Jazz vs Pelicans Prediction, Picks & Odds for Tonight’s NBA Game

Want to get more Covers content? Add us as a preferred source on your Google account here.

Two of the worst teams in the NBA clash on Tuesday night as the New Orleans Pelicans host the Utah Jazz.

My Jazz vs. Pelicans predictions are backing Utah forward Kyle Filipowski to put up big numbers in a game that should have little defense.

Here are my best free NBA picks for this showdown on April 7.

Jazz vs Pelicans prediction

Jazz vs Pelicans best bet: Kyle Filipowksi Over 19.5 points (+100)

It's that time of the year when teams eliminated from the playoffs shut down starters and put embarrassingly little effort into defense.

That puts the betting value on props for marginal players getting increased opportunities. That includes Utah Jazz forward Kyle Filipowski, who has scored at least 20 points in five of his last six games. 

Filipowski is coming off a 20-point performance against OKC's elite defense, where he took a season-high 25 field goal attempts in 38 minutes. He'll have another productive night against the New Orleans Pelicans, who rank 23rd in the league in ppg allowed (119.4).

Jazz vs Pelicans same-game parlay

Cody Williams is another Jazz player who has seen his playing time and usage rate surge down the stretch. Williams is logging 35.0 minutes and 4.6 assists per game over the last month. He should drop 5+ dimes in what's expected to be a shootout tonight. 

Pelicans wing Saddiq Bey is averaging 20.5 ppg over the last 34 games. He's been taking even more shots than usual with Trey Murphy III and Dejounte Murray sidelined.

Jazz vs Pelicans SGP

  • Kyle Filipowski Over 19.5 points
  • Cody Williams Over 4.5 assists
  • Saddiq Bet Over 19.5 points

Our "from downtown" SGP: Youth movement

With the total sitting at a whopping 242.5 between two teams that don't care about playing defense, let's back another hungry young player in Pels point guard Jeremiah Fears. The seventh pick in the 2025 draft has racked up 13 assists over the last two games. 

Jazz vs Pelicans SGP

  • Kyle Filipowski Over 19.5 points
  • Cody Williams Over 4.5 assists
  • Saddiq Bet Over 19.5 points
  • Jeremiah Fears Over 6.5 assists

Jazz vs Pelicans odds

  • Spread: Jazz +10.5 | Pelicans -10.5
  • Moneyline: Jazz +400 | Pelicans -550
  • Over/Under: Over 242.5 | Under 242.5

Jazz vs Pelicans betting trend to know

The Jazz have gone Over their Team Total in 12 of their last 15 games (+8.60 Units / 50% ROI). Find more NBA betting trends for Jazz vs. Pelicans.

How to watch Jazz vs Pelicans

LocationSmoothie King Center, New Orleans, LA
DateTuesday, April 7, 2026
Tip-off8:00 p.m. ET
TVKJZZ, GCSEN

Jazz vs Pelicans latest injuries

Not intended for use in MA.
Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.

This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here and view our best betting sites or check out our top sportsbook promos.

Dailyn Swain NBA mock draft projection: Where Texas star is expected to land after March Madness

NBA general managers and scouts are heading home from the 2026 men's NCAA Tournament with plenty to think about after three weeks of incredible action on the court. Now they have to figure out which March Madness performances are indicators of future greatness and which are more of a mirage.

The 2026 NBA draft is expected to take place in late June. In USA TODAY's latest mock draft, Texas's Dailyn Swain  is expected to go in the first round. Here's how USA TODAY currently projects his draft night will play out.

Our draft order is based on ESPN's projected records and factors in trades, including swaps and protections.

Dailyn Swain 2026 NBA Draft prediction: Pick No. 29 overall, Cleveland Cavaliers

Kalbrosky's Analysis:

After transferring from Xavier to Texas during the offseason and then leading his team to the Sweet 16, Dailyn Swain became one of the more intriguing breakout players in college basketball. The All-SEC forward is versatile and contributed a little bit of everything for the Longhorns on both sides of the ball, scoring well both in the paint and on fastbreaks. Another element that is notably compelling is that Swain is efficient one-on-one in isolation against his defenders.

