The Orlando Magic are hoping to improve their postseason seeding with a victory over the Boston Celtics. The Celtics are locked into the Eastern Conference’s No. 2 playoff seed and could rest several of their key players in their final game of the regular season.
Apr 8, 2026; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Blue Jays designated hitter George Springer (4) hits a one run double against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the seventh inning at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images | John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images
Here’s your weekly injury notes! Must be Sunday! The Mariners guaranteed at least a split of the four-game series against Houston with a thrilling walk-off win to celebrate Humpy shoulder plush night to get to 6-9. The Mariners can secure an important series win today at 1:10 with Logan Gilbert on the mound. Happy Sunday everybody!
In Mariners news…
Lance Brozdowski broke down how some teams are training their pitchers to add more cut to their fastballs by making subtle differences to their throwing motion, and used the Mariners and Emerson Hancock as heavy focuses in the study to show the effectiveness these changes can have.
The Toronto Blue Jays have another star player with a broken digit! George Springer fouled a ball of his foot in yesterday’s game that broke the big toe on his left foot. I’ve broken a toe. Not fun!
Orioles infielder Ryan Mountcastle was removed from yesterday’s game after he took a tumble on his way into second base and will be getting an MRI today.
If you ever feel like you’re an impostor and aren’t qualified for the work that you do, remember that there are people with no background in economics who get paid to write up economic impact reports for new stadium projects.
BRONX, NY - APRIL 18: A general view of Opening Day at Yankee Stadium, on April 18, 1923 in Bronx, New York (Photo by MLB via Getty Images) | MLB via Getty Images
When the Yankees famously purchased Babe Ruth from the Red Sox in 1919, there was always going to be someone who’s playing time was massively cut, if not erased at all. As it happens, that fate mostly fell on Sammy Vick.
Vick’s career prior to Ruth’s acquisition wasn’t especially notable, and it wasn’t anything especially great after then. However, in making way for Ruth and then another move involving him later, he helped shape the first Yankees dynasty.
Samuel Bruce “Sammy” Vick Born: April 12, 1895 (Batesville, MS) Died: August 17, 1986 (Memphis, TN) Yankees Tenure: 1917-20
Vick was one of four children born to farmers Hugh and Lillie. He was born and raised in Mississippi, and attended Millsaps College. Unlike a lot of the people we write about in this birthday pieces, he apparently didn’t play much baseball as a youth, as he was said to have learned the game while attending Millsaps. However, he was apparently quite athletic, as he played several sports in college in addition to picking up baseball.
Despite getting to baseball late, Vick apparently picked it up quickly. By 1917, he had signed a deal with the minor league Memphis Chickasaws, and would soon rise even faster. He absolutely hit the ground running in Memphis, hitting .322 in 126 games. By the end of the season, he was already getting looks from MLB scouts, and the Yankees acquired him in July. On Baseball Reference, he’s listed as having been traded from Memphis to New York. One player that went the other way is future Hall of Fame pitcher Dazzy Vance, which the team would probably later wish they could undo.
After Vick’s season in Memphis concluded, the Yankees brought Vick up to the big leagues for a September cup of coffee. He walked in his first MLB plate appearance and singled in the next in a pretty nice debut. He ended up appearing in 10 MLB games in 1917, putting up right at league average numbers. In 1918, Vick appeared in two games before joining the military to serve in World War I.
Vick returned for the 1919 season and ended up as the team’s regular right fielder. He ended up appearing in 106 games in ‘19, although a 83 OPS+ wasn’t much to write home about. However after the season, the Yankees purchased Ruth from the Red Sox in probably the most well known baseball trade of all time. It also left Vick in a fourth outfielder role. Adding to that was that another young outfielder named Bob Meusel also debuted during the 1920 season. He still ended up playing over 50 games for the 1920 Yankees, but was quickly falling down the pecking order.
One thing of note that happened for Vick in 1920 was getting into a fight with manager Miller Huggins after a game in Cleveland. While you might expect that played a role in Vick’s diminished playing time and eventual departure, Huggins thought the incident was a good thing, as the manager had thought Vick was too shy and timid and not capable of that type of emotion.
Despite that, Vick was headed for a departure after the season, as the team thought had he never lived up to his potential and now had a couple better players. The following December, the team made another deal with the Red Sox, sending Vick to Boston as part of a nine-player deal. This one would also go in the Yankees’ favor as the most notable mover in the trade was pitcher Waite Hoyt, who became an ace for the team as they finally got over the World Series championship hump.
