PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - OCTOBER 04: Bryce Harper #3 of the Philadelphia Phillies reacts after defeating the Miami Marlins 7-1 in Game Two of the Wild Card Series at Citizens Bank Park on October 04, 2023 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images) | Getty Images
FanGraphs has published their projected playoff odds, which means the season draws near. Soon we will have real baseball to bicker and banter over between ourselves. But in the meantime, we can argue over playoff odds. The Phillies are projected by FanGraphs to have a 65.7% chance to make the playoffs, and an 18.9% chance to defend their NL East Title. Both the Braves and the Mets are given better playoff and division odds.
Today’s question is: What do you think of FanGraph’s projections for the Phillies? Too pessimistic? Too optimistic? About right? Make your case.
BOSTON, MA - SEPTEMBER 29: Brad Stevens, president of basketball operations for the Boston Celtics, leaves a press conference at Boston Celtics media day at the Auerbach Center on September 29, 2025 in Boston, Massachusetts. 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 Winslow Townson/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Yesterday’s big trade finally solved the glaring issue of needing more center depth (with all due respect to Queta and Garza). It cost the Celtics some guard depth though. So will the team make another move to add a backup guard or go with what they have?
In theory Jayson Tatum coming back gives the Celtics the scoring punch that they are losing with Simons heading out. While Simons wasn’t exactly a “ball handler” or “distributor,” he was at least capable of bringing the ball up on occasion. Here again, Tatum (at nearly full speed) can help out in this regard.
Still, it would be nice to have a guy that can give us some point guard minutes in a pinch. Maybe that guy can be found in the buyout market (Mike Conley? CP3?). Or maybe there’s someone kicking around the G-League that could use a call-up.
Or maybe there’s another deal out there that Brad is looking into. I’m not sure why the Bulls seem to have a team full of guards and couldn’t throw one of them our way in yesterday’s deal (well, technically they haven’t completed the deal yet and could expand it in the coming days). After a relatively quiet month, things sure are picking up lately.
So what do you think? Is Brad done dealing before the deadline? Or is he going to keep making moves?
Chicago Blackhawks - 21-24-9 - 51 Points - 3-5-2 in the last 10 - Lost 2 - 6th in the Central
Columbus Blue Jackets - 25-20-7 - 57 Points - 7-3-0 in the last 10 - Won 3 - 5th in the Metro.
Team Notes Per CBJ PR
Columbus has won a season-high six-straight games, as well as 10 of its past 11 games overall, while outscoring opponents 42-26 since Jan. 11 following its 3-0 victory at New Jersey last night.
CBJ lead the NHL in wins, points pct. (.909) and team save percentage (.916) and rank second in goals-against/game(2.36), sixth-T in goals for/game (3.82) and seventh in power play pct. (29.6) over that stretch.
The club has scored the opening goal in nine of the past 11 games and has scored the first goal in 33 contests, tied for fourth-most in the NHL in 2025-26.
Columbus leads the NHL in goals by defensemen and ranks fourth in points with 42-98-140 in 55 contests.
CBJ conclude their 11th of 16 back-to-back sets of the season (13-5-3 .690 pts. pct;) vs. Chicago tonight.
The Jackets have allowed two power play goals over the last eight contests and lead the league in penalty kill pct. since Jan. 17 (91.7 pct., 1st in NHL; 22-of-24).
Player Notes Per CBJ PR
Charlie Coyle has notched 9-6-15 in the last 11 contests and ranks second-T in the NHL in goals since Jan. 11.
Jet Greaves (5-0-0, 2.47 GAA, .914 SV%, 1 SO) and G Elvis Merzlikins (5-1-0, 2.03 GAA, .925 SV%, 1 SO) have each won five games for the Blue Jackets since Jan. 11.
Boone Jenner (203 career assists) is one assist from tying RW David Vyborny for the third-most all-time in CBJ history.
Kirill Marchenko, who missed last night's game due to illness, has points in his past four games (1-4-5) and in 15 of his last 19 contests since Dec. 22 (9-11-20).
Mathieu Olivier (two goals at New Jersey) has notched multiple points in three of the past four games (4-2-6).
Zach Werenski has recorded assists in five-straight games (8 assists) and points in six consecutive (1-8-9). He leads NHL blueliners in goals (tied, 19), points (61), multi-point efforts (20), points-per-game (1.20), even strength goals (16), even strength points (45) and shots on goal (181) this season.
Blue Jackets Stats
Power Play - 19.9% - 18th in the NHL
Penalty Kill - 76.9% - 28th in the NHL
Goals For - 170 - 18th in the NHL
Goals Against - 176 - 21st in the NHL
BlackhawksStats
Power Play - 19.5% - 19th in the NHL
Penalty Kill - 85.6% - 1st in the NHL
Goals For - 151 - 26th in the NHL
Goals Against - 176 - 20th in the NHL
Series History vs. TheBlackhawks
Columbus is 43-46-2-13 all-time, and 22-21-1-8 at home vs. Chicago.
