May 7, 2026; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham (2) dribbles defended by Cleveland Cavaliers center Evan Mobley (4) in the second half during game two of the second round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Little Caesars Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images | Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images
Basketball is a funny thing. Or maybe it’s a byproduct of being a fan. Here we sit on the eve of Game 3 in the best-of-seven series between the Detroit Pistons and Cleveland Cavaliers. Detroit is up 2-0, protecting its homecourt advantage. It feels like if the Pistons win this game, this series is over. If Cleveland wins this thing, it feels like the series could stretch to seven games. Just one game, could be decided by just a point, but the effect of the outcome seems seismic. In reality, the Pistons played two solid games at home, but also let the Cavs back into both contests before pulling away late. The scores were closer than the games felt, as it seemed Detroit really had an answer for anything Cleveland was doing and was also moving the ball on offense with a confidence and a freedom that belied a blowout. Neither game was a blowout, however, and now Detroit finds itself in unfriendly territory. Does that mean the team struggles to build a big lead for the third game in a row? Does it mean any Cleveland comeback would actually be successful? Or have we seen two good Detroit team games but relatively mediocre Cade Cunningham games, and Cade puts it all together tonight and puts the series away? What does Donovan Mitchell have to say about all that? We will find out!
"We are overcome with emotion on the passing of Bobby Cox, our treasured skipper. Bobby was the best manager to ever wear a Braves uniform. He led our team to 14 straight division titles, five National League pennants, and the unforgettable World Series title in 1995. His Braves managerial legacy will never be matched," the Braves said in a statement.
"Bobby was a favorite among all in the baseball community, especially those who played for him. His wealth of knowledge on player development and the intricacies of managing the game were rewarded with the sport's ultimate prize in 2014 - enshrinement into the Baseball Hall of Fame."
While he is best known for managing the Braves, Cox also managed the Toronto Blue Jays and was the first base coach when the New York Yankees won the World Series
Bobby Cox record and accomplishments
Baseball Hall of Famer: Inducted in 2014
World Series champion: 1995 with Atlanta Braves
2,504 career victories, 4th all-time
4-time Manager of the Year (1985, with Blue Jays, 1991, 2004, 2005 with Atlanta Braves).
Led the Braves to 14 straight division championships (1991–2005, 1994 was a strike season)
ATLANTA, GA - OCTOBER 08: Former manager of the Atlanta Braves, Bobby Cox, throws out the ceremonial first pitch to start Game Four of the National League Division Series between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Atlanta Braves at Turner Field on October 8, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Scott Cunningham/Getty Images)
Getty Images
ATLANTA (AP) — Bobby Cox, the folksy manager of the Atlanta Braves whose teams ruled the National League during the 1990s and gave the city its first major title as well as World Series trips that fell short, has died. He was 84.
The Atlanta Braves announced Cox’s death Saturday; details weren’t immediately available. Cox had a stroke in 2019.
“Bobby was the best manager to ever wear a Braves uniform. He led our team to 14 straight division titles, five National League pennants, and the unforgettable World Series title in 1995. His Braves managerial legacy will never be matched,” the Braves said in a statement.
Cox took over a last-place team in June 1990 and led the Braves to a worst-to-first finish in 1991, losing the World Series to the Minnesota Twins in seven games. That was the start of what was to be a record 14 consecutive division titles, a feat no professional team in any sport had accomplished.
He managed the Braves for 25 years and led Atlanta to its only World Series title in 1995, retired after the 2010 season and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2014.
“Bobby was a favorite among all in the baseball community, especially those who played for him. His wealth of knowledge on player development and the intricacies of managing the game were rewarded with the sport’s ultimate prize in 2014 — enshrinement into the Baseball Hall of Fame,” the Braves said.
As of Saturday, Cox ranks fourth all-time with 2,504 wins, fifth with 4,508 games, first with 15 division titles including a record 14 in a row, first with 16 playoff appearances and fourth with 67 playoff victories.
Only Connie Mack, John McGraw and Tony La Russa had more regular-season wins than Cox. His 158 regular-season ejections also was the most among managers.
“He is the Atlanta Braves,” catcher Brian McCann said in 2019. “He’s the best.”
McCann described Cox as an “icon” and “one of the best human beings any of us have ever met.”
The Braves retired Cox’s No. 6 jersey in 2011, when he joined the team’s Hall of Fame.
