The NBA Playoffs are nearly underway. Don't believe me? Well, the play-in tournament is set for April 14. That's less than three weeks from now.
Yeah, the season has flown by, yet shockingly, there are still tons of teams yet to fully clinch a spot in the playoffs. In fact, in the Eastern Conference, only the top-seeded Detroit Pistons have secured a spot in the top-six, ensuring they won't have to participate in the play-in tournament.
The Eastern Conference is very tight in the middle, with just 6.5 games separating the No. 4 seed Cleveland Cavaliers and the No. 10 seed Orlando Magic, so things could really look different in a few weeks from where we are now. Still, it's interesting to look at where everyone would be if the season ended today. That's exactly what we're doing. Here are the current NBA standings, detailing who's clinched a spot in the playoffs, play-in, and who has been eliminated.
NBA standings
*- clinched playoff berth
^- clinched play-in berth
e- eliminated from playoff/play-in contention
NOTE: While a team may not be able to fall lower than tenth-place in their conference, that does not mean they have clinched a spot in the playoffs. The (* - clinched playoff berth) will only be rewarded to teams that have already clinched a spot in their conference's top-six.
Eastern Conference
Detroit Pistons (52-20)*
Boston Celtics (48-24)^
New York Knicks (48-25)^
Cleveland Cavaliers (45-28)^
Atlanta Hawks (41-32)^
Toronto Raptors (40-32)^
Philadelphia 76ers (40-33)^
Miami Heat (39-34)
Charlotte Hornets (38-34)
Orlando Magic (38-34)
Milwaukee Bucks (29-43)
Chicago Bulls (29-43)
e - Washington Wizards (17-55)
e - Brooklyn Nets (17-56)
e - Indiana Pacers (16-57)
Western Conference
Oklahoma City Thunder (57-16)*
San Antonio Spurs (55-18)*
Los Angeles Lakers (47-26)^
Denver Nuggets (46-28)^
Minnesota Timberwolves (45-28)^
Houston Rockets (43-29)^
Phoenix Suns (40-33)^
Los Angeles Clippers (37-36)^
Portland Trail Blazers (37-37)^
Golden State Warriors (35-38)^
e - New Orleans Pelicans (25-28)
e - Memphis Grizzlies (24-28)
e - Dallas Mavericks (23-50)
e - Utah Jazz (21-52)
e - Sacramento Kings (19-54)
When do the NBA Playoffs begin?
The NBA's play-in tournament begins on Tuesday, April 14 and runs through Friday, April 17. The traditional NBA Playoffs will begin on Saturday, April 18 with Game 1 of the NBA Finals set for Wenesday, June 3.
Blue Devils' coach Jon Scheyer told reporters during a media availability on Thursday at Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C. that Caleb Foster is going to be a game-time decision for Friday's 7:10 p.m. ET tip-off against the 5th-seeded Red Storm.
"He's in a position where he's going to try to do that tomorrow night," Scheyer told reporters. "...He's going to give it everything he has to go tomorrow night."
Foster has been out since March 7 with a foot injury that he sustained in the final game of the regular season against North Carolina.
The Blue Devils have missed Foster on the court when it comes to the flow of their offense, especially in the Men's NCAA Tournament. In Duke's near upset in the first round against No. 16 Siena, the Blue Devils had eight turnovers and shot just 41% from the field. That turnover count went up to 17 in Duke's second-round win over No. 9 TCU.
Here's the latest on Foster:
Will Caleb Foster play against St. John's? Duke guard's status for March Madness Sweet 16 game
Foster will be a game-time decision against St. John's.
"He's in a position where he's going to try to do that tomorrow night. He had a good day of practice yesterday,doing a little bit. We have to see how he feels today," Scheyer said on Thursday to reporters. "... It's not like there's a lot of practice time, but we have to make sure he's in position before the game. (It's) more of a game-time decision. He's going to give it everything he has to go tomorrow night."
Foster suffered a broken foot in the team's regular-season finale against North Carolina on March 7. He missed the entirety of the ACC tournament and the first two games of the Men's NCAA Tournament.
As the Blue Devils arrived at the arena on Thursday in D.C., Foster was still wearing a protective boot on his foot as he was riding through the loading dock on a scooter. When the Blue Devils took the floor for practice, Foster was out there on the floor and not wearing the foot, according to Anna Synder of The Fayetteville Observer, part of the USA TODAY Network.
Caleb Foster at Duke’s practice (no boot)
Also pictured, his scooter he parked right behind Pat’s when walking out to the court pic.twitter.com/7J7l5HJV6o
CHICAGO (AP) — Guard Jaden Ivey and forward Jalen Smith will miss the remainder of the Chicago Bulls' season because of injuries, the team announced on Thursday.
Ivey, acquired Feb. 3 from Detroit in a three-team trade, has been sidelined since Feb. 11 with a sore left knee. He averaged 8.5 points in 37 games this season, including four for Chicago.
