NBA 101

Spurs vs 76ers Prediction, Picks & Odds for Tonight’s NBA Game

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The San Antonio Spurs’ 11-game win streak was snapped on Sunday, and the Western Conference heavyweights will look to start a new one when they visit the Philadelphia 76ers.

Philly’s frontcourt is vulnerable, and my Spurs vs. 76ers predictions expect the big man duo of Luke Kornet and Victor Wembanyama to lead San Antonio to a comfortable win behind big performances.

Here are my best free NBA picks for this cross-conference showdown on Tuesday, March 3.

Spurs vs 76ers prediction

Spurs vs 76ers best bet: Luke Kornet Over 11.5 points + rebounds + assists (-120)

The Philadelphia 76ers’ interior defense will be exposed again with Joel Embiid on the sidelines.

The team’s defensive rating without Embiid is a dreadful 117.1 this season. Philly surrendered 114 points, 59 total rebounds, and a whopping 19 offensive boards in Sunday’s blowout loss to the Celtics.

Luke Kornet is averaging a career-best 15.5 points + rebounds + assists, going for 12+ in 38 of 50 games, including six of his last nine. This line is wildly mispriced, and Kornet could see additional run if the San Antonio Spurs run away with the game in this favorable matchup.

Spurs vs 76ers same-game parlay

The 76ers are just 14-17 against the spread at home, while the Spurs are 17-14-1 ATS on the road. The Spurs’ 11-game win streak was snapped in a rare blowout loss on Sunday, and I expect San Antonio to come out with a vengeance and win comfortably.

Philadelphia’s offense may struggle to score against San Antonio’s stingy defense, especially with Embiid and Paul George sidelined.

Spurs vs 76ers SGP

• Luke Kornet Over 11.5 points + rebounds + assists
• Spurs -8
• Under 231.5

Our “from downtown” SGP: Wemby’s Super-Sized Combo

Wembanyama’s combo line would have been the best bet had it not been for the advantageous pricing on Kornet’s line. Wemby will benefit from Embiid’s absence, and he’s already gone for 40+ PRA in two of his last four games overall and in each of his last two in Philadelphia.

Spurs vs 76ers SGP

• Luke Kornet Over 11.5 points + rebounds + assists
• Spurs -8
• Under 231.5
• Victor Wembanyama Over 39.5 points + rebounds + assists

Spurs vs 76ers odds

• Spread: Spurs -8 (-110) | 76ers +8 (-110)
• Moneyline: Spurs -315 | 76ers +255
• Over/Under: Over 232 (-110) | Under 232 (-110)

Spurs vs 76ers betting trend to know

The San Antonio Spurs have hit the Game Total Under in 25 of their last 35 games (+14.00 Units / 36% ROI). Find more NBA betting trends for Spurs vs. 76ers.

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Spurs vs 76ers latest injuries

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Pelicans vs Lakers Prediction, Picks & Odds for Tonight’s NBA Game

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LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers are using a softer stretch of schedule to build momentum in the Western Conference.

Los Angeles has won two in a row and hosts the New Orleans Pelicans for an extended stay in La-La Land on Tuesday.

James’ offensive outputs have been tempered since the All-Star break, with Los Angeles running into some stronger defensive foes before two blowout wins. 

New Orleans is way down the NBA’s defensive metrics, so my Pelicans vs. Lakers predictions and NBA picks call for a return to form for “King James”, most notably when it comes to his playmaking.

Pelicans vs Lakers prediction

Pelicans vs Lakers best bet: LeBron James Over 5.5 assists (-150)

This prop bounces between 5.5 and 6.5 assists from LeBron James. And while the lower end of that number carries a hefty -150 ask, projections for the Los Angeles Lakers’ veteran are too good to ignore.

James has dished out six or more dimes just twice in the six post-break outings, with his potential assists slipping from 12.0 pre-break to 8.7 in this current span. That said, the New Orleans Pelicans’ defense is dreadful and allows an average of 28 assists.

LeBron’s forecasts range from 6.2 to 7.5 assists, and he handed out eight the last time he faced NOLA.

Pelicans vs Lakers same-game parlay

The Lakers are actually healthy for once and have a chance to build momentum with a third straight victory. The Pelicans are playing their fourth straight road game and third game in four days.

James’ potential assists took a hit against some tougher defenses post-break (Boston, Orlando, Phoenix), but NOLA is among the worst defensive clubs, and LeBron is pegged for more than seven dimes tonight.

Rui Hachimura is at his best when the L.A. stars are on the floor and drawing extra attention from the defense. He’s forecast for as many as 12 points tonight.

