Playing the same opponent on back-to-back days creates a unique dynamic with one side leaning on familiarity, while the other looks for redemption after falling short.
That’s exactly the situation for the Houston Rockets and Los Angeles Clippers, and after Tuesday’s matchup stayed Under the total, Wednesday’s meeting shapes up similarly as I break down in my Clippers vs. Rockets predictions.
With that, let’s get into my NBA picks for February 11.
Clippers vs Rockets prediction
Clippers vs Rockets best bet: Under 208.5 (-110)
These teams fared off Tuesday and essentially shared the blueprint for what to expect in the rematch Wednesday.
After the Houston Rockets picked up a 102-95 win, my pick undoubtedly takes the Under.
These are two of the Top 9 teams in the NBA in scoring defense, and both have winning Under records when playing the second night of a back-to-back.
Houston is no stranger to going low, having cashed the Under in eight of its last 10, while the Los Angeles Clippers – still awaiting the debut of Darius Garland – have worked their way Under in three of their last four.
Clippers vs Rockets same-game parlay
With Garland (toe) still sidelined, John Collins has been the second-leading scorer in all three games since trading away James Harden, while topping his 13.5 scoring line set for Wednesday each time.
Kevin Durant went 3-for-7 from distance in the win over LA, the sixth time in his last he’s banged in at least three. Against the Clips? That’s now at least three 3-point makes in four of the last five.
Clippers vs Rockets SGP
Under 208.5 points
John Collins Over 14.5 points
Kevin Durant Over 2.5 three-point makes
Our "from downtown" SGP: Raining from three
It’s all about the moneyball in this lotto SGP. Reed Sheppard went 4-for-6 from distance last game, and is 13-for-26 (50%) from three-point range in his last four against LA.
Jabari Smith Jr. has been potent from long range too. His 2-for-3 effort Tuesday makes it eight times in the last nine games he’s hit at least two triples in a game.
Brook Lopez has hit a three-pointer in all six games in February, but the big man has only topped 1.5 makes in a game twice in that span.
Clippers vs Rockets SGP
Kevin Durant Over 2.5 three-point makes
Reed Sheppard Over 2.5 three-point makes
Jabari Smith Jr. Over 1.5 three-point makes
Brook Lopez Under 1.5 three-point makes
Clippers vs Rockets odds
Spread: Los Angeles +9 (-110) | Houston -9 (-110)
Moneyline: Los Angeles +290 | Houston -370
Over/Under: Over 208.5 (-110) | Under 208.5 (-110)
Clippers vs Rockets betting trend to know
Los Angeles has covered four straight games vs Houston. Find more NBA betting trends for Clippers vs. Rockets.
How to watch Clippers vs Rockets
Location
Toyota Center, Houston, TX
Date
Wednesday, February 11, 2026
Tip-off
8:00 p.m. ET
TV
FDSN Southern California, SCHN
Clippers vs Rockets latest injuries
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This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here
LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 10: Keldon Johnson #3 of the San Antonio Spurs dunks the ball during the game against the Los Angeles Lakers on February 10, 2026 at Crypto.Com Arena in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The NBA is annoying right now. The Spurs are my perfect, beautiful angels who can absolutely do no wrong and I love them deeply and irrationally, but the NBA as a whole? Annoying. The league. The season. The vibes. It’s hard to get excited for these games right now. I feel unenthused. Unaffected. Uninspired. I’m trying to feel something, you know? It turns out that watching Victor Wembanyama stomp around on Jaxson Hayes’s sandcastle didn’t exactly do the trick.
I realize the Spurs are not blameless in the grand phenomenon of Load Management and DNP Old. If anything, they wrote the playbook for it. Tim Duncan and co.’s minutes quietly shrinking. That Miami game. The fine. Look, Pop wasn’t apologizing for it then, and most of us weren’t either. It felt rebellious. It felt punk rock. It felt smart.
And maybe it still was. At least, maybe that version of it was. Maybe I’m just a hypocrite! Fine. But whatever the league has turned into now is leaving me cold. The strategy around when and how teams are sitting people, the current iteration of the Spurs included, no longer feels like a cheeky shenanigan. It feels corporate and methodical. It’s like spending my entire day trapped in an Excel doc, only to come home and discover that my cool, fun hobby has also been corrupted by the unholy spreadsheet.
I don’t know what the fix is. I’m not even talking about tanking. The Spurs’ hands are just as unclean on that front, so it’s probably more polite to stay on the sidelines for that particular conversation. All I’m asking for is that these games matter. Just a little. I want them to have some stakes. I want it to feel important every time we line our guys up against theirs. I want it to hurt to miss a game. I want this stuff to mean something!
Because the scary little secret lurking under the surface, the one no one is really allowed to say out loud, is that it doesn’t. None of it does. The games. The league. Everything. The Thunder won the title last year? Doesn’t matter. The Spurs have won five banners? Doesn’t matter. In a real world sense, this is all pointless. It’s a game, and a silly one at that! One that’s been inflated into a giant industrial complex designed to separate us from our money as efficiently as possible and keep us coming back.
