Category: Basketball

Basketball News

Posted on

How to watch Portland Trail Blazers vs LA Clippers: TV, live stream info for tonight's game

Tonight's Coast 2 Coast Tuesday lineup features an exciting NBA doubleheader on NBC and Peacock. The action starts at 8:00 PM ET, when Jalen Brunson and the New York Knicks take on Kevin Durant and the Houston Rockets. Then, at 11:00 PM ET it's the Portland Trail Blazers vs LA Clippers. Live coverage begins with NBA Showtime at 7:00 PM on Peacock. See below for additional information on how to watch each game.

Follow all of the NBA action on NBCSN and Peacock. Peacock will feature 100 regular-season games throughout the course of the 2025-2026 season.

Click here to sign up for Peacock!

Los Angeles Clippers v Indiana Pacers
Trail Blazers at Clippers Prediction: Odds, recent stats, trends, and best bets for March 31
Portland Trail Blazers at Los Angeles Clippers Game Preview

Portland Trail Blazers vs LA Clippers Game Preview:

The Trail Blazers are looking to make their first playoff appearance since 2021. Currently ninth in the Western Conference and 1.5-games behind the Clippers, Portland is locked in Play-In Tournament position.

Tonight's contest is the first of two late-season matchups between the two teams, and the third of four meetings this season, with the Clippers leading 2-0.

The Trail Blazers need to win both remaining matchups (tonight and April 10) and finish with a better conference record to earn the tiebreaker.

“I don’t really look at the standings. I’m not stressed about where we’re going to finish… Even if we’re 10th, we’ve got to play two games and win two games. I believe in us," said Portland guard Deni Avdija on March 11.

The Clippers, currently on a five-game win streak, are eighth in the West, 6.5 games back of the Rockets.

Kawhi Leonard is on pace for a career high in scoring (28.2 ppg). He leads the team in points, rebounds (6.3 ppg), and steals (1.9)

RELATED:It’s official - NBA formally approves sale of Trail Blazers to a group led by Tom Dundon

How to watch Portland Trail Blazers vs LA Clippers:

  • When: Tuesday, March 31
  • Where: Intuit Dome, Inglewood, CA
  • Time: 11:00 PM ET
  • TV Channel: NBC
  • Live Stream:Peacock

RELATED:NBA power rankings 2025-26 - Championship tiers are back and San Antonio is on top of them

What other NBA games are on Peacock tonight?

How to watch the NBA on NBC and Peacock:

Peacock NBA Monday will stream up to three Monday night games each week throughout the regular season. Coast 2 Coast Tuesday presents doubleheaders on Tuesday nights throughout the regular season on NBC and Peacock. On most Tuesdays, an 8 p.m. ET game will be on NBC stations in the Eastern and Central time zones, and an 8 p.m. PT game on NBC stations in the Pacific and often Mountain time zones.

Check local listings each week. Both games will stream live nationwide on Peacock. Sunday Night Basketball coverage will also be available on NBC and Peacock. For a full schedule of the NBA on NBC and Peacock, click here.

How to sign up for Peacock:

Sign up here to watch all of our LIVE sports, sports shows, documentaries, classic matches, and more. You'll also get tons of hit movies and TV shows, Originals, news, 24/7 channels, and current NBC & Bravo hits—Peacock is here for whatever you’re in the mood for.

NBA on NBC 2025-26 Schedule:

Click here to see the full list of NBA games that will air on NBC and Peacock this season.

What devices does Peacock support?

You can enjoy Peacock on a variety of devices. View the full list of supported devices here.

Dallas Mavericks won the 2025 NBA Draft Lottery in Chicago
NBA reportedly presented owners three anti-tanking concepts, all bring play-in or playoff teams into mix
All of the NBA’s ideas make the lottery bigger — 18 to 22 teams — and flatten the odds.

Posted on

Lakers on the rise: How injuries sparked impact moments from role players

An image collage containing 5 images, Image 1 shows Los Angeles Lakers guard Bronny James and forward LeBron James defend on the court, Image 2 shows Jaxson Hayes of the Los Angeles Lakers reacting after scoring a three-point basket, Image 3 shows Rui Hachimura of the Los Angeles Lakers dunks the ball during a game against the Brooklyn Nets, Image 4 shows Luke Kennard reacts with a fist pump after scoring the winning basket, Image 5 shows Jarred Vanderbilt of the Los Angeles Lakers shoots a free throw

For bench and role players in the NBA, March nights can feel like auditions. 

Not the spotlight-soaked kind that is only reserved for superstars, but the raw, flickering moments that are held in the shadows of an 82-game grind, when the margins become razor-thin, the rotations unstable, and the cracks begin to show. 

Los Angeles Lakers guard Bronny James and forward LeBron James defend on the court in the second half against the Washington Wizards at Crypto.com Arena. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

The latest five-game stretch for the Lakers has been exactly that: a stress test disguised as survival.

At least one player has been missing in the starting lineup, and in some cases several. Day-to-day isn’t just an injury update, it’s a Facebook status. 

With no guarantee of who’s available for the Lakers from one night to the next, bench and role players need to step up and seize the opportunity. 

Different names. Different nights, but the same end goal. 

Let’s start in Orlando on March 31, where Luke Kennard authored a moment that felt like it belonged in June. Off the bench, and still relatively new to the locker room, he dropped 13 points and buried a buzzer-beating three that didn’t just win a game, but introduced him to Lakers lore. 

“He’s a problem,” head coach JJ Redick said. “He’s very steady and very consistent in execution and effort. He’s just been a terrific decision maker for us.”

Kennard isn’t supposed to be a savior. He’s supposed to be a three-point specialist. But in that moment, he became something else: a glimpse of what this Lakers team might need off the bench when the floor shrinks in the postseason and the stars inevitably get swallowed by series-long defensive schemes.

