Tag: NBA play-in tournament

NBA Play-In Tournament: Chicago Bulls at Miami Heat odds, picks and predictions

Analyzing Friday’s Chicago Bulls at Miami Heat odds and lines, with NBA expert picks, predictions and best bets.

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The Chicago Bulls (40-43) meet the Miami Heat (46-37) in an NBA Eastern Conference Play-In Game. Tip-off at Kaseya Center is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET (ESPN). Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Bulls vs. Heat odds and make our expert NBA picks and predictions.

The winner will earn the 8th seed in the East and will face top-seeded Boston in a best-of-7 1st-round series, while the loser will head home for the offseason.

Season series: Tied 2-2

These teams not only split their 4-game regular-season series, but Chicago and Miami each won one on the other’s home court. However, the Bulls hold a 3-1 against-the-spread (ATS) edge in the 4 games. Plus, Chicago has a healthy 6-2 ATS mark in the previous 8 head-to-head meetings, going 3-1 ATS last season, too.

The Over has cashed in each of the past 3 meetings in the series, including both battles in South Florida.

The big news for Miami is on the injury front, as leading scorer F Jimmy Butler (knee) is out indefinitely. Butler was injured in Wednesday’s 105-104 play-in game loss at Philadelphia. He played the final 3 quarters after suffering a knee injury and finished with 19 points. After an MRI Thursday, it was determined he has an injury to the medial collateral ligament (MCL) in his right knee and he is expected to miss several weeks.

Chicago won 131-116 in its play-in game vs. the Atlanta Hawks Wednesday, cashing as a 3-point favorite as the Over (223) easily connected. The Over has hit in 5 straight games for the Bulls.

Bulls at Heat odds

Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Thursday at 6:31 p.m. ET.

  • Moneyline (ML): Bulls +105 (bet $100 to win $105) | Heat -130 (bet $130 to win $100)
  • Against the spread: Bulls +2.5 (-115) | Heat -2.5 (-105)
  • Over/Under (O/U): 205.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)

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Bulls at Heat key injuries

Bulls

  • G Alex Caruso (ankle) questionable
  • G Ayo Dosunmu (quadriceps) questionable
  • C Andre Drummond (ankle) questionable

Heat

  • F Jimmy Butler (knee) out
  • G Terry Rozier (neck) out

For most recent updates: Official NBA injury report.

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Bulls at Heat picks and predictions

Prediction

Bulls 107, Heat 105

Moneyline

The BULLS (+105) are worth a look as short underdogs on the road. First off, Chicago has already won in Miami this season, and the Heat are in a world of hurt after losing Jimmy Buckets to the knee injury.

Chicago looked awfully good taking care of Atlanta at home in the play-in game Wednesday, and the Bulls have won 3 of the past 4 outings.

Against the spread

There isn’t a ton of reason to back the Bulls +2.5 (-115) catching the points, unless you’re absolutely adamant that the Heat will win, but only by 2 points.

Chicago enters on a 4-0 ATS streak, and it has covered 6 of the past 8 meetings against Miami.

PASS.

Over/Under

OVER 205.5 (-110) is a strong play, even if Miami is missing Butler, who tied with G Tyler Herro as the team’s leading scorer at 20.8 points per game.

Miami still has plenty of players like Herro, C Bam Adebayo (19.3 PPG, 10.4 RPB) and F Duncan Robinson (12.9 PPG) to get the job done offensively. The Heat cashed the Over (208.5) against the 76ers Wednesday but just barely — by a hook (a half point). The Over has hit in 3 straight, and 11 of the past 12 games for the Heat since March 29.

For Chicago, the Over (223) was never in question Wednesday against Atlanta, and the total has gone high in 5 straight outings. The Bulls are good for 117 or more points in each game, and 127 or more points in 3 of the past 4, while conceding 116 or more points across 4 of the past 5 contests.

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NBA Play-In Tournament: Miami Heat at Philadelphia 76ers odds, picks and predictions

Analyzing Wednesday’s Miami Heat at Philadelphia 76ers odds and lines, with NBA expert picks, predictions and best bets.

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The Miami Heat (46-36) and Philadelphia 76ers (47-35) meet in the NBA Play-In Tournament at Wells Fargo Center Wednesday. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET (ESPN). Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Heat vs. 76ers odds and make our expert NBA picks and predictions.

