Category: Basketball

Cade Cunningham is the high-octane petrol fueling the Detroit Pistons offense.

The point guard is at his best creating for his teammates in the open floor and has dished out double-figure dimes in three of his last four outings. But there’s a speed bump in the way when Detroit visits the Phoenix Suns tonight. 

My Pistons vs. Suns predictions are buying back Cunningham’s inflated assist total against one of the best defenses in the NBA.

Here are my NBA picks for Thursday, January 29.

Pistons vs Suns prediction

Pistons vs Suns best bet: Cade Cunningham Under 9.5 assists (-112)

Cade Cunningham has eclipsed his assist prop total in five of his last seven appearances, including 11 assists against this very same Phoenix Suns squad on January 15.
 
Cunningham was mired in a shooting funk in that matchup, including a 0-for-7 night from 3-point range, but found ways to spark the Detroit Pistons with his passing. 

Player projections for tonight’s trip to the desert aren’t as advantageous when it comes to his assists. Models range from 7.7 to 9.5 dimes, with the majority of those forecasts falling short of the 9.5 O/U. 

And for good reason. The Suns are a Top 10 defense and do an exceptional job putting the brakes on foes who want to push the ball. 

They give up the fourth fewest fast-break buckets and limit those teams to the second-lowest transition points per play. Phoenix also holds opponents to the fourth fewest assists and, more importantly, the sixth lowest assist-to-FGM rate.

The Pistons record the eighth most points per play in transition and sit third in average fast-break points (18.0). Cunningham sets the tempo for that transition attack, but will be forced to play more half-court sets against the Suns.

My number for Cunningham comes out to 8.6 assists Thursday night.

Pistons vs Suns same-game parlay

The Suns have some offensive weapons nursing ailments, but can put the brakes on the Pistons’ fastbreak attack.

Cunningham’s projections call for a downtick in dimes compared to his recent distribution.

Dillon Brooks battles on the boards with models calling for 4.7 rebounds tonight.

Pistons vs Suns SGP

• Under 214.5
• Cade Cunningham Under 9.5 assists
• Dillon Brooks Over 3.5 rebounds

Our "from downtown" SGP: Check engine light

Our game predictions forecast both teams staying short of 210 points.

Cunningham’s projections sit as low as 7.7 assists tonight.

Brooks is averaging more than four rebounds this month, with the Suns' backcourt running thin.

Royce O’Neale is forecasted for double figures with a busy night beyond the arc.

Pistons vs Suns SGP

• Under 214.5
• Cade Cunningham Under 9.5 assists
• Dillon Brooks Over 3.5 rebounds
• Royce O’Neale Over 9.5 points

Pistons vs Suns odds

• Spread: Pistons -4.5 | Suns +4.5
• Moneyline: Pistons -185 | Suns +155
• Over/Under: Over 214.5 | Under 214.5

Pistons vs Suns betting trend to know

Detroit has produced a 5-9 Over/Under count in non-conference games this season. Find more NBA betting trends for Pistons vs. Suns.

How to watch Pistons vs Suns

Pistons vs Suns latest injuries

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

Hawks forward Onyeka Okongwu has some serious dental work in his future after taking an elbow to the face during Atlanta’s 117-106 win over the Boston Celtics Wednesday.

Taking to his Instagram Story after the game, Okongwu shared a photo of his bloodied mouth and some of his front teeth, which appeared pushed back and knocked out of place.

“Good winssss birdsss,” Okongwu wrote.

Okongwu caught an elbow in the mouth from Celtics guard Jaylen Brown, who was trying split a double-team from Okongwu and Hawks guard Dyson Daniels during the fourth quarter.

Brown was assessed a flagrant 1 offensive foul.

Okongwu went over to the bench and then jogged back onto the court to shoot his two free throws.

Jaylen Brown’s elbow DESTROYED Okongwu’s right side of his mouth pic.twitter.com/zJJq9aI2Vs

— Logion Noops (@LogionNoops) January 29, 2026

He made one to give the Hawks a 107-92 lead over Boston.

After the game, Brown explained that his elbow to Okongwu’s face “wasn’t intentional,” and sympathized with him over the injury.

“Just being aggressive like I always am,” Brown said. “Just a basketball play. It’s unfortunate. Okongwu is a good player.

“I know from my own experiences with a fractured face and chipped teeth, that s–t is a hassle. It wasn’t intentional, and I know it’s going to be a long day at the dentist tomorrow, so hopefully he has a good recovery.”

It’s unclear if Okongwu, who’s only missed two of the Hawks’ games this season, will miss time for dental work.

“I mean, he’s tough,” Hawks head coach Quin Snyder said after the game. “He took quite a shot. It’s a good thing that dentistry as a profession is — I don’t know what he’s going to need, but he’s pretty banged up. He took quite a shot.

“I told him he’s still handsome, but it’s a good thing that people can repair his teeth, because he’s going to need some work.”

Okongwu finished with 17 points, six rebounds and three assists.

I was tired before this game even started. I had just spent two straight days in 10 hours of meetings, and I was mentally done. It was my department’s annual meeting at work, and usually it’s a “destination” event. Sometimes it’s in San Antonio — yes to that! It’s my hometown, an easy drive from Houston, and the Riverwalk rocks. It’s been in Dallas before (no fun — longer drive and an uninteresting city in my opinion), but this year, it was going to be in Florida! (Fun, plus I haven’t been there since I was four years old!)

