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Two of the best teams in the Eastern Conference do battle when Cade Cunningham and the Detroit Pistons host James Harden and the Cleveland Cavaliers.

With Cleveland banged up, Detroit is a 6-point home favorite, but my Cavs vs. Pistons predictions break down why the East’s No. 1 seed still deserves more respect.

Read more in my NBA picks for this matchup, set to tip off at 7:00 p.m. ET from Little Caesars Arena in Detroit.

Cavaliers vs Pistons prediction

Cavaliers vs Pistons best bet: Pistons -6 (-110)

It feels like people aren’t giving the Detroit Pistons enough respect. Cade Cunningham and Jaren Duren are stars, and the only team that has a better net rating than the Pistons this season is the Oklahoma City Thunder.

They’ve also been a great team at home this season, going 22-7 with an average margin of victory of 10.3 points.

Meanwhile, the acquisition of James Harden has been a home run for the Cleveland Cavaliers. Unfortunately, he’s questionable to play with a thumb injury while Donovan Mitchell is already out.

That’s too much to overcome against this really great Pistons team.

Cavaliers vs Pistons same-game parlay

Sure, the James Harden thing has worked for Cleveland so far. But he won’t help the fact that the Cavaliers allow the fifth-most points per game to opposing guards. Give me Cade to go Over 25.5 points, something he’s done in eight of his last 11 games.

The Pistons are also an elite rebounding team, ranking second in rebounding rate. Tobias Harris has hauled down six or more rebounds in seven of his last eight games, and with the Cavs potentially down their top two shooters, there could be plenty of boards up for grabs.

Cavaliers vs Pistons SGP

• Pistons -6
• Cade Cunningham Over 25.5 points
• Tobias Harris Over 5.5 rebounds

Our "from downtown" SGP: Cade!

Cade is getting some MVP buzz down the stretch, and a big game against an East contender could bolster that case.

Cavaliers vs Pistons SGP

• Cade Cunningham Over 25.5 points
• Cade Cunningham Over 5.5 rebounds
• Cade Cunningham Over 9.5 assists
• Cade Cunningham Over 1.5 steals

Cavaliers vs Pistons odds

• Spread: Cavaliers +6 | Pistons -6
• Moneyline: Cavaliers +200 | Pistons -240
• Over/Under: Over 227 | Under 227

Cavaliers vs Pistons betting trend to know

The Pistons have covered the 1H spread in 28 of their last 45 games (+10.75 Units / 21% ROI). Find more NBA betting trends for Cavaliers vs. Pistons.

How to watch Cavaliers vs Pistons

Cavaliers vs Pistons latest injuries

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

There has been plenty of speculation as to whether new Boston Celtics big man Nikola Vucevic will be starting or coming off the bench for the Celtics. Now attention turns to that question for when star Boston forward Jayson Tatum returns to action from the Achilles tendon injury he picked up in the 2025 NBA Eastern Conference Semifinals.

And while we do not yet have an answer to that particular potential conundrum, we do know how the former Chicago Bulls center feels about coming off the bench for Boston at the moment. "When I got to Boston and (was) talking to (Celtics head coach) Joe (Mazzulla), he had mentioned that," said Vooch in an interview with NBC Sports Boston. "And in our conversation, I told him I was open to (it)."

"I didn't mind if my role would be different, if I'd come off the bench, if my minutes were different and he just ... asked me to be flexible to start off the bench and see how it goes and figure out the minutes and everything," he added.

"And I told him I was open to that," continued Vucevic "I didn't know that was an issue for me. I knew it would be an adjustment, when you start for so long, you have a certain routine, you go from the warm-up straight to the intro to playing."

"Now it's that you sit on a bench for a little bit and, so it was an adjustment. I think the first game I was just excited to be out there and just wanted to play as hard as I can to help the team. And there was a lot of process, learning the offense, learning the defense, the communication we use, and things like that."

Listen to "Havlicek Stole the Pod" on:

Blue Wire: https://tiny.ee/CdKp

iTunes: https://tiny.ee/RK47

YouTube: https://tiny.ee/cOW3

This article originally appeared on Celtics Wire: Nikola Vucevic on coming off the bench for the Celtics

What will the impact of Jayson Tatum returning be for the Boston Celtics? The St. Louis native is nearing the end of his long rehab process for the Achilles tendon injury he sustained vs. the New York Knicks in the 2025 NBA Eastern Conference Semifinals, and speculation on how he will be integrated back into the ball club that has found uncanny success in his (and Al Horford, Jrue Holiday, Luke Kornet, and Kristaps Porzingis') absence this campaign.

The team looks quite different, and plays a different style than when Tatum was at the helm, and there is also the whole issue of his costar on the wing Jaylen Brown having a season worthy of winning the league's Most Valuable Player award. What should we expect from the Duke alum returning to the fold?

The folks behind "Havlicek Stole the Pod" put together a clip taking a deep dive on the subject in conjunction with the Ringer's Howard Beck. Check it out below!

Listen to "Havlicek Stole the Pod" on:

Blue Wire: https://tiny.ee/CdKp

iTunes: https://tiny.ee/RK47

YouTube: https://tiny.ee/cOW3

This article originally appeared on Celtics Wire: What will the impact of Jayson Tatum returning be for the Celtics?

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A pair of tanking teams face off in the Lone Star State tonight, where the Dallas Mavericks host the Memphis Grizzlies.

Both teams are decimated by injuries, which is why my Grizzlies vs. Mavericks predictions expect Memphis forward Taylor Hendricks to continue shining in an increased role.

Here are my best free NBA picks for Friday, February 27.

Grizzlies vs Mavericks prediction

Grizzlies vs Mavericks best bet: Taylor Hendricks Over 9.5 points (-120)

The Memphis Grizzlies have been without leading scorer Ja Morant (19.5 ppg) since mid-January, and standout rookie Cedric Coward (13.3 ppg) is also sidelined.

That means plenty of shots for Taylor Hendricks, who was acquired in the Jaren Jackson trade, while Santi Aldama and Zach Edey are injured. Hendricks has stepped up, dropping 10+ points in four of his last six games.

The Dallas Mavericks' defense has collapsed with the departure of Anthony Davis and injuries to Cooper Flagg and P.J. Washington. Dallas ranks 28th in the NBA in defensive rating while playing at the sixth-fastest pace over the last month.

Grizzlies vs Mavericks same-game parlay

Rookie guard Walter Clayton Jr. also came over in that Jaren Jackson trade, and he has also thrived in a bigger role. Clayton has dropped 6+ assists in three of four games with Memphis.

The Griz have lost seven of their last eight games, but the Mavs have dropped 11 of their previous 13. I'll take the points with the visitors against a Dallas squad on the tail end of a back-to-back.

Grizzlies vs Mavericks SGP

• Taylor Hendricks Over 9.5 points
• Walter Clayton Jr. Over 4.5 assists
• Grizzlies +4.5

Our "from downtown" SGP: Grizz!

There's plenty of volatility in these late-season games between teams that aren't trying to win.

Since we're betting on a couple of hungry young players on the Grizzlies, let's also back them to lead at half and pull off the minor upset. 

Grizzlies vs Mavericks SGP

• Taylor Hendricks Over 9.5 points
• Walter Clayton Jr. Over 4.5 assists
• Grizzlies moneyline
• Grizzlies 1H moneyline

Grizzlies vs Mavericks odds

• Spread: Grizzlies +4.5 (-110) | Mavericks -4.5 (-110)
• Moneyline: Grizzlies +165 | Mavericks -200
• Over/Under: Over 239 (-110) | Under 239 (-110)

Grizzlies vs Mavericks betting trend to know

The Grizzlies have covered the first half spread in their last 10 games on the road (+10.00 Units / 88% ROI). Find more NBA betting trends for Grizzlies vs. Mavericks.

How to watch Grizzlies vs Mavericks

Grizzlies vs Mavericks latest injuries

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There’s no better way to kick off the weekend than with some winning bets.

I’ve combed through the latest NBA odds and singled out my three favorites for today, including points props for two role players capitalizing on extra opportunities.

Check out all of my NBA picks for Friday, February 27.

