Our NBA player prop projections are locked in for tonight’s clash between the Cade Cunningham-less Detroit Pistons and Anthony Edward-less Minnesota Timberwolves, 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 Saturday, March 28.
Pistons vs Timberwolves computer picks for March 28
Pistons
Timberwolves
Duren u22.5 points -112
Randle o22.5 points -105
Jenkins u6.5 assists +115
Gobert o11.5 rebounds -135
Duren o10.5 rebounds +105
Reid u2.5 3-pointers -170
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Pistons computer picks
Jalen Duren Under 22.5 points (-112)
Projection: 20.1 points
The Detroit Pistons have maintained the fifth-slowest pace in the league over their last five road games, a factor that could affect Jalen Duren’s scoring.
He’s gone Under his 22.5-point line in only three of the past 10 contests, but the Pistons’ slower tempo may make it tougher for him to reach that mark against the Minnesota Timberwolves.
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Daniss Jenkins Under 6.5 assists (+115)
Projection: 6.4 assists
Daniss Jenkins has struggled to consistently reach his assist line lately, going Under 6.5 assists in four of his last 10 games.
The Timberwolves present a tough matchup, ranking among the league’s top teams in limiting secondary playmaking and guarding passing lanes.
Expect Jenkins to face tight pressure, forcing him to adjust his shots and passes — a scenario that makes another Under on his 6.5-assist line likely in today’s game.
span style="font-size: 14px;"🔥/span spanBet jenkins Now at bet365!/span
Jalen Duren Over 10.5 rebounds (+105)
Projection: 11.1 rebounds
Over the past 25 games, the Pistons rank as the NBA’s second-best team in offensive rebounds, a trend that should boost Jalen Duren’s chances to hit his rebounds prop.
He’s gone Over 10.5 rebounds in six of his last 10 games, and with Detroit crashing the boards at such a high rate, another Over looks likely.
span style="font-size: 14px;"🔥/span spanBet duren Now at bet365!/span
Timberwolves computer picks
Julius Randle Over 22.5 points (-105)
Projection: 23.9 points
The Timberwolves have pushed a fast tempo at home, ranking third in pace over their last 20 games, and with Anthony Edwards still out, they’ll rely on Julius Randle to step up.
He’s gone Over 22.5 points in only three of his last 10 games, but with Minnesota’s accelerated pace, Randle will need a strong performance to keep the team competitive.
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Rudy Gobert Over 11.5 rebounds (-135)
Projection: 11.7 rebounds
The Timberwolves have ranked as the NBA’s second-best team in offensive rebounds over their last five games, with Rudy Gobert playing a major role.
He’s gone Over 11.5 rebounds in six of his last 10 games, and his presence on the boards continues to drive Minnesota’s second-chance opportunities.
span style="font-size: 14px;"🔥/span spanBet gobert Now at bet365!/span
Naz Reid Under 2.5 3-pointers (-170)
Projection: 2.2 3-pointers
Over the last 10 games, the Timberwolves rank as the seventh-least aggressive team in the NBA when it comes to 3-point attempts, and Naz Reid has struggled to convert from deep, going Under 2.5 three-pointers in each of his last 10 contests.
span style="font-size: 14px;"🔥/span spanBet reid Now at bet365!/span
How to watch Pistons vs Timberwolves tonight
Location
Target Center, Minneapolis, MN
Date
Saturday, March 28, 2026
Tip-off
5:30 p.m. ET
TV
ABC
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Mar 25, 2026; Portland, Oregon, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Pete Nance (35) dribbles the ball during the second half against Portland Trail Blazers forward Kris Murray (24) at Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images | Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images
In this week’s Tuesday Tracker and SB Nation Reacts poll, we asked you about Bucks owner Wes Edens’ comments regarding Giannis’ offseason extension decision. We also took your opinion on waiving Cam Thomas for Pete Nance. Here are the highlights:
A plurality of our respondents are nonplussed by the binary Edens presented, though 20% of fans wish they’d just bite the bullet and trade him. 23% think Edens should have kept his mouth shut.
Put another way, when asking if the statement made fans nervous about Giannis’ future in Milwaukee, a majority don’t think it will affect his decision, while 24% want the Bucks to trade him.
Trust in ownership is 55/45 right now, with 45% of fans polled believing the Edens/Haslem/Dinan group will not choose their preferred route between rebuilding and contending. 34% think they’ll keep trying to contend and agree with that course forward.
Most voters are on board with waiving Cam Thomas to make room for Pete Nance on a standard deal, though about a third of those voters would have axed Andre Jackson Jr. instead.
Thanks again for voting! Check back on Tuesday for another slate of questions.
Check out FanDuel, the official sportsbook of SB Nation.
Six-year-old Jackson Tuyay became the Lakers viral Rally Kid, energizing Crypto.com Arena and helping spark comeback wins over the Nuggets and Nets.
Six-year-old Jackson Tuyay isn’t on the Lakers roster, he doesn’t log minutes, his stats won’t show up in the box score — and yet, if you were inside Crypto.com Arena over the last two weeks, you’d swear he’s been the most important player in the building.
It all started March 14, in a 127–125 overtime thriller against the Denver Nuggets. The Los Angeles Lakers were dragging, searching, stuck in that familiar late-game fog. Then the videoboard cut to a kid — arms flailing, eyes wide, heart fully on display like a drum pounding against glass.
It all started March 14, in a 127–125 overtime thriller against the Denver Nuggets. Credit: Los Angeles Lakers
Tuyay wasn’t cheering. He was summoning something.
The Lakers stormed back, forced overtime, and won it on a cold-blooded fadeaway from Luka Doncic. Afterward, LeBron James said what everyone was thinking inside the arena.
Six-year-old Jackson Tuyay isn’t on the Lakers roster, he doesn’t log minutes, his stats won’t show up in the box score — and yet, if you were inside Crypto.com Arena over the last two weeks, you’d swear he’s been the most important player in the building. Credit: Los Angeles Lakers
“He’s the reason why we won tonight.”
Say what you want about superstition, about logic, about grown men needing a six-year-old to spark them. Sports has never been about logic. It’s about belief — irrational, electric belief — and right now, that belief wears a kid-sized jersey Lakers jersey.
He’s back! 6-year-old Jackson Tuyay who won the Lakers fan of the game when they beat the Nuggets in overtime is back and trying to rally the #LakeShow to victory. pic.twitter.com/DcePoBCKeX
And when Tuyay returned Friday against the Brooklyn Nets, the script repeated itself. A handmade card for Doncic. Another fourth-quarter appearance. Another surge. Another win for the Lake Show.
Credit: Los Angeles LakersCredit: Los Angeles LakersCredit: Los Angeles LakersCredit: Los Angeles LakersCredit: Los Angeles Lakers
The Lakers don’t need to explain it.
They just need him in the building.
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The Knicks could be getting a big boost to their rotation in the near future.
SNY NBA Insider Ian Begley reports that guard Miles McBride remains on track to make his highly-anticipated return to the court during the team's current four-game road trip.
McBride was ruled out before Friday's loss in Charlotte before tipoff, but sources have told Begley that next weekend's meeting with the defending champion Thunder is still on the table.
The 25-year-old has been sidelined since late January following surgery to repair a sports hernia.
Prior to the injury, he had been enjoying some of the best success of his career in Mike Brown's system, producing 12.9 points per game on 43 percent shooting from the field and 42 percent from three.
There's no denying that getting McBride back will be massive down the stretch heading into the playoffs.
While he may still be limited in the early going, he figures to take minutes from Jordan Clarkson and Tyler Kolek when he works his way back to full strength.
SAN DIEGO, CA - MARCH 22: Zuby Ejiofor #24 of the St. John's Red Storm dribbles up court during the second round game of the 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament against the Kansas Jayhawks at Viejas Arena at San Diego State University on March 22, 2026 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Draft SZN is creeping in, and it is never too early to start digging into scouting reports, circling names, and figuring out who the Phoenix Suns should be eyeing when draft night arrives. The board starts to take shape long before the picks are made, and this is where the groundwork begins.
Brynn Tannehill put together a comprehensive list of prospects projected to land in that range where Phoenix is expected to be selecting, the sweet spot where value meets opportunity. These are the names that matter, the ones who could realistically be there when the Suns are on the clock.
So let’s dive into the list, break it down, and start connecting the dots on who fits, who fills a need, and who might be the next piece in what this team is building. This is a good page to bookmark, for it is filled with numerous prospects.
