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Nuggets vs Thunder predictions: Odds, recent stats, trends and best bets for March 9

The Oklahoma City Thunder (50-15) and Denver Nuggets (39-25) meet for the third time this season. The Thunder are 2-0 against the Nuggets, and this matchup is set at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City.

Oklahoma City is on a five-game winning streak and took eight of the past nine contests. During this winning streak, the Thunder beat the Nuggets in OT, 127-121. It was one of the more dramatic games of February. With Shai Gilgeous-Alexander back in the mix, the Thunder are 4-0 with wins of 6, 13, 3, and 7 points.

Denver is 4-5 since the All-Star break and dropping in odds to win the Championship and Western Conference. The Nuggets are 7-9 since Nikola Jokic returned from injury. Jokic has triple-doubled in seven out of the 16 games this season and remains second in terms of MVP odds behind Gilgeous-Alexander.

Lets take a closer look at tonight’s matchup and take into consideration lineups, injuries, and other factors affecting the line and total.

We’ve got all the info and analysis you need to know ahead of the game, including the latest info on how to catch tipoff, odds courtesy of DraftKings recent team performance, player stats, and of course, our predictions, picks best bets for the game from our modeling tools and staff of experts.

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Game Details and How to Watch Live: Nuggets at Thunder

  • Date: Monday, March 9, 2026
  • Time: 7:30 PM EST
  • Site: Paycom Center
  • City: Oklahoma City, OK
  • Network/Streaming: ESPN

Rotoworld has you covered with all the latest NBA Player News for all 30 teams. Check out the feed page right here on NBC Sports for headlines, injuries and transactions where you can filter by league, team, positions and news type!

Game Odds: Nuggets at Thunder

The latest odds as of Monday courtesy of DraftKings:

  • Moneyline: Oklahoma City Thunder (-270), Denver Nuggets (+220)
  • Spread: Oklahoma City -6.5
  • Total: 232.5 points

This game opened Thunder -7.5 with the Total set at 234.5.

Be sure to check out DraftKings for all the latest game odds & player props for every matchup this week on the NBA schedule!

Expected Starting Lineups: Nuggets at Thunder

Denver Nuggets

  • G Jamal Murray (questionable)
  • SG Christian Braun
  • SF Cam Johnson
  • PF Aaron Gordon
  • C Nikola Jokic

Oklahoma City Thunder

  • PG Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
  • SG Isaiah Joe
  • SF Cason Wallace
  • PF Lu Dort
  • C Chet Holmgren (questionable)

Injury Report: Nuggets at Thunder

Denver Nuggets

  • Jamal Murray (ankle) is listed as QUESTIONABLE for tonight’s game
  • Peyton Watson (hamstring) has been ruled OUT of tonight’s game

Oklahoma City Thunder

  • Jalen Williams (hamstring) is listed as OUT for tonight’s game
  • Chet Holmgren (illness) is listed as QUESTIONABLE for tonight's game
  • Isaiah Hartenstein (calf) is OUT for tonight's game
  • Alex Caruso (hip) is QUESTIONABLE for tonight's game

Important stats, trends and insights: Nuggets at Thunder

  • Denver is 35-29 ATS and 21-13 ATS as the road team, ranking fifth-best
  • Denver is 9-2 ATS as a road underdog, ranking third-best
  • Denver is 40-29 to the Over, ranking first
  • Denver is 24-10 to the Over as the road team, ranking first
  • Denver is 6-5 to the Over as a road underdog
  • Oklahoma City is 31-34 ATS
  • Oklahoman City is 15-17 ATS at home and 14-17 ATS as a home favorite
  • Oklahoma City is 33-32 to the Over
  • Oklahoma City is 17-15 to the Under at home
  • Oklahoma City is 17-14 to the Under as a home favorite

Rotoworld Best Bet

Please bet responsibly. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline at 1-800-522-4700.

Our model calculates projections around each moneyline, spread and over/under bet for every game on the NBA calendar based on data points like recent performance, head-to-head player matchups, trends information and projected game totals.

Once the model is finished running, we put its projections next to the latest betting lines for the game to arrive at a relative confidence level for each wager.

Here are the best bets our model is projecting for tonight’s Nuggets and Thunder’ game:

  • Moneyline: Rotoworld Bet is leaning towards a play on the Thunder's Moneyline
  • Spread: Rotoworld Bet is leaning towards a play on the Thunder -6.5 ATS
  • Total: Rotoworld Bet is leaning towards a play on the Game Total UNDER 232.5

Want even more NBA best bets and predictions from our expert staff & tools? Check out the Expert NBA Predictions page from NBC Sports for money line, spread and over/under picks for every game on today’s calendar!

If you’re looking for more key trends and stats around the spread, moneyline and total for every single game on the schedule today, check out our NBA Top Trends tool on NBC Sports!

