Minnesota Timberwolves vs San Antonio Spurs series preview, prediction: Can Wolves slow Wemby?

Minnesota Timberwolves vs San Antonio Spurs series preview, prediction: Can Wolves slow Wemby?

All season long, the San Antonio Spurs showed they were a team far ahead of everyone else’s timeline — they were a contender now, not in a year or three. San Antonio won 62 games and was the No. 2 seed in the West.

All season long, Minnesota almost looked bored. We’d see flashes of the team that made it to two straight Western Conference Finals, but we’d see ugly losses (or just flat games) on other nights. It looked like a team waiting for the games to get serious. When the games did get serious in the first round of the playoffs, the Timberwolves showed not just their talent but real heart to overcome injuries to Anthony Edwards and Donte DiVincenzo, and they beat the Nuggets.

Can Minnesota repeat that formula, or is San Antonio just too deep and too good? Here’s what you need to know heading into this Western Conference Semifinals matchup.

When does the Timberwolves vs. Spurs begin?

Game 1 between Minnesota and San Antonio is on Monday, May 4, and you can watch it on Peacock. The series continues every other day until Game 6, there are a couple days off before that game.

Minnesota vs. San Antonio Playoffs Schedule 2026

All times are Eastern (* = if necessary).
Game 1: Monday, May 4 (9:30 ET, Peacock/NBCSN)
Game 2: Wednesday, May 6 (9:30 ET, ESPN)
Game 3: Friday, May 8 (9:30 ET, Prime Video)
Game 4: Sunday, May 10 (7:30 ET, NBC/Peacock)
Game 5: May 12* (TBD)
Game 6: May 15* (TBD)
Game 7: May 17* (TBD)

Player to watch: Rudy Gobert

Victor Wembanyama considers Rudy Gobert, a fellow French center, a mentor.

“He’s played a huge role in my journey, has been a role model, has inspired me in so many ways that should actually inspire more people, especially when it comes to the care given to the body, which is an example for all big men,” Wembanyama said this week.

However, this is Wembanyama we’re talking about, so he wants more information and details than anyone else.

“A few weeks ago he asked me what kind of filter I had in my house for water,” Gobert said. “It just tells you how his mind is. I try to talk to the young guys here about the food they eat and stuff like that. But I don’t get those type of questions.”

Gobert was the reason the Timberwolves upset the Nuggets in the first round, thanks to his spectacular defense on Nikola Jokic. It’s not that the three-time MVP didn’t get his, but he had to work for every bucket, every inch of court, and it wore him down. It was the key to the series.

Now Gobert has to find a way to be physical and do the same thing to Wembanyama, but it may not be as easy. In part because this will not be a straight matchup — Gobert will not be one Wembanyama much of the time (look for him to be on Stephon Castle, that is what Portland did with its big Donovan Clingan).

Gobert on Wemby is tough because Wemby’s game is more fluid, he’s got better handles and a better 3-point shot, and his role in the San Antonio offense, while central, is not the same. The Nuggets play through Jokic, that’s the case in San Antonio, where Wembanyama can be off the ball and they use his gravity as a shooter to create driving lanes.

Gobert will get his time on Wembanyama (as will Julius Randle), and he needs to be physical and wear his mentee down. It’s just a lot easier said than done.

Keys to watch for in Minnesota vs. San Antonio

If/When does Anthony Edwards return?

Anthony Edwards reportedly told his teammates he will be back in this series from the ugly knee hyperextension and bone bruise he suffered in Game 4 against the Nuggets. ESPN’s Shams Charania reports Edwards did a little on-court work, and there is some hope he could be back for “potentially Game 3 or Game 4 at the earliest.”

All Minnesota is saying is that Edwards remains week -to-week. If Edwards does return, what version of him do we see? 80% 90%

Edwards dropped 55 points on the Spurs in a matchup this season (a game San Antonio still won), which leads into the next issue…

How can Minnesota score enough to win?

Jaden McDaniels may want to hold back from saying the Spurs are “all bad defenders,” as he did when talking about the Nuggets. San Antonio is an entirely different thing.

It’s not just Wembanyama protecting the rim, although he is the unanimous Defensive Player of the Year who completely changes the geometry of the court. It’s that he is surrounded by quality defenders on the perimeter: Stephon Castle, Dylan Harper, De’Aaron Fox, Julian Champagnie, Devin Vassell, Keldon Johnson and on down the list, the Spurs don’t roll out a bad defender.