The Blue Jackets are 7-0-1 in the last 8 games of the series and have won 6-straight overall.
The winning team has scored four or more goals in 11-straight meetings and 13 of the last 15 in the series overall since Feb. 11, 2021.
The CBJ beat the Blackhawks 4-2 on January 30th
The winning team has won by multiple goals in each of the past nine meetings, including seven instances of by at least three goals.
The teams have combined for six-plus goals in 12 of the past 15 contests, including nine with seven or more goals.
The Blue Jackets have recorded a power play goal in six of the past eight meetings (6-of-21; 28.6 pct.).
Who To Watch For TheBlackhawks
Tyler Bertuzzi leads the Blackhawks with 25 goals.
Connor Bedard leads Chicago with 30 assists and 53 points.
Goalie Spencer Knight is 16-17-7 with a SV% of .909.
Arvid Soderblom is 5-9-2 with a SV% of .874.
CBJ Player Notes vs.Blackhawks
Zach Werenski has 21 points in 19 career games vs. the Blackhawks.
Boone Jenner has 12 points in 23 games.
Charlie Coyle has 15 points in 39 games against Chicago.
Injured Reserve
Brendan Smith - Lower Body - Missed 17 Games IR - Out for the rest of the regular season.
TOTAL MAN GAMES LOST: 153
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The NBA was busy yesterday afternoon with a handful of big names changing teams. The biggest of those trades saw James Harden on the move once again in his career. The 9-time All-Star is now a Cleveland Cavalier. Ironically, the Cavs (30-21) take the court tonight against his old team, the Los Angeles Clippers (23-26) in Southern California.
This is the fifth time the veteran has been traded in his career. In 2012 the former Arizona State Sun Devil was traded from OKC to Houston. In 2021 Harden went from Houston to Brooklyn before going from Brooklyn to Philly in 2022. His stay in Philly was brief as he was traded from the Sixers to the Clippers in 2023 before landing in Cleveland yesterday.
The backcourt in Cleveland is possibly the league’s best…on the offensive end.
The Clippers now employ Darius Garland, the son of former Clipper Winston Garland. The Cavs’ point guard has played well – 18PPG and 6.9AST – but has played sparingly due to foot and toe injuries.
Neither Garland nor Harden is expected to play for their new teams tonight, but we can expect to see the NBA’s 6th-leading scorer, Donovan Mitchell (28.8PPG), and a resurgent Kawhi Leonard (27.6PPG).
This is the second of two games scheduled between these teams this season. The Cavs won on November 23, 120-105, in Cleveland. Donovan Mitchell had 37 points to lead the Cavaliers to the win.
We’ve got all the info and analysis you need to know ahead of the game, including the latest info on how to catch tipoff, odds courtesy of DraftKings recent team performance, player stats, and of course, our predictions, picks best bets for the game from our modeling tools and staff of experts.
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Game Details and How to Watch Live: Cavaliers at Clippers
Date: Wednesday, February 4, 2026
Time: 10:30PM EST
Site: Intuit Dome
City: Inglewood, CA
Network/Streaming: FDSN Ohio, FDSN SoCal
Rotoworld has you covered with all the latest NBA Player News for all 30 teams. Check out the feed page right here on NBC Sports for headlines, injuries and transactions where you can filter by league, team, positions and news type!
Game Odds: Cavaliers at Clippers
The latest odds as of Wednesday courtesy of DraftKings:
Moneyline: Cleveland Cavaliers (-130), Los Angeles Clippers (+110)
Spread: Cavaliers -2.5
Total: 223.5 points
This game opened Cavaliers -1.5 with the Total set at 221.5.
Be sure to check out DraftKings for all the latest game odds & player props for every matchup this week on the NBA schedule!
James Harden (personal) is doubtful for tonight’s game
Evan Mobley (calf) has been declared OUT for tonight’s game
Max Strus (foot) has been declared OUT for tonight’s game
Los Angeles Clippers
Darius Garland (toe) has been declared OUT for tonight’s game
TyTy Washington (hamstring) has been declared OUT for tonight’s game
Bradley Beal (hip) has been declared OUT for tonight’s game
Chris Paul (susp) has been declared OUT for tonight’s game
Important stats, trends and insights: Cavaliers at Clippers
The Cavaliers are 13-10 on the road this season
The Clippers are 13-10 at home this season
The Clippers are 24-25 ATS this season
The Cavaliers are 20-31 ATS this season
The OVER has cashed in 24 of the Clippers’ 49 games this season (24-25)
The OVER has cashed in 24 of the Cavaliers’ 51 games this season (24-27)
Kawhi Leonard has scored at least 20 points in each of his last 28 games
Jaylon Tyson has totaled at least 4 assists in 7 of his last 8 games
Jarrett Allen has pulled down at least 9 rebounds in 4 of his last 7 games
Rotoworld Best Bet
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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 tonight’s Cavaliers and Clippers’ game:
Moneyline: Rotoworld Bet is recommending a play on the Cavaliers on the Moneyline
Spread: Rotoworld Bet is leaning towards a play on the Cavaliers -2.5 ATS
Total: Rotoworld Bet is staying away from a play on the Game Total of 223.5
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SAN FRANCISCO — As the buzzer sounded and capped the Golden State Warriors' final game before the NBA trade deadline, Draymond Green was on the court sharing laughs and conversations with teammate Stephen Curry and Philadelphia 76ers guard Kyle Lowry.
