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Dodgers spring training preview: Catchers

Baseball: World Series: Los Angeles Dodgers Will Smith (16) in action, looks on vs Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre. Game 6. Toronto, Canada 10/31/2025CREDIT: Erick W. Rasco (Photo by Erick W. Rasco/Sports Illustrated via Getty Images) (Set Number: X164792 TK1)

Dodgers pitchers and catchers have their first official workout at Camelback Ranch one week from today, so let’s look at the primary backstops for Los Angeles, after previous looks at the infieldersand outfielders.

40-man roster catchers
  • Will Smith
  • Dalton Rushing
Things to watch

Under the radar? Will Smith hit the championship-winning home run in the 11th inning of Game 7 in Toronto, just the second go-ahead home run in the ninth inning or later in Game 7 of the World Series (along with Bill Mazeroski in 1960). But it feels like that homer hasn’t been talked about nearly as much as the game-tying home run by Miguel Rojas in the ninth inning of Game 7. There’s room for both, to be clear, but maybe this was more about Rojas exceeding expectations while it’s now the norm that Smith is considered one of the best players in the sport. Smith was an All-Star for a third straight season in 2025 and made his second All-MLB second team, and led all National League catchers in OPS (.901), on-base percentage (.404), batting average (.296), wRC+ (153), and fWAR (4.1).

Another way to frame it: While Smith is one of the best offensive catchers in the sport, he’s devolved defensively, going from average to above in his early years to one of the worst in baseball in framing the last two seasons. By catcher framing runs, Smith in 2024 was 18 runs below average, 55th among 55 qualified catchers; in 2025 Smith was 10 runs below average in framing, 56th among 57 catchers. That’s been part of the cost in Smith improving in throwing out runners. Factoring that all in, by catcher defense added at Baseball Prospectus, Smith was 7.8 runs below average in 2025, 32nd among 35 catchers, after 7 runs below aveage in 2024, 31st among 35 catchers.

Second time the charm? The Dodgers last May cut the cord with 11-year vet Austin Barnes, which opened up a chance for Dalton Rushing to make his major league debut. Rushing played intermittently as the backup catcher over the final four-plus months and struggled mightily at the plate, hitting just .204/.258/.324 with a 37.4-percent strikeout rate. There’s plenty of room for improvement for the 25-year-old whose bat has been his calling card ever since he was drafted.

Testing the depth: Smith has been one the most durable catchers in the sport, since 2021 second in the majors in games, starts, and defensive innings behind the plate, trailing only JT Realmuto. Smith’s 97 starts last season were his lowest in five years, mostly because he took a foul ball that broke a bone in his right hand which sidelined him for about a month in September and into October, not starting again until Game 3 of the NLDS. Rushing fouled a ball off his shin on the same cursed road trip in September and landed on the injured list as well, giving the Dodgers a rare test of their catching depth. From 2020-24, only 10 times did a catcher other than Smith or Barnes start behind the plate. But in 2025, the Dodgers needed 18 starts from catchers other than Smith, Barnes, or Rushing, 17 of which came from Ben Rortvedt. As of now, Smith and Rushing are the only two catchers on the Dodgers’ 40-man roster.

Another depth question: If Smith is hurt for any extended amount of time, ideally that would be a chance for Rushing to seize the reins behind the plate. The only problem is he’s never really had that kind of workload as a pro. The night be fouled a ball off his shin on September 5 in Baltimore was the first time since getting drafted in 2022 that Rushing caught in a game three days in a row. He started 45 games behind the plate in both 2023 and 2024 before starting 55 games at catcher last year between the majors and minors. In the minors, Rushing stayed in the lineup by playing games at first base, left field, and designated hitter. It’s unclear if those chances at other positions will arise with the Dodgers.

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Islanders' Bo Horvat Named NHL's Second Star Of Week

New York Islanders forward Bo Horvat has been named the NHL's Second Star of the Week after recording five points in three games:

Horvat recorded two goals and an assist in the Islanders' 5-4 overtime win over the Pittsburgh Penguins, which included the game-winning tally at the 52-second mark of the extra frame:

Then, late in the third against the New Jersey Devils on Thursday, Horvat scored the go-ahead goal for the Islanders to make it a 2-1 game at x before earning the primary assist on Mathew Barzal's empty-net goal at x.

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NBA Picks: Our Expert NBA Moneyline Parlay Bet for February 6

Finding the right value on a Friday night slate is all about identifying trends and mismatches before the market catches up. For this February 6 lineup — the first Friday after the NBA Trade Deadline — I’ve put together a four-leg moneyline parlay that balances momentum with favorable matchups.

My NBA picks start at TD Garden, where the new-look Celtics clash with Heat and end in the Pacific Northwest, where the Blazers look to snap out of a six-game funk against the decimated Grizzlies.

This parlay has been BOOSTED from +332 to +383 by our friends at bet365.

