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The Boston Celtics and Portland Trail Blazers will play for the first time this season on Wednesday. The Celtics are second in the Eastern Conference at 43-18 overall, including 19-11 at home this season. The Blazers (28-34) are four games out of the final spot in the Western Conference NBA Play-In Tournament, but they’ve been playing some of their best basketball of the season over their current road trip. Portland is 4-1 in the middle of a seven-game road trip entering Wednesday. Jayson Tatum (shoulder) and Jaylen Brown (illness) are questionable for Boston, while Jerami Grant (knee) is questionable for Portland.

Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. ET from TD Garden in Boston. This is the first matchup of the season between the two, but the Celtics have won each of the last four meetings between the teams. The Celtics are favored by 9.5 points in the latest Blazers vs. Celtics odds, according to the SportsLine consensus. The over/under is 225 points. The Celtics are at -412 on the money line (risk $412 to win $100), with the Blazers at +320 (risk $100 to win $320). Before entering any Celtics vs. Blazers picks, you’ll want to see the NBA predictions from the model at SportsLine.

The SportsLine Projection Model simulates every NBA game 10,000 times and has returned well over $10,000 in betting profit for $100 players on its top-rated NBA picks over the past six-plus seasons. The model enters Week 20 of the 2024-25 NBA season on a sizzling 147-107 roll on all top-rated NBA picks dating back to last season, returning nearly $4,000. It’s also an outstanding 18-10 (64%) on top-rated spread picks this season. Anyone following at sportsbooks and on betting apps could have seen huge returns.

The model has set its sights on Boston vs. Portland. You can head to SportsLine to see its picks. Here are several NBA betting lines for Blazers vs. Celtics:

Celtics vs. Blazers spread: Celtics -9.5
Celtics vs. Blazers over/under: 225 points
Celtics vs. Blazers money line: Celtics -412, Blazers +320
POR: The Trail Blazers are 5-1 against the spread (ATS) over their last six games
BOS: The Celtics are 6-3 ATS over their last nine games
Celtics vs. Blazers picks: See picks at SportsLine
Celtics vs. Blazers streaming: FuboTV (Try for free)
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Why the Blazers can cover
The Trail Blazers may never want to return to Portland with how well this road trip is going. The Blazers are 4-1 seven games into their road trip, including 3-1 against the Eastern Conference. Portland is 4-0 ATS against Eastern Conference teams during this road trip. Anfernee Simons had 34 points in a 119-102 win over the 76ers on Monday on 13 of 26 shooting, including making 6 of 11 3-pointers.

Shaedon Sharpe, the No. 7 overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft, has scored at least 18 points in four straight games and is averaging 24.8 ppg over that stretch. He is second on the team in scoring at 17.5 ppg, behind Simons’ 19 ppg, as the primary pieces in the Portland offense. The Blazers are an incredible 16-3 ATS against the Eastern Conference this season, covering in 84.2% of games, and are 31-21-1 ATS (59.6%) as an underdog this season. The Celtics will likely be shorthanded as along with Tatum and Brown as questionable, Jrue Holiday (hand) and Kristaps Porzingis (illness) are doubtful. See which team to pick here.

TODAY
Portland
Boston
+8.5 -111
-8.5 -109
+282
-353
O224.5 -111
U224.5 -109
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Why the Celtics can cover
The defending NBA Champions could be on their way to a repeat as the Celtics have the third-best record in the league. Boston is 11-3 over its last 14 games and has covered the spread in six of its last seven victories. Tatum is having another MVP-caliber season, averaging 26.8 points, 8.8 rebounds and 5.8 assists per game, and will be a total difference maker if active. Tatum had 46 points, 16 rebounds and nine assists in a 123-116 loss to Cleveland on Friday but Boston answered with a 110-103 win over the Nuggets on Sunday in a potential NBA Finals preview.

The Celtics are just one of two teams with a top 10 scoring offense and defense in the NBA. Boston is eighth in scoring (116.8 ppg), while ranking third in points allowed (108.2 ppg) this season. Guards Payton Pritchard (hip) and Derrick White (back) are probable as Boston has the depth to withstand some players potentially missing Wednesday while still covering a double-digit spread. See which team to pick here.

