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Early Stanley Cup Playoffs Bets to Explore Before First Round is Set

Stanley Cup Playoffs start April 19 with few value bets left ahead of first round

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The NHL Playoffs are fast approaching and despite the first round not being set just yet we can already starting taking bets for what we think will happen.

All season, we've been looking at future bets for the Stanley Cup, each conference and division as well as awards to be handed out.

We now finally get to add to it with some predictions on how the first round will go. We explore who will go on a potential run and who will bow out early in disappointing fashion. 

All betting lines are from FanDuel Sportsbook and are subject to change. Hockey is a difficult sport to predict so please gamble responsibly.

More NHL: Safe Bets to Close Out the NHL Season: Top Picks for Parlays and Futures

Edmonton Oilers to Win 1+ Playoff Series (-156)

The Kings have been rolling this season with a 44-24-9 record that has them slated to have home-ice in their first round matchup likely versus the Edmonton Oilers. 

The defending Western Conference Champions have been missing key players down the final stretch like superstars Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl as well as top pair defenceman Mattias Ekholm. They will be rested and hopefully healthy heading into a matchup against a Kings team that is very home-dependant. 

LA is tied with the Winnipeg Jets for the best home record in the NHL at 29-5-4 but this overshadows the Kings abysmal 15-19-5 road record. This places them behind the likes of the Flames, Canucks and Utah Hockey Club, who are all expected to miss the playoffs.

The Kings have won just once in their last eight trips to Edmonton and could prevent them from moving on to the second round. 

More NHL: Expect Canadiens To Clinch Final Eastern Wild Card Spot

The Oilers have bonfied stars that carried them to a 7-6 road record last postseason. Because of this and the lack of star power for LA, I expect the Kings to struggle in at least one home game that Edmonton should be able to edge out and take a stranglehold of the series. 

Toronto Maple Leafs to Win 1+ Playoff Series (-122)

Expecting that Toronto would get past the first round used to be a tall order but after years of troubleshooting and putting together a solid roster full of star talent, this is the best chance to win ever.

The amount of mythbusters being surpassed by this group is starting to create a feeling like the Leafs can finally do real damage for once. They are pegged to get a first round matchup easier than most against an inexperienced Ottawa Senators team. 

Linus Ullmark Gifts One To Auston Matthews ��Linus Ullmark Gifts One To Auston Matthews đŸ˜±#NHL #Hockey #shorts #NHLshorts #NHLhighlights #MapleLeafs #Leafs #TorontoMapleLeafs #Toronto #Senators #OttawaSenators #Ottawa

Facing off against the tenth-youngest team in the league should give Toronto a confidence-building series that as a franchise, they could really use.

Ottawa has downed the Maple Leafs four straight times this season but playoff hockey is a different atmosphere with Toronto simply having far more experience. 

More NHL:Blues Enter Stanley Cup Playoffs As Dark Horse Contender

This team has dealt with the heartbreak of multiple hard losses and will be more motivated to get the job done against a red hot Senators team that is due for a cool off. The confidence built during this round will play the biggest factor in how challenging the second round will be. 

Toronto Maple Leafs to Win 2+ Playoff Series (+310)

The current assumption is that the Battle of Florida will take the most out of both the Panthers and Lightning with each side having a sizeable amount of playoff experience and should make for a captivating series. 

The biggest hope for the Maple Leafs is that this chips away at the already beat up Florida Panthers, who have missed many key players lately in captain Aleksander Barkov as well as star forwards Matthew Tkachuk and Sam Reinhart.

Lightning's Kucherov Ejected After Knee-On-Knee Collision With TkachukLightning's Kucherov Ejected After Knee-On-Knee Collision With TkachukWatch as Tampa Bay Lightning's Nikita Kucherov is thrown out of the game in the first period against the Florida Panthers following a knee-on-knee collision ...

If the Cats can make it out of Tampa, it'll be likely without one of their stars and this should bold well for the Leafs. 

