NBA Predictions Archives - Page 3 of 22

Rockets’ Finney-Smith set to miss season opener after ankle surgery

October 7, 2025 No Comments

Houston Rockets forward Dorian Finney-Smith is unlikely to feature in the team’s NBA opener against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Oct. 21, coach Ime Udoka confirmed Wednesday. “No, probably not,” Udoka said when asked if Finney-Smith would be ready. The 31-year-old is still recovering from off-season surgery on his left ankle and has not been cleared for contact drills, though he has been active in shooting sessions and receiving treatment during practice. Finney-Smith signed a four-year, $53 million deal with Houston in the summer after leaving the Los Angeles Lakers. He averaged 7.9 points and 3.6 rebounds last season and holds career averages of 8.3 points and 4.5 rebounds from stints with Dallas and Brooklyn.

Davis to wear protective goggles after offseason eye surgery

October 7, 2025 No Comments

Dallas Mavericks big man Anthony Davis revealed Monday that he had off-season surgery to repair a detached retina in his right eye and will need to wear protective eyewear for the rest of his NBA career. “You guys will see me in the Horace Grants,” Davis joked, referencing the former NBA star known for his goggles. “It won’t be like that, but I will have some protective eyewear for sure.” The injury dated back to April 2, when teammate Daniel Gafford’s accidental elbow struck Davis during a game against Atlanta. Davis received stitches that night and returned to play but only learned during a summer check-up that surgery was required. The 31-year-old spent much of the summer recovering and resumed 5-on-5 play in late September. He is expected to be a full participant when training camp opens Tuesday in Vancouver. Acquired from the Lakers in February as part of the Luka Dončić trade, Davis appeared in only nine games for Dallas last season due to a left adductor strain. “I think the biggest thing with our team is our health,” Davis said. “I’m happy to be here. I want to win here.”

LeBron James upbeat after rocky Lakers offseason

October 7, 2025 No Comments

There was no gloom from LeBron James at Lakers media day — quite the opposite. The 40-year-old superstar, who hinted at uncertainty about his Lakers future back in June, appeared relaxed and cheerful, joking with reporters and carrying his giant energy drink jug like a rookie excited for his first day. For the Lakers, that positive attitude matters. Their title hopes hinge on James buying in and performing at his elite best. Despite the smiles, James made no retirement announcement, leaving the door open to play beyond this season. His contract situation remains tricky: the Lakers declined to offer an extension, keeping their cap space flexible for future moves, while James opted into the final year of his deal — the first time in his 23-year career he’s been in such a position. The roster has changed, with Marcus Smart, Deandre Ayton, and Jake LaRavia joining alongside Luka Doncic and coach J.J. Redick. Asked if he’s confident in the team’s direction after his agent’s earlier concerns, James simply said: “Yeah, I’m excited about getting to work and I’m excited about what we can do.” For now, his future remains fluid, hinging on how the season unfolds. James, entering year 23, said he’s humbled to still play at a high level: “I love to play the game… age is just a number, but it’s reality too. Not many guys at my age have played at this level. I just try not to take it for granted and give the game as much as I can.”

Syracuse legend Lawrence Moten dies at 53

October 7, 2025 No Comments

Lawrence Moten, Syracuse’s all-time leading scorer and a founding member of the Vancouver Grizzlies, has died at 53. A Syracuse spokesperson said He passed away at his home in Washington, D.C.. The cause of death has not yet been announced. Nicknamed “Poetry in Moten,” the 6-foot-5 guard scored 2,334 points for Syracuse between 1991 and 1994 — still the school record. His 1,405 Big East points stood as a league record until 2020. Hall of Fame coach Jim Boeheim, who recruited and coached Moten, called it “a tragic day for the Syracuse basketball family.” “Lawrence was one of our greatest players and one of the best in the history of the Big East,” Boeheim said. Moten was selected in the second round of the 1995 NBA Draft by the Vancouver Grizzlies, playing two seasons there and later appearing in eight games for the Washington Wizards in 1998.