The Suns have only a single second-round pick in the loaded 2026 draft, and that pick looks to be somewhere around the 46th. I looked at many, many mock drafts and player lists to come up with a selection of players who:
Might be available
Would be a good fit
Fill a need
Provide good value at (roughly) the 46th pick
What I’m looking for in a player at the 46th pick isn’t a potential superstar, or a guy with few if any flaws. I’m looking for guys who have at least one thing about them that’s elite, even if it’s just their box plus/minus. I also tend to value three-point shooting, rebounding, and free throw shooting because they translate directly to the NBA. In other words, if a guy is great at any of these things in college, they’ll likely be good at it in the NBA too.
I regard power forward as the Suns’ position of greatest need, with there being a need for better depth at point guard. I also see room for improvement at small forward, where Brooks’ advanced numbers are so-so, O’Neale is a traffic cone, and Ryan Dunn has failed to improve. Mark Williams is also proving to be pretty “meh” overall. I would not be surprised if he takes a contract way bigger than he’s worth this summer.
The Suns need another shooting guard the way I need a sucking chest wound, and as such, you won’t find any pure shooting guards on this list, and only one shooting guard/small forward. When I look at “fit,” I think guys who produce extra attempts via stocks and offensive rebounds will mesh with the Suns’ philosophy. I also believe they’ll want to look at stretch bigs as a change of pace to Oso and Williams.
With that, here’s my list of potential second round picks that are on my radar.
Alex Karaban (UConn, Senior, SF/PF)
Alex Karaban is a 6’8″, 220-pound elite floor-spacing forward with a 6’11” wingspan, known as a high-IQ, high-volume shooter (from three) with excellent off-screen movement and solid passing skills. A two-time NCAA champion, he projects as a reliable, NBA-ready rotation player, likely a 3-and-D forward, despite lacking elite athleticism or high-level self-creation.
Elite Shooting: A consistent shooter (38-40%+ from three-point range) with quick release and high basketball IQ for finding space.
Movement Shooter: Excellent at shooting off screens, which is his most frequent and effective play type.
Size & Wingspan: Good positional size at 6’8″ with a long 6’11” wingspan, aiding in defense and rebounding.
High IQ/Connective Passer: Makes smart, quick decisions and acts as a connector in the offense.
Efficient Scorer: Highly efficient, able to impact the game without needing many touches.
Weaknesses
Athletic Limitations: Lacks high-end quickness or explosive verticality, which limits his ability to create his own shot or defend quick guards.
Defensive Concerns: Struggles with lateral quickness and navigating screens, potentially making him a target in isolation.
Finishing: Below-the-rim finisher.
Draft Range
Between 20-50 at the extremes, and most likely 38-45.
Why The Suns Should Take a Look
Karaban projects as a tweener forward on a team where the front court has all sorts of issues. Ryan Dunn has failed to develop offensively and has gone long stretches on the bench. Royce O’Neale is a traffic cone on defense, and Dillon Brooks’ on-court and off-court antics (and arrests) are a distraction. Karaban fills a need, and ticks the boxes for fitting the Suns’ vision for versatile, unselfish, high basketball IQ players who can hit the three. There is a chance he will still be available when the Suns make their pick.
NBA Comparisons
Georges Niang, Sam Hauser
Joshua Jefferson (Iowa State, Senior, PF)
Joshua Jefferson is a 6’9″, 240-pound versatile senior forward for Iowa State (formerly St. Mary’s), projected as a 2026 NBA Draft prospect. He is a highly skilled playmaker with elite passing vision and high IQ, frequently acting as a “point-forward”. He is also a reliable, efficient scorer in the paint (99th percentile, 73.9% at the rim) with an improving 3-point range. Defensively, he uses his strength to guard multiple positions and displays strong awareness (2.0+ SPG as a junior). Sixth in the nation in Box Plus Minus (13.4).
Elite Playmaking & Passing: Possesses “point-forward” vision, making advanced reads from the post, in the short-roll, and off the dribble.
Efficient Scorer: A high-level finisher at the rim (73.9%) and effective post-up player.
Versatile Defense & IQ: Uses a 6’9″ frame and 240-pound build to defend multiple positions with high, consistent effort.
High-Basketball IQ: Known for high-level “feel” and spatial awareness.
Weaknesses
Limited Verticality: Lacks elite vertical explosiveness, which limits his ceiling as a rim protector and finisher.
Foot Speed: While generally solid, he can struggle against exceptionally quick, smaller guards on the perimeter.
Shot Creation: Relies more on strength and finesse than explosive first-step quickness.
Age: Almost 23 by the time the 2026-2027 NBA season starts
Draft Range
Mid-to-late first round (18-27), though a few mocks have shown him slipping.
Why the Suns Should Take a Look
Jefferson is one of the best defensive PFs in the draft. He comes with the 10th highest defensive Box Plus Minus (DBPM) in the NCAA, and the 6th highest BPM overall. He’s an interior scorer that the Suns lack, and his passing means that he would do well at finding the open man outside the three-point line. He generates a surprising number of steals for a big, and his passing for a power forward is top-tier, resulting in a remarkably high assist-to-turnover ratio. Again, he grades as a “high-IQ, high-energy” player that the Suns crave.
His lack of three-point shooting and elite athleticism are concerns, but he would bolster a weak Suns frontcourt. All that said, he is unlikely to fall all the way to the mid-second round. If he does, the Suns should take a long, hard look given his credentials. The primary knocks on him are his age, athleticism, and lack of a reliable (but improving) 3-point shot. For all of these reasons, I could see him slipping back to the Suns.
NBA Comparisons
Wendell Carter Jr., Jaylin Williams, Julius Ranlde, and Toumani Camara
Milan Momcilovic (Iowa State, Junior, SF/PF)
As a 22-year-old senior, Jefferson has improved his draft stock significantly by developing into a more consistent three-point shooter and reliable playmaker in Iowa State’s system. He is projected to be a 2026 NBA draft pick in the mid-to-late first round or early second round (Mock 23rd by Tankathon).
Milan Momcilovic is a 6’8″, 210-225-pound forward for Iowa State, recognized as a high-level shooter with elite touch from mid-range and 3-point range. He is a crafty offensive player with strong footwork and a quick release, often using a “Dirk-ish” fadeaway, though he lacks elite speed and strength. Scouts highlight his shooting, but have concerns about his on-ball defensive mobility and rebounding.
Elite Shooting: Possesses a very quick, high-release shot, shooting with high accuracy from 3-point range.
Offensive Skillset: Crafty in the post, utilizing pivot moves, footwork, and a high-arcing turnaround jumper.
High Basketball IQ: Understands spacing, moves well off the ball, and is a reliable passer.
Positional Size: At 6’8″, he has the size to play forward and space the floor, often described as a potential “stretch 4” or shooting wing.
Weaknesses
Athleticism/Lateral Quickness: Lacks elite run/jump ability, struggling to contain smaller guards or quick wings on defense.
Strength/Rebounding: Needs to add strength to defend against bigger players and improve his rebounding, which is considered low for his position.
One-Dimensionality: At this stage, his game is heavily reliant on shooting, leading to questions about his secondary offensive skills at the NBA level.
Draft Range
Mid-second round to undrafted
Why the Suns Should Take a Look
Momcilovic brings one ultra-elite skill to the table: he is one of the best three-point shooters to ever emerge from the NCAA. The downside is he’s not great at anything else. If the Suns decide that they need a cheap replacement for Royce O’Neale, they could do worse than Momcilovic.
It’s also worth remembering that shooters who do nothing else on the court are still capable of carving out long careers for themselves (Kyle Korver and Luke Kennard come to mind). If he’s still available when the Suns pick, Milan strikes me as a low-risk, low-ceiling, WYSIWYG pick who will bring elite 3-point shooting with him to the NBA level. Given that most second round picks rarely last more than a few years, selecting a guy who stands a good chance of lasting a decade in the league seems like a solid way to go.
NBA Comparisons
Sam Hauser, Bojan Bogdanovic, Georges Niang
Baba Miller (Cincinnati, Senior, PF/C)
Baba Miller is a 6’11”, 215-pound forward with exceptional perimeter skills, length, and versatility for his size. Originally from Spain and developed through Real Madrid’s system, he is a fluid athlete with high-level basketball IQ, acting as a “point-forward” with strong passing instincts and capable of initiating fast breaks.
