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Giannis Antetokounmpo says he is healthy enough to play, rips Bucks as league starts investigation

Tensions between the Milwaukee Bucks and their star, Giannis Antetokounmpo, blew up in public on Friday, with the Greek Freak calling out the Bucks for not letting him play despite his saying he is healthy enough to. Now the NBA is stepping in with an investigation, something confirmed by NBC Sports.

Antetokounmpo pulled no punches speaking to reporters Friday before the Bucks lost to the Celtics, via Eric Nehm of The Athletic.

"I've never seen a case of a player saying, my caliber of player, that's like — I'm saying it publicly — I want to f****** play. You know what I'm saying? I don't think I've seen this. So, if there needs to be an investigation, great. There should be. I don't know. There should be. Until we figure something out."

Antetokounmpo has been out since March 17, following a left knee hyperextension that led to a bone bruise. From the start, Antetokounmpo has said he wanted to return to play this season, even though the Bucks have already been eliminated from the postseason. The Bucks have wanted — and, according to Antetokounmpo, essentially forced him — to shut it down for the season, focusing on a draft pick to help them rebuild around their star (either by using or trading the pick).

The NBA is investigating because Antetokounmpo qualifies under the league's player participation policy (PPP), designed to keep star players on the court. If Antetokounmpo is healthy, he has to play. The NBA players' union had previously released a statement backing Antetokounmpo, saying if he is healthy and wants to play, he should be on the court. The Bucks could face significant fines for sitting the two-time MVP if he can play.

It all fuels the idea that Antetokounmpo and the Bucks will part ways this summer.

"You know who you are dealing with. So for somebody to come and tell me to not play or not to compete, it's like a slap in my face. So, I don't know where the relationship goes from there."

In the NBA, star players have the leverage — it's a simple matter of supply and demand — and if they push for something, they usually get what they want. Players also can be terrible judges of when they should return from injury. For their entire lives they have pushed through pain and obstacles, so they believe they can do it despite an injury— which is why team medical staffs sometimes have to step in and pump the brakes.

Nobody knows his body like Antetokounmpo. However, he has played in just 36 games this season due to an assortment of injuries, and the Bucks are likely pointing to the bigger picture of his health. If an NBA doctor agrees with Antetokounmpo that he can play — and to hear the player tell it, he is ready — then the Bucks are both violating league rules and further damaging an already increasingly fragile relationship with their star. That doesn't seem wise.

If it didn't already feel that way after the Bucks gauged the trade market for Antetokounmpo at the February deadline, it now feels like this situation is hurtling toward an offseason divorce.

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Nets sign Malachi Smith to two-year deal

BROOKLYN, NY - APRIL 3: Malachi Smith #18 of the Brooklyn Nets shoots a free throw during the game against the Atlanta Hawks on April 3, 2026 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Mike Lawrence/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

In a bit of a surprise, the Brooklyn Nets on Saturday announced that they had signed 10-day player Malachi Smith to a two year standard deal. Shams Charania of ESPN was first with the news; the Nets later confirmed…

Smith’s signing gives the Nets the league maxium of 15 standard deals and three two-ways with five games left in the 2025-26 season.

Neither Shams nor the Nets provided details on the contract, but in the past, Brooklyn has signed a number of players to multi-year, non-guaranteed deals late in the season, among them Kessler Edwards, David Duke Jr. and current Net Jalen Wilson. In those cases, the players contracts only became guaranteed for the second year if they made the final roster the following October.

On Friday night, Smith had expressed his gratitude for his opportunity with Brooklyn.

“It’s been like a blessing, for sure,” Smith said after Friday night’s loss to the Hawks. “But I think it’s just a testament to my work and my journey. If anyone knows my journey, it’s anything but easy.

“And, for me, I’m just trying to stay present and just be the same player; but just be grateful and just do what got me here. So, obviously there’s a transition: physically, athletically, thinking the game a lot faster. But at the end of the day, it’s still basketball. So just having that same mentality, just going out there having fun and controlling the things I could control.”

Smith, 26, becomes the eighth rookie on the Nets roster this season. In addition to the Flatbush Five and Smith, two other first year players with no NBA experience have donned the black-and-white: Grant Nelson who played four games on a 10-day in February and March before being sidelined with patellar tendinitis, and current two-way Chaney Johnson who’s played 14 games with Brooklyn, averaging 7.8 points per game. Both are 23.

Smith played 39 total games in Long Island this season before being called up on March 13. Undrafted out of Gonzaga in 2023, he previously played for the G League affiliates of the Trailblazers, Bucks and Grizzlies who traded him to Long Island last September.

His numbers jumped January 6 when Long Island coach Mfon Udofia inserted him at point guard after Nolan Traore was called up to Brooklyn. In 24 games after that, Smith averaged 17.7 points, 7.3 assists, 5.5 rebounds and 1.5 steals while shooting 51.9% overall and 42.9% from deep. He’s upped his game again over the last 10 games, averaging 18.5 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 7.8 assists while shooting 57.9% from the field and converting 50% of his opportunities from beyond the arc.

Zach Lowe even took note of the heater Smith has been on…

Smith joined high school teammate, Nets two-way E.J. Liddell, on the Brooklyn roster. The pair played for Belleville West High School in Belleville, Illinois, and won a state championship in 2018. Liddell is a year younger.

Smith is the fourth call-up for Long Island, which finished its season two nights ago with a loss in the opening round of the G League playoffs. In addition to Smith, Nelson and Trevon Scott, who just signed to a 10-day with Brooklyn, Nate Williams was signed to a two-way by the Golden State Warriors.

Long Island now ranks fourth in the number of G League affiliate call-ups this season, tied with Oklahoma City and the Clippers, trailing only San Antonio and Cleveland with five and Washington with six.

