It’s the battle of the tanks as the Western Conference’s worst team, the Sacramento Kings, travel to Salt Lake City to take on the No. 13 team out West, the Utah Jazz.
Utah (17-37) and Sacramento (12-43) split their previous two meetings earlier in the regular season, and this game is vital in the tanking race. Every win — and every loss — is crucial for both teams’ lottery chances in May.
Injury Report
Utah Jazz:
Keyonte George — OUT (right ankle; sprain)
Sacramento Kings:
De’Andre Hunter — OUT (left eye; iritis)
Zach Lavine — OUT (right 5th finger; tendon injury)
Malik Monk — OUT (illness)
Keagan Murray — OUT (left ankle; sprain)
Domantas Sabonis — OUT (left knee; injury management)
WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 29: Retired NBA player John Wall speaks on a pregame show prior the game between the Washington Wizards and the Milwaukee Bucks at Capital One Arena on January 29, 2026 in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) | Getty Images
With the NBA All-Star Break now ready to begin, the NBA will start airing related content across multiple networks like NBA TV, NBC, Versant, Amazon and Disney (that’s ESPN and ABC). As Washington Wizards fans, this will be our best opportunity this season to see some players, namely Tre Johnson, Alex Sarr and Kyshawn George on some of these networks. That’s simply because the Wizards are one of the worst teams in the NBA and started the season with no superstars. So they just aren’t going to be on national TV very often.
That said, last month has been quite exciting for the Wizards. They now have two superstars (even if they aren’t at their peaks) with Trae Young and Anthony Davis. Don’t be surprised if Young and Davis aren’t playing this season, but it gives Wizards fans something to look forward to for the 2026-27 season. And the national media will almost definitely start to play Wizards games in their rotation again.
So here’s my question In light of the trades and national media. How many Wizards regular season games do you think will be aired on national television (we’ll include streaming as well)? Let us know in the comments below.
NBA All-Star Weekend is here, and fans can tune in to all their favorite events on NBC and Peacock. The festivities tip off on Friday with the Rising Stars Challenge at 9:00 PM ET and HBCU Classic at 11:00 PM ET.
NBA All-Star Saturday features the State Farm 3-Point Contest, Kia Shooting Stars and the AT&T Slam Dunk Contest all tipping off at 5:00 PM ET.
The weekend closes with the 75th All-Star Game on Sunday, broken into four mini-games beginning at 5:00 PM ET.
See below for additional information on the AT&T Slam Dunk Contest and how to watch all of the other exciting events featured on NBC and Peacock. Peacock will feature 100 regular-season NBA games throughout the course of the 2025-2026 season.
The second-year man out of Arizona has averaged 7.6 minutes per game across 21 appearances for the Heat this season. He's seen most of his playing time with the G League's Sioux Falls Skyforce.
Jase Richardson, Orlando Magic
The rookie first-rounder has logged 12.2 minutes per game, and he scored a career-best 20 points against the Washington Wizards on January 6. Richardson is the son of two-time Slam Dunk Contest winner Jason Richardson.
Carter Bryant, San Antonio Spurs
The first-year man from Arizona is averaging 3.3 points and 1.9 rebounds across 9.3 minutes per game, but he had the best game of his career in Tuesday's win over the Lakers, going for 16 points, four rebounds, three assists, a steal and three three-pointers across 27 minutes.
Jaxson Hayes, Los Angeles Lakers
Hayes is a regular part of LA's rotation, logging 17.3 minutes per game with six starts. A lethal lob threat, he ranks 19th in the Association with 75 dunks this season.
Youngest Dunk Contest winner: Kobe Bryant, 18 years old (1997)
Notable Slam Dunk Contests
1986 - Spud Webb Elevates
Webb was a late sub for Michael Jordan, and the 5'7 guard answered the call with a shocking display of bounce to claim the win over teammate Dominique Wilkins.
1988 - His Airness Takes Flight
The most famous dunk of Jordan's illustrious career came at the 1988 Slam Dunk Contest when he took down Dominique Wilkins with a slam from the free throw line that earned him a perfect 50.
2000 - Vinsanity Unleashes
Widely regarded as the best Dunk Contest of all time, Vince Carter unleashed a series of jaw-dropping jams to defeat Tracy McGrady and Steve Francis. After nailing a between-the-legs windmill, he famously declared, "it's over."
2008 - Superman and the Cupcake
Dwight Howard donned his Superman cape for one of the Dunk Contest's most iconic finishes. He defeated Gerald Green, who blew out the candle on a cupcake placed on the rim.
2016 - LaVine vs. Gordon
The only contest that can hold a candle to the 2000 event featured a barrage of spectacular dunks from two of the NBA's most athletic finishers. LaVine narrowly won after a remarkable back-and-forth with Gordon.
Peacock NBA Monday will stream up to three Monday night games each week throughout the regular season. Coast 2 Coast Tuesday presents doubleheaders on Tuesday nights throughout the regular season on NBC and Peacock. On most Tuesdays, an 8 p.m. ET game will be on NBC stations in the Eastern and Central time zones, and an 8 p.m. PT game on NBC stations in the Pacific and often Mountain time zones.
Check local listings each week. Both games will stream live nationwide on Peacock. NBC Sports will launch Sunday Night Basketball across NBC and Peacock on Feb. 1, 2026. For a full schedule of the NBA on NBC and Peacock, click here.
How to sign up for Peacock:
Sign up here to watch all of our LIVE sports, sports shows, documentaries, classic matches, and more. You’ll also get tons of hit movies and TV shows, Originals, news, 24/7 channels, and current NBC & Bravo hits—Peacock is here for whatever you’re in the mood for.
NBA on NBC 2025-26 Schedule
Click here to see the full list of NBA games that will air on NBC and Peacock this season.