Perimeter Skills: Possesses advanced dribbling ability for a 6’11” player, allowing him to play as a guard, handle the ball in transition, and create for himself or others.
Defensive Versatility: Possesses a reported 7’2″ to 7’3″ wingspan, making him an effective rim protector, helper, and capable of guarding multiple positions, including covering guards on the perimeter.
High Basketball IQ: Demonstrates great awareness, quick decision-making, and high-level, unselfish play.
Shooting Potential: Shows promise as a floor spacer, with the ability to shoot from beyond the arc.
Weaknesses
Strength & Physicality: Needs to continue adding weight and strength to hold his spot in the post and withstand physical play.
Consistency in Shooting: While promising, his three-point shot needs to become more consistent
Offensive Aggression: Needs to be more aggressive offensively on a consistent basis.
Draft Range
Early-to-mid second round
Why the Suns Should Take a Look
Baba Miller comes with two top-tier skills: total rebounding and defensive rebounding in particular. He’s also a fantastic passer for a big and draws fouls at a high rate. He’s not a three-point shooter, and his free throw percentage is “meh”. He’s an excellent defender in space and moves very well, which fits well with the Suns’ defensive schemes.
In many ways, I would regard him as similar to Oso Ighodaro, but a better rebounder and free throw shooter. He’s capable of playing power forward or center, and might prove a good insurance policy if the Suns don’t think they can re-sign Mark Williams.
NBA Comparisons
Jared Jeffries, Leonard Miller, Nerlens Noel, Oso Ighodaro if he could hit free throws and rebound
Pryce Sandfort (Nebraska, Junior, SF)
Pryce Sandfort (Nebraska) is a 6’7″, 215-pound sharpshooting wing with immense potential for the 2026 NBA Draft due to his elite 3-point shooting and high-efficiency offensive game. He excels as a high-volume shooter (nearly 48% 3P in conference play), proficient at attacking closeouts, with a very low turnover rate.
Shooting: Elite shooter with a quick release and deep range. He thrives in catch-and-shoot scenarios, often grading in the top tier nationally for efficiency.
Offensive Versatility: Beyond shooting, he can attack the rim, often finishing at a high rate (around 70%+ true shooting). He makes intelligent reads off the dribble and as a passer.
Efficiency: Shows remarkable efficiency with a low turnover percentage (6.7% TOV%), making him a low-mistake player.
Weaknesses
Defensive & Physicality: As a, at times, average-athleticism defender, he may face questions about his ability to defend quicker players at the next level. However, his positional size and length are beneficial, and he has shown improvement in disrupting plays.
Draft Range
Mid-second round to undrafted
Why the Suns Should Take a Look
Sandfort is basically Koby Brea with a little more meat on him. His defensive numbers aren’t great, but he’s a high-volume, high-efficiency three-point shooter with many of the same qualities seen in Koby Brea. If the Suns want a redo on picking Brea, here’s their chance. Otherwise, there’s probably going to be at least one other player out there who’s a better prospect.
Juke Harris is a 6’7″ 200-pound wing known for his elite scoring jump, shooting efficiency (35.7% 3PT), and improved, high-volume production (20+ PPG). He is considered a “top-tier” shooter with significant physical tools, including a long wingspan and strong athleticism. He is regarded as a potential 2026 NBA Draft prospect, frequently mentioned as a “sleeper” or second-round talent with “boom or bust” potential.
Defensive Consistency: While athletic, he needs to improve off-ball attention and defensive consistency to become a reliable plus defender at the next level.
Physicality/Strength: Continued strength development will help him as a finisher and defender.
Draft Range
Juke’s stock has been rising, from 2nd round consideration to being a late-first to mid-second (25-45) high-risk, high-reward pick.
Why the Suns Should Take a Look
Harris has some of the qualities the Suns have been seeking: he’s got a high wingspan to height ratio, he’s athletic, and he rebounds well for his position and size. He’s a capable scorer In a lot of ways, he reminds me of a bigger Jalen Green (both good and bad). He’s got some real deficiencies (particularly on defense), but he’s also young enough that improvement seems plausible. He was named ACC’s Most Improved Player, averaging a 15.6 PPG increase from the previous season.
NBA Comparisons
Caleb Martin
Henri Veesaar (North Carolina, Junior, PF/C)
Henri Veesaar (7’0″, 225 pounds) is a skilled Estonian center at North Carolina (transferred from Arizona) projected as a high-upside prospect for the 2026 NBA Draft. He is a mobile, pick-and-pop big with a high basketball IQ, solid shooting touch, and impressive rim and rim protection/finishing, though he needs to add strength to improve defensive consistency.
Stretch Big Ability: Veesaar has a developing 3-point shot, making him a threat to pick-and-pop.
Offensive Efficiency: He is a strong finisher at the rim, shooting over 75% there in recent action.
Mobility & IQ: He moves well for a 7-footer, displaying high-level passing, cutting, and intelligent movement within offensive sets.
Rim Protection: His length and timing make him an effective shot-blocker.
Offensive Rebounding: He is active on the glass, averaging high offensive rebound rates.
Weaknesses
Strength & Frame: Needs to add strength to handle physical post play, improve finishing through contact, and hold his ground defensively.
Defensive Consistency: While skilled, he can be foul-prone and struggles in space against quicker guards.
Consistency: Needs to stabilize his shooting percentages to be a reliable floor spacer at the next level.
Draft Range
Late-first to early second round, between 25 and 38 at the extremes.
Why the Suns Should Take a Look
Veesaar offers a lot to love as a mobile PF/C who can hit the three at a high rate and isn’t afraid to take that shot. Recent drafts have shown the “skinny big who hits threes and is drafted late” like Maxime Renaud have a real place in the league.
He’s not as mobile as Baba Miller, but as a 7-footer who shoots threes and passes well, he would fit very well into a 5-out Suns lineup that features Rasheer Fleming at the 4. He’s unlikely to be there when the Suns draft, but if they found a way to move up a few slots, or he slips for some reason, the Suns would do well to take him for how well he fits team needs.
NBA Comparisons
Isaiah Hartenstein, Frank Kaminsky
Alex Condon (Florida, Junior, PF/C)
Alex Condon is a 6’11” (7’0.75″ wingspan) 225-pound Australian forward/center at Florida known as a high-motor, mobile “fixer” with excellent passing, rim protection, and defensive versatility.
High Motor/Mobility: Elite runner for a big man with impressive lateral quickness and fluid movement, allowing him to handle switch-heavy defensive coverages.
Passing & Feel: Displays high-level vision and “big-to-big” passing ability, acting as a connecting hub in the offense.
Defense & Rebounding: Strong rebounder and disruptive rim protector (approx. 1.3-1.4 blocks/game) with disciplined interior positioning.
Physicality: Plays with a physical edge and high toughness, honed from a background in Australian rules football.
Weaknesses
Offensive Polish: Limited offensive game; currently thrives mostly on cuts, offensive rebounds, and handoffs, lacking advanced post or isolation moves.
Perimeter Shooting: His 3-point shot remains a work in progress, and not improving
Size/Strength: While 6’11”, his wingspan is barely as wide as he is tall
Free Throw Shooting: Inconsistent at the line, often hitting in the 65% range.
Draft Range
Mock drafts have Condon going anywhere between 19 (USA Today) and 50 (NBA Draft Room). Averages out to the 38-41 range.
Why the Suns Should Take a Look
Condon has improved his stats in every key category over three seasons at Florida. He’s a dirt worker, high-IQ, energy guy who often tends to find a way to stick in the league. The Suns could do a lot worse by bringing him in to fill a Jock Landale/Lou Amundson role to provide depth at the 4/5 position.
NBA Comparisons
Isaiah Hartenstein, James Augustine, Jock Landale
Zuby Ejiofor (St. John’s, Senior, PF/C)
Zuby Ejiofor (6’9″, 245 pounds) is a high-energy, physical senior forward/center widely regarded as a 2026 NBA Draft prospect and 2026 Big East DPOY. He thrives as an undersized rim protector with a 7’1″ wingspan, good rebounding ability (14.6 ORB%), and versatile defensive potential. He is considered a “glue guy” due to his high motor and improved passing.
Defensive Versatility: Strong, physical interior defender who can also switch onto guards in a high-switch scheme. Averaged 2.2 blocks and 1.2 steals in 2025-26.
Rebounding/Motor: Relentless on the boards, particularly on the offensive end, with a high-energy, high-motor style.