An injury delayed Vick’s Boston debut until June, and he never really got going in 1921, posting a .594 OPS in 44 games. He was eventually sold to the minor league Toronto Maple Leafs (a baseball team, they didn’t make him learn hockey), and he never returned to the majors. Vick continued playing in the minor leagues through 1930, mostly playing for teams in the south near his Mississippi birthplace.
In the years following his baseball career, Vick did some work as a teacher and also bought a farm. He eventually passed away in Memphis in 1986 at age 91.
In a way, Sammy Vick helped set the stage for the first dynasty in Yankees’ history. It just wasn’t in a way he himself might have hoped.
See more of the “Yankees Birthday of the Day” series here.
Saturday saw all four affiliates in the Atlanta Braves system in action, as the teams earned a split on the day. The biggest highlight on the day had to be the Brett Sears scoreless outing, but we also saw Juan Mateo return from injury, Lucas Braun throw five solid innings, and both John Gil and Tate Southisene reaching base multiple times.
This was a back and forth affair with Nashville taking one run leads and Gwinnett tying the game up from there, until the Stripers were able to break the cycle with a walkoff win in the 10th inning. Lucas Braun got the start and pitched five solid innings, giving up a pair of runs on eight hits and a walk. He also recorded five strikeouts to go with a game-high 13 whiffs. Tayler Scott got the next inning and two thirds, allowing a run, before a scoreless inning and a third from Hayden Harris. Ian Hamilton came on for the ninth and 10th innings, not giving up a run, and picking up the win. Combined the Stripers pitching staff allowed three runs on 11 hits, three walks, and 11 strikeouts with 23 whiffs – good enough to claim four of the top five spots on the game’s whiff leaderboard despite not recording any of the game’s top five velocities.
Offensively the Stripers had six guys combine for nine hits, with Aaron Schunk, Rowdy Tellez, and Brett Wisely each having two-hit nights. Schunk also added two walks, meaning he reached base in all four of his plate appearances in this one. Schunk, Tellez, and DeShawn Keirsey Jr. picked up doubles as well, the team’s only extra base hits. Cal Conley was promoted just in time for this game, and came off the bench as a pinch runner, getting caught stealing home in the bottom of the eighth.
Brett Sears took the ball for the start and tossed six and a third shutout innings on Saturday night. Sears allowed just four hits and a walk, striking out six and picking up 13 whiffs. He was commanding it well in this one, throwing 61 of his 84 pitches for strikes. Blayne Enlow followed and didn’t allow a run during his inning and two thirds. Ryan Bourassa came in for the ninth, and gave up a pair of runs to put an end to the combined shutout.
This was a pretty complete performance by the offense, as seven starters picked up at least one hit and eight reached base safely. Five Clingstones ended up with multi-hit games in this win, including Drew Compton, Kevin Kilpatrick Jr., Luke Waddell, Tristin English, and Jordan Groshans. Compton and Adam Zebrowski each connected on homers, with Compton’s being a two-run shot and Zebrowski’s being a solo, while Kilpatrick recorded a pair of doubles and a steal. Waddell and Lisandro Espinoza each added doubles in the win as well.
Cade Kuehler got hit early on in this one, giving up three runs in the first and two more in the second. He lasted just three innings, allowing the five runs on four hits and four walks. Ian Mejia came in for the next two innings, and while he did allow two runs, he also picked up four strikeouts and 11 whiffs in those two innings. Cory Wall pitched the next two innings without giving up a run, before giving way to Logan Samuels. Samuels walked the first batter he faced in the bottom of the eighth inning, but the game was called at that point, so he only faced one hitter.
Despite those five early runs against them, the Rome offense did a good job of fighting back to stay in the game. Once again John Gil and Eric Hartman headlined the performances for the offense, as Hartman doubled, batted in a run, scored once, and stole a base. Gil singled, walked, batted in two runs, and also stole a base. Colby Jones and Dalton McIntyre each had two-hit nights, with each scoring a run plus McIntyre batting one in. Among the other prospects here, Owen Carey was hitless in two at bats, but drew a walk and scored twice. Cody Miller went hitless in four at bats, striking out in each one.