Was the 113-94 loss on Tuesday, Feb. 3 at Chase Center Green's final game as a Warrior?
The Warriors have had multiple players' names swirling around the rumor mill ahead of the 3 p.m. ET (noon PT) trade deadline on Thursday, Feb. 5, and Green was one of them.
The Warriors' next game against the Phoenix Suns on Feb. 5 at 10 p.m. ET (7 p.m. PT) is after the deadline.
Green has been mentioned in a potential trade that would send him and other Warriors players to the Milwaukee Bucks for Giannis Antetokounmpo, according to ESPN. NBA insider Marc Stein reported on Jan. 23 that Green would be included in a trade, rather than Jimmy Butler, who tore his ACL in a season-ending injury on Jan. 9.
Stein said the potential trade would include Green, Jonathan Kuminga and Brandin Podziemski, who grew up in Greenfield of Milwaukee County in Wisconsin.
The Warriors are willing to trade Draymond Green, Brandin Podziemski, and Jonathan Kuminga for Giannis Antetokounmpo, per @TheSteinLine
“The Stein Line was the first to report on Jan. 23 that Jimmy Butler would not be included in Golden State's Giannis offers and it has since… pic.twitter.com/va391CKEbG
Green said after the loss to the Sixers that he doesn't know if he's played his last game for the Warriors.
"Maybe," Green told USA TODAY Sports. "I don't know. I don't foresee it that way. But if I have, like I said it's been an amazing run. But I don't know, we'll see. I don't sit and think about the possibilities of what may happen. It's gon' be what it's gon' be, regardless. That just, it is what it is."
Green finished the game with six points, seven rebounds and three assists in 25 minutes. He wore his jersey during his postgame conference with reporters as he does with most postgame scrums, nothing unusual. But he acknowledged that there's a "possibility" he could be traded.
"It's a possibility that I might get traded. It's kind of just what it's like −yeah but at some point it's going to come to an end," Green told reporters about being involved in trade rumors and his Warriors' tenure. "Whether it's a day or two or a year or two, it's going to come to an end at some point. You got to be okay with that. It's not something that I can hold onto forever because I can't play basketball forever. It's got to come to an end at some point anyway."
Green is 35 years old. He was drafted by Golden State out of Michigan State with the 35th pick in the 2012 NBA Draft. He's become a Defensive Player of the Year, four-time All-Star and a four-time NBA champion in 14 seasons with the Warriors.
Green told ESPN's Anthony Slater that Warriors head coach Steve Kerr talked to him before the game that his name has been mentioned in trade talks and asked how his wife was handling it. Green said "that's when it got real" to him and he spoke to his son about it on the way to Tuesday's game.
"I was like 'yo what if I get traded?' He was like 'well why would they trade you,'" Green said summarizing the chat pregame with his son. "I was like 'It's just the business. I've never been traded but it can happen to anybody.' He was like 'Oh, I just don't understand why they would do that.'"
He told reporters that he's spoke to the front office, but added, "it's probably not quite the conversation you think it was" and that he talks to them "pretty often."
Green didn't feel like he played his last game with the Warriors. But he reflected on his time in the Bay Area after 13 to 14 years.
He said "it's business as usual."
'All good things must come to an end at some point'
Green has been getting the question for the last couple days now and said "it doesn't wear" on him since he can't control it. If anything, he said, he can't wait for the deadline so people will stop asking him about it.
"A lot of people want to know how I feel about it, if I'm upset about it, I'm not at all," Green said. "If that's what's best for this organization, that's what's best for this organization. I'm not like 'aww man, they (expletive) me over' or something like that, I don't really feel that way."
Green has averaged 8.4 points, 5.7 rebounds, 5.2 assists, 0.9 steals and 0.7 blocks in 42 games with the Warriors in the 2025-26 regular-season. For his 14-year NBA career, he averages 8.7 points, 6.9 rebounds, 5.6 assists, 1.3 steals and 1 block per game.
He won the 2017 NBA Defensive Player of the Award after being named runner-up in 2015 and 2016. Green has made NBA All-Defensive team nine times.
