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'I Don't Think Anybody Thought That Would Happen': Maple Leafs React To Capitals' Alex Ovechkin Approaching Wayne Gretzky's NHL Goal Record

Ovechkin needs two to tie and three to break Gretzky's record of 894 career goals.

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Alex Ovechkin is a hat trick away from breaking Wayne Gretzky's goal record, and the Toronto Maple Leafs will be watching.

The 39-year-old and the Washington Capitals are hosting the Chicago Blackhawks on Friday. Seven games remain for Ovechkin to reach a feat that was once thought to be unbreakable.

John Tavares, who's been on a hot streak since the 4 Nations Face-Off with 15 goals and 10 assists, says he'll be watching as Ovechkin looks to inch closer to the record against Chicago.

"It's pretty remarkable that we're going to see something that's hard to fathom to be broken in Wayne's record and what Ovie's done in the league," Tavares said. "I wouldn't be surprised if many guys around the league tune in to see it and maybe see it live."

Oliver Ekman-Larsson, a veteran of over 1000 games in the league, has faced off against Ovechkin 24 times. He credits the goal scorer for how many times he's found the back of the net in what most people call his office.

"It's impressive. Obviously, it's a lot of goals. It's not easy to score in this league, so it's fun to watch," Ekman-Larsson said.

"Playing against him, too, you know how hard it is to go against him and that shot. Seems like everybody knows that he's going to be in that spot, but it's still hard to defend. But yeah, it's impressive."

William Nylander spent time around Ovechkin as a child since his father, Michael, was on the Capitals from 2007 to 2009. Nylander looked back on the time spent around Ovechkin with a smile, saying he'd play pranks on him and his brother, Alex.

"When we were on the ice after (practices), he took our sticks and put them above the penalty box area where the camera was," William smiled. "He just put them up there so we couldn't reach them."

Nylander is a goal scorer himself, with 259 goals in 678 career NHL games. But even he didn't think Gretzky's goal record would be broken.

"I mean, just incredible. I don't think anybody thought that that would happen. And now he's there, and it's probably going to happen very soon here. So, I mean, it's just incredible to be able to see it happen."

If Ovechkin doesn't break the record tonight, he'll have six more games to reach — and potentially — break the feat. The Capitals play the New York Islanders on Sunday before having a couple of days off until they face the Carolina Hurricanes next Thursday.

It might feel like a long week for fans around the NHL, but it'll certainly be worth the wait if, and when, he breaks the record.

Stay updated with the most interesting Maple Leafs stories, analysis, breaking news and more! Tap the star to add us to your favorites on Google News to never miss a story.

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What teams are the best fit for Cooper Flagg? | The Kevin O’Connor Show

Duke Blue Devils star Cooper Flagg is the presumptive first overall pick in the NBA Draft this June. Kevin O'Connor & Tom Haberstroh discuss the teams that might make for the best fit with Flagg's talents. Could a pairing with Gregg Popovich and Victor Wembanyama create a perennial powerhouse in San Antonio? Hear the full conversation on “The Kevin O’Connor Show” and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube or wherever you listen.

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Inside Coverage: Will Cam Ward transform the Titans into a perennial winner?

(This article was written with the assistance of Castmagic, an AI tool, and reviewed by our editorial team to ensure accuracy. Please reach out to us if you notice any mistakes.)

In all likelihood, the Tennessee Titans will select Cam Ward with the No. 1 overall pick in the upcoming NFL Draft. But ... will Ward transform the Titans into a perennial winner?

Jason Fitz, Jori Epstein, and Frank Schwab discussed that on the latest episode of the "Inside Coverage" podcast.

Epstein compared the Titans' interest in Cam Ward to a dating scenario, suggesting that while the Titans are interested in him, they still want to confirm he's the right fit through additional evaluations, much like collecting more data points in a relationship before making a commitment. She mentioned that the Titans haven't finalized their decision yet because they are still gathering information from various pro days and visits.

