My first question: Is Will Wade bringing the boombox with him to LSU?
My second question: Does LSU possess no scruples at all? Never mind, I know the answer to that question. LSU is a kingdom of rebels and renegades. Just win, baby.
Wade, Lane Kiffin and Kim Mulkey walk into … well, I can’t quite figure the punchline of that joke, but wherever they’re walking into, they’re probably going there to win, and if you try to stand in their way, they’ll just steal your players.
Vaudeville pined to cast a trio of characters quite like these three.
There’s Wade, the disgraced cheater, turned boombox-blasting Cinderella, turned prodigal son returning to save LSU.
There’s Kiffin, the — mercy, what’s the word for him, even? We’ll go with college football’s shameless and slippery renegade-in-chief.
Considering the company she keeps, Mulkey qualifies as the decorous statesman of these three amigos, but her enemies despise her with the fire of a thousand suns.
If you find either the sum or individual parts of this trio a bit odious, do you really think LSU cares? Not as long as they’re winning.
NC State athletic director Boo Corrigan said he felt “lied to” after Wade bolted back to LSU after one season with the Wolfpack. Corrigan will get no sympathy here. Don’t hire duplicitous renegades and expect them to behave as a straight shooter.
Scofflaw returns to LSU, as Will Wade vows to 'follow more rules'
In bringing back Wade this week, LSU became the first school I'm aware of to rehire a coach it fired for cause, just four years previously.
Never mind that Wade trampled on NCAA rules for several years, to the extent he got a pink slip, a show-cause, and a suspension, and his conduct resulted in LSU getting probation, scholarship reductions and recruiting restrictions.
That “strong-ass offer” Wade once spoke of making to secure JaVonte Smart positioned Wade as a scofflaw, within an ecosystem that no longer exists.
After arriving back in Louisiana, Wade told reporters he'll try "to follow more rules this time."
Rules? What rules?
NCAA enforcement is a husk, not to be feared, and the LSU president and athletic director who fired Wade in 2022 are gone from the school.
With the sheriff out to lunch, long live the rebel, and fill up the stands.
Will Wade suits LSU's tribe of rebels and renegades
A few years away gave Wade some time for the stink to blow off of him. He even spawned an underdog’s tale at McNeese, set to the tune of a boombox, a year ago.
Now, it’s LSU basketball that stinks, and so Wade returns as a savior. The school hopes Wade will reinstall basketball relevance, like Mulkey delivered in women’s basketball.
If Wade gets LSU back to the Sweet 16, as he did in 2019, he’ll be hailed as a hero on the bayou.
“Will is a consistent winner, a diligent program-builder, and a charismatic leader with an incredible ability to connect with his student-athletes,” LSU athletic director Verge Ausberry said in a news release announcing Wade’s hiring.
The announcement naturally made no mention of Wade’s firing, the NCAA scandal, or the FBI wiretap.
In Louisiana, there’s no such thing as being too tarnished for a comeback, or too scandalized for a revival. As a fellow sports columnist who’s native to the state once said, “They love scoundrels down there.”
Do they ever.
Louisianans elected Edwin Edwards as governor four times. Edwards overcame a slew of scandals to make not one, but two, political comebacks before ultimately heading to federal prison.
In Louisiana, a scoundrel can be governor, and a once-fired cheater can be a savior.
Scruples get stomped in the Boot. Ethics and moralities, that’s so pollyannaish anyway in this no-holds-barred time and space College Sports Inc. finds itself in. A lawless enterprise suits LSU.
The current guvnah of Louisiana, Jeff Landry, made it clear he wanted to reshape LSU when he tossed out athletic director Scott Woodward. And, who would rise up to replace Woodward? That’d be Ausberry, whom LSU banned from attending football games in 2021, when he was also suspended for a month without pay after he mishandled allegations of domestic abuse and did not follow Title IX reporting requirements.
Remember, you’re never too tarnished for a comeback in Louisiana, so Ausberry took the reins of LSU athletics in November and swiftly made his mark by plundering Kiffin from rival Mississippi. Now, LSU would only love it if Wade could bring the juice (and transfers) to Tigers basketball, like Kiffin supplied for football.
Landry’s reconfiguration of LSU continued with the hiring of Wade Rousse as university president. Rousse previously was president at McNeese, the school that had rescued Wade from the scrap heap. And, so, the pieces quickly snapped into place for Wade to return to LSU.
“It's a chance to go home,” Wade said.
Home?
Wade’s from Nashville.
He’s spent his coaching career like a traveling salesman, living out of a suitcase before jetting off down the road to where business might be better.
And yet it makes sense Wade would see LSU as home. In Louisiana, a scandal is but a speed bump, and a scoundrel who arrives in a time of need receives a hero’s welcome.
BOSTON, MA - JANUARY 28: Jaylen Brown #7 of the Boston Celtics looks to pass the ball during the game against the Atlanta Hawks on January 28, 2026 at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Atlanta Hawks (41-32) at Boston Celtics (48-24) Friday, March 27, 2026 7:30 PM ET Regular Season Game #73, Home Game #37 TV: NBCSB, FDSNSE, NBA-LP Radio: 98.5 Sports Hub, 92.9 The Game, Sirius XM TD Garden
The Celtics continue their home stand after a win over the Thunder on Wednesday as they host the Atlanta Hawks. This is the 3rd of 4 games between these two teams this season. The Celtics won the first game 132-106 in Atlanta on January 17. They lost the second game 117-106 in Boston on January 28. They will meet again for the final time in Atlanta on March 30. The Hawks won the series 2-1 last season with the Celtics winning one in Atlanta and the Hawks winning twice in Boston. The Celtics are 246-152 overall all time and they are 132-57 in games played in Boston. The Hawks have won the last 3 games in Boston.
The Hawks were among the most active teams at the trade deadline. They traded Trae Young to Washington for Corey Kispert and CJ McCollum before the deadline. They traded Vit Krejci to Portland for 2 second round picks. They traded Luke Kennard for Gabe Vincent. They got Jock Landale for cash considerations. And their biggest move was trading Kristaps Porzingis to Golden State for Jonathan Kuminga and Buddy Hield.
Since the All Star break, the Hawks are 15-2, the best record amongst all Eastern Conference teams. Before the break, Atlanta ranked 27th in the NBA in offensive rebound %. Since the break, the Hawks rank fourth-best among all NBA teams over that time. In March, Atlanta is 11-1, tied with the Thunder for the best record in the league since the beginning of March. They are coming off a 130-129 overtime win in Detroit over the Pistons.
The Celtics are 2nd in the East, 4.5 games behind 1st place Detroit. They are 1 game ahead of 3rd place New York, 3.5 games ahead of 4th place Cleveland, 7.5 games ahead of 5th place Atlanta, 8 games ahead of 6th place Toronto, and 8.5 games ahead of 7th place Philadelphia. The Celtics are 29-14 against Eastern Conference opponents. They are 25-11 at home and 7-3 in their last 10 games. They are coming off a win in their last game.
The Hawks are 5th in the East, 11.5 games behind 1st place Detroit7 games behind 3rd place New York and 4 games behind 4th place Cleveland. They are half a game ahead of 6th place Toronto, 1 game ahead of 7th place Philadelphia, and 2 games ahead of 8th place Miami. They are 23-21 against Eastern Conference teams. They are 20-16 on the road and 9-1 in their last 10 games. They have won their last 3 games.