Follow our experts on socials to keep up with all the latest content from the staff:

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Will Wade – Don’t Give Up On Him

Feb 28, 2026; South Bend, Indiana, USA; NC State Wolfpack head coach Will Wade claps against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish during the first half at Purcell Pavilion at the Joyce Center. Mandatory Credit: Michael Caterina-Imagn Images | Michael Caterina-Imagn Images

Scanning the comments sections on multiple sites after the Stanford loss it is easy to see that the Wolfpack basketball faithful haven’t really changed. Coach Wade has been telling us that it’s a new day, and while the results are more positive than negative, the switch hasn’t flipped in the fanbase because bad results keep happening. The team has been disappointing often, and there has not been a win that that gave us any reason to expect greatness this season. And while I don’t think this season is going anywhere, I am still very high on Coach Wade and believe this season was close to being really good. But next season will be better.

  1. Coach Wade Knows We Need Better Talent

In one of his first interviews after being hired, Coach Wade was asked about his roster philosophy and he said generally he would like to retain a third, and get the rest from either portal/international or high school.

In a question and answer portion of his radio show in late January, he was again asked about roster retention. He said, “I suspect we’ll keep a couple off [this year’s team]. It won’t be a third. We have a very clear vision of what we want to do.” “…We have much more time this time around. Our hit rate will go way up.”

PlayerDoneNot RetainedKeeper
Darrion Williams*
Ven-Allen Lubin*
Tre Holloman*
Jordan Snell*
Quadir Copeland*
Scottie Ebube*
Musa Sagnia*
Terrance Arceneaux*
Alyn Breed*
Jerry Deng*
Jayme Kontuniemi*
Zymicah Wilkins*
Colt Langdon*
Matthew Able*
Paul McNeil*
Cole CloerFreshman
Trevon Carter-GivensFreshman

2. The Current Team is Not Meeting His Standards

“In his radio show January 29, he said, ”I don’t care about [just] the win, it’s how we win. That’s the problem,” “You get intoxicated with the final result. It’s not just the winning, it’s how we do it. If we go on the road at Wake and only get two of our five game standards, we’re probably going to lose. You have to play to a standard every game.”

Five Games

There were five losses that were a couple of possessions away from being wins. If the Wolfpack wins those games, this is a special season. In each case, the Wolfpack had opportunities to score and put the game away, but did not execute. In the GT and Notre Dame games the Pack was definitely the better team, but just gave them away. In the other three, the Pack just didn’t execute at the end.

DateOpponentDifferenceEnd of Game
1/17Georgia Tech4Missed 3 3PT shots (2 PM, 1 Copeland)
2/14Miami1Williams fouled a 3PT shooter
2/28Notre Dame6Williams missed 3 3PT shots
3/7Stanford1Copeland turnover
12/13Kansas1Williams missed shot

3. Coach Wade Knew Early That This Team Was Limited

In his radio show January 22 [19 games into the season, after the Clemson win], he was asked if there is something about he and his staff that Wolfpack nation hasn’t see yet. “We haven’t won as much as we’re gonna win yet. I don’t think they’re ready for how rowdy we’re gonna be when we win. We’ve got to be a little bit quiet right now because we’re not quite where we want to be. But in the next year or two, we’re gonna be, I think people are going to be like, “Where did all of these people come from? Who are they?”

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College basketball rankings: Duke leads USA TODAY Sports Top 25 poll entering March Madness

With the regular season in the books and the top men’s basketball teams heading into conference tournament week, the top portion of the USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll more or less mirrors bracket projections as Selection Sunday looms.

Duke enters the ACC tournament as the top-ranked team in the nation with a chance to secure the first overall seed. The Blue Devils once again received 28 of 31 first-place votes. The remaining three firsts again go to No. 2 Arizona, the Big 12 tourney top seed also well positioned to head a regional in the Big Dance. Big Ten regular season champ Michigan holds at No. 3 in the poll, with Surging Florida continuing its upward trajectory climbing to fourth. Houston is back in the top five as Connecticut slips two positions to No. 6 after a loss to Marquette.

TOP 25:Complete USA TODAY Sports men's basketball poll

The rest of the top 10 is shuffled slightly, though No. 7 Iowa State and NO. 8 Michigan State hold steady. Illinois moves back up to No. 9, edging ahead of Nebraska, as Texas Tech slides four spots to No. 14.

No. 23 Wisconsin and No. 24 Louisville return to the poll as Saint Louis and Tennessee drop out.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: College basketball poll rankings: Duke leads Top 25 before March Madness

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Tua Tagovailoa's 'dead cap money' provides a lesson for MLB's future

The headlines fairly leap off the pages, suggesting calamity will be visited upon what was once a storied NFL franchise.

Dolphins to release Tua Tagovailoa, take on record dead-cap hit…Dolphins to eat record $99.2 million dead money…

To the untrained eye, it’s tempting to send thoughts and prayers out to the Miami Dolphins and their owner, Stephen Ross. Hey, leaving a briefcase open with $100 million in it as you tool around in your convertible is a bummer, regardless of how much cash you’ve stashed offshore.

Funny thing is, though, that this "loss" will do nothing to imperil the Dolphins’ potential franchise value of $12 billion, nor Ross’s net worth of $17 billion.

