In our most recent Rangers Reacts Survey, we asked which of the veteran pitchers who the Rangers have brought to spring training on a minor league deal y’all thought was most likely to make the team on Opening Day.
Well, the votes are in, and you went with an old favorite:
Josh Sborz, hero of the 2023 World Series, has dealt with injuries the past two seasons, and was non-tendered back in November after not pitching in the majors in 2025. It would be a great story if he could make it back.
38 year old righthanded reliever Ryan Brasier was the next choice, followed by former first round pick Cal Quantrill, who would appear to be vying with Kumar Rocker and Jacob Latz for the fifth starter job.
I had forgotten that Nabil Crismatt was done for the year due to a torn UCL when I did this poll, or else I wouldn’t have included him. Still, there are a few folks who have faith in him making the greatest injury comeback — or, at least, quickest — of all time.
The Reds made the postseason in 2025. Did you notice? They were dispatched quickly by the Dodgers. And, they had the worst record of any of the postseason teams at 83-79.
Still, that’s something to build on, and the Reds are indeed building.
Eugenio Suárez is the active MLB leader in home runs against the Cubs with 36. So it made me very happy when he was traded to the Mariners last summer — had he stayed there, the Cubs would have had to face him only one series a year.
Now Suárez will come back and torture Cubs pitching again. As you’ll recall, he had a four-homer series against the Cubs last April in Arizona, then hit another in that wacky 13-11 Cubs comeback win at Wrigley.
Granted, Suárez is now 34, but I do not look forward to seeing him play 13 games against the Cubs this year. He’ll be mostly a DH with Ke’Bryan Hayes now a Reds fixture at third base.
Otherwise the Reds return most of their 83-win team from last year. Former Cub Pierce Johnson joins a strong bullpen, and Hunter Greene has become one of the better pitchers in the league. Another starter to watch is Chase Burns, who was the No. 2 overall pick in the 2024 Draft out of Wake Forest. He struggled at times in his debut season, but can throw 100-plus just as Greene can.
The Reds might be tougher competition for the Cubs in the NL Central than the Brewers in 2026.
WASHINGTON, DC - SEPTEMBER 27: Jake Irvin #27 of the Washington Nationals pitches during a baseball against the Chicago White Sox at the Nationals Park on September 27, 2025 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Jake Irvin fired two scoreless innings in his first start of the spring. That should be good news, but the start made me more bearish on the right hander. This is due to his drop in velocity. He only averaged 90.3 MPH on his 4-seam and 91.1 MPH on his sinker. This continues an ongoing trend for Irvin.
If you were hoping for improved fastball velocity from Jake Irvin, you are not going to get it, at least not tonight. He is sitting around 90-91
Sure, you can chalk some of this up to building up in the first start of the spring. However, this is a continuation of a multi-year trend. Velocity should have been a point of emphasis for Irvin this offseason, so it is disappointing to see him throw even slower.
When Irvin came in the league in 2023, his 4-seam averaged 94.5 MPH and his sinker averaged 93.9. In 2024, he was still effective, but his velocity dropped off a bit, especially in the second half. His 4-seam averaged 93.9 MPH and his sinker averaged 93.3.
Last year was by far the worst year of Irvin’s career. It should be no surprise to hear that his velocity dropped even further. His 4-seamer averaged 92.4 MPH and his sinker averaged 91.9. Irvin’s velocity has dropped two ticks over the last couple of years, and he struggled to average 90 MPH in this start.
Sure, it is early spring, but the alarm bells are ringing for me. We know that Irvin is at his best when he is able to sit in that 94 MPH range. Yesterday, he was not even able to touch 94.
I always go back to that dominant outing Irvin had on July 4th of 2024 to see what he looks like at his best. That afternoon he went 8 scoreless against the Mets and was absolutely shoving. His fastball was consistently in the 93-96 MPH range, and it was playing like a plus pitch. With the heater firmly in the low-90’s now, it does not play as well.
Jake Irvin retires his 17th batter in a row to get through 8 scoreless innings! pic.twitter.com/i7s5y314kF
I was really hoping to see Irvin sitting 93-94 yesterday, but that did not happen. The hardest pitch he threw was 92.9 MPH. Hopefully that can tick up as we get deeper into spring, but I feel like it is unrealistic to expect him to get back to that 2023-2024 velocity at this point. I am not sure what happened, but that velocity seems to be gone.
Like a lot of Nats pitchers, Irvin does seem to be going away from his fastball. Yesterday, Irvin was using a six pitch mix where you were not quite sure about which pitch was coming. He threw the four-seamer, the curveball, the sinker, the cutter and the changeup at least 10% of the time. Being unpredictable could be a way to offset some of that lost velocity.
43 pitches for Jake Irvin in today’s start 20.9% Fastball (32% in 2025) 23.3% Curveball (30% in 2025) 20.9% Changeup (8% in 2025) 14% Sinker (22% in 2025) 14% Cutter (4% in 2025) 7% Slider (4% in 2025) Result: 2 scoreless, 1 hit, 2 BB, 2 Ks The anti-fastball revolution continues. https://t.co/YEOVrWf7Wj
However, the ceiling of a right hander throwing 90 MPH is quite capped. There is so much nasty stuff in the game right now. Having such limited velocity is a real detriment. You can survive if you have a deep pitch mix and excellent control. However, I think Irvin’s control is good but not great and none of his secondary pitches are dominant.
Irvin needs the velocity to get back to being the solid number 4 starter he looked like he was becoming. If he struggles out of the gate this year, his rotation spot could be in jeopardy. Guys like Mitchell Parker, Riley Cornelio and Luis Perales will be waiting in the wings. They will be ready to roll if Irvin struggles. Around this time last year I expressed my concerns about Irvin’s velocity and was proven right. This year I am ringing the alarm bells again. It is early in Spring Training, so Irvin’s velocity could bounce back. However, we are seeing a multi-year trend continue into 2026. That is not a great sign for the 29 year old right hander.