See USA TODAY's full mock draft 9.0 here

Dailyn Swain player profile

(all stats as of March 15)

  • Position: Guard-Forward
  • Current Team: Texas
  • 17.7 points per game
  • 7.6 rebounds per game
  • 3.4 assists per game
  • 54.3 field goal percentage
  • 34.5 three-point field goal percentage

Cleveland Cavaliers 2026 projected draft picks

  • No. 29 (via SA)

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Dailyn Swain NBA mock draft projection: Where Texas star is expected to land after March Madness

Texas Rangers lineup for April 7, 2026

BALTIMORE, MARYLAND - APRIL 1: Nathan Eovaldi #17 of the Texas Rangers gets set to throw a pitch in the fifth inning during a game against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on April 1, 2026 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Brandon Sloter/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Texas Rangers lineup for April 7, 2026 against the Seattle Mariners: starting pitchers are Nathan Eovaldi for the Rangers and George Kirby for the M’s.

Texas faces Seattle in game two of their series in Arlington. Ezequiel Duran is starting at third base in place of Josh Jung. Duran also pinch ran for Jung last night in the eighth inning after Jung singled to lead off the inning, and I’m guessing Jung is dealing with some sort of leg issue.

The lineup:

Nimmo — RF

Langford — LF

Seager — SS

Burger — 1B

Pederson — DH

Carter — CF

Higashioka — C

Josh Smith — 2B

Duran — 3B

7:05 p.m. Central start time. Rangers are +105 underdogs.

Chicago Cubs vs. Tampa Bay Rays preview, Tuesday 4/7, 5:40 CT

Tuesday notes…

  • WHERE ARE THE RUNS?: The Cubs have scored more than one run in only two of their last 41 innings: a two-run inning Sunday and another yesterday. They have had only one other crooked-number inning in their last 54: five runs last Wednesday. That makes a total of three multi-run innings in their last six games. They had six in their first four games. (Courtesy BCB’s JohnW53)
  • IT HAPPENED THEN, TOO: The 2007 Cubs started 4-6 and wound up as NL Central champions. Three other times, the team began 4-6 and won 90+ games: 1937 (93), 1912 (91) and 1904 (93).
  • THE NICO FILES: Nico Hoerner continues to lead the NL in doubles with five, but the team’s total of 12 doubles ranks tied for 26th in MLB.
  • TODAY IN CUBS HISTORY: Mark Grace’s bases-loaded ninth-inning single gave the Cubs a 5-4 walkoff win over the Dodgers at Wrigley Field. It happened 30 years ago today, Sunday, April 7, 1996.

Cubs lineup:

Rays lineup:

Javier Assad, RHP vs. Mason Englert, RHP

Today was supposed to be Matthew Boyd’s rotation turn, but as you likely know, he went in the injured list yesterday with a bicep strain. Hopefully he won’t be out too long.

With Javier Assad, you know what you’re getting — five, maybe six innings, not too many runs, not too many walks, a lot of ground balls. The latter is fine considering the Cubs’ excellent infield defense.

His last appearance against the Rays was 2.1 innings of scoreless relief Sept. 14, 2025 at Wrigley Field.

Jake Fraley, a new member of the Rays this year, is 5-for-13 (.385) vs. Assad with a home run.

The pitch chart below for Assad is from 2025, as today will be his first 2026 MLB appearance.

Like the Cubs, the Rays had to pivot from their original starter for today, Drew Rasmussen. Rasmussen is with his wife, awaiting the birth of their first child.

Thus Mason Englert is going to start this game, and he’s likely a opener for a Rays bullpen day. Englert has never faced the Cubs; only a couple of Cubs have ever faced him, including Alex Bregman (2-for-2).

As you can see by the pitch chart below, Englert has a varied selection of pitches, though he doesn’t throw particularly hard. He has appeared three times this year, maxing out at 24 pitches.

Today’s game is on Marquee Sports Network.

Here is the complete MLB.com live streaming page for today.

MLB.com Gameday

Baseball-reference.com game preview

Please visit our SB Nation Rays site Drays Bay. If you do go there to interact with Rays fans, please be respectful, abide by their individual site rules and serve as a good representation of Cub fans in general and BCB in particular.

The 2026 game discussion procedure has been changed, so please take note.

You’ll find the game preview, like this one, posted separately on the front page two hours before game time (90 minutes for some early day games following night games).