See, the Dolphins won’t be paying Tagovailoa all that money. Just $167 million of his four-year, $212.4 million deal signed before the 2024 season was guaranteed. That means they’ll have paid him – in physical, depositable money – $55.6 million for the three years he quarterbacked the Dolphins.

Strange as it sounds, that’s more or less the going rate for marquee quarterbacks these days. (The debate over Tua’s bona fides in that department are for another day, or a better-qualified human).

No, the calamity for the Dolphins is over the "dead cap space" that Tagovailoa’s contract consumes. And as Major League Baseball and its fans ruminate over, for the umpteenth time, a salary cap in forthcoming collective bargaining talks, it’s worth examining what "dead money" means to both the football and baseball fan, in addition to the athletes in the arena.

Dollar, dollar bills

Baseball knows of dead money. It can be a real bummer, the bill coming due for dynasties long since passed, or players who break down before their time.

The difference is, MLB owners still must write the checks – and the athletes who earned them will be entitled to it.

Nick Castellanos’ five-year, $100 million deal with the Phillies pays him $20 million this year. Know how much he’ll receive? Twenty million dollars, with Philly footing all that bill minus the minimum wage San Diego will pay to scoop him up.

DJ LeMahieu won’t play an inning for the Yankees this year; they released him knowing he’ll earn $15 million in 2026, the last of his six-year, $90 million deal. And Hal Steinbrenner will scratch every check to make LeMahieu whole, money LeMahieu earned when he finished third in the 2020 AL MVP race, establishing his market value.

Somehow, the Yankees and Phillies will field competitive teams this year.

As for the Dolphins? Well, not only do they not have to pay Tagovailoa, they also get, in a sense, a golden ticket to be non-competitive in the foreseeable future. Not to get too far in the weeds, but they can, in fact, spread out the "dead cap hit" over two seasons.

Yet that much "dead space" under a $300 million cap while fielding a 53-man roster is undeniably onerous. And gives Miami a built-in excuse when it misses the playoffs for the eighth time in the past 10 seasons.

The owners win on both sides of the equation – they only have to pay so much guaranteed money to retain their marquee players. And if a deal goes awry, well, they simply don’t have the "cap space" to pay other players to make their team better, thus depressing those players’ markets.

Additionally, Ross will only shoulder so much of the blame if the Dolphins continue to suck. Hey, blame Tua! Greedy athlete, putting his livelihood on the line and expecting to be paid for it.

MLB teams walk the line

This is the reality MLB’s franchise, players and fans might face in a capped world. As we’ve come to find out the past half-century, free agency generates tremendous interest in the game.

Nothing fires up a fan base quite so much as a franchise swinging for the fences, willing to dip into its profits to make the team better. And when the franchise is on an upswing, having the ability to splurge a bit more – on a key reliever, an extra starting pitcher, a bit of platoon depth – is all the more important.

All the discourse about a cap has essentially zeroed in on one team – the Los Angeles Dodgers, who draft well, play within the rules and field exciting ballclubs. They win, and 4 million people saw fit to come through the turnstiles last year.

The New York Mets have caught some of that heat as well, yet they have been wise enough to not win too much. Good boy, Steve Cohen.

Yet there’s a much larger swath of big-league clubs for which freedom is important. And by freedom we mean, the ability to duck above or below baseball’s luxury tax levels – yes, a plateau that also forces owners to fork over money – as they see fit.

During the past decade, here’s a look at the teams that have gone above and below the tax level:

Los Angeles Dodgers and Angels, New York Mets and Yankees, Atlanta Braves, Chicago Cubs, San Diego Padres, San Francisco Giants, Washington Nationals, Boston Red Sox, Detroit Tigers, Houston Astros, Texas Rangers, Toronto Blue Jays.

That’s 13 teams – nearly half the league – exercising the freedom to splurge when they want to or save when it’s more prudent. Seven of those 13 have won World Series in that span, nine reaching at least a league championship series.

A handful of others – Seattle Mariners, Arizona Diamondbacks, Baltimore Orioles – might eventually climb above the line, too, as their on-field fortunes continue to improve. While owners love to use the Pittsburgh Pirates or Kansas City Royals – your 2015 World Series champions – as the avatars for all that is wrong, the system seems to work pretty well for everyone, save for fans in markets where the concept of spending money to make money is foreign.

Meanwhile, the Dolphins will stagger along with their "dead cap money" as some artificial cross to bear. Fans and analysts will nod somberly, starting the countdown clock until the sheets are once again clean.

As MLB embarks on a season in which all but perhaps five teams – some of them former luxury-tax exceeders – harbor legitimate playoff hopes, it’s worth noting that it simply doesn’t have to be that way.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: MLB should beware of NFL’s dead money illusion

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Gamethread 3/9: Phillies at Red Sox

FORT MYERS, FL - MARCH 08: Justin Crawford #80 and Otto Kemp #4 of the Philadelphia Phillies look on from the dugout prior to the game between the Philadelphia Phillies and the Minnesota Twins at CenturyLink Sports Complex on Sunday, March 8, 2026 in Fort Myers, Florida. (Photo by Michael Mooney/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images

Here are the lineups. For the Phillies:

For the Red Sox:

Let’s talk about it (or the WBC stuff)

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Dodgers at Brewers spring training game roster

GOODYEAR, ARIZONA - MARCH 5: Noah Miller #88 of the Los Angeles Dodgers in defensive position at shortstop during a Spring Training game against the Cincinnati Reds at Goodyear Ballpark on March 5, 2026 in Goodyear, Arizona. (Photo by Brandon Sloter/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The Dodgers take on the Milwaukee Brewers in Phoenix on Monday afternoon.

