PHILADELPHIA, PA - FEBRUARY 20: Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics drives to the basket during the game against the Philadelphia 76ers on February 20, 2025 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 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 Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
May 5, 2018.
That was the last time I had even the slightest inclination that the Sixers might have the upper hand against the Boston Celtics. That was the date of the infamous “Confetti Game” in the Eastern Conference Semifinals when the Sixers hosted Boston. An eventual overtime loss for the Sixers gave way to a 3-0 series hole and ultimately a gentleman’s sweep in a five-game loss.
Even a handful of years later when the Sixers held a 3-2 series lead against the Celtics in the East semis, I never had a shred of confidence that the Sixers could get it done. An embarrassing Game 6 loss at home in a would-be closeout situation led to an embarrassing no-show loss on Mother’s Day up in Boston in Game 7. Fast forward a year later and the Celtics had won their second title of the 21st century while the Sixers continued to be allergic to the Eastern Conference Finals.
That brings us to the 2026 campaign. After some fleeting moments of joy this season, the Sixers are cratering. Joel Embiid once again has a prolonged absence. Tyrese Maxey just suffered a hand injury that will keep him out of the lineup for the time being and VJ Edgecombe is banged up as well. They have stumbled down the standings and currently sit as a Play-In team. As Mick Jagger once sang, “All the dreams were held so close, seemed to all go up in smoke.” That sums up the colossal disappointment of this era of Sixers basketball.
Conversely, everything is coming up Celtics. Jaylen Brown is having a career-best year in his age-29 season, dropping almost 29 points per night while guiding Boston to the No. 2 seed in the East. On Friday night, six-time All-Star Jayson Tatum returned to the lineup after an Achilles injury that had previously kept him sidelined all season. Tatum is settling in, putting up 15 points on Friday against Dallas and 20 points on Sunday against Cleveland, both Boston wins.
Let me guess how the next couple of months play out… Tatum gets his legs under him and Boston starts rolling. The Sixers scrape their way through the Play-In Tournament only for Boston to annihilate them in the first round. Shortly after, the Celtics will roll their way to their third Finals appearance in five seasons.
It sucks! It all sucks!
The Sixers’ pendulum has swung back to mediocrity and I can’t foresee them getting unstuck from there anytime soon.
NORTH LITTLE ROCK, AR - JULY 04: David Davalillo #20 of the Frisco RoughRiders pitches during the game between the Frisco RoughRiders and the Arkansas Travelers at Dickey-Stephens Park on Friday, July 4, 2025 in North Little Rock, Arkansas. (Photo by Braeden Botts/Minor League Baseball via Getty Images)
The Texas Rangers have optioned outfielder Dairon Blanco and pitcher Michel Otanez to AAA Round Rock yesterday, the team announced today. In addition, the MLB transaction logs are showing that pitchers David Davalillo and Leandro Lopez were optioned to AA Frisco yesterday, though that transaction apparently hasn’t been officially announced by the Rangers.
Blanco and Otanez are both claimed on waivers this offseason by the Rangers — Blanco was claimed yesterday, and Otanez was claimed in early November. Both seem to be guys who the Rangers are taking a look at while they have 40 man roster spots available, and who would seem to be candidates to be dropped from the 40 man roster once the team needs a 40 man spot for someone like Andrew McCutchen.
Davalillo and Lopez, meanwhile, are guys who were added to the 40 man roster this winter. Neither was a serious candidate to be on the Opening Day roster, and both will likely start the year in the rotation for Frisco.
HOUSTON, TEXAS - SEPTEMBER 15: Yordan Alvarez #44 of the Houston Astros bats in the first inning against the Texas Rangers at Daikin Park on September 15, 2025 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Kenneth Richmond/Getty Images) | Getty Images
At some point, the Houston Astros need to stop overthinking this and simply accept reality.
Yordan Alvarez can play left field. And more importantly, if the Astros are serious about maximizing their championship window, they should let him.
For years now, the organization has treated Alvarez with extreme caution defensively. The reasoning is obvious: he’s one of the most dangerous hitters in baseball, and keeping him healthy is a top priority. The safest place for him, in theory, is at designated hitter.
But here’s the problem with that logic, the cautious approach hasn’t exactly worked.
Despite limiting his time in the field, Alvarez has still missed large stretches of games over the past several seasons. Injuries happen in baseball. They always have, and they always will. Trying to eliminate that risk entirely is a losing battle. So if the Astros are going to face that reality anyway, they might as well put their best possible team on the field when Alvarez is healthy enough to play.
That includes letting him play left field.
This idea isn’t as radical as it might sound. Alvarez has said himself on multiple occasions that he actually prefers playing the field. He’s talked about how it helps him stay engaged in the game and keeps him mentally sharp between at-bats. For a hitter of his caliber, feeling locked into the rhythm of the game matters.
If your best hitter is telling you he performs better when he’s involved defensively, that should carry some weight.