And yet.
The players keep me coming back. Their stories. Their lives. Their games. I want to watch them grow and excel and do things that make me sit back in awe of what the human body is capable of.
The fans keep me coming back. The community. The family. I want to be part of something bigger than myself. I want to feel alive when the crowd erupts after a big play. I want to hug strangers because they’re wearing the same colors as me. I want to feel joy and pain in equal measure with the people around me. I want to beam with pride every time I see San Antonio represented on the world stage.
It only matters because we care about it. Because we ascribe meaning to it. We have to figure out how to hold on to that. To blow on whatever embers of passion are still glowing in there, because the slog the regular season keeps turning into is going to extinguish it for good if we’re not careful.
Takeaways
Ok. It was pretty cool to watch Victor for a bit there. It wasn’t a fair fight and it definitely had that tang of watching a 14-year-old dunk on an 8-foot rim. Like, yes, buddy. We see you. Maybe set your sights a little higher. But you can only play the opponent in front of you, and Victor absolutely did that. Seventeen in four minutes. Thirty-seven at halftime. Forty in twenty-six minutes. If you’re going to participate in a scrimmage disguised as a nationally televised game, at least make it art. Congrats to him on that.
The Spurs are getting a touch better at not turning these schedule wins into full-blown emotional stress tests designed to shave years off my life. There was a time (recently!) when “undermanned opponent on the second night of a back-to-back” meant we’d flirt with disaster for three quarters before escaping with a six-point win and mild cardiac damage. This one was different. It wasn’t perfect. It wasn’t transcendent. But it was competent. Mature. A touch better. Just a touch!
I would prefer, specifically, if none of our players ever got hurt. Ever. I recognize that this is not how sports works, but you miss 100 percent of the shots you don’t take, yeah? Steph, we simply must protect our pelvises. I love the reckless abandon. I love the full-court sprint into a chase-down block attempt when the game is already in hand. I love it! But also, please. The Pelvi. We need them intact. Protect the pelvi.
SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 28: Nick Kurtz #16 of the Athletics looks on as he heads back to the dugout after striking out during the bottom of the fourth inning against the Kansas City Royals at Sutter Health Park on September 28, 2025 in Sacramento, California. (Photo by Scott Marshall/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Pitchers and catchers have reported and it’s finally beginning to feel like baseball season. The A’s checked off most of their offseason wish-list, trading for a starting-caliber second baseman (Jeff McNeil), signing a veteran starting pitcher (Aaron Civale just yesterday), and a couple low-end middle relievers (Mark Leiter Jr. and Scott Barlow).
Better than all those moves combined for me though is the recent extensions the club has secured with Tyler Soderstrom and Jacob Wilson, locking them in as core players for years to come. And those two extensions are on top of the ones given to Lawrence Butler and Brent Rooker. The A’s are finally trying to keep their players.
But was all that enough for the A’s to possibly contend for a Wild Card spot? The team was never going to play in the deep-end of the free agent pool but they probably could have spent more than what they have. The front office added plenty of depth arms to the organization’s relief cupboard but the team is more or less bringing back the same guys as last season, minus a half season of Mason Miller. The starting rotation has potential but only if everything goes perfectly. And though they’ve looked for upgrades at the position, third base looks like it’ll be a combination of Max Muncy, Andy Ibanez and Darell Hernaiz.
Which offseason decision have you disliked the most or feel the most uneasy about? Have we not shored up the relief core enough? Is the starting rotation your primary concern? No upgrade at the hot corner? Or is your head not even on the field, instead wishing for one final extension from our Rookie of the Year first baseman Nick Kurtz? Debate and comment below!
CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - FEBRUARY 09: Miles Bridges #0 of the Charlotte Hornets fights Isaiah Stewart #28 of the Detroit Pistons during the second half of a basketball game at Spectrum Center on February 09, 2026 in Charlotte, North Carolina. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by David Jensen/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The NBA has announced suspensions to four players related to the extended melee between the Detroit Pistons and Charlotte Hornets on Monday. Pistons big men Isaiah Stewart and Jalen Duren received a seven-game suspension and a two-game suspension, respectively. Hornets players Miles Bridges and Moussa Diabate are suspended for four games apiece.
The suspensions were announced by James Jones, head of basketball operations for the league.
Stewart received the longest suspension because he left the bench to get involved in the altercation, eventually laying hands on Bridges, and because he has a history of league discipline, termed “his repeated history of unsportstman like acts” by the NBA in the release. The suspension means Stewart will not play enough games to be in contention for All-Defense honors.
Presumably, Diabate and Bridges were next in line because Diabate escalated a confrontation with Duren beyond the boiling point and had to be restrained multiple times while trying to get to Duren. Bridges, meanwhile, seemed to be the only person to land a thrown punch and proactively went after Duren after not being involved in the original dust-up. Duren “initiated the altercation,” the league says, presumably when he put his hands on Diabate’s face to shove him away after they went head-to-head following a hard foul, so he gets the least of it but does not walk out of the situation unscathed.
