Members at the Writers Guild of America East have “overwhelmingly” ratified a new three-year deal with ABC News.
The guild touted “tremendous financial wins” in the updated agreement, as well as provisions regarding the use of artificial intelligence.
According to the WGA East, ABC News has agreed not to lay off any current staff employees and provide at least three weeks’ notice of intent to implement AI systems for written news. The parties have agreed to meet semi-annually to discuss AI as well.
Other contract details include:
3.5% pay increase per year for three years
Pay increase of over 17% for Desk Assistants in the first year of the contract
Additional 1.5% in contributions to the Health Fund and .5% will be diverted from wages in the second and third years of the agreement for employees who participate in the Funds
Second-year Temporary Employees in the WGA Health Fund are now eligible for paid parental leave, starting in the second year of the contract
Additional Paid Time Off, including for Juneteenth and a reduction in the number of days/hours that temporary employees must work to earn comp days
Introduced fees for Desk Assistants who work as assignment editors, producers, or perform broadcast support functions
The company will provide attribution to news writers who write materials for broadcast that is used on a platform that is not covered by the agreement (such as websites and streaming)
“We are immensely proud of our new contract, which we’ve won as the result of the resilience and solidarity shown by our fellow WGA East members at ABC News. With their overwhelming support, we secured a deal that outlines groundbreaking protections against Generative AI and makes significant improvements to all of our benefits,” the bargaining committee said in a statement on Tuesday.
ABC News is just one of several news outlets whose workers are represented by the WGA East. In its broadcast/cable/streaming news sector, the guild also represents staff at 1010 WINS, ABC News, Audacy (WCBS-AM, WBBM-AM, and KNX-AM), CBS News, CBS News 24/7, Fox 5 WNYW-TV, MSNBC, NBC Promo Writers, Thirteen Productions (Thirteen/WNET) and WBBM / CBS 2 News.
Great news for WGA East members! After weeks of negotiations, we are thrilled to announce that members have ratified a new contract with ABC News. This new agreement ensures fair compensation, better working conditions, and greater protections for our members.
We want to thank all of our members for their support and solidarity throughout this process. Your dedication and perseverance have made this possible. This new contract is a testament to the strength and unity of our union.
We are proud to have secured a deal that reflects the value and importance of our members’ work. This contract will benefit not just our current members, but also future generations of journalists and content creators.
Thank you to ABC News for coming to the table and working with us to reach a fair and equitable agreement. We look forward to continuing our collaboration and building a stronger, more inclusive industry together.
This is a significant milestone for WGA East members, and we are excited about the opportunities and possibilities that lie ahead. Let’s continue to stand together, support each other, and fight for our rights in the workplace. Onward and upward! #WGAEast #ABCNews #UnionStrong
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WGA East, ABC News, contract ratification, labor agreement, union news, media industry, entertainment industry, labor union negotiations, contract approval.
GOMA, Congo (AP) — Dozens of demonstrators attacked several foreign embassies, including those of Rwanda, France and Belgium, on Tuesday demanding that they oppose the advance of Rwanda-backed M23 rebels into a major city in the country’s conflict-battered east.
Police fired teargas at the protesters as they marched to the embassies in Kinshasa, looting and setting fires to parts of the buildings. The embassies of Kenya and Uganda were also attacked, according to Associated Press journalists at the scene.
The M23 rebels are one of about 100 armed groups vying for a foothold in the mineral-rich region in the conflict, one of Africa’s largest.
The protesters demanded that the international community pressure Rwanda over the rebel advance.
“We denounce the hypocrisy of the international community,” said Timothée Tshishimbi, one of the protesters. “They must tell Rwanda to stop this adventure.”
Residents reported gunfire overnight in Goma, a city of 2 million people which the rebels claimed to have captured on Monday. Explosions and gunfire were heard near the now-shut Goma airport.
Goma is a regional trade and humanitarian hub holding hundreds of thousands of the more than 6 million people displaced by eastern Congo’s prolonged conflict over ethnic tensions that have resulted in one of the world’s largest humanitarian crises.
The M23 rebels temporarily took over Goma in 2012 before being forced to pull out under international pressure, and resurfaced in late 2021 with increasing support from Rwanda, according to Congo’s government and United Nations experts. Rwanda has denied such support.
It was unclear how much of Goma is controlled by the rebels, who marched into the city early Monday to both fear and cheers among residents. It was the culmination of weeks of fighting during which the rebels captured several towns in a shocking advance.
“Since morning we have heard bomb explosions and crackling bullets,” said Sam Luwawa, a resident of Goma. “So far we cannot say who really controls the city.”
Three South African peacekeepers were killed on Monday when the rebels launched a mortar bomb toward the Goma airport which landed on the nearby South African National Defense Force, while a fourth soldier succumbed to injuries sustained in fighting days ago, the South African Department of Defense said Tuesday.
That makes 17 peacekeepers and foreign soldiers who have been killed in the fighting, according to U.N. and army officials.
The humanitarian situation in Goma “is extremely, extremely worrying, with a new threshold of violence and suffering reached today,” Bruno Lemarquis, the United Nations humanitarian coordinator for Congo, told reporters in a video news conference on Monday. He said hundreds of thousands of people were attempting to flee the violence.
There were active combat zones in all areas of the city, with civilians taking cover and heavy artillery fire directed at the city center on Monday, Lemarquis said. He said several shells struck the Charité Maternelle Hospital in central Goma, “killing and injuring civilians, including newborns and pregnant women.”
“What is unfolding in Goma is coming on top of what is already one of the most protracted, complex, serious humanitarian crises on Earth, with close to 6.5 million displaced people in the country, including close to 3 million displaced people in North Kivu,” Lemarquis said.
Aid groups are reporting they are unable to reach displaced people who rely on them for food and other necessities.
“Key roads surrounding Goma are blocked, and the city’s airport can no longer be used for evacuation and humanitarian efforts. Power and water have reportedly been cut to many areas of the city,” said David Munkley, head of operations in eastern Congo for the Christian aid group World Vision.
In addition to the U.N., several countries including the United States, United Kingdom and France have condemned Rwanda for the rebel advance. The country, however, blames Congo for the escalation, saying it failed to honor past peace agreements, necessitating Rwanda’s “sustained defensive posture.”
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio condemned the advance by the Rwanda-backed rebels in a call with Congo President Félix Tshisekedi on Monday during which both leaders agreed on the importance of advancing efforts to restart peace talks between Congo and Rwanda “as soon as possible,” U.S. State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce said in a statement.
The Congolese leader will address the nation on the conflict, authorities said, amid growing pressure to act on the escalation.
Opposition leader Martin Fayulu appeared to suggest the president was not doing enough to respond to the crisis. In a statement, Fayulu called for protests against Rwanda and for support for Congo from the international community, adding: “If Mr. Félix Tshisekedi persists in standing in the way, he will be held solely responsible for the decline of our nation and will have to resign.”
___
Asadu reported from Abuja, Nigeria. Associated Press writers Christina Malkia and Jean-Yves Kamale in Kinshasa, Congo, Edith M. Lederer in New York and Sam Mednick in Jerusalem contributed to this report.
In a shocking display of anger and frustration, demonstrators in Congo’s capital have attacked foreign embassies in protest of the rebel advance in the east. The violence erupted as news of rebel forces gaining ground in the volatile region spread, sparking outrage among the Congolese people.
The protesters, armed with stones and makeshift weapons, targeted embassies of countries they believe are supporting the rebels or not doing enough to help stop the conflict. Windows were smashed, buildings were set on fire, and chaos reigned in the streets as security forces struggled to contain the situation.