There’s also a practical reason this makes sense for the Astros right now. The roster construction leaves them juggling pieces in the lineup almost every night. With a crowded infield mix and questions still lingering in the outfield, Alvarez playing left field would give manager Joe Espada far more flexibility when building his lineup.
Simply put, it allows Houston to put its most dangerous offensive lineup on the field more often.
Even if Alvarez doesn’t play left field every single game, making it a regular part of the plan, especially at home at Daikin Park, would help solve some lineup puzzles. Think about it, the talk is, it’s easier to play left in front of the Crawford Boxes. I mean, Jose Altuve was given the opportunity whole heartedly by throwing caution to the wind. Why not Yordan? On days when the Astros want to give him a partial break, he can slide right back into the designated hitter spot.
It’s about creating options instead of limiting them.
And let’s be honest: Alvarez doesn’t need to be a Gold Glove defender. He just needs to be serviceable. Plenty of elite hitters across baseball play the outfield despite not being defensive standouts. Aaron Judge patrols the outfield for the Yankees regularly, and while Alvarez is built differently, there’s no reason he can’t handle left field well enough to make it work.
Meanwhile, Houston’s roster is still taking shape. Jake Meyers seems like the frontrunner to once again handle center field duties alhough others are getting an opportunity to challenge him. While right field remains somewhat unsettled, whether that role goes to Cam Smith or someone the Astros acquire before the season gets too far along, there is still potential and plenty of time to figure out the other two spots in the outfield.
Defensively, there will likely be some growing pains. But offensively, this team has the pieces to compete with anyone in the American League.
That’s especially true if the Astros keep Isaac Paredes, something I’ve been very vocal about supporting.
The bigger picture here is simple. The Astros are still operating within a championship window. That window doesn’t stay open forever, even for organizations as consistently successful as Houston has been during this golden era of Astros baseball.
When you have a generational hitter like Yordan Alvarez in the middle of your lineup, your job as an organization is to maximize what he brings to the field.
Right now, that might mean trusting him with a glove in left field more often.
Some fans will disagree and prefer the cautious route. That’s understandable. Protecting a superstar always feels like the safer choice.
But playing it safe doesn’t necessarily mean playing it smart.
At some point, the Astros need to stop worrying so much about what might happen and focus on giving themselves the best chance to win tonight.
And that might start with letting Yordan Alvarez jog out to left field.
Grant Nelson drives to the basket against Boston Celtics center Luka Garza (52) during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Friday, Feb. 27, 2026, in Boston.
In a surprising move, the Nets declined to give Grant Nelson a second 10-day contract, league sources told the Post.
Rebuilding Brooklyn is reshuffling the roster in talent-acquisition mode, and Nelson appeared to fit the bill.
After the Nets took a record five first-round picks in June, they scooped up Nelson after the draft as a sixth rookie.
Following early season injury woes that hampered his progress in the G League, the 23-year-old Nelson came on strong with Long Island and earned his initial 10-day deal with Brooklyn on Feb. 27.
Grant Nelson drives to the basket against Boston Celtics center Luka Garza (52) during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Friday, Feb. 27, 2026, in Boston. AP
In four games with the Nets, Nelson averaged 4.3 points, 1.5 rebounds, 1.3 assists, and 1.3 blocks, shooting .556 percent overall and .700 from the foul line.
In a 106-102 loss to Cleveland on March 1, Nelson had 11 points, four boards and three blocks in just over 20 minutes against the Cavaliers.
He finished with six stocks -— steals and blocks combined — in 29 minutes, showing mobility and defensive energy. But apparently not enough to stick around.
“(He’s) a very good basketball player,” Brooklyn coach Jordi Fernandez said of Nelson over the weekend. “Everything he does, he does it well. He doesn’t over-dribble or try to do too much. Everything is efficient.
“His size is great. He’s a multi-positional defender, very good playmaker, fast. All of those things have been very good. It translates to this level … We’ll have to discuss and see what the next move going forward is.”
Nelson’s next move could be back to Long Island, with the Nets’ affiliate still holding his G League rights and for the run-in before their playoffs.
But any NBA team can sign Nelson, should they want.
Brooklyn now has an open roster spot. They’ve reached the deadline to convert two-way players to standard deals, but the Nets certainly could simply call up two-way forward Chaney Johnson, who has played well of late.
SURPRISE, AZ - FEBRUARY 17: Joc Pederson #3 of the Texas Rangers poses for a photo during the Texas Rangers photo day at Surprise Stadium on Tuesday, February 17, 2026 in Surprise, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
Texas Rangers lineup for March 9, 2026 against the San Diego Padres.
Texas plays at the Padres this afternoon, though it isn’t a full-blown “away game spring lineup” from Texas, even though Trey Supak is starting on the mound.