In Indiana a few days later and without two starters, including sixth man Rui Hachimura, the Lakers normal rotation was bent out of shape. One of those missing starters was center DeAndre Ayton. That thrust backup big man Jaxon Hayes into the starting lineup. He finished with 21 points, 10 rebounds, and two blocks.

Los Angeles Lakers center Jaxson Hayes reacts after making a three-point basket during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Washington Wizards Monday, March 30, 2026, in Los Angeles. AP

By the time the team returned home from their six-game road trip to face the Wizards, the situation had tipped from inconvenient to borderline absurd.

Luka Doncic was suspended after picking up his 16 technical foul against Brooklyn. No Marcus Smart. A backcourt held together with duct tape and opportunity for other guys to shine. 

Jarred Vanderbilt stretched beyond his usual 17 minutes into something closer to responsibility. Bronny James Jr., a name still carrying more expectation than experience, logged a season-high 26 minutes — not as a novelty, but as a necessity.

And other role players? They didn’t just hold the line — they pushed it forward.

Hachimura returned with 14 points. Kennard caught fire again with 19, drilling four from deep like a man who suddenly knows exactly where he belongs. Hayes stayed perfect — 8-for-8 from the field, casually adding a three-pointer to a résumé that, until recently, didn’t include one.

“I’m an NBA player. I can’t just work on dunks all day,” joked Hayes of his three-point shooting prowess. 

This wasn’t a one-off.

Rui Hachimura of the Los Angeles Lakers dunks the ball during the game against the Brooklyn Nets on March 27, 2026 at Crypto.Com Arena in Los Angeles, California. NBAE via Getty Images

Nobody knows more about that requirement than the man who has the most wins in NBA history —both regular season and postseason combined — the architect of four NBA titles, LeBron James. 

James has seen this before.

He’s lived it. He’s won because of it. He knows these moments for these players can pay dividends during the postseason. 

“In the postseason it can be a different guy every night,” James said, cutting straight to the truth. “Luka [Doncic] and AR [Austin Reaves] are going to do what they do, but every given night… you can have a different guy step up and make impact plays. It definitely helps to have moments like they’ve had.”

Jarred Vanderbilt of the Los Angeles Lakers shoots a free throw during the game against the Washington Wizards on March 30, 2026 at Crypto.Com Arena in Los Angeles, California. NBAE via Getty Images

The Lakers will only go as far as Doncic, James, and Reaves will take them, but playoff games could be determined by nights like these. 

By whether Kennard’s confidence holds when the lights get hotter. By whether Hayes’ evolution is real or just a well-timed stretch. By whether Vanderbilt and Bronny can make the most of smaller minutes in bigger moments.

Repetition is the mother of learning, and right now, the Lakers bench and role players are cramming for an exam they know is coming.

The postseason doesn’t ask politely. It demands answers.

And for the first time in weeks, the Lakers might actually have a few more of them.

Download The California Post App, follow us on social, and subscribe to our newsletters

California Post News: Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, X, YouTube, WhatsApp, LinkedIn
California Post SportsFacebook, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, X
California Post Opinion
California Post Newsletters: Sign up here!
California Post App: Download here!
Home delivery: Sign up here!Page Six Hollywood: Sign up here!

Posted on

Mark Cuban says he doesn't regret selling Mavericks but regrets selling to Adelson, Dumont

Mark Cuban knew it was time for him to sell the Dallas Mavericks — and he doesn't regret that choice. His bank account swelling up with his share of the $3.5 billion team valuation has a lot to do with that, but he said at the time the NBA was moving from a technology business (his strength) to a real estate business, and he knew it was time.

However, Cuban did say he regrets selling to the Adelson and Dumont families, he said during an appearance on the Intersections podcast.

"It's a big emotional commitment. You hear the passion and everything. Now, imagine going up and down like that every single game. That's hard. My kids, they were coming of the age where they are coming of the mindset that they might want to work at the Mavs. I did not want that for them. It can be abusive, a lot. If fans don't like what you're doing or the team's not doing well. You're the worst human being on the planet and they treat you that way...

"I don't regret selling. I regret who I sold to. I made a lot of mistakes in the process, and I'll leave it at that."

Cuban sold the Mavericks to Miriam Adelson — owner of the Las Vegas Sands Corporation — and the team is run by her son-in-law, Las Vegas Sands CEO Patrick Dumont.

The season that Cuban sold the Mavericks they played in the NBA Finals. By the middle of the next season, GM Nico Harrison had convinced Dumont it was time to trade Luka Doncic, a move that led to intense fan backlash and ultimately cost Harrison his job. After that season, the Mavericks got lucky in the NBA Draft Lottery and jumped to the top, selecting new franchise cornerstone Cooper Flagg.

Cuban said before the sale that he would stay on in some role with the Mavericks' basketball operations. That did not happen. Cuban is still a regular at Mavericks games.

The Mavericks, at 24-51, have the sixth-worst record in the NBA this season and will head into the NBA Draft Lottery with much better odds than they had a season ago.

Posted on

Raptors vs Pistons Prediction, Picks & Odds for Tonight’s NBA Game

Want to get more Covers content? Add us as a preferred source on your Google account here.

With eight games to go, the Toronto Raptors are still fighting to seal a Top 6 spot, and that tight race could look a little different after tonight’s visit to the Detroit Pistons.

Detroit continues to compete despite Cade Cunningham’s absence, but my Raptors vs. Pistons predictions expect Scottie Barnes to make his mark on this matchup as Toronto looks for a third straight win.

Read on for my free NBA picks ahead of this March 31 clash.

Raptors vs Pistons prediction

Raptors vs Pistons best bet: Scottie Barnes Over 14.5 rebounds + assists (+102)

There’s a lot to like about the way Scottie Barnes is sparking a Toronto Raptors team that needs a strong finish to avoid play-in peril, and he’s a value pick for another do-it-all outing tonight.

Barnes has blown past this combo O/U number in each of his last four contests, and I see him repeating the trick against a Detroit Pistons team on the second night of a back-to-back set.

