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Pistons superstar Cade Cunningham has elevated before, but never like this. The Detroit Pistons sit at 10–2, riding an eight-game winning streak and holding a 2.5-game lead in the Eastern Conference. Their All-Star point guard is driving everything. He was already an All-NBA selection a year ago, yet he has pushed his game even further through the first month. Through 11 contests, Cunningham is averaging 27.5 points, 5.4 rebounds and 9.9 assists, ranking top-10 in scoring and second in assists behind Nikola Jokic. He’s also been one of the league’s sharpest closers, with 33 clutch points, trailing only Tyrese Maxey and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. Even though he missed Wednesday’s game with a hip contusion, the impact of his leap remains obvious. And now one of the greatest Pistons ever is saying it out loud. Isiah Thomas: “You can always depend on him in the fourth quarter” When Isiah Thomas evaluates a point guard, there’s weight behind his words. During an appearance on NBA Today on SiriusXM, the two-time champion praised Cunningham’s maturity and nightly approach. He emphasized how Detroit’s star shapes games at his own pace. “He comes to the game every night and does what’s necessary for the team to win,” Thomas said. “Sometimes he may not take a shot for the whole first quarter, and then he’ll get going in the second quarter. But you can always depend on him in the fourth quarter.” Thomas pointed directly to Detroit’s overtime win over Washington. Cunningham delivered a 46-point triple-double, took 45 shots, and carried the offense from start to finish. According to Thomas, those decisions weren’t about volume — they were about understanding what the game needed. Cunningham’s ability to switch roles on demand has quickly become one of Detroit’s defining strengths. On some nights, he dismantles defenses with scoring bursts. On others, he orchestrates everything around him and lets teammates dictate the rhythm. Either approach keeps the Pistons in command late. Thomas Compares Cunningham to NBA Greats Thomas didn’t stop at leadership. He moved into superstar comparisons. “The way he’s playing the game right now, it reminds me a lot of when The Joker first started elevating to the level that he’s at now,” Thomas said. “Great players find a way to beat you by making their teammates better, and not necessarily having to take all the shots. That’s where Cade is at right now.” Coming from one of the sharpest floor generals in league history, the Jokic comparison is substantial. The Nuggets star is the league’s best player, a three-time MVP and the ultimate offensive hub. Thomas believes Cunningham is learning to control games in a similar fashion — through pace, poise, and deliberate reads. Then he raised the ceiling even higher. “He can beat you scoring 40 points, or he can beat you scoring 12 points,” Thomas said, noting that the versatility mirrors what he once saw from Magic Johnson. Those aren’t casual parallels. They’re benchmarks reserved for players who elevate franchises. A new ceiling in Detroit Detroit wasn’t projected to lead the East, yet Cunningham has flipped expectations. The conversation entering the season centered on Cleveland, New York, and Philadelphia. Meanwhile, the Pistons have emerged as a legitimate threat because their best player is performing like the conference’s most complete guard. Cunningham’s numbers carry weight. His clutch presence keeps Detroit steady. And his approach — patient early, forceful late — has become a trademark of a star who understands the moment. If the Pistons keep winning at this level, the question shifts. Instead of wondering whether Detroit is ahead of schedule, fans and analysts will start asking whether Cunningham can follow Thomas’ path and push the franchise back into championship territory. Right now, he looks fully capable of doing exactly that. Like Heavy Sports's content? Be sure to…