Kerr said that Green will have a statue outside of the Chase Center for what he's meant to the franchise, on 95.7FM The Game's Willard and Dibs radio show.
"[Draymond and I] have talked [about the trade rumors]. I think what's really tricky for Draymond is this is the only place he's ever known. He's going to have a statue outside the building someday.
Really weird position for him to be in for sure because there's never really… pic.twitter.com/JmBG1tvgR0
"If you would have told me 13 and a half years ago like 'yo I'm going to hand you this sheet of paper and you can sign it to be in a place for 13 years and a half years, would you sign it?' I would've signed it faster than you can blink," Green told reporters. "So what do I have to sit and worry about? What do I have to be upset about? I've been here for 13 and 1/2 years. That's longer probably than 98% of NBA players have been in one place and a guy from Saginaw has been in one place for 13 and a half years. I don't know that it ends at 13 and a half, but if it does what a (expletive) run it's been."
He's seemingly content with whatever his destiny may be. There's no animosity from Green towards the Warriors, he said that he's "blessed," "lucky" and "grateful."
"My family hasn't had to move anywhere since I started my family," Green said. "That's incredible. I don't take that for granted. There's guys that's been on the move every year, moving their family two, three times in a year. So, I have so much gratitude for where I am in my career, the run I've been on here And I don't know that it ends or what not. We'll all see. But if it does, it does. All good things must come to an end at some point."
If it comes to a point where Green needs to say goodbye, then he'll say goodbye, he said.
MIAMI - MARCH 31: Carlos Beltran of the New York Mets standing on the field before the game against the Florida Marlins at Dolphins Stadium in Miami, Florida on March 31, 2008. The Mets defeated the Marlins 7-2. (Photo by Eliot J. Schechter/MLB via Getty Images) | MLB via Getty Images
Meet the Mets
New York—specifically Etihad Park, which is being constructed right next to Citi Field—will be hosting group stage soccer games during the 2028 Olympics.
Rest easy: Keith Hernandez has signed a new deal with SNY to return to the booth for yet another Mets season.
However, Keith will be cutting back on his workload this season, going from 110 games last season to just 91 this season.
Christian Scott, who should be returning from Tommy John surgery soon, has been throwing in Port St. Lucie.
The three players being inducted to the Hall of Fame have had their cap selections announced, and the speculation can be put to rest—Carlos Beltrán will be going into the Hall of Fame in a Mets cap.
Nolan McLean will be working on refining some of his pitches going into 2026.
Around the National League East
There was very little doubt but it has been confirmed that Andruw Jones will be going into the Hall of Fame as an Atlanta Brave.
Around Major League Baseball
Jeimer Candelario agreed to a minor league contract with the Angels. Regardless of whether or not he makes it to the major leagues, he will still be getting paid a tidy sum by the Reds.
ESPN put out some season predictions for some of the top prospects in baseball going into 2026.
Pitcher Eduardo Salazar has signed a minor league contract with the Minnesota Twins.
The result of Tarik Skubal’s arbitration case will likely have an affect on what the Tigers do next, says Ken Rosenthal.
First baseman Carlos Santana has agreed to a deal with the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Chaim Bloom is rebuilding the future of the Cardinals to his vision, especially with the Brendan Donovan trade.
Both Rob Manfred and Ron DeSantis have approved of the Tampa Bay Rays’ plan for a new stadium and mixed-use development.
Things are awkward between the Pirates and Andrew McCutchen, but they might find each other once again in the end.
Yesterday at Amazin’ Avenue
Brian Salvatore took a look at a potential Mets bullpen (side-)arm in Joe Jacques.
Steve Sypa has nearly concluded his list of the top 25 Mets prospects going into 2026, with outfielder Carson Benge taking second place.
The Knicks’ All-Star guard reflects on the unexplainable energy of Madison Square Garden, road playoff battles, and what winning in New York truly demands.
Madison Square Garden has a way of turning basketball games into something closer to mythology, and for Jalen Brunson, it’s a feeling that still resists explanation. The New York Knicks’ All-Star point guard has played on some of the sport’s biggest stages, but when the Garden tightens into playoff mode, it becomes something else entirely. In a conversation for Boardroom’s latest Cover Story, Brunson tried to put words to the electricity that ripples through the building when the stakes rise.
“You can sit here and talk about how crazy it is and how it’s jumping and how you’re going to feel the energy, good or bad,” Brunson told Rich Kleiman. “You’re going to feel the energy. You can’t just explain it; you have to experience it.” He paused, then said what most players eventually realize. “It’s insane. There’s no better place to do anything, not just play basketball, to do anything, perform anything that goes on in that arena.”
For Brunson, that atmosphere isn’t just fuel; it’s responsibility. Still early in his Knicks tenure, he’s already acutely aware of what it means to carry expectations in a city that remembers everything. Legacy is part of the conversation, whether he invites it or not. But Brunson keeps his focus narrow.
