BOULDER, Colo. (AP) — Haley Jones scored 13 of her 23 points over the two overtime periods and No. 3 Stanford held off 21st-ranked Colorado 73-62 on Thursday night.

Jones also had 11 rebounds and seven assists for the Cardinal (27-3, 15-2 Pac-12), who remain on top of the conference standings with one game left on their regular season schedule. Stanford was picked to win the Pac-12 in the preseason poll.

Lauren Betts, who grew up in Colorado, sent the game into double overtime by hitting one of two free throws with 3.8 seconds remaining. She finished with 14 points.

Jones took over in overtime No. 2, helping the Cardinal pull away in a tight contest.

Jaylyn Sherrod led Colorado (21-7, 12-5) with 19 points, including the game-tying basket with 23.8 seconds remaining in regulation. She briefly left the game in the fourth after appearing to turn her ankle. The Buffaloes, who trailed by as many as eight in the fourth, were missing their third-leading scorer, Frida Formann, due to an illness.

Follow every game: Latest NCAA Women’s College Basketball Scores and Schedules

The usually sure-shooting Cardinal missed their opening 15 shots and trailed by as many as 14 points in the first half. They entered on short rest after beating UCLA on Monday.

The games between the Buffaloes and Cardinal are typically back-and-forth. Entering Thursday, six of the last last 10 were decided by single digits, including two that went into overtime. This was another thriller.

Cameron Brink fouled out in overtime after scoring eight points. Her string of reaching double figures ended at 21 straight games.

Stanford didn’t score its first basket of the game until Brooke Demetre hit a 3-pointer with 12 seconds remaining in the opening quarter.

BIG PICTURE

Stanford: Since losing to No. 1 South Carolina in OT on Nov. 20, the Cardinal have now won 10 straight over ranked teams.

Colorado: The Buffaloes remain on three wins over ranked teams this season. The last time they knocked off four in the same season was 2001-02.

HALL OF HONOR

Longtime Colorado women’s basketball coach and administrator Ceal Barry will be inducted into the Pac-12 Hall of Honor. The 2023 class marks the first all-female class to be enshrined in the league’s Hall of Honor. It’s in recognition of the 50th anniversary of Title IX.

UP NEXT

Stanford: Close out the regular season Saturday at No. 8 Utah.

Colorado: Host California on Saturday.

___

AP women’s college basketball: https://apnews.com/hub/womens-college-basketball and https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-womens-college-basketball-poll and https://twitter.com/AP_Top25

After dazzling fans by winning the NBA Slam Dunk Contest during All-Star Weekend, Mac McClung is starting to drive ticket sales in the G-League.

McClung returned to action with the Delaware Blue Coats, the Philadelphia 76ers’ G-League affiliate, on Wednesday night.

And it was a hero’s welcome.

The Blue Coats announced 1,697 fans were in attendance for their home matchup against the Motor City Cruise. The crowd came to see McClung and celebrate his outstanding All-Star weekend performance.

Follow every game: Latest NBA Scores and Schedules

Blue Coats president of business operations Larry Meli confirmed to USA TODAY Sports that ticket sales revenue has increased five times greater than average. 

‘Our first game back from the break and that attendance was three times what it is during a weeknight game,’ Meli said. ‘We certainly have a new and wider audience that is engaged and coming to our games in Delaware.’ 

According to Front Office Sports, ticket prices ranged from $11 to $64 in some areas of Chase Fieldhouse in Wilmington, Delaware.

Fans in attendance showed their support with special signs. Some of the best signs read ‘McClung for President 2023’ or simply had a photo of a goat (in reference to Greatest of All Time). 

Meli mentioned that fans were in attendance from throughout the Tri-State area. He predicted a sellout for Friday’s game against the Motor City Cruise. In the past four years, the Blue Coats have averaged at least 10 sellouts per season. 

‘We will end the season strong,’ Meli said. ‘We anticipate these final six (home) games to be either sold out or at capacity.’

McClung will be eligible to join the 76ers at any point due to his two-way contract. He can spend 45 days with the 76ers while playing the bulk of the season with the Blue Coats.

The Blue Coats will continue to build interest in the organization. There are plans to create opportunities for season-ticket holders and spotlight McClung on social media. 

