The Dallas Mavericks (21-41) head to the Garden Friday evening to square off against the near-league-leading Boston Celtics (41-21). It’s a quick turnaround after Thursday night’s game in Orlando, in which the Mavericks literally fumbled the win off an ugly inbounds pass with 1.4 seconds to go. On this second night of a back-to-back, Dallas will have to push hard to have any shot at a victory against their former championship rivals.
Boston comes into this evening on a roll. They’ve won 3 of their last 4, 7 of their last 10, and currently hold the #2 seed in the Eastern Conference – and that’s without Jayson Tatum in the rotation. Once he’s back in rhythm, this team will have all the pieces it needs to dominate on both ends of the floor. A large amount of the credit goes to Brad Stevens and the front office – what was supposed to be a gap year for this team has turned into a legitimate shot for another chip. Once everything is back in gear, there’s really no telling how far this iteration of the Celtics can go.
Dallas, on the other hand, enters the Garden looking roughed up. They may appear to be treading water against the worst of the Western Conference, but don’t let the standings fool you – the Mavericks have lost 15 of their last 17. If you’re team tank, this isn’t necessarily the worst thing, as every loss is one step closer to an AJ Dybantsa or a Darryn Peterson (or, more realistically, a Mikel Brown Jr.). But there’s no denying this Mavericks team is a difficult watch right now, even if they do play hard night-in and night-out.
Here are three things to think about headed into Friday night’s matchup against the Boston Celtics.
The turnover disparity
Stop me if you’ve heard this one before: the Dallas Mavericks can’t take care of the ball. It’s been true since the beginning of the season (the Mavericks average nearly 15 turnovers a game), and it’s been even more true since the All-Star Break (they gave the ball up 20 times against the Grizzlies last week!). The biggest factor, of course, is that the team lacks an experienced point guard capable of facilitating at the highest level. But everyone plays a part in the problem – meaning that everyone can play a part in the solution, too.
This turnover disparity especially matters against the Celtics, who are really, really good at taking care of the ball. In fact, as of right now, they’re the best in the league, coughing it up only 12.2 times per game on average. Put simply, the possession math does not favor the Mavericks going into this matchup. If they want opportunities to score, they’ll have to play buttoned-up all night long – particularly as Boston’s defense is nothing to balk at, either. This is partially because…
Young talent means a lot
…the Celtics are getting the most out of their fresh blood. In a season marked by roster turnover and injured stars, Boston has found a way to fill the gaps, drawing on their rookies and their new acquisitions for genuine contributions across the floor. Seriously, take a look at these net rating stats from early March. 20-year-old Hugo González held the #1 spot at 17.1, and Derrick White and Neemias Queta weren’t far behind at #7 and #8, respectively. Besides the Oklahoma City Thunder (who hold five spots on this list, somehow), there isn’t a single team in the Association that’s better at extracting meaningful minutes from every player.
The Mavericks, of course, have also been propelled by their young guys this year, most notably Ryan Nembhard (who just got converted to a standard deal by the Mavericks) and Cooper Flagg. Nembhard has been perhaps the most successful at filling Dallas’ need for a traditional point guard, playing around 40 games this season and starting in around half. And Flagg has been successful at just about everything else – scoring, passing, defending, even handling the ball when the moment arises. Right now, he’s the unquestioned centerpiece of this team, contributing in pretty much every conceivable way.
Hey, speaking of Cooper Flagg…
The return of the stars
…he’s finally back! After missing 8 consecutive games with a left midfoot sprain, the star rookie has officially returned to the Mavericks’ lineup, playing 25 minutes against the Orlando Magic Thursday night and putting up 18/5/6. No question that this is a welcome reunion for Dallas – Flagg is averaging 20.4 points this season, and Dallas went 2-6 in his absence, including against some truly bad teams. While it’s currently unclear exactly how much Flagg will play against the Celtics – he may rest the back-to-back, or he may still be on a minutes restriction – it’s sure to be a morale boost knowing a future MVP is waiting in the wings.
The Celtics, of course, are eagerly awaiting the return of their own superstar. According to Shams Charania, Jayson Tatum is expected to make his return on Friday against the Mavericks, a shockingly quick recovery after missing only 10 months with a torn right Achilles. Even if he’s not 100 percent, Tatum’s return will no doubt create some problems for Dallas. The team largely lacks the defensive tools to handle Tatum and Brown and White and the others. Then again, so does most of the rest of the NBA, so maybe there’s no shame in that.
The road ahead
After their matchup against Boston, Dallas continues its brutal half-month road trip with games against the Toronto Raptors, the Atlanta Hawks, and the Memphis Grizzlies. Then, the Mavericks return home for a brief one-game stint against the Cleveland Cavaliers before heading back on the road.
How to watch
The Boston Celtics host the Dallas Mavericks on Friday, March 6 at 6:00 PM CT. The game will will be streamed live on MavsTV, and will also be broadcast on KFAA and ESPN. As usual, fans can also tune in at 97.1FM KEGL (English) or at 99.1FM KFZO (Español).
From Jayson Tatum’s long-awaited return to Cooper Flagg’s homecoming, there’s no shortage of big-time storylines as the Boston Celtics and Dallas Mavericks collide tonight in Beantown.
A lottery-bound Dallas squad arrives on a five-game skid, and my Mavericks vs. Celtics predictions dial into Boston’s firepower here, with Tatum and Jaylen Brown reunited on the wing for the 2024 champs.
Read on for my free NBA picks ahead of Friday, March 6.
Mavericks vs Celtics prediction
Mavericks vs Celtics best bet: Jaylen Brown Over 11.5 rebounds + assists (-125)
In Jayson Tatum’s absence, Jaylen Brown has taken his game to the next level, and I don’t see him taking a step back now. His scoring has been steady, but I’m taking the Over on his rebounds + assists combo prop, with the Boston Celticsstar breezing past this number in his last six games.
