There are some fun matchups in the first round of the East region.
76ers vs. Rockets Predictions: Odds, recent stats, trends and best bets for March 17
Philadelphia 76ers vs. Houston Rockets Preview
The Philadelphia 76ers (23-44) and Houston Rockets (43-25) are all set to square off from Toyota Center in Houston.
The 76ers seem to be back to “Trusting the process,” with Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey sidelined. They have lost seven of their last 10 games and have struggled against anyone not actively tanking.
The Rockets are surging. They have won six in a row and are second in the Western Conference.
The 76ers are currently 11-22 on the road with a point differential of -5, while the Rockets have a 8-2 record in their last ten games at home.
We’ve got all the info and analysis you need to know ahead of the game, including the latest info on the how to catch tipoff, odds, recent team performance, player stats, and of course, our predictions, picks & best bets for the game from our modeling tools and staff of experts.
Listen to the Rotoworld Basketball Show for the latest fantasy player news, waiver claims, roster advice and more from our experts all season long. Click here or download it wherever you get your podcasts.
Game details & how to watch 76ers vs. Rockets live today
- Date: Monday, March 17, 2025
- Time: 8:00PM EST
- Site: Toyota Center
- City: Houston, TX
Never miss a second of the action and stay up to date with all the latest team stats and player news. Check out our day-by-day NBA schedule page, along with detailed matchup pages that update live in-game.
Game odds for 76ers vs. Rockets
The latest odds as of Monday:
- Odds: 76ers (+612), Rockets (-926)
- Spread: Rockets -14.5
- Over/Under: 222 points
That gives the 76ers an implied team point total of 109.98, and the Rockets 117.54.
Want to know which sportsbook is offering the best lines for every game on the NBA calendar? Check out the NBC Sports’ Live Odds tool to get all the latest updated info from DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM & more!
Expert picks & predictions for Monday's 76ers vs. Rockets game
NBC Sports Bet Best Bet
Please bet responsibly. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline at 1-800-522-4700.
Brad Thomas (@MrBradThomas) is leaning towards Rockets -11.5 and Over 212.5 (+101)…
Thomas: “The Rockets are on a six-game winning streak. The over has hit in three of four games. The Sixers have not defended well but do put forth a lot of effort, even in their losses. This combo bet sits inside both lines, and I priced it fairly.”
Our model calculates projections around each moneyline, spread and over/under bet for every game on the NBA calendar based on data points like recent performance, head-to-head player matchups, trends information and projected game totals.
Once the model is finished running, we put its projections next to the latest betting lines for the game to arrive at a relative confidence level for each wager.
Here are the best bets our model is projecting for today’s 76ers & Rockets game:
- Moneyline: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play on the Houston Rockets on the Moneyline.
- Spread: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play ATS on the Philadelphia 76ers at +14.
- Total: NBC Sports Bet is staying away from a play on the Game Total of 222.
Want even more NBA best bets and predictions from our expert staff & tools? Check out the Expert NBA Predictions page from NBC Sports for money line, spread and over/under picks for every game on today’s calendar!
Important stats, trends & insights to know ahead of 76ers vs. Rockets on Monday
- The Rockets have won 8 of their last 10 matchups against teams with worse records
- The Total went under in 20 of the Rockets' 35 home games this season
- The Rockets have covered in 4 of their last 5 home gamesThe Rockets have won 10 of their last 12 home matchups against teams with worse records
If you’re looking for more key trends and stats around the spread, moneyline and total for every single game on the schedule today, check out our NBA Top Trends tool on NBC Sports!
Bet the Edge is your source for all things sports betting. Get all of Jay Croucher and Drew Dinsick’s insight weekdays at 6AM ET right here or wherever you get your favorite podcasts.
Follow our experts on socials to keep up with all the latest content from the staff:
- Jay Croucher (@croucherJD)
- Drew Dinsick (@whale_capper)
- Vaughn Dalzell (@VmoneySports)
- Brad Thomas (@MrBradThomas)
UCLA and South Carolina headline AP Top 25 women’s poll and are top seeds in NCAA Tournament
UCLA remained No. 1 in The Associated Press women's basketball Top 25 on Monday one day after the Bruins earned the top overall seed in the NCAA Tournament for the first time in school history. UCLA received 19 first place votes from the 32-member national media panel. UConn was third after winning the Big East Tournament championship over Creighton in the only game with ranked teams last week.
Shohei Ohtani, Dodgers prepare to open MLB season vs. Cubs
TOKYO — The Major League Baseball season kicks off at the Tokyo Dome when Shohei Ohtani and the defending World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers face the Chicago Cubs.
It’s the first of a two-game series and features five Japanese players. Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto and rookie Roki Sasaki pitch for the Dodgers while the Cubs have outfielder Seiya Suzuki and left-handed pitcher Shota Imanaga.
The two MLB teams have been in Tokyo for several days, playing exhibition games against two Japanese teams — the Hanshin Tigers and Yomiuri Giants.
All four exhibition games had a capacity crowd of roughly 42,000. A similar atmosphere is expected for the two MLB games.