This game at home against Atlanta completes a 3 game home stand. Then it’s back on the road for a 4 game trip through Charlotte, Atlanta once again, Miami and Milwaukee. They will then play two games at home against Toronto and Charlotte before one game on the road at New York. They will finish the season with 2 games at home against New Orleans and Orlando.
Dealing with a busted bracket?
The Sweet 16 is almost here – who’s still alive? We’re reviewing the week that was in the first week of the NCAA tournament and turning our focus to remaining teams. How bad (or good!) is your bracket? Join us in the SB Nation March Madness Feed and let’s talk about who’s most likely to make a run to glory.
This is the 2nd game of a 2 game road trip for Atlanta. They beat the Pistons in Detroit on Wednesday to begin the trip. They will return home to play Sacramento and complete the series against Boston. Then they play at Orlando and at Brooklyn. They then have a game at home against New York before a home and home series against Cleveland. They will finish the season on the road at Miami.
Nicola Vucevic remains out after surgery to stabilize a fracture in his right ring finger. Neemias Queta is available after being questionable due to a right thumb sprain. Derrick White is also available after originally being questionable with a bruised right knee. Jaylen Brown is out due to left Achilles tendinitis. I’m just guessing that Baylor Scheierman will get the start. The Hawks had a late addition to their injury report. Jock Landale is questionable due to a shoulder injury.
Probable Starting Matchups PG: Derrick White vs CJ McCollum
Derrick White | NBAE via Getty ImagesCJ McCollum | NBAE via Getty Images
SG: Baylor Scheierman vs Nickeil Alexander-Walker
Baylor Scheierman | NBAE via Getty ImagesNickeil Alexander-Walker | NBAE via Getty Images
SF: Sam Hauser vs Dyson Daniels
Sam Hauser | NBAE via Getty ImagesDyson Daniels | NBAE via Getty Images
PF: Jayson Tatum vs Jalen Jackson
Jayson Tatum | Getty ImagesJalen Johnson | NBAE via Getty Images
C: Neemias Queta vs Onyeka Okongwu
Neemias Queta | Boston Globe via Getty ImagesOnyeka Okongwu | NBAE via Getty Images
Celtics Reserves Payton Pritchard Hugo Gonzalez Luka Garza Amare Williams Jordan Walsh Max Shulga Charles Bassey (10-Day) 2-Way Players Ron Harper, Jr
Injuries/Out Nikola Vucevic (finger) out Neemias Queta (thumb) available Derrick White (knee) available Jaylen Brown (calf) out Head Coach Joe Mazzulla
Hawks Reserves Mouhamed Gueye Buddy Hield Caleb Houston Corey Kispert Jonathan Kuminga Asa Newell Zaccharie Risacher Gabe Vincent Keaton Wallace
2-Way Players Rayj Dennis Keshon Gilbert Christian Koloko
Injuries/Out Jock Landale (shoulder) questionable Head Coach Quin Snyder
Key Matchups Jayson Tatum vs Jalen Johnson Johnson is averaging 22.8 points, 10.3 rebounds, 8.1 assists and 1.3 steals per game. He is shooting 49.3% from the field and 34.9% from beyond the arc. In the first 2 games against the Celtics, he averaged 15.5 points, 11 rebounds, and 6 assists while shooting 33.3% from the field and 45.5% from beyond the arc. The Celtics need to defend him well and keep him off the boards.
Baylor Scheierman vs Nickeil Alexander-Walker Alexander-Walker is averaging 20.4 points, 3.4 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 1.3 steals per game while shooting 45% from the field and 39% from beyond the arc. In the first 2 games against the Celtics, he averaged 19.5 points, 1.5 rebounds, 4.5 assists, and 1.3 steals while shooting 41.9% from the field and 42.9% from beyond the arc. He is a good 3 point shooter and the Celtics need to stay with him on the perimeter. Honorable Mention Derrick White vs CJ McCollum McCollum is averaging 18.8 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 3.8 assists per game. He is shooting 45.5% from the field and 37.2% from beyond the arc. In 4 games against the Celtics this season, he is averaging 12.3 points, 3.3 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game while shooting 34% from the field and 18.2% from beyond the arc.
Keys to the Game Defense – Defense is always a key to winning games. The Celtics have an offensive rating of 119.3 (2nd) while the Hawks have an offensive rating of 114.7, which is 14th. The Celtics have a defensive rating of 111.5 which is 4th while the Hawks have a defensive rating of 113.0, which is 10th. The Celtics have been hot and cold on defense this season. Sometimes they can shut down the other team (See OKC) and sometimes they allow them to score at will (see Minnesota). The Celtics need to defend the perimeter because the Hawks are 6th, shooting 36.9% on threes. They also have to defend the paint as the Hawks are 6th with 52.3 points in the paint per game. The Celtics must make defense a priority in this game and they have to play that tough defense for 48 minutes and not let up.
Rebound – Next to defense, rebounding is the key to winning. When the Celtics put out the extra effort on the boards, it usually carries through to the rest of their game. The Hawks are averaging 43.4 rebounds per game (17th) while the Celtics are averaging 46.5 rebounds per game (4th). The Celtics need to aggressively go after every rebound. They can’t afford to give the Hawks extra possessions and 2nd chance points by allowing them to beat them to rebounds.
Move the Ball Carefully – When the Celtics move the ball and find the open man, they are tough to beat. When they hold the ball and try to play iso ball, they become predictable and struggle. When the Celtics have more assists than their opponents they are 29-0 and when their opponents have more assists than the Celtics, they are just 17-22. The Hawks average 30.4 assists per game so getting more assists will not be easy. The Celtics need to move the ball, but they have to make careful passes because the Hawks are 3rd in the league with 20.3 points off turnovers per game.
Effort and Focus for 48 Minutes– The Celtics have to play with extra effort overall for all 4 quarters. In most of their losses and even in some of their wins, they have allowed their opponents to play with more energy than them for periods of time during the game. They play well for stretches but let up and allow their opponents to surge ahead, especially down the stretch as they did against Minnesota. They have to stay focused for all 48 minutes and be ready for their opponents to play harder in the second half and they need to match that effort. They also have to come out with more effort and energy to start the game and not dig themselves into a hole. The Hawks have been playing the best of any team in the league and just beat the first place Pistons. The Celtics will need maximum effort for all 48 minutes to beat them. With Jaylen Brown out, every player will need to step up their game.
X-Factors Home Game and Revenge– They call it home court advantage for a reason and the Celtics need to take advantage of playing on their home court. The Celtics need to get motivation from the home crowd, which should be loud and doing everything in their power to support the Celtics and rattle the Hawks. The Hawks have the distractions of travel, an unfamiliar arena and a hostile crowd and hopefully that will give the Celtics an advantage. The Hawks were also embarrassed by the Celtics on their home court in January and will be looking for some revenge on them. The Celtics need to be ready for the Hawks to give it their best effort in this one.