Smith, averaging 10.2 points and 6.7 rebounds in his second season in Chicago, aggravated his right calf in Wednesday's loss at Philadelphia.
The Bulls are 12th in the Eastern Conference at 29-43. They visit Oklahoma City on Friday.
After Freddy Peralta allowed a pair of runs in the top of the first inning during Thursday’s Opening Day matchup with the Pittsburgh Pirates, the Mets quickly gave the Citi Field faithful plenty to cheer about in the bottom half of the inning.
Thanks to four hits, two walks, a hit batter and a pair of defensive misplays by Pirates center fielder Oneil Cruz, the Mets put five runs on the board and chased reigning NL Cy Young Paul Skenes after just two outs and 37 pitches.
The Mets went on to win by a score of 11-7, thanks in part to that fast start against one of baseball's best pitchers.
It all started with a leadoff walk by Francisco Lindor, followed by a Juan Soto single and a Bo Bichette sac fly to right. After loading the bases with a Luis Robert Jr. walk, Brett Baty cashed in by lining a three-run triple over the head of Cruz in center, as he initially broke in. Cruz later missed what should have been an easy fly out from Marcus Semien, and then Skenes hit Francisco Alvarez as the Mets batted around.
"That first inning was pretty impressive, not gonna lie," Carlos Mendoza said after the game. "Right out of the gate with Lindor walking and then just going first to third and putting pressure (on Skenes), that’s one of the things that we talk about. If you want to beat guys like this, you’re going to have to play perfect baseball pretty much. Not only putting together some really good at-bats, but running the bases, putting the ball in play, and that whole inning, the way everything unfolded was pretty impressive."
"Overall, one through nine, a pretty solid day, and it says a lot about our offense," he later added.
And it wasn't just the first inning in which the Mets found offensive success. Mendoza highlighted the fifth inning, when the Mets had nine batters come to the plate and put three more runs on the board.
"There’s going to be times where it’s going to be hard, that’s the nature oft the business, but just to see it right out of the gates against one of the best pitchers in the league, it goes to show you that we’ve got some dangerous guys, and they continue to add on," Mendoza said. "Not just that first inning, but that fifth inning was as good as the first one where they’re controlling the strike zone, they’re creating traffic, we’re putting the ball in play with two strikes, we’re going the other way when we need to. That’s a sign of a good offensive team, from one through nine.
"When you get contributions from guys like Marcus [Semien], from [Carson Benge], and [Alvarez] and we’re able to turn the lineup over, we’re going to be in a good place."
In all, the Mets had 11 hits and went 5-15 with runners in scoring position.
"I think the goal of our team should be to have the most competitive at-bats every single day, and we did that for sure," said Bichette.
"It’s the first game, but it could give us a glimpse of what we want to be as a team, getting down early and coming back against maybe the best in the game. That’s good stuff, so try to keep it going."
"That was a really fun game," added Baty. "Our lineup was really special, put together a lot of scrappy at-bats, and then Freddy, the bullpen, that was awesome."
The Orlando Magic host the Sacramento Kings as massive 15.5-point favorites, which means it’s a matchup only an NBA bettor could love.
Orlando needs a win in a big way after dropping six in a row. Despite the losses, Paolo Bachero is in a groove, and my Kings vs. Magic predictions explain why there’s no reason to think this struggling Sacramento team is going to slow him down.
A Banchero player prop highlights my NBA picks for this matchup set to tip off at 7:00 pm ET at the Kia Center in Orlando on Thursday, March 26.
Kings vs Magic prediction
Kings vs Magic best bet: Paolo Banchero Over 25.5 points (-105)
The skid has dropped the Orlando Magic all the way to the final Play-In spot in the Eastern Conference, but Paolo Banchero is doing his best to keep them afloat.
He's averaging 28.6 points with a .521 effective field goal percentage while adding 5.8 assists and 5.6 rebounds over the last five games. He’s also put up 32 or more points three times over that stretch. Tonight, he gets a great matchup against the Sacramento Kings.
With the way the Kings have been manipulating their roster lately, they’ve entered the full-tank mode portion of the season. Which is part of the reason why they’re 15.5-point dogs.
Sacramento enters this matchup ranked 28th in defensive rating and is next-to-last in opponent eFG%.
Banchero is still getting a modest point total of 25.5 for this matchup, and with Orlando still dealing with injuries for Franz Wagner, Anthony Black, and Jalen Suggs, there’s no reason to think he won’t continue to shoulder the load when it comes to the Magic getting buckets.
Kings vs Magic same-game parlay
The Kings have issues all over the floor, including down low. Injuries to nearly all of their big men are the problem, but it doesn’t change the fact that they rank 26th in opponent points in the paint per game.
So, let’s add Wendell Carter Jr. to go Over 11.5 points. He’s averaging 15.3 points over his last five games, topping this number six times.
That obviously means the Kings have struggled on the glass as well, ranking 26th in rebounding rate. but let’s zig away from an obvious play like Banchero or Carter. Instead, let’s take Desmond Bane to go Over 4.5 boards, a number he’s cleared in three of his last four.
