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Clippers

One of the breakout stars of this year&rsquo;s NBA playoffs has been Dallas Mavericks guard Jalen Brunson. He&rsquo;s old-school, unconventional, talented, savy and up for a big pay day this summer. The 6-foot-1, 190-pound guard and Villanova alum was selected No. 33 overall in the 2018 NBA Draft and is one of the better second-round draft picks over the past few classes.
Last year, he was a Sixth Man of the Year candidate, averaging 12.6 points and 5.5 assists on 52/41/80 shooting splits in this third season with the Mavericks. This season, as a full-time starter, while watching his minutes jump from 25.0 to 31.9 per game, his productivity increased to 16.3 points and 4.8 assists per game on 50/37/84 shooting. In the playoffs (35.2 minutes per contest), Brunson jumped to 21.6 points and 3.7 assists per contest on 47/35/80 shooting.
His 2022 postseason included signature performances like a 41-point game in a win over the Utah Jazz in Game 2 without Luka Dončić and a 31-point effort against the Golden State Warriors in Game 3 of the Western Conference Finals. He also had a meaningful 24 points on 11-of-19 shooting in Dallas&rsquo; shocking Game 7 romping of the Phoenix Suns.
But now, he&rsquo;s an unrestricted free agent. Dallas has a lot of questions to answer. How can they best build around Dončić? What do they do with Tim Hardaway Jr.? If they want to upgrade at center, what's the best answer at that position?
Among the most important questions is: do they extend Brunson? Here are some teams to watch in the Brunson sweepstakes this offseason.
NEW YORK KNICKS
The New York Knicks haven&rsquo;t had a reliable point guard since Raymond Felton in their famed 54-win season back in 2012-13. Since then, it&rsquo;s largely been a revolving door of meh at the point of attack at Madison Square Garden. Jose Calderon was past his peak when he got to New York. Iman Shumpert, though very talented, wasn&rsquo;t a natural point guard. Frank Ntilikina is closer to a three-and-D wing than a true floor general. Jerian Grant never panned out. Neither has Kemba Walker. Derrick Rose has arguably been the best of the bunch.
Walker, Rose, Alec Burks, Immanuel Quickley and Miles McBride make up the Knicks' point guard depth chart for 2022-23, in no particular order. Walker&rsquo;s health can&rsquo;t be trusted for an entire season. Burks isn&rsquo;t a true point guard and might be a trade chip. Quickley, if he starts, is probably better suited next to a natural point, and the same could be said for R.J. Barrett. And McBride is young, raw and inexperienced. Brunson is better than all of them, hard stop.
Because Brunson will be unrestricted, the highest-bidder has a chance. The bad news for the Knicks is that <a href="https://www.spotrac.com/nba/new-york-knicks/cap/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">they&rsquo;re pretty much capped out</a>.
That means getting Brunson to New York would require a sign-and-trade. The good thing is that the Mavericks need a Mitchell Robinson type of center, and for about two years, I've been pushing for Brunson-Robinson swap. The Knicks should throw in something else, be it draft capital and or an additional young piece to make the deal work (for cap purposes too), but that&rsquo;s the framework that can come from this. Robinson gives Luka a lob threat, gives the team a higher upside defensively, and gives the coaching staff a player who can share the floor with just about anyone on the roster.&nbsp;
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LOS ANGELES CLIPPERS
If Brunson can play with Dončić and Spencer Dinwiddie, he can share a backcourt with Reggie Jackson. Kawhi Leonard has <a href="https://nba.nbcsports.com/2020/10/19/report-kawhi-leonard-wants-clippers-to-add-point-guard/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">wanted a point guard</a>, but the Clippers still don&rsquo;t have one. It&rsquo;s Jackson, and that&rsquo;s it. Norman Powell, Luke Kennard and Terance Mann are guards, but they're all wings. 2021 second-round pick Jason Preston still hasn&rsquo;t played due to injury, and Xavier Moon was a two-way guy last year who played just 10 games. <a href="https://nba.nbcsports.com/2020/10/19/report-kawhi-leonard-wants-clippers-to-add-point-guard/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Leonard&rsquo;s been wanting a point guard for two seasons</a>, and it&rsquo;s time for the Clippers to address that spot since both Leonard and Paul George are due back next season.
Given the Clippers' cap situation, this would most certainly be a sign-and-trade. Powell, Marcus Morris, Kennard and Robert Covington all make between $12 and $16 million next season, and any of them could make sense going to Dallas. Only one or two of them would probably need to go at most, among other compensation (i.e. young players and picks).
Brunson in L.A. would join the starting line-up alongside Jackson, Leonard, George and a center. Ivica Zubac is an expiring $7.5 million contract next season, and he could actually be a piece Dallas wants in return. Assuming he stays in Los Angeles, Zubac rounds out their starting five and gives Los Angeles a true point guard, which they&rsquo;re clearly missing.
DALLAS MAVERICKS&nbsp;
The Mavericks reportedly had multiple opportunities to sign Brunson to a four-year, $55.5 million deal before and during the season, <a href="https://nba.nbcsports.com/2022/04/25/report-mavericks-didnt-offer-jalen-brunson-contract-extension-until-after-trade-deadline/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">per reports</a>, but did not. As a result, he could be looking at <a href="https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2952513-latest-nba-trade-intel-lakers-realistic-targets-myles-turner-landing-spots?share=sms" target="_blank" rel="noopener">something in the $80 million range</a>, and possibly more after these playoffs.
Clearly, the offense works with him and Luka in the backcourt, blending in Dinwiddie in a natural role as a combo guard off the bench who can finish games. Dallas can keep their core together (those three and Dorian Finney-Smith) and work around the margins.
After losing to the Warriors in Game 5, Mavericks majority owner Mark Cuban said that keeping Brunson is a priority, and damn near guaranteed that it&rsquo;ll happen.
"We can pay him more than anybody,&rdquo; Cuban said. "I think he wants to stay, and that's most important. I think [Jason Kidd] has a big part to play in that... JB blossomed as a player as much as anybody on this squad. From where he was last year to how far he came this year is a tribute to how hard he worked. And the support he got from his dad and his family and his girlfriend, but also, what he was able to learn from [Kidd]. I think he recognizes that, and I think he wants to stay."

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.<a href="https://twitter.com/mcuban?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@mcuban</a> reflecting on the 2021-22 Dallas Mavericks season with Marc Stein. <a href="https://twitter.com/dallasmavs?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@dallasmavs</a> | 📺 BSSW | <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/dALLasIN?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#dALLasIN</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NBAPlayoffs?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NBAPlayoffs</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/TheSteinLine?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@TheSteinLine</a> <a href="https://t.co/YZROfVsnq0">pic.twitter.com/YZROfVsnq0</a>
&mdash; Bally Sports Southwest (@BallySportsSW) <a href="https://twitter.com/BallySportsSW/status/1530038560673435658?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 27, 2022</a></blockquote>

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Brunson didn&rsquo;t have the exact same tone, but he&rsquo;ll cross that bridge when he gets there, it seems.
"When it&rsquo;s time, it&rsquo;s time. I&rsquo;m not worried about it right now," Brunson said, <a href="https://twitter.com/sixfivelando/status/1530037759955636242" target="_blank" rel="noopener">via Landon Thomas of Mavs Fans For Life</a>. "I&rsquo;m just really happy I got to play with these guys and what we did this year. I&rsquo;ll think about that later.&rdquo;
For Dallas, this is probably the move. Keep Brunson and build around the margins, particularly on the interior. Four years in, we can now say, as long as you have Luka, you have a chance. You just have to nail what&rsquo;s around him, and Brunson is someone you should want back in Dallas.
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Jalen Brunson was a breakout star for the Mavericks this postseason and is now an unrestricted free agent. Where will he end up?

Examining potential free-agent destinations for Jalen Brunson

Yeah, the Minnesota Timberwolves' repeated shipwreckings in the first round might be tough to swallow for the next month. However, the blown leads and Karl-Anthony Towns trash talk undermine what was, in my estimation, one of the most promising seasons in recent franchise history.
Minnesota has made the playoffs twice since 2004. The only other time was a whimper of a first-round exit in 2018 that foreshadowed the collapse of a Jimmy Butler-led, Tom Thibodeau-coached roster. This season, Minnesota constructed a top-10 defense with the league's seventh-youngest roster, per RealGM, and went 30-17 in the 2022 calendar year.
Make no mistake: This franchise is on a positive trajectory, and is finally turning potential into production. Now, Minnesota has to make one of the most difficult leaps in basketball &mdash; going from a winning team to a true contender &mdash; at a time where the NBA wields some of the widest parity in recent memory.
The 2022 offseason can be a pivotal building block towards that leap. First, the franchise needs to secure its chief decision-maker.
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Sachin Gupta assumed interim duties as president of basketball operations following Gersson Rosas' departure last fall. The Wolves made all of five in-season acquisitions under his tenure (three of which were 10-day signings), and executed zero trades. It was a quiet season on paper for the creator of ESPN's Trade Machine.&nbsp;
According to the <a href="https://www.startribune.com/timberwolves-sachin-gupta-chris-finch/600169496/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Minneapolis Star Tribune</a>, Gupta seems prepared to navigate the Timberwolves through the summer, though the franchise has not made any move towards announcing a permanent head of operations yet. Wolves head coach Chris Finch has voiced his support for Gupta.
"They know my feelings about Sach," Finch said. "They know that I think he's outstanding and he's been a huge reason that we have stability in this organization right now. He's very smart. We have complete alignment. The players love him. He's appropriate in his presence around the team. He's not heavy-handed with the coaching staff. He does his job.
"I'm a huge fan, and I've advocated for him to have his opportunity to be the guy to run this team. Nothing would make me happier than that."
So time will tell if the new ownership group, currently including Glen Taylor, Alex Rodriguez and Marc Lore, feel the same.
Minnesota has most of its current roster contractually intact. The team holds $1.9 million team options on 2019 second round pick Jaylen Nowell and undrafted Naz Reid, who have both emerged as quality rotation-caliber players. Perhaps the biggest free agent name is Taurean Prince (UFA), who solidified a solid floor-spacing role off the bench in the regular season, but struggled in the playoffs.&nbsp;
Meanwhile, defensive-minded wing Josh Okogie enters restricted free agency after playing just 10.5 minutes per game this season. The former 2018 first-round pick has seen his playing time decrease in each of the last three years. Nathan Knight and McKinley Wright IV also enter restricted free agency, while Jake Layman and Greg Monroe hit the unrestricted open market.
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The Wolves likely won't have the salary cap room for flashy free agent acquisitions. According to Spotrac, Minnesota is all-but guaranteed to be over the cap before free agency even opens. Their best spending asset will be a $10.2 million non-taxpayer exception. Interestingly, Gupta has already commented on a potential team need.
"Defensive rebounding was obviously a big issue in this series and all year long," Gupta said. "That might be a more personnel thing and more size can certainly help. There's a mix for sure in terms of how we can address some of those areas and weaknesses just with development and internal growth and others that we may have to address with the roster."
Minnesota should have plenty of chances to fill this need with its exception. Purely spitballing, but some rebounding bigs who might fit in the $10.2 million exception include: Derrick Favors, Ivica Zubac, Thomas Bryant and Andre Drummond.&nbsp;
But if the front office feels a greater compulsion to act, they have the players and draft picks to create enticing trades. Minnesota holds the No. 19 pick in the first round of the NBA Draft, and Nos. 40, 48 and 50 in the second round. How many of these selections will stay in the Twin Cities with a roster nearly full already?&nbsp;
Our Senior NBA Draft Analyst Matt Babcock projects Minnesota to select Kennedy Chandler at No. 19, and then Ismael Kamagate, Jalen Williams and Hugo Besson in the second round of <a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/draft" target="_blank" rel="noopener">his latest 2022 NBA Mock Draft</a>. Chandler could develop into a steady backup point guard behind D'Angelo Russell, while the others profile as high-upside swings that Minnesota doesn't need to step into the game right now.
One more wrinkle to monitor is Leandro Bolmaro, the No. 23 pick from the 2020 NBA Draft. The Argentinian wing spent most of 2021-22 with the Iowa Wolves in the G League, and put up 12.9 points, 5.4 assists and 5.0 rebounds per game. Is Bolmaro ready to make an NBA impact?
The Timberwolves don't need to rush their franchise timeline. Anthony Edwards is only in his second season, and as we saw in the playoffs, still radiates untapped potential despite his ascendancy. Towns is the second-oldest player currently under contract, and even he's still just 26.&nbsp;
But there's no turning back once a young roster makes the NBA playoffs. Minnesota has set postseason play as the minimum standard for next season, and with youth comes expected improvement in each subsequent season.
Now Gupta, or whoever the next president of basketball operations is, must steer the franchise toward a path to greater heights this summer.
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A disappointing first-round series masked what was a breakout season for the Minnesota Timberwolves.