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Best NRFI Bets Today: MLB First Inning Predictions for Saturday, April 4

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The San Francisco Giants' offense has been beyond ugly this season, and tonight they host a New York Mets squad with plenty of new faces.

My MLB picks are fading both of those offenses in the "no run first inning" market.

Check out what other early bets I'm making in my free YRFI and NRFI bets for Saturday, April 4.

Best NRFI/YRFI bets today

PickOdds
Brewers/Royals - NRFI/YRFI-108
Cubs/Guardians - NRFI/YRFI+100
Mets/Giants - NRFI/YRFI-125

Brewers at Royals - Doubleheader Game 1: YRFI (-108)

With Brice Turang and Christian Yelich crushing the ball, the Milwaukee Brewers lead the majors in OPS (.825) and runs per game (7.5).

Meanwhile, the Kansas City Royals are loaded at the top of their lineup, led by Maikel Garcia, Bobby Witt Jr., Vinny Pasquantino, and Salvador Perez. They currently rank 10th in the majors in barrel rate and seventh in exit velocity.

The starters for both teams have potential but come with question marks. Brewers sophomore Chad Patrick gives up too much hard contact, while Royals righty Luinder Avila is making his first MLB start after tossing 14 innings out of the bullpen last year.

With the fences moved in at Kauffman Stadium and wind blowing towards the outfield at 13 mph, expect early runs. 

  • Time: 2:10 p.m. ET
  • Where to watch: FS1

Cubs at Guardians: YRFI (+100)

Both of these teams have struggled at the plate this season. That said, the Chicago Cubs have a dangerous lineup on paper, and their MLB-best hard-hit rate suggests positive regression. 

The main reason to like the YRFI bet is that both starters have been awful. The Cleveland Guardians are giving the pill to Slade Cecconi, who finished with an xERA of 4.99 last year while sitting near the bottom of the majors in hard-hit rate. 

Chicago responds with Shota Imanaga, who posted a 4.07 xERA in 2025. Both hurlers also got rocked in their first start this year.

  • Time: 7:15 p.m. ET
  • Where to watch: FOX

Mets at Giants: NRFI (-125)

The San Francisco Giants are second-last in the majors in OPS (.554) while ranking last in both barrel rate and hard-hit rate.

Although the New York Mets plated 10 runs last night, they had mustered just three runs over their previous three games. Their lineup underwent significant turnover in the offseason, and newcomers Bo Bichette and Marcus Semien are struggling to replace Pete Alonso and Jeff McNeil.

Mets starter Clay Holmes tends to look sharp in the early innings before unraveling mid-game. He posted a 2.47 ERA with an OBA of .222 through the first two innings in 2025. 

San Francisco counters with Landen Roupp, who could have a breakout season if he can cut down on the walks. He looked sharp in his season debut, allowing just two hits across six innings of shutout ball.

  • Time: 9:05 p.m. ET
  • Where to watch: NBC Sports BA | SNY
Rohit Ponnaiya 2026 Transparency Record
  • NRFI/YRFI picks: 5-7, -2.27 units

What is a NRFI bet?

NRFI (No Run First Inning) and YRFI (Yes Run First Inning) bets add a thrilling twist to the start of an MLB game. A NRFI bet is a wager that no runs will be scored in the first inning. You're betting that the starting pitchers for both teams will get through the first inning without allowing any runs, whether by striking out batters, inducing ground balls, or through solid defensive play.

A YRFI bet is the exact opposite. You're betting that at least one run will be scored in the first inning. In this case, you’re hoping for an early offensive burst such as a leadoff walk, a timely hit, or even a home run.

NRFI and YRFI bets add excitement to the early part of a game and offer immediate gratification for bettors looking for a quick resolution.

Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
Not intended for use in MA.
Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.

This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here and view our best betting sites or check out our top sportsbook promos.

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Friars’ loss highlights Stammen’s poor bullpen management

BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - APRIL 03: Gavin Sheets #30 of the San Diego Padres hits an RBI single against the Boston Red Sox during the fifth inning of the home opener game at Fenway Park on April 03, 2026 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Brian Fluharty/Getty Images) | Getty Images

With another difficult loss for the San Diego Padres, the Friars are in last place in the National League West with a 2-5 record.

While the offense has been troubling, the real story of the day (and the last week) has been skipper Craig Stammen’s managing of the relief group.

His decision of who to keep out and who to pull have affected games drastically, actually losing three games for San Diego.

Yesterday was — unfortunately — no different.

Michael King pitched five great innings of two-run ball before coming back out in the sixth. He gave up a home run to Willson Contreras before settling in to get two outs.

After that, with a runner on first, Stammen pulled King in favor of the lefty-on-lefty matchup of Wandy Peralta and Marcelo Mayer.

It backfired immediately.

Mayer took the first pitch deep for a two-run home run to make the Boston Red Sox’s lead 5-2. They wouldn’t surrender the lead after that.

It was a shock to see Stammen pull King. Even the Padres’ broadcasters noted that King himself looked surprised he wouldn’t finish the inning.

Stammen’s the first to admit that he’s learning on the job. While that candor is appreciated, that learning needs to translate to wins soon or the voices calling for the Friars’ manager’s firing will only get louder.

Taking the mound

Connelly Early (BOS) v. Randy Vásquez (SD)

In spite of Boston losing Sunday’s matchup against the Cincinnati Reds, Early dazzled with five-and-a-third innings of one-run ball.

The top prospect for the Sox struck out six but struggled to limit baserunners, allowing five hits and two walks to the Reds.

The Padres struggled to score with RISP last season but have shown potential recently. Hopefully, they’ll be able to solve Early after struggling a bit against Sonny Gray yesterday.