Kings vs Magic SGP
Paolo Banchero Over 25.5 points
Wendell Carter Jr. Over 11.5 points
Desmond Bane Over 4.5 rebounds
Our "from downtown" SGP: Double-double trouble
Banchero and Carter have rebounding props of 8.5 and 7.5, while Precious Achiuwa has recorded a double-double in three of his last five games.
Kings vs Magic SGP
Paolo Banchero to record a double-double
Wendell Carter Jr. to record a double-double
Precious Achiuwa to record a double-double
Kings vs Magic odds
Spread: Kings +15.5 | Magic -15.5
Moneyline: Kings +750 | Magic -1200
Over/Under: Over 230.5 | Under 230.5
Kings vs Magic betting trend to know
The Magic have hit the second-half Over in 21 of their last 30 games at home for +10.56 units and a 30% ROI. Find more NBA betting trends for Kings vs. Magic.
How to watch Kings vs Magic
Location
Kia Center, Orlando, FL
Date
Thursday, March 26, 2026
Tip-off
7:00 p.m. ET
TV
NBCS-California, FDSN-Florida
Kings vs Magic latest injuries
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WEST PALM BEACH, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 28: Jeremy Peña #3 of the Houston Astros warms up prior to a spring training game against the Pittsburgh Pirates at CACTI Park of the Palm Beaches on February 28, 2026 in West Palm Beach, Florida. (Photo by Rich Storry/Getty Images) | Getty Images
There is now a timeline on CL Josh Hader, according to Astros GM Dana Brown:
Astros GM Dan Brown said Josh Hader will throw another bullpen tomorrow and will face batters in “mid-April.”
More on the timeline expected for Jeremy Pena from Chandler Rome:
Reading between the lines, Jeremy Peña has progressed enough not to need a full 10 days on the injured list, but is not ready to play in a major-league game yet. https://t.co/QzGT3gXF14
UT Brice Matthews has clearly been coached up by Crash Davis (Kevin Costner’s character in Bull Durham) and has been working on his cliches before his first Opening Day:
#Astros GM Dana Brown on the role of Isaac Paredes when the team is at full strength: “He’s going to play multiple positions. First, third, second, designated hitter.” pic.twitter.com/R1j3q8sIDV
Matt Kawahara has 10 stats for the Astros to return to the postseason:
Happy opening day. Here's a thread of some Astros preview stories to get you ready for today's 3:10 p.m. first pitch … Ten numbers that will determine if Houston Astros' 2026 season will be a success (by @matthewkawahara) https://t.co/k15yS58y1C via @houstonchron
However, don't expect the seventh-year Crimson Tide coach to jump to the Tar Heels opening, or any other one, for that matter. Oats candidly answered questions about his future with Alabama on Thursday, March 26, one day before the Crimson Tide takes on No. 1 Michigan in the Sweet 16 from the United Center.
"As a young high school coach, I didn't think I'd ever be in this spot not too long ago. I'm not a guy that's always trying to jump around," Oats said. "The grass isn't always greener. I love Alabama. My girls love Alabama."
"I'm not looking to leave," Oats added
Oats has led the Crimson Tide to four NCAA Tournament Sweet 16s, including a run to the Final Four during the 2023-24 season — the first Final Four appearance for Alabama in program history.
The program has reached the NCAA Tournament for six straight seasons, tying the longest mark in program history. Oats is not satisfied.
"I'd love to be the first coach to bring us a national championship," Oats said.
North Carolina fired Hubert Davis on Tuesday, March 24, following a first-round exit loss to No. 11 VCU. He finished with a 125-54 record over five seasons in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, including an appearance in the 2022 national championship game.
Oats signed an extension with Alabama in March 2024, ahead of the Crimson Tide's Final Four run. The team made the Elite Eight last season and is back in the Sweet 16. However, that does not mean Oats — who is making $5.5 million this season and under contract through 2031 — is necessarily looking for another contract extension.
"I still can't believe I am getting paid this much. I'm coaching basketball guys," Oats said of his current contract with Alabama. "I did this thing for free at Maranatha [Baptist] for three years. ... For the first 16 years I coached basketball, [I made] less than $500,000 total.
"My salary goes up half a million every year. I am a glorified P.E. teacher making too much money right now. So, I'm not going to complain."
Opening Day is finally here after the Astros’ longest offseason in nearly a decade. Following a disappointing 2025 season that ended after Game 162, the Astros remade a significant portion of their roster and coaching staff in an effort to reclaim their spot atop the American League West. Here are the four biggest questions I have as they head into the first of 162 games.
Can they make their infield logjam work?
The Astros have five infielders who have made All-Star teams, earn significant salaries, and expect to play every day. The problem is, you can only start four on any given day. That means someone who believes they belong in the lineup will be left out every single day. Managing those expectations—while keeping everyone sharp—may be Joe Espada’s toughest challenge of 2026.
