WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 16: Kristaps Porzingis #7 and De'anthony Melton #8 of the Golden State Warriors celebrate in the first quarter against the Washington Wizards at Capital One Arena on March 16, 2026 in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Greg Fiume/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Effective field goal percentage:Despite the loss, the Wizards still had a higher shooting percentage here thanks to a better three point shooting night.
Three Wizards players scored 21 points: Will Riley, Bilal Coulibaly and Trae Young scored this magic number each and at a good efficiency.
And the cons:
Kristaps Porzingis: There was no Stephen Curry or Jimmy Butler. Draymond Green was the assist and rebounding power. But Porzingis came off the bench and scored 30 points.
Turnovers: Washington gave up 21 turnovers last night compared to 17 for Golden State. Against a more established team, that’s how things work against the Wizards.
12 straight losses? I’d like to see a win every now and then.
No rest for the weary. The Detroit Pistons are in tonight so let’s hope the Wizards don’t lose 13 in a row.
After two weeks of incredible baseball, the World Baseball Classic comes down to one game, with the United States taking on Venezuela at LoanDepot Park in Miami on Tuesday, March 17.
Venezuela, which is making its first-ever appearance in the championship game, is led by Atlanta Braves star Ronald Acuña Jr. and three-time batting champion Luis Arraez.
Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Ty Johnson (#82) warms up in the bullpen. The Baltimore Orioles hosted the Tampa Bay Rays in a Grapefruit League spring training game at Ed Smith Stadium in Sarasota on Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2026. | Mike Lang / Sarasota Herald-Tribune / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across the MLB. Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in Rays fans and fans across the country. Sign up here to participate in the weekly emailed surveys.
WEST PALM BEACH, FL - MARCH 12: Washington Nationals outfielder Dylan Crews (3) breaks his bat after hitting the ball during a MLB spring training game against the Houston Astros at CACTI Park of the Palm Beaches on March 12, 2026 in West Palm Beach, Florida. (Photo by Doug Murray/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
One of the bigger storylines in the Nats fanbase is whether Dylan Crews should make the team. Even a month ago, that would have sounded a bit crazy, considering Crews seemed to have a starting job locked up. I still think he will make the team and play a lot, but his leash is getting tighter.
This spring has been a real struggle for Crews. He is 3/28 with 10 strikeouts so far. Frankly, this looks a lot like it did when he was struggling last year. The former number 2 pick looks like he is second guessing himself and caught in between at the plate. That has led to ugly results and even uglier at bats.
This begs the question, should Dylan Crews start the season at Triple-A? I do not think it will happen, but it is not an idea I would be opposed to. Crews never truly mastered the Triple-A or Double-A levels. After he got promoted from A ball in 2023, he hit a wall in Double-A, posting a .595 OPS in 20 games. Most attributed that to Crews being tired after a long college season and a pro debut.
In 2024, he got better in Double-A, but did not truly dominate the level. He hit .274 and posted a .789 OPS. Not bad, but you would like to see more from a guy who was one of the best college hitters of the 21st century. The Nats saw enough to promote him to AAA though. Like in Double-A, Crews was solid but not spectacular. He hit .265 and posted a .795 OPS. Crews did not exactly take the league by storm.
However, that was enough for him to get called up to the big leagues at the end of 2024. Crews showed flashes, but his .218 average and .641 OPS were not great. Despite that, he was given a spot in the starting lineup heading into 2025. Crews struggled mightily out of the gate and just as he was heating up, he got hurt. It was a disappointing year, but he showed some flashes and the hope was that the new regime could help him take the next step.
This spring, Crews has looked as lost as ever. It has led a lot of Nats fans to re-examine his path and wonder if some time in AAA might not be the worst thing. The fact he never truly dominated in the high minors should have been a bit more of a red flag to Nats fans. However, his college pedigree was so good that most of us chose to ignore his deficiencies.
Paul Toboni and Blake Butera have stressed that this is a fresh start for everyone. Most have assumed that would be a positive for Crews, but it is a double edged sword. If he is not performing, this new regime should be willing to send him down. They were not the ones who picked him second overall, so they do not have the same level of attachment to him. I think that should mean he is not a lock to make the team.
However, I would still be surprised if he is not on the Opening Day roster. The new regime seems to want to try to fix him at the MLB level. However, given the fact he did not dominate AAA when he was there, some time in the minors would not hurt.
Wanting Crews to start the season in the minors is not a Spring Training overreaction, it is a justified reading of the situation. I can see the case for keeping him in the big leagues too, but do not let anyone call you crazy for thinking Dylan Crews could use more time in AAA.
Since he reached the upper minors, Crews has not been the same guy that took college baseball by storm. I still do not really know what happened here. Crews was supposed to be one of the safest draft prospects in some time. Now, his career is at a serious crossroads.
