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MLB Home Run Predictions Today: Best HR Prop Bets, Picks, Parlay & Odds for Thursday, April 16

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The homers kept pouring in yesterday, marking three straight days with a long ball and a major turnaround in ROI, flipping from -11.1u to +2.6u. Let’s keep the momentum going with more home runs and MLB player props.

I’m double-dipping in this afternoon’s Rangers-A’s AL West matchup, while also targeting Tampa Bay Rays slugger Yandy Díaz in a prime hitter-friendly spot.

These are my favorite home run bets for Thursday, April 16.

  • UPDATE: Added another HR pick + parlay.

Best MLB home run props today

Player to hit a HROdds
Rangers Corey Seager+490
AthleticsNick Kurtz+410
Rays Yandy Diaz+470
💲Today's HR parlay+11888

Corey Seager (+490)

Corey Seager to hit a homer at +490 is the best +EV home run prop of the morning, with a fair price around +310, and it’s easy to see why.

He gets a great matchup against A's starter Jacob Lopez, a lefty who isn’t any tougher on same-handed bats. Lopez has already allowed three home runs in 13+ innings, and the setting in Sacramento isn’t doing him any favors. He’s also struggling with control, issuing 13 walks, which can lead to pitches leaking over the heart of the plate.

Jake Burger sits at +370 to go deep but projects for the same home run rate (0.29) as Seager. Almost every Texas Rangers bat is showing +EV for a homer today, suggesting this is a matchup the market hasn’t fully priced in.

  • Time: 3:05 p.m. ET
  • Where to watch: NBCSCA, Rangers Sports Network

Nick Kurtz (+410)

Sticking with the Rangers/Athletics game, Nick Kurtz projects as the best home run bet on the home side at +410, with a fair price around +330/+340. It’s a strong lefty vs. righty matchup, and Kurtz has already taken Jack Leiter deep in just three plate appearances.

The reigning Rookie of the Year hasn’t produced at the surface level, but the underlying power metrics are still there, including the best swing speed on the team and room for growth in his Blast Contact% numbers.

Leiter continues to give up loud contact and is coming off a four-walk, two-homer outing vs. the Dodgers. Plus, not many pitchers enjoy working at Sutter Health Park.

  • Time: 3:05 p.m. ET
  • Where to watch: NBCSCA, Rangers Sports Network

Yandy Diaz (+470)

The home-run setting is strong on the South Side of Chicago today, with double-digit winds blowing out to left-center field. The Tampa Bay Rays also get the ninth-inning guarantee and a favorable group of arms to target.

Opener Jordan Leasure could go a couple of innings, and two of the six hits he’s allowed have left the yard. He’s expected to hand it off to lefty Anthony Kay, who has posted solid surface numbers but has shown signs of regression.

His command has been shaky with eight walks in 14+ innings, and, to get nerdy, his ideal attack angle rate ranks near the bottom of the league, meaning hitters are consistently getting optimal launch angles against him.

I'm backing Yandy Diaz at +470. He hits at the top of the order and could see five plate appearances. His BlastCon% is the best on the team, and he is red-hot with a hit and an RBI in five straight games. The top of this Tampa Bay lineup could do some damage and might be worth a HR round robin. 

  • Time: 2:10 p.m. ET
  • Where to watch: Rays.TV, CHSN
Jinglis' 2026 Transparency Record
  • HR picks: 5-28, +2.6 units

Today’s HR parlay

Rangers Corey SeagerBet Now
+11888
Athletics Nick Kurtz
Rays Yandy Diaz

Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
Not intended for use in MA.
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Spurs Regular Season Recap, Part 3: Every team hits a rough patch

SAN ANTONIO, TX - JANUARY 17: Victor Wembanyama #1 of the San Antonio Spurs drives on Anthony Edwards #5 of the Minnesota Timberwolves in the second half at Frost Bank Center on January 17, 2026 in San Antonio, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ronald Cortes/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The Spurs are headed to the playoffs for the first time since 2019, with Game 1 against the Portland Trail Blazers set for 8 PM CT on Sunday. That’s still several days out, so in the meantime, we’re looking back one of the best regular seasons in franchise history.

In Part 1, we reviewed the first part of the Spurs season that featured a strong start despite missing De’Aaron Fox to start the season and Victor Wembanyama for 12 straight games. In Part 2, we recalled their memorable and arguably season-defining stretch in the second half of December, which featured Wemby’s return and a Cup Semi-finals win plus two more in a 12-day span against the defending champion Thunder, officially putting the Spurs on the map. The year concluded with a record-breaking performance from Julian Champagnie against the Knicks, but then the Spurs hit arguably their only rough patch of the season, which is where we’re picking up today.