The two-game suspension should not in any way prevent Duren from participating in All-Star weekend as a reserve for Sunday’s game.
Both Pistons players will miss tonight’s matchup against the Toronto Raptors, and the Pistons have recalled two-way big man Tolu Smith to help provide some center depth. Duren will also miss a big rematch against the New York Knicks on Feb. 19. Stewart will miss those games as well as matchups against the Bulls, Spurs, Thunder, Cavs, and Magic.
In other words, this is coming at one of the most difficult stretches of Detroit’s schedule.
What’s your reaction to the level of punishment for all involved? Sound off in the comments.
Shohei Ohtani will lead off again. Will Smith will bat fifth. Mookie Betts will probably be in the third spot.
Three weeks before the Dodgers’ first full-squad workout of spring training, manager Dave Roberts was already talking about what his batting order would look like.
And why not?
Roberts knows what he has.
All-Stars up and down the lineup. A rotation packed with potential Cy Young Award candidates. A bullpen loaded with flamethrowers.
Not much guesswork is involved when your team is the two-time defending World Series champion. Not as much finger-crossing when you have the most expensive collection of talent in baseball history.
LA Dodgers’ Roki Sasaki, left, and Shohei Ohtani celebrate after defeating the Toronto Blue Jays in Game 7 of the 2025 World Series in November in Toronto, Canada. Getty Images
That doesn’t mean the Dodgers don’t have any questions heading into spring training this year.
Here are the five most important:
What to expect of Roki Sasaki?
Considered a generational talent in his home country of Japan, the 24-year-old Sasaki remains a mystery as he prepares for his second year in the majors.
Sasaki underwhelmed as a starting pitcher last year, as his control was off and his velocity was down. He spent more than four months on the injured list, but returned in the final week of the regular season and quickly became the team’s closer.
Sasaki, who underwhelmed as a starting pitcher last year, at LA’s Dodger Stadium on Jan. 31. Getty Images
The right-hander accepted the move to the bullpen under the condition that he be given a chance to start again this year. The Dodgers will honor their promise to him, but it’s uncertain whether he has the durability or arsenal required to be a starting pitcher in the majors.
In his five years with the Chiba Lotte Marines of the Japanese league, Sasaki was never healthy for an entire season. He said his goal this year was to “remain standing on the mound for the entire year without any injuries.”
Sasaki relies heavily on his fastball and forkball, so much so that Roberts has called for him to develop a third pitch. Sasaki is listening.
“I’ve been practicing a cutter and slider since last year,” he said.
Miguel Rojas is expected to share time at second base with either Hyeseong Kim or Alex Freeland. AP
Who’s at second base?
With Tommy Edman recovering from ankle surgery and expected to miss the start of the season, Miguel Rojas is expected to share time at second base with either Hyeseong Kim or Alex Freeland.
The fleet-footed Kim excelled as a bottom-of-the-order hitter when he was initially called up from triple-A last year, but his production plunged after a couple of months. In 71 major league games, he stole 13 bases.
The other option would be Freeland, who entered last season as one of the organization’s top prospects. He earned his first promotion to the majors in the middle of the season when Max Muncy and Kiké Hernandez were on the injured list. Batting just .190 in 29 games, Freeland finished the season with triple-A Oklahoma City.
Andy Pages crushed 27 homers in the regular season last year, but was just four for 45 in the postseason. JASON SZENES FOR THE NEW YORK POST
Which version of Andy Pages shows up?
By running over Kiké Hernandez to make a season-saving catch in Game 7 of the World Series, Andy Pages assured himself a place in Dodgers folklore. But can Pages assure himself a place on the team going forward?
Pages, 25, finds himself at a career crossroads. He crushed 27 homers in the regular season last year, but was just four for 45 in the postseason.
This will be the year in which Pages transitions from prospect to regular starter — or becomes another James Outman. Another athletic outfielder, Outman homered 23 times for the Dodgers in 2023. He was traded last year to the Minnesota Twins.
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The $72-million left-hander was nothing like the pitcher who struck out Ohtani four times in four plate appearances pitching for the San Diego Padres in the 2024 National League Division Series. Scott registered a 4.74 earned-run average and was credited with nine blown saves.
Scott believes his problem was that he challenged opposing hitters too much, and the data indicates he’s onto something. The percentage of pitches he threw in the strikezone went up last year.
With Edwin Díaz signed to be the team’s closer, Scott is expected to be used in a setup role and Roberts should be able to deploy him against their opponents’ best left-handed hitters.
Dodgers’ Ryan Ward arrives for a spring training game against the San Francisco Giants at Camelback Ranch in Glendale, Arizona in March 2025. Getty Images
Is Ryan Ward already on the trading block?
Ryan Ward has hit 70 home runs in the minor leagues over the last two seasons. He was the Pacific Coast League’s most valuable player last year. He’s already 28.
So why did the Dodgers spend $240 million to avoid giving him a chance?
The team’s decision-makers swear the choice to splurge on Kyle Tucker was more about Tucker’s talent than Ward’s shortcomings.
