Welcome to Layup Lines, our daily NBA newsletter where we’ll prep you for a tip-off of tonight’s action, from what to watch to bets to make. Subscribe here to get it delivered to your inbox every afternoon.
[Mimes dribbling a basketball, drum beat gets in sync, the band fires up the former NBA on NBC theme song, Roundball Rock.]
Welcome to our daily NBA newsletter, hoop heads.
Let’s keep this brief and get to the good stuff. Every weekday afternoon, we’re going to use this space to give you a mini-take of the day, then jump into the vital NBA stuff you need to know from around the USA TODAY Sports network, including betting info and stories to keep you up to date on everything going on in the league.
So let’s basketball together. Away we go.
The Tip-Off
Some NBA goodness from around the USA TODAY Sports network.
Everyone’s going to want to see LeBron James break Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s record for most points scored in a career. And that includes Draymond Green, who told everyone — including Steve Kerr — that he’s going to see James do it in person someday … even if he has a Warriors game that night:
From For The Win:
“Congrats to LeBron, second all-time. Probably in fifty more games or so, fifty to seventy games or so, he’ll be first all-time. And I can’t wait to see that and I hope, Steve Kerr, I’m throwing this out there right now. If LeBron is passing the all-time scoring record and we have a game, I’m going to LeBron’s game and witness history. So that’s what we doing, coach Kerr.”
One to Watch
(All odds via Tipico.)
Suns (+145) vs. Nuggets (-4.5, -180), O/U 232.5, 9 PM ET
These two Western contenders met in last year’s conference semifinals … and Nikola Jokic’s squad got swept. And considering the fact that each of these teams has been held under 100 points in their two matchups so far this year? I’m taking the under.
Who’s in and out?
— Speaking of the Suns! Chris Paul is probable for Thursday’s game after recovering from a right thumb injury. A HUGE addition for Phoenix.
— Goga Bitadze is questionable for the game against the Grizzlies with right foot soreness.
— Brandon Clarke won’t play in that game against the Pacers due to a hip injury. Dillon Brooks and Ja Morant will also be out.
Shootaround
— That Heat bench skirmish was something, wasn’t it? Another video of it from behind the bench showed what might have escalated it.
— What are the Pistons going to do this offseason with Jerami Grant and Marvin Bagley? HoopsHype breaks it down on the site’s latest podcast.
— Of course Cade Cunningham and Evan Mobley are the NBA’s best rooks this year. But how about some love for Tre Mann? He’s on the rise at the Rookie Wire’s power rankings of first-year players.
Enjoy the games. We’ll see you tomorrow, same time, same place.