Part 3: January 2026 (8-7)

After suffering a strained oblique in the Knicks game to close 2025, Wemby missed the two opening games of 2026: a win over the lowly Pacers and close loss at home to the Trail Blazers. (I’m just now realizing Wemby missed all three regular season matchups against them this season, so there’s a new twist to the playoffs due to them not having a chance to scout that match-up.) He soon returned, but January continued to follow an up-and-down pattern with some good wins combined with frustrating losses.

They got their second win over Lakers despite a typical 38-10-10 triple double from Luka Doncic, followed by a victory in Boston against a Celtics club that was supposed to be in a “gap” year with Jayson Tatum missing most of the season and them having to trade away a lot of their depth but rode an MVP-level performance from Jalen Brown to the second seed in the East. Oh, and the Lakers game was our last great Jeremy Sochan “troll” moment as he set off Jared Vanderbilt after the game.

Those two wins were followed by road losses to two playoff teams in the Timberwolves and Thunder, but then it was up again with another classic match-up between Wemby and Giannis Antetokounmpo. (It wasn’t that exciting of a game, but who knows where this match-up is headed with Giannis uncertain future with the Bucks, so we’ll enjoy it while it lasts.)

That was followed by a heart attack-inducing but thrilling victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves. The Spurs built a 25-point halftime lead thanks to a season-high 48 points in the second quarter, but in pattern from each of their match-ups against this team this season, the Spurs proceeded to blow it while Anthony Edwards scored 26 of his 55 points in the fourth quarter. The Wolves eventually took the lead before bald Wemby went into superstar mode to bring them back with a 39-point performance, but it wasn’t won without plenty of free throw drama first.

The Spurs continued to trade wins and losses from there, with wins against the Jazz and Rockets alternating with losses to the Pelicans and Rockets, and of course who can forget the final game in January, when their Saturday game in Charlotte got moved back to noon so they could play and get out before the impending snow storm, only for the Spurs to blow the game in the final moments, still get trapped by the weather, and face even more troubles before getting back to San Antonio for a game the very next day. If there was one month to forget from this season, January was it.

They say all good teams must go through some adversity to truly come together, and as it turned out, this may have been it. From there, the Spurs would go on a nearly unprecedented run the rest of the way, so check back tomorrow for the greatest moments of the (very long) final stretch of the season, when the Spurs proved to be a true contender.

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When do the Penguins play the Flyers? NHL playoff schedule release date

The Pittsburgh Penguins are bound for the playoffs, ending a three-year drought.

The team clinched a spot in the playoffs during its April 9 game against the New Jersey Devils.

Now, they'll take on the Philadelphia Flyers in the first round, with the first game set to take place on the Penguins' home ice. It's Pittsburgh's first playoff appearance since the 2021-22 season as the city looks to capture its first Stanley Cup since 2017.

Here's a look at how they got to the playoffs and the upcoming schedule.

Flyers vs. Penguins playoff schedule

While the matchup is set, the NHL has yet to release any scheduled dates for the Flyers-Penguins series. The schedule likely will be released once the regular season concludes on April 16.

When is the Penguins' first playoff game?

The Penguins' playoff schedule hasn't been released yet, but the team is scheduled to play a 2-2-1-1-1 format against their intrastate rivals. They'll start on home ice since the Penguins have home-ice advantage, and Games 2, 5 and 7 will also take place at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh if necessary.

How to watch Penguins vs. Flyers in NHL playoffs

While a TV schedule has yet to be revealed, 2026 NHL playoff games will be broadcast on ESPN, TNT and ABC as well as regional networks like SportsNet Pittsburgh.

Games can be streamed using ESPN+, Hulu and Max or via live TV services like Fubo TV and DirecTV Stream.

When to get Penguins playoffs tickets

Jan 15, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Flyers left wing Noah Cates (27) shoots the puck as Pittsburgh Penguins center Sidney Crosby (87) defends during the first period at PPG Paints Arena. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

Penguins playoff tickets aren't on sale yet through the team's website, but they can be purchased on third-party sites like SeatGeek and StubHub.

Penguins vs. Flyers playoff history

The Penguins and Flyers have a lengthy and notable playoff history.

This will be the eighth meeting between the cross-state rivals, with the last matchup taking place in 2018 when the Penguins defeated the Flyers in six games in the first round.

In 2008, the Pens beat the Flyers in five games in the Eastern Conference Finals before losing the Stanley Cup Final to the Red Wings. The following season, they defeated the Flyers in the conference quarterfinals before winning the Stanley Cup.

The Flyers were victorious in the Eastern Conference quarterfinals in 2012, 2000 and in 1997, when the team lost to the Red Wings in the Cup Finals.

The first matchup came during the 1989 Patrick Division Finals, which the Flyers won in seven games.

Penguins vs. Flyers stats

The Penguins finished the season 41-24-16, clinching the second spot in the Metropolitan Division, while the Flyers finished third in the division at 42-27-12.

