Raptors predictions and NBA picks break it all down for this matchup set to tip off at 8:30 pm ET at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, on Friday, March 27.
Pelicans vs Raptors prediction
Pelicans vs Raptors best bet: Jakob Poeltl Over 10.5 points (-120)
The New Orleans Pelicans are not your typical NBA team destined to miss the playoffs. Now that Dejounte Murray is back, this team can compete most nights and rank a respectable 14th in net rating since the All-Star break.
The Toronto Raptors know that well, after watching Murray put up 27 points in that March 11 upset.
Luckily, Murray is sitting this one out for load management reasons. Plus, there are still some other areas where the Pelicans are vulnerable, particularly on the inside, where they have little depth behind Zion Williamson and rookie Derik Queen.
New Orleans enters this matchup ranked 24th in both opponent points in the paint per game and points allowed to opposing centers per game.
Enter Jakob Poeltl. Like Murray for the Pels, Poeltl’s turn has given the Raptors an added dimension on both ends of the floor. Specifically, on offense, the Raptors' big man is averaging 12.7 points per game over his last 12 games with a .688 effective field goal percentage.
Poeltl is still getting a modest point total prop, sitting at 10.5 points. He’s topped that number six times in the last 12 games. Not only that, he’s had at least 15 points in all the games where he went over this number. So, looking at his alt point totals at plus money isn’t a bad idea either.
But for our best bet purposes, let’s stick with the Over 10.5.
Pelicans vs Raptors same-game parlay
The Raptors' backup “big man” is also back in Collin Murray-Boyles. CMB plays a Draymond Green-esque role for the Raptors, and they are glad to have him back.
He’s put up nine and 10 points in his first two games back from a thumb injury and, like Poeltl, should have plenty of room to work inside in this matchup.
The lack of an interior presence also hurts the Pels on the boards, where they rank 19th in rebounding rate and 25th in opponent rebounds per game.
So, let’s add Scottie Barnes Over 6.5 rebounds to this SGP, a number he’s topped in five of his last six games.
Pelicans vs Raptors SGP
Jakob Poeltl Over 10.5 points
Collin Murray Boyles Over 7.5 points
Scottie Barnes Over 6.5 rebounds
Our "from downtown" SGP: Double dino trouble
Let's go a little crazy and back both Poeltl and Scottie Barnes to record a double-double.
Pelicans vs Raptors SGP
Jakob Poeltl double-double
Scottie Barnes double-double
Pelicans vs Raptors odds
Spread: Pelicans +9.5 | Raptors -9.5
Moneyline: Pelicans +300 | Raptors -380
Over/Under: Over 228 | Under 228
Pelicans vs Raptors betting trend to know
The Raptors have hit the Game Total Under in 31 of their last 50 games for +10.10 Units and a 18% ROI. Find more NBA betting trends for Pelicans vs. Raptors.
How to watch Pelicans vs Raptors
Location
Scotiabank Arena, Toronto, ON
Date
Friday, March 27, 2026
Tip-off
8:30 p.m. ET
TV
Gulf Coast Sports, Sportsnet
Pelicans vs Raptors latest injuries
Not intended for use in MA. Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
Finding the right value on a Friday night slate is all about identifying trends and mismatches before the market catches up. For this March 27 lineup, I’ve put together a four-leg moneyline parlay that balances momentum with favorable matchups.
My NBA picks focus on some Western teams facing full-blown tankers, along with two of the titans in the Eastern Conference.
Best of all: This parlay has been BOOSTED by our friends at bet365.
Los Angeles is listed as an 8.5-point favorite, but I see clear value on that number — I make it closer to -11.5. The matchup strongly favors the Clippers, starting with their five-out offense and elite floor spacing.
With John Collins and Brook Lopez stretching the floor, Indiana’s defensive structure gets pulled apart. That’s especially problematic for Jay Huff, who’s forced to defend on the perimeter, leaving the paint unprotected and exposing the Pacers at the rim. Once the lane opens up, it creates easy opportunities for players like Darius Garland and Kawhi Leonard to attack off the dribble and score efficiently in isolation.
The market seems to be overreacting to the win against the Magic — and the Pacers' backdoor cover against the Lakers — giving Indy more respect than it deserves in this spot.
Atlanta Hawks vs Boston Celtics
Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
Location: TD Garden
TV: NBA League Pass, FDSN SE-ATL, NBCSB
Pick: Celtics (-205)
I don’t care how hot the Atlanta Hawks are — the Boston Celtics are the best team in the Eastern Conference, and they’ll prove it again tonight.
The edge in this game is largely determined by the injury report, with Neemias Queta still listed as questionable. Jaylen Brown has been ruled out, but with Derrick White available, I'm still backing the Celtics.
Miami Heat vs Cleveland Cavaliers
Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
Location: Rocket Arena
TV: NBA TV, FDSN SU, FDSN OH
Pick: Cavaliers (-220)
The Cavaliers represent the smallest edge among the teams in the parlay, as I have them priced as 6.5-point favorites while they’re currently listed at -5.5.
Cleveland was blown out by the Miami Heat in its most recent game, but that was a tough scheduling spot — the second night of a back-to-back, with the first game being a competitive matchup against Orlando.
With Jarrett Allen expected to return, I like the Cavaliers in the rematch.
Houston Rockets vs Memphis Grizzlies
Time: 8:00 p.m. ET
Location: FedExForum
TV: NBA League Pass, SCHN, FDSN SE-MEM
Pick: Rockets (-900)
This matchup heavily favors Houston, starting with Alperen Sengun against Olivier-Maxence Prosper at center. At 6-foot-11 vs. 6-foot-8, it’s a clear size and strength advantage, and the Rockets should look to establish Sengun early and often inside.
Memphis’ pace also works in Houston’s favor: The Grizzlies like to push the tempo, but that plays right into the hands of the Rockets — especially for Amen Thompson, who thrives in transition and adds another layer to their offense in an up-tempo game.
From a game script standpoint, Memphis being on the front end of a back-to-back only adds to the risk of a blowout. They’re already limiting minutes, and if things get out of hand, there’s even more incentive to pull starters early. All signs point to a strong Houston performance — I make this line closer to -15.5.
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At the NBA Board of Governors session earlier this week, the league presented three NBA Draft lottery reform concepts to ownership in an ongoing attempt to combat tanking.
A person with direct knowledge of the matter told USA TODAY Sports that the session was akin to a brainstorm and that the concepts discussed were not considered formal proposals that would be presented to the Board of Governors for voting — at least not yet. Before it gets to that stage, the NBA’s executives want to hear more feedback from team front office personnel prior to elevating any concept as a formal proposal.
