Category: Basketball

HeraldJayson Tatum ‘not thrilled’ to return to site of injury for Celtics-Knicks

Jaylen Brown, Jayson Tatum power Celtics past Hornets in potential playoff preview

Brad Stevens talks Celtics’ playoff ceiling, Jayson Tatum’s return, college rumors

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Jaylen Brown, Celtics close in on No. 2 seed after dispatching Charlotte, another potential playoff opponent

Brad Stevens refuses to put a ceiling on this postseason-bound Celtics team, because he knows the sky’s the limit

Celtics GreenComments from the Other Side – Hornets 4/8/26

CelticsBlogBrad Stevens talked Jayson Tatum, the Celtics ceiling, and more. Here’s everything I took away.

Jordan Walsh embodies the story of the Celtics season

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Jaylen Brown sees shades of Celtics in up-and-coming Hornets ‘ready to play’

Celtics owner Bill Chisholm reflects on his first year with the team

Hornets vs. Celtics player grades: 58 points from the Jays and 2nd half defense takes sting out of Charlotte

Celtics’ strong 4th quarter stings Hornets, 113-102

CLNS MediaDid Celtics Ownership Cut Costs this Season? | The Garden Report

Celtics Beat Hornets in Potential First-Round Preview | You Got Boston

Xavier Tillman: Jayson Tatum Was Dunking in January Scrimmage | Celtics Daily

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Keys to the Game: Celtics 113, Hornets 102

NBC Sports BostonCeltics-Hornets recap: Brown leads way in C’s thrilling comeback win

NESNBrad Stevens Explains Celtics’ Season-Altering Jayson Tatum Decision

Jaylen Brown Praises Potential Playoff Opponent With Flattering Comparison

Jaylen Brown Still Pointing Fingers Over Celtics’ Painful NBA Finals Loss

Does Cooper Flagg Have Higher Ceiling Than Jayson Tatum?

Celtics’ Brad Stevens Addresses Rumors Tying Him To College Coaching Openings

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Joe Mazzulla supports new Celtics center after brutal shooting in Hornets win

Celtics star makes candid admission before 1st trip to New York since Achilles injury

Brad Stevens addresses college coaching rumors: ‘I like being here’

Celtics playoff picture: Boston gets crucial result for No. 2 seed

Jaylen Brown is the Celtics ‘Name to Know’ Player of the Game in Tuesday’s win over Hornets

4 takeaways as Celtics beat Hornets to inch closer to clinching No. 2 seed

Celtics WireThink the Celtics are rolling now? Jaylen Brown thinks they can get better

Report: Celtics ‘known to be interested’ in Giannis Antetokounmpo

Boston Celtics swat pesky Charlotte Hornets to win 113-102 (PHOTOS)

Jaylen Brown says the Celtics will support Jayson Tatum in his uneasy return to MSG

Celtics use strong second half to overcome early deficit vs. Hornets

Celtics are the best success story of the 2025-26 NBA season

Frank Garza on how son Luka remade his game, body to set up Celtics success

Brad Stevens emphasizes love for Celtics job and unavailability to potential suitors

Jaylen Brown hypes up Celtics teammate Jordan Walsh for playoff opportunity

The Athletic OG Anunoby, Derrick White highlight our All-Perimeter Defense First Team

Celtics’ Jayson Tatum on post-Achilles return to MSG: ‘Might as well get it out the way’

Joe Mazzulla appreciates Giannis’ praise but credits players: ‘I think it starts there’

Brad Stevens on NBA solving its tanking problem: ‘I think it’s really important’

Boston Sports JournalSimone: Celtics’ championship identity once again on display in win over Hornets

BSJ Game Report: Celtics 113, Hornets 102 – Boston picks up playoff-level win

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Far-fetched Giannis trade scenario becomes more real for the Celtics

Jayson Tatum opens up about impending hurdle he faces in his journey back

Nikola Vucevic’s injury created more problems for the Celtics than they thought

It took just one play for Jordan Walsh to completely change the game for the Celtics

Celtics proving to be a ‘flip the switch’ team is horrifying for rest of the NBA

Celtics’ wing seems to be improbably hitting his stride at the perfect time

Brad Stevens poetically explains why he has no interest in leaving the Celtics

CLNS Media/YouTube Celtics Make STATEMENT vs Hornets | Garden Report Postgame Show on CLNS

Did Celtics Ownership CUT Costs this Season? | Garden Report

Is Jordan Walsh BACK? Celtics Make Statement vs Hornets | You Got Boston w/ Noa Dalzell

Jayson Tatum on Return to MSG for First Time Since Injury | FULL Postgame Interview

Jaylen Brown on Jayson Tatum Return to MSG: We got his back.” | Celtics Hornets FULL Postgame 4-7

Joe Mazzulla on Celtics Win over Hornets | Postgame Interview

Grant Williams on Jayson Tatum’s Return: “IMPRESSIVE” | Celtics vs Hornets Pregame

Charles Lee on Jayson Tatum: He Scored TOO MUCH vs Hornets | Pregame Interview

Brad Stevens On His Future, Tatum’s Recovery, Tanking, and More | Celtics vs Hornets Pregame

Joe Mazzulla RESPONDS to Giannis Comments | Celtics vs Hornets Pregame

Rockets WireRockets convert JD Davison from two-way deal to standard NBA contract

SI .comJaylen Brown Says He’s Copying Backup Center’s Moves to Impove Finishing at the Rim

Brad Stevens Adds His Voice to NBA Tanking Issue, Hints at Multiple Solutions

A Triggering Experience Awaits Jayson Tatum, and it’s Another Mental Hurdle to Clear

Celtics-Hornets Player Grades: Stars Step Up Late, But Jordan Walsh’s Defense Was Big

Three Takeaways from the Hornets’ 11-Point Loss to the Boston Celtics

Locked on CelticsAssessing Jordan Walsh, Hugo Gonzalez, Baylor Scheierman—Who Will EMERGE Next?

GAME-CHANGER: Jordan Walsh STIFLES LaMelo Ball as Celtics SEIZE Late Momentum In Win

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Celtics’ Joe Mazzulla Issues Response to Giannis Antetokounmpo

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Jaylen Brown Makes Bold Statement On Celtics Chances Against Knicks In The Playoffs

WEEI/YouTubeChris Mannix of Sports Illustrated believes that Joe Mazzulla is the Coach of the Year | Afternoons

Anxiety? Tatum’s 1st Game Back in NY Incoming… Celtics Undefeated in April ||The Greg Hill Show

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The Sports HubEx-Celtics guard signs two-year deal with Rockets

Brad Stevens not interested in college head coaching jobs

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Jordan Walsh looks ready for his opportunity

Barstool SportsColin Cowherd Wants So Badly To Be Jayson Tatum’s “Skip Bayless” It’s Getting Beyond Pathetic At This Point

ESPNBrad Stevens: Happy with Celtics’ play, content with role

Jayson Tatum preps for return to MSG: ‘Just another game’

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Clutch PointsNBA rumors: Celtics named as potential Giannis trade suitor after eye-opening Joe Mazzulla comments

NBA/YouTubeHORNETS at CELTICS | FULL GAME HIGHLIGHTS | April 7, 2026

Swarm & StingJaylen Brown sends brazen statement that Hornets fans can embrace

Charlotte ObserverWhat Charlotte Hornets’ loss to Boston Celtics means in NBA playoff picture

TalkBasketJoe Mazzulla praises defensive impact, consistency after Celtics edge Hornets

NBA .comPlay of the Day: Jaylen Brown – Apr. 7

Brad Stevens is proud but not surprised at position the Celtics are in entering the playoffs

Boston Celtics/YouTube Playoff Prep? Why Brown, Tatum & White Played Entire 4th & Why Vucevic is Playing Big Minutes

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Our NBA player prop projections have been hard at work crunching the numbers for tonight's key Western Conference clash between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Los Angeles Clippers.