2022 NBA offseason preview: What's next for the Minnesota Timberwolves?

As down as they felt after blowing two chances to make the playoffs, the Los Angeles Clippers can&rsquo;t wait for next season.
That&rsquo;s when a healthy Kawhi Leonard is expected back in the lineup, alongside Paul George and Norman Powell.
&ldquo;We get our main guys back,&rdquo; coach Tyronn Lue said. &ldquo;I mean, we can be dangerous.&rdquo;
Leonard didn't play during the Clippers' roller coaster of a season that ended in a 105-101 play-in loss to the New Orleans Pelicans on Friday night. George didn't either, after entering the league's health and safety protocols earlier in the day.
Leonard could only watch as the Clippers blew a 13-point lead in the fourth quarter after letting a lead slip away in losing to Minnesota in the first play-in game.
George missed a large chunk of the season while injured and Powell was out for a couple months after joining the team in a February trade. Luke Kennard, the league's 3-point percentage leader, missed both play-in games with a sore hamstring.
The Clippers still managed to finish 42-40, staging several thrilling double-digit comebacks in the second half of games.
SUPPORTING CAST
Reggie Jackson provided a steadying presence for a team wracked by injuries and COVID-19 issues that caused players to miss 385 total games. He averaged 16.8 points and 4.8 assists without Leonard and George serving as the primary playmakers. They'll be back to those roles next season.
&ldquo;The sky&rsquo;s the limit when you get those two,&rdquo; Jackson said. &ldquo;It's going to be about hopefully getting them healthy, meshing, and everybody improving individually. I can't help but smile already thinking about next year.&rdquo;
Marcus Morris said the team needs a backup point guard to contend for a championship.
Big man Ivica Zubac started all 76 games he played in, averaging 10.3 points and 8.5 rebounds.
REBOUNDING WOES
The Clippers struggled all season with rebounding, ranking 22nd out of 30 teams with 51.3 per game. They allowed opponents too many offensive boards which led to second-chance points.
Against the Pelicans, they were outrebounded by nine and outscored by seven on second-chance points.
IDLE LUE
Lue is missing the playoffs for the first time as an assistant or head coach.
His ability as a quick-thinking tactician willing to change up the game plan has been hailed by his players and rival coaches. The latest example was Lue's decision to go small in the second half against the Pelicans, leading the Clippers to outscore them 38-18 in the third quarter.
&ldquo;His energy is infectious,&rdquo; said Robert Covington, who came along with Powell in the February trade. &ldquo;He knows how to pick guys up, keep them motivated. You want a coach like that.&rdquo;
FUTURE ROSTER
Covington said he wants to return next season. The veteran is an athletic wing who can play big and could partner well with a healthy Leonard and George.
Isaiah Hartenstein is set to become a free agent and proved a reliable backup to Zubac while showing a deft touch from 3-point range.
Nicolas Batum is the lone Clipper with a player option for next season. He became a frequent starter with all the injuries.
Amir Coffey and Jay Scrubb are set to become restricted free agents this summer. Coffey came up big at times this season and defends well. Scrubb had season-ending surgery on his right foot in February.

As down as they felt after blowing two chances to make the playoffs, the Clippers can’t wait for next season.

Clippers look ahead to return of Leonard next season

The NBA sent four teams home from its Play-In Tournament after Friday night, but all four are poised to contend next season.
Though the Charlotte Hornets, Cleveland Cavaliers and San Antonio Spurs exited early, their trio of All-Star guards and exciting young cores mean all three should be back in the hunt &mdash; provided they beef up their rosters in the offseason. Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Clippers weren't supposed to make it this far without their franchise cornerstones; that only creates more buzz surrounding a 2022-23 championship contender.
What can these franchises do this offseason to set themselves up for success? I've written up some summer plans for all four squads, including draft assets (via Tankathon), potential free agents (via Spotrac) and a central team-building question (via my deranged mind). If you missed last week, I did the same for the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/summer-plans-for-the-nbas-nonplayoff-teams" target="_blank" rel="noopener">10 teams who did not crack the NBA postseason</a>.
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Let's dive in.
CHARLOTTE HORNETS
Draft assets:&nbsp;First-round pick, First-round pick via Pelicans, Second-round pick, Second-round pick via Toronto (if 55-60)
Potential free agents:&nbsp;Montrezl Harrell, Isaiah Thomas, Miles Bridges (restricted), Cody Martin (restricted), Arnoldas Kulboka (restricted), Scottie Lewis (restricted)
Central question:&nbsp;How can the Hornets construct an interior defense?
Charlotte's bottom-10 defense doomed the franchise several times in the regular season and, ultimately, in the Play-In loss to Atlanta. The Hornets gave up boatloads of at-rim attempts and three-pointers, and simply looked like turnstiles at times. Improvement is necessary across the board, but an on-paper view highlights a clear need for upgrades inside.
Mason Plumlee is a fine basketball player, but he's not anchoring a high-level NBA defense. Neither is Montrezl Harrell, and 2021 first-round pick Kai Jones barely touched the floor in Charlotte. The Hornets don't have a whole lot of salary flexibility with big-money deals in place for Gordon Hayward and Terry Rozier. Miles Bridges' restricted free agency is also a key offseason focal point.&nbsp;
Though the Hornets likely can't throw outright money at a Deandre Ayton-level restricted free agent, perhaps they could work a sign-and-trade for a lesser-known young talent. Maybe Mo Bamba fits the bill from Orlando? Charlotte was tied to trade rumors surrounding Myles Turner before the trade deadline, and the front office could also elect to sign a veteran at a mid-level exception.
Regardless of the pathway, the Hornets have needed to address the center position for years now. With a playoff leap now the expectation in 2022-23, they can't afford to let another summer slip away.
CLEVELAND CAVALIERS
Draft assets:&nbsp;First-round pick, Second-round pick via Spurs, Second-round pick via Heat
Potential free agents:&nbsp;Ed Davis, Rajon Rondo, Brandon Goodwin, Collin Sexton (restricted), Moses Brown (restricted), RJ Nembhard (restricted), Dean Wade (team option)
Central question:&nbsp;What is Collin Sexton's future in Cleveland?
The Cavaliers may have slid out of the playoffs, but this was a banner year for the franchise's long-term trajectory. Darius Garland emerged as a cornerstone point guard, Evan Mobley might win Rookie of the Year, and the frontcourt pairing with Jarrett Allen looks to be a mainstay in the Eastern Conference. Injuries ultimately derailed what was a top-four seed. Most of the rotation is under contract and under 30, hinting at continued growth.
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Darius Garland -&gt; Jarrett Allen -&gt; Evan Mobley (Lob) <a href="https://t.co/nDQz7tkxbs">pic.twitter.com/nDQz7tkxbs</a>
&mdash; Jackson Lloyd (@JacksonLloydNBA) <a href="https://twitter.com/JacksonLloydNBA/status/1515354588353728522?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 16, 2022</a></blockquote>

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This seaon's leap makes the situation with Sexton... difficult. Let's not forget that the combo guard is a season removed from a 24-point-per-game season as an efficient primary scorer, and that the Cavs were 19th in Offensive Rating this year. Sexton can meaningfully boost Cleveland simply as a bucket-getter, nevermind if he keeps improving as a playmaker.
What kind of contract do the Cavs offer to a 23-year-old who missed nearly a full season with a knee injury though? If a desperate team decides to throw money at Sexton to force the franchise to match, is there a limit to the front office's willingness? What would an extension mean for Isaac Okoro and Caris LeVert?&nbsp;
Sexton is one of the biggest dominoes in the upcoming offseason, and arguably the most unpredictable.
LOS ANGELES CLIPPERS
Draft assets:&nbsp;Second-round pick
Potential free agents: Robert Covington, Rodney Hood, Isaiah Hartenstein, Amir Coffey (restricted), Xavier Moon (restricted), Ivica Zubac (team option), Nic Batum (player option)
Central question:&nbsp;What does a fully-healthy 10-man rotation look like?
Nobody expected the Clippers to be a playoff contender without Kawhi Leonard and Paul George, and they still almost cracked the postseason with the supporting cast chipping in. L.A. made a splash at the trade deadline by adding Norman Powell and Robert Covington, two players who conceivably make sense next to the franchise's two stars.
This roster is deep. It's a great problem to have, but it's still a problem with several rotation options potentially hitting free agency. Covington will likely command a solid new deal as one of the league's more reliable two-way complements, and Batum could easily decline his $3.3 million team option in search of a raise. Ivica Zubac and Isaiah Hartenstein may both hit free agency; what would happen to the center rotation in that case?
The Clippers have Leonard, George, Powell, Reggie Jackson, Luke Kennard, Terance Mann and Marcus Morris locked down for next season. That's already seven rotation-caliber players, and it doesn't account for leaps from young talents like Brandon Boston Jr., Jason Preston or Amir Coffey. A roster crunch is inbound, and the organization can't let a quality addition slip away as it positions itself for title contention next season.
SAN ANTONIO SPURS
Draft assets:&nbsp;First-round pick, first-round pick via Raptors, first-round pick via Celtics, second-round pick via Lakers
Potential free agents:&nbsp;Lonnie Walker IV (restricted), Devontae Cacok (restricted), Joe Wieskamp (restricted), DJ Stewart Jr. (restricted), Robert Woodard II (restricted)
Central question:&nbsp;How do the Spurs toe the line between developmental patience and consolidation?
San Antonio valiantly fought to get to the Play-In Tournament before losing to New Orleans, but also had one of the more underrated developmental seasons across the roster. Dejounte Murray made his All-Star leap and Jakob Poeltl established himself as <a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/jakob-poeltl-san-antonios-newest-watchful-protector" target="_blank" rel="noopener">one of the league's better rim-protectors</a>; the Spurs collectively were just a tick under league-average on both ends of the floor, per Cleaning the Glass.
One of the NBA's youngest rosters is well on track and about to receive another influx of potential. San Antonio could use its three first-rounders (including its own lottery pick) to add to the frontcourt or find another lead guard. However, the Spurs already have 12 players locked down for next season under at least partial guarantees, and 11 of them are under 30. They have a pathway to over $24 million in salary cap space this summer should they move on from restricted free agents like Walker.&nbsp;
There's an avenue, with draft picks, young players and cap space, for San Antonio to make a serious splash. Is that in the programming for this franchise, though? San Antonio hasn't acquired a star via trade in several years, unless you want to count adding DeMar DeRozan in the Kawhi Leonard blockbuster. At the same time, there are only so many minutes to go around for the young guns, especially if the Spurs think they can compete for the playoffs.
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Ethan Fuller sets the stage for the NBA's four Play-In exits approaching the offseason.