Brown has excelled on the boards lately, averaging 10.0 RPG across his past six outings, and he’s pulled his playmaking up to five dimes per night this year. He should dominate against the undermanned Dallas Mavericks, and it’s way too early to worry about Tatum eating into his stats.
Mavericks vs Celtics same-game parlay
TD Garden is sure to be rocking for Tatum’s return, and I’m targeting his assists tally as he eases his way back. Brown can do the heavier lifting, but there’s a clear path for Tatum to flash his playmaking skills.
I’ll also layer on the Boston moneyline, with the hosts eager to rebound from a thumping home loss to Charlotte on Wednesday. Meanwhile, the Mavs are 7-21 SU on the road this season.
Mavericks vs Celtics SGP
Jaylen Brown Over 11.5 rebounds + assists
Jayson Tatum Over 2.5 assists
Celtics moneyline
Our "from downtown" SGP: Flagg Day!
With Cooper Flagg’s roots up the coast in Maine, he’s guaranteed a warm welcome tonight.
Flagg posted an 18-5-6 stat line last night in Orlando in his return from an eight-game absence, and he’s averaging 20.3 PPG, 6.5 RPG, and 4.2 APG this season.
Mavericks vs Celtics SGP
Cooper Flagg Over 17.5 points
Cooper Flagg Over 3.5 assists
Cooper Flagg Over 4.5 rebounds
Cooper Flagg Over 0.5 steals
Mavericks vs Celtics odds
Spread: Mavericks +15 (-110) | Celtics -15 (-110)
Moneyline: Mavericks +661 | Celtics -1,000
Over/Under: Over 224.5 (-110) | Under 224.5 (-110)
Mavericks vs Celtics betting trend to know
The Celtics are 7-2-1 ATS in the last 10 meetings between these teams. Find more NBA betting trends for Mavericks vs. Celtics.
How to watch Mavericks vs Celtics
Location
TD Garden, Boston, MA
Date
Friday, March 6, 2026
Tip-off
7:00 p.m. ET
TV
ESPN
Mavericks vs Celtics latest injuries
Not intended for use in MA. Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
The Sacramento Kings aren’t just the NBA’s worst team — they’re the worst team despite a veteran roster that has been trying to win every game. Lost in the rampant discussion about “tanking” this season is that several of the league’s bottom-feeders are just plain bad, and aren’t doing anything to manipulate their record for more ping-pong balls in the draft lottery. At 14-50 with 18 games left to play, Sacramento has been a disaster from the start because of poor roster construction and spotty coaching, but the real problems start at the top of the organization.
This Kings season has taken a toll on everyone involved, and it spilled over into Russell Westbrook’s press conference following a loss to the lowly New Orleans Pelicans (another NBA tanker that isn’t actually tanking without control of their draft pick) on Thursday night. Westbrook used his press conference to call out media for making assumptions about players’ motivations as the team plays out the string. The presser started off hostile but eventually turned into a good discussion with a few questions left unanswered. Watch the whole thing here:
Westbrook said he understands that media will analyze the games, but he doesn’t appreciate those covering the team trying to make assumptions about what’s going on in players’ heads. Westbrook raised some fair points, but he also refused to say exactly what was said that upset him, which made the whole thing more confusing.
It seems like Westbrook didn’t like certain comments made on Kings podcasts. One of the reporters he appeared to call out, Matt George, issued a response to Westbrook on YouTube after the game.
My thoughts and response to the comments Sacramento Kings star Russell Westbrook directed at me and other members of the Sacramento media tonight:
Several people that Westbrook gave the George the opportunity to respond during the press conference, and instead he did it on his podcast. As someone who has been in hostile press conferences before, I’ll say that sometimes you need a minute to gather your thoughts, especially when you’re not expecting to be pressed like that. I don’t mind George saving his response for his show, and I don’t mind Westbrook calling out any of the Sacramento media members, either. I just wish Westbrook wouldn’t have been so vague in his criticisms so that it was easier to understand his point.
The Kings’ problems aren’t because of Westbrook or the media. It all starts at the top with owner Vivek Ranadivé who seemingly means well but constantly shoots himself in the foot whenever he tries insert himself into the team’s decision-making. Trading Tyrese Haliburton for Domantas Sabonis was a disaster (which we called at the time). Letting De’Aaron Fox’s relationship with the team fracture that led to trading him to San Antonio for pennies on the dollar was also a mistake. Reuniting DeMar DeRozan and Zach LaVine never made any sense.
The Kings are pretty much the worst run franchise in the NBA. Maybe lottery luck will save Sacramento for once, because just about nothing else can.
The Buffalo Sabres remained the hottest team in the National Hockey League, pulling into a tie for first place in the Atlantic Division with Tampa Bay with a 5-1 victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins on Thursday, and added three veterans for the stretch drive, acquiring defensemen Logan Stanley and Luke Schenn from the Winnipeg Jets and center Sam Carrick from the New York Rangers.
The Sabres broke a 1-1 tie in the second period and scored four unanswered goals to win their fifth straight coming out of the Olympic break and that coupled with the Lightning continuing to struggle with injuries have allowed Buffalo to pull even with the Lightning at 80 points, although Tampa Bay have two games in hand on the Sabres.
After the victory, the Sabres announced a deal with the Winnipeg Jets, adding rental defensemen Logan Stanley and Luke Schenn for winger Isak Rosen, defenseman Jacob Bryson, Buffalo’s 2027 second-round pick and a 2026 conditional fourth-round pick. Stanley, 27, has a career-high 21 points (9 goals, 12 assists) in 59 games, while the much-travelled 36-year-old Schenn has played 46 games for Winnipeg this season after being acquired from Pittsburgh last March.
The deal was a pivot and backup plan by GM Jarmo Kekalainen after Blues defenseman Colton Parayko chose to not waive his no-trade clause to come to Buffalo Wednesday morning, but did not result in the quality of return from the negated deal with St. Louis. Stanley provides size and much-needed physicality to the Sabres, who tend to be pushed around by other clubs, and Schenn provides over 1100 games of NHL experience over his 18-year career, including a pair of Stanley Cup rings with the Lightning.