The two teams split the season series 2-2. Here's a look at the previous matchups:

  • Oct. 28: Flyers 3, Penguins 2 (shootout)
  • Dec. 1: Penguins 5, Flyers 1
  • Jan. 15: Penguins 6, Flyers 3
  • March 7: Flyers 4, Penguins 3 (shootout)

Last time Penguins made the playoffs

The Penguins were on a 16-year streak of being in the running for the Stanley Cup the last time they were in the playoffs in 2022. They were knocked out of the running during the first round in Game 7 against the New York Rangers.

The team won the Stanley Cup two consecutive years in 2016 and 2017, beating the San Jose Sharks and Nashville Predators, respectively, for their titles.

The last time the Flyers made the playoffs was in the 2019-20 season.

How the Penguins clinched a 2026 Stanley Cup Playoff spot

The Penguins secured a spot in the playoffs during their April 9 game against the New Jersey Devils, with Bryan Rust scoring his 29th goal of the season on Pittsburgh's first shot of the game.

Over the course of the game, which the Penguins won 5-2, Evgeni Malkin scored, Sidney Crosby set up two goals and Kris Letang had an assist.

Penguins highlights from playoff-clinching game

NHL 2026 playoffs

Playoffs are set to begin April 18, and the regular season ends on April 16. The date and times for each matchup have yet to be announced and are expected to come once the standings are set.

NHL playoff bracket

For the latest NHL playoff matchups, you can find the bracket at nhl.com/playoffs/2026/bracket.

Penguins stats

The Penguins are led by center Sidney Crosby (74 points – 29 goals, 45 assists) and defenseman Erik Karlsson (66 points – 15 goals, 51 assists). Their points leader among wingers is Bryan Rust (65 points – 29 goals, 36 assists).

Goalie Artus Silovs was 19-12-8 with a 3.07 GAA and .888 save percentage during the regular season, while goalie Stuart Skinner was 12-9-5 with a 2.99 GAA and .885 save percentage.

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This article originally appeared on USATNetwork: When do the Penguins play the Flyers? NHL playoff schedule release date

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Game 19 Game Day Thread – Texas Rangers @ West Sacramento Athletics

Apr 14, 2026; West Sacramento, California, USA; Texas Rangers second baseman Ezequiel Duran (20) fields a ground ball against the Athletics during the sixth inning at Sutter Health Park. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Lee-Imagn Images | Dennis Lee-Imagn Images

Texas Rangers @ Athletics

Thursday, April 16, 2026, 2:05 PM CDT (105.3 The Fan / Rangers Sports Network)

Sutter Health Park

RHP Jack Leiter vs. LHP Jacob Lopez

Today’s Lineups

RANGERSATHLETICS
Brandon Nimmo – RFJeff McNeil – 2B
Sam Haggerty – LFShea Langeliers – DH
Wyatt Langford – CFNick Kurtz – 1B
Jake Burger – 1BTyler Soderstrom – LF
Josh Jung – 3BJacob Wilson – SS
Kyle Higashioka – CCarlos Cortes – RF
Andrew McCutchen – DHLawrence Butler – CF
Josh Smith – 2BAustin Wynns – C
Ezequiel Duran – SSDarell Hernaiz – 3B
Jack Leiter – RHPJacob Lopez – LHP

Go Rangers!

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Yankees' Gerrit Cole to throw around 45 pitches in first minor league rehab start

NEW YORK — Yankees right-hander Gerrit Cole will throw around 45 pitches in his first minor league injury rehabilitation start as he inches closer to his return to the mound.

Cole will pitch for Double-A Somerset in the same game shortstop Anthony Volpe is rehabbing a torn labrum in his shoulder.

Cole, a six-time All-Star and the 2023 AL Cy Young award winner, is returning from last year’s reconstructive elbow surgery. He made a pair of one-inning spring training starts on March 18 and 24, and has been facing hitters since.

In his latest session, Cole threw 42 pitches over three simulated innings against batters from High-A Hudson Valley.

“I think we’ll get him to a higher threshold initially, but it’s one step at a time,” manager Aaron Boone said before the Yankees concluded a four-game series with the Angels. “Looking forward to him starting on Friday and we’ll build him from there and then even when he gets back to us we’ll probably be conservative with him but we’ll probably get him to a higher threshold initially.”

The Yankees anticipate Cole will return in June but will gradually build him up and take advantage of rules about the length of minor league rehab assignments for pitchers coming back from injury.

While position players’ minor league rehab assignments are limited to 20 days, pitchers have 30 days and those recovering from Tommy John surgery may receive three consecutive 10-day extensions.

Cole’s last official outing was in Game 5 of the 2024 World Series. He made a pair of spring training starts before undergoing the surgery with Los Angeles Dodgers team physician Dr. Neal ElAttrache.