SAN ANTONIO, TX - MARCH 8: Victor Wembanyama #1 of the San Antonio Spurs greets the fans after the game against the Houston Rockets on March 8, 2026 at the Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photos by Michael Gonzales/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
I’ll get the usual caveats out of the way first. It’s just one game. It’s the regular season. The playoffs are a different animal. We shouldn’t get carried away.
“Weren’t you the guy sitting here this time last week after the Knicks loss telling us not to get too high or low about anything right now?”
Yes. Correct. Fair point.
Okay. Have we done that? Are we good? Have we done our acknowledgements? Have we given our quick nod to mortality?
Good.
Because I’m starting to think things I probably shouldn’t. Starting to feel things I didn’t expect to feel for a while. Starting to remember things I’d kind of forgotten.
We’re at that point where the endgame of the season can only break a few different ways.
Maybe it ends in heartbreak. A hard fought playoff series against a really good opponent who just has one or two more answers than we do. A break here or there that we don’t get. A shot that goes in and suddenly we’re all laying on the floor absolutely spent because we can’t believe what just happened actually happened.
Something to add to the Ray Allen folder we keep in the attic and only open when a national TV broadcast rudely blindsides us with it.
That’s on the table now. We’re in range. That kind of pain is part of the table stakes for the game we’re now playing.
We could also find ourselves a few weeks from now sitting here feeling a little sheepish about getting out over our skis back in March. Some version where the season ends with a 4-1 or 4-2 series loss to a team that simply outclasses the Spurs. Maybe they have more experience. Maybe our guys wobble just a little under the pressure.
Not a meltdown. Just a wobble. A cartoon Coyote who has run off the edge of the cliff and is only able to keep running until he accidentally looks down and realizes where he is.
With a team this young, it would be naive, maybe even a little irresponsible, not to at least acknowledge that possibility. A group with this little playoff experience being dropped straight into the fire.
We don’t have to dwell on it. We just have to, you know, give it a nod.
Because.
Because the other possibility is here now too.
Loud. Present. Practically shouting in our faces. Like a toddler who is up at 6:00 AM even though their parent’s body clock insists it’s still 5:00.
This team can win the whole thing.
They can play with anyone. They can beat anyone. They can get this thing done and, for as many reasons as there are that it might not happen, at this point there are just as many reasons that it might.
Which is wild.
Like, genuinely wild.
When the Spurs made their first championship run, I was ten years old. When I really think about it, that playoff run might be one of the earliest memories I have where every detail still feels as vivid as if it happened yesterday.
Fiesta was happening in April and the whole city felt like it was on tilt. If you weren’t partying, you were watching the Spurs. If you weren’t watching the Spurs, you were talking about the Spurs.
Every other car had one of those little plastic flags clipped to the window. Homemade posters and signs hung off front porches. Giant “Go Spurs Go” banners flapped off the sides of buildings. I remember driving down Austin Highway and seeing all those tents selling bootleg merch. I remember marveling at the massive Spurs flag out on 410 that I’m pretty sure Body Solutions put up. Remember Body Solutions? The weight loss supplement? Good times.
This was a ten year old’s brain, mind you, but it felt like I went to bed every night thinking about the Spurs and woke up every morning feeling like it was Christmas because I got to go out into the world and be a Spurs fan.
We went to a game against the Jazz during that run where we absolutely waxed those nerds. Tim had 36 and basically stuffed Karl Malone in a locker. John Stockton kept bricking threes and the crowd reacted like his pants had fallen down while he stepped on a rake.
I still have these really tangible sense memories of sitting in the Alamodome that night. The sounds, the smells, the colors. Fiesta colors popping against the white uniforms. The deep vivid blue of that weird curtain that separated the stadium. Asking my dad who Johnny Moore was. During timeouts they kept playing “Hey Macarena” even though that trend was about four years too late. Didn’t matter. We ate it up.
Mostly I remember how happy everyone was. Just pure joy. We were acting like fools because we were fools in love. I’d never been part of something bigger than myself before and it felt like my brain suddenly opening up to a wider world.
The Spurs were 9-0 at home during April and something like 13-2 overall. I was too young to care whether the national media was saying “This Spurs team has arrived” or not.
As a ten year old experiencing an unprecedented level of sports bliss, I probably couldn’t have explained any of that. But even if I didn’t have the words for it yet, I could tell we were standing on the edge of something special.
Watching this team come back from the Rodeo Road Trip and play in front of these rocking home crowds has got me feeling some type of way. It’s loud in there, y’all. It feels like a party. Limbs flying around after every bucket. “Olé” songs breaking out like it’s a soccer match. Every single cut to the crowd showing people with those “just can’t help it” grins plastered all over their faces.
The energy in that building feels insane. Even through the TV you can feel it. Watching the games lately has been this constant burst of color and light and sound that elevates everything happening on the floor to a level I was simply not prepared for.
As I’m reminded on a daily basis, I am no longer ten years old. I’ve experienced a lot more of the world since then. I’ve been in love and had my heart broken. I’ve lived in different cities. I’ve started a family. It’s the most cliché thing in the world but, you know, life has a way of just sort of happening when you aren’t even paying attention.