Lineup

Alex Freeland 2B
Teoscar Hernández LF
Max Muncy 3B
Nick Senzel DH
Dalton Rushing C
Zach Ehrhard RF
James Tibbs III 1B
Noah Miller SS
Michael Siani CF

Emmet Sheehan is on the mound, making his first start this spring.

Other pitchers

The brothers Ryan — River and Ryder — are both scheduled to pitch in this one, as is Tanner Scott and non-roster invitee Antoine Kelly.

Up from the minor league side are Cody Morse (wearing uniform number 90), Myles Caba (91), Nicolas Cruz (92), and Nick Robertson (98), all of whom have been active for several games this spring.

Other position players

Non-roster invitees Ryan Fitzgerald, Zyhir Hope, and Seby Zavala are all active on Monday, as are a slew of minor leaguers.

Top-100 prospects Eduardo Quintero (07) and Emil Morales (06) made the trip, as did infielders Jose Izarra (00), Sean McLain (02), Austin Gauthier (89), and Kyle Nevin (93), plus outfielders Kole Myers (04) and Charles Davalan (87).

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Flames vs Capitals Prediction, Picks & Odds for Tonight’s NHL Game

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The Calgary Flames begin a five-game road trip with a stop at Capital One Arena to take on the Washington Capitals on Monday, March 9.

My top Flames vs. Capitals predictions and NHL picks expect Calgary goalie Devin Cooley to stay hot and turn aside plenty of pucks tonight. 

Flames vs Capitals prediction

Flames vs Capitals best bet: Devin Cooley Over 26.5 saves (-120)

The Calgary Flames have allowed 31.1 shots per game since trading away defenseman Rasmus Andersson on December 18, and the club also just unloaded go-to blueliner MacKenzie Weegar and No. 1 center Nazem Kadri before the NHL Trade Deadline on Friday.

As a result, I’m expecting Flames starter Devin Cooley to see enough rubber to clear this saves total tonight. 

He’s been solid of late, sporting a .932 SV% and 2.18 GAA, with an eye-popping 16.55 goals saved above expected across his past 10 appearances.

Flames vs Capitals same-game parlay

Both the Flames and Washington Capitals have trended toward the Under, with Calgary cashing in on the Under in nine of its past 10 road games, and Washington hitting it in seven of its past eight overall.

Calgary winger Matvei Gridin has recorded two or more shots in 10 of 18 games this season for 28 total on an impressive 75 attempts. His 17.48 attempts per 60 minutes are second on the Flames with Kadri now out of town, too.

Flames vs Capitals SGP

  • Under 5.5
  • Devin Cooley Over 26.5 saves
  • Matvei Gridin Over 1.5 shots

Flames vs Capitals odds

  • Moneyline: Flames +160 | Capitals -190
  • Puck Line: Flames +1.5 (-150) | Capitals -1.5 (+130)
  • Over/Under: Over 5.5 (-125) | Under 5.5 (+105)

Flames vs Capitals trend

The Calgary Flames have hit the Under in nine of their last 10 away games (+7.95 Units / 71% ROI), and the Washington Capitals have played to the Under in seven of their past eight (+6.00 Units / 69% ROI). Find more NHL betting trends for Flames vs. Capitals.

How to watch Flames vs Capitals

LocationCapital One Arena, Washington, DC
DateMonday, March 9, 2026
Puck drop7:00 p.m. ET
TVSportsnet West, MNMT

Flames vs Capitals latest injuries

Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
Not intended for use in MA.
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Fantasy Basketball Waiver Wire: Turn to Jabari Walker for a five-game week

We’re down to the final month of the NBA season, and fantasy managers looking for help on the waiver wire have come to the right place. The recommended pickups in this week’s article are widely available, and they can offer strong numbers in nearly every category.

Two of our top adds have five games on deck, and both should see bumps in playing time due to Philadelphia’s depleted roster.

As a reminder, this article will only feature players rostered in 25% or less of Yahoo! leagues for the rest of the season. The waiver wire in competitive leagues is cut-throat, and managers looking for an end-of-season edge will need to dive deep.

Here are the top fantasy basketball waiver wire adds for Week 20.

→ Watch an NBA doubleheader on Peacock on Monday night, as the Nuggets and Thunder square off at 7:30 p.m. ET before the Knicks and Clippers play at 10 p.m. ET.