“Everybody’s very aware of the series, that’s evident for sure, more than I feel like it would be America,” Cubs manager Craig Counsell said. “More people are talking about it, absolutely. That’s a great feeling. The players love big events, that’s why we do this, that’s why we love to do it.”
Here are five things to know heading into the MLB opener:
All-Japanese pitching matchup
The first game will feature the first all-Japanese pitching matchup on opening day in MLB history. Yamamoto will take the mound for the Dodgers against Imanaga of the Cubs.
Yamamoto is entering his second season with Los Angeles. He was 7-2 with a 3.00 ERA last season and was an important part of the team’s World Series championship, with a brilliant performance in a Game 2 win over the Yankees.
Imanaga was an All-Star last year in his first season with the Cubs. The lefty finished with a 15-3 record and a 2.91 ERA in 2024.
The Dodgers will start Sasaki in the second game.
Young Cubs
Third baseman Matt Shaw is expected to make his big league debut for the Cubs. Shaw is one of the team’s top prospects and did enough this spring to earn the starting nod.
Shaw was drafted with the No. 13 overall pick in 2020 after playing college baseball at Maryland. He hit .284 with 21 homers and 71 RBIs last season, splitting time between Double-A and Triple-A.
Other young Cubs include third-year outfielder Pete Crow-Armstrong, who hopes to take a big step forward after an encouraging second half of 2024. Rookie second baseman Gage Workman also could make his MLB debut in Tokyo.
Ailing Mookie
Dodgers shortstop Mookie Betts will not play in either game against the Chicago Cubs because of an illness that’s lingered for the past week.
Manager Dave Roberts said Betts is starting to feel better but has lost nearly 15 pounds and is still trying to get rehydrated and gain strength. Roberts added that the eight-time All-Star might fly back to the United States before the team in an effort to rest and prepare for the domestic opener on March 27.
Miguel Rojas will start at shortstop in Betts’ place.
What time is the Tokyo Series?
Set your alarm if you’re planning to view the two Tokyo games in the United States. Both games being at 7:10 p.m. in Tokyo, which means it’ll be a 6:10 a.m. wake up call in the Eastern time zone.
Many Cubs and Dodgers fans will really need some coffee. Start time in Chicago is 5:10 a.m. while it’s 3:10 a.m. in Los Angeles. The game will air nationally on Fox.
Tokyo history
This marks the 25th anniversary of the first MLB regular season games played in Japan. The New York Mets and Cubs played a two-game set at the Tokyo Dome in 2000.
Since that series, MLB returned in 2004, 2008, 2012 and 2019. The 2019 series featured the Oakland A’s and Seattle Mariners, who celebrated the final two games of Ichiro Suzuki’s career in his home country. Suzuki will be inducted into the Hall of Fame this summer.
It’s the 10th time that MLB has played regular season games in a spot outside the 50 states. The locations include Japan, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Australia and last year’s series in South Korea.
NCAA Tournament – Xavier vs. Texas Predictions: Odds, Expert Picks, Betting Trends, and Stats
Pistons vs. Pelicans Predictions: Odds, recent stats, trends, best bets for March 17
Detroit Pistons vs. New Orleans Pelicans Preview
The Detroit Pistons (37-31) and New Orleans Pelicans (18-50) are all set to square off from Smoothie King Center in New Orleans.
The Pistons have cooled off recently, going .500 in their last 10 games. They are still comfortably in a playoff spot, with a five-game cushion between them and the seventh-seed Atlanta Hawks.
Pelicans are close to the bottom of the Western Conference. They have only won three of their last 10, and 18 on the season.
The Pistons are currently 19-15 on the road with a point differential of 2, while the Pelicans have a 4-6 record in their last ten games at home.
We’ve got all the info and analysis you need to know ahead of the game, including the latest info on the how to catch tipoff, odds, recent team performance, player stats, and of course, our predictions, picks & best bets for the game from our modeling tools and staff of experts.
Listen to the Rotoworld Basketball Show for the latest fantasy player news, waiver claims, roster advice and more from our experts all season long. Click here or download it wherever you get your podcasts.
Game details & how to watch Pistons vs. Pelicans live today
- Date: Monday, March 17, 2025
- Time: 8:00PM EST
- Site: Smoothie King Center
- City: New Orleans, LA
Never miss a second of the action and stay up to date with all the latest team stats and player news. Check out our day-by-day NBA schedule page, along with detailed matchup pages that update live in-game.
Game odds for Pistons vs. Pelicans
The latest odds as of Monday:
- Odds: Pistons (-244), Pelicans (+200)
- Spread: Pistons -6.5
- Over/Under: 233 points
That gives the Pistons an implied team point total of 118.81, and the Pelicans 115.42.
Want to know which sportsbook is offering the best lines for every game on the NBA calendar? Check out the NBC Sports’ Live Odds tool to get all the latest updated info from DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM & more!
Expert picks & predictions for Monday's Pistons vs. Pelicans game
NBC Sports Bet Best Bet
Please bet responsibly. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline at 1-800-522-4700.