Passing/Playmaking: Surprisingly high assist rate for a big, showing ability to operate at the top of the key and find cutters or open shooters.
Physical Finisher: Strong rim runner who excels at put-backs and finishing with contact.
Weaknesses
Size Constraints: At 6’9″, he is slightly undersized for a pure NBA center, which may cause issues against elite 7-footers.
Perimeter Shooting: While improving, his 3-point shot (approx. 30% on low volume) is not yet a consistent weapon to pull opposing bigs out of the paint.
Off-ball Discipline: Can be lured out of position defensively by clever opposing offenses.
Draft Range
Ejiofor is widely projected to be a second-round pick, with some projections pushing him into the late first-round range due to his 2026 performance, where he won both Big East Player and Defensive Player of the Year. He is expected to be an energy big-man backup in the NBA.
Why the Suns Should Take a Look
Ejiofor jumps off the page with how his advanced stats jump off the page. He was third in national BPM rankings (14.5), 8th in DBPM, and 10th in OBPM. Only Cameron Boozer and Yaxel Lendeborg rank higher. What keeps him from being a lottery pick is his size for playing center in college, the need to adapt to playing power forward in the NBA, and perimeter shooting.
However, there’s so much to like here as well. He’s a hustle and grit guy who also has good court awareness. He anticipates very well, leading to 3.5 APG and 3.4 stocks. He plays bigger than 6’9” due to his wingspan. His free throw shooting is good enough that he could plausibly improve in other areas (such as the mid-range).
Looking at his Tankathon profile, the thing that jumps out at me is that I’ve only seen one other second round pick with so many strong positives, and so few negatives (which single him out as being a slightly below average rebounder for his size, and being older than the ideal draft pick), and that was Rasheer Fleming (though Ejiofor has more positives than Fleming, which is saying a lot).
If Ejiofor is still on the board when the Suns make their pick, they’d be foolish not to roll the dice on a player that’s got so many of the intangibles the Suns are looking for.
NBA Comparisons
Xavier Tillman, Isaiah Stewart
JT Toppin (Texas Tech, Junior, PF)
JT Toppin is a highly productive, 6’9″ (230 pounds) power forward/center with a 7’0.5″ wingspan, known for his elite motor, rebounding, and interior finishing. Toppin projects as an energy big or “garbage man” scorer who thrives on cuts, putbacks, and defensive versatility.
Elite Rebounder & Motor: Toppin is regarded as one of the nation’s best rebounders, high-motored, and relentless on the offensive glass.
Finishing & Touch: Excellent finisher around the rim with both hands, especially on cuts and in the dunker spot (63.3% on cuts).
Defensive Versatility: Possesses quick feet for a big man, allowing him to switch onto guards effectively. He is a disruptive defender with good length (7’0.5″ wingspan) and shot-blocking capability (1.9 blocks per game as a freshman).
Improvement: Showed significant development from his freshman year at New Mexico to his sophomore year at Texas Tech, improving his free throw shooting from 56% to over 70%.
Weaknesses
Lack of Spacing: While he has shown flashes of a pick-and-pop game, he is not yet a consistent threat from 3-point range.
Size for Position: He is considered a “tweener” at 6’9″, potentially undersized to be a full-time NBA center, requiring him to play the 4 or improve his perimeter skills.
Playmaking: He has shown a tendency for a negative assist-to-turnover ratio, indicating a need for better feel and decision-making in his offensive game.
Defensive Discipline: Despite his athleticism, he can be prone to biting on pump fakes and overcommitting.
Draft Range
JT Toppin projects in the 25-40 range, but most likely 25-35. He probably would go higher than that if he had not torn his ACL in February 2026.
Why the Suns Should Take a Look
The Suns don’t have a lot of great options at PF. They also don’t have much in the way of cap space. Nor do they have much in the way of draft assets. JT Toppin is a first round talent who’s likely to fall into the second round due to his ACL injury. If other teams are scared away by the length of his recovery, the Suns should take a long-term view and pick him up. I look at Toppin as one of the most likely people to fall in the draft through no fault of their own, making him one of the best potential “value picks” possible. On top of that, his stocks and hustle make him a good fit with the Suns’ overall philosophy of what sort of players they want.
NBA Comparisons
Larry Nance Jr. or Jarred Vanderbilt with better offensive touch.
Bruce Thornton (Ohio State, Senior, PG)
Bruce Thornton is a 6’2″, 215-pound point guard known as a “master of control” with high-level efficiency, elite ball security, and a strong, stocky frame. He is a consistent three-level scorer (50% FG, 42% 3PT in 2024-25) who excels in the pick-and-roll, plays physically, and acts as a safe, high-IQ floor general. While sometimes limited by his height and lack of elite burst, he is projected as a 2026 second-round pick.
Offensive Efficiency: A highly controlled and efficient scorer, often working with a 50/40/85+ shooting split.
Physicality & Strength: Known as a “running back” built guard who can absorb contact at the rim and hold his own against larger opponents on defense.
Elite Decision Making: Possesses a very high assist-to-turnover ratio (3.15 in 2025-26) and operates pick-and-roll at an NBA level.
Mid-range & Floater Game: Excellent at operating within the mid-range with a high-level floater and pull-up jump shot.
Defensive Intensity: A tenacious on-ball defender who plays with high intensity and uses his strength to disrupt ball handlers.
Weaknesses
Undersized for NBA: At 6’2″, he lacks the ideal height and length for a modern NBA guard, which may limit his defensive versatility.
Lack of Elite Burst: Relies more on strength and timing than quick acceleration, making it difficult to create separation against top-tier athletic defenders.
Fastbreak Scoring: Struggles to generate points in high-tempo, open-court situations.
Age: He is 22.5 years old as of early 2026, which limits his upside
Why the Suns Should Take a Look
Nothing about Thornton immediately stands out as something elite. However, when you dive a little deeper into his statistics, you see that this isn’t true. For a point guard, Thornton is elite in a lot of areas, including two-point field goal percentage, true-shooting percentage, offensive rating, assist-to-turnover ratio, turnovers, rebounding, and three-point field goal percentage. He gets these numbers while shooting at a high volume from both inside and outside the arc. I’m not bothered by his middling assist rate: he makes smart passes, runs an offense extremely effectively, and was 30th in the nation in scoring while shooting a ridiculous 62.6% EFG and 66.5% TS.
While many writers have bemoaned his 6’2” stature, that’s an inch off the “ideal”. Unlike many other “smaller” point guards, his running back frame makes it impossible for other guards to simply push him out of the way.
There’s also his “almost intangibles” measured by his plus/minus metrics. Thornton was 8th in the nation in total Box Plus Minus (BPM), and 4th in Offensive BPM. This tells me that on offense, Thornton does all the “little things” that make his team better, along with things that show up in traditional stats. His defense is just ok, but his high motor, high basketball IQ, and strength to fight through screens will prevent him from being a complete minus the way Tyus Jones was. My opinion is that Thornton has the tools to be another Colin Gillespie-type player: borderline starter on a good team that will be available late in the second round.
NBA Comparisons
Jalen Brunson, Jevon Carter
Rueben Chinyelu (Florida, Junior, PF/C)
Rueben Chinyelu (6’10”, 265 pounds) is a high-motor, physical Florida Gators center and 2026 NBA Draft prospect known as an elite rebounder and rim protector with a massive 7’8″ wingspan. He projects as a “Bismack Biyombo-type” energy big, offering immense strength, defensive versatility, and finishing ability, though he is currently limited offensively outside the paint.
Physicality & Motor: Chinyelu has an NBA-ready frame with elite strength and high-intensity energy, making him a dominant presence in the paint.
Defense & Rim Protection: He is an exceptional defender with great verticality, lateral agility to switch on the perimeter, and shot-blocking ability.
Rebounding: He is considered one of the best rebounders in college basketball, regularly posting double-doubles.
Weaknesses
Offense: Limited to playing around the basket. He excels at dunks and offensive putbacks but lacks a consistent perimeter shot.
Decision making: Needs to refine his offensive game, improve decision-making under pressure (0.7 A:TO ratio), and manage foul trouble.
Why the Suns Should Take a Look
Chinyelu projects as a Suns kind of role-player. He has an insane wingspan ratio and plays taller than he is, meaning that he can switch and recover like a 6’10” player, and block shots like a guy who’s closer to 7’2”. He has a standing reach of 9’4” inches, which is only 2 inches less than Khaman Maluach, who is also known for having a ridiculous vertical reach.