Season series: Tied 2-2

Miami ended its season on a 2-game winning streak after taking down the Toronto Raptors 118-103 Sunday while failing to cover as a 16-point home favorite. C Thomas Bryant and G Jaime Jaquez Jr. each scored a game-high 18 points while Bryant added 10 rebounds for a double-double. Six Miami players scored in double figures, and the team shot 52.9% from the field in the win.

Philadelphia closed out the regular season on an 8-game winning streak after dominating the Brooklyn Nets 107-86 and covering as a 13-point home favorite Sunday. G Tyrese Maxey scored a game-high 26 points, while F Paul Reed (13 points and 12 rebounds) had a double-double. Five 76ers players scored in double figures, and the team shot 42.7% from the field in the win.

Wednesday’s winner will clinch the 7 seed in the East and play the New York Knicks in the 1st round of the NBA Playoffs, while the loser will face the winner of the game between the Atlanta Hawks and Chicago Bulls for the 8 seed.

Heat at 76ers odds

Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 10:45 a.m. ET.

  • Moneyline (ML): Heat +180 (bet $100 to win $180) | 76ers -225 (bet $225 to win $100)
  • Against the spread (ATS): Heat +5.5 (-115) | 76ers -5.5 (-105)
  • Over/Under (O/U): 208.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)

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Heat at 76ers key injuries

Heat

  • F Duncan Robinson (back) probable
  • G Terry Rozier (neck) out

76ers

  • C Joel Embiid (knee) questionable
  • G De’Anthony Melton (back) out

For most recent updates: Official NBA injury report.

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Heat at 76ers picks and predictions

Prediction

76ers 112, Heat 104

Moneyline

PASS.

There is no value on Philadelphia (-225), which has home-court advantage and has won 8 of its last 10 games, including 4 of its last 5 by 10 or more points.

Against the spread

BET 76ERS -5.5 (-105).

Philadelphia is 10-0 ATS in its last 10 games, including 7-0 ATS in its last 7 as a favorite. Philly will see Embiid return to the lineup as well, which will provide needed size against a tough Miami squad.

Miami has failed to cover the spread in 2 of its last 3 games.

Over/Under

BET OVER 208.5 (-110).

While the Sixers have played good defense recently, holding opponents to 102 or fewer points in 3 of their last 5 games, 208.5 is too low of a total to bet the Under. Philly has scored 120 or more points in 3 of its last 4 games and 114 or more in 6 of its last 9.

Miami has hit the Over in 9 of its last 10 games and scored 115 or more points in 7 of its last 10. It has allowed 111 or more points in 3 of its last 5 games.

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NBA play-in bracket, format, rules in 2024: How the tournament works before the playoffs

We explain the NBA play-in format of the tournament here.

The NBA play-in tournament is here once again, so it’s time for some madness as the teams in it jockey to make it to the postseason. And before you can say, “Uh, aren’t they going to be the No. 7 and 8 seeds and get trounced by Nos. 1 and 2?” let me remind you that the Miami Heat made it and went to the Finals last year.

So, if you’re wondering how it all works because it’s a little confusing, fear not. We’re here to help you with a step-by-step process of how this all works

1. Let’s start with the Nos. 7 and 8 seed games: The winner of that game will be the official No. 7 seed in the playoffs. The loser will continue in the tournament. We’ll get to that in a sec.

2. Next, we get to the 9 vs. 10 games: The loser of those games will be eliminated and put into the NBA lottery.

The winner of that game moves on in the tournament and …

3. The winner of the 9 and 10 game will play the loser of the 7 and 8 game. The winner of that game will be the official No. 8 seed in the conference. Got it?

Here’s the bracket to help you visualize it.

NBA Play-In Tournament: Golden State Warriors at Sacramento Kings odds, picks and predictions

Analyzing Tuesday’s Golden State Warriors at Sacramento Kings odds and lines, with NBA expert picks, predictions and best bets.

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The Golden State Warriors (46-36) and Sacramento Kings (46-36) meet in the NBA Play-In Tournament at Golden 1 Center Tuesday. Tip-off is scheduled for 10 p.m. ET (TNT). Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Warriors vs. Kings odds and make our expert NBA picks and predictions.