The person also said that the concepts could be tweaked further, or that new concepts could be raised in the future. To that effect, the March 25 discussion with NBA ownership was not the first meeting the group has had on these issues. In essence: the league’s efforts against tanking are fluid and evolving.
The person spoke under the condition of anonymity because the person was not authorized to publicly discuss the matter.
During a March 25 press conference at the end of the Board of Governors meeting, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver characterized discussions with NBA owners about tanking as “lengthy” and vowed that the league is taking the matter seriously.
“We are going to fix it, full stop,” Silver told reporters in the press conference. “I want to say that directly to our fans.”
Given that the 2025-26 NBA season is nearly complete, the NBA does not necessarily need to rush this process, because any potential changes would not impact the bottom of the standings this year. Still, the league is prioritizing the anti-tanking effort and wants to enact changes sooner rather than later.
The NBA will convene a special session of the Board of Governors to vote on any formalized proposals for the 2026-27 season.
“This meeting was not about pointing fingers at any team in particular,” Silver said. “Again, I understand where the incentives are. We understand why it results in certain behavior. I will say it seemed unanimous in the room that we needed to make a change and we needed to make a change for next season. Exactly what that change is, we’re continuing to work on. No votes were taken today.
“I think there’s also unanimous agreement that we need to make this change in advance of the draft and free agency this year so all the teams understand the rules of the road going into next year.”
Here's a look at the concepts presented:
Concept No. 1: Expand NBA draft lottery eligibility to play-in teams
In this scenario, 18 teams would qualify for the lottery. The 10 teams with the worst records would have the same chance, 8%, to win the lottery. The eight teams that qualify for the Play-In Tournament would then divvy up the remaining 20% of odds, in descending order, from Nos. 11-18.
Concept No. 2: WNBA-style weighted lottery
This concept blends some facets of the way the WNBA operates its lottery. In this scenario, 22 teams would be lottery-eligible. This would include the same 18 teams as the scenario above, while adding the four teams that lose their first-round playoff series.
Then, similar to the way the WNBA ranks teams for its lottery, the NBA would weight teams by their combined records over the most recent two seasons.
Concept No. 3: 18-team lottery most similar to current system
This concept is closest to the way the lottery is set up right now, with some tweaks.
In this version, 18 teams would qualify for the lottery: the teams with the 10 worst records, plus the eight play-in teams. This concept would give the teams with the five worst records — as opposed to the teams with the three worst records in the current setup — the same odds to win the lottery.
Then, odds would go in descending order for the teams ranked sixth through 18th.
Similar to the current lottery system, this concept would have some protections in place to prevent for statistical aberrations: the lowest fall one of the five worst teams could have would be the No. 10 pick.
How does the NBA come up with anti-tanking concepts?
It starts with ongoing discussions and ideas. These can come from team operations or from people within the league office, but the NBA is trying to curate options that appear to have the most traction in a comprehensive list.
The effort to curate and distill these ideas into concepts is being led by NBA executive vice president of basketball strategy and analytics Evan Wasch, NBA president of league operations Byron Spruell and executive vice president, head of basketball operations James Jones. Those three are in constant contact with the NBA’s competition committee so that when the concepts are presented to NBA owners, they’re listed clearly and concisely.
Would any change be permanent?
Almost certainly not. During his press conference, Silver said he believed the league’s previous efforts to combat tanking with lottery reform had worked, but he acknowledged that changes in collective bargaining and changes in analytics and behavior rendered the previous reforms obsolete.
“The world changes, behavior changes,” Silver said. “I don’t necessarily think the changes we made over the last 40 years or so were necessarily wrong. I think in some cases they worked for a period of time. Math is math. When we make those changes and change odds, you know exactly statistically where you’re going to come out.
“What’s changed is behavior around those odds. It may be as the value of franchises has gone up, as the analytics have gotten more sophisticated, as pressure has come from fan bases to engage in behavior that even team ownership or GMs are not proud of, that’s where we find ourselves.”
He also cautioned against the framing of any upcoming lottery reform as a “forever fix” and vowed that the league would continually look at potential changes to the lottery as league economics and league dynamics changed.
“If I’m the one standing at the podium (in five years), I want to make it clear that I recognize things may change also because there also may be changes that we see through collective bargaining or other changes to the system that may impact what we’re doing now,” Silver said. “Certainly going into next season, the incentives will be completely different than they are now.”
MONACO (AP) — Novak Djokovic has pulled out of the Monte Carlo Masters after having skipped the Miami Open with a right shoulder injury.
“We send him our best wishes and hope to see him back on court very soon,” the clay-court tournament wrote Friday in announcing Djokovic's withdrawal in an Instagram message.
The post didn't specify the 38-year-old Djokovic's reason for pulling out, but the 24-time Grand Slam champion hasn't played since losing in three sets to Jack Draper in the fourth round of the BNP Paribas Open two weeks ago.
ANTALYA, Turkey (AP) — Players held small backpacks as Iran's national soccer team used a match against Nigeria on Friday to honor the victims of a deadly missile strike on an elementary school.
More than 165 people were killed, most of them children, when a Feb. 28 strike, likely launched by the U.S., hit the school in southern Iran. Neither the United States nor Israel has accepted responsibility for the attack, which has come under staunch criticism from the United Nations and human rights groups. The U.S. military is investigating and has said it would never target civilians.
During the national anthem Friday, the Iranian team honored the memory of the slain children by placing small pink and purple school backpacks in front of them.
Video of the ceremony also showed the players wearing black armbands in remembrance of those killed since the war began.
The match was played in Antalya, southern Turkey.
Nigeria won 2-1 in a game that was a World Cup tuneup for Iran, ahead of the tournament being co-hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada.
The Islamic Republic's team is scheduled to play three group-stage matches in June in the U.S. The Iranian ambassador in Mexico City has said the country asked FIFA to move those three games to Mexico after U.S. President Donald Trump discouraged the team from attending, citing safety concerns.
Iranian government and soccer officials have said they do not want to boycott the World Cup but that it is not possible for the national team to go to the U.S. because of military attacks on Iran by Israel and U.S.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino has dampened Iran’s attempts to move its matches, saying global soccer’s governing body wants the tournament “to go ahead as scheduled.”
