Posts

Posted on

2026 Jack Adams Award Race Heats Up With Comeback Coaches, Cinderella Stories

FanDuel's early odds spotlight a wide-open Jack Adams race fueled by comeback coaches and surprise contenders.

Image

As the 2025 NHL season draws to a close, the race for the Jack Adams Award as the league's best coach as started to intensify.

FanDuel's current odds reflect this competitive landscape, with Columbus' Dean Evason and Anahiem's Joel Quenneville leading the pack ahead of what will be a busy summer for both clubs. 

It's easier to look at the award as the team that generally improved the most and provided the best storyline like this past season with Spencer Carbery and the near-President's trophy winning Washington Capitals, after many pegged them to be a wild card team at best entering the season.

With that in mind, we present the betting odds for next year's Jack Adams award with some potential storylines that could come out of certain teams and lead to their head coach winning the predigest award. 

2025-26 Jack Adams Award Betting Odds per FanDuel Sportsbook

  • Dean Evason +1000 (Columbus Blue Jackets)
  • Joel Quenneville +1000 (Anaheim Ducks)
  • Andre Tourigny +1100 (Utah Mammoth)
  • Martin St. Louis +1200 (Montreal Canadiens)
  • Mike Sullivan +1500 (New York Rangers)
  • Ryan Huska +1900 (Calgary Flames)
  • Jeff Blashill +1900 (Chicago Blackhawks)
  • Ryan Warsofsky +2000 (San Jose Sharks)
  • Rick Tocchet +2200 [Philadephia Flyers)
  • Travis Green +2200 (Ottawa Senators)
  • Todd McLellan +2300 (Detroit Red Wings)
  • Adam Foote +2300 (Vancouver Canucks)

More NHL: Panthers' Sam Bennett Signals To Fans Likely Extension

Dean Evason (+1000) 

Evason brings a wealth of experience, having previously coached the Minnesota Wild, where he led the team to multiple playoff appearances. His leadership is credited with revitalizing the Blue Jackets, guiding them to a strong finish in the 2024–25 that almost no one expected, with preseason expectations having them pegged as a lottery team. 

Joel Quenneville (+1000) 

Quenneville is back as an NHL head coach after a hiatus and could prove to be a difference maker for a hungry Ducks team.

With over 969 career wins and three Stanley Cup titles, Quenneville's extensive experience will almost certainly help improve and develop the younger players on the team while creating a culture not seen in the City of Angels for quite some time. The team will also look signicantly better after the Ducks use their $32.1 million in cap space to bring in fresh blood like New York's Chris Kreider. 

Andre Tourigny (+1100) 

The Utah Mammoth had a fun team last season that finished with a very solid 38-31-8 record and will look to build on that success with just over $20 million in cap space heading into the summer.

One thing that team owner Ryan Smith made clear is that he wants his team to win and to bare minimum make the playoffs next season. The attitude of the organization is to win and perform like Smith's Denver Nuggets of the NBA and this should lead to some aggressive moves from GM Bill Armstrong this summer.

Martin St. Louis (+1200) 

The Habs have a promising young core and as much as their rivals like it, they are building towards a potential cup contender. Since taking over as head coach, St. Louis has led a remarkable turnaround in Montreal, guiding the team to an unexpected playoff berth this past season and earning recognition with votes for the Jack Adams Award.

His leadership and tactical adjustments have been key to the team's success and with more talent on the way like Ivan Demidov, there's a very real chance the Habs could be a top three seed in the Atlantic division and earn St. Louis a relatively easy Jack Adams next season. 

More NHL: 2026 Stanley Cup Odds: Oilers, Panthers Lead Early Contenders But One Unexpected Favourite Emerges

Mike Sullivan (+1500) 

Sullivan, a two-time cup champion with the Pittsburgh Penguins, has a very easy case to win the award as he has to turn around a Rangers team that finished with a 55-23-4 record just one year ago. With his expertise of a 409-255-89 all-time record with the Penguins, the Blueshirts should have one of their best years yet but it could depend on the talent in the lineup. 

GM Chris Drury has made some aggressive moves to change the culture of the team like trading away longtime Rangers in Jacob Trouba and Chris Kreider. If Drury doesn't manage to trade away all of New York's skilled players, Sullivan will have one of the safest cases to be a contender for the Jack Adams. 

Ryan Huska (+1900) 

Huska has been leading a Flames team that is focusing on building a resilient and competitive group. Despite their 41-27-14 record this past season, Calgary fell just short of a playoff berth but showed lots of promise as a physical team that many dreaded to play against.

With the fifth-most cap space in the league at nearly $27 million, the team could make some key improvements and continue to ride the hot hand of rookie goaltender Dustin Wolf, who looks like he will be the anchor of the Flames for years to come.

Jeff Blashill (+1900) 

The Blackhawks are desperately looking to improve on their 126-215-43 record since 2020 and the hope is Blashill is the man to get the job done.

With potential reinforcements from trading the third overall pick and utilizing $25.2 million in cap space for free-agent signings, Chicago could assemble a competitive roster. A playoff berth would almost certianly put Jeff Blashill in contention for the Jack Adams Award.

More NHL: Blackhawks Reportedly Open to Trading No. 3 Pick in 2026 NHL Draft

Ryan Warsofsky (+2000)

The Sharks were one of most exciting teams in the league to watch last season as they remained a reliable betting team to cover the puck line despite their troublesome record that has them listed as a lottery team once again. San Jose is slowly building as a team in the basement for a long period of time almost always leads to a sleeping dragon much like the Florida Panthers for several years. 

