Who’s Playing
Detroit Pistons @ Boston Celtics
Current Records: Detroit 9-14, Boston 17-4
How To Watch
When: Wednesday, December 4, 2024 at 7:30 p.m. ET
Wednesday, December 4, 2024 at 7:30 p.m. ET Where: TD Garden — Boston, Massachusetts
TD Garden — Boston, Massachusetts TV: FanDuel SN – Detroit
FanDuel SN – Detroit Follow: CBS Sports App
CBS Sports App Online streaming: fuboTV (Try for free. Regional restrictions may apply.)
fuboTV (Try for free. Regional restrictions may apply.) Ticket Cost: $46.00
What to Know
The Celtics will be playing the full four quarters on Wednesday, but they’re expected to have things wrapped up well before that. They will host the Detroit Pistons at 7:30 p.m. ET at TD Garden. The Celtics will be looking to keep their five-game home win streak alive.
The Celtics are headed into this one after the oddsmakers set last week’s over/under low at 220, but even that wound up being too high. They put the hurt on the Heat with a sharp 108-89 win on Monday. Boston pushed the score to 85-63 by the end of the third, a deficit Miami cut but never quite recovered from.
Multiple players turned in solid performances to lead the Celtics to victory, but perhaps none more so than Payton Pritchard, who went 10 for 17 en route to 25 points plus five rebounds and two steals. The team also got some help courtesy of Jaylen Brown, who posted 29 points along with seven rebounds.
The Celtics smashed the offensive glass and finished the game with 14 offensive rebounds. That strong performance was nothing new for the team: they’ve now pulled down at least ten offensive rebounds in three consecutive matchups.
Meanwhile, the Pistons traveled a rocky road last season, and unfortunately for them the road hasn’t gotten any smoother so far this season. They fell victim to a bruising 128-107 loss at the hands of the Bucks on Tuesday. Detroit was in a tough position after the first half, with the score already sitting at 78-59.
Boston has been performing incredibly well recently as they’ve won eight of their last nine matches, which provided a nice bump to their 17-4 record this season. As for Detroit, this is the second loss in a row for them and nudges their season record down to 9-14.
Wednesday’s contest is shaping up to be a scrappy game: The Celtics haven’t given up the ball easily this season, having only averaged 11.3 turnovers per game (they’re ranked second in turnovers per game overall). It’s a different story for the Pistons, though, as they’ve been averaging 15.7. Given the Celtics’ sizable advantage in that area, the Pistons will need to find a way to close that gap.
The Celtics didn’t have too much breathing room in their matchup against the Pistons when the teams last played back in October, but they still walked away with a 124-118 victory. Do the Celtics have another victory up their sleeve, or will the Pistons turn the tables on them? We’ll have the answer soon enough.
Odds
Boston is a big 13.5-point favorite against Detroit, according to the latest NBA odds.
The oddsmakers had a good feel for the line for this one, as the game opened with the Celtics as a 14.5-point favorite.
The over/under is 221 points.
See NBA picks for every single game, including this one, from SportsLine’s advanced computer model. Get picks now.
Series History
Boston has won all of the games they’ve played against Detroit in the last 2 years.

Who’s Playing
Los Angeles Lakers @ Miami Heat
Current Records: Los Angeles 12-9, Miami 9-10
How To Watch
When: Wednesday, December 4, 2024 at 7:30 p.m. ET
Wednesday, December 4, 2024 at 7:30 p.m. ET Where: Kaseya Center — Miami, Florida
Kaseya Center — Miami, Florida TV: NBATV
NBATV Follow: CBS Sports App
CBS Sports App Online streaming: fuboTV (Try for free. Regional restrictions may apply.)
fuboTV (Try for free. Regional restrictions may apply.) Ticket Cost: $102.00
What to Know
The Los Angeles Lakers’ road trip will continue as they head out to face the Miami Heat at 7:30 p.m. ET on Wednesday at Kaseya Center. Both of these teams will be looking for a pick-me-up after considerable defeats in their previous games.
The Lakers are headed into this one after the oddsmakers set last week’s over/under low at 220, but even that wound up being too high. They fell victim to a painful 109-80 defeat at the hands of the Timberwolves on Monday. The matchup marked Los Angeles’ lowest-scoring game so far this season.
Perhaps unsurprisingly given the score, the Lakers struggled to work together and finished the game with only 19 assists. That’s the fewest assists they’ve posted since back in November of 2023.
Meanwhile, the Heat suffered their biggest loss since October 23rd on Monday. Things couldn’t have gone much worse for them as they lost 108-89 to the Celtics. Miami hasn’t had much luck with Boston recently, as the team’s come up short the last three times they’ve met.
Los Angeles’ defeat dropped their record down to 12-9. As for Miami, they now have a losing record at 9-10.
The Lakers are hoping to beat the odds on Wednesday, as the experts think they’re headed for a loss. Bettors picking them against the spread have some confidence (to put it mildly), as the team is sitting on a five-game streak of failing to cover when playing as the underdog.
The Lakers lost to the Heat on the road by a decisive 110-96 margin in their previous meeting back in January. Can the Lakers avenge their loss or is history doomed to repeat itself? We’ll find out soon enough.
Odds
Miami is a slight 2.5-point favorite against Los Angeles, according to the latest NBA odds.
The line has drifted a bit towards the Heat, as the game opened with the Heat as a 1-point favorite.
The over/under is 216 points.
See NBA picks for every single game, including this one, from SportsLine’s advanced computer model. Get picks now.
Series History
Miami has won 7 out of their last 10 games against Los Angeles.

Steve Kerr lays into the referees late in the Warriors’ loss after Christian Braun appeared to signal for a timeout when the Nuggets had none remaining. (0:55)
Open Extended Reactions
The officiating crew was correct in not ruling that Denver’s Christian Braun had signaled for a timeout when the Nuggets had none remaining at the end of their 119-115 victory over the Golden State Warriors on Tuesday, the NBA’s Last Two Minute Report said.
Golden State coach Steve Kerr was furious at the end of the game when it appeared to him that Braun had signaled for a timeout after securing a loose ball with 1.9 seconds left while on the floor. If Braun had called a timeout with none left, it would have resulted in a technical foul, giving the Warriors a free throw and a possession.
Instead, officials called a jump ball.
According to Wednesday’s Last Two Minute Report, Braun

The second annual In-Season Tournament of Emirates NBA Cup kickstarted on November 12 is on its way to Knockout Rounds. Nearly a month-long Group Plays which shortlisted 6 along with two wildcards for quarterfinals has ended with a dramatic exit of the Phoenix Suns and San Antonio Spurs. While this happened regardless of the Suns’ win over the latter by 104-93, Kevin Durant’s viral crossover and Iman Shumpert’s response to it catches the spotlight.
The trigger comes with NBA sharing Tuesdays Suns-Spurs Game highlight videos including Kevin Durant, on its IG handle. This one shows the 2x NBA Champion making an iconic layup while tricking the 7’3″ Victor Wembanyama, with 7:09 remaining in the second quarter. As the video surfaced, it caught a stifling jibe from the former Cleveland Cavaliers Champion. “Not Clean,” he called out. However, the legend made efforts to clarify his take.
To be specific, KD made a hesitation dribbling, only to transition to a layup after a crossover move. The videos with a fuzzy commentary were captioned: “@easymoneysniper hesi into the smooth lay! 🫣 🏆 PHX clinches West Group B with win + OKC loss 🏀 #EmiratesNBACup on NBA League Pass,” where easymoneysniper is Durant’s IG name.
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As for Shumpert’s opinion, he commented: “I wanted to say not clean but it’s just a long crossover 😂. And it’s fair cuz that man is tall asf too.” Since the 14xNBA All-Star is known for a deep bag appreciated even by his Idol Tracy McGrady, this argument needs a closer look.
View this post on Instagram A post shared by NBA (@nba)
Indeed, NBA has a 5 minute video dedicated to Kevin Durant’s double crossovers over the years. For a clear picture, consider visiting the 2021 East Semi-Finals Game 2 of Nets-Bucks where he hoops from inside the paint following a double crossover with 7:25 left for the first quarter. Moreover, his career average of 27.2 points and 7 rebounds vouch for his offense on the hard floor. This might make many disagree with 2016 NBA champion’s jibe at Durant focusing on his height.
On retrospection, this could be indicative of the chatter around the 14xNBA Scoring Champion’s height. Care to have a peak?
Height-talks on Kevin Durant
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The Sun’s forward is listed as 6’11” while there are records of 6’10” across his career, while the player himself claims to be 6’9″ recently. The controversy occurs predominantly due to his height compared to 7 footers. A viral Olympics game photograph where he looks only slightly shorter than 7-foot Joel Embiid while standing beside him could be a tip-off point for contentions.
Whatever, the 2xNBA Final MVP recently attempted to put it straight on the “Up & Adams” show with Kay Adams. But it turns hilarious with him pointing at his US Olympics teammates with a lame argument that they are lying of their heights. “I’m 6’9’’ so it looks like Bam Adebayo’s probably 6’8’’ instead of 6’10’’, and AD is probably 6’9,’’ said Durant while mocking Embiid for lying to be 7 foot.
Meanwhile, there is a possibility for the Texas Alum staying short to avail opportunities he could have missed with a 7-foot height. Since the Sun’s forward plays like he isn’t being limited to the post, dunking or making layups, such a rationale makes sense.
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The comment made by Iman Shumpert could be seen in the light of such discourse. However, the question of whether his height impedes his cross-over performance needs expert opinion.

3rd Quarter Report
The Celtics already have more points against the Pistons than they managed in total against the Heat last Monday. The Celtics have a bit of a cushion as they currently lead the Pistons 109-98.
If the Celtics keep playing like this, they’ll bump their record up to 18-4 in no time. On the other hand, the Pistons will have to make due with a 9-15 record unless they turn things around (and fast).
Who’s Playing
Detroit Pistons @ Boston Celtics
Current Records: Detroit 9-14, Boston 17-4
How To Watch
When: Wednesday, December 4, 2024 at 7:30 p.m. ET
Wednesday, December 4, 2024 at 7:30 p.m. ET Where: TD Garden — Boston, Massachusetts
TD Garden — Boston, Massachusetts TV: FanDuel SN – Detroit
FanDuel SN – Detroit Follow: CBS Sports App
CBS Sports App Online streaming: fuboTV (Try for free. Regional restrictions may apply.)
fuboTV (Try for free. Regional restrictions may apply.) Ticket Cost: $46.00
What to Know
The Celtics will be playing the full four quarters on Wednesday, but they’re expected to have things wrapped up well before that. They will host the Detroit Pistons at 7:30 p.m. ET at TD Garden. The Celtics will be looking to keep their five-game home win streak alive.
The Celtics are headed into this one after the oddsmakers set last week’s over/under low at 220, but even that wound up being too high. They put the hurt on the Heat with a sharp 108-89 win on Monday. Boston pushed the score to 85-63 by the end of the third, a deficit Miami cut but never quite recovered from.
Multiple players turned in solid performances to lead the Celtics to victory, but perhaps none more so than Payton Pritchard, who went 10 for 17 en route to 25 points plus five rebounds and two steals. The team also got some help courtesy of Jaylen Brown, who posted 29 points along with seven rebounds.
The Celtics smashed the offensive glass and finished the game with 14 offensive rebounds. That strong performance was nothing new for the team: they’ve now pulled down at least ten offensive rebounds in three consecutive matchups.
Meanwhile, the Pistons traveled a rocky road last season, and unfortunately for them the road hasn’t gotten any smoother so far this season. They fell victim to a bruising 128-107 loss at the hands of the Bucks on Tuesday. Detroit was in a tough position after the first half, with the score already sitting at 78-59.
Boston has been performing incredibly well recently as they’ve won eight of their last nine matches, which provided a nice bump to their 17-4 record this season. As for Detroit, this is the second loss in a row for them and nudges their season record down to 9-14.
Wednesday’s contest is shaping up to be a scrappy game: The Celtics haven’t given up the ball easily this season, having only averaged 11.3 turnovers per game (they’re ranked second in turnovers per game overall). It’s a different story for the Pistons, though, as they’ve been averaging 15.7. Given the Celtics’ sizable advantage in that area, the Pistons will need to find a way to close that gap.
The Celtics didn’t have too much breathing room in their matchup against the Pistons when the teams last played back in October, but they still walked away with a 124-118 victory. Do the Celtics have another victory up their sleeve, or will the Pistons turn the tables on them? We’ll have the answer soon enough.
Odds
Boston is a big 13.5-point favorite against Detroit, according to the latest NBA odds.
The oddsmakers had a good feel for the line for this one, as the game opened with the Celtics as a 14.5-point favorite.
The over/under is 221 points.
See NBA picks for every single game, including this one, from SportsLine’s advanced computer model. Get picks now.
Series History
Boston has won all of the games they’ve played against Detroit in the last 2 years.

3rd Quarter Report
The Heat already have more points against the Lakers than they managed in total against the Celtics last Monday. After three quarters the Heat’s offense has really been able to impose its will, dominating the Lakers 121-86.
If the Heat keep playing like this, they’ll bump their record up to 10-10 in no time. On the other hand, the Lakers will have to make due with a 12-10 record unless they turn things around (and fast).
Who’s Playing
Los Angeles Lakers @ Miami Heat
Current Records: Los Angeles 12-9, Miami 9-10
How To Watch
When: Wednesday, December 4, 2024 at 7:30 p.m. ET
Wednesday, December 4, 2024 at 7:30 p.m. ET Where: Kaseya Center — Miami, Florida
Kaseya Center — Miami, Florida TV: NBATV
NBATV Follow: CBS Sports App
CBS Sports App Online streaming: fuboTV (Try for free. Regional restrictions may apply.)
fuboTV (Try for free. Regional restrictions may apply.) Ticket Cost: $102.00
What to Know
The Los Angeles Lakers’ road trip will continue as they head out to face the Miami Heat at 7:30 p.m. ET on Wednesday at Kaseya Center. Both of these teams will be looking for a pick-me-up after considerable defeats in their previous games.
The Lakers are headed into this one after the oddsmakers set last week’s over/under low at 220, but even that wound up being too high. They fell victim to a painful 109-80 defeat at the hands of the Timberwolves on Monday. The matchup marked Los Angeles’ lowest-scoring game so far this season.
Perhaps unsurprisingly given the score, the Lakers struggled to work together and finished the game with only 19 assists. That’s the fewest assists they’ve posted since back in November of 2023.
Meanwhile, the Heat suffered their biggest loss since October 23rd on Monday. Things couldn’t have gone much worse for them as they lost 108-89 to the Celtics. Miami hasn’t had much luck with Boston recently, as the team’s come up short the last three times they’ve met.
Los Angeles’ defeat dropped their record down to 12-9. As for Miami, they now have a losing record at 9-10.
The Lakers are hoping to beat the odds on Wednesday, as the experts think they’re headed for a loss. Bettors picking them against the spread have some confidence (to put it mildly), as the team is sitting on a five-game streak of failing to cover when playing as the underdog.
The Lakers lost to the Heat on the road by a decisive 110-96 margin in their previous meeting back in January. Can the Lakers avenge their loss or is history doomed to repeat itself? We’ll find out soon enough.
Odds
Miami is a slight 2.5-point favorite against Los Angeles, according to the latest NBA odds.
The line has drifted a bit towards the Heat, as the game opened with the Heat as a 1-point favorite.
The over/under is 216 points.
See NBA picks for every single game, including this one, from SportsLine’s advanced computer model. Get picks now.
Series History
Miami has won 7 out of their last 10 games against Los Angeles.