Feb 4, 2025; El Segundo, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers vice president of basketball operations and general manager Rob Pelinka speaks before introducing Luka Doncic at UCLA Health Training Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images | Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images
Whether it was the plan all along or not, the next chapter of the Los Angeles Lakers’ franchise will be written this summer.
With no first-round picks traded away or long-term money taken in, the Lakers have now positioned themselves with immense optionality in the offseason. This may sound like familiar spin or excuses from the front office. Yet it is different now, because it has to be.
Of the 14 players on the roster today, only five have guaranteed deals heading into next year. That can grow to seven if Deandre Ayton and Marcus Smart pick up their player options. Austin Reaves should also be safely assumed to be back on a new deal. Beyond that, the books are as clean as they’ve been in recent memory.
As a result, the Lakers are set to have roughly $50 million in cap space this summer. The actual number could be more or less, depending on a few variables. Most prominently, the future of LeBron James.
On top of their spending ability, the Lakers’ draft capital will also jump from one to three tradeable first-round picks come draft night. They also still have future pick swaps they could use to sweeten a deal.
All these resources ultimately only matter if the Lakers, and specifically President of Basketball Operations Rob Pelinka, can capitalize on them. When given the choice to improve their championship odds, Pelinka and the rest of the team’s braintrust decided to stand pat. Their time to strike would be in July and August. And if that decision doesn’t pay off, then consequences should follow.
Despite trading for Luka Dončić, being promoted and receiving a contract extension just last year, there may be no front-office person under more pressure this summer than Pelinka.
Pelinka’s long-term job security likely was never going to be in immediate jeopardy under the team’s previous ownership. But under a new regime led by Mark Walter, Pelinka will not be able to coast by on sentimental ties alone. He will need to provide results quickly.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – OCTOBER 21: Jeanie Buss (L) and Mark Walter attend a basketball game between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Golden State Warriors at Crypto.com Arena on October 21, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Allen Berezovsky/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The team’s trust in Pelinka to build the Lakers squad of the future may already be splintering. A report from The Athletic noted that multiple league sources expect the team to make “significant hires” in a wide range of front-office positions this summer.
Filling a previously bare-bones front office does not suggest Pelinka’s job is at stake, but it is noteworthy that he will no longer be the sole voice in the room.
Beyond the pressures of working under a new ownership, Pelinka must also contend with building a winner around Dončić within a shorter window than is often discussed.
While Dončić being 15 years younger than James affords the team a longer shot at sustainable success, time is still ticking when it comes to competing for a championship. The Lakers are only guaranteed to have Dončić for two more seasons before he can opt out of his deal.
If that decision were to be made today, it is likely Dončić would sign a new extension with Los Angeles. However, if the Lakers prove unable to surround him with a legitimate championship-caliber team by then, history has shown that stars will ultimately go to better winning situations if given the opportunity.
Feb 4, 2025; El Segundo, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers vice president of basketball operations and general manager Rob Pelinka introduces guard Luka Doncic at UCLA Health Training Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images | Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images
So how does Pelinka go about actually building a roster that can contend now and for the future this offseason? It likely begins with their aforementioned cap space.
With at least seven spots to fill on the depth chart, the Lakers can go the traditional route and use their space to sign players who better fit around Dončić. It is worth noting that the unrestricted free-agent market this summer is projected to be extremely thin in high-end talent and even clear upgrades to current personnel. The restricted free-agent class, on the other hand, has several intriguing names that should be on the Lakers’ wishlist.
That said, restricted free-agency comes with its own set of hurdles. An interested team must get the player to agree to sign with them, and if they do, the money offered will then be tied up for days while the incumbent team decides whether to match the offer. The two teams could also work on a sign-and-trade for that player, with the interested team needing to send assets in return.
The latter will likely need to be the case if the Lakers hope to pry players such as Peyton Watson, Jalen Duren, Walker Kessler or Tari Eason away from their teams.
Due to a weak free-agent crop, canvassing the league for trades could end up being a more fruitful use of the Lakers’ cap room. They could use their flexibility to take on bad contracts from a team facing tax issues and pick up assets in return, or go star hunting, with the most obvious target being Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Not that it needed confirmation, but reports indicate the Lakers are expected to make a “hard push” for Antetokounmpo this summer.
The Lakers do not have the draft capital or blue-chip prospects that Milwaukee will likely covet in return, but can absorb nearly the entirety of Antetokounmpo’s deal into their space without needing to send back bloated contracts. It remains to be seen if this is of interest to Milwaukee, but it is a unique bargaining tool the Lakers hold over nearly every other team this offseason.
Whether it’s a star like Giannis or multiple role players, the Lakers must explore and be open to every pathway to improve because they can’t afford to be wrong.
Cap space will not last forever. The top of the Western Conference is young and only getting better. Dončić is only in his prime once.
If gaining optionality was their end goal, the Lakers have achieved it. But they must understand that with more choices also comes more chances to make a misstep. The wrong max contract or wrong trade target could put a halt to the next era before it even begins.
These are the self-imposed stakes they put on themselves this summer. Not because they are the Lakers, but a result of years of their own inaction.
All stats courtesy of Cleaning the Glass unless otherwise stated. You can follow Alex on Bluesky at @alexregla.bsky.social.
It’s a jam-packed night of hoops action with 14 games on the NBA betting board.
I’ve sorted through the odds and found my three favorite plays for the day, including one on a Grizzlies guard who keeps giving us value and another on a rookie starting to show why he was a top pick.
Those and more NBA picks for Wednesday, February 11, are below.
As long as the Miami Heat keep playing basketball, I’m going to keep fading them on the glass.
The Heat aren’t the worst rebounding team, but it’s their high tempo that’s made them profitable.
Miami leads the NBA in pace and shot attempts per game, so that inherently means a lot of rebounds. It surrendered the second-most rebounds per game heading into tonight’s matchup with the New Orleans Pelicans.
