ACC cuts 20-game men’s basketball slate to make room for nonconference games in bid to boost sport

The Atlantic Coast Conference is hoping its men's basketball programs trade two fewer league games for marquee nonconference matchups in an effort to reverse a dwindling haul of NCAA Tournament bids. The league announced Wednesday it is reducing its 20-game men’s basketball schedule to 18. The change comes after Commissioner Jim Phillips has been vocal about spending the past two seasons examining the conundrum of the ACC getting fewer bids — down to four this year, its fewest since 2013 — despite having teams regularly playing deep into March.

Phillies at Rays prediction: Odds, expert picks, starting pitchers, betting trends, and stats for May 7

It's Wednesday, May 7, and the Phillies (20-15) are in Tampa to take on the Rays (16-19). Cristopher Sánchez is slated to take the mound for Philadelphia against Shane Baz for Tampa Bay.

Philadelphia took Game 1 of the series yesterday, 8-4 behind three homers and nine strikeouts over 7.0 innings of work from Zack Wheeler. The Phillies are 5-1 in Sánchez's six starts, while the Rays are 4-2 in Baz's six starts.

Let's 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 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.

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

Game details & how to watch Phillies at Rays

  • Date: Wednesday, May 7, 2025
  • Time: 7:05 PM EST
  • Site: George M. Steinbrenner Field
  • City: Tampa, FL
  • Network/Streaming: NBCSP, FDSNSUN

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 Phillies at the Rays

The latest odds as of Wednesday:

  • Moneyline: Phillies (-131), Rays (+110)
  • Spread:  Phillies -1.5
  • Total: 8.0 runs

Probable starting pitchers for Phillies at Rays

  • Pitching matchup for May 7, 2025: Cristopher Sánchez vs. Shane Baz
    • Phillies: Cristopher Sánchez, (3-1, 3.45 ERA)
      Last outing: 5.0 Innings Pitched, 2 Earned Runs Allowed, 5 Hits Allowed, 3 Walks, and 6 Strikeouts
    • Rays: Shane Baz, (3-1, 3.86 ERA)
      Last outing: 5.2 Innings Pitched, 7 Earned Runs Allowed, 9 Hits Allowed, 3 Walks, and 1 Strikeout

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!

Expert picks & predictions for tonight’s game between the Phillies and the Rays

Rotoworld 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 Wednesday’s game between the Phillies and the Rays:

  • Moneyline: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the Philadelphia Phillies on the Moneyline.
  • Spread: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play ATS on the Tampa Bay Rays at +1.5.
  • Total: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the over on the Game Total of 8.0.

Want even more MLB best bets and predictions from our expert staff & tools? Check out the Expert MLB Predictions page from NBC

Top betting trends & insights to know ahead of Phillies at Rays

  • The Phillies are on a 3-game win streak at the Rays
  • The Rays pitcher Shane Baz has an ERA of 3.86 and a WHIP of 1.05 when starting this season
  • With Shane Baz as the opener betting the Rays on the Run Line would have returned a 3.04-unit profit in 2025

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!

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)

Ex-Avalanche Goalie Sticking With His New Team

Jonas Johansson (Marc DesRosiers-Imagn Images)

Many things happen in the summertime.

GM’s get let go, coaches get fired, and players sign new contracts.

For the Colorado AvalancheJared Bednar’s job appears safe (the same goes for Chris Macfarland).

Bookmark The Hockey News Colorado Avalanche team site so you never miss the latest newsgame day coverage, and information on the Avalanche players.

It also looks like a former Avalanche goaltender has found a new team that he wants to stick around with. That team agrees and has signed him to a new deal.

Jonas Johansson signed a contract extension with the Tampa Bay Lightning on Wednesday morning.

Trending Colorado Avalanche Stories

Why Avalanche's Blackwood Is One Of The BestWhy Avalanche's Blackwood Is One Of The BestThey actually did it.

Avs Eye-Opening Trade Makes Even Less Sense Now

Avalanche Star Is Recruiting Crosby According To Insider

Andy O'Brien On MacKinnon & The Energy That Goes Into Being Elite

Avalanche's Makar Is Potential Witness In Hockey Canada Trial

Former Avalanche Defender New Coaching CandidateFormer Avalanche Defender New Coaching CandidateWhen your team doesn’t perform, firing the coach is typically the first move in a GM’s arsenal.

The Swedish netminder just wrapped up his second season with the team. Johansson had a 9-6-3 record to go along with a 3.13 goals against average (GAA), a .895 save percentage (SV%), and one shutout.

He’s been the backup for Andrei Vasilevskiy since he arrived in Tampa. But he took a winding road to get to Florida.

Jonas Johansson's Journey To The Tampa Bay Lightning

Johansson was initially drafted in the third round of the 2014 Entry Draft by the Buffalo Sabres. He was traded to the Avalanche in March of 2021. 