Barnes has flashed his passing skills ever since he came into the league, but he’s gone up another level lately, headlined by a 15-assist effort against the Orlando Magic on Sunday.

With Immanuel Quickley still out, Scottie is well placed for a fifth straight outing with double-digit dimes, and his playmaking allows Darko Rajakovic to turn to lineups without a traditional point guard.

He’ll be a factor on the glass, too, where he’s averaging 7.7 RPG this year, and that’ll be especially vital if Jalen Duren returns for the Pistons here after missing yesterday’s game in OKC.

Plus, Barnes finished with 10 rebounds and eight assists against Detroit earlier this month in another reminder that he belongs among the top two-way talents in the league.

The Raptors are still trying to prove they can beat the top teams in the East, and a monster stat line from Barnes is their best ticket to escaping with a victory tonight.

Raptors vs Pistons same-game parlay

With Barnes pulling the strings, Ja’Kobe Walter has cashed in some open looks from beyond the arc. Walter has knocked down 3+ triples in four of his last five contests, and he’s making his corner 3s at a 49% clip.

But I still see this game hitting the Under, which is 45-29 for the Raptors this season and 41-34 for the Pistons. Both teams rank in the Top 10 stingiest defenses, and there are some key bucket-getters on the injury report.

Raptors vs Pistons SGP

  • Scottie Barnes Over 14.5 rebounds + assists
  • Ja’Kobe Walter Over 1.5 3-pointers
  • Under 220

Our "from downtown" SGP: Jump on Jenkins

Daniss Jenkins has embraced a bigger role without Cade Cunningham on the floor, and I see him putting up impressive numbers again here, despite a grueling battle with SGA last night. 

Jenkins has dished 6+ dimes in five of his last six outings for the Pistons, who are 28-9 SU at Little Caesars Arena, and he’s shooting a steady 39% from downtown in March.

Raptors vs Pistons SGP

  • Daniss Jenkins Over 15.5 points
  • Daniss Jenkins Over 5.5 assists
  • Daniss Jenkins Over 3.5 rebounds
  • Pistons moneyline

Raptors vs Pistons odds

  • Spread: Toronto +2.5 (-110) | Detroit -2.5 (-110)
  • Moneyline: Toronto +125 | Detroit -150
  • Over/Under: Over 220 (-110) | Under 220 (-110)

Raptors vs Pistons betting trend to know

The Pistons are 7-1 SU in their last eight matchups against the Raptors. Find more NBA betting trends for Raptors vs. Pistons.

How to watch Raptors vs Pistons

LocationLittle Caesars Arena, Detroit, MI
DateTuesday, March 31, 2026
Tip-off8:00 p.m. ET
TVSN, FDSN-DTX

Raptors vs Pistons latest injuries

Not intended for use in MA.
Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.

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

Posted on

Trail Blazers at Clippers Prediction: Odds, recent stats, trends, and best bets for March 31

The Portland Trail Blazers (38-38) and Los Angeles Clippers (39-36) meet on NBC and Peacock at 11 PM Eastern for their second to last meeting of the season. Los Angeles is 2-0 against Portland this season.

Portland has six games remaining and two of them come against Los Angeles. The Trail Blazers have won three of the last four games to reach .500 on the season. Portland clinched a play-in tournament spot and will likely be one of the 8, 9, or 10 seeds. The Trail Blazers are 1.5 games behind the Clippers and 1.5 ahead of the Warriors.

The Clippers appear to be locked into the play-in tournament and could meet the Trail Blazers a third time this month. Los Angeles has won five consecutive games and are 9-4 over the last 13 contests. In the last five games, Los Angeles ranks third offensively and sixth defensively. On the other side, Portland has the No. 1 rated defense in that span, but comes in at 18th offensively.

Lets take a closer look at tonight’s matchup and take into consideration lineups, injuries, and other factors affecting the line and total.

We’ve got all the info and analysis you need to know ahead of the game, including the latest info on how to catch tipoff, odds courtesy of DraftKings recent team performance, player stats, and of course, our predictions, picks best bets for the game from our modeling tools and staff of experts.

After 24 years, the NBA is back on NBC and Peacock, combining the nostalgia of an iconic era with the innovative future of basketball coverage. The NBA on NBC YouTube channel delivers fans must-see highlights, analysis, and exclusive and unique content. 

Game Details and How to Watch Live: Trail Blazers at Clippers

  • Date: Tuesday, March 31, 2026
  • Time: 11:00 PM EST
  • Site: Intuit Dome
  • City: Los Angeles, CA
  • Network/Streaming: Peacock/NBC Sports

Rotoworld has you covered with all the latest NBA Player News for all 30 teams. Check out the feed page right here on NBC Sports for headlines, injuries and transactions where you can filter by league, team, positions and news type!

Game Odds: Trail Blazers at Clippers

The latest odds as of Tuesday, courtesy of DraftKings:

  • Moneyline: Los Angeles Clippers (-225), Portland Trail Blazers (+185)
  • Spread: Los Angeles -5.5
  • Total: O/U 227.5 points

This game opened Los Angeles -6.5 with the Total set at 228.5.

Be sure to check out DraftKings for all the latest game odds & player props for every matchup this week on the NBA schedule!

