NBA NewsFriday, Apr 17, 2026

As teams hit the 41-game mark, we're picking who's been the best of the best so far this season

We're handing out grades for every team in the East as the NBA season hits the halfway mark this week

SportsLine's model reveals its Phoenix Suns vs. Dallas Mavericks NBA picks today

Charlotte Hornets (44-38, ninth in the Eastern Conference) vs. Orlando Magic (45-37, eighth in the Eastern Conference) Orlando, Florida; Friday, 7:30 p.m. EDT LINE: Hornets -3.5; over/under is 218 PLAY-IN GAME: The Magic and Hornets square off to decide the eighth seed in the Eastern Conference. BOTTOM LINE: The Orlando Magic and the Charlotte Hornets take the court for the NBA Playoffs Play-In Tournament. The winner claims the eighth seed in the Eastern Conference Playoffs. The Magic are 26-...

Houston Rockets (52-30, fifth in the Western Conference) vs. Los Angeles Lakers (53-29, fourth in the Western Conference) Los Angeles; Saturday, 8:30 p.m. EDT LINE: Rockets -5.5; over/under is 207.5 WESTERN CONFERENCE FIRST ROUND: Lakers host first series matchup BOTTOM LINE: The Los Angeles Lakers host the Houston Rockets to open the Western Conference first round. Los Angeles went 2-1 against Houston during the regular season. The Lakers won the last regular season matchup 124-116 on Thursd...

Atlanta Hawks (46-36, sixth in the Eastern Conference) vs. New York Knicks (53-29, third in the Eastern Conference) New York; Saturday, 6 p.m. EDT LINE: Knicks -5.5; over/under is 216.5 EASTERN CONFERENCE FIRST ROUND: Knicks host first series matchup BOTTOM LINE: The New York Knicks host the Atlanta Hawks to open the Eastern Conference first round. New York went 2-1 against Atlanta during the regular season. The Knicks won the last regular season meeting 108-105 on Monday, April 6 led by 30 p...

New York's Mayor Zohran Mamdani pokes fun at Trae Young ahead of the Knicks' playoff series against the Hawks.

Now time for the real thing.

The Wolves, Kings, Bucks and more might be interested in a Ja Morant trade before Feb. 5

Bam Adebayo makes his feelings known on LaMelo Ball's actions that sidelined him with a back injury in the second quarter of the Heat's play-in tournament elimination game against the Hornets.

Minnesota Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert has received a one-game suspension due to the number of flagrant fouls he has picked up over the course of the season, and league officials said he will serve his suspension Tuesday against the Milwaukee Bucks.

Jake LaRavia credited preparation and confidence for his 21-point performance as the Lakers beat Memphis 128-121. “I got going pretty early… the ball was fine to me, especially in that first half, and I was just able to get going and stay aggressive,” LaRavia said. Maintaining confidence through shooting struggles has been key for LaRavia […] The post Jake LaRavia on scoring, defense, and team pride after Lakers defeat Grizzlies appeared first on TalkBasket.net .