At the same time, a StoryStream containing the preview will also post on the front page, titled “Cubs vs. (Team) (Day of week/date) game threads.” It will contain every post related to that particular game.

The Live! (formerly “First Pitch”) thread will still post at five minutes to game time. It will also post to the front page. That will be the only live game discussion thread. After the game, the recap and Heroes and Goats will also live on the front page as separate posts.

You will also be able to find the preview, Live! thread, recap and Heroes and Goats in this section link. The StoryStream for each game can also be found in that section.

Discuss amongst yourselves.

Join the conversation!

Sign up for a user account and get:

  • Fewer ads
  • Create community posts
  • Comment on articles, community posts
  • Rec comments, community posts
  • New, improved notifications system!

Orion Kerkering back from the injured list, Kyle Backhus optioned

Oct 4, 2025; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Orion Kerkering (50) pitches against the Los Angeles Dodgers in the eighth inning during game one of the NLDS round for the 2025 MLB playoffs at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images | Bill Streicher-Imagn Images

The Phillies’ bullpen, which has been quite strong of late, is about to get another reinforcement to help shorten up games.

We know the last time that Orion Kerkering set foot on a major league mound, bad things happened for him and for the Phillies. However, the way the bullpen is currently constructed, he shouldn’t have to worry about high leverage situations any time soon. There are others ahead of him in the pecking order and that’s alright.

Kyle Backhus, after a rough Opening Day appearance, has been better with each subsequent appearance, yet with his option remaining, was the odd man out.

Christian Anderson NBA mock draft projection: Where Texas Tech star is expected to land after March Madness

NBA general managers and scouts are heading home from the 2026 men's NCAA Tournament with plenty to think about after three weeks of incredible action on the court. Now they have to figure out which March Madness performances are indicators of future greatness and which are more of a mirage.

The 2026 NBA draft is expected to take place in late June. In USA TODAY's latest mock draft, Texas Tech's Christian Anderson is expected to go in the first round after his agent announced the guard's intention to declare. Here's how USA TODAY currently projects the Guard's draft night will play out.

Our draft order is based on ESPN's projected records and factors in trades, including swaps and protections.

Christian Anderson 2026 NBA Draft prediction: Pick No. 21 overall, Detroit Pistons

Kalbrosky's Analysis:

While they are one of the best teams in the league this season, the Pistons are still struggling from the perimeter and could use more talented 3-point shooters on their roster. A simple fix would be drafting Texas Tech sophomore Christian Anderson, who had the most unassisted 3-pointers (61) among high-major players, per CBB Analytics. After moving from the two-guard to point guard, the All-Big 12 Most Improved Player recorded more than twice as many assists per 100 possessions as a sophomore compared to when he was a freshman.

See USA TODAY's full mock draft 9.0 here

Christian Anderson player profile

(all stats as of March 15)

  • Position: Guard
  • Current Team: Texas Tech
  • 18.9 points per game
  • 3.6 rebounds per game
  • 7.6 assists per game
  • 47.9 field goal percentage
  • 42.5 three-point field goal percentage

Detroit Pistons 2026 projected draft picks

  • No. 21 (via MIN)

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Christian Anderson NBA mock draft projection: Where Texas Tech star is expected to land after March Madness

Thunder vs Lakers Computer Picks: Our Best Player Prop Projections for April 7

Want to get more Covers content? Add us as a preferred source on your Google account here.

Our NBA player prop projections are set for tonight’s Western Conference showdown between the Oklahoma City Thunder and Los Angeles Lakers, with the model pinpointing several standout opportunities.

By analyzing the data and comparing it to current market lines, we’ve uncovered the bets with the highest value.

These Thunder vs. Lakers predictions aren’t guesswork — they’re driven by the numbers.

For those building their cards, here are the model’s top NBA picks for Tuesday, April 7.

Thunder vs Lakers computer picks for April 7

Thunder ThunderLakers Lakers
Holmgren o7.5 rebounds 
-105
James o6.5 rebounds 
-130
Gilgeous-Alexander u30.5 points 
-120
Kennard u5.5 assists
-125
Hartenstein u3.5 assists
-140
James o22.5 points
-110

Cash your ML bets quicker with bet365's early win payout!

Take advantage of the early win payout at bet365, where any pre-game NBA moneyline bet gets paid out as a winner if your team goes up by 20+ points!