Expected Starting Lineups: Trail Blazers at Clippers

Portland Trail Blazers

  • PG Scoot Henderson
  • SG Jrue Holiday
  • SF Toumani Camara
  • PF Deni Avdija
  • C Donovan Clingan

Los Angeles Clippers

  • PG Darius Garland
  • SG Kawhi Leonard
  • SF Derrick Jones Jr.
  • PF John Collins
  • C Brook Lopez

Injury Report: Trail Blazers at Clippers

Portland Trail Blazers

  • Jerami Grant (calf) is OUT for tonight's game
  • Vit Krejci (calf) is OUT for tonight's game

Los Angeles Clippers

  • Isaiah Jackson (ankle) is OUT for tonight's game

Important stats, trends and insights: Trail Blazers at Clippers

  • Los Angeles is 39-36 ATS and 38-37 to the Over this season
  • The Clippers are 19-17 to the Over at home and 13-12 to the Over as a home favorite
  • Los Angeles is 20-16 ATS at home and 12-13 ATS as a home favorite
  • Portland is 40-36 ATS and 40-36 to the Over this season
  • Portland is 17-21 ATS as the road team and 9-12 ATS as a road underdog
  • Portland is 22-16 to the Under as the road team and 14-7 as a road underdog

Rotoworld Best Bet

Please bet responsibly. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline at 1-800-522-4700.

Our model calculates projections around each moneyline, spread and over/under bet for every game on the NBA calendar based on data points like recent performance, head-to-head player matchups, trends information and projected game totals.

Once the model is finished running, we put its projections next to the latest betting lines for the game to arrive at a relative confidence level for each wager.

Here are the best bets our model is projecting for tonight’s Trail Blazers and Clippers’ game:

  • Moneyline: Rotoworld Bet is leaning towards a play on the Knicks’ Moneyline
  • Spread: Rotoworld Bet is leaning towards a play on the Knicks +1.5 ATS
  • Total: Rotoworld Bet is leaning towards a play on the Game Total OVER 217.5

Want even more NBA best bets and predictions from our expert staff & tools? Check out the Expert NBA Predictions page from NBC Sports for money line, spread and over/under picks for every game on today’s calendar!

If you’re looking for more key trends and stats around the spread, moneyline and total for every single game on the schedule today, check out our NBA Top Trends tool on NBC Sports!

Follow our experts on socials to keep up with all the latest content from the staff:

  • Jay Croucher (@croucherJD)
  • Drew Dinsick (@whale_capper)
  • Vaughn Dalzell (@VmoneySports)
  • Trysta Krick (@Trysta_Krick)
Posted on

Iran soccer players honor alleged child victims of the war before World Cup warmup

ANTALYA, Turkey (AP) — Iran soccer players and officials posed with pictures of children allegedly killed by U.S. and Israeli airstrikes before their World Cup warmup against Costa Rica on Tuesday.

There were no spectators at the stadium in Antalya but FIFA President Gianni Infantino was present.

The Iran players were joined by coach Amir Ghalenoei, Iran Football Federation vice president Mehdi Mohammad Nabi and staff members, holding the photographs while singing the national anthem.

Iran won the match 5-0.

The players' gesture came after they held small backpacks on Friday before another warmup against Nigeria, to honor the victims of a deadly missile strike on an elementary school in southern Iran. More than 165 people were killed, most of them children, in the Feb. 28 strike likely launched by the U.S.

Neither the United States nor Israel has accepted responsibility for the attack which has been widely criticized by the United Nations and human rights groups. The U.S. military is investigating and has said it would never target civilians.

Iranian government and soccer officials have said they do not want to boycott the World Cup being co-hosted by the U.S., Canada and Mexico in June, but that it was not possible for the national team to go to the U.S. because of the war started by the U.S. and Israel.

The Islamic Republic’s team is to play three group stage matches in the U.S. The Iran ambassador in Mexico City has said the country asked FIFA to move those three games to Mexico after U.S. President Donald Trump discouraged the team from attending, citing safety concerns.

Infantino has dampened Iran attempts to move its matches, saying FIFA wants its tournament “to go ahead as scheduled.”

___

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

Posted on

Best NBA Player Props Today for March 31: Time for Towns to Take Over

Want to get more Covers content? Add us as a preferred source on your Google account here.

March usually belongs to the college kids and their “madness,” but if you’ve ever tried tackling NBA player props in the waning days of the schedule, you know a thing or two about going mad.

With so many mixed motivations, along with injuries and changing rotations, the home stretch of the NBA season is loaded with pitfalls for prop bettors.

I search for simplicity in these complicated times and close out the month with my best NBA picks for Tuesday, March 31.

Best NBA player props today

PlayerPickbet365
Magic Paolo BancheroOver 23.5 points+100
Knicks Karl-Anthony TownsOver 17.5 points-105
Raptors Scottie BarnesUnder 7.5 assists-140
MORE NBA FREE PICKS

Prop #1: Paolo Banchero Over 23.5 points

+100 at bet365

The Orlando Magic hit rock bottom in an embarrassing loss to the Toronto Raptors this past weekend.

But hey, you can only go up from there, right?

That’s true for Paolo Banchero, who finished 3-for-14 from the floor and scored just nine points in Toronto. His putrid performance kept Orlando on a 1-7 SU slide, pushing it back into the Eastern Conference Play-In Tournament.

I like a bounce-back spot for a desperate Banchero, with the team returning home to face the Phoenix Suns. Before that blip north of the border, he was on a tear, posting 30, 36, and 39 points in his previous three games while averaging more than 25 points this month.

Sunday’s shooting slump has knocked Banchero's points prop down a few pegs. His scoring total was as high as 25.5 O/U during that hot streak, and tonight’s projections sit between 23 and 25 points, with most books leaning above 24. 

  • Time: 7:00 p.m. ET
  • Where to watch: FanDuel Sports Network Florida, KPHE

Prop #2: Karl-Anthony Towns Over 17.5 points

-105 at bet365

The New York Knicks continue to take three steps forward and two steps back, following a seven-game winning streak with back-to-back losses. 

That stumble puts New York off the pace of the Celtics and Pistons atop the Eastern Conference standings and has fingers pointing at standout Karl-Anthony Towns, following an offensive power outage.

Towns has shot the ball just 17 total times in those losses, hitting 10 of those attempts and finishing with outputs of 13 and 15 points. NBA analysts are calling for KAT to play a bigger role and demand touches in the Knicks’ offense, especially with the playoffs closing in.