My favorite Pels player to back is Trey Murphy III, who has pulled down six or more boards in three of his last five games.
Despite the injuries... the trades... the losses... the Memphis Grizzlies are showing some fight. Memphis is playing team basketball and getting performances from places you wouldn’t expect.
KCP is putting up 11.3 points per game over his last six, getting to double digits five times. We’re getting even money against a Denver Nuggets team that ranks 24th in defensive rating.
Utah Jazz rookie Ace Bailey has been playing the best basketball of his young career, and I’m betting he keeps rolling in tonight’s matchup against the Sacramento Kings.
Bailey is putting up 16.1 points per game with a .522 effective field goal percentage over his last 11, and he’s had 16+ points seven times during that stretch.
Yet, we’re still getting Bailey’s points prop at 13.5 against a Sacramento team that can’t stop anyone from getting buckets these days. The Kings have the third-worst defensive rating in the NBA, so why would they suddenly slow down Bailey?
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change. Not intended for use in MA. Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here
Make no mistake about it, Monday’s blowout loss in Portland was an unfortunate ending to Philadelphia’s five-game West Coast trip that started off with convincing wins against the Clippers and Warriors. A few days prior to the loss on Monday was a loss in Los Angeles against the Lakers which happened to coincide with an NBA Trade Deadline that did not please Sixers fans.
By now, you all know what happened as the Sixers ducked the tax again and subtracted a young player in Jared McCain and were unable to flip the draft capital they acquired for McCain for a different player.
Fast forward to Wednesday night, and Philly is set to return home to Xfinity Mobile Arena and welcome in the hated New York Knicks. In recent seasons, Knicks games in Philadelphia have seen an avalanche of New Yorkers make the short trip down the Jersey Turnpike and across the bridge. There’s a good chance Wednesday night is no different — but it should be.
New York sits third in the Eastern Conference, a half game behind the Boston Celtics. In seventh place in the East, and just below the play-in tournament cut line, is the Orlando Magic with a record of 28-24. That’s right, only five games in the loss column separated the second-place teams from the seventh-place team in the conference and Philadelphia is included in this jumble. As for the first-place team in the East, that would be the Detroit Pistons, a franchise that has not won a playoff round since 2008.
Nothing against Detroit, but I don’t think anyone would fear the Pistons in a postseason series. Of course, this landscape of the Eastern Conference was part of the argument behind a more aggressive trade deadline from Daryl Morey and his staff. It seems like a wide-open conference and if you’re the Sixers, why not go for it or at least push a few more chips into the middle of the table in a season many would probably call an overachieving one so far?
I understand the fan fatigue that’s probably existed in Sixers country lately. Countless early exits in the postseason followed by a disastrous 2024-25 season had a lot of fans tuned out at the start of this season and based on how tickets have been selling on the secondary market, it doesn’t seem like much has changed despite the team’s solid first half. Toss in a disappointing trade deadline and what do you have left to hang your head on?
However, if you were a fan arguing for additions instead of subtractions at last week’s trade deadline, you were doing so because you believed in this year’s roster at least a little bit. Part of you allowed yourself to enjoy some of the younger blood on the team and frankly, McCain had been having an underwhelming season anyway. Morey said he believes the team sold high on McCain and maybe he’s right.
So why not get behind a team that’s been overachieving so far this season? Joel Embiid has played at a higher level than most people would have anticipated. Tyrese Maxey has raised his level to become an All-Star starter. VJ Edgecombe has come right in and been an instant contributor as a rookie. Are they destined for the NBA Finals? Probably not. But sooner or later the invasion of Knicks fans at Xfinity Mobile Arena has to stop.
Villanova and Notre Dame are finalizing an agreement to open the 2026-27 season with a men’s and women’s basketball doubleheader in Rome, according to multiple reports on Tuesday, Feb. 10.
The games would take place on Nov. 1, one day before the official start date of the season, but the NCAA reportedly gave the schools special clearance.
Given the circumstances, it’s easy to understand why.
Pope Leo XIV is a Villanova alum, having graduated from the university in 1977 with a degree in mathematics (back when he was known as Robert Prevost). He’s also a native of Chicago, which is a relatively short trip from Notre Dame’s South Bend, Indiana campus and is home to a significant number of Fighting Irish fans. Both universities are Catholic schools.
According to CBS Sports, which first reported news of the planned doubleheader, the Pope’s involvement in the event is unclear.
The game will be played at the 3,500-seat Palazzetto dello Sport and will air on Fox, according to CBS. The games will lead into the network’s NFL coverage that Sunday.
It will mark the second time in the past four seasons that Notre Dame’s women’s basketball team has opened a season on European soil. In Nov. 2023, the Fighting Irish lost to eventual national champion South Carolina 100-71 in a game played in Paris.
Villanova and Notre Dame were both in the Big East from 1995-2013, but haven’t met regularly since the Fighting Irish left for the ACC for non-football sports after the 2012-13 season. The two schools haven’t squared off in men’s basketball since 2016 and haven’t played each other in women’s basketball since 2018.
Notre Dame’s women’s basketball is among the most decorated programs in the sport’s history, with two national championships and five Final Four appearances. The Fighting Irish are struggling this season, though, with a 15-9 record.
On the men’s side, Villanova has been one of the most accomplished programs of the past 50 years, with three national championships, including titles in 2016 and 2018 under then-coach Jay Wright. After three tumultuous seasons after Wright’s surprise retirement in 2022, the Wildcats are 19-5 under first-year head coach Kevin Willard.
The Miami Heat head to the Big Easy tonight to face the New Orleans Pelicans at the Smoothie King Center, with tip-off at 8:00 p.m. ET.
Zion Williamson has thrived as a passer lately, and my Heat vs. Pelicans predictions will focus on his ability to facilitate the rock.