‘It means a lot to this community to have somebody that they can say ‘hey he’s our guy’ and they can take pride in that,’ Meli said. 

The Blue Coats’ next game will be on Friday against Motor Cruise. McClung is averaging 18.4 points on 56.2% shooting this season.

‘I wanna be in the NBA,’ McClung said after Wednesday’s game. ‘I want to make an impact. Can’t have nights like tonight but I’m just waiting my turn.’

Michael B. Jordan played football in the hit television series ‘Friday Night Lights’ as quarterback Vince Howard, but he recently spent a day with the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium to show that his athletic skills are more than just for show.

Jordan, who hails from Newark, New Jersey, is a Giants fan and grew up rooting for Tiki Barber and Eli Manning. He got to chat with the Super Bowl-winning quarterback and his center, Shaun O’Hara, about his directorial debut for ‘Creed 3,’ which comes out March 3. The team gave him the full game-day experience, including a walk-up tunnel video, his own locker, warm-up drills and a postgame interview.

‘This was meant to be,’ Jordan said while taking in his jersey and pads. ‘This looks nice.’

Manning and O’Hara took him to the field where Jordan did drills and ran routes. Manning broke down Odell Beckham Jr.’s famous catch from a 2014 game against the Dallas Cowboys where he leaped past defender Brandon Carr and made a one-handed catch behind his back in the corner of the end zone.

Jordan dutifully lined up, ran the route step by step and, watching Manning’s throw spiral through the air, leaped to make his own one-handed catch. The Giants greats were impressed.

‘MBJ! MBJ!’ they cheered.

At the end of the day, Manning shared some parting words, expressing how the actor surprised him.

‘This was awesome. I’m not gonna lie, I didn’t think you’d be able to make some of these catches. But that was one take, this was all live, this was legit,’ he said. ‘You showed up, I really appreciate it.’

‘This is a dream come true to be on the field with you two reliving and remaking these plays,’ Jordan responded. ‘I’m gonna take this with me for the rest of my life.’

With Super Bowl 57’s completion, the NFL offseason is officially underway. And while it’s often framed as a time of hope for the 31 teams that failed to kiss the Lombardi Trophy, reality is rarely so kind. 

In a league designed to suppress or elevate teams to .500 – well, .471 or .529 in the modern era of the 17-game regular season – several high-profile clubs seem decidedly set up to regress and/or could be restricted from improving based on their past decisions and current circumstances.

Here are six that could have a devil of a time enhancing their situations in the coming months:

Baltimore Ravens

Though restored to the playoffs in 2022, they hardly seemed like legitimate contenders given the primary narratives surrounding this team were QB Lamar Jackson’s latest (turned out) season-ending injury and his ongoing contractual impasse. Per OverTheCap, Baltimore has nearly $25 million in salary cap space – yet that wouldn’t even cover the cost of a franchise tag (approximately $32 million) for Jackson, whose rookie contract is expiring, and most certainly not the roughly $45 million exclusive tag. And if talks with Jackson, who represents himself, remain stalled, it’s possible the Ravens would be inclined to trade him … which wouldn’t be likely to improve their position no matter how many first-round picks came back to them in return. Also, no second-round pick after last year’s trade for LB Roquan Smith. And it remains to be seen how the offense evolves, particularly as it pertains to Jackson’s uncertainty, under new coordinator Todd Monken.

Cleveland Browns

They finished a 7-10 campaign splitting their six games with QB Deshaun Watson on the field. Of more concern, they averaged 16.3 points and 298 yards with Watson – hardly the expectation, if understandable that he’d need time to acclimate to an offense that didn’t necessarily seem designed with him in mind. And yet the Watson bill has hardly been paid off, Cleveland’s first- (12th overall) and third-round (73rd overall) draft picks property of the Houston Texans. Not only that, his base salary will balloon from roughly $1 million in 2022 to a fully guaranteed $46 million over each of the next four seasons. The Browns currently need to shave more than $13 million to simply accommodate Watson’s salary, to say nothing of re-signing RB Kareem Hunt or pursuing defensive upgrades in free agency.

