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Our Bucks vs Trail Blazers predictions expect a tight game as Milwaukee navigates the second half of a back-to-back.

Damian Lillard #0 of the Milwaukee Bucks drives to the basket on Anfernee Simons #1 of the Portland Trail Blazers during the second half of the game at Fiserv Forum on January 04, 2025 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by John Fisher/Getty Images) Getty Images

Miami forward Jimmy Butler appeared to nod at trade rumors of a move to Phoenix, turning out for the Heat’s 116-107 loss to the Portland Trail Blazers on Tuesday in a pair of Suns-themed colorway shoes.

NBA rumors suggest the Suns are exploring a trade involving Jusuf Nurkic and a first-round pick to acquire a high-level rotation player.

The Jimmy Butler-Heat saga got more interesting. Timberwolves forward Julius Randle is on Miami’s radar and has been since the offseason, SNY’s Ian Begley reported Tuesday. The Knicks parted ways with Randle before the season started in a trade that brought Karl Anthony-Towns to New York.

Purdue and Indiana All-Americans Zach Edey and Trayce Jackson-Davis will meet again at the NBA's Rising Stars event at All-Star weekend.

The newest DraftKings promo code offer comes with the chance to bet $5, get $200 in guaranteed bonus bets for any NBA or NHL matchup.

Los Angeles Lakers rookie Dalton Knecht was named to the player pool for the 2025 Rising Stars Challenge during All-Star Weekend.

Milwaukee Bucks defeat Utah Jazz, now face Portland Trail Blazers in tough back-to-back road games, testing their stamina. Ben and Donnie preview the matchup.

If a team is  somewhere in the middle, it better have a clear direction because floundering around play-in territory is the NBA’s version of purgatory.