Before you finalize your Thunder vs. Clippers predictions and NBA picks for Wednesday, April 8, see what our computer has to say about Jalen Williams, Derrick Jones Jr, and more.

Thunder vs Clippers computer picks for April 8

Thunder	Clippers
Williams o15.5 points  -120	Jones Jr. o7.5 points  -112
Holmgren o14.5 points -130	Dunn o5.5 points -111
SGA o3.5 rebounds  -150	Leonard u27.5 points  -120

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Thunder computer picks

Jalen Williams Over 15.5 points (-120)

Projection: 17.4 points

This is our computer's top-rated Oklahoma City Thunder player prop for tonight, clocking in with a 17.9% EV edge.

Jalen Williams has hit 16+ points in five of his last eight overall, and his ability to get to the foul line can help him here.

"This year, opposing starting PFs have attempted 4.1 free throws per game (9th-highest in the NBA) vs. the LA Clippers, succeeding in their efforts to get to the free-throw line."

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Chet Holmgren Over 14.5 points (-130)

Projection: 15.4 points

Chet Holmgren has reached the 15-point plateau in six of his last 10 and 13 of his last 20 overall. He's cleared this line in five of his last six on the road, including a 15-piece vs. the Lakers last night.

The system sees Holmgren hitting the Over once more tonight, with projections at an 11.4% EV edge.

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Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Over 3.5 rebounds (-150)

Projection: 4.3 rebounds

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is known more for his scoring than his rebounding, but our computer sees SGA pulling in at least four boards tonight, making this a three-star play.

Gilgeous-Alexander takes on a Los Angeles Clippers defense that's allowed the sixth-most rebounds to opposing point guards this season.

span style="font-size: 14px;"🔥/span spanBet SGA Now at bet365!/span

---

Clippers computer picks

Derrick Jones Jr. Over 7.5 points (-112)

Projection: 9.3 points

Our computer's top pick for tonight with a 22.6% EV edge is Derrick Jones Jr. Over 7.5 points. His scoring projection is 9.3 points, well above his posted line, due to his projected foul shot total.

"This year when [the Clippers] are at home, the opposing team's starting PFs have attempted 4.9 foul shots per game (7th-most in the league) vs. the Thunder, easily managing to get to the foul line."

span style="font-size: 14px;"🔥/span spanBet Jones Jr. Now at bet365!/span

Kris Dunn Over 5.5 points (-111)

Projection: 7.0 points

Our system sees Kris Dunn clearing a very low scoring bar tonight, and doing so rather easily. There's a 21% EV edge associated with this prop.

The Clippers are the sixth-highest scoring offense in the league over the last 25 games, and opportunities should be there vs. a traveling Thunder team that just played last night.

span style="font-size: 14px;"🔥/span spanBet Dunn Now at bet365!/span

Kawhi Leonard Under 27.5 points (-120)

Projection: 25.5 points

Kawhi Leonard's production is decreasing slightly as the season wears on. He's fallen below 27.5 points in six of his last 10 overall, and our computer believes he'll come up two full points shy tonight, making this a four-star wager.

"Opposing team's starting SFs have averaged 25.5% on threes (2nd-weakest in the NBA) vs. the Oklahoma City Thunder, branding this as a tough matchup. The LA Clippers have played at the 3rd-slowest pace-of-play in the league this year."

span style="font-size: 14px;"🔥/span spanBet Leonard Now at bet365!/span

How to watch Thunder vs Clippers tonight

Location	Intuit Dome, Inglewood, CA
Date	Wednesday, April 8, 2026
Tip-off	10:00 p.m. ET
TV	FDSN Oklahoma, FDSN Southern California

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

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In the blink of an eye, the Lakers have gone from one of the hottest teams in basketball to one that’s desperately trying to find a path towards success.

That’s what happens when your two best players get injured in the same game and are out for the rest of the regular season. With no Luka Dončić or Austin Reaves, the Lakers have lost three straight games. They have gone from sole possession of the three seed in the West to tied for fourth in the conference with the Rockets after a blowout loss at home to the No. 1 seed Thunder.

Before their game against OKC, Lakers head coach JJ Redick addressed the realities his team suddenly finds itself in.

“You obviously have to tackle the situation in front of you,” Redick said. “We have a unique situation in front of us and we’ve got to prepare our team, our group that we’re going to have available to play in the playoff series. So that’s how we approach the next four games, how we approach next week, leading into game one. It’s finding who’s going to be able to play in the playoffs for us. So, that all goes into it. The seeding part probably went out the window after the OKC game.”

It’s jarring to see the Lakers going from a team that could potentially win the West to one that can’t win a game.

Besides having Dončić and Reaves out, the Lakers also played the Thunder without LeBron James and Marcus Smart. So, they had to compete against the best team in the league late in the season with two-way big Drew Timme starting and rookie Adou Thiero logging more minutes than he has all season.

Instead of peaking at the right time, the Lakers have had a series of unfortunate events and are now crumbling at the worst moment.

They have three regular-season games left to find something, anything that can help them extend their season beyond the four playoff games they are set to play.

So far, all Lakers fans have is delusional optimism that some medical treatment for Luka in Spain can expedite his return and bring him back just as good as he was before. Because the team, as currently constructed, has no shot at beating any of the competition they will face in a playoff series in the West.

You can follow Edwin on Twitter at @ECreates88 or on Bluesky at @ecreates88.bsky.social.

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Stop me if you’ve heard this before.  The Oklahoma City Thunder are on a winning streak. The latest is six games as they head out to Los Angeles to take on the Clippers.

Now, L.A. is arguably playing its best ball of the season, but it may be a façade, and my Thunder vs. Clippers predictions explain why it may just be giving us value with a dominant OKC squad.

That and more NBA picks for this Western Conference clash set to tip off at 10 pm ET at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, on Wednesday, April 8. 

Thunder vs Clippers prediction

Thunder vs Clippers best bet: Thunder -7 (-110)

I’m not sure we’re properly appreciating how impressive the Oklahoma City Thunder have been for the better part of three seasons now.