Some of that could sort itself out. Jeremy Peña suffered a finger injury during the lead-up to the World Baseball Classic and won’t be ready for Opening Day. Carlos Correa played more than 140 games last season for the first time since 2021, so it’s reasonable to expect he’ll miss a little time during his age-31 campaign. And, of course, the Astros could always trade from their infield surplus.
But what if everyone stays healthy? And what if no trade materializes? Things could get uncomfortable.
Did Dana Brown bring in the right starting pitchers?
The Astros remade their starting rotation after missing the playoffs in 2006. Andy Pettitte and Roger Clemens departed, and then-GM Tim Purpura tried to replace them by trading for Jason Jennings and signing Woody Williams in free agency. Both moves were disasters, and Purpura was fired before the 2007 season ended.
This past winter, Dana Brown watched Framber Valdez leave and replaced him by trading for Mike Burrows and signing Tatsuya Imai in free agency. Both have had terrific springs, but joining the Astros is a major adjustment. Burrows is coming from Pittsburgh, where expectations and pressure were minimal, while Imai is transitioning from Japan to the United States—an adjustment that can be challenging both on and off the field.
The Astros gave up two prospects from a barren system to acquire Burrows, who is under team control for five seasons. They need him to be good not just in 2026, but well beyond. Imai signed a three-year, $54 million deal that includes opt-outs after the first two seasons. If he’s good, he’ll likely opt out and pitch elsewhere next year. If he struggles, he becomes another burdensome contract for a team that can’t afford many more.
Is the bullpen good enough behind Josh Hader and Bryan Abreu?
With Hader and Abreu slated for the eighth and ninth innings, the Astros have one of the best one-two bullpen punches in Major League Baseball. But do they have the depth behind them to get through the season?
That depth is already being tested, with Hader set to begin the year on the IL, along with Bennett Sousa, who authored a brilliant 2025 before getting hurt. The Astros will need Bryan King and Steven Okert to replicate last season’s success in roles known for volatility, while also hoping that pitchers like Roddery Muñoz, Kai-Wei Teng, Ryan Weiss, and Christian Roa emerge as reliable options, at least early in the season.
Is Cam Smith still the future of the team?
Late last February, I sat in Dana Brown’s West Palm Beach office and asked him who had impressed through the first two weeks of spring training. I think Brown said Smith’s name before I could even finish the question.
I’ve rarely heard a GM talk about a prospect the way Brown talked about Smith, whom he acquired in the Kyle Tucker trade. General managers usually try to temper expectations for young players, but Brown seemed to raise them every chance he got.
Smith made the Astros’ Opening Day roster out of spring last season despite having played just 35 games in the minors with the Cubs in 2024. That only heightened expectations. It looked like he might meet them after raising his OPS to .805 during the Astros’ 18–1 win at Dodger Stadium on July 4, but over his final 60 games, Smith slashed just .155/.248/.232 and found himself on the bench for much of September.
Brown said early in the offseason that Smith would have to earn a spot on the 2026 Opening Day roster, and he responded with an impressive spring. Smith, who turns 23 on Friday, remains under team control for another five seasons. And with no other impactful position-player prospects in the upper levels of the Astros’ system, they need him to live up to the billing.
Yesterday we kicked things off with the first two installments of our top prospect series. Today we’re back with the next tier up
16. Silvano Hechavarria, RHP, Age 22 (DOB: 3/18/2003), Grade 40, 2025: NR
Signed out of Cuba in June of 2024, Hechavarria was older than the typical International Free Agent and he cruised through the DSL that summer before making his way stateside in 2025. There, he had similarly little trouble with the complex and the Florida State League, by late summer earning a promotion to a somewhat more age appropriate league with A+ Vancouver. Overall last season, he pitched 86.2 innings across the three levels, with an 82:23 strikeout to walk ratio and a 2.28 ERA.
Hechavarria looks the part of a starting pitcher, standing 6’4” and weighing 200lbs. He has a fairly short and tall delivery, releasing from a high three quarters arm slot to generate downward plane. The velocity on his fastballs varies from 89-97, mostly averaging 93-94. He mostly throws a four seamer, which has solid carry and above average arm side run, mixing in a sinker that’s got plus run and a little drop. Overall they look like solid average pitches.
His best pitch, and the most commonly thrown if you separate the fastballs, is a cutter-y slider in the upper 80s that projects as above average. He rounds out the arsenal with a change-up with splitter style movement that is his least refined offering but that flashes as a second 55 grade weapon.
It’s not the prettiest delivery, but Hechavarria has a loose athleticism and he repeats it well, with command of all four offerings that’s probably MLB average right now and has a chance to get to plus. The overall package is a potential #4 starter who lacks a true dominating out pitch but who gets through a lot of innings with a deep repertoire and by limiting base runners. 2026 will be about continuing to stretch out his workload after his year off while defecting and seeing how well his stuff plays against upper minors bats.