NBA moneyline parlay for January 30

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Celtics Celtics

Knicks Knicks

Grizzlies Timberwolves

Suns Trail Blazers

+332+383 at bet365

Heat Miami Heat vs Celtics Boston Celtics

  • Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
  • Location: TD Garden
  • TV: NBA League Pass, FDSN SU, NBCSB
  • Pick: Celtics (-240)

There’s only a small edge on the Celtics here, as I price them closer to a -275 favorite over the Heat, but it’s still an edge worth attacking with the market offering -240. Jaylen Brown has been cleared to play, and Nikola Vucevic is set to make his Celtics debut.

Vucevic’s presence only amplifies a key matchup advantage Boston already holds: the ability to pull Bam Adebayo away from the rim and neutralize his impact as an elite roaming help defender. The Celtics’ five-out “Mazzulla Ball” offense already stresses Miami’s defensive structure, but inserting Vucevic at the five makes those coverages even harder to execute and exposes the Heat further on the back line.

Knicks New York Knicks vs Pistons Detroit Pistons

  • Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
  • Location: Little Caesars Arena
  • TV: Prime Video, MSG
  • Pick: Knicks (-115)

The New York Knicks are trading as -115 favorites on the moneyline for Friday’s matchup between two of the top teams in the Eastern Conference, and at that price, I’m backing the Knicks. I believe they should be closer to a -130 favorite.

There’s a lot to monitor on the injury report, with multiple players carrying questionable tags on both sides. The most concerning status is Jalen Duren, who exited Thursday’s game against the Wizards and did not return for the second half. He feels much closer to doubtful than questionable.

Karl-Anthony Towns is also listed as questionable with an eye laceration, but he returned after the injury in his last game and shot the ball well. With the Pistons playing on the second night of a back-to-back and Duren’s availability very much in doubt, give me the Knicks on the moneyline.

Pelicans New Orleans Pelicans vs Timberwolves Minnesota Timberwolves

  • Time: 8:00 p.m. ET
  • Location: Target Center
  • TV: NBA League Pass, GCSEN, FDSN NO
  • Pick: Timberwolves (-425)

The Minnesota Timberwolves took a big swing at the trade deadline by pursuing Giannis Antetokounmpo, but ultimately came up empty-handed. It’s fair to wonder whether all the trade rumors impacted team chemistry, especially for a group that has been together for a while.

The bigger question, though, is whether the New Orleans Pelicans are capable of taking advantage of any lingering distraction or negative energy. The answer is no. New Orleans doesn’t even control its own first-round pick, is actively trying to win games, and still hasn’t shown the ability to do so consistently.

On the court, this matchup heavily favors Minnesota. Rudy Gobert should have no issues containing rookie center Derik Queen, while Jaden McDaniels’ length and defensive versatility are a nightmare for Trey Murphy’s perimeter-oriented game. All signs point to the Timberwolves handling this one comfortably.

Grizzlies Memphis Grizzlies vs Blazers Portland Trail Blazers

  • Time: 10:00 p.m. ET
  • Location: Moda Center
  • TV: NBA League Pass, FDSN SE-MEM, KUNP
  • Pick: Trail Blazers (-300)

The Portland Trail Blazers won’t wow you with expected value while sitting as a -300 favorite against the Memphis Grizzlies, but this is a spot where the market still may not be fully accounting for what Memphis has become.

The Grizzlies moved Jaren Jackson Jr. at the trade deadline and explored a trade market for Ja Morant, only to find none. Now armed with significant draft capital, it’s clear this franchise has shifted its focus away from winning games in the second half of the season. That reality is already starting to show up in their rotations and injury reports.

Meanwhile, the Trail Blazers are pushing for a playoff spot and have every incentive to take care of business in games like this.

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This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here

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Royals unveil 2026 promotional schedule

KANSAS CITY, MO - MARCH 30: A young fan receives a Bobby Witt Jr. #7 of the Kansas City Royals bobblehead prior to the game between the Minnesota Twins and the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium on Thursday, March 30, 2023 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by LG Patterson/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images

Royals baseball will soon be back, which means watching the boys in blue, but also getting FREE STUFF at the K. The Royals released their 2026 promotional schedule today, and there is plenty of swag for fans. The Royals will give away bobbleheads throughout the year, a Nickelodeon Slime Jersey, a Bobby Witt Jr. sliding mitt, and City Connect replica jerseys. Here are some of the highlights from the promotional schedule.

Bobbleheads! There are ten bobblehead days throughout the year:

  • Sunday, May 4 vs. the Guardians – Caglianone Blazin’ Bat bobblehead
  • Thursday, May 8 vs. the Tigers – Rock, Paper, Scissors bobblehead
  • Sunday, May 18 vs. the Red Sox – Lights Out Lucas bobblehead
  • Monday, May 26 vs. the Yankees – The Pasquatch bobblehead
  • Saturday, July 4 vs. the Phillies – Red, White & Bobby bobblehead
  • Friday, July 17 vs. the Padres – City Connect Big Bobby Bobblehead
  • Saturday, July 18 vs. the Padres – Big Bobby bobblehead
  • Sunday, July 19 vs. the Padres – Big Bobby bobblehead
  • Tuesday, July 21 vs. the Giants – Maikel’s Big Time Bat Flip bobblehead
  • Friday, September 25 vs. the Guardians – Salvador Perez City Connect bobblehead

Here are the items the team is giving away throughout the year.