Find out more in my NBA picks for Wednesday, February 11.
Heat vs Pelicans prediction
Heat vs Pelicans best bet: Zion Williamson Over 3.5 assists (-115)
Zion Williamson has an eye for picking a pass for a big man,averaging 3.5 dimes per night.
The former first overall pick had six dimes on Monday against the Sacramento Kings, marking the fourth time in his last six appearances he cashed the Over on assists.
While Zion had just two dimes earlier this season against the Miami Heat, Miami is allowing 4.4 assists per contest to power forwards.
Heat vs Pelicans same-game parlay
Kasparas Jakucionis has eclipsed his rebound total in three straight, grabbing three boards in each game. He’s also hit the Over in rebounds in four consecutive road contests.
Miami has won three straight against the Pelicans, and its last road game was a huge 132-101 victory over the Washington Wizards.
Jaime Jaquez has dished out Over 4.5 dimes in three straight outings, and the UCLA product is averaging 4.7 assists this season.
Heat vs Pelicans SGP
Kasparas Jakucionis Over 3.5 rebounds
Heat moneyline
Jaime Jaquez Over 4.5 assists
Our "from downtown" SGP: Threes brigade
Herb Jones has cashed the Over in triples in two of his last four, while Trey Murphy III has been on fire from 3-point land — cashing his Over in three in a row.
Saddiq Bey has also hit two or more treys in three of five, and there should be plenty of shots tonight with Miami ranked No. 1 in pace.
Heat vs Pelicans SGP
Zion Williamson Over 3.5 assists
Herbert Jones Over 1.5 threes
Trey Murphy III Over 3.5 threes
Saddiq Bey Over 1.5 threes
Heat vs Pelicans odds
Spread: Heat +1 (-115) | Pelicans -1 (-105)
Moneyline: Heat -105 | Pelicans -115
Over/Under: Over 231.5 | Under 231.5
Heat vs Pelicans betting trend to know
The Miami Heat have hit the first-quarter moneyline in 31 of their last 45 away games (+23.80 Units / 42% ROI). Find more NBA betting trends for Heat vs. Pelicans.
How to watch Heat vs Pelicans
Location
Smoothie King Center, New Orleans, LA
Date
Wednesday, February 11, 2026
Tip-off
8:00 p.m. ET
TV
FDSN Sun, GCSEN
Heat vs Pelicans latest injuries
Not intended for use in MA. Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here
After smacking the Lakers last night, 136-108, Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs (37-16) look to extend their five-game winning streak tonight when they take the court in San Francisco against the injury-ravaged Golden State Warriors (29-25).
With their win last night, San Antonio pulled to within 3.5 games of Oklahoma City for the top spot in the Western Conference. Wembanyama scored 40 in 26 minutes in the win. He was the only starter to score in double figures as the Spurs jumped out to a massive, 29-point lead at halftime.
The Warriors have won two of their last three but are just 4-6 in their last ten games. Steve Kerr’s lineup has been patchwork of late to say the least as the team deals with a multitude of injuries including possibly their two most impactful players, Jimmy Butler (knee) and Stephen Curry (knee). Kristaps Porzingis (Achilles) has not dressed for Golden State since arriving at the NBA Trade Deadline from Atlanta.
The Warriors have knocked off the Spurs in their only two previous meetings this season. Both games were in San Antonio. Golden State won 125-120 on November 12 and 109-108 on November 14. Stephen Curry scored a combined 95 points in the two games. These teams will conclude their season series April 1 in San Francisco.
We’ve got all the info and analysis you need to know ahead of the game, including the latest info on how to catch tipoff, odds courtesy of DraftKings recent team performance, player stats, and of course, our predictions, picks best bets for the game from our modeling tools and staff of experts.
After 24 years, the NBA is back on NBC and Peacock, combining the nostalgia of an iconic era with the innovative future of basketball coverage. The NBA on NBC YouTube channel delivers fans must-see highlights, analysis, and exclusive and unique content.
Game Details and How to Watch Live: Spurs at Warriors
Date: Wednesday, February 11, 2026
Time: 10PM EST
Site: Chase Center
City: San Francisco, CA
Network/Streaming: ESPN
Rotoworld has you covered with all the latest NBA Player News for all 30 teams. Check out the feed page right here on NBC Sports for headlines, injuries and transactions where you can filter by league, team, positions and news type!
Game Odds: Spurs at Warriors
The latest odds as of Wednesday courtesy of DraftKings:
Moneyline: San Antonio Spurs (-250), Golden State Warriors (+205)
Spread: Spurs -7.5
Total: 220.5 points
This game opened Spurs -5.5 with the Total set at 216.5.
Be sure to check out DraftKings for all the latest game odds & player props for every matchup this week on the NBA schedule!
Expected Starting Lineups: Spurs at Warriors
San Antonio Spurs
PG De’Aaron Fox
SG Stephon Castle
SF Devin Vassell
PF Julian Champagnie
C Victor Wembanyama
Golden State Warriors
PG Pat Spencer
SG De’Anthony Melton
SF Moses Moody
PF Gui Santos
C Draymond Green
Injury Report: Spurs at Warriors
San Antonio Spurs
Stephon Castle (pelvic) is listed as questionable for tonight’s game
Lindy Waters III (knee) is listed as questionable for tonight’s game
David Jones Garcia (ankle) has been declared OUT for tonight’s game
Golden State Warriors
Stephon Curry (knee) has been declared OUT of tonight’s game
Seth Curry (back) has been declared OUT of tonight’s game
De’Anthony Melton (glute) is listed as questionable for tonight’s gam
Will Richard (knee) is listed as questionable for tonight’s game
L.J. Cryer (hamstring) has been declared OUT of tonight’s game
Kristaps Porzingis (Achilles) has been declared OUT of tonight’s game
Important stats, trends and insights: Spurs at Warriors
The Spurs are 17-10 on the road this season
The Warriors are 18-9 at home this season
The Spurs are 28-23-2 ATS this season / 14-13 ATS on the road
The Warriors are 24-29-1 ATS this season / 13-13-1 ATS at home
The OVER has cashed in 22 of the Spurs’ 54 games this season (22-32)
The OVER has cashed in 30 of the Warriors’ 54 games this season (30-24) / 18-9 at home
Pat Spencer is averaging 16 points in his last 4 games after averaging 2.2PPG in all of January
Moses Moody has averaged 20 points over his last 2 games
Dylan Harper scored 15 points and tallied 6 assists last night against the Lakers
Julian Champagnie has pulled down just 2 rebounds in each of his last 2 games
Rotoworld Best Bet
Please bet responsibly. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline at 1-800-522-4700.