Summer plans for the Spurs, Hornets, Cavaliers and Clippers

LOS ANGELES (AP) &mdash; Brandon Ingram scored 30 points and the New Orleans Pelicans overcame a 13-point deficit in the fourth quarter to beat the depleted Los Angeles Clippers 105-101 in a play-in Friday night and earn the West&rsquo;s No. 8 seed for the playoffs.
The Pelicans made the playoffs for the first time since 2017-18, guided by first-year coach Willie Green, a former Clipper. They&rsquo;ve been without Zion Williamson all season because of a foot injury.
The Clippers were dealt a huge blow earlier in the day when Paul George entered the league&rsquo;s health and safety protocols. They&rsquo;d already been without Kawhi Leonard all season while he rehabbed an ACL injury. He watched from the bench early in the game.
CJ McCollum added 19 points for New Orleans, which will play No. 1 seed Phoenix in the first round. Game 1 is Sunday in the desert.
Marcus Morris and Reggie Jackson each had 27 points for the Clippers.
The Pelicans shot 57% in the first half and were better on the boards, in the paint and off the bench. They led by 16 in the second quarter before the Clippers cut their deficit to 56-46 at halftime.
The Clippers roared back in the third, outscoring the Pelicans 38-18. They opened with a 20-2 run that had the crowd on its feet. Jackson scored 10 points and Morris added six in the spurt.
Robert Covington started the third in place of 7-footer Ivica Zubac and his three-point play gave the Clippers a 75-62 lead, their largest of the game.
Ingram scored five of the Pelicans&rsquo; final 12 points to send them into the fourth trailing 84-74.
That&rsquo;s when New Orleans staged a rally of its own.
After the Clippers scored to go up by 13 points, the Pelicans ran off 11 straight points and then McCollum hit a 3-pointer to tie it, 88-all.
Rookie Trey Murphy hit his second 3-pointer of the quarter for another tie at 94-all.
That sparked a 10-0 run that gave the Pelicans a 101-94 lead, capped by Murphy&rsquo;s 3-pointer that bounced on the rim and went in.
The Clippers twice closed within two in the final 1:17, but they missed 2 of 4 free throws and Jackson and Morris missed shots down the stretch to see their season slip away.
The Clippers, who made the Western Conference finals for the first time in franchise history last year, also were missing Luke Kennard. The league&rsquo;s 3-point percentage leader didn&rsquo;t play because of a sore right hamstring that kept him out of the loss at Minnesota on Tuesday in the team&rsquo;s first play-in game.
TIP-INS
Pelicans: They had won the season series, 3-1.
Clippers: Hadn't missed the playoffs since 2017-18 season. ... Nicolas Batum and Terance Mann started in place of George and Kennard ... Lawrence Frank, president of basketball operations, said Leonard &ldquo;continues to progress with his rehab,&rdquo; but there is no timetable for his return.
UP NEXT
The Pelicans were 1-3 against the Suns this season.

In a hotly-detested play-in contest, the New Orleans Pelicans fought their way into a first-round series against the Phoenix Suns.

Pelicans earn 105-101 win over Clippers, claim No. 8 seed

Every day, BasketballNews.com gives you NBA betting analysis before tip-off. Make sure you subscribe to our daily podcast, &ldquo;Nothing But Bets&rdquo; on&nbsp;<a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/nothing-but-bets/id1589799249" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Apple Podcasts</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://open.spotify.com/episode/6zNxt0NQXPmKuryAdz89m0?si=1038d121100444fd" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Spotify</a>&nbsp;or wherever you listen to podcasts.
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Without further ado, let&rsquo;s dive into our favorite NBA spread bets for Friday's Play-In Tournament slate.
Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Atlanta Hawks (-1.5)
I can&rsquo;t wait for this one, folks. Will Trae Young carry the Hawks to the postseason once again? Can the resurgent Cavaliers cap off a magical regular season in a positive manner? There are so much juicy angles from a betting perspective for this matchup.
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&mdash; Friday, April 15th Atlanta Hawks @ Cleveland Cavaliers</blockquote>

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Ultimately, it&rsquo;s so hard to bet against Young and Atlanta right now. Expect a fun scoring duel between Young and Garland, while the frontcourt battle is an underrated angle as well. If Young gets going early, Cleveland is in big trouble. Forecasting a monster performance from Young, we&rsquo;re hammering the road favorite here.
Pick: Hawks -1.5
Player Props: Trae Young over 30.5 points, Evan Mobley over 15.5 points, Clint Capela over 13.5 rebounds, Darius Garland over 8.5 assists
Los Angeles Clippers vs. New Orleans Pelicans (-1)
It simply sucks that Paul George has been officially ruled out due to NBA COVID-19 health and safety protocols. Without George, who showed early how much he can swing things in the Clippers' favor, can Los Angeles pull off some magic once again? All season long, the Clippers have stayed afloat without George and Kawhi Leonard.
We&rsquo;re not going to bet against the surging Pelicans, though. Head coach Willie Green has this group all the way locked in, so if CJ McCollum and Brandon Ingram control the pace, we love the Pelicans. New Orleans clinches it on the road to set up a first round series against the juggernaut Phoenix Suns.
Pick: Pelicans -1
Player Props: CJ McCollum over 25.5 points, Brandon Ingram over 24.5 points, Reggie Jackson over 20.5 points, Ivica Zubac over 8.5 rebounds
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Who are the best bets for tonight's NBA Play-In Tournament games? We've got you covered!

Best Bets: BasketballNews' picks and fantasy advice for 4/15/22

From their first-ever Western Conference Finals appearance to a last-gasp play-in game, the Los Angeles Clippers have been a surprisingly resilient bunch.
They finished two games above .500 despite not having superstar Kawhi Leonard all season and losing Paul George for a big chunk of it. They traded for Norman Powell in February, only to lose him to injury days later.
George and Powell recently returned within days of each other and sparked the Clippers to a five-game winning streak to end the regular season.
They're not ready to head home for the summer.
The Clippers are a four-point favorite against the New Orleans Pelicans in their play-in elimination game Friday night, according to <a href="https://sportsbook.fanduel.com/navigation/nba">FanDuel Sportsbook.</a>
&ldquo;Honestly, it&rsquo;s not even about the matchup,&rdquo; George said. &ldquo;There&rsquo;s no pep talk, no X&rsquo;s and O&rsquo;s. We got to win.&rdquo;
<a href="https://apnews.com/article/new-orleans-pelicans-san-antonio-spurs-los-angeles-clippers-phoenix-suns-nba-6ee83546d2425bc98075a06b0c19dc3e">The Pelicans </a> advanced with a 113-103 victory over the San Antonio Spurs. <a href="https://apnews.com/article/los-angeles-clippers-minnesota-timberwolves-nba-sports-anthony-edwards-eeb23f11c4002d7d2f48dffeac32dcc9">The Clippers lost </a> to the Minnesota Timberwolves 109-104, which cost them the No. 7 seed and a first-round matchup against Memphis.
&ldquo;I definitely hope that we keep our spirits high, that we understand we still got another one on Friday, that we control our own destiny,&rdquo; Clippers guard Reggie Jackson said.
The winner earns the No. 8 seed and a first-round meeting with the NBA-leading Phoenix Suns. The Clippers lost to the Suns in six games in last year's conference finals.
MISSING IN ACTION
Both teams will be without their superstars.
Leonard continues to work his way back from surgery for a partial tear of his right ACL that occurred in the second round against Utah last year. The team has honored Leonard's penchant for privacy and provided little information about his status.
However, he has maintained a presence around the team and will be on hand Friday.
&ldquo;Even when PG was out, just having those guys around means a lot to this team, especially a young team,&rdquo; coach Tyronn Lue said Thursday.
Zion Williamson is progressing in his recovery from a foot injury that has kept him out all season for the Pelicans and has been participating in controlled scrimmages. However, the 2019 top overall draft pick isn't expected to play against the Clippers, although he did steal the show with <a href="https://www.nba.com/news/zion-williamson-throws-down-360-windmill-dunk-before-pelicans-play-in-game">a pair of windmill dunks </a> during warmups Wednesday.
THREE-PRONGED ATTACK
Even without Williamson, the Pelicans have still got a potent Big Three, so to speak, as the Spurs found out.
CJ McCollum, acquired in a midseason trade, center Jonas Valanciunas, acquired in a trade before the season, and incumbent wing Brandon Ingram combined for 81 points against San Antonio. Valanciunas also had 14 rebounds.
&ldquo;We have to ride those guys,&rdquo; coach Willie Green said. &ldquo;When you get to this point in the season, you&rsquo;ve got to bump their minutes up a little but more. We&rsquo;re going to run more plays that go through them and allow them to create for others, and they did a heck of a job&rdquo; against San Antonio.
GEORGE'S IMPACT
George's return to the lineup has positively impacted his teammates.
Ivica Zubac produced double-doubles in his last four regular-season games, averaging 12.3 points and 9.4 rebounds. The 7-footer has been a big factor on the defensive side as well.
Luke Kennard didn't make the trip to Minnesota because of a sore right hamstring, which he had treatment on Thursday. He leads the league in 3-point percentage at 44.9 and averaged 15.8 points in his last six games.
George has been showcasing his playmaking skills, averaging a career-high 5.7 assists. Double-teaming George hasn't been an answer for opponents since he can kick it out to Kennard and 7-footer Isaiah Hartenstein, who is showing a deft touch from long range.
GREEN BLOOMS
<a href="https://apnews.com/article/sports-nba-phoenix-suns-new-orleans-pelicans-62e8b460b8288be4cdef3fcd850304a8">Green </a> guided the Pelicans to a 36-46 record after starting 1-12 in his first season as coach. Now, he faces off against his old team for a playoff berth.
Green was a shooting guard with the Clippers from 2012-14, averaging 5.7 points while playing 16 minutes a game on a team that featured the Lob City trio of Blake Griffin, Chris Paul and DeAndre Jordan.
Green ended his 12-year playing career after the following season in Orlando.
He owns two NBA championships as a Golden State assistant. He was an assistant with Phoenix before taking the Pelicans job.
ROOKIE RELIANCE
The Pelicans' rookie trio of Herb Jones, Trey Murphy and Joe Alvarado passed their first postseason test, setting the stage for them to play significant roles against the Clippers as well.
Jones, a second-round pick out of Alabama, guarded Spurs All-Star Dejounte Murray and held him to 16 points on 5-of-19 shooting and five assists. He could wind up on George next.
&ldquo;We don&rsquo;t have doubts in Herb,&rdquo; Valanciunas said. &ldquo;He&rsquo;s a great defensive player. He&rsquo;s always guarding the offensive threats from opponent teams."
Jones also scored 12 points, as did Alvarado, an undrafted rookie out of Georgia Tech. Murphy, a first-rounder out of Virginia, had a relatively quiet night but still played 22 minutes and has been an explosive scorer in recent weeks.
___
AP Sports Writer Brett Martel in New Orleans contributed to this report.

The winner between New Orleans and L.A. will earn the No. 8 seed and a first-round meeting with the NBA-leading Phoenix Suns.

