Trail Blazers vs Spurs Computer Picks: Our Best Player Prop Projections for Game 5

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Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs are just one win away from their first playoff win in almost 10 years.

Our NBA player prop projections expect San Antonio's role players to play a big part in making that happen.

For more NBA picks, check out our full Trail Blazers vs. Spurs predictions.

Trail Blazers vs Spurs computer picks for Game 5

Trail Blazers Trail BlazersSpurs Spurs
Camara o8.5 points
-120
Fox o17.5 points
-110
Henderson o2.5 assists 
-115
Harper o9.5 points
-130
Williams III o6.5 points
-130
Vassell o12.5 points
-115

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Trail Blazers Game 5 computer picks

Toumani Camara Over 8.5 points (-120)

Projection: 11.93 points

This is one of two five-star plays according to our model.

Toumani Camara is a valued member of the Portland Trail Blazers' starting lineup, and they'll need to get buckets from everyone tonight.

Camara has eclipsed this line just once in the series but has finished at exactly eight twice. The volume will be there; he just needs to make them.

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Scoot Henderson Over 2.5 assists (-115)

Projection: 4.11 assists

Our second five-star play focuses on Scoot Henderson, who is coming off a rough outing. Henderson had a donut in the points column but still collected two assists.

The Blazers shot terribly as a whole, but with this being a kitchen-sink game, they'll step up on offense. That will lead to more dimes for Scoot.

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Robert Williams III Over 6.5 points (-130)

Projection: 8.58 points

Robert Williams III is a steady force off the Portland bench, seeing 23+ minutes in every game this series. Game 4 was the first time he failed to reach this posted points total, but as mentioned, everyone was off for the Blazers.

RW3 will get back on track, scoring easy buckets down low.

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Spurs Game 5 computer picks

De'Aaron Fox Over 17.5 points (-110)

Projection: 20.20 points

De'Aaron Fox has been superb for the San Antonio Spurs this season, and his best performance came over the weekend when he scored 28 points on 11-for-17 shooting.

Portland has its hands full again with Wemby, which allows Fox to go to work.

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Dylan Harper Over 9.5 points (-130)

Projection: 11.50 points

Before a stinker in Game 4, Dylan Harper scored double-digit points in back-to-back games. Harper is trusted to lead San Antonio's bench unit, and he'll find his rhythm when he returns home.

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Devin Vassell Over 12.5 points (-115)

Projection: 13.80 points

Devin Vassell has been steady for the Spurs this series, clearing this line in 2 of 4 games while finishing with 11 in two others. When Portland collapses down low to stop Wemby, Vassell will be available for wide-open looks on the wing.

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How to watch Trail Blazers vs Spurs Game 5

LocationFrost Bank Center, San Antonio, TX
DateTuesday, April 28, 2026
Tip-off9:30 p.m. ET
TVESPN

Not intended for use in MA.
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Damon Jones pleads guilty in federal gambling probe; Terry Rozier to face additional charges

Former NBA player and coach Damon Jones plead guilty Tuesday to conspiracy to commit wire fraud, the first person to change their plea to guilty in the sweeping federal indictments unsealed last year that led to more than 30 arrests.

That came a day after prosecutors said another player named in those indictments, former Miami player Terry Rozier, faces additional charges, including that he "solicited and accepted a bribe," reports Mike Vorkunov of The Athletic.

In a pre-written statement read at his plea change hearing, Jones admitted he used "insider information that I obtained as a result of my relationships as a former player," saying the goal of the wide-ranging conspiracy was to use this information to profit on bets made at sports books.

"I would like to sincerely apologize to the court, my family, my peers and also the National Basketball Association," Jones said, according to the Associated Press.

Traditionally, a change in plea like this — usually accompanied by a request by the prosecutor for a reduced sentence — comes after the defendant cooperates with investigators and prosecutors. Jones is set to be sentenced next January, and the sentencing guidelines for conspiracy to commit wire fraud call for 21-27 months in prison (about two years).

Jones was arrested and charged in both prongs of the federal probe, one about using insider information to place bets, and one about mafia-sponsored, rigged poker games. Jones pled guilty to charges in both cases on Tuesday.

Rozier was arrested as part of the insider information indictments, while former Trail Blazers coach Chauncey Billups was arrested as part of the alleged poker scam. Both men have pled not guilty and have not changed their pleas.

Sharks' Pavol Regenda Prioritizing NHL Future Over World Championships

San Jose Sharks forward Pavol Regenda is not going to Switzerland to represent Slovakia at this year's IIHF World Championship, according to local reports. 

The 26-year-old forward struggled to find a spot in the Sharks lineup for much of the season despite scoring at a high rate and having very favorable analytics. In 24 games at the NHL level, he scored nine goals and recorded a single assist. 

Regenda's goal-scoring likely wasn't sustainable over the course of a full season considering, according to MoneyPuck.com, he had a higher goals per sixty minutes rate than Macklin Celebrini and his shooting percentage was 21.7%, but it was still impressive given his limited opportunities in the NHL. 

Regenda has been a mainstay for the Slovak National Team over the past half-decade, but this year, it appears he's opting to focus on his dream of remaining in the NHL.

"Pavol and I talked on the phone a few times, there were some health issues, but first and foremost he feels he has one last chance to stay in America and fight for the NHL," Slovak head coach Vladimír Orszågh said to Slovakia's SME Sportsnet. 

As an unrestricted free agent, Regenda has no guarantees regarding his NHL future. Given his usage late in the season, it seems likely that his future won't be in San Jose though. 

Regenda has previously talked about the importance of international tournaments to Slovakia and its people, meaning this probably wasn't a decision he made lightly. 

"He needs a good summer preparation [to try to stay in the NHL]," Orszågh added. "Since he has been regularly going to the World Championships in recent years, he feels that the time has come when he needs to rest and prepare for the next season"

While Regenda's NHL future is up in the air, it seems he's going to do whatever it takes to try to keep it going.