More Betting:March Madness on Ice: Predictions, Betting Strategies, Best Values on 2025 NCAA Frozen Four

If the Bolts prevail, the Maple Leafs should enter with more confidence as they will be able to say they beat Tampa Bay the last time they squared off in the playoffs plus beat them three straight matchups this season.

A Toronto team making the conference Finals isn't out of the question so long as all the chips fall the right way for the Maple Leafs.

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Cody Bellinger out of Yankees lineup with suspected food poisoning

DETROIT — Cody Bellinger was scratched from the New York Yankees lineup against the Detroit Tigers with a suspected case of food poisoning.

Yankees manager Aaron Boone said Bellinger started dealing with an upset stomach after the Yankees lost 6-2 to the Tigers to start a three-game series.

“I think he had some wings, maybe,” Boone told reporters.

Bellinger was at Comerica Park and Boone said he might be available later in the game.

Bellinger is hitting .233 with one homer and six RBIs in eight games this season.

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The Calgary Flames recall Zayne Parekh from the OHL Saginaw Spirit

Zayne Parekh is selected by the Calgary Flames with the ninth overall pick in the first round of the 2024 NHL Draft at The Sphere in Las Vegas on Friday, June 28, 2024. (Photo: Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images)

The Calgary Flames announce today that they have recalled defenseman Zayne Parekh from the OHL’s Saginaw Spirit.

The Parekh-to-Flames rumors began when the Spirit were eliminated by the Erie Otters in the OHL playoffs, and it seem they have proven to be correct.

The ninth overall pick from the 2024 NHL Draft played in 61 games for the Spirit in 2024-25, posting 107 points from 33 goals and 74 assists with a rating of +42, bettering his draft year performance of 96 points where he won the Max Kaminsky Trophy as the OHL’s Most Outstanding Defenseman, while being named the CHL's Defenseman of the Year, enroute to helping Saginaw capture the Memorial Cup. In both seasons, he led all OHL defensemen in scoring, as well as scoring the most goals with 33.

The Nobleton, Ontario-native will be a much-needed addition to the Flames as they pursue the Minnesota Wild for the second wild-card spot.

The 19-year-old could make his Flames debut tomorrow evening against the Anaheim Ducks.

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Saints’ Dowson says English clubs hampered by ‘dysfunctional’ schedule

  • Director wants fewer club games in international window
  • Cardiff on the brink of entering administration

English club rugby is being undermined by a “dysfunctional” fixture schedule that is making it harder to compete with other top European sides, according to Northampton’s director of rugby, Phil Dowson. Saints are the only English team still involved in the Champions Cup this season but Dowson believes Premiership teams are being handicapped by their own domestic calendar.

Northampton were crowned Premiership champions last season and also made the Champions Cup semi-finals, but Dowson believes it will require a “monumental effort” for any Premiership club to challenge successfully on two fronts given the current structure and salary cap restrictions.

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Alex Ovechkin's Career Ratings In EA NHL Games

© Geoff Burke-Imagn Images

Alex Ovechkin scored his 895th career goal on Sunday, passing Wayne Gretzly for the most goals in NHL history. 

In honor of Ovechkin doing what many thought was impossible we wanted to look back at his career ratings in EA NHL video games. 

Ovechkin debuted as the cover star at 95 overall in NHL 07 and has been a dominate in-game character all the way up to NHL 25.

His career ratings are below. 

  • NHL 07: (Cover Athlete) 95 overall
  • NHL 08: 91
  • NHL 09: 94
  • NHL 10: 92
  • NHL 11: 94
  • NHL 12: 93
  • NHL 13: 93
  • NHL 14: 94
  • NHL 15: 93
  • NHL 16: 93
  • NHL 17: 94
  • NHL 18: 92
  • NHL 19: 92
  • NHL 20: 92
  • NHL 21: 93
  • NHL 22: 92
  • NHL 23: 92
  • NHL 24: 91
  • NHL 25: 91

Ovechkin was initially an 89 overall when NHL 25 was first released, his first time being rated below a 90 overall, but is now up to 91 overall after mid-season updates. 

