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Fantasy Basketball Waiver Wire: Jared Butler providing stability in Philly

As things continue to get sillier and sillier across the league, it is easy to get lost as a fantasy manager. There are already enough headaches managing back-to-backs and injuries throughout the season, but now during the playoffs, teams are playing their stars less minutes and less games. It’s easy to get frustrated, but these players can help you come out on top in your leagues despite not having your key pieces.

PG/SG Jared Butler (11% rostered in Yahoo! leagues), Philadelphia 76ers

Feel free to take a dart throw on anybody that is healthy in Philly, but Butler feels like the safest option to me. He has averaged 13.2 points, three rebounds, six assists, one steal and 1.8 threes over the 76ers’ last five games and scored 21 points on Monday. He ranks just outside the top-100 in nine-cat leagues during this five-game stretch as a starter, and it is unlikely that he will relinquish the starting point guard role over the final month of the season.

PG Tre Jones (25%), Chicago Bulls

Jones continues to start for Chicago and has provided top-50 value over the past two weeks with averages of 15.3 points, 4.7 rebounds, 6.9 assists and 1.3 steals per game. He recorded an 18/4/12/3 line in Monday’s win over Utah. If you’re looking for dimes without sacrificing efficiency, Jones is the perfect pickup.

SG/SF Kevin Huerter (11%), Chicago Bulls

Huerter is newer to the starting lineup than Jones, but he has also been productive. He has started their last three games and averaged 14.7 points, 6.3 rebounds, three assists and 2.7 threes per game. He finished with 17 points, nine rebounds and five three-pointers against the Jazz.

SG Jordan Hawkins (5%), New Orleans Pelicans

Hawkins hasn’t been productive, but this is more about opportunity. Trey Murphy (shoulder) is done for the year, making Hawkins a candidate to take on even more minutes on the perimeter. When he’s been at his best, he has been a viable source of three-pointers. Unfortunately, that hasn’t happened consistently this season.

SG/SF Gary Payton II (5%), Golden State Warriors

I’m not a huge fan of GP2 in fantasy basketball, but he’s playing too well to ignore. He has provided fifth-round value over the last two weeks in nine-cat leagues, and he tallied an 18/3/1/3/1 line with two triples on Monday. Plus, Stephen Curry may get a rest night on Tuesday, which only raises Payton II’s ceiling. Again, I don’t typically trust him, but he has been playing well.

PG/SG Jordan Goodwin (1%), Los Angeles Lakers

Head coach JJ Redick has raved about Goodwin recently, and it showed up in the box score on Monday, He finished with 15 points, four rebounds, three assists, three steals, one block and three three-pointers in a big win over the Spurs. Goodwin should continue to start until LeBron James returns, which means that he should be a solid option for at least a few more games.

SG AJ Johnson (less than 1%), Washington Wizards

The rookie started for the first time in his career on Monday, and while the numbers weren’t great (8/7/4), it shows that Brian Keefe wants to see what Johnson can do. It may not be pretty all the time, but Johnson should continue to play a large role for Washington moving forward.

SG/SF Matisse Thybulle (less than 1%), Portland Trail Blazers

Thybulle had five steals and a block in 22 minutes on Monday after having two steals and a block in six minutes on Sunday, which was his season debut. It was a long injury layoff, but Thybulle has nine “stocks” in 28 minutes so far this season. If you’re desperate for some defensive stats, he’s a fun dart throw.

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MLB Tokyo Series: Ohtani and Yamamoto lead Dodgers to 4-1 win over Cubs in opener

MLB Tokyo Series: Ohtani and Yamamoto lead Dodgers to 4-1 win over Cubs in opener originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

TOKYO — For a moment, it felt like all of Japan held its collective breath. The Tokyo Dome, known throughout the globe for its energy and electric atmosphere, fell silent as the sheeted dead. Then, as Shohei Ohtani’s bat connected on a curveball, the crowd erupted. 

Shohei Ohtani, an international megastar playing on his home soil for the first time as a major leaguer, delivered the hit that jolted the Los Angeles Dodgers to life, setting the stage for the team’s thrilling 4-1 comeback over the Chicago Cubs in the opening game of the 2025 MLB season.