3rd Quarter Report
After a tough loss on the road their last time out, the Nets look much better today on their home court. After three quarters, neither squad has the matchup in the bag, but the Nets lead 80-78 over the Pacers.
The Nets entered the contest with three straight defeats and they’re well on their way to making it four. Can they turn things around, or will the Pacers hand them another loss? Only time will tell.
Who’s Playing
Indiana Pacers @ Brooklyn Nets
Current Records: Indiana 9-13, Brooklyn 9-13
How To Watch
When: Wednesday, December 4, 2024 at 7:30 p.m. ET
Wednesday, December 4, 2024 at 7:30 p.m. ET Where: Barclays Center — Brooklyn, New York
Barclays Center — Brooklyn, New York TV: FanDuel SN – Indiana
FanDuel SN – Indiana Follow: CBS Sports App
CBS Sports App Online streaming: fuboTV (Try for free. Regional restrictions may apply.)
fuboTV (Try for free. Regional restrictions may apply.) Ticket Cost: $11.88
What to Know
Having just played yesterday, the Indiana Pacers will head out on the road to face off against the Brooklyn Nets at 7:30 p.m. ET on Wednesday at Barclays Center. The Pacers are no doubt hoping to put an end to a seven-game streak of away losses.
The experts predicted the Pacers would be headed in after a win, but the Raptors made sure that didn’t happen. The Pacers took a 122-111 hit to the loss column at the hands of the Raptors on Tuesday.
The Pacers’ defeat came about despite a quality game from Tyrese Haliburton, who went 10 for 16 en route to 30 points plus six assists. What’s more, Haliburton also posted a 62.5% field goal percentage, which is the highest he’s posted since back in November.
Meanwhile, the Nets’ recent rough patch got a bit rougher on Monday after their third straight loss. They suffered a painful 128-102 defeat at the hands of the Bulls. Brooklyn was down 92-72 at the end of the third quarter, and things only got worse from there.
Indiana’s loss dropped their record down to 9-13. As for Brooklyn, their defeat ended a three-game streak of away wins and brought them to 9-13.
Going forward, the Pacers are the favorite in this one, as the experts expect to see them win by 2.5 points. This contest might not be the best time to bet them against the spread since they’ve let bettors down the last nine times they’ve played.
The Pacers came up short against the Nets in their previous meeting back in April, falling 115-111. Can the Pacers avenge their loss or is history doomed to repeat itself? We’ll find out soon enough.
Odds
Indiana is a slight 2.5-point favorite against Brooklyn, according to the latest NBA odds.
The oddsmakers had a good feel for the line for this one, as the game opened with the Pacers as a 3-point favorite.
The over/under is 227 points.
See NBA picks for every single game, including this one, from SportsLine’s advanced computer model. Get picks now.
Series History
Brooklyn has won 6 out of their last 10 games against Indiana.

1st Quarter Report
Only three more quarters stand between the Knicks and the win they were favored to collect coming into this evening. They have jumped out to a quick 36-27 lead against the Magic.
If the Knicks keep playing like this, they’ll bump their record up to 13-8 in no time. On the other hand, the Magic will have to make due with a 15-8 record unless they turn things around.
Who’s Playing
Orlando Magic @ New York Knicks
Current Records: Orlando 15-7, New York 12-8
How To Watch
When: Tuesday, December 3, 2024 at 7:30 p.m. ET
Tuesday, December 3, 2024 at 7:30 p.m. ET Where: Madison Square Garden — New York, New York
Madison Square Garden — New York, New York TV: TNT
TNT Follow: CBS Sports App
CBS Sports App Ticket Cost: $103.00
What to Know
The Knicks are on a four-game streak of home wins, while the Magic are on a four-game streak of away wins: one of those streaks is about to end. The New York Knicks will host the Orlando Magic at 7:30 p.m. ET on Tuesday at Madison Square Garden. Things are looking good forBDOCBSGame who are projected to snag an easy win in their upcoming match.
The Knicks are headed into this one after the oddsmakers set last week’s over/under low at 224.5, but even that wound up being too high. Everything went their way against the Pelicans on Sunday as the Knicks made off with a 118-85 win. New York has made a habit of sweeping their opponents off the court, having now won six matchups by 22 points or more this season.
The Knicks can attribute much of their success to Mikal Bridges, who went 7 for 12 from beyond the arc en route to 31 points. Those seven threes gave Bridges a new career-high.
The Knicks were working as a unit and finished the game with 30 assists. They easily outclassed their opponents in that department as the Pelicans only posted 20.
Meanwhile, the Magic’s game on Sunday was all tied up 50-50 at the half, but luckily for them it didn’t stay that way. They came out on top against the Nets by a score of 100-92.
New York is on a roll lately: they’ve won seven of their last nine games, which provided a nice bump to their 12-8 record this season. As for Orlando, their victory bumped their record up to 15-7.
Keep an eye on the arc in Tuesday’s contest: The Knicks have been dynamite from deep this season, having drained 39.3% of their threes per game. It’s a different story for the Magic, though, as they’ve only made 31.7% of their threes this season. Given the Knicks’ sizable advantage in that area, the Magic will need to find a way to close that gap.
The Knicks took their win against the Magic in their previous meeting back in March by a conclusive 98-74. Do the Knicks have another victory up their sleeve, or will the Magic turn the tables on them? We’ll have the answer soon enough.
Odds
New York is a 5-point favorite against Orlando, according to the latest NBA odds.
Bettors have moved against the Knicks slightly, as the game opened with the Knicks as a 6.5-point favorite.
The over/under is 215.5 points.
See NBA picks for every single game, including this one, from SportsLine’s advanced computer model. Get picks now.
Series History
Orlando has won 6 out of their last 10 games against New York.

Halftime Report
Only two more quarters stand between the Cavaliers and the victory they were favored to collect coming into this evening. They have a bit of a cushion as they currently lead the Wizards 60-42.
If the Cavaliers keep playing like this, they’ll bump their record up to 19-3 in no time. On the other hand, the Wizards will have to make due with a 2-17 record unless they turn things around (and fast).
Who’s Playing
Washington Wizards @ Cleveland Cavaliers
Current Records: Washington 2-16, Cleveland 18-3
How To Watch
When: Tuesday, December 3, 2024 at 7 p.m. ET
Tuesday, December 3, 2024 at 7 p.m. ET Where: Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse — Cleveland, Ohio
Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse — Cleveland, Ohio TV: FanDuel SN – Ohio
FanDuel SN – Ohio Follow: CBS Sports App
CBS Sports App Online streaming: fuboTV (Try for free. Regional restrictions may apply.)
fuboTV (Try for free. Regional restrictions may apply.) Ticket Cost: $16.31
What to Know
The Cavaliers will be playing the full four quarters on Tuesday, but they’re expected to have things wrapped up well before that. They will host the Washington Wizards at 7:00 p.m. ET at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. The Cavaliers are strutting in with some offensive muscle as they’ve averaged 122 points per game this season.
The Cavaliers took a loss when they played away from home on Friday, but their home fans gave them all the motivation they needed on Sunday. They managed a 115-111 victory over the Celtics. The win came about thanks to a strong surge starting at the 1:17 mark of the third quarter, when Cleveland was facing a 84-70 deficit.
The Cavaliers’ success was spearheaded by the efforts of Donovan Mitchell, who went 6 for 11 from beyond the arc en route to 35 points plus seven rebounds and two steals, and Darius Garland, who had 22 points in addition to eight assists and five rebounds. What’s more, Mitchell also posted a 57.1% field goal percentage, which is the highest he’s posted since back in November.
Meanwhile, the Wizards’ recent rough patch got a bit rougher on Saturday after their 14th straight defeat. They took a 124-114 hit to the loss column at the hands of the Bucks.
The Wizards’ loss shouldn’t obscure the performances of Malcolm Brogdon, who dropped a double-double on 29 points and 11 rebounds, and Jordan Poole, who earned 31 points in addition to seven assists and two steals. Poole had some trouble finding his footing against the Clippers on Wednesday, so this was a nice turnaround.
Cleveland’s victory bumped their record up to 18-3. As for Washington, their defeat dropped their record down to 2-16.
This contest is shaping up to be a blowout: The Cavaliers have been crazy accurate this season, having drained 51% of their field goals per game (they’re ranked first in field goal percentage overall). It’s a different story for the Wizards, though, as they’ve only made 44.3% of theirs this season. Given the Cavaliers’ sizable advantage in that area, the Wizards will need to find a way to close that gap.
The Cavaliers took their win against the Wizards in their previous matchup back in October by a conclusive 135-116. Will the Cavaliers repeat their success, or do the Wizards have a better game plan this time around? We’ll find out soon enough.
Odds
Cleveland is a big 16-point favorite against Washington, according to the latest NBA odds.
The oddsmakers had a good feel for the line for this one, as the game opened with the Cavaliers as a 15.5-point favorite.
The over/under is 234.5 points.
See NBA picks for every single game, including this one, from SportsLine’s advanced computer model. Get picks now.
Series History
Cleveland has won 9 out of their last 10 games against Washington.

Projected as a top-three pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, Dylan Harper is cementing his place as one of the most exciting prospects in college basketball. Averaging an impressive 23.8 points per game on 51.1% shooting while making 4.6 assists per game in his first eight games at Rutgers, Dylan has scouts buzzing about his NBA potential. But if he were to make it to the league, there is one team that has lessened chances of seeing the young talent, thanks to his father.
A team in the rebuilding phase like the Jazz often flies under the radar. However, former Chicago Bulls star Ron Harper has turned up the heat, making it clear that his feelings about the Utah-based franchise are anything but neutral. Now, those feelings are sparking debate about his son Dylan Harper’s potential NBA future.
Harper, a key member of the Chicago Bulls’ championship teams during their 1997 and 1998 Finals matchups against the Jazz, recently stirred the pot on social media. When a Jazz fan on X, floated the idea of Dylan Harper being drafted no 3 by Utah, Ron Harper didn’t mince words. “Hell, No” he replied bluntly, making it evident he did not want his son to don the Jazz uniform.
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This isn’t the first time Harper has expressed reservations about Utah.
The animosity may stem from his days as a Chicago Bull, where he helped the team defeat the Jazz in back-to-back NBA Finals. Harper was Michael Jordan’s backcourt mate during that era, a role that allowed him a front-row seat to one of the fiercest rivalries of the late ’90s.
Though time has passed, the bitterness seems to linger. Harper once wrote in a post on X that he rejected a trade to the Jazz during his own playing career. His opinion seems to align with another former player, Dallas Mavericks star Derek Harper, who famously declined a trade to Utah in 1997, stating outright that he didn’t want to live there. Now, those personal reservations collide with professional stakes as Harper’s son, Dylan, prepares to enter the NBA.
Dylan Harper to the Jazz: A dream that may never materialize
Dylan’s talent has already captured the imagination of Utah fans, many of whom are eager to see him don a Jazz jersey. The prospect of landing such a transformative player has become a beacon of hope for a franchise in the midst of a challenging rebuild. With a 4-16 record after Sunday’s loss to the Los Angeles Lakers, the Jazz have sunk to the second-last spot in the Western Conference, putting them on track for a third consecutive top-10 pick.
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Recent draft selections Cody Williams (No. 10 in 2024) and Taylor Hendricks (No. 9 in 2023) reflect the franchise’s ongoing rebuilding phase. Adding a player of Dylan Harper’s caliber would undoubtedly bolster their roster, but the elder Harper’s stance raises questions about whether Utah would even be able to keep Dylan long enough to build a roster around him.
via Imago Nov 27, 2024; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Rutgers Scarlet Knights guard Dylan Harper (2) shoots between Alabama Crimson Tide forward Grant Nelson (4) and Alabama Crimson Tide forward Jarin Stevenson (15) during the first half at MGM Grand Garden Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images
The connection between Ron Harper’s history with the Jazz and his current comments is hard to ignore. The 1998 Finals capped a storied rivalry, with Chicago defeating Utah in six games to claim the championship. For Harper, it was a crowning achievement in his second-to-last NBA season.
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Despite his public opposition, Harper insists that his son will ultimately make his own choice. “He will make his own choice for sure,” Harper wrote in a previous X post. His acknowledgment suggests that while he has strong opinions, the final decision will rest with Dylan.