Our model calculates projections around each moneyline, spread and over/under bet for every game on the NBA calendar based on data points like recent performance, head-to-head player matchups, trends information and projected game totals.
Once the model is finished running, we put its projections next to the latest betting lines for the game to arrive at a relative confidence level for each wager.
Here are the best bets our model is projecting for tonight’s Spurs and Warriors’ game:
Moneyline: Rotoworld Bet is staying away from a play on the Moneyline
Spread: Rotoworld Bet is leaning towards a play on the Spurs -7.5 ATS
Total: Rotoworld Bet is recommending a play on the Game Total OVER 220.5
Want even more NBA best bets and predictions from our expert staff & tools? Check out the Expert NBA Predictions page from NBC Sports for money line, spread and over/under picks for every game on today’s calendar!
If you’re looking for more key trends and stats around the spread, moneyline and total for every single game on the schedule today, check out our NBA Top Trends tool on NBC Sports!
Follow our experts on Socials to keep up with all the latest content from the staff:
Jan 28, 2026; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Rockets forward Kevin Durant (7) walks on the court before the game against the San Antonio Spurs at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images | Troy Taormina-Imagn Images
Shortly after the Houston Rockets traded for Kevin Durant, I offered my opinion on how the Rockets who are a part of the NBA’s top 75 should be ranked. To the surprise of many, before KD played a single game in a Rockets uniform, I ranked him 2nd behind only the G.O.A.T Hakeem Olajuwon. Just five months later, Kevin Durant serendipitously invited Hakeem “The Dream” Olajuwon to the “Boardroom” aka his internet series / podcast, in order to give the greatest player in Rockets history his flowers and to pick his brain a bit about the game of basketball.
The first thing that jumps out immediately when you watch this conversation between two NBA legends, is the reverence they hold for one another. Kevin opens the conversation immediately pouring over the 2x NBA Finals MVP and all-time blocks leader.
“Man, it’s just a true honor to be in your presence… you’re like a beacon, you’re a legend. What you brought not just to sports… but the world in general. Hakeem Olajuwon, one of the greatest basketball players to ever walk this earth.” For Dream, the feeling was mutual. “It’s an honor for me, someone of your caliber in today’s game… to appreciate my talents… that means a lot to me.”
Kevin took the opportunity to ask Hakeem about his start in basketball which Dream would not possibly have been able to explain in just the 20-25 minutes they spoke in this interview, but Dream was able to share with him about how his competitiveness began with the sport of soccer and eventually in high school, due to the fact that he was a foot taller than everyone else his age, he was introduced to basketball.
Hakeem was able regale stories of the legendary open runs at Houston’s Fonde Center where he learned the game from fellow Rockets legend Moses Malone. He was able to talk about the joy of playing in back-to-back NCAA Final Four appearances, back-to-back NCAA Title games, and heartbreak of losing both of those title games. The talked about the alternate universe where Dream could have played with Clyde Drexler and Michael Jordan in Houston. They talked about Dream’s early success with the Rockets, the challenge of the lean years in-between before getting to the Golden Era of Rockets basketball with back-to-back championships.
The refreshing part of the conversation was that when Kevin asked Dream how he felt about the state of the game today, Hakeem had absolutely nothing negative to say. He highlighted the differences in their eras, but there was no weird energy toward this generation of players from Hakeem. In fact, at moments, Hakeem seems to express some envy over the open style of play today that closer resembles how he used to play in those runs at the Fonde Center. One of the coolest parts of the episode is seeing Dream and KD in the gym working on Hakeem’s patented spin move and breaking down the minute details of moves they both make look like second nature.
Probably my favorite part of the interview came near the end. Kevin began to speak on his current time here in H-Town. “I’m loving being here with the Rockets… every time I go in the arena, and I see the retired jerseys, it makes me go harder. I feel like if I put in enough work maybe I can be up there with y’all one day. For Rockets fans, we would love to see that as well, because if KD finds his jersey in the rafters at Toyota Center when it’s all said and done, that means that the Rockets will have accomplished big things while the Slim Reaper donned Rockets red.
All in all my TDS faithful, we are so fortunate to be fans of a team that can boast having been the home of 12 of the NBA’s to 75 players in the history of the league, none better that Kevin Durant and Hakeem Olajuwon. Both players have represented the city and the franchise with the utmost grace, and in the case of our G.O.A.T. Hakeem, with the utmost humility. It should make us proud to see our favorites on the big stage bringing even more pride to and already pride rich city and franchise.
(To learn even more about Hakeem “The Dream” Olajuwon’s journey, check out my interview with Mirin Fader, who wrote Hakeem’s latest biography “Dream – The Life and Legacy of Hakeem Olajuwon”)
Down South, one big conspiracy theory has nothing to do with the moon or JFK.
Instead, the yearslong whopper that ran rampant within SEC terrain centered on conference commissioner Greg Sankey being an “Alabama homer.” A native New Yorker turned elephant backer. Secretly wrote all of his “A’s” in script handwriting.