They enter tonight’s matchup with the Los Angeles Clippers already with 63 wins and a net rating more than three points higher than the team in second (the Spurs).

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is still leading the NBA MVP odds, and his 20-point streak is still going strong. The Thunder are also still the best defensive team in the NBA and have ridiculous depth.

Yet, they’re just 7-point road favorites tonight against the Clippers.

Now, L.A. (more specifically, Kawhi Leonard) is fully healthy. That’s helped the Clippers win seven of their last nine games and are ninth in net rating since the All-Star break.

But a deeper dive into their recent opponents, and who's their most impressive victory against? The Raptors? It hasn’t exactly been tough competition lately, and they’re not even covering spreads against these poor teams.

The Clippers are 4-4-1 ATS during the last nine games, and are 5-8-1 ATS in their last 14 games overall.

The Clippers are a good team, but not good enough to cover as 7-point underdogs in this matchup against one of the better teams we’ve seen in recent NBA history.

Thunder vs Clippers same-game parlay

The Clippers are hurting for depth at center behind Brook Lopez. John Collins is their only other real “big man” at the moment, so it’s no surprise that they rank 25th in points allowed per game to opposing centers.

That has me thinking Chet Holmgren will be a tough matchup for them tonight. Holmgren has a juicy points prop sitting at 14.5. He averages 16.9 per game this season and has topped this number in seven of his last 11 games overall.

The ball in Holmgren’s hands should also mean more assists, so let’s take a shot at the Over 1.5 as well.

Thunder vs Clippers SGP

• Thunder -7
• Chet Holmgren Over 14.5 points
• Chet Holmgren Over 1.5 assists

Our "from downtown" SGP: Make it rain!

The Thunder and Clippers rank 22nd and 23rd in opponent 3-point shooting percentage. 

Thunder vs Clippers SGP

• Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Over 1.5 threes
• Lou Dort Over 1.5 threes
• Kawhi Leonard Over 2.5 threes
• Darius Garland Over 2.5 threes

Thunder vs Clippers odds

• Spread: Thunder -7 | Clippers +7
• Moneyline: Thunder -270 | Clippers +220
• Over/Under: Over 227.5 | Under 227.5

Thunder vs Clippers betting trend to know

The Thunder have covered the first-quarter spread in 22 of their last 30 away games for +12.75 units and a 37% ROI. Find more NBA betting trends for Thunder vs. Clippers.

How to watch Thunder vs Clippers

Thunder vs Clippers latest injuries

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The Phoenix Suns let one get away last night, but they should not stress about the final week of the regular season. They do not need to put much worry into facing the Dallas Mavericks tonight.

My Mavericks vs. Suns predictions and these NBA picks expect Phoenix to pack it in early if given that opportunity on Wednesday, April 8.

Mavericks vs Suns prediction

Mavericks vs Suns best bet: Devin Booker Under 6.5 assists (-130)

Good luck justifying any Over bet in this matchup between the tanking Dallas Mavericks and the Phoenix Suns, as the latter is effectively locked into the No. 7 spot in the Western Conference and will thus host the more enviable Play-In game. The Suns are two games clear of the Clippers for the No. 7 seed, and with only three games remaining, Los Angeles’s pipe dreams are essentially dead.

Phoenix should still want to win, but on the second night of a back-to-back, lessening Devin Booker’s workload would make more sense. He played 38:32 last night in a deflating loss to Houston. The Suns’ ceiling is low, but it would crater if Booker is anything but at his best in the postseason.

Even when playing legitimate minutes, Booker has fallen short of this modest prop in two of his last three games and nine of his last 14 games.

That is the vital overlap in these difficult betting situations of the final week of the regular season: Find a prop bet that would be expected to cash in a regular situation, and then it will be emphasized if minutes are indeed wonky.

Mavericks vs Suns same-game parlay

Let this vision be straightforward: An early Suns lead should spark diminished minutes from Booker. There is no need to stress him. The Suns have three winnable games ahead of them, and the required win or two should come. The Clippers have three losable games ahead of them, and the required loss or two should come. Phoenix can trust its hold of the No. 7 seed.

Mavericks vs Suns SGP

• Devin Booker Under 6.5 Assists
• Devin Booker Under 26.5 Points
• Suns First Half -6.5

Our "from downtown" SGP: Phoenix Ambivalence Late

This counterintuitive same-game parlay is designed to suggest the Mavericks may let Cooper Flagg rack up the points in the second half to cement his Rookie of the Year award, and the Suns’ defense may allow a backdoor cover simply out of ambivalence.

Mavericks vs Suns SGP

• Devin Booker Under 6.5 Assists
• Suns First Half -6.5
• Mavericks +11.5

Mavericks vs Suns odds

• Spread: Mavericks +11.5 (-110) | Suns -11.5 (-110)
• Moneyline: Mavericks +475 | Suns -650
• Over/Under: Over 231.5 (-110) | Under 231.5 (-110)

Mavericks vs Suns betting trend to know

Phoenix has gone 0-4 against the spread in its last four games, falling short of bookmakers’ expectations by an average of 7.6 points per game. Find more NBA betting trends for Mavericks vs. Suns.

How to watch Mavericks vs Suns

Mavericks vs Suns latest injuries

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NEW YORK — It’s annoyingly cold, a gray day after a fool’s spring, but most of the Atlanta Hawks have dispersed into the city, anyway.

The team arrived from Orlando about 3 a.m., and the 78^th game of the season is tomorrow night in Brooklyn. Technically, it’s supposed to be an afternoon off.

Yet, here in a windowless conference room on the third floor of the Ritz-Carlton NoMad, general manager Onsi Saleh and head coach Quin Snyder are busy sketching out hypothetical three-man actions on a dry erase board.

They don’t necessarily need to be doing this. There are 10 days left in the NBA regular season and the Hawks are already the hottest team in the Eastern Conference, the squad no one wants to face in the playoffs.

But this team is still somewhat new, still somewhat unresolved. And so, the architects of this revival are chasing refinements, trying to uncover some combination, some scheme that will unlock this group’s full potential.

This is, after all, a team that has traded nine players since July. It’s a team that has asked its players — young and old — to constantly reinvent themselves.

“We like to say: they’re rookies in their roles,” Snyder says. “This is all new for them. We’re still learning about them. And they’re still learning about–”

“Each other, yeah,” Saleh cuts in, finishing the thought. “And us, honestly.”

Throughout a wide-ranging, 45-minute conversation with USA TODAY Sports, Saleh and Snyder opened up about their philosophies on roster construction and culture, on their expectations, on success.

UCLA redshirt freshman guard Christian Horry, the son of NBA legend Robert Horry, has entered the NCAA Transfer Portal, according to On3’s Jamie Shaw. Horry will have three years of eligibility remaining wherever he lands.

