Category: Basketball

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The tip the weekend off with some winners in the NBA player prop market and with nine games on the board, there’s no shortage of value to be found.

My favorites for today include Timberwolves big man Rudy Gobert, primed for a big night against the Mavericks, and Kawhi Leonard carrying the momentum from his awesome All-Star game performance into a matchup with the Lakers.

Those and more NBA picks for Friday, February 20 below.

Best NBA player props today

Player	Pick
Rudy Gobert	Over 10.5 points	-105
Julian Strawther	Over 10.5 points	+100
Kawhi Leonard	Over 2.5 threes made	+105

Prop #1: Rudy Gobert Over 10.5 points

-105 at bet365

The Minnesota Timberwolves are primed for a big second half, and it starts as 13.5-point favorites when they host the Dallas Mavericks. And speaking of big, T-Wolves center Rudy Gobert is primed for a big night.

Opposing bigs have feasted on the Mavs this season. Dallas ranks dead last in opponent points in the paint per game, which is where Gobert exclusively works.

Gobert averages 11.1 points per game and dominated in back-to-back games just prior to the break, putting up 17 and 18 points, and has topped this number of 10.5 in three of his last four games overall. 

• Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
• Where to watch: ESPN

Prop #2: Julian Strawther Over 10.5 points

+100 at bet365

Julian Strawther is having a breakout season for the Denver Nuggets. The Nuggets have dealt with numerous injuries this season, which has opened the door for Strawther, and he has taken advantage of the moment.

Strawther is averaging 15.2 points while shooting 40% from three-point range over the last five games, and with Aaron Gordon still out, he should remain in the starting lineup.

Tonight, he and the Nuggets take on a Portland Trail Blazers team that ranks 19th in defensive rating and 20th in opponent effective field goal percentage. Strawther has topped this number in each of the last five games.

• Time: 10:00 p.m. ET
• Where to watch: ALT, KUNP

Prop #3: Kawhi Leonard Over 2.5 threes made

+105 at bet365

Kawhi Leonard looks all the way back after a jaw-dropping performance in the All-Star game. 

The Los Angeles Clippers star put up 31 points, which included going 6-of-7 from three, in just one of the 12-minute mini-games.

He’s been locked in from three-point range for a while. Leonard is shooting 40% from deep on 7.7 attempts per game over his last 24 games, hitting three or more 13 times over that span.

I’m betting he keeps letting it fly against the cross-town rival, the Los Angeles Lakers. L.A. has a problem with the three-ball ranking 22nd in opponent three-point shooting percentage.

• Time: 10:00 p.m. ET
• Where to watch: ESPN

These props are available now at bet365, one of our best betting sites.

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

SAN FRANCISCO — In the corner of the visiting locker room in San Francisco, Dalano Banton chatted up Jordan Walsh.

Banton and Walsh haven’t shared a locker room in years, but they picked up right where they left after Banton signed a ten-day contract with the Celtics on Thursday.

The 26-year-old guard reunited with several former teammates — Jaylen Brown, Jayson Tatum, Neemias Queta, Payton Pritchard, Sam Hauser, and Walsh — as he rejoined the Celtics after an up-and-down two years.

Before the Celtics 121-110 win over the Golden State Warriors, Banton spoke to CelticsBlog about returning to Boston, where he spent the first half of the 2023-2024 campaign. He spent the majority of the last two seasons with the Portland Trail Blazers, where he established himself as a rotation player, but has been relegated to the G League this season.

Today, Banton is just thrilled to be back with the same organization that welcomed him years ago.

“It definitely feels good,” he told CelticsBlog. “I’m grateful and excited for the opportunity. Spending from the start of the season to right about a couple weeks ago in the G, just knowing that the uphill battle, and just sticking to the grind every day — being here is great. A lot of familiar faces, and everyone’s welcoming me back with open arms.”

Banton has had some very successful stretches since he was traded from the Celtics in February of 2024, just months before their title run. He averaged 16.7 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 3.6 assists in Portland for the remainder of that 2023-2024, and subsequently averaged 8.3 points and 2.4 assists in a more limited role with the Blazers last year.

