Category: Basketball

Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across the NBA. Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in Rockets fans and fans across the country. Sign up here to participate in the weekly emailed surveys.

Hey, Rockets fans, we’re back with this week’s Reacts, and what we want to know is do you want the Rockets to trade with the Milwaukee Bucks for Giannis Antetokounmpo?

Giannis supposedly wants out of Milwaukee, and we’ve been covering that with news and analysis all week, but now it’s time for you to make the call. Do you want the Rockets to trade for Giannis? It means giving up either Alperen Sengun or Amen Thompson in all likelihood plus a lot of draft capital.

Cast your vote and tell us in the comments and we’ll be back soon with the results.

The Cleveland Cavaliers did just enough to get past the tanking Utah Jazz122-113, thanks to 34-point performances from both Evan Mobley and Donovan Mitchell.

How much can you actually take from this game? Tanking has been a part of the NBA for decades, but few teams have been as shameless about it as the Jazz.

Utah has taken the art of tanking to a new extreme. Last month, they weren’t closing games with their best players, which resulted in a $500,000 fine. Then, the league seemingly didn’t believe them when they tried to shut Lauri Markkanen down with a hip injury, and were rumored to be sending an independent doctor to verify the diagnosis before deciding not to. And, they’re one of the teams at the center of the league’s initiative to end tanking.

Despite Adam Silver’s best efforts, the Jazz have kept losing. They came into this game on a five-game losing streak and had dropped nine of their last 10.

Unsurprisingly, they were also down several key players in Monday’s matchup as they were without Markkanen (hip), Jaren Jackson Jr. (knee), Walker Kessler (shoulder), Jusuf Nurkic (nose), Keyonte George (hamstring), and Isaiah Collier (hamstring). Few teams are going to be competitive if they’re missing that many rotation players. That’s especially true for ones that aren’t built to be competitive in the first place.

The Cavs knew this all as well. They also chose to rest two key players, Max Strus and Jarrett Allen, before their showdown with the red-hot Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday night. That makes it a tough game to get up for. It also makes it foolish to react too strongly to anything that happened on the court.

That preamble out of the way, let’s see if we can glean at least some things from this one.

The Cavaliers are now 14-2 when Donovan Mitchell scores 34 or more points and 20-9 when he scores 30 or more.

The team has gone as Mitchell has this season. That was on display again, as Mitchell’s former team couldn’t keep him from getting to the basket whenever he wanted. This resulted in Mitchell going 7-9 in the paint and 11-12 from the charity stripe.

Tyrese Proctor was the one exception from an otherwise forgettable bench performance. He made the most of his opportunity by supplying eight points on 3-6 shooting in 12 minutes of action.

This wasn’t a standout performance, but it did show how Proctor can be helpful. He fit into the overall offense by finding his spots to score, which included tipping in one of Sam Merrill’s eight three-point misses.

Speaking of which, the Cavs went just 6-32 (18.8%) from three (2nd percentile).

I’m not sure if it’s worth going into this much. Cleveland generated open looks, but they just didn’t go. That included Merrill going an uncharacteristic 0-8 from distance.

On one hand, it’s worth pointing out that the Cavs aren’t going to win many playoff games if they shoot that poorly from three. On the other hand, it’s worth acknowledging that Cleveland was still in the 67th percentile for offensive rating despite shooting that badly from deep.

Evan Mobley forcefully attacking the paint helped mitigate the team’s poor outside shooting. He did a good job of continually finding ways to get into the teeth of Utah’s defense and finish inside. This led to 34 points on 15-21 shooting, which included going 10-12 on shots at the rim.

The Cavs are at their best — especially since they’ve added James Harden — when they’re getting in the paint and then setting up the rest of their offense from there. That happened here as Cleveland doubled up Utah inside, outscoring them 82-40 in the paint. Mobley’s aggressiveness as the lone big played a large role in that happening.

Additionally, Mobley relentlessly looked to score in the fourth as he recorded a team-high 10 points in the final frame. He single-handedly put the game away by scoring on three-straight possessions late, despite playing with five fouls.

The Cavs have struggled to feature Mobley late in games, even on nights he’s had it going. Being able to find him in the clutch — and having his run essentially seal the game — was incredibly encouraging on a night Mitchell also played well offensively.

Harden has bought into being the prototypical point guard for this team. He’s willingly ceded the scoring reigns to whoever else on the team has it going. This evening, that meant deferring to boy Mobley and Mitchell.

Since coming to Cleveland, Harden has often played like he’d rather set up teammates than score himself. A performance like this — against a team he was able to manipulate seemingly at will — underscored the extent that seemed to be true. Nearly every move he made off-the-dribble was done to create a window for a pass or an open lane for a teammate to fill. The shot attempts felt almost like a way to keep defenses honest, even though a top-10 scorer in league history doesn’t really need to remind opponents that he can still do that.

Half of Harden’s 14 assists went to Mobley, with five of them coming off of pick-and-rolls.

These actions develop differently, but you’ll notice three commonalities between them.

First, the ball is always delivered high, above Mobley’s waist. This allows him to keep his momentum going after the catch.

Second, you’ll see how hard Mobley is cutting to the basket in these actions. And if he isn’t cutting hard, it’s because he’s found a window to sit in. This is a drastic change from how things looked when Harden first arrived in Cleveland. Before then, Mobley would often drift off screens. Now, he’s not doing so.

Finally, the contact on these screens from Mobley looks different depending on the situation. Instead of just slipping the screen automatically, he’s reading whether he needs to set a hard screen, just make contact, or quickly duck out. This makes it much more difficult to defend, as there’s an element of surprise that wasn’t there before.

This game was far from perfect — especially defensively — but it’s incredibly encouraging that the Cavs have once again found a way to have their three best players performing near peak level when sharing the floor.

Playoff basketball is often won by the team whose best three or four-man combinations are in sync. Right now, the Cavs are. We’ll see if that carries when the games start really mattering in a few weeks.

On Sept. 26, 2017, the FBI and federal law enforcement authorities set off a massive explosion in college basketball that led to the arrests of several coaches and the eventual suspension or firing of several others.  

The list included then-USC assistant coach Tony Bland, who was arrested that day on bribery-related charges. The fallout from it also ensnared Louisville head coach Rick Pitino (fired in 2017), Arizona head coach Sen Miller (fired in 2021) Kansas head coach Bill Self (suspended in 2022), and LSU head coach Will Wade (fired in 2022).