Life kept moving.
And somewhere along the way the Spurs kept happening too. I watched them win more championships than that ten year old version of me could have possibly imagined. I watched Manu turn back the clock and dunk on Chris Bosh. I watched Tim Duncan walk off the floor for the last time. I watched the whole thing slowly wind down. I even watched the Spurs bottom out to the point where I wasn’t really watching anymore.
You accumulate a lot of context along the way. A lot of scar tissue. The older you get, the harder it becomes to let yourself feel things the way you did when you were a kid. Logistically, it simply can’t matter as much as it did back then. You become cautious. Analytical. You start protecting yourself a little bit. There’s other stuff going on. Life’s out there happening, right?
And yet.
Right now the building is shaking again. Victor is coming into his own. The team is playing like they’ve been together for years. Dunks bring the house down. Threes send people over the edge. There’s no deficit we can’t come back from. There’s no opponent we can’t run out of the gym. The music is loud. The party is constant.
You’ve got the crowd randomly deciding to start chanting “CAR-TER BRY-ANT” just because he’s our dude and we simply must chant for him. We’re losing our minds.
We’re fools in love.
I’m just noticing, is all I’m saying.
My knees hurt more than they used to, but the colors are starting to feel pretty vivid again.
Takeaways:
– Here’s a freakin’ takeaway, the Spurs are good! Watch this dunk!
The offense is absolutely humming right now. I don’t know how sustainable it is but, man, when the Spurs are moving the ball like this it feels like they’re capable of setting the world on fire. Thirty-eight assists is a lot! It’s one of the best vital signs you can check when you’re trying to figure out how good this team can actually be. Even just watching the game you can tell when they hit that flow state. The ball is constantly bopping around and it’s not just one person leading the charge, everybody is involved and everybody is trying to find the best shot for the team. It’s unselfish, it’s beautiful, and it’s about as fun as basketball gets.
When this one ended I walked away thinking Devin Vassell had a really good game. He’s been on such a great run lately and it just felt like another example of how well he’s been playing. Then I checked the box score this morning and saw he went 0-6 from the field, which honestly surprised me because I still feel like he was really good last night. He was facilitating the offense, he demands respect from opposing defenses, and he was working hard on the defensive end. Sometimes guys can impact the game even when the shot isn’t falling, and Vassell feels like he’s reached that point in his development. I don’t know man, I’m just some dummy on the internet but I think Devin Vassell is pretty great.
Just saying this now so we can start preparing for it it, but the Spurs are going to play the Celtics in the finals and its going to be annoyinggggggggggggggggggggggg.
– Felt like a big swing here, bringing up old childhood memories and what not. Are you worried about maybe pressing the “Nostalgia Memories” button too early here?
– Like, is this the right time for it?
– Right, is this maybe one you want to save for the playoffs?
– I think, look, if you have the shot then you take it. That’s the mentality here. You can’t count on it coming back around. I had something to say so I said it. I have to trust that, should the Spurs find themselves in the playoffs or, Lord willing, a situation where they win some big games down the road, that I will have something to say then as well.
– Are you worried about a jinx?
– A jinx? You’re asking me about jinxes? I’m never worried about a jinx, get out of here with that. Everything I write is steps to success. Some nights you get some nostalgia bait, some nights you get 900 words on pick‑and‑roll coverage. It’s not jinx; it’s process.
GOODYEAR, ARIZONA - MARCH 7: Steven Kwan #38 of the Cleveland Guardians participates in a team workout prior to a Spring Training game against the San Diego Padres at Goodyear Ballpark on March 7, 2026 in Goodyear, Arizona. (Photo by Brandon Sloter/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Which Guardians will make the 26-man roster to open this season, as things currently stand in Guardians’ camp?
It has been two months since our last roster projection, and we have had a chance to see players begin hitting and pitching and hear what manager Stephen Vogt has to say about them. The Guardians have to make it a few more weeks injury-free to make Spring Training a success, but, the second week of March is USUALLY when you start seeing managers begin to play their “A-lineup” together for the purpose of repetitions. Today’s (3/9/2026) lineup, then, looks like a pretty decent clue as to what we should expect on Opening Day:
Kwan CF Rocchio 2B Ramirez 3B Manzardo 1B Arias SS Valera RF Hoskins DH Hedges C Halpin LF
Chase DeLauter played yesterday, as did Angel Martinez, and Stuart Fairchild and Bo Naylor are in the World Baseball Classic, so those are some factors to consider. Nolan Jones has a guaranteed major league contract, but, as we’ve been saying for a while now, since it is unlikely a team will pick him up on waivers and Jones is short of his 5 years of major league service time to refuse a minor-league assignment, I think we will see Cleveland designate him for assignment and, essentially, get an extra option year on him, leaving him as hopefully useful depth in Columbus for a while.