Priority Adds

1. Jabari Walker
2. Tristan da Silva
3. Isaiah Jackson
4. Adem Bona
5. Jaylin Williams
6. Julian Reese
7. Isaiah Stewart
8. Walter Clayton Jr.
9. Robert Williams III
10. Pelle Larsson

Isaiah Stewart, Detroit Pistons (16 percent rostered)

Ausar Thompson is set to miss time, and Stewart is the next man up in Detroit’s rotation. He posted a 14/6/1 line with a block and a triple in his last game out, and he should see increased run over the next week. Stewart can offer points, rebounds, blocked shots and triples to needy fantasy managers.

Tristan da Silva, Orlando Magic (14 percent rostered)

The continued absence of Franz Wagner and the recent loss of Anthony Black give da Silva ample runway moving forward. Across his last nine games (seven starts), da Silva has averaged 11.2 points, 5.9 rebounds, 2.9 assists, 1.2 steals, 0.6 blocked shots and 2.2 triples across 31.3 minutes.

Robert Williams III, Portland Trail Blazers (11 percent rostered)

The big man struggles to stay on the court, but he’s appeared in three straight games with solid averages of 13.3 points, 8.7 rebounds, 1.3 steals and 1.3 blocked shots. In that span, Time Lord shot 76% from the floor and committed just four total turnovers. So long as he remains available, Williams III offers solid numbers as a key reserve.

Pelle Larsson, Miami Heat (9 percent rostered)

Numerous injuries have opened the door for Larsson to take on an expanded role in Miami’s rotation. He’s started nine straight games and averaged 11.2 points, 3.7 rebounds, 3.9 assists and a “stock” across 31.2 minutes. Larsson doesn’t offer tremendous upside, but he’s got a solid floor, and he’s seeing big minutes as a starter. That should be the case until Norman Powell returns to action.

Julian Reese, Washington Wizards (8 percent rostered)

Reese got off to a tremendous start to open his NBA career, averaging 9.7 points, 10.7 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 1.3 steals in three straight starts. With the return of Alex Sarr, Reese came off the bench in his last game out, but he still managed a 5/9/3/1/2 line in 26 minutes. Reese offers big upside as a rebounder, and his 20-rebound performance is the most by a rookie this season. Washington has no incentive to play its starters down the stretch, so Reese should see some more spot starts before the end of the season.

Jaylin Williams, Oklahoma City Thunder (7 percent rostered)

With J-Dub still on the shelf and absences from Isaiah Hartenstein and Chet Holmgren over the last two weeks, Jaylin Williams has taken full advantage of the additional opportunities thrown his way. Across his last six outings, Williams has turned 27 minutes per game into 12.7 points, 9.3 rebounds, 3.5 assists, one “stock” and 2.5 triples. Most impressively, Williams’ shooting splits are 51/46/100 in that span.

Walter Clayton Jr., Memphis Grizzlies (6 percent rostered)

With March Madness on the horizon, last year’s hero of the NCAA tourney has kicked things into high gear at the NBA level. Over his last eight games, the Florida product has averaged 7.9 points, 7.1 assists and 1.1 steals and 0.8 triples. He’s not making big shots, but Clayton Jr. is getting teammates involved at a high level. Assists are always tough to find on the waiver wire, but Clayton Jr. is available in 94% of Yahoo! leagues.

Isaiah Jackson, Los Angeles Clippers (6 percent rostered)

Yanic Konan Niederhauser is out for the season with a Lisfranc injury, and Jackson should see a bump in playing time behind Brook Lopez to finish the season. I-Jax started the second half of Saturday’s win over Memphis in place of BroLo, so there’s a chance Los Angeles mixes up its big man rotation at some point. Over his last three outings, Jackson has averaged 9.0 points, 7.0 rebounds, 1.0 assists, 1.0 steals and 1.3 blocks while shooting 66.7% from the field. He’s done that in just 19 minutes per game.

Jabari Walker, Philadelphia 76ers (6 percent rostered)

Over his last three games, Walker has averaged 17 points, 7.3 rebounds and 2.3 triples across 21.3 minutes. With Joel Embiid and Paul George out and multiple 76ers’ players battling injuries, rotation minutes should be plentiful for Walker. Philadelphia is the only team with five games on the schedule this week, which sets Walker up in an even more favorable position to help fantasy managers.

Adem Bona, Philadelphia 76ers (2 percent rostered)

Until Joel Embiid returns, Bona may be Philadelphia’s starter after leapfrogging Andre Drummond in that position. Bona has started two straight games, averaging an 8/6/2 line with 1.5 “stocks” across 29 minutes. Five games on the schedule for Philadelphia mean Bona could be a reliable source of rebounds and blocked shots this week.

Other options:Noah Clowney (20%), Daniel Gafford (20%), De’Anthony Melton (15%), Royce O’Neale (14%), Ousmane Dieng (9%), Ziaire Williams (8%), Cody Williams (4%), Cameron Payne (2%)

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Cavalier of the Week: Evan Mobley

CLEVELAND, OH - MARCH 3: Evan Mobley #4 of the Cleveland Cavaliers boxes out during the game against the Detroit Pistons on March 3, 2026 at Rocket Arena in Cleveland, Ohio. 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 David Liam Kyle/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

The Cleveland Cavaliers went 1-1 last week, looking strong against the Detroit Pistons and floundering for the first half against the Boston Celtics. Not the most consistent week from the team; however, Evan Mobley was the most consistent presence in both those games. Seeing him reassimilate into the team after an extended absence was a pleasant surprise, as historically his ramp-ups have been on the slower end.