The downside of coming up in an organization like the Dodgers is that because they have to win now, they don’t have the luxury of gambling on prospects. The Dodgers will take a look at him to see if he could be a late bloomer like Max Muncy, but his real chance might come elsewhere. Other teams are interested, making him a candidate to be moved at the trade deadline.
It’s the battle of the tanks as the Western Conference’s worst team, the Sacramento Kings, travel to Salt Lake City to take on the No. 13 team out West, the Utah Jazz.
Utah (17-37) and Sacramento (12-43) split their previous two meetings earlier in the regular season, and this game is vital in the tanking race. Every win — and every loss — is crucial for both teams’ lottery chances in May.
Injury Report
Utah Jazz:
Keyonte George — OUT (right ankle; sprain)
Sacramento Kings:
De’Andre Hunter — OUT (left eye; iritis)
Zach Lavine — OUT (right 5th finger; tendon injury)
Malik Monk — OUT (illness)
Keagan Murray — OUT (left ankle; sprain)
Domantas Sabonis — OUT (left knee; injury management)
WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 29: Retired NBA player John Wall speaks on a pregame show prior the game between the Washington Wizards and the Milwaukee Bucks at Capital One Arena on January 29, 2026 in Washington, DC. 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 Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) | Getty Images
With the NBA All-Star Break now ready to begin, the NBA will start airing related content across multiple networks like NBA TV, NBC, Versant, Amazon and Disney (that’s ESPN and ABC). As Washington Wizards fans, this will be our best opportunity this season to see some players, namely Tre Johnson, Alex Sarr and Kyshawn George on some of these networks. That’s simply because the Wizards are one of the worst teams in the NBA and started the season with no superstars. So they just aren’t going to be on national TV very often.
That said, last month has been quite exciting for the Wizards. They now have two superstars (even if they aren’t at their peaks) with Trae Young and Anthony Davis. Don’t be surprised if Young and Davis aren’t playing this season, but it gives Wizards fans something to look forward to for the 2026-27 season. And the national media will almost definitely start to play Wizards games in their rotation again.
So here’s my question In light of the trades and national media. How many Wizards regular season games do you think will be aired on national television (we’ll include streaming as well)? Let us know in the comments below.
SARASOTA, Fla. (AP) — Baltimore Orioles second baseman Jackson Holliday will have surgery on Thursday to repair a broken hamate bone in his right hand and will miss opening day.
Orioles president of baseball operations Mike Elias announced Wednesday that Holliday sustained the injury while taking batting practice last week.
Holliday, 22, hit .242 with 17 home runs, 55 RBIs and 17 stolen bases in 2025. He was the No. 1 overall draft pick in 2022.
Elias also said Wednesday that third baseman Jordan Westburg is recovering from a right oblique injury that could delay his participation in spring training games.
SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 26: Mason Barnett #63 of the Athletics pitches in the top of the third inning against the Kansas City Royals at Sutter Health Park on September 26, 2025 in Sacramento, California. (Photo by Justine Willard/Athletics/Getty Images) | Getty Images
*In an effort to make the nomination voting easier for everyone, I will comment, “NOMINATIONS”, and you may reply to that with your picks and upvote the player you’d like to see on the next nominee list.
After just barely losing last round to outfielder Devin Taylor, right-handed starter prospect Mason Barnett was the clear winner for the 11th-best prospect in the A’s system as voted on by A’s fans. Barnett, the headline return piece from Kansas City the A’s got back in exchange for Lucas Erceg, made his big league debut this past season, getting a quick cup of coffee in the big leagues. The righty didn’t look all that great in Triple-A this past season, his first at that level, and he predictably struggled against higher competition in the big leagues. The team will continue letting him develop in Triple-A to open the year but he’s likely one of the first callups when an injury inevitably pops up. We’ll all be hoping he takes advantage of that chance when it comes.
The next nominee joining the remaining four is right-handed pitcher Gunnar Hoglund. Another far ago top trade return, Hoglund’s professional career has been dogged by seemingly never-ending injuries. After four years climbing the minor league ladder he finally made it to the big leagues this past season after dominating at Triple-A to open the year. And he looked good over his first couple of starts in the big leagues. Unfortunately the injury bug seemed to crop up again as he struggled hard in his final few starts with the A’s, The righty would undergo hip surgery in mid-June, prematurely ending his rookie season. There haven’t been any reports of any sort of setbacks but we’ll be finding out soon if there have been since everyone is reporting in for duty.
The process for this public vote is explained below. Please take a moment to read this before participating:
Please only vote for one. The player with the most votes at the end of voting will win the ranked spot. The remaining four players move on to the next ballot where they are joined by a new nominee.
In the comments, below the official voting, the community will nominate players to be put onto the ballot for the next round. The format for your comment should be “Nomination: Player Name”.
If a prospect is traded, his name will be crossed out, and all other players will be moved up a space. If a prospect is acquired, a special vote will be put up to determine where that player should rank.
The voting continues! Who will be voted as the 12th-best prospect in the A’s system? Here’s a quick rundown on each nominee— the scouting grades (on a 20-to-80 scale) and scouting reports come from MLB Pipeline.