We know David Fry is making this team. You and I might question if that is the right move, if maybe an option to Columbus might be a better call, but he’s making this team if he’s healthy. We also have seen Daniel Schneemann play tons of positions this spring and I think it’s clear he is the team’s choice for super utility as the year opens. With those pieces of knowledge in mind, here’s how I think the Opening Day roster LIKELY sorts out at the moment:
Catcher – Bo Naylor, Austin Hedges and David Fry Notes: Fry will probably also be in the mix at first base as needed, and I assume the team will try to work him into right field reps during the year. It’s possible Fry will DH but I’d much prefer to have him in the field so he can be available to sub in for Bo against tough lefty relievers and for Hedges when anything notable is on the line during a Hedgey plate appearance. That would seem to be his best path for adding significant value to this roster.
First Base – Kyle Manzardo and Rhys Hoskins Notes: Hoskins is no Gold Glover at first, but Manzardo has looked borderline unplayable there this Spring. I’d like to see the Guardians give Manzardo no more than one start at first a week, and that’s still a lot. But, in any case, I am optimistic that these two will provide valuable presences in the middle of the order as hitters, most days with one of them as DH and the other as the first baseman.
Second Base – Brayan Rocchio Notes: Today’s lineup makes it clear to me that Rocchio will start out at second base and move to shortstop whenever the team eventually decides to promote Juan Brito and/or Travis Bazzana. Grieve, rage, accept.
Third Base – Jose Ramirez Notes: None. He’s the GOAT.
Shortstop – Gabriel Arias Notes: Time to pivot from absolutely hating this idea to hoping that Arias has the late stage breakout of a Gio Urshela or Ernie Clement. Why not.
Utility – Daniel Schneemann Notes: He can play every position well. That’s basically all you need out of this role, but hopefully, he’ll be able to also be a league average hitter against RHP. Not probable, but possible.
Left Field – George Valera and Angel Martinez Notes: It’s not a clear thing if Steven Kwan will become the team’s centerfielder or not. Today, I’m going to guess that they end up being comfortable moving him there. If not, I’d expect either Angel Martinez or Stuart Fairchild to be your primary centerfielder, with Schneemann giving them a day off there now and then. Is that good? No, no, it’s not. So, I assume Steven Kwan will be in center. The murky rules of MLB make me unclear if the Guardians can option Fairchild to Columbus or not, but I believe they can. With Angel’s positive spring, I then expect him to get the first look in that centerfield (if Kwan is in left)/fourth outfielder role. And that’s more than fine.
Center Field – Steven Kwan Notes: No one should ever complain about Kwan ever again if he bites the bullet and takes on the challenge of playing center for this team.
Right Field – Chase DeLauter (and Angel Martinez, Daniel Schneemann, eventually David Fry) Notes: I hope it is clear to everyone that the team is going to play DeLauter like a maximum of three days a week in the field to start the season. He will also take some DH days and push Hoskins or Manzardo to the bench. It’s the way it’s gonna be. If Kwan is in left, Valera will get significant time in right to spell Chase, at least for a month or two. I am not sure how well Angel’s arm plays in right field, but, until Fry is ready to try it out there, we are about to find out.
Projected lineup vs. RHP
Kwan CF DeLauter RF Ramirez 3B Manzardo DH Valera LF Hoskins 1B Bo C Arias SS Rocchio 2B
Projected lineup vs. LHP
Kwan CF Martinez LF Ramirez 3B Hoskins DH Fry 1B Arias SS Valera/DeLauter/Schneemann RF Bo/Hedges C Rocchio 2B
Notes: The bottom of the LHP lineup is horrendous because DeLauter can’t play everyday. Just gotta hope the top of the lineup comes through.
Rotation: Gavin Williams Tanner Bibee Joey Cantillo Slade Cecconi Logan Allen Notes: I’ve decided to give up the hope that they start Messick in Cleveland. They will slow play his innings and wait for an injury or an Allen-implosion to bring him up. Do I like that? No, Allen should be the one demoted. But, I have to be an adult and accept reality.
Bullpen: Peyton Pallette, RHP Tim Herrin, LHP Matt Festa, RHP Connor Brogdon, RHP Colin Holderman, RHP Erik Sabrowski, LHP Shawn Armstrong, RHP Cade Smith, RHP Notes: So far, Hunter Gaddis’s forearm tightness has been the worst news of the Spring. Hopefully, he will be ok to start the season… but I think the safer guess is that he will not be (may I have just jinxed myself and we find he is pitching today). That could open up the possibility of having Logan Allen be the long-relief option in the pen, but I suspect they use it to get a longer look at Holderman (who has an option) and Brogdon (who does not).
Overall, the biggest issue for me about this projection is that I badly want the team to put Rocchio at shortstop and have Juan Brito get his chance at second base, while Arias and Schneemann compete for that super utlity role. However, after Stephen Vogt said Arias would play around the infield this spring, Gabby has only been a shortstop (perhaps affected by his brief time on the injury report). I think we need to face the facts that he’s the shortstop… for at least a month… and root for him to put it all together.