Christian Horry, whose father was a notoriously clutch shooter with the Los Angeles Lakers and San Antonio Spurs, remains scoreless in two collegiate seasons after appearing in just four games with UCLA in 2025-26 and redshirting in 2024-25. The younger Horry was 0-for-2 from the floor and 0-of-1 from the free throw line last season, totaling just seven minutes all year.

The elder Horry is a seven-time NBA champion and one of just four NBA players that have won championships with three different teams — two with the Houston Rockets (1994-95), three with the Lakers (2000-02) and two more with the Spurs (2005 and 2007). Robert Horry was the 11th overall pick in the 1992 NBA Draft out of Alabama, where he was a member of the SEC All-Defensive Team in 1992.

Christian Horry is the second member of UCLA’s 2025-26 roster to enter the portal since it opened at midnight Monday, joining senior point guard Skyy Clark.

UCLA guard Skyy Clark enters Transfer Portal

UCLA senior guard Skyy Clark has also entered the Transfer Portal. On3’s Joe Tipton reported the news. He is seeking his fourth program in five seasons.

The Los Angeles native spent one season at Illinois, one season at Louisville, and the last two seasons at UCLA. This means he will need a waiver from the NCAA to suit up in the 2026-27 season. Clark announced in March that he had indeed filed for a waiver.

“I mean, it would definitely mean a lot just coming back, getting another year to develop and everything and yeah, so we’ll see what happens,” Clark told reporters.

His case for a waiver will boil down to his freshman season at Illinois. 13 games into the 2022-23 season, Clark stepped away from the team due to personal reasons. He did not suit up for the Illini again, and transferred to Louisville that offseason.

Clark’s best career season came during his lone year at Louisville, under head coach Kenny Payne. In the 2023-24 season, Clark averaged career-highs in points (13.2) and assists (3.0). In 102 career games (97 starts) across three programs, the 6’3″ guard boasts career averages of 10.4 points, 2.9 rebounds, 2.5 assists, and 1.1 steals.

— On3’s Daniel Hager contributed to this report.

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Without Victor Wembanyama standing in the way, the Portland Trail Blazers have a much clearer path to the postseason. And guard Scoot Henderson has a much clearer path to the bucket tonight against the San Antonio Spurs.

San Antonio will not have its superstar center tonight, leaving the Spurs without their paint protector. No player in the NBA has a more transformative impact than the 7-foot-4 Frenchman.

Our Trail Blazers vs. Spurs predictions measure a Wemby-less San Antonio team, and my NBA picks see a hot spot to back Scoot’s prop market on Wednesday, April 8.

Trail Blazers vs Spurs prediction

Trail Blazers vs Spurs best bet: Scoot Henderson Over 14.5 points (-105)

The San Antonio Spurs’ interior defense is among the best in the league when the lanky center is patrolling the key, allowing less than 45 points in the paint per game since the All-Star break. 

Without Victor Wembanyama, that rim protection disappears faster than the brisket at 2M Smokehouse.

Just look at how quickly the Spurs’ interior crumbled when Wemby missed a chunk of time between November and December. San Antonio was gashed for 55.3 points in the paint in those dozen games — second most in the NBA during that span. Most recently, the L.A. Clippers dropped 56 PITP on the Spurs without Wembanyama on April 2.

Portland Trail Blazers guard Scoot Henderson is a big part of the team’s postseason push. The former No. 3 overall pick missed 51 games with a torn hamstring but has found his stride the past month, averaging 15 points over his last 17 appearances.

Henderson is a dangerous dribble-drive weapon and excellent at getting to the rim, making him a live offensive option for the Trail Blazers tonight. He’s attempted at least 11 field goals in each of his last six games and can draw contact and score from the foul line. San Antonio will also be missing starting guard Stephon Castle, who is one of the team's better on-ball defenders.

Not only will Henderson find his way to the rim, but he’s also been shooting well from deep, with a 9-for-18 count from beyond the arc the last three games. Scoot's player projections sit between 14 and 17 points, and my number sits north of 16 points.

Trail Blazers vs Spurs same-game parlay

The Blazers are pissed after a controversial OT loss at Denver handed them just their third loss in the past 11 games. Portland is pushing for a better seed to set them up for an easy path in the Play-In Tournament.

Without Wembanyama, the pace of play picks up with the Spurs going smaller. The Blazers will score inside and out, taking advantage of the missing shot blocker while continuing their 3-point attack.

Trail Blazers vs Spurs SGP

• Trail Blazers +3.5
• Over 229
• Scoot Henderson Over 14.5 points

Our "from downtown" SGP: Treasure trail

Without Wembanyama, things change drastically in this game. Henderson can score at the rim, Donovan Clingan can crash the glass with ease, and Deni Avdija can spot up from outside. Portland needs the win and already knocked off a Wemby-less Spurs team back in January.

Trail Blazers vs Spurs SGP

• Trail Blazers moneyline
• Scoot Henderson Over 14.5 points
• Donovan Clingan Over 11.5 rebounds
• Deni Avdija Over 1.5 threes

Trail Blazers vs Spurs odds

• Spread: Trail Blazers +3.5 | Spurs -3.5
• Moneyline: Trail Blazers +130 | Spurs -150
• Over/Under: Over 229 | Under 229

Trail Blazers vs Spurs betting trend to know

Portland has covered the spread in six of its last seven games. Find more NBA betting trends for Trail Blazers vs. Spurs.

How to watch Trail Blazers vs Spurs

Trail Blazers vs Spurs latest injuries

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The Denver Nuggets are gunning for the No. 3 seed in the Western Conference and host the struggling Memphis Grizzlies in NBA action tonight.

My Grizzlies vs. Nuggets predictions are backing superstar center Nikola Jokic to dominate Memphis inside.

Here are my best free NBA picks for this clash on Wednesday, April 8.

Grizzlies vs Nuggets prediction

Grizzlies vs Nuggets best bet: Nikola Jokic Over 12.5 rebounds (-130)

Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic leads the NBA with 12.9 rebounds per game and has snagged 14+ boards in seven of his last eight contests.

He has an extremely favorable matchup tonight against the Memphis Grizzlies, who are tanking. Memphis is especially weak inside after trading away Jaren Jackson Jr. and shutting down Zach Edey and Santi Aldama.

The Griz are 26th in the NBA in rebounding rate (48.1%), with that number falling to just 43.4% since the start of March. That, combined with their fast tempo, has resulted in them allowing a league-worst 50.9 rebounds per game over the last 15.

Grizzlies vs Nuggets same-game parlay

The Griz clearly care more about getting a better lottery pick than being competitive in a rebuilding season. They aren't even trying on defense anymore, surrendering 129.8 points per game over their last 10.

That should lead to plenty of points for Denver, which means lots of assists for Jokic. Joker has dropped at least 12 dimes in seven of his last eight games.

One guy who will benefit from those passes is Aaron Gordon. Gordon has cleared 15.5 points in three of his last five contests, and he's fresh off a 23-point performance against Portland. 