  • Sunday, April 10 vs. the White Sox – City Connect flag
  • Sunday, April 12 vs. the White Sox – Bobby Witt Jr. youth sliding glove (14 & under)
  • Friday, April 24 vs. the Angels – City Connect crewneck
  • Saturday, April 25 vs. the Angels – Royal-Tees (theme TBA)
  • Saturday, May 9 vs. the Tigers – Nickelodeon Night slime jersey
  • Friday, May 22 vs. the Mariners – City Connect hat
  • Saturday, May 23 vs. the Mariners – Royal-Tees (theme TBA)
  • Monday, May 25 vs. the Yankees – Stainless steel QuikTrip Splash Cup
  • Friday, June 12 vs. the Astros – City Connect beach towel
  • Saturday, June 13 vs. the Astros – Royal-Tees (theme TBA)
  • Friday, June 19 vs. the Cardinals – City Connect scarf
  • Monday, June 30 vs. the Rays – Sluggerrr’s Gym tank top
  • Wednesday, July 1 vs. the Rays – Here Comes the Bloom Hawaiian shirt
  • Thursday, July 2 vs. the Rays – Armed Forces Day thermo
  • Friday, August 7 vs. the Cubs – City Connect replica jersey
  • Saturday, August 8 vs. the Cubs – Royal-Tees (theme TBA)
  • Friday, August 21 vs. the Tigers – City Connect crossbody bag
  • Friday, September 4 vs. the Blue Jays – City Connect reverse retro jersey
  • Saturday, September 5 vs. the Blue Jays – Royal-Tees (theme TBA)
  • Sunday, September 6 vs. the Blue Jays – Big Bling Birthday Bash chain (14 & under)
  • Monday, September 7 vs. the Diamondbacks – Iced Out hockey jersey giveaway
  • Saturday, September 26 vs. the Guardians – Jersey jacket giveaway

There are also themed nights. Some of them may involve giveaways if a special ticket is purchased.

  • Sunday, April 1 vs. the Twins – Bark at the Park
  • Sunday, April 12 vs. the White Sox – PAW Patrol Day, Scout Day
  • Monday, April 20 vs. the Orioles – Grateful Dead Night
  • Saturday, April 25 vs. the Angels – UMKC Night
  • Wednesday, May 6 vs. the Guardians – Bark at the Park
  • Friday-Sunday, May 8–10 series vs. the Tigers – Nurses Weekend
  • Saturday, May 23 vs. the Mariners – Star Wars Day
  • Wednesday, June 10 vs. the Rangers – Pride Night
  • Friday, June 12 vs. the Astros – Teachers Night
  • Sunday, June 14 vs. the Astros – Mizzou Day
  • Thursday, July 2 vs. the Rays – Armed Forces Night
  • Friday, July 17 vs. the Padres – K-State Night
  • Saturday, August 8 vs. the Cubs – KU Night
  • Saturday, August 22 vs. the Tigers – Ladies Night
  • Sunday, August 23 vs. the Tigers – Elephant & Piggie Day
  • Tuesday, September 1 vs. the Marlins – Harry Potter Night
  • Tuesday, September 8 vs. the Diamondbacks – Jewish Heritage Night
  • Wednesday, September 23 vs. the White Sox – Bark at the Park
  • Friday, September 25 vs. the Guardians – Viva Los Royals
  • Sunday, September 27 vs. the Guardians – Italian Heritage Day

The Royals will also bring back Fireworks Fridays, and Tuesday home games will feature Dollar Dog Nights, although there are only six scheduled, rather than 12.

The Royals will begin the home schedule on Monday, March 30, against the Twins, with a 3:10 game time.

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5 Vancouver Canucks Storylines At The 2026 Winter Olympics

Seven members of the Vancouver Canucks will be heading to the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy, with the first day of games beginning on February 11. Despite the NHL being on break during the Olympics, many storylines will follow these players as they prepare to compete on the biggest stage in the world. Here are five Canucks storylines that will take place at the 2026 Winter Olympics. 

Will A Solid Showing At The Olympics Increase Trade Interest In Teddy Blueger Or David Kämpf? 

Two of the Canucks’ pending UFAs will take part in the 2026 Olympics for their respective teams — Teddy Blueger for Latvia and David Kämpf for Czechia. This is especially intriguing as both players will likely be put in more-expanded roles than the ones they currently play in with Vancouver, with Blueger in particular potentially ending up in a more offensively-inclined role. With the NHL Trade Deadline on March 6 looming, there’s no doubt that management teams will be eyeing players at the Olympics as some to target as pick-ups for playoff runs, and Blueger in particular could be a strong piece for contending teams to add. Vancouver is one of those teams that looks like they’ll be making moves up until the deadline; if Blueger or Kämpf put on a show at the Olympics, it wouldn’t be surprising to see one of the league’s top teams make a move to acquire them as a depth piece. 

Could A Strong Olympic Campaign Play Lukas Reichel Back Into An NHL Role? 