Cole’s 2024 season debut was delayed until June 19 because of nerve irritation and edema in his right elbow. He went 8-5 with a 3.41 ERA in 17 starts for New York and was 1-0 with a 2.17 ERA in five postseason starts.

Cole is signed to a nine-year, $324 million contract through 2028. He has a 153-80 career record and 3.18 ERA over 317 starts with Pittsburgh (2013-17), Houston (2018-19) and the Yankees (starting in 2020).

Besides Cole, Carlos Rodón will face hitters again and likely will start a rehab assignment next week. Boone said the left-hander will need three rehab games.

Rodón threw 50 pitches to batters over three simulated innings. Rodón is recovering from surgery on Oct. 15 to remove loose bodies in his left elbow and shave a bone spur, and his rehab was slowed by right hamstring tightness.

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Game Thread: Takin’ em to the Matz

ST. PETERSBURG, FL - APRIL 10: Steven Matz #32 of the Tampa Bay Rays throws against the New York Yankees during the first inning of a baseball game at Tropicana Field on April 10, 2026 in St. Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by Mike Carlson/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Go Rays!

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NHL playoffs arrive with the West stacked with contenders like Colorado, Dallas and Vegas

Dallas Stars

Apr 11, 2026; Dallas, Texas, USA; Dallas Stars center Wyatt Johnston (53) and goaltender Jake Oettinger (29) celebrate after the Stars defeat the New York Rangers at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

Jerome Miron/Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

Jake Oettinger wants it this way. Or, at least, the starting goaltender for Dallas is embracing it.

The path through the Central Division to the Western Conference Final for his team and the Minnesota Wild is just about as treacherous as it gets. The Stars and Wild had the third- and seventh-most points in the NHL this season and they will meet in the first round — with the winner potentially facing the league-best Colorado Avalanche in the second.

“If you can get through that and win it all, I think it just makes it that much better,” Oettinger said. “It just makes it more fulfilling.”

Maybe not so much for the team going home early. But the Stanley Cup does not come easy, and even the Pacific Division side of the bracket is no cakewalk with Edmonton, the Stanley Cup runner-up the past two years, in the mix along with the Vegas Golden Knights, who won seven of their final eight games since hiring John Tortorella.

“It’s the most exciting time because everybody’s playing at a different level, and it’s a good test to see how high you can get as a team,” Tortorella told reporters in Las Vegas after the regular season finale. “Everything’s going to be amped up. As each game goes by in the series, it’s going to be harder and harder, and so it’s a great challenge ”

The teams to beat

— The Presidents’ Trophy-winning Avalanche are the favorites to win the West, and with good reason. They’ve been the best team since October, have two of the best players in the world in Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar, and filled their center void by reacquiring 2022 Cup champion Nazem Kadri at the trade deadline.

Home-ice advantage is a plus, but being the team to beat also comes with pressure. The Avs say bring it on.

“Pressure is a privilege — it’s the old cliche, but it truly is,” forward Logan O’Connor said. “You just have to be dialed in the whole time, and I think that’s the challenge for any team. There can’t be any lapses. You can’t have any passengers. Everyone all in, all the time. I think we obviously have the capability to do that.”

— Vegas won the Pacific after replacing Bruce Cassidy with Tortorella, who is coaching in the NHL playoffs for a 13th time with his fourth team.

— Dallas has made three consecutive trips to the West final. They have all the weapons, certainly if they get standout defenseman Miro Heiskanen back healthy.

“It’s never a straight line to win all these things,” said first-year coach Glen Gulutzan, who was an Edmonton assistant when the Oilers made back-to-back trips to the Cup final. “You keep getting yourself back in the dance and win a round and win two rounds, and then finally you break through. Hopefully that experience is going to allow us to do it.”

— Minnesota had Kirill Kaprizov grabbing headlines for years, and next season he will begin the richest contract in hockey history. Now Matt Boldy is sharing the load on a team that lacks only center depth to keep them from being a solid favorite to reach the West final.

The underdogs

— Calling Connor McDavid and the Oilers underdogs is rich — they took Florida to seven games and then six games in the Cup Final the past two years — but they have played a lot of hockey They are going to need key saves in net along with Leon Draisaitl in good form whenever he returns from his regular season-ending injury.

— The Utah Mammoth are the feel-good story in the West, making the playoffs in the franchise’s second season since moving to Utah from Arizona. They could play like they have nothing to lose because just making it is cause for celebration in Salt Lake City.

— Los Angeles fired coach Jim Hiller and righted the ship under interim replacement D.J. Smith. Acquiring Artemi Panarin in a February trade also makes the Kings dangerous.

— Will we get an LA story? Joel Quenneville and his three Cup rings have gotten Anaheim into the playoffs, and with his experience the young Ducks are not only fun to watch but have the goaltending with Lukas Dostal to potentially pull off an upset or two.