This one featured all pitchers from the 2025 draft class for Augusta, along with one undrafted free agent from last year as well. Seventh rounder Zach Royse was the starter, and he had a rough first inning allowing three runs, before rebounding and pitching better for the rest of his night. Overall Royse allowed four runs on seven hits and two walks to go with three strikeouts and 11 whiffs. Next came 19th rounder Ryan Heppner, who allowed two runs in his inning and two thirds, though he did induce nine whiffs. Eighth rounder Carter Lovasz was next, and he allowed a run over two innings of work, picking up three strikeouts and seven whiffs. Undrafted free agent Drew Christo pitched a scoreless frame to finish this one off.
The big story offensively had to be the season debut for Juan Mateo, who just returned from the injured list. The versatile infielder got the start at third base and went one for two with a walk and run batted in, before being removed from the game – something the Braves often do with guys making their return from injury. Nick Montgomery’s solid start to the year after really struggling here last year continued on Saturday, as he recorded a double in four at bats. Last year’s first round pick Tate Southisene was hitless in three at bats, but did draw a pair of walks and scored a run. Alex Lodise and Conor Essenburg were each hitless in four at bats, with Essenburg striking out four times and Lodise three of his own.
Reminder: I’m on vacation all this week and will be a little briefer than usual and one or more pieces could be delayed. Thanks for your patience.
If you’re not one of my longtime readers, this is a great jumping-in point. By about the third inning Saturday, I saw the season declared as over, the team described as garbage and had officially muted my first Cub-focused Twitter user of the season. I don’t have any interest in gloom and doom. Any time I’m looking for that, I can dial into the outside world. Baseball is where I go to unwind and have fun.
For me, the strangest thing that I’ve learned in my time blogging about baseball over the last 10 years is what a significant part of the fan experience doom and gloom is for some portion of the fanbase. Is it frustrating when the Cubs have a pitcher throw six no-hit innings and end up losing anyway? Absolutely. Is it a compound wound when for four innings the next day they haven’t scored? Yes, it is.
I saw one person post in the comments to Game 13 how much this reminded them of 2025. That’s a fair comment. That’s the concern. But I’m certainly not giving up on this team before the weather even warms up. This team benefits greatly from the long ball and it doesn’t help when that is suppressed. Both teams play in those conditions, but not all teams have nine or more players who could legitimately hit double digit homers. They had eight do it last year with their third catcher at nine and Nico Hoerner at 7. I feel like their whole regular nine less Hoerner but possibly also Matt Shaw are legit double digit homer guys. Miguel Amaya or Michael Conforto might challenge double digits with enough playing time.
When the Cubs did play in the dome in Tampa, the ball was jumping and they did win two of three. So I’m going to wait before I rule this team buried. This has been a frustrating stretch. Every season for the best and worst teams includes frustrating stretches. Keep the faith.
Three Positives:
Moisés Ballesteros was two for two before being lifted from the game. He’s been one of the most productive bats in the early going. I’m not sure I want to see him instantly lifted every time a lefty comes in. I know sometimes a bat gets overexposed when getting extra playing time. But I’d lean a little heavier and see where that point is.
Alex Bregman had a pair of hits including a game-tying RBI single in the ninth.
Hoby Milner has been terrific so far. He faced the top of the order in the ninth inning and worked a perfect inning, giving the team a chance to tie in the bottom of the inning.
Game 14, April 11: Pirates 4, Cubs 3 (8-6)
Reminder: Heroes and Goats are determined by WPA scores and are in no way subjective.
THREE HEROES:
Superhero: Daniel Palencia (.308). IP, 4 BF, 0 H, BB, 0 R, 0 K
Hero: Alex Bregman (.196 ). 2-6, RBI
Sidekick: Nico Hoerner (.075 ). 1-6, RBI
THREE GOATS:
Billy Goat: Seiya Suzuki (-.440 ). 1-4
Goat: Ian Happ (-.235 ). 0-5, BB
Kid: Matt Shaw (-.183). 0-1
WPA Play of the Game: Alex Bregman’s game-tying single with two out in the bottom of the ninth. (.468)
*Pirates Play of the Game: With first and second and two outs in the 11th, Brandon Lowe batted with runners on first and second. He reached on an error and the go ahead and eventual winning run scored. (.331)
Cubs Player of the Game:
Game 13 Player of the Game: Shōta Imanaga received 121 of 123 votes.
Up Next: In the third and final game of the series, Jameson Taillon matches up with Bubba Chandler.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 11: Jack Leiter #22 of the Texas Rangers reacts against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the first inning at Dodger Stadium on April 11, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Luke Hales/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Dodgers 6, Rangers 3
One batter into the game, things were looking good for the Rangers.
Pretty quickly after that things stopped looking good.
