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The majority of the NBA world has been shocked all season long by the Houston Rockets, who have surged from a fringe lottery team in 2024 to a potential championship contender in 2025. At 48-26, the Rockets still hold a lead over teams like the Denver Nuggets and Los Angeles Lakers for the second seed in the Western Conference.
Houston has been on a roll throughout March, having won 11 of its last 15 games. After a losing record in February, the team has bounced back and is 9-1 in its last 10 games as well. The Rockets hold a 1.5-game lead over the Nuggets and a 2.5-game lead over the Lakers.
However, as we approach the final eight regular-season games of the season, the Rockets' coveted No. 2 seed is in jeopardy. They have the fourth-toughest remaining schedule of any NBA team according to Tankathon, with a strength of schedule of .564.
It starts with tonight's matchup against the Phoenix Suns, who have also seen a major improvement, having won four of their last six games. The Rockets own the Suns' first-round pick this year, so a win for Houston would impact not only its lead in the standings but draft odds as well.
The Rockets will then travel to Los Angeles to face the Lakers, who have been on and off over the last few weeks. Houston will then get a bit of a break from the tough competition as the team faces the Utah Jazz at home.
The Rockets' final five games will be the ultimate test. They'll face the Oklahoma City Thunder, Golden State Warriors, LA Clippers, Lakers, and Nuggets before the playoffs. All five of those teams hold the seventh seed in the West or higher.
The No. 1 seed in the West will belong to the Thunder, but the No. 2 seed has become increasingly coveted for a multitude of reasons. Not only would it mean the Rockets have a home-court advantage until the Western Conference Finals, but Houston will also avoid Oklahoma City through the first two rounds. The Rockets will have a lot of high-pressure matchups to secure that position.
More must-reads:
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Celtics Rumors: NBA Insider Reveals What Anfernee Simons Trade Could Look Like
The Boston Celtics acquired Anfernee Simons in a trade with the Portland Trail Blazers. They got him in return for Jrue Holiday as the Celtics started their salary-shedding spree. Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis were the first two trade casualties with the Celtics in terms of shedding the salary. Simons also makes a lot of money, though. Even though he's an expiring contract, he is still set to make $27.6 million next season. If the Celtics were going to move him, one insider revealed what a possible trade involving him could look like. More news: Celtics Set to Close Record Franchise Sale This Summer: Report The Celtics might have to add a draft pick to any Anfernee Simons trade According to Jay King of The Athletic, the Celtics might have to add a draft pick to any trade they put Simons into. "At this point, I don’t think it’s a matter of how much draft capital the Celtics would get for trading Simons. It’s a matter of how much draft capital they would have to give up. He doesn’t seem to have a strong market." If Boston really doesn't want to pay his expiring salary this year, they might have to add some draft capital to sweeten the deal. Boston probably doesn't feel they should have to do that. Simons has proven that he is a very talented scorer in the NBA. While he was in Portland, he showed the ability to get hot from beyond the 3-point arc. He's someone who can score at all three levels, too. More news: Former Celtics Big Man Joins West Squad in Surprise Role The Celtics might end up keeping Simons because of the fact that they would have to add some draft capital to a trade. "While Stevens has made it clear he does not want to part ways with significant draft assets to cut salary, it would be helpful to get out of the luxury tax and begin the process of resetting the repeater tax if a feasible path to do so exists." If the Celtics are going to be able to shed salary elsewhere, they might end up keeping Simons. Adding any draft capital is only a last resort for Stevens. Simons averaged 19.3 points, 2.7 rebounds, and 4.8 assists per game with the Trail Blazers. Latest Celtics News For more news and notes on the Boston Celtics, visit Boston Celtics on SI.
