PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) — Fadima Tall scored 12 points and No. 20 Princeton won its 15th consecutive game, defeating Brown 58-49 on Saturday.
Princeton led 47-43 halfway through the fourth quarter before Tall and Olivia Hutcherson led a quick six-point run that gave the Tigers a 54-43 lead with 3 1/2 minutes left in the game. Skye Belker hit four free throws in the final minute to close out the victory.
Belker finished with 11 points, and Toby Nweke added 10 for Princeton (17-1, 5-0 Ivy League). Tall grabbed eight rebounds and Ashley Chea had seven assists.
Grace Arnolie, the Ivy League scoring leader at 18.6 points per game, scored 14 points and Alyssa Moreland had 10 points and 10 rebounds for the Bears (11-6, 3-2).
After trailing 15-9 through one quarter, the Tigers went on a 12-0 tear in the second quarter, holding Brown scoreless until Moreland's layup with two minutes remaining in the half. Princeton led 24-20 at halftime.
Princeton fell behind 27-26 early in the third quarter, but a 14-0 run put them ahead 40-27 with about five minutes left. Brown was held scoreless for nearly 4 minutes before rallying to pull within six points heading into the fourth quarter.
Princeton's No. 20 ranking is the program’s highest since the end of the 2014-15 season.
While the Golden State Warriors latest pipe dream of acquiring Giannis Antetokounmpo and LeBron James grabbed the bulk of trade rumor headlines on Friday, the Dubs were tied to another wing. Per Sam Amick of The Athletic, the Warriors, Phoenix Suns, and Milwaukee Bucks are among several teams interested in Charlotte Hornets forward Miles Bridges. A source told Amick the Hornets are eyeing at least one, “maybe two” first-round picks in a deal.
“As for Hornets that might be on the move, veteran forward Miles Bridges is drawing significant interest, league sources told The Athletic,” Amick wrote. “The Milwaukee Bucks, Golden State Warriors and Phoenix Suns are all known to be among the interested parties, though it remains to be seen if any team can compel the Hornets to give Bridges up. Charlotte’s lack of interest in the Bucks’ Kyle Kuzma is known to be an obstacle to a potential deal between those two teams. Draft capital is also a pivotal part of the conversation.“
The Warriors interest in Bridges is disheartening given his history of intimate partner violence. Bridges has been arrested multiple times after incidents with the mother of his children and has been convicted of felony domestic violence. Bridges’ first arrest led him to miss the 2022-23 NBA season before the league handed him a 30-game suspension.
However, as is unfortunately commonplace, the league has ignored red flags and allowed him to continue playing as if nothing happened.
On June 29, 2022, Bridges was arrested and charged with assaulting his then wife in front of their two children. Following the arrest, his wife publicly shared pictures on her Instagram, showing bruising and cuts all over her body. She also included an image of a medical report that listed her injuries as, “assault by strangulation, brain concussion, closed fracture of nasal bone, contusion of rib, multiple bruises, strain of neck muscle.”
Prosecutors originally charged Bridges with three felonies stemming from the incident, but Bridges reached a deal with prosecutors that allowed him to avoid jail time. He was ultimately convicted of a single felony domestic violence charge and agreed to a long list of conditions alongside three months of probation.
It was unclear whether Bridges would play in the NBA again. After sitting out for a season and receiving a punishment from the league, he ultimately returned to the Hornets. As Bridges faced pushback for his return, she publicly defended him. However, the victim is the mother of Bridges’ two children, creating a complicated economic reality and one that later events create questions around.
“I want to apologize to everybody for the pain and embarrassment that I have caused everyone, especially my family,” Bridges said in his first public statements upon his return. “This year away I’ve used to prioritize going to therapy and becoming the best person I can be — someone that my family and everyone here can be proud of.”
Yet, in the same year that Bridges and his ex-partner made those statements, behind the scenes activity seriously undermines any idea that he underwent significant growth. One of the conditions of Bridges’ was honoring a 10-year protective order to have no contact and stay at least 100 yards away from the victim. Less than a year later, Bridges was arrested for violating that order on two separate incidents.
The first arrest warrant said Bridges had tried to contact her on social media and her phone in January of 2023, a clear violation of the order. He was then charged with multiple crimes after an incident where his former partner’s windshield was shattered in October. She originally said he threw pool balls at her window with her and their children inside. She would eventually retract and contradict her original statements, leading the charges to be dropped. Still, the fact that he was violating the protective order less than a year after his plea agreement, while claiming to have learned and reformed, raises serious questions.
Meanwhile Warriors forward Draymond Green, who attended the same college as Bridges, publicly defended him throughout the process. Green was working out with Bridges the week following his felony charges. Then, after Bridges was involved in an on-court altercation in a game with the Warriors, Green went out of his way postgame to say “Miles can do no wrong to me.” For someone as media savvy as Draymond, it’s hard to believe he did not strategically choose those words to spark reaction because of Bridges’ domestic violence history.
Bridges would be the most high-profile player the Warriors have acquired with a history of intimate partner violence under owner Joe Lacob. However, he would not be the first.