Season series: Tied 2-2

The Warriors won 10 of 12 straight up (SU) to finish the regular season but covered just once in their final 6 games, while the Kings lost 5 of 7 SU down the stretch but ended the regular season on a 4-2 against-the-spread (ATS) run.

Golden State was 2-1-1 ATS vs. the Kings in the regular season, and the Over/Under (O/U) went 2-2.

In their most recent meeting on Jan. 25, the Kings, as 1-point favorites, won 134-133 in Sacramento as the Over (244) hit. Kings C Domantas Sabonis scored the eventual game-winning dunk with 22 seconds remaining, and Warriors G Stephen Curry turned the ball over in the final seconds, wasting Golden State’s final possession.

The Warriors beat the Kings 4-3 in the 1st round of last season’s playoffs. The Kings went 4-3 ATS in the series, and the Under also went 4-3. The home team won the 1st 4 games SU, and the away side was victorious in the final 3.

Tuesday’s winner will be play the loser of the game between the Los Angeles Lakers and New Orleans Pelicans for the 8th seed in the West while the loser is eliminated.

Warriors at Kings odds

Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 11:31 a.m. ET.

  • Moneyline (ML): Warriors -140 (bet $140 to win $100) | Kings +115 (bet $100 to win $115)
  • Against the spread (ATS): Warriors -2.5 (-105) | Kings +2.5 (-115)
  • Over/Under (O/U): 223.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)

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Warriors at Kings key injuries

Warriors

  • G Gary Payton II (calf) out

Kings

  • G Kevin Huerter (shoulder) out
  • G Malik Monk (knee) out

For most recent updates: Official NBA injury report.

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Warriors at Kings picks and predictions

Prediction

Kings 111, Warriors 110

Moneyline

The Kings (+115) being home underdogs to the Warriors (-140) seems like an overreaction to both teams’ recent play.

Golden State has been winning games SU, but it has failed to cover in recent weeks against bottom-of-the-barrel teams such as the Portland Trail Blazers, San Antonio Spurs and Utah Jazz (twice).

These poor outings could be due to lack of motivation to win by margin, but the more likely cause is that this is a Curry-dependent team that is not capable of putting together 4 quarters of good basketball.

The Kings haven’t looked great recently, but 10 of their last 13 games were against teams that made the postseason. They easily covered against the Jazz and Trail Blazers — unlike Golden State.

BET KINGS (+115).

Against the spread

The Kings should cover, but I prefer the plus odds on the ML.

PASS.

Over/Under

The Under has hit in 16 of Sacramento’s last 20 games and 4 of the last 6 meetings between these teams.

Given the recent playoff history between Golden State and Sacramento, Tuesday should be a low-scoring, grind-it-out game — unlike their 134-133 shootout Jan. 25. However, the total was 227.5 Sunday evening, so we’d be getting the worst of the number at this point.

LEAN UNDER 223.5 (-110).

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NBA Play-In Tournament: Los Angeles Lakers at New Orleans Pelicans odds, picks and predictions

Analyzing Tuesday’s Los Angeles Lakers at New Orleans Pelicans odds and lines, with NBA expert picks, predictions and best bets.

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The New Orleans Pelicans welcome the Los Angeles Lakers to Smoothie King Center Tuesday. Tip-off for this Play-In Tournament battle is set for 7:30 p.m. ET (TNT). Let’s analyze FanDuel Sportsbook’s lines around the Lakers vs. Pelicans odds and make our expert NBA picks and predictions.

Season series: Lakers won 3-1

The Pelicans (49-33) finished 7th in the Western Conference, 2 games ahead of the 8th-place Lakers (47-35). The winner will claim the 7th seed in the playoffs, while the loser will host the 9-10 play-in game winner — Golden State or Sacramento — Friday in a one-game showdown for the No. 8 seed.

Not only did the Pelicans go 1-3 vs. the Lakers in the regular season, they went 1-3 against the spread (ATS), too. However, they won 4 of their last 5 games, but they did get upset by the visiting Lakers 124-108 Sunday as 1.5-point home favorites. New Orleans is 43-37-2 ATS on the season and 20-20 ATS at home, per Covers.com.

