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Pistons vs. Raptors Predictions: Odds, expert picks, recent stats, trends and best bets for April 4

It’s Friday, April 4, and the Detroit Pistons (42-34) and Toronto Raptors (28-49) are all set to square off from Scotiabank Arena in Toronto.

The Pistons are currently 21-18 on the road with a point differential of 2, while the Raptors have a 5-5 record in their last ten games at home. Detroit won all three meetings versus Toronto by a combined 15 points.

Detroit lost two straight games to Minnesota and Oklahoma City by 19 and 16 points that followed a three-game winning streak. Toronto is coming off two straight blowout losses themselves that followed up 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 Pistons vs. Raptors live today

  • Date: Friday, April 4, 2025
  • Time: 7:30PM EST
  • Site: Scotiabank Arena
  • City: Toronto, ON
  • 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 Pistons vs. Raptors

The latest odds as of Friday:

  • Odds: Pistons (-422), Raptors (+331)
  • Spread:  Pistons -9.5
  • Over/Under: 231 points

That gives the Pistons an implied team point total of 119.34, and the Raptors 114.4.

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 Friday’s Pistons vs. Raptors game

NBC Sports Bet Best Bet

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

"While neither team is playing good basketball with two straight blowout losses, Detroit is the far superior team that is still playing for postseason positioning. This is a good spot for Detroit to bounce back with a road win before four straight home games. It's Pistons 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 Pistons & Raptors game:

  • Moneyline: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the Detroit Pistons on the Moneyline.
  • Spread: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play ATS on the Toronto Raptors at +9.5.
  • Total: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play on the under on the Game Total of 231.

Want even more NBA best bets and predictions from our expert staff & tools? Check out the Expert NBA Predictions pagefrom 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. Raptors on Friday

  • The Pistons have won 10 of their last 11 matchups against Eastern Conference teams
  • The Under is 4-1 in the Raptors' last 5 home games
  • The Raptors are 24-15 ATS at home this season
  • The Raptors are showing a 119% return on investment at home on the Money Line

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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Mets' Juan Soto on Citi Field debut: 'This fanbase is amazing'

The months-long wait to see Juan Soto in a full Mets uniform at Citi Field is finally over.

During lineup introductions before the Mets' home opener against the Blue Jays on Friday afternoon, Soto received a rousing ovation from fans in attendance. The superstar slugger's moment was only made sweeter with longtime Mets voice Howie Rose behind the microphone for the announcement.

His thrilling introduction to the Mets' lineup can be seen below, along with him taking the field and the crowd cheering ahead of his first at-bat in his new home.

After the game was over, a 5-0 win for the home team, Soto was asked if Citi Field felt like home.

"Yeah it feels great, this fanbase is amazing," Soto said. "I didn't realize how many fans they have, how passionate they are. It's really cool."

Soto gave the Citi Field crowd more to cheer for when he came up in the sixth inning with a chance to do damage. With Francisco Lindor on first, Soto drove a double off a left-hander -- brought in specifically to face him -- to score his teammate.

"It’s great when you break the other team’s plans. They bring the lety to face me get a groundball or something, and when you come through in a big situation like that it’s great," Soto said of the moment. "I’m glad I was able to put the ball in play and give a chance to Lindor to score."

Soto signed a record-breaking 15-year, $765 million contract with the Mets in early December. The 26-year-old slugger has arrived home slashing .238/.407/.429 with one home run and double apiece through six road games this season.

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Blues Top Forward Out Week To Week

St. Louis Blues forward Dylan Holloway (left) is listed as week to week with a lower-body injury suffered in a 5-4 win against the Pittsburgh Penguins on Thursday. (Jeff Le-Imagn Images}

MARYLAND HEIGHTS, Mo. -- The St. Louis Blues will have to be without one of their promising young forwards for at least the foreseeable future.

Dylan Holloway did not practice on Friday due to a lower-body injury he suffered in a 5-4 overtime win against the Pittsburgh Penguins on Thursday and is listed as week to week.

“He went and saw a doctor today and he’s not back yet so we don’t have information, but he’s not going to be a player for the next couple of games,” Blues coach Jim Montgomery said. “Saturday and Monday, he’s not going to play. That I know.”