Best NBA player props today

Player	Pick
Kyle Kuzma	Over 1.5 threes	+150
GG Jackson Jr.	Over 16.5 points	-112
Julian Strawther	Over 9.5 points	-115

Prop #1: Kyle Kuzma Over 1.5 threes

+150 at bet365

It’s been an unusual season for the Milwaukee Bucks. With Giannis Antetokounmpo missing significant time, they’ve still managed to win eight of their last 10 games heading into tonight's matchup with the New York Knicks.

Kyle Kuzma has stepped up for Milwaukee, averaging 14.6 points over his last 12 contests and shooting 40% from 3-point range over his last five.

The Knicks' perimeter defense has been shaky this season, ranking 20th in opponent made threes per game. Kuzma has made 2+ threes in four of his last five starts, and he’s likely to do it again tonight.

• Time: 8:00 p.m. ET
• Where to watch: MSG, FanDuel Sports Network Wisconsin

Prop #2: GG Jackson Jr. Over 16.5 points

-112 at bet365

The Memphis Grizzlies’ injury list reads like a horror story, and they desperately need scoring.

G.G. Jackson Jr. is averaging 17.4 points with a .667 eFG% over his last nine games, and tonight he faces a Dallas Mavericks team that’s nearly as depleted as the Grizzlies.

With the Mavs playing their second match in as many nights, I like Jackson to eclipse 16.5 points for the fifth time in six games.

• Time: 8:30 p.m. ET
• Where to watch: FanDuel Sports Network Southeast-Memphis, KFAA

Prop #3: Julian Strawther Over 9.5 points

-115 at bet365

The game of the night features the Denver Nuggets visiting the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is back after missing nine games, but in a matchup loaded with NBA stars, I'm focusing on a prop for a lesser-known role player.

Julian Strawther has capitalized on his increased opportunities. The Nuggets guard is averaging 15.6 points and shooting 37% from three over his eight starts, and he’s expected back in the starting lineup tonight.

OKC allows the fourth-most made threes per game, and Strawther has reached double digits in scoring in seven of his eight games while in an elevated role.

• Time: 9:30 p.m. ET
• Where to watch: ESPN

These props are available now at bet365, one of our best betting sites.

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

Kon Knueppel set the NBA record for the most 3-pointers in a season by a rookie on Thursday, helping the Charlotte Hornets to their ninth straight win on the road.

Knueppel produced 28 points, four rebounds, two assists, one steal and one blocked shot in a 133-109 victory over the Indiana Pacers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. He knocked down eight 3s and was a team-best plus-26 in 31 minutes, 12 seconds of action.

The fourth overall pick clinched the record in the third quarter with his sixth triple, surpassing Keegan Murray for the most in history. Murray sealed it in 80 games with the Sacramento Kings during the 2022-23 season, while Knueppel did so in his 59th game.

"Just my teammates for embracing me and really helping me out," Knueppel said of what means most about the record. "That is a lot of 3s, and it is a lot of looks off other teammates. So them letting me come on the team and letting me play my game, I think, is cool."

KON MAKES HISTORY ‼️

With this three, Kon Knueppel has set the new NBA rookie record for 3-pointers made in a season! pic.twitter.com/CoaK09QIQY

— NBA (@NBA) February 27, 2026

Averaging 3.5 3s per game this season, Knueppel on Tuesday became the fastest player in history to reach 200 career 3-pointers (58 games). He is currently the only player in the league this season with at least 200 3-pointers (209).

Knueppel tied his own franchise record for 3s made in a single game with the performance, which was originally set on Jan. 29 in a win over the Dallas Mavericks. He is also the third rookie in history with multiple games of at least 30 points and seven 3s.

"It is very special to be a part of," Hornets coach Charles Lee said. "Any time you can be around moments like that, that are historic, it is pretty special. To see where his story started and where he continues to ascend to is really cool. I think that not only has Kon done a phenomenal job to accomplish what he just accomplished, but it is also the players around him have put him in great positions. They've helped him along the way."

KON KNUEPPEL.

MOST THREES EVER BY A ROOKIE 🚨 pic.twitter.com/1aPSC2c3SO

— NBA (@NBA) February 27, 2026

Knueppel is averaging 19.4 points, 5.4 rebounds and 3.5 assists while shooting 44.2% from 3-point range this season with the Hornets. He leads the rookie class in total scoring (1,146) and is one of two first-year players with at least five 30-point games.

The former Duke guard has emerged as a significant contributor for the Hornets (29-31) and is a key reason the team is in contention for the play-in race. He wants to continue to build toward reaching the playoffs for the first time in 10 years.

"We got to take care of the games that we believe we should win," Knueppel said. "So going forward, just playing together defensively and offensively will be the best strategy."

This article originally appeared on Rookie Wire: Hornets news: Kon Knueppel reacts to setting NBA rookie 3-point record

The Brooklyn Nets (15-43) have not won a game since coming back from the All-Star break and part of the reason for that is the team being unable to play well for all four quarters. Brooklyn had another chance of ending their losing streak with the San Antonio Spurs (43-16) coming to Barclays Center, but they failed in being able to win a game against one of the best teams in the NBA.

The Nets lost to the Spurs on Thursday 126-110 in a game where Brooklyn didn't earn the lead once while also falling behind by as many as 26 points in a lopsided game. Forward Michael Porter Jr. had 25 points and 14 rebounds for one of his better games in recent memory while backup center Day'Ron Sharpe had 14 points and 11 rebounds coming off the bench.

The Nets did a great job of limiting center Victor Wembanyama's impact as he scored just 12 points on 3-of-9 shooting from the field, but Julian Champagnie scored 26 points by taking advantage of the gravity that Wembanyama has. Brooklyn will be facing the Boston Celtics on Friday, but for now, here are three Nets takeaways from Thursday's loss to the Spurs:

Michael Porter Jr. Has Uneven Performance

Porter finished this game with a great stat line of 25 points and 14 rebounds, but he also had a whopping six turnovers while notching most of his production in an dominant third quarter. In the first, second, and fourth quarters, Porter notched eight points on 3-of-14 shooting from the field, but in the third period, he had 17 points and 6-of-8 shooting. This has been an interesting trend for Porter as he doesn't seem to be able to sustain his efficient scoring for an entire game, but he certainly has some impressive stretches.

Day'Ron Sharpe Notches Another Double-Double

Sharpe came off the bench in this game, but he finished with 14 points, 11 rebounds, and four assists in just 19 minutes while also going against Wembanyama and Luke Kornet during his time on the floor. In a game that turned into another blowout, Sharpe is having arguably the best season of his career as he heads into an offseason where the Nets have a team option on his contract for next season.

Egor Demin Passes Well, But Wasn't Aggressive Scoring

This was arguably Demin's best passing game of his rookie season as he finished with nine assists to just one turnover against one of the best defenses in the league. With that being said, Demin also had six points on just three shots, showing that he wasn't particularly aggressive looking for his own offense. At some point, Demin should be able to combine the scoring/shooting and playmaking at the same time.

This article originally appeared on Nets Wire: 3 Nets takeaways from 126-110 loss to Victor Wembanyama, Spurs

Houston Rockets second-year guard Reed Sheppard has taken quite the leap in the 2025-26 season.

After a disappointing rookie season, the second-year guard has provided plenty of highlights in an expanded role with Fred VanVleet injured, perhaps none bigger than his second-half performance against the Magic on Thursday night. It looked like a game to forget for the Rockets, who trailed 76-57 late in the third quarter after Sheppard's turnover led to a Paolo Banchero dunk in transition.

From there, though, it was the Reed Sheppard show. He helped spur a 21-0 run for Houston, scoring or assisting on 13 of those points while lighting it up from deep. That run was enough to convince head coach Ime Udoka to finally let Sheppard close the game, and Udoka's faith was rewarded with multiple clutch threes from the 21-year-old to ice the comeback win.

It was only one game, but in one of Houston's best wins of the season, Sheppard proved why he should regularly close games for the Rockets.

Sheppard meeting the moment

Rockets 21-0 run, all 21 points were scored or assisted by Reed Sheppard or Kevin Durant. pic.twitter.com/3BDwrKMa9p

— Rockets Clips (@Rockets_Clips) February 27, 2026

Sheppard finished with 20 points off the bench in the win, scoring 18 of those in the second half. He didn't even attempt a three-pointer in the first half, but hit five of them in the final two frames while shooting an efficient 7-for-11 from the field.