A fully healthy Timberwolves team with Edwards driving and creating, plus DiVincenzo knocking down 3s, could put up points on the Spurs and make this a series. As it is now, Minnesota needs a massive series from Julius Randle plus some other guys to step up — Ayo Dosunmu, if he’s healthy — to have any chance.

Minnesota also must rely on its defense, which was fantastic against the Nuggets, holding them to 13 points below their league-leading regular-season average. San Antonio has more shot creators and ball handlers, but Minnesota has a great defense and experience. Is that enough?

Prediction: Spurs in 5

The Edwards injury makes this a challenging prediction, if he were fully healthy I’d say Spurs in 7. However, without him to at least start the series — and we don’t know what version of Edwards we get if and when he does return — it just changes the equation.

San Antonio is just a tougher matchup for Minnesota, especially a shorthanded Timberwolves team.

by Editor

Anthony Edwards Could Return By Game 3 Or 4 Versus Spurs

Anthony Edwards Could Return By Game 3 Or 4 Versus Spurs

There is “growing optimism” that Anthony Edwards could return to the Minnesota Timberwolves lineup by Game 3 or 4 against the San Antonio Spurs, sources told Shams Charania of ESPN.

Edwards, who suffered a bone bruise in his left knee during Game 4 of the first round, will miss the first couple games of the series.

Edwards suffered the injury on April 25. With a 1-2 week recovery timeline, Game 3 of the series will take place Friday. Game 4 is scheduled for Sunday.

Edwards worked out both Saturday and Sunday before traveling with the team to San Antonio.

The Wolves prefer to remain cautious with Edwards, who has been struggling with inflammation in his right knee over the past month.

by Editor

Anthony Edwards reportedly could return to Timberwolves for Game 3 or 4 against Spurs 'at the earliest'

Anthony Edwards reportedly could return to Timberwolves for Game 3 or 4 against Spurs 'at the earliest'

The Minnesota Timberwolves survived and advanced past the Denver Nuggets despite Anthony Edwards missing two-plus games of their first-round playoff series with a bone bruise in his left knee.

Up next is a second-round playoff matchup against Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs in which the Timberwolves are expected to need Edwards to have a reasonable chance of pulling off an upset. Per a report on Sunday, there’s a chance that Edwards could return to the Timberwolves’ lineup when the series shifts back to Minnesota.

ESPN’s Shams Charania reported on “NBA Tip-Off” that Edwards traveled with the team to San Antonio, where the series will tip off with Game 1 Monday. Edwards has returned to light workouts, but isn’t expected to play in Games 1 or 2, per the report.

But Charania reports that Edwards is “hopeful that he could push to be back in the lineup potentially for Game 3 or Game 4 at the earliest.” Game 3 is scheduled for Friday in Minnesota. Game 4 will take place next Sunday.

Charania also noted that “Minnesota is going to be conservative” in bringing Edwards back due in part to inflammation in his right knee that sidelined him for the stretch run of the regular season.

But the prospect of Edwards returning in time to impact the series is certainly good news for the Timberwolves, especially considering the initial scare around his injury. Edwards hyper-extended his left knee in Game 4, prompting initial fears that he’d sustained a long-term injury.

The bone bruise sidelined him for Games 5 and 6 as the Timberwolves closed out the series without him, but he avoided more serious ligament damage. And now, with a spot in the Western Conference finals at stake, there’s hope in Minnesota that Edwards could return to take on the Spurs.

Edwards made his fourth straight All-Star team the season and averaged a career-high 28.8 points, alongside 5 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 1.4 steals per game. He also posted career highs while shooting 48.9% from the field and 39.9% on 8.4 3-point attempts per game.

by Editor

Magic vs Pistons Prediction, Picks & Odds for NBA Playoffs Game 7

Magic vs Pistons Prediction, Picks & Odds for NBA Playoffs Game 7

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After falling behind 3-1 in the first-round series against the Orlando Magic, the Detroit Pistons have forced a Game 7, and they’ll look to complete an improbable comeback in front of the home crowd.

Cade Cunningham has put Detroit on his back throughout the series, and my Magic vs. Pistons predictions expect him to have another monster performance as he leads his team to victory.

Here are my best free NBA picks for Sunday’s winner-take-all Game 7 at Little Caesars Arena.