"Do I think that the Titans are going to draft Cam Ward? Yes," Epstein said. "Do I think they think they want to draft Cam Ward?"

Fitz highlighted concerns about whether Cam Ward being the first overall pick equates to the same enthusiasm that other teams had with quarterbacks like Joe Burrow or Caleb Williams in previous drafts. He noted that historically, top picks display an aggressive, undeniable excitement from the drafting team, which seems a bit less robust in this case from the Titans. 

"I think this whole thing to me feels like, well, we're together and I need a quarterback and you need a team," Fitz said.

Schwab added that while he believes the Titans are on track to select Ward, the way they are handling the decision process indicates they want to be sure of their pick without prematurely committing before all evaluations are complete.

In summary, while Ward is likely the pick for the Titans, there are reservations about whether he will completely transform the team, as the Titans' approach seems more calculated and reserved compared to the usual fervor seen with No. 1 overall draft picks.

To hear more NFL discussions, tune into Inside Coverage on Apple, Spotify or YouTube.

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Chris Paul, about to turn 40, talks retirement: 'I’m going to keep playing, I think'

Chris Paul has been solid on the court and the veteran leader the San Antonio Spurs brought him in to be this season. He has played a role in the growth of Victor Wembanyama and Rookie of the Year frontrunner Stephon Castle.

He's also averaging numbers — 8.8 points, 7.6 assists a game — well below his career averages. He turns 40 just after the season ends. Does he want to keep going? Marc Spears of ESPN's Andscape brought up the dreaded retirement word to CP3, but it sounds like he will return.

"I'll be 40 in May. So, yeah man, I'm going to keep playing, I think," Paul told Andscape recently. "At the end of every season, I evaluate everything. Evaluate playing. Evaluate how my body feels. But the more years that go by, it's more conversations with my family, with my kids. They have a lot of say so. They got a lot of input.

"Obviously, I got a lot of homies, friends that have retired or whatnot. And they are always like, 'Man, play as long as you possibly can. Play as long as you possibly can.' And I appreciate that. But I also, I just always want to talk to my kids about it because that's the most important job that I have. I love to play. I definitely love my kids and my family more than I like to play. Anybody who's in this knows the sacrifice could goes longer. I said this summer I will evaluate it and talk to my family about it."

His choice may well come down to situation and money.

Paul is making $10.5 million this season on an expiring contract, can he find that kind of money again next season? It's also unclear if he would return to San Antonio, the Spurs traded for De'Aaron Fox and want to give heavy minutes to him and Castle at the one, so there may not be a lot of minutes for CP3. Other teams would be interested, but Paul has prioritized trying to be close to his family in Southern California during the season. Paul also would prioritize playing for a team expected to make a deep playoff run. That's a lot of things that have to come together.

There will be teams interested in Paul. If he wants it, he will be able to play a 21st season in the league. It's just a matter of priorities for the future Hall of Famer.

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Thunder vs. Rockets Predictions: Odds, recent stats, trends and, best bets for April 4

Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Houston Rockets Preview 

The Oklahoma City Thunder (64-12) and Houston Rockets (50-27) are all set to square off from Toyota Center in Houston.

Rockets star Dillon Brooks will miss tonight's game because he was suspended for one game for receiving his 16th technical.

The Thunder are currently 29-7 on the road with a point differential of 13, 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 Thunder vs. Rockets live today

  • Date: Friday, April 4, 2025
  • Time: 8:00PM EST
  • Site: Toyota Center
  • City: Houston, TX
  • 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 Thunder vs. Rockets

The latest odds as of Friday:

  • Odds: Thunder (-266), Rockets (+215)
  • Spread:  Thunder -6.5
  • Over/Under: 230 points

That gives the Thunder an implied team point total of 117.36, and the Rockets 113.97.
 