Best NBA playoff dunks, including Jamal Cain's posterization of Jalen Duren

Because of the internet and being prisoners of the moment, last night's Detroit Pistons-Orlando Magic playoff game had fans losing their minds, pretending they had never seen anyone get dunked on.

While Jamal Cain's posterization of Jalen Duren earned a spot in this list's best playoff dunks, more importantly, it put the Pistons, the top seed in the Eastern Conference, on the brink of an embarrassing elimination.

There are many criteria for the best playoff dunks, including style, degree of difficulty and the hint of embarrassment it must conjure for those who end up on an endless loop of highlights, and for some, their own claim to fame.

Duran's dunk makes this list, and here is the rest of ordinary players and Hall of Famers alike (in no particular order) getting yammed on during playoff time.

Kobe Bryant's windmill over Timberwolves

Kevin Garnett now has nightmares about this spectacular throwdown in the 2003 Western Conference quarterfinals by Bryant, who went baseline, not caring who was in his way. Any lesser player would have separated his shoulder on the dunk. However, Bryant's flush over Steve Nash in the 2006 playoffs deserves some run and is criminally underrated.

Tracy McGrady dunks on Shawn Bradley

McGrady, not generally known for his emotion, was understanding hyped after climbing the ladder on the 7-6 Bradley in the Mavericks-Rockets 2005 playoffs first round. McGrady's Rockets ended up losing the series, which included a 40-point rout in Game 7.

John Starks lefty over MJ

The 1990s playoff battles between the New York Knicks and Chicago Bulls were must-see TV, and when Starks went baseline on their entire defense late in the fourth quarter of the 1993 Eastern Conference Finals, he sealed the victory and gave the Knicks a 2-0 series lead, which they would eventually lose.

While Jordan has received his fair share of scorn, Horace Grant and his googles no doubt need some shame in this scenario.

'Ja breaker' over Malik Beasley

These days, Ja Morant's tenure with the Memphis Grizzlies could be considered a disappointment, thanks to his gun-toting celebration antics and multiple suspensions.

Timberwolves guard Malik Beasley was the unfortunate recipient of this nasty jam in the 2022 playoffs, sending Morant into playoff dunk lore.

Michael Jordan baseline treat

Knicks fans would swear up and down that Jordan carried the ball on his way to the baseline and into the face of Patrick Ewing. But the Knicks tried to press, and MJ easily slipped a double team and went way above the rim to put Ewing on growing list of posters he received throughout his Hall of Fame career.

'The Lister Blister'

Shawn Kemp was as talented a forward as there was in the Western Conference during his heyday, and his wild tomahawk slam over Alton Lister of the Golden State Warriors backed up that claim, as he cradled the ball on his way to rising way above the rim.

Kemp pointing at Lister while he is still on the ground fueling Liston's embarrassment probably would have gotten him tossed in today's referee-sensitive NBA.

We believe in Baron Davis

The No. 8 seed "We Believe" 2007 Warriors, fresh off their dispatching of top-seed Dallas in the first round, rode that momentum in the next round against the Utah Jazz. Baron Davis, who later showed fancy footwork on "Dancing with the Stars," got the frenzied Oracle Arena crowd with a ferocious slam against Andrei Kirilenko in Golden State's only win in the series.

Scottie Pippen dunks on Patrick Ewing

Unfortunately, Ewing makes his second appearance on this list courtesy of Pippen, who proceeded to serve up a facial on Ewing and push him down to the ground and step over him for good measure. Equally as pleasant is Pippen telling noted Knicks superfan and general pest Spike Lee to shut up and sit back down in his expensive United Center courtside seats.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Top NBA playoff dunks in history: Here are the best of all time

The NCAA’s betting problem just claimed another round of athletes

The NCAA sports betting saga continues.

Less than 24 hours after Texas Tech quarterback Brendan Sorsby checked into a residential treatment program for a gambling addiction — casting his future eligibility with the Red Raiders into doubt — the NCAA Division I Committee on Infractions released violations and updates on two separate sports betting violation investigations.

Two athletes involved across the two investigations did not cooperate with the NCAA's investigations, the organization revealed, resulting in Level I violations. 

The student-athletes mentioned include former Kennesaw State guard Simeon Cottle and former Fordham players Elijah Gray and Will Richardson. None of the three athletes is currently a member of their respective school's basketball programs. They are not currently competing in an NCAA-regulated sport.

Both Gray and Richardson are connected with a February 2024 game in which a bettor placed a $10,000 wager. In the NCAA's release, Gray admitted in an interview that he exchanged messages with one of the known bettors, and that he and Richardson participated in a call with the bettor and a former NBA player who was involved in the scheme. Gray said both players agreed to lose the game in exchange for $10,000-$15,000 in payments each.

The NCAA's release said Gray told the organization he ultimately reversed course and "said he played with his normal effort" in that game. He finished with three points on 1-of-4 shooting for Fordham, which was a 3.5-point underdog. Gray told the NCAA the bettor called after the game to express disappointment, at which point Gray cut off communication with him. Gray also said he didn't receive any payment from the bettor.

He also acknowledged violating ethical conduct rules by providing information to a known bettor, and "expressed remorse for his actions."

Gray said the former NBA player continued to communicate with Richardson, who denied his partaking in the scheme and failed to cooperate "with the investigation by knowingly providing false information during an interview and failing to preserve the integrity of the investigation."

Gray was dismissed from the Wisconsin basketball team in October due to "events preceding his enrollment at UW-Madison," as noted by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, part of the USA TODAY Network. He spent the 2024-25 season at Temple.

Cottle was indicted by the United States Attorney's Office in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania in January for wire fraud and bribery charges surrounding Kennesaw State's game versus Queens (New York) on March 1, 2024. Similar to Richardson, Cottle, who was suspended from the Owls, did not cooperate with the NCAA's investigation.