The Lakers, who won the In-Season Tournament, have won 6 of their last 8 games, including Sunday’s victory in NOLA, but they were just 4-4 ATS in the span. Los Angeles finished the season 38-44 ATS and 18-22 ATS on the road.

Lakers at Pelicans odds

Provided by FanDuel Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 1:28 a.m. ET.

  • Moneyline (ML): Lakers -112 (bet $112 to win $100) | Pelicans -104 (bet $104 to win $100)
  • Against the spread: Lakers -1 (-108) | Pelicans +1 (-112)
  • Over/Under (O/U): 223.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)

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Lakers at Pelicans key injuries

Lakers

  • F Anthony Davis (back) questionable
  • F LeBron James (ankle) probable

Pelicans

  • None

For most recent updates: Official NBA injury report.

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Lakers at Pelicans picks and predictions

Prediction

Lakers 118, Pelicans 112

Moneyline

BET LAKERS (-112).

Simply put, the Lakers have had the Pelicans number recently. Along with the 3-1 showing vs. New Orleans this season, the Lakers are 6-2 vs. the Pels over the last 2 seasons.

In the 3 wins this season, L.A. scored at least 124 points and it scored 130 or more twice. One of those victories was a 133-89 In-Season Tournament semifinal rout in Las Vegas with the Lakers being 2-point favorites.

And of course, the Lakers have LeBron, which makes them a tough team to bet against.

The Pelicans played star player F Zion Williamson 34 minutes Sunday, and still lost by 16. While they have been good as underdogs, they may struggle against the Lakers’ experience and size.

Considering how the last 2 season series played out and the experience of Los Angeles, BACK LAKERS (-112).

Against the spread

PASS.

The spread and moneyline are so close that there is little reason to take one over the other. Considering this game should be close, taking the moneyline is preferred, zeroing out any chance of a push.

Over/Under

BET OVER 223.5 (-110).

If there’s one thing both teams have done consistently the last few weeks, it is cashing Over tickets.

The Lakers are the league’s best Over team at 47-34-1 O/U. They hit the Over in their last 4 games, scoring at least 117 in all 4 and allowing 120 or more in 3 of the 4.

The Pelicans have gone Over in 5 of their last 8 and are 5-2-1 O/U in that span. New Orleans has tallied at least 110 points in 4 of its last 5 games.

The Lakers-Pelicans season series was also 3-1 O/U.

Both teams have the firepower to score with ease.

BACK OVER 223.5 (-110).

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NBA players will receive $500K if they will in-season tournament, but will they care?

This will mean a lot more to players on minimum deals and two-way contracts.

Welcome to Layup Lines, our basketball newsletter where we’ll prep you for the tip-off of tonight’s action, from what to watch to bets to make. Subscribe here to get it delivered to your inbox.

The NBA In-Season Tournament is expected to tip off for the first time next season with a winner crowned in early December 2023.

According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski and Bobby Marks, each player on the winning team will receive $500K. Meanwhile, those who are rostered on the second-place team will collect $200K. Players who finished in third place will receive $100K and those in fourth will receive $50K.

Of course, the average salary in the NBA is quite a bit more than $500K.

The money could mean something different for players on two-way deals, though. Two-way players can earn up to half the rookie minimum, which is projected at $1.1 million next season.

So that means the max amount a two-way player can earn is $551K for their annual deal, but that rate would basically double if their team took home the trophy during the in-season tournament.

Maybe players on max contracts or even most standard contracts won’t go crazy for this cash prize, but those on the fringes who could potentially make appearances in this tournament might.

Professional athletes are naturally wildly competitive people. If it’s mostly those on minimum deals and two-way deals getting on the floor, we might see some relatively interesting basketball.

Otherwise, because these games count toward the regular-season standings anyway, it’s no less interesting than your typical NBA game in November or December.

The Tip-Off

(Wang Xiang/Xinhua via AP)

NBA content from around the USA TODAY Sports network.

A Chinese basketball team with Eric Bledsoe and Michael Beasley was disqualified from the postseason for “fixing” multiple playoff games:

“Two basketball teams in the Chinese Basketball Association, the Shanghai Sharks and the Jiangsu Dragons, were thrown out of the ongoing playoffs for match-fixing.