EA SPORTS NHL - https://x.com/EASPORTSNHL/status/1909320783857414599

A free Ovechkin card is available to all players in Hockey Ultimate Team to celebrate his achievement. 

Check out HUT Corner Stones Event Week 2, April Fools' content release and Team of the Season Week 1. 

For more NHL 25 news make sure you bookmark The Hockey News Gaming Site or follow our Google News Feed. For gaming discussion check out our forum.     

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Golden Knights Attempting To Clinch Home Ice In First Round Against Avalanche

Colorado Avalanche right wing Valeri Nichushkin (13) and Vegas Golden Knights defenseman Brayden McNabb (3) battle for the puck in the second period at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images

The Vegas Golden Knights can clinch home ice in the first round of the playoffs if they can pick up one point against the Colorado Avalanche.

The Golden Knights currently hold a five-point lead over the Los Angeles Kings for the Pacific Division and a nine-point lead over the Edmonton Oilers, with five games remaining. An overtime loss would mean the Oilers could not make up the ground to catch the Golden Knights, guaranteeing the first round of the playoffs would begin in  T-Mobile Arena. 

Acquiring that point will be a difficult task. The Avalanche loaded up at the deadline, adding multiple significant contributors and have been one of the best teams in the NHL since the deadline. The Avalanche are third in the Central Division with 98 points and will likely take on the Dallas Stars in the first round of the playoffs. 

The Golden Knights are slowly beginning to get healthy. Alex Pietrangelo returned on Apr. 3, meaning Tomas Hertl and Ilya Samsonov are the remaining Golden Knights players out with injuries. Both are considered day-to-day and are working their way back to full health. 

Akira Schmid and Scott Wedgewood are tonight's expected starters. Puck drop is set for 6:30 PM PST at Ball Arena.

Stay updated with the most interesting Golden Knights stories, analysis, breaking news and more! Tap the star to add us to your favourites on Google News to never miss a story.

Tomas Hertl Returns To Golden Knights' Practice In Non-Contact JerseyTomas Hertl Returns To Golden Knights' Practice In Non-Contact JerseyVegas Golden Knights center Tomas Hertl practiced today in a non-contact jersey for the first time since suffering his injury against the Tampa Bay Lightning on Mar. 23. Golden Knights Recall Akira Schmid Amid Injury Concern For Ilya SamsonovGolden Knights Recall Akira Schmid Amid Injury Concern For Ilya SamsonovThe Vegas Golden Knights have recalled goaltender Akira Schmid from the Henderson Silver Knights as they deal with a possible injury concern with Ilya Samsonov.
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Injured Phillies starter Ranger Suarez feeling good enough to skip a step

Injured Phillies starter Ranger Suarez feeling good enough to skip a step originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

ATLANTA — Big doings in the Phillies’ rotation, which is off to an impressive start despite missing one of its members.

Ranger Suarez, recovering from a back injury, was supposed to throw a simulated game on Thursday but feels good enough to skip that step. He’ll instead begin a rehab assignment with a start Thursday in Clearwater. Suarez will throw three innings as long as his pitch count isn’t too high.

The next day, Andrew Painter will make his long-awaited return to the mound. Painter is scheduled for two innings and 35 pitches on Friday with Clearwater. The Phillies’ top prospect will spend most or all of the first half of the season in the minor leagues getting reacclimated to pitching regularly.

Painter will likely stay in the two-inning, 35-pitch range for a little while, not just because the Phillies want to exercise caution but to preserve as many innings as possible for him to help in the major leagues after the All-Star break.

Suarez pitched just five innings in spring training games with one other short outing on the back fields, so he’ll need a multi-start ramp-up before the Phillies activate him from the injured list. A pitcher’s rehab assignment can last up to 30 days and for Suarez, that clock will begin on Thursday.