If Warsofsky can develop San Jose’s young players into difference-makers and make key additions using their league-leading $41.7 million in cap space this summer, it could result in a far more competitive roster than anticipated and put Warsofsky in the running for the Jack Adams Award.

Rick Tocchet (+2200) 

The Flyers have a promising future thanks to their talented young players such as Matvei Michkov and Noah Cates, who have already demonstrated they can make an impact at the NHL level.

Adding to that, Rick Tocchet’s elite coaching resume, highlighted by his recent Jack Adams Award, brings proven leadership and player development expertise. With Tocchet guiding this youthful roster, the Flyers are well-positioned to improve and compete more strongly in the upcoming season.

Travis Green (+2200) 

Green has helped develop the young Senators team into a playoff contender and depending on the success of the team next season, he could be an easy pick to win the award. A top three division seed for Ottawa would make Green hard to beat

Todd McLellan (+2300)

Todd McLellan took over as head coach of the Detroit Red Wings mid-season, replacing Derek Lalonde. Despite the team's overall struggles, McLellan's experience with defensive structure should help lead the Red Wings to one of their best seasons in years as they are on the cusp of a playoff berth. Watch for McLellan to be one of the biggest darkhorses for the award.

Adam Foote (+2300) 

The case for Foote is easy as the Vancouver Canucks have the makeup of a team that challenged the two-time Western Conference champion Edmonton Oilers in a seven-game slugfest a year ago and could build up to that same level once again.

Star players like Elias Pettersson and Quinn Hughes will need to play massive roles and get the Canucks back in the playoff picture at minimum. 

More NHL: Frontrunners Forming In Marner Sweepstakes After Recent Insider Reports

Posted on

Celtics draft fits: Is Illinois' Kasparas Jakucionis worth trading up for?

Celtics draft fits: Is Illinois' Kasparas Jakucionis worth trading up for? originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston

Should the Boston Celtics trade up in the 2025 NBA Draft to select a player who could make a meaningful impact as a rookie?

The C’s are one of only three teams in the second apron of the luxury tax, which limits their ability to add players via trade and free agency. Therefore, the upcoming draft is likely the best avenue for the Celtics to add young, cost-controlled young players.

More Celtics Draft Fits:

But the Celtics own the No. 28 pick near the end of Round 1. There are usually a couple good players near the end of the first round and early second round in each draft, but finding them is difficult.

If the Celtics packaged the No. 28 pick, the No. 32 pick (second pick in Round 2) and maybe a future pick, perhaps they’d be able to move up into the late lottery or early 20s.

And if they were able to swing that kind of move, one player worth considering in that range is Illinois guard Kasparas Jakucionis. He is projected to land between the No. 10 and No. 17 picks in a lot of mock drafts.

Learn more about Jakucionis and his potential fit with the C’s below:

Kasparas Jakucionis’ bio

  • Position: Guard
  • Height: 6-foot-6
  • Weight: 200 pounds
  • Birthdate: May 29, 2006
  • Birthplace: Vilnius, Lithuania
  • College: Illinois

Kasparas Jakucionis’ collegiate stats

  • 2024-25: 15.0 points, 5.7 rebounds, 4.7 assists, 44.0 field goal percentage, 31.8 3-point percentage (33 games)

Kasparas Jakucionis’ college accolades

  • 2025 Big Ten All-Freshman Team
  • 2025 All-B1G Second Team (AP)

Kasparas Jakucionis’ highlights

Why Kasparas Jakucionis fits with Celtics

Jakucionis hit just 31.8 percent of his 3-pointers for the Fighting Illini, but an arm injury during the season might have been the reason for those struggles. He does have a nice offensive game driving to the basket. He boasts an impressive repertoire of moves near the rim, including fantastic footwork. Jakucionis is a three-level scorer and is effective on pick-and-roll scenarios.

The Lithuanian guard also is a very good playmaker, but he did turn the ball over a little too much at Illinois — 3.7 turnovers per game, tied for the fourth-most of any player last season — so he’ll have to clean that up a bit in the pros.

Should the Celtics target Jakucionis in Round 1, especially if they have to trade up to get him?

Here’s what our insider Chris Forsberg thinks:

“The one-and-done Illinois combo guard is known for his creative passing and the way he sees the floor. He gets to the free throw line a lot, too, and as we’ve seen with Jalen Brunson and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the foul-merchant business is a good one to be in.

“Before suffering a midseason arm injury, Jakucionis was shooting 41 percent from 3-point range. His numbers dipped afterward. If that dip can be attributed to his injury, his game fills out a bit more. If the Celtics can get higher in the draft through some wheeling and dealing, Jakucionis could be the target.”

Posted on

Warriors' 2025 NBA offseason has to start with shooting, scoring firepower

Warriors' 2025 NBA offseason has to start with shooting, scoring firepower originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

If the Oklahoma City Thunder end the Indiana Pacers’ season Thursday night, or simply win one of the next two games in the 2025 NBA Finals, the age-old adage of “defense wins championships” can take a victory lap. 

The Thunder had the best defense all regular season, and that continued in the playoffs. Their league-best 106.6 defensive rating has dropped to 105.9 in the playoffs, with one or two games remaining. They averaged 10.3 steals per game in the regular season, and that number has jumped to 10.9 in the playoffs. OKC’s defense circles its prey, swarms, and in thunderous unison releases the Kraken to send a dagger through their opponents. 