How to make Celtics vs. Trail Blazers picks
The model has simulated Trail Blazers vs. Celtics 10,000 times and the results are in. The model is leaning Under, projecting 216 combined points, and it also says one side of the spread hits well over 50% of the time. You can only see the pick at SportsLine.

So who wins Celtics vs. Blazers, and which side of the spread hits well over 50% of the time? Visit SportsLine now to see which side of the Blazers vs. Celtics spread you need to jump on, all from the model that is on a 147-107 roll on top-rated NBA picks since last season, and find out.

Where to bet on NBA games
Here are some of the sportsbooks to bet on NBA games today, along with the various NBA sportsbook promos they currently offer.

Division leaders clash when the Miami Heat battle the Cleveland Cavaliers in a key NBA Eastern Conference matchup on Wednesday night. Miami is coming off a 106-90 win over the Washington Wizards on Monday, while Cleveland cruised past Chicago 139-117 on Tuesday. The Heat (29-31), first in the Southeast Division, have won three of their last four games. The Cavaliers (51-10), first in the Central Division and the top seed in the East, have won 11 in a row. Andrew Wiggins (ankle) and Tyler Herro (head) are out for Miami, while Cleveland has no injuries to report.

Tipoff from Rocket Arena in Cleveland is set for 7 p.m. ET. The teams split the first two matchups this season both on the scoreboard and versus the spread, with Cleveland winning the last meeting, 126-106 at Miami on Jan. 29. The Cavaliers are 12.5-point favorites in the latest Cavaliers vs. Heat odds from SportsLine consensus, while the over/under for total points scored is 221.5. The Cavs are at -704 on the money line (risk $704 to win $100), while Miami is at +502 (risk $100 to win $502). Before making any Heat vs. Cavaliers picks, you’ll want to see the NBA predictions from the proven computer model at SportsLine.

The SportsLine Projection Model simulates every NBA game 10,000 times and has returned well over $10,000 in betting profit for $100 players on its top-rated NBA picks over the past six-plus seasons. The model enters Week 20 of the 2024-25 NBA season on a sizzling 147-107 roll on all top-rated NBA picks dating back to last season, returning nearly $4,000. It’s also an outstanding 18-10 (64%) on top-rated spread picks this season. Anyone following at sportsbooks and on betting apps could have seen huge returns.

Now, the model has set its sights on Heat vs. Cavs and just locked in its picks and NBA predictions. You can head to SportsLine now to see its picks. Here are several NBA betting lines for Cavs vs. Heat:

Heat vs. Cavaliers spread: Cleveland -12.5
Heat vs. Cavaliers over/under: 221.5 points
Heat vs. Cavaliers money line: Cleveland -704, Miami +502
MIA: The Heat are 5-4-1 against the spread in their last 10 games
CLE: The Cavaliers are 6-3-1 ATS in the past 10 games
Heat vs. Cavaliers picks: See picks at SportsLine
Heat vs. Cavaliers streaming: FuboTV (Try for free)
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Why the Cavaliers can cover
Shooting guard Donovan Mitchell has been the Cavaliers’ sparkplug. In Friday’s 123-116 win over the Boston Celtics, he poured in 41 points, while adding five assists and three rebounds. He had 33 points, six assists and two rebounds in a 129-123 win over the Memphis Grizzlies on Feb. 23. In 31.2 minutes per game, he is averaging 24.3 points, 4.8 assists, 4.3 rebounds and 1.3 steals.

Point guard Darius Garland has reached double-digit scoring in all but four games he has played this season. In 30.3 minutes per game, he is averaging 21.2 points, 6.7 assists, 2.5 rebounds and 1.1 steals. In Friday’s win at Boston, he scored 20 points, while adding seven assists and three rebounds. He had 18 points, nine assists and three steals in a 110-97 win at Brooklyn on Feb. 20. See which team to pick here.

TODAY
Miami
Cleveland
+12.5 -109
-12.5 -111
+583
-870
O221 -109
U221 -111
Click here to get half-off your first month, quarter, or year of sports picks! Start winning now!
Why the Heat can cover
Point guard Herro (questionable) powers the Miami offense. In 58 games, all starts, he is averaging 23.9 points, 5.7 assists and 5.4 rebounds in 35.6 minutes. He has registered nine double-doubles on the year, including a 24-point, 10-assist and three-steal effort in a 131-109 win over the Atlanta Hawks on Feb. 26. He scored 29 points and added seven assists and three rebounds in a 125-120 win over the Indiana Pacers on Friday.