He would play three years for the Avalanche until he was put on waivers. The Florida Panthers claimed Johansson off waivers. 

Jonas Johansson (Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images)

Johansson only played two games for the Panthers before he signed a new contract with the Avalanche in the following summer. He then signed as a free agent with the Lightning on July 1st, 2023.

Johansson’s new deal is worth $1.25 million per year. For year one, it’s split into a $775,000 base salary and a $475,000 signing bonus. The full $1.25 million will be his base salary the following season. He’s coming off a two-year deal that paid him $775,000 each season.

Add us to your Google News favorites and never miss a story.

Golden Knights Take Their Foot Off The Gas; Costs Them In Game 1

Edmonton Oilers right wing Corey Perry (90) scores a goal against Vegas Golden Knights goaltender Adin Hill (33) during the first period of game one of the second round of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images

The one thing the Vegas Golden Knights can't do against the Edmonton Oilers is take their foot off the gas and give them any signs of life, and in Game 1 of the second round, they did exactly that.

The Golden Knights took advantage of an early power play, taking a 1-0 lead. With momentum on their side, the Golden Knights stayed aggressive, forcing turnovers and counterattacking, which led to Mark Stone scoring his second goal of the game. Corey Perry answered with a goal late in the first period, and following the goal, it was all Oilers.

The Oilers outshot the Golden Knights 12-1 in the middle frame, but Adin Hill preserved the lead. A fortunate bounce for Leon Draisaitl tied the game at 2-2 in the third period, and after tying the game, it always looked like the Oilers would break the deadlock. The Golden Knights struggled to neutralize the Oilers' pressure and couldn't generate any chances for themselves. 

Zach Hyman scored the game-winning goal, and Connor Brown beat Shea Theodore and Hill in one-on-ones to provide the insurance marker. 

If the Golden Knights were to learn one thing from the Oilers' first-round series against the Los Angeles Kings, it would be to play a full 60 minutes and never sit back on a lead. Connor McDavid took advantage of the space the Golden Knights were providing him, and he generated a plethora of chances. Giving a player of McDavid's calibre that many free looks is always going to be trouble. 

"They elevated their game today, and I don't think we did halfway through the game, I think it's that simple. They're just better than us," said Golden Knights' HC Bruce Cassidy.

"Because we got out of the second. They probably felt pretty good about it, they're like, 'Hey, we're right there.' Then they get a lucky one to start, so now they're really on. We needed to build our game from there better."

According to Natural Stat Trick and the eye test, the Oilers dominated. They held 73.45% of the expected goals, generated 13 high-danger chances, giving up only three and outshot the Golden Knights 28-17.

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.

3 Takeaways: Golden Knights Blow First-Period, Two-Goal Lead To Drop Series Opener To Edmonton, 4-23 Takeaways: Golden Knights Blow First-Period, Two-Goal Lead To Drop Series Opener To Edmonton, 4-2LAS VEGAS -- The Golden Knights squandered a first-period, two-goal lead and allowed the Edmonton Oilers to score four unanswered goals and steal a 4-2 road victory and home ice in Game 1 of the Western Conference semifinals. 3 Reasons Why The Golden Knights Can Defeat The Oilers In The Second Round3 Reasons Why The Golden Knights Can Defeat The Oilers In The Second RoundLAS VEGAS -- Just before the regular season started, an anonymous poll of Golden Knights revealed 86.7% of the team saying the Edmonton Oilers are "Vegas' chief arch-rival."

Stephen Curry suffers Grade 1 left hamstring strain, officially out for Game 2 in Minnesota

Stephen Curry is out for Game 2 of the Warriors series against the Timberwolves — and likely will be out at least a week — after an MRI confirmed a Grade 1 left hamstring strain, something first reported by Shams Charania of ESPN.

That initial report tried to put a positive spin on things, saying there is no timetable for Curry's return because he has not suffered this injury previously. While Curry hasn't, countless other NBA players have, which gives us a pretty accurate timeline of at least a week out and usually closer to 10 days, as Jeff Stotts of In Street Clothes noted.

Curry injured his hamstring midway through the second quarter of Game 1, apparently when trying to make a sharp cut to defend Mike Conley. Curry checked out of the game soon after, went straight to the locker room, and did not return.

The Warriors went on to win Game 1 99-88 behind a strong defensive performance (and an awful offensive one by Anthony Edwards and the Timberwolves), plus 24 points from Buddy Hield and Draymond Green knocking down four 3-pointers. It's a level of play that is not sustainable.

Golden State had a -1.4 net rating this season when Curry was off the court, as its offense struggled to generate good looks without his ball handling and gravity. That said, the Warriors did have a +12.8 net rating in the limited minutes they had Jimmy Butler III on the court and Curry off — Butler is going to have to put on a heroic performance for the Warriors to have a chance in this series.

Greensboro Gargoyles Announce NHL And AHL Affiliation Agreements

Photo Courtesy of the ECHL

As the Greensboro Gargoyles prepare for their inaugural ECHL season in 2025-26, the franchise now has an NHL and AHL affiliation.