Having a 26-year-old MVP who’s a modernized throwback scoring machine that averaged 32.7 points per game to lead the NBA this season certainly helps. So does having a No. 2 who can score all over the floor. Jalen Williams has increased his scoring output in each of the first five games of the Finals, putting 40 on the Indiana Pacers to take a three-games-to-two series lead in Game 5. 

Wherever the Warriors have been watching the Finals, they could be shaking their heads and sweating at the mere thought of going against the Thunder’s defense for a playoff series in the alternate universe that a healthy Steph Curry led them past the Minnesota Timberwolves and into the Western Conference Finals. In the real world of how the Warriors’ season unfolded with an injured Curry watching from the sidelines, however, the front office should have seen that more shooting and scoring firepower will be needed to get past the Thunder and anybody else if they want to climb the mountain once more in the next two years of Curry, Jimmy Butler and Draymond’s Green contracts. 

“When Steph went out, the lack of shooting was an issue, and that impacted Draymond, it impacted Jimmy, impacted [Jonathan Kuminga],” Steve Kerr said after the season. “So those are things that we have to figure out for sure.”

In the four games of the conference semifinals that Curry missed because of his strained hamstring, the Warriors only made 38 threes and shot 31.9 percent. As the Timberwolves kept missing, the Warriors made 18 threes in their Game 1 win when Curry had 13 points and three 3-pointers in just 13 minutes. They made 11 threes in that win after his exit, but five came from Buddy Hield. 

The other six were from a combination of Green, Butler, Kuminga and Gary Payton II, four players considered “non-shooters” from deep. The Warriors in Game 2 through 5 averaged 9.5 threes per game, five fewer than the Timberwolves’ average of 14.5. 

Plenty of question marks surround the Warriors going into the offseason. There’s one certainty: If healthy, Curry, Butler and Green will all be in the starting five as the trio that makes everything go. When those three are on the floor together, the Warriors like their chances against anyone. It also complicates a couple of things. 

“Obviously with Steph, he’s such a unique player and creates so much gravity, but Jimmy and Draymond are unique in their own rights,” Warriors general manager Mike Dunleavy said last month. “Jimmy’s ability to get to the line, it’s a highly efficient way to score and get to the basket and those things.

“We’ve got ways to be a really good offense, but it’s just maybe not as traditional in 2025 as some of these other clubs.” 

Simply said, the Warriors can’t be a five-out team with both Butler and Green in the lineup. Can they even be a four-out team? On a list that could be long, shooting and scoring have to be the Warriors’ main priority entering the NBA draft, free agency and possibly conducting their next trade. 

That can come through multiple avenues, including internally. It’s no surprise that the best offensive rating of a three-man unit for the Warriors that included Butler and Green was inserting Curry (117.8 offensive rating). But Moses Moody and Brandin Podziemski were the two players who spent the most regular-season minutes next to Butler and Green. 

Moody in the final 28 games of the regular season when he became an everyday starter shot 36.8 percent from three with 1.3 steals per game as a steady two-way player. From Jan. 1 to the end of the regular season, a 48-game span, Moody was a 37.6 percent 3-point shooter on five attempts per game. He then shot 33.3 percent in the playoffs, went four consecutive games without a made three, and was a shell of himself offensively. 

The Warriors then announced Moody underwent surgery to repair a torn UCL in his right shooting thumb less than a week after the season ended. Like Moody, health surely played a part in Podziemski’s playoff shooting struggles. 

Podziemski played 26 regular-season games after the Butler trade and shot 41.7 percent from three on six attempts per game. He averaged 15 points per game in that span, and then 11.3 points per game in the playoffs on 32.8 percent beyond the arc. Forty percent of his points in the playoffs came from two games. 

And then the Warriors announced Podziemski has gone through left wrist surgery and surgery to repair a core muscle injury this offseason. The healthy sample sizes of Podziemski and Moody, especially with how they fit their roles once Butler was aboard, has to make the Warriors feel confident moving forward. 

Hield was brought in to pick up the 3-point slack from Klay Thompson’s departure, and he fulfilled that need by making at least 200 threes for a seventh straight season. He also averaged 9.3 points and shot 31 percent from three for a two-month stretch. Hield is hot and cold, rarely finding a middle ground. 

The reality of a possible Kuminga return as a restricted free agent only intensifies the need for more shooting. Curry has played at least 70 games the last two seasons, and that number should be expected to drop next season and the season after. A scorer like Kuminga can help ease that burden, but only if the proper shooting is around him, spacing the floor for driving room to the basket. 

Size is undoubtedly part of the priority list. Height might not matter much if the player can’t stretch the floor like we’re seeing by the last two teams standing from players like Chet Holmgren and Myles Turner. The Pacers have a true five-out starting lineup, and the Thunder led the NBA in 3-point percentage once the calendar moved to 2025. 

The NBA offseason began before the season even ended when the Orlando Magic traded for Desmond Bane on Sunday. Why did the Magic send Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, four first-round picks and a future pick swap to the Memphis Grizzlies for someone who’s yet to make an All-Star team in his first five seasons? Because Bane’s scoring ability as someone who has averaged more than 20 points twice, and shooting 41 percent behind the 3-point line for his career, is exactly what the Magic have been missing.