The unrest underscores the deep-seated anger and fear gripping the country as violence escalates in the east. The rebel advance has displaced thousands of people, leading to a humanitarian crisis that is worsening by the day.
As the situation in Congo continues to deteriorate, it is imperative that the international community steps up its efforts to bring peace and stability to the region. The attacks on foreign embassies are a stark reminder of the urgency of finding a resolution to the conflict before more lives are lost and more chaos ensues.
BOSTON — Traffic backed up for miles after a charter bus transporting workers to Logan Airport toppled multiple utility poles, closing both sides of Route 1A in East Boston on Monday morning.
Video from the scene showed a crashed Academy bus with a shattered windshield stopped on the southbound side of 1A at 175 William F. McClellan Highway, which carries traffic to the airport.
Massachusetts State Police troopers were detouring southbound traffic at Boardman Street and northbound traffic at Addison Street, according to MassDOT.
“Drivers navigating to Logan Airport are encouraged to plan for extra travel time,” MassDOT wrote in a post on X.
The Boston Police Department said the bus knocked down four light poles and two transformers shortly before 5:45 a.m., leaving wires strewn across the highway in the area of Suffolk Downs.
The bus had several people on board and two injuries were reported. Police said both people were taken to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
In a statement, Massport said, “The bus was transporting employees. Passengers should expect delays getting to the airport.”
East Boston bus crash
Motorists were urged to avoid the area due to heavy delays.
In a post on X, Boston police wrote, “Traffic is being diverted into the neighborhoods of East Boston. Traffic in East Boston, Revere, and Chelsea will be impacted. Please seek an alternate route.”
Eversource has been notified of the crash, police noted.
An investigation is ongoing.
Traffic Advisory: McClellan Highway in East Boston has been shut down in both directions. Traffic is being diverted into the neighborhoods of East Boston. Traffic in East Boston, Revere and Chelsea will be impacted. Please seek an alternate route.
In a recent incident, two individuals have been hospitalized after a charter bus toppled utility poles on Route 1A in East Boston. The accident has led to the closure of the road as emergency crews work to clear the scene and assess the damage.
The bus, which was carrying a group of passengers, veered off the road and struck several utility poles, causing them to topple over. Two people were injured in the crash and have been transported to a nearby hospital for treatment.
The incident has caused traffic delays in the area as authorities work to safely remove the bus and repair the damaged utility poles. Drivers are advised to seek alternate routes until the road is reopened.
Stay tuned to Boston 25 News for updates on this developing story.
Traffic came to a halt Monday when a bus crashed into a utility pole on Route 1A in East Boston on Monday and brought down three other poles and two transformers.The crash on Route 1A, which is also the William F. McClellan Highway, happened just after 5:30 a.m. during the morning commute in a busy section of the city. Info: Check Traffic Conditions”The bus veered off into the right lane, took out a pole and unfortunately hit numerous poles, and the poles pulled down other poles. So we had wires all over the street and about four transformers all over the highway — both sides of the highway,” Boston Fire Department Chief Mark Raymond said.Route 1A was closed in both directions, and southbound traffic was being detoured at Boardman Street, while northbound traffic was being detoured at Addison Street. “It couldn’t be worse. It’s the worse time of the day. It’s the worst place it could happen — being a Monday is tough, too, so it’s going to be a major problem for the commute,” Raymond said.Several people were on the bus at the time of the crash. Two people were taken to a hospital to be treated for non-life-threatening injuries.Police said traffic throughout East Boston and around Logan International Airport is being impacted by the crash.Motorists are urged to seek alternative routes.
BOSTON —
Traffic came to a halt Monday when a bus crashed into a utility pole on Route 1A in East Boston on Monday and brought down three other poles and two transformers.
The crash on Route 1A, which is also the William F. McClellan Highway, happened just after 5:30 a.m. during the morning commute in a busy section of the city.
“The bus veered off into the right lane, took out a pole and unfortunately hit numerous poles, and the poles pulled down other poles. So we had wires all over the street and about four transformers all over the highway — both sides of the highway,” Boston Fire Department Chief Mark Raymond said.
Route 1A was closed in both directions, and southbound traffic was being detoured at Boardman Street, while northbound traffic was being detoured at Addison Street.
“It couldn’t be worse. It’s the worse time of the day. It’s the worst place it could happen — being a Monday is tough, too, so it’s going to be a major problem for the commute,” Raymond said.
Several people were on the bus at the time of the crash. Two people were taken to a hospital to be treated for non-life-threatening injuries.
Police said traffic throughout East Boston and around Logan International Airport is being impacted by the crash.
Route 1A in East Boston closed after bus topples light poles, transformers
East Boston residents were met with a chaotic scene earlier today as a bus traveling on Route 1A toppled several light poles and transformers, causing a temporary closure of the road. The incident occurred near the intersection of Route 1A and Bennington Street, causing traffic delays and power outages in the area.
Emergency crews quickly responded to the scene to assess the damage and ensure the safety of passengers on the bus. Fortunately, no injuries were reported as a result of the accident, but the cleanup effort is expected to take several hours.
Local authorities have advised motorists to avoid Route 1A in East Boston until further notice, as crews work to clear the debris and restore power to the affected area. In the meantime, residents are urged to exercise caution and patience while navigating alternative routes.
Stay tuned for updates on the situation as more information becomes available. Our thoughts are with those impacted by this unfortunate incident.
Trump wants Jordan and Egypt to accept more Palestinian refugees and suggests plan to ‘clean out’ Gaza
US President Donald Trump has indicated that he would like to see Jordan, Egypt and other Arab nations increase the number of Palestinian refugees they are accepting from the Gaza Strip.
Speaking to reporters on Air Force One yesterday, Trump, an ally of Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu, said: “You’re talking about probably a million and a half people, and we just clean out that whole thing and say, ‘You know, it’s over.’”
Trump also told reporters that he had call earlier in the day with King Abdullah II of Jordan and would speak with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi on Sunday.
Donald Trump speaks to reporters aboard Air Force One as he travels from Las Vegas to Miami on January 25 2025. Photograph: Mark Schiefelbein/AP
The newly inaugurated Republican president said he complimented Jordan for having successfully accepted Palestinian refugees and that he told the king: “I’d love for you to take on more, cause I’m looking at the whole Gaza Strip right now, and it’s a mess. It’s a real mess.” For context,Jordan is already home to more than 2.39 million registered Palestinian refugees, according to the UN.
Trump added:
I don’t know, something has to happen, but it’s literally a demolition site right now. Almost everything’s demolished and people are dying there, so I’d rather get involved with some of the Arab nations and build housing in a different location where I think they could maybe live in peace for a change.
Trump said that the potential housing “could be temporary” or “could be long-term”. During Israel’s 15 month war on Gaza, more than two-thirds of buildings have been destroyed or damaged by one of the most intensive bombardments in modern times. It has sparked a refugee crisis as large parts of the territory are now uninhabitable.
Displaced Palestinians in central Gaza wait to be allowed to return to their homes in northern Gaza. Photograph: Hatem Khaled/ReutersPalestinian people gather with their belongings near a roadblock on al Rashid Street in central Gaza. Photograph: Jehad Alshrafi/APA drone view shows displaced Palestinians waiting to be allowed to return to their homes in northern Gaza. Photograph: ReutersPeople gather with their belongings gather near a roadblock on Salah al-Din Street as Israeli forces delay reopening access to the north of the Gaza Strip. Photograph: Abdel Kareem Hana/APMany Palestinians are waiting anxiously for any breakthrough between Israel and Hamas that could allow them to return home. Photograph: Mohammed Salem/Reuters
Trump resumes sending 2,000-pound bombs to Israel, undoing Biden pause
As a reminder, Donald Trump said yesterday that he had instructed the US military to release a hold on the supply of 2,000-pound bombs to Israel imposed by former president Joe Biden.