Learn more about this feature, and all of bet365's offerings, with our comprehensive bet365 review!

Sign Up Now atimg src="https://img.covers.com/betting/sportsbooks/2/bet365.svg" alt="bet365" width="100" height="28" style="vertical-align: middle;"

21+. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER

Thunder computer picks

Chet Holmgren Over 7.5 rebounds (-105)

Projection: 7.8 rebounds

Chet Holmgren has cleared the 7.5-rebound line in six of his last 10 games, and the matchup with the Los Angeles Lakers gives him a strong path to do it again.

Against the Lakers, there should be plenty of opportunities as their offense often funnels shots into the paint and mid-range, creating rebound chances around the rim.

Holmgren’s versatility also keeps him on the floor for extended minutes, which only boosts his chances of hitting the Over once again.

span style="font-size: 14px;"🔥/span spanBet holmgren Now at bet365!/span

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Under 30.5 points (-120)

Projection: 29.5 points

The Oklahoma City Thunder could see fewer scoring opportunities in this matchup against the Lakers, who’ve played at the 10th-slowest pace in the league over the last 15 games.

That slower tempo may continue to impact Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who has hit the Under on 30.5 points in six of his last 10 outings.

span style="font-size: 14px;"🔥/span spanBet gilgeous-alexander Now at bet365!/span

Isaiah Hartenstein Under 3.5 assists (-140)

Projection: 3.1 assists

Isaiah Hartenstein hitting the Under on 3.5 assists in seven of his last 10 games points to a reduced playmaking role within the Thunder offense.

This trend is likely to continue tonight. The Lakers’ defensive scheme often prioritizes protecting the paint and staying attached to shooters, which limits easy passing lanes for big men.

Combine that with Hartenstein’s usage profile, and the Under on 3.5 assists remains a strong play.

span style="font-size: 14px;"🔥/span spanBet Hartenstein Now at bet365!/span


Lakers computer picks

LeBron James Over 6.5 rebounds (-130)

Projection: 7.0 rebounds

LeBron James has hit the Over on 6.5 rebounds in five of his last 10 games, and tonight’s matchup against the Thunder gives him a prime opportunity to do it again.

James is tasked with shouldering a larger share of both the scoring and rebounding responsibilities for the Lakers

The Thunder’s frontcourt has struggled to control the paint consistently, giving James additional opportunities for offensive boards and second-chance points.

Add that to his extended minutes and high usage, and the Over on 6.5 rebounds looks well within reach tonight.

span style="font-size: 14px;"🔥/span spanBet james Now at bet365!/span

Luke Kennard Under 5.5 assists (-125)

Projection: 4.3 assists

The Lakers have played at the 10th-slowest pace in the league over their last 15 games, which could limit opportunities for Luke Kennard as a facilitator while he looks to step up in the absence of Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves.

Kennard is projected to fall over a full assist shy of this line, good for a 22.2% EV edge.

span style="font-size: 14px;"🔥/span spanBet kennard Now at bet365!/span

LeBron James Over 22.5 points (-110)

Projection: 24.6 points

The Lakers have been rolling offensively at home, averaging 122.8 points per game — the fourth-highest mark in the league over their last 10 games.

With Dončić sidelined for the rest of the regular season, King James will need to elevate his scoring and carry an even heavier offensive load.

 span style="font-size: 14px;"🔥/span spanBet james Now at bet365!/span

How to watch Thunder vs Lakers tonight

LocationCrypto.com Arena, Los Angeles, CA
DateTuesday, April 7, 2026
Tip-off10:30 p.m. ET
TVFDSN OK, SPECSN

Not intended for use in MA.
Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.

This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here and view our best betting sites or check out our top sportsbook promos.

The NBA’s 65-game rule addresses the wrong problem

SAN ANTONIO, TX - APRIL 6: Victor Wembanyama #1 of the San Antonio Spurs grabs his left arm after an injury during game against the Philadelphia 76ers in the first half at Frost Bank Center on April 6, 2026 in San Antonio, Texas. Wembanyama stayed in the first half but did not return to play in the second half. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ronald Cortes/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The NBA invented the 65-game limit rule to address what it perceived to be a major problem (that, fairly or not, will always get tied back to Gregg Popovich and the Spurs): load management. The idea was simple: star players were being rested in situations such as the second night of back-to-backs or late in the regular season to protect them from injury and save them for the playoffs. (Think back to 2011, when Manu Ginobili broke his elbow in the opening minute of the Spurs’ regular season finale: a game whose only meaning to the Spurs was securing home court advantage in the Finals if the Bulls made it. News flash, MVP Derrick Rose got hurt, and they didn’t. Neither did the Spurs, who couldn’t get past the Grizzlies in round one with a hobbled Manu. No one wants a repeat of that.)