Making it further than a second-round exit is the expectation after understanding who the Warriors are in the Butler era. The only way that will happen is if the main investment the next few weeks and throughout the summer is circling players who can put points on the scoreboard and make the nets drip once again inside Chase Center, and beyond.

Download and follow the Dubs Talk Podcast

Posted on

As Club World Cup hands out riches, a plan is needed for those left behind | Nick Ames

With the top-level juggernaut careering away the majority of Europe’s clubs need help and should be better rewarded for players they develop

While a dozen of Europe’s elite clubs were chasing the American dream, 170 of their less garlanded peers gathered for a barbecue next to Lake Geneva. They had converged on Uefa’s headquarters to attend the qualifying round draws for next season’s continental competitions; Tuesday night was time to get together, perhaps to speed-date representatives of the team you had been paired with or simply to cut loose before a labyrinthine summer spent journeying in search of league-phase football.

Borussia Dortmund were slugging out a goalless draw with Fluminense while the meat hit the grills, but “Club World Cup” is a dirty formulation in Nyon’s corridors of power. Any available screens showed action from Uefa’s own Under-21 Championship and alternative sources of entertainment roamed the pastel green lawns. A caricature artist did the rounds, stopping at the table occupied by Aleksander Ceferin and putting his pencil to work.

Continue reading...
Posted on

When India won at Headingley for the first time and left England in despair

Mike Gatting took over from David Gower as captain before the Test at Headingley. It didn’t make much difference

By That 1980s Sports Blog

India will be hoping the Test at Headingley this week goes better than their last visit to the ground in 2021. Dismissed for 78 in the first innings, a defeat inevitably followed for the visitors. It was a far cry from their two previous visits – the victory in 2002 inspired by Rahul Dravid, Sachin Tendulkar and Sourav Ganguly, and their first Test win at the ground in 1986.

England’s defeat at Headingley 39 years ago was a tough one for their fans. As the World Cup in Mexico grabbed the attention of the sporting public, and Boris Becker defended his Wimbledon crown, England’s Test team were plumbing new depths. The glory of the 1985 Ashes series seemed a lifetime ago. That victory had led some to believe that the winter series against the West Indies could be an evenly matched contest between two of the best teams in the world. File that under misplaced confidence. England were crushed 5-0, and the pressure on captain David Gower started to crank up.

Continue reading...
Posted on

2025 NHL Draft Prospect Profile: Reese Hamilton

The WHL is set to play a big role in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft. Leading up to the draft, we at The Hockey News will be profiling some of the players who are projected to hear their names called at the end of June. Today's prospect is Reese Hamilton, who plays for the Regina Pats.

Credit Mark Peterson // Prince Albert Raiders

Hamilton's biggest strength, without a shadow of a doubt, is his skating. Explosive strides, smooth edgework, the former Calgary Hitmen blueliner has ways to close gaps and push opposing skaters to the outside. Once he gets there, a finished body check is likely on the way and puck possession will change hands.

However, the Pats defender at one point was a top-15 player in the 2025 class. Since the beginning of the season, he has fallen to somehwere in the 125-175 range. As is the case with multiple players in the past, this isn't a death sentence; Hamilton does have the tools to become a solid defender in the NHL, especially with his skating, but the offensive output could use some work.

Make sure you bookmark THN's WHL site and add us to your favourites on Google News for the latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns, and so much more.

2025 NHL Draft Prospect Profile: Nathan Behm

2025 NHL Draft Prospect Profile: Peyton Kettles

2025 NHL Draft Prospect Profile: Hayden Paupanekis

2025 NHL Draft Prospect Profile: David Lewandowski

Tri-City Americans Jackson Smith Commits To Penn State University

Image
Posted on

Mets at Braves: How to watch on SNY on June 19, 2025

The Metsconclude a three-game series with the Braves in Atlanta on Thursday at 7:15 p.m. on SNY.

Here's what to know about the game and how to watch...

Mets Notes

  • Juan Soto is hitting .328/.494/.689 with six homers, four doubles, 19 walks, 12 RBI, and 18 runs scored over his last 18 games
  • Brandon Nimmo is hitting .305/.374/.524 with five homers, three doubles, 12 RBI, and 15 runs scored over his last 21 games
  • Clay Holmeshas been terrific over his last five starts, allowing just eight runs in 29.2 innings
METS
BRAVES
--
--
--
--
--
--
--
--
--

What channel is SNY?

Check your TV or streaming provider's website or channel finder to find your local listings.

How can I stream the game?

The new way to stream SNY games is via the MLB App or MLB.tv. Streaming on the SNY App has been discontinued.

In order to stream games in SNY’s regional territory, you will need to have SNY as part of your TV package (cable or streaming), or you can now purchase an in-market SNY subscription package. Both ways will allow fans to watch the Mets on their computer, tablet or mobile phone. 

How can I watch the game on my computer via MLB? 

To get started on your computer, click here and then follow these steps: 

  • Log in using your provider credentials. If you are unsure of your provider credentials, please contact your provider. 
  • Link your provider credentials with a new or existing MLB.com account. 
  • Log in using your MLB.com credentials to watch Mets games on SNY. 

How can I watch the game on the MLB App? 

MLB App access is included for FREE with SNY. To access SNY on your favorite supported Apple or Android mobile device, please follow the steps below.  

  • Open “MLB” and tap on “Subscriber Login” for Apple Devices or “Sign in with MLB.com” for Android Devices. 
  • Type in your MLB.com credentials and tap “Log In.”  
  • To access live or on-demand content, tap on the "Watch" tab from the bottom navigation bar. Select the "Games" sub-tab to see a listing of available games. You can scroll to previous dates using the left and right arrows. Tap on a game to select from the game feeds available.  