15. Blaine Bullard, OF, Age 19 (DOB: 8/16/2006), Grade 40, 2025: High School
Acquiring Bullard was a combination of luck and smart negotiating for the Jays. He was a big riser later in the 2025 draft process, with teams believing he was a top three round pick on talent. The word was that his commitment to attend Texas A&M was firm, though, and teams didn’t want to risk forfeiting top 10 round bonus pool money if he proved un-signable. The jays had managed to save up some money, though, and were in a position to dare him to turn down $1.7 million in the 12th round. It proved irresistible, and they got their player.
What they got for their money is a 70 grade athlete who has sky high upside but also remaining work to refine his game. Bullard is a switch hitter, although his left handed swing is by far the more polished of the two right now. He has the twitchiness and hand eye coordination scouts look for in future above average contact hitters, but he has some work to do to get to breaking balls. His approach is reported to be solid. He doesn’t have much present power, and while there’s room for him to add muscle on his frame he’ll probably always have below average raw. Combined with a swing that’s more geared for line drives, he looks more like an average/OBP type than a slugger. He’s a plus runner, and he looks to be an above average centre fielder who can do some damage on the bases.
The most likely outcome is a slap and dash fourth outfielder, but even a little power development and he has the potential to be a leadoff hitting, plus glove every day centre fielder.
14. Victor Arias, C, Age 22 (DOB: 8/24/2003), Grade 40, 2025: 24th
Arias is a long time Jays farmhand, having signed back in August of 2019 out of his native Venezuela. After the scrubbed 2020 minor league season, he climbed the ladder slowly, spending two full years in the Dominican Summer League, one at the complex, and another at A Dunedin. Throughout, he consistently posted solid batting lines, balancing strong walk rates with tolerable strikeouts and a modicum of power. Things finally accelerated a bit in 2025, as he got his first extended run at A+ Vancouver (after a late cup of coffee in 2024), continued to produce, and earned a bump to AA New Hampshire for the last 36 games of the season. He scuffled a bit at the top level, but overall slashed .272/.353/.403 on the season, racking up 33 extra base hits in 102 games and swiping 18 bags in 23 tries.
Another diminutive Jays prospect with surprising power, Arias stands 5’9” and is listed at 175lbs, but this season he saw a jump in his raw power and now posts above average to plus exit velocities. His 54% hard hit rate was the best in the system. His swing produces a lot of ground balls, which limits his over the fence power production, but he hits his hardest balls in the air and a tweak could unlock above average home run production. He has fringe average contact ability and plate discipline, but again there are flashes of an average hit tool.
He’s a plus runner, sometimes recording 70 grade home to first times, with an above average arm. His routes in centre field need refinement, so right now he’s a fringe average defender there in spite of his tools.
The story with Arias is a player with uncommon upside for a 22 year old five seasons and six years into his pro career, who’s held his own in the mid minors already. If the adjustments don’t come, he profiles as a fifth outfielder/pinch run specialist. Fully unlocking his tools would require multiple significant adjustments, but if he were to pull it off the ceiling would be high.
13. Yohendrick Pinango, Age 23 (DOB: 5/7/2002), Grade 40, 2025: NR
The return for Nate Pearson at the 2024 deadline didn’t look like much at the time. Pinango signed with the Cubs out of Venezuela in 2018, and while he lit up the DSL the next summer he was pretty unremarkable over the three minor league seasons following the pandemic. A torrid first month of the 2024 season at A+ popped him onto the radar and probably lead to the trade. He bombed in his first 33 games in the Jays system, posting a .518 OPS at AA New Hampshire. It all came together in 2025, though. Pinango torched the Eastern league to the tune of .298/.406/.522, earning a promotion to AAA Buffalo. He cooled down there, but still posted a roughly average line with lots of walks, solid K numbers, and some pop.
Pinango has always been a solid contact hitter, but his breakout was fueled by trading an aggressive approach for a very selective one. He now watches more strikes than would be ideal, but he rarely chases and waits on pitches he can hammer. As for the hammering part, his max exit velocity in Buffalo was over 115mph. Only 30 major leaguers last year could say the same. his 91.9mph average exit velocity and 47.6% hard hit rate were both comfortably plus. The lone offensive knock on him is that while he hits enough fly balls, his best power comes a low angles, producing line drives and hard grounders instead of home runs. If he can fix that, he could be a cleanup calibre hitter, and even if he can’t the combination of patience, contact and strength is enough for a viable offensive profile.
There’s a lot of pressure on the bat, as Pinango is a below average runner whose ugly routes and iffy arm make him a liability even in left field. If it comes together offensively he can be a regular regardless, but anything short and he’s likely a bench bat or not an MLB player.
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - SEPTEMBER 07: Daylen Lile #51 of the Washington Nationals celebrates after hitting a triple against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field on September 07, 2025 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Sage Zipeto/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Folks, the time has finally come. The 2026 Washington Nationals season is here. I am so excited that baseball is back and I cannot wait to watch the boys play. They will have a tough test on Opening Day, facing off against the Cubs in Wrigley Field. The games really begin for Blake Butera and the 2026 Nats.