He’s also known as a “maximum effort” player who is aggressive almost to a fault, though this has improved in his Junior year. Chinyelu is like Momcilovic: he has a generational-level elite skill in one area. While Momcilovic may be the best three-point shooter to come out of college hoops in a decade, Rueben Chinyelu is the best per-36 rebounder in a decade as well. To put it in comparison, his RPM per minute is on par with Dennis Rodman at his peak.
The reason I include both players on this list is that rebounding and three-point shooting (along with free throw percentage) tend to be the skills that translate most readily to the NBA.
The other sneaky thing I like about him is the improvement he’s shown every year in college. This is guy who isn’t just getting better every year, it’s in every area and by leaps and bounds. This guy is not done improving. He’s from Nigeria and took up the game later than most, meaning that he has more “upside” than most players his age as he learns the game.
NBA Comparisons
A bigger Bismack Biyombo if he were an average free throw shooter. Or, Clint Capela with better mobility and free throw shooting.
Final Analysis
Given all of these factors, if I had a draft board that ranks who I would take if they’re available, this is how it would shake out:
Joshua Jefferson: Very unlikely to be available, but Julius Randle-level upside
JT Toppin: A borderline lottery pick if not for injury
Zuby Ejiofor: One of the best players two years running at the college level. Elite intangibles
Henri Veesaar: Sweet shooting PF/C to stretch the floor
Rueben Chinyelu: Rebounding machine with a clear NBA role and good fit
Milan Momcilovic: 6’8” 50% three-point shooters will always have a spot in the league
Bruce Thornton: Smart, efficient point guard with a bad rap for being one inch too short. Could easily be a steal of the second round like Gillespie
Alex Karaban: He shoots threes, meh rebounder, and can play a little 4. Nothing special
Alex Condon: We already have Oso Ighodaro at home, dear.
Baba Miller: Kirkland-brand Oso Ighodaro
Pryce Sandfort: Not sure what he provides that Koby Brea doesn’t
Juke Harris: Low efficiency chucker who doesn’t play defense either. No future in the league. See also: Cam Thomas, Ricky Davis
The NBA Draft is 89 days away, set for June 24, and although the league now stretches it into a two day event, it looks like the Suns will be waiting until day two before they are on the clock in the second round. That leaves plenty of time to do your own scouting, form your own opinions on these prospects, and change your mind five different times before draft night finally gets here.
The Phoenix Suns host the Utah Jazz tonight at Mortgage Matchup Center as the home team looks to get back on track in the win column.
The Utah Jazz are actively trying to lose games, but my Jazz vs. Suns predictions expect the visiting squad to keep the game somewhat close and cover a huge spread.
Here are my best free NBA picks for this Western Conference matchup on Saturday, March 28.
Jazz vs Suns prediction
Jazz vs Suns best bet: Jazz +16.5 (-110)
Tanking has gotten so out of hand that spreads this large aren’t surprising anymore, and no team has refined the art of the tank better than the Utah Jazz. Utah’s young rotation players continue to play competitive basketball despite leading scorers, rebounders, and facilitators missing significant time.
Utah has either lost by less than 17 points or outright won eight of its last 10 games, including a close loss to the Nuggets on Friday. The Jazz are 18-17 ATS on the road and 16-16 as the road underdog. Utah is 3-1 ATS as an underdog of 10+ points on the road.
The Phoenix Suns haven’t played well enough as of late to be favored by 17 points. The Suns are 7-3 ATS across their last 10 games, but Phoenix is just 4-6 straight up and won only one game by 17 or more points.
Phoenix is just 10-11 ATS as the home favorite and 2-2 when favored by at least 10 points at home.
Phoenix has the rest advantage tonight, as the Jazz are playing the second leg of a back-to-back set. Bettors shouldn’t be concerned, as the Jazz are 8-6 ATS on no rest. I’ll take the shorthanded Jazz to keep this game within punching distance and cover a monstrously large spread.
Jazz vs Suns same-game parlay
The Jazz play at a fast pace and play very little defense. Utah has hit the Over in eight of its last 10 games, and Phoenix has done so five times in that span. The point total is set a bit low tonight, so I lean the Over.
Kyle Filipowski has averaged 13.2 points in 35 games as a starter, scoring 13+ 20 times. Over his last 10, he's averaged 14.5 points and hit the Over five times. In that 10-game span, the big man has corralled 8.6 rebounds, going for 8+ six times, including three of his last four.
He’s the last man standing in Utah’s decimated frontcourt, and he’s made the most of his opportunities as the team’s starting center.
Jazz vs Suns SGP
Jazz +16.5
Over 230
Kyle Filipowski Over 12.5 points
Kyle Filipowski Over 7.5 rebounds
Our "from downtown" SGP: Youth Gone Wild!
Utah's young scorers have stepped up in a big way down the stretch, and they'll need to continue scoring at a high level to stay competitive with Phoenix.
Brice Sensabaugh finished with just 13 points in Friday's loss to the Nuggets, but he scored 21+ in six straight games before that dud while averaging a robust 28 points.
Ace Bailey has averaged 25 points across his last five games, scoring 18+ three times in that span.
Jazz vs Suns SGP
Kyle Filipowski Over 12.5 points
Kyle Filipowski Over 7.5 rebounds
Brice Sensabaugh Over 20.5 points
Ace Bailey Over 17.5 points
Jazz vs Suns odds
Spread: Jazz +16.5 | Suns -16.5
Moneyline: Jazz +800 | Suns -1300
Over/Under: Over 230 | Under 230
Jazz vs Suns betting trend to know
The Phoenix Suns have only covered the 4Q Spread in 14 of their last 40 games (-16.55 Units / -35% ROI). Find more NBA betting trends for Jazz vs. Suns.
How to watch Jazz vs Suns
Location
Mortgage Matchup Center, Phoenix, AZ
Date
Saturday, March 28, 2026
Tip-off
10:00 p.m. ET
TV
NBA TV
Jazz vs Suns 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.
PARIS (AP) — Senegal players paraded the Africa Cup of Nations trophy in front of thousands of fans on Saturday, despite the Confederation of African Football's decision to strip the country of the title and award it to Morocco.
Ahead of a friendly match against Peru at Stade de France, Senegal players led by captain Kalidou Koulibaly took to the pitch with the trophy as part of pre-game celebrations.
The Senegalese Football Association had announced it would present the Africa Cup trophy to its fans before the game in the Paris suburb of Saint-Denis. Paris has a significant Senegalese community.
Earlier this week in the French capital, Senegalese FA president Abdoulaye Fall said Senegal was the victim of “ the most grossly unfair administrative robbery” in the history of soccer and pledged that the country would defend its players’ “honor” at the Swiss-based Court of Arbitration for Sport.
Senegal is challenging CAF's surprise ruling last week to strip the team of the title won in a chaotic final in January and give it to host nation Morocco.
Senegal’s legal team said the country still considers itself the champion of Africa. The CAF ’s appeals board ruled that Senegal is “declared to have forfeited the final” and its 1-0 win in extra time became a 3-0 default win for Morocco. The rationale was that Senegal players led by their coach had left the field in protest when Morocco was awarded a penalty, leading to a 15-minute stoppage.
Senegal’s appeal to be reinstated as champion was registered this week by CAS, which set no timetable for a likely long process toward a verdict. The appeal was promised by the Senegalese government, which also called for an international investigation “into suspected corruption” within CAF.
An appeal to CAS can typically take months to schedule a hearing then weeks or months more to announce a verdict. Senegal’s lawyers, however, will ask CAS to open an expedited procedure and hope the Moroccan federation and the CAF agree so that the case can be dealt with within two months.
PORTLAND, OR - MARCH 27: Marvin Bagley III #35 of the Dallas Mavericks dunks the ball during the game against the Portland Trail Blazers on March 27, 2026 at the Moda Center Arena in Portland, Oregon. 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 Jaden Coleman/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The Dallas Mavericks travelled to the northwest to take on the Portland Trailblazers Friday night. The Mavs have officially been eliminated from Playoff contention, while the Blazers have clinched a spot in at least the Play In tournament. Despite having nothing to play for, Dallas got the 100-93 win.
Let’s get to the grades!