Regardless of where, it’s supposed to be anywhere but Houston since over half my department is here, with the rest scattered around the eastern half of the country, and the goal is to have everyone together where there’s dinner and bonding afterwards while no one can slip out and go home. It’s tiring, but I enjoy the bonding part of it (at least dinner, I’m not part of the crowd that goes drinking until 2AM just to be suffering through the next day of meetings).

However, for budgetary reasons, Florida got canceled, and the meeting was here in our downtown Houston office, with all the remote folks on conference call. Without being in a hotel, there was still the commute to and from work, making the day even longer, and I didn’t get to see coworkers from around the country whom I talk to often but am lucky to see in-person once a year. And for the cherry on top, this was the third year in a row the meeting was impacted by a winter storm, which ended up canceling Monday’s events and jamming everything into Tuesday and Wednesday. In other words, it was just two super long work days with the only plus being free breakfast and lunch.

After all that, an 8:30 Spurs-Rockets tip-off felt even more brutal than usual. Compound that with a horrible first 20+ minutes of action where the Spurs looked completely helpless — it felt like they weren’t even trying while the Rockets were slicing right through their defense on their way to a 16-point lead with 3:22 left in the first half — and I was ready to write a cranky WWL this morning. Longtime Pounders probably know I’m usually an optimist and try not to be too critical (they’re young, this is Mitch Johnson’s first full season as a head coach, give him a chance, etc.), but I wasn’t having it last night. Not after they showed a similarly atrocious effort in a home loss to the Pelicans a few days ago, and not after this issue with complacency and inconsistency has been going on for over a month now.

This was what I had to say while texting with Jeje Gomez and Jacob Douglas during the first half, right after a slew of Rockets offensive rebounds (including one where the ball bounced between three Spurs who were just watching before a Rockets player who was outside the play grabbed it) and careless backcourt turnovers: “I can give them (the Spurs) a grace period for stuff like shooting slumps, but poor effort and complacency is unforgivable. How many more ‘wake up call’ games do the need (before they get the memo)?”

Apparently, my superpower is the reverse jinx, because not long after that, they figured something out. They got more physical, stopped being careless with the ball, and started getting stops and rebounds. I was personally shocked that they were still in the game and only down by eight at the break, and in a reverse from last week’s game in Houston, the team that started hot fell off a cliff in the second half, especially the fourth quarter, and by then the Spurs were running over them so badly that even Kevin Durant was about to throw a fit.

The Spurs got Kevin Durant IN HELL pic.twitter.com/HQx4s0Z5DD

— Hater Report (@HaterReport_) January 29, 2026

This is what we expect to see from this team: physical, hungry and determined. The second half brought me joy the same way the first half brought me frustration, and it turned this entire WWL on its head. Was this finally the wakeup call they will take to heart, or are we destined to be frustrated again if a Charlotte Hornets team currently playing well above its record catches them off guard on an early Saturday tip-off? We’ll find out then, but in the meantime, I’ll relish the win against a rival that I already saw as a scheduled loss, which seemed even more likely after 21 minutes of play.

Takeaways

• Just like this game and the Spurs as a whole, it was a tale of (almost) two halves for Stephon Castle. For the first 21 minutes, he was the frustrating version of himself: sporadic on defense, indecisive on offense, and leaving everyone clamoring for him to just let De’Aaron Fox have the ball-handling duties. Then, like everyone else, he flipped a switch and was the best version of himself by the second half. He guarded and annoyed the Rockets best players, from Kevin Durant to Alperen Sengun, and contributed on offense by not trying to do too much, simply taking the lanes the defense gave him and finishing at the rim. As he showed last night, he’s a game changer for the Spurs when everything is clicking, and now we just need to see it on a more consistent basis.
• I was ready to give Victor Wembanyama an equally hard time on here while watching the first half. He was passive and looked frustrated on both ends, which has been a common theme for him against physical teams like the Rockets. But perhaps my biggest concern was watching him get manhandled by the similarly slender Durant. Granted, Durant is a bit thicker with 4 extra pounds to cover at last 5 fewer inches (I still say Wemby is closer to 7’7” than 7’4”, but whatever), but he’s still 15 years older. While he’s still a very good player at age 37, he should not be pushing Wemby around on his way to the basket or preventing Wemby from doing the same on the other end. Fortunately, Wemby figured that out in the second half and picked up: attacking everyone on defense, blocking shots, and muscling his way to the rim for shots or free throws. To both Wemby and Castle: more of this, please.
• Our Editor-in-Chief J.R. Wilco has told me he feels the same way, but I have a passionate sports hate for Sengun, and I’m not even going to pretend like I don’t know why. I’m sure he is a great guy off the court, but man, I can’t stand watching him play basketball. He flops too much for such a big dude, he’s a Luka Doncic-level whiner with the same whiney face and “I’ve never committed a foul in my life but am fouled every time I touch the ball” attitude, and his body language is terrible. He’s an All-Star level player that I’m sure we would love if he was a Spur — we all know the mistake the Spurs made in drafting you-know-who ahead of him in 2021 — but ultimately, I’m glad he’s not. I just don’t like him, and it’s only compounded by him being on a direct rival.

Why are we talking about trade rumors? How many of these articles…

Oops. Sorry. Thought I was in the comments section.

Look. It’s trade season. There will be trades. There will be trade discussions. If you’re someone who gets irrationally furious at the mere mention of an NBA trade (a surprisingly common cohort), the internet is not for you. Go to the park.

If you’re still here, let’s take a look at some Houston Rockets trade rumors.

Coby White

We’re mostly talking about guards here, for obvious reasons.