His point totals are shrinking like they jumped in a cold swimming pool, down from 20.5 to 17.5 O/U. That presents a buyback spot at Houston tonight.

Towns already torched the Houston Rockets for 25 points on 10-of-15 shooting back in February, and his player projections all sit well above this 17.5-point mark, ranging from 19.4 to as high as 23.4. 

Before going MIA the last two games, KAT has scored 21 or more points in seven of eight games. 

  • Time: 8:00 p.m. ET
  • Where to watch: NBC/Peacock, MSG

Prop #3: Scottie Barnes Under 7.5 assists

-140 at bet365

Scottie Barnes is doing his best John Stockton impersonation. The Toronto Raptors' small forward has stepped up as a primary ball handler, with the lineup missing key cogs in Immanuel Quickley and Brandon Ingram. 

He’s dished out 10, 12, 12, and 15 dimes over his last four outings, generating 16.8 potential assists per game in that span.

Helping those helpers has been a slate of foes immune to playmaking, facing the likes of Utah, the L.A. Clippers, and New Orleans — all of which sit in the bottom half in opponent assist rate. Toronto has also shot a blistering 53% from the field in those outings.

Barnes, who was averaging 5.4 assists on 9.4 potential dimes before this stretch, will see his passing prowess come back to earth tonight. The Raptors visit the Detroit Pistons and their top-tier defense.

The Pistons’ drum-tight No. 2 defensive rating doesn’t let opponents pass gas, let alone the basketball. Detroit boasts the fifth-lowest defensive assist rate and the fewest assists allowed (23.4), tightening that belt to 22.5 assists allowed over the last dozen games.

Ingram could also return to action tonight after sitting out two of those previous four games. That will take the ball out of Barnes' hands more often.
 
Projections remain grounded while the prop market isn’t. Barnes' assist total is up to 7.5 O/U, but models barely breach six dimes, sitting as short as 5.3 assists. The Under is a juicy play, but worth it considering the contrast in forecasts and foe.

  • Time: 8:00 p.m. ET
  • Where to watch: FanDuel Sports Detroit Extra, Rogers Sportsnet Toronto, WMYD

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

Cash your ML bets quicker with bet365's early win payout!

Take advantage of the early win payout at bet365, where any pre-game NBA moneyline bet gets paid out as a winner if your team goes up by 20+ points!

Learn more about this feature, and all of bet365's offerings, with our comprehensive bet365 review!

Sign Up Now atimg src="https://img.covers.com/betting/sportsbooks/2/bet365.svg" alt="bet365" width="100" height="28" style="vertical-align: middle;"

21+. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER

Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
Not intended for use in MA.
Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.

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

Posted on

NBA Playoff scenarios for Tuesday, March 31: Lakers, Cavaliers can clinch playoff spots with wins

A couple of teams with ties to LeBron James — his first team in Cleveland and his current team in Los Angeles — face each other and can lock up playoff spots with a win in that showdown. Plus, a few games will have huge seeding implications. Here's what to look for.

Playoff Scenarios

• The Los Angeles Lakers will clinch both a playoff spot and the Pacific Division crown with a win over the Cleveland Cavaliers, or a Phoenix Suns loss on the road in Orlando.

• Cleveland clinches a playoff spot in the East with a win over Los Angeles.

• Denver officially will clinch a playoff spot if Phoenix loses in Orlando.

• Detroit will officially win the Central Division title with a win over Toronto, but that will be no easy ask on the second night of a back-to-back.

• The Clippers appear headed to the play-in — which is still pretty impressive considering their horrid 6-21 start to the season — but LA will officially be locked into the play-in if it loses to Portland and Houston beats New York.

Games to Watch

New York Knicks at Houston Rockets (8 p.m. ET, NBC/Peacock)

Both of these teams are headed to the playoffs, but both need this win for seeding. New York sits as the No. 3 seed in the East, two games back of Boston for the second but just one game up on Cleveland to hold on to that third spot. Houston is currently the No. 6 seed in the West but is just half a game behind Minnesota (and tied in the loss column) for the No. 5 spot (and two games back of Denver for fourth). Houston has been a pedestrian 5-5 in its last 10, but the Knicks come in on a two-game losing streak.

Cleveland Cavaliers at Los Angeles Lakers (10:30 p.m. ET, League Pass)

Another game between playoff teams — both with aspirations of a deep playoff run — fighting for seeding. Cleveland sits as the No. 4 seed in the East, just one game back of No. 3 seed New York, and is trying to chase them down. The Lakers are the No. 3 seed in the West, but Denver is just 1.5 games back (and on a hot streak, having won six in a row).

Portland Trail Blazers at LA Clippers (11 p.m. ET, NBC/Peacock)

The Trail Blazers sit as the No. 9 seed in the West, 1.5 games back of the No. 8 seed Clippers — if Portland is going to climb into the top eight it needs this win.

There is a huge difference between being the No. 7/8 seed in the play-in and the 9/10 seeds. The 7/8 teams just need to win one of two games, at least one at home, to advance to the playoffs. However, 9/10 teams must win two games without a loss, at least one on the road. Both the Trail Blazers and Clippers are trying to avoid that harder path.

Posted on

Knicks at Rockets Prediction: Odds, recent stats, trends, and best bets for March 31

The New York Knicks (48-27) travel to Houston to face the Rockets (45-29) on NBC and Peacock. This is the second and final meeting between the two. New York won the only matchup, 108-106 on February 21st.

New York has dropped its last two games after winning seven straight prior. The Knicks clinched a playoff spot in the top six last night and are positioned in the third seed with a 1.0 game-lead over the Cavaliers. Over the last 10 games, the Knicks have the third-best rated offense in the NBA, but come in at 16th defensively.

Houston sits in the six-seed of the West and are a 0.5 game back of Minnesota and 2.0 games behind Denver. The Rockets have won its last two games, but have been inconsistent with a 5-5 record over the last 10 games. Houston has the 16th-rated offense in that 10-game span and 13th-ranked defense.