“I know I got a lot more to do, a lot more,” he said. “This is cool and all, but my goal is to win. I want to win. I’m going to do whatever it takes, and I’m going to die trying.”
That same playoff intensity showed itself on the road, too. Brunson pointed to a night in Detroit, where clutch shots silenced a roaring crowd that refused to let up. “Their crowd was loud,” he said. “Detroit in the playoffs was crazy. That was a really cool moment.” When asked about Pistons star Cade Cunningham, Brunson saw a familiar trait: leadership without noise.
“He’s not loud,” Brunson said. “He gets the job done. He gets his teammates involved. He does everything you ask of him, and then he goes home.”
In New York, that quiet resolve plays just as loudly as any roar. And inside the Garden, Brunson is learning exactly how far it can carry him.
TORONTO, ONTARIO - OCTOBER 31: Kevin Gausman #34 of the Toronto Blue Jays reacts following the top of the sixth inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers in game six of the 2025 World Series at Rogers Center on October 31, 2025 in Toronto, Ontario. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Kevin Gausman is entering the last year of his five-year, $110 million contract. In his first four years with the Jays, he made 125 starts, posting a 48-41 record, a 3.48 ERA, and an 11.2 bWAR.
We don’t really need a ‘better know’ for him, we’ve been watching him for the last four years.
By bWAR, last year was his best, a 3.8, with a 3.59 ERA in 32 starts, 193 innings (a career high). Not bad for a 34-year-old.
He’s been very consistent in his 30s, making 31 or more starts in each of his last five years. 2024 was a bit of a down season for him, if a 3.83 ERA in 31 games could be called ‘down’. He said he should have started the season on the IL and he likely should have.
Gausman has been a two-pitch pitcher for his career, but over the last couple of seasons, he’s added a slider. In 2025, he used it 8.6% of the time (up from 6.2% in 2024). It was hit pretty hard this year; batters had a .605 slugging average on it. I still think it is a good idea for him to give batters another pitch to think about.
At 34, he hadn’t lost anything on his fastball. He’s still averaging 94.5 MPH on it and topped out at 98.8. At some point, he’ll start slowing down. Steamer still thinks he’ll start 31 games and throw 185 innings, with 11 wins (which would put him 9th in wins in team history) this year, but with a 4.02 ERA, which would be his highest in his time with the Jays.
He is entering his free-agent season. I’m sure he’d like to have a good year and set up another contract. Going into his age-36 season, though, he won’t be getting another five-year deal.
WASHINGTON, DC - APRIL 07: (L-R) Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw, U.S. President Donald Trump, and Los Angeles Dodgers Owner and Chairman Mark Walter pose with a jersey presented to Trump as he hosts the 2024 World Series champions in the East Room of the White House on April 07, 2025 in Washington, DC. The Los Angeles Dodgers defeated the New York Yankees with a 7-6 victory in Game 5. (Photo by Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Washington Senators set a precedent for reigning championship winning teams by visiting President Calvin Coolidge at the White House in 1925. Just over a century later, the Dodgers will arrive in our nation’s capitol in early April during their first road trip of the season— just like they did in 2025.
This time around, amidst national turmoil surrounding two fatal incidents regarding federal agents in Minnesota, the case for the Dodgers to visit the commander in chief is far from concrete.
Bill Shaikin of the Los Angeles Times asked manager Dave Roberts and team president Stan Kasten about whether or not the team that continues to revere the legacy of Jackie Robinson would consider visiting the White House. Roberts confirmed that he intends to go while Kasten declined to provide a definitive answer.
Per Roberts: “I was raised — by a man who served our country for 30 years — to respect the highest office in our country. For me, it doesn’t matter who is in the office, I’m going to go to the White House.”
Per Kasten: “I don’t have any news for you on that.”
Shaikin argues that the decision for the Dodgers to accept or decline a visit to the White House will be based on their moral courage, especially as they honor a pioneer of baseball who used his platform to advocate for civil rights and liberties once they return to Los Angeles.
For me, going to the White House would feel more expedient than right. If the Dodgers do go, they ought to skip the tributes to Robinson’s grand courage, since they would not have been able to muster up a fraction of their own.
Links
Edwin Díaz will once again be representing Team Puerto Rico for the 2026 World Baseball Classic. Díaz appeared in four games for Puerto Rico in 2017, allowing two runs and striking out nine over 5 1/3 innings. In 2023, Díaz secured the final out against the Dominican Republic to send his team to the quarterfinals against Team Mexico, but suffered a season-ending injury to his ACL while celebrating.
Bill Plunkett of the Orange County Register shares a preview of how the starting rotation will shape up this season. The four-headed monster of All-Stars are cemented at the top with several young options vying to fill in that fifth spot. Plunkett notes that the Dodgers could reignite their interest in Detroit Tigers ace Tarik Skubal should he be made available during the season.