Holloway, who has 63 points (26 goals, 37 assists) in 77 games, was checked in the offensive zone by Penguins forward Rutger McGroarty at the 17:09 mark; he came on for a final shift with 1:16 remaining but left the ice quickly hunched over and was ruled out the rest of the game after leaving the bench area.

At practice on Friday, the Blues shuffled around their forward lines, only leaving the line of Radek Faksa, Alexey Toropchenko and Nathan Walker together.

Jimmy Snuggerud, the No. 23 pick in the 2022 NHL Draft who had an assist – his first NHL point – on Thursday in his second game, moved up to the top line and was paired with Robert Thomas and Pavel Buchnevich, while Jake Neighbours slid down to skate with Brayden Schenn and Jordan Kyrou, and Mathieu Joseph, a healthy scratch the past two games, moved onto ‘The 70s’ line with Zack Bolduc and Oskar Sundqvist.

“The good thing is we have a lot of options,” Montgomery said. “You have Bolduc, you have Snuggerud, you have Mojo. I don’t want to split up the ‘Faksi’ line, they’re just too important to our team identity and how I use them. We have a lot of guys that are playing really good hockey. Unfortunatey, ‘Tex’ is out or he would be another option. Snuggerud has shown a lot. I like ‘The 70s’ line. I like it a lot. That and moving Jake with Schenn and Kyrou is going to allow me to get more ice time for Jake.

“[Snuggerud’s] shown us a lot. He’s a hockey player. He’s making plays and he’s competing. As long as that maintains and stays up, I say that cautiously. This is the NHL and to be an every day player in the NHL is not easy. You see it a lot with young players.”

Texier, who played in four straight games before being a healthy scratch the past two, has an upper-body injury and is also unavailable for Saturday’s game against the Avalanche.

“Upper body issue that he went to see a doctor about, what treatment he needs to get back as soon as possible,” Montgomery said. “I think he is day to day, not a player tomorrow. That’s all the information I have. He’s not back from the doctor either.”

As for reuniting ‘The 70s Line’ again, Montgomery said,.”Speed, how they attack the blue line with speed and how ‘Sunny’ gives that line incredible details, especially in our own end and in tracking. And the other two work.”

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Trail Blazers vs. Bulls Predictions: Odds, expert picks, recent stats, trends, and best bets for April 4

It’s Friday, April 4, and the Portland Trail Blazers (34-43) and Chicago Bulls (34-42) are all set to square off from United Center in Chicago.

The Trail Blazers are currently 14-25 on the road with a point differential of -3, while the Bulls have a 5-5 record in their last ten games at home. Portland won 113-102 at home against Chicago this season in the only meeting.

Chicago has won five of the past seven games, including a 19-point win over Toronto last time out. Portland has won six of the past 10 games and two straight over Atlanta and Toronto.

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 Trail Blazers vs. Bulls live today

  • Date: Friday, April 4, 2025
  • Time: 8:00PM EST
  • Site: United Center
  • City: Chicago, IL
  • 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 Trail Blazers vs. Bulls

The latest odds as of Friday:

  • Odds: Trail Blazers (+148), Bulls (-177)
  • Spread:  Bulls -4.5
  • Over/Under: 239 points

That gives the Trail Blazers an implied team point total of 118.59, and the Bulls 120.94.

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 Friday’s Trail Blazers vs. Bulls game

NBC Sports Bet Best Bet

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

"Portland is wrapping up a three-game road trip that they are 2-0 on already, so money should come in on the Blazers. However, this is a spot Chicago could and should take at home to build on their play-in standing. This is the second-to-last road game for Portland who is 14-25 as the away team. I like the Bulls to win and cover."

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 Trail Blazers & Bulls game:

  • Moneyline: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the Chicago Bulls on the Moneyline.
  • Spread: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play ATS on the Portland Trail Blazers at +4.5.
  • Total: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the under on the Game Total of 239.

Want even more NBA best bets and predictions from our expert staff & tools? Check out the Expert NBA Predictions pagefrom 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 Trail Blazers vs. Bulls on Friday

  • The Trail Blazers have won 4 of their last 5 games against teams with losing records
  • Each of the Trail Blazers' last 4 games at the Bulls have gone over the Total
  • The Trail Blazers have covered the spread in 4 of their last 5 away games against teams with losing records
  • The Bulls have won 3 straight home games against the Trail Blazers

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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Suns vs. Celtics Predictions: Odds, expert picks, recent stats, trends and best bets for April 4

It’s Friday, April 4, and the Phoenix Suns (35-41) and Boston Celtics (56-20) are all set to square off from TD Garden in Boston.