White’s right-handed power is legitimate and he can hit the ball a long way to all fields thanks to his strength and bat speed. He might be known for his home run totals but he’s a better overall hitter than people think, finding the barrel consistently and limiting strikeouts. His knack for contact can lead to him expanding his strike zone, but he doesn’t swing and miss very often.
It will be White’s bat that carries him to the big leagues. He’s a well-below-average runner who likely lacks the range and tools to stick at third base, where he toiled as a sophomore and junior, earning praise for playing through a shoulder injury at LSU in 2023. He’s likely headed to first base long term, which could give the A’s a glut of serious offensive talent between him and first-rounder Nick Kurtz.
At the plate, Morii features a smooth left-handed swing with tremendous balance. His power stands out, as he clubbed 45 home runs as a high schooler. He is considered an advanced hitter with good barrel control. On the mound, his fastball has been clocked as high as 95 mph and sits around 92-93. He also brings a splitter with nasty movement, a true 12-to-6 curveball and a tighter slider with solid bite and depth, though that offering will probably require some fine-tuning. Having only been pitching with regularity for less than two years, Morii’s arm is relatively fresh as he enters the organization.
Morii’s high-octane throwing arm plays well at shortstop, but some evaluators see a possibility of moving to third base as his 6-foot-1 frame fills out. While scouts see Morii’s long-term future in the batter’s box, the A’s plan on giving him every opportunity to succeed as a two-way player, with excitement already building over his impressive physical traits and desire to become one of the next great players out of Japan.
The 6-foot-3 right-hander has gained velocity steadily in his years as a pro and has touched as high as 99 mph this season. He typically sits around 94 mph, working north-south with the pitch while getting most of his whiffs up and to the armside. He played off that with a 76-79 mph curveball that could have more slurvish tendencies, but at its best, it snapped downward to fool batters sitting on the high heat and it had produced a 47 percent miss rate at the time of the trade. He also utilizes an 83-86 mph split-change to miss bats, but it stands out more for its separation than movement profile.
Baez took a major jump in workload but didn’t let his control improvements suffer. That certainly helps his starting chances, as does his 50.1 percent ground-ball rate from 2024. He’s still only 22, but with his place on the roster now set, the A’s (never afraid to move guys quickly) could try to see what it looks like in the big leagues in a relief role to ease him in.
Though Hoglund may never get back the electric stuff he possessed earlier in his career, the A’s were encouraged to see his fastball velocity tick back up to the low-90s. He has also experimented with adding a two-seamer and cutter. His low-80s slider now features more sweeping action and works as his main secondary pitch. He has also improved his low-80s changeup, creating a solid three-pitch mix that is enhanced by a strong ability to consistently throw strikes.
Now three years removed from Tommy John, the A’s are hopeful that Hoglund can develop into a solid back-end rotation piece, especially if he can successfully develop a fourth pitch. The Florida native was regularly going deep into starts in his big league cameo (6.40 ERA with 23 strikeouts to 11 walks across 32 1/3 innings) before going down with the injury and is expected to make a full recovery before the 2026 season.
The A’s were working on some mechanical adjustments with Miller prior to his injury. His electric fastball ticked up to 96 mph in high school and displayed excellent movement down in the zone. The mid-80s slider is a hard breaker and was showing signs of improvement. His low-80s changeup showed some potential as an average third pitch.
There was real excitement within the organization for Miller’s professional debut. His three-pitch mix and large 6-foot-6 frame give off the potential of a workhorse-type starting pitcher in the big leagues. The A’s also loved the competitiveness they saw from him on the mound while scouting him. After an unfortunate delay, he finally got his first opportunity to make an impression this summer.
* * *
Programming Note: Each CPL vote will run for around 48 hours, so don’t delay in making your vote!
Power management regulations will be hard to explain
Hamilton: ‘You need a degree to fully understand it all’
Lewis Hamilton has issued a striking warning that fans may struggle to understand Formula One’s new regulations for the 2026 season, branding them “ridiculously complex” after having spun while testing his new Ferrari in Bahrain.
Hamilton was speaking at the second pre-season test where the teams are coming to terms with cars and engines that have been subject to what amounts to the biggest single shake-up in the sport’s history, and specifically to how drivers are expected to manage the power of their engines which are now defined by a near 50-50 split between combustion and electrical power.
NBA All-Star Weekend is here, and fans can tune in to all their favorite events on NBC and Peacock. The festivities tip off on Friday with the Rising Stars Challenge at 9:00 PM ET and HBCU Classic at 11:00 PM ET.
NBA All-Star Saturday features the State Farm 3-Point Contest, Kia Shooting Stars and the AT&T Slam Dunk Contest all tipping off at 5:00 PM ET.
The weekend closes with the 75th All-Star Game on Sunday, broken into four mini-games beginning at 5:00 PM ET.
See below for additional information on the AT&T Slam Dunk Contest and how to watch all of the other exciting events featured on NBC and Peacock. Peacock will feature 100 regular-season NBA games throughout the course of the 2025-2026 season.