The journey to Opening Day was nearly a year in the making as both teams traveled over 6,000 miles for this moment. None of the other 28 teams in Major League Baseball had to travel across the world to play two games before heading all the way back across the Pacific Ocean for more exhibition games. 

No one else had to arrive a week early to spring training, break camp early, disrupt their lives and routines for a couple of games on the other side of the world. But nobody else is Shohei Ohtani and the reigning World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers.

In front of a packed house, in a city that is buzzing with baseball fever, two historic franchises clashed under the Tokyo lights. The 2025 MLB Tokyo Series was a celebration of Japanese baseball at its finest. Five Japanese-born players were on the active rosters and will play in the series.

Even though this was a series between two of baseball’s iconic franchises, it was still the Shohei Ohtani show. 

Ohtani is more than just famous in his home country. He’s an A-list celebrity, a rock star and a cultural icon all rolled into one. During the two-game series, over a dozen different commercials featuring Ohtani flashed across TV screens in Tokyo. His face is featured on billboards, taxi cabs, subway trains, storefront windows and more. 

Each and every time Ohtani stepped to the plate, fans roared and cheered. They all took out their phones to record his every movement and held their collective breath during each pitch. They oohed and aahed at every ball he put into play and gasped when he struck out.

So, after the flags were unfurled and the national anthems, played by Japanese musician Yoshiki, were completed, after the Pokemon introductions and the plethora of Pikachu’s danced across the diamond, there was finally baseball being played in 2025.

For the first time since the Dodgers defeated the Yankees in Game 5 of the 2024 World Series at Yankee Stadium on Oct. 30, the games actually counted, and LA’s title defense has officially begun.

Ohtani finished the game 2-for-5 with a single, a double and two runs scored. His first hit of the 2025 season, a line drive to right field, came in the top of the fifth inning. 

Tommy Edman tied the game with a line drive to left field, and Ohtani scored the go-ahead run on an errant throw by Cubs second baseman Jon Berti. 

Teoscar Hernandez added an insurance run in the top of the ninth.

That would be all the Dodgers would need as their pitching staff did the rest. Anthony Banda, Ben Casparius, Blake Treinen, and free agent acquisition Tanner Scott combined for four shutout innings with the latter earning his first save in Dodger blue.

Dodgers’ starting pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto knows what it’s like to travel across the world to pitch in a baseball game. He’s no longer a rookie with the weight of the world on his shoulders. After a dominant postseason in which he was the ace of the Dodgers injury riddled World Series-winning pitching staff, Yamamoto has emerged as the ace of this year’s staff.

Los Angeles Dodgers v Chicago Cubs: MLB Tokyo Series
TOKYO, JAPAN – MARCH 18: Yoshinobu Yamamoto #18 of the Los Angeles Dodgers reacts after the bottom of the fifth inning during the MLB Tokyo Series game against Chicago Cubs at Tokyo Dome on March 18, 2025 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by Masterpress/Getty Images)

Yamamoto’s three-pitch mix of fastball, curveball and splitter kept the Cubs hitters off-balance all night long. His only blemish was an RBI double to Miguel Amaya in the bottom of the second. 

In a polar opposite performance from his first start of the 2024 season, Yamamoto allowed just one run on three hits with four strikeouts in five innings. He seized the opportunity in his home country and earned the win over his fellow countryman Shota Imanaga in the first all-Japanese Opening Day starting pitching matchup in MLB history.

Both teams will play again tomorrow, but the memories of this game will last a lifetime, and for the 42,635 fans in attendance at Tokyo Dome, they will remember it for years to come.

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Alabama’s bench could be key to the Tide making another deep run in the NCAA tourney

With versatile point guard Mark Sears and mustachioed forward Grant Nelson, Alabama has two of the more recognizable players in the NCAA Tournament. The duo led the Crimson Tide to the Final Four last year and returned to school in hopes of delivering the program’s first national title. The second-seeded Tide (25-8) open NCAA play against No. 15 seed Robert Morris in Cleveland on Friday, giving Nelson an extra day to recover from an injury sustained in the first half of a loss to Florida in the semifinals of the Southeastern Conference Tournament on Saturday.

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Pelicans' Trey Murphy III out for remainder of season with torn labrum in right shoulder

The New Orleans Pelicans, already hit hard by injuries this season, now will be without another key player for the rest of this season: Trey Murphy III has a torn labrum in his right shoulder and will need to undergo surgery, the team announced.