Average player grade last week: A-

Stats last week: 21 ppg, 6.5 rpg, 2.5 apg, 1.5 bpg, 40% 3P%

Standout performance: 24 points, 8 rebounds, 1 assist, 3 blocks in loss to the Celtics on 3/8/2026.

Mobley’s performance against the Celtics really secured his award this week. Playing only two games plays a major part in this decision. He had back-to-back games where his aggression looked to be trending upwards.

One of the biggest issues Mobley and the Cavaliers have struggled with is putting and keeping their proverbial foot on the pedal. Mobley has a reputation for getting the first few touches to start a game, then fading for sometimes whole quarters at a time.

Based on his games against the Pistons and Celtics, that version of Mobley appears to have been put to rest. He is playing a lot freer both on and off the ball. Understandably, the mental hurdle of not wanting to reaggravate these soft tissue injuries can linger in the back of one’s mind. However, it is both a hindrance to the Cavaliers’ offense and Mobley’s continued ascension when he is skittish and apprehensive. Mobley’s greatest trait is his basketball IQ and ability to see the floor better than most bigs in the league.

When Mobley is able to fly from end to end and show his mobility at his size as he did against Boston, he is frankly unfair for most to defend. When Mobley can fly off the roll, or even as we saw against Detroit, he is at his best.

With the inclusion of James Harden in the offense, someone who sets up bigs arguably better than anyone else in the league, it will be fascinating if this version of Mobley we saw last week is more of who we will see going forward.

Mobley has touched on what Harden brings not only to the team but also to his own game. Hopefully, the playstyle that Harden brings means that this version of Mobley is more permanent. As time goes on in the dwindling regular season, the minutes shared between this pairing are critical. Not only to their chemistry as a duo, but to the postseason success of the Cavaliers.

If there is a common thread in every off-season’s “solution” for the Cavaliers, it is for Evan Mobley to take another step and mature as a play finisher. His development as a player is always dictating the Cavaliers’ true ceiling. If this week was any indication for Mobley, then it appears we are looking to head in the right direction.

Evan Mobley, your award is in the mail.

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Spring Training March 9 Game Thread: Braves vs Twins

TAMPA, FL - FEBRUARY 26: Carlos Carrasco #59 of the Atlanta Braves pitches during the game between the Atlanta Braves and the New York Yankees at George M. Steinbrenner Field on Thursday, February 26, 2026 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Alex Zadorozny/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images

As the WBC rages on, the Grapefruit League plods along as well. Today, the Braves will give Carlos Carrasco a chance to eat some more exhibition innings as they give their regulars a few hacks in a home game against the Twins. Minnesota is sending a mixed bag of starters and not-starters, and will be giving the ball to Zebby Matthews, who is pitching for a potential rotation spot in the wake of Pablo Lopez’ injury. Matthews actually pitched really well in 16 starts last year (91 FIP- and xFIP-) but somehow unfortunately got saddled with a 135 ERA- in the process.

This will be the fourth time the Braves and Twins have tangled already this Spring Training.

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Nuggets vs Thunder Computer Picks: Our Best Player Prop Projections for March 9

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The Denver Nuggets and Oklahoma City Thunder will take the floor at Paycom Center tonight following a chippy matchup two weeks ago that saw Nikola Jokic make some crazy faces and Lu Dort get ejected.

The rematch could have just as much playoff energy, and our NBA player prop projections help you find the best NBA picks on the board. For more, check out our full Nuggets vs. Thunder predictions.

Nuggets vs Thunder computer picks for March 9

Nuggets NuggetsThunder Thunder
Johnson o9.5 points 
-125		Williams u7.5 rebounds 
-115
Braun u11.5 points 
+100		Williams u10.5 points 
-130
Braun u1.5 threes 
-170		Wallace u3.5 rebounds 
-120

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Nuggets computer picks

Cam Johnson Over 9.5 points (-125)

Projection: 11.8 points

Cam Johnson is coming off a 10-point showing against the Knicks and went Over this number in five of eight games in February, including an 18-point night against the Clippers.

The Thunder defense is stout, but Johnson is one of the best shooters in the NBA, currently hitting 40.5% of his threes on the season.

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Christian Braun Under 11.5 points (+100)

Projection: 10.6 points

Christian Braun is logging big minutes, but that hasn't always meant scoring production. He's coming off a game against the Knicks where he scored just seven points and shot 2-for-7 from the field.

He did score 23 points against OKC last time out, but that was an outlier for two reasons: he played 45 minutes (the game went to overtime) and took a season-high 10 threes (made three).

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Christian Braun Under 1.5 threes (-170)

Projection: 1.1 threes

Along the same line of thinking, Braun has gone Over this number just once in four games since going 3-for-10 against OKC on Feb. 27, and it's not for a lack of trying. He's 4-for-15 in those four games.