The Warriors signed Kendrick Nunn as an undrafted free agent out of Oakland University to a partially guaranteed contract and kept him in the G-League until he was signed away by the Miami Heat. Nunn had been dismissed from the University of Illinois after pleading guilty to misdemeanor domestic battery. The charges were related to an incident where a woman said Nunn struck her in the head, pushed her to the floor, and held her by the neck.
In the 2022-23 season, the Warriors signed Anthony Lamb to a two-way contract and eventually converted him to an NBA contract even though a classmate of Lamb’s had said he rape her while they were in college. Warriors general manager Bob Myers claimed the team had done due diligence related to the case, but the Warriors only contacted the NBA and other teams, never reaching out to the woman who had reported the incident to her University’s Title IX office. Steve Kerr never addressed the case directly either, and was highly complimentary of Lamb to media.
Ja Morant will be sidelined at least three weeks with a UCL sprain in his left elbow suffered during the Grizzlies' loss to the Hawks on Wednesday, the team announced Saturday.
This likely keeps Morant out through the All-Star break. Look for Cam Spencer to get a bump in minutes with Morant out.
Morant is averaging 19.5 points and 8.1 assists a game this season, and while there is reason for concern about his shooting efficiency — 23.5% from 3-point range this season and a 52.1 true shooting percentage that is well below the league average — that is still a lot of points and shot creation to replace.
This impacts a couple of things in Memphis.
One is making the postseason. At 18-25, the Grizzlies sit 12th in the West, 1.5 games out of the final playoff spot. The Grizzlies are 11-12 in games Morant has missed this season, with a +0.1 net rating when he is off the court this season — Memphis is essentially a .500 team without him. While that's better than it's been with him, there is no clear path to a winning streak and the postseason without Morant.
Second, this will not help his already sluggish trade market. League sources have told NBC Sports there is no trade market for Morant at the price the Grizzlies are asking in part because of concerns about his injury history and availability — he has not played more than six consecutive games in almost three years — and this just adds to those fears. The reality is there are teams willing to buy low and take a flyer on Morant, but the Grizzlies are asking for a young player and a first-round pick in any deal, and no team appears willing to give that up right now. This injury is not going to help that cause.
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — Mackenly Randolph tied her career-high with 13 points to lead No. 8 Louisville to an 85-56 victory over Boston College on Saturday.
The Cardinals (19-3, 9-0 Atlantic Coast) extended their winning streak to 12 games and have won 15 of their last 16 games.
Louisville jumped out to a 10-0 lead with 5:51 left in the opening quarter and made seven of their first 10 shots. Meanwhile, Boston College (4-18, 0-9) hit just one of their first eight shots and finished the first quarter with more turnovers — four — than baskets — three.
Randolph, a 6-foot sophomore forward, scored 10 points in the first half. The daughter of former NBA All-Star Zach Randolph finished 5 of 7 from the field and has scored in double figures in a career-high three straight games.
Tajianna Roberts added 11 points and six assists, and Skylar Jones also scored 11 for the Cardinals. Louisville shot 54.7% from the field, its second-best performance this season despite going just 4 of 15 in the fourth quarter.
All 12 Louisville players who got into the game scored, and that helped the Cardinals to an 81-39 lead with less than six minutes left.
Freshman Amira Anderson’s 16 points led the Eagles, who lost their 14th straight. Jocelyne Grier added 13 points. Boston College shot 29.2% from the floor, the third time the team has shot less than 30% in a game this season.
Louisville’s current winning streak is its longest since the Cardinals won 15 straight during the 2021-22 season.
The game was originally scheduled to be played on Sunday afternoon, but was moved to Saturday due to the forecast of a winter storm that was expected to hit the Louisville area Saturday.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (AP) — Otega Oweh, without a field goal in the first half, scored 20 of his 23 points after the break and Kentucky beat Mississippi 72-63 on Saturday for the Wildcats' fifth straight win.
Oweh was 6-of-12 shooting and 10 of 14 at the line and has scored in double figures in 23 straight games dating to last season. Collin Chandler added 12 points and Jasper Johnson 11 for the Wildcats (14-6, 5-2 SEC).
AJ Storr scored 20 points and Malik Dia added 16 for the Rebels (11-9, 3-4). Corey Chest grabbed 10 rebounds.
Chandler was only 2-of-10 shooting but hit a 3-pointer in the final minute for a six-point lead that Malachi Moreno extended to eight with two free throws. Zach Day hit a baseline 3 for the Rebels but the Wildcats finished the scoring with four free throws.
Except for a lone tie, the Wildcats led throughout the second half but never by double figures. Their largest lead of 10 came in the first half after Johnson hit a pair of 3s early in a 18-4 run that Noah capped with another 3. Ole Miss finished the half with four free throws to cut the margin to 29-23.
The 23 points added up to the Rebels' lowest first-half total this season with Storr accounting for 10. The Rebels shot only 25% in the first half when they were 1 of 10 from the arc.
Neither team finished above 36% shooting in a game that had 59 free throws with Kentucky making 28 of 38.
Kentucky has won 15 straight home games over Ole Miss.