Cox spent 29 seasons as a major league manager, including four with Toronto. He managed 16 postseason teams. He brought an old-school approach to the dugout. He always wore spikes and stirrups, and his fatherly demeanor inspired loyalty from his players.
DETROIT, MICHIGAN - MAY 07: Ausar Thompson #9 of the Detroit Pistons shoots against Evan Mobley #4 and Max Strus #2 of the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game Two of the Second Round of the NBA Eastern Conference Playoffs at Little Caesars Arena on May 07, 2026 in Detroit, Michigan. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) | Getty Images
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Mar 27, 2026; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; A general view of the MLB Debut patch of Toronto Blue Jays third baseman Kazuma Okamoto (7) against the Athletics during the fourth inning at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-Imagn Images | Nick Turchiaro-Imagn Images
Building on a one-game winning streak.
And Addison Barger is back (with Piñango the casualty). It was a weird spot….we are hip deep in lefty hitters, but then picking someone who isn’t hitting at all, just because he swings from the right side seems silly.
GLENDALE, ARIZONA - FEBRUARY 19: Blake Snell #7 of the Los Angeles Dodgers poses for a photo during Los Angeles Dodgers Photo Day at Camelback Ranch on February 19, 2026 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Mike Christy/Getty Images) | Getty Images
As discourse in baseball touches on how the Tigers will fare in the absence of Tarik Skubal, the reigning back-to-back champs take the field with Blake Snell on the mound for the first time in 2026—they do so, having managed his absence about as well as anyone could’ve hoped for, particularly given the outstanding efforts of Justin Wrobleski to keep this rotation running smoothly for the most part.
Although the Dodgers ultimately took the win in the first game of this series in an unfavorable matchup against Chris Sale, they probably would’ve liked to see Emmet Sheehan eat up a bit more innings than the 4.2 he covered—relying heavily on the bullpen finishing the job. Flipping the script, now it’s the Dodgers who send a veteran starter to the mound, and opposing Snell will be Spencer Strider.
A starting pitcher who finished top 5 in the Cy Young voting back in 2023, Strider, in large part thanks to injury woes and diminished velocity, has failed to replicate those numbers ever since, coming off a fairly pedestrian 2025 campaign. While he has Snell beat in MLB exposure this year, it isn’t by much, given that this will only be his second start of the year. Strider had a rocky season debut at Coors Field last week, walking five hitters in 3.1 innings of work in what was ultimately a Braves 11-6 win. Things don’t get much easier now for the power righty, visiting Dodger Stadium, squaring off against one of the best offenses in the sport.
With neither starter in rhythm as one might expect for a matchup in May, this might be a choppier game than usual, particularly when you account for the quality of these two offenses.
After a biblical downpour, the skies cleared, and Manchester City executed the gameplan: secure victory and three points to keep their breath on Arsenal’s neck.
The clincher arrived via Erling Haaland’s 26th Premier League goal of the season – as with his side’s performance this was hardly pretty but no one in blue cared. Antoine Semenyo marauded down the right, his cross hit at least one Brentford body, the ball came to Haaland who, with a second stab at it, bundled home, the No 9 facing away from goal.
Bobby Cox spent the majority of his 32-year career as a manager with the Atlanta Braves.Photograph: Jamie Squire/Getty Images
Bobby Cox, the Baseball Hall of Famer who led the Atlanta Braves to their 1995 World Series title and was a four-time Manager of the Year, has died at the age of 84.
The Braves announced Cox’s death in a statement on Saturday. The team did not give a cause of death.
“We are overcome with emotion on the passing of Bobby Cox, our treasured skipper,” the team said. “Bobby was the best manager to ever wear a Braves uniform.
“Bobby was a favorite among all in the baseball community, especially those who played for him. His wealth of knowledge on player development and the intricacies of managing the game were rewarded with the sport’s ultimate prize in 2014 – enshrinement into the Baseball Hall of Fame.
“And while Bobby’s passion for the game was unparalleled, his love of baseball was exceeded only by his love for his family. It is with the heaviest of hearts that we send our sincerest condolences to his beloved wife, Pam, and their loving children and grandchildren.”
Cox managed the Braves in two stints, first from 1978 to 1981 and then from 1990 to 2010. In the later spell, Atlanta became a National League powerhouse, winning 14 consecutive division titles, a feat no professional sports team had accomplished. They reached the World Series five times, including when they defeated Cleveland in 1995 to win the franchise’s third championship.
