Stephen Curry did not participate in the Golden State Warriors' game against Milwaukee on Tuesday night, as coach Steve Kerr indicated that he needed a break for emotional and mental recovery.

Kerr mentioned before the game at Chase Center, “I think he’s been tired over the last three games, but it’s more about mental and emotional fatigue rather than physical exhaustion. He’s fine in terms of his physical condition. However, when he’s feeling emotionally drained, it impacts his decision-making, and he seems a bit out of sorts.”

In Curry's absence, Jimmy Butler stepped up, leading the Warriors to a 104-93 victory over the Bucks with an impressive performance of 24 points, eight rebounds, and 10 assists.

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As we approach the final stretch of the season, a group of four Western Conference teams is making significant strides, while the Top 3 teams remain steady with just four weeks remaining in the 2024-25 season.

For the second consecutive season, the Los Angeles Lakers have a better record than what their point differential would suggest. As of Sunday, the Lakers have outscored their opponents by an average of 1.4 points per game, placing them eighth in the Western Conference in terms of differential. Nevertheless, Los Angeles is comfortably positioned in the top five of the standings.

On the other hand, the Minnesota Timberwolves are one of three Western teams that rank in the top 10 for both offensive and defensive performance. However, they currently sit in seventh place, trailing the Lakers by four games in the loss column, despite the fact that the Lakers do not appear in the top 10 for either offensive or defensive metrics.

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On Thursday night, TNT will feature a thrilling matchup between two NBA title contenders: the Denver Nuggets and the Milwaukee Bucks. The Nuggets claimed the NBA championship two years ago, while the Bucks celebrated their victory four years prior.

Each team boasts a superstar, with Nikola Jokic leading the Nuggets and Giannis Antetokounmpo at the helm for the Bucks. Currently, Denver is in a competitive race with Memphis for the 2nd spot in the Western Conference, whereas Milwaukee is vying with Indiana for the 4th position in the Eastern Conference.

Recently, the Nuggets have performed well in Milwaukee, winning six out of their last ten encounters and achieving a 7-3 record against the spread. Notably, the last four matchups in this series have resulted in totals going under. Now, let's dive into our Same Game Parlay picks for the Nuggets vs. Bucks showdown!

NBA Same Game Parlay
Denver Nuggets at Milwaukee Bucks
Date and Time: Thursday, February 27, 2024, 8:00 p.m. ET
Location: Fiserv Forum, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

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Today, the NBA revealed the 28 players chosen to participate in the 2025 Castrol Rising Stars, scheduled for Friday, February 14 at the Chase Center in San Francisco, as part of the NBA All-Star 2025 festivities.

This annual event highlights top young talent through a mini-tournament format featuring four teams and three games, which will be broadcast live at 9 p.m. ET on TNT. The team that wins the Castrol Rising Stars will secure a place in the 2025 NBA All-Star Game on Sunday, February 16, airing at 8 p.m. ET on TNT.

Castrol Rising Stars
When: Friday, Feb. 14, 9 ET
Streaming: TNT Overtime on NBA App, NBA.com

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It's Tuesday, January 28, and there are four games scheduled in the NBA, highlighted by a doubleheader airing on TNT.

The first matchup features the Los Angeles Lakers facing off against the Philadelphia 76ers at 7:30 p.m. ET. Following that, the Milwaukee Bucks will take on the Portland Trail Blazers at 10 p.m. ET, which will also be broadcast on TNT, truTV, and Max.

NBA DFS Core Plays
Giannis Antetokounmpo (PF, C – MIL)
Alperen Sengun (C – HOU)
Damian Lillard (PG – MIL)

Lillard has scored 22+ points in 11 consecutive games. He has five or more rebounds in six of the past seven outings while going for eight or more assists in three straight and four of the past five contests.
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NBA Commissioner Adam Silver released a statement today concerning the death of Dick Parsons, the former interim Governor and CEO of the Los Angeles Clippers:

“Dick Parsons was an exceptional and transformative leader, as well as a prominent figure in the media industry, known for his integrity and willingness to face challenges head-on. During a difficult and uncertain period for the Los Angeles Clippers, Dick provided the steady and reassuring leadership that characterized his impressive career in both business and public service. He was a devoted fan and advocate for the NBA and a trusted friend to me and our league.”
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San Antonio Spurs guard Stephon Castle remains at the top of the Ladder, but the competition among the Top 5 has intensified with Yves Missi, Jaylen Wells, Alex Sarr, and Zach Edey all gaining traction this week. Jared McCain from Philadelphia, the leading scorer of the Class of 2024, has fallen off the list after undergoing surgery for a torn meniscus, which has significantly impacted and may have ended his promising season.

In contrast to many other NBA awards, there is no minimum number of games required to qualify for the Kia Rookie of the Year award. However, it's likely that the 23 games Jared McCain played before his injury may not be sufficient. For instance, Zion Williamson played 24 games in the 2019-20 season and ended up in a distant third place in the voting, behind winner Ja Morant and runner-up Kendrick Nunn.
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There was no immediate update on how long George might be sidelined following the injury. A nine-time All-Star, his knee gave out during a defensive play in the second quarter. He recorded eight points in 12 minutes during the 104-89 win.

“I felt it hyperextend, and right away I thought, I need to be taken out and checked, but honestly, I’m not too worried about it,” George told The Philadelphia Inquirer. 76ers coach Nick Nurse stated that the 34-year-old George would undergo an examination on Tuesday.