The Sharks have several players with NBA experience including Michael Beasley, Eric Bledsoe, Johnny O’Bryant, and Jamaal Franklin. Antonio Blakeney is the only player with NBA experience on the Dragons, although a few other players on the roster have played NBA Summer League.

Findings from an investigation from the CBA Disciplinary and Ethics Commission concluded that Shangai showed “negative contention” during the second game of a three-game series, which Jiangsu won.

Bledsoe was serving a four-game suspension for the Sharks, and he served all three during the three-game series against the Dragons. But the team was accused of “giving up” during the second game, forcing a third game, so that he could return for the second game if his team advanced to the semifinals.

Jiangsu then demonstrated a “lack of competitive effort” in the third and final game of the series, in which Shanghai won 108-104.

Jiangsu had several “unexpected errors” in the final few minutes of the game and coach Li Nan failed to call a timeout that could have at least kept them in contention.”

Yikes!

One to Watch

Stephen Curry looks on after hoisting a 3-pointer against the Kings.
(Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)

(All odds via Tipico.)

Warriors (-1.5, -130) @ Kings (+1.5, -110), O/U 239.5, 10:00 PM ET

Stephen Curry and Steve Kerr have never trailed 0-2 during a playoff series. Could that change tonight?

Shootaround

(AP Photo/Matt York)

— Russell Westbrook video shows him confronting Suns fan: ‘Watch your mouth, [expletive]’

— LeBron James trolled Dillon Brooks, Grizzlies by pretending to eavesdrop on a coaching conversation

— A Kings fan tried to taunt Steph Curry after a foul, but it didn’t really work

— NBA fans want the charge rules changed after scary Giannis Antetokounmpo, Ja Morant injuries

Fans shamefully harassing Diar DeRozan after the Bulls-Raptors game show some people don’t deserve sports

I wish I could say I was surprised by this shameful behavior from fans

Well. The Diar DeRozan thing was fun while it lasted. But then Toronto Raptors fans had to go on and ruin it by harassing a 9-year-old for cheering on her dad.

Yes, you read that correctly.

Diar DeRozan stole headlines last week during the Bulls play-in matchup against the Raptors. Every time the Raptors went to the free throw line, she screeched. And, coincidentally, it actually seemed to work. The Raptors shot uncharacteristically poorly from the free throw line and lost the game.

Now, obviously, whatever help Diar DeRozan gave the Bulls that night was minimal at best. These are professional basketball players. People scream at them every night. A 9-year-old girl ain’t making a world of difference here. Sorry.

But some fans didn’t take it that way, for whatever reason.

Diar DeRozan actually had to be escorted out of the game because she received online threats after the game, according to reporting from Bleacher Report’s Chris Haynes.

Listen, man. There’s not really much to say about this. There’s no need to really break it down. This is just shameful behavior by some fans looking for a power trip.

So what if your team lost? Or maybe your parlay didn’t hit because the team missed some shots. Diar DeRozan didn’t have anything to do with that. She was just there, supporting her dad the best way she could. Doing what we all should be doing — having fun. We’re all here to have a good time because — say it with me — it’s truly not that serious.

This is why some people don’t need sports. Nah — I’ll take it a step further. It’s why some people don’t deserve sports. What a shame.

If the NBA play-in tournament is here to stay, maybe the league should improve it

The NBA play-in is here to stay so let’s just make it a bit more interesting

This is the online version of our daily newsletter, The Morning Win. Subscribe to get irreverent and incisive sports stories, delivered to your mailbox every morning. Here’s Mike Sykes

If you couldn’t already tell, I’m not the biggest fan of the NBA play-in tournament.

The way I see it is it’s just an excuse for bad teams to actually stay bad. It’s a saving grace for mediocrity. Your favorite team couldn’t play above .500 basketball? Don’t worry! As long as it’s the 10-seed it’ll have a shot at making the playoffs.

Let’s paint a picture. You’re a student who hasn’t studied for final exams. Your professor says it’s cool, though. They let you study for 30 minutes before the test. One of two things will happen — you pass and take the next course or you flunk and try again next semester. By the way, the next course is Calculus and you’re definitely not ready for that.