The Suns are currently 12-26 on the road with a point differential of -2, while the Celtics have a 7-3 record in their last ten games at home. Boston won the only meeting versus Phoenix this season by 30 points.

Boston had a nine-game winning streak going before a 21-point loss to Miami on Wednesday, while Phoenix lost four-straight all by double-digits.

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 Suns vs. Celtics live today

  • Date: Friday, April 4, 2025
  • Time: 7:30PM EST
  • Site: TD Garden
  • City: Boston, MA
  • Network/Streaming: NBA TV

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 Suns vs. Celtics

The latest odds as of Friday:

  • Odds: Suns (+638), Celtics (-980)
  • Spread:  Celtics -14.5
  • Over/Under: 227 points

That gives the Suns an implied team point total of 112.52, and the Celtics 120.08.

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 Friday’s Suns vs. Celtics game

NBC Sports Bet Best Bet

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

"The Suns look like one of the worst defensive teams in the NBA over the past four games with blowout losses to the Celtics, Timberwolves, Rockets, and Bucks. Unless there are a ton of players out for Boston last minute, I have to lean the Celtics."

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 Suns & Celtics 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 Phoenix Suns at +14.5.
  • Total: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play on the under on the Game Total of 227.

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 Suns vs. Celtics on Friday

  • The Celtics have won 4 of their last 5 matchups against Western Conference Pacific Division teams
  • The Under is 41-35 in Celtics' games this season
  • The Celtics are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games as a home favorite
  • The Celtics have won 3 straight games against the Suns

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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Mavericks vs. Clippers Predictions: Odds, recent stats, trends, best bets for April 4

Dallas Mavericks vs. Los Angeles Clippers Preview 

The Dallas Mavericks (38-39) and Los Angeles Clippers (44-32) are all set to square off from Intuit Dome in Inglewood.

The Mavericks are coming off a big win against the Atlanta Hawks. Anthony Davis had a monster game and will have a major impact for the rest of the season as the Mavericks push for the playoffs.

The Clippers have been playing great basketball. They have won eight of their last 10 games and are eighth in the Western Conference.

The Mavericks are currently 17-22 on the road with a point differential of 0, while the Clippers have a 9-1 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 Mavericks vs. Clippers live today

  • Date: Friday, April 4, 2025
  • Time: 10:30PM EST
  • Site: Intuit Dome
  • City: Inglewood, CA
  • 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 Mavericks vs. Clippers

The latest odds as of Friday:

  • Odds: Mavericks (+285), Clippers (-361)
  • Spread:  Clippers -8.5
  • Over/Under: 224 points

That gives the Mavericks an implied team point total of 110.9, and the Clippers 115.33.
 
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 Friday's Mavericks vs. Clippers 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.
 
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 Mavericks & Clippers game:

  • Moneyline: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the Dallas Mavericks on the Moneyline.
  • Spread: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play ATS on the Dallas Mavericks at +8.5.
  • Total: NBC Sports Bet is staying away from a play on the Game Total of 224.

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 Mavericks vs. Clippers on Friday

  • The Clippers have won 4 of their last 5 matchups against Western Conference Southwest Division teams
  • The Under is 26-20 in the Clippers' matchups against Western Conference teams this season
  • The Mavericks are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games as an underdog
  • The Under is 26-20 in the Clippers' matchups against Western Conference teams this season

 
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)

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3 Takeaways: Golden Knights Drop Second Straight At Home While Kings Draw Closer In Pacific Division

<i>Golden Knights right wing Reilly Smith (19) looks to deflect a rebound after Jets goaltender Eric Comrie (1) makes a save during the third period of an NHL game at T-Mobile Arena on April 3, 2025. <b>Photo Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images</b></i>

LAS VEGAS -- Needing to distance themselves from the pack, the Golden Knights missed another opportunity when they lost to the Western Conference-leading Winnipeg Jets, 4-0, on Thursday.

Facing Winnipeg's backup goaltender, Eric Comrie, the Knights stumbled through a sluggish start and couldn't catch up once the Jets got their offense started. Comrie made 26 saves in recording his second shutout of the season.