The injury happened just 49 seconds into the game Monday night when Murphy dislocated his shoulder going after a loose ball.

Murphy has taken a step forward this season and is averaging 21.6 points, 5.2 rebounds and 3.6 assists a game. Once healthy, he and Jones form an impressive two-way core of wings to fit with whatever the Pelicans roster looks like next season.

Detroit had an easy time of it on Monday night, getting 24 points and eight assists from Cade Cunningham on their way to a 127-81 win. Simone Fontecchio added 23 points for Detroit, which got a much-needed win after dropping 4-of-6 coming in. Zion Williamson had 30 points to lead New Orleans.

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The Rise of the SEC: How a league known for the gridiron became became kings of college basketball

Porter Moser spent three seasons in the Big 12 before shepherding Oklahoma to the Southeastern Conference, making the longtime coach uniquely suited to compare the erstwhile best conference in America to the current king of college hoops. “The things is, there is no bottom,” Moser explained. The expanded SEC landed a record 14 teams in the 68-team bracket, populating it with the overall No. 1 seed (Auburn), another No. 1 seed (Florida) and four more among the top four seeds in their respective regions.

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Lakers don't shy away from 'naked' opportunities in blowout win over Spurs

LOS ANGELES, CA - MARCH 17, 2025: Los Angeles Lakers center Jaxson Hayes (11) reacts.
Lakers center Jaxson Hayes swings on the rim after dunking over San Antonio Spurs forward Julian Champagnie in the second half of the Lakers' 125-109 win at Crypto.com Arena on Monday night. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)

If you have been studying the Lakers’ offense microscopically since the team acquired Luka Doncic, if you have looked at the spacing, the movement, the efficiency and the organization rates, there’s only one question you possibly could have after Monday’s 125-109 win over the San Antonio Spurs.

Is it “butt naked” or “buck naked”?

Nearly a month ago, Dorian Finney-Smith introduced the phrasing into the Lakers’ lexicon after a rare practice, saying either “butt” or “buck” when describing the nudity level Doncic’s new teammates would need to be comfortable with.

No one plays near you when Doncic is on the court, Finney-Smith said, the opposing defense leaving you alone, exposed and uncontested in ways that just don’t happen in the NBA.

Lakers star Luka Doncic scores past Spurs guard Devin Vassell in the first half Monday.
Lakers star Luka Doncic scores past Spurs guard Devin Vassell in the first half Monday. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)

“I’m back getting wide-open shots where I feel like I gotta rush when I really don’t have to, I got plenty of time,” he said. “The last couple of years, I ain’t been playing with guys like Luka, so I’ve been getting hard closeouts, but now I got that time. You (butt? buck?)-naked wide open.”

That was clear — just the descriptor wasn’t.

“Excuse my language,” he said with a grin. “You wide open.”

Playing for the fourth time in five days and again without key starters LeBron James and Rui Hachimura, the Lakers’ offense operated with the kind of ease that just doesn’t happen in most games, the team creating the kinds of naked opportunities that would make anyone blush.

Lakers guard Dalton Knecht is fouled by San Antonio Spurs guard Stephon Castle as he drives to the basket.
Lakers guard Dalton Knecht is fouled by San Antonio Spurs guard Stephon Castle as he drives to the basket in the second half Monday. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)

This was an NC-17 level of offense for the Lakers (42-25) against the Spurs (28-39), things looking easy even if Doncic had a rough shooting night, missing a two-pointer from the paint with his first shot.

The box score was awful, Doncic making only five of 20 from the field (a game he salvaged by making 10 of 13 from the line). But it hardly mattered, the attention centered on Doncic leading to easy nights for others.

“It’s just fun,” Finney-Smith said. “He’s going to create so many problems for people on the offensive end. So we just got to make it easy for him.”

After the game, Lakers coach JJ Redick noted that the Lakers took 48 threes — 34 uncontested.

The Spurs, the worst defense in the NBA over the last 15 games — most of that coming since star Victor Wembanyama’s season ended — certainly played a role, but Doncic is unlocking more scoring opportunities. Until the trade, it always seemed as if the offense would live in the shadow of the Lakers’ defensive identity.