The Lukas Reichel experiment in Vancouver hasn’t quite gone the way management has planned. Not happy with his defensive play, the organization sent Reichel down to the AHL to play while seeking out trade fits for the young forward. Similar to Blueger and Kämpf’s situations, Reichel will likely end up with a bigger role when skating with Germany at the Olympics — the potential of playing with stars like Leon Draisaitl and Tim Stützle will only add to that. If Reichel can put together a solid Olympic campaign, one that shows he’s paying more attention to the defensive side of the game, he may be able to play himself back into an NHL role.  

Will Elias Pettersson Experience An Explosion In Offensive Output With Sweden’s Roster? 

Last year, many believed playing with a stacked Team Sweden at the 4 Nations Faceoff would greatly help Elias Pettersson’s offensive efforts. That clearly didn’t happen, as the forward was unable to register a point in Sweden’s three games during the tournament. A similar belief follows Pettersson into the Olympics nearly a year later, especially now that he seems to slowly be making a comeback on the defensive size of the game. While the 2025–26 season still has yet to see Pettersson return to his 100-point form, there have been some small flashes of the creativity he showed in the early years of his NHL career. If he brings out this creativity while skating with some of Sweden’s top talents, Pettersson could find himself enjoying a strong offensive effort during his first career Olympics. 

Feb 12, 2025; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; [Imagn Images direct customers only] Team Sweden forward Elias Pettersson (40) looks on in warm-up before the game against Team Canada during a 4 Nations Face-Off ice hockey game at Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: David Kirouac-Imagn Images
Feb 12, 2025; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; [Imagn Images direct customers only] Team Sweden forward Elias Pettersson (40) looks on in warm-up before the game against Team Canada during a 4 Nations Face-Off ice hockey game at Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: David Kirouac-Imagn Images

Could An Extended Role With Czechia Add To Speculation About Filip Hronek Becoming The Canucks’ Next Captain? 

Since the departure of former Canucks captain Quinn Hughes, Filip Hronek has been the main player many have watched step-up into a leadership role. The defenceman now wears an ‘A’ for Vancouver and has been more present from a more public perspective. Hronek, who is the most-tenured Canuck when it comes to international play, has also taken on leadership roles for Czechia at times, wearing an ‘A’ in two different World Championships. With an extended role likely coming his way throughout Czechia’s Olympic campaign, Hronek’s position as a leader on Team Czechia may cause many to consider whether he could be the Canucks’ next captain or not. 

Will Fatigue Play A Role In Kevin Lankinen’s Olympic And Post-Olympic Play? 

Throughout the past two seasons, Kevin Lankinen has played in what feels like the most hockey of his career. Not only did he play in a career-high 51 games in 2024–25, he also took part in two games for Finland at the 4 Nations Faceoff. This season, he’s already up to 32 games played throughout Vancouver’s 57. With Thatcher Demko now shut down for the rest of the 2025–26 season, Lankinen will be taking on even more of a share of goaltending duties on top of what he may end up doing at the Olympics. Lankinen already showed signs of tiredness towards the end of last season; having him play even more in the final few months of the year may result in even more fatigue later on. 

Make sure you bookmark THN's Vancouver Canucks site and add us to your favourites on Google News for the latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns, and so much more. Also, don't forget to leave a comment at the bottom of the page and engage with other passionate fans through our forum. This article originally appeared on The Hockey News.

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Current Vancouver Canucks Under 25 Who Could Feature At The 2030 Winter Olympics

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Vancouver Canucks At The 2026 Winter Olympics: Full Schedule

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Mets News: Here are the Mets on 2026 World Baseball Classic rosters

Sep 20, 2025; New York City, New York, USA; New York Mets starting pitcher Nolan McLean (26) at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images | Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images

The full rosters for the 2026 World Baseball Classic were revealed on Monday, featuring 17 different Mets players across the tournament’s 20 teams. It’s the most players the Mets have ever had rostered in a WBC, beating their previous record of 16 set in 2009 and matched in 2023. The following is a list of all 17 Mets, in alphabetical order:

  • Josh Blum (Israel)
  • Huascar Brazobán (Dominican Republic)*†
  • Alex Carrillo (Mexico)*†
  • Jamdrick Cornelia (Netherlands)
  • Daniel Duarte (Mexico)*
  • Jordan Geber (Israel)
  • Carlos Guzman (Venezuela)
  • Clay Holmes (United States)*†
  • Daviel Hurtado (Cuba)
  • Nolan McLean (United States)*†
  • Nick Morabito (Italy)†
  • Jose Ramos (Panama)
  • Benjamin Simon (Israel)
  • Juan Soto (Dominican Republic)*†
  • Robert Stock (Israel)*
  • Mark Vientos (Nicaragua)*†
  • Jared Young (Canada)*†

* = Has played at the major league level

† = Currently on the Mets’ 40-Man Roster

Notable former Mets participating in the WBC include Harrison Bader (Israel), Edwin Díaz (Puerto Rico), Andrés Giménez (Venezuela), Amed Rosario (Dominican Republic), Luis Severino (Dominican Republic), Gregory Soto (Dominican Republic), and Taijuan Walker (Mexico). Francisco Lindor and former Met Javier Báez were planning to play with Team Puerto Rico for a third consecutive WBC, but Lindor was one of several players to face insurance issues while Báez was ineligible because he tested positive for marijuana use during the 2023 WBC.