3rd Quarter Report
The 76ers are on the road but looking no worse for wear. They have a bit of a cushion as they currently lead the Hornets 83-69.
The 76ers have yet to string together two consecutive wins, but this may be their chance. For now, things are looking good for them.
Who’s Playing
Philadelphia 76ers @ Charlotte Hornets
Current Records: Philadelphia 4-14, Charlotte 6-14
How To Watch
When: Tuesday, December 3, 2024 at 7 p.m. ET
Tuesday, December 3, 2024 at 7 p.m. ET Where: Spectrum Center — Charlotte, North Carolina
Spectrum Center — Charlotte, North Carolina TV: FanDuel SN – Charlotte
FanDuel SN – Charlotte Follow: CBS Sports App
CBS Sports App Online streaming: fuboTV (Try for free. Regional restrictions may apply.)
fuboTV (Try for free. Regional restrictions may apply.) Ticket Cost: $8.55
What to Know
The Hornets will be in front of their home fans on Tuesday, but a look at the spread shows they might need that home-court advantage. They will host the Philadelphia 76ers at 7:00 p.m. ET at Spectrum Center. The Hornets have been getting the ball to fall more lately as they’ve increased their point totals each of their last three games.
The Hornets are headed into this one after the oddsmakers set last week’s over/under low at 223.5, but even that wound up being too high. They fell just short of the Hawks by a score of 107-104 on Saturday. For those keeping track at home, that’s the closest defeat Charlotte has suffered since November 10th.
Even though they lost, the Hornets smashed the offensive glass and finished the game with 18 offensive rebounds (they’re ranked third in offensive rebounds per game overall). That strong performance was nothing new for the team: they’ve now pulled down at least 11 offensive rebounds in nine consecutive matchups.
Meanwhile, the 76ers didn’t have too much trouble with the Pistons on Saturday as they won 111-96. Philadelphia pushed the score to 89-69 by the end of the third, a deficit Detroit cut but never quite recovered from.
Multiple players turned in solid performances to lead the 76ers to victory, but perhaps none more so than Kenyon Martin Jr., who went 7 for 8 en route to 19 points plus six rebounds and three blocks. Martin Jr. continues to roll, besting his previous point total in each of the last four games he’s played.
Charlotte has not been sharp recently as the team has lost seven of their last eight games, which put a noticeable dent in their 6-14 record this season. As for Philadelphia, their win ended a six-game drought on the road and puts them at 4-14.
While only the 76ers took care of their fans the last time they played, both teams pleased bettors by covering the spread. As for their next game, the 76ers are the favorite in this one, as the experts expect to see them win by 4.5 points. This contest will be Charlotte’s 14th straight as the underdogs (so far over this stretch they are 10-3 against the spread).
The Hornets couldn’t quite finish off the 76ers in their previous matchup back in November and fell 107-105. Will the Hornets have more luck at home instead of on the road?
Odds
Philadelphia is a 4.5-point favorite against Charlotte, according to the latest NBA odds.
The oddsmakers had a good feel for the line for this one, as the game opened with the 76ers as a 4-point favorite.
The oddsmakers are predicting a defensive showdown and set the over/under low at 210.5 points.
See NBA picks for every single game, including this one, from SportsLine’s advanced computer model. Get picks now.
Series History
Philadelphia has won 8 out of their last 10 games against Charlotte.

3rd Quarter Report
Only one more quarter stands between the Knicks and the win they were favored to collect coming into this evening. They have a bit of a cushion as they currently lead the Magic 106-75.
The Knicks already have six blowout wins this season, but why stop there? Barring a freak comeback, they will be celebrating another huge victory in the locker room very soon.
Who’s Playing
Orlando Magic @ New York Knicks
Current Records: Orlando 15-7, New York 12-8
How To Watch
When: Tuesday, December 3, 2024 at 7:30 p.m. ET
Tuesday, December 3, 2024 at 7:30 p.m. ET Where: Madison Square Garden — New York, New York
Madison Square Garden — New York, New York TV: TNT
TNT Follow: CBS Sports App
CBS Sports App Ticket Cost: $103.00
What to Know
The Knicks are on a four-game streak of home wins, while the Magic are on a four-game streak of away wins: one of those streaks is about to end. The New York Knicks will host the Orlando Magic at 7:30 p.m. ET on Tuesday at Madison Square Garden. Things are looking good forBDOCBSGame who are projected to snag an easy win in their upcoming match.
The Knicks are headed into this one after the oddsmakers set last week’s over/under low at 224.5, but even that wound up being too high. Everything went their way against the Pelicans on Sunday as the Knicks made off with a 118-85 win. New York has made a habit of sweeping their opponents off the court, having now won six matchups by 22 points or more this season.
The Knicks can attribute much of their success to Mikal Bridges, who went 7 for 12 from beyond the arc en route to 31 points. Those seven threes gave Bridges a new career-high.
The Knicks were working as a unit and finished the game with 30 assists. They easily outclassed their opponents in that department as the Pelicans only posted 20.
Meanwhile, the Magic’s game on Sunday was all tied up 50-50 at the half, but luckily for them it didn’t stay that way. They came out on top against the Nets by a score of 100-92.
New York is on a roll lately: they’ve won seven of their last nine games, which provided a nice bump to their 12-8 record this season. As for Orlando, their victory bumped their record up to 15-7.
Keep an eye on the arc in Tuesday’s contest: The Knicks have been dynamite from deep this season, having drained 39.3% of their threes per game. It’s a different story for the Magic, though, as they’ve only made 31.7% of their threes this season. Given the Knicks’ sizable advantage in that area, the Magic will need to find a way to close that gap.
The Knicks took their win against the Magic in their previous meeting back in March by a conclusive 98-74. Do the Knicks have another victory up their sleeve, or will the Magic turn the tables on them? We’ll have the answer soon enough.
Odds
New York is a 5-point favorite against Orlando, according to the latest NBA odds.
Bettors have moved against the Knicks slightly, as the game opened with the Knicks as a 6.5-point favorite.
The over/under is 215.5 points.
See NBA picks for every single game, including this one, from SportsLine’s advanced computer model. Get picks now.
Series History
Orlando has won 6 out of their last 10 games against New York.

3rd Quarter Report
The Raptors are giving their home crowd exactly what they were hoping for. Sitting on a score of 93-84, they have looked like the better team, but there’s still one more quarter to play.
If the Raptors keep playing like this, they’ll bump their record up to 7-15 in no time. On the other hand, the Pacers will have to make due with a 9-13 record unless they turn things around (and fast).
Who’s Playing
Indiana Pacers @ Toronto Raptors
Current Records: Indiana 9-12, Toronto 6-15
How To Watch
When: Tuesday, December 3, 2024 at 7:30 p.m. ET
Tuesday, December 3, 2024 at 7:30 p.m. ET Where: Scotiabank Arena — Toronto, Ontario
Scotiabank Arena — Toronto, Ontario TV: The Sports Network
The Sports Network Follow: CBS Sports App
CBS Sports App Online streaming: fuboTV (Try for free. Regional restrictions may apply.)
fuboTV (Try for free. Regional restrictions may apply.) Ticket Cost: $23.52
What to Know
The Indiana Pacers will head out to take on the Toronto Raptors at 7:30 p.m. ET on Tuesday at Scotiabank Arena. The Pacers are no doubt hoping to put an end to a six-game streak of away losses.
The Pacers are headed into Tuesday’s contest after beating the impressive 244.5-point over/under the oddsmakers set for their last match against the Grizzlies. The game between the Pacers and the Grizzlies on Sunday wasn’t a total blowout, but with the Pacers falling 136-121 on the road it was darn close to turning into one. The loss hurts even more since Indiana was up 47-28 with 10:11 left in the second.
Meanwhile, the Raptors posted their closest victory since November 2nd on Sunday. They came out on top in a nail-biter against the Heat , sneaking past 119-116.
RJ Barrett was nothing short of spectacular: he went 15 for 20 en route to 37 points plus seven rebounds and five assists. He is trending in the right direction considering he’s improved his point production for four straight games.
The Raptors were working as a unit and finished the game with 30 assists. That strong performance was nothing new for the team: they’ve now posted at least 26 assists in four consecutive matchups.
Indiana’s loss dropped their record down to 9-12. As for Toronto, their win bumped their record up to 6-15.
Looking ahead, the Pacers are expected to win a tight contest, barring any buzzer beaters. This contest might not be the best time to bet them against the spread since they’ve let bettors down the last eight times they’ve played.
The Pacers came up short against the Raptors when the teams last played two weeks ago, falling 130-119. Can the Pacers avenge their defeat or is history doomed to repeat itself? We’ll find out soon enough.
Odds
Indiana is a slight 2.5-point favorite against Toronto, according to the latest NBA odds.
The oddsmakers had a good feel for the line for this one, as the game opened with the Pacers as a 2-point favorite.
The over/under is 238.5 points.
See NBA picks for every single game, including this one, from SportsLine’s advanced computer model. Get picks now.
Series History
Indiana has won 6 out of their last 10 games against Toronto.

They say defense wins championships, but advancing in the NBA Cup was all about the top “O.”
The Knicks and their No. 1-ranked offense steamrolled the Magic’s No. 1 defense in the East on Tuesday night at MSG, 121-106, clinching the top spot in Group A and a berth in the knockout round.
The Knicks (13-8) had no mathematical chance for a wild-card spot so they faced the equivalent of an elimination game against the league’s hottest team.
3 Cameron Payne of the Knicks reacts after hitting a shot during the first half on the Knicks’ 121-106 win over the Magic on Dec. 3, 2024 at Madison Square Garden. Robert Sabo for NY Post
They responded with a dominant performance, a blowout win forged early and solidified by Mikal Bridges’ buzzer-beating bank shot to take a 20-point advantage at the half.
The scoring was balanced and served as a shining example of the Knicks’ humming offense, which entered the evening as the NBA’s most efficient with the highest points per possession.
Karl-Anthony Towns was a wrecking ball with 23 points and 15 rebounds, feasting on an Orlando frontcourt without injured duo Paolo Banchero and Goga Bitadze. His chippy battles with Mo Wagner became a side story to the blowout. Josh Hart notched a triple-double with 13 rebounds.
Jalen Brunson dropped 21 in just 26 minutes of work. Bridges followed up his rejuvenating effort two nights prior with a solid effort, scoring 19 on 8-for-13 shooting.
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OG Anunoby (7-for-10, 18 points) was again hitting shots after a deep two-game slump. Five Knicks scored in double figures just in the first half.
The Magic (15-8), a supposed defensive juggernaut, had their six-game winning streak snapped and lost for just the second time in their past 14 games. On offense, they provided no help for Franz Wagner, who scored 20 of his team’s 51 points in the opening half.
Wagner, a budding superstar, finished with 30. But he was alone with the Magic and the defense had no answers for the Knicks, who will face the Hawks next week at MSG in the NBA Cup quarterfinals.
3 Jalen Brunson makes a jumping pass during the first half of the Knicks’ win over the Magic. Robert Sabo for NY Post
A victory over Atlanta will mean a trip to Vegas for the semifinal (Dec. 14) and possible championship game (Dec. 17).
Despite the defeat, the Magic advanced to the NBA Cup quarters with the wild card. They’ll face the Bucks. There was a moment early in the fourth quarter — with the lead over 30 — when it appeared the Knicks would tip the point differential too far. A victory by 37 or more would’ve meant a quarterfinal matchup against the Celtics, who were instead eliminated after the Knicks pumped the breaks on the blowout.
From a players’ perspective, part of the appeal of Adam Silver’s beloved NBA Cup is the monetary prize — $515,000 per player for the winners, $206,000 for the second-place finishers, $103,000 for semifinalists and $51,500 for quarterfinals.
Brunson is taking an altruistic view of the money.
“It would mean a lot [to win]. It would mean a lot for us to get [to Las Vegas for the final] and do all that,” Brunson said. “You have guys on the team who may be on one-year contracts or two-way deals or whatever. And you get to go out there and try to win for them and it means a lot.”
3 Mikal Bridges shoots over Franz Wagner during the Knicks’ victory over the Magic. Robert Sabo for NY Post
As Brunson alluded, the prize money is flat across the roster and is disproportionately valuable to players earning less. For instance, the first-place money represents a roughly 50 percent bonus for Ariel Hukporti and just 1 percent for Towns.
Josh Hart, though, is thinking about himself.
“That’s found money, so I might buy a watch or something with it,” Hart said, presenting the quote with his usual humor. “I’ve been wanting a new car. That’s found money so I’ll do something foolish with it.”
The Knicks have to win three more games first. They easily got into the quarters Tuesday.

1st Quarter Report
After a tough loss on the road their last time out, the Nuggets look much better today on their home court. A win is still up for grabs for either team after one quarter, but the Nuggets are up 33-31 over the Warriors.
With six games having already gone down to the wire, it’s been a real nail-biter of a season for the Nuggets, and they’re locked in yet another close battle with the Warriors. Maybe the Nuggets will pull away, but we predict a narrow margin.
Who’s Playing
Golden State Warriors @ Denver Nuggets
Current Records: Golden State 12-7, Denver 10-8
How To Watch
When: Tuesday, December 3, 2024 at 10 p.m. ET
Tuesday, December 3, 2024 at 10 p.m. ET Where: Ball Arena — Denver, Colorado
Ball Arena — Denver, Colorado TV: TNT
TNT Follow: CBS Sports App
CBS Sports App Ticket Cost: $40.00
What to Know
The Warriors are 2-8 against the Nuggets since April of 2022 but they’ll have a chance to close the gap a little bit on Tuesday. The Golden State Warriors will challenge the Denver Nuggets at 10:00 p.m. ET at Ball Arena. The Warriors are expected to lose this one by 4.5 points, so we’ll see if that gives them a bit of motivation.
The Warriors are headed into Tuesday’s contest looking for a big change in momentum after dropping their fourth straight game on Saturday. They took a 113-105 hit to the loss column at the hands of the Suns.
Meanwhile, the Nuggets’ game on Sunday was all tied up 59-59 at the half, but sadly for them it didn’t stay that way. They took a 126-122 hit to the loss column at the hands of the Clippers. Denver didn’t live up to their potential and found themselves falling short of the advantage oddsmakers thought they had coming into the game.
The Nuggets’ loss came about despite a quality game from Nikola Jokic, who dropped a triple-double on 28 points, 14 rebounds, and 11 assists.
Even though they lost, the Nuggets were working as a unit and finished the game with 37 assists (they’re ranked second in assists per game overall). They easily outclassed their opponents in that department as the Clippers only posted 28.
Golden State’s defeat dropped their record down to 12-7. As for Denver, their loss ended a three-game streak of away wins and brought them to 10-8.
The Warriors ended up a good deal behind the Nuggets in their previous meeting back in February, losing 119-103. A big factor in that loss was the dominant performance of Jokic, who dropped a triple-double on 32 points, 16 rebounds, and 16 assists. Back with a vengeance, will the Warriors be able to stop him this time around? There’s only one way to find out.
Odds
Denver is a 4.5-point favorite against Golden State, according to the latest NBA odds.
The line has drifted a bit towards the Nuggets, as the game opened with the Nuggets as a 2.5-point favorite.
The over/under is 239 points.
See NBA picks for every single game, including this one, from SportsLine’s advanced computer model. Get picks now.
Series History
Denver has won 8 out of their last 10 games against Golden State.