Vegas started Adin Hill, who made 16 saves before being pulled in the third period for Akira Schmid.

Here are three takeaways from the game:

WESTERN WOES: Vegas has split its 32 games since Jan. 14, with a majority of its wins coming against Eastern Conference foes. The Knights, who turned in a 10-2-2 mark in March, are 16-11-5 during that stretch, including 10-4-3 against teams from the East. That leaves a disappointing 6-7-2 against Western Conference foes in the same span.

"I’m concerned," coach Bruce Cassidy said. "This isn’t a one-off. We should be prepared to play. We didn’t."

The Golden Knights have seven games remaining - all against Western Conference teams.

ENEMY TERRITORY: With three road games on deck, the Golden Knights bring their fledgling offense north of the border for a date with a dangerous and hungry Calgary Flames team that is still looking for a playoff berth. The Flames (84) are five points back of the Minnesota Wild, who have 89 points and are in second place in the Wild Card race. Calgary will be playing its second game of a two-game homestand after Thursday's 4-1 win over Anaheim. The Flames have won two of their last three in Calgary. The Knights have won their last two meetings with the Flames, but the home team is on a 5-1 run with this series.

NOW WHAT, AGAIN: To revisit the same thought after Tuesday's loss to Edmonton, the Golden Knights have clinched a playoff berth, but are not out of the wild-card woods just yet. Vegas (98) is now only three points ahead of the Los Angeles Kings (93) and five in front of the Edmonton Oilers (91). Sitting in first and second of the Western Conference Wild Card standings are the St. Louis Blues and Wild, both from the Central Division. The Knights aren't in jeopardy of slipping out of the Pacific Division's top three, but could fall into second- or third-place with a late-season collapse. By doing so, they would face either the Kings or Oilers in the first round, rather than the Blues or Wild. The Knights have seven games remaining, including five on the road. They'll need to shake off their back-to-back losses at home and get back to winning if they want to wrap up their fifth Pacific Division title.

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Live updates: Celtics seeking bounce-back win vs. Beal, Suns

Live updates: Celtics seeking bounce-back win vs. Beal, Suns originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston

What to Know

  • Coverage begins at 6:30 p.m. ET with Celtics Pregame Livefollowed by a 7:30 p.m. tip-off on NBC Sports Boston.
  • Boston (56-20) had its nine-game win streak snapped Wednesday vs. Miami.
  • Phoenix (35-41) has lost four straight.
  • Bradley Beal is back in the Suns’ lineup after an eight-game absence.
  • Jaylen Brown (questionable) is the only Celtics player on the injury report.

The Boston Celtics will look to back in the win column Friday night and make some history in the process.

The Celtics need eight 3-pointers to break the 2022-23 Golden State Warriors’ NBA record for most made threes in one season (1,363). That seems like a safe bet against a Phoenix Suns team that’s lost four in a row and given up an average of 134 points per game during that span.

Follow along with our live blog below for live updates throughout Celtics-Suns.

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Pelicans vs. Lakers Predictions: Odds, recent stats, trends, best bets for April 4

New Orleans Pelicans vs. Los Angeles Lakers Preview 

The New Orleans Pelicans (21-55) and Los Angeles Lakers (46-30) are all set to square off from Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles.

The Lakers are coming off a home loss to the Golden State Warriors. Now they must rebound against the 21-55 Pelicans.

The Pelicans are currently 7-31 on the road with a point differential of -9, while the Lakers have a 7-3 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 Pelicans vs. Lakers live today

  • Date: Friday, April 4, 2025
  • Time: 10:30PM EST
  • Site: Crypto.com Arena
  • City: Los Angeles, CA
  • 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. Lakers

The latest odds as of Friday:

  • Odds: Pelicans (+621), Lakers (-943)
  • Spread:  Lakers -14
  • Over/Under: 220 points

That gives the Pelicans an implied team point total of 109.03, and the Lakers 116.33.
 
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 Friday's Pelicans vs. Lakers 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 Pelicans +14.5…

Thomas: “The Lakers spread is likely to be a popular bet tonight. The Pelicans have covered in four of their last five games. The noncover was a push against the 76ers as 16-point dogs.”

