After getting dominated by the Hawks in Game 3, the Boston Celtics look to showcase the lessons learned from last year's NBA Finals run by bringing a higher level of urgency in Sunday's matchup. With the potential for the move-up of the conference semifinals, it is in Boston's best interest to finish off the Hawks quickly. They couldn't corral the desperate Hawks team in Game 3, who proved that they can make things interesting with their offensive firepower and relentless desire to collect offensive rebounds. The Celtics played from behind for much of the game and failed to get over the hump with Atlanta responding to every second-half charge. Drawing more from their superstars, particularly Jayson Tatum, and fully locking in their defense will be essential to their success in Game 4. However, the Celtics might also be without starting point guard Marcus Smart, as he is listed as questionable due to a lower back contusion. Dejounte Murray has been playing at a high level for the Hawks and making the biggest impact by creating opportunities for his teammates. Will the Celtics bring the necessary urgency against a determined Hawks team in Game 4?

Led by their dynamic duo, Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum, the Boston Celtics entered the NBA playoffs with the potential to be champions. After a season filled with dominant team performances and impressive individual performances, the Celtics are looking to make an even greater impact in the playoffs. Brown and Tatum have been the key contributors, with Tatum averaging more than 30 points per game in the regular season and Brown notching nearly 27 points and 7 rebounds per game.

Despite facing some challenges towards the end of the season, losing to teams they were expected to beat, the Celtics came into the playoffs with a strong victory over the Atlanta Hawks in Game 1. With Tatum and Brown leading the way, the Celtics are on a mission to win it all this year. While Marcus Smart's contributions were perhaps not at the same level as his teammates, he has also played a part in their success. With such a strong core, it seems the Celtics have what it takes to go all the way this year.

FanDuel offers a same-game parlay for Hawks-Celtics Game 2 in which the Duke product needs to play exactly as he did on Saturday afternoon, finishing with 25+ points, 4+ assists, and draining as many trios as he did in Game 1, while Young simply needs to finish with 25+ points. However, through the first two games of the NBA Playoffs against the Hawks, Tatum has only shot two free throws total while he averaged a career-high 8.4 attempts per game. Tatum has let it be known to the referees he's not happy with the calls, but he added he's not the only one affected by the whistles. Both sides have experienced stretches of increased physicality where fouls were not called. In any case, the Celtics currently hold the 2-0 series lead over the Hawks heading into Game 3. Finally, it was revealed that Julian Edelman switched to being a Celtics fan in 2017 after joining the Patriots, but his true NBA fandom was put to a direct test during the NBA Finals last year, rooting for Boston against his former favorite team, the Golden State Warriors.

Despite posting 29 points and 12 rebounds in the Celtics' Game 1 win against the Hawks, Jaylen Brown was dealing with a cut that reopened on his right hand, according to Coley Harvey of ESPN. Brown originally suffered the cut last week and had to get stitches, but he was cleared to play on Tuesday for Game 2. Brown had padding over the cut during Game 1 but he left in the first quarter to return with a new bandage that was more comfortable. Boston will need Brown to be playing at his best as they continue in the playoffs, and it is uncertain whether his hand injury will affect him going forward. Despite the injury, Brown's performance in Game 1 was impressive, especially considering he had some trouble gripping the ball.

Alec Martinez scored a shorthanded goal, blocked two shots, and had a plus-3 rating in the Vegas Golden Knights' 3-1 victory over the Seattle Kraken. Martinez finished the NHL regular season with the most blocked shots in the league, recording 244 in 77 games, 46 more than his teammate Brayden McNabb. The 35-year-old defenseman had a quiet offensive season with only three goals, but his strong defensive presence and solid plus-minus rating of 30 make up for it. Additionally, Martinez is a two-time Stanley Cup champion and has 30 points in 103 post-season games. The Golden Knights finished the season second in the Pacific Division, with a record of 50-27-5, and will face off against the St. Louis Blues in the first round of the playoffs.

