Category: Basketball

There’s a lot to unpack from last night’s comeback win over the Miami Heat.

Boston’s furious rally featured about as rough a shooting stretch as you can possibly imagine in a half of basketball, along with a 22-point comeback in a playoff-like atmosphere that featured blood, profanity, and a generational clash between 32-year-old Norman Powell and 20-year-old Hugo Gonzalez. 

What also stood out was a new wrinkle added into the offense from newly acquired center Nikola Vučević, who utilized his size and Miami’s willingness to switch to put his back to the basket in nearly every appearance in the paint. 

This year’s Celtics are dead last in post-up frequency by a healthy margin, averaging just 1.5 attempts per game. That’s a 1.4% frequency within their offense. That’s not a surprise based on their personnel, but it is a significant difference from last year, when they were third in post-ups with 6.5 attempts per game (6%) behind the back-to-the-basket activity of Jayson Tatum, Kristaps Porzingis and Al Horford. 

The only consistent source of post-up scoring this season has come from Jaylen Brown, who has scored 62 of their 78 points through work in the post.

Enter Vooch, who is among the most active post players in the game. His 19.84% post-up frequency ranks him 13th out of 520 players and puts him in the 98th percentile of the league, according to Basketball Index. That volume has not been met with high efficiency, as Vučević has scored just 0.87 points per possession on 45.8% shooting. But as we saw last night, Vooch’s activity facing away from the basket is a bit more than just a set-up for self-creation.

What we saw against Miami was a promising start to this new piece of their offensive identity. After a rewatch of Vučević’s 27 minutes, I logged 30 possessions where he at least opened himself up to an entry pass with his back to the basket. On those possessions, he got into a post-up 12 times. 

What stood out the most in his post possessions was his quick processing as a passer. Only one of his post-ups ended in a true assist, but the vision he showcased opened up scoring opportunities for cutters and shooters off the catch. He looked to Derrick White on 45 cuts twice in this game, one earning an easy bucket for his teammate and the other ending in a foul on the pass. 

His vision to shooters from beyond the arc also created easy opportunities. Those passes on the perimeter didn’t necessarily show up in the box score but created wide open looks for White and Sam Hauser that just didn’t fall their way. The passes themselves were both highly impressive, quick-instinct finds. 

Vooch takes no time to send the ball to the open corner, with Davion Mitchell forced to suck in and help off Hauser because of the position Powell is placed in by the mismatch. The Celtics haven’t had a big with this level of natural passing vision all season. 

With four assists to go with a points/rebounds double-double, we saw his passing affect the game from different areas of the floor, like in his dribble-drive kickout to the corner to White for a go-ahead three late in the game, but it’s in the post that he looks the most comfortable setting up teammates. 

Vooch’s understanding of when to dig in and set up shop with his back to the basket wisely correlated with the matchups he was given. While he did have one poor post-up that ended in an over-dribbling turnover against Bam Adebayo, he mostly sought to exploit the switch-heavy Miami defense that focused on maintaining higher pickup points on the perimeter to limit Boston’s 3-point shooting. 

If he saw Jaime Jaquez, he was posting up. If it was Dru Smith, yeah, you bet he was posting up. And if it was Norman Powell, well, you get it. 

We saw Vučević seek out these mismatches more often in the second half, particularly in the third quarter, where he flashed to the post 11 times, more than the 10 post flashes he made in the first half alone.

He received the ball five times in those instances, taking advantage of a switch onto Smith for his first post-up bucket of the night and later getting a nice entry pass from White after a scram switch from Jaquez left the paint open for an easy finish. 

This game ended with Neemias Queta on the floor to help deliver the final stops needed to pull off the comeback, but the Celtics instilled a significant level of confidence in their new center addition. He played 27 minutes in his debut and six in the fourth quarter, which included opportunities in clutch time. 

With 1:04 left to go in a two-point game, Brown sailed an entry pass just over Vučević that resulted in a turnover. 

A tough result, no doubt, but a telling sign that even in his debut, Vučević’s teammates displayed a level of trust in his ability to impact the game when it’s down to the wire. The hope is, with time, they’ll be able to iron out those wrinkles. We certainly saw enough to indicate a positive first step to a great new relationship.

INGLEWOOD, Calif. (AP) — For the first time since 2015, the NBA's Shooting Stars event is returning to All-Star weekend.

The league made that announcement Saturday, revealing the lineups for two of the three events that'll take place at next weekend's All-Star Saturday Night at the Los Angeles Clippers' home in Inglewood, California.

Shooting Stars — an event with three players per team — is taking the place of the skills competition, which is being tabled for at least this year.

Allan Houston — a past Shooting Stars champion — will return to the event this year for Team Knicks, with current New York players Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns joining him on that team. Also in the shooting event: Team Harper (Ron Harper Sr. and his sons, San Antonio's Dylan Harper and Boston's Ron Harper Jr.), Team All-Star (Richard Hamilton, Toronto's Scottie Barnes and Oklahoma City's Chet Holmgren) and Team Cameron (a nod to Duke, with Corey Maggette, Charlotte's Kon Knueppel and Atlanta's Jalen Johnson on that squad).

The last three Shooting Stars events were all won by the same trio — Chris Bosh, Swin Cash and Dominique Wilkins.

The Shooting Stars event has a two-round format, with all four teams competing in the first round and the top two advancing to the final round. Teams have 70 seconds to score points while rotating through seven designated shooting locations around the court, with all three players on a team shooting at each spot in a set order.

There will be a new dunk champion this year, with three-time winner Mac McClung not in this year’s field. McClung said going into last year’s dunk event that he expected it to be his last.

This year’s dunk participants: Miami's Keshad Johnson, San Antonio's Carter Bryant, Orlando's Jase Richardson and the Los Angeles Lakers' Jaxson Hayes.

___

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

The pressure is on for the Washington Wizards to be competitive during the 2026-27 season after two bold moves to acquire perennial All-Star point guard Trae Young from the Atlanta Hawks and future Hall of Fame big man Anthony Davis from the Dallas Mavericks.