Cooper Flagg: B+
24 PTS / 3 REB / 2 AST / 4 STL / 0 BLK – 38 MIN
Flagg nailed 9-of-17 overall and had sticky hands to net himself a whopping four steals. His rebounding and assist totals were lower than we normally see, but this was still a very solid game if not for a few turnovers (three).
Max Christie: C-
5 PTS / 3 REB / 2 AST / 1 STL / 2 BLK – 25 MIN
If it wasn’t for everything but scoring, Christie likely would have been a “D” Friday night. His 1-for-8 shooting was somewhat mind-boggling, especially after having found his rhythm over the past few games. Nice job doing some other things, including blocking shots.
Naji Marshall: A-
19 PTS / 3 REB / 3 AST / 5 STL / 0 BLK – 33 MIN
Marshall connected on 7-of-14 from the floor and had an insane number of steals, somehow outdoing Flagg’s exceptional performance in that category. This was a very nice, well-rounded game in which Marshall contributed to a long-awaited win.
P.J. Washington: C+
5 PTS / 5 REB / 0 AST / 0 STL / 0 BLK – 27 MIN
Washington no-showed this one to a large degree, which was more disappointing that it otherwise would have been, given how well he played last game. There just simply isn’t much to say about this one.
Dwight Powell: C+
4 PTS / 5 REB / 3 AST / 1 STL / 0 BLK – 21 MIN
Powell was Powell, giving the team a solid effort in limited minutes, but he also had some slightly inordinate negatives on the ledger. His total assists stand out, and he was 2-for-3 from the floor, but he bricked his only two free throw attempts and had three turnovers and three fouls.
Marvin Bagley: A+
26 PTS / 9 REB / 3 AST / 1 STL / 1 BLK – 27 MIN
Bagley had his highest scoring quarter of the season in the first, with 11 points, en route to his season high point total. He led the team in points, rebounds and assists (the latter of which he tied for the lead) and drilled 11-for-14 from the floor, including 3-for-5 from deep. Bagley was the best player on the floor and there is no chance the Mavs win without his efforts Friday night.
Final Thoughts
The Mavs don’t need to win, but they sure did need a win. It’s been a while since they’ve been on the positive side of an outcome and while it doesn’t help their draft position to win, it’s nice to see guys who work so hard every night get a taste of victory. Kudos to Flagg for a nice game, and to Bagley for serving as a one man gang.
I invite you to follow me @_80MPH on X, and check back often at Mavs Moneyball for all the latest on the Dallas Mavericks.
DETROIT, MICHIGAN - MARCH 26: Ronald Holland II #5 high fives Jalen Duren #0 of the Detroit Pistons during the second quarter against the New Orleans Pelicans at Little Caesars Arena on March 26, 2026 in Detroit, Michigan. 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 Nic Antaya/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Detroit Pistons and Minnesota Timberwolves will be without their go-to options in tonight’s matchup. Detroit travels to Minnesota after torching the New Orleans Pelicans.
Jalen Duren (questionable) has done his part as the first option. He is averaging 26.5 points and 10.7 rebounds while shooting 86 percent from the charity stripe since Cade Cunningham’s absence. Duren has also picked up the slack in ways Cade flourishes.
Minnesota may be without Anthony Edwards, but this is a squad that just became the first team to overcome a 10-point deficit in overtime in the play-by-play era. Edwards didn’t suit up for that one. The Timberwolves don’t draw dead without their star.
Game Vitals
Where: Target Center, Minneapolis, Minnesota
When: 5:30 PM
Watch: ABC/ Fan Duel Sports Network Detroit
Odds: Pistons (-1.5)
Analysis
Duren has not just dominated in the paint. He showed off skill work against the Pelicans.
For starters, this modern-day step tap tap back is not in a lot of centers’ arsenal. Duren pulled this off against a past-his-prime defender, but this can be a good counter when teams pack the paint.
That is exactly what teams have done to combat Duren’s dominance. His playmaking for others has seen an uptick during this stretch as he has seen more bodies. Duren almost had a triple-double, notching a season-high seven assists in the last outing.
Kevin Huerter was one of the main beneficiaries of Duren’s passing. Huerter had his best offensive game as a Piston, knocking down four 3s. Huerter contributes doing the little things, but flame on shooting will keep him on the floor. It is hard to deny him when he is scrapping on defense, knocking down range shots, and making closeouts look silly.
Newly acquired Timberwolves combo guard Ayo Dosunmu would usually take a matchup like Huerter, but he is out with a calf injury. He has been a godsend for Minny. They have needed more ball handling around Edwards, and Dosunmu is more than solid.
The Timberwolves will be without Jaden McDaniels. He is their version of Ausar Thompson, who is questionable. Both are lanky, versatile, cream of the crop defenders who opponents hate to see coming. Ausar is more susceptible to blowing up plays off the ball, which takes his defensive value to another level. On the ball, Ausar is a different animal, too.
There is not a stickier on-ball defender than No. 9 in Detroit. The way he recovers to remain unscreenable is one of one stuff. Once you are in Ausar’s sight, you are his.
Julius Randle could see a lot of Ausar as Ausar just battled with a similar beast in Zion Williamson. Ausar takes on all archetypes.
The Pistons will need to crack the Rudy Gobert code. He is quietly having another dominant defensive year. Kevin Durant thought Gobert was easy work in isolation, but he got put in a box in the clutch. Duren has the strength and skill to handle Gobert. That is a good test for the Pistons All-Star.
You can not discuss Detroit without acknowledging the work Daniss Jenkins is putting in. The fearless point guard from Dallas is averaging 20 points and eight assists while sporting a 61 true shooting percentage over the last five games. He buried five 3s as Detroit was scorching against the Pelicans (15-28 from 3).
I expect to see a lot of full-court pressure from Jenkins (and Marcus Sasser if he plays) on Timberwolves guards like Bones Hyland.
The Hyland resurgence has been cool to see. He’s rangy with certified handles. Accountability and defensive buy-in keep him on the floor, but he’s dealing with different types of defenders tonight.
Detroit does more than get stops; they’re trying to take your basketball soul and make you double-think if you belong in this league with their defensive tenacity. Detroit looks to keep that intensity up against the Timberwolves, who are 4-1 over the last five without Edwards.
SALT LAKE CITY, UT - MARCH 25: Julian Reese #15 of the Washington Wizards handles the ball during the game against the Utah Jazz on March 25, 2026 at Delta Center in Salt Lake City, Utah. 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 Melissa Majchrzak/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Thank you for your responses to this week’s SB Nation NBA Reacts survey. Here are the results.
In our Washington Wizards survey, we asked you whether you believed the team would ultimately clinch an NBA record 29 game losing streak. If that were happen, that streak would have stretched into next season where Washington would have an 0-2 start. Only 22 percent of our respondents believed that the Wizards would sink that low.
Now, thankfully, the question is moot now. That’s because the Wizards won last Wednesday against the Utah Jazz.
In our national survey, respondents were asked which NBA team should move to the Eastern Conference if the NBA expands. Thirty seven percent each selected the Memphis Grizzlies and the Minnesota Timberwolves as the teams most likely to go to the Eastern Conference. The NBA is likely going to expand to Seattle and Las Vegas which would both be Western Conference teams. In a 32 team NBA, that would require one Western team to be placed in the Eastern Conference.
The Chicago Bulls and Memphis Grizzlies meet for the second time this season when the two teams collide at FedExForum.
Two fast-paced and defensively shy teams go head-to-head, and my Bulls vs. Grizzlies predictions expect the scoreboard to light up in Bluff City.
Here are my best free NBA picks for this cross-conference matchup on Saturday, March 28.
Bulls vs Grizzlies prediction
Bulls vs Grizzlies best bet: Over 245 (-110)
Fast-paced game? Check. Lackluster defense? Check. Young teams constantly rotating players with monitored minutes? Check, check, and check.
Tonight’s matchup between the Chicago Bulls and Memphis Grizzlies is going to be full of points, and I’m hammering the Over.
The Bulls have hit the Over in 21 of 35 road games, including a 7-4 mark to the Over as the road favorite. The Grizzlies are 18-17 to the Over at home. Chicago has hit the Over in three straight games, and Memphis has done so in two of its last three.
Over the last 10 games, the Bulls have allowed the third-most points per game at 128.1, while the Grizzlies have surrendered the fourth-most at 126.4. In that span, Chicago’s 120.7 defensive rating ranks 24th, and Memphis’ 125.1 defensive rating ranks 28th.
Chicago sports the fastest pace across the last 10 games at 104.8, while Memphis isn’t far behind in ninth with a 101.1 pace.