The Classic will kick off with the first game of pool play on March 5 (the night of March 4 in U.S. time), and the Championship game is scheduled for March 17 at loanDepot Park in Miami. The Mets will open their regular season nine days later against the Pirates at Citi Field.

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Penguins Send 2 Prospects Back To AHL

The Olympic break is here for the Pittsburgh Penguins, and they have made some roster moves because of it.

The Penguins have announced that they have assigned forwards Avery Hayes and Rutger McGroarty to their American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins. 

Hayes was called up to Pittsburgh's roster ahead of their Thursday night contest against the Buffalo Sabres. The 23-year-old forward undoubtedly thrived in his NHL debut for the Penguins, as he scored two goals in the club's 5-2 victory over Buffalo. 

Now, with the Olympic break here, Hayes will be looking to build on his momentum down in the AHL with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton. In 31 games this season with the AHL club, he has recorded 13 goals, 10 assists, and 23 points. 

McGroarty, on the other hand, has recorded two goals, three assists, and five points in 20 games so far this season with Pittsburgh. The 2022 first-round pick has also posted four goals, eight assists, and 12 points in nine games this season with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton. 

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Best NBA Player Props Today for February 6: Brown Bullies the Boards

Let’s tip off Super Bowl weekend by building your bankroll with some NBA player prop winners, and with six games on the board, there’s no shortage of options.

My favorite plays today include Jaylen Brown continuing to crash the boards, and, slump or no slump, Anthony Edwards is going to keep shooting. Those and more NBA picks for Friday, February 6, are below.

Best NBA player props today

PlayerPickbet365
Celtics Jaylen BrownOver 7.5 rebounds<<+110>>
Timberwolves Anthony EdwardsOver 3.5 threes<<+120>>
Bucks Bobby PortisOver 8.5 rebounds<<+110>>
MORE NBA FREE PICKS

Prop #1: Jaylen Brown Over 7.5 rebounds

+110 at bet365

Jaylen Brown was just named the NBA Player of the Month for January and he’s carried that strong play into February. 

The Boston Celtics star averaged 29.2 points with 7.9 rebounds and 4.9 assists over 14 games, and today I want to focus on the rebounds.

Brown has been a beast on the boards, hauling down 9.8 per game over his last eight games, and tonight he faces one of my favorite rebounding fades, the Miami Heat.

The Heat’s high pace means a ton of shots, and in turn, a lot of rebounds. They surrender the second-most rebounds per game.

  • Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
  • Where to watch: FanDuel Sports Network-SU, NBCSB

Prop #2: Anthony Edwards Over 3.5 threes

+120 at bet365

The New Orleans Pelicans may think they have a playoff-calibre roster. But that’s not what the stats say at this point.

The Pelicans rank 27th in defensive rating, and they really struggle on the perimeter, surrendering the second-most attempted and made threes per game.

That puts them in a tough spot against Anthony Edwards and the Minnesota Timberwolves. Ant is in a bit of a slump. But he’s a shooter. And shooters shoot.

Ant is still shooting better than 40% from beyond the arc and has still drained four-plus threes in eight of his last 14 games overall.

  • Time: 8:00 p.m. ET
  • Where to watch: GCSEN, FanDuel Sports Network-New Orleans

Prop #3: Bobby Portis Over 8.5 rebounds

+110 at bet365

The Indiana Pacers visit the Milwaukee Bucks in a matchup of two of the worst rebounding teams in the NBA.

The Bucks and Pacers rank 28th and 29th, respectively, in rebounding rate. And with Giannis Antetokounmpo still sidelined, the Bucks' only really reliable rebounder is Bobby Portis.

Portis is expected to return after missing a couple of games with a hip issue. Before that, he hauled down nine or more boards in three of his last four games.

Portis to record a double-double is worth a look, but Over 8.5 boards looks like a great bet tonight.

  • Time: 8:00 p.m. ET
  • Where to watch: FanDuel Sports Network-Indiana, FanDuel Sports Network-Wisconsin

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This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here

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Knicks Roster, Salaries, Cap Space, Available Draft Picks and More

(Note: For more information on CBA terms and their impact, read this breakdown from June 2024.)

We’re midway through the 2025-26 season, and the Knicks are in a solid spot.

They woke up the morning after the trade deadline with a 33-18 record, fully recovered from the January swoon that nearly saw management press the panic button, and tied for second in the Eastern Conference. They even figured to bolster the bench by acquiring Jose Alvarado and opening up space to sign a 15th player in the buyout market.

It’s a lot of work exploring every nook and cranny of NBA business. Thankfully, SBNation is partnering with SalarySwish to use their data and help answer every question we have about the Knicks’ financial situation and what it might mean this offseason and going forward.

Below are the full, comprehensive details from SalarySwish, as well as an FAQ breakdown.

Knicks Roster, Salaries, Draft Picks, Cap Space and More

Here is a table with all of the Knicks’ salary information, courtesy of our friends at SalarySwish:

FAQ

Now, let’s answer some of your most frequently asked questions about the Knicks’salary cap and draft pick situations moving forward.

What is the Knicks’ cap situation?