It’s impossible to understate just how good Vásquez’s first outing of 2026 was.

In six innings against the Detroit Tigers, he allowed only two hits and three walks, striking out eight batters along the way. His performance went a long way in assuaging the Friars’ depth concerns in their starting rotation.

If Vásquez can continue to do that against Boston this afternoon, all San Diego will need to do is put some runs up as insurance.

Batter up!

Early is the first lefty the Padres will be facing since Framber Valdez in their series against the Detroit Tigers.

With that in mind, the lineup will likely shift back to what it looked like on Opening Day (with a few tweaks):

  1. Fernando Tatis Jr., RF
  2. Xander Bogaerts, SS
  3. Manny Machado, 3B
  4. Jackson Merrill, CF
  5. Ramón Laureano, LF
  6. Gavin Sheets, 1B
  7. Nick Castellanos, DH
  8. Jake Cronenworth, 2B
  9. Freddy Fermin, C

Stammen’s lineup construction typically favors career matchups against the starting pitcher. But with the rookie Early on the mound for Boston, he’ll be unable to do so.

This offense showed promise on Wednesday with a seven-run romp against the San Francisco Giants.

In particular, Gavin Sheets’ bat has been hot. Since his first hit of 2026 late Tuesday night, Sheets is 4-for-6 with a walk and two RBI.

Relief corps

With King’s solid 5 2/3 innings, San Diego only had to use two relievers (the aforementioned Peralta and Ron Marinaccio).

That leaves Jeremiah Estrada, Kyle Hart, Adrian Morejon, David Morgan, and Bradgley Rodriguez ahead of closer Mason Miller.

Starter Randy Vásquez had a longer leash than normal in his first start of 2026. That being said, if he falters early the bullpen has plenty of options to pitch in relief.

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Cade Horton is heading to the IL. Who should replace him?

As you know, Cubs right-hander Cade Horton left Friday’s game in the second inning with what was termed “right forearm discomfort.”

Per this article in the Tribune, Horton and manager Craig Counsell are hopeful this is not a big deal:

Horton will return to Chicago for imaging and to be examined, likely undergoing evaluation Monday.

“I’m pretty hopeful,” Horton said. “I’m erring on the cautious side so I feel like I made the right move, even though it sucks doing that and putting the bullpen and everybody else in that situation.”

“You take a pitcher out of the game in the second inning, you’re concerned,” Counsell said. “We’re going to likely make a roster move here, and we’ll see where that takes us as we get to when Cade’s start would come up next.

“There’s reason to be optimistic this is something minor.”

So there’s that, at least. Here are further postgame comments from Counsell [VIDEO].

And here’s what Horton had to say after the game [VIDEO].

Obviously this isn’t good, but as you can hear in the video clips, both Counsell and Horton are optimistic. Let’s hope they are correct.

In the meantime, as Counsell noted, the team will likely make a roster move later today. That’s probably going to be adding a reliever, as two of the choices to replace Horton in the rotation are already on the team — Ben Brown and Colin Rea.

Relievers at Triple-A Iowa who have options include Gavin Hollowell, Luke Little, Riley Martin and Ethan Roberts. (Porter Hodge and Jordan Wicks also are on the 40-man roster and have options, but both are currently on the injured list.)

Hollowell had a good spring. Personally, I’d pick him.

Horton’s next turn in the rotation will come up Wednesday in Tampa. Rea, who threw 53 pitches Friday, could take that turn. Brown last pitched Tuesday, so he could also take that turn next week, though then he wouldn’t be able to be used in relief.

Another possible choice to take Horton’s next turn would be Javier Assad, who started for Triple-A Iowa and threw 75 pitches on Thursday. Assad has made two starts for Iowa. The first was pretty good, the second, not so much. So the team could leave Rea and Brown where they are, bring up Hollowell (or another reliever) for a few days, then replace that reliever with Assad.

What do I think they will do? Call up a reliever and give the rotation start to Rea. Rea did very well last year in a similar role when Justin Steele went down with an injury, oddly enough, almost exactly a year ago (after he threw seven shutout innings against the Rangers April 7, 2025). Counsell trusts Rea, who also pitched for him in Milwaukee.

So I’m going to pose both questions to you. First, what roster move will the Cubs make today to replace Horton? And second, who will take Horton’s turn in the rotation?

Have at it.

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Red Sox Minor Lines: Kyson Witherspoon makes his 2026 debut

SARASOTA, FL - MARCH 20: Kyson Witherspoon #50 of the Boston Red Sox pitches during the game between the Boston Red Sox and the Baltimore Orioles at Ed Smith Stadium on Friday, March 20, 2026 in Sarasota, Florida. (Photo by Scott Audette/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images

Worcester: Cancelled (Rain)

Bob Osgood ended up with upwards of ten double headers that were the result of rain outs of games I was supposed to write about in 2025. When Thursday’s game was met with a storm in St. Paul, the uno reverse card was in play, but I hit Dan Secatore with the “draw four” with the field being unplayable in Minnesota. Yesterday’s game was not to be played, and Thursday’s game will start at 3:05 PM. So, focus on Friday night’s Sea Dogs season opener in Somerset, New Jersey. With Franklin Arias and Miguel Bleis working their way up prospect ratings, the Sea Dogs would surely keep an opening game close against the Yankees’ AA squad. Right?

Portland: L, 2-18 (BOX SCORE)

Okay, so, to be fair, the Sea Dogs’ pitching staff didn’t exactly keep this a close game from the jump. Blake Wehunt actually allowed more home runs than outs recorded and was pulled with an injury following walking the fourth batter. Cooper Adams didn’t fare much better, nor did Patrick Halligan, and suddenly the score was 8-0 at the bottom of the 2nd, which turned into 12-1 after the third.