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Thunder computer picks

Jaylin Williams Under 7.5 rebounds (-110)

Projection: 6.5 rebounds

This number is inflated because Jaylin Williams has had some huge rebounding games lately (14, 16, and 11 in three of last six games), and Isaiah Hartenstein is sidelined once again.

Still, if you take those three big games out, Williams has gone Under this number in every game but one since Feb. 4. Not to mention, he's up against Nikola Jokic tonight.

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Jaylin Williams Under 10.5 points (-125)

Projection: 8.9 points

Injuries to OKC's big men have helped his scoring totals, but so has shooting nearly 44% from three since the start of February. Even if the minutes stay up, that mark is unsustainable.

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Cason Wallace Under 3.5 rebounds (-120)

Projection: 3.1 rebounds

Cason Wallace is coming off a zero-rebound effort against the Warriors and needed nearly 36 minutes of action to snag four rebounds against the Nuggets on Feb. 27. He won't see that many minutes tonight.

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How to watch Nuggets vs Thunder tonight

LocationPaycom Center, Oklahoma City, OK
DateMonday, March 9, 2026
Tip-off7:30 p.m. ET
TVPeacock

Not intended for use in MA.
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GDT: Anyone ever been to Detroit?

A new cross-border tourism initiative called the 40-40 Campaign, designed by MBA students from the the Odette School of Business at the University of Windsor working with Windsor-Detroit Borderlink Limited (WDBL), launched June 19th and runs through the end of July, Tuesday July 1, 2025. The Detroit Skyline can be seen from Windsor, Ontario. | Kimberly P. Mitchell / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

First pitch against the Detroit Tigers is at 1:05 at Publix Field at Joker Marchant Stadium and the Tigers will be providing radio coverage.

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Nikola Jokic says he can't ever see himself leaving Denver, 'I really found peace here'

In theory, Nikola Jokic could become a free agent in the summer of 2027. In practice, nobody in league circles has been talking about that because nobody thinks it's going to happen. Nobody thinks he's unhappy and leaving Denver.

Jokic himself slammed the door on that in an appearance on the Serbian Podcast X’s and O’s, where the three-time MVP seemed more comfortable and opened up more than we often see from him. In that podcast, Jokic was asked if he could see himself playing anywhere other than Denver during his career.

"I wouldn't like to imagine that. Even if we never win anything else after this, an organic title, it means more to me than anything... I really found peace here. My two kids were born here. Everyone's here. Peace, home, I found my life here. And I like life here. I don't feel the need, I don't have the urge to. We built something here, together as a team."

Jokic is extension-eligible this summer, but whether he signs a new contract this offseason or next, it is expected to happen, and Denver will remain a title contender as long as he continues to play at an MVP level. This season, Jokic is averaging a triple-double of 28.8 points, 12.5 rebounds and 10.3 assists a game, and he is seen as the only real threat to Shai Gilgeous-Alexander repeating as MVP.

The other Jokic comment during this podcast that has raised eyebrows in some quarters was his saying basketball is better today, being played at a higher level today than it was 30 years ago.

"But it would be stupid if basketball weren't better now than 30 years ago. It's like saying phones were better 30 years ago, and they weren't, because of technology, modernization. As everything modernizes, basketball modernizes too. And the same way, in 20 years basketball will be much better than it is now...

"And in other sports, it seems to me it's only in basketball that people show up and for some reason say: 'Man, that's nothing compared to my time, my...' That's... Why? Why only in basketball? I don't like it, why are they belittling today. I'm not saying it was bad back then. I'm just saying modernization... Just like everything improves, I think… I'm not saying it was bad, I'm just saying this is better."

Basketball is played at a higher level with better athletes across the board today than it was 30 years ago. Sure, the greats could have played in any era, but the average player in the NBA today is better than the average player 30 years ago. Some fans may appreciate the aesthetic of the game more from 20 or 30 years ago (although those fans should sit through a 1990s Knicks/Cavaliers slog with both teams scoring in the 80s, then get back to me), but the fact that the athletes and shooting are better now than they were then is not up for debate. Jokic is right about that.

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Dominik Shine’s Long Road To The NHL Finally Pays Off With First Goal For Red Wings

Many expected career minor-leaguer Dominik Shine to have only a brief stint with the Detroit Red Wings when injuries began piling up on the roster. Instead, the 32-year-old forward has made the most of his opportunity, turning years of perseverance into a memorable NHL moment.

A native of Pinckney, Michigan, Shine appeared in his fifth NHL game Sunday night against the New Jersey Devils. Although he has yet to play more than 10 minutes in a game, the longtime grinder has continued to bring the same relentless work ethic that defined his professional career in the minors.

That effort was rewarded midway through the third period when veteran forward James van Riemsdyk spotted Shine sneaking behind the Devils defense with speed and threaded a delicate backhand saucer pass through a defender’s legs.

Shine met the puck at the back door and tapped it into the open net for his first career NHL goal, setting off an enthusiastic celebration on the Detroit bench. Shine became the oldest Red Wing at the time of his first NHL goal since Vaclav Nedomansky back in 1977.  