Texas Tech announced on Monday that Sorsby was leaving the program to check into a residential treatment program for gambling addiction.

Sorsby, who transferred from Cincinnati this past offseason, is under NCAA investigation after reportedly making "thousands" of online bets on a variety of sports via a gambling app, which includes bets on Indiana during his true freshman season as a Hoosier in 2022.

USA TODAY Sports' Matt Hayes reported Monday through two people with direct knowledge of the situation that the Cincinnati athletic department was alerted in August that Sorsby was gambling before the start of the 2025 season. The Bearcats had "no comment at this time" when reached out by USA TODAY Sports, and Sorsby has made "mostly small, $1 bets" on various sports at various times.

The NCAA prohibits student-athletes and athletics department staff members from making bets and/or sharing information with bettors on college sports.

USA TODAY Sports' Matt Hayes contributed to this story.

The USA TODAY app gets you to the heart of the news — fastDownload for award-winning coverage, crosswords, audio storytelling, the eNewspaper and more.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: As Brendan Sorsby enters treatment, NCAA unloads more betting violations

Rick Tocchet Open To More Lineup Changes For Flyers' Game 6

There’s a point in every playoff series where conviction meets friction. 

For the Philadelphia Flyers, friction is a very kind way to describe what this series against the Pittsburgh Penguins has brought them. Through the first three games against the Penguins, their lineup had been untouchable—not out of pure stubbornness, but simply because there was no evidence to justify change. The structure held. The results followed. 

Game 4 didn’t dismantle that belief, but it reminded the Flyers that, as much as it may have seemed like it in the first three outings, their lineup wasn't bulletproof. 

Rick Tocchet’s first significant move came in Game 5, inserting Alex Bump for Matvei Michkov. This was a decision that invited debate the moment it was made. The rationale was clear, even if the optics were complicated: a shift toward directness, toward immediacy, toward a player who would simplify decisions and engage the game early. 

Whether or not Michkov should have been the player to make room is a story for another day, but the result of the swap was undeniable. Bump delivered.

The 22-year-old scored an important goal, yes—but more importantly, a series of shifts that aligned with what the Flyers needed. He brought quick releases and purposeful routes. He made plays that didn’t linger longer than they should. It didn’t settle the debate around Michkov, nor should it, but it validated Tocchet’s willingness to adjust. And now, as the series moves to Game 6, that willingness appears to be expanding—this time, on the back end.

The door has opened, however slightly, for Oliver Bonk.

Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Oliver Bonk (59). (Megan DeRuchie-The Hockey News)
Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Oliver Bonk (59). (Megan DeRuchie-The Hockey News)

Why Now?

Defensive pairings, perhaps more than any other part of a lineup, are built on trust. Not just in ability, but in predictability—knowing where your partner will be, how a sequence will unfold, how a retrieval will turn into an exit.

That’s why coaches resist change there unless they have to.

But Game 4 revealed something subtle in the Flyers’ defensive game. The Flyers have admitted that figuring out their defensive pairings has been a bit of a challenge—finding pairs that complement the varying sizes and offensive vs. defensive propensities of their blue line is a puzzle they're still figuring out. Pittsburgh’s ability to stretch the ice and sustain pressure didn’t overwhelm Philadelphia’s structure as much as it tested its elasticity. It forced longer defensive sequences, more second touches, more decisions under pressure.

That’s where fresh variables begin to matter. And that’s where Bonk becomes relevant.


What Bonk Actually Brings

At a glance, the case for Bonk starts with the obvious: size, reach, and a calmness with the puck that doesn’t feel rushed. But reducing him to those traits misses the more important layer: He processes the game efficiently.

Coaches have lauded Bonk's intelligence and maturity since he was first drafted to the Flyers in 2023, and there has always been the utmost confidence in the young defenseman that he has all the tools to seamlessly adapt to the NHL.

“For defensemen, it’s a big jump,” Lehigh Valley Phantoms head coach John Snowden said of Bonk back during the Flyers' 2025 rookie camp. “The strength, the skill, the speed, the gaps you have to have
He knows what he has to do. I think he’s putting himself in a really good spot. I like where his body’s at right now. I like his mindset.”

For a defenseman, especially a 21-year-old one stepping into a playoff environment, that’s everything. It’s not about making spectacular plays, but about making the correct play, quickly enough that pressure doesn’t have time to develop.

Bonk’s offensive instincts also offer something the Flyers could use more of right now: controlled activation. Not reckless pinches or forced shots, but the ability to extend possession—walking the line, shifting angles, getting pucks through traffic without overhandling.

But perhaps Bonk's biggest contribution to the lineup could come in the form of his potential power play usage. If there is a single, clean argument for inserting Bonk into Game 6, it lives there.

Philadelphia’s power play has had moments in this series, but it hasn’t consistently dictated terms. Entries have been uneven. Zone time has been there, but not always converted into high-quality looks. A defenseman who can hold the line, manipulate lanes, and deliver pucks with purpose changes the geometry of those sequences.

Bonk can do that. Maybe not as a finished product, but as a player whose instincts align with what the Flyers are trying to create.


The Risk And the Reality of It

For all of his fantastic qualities, there’s no avoiding the obvious.

Bonk has one NHL game. (And two NHL points—a goal and an assist.)

Game 6 of a playoff series—potentially a closeout game—is not a gentle introduction. It’s a compressed, high-stakes environment where every mistake is amplified and every hesitation is exposed, especially against a team like Pittsburgh that is mounting a dangerous comeback attempt and is desperate to complete it.

But that risk has to be contextualized. The Flyers have already shown a willingness to trust young players in meaningful roles. They have not insulated them from pressure; they’ve integrated them into it. The expectation isn’t that they will be flawless. It’s that they will be aligned.

