Duke Blue Devils star Cooper Flagg is the presumptive first overall pick in the NBA Draft this June. Kevin O'Connor & Tom Haberstroh discuss the teams that might make for the best fit with Flagg's talents. Could a pairing with Gregg Popovich and Victor Wembanyama create a perennial powerhouse in San Antonio? Hear the full conversation on “The Kevin O’Connor Show” and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube or wherever you listen.
Inside Coverage: Will Cam Ward transform the Titans into a perennial winner?
(This article was written with the assistance of Castmagic, an AI tool, and reviewed by our editorial team to ensure accuracy. Please reach out to us if you notice any mistakes.)
In all likelihood, the Tennessee Titans will select Cam Ward with the No. 1 overall pick in the upcoming NFL Draft. But ... will Ward transform the Titans into a perennial winner?
Jason Fitz, Jori Epstein, and Frank Schwab discussed that on the latest episode of the "Inside Coverage" podcast.
Epstein compared the Titans' interest in Cam Ward to a dating scenario, suggesting that while the Titans are interested in him, they still want to confirm he's the right fit through additional evaluations, much like collecting more data points in a relationship before making a commitment. She mentioned that the Titans haven't finalized their decision yet because they are still gathering information from various pro days and visits.
"Do I think that the Titans are going to draft Cam Ward? Yes," Epstein said. "Do I think they think they want to draft Cam Ward?"
Fitz highlighted concerns about whether Cam Ward being the first overall pick equates to the same enthusiasm that other teams had with quarterbacks like Joe Burrow or Caleb Williams in previous drafts. He noted that historically, top picks display an aggressive, undeniable excitement from the drafting team, which seems a bit less robust in this case from the Titans.
"I think this whole thing to me feels like, well, we're together and I need a quarterback and you need a team," Fitz said.
Schwab added that while he believes the Titans are on track to select Ward, the way they are handling the decision process indicates they want to be sure of their pick without prematurely committing before all evaluations are complete.
In summary, while Ward is likely the pick for the Titans, there are reservations about whether he will completely transform the team, as the Titans' approach seems more calculated and reserved compared to the usual fervor seen with No. 1 overall draft picks.
To hear more NFL discussions, tune into Inside Coverage on Apple, Spotify or YouTube.
Chris Paul, about to turn 40, talks retirement: 'I’m going to keep playing, I think'
Chris Paul has been solid on the court and the veteran leader the San Antonio Spurs brought him in to be this season. He has played a role in the growth of Victor Wembanyama and Rookie of the Year frontrunner Stephon Castle.
He's also averaging numbers — 8.8 points, 7.6 assists a game — well below his career averages. He turns 40 just after the season ends. Does he want to keep going? Marc Spears of ESPN's Andscape brought up the dreaded retirement word to CP3, but it sounds like he will return.
"I'll be 40 in May. So, yeah man, I'm going to keep playing, I think," Paul told Andscape recently. "At the end of every season, I evaluate everything. Evaluate playing. Evaluate how my body feels. But the more years that go by, it's more conversations with my family, with my kids. They have a lot of say so. They got a lot of input.
"Obviously, I got a lot of homies, friends that have retired or whatnot. And they are always like, 'Man, play as long as you possibly can. Play as long as you possibly can.' And I appreciate that. But I also, I just always want to talk to my kids about it because that's the most important job that I have. I love to play. I definitely love my kids and my family more than I like to play. Anybody who's in this knows the sacrifice could goes longer. I said this summer I will evaluate it and talk to my family about it."
His choice may well come down to situation and money.
Paul is making $10.5 million this season on an expiring contract, can he find that kind of money again next season? It's also unclear if he would return to San Antonio, the Spurs traded for De'Aaron Fox and want to give heavy minutes to him and Castle at the one, so there may not be a lot of minutes for CP3. Other teams would be interested, but Paul has prioritized trying to be close to his family in Southern California during the season. Paul also would prioritize playing for a team expected to make a deep playoff run. That's a lot of things that have to come together.