Injuries have decimated both teams, and both are playing the second legs of back-to-back sets, but fatigue isn’t something I’m worried about. Memphis players rarely sniff 30 minutes these days, and the roster is one of the youngest in the Association.
Chicago is going deep down the bench, so the available players should all have relatively fresh legs.
Bulls vs Grizzlies same-game parlay
The Grizzlies are just 9-12 ATS as the home underdog, but the Bulls are 1-10 ATS as the road favorite. This should be a competitive game, and the home team can keep it close.
Josh Giddey has dished 12+ dimes in six of his last nine games and three of his last four. He handed out 13 assists in his first matchup with the Grizzlies, who have allowed the sixth-most assists per game across their last 10.
Bulls vs Grizzlies SGP
Over 245
Grizzlies +3.5
Josh Giddey Over 11.5 assists
Our "from downtown" SGP: Giddey-Up!
Giddey has five triple-doubles across his last 12 outings, including one against the Grizzlies. He’s doing it all for Chicago right now, and another triple-double is within reach in this favorable spot.
Matas Buzelis has averaged 21.8 points and 7.1 boards across his last 10 games with one double-double to his credit. Over the last 10 games, Memphis has allowed the most rebounds at a whopping 51.1.
GG Jackson is averaging 22.5 points and rebounds in 12 March games. That number is up to 24.7 across his last three games, and he’s hit the Over twice in that span. Jackson leads the Grizzlies in points and is second in minutes over his last three.
Bulls vs Grizzlies SGP
Josh Giddey triple-double
Matas Buzelis double-double
GG Jackson Over 23.5 points+rebounds
Bulls vs Grizzlies odds
Spread: Bulls -3.5 (-110) | Grizzlies +3.5 (-110)
Moneyline: Bulls -170 | Grizzlies +145
Over/Under: Over 245 | Under 245
Bulls vs Grizzlies betting trend to know
The Chicago Bulls are 1-10 ATS as the road favorite. Find more NBA betting trends for Bulls vs. Grizzlies.
How to watch Bulls vs Grizzlies
Location
FedExForum, Memphis, TN
Date
Saturday, March 28, 2026
Tip-off
8:00 p.m. ET
TV
CHSN, FDSN SE-MEM
Bulls 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.
Luka Doncic — in the midst of a March where he is averaging 37.2 points, 8.2 rebounds and 7.1 assists per game — is about to get a mandated one-game suspension after picking up his 16th technical foul of the season.
Unless the technical is rescinded by the league — which happened with Doncic's last one but is highly unlikely in this case — he will serve his suspension and sit out Monday when the Lakers face the Washington Wizards.
Doncic picked up his 16th technical after a third-quarter exchange with Brooklyn's Ziaire Williams, and the pair was assessed a double-technical.
The sequence that led to the double technicals for Luka Doncic and Ziaire Williams.
If Luka's technical foul (his 16th of the season), isn't rescinded like last time, by league rule he'll have to serve a one-game suspension Monday vs. Washington. https://t.co/Qjj7EOZcTBpic.twitter.com/esYjyebu9B
"[Williams] was yelling in my face — three times," Doncic said about the altercation, via the Associated Press. "I just wanted to get out of there. It's a double tech, of course. What can I say? I didn't even talk. I just wanted to get out of there. And they said I pushed, my push was 'exaggerated,' which [it] was obviously not. And I don't know what else to tell you."
The NBA mandates a one-game suspension for any player who reaches 16 technicals in a season. Coach JJ Redick said the Lakers would appeal this technical, but from the video this seems unlikely to be overturned (as the last technical Doncic got was).
Doncic's play of late has him making an MVP push, with a crowded group at the top including Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Victor Wembanyama and Nikola Jokic. Missing a game against a tanking Wizards team, where Doncic could have put up big numbers, does not help that cause.
Lakers guard Bronny James dunks the ball during a win over the Pacers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis on Wednesday. (Andy Lyons / Getty Images)
You used to root for Bronny James to come into games ironically. Or because you just wanted to see history.
But now I bet you want to see Bronny come into the game to hoop.
Lakers guard Bronny James blocks a shot by Spurs forward Kelly Olynyk at Crypto.com Arena on Feb. 10. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)
For the second consecutive game Friday, Lakers coach JJ Redick called the second-year guard’s number for important minutes.
Not to complete garbage time chores. Not as a gimmick to please the King. But because he needed a ball-handler he could trust after the regular rotation got wonky in the second quarter of the Lakers’ 116-99 victory over the Brooklyn Nets at Crypto.com Arena.
For the second consecutive game, Bronny helped buoy the Lakers. In four minutes, he had a deflection and drained a three-pointer that not only keyed a much-needed 9-0 Lakers run but also was the first father-to-son assisted basket in NBA history, coming on a pass from LeBron.
His former teammate sees in Bronny what his current teammates do: A hard worker who needs only to nurture his confidence to be able to contribute in the NBA.
“He’ll be great,” Williams said. “Especially starting off on the defensive end. He can guard one through four, pick up full [court,] have good ball pressure. On the offensive end, he’s a gamer. He can make shots, he can drive the ball. He can get his teammates open. The biggest thing with him is just keeping that confidence.
“When he’s confident and he’s in flow state, in rhythm, he’s a great, great player. … He’s just gotta keep working.”
Bronny’s been working in the G League the last two seasons, bouncing between the big leagues and the developmental circuit, where last season his averages were solid — including 21.9 points, per game — but nowhere near as efficient as they’ve been this season. In 13 games, he’s averaging 14.8 points on 54.7% shooting, including 41.7% from three-point range.
Lakers forward LeBron James greets his son, guard Bronny James, on the court during a game against the Clippers at Crypto.com Arena on Nov. 25. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)
“He’s always been able to shoot the ball. He shot the ball at a high level pretty much throughout his years of playing ball. So I just think there’s the confidence in the rhythm and just getting the strength back and his wind and everything. Everything is just coming back.”
That’s carried over to the big club; Bronny is shooting 41.9% from three-point range in those instances when Redick has called on him — as he also did in a 137-130 victory over the Indiana Pacers on Wednesday.
In that victory, Bronny had four points, two steals and a block in 13 minutes. Redick credited the 21-year-old with settling the team with a pull-up jumper with 3:55 to go in the game, which was the second this season LeBron and Bronny played together.
The first time it happened, in the season opener in 2024, the prevailing thought was that it wouldn’t happen again for a long time — and if it did, something had probably gone very wrong for the Lakers that game.
But that’s not the case. No, because Bronny has made a convincing case as an NBA player.
“I’ve been wanting to play basketball my whole life,” Bronny said. “It’s a dream come true. I’m so privileged to be able to play basketball for a job and I love every single second of it. My teammates embrace it. I’m best friends with all my teammates and my coaches. I’m just happy to be here.”
He’s become an effective plug-and-play piece — and not on a tanking Nets team that regularly runs out G League-caliber players, but on a playoff-bound Lakers team that has won 14 of its last 16 games.
The No. 55 draft pick in 2024, Bronny has surpassed Dalton Knecht, the 17th pick in that same draft, in the Lakers’ pecking order.
He’s become a player who can be counted on, and he’s especially valuable to a team that happens to badly need youth and athleticism, as the Lakers do.
You want to talk twists? How about whatever happens with LeBron — when, or if, he retires — the Lakers should seriously consider keeping Bronny in the fold. Seriously.
While it’s another light slate for the NBA on Saturday, there are six games on tap, and that gives us plenty of excellent targets for our player props today.
Victor Wembanyama and Jalen Johnson get outstanding matchups today against the Milwaukee Bucks and Sacramento Kings, respectively, while I also like Kon Knueppel to continue his three-point barrage.
Let’s take a look at all three of these matchups as I break down my NBA picks for Saturday, March 28.
Victor Wembanyama continues to have the best offensive season of his young career. The San Antonio Spurs center is averaging 24.2 ppg on 50.5% shooting from the field. He’s also getting to the line more and shooting 81.8% from the charity stripe.
Wemby isn’t taking it easy down the stretch, either. The Spurs have won seven in a row as they attempt to chase down the Oklahoma City Thunder for the top seed in the West, and they’ve won 12 straight with Wembanyama in the lineup – a stretch in which he’s averaged 26.1 ppg.