It's the type of confidence that Sheppard lacked in his first season with Houston, but one that's been on full display in his first year as a regular part of the rotation. When the Rockets needed a basket down the stretch, it was the 21-year-old who hit the clutch shots, not Kevin Durant.

At this point in the season, that type of production still likely won't be enough for Sheppard to enter the starting lineup. Udoka heavily implied earlier in the season that he wouldn't even consider bringing Amen Thompson off the bench despite his spacing issues on offense. Thompson was a team-worst -15 against Orlando, and the head coach subbed him out for good with eight and a half minutes left to let Sheppard run the offense.

It's clear that Sheppard's shooting ability is a better fit for Houston's offense, but if Udoka is determined to stick with Thompson, then the solution is to have him close games instead.

After watching the second-year guard's heroics down the stretch, there's no reason why he shouldn't be on the court in crunch time. The second-year guard showed he's deserving of more minutes in the win over Orlando, and Udoka needs to give Sheppard that opportunity, especially if he continues to play at the recent level he has.

"What he does for them on the offensive end—I mean, you saw how much easier their offense flowed, especially down the stretch in the 3rd quarter and the 4th quarter. I mean, you have to know where he is at all times, and that's something they've sort of been missing, so I'm a big… pic.twitter.com/JsSY2p3rsU

— Rockets Clips (@Rockets_Clips) February 27, 2026

This article originally appeared on Rockets Wire: Houston's Reed Sheppard shows why he should close games in Magic win

Today in Boston Celtics history, the storied franchise signed Stephon Marbury as a free agent in 2009. The Brooklyn, New York native elected to sign with the Celtics after he was bought out by the New York Knicks in the wake of a major fall-out with the head coach of the Knicks at that time, Mike D'Antoni. The Marbury stint in Boston was nearly as brief as they come, though. The former Georgia Tech standout finished one of the worst seasons (and the last) of his NBA career playing for the Celtics. His capabilities dropped considerably across most counting stats.

Marbury averaged 3.8 points and 3.3 assists in 23 regular-season games with the Celtics in 2008-09, compared to his career rates of 19.3 points and 7.6 assists per game. He played in 14 postseason games that season; Boston lost its second-round series to Orlando in seven games. The following season, Boston only offered the veteran's minimum to Marbury, which the veteran summarily dismissed.

Instead, the Coney Islander headed overseas to the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA), where he has had a long, successful career as a player and as a coach.

Historic milestones

It's also the date of a game legendary Boston point guard Bob Cousy dished out 28 assists in 1959, then an NBA record. It came in a game against the (then) Minneapolis Lakers (now, Los Angeles) in Boston's (and the NBA's) highest-scoring game in history, a 173-139 obliteration of the Lakers.

The Phoenix Suns matched the scoring record in 1990, and the assist record stood until Scott Skiles broke it with 30 assists in one game -- also in 1990.

This article originally appeared on Celtics Wire: Celtics history: Marbury deal; Cousy dishes 28 assists in 173-point game

Lakers’ Deandre Ayton trolled hard by fans after embarrassing loss to Suns appeared first on ClutchPoints. Add ClutchPoints as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Los Angeles Lakers center Deandre Ayton tempted the basketball gods and karma when he reportedly complained that the team is trying to turn him into a version of lob threat/rim-runner Clint Capela. Less than 48 hours later, he paid dearly for those alleged locker-room remarks. The No. 1 overall pick in the 2018 NBA Draft scored two points on 1-of-3 shooting with four rebounds and one steal. He was a -24 on the court versus the Phoenix Suns, as LA fell 113-110 in the Mortgage Matchup Center.

Royce O’Neale deserves to bask in the limelight after nailing the game-winning 3-pointer with less than one second left on the clock, but the public is focusing much of its attention on Ayton. In what was the Lakers’ second straight devastating loss, he disappeared against his former team and was force-fed a gigantic piece of humble pie. His performance effectively tells the story, but fans are expressing their opinions on the matter just the same.

NBA fans come for Lakers’ Deandre Ayton

“Deandre Ayton said the Los Angeles Lakers were trying make him Clint Capela, and in his first game following those comments, he ended up playing more like Kwame Brown,” Chris Walder of Odds Shark posted on X, referencing the former No.1 pick and LA big man who severely underachieved during his NBA career.”

For those wondering, Capela recorded four points, six rebounds, three assists and four blocks in just 17 minutes of action, as the Houston Rockets edged out the Orlando Magic on the same night as Ayton’s dud.

“On everything I love Deandre Ayton would literally be delivering my doordash if He wasn’t 7 foot tall,” @BeenHim16 proclaimed. “The Deandre Ayton signing is going exactly how the haters said it would go,” @jeff_on_sports commented. “Finally earned the #1 pick for the Suns,” @The_MilesFiles quipped. “Their best player tonight.”

Ouch. Ayton has experienced some good moments while wearing the Purple and Gold — totaled 21 points and 13 boards Tuesday versus the Magic — but his first season in LA is not going how fans hoped. The 27-year-old was averaging 13.2 points and 8.5 rebounds through 49 games entering the Suns clash. Fans rip him apart, but he could be a true difference-maker when at his best.

Ayton averages a double-double for his career, so he should have the ability to make a consistent impact. The Lakers and NBA fans are just not seeing it, however. Following this rough outing in Phoenix, the Bahamian has reached a pivotal point in his Los Angeles tenure. He can allow himself to be inundated by the struggles and subsequent ridicule, or he can use this low point as motivation for the remainder of the campaign.

Which path will he walk?

Related: What hurt Lakers in narrow loss to Suns, per JJ Redick

Related: Austin Reaves’ 2-word mic drop after crushing loss vs. Suns

Minnesota Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards wasn't afraid to put Thursday's game in his own hands ... and wasn't afraid to let everyone know about it, including Minnesota head coach Chris Finch.

Edwards made a huge shot to give the Timberwolves a 92-88 lead over the Los Angeles Clippers with 42.9 seconds left in the fourth quarter, before getting in Finch's face.

"That's what I do," Edwards could be seen telling Finch on the broadcast after the shot.

The Timberwolves went on to win 94-88 and Edwards was asked about that moment during his postgame interview with Amazon Prime.

Ant explains pic.twitter.com/EP9IfyLN9g

— Rob Perez (@WorldWideWob) February 27, 2026

“The play before, when I took the midrange over two (players), (Finch) said to pass the ball and I told him, 'You don't want me to pass the ball, you want me to shoot it,'" Edwards said.

Edwards had 31 points, five assists and three rebounds for the Timberwolves. He shot 12-of-24 from the field, including 2-for-6 from the 3-point line.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Anthony Edwards yells 'that's what I do' at own coach after late shot

NBA fans react to Deandre Ayton’s 2-point effort in Lakers-Suns game originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Comments from Deandre Ayton did not age well for Thursday night’s game between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Phoenix Suns. 

Following a Lakers loss against the Orlando Magic, Ayton was accused of taking a shot at Houston Rockets center Clint Capela. 

“They're trying to make me Clint Capela," Ayton told ESPN. "I'm not no Clint Capela!"

The comments went viral on social media on the day of the Suns-Lakers battle, and they were kept in mind after the LA loss on Thursday. Unfortunately, a rough outing for Ayton led to the expected reaction from NBA fans.

NBA Fans Discuss Ayton’s Rough Night

via @TBExceed: Clint capela clears this fraud

@mtpluggrinder: Genuinely what is this guys problem?

@jamestheg3: Terrible

@danhurleyuconn: Not even as good as 2026 Capela 

@BronOverBumJ: Worse than Jaxon Hayes I can’t believe it

@SeeMeInShadow: ran out of crunk juice

Ayton started and played for 23 minutes on Thursday night against the Suns.

The veteran center was the only starter to fail to reach double-digit scoring. Ayton shot 1-3 from the field, scoring just two points. He had four rebounds and one steal on the night.

Going into the matchup on Thursday, Ayton had collected 49 games with the Lakers. Statistically, it’s been a down year. Ayton is averaging 16.1 points and 8.5 rebounds. His career-average is 16.1 points and 10.3 rebounds.

The former first-overall pick has had a productive career as a full-time starter over eight years with three different teams, but he always tends to miss expectations as a top pick. Unfortunately, the combination of speaking out and struggling in the following game caught up to Ayton.