According to Salary Swish, the New York Knicks have a projected cap hit of $206.7 million for the 2025-26 season with 14 players rostered, leaving them $52 million over the projected salary cap. They are $18.7 million over the luxury tax and $10.7 million over the first apron, but remain $1.15 million under the second apron with a hard cap at the second apron.

The team, prior to trading Guerschon Yabusele, was not able to sign a 15th player in the buyout market until early April. That changes now, as the team opened up an extra $1 million and can sign a player immediately, provided they made under the mid-level exception ($14 million) on their initial deal.

Looking ahead to the offseason, the Knicks already have over $200 million allocated next season, despite losing Mitchell Robinson, Jordan Clarkson, and Landry Shamet to free agency. Jose Alvarado’s $4.5 million player option will also go a long way towards whether the team can stay out of the second apron. If he accepts, they have under $17 million in space.

Is the second apron inevitable?

For those living under a rock, here’s a second apron explainer. You do not want to be there.

The second apron is currently causing everyone in Cleveland to panic about their timeline. Why do you think they traded for James Harden? The vaunted apron has already caused (rather successful) teardowns in Phoenix and Boston, and could come for teams like Orlando next.

As of right now, the Knicks will probably be a second apron team next year if they want to be serious about competing. Alvarado could very well decline his player option if he performs well, so he’ll need a raise. As will Shamet. We all know the value of Mitch, as well. Well, you not only have under $22 million in space to sign these three, but an additional minimum contract or two.

Now, this is assuming the Knicks don’t do anything seismic in the offseason, which could very well happen if they flame out in the playoffs. Say they trade Karl-Anthony Towns and his bloated $57 million salary, and that creates space; they’ll be able to stay under. What if they go after Giannis? That’ll likely hard cap them once again due to the rule of aggregating salaries.

How much will the Knicks pay in luxury taxes this year?

SalarySwish currently estimates about $40 million, which is a pretty penny.

This is the team’s second year in the luxury tax, so it’s not cataclysmic yet. It will be next year. It’s hard to project a luxury tax rate next year, but do not be surprised if the bill is nine figures, which will begin to test the mettle of James Dolan if the team isn’t bringing home a Larry O’Brien Trophy.

Who are extension candidates?

Mitchell Robinson is currently extension-eligible, but it is not going to happen in-season. He wasn’t dealt at the deadline, so we have to assume they at least have some interest in retaining him to a certain price point.

Two players become extension-eligible this offseason, and one became eligible in December. All three are intriguing.

Deuce McBride is already extension-eligible and can make up to $95 million on his next contract. While he’s signed through next season on a criminally cheap contract, the Knicks will eventually have to pay up for his services. With the second apron looming, do they really want to do that?

Josh Hart becomes eligible this offseason, but I don’t see that happening. He’s under contract through next season and has a $23 million team option for 2027-28. He’ll be 33 in 2028, so giving him a further extension feels unlikely, especially considering he might not play much longer than that.

Karl-Anthony Towns is eligible for a gigantic extension that he won’t receive. It’s nothing personal; it’s just not wise to give $260 million over four years to a player coming off his worst season in a good bit.

What draft picks do the Knicks have?

The Knicks were able to shed salary and make an upgrade, and it only cost them two inexpensive second-round picks. The picks they traded, specifically, were a (likely) Pistons 2nd this year and a convoluted pick from next.

Unless the Wizards manage to stumble their way out of the top eight, the Knicks will have their own first and seconds in the 2026 draft. If/when the Wizards pick doesn’t convey, the Knicks will possess Washington’s second-round pick in both 2026 and 2027, which could give them a pair of top-40 picks.

Aside from those two likely picks, the Knicks have six additional second-round picks through 2032. If you’re looking at the trade market, the team will be able to trade two unprotected firsts (2026, 2033) as soon as the NBA Draft occurs. They additionally have two pick swaps available due to the Stepien Rule in 2030 and 2032.

If you want to take the role of GM and mock up some trades, check out FanSpo or ESPN’s trade machine. And don’t forget to check your numbers with Salary Swish!

If you found this page useful, please bookmark it and/or share, and if you have any questions or information you’d like to see included, let us know in the comments below!

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Looking at the Washington Nationals ties to the upcoming World Baseball Classic

PHOENIX, AZ - MARCH 13: Harry Ford #1 of Team Great Britain is is given a crown and robe after hitting a solo home run in the sixth inning during Game 5 of Pool C between Team Colombia and Team Great Britain at Chase Field on Monday, March 13, 2023 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Daniel Shirey/WBCI/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images

Last night, the World Baseball Classic rosters were released. Seeing that got me really fired up, especially considering how much fun the last one was. There are current and former Nationals players and coaches littered across the rosters. I wanted to take a look at some of the Nats ties to this amazing event.

The Nats current roster is not exactly littered with participants. Only two players will be leaving big league camp to play in the event. Harry Ford will be playing for Great Britain and Matt Mervis will suit up for Team Israel. Both players participated at the last WBC as well, so they are not new to this.

While both players are born in the US, they have ties to the countries they are representing. Ford has British parents and has represented the country for a while now. Mervis is representing Israel because of his Jewish faith. 