Whether those reasons are obvious to Ime Udoka is a different question.

To us laymen, it sure looks like Houston needs a player who can handle the ball. It ought to be someone who also has at least a semblance of off-ball value. The Rockets don’t need to revolutionize their offense by bringing in a ball-dominant star. Alperen Sengun is doing well with playmaking reps, and both Amen Thompson and Reed Sheppard are making progress throughout the season.

White would suffice. He’d make the offense more dynamic. He’s averaging 19.0 points and 4.7 assists per game this year, and shooting 37.0% from long-range.

There are complications. White’s on an expiring deal. The Rockets would likely be looking at flipping Dorian Finney-Smith’s nearly identical contract and a heavily-protected first-rounder for a potential rental. It doesn’t feel like Stone’s style.

Let’s look at some lower-risk moves.

Jose Alvarado

Here’s the conundrum: lower risk means lower reward. Spoiler: The other guards on this list would not be certain to usurp Aaron Holiday in the rotation.

Although it wouldn’t be absurd to prefer Alvarado’s statistical profile. He’s averaging 12.9 points, 5.2 assists, and 1.6 steals per 75 possessions to Holiday’s 15.9, 2.7, and 1.1. Alvarado (-2.2) has a marginally better Box Plus/Minus than Holiday (-2.6). He may be the better player.

Does he move the needle enough to be worth doing – well, anything? That’s a different question. If Alvarado can be had for a couple of second-round picks, the juice should be worth the squeeze, but parting with anything substantial would be a mistake.

On that note…

Chris Paul

The Clippers have to trade Paul. They won’t get anything valuable in exchange for the right to roster him for the second half of the last season of his career. The Rockets could send Jeff Green, and unless the Clippers are including Paul in a larger deal elsewhere, they’d have to accept that deal.

So, for the Rockets, the question becomes three-pronged: Will they play Paul, do they want his voice in the locker room over Uncle Jeff’s, and will they play him enough to justify making that deal if not?

It seems like Paul began to grate on the Clippers. He’s always been prickly. It shouldn’t have shocked anyone if he wasn’t able to co-exist with James Harden.

…

Personality-wise, it feels like he’d be a better fit in Houston. There’s no coddling under the Ime Udoka regime. If Paul is cussing Reed Sheppard out for overhelping on defense, Udoka is likely to nod in agreement.

Still, there are basketball realities to consider. Paul averaged 7.7 points, 8.7 assists, and 1.8 steals per 75 possessions in 16 games for the Clippers. This is a man who can no longer score at an NBA level, as evidenced by Paul’s 41.3 True Shooting % (TS%) during that stretch. It’s hard to think of the right adjective for that number. Horrifying? Yes. Paul’s efficiency this year should make you feel horrified.

Still, as Sigmund Freud said, sometimes a 16-game stretch is just a 16-game stretch. If Paul even just caught fire from beyond the arc at the right time for Houston, he could change their season. He’s still evidently haunted by nightmares where he makes the wrong read in the pick-and-roll. Paul can still orchestrate an offense as well as anyone.

Honestly, I don’t know. Maybe? That’s where I stand on any of these. An emphatic maybe.

Here comes a stronger opinion…

Another Big

Here’s what I initially wrote:

No!

No, no, no. One more no: No. Wait, that’s two more no’s. Nooooooo!

On the buyout market? Sure. Where is Nerlens Noel? Isn’t it time for his annual half-season of NBA basketball?

Trading for a big man would be comically absurd. If the deadline comes, and the Rockets acquire Yves Missi at nearly the same price the Timberwolves pay for Coby White…

Well, I’ll write an article about it.

That was before the Adams injury. Hopefully, the big man rests up well and is back on the floor as soon as possible, but there may be an opportunity here.

I’ll cede some ground: Get a stretch big. Adding another non-shooting big – so, not Missi – would still be senseless. The double big lineups have been lacklustre this year. Now that we’re tinkering, let’s try something new. Someone like Andre Drummond (yes, he shoots now), Bobby Portis, or Zach Collins would be good. Just know that if the Rockets get a non-shooting big…

I will write an article about it.

A 60-second tribute video honoring LeBron James has become routine over the past eight years whenever he returns to Cleveland, the city where his NBA journey began.

But Wednesday night at Rocket Arena was different – and it felt that way long before James’s Los Angeles Lakers fell 129-99 to the Cavaliers in a nationally televised game.

For the first time, James struggled to contain his emotions.

As his name was announced during pregame introductions, the crowd rose in a thunderous standing ovation that lingered longer than usual. Minutes later, during the game’s first break, the tribute video played on the jumbo screen hanging above the court. James remained seated on the Lakers’ bench, watching intently along with nearly 20,000 fans who understood they were witnessing something more than a routine return.

The video featured a montage of historic moments from James’s Cavaliers career, highlighted by his unforgettable performance in Game 5 of the 2007 Eastern Conference Finals – when he scored 25 consecutive points, capped by a game-winning layup against the Detroit Pistons. It was the night that first cemented James not only as a superstar, but as Cleveland’s own.

Several times Wednesday night, James lowered his head and wiped away tears with the inside of his jersey. He later reached for a paper towel, dabbing his eyes before the game resumed.

“The moment they put up [the tribute video], the Detroit game, looking up in the rafters and I saw our championship banner [from Cleveland’s 2016 NBA title] … it was a lot of reflection,” James said after the game. “Being present in the moment. It got to me a little bit for sure. I was super thankful.”