He’ll get his shot at redemption on Saturday, February 28, when the Lakers pay a visit to the Golden State Warriors. 

More NBA News: 

• Erik Spoelstra admits that the Heat must improve in their clutch-time performances
• Warriors get concerning Steph Curry injury news
• Kon Knueppel credits his teammates for helping him get the historic three-point record

Erik Spoelstra admits that the Heat must improve in their clutch-time performances originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Miami Heat have a talented roster that is headlined by the likes of Tyler Herro, Norman Powell, and Bam Adebayo. With that amount of talent on the roster, many expect Erik Spoelstra's team to stand out in crunch-time situations.

Unfortunately, that was not the case during their Thursday game against the Philadelphia 76ers. The Heat were doing well, but it was not enough to knock off the 76ers, who had standout nights from their star duo of Tyrese Maxey and Joel Embiid.

Spoelstra wants the Heat to be better in the clutch

Throughout the years, the Heat have always been competitive when it comes to clutch situations. They usually had Jimmy Butler in recent years step up and take over.

He is not there anymore, so everybody else must step up. Herro is often the player given the responsibility because he is the best shot-maker on the roster. Powell can also do that, but Herro is probably the best option for Spoelstra.

MORE: Tyler Herro and the Heat appreciate that ball movement is a big part of their offense

Unfortunately, that has not been the case this season because the Heat have been losing many clutch games. That is not what Spoelstra wants to see because he has a high standard for crunch-time success.

"I'll have to look at the one Tyler tried to scoop with his left hand, we might've been able to get something better out of that, but he was terrific in that 2nd half," Spoelstra said after the game against Philly.

"We're gonna improve in that area, there will be a lot more clutch games in these last 20 plus, and we'll continue to get better at them and win these games."

If the Heat want to get more wins this season, they have to brush up on their crunch-time performances. They have let results slip away this season, and they could have been in a much better state if they won those games.

More NBA news: 

• Dwyane Wade names the best leaders he played with — and one isn't LeBron James
• Erik Spoelstra is confident in the Miami Heat's depth playing a big part in a rocky season
• Norman Powell opens up on first career All-Star appearance
• Miami Heat big man Kel'el Ware honored to be part of NBA All-Star Weekend as a sophomore
• Miami Heat star named one of NBA's most overrated players

The Brooklyn Nets (15-43) have not won a game since coming back from the All-Star break and part of the reason for that is the team being unable to play well for all four quarters. Brooklyn had another chance of ending their losing streak with the San Antonio Spurs (43-16) coming to Barclays Center, but they failed in being able to win a game against one of the best teams in the NBA.

The Nets lost to the Spurs on Thursday 126-110 in a game where Brooklyn didn't earn the lead once while also falling behind by as many as 26 points in a lopsided game. Forward Michael Porter Jr. had 25 points and 14 rebounds for one of his better games in recent memory while backup center Day'Ron Sharpe had 14 points and 11 rebounds coming off the bench.

The Nets did a great job of limiting center Victor Wembanyama's impact as he scored just 12 points on 3-of-9 shooting from the field, but Julian Champagnie scored 26 points by taking advantage of the gravity that Wembanyama has. Brooklyn will be facing the Boston Celtics on Friday, but for now, here are the Nets player grades following Thursday's loss to the Spurs:

Nolan Traore: C+

Traore did a good job of scoring the ball overall as he was penetrating the paint on almost every possession, but he also had some trouble trying to get daylight with Victor Wembanyama in the game. Traore has been doing a great job of being aggressive with the ball in his hands, but the team expects to create more scoring opportunities for his teammates than he did against the Spurs.

Egor Demin: B

Demin had an interesting game against the Spurs as he wasn't too aggressive with getting some of his shots off, but he finally put his passing chops on full display by getting close to 10 assists. What the Nets have to be hoping for is that at some point this season, Demin can show his ability to put the scoring and passing together instead of doing just one or the other.

Michael Porter Jr.: B

Porter had a slow start to this game in terms of his scoring as the Spurs' defense did a great job of making him take tough shots for the majority of the first 24 minutes. However, in the third quarter, Porter woke up in a huge way by scoring 17 points in the period to pair with his excellent rebounding to make up for his poor performance in that aspect against the Mavericks.

Noah Clowney: C+

Clowney had a solid performance against the Spurs as he was efficient with his offensive touches, showing that he is likely over his extended drought of the past month or so. Clowney had some issues guarding his man without fouling and didn't excel in any other category, but his offensive contributions were encouraging to watch with his recent shooting struggles being considered.

Nic Claxton: B-

Claxton had arguably his toughest matchup of the season with him having to go against Victor Wembanyama, but Claxton handled himself well aside from fouling out early in the fourth quarter. Claxton did a good job of scoring around the rim along with doing a good job of rebounding and passing the ball while also bothering Wembanyama on most possessions.

Ziaire Williams: F

Williams struggled with his shooting in this one as he couldn't get much to drop from the perimeter, especially with the way that the Spurs were closing out hard on the shooters. Williams also had his fair share of struggles on the defensive end of the floor with San Antonio running their offense down to a science for the majority of the contest.

Danny Wolf: B-

Wolf did a good job scoring the ball from all over the floor and the fact that his three-pointer was falling helped open up the rest of his game, especially driving to the rim. Wolf did a good job of rebounding the basketball during his time on the floor and did a better job of taking care of the basketball, but Brooklyn didn't have much to prevent the Spurs from exerting their will.

Day'Ron Sharpe: B+

Sharpe had one of his better performances of the season despite having to against Wembanyama and Luke Kornet during his time on the floor as he played within himself. Sharpe did a good job of finishing in the paint and was all over the boards on both ends of the floor, but he also turned the ball over more than he usually does when he has the ball in his hands.

Ochai Agbaji: D

Agbaji went scoreless against the Spurs as he couldn't get any of his shots to fall or get to the free-throw line, making this his worst offensive performance since coming to the team earlier in February. Part of Agbaji's appeal is also on the defensive end of the floor and while he typically brings a solid effort on that end of the court, he has to be better offensively.

Drake Powell: C-

Powell was solid, if unspectacular, on the offensive end during his time on the floor as he took the shots that came to him and didn't look for much more than that. Powell didn't make much of an impact during his time coming off the bench, but the good news is that he was ready to play once he stepped on the floor, something that has been an issue for him recently.

This article originally appeared on Nets Wire: Nets' Michael Porter Jr. drops 25 points in 126-110 loss to Spurs

After a hard-fought, exhausting win in Toronto the night before, the Spurs avoided a letdown game against the Brooklyn Nets by beginning the game strong and overcoming some rough stretches by spreading the wealth and riding the hot hand of the moment on their way to a 126-110 victory. Seven Spurs scored in double figures, led by 26 from the hometown kid Julian Champagnie on 10-14 shooting, 6-9 from three. Michael Porter, Jr. was cold in the first half but exploded in the second for the Nets, finishing with 25 points and 14 rebounds.

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This article originally appeared on Hoops Hype: Spurs win 11th consecutive game in memorable Julian Champagnie homecoming

Spencer Payne: FINAL: HOU 113, ORL 108 The #Magic had a 19-point lead halfway through the third quarter, but a 21-0 run by the #Rockets let them back in the game. Kevin Durant ends with a season-high 40 points, including 26 in the second half. Thank you for following my coverage!

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This article originally appeared on Hoops Hype: Kevin Durant explodes for 40 points in Rockets comeback win over Orlando

Antwane Willis Jr: The Atlanta Hawks improve to 30-31 on the season after decimating the Washington Wizards 126-96. Corey Kispert had his breakout game with 33 points and 6 rebounds. Hawks return Sunday night vs the Portland Trail Blazers.

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This article originally appeared on Hoops Hype: Corey Kispert enjoys career night in win over former team

Adam Aaronson: “Our season was, was very, very, very, very bad last year,” Tyrese Maxey said. “…We were blessed with VJ Edgecombe, and I think as a Sixers organization, as a fan base, we should be very happy, very pleased, and very thankful. I know I am. I’m extremely thankful for him.”