It wasn’t all bad, although a vast majority was. Arias, the leadoff batter for Portland to start the season, had two of the team’s three hits, and dropped the deficit from 8 to 7. Max Ferguson, in the DH slot for the night, had the club’s first home run of the season. That was the closest the team came to anything positive on Friday; the Patriots kept pouring it on the Sea Dogs, as no pitcher emerged unscathed, though Michael Sansone pitched three innings of one-run baseball in an extremely low-leverage situation.

Greenville: L, 7-11 (BOX SCORE)

Kyson Witherspoon has emerged in Greenville. We will certainly hear about last year’s 15th overall pick and the former Oklahoma Sooner, SOONER rather than later. His first outing of 2026 went about as well as that pun. He charged through the first smoothly through the ground ball, inducing two including a double play. He was aided through Justin Gonzales leading off with a home run. The second ended with Witherspoon allowing one run to the Grasshoppers (Pirates High-A), and the Drive didn’t respond with any baserunners. Witherspoon couldn’t make it through the fourth; his line left a lot to be desired and he struck out just two. Joe Vogatsky provided some stability following Ben Hansen’s pitching meltdown.

Again, the top of the lineup, including Gonzalez’s home run, helped the team quite a bit, with Yoeilin Cespedes, also chipping in three hits. Two of the other three hits on the night were home runs from Nazzan Zanetello and Mason White. The team also drew seven walks. All told, the game had 80 batters in total, but the game wasn’t even really close at any point; before Greenville’s most productive inning, the score was 10-4, and it didn’t cross into save territory.

Salem, L, 10-11 (BOX SCORE)

Day two of the RidgeYaks era started off abysmally. Like all other starting pitchers on Friday, Madinson Frias allowed several runs to cross and Salem found itself in a very early deficit against Delmarva (Orioles A). They answered right back, though, and faced just a 6-4 contest at the end of that inning thanks to a three-run shot by Stanley Tucker. Still, the RidgeYak’s WPE was just 29.9%.

In the fifth, the tables turned tremendously and the lead changed hands. The WPE was up to 87.5% by the time Anderson Fermin smacked another home run, and Salem held a 9-6 lead. But, with one out in the top of the ninth, Wulliam Rodriguez let two straight two-run plays go, and Salem found themselves trailing. And so it went. The Shorebirds and RidgeYaks get going at 6:35 tonight.

Have a great Saturday!

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Slot rues Liverpool’s ‘missing fighting spirit’ after humiliating FA Cup exit

  • ‘Mentality wasn’t there’ in 4-0 loss to Manchester City

  • Slot adds ‘the amount of goals we score is far too low’

Arne Slot slammed Liverpool’s “missing fighting spirit” after the 4-0 humiliation by Manchester City that propelled Pep Guardiola’s team into the FA Cup semi-finals.

The manner of the 4-0 reverse will heighten scrutiny of the head coach’s future, with Liverpool next at Paris Saint-Germain for Wednesday’s Champions League quarter-final first leg. A similar defeat in the tie may prove terminal for Slot.

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The NBA’s Tankathon 2026 hits an embarrassing new low

Apr 3, 2026; Dallas, Texas, USA; Dallas Mavericks forward Cooper Flagg (32) is helped up by his teammates during the second half against the Orlando Magic at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images | Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

April 3, 2026 isn’t likely to be a date well-remembered in NBA history, but it did produce an extraordinary (if unfortunate) statistic: In the 7,891 days in which regular season NBA games have been played since the 1976-1977 season began (i.e., since the NBA-ABA merger), yesterday is the only day in which five games were won by 32+ points. Unsurprisingly, all five games pitted playoff-bound teams who are fighting for seeding against lottery-bound teams who are desperate to lose. Here are a handful of other details:

  • The total margin of victory recorded across all games was +220. This is the 13th highest daily total recorded since the NBA-ABA merger, but the highest for a day in which no more than nine games were played (all days ranked 1st through 12th included at least 11 games played).
  • The average margin of victory across the nine games played was 24.4 points, the highest ever for a day in which at least nine games were played.
  • Of the four other games played, three were double-digit victories. The only truly close contest was the King’s 117-113 victory over New Orleans. Since the NBA-ABA merger, this is just the 18th regular season day in which 9+ games were played with no more than one single-digit margin of victory. However, there have actually been four days in the same period where 9+ games were played with NO single-digit point differentials. Those days are February 3, 1995, November 7, 2025, March 8, 2026, and March 29, 2026. That’s right, three of these four cases happened this season.

In any case, to commemorate this event I’ve provided the graded box scores for all five blowouts. If nothing else, examining these tables provides some illuminating insights into the myriad ways in which a 30-plus point blowout can occur. Hope you enjoy.

What are Team Graded Box Scores?

Very briefly, these box scores grade winner-loser differentials for basic box score statistics, with the grade being based on the winning team’s differential relative to other NBA winners during a defined reference period. Think of it like a report card for understanding how a given winner performed relative to other winners. The reference period used runs from the start of the 2012-2013 season to the latest date of play, including only games in the same season category (i.e., regular season and playoff games are not compared to each other).

Data Source: The underlying data used to create these box scores was collected from Basketball Reference. In all cases, the data are collected the morning after the game is played. Although rare, postgame statistical revisions after data collection do occur and may affect the results after the fact.

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Braves vs Diamondbacks Prediction, Picks & Odds for Tonight's MLB Game

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The Atlanta Braves go for another series win to start the season when they take on the Arizona Diamondbacks on Saturday night.

Atlanta’s 17-run outburst Thursday was followed by a late 2-0 victory on Friday night.