Separately on Friday, Iran’s judiciary threatened to seize the property of soccer player Sardar Azmoun, two semiofficial news agencies said. The announcement follows threats from Iran’s hard-liner judicial chief that authorities planned to seize the assets of celebrities viewed as critical of the government.
Our NBA player prop projections are locked in for tonight’s Eastern Conference matchup between the Miami Heat and Cleveland Cavaliers, with the model highlighting several standout opportunities.
After digging into the data and lining it up against current market prices, we’ve identified the bets with the strongest value.
If you’re putting together your card, these are the model’s top NBA picks for Friday, March 27.
Heat vs Cavaliers computer picks for March 27
Heat
Cavaliers
Adebayo o20.5 points -112
Mitchell u28.5 points -120
Powell o2.5 threes -105
Allen o7.5 rebounds -125
Herro o4.5 rebounds -120
Harden u8.5 assists -135
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Heat computer picks
Bam Adebayo Over 20.5 points (-112)
Projection: 21.3 points
Bam Adebayo has been on a tear, averaging 28.8 points per game over his last 10 outings, a jump of 8.5 points above his season average.
With the Miami Heat playing at the fastest pace in the league this year, Adebayo is in a prime position to keep it rolling after clearing this points prop in eight of his last 10 games.
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Norman Powell Over 2.5 3-pointers (-105)
Projection: 3.1 3-pointers
Norman Powell has cleared this 2.5 made threes line in five of his last 10 games, and the underlying trends suggest he’s well-positioned to do it again tonight against the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Powell thrives off catch-and-shoot opportunities and secondary actions rather than needing heavy on-ball usage. That’s key against a Cavaliers defense that tends to collapse into the paint to protect its interior, often conceding clean looks from beyond the arc to perimeter scorers.
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Tyler Herro Over 4.5 rebounds (-120)
Projection: 4.6 rebounds
Miami has quietly been one of the league’s strongest offensive rebounding teams on the road, ranking fourth over its last 15 away games.
Facing a vulnerable Cavaliers squad, that edge should translate into more board opportunities for Tyler Herro, who has already cleared this 4.5 rebound line in seven of his last 10 outings.
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Cavaliers computer picks
Donovan Mitchell Under 28.5 points (-120)
Projection: 27.5 points
Cleveland has played at the fourth-slowest pace at home over its last five games, a tempo that doesn’t favor Donovan Mitchell in this matchup with Miami.
That trend aligns with his recent production, as he’s gone Under this 28.5-point line in eight of his last 10 games.
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Jarrett Allen Over 7.5 rebounds (-125)
Projection: 9.1 rebounds
Miami’s league-leading pace this season should create extra possessions for Cleveland, setting the stage for Jarrett Allen to stay active on the glass.
He’s been a force in that department, clearing this 7.5 rebounds line in eight of his last 10 games.
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James Harden Under 8.5 assists (-135)
Projection: 8.0 assists
James Harden has struggled to consistently hit the 8.5-assist mark lately, going Under in seven of his last 10 games.
Miami’s defense thrives on switching and disrupting passing lanes, which can force Harden into more contested or low-percentage looks when trying to facilitate.
The Heat often funnel the ball toward defenders in the paint while rotating quickly to cover shooters, limiting easy passing options and making it harder for primary ball-handlers to rack up assists.
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How to watch Heat vs Cavaliers tonight
Location
Rocket Arena, Cleveland, OH
Date
Friday, March 27, 2026
Tip-off
7:30 p.m. ET
TV
FDSN Sun, FDSN Ohio
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CHARLOTTE, NC - MARCH 26: Jalen Brunson #11 of the New York Knicks shoots a free throw during the game against the Charlotte Hornets on March 26, 2026 at Spectrum Center in Charlotte, North Carolina. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Adam Hagy/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
There’s an old saying that we’ve all heard plenty of times throughout our lives:
“Be careful what you wish for.”
In sports, the saying can be applied to preferential matchups in the postseason. While there’s no such thing as being able to choose your opponent (yet), there have been situations where teams try to position themselves in such a way to get a favorable first-round matchup.
In 2024, the Eastern Conference was tightly packed, so much so that essentially nothing was solidified ahead of Game 82. To add further intrigue, a healthy Sixers team and the always-annoying Miami Heat were set to fight in the 7-8 play-in game, making the No. 2 seed a potential landmine with seemingly softer opponents in Indiana or Orlando awaiting the No. 3 and No. 4 seed.
As such, the Cavaliers mailed it in on the final day of the season, content with drawing the Magic in the first round. The strategy worked, as Cleveland won that series in seven games, but they then ran into a brick wall in the eventual champion Celtics. As we all remember, the Knicks won an overtime game with the Bulls to take the No. 2 seed, take on the challenge of the healthy Sixers, and win that series in six games.
You should never intentionally try to get the best possible matchup. Tempting the basketball gods is never a good idea, so regardless of how things look beneath the Knicks, they should be solely focused on getting the best possible seed, sitting a game back of the Boston Celtics for the No. 2 seed with eight to go.
But there are big, stylistic differences between the glut of six teams that could potentially match up with the Knicks. As they jockey for position, it’s only fair to wonder what would be the best path for the Knicks for a smooth pass through the first round and onto greener pastures.
Atlanta Hawks
Record: 41-32 Season series: 1-1 Record vs top-5 teams: 3-9 How hot are they? Blisteringly hot
Our old foes seemed to have realized Trae Young was the problem and have surged since trading him to be Washington’s new tank commander.
But even immediately after formally handing the keys to Jalen Johnson, the Hawks were 26-30 at the all-star break and looked like a lock to be playing in the 9-10 play-in game. Of course, they’ve since gone a blistering 15-2, although most of these wins have been against tanking or injured teams.
Both season series meetings came within a week of each other around the New Year, with the Knicks surviving a torrid comeback effort in late December in Atlanta before getting trounced at MSG in early January during the 11-game stretch of hell.
Johnson is a wrecking ball who could easily average a triple-double in a playoff series. Nickeil Alexander-Walker is enjoying a great breakout season that should earn him Most Improved Player consideration. They’re a great shooting team that’s red hot. They have several long, lanky role players that will make Jalen Brunson’s life hell over a seven-game series. They have the scoring. Why would you want to face them?
— Basketball Performances (@NBAPerformances) March 27, 2026
Well, some of their shooting is deceiving. Luke Kennard and Vit Krejci are gone, and Jonathan Kuminga is shooting at a baffling 48% clip from downtown. The active roster threats are NAW, Keaton Wallace, and Asa Newell. You won’t be threatened much by Johnson (34.9%), CJ McCollum (34.7%), and especially Dyson Daniels (15.7%). Towns dominated Onyeka Okongwu in their only head-to-head matchup this season, and with the poise he’s been playing with lately? I’d count on it again.