What do you think? Whom do you think makes the roster that I’m overlooking.
Tonight's Peacock NBA Monday coverage features an exciting doubleheader. First, at 7:30 PM ET, the Denver Nuggets take on the Oklahoma City Thunder. Then, at 10:00 PM, the LA Clippers host the New York Knicks at Intuit Dome. Live coverage begins at 6:30 PM with NBA Showtime on NBC and Peacock.
See below for additional information on how to watch each game and follow all of the NBA action on NBCSN and Peacock. Peacock will feature 100 regular-season games throughout the course of the 2025-2026 season.
Tonight's game is the third of four meetings between the two teams this season. The Thunder, who currently boast the best record in the league, won the first two games, including a 127-121 overtime victory on February 27. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander dropped 36 points in the win.
The All-Star guard is currently the odds-on favorite at DraftKings (-300) to win his second straight MVP. He is averaging 31.6 points, only second in the league behind Luka Doncic.
The Nuggets have fallen from second to sixth in the Western Conference since January 31, and look to bounce back after going 6-9 in their last 15 games.
Despite missing 16 consecutive games with a hyperextended left knee, Nikola Jokic has remained a force for the Nuggets. He is averaging a team-high 28.8 points per game and leads the league in assists (10.3) and rebounds (12.5) per game, while also recording a league-high 23 triple-doubles.
How to watch Denver Nuggets vs Oklahoma City Thunder:
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. Sunday Night Basketball coverage will also be available on NBC and Peacock. 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.
A new week of NBA action tips off with some awesome matchups, including Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets taking on the Oklahoma City Thunder, and Jalen Brunson and the New York Knicks visiting the Los Angeles Clippers.
I’ve got NBA player prop bets for both of those All-Stars and more in my NBA picks for Monday, March 9.
This is about as straightforward a bet as you can get. The Oklahoma City Thunder are great, but they aren’t perfect.
OKC ranks 23rd in rebounding rate and will be without Isaiah Hartenstein, while Chet Holmgren is questionable due to an illness. And I’m not sure if you’ve heard, but the Denver Nuggets have this guy who’s pretty good at rebounding named Nikola Jokic.
The two-time MVP is averaging 12.5 rebounds per game this season and has hauled down 13 or more boards nine times over this last 14 games.
Let's not overthink this. Jokic. Rebounds. Over.
Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
Where to watch: Peacock
Prop #2: Kyle Filipowski double-double
+155 at bet365
The number of injuries for both teams means tonight’s matchup between the Golden State Warriors and Utah Jazz is for true NBA nerds.
Injuries mean opportunities. And the Jazz’s Kyle Filipowski is making the most of his.
Filipowski has started the last nine games for the Jazz and is averaging 14.7 points and 8.4 rebounds over that stretch. He’s also hauled down 11 or more boards in three straight games.
The Dubs rank 22nd in rebounding rate, and Kristaps Porzingis and Al Horford are both out.
This looks like a great spot to back Filipowski to record another double-double.
Time: 9:00 p.m. ET
Where to watch: NBCSBA, KJZZ
Prop #3: Jalen Brunson Over 2.5 threes
+110 at bet365
The New York Knicks can be an infuriating team. Sometimes they look like the best team in the East. Then they turn over the ball 19 times and get blown out by the Lakers.
But one thing you can always count on is Jalen Brunson, and the Knicks’ star point guard has been on fire from beyond the arc. Brunson is shooting 40.4% from three on 5.7 attempts over his last 10 games.
Bruns has hit three or more threes in five of his last 10 games, and tonight, he faces a Los Angeles Clippers team that ranks 24th in opponent 3-point shooting percentage.
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
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.
GLENDALE, ARIZONA - MARCH 4: Manager Dave Roberts #30 of the Los Angeles Dodgers removes Tyler Glasnow #31 in a pitching change during a World Baseball Classic exhibition game against Team Mexico at Camelback Ranch on March 4, 2026 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Brandon Sloter/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Dodgers on Tuesday host the Arizona Diamondbacks at Camelback Ranch, their 18th consecutive day of playing at least one game, before Wednesday’s first scheduled off day of the spring.
Tyler Glasnow makes his third start of the spring, progressing nicely toward what will likely be a start in the Dodgers’ opening series of the regular season from March 26-28 against the Cleveland Guardians. Glasnow threw 51 pitches in 2 2/3 innings last Wednesday in an exhibition against Mexico at Camelback Ranch, and will presumably be stretched into the fourth inning on Tuesday.
The New York Knicks (41-24) are on the second night of a back-to-back as they stay in Los Angeles to take on the Clippers (31-32). This is the second and final matchup of the season between the Clippers and Knicks. New York won the first meeting, 123-111.