Brad Thomas (@MrBradThomas) is betting on Tobias Harris over 5.5 rebounds…
Thomas: “Harris has been the man on glass in the last six games and the month of March. He’s averaging 8.5 boards per game in March and has grabbed at least six rebounds in every game. Given its consistency and the Pelican's poor field goal percentage (45.2%), this feels like a line that you must take.”
Our model calculates projections around each moneyline, spread and over/under bet for every game on the NBA calendar based on data points like recent performance, head-to-head player matchups, trends information and projected game totals.
Once the model is finished running, we put its projections next to the latest betting lines for the game to arrive at a relative confidence level for each wager.
Here are the best bets our model is projecting for today’s Pistons & Pelicans game:
- Moneyline: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play on the New Orleans Pelicans on the Moneyline.
- Spread: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play ATS on the New Orleans Pelicans at +6.
- Total: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play on the under on the Game Total of 233.
Want even more NBA best bets and predictions from our expert staff & tools? Check out the Expert NBA Predictions page from NBC Sports for money line, spread and over/under picks for every game on today’s calendar!
Important stats, trends & insights to know ahead of Pistons vs. Pelicans on Monday
- The Pelicans have lost 7 of their last 9 games
- The Over is 19-15 in the Pelicans' home games this season
- The Pelicans have covered in 19 of their 34 home games this season
- The Pelicans have won 4 straight home games against the Pistons
If you’re looking for more key trends and stats around the spread, moneyline and total for every single game on the schedule today, check out our NBA Top Trends tool on NBC Sports!
Bet the Edge is your source for all things sports betting. Get all of Jay Croucher and Drew Dinsick’s insight weekdays at 6AM ET right here or wherever you get your favorite podcasts.
Follow our experts on socials to keep up with all the latest content from the staff:
- Jay Croucher (@croucherJD)
- Drew Dinsick (@whale_capper)
- Vaughn Dalzell (@VmoneySports)
- Brad Thomas (@MrBradThomas)
Michigan State basketball up to No. 7 in this week’s USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll
Heat vs. Knicks Predictions: Odds, expert picks, recent stats, trends and best bets for March 17
It’s Monday, March 17, and the Miami Heat (29-38) and New York Knicks (42-24) are all set to square off from Madison Square Garden in New York.
The Heat are currently 13-21 on the road with a point differential of -1, while the Knicks have a 7-3 record in their last ten games at home. New York is 2-0 against Miami this season with a four-point OT win and nine-point victory.
Miami has lost seven straight games and eight of the past nine contests, while New York is 6-6 since the All-Star break and lost four of the previous six games. The Heat are coming off their second-worst loss of the season after losing to Memphis by 34 points on Saturday. Miami lost to Utah by 36 points earlier in the season and took Sacramento to 2 OT before losing by five the following game.
We’ve got all the info and analysis you need to know ahead of the game, including the latest info on how to catch tipoff, odds, recent team performance, player stats, and of course, our predictions, picks & best bets for the game from our modeling tools and staff of experts.
Listen to the Rotoworld Basketball Show for the latest fantasy player news, waiver claims, roster advice and more from our experts all season long. Click here or download it wherever you get your podcasts.
Game details & how to watch Heat vs. Knicks live today
- Date: Monday, March 17, 2025
- Time: 7:30PM EST
- Site: Madison Square Garden
- City: New York, NY
- Network/Streaming: ESPN
Never miss a second of the action and stay up to date with all the latest team stats and player news. Check out our day-by-day NBA schedule page, along with detailed matchup pages that update live in-game.
Game odds for Heat vs. Knicks
The latest odds as of Monday:
- Odds: Heat (+261), Knicks (-325)
- Spread: Knicks -7.5
- Over/Under: 212 points
That gives the Heat an implied team point total of 104.96, and the Knicks 108.87.
Want to know which sportsbook is offering the best lines for every game on the NBA calendar? Check out the NBC Sports’ Live Odds tool to get all the latest updated info from DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM & more!
Expert picks & predictions for Monday’s Heat vs. Knicks game
NBC Sports Bet Best Bet
Vaughn Dalzell (@VmoneySports) leans the Heat to cover the +7.5:
"New York is 2-0 against Miami this season (1-1 ATS) with wins by four and nine, but I have my doubts here. While Miami is amid a seven-game losing streak and while the Heat are 0-5 ATS over the past five games, I like this spot for Miami as New York is coming back from the West Coast and without Jalen Brunson. It's Miami at +7.5 or pass for me coming off their second-worst loss of the season (34 point loss to Memphis in the last game). I wouldn't be shocked if Miami wins (+260)."
Please bet responsibly. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline at 1-800-522-4700.
Our model calculates projections around each moneyline, spread and over/under bet for every game on the NBA calendar based on data points like recent performance, head-to-head player matchups, trends information and projected game totals.
Once the model is finished running, we put its projections next to the latest betting lines for the game to arrive at a relative confidence level for each wager.