Bonk won't be expected to completely transform the outcome of Game 6. They just need him to fit into its existing structure. That means clean first passes, controlled retrievals, smart decisions at the offensive blue line. If he does those things, the rest of his game—his size, his shot, his ability to extend plays—becomes additive rather than essential.

Flyers Rookie Camp: Oliver Bonk & The Art Of BecomingFlyers Rookie Camp: Oliver Bonk & The Art Of BecomingThe first thing you notice about Oliver Bonk at this year's <a href="https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/philadelphia-flyers">Philadelphia Flyers</a> rookie camp isn’t a single flash of skill or an eye-catching highlight. It’s the accumulation of smaller, steadier things: the weight he carries more easily, the way his stride holds firmer at the edges, how he navigates plays without panic.

A Pattern Emerges

There is a through line between Bump’s insertion in Game 5 and the possibility of Bonk in Game 6, and that is that Tocchet is not chasing change for its own sake. He is recognizing and targeting specific gaps.

With Bump, it was about early engagement—simplifying the Flyers’ offensive rhythm, ensuring that their first touches carried intent. With Bonk, it would be about sustaining possession from the back end, adding a layer of composure and offensive threat that can turn defensive stability into attacking continuity.

Different positions. Same philosophy to adjust where the game has shifted.


What This Says About the Flyers

More than anything, this moment reflects a team that understands where it is.

The Flyers are not searching for identity. They’ve established it. They know how they want to and how they now have to play to control games, and how they want to respond to pressure.

What they’re doing now is refining that identity under playoff conditions—Game 4 showed them where the edges were, Game 5 showed that they’re willing to act on it, and Game 6 may extend that further.


The Decision Ahead

Tocchet hasn’t committed publicly. He rarely does, especially with lineup decisions now that playoffs are in full swing. But the fact that Bonk is explicitly part of the conversation matters. It signals that no position is immune to evaluation—not even one as structurally sensitive as defense.

It also reinforces something the Flyers have quietly demonstrated throughout this series: Continuity is a strength, but adaptability is what sustains it. If Bonk plays, it won’t be because the Flyers are scrambling for solutions. It will be because they’ve identified something specific and believe he can provide it.

Mats Zuccarello, Yakov Trenin Game-Time Decisions For Game 5

The Minnesota Wild (2-2) is back in action tonight for Game 5 against the Dallas Stars (2-2) in Dallas.

Both Mats Zuccarello and Yakov Trenin took the ice on Monday at practice and Tuesday at morning skate.

“I think it’s a good sign," Wild head coach John Hynes said on Monday about Zuccarello practicing. "We’ll see how he felt and what his response is from that. But it is definitely a step in the right direction.”

Hynes said that the two will be questionable to play in Game 5 on Monday and now they are game-time decisions.

He also said they were in Game 3 and both missed. Hynes also said Zuccarello would be a game-time decision in Game 4 and he did not play either.

If both play, the question is who comes out? Lucky for you, we wrote about that.

Zuccarello, 38, had three assists in Game 1 and plays a huge factor on the Wild's top line with Ryan Hartman and Kirill Kaprizov.

He has two goals and eight points in seven career playoff games against the Stars. In 103 career playoff games, Zuccarello has 19 goals, 42 assists and 61 points in 103 career playoff games.

Trenin, 29, has 1,359 career hits in 457 NHL games. In 28 career playoff games, Trenin has 115 hits, including 50 hits in eight career playoff games with Minnesota. 

For action-packed issues, access to the entire magazine archive and a free issue, subscribe to The Hockey News at THN.com/free. Get the latest news and trending stories by subscribing to our newsletter here. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on THN.com.

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Sharks' Macklin Celebrini among finalists for Ted Lindsay Award

Macklin Celebrini's spectacular sophomore season has him in the running with established veterans for what NHL players consider the top regular season award.

The San Jose Sharks' young star is a finalist for the Ted Lindsay Award for most outstanding player. It's voted on fellow members of the NHL Players' Association. Edmonton Oilers center Connor McDavid and Tampa Bay Lightning winger Nikita Kucherov are the other finalists.

The winner will be announced later.

The NHLPA award finalists are the first to be announced. The NHL will roll out the finalists for other awards over the next few weeks.

Here's what to know about the Ted Lindsay Award finalists and the announcement schedule for the other awards:

Ted Lindsay Award finalists

Players listed in alphabetical order Voting is by fellow players

  • Macklin Celebrini, San Jose Sharks: The 19-year-old finished fourth in the NHL with 115 points (45 goals, 70 assists) and broke the Sharks' franchise single-season scoring record held by Hall of Famer Joe Thornton. He won a silver medal with Canada at the Winter Olympics. He's a first-time finalist for the Ted Lindsay Award.
  • Nikita Kucherov, Tampa Bay Lightning: Kucherov finished second in the league with 130 points. He scored his 1,000th career point during the season. He is a two-time winner of the Ted Lindsay Award.
  • Connor McDavid, Edmonton Oilers: McDavid won the NHL's scoring title for the sixth time with 138 points and led the league with 90 assists. He won a silver medal with Canada and was named MVP of the Olympic men's hockey tournament. He is a four-time Ted Lindsay Award winner.

NHL awards finalists announcement schedule

  • Tuesday, April 28: Ted Lindsay Award (most outstanding player): Macklin Celebrini, Nikita Kucherov, Connor McDavid.
  • Wednesday, April 29: Vezina Trophy (goaltender)
  • Thursday, April 30: Lady Byng Trophy (sportsmanship)
  • Friday, May 1: Jack Adams Award (coach)
  • Monday, May 4: Masterton Trophy (perseverance)
  • Tuesday, May 5: Calder Trophy (rookie)
  • Wednesday, May 6: Selke Trophy (defensive forward)
  • Thursday, May 7: Norris Trophy (defenseman)
  • Friday, May 8: Hart Trophy (MVP)
  • Monday, May 11: Willie O’Ree Community Hero Award (impact on community, culture or society)

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Ted Lindsay Award finalists include Sharks' Macklin Celebrini

Best NBA Player Props Today for April 28: No Hassle for Castle to Hit Some Threes

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With three NBA postseason series continuing tonight, we can look across the board to find some quality player props. 