But this year, he was not able to get an NBA contract, and thus joined the Texas Legends, the Dallas Maverick’s G League affiliate team.

In the G League, he’s stayed the course, worked hard, and hoped for an opportunity; averaging 23.7 points, 5.9 assists, and 3.4 rebounds.

Earlier this month, he got a ten-day contract with the Los Angeles Clippers.

Now, he returns to Boston, a team that will need to utilize multiple ten-day contracts this spring in order to stay below the luxury tax line.

“You have the opportunity to play every night — you’ve got to show what you can do,” Banton said. “So you eventually [hope to] get called up somewhere — knowing if that was going to be here somewhere else, I really never knew. But I’m just kind of waiting for the opportunity, and just know I have to stay down and continue to grind to get it.”

Reconnecting with Brad Stevens, Joe Mazzulla and the Celtics

Joe Mazzulla is happy to see Banton once again donning Celtics green.

“I’m glad to have him back,” Mazzulla said. “He’s worked hard when he was with us before, but just his ability to — extra ball handling — but really his ability defensively to impact the game. Whether it’s on the ball, whether it’s with his ball pressure, whether it’s his defensive activity. I’m excited to have him back and working with him.”

Banton told CelticsBlog that since he was traded from the Celtics, Brad Stevens has kept in touch.

“I’ve definitely had great relationship with a lot of people here,” he said. “Brad’s been good to me ever since they signed me here a couple years ago. He always kept that relationship with them, always talking to my agent and stuff like that about me, keeping tabs on me.”

He also said that he was particularly excited to reunite with player development coaches Steve Tchiengang and Tyler Lashbrook, both of whom are still with the Celtics.

“Tyler was my player development [coach], that’s my brother,” he said. “We always talk. All the time that I was gone, [he was] checking in on me and stuff.”

Banton didn’t lace up in his first game back with the Celtics, a blowout win over the Warriors. He’ll be with the team for the remainder of this roadtrip, which includes games against the Los Angeles Lakers, Phoenix Suns, and Denver Nuggets.

Then, next Friday, the Celtics host the Brooklyn Nets.

If and when he does get an on-court opportunity, Banton doesn’t want to force the issue.

“I’m not trying to come in and trying to show you everything you could do in a possession or two,” he said. “If they brought you here, I’m sure that they watched film on you, and studied your game, and know what you can do. But just definitely bringing energy, playing hard, trying to be a good teammate, and just showing your face around the organization — just in case the team, or whoever it is, does want to keep you around.”

Payton Pritchard said it was great to see Banton reconnect with his former teammates.

“It’s been a journey for him,” Pritchard said. “For him to work his way back into the league and get an opportunity again, it’s a testament to his work ethic.”

For Banton, the reunion has extended beyond just the players and coaches themselves — two years later, many of his teammates kids have grown up, too.

“When I first got here, a lot of people were just starting to have kids, and just to see that they’re getting older and stuff now is great,” he said. “It’s great to come around and just gel and rekindle with the guys.”

The Washington Wizards host the Indiana Pacers again tonight

Game info

When: Friday, Feb. 19 at 7:00 p.m. ET

Where: Capital One Arena, Washington, D.C.

How to watch: Monumental Sports Network, League Pass

Injuries: For the Wizards, Trae Young (knee, quad), Anthony Davis (hand, groin), Cam Whitmore (shoulder), Alex Sarr (hamstring), and D’Angelo Russell (not with team) are out.

For the Pacers, Aaron Nesmith (lumbar), Micah Potter (ankle), TJ McConnell (hamstring), Quenton Jackson (G League) are questionable, while Ivica Zubac (ankle), Pascal Siakam (personal), Obi Toppin (foot), Tyrese Haliburton (Achilles), and Johnny Furphy (knee) are out.

What to watch for

The Wizards will host the Pacers for the second straight day. Washington drew first blood last night and will have another opportunity to make it 2-for-2. In games where the Wizards are playing teams that are also doing poorly in the standings, it is not a bad thing to see them win here and there. This is one of those times.