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This article originally appeared on Hoops Hype: “Our season was, was very, very, very, very bad last …

Austin Krell: Nick Nurse did not have any updates on Joel Embiid after the game, but mentioned that he saw the rib and shoulder ailing him. Nurse suggested he's back on some sort of minute limit.

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This article originally appeared on Hoops Hype: Nick Nurse did not have any updates on Joel Embiid …

Dustin Dopirak: Rick Carlisle on Obi Toppin: "Just the reaction was the crowd was heart-warming. ... It's clear this is going to be a slow process of getting him graduatlly back up to speed."

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This article originally appeared on Hoops Hype: Rick Carlisle on Obi Toppin: "Just the reaction was …

Tony East: Obi Toppin: "I know that my foot's good right now." Said that he knows his explosion isn't where it was at the end of last season but thinks it will get there as he plays more often down the stretch.

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This article originally appeared on Hoops Hype: Obi Toppin: "I know that my foot's good right now." …

Pablo Torre Finds Out: NEW INVESTIGATION: Former LSU star and Bulls guard Antonio Blakeney is the unnamed "Co-Conspirator 1" in the NBA gambling scandal, according to law-enforcement officials — and he's still playing. "This... is the real original sin — but he is continuing to exist under the radar."

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NEW INVESTIGATION: Former LSU star and Bulls guard Antonio Blakeney is the unnamed "Co-Conspirator 1" in the NBA gambling scandal, according to law-enforcement officials — and he's still playing.

"This... is the real original sin — but he is continuing to exist under the radar." pic.twitter.com/YNlXo4PaVC

— Pablo Torre Finds Out (@pablofindsout) February 26, 2026

This article originally appeared on Hoops Hype: Antonio Blakeney is the unnamed "Co-Conspirator 1" in …

Charlotte Hornets PR: Kon Knueppel has set the NBA rookie record for 3-pointers made in a season (207). Knueppel is the only player in the NBA with over 200 3-pointers made so far this season.

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This article originally appeared on Hoops Hype: Kon Knueppel breaks rookie record for most three-pointers in a season with 22 games to go

The Golden State Warriors have had over 600 players don the more than 60 jersey numbers used by their players over the more than 75 years of existence the team has enjoyed in its rich and storied history.

Founded in 1946 during the Basketball Association of America (BAA – a precursor league of the NBA) era, the team has called home the cities of Philadelphia, San Francisco, Oakland, and even San Diego.

To commemorate the players who wore those numbers, Warriors Wire is covering the entire history of jersey numbers and the players who sported them since the founding of the team. For this article, we begin with the first of two players who wore the No. 47 jersey for the Warriors.

That player would be Golden State forward alum Dave Lattin. After ending his college career at Texas-El Paso, Lattin was picked up with the 11th overall selection of the 1967 NBA Draft by the (then) San Francisco (now, Golden State) Warriors.

The Houston, Texas native played the first season of his pro career with the Dubs before he was drafted by the Phoenix Suns in the 1968 NBA expansion draft.

During his time suiting up for the Warriors, Lattin wore only jersey No. 47 and put up 2.2 points and 2.4 rebounds per game.

All stats and data courtesy of Basketball Reference.

This article originally appeared on Warriors Wire: Warriors jersey history - No. 47 - Dave Lattin (1967-68)

The Brooklyn Nets have 52 jersey numbers worn by over 600 different players over the course of their history since the franchise was founded in 1967 as a charter member of the American Basketball Association (ABA), when the team was known as the "New Jersey Americans".

Since then, that league has been absorbed by the NBA with the team that would later become the New York Nets and New Jersey Nets before settling on the name by which they are known today, bringing their rich player and jersey history with them to the league of today.

To commemorate the players who played for the Nets over the decades wearing those 52 different jersey numbers, Nets Wire is covering the entire history of the franchise's jersey numbers and the players who sported them since the founding of the team.

And for today's article, we will continue with the fifth of 21 people to wear the No. 44 jersey, wing alum Ralph Simpson. After ending his college career at Michigan State, Simpson was picked up with the 11th overall selection of the 1972 NBA Draft by the Chicago Bulls.

The Detroit, Michigan native played the first six seasons of his pro career with the ABA's (defunct) Denver Rockets and Denver Nuggets before he was dealt to the Detroit Pistons in 1976. He also played for the Nuggets again and the Philadelphia 76ers before he was dealt to the (then) New Jersey (now, Brooklyn) Nets in 1979 for the final two seasons of his NBA career,

During his time suiting up for the Nets, Simpson wore only jersey No. 44 and put up 6.6 points, 1.8 rebounds, and 2.1 assists per game.

All stats and data courtesy of Basketball Reference.

This article originally appeared on Nets Wire: Nets jersey history No. 44 - Ralph Simpson (1979)

NEW YORK -- The Brooklyn Nets looked like they were capable of being one of the better teams in the league during the month of December when they were operating on all cylinders. However, since the calendar turned to January, Brooklyn has looked like a shell of its former self and head coach Jordi Fernandez explained how the team remains positive amidst the extended losing.

"Winning matters and competing for games is extremely important. The record is what it is, we’re well aware of it and we don’t like it. But, the players show up and work every day," Fernandez said prior to Thursday's matchup against Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs. The Nets have the worst record in the NBA in 2026 and at this point, it seems that the team is just trying to stay focused and continue to improve while keeping the big picture in mind.

"It’s not uncomfortable, it’s not a bad feeling. Coming here and feeling like we can compete against anybody has to be important," Fernandez continued. "If you’re up 10, you want to be up 20. If you’re down 20, you want to be down 10. We have to be competitive and understand this is a process."

While Brooklyn is hoping to win every game from now until the end of the season, the fact of the matter is the Nets have the eighth-hardest schedule to finish the year, in terms of opponent win percentage. Players like forward Michael Porter Jr. have recently spoken about maintaining the mindset of winning while keeping in mind that part of the team's mission is also to develop the younger players on the team.

If the Nets are lucky after this season is over, they may have the chance to draft a franchise player of their own, similar to what the Spurs did three years ago when they drafted Wembanyama. This season, similar to last season, has been hard for the organization as well as the fanbase, but everyone in the building is choosing to remain positive down the stretch with the hope that the growing pains will be worth it when the rewards start pouring in.

This article originally appeared on Nets Wire: Nets trying to remain positive amidst recent losing stretch

Iga Swiatek is widely recognised as one of the greatest tennis players on the planet and quite possibly a future all-time great.

The Polish star has already won six Grand Slam titles by the age of 24, and could add another to her collection when she competes at the French Open in a couple of months.

Last year, Swiatek had the opportunity to go and watch a certified all-time great basketball player at the Chase Center in San Francisco.

That player was Stephen Curry, the former MVP and four-time NBA champion.

Iga Swiatek expressed her respect for Steph Curry’s ability to manage the expectations of making three-pointers

Steph Curry is a basketball legend: a marksman who has made the most three-pointers in NBA history and is the only unanimous NBA MVP in history.

Iga Świątek had the opportunity to see Curry play live in March last year. Swiatek attended the Golden State Warriors game against the Charlotte Hornets, which the Warriors won 119-101.

“I loved watching this game,” Swiatek told the WTA Tour.

“I was super grateful for the reception, because, I don’t know, I wasn’t really expecting that. It was amazing and I really appreciate that.”

“It was more like a 6-love, 6-love match kind of,” she said, laughing. “So it wasn’t really super exciting till the end. They were winning it pretty easily.

“But still, watching Steph live was amazing, and, for sure, you can see the skills straightaway.

“I also thought about how it is for him when everybody just expects from him to have these three-point shots. I really, really respect how he manages that.”

Iga Swiatek’s performance at Indian Wells 2025

Swiatek was in San Francisco ahead of her participation in Indian Wells: a Californian WTA 1000 event.

Swiatek, who was defending her 2024 title, defeated Caroline Garcia, Dayana Yastremska and Karolina Muchova to reach the quarter-finals.

There, she beat Qinwen Zheng 6-3, 6-3, setting up a clash with 18-year-old Mirra Andreeva in the semi-finals.

Andreeva, the ninth seed, stunned Swiatek 6-7, 6-1, 3-6, advancing to the championship match against Aryna Sabalenka.

Andreeva defeated top seed Sabalenka, winning her second WTA 1000 tournament in as many events.