For more information on how to stream Mets games on SNY, please click here. 

Posted on

Former Devils Forward Signs Extension With New Team

Former New Jersey Devils forward Fabian Zetterlund has landed a nice payday.

According to Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman, the Ottawa Senators are signing Fabian Zetterlund to a three-year contract extension that comes with a $4.275 million average annual value. 

Zetterlund, 25, was traded by the San Jose Sharks to the Senators at the 2025 NHL trade deadline in a bit of a surprising deal. Before the trade, Zetterlund was a key part of the Sharks' forward group and had 36 points in 64 games with San Jose this season.

Following the move to the Senators, Zetterlund struggled to find his fit. In 20 regular-season games with Ottawa, he had two goals, five points, and a minus-1 rating. He also did not record a point in six playoff games. However, it is hard to believe that he does not have the potential to heat back up next season, as he is a solid second-line forward when playing at his best. Thus, it makes sense the Senators have re-signed him to this three-year deal.

Zetterlund's best season in the NHL thus far was in 2023-24 with the Sharks. In 82 games during that campaign, he set career highs with 24 goals and 44 points. 

Zetterlund was selected by the Devils with the 63rd overall pick of the 2017 NHL Entry Draft. In two seasons in New Jersey, he posted nine goals, 28 points, and a plus-9 rating. His time with the Devils ended when he was traded to the Sharks in the trade that brought Timo Meier to New Jersey. 

Devils Have Perfect Erik Haula Replacement In Canucks CenterDevils Have Perfect Erik Haula Replacement In Canucks CenterThe New Jersey Devils made a notable move on June 18, trading forward Erik Haula to the Nashville Predators. Haula had been in the rumor mill with the summer here, and now the Devils have officially moved him.

Photo Credit: © Ed Mulholland-Imagn Images

Posted on

Thunder vs. Pacers Game 6: Four things to watch as Indiana tries to extend season

INDIANAPOLIS — Do the Indiana Pacers have another improbable comeback in them? Or will we see an NBA champion crowned on Thursday night?

The way the Thunder have won the last two games and taken control of the series makes it seem like Game 6 could be the final game of the 2024-25 NBA season — but underestimate these Pacers at your own risk. Especially on their home court.

Here are four things to watch in Game 6 Thursday night:

Tyrese Haliburton

Everything Game 6 starts — and the Pacers' season could end — here.

Haliburton has a left calf strain, one that slowed him considerably in Game 5 when he scored four points on 0-of-6 shooting. He is the orchestrator of Indiana's high-paced offense, and if he's not playing at his All-NBA best, it's a massive advantage for the Thunder in a series where games have swung on the thinnest of margins.

Haliburton, for his part, was clear that he planned to be on the court Thursday.

"I'm a competitor; I want to play. I'm going to do everything in my power to play," Haliburton said.

He has been undergoing around-the-clock treatment to make sure he is on the court.

"Massage, needles, hyperbaric, H waves. Everything you can do to get as comfortable as you can going into it," Haliburton said, adding he is just following the instructions of the team's medical staff. "The right tape and stuff while I am performing."

Haliburton went through the Pacers' light practice on Wednesday, got up some shots, and was walking without a limp. However, Pacers' coach Rick Carlisle was more cautious about Haliburton's status.

"He participated in all our walk-through stuff. But it's a walk-through, so there was no real running," Carlisle said. "We'll see. We'll see where we are tomorrow... We will not really know for sure until late tomorrow afternoon or early evening."

Expect more Pascal Siakam initiating the offense, more T.J. McConnell, and Carlisle is ready to lean into whatever role player gets hot at home. It's still not the same without Haliburton. The Pacers are 12-3 this postseason when Haliburton scores at least 20 points. Does he have that kind of night in him? The Pacers need him to.

Did OKC learn from Denver Game 6?

Oklahoma City has been here before. They were up 3-2 on the Denver Nuggets and, with the chance to put the Nuggets away in the Mile High City, the Thunder didn't come close. Jamal Murray scored 25 points, Christian Braun added 23 points and 12 rebounds, but this will mostly be remembered as the Julian Strawther game, he scored 15 second-half points off the bench to spark Denver and force a Game 7.

What can Oklahoma City take away from that Game 6 and bring to Indianapolis?

"Don't get complacent. Don't look too far ahead," Cason Wallace said. "We gotta take it one game at a time. I feel like we were, we're a little relaxed in that game, so just knowing that we can't, we can't make that same mistake again."

"I feel like we didn't control the controllables," Alex Caruso said of the Game 6 loss in Denver. "That's what we do. It's what we have to do in this game."

To a man at practices on Wednesday, the Thunder players discussed not getting ahead of themselves, staying in the moment, and coming out like the series is 0-0.

"We just got to come out with desperation again.." Isaiah Hartenstein said, referencing how the team played in Game 5. "So we're not going to come in acting like everything's sealed, everything's done. They're going to come out with desperation. They're a great team, and we're and we're going to come out with the same and probably, maybe even more desperation."

Can Indiana take care of the ball?

Haliburton's injury was part of what stalled out the Pacers' comeback dream in Game 5. The other thing was turnovers. Indiana had 23 turnovers that led to 32 Oklahoma City points. The Thunder had 13 more scoring opportunities on the night and won the possession battle, primarily because of the turnovers.