Up next
Mississippi is home against Vanderbilt next Saturday.
Luka Doncic is no stranger to being the headline act, and his second return visit to Dallas is the standout contest on today’s seven-game hoops schedule.
While Doncic will get nothing but love from the Mavs fans, expect chippier atmospheres elsewhere on the slate, including the latest installment of the New York Knicks vs. Philadelphia 76ers rivalry.
My favorite NBA picks for the January 24 action include another dose of Luka magic and a big night for Evan Mobley.
The post-trade emotions were still raw for Luka Doncic’s first game in Dallas as a member of the Los Angeles Lakers. Look for less tension in the air tonight – after all, Nico Harrison won’t be lurking in the tunnel – but I still expect Luka to put on a show.
Doncic continues to lead the NBA in scoring at 33.4 PPG, and he’s gone past this O/U points prop in six of his 11 outings this month. Once you layer on a few extra shots in a game that’ll mean a lot to him, the Over feels like a strong play – and we saw that when he returned to American Airlines Center back in April and made 16 of his 28 shots to finish with 45 points.
Luka dropped 38 points on the Denver Nuggets on Tuesday, and he’s posting huge totals despite only shooting 33% from downtown this year. Even so, he’s knocked down 3+ triples in five straight outings.
The Lakers are just 4-6 in their last 10 games, and they’ll need Doncic to ball out against a Mavericks team that’s won four in a row. In an arena he knows so well, Luka will be up to the task.
The Cleveland Cavaliers finally seem to be turning a corner in an underwhelming season. They’ve won four of their last five games, and Evan Mobley has stuffed the stat sheet in back-to-back outings, including a 29-point, 13-rebound effort against the Sacramento Kings last night.
That’s the level of production that Cleveland needs to climb further in the East standings, and I like this Mobley combo prop here as the Cavs host the Orlando Magic, especially with Darius Garland sidelined again with a toe injury. When Donovan Mitchell gets bottled up on the perimeter, Mobley has to embrace being the No. 2 option.
Just don’t let his dreadful three-point numbers put you off. Mobley has regressed from beyond the arc this season, but he’s shooting 56% overall in January and his two-point game continues to be solid.
While he’s averaging a respectable 8.8 RPG this year, he’s capable of even more, as we’ve seen this week. Don’t be surprised if he chips in with a third straight double-digit haul on the boards against the Orlando frontcourt.
Time: 7:00 p.m. ET
Where to watch: FanDuel Sports Network-Ohio, FanDuel Sports Network-Florida
Prop #3: Keyonte George Over 30.5 points + assists
The Utah Jazz appear comfortable sinking in the Western Conference standings while still getting an extended look at their young core, and Keyonte George’s development is the most promising sign for Will Hardy’s squad.
George is putting together a terrific third NBA season, averaging 24.4 PPG and 6.7 APG, and he’ll have every opportunity to pad those numbers tonight against the banged-up Miami Heat, who’ll be without Kel’el Ware, Tyler Herro and perhaps more of their usual rotation.
He’s gone past this combo prop number in three of his last four games, headlined by a 43-point explosion in a win over the Minnesota Timberwolves, and he’s going to have the ball in his hands a lot here, particularly if the illnesses for Lauri Markkanen and Jusuf Nurkic keep them off the court.
George is having a steady season from downtown, making his three-pointers at a 38% clip, and the up-tempo Heat should provide extra possessions for offensive numbers. He’s carrying a heavy burden for the Jazz on that end of the floor, but I’m banking on another eye-catching stat line tonight.
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change. 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.
This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here
***UPDATE: Today’s game between the Warriors and the Timberwolves has been postponed for Sunday (Jan. 25) at 2:30 PM PT. More information here.
The Golden State Warriors continue their road trip with Saturday’s matchup against the Minnesota Timberwolves. Tip-off is set for 2:30 PM PT in Minneapolis and can be watched on ABC.
Previously with the Warriors:
The Warriors dropped the opener of their four-game road trip on Thursday night, losing 123–115 to the Dallas Mavericks. Despite a 38-point performance from Stephen Curry, Golden State struggled to generate consistent offense — an issue that has become more pronounced following the season-ending ACL injury to Jimmy Butler. Dallas, meanwhile, relied on a balanced attack, with six players scoring in double figures, led by guard Naji Marshall, who finished with a team-high 30 points.
Golden State has now lost two straight games since Butler’s injury and continues to search for answers offensively. Jonathan Kuminga was expected to help fill that void, but he suffered ankle and knee injuries early in Thursday’s loss and will be sidelined again Saturday against Minnesota.
Jonathan Kuminga will miss tomorrow's game in Minnesota with left knee soreness after the ankle twist/hyperextension last night.
With Kuminga unavailable, the Warriors will need to find another source of scoring off the bench. De’Anthony Melton, who has been trending upward as of late, is coming off a 22-point performance against Dallas and will likely be leaned on heavily to stabilize the second unit as Golden State looks to regroup.