They’d be a fine opponent, frisky, but not the most dangerous. Big risk-reward here. On one hand, you have to deal with another 2o21 if you lose, but if you win, you can effectively erase it.
Toronto Raptors
Record: 40-32 Season series: 0-4 Record vs top-5 teams: 2-11 How hot are they? Very lukewarm
The Raptors are below .500 since their 14-5 start, which is the only thing keeping them out of the play-in at this point. We’ve seen them four times this season, and each time, the Knicks punked them. Sometimes they keep it close for a quarter, half, or even 40+ minutes, but they’ve given up a massive run to break the game open in all four meetings, going through stretches of putrid basketball.
Aside from stunning OKC on the road in January and a recent win against Detroit, they’ve been awful against teams with a better record. Their third-best win might be against a pre-Harden Cavaliers squad.
Their offense is completely reliant on Brandon Ingram, who’s cooked the Knicks all season long. Yet, in multiple games, he’s gone off early and been muted in the second half. Scottie Barnes has made tremendous strides defensively, but the offensive leap into superstardom has eluded him. OAKAAK’s RJ Barrett and Immanuel Quickley occasionally show brilliant flashes, but have been inconsistent.
If the Raptors are going to be competitive in the playoffs, they’ll do it on the backs of their defense, which has carried them at times this season. Rewatch the first seven-ish minutes of the last Knicks-Raptors game, and you’ll see what I mean. When they want to get nasty, they can get nasty.
Their downfall is multi-faceted. They don’t have enough shooting (23rd in 3PT%), they’re very reliant on Ingram, and maybe the most damning of all, rebounding. Jakob Poeltl’s return has muted some concerns, but he’s the only player on the roster taller than 6’9”. In every matchup with the Knicks this season, it’s been a bloodbath on the boards, and if these two teams square off, it’ll be the Mitchell Robinson show.
On paper, this is who you want to face, but again, be careful what you wish for. We’ve seen crazier things.
Philadelphia 76ers
Record: 40-33 Season series: 2-2 Record vs top-5 teams: 4-10 How hot are they? Cold, but slowly warming
How do you judge the Sixers? They’re the most volatile team in sports.
When at full health, they’re as scary as they were in 2024, when teams tried to avoid facing them. Joel Embiid has looked close to MVP form when he’s been on the court, Tyrese Maxey is a full-blown star, and Paul George is back from suspension and playing team basketball. They have a great collection of role players that include OAKAAK Quentin Grimes, rookie phenom VJ Edgecombe, and sudden corner-3 aficionado Andre Drummond.
So why are they in the play-in? Well, they keep getting hurt.
Embiid has missed 39 games, and just when it felt like he was getting back in the groove after missing a month early on, knee soreness and an oblique issue cost him 16 of the first 18 after the all-star break. Maxey is recovering from a finger injury that might cost him All-NBA. George was suspended for PEDs. There are nights where Grimes is the first option, like last March.
To evaluate the Sixers, you have to see how healthy they are. The last time Embiid played in the playoffs, he barely made it through a six-game series with a re-injured knee and Bell’s palsy, and then essentially missed all of the next season. The Sixers remain a trainwreck without him, and he’s only played in five consecutive games once all season. Depending on how he feels, they could be a pushover or a force to be reckoned with.
Record: 39-34 Season series: 2-1 Record vs top-5 teams: 4-6 How hot are they? Hypernova
Where did this even come from? The first two times we saw Charlotte, they were the same mess of young players who couldn’t put it all together as they stumbled to a 16-28 start.
Since then? They’re 23-6. They’ve been pummeling good team after good team and made yet another statement with a dominant effort against the Knicks on Thursday night. Their average margin of victory is literally the greatest in NBA history!!!
Highest average point differential in wins, all-time:
2025-26 CHARLOTTE HORNETS (+18.1) 1970-71 Milwaukee Bucks (+17.5) 2024-25 OKC Thunder (+17.3) 2021-22 Boston Celtics (+16.9) 2011-12 Philadelphia 76ers (+16.8) pic.twitter.com/qYctUTxGAT
I haven’t watched them much, so last night was an eye-opener. They have such effortless shooting ability from almost everyone on the roster. The finally healthy LaMelo Ball is the head of the snake who handles the playmaking and gets the ball to Kon Knueppel and Brandon Miller for open jumpers. Their offense is a well-oiled machine that’s so hard to stop because they’re good at everything. Since they turned their season around, they have a 121.5 offensive rating, best in basketball.
The defense has been surprisingly stout as well, ranking fifth in that span, and it makes sense. Between Miller, Miles Bridges, Moussa Diabate, Grant Williams, Ryan Kalkbrenner, etc, you have a lot of guys who can defend. They also don’t have any size disadvantages with Knueppel and Ball being taller than your average backcourt.
Speaking of size… I’ve never seen a team dominate the Knicks on the boards like they did last night. Since January 21, the Hornets have led the NBA with a 37 OREB% and 55.1% rebounding share. They effectively muted Robinson all night, and their size and length made KAT uncomfortable. It’s jarring how quickly Charles Lee has done this.
Knicks should want no part of them early. Nobody should. If Detroit’s struggles from deep continue in the playoffs and they draw the Hornets, they’re in serious danger.
Miami Heat
Record: 39-34 Season series: 2-2 Record vs top-5 teams: 4-6 How hot are they? Cooling off
Miami won 10 of 12 around the all-star break, but then lost five in a row to suddenly be in danger of playing in the 9-10 game. Still, they’re more than close enough to make a run to face the Knicks with their… 83-point scorer? I keep forgetting that it actually did happen.
Miami’s issue has been getting everyone healthy at the same time, but they seem to have Tyler Herro finally in a groove alongside Norman Powell and Bam Adebayo. Erik Spoelstra switched the formula for this season and has turned the Heat into a high-paced cheetah that sees most of their games turn into shootouts.
Despite this, they’re fifth in defensive rating, still employing the same nastiness as ever, while wearing teams out in transition. They play clean basketball, they can shoot, they have enough avenues to score that diversify their offense, they can be tough.
The Knicks haven’t seen them in a few months, and the matchups have certainly been interesting. There’s history here from 2023, even if both rosters have been significantly turned over since. Rekindling an old rivalry wouldn’t be the worst thing.