Read more:Luka Doncic scores 33 and gritty Lakers beat Suns to end four-game losing skid

“Luka obviously causes so much havoc for teams’ defenses that the majority of the time you got to blitz him and then you’re playing four on three,” guard Austin Reaves said. “So, it’s just a fun brand of basketball and after a long road trip that we were really bad on, it’s good to get home and get back to winning.”

For most of the game the Lakers looked as though they had unlocked the code, cutting at the right times, flaring to the corners for open shots and filling the right lanes in transition.

Reaves feasted, the Lakers’ leading scorer getting wide-open looks at threes. He attempted a career-high 13, making five on his way to a 30-point game. Jordan Goodwin, starting again, hit three of six. Finney-Smith made four of eight and Gabe Vincent and Dalton Knecht combined to make five of 12 off the bench.

“Even in some of the games where we haven’t necessarily had a great offensive rating, you can kind of attribute that to turnovers and missing shots. I mean, even just the last two games, our rim efficiency was really poor,” Redick said. “So, I think it’s all going to come together where we’re finishing, we’re passing, we’re taking care of the basketball, we’re making threes. But pleased with how we’re able to generate good looks fairly consistently.”

Lakers guard Luka Doncic, left, Lakers center Jaxson Hayes during a timeout against the Spurs on Monday.
Lakers guard Luka Doncic, left, Lakers center Jaxson Hayes during a timeout against the Spurs on Monday. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)

Reaves, in particular, looked increasingly comfortable with Doncic and vice versa, the two linking up multiple times to create open looks for one another.

“This guy just scored 30 in his fourth game in five days,” Doncic said of Reaves. “That explains everything. He’s an amazing player. For him to go undrafted is unbelievable. And, it’s not easy to go undrafted and play at this level. It’s amazing just to be by his side.”

The Lakers, despite trailing by seven early, mostly controlled the game, save for some sloppiness in the fourth quarter when their energy significantly lagged.

Frustrated with San Antonio’s uptick in physicality as it tried to rally, Jarred Vanderbilt and Spurs wing Jeremy Sochan were ejected after Sochan threw the ball at Vanderbilt and the Lakers forward responded with a shove.

By then the Lakers already had established the terms, a game where they could get any shot they wanted seemingly whenever they wanted — the defense nowhere to be seen.

After the game in the locker room, when people crowding around him dispersed, Finney-Smith clarified what he said.

“Butt naked,” he said with a chuckle. “Butt.”

Butt or buck, the Lakers are showing that they can undress a defense. Wednesday they’ll face a tougher test in a key Western Conference game against the visiting Denver Nuggets.

“Look, I think the team that has [Nikola] Jokic on it is always dangerous,” Doncic said. “And it’s hard to play against him. He knows all the tricks. He’s an amazing basketball player. But that’s fun. That’s fun for us. That’s a challenge for us and it’s fun. We like challenges.”

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.

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Obi Toppin's leaning corner 3-pointer proves game-winner, Pacers snap Timberwolves win streak at 8

Indiana Pacers v Minnesota Timberwolves

MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - MARCH 17: Obi Toppin #1 of the Indiana Pacers celebrates his three-point basket against the Minnesota Timberwolves during overtime at Target Center on March 17, 2025 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Pacers defeated the Timberwolves 132-130. 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 David Berding/Getty Images)

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Four of Indiana's regular starters were out — Pascal Siakam (personal), Tyrese Haliburton (back), Myles Turner (hip), Aaron Nesmith (ankle) — then the fifth, Andrew Nembhard, was ejected in the third quarter. Then Bennedict Mathurin, who has started 45 games for the Pacers this season, fouled out in the fourth.

But the Indiana Pacers had Obi Toppin, and that's all they needed to snap the Timberwolves eight-game win streak. Toppin hit two key 3-pointers in overtime, a banked one from straight away, then with the game on the line this one from the corner.

Toppin, averaging 9.9 points a game and shooting 33.5% from 3 this season, turned it on with all the offensive power out for the Pacers and finished with 34 points on the night including seven made 3-pointers.

The turning point came when Nembhard caught Mike Conley with an inadvertent elbow as he tried to drive to the basket. Rudy Gobert stood up for his teammate and stopped Nembhard with a shoulder check, at which point Nembhard threw the ball at Gobert. That toss earned Nembhard a second technical and, with that, an ejection. Gobert was ejected as well.