Professional provocateur James Carville once alleged “collusion” between the SEC office and Alabama. Some might say the Ragin’ Cajun, an LSU alumnus, was the one suffering from bias, but I digress.
Here lately, Sankey sure is acting funny for a supposed “Alabama homer.” He must have forgotten his SEC office in Birmingham, aka East Tuscaloosa, operates as a Roll Tide cabal.
Or, maybe Sankey was just never the full-fledged Alabama homer some fans of rival teams made him out to be. Like most conspiracy theories, this one lacked sufficient proof.
Those old Alabama-SEC collusion claims shriveled last week. Sankey turned heel on Alabama and sided with the NCAA in a lawsuit to determine whether the Tide could continue playing former pro basketball player Charles Bediako in their march toward March.
Days after Sankey filed an affidavit supporting the NCAA, a judge in Alabama ruled against Bediako and in favor of the NCAA. This halted the NBA G League dropout’s days of dunking on college dudes.
Judge Daniel Pruet used legalese to explain his decision, language like Bediako “failed to establish that he would suffer irreparable harm” if he did not receive his desired ruling. He also cited NCAA bylaws.
NCAA “rules do not permit a student-athlete to participate in collegiate basketball, leave for the NBA, and return to the collegiate arena,” Pruet wrote. “All the evidence in the record indicates that the (NCAA) has consistently applied this specific rule.”
Left unwritten: The SEC commish casting his lot with the NCAA surely didn’t help Bediako.
Greg Sankey as 'Alabama homer' theory loses steam
So, what gives? Is Sankey an Alabama homer or a hater?
Neither.
He’s an SEC homer. That comes with the job. If Sankey and his office seemed like an Alabama homer before, maybe that’s because Nick Saban ruled college football. Saban’s high tides (and bountiful trophies) lifted the SEC’s boats.
If Sankey had to stump and maneuver a bit on behalf of Saban’s Alabama, well, that’s just good business.
Three years ago, Sankey summoned every ounce of propaganda he could muster while campaigning for the SEC’s champion, which wound up being Alabama, to get the final College Football Playoff spot, at the expense of undefeated Florida State.
Playoff rejection would have been costly to the SEC’s brand, ego, prestige and earnings. Anyway, what was good for Alabama also was good for the SEC, and it wasn’t particularly bad for college sports. It was just bad for Florida State and the ACC.
What Greg Sankey wrote in Charles Bediako affidavit
In this case, Bediako playing was fine for Alabama, but not especially beneficial to the SEC, on the whole. He didn’t even transform Alabama into a top national championship contender. He just made Alabama better than it was without him.
Bediako playing wasn’t ideal for Auburn when the former pro scored 12 points in Alabama’s 96-92 rivalry win, his final game before the judge’s ruling.
Other SEC teams aren’t playing guys who left college, declared for the NBA draft, played in the G League, and returned to college hoops years later, in violation of NCAA bylaws. As other teams follow the rules, Bediako and Alabama tried to sidestep them in court.
“Permitting former professional athletes to return to (college) competition creates a competitive disadvantage and fundamental unfairness for current student-athletes,” Sankey wrote in his affidavit in support of the NCAA.
Sankey has spent his career working within college sports. He worked in compliance on his way up the ladder. I suspect, at his core, he believes rules are good, a lack of rules is bad, rule-by-lawsuit is messy, and an ability to enforce eligibility rules is key to successful operation of any league.
Alabama coach Nate Oats and Bediako’s lawyer will point to the duplicity of the NCAA restricting Bediako from playing while permitting international players who previously played in foreign pro leagues or in the NBA G League, before later enrolling in college.
Hypocritical? Maybe.
Muddy? Absolutely.
Grounds for an injunction? Not according to an Alabama judge.
When Bediako left Alabama, declared for the draft and signed an NBA contract, NCAA rules said he wouldn’t be allowed to return to college ball. The rules still say that.
A healthy debate can be had about what it really means to be a pro athlete, when an NBA G Leaguer sues to get back in a college uniform, where he can earn more money. Amateurism is dead. Bediako wanted to leave one paycheck from the NBA G League for a better paycheck in college.
An Alabama homer would say, what’s the problem with that?
Sankey saw a problem. He’s no Alabama homer, after all.
As the NBA has evolved, so too has its midseason showcase.
The league’s 75th All-Star Game takes place Sunday at Intuit Dome and Kelly Flatow, executive vice president and head of the events group at the NBA noted how things have changed since the last time the event was in Los Angeles.
“This will be my 20th All-Star and I joined the events group in 2016, so I was responsible for All-Star when it was here at Staples Center in 2018,” she said. “So it’s great to be back in L.A.”
There is plenty in store for the public this year — both in Inglewood and the downtown area.
One key component of the All-Star spectacle is NBA Crossover — a chance for fans to experience the sport through pop culture, fashion, technology, music and entertainment.
“Every year All-Star grows in different shapes and forms,” Flatow said. “What we used to call a weekend is now an entire week. In fact, the Clippers have done an incredible job making All-Star an entire season long celebration of the game.”
Ludacris, performing at One Musicfest at Piedmont Park in Atlanta in October, will be the featured artist at NBA Crossover on Friday at the Convention Center. (Paul R. Giunta / invision / via Associated Press)
In November, the organization launched a three-on-three tournament, 75 days ahead of what will be the 75th game. It initiated “Homecourt Hoops,” a program which has given away 75 outdoor hoops every day. At the Rising Stars mini-tournament Friday, Clippers chairman Steve Ballmer and NBA commissioner Adam Silver will give out the final set of hoops to deserving families.
“We look at this as a global celebration of the game and given the unique geography of this city it’s important to cover as much of the greater Los Angeles area as possible,” Flatow said. “You’ll see that with our key venues.