Center Bam Adebayo is coming off a double-double with 19 points, 15 rebounds and five assists in Monday’s win over Washington. He scored 30 points, grabbed seven rebounds and dished out four assists in a 116-112 overtime loss to the New York Knicks on Sunday. He has recorded 31 double-doubles and one triple-double on the year. In 58 games, all starts, he is averaging 17.2 points, 9.9 rebounds, 4.3 assists and 1.2 steals in 34.2 minutes. See which team to pick here.

How to make Heat vs. Cavaliers picks
The model has simulated Cavaliers vs. Heat 10,000 times and the results are in. It is leaning Under the total, projecting 217 combined points. It also says one side of the spread hits in almost 70% of simulations. You can only see the NBA picks at SportsLine.

So who wins Heat vs. Cavs, and which side of the spread hits almost 70% of the time? Visit SportsLine now to see which side of the Cavs vs. Heat spread you need to jump on, all from the model that is on a 147-107 roll on top-rated NBA picks, and find out.

The Utah Jazz versus Washington Wizards matchup pits the two worst teams in each conference against one another on Wednesday. Although this matchup wouldn’t have much appeal to many NBA fans simply seeking the best game of the night, it can provide significant opportunity to daily Fantasy basketball players. The Jazz have been playing without nearly their entire starting lineup most of the week, and the Wizards will be without leading scorer Jordan Poole (elbow). Thus, there are cheaper options in the NBA DFS player pool from this matchup that could receive significant playing time and return strong value for NBA DFS lineups.

Jazz rookie Kyle Filipowski had 25 points and eight rebounds in his last game, while Utah allowed 134 points, so which under-the-radar players should factor into your Wednesday NBA DFS strategy? They can also help create space to add some of the top options in the NBA DFS player pool like LaMelo Ball, DeMar DeRozan and James Harden. Before making any NBA DFS picks, be sure to check out the NBA DFS advice, player rankings, stacks, and top daily Fantasy basketball picks from SportsLine’s Mike McClure.

McClure is a DFS professional with more than $2 million in career winnings. He’s also a predictive data engineer at SportsLine who uses a powerful prediction model that simulates every minute of every game 10,000 times, taking factors like matchups, statistical trends and injuries into account. This allows him to find the best NBA DFS values on sites like DraftKings and FanDuel and create optimal lineups that he shares only over at SportsLine. They’re a must-see for any NBA DFS player.

On Monday (when McClure last made NBA DFS picks), McClure highlighted Grizzlies guard/forward Desmond Bane as one of his top NBA DFS picks from the NBA DFS player pool on both sites. The result: Bane had 35 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists, returning 66 points on DraftKings and 57 points on FanDuel. Anybody who included him in their lineups could have been well on the way to a profitable day.

McClure has turned his attention to NBA action on Wednesday and locked in his top daily Fantasy basketball picks. You can only see them by heading to SportsLine.

Top NBA DFS picks for Wednesday, March 5
For Wednesday, one of McClure’s top NBA DFS picks is Timberwolves guard/forward Anthony Edwards, who is listed at $9,300 on DraftKings and $9,600 on FanDuel. The No. 1 overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft is averaging a career-high 27.4 points per game in his fifth NBA season. Edwards is two games removed from scoring 44 points in a 116-98 win over the Suns on Sunday for his fourth 40-point performance since the start of February.

On Wednesday, the Timberwolves play the Hornets, who enter on a seven-game losing streak. Edwards had 21 points in 29 minutes against the Hornets in their first matchup, and the Wolves are coming off a 126-112 win over the 76ers on Tuesday. The second night of a back-to-back means some of Minnesota’s veterans are resting, including Mike Conley, while Rudy Gobert (back) has also been ruled out. Thus, McClure expects that to translate into an even heavier usage for the 23-year-old for NBA DFS lineups.

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Another part of McClure’s optimal NBA DFS strategy includes rostering Mavericks guard Spencer Dinwiddie ($5,600 on DraftKings and $5,100 on FanDuel). The Mavericks play their first game since Kyrie Irving tore his ACL on Monday. Dallas remains without significant players like Anthony Davis (adductor), Dereck Lively II (ankle), PJ Washington (ankle) and Daniel Gafford (knee), and McClure expects the Mavericks to turn to Dinwiddie to provide an offensive spark.