Orlando Magic
Record: 39-34 Season series: 2-2 Record vs top-5 teams: 4-10 How hot are they?Suddenly frosty
Orlando was floundering when March began, but rattled off seven consecutive wins to make it look like things were coming together. Then, of course, they immediately lost six in a row to fall to the back of the pack.
Their biggest enemy has been health once again, as Franz Wagner has played exactly four games since originally suffering a high ankle sprain against the Knicks on December 7. He’ll likely be back for the playoffs, but it’s hard to expect him to be playing at peak level after re-injuring that ankle twice in return attempts, not to mention rust. Paolo Banchero continues to refuse to acknowledge his physical strengths and keeps trying to be a shooter, so the absence of Franz looms large.
Speaking of shooting, they added Desmond Bane in the offseason to fix that glaring wart. How’s it been going? Well, they’re 25th in 3PT% so…
Bane and Tristan De Silva are snipers, but among healthy regulars, only Jett Howard is shooting above 34%. Even if they are still struggling to score enough points to win consistently, they still employ some absolute grinders that will slow down your offense, including Jalen Suggs, Anthony Black, Jevon Carter, and Wendell Carter Jr. (plus Jonathan Isaac, whenever he plays).
All four meetings between these two teams were before Christmas and were very annoying, but that’s a long time ago. With how Banchero has risen to the occasion in the last two postseasons, they could be a tough out, but if Franz isn’t healthy, they shouldn’t have much of a real pulse.
Mar 18, 2026; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard Jrue Holiday (5) in the second half against the Indiana Pacers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images | Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images
It’s just past noon here at the desk, the post breakfast Häagen-Dazs Coffee Almond Toffee is open. As unhealthy as that may seem, my only defense is that I am juggling quite a bit right now and sometimes ice cream is the only thing that sounds like it might turn the day sweet for a moment. The only other notion that feels sweet is helping you make some money tonight.
Out late on the west coast tonight, the Dallas Mavericks (23-50) are in Portland as they prepare to square off with the Trail Blazers (37-37) in a game that means very different things to each team. Portland just clinched a play-in spot and is playing its best basketball of the season—23-17 since January 1, riding a two-game win streak, and hungry to nudge above .500 for the first time since November. Dallas is on a five-game skid but has been far more competitive than that sounds, dropping two overtime games before getting clawed back in Denver. Cooper Flagg had 26 Wednesday. The Mavericks are not mailing it in. If one thing is clear by now, these Mavs are trying to win every game, tanking is incidental.
Let’s scan the lines in search of value.
🏀 Fixture: Dallas Mavericks (23-50) @ Portland Trail Blazers (37-37) 📍 Moda Center — Portland, OR 🕙 9:00 PM CST, Friday, March 27, 2026 📺 NBA TV / KFAA Channel 29 / MavsTV
📊 DraftKings Snapshot (as of 12:04 PM CST) Spread: POR -10.5 (-110) | DAL +10.5 (-110) Total: 239.5 (O -110 / U -110) Moneyline: POR -470 | DAL +360
📉 Game Side Lean: Portland -10.5
Portland is the better team, playing at home, with something to play for. Dallas is without Gafford—a fresh shoulder injury that matters against a Portland frontcourt built around Donovan Clingan eating offensive rebounds for breakfast. Clingan is the league leader in offensive boards (Steven Adams lacks the games played to qualify) and has been expanding his game with real three-point range this season. Without Gafford anchoring the paint, Portland will feast inside and the Mavericks’ already thin frontcourt gets stretched further. The Blazers handle business at home. Lay the points.
🔮 Total Lean: Over 239.5
Portland is a team that plays fast, shoots constantly, and crashes the glass for second-chance points. Five rotation players take more than six threes a game, and they rank top-five in possessions and field goal attempts. Dallas scores in bunches too when the offense is clicking—Flagg, Marshall, and a five-game losing streak’s worth of pent-up aggression. Neither defense is going to save anyone tonight. Points are coming.
🎯 Player Props We Like
Cooper Flagg Over 22.5 Points (-116) Flagg had 26 on Wednesday in Denver and has been the engine of everything Dallas does offensively. Portland’s defense is not its calling card—they rank 29th in three-point percentage allowed, which tells you they’re giving up looks liberally. Flagg is locked in and this team runs through him when things get going. The number is reasonable and the matchup is favorable.
Jrue Holiday Under 15.5 Points (-123) Holiday is a glue guy on a team with plenty of other scoring options—Avdija, Clingan, Camara, Grant, Henderson. Portland doesn’t need him to carry the offense, and against a Dallas team in scramble mode, his value will show up in the assist column and on the defensive end rather than the scoring sheet. The juice is a little steep but the logic is clean.
💡 Summary: Portland -10.5 at home with everything to play for. Over 239.5 because neither team came to play defense. Flagg doing Flagg things, Holiday staying in his lane. Four picks, and if we win one more bowl of Coffee Almond Toffee. Let’s go Mavs.
History will remember the 2025-26 Utah Jazz, even if most of us already want to forget about them. The Denver Nuggets may be guilty of forgetting about Utah, too, as the March grind wears out Nikola Jokic & Co.
My Jazz vs. Nuggets predictions and NBA picks welcome some value on the Jazz first-half moneyline, even if it is a bit of a long shot, on Friday, March 27.
Jazz vs Nuggets prediction
Jazz vs Nuggets best bet: Jazz moneyline 1H (+525)
Their tanking approaches have been so egregious that the NBA is now actively considering changes to the draft lottery system.
Some might argue that is an overreaction, but Utah has so much talent that it continues to be vaguely competitive even after shutting down Isaiah Collier, Lauri Markkanen, and Keyonte George in March, even with Brice Sensabaugh and Kyle Filipowski currently day-to-day due to rest and illness, respectively.
And that does not even mention the trio of big men on the injured list in Jusuf Nurkic, Jaren Jackson Jr, and Walker Kessler.
The Jazz are starting Ace Bailey, Cody Williams and Elijah Harkless … and are still sometimes playing too well.
Utah drew so much attention because it would often bench its starters in competitive fourth quarters. The Jazz no longer need to do that, but they do sometimes still hang tougher than anticipated.
Utah is 3-10 outright in March, but it has won six of 13 first halves, including on March 2 against the Denver Nuggets despite the Jazz being 11.5-point underdogs.
With the Nuggets on their third game in four nights, a similar early surprise is far more plausible than these odds suggest.
Jazz vs Nuggets same-game parlay
Utah should cover this full-game spread if indeed leading at halftime. Adding that leg to a first-half moneyline bet started the same-game parlay payout at +600, already some unexpected value in that uptick.
Nikola Jokic should still control the boards tonight. And while some may worry this is too lofty a prop for a tired night, a competitive first half will only mean more minutes for the Nuggets’ superstar.
Jazz vs Nuggets SGP
Jazz moneyline 1H
Jazz +18.5
Nikola Jokic Over 13.5 rebounds
Our "from downtown" SGP: Denver eventually
What a delight to include a leg that on its own is -2000 in a four-leg same-game parlay and still reach odds of +2000. A double-result so often brings such value.
Remember, Utah is 3-10 outright in March. Those wins came against the Bucks, Warriors, and Wizards. Suffice it to say, the Nuggets should prevail no matter how awkward the first half is.
Jazz vs Nuggets SGP
Jazz moneyline 1H
Denver moneyline
Jazz +18.5
Nikola Jokic Over 13.5 rebounds
Jazz vs Nuggets odds
Spread: Jazz +18.5 | Nuggets -18.5
Moneyline: Jazz +1000 | Nuggets -2000
Over/Under: Over 248.5 | Under 248.5
Jazz vs Nuggets betting trend to know
Utah is 6-7 against the spread in March. In those six ATS wins, the Jazz were 4-2 outright in the first half. Find more NBA betting trends for Jazz vs. Nuggets.
How to watch Jazz vs Nuggets
Location
Ball Arena, Denver, CO
Date
Friday, March 27, 2026
Tip-off
9:00 p.m. ET
TV
KJZZ, Altitude
Jazz vs Nuggets latest injuries
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CLEVELAND, OH - MARCH 9: Kelly Oubre Jr. #9 of the Philadelphia 76ers is introduced before the game against the Cleveland Cavaliers on March 9, 2026 at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Lauren Leigh Bacho/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
A lot can change in just a few days, especially when it comes to the Philadelphia 76ers.
Back on Monday, the Sixers were without five main rotation players — Joel Embiid (oblique), Paul George (suspension), Tyrese Maxey (finger), Quentin Grimes (illness) and Kelly Oubre Jr. (elbow) — in their loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder. By Wednesday, the long hiatuses of both Embiid and George came to an end, and Grimes returned from illness. Philadelphia dominated the Chicago Bulls that night, putting up 157 points, notching their highest single-game point total in 56 years. Embiid and George had the best returns you could probably ask for after their stints sidelined, with Embiid scoring 35 points in just over 28 minutes played and PG adding 28 points in 26:20.
Now, it looks like the Sixers are on their way to getting yet another piece of the puzzle back. At practice on Friday, Oubre told reporters that he was ready to return for Saturday’s contest after an elbow injury has kept him sidelined since March 10.
Kelly Oubre Jr: "I feel ready to play basketball…I don't know if I'm breaking news, but I'm playing tomorrow."
Reinforcements are coming at the right time for Philadelphia, who face a tough opponent on Saturday with a visit to Rookie of the Year candidate Kon Knueppel and the red-hot Charlotte Hornets riding a six-game win streak. They have gone 13-5 since the All-Star break.
Head coach Nick Nurse told reporters after practice on Friday that he’s “pretty sure” Oubre will play on Saturday, but some question remains on what exact role he would play in the contest.
Nurse also added that Embiid came out “pretty good” after his first contest in just about a month.
Nick Nurse says Joel Embiid came out “pretty good” after his first game back. “Nothing but positive.” Full participant in today’s practice.
He’s “pretty sure” Kelly Oubre Jr. is going to play tomorrow, but isn’t yet sure what his role will look like.
The optimistic news out of Friday continued in a way I am not really used to with this team. Tyrese Maxey, who has been out since March 7 with a tendon injury in his pinky, was throwing up shots alongside Embiid after practice. Nurse told reporters that Maxey has become “a lot more involved” in the last few days and that the guard has been focusing on keeping himself conditioned while the hand continues to heal.
Nick Nurse says Maxey has been “a lot more involved” over the last 48 hours and notes he has been very diligent about keeping his conditioning up while out with the hand injury
No word on a potential return timetable for Maxey just yet, but it certainly sounds like things are headed in the right direction with him as well.
Dealing with a busted bracket?
The Sweet 16 is almost here – who’s still alive? We’re reviewing the week that was in the first week of the NCAA tournament and turning our focus to remaining teams. How bad (or good!) is your bracket? Join us in the SB Nation March Madness Feed and let’s talk about who’s most likely to make a run to glory.
It’s a very good time for things to go right for the Sixers, too. As of Friday afternoon, the Sixers are seventh in the Eastern Conference at 40-33, but there is a lot of room for movement — up or down — around them right now. Numbers 8 through 10 in the East right now (Orlando Magic, Hornets and Miami Heat) are all 39-34, just a single game behind Philadelphia. Atop the Sixers are the Toronto Raptors, a half a game ahead in sixth, and the Atlanta Hawks, one game ahead in fifth.
We are entering the final push, with just nine regular season games remaining for the Sixers. Buckle up.
The Los Angeles Lakers are finally back in La-La Land after a successful road trip, and waiting for them inside Crypto.com Arena are the lowly Brooklyn Nets.
Brooklyn sits near the bottom of the Eastern Conference and brings a nine-game losing skid to Los Angeles, which has bookies listing the Lakers as hefty home favorites.
My Nets vs. Lakers predictions dig into how that opens up LeBron James’ potential as a playmaker.
Nets vs Lakers best bet: LeBron James Over 6.5 assists (-125)
With little threat of losing tonight, the Los Angeles Lakers are thinking about sitting Luka Doncic tonight. Doncic has put in a ton of minutes during the Lakers’ 10-1 SU run, and he's also been fighting through a tender hamstring.
He’s questionable against the Brooklyn Nets, which would leave a ton of touches on the table for Los Angeles. Doncic is a primary ball handler, and his absence slides LeBron James into that role.
The veteran forward has averaged 67.5 touches during that 11-game span (Doncic is getting 90.5), with his potential assists sitting at 11.6. That’s produced 6.5 actual assists per contest during the streak.
An increase in ball-handling duties instantly juices LeBron’s playmaking prowess, which we see in his season production when Doncic is sidelined. In the past four games with Doncic out and James in, he’s averaged 10 assists per game.