Storylines to watch

— The two-year, $25 million contract extension McDavid signed without a raise essentially put the Oilers on notice that they have two more chances to show they can win the Stanley Cup. It’s entirely possible he puts the cape on and carries them back to the final for a third year in a row.

— Colorado’s window as a Cup favorite remains open, with captain Gabriel Landeskog a year removed from his emotional return back after dealing with a chronic knee injury to assist MacKinnon and Makar. Perhaps they go on another title run like four years ago.

— Can Minnesota win a playoff series for the first time since 2015? The Wild have lost their last eight opening-round series, but for the first time they went an entire season without getting shut out and their offense with Quinn Hughes added on the blue line provides some confidence.

“There’s a lot of pushback with our team,” coach John Hynes said. “We have guys that can score. One of the things we talk about is trying to create offense in multiple ways.”

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Mariners at Padres Prediction: Odds, recent stats, trends, and best bets for April 16

The Seattle Mariners (8-11) to take on the San Diego Padres (12-6) for the third and final game of the series between AL West opponents. San Diego has won both matchups, 4-1 and 7-6.

San Diego had a formidable comeback last night to win 7-6. The Padres scored five runs in the ninth inning to cap off a 6-2 deficit entering the final frame. The Padres have won seven-straight games and 10 out of the last 11 contests.

Seattle's four-game winning streak was snapped in the last two days versus San Diego, giving the Mariners a 4-2 record over the last six games. The Mariners have now lost seven consecutive road games and have the MLB's worst batting average (.156) away from home despite having the fourth-best ERA (2.99).

Lets dive into the matchup and find a sweat or two.

We’ve got all the info and analysis you need to know ahead of the game, including the latest info on the how to catch first pitch, odds, recent team performance, player stats, and of course, our predictions, picks & best bets for the game from our modeling tools and staff of experts.

Follow Rotoworld Player News for the latest fantasy and betting player news and analysis all season long.

Game details & how to watch Mariners at Padres

  • Date: Thursday, April 16, 2026
  • Time: 8:40 PM EST
  • Site: Petco Park 
  • City: San Diego, CA
  • Network/Streaming: MLB TV

Never miss a second of the action and stay up-to-date with all the latest team stats and player news. Check out our day-by-day MLB schedule page, along with detailed matchup pages that update live in-game with every out.

Odds for the Mariners at the Padres

The latest odds as of Thursday:

  • Moneyline: Seattle Mariners (-120), San Diego Padres (+100)
  • Spread: Mariners -1.5 (+135), Padres +1.5 (-163)
  • Total: 8.5

Probable starting pitchers for Mariners at Padres

  • Thursday's pitching matchup (April 16): Luis Castillo vs. Walker Buehler
  • Mariners: Luis Castillo

2026 stats: 13.0 IP, 0-0, 6.92 ERA, 1.77 WHIP, 14 Ks, 4 BB

  • Padres: Walker Buehler 

2026 Stats: 12.2 IP, 0-1, 4.97 ERA, 1.26 WHIP, 11 Ks, 5 BB

Who’s Hot? Who’s Not!

  • The Padres’ Xander Bogaerts is hitting .284 with 19 hits, 30 total bases, and three home runs over 67 at-bats
  • The Padres’ Manny Machado is hitting .185 with 10 hits, 13, strikeouts, and 16 walks over 54 at-bats
  • The Mariners’ Randy Arozarena is hitting .299 with 20 hits, 27 total bases, and seven RBI over 67 at-bats
  • The Mariners’ Cal Raleigh is hitting .151 with 11 hits, 28 strikeouts, and nine walks over 73 at-bats

Rotoworld still has you covered with all the latest MLB player news for all 30 teams. Check out the feed page right here on NBC Sports for headlines, injuries and transactions where you can filter by league, team, positions and news type!

Top betting trends & insights to know ahead of Mariners at Padres

  • The Mariners are 7-12 ATS this season
  • The Padres are 13-5 ATS this season
  • The Nationals are 9-10 to the Over this season
  • The Padres are 9-8-1 to the Over this season

If you’re looking for more key trends and stats around the spread, moneyline and total for every single game on the schedule today, check out our MLB Top Trends tool on NBC Sports!

Expert picks & predictions for tonight’s game between the Mariners and the Padres

Rotoworld Bet Best Bet

Please bet responsibly. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline at 1-800-522-4700.

Our model calculates projections around each moneyline, spread and over/under bet for every game on the MLB calendar based on data points like past performance, player matchups, ballpark information and weather forecasts.

Once the model is finished running, we put its projection next to the latest betting lines for the game to arrive at a relative confidence level for each wager.

Here are the best bets our model is projecting for Thursday's game between the Mariners and the Padres.