Dylan Crews being a bust (which I’m by no means suggesting is what I think will happen) would absolutely blow my mind. How can a player as good as he was in college just never reach anything near those levels again, not even really in the minor leagues either. https://t.co/DUNryi9prt
It has been three years since his junior season at LSU now. We have seen his college teammate Paul Skenes take the league by storm, but Crews has not taken the next step. At the time of the draft, Crews and Skenes were seen as similar levels of prospect. It is crazy to see how both of their careers have gone so far.
In 2009, the Nats took a premier pitching prospect first, while the Mariners took a polished college bat second. Of course, the Nats got Stephen Strasburg and the Mariners got Dustin Ackley. Crews still has time to avoid being a Dustin Ackley style flop, but the trajectory is concerning for the 24 year old.
The fact he never dominated the minors might be even scarier than his big league struggles. You cannot fall back on Crews dominating AAA as a reason to keep him in the big leagues because he never did. At this point, we are really clinging on to his performances at LSU. Those were so dominant that you should keep some faith in him, but it is getting scary.
Of course, these Spring Training games do not count, but I do not love what I am seeing. Paul Toboni is going to have a real choice to make here. Is it better for Dylan Crews to stay in the big leagues and learn from a new big league staff, or should he get the opportunity to truly dominate AAA and gain some confidence.
I think they will choose the former option, but Crews will be on a tighter leash. If he looks like he does this spring once the real games start, a trip to Rochester will be imminent. The story of Crews’ career so far is one step forward, two steps back. Whenever it feels like he is getting momentum, he either gets hurt or starts struggling again. Dylan Crews’ pro career has not gone how just about anyone has expected. I am officially worried.
Darren Raddysh is an elite shot-generator from the back end, ranking ninth among defensemen in shots on goal.
My Lightning vs. Kraken predictions and NHL picks expect Raddysh to be front and center in an advantageous matchup against a team that gives up a ton of point shots.
Lightning vs Kraken prediction
Lightning vs Kraken best bet: Darren Raddysh Over 2.5 shots (+100)
The Seattle Kraken are a dream opponent for volume shooting blueliners. They’ve allowed the fifth-most shots to defensemen over the past 10 games and have played at a Top-10 pace at 5-on-5 during that span, creating high-event environments.
They also sit dead last in shots allowed to the right point this year, which is Darren Raddysh’s primary shooting zone.
Raddysh has seen massive upticks in shot volume against teams that bleed shots to defensemen. He's averaged 3.7 shots on 7.5 attempts, clearing 2.5 shots in 12 of his 16 games.
Lightning vs Kraken same-game parlay
Raddysh hasn’t scored in 10 games, his longest drought of the season. The Kraken not only rank near the basement in shots allowed to defensemen, but also in scoring chances allowed to the position. We should see plenty of volume from Raddysh, making him a strong candidate to find the net.
The Kraken have only won seven of 22 games against teams that rank Top 10 in preventing goals on a per-game basis. They lack the high-end talent to score consistently, and that should be problematic in this matchup.
The Lightning are tied for second in the NHL with 20 road wins. Find more NHL betting trends for Lightning vs. Kraken.
How to watch Lightning vs Kraken
Location
Climate Pledge Arena, Seattle, WA
Date
Tuesday, March 17, 2026
Puck drop
10:00 p.m. ET
TV
TNT, HBO Max
Lightning vs Kraken latest injuries
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change. Not intended for use in MA. Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
Amid their win-streak, they’ve beaten multiple teams atop the NBA standings, including the Knicks, Timberwolves, Nuggets and Rockets.
It’s time to accept the reality you’ve been dreading: The Lakers are contenders.
On Saturday, Charles Barkley antagonized Lakers fans by saying he hoped they didn’t beat the Nuggets. He said that would be his “worst nightmare” because then he’d have to hear sports shows calling them contenders.
Getty Images NBAE via Getty Images
Not only did the Lakers beat the Nuggets in overtime, 127-125, but they then won their next game against the Rockets on Monday, 100-92, holding Kevin Durant to nearly as many field goals (eight) as turnovers (seven).
Over the past two weeks, the Lakers have piled on increasingly impressive wins. It’s time to accept the fact that a pattern has formed.
The Lakers win over the Knicks in which they never trailed wasn’t an anomaly. Their victory over the Timberwolves wasn’t because Anthony Edwards was having an off night, shooting 2-for-15 from the field. Their nail-biter over the Nuggets wasn’t luck. And their grind-it-out win over the Rockets wasn’t a one-off victory.
The Lakers are good. Perhaps they’re even really good.
Something has changed for the team.
Luka Doncic is playing MVP-caliber basketball for the second time this season after his sizzling performance amid the Lakers’ 15-4 start. Over the month of March, he’s averaging 34.3 points, 9 rebounds and 7.7 assists.
Deandre Ayton is playing with force. Marcus Smart is reminding everyone that he’s a former Defensive Player of the Year.
Lakers coach JJ Redick can finally exhale. His long nights in his dark basement poring over film have paid off. Everyone has bought in.