The NBA didn’t like the load management, especially when those games were on national television, so they created an incentive to keep stars on the court: if a player doesn’t appear in at least 65 games, he is not eligible for regular season awards and All-NBA/Defensive Teams, which can directly impact a player’s contract extension or built in bonuses. Thus the rule was born, but here’s the problem: it addresses the wrong issue.

The NBA can point to load management as the leading problem towards stars missing games since that releases them from blame, but it’s not; it’s more injuries. As we stand, several MVP candidates are at risk of or will miss the 65-game minimum due to injury in the last couple of weeks. Cade Cunningham suffered a collapsed lung, Luka Doncic a strained hamstring, and Victor Wembanyama a bruised rib just last night. Nikola Jokic is also toing the line after a knee injury earlier in the season sidelined him for 16 straight games.

But here’s the thing: these players aren’t on the brink of missing out because they were “load managing” for 18 or more games, it was injury. For example, of Wemby’s 16 missed games so far, only two of them could be identified as “load management”. The other 14 were 12 for the dreaded calf strain and two from a strained oblique, and the same can be said for the other players mentioned above. As a result, instead of punishing load management, the league is punishing injury, possibly even forcing players back sooner than needed so they can earn the right to be recognized. In a way, they are also putting more emphasis on the regular season than playoffs, which seems counter intuitive.

Not coincidently, YouTube channel Thinking Basketballjust published a video today about why the NBA has this rule wrong. They look at the leading cause of increased injury in the modern NBA — namely the quicker pace, more movement and hard planting, and players pushing off (which was how Jokic got hurt) — and what the NBA can do to address the REAL problem (including, the two things they don’t want to acknowledge: the long schedule and back-to-backs, especially on the road). It’s a good 15-minute watch, so be sure to check it out below or with the link above.

The NBA’s heart may in the right place in trying to put the best possible product on the floor for the fans each and every night, but as they are wont to do, they created a solution for the wrong problem, thus creating an entirely new one.

Mavericks vs Clippers Prediction, Picks & Odds for Tonight’s NBA Game

Want to get more Covers content? Add us as a preferred source on your Google account here.

The Los Angeles Clippers’ turnaround is not yet complete. If they want a spot in the playoffs proper, holding onto their current standing will be crucial. That focus should come at the Dallas Mavericks’ expense on Tuesday, April 7.

But my Mavericks vs. Clippers predictions and these NBA picks also look ahead at what Los Angeles should already prioritize.

Mavericks vs Clippers prediction

Mavericks vs Clippers best bet: Kawhi Leonard Under 28.5 points (-112)

The Los Angeles Clippers cannot let off the gas. They are only half a game ahead of the Blazers for the No. 8 spot in the West, a vital difference in the Play-In Tournament, and those two match up once more this week. But that is also exactly why the Clippers should ease up tonight if given the opportunity against the Dallas Mavericks.

Los Angeles plays again tomorrow, and then Friday’s trip to Portland looms as a third game in four days.

Sometimes, not letting off the gas shows up by looking ahead. An endurance athlete might call that pacing.

Once the Clippers find a healthy lead tonight, expect them to limit Kawhi Leonard’s minutes. It will be the savvy choice to make when considering what is at stake the rest of the week. Beyond that, it should be noted, Leonard has not cleared this prop in any of his last seven games.

Mavericks vs Clippers same-game parlay

Every thought here aligns: An early Clippers lead should prompt fewer minutes from Leonard, who has already fallen short of this modest rebounding prop in his last two games and in five of his last eight.

Mavericks vs Clippers SGP

  • Kawhi Leonard Under 28.5 points
  • Kawhi Leonard Under 6.5 rebounds
  • Clippers -7 — 1H

Our "from downtown" SGP: Less Leonard Is More

While this is a counterintuitive same-game parlay, it has actually cashed in the last two games. Leonard’s lessened scoring of late has not included lessened shooting.