On Wednesday, James finished with 11 points, five assists and six turnovers – his worst performance in his return games – but the stat line was secondary to the night’s emotion.

Now in his 23rd NBA season since he was drafted No 1 overall by the Cavaliers in 2003, James’s Hall of Fame résumé includes being the league’s all-time leading scorer, four championships with three different teams, countless playoff moments and nearly every significant individual milestone the league has to offer. Yet as the finish line slowly comes into view, whenever that may be, moments like Wednesday carry deeper meaning. This may have been the final time James played an NBA game in the city where it all began.

Related: Welcome to Duncanville: why the road to the NBA runs through Dallas

“Because it could be [my last season]. I haven’t made a decision on the future, but it very well could be [my final game in Cleveland],” James said. “No matter if it’s here or in Washington playing in our next game, or in the Barclays on this road trip. Obviously, it means more here for me personally because I grew up 35 miles south of here.”

What made the night feel different wasn’t the tribute itself – the Cavaliers have done this many times before – but the collective awareness inside the building. This didn’t feel like a reunion tour stop. It felt like a pause. A moment when a city and its greatest athlete quietly acknowledged, without saying it out loud, that there may not be many of these nights left.

The ovation lingered. Fans stayed on their feet. Some recorded on their phones. Others simply watched. Cleveland no longer demanded anything from James. The city was offering gratitude.

The emotions extended well beyond the court. The night was even more meaningful because James was able to share it with his son and teammate, Bronny, along with several family members watching from a suite.

“It was pretty cool just sitting over there and watching [Bronny] continue to live out his dream,” James said. “My mom was here watching her son and her grandson. I don’t even know how to wrap that all into one in my brain. It’s so weird and so cool and so surreal.”

Bronny, who scored eight points in the loss, felt the weight of the moment himself. As in his game at Rocket Arena last season, the crowd erupted when he entered the game and cheered loudly after his fourth-quarter dunk. It was a symbolic passing of time inside the same building where his father once ruled the league.

“Very nostalgic to be here,” Bronny said. “I was here pretty much every day as a kid, so it feels good to be out here. I was almost emotional myself. Being home is another feeling. It’s crazy to come back and have so much love. It got him. It almost got me.”

James’s mother, Gloria James, was also reflective. She has been present for nearly every step of her son’s career, from his earliest NBA games to the moment he lifted Cleveland’s first championship banner in 2016.

“I don’t get as emotional as I used to, but I did a little,” Gloria James told the Guardian. “I’ve been there from day one, every single game he’s played in the NBA. Thinking about all of those years and being here tonight – it’s memorable and awesome.”

For those who know James best, the emotion wasn’t surprising.

Chris Dennis, once a James family adviser, said the reaction inside the arena reflected how intertwined James’s story is with Cleveland’s identity.

“They were hyped when LeBron came back into the game after the video, because the fans are a part of who he is,” said Dennis, who is managing partner of Tribute Sports. “A lot of those fans grew up watching LeBron. When you grow up with a dude that represented your city, you’re going to show that love.”

Dennis said the moment hit harder because James understands, even if he hasn’t said so publicly, that time is no longer on his side.

“I’m not basing this on anything I’ve heard,” Dennis said. “But he knows he’s toward the end of his career. It’s harder for him to prepare for games. It’s not easy for a 41-year-old to get ready and play at this level every night.”

Planning for the end is new to James, whose career for most of its duration centered on what he would accomplish next. Now, the question lingers quietly in the background: what comes after?

Several paths remain. James, who spoke before the game about mapping out offseason golf plans, could retire. He could re-sign with the Lakers. Or, in a storybook ending, he could return once more to Cleveland.

Only James knows which direction he will choose.

“The question gets asked more, and the thought creeps into my mind more at 41 years old,” James said. “Of when the end is and where the finish line is when it comes to hanging this thing up. I’m in a battle with Father Time, and I’m taking it personally – seeing how many times I can be victorious over him. But I won’t be one of those guys who won’t be able to walk off the court. That’s for sure.”

On Wednesday night, near the Lakers’ locker room after the game, James gathered with family members, including his mother, surrounded by love, memories, and reflection – not knowing if it would be the last time in this arena.

Time will tell.

This won’t help Charles Barkley re-enter Michael Jordan’s good graces.

Barkley called out NBC for its controversial Michael Jordan usage during its NBA coverage, with one interview being splintered into different segments to be used throughout the season instead of regular chats with the legendary player that some expected for the format.

“It’s a bad look for NBC and it’s just a bad look, plain and simple,” Barkley said on SiriusXM Radio on Wednesday, according to Awful Announcing.

“They couldn’t fly to Michael like once a month and do a new interview? That makes NBC look really bad, plain and simple.”

Many NBA fans loved the idea that Jordan — who can be reclusive — agreed to contribute to the new “NBA on NBC” coverage in its return to the air, hoping to regularly here his takes on the league.

NBC stated Jordan would be a “special contributor.”

Barkley, who had a falling out with Jordan due to critical comments about his Charlotte ownership, said in May that he was “shocked” to learn of Jordan’s decision, but added that he did not expect a ton from him.

Well, it turns out the Round Mound of Rebound had the right idea.

The special contribution from Jordan consisted of one sit-down interview with Mike Tirico that has been cut into different clips for his “MJ: Insights to Excellence” segment.

Instead of Jordan touching on the topics of the day, such as Giannis Antetokounmpo asking out of Milwaukee, the interviews are focused on broader topics.