Bryson has been a dependable depth defenseman for the last six seasons for Buffalo and may get an opportunity to play regularly for the Jets for the remainder of the season, while Rosen is having another excellent year with AHL Rochester, but only this season has been given a chance to play higher in the lineup by the Sabres, posting seven points (3 goals, 4 assists) in 16 games. This season was the final year where the 22-year-old would be waiver exempt, so his inclusion in the trade was an admission that the organization did not see him as a fit in their current construct.
On Wednesday morning, the club confirmed a deal with the New York Rangers, reported by Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman. The Sabres added center Sam Carrick in exchange for their 2026 third-round pick and a 2026 sixth-rounder. The 34-year-old can play center and wing, is known as an excellent penalty killing and face-off specialist, and for playing with some sandpaper. Carrick likely fits in as a fourth line center, allowing a more experienced option up the middle than Tyson Kozak.
The trade of four draft picks so far by Kekalainen is not of particular concern, since the Sabres are well stocked with young prospects selected over the last few years, and is a nod to the current club that there is a belief that Buffalo could make a playoff run in a wide-open Eastern Conference. With that boatload of prospects, it is also possible that Buffalo could still make another more impact move before 3 pm today.
The Montreal Canadiens continue their annual California road trip by visiting the Anaheim Ducks on Friday, March 6. This marks the first meeting between these two young, offensively-minded teams this season.
My Canadiens vs. Ducks predictions and NHL picks suggest that a recent promotion into the Habs' top-six for Alex Newhook will earn him ample opportunity to hit the scoresheet in this potential barnburner.
Canadiens vs Ducks prediction
Canadiens vs Ducks best bet: Alex Newhook Over 0.5 points (+135)
Alex Newhook has at least a point in all three games since returning from an ankle injury that sidelined him for nearly four months. He has 16 points in 20 games this season and scored twice against San Jose a game ago.
His playing style matches up perfectly against a flawed Anaheim Ducksdefense that allows the third-most goals in the league.
He'll play up alongside Ivan Demidov and Oliver Kapanen tonight. There's a massive disparity in this +135 pricing, and the Newfoundland native hasn't lost a step. Perhaps, he's even gained one.
Canadiens vs Ducks same-game parlay
Ivan Demidov and Newhook displayed promising chemistry before Newhook was injured in November. Now they're back together and appear poised to take advantage of a gunky and inexperienced defensive core in Orange County (hence this morning's sudden John Carlson trade).
As per usual, Mike Matheson continues to minute-munch on the Habs' blue line. His 24:45 of ice time per game ranks ninth in the NHL, and he's cleared two shots on goal in nine of his last 11. Anaheim ranks 22nd in shots allowed, so expect the Quebec native to take advantage.
Montreal has won three of the last four head-to-head meetings. Find more NHL betting trends for Canadiens vs. Ducks.
How to watch Canadiens vs Ducks
Location
Honda Center, Anaheim, CA
Date
Friday, March 6, 2026
Puck drop
9:00 p.m. ET
TV
TSN2, Victory+
Canadiens vs Ducks 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.
The Buffalo Sabres are certainly buyers with trade deadline day here. They made their first moves of trade deadline week on Thursday night, bringing in Sam Carrick from the New York Rangers and Luke Schenn and Logan Stanley from the Winnipeg Jets.
Yet, the Sabres may not be done yet, as they have now made one of their most promising youngsters available for trade.
Levi being available for trade is undoubtedly notable, as the 24-year-old goaltender has good upside. However, with the Sabres having Alex Lyon, Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, and Colten Ellis all ahead of him on their depth chart, it makes sense that they are open to moving Levi if it means landing an NHL talent that would help them immediately.
It will be interesting to see if the Sabres end up moving Levi from here. If they do, it would certainly be a bold move from a Sabres club on the rise.
It’s a great night of NBA action, and not only because there are seven games full of player props for us to bet on.
Jayson Tatum makes his return to the Boston Celtics following his Achilles injury, but it’s a Boston big man I’m targeting in their matchup against the Dallas Mavericks, while Victor Wembanyama continues to cement his case for Defensive Player of the Year.
Find out more in my NBA picks for Friday, March 6.
The buzz around the Charlotte Hornets is for real. With Brandon Miller, Kon Knueppel, and LaMelo Ball, they have become one of the deadliest 3-point shooting teams in the NBA.
While Miller and Knueppel are more natural shooters, Ball has always been a volume guy. Over his last 12 games, he’s shooting a modest 36.6% from deep, but when you’re taking 10.9 threes per game, that's four makes per contest.
That makes the Miami Heat a perfect matchup for LaMelo. The Heat don’t allow a high percentage, but because of their high pace of play, they allow the fourth-most 3-point attempts and rank 21st in makes per game.
Ball has hit four or more threes seven times during this 12-game stretch, and at plus money, I'll happily back him to do it again.
Time: 7:00 p.m. ET
Where to watch: FanDuel Sports Network South, FanDuel Sports Network Southeast-Charlotte
Prop #2: Neemias Queta Over 8.5 points
+100 at bet365
The Boston Celtics host the Dallas Mavericks in a game that sees the return of Jayson Tatum and Cooper Flagg. But while those guys get the headlines, my favorite player prop in the matchup is backing a Boston big man.
Neemias Queta is having a breakout season for the Celtics, averaging 9.9 points and 8.2 rebounds per game. He faces a Mavericks team that ranks dead last in the NBA in opponent points in the paint per game.
Yet we are still getting a modest 8.5-point total for him here, with the Over at even money. It’s a number he’s topped in five of his last seven games, so sign me up.