The Mavericks will host the Lakers Saturday night, much to the chagrin of the Dallas residents who have to brave the cold and ice to see Luka Doncic play. Dallas is hot! They have won four in a row and five of their last six games. The Lakers, however, are struggling. They are 3-6 in their last nine games and, if you pay attention to the online discourse, are one of the worst “vibes” teams in the league. Doncic famously killed Dallas in his return in April, but this time around, I am not sure the Lakers have enough firepower to supplement the emotion this game will have. The Mavericks have a great chance to win their fifth in a row.
Before getting into our picks, here is how we stand so far:
Last week’s results
Tyler: 3-1 (+$263)
David: 3-0 (+$286)
Season to date
Tyler: 17-26-0 (-$772)
David: 25-17-0 (+$933)
Even though Tyler is still negative on the season, we are heating up as the weather cools down.
Game Details
Fixture: Dallas Mavericks vs Los Angeles Lakers | NBA 2025-2026
Date and Time: Saturday, January 24th, 2026; 7:40 PM CST
Venue: American Airlines Center, Dallas, TX.
Odds up to date as of 12:00 PM CST from FanDuel
Game Lines
Spread Mavericks +3.5 (-108)
Total O/U 233.5 (-110/-110)
Moneyline Mavericks +146
Tyler’s Plays
Cooper Flagg over 29.5 points + rebounds + assists (-110)
Luka Doncic to score 12+ points in the first quarter (+118)
Over 233.5 points (-110)
Luka’s going to come out gunning, so let’s capitalize with a 12+ point quarter at plus money. In their first matchup against each other in Dallas, I expect Cooper Flagg to meet the moment and deliver a great all-around game. Finally, neither team has been guarding lately, so let’s go over the total.
David’s Plays
Luka Doncic to score 35+ points (+120)
Naji Marshall to score 20+ points (+122)
Max Christie to make 3+ threes (+100)
Luka will torch this Mavericks defense. Conversely, Marshall is a matchup nightmare for a Lakers team with no paint defense and no perimeter physicality. Christie will benefit from the penetration Dallas will get and have plenty of open looks.
Squad Ride
Mavericks to win (+146)
The Mavericks are probably not a good team. But they are playing very well, and the Lakers are not. Plus, there is motivation for the Dallas guys to show the fans that they don’t need Luka (we still do). We love the Mavericks to pull off another primetime upset.
MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant is expected to miss at least the next three weeks due to a sprained ulnar collateral ligament in his left elbow.
The injury occurred Wednesday during the Grizzlies’ 124-122 loss to the Atlanta Hawks. The Grizzlies announced the severity of the injury Saturday and said the two-time All-Star would be re-evaluated in approximately three weeks.
This represents the latest setback in a tumultuous season for Morant, who had missed six games with an injured right calf before returning Sunday for the Grizzlies’ 126-109 victory over the Orlando Magic in London.
Morant has appeared in only 20 of the team's 43 games this season and has averaged 19.5 points, 8.1 assists and 3.3 rebounds amid trade speculation.
NEW YORK (AP) — Green Bay Packers offensive tackle Rasheed Walker has been arrested after police say he presented a firearm for inspection without proper credentials at LaGuardia Airport.
Port Authority police said Walker was arrested Friday morning after they responded to a request for a firearms check at LaGuardia’s Terminal C. Police said the 25-year-old had checked in at Delta and had presented a firearm for inspection without proper credentials.
Arthur Aidala, the lawyer representing Walker, said his client voluntarily disclosed an unloaded, secured firearm upon his arrival at the airport. Aidala said Walker was arrested because his license wasn’t valid in New York.
“We are confident the matter will eventually be dismissed,” Aidala said via email.
The Packers’ season ended Jan. 10 with a 31-27 loss to the Chicago Bears in the wild-card round of the NFC playoffs.
Walker has been Green Bay’s first-team left tackle for the last three seasons and has started 48 games since the Packers selected him out of Penn State in the seventh round of the 2022 draft. Walker just completed the final year of his contract and is set to become a free agent in the offseason. He has started each of Green Bay’s four playoff games over the last three seasons.
Two hot teams clash tonight as the Boston Celtics visit the Chicago Bulls at the United Center. Tip-off is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET.
Nikola Vucevic has been in his bag lately, and my Celtics vs Bulls predictions are eyeing him to score the rock at a high level.
Read more in my NBA picks for Saturday, January 24.
Celtics vs Bulls prediction
Celtics vs Bulls best bet: Nikola Vucevic Over 16.5 points (-115)
Nikola Vucevic isn’t having the best season of his career, but the numbers are still respectable. The big man is averaging 16.8 points, 9.1 rebounds, and 3.8 assists per contest. Vooch’s numbers from a scoring standpoint have been up a tad in January, averaging 19 PPG.
The center has cashed the Over in points in four of his last five appearances, and he even erupted for 35 points around the middle of the month against the Utah Jazz. The Chicago Bulls are at home this evening, and Vucevic is averaging 17.7 PPG in Chicago compared to 15.9 on the road.
While Vooch only dropped 15 points against the Boston Celtics earlier this season, the Bulls are rolling with four straight victories, and they’re playing like a confident group as a whole. He’ll play his part here.