Leon Draisaitl has been dominating the series against the Los Angeles Kings, leading the Edmonton Oilers to a 4-2 victory in Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Playoffs series. In two games, Draisaitl has showcased his skills, scoring two goals and recording three assists, outshining even teammate and Oilers captain, Connor McDavid. Oilers coach Jay Woodcroft has praised Draisaitl, calling him the best player on the ice by far. While his teammate McDavid only has one point in the series, it is not yet time to push the panic button, considering the playoffs can be a small sample size. However, in the playoffs, everything is analyzed and McDavid's future performance will likely be heavily scrutinized. Despite McDavid not performing as expected, the Oilers have managed to tie the series with the Kings 1-1.

Adrian Kempe, forward for the LA Kings, reached the 40-goal milestone in the final regular season game against the Anaheim Ducks. Kempe finished the season with 41 goals and became the first King to score 40 or more goals since Luc Robitaille during the 1993-94 campaign. Kempe is the ninth different Kings skater to record a 40-goal season in team history. Kempe had been questioned externally about his ability to recreate his 2021-22 season, but answered those questions with a career-best of 41 goals in a season. Varying types of goals scored, including six empty-net goals, two in 3-on-3 overtime, as well as three while shorthanded highlight Kempe’s versatility. Kempe has been a valuable player for the Kings all season, with 35 goals in the previous season and earning an organization-high cap hit. While not a huge factor on offense in the postseason, Kempe can provide solid defense from his third-line role. Kempe’s successful season speaks volumes to the LA Kings’ overall growth and success.

Draymond Green of the Golden State Warriors is set to make NBA history. Currently, with 4,212 assists to his name, Green is slated to surpass Hall of Famer Charles Barkley with just four more assists during Sunday’s game against the Denver Nuggets. Although Green hasn’t put up massive numbers, he is one of the best all-around players in the league, which includes being an elite passer and defender. His assists numbers have been consistent as in 64 out of 69 games this season, he has dished out 4+ assists. Given Green's playmaking abilities and the Warriors' strong offensive presence, the feat seems almost certain. Warriors are set to enter the playoffs as the No. 6 playoff seed in the Western Conference after a unique regular season. Despite some weaknesses, Green believes the defending league champions should be favored for the West Finals. In the past eight seasons, the Warriors have won the NBA Championship in four times and have been to the NBA Finals six times.

The Sacramento Kings have caught everyone's attention this postseason, taking a 2-0 series lead over the Golden State Warriors. However, the talk has not been about their success, but instead about the incident between Domantas Sabonis and Draymond Green in Game 2. Sabonis grabbed Green's leg, which resulted in Green stomping on Sabonis' chest. Green was initially assessed a technical foul, but upon replay review, the officials changed the call to a Flagrant 2 and ejected him. Sabonis was given a technical foul for his part in the incident. The league later announced that Green would be suspended for Game 3. While Sacramento's success is due in part to Sabonis' leadership, rebounding ability, and chemistry with De'Aaron Fox, the storyline has centered on the altercation with Green. The media and NBA Twitter have made headlines out of the story with no X's and O's, and there has even been anger within the organization towards the league. The focus needs to shift back to the game and the series at hand, as the Kings look to continue their success against the defending champions.

Golden State Warriors guard Moses Moody's mother, Rona Moody, took to Twitter to express her appreciation for a fan spotted during their game against the Sacramento Kings. The tweet shows a photo of a random Warriors fan sporting Moody's No. 4 jersey at the Chase Center during the Warriors' Game 3 win over the Kings. The caption read, "I've worn my son's jersey every single game for two seasons straight to make sure that there was at least one in the arena every game. Planning to continue until I start to see others wearing it..... well I guess it's happening." Moody had a great game, scoring 13 points and three rebounds in his first game back from an illness.

Though a small event, the tweet has gone viral on social media platforms, spreading awareness of Rona Moody's dedication to her son and the recognition of a true fan. As for Moody, the young guard is playing in his second year in the league after being drafted 14th overall by the Warriors out of Arkansas in 2021. Moody's influence is growing on and off the court, making him an up-and-coming player to watch.