The Gargoyles announced they have entered into an affiliation agreement with the Carolina Hurricanes and the American Hockey League’s Chicago Wolves.

“We couldn’t think of two better teams to help us usher in this Inaugural season of Gargoyles Hockey to the City of Greensboro,” Zawyer Sports & Entertainment CEO Andy Kaufmann said in a press release. “With the proximity and an abundance of local support for the Hurricanes, along with a successful AHL club in the Chicago Wolves, this partnership makes perfect sense. We look forward to working with both teams to develop players and bring a winning culture here to Greensboro.”

Greensboro becomes the 30th ECHL franchise, which will start play in October 2025. Their home games will be at the First Horizon Coliseum, a 22,000-seat arena at the heart of Greensboro Complex.

The team’s primary colors consist of Gargoyle Grape, Greensboro Gold and Midnight. The Gargoyles’ team name and logo is portrayed as a stone monster that watches over and protects the city of Greensboro. The inspiration of the name and logo originated from community input, including submissions from over 2,000 fans.

The Hurricanes came to North Carolina in 1997, and the team played their first two seasons in Greensboro while an arena was being completed in Raleigh. The Hurricanes have won six division titles and made their first Stanley Cup Final appearance in 2002, eventually falling to the Detroit Red Wings.

During the 2005-06 season, the Hurricanes defeated the Edmonton Oilers to win the franchise’s first Stanley Cup title.

The AHL’s Chicago Wolves play in Rosemont, Illinois and have enjoyed much success since their inception in 1994. The Wolves began operations in the now International Hockey League, winning Turner Cup Championships in 1998 and 2000. The team moved to the AHL in 2001 and won three Calder Cup titles in 2002, 2008 and 2022.

In total between the two leagues, the Wolves have won five league championships, 14 division titles, three conference titles and one regular season title.

“We’re thrilled to affiliate with the Gargoyles, and reconnect with our franchise’s history in Greensboro,” Carolina Hurricanes Associate General Manager Darren Yorke said. “We look forward to working closely with the Gargoyles staff to develop players who could someday make an impact here in Raleigh.”

First Horizon Coliseum is the same venue the Hurricanes played home games for their first two NHL seasons.

"As the former home of the Carolina Hurricanes, tonight's announcement further adds to the growing excitement and anticipation surrounding the Gargoyles and the return of hockey to First Horizon Coliseum," Coliseum General Manager Scott Johnson said. "We can't wait for the puck to drop this fall and begin a new era of Gargoyles hockey in Greensboro."

Former Canucks Head Coach Rick Tocchet Joining NHL On TNT This Weekend To Cover The 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs

Feb 4, 2025; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Vancouver Canucks forward Linus Karlsson (94) and forward Nils Hoglander (21) and forward Jake DeBrusk (74) and head coach Rick Tocchet on the bench against the Colorado Avalanche in the first period at Rogers Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bob Frid-Imagn Images

Rick Tocchet is headed back to television for the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs. On Wednesday, the NHL on TNT announced that the former Vancouver Canucks head coach would be back on the network this weekend on Friday and Saturday. At the moment, Tocchet is only booked for the two days, with no indication if he will serve as an analyst for the rest of the post-season. 

Latest From THN’s Vancouver Canucks Site:

All Canucks Competing In The 2025 IIHF World Championships

Wild-Kings Trade From 2022 Shows The Risk The Canucks Could Be Taking If They Move Tom Willander During The 2025 Off-Season

Vancouver Canucks 2025 NHL Draft Target: Cole Reschny

Before joining the Canucks, Tocchet was featured on the NHL on TNT for a couple of years. Some of the notable personalities he worked with included Wayne Gretzky, Paul Bissonnette, Henrik Lundqvist and Anson Carter. There have also been appearances in the past from Shaquille O'Neal, who works for the NBA on TNT. 

On Wednesday morning, there was also a report that Tocchet had interviewed for the Seattle Kraken head coaching position. This report came courtesy of Frank Seravalli while making an appearance on "Sportsnet 650." There are currently seven head coaching positions that need to be filled, with Tocchet expected to receive offers from multiple organizations.

As for the Canucks, they continue to search for their next head coach. Some names rumoured for the head coaching position include Manny Malhotra and Adam Foote. Vancouver is currently looking for their fourth coach in four years after Tocchet decided to depart the organization this off-season. 

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

Chicago Bulls fantasy basketball season recap: Josh Giddey takes center stage as next franchise PG

While the NBA Playoffs are in full swing, now is a good time to recap the fantasy basketball season for all 30 teams.

In the following weeks, we will provide a recap for each team, starting with the team with the worst record and concluding with the NBA champion in June.

Today, we’ll take a look at a team that had a disappointing finish but has plenty of reasons for optimism moving forward.