"That's the game. We've got to do a heck of a lot better there," Carlisle said.

The Thunder ball pressure will be back. Can the Pacers handle it?

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander on cusp of history

LeBron James in 2013 in Miami.

That was the last time a player won the NBA MVP, the Finals MVP, and an NBA championship in the same season. It's happened just 15 times since 1970 (stats via Michael Ginnitti of Spotrac).

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is one win away from that. Not that he was going to discuss the idea.

"The cusp of winning is not winning," he said. "The way I see it, winning is all that matters. It hasn't been fulfilled. We haven't done anything, the way I see it."

Gilgeous-Alexander and the Thunder do need one more win, and if Jalen Williams has another massive night in Game 6, he could be voted Finals MVP. Still, SGA is on the cusp of history, as are the Thunder as a team, and it's something to watch.

Posted on

Chelsea co-owner buys Los Angeles Lakers in world’s most expensive sports takeover

Mark Walter looks on
Mark Walter (left) has investments in Chelsea, the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Cadillac F1 team, who make their debut in 2026 - Getty Images/Craig Mercer

The Los Angeles Lakers will become the most expensive sports team in history with a valuation of $10 billion (£7.45 billion) after an agreement was reached to sell a controlling stake to TWG Global CEO Mark Walter.

The Buss family, which has owned the team since 1979, has made a deal to sell to Walter, who also has a controlling stake in the Los Angeles Dodgers baseball team and is part of the group that owns Chelsea.

Walter has been a stakeholder in the Lakers since 2021, when he took a 20 per cent holding in the franchise. He has overseen a period of success with the Dodgers, who won the World Series last year and in 2020.

The valuation of the Lakers comfortably eclipses that of their rivals, the Boston Celtics, who were sold for $6.1 billion (£4.5 billion) earlier this year, then a record-high price for an American sports team.

The Lakers are one of the most prominent teams in basketball and home to 40-year-old LeBron James, who won his fourth career championship with the team in 2020.

They made a blockbuster trade earlier this year for Slovenian Luka Doncic with the Dallas Mavericks, sending Anthony Davis in the other direction, one of the most unexpected moves in NBA history.

Why are the Lakers being sold?

Jerry Buss, who bought the team for $67.5 million 46 years ago, died in 2013 and passed ownership of the Lakers to his six children in a trust. The family were in control of 66 per cent of the team but the terms of the trust reportedly required all six of the children to agree on any potential sale.

That appears to have happened, although Jeanie Buss, who has worked as the Lakers governor, is expected to keep her title under the new ownership structure. When Walter initially invested in 2021 it is understood he was given the option to become majority owner if the situation arose.

Jerry Buss and his son Jim Buss look on during a media conference
Jerry Buss (right) bought the Lakers for $67.5 million 46 years ago - Reuters/Lucy Nicholson

What does it mean?

Fans and analysts are optimistic about Walter leading the Lakers to the sort of success he has enjoyed with the Dodgers. “Mark Walter is the best choice and will be the best caretaker of the Laker brand,” said their hall-of-famer Magic Johnson. “He is driven by winning, excellence and doing everything the right way. AND he will put in the resources needed to win.”

The Lakers have qualified for the play-offs in four of the past five seasons, but other than their Championship win in 2020 they have been knocked out in the first round. James remains a remarkably potent force given his age, but Doncic is the player the new Lakers era will be built around.

Who is Mark Walter and how has he made his money?

A 65-year-old businessman and CEO of the investment and financial services company Guggenheim Partners, which manages more than $330 billion (£246 billion) of assets. Highly private, his estimated net worth is disputed with one calculation guessing at $6 billion (£4.45 billion), another at $12 billion (£8.9 billion). A long career in insurance, investment and financial services has been extremely lucrative.

Mark Walter and Irvin "Magic" Johnson look on
Walter (left) is also a co-owner of the Los Angeles Dodgers along with Todd Boehly (right), his fellow Chelsea co-owner - Shutterstock/Jayne Kamin-Oncea

What other teams does he own?

The Dodgers are his best-known other interest, only behind the New York Yankees in baseball in estimated value and cultural heft. Last year they recruited the sport’s biggest name Shohei Ohtani. The Dodgers general manager, Dave Roberts, has already mock-warned Walter not to move Ohtani over to basketball, saying, “Hands off of Shohei. They got enough superstars wearing the purple and gold. Leave him alone.”

With his frequent investment partner Todd Boehly, Walter is part of BlueCo, the holding company which controls Chelsea and RC Strasbourg. Walter also has stakes in the Los Angeles Sparks women’s basketball team, owns the top league of women’s ice hockey in the USA and several motorsport teams, including Cadillac, which will compete in Formula One next year.

Why are the Lakers worth $10bn?

They are arguably the best-known and certainly the most popular team in a sport which is in rude health. Their brand has worldwide reach, guaranteeing lucrative earnings from merchandise and licensing around the globe. This is aided by their starry reputation as the team which frequently has the face of the league within its ranks: James currently but Kobe Bryant, Shaquille O’Neal, Johnson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar before him.

TV rights are negotiated locally for games not shown nationally in basketball and Los Angeles is one of the biggest markets in the country. Thanks to the closed-shop nature of American sport, operating without relegation, there are few reasons to believe the money will ever stop rolling in.