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 Thunder 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 betting on the Thunder -6

Thomas: “The Thunder have won 18 of their last 19 games. They have covered in eleven straight games. In that span, they have done it all. They have covered as underdogs, they have covered as double-digit favorites, and and they have covered as 20+ point favorites. They have been the model of excellence. The Rockets are no layup by any means. However, with Brooks sidelined tonight, the Rockets and their emotional leader will be without their primary defender on SGA.”

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 Thunder & Rockets game:

  • Moneyline: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the Oklahoma City Thunder on the Moneyline.
  • Spread: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play ATS on the Houston Rockets at +6.5.
  • Total: NBC Sports Bet is staying away from a play on the Game Total of 230.

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 Thunder vs. Rockets on Friday

  • The Thunder have won 11 straight road games
  • The Over is 25-21 in the Thunder's matchups against Western Conference teams this season
  • The Rockets have covered in 41 of their 77 games this season
  • The Thunder are on a streak of 11 straight road wins

 
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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Gretzky Joins Bettman for Ovechkin’s NHL Record Chase

Two hockey dignitaries were in attendance Friday night to witness the Great 8 pursue NHL history.

NHL commissioner Gary Bettman and Hall of Famer Wayne Gretzky were in the building together for the Washington Capitals’ game against the Chicago Blackhawks as left winger Alex Ovechkin tied Gretzky’s all-time regular season career goals record of 894 with goals in the first and third periods of a 5-3 victory. The longtime Capitals captain is now one away from breaking the 31-year-old record after recording No. 892 in a 5-1 loss to the Carolina Hurricanes in Raleigh, N.C., earlier this week.

Gretzky joined Bettman, who was in attendance with Capitals owner Ted Leonsis on Wednesday night. Both Gretzky and Bettman had already been planning to go from game to game to watch Ovechkin’s pursuit in person but at first couldn’t quite decide on when.

“Wayne Gretzky and I were having the debate,” Bettman said speaking at a Sportradar event on Tuesday. “I said with five to go we should start. He said, ‘No, we’ll do it at 4’. 
 We have a traveling road show.”

Fans can expect to see the commissioner and The Great One in attendance moving forward until Ovechkin breaks the record. They’re expected to be joined by a host of NHL officials and other league stakeholders during each of his stops, with the playoff-bound Capitals having six regular-season games left after Friday night’s win. Once the record is broken, the league is planning to briefly pause the game as the commissioner joins the Russian hockey star for an on-ice celebration that highlights the feat in real time.

NHL media partner ESPN is planning to provide more coverage tonight on NHL Power Play. The network also recently launched OviCast, a special alternate presentation. The alt-cast, which made its debut last week and features an isolated camera on Ovechkin in one box, will be available again when the Caps host the Hurricanes on next Thursday. That same night Prime Video in Canada will feature the Caps on NHL Coast to Coast as part of its whiparound coverage. The same will happen on April 17 when the Caps travel to face the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Ovechkin, the No. 1 pick in the 2004 NHL Draft, has recorded his 14th season with at least 40 goals, extending his NHL record. The 39-year-old has scored 41 goals through 60 games despite missing five weeks earlier this season with a fractured fibula.

Ovechkin’s record chase has set off a memorabilia collection frenzy, from his personal stash to auction houses. The historical sports moment has also provided the Capitals with unique business opportunities while fulfilling their captain’s philanthropic efforts. The team announced on Wednesday that it is partnering with Union Market District to open a temporary skating rink, where a portion of proceeds from ticket sales will go to his pediatric cancer research initiative called The GR8 Chase for Victory Over Cancer.

(This story, originally published Friday afternoon, has been updated throughout to reflect the happenings of Friday night’s game.)

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Celtics break Warriors' single-season 3-point NBA record vs. Suns

Celtics break Warriors' single-season 3-point NBA record vs. Suns originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

The Boston Celtics broke one of the NBA’s 3-point records in Friday’s win over the Phoenix Suns, and it probably won’t be the only one they set during their historic season from beyond the arc.