Mathurin scored 22 before fouling out, while eight Pacers scored in double digits in a balanced attack.

Anthony Edwards led the Timberwolves with 38 points but struggled with his shot going on 1-of-11 from 3. Naz Reid had 21 off the bench and Donte DiVincenzo joined him with 19.

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Back in lineup and rhythm, Mitchell Robinson proves he's a 'huge factor' for Knicks

Throughout the first several months of the season, there was a slow drip of steady updates on progress and then stretches of nothing. Meanwhile, on the court, the Knicks experienced periods of solid play like nothing was amiss followed by moments when the team's balance appeared completely misaligned and the absence was apparent.

Mitchell Robinson, the reserve center whose health has been one of the Knicks’ biggest unanswered questions as injuries forced him to miss the first 58 games of the season, played for the eighth time on Monday night. And he looked like the player who caused New York fans’ hearts to grow fonder.

"I feel good," Robinson said after logging a season-high 24 minutes in a 116-95 win over the Miami Heat. "I'm finally getting the rhythm back a little bit, so that's great. Basically, just keep going."

Coming off the bench, he finished with 10 points on 5-for-7 shooting (with all his attempts coming right at the basket), nine rebounds (five offensive), two blocks, two steals, and an assist, and was a plus-8.

Of course, the 26-year-old center's biggest impact is on the defensive side. And now that Tom Thibodeau can finally put out lineups that feature two big men, with Robinson paired with Karl-Anthony Towns, the promise of a stout defense may be closer to realization.

“He’s such a huge factor,” the head coach said of Robinson. “And particularly when you have him and KAT out there together, you have two 7-footers. And then when OG [Anunoby is] on the frontline with them also, you’re just so long, the basket’s protected.

“I think the rim protection, [Robinson’s] ability to get out on the perimeter, defend pick-and-roll, challenge shots, cover a lot of ground, and make a second or third effort to be up on the pick-and-roll and then still get back to rebound and change shots.”

"Just his presence alone adds to our defense," said Towns, who played nine fourth-quarter minutes in a game that was already decided to get more time to mesh with the fellow big.

"It adds a lot to our team. He gives us a chance to get real versatile with our lineups,” he continued. “So today was a good day, too. We got that 4-5 with me and him. It caused, I think, some problems and allowed us to see how we can improve on that."

The extra time spent on the court together for the two big men should pay off as New York faces tougher battles than a languishing Heat team slumping to their eighth straight loss.

"I missed 10 months," Robinson said. "So, coming back… it's just got to build trust."

For the head coach, there’s a lot to like.

“You’re seeing more and more multiple-effort plays from him,” Thibodeau said. “I think his timing is coming around, so he’s moving great and he feels great.”

Mar 17, 2025; New York, New York, USA; New York Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) celebrates his three point shot against the Miami Heat during the second quarter at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images
Mar 17, 2025; New York, New York, USA; New York Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) celebrates his three point shot against the Miami Heat during the second quarter at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images / © Brad Penner-Imagn Images

From slow start to no contest

The night may have ended perfectly, but it didn’t start that way. New York was down 12-0 just four minutes into the contest and trailed 29-18 after the first quarter, a period in which the home team shot just 31.8 percent (7-for-22). 

“Obviously we started the game slowly,” Thibodeau said. “I thought our bench gave us a good lift to get out of the hole. The way we played in the third quarter -- lotta energy, I thought the defense was terrific.”

In that third, the Knicks held the Heat to 15 points on 7-for-19 shooting (37 percent). And no matter how many timeouts Erik Spoelstra called, he couldn't cool off the home side as they exploded for 41 points on 16-for-23 shooting (70 percent). 

Mikal Bridges, who scored 10 in the first quarter, owned the run in the third with 15 points on 6-for-7 shooting. And Robinson, in just five minutes of action, was a plus-15 with four points and three rebounds.

“I thought Mitch was a huge factor and then the unselfishness,” Thibs continued. “I thought Mikal had a huge game for us and Josh was a monster. We had a lot of guys step up. 

“It was a tough game coming off the West Coast and to be ready to go. But I thought our team responded well.”