Posted on

Phillies at Marlins Prediction: Odds, expert picks, starting pitchers, betting trends and stats for June 19

Its Thursday, June 19 and the Phillies (44-30) are in Miami to take on the Marlins (29-43).

Cristopher Sánchez is slated to take the mound for Philadelphia against Edward Cabrera for Miami.

Philadelphia took the third game of this four-game series last night, 4-2. Bryson Stott paced the attack with a three-run home run. Ranger Suarez allowed just a single run over seven innings to earn his sixth win of the season.

Lets dive into the matchup and find a sweat or two.

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.

Follow Rotoworld Player News for the latest fantasy and betting player news and analysis all season long.

Game details & how to watch Phillies at Marlins

  • Date: Thursday, June 19, 2025
  • Time: 6:40PM EST
  • Site: LoanDepot Park
  • City: Miami, FL
  • Network/Streaming: NBCSP, FDSNFL

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 MLB schedule page, along with detailed matchup pages that update live in-game with every out.

Odds for the Phillies at the Marlins

The latest odds as of Thursday:

  • Moneyline: Phillies (-179), Marlins (+149)
  • Spread:  Phillies -1.5
  • Total: 7.0 runs

Probable starting pitchers for Phillies at Marlins

  • Pitching matchup for June 19, 2025: Cristopher Sánchez vs. Edward Cabrera
    • Phillies: Cristopher Sánchez (5-2, 3.05 ERA)
      Last outing: 6/14 vs. Toronto - 7IP, 2ER, 0BB, 5Ks
    • Marlins: Edward Cabrera (2-2, 4.10 ERA)
      Last outing: 6/13 at Washington - 3IP, 2ER, 2H, 2BB, 5Ks

Rotoworld still has you covered with all the latest MLB 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!

Top betting trends & insights to know ahead of Phillies at Marlins

  • The Marlins have lost 12 of their last 20 games
  • The Under is 4-1 in the Marlins' last 5 matchups against divisional opponents
  • Xavier Edwards is 6-13 through 3 games of this series
  • Trea Turner is 5-13 through 3 games of this series

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 MLB Top Trends tool on NBC Sports!

Expert picks & predictions for tonight’s game between the Phillies and the Marlins

Rotoworld 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 MLB calendar based on data points like past performance, player matchups, ballpark information and weather forecasts.

Once the model is finished running, we put its projection 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 Thursday's game between the Phillies and the Marlins:

  • Moneyline: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the Philadelphia Phillies on the Moneyline.
  • Spread: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play ATS on the Miami Marlins at +1.5.
  • Total: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the over on the Game Total of 7.0.

Want even more MLB best bets and predictions from our expert staff & tools? Check out the Expert MLB Predictions page from NBC

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)
Posted on

Canadiens: A Trip Down Draft Memory Lane Part 2

Unless Kent Hughes pulls the trigger on a trade, the Montreal Canadiens will get to speak twice in the first round of the NHL draft on June 27. Thanks to the trade in which they acquired Sean Monahan in August 2022, they now hold the 16th overall pick, which previously belonged to the Calgary Flames, as well as their pick, the 17th overall.

Over the years, the Habs have selected 17th overall seven times. There were some hits, some misses, but there were also some players they should have held onto longer.

Canadiens: A Trip Down Draft Memory Lane
Comparing Canadiens' Lane Hutson Rookie Season to Cale Makar and Quinn Hughes' From An Analytics Standpoint
Canadiens: Laine Celebrated The Stanley Cup Win With Barkov

The first time Montreal picked at number 17 was back in 1966; that year, the Sainte-Flanelle opted for centre Jude Drouin. The Murdochville, PQ native looked like a promising forward, and until he wore the Tricolore, he was a very productive player. In 1969-70 with the Montreal Voyageurs of the AHL, he recorded 106 points in 65 games. In the NHL, however, he was held off the scoresheet in three games after mustering only two assists in nine games the previous year, which prompted the Canadiens to trade him to the Minnesota North Stars for a player to be named later, who turned out to be Bill Collins. While he spent only 40 games with the Canadiens before being traded to the Detroit Red Wings, he was part of the package Montreal sent to the Wings to acquire Frank Mahovlich, so that we can count that one as a win.

In 1973, the Sainte-Flanelle picked Glenn Goldup with the 17th overall pick. A left-shot winger who was unable to crack a powerhouse Canadiens’ roster and would only play 18 NHL games in town before the Tricolore traded him alongside a third-round pick at the 1978 draft to the Los Angeles Kings for two picks, a third-round and a first-round one at the same draft. Those picks would turn into Moe Robinson and Danny Geoffrion, son of former legend Bernard Geoffrion and father of future Hab Blake Geoffrion. Unfortunately for the Canadiens, Boom Boom’s son didn’t possess his father’s talent and played only 111 games in the NHL, including 32 with Montreal.

That didn’t stop the Canadiens from betting on family genes when they drafted Dave Hunter at the 1978 draft. Dale and Mark’s brother elected to play in the WHA for the Edmonton Oilers, and stayed with them when they became an NHL team. Hunter played 746 NHL games with the Edmonton Oilers, Pittsburgh Penguins, and Winnipeg Jets, accumulating 323 points and winning three Stanley Cups. He was, however, the least productive of the three brothers, Mark wrapping up his career with 384 points and 1,428 penalty minutes, while Dale scored 1,020 points and 3,563 penalty minutes.