Green Bay Packers

If QB Aaron Rodgers decides to continue playing for them, the Pack will owe him a fully guaranteed $58.3 million bonus by the start of the 2023 season. If the sides settle on divorce proceedings – and AR12’s good buddies Randall Cobb, Marcedes Lewis and Mason Crosby are among the club’s free agents – Green Bay will eat more than $40 million in dead-money cap charges to make a trade. Regardless, aside from quantum leaps by young players – and possibly QB Jordan Love – hard to figure how an 8-9 team improves.

Los Angeles Rams

That 5-12 record was the worst ever posted by a defending Super Bowl champion, but at least it netted LA the draft’s sixth pick. What? That belongs to the Detroit Lions? Welp. And, wait, what? They may have to consider trading a superstar like six-time Pro Bowl CB Jalen Ramsey to get the salary cap in order? Welp. Better hope DL Aaron Donald, QB Matthew Stafford and WR Cooper Kupp return better than ever from injury-curtailed 2022 seasons and that a highly permissive offensive line finds a way to heal itself – almost certainly without the benefit of a major free agent or rookie infusion.

Miami Dolphins

Let’s start with the self-inflicted wound, owner Stephen Ross’ tampering with Tom Brady and Sean Payton when both were under contract elsewhere costing Miami this year’s 21st overall draft pick – leaving the Dolphins with five total selections. The Fins are also $16 million overspent despite having more than two dozen free agents, including top RBs Raheem Mostert and Jeff Wilson, the leading rushers for last season’s wild-card entry. Amid all that, QB Tua Tagovailoa is eligible for an extension, a tricky proposition given he’s averaged 12 games during his three-year career and at a time when primary insurance policy Teddy Bridgewater is unsigned.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

As of Monday, no team had more salary to shed ($55 million) in order to be in compliance with the 2023 cap – set at $224.8 million – than the Bucs, the defending NFC South champions (despite their 8-9 record) having already lost QB Tom Brady to retirement and set to surrender a bevy of free agents. Kyle Trask, who’s thrown nine NFL passes, is the only quarterback under contract for a team a long way from being able to afford another one.

***

Follow USA TODAY Sports’ Nate Davis on Twitter @ByNateDavis.

Whether we’re in for six more weeks of winter weather or not, baseball season will be here soon. That means spring training camps are opening, players will begin hitting and pitching, and of course … fantasy baseball managers will be getting ready for drafts. 

To get you prepared for the upcoming season, USA TODAY Sports has put together an early list of the top overall players for 2023.

What does this list tell us? For starters, anyone with a combination of power and speed will be highly valued. The top five players are elite contributors in all five of the standard hitting categories. Not so coincidentally, they’re also the top five in average draft position (according to drafts already conducted by the NFBC). 

As for how our top 200 shakes out by position, there are 119 hitters, 80 pitchers ..and one Shohei Ohtani.