Donte DiVincenzo will come off the bench for the Golden State Warriors in Monday's game 2 against the Sacramento Kings as Andrew Wiggins returns to the starting lineup. This season, DiVincenzo has been a key player for the Warriors with impressive averages of 8.5 points, 3.7 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 1.9 triples and 1.2 steals per contest on 45.4 percent shooting in 22.3 minutes per night. Despite primarily being utilized by the team as a reserve player, his career year letting it fly started with him going back to his college roots at Villanova. An assistant coach at Villanova helped DiVincenzo with drills that have greatly improved his shot. The drills emphasized base and lower body, with his objective being to reset himself from the ground up. DiVincenzo’s success is also attributed to a simple tip from one of the game’s most accurate shooters ever. With his impressive shooting skills, DiVincenzo has become an elite shooter, thus giving the Warriors yet another sharpshooter to fear.

Minnesota Wild's center, Joel Eriksson Ek, skated by himself at the TRIA Rink in downtown St. Paul for the first time after suffering a lower-body injury on April 6 during a game against the Pittsburgh Penguins. Although the Wild listed him as week-to-week, Eriksson Ek's evident progress bodes well for his return. Even though his coach, Dean Evason, was hesitant to give a timeline for his return or his readiness for Game 1, it seems that it could be a possibility. Similarly, Marcus Johansson, who took a cross-check directly to the ribs in a game against the Dallas Stars and avoided any serious injuries, returned to the ice for the Wild's practice after stating he's feeling 100 per cent. The Wild will certainly benefit from having these players return to the game, particularly Eriksson Ek's outstanding record of career highs in assists, points, and goals. The Wild are currently leading the series 2-1, and the return of Eriksson Ek and Johansson can potentially secure a win in the upcoming matches.

Bay Area rapper, E-40, was ejected from Game 1 of the Warriors-Kings Western Conference playoff series on Saturday night as he claims due to racial bias. E-40 was reportedly standing excessively, blocking the view of attendees behind him, and was repeatedly yelled at by a woman to sit down, leading to a verbal back-and-forth between E-40 and her. Kings security then escorted E-40 from his ringside seat near the Golden State bench in the fourth quarter. E-40 noted in a statement that the incident was yet another reminder of racial bias, and he hopes that those involved are held accountable. The Kings are investigating the situation, and the Warriors have tweeted their support for E-40. The platinum-selling East Bay rapper has been a loyal supporter of the Warriors for years, and several players have shown their solidarity with him. Klay Thompson revealed that E-40 has been their biggest supporter for years, and he hopes that the situation gets sorted out because the rapper deserved to be there.

As the NBA playoffs continue, all eyes are on Tyrese Maxey and Stephen Curry to lead their respective teams to victories in their upcoming games. Maxey’s Philadelphia 76ers aim to level with the Brooklyn Nets while Curry’s Golden State Warriors face the Sacramento Kings. With much of the pregame attention focused on these two players, it is worth considering some of the options for prop bets.

A strong option for Maxey would be betting on him to make over 2.5 threes. While he was relatively quiet in game one of the playoffs, Maxey has shown that he can score from beyond the arc and is averaging 14.5 field goal attempts since the all-star break. Against a Nets team that allows opponents to shoot over 36% from deep, Maxey may be poised for a breakout performance.

Meanwhile, Curry’s consistent scoring ability makes picking him for over 29.5 points a safe bet. Despite the Kings’ recent woes, Curry should be able to continue to put up impressive scoring numbers. He has already cleared this line in three of his five games against the Kings this season, including the playoffs.

As always, these prop bets are up for grabs and could go either way. But if Maxey and Curry play as expected, they could very well provide a significant payout for those who bet on them.

Sacramento Kings fans had a lot to cheer about after their team outlasted the Golden State Warriors 126-123 in Game 1 of the series. De'Aaron Fox was the star of the game, scoring a historic 38 points and eclipsing the production of Steph Curry who finished with 30 points. During the closing moments of the game, a Kings fan was spotted taunting Curry, yelling “40 on your f--king head!” in reference to Fox’s 38 points. While the fan taunts may not have impacted the outcome of the game, Warriors fans are hopeful that Curry and his teammates will rise to the occasion in Game 2. Along with the series' expected competitiveness, there was a moment between Curry and a young fan that makes for smiles. During warmups for Game 2, Curry stopped to give a low-five to a young fan wearing his jersey, but the fan failed to notice and kept walking. Maybe Curry will get more luck when the series moves back to San Francisco.