“You never want anything to happen to anybody,” Nurse said. “Certainly, just kind of trying to work him into things. He wants to work into things, too. This doesn’t give us a chance to do that. Hopefully it’ll be OK so he’s back with us right away.”
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Everyone has seen the highlights and read the stories. You’d have to be living under a rock not to recognize the high stakes for Duke freshman Cooper Flagg. However, he’s not alone. A wave of emerging talent is trailing closely behind him, including fellow first-year players like Rutgers’ Dylan Harper and Ace Bailey, UNC’s Drake Powell, international prospects like France’s Nolan Traore and Australia’s Rocco Zikarsky, and VJ Edgecombe, who joins Baylor after a breakout performance in the Bahamas during Olympic qualifying.

The Nets are starting their climb after a challenging period, strategically positioning themselves for a significant draft haul. Brooklyn has four picks, including their own, thanks to a smart trade involving future selections sent to the promising Rockets. One of their picks from the Bucks is only protected for the top four, while they receive a Knicks pick outright. The fourth pick will be determined based on records from either the Thunder, Rockets, or Suns, with the Thunder first deciding on their pick against Houston (which is top-10 protected) or the Clippers’ pick outright; then the Rockets will assess whether the Suns pick benefits them in either scenario.

The Spurs, on the other hand, have multiple opportunities to either develop their young players, trade for elite talent, or acquire future assets. The flexibility they possess is significant, especially after securing Victor Wembanyama. San Antonio has control over their own pick as well as a potentially valuable selection from the Hawks, along with a Bulls pick that is likely to be top-10 protected. It's improbable that they will receive a lottery-protected pick from the Hornets, which means they will instead have second-round picks in 2026 and 2027.
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Despite reaching the NBA Finals twice and the Eastern Conference Finals three times in the last four seasons, the Miami Heat still face doubters. This doubt is partly due to the fact that the Heat didn't make significant moves during the offseason, which raises questions about their standing among the top teams in the Eastern Conference.

This skepticism is compounded by the fact that two of their main rivals, the Milwaukee Bucks and Boston Celtics, made substantial improvements to their rosters. The Bucks, in particular, made a significant acquisition in superstar guard Damian Lillard from the Portland Trail Blazers, who had initially expressed interest in joining Miami.

The situation became even more challenging for the Heat when the Celtics acquired Jrue Holiday, who had previously been linked to Miami before being part of the trade involving Lillard. This series of developments posed a significant setback for the Heat.

To remain competitive this season, the Heat will need to rely on internal improvement. Tyler Herro, who missed a considerable portion of the 2023 playoffs due to a hand injury in the first round, remains confident and has conveyed a determined message to those who question his playoff capabilities.

Bam Adebayo and Jimmy Butler, key contributors on both ends of the court, are back and expected to maintain their usual high-level performance. New additions like Josh Richardson and Thomas Bryant are likely to have consistent roles on the team, contributing to the Heat's efforts.

Lakers vs Nets: Overtime Thriller

Los Angeles, CA - In a highly anticipated matchup, the Los Angeles Lakers faced off against the Brooklyn Nets in a thrilling NBA game that kept fans on the edge of their seats until the final buzzer. The clash between these two powerhouse teams lived up to the hype, resulting in an unforgettable overtime thriller.

The game started with both teams displaying their offensive prowess, exchanging baskets and highlight-reel plays. LeBron James led the charge for the Lakers, while Kevin Durant showcased his scoring ability for the Nets. The first half ended with the Lakers holding a slim lead, but the Nets quickly turned the tables in the third quarter.

As the final quarter approached, tension filled the arena. The game remained close, and neither team was willing to back down. With just seconds remaining, the Lakers' Anthony Davis sank a clutch three-pointer, forcing the game into overtime.

Overtime was a true battle of wills. Both teams fought tooth and nail, trading baskets in dramatic fashion. Russell Westbrook, playing his first season for the Lakers, made a key steal and converted it into a crucial layup, giving his team a late lead. However, it was James Harden's exceptional playmaking that helped the Nets tie the game in the dying seconds.

In the end, it was the Lakers' resilience that prevailed. With just seconds left on the clock, Davis once again delivered, hitting a fadeaway jumper over Durant to secure a hard-fought victory for Los Angeles. The final score was Lakers 112, Nets 110.

The game left fans in awe and showed the world the level of talent and competitiveness that the NBA has to offer. It was a night filled with breathtaking plays, intense emotions, and a reminder of why basketball is loved by millions around the globe.

For NBA enthusiasts and casual fans alike, this game will be remembered as one of the season's most thrilling matchups. The Lakers and Nets showcased their skills, leaving an indelible mark on the NBA landscape.

NBA Injury Updates

* Ja Morant, the point guard for the Memphis Grizzlies, has been suspended for 25 games by the NBA.

* Steven Adams, the center for the Memphis Grizzlies, is likely to be sidelined for the entirety of the postseason due to a knee injury.

* Luke Kennard, the shooting guard for the Los Angeles Clippers, has been ruled out for Game 6 against the Lakers due to a shoulder injury.

* Brandon Clarke, the power forward for the Memphis Grizzlies, suffered a season-ending left Achilles tear.

* Jaime Jaquez Jr., a guard for the Miami Heat, has been ruled out for a Summer League game due to a shoulder injury.