POSITION RANKINGS: How the players stack up against their peers

2023 fantasy baseball rankings

Positions based on 20-game eligibility from last season

Rank    Player    Pos

1.    Trea Turner, Phillies    SS/2B

2.    Aaron Judge, Yankees    OF

3.    Ronald Acuña Jr., Braves    OF

4.    Jose Ramirez, Guardians    3B

5.    Julio Rodriguez, Mariners    OF

6.    Juan Soto, Padres    OF

7.    Shohei Ohtani, Angels    DH/SP

8.    Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Blue Jays    1B

9.    Yordan Alvarez, Astros    OF

10.    Freddie Freeman, Dodgers    1B

11.    Kyle Tucker, Astros    OF

12.    Mookie Betts, Dodgers    OF

13.    Bo Bichette, Blue Jays    SS

14.    Manny Machado, Padres    3B

15.    Corbin Burnes, Brewers    SP

16.    Mike Trout, Angels    OF

17.    Gerrit Cole, Yankees    SP

18.    Rafael Devers, Red Sox    3B

19.    Pete Alonso, Mets    1B

20.    Paul Goldschmidt, Cardinals    1B

21.    Francisco Lindor, Mets    SS

22.    Fernando Tatis Jr., Padres    SS/OF

23.    Bobby Witt Jr., Royals    SS/3B

24.    Sandy Alcantara, Marlins    SP

25.    Spencer Strider, Braves    SP

26.    Marcus Semien, Rangers    2B

27.    Austin Riley, Braves    3B

28.    J.T. Realmuto, Phillies    C

29.    Jose Altuve, Astros    2B

30.    Justin Verlander, Mets    SP

31.    Nolan Arenado, Cardinals    3B

32.    Aaron Nola, Phillies    SP

33.    Brandon Woodruff, Brewers    SP

34.    Edwin Diaz, Mets    RP

35.    Michael Harris II, Braves    OF

36.    Luis Robert, White Sox    OF

37.    Shane McClanahan, Rays    SP

38.    Randy Arozarena, Rays    OF

39.    Emmanuel Clase, Guardians    RP

40.    Max Scherzer, Mets    SP

41.    Jacob deGrom, Rangers    SP

42.    Will Smith, Dodgers    C

43.    Kevin Gausman, Blue Jays    SP

44.    Shane Bieber, Guardians    SP

45.    Carlos Rodon, Yankees    SP

46.    Dylan Cease, White Sox    SP

47.    Matt Olson, Braves    1B

48.    Adolis Garcia, Rangers    OF

49.    Josh Hader, Padres    RP

50.    Cedric Mullins, Orioles    OF

Rank    Player    Pos

51.    Adley Rutschman, Orioles    C

52.    Corey Seager, Rangers    SS

53.    Max Fried, Braves    SP

54.    Kyle Schwarber, Phillies    OF

55.    Xander Bogaerts, Padres    SS

56.    Dansby Swanson, Cubs    SS

57.    Teoscar Hernandez, Mariners    OF

58.    Yu Darvish, Padres    SP

59.    Joe Musgrove, Padres    SP

60.    Daulton Varsho, Blue Jays    C/OF

61.    Ryan Pressly, Astros    RP

62.    Zack Wheeler, Phillies    SP

63.    George Springer, Blue Jays    OF

64.    Alek Manoah, Blue Jays    SP

65.    Julio Urias, Dodgers    SP

66.    Jazz Chisholm, Marlins    2B

67.    Luis Castillo, Mariners    SP

68.    Salvador Perez, Royals    C

69.    Cristian Javier, Astros    SP

70.    Jordan Romano, Blue Jays    RP

71.    Alex Bregman, Astros    3B

72.    Starling Marte, Mets    OF

73.    Eloy Jimenez, White Sox    OF

74.    Andres Gimenez, Guardians    2B

75.    Raisel Iglesias, Braves    RP

76.    Ozzie Albies, Braves    2B

77.    Zac Gallen, Diamondbacks    SP

78.    Byron Buxton, Twins    OF

79.    Tim Anderson, White Sox    SS

80.    Wander Franco, Rays    SS

81.    Tommy Edman, Cardinals    2B/SS

82.    Tyler Glasnow, Rays    SP

83.    Ryan Helsley, Cardinals    RP

84.    Bryan Reynolds, Pirates    OF

85.    Felix Bautista, Orioles    RP

86.    Corbin Carroll, Diamondbacks    OF

87.    Devin Williams, Brewers    RP

88.    Camilo Doval, Giants    RP

89.    Willson Contreras, Cardinals    C

90.    Framber Valdez, Astros    SP

91.    Triston McKenzie, Guardians    SP

92.    Alejandro Kirk, Blue Jays    C

93.    Jose Abreu, Astros    1B

94.    Carlos Correa, Twins    SS

95.    Clayton Kershaw, Dodgers    SP

96.    Oneil Cruz, Pirates    SS

97.    Logan Gilbert, Mariners    SP

98.    Gunnar Henderson, Orioles    3B

99.    Logan Webb, Giants    SP

100.    Vinnie Pasquantino, Royals    1B