He managed the Toronto Blue Jays from 1982 to 1985 before returning to the Braves as general manager and later appointing himself manager. He ranks fourth all-time with 2,504 wins, fifth with 4,508 games, first with 15 division titles, first with 16 playoff appearances and fourth with 67 playoff wins. He leads all managers in baseball history with 162 ejections.
“He is the Atlanta Braves,” longtime catcher Brian McCann said in 2019. “He’s the best.”
Before beginning his managerial career, the Oklahoma native coached in the New York Yankees’ system and was on Billy Martin’s staff when they won the World Series in 1977.
Cox retired in 2010 and was unanimously inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2014. He was hospitalized after a stroke in 2019 and diagnosed with congestive heart failure in 2020. Health issues kept him from attending the 2025 All-Star Game hosted by Atlanta, but he made an appearance later that year at Truist Park to honor the 30th anniversary of the Braves’ championship.
Ted Turner, the Atlanta media magnate and owner of the Braves from 1976 to 2007, died earlier this week at 87. Turner hired Cox to manage the Braves in 1978 and then fired him in 1981.
When asked what he was looking for in a replacement, Turner told reporters he wanted to hire someone exactly like Cox.
“Bobby Cox led one of the greatest eras of sustained excellence in baseball history,” Commissioner Rob Manfred said in a statement. “As manager of the Braves, his clubs became an October fixture, representing consistency, professionalism, and championship-caliber baseball for an entire generation of fans.
“On behalf of Major League Baseball, I extend my deepest condolences to Bobby’s family, the Braves organization, the many players and coaches whose lives he impacted throughout his 29-year managerial career, and Braves fans everywhere.”
May 4, 2026; St. Petersburg, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Rays left fielder Chandler Simpson (14) singles against the Toronto Blue Jays in the first inning at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images | Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
Thanks to Ian Malinowski and Adam Sanford in our Slack channel for suggesting that Chandler Simpson may be getting more pitches to run on when Junior Caminero is at the plate.
Lineup protection is the idea that a hitter performs better when a strong hitter bats directly behind them in the lineup. The theory is that pitchers will be less willing to pitch around or intentionally avoid the first hitter because they don’t want to face another dangerous bat with runners on base.
While research generally suggests lineup protection has only marginal effects, something different may be happening with Junior Caminero when Chandler Simpson is on first base. Surprisingly, Caminero is actually seeing fewer fastballs and appears to be getting pitched around more often in those situations. This may not necessarily be a bad thing; Caminero appears to ““level up” in these situations.
Below are the rates at which hitters have seen four and two-seam fastballs since 2025:
League average all situations: 47.2%
League average with just runners on first base: 48.0%
League-wide, the presence of a runner on first base has almost no effect on fastball usage. This trend is also evident when we look at the break-down per team:
There are a few base runners who break this trend, but none to the extent that Chandler Simpson changes things. Rays hitters see 47.9% of fastballs overall and 47.3% with just a runner on first base, but that number jumps to 54.4% when that runner on first base is Simpson.
Breaking this down on an individual hitter level (min. 15 pitches seen with just Simpson on first base) reveals something really interesting:
Hitter
Fastball% Overall
Fastball% Simpson on First Base
Yandy Diaz
49.5%
63.0%
Brandon Lowe
42.3%
60.6%
Junior Caminero
42.0%
37.9%
Danny Jansen
50.9%
61.1%
Jonathan Aranda
51.0%
52.9%
Ben Williamson
46.2%
47.1%
The most surprising result belongs to Caminero: he actually sees fewer fastballs when Simpson is on first base. The average in-zone rate for four and two-seam fastballs is typically at or above 55% each season while breaking balls and offspeed pitches are typically under 43%.
Caminero has hit directly behind Simpson in 19 of 36 games this season, including 18 of the last 24 games. Why would the Rays want their best power hitter seeing fewer pitches in-zone? One possible explanation is avoiding double plays, but the early results don’t strongly support that idea. Caminero’s double-play rate actually increases with Simpson on first base, though the sample remains very small.