The second-year man out of Arizona has averaged 7.6 minutes per game across 21 appearances for the Heat this season. He's seen most of his playing time with the G League's Sioux Falls Skyforce.
Jase Richardson, Orlando Magic
The rookie first-rounder has logged 12.2 minutes per game, and he scored a career-best 20 points against the Washington Wizards on January 6. Richardson is the son of two-time Slam Dunk Contest winner Jason Richardson.
Carter Bryant, San Antonio Spurs
The first-year man from Arizona is averaging 3.3 points and 1.9 rebounds across 9.3 minutes per game, but he had the best game of his career in Tuesday's win over the Lakers, going for 16 points, four rebounds, three assists, a steal and three three-pointers across 27 minutes.
Jaxson Hayes, Los Angeles Lakers
Hayes is a regular part of LA's rotation, logging 17.3 minutes per game with six starts. A lethal lob threat, he ranks 19th in the Association with 75 dunks this season.
Youngest Dunk Contest winner: Kobe Bryant, 18 years old (1997)
Notable Slam Dunk Contests
1986 - Spud Webb Elevates
Webb was a late sub for Michael Jordan, and the 5'7 guard answered the call with a shocking display of bounce to claim the win over teammate Dominique Wilkins.
1988 - His Airness Takes Flight
The most famous dunk of Jordan's illustrious career came at the 1988 Slam Dunk Contest when he took down Dominique Wilkins with a slam from the free throw line that earned him a perfect 50.
2000 - Vinsanity Unleashes
Widely regarded as the best Dunk Contest of all time, Vince Carter unleashed a series of jaw-dropping jams to defeat Tracy McGrady and Steve Francis. After nailing a between-the-legs windmill, he famously declared, "it's over."
2008 - Superman and the Cupcake
Dwight Howard donned his Superman cape for one of the Dunk Contest's most iconic finishes. He defeated Gerald Green, who blew out the candle on a cupcake placed on the rim.
2016 - LaVine vs. Gordon
The only contest that can hold a candle to the 2000 event featured a barrage of spectacular dunks from two of the NBA's most athletic finishers. LaVine narrowly won after a remarkable back-and-forth with Gordon.
Peacock NBA Monday will stream up to three Monday night games each week throughout the regular season. Coast 2 Coast Tuesday presents doubleheaders on Tuesday nights throughout the regular season on NBC and Peacock. On most Tuesdays, an 8 p.m. ET game will be on NBC stations in the Eastern and Central time zones, and an 8 p.m. PT game on NBC stations in the Pacific and often Mountain time zones.
Check local listings each week. Both games will stream live nationwide on Peacock. NBC Sports will launch Sunday Night Basketball across NBC and Peacock on Feb. 1, 2026. For a full schedule of the NBA on NBC and Peacock, click here.
How to sign up for Peacock:
Sign up here to watch all of our LIVE sports, sports shows, documentaries, classic matches, and more. You’ll also get tons of hit movies and TV shows, Originals, news, 24/7 channels, and current NBC & Bravo hits—Peacock is here for whatever you’re in the mood for.
NBA on NBC 2025-26 Schedule
Click here to see the full list of NBA games that will air on NBC and Peacock this season.
Feb 4, 2025; El Segundo, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers vice president of basketball operations and general manager Rob Pelinka speaks before introducing Luka Doncic at UCLA Health Training Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images | Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images
Whether it was the plan all along or not, the next chapter of the Los Angeles Lakers’ franchise will be written this summer.
With no first-round picks traded away or long-term money taken in, the Lakers have now positioned themselves with immense optionality in the offseason. This may sound like familiar spin or excuses from the front office. Yet it is different now, because it has to be.
Of the 14 players on the roster today, only five have guaranteed deals heading into next year. That can grow to seven if Deandre Ayton and Marcus Smart pick up their player options. Austin Reaves should also be safely assumed to be back on a new deal. Beyond that, the books are as clean as they’ve been in recent memory.
As a result, the Lakers are set to have roughly $50 million in cap space this summer. The actual number could be more or less, depending on a few variables. Most prominently, the future of LeBron James.
On top of their spending ability, the Lakers’ draft capital will also jump from one to three tradeable first-round picks come draft night. They also still have future pick swaps they could use to sweeten a deal.
All these resources ultimately only matter if the Lakers, and specifically President of Basketball Operations Rob Pelinka, can capitalize on them. When given the choice to improve their championship odds, Pelinka and the rest of the team’s braintrust decided to stand pat. Their time to strike would be in July and August. And if that decision doesn’t pay off, then consequences should follow.
Despite trading for Luka Dončić, being promoted and receiving a contract extension just last year, there may be no front-office person under more pressure this summer than Pelinka.
Pelinka’s long-term job security likely was never going to be in immediate jeopardy under the team’s previous ownership. But under a new regime led by Mark Walter, Pelinka will not be able to coast by on sentimental ties alone. He will need to provide results quickly.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – OCTOBER 21: Jeanie Buss (L) and Mark Walter attend a basketball game between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Golden State Warriors at Crypto.com Arena on October 21, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. 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 Allen Berezovsky/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The team’s trust in Pelinka to build the Lakers squad of the future may already be splintering. A report from The Athletic noted that multiple league sources expect the team to make “significant hires” in a wide range of front-office positions this summer.