But those coaches and several others since have been forgiven and even had a comeback party of sorts this month as active coaches in the NCAA Tournament. Wade also just got rehired as head coach at LSU, as if nothing ever happened, serving as a reminder about what really matters in college sports once all the FBI dust settles.

“Some had short exiles and punishments, but when you win, there’s always a spot,” said David Ridpath, a sports business professor at Ohio University.

These March Madness comeback stories (see list below) also raise other big concerns on the eve of the Final Four in Indianapolis, according to observers.

One is whether this crackdown had any lasting purpose or should have happened in the first place. Another relates to former Arizona assistant coach Emanuel “Book” Richardson, who’s still paying a price for it even after serving 90 days in federal prison.

“It is a continuing, profound injustice,” one of his advocates said recently.

What was illegal then is now generally legal

The FBI investigation and the NCAA rules enforcement cases that followed aimed to crack down on alleged bribes and illegal payments to recruits or their families, which now seems quaint. NCAA rules have since changed to legalize certain payments to players for their names, images, and likenesses (NIL), starting in 2021.

A sports apparel company such as Adidas now can legally pay players directly for their NIL, unlike back then, when an Adidas consultant testified at trial in 2018 that he provided illicit payments to the families of recruits, including recruits for Kansas and Louisville, two Adidas-sponsored schools. Both Louisville and Kansas got punished for it, even though they said they didn’t have knowledge of it.

Kansas spent $10 million over six years fighting the case, which alleged Kansas was using Adidas to entice recruits with money. An Adidas employee and consultant even went to prison for it.

This likely never would have happened under the current rule structure.

“Everything that's happening (legally now with NIL) is just a microcosm of what's always been happening,” Richardson told USA TODAY Sports on March 25. “Now we can put a name to it (NIL).”

Meanwhile, not everyone has been allowed to resume their careers like Bland, Pitino and others who took part in March Madness this month. Richardson is still effectively barred from college basketball under a 10-year show-cause penalty from the NCAA, even after serving prison time and taking responsibility for the $20,000 bribe prosecutors said he took to steer players toward a certain agent and financial adviser once the players made it to the NBA.

That lingering punishment strikes some as just plain wrong

The Book Richardson case

Richardson, 53, is seeking a federal pardon even though he already served his prison sentence. A federal pardon would not erase the 10-year NCAA penalty that extends to 2030. But it would be a meaningful sign of forgiveness. The application for it was spearheaded by a group at New York University, including clinical professor David Hollander.

“It is a continuing, profound injustice Book Richardson remains under the professional restraint of a 10-year show-cause, given whatever other results you would like to observe have come from that FBI investigation,” Hollander told USA TODAY Sports on March 25. “Excessive isn't strong enough of a word, because words don't amount to a human being's life. That's what this is about. One person's entire life has been lopsidedly hammered.”

Four coaches pleaded guilty in 2019 to similar bribery charges: Richardson, Bland, former Auburn assistant Chuck Person and former Oklahoma State assistant Lamont Evans. Richardson, Person and Evans are out of college basketball with 10-year show-cause penalties. Richardson and Evans both did prison time, not Person or Bland. Bland only got a three-year show-cause penalty from the NCAA and is back in college basketball on the staff at Kansas.

Under-the-table bribes like those back then since have been disincentivized and replaced by over-the-table business transactions. In addition to allowing players to earn money for their NIL, the NCAA also now allows them to hire agents to manage their NIL earnings while still in college.  

The timing isn’t lost on Richardson, who regrets taking the money and now works in Virginia at The St. James Performance Academy.

“I did 90 days in jail, and I got out in October of 2020,” Richardson said. “(Legalized) NIL happened in 2021.”

More recently, Richardson noticed all those familiar names involved in March Madness this month.

List of March Madness coaches who got punished in scandal

These coaches coached in NCAA Tournament this month after previously being caught in the quagmire stemming from the FBI investigation of 2017:

∎ Tony Bland, now at Kansas, made his first NCAA Tournament appearance since his arrest.

∎ Rick Pitino, now the head coach at St. John’s, recently made his first Sweet 16 appearance since his firing from Louisville.

∎ Will Wade of LSU was caught on an FBI wiretap talking about an “offer" and a "deal" for Javonte Smart, a top recruit who later signed with LSU before NIL was legalized. LSU fired Wade for cause in 2022 after the NCAA accused him of serious recruiting violations. The NCAA’s enforcement arm also hit him with a 10-game suspension and two-year show-cause penalty. He bounced back as coach at McNeese State, then NC State, which he led to the NCAA Tournament this month. He’s now back at LSU, where all has been forgiven. He recently told reporters he’s “trying to follow more rules this time.” He also received a hero’s welcome in Baton Rouge at his re-introductory news conference March 30.

“You never get second chances in life, but we get one here,” Wade said March 30.

∎ Kansas coach Bill Self was suspended four games in 2022 after fighting the Adidas-related allegations for years. He lost in the second round to Pitino and St. John’s on March 22.

∎ Head coach Sean Miller brought Texas to the NCAA Tournament this month after getting fired from Arizona in 2021 and then bouncing back at Xavier. Shortly before his firing, the NCAA charged Arizona with serious recruiting allegations stemming from the FBI case. An FBI wiretap caught Book Richardson telling an aspiring agent that Miller “bought” star player Deandre Ayton. Miller denied it.

∎ Kansas assistant coach Kurtis Townsend was suspended four games along with Self in 2022 and was sitting right next to him in the game vs. St. John’s.

∎ Former Creighton assistant coach Preston Murphy was back in the NCAA Tournament this month with Alabama after previously being punished with a two-year show-cause penalty stemming from the FBI investigation. He wasn’t charged with a crime but allegedly accepted payment from a business manager seeking to entice college athletes to sign with that person’s management company.

Richardson said he’s happy for these coaches.

“If they have the opportunity to get back and flourish, I’d love that same opportunity,” Richardson said. “I think I have a lot to give.”

Rick Pitino, Bill Self and the Adidas March Madness game

Amid the backdrop of the FBI case of 2017, a second-round game on March 22 in San Diego stands out in particular.

This was a matchup between two Hall of Fame coaches, nationally televised on CBS — Self and Kansas vs. Pitino at St. John’s. Before the game, Self took a seat next to assistant coach Townsend on his right and Bland down the row to his left.

All wore the Adidas “three stripes” logo on their sleeves. Their star freshman guard, Darryn Peterson, has been paid by Adidas, too, and is now allowed to do so openly, unlike players before 2021.