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The Indiana Pacers and Washington Wizards tip off at Capital One Arena for the second straight night.

The hosts eked out a low-scoring win on Thursday, and I’m expecting the two teams to cash another Under in my Pacers vs. Wizards predictions & NBA picks for Friday, February 20.

Pacers vs Wizards prediction

Pacers vs Wizards best bet: Under 231 (-110)

Tonight’s game between the Indiana Pacers and Washington Wizards is certainly not the most exciting offensive matchup, with Indiana (111 ppg; 28th) and Washington (112.1 ppg; 25th) both ranking in the bottom six in scoring.

To make matters worse for the Pacers, they’ll be without three starters tonight, including two of their top four scorers in Pascal Siakam and Aaron Nesmith.

The Pacers have been a cash cow for Unders this season, hitting the Under in 58.9% of their games – tied for the fifth-most in the NBA.

These teams combined for just 217 points last night and will cash another Under tonight.

Pacers vs Wizards same-game parlay

The Wizards were in control for most of last night’s meeting and are 9-2 ATS in their last 11 home games vs. the Pacers.

Meanwhile, Indiana is 1-4 without their leading scorer, Siakam, this season.

Pacers vs Wizards SGP

• Under 231
• Wizards moneyline

Our "from downtown" SGP: Rebounding party

The Wizards are the worst rebounding team in the NBA, giving up 47.8 opponent boards per game.

Pacers trio Jarace Walker, Kobe Brown, and Jay Huff all hit the Over on their rebound line last night, while Andrew Nembhard has recorded Over 2.5 boards in seven of his last 10 outings.

Pacers vs Wizards SGP

• Jay Huff Over 5.5 rebounds
• Kobe Brown over 7.5 rebounds
• Jarace Walker Over 7.5 rebounds
• Andrew Nembhard Over 2.5 rebounds

Pacers vs Wizards odds

• Spread: Indiana -1.5 (-110) | Washington +1.5 (-110)
• Moneyline: Indiana -125 | Washington +105
• Over/Under: Over 231 (-110) | Under 231 (-110)

Pacers vs Wizards betting trend to know

The Under is 11-4 in Washington’s last 15 games, and 4-1 in the last five meetings. Find more NBA betting trends for Pacers vs. Wizards.

How to watch Pacers vs Wizards

Pacers vs Wizards latest injuries

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

Kings guard Russell Westbrook struggled offensively and his wife, Nina, felt the wrath of one angry fan after Sacramento’s 131-94 loss to the Orlando Magic Thursday.

Taking to her Instagram Stories Friday, Nina shared a negative email she received with the subject line, “F–k you,” adding that getting lewd messages has become “routine” for the couple.

“Your piece of f-kn s–t husband sucks so f-kn bad can’t even get 10 points is pathetic,” the email states. “I hope you both die in a car crash dumb bitch.”

Nina added, “The negative effects of sports betting. Brings out the worst in ppl.”

Westbrook, who had five points in the loss at Golden 1 Center, was 2-of-8 shooting and 1-of-6 from the three-point range.

Nina expressed gratitude for the support she and Westbrook, 37, have received, but noted the vile email “is not an isolated incident.”

“It’s something my husband and I consider routine. With that said, I’m sharing this now because I’m growing increasingly concerned for athletes.

“I felt it important to highlight the effects that sports betting has on individuals and how it puts athletes and their families in potentially dangerous situations. It’s an aspect of sports betting that no one seems interested in discussing.

“As an LMFT [Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist], I have a keen understanding of the psychological implications and dangers of sports betting and gambling. Gambling is a highly addictive behavior, and people should understand the risks associated with it, especially before introducing it to their children.

“I don’t claim to have all the answers, but the threatening behavior directed toward athletes and their families after games has proven to be one of the early results of amped up sports betting.”

The veteran guard — a former NBA Most Valuable Player and nine-time All-Star — signed a one-year deal with the Kings before the 2025-26 season.

Westbrook spent the 2024-25 season with the Denver Nuggets, averaging 13.3 points, 4.9 rebounds, 6.1 assists and 1.4 steals per game in 75 appearances and 36 starts.  