Officiating – Officiating is always an x-factor in every game. Every crew officiates differently. Some call it tight, others let them play. The Celtics need to adjust to how the refs are calling the game and not allow bad calls or no calls to take away their focus from playing the game the right way. We have seen how much of an x-factor officiating can be in a few games this season. The Celtics have to play so well all game that the officiating, no matter how bad, can’t influence the outcome.
BOSTON, MA - MARCH 25: The sneakers worn by Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics before the game against the Oklahoma City Thunder on March 25, 2026 at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
JUPITER ISLAND, Fla. (AP) — Tiger Woods was involved in a rollover car crash on Friday, the Martin County Sheriff's Office told media outlets.
Authorities said the crash occurred just after 2 p.m. not far from where Woods lives in Jupiter Island. Martin County Fire Rescue said there were no serious injuries, CBS 12 reported.
Woods' manager at Excel Sports did not immediately respond to a text message seeking information.
It was the third time Woods has been involved in a car crash, most recently in February 2021 when his SUV ran off a coastal road in Los Angeles at a high rate of speed that led to multiple leg and ankle injuries. Woods said later doctors considered amputation.
He also was arrested on a DUI charge in 2017 when south Florida police found him asleep behind the wheel of his car that was parked awkwardly with damage to the driver's side. Woods said later he had taken a bad mix of painkillers.
Woods had been working his way back to golf from a seventh back surgery last September. He had not decided whether he could play in the Masters on April 9-12.
His last official tournament was the British Open in 2024. Woods ruptured his Achilles tendon in March 2025 and that kept him off the course all season, and then he had another back surgery in September. He managed to play in his indoor TGL golf league on Tuesday night.
We’re so deep into this nonsensical college sports power struggle, it’s getting harder by the day to decipher who’s winning and who’s whining.
The latest dust-up of the unsustainable that will lead to the unrecognizable (daily propaganda from coaches, not me): Will Wade left NC State for LSU after all of one season as coach in Raleigh.
It’s just another example of coaches living under the “do as I say, not as I do” umbrella of unreasonable protection and deflection. Rules for thee, not for me.
And you know what? They’re right.
Because decades of coaches leaving after one season are distinctly different than the still wet paint of players and their annual free movement. No matter what a talking bobblehead screams on television, or your buddy posts on social media.
The day all players begin paying buyouts to contracts — or in their current financial setup, NIL deals — is the day this thing is equal.
Before we go further, let’s not ignore the Hurricane in the room: Darian Mensah had to buy out his NIL deal at Duke this offseason to move, and Miami not only paid it, but gave Mensah a mega one-year mercenary deal before he leaves for the NFL.
Wade paid $4 million to leave NC State, which means LSU transferred those funds to NC State to bring a convicted NCAA cheater — at LSU! — back to Baton Rouge. And that, if you can believe it, isn’t the focus of this story.
If North Carolina wants to hire Todd Golden from Florida, the Tar Heels will have to cover his $16 million buyout. Or $11 million to poach Tommy Lloyd from Arizona.
If you’re bleeding cash in a second-tier Power conference, that’s a significant lift. Unless you’re desperate.
It’s here where we reintroduce Mensah and the Miami marriage.
Miami paid Mensah’s buyout because Mensah played it perfectly. Waited until the last day possible to enter the transfer portal, knowing full well that one specific team was desperate for a quarterback.
Knowing full well Miami had played the past two successful (but not championship) seasons with transfer quarterbacks — the most high-profile, high-priced transfer quarterbacks (Cam Ward, Carson Beck) — and the current quarterback room in Coral Gables was, shall we say, lacking.
So Mensah’s representatives made it clear he was one year into a two-year NIL deal, and owed millions. Miami then sucked it up and paid the buyout, and then signed Mensah to a deal.
Three different Power conference coaches, speaking on the condition of anonymity to protect the unique NIL process, told USA TODAY Sports that Miami paid in excess of $10 million total to complete the deal.
If Brendan Sorsby’s buyout from Cincinnati was $10 million instead of $1 million, maybe Texas Tech billionaire booster Cody Campbell would’ve double-clutched when pursuing him. If Sam Leavitt had any buyout in his Arizona State deal, maybe LSU and Tennessee would’ve thought twice about bidding against each other to see who could give Leavitt more foundational money.
OK, maybe not those two deep-pocket programs. But you get the point.
Until all players have buyouts in their NIL deals, until all players have to see that buyout as at least a pregnant pause to leaving, it’s not the same thing as coaches and their free movement.
If Golden didn’t have a $15 million buyout, how much easier would it be for North Carolina to throw a Belichickian deal at him? And not give Florida, already flush with cash as a big fish in the money-printing SEC machine, a $15 million gift?
Look, if a university or program wants a coach or player badly enough, no realistic buyout money is going to stop them. That’s the nature of the current college sports business model.
Until the only guardrails that work are instituted, this is the deal. Until players are made employees (like coaches), and until players then collectively bargain for 48% of the media rights billions, the only answer to limiting player movement is fat buyouts.
Then players must decide between more money up front with a large buyout, or less money in their pocket with no buyout. And if they’re at the elite of their profession (it’s a professional game now, everyone, don’t kid yourselves), they can name their price and deal.
Like Kalen DeBoer did two years ago when he left Washington. He was happy with the Huskies, had just led the program to the national championship game.
But Alabama came along and had no problem giving him an $87 million contract, and covering his $12 million buyout from Washington. It is believed to be the largest buyout in college football history.
For a 20-8 record, and a 35-point loss in the Rose Bowl. To a basketball school.
Now who’s winning and who’s whining?
Matt Hayes is the senior national college football writer for USA TODAY Sports Network. Follow him on X at @MattHayesCFB.
Tennessee, on the other hand, is looking for its third straight trip to the Elite Eight — though the Volunteers have never reached a Final Four.
All eyes will be on whether or not Iowa State All-American Joshua Jefferson is able to play. He was injured early in the Cyclones' first round win over Tennessee State and didn't play against Kentucky in the second round.
Tennessee's freshman star Nate Ament was limited in the Volunteers' first round win as he recovers from his own injury, but played 29 minutes in the Vols' second round upset of Virginia.
But while those frontcourt stars may have the pregame spotlight, the matchup in the backcourt will likely decide tonight's game.
Iowa State's Tamin Lipsey and Tennessee's Ja'Kobi Gillespie are two of the top point guards in the country, and they're both coming off of standout performances. Lipsey had a career-high 26 points, with 10 assists to round out a double-double effort against Kentucky. Gillespie just had his third straight 20-point game of the postseason.
The winner of tonight's game advances to Sunday's Elite Eight, where it will play the winner of Michigan vs. Alabama.
Here's what you need to know for tonight's Tennessee vs. Iowa State Sweet 16 game, including predictions and how to watch.
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Tennessee vs Iowa State live score
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What time is Iowa State vs Tennessee?
Time: 10:10 p.m. ET, Friday, March 27.
What channel is Iowa State vs Tennessee? How to watch, streaming info
The game is airing on TBS/truTV, streaming via Fubo.
With or without Joshua Jefferson, Iowa State still has the pieces and tools to win. Jefferson's absence may create for a more uphill battle in the paint or on the glass, but the Cyclones' level of defensive disruption has only risen since the postseason tipped off. Creating turnovers will be the key, and Iowa State has already shown that it can weather cold-shooting stretches or adverse situations when it doubles down on defense. The Cyclones will need to do the same here.