My Braves vs. Diamondbacks predictions and MLB picks for Saturday, April 4, explain why we’ll see another win for the visitors. 

Who will win Braves vs Diamondbacks today: Braves (+104)

Mike Soroka’s opening start looks great at face value: 5 IP, 10 Ks, and only four hits and a walk surrendered without allowing a run.

Look deeper, and you see a lot of red flags. The Tigers had a 33% barrel rate with an xwOBA of .354 and an xSLG of .534 in those five innings.

The Atlanta Braves have the second-best barrel rate in MLB at 11.6%, and their .x357 xwOBA sits only behind the Dodgers this season.

The Arizona Diamondbacks xwOBAcon is the third-lowest in the majors, and Bryce Elder’s sinker/slider combo should induce plenty of ground-ball outs.

Covers COVERS INTEL:The Diamondbacks rank sixth in balls put into play this season, but their .235 BABIP is the worst in baseball.

Braves vs Diamondbacks Over/Under pick: Under 9.5 (-104)


Jordan Lawler’s broken wrist robs Arizona of one of the few hitters actually producing in 2026. The Diamondbacks failed to score Friday night, managing only two hits and leaving them with three runs in three games.

The Braves have scored 43 runs, but 17 of those came on Thursday night. They rank in the bottom half so far in exit velo and hard-hit rate.

Ronald Acuna Jr’s .223 wOBAcon and .216 xBA are limiting Atlanta’s opportunities to score runs, and the Braves needed a pair of ninth-inning solo blasts to win last night.

This total feels just a bit too high.

Jason Ence's 2026 Transparency Record
  • ML/RL bets: 0-0, 0.0 units
  • Over/Under bets: 0-0, 0-0 units

Braves vs Diamondbacks odds

  • Moneyline: Atlanta +104 | Arizona -108
  • Run line: Atlanta -1.5 (+163) | Arizona +1.5 (-170)
  • Over/Under: Over 9.5 (-100) | Under 9.5 (-104)

Braves vs Diamondbacks trend

The Atlanta Braves have hit the Moneyline in 18 of their last 26 away games (+12.90 Units / 44% ROI). Find more MLB betting trends for Braves vs. Diamondbacks.

How to watch Braves vs Diamondbacks and game info

LocationChase Field, Phoenix, AZ
DateSaturday, April 4, 2026
First pitch7:15 p.m. ET
TVFOX
Braves starting pitcherBryce Elder
(1-0, 0.00 ERA)
Diamondbacks starting pitcherMichael Soroka
(1-0, 0.00 ERA)

Braves vs Diamondbacks latest injuries

Braves vs Diamondbacks weather

Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
Not intended for use in MA.
Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.

This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here and view our best betting sites or check out our top sportsbook promos.

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Shaqir O'Neal, son of Shaq, wins college slam dunk contest: Highlights

Sacramento State forward Shaqir O'Neal – yes, the son of Shaq – won the College Slam Dunk Championship on Friday, April 3, at Hinkle Fieldhouse in Indianapolis before the Men's Final Four.

Shaqir O'Neal, wearing his dad's "Shaq" shoe brand, elbow-dunked over two fellow players and threw down a reverse on his final attempt to secure the win over Central Connecticut's Nico Ashley. He finished with two 50-point scores, the highest total possible on a single dunk.

REQUIRED READING: Shaqir O'Neal discusses NBA goals, HBCU hoops and choosing Sac State

"Dad, I know you're watching this," Shaqir O'Neal said after his win. "You said you have ($10,000) for me if I win this. So, hey, I'm expecting my money. Shoutout to my pops."

DePaul's CJ Gunn won the men's 3-point contest and Kansas' Elle Evans won the women's 3-point contest. Evans also took home two more awards, winning the team shooting competition alongside Purdue's Fletcher Loyer and Portland State's Jaylin Henderson before defeating Gunn in the 3-point shootout between champions.

Shaqir O'Neal averaged 5.3 points with 3.2 rebounds per game this season at Sacramento State. The 6-foot-8 forward started his career at Texas Southern, where he held a small role off the bench for two seasons before transferring to Florida A&M in 2024-25.

Shaqir O'Neal plays for his dad's former Sacramento Kings foe Mike Bibby, who served his first year as Sacramento State head coach this season.

"It's been an unreal experience," Shaqir O'Neal told USA TODAY Sports. "Coach Bibby and his staff, they really care about the players, just on and off the court. They made sure they built that relationship with us early in the summer. It's really been a movie with all the press and all this stuff. And haters and this and that. And the ups and downs. Us losing players to injuries, like it's been real, it's been crazy, but it's been a great learning experience."

Four of Shaquille O'Neal's children played Division I college basketball, including sons Shaqir O'Neal and Shareef O'Neal (UCLA, LSU), and daughters Amirah O'Neal, a former preferred walk-on at LSU and Me'Arah O'Neal, who averaged over 13 points per game at Florida this season.

None of Shaq's children turned out to be nearly as good as their Hall of Fame dad that won four NBA championships. But Shaqir O'Neal sure can dunk like his dad could, although no backboards were shattered.

Shaqir O'Neal college dunk contest highlights

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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Shaqir O'Neal, son of Shaquille, wins college slam dunk contest

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Nets reward Malachi Smith with two-year contract after ‘anything but easy’ journey to NBA

An image collage containing 2 images, Image 1 shows Malachi Smith #18 of the Brooklyn Nets holding a basketball, Image 2 shows Brooklyn Nets guard Malachi Smith (18) drives the ball against Atlanta Hawks guard CJ McCollum (3) during the first half
Nets Smith

The Nets are signing guard Malachi Smith to a two-year deal Saturday.

It’s the ultimate case of grit paying off, with Smith going undrafted in 2023 and laboring in the G League since.