  • Moneyline: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the Padres on the Moneyline.
  • Spread: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play ATS on the Padres at +1.5.
  • Total: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the Over on the Game Total of 8.5

Follow our experts on socials to keep up with all the latest content from the staff:

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Former Clippers star trolls team after playoff loss

An image collage containing 2 images, Image 1 shows Los Angeles Clippers guard Chris Paul shooting a three-point basket during a basketball game, Image 2 shows Man in a suit and sunglasses, with hands clasped in front of him

Just minutes after the Clippers were bounced from the playoffs, Chris Paul threw some salt in their wounds.

The former Clippers point guard, who went through an ugly divorce from the franchise earlier this season, raced to his Instagram page following the Warriors’ 126–121 win over LA at Intuit Dome and trolled his former team over its early postseason exit Wednesday night.

Former Clippers point guard Chris Paul, who went through an ugly divorce from the franchise earlier this season. Getty Images

Paul, who goes by the nickname “CP3,” shared part of a popular meme that’s been used by internet users to celebrate someone’s demise.

The image features a man in a black tie and dark sunglasses looking stern while at a wake. The caption on the picture normally reads, “I Stopped By One Of My Biggest Haters Funeral Today Just To Make Sure That N—a Was Dead.”

Paul shared a popular meme following the Clippers’ loss to the Warriors Wednesday night.

Paul’s image cut out the text, though the meme has become so famous, it wasn’t needed.

Plenty of fans noticed Paul’s shade right away, with one writing on X, “CP3 got the last laugh in his retirement year.”

Paul became a Clippers legend thanks to his time in the City of Angels from 2011–2017, but his second stint with the team, which began in July 2025, ended unceremoniously, to say the least.

Paul played in just 16 games before he was abruptly sent home during a road trip in early December after he reportedly clashed with head coach Ty Lue.

Paul was eventually traded to the Raptors, though he was waived just days later. He ended up retiring before playing another minute on an NBA hardwood.

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Why the San Antonio Spurs believe they are the exception to the playoff experience rule

San Antonio's players and staff have heard it all before.

How they are too young. How experience — often defined by losing deep in the playoffs — is required before a team wins a title. Michael Jordan and his Chicago Bulls lost six years in a row in the playoffs — including two years to the "Bad Boy" Pistons in the East finals — before breaking through and winning three straight. LeBron James lost six straight years in the playoffs, twice in the Finals, before breaking through with the Heat. The same is true for Larry Bird, Dr. J and nearly every other superstar the NBA has ever seen.

So why should it be any different for Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs in their first real playoff run this year?

"I mean, why not?" the Spurs' Julian Champagnie countered when speaking to NBC Sports. "I think that we've been putting in work all year…

"I definitely think that we all think that we could do something special this year, and be a special group moving forward. So the way we look at it is, is there's an opportunity at hand, and that's to win, and we want to seize every opportunity we can get."

It starts with defense

San Antonio believes a couple of things separate them from all those previous young teams that needed more time. First is the obvious one: Victor Wembanyama. He is unlike any player the league has ever seen, and his play and competitiveness lifted the Spurs to 62 wins this season.
However, it's his play on the defensive end that is critical to their title dreams. Having Wembanyama hanging out in the paint, surrounded by high-level physical defenders such as Stephon Castle, Dylan Harper and Champagnie, gives the Spurs a championship defense.

"I think the difference is, a lot of those young teams, their defense isn't where it needs to be," De'Aaron Fox said of why the Spurs are different. "And I think — especially with Vic in the lineup — we have one of the best defenses in the league. So I think that's something that we can hang our hat on.

"As a young team — as a team period — there are times where, especially in the playoffs, that you just can't make a shot. And we have a team that, while we don't go on many droughts like that period, but if you do go on those droughts, we feel like we have a defense that we're able to withstand that."

San Antonio had the third-ranked defense in the NBA this season, and, more importantly the fourth-best half-court defense (which matters more as the game slows down in the playoffs).

Spurs put in the work

That defense is where it is — and these Spurs are where they are — because this team may be young, but it has put in the work.

Champagnie is a great example. He entered the league out of St. John's as a knockdown shooter, but it was Gregg Popovich who sat Champagnie down and told him in no uncertain terms his defense needed to get better if he wanted to play.

"In short, and TV-friendly [language], he told me that I have a niche, which is being able to shoot, but it's gonna be useless if I can't play defense," Champagnie said. "So that was kind of the message, he pushed to me and told me to play harder, put more effort into that end of the floor. Be more physical and be more nasty. That was the word he used, nasty."

Champagnie put in the work in the G League, which continued when he started getting a chance with the big club. That work ethic was part of the team culture. Champagnie saw the work Keldon Johnson, Devin Vassell and other longer-term Spurs players put in — work he saw Wembanyama put in from Day 1.

Did Champagnie always feel that the work he was putting in on the defensive end would pay off?