Shams Charania: The return: Taj Gibson has agreed on a deal with the Memphis Grizzlies, Mark Bartelstein of @PrioritySports tells ESPN. At 40 years old, Gibson is back in the NBA for his 17th season – a big man regarded as a consummate leader and professional over his career.

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This article originally appeared on Hoops Hype: Taj Gibson returns to the NBA at age 40 with Grizzlies

Welcome to Atlanta, where the players play and the gentlemen's clubs have the best wings in town.

The Atlanta Hawks are leaning into the city's famed hip-hop culture and history, featuring what the team is calling an "iconic cultural institution" that's definitely NSFW in an upcoming promotional night.

The team announced Wednesday it will collaborate with prominent Atlanta strip club Magic City for a one-night only, in-game celebration of hip-hop called "Magic City Monday" against the Orlando Magic on March 16.

“From the food to the music and the exclusive merchandise, we are excited to team up with Magic City to create an authentic, True to Atlanta-inspired game experience,” Hawks Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer Melissa Proctor said in a news release.

Magic City Kitchen will serve two versions of their "world famous" lemon pepper wings, Louwill Lemon Pepper BBQ, named after Atlanta-native and three-time NBA Sixth Man of the Year-winner Lou Williams.

More NBA: Suns owner willing to pay millions to get best NBA players in dunk, 3-point contests

What else is planned for 'Magic City Monday'?

The Hawks' celebration of "Magic City Monday" doesn't stop at wings. Atlanta rapper and entrepreneur T.I. is expected to perform at halftime.

Being that Tip is back home in Atlanta, at the State Farm Arena, it'll be interesting to see if he'll perform any recent cuts including diss tracks toward rapper and entrepreneur Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson.

Keeping it so ATL, the organization tabbed native DJ Esco to provide the pregame tunes.

Before the game, ticketed fans will have a chance to view a recording of the Hawks AF Podcast featuring a conversation with Magic City founder Michael “Mr. Magic” Barney and T.I., hosted by comedian D.C. Young Fly, another Atlanta native.

“We doin’ this one for the city ... Magic City,” T.I. said in a news release.

Why is Magic City famous?

Magic City has become influential not only in Atlanta but as a tourist stop for those who visit the city. Ask NBA players who have a road game against the Hawks about the lore of Magic City wings.

Williams famously couldn't help but visit the spot for its wings in 2020 when he was excused from the NBA Bubble in Orlando to attend a funeral, while everyone was social distancing due to the spread of the COVID-19 virus.

The moment went viral after a photo he snapped with rapper Jack Harlow during the visit that was posted to social media.

"We had our masks on, I thought we did it how we were supposed to do it," Williams said, explaining the incident during a June 2025 episode of Gil's Arena, a podcast hosted by former NBA player Gilbert Arenas with Nick Young, Kenyon Martin, Rashad McCants and Josiah Johnson.

He continued: "I want to put this to bed. I didn't sneak out the bubble to go to Magic City. They excused me from the bubble to go to a funeral. ...The funeral home was a block away from Magic [City]. I've been staying in a hotel [in the NBA bubble in Orlando] eating hotel room service food. Magic got good food, this is my hometown and if you know ATL, we eat in our strip clubs. That's where you can find the best food."

Williams received a 10-day quarantine for violating safety protocols but maintains that the league's focus was on him going to a strip club rather than his real reason for going – the food.

The incident did two things: birthed the nickname "Lemon Pepper Lou" and also cemented Magic City's kitchen's place as the stuff of NBA and Atlanta legend.

But long before Williams's visit, the site was a landmark for Atlanta and its visitors, which is the focus of the documentary "Magic City: An American Fantasy" that discusses the impact of the club on Atlanta music, sports and culture through interviews with Atlanta rappers Big Boi, Killer Mike and T.I., along with other celebrities and artists who they discuss its role in hip-hop and Black culture.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Atlanta Hawks to feature prominent strip club in upcoming promotion

He might not have been able to secure the win vs. the Denver Nuggets for the Boston Celtics by himself this past Wednesday (Feb. 25) night, but Celtics point guard Derrick White has been impressive for Boston this season, and even Nuggets coach David Adelman admitted as much ahead of the tilt his team would win 103-84.

"One thing he does is he plays the same way every night," said Adelman of White's consistency. "And there's a lot to be said for that. And I think, from the San Antonio (Spurs) days, it's incredible when he came in the league how much you just went under everything with him. He's going to drive the ball with his right hand – that's what he does."

"And he just turned himself into a confident 3-point shooter," he added. "That makes you have to make a decision nightly because if he does get downhill, he's so effective."

"I think he's over a block a game for a guard," continued the Denver coach. "Just a complete basketball player. That trade really worked out for them and he just compliments whoever he plays with so well."

"It's funny he used to be in our gym in the summers and he's back home playing pickup. And just to see where his career has gone, it's (made him) a very well-deserved, just a really good all-around basketball player."

Listen to "Havlicek Stole the Pod" on:

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iTunes: https://tiny.ee/RK47

YouTube: https://tiny.ee/cOW3

This article originally appeared on Celtics Wire: Denver coach David Adelman lauds growth of Celtics guard Derrick White

Dustin Dopirak: Rick Carlisle: "Toppin will play tonight. He will be on a minutes restriction and it's safe to assume he'll be a minutes restriction the rest of the season."

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This article originally appeared on Hoops Hype: Obi Toppin cleared for first game since October

Jamal Collier: CavsDonovan Mitchell is listed as OUT for tomorrow’s game against the Pistons with a strained right groin. James Harden (thumb) is once again listed as questionable. He had his thumb wrapped heavily as he exited the locker room Wednesday night in Milwaukee

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This article originally appeared on Hoops Hype: Donovan Mitchell is listed as OUT for tomorrow’s game …

James Ham: Keegan Murray is officially listed as out with a left ankle sprain. Russell Westbrook is also out with a right thigh contusion. Malik Monk is questionable with right ankle soreness. Sabonis, Hunter, Cardwell and LaVine remain OUT.

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This article originally appeared on Hoops Hype: Keegan Murray is officially listed as out with a left …

Bob Costas, Doug Collins and Mike Fratello never all called a game together when they were teammates at NBC a quarter-century ago. That'll change on Tuesday — in a throwback night for the network's NBA coverage. NBC has announced plans for Costas, Collins and Fratello to handle the courtside duties Tuesday when Victor Wembanyama — who wasn't even born when that trio was involved in NBC's NBA coverage in the early 2000s — and the San Antonio Spurs take on Joel Embiid and the Philadelphia 76ers.

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This article originally appeared on Hoops Hype: NBC has announced plans for Costas, Collins and …

Jim Gray will be the sideline reporter for that game, and NBC said it plans to incorporate “reminiscent and familiar components” from how games aired in the 1995-96 season, including the graphics package.

Houston Chronicle

This article originally appeared on Hoops Hype: Jim Gray will be the sideline reporter for that game, …

Also coming back from the past: the studio team. Hannah Storm, Isiah Thomas and P.J. Carlesimo will handle a throwback version of “NBA Showtime” starting at 7 p.m. Eastern, an hour before the game broadcast.

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This article originally appeared on Hoops Hype: Hannah Storm, Isiah Thomas and P.J. Carlesimo will …

Throughout most of the first three quarters of the Boston Celtics 103-84 loss to the Denver Nuggets, the Celtics were able to keep the game close despite shooting just 28% from beyond the arc and 35% from the field overall. But the Nuggets broke the game open vs. a tired Boston squad to secure the victory on their own home court of Ball Arena this past Wednesday (Feb. 25) night.

After the loss, star Celtics forward Jaylen Brown weighed in on what went sideways for his team in the defeat, saying "I think we just had a tough time tonight converting. I thought we got a lot of great looks, some open catch issues, and we just didn't convert."

"So, move on to the next tough night shooting the ball," he added. "The physicality was pretty good tonight, but I thought we just didn't convert on the offensive end, that spilled over the defense a little bit."

"Every night is an opportunity to learn, so definitely some takeaways from tonight," said Brown, taking a positive tack from the loss. "They're a good team. I thought we put ourselves in a good position. We've just got to convert."

"I feel like offensively, I think we had like 84, 85 points, but I thought we had a bunch of open looks. And we've just got to stick them and trust our guys to shoot it confidently. And then also, I think we gave them a couple more extra chance points than we would have liked on the glass. But other than that, I thought we competed."