Clippers looking to eke out playoff berth vs. Pelicans

For the first time since the 2017-18 season, and just the second time since 2003-04, the Minnesota Timberwolves are in the NBA playoffs.
In a raucous game at Target Center in Minneapolis, the Wolves came back from down double-digits early in the fourth quarter to gut out a defensive showcase down the stretch in a very fun (but also <a href="https://twitter.com/MG_Schindler/status/1514071151890386947?s=20&amp;t=cOTx5ha_fVET44iT43U6Yw" target="_blank" rel="noopener">very weird</a>) game.
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I added the Remember The Titans music to The Wolves winning the game. (Sound on) <a href="https://t.co/nYF9q9igAK">pic.twitter.com/nYF9q9igAK</a>
&mdash; Jason Gallagher (@jga41agher) <a href="https://twitter.com/jga41agher/status/1514110660636033024?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 13, 2022</a></blockquote>

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First and foremost, celebrating is a good thing! I don't intend to straw-man; I'm sure it's a smaller group that's being vocal about the Wolves' post-game excitement, but it's worth hitting on. No, this team didn't win the NBA Finals and they're not on the way to doing that, but that loses the plot here. Other than maybe the Sacramento Kings, has there been a more frustratingly beleaguered franchise since the turn of the millenia?
Every turn this team has taken, including their one playoff appearance outside the Flip Saunders era, has come with consequences or at the expense of their future. I'm not a fan of the Timberwolves (or any team), but it's just awesome to see a team that has been resilient all year find their way and take the steps to be a solid team.
That's been special.
We don't need an entire halftime or postgame show clowning a team for enjoying themselves, rehashing history and talking about why a player wouldn't "make it in the 90s."
The game is different. What if we spent time talking about&nbsp;how the Los Angeles Clippers got Karl-Anthony Towns off his game? Or how KAT and the Wolves could scheme differently in the second half? I acknowledge that the TNT halftime show is not intended for me, and it did its job by drawing engagement, but if it's at the expense of the product they're dragging, what are we doing here?
JJ Redick gets it.
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Where&rsquo;s yours?
&mdash; JJ Redick (@jj_redick) <a href="https://twitter.com/jj_redick/status/1514118211674988546?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 13, 2022</a></blockquote>

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The 109-104 final score is unsuitable as a descriptor of what this game was.
Let's dive in.
PATRICK BEVERLEY'S IMPACT
Early in the game, Kevin Harlan slid in that Patrick Beverley is "the most impactful player" for the Wolves right as the TNT broadcast went to commercial. I had to rewind to make sure I heard that right!
While I have to disagree with Harlan at large, my God, Pat Bev sure as heck made his case throughout the course of action.
There's a small handful of players who supersede the cliche "he-brings-energy-and-toughness-and-grit-that-can-change-the-game," emotional tropes, and Beverley continues to assert himself to that group. He does every little thing that can be done on the margins with consistency, and in a way that breeds both admiration and contention alike.
Timely tie-ups and steals, hounding switches, flying all over the place on close-outs. It cannot be undersold the amount of energy this man expended playing defense last night.&nbsp;
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He even had a momentum-saving block after a missed dunk that could've shifted the game.
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And he hit perhaps the most insane "WTF" shot I've seen from a non-star player in a while. Like, what is this?! A one-legged three while falling backwards as the shot clock expires is just nutty. In an elimination game!
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That was just a special special game from Beverley last night.&nbsp;
Whether he's the most impactful is up for debate (and probably wrong), but the impact he's had on this group is palpable and last night was a microcosm of his presence this season.
TAKING OUT TOWNS
As good of a game as it was from Beverley, it was the opposite for Karl-Anthony Towns, who fouled out with a little over half the fourth quarter remaining.
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The Clippers were 3-1 against the Wolves this year and they did the same things that allowed them to win the season series, putting a smaller player on KAT and bringing help late at the rim with Ivica Zubac. It's not fully on Jarred Vanderbilt, as he still played a pretty good game (particularly on defense), but part of the difficulty of having a player whose gravity comes from attacking the cracks of a defense is what happens when those gaps are tightened.
If he's in the dunker spot and KAT is driving the lane, the Clippers are okay helping off of him and mucking things up at the rim. It's also worth noting that Towns found Vando on a dump-off later in the game, and that's been part of their offense all season. This is going to be one of the very enticing chess matches to watch during the series with the Memphis Grizzlies.
Back to KAT: the Clippers played him well, but he also got in his own head and got out of his game, which was incredibly frustrating from a bystander and analysis perspective. He forced some of his attempts from outside and on drives. He felt rushed. He played into offensive fouls.
 It's okay and healthy to be emotional. Every person handles things in their own way. But teams have consistently used KAT's frustration against him. Towns has really put things together this year and shed a lot of those tendencies this season, but last night was a reversion to past years. He's the best player on this team and integral to their success, so they really need him to maintain composure again moving forward. Trying to replicate these kind of contributions up and down the roster going forward is asking for a lot. This single game is not a referendum on KAT, as he's a <a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/selecting-the-2021-22-all-nba-teams" target="_blank" rel="noopener">deserving All-NBA</a> performer. Let's save the rash takes. Criticism for last night is warranted, but the overarching narratives are not.
D'LO AND ANT
D'Angelo Russell and Anthony Edwards were fantastic last night in so many facets.&nbsp;
The Wolves came out extremely erratic and it seemed like the moment was too big for them to start the game. Their pace was quick but out of control. The defense was flying around, but almost too much.
The Clippers' defense struggled late as their offensive stagnation carried over, but the polarity of D'Lo and Ant gave the Clippers headaches throughout the night.
Russell's pacing was exquisite last night. It was by far one of the best games I've seen from him with regards to seeing the floor, picking his spots and attacking a defense. It felt like he hit every tough shot and pull-up last night, routinely never gaining separation, but it just didn't matter.
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Down the stretch, he masterfully pulled Los Angeles' defense apart, using some of their switching against them and orchestrating effective offense.
While Russell picked apart with pace and rhythm, Edwards was the overhand right coming off a jab. He set up his game early with a fluid contact finish over Marcus Morris and routinely found his way into the paint last night. Clippers defenders gave him an extra foot of space to try and wall off drives annnnd it was too much.
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He got to the line six times, nailed 5-of-11 threes, and hit shots off the bounce inside the arc if given the space.&nbsp;
When he doesn't make mistakes with the ball, it is so hard to defend Anthony Edwards. Do you give up the jumpers if he's hitting them at a high clip? Do you let him glide to the rim and hope help can bother him? It's a conundrum that many teams are finding harder and harder to solve as his game rounds out. He came ready for the moment last night off rip.
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"No one can guard him, and I keep preaching that to him" Patrick Beverley credits Anthony Edwards for his patience and hard work after the T-Wolves win to advance to the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NBAPlayoffs?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NBAPlayoffs</a> presented by Google Pixel. <a href="https://t.co/SwD25thKCO">pic.twitter.com/SwD25thKCO</a>
&mdash; NBA (@NBA) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBA/status/1514117290803052546?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 13, 2022</a></blockquote>

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Pat's whole rant on Ant is awesome, but Ant nodding his head the whole time in agreement like, "Yeah, I know. They can't guard me," is just priceless and awesome.
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When the lights come on, I show up. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Thurskii?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Thurskii</a>
&mdash; Anthony Edwards (@theantedwards_) <a href="https://twitter.com/theantedwards_/status/1514120995669524480?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 13, 2022</a></blockquote>

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QUICK-HITTERS
Jarred Vanderbilt and Jaden McDaniels were so vital last night. The individual defense they played on Paul George was tremendous. He still got to his spots, but everything was well contested for the most part. He got to the line a good deal, but that happens against star players.
Last night, the Clippers were 12-of-28 in the paint with only 16 at-rim attempts and a large deal of that credit goes to that dynamic duo and their ability to crowd drives. By preventing full-on penetration, they were able to make some of the backline rotations just a little easier and cleaner for the Wolves. They went to a frontcourt of McDaniels and Vando at the 4 and 5 for a small stretch late in the game (which is not something that happened much this year) and they were able to hang tight before they brought in a true big. That was a really fun performance from them, and I can't wait to see how they perform in the playoffs.
The Clippers versus either the Pelicans or Spurs should be a fun match-up, and I can't wait to see that as well. The playoffs are almost here, and the postseason is already off to a fantastic start.

The Wolves are in the playoffs for the second time since 2004, earning their postseason trip after a terrific play-in performance.

NBA Play-In Tournament: Takeaways from Wolves-Clippers

Every day, BasketballNews.com gives you NBA betting analysis before tip-off. Make sure you subscribe to our daily podcast, &ldquo;Nothing But Bets&rdquo; on&nbsp;<a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/nothing-but-bets/id1589799249" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Apple Podcasts</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://open.spotify.com/episode/6zNxt0NQXPmKuryAdz89m0?si=1038d121100444fd" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Spotify</a>&nbsp;or wherever you listen to podcasts.
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Without further ado, let&rsquo;s dive into our favorite NBA spread bets for Tuesday's Play-In Tournament slate.
Brooklyn Nets (-9.5) vs. Cleveland Cavaliers
It&rsquo;s fitting that postseason NBA basketball kicks off on Tuesday night with the Nets. One of the most polarizing teams in the Association goes up against the resurgent Cavaliers, who are again without All-Star center Jarrett Allen. Without Allen, tough sledding is ahead for Cleveland to pull off the massive upset. Darius Garland and Evan Mobley will need to outduel Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant, which is a tough task for anyone in the world.
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&mdash; Tuesday, April 12th Cleveland Cavaliers @ Brooklyn Nets</blockquote>

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In the end, Brooklyn&rsquo;s experience and star power will reign supreme. Hammer with emphasis Brooklyn to pull off the double-digit Play-In victory.
Pick: Nets -9.5
Player Props: Kevin Durant over 31.5 points, Kyrie Irving over 28.5 points, Evan Mobley over 9.5 rebounds, Darius Garland over 8.5 assists
Minnesota Timberwolves (-3) vs. Los Angeles Clippers
Unlike the probable result in the first Play-In matchup, expect fireworks in Minneapolis throughout Timberwolves vs. Clippers. Not only does this game have the underrated stars (Paul George and Karl-Anthony Towns), but it also features the scrappiness to create a playoff-like environment. This one was so tough to call, but in the end go for the underdog.

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George always comes up huge in these spots, so watch him will Los Angeles to a one-possession outcome. Whether it be an outright upset or backdoor cover, lock in Clippers +3 before tip-off.
Pick: Clippers +3
Player Props: Paul George over 27.5 points, Anthony Edwards over 22.5 points, Ivica Zubac over 8.5 rebounds, Karl-Anthony Towns over 1.5 threes
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Best Bets: BasketballNews' picks and fantasy advice for 4/12/22

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The Los Angeles Clippers got way too comfortable against the NBA-leading Phoenix Suns and it nearly cost them.
Leading by 39 points in the third quarter, the Clippers survived an offensive onslaught by Phoenix's bench in the fourth and hung on for a 113-109 victory on Wednesday night.
Norman Powell scored 24 points after being out two months and Paul George added 19 points in three quarters to go over 15,000 in his career for the Clippers.
“You can never relax in the NBA,” Clippers coach Tyronn Lue said. “The players are too good, the coaches are too good, and as soon as you let your guard down things like this can happen.”
With nothing at stake, Phoenix rested All-Star guards Devin Booker and Chris Paul and fellow starters Deandre Ayton and Jae Crowder on the second night of a back-to-back. The Suns had already set a franchise record for wins in a season with 63 by eliminating the Lakers from playoff contention Tuesday.
The Clippers beat up the Suns for three quarters. But Phoenix's reserves put together a 48-point fourth quarter and then ran out of time.
“It’s a great lesson for our team and any kid watching, you just play it out,” Suns coach Monty Williams said. “We just stayed with it and had that Suns grit.”
Cameron Payne came back in and hit a 3-pointer that drew the Suns within four with 10 seconds left. Amir Coffey got fouled and made both free throws to preserve the win. 
Ish Wainwright scored a career-high 20 points to lead Phoenix. Aaron Holiday added 16 points and Bismack Biyombo had 14 points and 12 rebounds. The only starter in double figures was Payne with 13 points. The Suns' bench outscored the Clippers' reserves 66-58.
“When you have games like this, you find out who that guy is that you may be able to throw into a big game,” Williams said. “You build that confidence in games like this.”
George and Powell were playing together for the first time this season, but they quickly got in sync to help the Clippers win their third in a row. They are locked into the eighth spot for the Western Conference play-in tournament next week.
George has played in five of six games since returning from a torn UCL. Powell is back after missing 21 games with a broken foot. He played in just three games with the team before getting hurt shortly after he was acquired in a trade from Portland.
“Playing with PG still didn’t seem real to me,” Powell said. “I looked up to him growing up. Early on in my career he gave me some words of encouragement that stuck with me.”
George scored 10 of his team’s first 14 points to start the game. Powell came in for the first time late in the first quarter and hit a jumper.
They started the second quarter together. Powell hit a 3-pointer and a jumper back-to-back, then George found him for another 3-pointer as part of a 22-0 run. 
“We just tried to play off one another,” George said. “The biggest thing for me was playing off the ball and letting Norm get comfortable. He’s a big-time playmaker and scorer off the ball.”
The Suns’ first points didn’t come until 6:49, when former Clipper Landry Shamet hit a 3-pointer.
The Clippers outscored the Suns 34-9 in the second to lead 60-31 going into halftime.
Ivica Zubac had 13 points and 11 rebounds for the Clippers.
TIP-INS
Suns: Their 31 points in the first half were the fewest allowed by the Clippers in a half this season. ... JaVale McGee led a rollicking, expletive-filled huddle in the tunnel before the Suns took the court to warm up. ... The Jenner sisters, Kylie and Kendall, who dates Booker, sat opposite the team bench.
Clippers: Split the season series, 2-2. ... A moment of silence was held for Gene Shue, a two-time NBA coach of the year who had two separate stints guiding the Clippers. He died earlier this week at age 90. ... Hall of Famer and Clippers executive Jerry West posed for a photo at halftime with Grammy nominee Saweetie, who sported bright pink hair. ... Hall of Famer Scottie Pippen sat courtside.
15K for PG
George reflected on becoming the 16th active player with at least 15,000 career points.
“I'm just a kid who came literally from the desert,” he said, referring to his high desert hometown of Palmdale north of Los Angeles. “Every time I touch the floor, especially because of the injuries, I’m always grateful for the opportunity.”
He added, “Hopefully, I crack the 20,000 milestone and the 30,000 milestone.”
UP NEXT
Suns: Visit Utah on Friday.
Clippers: Host Sacramento on Saturday in the first game of a back-to-back.
___
More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