Vikings WR gets brutal injury news for second straight season
A Minnesota Vikings wide receiver's season is already over. The Minnesota Vikings announced on Tuesday that wide receiver Rondale Moore is being placed on season-ending injured reserve due to a leg injury that he suffered in the team's first preseason game against the Houston Texans this past weekend. It is a devastating blow for Moore, who is now being sidelined for an entire season, before it even begins, for the second year in a row. Moore signed a one-year, $2 million contract in free agency with the Vikings this offseason in the hopes he could return from a different injury that cost him the entirety of the 2024 season. Moore was a member of the Atlanta Falcons in 2024 after being acquired in a trade with the Arizona Cardinals for backup quarterback Desmond Ridder. This is now two different teams that Moore has been a part of, but will never play a game for them due to injuries. Moore was injured while returning a punt. He began his career with the Arizona Cardinals, catching 135 passes for 1,201 yards over three seasons before being traded. He was never going to be counted on to be a key contributor for the Vikings offense this season, especially given the superstars they already have at wide receiver in Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison, but he still had a chance to be an interesting depth player. Now it is fair to wonder what the rest of his career might even look like. Missing two full seasons due to two different leg injuries is going to be a brutal thing to try to come back from. Missing two seasons for any reason is difficult, but when you add the leg injuries to the equation, it makes the obstacle even steeper.
Brewers officially have a legit MVP candidate
On Tuesday night, the Milwaukee Brewers extended their winning streak to 11 games, and a key part of the team's momentum is a player who is in the National League MVP race. The red-hot Brewers entered Tuesday night facing one of the biggest threats to their winning streak, Pittsburgh Pirates ace Paul Skenes. Milwaukee torched Skenes for two home runs and four earned runs in 4.0 innings pitched. Brewers first baseman Andrew Vaughn added extra damage in the sixth inning with a three-run home run that increased Milwaukee's lead to 12-0. Per Bob Nightengale of USA Today, Vaughn is in the NL MVP race after his home run on Tuesday night. "Andrew Vaughn suddenly in top 10 NL MVP discussion with another 3-run HR, giving him 32 RBI since joining the Brewers," Nightengale posted on X. "He is the gift that keeps on giving from the White Sox. They are about to go 24-4 since his arrival." Vaughn has helped the Brewers overrun and then take a commanding lead on the Chicago Cubs in the NL Central. Following their 14-0 win Tuesday night, the Brewers extended their lead to 7.5 games over the Cubs for first place. Vaughn is turning out to be a steal for the Brewers, as Milwaukee only gave up veteran pitcher Aaron Civale and cash considerations for the first baseman on June 13. While Vaughn might have a case to be in the top 10, he has much work before he becomes a legitimate contender for the NL MVP. Per FanDuel, Los Angeles Dodgers star slugger Shohei Ohtani leads the race with -20000 odds. Philadelphia Phillies left fielder Kyle Schwarber is second with +1800 odds. Those two players have been more consistent this season, whereas Vaughn has come on strong since leaving Chicago.
ESPN believes one Michigan football player is in store for a sophomore breakout season
Shohei Ohtani named in lawsuit regarding $240M real estate project
Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani has been named in a lawsuit that was filed in Hawaii on Friday. Ohtani and his agent, Nez Balelo, are being sued by a real estate investor and a broker in Hawaii who have accused Ohtani and Balelo of sabotaging a $240M real estate deal for a development on the Big Island. According to court documents that were obtained by Jimmy Golen of The Associated Press, real estate developer Kevin J. Hayes Sr. and real estate broker Tomoko Matsumoto say Ohtani and Balelo deliberately had them removed from the project “for no reason other than their own financial self-interest.” The lawsuit claims Ohtani was brought into the deal for his promotional value and that he and his agent pushed the founders of the project out using “threats and baseless legal claims.” “Defendants must be held accountable for their actions, not shielded by fame or behind-the-scenes agents acting with impunity,” the lawsuit states. “Plaintiffs bring this suit to expose Defendants’ misconduct and to ensure that the rules of contract, fair dealing, and accountability apply equally to all — celebrity or not.” Hayes and Matsumoto have also accused Ohtani and Balelo of trying to push them out of a similar neighboring development project. The $240M Big Island development is located along Hapuna Beach, which is rated one of the top beaches in the world. Matsumoto was supposed to be the listing agent for the properties, which average more than $17.3M each. A brochure for the project stated that Ohtani, who was called “Japan’s Babe Ruth” has committed to buying one of the 14 properties and acting as a “celebrity spokesperson” for the development. Ohtani signed a 10-year, $700M contract with the Dodgers prior to the 2024 season. The two-way star is having another monster year with a .284 average, 42 home runs, 78 RBI and a 1.013 OPS entering Tuesday. Ohtani has also returned to pitching this season and has a 2.37 ERA across 19 innings. Ohtani was also connected to a massive gambling scandal last year, though Major League Baseball determined that the 31-year-old was not guilty of any wrongdoing.
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