"Obviously we’re showcasing Intuit Dome and also the Kia Forum where we’ve held two All-Star Games in the past and this coming weekend we’re going to hold a series of events there. On Friday night we have the celebrity game, which has always been a mainstay of our All-Star festivities, but one of the things we didn’t have when we were here eight years ago is the NBA HBCU Classic. This will be the fifth time for that.”
The All-Star Celebrity Gametips off at 4 p.m. and aims to please as Mookie Betts from the World Series champion Dodgers will coach one of the teams and actor/comedian Anthony Anderson will coach the other. Betts’ squad includes rapper GloRilla, Detroit Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown and retired Brazilian soccer star Cafu while Anderson’s roster features Canadian actor Simu Liu, Chargers wideout Keenan Allen and former NBA player Jason “White Chocolate” Williams. At halftime the K-pop group Cortis will perform.
The Celebrity Game will be followed by the HBCU Classic between Coastal Athletic Assn. rivals North Carolina A&T and Hampton.
“NBA Crossover is offering even more ways for fans to get in on the action,” said Flatow, who vividly recalls her first All-Star Game as an NBA employee in Las Vegas in 2007. “The Convention Center will be transformed into a fan destination with live performers, customized experiences, retail offerings, NBA partner activations, player [and] talent appearances, panel discussions, memorabilia displays and more. There will be concerts Thursday, Friday and Saturday. This is about putting Los Angeles and our game on the global stage.”
Flatow cited 27 different marketing partners and brands teaming up with the NBA. The All-Star Game on Sunday will be broadcast in 200 countries and territories. She also lauded the biggest merchandise village in the history of the event and ticket data confirms there will be fans from all 50 states and from 44 countries.
The Clippers are hosting with their All-Star City of Stars Alliance the DJ Cassidy Pass the Mic Live! event Saturday night at Kia Forum — an ensemble of hip-hop and R&B royalty that will feature Ashanti, Busta Rhymes, Ja Rule, Lil Kim and others.
Three concerts will highlight the Crossover extravaganza — the hip-hop band Cortis on Thursday, rapper Ludacris on Friday and the country, Americana and hip-hop singer Shaboozey on Saturday. A beats & brunch event with DJ Pauly D will follow on Sunday.
“When we were we here in 2018, I don’t know if the phenomenon of influencers even existed yet but certainly now in 2026 creators are such a big part of pop culture so we’ve got some amazing creators,” Flatow said. “State Farm is doing a three-point contest with comedian Druski and we’ve added a Creator Court along with what we’ll call Hardcourt Central, a festival-like area where they’ll be food trucks, musical performances and more. There’ll be lots of opportunities to shoot hoops and meet your favorite players and legends like Oscar Robertson, Dr. J, Robert Horry and Mitch Richmond.”
Late Sunday morning, 24 of the NBA G League’s most dynamic players, 10 of whom were selected by fan vote, will show off their skills in the Next Up Game, part of the Crossover spectacle at the Convention Center. Seats will be on a first-come, first-served basis.
“The G League wasn’t part of the All-Star experience last time we were here in 2018,” Flatow said. “We created a G League Park with an NBA Crossover, so on Saturday one of the things people can do is watch the G League dunk contest, always a fan favorite, then on Sunday at G League Park will be the G League Next Up Game and that’s included in the Crossover entry cost.
"Because there are so many things we’re adding and that we’ll be announcing in the next few days I encourage everyone to go to the NBA events app and see the full schedule, which will be updated in real time.”
Lakers guard Luka Doncic blocks out Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo for a rebound during a game earlier this season. The two were the leading NBA All-Star vote-getters in each conference. (Patrick McDermott / Getty Images)
The 75th NBA All-Star Game will take place Sunday at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood. Each year there are new twists to the game and activities during the three-day celebration of the best basketball players in the world. This year is no exception.
Here's what you need to know:
All-Star Game
When: Sunday, 2 p.m. (NBC and Peacock)
Where: Intuit Dome
For the first time the All-Star Game will become a four-game tournament between three teams — two with eight players each from the U.S. and one with nine international players. The top five vote-getters (50% fan voting, 25% NBA player voting and 25% media voting) in each conference qualified for the game while reserves were selected by NBA coaches. Since there was an imbalance of foreign players, Kawhi Leonard was added to a U.S. team.
Each game will be 12 minutes. If all three teams go 1-1 in round-robin play, a tiebreaker based on point differential will be used to determine the two finalists.
Team USA Stars
Scottie Barnes (Raptors), Devin Booker (Suns), Cade Cunningham (Pistons), Jalen Duren (Pistons), Anthony Edwards (Timberwolves), Chet Holmgren (Thunder), Jalen Johnson (Hawks), Tyrese Maxey (76ers)
Team USA Stripes
Jaylen Brown (Celtics), Jalen Brunson (Knicks), Stephen Curry* (Warriors), Kevin Durant (Rockets), Brandon Ingram (Raptors), LeBron James (Lakers), Kawhi Leonard (Clippers), Donovan Mitchell (Cavaliers), Norman Powell (Heat)
Team World
Luka Doncic (Lakers), Shai Gilgeous-Alexander* (Thunder), Nikola Jokic (Nuggets), Jamal Murray (Nuggets), Alperen Sengun (Rockets), Pascal Siakam (Pacers), Karl-Anthony Towns (Knicks), Victor Wembanyama (Spurs)
*-injured
Showing their skills
When: Saturday, 2 p.m.