The Lakers are in third place in the Western Conference. They’ve hit their stride at just the right time. WIth only 14 games remaining, they’re one of the top teams in the NBA.
Those are whiplash-inducing sentences considering they were counted out mere weeks ago. After going 4-4 on their eight-game homestand, a purple and gold-stained natural disaster had officially struck Los Angeles.
You know, Doncic wasn’t a winner. James was a blight on the Lakers. Reaves was a disappearing act. And former No. 1 overall pick Deandre Ayton didn’t even compare to Rockets’ center Clint Capela.
Oh, how things have changed.
Now, Doncic is a legitimate MVP-contender. James is a selfless winner for playing behind Doncic and Reaves. Reaves is a sensation. Ayton has looked like DominAyton recently. And Smart has become the hard-nosed defender the Lakers needed.
Of course, it remains questionable whether the Lakers could beat the crème de la crème of the West in a seven-game series. The reigning NBA champion Oklahoma City Thunder made them look old and tired last time they met. And it’s uncertain whether the Lakers have answers for the 7-foot-4 alien that is Victor Wembanyama and his Spurs.
But the Lakers can no longer be counted out.
They’re tough. They’re able to adapt. They tallying wins against the best teams in the league.
It’s no longer hyperbolic to call them contenders. If everyone keeps starring in their roles, the Lakers could really make some noise in the playoffs.
The four-time NBA champion James obviously knows a thing or two about winning. Doncic carried Dallas to the Finals in 2024 and is desperate to make former Mavericks general manager Nico Harrison regret the day he put his signature on the most shocking trade in NBA history.
Reaves is anxious to play well in the playoffs following his 2025 postseason struggles, especially with a potential max contract awaiting him. Ayton wants to prove he’s not a bust. And Smart is ready to show the world what he can do again.
The Lakers aren’t just a group of mismatched stars who can’t jell anymore. They’ve sacrificed to make The Big Three shine. They’ve filled their holes on the defensive end and from beyond the arc, masking their deficits with unyielding effort.
The Lakers have arrived.
Sorry, Sir Charles. We all know the narrative that the Lakers are good is as abhorrent to you as setting foot in San Antonio.
This postseason, looks like you’re going to be in for a lot of grief.
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MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - FEBRUARY 25: Ryan Rollins #13 of the Milwaukee Bucks dribbles the ball against Dennis Schröder #8 of the Cleveland Cavaliers during the fourth quarter at Fiserv Forum on February 25, 2026 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images) | Getty Images
After a back-to-back where the Milwaukee Bucks lost to the fiery-hot Hawks on the road and beat the Pacers at home, they’ll take on the Cleveland Cavaliers at Fiserv Forum on Tuesday. The last time these two Central Division teams met, KPJ iced the game with a clean fadeaway over Jarrett Allen in one of the more memorable plays of the season. Since then, Milwaukee’s momentum has been halted by a difficult stretch of games, while Cleveland continues to wrestle for playoff positioning. Tuesday will mark the last time Milwaukee plays Cleveland this season.
Where We’re At
After a difficult stretch of games where Milwaukee has won just two games (Utah, Indy) in their last ten, they seem primed to miss the playoffs for the first time since 2016. The Bucks are struggling with consistency in scoring and concede an uncomfortable amount of three-pointers. Milwaukee’s shootout against the 15-53 Pacers marked a burst of offensive firepower Milwaukee has missed for most of the season. After shooting north of 50% from three through the efforts of players like Bobby Portis and Ryan Rollins, the Bucks will look to continue their solid shooting in their home matchup against Cleveland.
Cleveland, much like Milwaukee, is looking for some steadiness after a tumultuous stretch of games. The Cavaliers are mired in a difficult playoff race, and recent losses to the likes of Boston and Orlando have knocked them down to fourth place, 7.5 games behind first-place Detroit. They travel to Fiserv Forum coming off an “embarrassing” 130-120 loss to Dallas, where they’ll try to fix their defensive mishaps and careless turnovers.
Injury Report
For the Bucks, Giannis is questionable with a sprained ankle. His ankle has been bugging him recently, and a potential hyperextended knee that took him out of Sunday’s game against the Pacers hasn’t helped. Although Giannis downplayed the scary leg injury, his ankle troubles make playing him a risky bet against the Cavs, especially with low stakes in a relatively meaningless game. Ousmane Dieng (illness) and Myles Turner (calf strain) are also marked as questionable.
The Cavs will miss Jarrett Allen, who averages north of 15 points per game, with tendonitis in the knee. Allen has missed the last five games with the injury and will miss Cleveland’s three-game road trip to undergo treatment. Craig Porter Jr. (groin) and Tyrese Proctor (quad) are also out, while Sam Merrill (questionable, hamstring) and Jaylon Tyson (probable, ankle) round out their injury list.