The Clippers survived an offensive onslaught by Phoenix's bench in the fourth and hung on for a 113-109 victory

Powell returns, Clippers beat Suns for 3rd straight win

Marcus Morris Sr. scored 22 points, Ivica Zubac got his 22nd double-double of the season with 16 points and 14 rebounds, and the Los Angeles Clippers prevented the New Orleans Pelicans from clinching a spot in the play-in tournament with a 119-100 victory Sunday night.
While the Pelicans are still fighting for their play-in spot, the Clippers (39-40) wrapped up the eighth seed with the win.
&ldquo;I thought we addressed what we needed to. We took care of business,&rdquo; said Paul George, who had 15 points, seven assists and five rebounds in his third game back for the Clippers. &ldquo;I challenged the team first game back to shape into more of a playoff team. Overall, we&rsquo;re starting to."
Morris made four 3-pointers for the Clippers, who were 21 of 44 from beyond the arc. It is the first time in franchise history they have made at least 20 in back-to-back games. Los Angeles made 23 3s and set a franchise record for points in a 153-119 victory over Milwaukee on Friday night.
Eight players made a 3-pointer for the Clippers. George led the way with five while Luke Kennard Jr. also had four.
The Clippers, winners of three of their last four games, made all eight of their shots from the perimeter in the first quarter. According to Sportradar, it is the first time since at least 1996 Los Angeles has had a perfect quarter with seven or more attempts.
&ldquo;When we&rsquo;re touching the paint and guys are attacking the basket, we&rsquo;re going to get open 3s and shots if guys make the right play. We did that all night long,&rdquo; coach Tyronn Lue said.
CJ McCollum had 19 points and Brandon Ingram added 15 for the Pelicans, who had their three-game winning streak snapped. New Orleans could have wrapped up a play-in tournament berth with a win after Denver defeated the Los Angeles Lakers earlier in the day.
The Pelicans, who began the season 3-16, can secure a play-in spot with a win over Sacramento on Tuesday.
&ldquo;I&rsquo;m happy this was tonight so we can have urgency in the next three or four games,&rdquo; Ingram said.
The Clippers trailed 25-21 before going on a 32-8 run over a nine-minute span to take control. The spurt included six 3-pointers.
&ldquo;We just didn&rsquo;t make the game as tough as we needed to,&rdquo; Pelicans coach Willie Green said. "You can tell that they were prepared and they came in and they had maybe half a step faster than we were in terms of the force they played with.&rdquo;
RAMPING UP
George had 12 points and four assists in the first quarter, but was mostly quiet the rest of the game. He played only 29 minutes in a game that was largely over by halftime.
The Clippers have three regular-season games remaining until the play-in tournament. Lue said trying to get George back into rhythm is a key focus for the upcoming week after he missed 43 games due to an elbow injury.
&ldquo;Put the ball in his hands so he can make plays. It&rsquo;s going to be important that he does this for us down the stretch," Lue said. "Tonight, I thought he looked a little tired. It&rsquo;s the first time I&rsquo;ve seen it that he looked a little fatigued to me. Just continue to make plays. I think he had seven assists in the first half. Just try to build his minutes up slowly.&rdquo;
TIP INS
Pelicans: Jaxson Hayes had a double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds. ... Herbert Jones had 13 points, while Larry Nance Jr. and Trey Murphy III had 10 apiece. ... Jonas Valanciunas grabbed nine rebounds.
Clippers: Terance Mann also had 15 points. .... Luke Kennard added 14 points. ... Isaiah Hartenstein had 10 of his 12 points in the fourth quarter. ... Reggie Jackson had 11 points and 10 assists. Zubac reached 300 career blocks late in the second quarter.
UP NEXT
Pelicans: Conclude their four-game road trip against the Sacramento Kings on Tuesday.
Clippers: Host the Phoenix Suns on Wednesday. The Suns have won two of the three meetings.

Marcus Morris Sr. scored 22 points and Ivica Zubac got his 22nd double-double of the season with 16 points and 14 rebounds.

Clippers prevent Pelicans from clinching Play-In spot

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Robert Covington scored a career-high 43 points and shot 11 of 18 from 3-point range to help the hot-shooting Los Angeles Clippers trounce the Milwaukee Bucks 153-119 on Friday night as each team rested its top players.
Amir Coffey also had a career high with 32 points for the Clippers, matching a career high with seven assists to go along with six rebounds.
The Clippers shot 60.9% from the floor and 23 of 43 from 3-point range.
Both teams had played Thursday night games that reached overtime, with the <a href="https://apnews.com/article/milwaukee-bucks-brooklyn-nets-nba-sports-kevin-durant-1a0734f03a711826d4e4f725957d2ffe">Bucks winning 120-119 at Brooklyn</a> and the <a href="https://apnews.com/article/chicago-bulls-los-angeles-clippers-nba-sports-toronto-ca9d033a86ac4f1b8023931805da3b02">Clippers falling 135-130 at Chicago. </a> The only starter from those two games who played at all Friday was Clippers center Ivica Zubac.
Among the players sitting out Friday’s game were Milwaukee’s Giannis Antetokounmpo, Khris Middleton and Jrue Holiday, and the Clippers’ Paul George, Reggie Jackson and Marcus Morris.
This marked the first time the Clippers had reached the 150-point mark since a <a href="https://apnews.com/article/508223d5f769492eb688acc8607d06dd"> 150-125 triumph over the Washington Wizards on Dec. 1, 2019.</a>
Covington hadn’t had more than 21 points or five 3-point baskets in a game all season before Friday. The Clippers acquired the 6-foot-7 forward from Portland on Feb. 4.
Luke Kennard had 23 points, Terance Mann 18 and Isaiah Hartenstein 14 for the Clippers. Jordan Nwora scored 28, Bobby Portis had 25 and Jevon Carter 18 for the Bucks.
With so many notable players missing, neither team played much defense early on as both the Bucks and Clippers were shooting over 60% from the floor midway through the second quarter.
The Bucks couldn't keep up that pace, though they still shot 53.2%. But the Clippers never cooled off at all.
HONORING ANTETOKOUNMPO
The loudest ovation came during a first-quarter timeout when a <a href="https://twitter.com/Bucks/status/1509711013280690185"> video on the Fiserv Forum scoreboard </a> showed Antetokounmpo’s career highlights and noted that he had become the Bucks’ all-time leading scorer. The crowd chanted “MVP! MVP!” for Antetokounmpo, whose 14,216 career points enabled him to overtake Kareem Abdul-Jabbar for the franchise record.
TIP-INS
Clippers: This was the Clippers’ final regular-season road trip. They’re at home for their final four games. … Covington’s previous career high of 31 points came against the Clippers, as a member of the Philadelphia 76ers on Nov. 13, 2017. … This marked the first time these two teams had faced each other since the Bucks acquired Serge Ibaka from the Clippers as part of a four-team trade that included Rodney Hood going from Milwaukee to Los Angeles. 
Bucks: Antetokounmpo was out for the third time in the last seven games due to a sore right knee. Middleton was unavailable for the third time in six games because of a sore left wrist. Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer said Holiday sprained his left ankle Thursday. … Carter made his first start since joining the Bucks last month. He made one start for Brooklyn earlier this season. ... The Bucks are now 20-2 when they shoot at least 50%,
UP NEXT
Clippers: Host the New Orleans Pelicans on Sunday. The Hornets have won their last five matchups with the Clippers, including all three meetings this season.
Bucks: Host the Dallas Mavericks on Sunday. <a href="https://apnews.com/article/nba-sports-milwaukee-bucks-khris-middleton-dallas-2641cd2b28e92edc9a360c972ca937cb">The Bucks won 102-95 at Dallas</a> in their only previous meeting this season, though neither Antetokounmpo nor Mavericks guard Luka Doncic played in that game.
___
More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/nba and https://twitter.com/AP_Sport

The Los Angeles Clippers trounced the Milwaukee Bucks, led by Robert Covington's career-high 43 points.

Clippers rip Bucks 153-119 as both teams rest top players

Every day,&nbsp;BasketballNews.com&nbsp;gives you NBA betting analysis before tip-off. Make sure you subscribe to our daily podcast &ldquo;Nothing But Bets&rdquo; on&nbsp;<a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/nothing-but-bets/id1589799249" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Apple Podcasts</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://open.spotify.com/episode/6zNxt0NQXPmKuryAdz89m0?si=1038d121100444fd" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Spotify</a>&nbsp;or wherever you listen to podcasts. This season, &ldquo;Nothing But Bets&rdquo; is up thousands of dollars on PrizePicks.
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Without further ado, let&rsquo;s dive into our favorite NBA betting plays for Tuesday's slate.
New York Knicks vs. Atlanta Hawks (-3)
When the Knicks and Hawks always face off, it&rsquo;s appointment-viewing television. Trae Young is a villain in New York, and he always goes berserk in Madison Square Garden. In the end, it&rsquo;s hard to go against Young and the Hawks in this spot for multiple reasons. Not only should Young go off in the scoring department, but the Hawks&rsquo; overall depth should overwhelm the inconsistent Knicks. Hammer the Hawks to pull off an impressive road win.
Pick: Hawks -3
PrizePicks Power Play: Trae Young over 27.5 points, R.J. Barrett over 26.5 points, Clint Capela over 11.5 rebounds, Mitchell Robinson over 9 rebounds
Milwaukee Bucks (-7.5) vs. Chicago Bulls
In a key divisional matchup, both the Bucks and Bulls are looking to secure a victory on Tuesday night. Zach LaVine will not be suiting up for the Bulls, but DeMar DeRozan has proven more than capable of carrying the scoring burden. However, on the other side of the court, <a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/slowing-giannis-the-wall-still-the-way" target="_blank" rel="noopener">who in the world is going to stop Giannis Antetokounmpo</a>? That&rsquo;s where the key factor in predicting this game comes down to. One team has an MVP, and the other one doesn&rsquo;t. Giannis goes off as the Bucks pick up another win against Chicago.
Pick: Bucks -7.5
PrizePicks Power Play: Giannis Antetokounmpo over 33.5 points, DeMar DeRozan over 27.5 points, Nikola Vucevic over 10 rebounds, Bobby Portis over 8.5 rebounds
Denver Nuggets (-6.5) vs. Los Angeles Clippers
If I had an MVP vote right now, Nikola Jokic would secure mine over Joel Embiid or any other option available. Jokic is carrying this Nuggets team in the Western Conference arms race, even without Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr. alongside him. For that reason alone, what Jokic is pulling off in back-to-back seasons is even more incredible. We&rsquo;re forecasting another special outing from Jokic when Denver hosts the shorthanded Clippers. Hammer with emphasis the Nuggets as a best bet for Tuesday&rsquo;s NBA slate.
Pick: Nuggets -6.5
PrizePicks Power Play: Nikola Jokic over 26.5 points, Marcus Morris over 16.5 points, Bones Hyland over 11.5 points, Ivica Zubac over 7.5 rebounds
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Who are the best bets for tonight's NBA games? Which players should you target in daily fantasy? We've got you covered!