After excelling in Long Island, he got a pair of 10-day contracts and parlayed them into a standard deal in a move first reported by ESPN and confirmed by The Post.

Malachi Smith has signed a two-year deal with the Nets. NBAE via Getty Images

“It’s been like a blessing, for sure,” Smith said after Friday night’s loss to the Hawks. “But I think it’s just a testament to my work and my journey. If anyone knows my journey, it’s anything but easy.

“And, for me, I’m just trying to stay present and just be the same player; but just be grateful and just do what got me here. So, obviously there’s a transition: physically, athletically, thinking the game a lot faster. But at the end of the day, it’s still basketball. So just having that same mentality, just going out there having fun and controlling the things I could control.”

Smith averaged 7.3 points and 2.1 rebounds across two 10-day contracts with the Nets as they’ve gone into full tank mode and played the tail end of their bench.

The guard has given them a spark, never more than Friday against Atlanta.

In a five-minute burst spanning the first and second quarters, Smith shot 4-of-4 overall and 3-of-3 from behind the arc to lift the Nets to within four with 10:59 left in the half.

He even hit a wild heave from well past the halfcourt logo that nearly beat the buzzer.

“I think just the mentality is leave it all on the floor,” Smith said. “I’m someone that has been praying for this opportunity and working for this opportunity for years, so I’m not going to take any minute for granted.

“I always tell myself I don’t care if I get one minute or 10 minutes, I’m gonna be able to go to sleep at night knowing I play as hard as I can. And then whatever happens after that, I can live with the results.”

Malachi Smith during Friday’s game against Atlanta. Gregory Fisher-Imagn Images

This signing comes as the Nets are now all but assured of landing a top-three slot in the draft lottery.

After the Kings’ come-from-behind win Friday night against the Pelicans, Brooklyn is now 2 ½ games clear of both Sacramento and Utah.

The Nets would have to go 3-2 down the stretch, while either the Kings or Jazz would have to lose out for Brooklyn to fall into a fourth-place tie. They’ve only won three games since Feb. 10.

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Canadiens: Going For Eight Wins In A Row

The Montreal Canadiens will finish their five-game road trip on Saturday night when they take on the New Jersey Devils at Prudential Center. The two teams will face off twice this weekend, with their third meeting being held on Sunday at the Bell Centre. It’s been a disastrous season for Sheldon Keefe’s team; the Devils have yet to be mathematically eliminated from the playoffs, but with only 80 points to their name, it would take a miracle for them to get back in contention.

Still, the hosts have a 7-3-0 record in their last 10 games, and they have won the only duel between the two sides this season, 4-3 in overtime with Jakub Dobes in net. Meanwhile, the Canadiens have been in splendid form of late with an 8-2-0 record in their last 10 games, including a seven-game winning streak. Just like Thursday’s game against the New York Rangers, this confrontation has all the makings of a trap game.

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Canadiens Win Seventh Game In A Row As Caufield Adds Another Two Big Goals

Neither team has confirmed who they’ll start in net on Saturday, but given that they’re playing a back-to-back, both of their goalies should see some action. On the visitors’ side, Dobes has played the Devils twice and lost both games in overtime. He has a 3.82 goals-against average and a .889 save percentage against them. As for Jacob Fowler, he has yet to take them on.

At the other end of the ice, Jacob Markstrom has a 10-8-3 record against the Canadiens with a 2.25 GAA and a .922 SV, while former Hab Jake Allen is 5-5-0 with a 2.91 GAA and a .899 SV.

It will be interesting to see whether there are any changes to the Canadiens’ lineup. On Friday, the team held a rare practice these days, and both Kaiden Guhle and Phillip Danault were missing, receiving treatment rather than skating. Furthermore, Adam Engstrom, who was recently called up from the Laval Rocket in the wake of the Alexandre Carrier injury news, has yet to get a game. Still, both Jayden Struble and Arber Xhekaj have been playing well lately.

Mike Matheson is the Canadiens’ most productive player against the hosts with 21 points in 32 games, followed by Danault, who has 15 points in 20 games, and Brendan Gallagher, who has 13 points in 31 duels. All eyes will be on Cole Caufield, however, since the sniper is just one goal short of the 50-goal mark. He’s got nine points in 11 games against the Devils, and he could very well get there. Meanwhile, Nick Suzuki is six points shy of the century mark, but the Devils are not among his favorite victims; he has 10 points in 16 games. As for defenseman Lane Hutson, he only needs two points to reach the 75-point mark on the season, but he has been held off the scoresheet in five games against the Devils. Finally, Juraj Slafkovsky only needs a goal to have 30 this season, but he’s only scored once against them and has three points in eight games.

Meanwhile, the Devils have three players who have scored 21 points against the Canadiens: Jack Hughes (in 13 games), Jesper Bratt (in 21 games), and Dougie Hamilton (in 32 games). All three are healthy and ready to go, meaning the Habs will have to keep a close eye on them. It’s also worth noting that Timo Meir has 15 points in just 16 duels with Montreal.

While the Devils are struggling this season, they have won eight of the last 10 meetings between the two sides, including the last five games. The Habs’ last game in New Jersey was on January 17, 2024. Puck drop is set for 7:00 PM, and you can catch it on NHLN, MSG, SNE, CITY, and TVAS. Chris Rooney and Stephen Hiff are set to officiate, while James Tobias and Ryan Gibbons will be the linemen.

With 98 points in the standings, the Canadiens are hot on the tail of the Tampa Bay Lightning and the Buffalo Sabres, who both sit on 100 points. The two teams are also playing tonight, but if they lose to the Boston Bruins and the Washington Capitals, respectively, there could be a three-way tie in points. Tampa would, however, remain in first place as they have a game in hand on Buffalo and more regulation wins than the Canadiens, who would move up to second place, having played one less game than the Sabres.