Rank    Player    Pos

101.    Blake Snell, Padres    SP

102.    Kenley Jansen, Red Sox    RP

103.    Jeremy Peña, Astros    SS

104.    Hunter Greene, Reds    SP

105.    Freddy Peralta, Brewers    SP

106.    Tyler O’Neill, Cardinals    OF

107.    MJ Melendez, Royals    C/OF

108.    Robbie Ray, Mariners    SP

109.    Clay Holmes, Yankees    RP

110.    Willy Adames, Brewers    SS

111.    C.J. Cron, Rockies    1B

112.    Max Muncy, Dodgers    2B/3B

113.    Rhys Hoskins, Phillies    1B

114.    Alexis Diaz, Reds    RP

115.    Jeff McNeil, Mets    2B/OF

116.    Amed Rosario, Guardians    SS

117.    Luis Severino, Yankees    SP

118.    David Bednar, Pirates    RP

119.    Nick Castellanos, Phillies    OF

120.    Anthony Santander, Orioles    OF

121.    Nathaniel Lowe, Rangers    1B

122.    Sean Murphy, Braves    C

123.    Ryan Mountcastle, Orioles    1B

124.    George Kirby, Mariners    SP

125.    Jake McCarthy, Diamondbacks    OF

126.    Lance Lynn, White Sox    SP

127.    Taylor Ward, Angels    OF

128.    Eugenio Suarez, Mariners    3B

129.    Giancarlo Stanton, Yankees    OF

130.    Joe Ryan, Twins    SP

131.    Jhoan Duran, Twins    RP

132.    Matt Chapman, Blue Jays    3B

133.    Jordan Montgomery, Cardinals    SP

134.    Seiya Suzuki, Cubs    OF

135.    Brandon Nimmo, Mets    OF

136.    Andres Muñoz, Mariners    RP

137.    Pete Fairbanks, Rays    RP

138.    Ian Happ, Cubs    OF

139.    Gleyber Torres, Yankees    2B

140.    Steven Kwan, Guardians    OF

141.    Bryce Harper, Phillies    DH

142.    Kyle Wright, Braves    SP

143.    Tyler Stephenson, Reds    C

144.    Alec Bohm, Phillies    3B

145.    Kris Bryant, Rockies    OF

146.    Vaughn Grissom, Braves    2B

147.    William Contreras, Brewers    C

148.    Lucas Giolito, White Sox    SP

149.    Anthony Rizzo, Yankees    1B

150.    Nestor Cortes, Yankees    SP

Rank    Player    Pos

151.    Alex Verdugo, Red Sox    OF

152.    Chris Bassitt, Blue Jays    SP

153.    Christian Walker, Diamondbacks    1B

154.    Brandon Drury, Angels    1B/2B/3B

155.    Luis Arraez, Marlins    1B/2B

156.    Andrew Vaughn, White Sox    1B/OF

157.    Chris Sale, Red Sox    SP

158.    Jose Miranda, Twins    1B/3B

159.    Adalberto Mondesi, Red Sox    SS

160.    Tony Gonsolin, Dodgers    SP

161.    Brady Singer, Royals    SP

162.    Ke’Bryan Hayes, Pirates    3B

163.    Danny Jansen, Blue Jays    C

164.    Josh Bell, Guardians    1B

165.    Josh Rojas, Diamondbacks    2B/3B

166.    Reid Detmers, Angels    SP

167.    Cal Raleigh, Mariners    C

168.    Harrison Bader, Yankees    OF

169.    Nico Hoerner, Cubs    SS

170.    Ketel Marte, Diamondbacks    2B

171.    Kodai Senga, Mets    SP

172.    Cody Bellinger, Cubs    OF

173.    Christian Yelich, Brewers    OF

174.    Scott Barlow, Royals    RP

175.    Sonny Gray, Twins    SP

176.    Dustin May, Dodgers    SP

177.    Whit Merrifield, Blue Jays    2B/OF

178.    Jeffrey Springs, Rays    SP

179.    Seranthony Dominguez, Phillies    RP

180.    Jesus Luzardo, Marlins    SP

181.    Ty France, Mariners    1B

182.    Hunter Renfroe, Angels    OF

183.    DJ LeMahieu, Yankees    1B/2B/3B

184.    Drew Rasmussen, Rays    SP

185.    Pablo Lopez, Twins    SP

186.    Jonathan India, Reds    2B

187.    Luis Garcia, Astros    SP

188.    Lourdes Gurriel, Diamondbacks    OF

189.    Travis d’Arnaud, Braves    C

190.    Jack Flaherty, Cardinals    SP

191.    Charlie Morton, Braves    SP

192.    Ryan McMahon, Rockies    3B

193.    Paul Sewald, Mariners    RP

194.    Mitch Haniger, Giants    OF

195.    Patrick Sandoval, Angels    SP

196.    Riley Greene, Tigers    OF

197.    Grayson Rodriguez, Orioles    SP

198.    Nathan Eovaldi, Rangers    SP

199.    Jose Leclerc, Rangers    RP

200.    Anthony Rendon, Angels    3B

The final 6½ weeks of the NBA season are set up for a wild, exciting ride with so much at stake.