Player to Watch
Cam Thomas has logged 19 minutes across the last three games, even sitting out the entirety of the Bucks’ Sunday win over Indiana. Thomas is a gifted scorer whose main strength comes from his ability to create separation off the dribble and convert tough jumpers. However, struggles with efficiency and an inability to mesh with the established Bucks rotation have left Thomas in the dust when it comes to playing time. Thomas is averaging 7.4 points in 13.4 minutes per game, posting shooting splits of .375/.278/.667 in March. Could Doc take another chance on such an unpredictable scorer, especially against a floundering Cavaliers defense?
How To Watch
Watch on NBC/Peacock or FanDuel Sports Network at 7 p.m. CDT.
The 76ers (37-31) travel to the Mile High City to take on the Nuggets (41-27) in the nightcap of a doubleheader on Peacock.
Philadelphia will be without multiple starters in the start of this three-game road trip. The 76ers have won back-to-back games and three of the past four with a lone loss to the Pistons. Philadelphia has climbed to 1.5 game back from the No. 6 seed in the Eastern Conference and are tied with the Hawks for the 8th spot.
Denver is tied with Minnesota for the No. 5 spot and 0.5 game back from Houston for the No. 4 seed. The Nuggets are 5-5 in the last 10 games and are at home in six of the next eight games. The Nuggets won 126-125 in OT of the only meeting versus the 76ers this season.
Lets take a closer look at tonight’s matchup and take into consideration lineups, injuries, and other factors affecting the line and total.
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 courtesy of DraftKings recent team performance, player stats, and of course, our predictions, picks best bets for the game from our modeling tools and staff of experts.
After 24 years, the NBA is back on NBC and Peacock, combining the nostalgia of an iconic era with the innovative future of basketball coverage. The NBA on NBC YouTube channel delivers fans must-see highlights, analysis, and exclusive and unique content.
Game Details and How to Watch Live: 76ers at Nuggets
Date: Tuesday, March 17, 2026
Time: 10 PM EST
Site: Ball Arena
City: Denver, CO
Network/Streaming: Peacock/NBC Sports
Rotoworld has you covered with all the latest NBA Player News for all 30 teams. Check out the feed page right here on NBC Sports for headlines, injuries and transactions where you can filter by league, team, positions and news type!
Game Odds: 76ers at Nuggets
The latest odds as of Tuesday courtesy of DraftKings:
Moneyline: Denver Nuggets (-1200), Philadelphia 76ers (+750)
Spread: Denver -15.5
Total: 235.5 points
This game opened Nuggets -12.5 with the Total set at 228.5.
Be sure to check out DraftKings for all the latest game odds & player props for every matchup this week on the NBA schedule!
Expected Starting Lineups: 76ers at Nuggets
Denver Nuggets
PG Jamal Murray
SG Christian Braun
SF Cameron Johnson
PF Aaron Gordon
C Nikola Jokic
Philadelphia 76ers
PG VJ Edgecombe
SG Quentin Grimes
SF Justin Edwards
PF Dominick Barlow
C Adam Bona
Injury Report: 76ers at Nuggets
Denver Nuggets
Peyton Watson (hamstring) is listed as OUT for tonight’s game
Philadelphia 76ers
Tyrese Maxey (tendon) is listed as OUT for tonight’s game
Kelly Oubre Jr (elbow) is listed as OUT for tonight’s game
Joel Embiid (oblique) is listed as OUT for tonight's game
Jabari Walker (illness) is listed as OUT for tonight's game
Important stats, trends and insights: 76ers at Nuggets
Denver is 38-30 ATS and 15-16 ATS at home
Denver is 11-12 ATS as a home favorite
Denver is an NBA-best 43-25 to the Over
Denver is 16-15 to the Over at home
Philadelphia is 36-32 ATS and 35-33 to the Over
The 76ers are 17-15 to the Over on the road
The 76ers are 10-9 ATS as the road underdog
Rotoworld Best Bet
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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 tonight’s 76ers and Nuggets’ game:
Moneyline: Rotoworld Bet is leaning towards a play on the Nuggets’ Moneyline
Spread: Rotoworld Bet is leaning towards a play on the Nuggets -15.5 ATS
Total: Rotoworld Bet is leaning towards a play on the Game Total UNDER 235.5
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CINCINNATI, OHIO - JUNE 07: Cincinnati Reds mascot Mr. Redlegs leans on the dugout wall prior to a baseball game against the Chicago Cubs at Great American Ball Park on June 07, 2024 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Jeff Dean/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across the MLB. Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in Reds fans and fans across the country. Sign up here to participate in the weekly emailed surveys.
The 2025 season was something of a success for the Cincinnati Reds, at least by the modern standards set by the franchise and its current ownership group.
The club managed to coax future Hall of Fame manager Terry Francona out of his temporary hiatus and into their dugout. The team on the field put together the most cromulent set of starting pitchers since their 2012 NL Central title. As the race for the final playoff spot in the National League intensified, they managed to get the job done, sneaking into the postseason with a final regular season record of 83-79.