“I was excited. We need Michael Jordan affiliated with the NBA, but now you see this thing coming out with NBC and you’re like, ‘Wait, y’all did one interview like five months ago and y’all gonna sprinkle it throughout the season?’ Come on, man,” Barkley said. “That’s disingenuous by NBC. That’s crazy, man. I’m so disappointed at the way that worked out.”

Tirico recently addressed the pushback against the segments, focusing on the positives while noting there are no plans yet for a second interview.

“Was it what everyone wanted? Probably not,” Tirico said on the “SI Media with Jimmy Traina” podcast earlier this month. “Was it better than not hearing from Michael Jordan? You’re damn right it was. And if we get another shot at it, will I be more than excited to be a part of it? You betcha. In our world right now, all you want to do is make the final answer before you know everything. I love that Michael trusted us enough to sit and do something that he hasn’t done in a long, long, long time.”

As Barkley criticizes NBC, he’s also expressed some frustration with his new bosses at ESPN over the lack of usage of his “Inside the NBA” show in its transition after exiting TNT.

LAHORE, Pakistan (AP) — Pakistan beat Australia in a Twenty20 for the first time in eight years on Thursday.

The comfortable 22-run win to open the three-match series pitted a full-strength Pakistan against an under-strength Australia just over a week out from the T20 World Cup.

The spin quartet of Saim Ayub, Abrar Ahmed, Shadab Khan and Mohammad Nawaz — all selected for the T20 World Cup —- shared six wickets to restrict Australia to 146-8 in reply to Pakistan's 168-8.

Ahmed led with 2-10 off four overs and Ayub's two wickets included Australia stand-in captain Travis Head for a 13-ball 23.

“It was a great game,” captain Salman Ali Agha said. “I felt 170 was enough on this pitch because our spin bowling is outstanding.”

In the absence of five World Cup players, Australia also benched captain Mitchell Marsh and handed debuts to Matt Renshaw, Jack Edwards and Mahli Beardman on a slow Gaddafi Stadium pitch.

Head holed out to long-off off Ayub’s fuller delivery but Australia recovered to 51-2 at the end of the power play with Renshaw and Cameron Green set.

But in the eighth over, Renshaw was run out while attempting a needless single and Cooper Connolly was clean-bowled by Ahmed.

Green top-scored with 36 and Xavier Bartlett, 34 not out, narrowed the margin of defeat by hitting three fours and two sixes.

“It was disappointing, but that’s how batting goes sometimes,” Head said. “We felt like we dragged it back well after the first 10 overs … but the conditions made it difficult.”

Earlier, Australia leg-spinner Adam Zampa (4-24) put the brakes on Pakistan’s strong start after Ayub (40) and Agha (39) shared a 74-run second-wicket stand off 43 balls.

Agha smashed four sixes and a boundary while left-handed Ayub’s 22-ball knock featured his trademark no-look boundaries over fine leg against pace. Zampa removed both set batters in his first two overs.

Babar Azam, who made a scratchy 20 off 24 balls in his 100th T20, struggled to keep the momentum going. Zampa pinned him in his return spell when Babar went for a reverse sweep.

Zampa missed a difficult return catch which could have dismissed Usman Khan on the next ball but ended up with brilliant figures when Khan holed out to long-on.

Lahore will also host the final two games on Saturday and Sunday.

___

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

Two teams inside the Eastern Conference Play-In group collide when the Miami Heat visit the Chicago Bulls tonight.

Both teams lost games on Wednesday as they will play the second half of back-to-backs.

Miami is one of the better teams playing on consecutive nights, so my Heat vs Bulls predictions and NBA picks side with the visitors to the United Center on Thursday, January 29.

Heat vs Bulls prediction

Heat vs Bulls best bet: Heat -2 (-110)

You don’t see this very often, but this is the first of three straight games between these teams, with the Chicago Bulls hosting the Miami Heat tonight before back-to-back weekend games in South Beach.

The Heat got dumped 133-124 in Orlando on Wednesday, but they hold the fourth-best cover record in the NBA playing the second half of a back-to-back, going 7-3-0 ATS.

It helps that they have a Top-3 scoring offense, averaging 119.8 points per game.

The Heat are also dominant against teams below .500, going 15-4 – that’s tied for the fewest losses in the East, and second-fewest losses in the NBA in that category.

After a nice four-game winning streak, the Bulls have crashed down to earth, losing at home to the Lakers before getting toppled by the lowly Pacers 113-110.

They’re not exactly a successful turnaround team, either, going just 2-5-0 ATS on the second night of back-to-back sets, with only SacTo, OKC, and Brooklyn beneath them.

While these Bulls can also score, tied for seventh in the NBA at 117.7 points per game, this is also a Bottom-5 scoring defense, getting eaten up for 119.8 PPG.

Miami torched them for 143 points the last time they met – which, wildly, only matches the second-most points they’ve allowed in a game this season.

I like the Heat’s offense to carry them to a cover and a win tonight.

Heat vs Bulls same-game parlay

Norman Powell had 22 points against Orlando, snapping a three-game sub-20-point slide, but he hasn’t cracked 23 in seven straight games.

Josh Giddey’s assist line is 7.5, but he’s only topped that number once in the last five games. However, he’s been dealing against Miami, picking up at least eight dimes in three straight games, making this bet definitely worth the sprinkle.

Heat vs Bulls SGP

• Heat -2
• Norman Powell Under 21.5 points
• Josh Giddey Over 7.5 assists

Our "from downtown" SGP: Flickering Flames

I get Bam Adebayo is on a rebounding binge, as he pulled down 12 against the Magic and has at least 12 in five of the last seven games. But it’s a different story against the Bulls, who have limited Bam to 10 or fewer in eight of their last 10 matchups.
 