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This article originally appeared on Celtics Wire: Jaylen Brown points to cold shooting, defense in Celtics loss to Nugs

Law Murray: Surprise, Kawhi Leonard and John Collins are both out tonight vs Timberwolves Both didn't finish last Friday at Los Angeles. Leonard played on questionable tag Sunday. Collins will wind up with eight days off prior to Sunday vs Pelicans.

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This article originally appeared on Hoops Hype: Kawhi Leonard and John Collins are both out tonight vs …

NBA Agent Bernie Lee: Every now and then you meet a person who will argue for an hour over a rule definition in a game of UNO, leave the table in disgust, and then talk about the perceived injustice for a week and how much it bothered them (see Jimmy Butler), and you realize, "Oh wait, there are levels to this." Those levels are where the special in all of this lies. I will give you a real-time example of this: the Boston Celtics. There isn't a person among us who didn't watch them lose earlier in the playoffs than expected last year see their best player go down to a catastrophic injury who didn't expect them to purposely take a step back.

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This article originally appeared on Hoops Hype: NBA Agent Bernie Lee: Every now and then you meet a …

Bernie Lee: When free agency began, they requested a meeting with a client I had at the time who had underperformed for years and was going to be on a vastly reduced contract, with the thought that if he could prove he was healthy, his value would return. I looked at it as a great opportunity for both sides, but I also had my eyes open and expected in the meeting to be told of a different directive than competing for a championship in 2025–2026. That was until our meeting began at 6:01 p.m. on July 1st. I have done this agent thing for over 20 years, and I have participated in countless free-agent meetings for players of all levels, and I can honestly tell you I have never in my entire career been more impressed with a coach than I was with Joe Mazzulla.

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This article originally appeared on Hoops Hype: I have done this agent thing for over 20 years, and I …

Bernie Lee: 1. The amount of alignment and respect from Brad Stevens to his coaches was unparalleled; and 2. If anyone asked Joe to do anything other than compete like the world was about to end, they would probably only get the chance to ask him once. Fast-forward 58 games, and not shocking to me, Joe was right. If I am lucky enough to do this another 20-plus years, I highly doubt I will ever see another midstream pivot with this amount of success, and most importantly, a group that was built through adversity versus giving in to it. And that, to me, is the principle that all of this has to be built on. Period. End of sentence.

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This article originally appeared on Hoops Hype: Bernie Lee: 1. The amount of alignment and respect …

League executives have spent the past month meeting with dozens of potential investors in franchises in Europe, including wealthy individuals and private equity funds. Non-binding bids for those teams are due in late March. I’m told the NBA wants franchise fees of about $1 billion, though some investor groups have balked at that number and have pushed for fees closer to $500 million. It’s possible the NBA Board of Governors could greenlight the sale of franchises in some cities, and thus the formation of the league, during its upcoming March meeting. The NBA has targeted October 2027 for the league’s debut. The NBA has held conversations with several media companies with global aspirations to broadcast the games, including Amazon and YouTube, according to sources familiar with the matter. Amazon and YouTube spokespeople declined to comment. No decision on a broadcast partner or partners has been made yet, according to an NBA spokesperson.

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This article originally appeared on Hoops Hype: Amazon, YouTube among companies in talks to broadcast NBA Europe games

While a fledgling league without hard audience data will likely be limited in the media rights money it initially commands, the NBA hopes that anchoring permanent teams in Europe’s biggest media markets – many of which don’t have permanent teams in the EuroLeague, the continent’s top basketball league – will make the league interesting to big partners. Currently, some of Europe’s best basketball teams (including Turkey’s Fenerbahçe Beko and Greece’s Olympiacos Piraeus) aren’t connected to its largest media markets, dampening ubiquitous continental interest in the sport and lowering its television value.

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This article originally appeared on Hoops Hype: While a fledgling league without hard audience data …

NBA senior leadership has expressed hope the EuroLeague and NBA Europe can become partners, including the possibility of EuroLeague taking a stake in NBA Europe, an equity exchange between the two leagues, or perhaps even a merger, according to sources familiar with the matter.

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This article originally appeared on Hoops Hype: NBA senior leadership has expressed hope the …

Washington Wizards: Update: Tristan Vukcevic has been upgraded to available for tonight's matchup. Kyshawn George (left knee contusion) is now out.

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This article originally appeared on Hoops Hype: Tristan Vukcevic has been upgraded to available for …

The Brooklyn Nets are still in the midst of the 2025-26 NBA season and at the moment, they're trying to turn their season around before April comes around. Despite the fact that Brooklyn remains focused on finishing this season in a strong fashion, it's important to note that matters after the season, like free-agency, are still being considered at this moment.

As of this writing, the Nets are projected to have at least $46 million in cap space to use in the offseason, not accounting for the fact that they would also have access to the Room Mid-level Exception (RMLE). When considering the RMLE, Brooklyn could have as much as $56 million in cap space to work with this summer, third only to the Los Angeles Lakers ($89 million) and the Chicago Bulls ($75 million).

What is important to reference is that the Nets do not have their own pick for the 2027 NBA Draft as that pick went to the Houston Rockets after Brooklyn traded draft picks with the Rockets two summers ago. That means that the Nets do not have as much of an incentive to be as committed to the rebuild heading into the 2027 Draft since Houston would ultimately be the beneficiary.

All that is to say that the Nets could be using this upcoming summer to upgrade the team as much as possible around the young players on the team, including the five rookies taken in the 2025 Draft. Forward Michael Porter Jr. ($40.8 million due to him in 2026-27) and center Nic Claxton ($23.1 million) will be the only players on the roster making more than $15 million next season.

While the recent Collective Bargaining Agreements (CBA) have changed how impactful free-agency is, there's still a possibility that the Nets could look to the market for immediate improvements. With that being said, here are five players that Brooklyn has to make contract decisions on following the conclusion of the 2025-26 campaign:

Ochai Agbaji

Agbaji has not played much for the Nets since being acquired from the Toronto Raptors via trade prior to the trade deadline, but the rest of the season will be seeing how he fits within this system. Agbaji will be a restricted free-agent after this season, but given how he has played at various points in his career, he could be an interesting player to monitor.

Ziaire Williams

Williams has had his bright spots for Brooklyn this season as he has shown more ability in his dribble-drive game while displaying the defensive tenacity that he was known for since his days with the Memphis Grizzlies. Williams has a team option for the 2026-27 season that is worth $6.25 million, but his spot in the rotation as of this writing seems to be situational.

Day'Ron Sharpe

Like he has done for the past couple of seasons, Sharpe has displayed his penchant for being ultra-productive in limited minutes while also showing his ability to be an effective starting center when Nic Claxton is out of the lineup. Sharpe, like Williams, has a $6.25 million team option for next season and given his play this season, the Nets will likely exercise that option.

Josh Minott

Similar to Agbaji, Minott will be a restricted free-agent after this season, but he has not played one second for the Nets since being acquired from the Boston Celtics prior to the deadline. Minott is available for Thursday's game against the San Antonio Spurs and with the team needing to see how he fits on this roster, he could be getting some playing time down the stretch of this campaign.

Jalen Wilson

Wilson has been lauded by head coach Jordi Fernandez for his professionalism when it comes to his role as primarily coming off the bench whenever a few rotational players are injured or when games have gotten out of hand. While acknowledging the fact that Wilson is always ready to play, he will be a restricted free-agent after this season so it'll be interesting to see how much playing time he gets towards the end of the year.

This article originally appeared on Nets Wire: Who do the Nets have to make contract decisions on after this season?

Michael Scotto: The Milwaukee Bucks and Cormac Ryan have agreed to a two-way deal, league sources told @hoopshype. Ryan, a G League standout for the Wisconsin Herd, has averaged 20.4 points on 48.2% shooting from the field and 42.1% from 3-point range, 4.6 rebounds, 2.9 assists, and 1.5 steals.

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This article originally appeared on Hoops Hype: Bucks sign sharpshooter Cormac Ryan to two-way deal

Tom Orsborn: Spurs list Stephon Castle (left hip flexor tightness) and Keldon Johnson (left shoulder sprain) as questionable for tonight at Brooklyn.