Lets take a closer look at tonight’s matchup and take into consideration lineups, injuries, and other factors affecting the line and total.

We’ve got all the info and analysis you need to know ahead of the game, including the latest info on how to catch tipoff, odds courtesy of DraftKings recent team performance, player stats, and of course, our predictions, picks best bets for the game from our modeling tools and staff of experts.

After 24 years, the NBA is back on NBC and Peacock, combining the nostalgia of an iconic era with the innovative future of basketball coverage. The NBA on NBC YouTube channel delivers fans must-see highlights, analysis, and exclusive and unique content. 

Game Details and How to Watch Live: Knicks at Rockets

  • Date: Tuesday, March 31, 2026
  • Time: 8:00 PM EST
  • Site: Toyota Center
  • City: Houston, TX
  • Network/Streaming: Peacock/NBC Sports

Rotoworld has you covered with all the latest NBA Player News for all 30 teams. Check out the feed page right here on NBC Sports for headlines, injuries and transactions where you can filter by league, team, positions and news type!

Game Odds: Knicks at Rockets

The latest odds as of Tuesday, courtesy of DraftKings:

  • Moneyline: Houston Rockets (-112), New York Knicks (-108)
  • Spread: Houston -1.5
  • Total: O/U 217.5 points

This game opened New York -1.5 with the Total set at 218.5.

Be sure to check out DraftKings for all the latest game odds & player props for every matchup this week on the NBA schedule!

Expected Starting Lineups: Knicks at Rockets

New York Knicks

  • PG Jalen Brunson
  • SG Josh Hart
  • SF Mikal Bridges
  • PF OG Anunoby
  • C Karl-Anthony Towns

Houston Rockets

  • PG Amen Thompson
  • SG Reed Sheppard
  • SF Kevin Durant
  • PF Jabari Smith
  • C Alperen Sengun

Injury Report: Knicks at Rockets

New York Knicks

  • Landry Shamet (knee) is OUT for tonight's game
  • Miles McBride (pelvis) is QUESTIONABLE for tonight's game

Houston Rockets

  • None

Important stats, trends and insights: Knicks at Rockets

  • Houston is 31-43 ATS, ranking 3rd-worst
  • Houston is 13-22 ATS at home, ranking 2nd-worst
  • Houston is 40-33-1 to the Under, ranking 10th-best
  • Houston is 22-12-1 to the Under at home, ranking 4th-best
  • New York is 39-37 ATS this season
  • New York is 14-24 ATS on the road, ranking 2nd-worst
  • New York is 40-36 to the Under and 22-16 to the Under on the road

Rotoworld Best Bet

Please bet responsibly. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline at 1-800-522-4700.

Our model calculates projections around each moneyline, spread and over/under bet for every game on the NBA calendar based on data points like recent performance, head-to-head player matchups, trends information and projected game totals.

Once the model is finished running, we put its projections next to the latest betting lines for the game to arrive at a relative confidence level for each wager.

Here are the best bets our model is projecting for tonight’s Knicks and Rockets’ game:

  • Moneyline: Rotoworld Bet is leaning towards a play on the Knicks’ Moneyline
  • Spread: Rotoworld Bet is leaning towards a play on the Knicks +1.5 ATS
  • Total: Rotoworld Bet is leaning towards a play on the Game Total OVER 217.5

Want even more NBA best bets and predictions from our expert staff & tools? Check out the Expert NBA Predictions page from NBC Sports for money line, spread and over/under picks for every game on today’s calendar!

If you’re looking for more key trends and stats around the spread, moneyline and total for every single game on the schedule today, check out our NBA Top Trends tool on NBC Sports!

Follow our experts on socials to keep up with all the latest content from the staff:

  • Jay Croucher (@croucherJD)
  • Drew Dinsick (@whale_capper)
  • Vaughn Dalzell (@VmoneySports)
  • Trysta Krick (@Trysta_Krick)
Posted on

Where to watch New York Knicks vs. Houston Rockets: Live stream, start time, TV channel, odds for Tuesday, March 31

The New York Knicks just clinched a playoff berth while the Houston Rockets are trying to improve their own seeding in the Western Conference. New York is slightly favored with a moneyline of -118.0, compared to Houston's -102.0.

  • New York Knicks: 48-27 (No. 2 in Atlantic Division)

  • Houston Rockets: 45-29 (No. 2 in Southwest Division)

  • Spread: Houston Rockets 1.5

  • Moneyline: Houston Rockets -102 / New York Knicks -118

  • Over/Under: 218.5

Posted on

How to watch New York Knicks vs Houston Rockets: TV, live stream info for tonight's game

Tonight's Coast 2 Coast Tuesday lineup features an exciting NBA doubleheader on NBC and Peacock. First at 8:00 PM ET Jalen Brunson and the New York Knicks take on Kevin Durant and the Houston Rockets in Texas. Then, at 11:00 PM ET it's the Portland Trail Blazers vs LA Clippers . Live coverage begins with NBA Showtime at 7:00 PM on Peacock. See below for additional information on how to watch each game.

Follow all of the NBA action on NBCSN and Peacock. Peacock will feature 100 regular-season games throughout the course of the 2025-2026 season.

Click here to sign up for Peacock!

New York Knicks vs Houston Rockets Game Preview:

The Knicks officially clinched a playoff spot last night after Philadelphia's loss to Miami. They're currently third in the Eastern Conference, just two games behind the Boston Celtics.

New York struggled earlier this season, going 2-9 from December 31-January 19, but has managed to turn their season around, winning 23 of 30 games from January 21 to March 24.

But the goal for New York isn't just to make a deep playoff run.

“We want to get to the Finals. And we should win the Finals. This is sports, and anything can happen. But getting to the Finals, we absolutely got to do," said Knicks owner James Dolan in January.

The Knicks look to bounce back tonight after dropping back-to-back losses against the Hornets and Thunder.