On the other side of the court, Pitino’s team also was outfitted in Adidas uniforms after reaching a sponsorship deal with the company last year.

Adidas-sponsored Peterson scored 21 points, but Adidas-sponsored St. John’s won the game with a buzzer-beating layup, 67-65.

In light of all of this, what impact did this FBI case really have?

This game came just a handful of years after Adidas representatives went to prison and some of those coaches were punished in a case involving alleged Adidas inducements to recruits.

‘It’s really time to free this man’

Richardson is still feeling the impact of it at least.

“I’ve been to hell and back,” he said.  And he never snitched on anybody, which could have helped him get a lighter sentence.

“It all could have been avoided if I just told what everyone thought I knew,” Richardson said.

The NCAA and U.S. Justice Department didn’t return messages seeking comment. Meanwhile, the contrast between Richardson and other active coaches hasn’t gone unnoticed in college basketball.

“I am very happy for my friends, Will Wade and Sean Miller,” ESPN analyst Fran Fraschilla said on social media recently. “Not being sarcastic. But I’ve had discussions with the NCAA about Book Richardson & it’s really time to free this man. His penalty is very, very, very unfair”

Follow reporter Brent Schrotenboer @Schrotenboer. Email: bschrotenb@usatoday.com

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Those caught in college basketball 2017 FBI probe enjoying March Madness

Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown considered his performance in Monday night’s 112-102 loss to the Atlanta Hawks substandard at best.

“That was probably one of my worst games of the season, in my opinion,” Brown told reporters, per CLNS Media.

Brown rejoined the Celtics after sitting out two straight games with left Achilles tendinitis. He watched teammates officially secure Boston’s playoff berth against the Charlotte Hornets on Sunday night from the bench, then returned to action. Meanwhile, Jayson Tatum sat with right Achilles injury management on the second night of a back-to-back, giving Brown the floor.

But Brown struggled, missing each of his first four shot attempts in Atlanta.

“I missed a lot of easy shots, but it was a very physical game,” Brown said. “Playoff-like atmosphere and I didn’t think we adjusted quick enough. They came to play. The refs let a lot of stuff go and we didn’t adjust to the physicality. So, a good game to learn from.”

It was the first time all season Brown had missed consecutive games, and the rust became increasingly difficult to shake off throughout the night. Brown made only nine of 29 field goal attempts, going 8-for-14 from the free-throw line en route to a 29-point performance he wasn’t satisfied with. Even with 10 rebounds and nine assists nearly pushing him to a triple-double, Brown felt he didn’t play up to standard, and the Celtics suffered as a result of it.

In the third quarter, with 9:21 remaining, Brown missed a right-handed layup that would’ve broken a 60-60 tie for the Celtics. Nearly two minutes later, he missed a pull-up 3-pointer to cut the deficit to two points. In the fourth quarter, after the Celtics fought back to cut into a 21-point Hawks advantage, Brown missed another layup that would’ve made it a 10-point game with 4:06 left to play.

No matter where Brown turned, he couldn’t find offensive success. He shot 3-of-9 from three, missed six layups, and committed a game-leading six turnovers, logging a minus-5 rating.

Brown’s frustration over failing to deliver reminded him where to turn when things aren’t going his way.

“Mindset,” Brown said. “You know, you can’t throw in the towel. If you’re not feeling up to your best, still gotta do what you need to do. Sometimes you just gotta work your way through it — rely on your teammates. But if you’re getting good shots and good looks, you just gotta trust that, and keep playing aggressive basketball.”

Rather than a scheduled loss, the Celtics failed to capitalize on several opportunities to break ahead. The final 12 minutes were a valiant effort, ending in an underwhelming finish, not because the Hawks played exceptionally, but because Boston repeatedly fumbled its chances. Brown couldn’t come through with the momentum-shifting plays needed to bail the Celtics out in the crucial final minutes of regulation.

In the end, Brown’s 31 percent shooting output was his worst since Jan. 5 against the Chicago Bulls (25 percent).

“This game was on me,” Brown confessed. “I got to be better. Probably one of my worst performances in a while, and that cost us the game.”

With seven games left in the regular season, Brown clarified that his left Achilles tendinitis, sustained during last week’s win over the Oklahoma City Thunder, wasn’t a concern. Although some of his misses were “uncharacteristic,” as he put it, the injury didn’t affect his overall comfort and ability to perform in Atlanta.

“I felt OK. I felt fine,” Brown said. “I had a couple of plays where I took some hard falls, but overall I felt fine.”

Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across the NBA. Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in Cavaliers fans and fans across the country. Sign up here to participate in the weekly emailed surveys.

The finish line is in sight. Only seven games are remaining for the Cleveland Cavaliers this season. As we enter the home stretch, let’s use this opportunity to poll the fan base on how confident they are in the season being extended.

We have one question for this week. Where will the Cavs season end? First round, second round, conference finals, runner-ups, or NBA champs?

Obviously, there are many factors at play. Health is maybe the biggest determining factor. But seeding and opponent will influence how far this team can go, as well. For example, you probably feel better about playing the Detroit Pistons than you do the Boston Celtics.

As of typing, Cleveland is in fourth place in the Eastern Conference. It feels fairly safe to assume they’ll finish the season there, though it’s still possible they could move up or down. Homecourt advantage would be a nice thing to secure.

I’d consider the Cavs somewhat of a wild-card contender. Could they make it to the NBA Finals and potentially even win, depending on the matchup? I believe so. But if you told me the Cavs flamed out and were upset in the first or second round, I hate to say I wouldn’t be overly surprised.

I lean more towards a deep playoff run. This team is too talented to fall short again. If healthy, the Cavs are the second-best team in the East, by my estimation. Cleveland has the fourth-best odds of winning the title according to FanDuel.

But we want to hear your opinion. How far does this team go?

It’s undeniable now, a straight gangster move in this Wild, Wild West era of college sports.

The Big Ten has stolen the SEC mojo. 

Better teams, better players, better stories. Better present — and more potentially damning — better future. 

“The playing field has been leveled out as far as finances and things like that,” said Michigan basketball coach Dusty May, whose team is one of two from the Big Ten to advance to Saturday’s Final Four.

But don’t get stuck on basketball, where the Big Ten hasn’t won a national championship since 2000 — and currently has two more teams alive in the NCAA Tournament than does the SEC. Which has none.

This is paradigm change five years in the making, running parallel with the explosion of NIL and free player movement. This is the Big Ten flexing, and the SEC retreating. 

