The Celtics Are Contenders, Concern Level for the Thunder + Unrivaled Day 1 Takeaways | The Dunker Spot

On this episode of The Big Number, Tom Haberstroh and Dan Devine discuss if what happens in Vegas, truly does stay in Vegas. The numbers show that the NBA Cup champions face a very interesting decline in the Cup’s immediate aftermath, and the New York Knicks are the most recent victims of the NBA Las Vegas hangover, losing 4 straight.They also look into other teams suffering post-NBA Cup, including the once-seemingly invincible Oklahoma City Thunder and the preseason Eastern darling Orlando Magic. What’s causing this sudden slip for these contenders? Tom and Dan investigate.Plus, the pair look into Trae Young’s fit as a Washington Wizard and predict next season’s success with the star guard at the helm.(0:57) The Big Number: NBA Cup hangover(16:10) Jalen Williams shooting woes(24:37) Knicks defensive drama(33:17) Magic struggling without Suggs(43:17) Does trading Trae to the Wizards make sense? 📢 Check out the Yahoo Sports podcast network or yahoosports.tv

We're bouncing around on today's episode of The Dunker Spot!Nekias Duncan and Steve Jones discuss the surging Boston Celtics, who recently climbed to the East's second seed. They discuss their current standing and the non-Jaylen Brown standouts, as well as appreciate the level of buy-in Joe Mazzulla has gotten from this group.From there, they bounce around. From the Pistons' consistent winning, to the Nuggets finding offense without Nikola Jokic, playoff-level questions for the Rockets and Thunder (what's going on there?), a Rudy Gobert check-in and more.Finally, the guys close the show with reactions to the first day of the Unrivaled season.If you ever have NBA or WNBA questions, email us at [email protected].(2:08) -- Boston Celtics(9:45)-- A quick Pistons salute(15:19) -- Back to the Celtics(24:13) -- Portland Trail Blazers(31:46) -- Denver Nuggets(41:20) -- Atlanta Hawks(45:36) -- Houston Rockets(51:21) -- Oklahoma City Thunder(56:36) -- Rudy Gobert(01:03:27) -- Unrivaled takeaways 📢 Check out the Yahoo Sports podcast network or yahoosports.tv

KOC is joined by Wosny Lambre to break down Jaylen Brown’s standout performance this season, proclaiming himself the ‘best two-way player in the game’ and his career of proving people wrong. Is he having an MVP-caliber year?Next, they discuss the Suns’ victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder, the keys to the Suns’ victory and OKC being on track to now win “only” 68 games. Should OKC make a trade to avoid complacency?Plus, they analyze which teams should trade for Michael Porter Jr., whether the Nuggets can survive without Jokic and trades the 76ers should consider. The duo breaks down the current state of the Golden State Warriors. What moves must they make to become legitimate contenders?Plus, David Lee joins to discuss what’s going on in Atlanta, whether the Hawks should trade for Anthony Davis and what the Hawks should do with Trae Young. Then, it's time for Draft Class as David & KOC share this week’s Lottery Lessons and Weekly Movers.(0:29) Jaylen Brown MVP?(12:14) Suns beat Thunder in comeback fashion(28:51) Michael Porter Jr. trade suitors(31:41) Gordon & Braun return for Nuggets(34:26) Nuggets @ Sixers tonight(42:10) State of the Warriors(55:53) State of the Hawks(1:18:28) Draft Class with David Lee 📢 Check out the Yahoo Sports podcast network or yahoosports.tv

Happy New Year from The Dunker Spot!Nekias Duncan and Steve Jones dissect two of the most interesting teams in the league to this point: the Los Angeles Lakers and Philadelphia 76ers.How good are they/ What are the growth areas? How seriously should we take them come playoff time?Then, the guys discuss the breakout campaign Jaylen Brown is currently on.They close with thoughts on the upcoming Unrivaled season, slated to tip off on Monday.If you ever have NBA or WNBA questions, email us at [email protected].(2:13) — Los Angeles Lakers(33:15) — Philadelphia 76ers(58:49) — Jaylen Brown's breakout(01:10:28) — Key questions heading into Season 2 of Unrivaled 📢 Check out the Yahoo Sports podcast network or yahoosports.tv

Kevin O'Connor shares his 2026 NBA predictions in this solo episode, delivering one key forecast for every team in the league. From blockbuster trade hypotheticals—like Anthony Davis to Atlanta and Giannis possibly landing with the Knicks—to unique player trajectories, Kevin predicts potential statistical trends, trade rumors and team dynamics for the upcoming year. (0:52) Hawks prediction(2:52) Mavericks prediction(4:51) Lakers prediction(8:28) Nuggets prediction(10:07) Spurs prediction(13:48) Nets prediction(14:13) Thunder prediction(15:13) Celtics prediction(16:16) Pacers prediction(17:21) Pelicans prediction(18:57) Rockets prediction(20:23) Warriors prediction(21:58) Trail Blazers prediction(22:56) 76ers prediction(24:07) Clippers prediction(26:13) Heat prediction(27:17) Hornets prediction(28:13) Wizards prediction(29:41) Jazz prediction(32:02) Timberwolves prediction(35:31) Grizzlies prediction(37:03) Kings prediction(38:22) Bulls prediction(39:57) Raptors prediction(40:51) Pistons prediction(42:05) Suns prediction(42:39) Magic prediction(43:20) Cavaliers prediction(44:36) Knicks & Bucks predictions 📢 Check out the Yahoo Sports podcast network or yahoosports.tv