"Absolutely not," Champagnie laughed. "Man, when I first got here, I had no clue. I was going through a bunch of workouts, and I'm like, 'Man, I don't know if I'm gonna be able to do this.' Like, this is a whole different step from college…

"I took it personal. I said, 'All right, well, if I want to play, I got a guard.' That's what Pop told me. So I kind of how I took it, but I didn't think that it would pay off, honestly. Truly, at first, I was like, I don't know."

Spurs have leaders

Playoff basketball is like ordering from a completely different menu than the regular season — the drilled-down focus on matchups, the physicality, the exposure of weaknesses that can be hidden during the regular season. One of the premises of why teams need experience to win in the playoffs is just familiarity with that menu, what to order and how everything works.

San Antonio believes it already has those guys.

"I think we are young, but we do have a lot of leadership," Dylan Harper said. "Veteran guys that have been there, like HB [Harrison Barnes], Kelly [Olynyk], Luke [Kornet]. You know them guys have been on the biggest stage and won, so, I mean, just kind of lean on them, but also just staying true to us and not letting experience get get in the way of our main goal."

De'Aaron Fox is another one of those veterans with a little postseason experience. What playoff lessons is he trying to pass along to the young core?

"You have to play hard because everybody plays hard. It's a little bit more physical, the refs swallow their whistle a little more," Fox said. "It can get into your legs if you're not able to keep that type of intensity and even raise that intensity, and then, you know, go back on offense and still make your shot."

There are reasons the Spurs may not win a title this year, starting with the fact that the Thunder and Nuggets are in the West and both are title contenders in their own right. Just don't tell the Spurs they are not ready, that teams don't come out of nowhere to win a title.

"I don't think it's out of nowhere," Champagnie told NBC Sports. "I think we've been putting the work in. We've had a lot of long summers, especially this past summer was super long. So I don't want to say it's like out of nowhere. I think we put the work in for it. I think we deserve it."

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Sharks vs Jets Prediction, Picks & Odds for Tonight’s NHL Game

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The playoff pushes for the San Jose Sharks and Winnipeg Jets both came up short, and the two teams will hit the ice with nothing on the line in their season finale at the Canada Life Centre on Thursday, April 16.

My top Sharks vs. Jets predictions and NHL picks expect a low-scoring game tonight.

Sharks vs Jets prediction

Sharks vs Jets best bet: Under 6.5 (-125)

The Winnipeg Jets have played to the Under in 10 of their past 15 home games, with their 7.1 team shooting percentage at five-on-five the second-lowest mark in the league.

So, with San Jose Sharks goalie Alex Nedeljkovic winning four of his past five starts with a respectable .906 save percentage and 3.35 goals saved above average, I’m expecting Winnipeg to continue to have difficulty scoring tonight. 

I also expect Winnipeg star Connor Hellebuyck to show up and play well in the season finale given his .919 SV% on home ice the past three years.

Sharks vs Jets same-game parlay

It’s been a career year for Winnipeg star Mark Scheifele, and he enters the season finale scorching hot to the tune of five goals, 15 assists and eight multi-point showings across his past 11 games.

The Sharks have allowed the second-most goals per game (3.73) on the road, too.

Sharks vs Jets SGP

  • Under 6.5
  • Mark Scheifele Over 1.5 points

Sharks vs Jets odds

  • Moneyline: San Jose +135 | Winnipeg -155
  • Puck Line: San Jose +1.5 (-180) | Winnipeg -1.5 (+155)
  • Over/Under: Over 6.5 (+105) | Under 6.5 (-125)

Sharks vs Jets trend

The Winnipeg Jets have hit the Under in 10 of their last 15 games at home (+5.85 Units / 35% ROI). Find more NHL betting trends for Sharks vs. Jets.

How to watch Sharks vs Jets

LocationCanada Life Centre, Winnipeg, MB
DateThursday, April 16, 2026
Puck drop8:00 p.m. ET
TVTSN3

Sharks vs Jets latest injuries

Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
Not intended for use in MA.
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Inside the rise of the Celtics' player development machine

Inside the rise of the Celtics' player development machine originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston

The Boston Celtics’ 2025-26 season finale was an ode to the organization’s exceptional player development program.

Boston’s “Stay Ready” culture was on full display in its 113-108 win over the Orlando Magic. The C’s sat eight rotation players, including all five starters, but still put on a show against a fully healthy Magic squad.

Baylor Scheierman, drafted at the end of the first round in 2024, led the way with a career-high 30 points. Ron Harper Jr., who couldn’t get minutes with Toronto or Detroit, erupted for 27 points just days after having his two-way contract converted to a standard NBA deal. Luka Garza added 27 points and 12 rebounds to wrap up a standout campaign after failing to carve out a consistent role in Minnesota.

The B Team’s big night wasn’t a huge surprise to anyone who has followed the Celtics closely in recent years. Boston’s bench unit is nicknamed the “Stay Ready Group” for a reason.