Magic vs Pistons prediction

Magic vs Pistons best bet: Cade Cunningham Over 44.5 points + rebounds + assists (-120)

Cade Cunningham was tremendous in the regular season, but as good as he was through those 64 games, he’s elevated his play to another level in the postseason.

Cunningham has averaged 32.5 points, 6.5 rebounds and 6.3 assists in the series, good for 45.3 PRA. He’s averaged 48.7 at home compared to 42 on the road. He recorded 45+ PRA in two of three home playoff games, going for exactly 44 in the other.

The Detroit Pistons star point guard averaged an eye-popping 32.7 points, 8.3 rebounds and 10.7 assists in three regular-season matchups with Orlando, comfortably clearing the Over on this combo prop in each game. He averaged 54.5 PRA in two at home in the regular season.

In the playoffs, Cunningham ranks second in points per game, first in field goal attempts, third in free throw attempts and fourth in minutes. His 23 field goal attempts are up from 18.6 in the regular season. His free throws have increased from six per game to 10.7, and his minutes have shot up from 33.9 to 40.5.

Cunningham leads all players in postseason usage at 35.3%. He comfortably leads his team in that category, with Tobias Harris coming in second at just 24.8.

The Pistons go as far as Cade takes them, and the team will need him to stuff the stat sheet in order to complete the series comeback and avoid an upset by the No. 8 seed. I’m expecting a huge game for the breakout playoff star.

Magic vs Pistons same-game parlay

The Orlando Magic have outplayed the Pistons for most of the series, but the psychological aspect of competition comes into play here.

The Magic were up 22 points at halftime in front of the home crowd before suffering an historic meltdown and blowing its chances to complete the upset and advance to the second round.

The Pistons were clearly feeling themselves at the end of Game 6, and they’ve got swagger and momentum to go with home court advantage. Orlando has got to be reeling, and I’ll bet on Detroit to win this one by double digits.

Scoring has come at a major premium in this series, and the Game Total Under has hit in four of six matchups. The Game Total has gone Under 203.5 in three of six, including two of the last three.

Both teams failed to record 100 points three times in the series, and I’ll take the Under in what should be a gritty, physical dog fight.

Magic vs Pistons SGP

  • Cade Cunningham Over 44.5 points + rebounds + assists
  • Magic -9
  • Under 203

Magic vs Pistons odds for Game 7

  • Spread: Orlando +9 | Detroit -9
  • Moneyline: Orlando +290 | Detroit -370
  • Over/Under: Over 203 | Under 203

Magic vs Pistons betting trend to know

The Orlando Magic have hit the Game Total Under in five of their last six road games. Find more NBA betting trends for Magic vs. Pistons.

How to watch Magic vs Pistons Game 7

Location Little Caesars Arena, Detroit, MI
Date Sunday, May 3, 2026
Tip-off 3:30 p.m. ET
TV ABC

Magic vs Pistons latest injuries

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by Editor

After early exit from playoffs, what's next for Rockets? Stand pat? Chase another star?

After early exit from playoffs, what's next for Rockets? Stand pat? Chase another star?

Game 6 for Houston — Friday night’s 20-point loss that saw them eliminated from the playoffs — felt like a microcosm of the Rockets’ entire season.

Star players were on the bench in street clothes. Houston lacked shooting or consistent shot creation from their young core — their offense got stagnant. Without Steven Adams, they lacked the offensive rebounding power to cover that up. While the defense remained impressive — the Lakers didn’t score in triple-digits and had just a 106 offensive rating — if Houston wasn’t creating turnovers and converting them into transition buckets, its offense struggled.

Houston was a team that looked better on paper than it did on the court for most of the season. Which begs the question:

Now what?

Stand pat, bank on better health and improved play from their young core, and hope that is enough? Even if things go much better, is that enough in a Western Conference with Oklahoma City and San Antonio? And where does Kevin Durant fit into all of this?

Or, there is another option.

Rockets may go star hunting

With that young talent and a lot of draft picks, the Rockets could make an impressive pitch for Giannis Antetokounmpo or any other star players who become available (Kawhi Leonard and Donovan Mitchell are popular targets of speculation). A lot of people around the league expect the Rockets to push their chips in and try to maximize their window with Durant, William Guillory and Sam Amick at The Athletic report.