It is interesting timing for them though. Both Mervis and Ford will be leaving camp while competing for a roster spot. Mervis is part of a wide open first base competition. As a left handed bat, his main competition is likely to be Abimelec Ortiz. Mervis leaving camp could provide an opportunity for Ortiz to lock down a job. The same thing goes for Keibert Ruiz, who will get a chance to show what he has without Ford around.

Harry Ford is one of the biggest names on the Britain roster. He will co-captain the team along with Yankees star Jazz Chisholm. Ford was one of the breakout stars of the last competition. The event elevated his stock as a prospect, with Ford swinging a hot bat. He hit a key home run against Colombia, which was his signature moment.

However, these current players are not the only people with Nationals ties participating at the event. There are plenty of former Nats who are in the competition. Team USA has a couple of them, with Bryce Harper and Kyle Schwarber. Other big stars like Juan Soto will be playing at the event as well.

There are also some lesser known former Nats at the WBC. Cult hero Joey Meneses will be representing Mexico and Erasmo Ramirez will be with Nicaragua. Some of the coaches also have ties to the Nats as well. A pair of 2019 Nationals will be coaching at the event. Gerardo Parra will be the first base coach for Venezuela and Yan Gomes will be the catching coach for Brazil. Here is a list of all the former and current Nats at the WBC.

There are a lot of forgotten Nats on that list! The WBC is such a special event that I had so much fun watching in 2023. Hopefully this WBC is just as exciting as the last one. However, I am rooting for America to come out on top this time.

Who is your favorite former or current Nat at the event and who are some guys that you totally forgot about that are participating? Let me know down below. Also, who do you guys think will win the WBC this year? Can Japan repeat, or will Team USA or the Dominican Republic be too strong? The WBC starts in about a month and the final is on March 17th in Miami.

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News Circles That Blackhawks' First Round Pick From Panthers Is Top-Ten Protected

Ahead of the 2025 NHL Trade Deadline, the Chicago Blackhawks traded Seth Jones and a fourth-round pick to the Florida Panthers in exchange for a 2026 first-round pick and Spencer Knight. 

Florida was able to retain the 2026 first-round pick by giving the Calgary Flames their 2025 pick to complete the Matthew Tkachuk trade. If they didn't, this pick would slide to 2027 for Chicago. That condition was met, and no other conditions were reportedly placed on the pick.

However, 11 months later, it is now confirmed that there were actually stipulations on this first-round pick. It is top-ten protected. Shockingly, the two-time defending champions are having a down year, and this pick falling into the top-ten is possible.

If the Panthers do retain this pick, their 2027 first will transfer to Chicago. That 2027 pick is already set to go to the Boston Bruins from the Brad Marchand trade, but it will slide to 2028 for Boston if the Panthers are forced to give it to the Blackhawks.  

Conditions on a pick are rarely misunderstood like this, but it can happen from time to time. Chicago's front office was always aware of it, but it was never reported properly. 

Frank Seravalli was the first one to put it out there that this was a top-ten protected pick for Florida on Friday morning. 

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The Grizzlies are back to being the Lakers feeder team

MEMPHIS, TN - NOVEMBER 8: The Memphis Grizzlies huddle during the game against the Miami Heat on November 8, 2023 at FedExForum in Memphis, Tennessee. 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 2023 NBAE (Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

Order has been restored in the NBA universe.

After a weird time where it felt like we were in the upside down, the Lakers and Grizzlies are back to their rightful places.

For those unaware, many years ago, the former fearless leader of the site, Harrison Faigen, once expertly pointed out that the Grizzlies had become the Lakers feeder team. At the time, a string of players came through Memphis, were bought and eventually made their way to LA, including Rajon Rondo and Dwight Howard.

That was flipped on its head early last year when the Grizzlies began turning former Lakers G League players into quality role players. Both Scotty Pippen Jr. and Jay Huff earned standard contracts in Memphis after failing to stick in LA while Colin Castleton had a brief stint on a two-way there as well.

At last, though, the Lakers are back where they should be after the last two transaction cycles. On Thursday, they acquired Luke Kennard via trade, a player who spent two-and-a-half seasons in Memphis. Notably, he was part of the Grizzlies team that played against the Lakers in the playoffs.

He joins a pair of players on the Lakers who he was already teammates with on the Grizzlies as well. Marcus Smart played a season-and-a-half in Memphis while Jake LaRavia was drafted to Memphis and spent two-and-a-half seasons with the franchise.

So, for the entire 2023-24 season and half of the 2024-25 season, all three players were teammates. Fast forward a couple of years and we’re right back at it with the three of them reuniting in much warmer weather.

“It was a pleasure to play with Luke in Memphis,” Smart said after Thursday’s win over the Sixers. “One of the better shooters in this league. He comes to work every day and I’m excited to see him out here with us again [with] me and Jake, and kind of keep going what we had in Memphis.”

Not only are the Lakers using the Grizzlies as a farm team again, but it’s predominantly guards throughout the years who have made their way through the pipeline. Fortunately, the Lakers already have a couple of prominent on-ball players, so there’s no Ja Morant tenure in purple and gold to worry about, but it’s never too early to start scouting for the next player to come to LA.