On the flip side, both Young and Davis are currently dealing with injuries. Both players are expected to “play very little, if at all” throughout the rest of the season according to ESPN’s Tim Bontempts. NBA Insider Chris Haynes confirmed on Friday that Davis is not expected to play the rest of the season. That, along with C.J. McCollum and Khris Middleton both being in the moves that allowed the Wizards to acquire Young and Davis, means that the tank is on and the Wizards are going all-in on their young core to try and develop them and ensure they have the best possible odds at picking at the top of the 2026 NBA Draft. There is currently very little risk in their top-eight protected pick not converting. 

With more short-term expectations and a more inflexible roster that does not necessarily lend itself to just picking the best player available, how should the Wizards approach the draft?

The first things to look at are Young and Davis’ contract situations. Young could technically become a free agent after this season, but will likely accept his player option and enter free agency after 2026-27. Davis will be under team control next season, then will have a player option for the 2027-28 season.

It would be very surprising if Young does not accept his player option. After an injury-plagued season this year and a relatively negative perception around the league, Young will likely be jumping at an opportunity to be the Wizards’ first option and try and rehabilitate his image. But then again, even if Young accepts the player option, he is only guaranteed to be around for one season unless he signs an extension. 

Davis is about to turn 33 and has struggled to stay on the floor throughout his career, especially over the last few years. Last season, he strained his left adductor in his first game after the infamous trade that sent him to the Mavericks and suffered an eye injury that would end up requiring offseason surgery. Last month before the trade, Davis suffered ligament damage in his left hand. Earlier in his career, Davis also dealt with injuries to both ankles, both shoulders, his left calf, left knee, tailbone and left hand.

This is all to say that given Young and Davis’ injury histories and contracts, they should not necessarily be counted on as long-term fixtures in D.C. When it comes to the draft, the Wizards should still absolutely be looking toward the future and almost certainly draft the best player available regardless of fit at the top of the draft.

If I was Wizards general manager Will Dawkins, here is what my big board would look like post-trade deadline (only going eight deep because of the top-eight protection):

1. Darryn Peterson
2. AJ Dybantsa
3. Cameron Boozer
4. Kingston Flemings
5. Caleb Wilson
6. Keaton Wagler
7. Mikel Brown Jr.
8. Labaron Philon

Darryn Peterson, the 6’6” freshman combo guard from Kansas and AJ Dybantsa, the 6’9” freshman wing from BYU are my top two players in the draft and would instantly slot into the starting lineup next season alongside Young and Davis. Both Peterson and Dybantsa have the ability to be high-level starters on a competitive team as rookies, and could get that chance if they end up on the Wizards.

The first question mark comes with Duke freshman forward Cameron Boozer. At 6’9”, 250 pounds, Boozer projects to primarily play the power forward position while occasionally playing some small-ball center in the NBA. But, with Davis and Alex Sarr already on the team, it would be difficult for Boozer to earn a starting spot. Despite that, Boozer is still an impressive enough prospect to earn consideration despite the imperfect fit over the next tier of players–Kingston Flemings and Caleb Wilson. 

Boozer, Davis and Sarr are all able to play both the four and five and have very different and complimentary play styles. If all three are healthy, they could each end up playing about 30 minutes per game even with Boozer or Sarr coming off the bench. Boozer would allow the Wizards to be extremely conservative with Davis’ playing time, making it a lot easier for him to take games off for load management knowing a player of Boozer’s caliber is able to step in. 

It would be foolish of the Wizards to not consider drafting a player as talented as Boozer just for one guaranteed year of Davis.

Going down the draft is where things get a bit more tricky. I view Flemings, the 6’4” freshman guard from Houston and Wilson, the 6’10” freshman forward from North Carolina, very similarly. If the Wizards fall in the lottery, this is where they could begin looking more towards fit instead of pure talent. At this point, Wilson is a non-shooter. While he has been taking and making more threes over his last few games, it should still not be considered a part of his game. Wilson’s defensive potential is tantalizing and in a vacuum, he is probably more talented than Flemings. But, what Flemings has shown this year as the floor general for an elite Houston team can not be ignored. Flemings and Young would immediately become one of, if not the best playmaking backcourts in the entire NBA. Flemings’ defensive abilities would help mask some of Young’s inefficiencies and Young’s superb playmaking would take the pressure off of Flemings that many young point guard face and allow him to grow into his role as a lead ball handler in the NBA.

This is pure speculation, but one thing that could now be on the table for the Wizards if their pick falls in the draft is for them to consider a trade. With Davis and Young, the Wizards’ timeline has moved way up. There are now real expectations for them to be competitive. If there is no player they are absolutely in love with available where they are picking, likely if their pick falls in the six through eight range, it would not shock me if they try and find a deal for another young player, or even a more established veteran if they want to go all-in on next season. 

6’6” Illinois freshman guard Keaton Wagler has had a shocking ascent up draft boards and is looking like an elite scorer. Louisville freshman Mikel Brown Jr. and Alabama sophomore Labaron Philon have very high upside and project to be above-average starting guards in the NBA. Other players like Arizona freshman forward Koa Peat, Tennessee freshman forward Nate Ament and Michigan senior forward Yaxel Lendeborg are endlessly talented, but would be clunky fits alongside a Davis-Sarr frontcourt. A trade would be shocking, and difficult to pull off with the Wizards no longer having as many tradable contracts, but should not necessarily be counted out if they fall in the lottery.

Look at the Indiana Pacers, who traded their first round pick this year that is protected from picks 1-4 and 10-30 to the Los Angeles Clippers for center Ivica Zubac. With Tyrese Haliburton expected to return next season from a torn achilles he suffered during last season’s NBA Finals, the Pacers have no need for a point guard. They likely view Wilson four on their big board, and understand that the next bunch of players after him would be ball handlers. It would not necessarily be unprecedented for the Wizards to make a deal if their pick falls in a similar range, especially if they agree to an extension with Young.