I’m eyeing Payton Pritchard and Karl-Anthony Towns to build on their outstanding Game 4 performances, and I’m also backing Stephon Castle to keep shooting from deep tonight.

Keep reading to see why I like these player props, and get my free NBA picks for Tuesday, April 28.

Best NBA player props today

PlayerPickbet365
CelticsPayton PritchardOver 13.5 points-120
KnicksKarl-Anthony TownsOver 36.5 pts + rebs + asts-110
SpursStephon CastleOver 1.5 threes made+102

Prop #1: Payton Pritchard Over 13.5 points

-120 at bet365

Payton Pritchard is coming off by far his best performance of this series, scoring 32 points in the Boston Celtics’ 128-96 win over the Philadelphia 76ers on Sunday. But that outburst didn’t come completely out of nowhere.

Pritchard averaged 17.0 ppg this season, by far the highest total of his career. That wasn’t all based on his 3-point shooting, either. He saw his volume and percentage (37.7%) from beyond the arc go down compared to last season, while showing far more versatility in his scoring all over the court.

While Pritchard started this series slow, he scored 15 points in Game 3 before exploding in Game 4. Heading into Game 5, he’s averaging 15.8 ppg for the series, and his season-long numbers suggest he should get to at least that range for the rest of the playoffs. I love the Over here at just 13.5 points.

  • Time: 7:00 p.m. ET
  • Where to watch: ESPN

Prop #2: Karl-Anthony Towns Over 36.5 points + rebounds + assists

-110 at bet365

Karl-Anthony Towns never seemed quite comfortable in the New York Knicks offense this year, even publicly saying so earlier in the season.

But head coach Mike Brown tried something different in Game 4 against the Atlanta Hawks, running the offense through Towns. The result: a triple-double for Towns, and a 16-point win for the Knicks on Saturday.

While that was a particularly outstanding performance for Towns, he’s been excellent throughout the series. Game 4 marked the third occasion in which he put up at least 37 PRA in this series, and his 36.8 PRA average is dragged down only by a poor performance in Game 2.

But with a new approach working wonders for the Knicks offense, I can’t see Brown moving away from a KAT-led offense tonight. I’m taking the Over on his PRA total.

  • Time: 8:00 p.m. ET
  • Where to watch: NBC

Prop #3: Stephon Castle Over 1.5 threes made

+102 at bet365

Stephon Castle was an important support piece for the San Antonio Spurs all season, but he’s stepped up his efforts during the playoffs. In the first four games of their series against the Portland Trail Blazers, Castle is averaging 21.0 ppg, and is shooting an outstanding 42.9% from 3-point range.

In each of the last three games of the series, Castle has hit two or more shots from deep. Even Victor Wembanyama’s return to the lineup in Game 4 did little to reduce his volume, as he shot 6-for-14 and hit three shots from beyond the arc in the 114-93 win.

Castle might be relegated to the third option beyond Wemby and De’Aaron Fox for the rest of the playoffs, but the Spurs have been good at utilizing him to maintain some offensive balance. Based on his usage in this series so far, I like Castle to hit at least two threes tonight. 

  • Time: 9:30 p.m. ET
  • Where to watch: ESPN

These props are available now at bet365, one of our best betting sites.

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Hawks vs Knicks Props & NBA Playoffs Game 5 Best Bets

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The Atlanta Hawks and the New York Knicks now find themselves in effectively a best-of-three series, and at that point, one should always take a long look at the superstars.

These Hawks vs. Knicks predictions and NBA picks see two plus-money pieces of value for Game 5 tonight.

Best Hawks vs Knicks props for Game 5

PlayerPickbet365
Knicks Karl-Anthony TownsOver 1.5 threes+120
Hawks Nickeil Alexander-WalkerOver 3.5 rebounds+120
Knicks Jalen BrunsonUnder 2.5 threes-135

Game 5 Prop #1: Karl-Anthony Towns Over 1.5 threes

+120 at bet365

The best-shooting center in NBA history has gone 7-for-14 from beyond the arc in this series, impressive even by his lofty standards. Then again, he went 5-for-10 from deep against the Atlanta Hawks in two games in the regular season.

Karl-Anthony Towns is getting enough looks in this series to always justify betting on him to hit multiple 3-pointers, particularly when it is foolishly priced at plus-money. It especially stands out that Towns took nine shots from long range in the two games at MSG, compared to just five down in Atlanta.

Expect Towns to put up at least four or five triples tonight, and at that volume, it is very much more likely than not that he hits multiple 3-pointers.

Game 5 Prop #2: Nickeil Alexander-Walker Over 3.5 rebounds

+120 at bet365

The Most Improved Player winner has played well in this series, but nowhere near as well as he did in the regular season. Nickeil Alexander-Walker has not scored more than 17 points in a game, and he's shooting a painful 34.6% from the field.

Alexander-Walker is at least hitting his 3-pointers, going 13-for-30 (43.3%) from deep through these four games.

More than that, he's playing a well-rounded game. He may have scored only nine points in Game 2, but he added three blocks, five rebounds, and six assists.

Alexander-Walker has cleared this rebounding prop only twice in four games, but he has snagged at least three boards in each of the last three games, averaging four per game in those three games.

That may all sound like modest work on the glass, but think about those numbers when enjoying a +120 payout.