Grizzlies vs Nuggets SGP

• Nikola Jokic Over 12.5 rebounds
• Nikola Jokic Over 10.5 assists
• Aaron Gordon Over 15.5 points

Our "from downtown" SGP: Joker's Wild 

Jokic has also scored more than 30 points in three of his last five games. With Jokic stuffing the stat sheet, there's a good chance Denver can cover this massive first-half spread.

After all, Memphis has an average first-half margin of -11.0 in its last 10 games, and the Nuggets could be extra motivated after losing as big favorites in Memphis last month.

Grizzlies vs Nuggets SGP

• Nikola Jokic Over 23.5 points
• Nikola Jokic Over 12.5 rebounds
• Nikola Jokic Over 10.5 assists
• 1H Nuggets -13.5

Grizzlies vs Nuggets odds

• Spread: Grizzlies +23 (-110) | Nuggets -23 (-110)
• Moneyline: Grizzlies +1600 | Nuggets -5000
• Over/Under: Over 244.5 (-110) | Under 244.5 (-110)

Grizzlies vs Nuggets betting trend to know

The Nuggets have covered the second-quarter spread in 14 of their last 20 games at home (+7.10 Units / 31% ROI). Find more NBA betting trends for Grizzlies vs. Nuggets.

How to watch Grizzlies vs Nuggets

Grizzlies vs Nuggets latest injuries

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Ahead of Tuesday’s game between the Celtics and the Hornets, Brad Stevens sat down with Celtics media to discuss a slew of topics.

Here’s everything that he had to say, and what I made of it.

On Jayson Tatum’s return from Achilles:

Stevens stood by what the Celtics have always said about Jayson Tatum’s recovery timeline — he wasn’t going to come back until he was ready. And, Tatum has looked more than ready since his return: in 15 games back, he’s averaged 21.6 points, 9.8 rebounds, and 5.1 assists.

“Until he was 110% at every threshold, had fully reconditioned, and he felt good, we weren’t even going to entertain the thought of him coming back,” Stevens said. “But it became clear, probably around the trade deadline, that early February time, that he was in a pretty good spot physically and from the standpoint of strength. And then it’s just a matter of reconditioning and getting your confidence back in a lot of ways, and playing and being back on the court.”

“And we did a lot of small games, and we had the Maine team down and got a chance to play a little bit live on the start of the post All-Star trip. And you could see that not only was he going to come along pretty quickly, but you could also see that he was getting more eager to play. So it was a really well-thought-out process by Dr. O’Malley, and Nick Sang, and Phil Coles, and followed strictly by Jayson, and everybody involved with that gets a lot of credit because of the amount of work that everybody put into it. It was nobody more than Jayson, with a close, close second by Nick. It was pretty incredible to watch up close. I got a front row seat for the whole thing. So I wasn’t sitting on the edge of my seat like others were the first time they saw him run up and down the court playing 5-on-5.”

What I took away: Brad Stevens confirms here that Tatum had been practicing since mid-February, and that he had looked good in those games (we kind of already knew that, but it sounds like these games started prior to when things were reported). Also of note — the Celtics knew that he would return when they chose to trade Anfernee Simons for Nikola Vucevic, which makes sense. Simons became more duplicative with Tatum back in the lineup, and Vucevic provides needed frontcourt depth ahead of a playoff run.

On whether the team has a ceiling:

In July, Brad Stevens made clear he wasn’t going to put a ceiling on the Celtics’ potential: “I said this when I was coaching all the time. I’d never put a ceiling on my team.”

Nine months later, he laughed when the concept of putting a ceiling on the roster was brought up: “You think now would be a good time?”

“I don’t really change. I feel the exact same as I did at the beginning. And I really feel that way normally. We’re playing today, we’ll put our best foot forward to be as good as we can be, and after tonight, we’ll be one game better or worse. And then we’ll try again tomorrow. When we get into the playoffs, it’ll be the same thing. It’s one game at a time. I don’t think in terms of the big picture as far as this individual team. I just think – I know that we can play. I’ve seen us rise and meet challenges, and I know that this team is looking forward to the next one. As you get into this time of year and get into the playoffs, everything’s hard, and the other teams are really good, and we’ll see where it all stacks out. But I’m going to continue to not put a ceiling on us.”

What I took away: When Stevens said that he didn’t want to put a ceiling on the team in the offseason, it felt like he was just saying the right thing — why would any general manager go out and put a cap on what he thought his team could achieve? But, now, with the Celtics holding a 54-25 record and on the cusp of securing the East’s No. 2 seed, that statement just hits different. The Celtics are undoubtedly championship contenders. At the same time, he also made sure to note that nothing at all is guaranteed.

On navigating the young guys playing in the playoffs:

Stevens was asked about the margins of error being slim in the playoffs and how they would go about utilizing players like Hugo Gonzalez and Baylor Scheierman, who don’t have postseason experience. Gonzalez (14.5 minutes per game), Walsh (17.5 minutes per game), and Scheierman (18 minutes per game) have all played significant roles this season, but those roles have also fluctuated significantly as the year has gone on.

“That’s the coaching staff’s job: to navigate and manage the challenges that come with the games, and challenges that come with navigating the playoffs and being the lead communicators for that,” Stevens said. “Our job as a front office is to support them in any way that we can. And so, we’ll follow their lead on what they feel like the team needs and how we can best support, but we won’t overstep our roles, and I think that’s really important. The margin is small as the playoffs start, as you get into this time of year, the distractions rise, the burdens rise, the praise rises, all that stuff, right? And the reality is, you just have to stay in the moment, be as good as you can today, and the teams that have the stamina to do that can usually play longer. Doesn’t mean you’ll win. I mean, teams that we’re competing against are all going to be good. But I do think this team, and the group led by Joe,  understands the path ahead and how to navigate it, and can help the guys without as much experience.”

What I took away: The biggest thing here? Stevens fully empowers Joe Mazzulla and the Celtics coaching staff to do their job well. That’s part of what’s made the Celtics organization work as well as it has. Stevens doesn’t know which of Gonzalez, Scheierman, or Walsh will lace up in the playoffs, and he’s not going to overstep in that regard.

On his name continuing to come up when head coach vacancies in college open up:

Brad Stevens’ name recently surfaced when the men’s basketball head coaching position at the University of North Carolina opened up (the position has since been filled by former Nuggets head coach Mike Malone). There’s long been speculation that Stevens will eventually return to coaching, and he was asked directly on Tuesday about whether he’s annoyed or flattered by that speculation.

“It’s always flattering,” Stevens said. “And listen, I’m talking to people all year long, all around the game. Because one of the joys of my job now is watching, whether it be in current front office roles, people leave and get promoted, a la Austin [Ainge]. Or when I was coaching, or a part of the coaching staff, watching those guys get jobs.”