Celtics vs Bulls same-game parlay
The C’s head into this matchup as winners of two straight, beating the Indiana Pacers and then the Brooklyn Nets on Friday evening. In fact, they’ve won four of their last five contests.
While Chicago is hot, Boston has notched three victories in a row against them, and they’ve also won four in a row against the Bulls at the United Center dating back to February of 2024. The Celtics will get the better of Chicago tonight.
Jaylen Brown is doing it all for the Jayson Tatum-less C’s, and he’s been really dominating on the glass lately. While Brown is averaging only 6.7 boards, he’s comfortably cashed the Over in three straight.
Brown averages 10 rebounds per night during that span, making his presence felt on the glass. Back on January 5, he also brought down eight boards against the Bulls.
Celtics vs Bulls SGP
Nikola Vucevic Over 16.5 points
Boston Celtics moneyline
Jaylen Brown Over 6.5 rebounds
Our "from downtown" SGP: White Out!
Coby White is showing out right now, hitting the Over in points in three straight appearances.
Celtics vs Bulls SGP
Nikola Vucevic Over 16.5 points
Boston Celtics moneyline
Jaylen Brown Over 6.5 rebounds
Coby White Over 18.5 points
Celtics vs Bulls odds
Spread: Celtics -3.5 (-110) | Bulls +3.5 (-110)
Moneyline: Celtics -105 | Bulls -115
Over/Under: Over 232 (-110) | Under 232 (-110)
Celtics vs Bulls betting trend to know
The Boston Celtics have hit the Moneyline in 31 of their last 45 away games (+9.45 Units / 8% ROI). Find more NBA betting trends for Celtics vs. Bulls.
How to watch Celtics vs Bulls
Location
United Center, Chicago, IL
Date
Saturday, January 24, 2026
Tip-off
8:00 p.m. ET
TV
NBC Sports Boston, Chicago Sports Network
Celtics vs Bulls latest injuries
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This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here
The New York Knicks and Philadelphia 76ers will meet for the third time this season.
My Knicks vs 76ers predictions call for a close, high-scoring matchup and a dominant performance from Joel Embiid.
Here are my free NBA picks for this heavyweight Eastern Conference showdown on Saturday, January 24.
Knicks vs 76ers prediction
Knicks vs 76ers best bet: Joel Embiid Over 38.5 points+rebounds+assists (-115)
After some early-season struggles, Joel Embiid is rounding into form. Across his last 11 games, he’s averaged 40.6 PRA and hit the Over on his line seven times.
Embiid has been more productive at home than on the road this season, averaging 35.8 PRA at Xfinity Mobile Arena compared to 34.9 on the road. He’s also reached the Over on this combo line in three straight and four of his last six at home.
Saturday’s matchup against a healthy New York Knicks team will require Embiid to be at his best. He went for 26/10/5 in his first matchup with New York, and I expect him to stay productive in a key game in front of the home crowd.
Knicks vs 76ers same-game parlay
The Philadelphia 76ers are 12-12 straight up at home, while New York is just 8-12 on the road. This game is essentially a pick 'em, and picking the Sixers to win outright is slightly more profitable than picking them to cover a one-point spread.
I'll give the home team the advantage, which has a surprisingly clean injury report.
Both teams are expected to be at full strength on Saturday, which should lead to plenty of scoring. Embiid has been hot as of late, and Tyrese Maxey is one of the top scorers in the Association.
With a pair of great scorers and strong role players, Philadelphia can put up points here. Likewise, Jalen Brunson is an electric scorer with a strong supporting cast, and New York should have no problem getting buckets.
Knicks vs 76ers SGP
Joel Embiid Over 38.5 points+rebounds+assists
76ers moneyline
Over 229
Our "from downtown" SGP: Brunson balls out
Jalen Brunson has scored at least 28 in 21 of 39 games overall, and he dropped 31 in his last matchup with Philadelphia.
Knicks vs 76ers SGP
Joel Embiid Over 38.5 points+rebounds+assists
76ers moneyline
Over 229
Jalen Brunson Over 27.5 points
Knicks vs 76ers odds
Spread: Knicks -1 (-105) | 76ers +1 (-115)
Moneyline: Knicks -110 | 76ers -110
Over/Under: Over 229 | Under 229
Knicks vs 76ers betting trend to know
The Philadelphia 76ers have hit the team total Under in 26 of their last 40 home games (+10.10 Units / 22% ROI). Find more NBA betting trends for Knicks vs. 76ers.
How to watch Knicks vs 76ers
Location
Xfinity Mobile Arena, Philadelphia, PA
Date
Saturday, January 24, 2026
Tip-off
3:00 p.m. ET
TV
ABC
Knicks vs 76ers 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.
This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here
Two teams jockeying in the middle of the Eastern Conference playoff pack collide for the first of a home-and-home set, as the Cleveland Cavaliers visit the Orlando Magic.
The Cavs, with wins in four of their last five, still find themselves as one-point underdogs in the NBA odds.
These teams have found a way to turn most games into rockfights, so my Cavaliers vs. Magic prediction and NBA picks are targeting the Under.