NBA: Playoffs-Oklahoma City Thunder at Memphis Grizzlies
The Rotoworld Basketball crew breaks down each team’s season and an early look at what to expect from a fantasy perspective going into the 2025-2026 campaign.

Chicago Bulls 2024-2025 Season Recap

Record: 39-43 (10th, East)

Offensive Rating: 113.2 (20th)

Defensive Rating: 114.8 (19th)

Net Rating: -1.6 (20th)

Pace: 100.08 (13th)

2025 NBA Draft Picks: 1.7 percent chance of winning the lottery; 45th pick

Another season, another Play-In appearance and another disappointing finish. Chicago finished with a sub-.500 record and missed the playoffs for the third straight season.

Over the last 10 years, mediocrity has become the norm in the Windy City, as the Bulls have made two playoff appearances and failed to get out of the first round in that span.

Chicago moved on from DeMar DeRozan in the offseason, and the team traded Zach LaVine at the deadline to speed up the eventual teardown that will come once Nikola Vucevic is finally traded.

Wins won’t be plentiful in Chi-Town next season, but there are a few players on the roster who could become franchise cornerstones and pack a punch as fantasy basketball options for years to come.

Let’s recap last season’s fantasy performances and look ahead to 2025-26.

Fantasy Standout: Nikola Vucevic

The 34-year-old Vucevic continues to defy Father Time with slow and steady production. In his 14th season, Vooch averaged 18.5 points, 10.1 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 0.8 steals, 0.7 blocks and 1.8 triples as he finished 18th in per-game fantasy hoops value. He set new career-best marks with 53% shooting from the floor and 40.2% shooting from beyond the arc.

Vooch finished with at least 17 points, 10 boards and three dimes for the seventh straight season, and he’s appeared in at least 70 games in five straight. Over the last seven years, the veteran big man has been a top-20 player in total value six times and a top-5 player three times.

In 2024-25, Vucevic posted 46 double-doubles, and he dropped 40 points on the Hornets on January 17 - his most in a single game in two years.

Vucevic is a solid scorer, shooter, rebounder and passer who has proven to be durable throughout his career. He’s not flashy or exciting, but you know what you’re going to get, and that consistency makes him a worthwhile mid-range center option in 2025-26 fantasy drafts.

Fantasy Revelation: Josh Giddey

After a disappointing 2023-24 season in OKC, Giddey was traded to the Bulls for Alex Caruso in a one-for-one swap. Caruso played a solid bench role for the Thunder this season, but he was far less impactful for his team than Giddey was for his.

In his first campaign with the Bulls, Giddey turned in 14.6 points, 8.1 rebounds, 7.2 assists, 1.2 steals, 0.6 blocks and 1.5 triples. He shot 46.5% from the field, 78.1% from the free throw line and 37.8% from beyond the arc. In addition to hitting more triples, Giddey was aggressive getting to the basket, attempting 3.2 free throws a game.

The rebounds, assists, steals, blocks, three-pointers, free throw attempts and three-point percentage were all career-best marks for Giddey, who had a phenomenal inaugural season with his new team.

The young point forward set new career highs with 30 double-doubles and seven triple-doubles across 70 appearances. He tied his career high in assists with 17 against the Lakers on March 22, and he grabbed a career-best 19 rebounds on April 4 against the Trail Blazers.

Giddey is slated for free agency this summer, and last season’s performance has surely earned him a nice pay day. Chicago has found its PG of the future, and Giddey should get a long-term deal this offseason to stick around with the Bulls. He’s worth a look in the mid rounds of 2025-26 fantasy drafts as a strong option with upside to stuff the stat sheet on any given night.

Fantasy Disappointment: None

Vooch and Giddey exceeded expectations, Coby White was great, and Ayo Dosunmu was serviceable in standard leagues. The rest of the roster was either in flux or finished right in the range of preseason expectations.

Fantasy Recaps/Look-Aheads

Coby White:

After a breakout 2023-24 season, White followed it up with another solid campaign. In 2024-25, the UNC product posted 20.4 points, 3.7 boards, 4.5 dimes, 0.9 steals and 2.9 triples while shooting 45.3% from the field, 90.2% from the charity stripe and 37% from long distance.

The points, steals, triples, FG% and FT% are all career highs, and White finished 71st in per-game fantasy hoops value. He’s been durable, with at least 74 games played in each of his last three seasons.

White dropped a career-high 44 points against the Magic on March 6 and canned nine triples on January 4 against the Knicks. He finished the season with nine 30-point games and shot at least 37% from beyond the arc for the fourth straight season.

His best basketball may still be in front of him, and White is a solid pick in the later rounds of 2025-26 fantasy drafts.

Ayo Dosunmu:

Dosunmu enjoyed the most productive season of his career, averaging 12.3 points, 3.5 rebounds, 4.5 assists, 0.9 steals and 1.3 triples across 30.3 minutes per game. Aside from the three-pointers, his numbers were new career highs across the board.