The 31-year-old guard has been a reliable scorer throughout his career. He’s played more of a complementary role in Dallas, but that was when surrounded by elite talent. Dinwiddie is averaging 10.1 points over 25.1 minutes per game this season, but he’s averaging 18.2 ppg over the 13 games he’s played at least 30 minutes. Dallas may need him to play 30+ minutes on Wednesday against the Bucks, who are playing the second half of a back-to-back. See McClure’s other NBA DFS picks right here.

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How to set your NBA DFS lineups for Wednesday, March 5
McClure is also targeting a player who could go off for massive numbers on Wednesday because of a dream matchup. This pick could be the difference between winning your tournaments and cash games or going home with nothing. You can only see who it is here.

The San Antonio Spurs have a very clear direction moving forward: build around Victor Wembanyama. So far, they have done a solid job, as Jeremy Sochan, Stephon Castle and Devin Vassell are all solid role players brimming with star potential.

In his age 20 season, Wembanyama is averaging 23.6 points, 10.3 rebounds, 3.9 assists, 3.5 blocks and 1.1 steals while shooting 33.3% from 3-point range. He is, very clearly, a generational prospect and the Spurs could build a winner right now if they wanted to.

Highlights: Jerzy Robinson leads Sierra Canyon over Vanden in high school girls basketball

“The Spurs Way” points to the team building over time through the draft, but with a war chest of draft picks and Keldon Johnson and Zach Collins’ salary to match, the Spurs could get a blockbuster deal done.

Perhaps the biggest name on the NBA trade market–outside of LeBron James–is Zion Williamson. The 24-year-old forward will have his hamstring re-evaluated near Christmas, and he is reportedly nearing a return.

Williamson’s health has been incredibly unreliable throughout his career, but that’s really the only knock one can have, although it is a big one. When healthy, Williamson is averaging 24.6 points and 6.6 rebounds. He is an underrated defender and the most physically dominant player in the NBA. If he can stay on the court, he would be an ideal fit next to Wembanyama.

Williamson is no longer “untouchable,” and the Spurs could offer Collins, Johnson and a 2027 first-round pick for him. Collins and Johnson are healthy and do play, which is really all the Pelicans are asking for at this point, and an unprotected pick could help them rebuild in a post-Zion future.

After this season, Williamson’s $197 million contract is no longer guaranteed, so the Spurs could cut ties with him if needed, at the cost of only a single pick. They would have 16 left over between 2025 and 2031, so losing one isn’t as big of a deal as it would be for other teams.

A single pick and salary filler is a massive steal for a two-time All-Star, but Williamson’s health makes it hard to justify spending big for him. On offense, he could be a force in the paint while Wembanyama spaces the floor, and on defense he can get physical, directing players into the no-fly zone Wembanyama creates.

Of course, that success is dependent on Williamson’s ability to stay on the court, but the Spurs have a track record of getting the most out of players. Tony Parker, Manu Ginobili and Tim Duncan all played for 16 years or more, and trainer Will Sevening has been there since 1998, so their medical staff is the best in the business.

If the Spurs can manage to take on Williamson for only a pick or two–as well as matching his salary–it becomes a low-risk pickup with an incredibly high reward and would add a win-now piece to a team that is known for slowly rebuilding.

“Following the addition of (Dennis) Schröder, the Warriors backcourt is a bit crowded,” Last Word on Sports’ Isaiah Usher wrote Monday.

“With the likes of Curry, Schroder, Buddy Hield, Brandin Podziemski, Moses Moody, and Gary Payton II all hypothetically laying claim to rotation spots, it seems strange to opine that the Warriors should trade for another guard in Marcus Smart.”

“But Smart isn’t just any other guard. In fact, at this stage of his career—and especially if he finds his way into the Warriors—he’s much more of a 3-and-D wing player.”

“Sure, Marcus Smart is a capable on-ball creator and facilitator—career 4.6 assist per game average—but what really makes Smart an intriguing potential add for the Warriors is his grit, physicality, and defensive tenacity.”

“Development from some of the (Memphis) Grizzlies’ young players has shrunk Smart’s role, hypothetically making him more expendable and attainable—Smart could be a worthwhile addition to the Warriors.”