If the Detroit Tigers put Skubal on the market at any point, the Dodgers will be at the front of the line looking to acquire him. They have the prospect capital to make a deal happen and the financial resources to give him the massive contract extension his agent, Scott Boras, will be seeking if Skubal is going to forgo free agency next winter.
Sonja Chen of MLB.com takes a look at how the Dodgers outfield is shaping up. The starters right now are the newly signed Kyle Tucker in right field, Andy Pages in center and Teoscar Hernández returning to left field. Chen breaks down the different depth options at play, while also noting that a reunion with Kiké Hernández is not off the table should the team need additional options outside of Alex Call, the recently re-claimed Michael Siani and rookie Ryan Ward.
It would not be surprising to see the Dodgers bring back fan favorite Kiké Hernández… Los Angeles has openly stated its interest, but because Hernández is recovering from left elbow surgery and expecting to miss time at the beginning of the season, it seems likely that a deal might not materialize until the 60-day IL opens at the start of Spring Training.
WASHINGTON, DC - FEBRUARY 3: Mikal Bridges #25 of the New York Knicks shoots the ball during the game against the Washington Wizards on February 3, 2026 at Capital One Arena in Washington, DC. 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 Stephen Gosling/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The Knicks extended their winning streak to seven last night, shellacking the Washington Wizards in what felt like a home game, 132-101.
It was the exact kind of win that inspires confidence, the kind of win where every single player who steps on the floor contributes in a big way. Four starters had 19 or more points – hold for Josh Hart, who added seven points and seven dimes of his own. Ariel Hukporti shined in a backup center role, posting 12 points, 9 rebounds, and 2 blocks. Shamet, Clarkson, and Kolek all made their marks off the bench.
The Knicks were far superior to a younger Washington team, and it showed.
Tonight, the win streak gets seriously tested as New York travels back home to take on the 33-18 Nuggets, the third seed in the West that just welcomed back three-time MVP Nikola Jokic to the lineup. They’re still a bit banged up, with Aaron Gordon and Cam Johnson sidelined, but it’ll be a formidable test nevertheless. Denver sustained their winning ways even with Jokic sidelined, and it’ll be interesting to see how the Knicks compete with them on the second end of a back-to-back.
Denver’s offense is one of the best in the league – as a team, they average 120 PPG on 49.5/39.8/81.4 splits. Jeez. That being said, their defense is only middle of the pack, which is to say that points should be abundant tonight.
Jokic leads Denver with 29.3 points, 12 rebounds, and 10.5 assists per game. Jamal Murray is a motor, scoring at 25.5 points per game. Peyton Watson contributes on both ends with averages of 15 PPG and 1.2 BPG, and Christian Braun delivers nine points and his three-ball has fallen off a cliff this season. Their likely starting five tonight:: Jokic, Murray, Braun, Jalen Pickett (8.2 PPG), and Watson.
Prediction
The Knicks have been rolling as of late, and I truly believe they can continue their winning ways at the Garden. Denver is still working Jokic properly back into the lineup. No Mitch, no Deuce, no problem. It’ll be a close one, but the Knicks take this one by four tonight.
Game Details
Teams: New York Knicks (32-18) vs Denver Nuggets (33-18) Date: Wednesday, February 4, 2026 Time: 7:00 PM ET Location: Madison Square Garden, New York, NY TV: ESPN, MSG Follow: @ptknicksblog and bsky
The Florida Panthers enter tonight's matchup with the Boston Bruins riding a four-game losing streak, and are desperate for points to hang around in the playoff race.
My Bruins vs. Panthers predictions expect them to get a much-needed win in a big divisional clash on home ice.
Let’s break down my NHL picks for Wednesday, February 4, with puck drop scheduled for 7:00 p.m. ET on TNT.
Bruins vs Panthers prediction
Bruins vs Panthers best bet: Panthers moneyline (-140)
While the Florida Panthers haven’t gotten the results they’ve wanted, they have largely played good hockey since Matthew Tkachuk returned to the lineup.
In the eight games with Tkachuk healthy and available, the Panthers have controlled a 57.43% share of the scoring chances. That is the second-highest mark in the league, trailing only the Lightning, who won seven of their eight games.
They are spending a lot of time on the front foot and getting significantly more chances than they’re giving up.
That can’t be said of the Boston Bruins, who sit 26th with a 45.21% scoring chance share over the same period of time.
Part of that is the penalty trouble they’ve run into, but I’m not sure that can be dismissed. They lead the league in PIMs per game and sit 26th in PK% this season. It’s nothing new; it’s the norm.
Including special teams, the Panthers will likely earn an edge in the shot/chance department this evening. They might also get reinforcements as the returns of Brad Marchand and Anton Lundell are looming.
Look for the back-to-back Stanley Cup winners to give Boston their best shot in an attempt to get some crucial points before the break.