GLENDALE, ARIZONA - MARCH 16, 2025: Brody Brecht #74 of the Colorado Rockies throws a pitch during the third inning of a spring training Spring Breakout game against the Chicago White Sox at Camelback Ranch on March 16, 2025 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by David Durochik/Diamond Images via Getty Images) | Diamond Images/Getty Images
The statuesque Brecht — a 6’4”, 235-pound, 23-year-old right-hander — has taken on the mantle of becoming the Rockies’ highest-ranked (and highest-ceiling) pitching prospect. Brecht could have been an early draft pick coming out of high school in 2021, but he wanted to play college football as a wide receiver at Iowa. When that didn’t work out as hoped (due in part to concussions), Brecht concentrated on baseball full-time starting as a sophomore. He showed enough promise on the mound to earn an over-slot (by $250k) $2.7 million bonus from the Rockies as the 38th-overall pick of the 2024 draft. What kind of promise? How about a high-80s slider that most scouts consider to be plus-plus and a fastball that touches triple digits? The rub of course is below average control of the fastball in particular.
In his sophomore year at Iowa, Brecht struck out 109 batters (nearly a third of those he faced) but walked 61 (7.1 BB/9). Though there was some improvement in his draft year (5.6 BB/9 rate), it’s a major reason the Rockies were able to get Brecht with pick 38 rather than the top 10. Speaking of that draft year: Brecht again struck out a bunch of hitters — 128 in 78 1⁄3 innings pitched, which is 37% of batters faced and a 14.7 K/9 rate — while compiling a respectable 3.33 ERA.
Mid-season 2025 Rank: 5
High Ballot: 2
Mode Ballot: 3
Future Value: 50, mid-rotation starter
Contract Status: 2024 Competitive Balance Round A, University of Iowa, Rule 5 Eligible After 2027, three options remaining
MLB ETA: 2028
In his first professional season last year, the Rockies sent Brecht to Low-A Fresno, where he was about league-average age. The Rockies kept Brecht on a pitch count (he didn’t eclipse 72 until his last three starts of the year, when he got up to 88 pitches), so it’s of no surprise that he also didn’t go deeper than five innings in 15 of his 16 starts with Fresno. Those 16 starts were split into two periods by a back injury that kept Brecht away from the California League for over two months, though he made four strong rehab appearances with the complex league team in the interim.
When he was on the mound for Fresno, Brecht showed the bat-missing stuff that got him picked in the top 40 of the draft. In 55 1/3 innings with Fresno, Brecht posted a 2.60 ERA (3.18 xFIP), 1.34 WHIP, 14.2 K/9 rate, and 5.2 BB/9 rate. Basically, 51% of plate appearances against Brecht in 2025 ended up as a strikeout (37%) or a walk (14%). Brecht’s final start of the season was his deepest foray into a game yet, as he threw seven innings while allowing two runs on four hits while striking out eight in 88 pitches in a valiant effort in a playoff loss.
Here’s Brecht in action for his second professional start last spring in Fresno (game action starts at the five minute mark, side views of his delivery are at the 14 minute mark, and slo mo shots begin at the 16 minute mark):
Brecht is a fireballing righthander with questions around his command and below-average fastball shape. A talented athlete with a prototype starter’s build, Brecht looks the part on the mound. … His fastball sits in the 96-97 mph range and has been up to 101 with hard cutting action that has made his fastball both a miss and groundball-inducing pitch. He throws a high-80s slider more frequently than his fastball, and over the offseason worked to add multiple shapes to the pitch. One is a shorter gyro offering and the second a breaking ball with more sweep. Whichever variant he settles on should have double-plus upside given his feel to spin the ball at high velocities.
Brecht came into the Rockies’ system out of the University of Iowa, where he was also a wide receiver, with relatively little pitching development behind him, so it was almost like he was a high school pitcher in a 21-year-old college football player’s body. When he pitched in 2025, he was in the mid to upper 90s again with his four-seamer, mostly throwing that and the slider, but he mixed in a new-ish splitter that looks like a real weapon for him, and the Rockies have worked with him on tunneling his pitches to get more deception out of his delivery. His walk rate is too high, at 13.5 percent, as he tends to miss by a lot when he misses. He also hit the injured list for about two months with a back injury he may have suffered while lifting. (Shakes head in general direction of football.) He’s athletic with a loose arm, has the makings of three pitches and is still pretty young in pitching years. There’s serious reliever risk here, to be clear, but if the Rockies can make him a starter, it’s a high-upside package.
Walks have been an enormous problem for Brecht. He had more walks than inning pitched as a freshman, and 135 walks in 178 career innings for the Hawkeyes. He also had among the best stuff in the 2024 draft class, and has a rare combination of physicality and athleticism.
Brecht will sit 96 (he was 95-98 during instructs) and has touched 101. He has a relatively short stride down the mound for someone as big and athletic as he is, and his generic three-quarters slot has a negative impact on his fastball’s shape and movement. It plays well below an average pitch even though it has plus-plus velocity. Whatever can be done to help Brecht command his fastball or improve its movement will ideally be implemented without altering his slider, which is an 80-grade SOB that evokes Dinelson Lamet‘s upper-80s power breaker. Brecht also has a goofy low-90s changeup with big tail and fade. His secondary pitches diverge in such a way that makes it hard to stay on both of them at the same time.
Built like a marble statue at 6-foot-4 and 235 pounds, Brecht hasn’t been focused on baseball for very long and also hasn’t yet been in a developmental environment that can max him out, though that might still be true because Colorado’s developmental track record for arms isn’t great. The gap between where he is as a pitcher right now and what he could be is very large. There is precedent for teams solving issues like Brecht’s (Carlos Rodón’s command was a mess, too, though maybe not this bad), and he has enormous upside if someone can. Those right tail outcomes are absolutely baked into his FV grade, as is Brecht’s risk. At worst, Brecht looks like a potential late-inning reliever who works off of his secondary pitches more than his fastball. He could be a three-pitch mid-rotation stalwart if he and Colorado can find better control.
Brecht’s fastball and slider combination are downright nasty when he’s locked in. His fastball sits in the 96-99 mph range and he touches triple digits. It can have good running action to it, though he struggles to locate it and it can straighten out. His slider is virtually unhittable, thrown up to 91 mph with a lot of horizontal and vertical action, eliciting a 56 percent miss rate last year. He doesn’t throw his low-90s splitter very often and he doesn’t have great feel for it.