The Celtics have passed the 2022-23 Golden State Warriors for the most 3-pointers made by one team in a single season. The Warriors’ record was 1,363, and the Celtics currently stand at 1,370 after making 14 3-pointers against the Suns.

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Payton Pritchard’s 3-pointer in the second quarter Friday night was the record-breaker for Boston, which still has five regular-season games remaining to extend the record.

Back in 2016-17, Isaiah Thomas set the Celtics record for most 3-pointers made in a season with 245. Derrick White broke this record on Monday, and it’s likely Jayson Tatum and Payton Pritchard will surpass Thomas before the regular season concludes.

Barring a surprise downturn in the Celtics’ 3-point shooting, they are on track to break two more 3-point records.

The Utah Jazz set the record for most 3-point shots made per game with 16.74 during the 2020-21 season, and the Celtics are at 17.9 per game.

The Houston Rockets set the record for most 3-point attempts per game with 45.38 in the 2018-19 campaign, and the Celtics are at 48.5 per game.

The Celtics have ranked first or second in both 3-pointers made and attempted per game every season since Joe Mazzulla took over as head coach in 2022. His 3-point-heavy strategy has produced fantastic results. Boston reached the NBA Finals in 2022 and 2024 (won the title) and Game 7 of the 2023 Eastern Conference Finals.

It’s very difficult to beat the Celtics when they’re firing on all cylinders from beyond the arc. The C’s have made 15 or more 3-pointers in 62 of their 75 games so far this season, and they’ve won 48 of those matchups.

If the Celtics continue to hit 17.9 3-pointers per game throughout the 2025 NBA playoffs, it’s hard to imagine any team beating them four times in a seven-game series.

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Mets Notes: Juan Soto getting first Citi Field ovation, emotions high for home opener

Mets manager Carlos Mendoza spoke ahead of Friday's highly-anticipated home opener against the Blue Jays.

Here are the most important notes...

Juan Soto ready for a new Big Apple ovation

At long last, Juan Soto will hear his name introduced at Citi Field, nearly four months after signing a record-breaking $765 million contract to play in Queens. The ovations he received in Port St. Lucie throughout spring training came first, but the reception from a home crowd with nearly six times more fans will be unrivaled.

Soto's first road trip with the Mets was average, considering his superstar standards. The slugging outfielder hit .238 in 27 plate appearances, but collected his first home run and double while also walking six times.

It's safe to assume that Soto will enjoy the home cooking, even while getting settled into his new digs in a new borough. The 26-year-old has thrived at Citi Field in his career, slashing a laudable .333/.466/.709 with 12 homers, six doubles, and 26 RBI in 35 games. Mendoza realizes what Friday means to Soto and the fans.

"It's special, especially after the offseason and all the rumors," Mendoza said. "'Where is he going to go? Finally, he's a Met.' Getting to play in front of the home fanbase for the first time is going to feel real now, even though we're already six games into it. Coming home and getting that ovation today is going to be pretty special, and I'm sure the fans can't wait."

Citi FIeld should also give Pete Alonso a warm welcome. After months of stalled free-agent negotiations between the Mets and veteran slugger, there were moments when a reunion seemed doubtful.

But through six games, Alonso appears eager to live up to the two-year, $54 million prove-it contract he signed in mid-February. With a pair of clutch homers against the Marlins in Miami, he's delivered some swagger to a Mets lineup that's still trying to find its groove.

The consensus is that Soto will hear the loudest ovation during warmups, but Alonso brought the team back home with some much-needed momentum. Regardless, the incessant cheers won't only belong to them.
"The good thing is we can say the same thing about a lot of the guys here," Mendoza said. "What's the ovation going to be for Lindor? What about Nimmo? What about Pete? Because we didn't know what was going to happen and it happened late. The way he's been playing the past six games, the fact that he's back and what he means to this team and this fanbase. You can make a case for a lot of players here, and that's a good feeling."