This isn’t the first time the Westbrooks have spoken publicly about negative fan behavior.

In 2022, Westbrook addressed the “Westbrick” nickname that fans had given him as he struggled to shake a months-long shooting slump while with the Lakers.

He explained at the time that the ongoing harassment from fans had negatively affected his family so much that they didn’t want to attend his games.

Nina also said in a series of tweets that the Westbrook family had received “death wishes” from critics.

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The Minnesota Timberwolves need to string together a win streak.

Just a modest five- or six-game winning streak would propel Minnesota into the top three of the West.

But to do so, it needs to easily handle teams intent on tanking, like the Dallas Mavericks.

My Mavericks vs. Timberwolves predictions take the risk of trusting Minnesota against a shorthanded opponent, usually a risk in NBA picks, but not on Friday, February 20.

Mavericks vs Timberwolves prediction

Mavericks vs Timberwolves best bet: Timberwolves 1H -8.5 (-105)

The Dallas Mavericks’ injury report has already decided this game.

Not even the Minnesota Timberwolves can treat this game so lightly as to jeopardize an easy win. Naji Marshall, P.J. Washington, and Klay Thompson won’t be able to keep this close, even through the first half.

Minnesota should also cruise to covering the full-game spread of -13.5, but as far as a best bet is concerned, an entire fourth quarter of garbage time should not be trusted.

Mavericks vs Timberwolves same-game parlay

The Timberwolves’ reserves should also gas the Mavericks’ bench.

Minnesota has a quality bench, one that should take over for Anthony Edwards relatively early in this rout.

Mavericks vs Timberwolves SGP

• Timberwolves 1H -8.5
• Timberwolves -13.5
• Anthony Edwards Under 28.5 points

Our "from downtown" SGP: Big Ru Goes Brr

Rudy Gobert should dominate the glass tonight, especially if Mavs’ big man Daniel Gafford is ruled out.

A few lobs to Gobert should be easy pickings against this Dallas roster.

Mavericks vs Timberwolves SGP

• Timberwolves 1H -8.5
• Timberwolves -13.5
• Anthony Edwards Under 28.5 points
• Rudy Gobert Over 10.5 points

Mavericks vs Timberwolves odds

• Spread: Mavericks +13.5 (-110) | Timberwolves -13.5 (-110)
• Moneyline: Mavericks +500 | Timberwolves -700
• Over/Under: Over 239.5 (-110) | Under 239.5 (-110)

Mavericks vs Timberwolves betting trend to know

Dallas went 0-5 against the spread in its last five games before the All-Star break. Find more NBA betting trends for Mavericks vs. Timberwolves.

How to watch Mavericks vs Timberwolves

Mavericks vs Timberwolves latest injuries

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

Yep, that will definitely fix it this time. 

More changes to combat tanking are coming to the NBA next season, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania. Trying to combat year-over tanking, they’ll be cracking down on what protections you can put on a traded pick, how many consecutive years in a row you can land a top-4 pick, and another flattening of the lottery odds. Here are the specifics.

The Sixers hope that these changes won’t really impact them any time soon, but given their history, it felt worth touching on. 

Preventing teams from tanking for multiple seasons is clearly what the league is trying to crack down on. That’s why teams will no longer be able to pick in the top-4 in consecutive years, especially if they’ve been a bottom three team in consecutive years. 

The league so desperately doesn’t want teams to do what the Washington Wizards and Utah Jazz have over the past few years, yet they are doing the opposite of addressing that problem. One of the biggest reasons why those two teams in particular have punted season after season is because the lottery continues to give them nothing to show for it. 

Of the past five drafts, those two teams have only gotten one top-5 pick, when the Wizards won the No. 2 overall pick in the 2024 draft, the weakest draft by any measure of the last decade. Now the odds have only gotten worse for the bottom of the league. 

The flattened lottery odds that were introduced back in 2019 were so harmful to both of those franchises that they said screw it and abandoned that plan altogether. Instead the Wizards and Jazz both made pre-agency trades to acquire Trae Young, Anthony Davis and Jaren Jackson Jr., respectively. 