The biggest hurdle for Brecht to clear will be his command and control, as he left Iowa with a career 6.8 BB/9 mark. The cause for optimism on that front — fueling the belief that he can develop into being a mid-rotation starter — is that he’s a premium athlete and is committed to being more than just a pure thrower. There’s reliever risk for sure, but he could also take a huge step forward with more insightful instruction.
The raw arm strength is impossible to miss, and Brecht’s fastball–slider pairing remains one of the loudest pure stuff combinations in the system. The heater regularly climbs into the upper-90s with explosive life out of a three-quarters slot, jumping on hitters late and overpowering barrels when he stays on line. The breaking ball — a hard, cutter-leaning slider — is the true separator, flashing sharp vertical action and generating swing-and-miss against both right- and left-handed hitters. Athleticism shows up throughout the delivery, from the leg drive to the arm speed, and there are flashes of a power changeup with real dip that hint at a more complete arsenal.
The obstacle has consistently been strike execution. Fastball location wanders, command lags behind the raw stuff, and outings can unravel when he falls behind counts. Control grades remain modest and true command is still well below where it needs to be for a reliable starter profile. The two-sport background explains some of the inconsistency, but it also fuels optimism that continued reps and focus could stabilize the operation. If the strike throwing never fully comes, the fallback is a high-octane power reliever capable of shortening games. If it does, the athleticism and pitch quality give him a legitimate starter path with bat-missing upside that few arms can match.
In terms of pure stuff and ceiling, Brecht is by far the best Rockies pitching prospect. His slider is probably the filthiest pitch in the system and his fastball is possibly the best in the org as well. Of course, to reach that ceiling, Brecht will need to demonstrate sufficient command to get upper-minors hitters out and go deep into games regularly. If he isn’t able to do that, Brecht’s stuff still works in a high-leverage relief role as a fallback.
It’s an exciting profile to be sure, though of course the risk is high that Brecht busts to some degree. After all, he’s only pitched Low-A, walking over five batters per nine innings, and has yet to hold a starter’s workload over a full year. Still, I ranked Brecht third on my list as a 50 FV player as a raw high upside starting pitcher or late inning reliever. Brecht should move up to High-A this year, where perhaps some of those questions about the profile will be addressed. An arm like this is worth a little extra time to bake, so I’d estimate a 2-3 year timeline from now for Brecht to the big leagues (if he’s a starter).
WEST LAFAYETTE, IN - FEBRUARY 17: Michigan Wolverines forward Yaxel Lendeborg (23) brings the ball up court in the second half of play during a men's college basketball game between the Michigan Wolverines and the Purdue Boilermakers on February 17, 2026 at Mackey Arena in West Lafayette, IN. (Photo by Jeffrey Brown/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you know the Sixers own a first-round pick in the loaded 2026 NBA Draft. It’ll probably land somewhere in the 20s, but even there, it opens up plenty of options. That flexibility is likely part of why Daryl Morey made the Jared McCain move in the first place. A first-rounder gives you ammunition. You can use it yourself, or package it in a deal for a proven player. And if you’re already in the first round, it’s a lot easier to move up the board.
What the Sixers ultimately do with the pick is still up in the air. They could stay put. They could jump into the teens. Maybe they get aggressive and push toward the lottery. Or maybe they flip it entirely. However it plays out, this is a real asset.
The 2026 draft class is deep, and we’ll get a long look at many of its top names as March Madness approaches. Who should you keep an eye on during the NCAA Tournament? And which prospects are worth tracking even if they don’t make the tournament? Let’s dig into a few names who could make sense in Philly and help fuel the team’s youth movement for years to come.
Yaxel Lendeborg, Michigan
Lendeborg’s path through the NCAA has been anything but typical.
He began at Arizona Western in 2020–21, spending three seasons at the NJCAA level and steadily building his game. From there, he transferred to UAB, where he put together two strong Division I campaigns. In 37 games, he averaged 17.7 points, 11.4 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 1.7 steals and 1.8 blocks per night. That kind of across-the-board production put him firmly on the NBA radar.
In fact, Lendeborg declared for the 2025 NBA Draft before ultimately withdrawing his name and returning to school.
Now he’s taken another leap, landing on a much bigger stage with the Michigan Wolverines, who sit near the top of the Big Ten. It’s the latest step in a winding journey that’s turned him from a junior college standout into a legitimate high-major prospect.
Much like Michigan, Lendeborg has put together another strong season. The former New Jersey resident is averaging 14.4 points, 7.5 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 1.5 blocks and 1.2 steals across 26 games. He’s shooting 50 percent from the field, 30.6 percent from three and 82.9 percent from the free-throw line.
Even as one of the older prospects in this class, he’s absolutely worth monitoring for the Sixers. Lendeborg brings a legitimate NBA frame at nearly 6-foot-10 with a 7-foot-4 wingspan and a standing reach north of nine feet. The analytics love him. He posts strong assist-to-turnover numbers, impressive offensive and defensive BPM marks, a healthy assist percentage and excellent defensive win shares. Add it up, and you get one of the more unique skill sets in this draft.
Yaxel Lendeborg is the best two-player in the country – blocks an open dunk from behind. Michigan’s defense is so ridiculous … just so much length. pic.twitter.com/TcTPpSTPwZ
He’s a productive, versatile frontcourt prospect with a high basketball IQ. He processes the game quickly and makes smart decisions. For a big, he reads the floor well and can operate as an offensive hub, creating for others from the high post or short roll. That archetype would fit beautifully next to Tyrese Maxey in particular. The Sixers have also gravitated toward high-motor players in recent years, and Lendeborg checks that box in a big way.
The concerns mostly center on age and athletic ceiling. While he racks up stocks, he doesn’t have elite burst or vertical pop, which limits his upside as a rim protector and switch defender at the next level. At his age, teams may view him as closer to a finished product. What you see now might be close to what you’re getting in the NBA. In the right system, though, one that doesn’t ask him to create in isolation or anchor the defense as a primary shot blocker, he could help a team immediately.
Most boards project Lendeborg in the late lottery. Still, we’ve seen older prospects slide, especially when rebuilding teams prioritize youth and upside. The Sixers would likely need to trade up to secure him, but I’d imagine many evaluators see him as an excellent fit next to Joel Embiid and a roster built to compete right away.
Joshua Jefferson, Iowa State
Let’s head to the Big 12 and take a look at Iowa State’s Joshua Jefferson.