Where: Intuit Dome
The skills challenge is out this year, replaced by the shooting stars competition, which features four teams of three players. The shooting stars was last featured during All-Star Weekend in 2015. It's a two-round format, with the top two teams advancing to the final. Teams have 70 seconds to score points while rotating through seven designated shooting locations, with all three players on a team shooting at each spot in a set order. Competing are: Team Knicks (Jalen Brunson, Allan Houston, Karl-Anthony Towns); Team Harper (Ron Harper Sr., Dylan Harper, Ron Harper Jr.); Team All-Star (Richard Hamilton, Scottie Barnes, Chet Holmgren); Team Cameron (Corey Maggette, Kon Knueppel, Jalen Johnson).
The three-point contest has eight competitors and features five racks of five balls, four of them containing one “money ball” worth two points instead of one, and one rack of five money balls positioned at the player’s choice. There are also two “Starry ball” pedestals behind the third rack, to the left and right, worth three points. The top three shooters advance to the final round. Competing are: Devin Booker (Suns), Kon Knueppel (Hornets), DAmian Lillard (Trail Blazers), Tyrese Maxey (76ers), Donovan Mitchell (Cavaliers) Jamal Murray (Nuggets), Bobby Portis Jr. (Bucks), Norman Powell (Heat).
The slam dunk contest, with a two-round format featuring four contestants, will cap Saturday’s festivities. Each of the four competitors are given 90 seconds to complete two dunks — with three attempts per dunk — for a judging panel. At the end of their time, they’ll be given one last attempt. The top two scorers advance to the final under the same format. Fans can score each dunk via the NBA ID app. In case of a tie, fan voting will be the tiebreaker. Competing are: Carter Bryant (Spurs), Jaxson Hayes (Lakers), Keshad Johnson (Heat), Jase Richardson (Magic).
Rising Stars tournament
When: Friday, 6 p.m.
Where: Intuit Dome
A trio of Hall of Famers — Carmelo Anthony, Vince Carter and Tracy McGrady — will join not-long-retired Austin Rivers as honorary coaches in the four-team tournament. Three teams have been drafted from rookies and second-year players while a fourth team will be comprised of G League players. The semifinals will be decided by the first team to reach 40 points, while the championship game will be played to 25.
Kon Knueppel (Raptors), Kel’el Ware (Heat), Tre Johnson (Wizards), Alex Sarr (Wizards), Zaccharie Risacher (Hawks), Ajay Mitchell# (Thunder), Jaylon Tyson (Cavaliers), Cam Spencer (Grizzlies)
Sean East II (Salt Lake City), Ron Harper Jr. (Maine), David Jones Garcia (Austin), Yanic Konan Niederhauser (San Diego), Alijah Martin (Raptors 905), Tristen Newton (Rio Grande Valley ), Yang Hansen (Rip City)
#-injured
G League Next Up
When: Sunday, 12:30 p.m.
Where: Convention Center
The G League Next Up game will feature four teams of seven players. It's a three-game tournament, similar to the Rising Stars and All-Star contests. The first team to 30 points will be the winner in each game. The top 10 players in fan voting received automatic invitations to the game, while the G League selected the next 18. They were then drafted onto four teams.
Full schedule
(at Intuit Dome unless noted)
Friday
10 a.m.: Rising Stars practice (NBA app)
4 p.m.: Celebrity Game at Kia Forum (ESPN)
6 p.m.: Rising Stars Game (Peacock)
8 p.m.: HBCU Classic, Hampton vs. North Carolina A&T, at Kia Forum (Peacock)
Saturday
10:30 a.m.: NBA All-Star media session (NBA TV)
1 p.m.: Commissioner Adam Silver news conference (NBA TV)
MILAN (AP) — The Canadian Olympic Committee said it is “heartbroken” by a school shooting in British Columbia that left at least seven people dead and many others wounded.
Team Canada issued a statement at the Milan Cortina Olympics on Wednesday, the morning after the deadly shooting at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School.
“We are heartbroken by the news of the horrific school shooting that occurred in British Columbia. Our thoughts are with the families who have lost loved ones, those who are injured, and the entire Tumbler Ridge community. Team Canada stands with everyone affected as they navigate difficult days ahead," the statement said.
Canadian authorities said Tuesday that there were 10 deaths in total. The school shooting left seven dead, authorities said, while two more people were found dead at a nearby home. A woman who police believe to be the shooter also was killed.
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police said more than 25 people were injured, including two who were hospitalized with life-threatening injuries.
Tumbler Ridge Secondary School, located in the foothills of the Canadian Rockies, has 175 students from Grades 7 to 12, according to the provincial government's website.
The town is more than 1,000 kilometers (600 miles) north of Vancouver, near the border with Alberta.
PORTLAND, OR - JANUARY 13: (L-R) Zach Randolph #50, Ruben Patterson #21 and head coach Nate McMillan of the Portland Trail Blazers look on against the Orlando Magic on January 13, 2006 at the Rose Garden Arena in Portland, Oregon. The Trail Blazers won 113-108. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Manditory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2006 NBAE (Photo by Sam Forencich/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Like most Tar Heels, Rasheed Wallace was not popular with Duke fans, but in the NBA, he emerged as an interesting and provocative figure.
Over a 16-year career, Wallace played for the Washington Bullets, Portland Trail Blazers, Atlanta Hawks, Detroit Pistons, Boston Celtics, and New York Knicks.
In this video, Wallace explains “The Slam Heard Round The World,” which was what people started to call the locker-room fight between Ruben Patterson and Zach Randolph, both of whom were his Portland teammates during the Jailblazer era.
Patterson, by all accounts, was a bully and an unusually strong player and Wallace and Bonzi Wells sort of encouraged a fight between him and Randolph, who is also quite large. In the end, Patterson slammed Randolph to the floor and injured his back.
That wasn’t the end of the story.
We’ll let Wallace finish telling it because as it turns out, he’s a pretty good story teller. Just listen for the part where he compares Patterson to the Incredible Hulk. It’s a great story. It is, however, a bit salty and NSFW.
Kurt Helin
Trey Murphy III
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope
Ace Bailey