And Jaime Jaquez Jr. has hit 14 points or more in a game just once in his last six, and if his recent minutes stay the same, so should his scoring. Jaquez has played 28 minutes or less seven times in his last 10. Of those games, he has scored 14 points or fewer six times.

Heat vs Bulls SGP

• Heat -2
• Norman Powell Under 21.5 points
• Josh Giddey Over 7.5 assists
• Bam Adebayo Under 10.5 rebounds
• Jaime Jaquez Jr. Under 13.5 points

Heat vs Bulls odds

• Spread: Heat -1.5 (-110) | Bulls 1.5 (-110)
• Moneyline: Heat -120 | Bulls +100
• Over/Under: Over 240.5 (-110) | Under 240.5 (-110)

Heat vs Bulls betting trend to know

Miami has won seven of its last eight games against Eastern Conference opponents with a losing record. Find more NBA betting trends for Heat vs. Bulls.

How to watch Heat vs Bulls

Heat vs Bulls latest injuries

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

The Atlanta Hawks will look to extend their four-game win streak when they host the Houston Rockets at State Farm Arena tonight.

Rockets vs Hawks prediction

Rockets vs Hawks best bet: Jalen Johnson Over 39.5 points + rebounds + assists (-112)

Jalen Johnson is enjoying a career-best season, averaging 22.9 points, 10.5 rebounds, and 7.9 dimes, good for 41.3 PRA. He’s reached 40+ PRA in 27 of 45 games this season and 11 of 19 at home. 

Rockets vs Hawks same-game parlay

The Hawks have won and covered in four straight and six of their last 10. The Rockets are just 3-7 ATS in that span, and the Rockets dropped a home game to the San Antonio Spurs last night.

Based on recent form, I'll back the home team to cover a small spread tonight.

Rockets vs Hawks SGP

• Jalen Johnson Over 39.5 points + rebounds + assists
• Hawks +3.5
• Under 225.5

Our "from downtown" SGP: Good Sheppard

Reed Sheppard shot 41.4% from beyond the arc over his first 42 games, but he's knocked down just 2-of-18 three-pointers across his last three games. He's due for a bounce-back performance against a middle-of-the-pack perimeter defense.

Rockets vs Hawks SGP

• Jalen Johnson Over 39.5 points + rebounds + assists
• Hawks +3.5
• Under 225.5
• Reed Sheppard Over 2.5 made 3-pointers

Rockets vs Hawks odds

• Spread: Houston -3.5 (-110) | Atlanta +3.5 (-110)
• Moneyline: Houston -160 | Atlanta +135
• Over/Under: Over 225.5 (-110) | Under 225.5 (-110)

Rockets vs Hawks betting trend to know

The Rockets have hit the Under in 15 of their last 18 games (+11.70 Units / 59% ROI). Find more NBA betting trends for Rockets vs. Hawks.

How to watch Rockets vs Hawks

Rockets vs Hawks latest injuries

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

NBA legend LeBron James was brought to tears by a tribute video during the Los Angeles Lakers' defeat at the Cleveland Cavaliers.

James, 41, returned to his home state and former team for possibly the last time on Wednesday as speculation continues over whether he will retire at the end of the season.

He won the NBA title with the Cavaliers in 2016 after returning for a second stint.

During the break after the first quarter at Rocket Arena, the Cavaliers showed highlights of James' performance in game five of the 2007 Eastern Conference finals, when he scored 48 points to seal a double overtime victory.

James started watching the video before pulling his vest over his face then wiping his eyes with a tissue.

"I'm just trying to take everything in, not take the moments for granted," he said.

James said he had "not made a decision on the future" but that it "very well could be" his final season.

He said he was "more present" than on previous trips to Cleveland and that the occasion "definitely got to me a little bit".

James had won nine and lost three of his previous visits to Cleveland, with the Lakers and the Miami Heat.

He had never scored fewer than 21 points in a game, but managed only 11 in a 129-99 defeat on Wednesday.

James is the NBA's all-time leading scorer and has made 28 appearances for the Lakers this season.

The four-time NBA champion signed a one-year contract extension in June.

Although he missed the start of the season with sciatica, he became the first player to feature in 23 NBA seasons when he returned in November.

• NBA fixtures & results

The sinking Sacramento Kings have been largely unwatchable during a six-game losing streak, and it’s no surprise that they’re big underdogs tonight against the Philadelphia 76ers.

While Philadelphia is still searching for consistency and juggling load management absences, Sacramento’s struggles are on a whole other level, and my Kings vs. 76ers predictions signal one-way traffic for the hosts, led by an in-form Joel Embiid.

Check out my NBA picks ahead of this contest on Thursday, January 29.

Kings vs 76ers prediction

Kings vs 76ers best bet: Joel Embiid Over 27.5 points (-120)

For once, there’s not much mystery to decipher on the Philadelphia 76ers injury report. Both Joel Embiid and Paul George are probable, and that spells trouble for the reeling Sacramento Kings.

Say what you want about some of Embiid’s limitations after all his knee injuries, the man is still putting up huge numbers, raising hopes about the 76ers’ postseason chances. He’s averaging 28.3 PPG on 54% shooting in January, and I’m taking these odds for his scoring binge to continue. 