Bruins vs Panthers same-game parlay
Tkachuk leads the Panthers in high-danger chances and expected goals over the past eight games. He’s creating a lot of looks, and that should continue tonight. He always seems to save his best for the Bruins, averaging 3.7 shots on goal over the past 23 meetings.
The Bruins have had a couple of days off since the Stadium Series game, which should benefit Hampus Lindholm. He has been very productive in similar situations, recording multiple shots in six straight following two days of rest.
Florida has won seven of the past 10 matchups with Boston. Find more NHL betting trends for Bruins vs. Panthers.
How to watch Bruins vs Panthers
Location
Amerant Bank Arena, Sunrise, FL
Date
Wednesday, February 4, 2026
Puck drop
7:00 p.m. ET
TV
TNT
Bruins vs Panthers latest injuries
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May 26, 2024; Anaheim, California, USA; Cleveland Guardians third base Gabriel Arias (13) and shortstop Brayan Rocchio (4) return following the sixth inning against the Los Angeles Angels at Angel Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images
Today, our topic for conversation is shortstop.
Which player do you prefer get the Opening Day nod as shortstop for the Cleveland Guardians – Gabriel Arias or Brayan Rocchio? And why?
Jul 1, 2025; Seattle, Washington, USA; Seattle Mariners third baseman Ben Williamson (9) throws to first base for a force out on Kansas City Royals first baseman Vinnie Pasquantino (9) (not pictured) during the first inning at T-Mobile Park. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-Imagn Images | Steven Bisig-Imagn Images
On this week’s episode of Rays Your Voice, we discuss the recent press conference led by Governor Ron DeSantis, where major power players came out in support of the Rays new stadium plan on the Hillsborough College Dale Mabry campus. While funding was not discussed, Tuesday’s presser feels like a big step in the right direction for building a ballpark in Tampa.
We also discuss the three-team trade that saw the Rays acquire infielder Ben Williamson in exchange for Colton Ledbetter and a comp pick. Williamson is not the blockbuster acquisition that fans have been dreaming about this offseason (there was a better player involved in this deal headed to Seattle), but he does have the tools to carve a spot on this roster. We take a look at where he fits and what he brings to the table.
If you love what we do on Rays Your Voice, consider becoming a Patreon member for as little as $1/month. Also, if you’ve been a podcast listener from the jump, subscribe to our YouTube channel as well! We go live on YouTube for almost every single episode. Make sure to turn on our channel notifications so you can join us when we go live.
WASHINGTON, DC - FEBRUARY 1: AJ Johnson #4 of the Washington Wizards dunks the ball during the game against the Sacramento Kings on February 1, 2026 at Capital One Arena in Washington, DC. 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 Stephen Gosling/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The Wizards traveled to New York where they took on a savvy, veteran, professional team and got vanquished, 132-101. The home town crowd enjoyed the New York-sized victory, chanting “MVP” when Jalen Brunson shot free throws in the third quarter.
Editor’s Note: The game was played in DC.
Note back to the Editor: On TV, they showed entire sections of the stadium filled with people wearing Knicks regalia. Are you sure?!
Editor’s Note: Yes.
Wizards guard AJ Johnson scores in the team’s loss to the New York Knicks. | NBAE via Getty Images
In the grand tradition of Wizards/Bullets seeing their home stadium taken over by the opposing team’s fans, this one lands near the bottom. Sure, Lakers games probably take the top (bottom?) spot, but the Knicks faithful gave them a good run for their money last night.
Bright side: at least I got to listen to Walt Frazier, who remains thoroughly unique. Just once, I’d love to hear him on a broadcast with Charlotte Hornets play-by-play man Eric Collins. For fellow veteran Frazier watchers, last night he wore a leopard print blazer and a leopard print necktie. This ensemble is actually somewhat tame by his standards. I hope there’s a social media account that posts pictures of his outfits.
In addition to entertaining with his one-of-a-kind rhyming and SAT-word vocabulary, Frazier is a worthwhile listen on basketball topics. Last night, he shared how he returned from a sprained ankle in half the expected time by spending his nights in a chair putting his foot in and out of a bucket of ice. He talked about how some of the players being honored on “Black Excellence Night” were “my nemesis.”
And, he quickly and correctly answered the evening’s trivia question, “When was the last time the Knicks had two All-Stars in the same season.” He did have something of a cheat, considering that the correct answer was himself and Dave DeBusschere in 1974.
He also had this observation, which sounded like it could have been ripped from my notebook every time the Wizards play: “You can tell these guys are young by the turnovers they make. So careless with the ball.”
Speaking of being a “veteran,” every time I see AJ Johnson, my brain says, “A.J. English.”