The Rockets are currently sixth in the Western Conference with a 3.5-game lead over the Phoenix Suns. Kevin Durant has been Houston's most consistent player, leading the Rockets with 25.9 points per game. Durant, now 37, looks to lead his fifth franchise to the playoffs.

How to watch New York Knicks vs Houston Rockets:

  • When: Tuesday, March 31
  • Where: Toyota Center, Houston, TX
  • Time: 8:00 PM ET
  • TV Channel: NBC
  • Live Stream:Peacock

RELATED:NBA power rankings 2025-26 - Championship tiers are back and San Antonio is on top of them

What other NBA games are on Peacock tonight?

  • Portland Trail Blazers vs Los Angeles Clippers - 11:00 PM ET

How to watch the NBA on NBC and Peacock:

Peacock NBA Monday will stream up to three Monday night games each week throughout the regular season. Coast 2 Coast Tuesday presents doubleheaders on Tuesday nights throughout the regular season on NBC and Peacock. On most Tuesdays, an 8 p.m. ET game will be on NBC stations in the Eastern and Central time zones, and an 8 p.m. PT game on NBC stations in the Pacific and often Mountain time zones.

Check local listings each week. Both games will stream live nationwide on Peacock. Sunday Night Basketball coverage will also be available on NBC and Peacock. For a full schedule of the NBA on NBC and Peacock, click here.

How to sign up for Peacock:

Sign up here to watch all of our LIVE sports, sports shows, documentaries, classic matches, and more. You'll also get tons of hit movies and TV shows, Originals, news, 24/7 channels, and current NBC & Bravo hits—Peacock is here for whatever you’re in the mood for.

NBA on NBC 2025-26 Schedule:

Click here to see the full list of NBA games that will air on NBC and Peacock this season.

What devices does Peacock support?

You can enjoy Peacock on a variety of devices. View the full list of supported devices here.

Dallas Mavericks won the 2025 NBA Draft Lottery in Chicago
NBA reportedly presented owners three anti-tanking concepts, all bring play-in or playoff teams into mix
All of the NBA’s ideas make the lottery bigger — 18 to 22 teams — and flatten the odds.

Posted on

Who is officiating Final Four in 2026? NCAA releases full list

The NCAA announced its officiating crew for the Final Four of the 2026 men's NCAA Tournament on Monday, March 30.

Only No. 2 seed Connecticut, No. 3 Illinois and No. 1 seeds Michigan and Arizona remain in March Madness after each school won their respective region to secure their trips to Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, the Final Four site this year. UConn faces Illinois and Michigan takes on Arizona for spots in the national championship.

REQUIRED READING: Final Four predictions: Who will advance to national championship game?

Michigan and Arizona have been dominant all season and in the Men's NCAA Tournament, and their Final Four matchup is shaping up to be one of the most-anticipated games in recent years. The Wolverines are coming off a 95-62 win over No. 6 Tennessee in the Elite Eight, with the Wildcats took down No. 2 Purdue, 79-64.

The Huskies, meanwhile, defeated top-seeded Duke on a last-second 3-pointer from true freshman Braylon Mullins. Illinois punched its ticket after beating fellow Big Ten foe No. 9 Iowa, 71-59.

Here's a look at the full officiating crew for the Final Four in 2026, which is certainly going to appease all college basketball fans:

Who is officiating the Final Four in 2026?

The NCAA didn't announce specific game assignments but did announce the 11 officials selected for the Final Four in 2026. Here's the full list:

  • Jeff Anderson
  • James Breeding
  • Lee Cassell
  • Ron Groover
  • Keith Kimble
  • Kipp Kissinger
  • Greg Nixon
  • Marques Pettigrew
  • Doug Shows
  • Doug Sirmons
  • Paul Szelc

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Final Four officials: Who is officiating Men's NCAA Tournament?

Posted on

Where to watch Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Los Angeles Lakers: Live stream, start time, TV channel, odds for Tuesday, March 31

The Los Angeles Lakers can clinch the Pacific Division title and a playoff berth with a victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers. Luka Doncic is returning from his one-game suspension for the Lakers, who are favored by 1.5 points with a -135 moneyline in a matchup against the Cavaliers.

  • Cleveland Cavaliers: 47-28 (No. 2 in Central Division)

  • Los Angeles Lakers: 49-26 (No. 1 in Pacific Division)

  • Spread: Los Angeles Lakers -1.5

  • Moneyline: Los Angeles Lakers -135 / Cleveland Cavaliers 110

  • Over/Under: 236.5

Posted on

Florida's Olivier Rioux, a 7-foot-9 center, enters transfer portal

The tallest player in college basketball history is headed elsewhere next season.

Florida center Olivier Rioux, a 7-foot-9 redshirt freshman, intends to enter the transfer portal, he announced on social media on Tuesday, March 31. The window to transfer opens April 7 — the day after the national championship on Monday, April 6 — and ends April 21.

"After taking time to reflect on my journey and what's best for my future, I've decided to enter the transfer portal," he wrote as part of a longer message.

REQUIRED READING: 'You're a big boy!' Florida giant Olivier Rioux's height shocks Prairie View A&M player

Rioux played limited minutes in 2025-26, scoring seven total points in 17 minutes. He became both the tallest player to ever score in an NCAA Tournament and SEC conference game this season, and could be an interesting prospect for teams to take a shot on if he's able to develop, given his other-worldly size.

The Quebec, Canada, native attended IMG Academy, a popular prep high school in Bradenton, Florida, before securing a preferred a roster spot at Florida. He was a 3-star recruit, according to 247Sports' Composite, with reported offers from Florida Atlantic and Stetson, before choosing the Gators.

He has experience with Canada's national team, having played a significant role for multiple of its younger squads. He averaged 4.5 points with 4.5 rebounds per game in Canada's U18 FIBA AmeriCup bronze medal win in 2023.