New York lost to the Lakers on Sunday (110-97) as they fall to 1-2 over the last three games. The Knicks are 6-4 since the All-Star break and 4-2 in road games during that span. New York is 6-5 on the ML and ATS when playing on no rest this season.
Los Angeles is starting a five-game home stand with the Knicks as they finish up a 4-1 record over the last five games. With a win, the Clippers will be .500, which they haven't been all season. With a rest advantage, the Clippers have lost 10 out of 15 games this season, so being more rested than their opponent hasn't led to wins.
The Clippers are ninth in the Western Conference and 1.0 game back from the Warriors and 1.0 ahead of the Trail Blazers. The Knicks are third and 1.5 games ahead of the Cavaliers and 2.5 behind the Celtics for the second spot.
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.
After 24 years, the NBA is back on NBC and Peacock, combining the nostalgia of an iconic era with the innovative future of basketball coverage. The NBA on NBC YouTube channel delivers fans must-see highlights, analysis, and exclusive and unique content.
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: Knicks at Clippers
The latest odds as of Monday courtesy of DraftKings:
Moneyline: New York Knicks (-142), Los Angeles Clippers (+120)
Spread: New York -2.5
Total: 220.5 points
This game opened Knicks -3.5 with the Total set at 221.5.
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: Knicks at Clippers
New York Knicks
G Jalen Brunson
SG Josh Hart
SF Mikal Bridges
PF OG Annoy
C Karl-Anthony Towns
Los Angeles Clippers
PG Darius Garland
SG Kris Dunn
SF Kawhi Leonard
PF Derrick Jones
C Brook Lopez
Injury Report: Knicks at Clippers
New York Knicks
Mitchell Robinson (ankle) is listed as QUESTIONABLE for tonight’s game
Miles McBride (core muscle) has been ruled OUT of tonight’s game
Los Angeles Clippers
John Collins (neck) is listed as OUT for tonight’s game
Bradley Beal (hip) is listed as OUT for tonight's game
Yanic Konan Niederhauser (lisfranc) is OUT for tonight's game
Important stats, trends and insights: Knicks at Clippers
New York is 36-30 ATS and 6-5 ATS with no rest
New York is 13-19 ATS, ranking sixth-worst
New York is 8-13 ATS as a road favorite, ninth-worst
New York is 35-31 to the Under and 18-14 to the Under as the road team
New York is 11-10 to the Under as a road favorite
Los Angeles is 34-29 ATS
Los Angeles is 15-14 ATS as the home team
Los Angeles is 6-3 ATS as a home underdog
Los Angeles is 32-31 to the Over
Los Angeles is 15-14 to the Over as a home team and 5-4 to the Under as a home underdog
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 Knicks and Clippers’ game:
Moneyline: Rotoworld Bet is leaning towards a play on the Knicks' Moneyline
Spread: Rotoworld Bet is leaning towards a play on the Knicks -2.5 ATS
Total: Rotoworld Bet is leaning towards a play on the Game Total UNDER 220.5
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:
A few teams capped off historic regular season finishes and are looking to finish with a championship win before heading into the 2026 men's NCAA Tournament. Miami (Ohio), ranked No. 20 in the latest USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll, became the third team to ever enter its conference tournament with a 31-0 record, joining Wichita State and Kentucky.
The RedHawks' undefeated season should be enough for them to reach March Madness, even if they fail to win the MAC tournament. They'll certainly be on or close to the bubble in that scenario, though.
Duke, Arizona and Michigan, ranked Nos. 1-3 in the latest poll, respectively, all finished with two losses on the regular season and take winning streaks into their respective conference tournaments. The national championship favorites are looking to add a conference title before potentially winning it all in March Madness.
Here's a look at the updated USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll for men's college basketball:
Others receiving votes: Villanova 27; Tennessee 22; Saint Louis 9; UCLA 6; Georgia 6; Utah State 3; Ohio State 2; BYU 2;
AP Top 25 poll
Duke (56)
Arizona (4)
Michigan (1)
Florida
Houston
UConn
Iowa State
Michigan State
Illinois
Virginia
Nebraska
Gonzaga
St. John's
Kansas
Alabama
Texas Tech
Arkansas
Purdue
North Carolina
Miami (Ohio)
Saint Mary's
Vanderbilt
Wisconsin
Louisville
Tennessee
Others receiving votes: Miami (Florida) 60; TCU 19; BYU 18; Saint Louis 12; High Point 11; Georgia 10; Villanova 10; UCLA 3; VCU 3; Stephen F. Austin 2; Utah State 2; Ohio State 2; Missouri 2; Akron 1;
Los Angeles, CA, Sunday, March 8, 2026 - Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77) shares a laugh with referee Tre Maddox (23) during a break in the action against the New York Knicks at Crypto.com Arena. (Robert Gauthier/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
If the Lakers were going to convince anyone they were serious, then wins against actually good teams were going to have to come. Prior to Sunday, the Lakers faltered time after time when given the opportunity to beat a contender, including very recently in Denver.