That’s all that’s happening here. It’s just a bunch of terrible teams who achieved the bare minimum for a possibility of a playoff spot. I just don’t feel like that’s something that should be rewarded.

RELATED: Who will win the 7 and 8 seeds in each conference?

But the play-in is here to stay. Even I – a certified play-in hater — have to accept that, yes, this is awful, but it’s also incredible theater.

Watching the Timberwolves and Lakers trade gaffe after gaffe until the game was over was comically bad, but fun. And Diar DeRozan screeching as if she were in a horror movie every time the Raptors went to the free throw line was gold. These are the moments that make the play-in fun — even if it is objectively bad.

On top of that, it gives the NBA that March Madness element it’s been searching for. Remember when Patrick Beverley and the Timberwolves had their one shining moment last play-in? That’s the stuff that fans love. It puts butts in seats.

So I’m done advocating for the play-in to go away. That’s not happening. But what I will continue to ask for are improvements.

There’s got to be a way to give the upper seeds an earned competitive advantage here. These plucky underdogs get the advantage of mystery — the top teams in the conference have no idea who they’re playing for a whole week. They’re good enough for it not to matter as much, but still, it’s the principle that matters here.

Maybe allow the best team in the conference to pick their opponents, as my friend Tom Ziller writes in his brilliant basketball newsletter. That would be amazing theater, too. Of course, Dillon Brooks already called out LeBron James personally so he called the Grizzlies’ shot. But could you imagine the Nuggets saying, “Yo. We want LeBron and the Lakers” to start? That’d be epic. Get that on TV as soon as possible, NBA.

Maybe throw them an extra home game in the series early — a 3-3-1 series format with the first 3 games at the top seed’s home court. That way the lower seed still has a shot if it can steal one game early and make it home, but the top seed has a great chance of getting off to a 3-0 start.

I’m not sure what the exact solution here is, but winning deserves to be rewarded — especially if we’re going to give mediocrity a shot in the end, anyway.

That’s just food for thought. Give me a call, NBA. Let’s brainstorm.

Quick Hits: The worst first-round pick for every NFL team…The WNBA MVP odds are in…MLB expansion and more

Mandatory Credit: Peter Brouillet-USA TODAY Sports

— Our Christian D’Andrea is deep in his draft bag with this one. Here’s the worst first round pick in every NFL team’s history so far.

— Breanna Stewart and A’ja Wilson are neck-and-neck when it comes to the WNBA MVP odds, from Mitchell Northam. This season is going to be fun.

— MLB is considering expansion and it has fans debating about which city should get a team. Rob Zeglinski makes the case for New Orleans.

— This Spencer Dinwiddie and Kyle Kuzma beef is so dumb. It’s great.

Enjoy your day, folks!

Trae Young destroyed the Heat and then rightfully called Jimmy Butler out for guaranteeing a win against the Hawks

Trae Young and the Hawks got the last laugh on this one.

They always say one of the most dangerous things you can do in sports is overlook the opponent that’s right in front of you.

That’s exactly what Jimmy Butler seemed to do ahead of the Heat’s play-in matchup against the Hawks. And, honestly it’s hard to blame him. The Heat are 10-3 against Atlanta dating back to the start of last season if you include last year’s playoff matchup. Miami has traditionally dominated that team.

That’s why Charles Barkley was so confident in his Miami pick. *cough* it’s why we were, too. But everyone was a little too confident — including Jimmy Butler, himself.

He told The Athletic the Heat were winning. Flat out.

“I’m gonna do whatever it takes for my team to win — night in and night out, and honestly, I couldn’t care less what anybody writes, if I’m a good basketball player or a bad basketball player…So as I take on tomorrow’s matchup, and we get that dub, we’ll worry about what goes on down the line. But I think I’m gonna be a decent basketball player at the end of the day.”

Obviously, Miami did not win. The Hawks got the last laugh in this one and it wasn’t particularly close. Atlanta had huge leads for most of the game. Miami cut the score to as low as 5 and only led once, but Atlanta dominated most of the way.

So, of course, after the game, Young called Butler out for what he said.

“I was really focused on tonight and making sure we won. I know Jimmy guaranteed a dub so I was really focused on making sure that didn’t happen.” 