Coming out of the All-Star break with the resumption of action on Thursday, teams have 21-24 games remaining on their schedule. 

Denver is trying to hold off Memphis for the top seed in the Western Conference. Boston has enjoyed and earned a view from the top of the East for most of the season. But Milwaukee and Philadelphia are right behind. And the three teams have multiple head-to-head matchups: Philadelphia plays both Boston and Milwaukee twice, and Milwaukee and Boston play each other once.

Not only are top seeds at stake, playoff seeds and spots are up for grabs. Twenty-six teams (13 in the East, 13 in the West) are in the postseason mix. Just six games separate third place from 13th place in the West, and nine game separate fifth place from 12th place in the East.

Get ready.

Follow every game: Latest NBA Scores and Schedules

Here are the top storylines headed into the stretch run:

Who will win NBA MVP?

Once again, it’s a fantastic group headlining the NBA MVP race (in alphabetical order): Milwaukee’s Giannis Antetokounmpo, Dallas’ Luka Doncic, Philadelphia’s Joel Embiid, Denver’s Nikola Jokic and Boston’s Jayson Tatum.

Jokic is trying to become the fourth player to win three consecutive MVP awards, joining Larry Bird (1984-86), Wilt Chamberlain (1966-68) and Bill Russell (1961-63). Bird is the only one to win three in a row in a vote determined by media. Players voted when Russell and Chamberlain won.

If the Nuggets finish as the top seed in the West (they’re five games ahead of second-place Mem), it’s going to be difficult to ignore Jokic’s case, especially if he finishes with a triple-double average. He is at 24.7 points, 11.5 rebounds and 10.1 assists and shooting 63.2% from the field and 39.1% on 3-pointers.

Will the Lakers reach the playoffs?

The theory is that no one wants to play LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers in the playoffs. But can the Lakers even get there?

LeBron James hasn’t missed the playoffs for two consecutive seasons since his first two in the league – nearly two decades of regular playoff appearances, including 10 trips to the Finals. Will he miss the playoffs for the second consecutive year again?

James just called the Lakers’ remaining games the most important 23 regular-season games of his career. The Lakers are in 13th place at 27-32 but just two games behind Oklahoma City for a spot in the play-in games. They have a lot of work to do and not much time to do it. James is banking on Anthony Davis and trade-deadline acquisitions D’Angelo Russell, Rui Hachimura, Malik Beasley and Jarred Vanderbilt to push the Lakers into the postseason. The Lakers have the 25th easiest remaining schedule, according to tankathon.com.

The impact of Durant and Irving

Phoenix trading for Kevin Durant and Dallas getting Kyrie Irving at the trade deadline reshaped the balance of the league and made it that much more difficult to win the West.

The Suns reached the NBA Finals in 2021, lost in the conference finals last season after setting a franchise record with 64 regular-season victories and are in fifth place  coming out of the break. With Durant, Devin Booker, Chris Paul and Deandre Ayton, the Suns have an explosive offense. But they also lost depth in the trade.

Doncic and Irving make the Mavs even more dangerous offensively, and while Dallas and Phoenix will be able to outscore teams in most games, they will need stops eventually on defense, and that is the biggest issue facing both teams.

Don’t forget about Denver and Memphis

The Nuggets have been in first place since Dec. 20 and are 22-7 since then. With Jokic, Jamal Murray, Michael Porter Jr. and a deep roster that has the Nuggets with the No. 1 offense and No. 13 defense, the Nuggets are for real.

Memphis has been right there with Denver near the top of the West standings. The Grizzlies are ascending – first-round loss in 2021, conference semifinals loss in 2022 – and ready to take the next step with Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr. The depth in the West provides a strong challenge, and how the Grizzlies respond will be watched.

Battle for the East

Philadelphia hasn’t been to the Eastern Conference finals and NBA Finals since Allen Iverson’s days in 2000-01. With Joel Embiid and James Harden and the way the 76ers have played since December, they are a contender.