“We released them. We released them today. And they’ll have them. They paid for them and they’ve been waiting for them for a long time. They’ve been in storage,” Trump told reporters.
Biden put the hold on the delivery of those bombs due to concern over the devastating impact they could have on the civilian population, particularly in Gaza’s Rafah, during Israel’s war on the Palestinian territory, which has now killed over 47,200 people, according to the health ministry. One 2,000-pound bomb can rip through thick concrete and metal, creating a wide blast radius.
Israel’s foreign minister Gideon Saar has today thanked Trump for authorising the release of the shipment of 2,000-pound bombs.
Thank you, President Trump, for yet another display of leadership by releasing the crucial defence shipment to Israel.
Washington says it is helping Israel defend itself against Iran-backed militant groups like Hamas in Gaza, Hezbollah in Lebanon and the Houthis in Yemen. But Israel has been accused of genocide and war crimes in Gaza, charges Israel denies. The US has undoubtedly fuelled Israel’s military assault through providing it with arms and giving Benjamin Netanyahu’s administration diplomatic cover on the international stage.
Palestinian militant group Islamic Jihad says Trump’s idea of relocating Palestinians encourages ‘war crimes’
Palestinian militant group Islamic Jihad, which fought alongside Hamas in the war against Israel, has reacted to Donald Trump’s idea of possibly relocating Palestinian people to Egypt and Jordan, both of which border Gaza (see post at 08.54 to read the US president’s comments). It said: “This proposal falls within the framework of encouraging war crimes and crimes against humanity by forcing our people to leave their land.”
A senior Hamas official, meanwhile, told the Agence France-Presse (AFP) news agency: “As they have foiled every plan for displacement and alternative homelands over the decades, our people will also foil such projects,” Bassem Naim, a member of Hamas political bureau, said.
Israel’s war on Gaza displaced almost the entire 2.3 million people in Gaza, many of them multiple times (through a combination of forced evacuation orders and relentless airstrikes across the territory). Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi has previously rejected the idea of a forced displacement of Palestinians into the Sinai peninsula, amid concern that those displaced may never be able to return.
Shortly after the Hamas-led 7 October attack on southern Israel, Jordan’s King Abdullah warned against trying to push Palestinian refugees into Egypt or Jordan, saying that the humanitarian situation must to be dealt with inside Gaza and the occupied West Bank.
As we mentioned in a previous post, Jordan is already home to millions of registered Palestinian refugees.
Israeli forces kill three people in south Lebanon as residents try to return home after deadline for Israeli withdrawal expires
Israeli forces killed three people and injured at least 31 others trying to return to homes in south Lebanon where Israeli troops remained on the ground after a deadline for their withdrawal passed on Sunday, Lebanon’s health ministry has said.
As my colleagues Bethan McKernanandQuique Kierszenbaumnote in this story, the US/France-brokered ceasefire was supposed to become permanent when it expired on Sunday – but just a day before the deadline, neither side had fulfilled their obligations.
The deal stipulated that Israeli forces should withdraw from the south as the Iran-backed Hezbollah’s weapons and fighters were removed from the area and the Lebanese army deployed.
Israel has, however, said the terms have not been fully enforced by the Lebanese state, while Lebanon’s US-backed military on Saturday accused Israel of procrastinating in its withdrawal.
Locals gather with flags in Burj al-Muluk, near the southern Lebanese village of Kfar Kila, where Israeli forces remained on the ground despite the deadline for their withdrawal having passed. Photograph: Karamallah Daher/Reuters
The Lebanese health ministry has said one person was killed in the Lebanese village of Houla, another in Aitaroun, and a third person in Blida as a result of Israeli attacks on citizens while they were trying to enter their still-occupied towns.
Dozens of Lebanese people have also reportedly been injured by Israeli forces who remain on the ground despite the terms of the agreement.
Israel has not said how long its forces would remain in the south, where the Israeli military says it has been seizing Hezbollah weapons and dismantling its infrastructure.
Trump wants Jordan and Egypt to accept more Palestinian refugees and suggests plan to ‘clean out’ Gaza
US President Donald Trump has indicated that he would like to see Jordan, Egypt and other Arab nations increase the number of Palestinian refugees they are accepting from the Gaza Strip.
Speaking to reporters on Air Force One yesterday, Trump, an ally of Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu, said: “You’re talking about probably a million and a half people, and we just clean out that whole thing and say, ‘You know, it’s over.’”
Trump also told reporters that he had call earlier in the day with King Abdullah II of Jordan and would speak with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi on Sunday.
Donald Trump speaks to reporters aboard Air Force One as he travels from Las Vegas to Miami on January 25 2025. Photograph: Mark Schiefelbein/AP
The newly inaugurated Republican president said he complimented Jordan for having successfully accepted Palestinian refugees and that he told the king: “I’d love for you to take on more, cause I’m looking at the whole Gaza Strip right now, and it’s a mess. It’s a real mess.” For context,Jordan is already home to more than 2.39 million registered Palestinian refugees, according to the UN.
Trump added:
I don’t know, something has to happen, but it’s literally a demolition site right now. Almost everything’s demolished and people are dying there, so I’d rather get involved with some of the Arab nations and build housing in a different location where I think they could maybe live in peace for a change.
Trump said that the potential housing “could be temporary” or “could be long-term”. During Israel’s 15 month war on Gaza, more than two-thirds of buildings have been destroyed or damaged by one of the most intensive bombardments in modern times. It has sparked a refugee crisis as large parts of the territory are now uninhabitable.
Palestinians blocked from returning to northern Gaza by Israeli military
Hello, and welcome to the Guardian’s live coverage of the developments in the ceasefire agreement between Hamas and Israel and the crisis in the Middle East more widely.
But thousands of displaced Palestinian people are reportedly being blocked from returning to their homes in northern Gaza as Israel accuses Hamas, the Palestinian militant group, from not honouring the terms of the ceasefire deal.
On Saturday, armed members of Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad handed over four Israeli soldiers to the Red Cross as part of the agreement. The freed soldiers are Karina Ariev, 20, Daniella Gilboa, 20, Naama Levy, 20, and Liri Albag, 19, who served with the Israel Defense Forces.
Palestinians wait in the central Gaza strip to be allowed to return to their homes in the north after being displaced by Israeli bombardments during the war. Photograph: Mohammed Salem/Reuters
However, a dispute broke out when the German-Israeli citizen Arbel Yehoud, aged 28 at the time of her capture, was not included in the swap, even though Hamas was expected to free more non-military hostages.
Yehoud is one of the last female civilians held in Gaza. She is reportedly held by the Palestinian Islamic Jihad, Gaza’s second largest armed faction, rather than Hamas, which led the 7 October 2023 on southern Israel, complicating her potential handover and release.
Hamas insisted Yehoud is alive and will be freed next week. But Israel has responded by delaying the planned withdrawal of some of its troops from Gaza, which would have allowed Palestinians to return to the devastated northern areas of the strip, which include Beit Hanoon, Beit Lahiya and Jabalia.
Al Jazeera is reporting this morning that thousands of Palestinian people are waiting for a permit by the Israeli military to access northern Gaza, much of which lies in rubble after the renewed Israeli assault on it last autumn.
The Israeli military has warned people that they cannot move north past the Netzarim Corridor – which divides the territory – as planned. We will bring you the latest on this throughout the day.
The ongoing crisis in the Middle East has reached a critical point as displaced Palestinians are being blocked from returning to their homes amid escalating tensions between Israel and Gaza. To make matters worse, former President Donald Trump has suggested a drastic solution to the conflict by saying “we just clean out” Gaza.
The Israel-Gaza war has resulted in widespread destruction and loss of life, with reports of civilians being caught in the crossfire. The blockade of Palestinians from returning to their homes only adds to the humanitarian crisis in the region, leaving many without access to basic necessities and shelter.
Trump’s inflammatory remarks have been met with condemnation from world leaders, who have called for a peaceful resolution to the conflict through dialogue and negotiation. The international community must come together to address the root causes of the crisis and work towards a lasting peace in the region.
As the situation continues to deteriorate, it is more important than ever for global leaders to step up and take action to protect the lives and rights of all those affected by the conflict. The world is watching, and the time to act is now. #MiddleEastCrisis #IsraelGazaWar #PalestinianRights
South East Melbourne can cover the -6.5 line on the spread. This is a good number and that’s why we’re playing them at odds of -111 to overcome Tasmania.
7 Wins for Phoenix in Past 10 H2H Games
South East Melbourne Phoenix were beaten 103-92 in their last game, being turned over at home to Sydney Kings.
Tasmania JackJumpers lost on the road in their previous game. Sydney Kings won 88-77.
South East Melbourne have won the last two meetings against Tasmania, landing 79-77 and 105-91 scorelines. Both triumphs came on the road. In the past 10 games between the teams, South East Melbourne have won seven.
Expert NBL Analysis
The NBL predictions stem from knowing the team news and the latest form for each club. We work hard to unearth the most pertinent stats which can also act as a guide.
Key South East Melbourne vs Tasmania league stats:
The -6.5 line has been covered by SEM Phoenix in 4 of their last 5 games.
The -6.5 line has been covered by SEM Phoenix in 6 of their last 10 games.
The +6.5 line hasn’t been covered by Tasmania in 3 of their last 5 games.
The +6.5 line hasn’t been covered by Tasmania in 3 consecutive games.
SEM Phoenix vs Tasmania JackJumpers Prediction
South East Melbourne should be taken against the spread at -6.5 with our pick being for the favorites to achieve a comfortable margin of victory in this NBL showdown. Back them at the odds of -111 that are available.
Fancy SEM Phoenix on the spread but want bigger odds? Get more juice by going down the Bet Builder route where multiple picks can be combined together.
Phoenix -6.5 Probability
The betting sites are estimating that there is a 52.6% likelihood of this pick winning. However, our analysts have this number closer to 60% based on their in-depth research. It’s why we think it’s worth placing this basketball bet.
Gamble responsibly 18+. All odds are correct at time of publishing and are subject to change. To use the Bookmaker Live Streaming services you will need to be logged in and have a funded account or to have placed a bet in the last 24 hours. Geo-restrictions apply.
Published 04:52, 24 January 2025
Player Props
Joe Wieskamp (South East Melbourne) is available at -125 to record Over 13.5 points. He should be capable of going over the total which looks attractive when it comes to having a bet on Player Points.
Matthew Hurt (South East Melbourne) can be backed to total Over 20.5 points at -100. We think that the line looks really appealing for this Player Points bet as we’re expecting him to cover this total.
Correct Score Prediction
There’s lots of entertainment when it comes to a correct score bet. A play on SEM Phoenix to achieve a 101-90 win should give bettors a good run for their money.
South East Melbourne Phoenix vs Tasmania JackJumpers Odds
The odds and lines are updated on a frequent basis. You might therefore find that they are different to the ones listed for the betting predictions and bet builder tips.
Latest Odds Suggest Phoenix Win
For this NBL game, the sportsbooks’ Moneyline betting odds mean South East Melbourne Phoenix are -370 favorites to win and that means a 79% chance of landing a victory. At +275, Tasmania JackJumpers are regarded as having a lower probability of winning.
The current spread is 8 and total points is 185. A Total bet relates to the number of points that will be scored overall. If you’re keen on Over 185, this selection is available at -111.
Fans of the highest level basketball league in Australia and New Zealand are spoilt for choice thanks to the many game lines and team props which are available for every contest. Head to the betting sites and find the best value wagers.
Betting Lines & Odds
Moneyline
Point Spread
Total Points
Nathan Sobey Favorite to Get the Most Buckets
In terms of hitting the most buckets, favorite Nathan Sobey is available at -125 to rack up Over 22.5 points. If you want to go Under, then -105 is available.
Player Points
Nathan Sobey (SEM Phoenix)
Matthew Hurt (SEM Phoenix)
Jordan Crawford (Tasmania)
Milton Doyle (Tasmania)
Joe Wieskamp (SEM Phoenix)
Anthony Drmic (Tasmania)
Player Assists
Nathan Sobey (SEM Phoenix)
Jordan Crawford (Tasmania)
Player Rebounds
Matthew Hurt (SEM Phoenix)
Milton Doyle (Tasmania)
Micro Betting
It’s possible to use stats to your advantage when it comes to NBL micro betting, especially if you’re predicting outcomes such as the Next Field Goal. Check out the live player, score and team props to see if you can find an angle.
Team Stats
Latest NBL regular season and play-off games stats.
SEM Phoenix Stats
Tasmania JackJumpers Stats
Moneyline
7 wins and 3 defeats in the last 10 games
8 wins and 2 defeats in the last 10 home games
Moneyline
5 wins and 5 defeats in the last 10 games
4 wins and 6 defeats in the last 10 games on the road
Point Spread
-6.5 Betting Line: Have covered the spread in 6 of the last 10 games
-6.5 Betting Line at Home: Have covered the spread in 6 of the last 10 home games
Point Spread
+6.5 Betting Line: Have covered the spread in 6 of the last 10 games
+6.5 Betting Line on the Road: Have covered the spread in 7 of the last 10 games on the road
Total Points
Game Totals: An average of 203.60 pts in the previous 10 games
Game Totals at Home: An average of 188.80 pts in the previous 10 home games
Over 185: Covered in the previous 10 games
Over 185 at Home: Covered in 7 of the previous 10 home games
Team Totals: Have scored an average of 105.10 pts and allowed 98.50 pts in the last 10 games
Team Totals at Home: Have scored an average of 99.50 pts and allowed 89.30 pts in the last 10 home games
Total Points
Game Totals: An average of 180.30 pts in the previous 10 games
Game Totals on the Road: An average of 164.60 pts in the previous 10 games on the road
Over 185: Covered in 3 of the previous 10 games
Over 185 on the Road: Covered in 1 of the previous 10 games on the road
Team Totals: Have scored an average of 89.30 pts and allowed 91.00 pts in the last 10 games
Team Totals on the Road: Have scored an average of 81.20 pts and allowed 83.40 pts in the last 10 games on the road
South East Melbourne Phoenix vs Tasmania JackJumpers Prediction, Bet Builder Tips & Odds
The South East Melbourne Phoenix will be facing off against the Tasmania JackJumpers in what promises to be an exciting NBL showdown. Both teams will be looking to secure a crucial win in this matchup, and fans can expect a hard-fought battle on the court.
Prediction:
The South East Melbourne Phoenix have been in impressive form recently, and they will be looking to continue their winning streak against the Tasmania JackJumpers. With key players like Mitch Creek and Yanni Wetzell leading the charge, the Phoenix have a strong chance of coming out on top in this game.
On the other hand, the Tasmania JackJumpers have shown some promising signs in their debut NBL season, with imports like Josh Adams and Scott Machado making a big impact. However, they will need to be at their best to overcome the Phoenix in this matchup.
Overall, we predict that the South East Melbourne Phoenix will come out victorious in a close and competitive game against the Tasmania JackJumpers.
Bet Builder Tips:
For those looking to place a bet on this game, here are some bet builder tips to consider:
1. South East Melbourne Phoenix to win
2. Total points over 170.5
3. Mitch Creek to score 20+ points
4. First quarter handicap: South East Melbourne Phoenix -2.5
Odds:
The odds for this matchup are likely to be close, given the competitive nature of both teams. However, with the South East Melbourne Phoenix in good form, they may be considered slight favorites by the bookmakers.
Be sure to place your bets wisely and enjoy what promises to be an exciting NBL clash between the South East Melbourne Phoenix and the Tasmania JackJumpers. Good luck!
PISCATAWAY, N.J. — UCLA is making the most of its eight-day road trip to the East Coast.
There have been a lot of firsts for the top-ranked Bruins on this eastern odyssey that will see the team play three games. It’s the longest road trip that coach Cori Close can remember during her time at the school — especially in the middle of the season.
It started with a victory over No. 25 Baylor in New Jersey in the inaugural Coretta Scott King Classic and then continued with a win over Big Ten foe Rutgers. The trip will conclude in Maryland against the eighth-ranked Terrapins.
In between the Baylor and Rutgers games, the Bruins got to spend time in New York exploring the city. A boat trip to the Statue of Liberty, a visit to the Empire State Building and 9/11 Museum as well as a stop on Broadway to see “Hell’s Kitchen” highlighted their day.
“It’s really cool because some of us had never been to a Broadway show before,” said center Lauren Betts, who averaged 24.5 points, 11 rebounds and seven blocks in the two games in New Jersey. “And so I thought that was just a really cool experience. And we got to meet the cast after, which is like, amazing. … Some of us got on the stage and try to recreate the songs and sing, which obviously did not go so well.”
The Bruins also were in the area for the winter storm that brought snow to the tri-state area. For some of the players it was their first time seeing snow in person.
It’s not all fun for the Bruins, who are back in class as UCLA is on the quarter system. It hasn’t been a normal academic period with the wildfires in Los Angeles making classes remote.
“Obviously with the tragedy of the fires back home, a lot of the lectures moved to online learning so the whole quarter has not been consistent so far,” said Andrew Garcia, who is UCLA’s associate director of student athlete success for the team. “I think for me, the challenge has been, ‘How do I bring that sense of normalcy and consistency into their routine?’”
Garcia said he works with the players and professors to know when class work is due, which is a little more complicated with the time difference between the two coasts.
Junior guard Kiki Rice said she and others on the team speak with professors at the beginning of the year to let them know their schedule ahead of time.
“They’re well aware that, that we’re not able to make it because we’re on the road or we have a game,” she said. “But it’s still difficult just because UCLA is obviously a great school and we pride ourselves on being great students.”
Close sees this trip as well as the one the team took to Paris to start the season as educational experiences as well as basketball ones.
“We got to have education in 3D. I think that is really important for a lot of our players that went from something they have seen in movies and read in textbooks to I experienced it,” she said. “We went to the top of the Eiffel Tower. We did that earlier this year in Paris. And the Empire State Building is the second time I’ve done that. … I just think those are probably not going to be the things they talk about now, but my responsibility is to create experiences that they remember later that bridge the gap between education in the classroom.”
Close also said she asks the team for feedback since this is the first year the Bruins are in the coast-to-coast Big Ten Conference.
“We’ve already made some adjustments in our itinerary moving forward,” she said. “So, I just think that’s going to be the way it is all year long. We chose this and we want to be a part of the best conference. Doesn’t make it that it’s not really hard, but we’re going to have to make adjustments as we go.”
UCLA Men’s Basketball Team Making the Most of 8-Day East Coast Trip
The top-ranked UCLA men’s basketball team is taking full advantage of their 8-day East Coast road trip, both on and off the court. With a combination of intense practices, team bonding activities, and sightseeing, the Bruins are making the most of their time away from home.
On the court, UCLA has been dominating their opponents, showcasing their talent and teamwork with impressive wins against some tough East Coast competition. The team’s chemistry and communication have been on full display, with players stepping up and making big plays when it matters most.
Off the court, the Bruins have been exploring the sights and sounds of the East Coast, taking in the rich history and culture of the cities they visit. From visiting historical landmarks to trying out local cuisine, the team is immersing themselves in the experience and creating lasting memories together.
Overall, UCLA is proving that they are not only a force to be reckoned with on the court but also a tight-knit group that knows how to make the most of their time together. With their sights set on a national championship, the Bruins are making every moment count during their East Coast trip.
Star-studded finalists are set to shine at Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award banquet.
TYLER, Texas — The most prestigious night in East Texas sports is this Wednesday, as the Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award Banquet takes center stage at the W.T. Brookshire Conference Center. The event, starting at 7 p.m., will celebrate the top talent and crown the 2024 recipient of the award, which honors the nation’s most outstanding offensive college football player with ties to the Lone Star State.
This year’s finalists are arguably the most talented group in the award’s history, boasting a mix of record-breakers and Heisman finalists who lit up the gridiron this season:
Ashton Jeanty (RB, Boise State): Jeanty has picked up several national honors this year, including the Doak Walker Award (top running back) and Maxwell Award (top player in college football), and has been recognized as a first team All-American by 10 different organizations: AFCA, AP, CBS Sports, FWAA, PFF, Sporting News, Sports Illustrated, The Athletic, USA Today and Walter Camp. He was also named the Mountain West Offensive Player of the Year and a unanimous selection for All-Mountain West First Team. Jeanty leads all FBS running backs in rushing attempts (344), yards (2,497) and touchdowns (29) while leading the nation in all-purpose yards (2,613) and total touchdowns (30). He averages over 100 yards per first half and 100 yards per second half, eclipsing the century mark in 17 of the 24 halves he played.
Cam Ward (QB, Miami): University of Miami’s Cam Ward put together one of the most dominant seasons in Miami Hurricanes history en route to consensus NCAA All-America honors. Ward, the 2024 Davey O’Brien National Quarterback Award winner, became the third Hurricane to garner the country’s oldest and most prestigious quarterback trophy, joining Vinny Testaverde (1986) and Gino Torretta (1992). Entering the postseason, the 6-foot-2, 223-pound signal caller leads the nation in passing touchdowns (36) and quarterback rating (88.0), while ranking second in passing yards (4,123), points responsible for (254) and total offense (359.9). Ward set new single-season school records for both passing touchdowns and passing yards, becoming the first Miami player to tally seven straight 300-yard performances. The Hurricanes’ first ever ACC Player of the Year has thrown for at least 300 yards and totaled three touchdowns on 10 occasions.
Shedeur Sanders (QB, Colorado): Shedeur Sanders put together one of the best seasons in CU history, earning the Johnny Unitas Award as the nation’s top quarterback. He currently owns over 90 school records and entering the Buffs Alamo Bowl appearance against BYU, he has completed 337-of-454 passes for 3,926 yards with 35 touchdowns and eight interceptions for a QB rating of 168.8. He is the only quarterback in the nation in the top five in yards, touchdowns, efficiency, completion percentage and completions per game. Leading Colorado to a 9-3 record just two years removed from being 1-11, he has moved into top of the career charts at CU in two seasons, having completed 635-of-884 for 7,156 yards with 62 touchdowns and 11 interceptions, needing just one more touchdown to tie the CU career record. Including two seasons at Jackson State, he has a streak of 48 straight games throwing a touchdown pass, the longest streak in NCAA Division I history. He has completed 1,251-of-1,785 career passes for 14,145 yards with 132 touchdowns and 25 interceptions, and he is just one of two quarterbacks in NCAA history with 14,000 yards while completing 70 percent of his career passes. He was named first-team All-American by CFN, which also named him the national quarterback of the year, and he was named second-team All-American by the Associated Press. He was the Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year and earned many weekly awards throughout the season, including being the Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Player of the Week twice and being on the honor roll three other times throughout the season.
Kevin Jennings (QB, SMU): Jennings has appeared in all 13 games for the Mustangs this season and started in the last 10 … is 9-1 as a starter this season … passed for 3,050 yards and 22 touchdowns … added 379 yards on the ground with five scores … ranks 10th in the nation in yards per pass attempt (8.87) and 13th in passing efficiency (156.9) … boasted the highest passer efficiency rating in conference games only in the ACC at 171.5 … eclipsed 300 yards passing in three games during the year … had three or more touchdowns in four different games … set a new career-high in touchdown passes with three against Florida State (09/28) during SMU’s ACC opener … tallied 322 yards passing with three scores during the win over Stanford (10/19) … tallied 306 yards with two touchdown passes during the Mustangs’ home victory over No. 18 Pitt (11/02) … threw for three scores and racked up 298 yards against Boston College (11/16) … had a career-high 323 passing yards with two scores on the road against Virginia … AWARDS: Preseason: In-Season: Manning Award Star of Week for Week 6 and Week 13 (Oct. 7, Nov. 25) … Named Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award Player of the Week for Week 6 (Oct. 8) … Named to Davey O’Brien Great 8 List for Week 8 and Week 10 (Oct. 21, Nov. 4) … Added to Davey O’Brien Class of 2024 (Oct. 29) … named a semifinalist to Davey O’Brien Award (Nov. 12) … Named Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award Honorable Mention (Nov. 19) … Postseason: All-ACC Third Team … DCTF First Team All-Texas … named a finalist for the Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award (Dec. 18).
Bryson Daily (QB, Army): Daily has had a record-setting season in 2024, breaking numerous of long-standing Army program records. The Abernathy, Texas native has set the single-season record for touchdowns responsible for in a season, rushing touchdowns in a season, and rushing touchdowns in a single game as well as the record for most rushing touchdowns in AAC single-season history. His 29 rushing touchdowns and 1,532 rushing yards and counting were good enough to finish No. 6th in the Heisman Trophy voting, the highest by an Army player since when Pete Dawkins won the award in 1958. Daily’s 29 rushing touchdowns are tied for the most in the country with Boise State’s Ashton Jeanty.
The Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award celebrates more than just on-field accomplishments—it honors perseverance, integrity, and the connection to Texas football. For those unable to attend in person, CBS19 will livestream the ceremony.
The Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award Banquet is back and better than ever in East Texas! This prestigious event, which honors the best college football player with ties to the Lone Star State, will once again celebrate the top talent in Texas and pay tribute to the legendary football player, Earl Campbell.
The banquet, held annually in Tyler, Texas, brings together football fans, players, coaches, and community members to recognize and celebrate the incredible achievements of Texas football stars. This year’s event promises to be a night to remember, with special guests, live entertainment, and of course, the presentation of the coveted Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award.
This award, named after the Tyler native and Heisman Trophy winner, is given to the top college football player in the nation with ties to Texas. Past winners include standout players such as Patrick Mahomes, Kyler Murray, and Jalen Hurts, all of whom have gone on to have successful careers in the NFL.
The Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award Banquet is a must-attend event for any football fan in East Texas. Don’t miss your chance to be a part of this special evening as we honor the best of Texas football and celebrate the legacy of Earl Campbell. Get your tickets now and join us in recognizing the outstanding talent that Texas has to offer.
PISCATAWAY, N.J. – No. 1 UCLA Women’s Basketball (18-0, 6-0 B1G) continues its East Coast road trip at Rutgers University (8-11, 0-8 B1G) on Thursday.
The Bruins and Scarlet Knights meet for the first time since the 1999-2000 season when UCLA traveled to New Jersey for a December matchup. The all-time series is tied at 3-3, with Rutgers claiming the last victory in the set of six games between the programs.
GAME INFORMATION Venue: Jersey Mike’s Arena Location: Piscataway, N.J. Tip-off Time: 4 p.m. PT TV: FS1 TV Talent: John Fanta, Meg Culmo Radio:UCLA Digital Radio Radio Talent: Dave Marcus
MATCHUP HISTORY: vs. RUTGERS SCARLET KNIGHTS
• Thursday’s matchup will be the seventh meeting between the teams, with each program at three wins apiece in the all-time series. The Bruins are 0-3 at Rutgers in the previous meetings in Piscataway.
• The Bruins and Scarlet Knights last met on Dec. 21, 1999 at the Louis Brown Athletic Center on Rutgers’ campus; UCLA fell 72-46 in the road game. UCLA’s home wins over Rutgers both came in overtime during the 1993-94 and 1997-98 seasons.
LAST TIME OUT: W, 72-57 vs. No. 25 Baylor (Monday, Jan. 20)
• No. 1 UCLA trounced No. 25 Baylor at the inaugural Coretta Scott King Classic on Monday. The Bears, who averaged 81.1 points per game prior to Monday’s matchup, were held to 57 points on 27.5 percent shooting (19-69 FG, 6-22 3FGM).
• Junior Lauren Betts set a new single-game blocks record for the Bruins, swatting nine shots in Monday’s victory. The center had tied the single-game record in the previous game against Penn State (7). Betts finished Monday’s game with a game-high 24 points, nine rebounds and two assists. She shot 10-of-17 from the field.
• Junior Gabriela Jaquez collected her first double-double of the season, finishing the win with 11 points and 13 rebounds.
• Kiki Rice (15 PTS, 5-7 FG) and Janiah Barker (10 PTS, 8 REB) also achieved double-digit scoring totals against the Bears.
The No. 1 ranked Bruins are set to continue their East Coast road trip as they face off against Rutgers on Thursday. After a strong start to the season, the Bruins are looking to maintain their winning streak and solidify their position at the top of the rankings.
Rutgers will no doubt be looking to pull off an upset and take down the top-ranked team in the country. The Bruins will need to stay focused and bring their best game in order to come out on top.
Fans can expect an exciting and competitive matchup as these two teams go head to head. Be sure to tune in and support the No. 1 Bruins as they look to extend their winning streak on the road. Let’s go Bruins! #1Bruins #RoadTrip #Rutgers #Basketball
After writing up the Western Conference portion of my official media ballot for the 2025 NBA All-Star Game on Wednesday, let’s do the same for the East.
(Quick refresher: You vote for three frontcourt players and two guards in each conference. Fan voting makes up 50% of the final result, with player and media ballots accounting for 25% each.)
All stats and records entering Thursday’s games.
East All-Star starters
FC Giannis Antetokounmpo, Bucks
FC Jayson Tatum, Celtics
FC Karl-Anthony Towns, Knicks
G Jalen Brunson, Knicks
G Darius Garland, Cavaliers
The East’s best player: With apologies to Evan Mobley (whose name, spoiler alert, you’re about to see again in a few minutes) and Franz Wagner (who was playing at an All-NBA level before suffering the torn oblique that’s cost him the last six-plus weeks), I found the selection process for the Eastern frontcourt pretty easy, starting with Antetokounmpo, who’s been, for my money, the best player in the conference through the first half of the season.