Jefferson began his college career at Saint Mary’s (CA), spending two seasons there before transferring to Iowa State for the 2024–25 campaign. Now a senior, he’s putting together the best year of his career. Through 26 games (31.5 minutes per night), he’s averaging 16.5 points, 7.5 rebounds, 5.2 assists, 1.4 steals and 0.9 blocks.
His rise has been steady and impressive. Jefferson has carved out a reputation as a true Swiss Army knife — a legitimate two-way forward with great feel for the game, all packed into a sturdy 6-foot-9 frame. He plays with a high basketball IQ and thrives as a connective piece. Offensively, he processes the floor quickly and consistently makes the right read. For his size, his court awareness and vision stand out. “Point forward” gets tossed around loosely in NBA circles, but Jefferson actually fits the label.
Defensively, he projects as an even-to-plus contributor at the next level. He has real size and strength, along with one of the more polished games in this class. His build is strong and sturdy, which allows him to absorb contact and hold his ground against bigger forwards and post players. He doesn’t have elite burst, and quicker wings could give him trouble in space, but he should be able to defend most forwards and some small-ball bigs without issue.
While he has playmaking pops, Jefferson can also go get a bucket. He’s improved as a scorer every season, and this year marks a career high. He handles the ball well for his size and finishes effectively around the rim with touch and control. Even without elite explosiveness, he’s a reliable finisher when he gets downhill.
The biggest swing skill is his shooting. Jefferson shot 31 percent or worse from three in each of his first three college seasons. This year, he’s taken a real step forward, attempting nearly three threes per game and knocking them down at a 38.2 percent clip. The volume and efficiency jump are encouraging, but scouts will want to know if it’s sustainable. His career free-throw percentage sits at 72.2 percent, which isn’t a red flag, but it’s not a glowing indicator of long-term shooting upside either. At nearly 23 years old, teams may view him as closer to his ceiling than some of the younger prospects in the class.
From a Sixers perspective, the fit is clean. Maxey has statistically been more efficient off the ball than as a primary initiator, which is part of the reason the team has brought in additional ball handlers in recent seasons. Jefferson’s ability to facilitate, keep the offense flowing, and defend multiple positions would complement that approach well.
Iowa State is near the top of the Big 12 standings, and there’s a chance Jefferson and the Cyclones will have a spotlight in March Madness. Most projections peg him in the 20s, which puts him squarely in range if the Sixers stay put. If they do, they could do a lot worse than a polished, versatile forward who knows how to impact winning.
Zuby Ejiofor, St. John’s
St. John’s basketball has put together a stellar season and currently sits atop the Big East, ahead of powerhouse programs like UConn, Villanova and Creighton. Their late-season surge comes down to several factors, but senior forward Zuby Ejiofor has been central to it. He’ll almost certainly declare for the draft after this season.
Ejiofor began his college career at Kansas before transferring to St. John’s for the 2023–24 campaign. It wasn’t until last year that he locked down major minutes and a starting role. This season, he’s taken another leap, averaging 16.0 points, 7.3 rebounds, 3.4 assists, 2.1 steals and 1.9 blocks in 30 minutes per game through 26 contests.
Zuby Ejiofor is the only high-major player in the country leading his team in points (16.2), rebounds (7.4), assists (3.5) and blocks (1.9).
He is one of only four high-major players leading in points, rebounds and assists (Cameron Boozer, Dailyn Swain and Mark Mitchell). pic.twitter.com/SkxEmIjakz
A former four-star recruit, Ejiofor took time to put everything together. Now that he has, some mock drafts project him in the late first to early second-round range. He’s a bit of a positional tweener on paper. Some sites list him as a forward or even a small forward, but most evaluators view him as a switchable big.
That defensive versatility is the best place to start. Ejiofor is one of the more flexible defenders in this class. He offers legitimate rim protection while still holding his own on switches. At 6-foot-9 with a 7-foot-1 wingspan, he rebounds well and plays with serious strength. He doesn’t give ground on post-ups and uses his length to compensate for any height disadvantage. His motor stands out immediately. He rarely ball-watches and consistently impacts plays across the defensive end.
He’s also comfortable on the perimeter. Ejiofor moves his feet well, flips his hips smoothly, and shows the recovery tools you want in a modern frontcourt defender. For his size, he changes direction quickly and competes on every possession.
The swing skill, outside of age, is his shooting. He’s not a non-shooter, but his catch-and-shoot and spot-up numbers leave room for improvement. He’ll need to develop into a more reliable floor spacer to maximize his NBA value. That said, he’s far from a lost cause offensively.
In fact, he’s quietly expanded his offensive game in meaningful ways. Remarkably, Ejiofor leads St. John’s in assists despite playing as a forward or big. His passing growth over the past year has been significant. St. John’s runs plenty of dribble handoffs and he’s comfortable facilitating from those actions. He sets solid screens, creates separation for shooters and drivers, and has shown the ability to read the floor out of the post, finding cutters or kicking out to open teammates.
Ejiofor may be a late bloomer, but he checks many of the boxes the Sixers have prioritized in recent drafts: motor, defensive versatility and functional strength. He’s most commonly projected in the late first or early second round. If the Sixers want a switchable forward who can contribute defensively from day one, Ejiofor makes a lot of sense.
Dailyn Swain, Texas
Dailyn Swain entered college as a four-star prospect in the 2023 class, drawing major offers before deciding to stay home in Columbus and commit to Xavier. He spent two seasons there before transferring to Texas, where he’s stepped into a featured role. The move has paid off. Through 26 games, he’s averaging 17.7 points, 7.4 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 1.8 steals per game while shooting 57.3 percent from the field and 33.3 percent from three.
On film, Swain’s game pops. The numbers back it up. At 6-foot-7, he has legitimate wing size and the versatility to impact the game in multiple ways. His calling card is paint scoring. Throughout his college career, he’s finished above 70 percent on attempts within 4.5 feet of the rim. He gets there consistently and converts at a high rate.
Dailyn Swain has been an incredible driver, shooting 17 for 23 off of them for Texas.