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Shine spent 10 seasons in the AHL, appearing in 521 games and recording 96 goals and 125 assists for 221 points. This season with the Grand Rapids Griffins has been the most productive of his career, as the team captain tallied 21 goals and 16 assists for 37 points in just 38 games and earned a spot in the AHL All-Star Classic. His call-up came during a scorching stretch that saw him score six goals and add two assists over his final six AHL games.

After Sunday’s game, Red Wings assistant captain Moritz Seider praised Shine’s impact on the team and said the goal was well deserved.

"He does so much for this organization, we're really happy to have him," Seider started off by saying "It was just a matter of time, obviously he really deserves it, guy who used to stand in the shadow, now, he gets a little bit of a spotlight, which he really deserves."

Seider also described the bench reaction after the goal, saying it was full of hugs and smiles. He added that it says a lot about the team and their early connection with Shine and what he brings early on to their lineup.

Head coach Todd McLellan also spoke about Shine’s impact in the smaller details of the game and was happy he got to experience the moment.

"He's done a lot for the organization, not just with our team, but in Grand Rapids over the years and he's hit, he's fought, he's blocked shots, he's done everything for for the organization, and now he's got a puck to put on his wall, and we're all happy for him," McLellan said.

"What It's All About": Back With Red Wings, David Perron Ready For Playoff Push "What It's All About": Back With Red Wings, David Perron Ready For Playoff Push The Detroit Red Wings re-acquired forward David Perron from the Ottawa Senators, who he helped to a postseason spot last season; now, he wants the same for Detroit.

When asked about the kind words from his teammates and coaches, Shine explained "it means the world" and that he is just one of many players in the American League who sometimes do not get a chance. He also credited the goal to a strong play from van Riemsdyk.

"I learned from some of the best when I was just a kid coming into the American League, I had a ton of guys who are American League players never really got their shot but you know, they always believed in me and there's a ton of people through the Grand Rapids organization that have been there for me," the current Griffins captain said.

Shine also spoke about moments earlier in his career when he considered quitting hockey due to the lack of movement toward the NHL.

"For every you know, fourth line guy grinding out there, I just want them to know it can happen so just keep your head down and go to work," Shine said.

He also explained that he is excited to give the puck from his first NHL goal to his two-year-old son and share the moment with his family.

It is unclear how long Shine will remain with the Red Wings. Head coach Todd McLellan listed injured captain Dylan Larkin as day-to-day and he could return to the lineup soon. 

However, if Shine can continue to find the back of the net and make an impact in limited minutes, he could force the team’s hand just like he did when he earned the call-up in the first place.

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Which Dodgers relievers are on your radar?

GLENDALE, ARIZONA - MARCH 06: Ryder Ryan #40 of the Los Angeles Dodgers pitches in the first inning against the Kansas City Royals during a spring training game at Camelback Ranch on March 06, 2026 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) | Getty Images

In the previous seven days, the Dodgers have sent a total of 23 players to minor league camp, including a dozen after Sunday’s game. All but two players from the two rounds of cuts have been non-roster invitees to camp, none of them unexpected.

What those cuts have done is thin the herd a bit, leaving only four non-roster pitchers still in big league camp. Cole Irvin is the veteran starting pitcher of the group, back from pitching in Korea and already built up to three innings this spring. He could potentially be an early option if the Dodgers feel the need for someone to fill bulk innings. After all, we know they will use a ton of starters.

Chris Campos is also still around. He’s been a starter since the Dodgers drafted him in the seventh round in 2022, other than the times he’s been used in bulk relief (11 of his 13 appearances out of the bullpen the last two seasons lasted at least three innings). So far this spring he’s pitched exactly one inning in each of his three Cactus League appearances, and he’s done well, with three scoreless innings, no walks, and five strikeouts among his 12 batters faced.

Whether Campos will pitch in relief going forward or him sticking around a little longer in camp is a reward for his earlier appearances remains to be seen. But the other two non-roster pitchers remaining in camp are more traditional relievers.

Ryder Ryan is River’s older brother by four years. He’s allowed two runs in seven innings this spring with five strikeouts. His first three appearances were one inning apiece, and he’s pitched two innings in each of his last two times out.

Left-hander Antoine Kelly has gotten results this spring, allowing only two walks and no hits in his five scoreless innings, with seven strikeouts among his 17 batters faced. A second-round pick of the Brewers in 2019, Kelly hasn’t yet reached the majors, spending time in the Brewers, Rangers, and Rockies’ system over the last seven years. But he’s touching 99 mph this spring to go with a slider. Whether the Dodgers found a harder-throwing Anthony Banda remains to be seen, but Kelly has pitched his way onto the radar this spring.

There are other relief pitchers on the 40-man roster. Ronan Kopp, just added to the 40-man roster in November, was optioned on Sunday. Kyle Hurt is back from injury, Paul Gervase at 6’10 is literally hard to miss, Will Klein could parlay his World Series heroics into a spot in the bullpen, among the group.

For today’s question let’s ignore the expected arms in the back end of the bullpen for a moment. Which under-the-radar Dodgers reliever are you most looking forward to watching this season?