Here are the best bets our model is projecting for today’s Heat & Knicks game:
- Moneyline: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the New York Knicks on the Moneyline.
- Spread: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play ATS on the Miami Heat at +7.
- Total: NBC Sports Bet is staying away from a play on the Game Total of 212.
Want even more NBA best bets and predictions from our expert staff & tools? Check out the Expert NBA Predictions page from NBC Sports for money line, spread and over/under picks for every game on today’s calendar!
Important stats, trends & insights to know ahead of Heat vs. Knicks on Monday
- The Heat have lost 4 straight road games
- 8 of the Knicks' last 10 games (80%) have stayed under the Total
- The Knicks have failed to cover the Spread in their last 6 matchups versus Eastern Conference teams
- The Knicks have won 4 of their last 5 home games against Eastern Conference teams
If you’re looking for more key trends and stats around the spread, moneyline and total for every single game on the schedule today, check out our NBA Top Trends tool on NBC Sports!
Follow our experts on socials to keep up with all the latest content from the staff:
- Jay Croucher (@croucherJD)
- Drew Dinsick (@whale_capper)
- Vaughn Dalzell (@VmoneySports)
- Brad Thomas (@MrBradThomas)
Dodgers' Mookie Betts won’t play in 2 regular season games vs. Cubs in Tokyo because of illness
TOKYO — Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Mookie Betts will not play in the two-game Tokyo Series against the Chicago Cubs because of an illness that’s lingered.
Manager Dave Roberts said that Betts is starting to feel better but has lost nearly 15 pounds and is still trying to get rehydrated and gain strength. Roberts added that the eight-time All-Star might fly back to the United States before the team in an effort to rest and prepare for the domestic opener on March 27.
The Cubs and Dodgers open the Major League Baseball season at the Tokyo Dome.
“He’s not going to play in these two games,” Roberts said. “When you’re dehydrated, that’s what opens a person up to soft tissue injuries. We’re very mindful of that.”
Roberts said Miguel Rojas will start at shortstop in Betts’ place for the two games at the Tokyo Dome.
Betts started suffering from flu-like symptoms at the team’s spring training home in Arizona, the day before the team left for Japan. He still made the long plane trip, but hasn’t recovered as quickly as hoped.
Roberts said if the team had known the illness would linger this long, he wouldn’t have traveled. Betts tried to go through a workout, but quickly became tired.
Betts is making the full-time transition to shortstop this season after playing most of his career in right field and second base. The 2018 AL MVP hit .289 with 19 homers and 75 RBIs last season, helping the Dodgers win the World Series.
Fantasy Basketball Week 20 Key Injuries
Week 20 marks the beginning of the playoffs in Yahoo! public and default leagues. And there are many availability issues for fantasy managers to sift through, whether it's legitimate injuries or teams looking to improve their draft lottery odds. Let's look at some key players whose statuses impact how managers approach Week 20.
PG/SG Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors
Curry is dealing with a right lower back strain and is considered questionable for the Warriors' March 17 matchup with the Nuggets. As a top-10 player, missing time due to the injury would significantly impact the Warriors' rotation and fantasy basketball. Multiple Warriors would see their fantasy values affected in this scenario. Buddy Hield (29 percent rostered, Yahoo!) may have the most to gain regarding fantasy value, as he could return to the starting lineup.
Moses Moody (15 percent), who has fared well as a starter, is another player who may pick up more scoring opportunities if Curry has to sit. Jimmy Butler isn't available on any waiver wire, but his usage would increase if the Warriors were to be without their top scorer. Lastly, Brandin Podziemski (59 percent) could return during Week 20, with Warriors coach Steve Kerr saying on Saturday that the team is targeting Tuesday (vs. MIL) for the second-year guard's return from a back strain.
SF/PF LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers
James has missed the Lakers' last four games with a strained groin. On Sunday, ESPN's Shams Charania reported that the 40-year-old forward is expected to miss at least another week, so he won't be available for the Lakers' four-game Week 20 slate. James went through his first on-court workout since the injury before the March 16 win over the Suns, but the clear priority will be to ensure he's at full strength for the postseason. Dalton Knecht (25 percent) is worth a look in deeper points leagues, but the rookie has provided limited value in category leagues.
Reporting for ABC NBA Countdown: LeBron James has his first on-court workout today – with ESPN footage – plus a Lakers return timetable update: pic.twitter.com/xTeiMRblnp
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) March 16, 2025
The good news from the win over Phoenix was that Jaxson Hayes (16 percent) returned from a knee contusion, playing 29 minutes and finishing with 19 points, six rebounds, three assists, one steal and one blocked shot. Whether or not Hayes will be available for the March 17 matchup with the Spurs is unknown, but the players with center eligibility to consider if he sits are Dorian Finney-Smith (seven percent) and Jarred Vanderbilt (six percent), but they may also have availability concerns for injury management reasons.