Mavericks vs Clippers SGP

  • Kawhi Leonard Under 28.5 points
  • Kawhi Leonard Over 2.5 threes
  • Kawhi Leonard Under 6.5 rebounds

Mavericks vs Clippers odds

  • Spread: Mavericks +11.5 | Clippers -11.5
  • Moneyline: Mavericks +450 | Clippers -600
  • Over/Under: Over 238.5 | Under 238.5

Mavericks vs Clippers betting trend to know

All the season-ending praise of Cooper Flagg and his likely Rookie of the Year award hides the fact that Dallas has gone 1-3 against the spread in its last four games despite facing four teams all a bit distressed as the season’s end nears. Find more NBA betting trends for Mavericks vs. Clippers.

How to watch Mavericks vs Clippers

LocationIntuit Dome, Inglewood, CA
DateTuesday, April 7, 2026
Tip-off10:30 p.m. ET
TVKFAA, FDSN-SoCal

Mavericks vs Clippers latest injuries

Not intended for use in MA.
Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.

This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here and view our best betting sites or check out our top sportsbook promos.

Pistons sign Tolu Smith, waive Bobi Klintman

ORLANDO, FL - APRIL 6: Tolu Smith #35 of the Detroit Pistons handles the ball during the game against the Orlando Magic on April 6, 2026 at Kia Center in Orlando, Florida. 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 Fernando Medina/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

As the Detroit Pistons prepare not just for what they hope is a deep playoff run, but also for next season, the team is shuffling its roster with a new signing and releasing a little-used member. Center Tolu Smith is signing a two-year contract that will make him available for the playoffs and potentially ensure he’s on board next season as well. To make room for Smith on the roster, the Pistons waived second-year forward Bobi Klintman.

The news was first reported by Shams Charania of ESPN and later confirmed by Omari Sankofa with the added detail that the second year of the deal is non-guaranteed.

Smith has been a two-way player for the Pistons over the past two seasons and adds depth with the anticipated return of backup center Isaiah Stewart. Smith has played in 13 games for the Pistons this season. He’ll be behind starter Jalen Duren, Stewart, and Paul Reed. But Smith is a big body at 254 pounds that the Pistons can turn to if they feel like Reed, who weighs just 210 pounds, can’t bang down low against a specific opponent, and either Duren or Stewart is unavailable. The added depth at center might also allow JB Bickerstaff to play a two-big lineup with Duren and Stewart on the floor without worrying about how to allocate the minutes.

Smith is averaging 10 minutes per game, hitting 51% of his shots, and 3.9 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 0.5 blocks a night.

Klintman, meanwhile, didn’t seem to be in the plans for the Pistons. He represents Trajan Langdon’s first draft miss as a relatively high second-round pick (37th overall). Of course, very few second-round picks do much of anything in the NBA, but there are nine players selected after Klintman who have logged more than 2,000 minutes, while Bobi has played just 113. That includes Ajay Mitchell and Jaylen Wells, selected with the two picks immediately after Klintman, as well as Oso Ighodaro (40th overall), Pelle Larsson (44th), Jamal Shead (45th), and Cam Spencer (53rd).

There is a chance Klintman stays in the fold by signing a new two-way contract with the Pistons, using the slot vacated by Smith, but Detroit never seemed to prioritize or reward Klintman with playing time. Getting 113 minutes in two seasons is a drop in the bucket. Detroit has had its fair share of blowout wins, and Klintman has played less than 18 minutes since November.

If this is the end of his tenure, he walks away averaging 1.8 points, 1.6 rebounds, and 0.5 assists in just under six minutes per game while shooting 33% from the floor.

Lakers' LeBron James will not play tonight against the Thunder

Los Angeles, CA - March 01: Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) looks for a pass while being defended by Sacramento Kings guard Daeqwon Plowden (29) during the second half of NBA game against the Sacramento Kings at Crypto.com Arena on Sunday, March 1, 2026 in Los Angeles, CA. (Ronaldo Bolanos / Los Angeles Times)
Lakers forward LeBron James will miss Tuesday night's game against the Thunder because of a left foot injury. (Ronaldo Bolanos / Los Angeles Times)

Already without Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves, the Lakers ruled out LeBron James out for Tuesday's game against the Oklahoma City Thunder.