Mike Brown, head coach of the Sacramento Kings, has been named the National Basketball Coaches Association's 2023 Coach of the Year. The award is voted on by the NBA's 30 head coaches, and it goes to the coach who has made the greatest positive impact on his team. Brown is expected to also win the NBA's Coach of the Year award, which is voted on by the media and will be announced during the playoffs. This is Brown's first season with the Kings, and under his leadership, the team went 48-34, finished third in the Western Conference, and made the playoffs for the first time in 17 years. Brown has overseen one of the greatest turnarounds in NBA history, taking a franchise that had been a doormat for years and turning it into a team that plays with high energy and confidence. The Kings have been one of the most potent offensive teams in NBA history, scoring a league-best 118.6 points per 100 possessions in the regular season.

Former Golden State Warrior, Harrison Barnes, missed out on a golden opportunity to take the Sacramento Kings ahead by two games in their playoff series against the Warriors on Sunday. Barnes, who left Golden State in 2016 after a poor Finals performance, was gifted a wide-open 3-pointer that would have led to a game-winning basket. Barnes, however, missed the shot, as the Kings lost 126-125. Despite the miss, Barnes remained composed, explaining that he learned how to deal with failure in 2016 when the Warriors blew a 3-1 series lead against the Cleveland Cavaliers: "After you learn to put yourself together after 2016, I think one shot is not going to necessarily faze you," Barnes said.

Kings coach Mike Brown has called Barnes irreplaceable, praising his performance and attitude so far in the playoffs. However, with Barnes' contract expiring at the end of the season, his future with the Kings remains uncertain. While Barnes maintains his focus on the playoffs, it remains to be seen whether his past with Golden State will affect his game in the later stages of the series.

The New York Knicks are hoping that All-Star forward Julius Randle can join their lineup for Game 1 of their Eastern Conference Quarterfinal series against the Cleveland Cavaliers on Saturday. Randle sprained his left ankle against the Miami Heat on March 29 and has missed the Knicks' final five games of the regular season. The 28-year-old forward has been a key figure for the Knicks this season, averaging 25.1 points and 10.0 rebounds per game. If Randle can't start, this will place more pressure on Jalen Brunson, who has been playing through pain for much of the second half of the season. The Cavaliers have Donovan Mitchell, who has been playing exceptionally, averaging more than 40 points in four straight games before being put on the bench for his team's final two tilts. However, since the NBA odds for Mitchell's total points prop has adjusted to 30.5, up from a high of 28.5 in his final regular-season tilt, bettors might be sacrificing a little juice. Mitchell has cleared 3.5 three-pointers in most of his previous games, making him a great bet to get at least four threes in this game. Overall, the Cavaliers are favored to win the series against the Knicks, but Randle's return could help increase the Knicks' chances to win Game 1.

Cleveland Cavaliers' rookie Evan Mobley has been making waves during the NBA playoffs for his defensive prowess against veteran Julius Randle of the New York Knicks. According to NBA.com player tracking matchup data, Mobley has held Randle to 7 of 31 from the floor in 22:52 minutes of gameplay in the series, including 3 of 14 from the 3-point range. Randle was 18 of 55 in total and scored 8 of 27 3 pointers. Despite Mobley's efforts, the Cavs lost game three, with some analysts attributing the loss to the "atrocious" offense on their part. Another player who has emerged as a force against the Knicks is Caris LeVert, who has been assigned to slow down Jalen Brunson. In 16:46 minutes of gameplay, LeVert held Brunson to 10 points on 4 of 18 from the field, including 0 of 8 from the 3-point range. Cavs' Isaac Okoro and Cedi Osman also held Brunson to 12 and 18 points during the playoffs. The NBA playoffs have been said to be a match of different matchups and long-standing rivalries.

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Carolina Hurricanes' forward, Teuvo Teravainen, suffered a broken hand during Game 2 against the New York Islanders and will require surgery, according to head coach Rod Brind'Amour. Although he finished his shift just after taking a slash on his left hand from Jean-Gabriel Pageau, he did not return to the ice. Pageau was not penalized on the play. Losing Teravainen is a serious blow to Carolina, who already lost offseason acquisition and core forward Cedric Paquette. The series is now looking even more promising for the Hurricanes, who have taken a 2-0 lead. Brind'Amour expressed dissatisfaction with the non-call on Pageau and believes that it was responsible for sidelining Teravainen for the rest of the series. Brind'Amour was quoted as saying, “I'm a little (ticked), to be honest with you." The Islanders put up a better fight in this game, but the Hurricanes’ Jaccob Slavin and Brent Burns proved the difference makers in the game. Although they lost Teravainen, Carolina still has enough talent, smarts, speed, and hunger to dispose of the Islanders in five or six games of this series.