“So I’m on the phone with a lot of those people all the way through the year that are in those decision-making processes. And so it’s always flattering, right, when you’re hearing that. But, the whole idea of the coaching carousel being news is a little bit tiresome. But I get why, in this day and age, why people want to talk about it. As you know from being around me, I’m not quick to make decisions where I’m all over the place. I like being here. They’ve been great to me, and I haven’t been seeking anything else.“

“And I don’t have an agent. So I guess my circle is pretty small, although I do –  Tracy still kind of helps me out. But I know that she’s pretty reliable and confidential. But, one of these days, you know, I don’t see myself… like I’m not motivated to do anything but what I’m doing is the bottom line. And I’m really happy with the people who are around and everything else. And that’s been the best part about being here and really, as you get to this age and stage, I think that’s the motivator for me. I don’t really have any other motivation than being around people that I want to be around.”

What I took away: Stevens said a lot here, but two things really stuck out. The first is that he’s really happy in Boston and fulfilled by the team around him. The second is that he’s not unequivocally ruling out eventually returning to coaching. I don’t view that as an indication that he’s likely to leave the Celtics anytime soon — I think he just picks his words carefully and doesn’t want to say anything he’s not 100% certain about.

On integrating Nikola Vucevic:

Nikola Vucevic was acquired in mid-February, played 12 games, and then was sidelined with a fractured ring finger for a month. He’s been back for two games now, with three games left to play in the regular season. In that span, Vucevic has averaged 9.4 points and 6.9 rebounds in 21.1 minutes of action, while shooting 41.6% from the field and 29.5% from three.

Stevens acknowledged Vucevic is still getting accclimated, but said he’ll be valuable down the road:

“It’s going to be a work in progress anytime you get a guy that comes into trade,” he said. “But Vooch is a pro, and I think that he immediately recognized that he’s got to do his best to find where he can help fit and where he can help impact the team. We haven’t played a ton of teams that have switched everything, like in the first game against Miami, where he really got some post-up opportunities, and that type of stuff. But I do think that he can bring an element to this group that will be really valuable down the line. I think that it’s good that he gets at least a week here to work on it with the guys. And the other thing is, we’ve been really lucky that we haven’t been in the Play-In in a while. I think we were in the one year, my last year as a coach. That turnaround, you don’t have time to work on your team as you get ready for a playoff series. Having that week in between is going to be really good, and even though we won’t have games to necessarily play with Vooch, we only have a couple left, just those practices are probably more valuable than even these next four games.”

What I took away: Vucevic has struggled a bit since lacing up for the Celtics, but that doesn’t mean he won’t eventually be very important to the Celtics. In the playoffs, if the Celtics face a team that switches everything, Vucevic will be a particularly powerful weapon. Stevens also stressed that, though there are only a few regular-season games left, the week of practice will be really helpful. That’s a good reminder for fans, too: teams hardly ever get to play.

On what he looks for in a player:

Stevens was asked about the kind of player he’s looked to bring to Boston: this past year, the Celtics added Hugo Gonzalez via the draft and Luka Garza via free agency, among others.

“Everything is information, right? And so, there’s a there’s an analytical side of it where, maybe the numbers are popping for a guy in low minutes, like they would have with Luka, because some people value possessions more than they value some of the perceived weaknesses of a player, or whatever the case may be. We do tend to look at the fact that, if you have the right competitive character and you’re more about the team, those are huge qualities.”

“Everybody’s in the NBA for a reason, and if we can figure out how to maximize the reason they’re here and not focus on the things that people see as a detriment, then we can build a team — as long as you have the cornerstones. And we’ve got the cornerstones, and that’s a huge part of it. So, I’d say that, when you talk about a guy like Luka Garza, a good example is the competitive character where team matters, you’re growth-oriented, you come to work every day, and your ambition doesn’t necessarily exceed your self-awareness. And I know that’s not always easy to find, but we watch these guys for a long time at a lot of different levels, and a guy like Luka came extremely highly recommended as a person, and we knew that he had competitive character.”

What I took away: The Celtics have done a really good job of maximizing players’ strengths, but they’ve been able to do that because they have legitimate franchise players (or, as Stevens calls them, cornerstones). I’d consider Mazzulla a cornerstone here, too. Luka Garza is often a guy the front office has pointed to, because he’s obviously extremely talented offensively (former Naismith Player of the Year!), but hasn’t found a way to be an impactful rotation player. And, a big reason why the Celtics signed him is because of his character — I’ve talked to plenty of people around the league, and few are as highly regarded as Luka.

On the job the coaching staff has done:

Stevens was asked about the work that Joe Mazzulla and the coaching staff have done this season, and nodded profusely.

“Tremendous. People talk about team chemistry a lot, and it gets overevaluated. A player’s reaction to another player, a player’s body language. But people don’t see a coach’s meeting, and when a staff doesn’t fit or work well together. And staff chemistry can kill team chemistry fast. And so, to have a staff that’s been together, that knows how they want to accomplish what they can and want to accomplish, that isn’t tied to a singular way of playing on offense or defense necessarily, because they have to wait and see what their roster is going to look like, and then can adjust to that.”

“To have the ability to say, ‘Yeah, these guys may have some things they haven’t done as well or are unproven, but they’re here for a reason. Let’s find those and soar with those, and then piece a team together.’ I think you’re going to have the best chance to maximize yourself, and this particular staff, I think, is excellent. And listen, we’ve been really lucky around here to have several people now coaching in the NBA at different stops, including both guys on the sideline today, and we’ve got more of them. And so, that’s going to be pretty cool to watch all these guys take the next step, because they truly know how to get the most out of the group. And they also know kind of how to navigate the season with the group. So, they’ve done a great job. The players have done a great job of embracing being coached, embracing those roles, and it’s all been pieced together to have a nice regular season. And they all — the players, coaches, and everybody else [that is] up for all these awards, whether they want them or not — they certainly all deserve them.”

What I took away: Brad Stevens knows he has the best coaching staff in the NBA. And, he was happy to be asked about them.

Tracy McGrady dishes on career guidance he gave Jaylen Brown in 2019 originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston

The 2018-19 NBA season was a tough one for the Boston Celtics. They went into that campaign with championship expectations, but for many reasons, that goal wasn’t achieved.

The C’s playoff run ended in a five-game loss to the Milwaukee Bucks in the Eastern Conference semifinals. A few months later, Kyrie Irving and Al Horford left in free agency.

It was also a difficult season for Jaylen Brown. He took a huge step in his development during the 2017-18 season, especially in the playoffs when he played a prominent role with Irving and Gordon Hayward sidelined due to injuries. The Celtics advanced all the way to Game 7 of the 2018 Eastern Conference Finals.

Brown saw his playing time and many of his stats decrease in 2018-19. He also went from making 70 starts in 2017-18 to just 25 in 2018-19.

During that offseason, Brown reached out to NBA legend and friend Tracy McGrady and asked for his advice on the situation. McGrady helped convince Brown to stay in Boston. T-Mac saw the potential Brown and Jayson Tatum had as an elite duo.