Yes, there's no place like home

The Mets returned to the Big Apple on Thursday after completing a six-game road trip to begin the 2025 campaign, and when they take the field against the Blue Jays on Friday afternoon, they'll be vying for a ninth home-opening win since 2015.

Mendoza is plenty familiar with Opening Day atmospheres. Before taking over as Mets skipper in 2024, he spent six years in the Yankees' dugout as their bench coach. He's comfortable with heightened season expectations and raucous New York crowds, but the traditional pregame introductions and festivities for a home opener stir special emotions.

"It's always great to be home again, playing in front of your fanbase. Packed house, loud, very exciting," Mendoza said. "It's a unique atmosphere. The way the fans are into every pitch. They're right there behind you. It's a really good feeling, it's coming from a really good place. It's fun. It's kind of hard to describe, but it's such a special place here...

"Last year, I don't think we had a sold-out crowd. I think we're going to be sold-out today. It's a little different than last year, I think we got rained out. Going through the playoffs and feeling it, even though this is the home opener, it's pretty similar. It means a lot. It's a privilege, nothing we can ever take for granted."

Progress on the injury front

Mendoza shared encouraging updates on a few injured players who are in attendance for the home opener. Francisco Alvarez, who's still recovering from a fractured left hand, is scheduled to catch a bullpen thrown by Kodai Senga on Friday. The Mets catcher is also swinging the bat and handling cage work.

Alvarez participated in receiving drills with soft baseballs last week, while using his surgically-repaired left hand. He broke his left hamate bone on March 8 during live at-bats in camp, and the latest news suggests that he's still on track to return in late April, on the shorter end of the initial six-to-eight week recovery timeline.

As for Jeff McNeil, still working his way back from a mid-March oblique injury, he's taking swings off a machine in the cage, according to Mendoza. His return to the active roster still remains unknown. Mendoza also mentioned that lefty Paul Blackburn, who's on the injured list with a knee issue, is scheduled to throw a bullpen on Saturday. His season debut could arrive in a few weeks.

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Cavaliers vs. Spurs Predictions: Odds, recent stats, trends and, best bets for April 4

Cleveland Cavaliers vs. San Antonio Spurs Preview 

The Cleveland Cavaliers (61-15) and San Antonio Spurs (32-44) are all set to square off from Frost Bank Center in San Antonio.

The Cavaliers have been up and down recently but are currently riding a two-game winning streak. They get a massively shorthanded San Antonio Spurs team tonight.

The Spurs are coming off a big win over the Nuggets. The win should be taken with a grain of salt. The majority of the Nuggets starters did not play in that game.

The Cavaliers are currently 28-10 on the road with a point differential of 10, while the Spurs have a 5-5 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 Cavaliers vs. Spurs live today

  • Date: Friday, April 4, 2025
  • Time: 8:00PM EST
  • Site: Frost Bank Center
  • City: San Antonio, 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 Cavaliers vs. Spurs
The latest odds as of Friday:

  • Odds: Cavaliers (-980), Spurs (+642)
  • Spread:  Cavaliers -14
  • Over/Under: 239 points

That gives the Cavaliers an implied team point total of 125.85, and the Spurs 118.56.
 
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 Cavaliers vs. Spurs 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 the Cavs -14


Thomas: “The Cavaliers are at full strength. The two played each other on March 25th, and the game was closer than Cavs might have liked. The Spurs won the turnover battle and went to the line more than the Cavs. It was also a poor three point shooting night for the Cavs. That should not happen for a second time. They win by margin.”

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 Cavaliers & Spurs 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 San Antonio Spurs at +14.
  • Total: NBC Sports Bet is staying away from a play 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 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 Cavaliers vs. Spurs on Friday

  • The Cavaliers have won 4 of their last 5 matchups against Western Conference Southwest Division teams
  • The Spurs' last 4 home games have gone over the Total
  • The Cavaliers are 3-7 against the spread in their last 10 games as a favorite
  • The Cavaliers are 3-7 against the spread in their last 10 games as a favorite

 
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)