Cavaliers vs Magic prediction
Cavaliers vs Magic best bet: Under 228 points (-110)
Not a banner week for the Orlando Magic, who were crushed 126-109 in London against the Memphis Grizzlies, before returning stateside and getting hammered by 27 at home against Charlotte.
Their offense is already middling (19th), but as the Magic have dropped three of their last five, they are averaging just 99.0 points per game in their losses.
It's been a lot of the same offensive futility recently for the Cleveland Cavaliers, who were blown out 136-104 by OKC, while scoring just 94 points in a win over Charlotte.
Most recently, they beat Sacramento 123-118, and while that might have been a get-right game, SacTown owns a Bottom-4 scoring defense in basketball.
Injuries should play another role in this potential slugfest.
Orlando F Franz Wagner (ankle) has already been ruled out, though Jalen Suggs (knee) has been upgraded to probable.
For the Cavs, they're still without regulars Darius Garland (hand) and Max Strus (hand), while Sam Merrill (hand) missed Sacramento, and his status is uncertain.
Orlando allows just 113.7 points per game at home this season, which would rank inside the Top 10 overall, a big reason the Under has cashed in each of the last four games between these teams at the Kia Center.
While the Under has hit in six of the last 10 head-to-head meetings, these two have landed Under the 228.0 scoring line set for Sunday a whopping nine times.
Cavaliers vs Magic same-game parlay
Evan Mobley has been the Cavs' leading rebounder the past two games, pulling down 13+ in both. But he's struggled against Orlando, pulling down at least nine boards just three times in nine games.
Desmond Bane had hit multiple threes in a game just once in his last seven, but he sure likes lining it up from deep against Cleveland, hitting at least two 3-pointers six times in eight career meetings with the Cavs.
Cavaliers vs Magic SGP
Under 228 points
Evan Mobley Under 8.5 rebounds
Desmond Bane Over 1.5 made threes
Our "from downtown" SGP: Dime Droppers!
Let's go deep with a pair of leading scorers who have been dealing the rock well lately. Paolo Banchero has led Orlando in assists in five of the last six, with 5+ assists in each of those games.
Donovan Mitchell has led the Cavs in assists in six of the last eight, but he's mostly a bucket-getter against Orlando. Mitchell has just a pair of 7+ assist games vs the Magic in nine games since joining the Cavaliers.
Cavaliers vs Magic SGP
Under 228 points
Evan Mobley Under 8.5 rebounds
Desmond Bane Over 1.5 made threes
Paolo Banchero Over 4.5 assists
Donovan Mitchell Over 6.5 assists
Cavaliers vs Magic odds
Spread: Cavaliers -1 (-110) | Magic +1 (-110)
Moneyline: Cavaliers +100 | Magic -120
Over/Under: Over 228 (-110) | Under 228 (-110)
Cavaliers vs Magic betting trend to know
Orlando has won eight of its last nine home games following a loss. Find more NBA betting trends for Cavaliers vs. Magic.
How to watch Cavaliers vs Magic
Location
Kia Center, Orlando, FL
Date
Saturday, January 24, 2026
Tip-off
7:00 p.m. ET
TV
FDSN Ohio, FDSN Florida
Cavaliers vs Magic 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.
This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Patrick Reed will take a four-stroke lead into the final round of the Dubai Desert Classic after shooting 5-under 67 on Saturday, as Rory McIlroy's chances of a record-extending fifth title virtually disappeared.
Reed, the former Masters champion who now plays on the LIV Golf circuit, tapped in at No. 18 for his seventh birdie of the third round at Emirates Golf Club to move onto 14-under 202 for the week.
Leading the chase was David Puig, another LIV player, who shot 66 to jump to second place. A further shot back was Viktor Hovland, who had a 65 that tied the lowest round of the day, and Andy Sullivan (71).
“I know it’s not going to be easy, it never is, and doesn’t matter how big of a lead you have," said Reed, who won nine times on the PGA Tour — including at Augusta National in 2018 — before joining LIV in 2022.
As a LIV player, the American won LIV Golf in Dallas last year and then in Hong Kong on the Asian Tour in 2024.
As for No. 2-ranked McIlroy, the tournament headliner started the round seven strokes behind overnight leader Reed and talking up his chances of a weekend charge on a course where he has won four times.
The Northern Irishman made par on each of his first nine holes and bogeyed the last after missing a 2-foot par putt to shoot 71, and was 11 back.
Tommy Fleetwood, ranked No. 3, has yet to break par this week after adding a 73 to rounds of 73 and 72.
Another high-profile name, Tyrrell Hatton, made six bogeys in a 76 to drop to a tie for 42nd.
Puig has already won on the European tour in the 2026 season — at the Australian PGA Championship in November — and the 24-year-old Spaniard was tied for third at the Dubai Invitational last week.
Hovland eyes second title
Hovland's last win on the European tour was at the Dubai Desert Classic in 2022, when he started the final round six back and triumphed in a playoff over Richard Bland.
The No. 14-ranked Norwegian has changed his swing in recent years and still doesn't feel entirely comfortable, despite being bogey-free on Saturday.