Should Houston prioritize chasing the limited window that comes with a 37-year-old superstar, even if it means chipping away at these young players that they’ve built up over the past few seasons? If the Rockets decide to chase another star-level talent this summer — like so many rival executives believe they will — they are well positioned to do so. But whether it’s chasing Antetokounmpo, or perhaps Leonard or Mitchell, that approach runs the risk of backfiring if they come up short while sending the wrong kinds of signals to this current core.

Any trade for another star likely involved Alperen Sengun going out, both because of his potential — he’s a two-time All-Star — and his contract, which would be needed to match the money (Sengun is in the first year of a $185 million, five-year deal). Houston also has a lot of draft picks they can throw in the mix.

That star would have to pair well with Durant, who signed a two-year, $90 million extension with the team last summer and has said he wants to end his career in Houston. He’s not going anywhere unless he asks out, despite the reported friction with teammates about his X burner accounts.

Just getting healthy

Houston’s loss of Fred VanVleet to a torn ACL during a September players mini-camp changed the Rockets season. He was the secondary shot creator and the veteran floor general this team sorely lacked — something that was very evident during the playoff series with the Lakers. Adams was another big loss because of his offensive rebounding, pick setting and presence in the paint.

Then there was Durant. He had been incredibly healthy all season, playing in 78 games and more total minutes than he had since 2013-14. However, he banged knees with a teammate in practice before Game 1 and had to sit that one out, then rolled his ankle in Game 2 and suffered a bone bruise. He played in just one of the six games in the series, and it was another big blow to the Houston offense.

What if those veterans all come back next season healthy, while the young core with Sengun, Amen Thompson, Jabari Smith Jr. and Reed Sheppard all take a step forward? Is that enough? This team amassed 52 wins and finished fifth in the Western Conference despite all the injuries.

One person who is expected back is coach Ime Udoka, according to The Athletic.

While Udoka will certainly be under fire for the part he played in the collapse, he signed a lucrative multiyear extension last summer that most league observers believe should shield him from being fired. The third-year Rockets coach is still considered one of the NBA’s elite defensive coaches, with this latest version of his team still finishing sixth in defensive rating despite losing their most impactful defender, Dillon Brooks, in the Durant deal (they were fifth last season).

Does management force Udoka to take on an “offensive coordinator” assistant coach? Maybe.

While a lot of options are on the table, expect the Rockets to be bold this summer. They already spent big and went all-in with Kevin Durant, this is no time to start playing it safe.

by Editor

Magic's Franz Wagner out for Game 7 showdown with Pistons, missing 3rd straight game with calf strain

Magic's Franz Wagner out for Game 7 showdown with Pistons, missing 3rd straight game with calf strain

The Orlando Magic will not have Franz Wagner available for Sunday’s Game 7 matchup versus the Detroit Pistons. The fifth-year forward is listed as out on the latest NBA injury report with a strained right calf.

Wagner, 24, will miss his third consecutive playoff game after suffering the calf injury late in Orlando’s Game 4 win over Detroit. He returned to the sideline to ride an exercise bike, but did not return to the game. An MRI exam the next day revealed the strain.

That 94-88 victory gave the Magic a 3-1 series lead and advancing to the second round seemed imminent. However, the Pistons have since come back to win the next two games, including Friday’s stunning Game 6 comeback in which Orlando squandered a 24-point lead and scored only 19 points in the second half.

Wagner was the Magic’s second-leading scorer during the regular season, averaging 20.6 points, 5.2 rebounds and 3.3 assists per game. He also shot 35% on 3-pointers. But Wagner appeared in only 34 games due to a high-ankle sprain.

In the four playoff games he played before getting injured, Wagner has been Orlando’s third-leading scorer at 16.8 points per game, shooting 33% on 3s while also averaging 5.5 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 2.8 steals.

Would the Magic have already closed out this series if Wagner had been available? In his place, Jamal Cain scored three points and Tristan da Silva added 10 off the bench in Gam e 6

It’s certainly possible Wagner would have shot as poorly as his teammates (35% from the floor). Paolo Banchero hit four of his 20 shots, Desmond Bane shot 7-of-18 and Jalen Suggs went 1-for-10.

Orlando’s season is at stake, but Wagner’s absence indicates how seriously calf injuries are currently viewed in the NBA. Teams have taken extra caution with treatment and recovery, especially when calf injuries have often developed into season-ending Achilles injuries.