Game 5 Prop #3: Jalen Brunson Under 2.5 threes

-135 at bet365

The worry is not that Jalen Brunson is shooting poorly from deep. He isn’t. The New York Knicks star has hit 10 of 26 in this series, good for 38.5%.

The worry is that in two games, if not arguably three, he has not taken a bounty of 3-pointers. Remove Brunson’s 4-for-10 effort in Game 2 and his series rate falls to 6-for-16. That 37.5% would still be plenty quality, but taking only 5.3 long-range looks per game is not enough to justify a prop this high.

Brunson is not finding the space from deep that he prefers. Give some credit to Nickeil Alexander-Walker. Without that space, Brunson should be doubted from beyond the arc.

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A tough series or a bigger question for Devin Booker?

Apr 27, 2026; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) against the Oklahoma City Thunder in the second half during game four of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Mortgage Matchup Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

The 2026 postseason is over, at least for the Phoenix Suns. After their loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder on Monday night, they became the first team eliminated and the only team without a postseason win. And honestly, it did not come as a surprise.

Oklahoma City is a machine. We saw it up close. Once the playoffs begin, they lock in with a level of focus that feels different. Possession after possession, they send wave after wave of defenders. Each one capable, each one connected. In a league shaped by cap constraints and competing priorities, that kind of depth stands out. The Thunder are built different.

Just ask Devin Booker.

“You got to give them credit,” Booker said after Game 4. “There’s three All-Defensive guys over there that they keep in rotation, and it seems like the game plan is don’t let me get any touches at any time. So, still trying to be aggressive and find spots, but you know, if somebody’s locked onto me and it’s opening up another opportunity for a teammate, the quicker we can exploit that and get that advantage, I think they can sag off a little bit and open up more opportunities for me.”

I think it’s safe to say that from a production standpoint, this easily was Devin Booker‘s worst postseason series. Sure, he was also swept the last time he was in the postseason in the first round, but statistically, he put up a fight. He averaged 27.5 points against the Wimberwolves two seasons ago. In this series? Those statistics are not so friendly.

The tale of the tape? Booker averaged 21.3 points, doing so with 46/25/79 splits. He had 4.8 assists and 4.0 turnovers over the course of the series. 

There is context here. He was facing an elite defense, the best in the league, and one that belongs in the conversation with the best we have seen in the modern era. The spacing today stretches everything, and Oklahoma City still closes it off. They move as one, shrink the floor, and contest everywhere, not only at the rim, but across all zones. I can safely say I am thankful we don’t have to play against them. Seeing them 9 times this season was enough.

Devin Booker felt it. The doubles came early and often, and the Thunder controlled the terms of engagement. They were comfortable letting Jalen Green or Dillon Brooks carry the burden. That approach worked. Booker averaged 15.7 attempts, third on the team this postseason. Dillon Brooks led the way at 22.0, with Jalen Green at 19.3.

But then there’s that other side of the coin, the one that allows you to be critical of Booker, even given the circumstances. Because, quite honestly? Superstar players rise to the occasion, and even if they’re playing potentially historic defenses, they have the ability to make an impact beyond 21.3 points a game. There was no variance game in this series for Booker. He didn’t score more than 24 points in a game. And that’s where the critical mind simply wonders what went wrong.

How does Sam Quinn of CBS Sports view this series for Booker?

His Thunder series was
 fine? He generated reasonably efficient offense. He also did little to create advantages his teammates could consistently capitalize on. Nobody expected him to win the series or even a game, but this was far from the overwhelming postseason force we saw a few years ago. This version of Booker isn’t an All-NBA player. He’s more like a low-end All-Star.

Booker was forced into more of a playmaking role, that part is fair. Against that defense, the results were not where you need them. His assist-to-turnover ratio sat at 1.2 to 1. That is not elite. Guards in that range this season include Gradey Dick, Jordan Hawkins, and Rayan Rupert. That is not the company you expect when the number next to your name is $53.1 million.

That is where the frustration comes from. You do not only want Devin Booker to be better in the postseason, you need him to be better. The team exceeded expectations, the season delivered more than most thought it would, and the one place it felt stagnant was at the very top. But even that statement has fluidity and context to it. Players around him had career years. What Booker is, how he operates, and the attention he draws created opportunity. Others stepped into that space and produced. So while it was a down year statistically, it was a positive year relative to leadership.

The question still lingers. Star or superstar? A superstar finds a way to bend even a defense like Oklahoma City. It is not easy. It is not always fair. It is still the expectation.

Still, I know there is frustration with the postseason performance. I see the fan base expressing its disdain for the lack of perceived aggression, the inability to be efficient, and the continual poor decision-making. In a year in which Booker was handed a pricey contract (that we must remember is a fluid number, as it is a percentage of the projected cap, not a hard number yet), the numbers weren’t there. The impact wasn’t as profound. The deliverables weren’t as clean.

So, how do you view this Booker postseason in the grand scheme? From my perspective, I brush it off. The criticism is fair, the results are what they are, but the context matters. OKC is Thanos. They are inevitable. It is not hard to imagine Devin Booker struggling against a defense like that. And guess what? Stars have rough series. Tragic Johnson, anyone? How about Larry Bird in ’83? It happens.

I would caution against being a prisoner of the moment. Step back and look at the full picture. Mark Williams did not play. Jordan Goodwin logged five minutes. Grayson Allen did not truly arrive until Game 4. This was an eighth seed facing the defending champions without a full deck. That shapes everything. What did you expect? 30 a night? It was always going to be difficult. Oklahoma City loaded up on Booker, forced the ball out of his hands, lived with the turnovers, and trusted the math. That is how it played out.

This is not a free pass. There are real conversations ahead about who Booker is for this team moving forward and what that means at his salary number. Those discussions belong in the offseason. They deserve a full lens, not a single series. But it is now the offseason.