Stephen Curry walked into his first game with full sneaker freedom and created the type of online eruption only a global superstar can spark. Hours after news broke that Curry and Under Armour would separate at the end of their current agreement, the four-time champion hit the court in San Antonio for warmups wearing the black and white Gigi edition of the Nike Kobe 6 Protro. Fans saw it instantly and pushed the moment into viral territory.Curry spent more than a decade with Under Armour after leaving Nike early in his career, per USA Today. He became the centerpiece of the company’s basketball push in 2013, built Curry Brand with the company in 2020, and later signed a lifetime agreement reportedly worth more than $1 billion. That partnership shifted this month when Under Armour announced a major restructuring plan and confirmed that Curry Brand would separate from the company.CNBC detailed the timing and financial breakdown of the split, noting that Under Armour raised its projected restructuring cost to $255 million, which included the Curry Brand separation along with contract terminations and severance expenses. The company said Curry Brand and its basketball division would generate between $100 million and $120 million in revenue this fiscal year. Under Armour does not expect the separation to change its financial outlook in a meaningful way.Even with the split, Curry Brand will continue to operate independently. Under Armour held the rights to Curry’s “Splash” logo, but he is expected to gain ownership. Curry remains under contract with the company through 2026, including the release of the Curry 13 next February, yet he now has full permission to try other footwear and explore future partnerships.And on Wednesday night, he showed everyone exactly what that freedom looks like. View this post on Instagram Fans Exploded as Curry Stepped Out in the Gigi Kobe 6 ProtroWhen Curry laced up the Gigi colorway, social media caught fire. The shoe carries deep significance for players and fans. The model honors Kobe and Gianna Bryant and directs all profits to the Mamba and Mambacita Sports Foundation, Nike reports. Nike describes the sneaker as a tribute to the legacy they built and a call for future generations to carry that mentality forward. The Kobe 6 Protro “Mambacita Sweet 16” released only through limited digital access and select Los Angeles reservations.The instant Curry stepped onto the floor in them, fans filled timelines with reaction after reaction. One person wrote, “IF STEPH CURRY DROPS 40 IN KOBES HES THE GREATEST OF ALL TIME.” Another added, “Steph Curry lacing up Kobe 6s is sumn I thought I’d never see. Especially after the way Nike pissed him off when he was signed to him.” A third fan posted, “STEPH IN KOBES GOT ME TRIPPIN OUT HAHAHAAH.”The common thread across every message was surprise, excitement, and the feeling that this moment marked a shift. Curry built his entire signature legacy with Under Armour, yet he chose to open his new era with one of Kobe Bryant’s most symbolic sneakers.What Comes Next for Curry and Under ArmourUnder Armour confirmed it will create new basketball products while Curry tests the market for the first time in more than a decade. The company still has De’Aaron Fox on its roster and Kelsey Plum as its most visible women’s basketball figure. Joel Embiid previously represented the brand before moving to Skechers in 2024.Stephen Curry now enters a rare window in which he can wear whatever he chooses while still completing his existing agreement. His decision to start that period with a tribute to Kobe and Gigi Bryant gave fans a moment they did not expect and set the tone for one of the most closely watched sneaker storylines in years. Like Heavy Sports's content? Be sure to follow us. This article was originally published on Heavy SportsThe post Stephen Curry Sparks Frenzy After Debuting Gigi Kobe Sneakers as Free Agent appeared first on Heavy Sports.

It didn’t take much for the reigning league MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander to put the Los Angeles Lakers away. In just 29 minutes, the Oklahoma City Thunder star posted 30 points, nine assists, five rebounds, and two steals in a 121–92 win that showcased the sharp, organized basketball this team has opened the season with. For Thunder fans, it was another example of how steady his production has become. For Lakers head coach JJ Redick, it was evidence that sometimes preparation only goes so far when the opposing star controls the game as cleanly as Gilgeous-Alexander does. After the loss, Redick didn’t talk about scheme or matchups. His focus was on the opposing MVP. “He’s a killer. Just like a lot of the best players in the world are. He’s the MVP for a reason,” Redick said. “I think he gets the warranted amount of attention and scheming from opposing defenses like we did and he’s still gonna figure out a way to get 30. He’s just a really, really good basketball player.” The tone