Time: 7:00 p.m. ET
Where to watch: ESPN
Prop #3: Victor Wembanyama Over 4.5 steals & blocks
Wemby’s rare length allows him to protect the paint and block shots like no other. He is averaging 3.0 blocks per game this season, and he’s been an absolute block machine since coming out of the All-Star break, getting that number up to 4.6 over his last eight games.
Now, books have caught on, and Wemby’s blocks prop is at 3.5, with the Over nice and juiced. But his steals & blocks prop is just 4.5, a number he’s topped six times during that stretch, with the Over at plus money, and the Clippers own the NBA’s sixth-worst turnover rate.
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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.
Japan’s Naoya Inoue said Friday that he will need to be at his destructive best when he faces unbeaten countryman Junto Nakatani in their highly anticipated showdown at Tokyo Dome in May.
The two fighters met in Tokyo to formally confirm their 2 May clash, with Inoue set to defend his undisputed super bantamweight world championship against Nakatani, who is moving up in weight in pursuit of a fourth divisional title.
Murrayfield as underdogs is a scenario Scotland like, and a third successive win would set up perfect Six Nations finale
The mischievous will have eyes on Rome on Saturday in case of a historic win but the game of the weekend is in Edinburgh. Second versus first, Scotland versus France, entertainers versus entertainers. The title on the line. We could even have a champion by the end of it.
If France win with a bonus point, that is it. The 2026 Six Nations will be theirs with a round to spare. One feels there will be tries in this game, so the prospect is real. Which would reduce the championship’s beloved set piece of Super Saturday to an exercise in ordering the also-rans and seeing if France can move ahead of Wales as the Six Nations’ most prolific purveyor of grand slams, with a fifth.
PORT CHARLOTTE, FL - MARCH 03: Gregory Barrios (75) of the Tampa Bay Rays bats during a spring training game against the Philadelphia Phillies on March 03, 2026 at Charlotte Sports Park in Port Charlotte, Florida. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
While most of the attention in camp has focused on players battling for the final spots on the major league roster, several prospects have quietly stood out in small samples. Spring Training results are noisy, but traits like strike throwing, approach, and batted-ball profile can still signal meaningful development – especially when viewed in the context of a player’s track record.
RHP Alex Cook
Cook was added to the Rays 40-man roster in December to protect him from the Rule 5 Draft. Given his blend of plus strike throwing and above average stuff, it’s easy to see why the Rays wanted to allocate a valuable roster spot to him.
Cook has posted plus strike rates at every professional stop, but he’s taken it to another level this spring with a 71.1% strike rate (ML average sits around 63%). While it’s unrealistic to expect Cook to continue throwing strikes at over 70%, it’s another data point that suggests Cook is ready to face more difficult competition in AAA.
In addition to his solid control and command, Cook has above average stuff. His fastball is a clear plus pitch. It’s a cut-ride shape with solid velocity that plays up due to his low release height. His breaking ball is a two-plane slider in the mid 80s, and he’s got an average cutter in the upper 80s to keep hitters from sitting on either of his other two pitches. Cook can throw all three weapons to both sides of the plate.
He looks ready for a high-leverage role in Durham to begin the 2026 season, and I expect him to have an opportunity to pitch in the majors at some point despite all the quality depth ahead of him in the ML bullpen. Given his platoon-neutral arsenal and strike throwing ability, Cook could even be a candidate to stretch out as a starter later in his career – something the Rays have not been shy about experimenting with.
SS Gregory Barrios
On the position player side, Barrios has put together a nice camp so far, taking advantage of playing time opportunities with Taylor Walls having a slow start this spring.
Barrios has always been a guy with plus speed, contact ability, and defense at SS. He’s got pretty average plate discipline too. So, what’s the catch? Why is Barrios not considered a top prospect? He has nearly bottom of the scale power. His 90th percentile exit velocity (the industry’s preferred proxy for raw power) sits at just 101.1 mph this spring, well below the typical MLB average of roughly 105 mph.
Rather than chasing power, Barrios appears to be leaning fully into a contact-and-speed offensive identity. Below are his LD+GB rates for each of his domestic professional seasons, and what he has done so far this year in Spring Training:
2023: 58.1%
2024: 69.4%
2025: 77.2%
2026 Spring Training: 87.5%
It’s still early, so the exact numbers aren’t stable, but the trend is what matters. His glove and speed will give Barrios plenty of opportunity to stick in a lineup, and leaning into his offensive identity is what can help make him productive.
I expect him to return to Montgomery to begin the season, likely getting work at both middle infield spots with Adrian Santana. Barrios should have an opportunity to advance to AAA later in the year – an impressive trajectory for a 22-year-old whose value comes from defense, contact, and speed rather than power.
C Dom Keegan
Keegan’s 45.6% framing strike rate places him in the 71st percentile among catchers with 50 framing opportunities so far this spring. Keegan is regarded as an above average receiver, but he’s still working on the other defensive parts of his game.
Solid framing combined with his average hit and plus power combo should earn him a cup of coffee at some point this season if his blocking and throwing continue to improve, or at least not be a detriment to his overall profile.
Dominic Keegan worked a 14 pitch AB today and fouled off 8 straight pitches.
Keegan showed good quality of contact metrics in AAA last season (113.5 Max Exit Velocity + 48.0% Hard-Hit%) & can make an impact with the Rays this season.
A recent draftee acquired in the Baz trade, Bodine really hasn’t played much this spring, but he did hit a ball at 106.1mph, just below his collegiate max exit velocity of 106.6mph — which he did with a metal bat. There may not be plus power given his size and physicality, but a new professional max exit velocity is still noteworthy even if it is just spring training.
Bodine’s plus defensive skills and solid hit tool give him a chance to be an everyday ML catcher, and getting to even just average power could make him the franchise catcher the Rays have been searching for.
RHP Luis Guerrero*
*While he technically exceeded his prospect eligibility with the Red Sox last season with 17.1 IP, it’s hard to ignore what Guerrero is doing as someone who has yet to establish himself in the majors, so he’s getting a shout out here as well.