Of course, the Knicks wouldn't have been in such a good position to put the game out of reach after three quarters, had Towns not taken over in the second, scoring 15 points on 6-for-9 shooting (3-for-3 from behind the arc).

"He gave us life," Thibs said. "It got sparked by a couple hustle plays, OG made a couple of really big plays defensively, and sort of got us going. We got some easy baskets in transition and then we went from there."

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Cavaliers vs. Clippers Predictions: Odds, recent stats, trends, and best bets for March 18

Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Los Angeles Clippers Preview 

The Cleveland Cavaliers (56-11) and Los Angeles Clippers (38-30) are all set to square off from Intuit Dome in Inglewood.

The Cavaliers have the best record in the NBA, but are coming off of a loss to the Orlando Magic. Despite losing that game, the Cavs are still one of the best teams in the NBA.

The Clippers are on a small winning streak. They have won three straight, and six of their last 10.
The Cavaliers are currently 26-6 on the road with a point differential of 11, while the Clippers have a 8-2 record in their last ten games at home. 

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

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

Game details & how to watch Cavaliers vs. Clippers live today

  • Date: Tuesday, March 18, 2025
  • Time: 10:30PM EST
  • Site: Intuit Dome
  • City: Inglewood, CA

Never miss a second of the action and stay up to date with all the latest team stats and player news. Check out our day-by-day NBA schedule page, along with detailed matchup pages that update live in-game.
Game odds for Cavaliers vs. Clippers
The latest odds as of Tuesday:

  • Odds: Cavaliers (-152), Clippers (+128)
  • Spread:  Cavaliers -3.5
  • Over/Under: 230 points

That gives the Cavaliers an implied team point total of 116.06, and the Clippers 114.23.
 
Want to know which sportsbook is offering the best lines for every game on the NBA calendar? Check out the NBC Sports’ Live Odds tool to get all the latest updated info from DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM & more!

Expert picks & predictions for Tuesday's Cavaliers vs. Clippers game
NBC Sports Bet Best Bet

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

 Brad Thomas (@MrBradThomas) is betting on the Cavaliers -3.5…

Thomas: “The Cavs had their winning streak ended on Sunday. They will look to bounce back against the Clippers. The Clippers have been hot from Intuit Dome, but this is a bad matchup. The length of Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley should cause problems for the Clippers. 3.5 on the best team in the East feels like we are getting a discount.”

Our model calculates projections around each moneyline, spread and over/under bet for every game on the NBA calendar based on data points like recent performance, head-to-head player matchups, trends information and projected game totals.

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

Here are the best bets our model is projecting for today’s Cavaliers & Clippers game:

  • Moneyline: NBC Sports Bet is staying away from a play on the Moneyline.
  • Spread: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play ATS on the Los Angeles Clippers at +3.
  • Total: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play on the under on the Game Total of 230.

Want even more NBA best bets and predictions from our expert staff & tools? Check out the Expert NBA Predictions page from NBC Sports for money line, spread and over/under picks for every game on today’s calendar!
Important stats, trends & insights to know ahead of Cavaliers vs. Clippers on Tuesday

  • The Clippers have won their last 4 home games against teams with winning records
  • The Clippers' last 5 games versus the Cavaliers have gone over the Total
  • The Clippers are 23-10 ATS at home this season
  • The Clippers have won 6 straight home games

 
If you’re looking for more key trends and stats around the spread, moneyline and total for every single game on the schedule today, check out our NBA Top Trends tool on NBC Sports!
 
Bet the Edge is your source for all things sports betting. Get all of Jay Croucher and Drew Dinsick’s insight weekdays at 6AM ET right here or wherever you get your favorite podcasts. 
 
Follow our experts on socials to keep up with all the latest content from the staff: 
- Jay Croucher (@croucherJD)
- Drew Dinsick (@whale_capper) 
- Vaughn Dalzell (@VmoneySports) 
- Brad Thomas (@MrBradThomas)

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What To Expect Vs Kraken As Blackhawks Return To Home Ice

Image

The Chicago Blackhawks went 0-3-1 on their recent four-game road trip. They played well against the Colorado Avalanche in the first game despite the loss, but the good vibes pretty much ended there. 

Outside of the NHL debut (and first three games) for Artyom Levshunov going well, there wasn’t much to like about Chicago’s game on this trip. 