After looking very good in his first two outings of the season, Jack Leiter hit a speed bump in the first inning against the Dodgers.
On the positive side, Leiter struck out the side swinging in the first. On the negative side, he allowed a solo home run to Shohei Ohtani to lead off the inning, a line drive single to Will Smith, a walk to Freddie Freeman, and a two out, three run homer to Teoscar Hernandez. The Teoscar bomb gave the Dodgers a 4-1 lead, which ended up being all the runs they would need in the game.
That first inning cost Leiter 30 pitches. He had an 18 pitch second inning, a 28 pitch third inning which saw him load the bases on a single and a pair of walks (but give up just one run due to getting Hernandez to hit into a GIDP), and then needed 16 pitches to retire two of the three batters he faced in the fourth.
93 pitches to get 11 outs is not ideal.
Tyler Alexander did good work to get the Rangers through the sixth, Robert Garcia threw a scoreless seventh despite issuing another walk, and Chris Martin gave up another run in his one inning of work.
And the bats? Brandon Nimmo was 3 for 4 with a double and a pair of homers. The rest of the team was 1 for 27 with two walks.
Texas did still manage to get the tying run to the plate with one out in the ninth thanks to a Corey Seager walk and Jake Burger reaching on an error. Andrew McCutchen struck out, though, and with Evan Carter due up, the Dodgers brought in lefty Alex Vesia.
It was a rather unpleasant reminder of the problem that the Rangers find themselves in when Carter is due up in a big spot late. An opponent can bring in a lefty to face Carter, and Skip Schumaker either has to take his chances with Carter, who, as is well-documented, has been helpless against lefties in his career, or go to his bench.
With Wyatt Langford unavailable due to his quad strain, the only hitter left on the bench was Danny Jansen. Schumaker went with Jansen, who struck out to end the game.
Had the Rangers tied it up, Andrew McCutchen would have had to have gone from DH to the outfield, meaning the Rangers would have lost their DH spot. And the outfield would have been Sam Haggerty, Brandon Nimmo and Andrew McCutchen, which seems…less than ideal.
Jack Leiter’s fastball maxed out at 98.6 mph, averaging 96.7 mph. Tyler Alexander reached 91.8 mph with his fastball. Robert Garcia touched 95.5 mph with his fastball. Chris Martin’s fastball reached 95.5 mph.
Brandon Nimmo’s home runs were 105.7 mph and 105.5 mph. Josh Smith had a 104.4 mph ground out. Josh Jung had a 103.mph single. Evan Carter had a 101.5 mph ground out. Jake Burger had a 101. mph ground out.
The Charlotte Hornets are still trying to determine their postseason seeding heading into their regular-season finale against the New York Knicks. The Knicks, who will be the Eastern Conference’s No. 3 seed in the first-round of the playoffs, could rest several players.
How to watch Charlotte Hornets vs. New York Knicks
The Los Angeles Lakers can secure the Western Conference’s No. 3 playoff seed with a victory over the Utah Jazz and a loss by the Denver Nuggets to the San Antonio Spurs. The Lakers enter the final game of the season guaranteed of home-court advantage in the first round of the NBA playoffs.
On paper, the Los Angeles Clippers have something to play for tonight. In reality, they are more likely to mail in this game against the Golden State Warriors and get ready for the next one against Steph Curry this week.
My Warriors vs. Clippers predictions and these NBA picks spot that quiet logic to folding tonight, Sunday, April 12.
Warriors vs Clippers prediction
Warriors vs Clippers best bet: Kawhi Leonard Under 28.5 points (-115)
Fun fact: As this bet was being logged before sunrise on the West Coast, Kawhi Leonard’s points prop jumped to 28.5 from 26.5. That only emboldens this belief.
The Los Angeles Clippers made their bed. Now they have to lie in it. Losing to Portland twice in the last two weeks knocked the Clippers into the No. 9 seed, now needing the Trail Blazers to lose to the Kings today if L.A. is to have any hope of escaping the single-elimination half of the Play-In Tournament.
Not only does Portland have an obvious incentive to win, but Sacramento also wants to lose to give its tanking efforts one last boost, currently tied with Utah for the fourth-worst record in the NBA.
So, welcome the Clippers to the stressor of a single-elimination game against Steph Curry and the Golden State Warriors. No, not today. This is just a prelude to that stressor this week.
And knowing that is coming down the pipe lessens any incentive for Los Angeles to show anything notable today. As Portland pulls away against Sacramento — a 17-point favorite — do not be surprised if L.A. benches its main contributors.