of his comments matched what most coaches have acknowledged privately for two years: Gilgeous-Alexander doesn’t rely on streaks. His numbers reflect consistency more than volatility, and Wednesday followed that pattern. A Season Built on Clean, Repeatable Production Through the first stretch of the 2025–26 season, Gilgeous-Alexander is averaging 32.5 points (2nd in the NBA), 6.6 assists, 5.2 rebounds, and shooting 52% from the field. His three-point efficiency sits at 35%, and his turnover count remains impressively low at 1.7 per game, giving Oklahoma City a stable centerpiece in every offensive possession. His scoring average becomes more notable when paired with his minutes. According to this week’s NBA Kia MVP Ladder, Gilgeous-Alexander has already sat out seven fourth quarters in Oklahoma City’s first 13 games because the Thunder had built enough cushion. In those games, he scored under 30 points just once. The Ladder also pointed out that if he played those missing fourth quarters, his season scoring average would likely track near 40 points per game. Even without them, he currently sits No. 2 on the MVP board, trailing only Nikola Jokic. This is the part that resonates most with Thunder fans: nothing about his start requires inflation. The minutes, usage, and efficiency are all in line with what he’s done before, only with fewer opportunities to pad totals because of Oklahoma City’s balanced roster and frequent blowouts. Oklahoma City’s Structure Continues to Elevate Its Star The Thunder’s 12–1 record mirrors the consistency Gilgeous-Alexander has provided. Their defensive activity allows them to control tempo early, and their half-court spacing gives him clean reads throughout the first three quarters. It’s the kind of environment where a high-level guard can maximize possessions without forcing the action. Against the Lakers, that structure was evident from the opening minutes. Oklahoma City scored efficiently, defended without fouling, and controlled the pace long enough to create separation by halftime. Gilgeous-Alexander didn’t need more than 29 minutes because the game didn’t require it. A Clear Benchmark for Opponents Redick said the loss offered a chance to “course-correct.” For Los Angeles, that meant seeing the gap between themselves and a team that has spent the past two seasons building toward long-term stability. For Oklahoma City, it was another night where their star controlled the game, their depth carried stretches, and their identity held firm. Gilgeous-Alexander isn’t padding his résumé. He’s simply repeating the habits that made him last season’s MVP — only now with fewer minutes and a clearer sense of command. Like Heavy Sports's content? Be sure to follow us. This article was originally published on Heavy SportsThe post Thunder Star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Earns Strong Praise From JJ Redick appeared first on Heavy Sports.

Boston Red Sox chief baseball officer Craig Breslow has stated his priorities for this offseason repeatedly. Just earlier this week, at the MLB general managers’ meetings in Las Vegas, Breslow summed it up in two words: “Starting pitching.” Breslow then got a bit more specific, in an interview with Ian Browne of MLB.com. “Particularly someone we feel can start alongside or slot in behind Garrett (Crochet) and start a playoff game for us,” Breslow said in the interview. “I don’t think we’re going to spend a ton of time trying to add a No. 4 or a No. 5 starter. If we’re going to make a starting pitching addition, I think it should be somebody who can pitch at the front of a rotation and start a playoff game for us.” Read More From Heavy Red Sox Trade Rumor: Jarren Duran for $350 Million Surprise Bregman Replacement Trade Target: Hunter Greene Last offseason, Breslow was looking for a No. 1 starter and he found one in Crochet, sending four of the Red Sox most prized prospects — including each of the Red Sox’ first-round draft picks from 2023 and 2024 — in a trade to bring the White Sox ace to Boston. In a trade proposed by the hosts of the Red Sox podcast Play Tessie, Breslow could pull off a second edition of that blockbuster, though this one would include two elite prospects and an established major leaguer — right fielder Wilyer Abreu, who won his second straight Gold Glove this season, in just his second full season as the big league level. The target — 26-year-old righty Hunter Greene, who has struck out 617 in 495 2/3 innings across his