The Nets aren’t providing much in the way of defense as it tries to tank for a Top 3 pick in the upcoming NBA Draft. Brooklyn has allowed more than 118 points against since the All-Star break and is among the worst teams in opponent assist-to-FGM rate (24th), with foes handing out over 27 assists an outing.
James’ projections all sit north of seven assists — and that’s with Doncic in the lineup. Should Luka sit, LeBron’s passing prop soars.
Nets vs Lakers same-game parlay
The No. 3 seed in the Western Conference is still up for grabs, so while Los Angeles may sit Luka, it doesn’t take the Nets lightly. Brooklyn is closing out a road trip in L.A. tonight, which probably has this losing team more concerned with off-court plans.
With James stepping up as a passer, Austin Reaves can be more of a scorer and pick up the slack with Doncic potentially out. Given the expected game script, Reaves could also get extra rest once L.A. pulls away in the second half.
Nets vs Lakers SGP
Lakers +16
LeBron James Over 6.5 assists
Austin Reaves Under 5.5 assists
Our "from downtown" SGP: The King's Court
The possibility of a Luka-less Lakers rotation puts LeBron in the spotlight. He’s projected to top his assists, triples, and rebound props tonight.
In the last four games without Doncic, LeBron has pulled down 6+ boards in each game while hitting two or more 3-pointers in two of those outings.
Nets vs Lakers SGP
Lakers +16
LeBron James Over 6.5 assists
LeBron James Over 1.5 threes
LeBron James Over 5.5 rebounds
Nets vs Lakers odds
Spread: Nets +16 (-110) | Lakers -16 (-110)
Moneyline: Nets +900 | Lakers -1600
Over/Under: Over 222.5 (-110) | Under 222.5 (-110)
Nets vs Lakers betting trend to know
Brooklyn is 5-24 SU and 11-17-1 ATS (39.7%) in non-conference games this season. Find more NBA betting trends for Nets vs. Lakers.
How to watch Nets vs Lakers
Location
Crypto.com Arena, Los Angeles, CA
Date
Friday, March 27, 2026
Tip-off
10:30 p.m. ET
TV
YES, Spectrum SportsNet
Nets vs Lakers latest injuries
Not intended for use in MA. Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
The shorthanded Memphis Grizzlies host the struggling Houston Rockets on Friday night at FedExForum.
Memphis’ frontcourt is decimated with injuries, and my Rockets vs Grizzlies predictions expect Amen Thompson to have a tremendous showing on the glass.
Here are my best free NBA picks for this Western Conference showdown on Friday, March 27.
Rockets vs Grizzlies prediction
Rockets vs Grizzlies best bet: Amen Thompson Over 7.5 rebounds (-135)
Amen Thompson is one of the Houston Rockets' best rebounders, pulling down a career-high 7.9 boards per game. He's recorded at least eight rebounds in 36 of 70 games overall, going for exactly seven rebounds 13 more times.
Thompson has corralled 8.3 rebounds on the road compared to 7.4 at home, and he's gone for 8+ in 21 of 36 away from Toyota Center.
Since the All-Star break, Thompson has pulled down 8.7 rebounds per game and recorded 8+ in nine of 18 appearances. He leads the team in rebounds over the Rockets' last seven games at 10.3, and he's hit the Over on this line five times in that span.
Alperen Sengun has taken a step back as a rebounder, grabbing just 7.7 boards per game across his last 10 outings, allowing Thompson to take a significant step forward in that department.
The Memphis Grizzlies sport one of the thinnest and smallest frontcourt lineups in the NBA, and the team has been highly vulnerable to opposing rebounders.
Over the last 10 games, Memphis has surrendered a league-high 49.7 rebounds, including the third-most offensive rebounds at 13.8. Thompson has been surging as a rebounder, and he should be even better in such a favorable road matchup.
Rockets vs Grizzlies same-game parlay
Thompson recorded 10 dimes in his last game out, and he’s reached that mark in five of his last 11. He’s dished 6+ dimes in 32 of 70 appearances, including 18 of 36 on the road. Thompson finished with 14 and seven assists in two matchups with the Grizzlies.
Tonight’s game should be a great bounce-back opportunity for the Rockets, but Houston has been disappointing as of late. After losing to the Chicago Bulls, they gave up a 13-point lead in overtime.
The Rockets could win in a blowout, but I wouldn’t be at all surprised if the shorthanded Grizz keep things close. Instead, I’ll bet the Over. Both teams are ranked in the bottom 10 in defense across their last 10 appearances, and buckets should come easily.
Rockets vs Grizzlies SGP
Amen Thompson Over 7.5 rebounds
Amen Thompson Over 5.5 assists
Over 227.5
Our "from downtown" SGP: Durant from Downtown!
Across the last 10 games, Memphis has allowed the fourth-most triples and the eighth-highest three-point percentage to opponents. Thompson should have ample opportunities to drive and kick out to Kevin Durant and Reed Sheppard or corral offensive rebounds and find shooters for second-chance buckets.
Durant has hit 3+ triples in three of his last four games, and he hit four in his last matchup with the Grizzlies. Sheppard has knocked down just 5-of-24 three-pointers across his last two games, but he’s due for a rebound performance in this favorable matchup.
Rockets vs Grizzlies SGP
Amen Thompson Over 7.5 rebounds
Amen Thompson Over 5.5 assists
Reed Sheppard Over 3.5 three-pointers
Kevin Durant Over 2.5 three-pointers
Rockets vs Grizzlies odds
Spread: Rockets -12.5 | Grizzlies +12.5
Moneyline: Rockets -900 | Grizzlies +600
Over/Under: Over 227.5 | Under 227.5
Rockets vs Grizzlies betting trend to know
The Houston Rockets have only covered the Spread in 16 of their last 50 games (-21.40 Units / -39% ROI). Find more NBA betting trends for Rockets vs. Grizzlies.
How to watch Rockets vs Grizzlies
Location
FedExForum, Memphis, TN
Date
Friday, March 27, 2026
Tip-off
8:00 p.m. ET
TV
Space City Home Network, FDSN Southeast
Rockets vs Grizzlies latest injuries
Not intended for use in MA. Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
The Boston Celtics host the Atlanta Hawks on Friday night in a game Boston needs to win to stay ahead of the New York Knicks for second place in the Eastern Conference. Here are three big questions entering the matchup.
Will Boston be emotionally ready for surging Atlanta?
The last two games Boston played came against Western Conference contenders were a tale of two cities. First, it was the Minnesota Timberwolves, where the Celtics lost 102-92. Then on Wednesday, Boston welcomed Oklahoma City Thunder to TD Garden and, in an emotional game that was close throughout, prevailed 119-109.