Kawhi Leonard has already fallen short of this prop in six of his last seven games. Fewer minutes or intentionally less aggression tonight should assure that becomes seven of eight to close the season.
Warriors vs Clippers same-game parlay
While the Warriors have nothing to play for tonight, they do need to keep playing Steph Curry back into a rhythm. He missed two full months of the season.
Every minute Curry can get on the court right now helps Golden State’s slim chances of winning two games in the Play-In Tournament, to then at least worry the Thunder.
Curry playing nearly 30 minutes tonight against an ambivalent Clippers team should be enough to notch this win against the spread.
Warriors vs Clippers SGP
Kawhi Leonard Under 28.5 points
Kawhi Leonard Under 7.5 rebounds
Warriors +6.5
Our "from downtown" SGP: Steph, please!
Curry has shot 11-for-27 (40.7%) from deep in his three games back from injury. If he finds a rhythm tonight, Golden State should encourage him to keep shooting to establish some team-wide confidence before the Play-In Tournament.
And we all know, Steph Curry chucking from deep is always a recipe for an outright upset.
Warriors vs Clippers SGP
Kawhi Leonard Under 28.5 points
Kawhi Leonard Under 7.5 rebounds
Warriors moneyline
Warriors vs Clippers odds
Spread: Warriors +6.5 | Clippers -6.5
Moneyline: Warriors +220 | Clippers -270
Over/Under: Over 224.5 | Under 224.5
Warriors vs Clippers betting trend to know
The Clippers have gone 2-6 ATS in their last eight games. Find more NBA betting trends for Warriors vs. Clippers.
How to watch Warriors vs Clippers
Location
Intuit Dome, Inglewood, CA
Date
Sunday, April 12, 2026
Tip-off
8:30 p.m. ET
TV
NBCS-Bay Area, FDSN-SoCal
Warriors vs Clippers latest injuries
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NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 10: Jalen Brunson #11 and Josh Hart #3 of the New York Knicks looks on during the game against the Toronto Raptors on April 10, 2026 at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
81 down, one to go.
81 games into this roller coaster ride of a regular season, we’ve reached a point of reflection.
In a season that’s seen few true moments to breathe, the Knicks are entering Game 82 with absolutely nothing to play for (unless you want to go for the team’s first 54-win season since 1996, that is). The Hornets looked like a potential playoff matchup for a while, but they’re currently locked into the 9-10 game despite being one of the best teams in basketball in the last few months. It’s a cruel world!
While four different teams can still slide into the 6-seed and face the Knicks (Antonio broke down the scenarios for Sunday), the Knicks have no control over it. They’ll play their final game tomorrow and get ready for war.
But before then, I want to rehash an exercise I had fun with last year: looking at the rarest of the rare calls in the NBA and how many times the Knicks have been called for it.
The Least Rare Calls
A bunch of normal violations fall under here. The Knicks have committed:
Compared to last year, the Knicks are committing more offensive fouls and charges, but less kicked-balls, delay-of-games, and shot-clock violations. Here’s who leads the Knicks in each of these categories:
The Knicks do not goaltend very often. The average team has committed around 20 of these violations, but we only see it happen once every nine games for the Knicks.
Mitchell Robinson’s done it three times, KAT and Mo Diawara have done it twice, and both OG Anunoby and Ariel Hukporti have done it once. Leaguewide, Kel’el Ware has somehow done it 21 times, followed by Alex Sarr at 14.
Defensive 3-seconds is a center’s call. Of the 11 players who’ve been called for it at least five times, only one isn’t a big man (Egor Demin has somehow been called for it eight times as a guard).
On the Knicks, Mikal Bridges leads the way with three, but the only other regular to be called for it is KAT. The other five violations are by Diawara, Hukporti, and Guershon Yabusele.
Of all the teams not to commit this violation, you wouldn’t think it’s the worst team in basketball, but it is! DeAndre Ayton has been called for this seven times this season on his own, but the man who’s second in this category turns out to be Towns, who’s been called for it all six times.
It’s a very innocent call that I think goes uncalled a lot. Towns just parks the bus in the paint here in March 20’s extremely odd win over the Nets.
I think offensive goaltending is an extremely interesting concept. It’s legal in Europe and in international play, but illegal in the NBA.
My issue with it is that if a player tips a ball in while it’s on the cylinder and it isn’t called, there is no way to check it. Now, if it was called incorrectly, it could be challenged, but that only plays one side of the coin. It’s basically the same as an uncalled goaltending.