Embiid has gone past this number in five straight, headlined by a 38-point effort against the Knicks last weekend, and his minutes are quietly creeping up. Even without some of his explosiveness around the basket, he’s been making plenty of noise — and actually making a few 3-pointers, too.

In this matchup, the Kings have no shot at slowing him down. They’re giving up 120.8 PPG, the fourth-worst mark in the NBA, and there’s not much reliable center depth beyond Domantas Sabonis.

When Embiid is on the court, it makes sense for Philadelphia to feed him touches and keep Tyrese Maxey fresher for when he’s flying solo. That kind of formula positions the former MVP to feast in the paint and paves the way to the Over.

Kings vs 76ers same-game parlay

The 76ers have had a major edge over the Kings in recent years, winning eight of the past 10 meetings and posting a 7-2-1 ATS mark in that span. Sacramento is 1-5 ATS during its ugly skid, and I’m laying the points with a Philly team that should be close to full strength.

DeMar DeRozan could be a trade candidate before the deadline, and this is a nice spot for an audition. He scored 34 points against the Knicks last time out, and the Kings are dealing with backcourt injuries to Malik Monk, Russell Westbrook, and Zach LaVine. Pencil him in for this Over.

Kings vs 76ers SGP

• Joel Embiid Over 27.5 points
• 76ers -12
• DeMar DeRozan Over 19.5 points

Our "from downtown" SGP: My Precious Rebounds

Precious Achiuwa has made the most of his minutes lately, and he’s averaging 5.9 RPG this month. The Kings will need all the frontcourt help they can get against Embiid, so this rebounds O/U line feels a little light.

Kings vs 76ers SGP

• Joel Embiid Over 27.5 points
• 76ers -12
• DeMar DeRozan Over 19.5 points
• Precious Achiuwa Over 5.5 rebounds

Kings vs 76ers odds

• Spread: Kings +11.5 (-110) | 76ers -11.5 (-110)
• Moneyline: Kings +400 | 76ers -550
• Over/Under: Over 225.5 (-110) | Under 225.5 (-110)

Kings vs 76ers betting trend to know

The Kings are 3-20 SU on the road this season. Find more NBA betting trends for Kings vs. 76ers.

How to watch Kings vs 76ers

Kings vs 76ers latest injuries

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

The 2026 NBA trade deadline will have a hard time topping its predecessor. Last year’s Luka Doncic-for-Anthony Davis bombshell was an all-time trade deadline moment, and there were a bunch of notable deals after it, with De’Aaron Fox, Jimmy Butler, and Brandon Ingram among the players who were sent to new homes. There’s potential for more fireworks this year, but no one really knows what to expect just yet.

This feels like a seller’s market. There’s a pretty clear pack of 3-4 championship contenders, and then a handful of other teams on the outside edge of the title picture. The Oklahoma City Thunder don’t feel like a runaway favorite anymore, the Denver Nuggets still need to be worried about Aaron Gordon’s lower-body injuries, and the San Antonio Spurs still haven’t let a playoff game in the Victor Wembanyama era, let alone a series. That’s just the West: the East is so much more wide open, with the Detroit Pistons, New York Knicks, and Boston Celtics leading the pack, each of them saddled with their own potential fatal flaws.

With the Feb. 5 trade deadline rapidly approach, here’s 30 players who could be moved.

1. Giannis Antetokounmpo, F, Milwaukee Bucks

Why would he be traded? The Bucks and Giannis are finally ready for a divorce, according to Shams Charania. It’s very likely either happening now or in the summer. Here’s our list of Giannis suitors.

What would Bucks want back? 3-4 first-round picks, swaps, and a blue chip young player.

2. Anthony Davis, C/F, Dallas Mavericks

Why would he be traded? The Mavs are ready to rebuild around Cooper Flagg, and they need to recoup draft compensation without control of their first-round pick from 2027-2030. Here’s three fake trades for Davis, though his current injury complicates the trade landscape.

What would Mavs want back? Salary relief, a first-round pick, a promising young player.

3. Karl-Anthony Towns, C/F, New York Knicks

Why would he be traded? The Knicks are desperate to make the most of their championship window in the East in a down year for the conference. New York’s two best players might not be able to play together in games that matter. Towns probably won’t get traded at the deadline, but the probability that he’s traded will rise significantly this summer if the Knicks fail to make the 2026 NBA Finals.

What would Knicks want back? Giannis. Or assets that help them land their next star.

4. Domantas Sabonis, C, Sacramento Kings

Why would he be traded? The Kings need to blow it up badly. There’s no scenario where Sabonis is on the next good Kings team.

What would Kings want back? A first-round pick and/or a promising young player.

5. Michael Porter Jr., F, Brooklyn Nets

Why would he be traded? Porter Jr. has had an All-Star caliber season in his first year away from Denver, and the Brooklyn would be selling high on him now as it continues to go back into its rebuild.

What would Nets want back? Two first-round picks, or one pick and one interesting young player.

6. Ja Morant, G, Memphis Grizzlies

Why would he be traded? The Grizzlies seem done with the Ja Morant experience. Here’s our list of potential Morant trade suitors.

What would Grizzlies want back? A first-round pick and an interesting young player.

7. Coby White, G, Chicago Bulls

Why would he be traded? He’s an expiring contract, and the Bulls might want to get something for him now instead of entering a bidding war in free agency.

What would Bulls want back? A first round pick, an interesting young player, and expiring salary.

8. Kristaps Porzingis, C, Atlanta Hawks

Why would he be traded? He’s an expiring contract, and he can’t stay healthy.