For those readers who are younger than LeBron James, English was a 1990 second round pick out of Virginia Union University by the Bullets. He played two seasons for the team— 1990-91 and 1991-92. He actually wasn’t bad — at least good enough to think he could be on an NBA roster for a few years. He signed with the Portland Trail Blazers after those two years in Washington, didn’t make the team and never played in the league again.
Other highlights from the game: late in the half, the Knicks broadcaster shared the news that the Los Angeles Clippers had traded James Harden to the Cleveland Cavaliers for Darius Garland and a second round pick.
Thoughts & Observations
In the first two minutes of the game, I jotted three notes, “Walt Frazier!!!” and “George out of control closeout” and “KAT overpowers Sarr for oreb and putback hook.” Feels like I could have copy-and-pasted that over and over all night long.
In the first quarter, Mikal Bridges made a crosscourt pass to the weakside corner that used to be an example of amazing court vision and skill. It’s one John Wall made regularly. Now it’s routine in the NBA.
Under new head coach Mike Brown, the Knicks tried to manage Karl-Anthony Towns’ defensive deficiencies by forcing penetration to the middle (somewhat unorthodox at the NBA level) and helping hard from the perimeter. The result: New York gave up tons of threes and still had trouble controlling the paint. Now the Knicks are back to “icing” pick-and-roll (forcing the ball to the sideline) and trying to keep the ball out of the middle. In other words, the kind of scheme Tom Thibodeau was using.
I had several notes about Wizards players doing a poor job of helping at-rim. One example was in the second quarter — Towns drove on Sarr for an and-one dunk. The weird thing was that Kyshawn George rotated into the perfect place to contest…and did nothing. He literally just stood there with his arms at his side and watched Towns dunk. On another second quarter play, OG Anunoby drove past George. Both Bub Carrington and Bilal Coulibaly were in good “low man” position on opposite sides of the lane. Neither came over to cut off the drive or contest the dunk. I’m not sure what happened to George on the first example other than maybe he thought Sarr was in position to make a play. On the second, I suspect it was communication issue.
The Knicks led by 27 at the half, which was their biggest halftime lead of the season.
At the half, the Wizards were -25 or worse with each of the five starters on the floor. They finished the game at -30 or worse.
Especially when he’s pivoting on his left shoulder, I’d very much prefer for Sarr to settle himself and shoot the jump hook rather than a fading jumper.
In the third quarter, Walt Frazier joined me in wondering why the Wizards kept letting Jalen Brunson go left. It’s right up there with why they were literally trying to force Harden left when they played the Clippers earlier this season.
The only real drama in this one was whether the Knicks could hold Washington under 100 points (as they have each of their victims in their current seven-game winning streak), and whether they could win by 40 or more. The Knicks failed on both counts.
Four Factors
Below are the four factors that decide wins and losses in basketball — shooting (efg), rebounding (offensive rebounds), ball handling (turnovers), fouling (free throws made).
The four factors are measured by:
eFG% (effective field goal percentage, which accounts for the three-point shot)
OREB% (offensive rebound percentage)
TOV% (turnover percentage — turnovers divided by possessions)
FTM/FGA (free throws made divided by field goal attempts)
FOUR FACTORS
KNICKS
WIZARDS
LGAVG
eFG%
61.7%
47.1%
54.3%
OREB%
22.0%
19.6%
26.1%
TOV%
8.9%
12.9%
12.7%
FTM/FGA
0.233
0.233
0.209
PACE
101
99.5
ORTG
131
100
115.5
Stats & Metrics
PPA is my overall production metric, which credits players for things they do that help a team win (scoring, rebounding, playmaking, defending) and dings them for things that hurt (missed shots, turnovers, bad defense, fouls).
PPA is a per possession metric designed for larger data sets. In small sample sizes, the numbers can get weird. In PPA, 100 is average, higher is better and replacement level is 45. For a single game, replacement level isn’t much use, and I reiterate the caution about small samples sometimes producing weird results.
POSS is the number of possessions each player was on the floor in this game.
ORTG = offensive rating, which is points produced per individual possessions x 100. League average so far this season is listed in the Four Factors table above. Points produced is not the same as points scored. It includes the value of assists and offensive rebounds, as well as sharing credit when receiving an assist.
USG = offensive usage rate. Average is 20%.
ORTG and USG are versions of stats created by former Wizards assistant coach Dean Oliver and modified by me. ORTG is an efficiency measure that accounts for the value of shooting, offensive rebounds, assists and turnovers. USG includes shooting from the floor and free throw line, offensive rebounds, assists and turnovers.
+PTS = “Plus Points” is a measure of the points gained or lost by each player based on their efficiency in this game compared to league average efficiency on the same number of possessions. A player with an offensive rating (points produced per possession x 100) of 100 who uses 20 possessions would produce 20 points. If the league average efficiency is 115, the league — on average — would produced 23.0 points in the same 20 possessions. So, the player in this hypothetical would have a +PTS score of -3.0.
Players are sorted by total production in the game.