Best Bets: BasketballNews' picks and fantasy advice for 3/22/22

Although some top-tier players who were expected to hit free agency this coming summer have already signed extensions, the 2022 NBA free-agent class will feature quite a few stars.
After <a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/2022-nba-free-agency-preview-ranking-the-top-10-guards">ranking the best guards</a> and <a href="https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/2022-nba-free-agency-preview-ranking-the-top10-forwards">forwards set to hit the open market</a>, let's complete this series by highlighting the top-10 big men up for grabs this summer. &nbsp;
1. Deandre Ayton &mdash; Phoenix Suns &mdash; Restricted
Deandre Ayton is the crown jewel of this year's free-agent center crop. Although the Suns surprisingly chose not to offer him a max extension last offseason (worth approximately $173 million over five years), Phoenix is still in the driver's seat, as the franchise can match any offer the former No. 1 overall pick receives this summer. Expect them to do just that for a young, improving player who is a foundational cornerstone of a team with championship aspirations.&nbsp;
2. Jusuf Nurkic &mdash; Portland Trail Blazers &mdash; Unrestricted
After a disappointing 2020-21 campaign, Jusuf Nurkic bounced back impressively this season, averaging 15.0 points, a career-high 11.1 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 1.1 steals while shooting 53.5% from the floor. Nurkic has been sidelined by plantar fasciitis for the past month, and will likely miss the rest of the season. However, he'll likely be ready to rock by the start of training camp next September. Due to Nurk's tight bond with Blazers point guard Damian Lillard, many pundits expect Portland to re-sign the big man to a multi-year deal.&nbsp;
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3. Mitchell Robinson &mdash; New York Knicks &mdash; Unrestricted
The Knicks technically have until June 30 to ink Mitchell Robinson to an extension worth up to $48 million over four years. However, the two sides have not yet reached an agreement, so it appears Mitch Rob will be able to test the market for his services. While he has flashed All-NBA Defense upside in short spurts throughout his four-year career, Robinson has battled numerous injuries and baffling inconsistency. His regression at the free-throw line (he's shooting below 50% in each of the past two seasons) is obviously worrisome as well. Nevertheless, few big men can supply the type of high-flying athleticism and rim-protection he brings to the table.
4. Bobby Portis &mdash; Milwaukee Bucks &mdash; Player Option 
With Brook Lopez sidelined for most of the 2021-22 season, Bobby Portis stepped in and stepped up for the Bucks, starting 57 of the team's last 58 games. He is averaging career-highs in scoring (15.1 points), boards (9.1), steals (0.8), blocks (0.8) and made three-pointers (2.0). Portis is currently one of only two players in the NBA averaging at least 9 rebounds and 2 made treys per game. (Luka Doncic and Karl-Anthony Towns are the other two members of this club.) Portis' player option for 2022-23 is only worth $4.6 million, so he is expected to opt-out and search for a significant raise.
5. Ivica Zubac &mdash; Los Angeles Clippers &mdash; Team Option 
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-theme="dark">
Zubac is a bonafide firefighter for LAC. In one possession he 1) traps Trae 28 ft out 2) sprints towards Capela hands up to dissuade the pass to the roller 3) checks Capela and stops the Collins drive 4) gets in front of Capela as the shot goes up and wins the glass battle <a href="https://t.co/OjS3dxuz4P">pic.twitter.com/OjS3dxuz4P</a>
&mdash; Justin W. (@LAClippersFilm) <a href="https://twitter.com/LAClippersFilm/status/1503470104041861120?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 14, 2022</a></blockquote>

<script src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>

Ivica Zubac's team option for next season is $7.5 million, so it's an easy decision for the Clippers to pick it up. He just turned 25 years old last week and continues to improve steadily. Zubac is posting career-highs in just about every statistical category this season.
6. Montrezl Harrell &mdash; Charlotte Hornets &mdash; Unrestricted
Montrezl Harrell has had another productive and efficient season off the bench, averaging 13.8 points, 6.5 rebounds and 2.0 assists, while shooting 63.9% across 62 games for both the Wizards and Charlotte Hornets (following a midseason trade).&nbsp;
7. Mo Bamba &mdash; Orlando Magic &mdash; Restricted
After struggling mightily over his first three years in the NBA, Mo Bamba, the sixth overall pick in the 2018 draft, is enjoying the best year of his pro career. He is on pace to become the first player in Magic franchise history to average more than 1.5 blocks and 1.0 made three-pointers per game over an entire season. However, the Magic inked center Wendell Carter Jr. to a four-year, $50 million contract extension back in October and have Mo Wagner (brother of their prized rookie, Franz) under contract next season as well. In addition, lineups with both WCJ and Bamba have not performed well. Thus, Orlando will likely let the former lottery pick walk if another team offers a contract the team is uncomfortable matching.&nbsp;
8. Nic Claxton &mdash; Brooklyn Nets &mdash; Restricted
Nic Claxton continues to impress in limited playing time off the bench for Brooklyn. His per-36 minute averages this season are outstanding: 15.2 points (on 65.1% shooting), 9.6 rebounds and 2.0 blocks. The Nets have limited depth due to the high salaries of their top players, and billionaire owner Joe Tsai is unafraid of paying the luxury tax, so Brooklyn is expected to match any reasonable offer Claxton receives.&nbsp;
9. Andre Drummond &mdash; Brooklyn Nets &mdash; Unrestricted
Andre Drummond has increased his value following the trade that sent him from Philadelphia to Brooklyn. He has started all 14 games he's played as a Net, and is averaging 11.4 points (on 62.5% shooting), 9.6 rebounds and 0.9 blocks for Brooklyn. Drummond can boost his value significantly with a strong showing in the playoffs.&nbsp;
10. Thomas Bryant &mdash; Washington Wizards &mdash; Unrestricted:
Thomas Bryant inked a three-year, $25 million deal back in 2019 and played very well for the Wiz during the first year of that pact, averaging 13.2 points, 7.2 rebounds and 1.1 blocks in under 25 minutes a night. He also started the following season impressively before tearing his ACL in early 2021. Bryant returned to action in January, but has seen his minutes reduced following Washington's acquisition of Kristaps Porzingis. Still just 24 years old, Bryant could be a worthwhile investment for a team in the market for a young big.&nbsp;
Best of the Rest:
LaMarcus Aldridge, JaVale McGee, Dwight Howard, Isaiah Hartenstein, Hassan Whiteside, Derrick Favors (player option), Tristan Thompson, Kevon Looney, JaMychal Green, Frank Kaminsky, Mike Muscala (team option), Bismack Biyombo
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Tommy Beer ranks the top centers who could be available as a part of the 2022 NBA free-agent class.

2022 NBA Free Agency Preview: Ranking the top-10 centers

Rookie big man Evan Mobley scored a season-high 30 points and Darius Garland had 24 points and 13 assists, sending the Cleveland Cavaliers to a 120-111 overtime victory against the Los Angeles Clippers on Monday night.
Isaac Okoro added 20 points, including two free throws to open the extra period. Cleveland never trailed after that.
The Cavaliers hold a 1 1/2-game lead over Toronto for the sixth playoff spot in the East.
Ivica Zubac had 24 points, 14 rebounds and four assists, and Amir Coffey scored 19 for the Clippers, who had only nine players in uniform. Los Angeles shot 1 of 10 from the field in OT, with Nicholas Batum making a 3-pointer to pull within 110-109.
Cleveland scored the final seven points on Okoro's dunk, Lauri Markkanen's 3-pointer and two free throws by Markkanen.
The Cavaliers won for the fourth time in 12 games and welcomed back Caris LeVert, who had 11 points in his return from a sprained right foot that sidelined him for a month. All-Star center Jarett Allen missed his fourth straight game with a broken finger on his left hand.
All-Star point guard Garland buried a 3-pointer with 1:20 left in regulation to give Cleveland a 106-103 lead, but Zubac answered with a layup and Coffey made 1 of 2 free throws to force OT. Coffey missed a 23-footer at the buzzer.
Cleveland began a five-game homestand, its longest of the season, over an eight-day span. Ten of its final 15 regular-season games are at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse.
The Clippers, who have played an NBA-high 71 games, completed a stretch of five in seven days. Starting point guard Reggie Jackson and starting power forward Marcus Morris were given the night off.
Kawhi Leonard (right knee surgery) has not played this season for Los Angeles, while Paul George (right elbow ligament tear) has been sidelined since Dec. 26 and does not have a projected return date.
Clippers coach Tyronn Lue, who piloted Cleveland to its only NBA championship in 2016, was embraced by Kevin Love during a first-quarter timeout. Love is the only remaining player from that team.
Los Angeles held a 57-56 advantage at the break behind 11 points apiece from Coffey and rookie Brandon Boston Jr. Mobley had 12 for the Cavaliers.
EIGHT IS ENOUGH
The Clippers are solidly in eighth place in the West, placing them in the play-in tournament. Lue said being &ldquo;cemented&rdquo; in the spot allowed him to rest Jackson and Morris. &ldquo;If we were close to being out of the playoffs, these guys would all play,&rdquo; Lue said. &ldquo;Reggie didn&rsquo;t want to sit, but playing him wasn&rsquo;t the smart thing to do. It was fair to give them the night off, especially after (winning 106-102 in Detroit on Sunday).&rdquo;
TIP-INS
Clippers: F Robert Covington (personal reasons) missed his fifth straight game, but will rejoin the team in Los Angeles and is expected to play Wednesday. &hellip; G Norman Powell (left foot fracture), two-way G Jay Scrubb (right foot recovery) and rookie G Jason Preston (right foot recovery) were inactive. &hellip; The Clippers wore their San Diego-era, light blue, orange and white throwback jerseys.
Cavaliers: F Dean Wade (right knee soreness) and G Rajon Rondo (right ankle sprain) were inactive. Rondo has missed 12 games with various right leg injuries since being acquired from the Lakers in a Jan. 3 trade. &hellip; G Collin Sexton (left knee surgery) is out for the season. &hellip; G Dylan Windler and two-way G RJ Nembhard were recalled from their G League assignments with the Cleveland Charge.
UP NEXT
Clippers: Host the Toronto Raptors on Wednesday night.
Cavaliers: Host the Philadelphia 76ers on Wednesday night.

Rookie big man Evan Mobley scored a season-high 30 points and Darius Garland had 24 points and 13 assists to lead the Cavs.