Jalen Duren, Nick Richards, and Robert Williams III have all been called for it five times. Both of the Sixers’ backup centers have been called for it four times. On the Knicks, only two have been called on Mitch, which tells you just how good he is at his craft that almost none of his tip-ins are illegal. Both of them were in March, too. He was perfect for months!
Here’s one that Diawara committed back in November.
What’s the archetype of player who usually commits the most double-dribbles? I’d think it’s also centers, and in looking at the data, I’m mostly right. Yves Missi has had three of them this season by himself.
For the Knicks, only Brunson and Bridges have done it. Does it surprise you that one of the violations came during the three-week stretch from hell?
Lane Violation (2)
Rank: T-15th | Most: Rockets (10) | Least: Jazz (0)
A ticky-tack call most of the time. I feel like a lot of lane violations also go uncalled, but the Rockets have managed to do it 10 times.
Brunson and Bridges have both been called for it. The refs clearly weren’t in the Christmas spirit when the Knicks played the Cavs, because that’s when Brunson was called for it.
8-Second Violation (1)
Rank: T-15th | Most: Rockets (5) | Least: Several (0)
These ones are always interesting. I feel like you see them more in college basketball, since pros can break a press better.
The only time it’s been called on the Knicks all season was January 2 against the Hawks. Of course, it was in that three-week slump.
The Knicks are getting better at inbound plays, especially in situations where they’re getting intentionally fouled. That was an issue in prior years, but they seem to be more dialed in on that front. Their potential first-round opponents just so happen to lead the league in this category…
Jump Ball Violation (1)
Most: Nuggets (3) | Least: Several (0)
You usually see this with guards who get matched up on centers and are just trying to find any type of advantage. Unless you’re Nikola Jokic, who’s committed a jump ball violation three times.
Predictably, the lone Knick to do it is Jose Alvarado, who was called for it early in the second quarter of the team’s February 24 win over Cleveland.
Discontinued Dribble (1)
Most: Timberwolves (5) | Least: Several (0)
I need a primer on a discontinued dribble. Hang on.
The only time this happened was on March 31, when Josh Hart did it against the Rockets. Frankly, it looks like a double-dribble.
Palming (0)
Most: Raptors (5) | Least: Several (0)
Another one that, frankly, should be called more. The Knicks were only called for it three times last season, but are at zero through 81 games.
Say, does that say the Raptors also lead the league in this category? Hmm.
Inbound Violation (0)
Most: Clippers (3) | Least: Several (0)
The last time a Knick committed an inbound violation?
March 16, 2022 against Portland (lol) by Jericho Sims. I can’t find a video of that, but the Knicks somehow committed one just nine days earlier in Sacramento, when Deuce McBride literally handed the ball to Immanuel Quickley on an inbound with 0.2 seconds left in 16-point game.
If you’re wondering, the Josh Hart inbound mistake before Bridges’ game-winner against the Blazers last year technically counted as a travel.
ATLANTA, GEORGIA - APRIL 10: Michael Harris II #23 of the Atlanta Braves hits a single during the third inning against the Cleveland Guardians at Truist Park on April 10, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Well the Braves had a bit of a dud on Saturday night, but reinforcements are making their way to Atlanta, as Spencer Strider and Sean Murphy will be on minor league rehab assignments this week. They will also be without Michael Harris and likely functionally Eli White for a few days, as Michael Harris tends to the birth of his child and Eli White tends to a foot injury. They should also be getting Ha-Seong Kim back in a month or two, which should help. Despite the suboptimal game on Saturday, the team has performed pretty well this year, even if the results have been a bit wonky as compared to the performances in various aspects of the team. There is a decent chance that the beginning of the season could be the low point of the season in terms of player availability, so having a strong start is encouraging. Hoping its only upward from here.
Braves News
The Braves had a dud of a night, particularly on offense, on Saturday night, losing 6-0 to the Guardians.
Wrexham missed the chance to move within a point of the Championship playoff places after they suffered a 2-0 defeat by Birmingham at St Andrew’s. The visitors’ hopes of an unprecedented fourth straight promotion were dealt a massive blow after they were beaten for a second consecutive match which leaves them four points behind sixth-placed Hull with four games to play.
After their 5-1 defeat by Southampton, Wrexham have now suffered back-to-back defeats for the first time since August. Phil Parkinson, the Wrexham manager, said: “We’ve had a tough week this week. But we’re not down and out yet. It’s not over yet.