The way the Wizards acquired Young and Davis is a masterclass in asset management. But there are certainly risks in expediting the rebuild. The upcoming draft is still the most important factor in building a sustainable contender, and the Wizards should be very cautious about sacrificing any part of their future for short-term gain.

For several weeks earlier this season, Jared McCain had a copy of the book “The Inner Game of Tennis” in his locker.

According to the Amazon.com summary, the 1972 work by W. Timothy Gallwey is about “a revolutionary program for overcoming the self-doubt, nervousness, and lapses of concentration that can keep a player from winning” – and not just in tennis, but every walk of life.

No less a figure than Bill Gates called it “the best guide to getting out of your own way.”

While I never got the chance to ask McCain about it – and I had planned to – this would at least hint at the fact that the issues the young guard faced in Philadelphia were not confined to the knee injury that cut short his promising rookie year after 23 games, nor the thumb injury that caused him to get off to a slow start this season, his second with the Sixers.

Whatever was holding him back – whether he was still hobbled or indeed unable to get out of his own way – he seemed to be getting it together recently. And that’s the thing that gnaws at you, now that he has been traded to Oklahoma City: We never really got to see how his next chapter might read.

The arguments for dealing him are manifest. He was blocked by Tyrese Maxey, VJ Edgecombe and Quentin Grimes in the backcourt rotation. The Sixers gained the financial flexibility to sign Dominick Barlow to a big-boy contract. And those four draft picks obtained from the Thunder can be used in a future deal (though Daryl Morey told reporters he was unable to pull the trigger on anything that would have given the team immediate help).

That’s all well and good. But McCain is 21, and he played exactly 60 games for the Sixers. Nobody knows exactly what he is, nor what he might become. Put another way, he was an ACL tear away from getting big-time minutes here.

The suspicion is that he will never be an All-Star, but he could be a useful piece on a good team. That he has “an identifiable NBA skill,” as Brett Brown used to say – i.e., he can shoot – that will consistently resurface once he gets regular run again.

You know, like Isaiah Joe.

This is not an apples-to-apples comparison, but the Sixers cut Joe on Oct. 13, 2022, after he played sparingly for them over two seasons. The Thunder snapped him up three days later, and he has developed into a reliable off-the-bench sniper, nailing 41 percent of his three-point attempts over three-plus seasons.

And, of course, he earned a championship ring last spring.

The Thunder, ably operated by Sam Presti, are now hoping that the Philly pipeline delivers once more. While they are loaded and again rolling along – and while there is no clear role for McCain at present – he does represent a potential hedge against possible issues concerning their veteran wings.

The team holds an option on Lu Dort next season, and Alex Caruso, in the first season of a four-year, $81 million deal, is struggling at present. He’s also nearing his 32nd birthday. McCain is not the defender either of those guys are – who is? – but he offers another perimeter alternative, in the event Caruso is washed and/or OKC parts company with Dort (not as unlikely as it might appear, given the money the team has committed to its biggest stars – Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Chet Holmgren and Jalen Williams).

In short, this looks like the sort of low-risk transaction a smart, well-run team makes. If McCain doesn’t work out, no big deal; the Thunder has a bunch of other wings, and a bunch of assets to acquire anybody they might need.

And while it’s understandable why the Sixers went this route, it now seems like their reserve corps, already threadbare, is another man short. This is a team that is ranked 28th in the NBA in bench scoring, at 16.5 points a night. And in Thursday’s loss to the Lakers, their reserves were outscored by a staggering 61-14 margin. Given the precarious health of some of their front-line players, they are really walking a tightrope now.

McCain, for his part, bade a fond farewell to Philadelphia. On Instagram he wrote that Philly will “always be a home for me” and that he was “incredibly blessed to be drafted here.” And on TikTok he sang part of an Olivia Dean song entitled “A Couple Minutes,” notably these lines: “Although it’s over/I’ll always be there.”

Then he closed by saying, “I’ll always love ya, Philly.”

Yeah, it’s a business. We hear that time and again. But is it a good idea to give up on a guy like this? Only time will tell.

The Orlando Magic will look to keep their winning ways going on their current homestand as they host the Utah Jazz on Saturday night.

Orlando is coming off a big home win and has been dominant against weaker teams recently. My Jazz vs. Magic predictions and NBA picks for February 7 like Orlando to cover.

Jazz vs Magic prediction

Jazz vs Magic best bet: Magic -7 (-110)

The Orlando Magic have never quite found a rhythm this season — they are currently 26-24 on the year — but they have a chance to string together some wins with a four-game homestand. That began with a comfortable 20-point victory over the Brooklyn Nets on Friday, and continues with tonight’s contest against the Utah Jazz.

Utah has won just one of its last eight games, with that win coming against a Pacers team that was resting a number of ailing players. This span includes five losses by double digits, including a 10-point loss at home to the Nets.

In some ways, the Jazz have been even worse than their 16-36 record would suggest, as their -8.5 point differential ranks third-worst in the NBA this season.

Utah has lost 17 of its last 21 games overall, and while the trade deadline addition of Jaren Jackson Jr. should make the Jazz better in the future, it’ll take time to see how they integrate him in the short term.

Utah hasn’t been particularly competitive lately, and they have little motivation to do anything other than improve their lottery odds down the stretch. This is a team the Magic should put away easily at home tonight, and I’m taking Orlando to cover.

Jazz vs Magic same-game parlay

The Magic have played below tonight’s total in each of their last three games, and six of their last eight overall. Utah has hit the Under in three of its last four.

I’m also going to take Paolo Banchero to record a double-double, as the Jazz should have few answers for him. He’s hit that milestone in three of his last six games.

Jazz vs Magic SGP

• Magic -7
• Under 238
• Paolo Banchero to record a double-double

Our "from downtown" SGP: Solid night for Suggs

Jalen Suggs is coming off his first career triple-double, and has put up at least 29 PRA in three of his last four games.