“Still doesn’t feel like I can stand on the tee and kind of swing for the fences and swing loosely,” said Hovland, who is playing his first event of 2026. "It’s all very contrived and manufactured, and it happened to go straight today. If I get off the tee and in a decent position, I can really do some damage.
“But I really would like to be able to stand on the tee box and swing hard and know that the ball is going to go fairly straight.”
We are two weeks from the trade deadline, and the Celtics are among a handful of teams rumored to be buyers seeking a positional upgrade to prepare for a postseason run.
The rumor mill has swirled around Boston’s frontcourt in particular, and anyone even a little online has seen the team linked to big names like Jaren Jackson Jr. and Ivica Zubac over the past month. Both options would require a substantial trade package, likely involving draft capital and the expiring $27.6 million contract of Anfernee Simons, but what if the Celtics aren’t looking at a splashy move?
At this point, you’re probably wondering why, in the year of 2026, the name Mike Muscala is holding any relevance to this franchise. Muscala is perhaps the quintessential modern journeyman by force, a living and breathing trade throw-in whose 11-year career featured seven teams, seven trades and a lot of perfectly fine stretch shooting off the bench.
To some, he’s a hero (he may never buy a beer in Philadelphia again for his contributions to the selection of Tyrese Maxey); to others, he was a welcome bench piece, and to the Celtics specifically, he was a passing ship, whose 26-game pit stop started right at the trade deadline for a team in need of an additional bench big.
Boston finds itself in a similar spot. Between Neemias Queta and Luka Garza, the Celtics have surprised many NBA pundits that predicted a league-worst frontcourt, but they’re still in search of another big man to round out that spot. The bigger names will earn all the headlines, but today we’ll be searching for low-cost, low-risk options that likely don’t push the needle significantly, but also don’t require significant trade assets to improve the position.
Utilizing the Muscala Model (not a real thing, nor quantifiable), we’ll see if this dive into the bottom and mid-level of the NBA’s frontcourt barrel can help the Celtics in the short-term.
WASHINGTON, DC – DECEMBER 04: Neemias Queta #88 of the Boston Celtics competes for position against Marvin Bagley III #35 and Will Riley #27 of the Washington Wizards during the second half at Capital One Arena on December 4, 2025 in Washington, DC. 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. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
Marvin Bagley III
There’s a reason we’re starting with Marvin Bagley on this list.
Bagley, in his second stop with the Washington Wizards and fourth team overall in his seven-year NBA career, may fit the Muscala Model better than anyone.
In fact, Bagley was miraculously involved in a trade with the Moose himself, getting moved by Detroit alongside Isaiah Livers and a second round pick in a swap for Muscala and Danilo Gallinari. We all remember where we were for that Shams notification right?
In all seriousness, Bagley, currently on a one-year minimum deal with Washington, is having a fine season off the bench for one of the league’s premier tanking organizations.
In 36 games and under 20 minutes a night, the 6-foot-10 center is averaging 10 points on a career-best 62% efficiency, 6 rebounds and 1.5 assists. In seven starts in place of an injured Alex Sarr, he’s averaged 14 points, 8 rebounds and 2 assists.
When it comes to Bagley, what you see is what you get. In a lot of ways, he’s exactly the player he was when he came out of Duke as one of the most hyped one-and-done freshmen in the country.
His shooting range never extended beyond the arc in a way many hoped it would out of Duke, and he’s long been considered a negative defender in his various career stops, yet he has earned a living as a capable, and still quite athletic, paint finisher.
This year, Bagley has cut a lot of the fat out of his scoring, and focused entirely on the areas he already thrived in. He has taken shots out of the mid-range and beyond almost entirely out of his shot diet, and his current 91% shot volume from inside of 10 feet would easily mark a career-high.
Bagley’s game is not complicated. While still a frequent post-player, something we likely see little of if he was traded to Boston, he makes his living as a putback glass-crasher, dunker spot dump-off threat and play-finishing roll man.
Defensively, while a fine rim deterrent and solid rebounder, the expectation would be that, for a third center option, he’s fine, albeit unexceptional, if occasionally frustrating. If we were talking about him as a starter? It’d likely be a different, more concerning story.
All to say, while it can be hard to separate the Bagley that could have been from the Bagley we see today, I think it’s safe to call him an entirely playable backup big, and on his minimum contract, it would take pennies to acquire him, with zero strings attached beyond this season.
Washington is easy to please these days: a late draft pick in any form is a win to them, considering Bagley willingly came back after the trade that netted them Marcus Smart. Between some form of a second round pick attached to the minimum contracts of either Xavier Tillman or Chris Boucher, the Celtics could be bringing in a third center to their rotation that’s a capable rebounding and scoring threat.
BOSTON, MA – APRIL 4: Nick Richards #2 of the Phoenix Suns drives to the basket during the game against the Boston Celtics on April 4, 2025 at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. 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 2025 NBAE (Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images)
Nick Richards
Keeping in trend with their current frontcourt options, obtaining the services of Nick Richards would provide the Celtics with their third big man option to have been drafted in the second round that worked their way from the G-League into an NBA rotation.