Rioux won a national championship at Florida in 2024-25, although he redshirted that season, focusing on development with the Gators' scout team. After being on back-to-back No. 1 seeds, perhaps he's ready for more substantial player time next season, albeit with a different school.

Olivier Rioux dunk vs Prairie View A&M

Rioux grabbed an offensive rebound before throwing down a dunk in which he barely had to jump in Florida's first-round win over No. 16 seed Prairie View A&M in the NCAA Tournament. The crowd expectedly went wild after he scored, given his popularity.

Rioux's final game at Florida was his best showing, although it came during Florida's 60-plus point lead. He scored two points with two rebounds and an assist in two minutes of action. He was also responsible for one of the viral moments of the 2026 Men's NCAA Tournament, when he towered over Prairie View A&M's 6-foot-8 Hassane Diallo.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Florida's 7-9 center Olivier Rioux enters transfer portal

Posted on

Fantasy Basketball Stock Up, Stock Down: Can managers count on LeBron to win them a championship?

Welcome to Week 23, better known as Championship Week for most fantasy leagues. As the NBA prepares for its final full week of action, injuries and seeding are among the most important factors at this time of year. Who can you ultimately trust to bring valuable production to close the season? Who should you maybe avoid? We have some suggestions.

 Want more fantasy coverage and Rotoworld player news in your Google feed?

Add NBCSports.com as a preferred source to see more Rotoworld insight, betting analysis, and breaking player news across NFL, NBA, MLB, and college football.

→ Watch the NBA Coast 2 Coast Tuesday on NBC and Peacock: The Magic and the Cavaliers will tip things off at 8 p.m. ET before the Suns and Nuggets square off at 11 p.m. ET. Both games are available on Peacock. Check your local listings for the NBC game in your area.

STOCK UP

Daniss Jenkins, PG/SG, Pistons

The Pistons essentially have hardly missed a beat after losing superstar point guard Cade Cunningham to a collapsed lung in the middle of March. Jenkins has played some good ball in the seven games since being elevated to the starting lineup as an injury replacement, averaging 18.1 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 7.1 assists per game. Those are not quite Cunningham-type numbers, but impactful ones nonetheless. Jenkins' biggest moment came in a 30-point performance in a win over the Lakers recently, which was immediately followed by a 19-point, 10-rebound double-double. The sophomore guard isn’t someone who fantasy managers should necessarily lock in for big games on a nightly basis. However, the floor seems high, considering the current role and workload; any strong stat lines shouldn’t be surprising.

Gary Trent Jr., SG/SF, Bucks

Need scoring? Need three-pointers? Trent Jr. may be your guy! Although his 2025-26 season has been one of his least impressive in years, he finds himself currently back in the starting rotation for a Bucks team that is officially eliminated from the playoffs, dealing with several key injuries, and has just cut the guard who was likely occupying some of Trent Jr.’s backcourt minutes off the bench. In other words, he’s in a good position to play freely without much pressure, which he’s done effectively over the past week. The eighth-year guard has had 18-point, 20-point, and 36-point games in his most recent run, while tallying 20 made triples over the last four games. He’s surely capable of some lows — see his zero-point, 0-of-7 shooting outing against the Trail Blazers on March 25 — but his highs provide quality fantasy value for those in pursuit of three-point scoring.

Tim Hardaway Jr., SG/SF, Nuggets

Speaking of three-point shooting, how many players in the league off the bench are more capable of setting the nets on fire than Hardaway Jr.? He’s been filling such a role since his playoff runs with the Mavericks, and now appears to be gearing up for another significant one in his first year with the Nuggets. The veteran sharpshooter has drained at least four three-pointers in four of his last six games, scoring at least 16 points in each. There’s little else being contributed from a fantasy standpoint, so Hardaway Jr.’s appeal likely would be for those fantasy managers in category leagues. If three-point production is needed, THJ is a qualified streaming option.

STOCK DOWN

Quentin Grimes, SG/SF, 76ers

“No Paul George. No Tyrese Maxey. No Joel Embiid. Just lots of Quentin Grimes lately,” — me, in last week’s column, labeling Grimes as a “Stock Up” performer. Well, each of those injured stars has returned, and now Grimes’ production has decreased significantly, and quickly. He’s, understandably, coming off the bench now and seeing far fewer attempts over his past three games, totaling 33 points, 12 rebounds, and 12 assists. Grimes’ most recent performance, an 11-point, five-rebound, four-assist line against the Hornets, reflects the type of numbers that should be considered as realistic moving forward, given his decreased role. The Sixers are both trying to cement a playoff spot while getting their core group acclimated and back in the flow ahead of the postseason. It may not be a good idea to rely on Grimes during Championship Week.

LeBron James, SF/PF, Lakers

It feels very weird to put a player of this caliber and status into the Stock Down category, but the numbers represent a player who probably shouldn’t be counted on to consistently put up game-changing numbers. To be fair, James, in Year 23, is coming off a triple-double against the Wizards on Monday. But for context, that was in a game that Luka Doncic missed to serve a one-game suspension. When the team has been healthy recently, James has logged stat lines that reflect a more measured approach and a seemingly backseat role to his teammates as the Lakers continue to collect wins. Barring key absences, it’s hard to see the formula changing much down the stretch of the season. Shout out to LeBron, though, for being able to adapt and play whichever role is required at the time.

Jay Huff, C, Pacers

Huff began March with five consecutive double-digit scoring performances and multiple three-pointers in each contest — his ending to the month hasn’t been quite as productive. Over his last five appearances, the floor-spacing center has failed to reach double figures in points four times and combined to shoot 6-of-16 from beyond the arc. His recent slippage isn’t a grand one; rather, it could be considered a letdown, based on the highs he’s reached at points this season, and how big his role could be on a banged-up Pacers team. Huff should still be in position to end the season strong. However, it’s difficult to get a feel for what to expect from him on a nightly basis.