Jazz vs Magic SGP

• Magic -7
• Under 238
• Paolo Banchero to record a double-double
• Jalen Suggs Over 28.5 points + rebounds + assists 

Jazz vs Magic odds

• Spread: Jazz +8.5 (-110) | Magic -8.5 (-110)
• Moneyline: Jazz +270 | Magic -340
• Over/Under: Over 237.5 (-110) | Under 237.5 (-110)

Jazz vs Magic betting trend to know

The Jazz have only hit the moneyline in six of their last 40 away games (-16.40 Units / -39% ROI). Find more NBA betting trends for Jazz vs. Magic.

How to watch Jazz vs Magic

Jazz vs Magic latest injuries

This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here

ROME (AP) — Italy stopped Scotland's last-gasp charge to hang on for a precious Six Nations win by 18-15 at a rain-soaked Stadio Olimpico on Saturday.

Scotland used its last scoring chance, two minutes after the fulltime hooter, to go through the phases and took 25 to reach Italy's 22. But on the 30th phase, Scotland's Max Williamson was held up in the tackle by Italy's Muhamed Hasa and Niccolo Cannone and it was game over.

“Absolutely incredible,” Italy captain Michele Lamaro said of his team's last defensive set. “Just shows how much we care for each other, how much we care for this jersey, this country. This is us. Now we've got a dream in our head."

Italy notched only a 17th win in Six Nations history and a ninth win against Scotland, which sets it on a path to avoid the wooden spoon for an unprecedented third straight year.

Italy's first opening win since 2013 was not a surprise and neither was Scotland's first opening defeat since 2020, another deflating result for a side that hasn't contended for the title in decades.

Scotland coach Gregor Townsend has been under fire for not improving the team. In his eight previous Six Nations as coach, Townsend has led Scotland to a best finish of third, twice. Asked if he expected to be in charge when England visit next weekend, he said, “Well, I want to be, that's my job so, yeah, that's what I’m focused on.”

The buildup focused on Scotland's last-quarter collapses but it was a slow first-quarter start which stung this time. Italy was 12-0 up in light rain before the game was hit by torrential downpours, turning the field into a splash zone. Scotland outscored Italy in the miserable conditions, even despite a yellow card, but gave the host too big a start.

For the first time since 2019, Scotland began a Six Nations match without at least one of back-three regulars Duhan van der Merwe, Darcy Graham and Blair Kinghorn, and it wasn't controversial. Townsend replaced them with form picks but Italy exposed the new back three's naivety in defense with two head-up tries inside 14 minutes.

First, Juan Ignacio Brex grubbered into wide open space for winger Louis Lynagh to scoop and slide in. Then Lynagh took a high ball from scrumhalf Alessandro Fusco and Fusco's miss-out pass gave Tommaso Menoncello an overlap to score untouched. Paolo Garbisi added the sideline conversion.

Scotland's lineout was also failing. The visitor had three lineouts in Italy's 22 in the first quarter. The first two were pinched and the third wasn't gathered properly. But Scotland did a tap and go and No. 8 Jack Dempsey crashed over.

Italy finished the rest of the half on top. Garbisi landed a penalty for 15-7 but badly missed two drop-goal attempts, and the scrum sent Scotland reeling backwards.

Scotland earned the first points of the second half from a Finn Russell penalty despite a fifth stolen lineout.

Poor discipline also undermined them. A relieving penalty on defense was overturned from Ewan Ashman's high tackle on Italy's Manuel Zuliani. Garbisi kicked the resulting penalty to restore an eight-point lead.

Ashman was replaced at hooker by George Turner who, moments later, nailed Zuliani's head in a ruck, received a yellow card and canceled a kickable penalty for Scotland.

Italy failed to score a point while it had a man advantage, and as soon as Scotland was restored to 15 men it scored.

Scotland waived off another kickable penalty for a corner lineout, and claimed it cleanly. Three backs joined the maul which wheeled to the blindside, and replacement scrumhalf George Horne darted inside the right corner flag. Russell couldn't convert from the touchline but the gap was cut to three with 12 minutes to go.

Italy had a kickable penalty in the 78th but elected for a corner lineout and knocked on. That gave Scotland one last shot in the rain. Italy soaked it up.

___

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

As they say, the show must go on.

After a few eventful days in the world of the Philadelphia 76ers with the passing of the NBA trade deadline (and the trade of Jared McCain), there’s no option but to get back to work. On Saturday night, the Sixers will continue their western road trip with a visit to the Phoenix Suns.

The teams are not far removed from their first meeting of the season back on Jan. 20, when the Suns defeated the Sixers 116-110 in South Philadelphia. Joel Embiid and Paul George were both unavailable for that one, as it was the second leg of a back-to-back for the Sixers. Though it wasn’t enough, Tyrese Maxey, VJ Edgecombe and Kelly Oubre Jr. all scored 20+ points and Adem Bona put up an 11-point, 10-rebound double-double off the bench. After a close contest through halftime, the Suns put up 40 points on the Sixers in the (of course) third period, including eight triples. Phoenix gave the Sixers the opportunity to claw back from their double-digit deficit by shooting just 7-for-25 (28.0%) from the floor in the final frame, but Philadelphia couldn’t capitalize, shooting just 9-for-26 (34.6%) themselves.

So now, on Saturday, they’ll have a chance to redeem themselves. This is the second and final matchup between the squads this season.

For the Sixers, Embiid is listed as questionable for this contest as of Saturday morning for right knee injury management. It’s been hard to know for sure what this listing means for Embiid, who has more often than not been listed as questionable up until starting lineups have been announced (with him included). He has been more available than many would have expected as of late, though, having not missed a game that wasn’t part of a back-to-back since December.

Other than that, only Paul George (suspended) is unavailable for Philadelphia.

The Phoenix injury report has Devin Booker as questionable with an ankle sprain, an upgrade in status after missing the last seven Suns’ games for the injury. Booker leads the Suns averaging 25.4 points, 4.0 rebounds and 6.2 assists per game across 41 contests. Phoenix has gone 5-6 in games without Booker this season.

Grayson Allen is out for Saturday’s contest after spraining his knee in the Suns last game. This is a pretty substantial loss for Phoenix, especially on the offensive end, with Allen averaging a career-high 17.0 points per game and sinking threes at a 36.9% rate on a 9.1 attempt per game clip.