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Yankees Birthday of the Day: Cameron Maybin

Toronto Blue Jays v New York Yankees

The 2019 Yankees were a very odd team. They had a number of players come somewhat out of nowhere to put up solid seasons, and often in response to another member of the team going down with an injury. Cameron Maybin was one of those who stepped up.

Having been a cash considerations pickup early in the season, Maybin was mainly only acquired to fill in for injuries. However, he started playing well enough that the Yankees felt the need to keep him around. Other than a small sample size run early in his career, the 127 OPS+ he put up in 2019 was by far the best of his career.

Even if it was just one season, he was a lot of fun to watch.

Cameron Keith Maybin
Born: April 4, 1987 (Asheville, NC)
Yankees Tenure: 2019

Born and raised in Asheville, North Carolina, Maybin starred at the city’s T.C. Roberson High School. Legend had it that during his high school career, he hit a 490-foot home run. In his senior year of high school in 2005, he was considered one of the top prospects available in that year’s MLB Draft, as he was viewed as a genuine five tool talent. Despite being even higher ranked by several draftniks, he fell to the Detroit Tigers at the 10th overall pick, as there were some concerns about his signability. Maybin was committed to play at Southern University, but he still ended up agreeing to terms with the Tigers.

After signing with Detroit, Maybin shot up the various prospect rankings and also shot right through the minor leagues. He debuted in pro ball in 2006, and by the next August he was already getting called up to Detroit at just 20-years-old. In his second career game, he homered off Roger Clemens and the Yankees. Clemens then hit him with a pitch next time up, because Roger Clemens.

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However, Maybin wasn’t destined to stick around Detroit for long. The following offseason, he was one of the centerpieces of one of the biggest trades of the era. He, fellow future Yankee Andrew Miller, and others were sent to the Florida Marlins in exchange for Miguel Cabrera and Dontrelle Willis.

Despite his talent and prospect reputation, Maybin never quite made it in Florida, especially considering what Cabrera went on to do in Detroit. Over three seasons there, he posted an 88 OPS+, and was eventually traded to the Padres.

Over the next several years, Maybin became a perfectly fine MLB player, especially on defense, just never a truly spectacular player who could stick around somewhere for long. He became a bit of a journeyman, having stints in San Diego, Atlanta, back in Detroit, Anaheim, Houston, back in Miami, and Seattle.

To start 2019, Maybin signed a minor league deal with the Giants as a non-roster invite for spring training. He didn’t end up sticking there and was eventually released, before signing a minor league deal with Cleveland. They assigned him to Triple-A, and he was OPS’ing just .663 when the Yankees came calling.

In early April 2019, Clint Frazier went down with an injury. At that point, all of Aaron Judge, Giancarlo Stanton, Aaron Hicks, and, yes, Jacoby Ellsbury were on the IL as well, and the depth was running thin. That led to the Yankees acquiring Maybin from Cleveland for cash considerations.

Maybin’s first game as a Yankee came on April 26th, where he recorded a hit, which he proceeded to do in all of his first seven games with the team. While his acquisition may have initially just been a short-term play for depth, eventually Maybin just kept hitting to the point where the Yankees had to keep him around. From June 15-18, he homered in four consecutive games and had an OPS of .892 in over 100 plate appearances. Beyond him playing well, Maybin’s affable personality also endeared himself to fans and teammates.

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Shortly after that, Maybin himself was forced to the IL with a calf strain, which kept him out a little over a month. Even as he and other Yankees’ outfielders started to recover and return, the team simply had to keep Maybin around, as he was playing too well. He just kept on hitting right through the end of the season, posting a .858 OPS.

Maybin didn’t get a ton of playing time in the postseason, but he hit decently there too, going 2-for-6 with a home run and two stolen bases.

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Following that season, Maybin returned to Detroit for a third stint in 2020. He was traded part way through the COVID-shortened season to the Cubs. He then played a handful of games for the Mets in 2021 before retiring from playing. After playing, he’s spent some time in various broadcast booths as an analyst, including a year with the YES Network.

In total, Maybin’s tenure with the Yankees totals just 82 games. However, his tenure was way more fun than you might expect from that short a stint.

See more of the “Yankees Birthday of the Day” series he

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Knicks Bulletin: ‘When we do, we might jump on somebody’

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - APRIL 03: Jeremy Sochan #20 of the New York Knicks reacts during the fourth quarter against the Chicago Bulls at Madison Square Garden on April 03, 2026 in New York City. 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 Pamela Smith/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Would you believe the Knicks beat the Bulls at MSG?

Easy peasy victory, as New York reached FIFTY wins for the third consecutive season.

S/o Thomas Joseph Thibodeau.

Mike Brown

On a fast start against Chicago:

“Tonight we started the right way, and when we do, we might jump on somebody. It’s about making our opponents feel us executing our defense the right way every possession, not giving up any easy baskets in transition and finishing it with the defense rebound.”

On the first-quarter defense on Friday:

“A lot of it has been our defense. In the first quarter, we’re 19th [in the league] right now, and fourth quarter, we’re first by a mile. So for us to bring that same sense of urgency to start the games defensively, it’s going to be big for us.”

On using Jeremy Sochan at backup center with KAT out:

“It allowed us to do a lot of things like switch pick and rolls. It brought a different element to our game. Not just offensively with the speed, but defensively with switching a lot of things and just keeping the ball in front of us.”

On Jose Alvarado’s future role with Deuce and Shamet back:

“We think Jose has done a fantastic job for us. … Deuce is getting healthier and Landry’s getting healthy and trying to find minutes for those guys – both of those guys are capable of playing that (backup guard) spot – is going to be a priority because they’ve proven themselves this year for us.”