Because now everyone can pay players. Now the Big Ten’s massive and influential alumni bases have skin in the game.

Now it’s no longer about where the best (insert your sport) is played, it’s who has the most money. As important: the Big Ten’s change in personality and philosophy.

Somewhere, at some point, the Big Ten got fed up with playing little brother to the SEC. The gloves came off, and the conference of Legends and Leaders morphed into Bandits and Bounty Hunters.  

From strumming a guitar on the stairs for the lonely and bored at the sorority party, to doing keg stands in the middle of the quad at the impromptu frat party.

This all began with the Alliance built by former commissioner Kevin Warren, who held hands with the ACC and the (former) Pac-12 in solidarity against the SEC, whole brandishing an expansion knife behind the Pac-12’s back.

It should come as no surprise that a year after the Big Ten did the Pac-12 dirty and stole USC and UCLA (and later Oregon and Washington), Michigan won its first national title in football since 1997.

It wasn’t that Michigan won, it’s how it unfolded with a no-name analyst concocting an illegal scouting scheme and sucking the oxygen from a championship run built — in no small part — with some key additions from this new fangled contraption called the transfer portal. 

A scheme with such audacity, Big Ten coaches had to leak detailed information to the media (and then later give it directly to the Big Ten) before the conference took a stand. But the train was long down the tracks by the time then-new commissioner Tony Petitti stepped in with a meek three-game suspension for coach Jim Harbaugh — his second of the season, but first for this specific violation.

In other words, tell me you’re the SEC without telling me you’re the SEC.

Who's winning, who's whining: There's a big difference between coaches, players free movement — large buyouts

Long road back: DJ Lagway felt isolated, depressed at Florida. He's rewriting his story at Baylor | Exclusive

A year later, Ohio State coach Ryan Day — on the verge of losing the best job in college football — threw a truckload of cash at the best defensive player in the SEC (Caleb Downs), the best running back in the SEC (Quinshon Judkins), an All-SEC center (Seth McLaughlin), and a Big 12 championship quarterback (Will Howard) as part of a $20 million roster that still couldn’t beat Michigan — but beat the brakes off everyone in the College Football Playoff. 

Then came Indiana, the lovable, all-time football loser, who changed everything. And even that began with some newfound Big Ten chutzpah, when IU athletic director Scott Dolson called James Madison coach Curt Cignetti after their in-person interview — just as Cignetti had told his wife he was going to stay at JMU — and said, “Congratulations, you’re the Indiana coach.”

And didn’t give Cignetti — now the hottest coach in college football — a chance to say no. Which is sort of like the Big Ten and its takeover of all things college sports. 

Kill it, then eat it. 

Even missteps off the field have been overshadowed by other bold and brash moves. While Petitti has had a couple of faux pas (hello, capital investment), his unwavering stance on the CFP is beginning to show cracks in the SEC armor. 

Georgia coach Kirby Smart and Tennessee coach Josh Heupel have embraced the Big Ten’s idea of a 20- or 24-team CFP, while their own commissioner (Greg Sankey) is in a very public game of chicken with the Petitti over the future format of the billion-dollar postseason.

Sankey wants 16 teams, Petitti wants 20 or 24 teams. It’s never a good sign when the SEC’s most high-profile coach — and arguably the game’s best coach — sides with the Big Ten.

The Big Ten already has the better media rights deal, and delivers more money to a majority of its member institutions (not all of the newbies) than the SEC. The Big Ten has the bigger television markets, and the ability — though not yet realized — to dominate ratings.  

There’s the possibility of an all-Big Ten final in the NCAA Tournament, which hasn’t happened since the Big 12 did it in 1988. If you think that’s crazy, hold on to your tall glass of sweet tea. 

For the love of all things Ess Eee See, the Big Ten currently has the No. 1 ranked team in college baseball — a sport the Big Ten didn’t give two flips about prior to expansion. 

Before, that is, beginning this cutthroat philosophy of kill then eat.

About the same time May's Wolverines advanced to the Final Four for the first time since 2018, LSU was announcing the return hire of former disgraced coach Will Wade. The school trumpeted the move on social media by comparing Wade ― the multi-level NCAA cheater ― to Napoleon, and calling him, "General."  

"We're coming back to try to hang a banner, win a national championship," Wade said, "Or I'm going to be the first coach fired from the same school twice."

Tell me you’ve stolen the SEC’s mojo without telling me. 

Matt Hayes is the senior national college football writer for USA TODAY Sports Network. Follow him on X at @MattHayesCFB.     

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Big 10 now strongest and best conference in college sports. Sorry, SEC

Blame the back-to-back games on the road. Blame the 15 turnovers. Blame the eight missed free throws. They all played a part in Boston’s 112-102 loss in Atlanta Monday night.

Despite all the ways that the Celtics shot themselves in the foot, there’s still a chance that Atlanta and Boston could meet in the first round of the playoffs. Joe Mazzulla is going to have to figure out how to neutralize the Hawks’ athleticism and ball pressure. In both regular season losses, they were able to force TOs and get hot from 3.

The Celtics continue to be a steady +650 to raise Banner 19 with our friends at FanDuel and the favorite to rep the Eastern Conference in the 2026 NBA Finals.

Jaylen Brown

40 minutes, 29 points (3-9 from 3, 8-14 from the free throw line, 9-29 from the field), 10 rebounds, 9 assists, one steal, -5

Just as he did against Oklahoma City last Wednesday, JB was focused on attacking the rim and/or getting to the line. After being ejected in San Antonio, Brown has seemingly been on a mission to drive, draw more fouls, and get to the free throw line.

And while I agree that he doesn’t get the same whistle that grifters like Luka Doncic and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander get despite his more physical play, his indictment of NBA officiating seems to be getting in the way of his overall MVP-level game.

Heading into Atlanta, the hometown kid was averaging 11.5 free throws and 3.7 turnovers per game. Against the Hawks, he had 14 FTAs and six turnovers. Don’t be fooled by the near triple-double; this game is not going on the MVP tape.

Grade: C

Jordan Walsh

31 minutes, 8 points (1-4 from 3, 3-4 from the free throw line, 2-5 from the field), 4 rebounds, one assist, one turnover, 2 steals, one block, +0

After starting nineteen games in November and December, Walsh went back to the bench and eventually fell out of the rotation. However, he’s started the last two games and has shown why he got the nod earlier in the year.

If the strategy to starting Hauser with DWhite and the Jays is that he spaces the floor for the stars, Walsh on the other hand can be the primary defender of the opposing team’s best player and relieve Tatum and Brown of those duties. He handled those defensive duties well, but like the rest of his teammates, couldn’t hit his open looks.

Grade:

Luka Garza

28 minutes, 20 points (2-3 from 3, 2-2 from the free throw line, 8-9 from the field), 9 rebounds, one assist, one block, +6

Starting for Neemias Queta, Garza was a revelation as the only everyday big man available against the Hawks. In a word, he was awesome. I joke in the CelticsBlog Slack that whenever Garza enters the game, I think about that scene in Hoosiers when Norman Dale asks Strap to enter the game. Straps says a prayer and goes on to dominate the second half.

Luka had something to say to the Hawks' bench after that one 👀 pic.twitter.com/H43mK22WmF

— Celtics on NBC Sports Boston (@NBCSCeltics) March 31, 2026

Garza’s only miss on the night was a three-pointer, but otherwise, he hit everything with his relentless work on the offensive glass and filling the lane off pick-and-rolls and transition.

Grade: A+

Derrick White

36 minutes, 7 points (1-6 from 3, 3-12 from the field), 5 rebounds, 4 assists, one turnover, one steal, 2 blocks, -8

White’s slump has been well documented since we started these players’ grades and tonight, he’ll again get below average grade. After taking Sunday night off in Charlotte, White couldn’t get into a groove. He’s still filling the box score, particularly on the defensive side of the ball, but he’ll need to start hitting some shots if Boston expects to do anything in the playoffs.

Grade: C-

Baylor Scheierman

26 minutes, 3 points (1-4 from 3, 1-4 from the field), 2 rebounds, 2 assists, one turnover, one steal, -3

Scheierman was thrown a couple of grenades that he had to chuck at the rim, but for the most part, he was a solid contributor on defense and a ball mover on offense.

Grade: B

Payton Pritchard

25 minutes, 16 points (4-6 from 3, 6-14 from the field), 2 rebounds, one turnover, -19

On the second night of a back-to-back, Pritchard didn’t have his lift on his mid-range jumper. Combine that with Atlanta’s strong perimeter defenders and PP was just 2-8 inside the arc. A couple of those shots should have resulted in free throws though.

Grade: B

Sam Hauser

21 minutes, 7 points (1-3 from 3, 2-2 from the free throw line, 2-5 from the field), 3 rebounds, one turnover, -3

After starting the game on the bench, Hauser started in the second half for Baylor Scheierman. Earlier in the game, he was a little aggressive off the dribble, so maybe Mazzulla saw something and wanted that scoring punch. That didn’t exactly materialize and Scheierman got the bulk of those shooter minutes instead.

Grade: C

Hugo Gonzalez

13 minutes, 5 points (1-2 from 3, 2-4 from the field), 4 rebounds, 2 turnovers, -4

The rookie had a game filled with rookie mistakes. In the first quarter, he missed a defensive switch that led to a quick Mazzulla timeout, turned the ball over twice on a dribble hand off and a drive-and-kick, and didn’t stay connected on a drive. After halftime, his second half stint was closer to what we’re accustomed with and a corner three helped stem the tide late in the third.

Grade: C+

This Amari sequence >>> pic.twitter.com/6oiKfQgaRT

— Boston Celtics (@celtics) March 31, 2026

Amari Williams

13 minutes, 4 points (2-2 from the free throw line, 1-2 from the field), 7 rebounds, one assist, one tunover, one steal, one block, -8

With Queta and Nikola Vucevic out, the rookie was called upon to be the seccond unit center. In the G League, Williams averaged 18 points, 11 rebounds, 5 assists, and 2 blocks in 30 minutes a night. Ron Harper Jr. grabs the headlines with his outstanding play as a two-way call-up, but the 46th pick in the 2025 NBA Draft has been a monster in Maine.

We saw some of that on Monday night. He’s solid in his 6’11 frame and is lowkey one of the Celtics’ best prospects moving forward.

Grade: A-

Charles Bassey

6 minutes, 3 points (1-2 from the free throw line, 1-1 from the field), 2 rebounds, one turnover, 2 blocks, -6

Bassey is back with Boston on a second consecutive 1o-day contract and we saw some flashes of what made him such an intriguing prospect in Summer League. The Celtics ultimately didn’t sign him and he’s had cups of coffee in Memphis and Philadelphia this season.

He had back-to-back blocks in the 2nd and with his deal ending on Friday, those could be the highlight of his career in Boston.

Grade: A

Inactives: Neemias Queta, Jayson Tatum, Nikola Vucevic

Steve Kerr called it a “pattern” after Sunday night’s loss in Denver. I’m guessing he was being diplomatic. What’s happening to the Warriors in the third quarter this season is a “pattern” in the same way that Michael Myers has a pattern of hunting down the residents of Haddonfield on a recurring basis. It’s more of a haunting curse, 12 minutes of true horror.

Golden State lost to the Nuggets 116–93 in their final game of March, but the score barely tells the story. They walked into halftime up 53–46, playing the kind of disciplined, connected basketball that travels against real teams. Then the third quarter arrived and Denver bodied them 40–21. That run knocked the air out of Golden State’s sails and effectively ended the game.

And that part is the problem; not just that it happened, but that it keeps happening.

Warriors head coach Steve Kerr noted Golden State’s “pattern” of underwhelming third quarters.

“We’re playing a really solid half and then we just can’t sustain it. That’s where you really feel the injuries. You need more depth.”

More: pic.twitter.com/owO3BKqELG

— Sam Gordon (@BySamGordon) March 30, 2026

Per NBA.com, over the last ten games, the Warriors have posted a –21.9 net rating in the third quarter. Their defensive rating in those minutes is 128, a number that doesn’t belong anywhere near a team trying to hold onto a playoff spot.Everything that can go wrong is going wrong at once.

In that timespan, they’re giving up 7.5 points off turnovers in those third quarters, bad enough for dead last in the league. Second-chance points allowed? Fourth worst. Opponents fast break points? Third worst. Opponents’ points in the paint? Fourth worst.

And when you zoom in, the games start to blur together in a way that feels less like a slump and more like a script. Here’s the 3rd quarter post mortem from a handful of games over their last 10 where their opponents went ham:

• Atlanta, 39–20.
• New York, 38–26.
• Washington, 34–20.
• Detroit, 30–23.

Over the last five games alone, the Warriors own a –33.3 net rating in the third quarter. Daaaamn.

What makes it hit deeper is the memory of what this quarter used to be. There was a time when halftime leads against Golden State felt temporary, even when they were big. JJ Redick once talked about sitting in a locker room up 20 and feeling uneasy. Not because of what had happened, but because of what was coming.

The third quarter wasn’t just where the Warriors pulled away. Rather, it was where they made teams understand the game was over.

Stephen Curry “ring me” in the 3rd quarter🔥 pic.twitter.com/Ks8kCUflIbhttps://t.co/tHJx8zoF0X

— TheWarriorsHouse (@GSWarriorsHouse) March 18, 2026

Klay Thompson scoring 37 in a quarter.
Steph Curry outscoring an entire Pelicans team by himself.
Four seasons of a +16.7 third-quarter net rating that made even the 73-win dominance feel explainable.

They went beyond winning the minutes; they broke teams in them with sheer joy and execution.

Now the numbers tell the opposite story. Golden State sits at a –1.8 third-quarter net rating on the season, 18th in the league, on a team that is exactly neutral overall. The obvious explanation is also the incomplete one. Steph Curry, Jimmy Butler, and Moses Moody have their knees encased in carbonite. The depth that used to carry the system through all 48 minutes has thinned out to the point where the third quarter asks for something the roster can’t consistently give.

The dynasty version of this team spent two quarters applying pressure and then made you pay for it when your legs went. This version absorbs that pressure and runs out of answers when the game tightens. Kerr sees it. But there are seven games left, and the math hasn’t closed yet. If this team is going to extend its season at all, it won’t come from rediscovering who they used to be. It’ll come from surviving the stretch that keeps ending them.The third quarter used to reveal the Warriors at their most inevitable. Now it’s where everything unravels.

With some health and some resilience, they’ll be able to go find new ways of third quarter balling. I think?

After a long season, one of the fun subplots to close the season has been the unexpected LeBron-Bronny minutes over the last week.

Once purely ceremonial, Bronny has earned his time with decent performances in his recent outings. It seems to have reenergized LeBron during stretches of the game when he could wain and it’s given fans a chance to root on a young player who is showing potential.

And most importantly, those lineups have been good!

lebron and bronny have shared the court for 13:56 against the wizards tonight. in those minutes, the lakers are a +12 in the box score, 129.6 offensive rating, 82.1 defensive rating, +47.5 net.

— Darius Soriano (@forumbluegold) March 31, 2026

Once Marcus Smart returns, Bronny will fall back out of the lineup. And, admittedly, this has been at least partially possible because the Lakers played three of the worst teams in the league during this span. But it’s still allowed Bronny to show his development and earn the coaching staff’s trust.

So, let’s dive into the win. As always, grades are based on expectations for each player. A “B” grade represents the average performance for that player.

LeBron James

33 minutes, 21 points, 10 rebounds, 12 assists, 1 block, 4 turnovers, 8-16 FG, 1-3 3PT, 4-6 FT, +25

LeBron was feeling awfully spry in this one as he was dunking everything. The beautiful irony of it all coming after he missed the easiest dunk of the night was great too.

Grade: A

Rui Hachimura

26 minutes, 14 points, 6 rebounds, 2 fouls, 6-10 FG, 1-3 3PT, 1-2 FT, +9

A nice game from Rui, who had not scored in double figures since mid-March against the Bulls.

Grade: A-

Deandre Ayton

22 minutes, 12 points, 7 rebounds, 1 assist, 3 blocks, 2 turnovers, 5-5 FG, 2-2 FT, +9

Overshadowed a bit by Jaxson Hayes’ big night, Ayton was also perfect from the field. After being a weakness entering the playoffs last year, could the center position actually by a strength enter this postseason?

Grade: B+

Jake LaRavia

28 minutes, 4 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, 3 steals, 1 block, 3 fouls, 2-3 FG, +23

As much as LaRavia’s offense has fallen off a cliff, he’s still seeing regular minutes because of his effort defensively, which hasn’t been praised enough, including from myself.

Grade: B

Austin Reaves

27 minutes, 19 points, 3 rebounds, 9 assists, 1 steal, 5 turnovers, 4-11 FG, 0-4 3PT, 11-12 FT, +6

This was a passing display from Reaves, who moved relatively seamlessly into the lead ballhandler role with Luka out.

Grade: A-

Luke Kennard

23 minutes, 19 points, 2 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, 1 turnover, 7-10 FG, 4-5 3PT, 1-1 FT, +20

While Austin filled the playmaking void left by Luka, Luke was one of the players who stepped up to fill the scoring void. This was the most confident he looked as a scorer since joining the team.

Grade: A+

Jarred Vanderbilt

23 minutes, 4 points, 8 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, 1 turnover, 1-3 FG, 0-1 3PT, 2-4 FT, +5

Vando did what Vando does in this game by being active on the boards, creating a bit of havoc defensively and missing an open corner 3-pointer.

Grade: B+

Bronny James

26 minutes, 6 points, 1 rebound, 1 assist, 1 steal, 2 turnovers, 2 fouls, 2-10 FG, 0-5 3PT, 2-2 FT, +4

I think we’ve officially reached the point where Bronny James is better than Dalton Knecht, an insane thing that no one would have believed in Nov., 2024.

Grade: B-

Jaxson Hayes

20 minutes, 19 points, 7 rebounds, 2 blocks, 1 foul, 8-8 FG, 1-1 3PT, 2-3 FT, +18

Hayes is really shining as the playoffs approach. After a 20-10 game in Indiana, he flirted with the same again off the bench in this one. The Wizards’ frontcourt was also atrocious. I wonder if a talented big man could have a big scoring night against them.

Grade: A+

Drew Timme, Dalton Knecht, Kobe Bufkin

Pour one out for Dalton Knecht, who very well may be the sixth or seventh guard on the depth chart.

JJ Redick

Redick is coaching the hell out of this team right now. They’re clicking on all cylinders offensively and locking teams down defensively. He’s pushing the right buttons with the rotation.

There has been a lot of talk about the minutes the big three are playing, but they’re going to get a full week off before the playoffs, so I don’t think that’ll matter as much as fans might think.

Monday’s DNPs: Maxi Kleber

Monday’s inactives: Luka Dončić, Marcus Smart, Nick Smith Jr., Adou Thiero, Chris Manon

You can follow Jacob on Twitter at @JacobRude or on Bluesky at @jacobrude.bsky.social.

Indiana Pacers (17-58, 15th in the Eastern Conference) vs. Chicago Bulls (29-46, 12th in the Eastern Conference)

Chicago; Wednesday, 8 p.m. EDT

BOTTOM LINE: Chicago looks to stop its four-game slide when the Bulls play Indiana.

The Bulls are 17-29 in Eastern Conference games. Chicago is fourth in the Eastern Conference with 52.3 points per game in the paint led by Tre Jones averaging 8.4.

The Pacers are 3-10 against the rest of the division. Indiana is 7-6 in games decided by less than 4 points.

The Bulls average 14.5 made 3-pointers per game this season, 2.6 more made shots on average than the 11.9 per game the Pacers allow. The Bulls average 112.2 points per game, 8.9 fewer points than the 121.1 the Bulls give up to opponents.

The teams meet for the fourth time this season. The Pacers won 113-110 in the last matchup on Jan. 29. Pascal Siakam led the Pacers with 20 points, and Matas Buzelis led the Bulls with 20 points.

TOP PERFORMERS: Josh Giddey is shooting 45.1% and averaging 17.2 points for the Bulls. Buzelis is averaging 3.0 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games.

Siakam is averaging 23.8 points, 6.7 rebounds and 3.8 assists for the Pacers. Aaron Nesmith is averaging 13.7 points over the past 10 games.

LAST 10 GAMES: Bulls: 2-8, averaging 120.9 points, 44.7 rebounds, 27.5 assists, 7.5 steals and 5.5 blocks per game while shooting 47.8% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 128.8 points per game.

Pacers: 2-8, averaging 117.7 points, 37.9 rebounds, 31.7 assists, 6.0 steals and 4.4 blocks per game while shooting 50.8% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 125.0 points.

INJURIES: Bulls: Anfernee Simons: out (wrist), Jalen Smith: out for season (calf), Noa Essengue: out for season (shoulder), Nick Richards: out (elbow), Zach Collins: out for season (toe).

Pacers: Johnny Furphy: out for season (knee), Ivica Zubac: out for season (rib), Jarace Walker: day to day (concussion), Aaron Nesmith: day to day (back), Tyrese Haliburton: out for season (achilles).

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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.

Denver Nuggets (48-28, fourth in the Western Conference) vs. Utah Jazz (21-55, 14th in the Western Conference)

Salt Lake City; Wednesday, 9 p.m. EDT

BOTTOM LINE: Utah aims to end its four-game home losing streak with a win over Denver.

The Jazz are 1-13 in division play. Utah allows the most points in the Western Conference, giving up 125.4 points and is allowing opponents to shoot 49.2%.

The Nuggets are 8-5 against the rest of their division. Denver is fifth in the league with 28.8 assists per game led by Nikola Jokic averaging 10.8.

The Jazz are shooting 46.6% from the field this season, 0.3 percentage points lower than the 46.9% the Nuggets allow to opponents. The Nuggets average 14.1 made 3-pointers per game this season, 1.2 fewer made shots on average than the 15.3 per game the Jazz give up.

The teams square off for the fourth time this season. The Nuggets won the last matchup 135-129 on March 28. Jokic scored 33 points to help lead the Nuggets to the win.

TOP PERFORMERS: Kyle Filipowski is shooting 49.5% and averaging 11.1 points for the Jazz. Ace Bailey is averaging 3.1 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games.

Jokic is averaging 27.9 points, 12.9 rebounds and 10.8 assists for the Nuggets. Jamal Murray is averaging 3.1 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games.

LAST 10 GAMES: Jazz: 1-9, averaging 116.8 points, 41.2 rebounds, 29.4 assists, 10.3 steals and 4.8 blocks per game while shooting 47.5% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 127.6 points per game.

Nuggets: 8-2, averaging 127.0 points, 45.2 rebounds, 32.8 assists, 6.2 steals and 3.2 blocks per game while shooting 50.8% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 118.6 points.

INJURIES: Jazz: Lauri Markkanen: out (hip), Isaiah Collier: out (hamstring), Keyonte George: out (leg), Walker Kessler: out for season (shoulder), Jusuf Nurkic: out for season (nose), Elijah Harkless: out (hamstring), Jaren Jackson Jr.: out for season (knee).

Nuggets: Zeke Nnaji: day to day (hip), Spencer Jones: day to day (hamstring), Aaron Gordon: day to day (calf), Cameron Johnson: day to day (back).

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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.

San Antonio Spurs (57-18, second in the Western Conference) vs. Golden State Warriors (36-39, 10th in the Western Conference)

San Francisco; Wednesday, 10 p.m. EDT

BOTTOM LINE: San Antonio faces the Golden State Warriors after Victor Wembanyama scored 41 points in the Spurs' 129-114 win against the Chicago Bulls.

The Warriors have gone 23-23 against Western Conference opponents. Golden State is second in the Western Conference with 29.0 assists per game led by Draymond Green averaging 5.4.

The Spurs have gone 32-14 against Western Conference opponents. San Antonio is sixth in the Western Conference with 11.4 offensive rebounds per game led by Luke Kornet averaging 2.7.

The Warriors average 15.9 made 3-pointers per game this season, 2.8 more made shots on average than the 13.1 per game the Spurs allow. The Spurs are shooting 48.2% from the field, 0.4% higher than the 47.8% the Warriors' opponents have shot this season.

The teams square off for the fourth time this season. The Spurs won the last matchup 126-113 on Feb. 12, with De'Aaron Fox scoring 27 points in the victory.

TOP PERFORMERS: Brandin Podziemski is averaging 13.3 points, 5.3 rebounds and 3.8 assists for the Warriors. Gui Santos is averaging 16.6 points over the last 10 games.

Fox is averaging 18.6 points and 6.2 assists for the Spurs. Wembanyama is averaging 23.4 points over the last 10 games.

LAST 10 GAMES: Warriors: 4-6, averaging 112.9 points, 39.6 rebounds, 27.5 assists, 9.8 steals and 3.4 blocks per game while shooting 47.1% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 119.4 points per game.

Spurs: 9-1, averaging 124.7 points, 51.3 rebounds, 32.0 assists, 7.1 steals and 5.7 blocks per game while shooting 49.2% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 109.4 points.

INJURIES: Warriors: Quinten Post: day to day (foot), Jimmy Butler III: out for season (knee), Will Richard: day to day (heel), Al Horford: day to day (calf), Moses Moody: out for season (knee), Stephen Curry: out (knee).

Spurs: David Jones Garcia: out for season (ankle).

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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.