Iowa State put together a complete performance against a team Tennessee crumbled against twice. The Cyclones showed their top-15 ranked defense with intense ball pressure on Kentucky, keeping the Wildcats out of the paint and draining the shot clock out on the perimeter.
Iowa State also forced 20 turnovers in the win, which has been a concern for Tennessee all season. The Vols committed 16 turnovers against Miami (Ohio), and another 10 against Virginia.
Kentucky kept pace with the Cyclones in the rebounding battle, which could lean more heavily in Tennessee's favor if Jefferson is out.
It is hard, though, to continue banking on elite shooting numbers from the Vols, especially against one of the top defenses in the country. Tennessee also made a number of errors down the stretch that Virginia couldn't capitalize on. Iowa State won't give them the same grace.
Blake Toppmeyer: Tennessee
Paul Myerberg: Iowa State
Jordan Mendoza: Iowa State
John Brice: Iowa State
Matt Glenesk: Tennessee
Craig Meyer: Tennessee
John Leuzzi: Iowa State
Austin Curtright: Iowa State
Ehsan Kassim: Tennessee
Moneyline: Iowa State (-190); Tennessee (+154)
Spread: Iowa State (-3.5)
Over/under total: 139.5
Joshua Jefferson injury update: Will Iowa State star play tonight vs Tennessee
Cyclones coach T.J. Otzelberger told reporters in Chicago on Wednesday, March 25 that Iowa State forward Joshua Jefferson has seen "pretty significant progress" with his recovery from an ankle injury and that he is a game-time decision for Friday's Sweet 16 game against 2-seed Tennessee.
Jefferson sustained an ankle injury in the opening minutes of the first round of March Madness, and has been sidelined since, including being ruled out in the second round against Kentucky.
Jefferson was present at practice and had shed the boot on his ankle on Thursday at the United Center in Chicago.
In the 15 minutes the Cyclones practice was open to the media, Jefferson was observed taking practice shots in the first few minutes before spending the majority of the session dribbling near halfcourt and talking to coaches.
What did TJ Otzelberger say about UNC basketball coach opening?
Ahead of his team's Sweet 16 game against No. 6 seed Tennessee on Friday, March 27, Iowa State coach T.J. Otzelberger started his media availability in Chicago by addressing his name being tied to other job openings.
He did not directly mention North Carolina. Here's what he said:
"Any speculation with me and any other jobs or opportunities is not true," Otzelberger said on March 25.
TJ Otzelberger starts off hot today around the coaching carousel across college basketball and the rumors surrounding teams interested in him. Plus, update on Joshua Jefferson.
“Any speculation with me and any other jobs or opportunities are not true”
Nate Ament injury update: How much will Vols star play vs Iowa State?
The All-SEC freshman is still dealing with soreness. He played 29 minutes in the Vols' second round win over Virginia, scoring 16 points.
"There's no chance I'd sit out a March Madness game," he said prior to the UVA game. "It's about what can we do to get back to 100%, or as close to it as we can."
Tennessee coach Rick Barnes called the injury a "problem," and Ament won't be fully healthy until he gets time off at the end of the season.
"We need Nate. He knows it, but he will give us everything that he can, and that's really all I can say about it. If it's up to him, he would play every minute if he could," Barnes said.
Rick Barnes March Madness record
Barnes is 37-25 in his career in the NCAA Tournament and led Texas to the 2003 Final Four.
Nate Ament 2026 NBA Draft, mock draft prediction
No. 11 overall to Portland Trail Blazers.
Kalbrosky's Analysis:
After a relatively slow and inefficient start to the season, Tennessee freshman Nate Ament is starting to realize some of his lofty expectations. The freshman averaged 21.6 points per game while shooting 38.9 percent on 3-pointers during a 13-game stretch before an injury against Alabama on Feb. 28. The All-SEC forward then had 27 points (4-of-6 on 3-pointers) with eight rebounds, four assists, three blocks and a steal against Auburn on March 12. It will only take one team to fall in love with Ament and given so much of what he brings to the table cannot be taught, that team is probably picking fairly early in the lottery.
"It's been my dream and my goal my whole life to play in the NBA," Lopez told ESPN. "Honestly, since I can remember. I was probably like 5 years old, making drawings of myself playing in the NBA. ... It's pretty special, you know, to be in this position right now."
Lopez, a 19-year-old 6'8" wing, is projected to go in the late lottery or just after and is the highest-ranked international player on most boards. He played the past two seasons for the New Zealand Breakers in the Australian NBL (through its Next Stars program) and averaged 11.9 points and 6.1 rebounds per game this season. The Breakers used him primarily as a guy with the ball in his hands because he was such a mismatch, according to scouts, and his playmaking and skills have grown in the past year.
There have been players in the NBA of Mexican heritage, with the current example being Miami's Jamie Jaquez Jr. Previously, we had seen Juan Toscano-Anderson, the only player of Mexican heritage with an NBA championship ring. There have also been players born in Mexico in the league, such as Eduardo Nájera.
Lopez is expected to take part in the NBA draft combine, May 10-17, in Chicago.
The Toronto Raptors will be out for some revenge after being humiliated by Dejounte Murray and the New Orleans Pelicans when they last met earlier this month.
Murray and the Pels literally flexed over the Raps in a 122-111 win as 2-point home dogs. But this time, the Raps are at home and favored by nearly double-digits.
Can Toronto exact some revenge, or is this number too big? My Pelicans vs. Raptors predictions and NBA picks break it all down for this matchup set to tip off at 8:30 pm ET at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, on Friday, March 27.
Pelicans vs Raptors prediction
Pelicans vs Raptors best bet: Jakob Poeltl Over 10.5 points (-120)
The New Orleans Pelicans are not your typical NBA team destined to miss the playoffs. Now that Dejounte Murray is back, this team can compete most nights and rank a respectable 14th in net rating since the All-Star break.
The Toronto Raptors know that well, after watching Murray put up 27 points in that March 11 upset.
Luckily, Murray is sitting this one out for load management reasons. Plus, there are still some other areas where the Pelicans are vulnerable, particularly on the inside, where they have little depth behind Zion Williamson and rookie Derik Queen.
New Orleans enters this matchup ranked 24th in both opponent points in the paint per game and points allowed to opposing centers per game.
Enter Jakob Poeltl. Like Murray for the Pels, Poeltl’s turn has given the Raptors an added dimension on both ends of the floor. Specifically, on offense, the Raptors' big man is averaging 12.7 points per game over his last 12 games with a .688 effective field goal percentage.
Poeltl is still getting a modest point total prop, sitting at 10.5 points. He’s topped that number six times in the last 12 games. Not only that, he’s had at least 15 points in all the games where he went over this number. So, looking at his alt point totals at plus money isn’t a bad idea either.
But for our best bet purposes, let’s stick with the Over 10.5.
Pelicans vs Raptors same-game parlay
The Raptors' backup “big man” is also back in Collin Murray-Boyles. CMB plays a Draymond Green-esque role for the Raptors, and they are glad to have him back.
He’s put up nine and 10 points in his first two games back from a thumb injury and, like Poeltl, should have plenty of room to work inside in this matchup.
The lack of an interior presence also hurts the Pels on the boards, where they rank 19th in rebounding rate and 25th in opponent rebounds per game.