McGrady talked about that conversation, and many other topics, on the latest episode of NBC Sports Boston’s Celtics Talk Podcast with Chris Forsberg.

“It’s fascinating,” McGrady said. “He’s very intelligent and a guy you suspect (would) have all the answers because he’s a student of the game and he wants all the information. For him to reach out to me to just come sit down and have a conversation, because it was heavy on his heart and his mind, and what he wanted to do.

“For me, it was just (being) the voice of reason because I’m not emotionally connected to Boston. I’m not emotionally connected to anything with Boston. My connection is with him and trying to give him the best advice as possible.

“I saw it was an opportunity — you’ve got another player with you in Jayson Tatum, and the dynamic that you guys have created could be very dangerous, and given the organization and their winning ways, and them putting the necessary pieces around you guys — you’ve always been close when you’ve been together.

“It was just a matter of them figuring it out and working together and how they were going to pull everybody else up to get over that hump and win a championship. It ultimately happened, and he was the MVP of (that series). And now these guys have another opportunity to do that.”

Brown staying in Boston worked out perfectly. He has become an All-NBA player, and this season he is a legitimate MVP candidate. Brown and Tatum led the Celtics to their long-awaited Banner 18 with an NBA Finals triumph over the Dallas Mavericks in 2024. Brown also was voted Finals MVP.

With the 2026 playoffs on the horizon, Brown and Tatum have a chance to win their second title together over the next few months. The C’s are the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference, and a lot of experts consider Boston to be the favorite to win the Eastern Conference.

Also in this episode:

• Who would win in their prime? T-Mac or JB?
• Where Brown fits in the MVP race
• The relationship the two have built over the years, including career guidance in 2019
• His thoughts on Jayson Tatum’s remarkable return
• Who are the biggest threats in the East?
• The impact Tatum has made to the roster, rebounding, defensively
• A look at who could come out of the play-in round to face the Celtics as the 7th seed

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The Minnesota Timberwolves are effectively locked into the No. 6 seed out West, so they will trot out a lineup tonight that looks nothing like what will be seen in the playoffs.

The Orlando Magic are the lucky beneficiaries. Apologies to all fans of the Hornets, 76ers and Raptors.

My Timberwolves vs. Magic predictions and NBA picks expect exactly one key piece of Minnesota’s rotation to shine on Wednesday, April 8, and that's Rudy Gobert.

Timberwolves vs Magic prediction

Timberwolves vs Magic best bet: Rudy Gobert Over 11.5 points (-115)

Do not assume any notable Minnesota Timberwolves will play deep into tonight’s game against the Orlando Magic … except probably Rudy Gobert.

This spread has moved a bucket today, because it is more and more clear that Minnesota may coast the rest of the week.

Anthony Edwards and Jaden McDaniels are both recovering from knee worries. The Timberwolves have declared Mike Conely out for rest, Ayo Dosunmu out to tend to a right calf injury, and Julius Randle out amid “right hand soreness.”

Gobert is listed as questionable, “rest.” Expect him to play.

Why? Because he should rest the final two games of the regular season. One more flagrant foul from Gobert elicits a two-game suspension that would roll over into the postseason. Minnesota should not risk that in either of its last two games. So given Gobert is likely to rest to close the week, expect him to play tonight and to play genuine minutes.

With so much other production removed from the Timberwolves’ lineup, genuine minutes from Gobert should result in more field-goal attempts than usual.

Timberwolves vs Magic same-game parlay

Get ready to learn about Zyon Pullin, NBA bettors. He played three minutes in last night’s Timberwolves’ win at Indiana. The second-year guard has not played even five minutes in a game this season, but it is distinctly possible he plays 10+ minutes tonight.

Perhaps Pullin does not see such action, but that mere possibility should underscore how unseriously Minnesota is taking this game.

Timberwolves vs Magic SGP

• Magic -5 1H
• Magic -9.5
• Under 228.5

Our "from downtown" SGP: Sit Suggs

The Timberwolves not worrying about tonight should lead to the Magic easing up in certain areas, and no piece of the Orlando rotation needs rest more than Jalen Suggs does. He is clearly playing through injury, if not injuries, as the Magic try to claw their way out of the Play-In Tournament.

Timberwolves vs Magic SGP

• Magic -5 1H
• Magic -9.5
• Under 228.5
• Jalen Suggs Under 13.5 points

Timberwolves vs Magic odds

• Spread: Timberwolves +9.5 | Magic -9.5
• Moneyline: Timberwolves +300 | Magic -380
• Over/Under: Over 228.5 | Under 228.5

Timberwolves vs Magic betting trend to know

Orlando has won three straight games outright, each of them vital as the Magic sit tied for No. 7 in the East with life ahead of the Play-In Tournament only a game away. Find more NBA betting trends for Timberwolves vs. Magic.

How to watch Timberwolves vs Magic

Timberwolves vs Magic latest injuries

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April showers might bring May flowers, sure, but quality basketball in April opens the door to May games. Perhaps even June. This is the stretch where teams tighten things up, clean their rotations, and get ready for the games that actually matter. Unless you are tanking, of course. Thankfully, the Phoenix Suns are not in that lane. They do not have a draft pick waiting to reward losing, so the mission is simple. Compete. Use these games to learn who shows up when the lights get hot, who fades, and what you actually have before a very real offseason arrives.

And yet, things feel off in Phoenix.

This is not a team sharpening its tools. This is a team still rummaging through the toolbox, trying to find those damn needlenose pliers. Health has been part of the story all season, and now that bodies are back, it almost feels like there are too many levers to pull. There are too many tools in the proverbial toolbox. There are too many options and not enough clarity. They are not honing an edge. They are still deciding which blade to pick up.

That early-season run? It was real. They took the league by surprise and stacked wins. It is also worth remembering how it happened. Jalen Green, the $33.6 million man, missed 45 games. During that stretch, something formed. Roles made sense. Chemistry showed up. Guys knew where to be and what to do. The team is 16-15 in games in which he has played. They were 27-21 in games without him. Not a singular cause, but worth noting.

Now he is back. Dillon Brooks is back. Mark Williams is back. The team is the healthiest it’s been all season. And somehow, the picture is less clear. The Suns feel uneven, the roles are less defined, and the team is sputtering. Possession to possession, quarter to quarter, game to game. The identity that once felt loud now feels distant.

If you zoom out and look at the month-by-month counting stats for the Phoenix Suns, you can start to see where things are drifting. April is a small sample. Three games are not enough to plant a flag and call it a full-blown trend. But when you layer it on top of what we have been watching in the weeks leading up to it, the picture becomes a little clearer.

The numbers do not exist in a vacuum. They are confirming what the eye test has been telling you. Certain areas are slipping. Possessions that used to be under control are now loosening. Defensive breakdowns that used to be occasional are becoming routine. Fourth quarters are a barren offensive landscape. And when you connect those dots from late March into April, it stops feeling like a blip and starts feeling like direction. And right now, that direction is not the one you want heading into the postseason.