Celtics Trade Georges Niang to Jazz, Add Chris Boucher

August 11, 2025 No Comments

The Boston Celtics have sent forward Georges Niang and two future second-round picks to the Utah Jazz for rookie RJ Luis Jr., the teams announced Wednesday. In a separate move, Boston has reportedly agreed to a one-year, $3.3 million deal with veteran forward Chris Boucher, who spent the past seven seasons with the Toronto Raptors and was part of their 2019 championship run. Niang returns to Utah just a month after arriving in Boston in a three-team trade that sent Kristaps Porzingis to Atlanta. He played four seasons with the Jazz earlier in his career and averaged a career-best 9.9 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 1.4 assists in 79 games with Atlanta and Cleveland last season. The deal sheds the final year of Niang’s contract, saving Boston $8 million in luxury taxes and keeping the team under the second apron following Boucher’s signing.

Fred VanVleet elected President of the NBPA

July 17, 2025 No Comments

Houston Rockets guard Fred VanVleet has been elected as the new President of the National Basketball Players Association (NBPA), beginning a four-year term effective immediately. VanVleet, a nine-year NBA veteran and former All-Star, takes over from CJ McCollum, who served on the NBPA’s Executive Committee for seven years — including the last four as President. McCollum played a key role in guiding the NBPA through critical moments such as the 2020 NBA Restart and the 2023 Collective Bargaining Agreement negotiations. “It’s truly an honor to be elected as President of the NBPA by my peers,” VanVleet said in a statement. “I look forward to continuing to advocate for the best interest of all the members.”

New Buck Myles Turner confident ‘grass is going to be greener wherever I go’

July 17, 2025 No Comments

After a decade with the Indiana Pacers, Myles Turner is embracing a fresh start — and he’s not buying into the old saying that “the grass isn’t greener on the other side.” Officially unveiled as a Milwaukee Buck on Friday, Turner made it clear he’s not only confident in the move but sees it as a step toward his ultimate goal: winning an NBA title. “I hate when they say the grass can’t be greener on the other side,” Turner said. “I’m confident enough to say the grass is going to be greener wherever I go.” Coming off an NBA Finals run with the Pacers — where they lost Game 7 to the Oklahoma City Thunder — Turner joins a Bucks squad looking to get back to championship contention. He also adds youth and versatility to a core that featured 37-year-old Brook Lopez at center last season. At 29 years old, Turner is entering his prime and brings elite rim protection and three-point shooting to Giannis Antetokounmpo’s supporting cast. And in case there was any doubt he’s embracing his new colors, Turner joked: “My girlfriend told me I look good in green.” With his eyes firmly on a title, Turner’s confident the Bucks are the right fit for his next chapter — both on and off the court.

NBA Predictions Today: Thunder vs Nuggets Sure Tips

May 11, 2025 No Comments

Game 4 of the Western Conference Semifinals tips off in Denver as the Oklahoma City Thunder look to even the series against the defending champion Denver Nuggets. Read our preview for the Thunder vs Nuggets.After dropping Game 3 in overtime, OKC is aiming to bounce back and avoid going down 3-1. Tip-off is scheduled for Sunday night. Check out our Thunder vs Nuggets prediction below and visit MatchPlug for more expert NBA picks and betting previews. Betting Preview For Thunder VS Nuggets Odds powered by 1XBet Betting On Oklahoma City Thunder Despite being the number 1 seed in the West and winning 68 games this season, the Thunder find themselves trailing 2-1 in this best-of-seven series. Game 3 saw them control most of the action before collapsing late and falling 113-104 in overtime. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had his worst outing of the playoffs, shooting just 7-of-22 from the floor. However, this is a team that has dominated Denver in three of their last four matchups, winning each of those by 20+ points. The Thunder have also cleaned up their rebounding issues, outboarding the Nuggets in Games 2 and 3. Look for OKC to make the necessary adjustments at the line and bounce back strong with their backs against the wall. Betting On Denver Nuggets The Nuggets showed championship poise in Game 3, storming back from a late deficit and dominating overtime. Jamal Murray (27 points), Aaron Gordon (22), and Michael Porter Jr. (21) picked up the slack as Nikola Jokic struggled with his shot and turnovers. Jokic was limited to 20 points on 8-of-25 shooting and committed eight turnovers. While Denver has the edge in playoff experience, they’ve had difficulty controlling this OKC squad across the season. Unless Jokic regains form and the Nuggets can again contain OKC at the line, Game 4 could tilt heavily in the Thunder’s favor. MatchPlug Prediction For Thunder vs Nuggets Game 3 was a missed opportunity for the Thunder, who dominated most statistical categories but faltered at the free throw line and in crunch time. Expect a sharper performance in Game 4. OKC has shown all season it can bounce back, and their ability to stifle Jokic with multiple defenders has tilted the matchup. Final Prediction: Oklahoma City Thunder -6.5