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 & Lakers game:

  • Moneyline: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play on the Los Angeles Lakers on the Moneyline.
  • Spread: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play ATS on the New Orleans Pelicans at +14.
  • Total: NBC Sports Bet is staying away from a play on the Game Total of 220.

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. Lakers on Friday

  • The Pelicans have lost 4 of their last 5 games as an underdog
  • The Over is 41-35 in Pelicans' games this season
  • The Lakers are 8-2 ATS in their last 10 games as a home favorite
  • The Lakers have won 10 of their last 12 home games against the Pelicans

 
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)

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Alex Ovechkin ties Wayne Gretzky for NHL's all-time scoring record

Alex Ovechkin ties Wayne Gretzky for NHL's all-time scoring record originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

The Great One has company.

Alex Ovechkin tied Wayne Gretzky for the most goals scored in NHL history, netting his 894th career goal in the third period of the Washington Capitals‘ home game against the Chicago Blackhawks Friday night.

The record-tying goal, which was Ovi’s second of the game, gave the Caps a 4-3 lead with 13:47 left in regulation. They went on to win 5-3 after Ryan Leonard scored on an empty net for the first goal of his career.

Capitals players stayed on the ice after the game to celebrate with their star as fans chanted, “Ovi! Ovi! Ovi!”

Ovechkin’s pursuit of the career goals record — which continues Sunday when the Capitals play on the road against the New York Islanders — has been dubbed “The GR8 Chase.”

Ovechkin reached 894 goals in his 1,486th game. Gretzky finished with 894 in 1,487 games.

Gretzky was in the building with NHL commissioner Gary Bettman to witness the historic moment by the 39-year-old Ovechkin.

Gretzky had held the scoring record since 1994 when he tallied his 802nd goal to pass Detroit Red Wings legend Gordie Howe. Gretzky, who played primarily for the Edmonton Oilers and Los Angeles Kings, scored his 894th and final goal came on March 29, 1999 as a member of the New York Rangers. He retired three weeks later at the age of 38, concluding a historic 20-year NHL career.

His scoring record had stood since — with Jaromir Jagr scoring 766 goals before retiring in 2018 and Brett Hull netting 741 goals before closing his 19-year career in 2006.

Then came Ovechkin, who after being selected first overall in the 2004 draft, scored 52 goals as a rookie, including two in his debut on October 5, 2005.

That was nearly 20 years and 892 goals ago.

Ovechkin scored a career best 65 goals during his third season in 2007-2008. He has recorded nine 50-plus goal seasons, matching the record shared by Gretzky and New York Islanders legend Mike Bossy. He has scored 40 or more goals in a season 14 times, which topped Gretzky’s record of 12.

Along the way, Ovechkin won nine Rocket Richard Trophies for most goals scored in a season, three Hart Trophies as most valuable player, and the 2017 Stanley Cup, which was the first in Capitals’ franchise history.

Ovechkin entered his 20th NHL season in October needing 42 goals to top a record once believed to be unbreakable. He missed 16 games earlier this season with a fractured left fibula, pushing the record pursuit closer to the end of the season.

Ovechkin scored No. 893 less than four minutes into Friday’s game, setting the stage for the record-tying goal in front of the Washington fans.

He now shares the league’s hallowed scoring record with the sport’s most revered player.

“Alex has been exceptional for our game,” Gretzky told CNBC earlier this season. “I hope I’m the first guy to shake his hand when he does break the record.”

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What we learned as Willy Adames delivers walk-off hit in Giants' home opener win

What we learned as Willy Adames delivers walk-off hit in Giants' home opener win originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

SAN FRANCISCO – Willy Adames hit a two-run walk-off single in the 11th inning, ending a long, frustrating afternoon as the Giants rallied to beat the Seattle Mariners 10-9 on Friday at Oracle Park.

The Giants had plenty of offense throughout the afternoon, collecting 17 hits. But most of those baserunners were stranded as San Francisco fell short in several key situations.

It didn’t look good either after reliever Spencer Bivens allowed the go-ahead run to score on a wild pitch in the top of the 11th.

Instead of wilting, the Giants rose up and came back to win.

Luis Matos was the runner at second to begin the 11th and advanced to second on Tyler Fitzgerald’s one-out walk. After LaMonte Wade Jr. struck out looking, Adames delivered the game-winner.

Before all of that, it was an afternoon filled with mixed results for Adames and the Giants’ other newest star in their first home game in San Francisco.

Three-time Cy Young Award winner Justin Verlander got knocked around by the Mariners and failed to make it past the third inning, leaving the mound after retiring only seven batters and allowing three runs.

The day began on a good note when the Giants brought out several former players to celebrate 25 years of Oracle Park. That elicited a huge cheer and countless memories for those in the crowd.

Verlander surrendered a home run to Julio Rodriguez on his fourth pitch of the afternoon, a 96 mph four-seamer that the Mariners star crushed 390 feet with an exit velocity of 108 mph.

The Giants tied the game in the bottom of the first, then took a brief lead with two runs in the second before the Mariners stormed back to chase Verlander before continuing to tack on against San Francisco’s bullpen.

LaMonte Wade Jr. doubled twice, tripled and drove in two runs for the Giants, who improved to 6-1 after beginning the season with a 5-1 road trip. Matt Chapman added his second home run of the season and had two RBIs.

After the Mariners scored three unearned runs off former closer Camilo Doval in the top of the sixth to take a 8-6 lead, the Giants tied it following Chapman’s solo home and an RBI groundout by Patrick Bailey.

Then the game went into extras.

Here are the takeaways from Friday’s home opener:

Quick hook again

Verlander’s home debut lasted slightly longer than the pre-game celebration of Oracle Park’s anniversary.

Verlander, who lasted five innings in his Giants debut against the Cincinnati Reds on March 29, was knocked out of the game against Seattle after recording only seven outs and throwing 65 pitches, only 44 of which landed for strikes.

Verlander was charged with three earned runs, but his fast exit has been a trend dating back to last season. The 42-year-old right-hander has made it past five innings just once in his previous 10 starts.

Small-ball second inning

The Giants ditched their power swing and returned to basics during their two-run second inning.

After Wilmer Flores led off the frame with a sharp single, Patrick Bailey bunted down the third base line and reached on an infield hit. It was just the fourth bunt hit of Bailey’s professional career.

Tyler Fitzgerald followed and appeared to lay down a sacrifice bunt. Mariners pitcher Luis F. Castillo bobbled the ball for an error to load the bases. Wade then slapped a two-run single to left to give the Giants a lead they never relinquished.

Flashing the fancy glove

Adames has never won a Gold Glove during his seven MLB seasons, but he sure looked like one briefly against the Mariners.

The 6-foot shortstop made a leaping catch of Rodriguez’s sharp line drive leading off the fifth inning, a critical play during an inning when Seattle scored twice.

In the seventh inning, Adames missed a chance at another web gem on Ryan Bliss’s grounder but made up for it two batters later when Seattle had runners at second and third with one out. Playing in, Adames snagged Victor Robles’ one-out grounder and threw to first for the out while the runners stayed put.

Adames also broke out of his mini-slump at the plate, giving more justification to the seven-year, $182 million deal he signed with the Giants in the offseason.

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Knicks' Jalen Brunson returns to practice ahead of likely weekend return

The signs of Knicks captain Jalen Brunson returning to the starting lineup this weekend are right on track.

The superstar guard practiced on Friday for the first time since spraining his right ankle in early March. While it's unclear if Brunson participated fully without any hitches, Knicks star Josh Hart revealed that his longtime teammate looked "so normal" on the court.

SNY NBA Insider Ian Begley recently projected Brunson to play either Saturday on the road against the Atlanta Hawks, or back home on Sunday against the Phoenix Suns. Following this weekend's back-to-back, the Knicks will play four more regular-season games.

The ankle injury to Brunson occurred in overtime against the Los Angeles Lakers on March 6, after he landed on Austin Reaves' foot during a layup attempt. Since then, the two-time All-Star has missed 14 games, and in order to qualify for league postseason awards, he needs to play four more times.

Brunson expressed optimism in his recovery last week, stating that his realistic goal was to be ready before the first round of the playoffs arrive on April 19. He's now in a prime position to achieve that goal and get back into game shape with intense, physical basketball on the horizon.

It's no secret that the Knicks will only go as far as Brunson takes them. He's the undisputed catalyst, who's averaged a team-high 26.3 points and 7.4 assists in 61 games. Entering the All-Star break, he ranked first in points, assists, and minutes among all 28-year-olds in the NBA this season, and he recently became the fastest player in franchise history to score 5,000 points.

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Nuggets vs. Warriors Predictions: Odds, recent stats, trends, best bets for April 4

Denver Nuggets vs. Golden State Warriors Preview 

The Denver Nuggets (47-30) and Goden State Warriors (45-31) are all set to square off from Chase Center in San Francisco.

The Warriors are coming off a big win in LA against the Lakers last night.

The Nuggets are coming off a loss to the Spurs, where they sat the majority of their starters.

The Nuggets are currently 22-16 on the road with a point differential of 4, while the Warriors have a 9-1 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 Nuggets vs. Warriors live today

  • Date: Friday, April 4, 2025
  • Time: 10:00PM EST
  • Site: Chase Center
  • City: San Francisco, CA
  • 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 Nuggets vs. Warriors
The latest odds as of Friday:

  • Odds: Nuggets (-104), Warriors (-115)
  • Spread:  Warriors -1.5
  • Over/Under: 235 points

That gives the Nuggets an implied team point total of 117.12, and the Warriors 117.9.
 
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 Friday's Nuggets vs. Warriors 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 the Nuggets +1…

Thomas” It’s difficult to make an accurate bet suggestion in this game, given the fact that we do not have lineup clarity yet. My guess is we see some players out for the Warriors and the Nuggets close to full strength.”

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 Nuggets & Warriors game:

  • Moneyline: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the Denver Nuggets on the Moneyline.
  • Spread: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play ATS on the Denver Nuggets at +1.5.
  • Total: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play on the under on the Game Total of 235.

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 Nuggets vs. Warriors on Friday

  • The Nuggets are on a 4-game win streak at the Warriors
  • Each of the last 3 matchups between the Warriors and the Nuggets have stayed under the Total
  • The Nuggets have covered the Spread in 4 of their last 5 road games against the Warriors
  • The Nuggets have won 9 straight games against the Warriors

 
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)

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The Hockey News Big Show: Are The Maple Leafs Cup Front-Runners Or Not?

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The Hockey News Big Show is back to discuss more of the biggest NHL and hockey topics.

Are The Maple Leafs Cup Front-Runners Or Not? by The Big ShowAre The Maple Leafs Cup Front-Runners Or Not? by The Big Showundefined

Here’s what Katie Gaus, Michael Traikos and guest co-host Steve Warne discussed in this episode:

0:46: We have a new top eight Cup contenders list to dive into this week, as Steve Warne fills in for Ryan Kennedy. Let's kick off with his list and his defense of his choices. 

2:26: Michael defends his latest Cup contenders list.

4:08: Steve doesn't have the Toronto Maple Leafs on his Cup contenders list, but Michael does. Steve explains his reasoning behind the decision. 

5:29: Is there a team that didn’t make the Cup contenders list but could have if it had an easier path in the playoffs?

9:22: Ottawa Senators coach Travis Green says captain Brady Tkachuk is out "day-to-day" with an upper body injury. He's missed two games so far, so how concerned should Senators fans be? 

12:43: Maple Leafs center Scott Laughton has had just two points and a minus-5 rating, the worst on the team since trading for him. How has he played during this stretch? Is he a fit for the Leafs?

16:12: Which trade deadline acquisition has had the best impact with their new team?

19:15: The NHL and Rogers Communications agreed to a 12-year deal worth $7.7 billion. Thoughts on this massive deal?

24:09: Will the St. Louis Blues finish in the first wild-card spot in the West ahead of the Minnesota Wild? Is it over for the Calgary Flames? 

28:48: Patrick Roy ripped Anthony Duclair following the New York Islanders’ sixth straight loss on Tuesday night. Was Roy out of line with his comments? Are the Isles' struggles more player problems or coaching problems?

32:47: Which building will be the toughest to win a playoff game in?

34:59: Jalen Chatfield pulled a UFC move to throw Connor McMichael to the ice during a fight. Chatfield received no discipline from the NHL's Department of Player Safety. Agree or disagree with the decision?

37:56: Cale Makar became the first D-man since Mike Green to score 30 goals. Who will be the next defenseman to achieve this lofty goal?

40:33: Ovechkin is three goals away from breaking Gretzky's all-time goals record. He has two games to break the record and tie Gretzky in the number of games needed. Can he do it?

Watch the full episode here.   

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