Butera put out an unexpected lineup to start the season, and I expect that to be a trend. There will be a lot of mixing and matching this year. James Wood hitting leadoff is not a massive surprise, but there are some interesting decisions after that. While Andres Chaparro can really rake against lefties, seeing him in the two hole on Opening Day is a surprise.
Another shocker is seeing CJ Abrams in the 6 hole. He has mostly been the Nats leadoff hitter the last few seasons, and I don’t think I have ever seen him below the cleanup spot in years. I assume he will hit higher against righties, but with a lefty on the mound, he will be in the 6 spot. Joey Wiemer will also get an Opening Day start, due to his solid numbers against lefties. Luis Garcia Jr. has always struggled against lefties, so seeing him out of the lineup is not much of a surprise. As we have known for a couple weeks now, Cade Cavalli will be your Opening Day starter in only his 12th career big league outing.
The Cubs lineup is filled with bigger names than the Nats. They feature the likes of Alex Bregman, Pete Crow-Armstrong and Dansby Swanson. Michael Busch is the leadoff man, and he is one of the most underrated hitters in the sport. The Cubs have a strong and deep lineup which will be tough for Cade Cavalli to navigate. Matthew Boyd had a late career resurgence last year and he was rewarded with an Opening Day start.
Baseball is back ladies and gentleman, and I am fired up. The Nats may not be good, but it is still better than no baseball. Also, the season is still in its infancy. Who is to say the Nats won’t surprise. We have 162 games to find that out. Follow along down below in the comment section and let’s go Nats!
My preferred March Madness goes like this: Cinderellas wreak havoc in the first round, before the big dogs take over in the Sweet 16 and beyond.
Give me that opening round dopamine hit of a classic 12 vs. 5 upset, a 13 slaying a 4-seed, a 14 toppling a 3. Thursday and Friday shrine brightest when filled with buzzer-beaters that go in favor of teams like Furman, Saint Peter’s, Princeton and Oakland.
Then, give me chalk, Hall of Fame coaches, big-branded muscle and superstars trading buckets.
In the ideal March Madness, enough top seeds survive and eliminate Cinderella around the second round or so, so that many of the best teams and the top players are still playing and entertaining in the Sweet 16, Elite Eight and Final Four.
If Cinderella keeps winning, we get what happened in 2023. That year, underdogs shined in Round 1, then kept advancing until the Final Four included No. 9 Florida Atlantic and two 5-seeds. The tournament had been great up to that point, before UConn tore through the Final Four in a dominant but boring finish.
I prefer the games to keep getting better through the end of the tournament — like we had last season, when all three games at the Final Four site were 40-minute thrillers, on the heels of a compelling Sweet 16 and decent Elite Eight.
Well, anyway, Cinderella didn’t show up this season. Not an ideal first round, or a particularly entertaining one. The slipper got smashed by bigfoots from the Big Ten and the SEC.
Miami (Ohio) provided some flare in the First Four with a blend of 3s and Speedos, and VCU and High Point delivered a dash of upset magic on the first day of Round 1. Mostly, though, major upsets became an endangered species. If you picked a lot of chalk, you’re doing well in your office bracket pool.
Cinderella’s glory days appear to be in the rearview mirror. Perhaps she’ll never again shine with the same brightness as she did in 2023 and ’24.
Blame NIL, or revenue-sharing, or transfer free agency or Power conference expansion, or all of the above for creating difficult times for low- and mid-majors in March.
Now, ready for the bright side? With so many excellent teams still standing in the Sweet 16, this tournament is positioned to go out with a grand finale. Better have two TVs side by side in your living room the next two nights, because the Sweet 16 is straight banger matchups.
Start with the coaches. It’s a who’s who list of Hall of Famers, national champions, renaissance men, in-their-prime virtuosos, and up-and-coming tacticians.
This week I ranked the Sweet 16 coaches, 1 through 16. John Calipari checked in at No. 8. He’s coached in six Final Fours. Matt Painter, a Purdue legend, ranked No. 9. That should tell you something about the depth of coaching talent in this Sweet 16.
Then, you’ve got the playmakers on the court. In this year of the freshman, Cameron Boozer, Darius Acuff Jr., Kingston Flemings, Brayden Burries and Keaton Wagler aren’t ready for their first (and last) tournament experience to end.
Ah, but the youngbloods can’t have all the fun.
Alex Karaban, in his 146th career start, all for UConn (who says loyalty is dead?), dropped a career-high 27 points on UCLA. If only UConn could get four more years out of Karaban, he’d be going for 50-a-game in the 2030 tournament. A cool 27 will have to do for now.
Purdue’s senior point guard Braden Smith is still scoring and dishing, too. He had 26 points and eight assists in Round 1.
I know what you’re thinking. That all sounds great, but you miss Cinderella. OK, fair. Although Texas sits on the 11-seed line, let’s not pretend Mister Money Bags himself, gold-plated Bevo from Austin, is a Cinderella story.