Another measure they’ve taken to prevent this from happening year over year is lottery odds being allocated on two-year records. 

Each season is its own story with its own wrinkles. Using a two-season record to determine one year’s drafting doesn’t account for any of the outliers. What about last year’s Sixers team, thrust into the top of the lottery because of an injury-riddled season? 

That same logic went into the rule that teams can’t pick in the top-4 after making the conference finals the year prior. Again, there’s a great example, one happening right now, that shows the flaws in this idea. 

Of course that would be the Indiana Pacers. No one said it better than the god of Pacers coverage, Caitlin Cooper, who tweeted that it takes something pretty bad happening for a team to make it to a top-4 pick after making the conference finals — why should they be penalized twice?

Most of these changes fall apart when given a second thought. It only makes sense when you realize the league isn’t trying to cater to the Pacers fan still watching them in March, but rather the fan who is willing to gamble on the Pacers in March. 

The integration of sports betting has long been a priority for this league’s administration, and when Ben Golliver reported that angry sportsbooks were part of this renewed anti-tanking push, it felt like the quiet part was being said out loud.

That is really the only reason this has become the talk of the league. It’s not like tanking is some great offense to fanbases they can’t stand going through. Most well adjusted fans would rather their team try to build something meaningful rather than be the Chicago Bulls. 

Tanking isn’t a real problem, but it will cause the league real issues as long as they continue to panic about it. 

Send in your questions now for this week’s episode of The Pindown: A Detroit Pistons Podcast to discuss everything Pistons. Submit your question to the comments section here or on X/Twitter to @TheRealWesD3 and/or @blakesilverman.

Join us live on Saturday afternoon for the show where we’ll recap the Pistons’ triumphant return from the All-Star break. How optimistic are you feeling after Cade Cunningham’s big night against the Knicks? What does Jalen Duren’s return mean for the next chunk of games? And, how about that All-Star Game?

Plus, The Pindown has a phone line where you can leave a message and hear your voice on the show. Call (313) 355-2717 and leave us a voicemail with your question. Please try to keep the message around 45 seconds or less so we can fit everyone into the show.

The podcast will be uploaded to all audio platforms the following morning.

The Pindown: A Detroit Pistons Podcast Vitals:

When: Saturday February 21 at 2 p.m. ET

Where: Detroit Bad Boys YouTube Channel

How to submit questions:

• Detroit Bad Boys Website: Comment section of the weekly Pindown episode articles.
• Call (313) 355-2717 and leave us a voicemail with your question. Please try to keep the message to 45 seconds or less.
• Twitter: @detroitbadboys, @blakesilverman or @therealwesd3
• YouTube: Chat section of The Pindown live recording — Subscribe here

As always, leave any questions or topics you want to be discussed in the comment section below.

PALLEKELE, Sri Lanka (AP) — Australia crushed Oman by nine wickets in a dead rubber at the T20 World Cup on Friday, reaching its winning total with more than 10 overs remaining.

Defeats against Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka had already led to the shocked Australians exiting the tournament at the first stage.

Adam Zampa, who went wicketless against Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka, picked up 4-21 as Australia bowled out Oman for 104 in 16.2 overs after captain Mitchell Marsh won the toss and chose to field.

Marsh then blazed a 26-ball half century inside the power play and motored Australia to 108-1 in only 9.4 overs for a consolation win. Marsh smashed seven fours and four sixes in his 33-ball unbeaten 64 and Travis Head scored 32 off 19 deliveries before he skied a catch when Australia needed 12 runs for victory.

Australia finished third in Group B while Oman rounded off its campaign with four defeats in four games and was last in the five-team group.

The indifferent form of Marsh’s men had encouraged Oman skipper Jatinder Singh to declare “it is the best time to crush” Australia on the eve of the game. Instead, Australian bowlers dominated.

Xavier Bartlett (2-27) crashed the leg stump of Aamir Kaleem off the very first ball and Singh also got clean bowled by Bartlett inside the power play after hitting three boundaries in his knock of 17.