In the interim, Taijuan Walker is filling his spot in the rotation. The Phillies could not have asked for a better first start from Walker after a brutal 2024 — he put just four Rockies on base over six scoreless innings in a win at home last week. The Braves at Truist Park will be a more challenging matchup for him on Wednesday night.

Sosa starts in left

Edmundo Sosa started in the outfield for the first time in his career Tuesday night, playing left field against Braves lefty Chris Sale.

Sosa is 11-for-20 (.550) on the season and the Phillies have been trying to think of ways to keep his bat in the lineup. They played him a good bit in left field during spring training and he also played an inning of center on Saturday against the Dodgers, staying in the game after pinch-hitting for Brandon Marsh in the eighth inning.

One little piece of additional versatility can go a long way. Sosa being able to stay in center at the end of Saturday’s game allowed manager Rob Thomson to save Johan Rojas in case he was needed as a pinch-runner for Nick Castellanos or Alec Bohm. It didn’t matter that day, but it might matter at some point over the 162-game grind.

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Nuggets firing coach Michael Malone ‘doesn't seem right' to Warriors' Steve Kerr

Nuggets firing coach Michael Malone ‘doesn't seem right' to Warriors' Steve Kerr originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

Warriors coach Steve Kerr reacted like every NBA fan regarding the Denver Nuggets’ firing of coach Michael Malone on Tuesday.

“Shocked, like everyone,” Kerr told reporters 90 minutes before the Warriors tipped off with the Phoenix Suns at PHX Arena. “Mike has obviously been a great, great coach, championship coach, and fantastic record, and again, like with [former Memphis Grizzlies coach] Taylor [Jenkins], you don’t expect anything like this, this late in the season.

“And then as I said with Taylor, organizations have to do their own business and we aren’t privy to any of that, so I have no idea what was happening. So I can’t really comment on anything other than wishing Mike well because he’s done an amazing job. Doesn’t seem right but this is the business we’re in and 
 we’re all gonna suffer a similar fate at some point. That’s kind of the way it is.”

Malone, the winningest coach in Nuggets franchise history, stunningly was fired Tuesday, along with general manager Calvin Booth, with three regular-season games remaining.

Denver entered Tuesday in fourth place in the Western Conference with a 47-32 record. But they have struggled recently, losing four consecutive contests, including one to Kerr and the Warriors.

Malone’s dismissal comes 10 days after the Grizzlies fired Jenkins. Both Denver and Memphis will qualify for the postseason in some fashion, making the timing of the moves surprising.

“I think one thing that’s happened is, most teams are now owned by billionaires, big corporations,” Kerr told reporters. “So we’re all more expendable. There’s so much money in the business now, and there’s pluses and minuses to that. We’re all making bigger salaries than we were five years ago, but we’re all much more vulnerable because, I don’t think a lot of the owners are that concerned with firing a guy and paying them off to go away. Again, this is a business we chose and we all love it. But it’s not the most stable profession, that’s for sure.”

Kerr signed a two-year contract extension with the Warriors in February 2024, keeping him on Golden State’s sideline through the 2025-26 NBA season.

In light of the Malone news, Kerr was asked how much longer he wants to coach.

“I don’t know,” Kerr said. “I love what I do. I’m in an amazing position with great support from my ownership and management and obviously have talented players and the idea of continuing on with this group is very appealing because I love every single day.

“But who knows how long that lasts and I don’t spend a whole lot of time worrying about it. I just enjoy it and we’ll see where it all goes.”

It’s safe to assume that as long as Steph Curry and Draymond Green are on the Warriors’ roster, Kerr will be their coach.

But if we’ve learned anything from the firings of Jenkins and Malone, it’s that things can change quickly.

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Grizzlies vs. Hornets Predictions: Odds, expert picks, recent stats, trends and best bets for April 8

It’s Tuesday, April 8, and the Memphis Grizzlies (46-32) and Charlotte Hornets (19-59) are all set to square off from Spectrum Center in Charlotte.