He started 26 games and produced his first career triple-double with a 27/10/11 line on December 5 against the Spurs.

Unfortunately, a left shoulder injury limited Dosunmu to just 46 games after he played at least 76 in three straight. He had surgery in March and is expected to be available again in August.

Dosunmu should play a key role in Chicago’s rotation next season, and he’s worth a look at the end of standard drafts.

Matas Buzelis:

The 11th pick in the 2024 NBA Draft appeared in 80 games as a rookie and averaged 8.6 points, 3.5 rebounds, 1.0 assists, 1.3 “stocks,” and 1.2 triples. His shooting splits were respectable at 45.4/81.5/36.1, and he committed just 0.9 turnovers per game.

The long and athletic Buzelis competed in the Slam Dunk Contest and got his name out on the national stage. He excelled when given additional opportunities, averaging 12.9 points, 4.6 rebounds, 1.9 assists, 0.6 steals, 1.0 blocks and 1.7 three-pointers across 27 minutes.

He dropped a career-high 31 points and five triples on March 22 against the Lakers and posted a 12/12 double-double with three blocks on April 4 against Portland. Buzelis could be a regular part of the starting five moving forward, and he’s an intriguing late-round selection in 2025-26 fantasy drafts.

Lonzo Ball:

After missing two seasons due to a lingering left knee injury and multiple surgeries, Ball returned to the court and logged 35 games in 2024-25. He played just 22.2 minutes per night and finished with healthy averages of 7.6 points, 3.4 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 1.3 steals and 1.9 triples. Those numbers weren’t great on their face, but considering the relatively low minutes, Ball’s performance was impressive.

His knee issue appeared to be behind him, but Ball suffered a right wrist sprain on October 28 that cost him 15 games, and he didn’t play after February 28 due to the same issue. With a partial season back under his belt, Ball could be a quality option in 2025-26 if he can return close to full strength.

His availability will be tough to trust, but Ball will surely be a quality per-game option with closer to 30 minutes.

Kevin Huerter:

Huerter’s role diminished significantly in his final season with the Kings, as his playing time fell to 20.9 minutes a night. He logged nearly 30 per game with the Bulls and averaged 13.2 points, 3.2 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 1.2 steals and 2.7 triples.

Chicago is deep at the guard position, so there’s no telling how Huerter will fit in with this team next season. As a three-point specialist, he could see meaningful rotation minutes, but his fantasy value figures to be minimal.

Tre Jones:

Jones saw a major decline in playing time with the arrival of Chris Paul, logging just 16.1 minutes per game with the Spurs this season. His minutes jumped to 25.3 in Chi-Town, and he posted 11.5 points, 3.2 rebounds, 4.9 assists and 1.1 steals with efficient shooting percentages.

Jones missed the final 12 games of the season due to a left midfoot sprain, but he’s expected to be ready for the start of next season. He’ll be an unrestricted free agent this summer, and it’s likely Jones looks to sign with a contender.

Zach Collins:

Collins was also part of the Zach LaVine-De’Aaron Fox deal, and he saw his playing time nearly double from 11.8 minutes with the Spurs to 19.7 with the Bulls.

Collins averaged just 8.6 points, 6.7 boards and 2.1 dimes with Chicago, but he was awesome in eight starts. As a member of the first unit, he averaged 14.9 points, 9.8 boards, 3.3 dimes, 1.0 steals, 0.6 blocks and 1.3 triples across 28.8 minutes.

If Chicago moves on from Vooch and makes Collins the starting center, he could have real fantasy value, but he doesn’t offer much as a backup playing 20 minutes a night.

Patrick Williams:

After appearing in just 43 games last season, Williams was available for 63 contests in 2024-25. He finished with 9.0 points, 3.8 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 0.8 steals, 0.5 blocks and 1.5 triples across 25 minutes.

The points and rebounds tied his career lows, while the three-pointers were a career high. In his fifth season, Williams started 36 games, though he may be out of the starting rotation moving forward with the ascension of Buzelis.

Williams is a solid defender, but he’s not particularly productive in any category that matters for fantasy hoops, especially with shooting splits of 39.7% from the field and 72.3% from the charity stripe. He’s off the radar in leagues of most sizes for 2025-26.

Restricted Free Agents: Josh Giddey, E.J. Liddell, Emmanuel MIller

Unrestricted Free Agents: Tre Jones, Talen Horton-Tucker

Club Option: None

Player Option: Jevon Carter

Ottawa Senators Owner Michael Andlauer Caps Successful Second Season With Open Letter To Fans

When Michael Andlauer took over as owner of the Ottawa Senators at the start of the 2023-24 NHL season, he set exactly the right tone for the organization. Andlauer told the city's fan base he wanted the Senators to be, in every way, "Best in Class." 

Owner Michael Andlauer addresses the media (Image: Ottawa Senators)

But at the time, the team he purchased was anything but. It was a fixer-upper.

So his first season as a rookie NHL owner resembled an HGTV show, where they encounter poor workmanship, damage and neglect. Then they declutter and strip things down to the studs, and finally hire professionals to properly build things back up.

In his second season, Andlauer stayed committed to doing things the right way, treating people kindly and respectfully, and generally being "Best in Class."

And then the wheels of progress finally began to turn.

The Senators returned to the playoffs for the first time in eight years, but even before that, their customer satisfaction rate among fans and corporate supporters was night and day from where it was two years ago.

Less than a week after an exciting first-round loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs, Andlauer put pen to paper and wrote an open letter to the fans.

Sens fans,

Even though our season ended sooner than we liked, I wanted to take this opportunity to sincerely thank you for your unwavering and amazing support.

Your passion was on full display at our home games in the playoffs. I've never seen anything like the ovation inside Canadian Tire Centre when we tied game 6 in the third period.

I'm not sure there is another fan base that would have stayed in their seats to cheer on their team after they were eliminated.

If the empty net goal by Ridly Greig was the highlight from last year, certainly your passion and appreciation in game 6 – which sent shivers down my spine – was the highlight of this season.

When I purchased this team with my partners, I knew the grassroots of hockey ran deep in Ottawa-Gatineau. But I have come to realize that this is by far the most underrated hockey market in the world.

Our fan base is authentic and it's the perfect match for this roster, which we've built on honesty, genuine care, and work ethic.

We took a great foundational step forward this season and I am so thankful to our architect, Steady' Steve Staios (as you fans have eloquently dubbed him) for his hard work and vision. And to Travis Green and his coaching staff for giving our players the ability to thrive. Ultimately, our players stepped up and worked harder and cared more for each other.

Our dressing room has a family atmosphere we have not seen in a while and the players are the ones who deserve your praise.

This team has made Ottawa-Gatineau proud and this city responded in such an incredible way that I am so proud to call this home!

Thanks for coming along for the ride.

We're just getting started.

Go Sens Go!

Michael Andlauer,
Owner, Ottawa Senators Hockey Club

Bowness’ Reported Departure Marks Big Shift In Staios’ Vision For Ottawa’s Front OfficeBowness’ Reported Departure Marks Big Shift In Staios’ Vision For Ottawa’s Front OfficeFive days after the Ottawa Senators were eliminated from the postseason, significant changes are already on the horizon for the organization's hockey operations department.

With Warriors star Steph Curry injured, Brandin Podziemski faces new challenge

With Warriors star Steph Curry injured, Brandin Podziemski faces new challenge originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

MINNEAPOLIS – Knowing they’ll be without Steph Curry for at least the next three games of the Western Conference semifinals due to a Grade 1 left hamstring strain, it’s clear which two aspects the Warriors are going to lean into most: Playing through Jimmy Butler, and being a tenacious team defensively. 

The Warriors feel like they have the best defense in basketball, and losing the greatest shooter of all time only adds to that now being their main calling card. That means following the lead of Butler and Draymond Green, feeding off their energy and decision-making.

Kevon Looney, as he showed battling Rudy Gobert around the basket in the Warriors’ Game 1 win Tuesday night at Target Center, will be Steve Kerr’s trusted gritty veteran doing all the dirty work that doesn’t always get recognized. 

Kerr’s offense when Curry is off the floor often runs through Butler, giving the defense a much different look than Steph trying to run through and around bodies looking to get in his way. The ball was in Butler’s hands nearly the entire second half of Game 1, knowing he’ll always make the right play with a hate for turnovers. He and Green will run the offense, and the Warriors can only hope Buddy Hield keeps having the hot hand from deep after combining for 57 points and 14 threes the past two games. 

The spotlight also will grow exponentially on a teammate who always is watching Curry’s every move, waiting in the wings until he can go from sidekick to star of his own. Brandin Podziemski’s contributions are about so much more than scoring, but the open looks he usually gets will be wiped away with Curry on the sidelines, and he’ll have to provide plenty more points than he has been as of late. 

Pressure makes diamonds, and the Warriors are confident Podziemski can shine under bright lights

“BP always puts pressure on himself,” Looney said Wednesday. “He feels like he’s supposed to dominate everything when he’s out there. For me, just make sure he keeps his confidence. Don’t let missed shots or a couple bad plays affect the way he goes out there. I think he lives for moments like this. He wants to be a great player and he wants to step up. 

“You know how much he loves Steph, and how much he wants to make sure that we can be in a great spot when he gets back. I’m just making sure that I bring confidence to him to play his game.” 

Podziemski admits Curry’s injury changes how aggressive he is, whether that’s to score or make plays for others. Everybody, him included, will have greater offensive responsibilities.

He has settled into being a complementary combo guard alongside Curry. Scoring often is secondary among his responsibilities, behind pushing the pace, finding teammates, grabbing rebounds over players who have multiple inches or more on him, taking charges and diving on the floor for loose balls. Naturally, more of a scoring onus will be placed upon Podziemski in Curry’s absence. 