Their faint championship hopes faded immediately at the hands of the Los Angeles Dodgers, eventual World Series champs, but the reality is that 2025 featured more good news than bad. Still, they finished a distant 3rd in their own division.
The Milwaukee Brewers paced all of Major League Baseball with their 97 regular season victories, and the Chicago Cubs surged into the playoffs with 92. The Reds, who made the playoffs slightly ahead of the New York Mets, finished 14 games back of their division leaders, while the Mets finished only 13 games back in their own NL Central.
Cincinnati, to its credit, went out and signed slugger Eugenio Suárez over the winter to bolster their offense, and they are banking on improvements across the board from their emerging corps of position players. Hunter Greene is once again sidelined for quite awhile, though, and it’s not as if the Brewers and Cubs haven’t made their own moves to get better this winter, too. The Pittsburgh Pirates, too, are even looming after an offseason of spending that’s unprecedented for that club.
That begs the question – just how high in the NL Central standings can the Reds finish in 2026? Have they done enough to climb the ladder to the top, or is the ladder simply not tall enough?
Let us know where you think the Reds can finish this season!
The fantasy playoffs are here! An uncharacteristically subpar or a surprisingly exceptional game or two can make all the difference in the world during this time of the year. For fantasy managers, here’s a look at which players could fall into those categories.
Let's get started!
→ Watch the NBA Coast 2 Coast Tuesday on NBC and Peacock: The Cavaliers and Bucks tip things off at 8 p.m. ET before the 76ers and Nuggets square off at 10 p.m. ET. Both games are available on Peacock. Check your local listings for the NBC game in your area.
The veteran mid-range technician has come alive just in time for the fantasy playoffs, even if it’s played a role in costing the Kings to lose some ground in top-3 NBA Draft pick projections this upcoming offseason. Sacramento has won four of its last five games, and although DeRozan missed one of those contests, he’s averaging 29.8 points and 6.3 assists per game in that stretch, which includes 41-point and 39-point outings. Fittingly, he’s made just one three-pointer during this run of high-scoring performances. Injuries to Keegan Murray (ankle) and Malik Monk (ankle) have eaten into the Kings’ depth and scoring, making DeRozan all the more likely to maintain his workload and production. Stock up!
A back injury kept Edgecombe on the sideline for three games early in March, but in the four games since his return, he’s played some very good basketball. Specifically, Edgecombe is averaging 16.3 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 3.8 assists in 33.5 minutes per game since making his way back to the rotation. Arguably, the lone weakness over that stretch has been three-point shooting — he’s gone 2-of-18 from deep over his last four appearances. The rookie guard isn’t doing anything otherworldly from a numbers standpoint, but he’s trending in the right direction and helping the Sixers get back on track. He should continue to progress here in the fantasy playoffs.
Dejounte Murray — PG/SG, Pelicans
Speaking of returns from injury, Murray’s strong play has caught many by surprise. He returned from an Achilles injury and made his season debut in late February, immediately produced, and has only become more productive since. The veteran combo guard has scored 35 and 27 points in his past two appearances and is averaging 6.5 boards and 5.0 assists across six games in March. Murray’s nightly contributions across the stat sheet have quickly made him one of New Orleans’ most reliable and intriguing fantasy options. He’s been able to log close to 30 minutes per game consistently; if that number increases, so could the production, which would make him one of the better late-season roster additions across fantasy leagues.
A strong fantasy season has stalled at the completely wrong time, from a fantasy basketball perspective. The third-year guard has totaled seven points and eight assists over his past three games after averaging 16.0 points and 6.3 assists over the three games prior. The good news for fantasy managers is that the minutes and opportunities haven’t evaporated — the recent slowed production seems to boil down to inefficient shooting more than anything else, which seems like a simple fix. However, with the fantasy basketball playoffs already underway in most leagues, those fantasy managers with Gillespie rostered are hoping he can shake out of this funk quickly.
Rudy Gobert — C, Timberwolves
The Timberwolves are struggling, and not many of their players have consistently played well enough to get the team back on track. That includes Gobert, whose recent numbers haven’t led to much fantasy production either. The four-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year has totaled one blocked shot and two steals over the past four games, and although his defensive impact stretches far beyond something as simple as blocked shots, in the fantasy world, his inability to erase shots at the rim lately has cost him some production. Additionally, Gobert has scored in single digits and brought down fewer than 10 rebounds in three of his last four appearances. Both the Timberwolves and fantasy managers alike will need Gobert to produce numbers that more closely resemble the 18/9/2/1/1 line against the Warriors than the 2/7/2/0/1 line in the Wolves’ most recent loss to the Thunder.
Nic Claxton — C, Nets
The month of March has not been one of Claxton's better months, if we’re strictly looking at statistics. Before Monday’s 12-point, 11-rebound double-double against the Trail Blazers, he had scored in single figures four games in a row, averaging 5.5 rebounds over that span. The lack of production came as a surprise, given that the seventh-year center had averaged 14.2 points in February, marking his most productive and efficient scoring month of the season. How and why did things suddenly take a turn? Hard to say. And maybe his double-double against Portland can serve as a turning point. But I, presumably like many, will need to see more production before becoming optimistic about Claxton for the rest of the season.