3rd Quarter Report
Down three at the end of the second quarter, the Grizzlies now have the lead. They have a bit of a cushion as they currently lead the Mavericks 95-82.
The Grizzlies entered the game having won six straight and they’re just one quarter away from another. Will they make it seven, or will the Mavericks step up and spoil it? We’ll know soon.
Who’s Playing
Memphis Grizzlies @ Dallas Mavericks
Current Records: Memphis 14-7, Dallas 13-8
How To Watch
When: Tuesday, December 3, 2024 at 8:30 p.m. ET
Tuesday, December 3, 2024 at 8:30 p.m. ET Where: American Airlines Center — Dallas, Texas
American Airlines Center — Dallas, Texas TV: Fand Duel SN – Memphis
Fand Duel SN – Memphis Follow: CBS Sports App
CBS Sports App Online streaming: fuboTV (Try for free. Regional restrictions may apply.)
fuboTV (Try for free. Regional restrictions may apply.) Ticket Cost: $34.00
What to Know
The Grizzlies have enjoyed a four-game homestand but will soon have to dust off their road jerseys. They will square off against the Dallas Mavericks at 8:30 p.m. ET on Tuesday at American Airlines Center. Keep an eye on the score for this one: both posted some lofty point totals in their previous games.
The Grizzlies are headed into Tuesday’s game after beating the impressive 244.5-point over/under the oddsmakers set for their last contest against the Pacers. The Grizzlies strolled past the Pacers with points to spare on Sunday, taking the game 136-121. The victory was all the more spectacular given Memphis was down by 19 with 10:11 left in the second quarter.
Multiple players turned in solid performances to lead the Grizzlies to victory, but perhaps none more so than Jaren Jackson Jr., who went 8 for 14 en route to 25 points plus eight rebounds and three blocks.
The Grizzlies were working as a unit and finished the game with 36 assists (they’re ranked first in assists per game overall). That strong performance was nothing new for the team: they’ve now racked up at least 29 assists in six consecutive matchups.
Meanwhile, winning is always nice, but doing so behind a season-high score is even better (just ask the Mavericks). They managed a 137-131 win over the Trail Blazers on Sunday. The victory was nothing new for Dallas as they’re now sitting on four straight.
The Mavericks’ success was the result of a balanced attack that saw several players step up, but Luka Doncic led the charge by dropping a double-double on 36 points and 13 assists. Another player making a difference was Quentin Grimes, who went 9 for 13 en route to 28 points plus five rebounds and five steals.
Memphis’ win was their fifth straight at home, which pushed their record up to 14-7. As for Dallas, they are on a roll lately: they’ve won eight of their last nine matches, which provided a massive bump to their 13-8 record this season.
The Grizzlies are hoping to beat the odds on Tuesday, as the experts think they’re headed for a loss. The two teams have both performed well against the spread, with Memphis at 15-6 and Dallas at 6-5 ATS.
While fans of both were happy after their last outing, their bettors probably weren’t as neither team covered. Looking ahead, the Mavericks are the favorite in this one, as the experts expect to see them win by four points. They might be worth a quick bet since they’re sitting on a five game streak of covering the spread when playing at home.
Odds
Dallas is a 4-point favorite against Memphis, according to the latest NBA odds.
The line has drifted a bit towards the Mavericks, as the game opened with the Mavericks as a 2.5-point favorite.
The over/under is 242 points.
See NBA picks for every single game, including this one, from SportsLine’s advanced computer model. Get picks now.
Series History
Dallas and Memphis both have 5 wins in their last 10 games.

VP pick and roll.
Former Kamala Harris campaign surrogate and “Shark Tank” mogul Mark Cuban believes he can win the presidency by choosing an NBA legend as his running mate.
During an appearance on “The Steam Room” podcast, hosted by NBA TNT television personalities Ernie Johnson and Charles Barkley, Cuban answered whether his recent turn as a political pundit would result in seeking elected office.
Cuban first said “hell no,” about running for higher office, but said one thing could possibly change his mind.
4 Billionaire Mark Cuban turned a new leaf as a political surrogate for
Kamala Harris’ failed campaign. USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con
“Would your feeling on a run for office change if it were, say, a ticket of you and the Chuckster,” legendary basketball announcer Ernie “The Elevator” Johnson asked, referring to his co-host as the potential running mate.
“Yes, absolutely,” Cuban replied with relish. “We’d win running away. No question about it.”
“We’d win,” Barkley said in matter-of-fact agreement. “We’d definitely win. Yes absolutely, running away.”
Cuban heaped praise on Barkley, all but calling him a role model for civility and personability.
4 Charles Barkley has a well-earned reputation for speaking his mind and being personable, the latter quality qualifying him as a good veep candidate, according to Mark Cuban. Getty Images
“Charles can talk to anybody and put himself in any circumstance and get along with everybody, and I think that’s what we need,” Cuban said.
Moments before, the Round Mound of Rebound himself asked Cuban whether he “seriously considered” seeking an elected office.
“I did a little bit,” Cuban said with a wince. “I even talked to a pollster. But then I talked to my family and we took a family vote and they said, “hell no.”
Cuban further elaborated that he believes today’s politics is “meaner” and that the “hate on social media” serves as a legitimate deterrent to his civic impulses.
4 Cuban tells Johnson and Barkley that the vitriol associated with the political arena disincentives him from seeking elected
office. Nathan Posner/Shutterstock
“If your kids live on social media, why would I put them through that?” Cuban asked rhetorically.
Cuban, who was an active surrogate for the Harris campaign, said he was disappointed with Trump’s election victory in November —- but he is more focused on the future than the past.
“What’s your first, initial reaction to the election going forward,” Barkley asked the minority owner of the Dallas Mavericks.
“It’s like losing the last game of the season. You know? It’s a horrible feeling; walking off the court is awful. But, you know, you’ve got to look forward to next season,” said Cuban, Mavs lost in the NBA Finals last year.
“You can’t dwell on it, you’ve got to think what you can do going forward, and I care about this country, I love this country, and that’s important to me. It’s not about “I hate this person” or “I hate that person.” No. It’s about what can we do going forward,” he stated.
4 Cuban was roundly mocked in conservative circles for bearing an increasingly striking resemblance to MSNBC’s Rachel Maddow. ZUMAPRESS.com / MEGA
The billionaire turned political pundit made news throughout the election cycle, oftentimes due to high-profile flubs.
Cuban faced backlash after claiming Donald Trump doesn’t surround himself with “strong, intelligent women.”
“They’re intimidating to him. He doesn’t like to be challenged by them, and, you know, Nikki Haley will call him on his nonsense with reproductive rights and how he sees and treats and talks about women. I mean, he just can’t have her around. It wouldn’t work,” Cuban said on “The View” at the time.
He later apologized for the comments that were seen as dismissive and disrespectful to conservative women.
The billionaire was also roundly mocked in online conservative circles during the campaign — with many suggesting that his new black-rimmed glasses bring out a resemblance to liberal MSNBC talk show host Rachel Maddow.

“When it came down to it, business got in the way and there were certain points that the Heat could only get to and other teams were able to get more”. Gabe Vincent was pretty candid when discussing his major decision to bid adieu to the Miami Heat and join the LA Lakers. Having gone undrafted and biding his time in the G-League, it was Pat Riley’s franchise that gave him a home and a shot at facing the big competitors. In the end, Riley had his restrictions over long-term loyalty. But when looking at the difference between what the player was earning earlier, and what he’s earning now, no one could blame him for taking the major leap.
Therefore, without any further ado, let us delve into the details of the paycheck for which Gabe Vincent was willing to leave the Miami Heat for good.
How much are the Los Angeles Lakers paying Gabe Vincent? When does he become a free agent?
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Gabe Vincent is currently playing for the Los Angeles Lakers under a 3-year, $33 million contract. Signed back in July 2023, it is set to run until the 2025-26 season. After that, the player will either get an extension or will become an unrestricted free agent.
According to the terms, they will pay the point guard $11 million this season. As a result, he ranks as the 154th highest-paid player of the ongoing tournament. The ranking tied his salary amount with that of Moritz Wagner, Aaron Nesmith, and Maxi Kleber. Having already made $10.5M from the previous 2024 season, Vincent will earn $11M and $11.5M, respectively, in the next two years.
How much did Gabe Vincent earn with the Miami Heat? Was he traded to the Lakers?
After spending two years solely in the G League, Gabe Vincent signed with the Miami Heat back in January 2020. He was initially taken in under a two-way contract. This meant that he had to split his time between the NBA and the Sioux Falls Skyforce, the Heat’s G League affiliate. Per Salary Swish, the two-way contract was worth 1 year, $449,155, carrying a base salary of just a mere $50,000.
Within the span of a year, Vincent had created a memorable impression. He was averaging 20.9 points, 3.1 rebounds and 2.3 assists over 31 G League games. For the main NBA team, he averaged 4.8 points, 1.1 rebounds, and 1.3 assists in the 2020-21 season. As a result, when Gabe joined the Heat for the Summer League back in August 2021, they awarded him a veteran contract in just five days!
Signed on August 6, the deal provided him $3.48 million over 2 years. $1.66 million of the amount was guaranteed, while the player earned an average annual salary of around $1.74 million. Furthermore, the cap hit ranged between $1.6 million to $1.8 million.
USA Today via Reuters Jun 1, 2023; Denver, CO, USA; Miami Heat guard Gabe Vincent (2) controls the ball wdb/ Denver Nuggets forward Aaron Gordon (50) during the fourth quarter in game one of the 2023 NBA Finals at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
Gabe Vincent rose to prominence during the 2023 playoffs. During the same, he averaged 12.7 points, 1.4 rebounds, and 3.5 assists in 22 games. His stats, especially during Game 3 of the East Finals, and the NBA Finals, made him a topic of conversation. As Vincent himself would later highlight, “I think I had a good playoff run, and I think that changed my value.”
Sure enough, the Lakers had attempted to acquire the player, as they looked to fill the gap left by Dennis Schroder after he signed with the Raptors. Despite the appeal from the Lakers, the Heat still made an attempt to retain Vincent. According to reports, they presented a final offer to the player, which would have given him $34 million over four years. Meanwhile, the Lakers had put out an offer that would give Vincent at least $3 million more. In the end, the hoopster signed with LeBron James and Co.
When was Gabe Vincent drafted?
After graduating from the University of California, Gabe Vincent immediately put his name forward for the 2018 NBA Draft. In his 4 seasons at college, he averaged 12.8 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 2.5 assists. Despite this, the stats weren’t impressive enough to make him a pick. Fortunately, he had done a pre-draft workout with the Kings, and they were willing to give him an Exhibition 10 contract.
Despite the $838,464 contract being for one year, the team waived Vincent only a couple of days after they took him in. As a result, he spent two seasons in the Stockton Kings. His performance jumped up to 23.4 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 2.5 assists during the 2019-20 G League season. Soon, the player caught the attention of the management over at the Miami Heat. The rest, as they say, is history.
Given his performance in the 2023 Playoffs, one would assume that the Lakers traded a really good player. Right?
NBA reporter predicts that the Lakers will regret Gabe Vincent’s $33 million contract
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Back in September, Bleacher Report’s Eric Pincus presented a ranking. It listed the contracts he believed teams would regret. Gabe Vincent was the representative for the Lakers! HoopsHype reporter Michael Scotto viewed Vincent as a “negative asset” months before this report came out. After all, the point guard had played in only 11 games during the 2023-24 season.
He missed the bulk of it after getting surgery to treat his knee injury. In his limited appearances, Gabe averaged only 3.1 points, 0.8 rebounds, and 1.9 assists. His shooting skills were not at all memorable, with his field goals at 30.6%, and 3-point shooting at 10.7%. In light of this, Pincus made it clear that the money could have certainly gone somewhere else.
“L.A.’s budget was so tight that it couldn’t add free agents on standard contracts this offseason (outside of its two drafted players)” wrote Pincus. However, looking for some hope, he also wrote, “Vincent may bounce back with a healthy season.”
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via Imago Nov 26, 2024; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Gabe Vincent (7) against the Phoenix Suns during an NBA Cup game at Footprint Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
After playing 20 games in the ongoing season, and starting in 1, Gabe Vincent’s stats are no better. After all, he has averaged only 3.2 points, 1.1 rebounds, and 0.6 assists. If the hoopster continues at this rate, we can assume that a contract extension certainly won’t be on the horizon for him.

It was the Boston Celtics, who ended the Cleveland Cavaliers’ 15-game unbeaten streak. Since then, the Cleveland side has won 2 games and lost twice to the Atalanta Hawks in back-to-back games. So, the Cavaliers were clear about the job at hand when the Beantown team traveled. And the second-half heroics of the 5x All-Star were enough for Boston to suffer a defeat in 7 games. Obviously, the applause would come in, and Lou Williams even made a proclamation.
On the latest episode of ‘Run It Back’ on FanDuel TV, co-host Michelle Beadle asked about Donovan Mitchell’s rankings in the league. “Top player is tough for me because we have legacy guys. We are automatically gonna add LeBron; we are automatically gonna add Steph. Donovan Mitchell is outplaying a lot of these guys, but because they are legacy guys, their reputations and the bodies of work that they put in we automatically put them in conversations.”
Mitchell became a conversation on the show after he helped his team overcome a 14-point deficit to the Boston Celtics. He has started slow, with 5 points in the first quarter and 0 in the next. But Spida took over in the second half with 10 and 20 points in the third and fourth quarters, respectively. So Williams sees the potential.
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“But it’s not too many guards out displaying better basketball than Donovan Mitchell right now,” he says. “He is doing his thing right now. I don’t want to put a number on it, but I think he is definitely going to be a All-Star this year. Going to be All First or Second Team NBA, he is going to be in the mix with the rest.” Currently, Donovan Mitchell is ranked #17 in the league in terms of average points. His 24.6 is well ahead of LeBron James and even Stephen Curry though.
The LA Lakers superstar is not the number one player on the team, with Anthony Davis leading with 28.6 points. League wise LeBron James is at #26 with an average points 22.6. He is one place ahead of Stephen Curry, who is #1 on his team, but #27 in the league (22.5).
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Will Donovan Mitchell topple Stephen Curry or LeBron James this season?
Playing in his third season with the Cleveland outfit, Spida is leading the team in points and steals this season. The #45 has been taking more responsibility, especially from behind the arc. In comparison to his previous seasons, his 39.8% is the highest, which also helped him break a record. Donovan Mitchell became the quickest player in the Cleveland Cavaliers’ history to make 500 three-pointers — 143 games.
He surpassed J.R. Smith in the process, who had achieved 500 threes in 202 games. Plus, the game against the Celtics marked Mitchell’s 59th with at least 30 points, and that too achieved him a place in the record books. Moving him past World B. Free for second place on the Cavs’ all-time list. But a long way from catching LeBron James and his record of 324.
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Being an All-Star for the past 5 seasons, and also 6th ranking in the MVP list back in 2022-23, Williams predictions are definitely not far off. He had averaged 28.3 points per game then. So, now helping Cavs past the Boston Celtics hurdle in the regular season game, Donovan Mitchell would like to repeat the triumph if the teams meet in post-season. And if he does so, will that be enough to help him rank ahead of legacy players like LeBron James and Stephen Curry?