Jalen Green, a career 20-point per night scorer, is questionable for right hamstring injury management and a hip contusion. Green has struggled to get on the court much at all this season, playing in just five games across the campaign and only three since the start of 2026. He last played on Jan. 30.

For as emotional and frustrating the last few days have been for fans, one can only imagine how it has felt for the guys actually on the Sixers squad. A victory on Saturday could be worth its weight in gold in terms of giving just the tiniest boost to morale for the team. Especially if there is the situation where Booker is unable to go and Embiid is in, this could end up being a great opportunity to get back in the win column and help get the players’ mindsets back on what they can actually control to some extent: what happens on the court.

The Sixers and Suns tip off from Phoenix at 9 p.m. ET.

Game Details

When: Saturday, Feb. 7, 9 p.m. ET
Where: Mortgage Matchup Center, Phoenix, AZ
Watch: NBC Sports Philadelphia
Radio: 97.5 The Fanatic
Follow: @LibertyBallers

The Cleveland Cavaliers should see prized trade deadline pickup James Harden suit up before the end of their five-game road trip through the West.

It just might not be Saturday in Sacramento against the Kings.

Even without Harden, my Cavaliers vs. Kings predictions and NBA picks expect Cleveland to take advantage of a Sacramento team playing the second night of a back-to-back, but it won't be enough to cover on Saturday, February 7.

Cavaliers vs Kings prediction

Cavaliers vs Kings best bet: Kings +12 (-110)

James Harden might be the biggest name sidelined (he’s questionable Saturday), but he’s not alone. The Cleveland Cavaliers are down Evan Mobley (calf) and Max Strus (foot), while Dean Wade (ankle) is also questionable.

The Sacramento Kings just lost their 11th in a row and continue to bleed points, allowing 120.5 per game. They rank next-to-last with a 2-7-0 record against the spread when playing on a second straight night.

However, the Kings have shown fight of late, losing by four points or fewer in four of their last five, and they catch the Cavaliers nowhere near their final form.

Sacramento has owned this head-to-head, going 7-1-0 ATS in the last eight meetings with Cleveland.

The Cavs also don’t take advantage of being the better-rested team, going just 2-7-0 ATS in that scenario, the second-worst mark in the league.

I don’t think SacTo wins, but it's getting a lot of points.

Cavaliers vs Kings same-game parlay

Donovan Mitchell has been playing setup man of late, with nine assists in back-to-back games. But before that, he hadn't cleared this number in three straight and five of seven.

DeMar DeRozan is coming off a five-point outing when he played 20 minutes and took just three shots. His line has dropped down to a lowly 17.5 points, a figure he topped four times in his previous five games before Friday.

Cavaliers vs Kings SGP

• Kings +12
• Donovan Mitchell Under 6.5 assists
• DeMar DeRozan Over 17.5 points

Our "from downtown" SGP: Kings For a Day

Russell Westbrook’s assist line might be slightly inflated for Saturday, considering he hasn’t hit six assists in his last seven games.

Zach LaVine has hit at least two triples in 12 of his last 16 games.

Cavaliers vs Kings SGP

• Kings +12
• Donovan Mitchell Under 6.5 assists
• DeMar DeRozan Over 17.5 points
• Russell Westbrook Under 5.5 assists
• Zach LaVine Over 1.5 made threes

Cavaliers vs Kings odds

• Spread: Cavaliers -12.5 (-105) | Kings +12.5 (-115)
• Moneyline: Cavaliers -750 | Kings +475
• Over/Under: Over 234.5 (-110) | Under 234.5 (-110)

Cavaliers vs Kings betting trend to know

Each of the Kings' last four home games has cashed the Over. Find more NBA betting trends for Cavaliers vs. Kings.

How to watch Cavaliers vs Kings

Cavaliers vs Kings latest injuries

This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here

Shorthanded Pacific Division rivals face off at Crypto.com Arena tonight when the Los Angeles Lakers host the Golden State Warriors.

With Luka Doncic sidelined, my Warriors vs. Lakers predictions call for a big performance from Austin Reaves.

Here are my free NBA picks for this divisional showdown on Saturday, February 7.

Warriors vs Lakers prediction

Warriors vs Lakers best bet: Austin Reaves Over 23.5 points (-112)

Austin Reaves returned from a 19-game absence on Tuesday and logged 15 points in 21 minutes off the bench.

His playing time ramped up to 25 minutes on Thursday, and he finished with a game-high 35 points after Luka Doncic’s early exit due to a hamstring injury.

Doncic is out tonight, which means Reaves will take the lead on offense for the Los Angeles Lakers. In six games played without Doncic this season, Reaves has averaged 36.2 points and scored 24+ five times. 

His minutes will still be monitored, but AR could push for 30 minutes tonight with Luka sidelined.

Warriors vs Lakers same-game parlay

Los Angeles has covered the spread in seven of its last 10, including three of its last four. Even without Doncic, Reaves's reemergence should give the Lakers enough firepower to take down a Golden State Warriors team missing Steph Curry.

Both teams have hit the Over more often than not, as the Warriors are 29-23 to the Over, and the Lakers are 28-22. Despite those trends, neither team will have its top scoring option, and offense may come at a premium at Crypto.com Arena.

Golden State and Los Angeles are a combined 9-11 to the Under across their last 10 games.

Warriors vs Lakers SGP

• Austin Reaves Over 23.5 points
• Lakers -2.5
• Under 222

Our "from downtown" SGP: Dray day

Draymond Green isn't a scorer, but he's averaging 10.8 rebounds + assists this season, and he's gone for 10+ in 26 of 43 appearances. 

Warriors vs Lakers SGP

• Austin Reaves Over 23.5 points
• Lakers -2.5
• Under 222
• Draymond Green Over 9.5 rebounds+assists

Warriors vs Lakers odds

• Spread: Warriors +3.5 (-120) | Lakers -3.5 (+100)
• Moneyline: Warriors +125 | Lakers -145
• Over/Under: Over 222.5 (-105) | Under 222.5 (-115)

Warriors vs Lakers betting trend to know

The Golden State Warriors have only covered the first-quarter spread in 17 of their last 50 games (-20.05 Units / -35% ROI). Find more NBA betting trends for Warriors vs. Lakers.

How to watch Warriors vs Lakers

Warriors vs Lakers latest injuries

This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here

The stars will be out tonight at Frost Bank Center as Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs host Cooper Flagg and the Dallas Mavericks in a rematch of Thursday’s game at American Airlines Arena.

Wembanyama has been ultra-productive across his last 10 games, and my Mavericks vs Spurs predictions call for another big game from the superstar.

Here are my best free NBA picks for this star-studded affair on Saturday, February 7.

Mavericks vs Spurs prediction

Mavericks vs Spurs best bet: Victor Wembanyama Over 35.5 points + rebounds (-120)

San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama has averaged 36.4 points + rebounds across his last 10 games, hitting the Over six times in that span. 

"Wemby" has averaged 33.9 points + rebounds on the road compared to 36.6 at home, posting at least 36 in 12 of 19 contests at Frost Bank Center. Over his last five at home, Wembanyama has averaged 38.4 and cleared this line three times.

The Dallas Mavericks allow the third-most rebounds and 11th-most points, and Wembanyama has been great against them this season. He finished with 40 and 55 points + rebounds in two matchups.

After a strong performance against Dallas on Thursday, I expect "Wemby" to stay hot and come through with another big game in front of the home crowd.

Mavericks vs Spurs same-game parlay

Cooper Flagg has been on an absolute heater over his last four games, averaging 37.8 points, 9.3 rebounds, and 4.5 assists in that span, good for 51.6 PRA. Flagg has hit the Over on this combo line in four straight, including 42 against the Spurs on Thursday. I don't expect him to slow down.

The Mavericks have dropped six straight, and they've covered only twice in that span. Meanwhile, the Spurs have covered in two of their last three. Despite the recent trends, the Mavs are 6-4 ATS across their last 10, and the Spurs are 4-5-1 in that span. This is a familiar opponent, and Dallas can keep things close enough as it scraps to stay competitive and get back on track.

Mavericks vs Spurs SGP

• Victor Wembanyama Over 35.5 points + rebounds
• Cooper Flagg Over 36.5 points + rebounds + assists
• Mavericks +10

Our "from downtown" SGP: Combo Special

Daniel Gafford has seen more run over his last three, averaging 14 points and 11 boards across 28.7 minutes. He's easily cleared this combo line in each of those contests, and he should have no problem reaching that mark again, even with Marvin Bagley III in the fold to back him up.

Mavericks vs Spurs SGP

• Victor Wembanyama Over 35.5 points + rebounds
• Cooper Flagg Over 36.5 points + rebounds + assists
• Mavericks +10
• Daniel Gafford Over 15.5 points + rebounds

Mavericks vs Spurs odds

• Spread: Mavericks +10.5 (-115) | Spurs -10.5 (-105)
• Moneyline: Mavericks +320 | Spurs -435
• Over/Under: Over 230.5 (-105) | Under 230.5 (-115)

Mavericks vs Spurs betting trend to know

The Dallas Mavericks have covered the 2H spread in 33 of their last 50 games (+13.58 Units / 24% ROI). Find more NBA betting trends for Mavericks vs. Spurs.

How to watch Mavericks vs Spurs

Mavericks vs Spurs latest injuries

This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here

The Portland Trail Blazers will be looking to make it two wins in two against the Memphis Grizzlies as they host them once again tonight at the Moda Center.

Jerami Grant is cooking right now, and I’m eyeing him to have another standout performance in my Grizzlies vs. Trail Blazers predictions.

Read more in my NBA picks for Saturday, February 7.

Grizzlies vs Trail Blazers prediction

Grizzlies vs Trail Blazers best bet:  Jerami Grant Over 17.5 points (-110)

Jerami Grant is having a nice campaign for the Portland Trail Blazers, averaging 18.8 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 2.4 assists per game. He’s one of Portland’s top players, and Grant has made that clear as of late.

The wing has easily cashed the Over in back-to-back contests, scoring 23 points in the win on Friday. He also dropped another 23 on Tuesday in a nailbiter loss to the Phoenix Suns.

Both of these games were at home, and as previously mentioned, the Blazers are in Portland again this evening.

The Memphis Grizzlies are in shambles, with Ja Morant’s future unclear, while they just traded Jaren Jackson Jr. This isn't a team that is elite defensively, and Grant had his way with them on Friday. 

Grizzlies vs Trail Blazers same-game parlay

Jaylen Wells is definitely one player who is benefiting from Morant’s absence. The young guard is averaging 12 PPG in his second season and has started all 50 games.

Wells has hit the Over in points in four consecutive games.

He scored 13 points in Friday’s loss, and he had 18 points in back-to-back contests earlier in the week, as well as he helped Memphis beat the Sacramento Kings and Minnesota Timberwolves. 

Toumani Camara has become valuable. He’s averaging 12.9 PPG while shooting 35.4% from three-point land. Camara is averaging 2.5 makes on 7.1 attempts per contest.

He’s knocked down three triples in back-to-back outings, going 3-for-7 on Friday and 3-for-9 on Tuesday. Camara has cashed the Over in six of his last eight contests as well.

Grizzlies vs Trail Blazers SGP

• Jerami Grant Over 17.5 points
• Jaylen Wells Over 12.5 points
• Toumani Camara Over 2.5 threes

Our "from downtown" SGP: Ceddy Boards!

Cedric Coward has grabbed 15 boards across his last two games, cashing the Over in rebounds in both appearances.

Grizzlies vs Trail Blazers SGP

• Jerami Grant Over 17.5 points
• Jaylen Wells Over 12.5 points
• Toumani Camara Over 2.5 threes
• Cedric Coward Over 6.5 rebounds

Grizzlies vs Trail Blazers odds

• Spread: Grizzlies +9.5 (-115) | Trail Blazers -9.5 (-105)
• Moneyline: Grizzlies +290 | Trail Blazers -380
• Over/Under: Over 237.5 (-110) | Under 237.5 (-110)

Grizzlies vs Trail Blazers betting trend to know

The Memphis Grizzlies have hit the Game Total Under in 26 of their last 40 away games (+10.60 Units / 24% ROI). Find more NBA betting trends for Grizzlies vs. Trail Blazers.

How to watch Grizzlies vs Trail Blazers

Grizzlies vs Trail Blazers latest injuries

This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here

The 2026 trade deadline has come and gone as players, teams, and fans start to navigate the fallout and where their teams stand for the stretch run of the season. Big names were traded, one particularly large name was not – Timberwolves fans can revisit that in the summertime – but Minnesota did still make a move, even if it wasn’t the mammoth-sized one that was discussed all week leading up to the 2:00 PM CT cutoff.

In a trade made a few hours before the deadline, the Timberwolves dealt Rob Dillingham, Leonard Miller, and four second-round picks to the Chicago Bulls for Ayo Dosunmu and Julian Phillips. The Timberwolves had been linked to Dosunmu (along with fellow Bulls guards Coby White and Tre Jones) leading up to the deadline. While it is always a bummer to deal with young players like Rob Dillingham and Leonard Miller, Ayo Dosunmu seems like an awesome fit who is younger and able to be resigned in the offseason.

Giving up Rob Dillingham is tough, especially when you look at what Minnesota gave up to get him, but in an ecosystem that has prioritized winning for the whole time he has been here, he was not ready to contribute at that high a level. Getting a change of scenery in a lower-pressure environment will allow him to work through his mistakes with playing time, if the Chicago Bulls can find minutes for him with how many guards they have on the roster.

Just in: The Chicago Bulls have traded Ayo Dosunmu to the Minnesota Timberwolves, sources tell ESPN. pic.twitter.com/DOzVoArBsL

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 5, 2026

But, enough about what’s gone, let’s focus on what the Timberwolves received in return.

Ayo Dosunmu is a 26-year-old combo guard out of the University of Illinois. He is in his 5th year in the NBA. In 45 games this season, he is averaging 15.0 points, 3.6 assists, and 3.0 rebounds per game on 51.4/45.1/85.7 shooting splits. The points and 3-point percentage are career highs as a key contributor off the bench for the Chicago Bulls. The Timberwolves were looking for a backcourt depth piece that could come in and give them a scoring boost as a 7th man. Dosunmu fits that role perfectly. The more you look at his stats and what he has on film from this season, the more excited you get about his fit on the Timberwolves.

The Offense

When diving deeper into Ayo’s offensive game, there are a few things that pop out. He loves to get out in transition and has been a lethal catch-and-shoot 3-point shooter this season. On top of this, he provides some juice on drives – specifically attacking closeouts – and is a solid ball handler. Sounds like a lot of things that people have been clamoring for next to Anthony Edwards on the Timberwolves for a long time.

The transition game was the first thing that stuck out as you begin to look deeper into his play. He pushes the pace at every opportunity while having the ball-handling chops to be able to ignite the break himself. He is very good at finding gaps in the defense and having the speed to attack seams, specifically when they are not able to get set up.

The Timberwolves have done a much better job this season at getting out in transition – after ranking near the bottom of the league in pace and fast break opportunities the last two seasons, the Wolves have improved to 15th in percentage of their points off of fast breaks and are up to 10th in pace. While those are a lot better than they have been, they could always use more in this department. Naz Reid and, more specifically, Jaden McDaniels thrive in the open floor, and having another ball handler who can push the pace to get them these opportunities is a great addition to the backcourt.

Another thing that pops up is the shooting numbers. While the 3-point shooting percentage has fluctuated in his time in the NBA, this season he’s shooting 45.1% from distance. That is good for 8th in the NBA while taking 4.3 attempts per game.

Those are deadeye numbers. This includes shooting a 42.5% on catch-and-shoot threes and 64.0% on pull-ups. Take the pull-up numbers with a grain of salt, as he shoots less than one per game, but still shows some promise in outside shooting off the bounce. Dosunmu should benefit greatly from the gravity that Anthony Edwards and Julius Randle command, along with the spray passes Randle kicks from being doubled in the post.

Only players with 15+ PPG and 45+ 3P% this season:

— Jaden McDaniels
— Ayo Dosunmu

Teammates. pic.twitter.com/sncDLxdrXe

— StatMuse (@statmuse) February 5, 2026

The last aspect that is intriguing about Ayo’s offensive game is his drives in advantageous situations and ball handling. Minnesota has long craved more players who can play off the catch – especially when Ant gets it to Rudy Gobert in the middle of the floor, and the offense morphs into a 4 on 3 situation. Ayo is great at this. He attacks closeouts well, is quick enough to get by the first defender, and then makes the right decision while driving to the basket.

While the rim shooting percentage is down this year overall – 61% according to Cleaning the Glass, which is in the 27th percentile – and he isn’t going to be able to straight up beat a defender 1 on 1 very often, his prowess to do so in transition and advantage situations still is a strength. He is a solid ball handler who should be able to help initiate actions off the bench. This is a different look that the Wolves could use from their backcourt, as that part is one of Donte DiVincenzo’s bigger weaknesses.

Ayo profiles as a great complementary offensive fit and does a little of everything that the Timberwolves need, especially as a reserve.

The Defense

Defense is extremely tough to measure, especially when projecting a fit with a new team, as in this case. With that being said, Ayo looks to be a prototypical NBA wing defender (if slightly on the smaller end of this spectrum). He is listed at 6’4” and 200lbs with a 6’8”-6’10” wingspan depending on where you look.

Checking out a couple of other guys that Timberwolves fans know well who are similar to this build: Nickeil Alexander-Walker and Jaylen Clark. Using his build, which is more stocky, he aligns more with the sturdy Jaylen Clark profile compared to the more slippery Nickeil Alexander-Walker.

I have some custom scripts that fetch NBA data as part of my game prep.