James was questionable as he manages a chronic left foot injury. The Lakers are fighting for playoff seeding with four games left before the postseason, but with two consecutive losses and major injuries mounting, they have slipped to fourth in the West, a half-game behind Denver. The lowest they can fall is into fifth place, ahead of the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Doncic is out with a Grade 2 left hamstring strain and Reaves is sidelined with a Grade 2 left oblique strain. The Lakers (50-28) are also without starting guard Marcus Smart, who will miss his eighth consecutive game with because of a right ankle contusion. Now with James out, the Lakers will be down four of their five regular starters.

The 41-year-old James had played in 13 consecutive games with the Lakers going 10-3 during that span. Adjusting to a reduced ball-handling role to let Doncic and Reaves control the offense, James was shooting 54.4% from the field, averaging 17.6 points per game on only 12.3 shot attempts in the first 12 games before Doncic and Reaves were injured.

With both guards out in the Lakers' last game against Dallas, James shot 12 for 22 from the field, scoring 30 points with 15 assists. It was the most shot attempts for James in a game since Dec. 20, 2025, when Reaves was out because of a calf strain and Doncic suffered a a leg contusion that limited him to just the first half.

The Thunder (62-16) have won five consecutive games. The defending NBA champions are 3-0 against the Lakers this season, including a 43-point drubbing last week. The Lakers finish the regular season at Golden State on Thursday, at home against Phoenix on Friday and against Utah on Sunday. The playoffs begin April 18.

Sign up for our weekly newsletter on all things Lakers.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.

UNC to introduce Michael Malone as men’s basketball coach

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - May 22: Michael Malone speaks before the game between the Minnesota Timberwolves and the Oklahoma City Thunder during Game 2 of the Western Conference Finals on May 22, 2025 at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. 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 2025 NBAE (Photo by Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

Michael Malone has accepted an offer to be UNC’s next basketball coach, the first one outside “the family” in most of our lifetimes. Malone became familiar with UNC thanks to his daughter Bridget, a rising sophomore, who plays volleyball for the Tar Heels. While reportedly in the mix to return to the NBA as a head coach, Malone opted instead to step into the vacancy left open for almost two weeks after the dismissal of Hubert Davis.

Inside Carolina reports that Malone will be the second-highest paid coach in college basketball behind Bill Self. Malone agreed to a six-year deal that will average just over $8 million per year. The contract was approved by the Board of Trustees on Tuesday.

Malone won a NBA title with the Denver Nuggets in 2023. The star of that team, Nikola Jokic, “the Joker,” entered the NBA as the 41st pick in the 2015 draft. His rookie season and Malone’s first as the Nuggets’ head coach coincided, and Malone helped craft Jokic into one of the NBA’s foremost talents.

Malone brings 12 years of NBA head coaching experience, 10 with the Nuggets and two with the Sacramento Kings. Prior to that, he spent 10 seasons as an assistant with the New York Knicks and Cleveland Cavaliers. Along the way, he developed much respect with UNC’s NBA alumni, such as Ty Lawson, Danny Green, and Tyler Hansbrough, who have been praising the hire. Before his professional experience, Malone worked in the college game at Manhattan, Providence, and Oakland.

You can stream the introductory press conference today at 6:00 pm on GoHeels.com or on YouTube. Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.

Game Preview: Suns look to build momentum against the Rockets

HOUSTON, TEXAS - JANUARY 05: Kevin Durant #7 of the Houston Rockets drives against Devin Booker #1 of the Phoenix Suns during the second half at Toyota Center on January 05, 2026 in Houston, Texas. 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. (Photo by Alex Slitz/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Who: Phoenix Suns (43-35) vs. Houston Rockets (49-29)

When: 8:00pm Arizona Time

Where: Mortgage Matchup Center, Phoenix, Arizona

Watch: Peacock/NBC

Listen: SiriusXM Channel 214


78 down, 4 to go. The Rockets have clinched a playoff spot, and the Suns have clinched a Play-In spot. While not technically impossible for the Suns to take the Timberwolves’ standings spot number 6, it is increasingly improbable, given the 3-game deficit. The Suns, and basically everyone else, are playing warm-up for the postseason at this point.