four-year career. Greene’s four-seam fastball has been clocked at speeds over 101 mph. Greene is signed through 2029 on a six-year, $53 million contract. The Reds need outfielders. Abreu’s .786 OPS in 2025 was higher than any posted by the Reds outfielders, who were led by 30-year-old, eight-year veteran Austin Hays at .768. Abreu’s 22 home runs were also more than any single Reds outfielder produced. Again, Hays topped the Cincinnati outfield group with 15. Read More From Heavy Red Sox Get Garrett Crochet in Trade For Organization’s No. 4 Ranked Prospect 2 of Top 3 Red Sox Prospects in Proposed Deal No matter how much better Abreu would be than any current Reds outfielder both at the plate and in the field, the Play Tessie hosts, realizing that one player will not be enough, also proposed adding two of Boston’s highest-rated prospects to the deal to bring Greene to Boston. Franklin Arias is a 19-year-old shortstop signed out of Venezuela in 2023 for a $525,000 bonus, MLB Pipeline rates Arias the No. 1 prospect in the Red Sox system, and No. 24 among all prospects. A scouting report by SoxProspects.com calls the 5-foot-11, 170-pound Arias a “potential everyday regular at shortstop. Ceiling of a quality regular who provides value with his glove and contact ability.” Also included in the Play Tessie-proposed deal, the Red Sox No. 3 prospect and another outfielder signed out Venezuela, Jhostynxon “The Password” Garcia. Read More From Heavy Red Sox Tabbed to Trade 6-Foot-6, 250-lb No. 2 Prospect For Ace Tarik Skubal Krall Throws Up Obstacle to Deal Coming in at No. 85 on MLB Pipeline’s top 100 prospect list, Garcia received a $350,000 bonus in 2022 to sign with the Red Sox. He belted three home runs at Double-A Portland this year, then another 18 after gaining his promotion to Triple-A Worcester. One potential obstacle to the proposed trade — Reds president of baseball operations Nick Krall said on Wednesday when asked about trading Greene, “right now, that’s not on the table.” Perhaps significantly, however, in an interview with Mark Sheldon of MLB.com, Krall also said, “I don’t want to rule out anything.” Read More From Heavy Red Sox Trade Receives Rare Honor From Top MLB Expert Like Heavy Sports's content? Be sure to follow us. This article was originally published on Heavy SportsThe post Red Sox Tabbed to Trade Wilyer Abreu, 2 Elite Prospects for $53 Million Ace…

We’re back with many attractive options to bet on across tonights NBA slate. With the help of advanced simulations and machine learning, our Basketball Forever bot has expertly pinpointed our best bets for Friday, November 14, 2025. 1. TRAIL BLAZERS +7.5 (-105) Odds: -105 Probability: 55.3% Edge: 4.1% Game: Trail Blazers vs Rockets (8PM EST) Our Basketball Forever betting bot has uncovered the best bet of the day, taking place in the Trail Blazers vs Rockets matchup. In this matchup, our model has determined that Trail Blazers +7.5 is a solid wager. Going into tonight’s game, the Trail Blazers have been able to cover this number in 5/5 of their most recent matchups. Facing off against the Rockets, who have covered this number in 4/5 matchups, we believe this will be a close game tonight. Our model expects the Trail Blazers will put up a good fight, losing in the end but keeping the game close enough to cover tonight’s spread. Our Basketball Forever betting bot recommends placing a wager on Trail Blazers +7.5. With -105 odds and a 4.1% edge, this is our best bet of the day. 2. 76ERS +4.5 (-110) Odds: -110 Probability: 54.4% Edge: 2.1% Game: 76ers vs Pistons (7:30PM EST) The next best bet our Basketball Forever betting bot has uncovered takes place between the 76ers vs Pistons. Our model predicts that 76ers +4.5 is a solid wager for today’s slate. Although the Pistons are favored for tonight’s game, our model believes that the 76ers will be able to hold their own and keep the score very close. The Basketball Forever betting bot predicts that both teams will take turns taking and losing the lead, with the Pistons making the final push in the 4th quarter to win the game. With a 54.4% probability, our model predicts that the 76ers will be able to cover this spread in tonight’s game. The play here is 76ers +4.5 with odds of -110. Our model has identified a 2.1% edge for this particular wager. READ MORE: Klay Thompson Fires Back After ‘Disgusting and Disturbing’ Megan Thee Stallion Comments The post Best NBA Bets 11/14/25 appeared first on Basketball Forever.