After going unclaimed through waivers in November, the Rays cleared a 40-man roster spot by trading INF Tristan Gray to Boston for the non-rostered Guerrero. Given his lack of a need to be on the 40-man, he will likely begin the year in AAA with a chance to impact the ML bullpen later this season.
Now under the Rays tutelage, LG is showing a harder, more cutter-ish breaking ball shape than last season. The new shape creates a more optimal tunnel with his fastball, which also might have a slightly different profile — with a little less run and a little more ride than what it had in 2025 thus far.
The change in both pitch shapes appear to be a result of Guerrero raising his arm slot just a bit. His ability to throw strikes will dictate whether he can crack the 40-man roster at some point this season, and so far it’s been roughly average this spring, which is good enough when you’ve got plus stuff like Guerrero does.
Spring Training numbers rarely tell the whole story, but developments like these often hint at what might be coming next in the Rays’ player development pipeline.
According to the report, Brooks was taken into custody around 2 a.m. local time and released an hour later.
The 30-year-old Brooks has not played since Feb. 21, when he fractured his left hand in a win against the Orlando Magic. He was expected to miss four to six weeks after surgery as the Suns sit 35-27 and are the No. 7 seed in the Western Conference, two games out of the sixth seed, currently occupied by the Los Angeles Lakers.
Brooks is averaging a career-high 20.9 points and 3.7 rebounds in 50 games this season, and is in the third season of a four-year, $86 million contract he signed in 2023 with the Houston Rockets, when he was acquired in a sign-and-trade deal with the Memphis Grizzlies.
Alperen Sengun and the Houston Rockets botched what should have been an easy win in their most recent game.
Houston lost to Golden State as near 10-point chalk and now have another “should win” matchup with the Portland Trail Blazers tonight.
Sengun won’t let a victory and potentially the No. 3 seed in the West slip away. My Trail Blazers vs. Rockets predictions and NBA picks call for a big night from Houston’s big man.
Trail Blazers vs Rockets prediction
Trail Blazers vs Rockets best bet: Alperen Sengun Over 17.5 points (-115)
Alperen Sengun’s recent offensive efforts have cut his prop total down as much as two points, with Over 17.5 presenting buyback value versus the Portland Trail Blazers.
He scored 17 points in the loss to the Warriors, coming in Under his scoring prop of 19.5 O/U, and is 3-7 O/U against his points props the past 10 outings.
Portland gets punished in the paint but also from deep, and Sengun dropped 25 points on the Blazers with an inside-out effort in November.
His projections are as high as 21+ points and some books are hanging this total as high as 19.5 O/U.
Trail Blazers vs Rockets same-game parlay
The Houston Rockets let one get away and that knocked them to No. 4 in the Western Conference. Portland is wrapping an extended road trip in Houston and projections give the home team the win and cover.
Sengun hurt Portland inside, outside and at the foul line in their first meeting. Player projections sit between 18.9 and 21.4 points against the Trail Blazers tonight. Prop totals range from 17.5 to 19.5 across the industry. We'll go Over the low side of this market.
Reed Sheppard has upped his production the past month and his points props are taking off, sitting at a high of 16.5 O/U after being as short as 10.5 O/U a few games ago. Projections aren’t as positive as the props, so I’m selling Sheppard’s scoring.
Trail Blazers vs Rockets SGP
Houston Rockets -6.5
Alperen Sengun Over 17.5 points
Reed Sheppard Under 16.5 points
Our "from downtown" SGP: All eyes on Sengun
Houston is 10-17-1 Over/Under at home (63% Unders) and Sengun knocked down four 3-pointers in his last matchup with Portland.
Trail Blazers vs Rockets SGP
Houston Rockets -6.5
Under 220.5
Alperen Sengun Over 17.5 points
Alperen Sengun Over 0.5 3-pointers
Trail Blazers vs Rockets odds
Spread: Portland +6.5 | Houston -6.5
Moneyline: Portland +220 | Houston -270
Over/Under: Over 220.5 | Under 220.5
Trail Blazers vs Rockets betting trend to know
Houston has stayed Under the total in 32 of its last 50 games (+12.20 Units/22% ROI). Find more NBA betting trends for Trail Blazers vs. Rockets.
How to watch Trail Blazers vs Rockets
Location
Toyota Center, Houston, TX
Date
Friday, March 6, 2026
Tip-off
8:00 p.m. ET
TV
KUNP, SCHN
Trail Blazers vs Rockets latest injuries
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South Korea's Moon Bo-kyung (R) celebrates his grand slam with teammates in the first inning of the World Baseball Classic (WBC) Pool C first round game between South Korea and Czech Republic at the Tokyo Dome on March 5, 2026. (Photo by JIJI PRESS / AFP via Getty Images) / Japan OUT | JIJI PRESS/AFP via Getty Images
Welcome to Pinstripe Alley’s coverage of the 2026 World Baseball Classic! We previewed Pool A, Pool B, Pool C, and Pool D in the linked articles. Since the first several days of the WBC feature a bevy of games, we’ll be recapping them in batches. Enjoy!
The WBC officially kicked off on Wednesday night (ET) with Australia winning a minor upset over Chinese Taipei, 3-0, aided by a homer from 2024 top draft pick Travis Bazzana. Kevin provided a direct recap of that game for Pinstripe Alley, but as the note above indicates, most of the recaps from now until the semifinals will feature multiple WBC contests from the previous 24 hours.
This marks the first of those, and it’s a little unusual given how the ol’ clock lines up for us in the Eastern Time Zone. The two games both featured teams in Pool C. Technically, the first from yesterday at the Tokyo Dome began at 5am ET and the second started at 10pm ET. Although that’s the same day for us, they respectively began on Thursday night and Friday afternoon in Tokyo. So you’ll see the Czechia twice because they had the tough draw of a day game after a night game. Ah, logistics!