There will be teams interested in Paul. If he wants it, he will be able to play a 21st season in the league. It's just a matter of priorities for the future Hall of Famer.
Florida ready for Final Four stage, familiar foe in Auburn
Yahoo Sports’ Jason Fitz reports from San Antonio on the Gators’ approach into Saturday’s national semifinal against their SEC rivals and the pressure of performing on the sport’s biggest stage.
Thunder vs. Rockets Predictions: Odds, recent stats, trends and, best bets for April 4
Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Houston Rockets Preview
The Oklahoma City Thunder (64-12) and Houston Rockets (50-27) are all set to square off from Toyota Center in Houston.
Rockets star Dillon Brooks will miss tonight's game because he was suspended for one game for receiving his 16th technical.
The Thunder are currently 29-7 on the road with a point differential of 13, while the Rockets have a 8-2 record in their last ten games at home.
We’ve got all the info and analysis you need to know ahead of the game, including the latest info on the how to catch tipoff, odds, recent team performance, player stats, and of course, our predictions, picks & best bets for the game from our modeling tools and staff of experts.
Listen to the Rotoworld Basketball Show for the latest fantasy player news, waiver claims, roster advice and more from our experts all season long. Click here or download it wherever you get your podcasts.
Game details & how to watch Thunder vs. Rockets live today
- Date: Friday, April 4, 2025
- Time: 8:00PM EST
- Site: Toyota Center
- City: Houston, TX
- Network/Streaming:
Never miss a second of the action and stay up to date with all the latest team stats and player news. Check out our day-by-day NBA schedule page, along with detailed matchup pages that update live in-game.
Game odds for Thunder vs. Rockets
The latest odds as of Friday:
- Odds: Thunder (-266), Rockets (+215)
- Spread: Thunder -6.5
- Over/Under: 230 points
That gives the Thunder an implied team point total of 117.36, and the Rockets 113.97.
Want to know which sportsbook is offering the best lines for every game on the NBA calendar? Check out the NBC Sports’ Live Odds tool to get all the latest updated info from DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM & more!
Expert picks & predictions for Friday's Thunder vs. Rockets game
NBC Sports Bet Best Bet
Please bet responsibly. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline at 1-800-522-4700.
Brad Thomas (@MrBradThomas) is betting on the Thunder -6
Thomas: “The Thunder have won 18 of their last 19 games. They have covered in eleven straight games. In that span, they have done it all. They have covered as underdogs, they have covered as double-digit favorites, and and they have covered as 20+ point favorites. They have been the model of excellence. The Rockets are no layup by any means. However, with Brooks sidelined tonight, the Rockets and their emotional leader will be without their primary defender on SGA.”
Our model calculates projections around each moneyline, spread and over/under bet for every game on the NBA calendar based on data points like recent performance, head-to-head player matchups, trends information and projected game totals.
Once the model is finished running, we put its projections next to the latest betting lines for the game to arrive at a relative confidence level for each wager.
Here are the best bets our model is projecting for today’s Thunder & Rockets game:
- Moneyline: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the Oklahoma City Thunder on the Moneyline.
- Spread: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play ATS on the Houston Rockets at +6.5.
- Total: NBC Sports Bet is staying away from a play on the Game Total of 230.
Want even more NBA best bets and predictions from our expert staff & tools? Check out the Expert NBA Predictions page from NBC Sports for money line, spread and over/under picks for every game on today’s calendar!
Important stats, trends & insights to know ahead of Thunder vs. Rockets on Friday
- The Thunder have won 11 straight road games
- The Over is 25-21 in the Thunder's matchups against Western Conference teams this season
- The Rockets have covered in 41 of their 77 games this season
- The Thunder are on a streak of 11 straight road wins
If you’re looking for more key trends and stats around the spread, moneyline and total for every single game on the schedule today, check out our NBA Top Trends tool on NBC Sports!