Following a Game 2 blowout loss, Los Angeles Lakers fans took great pleasure in jeering Memphis Grizzlies' Dillon Brooks off the court after being ejected for hitting LeBron James in the groin. Brooks had made derogatory comments about his opponent before the game stating that he sees James as "old" and he wouldn't respect him until he scores 40 points. Brooks had a tough night, going 3-of-13 from the field, which prompted the Lakers' game plan to challenge him to shoot.

When reporters quizzed James about Brooks' comments during a Lakers practice session, he refused to get involved in the trash talk, focusing solely on Game 3, which is critical to the rest of the series. However, fans will likely be anticipating what may happen come Saturday night. Will LeBron James give Brooks the satisfaction of a 40-point haul or will he concentrate on leading the Lakers to an important win on home court? The contest, which pits the league's youngest star against its oldest, promised to be intense, featuring two teams with authentic animosity towards each other. So far, the series is still up in the air, played between two teams with no clear identity, with games dominated by players who are experiencing this kind of moment for the first time.

Mo Bamba, the seven-foot center for the Los Angeles Lakers, has received limited playing time in the playoffs against the Memphis Grizzlies, which has caused frustration among Lakers fans. Despite posting good numbers in the regular season, Bamba has not received significant minutes in the playoffs, leading to questions about why Lakers head coach Darvin Ham is not utilizing him more.

With Anthony Davis on the bench, Ham has often gone with LeBron James at the 5, but this might not be a wise option against the Grizzlies with Jaren Jackson Jr. in the middle. Many believe Bamba's ability to hit from downtown would make Jackson come out and guard him, opening up the lane for the Lakers' other players.

Bamba has not played in the first two games against the Grizzlies, and some Lakers fans have taken to Twitter to advise Ham to adjust his rotations, with many calling for Bamba to be given more playing time. The Lakers will resume the series against the Grizzlies tonight and will need to win both home games to keep home-court advantage. Only time will tell if Ham will give Bamba more playing time as fans have demanded.

The Los Angeles Lakers secured a spot in this year's playoffs after a miraculous comeback victory against the Minnesota Timberwolves, but starting point guard D'Angelo Russell struggled throughout the game, finishing with just two points on 1-for-9 shooting in 24 minutes. Head coach Darvin Ham chose to play Dennis Schroder over Russell in the crucial moments of the game, a decision that paid off for the Lakers. Despite the rough night, Ham and the Lakers' organization remain confident in Russell's abilities moving forward. He has been an important contributor throughout the season, especially since LeBron James' injury, and averaged 20 points per game in March. However, Russell's lack of consistency in the postseason has been highlighted in previous years. During the 2022 playoffs with the Minnesota Timberwolves, he averaged just 12 points on 33.3% shooting from the field in six games. The Lakers will need him to step up in the playoffs if they hope to make a deep run. Can Russell bounce back when it matters most for his team?

The Los Angeles Lakers have been in fine form since the Westbrook trade, leaving pundits to take notice of their impressive match play. The Lakers have added substance with a more robust roster, delivering better defense and balance to their match strategies. With opinions from sports analysts like Nick Wright of Fox Sports 1, they say that the Lakers are the team to beat this year. The Lakers' resurgence reflects a combination of their early season tribulations and their renewed championship aspirations. Adding D'Angelo Russell and acquiring Danny Ainge from Boston in the Westbrook trade has allowed the team to find the chemistry it lacked throughout the first half of the season. LeBron James and Anthony Davis appear to have the ideal supporting cast they need to make a legitimate push for the championship. Sports commentator Skip Bayless has given the Lakers a 50% chance of winning the Western Conference Finals and perhaps a chance to win the NBA Finals, citing their ability to beat Memphis, as well as the Golden State Warriors or the Phoenix Suns. As the Lakers' combat readiness continues to gather momentum, they appear well set to make a substantial playoff run.