Pool C: South Korea (1-0) 11, Czech Republic (0-1) 4
The Czechia club was one of the best stories of the 2023 WBC, with a scrappy team of players who don’t have the luxury of playing baseball full-time. They even won a game against China to earn instant qualification for this year’s WBC. During that previous WBC stint though, Korea jumped all over the Czechs in the first inning of their contest, batting around and plating five runs en route to a 7-3 victory.
The script evidently did not change all that much in their 2026 rematch.
Czechia starter Daniel Padysak immediately ran into trouble from the jump, as a couple walks and a Jung Hoo Lee single loaded the bases with one out for Bo Gyeong Moon, who has hit 46 homers across his last two season for the KBO’s LG Twins. Sure enough, he hit a moonshot (sorry) for a grand slam, and Korea had a 4-0 lead already. They kept the pressure on the Czechs, as Astros infielder Shay Whitcomb tallied two dingers against the arms that followed, Jeff Barto and Michal Kovala.
Former Orioles utiltyman Terrin Vavra, the lone Czechia player with MLB experience, had briefly made it a ballgame again at 6-3 in the fifth with a three-run shot off righty Woo Joo Jeong. But Whitcomb’s second long ball pushed his team’s lead back up to a comfortable five, and they only added from there. 2024 Yankee Jahmai Jones clubbed a solo shot of his own to join in on the action.
South Korea was expected to take care of business against the Czech Republic in their WBC opener, and they certianly did. They’ll face a far greater challenge tomorrow morning, when they square off with Shohei Ohtani and longtime rival/defending champion Japan at 5am ET — a Saturday night thriller at the Tokyo Dome.
Pool C: Australia (2-0) 5, Czech Republic (0-2) 1
No rest for the weary Czechs, who went right back to business in reporting to the ballpark the following morning. Their tenacity was briefly rewarded when they drew first blood against the Aussies. Tomas Ondra threw two scoreless innings, and in the the third, Vojtech Menšík gave Czechia a 1-0 lead on a sacrifice fly.
That being said, even the brief tally wasn’t a pure feeling of relief, as from the outside, it sure seemed like skipper Pavel Chadim played it too safe by going for small ball. The inning began with a Martin Cervenka double and a walk to Marek Chlup had set the table for one of their few power bats, Martin Mužík. But Chadim had Mužík bunt the runners over, which just looked worse when the sacrifice came on a 3-0 count. (In the postgame, Chadim said that he had indeed called for the bunt, but hadn’t wanted it after going up 3-0.) The Czechs played for one run, got it, and never scored another.
The very next inning burned this decision. Left fielder Chris Burke beat out an infield single for Australia’s first hit, and after a fielder’s choice at second that should’ve been a double play, Bazzana walked to set the table for White Sox infielder Curtis Mead — a familiar name around these parts as a former Rays prospect. Ondra went ahead 1-2 and was nearly out of the jam. Then Mead went monster.
The three-run shot proved decisive. The rest of the Czechia pitchers did a better job of holding down Australia than Korea, as it remained a 3-1 score into the ninth. Unfortunately for them, the Aussie arms had little trouble of their own. Josh Hendrickson, Coen Wynne, Blake Townsend, Ky Hampton, Todd Van Steensel, and Mitch Neunborn combined to hold Czechia to four hits on the day. Alex Hall homered in the ninth as part of insurance for Australia and Neunborn closed it out to move Australia to 2-0.
More likely than not, the Australians will have to at least beat Korea in their eventual head-to-head to advance in the WBC as they did in 2023, but they’ve put themselves in prime position by handling Chinese Taipei and Czechia. As for the Czechs, they know that they won’t be moving on. All they can do now is try to take down Chinese Taipei and at least ensure an automatic qualification for the 2029 WBC by avoiding last place in the pool, as they did by beating China in 2023. Chinese Taipei is far more internationally renowned though, so it’s a tall task.
Today at the WBC
/deep breath/
Japan vs. Chinese Taipei (Pool C) Pitching matchup: RHP Yoshinobu Yamamoto vs. RHP Hao-Chun Cheng Time: 5:00 a.m. ET TV: FS1 Venue: Tokyo Dome, Japan
Cuba vs. Panama (Pool A opener) Pitching matchup: LHP Livan Moinelo vs. LHP Logan T. Allen Time: 11:00 a.m. ET TV: FS2 Venue: Hiram Bithorn Stadium, San Juan, PR
Netherlands vs. Venezuela (Pool D opener) Pitching matchup: RHP Antwone Kelly vs. LHP Ranger Suarez Time: 12:00 p.m. ET TV: Tubi Venue: loanDepot park, Miami, FL
Mexico vs. Great Britain (Pool B opener) Pitching matchup: RHP Javier Assad vs. RHP Jack Anderson Time: 1:00 p.m. ET TV: FS1 Venue: Daikin Park, Houston, TX
Puerto Rico vs. Colombia (Pool A) Pitching matchup: RHP Seth Lugo vs. LHP Jose Quintana Time: 6:00 p.m. ET TV: FS1 Venue: Hiram Bithorn Stadium, San Juan, PR
Nicaragua vs. Dominican Republic (Pool D) Pitching matchup: RHP Ronald Medrano vs. LHP Cristopher Sánchez Time: 7:00 p.m. ET TV: FS2 Venue: loanDepot park, Miami, FL
United States vs. Brazil (Pool B) Pitching matchup: RHP Logan Webb vs. RHP Bo Takahashi Time: 8:00 p.m. ET TV: Fox Venue: Daikin Park, Houston, TX
Chinese Taipei vs. Czech Republic (Pool C) Pitching matchup: RHP Chen Zhong-Ao Zhuang vs. LHP Jan Novak Time: 10:00 p.m. ET TV: FS2 Venue: Tokyo Dome, Japan
The Philadelphia Flyers have traded forward Bobby Brink to the Minnesota Wild in exchange for defenseman David Jiricek.