The Grizzlies are currently 21-18 on the road with a point differential of 5, while the Hornets have a 3-7 record in their last ten games at home. Memphis won the only meeting this season 132-120 against Charlotte.

Memphis is 2-4 over the last six games but on a two-game winning streak with victories over Miami and Detroit. Charlotte is 0-3 over the past three outings and 1-9 in the previous 10 games.

We’ve got all the info and analysis you need to know ahead of the game, including the latest info on how to catch tipoff, 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.

Listen to the Rotoworld Basketball Show for the latest fantasy player news, waiver claims, roster advice and more from our experts all season long. Click here or download it wherever you get your podcasts.

Game details & how to watch Grizzlies vs. Hornets live today

  • Date: Tuesday, April 8, 2025
  • Time: 7:00PM EST
  • Site: Spectrum Center
  • City: Charlotte, NC
  • Network/Streaming:

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-dayNBA schedule page, along with detailed matchup pages that update live in-game.

Game odds for Grizzlies vs. Hornets

The latest odds as of Tuesday:

  • Odds: Grizzlies (-971), Hornets (+637)
  • Spread:  Grizzlies -13.5
  • Over/Under: 230 points

That gives the Grizzlies an implied team point total of 121.12, and the Hornets 114.08.

Want to know which sportsbook is offering the best lines for every game on the NBA calendar? Check out the NBC Sports’ Live Odds tool to get all the latest updated info from DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM & more!

Expert picks & predictions for Tuesday’s Grizzlies vs. Hornets game

NBC Sports Bet Best Bet

Vaughn Dalzell (@VmoneySports) leans the Grizzlies to cover:

"Charlotte isn't playing their starters full minutes and testing out players for next season, so this is a Memphis or pass spot with the Western Conference racing for seeding."

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 NBA calendar based on data points like recent performance, head-to-head player matchups, trends information and projected game totals.

Once the model is finished running, we put its projections 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 today’s Grizzlies & Hornets game:

  • Moneyline: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play on the Memphis Grizzlies on the Moneyline.
  • Spread: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play ATS on the Memphis Grizzlies at -13.5.
  • Total: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the over on the Game Total of 230.

Want even more NBA best bets and predictions from our expert staff & tools? Check out the Expert NBA Predictions page from NBC Sports for money line, spread and over/under picks for every game on today’s calendar!

Important stats, trends & insights to know ahead of Grizzlies vs. Hornets on Tuesday

  • The Grizzlies have won 4 of their last 5 away games against teams with losing records
  • The Grizzlies' last 6 games versus the Hornets have gone over the Total
  • The Grizzlies are 2-8 against the spread in their last 10 games
  • The Grizzlies have won 4 of their last 5 matchups against Eastern Conference Southeast Division teams

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 NBA Top Trends tool on NBC Sports!

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

- Jay Croucher (@croucherJD)

- Drew Dinsick (@whale_capper)

- Vaughn Dalzell (@VmoneySports)

- Brad Thomas (@MrBradThomas)

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Canucks Assign Jonathan Lekkerimaki To The AHL Ahead Of The 2025 Calder Cup Playoffs

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The Vancouver Canucks have assigned right-winger Jonathan LekkerimÀki to the AHL. The 20-year-old will join the Abbotsford Canucks, who are currently on a 13-game winning streak. During his latest call-up, Jonathan LekkerimÀki played 13 games, recording three points while averaging 11:25 of ice time.

Latest From THN’s Vancouver Canucks Site:

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This season, LekkerimÀki has thrived in the AHL. In 32 games, he has 19 goals along with 28 points. Despite spending significant time on Vancouver's NHL roster, LekkerimÀki ranks tied for ninth in goals among AHL rookies, while his 116 shots rank 20th.

Sending LekkerimÀki down to the AHL also protects his Calder Trophy eligibility for next season. The Swedish winger has played 24 games and would lose his eligibility if he dressed two more times this season. Only two players in franchise history have won the Calder Trophy, with those being Pavel Bure in 1992 and Elias Pettersson in 2019.

Multiple Canucks Could Lose Their 2026 Calder Trophy Eligibility Before The End Of The SeasonMultiple Canucks Could Lose Their 2026 Calder Trophy Eligibility Before The End Of The SeasonWith eight games remaining, the Vancouver Canucks are in an uphill battle to qualify for the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs. At this point, it is likely the Canucks will need to win at least seven of their final games, as the teams above them in standings keep collecting points on a nightly basis. While returning to the post-season isn't likely, it is not an impossible task, especially as Vancouver plays six of their final eight games at home. 

The first opportunity for LekkerimÀki to get into Abbotsford's lineup will be on April 11 against the Calgary Wranglers. The Calgary Flames AHL team sit fifth in the Pacific Division and are ten points back of the AHL Canucks. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:00 pm PT from the Abbotsford Centre.

Make sure you bookmark THN's Vancouver Canucks site and add us to your favourites on Google News for the latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns, and so much more. Also, be sure to leave a comment at the bottom of the page and engage with other passionate fans through our forum.

The Hockey News
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Pelicans vs. Nets Predictions: Odds, expert picks, recent stats, trends and best bets for April 8

It’s Tuesday, April 8, and the New Orleans Pelicans (21-57) and Brooklyn Nets (25-53) are all set to square off from Barclays Center in Brooklyn.

The Pelicans are currently 7-32 on the road with a point differential of -9, while the Nets have a 2-8 record in their last ten games at home. The Nets won 107-105 in the only meeting this season.

Brooklyn is 2-8 in the last 10 games entering this contest, 2-2 over the past four contests, and 0-2 in the previous two. New Orleans has lost three straight and four of the last five.

We’ve got all the info and analysis you need to know ahead of the game, including the latest info on how to catch tipoff, 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.

Listen to the Rotoworld Basketball Show for the latest fantasy player news, waiver claims, roster advice and more from our experts all season long. Click here or download it wherever you get your podcasts.

Game details & how to watch Pelicans vs. Nets live today

  • Date: Tuesday, April 8, 2025
  • Time: 7:30PM EST
  • Site: Barclays Center
  • City: Brooklyn, NY
  • Network/Streaming:

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 NBA schedule page, along with detailed matchup pages that update live in-game.

Game odds for Pelicans vs. Nets

The latest odds as of Tuesday:

  • Odds: Pelicans (+110), Nets (-131)
  • Spread:  Nets -2
  • Over/Under: 214 points

That gives the Pelicans an implied team point total of 106.52, and the Nets 107.57.

Want to know which sportsbook is offering the best lines for every game on the NBA calendar? Check out the NBC Sports’ Live Odds tool to get all the latest updated info from DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM & more!

Expert picks & predictions for Tuesday’s Pelicans vs. Nets game

NBC Sports Bet Best Bet

Vaughn Dalzell (@VmoneySports) leans the Under between the Pelicans and Nets:

"This is one of the toughest games to bet. How do you bet on either team when they are both tanking? I'd rather play the Under and call it a day between these two."

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 NBA calendar based on data points like recent performance, head-to-head player matchups, trends information and projected game totals.

Once the model is finished running, we put its projections 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 today’s Pelicans & Nets game:

  • Moneyline: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the Brooklyn Nets on the Moneyline.
  • Spread: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play ATS on the Brooklyn Nets at -2.
  • Total: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the under on the Game Total of 214.

Want even more NBA best bets and predictions from our expert staff & tools? Check out the Expert NBA Predictions page from NBC Sports for money line, spread and over/under picks for every game on today’s calendar!

Important stats, trends & insights to know ahead of Pelicans vs. Nets on Tuesday

  • The Nets have lost their last 3 games as favorite
  • The Over is 8-2 in the Pelicans' last 10 road games
  • The Pelicans are 3-7 against the spread on their last 10 road trips
  • The Nets have lost 7 of their last 10 games

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 NBA Top Trends tool on NBC Sports!

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

- Jay Croucher (@croucherJD)

- Drew Dinsick (@whale_capper)

- Vaughn Dalzell (@VmoneySports)

- Brad Thomas (@MrBradThomas)

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Blackhawks Look To Sweep Home & Home With Penguins

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On Sunday night, the Chicago Blackhawks hung onto a third-period lead to beat the Pittsburgh Penguins at the United Center. The young guys carried the team to victory in a game where Chicago outskated Pittsburgh all night. 

Now, the two teams will have an even amount of rest as they finish the second half of a home-and-home with the Penguins at PPG Paints Arena. This is a chance for Chicago to earn a season sweep.

Spencer Knight is going to start in goal for the Blackhawks. This is how the lines and defense pairs will look in front of him:

Donato-Bedard-Mikheyev 

Teravainen-Nazar-Bertuzzi  

Slaggert-Moore-Kurashev 

Reichel-Veleno-Foligno  

Vlasic-Rinzel

Korchinski-Murphy

Kaiser-Levshunov

This is the same lineup that the Blackhawks used against the Penguins when they met on Sunday. There is a lot to like. 

We don’t know if Connor Bedard, Frank Nazar, or Oliver Moore will be centers in the future, but that is the 1-2-3 punch they will use in this game. If they all turn out to be impactful down the middle, that will increase Chicago’s chances of returning to the playoffs in the future. 

The wingers there to support them are all playing well lately. Ryan Donato is one goal away from 30, Ilya Mikheyev just scored his 20th, and Teuvo Teravainen is one point away from 60.

They are still working on adding young depth up front, but there are worse groups than this. 

The top pair on defense is Alex Vlasic with Sam Rinzel. That is a solid duo that will only improve over time. Rinzel is playing well beyond his years and Vlasic already looks like a top-pair guy in the defensive zone. 

Artyom Levshunov, who may have the highest ceiling of them all on the blue line, is on the third pair with Wyatt Kaiser, who has been wonderful this season. Connor Murphy, the only elder veteran going on defense vs Pittsburgh, will skate with Kevin Korchinski who is working on his game at the NHL level. 

The Penguins are having one of the worst seasons they've had in the Sidney Crosby era but the fact remains that he is still playing at the top of his game, which makes them dangerous on any given night.

With other veterans (and future Hall of Famers) like Evgeni Malkin, Erik Karlsson, and Kris Letang there, it's never an easy night against the Penguins regardless of their spot in the standings. 

This game can be seen locally in Chicago on CHSN and heard on AM-720. 

Visit The Hockey News Chicago Blackhawks team site to stay updated on the latest news, game-day coverage, player features, and more.

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Nuggets fire head coach Michael Malone, GM Calvin Booth in stunning move as postseason looms

Michael Malone, who coached the Denver Nuggets to the NBA title in 2023 and has led the team to eight consecutive winning seasons, was fired Tuesday in a stunning move that comes with less than a week in the regular season.

Also out: general manager Calvin Booth, whose contract will not be renewed. The Nuggets said David Adelman will become the coach for the remainder of the season.

Josh Kroenke, the vice chairman of Kroenke Sports and Entertainment, said “it is with no pleasure” that the Nuggets made the change at coach.

“This decision was not made lightly and was evaluated very carefully, and we do it only with the intention of giving our group the best chance at competing for the 2025 NBA Championship and delivering another title to Denver and our fans everywhere,” Kroenke said.

The Nuggets are 47-32 this season with three games left but have dropped four consecutive games and are in a logjam of teams fighting for home-court advantage in Round 1 of the playoffs. Denver won the title in 2023 and lost a Game 7 at home in the Western Conference semifinals a year ago to Minnesota.

Malone had the fourth-longest tenure of any active NBA coach, behind San Antonio’s Gregg Popovich, Miami’s Erik Spoelstra and Golden State’s Steve Kerr.

Malone won 471 regular-season games in Denver, 39 more than Doug Moe for the franchise’s all-time coaching lead.

“While the timing of this decision is unfortunate, as Coach Malone helped build the foundation of our now championship level program, it is a necessary step to allow us to compete at the highest level right now. Championship level standards and expectations remain in place for the current season, and as we look to the future, we look forward to building on the foundations laid by Coach Malone over his record-breaking 10-year career in Denver,” Kroenke said.

Malone had consistent success in Denver. The Nuggets finished with losing records in his first two seasons and posted winning records in his next eight years with the club.

This season’s postseason appearance will be the team’s seventh in a row; it has not clinched a playoff berth yet this season but is assured of finishing no worse than in the play-in tournament.

Starting with the first playoff appearance under Malone in 2019, the Nuggets got out of the first round six times in seven chances. They made the Western Conference finals in the Walt Disney World bubble in 2020 and then rolled to the championship by winning 16 of 20 playoff games in 2023.

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Wizards vs. Pacers Predictions: Odds, expert picks, recent stats, trends and best bets for April 8

It’s Tuesday, April 8, and the Washington Wizards (17-61) and Indiana Pacers (47-31) are all set to square off from Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.

The Wizards are currently 9-29 on the road with a point differential of -12, while the Pacers have a 9-1 record in their last ten games at home. Indiana is 3-0 against Washington and won by 53 points in the last meeting.

Indiana has won four straight and five of the past six games, while Washington dropped five of the previous six.

We’ve got all the info and analysis you need to know ahead of the game, including the latest info on how to catch tipoff, 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.

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Game details & how to watch Wizards vs. Pacers live today

  • Date: Tuesday, April 8, 2025
  • Time: 7:00PM EST
  • Site: Gainbridge Fieldhouse
  • City: Indianapolis, IN
  • Network/Streaming:

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-dayNBA schedule page, along with detailed matchup pages that update live in-game.

Game odds for Wizards vs. Pacers

The latest odds as of Tuesday:

  • Odds: Wizards (+1140), Pacers (-2326)
  • Spread:  Pacers -18.5
  • Over/Under: 238 points

That gives the Wizards an implied team point total of 118.25, and the Pacers 127.87.

Want to know which sportsbook is offering the best lines for every game on the NBA calendar? Check out the NBC Sports’ Live Odds tool to get all the latest updated info from DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM & more!

Expert picks & predictions for Tuesday’s Wizards vs. Pacers game

NBC Sports Bet Best Bet Vaughn Dalzell (@VmoneySports) leans the Pacers to cover:

"After saying I don't know if I could take anyone to win by 20-plus in the NBA, the Celtics crushed the Wizards by 32 points. It's purely Pacers or pass."

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 NBA calendar based on data points like recent performance, head-to-head player matchups, trends information and projected game totals.

Once the model is finished running, we put its projections 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 today’s Wizards & Pacers game:

  • Moneyline: NBC Sports Bet is staying away from a play on the Moneyline.
  • Spread: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play ATS on the Washington Wizards at +18.5.
  • Total: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the under on the Game Total of 238.

Want even more NBA best bets and predictions from our expert staff & tools? Check out the Expert NBA Predictions page from NBC Sports for money line, spread and over/under picks for every game on today’s calendar!

Important stats, trends & insights to know ahead of Wizards vs. Pacers on Tuesday

  • The Pacers finished the regular season with a record of 3-0 against the Wizards
  • The Under is 4-1 in the Wizards' last 5 games
  • The Pacers have gone 36-42 ATS this season
  • The Pacers have won 7 of their last 9 games against the Wizards

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 NBA Top Trends tool on NBC Sports!

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

- Jay Croucher (@croucherJD)

- Drew Dinsick (@whale_capper)

- Vaughn Dalzell (@VmoneySports)

- Brad Thomas (@MrBradThomas)