For the fourth and final time this season, the Milwaukee Bucks will take on the Philadelphia 76ers, and the home team will look to complete the sweep with a much-needed victory.
Paul George has been on a roll offensively, and my Bucks vs. 76ers predictions and NBA picks expect him to rack up points against a shorthanded opponent.
Bucks vs 76ers prediction
Bucks vs 76ers best bet: Paul George Over 18.5 points (-120)
Paul George has been great as a scorer since returning to this Philadelphia 76ers lineup. Across his last nine games, PG has averaged 22.1 points and 3.7 triples while shooting 46.8% from the field and 42.3% from beyond the arc.
Across the last five games, the Milwaukee Bucks rank 27th in defensive rating at 125.6. The team has surrendered the ninth-most points per game (120.3) and the fifth-highest shooting percentage from beyond the arc (41%).
George has scored 19+ in seven of his last nine, doing so in three straight at home. George has been stellar against Milwaukee this season, averaging 24.3 points and five triples in three matchups. He's shot 52.1% from the floor and 53.6% from downtown in those games, scoring 19+ in each of them.
The Bucks are missing several key defenders, and George should be able to take full advantage. With Joel Embiid sidelined, George should be the second option on offense behind Tyrese Maxey, and I don’t expect a depleted Milwaukee team to slow him down in front of the home crowd in a critical game.
Bucks vs 76ers same-game parlay
The 76ers have failed to cover the spread in four straight games, but they’ll return from a three-game road trip in a must-win situation. A Sixers win and losses by the Magic and Raptors would move Philly into the No. 6 seed, so I expect the home team to come out highly motivated.
Neither offense has been playing at a high level lately, but this Bucks defense is so depleted that Philadelphia should be able to score at will in front of the home crowd.
Aside from Joel Embiid’s absence, the home team is healthy, and Paul George and Tyrese Maxey can lead Philly to a big night on the scoreboard and push the Over the total.
Bucks vs 76ers SGP
Paul George Over 18.5 points
76ers -15.5
Over 227
Our "from downtown" SGP: Next man up!
Milwaukee’s injury report reads like a CVS receipt, so Cormac Ryan, A.J. Green, and Ousmane Dieng will need to step up to provide big minutes on the final day of the season.
Ryan has averaged 19.2 points across his last six games, going for 20+ in three of them. He finished with a career-high 28 points in his last game out.
Green has scored 20+ in two of his last three. He went off for a career-best 35 points in his last game, setting a Bucks franchise record with 11 triples.
Dieng has averaged 6.7 rebounds across his last seven games, grabbing at least seven four times. With most of the team’s frontcourt sidelined, Dieng should see plenty of opportunities to crash the glass.
Bucks vs 76ers SGP
Cormac Ryan Over 19.5 points
A.J. Green Over 19.5 points
Ousmane Dieng Over 6.5 rebounds
Bucks vs 76ers odds
Spread: Bucks +15.5 | 76ers -15.5
Moneyline: Bucks +750 | 76ers -1200
Over/Under: Over 227 | Under 227
Bucks vs 76ers betting trend to know
The 76ers have cashed the second-half moneyline in 11 of their last 14 games for +13.05 units and a 63% ROI. Find more NBA betting trends for Bucks vs. 76ers.
How to watch Bucks vs 76ers
Location
Xfinity Mobile Arena, Philadelphia, PA
Date
Sunday, April 12, 2026
Tip-off
6:00 p.m. ET
TV
FDSN-Wisconsin, NBCS-Philadelphia
Bucks vs 76ers latest injuries
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SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 11: Ramon Laureano #5 of the San Diego Padres rounds the bases past third base coach Bob Henley #20 after hitting a three-run home run during the fourth inning against the Colorado Rockies at Petco Park on April 11, 2026 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Orlando Ramirez/Getty Images) | Getty Images
German Marquez was not sharp in his start against the Colorado Rockies at Petco Park on Saturday night. The former Rockies ace who was facing his former team for the first time, allowed three home runs and Colorado held a 4-0 lead heading into the bottom of the third inning. In years past, the game would have been over essentially before it started, but this San Diego Padres team went to work. San Diego put up three runs in the bottom of the third inning after Manny Machado hit a two-run home run. The Padres added three more runs in the fourth when leadoff hitter Ramon Laureano hit a three-run home run to put San Diego ahead 6-4. But the Padres did not stop there. They added another run in the bottom of the sixth on a bases loaded walk to push the score to 7-4 and Jackson Merrill broke the game open with a two-run double through the middle of the infield with the bases loaded to give San Diego a 9-4 lead. The Padres would allow the Rockies to add another run to make the score 9-5 and with the bases loaded and two outs in the top of the ninth inning, Stammen had to call on Jason Adam to get the final out and slam the door shut.