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This article originally appeared on Hoops Hype: Spurs list Stephon Castle (left hip flexor tightness) …

Tony Jones: Lauri Markkanen is undergoing his MRI, I’m told, so the Jazz should have results coming. The NBA is evaluating the results, as standard practice. They did not send medical personnel to Utah. That part I got wrong. My apologies.

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This article originally appeared on Hoops Hype: Lauri Markkannen undergoing MRI

Joel Lorenzi: Patrick Williams and Jalen Smith both listed out tonight vs Portland. Anfernee Simons remains out with a “left ulnar styroid fracture.” Bulls are about to get…creative, particularly in the frontcourt.

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This article originally appeared on Hoops Hype: Patrick Williams and Jalen Smith both listed out …

The impact of no longer having NBA live rights is all over the latest earnings report from Warner Bros. Discovery. But the TNT Sports parent company is still touting its current rights portfolio and financial savings to come. WBD said Thursday that it posted $9.46 billion in revenue for the fourth quarter of 2025, down 6% from the same period in 2024. Meanwhile, the net loss was $252 million, an improvement from the comparable $494 million loss. Within those topline figures, WBD said that the loss of NBA live rights created a 4% drag on advertising revenue in the fourth quarter, absent of currency effects. That effect is expected to grow to 7% in the first quarter 2026 and to 20% in the second quarter due to the comparison to last year’s NBA postseason.

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This article originally appeared on Hoops Hype: WBD said that the loss of NBA live rights created a 4% …

Still, WBD said the current NBA pact focused in part on highlights and production of Inside the NBA is beginning to yield significant cost savings and that the loss of that advertising revenue from live games “will be more than offset by an associated improvement in operating expenses.” WBD also said “not all sports rights are created equal,” and the retooling of its overall portfolio to include additional college sports and tennis content, among other sports, remains a key strategy.

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This article originally appeared on Hoops Hype: Still, WBD said the current NBA pact focused in part …

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The Charlotte Hornets will try to run their road trip winning streak to three games as they visit the Indiana Pacers on Thursday night.

Indiana hasn’t come close to covering in any of its last four games, so I’m taking a surging Charlotte squad to win big in my Hornets vs. Pacers predictions for tonight.

Let’s take a deeper look at this Eastern Conference matchup in my free NBA picks for Thursday, February 26.

Hornets vs Pacers prediction

Hornets vs Pacers best bet: Hornets -13 (-110)

The Indiana Pacers have lost four straight games and have failed to cover in any of them, losing by 21 as an 11.5-point underdog to the Philadelphia 76ers on Tuesday. Indiana is allowing 119.2 ppg on the year and has allowed more than 130 points to each of its last three opponents.

The Charlotte Hornets have covered in nine of their last 10 games, including its last five games as a favorite. The Hornets are averaging 130.0 ppg on their current road trip and have too many weapons for the Pacers to handle. I’m taking Charlotte to cover as a big favorite tonight.

Hornets vs Pacers same-game parlay

Both teams have played to totals of 230+ points in each of their last three games, and they’re averaging a total of 235.5 in their first two meetings this year, so I’m confident in including the Over in my SGP.

I’ll also take Hornets rookie Kon Kuneppel to score Over 17.5 points, something he’s done in each of his last three games.

Hornets vs Pacers SGP

• Hornets -13
• Over 229.5
• Knueppel Over 17.5 points

Our "from downtown" SGP: A deep sting

Charlotte has no shortage of players who can fire away from deep, and I’m going to bet on three of them to hit their targets for my longshot parlay tonight. LaMelo Ball, Knueppel, and Brandon Miller have all hit this target in at least two of their last three games, and they’ve had plenty of nights where all three have done so at the same time, making this a realistic scenario in a high-scoring Hornets win.

Hornets vs Pacers SGP

• Hornets -13
• Ball Over 3.5 threes
• Knueppel Over 3.5 threes
• Miller Over 2.5 threes

Hornets vs Pacers odds

• Spread: Hornets -13 | Pacers -13
• Moneyline: Hornets -850 | Pacers +575
• Over/Under: Over 229.5 | Under 229.5

Hornets vs Pacers betting trend to know

The Hornets are 9-1 ATS in their last 10 games overall. Find more NBA betting trends for Hornets vs. Pacers.

How to watch Hornets vs Pacers

Hornets vs Pacers latest injuries

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Young was the franchise pillar for the better part of 8 seasons here in Atlanta, and he leaves behind a résumé as good as any player since Dominique Wilkins himself. Wilkins can also empathize closely with being traded away from a franchise so key to one’s own identity. Wilkins spoke on the trade, saying that, “sometimes in life, things don’t work out, and it’s time. We all have been through it. I’ve been through it, and it’s nobody’s fault. It’s just the way the business is running, how it’s done. Trae was a tremendous player in an Atlanta Hawks jersey. No one could ever take that from him. What he did was very special.”

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This article originally appeared on Hoops Hype: Dominique Wilkins on Trae Young trade: We all have been through it

“Jalen Johnson has developed quicker than a lot of people have given credit for or expected,” Wilkins said. “But they always say, take care of your business at hand. Don’t worry about too much down the road right now. Worry about what you’re doing now. You take this one game at a time, one month at a time, one year at a time.” “He’s still a young guy, so it’s a few different areas where he can get better, and he will get better,” Wilkins detailed. “He will get better defensively. He will get better as far as different ways he can score. As a young guy, you can always get better. You can always add new things to your game to make you an even more lethal player. Being 24 years old, he’s still learning right now.”

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This article originally appeared on Hoops Hype: “Jalen Johnson has developed quicker than a lot of …

Dominique Wilkins spoke with DJ Saddiqi of Casino dot org on his meteoric rise, saying: “Well, I must say he’s a little bit of Scottie Pippen as far as being a point forward,” Wilkins led with. “Pippen was a point forward and was very effective at the position. This guy Jalen, he brings even another element, because the way he rebounds, the way he passes, and he flirts with a triple-double every single night. I love Jalen Johnson. The way he plays, man, and he’s so deserving of this honor that he received during All-Star weekend. I couldn’t be happier for him.”

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This article originally appeared on Hoops Hype: Dominique Wilkins spoke with DJ Saddiqi of Casino dot …

Following a dominant victory over the Boston Celtics, 31-year-old Jokic spoke candidly about his anticipation of seeing Nikola Topic. The two shared a brief but impactful tenure with the senior Serbian national team, and Nuggets leader was quick to offer high praise for the 20-year-old point guard. “He’s a really good guy, really talented. I know he’s the future of Serbian basketball,” stressed the Sombor native in a postgame interview following Wednesday’s win.

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This article originally appeared on Hoops Hype: “He’s a really good guy, really talented. I know he’s …

It's approaching a year since the Denver Nuggets fired Calvin Booth and Michael Malone on the same day. It was a stunning move that ended the tenures of the GM and coach who delivered the franchise its first championship just two years earlier. The two clashed over how to build a roster after the title. Malone wanted veterans. Booth wanted to develop young players. They didn’t see eye to eye. They talked behind each other’s backs. And Nuggets president Josh Kroenke had enough of the tension consuming the organization. “I think we both would admit a lot of stuff is overblown,” Booth said on The Kevin O’Connor Show in an illuminating conversation that shows an ex-GM still processing what happened, still proud of what he built, and still waiting on the phone to ring.

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This article originally appeared on Hoops Hype: Former Nuggets GM Calvin Booth addresses Denver exit

"You could put 100 GMs in my position," he said. "I don't know what, three or four of them do as good as I did." Still, understanding the problem and solving it are different things. "When I get that title, it's not an option for me not to do my job," Booth said. "So I think one of the only outcomes where everybody thinks we're aligned is me submit, lay down, not do the job. And that's not an option for me. So some version of this was going to happen. Could have been quieter. Could have not grown legs with the media. Could have not been such a crawl in ownership's pants. Maybe there's some different things that could happen in that regard.”

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This article originally appeared on Hoops Hype: One of the only outcomes where everybody thinks we're …

Marc J. Spears: Cavaliers star Donovan Mitchell has joined WellWithAll as a strategic investor in the Black-owned and led wellness company working to close health gaps and create generational wellness for all.

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This article originally appeared on Hoops Hype: Donovan Mitchell has joined WellWithAll as a strategic …