Cleveland (41-27) and Milwaukee (28-39) meet on Peacock in the first of a doubleheader. The Cavaliers are 2-1 versus the Bucks this season with Milwaukee taking the previous matchup, 118-116.
The Cavaliers lost its previous matchup with the Mavericks and are 4-3 since the start of March. Cleveland is sitting at 4th in the Eastern Conference and 2.5 games behind the Knicks. This is the first of a three-game road trip for Cleveland as they take on Milwaukee, Chicago, and New Orleans — a more than manageable three-game stretch.
Milwaukee beat the Pacers in their last outing to end their four-game losing streak. The Bucks are 2-8 over the last 10 games and close to being eliminated from playoff contention. Milwaukee is 5.5 games behind Charlotte for the final spot and begins a rough four-game road trip after this home outing at Utah, Phoenix, Los Angeles, and Portland.
Lets take a closer look at tonight’s matchup and take into consideration lineups, injuries, and other factors affecting the line and total.
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 courtesy of DraftKings recent team performance, player stats, and of course, our predictions, picks best bets for the game from our modeling tools and staff of experts.
After 24 years, the NBA is back on NBC and Peacock, combining the nostalgia of an iconic era with the innovative future of basketball coverage. The NBA on NBC YouTube channel delivers fans must-see highlights, analysis, and exclusive and unique content.
Game Details and How to Watch Live: Cavaliers at Bucks
Date: Tuesday, March 17, 2026
Time: 8 PM EST
Site: Fiserv Forum
City: Milwaukee, WI
Network/Streaming: Peacock/NBC
Rotoworld has you covered with all the latest NBA Player News for all 30 teams. Check out the feed page right here on NBC Sports for headlines, injuries and transactions where you can filter by league, team, positions and news type!
Game Odds: Cavaliers at Bucks
The latest odds as of Tuesday courtesy of DraftKings:
This game opened Cavaliers -9.5 with the Total set at 228.5
Be sure to check out DraftKings for all the latest game odds & player props for every matchup this week on the NBA schedule!
Expected Starting Lineups: Cavaliers at Bucks
Cleveland Cavaliers
PG James Harden
SG Donovan Mitchell
SF Dean Wade
PF Dean Wade
C Evan Mobley
Milwaukee Bucks
PG Kevin Porter Jr.
SG Ousmane Dieng (questionable)
SF Kyle Kuzma
PF Giannis Antetokounmpo (questionable)
C Myles Turner (questionable)
Injury Report: Cavaliers at Bucks
Cleveland Cavaliers
Jarrett Allen (knee) is listed as OUT for tonight’s game
Sam Merrill (hamstring) is listed as QUESTIONABLE for tonight's game
Jaylon Tyson (ankle) is listed as QUESTIONABLE for tonight's game
Milwaukee Bucks
Myles Turner (calf) is listed as QUESTIONABLE for tonight’s game
Giannis Antetokounmpo (ankle) is listed as QUESTIONABLE for tonight’s game
Ousmane Dieng (illness) is listed as QUESTIONABLE for tonight's game
Important stats, trends and insights: Cavaliers at Bucks
Cleveland is 28-40 ATS, ranking tied for worst
Cleveland is 15-18 ATS on the road
Cleveland is 20-13 to the Over on the road, ranking 3rd-best
Cleveland is 35-33 to the Under overall
Milwaukee is 29-38 ATS, ranking 6th-worst
Milwaukee is 19-15 to the Over at home, ranking 7th-best
Milwaukee is 38-29 to the Under, ranking 8th-worst
Milwaukee is 15-19 ATS at home
Rotoworld Best Bet
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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 tonight’s Cavaliers and Bucks’ game:
Moneyline: Rotoworld Bet is leaning towards a play on the Cavaliers’ Moneyline
Spread: Rotoworld Bet is leaning towards a play on the Cavaliers - 10.5 ATS
Total: Rotoworld Bet is leaning towards a play on the Game Total UNDER 228.5
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The Winnipeg Jets enter Tuesday night in a do-or-die situation, sitting at 28-28-10 and clinging to fading playoff hopes as they prepare to face the Nashville Predators in a pivotal showdown.
Separated by just a single point in the standings, the stakes could not be higher. Nashville holds 67 points, narrowly ahead of Winnipeg’s 66, making this head-to-head clash a critical swing game in the wild-card race. For the Jets, even a single dropped point could prove costly with time running out.
The playoff picture remains tightly packed with the Seattle Kraken currently hold a slim edge with 71 points, tied with the Los Angeles Kings. Just behind them sit the San Jose Sharks at 70 points, while Nashville and Winnipeg round out the chase pack.