PG Jalen Brunson, New York Knicks
Brunson has missed the Knicks' last four games with a sprained ankle and will be re-evaluated toward the end of this week. However, fantasy managers should not expect to see the two-time All-Star on the court anytime soon, as ESPN's Charania reported on Saturday that a late-March or early April return for Brunson is most likely.
Reporting for ABC NBA Countdown -- Knicks' Jalen Brunson expected out through late March/early April, and fallout from Mikal Bridges and Tom Thibodeau meeting: pic.twitter.com/NtkgNMyI6R
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) March 16, 2025
Miles McBride (30 percent) has been an 11th-round player in nine-cat formats since March 6 and is effectively the only player worth picking up with Brunson sidelined. The Knicks play four games during Week 20, starting with the Heat on Monday, and Miami is the only team with postseason ambitions that New York will face. A midweek road back-to-back against the Spurs and Hornets is followed by a home game against the Wizards, which will likely boost McBride's value if his shots are falling.
SG/SF/PF/C Jalen Williams, Oklahoma City Thunder
J-Dub has missed Oklahoma City's last three games with a hip injury and does not have a concrete timeline for return. Given how far ahead of the pack the Thunder are in the West and how well the team has played without Williams, there's no reason for him to rush a return. Aaron Wiggins (19 percent) played 19 minutes off the bench in Oklahoma City's March 16 win over the Bucks, while Cason Wallace (26 percent) logged 27 minutes as a starter.
Wiggins started the first game Williams missed, a win over the Celtics in Boston, while Kenrich Williams (zero percent) filled the void in wins over the Pistons and Bucks. Wallace, a top 100 player since the All-Star break, and Wiggins are the players to target, with Isaiah Joe (three percent) having value among deep-league managers targeting three-point production specifically.
PG/SG Derrick White and SG/SF Jaylen Brown, Boston Celtics
White sat out the Celtics' win over the Nets on March 15 with a knee contusion, while Brown was forced to exit during the second half with back spasms. The Celtics were also without Al Horford in Brooklyn, but his absence was expected since that was the second game of a back-to-back. The good news for Boston was that Kristaps Porzingis returned from an illness that sidelined him for eight games, playing 32 minutes and finishing with 24 points. He only grabbed two rebounds and shot 1-of-7 from three, but simply seeing Porzingis on the court was a fantastic development for the Celtics and fantasy managers.
As for what managers should do if White and Brown aren't available for the start of Boston's three-game Week 20 slate, Payton Pritchard (53 percent) always has added value when the team is down a starter. Sam Hauser (two percent) will be worth a look if White and Brown remain out, but he's behind Horford (31 percent) in the pecking order when there are spaces in the starting lineup to fill.
PG/SG De'Aaron Fox, San Antonio Spurs
With it being announced on March 13 that Fox will undergo season-ending surgery on a pinkie finger that has been problematic since the start of the season, the Spurs had a void to fill in their starting lineup. As expected, rookie Stephon Castle (54 percent) received the nod, and in starts against the Hornets and Pelicans, he accumulated 43 points, four rebounds, eight assists, two steals, one block and three three-pointers. Castle struggled with his shot against New Orleans but dished out seven assists in the four-point victory. While he hasn't been the best category league asset, Castle's ceiling is raised with Fox out for the rest of the season.
Fox's absence may not directly impact Keldon Johnson (35 percent), but he has provided 10th-round value since the All-Star break. Devin Vassell isn't available in most leagues, but Johnson may be worth a look for managers seeking a player who has performed well and has a good schedule. San Antonio plays four games without a back-to-back during Week 20, starting with the Lakers on Monday.
PG/SG/SF Josh Giddey and PG/SG Lonzo Ball, Chicago Bulls
Giddey has missed the Bulls' last two games with a sprained ankle and appears unlikely to be available for a March 17 matchup with the Jazz (he's listed as doubtful). His absence opened up a place in the starting lineup for Kevin Huerter (11 percent), who recorded 27 points, 10 rebounds, seven assists, one steal and three three-pointers in starts against the Nets and Rockets. Red Velvet shot 3-of-14 from three in those games, but the rebounds and assists were solid. He's worth streaming as long as Giddey remains sidelined.
As for Ball, he has missed Chicago's last seven games with a sprained right wrist. On Saturday, Bulls coach Billy Donovan said that Ball is not being shut down for the rest of the season, but there is no timeline for return, and there are no plans for offseason surgery. This is the same wrist Ball injured before the season began, costing him 15 games. Tre Jones (21 percent) has been Lonzo's replacement in the starting lineup and is worth holding onto in deeper leagues. He'll provide points and assists while keeping the turnovers to a minimum.
PF/C John Collins, Utah Jazz
Collins was diagnosed with a left lateral ankle sprain on March 13 and will miss at least two weeks. He did not play in games against the Raptors (March 14) and Timberwolves (March 16) and will not be available for Week 20. Given the timeline for Collins's re-evaluation, he's unlikely to help fantasy managers during the playoff weeks. Given the uncertain availability of fellow starters Lauri Markkanen and Walker Kessler, now would be a good time for fantasy managers to roll the dice on Utah's low-rostered players. Kyle Filipowski (36 percent) and Isaiah Collier (32 percent) are at the top of the list, followed by Brice Sensabaugh (10 percent). Managers can afford to take a more conservative approach with Johnny Juzang (one percent), KJ Martin (one percent) and Cody Williams (zero percent).
PG/SG/SF Bradley Beal, Phoenix Suns
Beal exited the Suns' March 16 loss to the Lakers due to left hamstring tightness. While the expectation may have been that Tyus Jones (61 percent) would fill the void, Collin Gillespie (zero percent) started the third quarter. He shot 1-of-7 from the field, finishing with three points, seven rebounds, three assists and one three-pointer in 23 minutes. Gillespie doesn't need to be added, while Jones isn't a player who shallow-league managers should rush to grab. Keep an eye on Ryan Dunn (one percent), who has provided minimal fantasy value since the All-Star break. However, in starts against the Kings and Lakers, he accounted for 29 points, eight rebounds, four assists, seven steals, two blocks and four three-pointers. It would be him if anyone is worth a dice roll for Phoenix's three-game week, especially in category leagues.
SF/PF Andrew Wiggins, Miami Heat
Wiggins only played 22 minutes in Miami's March 15 loss to the Grizzlies, and he was listed on the injury report as questionable for the March 17 game against the Knicks. The lower left leg contusion is a new injury for the Heat forward, who missed five games with a sprained ankle to begin the month. The potential replacements aren't all that appealing from a fantasy standpoint, as Jaime Jaquez Jr. (nine percent) and Pelle Larsson (zero percent) are both ranked outside the top 350 (yes, 350) in nine-cat formats since the All-Star break. If anything, Wiggins' undetermined status is an opportunity to seek Kel'el Ware (41 percent), who tallied 19 points, 11 rebounds and two three-pointers against the Grizzlies. While the rookie's production tapered off before that performance, there's more to gain from rostering him than Jaquez, Larsson or Duncan Robinson (12 percent).
SG/SF Cam Thomas, Brooklyn Nets
Due to a hamstring injury, Thomas will not play again this season. While the personnel hit the Nets take isn't good, his absence opens up a spot in the starting lineup. Ziaire Williams (16 percent) and Keon Johnson (17 percent) are the first players to target, but the former is dealing with a sore Achilles tendon. Field goal percentage has been an issue for Johnson, but he shot 8-of-15 from the field and scored 21 points with five three-pointers against the reigning champs in his most recent outing. Also worth watching moving forward is center Day'Ron Sharpe (16 percent), who has the most to gain if the Nets decide to sit Nic Claxton. Sharpe grabbed 16 rebounds and dished out five assists against the Celtics, and has provided top-100 value in nine-cat formats since the All-Star break.
PG Cole Anthony, Orlando Magic
Anthony (17 percent) played six minutes off the bench in Orlando's March 16 win over the Cavaliers before aggravating a toe injury that sidelined him for two games. Anthony hobbling off the court was troubling for a team that is already without Jalen Suggs for the rest of the season. Cory Joseph (zero percent) has started the last three games but has provided limited fantasy value, tallying 23 points, 12 rebounds, 10 assists, four steals and three three-pointers total in those starts. Anthony Black (three percent) hasn't provided much value either, so fantasy managers don't have a player to target in Orlando if Anthony misses more time. The ball will be in the hands of Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner even more, and those players are sitting on waiver wires at this stage in the season.
SG/SF Bilal Coulibaly, Washington Wizards
Coulibaly injured his right hamstring on a nasty fall taken during the Wizards' March 10 loss to the Raptors. With the Wizards providing a four to six-week timeline, the second-year wing won't be able to help fantasy managers again this season. Justin Champagnie (26 percent) was Coulibaly's replacement in the starting lineup and has been solid, providing 11th-round value since the All-Star break. However, Kyshawn George (29 percent) is the player to target, even with his shooting struggles. Despite making 37.3 percent of his attempts from the field since the All-Star break, the rookie wing has provided sixth-round value due to the rebounding, three-pointers and defensive production. And availability should not be an issue for George or Champagnie the rest of the season, as the Wizards have prioritized their younger players.
Ilya Kovalchuk Has Advice For Ivan Demidov
Rg.org has done wonderful work interviewing former Russian NHLers recently, and their latest interview is with a former Montreal Canadiens player, Ilya Kovalchuk, even though he wasn’t with the team for long.
The Canadiens Hits Leader May Not Be Who You Think
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While he played less than 1,000 games in the NHL, Kovalchuk was a great offensive talent who scored 876 points over the course of his career. He’s also one of those players who played in the NHL but felt the need to go home after a while; after signing a 15-year deal with the New Jersey Devils in 2010, he announced his retirement from the NHL in 2013 and walked away from the 77 million left on his contract.
After playing part of six seasons in the KHL with SKA St. Petersburg, Kovalchuk decided to return to the NHL, signing a contract with the Los Angeles Kings. After 17 games in his second season in LA, he was traded to the Canadiens and played 22 games with the Habs during the 2019-20 campaign before being flipped to the Washington Capitals. He went back to Russia at the end of that season.
In his short tenure with the Canadiens, the left winger scored six goals and seven assists for 13 points, but he still made some highlight-reel plays that quickly made him a fan favorite. The "Kovalshow" brought in some light in an otherwise very bleak season for the Canadiens.
In an exclusive interview with RG.org, the former NHL star was asked about Canadiens’ prospect Ivan Demidov and praised him, saying he was a bright and hard-working young man with a true passion for the game. He also mentioned that he’s heard he puts in a lot of extra work and is confident he will do well in Montreal.
Just like Andrei Kovalenko a couple of days ago, Kovalchuk emphasizes the importance of respecting the local culture and not being shy about speaking the language. He also agrees hockey is like a religion in Montreal, which comes with intense scrutiny, and that’s something he’ll need to be ready for.
Thankfully, the organization is well-aware of that fact, and any player joining the Canadiens has to complete a training and awareness program that prepares them for that reality, as France Margaret Belanger explained in a recent interview.
There are only three games left in SKA St. Petersburg’s regular season, and after a losing streak, Roman Rotenberg’s men have straightened the ship of late, winning their last four games. We’ll see if that translates to success in the playoffs.
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Red Sox Opening Day roster projection: Which prospects make the team?
Red Sox Opening Day roster projection: Which prospects make the team? originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston
The Boston Red Sox’ 26-man roster is beginning to take shape with just over a week until Opening Day.
Left-hander Garrett Crochet was named Boston’s Opening Day starter, Rafael Devers has reluctantly accepted his new role as a designated hitter, and prospect Richard Fitts is all but locked into the rotation amid injuries to Brayan Bello, Lucas Giolito, and Kutter Crawford.
That said, manager Alex Cora still has some difficult decisions to make from now until the club’s March 27 opener against the Texas Rangers. Will any of the organization’s “Big Three” prospects make the team? Who will earn the last few bullpen spots?
Here’s our final Red Sox Opening Day roster projection:
Catcher (2)
- Connor Wong
- Carlos Narvaez
This one is pretty straightforward with top prospect Kyle Teel no longer in the picture.
Wong will begin the campaign as Boston’s unquestioned No. 1 catcher, but don’t sleep on Narvaez. He offers more defensive upside and if Wong struggles at the plate, we could see the ex-New York Yankees backstop eventually earn more playing time.
First base (1)
- Triston Casas
With the offseason trade rumors behind him, Casas is poised to take a significant step forward in Year 3 of his big-league career. His health will be key to Boston’s success as he appeared in only 63 games last season due to injury, and there aren’t many trustworthy first base options on the depth chart.
Second base (2)
- David Hamilton
- Kristian Campbell
Even with a healthy Trevor Story, David Hamilton has earned a spot on the 2025 roster after stepping up in the veteran’s absence last season. His blazing speed proved to be a game-changer as he stole 33 bases in only 98 games.
Campbell has the clearest path to an Opening Day roster spot of Boston’s top prospects. Vaughn Grissom or Nick Sogard could make the cut instead if the club opts to give Campbell more time to develop in the minors, but the 22-year-old fits perfectly on the roster as a right-handed bat with the ability to play second and the outfield.
Shortstop (1)
- Trevor Story
At this point, Red Sox fans simply cannot get their hopes up for a productive Trevor Story. The veteran shortstop has been unable to stay on the field since joining the Red Sox in 2022.
For now, Story will provide Gold Glove-caliber defense while looking to revert to his Colorado Rockies days at the plate. If this is finally the year he stays healthy, it’ll go a long way toward making Boston a postseason contender in 2025.
If Story goes down yet again, the Red Sox’ depth options include top prospect Marcelo Mayer, David Hamilton, Vaughn Grissom, and Nick Sogard.
Third base (1)
- Alex Bregman
It appears Bregman will be Boston’s starting third baseman after all. The prized offseason addition initially was expected to be the team’s second baseman with Rafael Devers unwilling to move off the hot corner, but Devers recently changed his tune on that stance. Plus, Bregman has played almost every inning of spring training at third base and zero innings at second.
Bregman adds much-needed right-handed pop, Gold Glove defense, and veteran leadership to the Red Sox clubhouse. He’s a big reason for the newfound optimism surrounding the club heading into the campaign.
Outfield (4)
- Jarren Duran
- Ceddanne Rafaela
- Wilyer Abreu
- Rob Refsnyder
Assuming Abreu is ready for Opening Day after missing time due to an illness, the Red Sox’ starting outfield seems set in stone with him in right field, Ceddanne Rafaela in center, and Jarren Duran in left. Rob Refsnyder will return as a lefty-mashing fourth outfielder.
That leaves No. 1 prospect Roman Anthony in the minors to open the season, but it won’t be long before the slugger gets the call to The Show.
Designated hitter (1)
- Rafael Devers
Now that Devers has reluctantly accepted a switch from third base to DH, he’ll likely focus on slugging in 2025 while Bregman mans the hot corner. The move should greatly improve Boston’s infield defense, though it’ll be worth monitoring how Devers adjusts to his new role.
Utility (1)
- Romy Gonzalez
Gonzalez’s versatility was invaluable last season. Although Nick Sogard has impressed this spring and has a similar skill set, Gonzalez’s successful 2024 gives him a slight edge to begin the season.
Starting pitchers (5)
- Garrett Crochet, LHP
- Tanner Houck, RHP
- Walker Buehler, RHP
- Richard Fitts, RHP
- Quinn Priester, RHP
Red Sox manager Alex Cora unsurprisingly named left-hander Garrett Crochet the team’s Opening Day starter. Crochet is a strikeout machine who’s a popular pick to win the American League Cy Young award.
Houck will look to duplicate his 2024 All-Star campaign while Buehler aims to bounce back from a down season. Buehler struggled after returning from Tommy John surgery, but he found his groove in the postseason to help the Los Angeles Dodgers to a World Series title.
Youngsters Richard Fitts and Quinn Priester are expected to fill out the back end of the rotation with Brayan Bello, Lucas Giolito, and Kutter Crawford starting the season on the injured list. Fitts shined in his first big-league stint and continued to impress in spring training. Priester, a 2024 trade deadline addition, is a high-upside option who has yet to break out in the majors.
Fitts seems like a lock to make the Opening Day roster. Priester, on the other hand, could be edged out by Sean Newcomb, who has enjoyed a strong spring.
Relief pitchers (8)
- Liam Hendriks, RHP
- Aroldis Chapman, LHP
- Justin Slaten, RHP
- Garrett Whitlock, RHP
- Justin Wilson, LHP
- Greg Weissert, RHP
- Luis Guerrero, RHP
- Cooper Criswell, RHP
Liam Hendriks and Aroldis Chapman will be counted on to replace Kenley Jansen and Chris Martin in the back end of the bullpen. They’re battling for the closer role, though second-year reliever Justin Slaten could earn that spot after an impressive 2024.
Right-hander Garrett Whitlock will pitch exclusively out of the bullpen after another injury-plagued season. Cooper Criswell’s role as a swingman will be valued with a grueling schedule to start the year, and Luis Guerrero offers tremendous upside with his velocity.
Injured list
- Masataka Yoshida, DH/OF
- Brayan Bello, RHP
- Lucas Giolito, RHP
- Kutter Crawford, RHP
- Patrick Sandoval, LHP
Yoshida, still recovering from an offseason shoulder surgery, has stayed at DH throughout spring training. He was put on a throwing program and may not be ready to play the outfield when the season begins. Cora acknowledged Yoshida could start the campaign on the IL as he continues his recovery.
Bello (shoulder), Giolito (hamstring), Crawford (knee), and Sandoval (Tommy John recovery) each have been confirmed to be on the IL when the season begins.
Ex-NHL D-Man Will Return To Finnish Team Next Year
Canadian defenseman Éric Gélinas, 33, has agreed to a one-year contract extension with Lukko Rauma, the Finnish Liiga club announced on Monday.
Gélinas joined the club in December and produced 17 points in 21 regular-season games. The 6-foot-4, 227-pound rearguard also had 12-penalty minutes and was a plus-2.
“One of the biggest reasons to continue here is that we have a really strong team,” said Gélinas. “When you reach a certain age, winning championships is what you play for.”
Indeed, Lukko is one of the top contenders to win it all in Finland this season after finishing first overall in the regular season. Lukko ended the regular season on a six-game heater, edging out Ilves Tampere for top spot by one point.
“In addition, the organization welcomed me with open arms, which has been great of course,” he continued. “We have a great atmosphere in the locker room and the chemistry works great, so the decision to continue with Lukko was quite easy.”
“Gélly came to Rauma in really good shape, and it didn’t take long for him to play when he was at full strength on the ice,” Lukko sports director Kalle Sahlstedt said about the defenseman’s mid-season arrival. “He immediately played at an extremely high level.”
Born in Vanier, Ont. and raised in Saint-Jean, Que., Gélinas played junior hockey for the QMJHL’s Lewiston MAINEiacs, Chicoutimi Sagueneens and Saint John Sea Dogs, winning a Memorial Cup with the latter in 2011.
Chosen in the second round, 54th overall, by the New Jersey Devils in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft, Gélinas played 189 NHL games for the Devils and Colorado Avalanche between 2013 and 2017, recording 55 points and 92 penalty minutes. He was also NHL property of the Montreal Canadiens and Carolina Hurricanes.
Other than a nine-game AHL stint in 2021, Gélinas has played in Europe since 2018, with stops in Slovakia, Sweden and Switzerland.
Gélinas has not played since Feb. 12 due to an undisclosed injury. Thanks to its finish in the standings, Lukko has a bye through the first round of the playoffs and will open at home in the quarterfinals next Wednesday, March 26 against a yet-to-be-determined opponent. Also to be determined is exactly when Gélinas will return to the lineup.