1st Quarter Report
The Pelicans are on the road but looking no worse for wear. After one quarter, neither squad has the contest in the bag, but the Pelicans lead 28-26 over the Hawks.
The Pelicans entered the match with eight straight losses and they’re well on their way to making it nine. Can they turn things around, or will the Hawks hand them another defeat? Only time will tell.
Who’s Playing
New Orleans Pelicans @ Atlanta Hawks
Current Records: New Orleans 4-17, Atlanta 10-11
How To Watch
When: Monday, December 2, 2024 at 7:30 p.m. ET
Monday, December 2, 2024 at 7:30 p.m. ET Where: State Farm Arena — Atlanta, Georgia
State Farm Arena — Atlanta, Georgia TV: FanDuel SN – Southeast
FanDuel SN – Southeast Follow: CBS Sports App
CBS Sports App Online streaming: fuboTV (Try for free. Regional restrictions may apply.)
fuboTV (Try for free. Regional restrictions may apply.) Ticket Cost: $6.00
What to Know
Pelicans fans better hope the squad plays one heck of a game on Monday as the odds are decidedly against them. Having just played yesterday, they will head out on the road to face off against the Atlanta Hawks at 7:30 p.m. ET at State Farm Arena. The Pelicans are no doubt hoping to put an end to a ten-game streak of away losses.
The Pelicans are headed into this one after the oddsmakers set last week’s over/under low at 224.5, but even that wound up being too high. They suffered a bruising 118-85 defeat at the hands of the Knicks on Sunday. The matchup marked New Orleans’ lowest-scoring game so far this season.
Perhaps unsurprisingly given the score, the Pelicans struggled to work together and finished the game with only 20 assists. They are winless (0-4) when they just don’t pass the ball.
Meanwhile, the Hawks entered their tilt with the Hornets on Saturday with two consecutive wins but they’ll enter their next game with three. They had just enough and edged Charlotte out 107-104. For those keeping track at home, that’s the closest win Atlanta has posted since March 25th.
New Orleans’ loss dropped their record down to 4-17. As for Atlanta, their victory bumped their record up to 10-11.
The Pelicans lost to the Hawks on the road by a decisive 126-111 margin in their previous matchup back in November. Can the Pelicans avenge their defeat or is history doomed to repeat itself? We’ll find out soon enough.
Odds
Atlanta is a big 10-point favorite against New Orleans, according to the latest NBA odds.
The line on this game has moved quite a bit since it opened, as it started out with the Hawks as a 6-point favorite.
The over/under is 228 points.
See NBA picks for every single game, including this one, from SportsLine’s advanced computer model. Get picks now.
Series History
Atlanta has won 7 out of their last 10 games against New Orleans.

Early in the fourth quarter of Sunday’s Knicks blowout victory, New Orleans guard Antonio Reeves got a step on Josh Hart as he drove to the bucket.
Reeves was trailed by Jericho Sims, who leapt for a rejection with both feet and elevated so high that he needed to duck under and around the rim.
The elevation was, as Jalen Brunson put it, “absurd.” And even though Sims was whistled for goaltending, the play perfectly encapsulated the 26-year-old’s greatest NBA strengths — athleticism and rim protection.
In that order.
“His chin was on the rim,” Brunson said. “That was crazy.”
3 New York Knicks center Jericho Sims (20) blocks New Orleans Pelicans guard Dejounte Murray (5) during the first half at Madison Square Garden, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024, in New York, NY. Corey Sipkin for the NY POST
It’s easy to dismiss Sims. His back-of-the-card numbers are beyond underwhelming. His demeanor is unassuming. His offensive contributions are limited to setting screens and dunking.
But as Tom Thibodeau and teammates have stressed for weeks, the appreciation for Sims requires a deeper look into the advanced stats.
Opponents are shooting just 33 percent on Sims within 6 feet of the rim, according to NBA.com. That easily made Sims the NBA’s top paint defender among players who’ve logged at least 11 games heading into Monday.
Nobody else was close.
By contrast, opponents are shooting 73.2 percent within 6 feet of the rim on starting center Karl-Anthony Towns, according to NBA.com. That’s among the worst in the league and quite a difference from Sims, who doesn’t get many rejections (1.2 per 36 minutes) but is forcing shooters to fumble two-thirds of their opportunities.
3 New York Knicks center Jericho Sims (20) slams the ball during the second half at Madison Square Garden, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024, in New York, NY. Corey Sipkin for the NY POST
“He’s really worked hard at it,” Tom Thibodeau said. “Very athletic. Great feet. And making the right decision at the right time. His athleticism is through the roof. He can react very quickly. And you need that. The rim protection is huge.”
Sims, the 58th overall pick in 2021 and a former NBA Slam Dunk Contest participant, is now behind only Mitchell Robinson and Miles McBride as the longest-tenured Knick.
But his role seems constantly in flux. Before the Towns trade, the Texas product was in contention for the starting center spot heading into the season. At other times, he’s out of the rotation. Part of the roller coaster was Sims falling too easily into foul trouble and struggling to grasp the schemes. He’s gotten better in both those areas, especially recently with a string of positive defensive performances.
The lack of offense, which is by design in the Knicks system, makes Sims an easy scapegoat for any of the team’s scoring problems. It’s hard to appreciate the nuances of a player who averages less than two points in 13.9 minutes per game. There was a groundswell from fans early in the season to replace Sims in the rotation with rookie Ariel Hukporti, who is flashier offensively.
But teammates understand.
“I think it goes underappreciated with the casual basketball fan that just looks at stats and doesn’t see the game and the presence that [Sims] has,” Hart said. “In the beginning of the year, he was trying to figure out what to do, how to play, his spots to be. But the last 10 to 12 games, he’s been huge for us. He’s been someone who has come in and rebounded at a high level. Guarded the pick-and-roll pretty well. Protects the rim at a high level. He’s someone who has been huge for us. Casual basketball fans don’t really see his value, but we know exactly what he brings.”
3 Jericho Sims #20 of the New York Knicks slams the ball between Jonas Valanciunas #17 of the Washington Wizards and Kyle Kuzma #33 of the Washington Wizards during the first half. Charles Wenzelberg/New York Post
With Precious Achiuwa inactive all season because of a hamstring strain (Thibodeau said Monday he expects him back within a week), Sims has represented the Knicks’ lone frontcourt reserve for one-quarter of the season. Still, the minutes are relatively low because of, among other reasons, Thibodeau’s reluctance to play Sims in lineups with Towns.
It’s one or the other, and Towns is averaging 33.4 minutes.
Interestingly, the coach revealed Monday that he experimented with the two-center lineup in practice before Towns suffered a leg contusion.
At the very least, Thibodeau is open to it. A similar configuration worked in Minnesota with Towns playing alongside the elite rim protection of Rudy Gobert, who helped cover up Towns’ weaknesses.
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“We’ll see how it unfolds,” Thibodeau said. “We haven’t had a lot of practice time, so that’s a big thing. We started to work on it and then KAT got nicked up. So that didn’t allow us to do it as much as we would’ve liked.”
No matter where the Knicks end up in the future with returns of Achiuwa (probably soon) and Robinson (not for awhile as he navigates his conditioning), they know they’ve found a reliable paint defender in Sims.
He’s an underappreciated piece to the puzzle who today represents the NBA’s best paint defender.
“When we have Mitch back — hopefully January or whenever that is — [Sims] gives us the ability to have different lineups,” Hart said. “And have two bigs and stuff like that.”
“Jericho is a hard guy to measure statistically,” added Thibodeau. “Because you’re talking about screening, offensive rebounding, pressure on the rim, decision-making in pick-and-rolls, when to switch, when not to switch, when are you making a decision going after the ball. That comes with time. And a lot of times, he’s not getting the block, but he’s making people miss.”

Not everyone has fulfilled their NBA dream, but Isaac Okoro has done it from a small town to the NBA. Shooting from a young age, just like most Americans do, who would have ever taught that this little boy would one day play in the NBA? However, what started as a childhood passion has quickly become a standout.
Will we be aware of his on-court anecdote? We will explore his romantic life and see if there is a woman behind him other than his mother.
Who is Isaac Okoro dating? Cleveland Cavaliers star’s life off the court explored
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On November 21, Isaac Okoro first stepped into the NBA world with the Cavs and ever since then, the young star has become the talk of the town. However, despite the on-court success, his personal life remains private. As of now, he’s not dating anyone. According to various sources, he isn’t married or engaged. His Instagram account doesn’t hint at any romantic relationships either. Instead, it’s filled with basketball-related posts and family moments, showing his focus on his career.
The hooper has always been open about his close bond with his family. According to him, his parents are a significant part of his life. Yet, he keeps things under wraps with his dating life. For fans curious about his romantic interests, there’s no official word on who he might be seeing.
In fact, from his social media handle, it is clear that he is fully immersed in his basketball journey. His passion for the game is evident in every play and practice. As of now, we know that his “first love” is basketball. And with his dedication to the game, we hope someday in the future he’ll open up about his romantic life. But for now, his fans can only admire his commitment to the game. It’s all about basketball, and that’s how he seems to like it. However, with this, let’s see how the hoopster made it to the NBA.
From local church league to Auburn: Issac Okoro’s journey to the NBA
Isaac Okoro began his basketball journey in an unlikely place—a church league. Growing up in Powder Springs, Georgia, his parents initially introduced him to football and basketball. However, from a young age, Okoro gravitated toward hoops. At just seven or eight years old, he began training under coach Omar Cooper, father of his future high school teammate, Sharife Cooper.
This mentorship set the foundation for what would become a remarkable rise in basketball.
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The hooper didn’t waste much time in high school and quickly made his mark at McEachern High School. Do you know he led his school to multiple championship victories? Here’s how – so in his freshman year he averaged 15 points and eight rebounds, leading his team to a regional title and a spot in the state quarterfinals. It continued in his sophomore season, where he averaged 22.5 points per game and again led his school to a regional championship. His performances earned All-State honors and a place on the MaxPreps Sophomore All-American third team.
Okoro’s game continued to evolve. By junior year, he averaged 20.3 points and 6.4 rebounds, helping McEachern reach the state quarterfinals. His accolades included first-team All-State and USA Today All-USA Georgia first-team honors. In his senior year, the hooper averaged 19.7 points, 10.6 rebounds, and 3.2 assists per game. Do you know he led McEachern to achieve two accolades? Yes, he did as he led them with a perfect 32-0 season and their first state championship. However, all this he was named the state’s MVP, sharing the honor with Sharife Cooper.
His high school career didn’t just finish there, it concluded with a spot on the MaxPreps All-American second team! And by the end of his senior year, as it should be, he was one of the most sought-after recruits. How wouldn’t he be, right? He was offered programs from top universities like Florida and Texas, but instead, he chose Auburn, becoming the second-highest-ranked recruit in the program’s history.
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At Auburn, he wasn’t any lesser. Okoro made an immediate impact, scoring 12 points in his debut. By the end of his freshman year, he averaged 12.9 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 2.0 assists per game. After one standout season at Auburn, he was declared for the 2020 NBA Draft, marking the end of his college career. And ever since he had entered the league, we know what happened.
With this, we come to an end and in conclusion, Issac Okoro’s rise from local courts to college stardom and beyond proves that dedication can turn dreams into reality.

Halftime Report
The Pelicans are on the road but looking no worse for wear. They have jumped out to a 59-58 lead against the Hawks.
The Pelicans entered the match with eight straight losses and they’re well on their way to making it nine. Can they turn things around, or will the Hawks hand them another defeat? Only time will tell.
Who’s Playing
New Orleans Pelicans @ Atlanta Hawks
Current Records: New Orleans 4-17, Atlanta 10-11
How To Watch
When: Monday, December 2, 2024 at 7:30 p.m. ET
Monday, December 2, 2024 at 7:30 p.m. ET Where: State Farm Arena — Atlanta, Georgia
State Farm Arena — Atlanta, Georgia TV: FanDuel SN – Southeast
FanDuel SN – Southeast Follow: CBS Sports App
CBS Sports App Online streaming: fuboTV (Try for free. Regional restrictions may apply.)
fuboTV (Try for free. Regional restrictions may apply.) Ticket Cost: $6.00
What to Know
Pelicans fans better hope the squad plays one heck of a game on Monday as the odds are decidedly against them. Having just played yesterday, they will head out on the road to face off against the Atlanta Hawks at 7:30 p.m. ET at State Farm Arena. The Pelicans are no doubt hoping to put an end to a ten-game streak of away losses.
The Pelicans are headed into this one after the oddsmakers set last week’s over/under low at 224.5, but even that wound up being too high. They suffered a bruising 118-85 defeat at the hands of the Knicks on Sunday. The matchup marked New Orleans’ lowest-scoring game so far this season.
Perhaps unsurprisingly given the score, the Pelicans struggled to work together and finished the game with only 20 assists. They are winless (0-4) when they just don’t pass the ball.
Meanwhile, the Hawks entered their tilt with the Hornets on Saturday with two consecutive wins but they’ll enter their next game with three. They had just enough and edged Charlotte out 107-104. For those keeping track at home, that’s the closest win Atlanta has posted since March 25th.
New Orleans’ loss dropped their record down to 4-17. As for Atlanta, their victory bumped their record up to 10-11.
The Pelicans lost to the Hawks on the road by a decisive 126-111 margin in their previous matchup back in November. Can the Pelicans avenge their defeat or is history doomed to repeat itself? We’ll find out soon enough.
Odds
Atlanta is a big 10-point favorite against New Orleans, according to the latest NBA odds.
The line on this game has moved quite a bit since it opened, as it started out with the Hawks as a 6-point favorite.
The over/under is 228 points.
See NBA picks for every single game, including this one, from SportsLine’s advanced computer model. Get picks now.
Series History
Atlanta has won 7 out of their last 10 games against New Orleans.