Bet the Edge is your source for all things sports betting. Get all of Jay Croucher and Drew Dinsick’s insight weekdays at 6AM ET right here or wherever you get your favorite podcasts.
Follow our experts on socials to keep up with all the latest content from the staff:
- Jay Croucher (@croucherJD)
- Drew Dinsick (@whale_capper)
- Vaughn Dalzell (@VmoneySports)
- Brad Thomas (@MrBradThomas)
Gretzky Joins Bettman for Ovechkin’s NHL Record Chase
Two hockey dignitaries were in attendance Friday night to witness the Great 8 pursue NHL history.
NHL commissioner Gary Bettman and Hall of Famer Wayne Gretzky were in the building together for the Washington Capitals’ game against the Chicago Blackhawks as left winger Alex Ovechkin tied Gretzky’s all-time regular season career goals record of 894 with goals in the first and third periods of a 5-3 victory. The longtime Capitals captain is now one away from breaking the 31-year-old record after recording No. 892 in a 5-1 loss to the Carolina Hurricanes in Raleigh, N.C., earlier this week.
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Gretzky joined Bettman, who was in attendance with Capitals owner Ted Leonsis on Wednesday night. Both Gretzky and Bettman had already been planning to go from game to game to watch Ovechkin’s pursuit in person but at first couldn’t quite decide on when.
“Wayne Gretzky and I were having the debate,” Bettman said speaking at a Sportradar event on Tuesday. “I said with five to go we should start. He said, ‘No, we’ll do it at 4’. … We have a traveling road show.”
Fans can expect to see the commissioner and The Great One in attendance moving forward until Ovechkin breaks the record. They’re expected to be joined by a host of NHL officials and other league stakeholders during each of his stops, with the playoff-bound Capitals having six regular-season games left after Friday night’s win. Once the record is broken, the league is planning to briefly pause the game as the commissioner joins the Russian hockey star for an on-ice celebration that highlights the feat in real time.
NHL media partner ESPN is planning to provide more coverage tonight on NHL Power Play. The network also recently launched OviCast, a special alternate presentation. The alt-cast, which made its debut last week and features an isolated camera on Ovechkin in one box, will be available again when the Caps host the Hurricanes on next Thursday. That same night Prime Video in Canada will feature the Caps on NHL Coast to Coast as part of its whiparound coverage. The same will happen on April 17 when the Caps travel to face the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Ovechkin, the No. 1 pick in the 2004 NHL Draft, has recorded his 14th season with at least 40 goals, extending his NHL record. The 39-year-old has scored 41 goals through 60 games despite missing five weeks earlier this season with a fractured fibula.
Ovechkin’s record chase has set off a memorabilia collection frenzy, from his personal stash to auction houses. The historical sports moment has also provided the Capitals with unique business opportunities while fulfilling their captain’s philanthropic efforts. The team announced on Wednesday that it is partnering with Union Market District to open a temporary skating rink, where a portion of proceeds from ticket sales will go to his pediatric cancer research initiative called The GR8 Chase for Victory Over Cancer.
(This story, originally published Friday afternoon, has been updated throughout to reflect the happenings of Friday night’s game.)
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Celtics break Warriors' single-season 3-point NBA record vs. Suns
Celtics break Warriors' single-season 3-point NBA record vs. Suns originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area
The Boston Celtics broke one of the NBA’s 3-point records in Friday’s win over the Phoenix Suns, and it probably won’t be the only one they set during their historic season from beyond the arc.
The Celtics have passed the 2022-23 Golden State Warriors for the most 3-pointers made by one team in a single season. The Warriors’ record was 1,363, and the Celtics currently stand at 1,370 after making 14 3-pointers against the Suns.
Payton Pritchard’s 3-pointer in the second quarter Friday night was the record-breaker for Boston, which still has five regular-season games remaining to extend the record.
Back in 2016-17, Isaiah Thomas set the Celtics record for most 3-pointers made in a season with 245. Derrick White broke this record on Monday, and it’s likely Jayson Tatum and Payton Pritchard will surpass Thomas before the regular season concludes.
Barring a surprise downturn in the Celtics’ 3-point shooting, they are on track to break two more 3-point records.
The Utah Jazz set the record for most 3-point shots made per game with 16.74 during the 2020-21 season, and the Celtics are at 17.9 per game.
The Houston Rockets set the record for most 3-point attempts per game with 45.38 in the 2018-19 campaign, and the Celtics are at 48.5 per game.
The Celtics have ranked first or second in both 3-pointers made and attempted per game every season since Joe Mazzulla took over as head coach in 2022. His 3-point-heavy strategy has produced fantastic results. Boston reached the NBA Finals in 2022 and 2024 (won the title) and Game 7 of the 2023 Eastern Conference Finals.
It’s very difficult to beat the Celtics when they’re firing on all cylinders from beyond the arc. The C’s have made 15 or more 3-pointers in 62 of their 75 games so far this season, and they’ve won 48 of those matchups.
If the Celtics continue to hit 17.9 3-pointers per game throughout the 2025 NBA playoffs, it’s hard to imagine any team beating them four times in a seven-game series.
Creighton lands ex-Iowa forward Owen Freeman, the Big Ten freshman of the year in 2023-24
Former Iowa forward Owen Freeman, the 2023-24 Big Ten freshman of the year, has signed with Creighton. The 6-foot-10 Freeman averaged 16.7 points and 6.7 rebounds in 19 starts this season for the Hawkeyes before missing the final two months following finger surgery. Freeman has two years of eligibility remaining.
Mets Notes: Juan Soto getting first Citi Field ovation, emotions high for home opener
Mets manager Carlos Mendoza spoke ahead of Friday's highly-anticipated home opener against the Blue Jays.
Here are the most important notes...
Juan Soto ready for a new Big Apple ovation
At long last, Juan Soto will hear his name introduced at Citi Field, nearly four months after signing a record-breaking $765 million contract to play in Queens. The ovations he received in Port St. Lucie throughout spring training came first, but the reception from a home crowd with nearly six times more fans will be unrivaled.
Soto's first road trip with the Mets was average, considering his superstar standards. The slugging outfielder hit .238 in 27 plate appearances, but collected his first home run and double while also walking six times.
It's safe to assume that Soto will enjoy the home cooking, even while getting settled into his new digs in a new borough. The 26-year-old has thrived at Citi Field in his career, slashing a laudable .333/.466/.709 with 12 homers, six doubles, and 26 RBI in 35 games. Mendoza realizes what Friday means to Soto and the fans.
"It's special, especially after the offseason and all the rumors," Mendoza said. "'Where is he going to go? Finally, he's a Met.' Getting to play in front of the home fanbase for the first time is going to feel real now, even though we're already six games into it. Coming home and getting that ovation today is going to be pretty special, and I'm sure the fans can't wait."
Citi FIeld should also give Pete Alonso a warm welcome. After months of stalled free-agent negotiations between the Mets and veteran slugger, there were moments when a reunion seemed doubtful.
But through six games, Alonso appears eager to live up to the two-year, $54 million prove-it contract he signed in mid-February. With a pair of clutch homers against the Marlins in Miami, he's delivered some swagger to a Mets lineup that's still trying to find its groove.
The consensus is that Soto will hear the loudest ovation during warmups, but Alonso brought the team back home with some much-needed momentum. Regardless, the incessant cheers won't only belong to them.
"The good thing is we can say the same thing about a lot of the guys here," Mendoza said. "What's the ovation going to be for Lindor? What about Nimmo? What about Pete? Because we didn't know what was going to happen and it happened late. The way he's been playing the past six games, the fact that he's back and what he means to this team and this fanbase. You can make a case for a lot of players here, and that's a good feeling."
The gates at Citi Field are officially open! pic.twitter.com/u6ex46CabP
— SNY (@SNYtv) April 4, 2025
Yes, there's no place like home
The Mets returned to the Big Apple on Thursday after completing a six-game road trip to begin the 2025 campaign, and when they take the field against the Blue Jays on Friday afternoon, they'll be vying for a ninth home-opening win since 2015.
Mendoza is plenty familiar with Opening Day atmospheres. Before taking over as Mets skipper in 2024, he spent six years in the Yankees' dugout as their bench coach. He's comfortable with heightened season expectations and raucous New York crowds, but the traditional pregame introductions and festivities for a home opener stir special emotions.
"It's always great to be home again, playing in front of your fanbase. Packed house, loud, very exciting," Mendoza said. "It's a unique atmosphere. The way the fans are into every pitch. They're right there behind you. It's a really good feeling, it's coming from a really good place. It's fun. It's kind of hard to describe, but it's such a special place here...
"Last year, I don't think we had a sold-out crowd. I think we're going to be sold-out today. It's a little different than last year, I think we got rained out. Going through the playoffs and feeling it, even though this is the home opener, it's pretty similar. It means a lot. It's a privilege, nothing we can ever take for granted."
Progress on the injury front
Mendoza shared encouraging updates on a few injured players who are in attendance for the home opener. Francisco Alvarez, who's still recovering from a fractured left hand, is scheduled to catch a bullpen thrown by Kodai Senga on Friday. The Mets catcher is also swinging the bat and handling cage work.
Alvarez participated in receiving drills with soft baseballs last week, while using his surgically-repaired left hand. He broke his left hamate bone on March 8 during live at-bats in camp, and the latest news suggests that he's still on track to return in late April, on the shorter end of the initial six-to-eight week recovery timeline.
As for Jeff McNeil, still working his way back from a mid-March oblique injury, he's taking swings off a machine in the cage, according to Mendoza. His return to the active roster still remains unknown. Mendoza also mentioned that lefty Paul Blackburn, who's on the injured list with a knee issue, is scheduled to throw a bullpen on Saturday. His season debut could arrive in a few weeks.
Duke freshman star Cooper Flagg named the AP men’s college basketball player of the year
Cooper Flagg becomes only the fourth freshman to win the award in its 64-year history.
Cavaliers vs. Spurs Predictions: Odds, recent stats, trends and, best bets for April 4
Cleveland Cavaliers vs. San Antonio Spurs Preview
The Cleveland Cavaliers (61-15) and San Antonio Spurs (32-44) are all set to square off from Frost Bank Center in San Antonio.
The Cavaliers have been up and down recently but are currently riding a two-game winning streak. They get a massively shorthanded San Antonio Spurs team tonight.
The Spurs are coming off a big win over the Nuggets. The win should be taken with a grain of salt. The majority of the Nuggets starters did not play in that game.
The Cavaliers are currently 28-10 on the road with a point differential of 10, while the Spurs have a 5-5 record in their last ten games at home.
We’ve got all the info and analysis you need to know ahead of the game, including the latest info on the how to catch tipoff, odds, recent team performance, player stats, and of course, our predictions, picks & best bets for the game from our modeling tools and staff of experts.
Listen to the Rotoworld Basketball Show for the latest fantasy player news, waiver claims, roster advice and more from our experts all season long. Click here or download it wherever you get your podcasts.
Game details & how to watch Cavaliers vs. Spurs live today
- Date: Friday, April 4, 2025
- Time: 8:00PM EST
- Site: Frost Bank Center
- City: San Antonio, TX
Never miss a second of the action and stay up to date with all the latest team stats and player news. Check out our day-by-day NBA schedule page, along with detailed matchup pages that update live in-game.
Game odds for Cavaliers vs. Spurs
The latest odds as of Friday:
- Odds: Cavaliers (-980), Spurs (+642)
- Spread: Cavaliers -14
- Over/Under: 239 points
That gives the Cavaliers an implied team point total of 125.85, and the Spurs 118.56.
Want to know which sportsbook is offering the best lines for every game on the NBA calendar? Check out the NBC Sports’ Live Odds tool to get all the latest updated info from DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM & more!
Expert picks & predictions for Friday's Cavaliers vs. Spurs game
NBC Sports Bet Best Bet
Please bet responsibly. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline at 1-800-522-4700.
Brad Thomas (@MrBradThomas) is betting on the Cavs -14…
Thomas: “The Cavaliers are at full strength. The two played each other on March 25th, and the game was closer than Cavs might have liked. The Spurs won the turnover battle and went to the line more than the Cavs. It was also a poor three point shooting night for the Cavs. That should not happen for a second time. They win by margin.”
Our model calculates projections around each moneyline, spread and over/under bet for every game on the NBA calendar based on data points like recent performance, head-to-head player matchups, trends information and projected game totals.
Once the model is finished running, we put its projections next to the latest betting lines for the game to arrive at a relative confidence level for each wager.
Here are the best bets our model is projecting for today’s Cavaliers & Spurs game:
- Moneyline: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play on the Cleveland Cavaliers on the Moneyline.
- Spread: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play ATS on the San Antonio Spurs at +14.
- Total: NBC Sports Bet is staying away from a play on the Game Total of 239.
Want even more NBA best bets and predictions from our expert staff & tools? Check out the Expert NBA Predictions page from NBC Sports for money line, spread and over/under picks for every game on today’s calendar!
Important stats, trends & insights to know ahead of Cavaliers vs. Spurs on Friday
- The Cavaliers have won 4 of their last 5 matchups against Western Conference Southwest Division teams
- The Spurs' last 4 home games have gone over the Total
- The Cavaliers are 3-7 against the spread in their last 10 games as a favorite
- The Cavaliers are 3-7 against the spread in their last 10 games as a favorite
If you’re looking for more key trends and stats around the spread, moneyline and total for every single game on the schedule today, check out our NBA Top Trends tool on NBC Sports!
Bet the Edge is your source for all things sports betting. Get all of Jay Croucher and Drew Dinsick’s insight weekdays at 6AM ET right here or wherever you get your favorite podcasts.
Follow our experts on socials to keep up with all the latest content from the staff:
- Jay Croucher (@croucherJD)
- Drew Dinsick (@whale_capper)
- Vaughn Dalzell (@VmoneySports)
- Brad Thomas (@MrBradThomas)
Northwestern and Chris Collins agree to contract extension through 2030
Chris Collins is the only coach in the program’s 120-year history to lead Northwestern to the NCAA Tournament.
St. John’s’ Rick Pitino, Auburn’s Bruce Pearl share AP coach of the year honors, 1st tie in history of award
Bruce Pearl has turned Auburn into a basketball school and may have his best team yet. Rick Pitino has done what he does best at St. John’s, ushering in a quick turnaround.
Duke star Cooper Flagg becomes just the fourth freshman to win AP men’s college basketball player of the year award
Duke star Cooper Flagg becomes just the fourth freshman to win AP men's college basketball player of the year award.
Fantasy Basketball Waiver Wire: Now-or-never pickups to help your playoff run
By Adam King, RotoWire
Special to Yahoo Sports
The majority of names on this list were likely not even on the radar for you a month ago. However, as is the experience at this time every year, deep-diving is a skill in itself. All five teams featured here have well and truly packed their bags for this season and are marching proudly toward the 2025 NBA Draft. If you are lucky enough to have made it this far, your season could very well come down to quantity over quality.
Whether it's targeting an offensive threat capable of delivering points and threes or a defensive-minded player who can help boost your blocks and steals, narrowing your focus can prove vital as you battle for seedings. Let's dive into five players who are currently rostered in fewer than 50% of Yahoo leagues.
Adem Bona, Philadelphia 76ers (31% rostered)
It's been a meteoric rise for Bona over the past week, putting up top-30 value in that time. Across four games, he is averaging 16.8 points, 8.0 rebounds, 1.5 steals and 3.5 blocks in 30.8 minutes, shooting 80.6% from the floor and 69.2% from the line. He had built some momentum earlier in the month before an injury ended up costing him five games. However, he has well and truly established himself as the starting center and, honestly, should serve as the primary backup behind Joel Embiid next season. Andre Drummond, despite still being an elite rebounder, is very limited offensively, and speed is certainly not a strength. As for the remainder of this campaign, Bona is someone who simply needs to be rostered in all formats.
Carlton "Bub" Carrington, Washington Wizards (15% rostered)
Carrington's rookie season has been a mixed bag, despite playing a relatively consistent role. Fresh off a career-high 32 points in a loss to the Magic, Carrington has now played at least 35 minutes in three straight games. He has scored double-digits in five of the past seven fixtures, seemingly becoming more comfortable on an NBA court. In nine games over the past two weeks, he is averaging 12.4 points, 5.1 rebounds, 5.3 assists and 2.3 3-pointers in 29.8 minutes per game. While his offensive output will likely fluctuate from one game to the next, he is a reliable source of assists and 3s, while also providing above-average rebounding numbers from the guard position.
Jamal Shead, Toronto Raptors (10% rostered)
Although his role is typically dependent on whether Immanuel Quickley is resting or not, Shead has done enough over the past two weeks to warrant a roster spot in most formats. Across seven games during that time, he is averaging 12.1 points, 2.6 rebounds, 5.4 assists, 1.9 steals and 1.4 3-pointers in just 23.8 minutes per game. The Raptors appear to have settled into a rhythm in which they give Quickley every second game off. This means Shead should be viewed as a part-time starter, at least for now. However, with a floor of 24 minutes per game, managers should seriously consider grabbing him, especially if in need of assists and steals.
Matisse Thybulle, Portland Trail Blazers (5% rostered)
Thybulle was basically a forgotten man this season due to an ankle injury, which prevented him from making his season debut until mid-March. However, since making his debut, Thybulle has played in 10 straight games, logging at least 25 minutes in each of the past two contests. The Trail Blazers are in no hurry to rush anyone back onto the court, meaning Thybulle should be able to hold down a relatively solid role for the remainder of the season. His fantasy value is quite clearly tied up in just one category, that being steals. Across his 10-game span, Thybulle is averaging 2.4 thefts per game. For anyone battling in their playoffs, 8-10 steals across a seven-day period could mean the difference between winning and losing, making him a viable streaming candidate, assuming he fills a need on your squad.
KJ Simpson, Charlotte Hornets (2% rostered)
With LaMelo Ball undergoing surgery on his wrist and ankle, Simpson has seemingly supplanted him as the starting point guard for the remainder of the season. He has assumed that role in four straight games, averaging 10.5 points, 4.5 rebounds, 4.3 assists, 1.3 steals and 1.8 3-pointers in 30.8 minutes per contest. His offensive game leaves a lot to be desired, but he is going to be given every opportunity to demonstrate what he can do down the stretch. Player development is the top priority for the Hornets at this point, and Simpson should be near the top of that list. Much like Shead, Simpson offers upside in assists and steals, while history would tell us that he could get hot at some point in the next two weeks, providing managers with a sneaky points boost.
Drop Candidates:
Kevin Durant, Phoenix Suns (96% rostered)
Tyrese Maxey, Philadelphia 76ers (92% rostered)
Anfernee Simons, Portland Trail Blazers (89% rostered)
Zion Williamson, New Orleans Pelicans (86% rostered)