Zampa and Glenn Maxwell (2-13) struck regularly in the middle overs before Wasim Ali scored 32 off 33 balls and helped Oman reach the 100-run mark. Zampa grabbed his fourth four-wicket haul at T20 World Cups by claiming the last two wickets off successive deliveries.

The Super 8 stage of the tournament begins Saturday with Pakistan taking on New Zealand in Colombo in Group 2 that also features co-host Sri Lanka and England. The unbeaten teams in the group stage -- defending champion India, South Africa, West Indies and Zimbabwe – are in Group 1.

___

AP cricket: https://apnews.com/hub/cricket

The Boston Celtics face the Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday (2/22 at 6:30 PM on NBC/Peacock) and it will be just another matchup between the sport’s greatest rivals. So I thought I’d take a moment to take a trip down memory lane and talk about the past. What was your favorite memory?

It is hard not to go straight to the Finals matchups. If you are old enough to remember Bill Russell and Bob Cousy taking down Jerry West and others over and over again, well bless your soul and thank you for still coming to this site.

I’m old enough to remember the pain of 1985 and the feeling that we were robbed of our revenge in 1986 where we surely would have rolled over them like we did the Rockets. I don’t have a lot of memories of 1984 unfortunately (I was just turning 9 at the time).

Obviously there was the ultra-glorious 2008 run. With Ray Allen breaking Sasha Vujačić’s ankles on the way to a series clinching layup. Paul Pierce hoisting the Finals MVP trophy. Kevin Garnett screaming “Anything is possibllllllllllllllllle!!!”

But there have been countless regular season matchups as well. Bird and Magic were on National TV any time they met in the 80’s, and for good reason. The Big 3 always battled Kobe well. And Tatum and Brown have continued the legacy, including a sweet blowout over LeBron in 2021.

What memories do you have of the rivalry? Share in the comments below! And Beat LA!

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The Battle of Los Angeles takes center stage tonight at Crypto.com Arena, and while the Clippers are settling into their own home, this remains a Purple and Gold city. With the Lakers entering as 7.5-point favorites, there’s no better time to capitalize on their dominance with a three-leg same-game parlay.

My NBA picks expect Luka Dončić to continue his MVP-caliber campaign alongside the timeless brilliance of LeBron James, who thrives under the bright lights of this rivalry. Between Luka’s playmaking and LeBron’s efficiency, the Lakers appear primed to defend their home court tonight.

This parlay has been BOOSTED from +550 to +600 by our friends at bet365.

Clippers vs Lakers same game parlay for February 20

Los Angeles Clippers vs  Los Angeles Lakers

• Time: 10:00 p.m. ET
• Location: Crypto.com Arena
• TV: ESPN, ESPN Unlimited, FDSN, SPECSN

While this is his first game back from a hamstring strain—and you’d normally expect some form of minutes restriction—Luka Dončić played in the NBA All-Star Game on Sunday and then had extended time off to continue his rehab. Because of that, I don’t expect any restriction to be particularly limiting. The Clippers love to blitz Dončić and force the ball out of his hands, and with the Lakers fully healthy on Friday, he’ll have no shortage of capable teammates to convert those potential assists.

With Ivica Zubac no longer anchoring the middle and Brook Lopez expected to start at center, the Clippers are likely to rely more on deep drop coverage, which should open up plenty of passing lanes for Dončić.

In their previous matchups with the Clippers this season, Rui Hachimura and LeBron James have converted the most assists from Dončić, with five each. With the Clippers blitzing Dončić to get the ball out of his hands, that should open up driving lanes for James, who will be operating off Dončić’s gravity. The spacing for James to get downhill should also be there, as the Lakers are fully healthy and the roster is filled with shooters and scorers like Austin Reaves and Hachimura.

When you bet an alternate over on the assists of a primary creator like Luka Dončić, pairing it with the team’s moneyline often makes a lot of sense. If Dončić gets to 10+ assists, it means his teammates are converting shots—likely including open threes and easy finishes from role players. With the Clippers playing on the second night of a back-to-back, there’s also a realistic chance we gain additional edge if their starting lineup changes closer to tip-off due to the scheduling spot.

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