Pelicans vs Lakers SGP

• Lakers moneyline
• James Over 5.5 assists
• Hachimura Over 8.5 points

Our “from downtown” SGP: The James gang

LeBron went for eight rebounds and eight assists in his last run-in with the Pelicans, and game projections call for “King James” to top those props while powering L.A. to a win and cover in a low-scoring finish (237 points).

Pelicans vs Lakers SGP

• Lakers -8.5
• Under 242.5
• James Over 5.5 assists
• James Over 5.5 rebounds

Pelicans vs Lakers odds

• Spread: Pelicans +8.5 | Lakers -8.5
• Moneyline: Pelicans +280 | Lakers -360
• Over/Under: Over 242.5 | Under 242.5

Pelicans vs Lakers betting trend to know

The L.A. Lakers are 10-1 SU and 8-3 ATS versus the New Orleans Pelicans over the last three seasons. Find more NBA betting trends for Pelicans vs. Lakers.

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Pelicans vs Lakers latest injuries

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Indiana's Curt Cignetti cashes in on title run with 8-year extension worth $13.2 million per year

Indiana coach Curt Cignetti is cashing in on his first national championship run — even more than initially expected.

Athletic department officials announced Monday that the two-time national coach of the year has signed a memorandum of understanding on an eight-year contract extension, paying him an annual average of $13.2 million — or an increase of about $1.6 million per year from what school officials said Cignetti would earn when he first agreed to the extension in October.

School officials released the document Cignetti signed Feb. 4.

He joins Georgia coach Kirby Smart and LSU coach Lane Kiffin as the only active Football Bowl Subdivision coaches to receive paychecks of $13 million or more. The payouts could be even higher if Cignetti earns bonuses for winning Big Ten or national coach of the year honors in addition to playoff appearances and conference titles. The 64-year-old Cignetti already has said he hopes to retire at Indiana.

The new deal calls for a base salary of $500,000 per year through the 2033 season and a $1 million retention bonus on Nov. 30 of each year, starting this fall. The remaining portion of the $105.6 million will be collected from outside, promotional and marketing income.

Cignetti initially agreed to an eight-year extension worth $92.8 million — an annual average of $11.6 million — but university officials agreed to modify the deal as the Hoosiers remained undefeated and pursued the first football national championship in school history.

It’s the third time Cignetti has received a raise since he took over the losingest program in FBS history in November 2024. All he’s done since arriving is produce the two best seasons in school history while becoming one of college football’s fan favorites for his quick quips and unique facial expressions. Players have embraced him, too, telling many of their favorite Cignetti tales.

Just ask tight end Riley Nowakowski, who recounted his favorite Cignetti story during the recent NFL scouting combine in Indianapolis.

“I think (Alberto Mendoza) was in the game, and he pulled like four runs in a row,” Nowakowski said, referring to last season’s victory over Illinois. “He kept pulling it, kept pulling it, kept pulling it, and then after the fourth time, it was a terrible read. So in the middle of the game, (Cignetti) tells our coach, ‘Get (Alberto) over here.’ Bert’s like, ‘What, it’s the middle of a game, what are you doing?’ And (Cignetti) goes, ‘We’re not paying you to run the ball, hand the ball off, right? We’re up like 70 points, but he’s pissed off, yelling at Bert, and (Cignetti) just turned back at me and gave me one of his little smiles, and he was just like, ’You like that now?'”

Cignetti wasted no time delivering on his promise to win after leading James Madison to the most successful transition from the Football Championship Subdivision to the FBS.

The son of Hall of Fame coach Frank Cignetti and a former Alabama assistant led Indiana to a school record 11 wins and its first College Football Playoff appearance in his first season with the Hoosiers.

Last season, he outdid that mark by producing the first 16-0 mark in major college football since the 1890s. The Hoosiers also won their first outright Big Ten crown since 1945, beat Miami on its home field to claim the national title and shed the label of having the most all-time losses in FBS history.

Mendoza’s older brother, Fernando, also became the first Indiana player to win the Heisman Trophy and is expected to be the No. 1 overall pick in April’s NFL draft.

The reward: A record nine players, including Mendoza and Nowakowski, attended the recent combine in Indianapolis while Cignetti got another pay raise and school officials continued to invest heavily in keeping the coach’s staff together.

Offensive coordinator Mike Shanahan and defensive coordinator Bryant Haines each agreed to three-year contract extensions worth about $3 million per year in December, making them two of the highest-paid assistants in the FBS. Haines won this year’s Broyles Award, which goes to the nation’s top assistant coach.