“For his playoff experience and veteran know-how alone, Smart’s price tag is worth looking into.”

Smart, a 6-foot-3 guard who won the 2022 Defensive Player of the Year award as a member of the Celtics, is as pesky as it gets on the ball.

The Oklahoma State product is 100% committed to speeding up opponents, forcing rash decisions, and playing mind games with overconfident ball handlers.

Offensively, Smart isn’t the most lethal offensive weapon in the NBA, averaging 9.2 points on 36.5% shooting from the field and 32.5% shooting from beyond the arc with the Grizzlies this season.

Still, the 11-year veteran has proven he can offer assistance on that end of the floor while making his money defensively, which may appeal to the Warriors.

To acquire Smart, Golden State would probably need to consider cutting ties with a quality wing in Andrew Wiggins to appease the Grizzlies.

While a swap wouldn’t be easy, it would be necessary if the Warriors aim to elevate their defense to new heights this season.

“While the Warriors’ center rotation of Kevon Looney and Trayce Jackson-Davis—and sometimes Draymond Green—is productive, it’s also not all that multifaceted,” Last Word on Sports’ Isaiah Usher wrote Monday.

“Amid a career year, the cost of Jakob Poeltl could be surprisingly steep, but if the Warriors can stomach it, he’d be well worth it.”

“Despite playing in his ninth year in the NBA, the veteran center is taking his game to new heights. In a career-high 32.5 minutes per game, Poeltl is averaging career bests in ppg, rpg, and ft%.”

“Poeltl also would provide the Warriors with some much-needed size. It’s hard to imagine the Warriors surviving as legitimate contenders out West without a legitimate 7-footer on their roster.”

“No disrespect to the center combination of Kevon Looney and Trayce Jackson-Davis, but Poeltl would be a significant upgrade on both ends of the floor.”

“Poeltl is certainly a dark-horse option for the Warriors, but he is someone who could add immense value with his basketball IQ, toughness, and interior passing.”

The Raptors are 13 games below .500, but Poeltl is quietly having an impressive year in Toronto.

As a below-the-rim athlete who’s one of the most fundamentally sound big men in the league, Poeltl averages 15.9 and 11.3 rebounds per contest on 59.3% from the field.

The 7-foot center suffered a left groin injury during the Raptors’ Monday night clash against the Bulls, but it’s reasonable to assume Poeltl will return to the hardwood this year.

With Brandin Podziemski struggling to rekindle the magic he experienced as a rookie, the Warriors may attempt to swap him for Poeltl during the trade season.

The in-season tournament road for the Oklahoma City Thunder has not been easy. Facing off against Luka Doncic and the Dallas Mavericks in the quarterfinals only to be met by the second seed out West in the Houston Rockets proved to be troublesome. But the Thunder were more than prepared.

Now, starting tonight, Loud City hopes to win a potential title in Sin City as they will have to face off against a two-time league MVP and DPOY as well as a point guard who has a history of ending OKC championship hopes.

Highlights: Jerzy Robinson leads Sierra Canyon over Vanden in high school girls basketball

Time and Location
The OKC Thunder will play the Milwaukee Bucks in Emirates NBA Cup championship game today, Dec. 17, in Las Vegas at 8:30 PM EST/7:30 PM CST and on ABC.

Lineups
For the Thunder, here is what their championship lineup should look like:

Position: Name: Number:
Point Guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander 2
Shooting Guard Cason Wallace 22
Small Forward Lu Dort 5
Power Forward Jalen Williams 8
Center Isaiah Hartenstein 55
For Milwaukee, here is the lineup they used in their semifinals matchup:

Position: Name: Number:
Point Guard Damian Lillard 0
Shooting Guard Andre Jackson Jr. 44
Small Forward Taurean Prince 12
Power Forward Giannis Antetokounmpo 34
Center Brook Lopez 11
Injuries
For Oklahoma City, Chet Holmgren (hip), Ousmane Dieng (finger), Nikola Topic (ACL), Adam Flagler (finger) and Alex Ducas (back) are all out for tonight’s game. For Jaylin Williams, he is listed as day-to-day with his hamstring injury, but it is doubtful he will play.