In the final Big Number episode of 2025, Tom Haberstroh and Dan Devine discuss the major implications of the Nikola Jokic knee extension and how it affects both the NBA’s MVP race, as well as the Denver Nuggets’ playoff chances.Then, they take a look at some of the most trade-eligible players for the new year, leading with Anthony Davis, who despite being one of the most effective players while on the court, still provides question marks on his ability to stay on it. The pair also address the Zach LaVine situation in Sacramento - should he get traded, and where to?Finally, the Trae Young fiasco in Atlanta is picked apart - what should the Hawks do? Is waiving the former superstar point guard on the table? That and more on today’s Big Number.(01:08) The Big Number: 4 - minimum number of weeks Jokic misses with knee injury(19:08) The Little Numbers: 1.5 - Anthony Davis’ estimated plus minus(21:03) New team, new year: potential landing spots for Anthony Davis(24:06) The Little Numbers: 13 - players avg. 25+ points on .600 true shooting percentage(26:16) New team, new year: will Michael Porter Jr. have a new team in 2026?(28:51) The Little Numbers: 10 - Zach LaVine 3-point attempts per possession(38:18) The Little Numbers: 126.2 - Hawks’ defensive rating with Trae Young(49:06) Should the Hawks waive Trae Young? 📢 Check out the Yahoo Sports podcast network or yahoosports.tv

Happy New Year's Eve-Eve from The Dunker Spot!Nekias Duncan and Steve Jones discuss the hot play of the Los Angeles Clippers, Miami Heat and surprisingly-plucky Brooklyn Nets. Next, they check in on the San Antonio Spurs, Oklahoma City Thunder, Cleveland Cavaliers and Atlanta Hawks.Finally, the guys react to the first return of All-Star voting. There may be a rant included.If you ever have NBA or WNBA questions, email us at [email protected].(1:44) — How to evaluate this stage of the NBA season(7:33) — Los Angeles Clippers(21:21) — Miami Heat(27:21) — Quick check-in on the Pistons' offense(30:08) — Brooklyn Nets(36:54) — San Antonio Spurs(43:18) — Oklahoma City Thunder(47:40) — Cleveland Cavaliers(50:34) — Quick Atlanta Hawks disappointment(52:18) — First All-Star returns are out(01:10:46) Free Throws 📢 Check out the Yahoo Sports podcast network or yahoosports.tv

Kevin O’Connor is joined by Dave DuFour to break down the Spurs' 3-0 winning streak against the OKC Thunder this season, Victor Wembanyama’s defensive impact and why San Antonio’s 3-guard rotation is so successful.Then, they discuss the Los Angeles Clippers' winning streak and Kawhi Leonard dropping 55 points against the Detroit Pistons. Has Keyonte George officially broken out for the Utah Jazz? Is Nikola Jokic better than ever? Should the Warriors consider trading for Anthony Davis? Plus, the duo gives their New Year's resolutions for several NBA teams.Later, Jonathan Givony joins to discuss James Nnaji committing to Baylor after playing in the G-League. Should professional players be allowed to return to play in college? Then, Jonathan gives the latest on the 2026 Draft Class, including whether AJ Dybantsa or Cameron Boozer will secure the number one pick.(0:52) Spurs 3-0 against Thunder this season (13:31) Kawhi drops 55 pts vs. Pistons(20:33) Keyonte George shines for Jazz (24:26) Jokic best he's ever been?(27:29) Scottie Barnes monster triple-double (36:05) Should Warriors trade for AD? (41:23) NBA New Year's resolutions (1:11:14) KOC's Draft Class 📢 Check out the Yahoo Sports podcast network or yahoosports.tv

Happy Holidays from The Dunker Spot!Nekias Duncan and Steve Jones went back to the mailbag for this one.Questions range from the Minnesota Lynx's ideal draft strategy, to the Portland Trail Blazers' late-game offense, to the Houston Rockets' ideal closing five, to zone-beaters for rec league basketball teams. We bounced around quite a bit — thank you to everyone who sent in questions.If you ever have NBA or WNBA questions, email us at [email protected].(1:29) — What should the Minnesota Lynx do with the #2 overall pick?(4:28) — Examining Marina Mabrey landing spots + the most entertaining Unrivaled team(7:38) — What's the most top-heavy position in the (W)NBA?(10:21) — How do coaches decide when to make an adjustment?(22:53) — What's behind teams being able to erase big leads more easily?(28:55) — What lineup(s) should the Rockets close playoff games with?(33:50) — How sustainable is the Pelicans' offense?(38:28) — Examining the Blazers' late-game offense & Tiago Splitter(43:43) — What can we take away from this Pacers season?(49:28) — The perception around Bam vs Evan Mobley, Jaden McDaniels' switching, and 2nd round pick trade value(57:52) — Memorable role player performances(01:01:49) — How should rec-level teams attack a 2-3 zone? 📢 Check out the Yahoo Sports podcast network or yahoosports.tv

Tom Haberstroh & Dan Devine break down the NBA’s Christmas Day slate and preview Cooper Flagg’s historic holiday start at just 19 years, 4 days old. Dan then shares four little numbers for the top players to watch in each Christmas Day game: Karl-Anthony Towns’ defensive leap for the Knicks, Stephon Castle’s ascent with the Spurs, LeBron James’ shift away from predominantly creating his own shots and Jamal Murray’s elite efficiency for Denver. Later, Tom & Dan push for radical reform and suggest the NBA get rid of the Draft system to prevent teams from tanking. (1:23) The Big Number: Flagg’s Christmas Day debut(17:28) The Little Numbers: KAT at-rim defense(22:21) The Little Numbers: Stephon Castle a superstar?(27:35) The Little Numbers: LeBron’s assisted baskets(33:11) The Little Numbers: Jamal Murray’s efficiency(38:24) Should the NBA get rid of the Draft? 📢 Check out the Yahoo Sports podcast network or yahoosports.tv