Before they left for that road trip, Chicago had played very well on home ice in the games leading up to their departure. Now that they are back, they want to continue where they left off. 

This is how Chicago projects to line up against the Seattle Kraken in their return to the United Center: 

Donato-Nazar-Bedard

Teravainen-Dickinson-Mikheyev

Slaggert-Foligno-Dach

Maroon-Reichel-Bertuzzi

Vlasic-Levshunov

Del Mastro-Murphy

Kaiser-Martinez

This will be the second game in a row where Connor Bedard will start on the wing with Frank Nazar at center. This time, Ryan Donato will get a chance to be the third guy playing with the Blackhawks' new dynamic duo. 

Bedard has less responsibility on the wing as he has to worry about a 180-foot game rather than a 200-foot game but it remains to be seen if he can be as dangerous offensively. 

In the last two games, Connor Bedard was handed a ten-minute misconduct. Each of them was a little bit different but there is no doubt that he's brought some feisteness to his game lately. With spark plugs like Ryan Donato and Frank Nazar on his line, they may be able to make some noise. 

On defense, in front of the home crowd for the first time in his NHL career, Artyom Levshunov will be on the first pair with Alex Vlasic to start the game. Vlasic, another outstanding young defenseman, might be the perfect partner for Levshunov right now. 

Arvid Soderblom was the starter for the Blackhawks in Saturday night's loss to the Vancouver Canucks so you can expect Spencer Knight to get the nod in this one. 

The Kraken are not as low in the standings as the Blackhawks but they still enter this game 10 points below the playoff line. After being sellers at the deadline, it's clear they are thinking about the future as well. 

The Blackhawks should expect a tough game but also one where they can generate chances with their speed and skill. With a goaltender like Knight behind them, they might find it easier to have the confidence needed to make big plays.

More than anything, these late-season games should be about working on good habits to go with their skill. The future of this team is bright but these moments of development could make all the difference. 

This game can be seen on CHSN and heard on WGN Radio 720. 

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

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Wild Secures 3-1 Victory Over Kings

© Brad Rempel-Imagn Images

The Los Angeles Kings (36-21-9) landed in Minnesota (38-25-5) yesterday to take on the Wild. The Kings have been excellent, securing back-to-back wins with shutouts. With the playoffs so close, securing every single two points is crucial. In tonight's goalie lineup, Darcy Kuemper led his team out while Filip Gustavsson stood in net. It's a series of questions surrounding tonight's game: Can Kuemper secure his third shutout, and can the Kings maintain their momentum? Is tonight the night Andrei Kuzmenko gets his first goal as a King? 

Kempe Scores to Make It 1-0

With puck drop underway, it was a clash between the Wild and the Kings as they fought for possession of the puck. After five minutes of play, Adrian Kempe had lit the lamp to open the scoring, giving the Kings a 1-0 advantage. Brendan Gaunce and Jon Merrill were denied by a series of incredible saves from Kuemper. Throughout the first period, the team's balance and harmony resulted in strategic plays. Los Angeles showcased their active strength and quick speed throughout this period, and we looked forward to the second. 

Wild Ties It Up

After twenty minutes of play, the Kings returned for the second frame and the Wild were quick to tie it up with a tip-in from Ryan Hartman. The Kings were determined to level the score and regain the lead. A too many men penalty was called on the Minnesota Wild at the 14:40 mark, giving LA a power play chance to score. Unable to capitalize on scoring opportunities, and marked by plenty of back-and-forth action, both the Kings and the Wild entered the second intermission tied at 1-1.

Minnesota Leads 2-1

The third period saw the Kings and Wild back on the ice, though the Kings displayed  less physicality and energy. At the 4:38 point, Mats Zuccarello scored with a wrist shot, putting the Wild ahead 2-1. In the final moments, the Kings pulled their goaltender, hoping for a chance to tie the game before the regulation buzzer. With just 56 seconds remaining in regulation, the Wild secured the victory as Marcus Johansson scored the game-winning goal, making the final tally, 3-1. While Los Angeles outshot Minnesota 29-22, the Kings' single goal highlights a need for improved consistent scoring. Changes are necessary. The Kings left the Wild's home ice without any points and headed to their next destination in Chicago.