So, let’s add Scottie Barnes Over 6.5 rebounds to this SGP, a number he’s topped in five of his last six games.
Pelicans vs Raptors SGP
Jakob Poeltl Over 10.5 points
Collin Murray Boyles Over 7.5 points
Scottie Barnes Over 6.5 rebounds
Our "from downtown" SGP: Double dino trouble
Let's go a little crazy and back both Poeltl and Scottie Barnes to record a double-double.
Pelicans vs Raptors SGP
Jakob Poeltl double-double
Scottie Barnes double-double
Pelicans vs Raptors odds
Spread: Pelicans +9.5 | Raptors -9.5
Moneyline: Pelicans +300 | Raptors -380
Over/Under: Over 228 | Under 228
Pelicans vs Raptors betting trend to know
The Raptors have hit the Game Total Under in 31 of their last 50 games for +10.10 Units and a 18% ROI. Find more NBA betting trends for Pelicans vs. Raptors.
How to watch Pelicans vs Raptors
Location
Scotiabank Arena, Toronto, ON
Date
Friday, March 27, 2026
Tip-off
8:30 p.m. ET
TV
Gulf Coast Sports, Sportsnet
Pelicans vs Raptors latest injuries
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Finding the right value on a Friday night slate is all about identifying trends and mismatches before the market catches up. For this March 27 lineup, I’ve put together a four-leg moneyline parlay that balances momentum with favorable matchups.
My NBA picks focus on some Western teams facing full-blown tankers, along with two of the titans in the Eastern Conference.
Best of all: This parlay has been BOOSTED by our friends at bet365.
Los Angeles is listed as an 8.5-point favorite, but I see clear value on that number — I make it closer to -11.5. The matchup strongly favors the Clippers, starting with their five-out offense and elite floor spacing.
With John Collins and Brook Lopez stretching the floor, Indiana’s defensive structure gets pulled apart. That’s especially problematic for Jay Huff, who’s forced to defend on the perimeter, leaving the paint unprotected and exposing the Pacers at the rim. Once the lane opens up, it creates easy opportunities for players like Darius Garland and Kawhi Leonard to attack off the dribble and score efficiently in isolation.
The market seems to be overreacting to the win against the Magic — and the Pacers' backdoor cover against the Lakers — giving Indy more respect than it deserves in this spot.
Atlanta Hawks vs Boston Celtics
Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
Location: TD Garden
TV: NBA League Pass, FDSN SE-ATL, NBCSB
Pick: Celtics (-205)
I don’t care how hot the Atlanta Hawks are — the Boston Celtics are the best team in the Eastern Conference, and they’ll prove it again tonight.
The edge in this game is largely determined by the injury report, with Neemias Queta still listed as questionable. Jaylen Brown has been ruled out, but with Derrick White available, I'm still backing the Celtics.
Miami Heat vs Cleveland Cavaliers
Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
Location: Rocket Arena
TV: NBA TV, FDSN SU, FDSN OH
Pick: Cavaliers (-220)
The Cavaliers represent the smallest edge among the teams in the parlay, as I have them priced as 6.5-point favorites while they’re currently listed at -5.5.
Cleveland was blown out by the Miami Heat in its most recent game, but that was a tough scheduling spot — the second night of a back-to-back, with the first game being a competitive matchup against Orlando.
With Jarrett Allen expected to return, I like the Cavaliers in the rematch.
Houston Rockets vs Memphis Grizzlies
Time: 8:00 p.m. ET
Location: FedExForum
TV: NBA League Pass, SCHN, FDSN SE-MEM
Pick: Rockets (-900)
This matchup heavily favors Houston, starting with Alperen Sengun against Olivier-Maxence Prosper at center. At 6-foot-11 vs. 6-foot-8, it’s a clear size and strength advantage, and the Rockets should look to establish Sengun early and often inside.
Memphis’ pace also works in Houston’s favor: The Grizzlies like to push the tempo, but that plays right into the hands of the Rockets — especially for Amen Thompson, who thrives in transition and adds another layer to their offense in an up-tempo game.
From a game script standpoint, Memphis being on the front end of a back-to-back only adds to the risk of a blowout. They’re already limiting minutes, and if things get out of hand, there’s even more incentive to pull starters early. All signs point to a strong Houston performance — I make this line closer to -15.5.
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At the NBA Board of Governors session earlier this week, the league presented three NBA Draft lottery reform concepts to ownership in an ongoing attempt to combat tanking.
A person with direct knowledge of the matter told USA TODAY Sports that the session was akin to a brainstorm and that the concepts discussed were not considered formal proposals that would be presented to the Board of Governors for voting — at least not yet. Before it gets to that stage, the NBA’s executives want to hear more feedback from team front office personnel prior to elevating any concept as a formal proposal.
The person also said that the concepts could be tweaked further, or that new concepts could be raised in the future. To that effect, the March 25 discussion with NBA ownership was not the first meeting the group has had on these issues. In essence: the league’s efforts against tanking are fluid and evolving.
The person spoke under the condition of anonymity because the person was not authorized to publicly discuss the matter.
During a March 25 press conference at the end of the Board of Governors meeting, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver characterized discussions with NBA owners about tanking as “lengthy” and vowed that the league is taking the matter seriously.
“We are going to fix it, full stop,” Silver told reporters in the press conference. “I want to say that directly to our fans.”
Given that the 2025-26 NBA season is nearly complete, the NBA does not necessarily need to rush this process, because any potential changes would not impact the bottom of the standings this year. Still, the league is prioritizing the anti-tanking effort and wants to enact changes sooner rather than later.
The NBA will convene a special session of the Board of Governors to vote on any formalized proposals for the 2026-27 season.
“This meeting was not about pointing fingers at any team in particular,” Silver said. “Again, I understand where the incentives are. We understand why it results in certain behavior. I will say it seemed unanimous in the room that we needed to make a change and we needed to make a change for next season. Exactly what that change is, we’re continuing to work on. No votes were taken today.
“I think there’s also unanimous agreement that we need to make this change in advance of the draft and free agency this year so all the teams understand the rules of the road going into next year.”
Here's a look at the concepts presented:
Concept No. 1: Expand NBA draft lottery eligibility to play-in teams
In this scenario, 18 teams would qualify for the lottery. The 10 teams with the worst records would have the same chance, 8%, to win the lottery. The eight teams that qualify for the Play-In Tournament would then divvy up the remaining 20% of odds, in descending order, from Nos. 11-18.
Concept No. 2: WNBA-style weighted lottery
This concept blends some facets of the way the WNBA operates its lottery. In this scenario, 22 teams would be lottery-eligible. This would include the same 18 teams as the scenario above, while adding the four teams that lose their first-round playoff series.
Then, similar to the way the WNBA ranks teams for its lottery, the NBA would weight teams by their combined records over the most recent two seasons.
Concept No. 3: 18-team lottery most similar to current system
This concept is closest to the way the lottery is set up right now, with some tweaks.
In this version, 18 teams would qualify for the lottery: the teams with the 10 worst records, plus the eight play-in teams. This concept would give the teams with the five worst records — as opposed to the teams with the three worst records in the current setup — the same odds to win the lottery.