The Magic and Pistons tip off for Sunday’s Game 7 from Detroit’s Little Caesars Arena at 3:30 p.m. ET.

by Editor

Celtics, 76ers will add to their long playoff history with a Game 7 matchup in Boston

Celtics, 76ers will add to their long playoff history with a Game 7 matchup in Boston

BOSTON (AP) — The Celtics appeared to be skipping toward the second round of the NBA playoffs following a 32-point road win in Game 4 at Philadelphia.

But back-to-back convincing wins by the 76ers in Game 5 and Game 6 have left a Boston team that once looked like a favorite to emerge from the Eastern Conference on the brink of an epic collapse.

A loss in Saturday’s Game 7 would be the No. 2 seed Celtics’ earliest exit from the playoffs since the 2020-21 season.

They may have to do it with star Jayson Tatum dealing with a new ailment after he briefly left Game 6 in the third quarter for unspecified treatment to an apparent left calf injury. Tatum, of course, is just 22 games into his return from the torn right Achilles tendon injury he suffered in last season’s playoffs.

The Celtics downplayed the current situation, with Tatum saying afterward that his leg was only feeling “a little stiff.” He said following a quick assessment and some time on the exercise bike he didn’t return because the game was out of hand and the starters had already been pulled.

Coach Joe Mazzulla said there was no injury at all and reiterated that in a conference call Friday.

“He’ll play,” Mazzulla said.

The recent history for winner-takes-all games for Philadelphia teams isn’t exactly on the 76ers side, though.

The Flyers’ return to the NHL playoffs served as a reminder they are the last Philadelphia sports team to win a Game 7, beating, yes, Boston, in the 2010 Eastern Conference semifinal.

Since then, the 76ers in 2012, 2019, 2021 and 2023 have all lost Game 7s; the Flyers lost one in 2014 and 2020; and the Phillies lost Game 7 of the NLCS in 2023.

The Phillies also lost a decisive Game 5 in the 2011 playoffs.

The Celtics have long had the Sixers’ number in the playoffs, winning the last six series. The 76ers last eliminated the Celtics in the 1982 Eastern Conference semis.

“I’ve been playing these guys for so long,” 76ers star Joel Embiid said. “I’m tired of losing to them. We have a chance to accomplish something special.”

Philadelphia 76ers at Boston Celtics

When/Where to watch: Game 7, 7:30 p.m. EDT (NBC/Peacock)

Series: Series tied 3-3

Betting line: Celtics by 7.5

What to Know: The Celtics are 27-10 all-time in Game 7s, the 76ers are 6-12 in such games and are 0-4 in them since 2001. It’ll be the ninth Game 7 between these two franchises, with Boston going 6-2 in the previous ones. Philadelphia is the 37th team in league history to force a Game 7 after trailing 3-1. Only 13 teams have overcome that deficit and won the series. If Boston is going to prevent the 76ers from becoming the 14th, its shooting must improve. The 76ers have held the NBA’s No. 2 rated offense during the regular season to under 100 points per game in back-to-back games. The Celtics also combined to shoot just 30.5% (22/72) from 3-point range, with 11 makes in each of those games. They led the league in the regular season, averaging 16 3s per game.

___

AP Sports Writer Dan Gelston contributed.

___

AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA

by Editor

Pistons vs Magic Computer Picks: Our Best Player Prop Projections for Game 6

Pistons vs Magic Computer Picks: Our Best Player Prop Projections for Game 6

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The Orlando Magic are on the brink of advancing and they’ll look to get it done at home as our NBA player prop projections are all locked & loaded for Game 6 against the Detroit Pistons, with the model highlighting several high-value spots.

By analyzing the data against current market lines, we’ve identified where the strongest edges exist.

These Pistons vs. Magic predictions are driven by numbers instead of guesswork.

If you’re building your card, here are the model’s top NBA picks for Friday, May 1.

Pistons vs Magic computer picks for Game 6

Pistons Pistons Magic Magic
Duren o13.5 points
-120		 Banchero o23.5 points
-108
Cunningham o8.5 assists
-125		 Suggs o4.5 assists
-107
Robinson u2.5 3-pointers
-150		 Carter Jr. u8.5 rebounds 
-130

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Pistons Game 6 computer picks

Jalen Duren Over 13.5 points (-120)

Projection: 16.68 points

The Detroit Pistons should see more opportunities against the Orlando Magic, which has played at the fifth-fastest pace over the last 15 games.

If Jalen Duren doesn’t capitalize on the glass, he’ll need to make up for it with increased offensive production to help Detroit avoid elimination.