In beating the Knicks, then, they not only put together a strong performance in a wire-to-wire win, but they did so against one of the Eastern Conference’s best sides which was playing at a high level. Coming into the game, they had won 16 of the last 21 contests.
No matter how you slice it, it was a big win.
“I feel like we’re doing some really good things and we still have room for improvement, but tonight was a good step in the right direction,” Austin Reaves said. “They’re a really good team. I think they told me out there that they average 117 [points]. To hold a team to 97 points of that caliber just shows our grittiness that we’ve come to enjoy to do on the defensive end.”
As Reaves notes, not only was it a big win, but the way they did it was important, too. Not often this year have they won a game on the back of their defense.
On top of that, this was a Knicks team fresh off a dominant win in Denver on Friday, a team the Lakers came up just short against.
“It’s a pretty awesome win,” Luka Dončić said. “They just beat the Nuggets by 40, so I think it’s a pretty big win for us. It’ll give us a lot of confidence moving forward.”
This is also to say nothing of the fact that the Knicks handed the Lakers a pretty frustrating loss in New York earlier this season, which was also something very much on the minds of the team as well.
“A very big win,” Jaxson Hayes said. “I mean, obviously, any wins a big win in this league. It’s a very hard league to play in. I just feel like we owed them that one, at least, for New York. We lost bad in New York, got punked by them in New York, so we just needed to get that one back.”
No matter how you slice it, the Lakers picked up a big win on Sunday. The challenge now will be to build on Sunday’s win and not make it an aberration.
LA will immediately have a chance to do it again on Tuesday. We’ll quickly find out how serious they will be moving forward.
It’s still early in his career, but the early signs suggest Jesper Wallstedt may be the type of goalie who elevates his game in big moments.
Even after Sunday’s shootout loss to the Colorado Avalanche, Wallstedt’s numbers against top competition stand out.
Against teams currently in playoff position, the Minnesota Wild goaltender owns a 7-3-1 record with a .931 save percentage and a 2.45 goals-against average.
"I feel like my game has been in a good position, but goals somehow have ended up happening either way," Wallstedt told reporters after the Avalanche game. "But I like playing these big games. I like playing Colorado, where there's a lot of action and you get to be in the game the whole time. Yeah, I enjoy it."
Wallstedt, 23, still might have a few areas to his game to develop if he’s going to become the elite goaltender many believe he can be. Growth and inconsistency are part of the process for most young goalies. But Wallstedt has proved that he continues to become better and better.
One trait organizations love to see in a potential franchise goalie is the ability to play their best against the best. So far in his young NHL career, Wallstedt appears comfortable in those moments.
If that trend continues, it could be a very encouraging sign for Minnesota’s long-term future, even with Filip Gustavsson under contract. Or, provide the Wild with a massive trade chip to acquire a big-time player.
For action-packed issues, access to the entire magazine archive and a free issue, subscribe to The Hockey News at THN.com/free. Get the latest news and trending stories by subscribing to our newsletter here. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on THN.com.
The Ottawa Senators wrap up a five-game road trip as a large betting favorite against the Vancouver Canucks at Rogers Arena on Monday, March 9.
My top Senators vs. Canucks predictions and NHL picks expect Ottawa to continue its postseason push with a convincing win tonight.
Senators vs Canucks prediction
Senators vs Canucks best bet: Senators -1.5 (+105)
The Ottawa Senators are rolling along on an 8-1-2 run while ranking fourth in Corsi For percentage and second in expected goals percentage at 5-on-5.
Meanwhile, the Vancouver Canucks check in with a recent 2-7-3 record and league-worst marks in both underlying metrics during the same stretch.
Ottawa's ninth-ranked power play following the Olympic break can run up the score vs. a Vancouver PK ranked 30th in the same span.
The Sens are pushing for a playoff berth, while the Canucks are firmly bunkered in the NHL basement. Back Ottawa to win easily.
Senators vs Canucks same-game parlay
The Sens have allowed the fewest goals per game (2.27) during the noted stretch, while the Canucks have scored the fourth-fewest (2.33), so I’m not anticipating Vancouver to help push this total Over the number tonight.
Rolling Ottawa winger Drake Batherson wraps up the same-game parlay, and he’s marked the scoresheet in eight of his past 10 games while skating in a top-line role and jumping the boards on the No. 1 PP unit.
The Senators have covered the puck line in 13 of their last 20 away games (+10.20 Units / 35% ROI). Find more NHL betting trends for Senators vs. Canucks.
How to watch Senators vs Canucks
Location
Rogers Arena, Vancouver, BC
Date
Monday, March 9, 2026
Puck drop
9:00 p.m. ET
TV
Prime
Senators vs Canucks latest injuries
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.
Raphielle Johnson
Nikola Jokic
Kyle Filipowski
Jalen Brunson