Mobley scores season-high 30 as Cavs beat Clippers in OT

Every day,&nbsp;BasketballNews.com&nbsp;gives you NBA betting analysis before tip-off. Make sure you subscribe to our daily podcast &ldquo;Nothing But Bets&rdquo; on&nbsp;<a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/nothing-but-bets/id1589799249" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Apple Podcasts</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://open.spotify.com/episode/6zNxt0NQXPmKuryAdz89m0?si=1038d121100444fd" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Spotify</a>&nbsp;or wherever you listen to podcasts. This season, &ldquo;Nothing But Bets&rdquo; is up thousands of dollars on PrizePicks.
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Without further ado, let&rsquo;s dive into our favorite NBA betting plays for Tuesday&rsquo;s slate.
Memphis Grizzlies (-6.5) vs. New Orleans Pelicans
Memphis continues to be one of the best stories in the NBA this season. Meanwhile, the Pelicans have found a groove since acquiring CJ McCollum from the Portland Trail Blazers. In what should be a fast-paced, high-scoring game, we favor the Grizzlies here. Ja Morant will slice through the Pelicans&rsquo; defense, plus have key role players step up alongside him. In a very competitive matchup, we&rsquo;re hammering the Grizzlies to pull off the victory at home.
Pick: Grizzlies -6.5
PrizePicks Power Play: Ja Morant over 29.5 points, C.J. McCollum over 23.5 points, Desmond Bane over 17.5 points, Jonas Valanciunas over 10 rebounds
Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Milwaukee Bucks (-14)
Listeners of &ldquo;Nothing But Bets&rdquo; know by now I love the Thunder as double-digit underdogs. This strategy has won us a lot of money this season, but we&rsquo;re going against it today. The Bucks have serious advantages across the board compared to Oklahoma City, so this game shouldn&rsquo;t be close in the end. Expect Giannis Antetokounmpo to crush the Thunder from the opening tip-off and on. Milwaukee rolls and easily covers the 14-point spread.
Pick: Bucks -14
PrizePicks Power Play: Giannis Antetokounmpo over 30.5 points, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander over 26.5 points, Khris Middleton over 20.5 points, Tre Mann over 14.5 points
Golden State Warriors (-5.5) vs. Los Angeles Clippers
Surprisingly, the Warriors have been slumping hard as of late. Without Klay Thompson and Draymond Green on Tuesday night, can Golden State finally bounce back into the win column? We&rsquo;re wagering on that idea here on &ldquo;Nothing But Bets&rdquo;, mainly because of Stephen Curry&rsquo;s brilliance. Forecasting a vintage scoring barrage from Curry against the Clippers, confidently lock in Golden State here.
Pick: Warriors -5.5
PrizePicks Power Play: Stephen Curry over 24.5 points, Reggie Jackson over 19.5 points, Ivica Zubac over 9.5 rebounds, Kevon Looney over 8.5 rebounds
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Best Bets: BasketballNews' picks and fantasy advice for 3/8/22

Every day,&nbsp;<a href="http://basketballnews.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">BasketballNews.com</a>&nbsp;gives you NBA betting analysis before tip-off. Make sure you subscribe to our daily podcast &ldquo;Nothing But Bets&rdquo; on&nbsp;<a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/nothing-but-bets/id1589799249" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Apple Podcasts</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://open.spotify.com/episode/6zNxt0NQXPmKuryAdz89m0?si=1038d121100444fd" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Spotify</a>&nbsp;or wherever you listen to podcasts. This season, &ldquo;Nothing But Bets&rdquo; is up thousands of dollars on PrizePicks.
Without further ado, let&rsquo;s go ahead and dive into the best NBA plays for Saturday&rsquo;s slate.
Cleveland Cavaliers (-4.5) vs. Toronto Raptors
In what should be a very evenly matched game between two underrated teams in the Eastern Conference, who holds the noticeable advantages? Toronto will be without Fred VanVleet, while the Cavaliers recently saw Darius Garland return to action. The Raptors have been riding Pascal Siakam and Scottie Barnes as of late, but it&rsquo;s going to be tough against Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley. Favor the home team and hammer the Cavaliers to cover.&nbsp;
Pick: Cavaliers -4.5
PrizePicks Power Play: Darius Garland over 21.5 points, Pascal Siakam over 21.5 points, Jarrett Allen over 10.5 rebounds, Scottie Barnes over 7 rebounds
Denver Nuggets (-3.5) vs. New Orleans Pelicans
New Orleans has quietly become one of the most fun stories to follow in the Association. Pelicans head coach Willie Green has this group locked in, which has propelled them right into the thick of play-in conversations. However, defending MVP Nikola Jokic is their next opponent in Denver. The Nuggets have stayed afloat all season long because of Jokic&rsquo;s brilliance, potentially even better than last season. Jokic is set to have one of those jaw-dropping performances in our forecast, so hammer Denver.
Pick: Nuggets -3.5
PrizePicks Power Play: Nikola Jokic over 25.5 points, CJ McCollum over 23.5 points, Will Barton over 14.5 points, Jonas Valanciunas over 10 rebounds
Los Angeles Clippers (-5.5) vs. New York Knicks
Somehow, someway, the Clippers are still standing strong without Kawhi Leonard and Paul George. Seemingly a shoo-in at this point for a play-in spot, the Clippers control their own destiny the rest of the way. In this matchup, we favor Los Angeles because they are way less volatile than the Knicks in terms of consistency. Take the Clippers confidently and lock it in as a best bet.
Pick: Clippers -5.5
PrizePicks Power Play: Julius Randle over 21.5 points, Reggie Jackson over 20.5 points, Ivica Zubac over 9 rebounds, R.J. Barrett over 3.5 assists
Make sure to&nbsp;<a href="https://app.prizepicks.com/sign-up?invite_code=News" target="_blank" rel="noopener">check out PrizePicks</a>&nbsp;and use the promo code NEWS when you sign up, and they'll instantly match your deposit up to $100! Also, make sure to listen to "Nothing But Bets" for daily betting analysis on&nbsp;<a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/nothing-but-bets/id1589799249" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Apple Podcasts</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/3rnooUvIsHtvykhPY9Ddt8?si=36d61d2c59a44523" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Spotify</a> or wherever you listen to podcasts.

"Nothing But Bets" drops off their favorite NBA betting plays for Sunday's underrated slate.

Best Bets: BasketballNews' picks and fantasy advice for 3/6/22

Every day, <a href="http://BasketballNews.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener">BasketballNews.com</a> gives you NBA betting analysis before tip-off. Make sure you subscribe to our daily podcast &ldquo;Nothing But Bets&rdquo; on <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/nothing-but-bets/id1589799249" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Apple Podcasts</a>, <a href="https://open.spotify.com/episode/6zNxt0NQXPmKuryAdz89m0?si=1038d121100444fd" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Spotify</a> or wherever you listen to podcasts. This season, &ldquo;Nothing But Bets&rdquo; is up thousands of dollars on PrizePicks.
Without further ado, let&rsquo;s go ahead and dive into Thursday&rsquo;s best NBA betting action.
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Boston Celtics (-2) vs. Memphis Grizzlies
For our three hand-picked games to monitor from a betting perspective on Thursday, it&rsquo;s hard to argue that Boston and Memphis isn&rsquo;t the best one. Ja Morant is a showstopper already in his young career. The Celtics have been the best team in the Eastern Conference over the last six weeks with an elite two-way balance. In Boston, we&rsquo;re actually going to roll with the underdogs. Betting against Morant hasn&rsquo;t been a great exercise all season long, and he&rsquo;s looking like the next in line with Derrick Rose and Allen Iverson for must-watch point guards. Hammer Morant and the Grizzlies in this spot.
Pick: Grizzlies +2
PrizePicks Power Play: Ja Morant over 29.5 points, Jayson Tatum over 29.5 points, Steven Adams over 10.5 rebounds, Robert Williams over 10 rebounds
Dallas Mavericks (-2) vs. Golden State Warriors
This line is understandable after the Warriors choked away a huge lead to Dallas in their last matchup, but is it going to happen again? That&rsquo;s doubtful. Plus, Klay Thompson is back alongside Stephen Curry. On the road, Curry and the Warriors always show up when the lights are brightest. Luka Doncic will put on a show for the Mavericks, but wager on the underdog Warriors.
Pick: Warriors +2
PrizePicks Power Play: Luka Doncic over 30.5 points, Stephen Curry over 24.5 points, Jalen Brunson over 15.5 points, Klay Thompson over 2.5 threes
Los Angeles Clippers (-2) vs. Los Angeles Lakers
The battle for Los Angeles definitely lacks luster this time around. There's no Kawhi Leonard and Paul George for the Clippers, but the Lakers are becoming seemingly irrelevant in real time. LeBron James is being asked to carry a poorly constructed roster at age-37, which definitely shouldn&rsquo;t be happening at this stage of his career. However, we are going to go with the Lakers to get this one done against the Clippers. It&rsquo;s hard to bet against LeBron, and I&rsquo;m expecting him to show up big-time tonight.
Pick: Lakers +2
PrizePicks Power Play: LeBron James over 28.5 points, Reggie Jackson over 18.5 points, Ivica Zubac over 8.5 rebounds, Russell Westbrook over 6.5 rebounds
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Make sure to <a href="https://app.prizepicks.com/sign-up?invite_code=News" target="_blank" rel="noopener">check out PrizePicks</a> and use the promo code NEWS when you sign up, and they'll instantly match your deposit up to $100! Also, make sure to listen to "Nothing But Bets" for daily betting analysis on <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/nothing-but-bets/id1589799249" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Apple Podcasts</a>, <a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/3rnooUvIsHtvykhPY9Ddt8?si=36d61d2c59a44523" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Spotify</a> or wherever you listen to podcasts.

Best Bets: BasketballNews' picks and fantasy advice for 3/3/22

Every day, BasketballNews.com gives you NBA betting analysis before tip-off. Make sure you subscribe to our daily podcast,&nbsp;<a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/nothing-but-bets/id1589799249">&ldquo;Nothing But Bets&rdquo;</a>&nbsp;on Apple Podcasts, Spofify or wherever you&nbsp;listen to your podcasts. This season, &ldquo;Nothing But Bets&rdquo; is up hundreds of dollars on PrizePicks.
Without further ado, let&rsquo;s go ahead and dive into Friday&rsquo;s best NBA betting action.
New York Knicks vs. Miami Heat (-6)
The Knicks have been in a tailspin, so the All-Star break was much-needed for them. What&rsquo;s next for the team, though? In the midst of a huge regression to the mean, New York&rsquo;s core doesn&rsquo;t look as promising. For this matchup on Friday, it&rsquo;s hard to envision the Knicks snapping out of their slide against Miami. The Heat&rsquo;s well-rounded play on both ends of the court will be too much for New York to handle.
Pick: Heat -6
PrizePicks Power Play: Bam Adebayo over 10 rebounds, Julius Randle over 9.5 rebounds, Jimmy Butler over 5 assists, Evan Fournier over 3.5 threes
Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Philadelphia 76ers (-2)
It&rsquo;s the official debut for James Harden alongside Joel Embiid. The Sixers&rsquo; potent scoring potential with Harden and Embiid is simply incredible. If everything clicks together quickly in Philadelphia, they are my top team to make it out of the reloaded Eastern Conference. Although Minnesota is coming off a super impressive win over the Memphis Grizzlies, they won&rsquo;t be able to contain both Harden and Embiid. Lock in a cover for Philadelphia here.
Pick: Sixers -2
PrizePicks Power Play: Joel Embiid over 30.5 points, Karl-Anthony Towns over 23.5 points, D&rsquo;Angelo Russell over 19.5 points, James Harden over 9.5 assists
Utah Jazz (-6) vs. Dallas Mavericks
It&rsquo;s been the Luka Doncic show with full force after the Dallas Mavericks traded away Kristaps Porzingis. Doncic is carrying a massive usage rate, but he&rsquo;s showing he can handle it with no issue putting up eye-popping numbers along the way. Dallas&rsquo; young superstar will be well-rested after the All-Star break, but so will Rudy Gobert. Utah holds a serious advantage, so we&rsquo;re going to back the home team to pull off the cover.
Pick: Jazz -6
PrizePicks Power Play: Luka Doncic over 30.5 points, Donovan Mitchell over 25.5 points, Rudy Gobert over 12 rebounds, Dorian Finney-Smith over 1.5 blocks/steals
Phoenix Suns (-6.5) vs. New Orleans Pelicans
The best team in the NBA has no plans of stopping anytime soon. Even without Chris Paul, Devin Booker stepped right into his role and kept the Suns&rsquo; unstoppable machine humming at full speed. Booker is now in the point guard chair, but his early-years carrying the burden offensively for Phoenix will be pay off in spades during this stretch run. Even on the second night of a back-to-back, we&rsquo;re not coming anywhere close to betting against the best team in basketball.
Pick: Suns -6.5
PrizePicks Power Play: Jonas Valanciunas over 11.5 rebounds, Devin Booker over 7.5 assists, Brandon Ingram over 4.5 assists, Jae Crowder over 1.5 threes
Los Angeles Lakers (-2) vs. Los Angeles Clippers
The battle for Los Angeles doesn&rsquo;t have as much pizzazz behind it this season. The Lakers are one of the NBA&rsquo;s most disappointing teams. Meanwhile, the Clippers are somehow still staying afloat without Kawhi Leonard and Paul George. This matchup is a toss-up, but we&rsquo;re going to side with a potentially good night from Russell Westbrook. Hammer the Lakers as two-point favorites.
Pick: Lakers -2
PrizePicks Power Play: Marcus Morris over 17.5 points, Malik Monk over 16.5 points, Ivica Zubac over 8.5 rebounds, Russell Westbrook over 6.5 assists
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Make sure to&nbsp;<a href="https://app.prizepicks.com/sign-up?invite_code=News">check out PrizePicks</a> and use the promo code NEWS when you sign up, and they&rsquo;ll instantly match your deposit up to $100! Also, make sure to listen to &ldquo;Nothing But Bets&rdquo; for daily betting analysis on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts.
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For an amazing Friday NBA slate, "Nothing But Bets" goes over their best value plays against the spread and enticing player props.