Winnipeg faces the steepest climb of the contenders, with the 12th-hardest remaining schedule in the league. Their path includes two daunting matchups against the Colorado Avalanche, along with games versus the Dallas Stars, Pittsburgh Penguins, Boston Bruins and Columbus Blue Jackets.
By comparison, Seattle’s remaining slate ranks 18th in difficulty, featuring two contests against the Tampa Bay Lightning and additional tests against Colorado, the Buffalo Sabres, Minnesota Wild and Columbus.
The other contenders appear far better positioned as Nashville benefits from the 11th-easiest remaining schedule, while San Jose has the fourth-easiest. The Kings may hold the inside track, boasting the NHL’s easiest closing schedule with only a handful of challenging matchups remaining against Buffalo and Seattle before facing more manageable opponents like the Vancouver Canucks, Calgary Flames and St. Louis Blues.
The Jets’ playoff push has long been considered a long shot and the margin for error continues to be razor thin. A winning streak is no longer a luxury but a necessity. And it must begin Tuesday night against a direct rival with identical aspirations. Puck drop could mark the turning point of their season or the beginning of the end.
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INGLEWOOD, CA - MARCH 16: Stephon Castle #5, Victor Wembanyama #1, De'Aaron Fox #4 of the San Antonio Spurs look on during the game against the LA Clippers on March 16, 2026 at Intuit Dome in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
At this point in the season, each win has to feel like finding gold. Monday night in Los Angeles wasn’t the prettiest, but it kept the goal alive to snatch the first seed, which would at least give them a seventh game at home against all West opponents in the playoffs. On top of that, Stephon Castle is only in year two, but if he keeps having these types of impressive performances, especially on national TV, he’ll be among the league’s best soon. That could mean more favorable calls from refs.
It can simply be summarized as a weird night. Players didn’t have the same early juice because Kawhi Leonard wasn’t playing, and it got close in the second half. Still, finding a way to win ugly is what separates the great teams from the good ones. Some of these highlights should help erase the shaky finish from memory.
Think of how many times you’ve seen Victor Wembanyama’s rejection lead to something quickly on the other side. The way Castle dribbled behind his back was sick, and it was the play of the night since Brook Lopez is so much bigger than him. These days, many players would have hoisted a 3-pointer in transition, which wouldn’t have been a bad option, but Castle’s inclination to attack the lane makes him special.
This happened during the Spurs’ tsunami. The lob to Wemby was reminiscent of Randy Moss going down the middle in the end zone because he was just too skilled and talented for everyone else.
Wemby’s isolation that led to an and-one should make those who have seen every minute of his Spurs journey smile. There was once a time when he would bail out much smaller defenders with a jumper, and now he rarely flinches when going at them. Additionally, two years ago, the bump Bennedict Mathurin gave him before the spin may have stopped him from advancing. Lots of teams will be hopeless if their physicality can’t get to him.
This side-step triple is simple, but it was hilarious since Derrick Jones Jr. first committed the sin of biting on a fake, then he somehow thought he could block or disrupt a release point that high. His coaches probably looked at each other, thinking, “How many times do we have to tell him?”
The clip is too short, but this stemmed from two of Carter Bryan’t offensive rebounds in one possession, one coming off his own missed free throw. His intensity is vital for the team because it inspires others.
Darius Garland is twitchy with a quick first step. It says a lot about Castle that he embraces getting on island with him, and in this case, his timing was impeccable.
SURPRISE, AZ - FEBRUARY 17: Justin Foscue #56 of the Texas Rangers poses for a photo during the Texas Rangers photo day at Surprise Stadium on Tuesday, February 17, 2026 in Surprise, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
The Texas Rangers optioned reliever Marc Church and infielder Justin Foscue to AAA Round Rock, the team announced yesterday.
Church made the Opening Day roster in 2025 but struggled with his command, was sent down, and then spent most of the season dealing with injuries, including a torn teres major muscle* that ended his season. Church was still working his way back from that injury when spring training began, and made his first spring appearance on Sunday against the Dodgers. A player can’t be optioned if they are injured, so Church couldn’t be optioned until he was healthy — otherwise, he’d have to start the season on the major league injured list.
* You may remember this as the same injury that cost Jose Leclerc and Corey Kluber most of the pandemic-shortened 2020 season.
Foscue was slowed by a hamstring strain early in camp, and also returned to action on Sunday. At the start of camp, there was some thought that Foscue could potentially earn a spot on the Opening Day roster in a platoon DH/bench role. The combination of the injury, which sidelined him for a good amount of time, and the addition of Andrew McCutchen ended those hopes.
The Rangers still have 30 of the 40 man roster members in camp. Assuming McCutchen — who is on a minor league deal, and thus not on the 40 man roster currently — makes the team, at least five players on the 40 man roster who are still in camp will not make the Opening Day roster. Among guys who don’t have a roster spot locked up, Jacob Latz and Kumar Rocker are fighting for the fifth starter spot, and Luis Curvelo is still in the mix for a bullpen spot, as is Latz, should he not make the rotation. Alejandro Osuna and Michael Helman are still in camp, though would seem to be headed to AAA unless someone gets hurt. Cody Freeman, who is sidelined with a stress fracture in his back, most likely will start the year on the major league injured list.