Swain has shown speed, touch, physicality and craft at 6’8’’, 225 and still just 20. Plus, his team’s leader in points, rebounds, assists and steals. A lotto talent for me (ESPN: #52). https://t.co/p6ms9WpFZhpic.twitter.com/lyR84TukRO
That rim pressure stems from his physical tools. Swain has a long, wiry frame and covers ground with effortless, extended strides. Pair that with a quick first step, and you get a downhill attacker who beats defenders before they can react. He shows impressive body control, extends around shot blockers, and finishes through contact or at awkward angles. Layups, floaters, dunks — he has touch and creativity. In transition, he’s especially dangerous.
As a playmaker, Swain has typically thrived in a connective, complementary role. He reads help defenders well and can hit the open man off the drive. He’s shown a good feel for finding baseline cutters and keeping the ball moving. He hasn’t traditionally operated as a heavy pick-and-roll initiator, but he’s grown more comfortable in that role this season. The playmaking still needs polish, but there are real flashes that suggest more upside than the raw assist numbers indicate.
Defensively, he projects as an NBA-level contributor from day one. His footwork is sharp, and those long strides help him recover when beaten. He plays passing lanes aggressively without gambling himself out of position, and his steal rate ranks among the best in college basketball. On the ball, he stays disciplined and avoids bailing out scorers with unnecessary fouls. Off the ball, he’s taken clear steps forward, especially as a weakside helper, which is likely where he’d begin his NBA career.
As with many wings, the swing skill is shooting. At Xavier, Swain hit just 20.4 percent from three. At Texas, he’s increased his volume and improved to 33.3 percent. Evaluators often describe his mechanics as inconsistent but workable. His base can get erratic, especially on movement shots, which affects his balance. Still, there are encouraging indicators. He’s shooting just under 80 percent from the free-throw line, which suggests there may be more room for growth than his early three-point numbers show. He doesn’t offer much of a midrange game right now. Most of his offense comes either at the rim or from beyond the arc.
Swain is generally projected in the latter half of the first round, which would put him squarely in range for the Sixers if they stand pat. He may not be as seamless a fit as some of the other names discussed, but adding another long, athletic wing who pressures the rim and defends at a high level is never a bad bet. Especially if the Sixers believe in his shooting growth.
Thomas Haugh, Florida
I can already hear the comments about how none of these guys can shoot, so here’s my “here, damn” guy that can. Plus, he’s a PA kid (New Oxford, to be exact).
At 6-foot-9 with a likely wingspan north of seven feet (not officially measured yet), Haugh has a legit forward frame to pair with real shooting ability. This year at Florida, he’s stepped into a featured role, starting every game and averaging 17.2 points, 6.1 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 1 steal and 0.9 blocks through 26 contests. He’s shooting 46.8 percent from the field and 34.8 percent from three on nearly 5.5 attempts per game. The volume from deep is up in a big way and he’s converting at a strong clip. The release is clean and quick for his size. I’m not sure he’ll ever be an elite shooter, but as a forward — maybe even a small-ball big — he’ll do just fine spacing the floor.
That said, I’d be doing Haugh a disservice if I only talked about the jumper.
Like many of the names on this list, he plays with a serious motor. Haugh embraces physicality. He’s a maniac on the offensive glass, averaging 2.3 offensive rebounds per game, which is an excellent mark for a wing or power forward. He weaves through bodies, times his jumps well, and crashes hard. He also has a bit of a forgotten skill: if he doesn’t grab it cleanly, he’ll tip it out or bat it around multiple times until he secures it. That persistence shows up constantly.
He’s not the most explosive finisher, but he makes up for it with fearlessness. He attacks the rim and gets to the free-throw line at a high rate. Zion Williamson was once labeled elite at drawing fouls as a prospect, and Haugh’s foul rate this season stacks up extremely well in comparison. He makes teams pay, too, shooting nearly 74 percent from the line this year after hitting 79 percent last season.
For a forward, he’s also a good passer. He makes quick, decisive reads and rarely overthinks the play. When you combine the shooting, interior toughness, rebounding, and decision-making, you get a pretty expansive offensive arsenal for someone with his size and frame.
Out of everyone on this list, Haugh might have the widest draft range. Some boards have him in the lottery. Others have him falling into the teens and even early 20s. Florida looks poised for another deep run, and how far they go could matter. A big March might lock him into the lottery. An early exit could push him down.
As a trade-up candidate, Haugh would make a lot of sense for the Sixers. His fearless rebounding and relentless energy around the rim would be a welcome addition. And unlike some other names here, he projects as a shooter you can’t just leave wide open. Where he ultimately lands remains to be seen, but if the Sixers want a forward who can help right away and still has room to grow, he’s a strong option as a trade-up guy.
FORT MYERS, FL - FEBRUARY 17: Wilyer Abreu #52 of the Boston Red Sox poses for a photo during the Boston Red Sox photo day at JetBlue Park at Fenway South on Tuesday, February 17, 2026 in Fort Myers, Florida. (Photo by Daniel Shirey/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
For all the young players on the Red Sox who have signed long-term deals (Roman Anthony, Brayan Bello, Ceddanne Rafaela) we haven’t heard much reporting about an extension for Wilyer Abreu. As it turns out, the Sox tried to sign him on the eve of his rookie year. But, unlike Bello and Rafaela, both of whom signed that spring, Abreu decided to take it year-to-year and bet on himself. The Sox have not approached him since, but Abreu says “[he] can listen.” (Tim Healey, Boston Globe)
We haven’t seen any reports about a possible extension for Connelly Early either, as the youngster attempts to establish himself in the big leagues. To that end, he spent the winter bulking up to try to maximize his stuff and lengthen his outings. (Sean McAdam, MassLive)
Payton Tolle was given the opposite offseason assignment. As he already has plenty of bulk for a pitcher, he worked on refining what the run-prevention unit is calling a “three-headed monster of hard.” That would be his outstanding four-seam fastball, his developing cut fastball, and a brand-new two-seam fastball. (Tim Healey, Boston Globe)
Tolle isn’t the only Red Sox pitcher adding to his repertoire. Brayan Bello reported to camp this spring with a new curveball, though his offseason priority was getting his changeup back on track. (Ian Browne, MLB.com)
While Early and Tolle will be two must-sees this spring, the bigger questions about the team are found on the offensive side of the ball. And there’s no denying that the lineup projections for the team are underwhelming. (Ken Rosenthal, The Athletic)
One thing to keep an eye on this spring is MLB’s new automated ball-strike challenge system. As teams try to figure out the best strategy for how to use their challenges, the Red Sox plan to feel out the system by aggressively challenging calls this spring. (Ian Browne, MLB.com)
It’s an absolutely jam-packed day of hoops action with 11 games on the schedule, which means a seemingly endless supply of NBA player props.
I’ve sorted through the odds and found my three favorites for the day, including Orlando Magic guard Desmond Bane casting a spell on the Los Angeles Lakers defense.
The former Duke standout is averaging 19.2 points per game while shooting an impressive 43.5% from three. He’s also on fire, going for 23 PPG while shooting 50% from downtown over his last seven.
Tonight, he gets a great matchup against a rebuilding Chicago Bulls team that is winless in February and ranks next to last in defensive rating.
Yet, we’re still getting a modest 17.5 point total for Knueppel, a number he’s topped in six of his last seven.
Time: 8:00 p.m. ET
Where to watch: FanDuel Sports Network Southeast-Charlotte, WSOC
Prop #2: Myles Turner Over 5.5 Rebounds
+100 at bet365
As long as the Miami Heat are playing basketball games, I will be fading them on the boards.
The Heat aren’t the worst rebounding team, but Miami leads the NBA in pace and, as a result, takes the most shots per game.
Lots of shots mean lots of rebounds, and it’s the Milwaukee Bucks' turn to crash the boards. My favorite candidate to cash their rebounding Over is Myles Turner.
The Bucks' big man averages 5.7 rebounds per game, and he’s hauled down six or more in four of his last five.
Time: 8:00 p.m. ET
Where to watch: FanDuel Sports Network South, FanDuel Sports Network Wisconsin
Prop #3: Desmond Bane Over 20.5 Points
-112 at bet365
The Orlando Magic are playing better basketball, thanks in part to Desmond Bane shooting the lights out.
The Magic guard has scored 31 or more points in three of his last four games, and is averaging 25 while shooting a crazy good 54% from three over his last 10.
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Three games into the Cactus League and the A’s have collected twenty-five hits, resulting in only four runs and zero wins. Their run differential currently sits at negative nineteen, better than the Detroit Tigers by a single run. The only team with more losses are the Milwaukee Brewers, and that’s only because they’ve played more games.
There’s no reason to panic just yet, but you can’t help but eye roll. Hovering around mediocrity is the minimum we’d wish for in Spring Training. Nobody wants to go into Opening Day after getting kicked around all spring. Especially a young and impressionable A’s team like this one, who have proven to be easily shaken when faced with adversity.
The battle of the winless clubs takes place today between the A’s and the Brewers. Shall this be the day the tides turn in our favor? I’m choosing to feel optimistic. Watching David S. Ward’s Major League last night helped curb the angsty doubts that start to roll in when the W’s aren’t stacking up. Let’s not forget that that those Cleveland Indians struggled out of the gate in their own Spring Training jaunt. Plus, nothing as embarrassing as Willie Mays Hays attempting to steal second base and coming up five feet short, has yet to happen – – so there’s that.
I guess I’m just hoping the A’s get a little more rowdy this spring. I want Hohokam to be all worked up in a frenzy by the end of March. Every bar in Mesa, Arizona should be full of reverse teetotalers holding court, talking about how the 2026 A’s are going to be a problem. That’s the energy I want. Maybe players should start picking fights with other teams? There hasn’t been a really good Spring Training brawl since that Piazza vs. Mota incident back in 2003. For this reboot, I nominate Michael Kelly to go after Zac Veen. That way the Las Vegas series against the Rockies in June has a little buzz behind it.
Just throwing it out there.
I see it to be particularly crucial that the A’s capitalize on any bit momentum for the next month, as the first six series out of the gate are all against the Blue Jays, Braves, Astros, Yankees, Mets, and Rangers :/
Now I’m not saying that this stretch will determine how the 2026 A’s will fair by season’s end, but if the last two season have taught us anything, it’s that no early first half game should go undervalued. The last thing anyone wants is another season where we’re looking back at April and May as the reason we didn’t get a shot at a playoff bid.
So let’s right the ship! It all starts today against the Milwaukee Brewers.
Jump is one of my favourite pitching prospects thanks to his electric fastball and velocity from the left side. Both were present today as his stuff graded out well. I will be keeping tabs on his secondaries throughout the spring pic.twitter.com/7Y8R0nKMbK
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - JUNE 29: A general view of the AL East standings before a game between the Toronto Blue Jays and the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park on June 29, 2025 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Paul Rutherford/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Man, the AL East could be wild this year. Outside of the Rays, it isn’t hard to see any team winning it. And let’s face it: it’s never a good idea to overlook the Rays.
So how do you see the strongest division in baseball shaking out? I change my mind on this nearly every day. Today, it’s hard for me to overlook the high-end talent at the top of the Yankees roster. I’m convinced that the Orioles will have a bounce-back season and I liked their offseason moves, but I’m thoroughly unconvinced of their pitching depth. The Blue Jays will regress, I think, but they have enough talent to stay in contention all year.
As of today, I’ll go with:
Yankees
Orioles
Red Sox
Blue Jays
Rays
Ask me again this afternoon and I may have changed my mind.
Now that the Olympics are over, trade talk around the NHL should be picking up. The 2026 NHL trade deadline is rapidly approaching, and the San Jose Sharks will certainly be a team to keep an eye on.
With the Sharks currently in the playoff race, it would be understandable if they looked to add to their roster. However, some of their pending unrestricted free agents (UFAs) have also come up as trade candidates. The most notable is defenseman Mario Ferraro.
Ferraro would have the potential to get the Sharks a nice return in a move. This is because he is a hard-nosed top-four defenseman who plays a steady game.
Now, Ferraro is continuing to be linked to one of the NHL's best teams.
In The Fourth Period's most recent trade board, Ferraro was linked to the Colorado Avalanche.
It would make a lot of sense for the Avalanche to make a major push for a defenseman like Ferraro. When looking at their current blueline, it is fair to argue that they could use another impactful left-shot defenseman. Acquiring Ferraro would provide them with just that.
If the Avalanche landed Ferraro, he could slot nicely on their second pairing with former Sharks blueliner Brent Burns. Yet, even if Ferraro played on the Avalanche's bottom pairing, there is no question that he would give their blueline a nice boost.