Part of that is generating similarity score based on statistical profiles (scoring, shooting, playmaking, play style, etc.)

Player most similar to Ayo Dosunmu?

Nickeil Alexander-Walker (67.0% similarity) pic.twitter.com/AdTKEElUGZ

— Jack Borman (@jrborman13) February 5, 2026

According to Cleaning the Glass, the Chicago Bulls were 1.4 points per 100 possessions better defensively when Dosunmu was on the court. While it is good that it is in the positive, that is not a huge swing in terms of on/off numbers. This is something that is worth monitoring as Dosunmu moves to a more winning situation than what he was a part of in Chicago. Chicago Bulls insider K.C. Johnson from Chicago Sports Network also had the following to say about Ayo.

A word about Ayo Dosunmu: You can tell he’s a Chicago kid. Wouldn’t be denied. Relentless, hard-working, no-nonsense pro who loved hard coaching and always looked inward. Everything he gets in his career, he will have earned. Was a go-to voice in locker room for what we do.

— K.C. Johnson (@KCJHoop) February 5, 2026

You combine a ‘relentless’ and ‘hard-working’ player with his measurements, and he projects to be a great connective defensive piece. Putting together his build with those intangibles and a knack for igniting the fast break, that is always something that is a useful injection into any lineup.

Being able to get through any given game while not playing smaller players that are more easily hunted, like Mike Conley, should also naturally improve the defense. He may not be a Jaden McDaniels type, where he is asked to guard the other team’s best player and shut him down, but it’s hard not get excited about having another player who has these two-way abilities.

The Other Stuff

As was mentioned in the above post, he is also a hard-working professional who brings it every night. For a Timberwolves team that has had struggles in bringing the energy consistently, that is also something that they could use more of. All of this culminates in a needed boost off the bench on both ends and a player that Timberwolves fans should greatly enjoy watching on a night-to-night basis. Playoff basketball rewards these types of players, and it is an exciting proposition to inject this archetype into any lineup.

Ayo Dosunmu is a wicked north/south scorer and spot-up shooter…

Strong bodied and gets down hill consistently. Lots of pressure on the rim in the half court and a beast in transition. Type of guard built for the the trenches of a playoff series. pic.twitter.com/6m40DcNoD9

— Basketball University (@UofBasketball) February 4, 2026

A small extra thing that is worth mentioning is his contract situation. While he is on an expiring contract, with this trade, the Timberwolves obtain Dosunmu’s bird rights. This means that they can go above the salary cap to resign him. If Ayo had gone into free agency, Minnesota would have had to clear cap space in order to sign a player to that salary number. Now, they can retain Dosunmu while also utilizing money to sign another player in the offseason.

This offseason, the Wolves are $8.3 million under the luxury tax. They could increase that to $13.7 million by trading their first round pick and declining Julian Phillips team option

They could spend that entire amount on a MLE player and then re-sign Dosunmu and Clark on top https://t.co/GHYR9Gq4Uo

— Ryan Eichten (@REichten) February 5, 2026

We have 10 games across the Association today, with a pair of afternoon contests on the docket. My NBA player props for all the action will include Kevin Durant, Tyrese Maxey, and Matas Buzelis. 

Read more in my NBA picks for Saturday, February 7. 

Best NBA player props today

Prop #1: Kevin Durant Over 23.5 points

-105 at bet365

Kevin Durant is having an impressive first season with the Houston Rockets, who look like a team that could make some noise in the playoffs. They'll face a good test this afternoon as Houston travels to Oklahoma City to face the Thunder. 

While KD hasn’t faced the defending champs yet this season, this is always a special game for him, as he spent the early years of his career with OKC. Durant is also averaging 27.3 points per game on the road, and he’s cashed the Over in three of his previous four road appearances.

• Time: 3:30 p.m. ET
• Where to watch: ABC

Prop #2: Tyrese Maxey Over 3.5 threes

+160 at bet365

Tyrese Maxey has been the main man for the Philadelphia 76ers this season, and he’s a big reason they could be a dark horse in the playoffs. The guard is averaging 28.8 ppg on 38.4% shooting from downtown, averaging 3.4 makes on 8.8 attempts. 

The Kentucky product has cashed the Over in converted triples in three of his last five games, and he’s averaging 3.6 makes on the road at a 41% clip.

• Time: 9:00 p.m. ET
• Where to watch: NBCS-Philadelphia, KTVK

Prop #3: Matas Buzelis Under 6.5 rebounds

-135 at bet365

Matas Buzelis isn’t exactly known for his rebounding, but he’s no pushover on the glass, either. The youngster averages 5.3 boards per game, and his size allows him to make an impact at times down low. 

However, Buzelis has hit the Under on rebounds in three consecutive outings, grabbing six on Thursday, and he had just five boards combined in the two games before that. 

• Time: 8:00 p.m. ET
• Where to watch: Altitude, CHSN

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

This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here

Washington Wizards center Anthony Davis is not expected to play the rest of the season, NBA TV reports.

According to the report, Davis will use the time off to get fully healthy for the 2026-27 season.

Davis has not played since he was injured late in the fourth quarter on Jan. 8 in a loss against the Utah Jazz when he was a member of the Dallas Mavericks, scoring 21 points with 11 rebounds in 35 minutes.

He was expected to return from ligament damage in his left hand in about six weeks.

Davis was traded to Washington in a deal that involved eight players between three teams.

Once Davis is healthy enough to play, he is expected to team up with guard Trae Young, who was traded from the Atlanta Hawks. Young has been sidelined since Dec. 27 with knee and quadriceps injuries and will be re-evaluated after the All-Star break.

The 32-year-old Davis, a 10-time All-Star, is averaging 20.4 points, 11.1 rebounds, 2.8 assists, and 1.7 blocks in the 20 games he has appeared in this season.

Washington (14-36) has the league's worst point differential and is giving up 122.6 points a game, second worst in the NBA. The Wizards have missed the postseason in each of the last four seasons.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Anthony Davis: Wizards star expected to sit rest of the season