He’s second only to Shai Gilgeous-Alexander for the league lead in scoring, fifth in rebounding and just outside the top 20 in assists per game, as the two-time MVP continues to refine his game by putting together the best playmaking season of his career. (Only Cade Cunningham, Chris Paul, Tyrese Haliburton and Trae Young have created more 3-pointers this season, according to PBP Stats.) He leads the NBA in points scored in the paint by more than 100 points; he is second in fast-break points, by six total points, to Christian Braun, who has played 155 more minutes. If Giannis decides he’s getting to the rim, he’s getting to the rim; all that’s left to determine is how much pain and embarrassment you experience in the process.
Milwaukee began the season flailing, stumbling out of the gates to a 2-8 record; the Bucks have the NBA’s third-best record and seventh-best net rating since, joining Oklahoma City, Boston and Memphis as the only teams to rank in the top seven on both offense and defense in that span. It’s not exactly as simple as Giannis effectively deciding, “Well, that’s enough of all that,” and then just changing everything … but it’s also not terribly far off from it. The list of players as adept as Antetokounmpo at bending an entire game to his will is either small enough to be counted on one hand, or it doesn’t exist. And if you don’t believe me, just ask SGA and the Thunder. The NBA Cup final might not count in the standings, but you can be damn sure they’re not going to forget what Giannis did in it anytime soon. The rest of us shouldn’t, either.
Joining Giannis up front: Tatum, who leads Boston in scoring, rebounds, assists and steals, continuing to put up monster numbers while pacing the-math-will-break-you offense and smothering, shapeshifting defense of the defending champion Celtics, who boast the NBA’s third-best record and net rating, and who have blitzed opponents by 11.2 points per 100 possessions with the soon-to-be six-time All-Star on the floor.
Over eight NBA seasons, plus an additional season-and-a-half’s worth of playoff games, Tatum has so finely tailored his game that it now appears nearly seamless. He ranges from good to fantastic at virtually every aspect of offense: from handling the ball in the pick-and-roll to setting screens for Boston’s guards to target a mismatch and put a smaller defender in the Walls of Jericho in the post; from spotting up on the weak side of the action to dotting a defender’s eye with a pull-up triple, which he’s done more often than any player save Anthony Edwards this season; from moving without the ball in the flow of Boston’s offense to walking down a defender in isolation, where he’s scoring 1.07 points per possession — 10th-best among players to finish at least 25 plays in iso, according to Synergy’s tracking. He brandishes all those weapons while ably transitioning into life as a point power forward, hauling in rebounds and dropping dimes at career-best rates, and capably guarding opponents of all shapes and sizes for a top-six defense.
Like the rest of the Celtics, Tatum’s shooting efficiency has tailed off a bit since the start of the season, when he looked like he might be poised to make an MVP run — and he’s still one of just 11 players scoring at least 25 points per game on above-average true shooting. The list looks a lot like an All-Star ballot … which makes sense, considering Towns and Brunson are both there.
New York’s deserving duo: Towns has served as a half-court decongestant whose ability to pull opposing centers out of the paint has helped create acres of space for his teammates to exploit, as well as an elite three-level scoring threat eminently capable of exploiting it himself, averaging 25.1 points per game on career-best .655 true shooting — something only eight players in NBA history have ever done for a full season. He’s also been dominant on the glass, leading the NBA in defensive rebounding rate and overall rebounding rate; he’s even provided improved rim protection since a rocky early start, holding opponents to a respectable 59.2% shooting at the cup since the start of December.
He’s been every ounce the transformational figure the Knicks hoped he’d be when they swung the mega-deal to import him on the eve of training camp — the best center in the conference and a tailor-made running buddy for Brunson, his partner in supercharging the NBA’s No. 2 offense. New York’s captain has authored a brilliant follow-up to last season’s All-Star and All-NBA breakthrough, averaging 26 points per game on sparkling 49/39/82 shooting splits to go with a career-high 7.3 assists per game.
Brunson is the stone-faced, stone-jawed, stone-shouldered on-court avatar of Tom Thibodeau, placidly and perpetually carving opponents up in the pick-and-roll, in isolation or when operating off the ball, producing 1.3 points per possession as a spot-up shooter — third best in the league among players to finish 100 such plays, behind only Michael Porter Jr. and, as luck would have it, Towns. It doesn’t seem like a player of Brunson’s dimensions and athletic profile should be able to consistently beat the kind of defenders he routinely sees … and then you watch him attack, take in the sum total of all those fakes, feints, jabs and sudden shifts in state, and you start wondering how anyone ever stays in front of him. (Only SGA drives to the basket more often.)
As has been the case ever since he arrived from Dallas, the Knicks go where Brunson goes. Good thing for them, then, that he goes pretty much wherever he damn well pleases.
That leaves one starting backcourt spot: With all due respect to Trae Young (leading the NBA in assists by nearly two dimes a night as the leader of the kind of stunningly seventh-seeded Hawks), Cade Cunningham (now breathing freely in a better-spaced offense and playing like exactly who he was drafted to be for the very stunningly sixth-seeded Pistons) and several other Eastern guards having excellent seasons, it’s got to go to one of the members of the league-leading, defense-destroying 36-7 Cavaliers.
I think it’s going to go to Donovan Mitchell: Cleveland’s leading scorer and signature superstar, demonstrating admirable leadership through his willingness to take a step back, with his minutes, shot attempts, touches, time of possession and usage rate all at or near career lows. And that’d be perfectly fine. But while I’d agree that Mitchell is the Cavs’ best player, I think it’s reasonable to believe that Garland has had the team’s best season — a bounce-back campaign coming off a disastrous 2023-24 that has seen the about-to-turn-25-year-old remind the NBA-watching world that he’s one of the brightest lights in it.
Garland has shot and scored more efficiently than Mitchell — he is literally two made field-goal attempts and, after an uncharacteristically errant night from the charity stripe against the Rockets on Wednesday, four made free throws away from being the only player in the NBA this season on pace to join the 50/40/90 club — while also curbing his turnover rate despite posting his highest usage rate since Mitchell arrived in Cleveland. He’s outpacing Mitchell in a slew of all-in-one metrics — estimated plus-minus, value over replacement player, player efficiency rating, box plus-minus, win shares — while ranking among the league’s best crunch-time performers, scoring 58 points in 52 “clutch” minutes on 20-for-31 shooting (64.5%) with 10 assists against just two turnovers. Last season, Cleveland went from hammering opponents when Mitchell played without Garland to getting outscored when Darius ran the show. This season, though, the Cavs have been nearly as dominant in Garland-only minutes — one huge reason why they’ve been so relentlessly, historically excellent.
It’s reasonable to argue that Garland’s only been able to play this freely and brilliantly because of the attention that Mitchell demands … but I think it’s also reasonable to counter that Mitchell’s only been able to comfortably take a step back because of just how overwhelming Garland has been. Both deserve to represent Cleveland at Chase Center; to me, though, it felt appropriate to give Garland the slight edge in recognition of just how far he’s come since this time last season, and just how high the Cavs have soared as a result.
East All-Star reserves
Whew. OK. Now that I’ve explained my choices for the part of this exercise that counts, let’s pivot to the portion that doesn’t: who I’d pick as reserves to round out the East’s roster.
Remember: While fans, players and media members vote on starting lineups, NBA coaches alone decide the makeup of each conference’s bench. To the extent that what I think ever matters, it doesn’t count for squat here. Which, if I’m being honest: Pretty liberating!