Yet the top of the East is loaded. Boston, the defending conference champion, is 42-17, and Milwaukee, the 2021 NBA champ, is 41-17. Celtics forward Tatum and Bucks forward Antetokounmpo are MVP candidates along with Embiid.

Boston and Philadelphia are No. 3 and No. 6 offensively, and the Bucks are No. 2 defensively and improving offensively in the last month, winning 12 consecutive games headed into the All-Star break.

Don’t sleep on Cleveland either. The Cavs have an All-NBA candidate in Donovan Mitchell and have a top-10 offense (No. 10) and defense (No. 1).

* Bonus: Collective bargaining between NBA, players

The NBA and National Basketball Players Association (players union) extended their deadline to opt out of the current collective bargaining agreement until March 31. Speaking at All-Star Weekend, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver and NBPA executive director Tamika Tremaglio expressed interest in agreeing to the framework of a deal by then, and Silver said he was hopeful that would happen.

With basketball-related income rising and the league setting sights on a new TV deal that will benefit both owners and players, both sides want to get a deal done. The split of money isn’t the big issue, so that helps as the league and union discuss other issues such as curbing teams’ luxury tax bills, age-limit and load management. There shouldn’t be the kind of disagreement that leads to a lockout.

Follow NBA reporter Jeff Zillgitt on Twitter @JeffZillgitt

The Miami Dolphins already have a quarterback, but the 2022 Heisman Trophy winner wants in, too.

The problem is that University of Southern California quarterback Caleb Williams isn’t even eligible for the 2023 NFL draft.

In an interview with People that took place at Super Bowl 57, Williams opened up about his playing future and revealed the list of NFL teams atop his list. Still, Williams technically could opt to return to the Trojans following the 2023 season for his senior season.

‘I can’t say right now (what I’ll do),’ Williams told People. ‘The expectation from everybody would be that I would leave and go pro, but that would be a very, very in the moment kind of decision after speaking to family members and mentors that I believe in and trust their word.’

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Here’s everything you need to know about Williams and his NFL future.

Which are the NFL teams USC quarterback Caleb Williams is most interested in playing for?

Though the Dolphins have said they are committed to quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, Williams is still eyeing Miami as his preferred destination.

‘I like to be around younger coaches,’ Williams told People. ‘I’d probably go to the Dolphins. I also would be able to play with Tyreek Hill, Jaylen Waddle, Mike Gesicki. The defense isn’t bad. That’s probably my number one spot.

‘I also like the colors. The colors are pretty cool and the weather’s good.’

The Dolphins, who finished 9-8 in 2022 and made their first playoff appearance since 2016, may not be in position to select Williams, who is projected to be one of the top passing prospects whenever he would declare for the draft. He also listed the 49ers, Raiders or Falcons as other teams atop his list, but stressed that ‘I’d play anywhere.’

Who is Caleb Williams?

Born in Washington, D.C., Williams posted a monster 2022 season with USC and became only the sixth sophomore ever to win the Heisman Trophy. Williams completed 66.6% of his passes for 4,537 yards, with 42 touchdowns against five interceptions. He also added 382 rushing yards and 10 more scores on the ground. Williams helped turn the Trojans around, going from 4-8 in 2021 to 11-3 last season.

Williams transferred from Oklahoma in February 2022 to reunite with coach Lincoln Riley, who had left the Sooners program to join USC in November 2021.

What is the quarterback situation for the Miami Dolphins?

Miami has started Tagovailoa since midway through the 2020 season. While he had battled through spurts of inconsistent play in his first two seasons, Tagovailoa broke out in 2022 under first-year head coach Mike McDaniel, posting career highs in passing yards (3,548) and passing touchdowns (25). He also led the NFL in passing yards per attempt (8.9) and QB rating (105.5).

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Tagovailoa, however, battled through at least two serious concussions in 2022 that forced him to miss the last three games of the season, including a playoff loss against the Bills. Tagovailoa said he is ‘all in’ to return to play, despite the head injuries. Tagovailoa is set to enter the fourth and final season of his rookie contract, though Miami would have the right to pick up a fifth-year option that would allow the Dolphins to retain his rights through the 2024 season.