Wembanyama is in a great spot against the Milwaukee Bucks this afternoon, who have lost four of five and allowed 123.0 ppg during that span. Wemby should have no trouble getting Over his scoring total.
Time: 3:00 p.m. ET
Where to watch: Prime Video
Prop #2: Kon Knueppel Over 3.5 threes made
-115 at bet365
Kon Knueppel has been perhaps the most surprising rookie in the NBA this season, averaging 19.1 ppg for the Charlotte Hornets after being picked fourth overall in last year’s draft. He’s already established himself as one of the league’s premier sharpshooters, hitting 3.5 shots from deep per game and making them at a 43.8% clip.
As Charlotte has worked its way up the Eastern Conference standings, Knueppel has continued to be a major contributor. The former Duke standout has hit at least four shots from deep in three of his last four games.
The Philadelphia 76ers haven’t been great at shutting down opponents at the three-point line, where teams are shooting 35.7% against them. Knueppel is in a prime position to take full advantage of that fact today.
Time: 6:00 p.m. ET
Where to watch: FanDuel Sports Network Southeast, NBC Sports Philadelphia
Prop #3: Jalen Johnson Over 40.5 points + rebounds + assists
-105 at bet365
Jalen Johnson has been one of the Atlanta Hawks most versatile all-around threats in the NBA this year, averaging 22.9 points, 10.3 rebounds, and 8.1 assists per game. That works out to a combined PRA average of 41.3 per contest this season.
Those numbers haven’t slipped late in the year. Johnson is averaging 39.5 PRA in March and has two triple-doubles this month alone. He’s also hit tonight’s PRA total in four of his last six games.
The Sacramento Kings are one of the worst defensive teams in the league, giving up 121.2 ppg on the season and ranking 28th in defensive efficiency. Sacramento has lost four of its last five while playing out the string, and I like Johnson to put up big numbers against the Kings tonight.
Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
Where to watch: FanDuel Sports Network Southeast, NBC Sports California
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SAN FRANCISCO, CA - MARCH 27: Bilal Coulibaly #0 of the Washington Wizards drives to the basket during the game against the Golden State Warriors on March 27, 2026 at Chase Center in San Francisco, California. 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 Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The best things from the Wizards loss to the Golden State Warriors were these:
Another aggressive and effective offensive performance from Bilal Coulibaly. The Warriors could not effectively defend him. He attacked wings and guards with dribble drives. When Golden State put Kristaps Porzingis on him and dared him to shoot, he knocked down threes…and then attacked the closeouts. Coulibaly had a 36.4% usage rate and a 130 offensive rating.
Will Riley had a hyper-efficient offensive game (160 offensive rating on 22.0% usage) that included outfoxing Draymond Green a few times, who is one of the NBA’s best defenders ever.
Will Riley shoots the ball during the Wizards loss to the Golden State Warriors. Photo by Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
What most interested me in this game was the solid performance of Pat Spencer, who was scouted and signed by the former Wizards management team led by Tommy Sheppard. Spencer played well in the G-League and summer league, and my statistical analysis suggested he might be able to make an NBA rotation.
Aside: Maybe there’s something to this statistical analysis stuff?
Despite a paucity of talent, the Wizards inexplicably (at least to me) traded Spencer to Golden State for some G-League draft picks.
Spencer is getting an extended run in Golden State’s rotation (17.7 minutes per game in 58 appearances this season), and he’s been okay. Last night, he looked like a standard NBA backup guard — 13 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists, and a steal with solid efficiency in 24 minutes.
Spencer’s backstory is the best part because of his non-standard path to the NBA. His first sport was lacrosse, and he was one of the sport’s best players, all-time. He eschewed professional lacrosse, opting instead to attempt a basketball career.
He used his season of graduate eligibility to play at Northwestern only to have the season disrupted by the COVID pandemic. He played a season for the Hamburg Towers before signing to play for the Capital City Go-Go and Washington’s summer league squad.
Since then, he’s bounced between Golden State’s NBA roster and G-League team. This season, he’s played well enough that the Warriors converted his two-day deal to a standard NBA contract.
He also inspired one of the best quotes from a coach ever. After Spencer scored 19 points in his first NBA start, Golden State head coach Steve Kerr explained the decision to start Spencer by saying, “His coach realized Pat is that m*****f***er.” (Spencer had said something similar about himself a few days earlier.)
Anyway, kudos to Spencer for being an all-time great in one sport, and then switching to another and becoming good enough to earn a role in the NBA — the world’s best basketball league. There aren’t many people who have proven to be a great in one sport and being among the 500-600 best on the planet in another.
From the Notebook
Alex Sarr kept trying to score on Porzingis, which did not go well. He shot 0-3 from inside the arc when Porzingis was defending, and 1-3 from three-point range. He also fouled out in just 23 minutes.
Anthony Gill played another strong game — an example of how players can be successful by playing within the flow of the game and taking what the defense gives. In this game, he pump-faked threes and attacked closeouts to get relatively easy shots. This is a progression from him — earlier in the season (and throughout his career), he’s pump faked but not converted the advantage into good shots. Last night, he did.
I’ve written recently about broadcasters asserting that Leaky Black was a strong defender in college. Perhaps that’s true. At the NBA level, he’s been a disastrous combination of low effort and weak when he’s on-ball, and inattentive and slow when off-ball. He routinely gets caught ball-watching when he should be paying attention to his man cutting past him (sometimes in front of him) or sticking to his man when he should be helping. Last night, NBA tracking indicates the Warriors scored 28 points on 19 field goal attempts and produced 5 assists when Black was defending.
I still think Riley carries the ball constantly, which irritates the hoops purist in me. But, as someone in the comments suggested, if the refs aren’t going to call it, the “carries” are a kind of super power. Last night, he burned Green with a…hmm, gotta call it something…elongated hesi dribble (?) to get a layup.
Jaden Hardy did Jaden Hardy things in the fourth quarter, which is to say, he hit 4-5 from three-point range…and basically nothing else. That instant offense is fun, though. He kinda reminds me of Jordan Crawford, which is not intended as criticism or praise. There is definitely an empty calories flavor to Hardy’s game, but empty calories can be fun.
It was good to see an Omer Yurtseven make an appearance because his name is fun to say.
Four Factors
Below are the four factors that decide wins and losses in basketball — shooting (efg), rebounding (offensive rebounds), ball handling (turnovers), fouling (free throws made).
The four factors are measured by:
eFG% (effective field goal percentage, which accounts for the three-point shot)
OREB% (offensive rebound percentage)
TOV% (turnover percentage — turnovers divided by possessions)
FTM/FGA (free throws made divided by field goal attempts)
FOUR FACTORS
WIZARDS
WARRIORS
LGAVG
eFG%
62.1%
62.9%
54.4%
OREB%
12.8%
21.4%
26.0%
TOV%
10.8%
11.8%
12.8%
FTM/FGA
0.084
0.282
0.207
PACE
102
99.3
ORTG
124
129
115.6
Stats & Metrics
PPA is my overall production metric, which credits players for things they do that help a team win (scoring, rebounding, playmaking, defending) and dings them for things that hurt (missed shots, turnovers, bad defense, fouls).
PPA is a per possession metric designed for larger data sets. In small sample sizes, the numbers can get weird. In PPA, 100 is average, higher is better and replacement level is 45. For a single game, replacement level isn’t much use, and I reiterate the caution about small samples sometimes producing weird results.
POSS is the number of possessions each player was on the floor in this game.
ORTG = offensive rating, which is points produced per individual possessions x 100. League average so far this season is listed in the Four Factors table above. Points produced is not the same as points scored. It includes the value of assists and offensive rebounds, as well as sharing credit when receiving an assist.
USG = offensive usage rate. Average is 20%. Median so far this season is 17.7%.
ORTG and USG are versions of stats created by former Wizards assistant coach Dean Oliver and modified by me. ORTG is an efficiency measure that accounts for the value of shooting, offensive rebounds, assists and turnovers. USG includes shooting from the floor and free throw line, offensive rebounds, assists and turnovers.
+PTS = “Plus Points” is a measure of the points gained or lost by each player based on their efficiency in this game compared to league average efficiency on the same number of possessions. A player with an offensive rating (points produced per possession x 100) of 100 who uses 20 possessions would produce 20 points. If the league average efficiency is 115, the league — on average — would produced 23.0 points in the same 20 possessions. So, the player in this hypothetical would have a +PTS score of -3.0.
Players are sorted by total production in the game.
Pistons
Timberwolves