If we set aside seeds, why can’t Nebraska by this tournament’s Cinderella? This time a week ago, Nebraska had exactly zero NCAA Tournament wins ever. Now, the Huskers have two, and they’re literally shooting off fireworks in Lincoln.
Keep your powder dry, because the best of this tournament is still to come.
It will mark his second stint with the Tigers, with his first ending with a fire-for-cause in 2022 after NCAA and FBI investigations accused Wade of multiple Level I and Level II violations, including "lack of institutional control."
LSU has not officially announced Wade's return, but according to multiple reports, the Tigers have dismissed Wade's successor, Matt McMahon, after four seasons, and Wade has signed a seven-year deal with the university.
In a statement released on his personal account, Wade called the decision to leave "not an easy" one.
"This was not an easy decision, because of how much respect and appreciation I have for this program and this university. But the opportunity to return to Louisiana State University is deeply personal," Wade said in a statement. "It's a chance to go home — to a place that means a great deal to me and my family."
In one season, the Wolfpack had some success under Wade, going 20-14 overall and making an appearance in the First Four. NC State picked up top-25 ranked wins
At the ACC tournament, Wade closed down rumors of his name being tossed around for the LSU job, should the Tigers have decided to dismiss McMahon, by saying he is "excited at NC State" and that he had already met with administrators to discuss changes to "put this program where it deserves to be long-term."
It's the second consecutive season that the Wolfpack will conduct a coaching search for its men's basketball program, with Wade being the choice last offseason when the program decided to part ways with Kevin Keatts.
"I'll always be grateful for my time here, the relationships we built, and the foundation we helped strengthen. NC State is positioned for continued success, and I'll be cheering them on moving forward," Wade ended his statement with.
With March Madness in full swing, we’ve got a light NBA slate tonight, but there’s still a spotlight on the race for Eastern Conference playoff seeding.
Look no further than the New York Knicks’ visit to the Charlotte Hornets, with LaMelo Ball and Co. still eyeing the Top 6, while the Orlando Magic catch a break against the tank-tastic Sacramento Kings.
My top NBA picks for March 26 target all three matchups, including a wager on an in-form Karl-Anthony Towns.
The New York Knicks will need the best version of Karl-Anthony Towns to win the East, and his March numbers suggest he’s in rhythm as the postseason approaches. KAT is averaging 21.7 ppg this month on 57% shooting, and he’s nailed this Over in four straight outings.
Towns scored 35 points against the Charlotte Hornets in December, and he’s getting good looks in a New York offense that’s passed the 120-point mark in three of the past four contests.
His three-point numbers are still down this year, but he drilled a pair of triples against the New Orleans Pelicans on Tuesday as part of a 21-point effort. Look for KAT to give the Charlotte frontcourt a long night.
Time: 7:00 p.m. ET
Where to watch: NBA TV
Prop #2: Dejounte Murray Over 6.5 assists
+102 at bet365
The New Orleans Pelicans are an interesting team to watch down the stretch – the rare sub .500 squad that’s still chasing wins. Dejounte Murray’s return has given New Orleans some extra spice, and I see him setting the table for his teammates again here.
Murray has racked up 32 assists across his last three outings, and there’s no reason for him to slow down with Zion Williamson and Trey Murphy III (questionable) flanking him.
Facing a fiery Detroit Pistons defense is no joke, but Jalen Duren and Co. gave up 130 points in last night’s OT loss to the Atlanta Hawks. That should leave some tired legs for Murray to exploit in this one.
Time: 7:00 p.m. ET
Where to watch: GCSEN, FanDuel Sports Network-Detroit
Prop #3: Paolo Banchero Over 25.5 points
-110 at bet365
The Orlando Magic have somehow followed up a seven-game win streak with six straight losses, so good luck figuring out this Orlando team. But I can’t pass up a chance to wager against the Sacramento Kings.
That leads me to Paolo Banchero, who’s done his best to put the Magic on his back in the last two contests, with 36 points in Cleveland on the heels of 39 points against the Indiana Pacers – all on efficient shooting.
It should be more of the same here against the Kings, with Orlando missing Franz Wagner and Anthony Black. Count on Banchero to deliver, just as he did while dropping 30 points in the February meeting in Sacramento.
Time: 7:00 p.m. ET
Where to watch: NBCSCA, FanDuel Sports Network-Florida
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The Detroit Pistons should stay atop the Eastern Conference despite Cade Cunningham’s absence, giving them the best chance of navigating his hopeful and eventual return. Winning the obvious games is paramount to that task, like tonight against the tanking New Orleans Pelicans.
My Pelicans vs. Pistons predictions and these NBA picks focus on Cunningham’s unexpected replacement on Thursday, March 26.
Pelicans vs Pistons prediction
Pelicans vs Pistons best bet: Daniss Jenkins Over 17.5 points (-115)
You may be forgiven for not knowing who Daniss Jenkins is. In the month following the All-Star Break, the second-year point guard out of St. John’s — who began his collegiate career at Pacific — averaged just 18.8 minutes and 5.8 points per game.