Brink had been the subject of trade rumors for several weeks leading up to the deadline, and the Wild were one of the teams that were linked to him. Now, he is officially heading to Minnesota with this move.
With the Flyers having a surplus of wingers, it is understandable that they have flipped Brink. He should now be a solid part of the Wild's roster as they look to go on a big playoff run this spring.
The Flyers have also landed a fascinating defenseman in Jiricek with this move. The 2022 sixth-overall pick is still looking to break out and become a full-time NHL defenseman. Now, he should get more consistent playing time at the NHL level after being traded to the Flyers.
In 25 games this season with the Wild before the trade, Jiricek has recorded zero points and an even plus/minus rating. Down in the AHL this campaign, the 6-foot-4 defenseman has posted two goals and 10 points in 24 games.
PHOENIX, AZ - MARCH 5: Jalen Green #4 of the Phoenix Suns handles the ball during the game against the Chicago Bulls on March 5, 2026 at PHX Arena in Phoenix, Arizona. 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 Barry Gossage/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Silver linings. You try to find them in every game, especially in a loss. When you look at what the Phoenix Suns put on the floor against the Chicago Bulls on Thursday night, those silver linings are difficult to locate.
It was ugly basketball. The ugliest game of the season? I am not ready to go that far. I do not even know if it cracks the top five. Although when the conversation turns to ugly nights, this one deserves a seat at the table.
The defense was pitiful. If I squinted hard enough, I felt like I was watching the Phoenix Suns from the previous two seasons. You know, the version that could not contain the perimeter and allowed opponents to make a living at the rim? For a second I thought I saw Bradley Beal jogging through the frame. Drive after drive found daylight. Chicago kept attacking the paint, and Phoenix had no answer.
And sometimes that happens. This is the NBA. Strange results live here. The Houston Rockets lost at home last night to the Warriors, a team missing Stephen Curry and Jimmy Butler. Nights like that occur across the league.
So you take the game, write it on a piece of paper, crumple it up, and toss it toward the wastebasket. If you shot like the Suns did last night, however, that paper ball probably misses the rim too. Still, we are searching for silver linings. That means digging into the trash, unfolding that wrinkled piece of parchment, and studying what is written on it.
One of those silver linings might be something we did not expect. This game told us something about Jalen Green. More specifically, who he is not.
I know what some of you are thinking. “Good golly, Voita! Another Jalen Green piece?! What is this, the third one this week?!!!”
Yes. Absolutely.
Jalen Green sits at the center of one of the most fascinating storylines surrounding the Phoenix Suns this season. A large piece of the future depends on how the organization navigates his role and his development. He accounts for 21.7% of the salary cap. That is not a small detail.
So while I will continue preaching patience and measured judgment, ignoring what is happening would be irresponsible. The job here is to mark the mile markers along the road. To document the experience as it unfolds. When the season ends, the entire story should be sitting in front of us, not reconstructed from memory, but lived in real time.
As a player, Jalen Green checks plenty of boxes on paper, does he not. Athleticism? Check. Length? Check. Personality, likability, the right attitude? Check, check, chiggity-check. Those are the intangibles, the traits that make you lean forward a little and believe there is something there worth investing in.
Then you get to the deliverables.
Three-point shooting? Finishing at the rim? Rebounding? Defense? Efficiency? Those are the areas that define whether a player turns potential into production, and through much of this season, those areas have left plenty to be desired. Against Chicago, all of it sat under the spotlight.
Green finished the night 5-of-20 from the field and 1-of-8 from deep. Yes, he tied for the team lead in scoring during the late fourth-quarter push, although it took work to get there. He needed 11 shots to score his 9 points in the quarter. Amir Coffey also had 9 points in that stretch. He took 3 shots.
The moment that sticks with you arrived in the final seconds. One of Green’s seven misses in the fourth quarter came on a layup attempt at the rim, a shot that would have given Phoenix a 1-point lead — their first of the night — with 4.5 seconds remaining. Instead, the ball rolled away, and with it went the chance to flip the script.
The Suns just lost to a Bulls team that did not win a game in February. Phoenix never led. Had a look to go ahead for the first time in the final seconds, Jalen Green can’t get it to go. He finished 5-20 from the field. pic.twitter.com/tEnzdDamAJ
I know the loss against Chicago does not land squarely on Jalen Green’s shoulders. He was one spoke in a wheel that had a flat tire all night long. Nobody truly played well on either end of the floor, outside of Oso Ighodaro showing flashes here and there. Even he struggled at times protecting the rim. The problem was the inefficiency that spread across the entire roster. Phoenix could not slow Chicago down on one end, and they could not buy a basket on the other. That combination sinks a team every time, and it cannot all fall on Green.
Still, the game offered another look at Jalen Green operating as the second option for the Phoenix Suns. Devin Booker is back on the floor, and there will be adjustments. That process takes time. The team is learning it, the organization is learning it, the fan base is learning it. The early returns, though, have not been encouraging.
External factors exist, and they deserve acknowledgment. Injuries disrupt rhythm. Roles shift. Chemistry develops over time. At the same time, the production this season sits in a place that is difficult to ignore. It has been rough. Far rougher than anyone hoped when the season began.
I bring back a chart I initially posted back in November, fresh off the heels of a stellar 29-point Green performance against the Clippers. I charted Jalen Green’s 307 games with the Rockets and reminded the fanbase that, although his debut with Phoenix was electric, inconsistency is the name of his game.
With Houston, Green scored over 30 points 51 times. That was 16.6% of the time. But he also scored with 15 or fewer points in 107 games. 34.8% of the time. My observation then? “The highs are electric. The lows come more often than you’d expect.”
Now we look at the 14 games he’s played with Phoenix this season. Chart it and…
Inconsistent much?
Green is shooting 35.5% from the field this year. From three-point range, he sits at 26.3%. His effective field goal percentage is 41.8%. To put that into context, among players who have appeared in at least 14 games (which is where Green currently sits) he ranks 428 out of 448 in effective field goal percentage. That is the statistical neighborhood he occupies right now, and those numbers paint a clear picture of the struggle.