Amazingly, the Knicks haven’t faced an Eastern Conference opponent with a winning record since October.
Until Tuesday.
The streaking Orlando Magic (15-7), winners of six straight, hit MSG for a matchup that doubles as an NBA Cup elimination game and a test of the Knicks’ standing in the conference.
Interestingly, the Magic have been without their perceived best player, Paolo Banchero, who has missed 17 straight games with an oblique strain. His absence has allowed Franz Wagner, the young German pushing for an All-Star bid while averaging 23.4 points, to flourish.
3 Knicks guard Josh Hart (3) drives to the basket during the second half against the New Orleans Pelicans at Madison Square Garden, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024, in New York, NY. Corey Sipkin for the NY POST
Josh Hart outlined an advantage for the Knicks (12-8), and not surprisingly it’s been their strength all season — outside shooting.
“[Orlando’s] a team that’s very physical. They’re a team that collapses in the paint,” Hart said. “So as long as we get into the paint and spray and find five guys, there’ll be open shots.
“That’s the benefit of having [Jalen Brunson] who is shooting a good percentage, [Mikal Bridges] is coming off the best game of his year, OG [Anunoby] is shooting at a high percentage, [Karl-Anthony Towns] obviously. So being able to get in the lane, see the bigs on their team, see how they protect the paint. We should be able to get in there and spray. It should be a big assist game for us. Big drive-and-kick game for us.”
New York’s offense ranked No. 1 heading into Monday with the highest points per possession, a number bolstered by its 39.3 percent shooting on treys (second to only the Cavs).
3 New York Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) puts up a shot as New Orleans Pelicans center Yves Missi (21) is too late to block during the second half at Madison Square Garden, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024. Corey Sipkin for the NY POST
The Magic are the inverse. They entered Monday with the NBA’s worst 3-point percentage at 31.7, the No. 22 offense and the No. 3 defense.
The Knicks were No. 22 in defense.
3 New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson (11) reacts after he hits a three-point shot during the first half at Madison Square Garden, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024, in New York, NY. Corey Sipkin for the NY POST
It’s a clash of styles.
“They’re playing great defense,” Thibodeau said.
If the Knicks beat the Magic, they’ll host an NBA Cup quarterfinal game on Dec. 11, an NBA source confirmed.
If the Knicks lose, they’re eliminated and will fill out next week’s schedule with TBD opponents. Even though New York is 3-0 in the group, it has no chance at the wild-card spot because its point differential is worse than that of the Celtics, who finished second in Group C.
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There’s less at stake for the Magic. They will win the group with a victory against the Knicks, but probably still get the wild-card spot with a loss.
Brunson was named the Eastern Conference’s Player of the Week on Monday after averaging 26.8 points and 9.8 assists over four games.
The Knicks went 3-1. Towns was also nominated for the award.
Precious Achiuwa remains out for Tuesday but will probably return within the week, according to Thibodeau.
Achiuwa (strained hamstring), who will miss his 21st straight game, practiced Monday.
“He’s going to do more contact now,” the coach said. “He’s getting closer. Probably in the next week.”

Halftime Report
The Bulls and the Nets have shown up to the game, but their offenses sure haven’t. Sitting on a score of 56-50, the Bulls have looked like the better team, but there’s still two more quarters to play.
The Bulls came into the contest with some extra motivation after the defeat they were dealt the last time these two teams faced off. We’ll see if they’re able to flip the script or if it’ll just be more of the same.
Who’s Playing
Brooklyn Nets @ Chicago Bulls
Current Records: Brooklyn 9-12, Chicago 8-13
How To Watch
When: Monday, December 2, 2024 at 8 p.m. ET
Monday, December 2, 2024 at 8 p.m. ET Where: United Center — Chicago, Illinois
United Center — Chicago, Illinois TV: Chicago Sports Network Plus
Chicago Sports Network Plus Follow: CBS Sports App
CBS Sports App Online streaming: fuboTV (Try for free. Regional restrictions may apply.)
fuboTV (Try for free. Regional restrictions may apply.) Ticket Cost: $30.00
What to Know
Having just played yesterday, the Brooklyn Nets will head out on the road to face off against the Chicago Bulls at 8:00 p.m. ET on Monday at United Center. The Nets are looking to tack on another W to their three-game streak on the road.
The Nets are headed into this one after the oddsmakers set last week’s over/under low at 206.5, but even that wound up being too high. They fell 100-92 to the Magic on Sunday. The loss unfortunately continues a disappointing trend for Brooklyn in their matchups with Orlando: they’ve now lost five in a row.
Perhaps unsurprisingly given the score, the Nets struggled to work together and finished the game with only 19 assists. That’s the fewest assists they’ve posted since back in April.
Meanwhile, while it was all tied up 67-67 at halftime, the Bulls were not quite the Celtics’ equal in the second half on Friday. They took a 138-129 hit to the loss column at the hands of Boston. Even though they lost, Chicago’s still made a splash on offense and bumped their average scoring up to 118.5 points per game (they’re now ranked fourth in scoring overall).
The losing side was boosted by Nikola Vucevic, who shot 6-for-9 from long range and dropped a double-double on 32 points and 11 rebounds. His performance made up for a slower match against the Magic on Wednesday.
Brooklyn’s defeat dropped their record down to 9-12. As for Chicago, they have not been sharp recently as the team has lost three of their last four games, which put a noticeable dent in their 8-13 record this season.
Keep an eye on the arc in Monday’s contest: The Nets have made nailing deep shots look easy this year this season, having averaged 15.4 threes per game. However, it’s not like the Bulls struggle in that department as they’ve been averaging 16.4. Given these competing strengths, it’ll be interesting to see how their clash plays out.
The Nets beat the Bulls 120-112 in their previous matchup back in November. One of the biggest obstacles the team faced in that game was Vucevic, who dropped a double-double on 28 points and 11 rebounds. Now that he’s got a second chance to win this matchup, will the Nets still be able to contain Vucevic? Check CBSSports.com after the match to find out.
Odds
Chicago is a big 7.5-point favorite against Brooklyn, according to the latest NBA odds.
The line has drifted a bit towards the Bulls, as the game opened with the Bulls as a 5-point favorite.
The over/under is 234 points.
See NBA picks for every single game, including this one, from SportsLine’s advanced computer model. Get picks now.
Series History
Brooklyn has won 6 out of their last 10 games against Chicago.

3rd Quarter Report
Down one at the end of the second quarter, the Hawks now have the lead. They have jumped out to a 92-85 lead against the Pelicans.
The Hawks entered the game having won three straight and they’re just one quarter away from another. Will they make it four, or will the Pelicans step up and spoil it? We’ll know soon.
Who’s Playing
New Orleans Pelicans @ Atlanta Hawks
Current Records: New Orleans 4-17, Atlanta 10-11
How To Watch
When: Monday, December 2, 2024 at 7:30 p.m. ET
Monday, December 2, 2024 at 7:30 p.m. ET Where: State Farm Arena — Atlanta, Georgia
State Farm Arena — Atlanta, Georgia TV: FanDuel SN – Southeast
FanDuel SN – Southeast Follow: CBS Sports App
CBS Sports App Online streaming: fuboTV (Try for free. Regional restrictions may apply.)
fuboTV (Try for free. Regional restrictions may apply.) Ticket Cost: $6.00
What to Know
Pelicans fans better hope the squad plays one heck of a game on Monday as the odds are decidedly against them. Having just played yesterday, they will head out on the road to face off against the Atlanta Hawks at 7:30 p.m. ET at State Farm Arena. The Pelicans are no doubt hoping to put an end to a ten-game streak of away losses.
The Pelicans are headed into this one after the oddsmakers set last week’s over/under low at 224.5, but even that wound up being too high. They suffered a bruising 118-85 defeat at the hands of the Knicks on Sunday. The matchup marked New Orleans’ lowest-scoring game so far this season.
Perhaps unsurprisingly given the score, the Pelicans struggled to work together and finished the game with only 20 assists. They are winless (0-4) when they just don’t pass the ball.
Meanwhile, the Hawks entered their tilt with the Hornets on Saturday with two consecutive wins but they’ll enter their next game with three. They had just enough and edged Charlotte out 107-104. For those keeping track at home, that’s the closest win Atlanta has posted since March 25th.
New Orleans’ loss dropped their record down to 4-17. As for Atlanta, their victory bumped their record up to 10-11.
The Pelicans lost to the Hawks on the road by a decisive 126-111 margin in their previous matchup back in November. Can the Pelicans avenge their defeat or is history doomed to repeat itself? We’ll find out soon enough.
Odds
Atlanta is a big 10-point favorite against New Orleans, according to the latest NBA odds.
The line on this game has moved quite a bit since it opened, as it started out with the Hawks as a 6-point favorite.
The over/under is 228 points.
See NBA picks for every single game, including this one, from SportsLine’s advanced computer model. Get picks now.
Series History
Atlanta has won 7 out of their last 10 games against New Orleans.

3rd Quarter Report
The Bulls and the Nets have shown up to the match, but their offenses sure haven’t. The Bulls have a bit of a cushion as they currently lead the Nets 92-72.
The Bulls came into the game with some extra motivation after the defeat they were dealt the last time these two teams faced off. We’ll see if they’re able to flip the script or if it’ll just be more of the same.
Who’s Playing
Brooklyn Nets @ Chicago Bulls
Current Records: Brooklyn 9-12, Chicago 8-13
How To Watch
When: Monday, December 2, 2024 at 8 p.m. ET
Monday, December 2, 2024 at 8 p.m. ET Where: United Center — Chicago, Illinois
United Center — Chicago, Illinois TV: Chicago Sports Network Plus
Chicago Sports Network Plus Follow: CBS Sports App
CBS Sports App Online streaming: fuboTV (Try for free. Regional restrictions may apply.)
fuboTV (Try for free. Regional restrictions may apply.) Ticket Cost: $30.00
What to Know
Having just played yesterday, the Brooklyn Nets will head out on the road to face off against the Chicago Bulls at 8:00 p.m. ET on Monday at United Center. The Nets are looking to tack on another W to their three-game streak on the road.
The Nets are headed into this one after the oddsmakers set last week’s over/under low at 206.5, but even that wound up being too high. They fell 100-92 to the Magic on Sunday. The loss unfortunately continues a disappointing trend for Brooklyn in their matchups with Orlando: they’ve now lost five in a row.
Perhaps unsurprisingly given the score, the Nets struggled to work together and finished the game with only 19 assists. That’s the fewest assists they’ve posted since back in April.
Meanwhile, while it was all tied up 67-67 at halftime, the Bulls were not quite the Celtics’ equal in the second half on Friday. They took a 138-129 hit to the loss column at the hands of Boston. Even though they lost, Chicago’s still made a splash on offense and bumped their average scoring up to 118.5 points per game (they’re now ranked fourth in scoring overall).
The losing side was boosted by Nikola Vucevic, who shot 6-for-9 from long range and dropped a double-double on 32 points and 11 rebounds. His performance made up for a slower match against the Magic on Wednesday.
Brooklyn’s defeat dropped their record down to 9-12. As for Chicago, they have not been sharp recently as the team has lost three of their last four games, which put a noticeable dent in their 8-13 record this season.
Keep an eye on the arc in Monday’s contest: The Nets have made nailing deep shots look easy this year this season, having averaged 15.4 threes per game. However, it’s not like the Bulls struggle in that department as they’ve been averaging 16.4. Given these competing strengths, it’ll be interesting to see how their clash plays out.
The Nets beat the Bulls 120-112 in their previous matchup back in November. One of the biggest obstacles the team faced in that game was Vucevic, who dropped a double-double on 28 points and 11 rebounds. Now that he’s got a second chance to win this matchup, will the Nets still be able to contain Vucevic? Check CBSSports.com after the match to find out.
Odds
Chicago is a big 7.5-point favorite against Brooklyn, according to the latest NBA odds.
The line has drifted a bit towards the Bulls, as the game opened with the Bulls as a 5-point favorite.
The over/under is 234 points.
See NBA picks for every single game, including this one, from SportsLine’s advanced computer model. Get picks now.
Series History
Brooklyn has won 6 out of their last 10 games against Chicago.

“When you’re being a DJ, it’s nonstop. When you’re playing basketball, it’s nonstop. I was definitely missing that,” said Shaquille O’Neal once. From dominating NBA courts to headlining global music festivals, Shaq’s larger-than-life persona has transcended sports. Long before spinning records at festivals, Shaq ventured into the music world as a rapper. But what sparked this fascinating transformation from Hall of Fame basketball player to crowd-pumping DJ?
In a recent episode of the Digital Social Hour Podcast, hosted by Sean Kelly, DJ Irie, who was the guest, shed light on why the seven-footer got into EDM production in the first place. According to Irie, Shaq’s venture into DJing isn’t a fleeting celebrity hobby, but a profound expression of his lifelong musical obsession.
“He’s doing festivals all over the world, like I mean, he’s legit. But the difference between Shaq and other quote-and-unquote celebrity DJs whatever, the guy freaking loves it. Obsessed with it. And he really and truly put in the work and he has the talent. So it was really cool to be there in the beginning and work with him. And being in the Heat, that opened up that talent,” said Irie during the podcast.
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DJ Irie is best known for being the official DJ of the Miami Heat and a fixture in the global party circuit. So when Shaq moved to the franchise in 2004, he was quick to hop on the opportunity to give releasing music another try.
“I remember when Shaq first came to Miami, I’d known him before, we were cool and friendly but then when he came to Miami, one of the first things he did was pull me aside and goes ‘yo I want to start DJing’. I was like ‘What?’ he’s like ‘Yeah, let’s make some mixtapes together. I was like ‘alright, let’s get you DJing first,” added Irie about how Shaq started his DJing.
Years in, Shaq is now making waves in the current scene. He has played in many renowned music festivals like Tomorrowland, Lollapalooza, and Electric Forest and since his debut in 2015, has also collaborated with many renowned electronic artists like Steve Aoki, Diplo, DJ Carnage, Von Miller, etc.
via Imago Shaquille O’Neal, also known as DJ Diesel, performs during his Shaq’s Bass All-Stars show at Skydeck on Broadway in Nashville, Tenn., Friday, March 29, 2024.
In a world where reinvention often feels calculated, Shaquille O’Neal’s DJ Diesel persona stands out as a genuine expression of his identity. It’s a testament to the idea that no matter how accomplished one becomes, there’s always room to explore new passions. But the Los Angeles Lakers veteran has his own mantra that has helped him in his success in this field.
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Shaq’s Non-financial Reason for DJ Success
Shaq first explored the music industry in the 1990s. His debut rap album, Shaq Diesel, released in 1993, went platinum and featured hits like “(I Know I Got) Skillz.” While his success in the field may be attributed to his wealth and popularity, they are not the core. It was a simple mantra that the seven-footer followed.
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During his appearance on an episode of Robert Mitz’s ‘Creativo‘ podcast, O’Neal revealed that the reason behind his success in the music world was solely because he considered this as a fun activity, “Just you know, growing up in the hip-hop culture, music just moves me. All types of music. Hispanic music, Afro beats, white guy classics, I just love music. So you know, it’s not that I had an entrepreneurial mindset, I had a fun mindset. I like to have fun. I’m the ambassador of having fun,” said O’Neal during the podcast.
This fun mentality today helps the NBA veteran to earn $200,000 from each of his performances under the DJ Diesel alias. Though he admits that is lesser than what a few of his fellow DJs earn, Shaq is content with just getting to play for an audience.

