The Bulls were doing what they could to tank this game ahead of time, with Josh Giddey and Nick Richards late additions to a growing Bulls injury report that also includes Matas Buzelis, Jalen Smith, Anfernee Simons, and Zach Collins.
You'd have to catch me off the record to answer that question. The implication was clear: Now that every school can pay players -- either through direct revenue share or name, image and likeness dollars -- Big Ten schools are no longer disadvantaged in recruiting by everything from booster bag men to shoe company AAU connections.
The Jazz have an ATS record of 27-24 in their 51 games as an underdog of 4.5 points or more this year. This season, the Bucks have an ATS record of 7-6 in their 13 games as a favorite of 4.5 points or more.
According to team sources, there's a sense on the ground that everyone on the Warriors' roster besides star guard Stephen Curry is vulnerable as the front office chases Antetokounmpo and figures out how best to reorient the roster in the late stages of Curry's career. Because of salary-matching purposes, either Green, who makes $25.8 million this season, or injured forward Jimmy Butler, who makes $54.1 million this season, would be a necessary part of the outgoing package to make a trade for Antetokounmpo work. Antetokounmpo's salary this season is $54.1 million.