Before last year’s deadline, Richards was the first of a few trades around the fringes for the Suns, who picked him up in a swap with Charlotte for Josh Okogie in an attempt to solve their interior defensive dilemma.
But now, Richards has found himself low on the Phoenix pecking order behind Mark Williams, Oso Ighodaro, and the small-ball tenacity of Dillon Brooks. Add to that the lottery selection of Khaman Maluach, and it’s clear Richards really doesn’t have a place in the Suns rotation in the short or long-term once his contract expires this summer.
The rumor mill backs that up, and it’s clear it wouldn’t take a lot to get Richards off their books to duck the tax.
Despite falling out of Phoenix’s favor, Richards has been a proven commodity in a bench capacity during his six years in the NBA. In Charlotte and in his first season with Phoenix, Richards proved to be a physical paint deterrent and a scrappy rebounder, whose mission on offense was to screen hard and roll straight into board-crashing duties. His 5.58 defensive rebounds per game last season had him in the 93rd percentile in that category, and his 2.6 on the offensive glass had him even higher in the 95th percentile.
While he has an interior-minded defensive game, he shows enough foot speed to defend out to the perimeter, not exclusively sticking his feet in the paint and waiting for a slasher to attack.
Richards’ game is not complicated, and his effort in the minute details has always stood out, particularly during his final season and a half in Charlotte. He does not need to be significantly involved with the ball in his hands to make an impact, something we’ve seen from Garza this year as a screener and rebounder in his own right.
For a Celtics team looking for additional rebounding and paint protection, Richards checks the box as a career bench big that’s willing to play his role in an effectively high-motor manner.
It helps that Richards is also a quality rim protector. Last year’s tape shows a player whose 7-foot-4 wingspan aided a Suns team that desperately lacked shot-blocking options. It was a temporary breath of fresh air for one of the league’s worst defenses.
Like Bagley, obtaining Richards would not require a significant haul. It’s unlikely a trade would take more than a second round pick to acquire Richards. In Boston’s case, that deal could work as is, however, they could also attach one of their veteran minimum contracts alongside the pick to also make it happen.
Jalen Smith
This has long been a rumored low-cost center of interest for the Celtics, really up until Jalen Smith penned a 3-year, $27 million contract with the Bulls in 2024.
Smith, a former 10th overall selection for the Suns, has carved out a respectable NBA career as a bench stretch big, ramping up his outside shooting volume this season with the Bulls. In the past four seasons to this point, he’s averaged 9 points on 50/34/75 splits in under 20 minutes, and in Chicago, he’s been heavily encouraged to shoot the rock, with 55% of his shots coming from beyond the arc.
In this new role in Chicago, he’s been less of a pick-and-pop big, and more of a jumbo, movement-shooting compliment to Nikola Vucevic, who is the team’s primary screening operator. Chicago runs an entirely different brand of offense from Boston behind Josh Giddey and Coby White, pushing one of the fastest paces in the league and relying on first-read shooting that can often leave Smith in the corner or trailing up the floor with the intent to fire off the catch. In Boston, the role would certainly look a little different, possibly utilizing him in the screen game similar to Al Horford’s role as a stretch shooter.
While it’s inherently intriguing to see a big man with that confidence and range, he has been a mostly below-average 3-point shooter since he shot 42% from deep in his final season with the Pacers, which played a big role in his new contract.
So, does he provide anything else? Luckily, he is more than just an off-the-catch shooter. Smith has proven to be a strong rebounder, averaging 1.97 offensive boards per game, which places him in the 88th percentile in that category according to Basketball Index, and he is in the 98th percentile in defensive rebounding talent, a value that factors in opportunity creation and conversion on the defensive glass.
He is also a solid interior defender despite being slightly undersized at 6-foot-8, using his strength to handle business in the post while being an athletic and active help defender. The field goal percentage for opponent shots contested at the rim by Smith compared to expectations is -7.10%, and while not often a switch defender, Smith is a mobile big that displays swift foot speed in drop coverage and good instincts defending the rim.
Of the three players listed, he probably fits the Muscala Model the least, having been traded just a single time with a price tag that’s possesses more risk/reward than your average Bagley or Richards transaction (although his lone trade was Muscala-coded with a swap of second round picks and Smith moved for Torrey Craig).
Yet, everything outside of Matas Buzelis and Giddey seems to be on the table for the Bulls, who once again find themselves in Play-In Purgatory.
When it comes to Smith, you’re getting a pretty intriguing stretch forward/center capable of getting Boston back into its double-big roots, but the only way a direct trade makes real sense is if it involves the contract of Sam Hauser, a championship piece currently on a fiery hot streak that’s not easy to part with, even with Boston’s wing depth being a strength area so far this season. A more expansive multi-team deal is not out of the question to get it done in a way that adds more moving parts, but if Boston was looking at this option, a hard decision would need to be made.
Barring a trade next week that settles Boston’s trade market strategy, I’ll be back next week for another search for that Muscala-sized void the Celtics could look to fill.
What low-cost trade options do you see as a possible boost to Boston’s rotation?