MORE: How long is Chet Holmgren out? Hip injury timeline, return date, latest updates on Thunder forward

As for the Bucks, they currently have no one on their injury list.

What to know
In order for the Thunder to have a chance at winning this game, they will need to focus on two players: Giannis and Lillard. They are the only two players on the Bucks’ roster who are averaging more than 15 points per game (Giannis with 32.7 and Lillard with 25.7). Every other player has 13 points per game or less.

When it comes to Giannis, there is very little players can do to stop him; best case scenario is slowing him down in the half court. For Lillard, however, OKC has an assortment of guards they can throw at him to make his play inconsistent. Whether it is Wallace, Caruso or Dort, forcing Lillard to give the ball up will be key in stopping the Bucks’ offense.

As for OKC’s offense, pushing the pace and speeding Milwaukee up will be vital. As mentioned by the Sporting News NBA expert Stephen Noh, the Bucks prefer to set up their defense as opposed to crashing the glass. If the Thunder are able to get out in transition and get quick buckets, they will be in a good position.

Moreover, Milwaukee ranks 13th in overall league defensive rating. Meanwhile, Shai Gilgeous Alexander is atop the NBA in drives per game and isolation points. Bucks guards like Lillard will either have to foul SGA or double team him, which will ultimately lead to open shot opportunities for the Thunder.

As LA continues to dream about bringing in LaMelo Ball or Dejounte Murray, it might be wiser for them to settle for a more attainable asset.

12-time All-Star and five-time assist champ Chris Paul has been a huge asset for the rising San Antonio Spurs this season, but he’s far from untouchable in trade talks.

Paul is a good if not great option for the Lakers to explore before February 6, as noted by Fadeaway World’s Eddie Bitar on Tuesday.

“Chris Paul might be in the twilight of his career, but his leadership and playmaking abilities remain unmatched,” Bitar said.

“Averaging 8.4 assists per game despite being on a young Spurs roster, Paul could step in as the Lakers’ floor general and immediately take over playmaking duties. His ability to control the tempo and execute in the half-court would be invaluable for a team that often struggles in late-game situations.”

Bitar envisioned LA sending San Antonio a package of Gabe Vincent and two second-rounders (2025, 2027) for CP3.

“This trade is all about maximizing LeBron James’s championship window,” Bitar said.

“Paul’s durability is a concern, but his IQ and passing would elevate everyone on the roster. Adding a player of Paul’s caliber would signal the Lakers’ commitment to winning now, even if it means sacrificing some long-term flexibility.”

“This (Minnesota) Timberwolves trade package feels more like quantity than quality when it comes to the price of acquiring The King,” Fadeaway World’s Eddie Bitar wrote Thursday.

“Julius Randle is a solid player (20.4 points per game, rebounds per game, 4.0 assists per game), but his iso-heavy style and inconsistent defense aren’t exactly the attributes you’d expect in a blockbuster centerpiece for LeBron James.”

“Donte DiVincenzo and Nickeil Alexander-Walker are capable role players, sure, but they don’t exactly move the needle for a Lakers team still hungry to compete for titles.”

“For the Lakers, this deal might look appealing only because of Randle’s ability to put up numbers, but his fit alongside Anthony Davis could be clunky at best.”

“The trio of second-round picks sprinkled across the next few years doesn’t scream ‘franchise-altering assets’, either.”

“From Minnesota’s side, LeBron would elevate their playoff ceiling overnight because this roster with LeBron, superstar Anthony Edwards, and Rudy Gobert screams title favorite.”

“The Timberwolves better be banking on LeBron’s championship magic to make this gamble worth it in the end.”

While Randle probably wasn’t thrilled when he discovered the Knicks traded him to the Timberwolves in October, his recent play suggests he’s moved past his initial disappointment.

The 6-foot-9 forward’s herky-jerky style of play may damage some spectators’ eyes, but there’s no question Randle’s been productive in a Timberwolves uniform.

The Kentucky product averages 20.1 points and 6.8 rebounds per game on 48.3% shooting from the field alongside a gifted scorer in Edwards.

While Randle may not be the best frontcourt option for the Lakers, he’s an asset the Lakers may consider pairing with Davis later this year.

However, cutting ties with James, a 22-year veteran still performing at an elite level, wouldn’t be ideal for the franchise, making this trade proposal unrealistic.