And he said it with the shades on, too. Whew. That’s how you send the trash-talk back the other way. The NBA needs a lot more of this, man.

To be clear, there’s nothing wrong with Butler being confident enough in himself and his squad to guarantee a W. He should feel that way going into the game. Just know that, if it doesn’t happen, you’ll hear about it. And that’s exactly what happened here.

This is fun. This is how sports are supposed to be. Give me more, Plz.

NBA fans might not see Zion Williamson again until next season and that stinks so much

The playoffs are almost here, y’all!

Welcome to Layup Lines, our basketball 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

Howdy, folks. Welcome back to Layup Lines. It’s Sykes here to usher you into the last weekend of regular season basketball. Let’s talk about Zion Williamson.

Chances are we won’t see the Pelicans superstar at all for the rest of this season.

The Athletic’s Shams Charania and Will Guillory are reporting that Williamson is “unlikely” to be ready for the Pelicans’ appearance in the NBA Play-In tournament. Charania added that the team has been “cautious with Williamson’s comeback as he continues rehab process.”

Words cannot describe how unfortunate that is.

Williamson has been out since January 2 with a hamstring injury. At the time, the Pelicans were 3rd in the conference and just a half-game out of 1st place. For a time, the Pelicans were actually the west’s top team. The team looked like a legitimate title contender and Williamson looked like an MVP.

Now, here New Orleans is. Back in the same spot the team was in last season — play-in bound and facing a tough road ahead without their best player.

It’s impossible not to wonder about the future of this team at this point. Zion Williamson is the face of it now, sure. But questions about whether the team can depend on him to be there when it counts are legitimate.

For Williamson’s career, he’s averaging 25.9 points per game on 60% shooting from the floor. That’s incredible. But it doesn’t matter — at least, not as much as it should. Why? Because he’s only played in 114 games in his NBA career and he’s been in the league for four seasons.

The Pelicans have something special when he plays. When he doesn’t? New Orleans is just another NBA team. And, for a team with so much promise, that’s beyond disappointing.

Please, Basketball Gods. Get Zion healthy and keep it that way. For the good of the game.

The Tip-Off

Some NBA goodness from around the USA TODAY Sports network.

The Dallas Mavericks have to be the most disappointing team in the NBA this season. To go from the Western Conference Finals with one of the best five or so players in the league to missing the postseason completely? That’s a disaster.

Well, that hasn’t exactly happened yet. The Mavericks can still make the play-in tournament, but Dallas needs to win out to have a shot. And, well, let’s just say the Mavs don’t seem to concerned about that. Dallas is sitting most of its rotation on Friday.

Our Christian D’Andrea has more.

“The team will be without Irving, Tim Hardaway Jr., Christian Wood, Josh Green and Maxi Kleber for a showdown with the Chicago Bulls. Those five players have 108 starts for the team between them. While it’s reasonable to assume the Bulls could rest their veterans after locking in a spot in the Eastern Conference’s play-in, the Mavericks are content to let their postseason hopes lie with Luka Doncic, Reggie Bullock, Dwight Powell, Jaden Hardy and JaVale McGee.”

Let’s be honest — tanking to get and keep a high draft pick is the smart thing for Dallas to do. It just isn’t going to make Luka Doncic happy at all.

This summer could get extremely messy in Dallas. That’s a situation to watch.

One to Watch

(All odds via Tipico.)

Heat (-4.5, -190) @ Wizards (+160), O/U 217.5, 7 PM ET

(AP Photo/Matt Kelley)

Jimmy Butler and the Miami Heat are sitting in 7th currently and trying to work their way out of the play-in tournament. The Wizards are absolutely tanking right now — Washington is sitting starters and has already been eliminated from the postseason. This is an easy Heat win. The question is where Miami will be positioned when the playoffs start. We’ll have to see where things go with the Nets to figure that out.

Shootaround

— Kevin Durant proved how silly the NBA’s new CBA rule is with one tweet.

—Charles Barkley and Shaq are up to their regular shenanigans. These two are hilarious, man.

—Here’s a look at the full WNBA Draft order ahead of Monday’s action

— Russell Westbrook got a good bit of revenge against the Lakers. That had to feel good.

Enjoy the weekend, y’all.