While the results aren’t there yet in this small sample, Caminero appears to be more disciplined and controlled in these situations. He makes better swing decisions (evident in his zone minus out-of-zone swing rate) and more contact when just Simpson is on first base:
Overall (1021 PA)
Just Simpson on first base (22 PA)
Z-O Swing%
39.1%
47.8%
Contact%
76.0%
82.6%
This is an interesting trend; Caminero is seeing fewer fastballs but his approach is significantly better in these scenarios. Through his first 22 PAs, Caminero has an uninspiring .208 wOBA – much lower than the .357 mark he has maintained in his career so far. An improved process should translate into even better production in a larger sample considering he already has 80-grade power. The potential for greater production from Caminero with Simpson on first could explain why the Rays are comfortable with the trade-off in production from the leadoff spot by having Simpson there instead of Yandy.
Caminero actually sees even fewer fastballs with Yandy on first than Simspon, but that doesn’t benefit Yandy in the same way it benefits Simpson because Yandy isn’t a threat to run:
Overall (1021 PA)
Just Yandy on first base (45 PA)
Just Simpson on first base (22 PA)
Fastball%
42.0%
31.1%
37.9%
Z-O Swing%
39.1%
32.9%
47.8%
Contact%
76.0%
75.9%
82.6%
wOBA
.357
.324
.208
There are two key things to monitor going forward: whether Caminero’s improved process with Simpson on base holds over a larger sample, and whether that process eventually translates into better production. The Rays already know Díaz is the more productive leadoff option, but Simpson’s ability to pressure defenses and alter pitch selection may create indirect benefits elsewhere in the lineup – particularly in elevating Caminero to another level. If those effects continue to improve Caminero’s underlying process, the trade-off could become worthwhile.
On Monday, we got the very sad news that former Yankees’ radio announcer John Sterling had passed away at the age of 87. The announcement was met with sadness from Yankees’ fans, but also from around the baseball world.
The tributes from Yankee fans are hardly unexpected. Sterling had been the radio voice of the Yankees for over 30 years. Plenty of people, myself included, quite literally grew up listening to him. You may very well watch or listen to your favorite team’s announcers over 100-150 times a year. Even if you never met them, they often can be a friendly voice that you seek out on a daily basis. Sterling was that for a lot of us Yankees’ fans.
Not that I expected people to be ripping him on the day that he died, but the tributes from around baseball did somewhat catch me off guard. To be frank, Sterling was not everyone’s cup of tea. I can completely understand him driving you mad if you were a neutral or opposing fan trying to listen to a Yankee game on the radio. However, I probably shouldn’t have been caught off guard. Again, people are generally speak well of people who just passed away. Also, while other fans might not have been fans of the way Sterling called games, they’re generally able to recognize what he meant to Yankee fans, as they themselves probably have that announcer for their own team. Sterling was ours.
John Sterling was never going to be a Vin Scully-type “voice of baseball.” Towards the end of his career, if you could’ve measured it, Scully probably had a near universally positive approval rating. Yes, he was only broadcasting Dodgers’ games by then, but he had a history of doing national broadcasts, and even after that, fans from around baseball would still tune in to hear him.
For various reasons, Sterling wasn’t that. His style with the personalized home runs calls and random show-tune references wouldn’t have hit. There was also the fact that, yes, he occasionally misjudged whether a deep fly ball was deep enough to be a home run or not. Those types of things aren’t always going to play well to people who aren’t invested in listening to him.
Sterling was ours, though, and he was ours because he cared about the Yankees and he cared about the people who care about the Yankees.
I don’t say that in a way to say that he was a homer. Hawk Harrelson for the White Sox was a dictionary-definition homer. White Sox fans loved him, so I’m not saying that to put him down while writing a piece in praise of someone else, but Sterling was not the same.
Considering his famous “The Yankees win!” call after every Bombers’ victory, Sterling definitely seemed to prefer that to Yankees’ losses, but he wasn’t trying to run cover for the team when things went against them. In recent days, a clip of him from the 2024 ALCS saying the Yankees “ran the bases like drunks” has been circulating. He wasn’t going to sugarcoat things going poorly. However, that wasn’t necessarily out of some strict journalistic duty to be neutral, it was more because that was generally what the Yankee fan base listening to him was feeling, and he knew how to read that.
Also in many of the tributes that you’ve seen, the people who knew him all talk about that he really was a kind and wonderful man. I think you could get that sense just from listening to him, but I think that also came across in things like the personalized home run calls. It didn’t matter if you were Aaron Judge or some random injury backup who got called up for a week or two and would be DFAed immediately after that: Sterling was going to give you your moment in the sun if you went deep.