Then, odds would go in descending order for the teams ranked sixth through 18th.
Similar to the current lottery system, this concept would have some protections in place to prevent for statistical aberrations: the lowest fall one of the five worst teams could have would be the No. 10 pick.
How does the NBA come up with anti-tanking concepts?
It starts with ongoing discussions and ideas. These can come from team operations or from people within the league office, but the NBA is trying to curate options that appear to have the most traction in a comprehensive list.
The effort to curate and distill these ideas into concepts is being led by NBA executive vice president of basketball strategy and analytics Evan Wasch, NBA president of league operations Byron Spruell and executive vice president, head of basketball operations James Jones. Those three are in constant contact with the NBA’s competition committee so that when the concepts are presented to NBA owners, they’re listed clearly and concisely.
Would any change be permanent?
Almost certainly not. During his press conference, Silver said he believed the league’s previous efforts to combat tanking with lottery reform had worked, but he acknowledged that changes in collective bargaining and changes in analytics and behavior rendered the previous reforms obsolete.
“The world changes, behavior changes,” Silver said. “I don’t necessarily think the changes we made over the last 40 years or so were necessarily wrong. I think in some cases they worked for a period of time. Math is math. When we make those changes and change odds, you know exactly statistically where you’re going to come out.
“What’s changed is behavior around those odds. It may be as the value of franchises has gone up, as the analytics have gotten more sophisticated, as pressure has come from fan bases to engage in behavior that even team ownership or GMs are not proud of, that’s where we find ourselves.”
He also cautioned against the framing of any upcoming lottery reform as a “forever fix” and vowed that the league would continually look at potential changes to the lottery as league economics and league dynamics changed.
“If I’m the one standing at the podium (in five years), I want to make it clear that I recognize things may change also because there also may be changes that we see through collective bargaining or other changes to the system that may impact what we’re doing now,” Silver said. “Certainly going into next season, the incentives will be completely different than they are now.”
MONACO (AP) — Novak Djokovic has pulled out of the Monte Carlo Masters after having skipped the Miami Open with a right shoulder injury.
“We send him our best wishes and hope to see him back on court very soon,” the clay-court tournament wrote Friday in announcing Djokovic's withdrawal in an Instagram message.
The post didn't specify the 38-year-old Djokovic's reason for pulling out, but the 24-time Grand Slam champion hasn't played since losing in three sets to Jack Draper in the fourth round of the BNP Paribas Open two weeks ago.
ANTALYA, Turkey (AP) — Players held small backpacks as Iran's national soccer team used a match against Nigeria on Friday to honor the victims of a deadly missile strike on an elementary school.
More than 165 people were killed, most of them children, when a Feb. 28 strike, likely launched by the U.S., hit the school in southern Iran. Neither the United States nor Israel has accepted responsibility for the attack, which has come under staunch criticism from the United Nations and human rights groups. The U.S. military is investigating and has said it would never target civilians.
During the national anthem Friday, the Iranian team honored the memory of the slain children by placing small pink and purple school backpacks in front of them.
Video of the ceremony also showed the players wearing black armbands in remembrance of those killed since the war began.
The match was played in Antalya, southern Turkey.
Nigeria won 2-1 in a game that was a World Cup tuneup for Iran, ahead of the tournament being co-hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada.
The Islamic Republic's team is scheduled to play three group-stage matches in June in the U.S. The Iranian ambassador in Mexico City has said the country asked FIFA to move those three games to Mexico after U.S. President Donald Trump discouraged the team from attending, citing safety concerns.
Iranian government and soccer officials have said they do not want to boycott the World Cup but that it is not possible for the national team to go to the U.S. because of military attacks on Iran by Israel and U.S.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino has dampened Iran’s attempts to move its matches, saying global soccer’s governing body wants the tournament “to go ahead as scheduled.”
Separately on Friday, Iran’s judiciary threatened to seize the property of soccer player Sardar Azmoun, two semiofficial news agencies said. The announcement follows threats from Iran’s hard-liner judicial chief that authorities planned to seize the assets of celebrities viewed as critical of the government.
Our NBA player prop projections are locked in for tonight’s Eastern Conference matchup between the Miami Heat and Cleveland Cavaliers, with the model highlighting several standout opportunities.
After digging into the data and lining it up against current market prices, we’ve identified the bets with the strongest value.
If you’re putting together your card, these are the model’s top NBA picks for Friday, March 27.
Heat vs Cavaliers computer picks for March 27
Heat
Cavaliers
Adebayo o20.5 points -112
Mitchell u28.5 points -120
Powell o2.5 threes -105
Allen o7.5 rebounds -125
Herro o4.5 rebounds -120
Harden u8.5 assists -135
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Heat computer picks
Bam Adebayo Over 20.5 points (-112)
Projection: 21.3 points
Bam Adebayo has been on a tear, averaging 28.8 points per game over his last 10 outings, a jump of 8.5 points above his season average.
With the Miami Heat playing at the fastest pace in the league this year, Adebayo is in a prime position to keep it rolling after clearing this points prop in eight of his last 10 games.
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Norman Powell Over 2.5 3-pointers (-105)
Projection: 3.1 3-pointers
Norman Powell has cleared this 2.5 made threes line in five of his last 10 games, and the underlying trends suggest he’s well-positioned to do it again tonight against the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Powell thrives off catch-and-shoot opportunities and secondary actions rather than needing heavy on-ball usage. That’s key against a Cavaliers defense that tends to collapse into the paint to protect its interior, often conceding clean looks from beyond the arc to perimeter scorers.
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Tyler Herro Over 4.5 rebounds (-120)
Projection: 4.6 rebounds
Miami has quietly been one of the league’s strongest offensive rebounding teams on the road, ranking fourth over its last 15 away games.
Facing a vulnerable Cavaliers squad, that edge should translate into more board opportunities for Tyler Herro, who has already cleared this 4.5 rebound line in seven of his last 10 outings.
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Cavaliers computer picks
Donovan Mitchell Under 28.5 points (-120)
Projection: 27.5 points
Cleveland has played at the fourth-slowest pace at home over its last five games, a tempo that doesn’t favor Donovan Mitchell in this matchup with Miami.
That trend aligns with his recent production, as he’s gone Under this 28.5-point line in eight of his last 10 games.
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Jarrett Allen Over 7.5 rebounds (-125)
Projection: 9.1 rebounds
Miami’s league-leading pace this season should create extra possessions for Cleveland, setting the stage for Jarrett Allen to stay active on the glass.
He’s been a force in that department, clearing this 7.5 rebounds line in eight of his last 10 games.
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James Harden Under 8.5 assists (-135)
Projection: 8.0 assists
James Harden has struggled to consistently hit the 8.5-assist mark lately, going Under in seven of his last 10 games.
Miami’s defense thrives on switching and disrupting passing lanes, which can force Harden into more contested or low-percentage looks when trying to facilitate.
The Heat often funnel the ball toward defenders in the paint while rotating quickly to cover shooters, limiting easy passing options and making it harder for primary ball-handlers to rack up assists.
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How to watch Heat vs Cavaliers tonight
Location
Rocket Arena, Cleveland, OH
Date
Friday, March 27, 2026
Tip-off
7:30 p.m. ET
TV
FDSN Sun, FDSN Ohio
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CHARLOTTE, NC - MARCH 26: Jalen Brunson #11 of the New York Knicks shoots a free throw during the game against the Charlotte Hornets on March 26, 2026 at Spectrum Center in Charlotte, North Carolina. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Adam Hagy/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
There’s an old saying that we’ve all heard plenty of times throughout our lives:
“Be careful what you wish for.”
In sports, the saying can be applied to preferential matchups in the postseason. While there’s no such thing as being able to choose your opponent (yet), there have been situations where teams try to position themselves in such a way to get a favorable first-round matchup.
In 2024, the Eastern Conference was tightly packed, so much so that essentially nothing was solidified ahead of Game 82. To add further intrigue, a healthy Sixers team and the always-annoying Miami Heat were set to fight in the 7-8 play-in game, making the No. 2 seed a potential landmine with seemingly softer opponents in Indiana or Orlando awaiting the No. 3 and No. 4 seed.
As such, the Cavaliers mailed it in on the final day of the season, content with drawing the Magic in the first round. The strategy worked, as Cleveland won that series in seven games, but they then ran into a brick wall in the eventual champion Celtics. As we all remember, the Knicks won an overtime game with the Bulls to take the No. 2 seed, take on the challenge of the healthy Sixers, and win that series in six games.
You should never intentionally try to get the best possible matchup. Tempting the basketball gods is never a good idea, so regardless of how things look beneath the Knicks, they should be solely focused on getting the best possible seed, sitting a game back of the Boston Celtics for the No. 2 seed with eight to go.
But there are big, stylistic differences between the glut of six teams that could potentially match up with the Knicks. As they jockey for position, it’s only fair to wonder what would be the best path for the Knicks for a smooth pass through the first round and onto greener pastures.
Atlanta Hawks
Record: 41-32 Season series: 1-1 Record vs top-5 teams: 3-9 How hot are they? Blisteringly hot
Our old foes seemed to have realized Trae Young was the problem and have surged since trading him to be Washington’s new tank commander.
But even immediately after formally handing the keys to Jalen Johnson, the Hawks were 26-30 at the all-star break and looked like a lock to be playing in the 9-10 play-in game. Of course, they’ve since gone a blistering 15-2, although most of these wins have been against tanking or injured teams.
Both season series meetings came within a week of each other around the New Year, with the Knicks surviving a torrid comeback effort in late December in Atlanta before getting trounced at MSG in early January during the 11-game stretch of hell.
Johnson is a wrecking ball who could easily average a triple-double in a playoff series. Nickeil Alexander-Walker is enjoying a great breakout season that should earn him Most Improved Player consideration. They’re a great shooting team that’s red hot. They have several long, lanky role players that will make Jalen Brunson’s life hell over a seven-game series. They have the scoring. Why would you want to face them?
— Basketball Performances (@NBAPerformances) March 27, 2026
Well, some of their shooting is deceiving. Luke Kennard and Vit Krejci are gone, and Jonathan Kuminga is shooting at a baffling 48% clip from downtown. The active roster threats are NAW, Keaton Wallace, and Asa Newell. You won’t be threatened much by Johnson (34.9%), CJ McCollum (34.7%), and especially Dyson Daniels (15.7%). Towns dominated Onyeka Okongwu in their only head-to-head matchup this season, and with the poise he’s been playing with lately? I’d count on it again.
They’d be a fine opponent, frisky, but not the most dangerous. Big risk-reward here. On one hand, you have to deal with another 2o21 if you lose, but if you win, you can effectively erase it.
Toronto Raptors
Record: 40-32 Season series: 0-4 Record vs top-5 teams: 2-11 How hot are they? Very lukewarm
The Raptors are below .500 since their 14-5 start, which is the only thing keeping them out of the play-in at this point. We’ve seen them four times this season, and each time, the Knicks punked them. Sometimes they keep it close for a quarter, half, or even 40+ minutes, but they’ve given up a massive run to break the game open in all four meetings, going through stretches of putrid basketball.
Aside from stunning OKC on the road in January and a recent win against Detroit, they’ve been awful against teams with a better record. Their third-best win might be against a pre-Harden Cavaliers squad.
Their offense is completely reliant on Brandon Ingram, who’s cooked the Knicks all season long. Yet, in multiple games, he’s gone off early and been muted in the second half. Scottie Barnes has made tremendous strides defensively, but the offensive leap into superstardom has eluded him. OAKAAK’s RJ Barrett and Immanuel Quickley occasionally show brilliant flashes, but have been inconsistent.
If the Raptors are going to be competitive in the playoffs, they’ll do it on the backs of their defense, which has carried them at times this season. Rewatch the first seven-ish minutes of the last Knicks-Raptors game, and you’ll see what I mean. When they want to get nasty, they can get nasty.
Their downfall is multi-faceted. They don’t have enough shooting (23rd in 3PT%), they’re very reliant on Ingram, and maybe the most damning of all, rebounding. Jakob Poeltl’s return has muted some concerns, but he’s the only player on the roster taller than 6’9”. In every matchup with the Knicks this season, it’s been a bloodbath on the boards, and if these two teams square off, it’ll be the Mitchell Robinson show.
On paper, this is who you want to face, but again, be careful what you wish for. We’ve seen crazier things.
Philadelphia 76ers
Record: 40-33 Season series: 2-2 Record vs top-5 teams: 4-10 How hot are they? Cold, but slowly warming
How do you judge the Sixers? They’re the most volatile team in sports.
When at full health, they’re as scary as they were in 2024, when teams tried to avoid facing them. Joel Embiid has looked close to MVP form when he’s been on the court, Tyrese Maxey is a full-blown star, and Paul George is back from suspension and playing team basketball. They have a great collection of role players that include OAKAAK Quentin Grimes, rookie phenom VJ Edgecombe, and sudden corner-3 aficionado Andre Drummond.
So why are they in the play-in? Well, they keep getting hurt.
Embiid has missed 39 games, and just when it felt like he was getting back in the groove after missing a month early on, knee soreness and an oblique issue cost him 16 of the first 18 after the all-star break. Maxey is recovering from a finger injury that might cost him All-NBA. George was suspended for PEDs. There are nights where Grimes is the first option, like last March.
To evaluate the Sixers, you have to see how healthy they are. The last time Embiid played in the playoffs, he barely made it through a six-game series with a re-injured knee and Bell’s palsy, and then essentially missed all of the next season. The Sixers remain a trainwreck without him, and he’s only played in five consecutive games once all season. Depending on how he feels, they could be a pushover or a force to be reckoned with.
Record: 39-34 Season series: 2-1 Record vs top-5 teams: 4-6 How hot are they? Hypernova
Where did this even come from? The first two times we saw Charlotte, they were the same mess of young players who couldn’t put it all together as they stumbled to a 16-28 start.
Since then? They’re 23-6. They’ve been pummeling good team after good team and made yet another statement with a dominant effort against the Knicks on Thursday night. Their average margin of victory is literally the greatest in NBA history!!!
Highest average point differential in wins, all-time:
2025-26 CHARLOTTE HORNETS (+18.1) 1970-71 Milwaukee Bucks (+17.5) 2024-25 OKC Thunder (+17.3) 2021-22 Boston Celtics (+16.9) 2011-12 Philadelphia 76ers (+16.8) pic.twitter.com/qYctUTxGAT
I haven’t watched them much, so last night was an eye-opener. They have such effortless shooting ability from almost everyone on the roster. The finally healthy LaMelo Ball is the head of the snake who handles the playmaking and gets the ball to Kon Knueppel and Brandon Miller for open jumpers. Their offense is a well-oiled machine that’s so hard to stop because they’re good at everything. Since they turned their season around, they have a 121.5 offensive rating, best in basketball.
The defense has been surprisingly stout as well, ranking fifth in that span, and it makes sense. Between Miller, Miles Bridges, Moussa Diabate, Grant Williams, Ryan Kalkbrenner, etc, you have a lot of guys who can defend. They also don’t have any size disadvantages with Knueppel and Ball being taller than your average backcourt.
Speaking of size… I’ve never seen a team dominate the Knicks on the boards like they did last night. Since January 21, the Hornets have led the NBA with a 37 OREB% and 55.1% rebounding share. They effectively muted Robinson all night, and their size and length made KAT uncomfortable. It’s jarring how quickly Charles Lee has done this.
Knicks should want no part of them early. Nobody should. If Detroit’s struggles from deep continue in the playoffs and they draw the Hornets, they’re in serious danger.
Miami Heat
Record: 39-34 Season series: 2-2 Record vs top-5 teams: 4-6 How hot are they? Cooling off
Miami won 10 of 12 around the all-star break, but then lost five in a row to suddenly be in danger of playing in the 9-10 game. Still, they’re more than close enough to make a run to face the Knicks with their… 83-point scorer? I keep forgetting that it actually did happen.
Miami’s issue has been getting everyone healthy at the same time, but they seem to have Tyler Herro finally in a groove alongside Norman Powell and Bam Adebayo. Erik Spoelstra switched the formula for this season and has turned the Heat into a high-paced cheetah that sees most of their games turn into shootouts.
Despite this, they’re fifth in defensive rating, still employing the same nastiness as ever, while wearing teams out in transition. They play clean basketball, they can shoot, they have enough avenues to score that diversify their offense, they can be tough.
The Knicks haven’t seen them in a few months, and the matchups have certainly been interesting. There’s history here from 2023, even if both rosters have been significantly turned over since. Rekindling an old rivalry wouldn’t be the worst thing.
Orlando Magic
Record: 39-34 Season series: 2-2 Record vs top-5 teams: 4-10 How hot are they?Suddenly frosty
Orlando was floundering when March began, but rattled off seven consecutive wins to make it look like things were coming together. Then, of course, they immediately lost six in a row to fall to the back of the pack.
Their biggest enemy has been health once again, as Franz Wagner has played exactly four games since originally suffering a high ankle sprain against the Knicks on December 7. He’ll likely be back for the playoffs, but it’s hard to expect him to be playing at peak level after re-injuring that ankle twice in return attempts, not to mention rust. Paolo Banchero continues to refuse to acknowledge his physical strengths and keeps trying to be a shooter, so the absence of Franz looms large.
Speaking of shooting, they added Desmond Bane in the offseason to fix that glaring wart. How’s it been going? Well, they’re 25th in 3PT% so…
Bane and Tristan De Silva are snipers, but among healthy regulars, only Jett Howard is shooting above 34%. Even if they are still struggling to score enough points to win consistently, they still employ some absolute grinders that will slow down your offense, including Jalen Suggs, Anthony Black, Jevon Carter, and Wendell Carter Jr. (plus Jonathan Isaac, whenever he plays).
All four meetings between these two teams were before Christmas and were very annoying, but that’s a long time ago. With how Banchero has risen to the occasion in the last two postseasons, they could be a tough out, but if Franz isn’t healthy, they shouldn’t have much of a real pulse.
Mar 18, 2026; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard Jrue Holiday (5) in the second half against the Indiana Pacers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images | Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images
It’s just past noon here at the desk, the post breakfast Häagen-Dazs Coffee Almond Toffee is open. As unhealthy as that may seem, my only defense is that I am juggling quite a bit right now and sometimes ice cream is the only thing that sounds like it might turn the day sweet for a moment. The only other notion that feels sweet is helping you make some money tonight.
Out late on the west coast tonight, the Dallas Mavericks (23-50) are in Portland as they prepare to square off with the Trail Blazers (37-37) in a game that means very different things to each team. Portland just clinched a play-in spot and is playing its best basketball of the season—23-17 since January 1, riding a two-game win streak, and hungry to nudge above .500 for the first time since November. Dallas is on a five-game skid but has been far more competitive than that sounds, dropping two overtime games before getting clawed back in Denver. Cooper Flagg had 26 Wednesday. The Mavericks are not mailing it in. If one thing is clear by now, these Mavs are trying to win every game, tanking is incidental.
Let’s scan the lines in search of value.
🏀 Fixture: Dallas Mavericks (23-50) @ Portland Trail Blazers (37-37) 📍 Moda Center — Portland, OR 🕙 9:00 PM CST, Friday, March 27, 2026 📺 NBA TV / KFAA Channel 29 / MavsTV
📊 DraftKings Snapshot (as of 12:04 PM CST) Spread: POR -10.5 (-110) | DAL +10.5 (-110) Total: 239.5 (O -110 / U -110) Moneyline: POR -470 | DAL +360
📉 Game Side Lean: Portland -10.5
Portland is the better team, playing at home, with something to play for. Dallas is without Gafford—a fresh shoulder injury that matters against a Portland frontcourt built around Donovan Clingan eating offensive rebounds for breakfast. Clingan is the league leader in offensive boards (Steven Adams lacks the games played to qualify) and has been expanding his game with real three-point range this season. Without Gafford anchoring the paint, Portland will feast inside and the Mavericks’ already thin frontcourt gets stretched further. The Blazers handle business at home. Lay the points.
🔮 Total Lean: Over 239.5
Portland is a team that plays fast, shoots constantly, and crashes the glass for second-chance points. Five rotation players take more than six threes a game, and they rank top-five in possessions and field goal attempts. Dallas scores in bunches too when the offense is clicking—Flagg, Marshall, and a five-game losing streak’s worth of pent-up aggression. Neither defense is going to save anyone tonight. Points are coming.
🎯 Player Props We Like
Cooper Flagg Over 22.5 Points (-116) Flagg had 26 on Wednesday in Denver and has been the engine of everything Dallas does offensively. Portland’s defense is not its calling card—they rank 29th in three-point percentage allowed, which tells you they’re giving up looks liberally. Flagg is locked in and this team runs through him when things get going. The number is reasonable and the matchup is favorable.
Jrue Holiday Under 15.5 Points (-123) Holiday is a glue guy on a team with plenty of other scoring options—Avdija, Clingan, Camara, Grant, Henderson. Portland doesn’t need him to carry the offense, and against a Dallas team in scramble mode, his value will show up in the assist column and on the defensive end rather than the scoring sheet. The juice is a little steep but the logic is clean.
💡 Summary: Portland -10.5 at home with everything to play for. Over 239.5 because neither team came to play defense. Flagg doing Flagg things, Holiday staying in his lane. Four picks, and if we win one more bowl of Coffee Almond Toffee. Let’s go Mavs.
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