The key will be whether Boston can shift its focus from two of the West’s best to a fifth-place Hawks team that has won three in a row. Atlanta is coming off an overtime win over the Detroit Pistons on Wednesday, after beating the Memphis Grizzlies and Golden State Warriors.
Sometimes, the drop-off from high-profile games to a more routine conference matchup can open the door for an upset. Boston needs to stay sharp to protect home court and maintain its edge over New York who own the tiebreaker.
Who will step up if Jaylen Brown is unable to play
At the time of this writing, Jaylen Brown is questionable with left calf tightness. He’s appeared in 65 games this season and has carried a heavy load offensively, especially while Jayson Tatum was out.
If Brown is out, keep an eye on Payton Pritchard. He’s been a steady scoring option, though his last 20-point game came March 2 against the Milwaukee Bucks, when he dropped 25. With Tatum still finding rhythm and potentially no Brown, this sets up as a spot where Pritchard could take on a bigger offensive role.
That said, this is a game against his hometown team, so it wouldn’t be a shock if Brown ultimately suits up.
Who will guard Jalen Johnson?
The last time these teams met in Boston, the Celtics had no answer for Jalen Johnson, who led Atlanta to a 117-106 win. He finished with 19 points, 14 rebounds and seven assists, impacting the game on both ends.
Boston tried multiple looks defensively. Brown, Derrick White and Anfernee Simons all saw time on Johnson. Against smaller matchups, Johnson attacked the paint and used his 6-foot-8 frame effectively, while also knocking down 3 of 5 from deep. He’s shooting 34.9% from beyond the arc this season.
Atlanta may not have a clear No. 1 option, but it has a roster full of players who can heat up quickly. It’s a young, scrappy group, and if Boston doesn’t come out locked in, this could turn into a longer night than expected.
Michigan State and UConn should have a high-intensity feel driven by two of the top coaches and defenses remaining in the tournament. Friday's Sweet 16 game just might not be aesthetically pleasing.
According to KenPom, the UConn defense ranks 11th nationally in adjusted defensive efficiency and the Spartans rank 13th. And both offenses look to get into transition but will focus on frontcourt play in the halfcourt set, with the Huskies led by Tarris Reed Jr. and Alex Karaban and Michigan State centered on Jaxon Kohler, Carson Cooper and high-flying forward Coen Carr.
The Huskies are back in the Sweet 16 after winning back-to-back national titles in 2023, '24.
"I'm just excited," Huskies coach Dan Hurley said Thursday. "I feel like it's an honorable game for UConn, Michigan State. It's a great crazy Sweet 16 game. Excited to be in it."
How the Spartans react to another early deficit on their biggest stage of the season will be critical, and Jeremy Fears once again wills them back by halftime. But the Huskies’ interior depth and strength, particularly Tarris Reed’s physicality, gets Jaxon Kohler, Carson Cooper and Cam Ward into foul trouble and exploits MSU’s thin post rotation. Ultimately, Fears’ stellar performance isn’t enough, and the Spartans’ season ends short of last season’s Elite Eight trip.
The MSU team we saw at Purdue, at Michigan, against Louisville, that MSU team can beat this UConn team, without UConn having to play poorly. The question is, if both teams have a stellar day, who’s the better team? I think the answer is UConn, by a nose. Physically, this could be blood bath.
Blake Toppmeyer: Michigan State
Paul Myerberg: Michigan State
Jordan Mendoza: Michigan State
John Brice: Michigan State
Matt Glenesk: Michigan State
Craig Meyer: UConn
Austin Curtright: Michigan State
Ehsan Kassim: UConn
John Leuzzi: UConn
Moneyline: UConn (-130); Michigan State (+110)
Spread: UConn (-1.5)
Over/under total: 136.5
Silas Demary Jr injury update: Will UConn guard play vs Michigan State?
He was listed as questionable for UConn's second-round game, but ended up playing 21 minutes, scoring two points with four assists and no turnovers.
"I'm feeling a lot better the past couple days," Demary said Thursday. "A lot of rehab, a lot of treatment. Try to get me as close as I can back to 100%.
"I'd say I'm feeling a little bit better, doing everything I can. Still going to do stuff once we leave here, try to get even better. Feel like I'm in a better spot than I was last week. Trying to get back to 100% the best I can."
Why is Bill Murray at UConn vs Michigan State Sweet 16 game?
Murray's son Luke Murray is an associate head coach on the Huskies' coaching staff.
Luke Murray is in his fifth season on the UConn bench and was just named head coach at Boston College. Before taking the Huskies assistant job in 2021, he was an assistant at both Xavier and Louisville under Chris Mack. He is in his ninth season on Hurley's staff across three different stops.
Boston College hires Luke Murray as new head coach
Connecticut assistant Luke Murray has been hired as the new head coach at Boston College, the university announced on Thursday, March 26.
Murray is the son of actor Bill Murray, who has regularly been spotted sitting behind the bench at games for much of his son’s coaching career.
"Today marks a turning point in Boston College Men's Basketball," Boston College athletic director Blake James said in a statement. "In Luke Murray, we have found a leader who does not just understand the modern landscape of college basketball - he has helped define it. His role in building a national championship caliber program, his sophisticated offensive vision, and his relentless pursuit of excellence make him the perfect fit to lead our student-athletes. We are thrilled to welcome Luke, his wife, Kara, and their family to the BC community."
Is Jeremy Fears Jr a dirty player?
It really depends on who you ask and how you analyze Fears' game.
"I go out every game and I play hard. I don't intentionally try to hurt anyone,” Fears said after Michigan State's game at Minnesota back in February, according to the Detroit Free Press, part of the USA TODAY Network. "I go out and play every game like it's my last, because at one point it was my last. So I don't take a game for granted. I don't take a moment for granted. So I'm going to go out there and play as hard as I can every possession, every game.
"Like at one point, I had basketball taken away from me, so something I love to do, I couldn't do it for a whole year. So most people wouldn't understand that. And that's on them, I guess. At the end of the day, it doesn’t change who I am or what I do. I'm just go out there and play 150(%) no matter what."
Are Jeremy Fears Jr and Jeremiah Fears related?
Yes, the Michigan State point guard is the brother of now New Orleans Pelicans guard Jeremiah Fears, who was a one-and-done at Oklahoma. Jeremiah Fears was drafted by the Pelicans with the No. 7 overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft.
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