This is the third meeting of the season between the Timberwolves (35-23) and Trail Blazers (28-30) as Minnesota won both meetings. Portland attempts to get their first win over Minnesota in the second game of a double-header on Peacock.
Minnesota is 8-4 over the last 12 games, but coming off a 135-108 loss to Philadelphia that broke a three-game winning streak. In February, the Timberwolves have the 6th-best offensive rating, but 24th-ranked defensive rating.
The Trail Blazers come in right behind the Timberwolves this month with the 25th-ranked defensive rating and 15th offensively. Portland ranks last in February regarding turnover percentage (19.2%) and 28th in assist to turnover ratio (1.39).
The Trail Blazers are 5-4 this month and looking to get their first win over the Timberwolves. Minnesota won 118-114 in Portland and 133-109 at home this season. The last meeting came right before the All-Star break on Feb. 11.
Let’s take a closer look at the matchup and take into consideration lineups, injuries, and other factors affecting the line and total.
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: Timberwolves at Trail Blazers
Date: Tuesday, February 24, 2026
Time: 10 PM EST
Site: Moda Center
City: Portland, OR
Network/Streaming: Peacock
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Game Odds: Timberwolves at Trail Blazers
The latest odds as of Monday courtesy of DraftKings:
Moneyline: Houston Rockets (-850), Utah Jazz (+575)
Spread: Rockets -13.5
Total: 228.5 points
This game opened Rockets -13.5 with the Total set at 228.5.
Be sure to check out DraftKings for all the latest game odds & player props for every matchup this week on the NBA schedule!
Expected Starting Lineups: Timberwolves at Trail Blazers
Minnesota Timberwolves
PG Donte DiVincenzo
SG Anthony Edwards
SF Jaden McDaniels
PF Julius Randle
C Rudy Gobert
Portland Trail Blazers
PG Jrue Holiday
SG Toumani Camara
SF Jerami Grant
PF Cidy Cissoko
C Donovan Clingan
Injury Report: Timberwolves at Trail Blazers
Minnesota Timberwolves
Naz Reid (shoulder)is questionable for tonight’s game
Portland Trail Blazers
Shaedon Sharpe (calf) is listed as OUT for tonight’s game
Deni Avdija (back) is listed as OUT for tonight’s game
Important stats, trends and insights: Timberwolves at Trail Blazers
Minnesota is 29-29 to the Over
Minnesota is 18-9 to the Over on the road, ranking 2nd-best
Minnesota is 12-7 to the Over as a road favorite, ranking 7th-best
Minnesota is 25-33 ATS, ranking 5th-worst
Minnesota is 12-15 ATS as the road team, ranking 10th-worst and 8-11 ATS as the road favorite
Portland is 31-27 ATS and 17-13 ATS at home, ranking 7th-best
Portland is 11-8 ATS as a home underdog
Portland is 31-27 to the Over, ranking 6th-best
Portland is 19-11 to the Over at home, ranking tied for 3rd-best
Portland is 10-9 to the Under as a home underdog, ranting 8th-best to the Under
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 Timberwolves and Trail Blazers’ game:
Moneyline: Rotoworld Bet is leaning towards a play on the Timberwolves’ Moneyline
Spread: Rotoworld Bet is recommending a play on the Trail Blazers +6.5 ATS
Total: Rotoworld Bet is leaning towards a play on the Game Total UNDER 237.5
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The Orlando Magic and Los Angeles Lakers meet for the first time this season in tonight’s nightcap at Crypto.com Arena.
Desmond Bane has been on a heater, and my Magic vs. Lakers predictions expect him to stay hot against a vulnerable perimeter defense.
Here are my best free NBA picks for this cross-conference showdown on Tuesday, February 24.
Magic vs Lakers prediction
Magic vs Lakers best bet: Desmond Bane Over 20.5 points (-112)
Orlando Magic guard Desmond Bane’s scoring prowess will be front and center tonight against a Los Angeles Lakers defense that has allowed the 10th-highest 3-point percentage (36.5%) and 13th-most points (116.1).
Franz Wagner is out again, and Bane has averaged 21.8 points across 28 games with him sidelined.
Bane is enjoying his best scoring streak of the season, with 30+ points in three of his last four. He’s averaged 23.9 points across his last 14 appearances, knocking down 3.2 triples at a 51.7% clip and scoring 21+ 10 times.
Magic vs Lakers same-game parlay
The Magic are 2-0-1 ATS across their last three road games. After a heartbreaking double-OT loss to the Suns on Friday, Orlando delivered a two-point victory over the Clippers. The Lakers should get the win tonight, but they're just 3-4 ATS across their last seven at home, so I'll take the Magic and the points.
The Lakers posted a dud on offense against the visiting Celtics on Sunday, but I expect a bounce-back performance from L.A.'s Big 3. Orlando is capable of putting up points with Paolo Banchero and Bane. Los Angeles is 18-9 to the Over at home.
Magic vs Lakers SGP
Desmond Bane Over 20.5 points
Magic +5
Over 230
Our "from downtown" SGP: Ayton eats
Deandre Ayton has scored 10+ points in 34 of 48 games this season, including all eight games with Jaxson Hayes sidelined. With Hayes expected to sit, Ayton should have no problem clearing this line with even money.
Magic vs Lakers SGP
Desmond Bane Over 20.5 points
Magic +5
Over 230
Deandre Ayton Over 9.5 points
Magic vs Lakers odds
Spread: Magic +5 (-105) | Lakers -5 (-115)
Moneyline: Magic +170 | Lakers -205
Over/Under: Over 230 (-110) | Under 230 (-110)
Magic vs Lakers betting trend to know
The Los Angeles Lakers have hit the 2Q Game Total Over in 25 of their last 35 games at home (+13.60 Units / 34% ROI). Find more NBA betting trends for Magic vs. Lakers.