Best Bets: BasketballNews' NBA picks and fantasy advice for 2/25/22

There&rsquo;s not much of a better way to enter a three-point contest at NBA All-Star Weekend than by canning eight triples to put a bow on the first half of your season in winning fashion, and Los Angeles Clippers sharpshooter Luke Kennard did just that.
Better yet, Kennard carried that momentum into a first-round high score of 28 in the competition, making it into the top-three. Unfortunately, Karl-Anthony Towns shocked the world and oddsmakers with a blistering 29 to defeat Kennard and Trae Young&rsquo;s 26 for the shooting crown, but there was a silver lining.&nbsp;
About three hours northeast of his hometown of Middletown, Kennard&rsquo;s family and friends were watching it all happen live at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in downtown Cleveland.
&ldquo;It means everything, man. Just being from Ohio, hearing that the All-Star Game was gonna be back in Ohio, I wanted to be here so getting the invite meant a lot,&rdquo; Kennard told BasketballNews.com at Mountain Dew and Ruffles&rsquo; The Block event prior to All-Star Saturday.
&ldquo;I had a lot of family and friends come in. Just to be around the city, I know a couple that [weren't able] to be there and said ticket [prices] were crazy. Just being around the city and enjoying the experience, it means a lot. The goal is to represent Clipper Nation. Just have fun with it, enjoy the weekend."
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-theme="dark">
Luke Kennard got HOT in the first round, finishing with a score of 28 🔥<a href="https://t.co/79sv97YuVT">pic.twitter.com/79sv97YuVT</a>
&mdash; Tomer Azarly (@TomerAzarly) <a href="https://twitter.com/TomerAzarly/status/1495223894340300803?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 20, 2022</a></blockquote>

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A super standout at Franklin High School from 2011 to 2015, Kennard&rsquo;s claim to fame &mdash; at the time and still to this day &mdash; was <a href="https://www.ohsaa.org/sports/records/bbkrecrd.htm#IPG" target="_blank" rel="noopener">surpassing LeBron James&rsquo; career scoring record</a> at St. Vincent-St. Mary&rsquo;s. In his four seasons with the Wildcats, Kennard recorded a total of 2,977 points to LeBron&rsquo;s 2,646 with the Irish. (He currently sits second in Ohio high school history behind former Ohio State sniper Jon Diebler, and holds the record for the most made free throws in a career with 760.)
So in addition to having familiar faces in the audience cheering him on, sharing the festivities with another Ohio high school legend in LeBron at an All-Star weekend in their home state was &ldquo;awesome&rdquo; for the 25-year-old.
&ldquo;He's done so much for the state of Ohio, especially where he came from and his city [of Akron]. It's really cool,&rdquo; Kennard said of James. &ldquo;He's a Northern Ohio-ish kinda guy, I'm Southern Ohio, so together we've done a lot. Ohio means everything to us. It's where we're from. We never forget where we came from, so it's pretty special. And to be back here together, enjoying this weekend, it's a lot of fun."
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After topping that sort of record held by The King, it&rsquo;s no wonder that Duke University came calling. Kennard spent two years playing for the Blue Devils, finding his footing as a sophomore and serving as the team&rsquo;s top option alongside Jayson Tatum, Grayson Allen and Frank Jackson. He averaged 19.5 points, 5.1 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game that season, playing with more efficiency and comfortability than he did as a freshman.
Having learned under the tutelage of the legendary Mike Krzyzewski in Durham, NC, Kennard believes he owes a debt of gratitude to the soon-to-be retiree, and notes that Coach K stays in contact with him almost daily.
&ldquo;He meant a lot [to my career]. Coach, he gave me an opportunity to play at the best university in the world, play for the best coach to ever coach the game," Kennard said. "It was a lot of fun. I mean without going there, [there's] no way I would be where I am today. He's great. He's such a family guy. Anytime I have a big game, he's always texting me like after the game. He keeps in touch with a lot of his players. I'm happy for him.&nbsp;
&ldquo;He's done everything he's wanted to do while coaching the game. There's no better guy or coach for everything that's happened to him &mdash; he deserved it all. Happy retirement to him. He's gonna enjoy it now, he's gonna enjoy his family and grandkids. I'm happy for him though. I keep in touch with him all the time, and hopefully they can go out with a bang and try to get him a national championship this year. It's been fun to watch."
Nowadays, Kennard is in the midst of his fifth NBA campaign and his second with the Clippers. Year 2 in L.A. has brought on a more significant role for the sniping swingman, as he&rsquo;s producing to the tune of 11.8 points per contest on 61.6% True Shooting in a hair under 28 minutes per night. On the surface, you&rsquo;ll see nearly the exact same perimeter percentage (&sim;45%) in back-to-back seasons. However, Kennard has more freedom to fire off these treys this season.
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To this point in 2021-22, Kennard&rsquo;s three-point rate is at a career-high 67.0%, which is almost 13 percentage points above last season&rsquo;s 54.1%. There&rsquo;s not one zone beyond the arc where he&rsquo;s shooting below 40%, per InStat.
Take a more specific dive into his <a href="https://go.nba.com/xqpn0" target="_blank" rel="noopener">touch-time data</a>, and you&rsquo;ll find that he&rsquo;s launching from distance almost right upon the catch without hesitation. This season, Kennard has taken 263 threes with less than 2 seconds of touch time and he's made 45.6% of those attempts, well on track to double last season&rsquo;s output (177) as a whole. Kennard's also had games where he&rsquo;s gone for it early in the shot clock more often, meaning he&rsquo;s being put in great positions by Clippers head coach Tyronn Lue and his teammates to hoist off of screens and handoffs.&nbsp;
"It's just the people around me. The people around me building that confidence in me and just putting that trust in me to take those shots,&rdquo; Kennard said. &ldquo;I think last year, like in the offseason, I worked on shooting difficult shots, like coming off screens... When you're considered one of the elite shooters in the NBA, you attract a lot of attention. Guys don't like to leave you that much. So credit to T-Lue for putting me in positions to get open and my teammates for finding me when I'm open and when I have that little amount of time and space.
&ldquo;But for me, I feel like I've grown a lot [by] taking those shots. I feel like a couple years ago, even last year some, I wouldn't take some of the shots I'm taking this year. So just credit to [my] teammates for building that confidence and trusting me. I feel like I've learned a lot and I've grown a lot."
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(Chart via InStat)
Kennard didn&rsquo;t stop there with his praise for Lue, who has guided L.A. to a 30-31 record in spite of missing Kawhi Leonard all year and Paul George for over half of the season.
&ldquo;He's great. He's a players' coach, man. He knows how to coach the game. He's one of the best coaches in the NBA. I love playing for him,&rdquo; Kennard said. &ldquo;He really builds a level of confidence in his players. My role's definitely bigger this year than it was last year. We have dealt with some injuries, but at the same time, we've won 30 games this year. We've lost some really close games that we should've won. And with what we did in the playoffs last year, being down 2-0 in a few series, it speaks a lot about what kind of coach he is and how much trust we put into him.&nbsp;
&ldquo;I love being around him, love playing for him. So he's built a lot of confidence in me, and just allows us to play and be free and be who we are. It's been a lot of fun."
Reggie Jackson has had a lot to do with Kennard&rsquo;s shooting successes as well. The veteran point guard has the most passes to Kennard on the team currently, and the quick-trigger man has <a href="https://go.nba.com/0t5pe" target="_blank" rel="noopener">nailed a blistering 58.7% of those attempts from downtown</a>. Whether it be looking up in transition, bulleting the ball over after an Ivica Zubac high screen or slinging it to the outside following a drive, they have hooked up 29 times thus far.&nbsp;
Maybe it&rsquo;s the synergy between the two from their time spend together in Detroit, or perhaps it&rsquo;s the lighthearted, supportive nature of Jackson that has everybody not only self-assured, but also loose.
"Reggie, he's one of our vocal leaders. He's always talking to us, always has a smile on his face. He lightens up the room. He's great man. He's one of your biggest hype [men] you can get,&rdquo; Kennard said. &ldquo;You could probably look up a lot of postgame interviews with other guys and Reggie's in the background dancing or doing something crazy.&nbsp;
&ldquo;But we love Reggie. He loves being in L.A. He has a lot of friends there. Him and PG are really good friends. So they enjoy each other. Reggie's great. I played with him in Detroit, I mean, that was my vet. So I've known him for a while now since I've been in the league and just to be back on a team with him is awesome. He gets us going though. He's a great player and he's had a really good year so far, so I'm happy for 'em."
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We&rsquo;ve found out a lot about this particular Clippers group this season. While a ton of the attention this team is getting has to do with the future and what could happen when the roster is at full strength with PG and Kawhi, L.A. is showing an admirable amount of resiliency in the here and now.
&ldquo;We've got a really good team. Obviously when we get guys like PG, Kawhi, Norman Powell &mdash; whenever those guys come back, that's just gonna take us up to an entirely different level, a scary level honestly,&rdquo; Kennard said. "We have a really good group, we've won a lot of games so far, we're in that fight for the playoffs. Right now, we're in the play-in area, but we told each other after our last game before the break: 'We want to hit the ground running when we come back. We want to be ready to go. We want to start winning more games.' And that's our goal.&nbsp;
&ldquo;We want to continue to build what we have going on, just trusting in each other, trusting what the coaches are doing, but have fun with it as well. It's been a good year... It's been up and down. It's been a weird year &mdash; like the COVID situation [where] guys have been out &mdash; but we've fought through it and guys have stepped up big and had big moments for us. So it's exciting to be a part of a team that loves winning and expects to win."
It&rsquo;s fun to think about the future, but the Clippers don&rsquo;t plan on looking ahead anytime soon.
They&rsquo;re gonna make you earn it.
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Spencer Davies catches up with Luke Kennard on his sharpshooting season, the Clippers' year under Ty Lue and more.