MIAMI, FL - MARCH 14: Salvador Perez #13, Eugenio Suárez #7 and Eduardo Rodriguez #52 of Team Venezuela celebrate with teammates after winning the 2026 World Baseball Classic Quarterfinals game presented by Capital One between Team Venezuela and Team Japan at loanDepot park on Saturday, March 14, 2026 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Daniel Shirey/WBCI/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
The last Arizona Diamondbacks player left standing in the World Baseball Classic will be in the spotlight during the championship game, as Eduardo Rodriguez will start on the mound for Venezuela against the United States on Tuesday.
“[He was] so good that we had to send him back out there for another inning of work,” said Lovullo. “We felt like the pitch count was fine, the workload was very manageable, and he just did exactly what he did in that final inning for the first four.”
But most importantly of all, Pfaadt’s sweeper was, once again, a weapon. He threw the pitch 10 times, got nine swings, and collected four whiffs. Three of his six strikeouts came on that sweeper.
“A fantastic day for him, filled up the zone, ton of execution, a lot of swing-and-miss,” Lovullo continued. “Secondary stuff was good. So we’re very pleased with where he’s at.”
The next month is going to be perhaps the most difficult of Arizona Diamondbacks ace Corbin Burnes’ recovery from Tommy John surgery.
On Monday, Burnes went through his second bullpen session since having surgery last summer, throwing to a catcher set up a few feet closer than usual to manage his intensity.
Burnes said he typically throws three or four bullpens and then it’s time to get in a game each spring. This time, he’s going to have to trust the process and stick with bullpen work while his team begins the regular season without him.
Urías appeared in 96 games in 2025 with the Athletics, batting .230 with eight home runs, 25 RBIs and a .653 OPS. The 28-year-old has built a reputation for his defensive versatility across the infield throughout his MLB career.
That flexibility could prove valuable as Arizona looks for someone to fill a role similar to Blaze Alexander’s style of play. Alexander was traded to the Baltimore Orioles for pitching depth, leaving a question about who could emerge as the club’s next utility player.
Outside, it was one of those relentless South Florida rains. But still, the hundreds of Venezuelan baseball fans who remained long after the last pitch of the World Baseball Classic semifinals had been thrown were in ecstasy. Thoroughly soaked but swept up in the moment, they sang, danced, chanted and cheered. And in the distance, you could hear drums beating, mouths whistling and car horns blaring.
You don’t truly know how much the World Baseball Classic means until you see what it means. And here, in the downpour outside loanDepot park, as Monday night gave way to Tuesday morning — the day Venezuela would meet Team USA in the finale of this terrific tournament — it was evident that it meant a lot.
Manager Dave Roberts told reporters at spring training Monday that Yamamoto will start the March 26 opener at home against Arizona.
Yamamoto was the first and last pitcher used by the Dodgers last season, when he got the final eight outs in their 11-inning World Series Game 7 clincher at Toronto. He also won both of his World Series starts, a complete game in Game 2 and then threw 96 pitches over six innings in Game 6, a night before throwing 34 pitches to close out the series.
Games played in the Pacific Coast League will use the ABS Challenge system and follow the same rules that have been adopted at the Major League level for the 2026 season (i.e., each team will start the game with two challenges, successful challenges will be retained, teams will receive an extra challenge if they have no challenges remaining in extra innings, etc.). Consistent with past seasons, MLB will monitor gameplay to determine if there is a desire to test changes at a later point in the season. Beginning on May 5, 2026, the batter, pitcher, or catcher may also appeal the umpire’s decision regarding whether the batter swung at a pitch (“Check-Swing Challenge”). A swing will be considered to have occurred if the maximum angle between the bat head and the bat handle exceeds 45 degrees. This rule was tested in the Florida State League and Arizona Fall League in 2025. In the FSL, the strikeout rate was over 3% lower when Check-Swing Challenge was used, having a positive impact on balls in play and encouraging more extensive testing at higher levels. Under this format, each team will continue to start the game with 2 challenges. Challenges may be used on either ball/strike calls or swing/no-swing calls, but not both on the same pitch.
A Padres club already thin on rotation depth delivered some rough news for fans Monday, as manager Craig Stammen revealed that righty Joe Musgrove is expected to open the season on the injured list (video link via 97.3 The Fan). Musgrove hasn’t thrown in more than a week. Dennis Lin of The Athletic reports that he didn’t recover as well as hoped following an exhibition start against Great Britain’s World Baseball Classic club.
It’s an ominous update, though it’s worth noting that Stammen didn’t suggest there had been a setback of any note. Musgrove hasn’t pitched since the 2024 season due to Tommy John surgery that cost him the entirety of the 2025 campaign.
Raphielle Johnson