What would Hawks want back? Salary relief and draft compensation

9. Ayo Dosunmu, G, Chicago Bulls

Why would he be traded? He’s an expiring contract, and the fact that he’s playing the best ball of his career offers Chicago the chance to finally sell high on a player.

What would Bulls want back? A first-round pick or an interesting young player and multiple seconds.

10. Zach LaVine, G, Sacramento Kings

Why would he be traded? The Kings need to blow it up, and LaVine needs a fresh start after spending his entire career with bad teams. He’s certainly opting in to the final year of his contract for $48.9 million, but then he’s off the books after next season. Can we finally get this guy to a contender?

What would Kings want back? Anything.

11. Tobias Harris, F, Detroit Pistons

Why would he be traded? If the Pistons want to make a big move to improve their chances at coming out of the East, Harris a large expiring salary to grease the wheels.

What would Pistons want back? A starting four or a starting-caliber guard to aid the NBA Finals push.

12. Goga Bitadze, C, Orlando Magic

Why would he be traded? An advanced stats star with two more playoff runs left on his cheap contract, Orlando could try to trade its backup center for future assets that could help them build.

What would Magic want back? Draft picks or a promising young player.

13. Bennedict Mathurin, G, Indiana Pacers

Why would he be traded? He’s set to be a restricted free agent, and he’s never really fit into the Pacers’ long-term vision.

What would Pacers want back? Picks and potentially a young big man.

14. Daniel Gafford, C, Dallas Mavericks

Why would he be traded? The Mavs need to prioritize their future over their present, and they already have a gifted young center on the roster in Dereck Lively II.

What would Mavs want back? Future draft assets and cap flexibility.

15. Naji Marshall, F, Dallas Mavericks

Why would he be traded? He has two playoff runs left on a team-friendly contract, and he could bring in a solid return.

What would Mavs want back? Future draft assets or a promising young player.

16. Rui Hachimura, F, Los Angeles Lakers

Why would he be traded? He’s an expiring contract, and the Lakers might want to get something for him now if he’s not part of their long-term vision around Luka Doncic.

What would Lakers want back? Future draft assets or a young player.

17. Grant Williams, F, Charlote Hornets

Why would he be traded? The Hornets are a year away from a playoff run in the East, and Williams will have some appeal as a 3-and-D veteran with two playoff runs left on his contract.

What would Hornets want back? Future draft assets and expiring salary.

18. Keon Ellis, G, Sacramento Kings

Why would he be traded? The Kings need to be rebuilt from the ground up.

What would Kings want back? Future draft picks.

19. Anfernee Simons, G, Boston Celtics

Why would he be traded? The Celtics are trying to duck the luxury tax, and he’s the biggest salary on the cap sheet that they could justify cutting ahead of the potential return of Jayson Tatum.

What would Celtics want back? A small enough salary to get them out of the tax.

20. Bobby Portis, F, Milwaukee Bucks

Why would he be traded? The Bucks are ready to tank, trade Giannis, and tear the whole thing down.

What would Bucks want back? Future draft assets and/or interesting young players.

21. Rob Dillingham, G, Minnesota Timberwolves

Why would he be traded? The Wolves need to upgrade at point guard next to Anthony Edwards, and their bold swing for Dillingham during the 2024 draft just hasn’t paid off. Dillingham still can’t crack head coach Chris Finch’s rotation, and it’s time to find a lead guard who can.

What would Wolvevs want back? A starting-caliber point guard.

22. DeMar DeRozan, G, Sacramento Kings

Why would he be traded? Because he’s on the Kings ahead of their liquidation sale.

What would Kings want back? Second-round draft assets and expiring salary.

23. Jusuf Nurkic, C, Utah Jazz

Why would he be traded? This is probably the final year of the Utah’s tank, and a veteran like Nurkic is an obvious player to free. He’s not in his physical prime anymore, but Nurkic can still crash the offensive glass at an elite level at a time when it feels more important than ever.

What would Jazz want back? Second-round draft compensation.

24. Jordan Poole, G, New Orleans Pelicans

Why would he be traded? The Pelicans have no use for the final year of his deal at $34 million.

What would Pelicans want back? Second-round draft compensation.

25. Gradey Dick, G/F, Toronto Raptors

Why would he be traded? As part of a package for an impact center or another ball handler.

What would Raptors want back? An impact center or another ball handler.

26. Dalton Knecht, F, Los Angeles Lakers

Why would he be traded? He’s demanded a trade! I repeat: Dalton Knecht has demanded a trade!

What would Lakers want back? Second-round draft compensation or a better defensive player.

27. Kyle Kuzma, F, Milwaukee Bucks

Why would he be traded? The Bucks are ready to tear it down as they weigh offers for Giannis Antetokounmpo.

What would Bucks want back? All of the picks if Kuzma goes out in a Giannis deal, also salary relief.

28. Terrence Shannon Jr., G, Minnesota Timberwolves

Why would he be traded? The Wolves are firmly in their championship window, and Shannon hasn’t been able to crack the rotation even after Nickeil Alexander-Walker left in free agency.

What would Wolves want back?

29. Jeremy Sochan, F, San Antonio Spurs

Why would he be traded? He’s out of the rotation, and out of time in San Antonio has he approaches restricted free agency.

What would Spurs want back? Second-round draft capital

30. Jakob Poeltl, C, Toronto Raptors

Why would he be traded? He has one of the least team-friendly contracts in the NBA, and he’s always hurt.

What would Raptors want back? Just getting off his deal would be a miracle.