Here are the seven players — three frontcourt players, two guards, and two “wild cards,” which can come from either group — that I’d pick to complete the East roster:
FC Evan Mobley, Cavaliers
FC Pascal Siakam, Pacers
FC Jaylen Brown, Celtics
G Donovan Mitchell, Cavaliers
G Cade Cunningham, Pistons
WC Trae Young, Hawks
WC Damian Lillard, Bucks
No-brainers: Mitchell — nearly as productive and efficient as ever on a per-minute, per-possession basis, the leading scorer for the best team in the East — an easy pick for a reserve guard spot. His teammate, Mobley, whose case for inclusion as a first-timer I recently laid out, also snags one of the frontcourt spots.
New head coach Kenny Atkinson has empowered the fourth-year forward to do more of everything for the revamped Cavs, and the result has been career-best scoring volume and efficiency to go with now-customary elite rim protection, switchability and all-around defensive smothering. That all adds up to a top-15-to-20 two-way player in the eyes of all-in-one metrics like estimated plus-minus, player efficiency rating, win shares, box plus-minus and value over replacement player — the kind of résumé that, when you’re also the starting 4 for a team flirting with a 70-win pace, gets you a ticket to the show.
Cunningham’s 15th in the NBA in scoring and third in assists; the only other player in the NBA scoring, rebounding and assisting at the rates Cade has this season is Nikola Jokić. He’s third in the NBA in true usage — a stat developed by author and former Milwaukee Bucks staffer Seth Partnow that looks at players’ shot attempts, assist opportunities, turnovers and total possessions played; a way to measure their total offensive involvement and the size of their role — for a team that scores at an above-average clip when he’s on the court and at a near-Wizardian rate without him. The Pistons, a laughingstock for the better part of the last 15 years, enter Thursday in sixth in the East; it’s one of the cooler stories in the sport this season, and Cunningham is the driving force behind it. He’s in.
Right above Detroit in the middle of the Eastern standings? The Pacers, who’ve been one of the hottest teams in the NBA for the last six weeks, and while other players (namely Tyrese Haliburton and Andrew Nembhard) might be more central to that surge, it’s Siakam who has been Indiana’s most consistently excellent performer since the season’s opening tip.
Siakam’s averaging a team-high 20.1 points and 7.3 rebounds per game on career-best shooting — 75% at the rim, 48% from midrange, 41% from 3-point land — while virtually never losing the ball. (Among 105 players who use at least 20% of their team’s offensive possessions, Siakam has the second-lowest turnover rate — a microscopic 6.9% — behind only old Raptor buddy Chris Boucher.) A player who entered the NBA as a gangly ball of energy out of New Mexico State, subsisting on energy and broken plays, has become a high-end operator adept at punishing defenses all over the court — working in isolation, screening and short-rolling, filling the lane in transition, or, his bread and butter, taking defenders down into the post.
When you factor in possessions where he draws help and passes out rather than shooting himself, Siakam’s post-ups have produced nearly 1.17 points per possession for the Pacers, according to Synergy — a rate of scoring efficiency that sits right between SGA and Jokić — with the Pacers routinely generating good looks when they try to work through him to the block (even if he doesn’t necessarily get the look himself). The value of his size and versatility extends to the other end of the court, too: A Pacers team that has struggled mightily at times to match up with big wings and get stops has defended at a near top-five level with Siakam on the floor. Haliburton determines Indiana’s ceiling, but for the first three months of this season, Siakam has established its consistently competitive floor with perpetually high-end two-way play; that, too, is a version of stardom, and it’s one that I think merits an All-Star spot.
For the final frontcourt reserve spot: I went with Brown, the reigning Eastern Conference Finals MVP and NBA Finals MVP, who — even in a down year shooting the ball — remains a vital No. 2 option on the second-best team in the conference.
Brown opened up the season misfiring, but he has averaged 23 points per game on 47/35/75 shooting splits for the last 30 games. He’s posting career-high assist and free-throw attempt rates, marrying an increased playmaking role — especially out of the post, where Joe Mazzulla will often use him as a mismatch weapon against smaller defenders to pry open great looks — with his solemn duty to bring juice and inject an element of randomness into Boston’s attack with his slashing and end-to-end forays on the break. The Celtics score 14.4 more points per 100 possessions in transition with Brown on the court than off it, field a top-six defense with him taking on some of the toughest assignments in the league night to night and have remained elite in non-Tatum minutes when Brown’s there to anchor the attack. The advanced metrics have never totally loved Brown’s production, but his importance to the defending champs’ operations on both ends of the court earns him a spot on my bench.
The last two: That leaves me with a whole bunch of players for the wild-card spots. One went to Young, whose 11.6 assists per game, again, leads the NBA by nearly two dimes per game — and is on pace to be a top-25 assist season of all time.
Young’s own scoring efficiency has tailed off — he’s shooting a career-low percentage on 2-pointers, thanks largely to a dip on the typically money floaters with which he’s long tortured dropping bigs — but he remains one of the NBA’s premier manipulators of a defense, and among the league’s most bankable offensive engines. According to the Points Created metric introduced by Zach Kram of The Ringer, Young’s generating 52.5 points per 36 minutes of floor time for the Hawks this season — more than any player in the league besides Jokić, Giannis and SGA. A revamped Atlanta roster that ranks among the youngest in the NBA scores at a top-10 clip when Young’s at the controls and is very much in the thick of the race for a top-six spot in the East due in large part to the fact that he operates on the ball as effectively as any player in the NBA.
For the last spot, we’ll go with Lillard, who’s been better across the board in his second season in Milwaukee, bumping his midrange and long-distance efficiency back up to their customarily excellent marks while developing even better chemistry with Antetokounmpo in the two-man game and getting increasingly comfortable working off the ball (a little) more often.
Amid a group of worthy and tightly bunched candidates who all kind of rock-paper-scissors’d their way through the advanced metrics — this guy’s ahead of the rest in VORP, but this other guy has the edge in EPM! and so on — I decided to go with the dude who’s averaging 25 and 7 on .623 true shooting for a team in line for home-court advantage in Round 1. Reasonable people can differ, but I don’t think I’d lose sleep over that one … and, since I don’t actually pick the reserves, you shouldn’t, either.
As we look ahead to the 2025 NBA All-Star Game, fans and analysts are already buzzing with excitement and speculation about who will make the cut for the Eastern Conference team. While there are plenty of familiar faces and perennial All-Stars to choose from, one unexpected choice is generating a lot of buzz.
In a surprising twist, rising star and fan-favorite guard, 22-year-old Jalen Green of the Detroit Pistons has secured a spot as a starter for the Eastern Conference team. Despite being in only his third season in the NBA, Green’s electrifying scoring ability, flashy dunks, and clutch performances have made him a standout player in the league.
Joining Green in the starting lineup for the East are perennial All-Stars like reigning MVP Jayson Tatum of the Boston Celtics, two-time All-Star Ben Simmons of the Philadelphia 76ers, and veteran point guard Kyrie Irving of the Brooklyn Nets.
As for the reserves, the Eastern Conference team boasts a formidable lineup with players like Bradley Beal of the Washington Wizards, Bam Adebayo of the Miami Heat, and rookie sensation Cade Cunningham of the Orlando Magic making their All-Star debuts.
While some may be surprised by Green’s inclusion as a starter, there is no denying his impact on the court and his growing popularity among fans. With a mix of established stars and up-and-coming talent, the 2025 NBA All-Star Game promises to be an exciting showcase of the best and brightest players in the league.
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NBA All-Stars 2025, East Conference, NBA All-Star starters, NBA All-Star reserves, East Conference selection, NBA All-Star game, unexpected choice, NBA news 2025, basketball stars, NBA East starters, NBA East reserves, 2025 NBA season