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Cade Cunningham Over 8.5 assists (-125)

Projection: 9.2 assists

For the Pistons to stay alive in this series, they’ll need Cade Cunningham to do it all — score efficiently and create for others.

He’s cleared this assists line in two games already, and he’ll likely need to elevate his playmaking even further to get there again.

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Duncan Robinson Under 2.5 3-pointers (-150)

Projection: 2.35 3-pointers

The matchup against Orlando is a tough spot for three-point volume. At home, the Magic allow the 7th-fewest attempts per game to opposing starting shooting guards (5.2), and Duncan Robinson has been inconsistent from deep on the road in this series.

In Orlando, he shot 42.9% from three in Game 3 before dropping to 16.1% in Game 4. Even after a stronger showing in Game 5, the trend points toward another potential downturn from beyond the arc.

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Magic Game 6 computer picks

Paolo Banchero Over 23.5 points (-108)

Projection: 24.3 points

The Magic should see more scoring chances against a Pistons team that’s played at the 10th-fastest pace over its last five games, and in a high-stakes Game 6, Paolo Banchero’s free-throw shooting could be a key factor to take this points prop to the Over.

Opposing starting power forwards have averaged 5.0 free throw attempts per game against Detroit over the last 10 games (6th-most in the NBA), showing they’re drawing fouls consistently. The opportunity is there for Banchero — he’ll just need to convert at the line to steady his production after a shaky stretch in this series.

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Jalen Suggs Over 4.5 assists (-107)

Projection: 5.47 assists

Jalen Suggs will need to elevate his playmaking to help Orlando close out the series tonight. He’s hovered near this assists line throughout most of the matchup, clearing it only in Game 5.

With everything on the line, expect Suggs to do whatever it takes to help the Magic punch their ticket to the next round.

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Wendell Carter Jr. Under 8.5 rebounds (-130)

Projection: 8.0 rebounds

When Wendell Carter Jr. has controlled the glass, the Magic have usually come out on top.

He narrowly missed this rebounds line in Game 1, but if he’s near it again, Orlando will likely benefit from his ability to create extra possessions on the boards.

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How to watch Pistons vs Magic Game 6

Location Kia Center, Orlando, FL
Date Friday, May 1, 2026
Tip-off 7:00 p.m. ET
TV Prime Video

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Top players remaining in college basketball transfer portal, what we're hearing

Top players remaining in college basketball transfer portal, what we're hearing

The pickings are beginning to become slim in the men’s college basketball transfer portal.

With the recent commitments of Cincinnati center Moustapha Thiam to Michigan, Charleston center Chol Machot to Georgetown, Arizona State‘s Massamba Diop to Gonzaga, Georgetown’s Julius Halaifonua to Oklahoma State and Florida Atlantic’s Josiah Parker to Georgetown we saw a good portion of our previous top 10 best available players get snatched up.

That leaves just five of USA TODAY Sports’ Top 50 portal prospects still on the market. And most of those are going through the NBA Draft process before making a decision.

Who has best class so far? College basketball transfer portal team rankings

Basketball transfer portal: Pickups from mid-majors who will make big impact

Here’s a look at our top 10 uncommitted players in the college basketball transfer portal, with the latest intel on each player:

Conferencestrackers: ACC | SEC | Big Ten | Big 12 | Big East

Last updated May 1.

Best remaining players in 2026 college basketball transfer portal, latest news

  1. F Milan Momcilovic, Iowa State
    • Latest intel: Duke, Kentucky, Florida and Kansas reportedly in the mix; declared for NBA draft but could return to college
  2. G Juke Harris, Wake Forest
  3. F Allen Graves, Santa Clara
    • Latest intel: Duke and LSU among those in the mix; declared for NBA Draft but leaving door open to college return. He was invited to the Scouting Combine.
  4. G Tounde Yessoufou, Baylor
    • Latest intel: Another going through draft process; heavy Kentucky interest.
  5. G Paul McNeil, NC State
    • Latest intel: Another with Kentucky interest, North Carolina and Michigan reportedly involved, but a return to NC State not being ruled out. His former coach at NC State, Will Wade, is now at LSU, which could be another suitor.
  6. F Jordan Burks, UCF
    • Latest intel: A late addition to the portal, Burks had previous stops at Kentucky and Georgetown. He averaged a career-best 13.3 ppg and 4.8 rpg for the Knights this past season. A 6-9 forward who is a 37% shooter from deep should be a hot commodity.
  7. G Hamad Mousa, Cal Poly
    • Latest intel: The 6-8 Qatari guard began his career at Dayton before transferring to Cal Poly prior to last season. There he averaged 20.4 ppg, 6.3 rpg and shot 37.2% from behind the arc.
  8. G Tijan Saine Jr., Weber State
    • Latest intel: Per ESPN, Saine is hearing from Washington, Missouri, NC State, Mississippi State, LSU and Texas State.
  9. G Vyctorius Miller, Oklahoma State
    • Latest intel: He recently finished a visit to Kansas.
  10. G Abdi Bashir Jr., Kansas State
    • Latest intel: Has Zoom calls set up with Kansas and NC State and has already visited St. John’s.