Payton Pritchard (2020 26th overall pick), Sam Hauser (undrafted), and Jordan Walsh (2023 38th overall pick) are prime examples of players who have made tremendous strides in the C’s development program. This season, 20-year-old rookie Hugo Gonzalez (2025 28th overall pick) showcased his two-way potential on several occasions.

Big man Neemias Queta has revitalized his NBA career with help from Boston’s player development system. The C’s gave him a chance after he was waived by the Sacramento Kings in 2023, and he has since become a difference-maker in Boston’s frontcourt. He made a solid case for the Most Improved Player award with an outstanding 2025-26 season as the Celtics’ starting center.

In summary, if you’re drafted by the Celtics and you put in the work, chances are you’ll turn into an impactful NBA player. Otherwise…

“If you’re not getting better here, it might be your fault,” C’s president of basketball operations Brad Stevens told NBC Sports Boston’s Chris Forsberg.

Forsberg sat down with Stevens, Joe Mazzulla, Pritchard, Queta, Walsh, Scheierman, Harper Jr., and Gonzalez to take a deeper look inside the Celtics’ “player development machine.” The group spoke about how the development program has been the key to the organization’s sustained success.

Watch the full video on YouTube below, or via the player above:

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Game Thread #18: Milwaukee Brewers (9-8) vs. Toronto Blue Jays (7-10)

MILWAUKEE, WI - MARCH 29: Milwaukee Brewers starting pitcher Brandon Sproat (23) during a game between the Milwaukee Brewers and the Chicago White Sox on March 29, 2026, at American Family Field in Milwaukee, WI. (Photo by Lawrence Iles/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

After finally snapping a six-game losing streak in last night’s 2-1 victory over the Toronto Blue Jays, the Brewers have a chance to build a bit of momentum and end the homestand on a high note.

Brandon Sproat gets the ball today as he looks for his first win as a Brewer. The right-hander has a 10.45 ERA through three appearances this season, though his last outing (3 2/3 IP, 3 H, 1 ER, 3 K, 3 BB in relief) was a significant improvement over the first two. Hopefully he can limit the walks and keep showing signs of improvement against a Blue Jays offense missing George Springer and Alejandro Kirk.

On the mound for Toronto is Patrick Corbin. The veteran lefty had a 4.40 ERA last year, his best mark since the 2019 season. Corbin struggled in his season debut on Saturday, giving up six hits and four earned runs over four innings against the Twins.

Lineup regulars Brandon Lockridge, Brice Turang, and William Contreras make up the top of today’s order. Gary Sánchez, who’s already hit five home runs this season, hits cleanup.

With injuries mounting for the Brewers, the rest of the lineup is pretty thin. Despite snapping the losing streak, Milwaukee still holds the fourth-worst OPS in baseball over the last seven games. Luis Rengifo, Luis Matos, David Hamilton, and Joey Ortiz — hitting fifth, sixth, eighth, and ninth respectively  — all have an OPS under .600.

Hitting seventh and making his debut as a Milwaukee Brewer is left fielder Greg Jones. Jones is 1-for-7 in his major league career, although his one hit was a 419-foot home run.

First pitch is slated for 12:40 p.m. You can catch the television broadcast on Brewers.TV or listen to the game on WTMJ 620 and the Brewers Radio Network.

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Chris Paul apparently not sad that the Clippers suffered season-ending loss to the Warriors

Chris Paul shouts and gestures while dribbling the ball. He's wearing a red Clippers jersey.
Clippers guard Chris Paul during a game against the Cleveland Cavaliers in November 2025. (Sue Ogrocki / Associated Press)

Four months after being pushed into retirement by the Clippers, future Hall of Famer Chris Paul apparently took delight in the team's quick exit from the postseason Wednesday night.

Paul posted the familiar meme "stopped by my biggest hater's funeral" on his Instagram story shortly after the Clippers blew a 13-point fourth-quarter lead in a 126-121 play-in loss to the Golden State Warriors.

Paul, the Clippers’ all-time assists leader, called out teammates, coaches and executives during his short second stint with the team early this season. In an effort to inject accountability during the team's 6-21 start, Paul instead angered many, including head coach Tyronn Lue, who wasn't on speaking terms with Paul at the end.

“Everyone was fed up," a league source told The Times in December.

Paul, who is second to John Stockton in NBA career assists with 12,552, posted at the time about his being cut on social media, saying “Just Found Out I’m Being Sent Home,” along with a peace emoji.

For their part, the Clippers turned around their season, going 36-19 after a horrific start to finish with a winning record for the 15th consecutive season at 42-40.

Then came the dispiriting loss to the Warriors and the 40-year-old Paul's opportunity to get in the last meme, even though it wasn't exactly original. Philadelphia 76ers star Joel Embiid posted the same one when the team traded guard Ben Simmons in 2022.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.