What is concerning? Let’s delve.

Opposing Points in the Paint

We talked about it in the Weekly Recap, and the numbers keep reinforcing it. Month by month, Phoenix is allowing more damage in the paint, not less. They are allowing 56.0 points in the paint in April, whereas they were permitting 48.5 during the first six months of the year. An extra 8 points nightly is not what anyone would label as “ideal”. That is the wrong direction this time of year. You already know why it matters. The paint is where the highest percentage shots live. Layups, dunks, second-chance looks; all of it adds up quickly when you do not protect that space.

And right now, teams are getting there far too easily. Opposing teams’ offensive rebound percentage in the month of April is 46.5%. It was 32.0% between October and March. The team, as they’ve navigated away from size, has permitted the opposition to roam free to snag offensive rebounds. There is no deterrent, there is no resistance.

Whether it is guards turning the corner without resistance or bigs cleaning up on the glass, as we saw with the Houston Rockets on Tuesday, it becomes a steady diet of easy points. Missed box outs become putbacks. Broken containment becomes a layup line.

That is not something you can live with. Good teams identify this early. They adjust. They tighten things up. They make the paint uncomfortable. Phoenix is going the other way.

Steals Per Game

The calling card for the Phoenix Suns this season, at least for the first half of it, has been defense. Not passive defense, not sit back and react, but pressure. Disruption. The kind that makes teams uncomfortable and speeds them up. That is the identity. Or at least it was. That is what has separated Phoenix when they are right.

But as the season has moved forward, that edge has dulled.

The steals are not showing up at the same rate. This was the league’s top team in steals at one point. They are now ranked 4th, which obviously isn’t horrible. But they are not trending upward, especially when compared to the front-end of the season.

The activity might still be there, the intent might still exist, but the results are not matching it. Hands are a half step late. Rotations are a beat behind. What used to turn into turnovers is now turning into clean looks.

You can point to fatigue and you can point to injuries. Both are part of the story. None of this happens in isolation. But it is still something you have to acknowledge. Because when your identity is built on disruption, and the disruption starts to fade, everything else becomes harder.

Assist Percentage

One of the more concerning developments with the Phoenix Suns is how sharp the drop has been in certain areas, and assists sit right at the center of it. Yes, the April sample is small. Three games are not enough to paint the full picture. But the recent results have been alarming. Their 49.6 assist percentage is dead last in the NBA.

The scoring is still there, although 110.7 points per game in April is 4th least in the league. A primary reason for this is that the assist numbers have fallen off. 19.7 assists on 39.7 made field goals is a significant shift from what the first six months of the season carried, which was 25 assists on 41 field goals made, a 60.8 assist percentage.

The ball is sticking more. The natural flow that defined this team earlier in the season is not showing up with the same consistency.

When the ball moves, the offense breathes. When it doesn’t, everything tightens. Shots become tougher, possessions become more predictable, and the margin for error shrinks. What you are seeing is a lack of cohesion. Not complete dysfunction, but enough of a drop to notice. Enough to question.

And that is the part that lingers. Because when you move into the postseason, those cracks do not hide. They get exposed.

Fourth Quarter Net Rating

Ummm…gross, right?

This team is not closing well. The execution slips, the flow disappears, and possessions start to feel heavy. Devin Booker has not elevated in those moments, and when he shifts into deferment mode, the response around him has not been there either. No one is picking up the slack. No one is carrying the weight.

And that is where games are decided. The fourth quarter is where you win or lose, and right now, Phoenix is not holding up in those minutes. Especially in April. The same issue keeps showing up. The same script keeps playing out. When the moments matter most, the Suns are coming up short.

It’s been a season-long issue. The Suns are the worst team in the NBA in fourth quarter scoring, averaging 25.9 points per Q4.

Thankfully, there is still time. Not much, but some. Three games left for the Phoenix Suns before the Play-In, before everything tightens, before every possession carries a little more weight. And that is where the focus turns to Jordan Ott and the rotations.

He is tightening them. That part is clear. But the question that keeps hanging in the air is whether he is tightening in the right places. Because right now, the productivity is not matching the decisions. The lineups are not producing the consistency you need this time of year.

How long do you keep searching? How long do you keep running out combinations that are not giving you what you need, hoping that something clicks? Because at some point, the window for experimentation closes, and the need for clarity takes over.

That is where Phoenix is right now. Three games to figure it out. Three games to find the groups you trust. Three games to build something that can hold when the pressure rises. After that, there is no more searching. Only results.

In a recent article, written in The Players Tribune, Dillon Brooks stated the following:

We got everybody in the league looking down, staring at their shoes.

Honestly, answer me…. Who in their right mind wants to see the Phoenix Suns right now? 

My guess is that the answer to that question is a lot of teams.

That disruptive identity they built early in the season? It has faded. Teams are getting into the paint whenever they want. The activity is there at times, but it is not turning into steals. The ball is not moving with purpose, assists are down, and possessions feel heavier. And when the game tightens in the fourth, things fall apart.

Those are all symptoms of the same thing. Execution.

You can point in a lot of directions. Jordan Ott and the rotations. The players and their ability to carry out what is being asked. Even the roster construction itself. It sounds strange, but this team might be too deep for its own good right now. Too many options, not enough clarity. And when you are still trying to figure out who plays, when they play, and how they fit together this late in the season, it shows.

Because instead of leaning into an identity, you drift away from one. Instead of being disruptive, you become disjointed. Disconnected. Discombobulated. The version of this team we saw early, the one that had a clear edge and a clear purpose, that version feels distant. And with the postseason around the corner, that is the part that should make you uneasy.

SAN ANTONIO (AP) — Victor Wembanyama and Stephon Castle were ruled out for the San Antonio Spurs ’ game against the Portland Trail Blazers on Wednesday night.

Wembanyama is out after suffering a rib contusion on Monday and Castle is out with right knee soreness, the team announced.

Wembanyama needs to play at least 20 minutes in one more game to reach the league-required minimum of 65 games for award eligibility.

The Spurs have two games left in the regular season after Wednesday night: Friday against the Dallas Mavericks and Sunday against the Denver Nuggets.

The Spurs said they are hopeful Wembanyama and Castle will play Friday.

They both participated in shootaround on Wednesday.

“I can’t tell you too much of how (Wembanyama) looked, but he heals fast,” Spurs veteran Harrison Barnes said.

Wembanyama suffered the injury in the first half of a 115-102 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers. Castle had 17 points, 13 assists and 10 rebounds in that game.

Wembanyama had 17 points, five rebounds and three blocks in just under 16 minutes. That time constituted an official game played per the NBA guidelines, which allow two exceptions of 15 to 19:59 minutes to count toward the league-required minimum.

San Antonio (60-19) has clinched the Southwest Division title and is assured of finishing no worse than second in the Western Conference. It trails the conference-leading Oklahoma City Thunder (63-16) by three games.

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

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