On OG Anunoby’s lone All-Defensive nod:

“It’s bulls–t, and I can say that with a straight face ‘cause he’s a great defender and he does a lot of different things that people don’t see on that end of the floor for us and for other teams he played for. But more importantly, his versatility is just off the charts and you can do a lot of things with your defense because of him. In my opinion, he deserves First Team All-Defense this year – and hopefully the powers that be will see it that way, too.”

On the Knicks’ form heading into the playoffs:

“You always want your team to be playing at the highest of high cylinders. Do I think we’re there right now? No. Do I have belief in this team? Yes, I do. I’ve seen us play really good basketball throughout the course of the year. Even in games where there’s quote-unquote manufactured pressure (such as the NBA Cup). We’ve played really good basketball. I like what we have in that locker room and I like the things that we’ve done this year, but I expect more from myself first and everybody else second.”

On performing in big environments:

“All games you want to win, but when you go into Boston, it’s different than maybe going into another arena. Or if you go into OKC, it’s different than going into another arena. Those types of games, there’s a lot of manufactured pressure just because they’re good teams and it’s on national TV and all that good stuff. So to get that (environment) and to be able to perform at a pretty good level – you embrace that opportunity. You want to win all games, but to win those games – our guys have done (well) in those situations over the course of the year. So my belief is, (with) this group going into the playoffs when it’s real, that our guys will rise to the occasion.”

On the need for winning games without regard for the opponent:

“It doesn’t matter who we’re playing, at the end of the day it’s about us. I thought the guys were really good with that. … I thought we played the right way, playing with a sense of urgency and then on top of that, sharing the basketball offensively and spacing the floor the right way. It was a lot of fun to watch.”

Jalen Brunson

On the need to start games strong:

“Being able to lock in and be ready to go from the jump is key. It starts with our preparation. I think there’s still things we can do better defensively. Obviously, getting out to a lead helped us play comfortably for the rest of the game.”

Josh Hart

On not having a clue about the Knicks’ slow-start issues:

“We’ve been getting off to slow starts for two years now. If I had the answers, we would be better.”

OG Anunoby

On deserving more All-Defensive recognition:

“I think I should’ve gotten it more, for sure. I think I should’ve gotten it last year. I think I should get it this year. That’s definitely a goal of mine, coming into the season, especially defensively, being on the first team or second team – hopefully first.”

On the true value of defense:

“It’s half the game. Fifty percent offense. Fifty percent defense. I just take pride in it. It’s very important, especially for winning games and winning championships – it’s very important.”

Miles McBride

On the increased energy against Chicago:

“Tonight, we just came out with a different energy. The first five really set a tone, and the bench follows.”

On his groin tweak against the OKC Thunder:

“It’s just kind of like a tweak; it’s a painful tweak. (It’s) like someone stabbing your groin, hip and ab at the same time. It’s not fun. I’ll get back right. All glory to God.”

On OG Anunoby’s defensive value:

“I think that speaks to his motor, his work ethic. He super important for us.”

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Panthers Kick Off Final Road Trip With Back-To-Back In Pittsburgh

The Florida Panthers are about to begin their final road trip of the season.

A long, injury-filled season is slowly nearing its end for Florida, but not before they play their final five road games in the span of eight days.

The fun starts on Saturday in Pittsburgh when the Panthers begin a rare weekend back-to-back against the same opponent, playing the Penguins in consecutive days.

This season has been something of a surprise regarding Pittsburgh, who wasn’t viewed as a major postseason threat heading into their campaign.

That hasn’t stopped the Pens from maintaining a playoff spot for basically the entire season.

Entering play Saturday, Pittsburgh is holding onto second place in the Metropolitan Division with 92 points. They’ve got a three-point edge on the third-place New York Islanders with a game in hand, so this weekend’s doubleheader with Florida could go a long way toward securing the Pens spot in the postseason dance.

Florida, meanwhile, has been hovering toward the bottom of the Eastern Conference standings for several weeks.

The big focus for many Panthers fans has become the team’s first-round selection at the 2026 NHL Draft, which they initially traded to the Chicago Blackhawaks at last season’s Trade Deadline in the dead that brough Seth Jones to Florida.

That pick is actually top-10 protected, meaning if the Panthers end up finishing in a position that has them slotted for a selection in the top 10 of this summer’s draft, they’ll keep it, and Chicago will instead get Florida’s 2027 first-rounder.

Currently, the Panthers are in the ninth-worst spot in the league standings, and that’s after pulling off consecutive home wins last week against the Ottawa Senators and Boston Bruins.

Now Florida has seven games remaining, with only the final two coming back on home ice. Five of those games will come against teams currently holding playoff spots (Pittsburgh, Montreal, Ottawa, Detroit), and the other two will come against clubs who are, similarly to Florida, jostling for draft position (Toronto and the New York Rangers).

Here are the Panthers projected lines and pairings for Saturday’s scuffle in Pittsburgh:

Carter Verhaeghe – Sam Bennett – Matthew Tkachuk

Mackie Samoskevich – Eetu Luostarinen – A.J. Greer

Noah Gregor – Tomas Nosek – Jesper Boqvist

Cole Reinhardt – Luke Kunin – Vinnie Hinostroza

Gus Forsling – Tobias Bjornfot

Donovan Sebrango – Seth Jones

Mikulas Hovorka – Mike Benning

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Photo caption: Oct 23, 2025; Sunrise, Florida, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins center Sidney Crosby (87) moves the puck against the Florida Panthers during the first period at Amerant Bank Arena. (Sam Navarro-Imagn Images)