Expert Basketball Picks and Previews

James Harden’s turnover issues plaguing Cavaliers vs. Raptors James Harden’s playoff history has a common theme throughout his 17-year career. Only Utah Jazz legends Karl Malone and John Stockton have appeared in more postseason games without winning an NBA championship. Harden’s shortcomings in the postseason are front and center as his Cleveland Cavaliers return home for Game 5 of their

The Orlando Magic visit the Detroit Pistons for Game 5 of the Eastern Conference First Round on Wednesday, April 29, 2026, at Little Caesars Arena. Tipoff is set for 7:00 PM ET on Amaz, with Orlando leading the series 3-1 and holding its first chance to close out the matchup. The Magic won Game 4 by a 94-88 score, and

The Toronto Raptors and Cleveland Cavaliers meet Wednesday night at Rocket Arena for Game 5 of their Eastern Conference First Round series. Tipoff is set for 7:30 PM ET on ESPN, and the series is tied 2-2 after Toronto won Game 4 by a 93-89 score. This is the swing game. Toronto has taken the last two after falling behind

The Houston Rockets visit the Los Angeles Lakers on Wednesday, April 29, 2026, for Game 5 of their Western Conference First Round series at Crypto.com Arena. Tipoff is set for 10:00 PM ET on ESPN, with Los Angeles holding a 3-1 series lead and one more home win away from advancing. Houston stayed alive with a 115-96 win in Game

Injury-depleted Rockets, Lakers both feeling urgency about Game 5 In a series that has been devoid of impact players, the Los Angeles Lakers will get another chance to advance into the Western Conference semifinals when they play host to the Houston Rockets in Game 5 of their first-round series on Wednesday. The Rockets staved off elimination in Game 4 and

The Atlanta Hawks and New York Knicks meet in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference First Round on Tuesday night at Madison Square Garden. Tipoff is set for 8:00 PM ET on NBC, and the series is tied 2-2 after New York answered with a 114-98 win in Game 4. This is the swing game. Atlanta already stole one at

The Portland Trail Blazers visit the San Antonio Spurs on Tuesday, April 28, 2026, for Game 5 of the Western Conference First Round at Frost Bank Center. Tipoff is set for 9:30 PM ET on ESPN, with San Antonio leading the series 3-1 and sitting one win away from advancing. Portland is in full survival mode after dropping Game 4,

The Philadelphia 76ers visit the Boston Celtics for Game 5 of the Eastern Conference First Round on Tuesday, April 28, 2026, at TD Garden. Tipoff is set for 7:00 PM ET on ESPN, and Boston has a chance to close the series after taking a 3-1 lead. The Celtics are coming off a 128-96 win in Game 4, their second

The Detroit Pistons and Orlando Magic meet Monday night at Kia Center for Game 4 of their Eastern Conference First Round series. Tipoff is set for 8:00 PM ET on NBC, and Orlando enters with a 2-1 series lead after taking Game 3 by a 113-105 score. Detroit is the No. 1 seed in the East at 60-22, but the