“(Allen Iverson) reminds me of Floyd Mayweather. You could never question (Iverson’s) heart, his will to want to win. A true warrior.” LeBron James once highly spoke about the Philadelphia 76ers legend. And it’s one of the many instances where the Lakers superstar has given credit to AI for changing the culture of the game. So, how does Bubba Chuck truly feel about it? Especially when his ‘Lil bro’ has copied one of the iconic looks.
In the latest announcement with the brand Actively Black, AI was asked, “How does it feel to see so many athletes across all sports now wearing the sleeve?” The video aired with players wearing single sleeves such as LeBron James, Stephen Curry, Ray Allen, and Carmelo Anthony. For the 2001 MVP that was a ‘dope’ moment. “It’s a great feeling to have that impact. In your mind, you thinking, ‘they doing it because they trying to get healthy.’ When the fact that they doing it, to emulate me, that’s dope,” AI answered.
He had begun wearing the sleeve due to bursitis in his right elbow in the 2000-01 season. The first game he wore it to, AI scored 51 points and he never took it off. It soon became a fashion statement among fans. Not only did the sleeve become the most popular non-apparel item sold by the league, the players were also influenced, including LeBron James, who supposedly started wearing it around the 2010-11 season.
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As AI notes, the sleeve could offer support in terms of health and performance, considering the compression it provides, but the 11-time All-Star’s influence as a whole cannot be denied and King James agrees.
View this post on Instagram A post shared by Actively BLACK (@activelyblack)
Earlier this year, during his podcast alongside JJ Redick, LeBron James gave flowers to AI. “Steph and Allen Iverson are the two biggest influential guys in our game since I’ve been watching and covering…They were so relatable…Kids felt like they could be them.” The 76ers legend responded to the Lakers superstar’s appreciation with a heartwarming message.
“It’s a honor for you to feel this way. Love you Lil Bro! Feels good to get the flowers while you can still smell them.” LeBron even reveled his fashion influence choice was after Allen Iverson. During another episode of Mind the Game, “One of my tattoos is because of Allen Iverson, for sure.“ Even JJ Reddick added, “I have an Arm Sleeve because of Allen Iverson.”
Let’s also look at other NBA players who modeled their fashion game after the 6-foot star.
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Not just LeBron James, other players too followed Allen Iverson
The current New York Knicks star, Jalen Brunson, said, “Yeah, I was a big fan of Allen Iverson. He wore sleeves. He was kind of the original guy to wear arm sleeves.” In a 2023 interview, Brunson revealed the depths of things he would do to make an arm sleeve at home. “I used to go to my mom’s sock drawer and cut her socks and wear them as arm sleeves. The worst part about it, I would only do it like around the house. I actually had an arm sleeve for like basketball. She wasn’t too happy about that either.”
Former star Jeff Teague also stated that Bubba Chuck’s hold on the league was so big that everybody started having tattoos, arm sleeves, and braids. Even Jamal Crawford, once stated, “There aren’t a lot of people that have had a bigger influence in my life than AI,” as he spoke about having no less than 35 pictures of cutouts of Allen Iverson from Slam Magazine on his wall.
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From braids to tattoos and the simple sleeve, AI was not playing with his fashion game, challenging the regulations set by the league. He reveals he started dressing for comfort once he started earning, unlike the many who wore suits. Iverson believes that is what caught the fans’ and players’ attention. “People had never seen that before,” he conveyed via GQ. Well, his impact continues to be felt by the league to this day.

3rd Quarter Report
Only one more quarter stands between the Knicks and the win they were favored to collect coming into this evening. After three quarters their offense has really been able to impose its will, dominating the Pelicans 93-56.
The Knicks came into the game with some extra motivation after the defeat they were dealt the last time these two teams faced off. We’ll see if they’re able to flip the script or if it’ll just be more of the same.
Who’s Playing
New Orleans Pelicans @ New York Knicks
Current Records: New Orleans 4-16, New York 11-8
How To Watch
When: Sunday, December 1, 2024 at 6 p.m. ET
Sunday, December 1, 2024 at 6 p.m. ET Where: Madison Square Garden — New York, New York
Madison Square Garden — New York, New York TV: Gulf Coast Sports
Gulf Coast Sports Follow: CBS Sports App
CBS Sports App Online streaming: fuboTV (Try for free. Regional restrictions may apply.)
fuboTV (Try for free. Regional restrictions may apply.) Ticket Cost: $111.00
What to Know
The Knicks will be playing the full four quarters on Sunday, but they’re expected to have things wrapped up well before that. They will challenge the New Orleans Pelicans at 6:00 p.m. ET at Madison Square Garden. The timing is sure in the Knicks’ favor as the team sits on three straight wins at home while the Pelicans have been banged up by nine consecutive losses on the road.
The Knicks are headed into this one after the oddsmakers set last week’s over/under low at 220.5, but even that wound up being too high. They pulled ahead with a 99-98 photo finish over the Hornets on Friday.
It was another big night for Jalen Brunson, who had 31 points along with six assists and six rebounds.
Even though they won, the Knicks struggled to work together and finished the game with only 20 assists. They were dismantled by their opponents in that department as the Hornets posted 25.
Meanwhile, the Pelicans came up short against the Grizzlies on Friday and fell 120-109.
The loss doesn’t tell the whole story though, as several players had good games. One of the most active was CJ McCollum, who went 11 for 19 en route to 30 points. What’s more, he also posted a 42.9% three-point shooting accuracy, which is the highest he’s posted since back in October.
New York has been performing well recently as they’ve won six of their last eight games, which provided a nice bump to their 11-8 record this season. As for New Orleans, their loss dropped their record down to 4-16.
This contest is shaping up to be a blowout: The Knicks just can’t miss this season, having nailed 49.9% of their field goals per game (they’re ranked second in field goal percentage overall). It’s a different story for the Pelicans, though, as they’ve only made 43.6% of theirs this season. Given the Knicks’ sizable advantage in that area, the Pelicans will need to find a way to close that gap.
The Knicks suffered a grim 115-92 defeat to the Pelicans in their previous meeting back in February. Can the Knicks avenge their defeat or is history doomed to repeat itself? We’ll find out soon enough.
Odds
New York is a big 12-point favorite against New Orleans, according to the latest NBA odds.
The oddsmakers had a good feel for the line for this one, as the game opened with the Knicks as a 11.5-point favorite.
The over/under is 225 points.
See NBA picks for every single game, including this one, from SportsLine’s advanced computer model. Get picks now.
Series History
New York and New Orleans both have 5 wins in their last 10 games.

Halftime Report
Down one at the end of the first quarter, the Lakers now have the lead. It’s still anybody’s game after two quarters, but they are currently ahead of the Jazz 58-56.
If the Lakers keep playing like this, they’ll bump their record up to 12-8 in no time. On the other hand, the Jazz will have to make due with a 4-16 record unless they turn things around (and fast).
Who’s Playing
Los Angeles Lakers @ Utah Jazz
Current Records: Los Angeles 11-8, Utah 4-15
How To Watch
When: Sunday, December 1, 2024 at 8 p.m. ET
Sunday, December 1, 2024 at 8 p.m. ET Where: Delta Center — Salt Lake City, Utah
Delta Center — Salt Lake City, Utah TV: KJZZ-TV 14
KJZZ-TV 14 Follow: CBS Sports App
CBS Sports App Online streaming: fuboTV (Try for free. Regional restrictions may apply.)
fuboTV (Try for free. Regional restrictions may apply.) Ticket Cost: $35.00
What to Know
The Los Angeles Lakers are taking a road trip to face off against the Utah Jazz at 8:00 p.m. ET on Sunday at Delta Center. The Jazz have the home-court advantage, but the Lakers are expected to win by 7.5 points.
The Lakers are headed into this one after the oddsmakers set last week’s over/under low at 230, but even that wound up being too high. They took a 101-93 hit to the loss column at the hands of the Thunder on Friday. The contest marked Los Angeles’ lowest-scoring match so far this season.
Even though the team lost, they still had their share of impressive performances. One of the best came from Anthony Davis, who dropped a double-double on 15 points and 12 rebounds. He has been hot recently, having posted ten or more rebounds the last four times he’s played.
Meanwhile, the Jazz’s recent rough patch got a bit rougher on Saturday after their third straight defeat. They fell 106-94 to the Mavericks.
The losing side was boosted by Walker Kessler, who dropped a double-double on 18 points and ten rebounds.
Perhaps unsurprisingly given the score, the Jazz struggled to work together and finished the game with only 20 assists. They are winless (0-4) when they just don’t pass the ball.
Los Angeles dropped their record down to 11-8 with the loss, which was their third straight at home. As for Utah, their defeat dropped their record down to 4-15.
The Lakers didn’t have too much breathing room in their game against the Jazz when the teams last played two weeks ago, but they still walked away with a 124-118 victory. The rematch might be a little tougher for the Lakers since the squad won’t have the home-court advantage this time around. We’ll see if the change in venue makes a difference.
Odds
Los Angeles is a big 7.5-point favorite against Utah, according to the latest NBA odds.
The oddsmakers were right in line with the betting community on this one, as the game opened as a 7.5-point spread, and stayed right there.
The over/under is 229.5 points.
See NBA picks for every single game, including this one, from SportsLine’s advanced computer model. Get picks now.
Series History
Los Angeles has won 6 out of their last 10 games against Utah.

Stephen Curry has been singing Caitlin Clark’s praises so much we’ve probably lost count by now. But now, it looks like the entire Curry family is officially on the Caitlin Clark fan train. And we did know her magic seems to work on all ages. However, this time, it was clear her charm even works on tiny tots who might not fully understand the game yet.
As the youngest member of Team Caitlin, we have Daxon Curry. Over the weekend, while at the Suns-Warriors game in Phoenix, Sydel Curry—Steph’s sister—shared an adorable Instagram Story that melted hearts. In the clip, her son, Daxon, was absolutely mesmerized by none other than Caitlin Clark, who was surprisingly in attendance to watch the game, too.
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Sydel captioned it with humor, “Sis always gonna catch a vibe lol. Daxon is staring at one of his favs (Caitlin Clark) lol.” And honestly, can you blame the kid? CC’s presence at NBA games is a rare treat.
She doesn’t often pop up at NBA games aside from the Indiana Pacers. Her appearance caused quite a stir online, with videos and pictures of her spotting going viral. The game the 2024 ROTY attended was nothing short of a showdown. The Suns defeated the Warriors 113-105, with Devin Booker leading the charge.
Phoenix’s incredible 3-point shooting proved too much for Golden State. Steph Curry, as always, was a highlight, putting up 23 points and a fourth-quarter rally that came close to flipping the script. But just couldn’t.
But we must give it to Steph as even in defeat, he shone through, and Caitlin, a long-time admirer, would surely have noticed. After all, she’s been open about her respect for the NBA star’s game. Back during the Olympics, she called his performance against France a “cheat code,” appreciating his unreal skills.
Meanwhile, Curry has always been heaping praise on her, too. He even addressed the talk about their similarities. Although Steph downplayed it, fans can’t help but notice how much she resembles him on the court.
Caitlin Clark channeling her inner Steph
The 4x NBA Champion expressed that while he appreciates the chatter about their similarities, he believes those comparisons can be a bit unfair to the W star. Because they often overshadow her well-rounded skill set. “Her shooting ability is her superpower, but the rest of her game is as polished as that,” he said.
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Well, this is high praise from the greatest shooter in basketball history. But despite him dismissing it, there’s no doubt both shooters do share striking similarities. Even back in October, the Indiana Fever star was seen mastering Steph Curry’s signature.
USA Today via Reuters Aug 30, 2024; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) brings the ball up court against the Chicago Sky during the first half at Wintrust Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports
A video of Caitlin practicing her ‘floater’ sparked a frenzy online. The clip showed her nailing the move with the same finesse and precision we’ve come to associate with the Warriors’ star. “I feel like I’m just scratching the surface,” she said of her game. “There’s so much more I want to master.”
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Their similarities go beyond technique. Both players are known for their range, creativity, and ability to completely shift the game’s energy. Undoubtedly, they are transcendent stars in their respective leagues, earning admiration not just from each other but also from fans of all ages.

3rd Quarter Report
The Lakers have overcome an early deficit to take the lead back in this one. Sitting on a score of 85-81, they have looked like the better team, but there’s still one more quarter to play.
If the Lakers keep playing like this, they’ll bump their record up to 12-8 in no time. On the other hand, the Jazz will have to make due with a 4-16 record unless they turn things around (and fast).
Who’s Playing
Los Angeles Lakers @ Utah Jazz
Current Records: Los Angeles 11-8, Utah 4-15
How To Watch
When: Sunday, December 1, 2024 at 8 p.m. ET
Sunday, December 1, 2024 at 8 p.m. ET Where: Delta Center — Salt Lake City, Utah
Delta Center — Salt Lake City, Utah TV: KJZZ-TV 14
KJZZ-TV 14 Follow: CBS Sports App
CBS Sports App Online streaming: fuboTV (Try for free. Regional restrictions may apply.)
fuboTV (Try for free. Regional restrictions may apply.) Ticket Cost: $35.00
What to Know
The Los Angeles Lakers are taking a road trip to face off against the Utah Jazz at 8:00 p.m. ET on Sunday at Delta Center. The Jazz have the home-court advantage, but the Lakers are expected to win by 7.5 points.
The Lakers are headed into this one after the oddsmakers set last week’s over/under low at 230, but even that wound up being too high. They took a 101-93 hit to the loss column at the hands of the Thunder on Friday. The contest marked Los Angeles’ lowest-scoring match so far this season.
Even though the team lost, they still had their share of impressive performances. One of the best came from Anthony Davis, who dropped a double-double on 15 points and 12 rebounds. He has been hot recently, having posted ten or more rebounds the last four times he’s played.
Meanwhile, the Jazz’s recent rough patch got a bit rougher on Saturday after their third straight defeat. They fell 106-94 to the Mavericks.
The losing side was boosted by Walker Kessler, who dropped a double-double on 18 points and ten rebounds.
Perhaps unsurprisingly given the score, the Jazz struggled to work together and finished the game with only 20 assists. They are winless (0-4) when they just don’t pass the ball.
Los Angeles dropped their record down to 11-8 with the loss, which was their third straight at home. As for Utah, their defeat dropped their record down to 4-15.
The Lakers didn’t have too much breathing room in their game against the Jazz when the teams last played two weeks ago, but they still walked away with a 124-118 victory. The rematch might be a little tougher for the Lakers since the squad won’t have the home-court advantage this time around. We’ll see if the change in venue makes a difference.
Odds
Los Angeles is a big 7.5-point favorite against Utah, according to the latest NBA odds.
The oddsmakers were right in line with the betting community on this one, as the game opened as a 7.5-point spread, and stayed right there.
The over/under is 229.5 points.
See NBA picks for every single game, including this one, from SportsLine’s advanced computer model. Get picks now.
Series History
Los Angeles has won 6 out of their last 10 games against Utah.

Back in 2023, ESPN shook up its flagship NBA studio show, leaving many fans scratching their heads. Among the big changes was the dismissal of longtime NBA Countdown analyst Jalen Rose. A move that felt almost strange given his decade-plus presence on the show. Alongside the former Indiana Pacers star, heavyweights like Mark Jackson and Jeff Van Gundy were also shown the door. Thus marking a significant shift for the network.
For years, Jinx had been a steady presence on ESPN. Surviving the revolving door that had seen other NBA Countdown personalities come and go. A former Michigan basketball star and NBA veteran, he brought a unique blend of player insight and charisma to the screen. So, why would ESPN part ways with someone who had become such a familiar face to fans? The answer, as reported by Andrew Marchand of The New York Post, was tied to financial pressures from ESPN’s parent company, Disney.
In an effort to trim costs, ESPN made the tough call to let go of around 20 on-air personalities, and unfortunately, Jalen Rose’s significant salary put him in the crosshairs. So, as per the said reports, it wasn’t about talent but rather dollars and cents. Meanwhile, the network turned its focus to younger analysts like Richard Jefferson, Kendrick Perkins, and JJ Redick, who were seen as valuable for the future.
When the layoffs were announced on June 30, ESPN released a statement that gave some clarity—but little comfort. “Given the current environment, ESPN has determined it necessary to identify some additional cost savings in the area of public-facing commentator salaries,” the network explained. Further adding that the decisions were “based more on overall efficiency than merit”.
USA Today via Reuters Jalen Rose hosted his 12th annual fundraiser for Jalen Rose Leadership Academy on Monday, Aug. 22, 2022, at Detroit Golf Club. Rose Credit: Kirthmon F. Dozier / USA TODAY NETWORK
Despite the news, Jalen Rose showed no signs of bitterness. Instead, he took to Instagram with an amusing post, joking about going back to his Fab Five days.
Following this development, it was Kendrick Perkins who quickly emerged as a strong candidate to fill the former Indiana Pacer star’s shoes. And by this year, ESPN locked Perk into a multi-year contract extension, solidifying his role across its NBA coverage. From NBA Countdown to First Take and SportsCenter, Perkins will now further be a prominent voice in the network’s basketball programming.
Meanwhile, Rose has also been back in the highlights of media landscape with his recent Inside the NBA appearance.
Can Inside the NBA facilitate the return of Jalen Rose to mainstream media landscape?
Jinx’s recent appearance on TNT’s Inside the NBA reignited chatter about his broadcasting career. With Kenny Smith taking some well-deserved time off during Thanksgiving week, TNT gave fans a treat by bringing in Rose as a guest analyst for Tuesday’s show. And just the debut it was. He ruffled Shaquille O’Neal’s feathers with his hot take on ‘big men’ and chimed in brilliantly on Charles Barkley’s points.
No wonder it didn’t take long for fans to warm up to him, with many saying he felt more at home on TNT than he ever did during his time on NBA Countdown. The ex-Pacers star’s dynamic with the Inside the NBA guys was so seamless it had viewers wondering if he might be the missing puzzle piece on this iconic panel. And the best part? He’s coming back for the final telecast of the NBA Cup group stage.
Adding a dose of nostalgia, the TNT crew also pulled out an old clip from Jalen Rose’s playing days. Do you remember when Jinx tried his hands at sideline reporting during the 2006 playoffs? Shaq was chasing his fourth ring, and Rose was on the mic—dodging towels thrown by Nick Van Exel but never missing a beat.
No wonder that he didn’t waste any time post-retirement, quickly becoming a staple on ABC/ESPN’s programming. From SportsCenter to NBA Countdown and even First Take, he was everywhere. So when ESPN let him go in their 2023 layoffs, fans and even Charles Barkley were baffled. Barkley, who has been vocal about his admiration for the ex-Pacers star, was thrilled to see him back on Inside the NBA and reminded everyone that Rose is a proud Steamer (shoutout to The Steam Room crew).
But what’s next for the Big 5 legend from Michigan? Could this TNT stint lead to a permanent spot? Maybe even a backdoor return to ESPN with Inside the NBA shifting to their platform? Fans seem to love the idea. Then there’s NBC Sports, which recently tapped Jinx for Big Ten College Countdown. With NBC gearing up for the NBA’s $76 billion media package in 2025, Jalen Rose’s options are looking pretty exciting.

1st Quarter Report
After a tough loss on the road their last time out, the Clippers look much better today on their home court. They have jumped out to a quick 32-23 lead against the Nuggets.
If the Clippers keep playing like this, they’ll bump their record up to 13-9 in no time. On the other hand, the Nuggets will have to make due with a 10-8 record unless they turn things around.
Who’s Playing
Denver Nuggets @ Los Angeles Clippers
Current Records: Denver 10-7, Los Angeles 12-9
How To Watch
When: Sunday, December 1, 2024 at 10 p.m. ET
Sunday, December 1, 2024 at 10 p.m. ET Where: Intuit Dome — Inglewood, California
Intuit Dome — Inglewood, California TV: Altitude Sports & Entertainmnt
Altitude Sports & Entertainmnt Follow: CBS Sports App
CBS Sports App Online Streaming: Catch select NBA matches on Fubo (Try for free. Regional restrictions may apply.)
Catch select NBA matches on Fubo (Try for free. Regional restrictions may apply.) Ticket Cost: $45.00
What to Know
The Clippers are on a seven-game streak of home wins, while the Nuggets are on a three-game streak of away wins: one of those streaks is about to end. The Los Angeles Clippers will challenge the Denver Nuggets at 10:00 p.m. ET on Sunday at Intuit Dome. The Clippers’ defense has only allowed 106.3 points per game this season, so the Nuggets’ offense will have their work cut out for them.
The Clippers are headed into this one after the oddsmakers set last week’s over/under low at 212.5, but even that wound up being too high. They were just a bucket shy of victory on Friday and fell 93-92 to the Timberwolves.
Perhaps unsurprisingly given the score, the Clippers struggled to work together and finished the game with only 20 assists. They were smoked by their opponents in that department as the Timberwolves posted 25.
Meanwhile, the Nuggets were the big favorite in their most recent match, and for good reason. Everything went their way against the Jazz on Wednesday as the Nuggets made off with a 122-103 win. Denver pushed the score to 100-76 by the end of the third, a deficit Utah cut but never quite recovered from.
Nikola Jokic got back to being his usual excellent self, as he dropped a double-double on 30 points and ten rebounds. His performance made up for a slower contest against the Knicks on Monday. Jamal Murray was another key player, going 10 for 18 en route to 22 points plus eight assists and four steals.
Los Angeles’ loss dropped their record down to 12-9. As for Denver, their victory bumped their record up to 10-7.
The Clippers are hoping to beat the odds on Sunday, as the experts think they’re headed for a loss. They might be worth a quick bet since they’re sitting on a four game streak of covering the spread when playing at home.
The Clippers didn’t have too much breathing room in their game against the Nuggets in their previous matchup back in October, but they still walked away with a 109-104 win. One of the biggest obstacles the team faced in that game was Jokic, who shot 7-for-12 from long range and almost dropped a double-double on 41 points and nine rebounds. Now that he’s got a second chance to win this matchup, will the Clippers still be able to contain Jokic? There’s only one way to find out.
Odds
Denver is a slight 2.5-point favorite against Los Angeles, according to the latest NBA odds.
The oddsmakers had a good feel for the line for this one, as the game opened with the Nuggets as a 3-point favorite.
The over/under is 222.5 points.
See NBA picks for every single game, including this one, from SportsLine’s advanced computer model. Get picks now.
Series History
Denver has won 7 out of their last 10 games against Los Angeles.

3rd Quarter Report
The last time the Mavericks and the Trail Blazers met, the match was decided by 36 points, but it sure doesn’t look like the final score will be so lopsided this time. It’s still anybody’s game after three quarters, but the Mavericks are currently ahead of the Trail Blazers 100-97.
With six games having already gone down to the wire, it’s been a real nail-biter of a season for the Mavericks, and they’re locked in yet another close battle with the Trail Blazers. Maybe the Mavericks will pull away, but we predict a narrow margin.
Who’s Playing
Dallas Mavericks @ Portland Trail Blazers
Current Records: Dallas 12-8, Portland 8-12
How To Watch
When: Sunday, December 1, 2024 at 9 p.m. ET
Sunday, December 1, 2024 at 9 p.m. ET Where: Moda Center at the Rose Quarter — Portland, Oregon
Moda Center at the Rose Quarter — Portland, Oregon TV: KATU 2.2 ABC
KATU 2.2 ABC Follow: CBS Sports App
CBS Sports App Online streaming: fuboTV (Try for free. Regional restrictions may apply.)
fuboTV (Try for free. Regional restrictions may apply.) Ticket Cost: $12.00
What to Know
The Trail Blazers will be in front of their home fans on Sunday, but a look at the spread shows they might need that home-court advantage. They will host the Dallas Mavericks at 9:00 p.m. ET at Moda Center at the Rose Quarter. Both come into the match bolstered by wins in their previous matches.
Last Friday, the Trail Blazers were able to grind out a solid win over the Kings, taking the game 115-106.
The Trail Blazers got their victory on the backs of several key players, but it was Deandre Ayton out in front who almost dropped a double-double on 26 points and nine rebounds. Ayton is trending in the right direction considering he’s improved his point production for three straight games. The team also got some help courtesy of Deni Avdija, who almost dropped a double-double on 20 points and nine rebounds.
Meanwhile, the Mavericks had already won two in a row (a stretch where they outscored their opponents by an average of 12.5 points) and they went ahead and made it three on Saturday. They came out on top against Utah by a score of 106-94.
Among those leading the charge was Kyrie Irving, who almost dropped a double-double on 30 points and nine assists. He is becoming a predictor of the Mavericks’ success: when he posts at least 20 points the team is undefeated (and 7-8 when he doesn’t).
The Mavericks were working as a unit and finished the game with 30 assists. They easily outclassed their opponents in that department as the Jazz only posted 20.
Portland pushed their record up to 8-12 with the win, which was their fourth straight at home. As for Dallas, they have been performing incredibly well recently as they’ve won seven of their last eight contests, which provided a massive bump to their 12-8 record this season.
Not only did both teams in this Sunday’s matchup win their last matches, they also took care of their bettors and covered the spread. Looking forward, the Mavericks are the favorite in this one, as the experts expect to see them win by seven points. This contest will be Portland’s 14th straight as the underdogs (so far over this stretch they are 8-5 against the spread).
The Trail Blazers were dealt a punishing 139-103 defeat at the hands of the Mavericks in their previous meeting back in January. Will the Trail Blazers have more luck at home instead of on the road?
Odds
Dallas is a solid 7-point favorite against Portland, according to the latest NBA odds.
The oddsmakers had a good feel for the line for this one, as the game opened with the Mavericks as a 6-point favorite.
The over/under is 228.5 points.
See NBA picks for every single game, including this one, from SportsLine’s advanced computer model. Get picks now.
Series History
Dallas has won 8 out of their last 10 games against Portland.

3rd Quarter Report
After a tough defeat on the road their last time out, the Clippers look much better today on their home court. After three quarters, neither squad has the game in the bag, but the Clippers lead 92-90 over the Nuggets.
If the Clippers keep playing like this, they’ll bump their record up to 13-9 in no time. On the other hand, the Nuggets will have to make due with a 10-8 record unless they turn things around (and fast).
Who’s Playing
Denver Nuggets @ Los Angeles Clippers
Current Records: Denver 10-7, Los Angeles 12-9
How To Watch
When: Sunday, December 1, 2024 at 10 p.m. ET
Sunday, December 1, 2024 at 10 p.m. ET Where: Intuit Dome — Inglewood, California
Intuit Dome — Inglewood, California TV: Altitude Sports & Entertainmnt
Altitude Sports & Entertainmnt Follow: CBS Sports App
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What to Know
The Clippers are on a seven-game streak of home wins, while the Nuggets are on a three-game streak of away wins: one of those streaks is about to end. The Los Angeles Clippers will challenge the Denver Nuggets at 10:00 p.m. ET on Sunday at Intuit Dome. The Clippers’ defense has only allowed 106.3 points per game this season, so the Nuggets’ offense will have their work cut out for them.
The Clippers are headed into this one after the oddsmakers set last week’s over/under low at 212.5, but even that wound up being too high. They were just a bucket shy of victory on Friday and fell 93-92 to the Timberwolves.
Perhaps unsurprisingly given the score, the Clippers struggled to work together and finished the game with only 20 assists. They were smoked by their opponents in that department as the Timberwolves posted 25.
Meanwhile, the Nuggets were the big favorite in their most recent match, and for good reason. Everything went their way against the Jazz on Wednesday as the Nuggets made off with a 122-103 win. Denver pushed the score to 100-76 by the end of the third, a deficit Utah cut but never quite recovered from.
Nikola Jokic got back to being his usual excellent self, as he dropped a double-double on 30 points and ten rebounds. His performance made up for a slower contest against the Knicks on Monday. Jamal Murray was another key player, going 10 for 18 en route to 22 points plus eight assists and four steals.
Los Angeles’ loss dropped their record down to 12-9. As for Denver, their victory bumped their record up to 10-7.
The Clippers are hoping to beat the odds on Sunday, as the experts think they’re headed for a loss. They might be worth a quick bet since they’re sitting on a four game streak of covering the spread when playing at home.
The Clippers didn’t have too much breathing room in their game against the Nuggets in their previous matchup back in October, but they still walked away with a 109-104 win. One of the biggest obstacles the team faced in that game was Jokic, who shot 7-for-12 from long range and almost dropped a double-double on 41 points and nine rebounds. Now that he’s got a second chance to win this matchup, will the Clippers still be able to contain Jokic? There’s only one way to find out.
Odds
Denver is a slight 2.5-point favorite against Los Angeles, according to the latest NBA odds.
The oddsmakers had a good feel for the line for this one, as the game opened with the Nuggets as a 3-point favorite.
The over/under is 222.5 points.
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Series History
Denver has won 7 out of their last 10 games against Los Angeles.