Cedric Coward has had a great rookie season and sure would look nice with the Lakers. Jaylen Wells is a promising young player, too. Or maybe we can create a full loop and bring back Kentavious Caldwell-Pope or Pippen Jr.

Whoever it is, it’s nice to know things are back in their rightful place in the NBA universe.

You can follow Jacob on Twitter at @JacobRude or on Bluesky at @jacobrude.bsky.social.

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Grizzlies vs Trail Blazers Prediction, Picks & Odds for Tonight’s NBA Game

After completing a blockbuster trade to send Jaren Jackson Jr. to the Utah Jazz, the new-look Memphis Grizzlies travel west to face the Portland Trail Blazers.

Donovan Clingan is one of the NBA’s top rebounders, and my Grizzlies vs. Trail Blazers predictions expect him to dominate the glass against a depleted Grizzlies frontcourt.

Here are my best free NBA picks for this Western Conference showdown on Friday, February 6.

Grizzlies vs Trail Blazers prediction

Grizzlies vs Trail Blazers best bet: Donovan Clingan Over 12.5 rebounds (-112)

Donovan Clingan ranks fifth in rebounds per game this season at 11.2, and he’s pulled down 11 on the road compared to 11.4 at home. He’s pulled down at least 13 rebounds just 15 times in 47 appearances this season, but five of those have come across his last eight games.

The Portland Trail Blazers big man has averaged 13.6 rebounds in that eight-game span, and he’s averaged just over 14 boards per game over his last three at home.

Over the last 10 games, the Memphis Grizzlies have surrendered the ninth-most total rebounds (46) and second-most offensive rebounds (14.1), setting Clingan up for a nice day on the glass.

An already-depleted Grizzlies frontcourt traded Jaren Jackson Jr. and Jock Landale, and Santi Aldama and Zach Edey are still sidelined. Clingan should feast tonight against the shorthanded Grizzlies and comfortably clear this rebound line.

Grizzlies vs Trail Blazers same-game parlay

Portland has dropped six straight, and they'll be hungry for a victory in front of the home crowd. The Grizzlies made a monster trade this week, and the new players are not yet in place.

Portland is 15-11 ATS at home, while Memphis is just 10-12. I'll take the home team to snap its six-game skid with a comfortable victory over the new-look Grizzlies.

Memphis is 7-15 to the Under on the road and 5-12 to the Under as the road underdog. Memphis will have a tough time scoring the ball with Jackson Jr., and Landale traded, and electric scorer Ty Jerome sidelined.

Grizzlies vs Trail Blazers SGP

  • Donovan Clingan Over 12.5 rebounds
  • Trail Blazers -8.5
  • Under 231.5

Our "from downtown" SGP: Spencer on Fire!

Cam Spencer's role has taken a hit over the last three games since Jerome's return, but Spencer has still averaged 13.7 points and five assists.

Spencer posted 25 and 21 points+assists across his last two games, and with Jerome out tonight, the former should be in line for strong numbers.

Grizzlies vs Trail Blazers SGP

  • Donovan Clingan Over 12.5 rebounds
  • Trail Blazers -8.5
  • Under 231.5
  • Cam Spencer Over 21.5 points + assists

Grizzlies vs Trail Blazers odds

  • Spread: Grizzlies +7.5 (-110) | Trail Blazers -7.5 (-110)
  • Moneyline: Grizzlies +207 | Trail Blazers -250
  • Over/Under: Over 234.5 (-110) | Under 234.5 (-110)

Grizzlies vs Trail Blazers betting trend to know

The Trail Blazers have hit the game total Under in 17 of their last 24 games (+9.30 Units / 35% ROI). Find more NBA betting trends for Grizzlies vs. Trail Blazers.

How to watch Grizzlies vs Trail Blazers

LocationModa Center, Portland, OR
DateFriday, February 6, 2026
Tip-off10:00 p.m. ET
TVFDSN southeast-Memphis, KUNP

Grizzlies vs Trail Blazers latest injuries

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Mike Conley plans to return to Timberwolves as free agent

It was the worst-kept secret in the league around the trade deadline.

Mike Conley is beloved by the Timberwolves organization and fans, and the feeling is mutual. The second he was traded from Minnesota to Chicago on Tuesday, as part of the three-team deal that brought Jaden Ivey to Chicago, the expectation was that the Bulls would trade him again, allowing Conley to return to Minnesota as a free agent. Sure enough, 24 hours later, Chicago traded him to Charlotte as part of the Coby White deal. Charlotte then announced it was waiving the 38-year-old veteran point guard.

Which clears the way for the news that Conley plans to re-sign with the Timberwolves as a free agent, reports Shams Charania of ESPN. To say this news was expected would be an understatement. The deal likely won't be consummated until after the All-Star break.

Conley returns to a Timberwolves team that will welcome him with open arms in the locker room, but he will not see many, if any, minutes on the court. Conley had been playing less than 20 minutes a game off the bench, and now those minutes (and some of Bones Hyland's minutes) are going to go to Ayo Dosunmu, one of the best pickups of the deadline. Conley will essentially be the last point guard on the bench.

But he will be in Minnesota, where he belongs.