Sure, it would be nice if Sterling got the level of national admiration that someone like Scully got. However, he didn’t need it. Sterling had the love of Yankees’ fans, and he always seemed content with that. I have a lot of good memories of John Sterling calls over the years, and I wouldn’t trade them for anyone else.
BOSTON, MA - APRIL 28: The sneakers worn by VJ Edgecombe #77 of the Philadelphia 76ers during the game against the Boston Celtics on April 28, 2026 at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
With another disappointing first-round playoff exit, the Los Angeles Kings are set to find their next head coach for the upcoming 2026-27 season.
According to Dennis Bernstein, David Pagnotta, host of SiriusXM NHL Network Radio, reportedly mentioned on the "Hot Stove" that Bruce Cassidy is in the mix for the Los Angeles Kings' head-coaching vacancy.
As @TheFourthPeriod just mentioned on @HotStoveTFP, Bruce Cassidy is in the mix for the LA Kings head coaching spot.
Cassidy, a longtime veteran head coach, would be a great fit as the next head coach for the Kings. Former coach of the year in the 2019-20 season with the Boston Bruins and winning the Stanley Cup with the Vegas Golden Knights in 2023 are great accolades in his coaching career.
The 60-year-old is known for his consistent success, leading teams to high point totals, including the 2020 Presidents' Trophy. In his three and a half seasons with the Golden Knights, Cassidy never had a season in which his team finished under .500, and his team won 50 games in two of those three seasons.
Now, the real problem is that hiring Cassidy won't solve the Kings' struggles or make them a Stanley Cup contender right away. LA can blame the head coaches as much as they want, but much of the blame falls on this team's personnel and roster construction.
Los Angeles has had four head coaches in the last seven seasons: Willie Desjardins, serving half a season as interim head coach in 2019; Todd McLellan from 2020-24; Jim Hiller for one and a half seasons; and interim head coach D.J. Smith for half a season.
This has clearly been an issue for LA, which hasn't seemed to pick the right bench leader to lead this team to a deep playoff run for over a decade now. The Kings have arguably had the worst stretch in the last 12 years of any team in the league, with zero playoff series wins since winning their Stanley Cup in 2014.
Inconsistent goal-tending and defense throughout the season plagued the Kings. Come playoff time, the offense, which was hot to end the season, let them down, while the defense and goaltending picked up, leaving a lot of inconsistencies on this roster.
Major changes will need to come this offseason for the Kings if they want to improve their chances and reinvent this team as a threat in the Western Conference. After Anze Kopitar retired this past season, the LA Kings need to move in a direction that is plausible rather than remain in the same place for years now.
Los Angeles has had four head coaches in the last seven seasons: Willie Desjardins, serving half a season as interim head coach in 2019; Todd McLellan from 2020-24; Jim Hiller for one and a half seasons; and interim head coach D.J. Smith for half a season.
Several teams will undoubtedly be in the mix to land Bruce Cassidy as their next head coach, but LA should do everything it can to secure him and make him a strong offer as it moves into a new phase of rebuilding this team.
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UPDATE: Added a prediction for who will win the game.
Spurs vs Timberwolves Game 4 prediction today
Who will win Spurs vs Timberwolves Game 4?
Timberwolves: The Minnesota Timberwolves were undefeated at home in this postseason before Friday’s loss, and they can get back on track with another healthy game from Anthony Edwards and a little bit more from fellow starters.
Edwards was dominant in his first start of the series, but Julius Randle and Jaden McDaniels finished with a combined 29 points on 8 of 34 shooting. Expect both of them to get back on track in Game 4 and for Edwards to stay in his groove in a pivotal contest.
Spurs vs Timberwolves best bet: Anthony Edwards Over 31.5 points+rebounds (-105)
Anthony Edwards came off the bench in Games 1 and 2 and totaled 30 points and six rebounds in 49 total minutes. He started Game 3 and eclipsed those totals with 32 points and 14 rebounds in 41 minutes.
He’s logged 30+ minutes in just three playoff games this postseason, but he delivered 32+ points+rebounds in two of them and went for exactly 31 in the other.
Ant-Man has started four games against the San Antonio Spurs this season, and he hit the Over on this combo line three times while averaging 41.3 points+rebounds.
Through the regular season and playoffs, he’s averaged 33.7 points+rebounds and gone for 32+ in 43 of 68 appearances.