But there isn’t a complete shift in his mindset going into Thursday’s Game 2 and beyond. 

“Not necessarily,” Podziemski says. “I think when you tell yourself, ‘I have to score more because someone’s out,’ there’s like a natural force factor to that and then you start taking bad shots or overthinking what you’re doing. Everybody gets a rhythm from touching the ball more. 

“I’ll find offense throughout the flow of the offense in the combination with getting others involved, too.” 

The first shot Podziemski took in Tuesday night’s win was a 3-pointer in rhythm and off the dribble. Hield caught Julius Randle’s missed 3-pointer four and a half minutes into the game, and gave it up to Podziemski as the Warriors were off and running. 

Randle raced to find Butler. Mike Conley tracked down Curry. Anthony Edwards sprinted with Hield, and Jaden McDaniels trailed alongside Green. That left Gobert backpedaling and plenty of room for Podziemski to nail an open three. He took six more shots the rest of the night, including four threes, and missed each time. 

Among the Warriors’ starting five, Podziemski was the only one to have a negative plus/minus (minus-1), and his three points were second only to Looney’s two for Warriors players who received ample playing time. Those numbers don’t change Kerr’s confidence in Podziemski, who also had eight big rebounds, one bit. 

“This guy’s a gamer,” Kerr said. “He’s in the right spot all the time. He’s sticking his nose in there, rebounding constantly. He just drives winning. I think he’ll settle down. Last couple games, he’s struggled a little bit with his shot, but this is all part of the playoffs. I think Brandin will be a huge part of things going forward.” 

Kerr constantly refers to Podziemski as a “connector,” and that’s the exact type of player he wants him to continue being – with or without Curry. 

“We don’t need to ask him to do anything differently,” Kerr continued. “It’s about handling their pressure, for all of us – the team – handling their pressure, getting loose and getting some open shots.” 

Down the stretch of the regular season, as the Warriors were fighting for playoff positioning, Podziemski scored at least 20 points in three games of a four-game span. The Warriors won all three, beating the Los Angeles Lakers, Denver Nuggets and Phoenix Suns. In Game 4 of the Warriors’ first-round series, he played like a veteran star who has been through these situations countless times, scoring 26 points and making six threes to help gain a three-games-to-one series lead. 

Since then, Podziemski has scored 30 points in the last four games, going 12 of 35 from the field (34.3 percent) and 6 of 22 (27.3 percent) as a 3-point shooter. 

Podziemski is the one who replaced Klay Thompson in the starting lineup last season as a rookie, and figured to be the Warriors’ starting shooting guard in Year 2, just to see De’Anthony Melton outplay him in training camp. Podziemski couldn’t find his shot at the beginning of the season, and then only became better both times he returned from injury. As his game grew and he secured his starting spot, the Warriors became the team they are now.

Adversity has only made Podziemski stronger in his short NBA career, and the sign of him making Curry proudest will be staring down his latest challenge and letting his production do all the talking, putting the Warriors in a place of comfort upon his mentor’s eventual return. 

“You don’t got to be nobody, you don’t got to be him,” Looney said. “You don’t got to be nobody else, you just got to be the best version of yourself, and the best version of yourself is going to be great for us.”

Download and follow the Dubs Talk Podcast

Orioles at Twins Prediction: Odds, expert picks, starting pitchers, betting trends and stats for May 7

Its Wednesday, May 7 and the Orioles (13-21) are in Minneapolis to take on the Twins (16-20). Charlie Morton is slated to take the mound for Baltimore against Simeon Woods Richardson for Minnesota.

After a 9-1 loss in the series' first game, the Orioles have now lost three games in a row.

Cade Povich gave up five earned runs off six hits in 6.0 innings for the Orioles. Pablo Lopez was great for the Twins. He struck out 11 batters and only gave up two hits in 5.0 innings.

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 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.

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

Game details & how to watch Orioles at Twins

  • Date: Wednesday, May 7, 2025
  • Time: 7:40PM EST
  • Site: Target Field
  • City: Minneapolis, MN
  • Network/Streaming: Twins.TV, MASN, MASN+

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 Orioles at the Twins

The latest odds as of Wednesday:

  • Moneyline: Orioles (+115), Twins (-135)
  • Spread:  Twins -1.5
  • Total: 9.0 runs

Probable starting pitchers for Orioles at Twins

  • Pitching matchup for May 7, 2025: Charlie Morton vs. Simeon Woods Richardson
    • Orioles: Charlie Morton, (0-6, 9.76 ERA)
      Last outing (Kansas City Royals, 5/4): 1.0 Innings Pitched, 2 Earned Runs Allowed, 3 Hits Allowed, 0 Walks, and 0 Strikeouts
    • Twins: Simeon Woods Richardson, (2-2, 4.03 ERA)
      Last outing (Cleveland Guardians, 5/1): 4.2 Innings Pitched, 2 Earned Runs Allowed, 2 Hits Allowed, 5 Walks, and 4 Strikeouts