Padres News:
The San Diego Padres wanted to bring back Luis Arraez, but he wanted to play second base. The Padres could not guarantee Arraez playing time at his preferred position, so he became a member of the San Francisco Giants. Thomas Conroy of Gaslamp Ball says without contact-heavy Arraez at the top of the lineup, San Diego is working to find a new offensive identity.
Craig Stammen did not have the best start to his managerial career, but it was not all bad either. Respondents who took part in the Padres Reacts Survey this week on Gaslamp Ball believe Stammen has earned a middling grade to this point in the season.
Fernando Tatis Jr. found himself in a new position in Stammen’s lineup on Saturday night – second base. Xander Bogaerts got the night off, so Jake Cronenworth bumped to short and Tatis Jr. came in to man second base, while Nick Castellanos filled the hole in right field.
Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union Tribune provided some notes on the night that was on Friday, including Walker Buehler, Jason Adam and Jeremiah Estrada and the run of bad luck that has befallen Tatis Jr.
Houston Astros pitcher and one of the top free agents this past offseason Tatsuya Imai is returning to Hoston for an exam after experiencing arm fatigue on road trip.
Adley Rutschman lands on 10-day IL and Ryan Mountcastle leaves the Baltimore Orioles game against the San Francisco Giants early with a foot pain.
Dec 21, 2025; Brooklyn, New York, USA; Brooklyn Nets center Nic Claxton (33) grabs a rebound against Toronto Raptors forward/guard Scottie Barnes (4) during the second half at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: John Jones-Imagn Images | John Jones-Imagn Images
The Toronto Raptors will play their final game of the 2025-26 NBA regular season at home against the Brooklyn Nets after receiving a thrashing from the New York Knicks on Friday.
It’s fitting that a matchup with Brooklyn is how this team finishes off this season, characterized by the end of the rebuild begun two years ago. After all, it was the Nets who struck down the 2013-14 Raptors in the first round of the playoffs, all those years ago, when DeMar and Kyle were still coming into their own as the duo that defined Toronto basketball for the 2010s. Perhaps this game against the Nets will be the end of the beginning for the Raptors roster that will define the 2020s.
Toronto is coming into this game after an ugly loss to the Knicks on Friday. No one scored 20 or more points, and they lost by 17 in a blowout. With the contest against the Nets being the last game of the season against such a limited team, the Raptors may choose to rest some starters who are nursing injuries. However, should Toronto lose this game while the Celtics fall to the Magic, the Raptors, currently boasting a record tied with Orlando, could fall into the Play-In. While the Raptors’ situation is favoured in both matchups, they must be cautious in letting the foot off the gas too early. It’s probable that if the game becomes a one-sided contest, some Raptors bench pieces will get extra minutes tonight, so it’s possible that Ja’Kobe Walter and Jamal Shead will see an increased role, especially if RJ Barrett ends up sitting this game out with an injury.
The Raps also have the chance to take the season series tonight, sealing it 3-1 against Brooklyn, who were beat 119-109 on two separate occasions, while trouncing Toronto 96-81 on an off-night for the Raptors in December. Whether for injury or for personal reasons, the Nets are playing without almost every member of their starting lineup, save for Nolan Traore at point guard, who is day-to-day due to illness. Their franchise player, Michael Porter Jr., has been shut down for the season to allow for injury recovery. The Nets have lost 14 of their last 17 games, picking up wins only against fellow bottom-feeders like the Washington Wizards and Milwaukee Bucks. There has never been such a game ripe for the taking. But, if the fiasco that was the loss to the Sacramento Kings on April 1st (a crueler April Fools joke there never was) tells us anything, the Raptors can’t afford to let their guard down entirely, even against opponents like the Nets.
Granted, the Nets are throwing out starting fives like Friday’s against the Bucks, featuring not a single player who’s averaged double digits this season. This is not to say that these players are incompetent, of course, with increased roles naturally resulting in better production, but this team is not equipped to take on the Raptors so shorthanded. While there is some uncertainty about the Raptors heading into the postseason, to think that they can’t beat these Brooklyn Nets is to cast too much doubt upon Toronto.