Filling a previously bare-bones front office does not suggest Pelinka’s job is at stake, but it is noteworthy that he will no longer be the sole voice in the room.
Beyond the pressures of working under a new ownership, Pelinka must also contend with building a winner around Dončić within a shorter window than is often discussed.
While Dončić being 15 years younger than James affords the team a longer shot at sustainable success, time is still ticking when it comes to competing for a championship. The Lakers are only guaranteed to have Dončić for two more seasons before he can opt out of his deal.
If that decision were to be made today, it is likely Dončić would sign a new extension with Los Angeles. However, if the Lakers prove unable to surround him with a legitimate championship-caliber team by then, history has shown that stars will ultimately go to better winning situations if given the opportunity.
Feb 4, 2025; El Segundo, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers vice president of basketball operations and general manager Rob Pelinka introduces guard Luka Doncic at UCLA Health Training Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images | Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images
So how does Pelinka go about actually building a roster that can contend now and for the future this offseason? It likely begins with their aforementioned cap space.
With at least seven spots to fill on the depth chart, the Lakers can go the traditional route and use their space to sign players who better fit around Dončić. It is worth noting that the unrestricted free-agent market this summer is projected to be extremely thin in high-end talent and even clear upgrades to current personnel. The restricted free-agent class, on the other hand, has several intriguing names that should be on the Lakers’ wishlist.
That said, restricted free-agency comes with its own set of hurdles. An interested team must get the player to agree to sign with them, and if they do, the money offered will then be tied up for days while the incumbent team decides whether to match the offer. The two teams could also work on a sign-and-trade for that player, with the interested team needing to send assets in return.
The latter will likely need to be the case if the Lakers hope to pry players such as Peyton Watson, Jalen Duren, Walker Kessler or Tari Eason away from their teams.
Due to a weak free-agent crop, canvassing the league for trades could end up being a more fruitful use of the Lakers’ cap room. They could use their flexibility to take on bad contracts from a team facing tax issues and pick up assets in return, or go star hunting, with the most obvious target being Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Not that it needed confirmation, but reports indicate the Lakers are expected to make a “hard push” for Antetokounmpo this summer.
The Lakers do not have the draft capital or blue-chip prospects that Milwaukee will likely covet in return, but can absorb nearly the entirety of Antetokounmpo’s deal into their space without needing to send back bloated contracts. It remains to be seen if this is of interest to Milwaukee, but it is a unique bargaining tool the Lakers hold over nearly every other team this offseason.
Whether it’s a star like Giannis or multiple role players, the Lakers must explore and be open to every pathway to improve because they can’t afford to be wrong.
Cap space will not last forever. The top of the Western Conference is young and only getting better. Dončić is only in his prime once.
If gaining optionality was their end goal, the Lakers have achieved it. But they must understand that with more choices also comes more chances to make a misstep. The wrong max contract or wrong trade target could put a halt to the next era before it even begins.
These are the self-imposed stakes they put on themselves this summer. Not because they are the Lakers, but a result of years of their own inaction.
All stats courtesy of Cleaning the Glass unless otherwise stated. You can follow Alex on Bluesky at @alexregla.bsky.social.
PHOENIX, ARIZONA - SEPTEMBER 21: Corbin Carroll #7 of the Arizona Diamondbacks bats during the eighth inning against the Philadelphia Phillies at Chase Field on September 21, 2025 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Diamondbacks defeated the Phillies 9-2. (Photo by Chris Coduto/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Well, this sucks. News out of Salt River Fields this morning, that Corbin Carroll suffered a broken hamate bone in his right hand, during live batting practice. This is going to cause him to miss significant time in spring training, and almost certainly on into the regular season. We do not know yet how bad the injury is, but in general it would be an 8-10 week recovery time, which would definitely be the first couple of weeks of regular season games, at the very least. But hands are tricky things, and there’s no guarantee that he will be back to full strength and capacity at the end of that time.
The D-backs were already thin in the outfield, after the trades of Jake McCarthy and Blaze Alexander, and the ongoing injury of Lourdes Gurriel Jr. That leaves just Jorge Barrosa and Alek Thomas the only healthy outfielders on the 40-man roster. The Ryan Waldschmidt era might end up arriving sooner than we would have liked…
It’s a jam-packed night of hoops action with 14 games on the NBA betting board.
I’ve sorted through the odds and found my three favorite plays for the day, including one on a Grizzlies guard who keeps giving us value and another on a rookie starting to show why he was a top pick.
Those and more NBA picks for Wednesday, February 11, are below.
As long as the Miami Heat keep playing basketball, I’m going to keep fading them on the glass.
The Heat aren’t the worst rebounding team, but it’s their high tempo that’s made them profitable.