Five more to keep an eye on: Christian Harmon (Arkansas State), Akai Fleming (Georgia Tech), Cayden Charles (St. Bonaventure), Mihailo Petrovic (Illinois), Dennis Parker (Radford)

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: College basketball transfer portal news: 2026 best players still available

by Editor

Pistons vs Magic Prediction, Picks & Odds for Friday's NBA Playoffs Game 6

Pistons vs Magic Prediction, Picks & Odds for Friday's NBA Playoffs Game 6

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The Detroit Pistons stayed their execution for a few more days, but the odds are still against them. The Orlando Magic may be one-bucket underdogs in this Game 6, but my Pistons vs. Magic predictions and these NBA picks expect Detroit’s silver bullet from Game 5 to go missing on Friday, May 1.

Pistons vs Magic prediction

Pistons vs Magic best bet: Jalen Duren Under 13.5 Points (-112)

The fact that the Orlando Magic shot 17-of-38 from deep in Game 5 and still trailed throughout demands a closer look at the box score. Ah, there it is. The Detroit Pistons outrebounded the Magic by 16, including snagging 16 offensive rebounds compared to just eight for Orlando.

The Pistons corralling 39.0% of available offensive rebounds is wildly impressive and something that the Magic should focus on correcting heading into this Game 6.

Jalen Duren led Detroit on the offensive glass, grabbing five offensive rebounds that yielded four points for the center. And yet, he still scored just 12 points. In fact, Duren has not cleared this points prop in any of the five games of this series.

He averaged 19.5 points per game in the regular season, which explains oddsmakers’ reluctance to lower this points prop further. He was also taking 11.5 shots per game, compared to just 7.6 shots per game in this series.

Chalk some of that up to the Magic defense. And chalk some of it up to the change in the game come the postseason. Possessions take longer, defenders are allowed to be more physical, and superstars tend to hang onto the ball even more often.

Duren is not going to become a scorer at any point in this series, not even when he hits the offensive glass.

Pistons vs Magic same-game parlay

While Duren has not scored more than 12 points in any game in this series, he also has not reached double-digit boards in any of the five games. Grabbing five offensive rebounds in Game 5 was vital, but Duren still topped out at nine total boards.

That offensive rebounding emphasis should be countered by Orlando tonight, and removing that gear from the Pistons should tilt this game toward the Magic.

Pistons vs Magic SGP

  • Jalen Duren Under 13.5 Points
  • Jalen Duren Under 9.5 Rebounds
  • Magic +3

Our “from downtown” SGP: Onward, Orlando

If Detroit had not so thrived on the offensive glass in Game 5, it likely would have been the fourth game out of five in this series to cash its Under. Betting against Duren because those offensive rebounds should not be as available also coincides with a bet on the Under as well as a bet on Orlando winning this series at home.

Pistons vs Magic SGP

  • Jalen Duren Under 13.5 Points
  • Jalen Duren Under 9.5 Rebounds
  • Under 211
  • Magic Moneyline

Pistons vs Magic odds for Game 6

  • Spread: Detroit -3 | Orlando +3
  • Moneyline: Detroit -155 | Orlando +130
  • Over/Under: Over 211 | Under 211

Pistons vs Magic betting trend to know

It should be mentioned somewhere in this preview that Orlando is 4-1 against the spread in this series, exceeding bookmakers’ expectations by an average of 7.1 points even when including the sole ATS loss. Find more NBA betting trends for Pistons vs. Magic.

How to watch Pistons vs Magic Game 6

Location Kia Center, Orlando, FL
Date Friday, May 1, 2026
Tip-off 7:00 p.m. ET
TV Prime Video

Pistons vs Magic latest injuries

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by Editor