You can make the argument that he has not had enough time with this team in this role to truly settle into it. You can point to the fact that he missed 48 games this season and is still working to get his legs underneath him. I hear those arguments, and I acknowledge them. At the same time, I am watching what is happening on the court.
His legs did not look heavy late in the game when he took Isaac Okoro off the dribble and accelerated toward the rim. That moment had burst. That moment had lift. Fatigue was not the issue on that play. The problem was the finish.
That sequence tells a story we have seen repeatedly. Throughout this game, and honestly over the past nine games since returning from injury, Jalen Green has looked athletic. Springy. Explosive. A player who can turn the corner and get downhill. The challenge appears when the play reaches the rim.
Finishing has continued to be an issue for him, and that is not something unique to this season. It has followed him through his career. Green possesses elite athleticism, although his ability to convert around the basket has never matched the level of explosion he brings to the drive. During his four seasons with the Houston Rockets, Green took 57% of his shots at the rim and converted 53.8% of them. This season, the profile has shifted. Only 31.1% of his attempts come at the rim, and he is finishing those at 44.6%. The athleticism still shows up on the drive. The result at the end of that drive continues to be the hurdle.
Here is his career shooting chart.
That’s alotta blue…
When a player is integrating into a new system, the mistakes that show up are usually schematic. You see a missed offensive screen. A defensive rotation that arrives a step late. Those are the fingerprints of someone learning a structure, learning timing, learning where the next read lives.
What I have learned over time is that system integration rarely affects the shot itself.
The shot is the familiar part. It is the one thing that travels with a player from gym to gym, team to team, system to system. It is the comfort zone. The muscle memory. The skill that exists outside of the playbook. So yes, there will be a learning curve when it comes to role and responsibility within the offense. That part is expected. The shooting production, though, should be the steady ground underneath all of it. Throughout this season, that ground has not been steady.
Right now, it is a concern. In his 9 games since returning from injury, albeit some of those out of position and scheme, Green is shooting 20.3% from deep and 43.5% overall.
I assume some regression toward the mean will occur over time. Numbers tend to move in that direction if you give them enough attempts. The issue is that the mean itself still sits a distance away. When you look at Green’s career arc as a shooter, it becomes difficult to imagine a sudden leap arriving this late in the season.
He entered this year as a 34.2% three-point shooter during his time in Houston. With 19 games remaining, the math does not offer much room for a dramatic transformation. To get to 38% from three, which would be defined as “progression”, he would need to hit his next 18 attempts in a row. To reach his own career average, he would still need to knock down his next 12 consecutive threes.
Jalen Green would need to go 12-of-12 from beyond the arc to climb back to his 34.2% career average from three point range, the mark he posted during his time in Houston.
That is the kind of arithmetic that tells you where things currently stand. And therein lies the concern.
For all the positive intangibles Jalen Green brings, the deliverables have lagged behind through this stretch of the season. In a strange way, that becomes the silver lining from nights like this. Not because he struggled, but because a longer timeline reveals something clearer. You start to see the contours of the player. You start to see where the limitations live. And those observations matter when you are talking about a player who will earn $72 million over the next two seasons.
Yes, the sample is small. Anyone can argue that there is not enough runway to identify a trend, and I would not push back too hard on that point. I tend to lean on the twenty-game rule when evaluating stretches like this. I need twenty games to truly understand who a player is within the context of a system. And if your push back is along the lines of, “Well, the situation hasn’t been ideal for Green”, I respond with “Welcome to life. It never is.” The cream rises to the top, regardless of the situation. Champions adjust.
This is not a new story emerging out of nowhere. It is more of a reinforcement of something we already understood. Jalen Green, for all of the upside that exists in his athleticism and scoring potential, has long carried the label of an inefficient player. What the Phoenix Suns are seeing right now is a closer look at that reality. They are gathering information in real time while asking a very important question.
Can he be the number two option next to Devin Booker as Booker moves deeper into the prime years of his career? Is that worth $36 million per season?
There are still 19 games left for Green to answer some of those questions. Nineteen games to settle into the offense, find rhythm, and alter the narrative. If he does not, the offseason conversation becomes far more complicated for the Phoenix Suns.
Then again, there is another layer to consider.
Injuries, recovery, and adjusting to a new system all create noise in the evaluation process. It is possible the organization decides this sample does not provide enough evidence to make a firm decision this summer. That possibility exists.
There is another uncomfortable reality attached to that scenario as well. If Green continues to shoot and perform at this level, his value on the open market shrinks quickly. The Suns could once again find themselves holding a large contract that does not align with the production on the floor. Phoenix fans have seen that movie before. Bradley Beal. Deandre Ayton. The hope inside the building is that Jalen Green does not become the next chapter in that story.
That is the silver lining from Thursday night’s loss to the Chicago Bulls. The game offered another opportunity to understand who and what Jalen Green is as a number two option. Evaluation is the name of the game this season. Whether the results are good or bad, the process has to occur. The organization needs clarity on who they are and what direction they should take moving forward.
Thankfully, this evaluation period is happening at a moment when the Suns are not hurting themselves too badly in the standings. Phoenix remains firmly planted in the seventh spot in the Western Conference. Even after the Warriors defeated the Houston Rockets last night, the Suns still sit three games ahead of Golden State in that position. That means, as things currently stand, Phoenix would host a Play-In game against them. Try not to look too closely at the fact that the Suns are 1-3 against the Warriors this season.
Sure, a win against Chicago would have been ideal. It would have helped Phoenix gain ground on both the Los Angeles Lakers and the Houston Rockets. That opportunity slipped away. Instead, the focus shifts to what the game revealed. Several performances fell below the standard. One of them carried far more weight than the others. When a player commands that level of financial investment, the spotlight naturally follows.
LaMelo Ball
Neemias Queta
Victor Wembanyama