Miami leads the NBA in pace and shot attempts per game, so that inherently means a lot of rebounds. It surrendered the second-most rebounds per game heading into tonight’s matchup with the New Orleans Pelicans.
My favorite Pels player to back is Trey Murphy III, who has pulled down six or more boards in three of his last five games.
Despite the injuries... the trades... the losses... the Memphis Grizzlies are showing some fight. Memphis is playing team basketball and getting performances from places you wouldn’t expect.
KCP is putting up 11.3 points per game over his last six, getting to double digits five times. We’re getting even money against a Denver Nuggets team that ranks 24th in defensive rating.
Utah Jazz rookie Ace Bailey has been playing the best basketball of his young career, and I’m betting he keeps rolling in tonight’s matchup against the Sacramento Kings.
Bailey is putting up 16.1 points per game with a .522 effective field goal percentage over his last 11, and he’s had 16+ points seven times during that stretch.
Yet, we’re still getting Bailey’s points prop at 13.5 against a Sacramento team that can’t stop anyone from getting buckets these days. The Kings have the third-worst defensive rating in the NBA, so why would they suddenly slow down Bailey?
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change. 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
Baseball: World Series: Rear view of Los Angeles Dodgers Clayton Kershaw (22) in action, pitching vs Houston Astros at Dodger Stadium. Game 1. Los Angeles, CA 10/24/2017 CREDIT: John W. McDonough (Photo by John W. McDonough /Sports Illustrated via Getty Images) (Set Number: X161490 TK1 )
The first great team from the Andrew Friedman era came within one game of reaching the ultimate goal despite all of the shenanigans, malfeasances, and such they had to deal with during the 2017 World Series. We aren’t here to dwell on the what-ifs; there’s been plenty of that for far too long. We’re here to remember a specific game that gets lost in the weeds of all that happened in that Fall Classic—one that, had Kenley Jansen completed the save, had Yu Darvish not completely imploded in Game 7, had one of many things gone differently, would be lauded to this day. Before all that transpired in this series, Clayton Kershaw was magnificent in Game 1, unhittable, his pristine great self in leading the Dodgers to a narrow victory over the Astros.
Before addressing that specific game, perhaps it’s worth, with the benefit of hindsight, pondering if 2017 was in fact, the last great chance for Kershaw to dramatically flip the script on the narrative of his postseason woes. Kershaw handled his decline with as much grace and adaptability as any superstar could ever hope for. Even in the twilight years of his career, the left-hander found ways to be significantly above average while also being a shell of his former self. By the time that first championship came around, Kershaw was still superb, but Walker Buehler was the fear-inducing presence amongst starters on that team. The performances throughout that extended postseason were great, but it was no longer truly his team; it was more of him being a part of it. Sure, the individualization of teams is an overplayed and quite tiresome phenomenon, but that doesn’t mean none of these points aren’t true.
If we account for the painful memories of 2019 and that in 2018, the Dodgers had a mountain to climb against a historically good Boston Red Sox team, that 2017 squad, still with Kershaw as its unquestionable ace, represented the last chance for this future Hall of Famer to change the narrative, and for a while, it looked like he’d do it. While even in 2017, one could argue he had already taken a small step back from his dominant era between 2011 and 2014, Kershaw was still inarguably amongst the game’s best, even if he couldn’t sit at 95 mph consistently.
After a pedestrian showing in Game 1 of the NLDS in 2017, one that still saw Kershaw earn the win over the Diamondbacks, the left-hander was terrific in helping the Dodgers win the NL pennant. The Dodgers won all three of Kershaw’s starts in the NLDS and NLCS, including a performance of six one-run innings to help clinch the NL pennant in Wrigley. Kershaw on one side, Justin Verlander on the other — on top of many other narratives, that World Series featured two of the great pitchers of the 21st century looking to put past postseason woes behind them in search of that elusive first championship.
Unfortunately, the schedules weren’t lined up as Houston went to the wire to beat the Yankees in the ALCS, so Kershaw had to face Dallas Keuchel in Game 1 of that World Series—the left-hander delivered in yet another game that the Dodgers’ offense didn’t give him a whole lot of support, scoring only three runs.
Facing a righty-heavy lineup with the likes of Carlos Correa, Alex Bregman, George Springer, and José Altuve, all while possessing the ability to actually surprise them with his patented down-and-in slider, Kershaw gave no quarter in a masterful showing of seven one-run innings to earn his first World Series win.
Springer, in particular, who would go on to torch the Dodgers in that series, gave no signs of what was to come, as he struck out all three times against Kershaw and then one more against Kenley Jansen just for good measure.
The one time the Dodgers’ starter might’ve been slightly rattled, following giving up a solo shot to Alex Bregman, he punched out the side in order, retiring Altuve, Correa, and Gurriel.
And since the other two hits Kershaw allowed were both singles, when he left the mound after seven innings of work, the Astros hadn’t had a single at-bat with a runner in scoring position. Whatever happened after this game, one could not ask anything more out of even the very best in these circumstances against such a talented opponent.
Kurt Helin
Trey Murphy III
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope
Ace Bailey