How to watch Magic vs Lakers
Location
Crypto.com Arena, Los Angeles, CA
Date
Tuesday, February 24, 2026
Tip-off
10:30 p.m. ET
TV
FDSN Florida, SPECSN
Magic vs Lakers latest injuries
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Peoria, Ariz. - February 10: Ethan Salas #90 of the San Diego Padres throws at the Peoria Sports Complex on Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2026 in Peoria, Ariz.. (Photo by Meg McLaughlin / The San Diego Union-Tribune via Getty Images)
The San Diego Padres had a banner day on the baseball field on Monday. They came back from a 5-1 deficit with a six-run bottom of the eighth inning. That was great, but not necessarily the big story. That honor went to a perfect usage of the new ABS challenge system. Catcher Freddy Fermin had three calls overturned from balls to strikes with the system. Two calls were at the bottom of the strike zone, and one was at the top. Ethan Salas followed suit when he replaced Fermin and had one call overturned. Jose Miranda completed the challenges when he got a called strike overturned to a ball resulting in a walk in the six-run eighth. The system seemed to held the home plate umpire accountable for his calls and worked just as was described by Major League Baseball.
Padres News:
Randy Vasquez looked sharp in his first action of Spring Training against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Sunday. He allowed one hit and walked one in two scoreless innings. Lincoln Zdunich of Gaslamp Ball thinks that could be a preview of a big season from Vasquez as he looks to solidify his position in the rotation and on the San Diego roster.
Joe Musgrove returning after a lost season after Tommy John surgery. Luis Campusano looking to prove he can compete at the major league level. Nick Castellanos changing positions while trying to show he has more in the tank after being released by the Philadelphia Phillies. These are just a few of the players AJ Cassavell of Padres.com says are the most important to watch this spring.
Garrett Hawkins impressed at the lower levels of the Padres system and now has his sights set on making the big-league roster with San Diego. The roster spots available for position players is tight as well due what appears to be a surprising amount of depth according to Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union-Tribune.
Jeff Sanders of the San Diego Union-Tribune gives a progress report for the Padres to discuss the financials of the team as well as the importance of additions to the roster.
The Padres designated outfielder Tirso Ornelas for assignment on Feb. 17, and he cleared waivers today which meant a return to the San Diego organization. He is back in camp with the Padres.
ATLANTA — Left-hander Chris Sale and the Atlanta Braves agreed to a contract on Tuesday adding $27 million for the 2027 season.
A 36-year-old who won the 2024 NL Cy Young Award in his first season with Atlanta, Sale agreed to a deal that includes a $30 million team option for 2028.
Atlanta acquired Sale from Boston in December 2023 and he agreed to a reworked $38 million, two-year contract that included an $18 million club option for 2026. The Braves exercised the option in November.
Sale is 25-8 with a 2.46 ERA in 49 starts and one relief appearance with the Braves. He made the All-Star team twice, raising his total to nine.
He is 145-88 with a 3.01 ERA is 15 major league seasons with the Chicago White Sox (2010-16), Boston (2017-23) and Atlanta, striking out 2,579 in 2,084 innings. His 11.1 strikeouts per nine innings are the most among pitchers with 1,500 or more innings.
Sale has thrived with the Braves after making nine trips to the disabled and injured lists with the Red Sox, mostly with shoulder and elbow ailments. He had Tommy John surgery on March 30, 2020, and returned to a big league mound on Aug. 14, 2021.
Two of the top teams in the Eastern Conference meet in Cleveland when the Knicks (37-21) and Cavaliers (36-22) meet on Peacock.
Cleveland's seven-game winning streak was snapped on Sunday in a 121-113 loss to Oklahoma City. Since James Harden arrived, Cleveland is 4-1 and averages 120.0 points per game. The Cavaliers are 4th in the Eastern Conference, but have the chance to tie the Knicks with a home win. In February, the Cavaliers own the No. 1 rated offense and come in at 9th on defense.
New York is 12-3 over the past 15 games and like Cleveland, are positing top rankings in offensive and defensive ratings this month. The Knicks sport the 12th-best offense and 8th-best defense in February with a 7-3 record. These squads have met twice this season and the Knicks won both meetings at home, 119-111 and 126-124. This is the third and final meeting between Cleveland and New York.
Let’s take a closer look at the matchup and take into consideration lineups, injuries, and other factors affecting the line and total.
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 DraftKingsrecent 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: Knicks at Cavaliers
Date: Tuesday, February 24, 2026
Time: 7:30 PM EST
Site: Rocket Arena
City: Cleveland, OH
Network/Streaming: Peacock
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: Knicks at Cavaliers
The latest odds as of Tuesday courtesy of DraftKings:
Moneyline: Cleveland Cavaliers (-170), Utah Jazz (+142)
Spread: Cavaliers -3.5
Total: 231.5 points
This game opened Cavaliers -3.5 with the Total set at 230.5.
Be sure to check out DraftKings for all the latest game odds & player props for every matchup this week on the NBA schedule!
Expected Starting Lineups: Knicks at Cavaliers
New York Knicks
PG Jalen Brunson
SG Josh Hart
SF Mikal Bridges
PF OG Anunoby
C Karl-Anthony Towns
Cleveland Cavaliers
PG James Harden
SG Donovan Mitchell
SF Dean Wade
PF Evan Mobley
C Jarrett Allen
Injury Report: Knicks at Cavaliers
Cleveland Cavaliers
Max Strus (foot)is OUT for tonight’s game
New York Knicks
Miles McBride (hernia) is OUT until the postseason
Important stats, trends and insights: Knicks at Cavaliers
Cleveland is 24-33 ATS, ranking 2nd-worst
Cleveland is 11-19 ATS as the home team, ranking 2nd-worst and 11-17 ATS as a home favorite
Cleveland is 30-28 to the Under
Cleveland is 18-12 to the Under as the home team, ranking 6th-best and 17-11 as a home favorite
New York is 31-28 ATS
New York is 10-17 ATS as the road team, ranking 3rd-worst and 4-5 ATS as a road underdog
New York is 30-29 to the Under
New York is 15-12 to the Under as the road team
New York is 6-3 to the Under as a road underdog, ranking 5th-best
Rotoworld Best Bet
Please bet responsibly. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline at 1-800-522-4700.
Our model calculates projections around each moneyline, spread and over/under bet for every game on the 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 Knicks’ game:
Moneyline: Rotoworld Bet is leaning towards a play on the Cavaliers’ Moneyline
Spread: Rotoworld Bet is recommending a play on the Cavaliers -3.5 ATS
Total: Rotoworld Bet is leaning towards a play on the Game Total OVER 231.5
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Kon Knueppel
Myles Turner
Desmond Bane