COVERS INTEL:Anthony Edwards’ season highs in points (55) and rebounds (14) both came against the Spurs.
Spurs vs Timberwolves Game 4 same-game parlay
The Timberwolves have covered the spread in four of their last five home games, and the team nearly covered the 5.5-point spread despite awful shooting performances from Julius Randle and Jaden McDaniels.
With Edwards off his minutes restriction, I expect him to do everything he can to will his team to victory with the necessary support from his teammates.
Improved shooting from two starters means more scoring for Minnesota, and the point total is set far too low for Game 4. These teams have hit the Game Total Over in two straight and four of six head-to-head matchups this season.
Spurs vs Timberwolves SGP
Anthony Edwards Over 31.5 points + rebounds
Timberwolves +4.5
Over 217
Our "from downtown" SGP: Wolves Like Me
The Timberwolves went into halftime of Game 3 tied, then San Antonio went on a third-quarter run and stayed ahead late. Minnesota has the personnel to hang with the Spurs, and the Wolves are battle-tested after some deep, recent playoff runs.
With Edwards off of his minutes restriction, Minnesota can get a win if Ant-Man’s teammates step up.
Jaden McDaniels is averaging 16.9 points per game in the playoffs, and he’s scored 16+ in five of nine postseason appearances. He scored 17 in Game 3 on 5-of-22 shooting, but he shot better than 50% in eight games prior.
Julius Randle scored just 12 points in Games 2 and 3 after dropping 21 in Game 1. He’s averaged 17.8 points per game in the playoffs and put up 18+ in four of nine games.
Randle averaged 21.1 points per game in the regular season, and I expect positive regression at home after Friday’s dud.
Spurs vs Timberwolves SGP
Anthony Edwards Over 31.5 points+rebounds
Julius Randle Over 17.5 points
Jaden McDaniels Over 15.5 points
Timberwolves moneyline
Spurs vs Timberwolves odds for Game 4
Spread: Spurs -4.5 | Timberwolves +4.5
Moneyline: Spurs -180 | Timberwolves +150
Over/Under: Over 217 | Under 217
Spurs vs Timberwolves betting trend to know
The Minnesota Timberwolves are 4-1 ATS across their last five games at Target Center. Find more NBA betting trends for Spurs vs. Timberwolves.
How to watch Spurs vs Timberwolves Game 4
Location
Target Center, Minneapolis, MN
Date
Sunday, May 10, 2026
Tip-off
7:30 p.m. ET
TV
NBC
Spurs vs Timberwolves latest injuries
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OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA - MAY 07: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander #2 of the Oklahoma City Thunder reacts during the fourth quarter of a game against the Los Angeles Lakers in Game Two of the Second Round of the NBA Western Conference Playoffs at Paycom Center on May 07, 2026 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Joshua Gateley/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Here are the NBA playoff games for Saturday, May 9, 2026:
Detroit Pistons at Cleveland Cavaliers — 3 p.m. ET (NBC/WRC-TV, Peacock)
Oklahoma City Thunder at Los Angeles Lakers — 8:30 p.m. ET (ABC/WJLA-TV, ESPN)
The New York Knicks will look to sweep the Philadelphia 76ers and advance to the Eastern Conference Finals for the second consecutive season on Sunday.
Despite Philly's best efforts, my Knicks vs. 76ers predictions and NBA picks expect Jalen Brunson to lead the charge in silencing the City of Brotherly Love on May 10.
Our best Knicks vs 76ers SGP for Game 4
SGP leg #1: Jalen Brunson Over 26.5 points
Jalen Brunson is no stranger to big moments, and he’s averaged 29 points across six road closeout games since joining the New York Knicks.
He’s recorded 30+ points in three of them, including a 41-point eruption in the 2024 postseason against the Philadelphia 76ers.
SGP leg #1: Knicks -1.5
The Knicks have won six in a row and covered the spread five times during that span.
With Joel Embiid obviously banged up and Brunson putting up strong numbers, New York should be able to close this series out on the road and cover the spread.
SGP leg #1: Under 212.5
The game total Under has hit in two straight games and in four of seven head-to-head matchups this season.
Additionally, the Knicks and 76ers have hit the Under in two of the last three regular-season matchups in Philadelphia.
Get Zak Hanshew's full breakdown of this game, including his best bet, plus the latest NBA odds, injuries, and betting trends, in his Knicks vs 76ers predictions for Game 4.
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COVERS INTEL: