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Canucks Assign Jonathan Lekkerimaki To The AHL Ahead Of The 2025 Calder Cup Playoffs

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The Vancouver Canucks have assigned right-winger Jonathan Lekkerimäki to the AHL. The 20-year-old will join the Abbotsford Canucks, who are currently on a 13-game winning streak. During his latest call-up, Jonathan Lekkerimäki played 13 games, recording three points while averaging 11:25 of ice time.

Latest From THN’s Vancouver Canucks Site:

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Aatu Räty Has Shown He Deserves A Permanent Spot In The Canucks 2025-26 Lineup

This season, Lekkerimäki has thrived in the AHL. In 32 games, he has 19 goals along with 28 points. Despite spending significant time on Vancouver's NHL roster, Lekkerimäki ranks tied for ninth in goals among AHL rookies, while his 116 shots rank 20th.

Sending Lekkerimäki down to the AHL also protects his Calder Trophy eligibility for next season. The Swedish winger has played 24 games and would lose his eligibility if he dressed two more times this season. Only two players in franchise history have won the Calder Trophy, with those being Pavel Bure in 1992 and Elias Pettersson in 2019.

Multiple Canucks Could Lose Their 2026 Calder Trophy Eligibility Before The End Of The SeasonMultiple Canucks Could Lose Their 2026 Calder Trophy Eligibility Before The End Of The SeasonWith eight games remaining, the Vancouver Canucks are in an uphill battle to qualify for the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs. At this point, it is likely the Canucks will need to win at least seven of their final games, as the teams above them in standings keep collecting points on a nightly basis. While returning to the post-season isn't likely, it is not an impossible task, especially as Vancouver plays six of their final eight games at home. 

The first opportunity for Lekkerimäki to get into Abbotsford's lineup will be on April 11 against the Calgary Wranglers. The Calgary Flames AHL team sit fifth in the Pacific Division and are ten points back of the AHL Canucks. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:00 pm PT from the Abbotsford Centre.

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, be sure to leave a comment at the bottom of the page and engage with other passionate fans through our forum.

The Hockey News
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Pelicans vs. Nets Predictions: Odds, expert picks, recent stats, trends and best bets for April 8

It’s Tuesday, April 8, and the New Orleans Pelicans (21-57) and Brooklyn Nets (25-53) are all set to square off from Barclays Center in Brooklyn.

The Pelicans are currently 7-32 on the road with a point differential of -9, while the Nets have a 2-8 record in their last ten games at home. The Nets won 107-105 in the only meeting this season.

Brooklyn is 2-8 in the last 10 games entering this contest, 2-2 over the past four contests, and 0-2 in the previous two. New Orleans has lost three straight and four of the last five.

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 Pelicans vs. Nets live today

  • Date: Tuesday, April 8, 2025
  • Time: 7:30PM EST
  • Site: Barclays Center
  • City: Brooklyn, NY
  • Network/Streaming:

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 Pelicans vs. Nets

The latest odds as of Tuesday:

  • Odds: Pelicans (+110), Nets (-131)
  • Spread:  Nets -2
  • Over/Under: 214 points

That gives the Pelicans an implied team point total of 106.52, and the Nets 107.57.

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 Tuesday’s Pelicans vs. Nets game

NBC Sports Bet Best Bet

Vaughn Dalzell (@VmoneySports) leans the Under between the Pelicans and Nets:

"This is one of the toughest games to bet. How do you bet on either team when they are both tanking? I'd rather play the Under and call it a day between these two."

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 Pelicans & Nets game:

  • Moneyline: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the Brooklyn Nets on the Moneyline.
  • Spread: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play ATS on the Brooklyn Nets at -2.
  • Total: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the under on the Game Total of 214.

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 Pelicans vs. Nets on Tuesday

  • The Nets have lost their last 3 games as favorite
  • The Over is 8-2 in the Pelicans' last 10 road games
  • The Pelicans are 3-7 against the spread on their last 10 road trips
  • The Nets have lost 7 of their last 10 games

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)

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Blackhawks Look To Sweep Home & Home With Penguins

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On Sunday night, the Chicago Blackhawks hung onto a third-period lead to beat the Pittsburgh Penguins at the United Center. The young guys carried the team to victory in a game where Chicago outskated Pittsburgh all night. 

Now, the two teams will have an even amount of rest as they finish the second half of a home-and-home with the Penguins at PPG Paints Arena. This is a chance for Chicago to earn a season sweep.

Spencer Knight is going to start in goal for the Blackhawks. This is how the lines and defense pairs will look in front of him:

Donato-Bedard-Mikheyev 

Teravainen-Nazar-Bertuzzi  

Slaggert-Moore-Kurashev 

Reichel-Veleno-Foligno  

Vlasic-Rinzel

Korchinski-Murphy

Kaiser-Levshunov

This is the same lineup that the Blackhawks used against the Penguins when they met on Sunday. There is a lot to like. 

We don’t know if Connor Bedard, Frank Nazar, or Oliver Moore will be centers in the future, but that is the 1-2-3 punch they will use in this game. If they all turn out to be impactful down the middle, that will increase Chicago’s chances of returning to the playoffs in the future. 

The wingers there to support them are all playing well lately. Ryan Donato is one goal away from 30, Ilya Mikheyev just scored his 20th, and Teuvo Teravainen is one point away from 60.

They are still working on adding young depth up front, but there are worse groups than this. 

The top pair on defense is Alex Vlasic with Sam Rinzel. That is a solid duo that will only improve over time. Rinzel is playing well beyond his years and Vlasic already looks like a top-pair guy in the defensive zone. 

Artyom Levshunov, who may have the highest ceiling of them all on the blue line, is on the third pair with Wyatt Kaiser, who has been wonderful this season. Connor Murphy, the only elder veteran going on defense vs Pittsburgh, will skate with Kevin Korchinski who is working on his game at the NHL level. 

The Penguins are having one of the worst seasons they've had in the Sidney Crosby era but the fact remains that he is still playing at the top of his game, which makes them dangerous on any given night.

With other veterans (and future Hall of Famers) like Evgeni Malkin, Erik Karlsson, and Kris Letang there, it's never an easy night against the Penguins regardless of their spot in the standings. 

This game can be seen locally in Chicago on CHSN and heard on AM-720. 

Visit The Hockey News Chicago Blackhawks team site to stay updated on the latest news, game-day coverage, player features, and more.

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Nuggets fire head coach Michael Malone, GM Calvin Booth in stunning move as postseason looms

Michael Malone, who coached the Denver Nuggets to the NBA title in 2023 and has led the team to eight consecutive winning seasons, was fired Tuesday in a stunning move that comes with less than a week in the regular season.

Also out: general manager Calvin Booth, whose contract will not be renewed. The Nuggets said David Adelman will become the coach for the remainder of the season.

Josh Kroenke, the vice chairman of Kroenke Sports and Entertainment, said “it is with no pleasure” that the Nuggets made the change at coach.

“This decision was not made lightly and was evaluated very carefully, and we do it only with the intention of giving our group the best chance at competing for the 2025 NBA Championship and delivering another title to Denver and our fans everywhere,” Kroenke said.

The Nuggets are 47-32 this season with three games left but have dropped four consecutive games and are in a logjam of teams fighting for home-court advantage in Round 1 of the playoffs. Denver won the title in 2023 and lost a Game 7 at home in the Western Conference semifinals a year ago to Minnesota.

Malone had the fourth-longest tenure of any active NBA coach, behind San Antonio’s Gregg Popovich, Miami’s Erik Spoelstra and Golden State’s Steve Kerr.

Malone won 471 regular-season games in Denver, 39 more than Doug Moe for the franchise’s all-time coaching lead.

“While the timing of this decision is unfortunate, as Coach Malone helped build the foundation of our now championship level program, it is a necessary step to allow us to compete at the highest level right now. Championship level standards and expectations remain in place for the current season, and as we look to the future, we look forward to building on the foundations laid by Coach Malone over his record-breaking 10-year career in Denver,” Kroenke said.

Malone had consistent success in Denver. The Nuggets finished with losing records in his first two seasons and posted winning records in his next eight years with the club.

This season’s postseason appearance will be the team’s seventh in a row; it has not clinched a playoff berth yet this season but is assured of finishing no worse than in the play-in tournament.

Starting with the first playoff appearance under Malone in 2019, the Nuggets got out of the first round six times in seven chances. They made the Western Conference finals in the Walt Disney World bubble in 2020 and then rolled to the championship by winning 16 of 20 playoff games in 2023.

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Wizards vs. Pacers Predictions: Odds, expert picks, recent stats, trends and best bets for April 8

It’s Tuesday, April 8, and the Washington Wizards (17-61) and Indiana Pacers (47-31) are all set to square off from Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.

The Wizards are currently 9-29 on the road with a point differential of -12, while the Pacers have a 9-1 record in their last ten games at home. Indiana is 3-0 against Washington and won by 53 points in the last meeting.

Indiana has won four straight and five of the past six games, while Washington dropped five of the previous six.

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 Wizards vs. Pacers live today

  • Date: Tuesday, April 8, 2025
  • Time: 7:00PM EST
  • Site: Gainbridge Fieldhouse
  • City: Indianapolis, IN
  • Network/Streaming:

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-dayNBA schedule page, along with detailed matchup pages that update live in-game.

Game odds for Wizards vs. Pacers

The latest odds as of Tuesday:

  • Odds: Wizards (+1140), Pacers (-2326)
  • Spread:  Pacers -18.5
  • Over/Under: 238 points

That gives the Wizards an implied team point total of 118.25, and the Pacers 127.87.

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 Tuesday’s Wizards vs. Pacers game

NBC Sports Bet Best Bet Vaughn Dalzell (@VmoneySports) leans the Pacers to cover:

"After saying I don't know if I could take anyone to win by 20-plus in the NBA, the Celtics crushed the Wizards by 32 points. It's purely Pacers or pass."

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 Wizards & Pacers game:

  • Moneyline: NBC Sports Bet is staying away from a play on the Moneyline.
  • Spread: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play ATS on the Washington Wizards at +18.5.
  • Total: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the under on the Game Total of 238.

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 Wizards vs. Pacers on Tuesday

  • The Pacers finished the regular season with a record of 3-0 against the Wizards
  • The Under is 4-1 in the Wizards' last 5 games
  • The Pacers have gone 36-42 ATS this season
  • The Pacers have won 7 of their last 9 games against the Wizards

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)

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Tennessee adds portal transfer from in-state rival Vandy with Jaylen Carey

The Tennessee Volunteers have added forward Jaylen Carey from Vanderbilt through the transfer portal for their second new player in as many days. Coach Rick Barnes announced Carey's arrival Tuesday with two seasons of eligibility left. Carey spent this past season at Vanderbilt after following coach Mark Byington from James Madison to the Southeastern Conference.

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Hawks vs. Magic Predictions: Odds, expert picks, recent stats, trends and best bets for April 8

It’s Tuesday, April 8, and the Atlanta Hawks (37-41) and Orlando Magic (38-40) are all set to square off from Kia Center in Orlando.

The Hawks are currently 17-21 on the road with a point differential of -2, while the Magic have a 2-8 record in their last ten games at home. These squads have split the season series 1-1 and will have one more meeting following tonight's.

Atlanta is coming off a 147-134 win over Utah but is 1-3 in the last four games. Orlando has won two straight and three of the past four games entering this matchup.

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 Hawks vs. Magic live today

  • Date: Tuesday, April 8, 2025
  • Time: 7:00PM EST
  • Site: Kia Center
  • City: Orlando, FL
  • Network/Streaming:

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-dayNBA schedule page, along with detailed matchup pages that update live in-game.

Game odds for Hawks vs. Magic

The latest odds as of Tuesday:

  • Odds: Hawks (+159), Magic (-191)
  • Spread:  Magic -4.5
  • Over/Under: 225 points

That gives the Hawks an implied team point total of 111.63, and the Magic 113.98.

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 Tuesday’s Hawks vs. Magic game

NBC Sports Bet Best Bet

Vaughn Dalzell (@VmoneySports) leans the Magic to cover:

"Atlanta is coming off a 147-point game against Utah and is likely to be stifled against the Magic in this road game. The Hawks didn't score more than 112 points in the two earlier meetings versus the Magic and don't think they cross the 110-point team total set tonight. I'd have to lean toward Orlando to cover and the Hawks Team Total under."

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 Hawks & Magic game:

  • Moneyline: NBC Sports Bet is staying away from a play on the Moneyline.
  • Spread: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play ATS on the Atlanta Hawks at +4.5.
  • Total: NBC Sports Bet is staying away from a play on the Game Total of 225.

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 Hawks vs. Magic on Tuesday

  • The Magic have lost 4 of their last 5 games as a home favorite
  • Each of the last 5 matchups between the Magic and the Hawks have stayed under the Total
  • The Hawks have gone 21-18 on the road against the spread this season
  • The Hawks have covered in 4 of their last 5 road games

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)

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Timberwolves vs. Bucks Predictions: Odds, expert picks, recent stats, trends and best bets for April 8

It’s Tuesday, April 8, and the Minnesota Timberwolves (46-32) and Milwaukee Bucks (44-34) are all set to square off from Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee.

The Timberwolves are currently 23-16 on the road with a point differential of 5, while the Bucks have a 5-5 record in their last ten games at home. Milwaukee won the only meeting of the season in Minnesota, 103-101.

Minnesota won five straight games and six of the past seven, while Milwaukee is just as hot with four consecutive wins.

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 Timberwolves vs. Bucks live today

  • Date: Tuesday, April 8, 2025
  • Time: 8:00PM EST
  • Site: Fiserv Forum
  • City: Milwaukee, WI
  • Network/Streaming:

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 Timberwolves vs. Bucks

The latest odds as of Tuesday:

  • Odds: Timberwolves (-167), Bucks (+140)
  • Spread:  Timberwolves -3.5
  • Over/Under: 222 points

That gives the Timberwolves an implied team point total of 112.09, and the Bucks 110.27.

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 Tuesday’s Timberwolves vs. Bucks game

NBC Sports Bet Best Bet

Vaughn Dalzell (@VmoneySports) leans the Timberwolves to win:

"While it's tempting getting a home underdog at +3.5 who's on a four-game winning streak, I am not impressed with who the Bucks have beaten. Recently, Milwaukee has beat Philadelphia, Phoenix, Miami, and New Orleans, so Minnesota will be a step up. The Bucks won by two points in Minnesota earlier this season and I can see Minnesota getting revenge at Milwaukee in a tightly-contested Western Conference."

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 Timberwolves & Bucks game:

  • Moneyline: NBC Sports Bet is staying away from a play on the Moneyline.
  • Spread: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play ATS on the Milwaukee Bucks at +3.5.
  • 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 Timberwolves vs. Bucks on Tuesday

  • The Timberwolves are on a 5-game winning streak
  • 7 of the Bucks' last 9 home games have gone over the Total
  • The Bucks are 7-3 against the spread in their last 10 games as an underdog
  • The Bucks have covered the Spread in 4 of their last 5 games against the Timberwolves

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)

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Where does Michael Malone firing rank among most shocking 2025 NBA moments?

Where does Michael Malone firing rank among most shocking 2025 NBA moments? originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

What could possibly happen next?

The 2024-2025 NBA season has had its fair share of shocking moments on and off the court. There have been stunning superstar trades, disappointing All-Star laden teams, oddly timed coach firings, and much more.

The latest bombshell came Tuesday when the Denver Nuggets fired head coach Michael Malone with three games remaining in the regular season. The Nuggets, who in 2023 under Malone won their first championship in franchise history, currently hold the fourth seed in the Western Conference with a 47-32 record.

Malone’s success, and the timing of his dismissal with the playoffs set to begin, was a shocker. But it wasn’t the most shocking moment of the season, trailing only a stunning midseason trade.

Here’s a look back at some other shocking moments from the season.

The Luka Doncic trade

Everyone assumed Shams Charania was hacked. ESPN’s NBA Insider made a social media post saying the Dallas Mavericks traded Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers for Anthony Davis, Max Christie and a 2029 first-round pick. The deal was executed without any rumors of either Doncic and Davis even being available on the market, creating what was arguably the most shocking trade in NBA history.     

Grizzlies fire Taylor Jenkins

Before Michael Malone was fired, the most stunning termination of the season had been when Taylor Jenkins was let go by the Memphis Grizzlies on March 29 with nine games left in the regular season. The Grizzlies at the time held the No. 5 seed in the West at 44-29 under Jenkins, the franchise’s all-time leader in coaching victories. 

Suns disappoint

Playoff teams are firing coaches, while Mike Budenholzer is still roaming the sidelines in the desert. Budenholzer’s Phoenix Suns — with its All-Star trio of Kevin Durant, Devin Booker and Bradley Beal — are unlikely to make the play-in tournament. The team entered Tuesday at 35-43 under Budenholzer, a two-time Coach of the Year who is in the first year of a five-year deal with the Suns. 

Cavs surprise

The NBA season was more than a month old before the Cleveland Cavaliers lost their first game. The Cavs won their first 15 games, matching the second-best start in league history behind the 2015-2016 Golden State Warriors who started 24-0. The Cavs’ first loss came on Nov. 19 against the Boston Celtics.

Celtics sell for $6 billion

Buying the defending champions isn’t cheap. The Celtics, just months after winning their 18th title, were sold to a group led by William Chisholm, a private equity executive, for $6.1 billion in March. It was the largest total paid for a sports team in the United States.

All-Star Game debacle

The NBA All-Star Game needs fixing, but this was not the solution. The new format included a four-team, single-elimination tournament with a target score of 40 points for each round. It did not go over well with many players and fans. The league quickly announced it will not be keeping the tournament format.

Tracy Morgan gets sick at Knicks game

A courtside cleanup was needed after comedian and New York Knicks superfan Tracy Morgan got ill during the third quarter of the team’s game against the Miami Heat at Madison Square Garden. The game was delayed for more than 10 minutes. Morgan made a social media post the following day saying it was due to food poisoning.

The Jimmy Butler saga

It was a messy ending to the Jimmy Butler era in Miami. Seeking a contract extension, Butler was suspended by the Heat three times during the season, twice for conduct detrimental to the team and one for missing a team flight. The six-time All-Star, who led the Heat to the Finals twice, was traded to the Warriors in February for Andrew Wiggins, Kyle Anderson and a protected 2025 first-round pick.

Games postponed due to California wildfires

The Los Angeles Lakers and Los Angeles Clippers each postponed games in January following the devastation caused by the Southern California wildfires. The Lakers, whose head coach J.J. Redick lost his house in the fires, rescheduled home games against the Charlotte Hornets and San Antonio Spurs. The Clippers’ home game against the Hornets was also postponed.

Atlanta Hawks game postponed due to winter storm

A winter storm postponement might be expected in certain parts of the country, but Atlanta? The Hawks’ game against the Houston Rockets that was scheduled for Jan. 11 was postponed after snow and ice in the area led to dangerous conditions and power outages.

LeBron James vs. Stephen A. Smith

LeBron James confronted ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith courtside during the fourth quarter of the Lakers’ win over the New York Knicks in March. Smith had been critical of James’ son and teammate Bronny James earlier this season, saying in late January that he belonged in the developmental G-League and not the NBA. James, appearing on ESPN’s “The Pat McAfee Show” after the confrontation, criticized Smith for making personal attacks as opposed to discussing on-court play when talking about the NBA.

The rise of the Pistons

The most shocking team of the season? The Detroit Pistons. After finishing the 2023-2024 season with the league’s worst record at 14-68, the Pistons became the first NBA team to triple their win total from their previous 82-game season when they captured their 42nd victory.

Half-court game winner

In what was one of the most shocking finishes to an NBA game, the Chicago Bulls won on a…

Just watch…

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Bulls vs. Cavaliers Predictions: Odds, expert picks, recent stats, trends and best bets for April 8

It’s Tuesday, April 8, and the Chicago Bulls (36-42) and Cleveland Cavaliers (62-16) are all set to square off from Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Cleveland.

The Bulls are currently 20-19 on the road with a point differential of -2, while the Cavaliers have an 8-2 record in their last ten games at home. Cleveland is 3-0 against Chicago this season with wins of 6, 18, and 12 points.

Chicago is on a three-game winning streak and won seven of the past nine games. Cleveland is 6-2 over the previous eight games and looking to bounce back off a 120-113 loss to Sacramento.

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 Bulls vs. Cavaliers live today

  • Date: Tuesday, April 8, 2025
  • Time: 7:00PM EST
  • Site: Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse
  • City: Cleveland, OH
  • Network/Streaming:

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Game odds for Bulls vs. Cavaliers

The latest odds as of Tuesday:

  • Odds: Bulls (+449), Cavaliers (-613)
  • Spread:  Cavaliers -11.5
  • Over/Under: 238 points

That gives the Bulls an implied team point total of 117.95, and the Cavaliers 123.94.

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 Tuesday’s Bulls vs. Cavaliers game

NBC Sports Bet Best Bet

Vaughn Dalzell (@VmoneySports) leans the Bulls to cover the big spread:

"Cleveland is 3-0 against Chicago this season, but the Cavs are not in good form recently. Coming off a loss, Cleveland would be the easy bet, but Chicago has been playing quality basketball over the last three to four weeks. I'd take the Bulls at +14 or better."

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 Bulls & Cavaliers game:

  • Moneyline: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play on the Cleveland Cavaliers on the Moneyline.
  • Spread: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play ATS on the Chicago Bulls at +11.5.
  • Total: NBC Sports Bet is staying away from a play on the Game Total of 238.

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 Bulls vs. Cavaliers on Tuesday

  • The Cavaliers have won 4 of their last 5 games at home against divisional opponents
  • The Bulls' last 6 road games have gone over the Total
  • The Bulls are 7-3 ATS in their last 10 games as a road underdog
  • The Cavaliers have won 4 of their last 5 games at home 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)

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Boston's Jarren Duran says he opened up about suicide attempt to ‘reach those who feel alone’

Jarren Duran

Apr 6, 2025; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Red Sox left fielder Jarren Duran (16) hits an RBI single against the St. Louis Cardinals during the third inning at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-Imagn Images

Eric Canha/Eric Canha-Imagn Images

BOSTON — EDITOR’S NOTE — This story includes discussion of suicide. If you or someone you know needs help, the national suicide and crisis lifeline in the U.S. is available by calling or texting 988. There is also an online chat at 988lifeline.org.

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Red Sox outfielder Jarren Duran said he went public about his 2022 suicide attempt to “reach those who feel alone.”

Duran said in an episode of the Netflix series “The Clubhouse: A Year With the Red Sox” that he tried to kill himself after struggling early in his baseball career. In a statement released through the team after the episode aired, Duran said: “Talking about this wasn’t easy, but it felt important.”

“I knew that if I was going to share this, I had to be real about it,” he said. “A few years ago, I found myself in a dark place, but I’m still here, and I’m so lucky I am. And if my story can help even one person, then it was worth telling.”

A seventh-round draft choice who was an All-Star last season, Duran was one of baseball’s top hitting prospects when he was called up to the major leagues in 2021. But he struggled early, and spent much of his first two seasons shuttling the majors and minors.