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 Orioles at Twins

  • The Twins have won their last 3 home games, while the Orioles have lost 3 straight on the road
  • The Orioles' last 6 road games have stayed under the Total
  • The Twins are up 3.75 units on the Run Line in their last 5 games at Target Field

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 Orioles and the Twins

Rotoworld 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 Wednesday's game between the Orioles and the Twins:

  • Moneyline: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the Minnesota Twins on the Moneyline.
  • Spread: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play ATS on the Baltimore Orioles at +1.5.
  • Total: NBC Sports Bet is staying away from a play on the Game Total of 9.0.

Want even more MLB best bets and predictions from our expert staff & tools? Check out the Expert MLB Predictions page from NBC

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)

Report: Woodson reaches deal to become Kings associate head coach

Report: Woodson reaches deal to become Kings associate head coach originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

Doug Christie slowly but surely is rounding up his troops to join him for the 2025-26 NBA season.

Mike Woodson has reached a deal with Sacramento to become the team’s associate head coach under Christie, ESPN’s Shams Charania reported Wednesday, citing sources.

Woodson returns to the NBA after most recently serving as the Indiana men’s basketball coach for four seasons.

Before his time with the Hoosiers, Woodson worked in the NBA from 1996 to 2021 in various roles. The last time he served as an NBA head coach was with the New York Knicks from 2012 to 2014.

Woodson posts a 315-365 (.463) coaching record. He also has coached 46 playoff contests, holding an 18-28 record in such games.

Christie took over as interim coach in late December before earning the full-time gig last week. He and new general manager Scott Perry wasted no time making personnel changes, firing top assistant coach Jay Triano and several other assistants over the weekend.

They now will fill in the holes for the remaining staff, with rumors of Bobby Jackson and Darius Songalia making potential returns to Sacramento.

Download and follow The Deuce & Mo Podcast

India captain Rohit Sharma retires from Test cricket before England series

  • Decision comes after three poor red-ball series
  • First of five Tests start in June at Headingley

Rohit Sharma has retired from Test cricket, his announcement coming hours after reports emerged that he was to lose India’s red-ball captaincy. The 38-year-old, who quit T20 international cricket after leading India to victory at last year’s World Cup, will continue to represent his country in one-day internationals.

“Hello everyone, I would just like to share that I am retiring from Test cricket,” Sharma posted on Instagram. “It’s been an absolute honour to represent my country in whites. Thank you for all the love and support over the years. I will continue to represent India in the ODI format.”

Continue reading...

Reds at Braves Prediction: Odds, expert picks, starting pitchers, betting trends and stats for May 7

Its Wednesday, May 7 and the Reds (18-19) are in Atlanta to take on the Braves (17-18).

The Braves will look to make it three straight over the Reds today. Grant Holmes will be on the bump for Atlanta while Hunter Greene is slated to take the ball for Cincinnati.

Atlanta won 2-1 last night in ten innings on a Marcell Ozuna walk-off single. Chris Sale and four relievers allowed just the one run and struck out 17 Reds' hitters to lead the Braves to victory.

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 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.

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

Game details & how to watch Reds at Braves

  • Date: Wednesday, May 7, 2025
  • Time: 7:15PM EST
  • Site: Truist Park
  • City: Atlanta, GA
  • Network/Streaming: FDSNOH, FDSNSO, MLBN

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 Reds at the Braves

The latest odds as of Wednesday:

  • Moneyline: Reds (-114), Braves (-106)
  • Spread:  Reds -1.5
  • Total: 8.0 runs

Probable starting pitchers for Reds at Braves

  • Pitching matchup for May 7, 2025: Hunter Greene vs. Grant Holmes
    • Reds: Hunter Greene (4-2, 2.53 ERA)
      Last outing: 5/2 vs. Washington - 6IP, 1ER, 2H, 2BB, 12Ks
    • Braves: Grant Holmes (2-2, 4.24 ERA)
      Last outing: 5/2 vs. Dodgers - 6IP, 2ER, 4H, 2BB, 9Ks

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 Reds at Braves

  • The Braves have won 3 straight and each game has stayed UNDER the Total
  • The Braves are 17-18 on the season and 17-18 on the Run Line
  • Only the Rockies (344), the Red Sox (340), and the Angels (324), have struck out more times than the Reds (322) 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 Reds and the Braves

Rotoworld 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 Wednesday's game between the Reds and the Braves:

  • Moneyline: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the Cincinnati Reds on the Moneyline.
  • Spread: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play ATS on the Atlanta Braves at +1.5.
  • Total: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the over on the Game Total of 8.0.

Want even more MLB best bets and predictions from our expert staff & tools? Check out the Expert MLB Predictions page from NBC

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)