NBA Expert Picks: Cleveland Cavaliers vs Portland Trail Blazers

March 25, 2025 No Comments

The Cleveland Cavaliers take on the Portland Trail Blazers at Moda Center in a cross-conference showdown on Wednesday morning. Read our preview for the Cleveland Cavaliers vs Portland Trail Blazers. The match is scheduled for 03:00 AM on Wednesday. The Blazers are fighting to keep their play-in hopes alive, while the Cavaliers sit at the top of the Eastern Conference. Matchplug is the best website to get the surest picks for all basketball games. Betting Preview for Cleveland Cavaliers vs Portland Trail Blazers Betting on the Portland Trail Blazers The Trail Blazers saw their four-game winning streak come to an end with a 129-116 loss to the Boston Celtics. Despite the setback, they’ve been strong at home, winning four of their last five at Moda Center. Shaedon Sharpe has been a key contributor, leading the team with 23 points in their last game. Betting on the Cleveland Cavaliers The Cavaliers snapped a four-game losing streak with a dominant 120-91 win over the Utah Jazz. However, their recent struggles on the road are concerning, considering they previously won 11 straight away games. They’ll need to regain their form to avoid another slip-up. Match Plug Prediction for Cleveland Cavaliers vs Portland Trail Blazers The Trail Blazers have momentum at home, while the Cavaliers are looking to re-establish their dominance. Although Cleveland has the better roster, Portland has shown they can compete, especially after their strong performance against Boston. Our prediction is a close game with the Cavaliers securing the win, but the Blazers covering the spread. Final Prediction: Cleveland Cavaliers Spread

NBA Expert Picks: Sacramento Kings vs. Oklahoma City Thunder

March 25, 2025 No Comments

The Sacramento Kings face a tough challenge on Tuesday night as they host the Oklahoma City Thunder at Golden 1 Center. Read our preview for the Sacramento Kings vs. Oklahoma City Thunder. The Kings are struggling to find consistency, while OKC continues to dominate the Western Conference. The Match is scheduled for 10:00 PM ET at the Golden 1 Center. Matchplug has the latest picks for all NBA games. Let’s get into the preview for this match. Betting Preview for Sacramento Kings vs. Oklahoma City Thunder Betting on the Sacramento Kings The Kings have lost three straight games and are 3-7 in their last 10. Their latest defeat came against the Celtics, where they managed just 17 points in the fourth quarter. DeMar DeRozan led the team with 20 points and 10 assists, but Sacramento’s offensive struggles have been a major concern. Betting on the Oklahoma City Thunder The Thunder have won 13 of their last 14 games, including a hard-fought 103-101 victory over the Clippers. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander continues to be their leader, dropping 26 points and eight assists in their last outing. OKC ranks fourth in scoring (119.3 PPG) and is second in defense (106.8 PPG), making them one of the most balanced teams in the league. Match Plug Prediction for Sacramento Kings vs. Oklahoma City Thunder The Kings are struggling at the worst time, while the Thunder are playing some of their best basketball. Sacramento’s defense has been shaky, and against an elite OKC squad, they may struggle to keep up. Our prediction is for Thunder to take control and grab another win. Final Prediction: Oklahoma City Thunder Over/Under

Rockets’ Finney-Smith set to miss season opener after ankle surgery

Davis to wear protective goggles after offseason eye surgery

LeBron James upbeat after rocky Lakers offseason

Syracuse legend Lawrence Moten dies at 53

Celtics Trade Georges Niang to Jazz, Add Chris Boucher

Fred VanVleet elected President of the NBPA

New Buck Myles Turner confident ‘grass is going to be greener wherever I go’

NBA Predictions Today: Thunder vs Nuggets Sure Tips

NBA Expert Picks: Cleveland Cavaliers vs Portland Trail Blazers

NBA Expert Picks: Sacramento Kings vs. Oklahoma City Thunder

Instagram Feed

Stop Playing and Winning.

Contact us

Quick Links

Categories

Information

Follow Us