He was a reserve, at best.
But when Cade Cunningham suffered a collapsed lung, the Detroit Pistons needed someone to take on a greater workload, and that someone has been Jenkins. In the four games since Cunningham’s injury, Jenkins has averaged 38.9 minutes and 20 points.
Perhaps most notable, Jenkins is playing 8.5 morem minutes per game than anyone else in the Detroit rotation. The Pistons never planned for a life without Cunningham running the offense; they are desperate for ball-handling.
Oddsmakers have largely adjusted, but not enough to reflect Jenkins’s increased responsibilities. In his four starts, he has cleared this prop in the last three games. Expect more of that scoring from Jenkins tonight against the New Orleans Pelicans, simply because Detroit has no choice but to keep the ball in his hands these days.
Pelicans vs Pistons same-game parlay
While Jenkins has cleared this assists prop in three straight games, two of those were by the hook, and the third featured 10 assists in a game that went into overtime. Given the Pelicans’ happiness to lose games, a comfortable Detroit win would likely feature fewer assists from Jenkins.
Pelicans vs Pistons SGP
Daniss Jenkins Over 17.5 points
Daniss Jenkins Under 7.5 assists
Pistons -4
Our "from downtown" SGP: Jenkins but not from deep
Counterintuitive same-game parlays are such a joy. The math refuses to recognize that Jenkins could score 20 points while hitting only one 3-pointer. He is not a great shooter, just 36.7% from deep this season.
In fact, Jenkins has cleared this point prop while hitting only one 3-pointer in two of his last three games.
Pelicans vs Pistons SGP
Daniss Jenkins Over 17.5 points
Daniss Jenkins Under 7.5 assists
Daniss Jenkins Under 1.5 threes
Pelicans vs Pistons odds
Spread: Pelicans +4 | Pistons -4
Moneyline: Pelicans +155 | Pistons -185
Over/Under: Over 226.5 | Under 226.5
Pelicans vs Pistons betting trend to know
Detroit has gone 3-1 against the spread since Cunningham’s injury, and the sole ATS loss came in overtime as a two-point favorite. Find more NBA betting trends for Pelicans vs. Pistons.
How to watch Pelicans vs Pistons
Location
Little Caesars Arena, Detroit, MI
Date
Thursday, March 26, 2026
Tip-off
7:00 p.m. ET
TV
Pelicans+, Detroit SportsNet
Pelicans vs Pistons latest injuries
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PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - MARCH 25: Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers reacts against the Chicago Bulls in the first quarter at Xfinity Mobile Arena on March 25, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) | Getty Images
It’s no secret that things got dark recently as a Philadelphia 76ers fan. The trade deadline deal shipping Jared McCain to Oklahoma City for draft picks cast a pall over everything. Not long after, nearly every Sixers regular got injured (or suspended) to the point where Nick Nurse was throwing out “Who’s that guy again?” lineups reminiscent of the Process days.
It started to look like the 10th seed was in the Sixers’ future, with only the fact that Milwaukee was so far back meaning Philadelphia couldn’t miss the Play-In Tournament entirely. Folks seriously discussed whether the team should punt the rest of the season to improve slim lottery odds, and conversations swirled as to whether Nurse and Daryl Morey would and should still be here in the fall.
Well, it looks like the Sixers have now crawled through the river of “stuff” and while they may not have emerged completely clean, they can at least go find Red on the beach. Joel Embiid and Paul George both returned to the lineup on Wednesday, and Philadelphia only went out and scored their most points in a game in over 50 years. George said the time off allowed his body to feel 100 percent. Embiid indicated the oblique is something he’s going to have to manage, but that he at least feels the knee issues are no longer a problem at the moment. Tyrese Maxey looks close to coming back from his pinky finger injury, using his right hand some during warmups prior to the Bulls game.
Credit to the MASH unit for holding things together while all of those guys were away. Now, with the roster rounding back into shape, the Sixers can really do some damage in the standings with nine games remaining. Entering play Thursday, Philadelphia is just one game back of Atlanta for fifth place in the Eastern Conference. Washington, Indiana and Milwaukee are all left on the schedule. If the Sixers can split their other six games, would a 6-3 final push be enough to catch the Hawks (while also leapfrogging the currently sixth-place Raptors and holding off everyone else)? Maybe? A potential first-round series against James Harden and the Cavaliers would certainly make for some tasty drama, and test the validity of Morey’s “no needle movers changed hands at the deadline” statement. I wonder if Harden thought Daryl was being truthful there.
Regardless, we have a fun closing stretch ahead of us after many of us had resigned ourselves to checking out for the remainder of the regular season. Instead of “let’s see what happens in the Play-In,” we get a chance to watch a talented group play with something on the line against some interesting opponents like Minnesota and San Antonio. Maybe things don’t quite work out and the Sixers end up in the Play-In anyway, but they’ll at least enter with some sort of cohesion built over these final two weeks.
Just when I thought I was out on these Sixers, they found a way to pull me back in.