Duran said in the documentary that the expectations of the fans and media wore on him, and at times he felt players were treated like “zoo animals.” But he was even harder on himself.

“I couldn’t deal with telling myself how much I sucked every day,” he said. “I was already hearing it from fans. And what they said to me, (it’s not like) I haven’t told myself 10 times worse in the mirror. That was a really tough time for me. I didn’t even want to be here anymore.”

Director Greg Whiteley then asked, “When you say, ‘here,’ you mean ‘here with the Red Sox’ or ‘here on planet Earth’?”

“Probably both,” Duran said. He then described his suicide attempt.

Red Sox manager Alex Cora said that Duran’s decision to tell his story will save lives. Team President Sam Kennedy called it “an act of courage that reaches far beyond baseball.”

“By opening up, he’s showing others who may be struggling that they’re not alone and that asking for help isn’t just OK, it’s essential,” Kennedy said. “Every member of this organization continues to stand with him. He has our deepest admiration, he’s always had our full support, and we’re incredibly fortunate to have him as part of our team.”

Duran’s Parents, Octavio and Dena Duran, said in a statement that they only recently learned the depths of their son’s mental health struggle.

“It was heartbreaking to hear,” they said. “We are beyond grateful that he is still here, that he has found the courage to keep going, and that he is using his voice to help others. If his story can help even one person, then it was worth sharing. We are incredibly proud of the man he is today and love him more than words can say. We will always be in his corner.”

Jarren Duran said that he wanted to turn his attention back to the baseball season. He has six hits in his last four games, with two doubles after the details of his comments in the documentary were reported.

“Right now, my focus is on the field,” he said in his statement. “We have a postseason to chase, and that’s where my head is. I’ve shared what I needed to share, and I appreciate everyone’s understanding that my focus right now is on baseball and helping my team win a World Series.

“I am grateful for the tremendous support I’ve received. If you’re struggling, please know there’s help. You can call a friend, a trusted person, your doctor, or an organization like Samaritans. And, if you’re in immediate danger, call 988.”

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Potential lottery pick Egor Demin announces he is leaving BYU, will enter the 2025 NBA Draft

Egor Demin — the 6'9" Russian guard whose path went from Real Madrid to BYU — is headed to the NBA.

Demin made the long-expected announcement official on social media Tuesday.

Demin is a polarizing figure among scouts that NBC Sports has spoken with — some see him as an end-of-the-lottery pick, others think he could end up falling down draft boards.

At BYU, he averaged 10.6 points and 5.5 assists a game, shooting 27.3% from 3, and he led the Cougars to the Sweet 16 for the first time in more than a decade. His path to the NBA Draft was winding. Demin was born in Moscow but moved to Spain to play for Real Madrid at age 15. New BYU coach Kevin Young (formerly of the Phoenix Suns) wanted him, and so they threw seven digits of NIL money at the problem to get him out of his Real Madrid contract to play in Utah. It worked out well for the Cougars.

Demin is a big guard at 6'9" and is the best passer in this draft class. He has a strong feel for the game and great vision. The question becomes, can he score at the NBA level? How he looks in team workouts could go a long way to where he ends up getting drafted, he just needs one team to fall in love with his potential.

He is absolutely a first-round lock and with that is making the right move entering the 2025 NBA Draft. The only question is where he lands.

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NRL takeover of Super League depends on keeping French sides

  • Australian powerbrokers ready to purchase 33% stake
  • London club also favoured to play in a 10-team format

Any potential deal for the NRL to take control of Super League depends on the continued presence of French clubs in the British game, with Australian powerbrokers likely to abandon plans to purchase a stake if Catalans Dragons and Toulouse are ejected by clubs leading a review into the sport in the UK.

British rugby league is on the verge of a hugely critical period. There is an increasingly hostile power struggle developing, after a number of clubs – spearheaded by Leigh Leopards and Batley Bulldogs – successfully removed Simon Johnson as the the Rugby Football League chair, and installed as his replacement the governing body’s former chief executive Nigel Wood.

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