Now the work begins. The evaluation, the decisions, the paths forward. And we will dig into all of it, with a holistic view of what comes next, right here at Bright Side of the Sun.

Ex-NBA star Damon Jones dresses like he’s going to own funeral as he pleads guilty in gambling scandal

Damon Jones leaves Brooklyn Federal Court, with overlays of him at an NBA game and him holding a basketball.

Disgraced ex-NBA star Damon Jones dressed like he was going to a funeral in Brooklyn court Tuesday as he pleaded guilty to participating in two alleged mob-linked gambling schemes.

Jones, 49, wore all black as he glumly fessed up to his part in the illicit scheme, admitting to the judge that he used “insider information that I obtained as a result of my relationships as a former player’’ to feed to bettors.

Former NBA star Damon Jones pleaded guilty to participating in an allegedly mob-linked gambling scheme that saw insiders leaking game information to gamblers. AP
Damon Jones (center) leaves Brooklyn Federal Court after agreeing to two different plea deals involving illegal gambling taking place inside the NBA. Gregory P. Mango

Some of the information he leaked was about whether Los Angeles Lakers stars such as LeBron James and Anthony Davis were injured or would be playing during certain games, prosecutors said. Jones was unofficially helping to coach the team at the time.

Gamblers would then take those tips and use them to inform their bets.

Damon Jones #19 of the Cleveland Cavaliers is pictured during Game Four of the NBA Finals against the San Antonio Spurs on June 14, 2007, at the Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, Ohio. Getty Images

“I would like to sincerely apologize to the court, my family, my peers and also the National Basketball Association,” Jones said in a statement he read in court while making his plea.

“I knowingly and intentionally agreed with others to join in this conspiracy to defraud sports betting platforms based on inside information I obtained as a result of my relationships from my playing career in the NBA.”


Follow The Post’s latest on the gambling scandal rocking the NBA:


The former baller looked despondent as he left the courthouse, only saying, “God be the glory,” when asked for comment by reporters.

Jones played for 10 NBA teams from 1999 to 2009, raking in more than $20 million, and was an unofficial coach for the Lakers from 2022 to 2023.

Head Coach Damon Jones of the Cleveland Cavaliers coaches is seen during the game against the Los Angeles Lakers on July 13, 2017, at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada.  NBAE via Getty Images

He confessed to participating in the gambling scheme from 2022 to 2024.

Jones pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud — charges that could land him up to 27 months behind bars when sentenced in September.

He also confessed to his participation in a related poker scheme, where he would use his NBA fame to lure victims into high-stakes poker games – which were rigged with elaborate cheating devices to ensure windfalls for the conspirators.

About $7 million was netted from victims in the poker scheme, which used tools such tampered card shufflers, x-ray poker tables and an elaborate network of handlers communicating with insiders in the game.

Jones explained to the court that he was known as a celebrity “face card” among his conspirators.

“As a face card, my presence as a former NBA player would attract bettors,” he said. “I knew the games were being rigged and players were being cheated.”

He is expected to be sentenced to between 63 and 78 months for the poker con – upwards of 6.5 years.

It remains unclear if his sentences would run concurrently or consecutively.

More than 30 people were arrested in the schemes in October, with other former NBA players and alleged mobsters among those charged.

Former Miami Heat player Terry Rozier was charged, along with Basketball Hall of Famer and Portland Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billips.

Jones is the first person to plead guilty in the sensational case – and he initially pleaded not guilty after his arrest.

With Post wires

NBA playoffs 2026 rankings: Who have been the 10 best players so far?

Though only one first-round series is complete and none of top championship contenders are eliminated, the 2026 NBA playoffs have already been jarred by unexpected drama.

The Oklahoma City Thunder swept the Phoenix Suns but did so after losing Jalen Williams to a hamstring injury. The Minnesota Timberwolves are also adjusting to a knee injury that will sideline Anthony Edwards for at least the rest of their first-round series against the Denver Nuggets. The top seed in the Eastern Conference, meanwhile, sits on the brink of elimination after the Orlando Magic took a 3-1 series lead on the Detroit Pistons and the preseason favorite in the East (New York Knicks) is locked in a tied series.

Through all this during the opening 10 days of the NBA playoffs, some of the league's biggest stars and a few unexpected names have emerged to produce compelling and clutch performances. Here's a look at the 10 best players in the 2026 NBA playoffs through games played on Monday, April 27:

Rankings 10 best players in playoffs so far

Honorable mention: Jaylen Brown, Chet Holmgren, Alperen Sengun, Tyrese Maxey, Jalen Williams, Cade Cunningham, Marcus Smart, OG Anunoby, Desmond Bane, Deni Avdija, Evan Mobley, Stephon Castle

10. CJ McCollum, Atlanta Hawks

McCollum's timely shot-making down the stretch in Games 2 and 3 gave the Hawks a series lead over the Knicks before New York evened the matchup with a dominant Game 4 win. The 34-year-old is averaging better than 24 points per game on 51% shooting, harkening back to the numbers he put up during the Trail Blazers' 2019 run to the Western Conference Finals.

9. Paolo Banchero, Orlando Magic

Banchero's outside shooting remains inconsistent and a potential issue in these playoffs, but he and Desmond Bane have the Orlando Magic on the cusp of knocking off the Eastern Conference's top seed. Only Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is getting to the free throw line more times per game than Banchero so far this postseason.

8. Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets

This hasn't been Jokic's best postseason series by any stretch, with his defensive flaws magnified because the Timberwolves' Rudy Gobert-led defense has been effective at slowing him down at times. But Jokic is still averaging almost a triple-double in five games against Minnesota (25.4 points, 14 rebounds, 9.4 assists) after his second triple-double of the series in Game 5.

7. Karl-Anthony Towns, New York Knicks

Towns has been a stabilizing force against the Atlanta Hawks and the Knicks used him to facilitate the offense to even their first-round series in Game 4. Towns registered his first-career playoff triple-double (20 points, 10 rebounds, 10 assists) after a 21-point, 17-rebound double-double in Game 3.