In 1983, the Canadiens picked Alfie Turcotte (father of Los Angeles player Alex Turcotte) with the 17th pick. They played part of three seasons in the NHL with the Habs with mixed results before they traded him for future considerations to the Edmonton Oilers. Less than a year later, they reacquired him for cash before trading him away a second time, to the Winnipeg Jets for future considerations. In the end, Turcotte played a total of 112 NHL games and picked up 46 points before heading overseas to continue his career.

Then, in 1987, Montreal selected Andrew Cassels with the 17th overall pick. The left-shot center then played a couple more dominating seasons in the OHL, posting 285 points in 117 games with the Ottawa 67’s. After that, he spent a year with the Sherbrooke Canadiens in the American Hockey League (AHL), accumulating 67 points in 55 games before advancing to the NHL for the 1990-91 season. In his only complete season in Montreal, he scored 25 points in 54 games. Then, in September, the Canadiens traded him to the Hartford Whalers for a 1992 second-round pick who turned into Valeri Bure. Cassels would go on to play 1015 NHL games, registering 732 points in the process.

In 1991, when the Quebec Nordiques selected Eric Lindros first overall, the New Jersey Devils selected Scott Niedermayer with the third pick, and the New York Rangers selected Alexei Kovalev at 15th overall, the Canadiens opted for 6-foot-4, 230-pound defenseman Brent Bilodeau. The supersized defenseman would go on to play 122 games with the Fredericton Canadiens in the American Hockey League (AHL). Bilodeau is the only first-round pick from that draft who never played a single NHL game; this one was truly a wasted selection.

Finally, in 2011, when Montreal last picked 17th, they chose left-shot defenseman Nathan Beaulieu. He wasn’t a bad pick and played 225 games with the Canadiens, gathering 60 points in the process. Then, in June 2017, Montreal traded him to the Buffalo Sabres in return for a third-round pick, which they used to select Scott Walford, who they never signed. As for Beaulieu, he went on to play 471 games in the NHL with the Sabres, Jets, and Anaheim Ducks before heading overseas to continue his professional career.

Just like with the 16th overall pick, the Canadiens have had mixed results with the 17th overall pick. They got their money’s worth with Drouin, who eventually landed him, Mahovlich, and Cassells were hands down their best pick, but they didn’t have the patience to wait for him to develop correctly.

Photo credit: Jean-Yves Ahern-Imagn Images

Canadiens stories, analysis, breaking news, and more! Tap the star to add us to your favorites on Google News, never to miss a story.  

Follow Karine on X @KarineHains Bluesky @karinehains.bsky.social and Threads @karinehains.

Bookmark The Hockey News Canadiens' page for all the news and happenings around the Canadiens.

Join the discussion by signing up to the Canadiens' roundtable on The Hockey News.

Posted on

Mets at Braves prediction: Odds, expert picks, starting pitchers, betting trends, and stats for June 19

Its Thursday, June 19 and the Mets (45-29) are in Atlanta looking to avoid being swept by the Braves (33-39).

Clay Holmes is slated to take the mound for New York against Spencer Strider for Atlanta.

Chris Sale was electric last night as the Braves blanked the Mets, 5-0. They will look to make it three in a row over their division rival tonight. Matt Olson and Ronald Acuna Jr. each went deep for the Braves, but it was Sales' night as the veteran allowed just five hits while striking out seven over 8.2 innings for his fifth win of the season.

Lets dive into the matchup and find a sweat or two.

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.

Follow Rotoworld Player News for the latest fantasy and betting player news and analysis all season long.

Game details & how to watch Mets at Braves

  • Date: Thursday, June 19, 2025
  • Time: 7:15PM EST
  • Site: Truist Park
  • City: Atlanta, GA
  • Network/Streaming: SNY, FSDNSO, MLBN

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 MLB schedule page, along with detailed matchup pages that update live in-game with every out.

Odds for the Mets at the Braves

The latest odds as of Thursday:

  • Moneyline: Mets (+109), Braves (-129)
  • Spread:  Braves -1.5
  • Total: 8.0 runs

Probable starting pitchers for Mets at Braves

  • Pitching matchup for June 19, 2025: Clay Holmes vs. Spencer Strider
    • Mets: Clay Holmes (7-3, 2.87 ERA)
      Last outing: 6/13 vs. Tampa Bay - 5IP, 1ER, 3H, 2BB, 3Ks
    • Braves: Spencer Strider (1-5, 4.36 ERA)
      Last outing: 6/14 vs. Colorado - 6IP, 0ER, 3H, 1BB, 13Ks

Rotoworld still has you covered with all the latest MLB 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!

Top betting trends & insights to know ahead of Mets at Braves

  • The Mets have won 18 of 28 games following a defeat
  • With Spencer Strider starting for the Braves this season the Under is 5-1 (83%)
  • The Mets have covered in 4 of their last 5 road games but they are profiting 1.16 units
  • Clay Holmes has struck out 3 opposing hitters in every start since the beginning of May but has struck out as many as 6 just once (6/7 at Colorado)

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 MLB Top Trends tool on NBC Sports!

Expert picks & predictions for tonight’s game between the Mets and the Braves

Rotoworld 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 MLB calendar based on data points like past performance, player matchups, ballpark information and weather forecasts.

Once the model is finished running, we put its projection 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 Thursday's game between the Mets and the Braves:

  • 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 New York Mets at +1.5.
  • Total: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the over on the Game Total of 8.0.

Want even more MLB best bets and predictions from our expert staff & tools? Check out the Expert MLB Predictions page from NBC

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)