Toronto Raptors (42-32, fifth in the Eastern Conference) vs. Detroit Pistons (54-21, first in the Eastern Conference)

Detroit; Tuesday, 8 p.m. EDT

BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Pistons -2.5; over/under is 219.5

BOTTOM LINE: Scottie Barnes and the Toronto Raptors take on Ausar Thompson and the Detroit Pistons in Eastern Conference play.

The Pistons are 34-12 in Eastern Conference games. Detroit ranks third in the NBA with 13.2 offensive rebounds per game led by Jalen Duren averaging 3.8 offensive boards.

The Raptors are 30-16 in Eastern Conference play. Toronto has a 19-24 record against opponents over .500.

The Pistons are shooting 48.1% from the field this season, 1.6 percentage points higher than the 46.5% the Raptors allow to opponents. The Raptors average 114.3 points per game, 4.8 more than the 109.5 the Pistons give up.

The teams meet for the third time this season. In the last meeting on March 15 the Raptors won 119-108 led by 34 points from Brandon Ingram, while Cade Cunningham scored 33 points for the Pistons.

TOP PERFORMERS: Ronald Holland II is scoring 8.2 points per game and averaging 4.1 rebounds for the Pistons. Daniss Jenkins is averaging 14.6 points and 3.6 rebounds over the last 10 games.

Barnes is scoring 18.6 points per game and averaging 7.7 rebounds for the Raptors. Ja'Kobe Walter is averaging 2.7 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games.

LAST 10 GAMES: Pistons: 7-3, averaging 118.6 points, 45.5 rebounds, 30.7 assists, 10.3 steals and 5.9 blocks per game while shooting 49.8% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 109.1 points per game.

Raptors: 6-4, averaging 119.9 points, 41.9 rebounds, 31.7 assists, 9.9 steals and 5.4 blocks per game while shooting 51.2% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 113.4 points.

INJURIES: Pistons: Duncan Robinson: out (hip), Jalen Duren: out (knee), Tobias Harris: out (hip), Cade Cunningham: out (lung), Isaiah Stewart: out (calf).

Raptors: Brandon Ingram: day to day (heel), RJ Barrett: day to day (shoulder), Collin Murray-Boyles: out (back), Immanuel Quickley: out (foot).

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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.

Phoenix Suns (42-33, seventh in the Western Conference) vs. Orlando Magic (39-35, eighth in the Eastern Conference)

Orlando, Florida; Tuesday, 7 p.m. EDT

BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Magic -2.5; over/under is 224.5

BOTTOM LINE: Paolo Banchero and the Orlando Magic host Devin Booker and the Phoenix Suns in non-conference play.

The Magic are 23-15 on their home court. Orlando ranks ninth in the Eastern Conference with 32.3 defensive rebounds per game led by Banchero averaging 7.1.

The Suns are 18-18 on the road. Phoenix scores 112.9 points and has outscored opponents by 1.8 points per game.

The Magic's 11.8 made 3-pointers per game this season are just 0.3 fewer made shots on average than the 12.1 per game the Suns give up. The Suns average 14.9 made 3-pointers per game this season, 3.0 more made shots on average than the 11.9 per game the Magic allow.

The teams meet for the second time this season. The Suns won 113-110 in overtime in the last matchup on Feb. 21.

TOP PERFORMERS: Desmond Bane is shooting 48.6% and averaging 20.3 points for the Magic. Banchero is averaging 24.5 points over the last 10 games.

Collin Gillespie is scoring 13.1 points per game and averaging 4.1 rebounds for the Suns. Jalen Green is averaging 3.1 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games.

LAST 10 GAMES: Magic: 3-7, averaging 115.7 points, 40.2 rebounds, 24.6 assists, 7.2 steals and 2.4 blocks per game while shooting 45.4% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 124.0 points per game.

Suns: 4-6, averaging 116.7 points, 42.5 rebounds, 26.2 assists, 8.9 steals and 5.0 blocks per game while shooting 46.6% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 111.2 points.

INJURIES: Magic: Franz Wagner: out (ankle), Anthony Black: out (abdomen), Jonathan Isaac: out (knee).

Suns: Grayson Allen: out (rest), Dillon Brooks: out (hand), Mark Williams: out (foot), Haywood Highsmith: out (knee), Amir Coffey: out (ankle).

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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.

Cleveland Cavaliers (47-28, fourth in the Eastern Conference) vs. Los Angeles Lakers (49-26, third in the Western Conference)

Los Angeles; Tuesday, 10:30 p.m. EDT

BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Lakers -1.5; over/under is 236.5

BOTTOM LINE: Los Angeles is looking to extend its three-game win streak with a victory over Cleveland.

The Lakers have gone 25-12 at home. Los Angeles ranks eighth in the Western Conference with 14.7 fast break points per game led by LeBron James averaging 5.7.

The Cavaliers are 23-14 on the road. Cleveland is sixth in the Eastern Conference allowing just 115.1 points while holding opponents to 46.3% shooting.

The Lakers make 50.1% of their shots from the field this season, which is 3.8 percentage points higher than the Cavaliers have allowed to their opponents (46.3%). The Cavaliers average 14.4 made 3-pointers per game this season, 1.6 more made shots on average than the 12.8 per game the Lakers allow.

The teams play for the second time this season. The Cavaliers won the last meeting 129-99 on Jan. 29. Donovan Mitchell scored 25 points to help lead the Cavaliers to the win.

TOP PERFORMERS: Deandre Ayton is scoring 12.3 points per game and averaging 8.3 rebounds for the Lakers. Luka Doncic is averaging 36.6 points and 6.9 rebounds over the last 10 games.

Mitchell is averaging 28 points, 5.7 assists and 1.5 steals for the Cavaliers. Evan Mobley is averaging 22 points, 10.9 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 1.5 blocks over the past 10 games.

LAST 10 GAMES: Lakers: 9-1, averaging 121.5 points, 41.7 rebounds, 25.5 assists, 9.5 steals and 5.5 blocks per game while shooting 52.3% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 113.6 points per game.

Cavaliers: 7-3, averaging 123.9 points, 44.8 rebounds, 28.8 assists, 6.9 steals and 4.0 blocks per game while shooting 51.2% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 118.7 points.

INJURIES: Lakers: Marcus Smart: out (ankle), Adou Thiero: out (knee).

Cavaliers: Max Strus: out (foot), Jarrett Allen: out (knee), Dean Wade: out (ankle), Jaylon Tyson: out (toe).

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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.