6. Ayo Dosunmu, Minnesota Timberwolves

Minnesota's trade-deadline acquisition of Dosunmu looks like a steal after back-to-back huge performances, including a 43-point explosion in Game 4, moved the Timberwolves one win from ousting the Denver Nuggets despite injuries to Anthony Edwards and Donte DiVincenzo. Dosunmu is averaging 22.8 points and four assists on 64% shooting coming off the bench.

5. Scottie Barnes, Toronto Raptors

Barnes has been the best player through four games of the Raptors' tightly-contested first-round series against the Cleveland Cavaliers, with his two-way versatility allowing Toronto to go small featuring Collin Murray-Boyles. Barnes is averaging 25.8 points and 7.3 assists while also connecting on 7 of his 15 3-point attempts through four games.

4. LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers

James turned back the clock to lead the Lakers to three wins to start their first-round series against the Rockets, averaging 25.3 points, 9.7 rebounds and 8.7 assists while sparking the likes of Marcus Smart and Luke Kennard with Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves sidelined by injury.

3. Jayson Tatum, Boston Celtics

Tatum's return from injury was the NBA's most remarkable late-season storyline and he appears to be rounding into form during this first-round series against the Philadelphia 76ers. Tatum's points (24.8) and and shooting percentage are up through four games and he's among the league's leaders in assists (8.5) this postseason while leading the Celtics' offense.

2. Victor Wembanyama, San Antonio Spurs

Wemby might be even higher on this list if not for missing most of Game 2 and Game 3 of the Spurs' first-round series while in the NBA's concussion protocol. But he's otherwise been dominant in the two full playoff games he's played in against the Portland Trail Blazers, with 35 points in his postseason debut in Game 1 and 27 points, 12 rebounds, 7 blocks and 4 steals in his return from injury in Game 4.

1. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City Thunder

The defending NBA champions didn't really flinch when Jalen Williams went down with an injury because Gilgeous-Alexander wouldn't allow it. The reigning NBA MVP (and the favorite to be the back-to-back winner this year) shot 55.1% from the field and averaged 33.8 points and 8 assists per game during the Thunder's sweep of the Phoenix Suns in the first round of the Western Conference playoffs.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Ranking 10 best players in NBA playoffs so far: SGA or Wemby on top?

Damon Jones becomes first to plead guilty in latest NBA gambling scandal

The latest NBA gambling scandal has resulted in its first guilty plea.

Via the Associated Press, former NBA player and assistant coach Damon Jones has pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud.

In court, Jones said that he used "insider information that I obtained as a result of my relationships as a former player."

"I would like to sincerely apologize to the court, my family, my peers and also the National Basketball Association," Jones said.

Jones, had been accused of sharing inside information regarding LeBron James and Anthony Davis.

Jones was charged under both prongs of the sprawling indictment — the alleged illegal use of inside information and an allegedly rigged poker game.

Sentencing has been set for January 6, 2027. The relevant sentencing guidelines call for a sentence of 21 to 27 months.

Kyle Tucker’s quiet night turns loud with a walk-off hit for the Dodgers

LOS ANGELES — Kyle Tucker got his first walk-off hit since signing a blockbuster deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers.

The right fielder’s game-ending single scored the tying and winning runs in a 5-4 victory over the Miami Marlins after he was hitless in his first four at-bats, including a strikeout. It was his first walk-off hit since May 15, 2023, with Houston.

“It was great. He needed it,” manager Dave Roberts said. “He’s been grinding and trying to find some success and some good fortune. Big spot right there, walk-off at home, so that was great.”

Last week, Tucker was dropped to the cleanup spot from the No. 2 hole in an effort to get the slugger going.

“I’ve had some good contact with not a whole lot to show,” he said. “It’s tough sometimes just because you don’t see the results right away, but you’ve got to stick to it and just try to make as much quality contact as you can.”

The change in the order will be the plan going forward.

“Moving him down allowed the game to come to him a little bit slower and I think that has been a benefit,” Roberts said.

Tucker signed a four-year, $240 million contract with the Dodgers in January. He had yet to break out at the plate despite batting behind leadoff hitter Shohei Ohtani until swapping places with Freddie Freeman in the order.

Joining a star-laden clubhouse as a big-time free agent can unsettle some players.

“The transition certainly is unpredictable,” Roberts said. “He’s very consistent in how he approaches each day. He is traditionally a slow starter as I understand. He’s a pro and he wants to be out there and still plays good defense. I do think that a moment like this, even for a player that’s been around a long time, can kind of inspire more confidence in him.”

Tucker prefers to let his performance speak for itself. Playing alongside Ohtani, Freeman and Mookie Betts, he no longer has to carry a team or be its face the way he did with the Chicago Cubs.

Roberts said he’s given up trying to read Tucker’s poker face.

“That’s just who he is. It’s not personal to anybody,” the manager said. “Just doesn’t give anyone a whole lot.”

Instead of shaking Tucker’s hand after his game-winning hit, Roberts pushed him in the chest, which provoked a smile.

Tucker barely reacted as Ohtani and Dalton Rushing scored the tying and winning runs.

“I hit it and started going to first and it wasn’t quite loud yet until we actually ended up winning the game,” Tucker said, “so it was like, did I get the score wrong? But afterwards I saw everyone running out and it got loud, so I was like, ‘Sweet, this is sick.’”

That qualified as a big reaction from Tucker.

“Guys are working on him. I think he’ll loosen up,” Roberts said. “I think even Shohei when he first got here was a little bit more reserved compared to where he is now.”

Tucker said the players and coaching staff have made him feel at home.

“Anytime I can contribute to the win I’m happy,” he said. “It’s been nice being over here.”