That said, the Suns have won 3 of their last 5. Though the victories haven’t always been pretty at times, they are still victories. Most importantly, the Suns have finally started to get healthy. Mark Williams and Dillon Brooks are both back and playing big minutes.

With that health has come a shortened rotation. Sunday against the Bulls, none of Rasheer Fleming, Ryan Dunn, or Khaman Maluach saw minutes.

Will the trend continue? We will see tonight against the Rockets.

Probable Starters

Injury Report

Suns

  • Haywood Highsmith – OUT (Right Knee)

Rockets

  • Steven Adams – OUT (Ankle)
  • Fred VanVleet – OUT (ACL)

What to Watch For

The Rockets are healthy, and when they are, they are BIG. They are second in the league in blocks per game and first in rebounds despite being eleventh in defensive rebounds. That means they crash the offensive glass hard. They are first in the league in offensive rebounds per game at 15.0. Now, that said, your Phoenix Suns are fourth in the league in offensive rebounds per game at 13.0. 

Overall, by the numbers, the Rockets have a better offense, better defense, are better at crashing the glass, and are much taller. I have thought all season that this is a top-two worst matchup in the NBA for the Suns.

That thought is sustained by history. The Suns have lost the last seven matchups against the Rockets. Their last win against Houston came on February 29th, 2024, in a game that saw Kevin Durant score 24 points for Phoenix and Jalen Green score 34 for Houston.

Tonight, we are watching to see if the Suns can get a big win against a bad matchup going into the play-in.

Key to a Suns Win

If the Suns want to win, they are going to have to play bigger than they are. Against the Bulls, Jordan Ott started Jordan Goodwin. Goodie may be the best in the league at playing bigger than he is, so I hope to see him starting again. He had a good night, after all, putting up 12 points and 7 rebounds.

Tonight, it is all about crashing the glass. Phoenix can’t do anything about the hands they are going to have in their faces; all they can do is work hard to secure the rebound after misses.

Prediction

My confidence isn’t high after recent performances, and the Rockets have had the Suns’ number for over two calendar years now. What’s important is that the Suns fight hard and feel warmed up going into their first play-in game.

Rockets 114, Suns 110

LeBron James out vs. Thunder due to left foot injury management

OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA - APRIL 02: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on before tipoff against the Oklahoma City Thunder at the Paycom Center on April 2, 2026 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. 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. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Just when it looked like the Lakers’ injury report couldn’t get worse, it has.

The Lakers will have to play against the Thunder without LeBron James, who has been ruled out due to left foot injury management.

The team is already playing without Marcus Smart, Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves, so now the only starter who will be suiting up for the purple and gold is Deandre Ayton.

The only good news here for Los Angeles is that this injury is being labeled as left foot injury management. So, it’s just about LeBron getting some rest and not another massive injury to a key player.

After Tuesday, the Lakers have three games left, including a back-to-back on Thursday and Friday. If LeBron resting here means he can play the rest of the way, then that’s probably a smart move.

Still, LeBron’s absence from this game doesn’t make winning any easier. With Dončić and Reaves out, the Lakers have been relying on James even more.

He ran the entire offense for LA in their game against the Mavericks and played well. It’s going to be extremely difficult for Lakers head coach JJ Redick to find LeBron’s level of production with the players he has left available.

Perhaps Luke Kennard can have another triple-double, or Rui Hachimura goes berserk from deep to keep the Lakers in this one.

Considering that OKC just blew out LA when they were fully healthy a week ago, this doesn’t look like a game the Lakers can win.

You can follow Edwin on Twitter at @ECreates88 or on Bluesky at @ecreates88.bsky.social.

Juan Soto injured and Mets' bullpen finds early success | The Mets Pod

On The Mets Pod, Connor Rogers and Joe DeMayo break down this week in New York baseball, including the injury to Juan Soto and the offensive outburst from Bo Bichette and Mark Vientos

The guys then take a look at the bullpen's success so far and put a spotlight on Clay Holmes' start to the season before going Down on the Farm to determine if it is too early to talk about Elian Peña

Later, Connor and Joe update their scoreboard predictions and open the Mailbag to answer questions about Carson Benge and Nate Lavender.

Be sure to subscribe to The Mets Pod at Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.