Indiana will begin next season with the longest winning streak (16) and longest home winning streak (15) in the FBS. Cignetti has never lost a home game with the Hoosiers, who open defense of their league and national titles at home against North Texas on Sept. 5.

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Celtics vs Bucks Prediction, Picks & Odds for Tonight’s NBA Game

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Giannis Antetokounmpo is expected to make his return to the Milwaukee Bucks lineup when they host the Boston Celtics tonight.

But just how much will the two-time MVP play, and will it matter against a Boston team playing great basketball?

My Celtics vs. Bucks predictions and NBA picks will be fading the Greek Freak in his return to action in this East Conference clash set to tipoff at 7:30 pm ET at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee on Monday, March 2. 

Celtics vs Bucks prediction

Celtics vs Bucks best bet: Celtics -2 (-110)

Giannis Antetokounmpo returns for the Milwaukee Bucks after missing more than five weeks, and his impact on the NBA odds was immediate, moving tonight’s line against the Boston Celtics from +7.5 to +4. 

Then it was announced Jaylen Brown would be out, and the line dipped to Boston -2.

However, Milwaukee was struggling with Giannis, ranking 24th in net rating before his latest injury.

Boston is 10-3 ATS over the last 13 games and only trails OKC in net rating. All this line move does is make me want to bet the next-man-up Celtics even more.

Celtics vs Bucks same-game parlay

Jaylen Brown is getting a lot of the credit for the season the Celtics are having, and rightly so, but let’s not overlook Derrick White’s impact.

White is putting up 17.1 points, 5.7 assists, and 4.5 rebounds per game. His point total for this game without Brown is 20.5, a number he’s topped twice in his last four games, and now faces a Milwaukee team that ranks 23rd in defensive rating.

The Bucks also struggle on the boards, owning the fourth-worst rebounding rate. Celtics big man Nikola Vucevic has thrived in his role, averaging 8.6 rebounds coming off the bench, and likely gets the start tonight.

Celtics vs Bucks SGP

• Celtics -2
• Derrick White Over 20.5 points
• Nikola Vucevic Over 8.5 rebounds

Our “from downtown” SGP: Double delight

Giannis has a solid night on the scoresheet, but as has been the case much of the season, it won’t be enough to get the win.

Celtics vs Bucks SGP

• Giannis Antetokounmpo double double
• Nikola Vucevic double-double
• Celtics moneyline

Celtics vs Bucks odds

• Spread: Celtics -2 | Bucks +2
• Moneyline: Celtics -130 | Bucks +110
• Over/Under: Over 216.5 | Under 216.5

Celtics vs Bucks betting trend to know

The Bucks have only covered the 1H Spread in 12 of their last 40 games at home for -20.15 Units and a -44% ROI.. Find more NBA betting trends for Celtics vs. Bucks.

How to watch Celtics vs Bucks

Celtics vs Bucks latest injuries

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Rutgers slips past Maryland 69-65 after 20-point lead disappears

COLLEGE PARK, Md. (AP) — Tariq Francis scored 19 points and Rutgers, which once led by 20 points in the first half, defeated Maryland 69-65 on Sunday to sweep the season series between the teams.

Rutgers won 68-57 at home against Maryland in the other meeting this season.

Trailing by 19 at halftime, Maryland stormed back early in the second half. Elijah Saunders and Andre Mills hit 3-pointers and the Terrapins added five three throws in a 13-0 run that got them within 45-41 six minutes into the second half.

Maryland took the lead once at 48-47 and the score was tied at 54 with a little under five minutes remaining. Rutgers quickly went back ahead 60-54 and led the rest of the way. The Terrapins were within two points twice in the final half-minute but both times Rutgers delivered at the free-throw line to preserve the win.

Darren Buchanan Jr. scored 14 points and Jamichael Davis had 12 for Rutgers (12-17, 5-13 Big Ten).

Mills had 15 points and 10 rebounds and Saunders had 11 and 14 for Maryland, which had a 50-26 advantage on the boards but had 19 turnovers to six for Rutgers. Solomon Washington had 15 points and four blocks and David Coit scored 10 for the Terps (11-18, 4-14).

Maryland made only 1 of 14 3-pointers and had 14 turnovers in the first half. Rutgers had a 14-0 advantage in points after turnovers, helping the Scarlet Knights take a 39-20 halftime lead. In one eight-minute stretch the Scarlet Knights outscored the Terrapins 18-4.

The Scarlet Knights gained their second road win of the conference season.

Up next

Maryland: at Wisconsin on Wednesday.

Rutgers: at No. 13 Michigan State on Thursday.

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