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Basketball world reacts to Knicks' second-straight comeback win over Celtics

Basketball world reacts to Knicks' second-straight comeback win over Celtics originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

The Knicks-Celtics sequel was very similar to the original.

Same cast. Same plot. Same ending.

The Celtics go up by 20 in the third quarter, the Knicks chip away and take a late lead, Mikal Bridges makes a defensive stop to seal the win, the Knicks celebrate on Boston’s home court, and Knicks fans celebrate in the streets of Manhattan.

History repeated itself on Wednesday as the Knicks erased a 20-point deficit and defeated the Celtics 91-90 in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals. New York, which also erased a 20-point third quarter deficit in Game 1 en route to a 108-105 win, return to Madison Square Garden for Game 3 on Saturday afternoon with a 2-0 series lead over the heavily-favored defending champions.

Jalen Brunson made two free throws with 12.7 seconds left for a 91-90 lead. Jayson Tatum was then unable to get a shot off after being stifled by OG Anunoby and Bridges, who batted the ball away just before the buzzer.

That made the Knicks the first team to comeback from a 20-point deficit and win in consecutive postseason games, per TNT, and the first team to do so in any two games within a single series since at least 1998, according to ESPN.

The historic comebacks for New York and collapses for Boston caused an uproar on social media….

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NBA Playoff Ratings Up 6% Through First Round

The Minnesota Timberwolves may have robbed the NBA’s media partners of a quarterfinals collision between perennial ratings champs LeBron James and Steph Curry, but the league has momentum on its side as the second round of the playoffs begins to heat up.

According to Nielsen live-plus-same-day data, the opening salvo of the NBA postseason averaged 3.71 million viewers across ABC, ESPN and TNT/truTV, which marks a 6% increase versus the year-ago 3.49 million. The Disney networks did much of the heavy lifting in the first round, as deliveries across the 12 ABC/ESPN games were up 14% year-to-year, while the TNT Sports channels saw a more modest 4% lift as their long association with the NBA nears an end.

As expected, big-reach broadcaster ABC has put up the biggest audience numbers, averaging 5.55 million viewers for its half-dozen weekend airings, up 13% from last year’s analogous stretch (4.9 million). ABC carried the most-watched playoff outing thus far, as Minnesota’s 116-113 win over Los Angeles on April 27 averaged 7.35 million viewers in the Sunday matinee (3:30 p.m. ET) slot.

ABC also was the beneficiary of an opening weekend that coincided with the Easter holiday, a date that has proven to be a boon for out-of-home viewing. With an average draw of 5.57 million viewers, deliveries for the network’s April 20 doubleheader were up a massive 32%, as ABC reaped the benefit of all those additional impressions that were captured via brunches and family celebrations. TNT’s own Easter two-fer also enjoyed a considerable boost, as its evening and primetime telecasts were up 23% to 4.13 million viewers.

Bear in mind that there’s been a distinct uptick in out-of-home impressions since Nielsen expanded coverage of its OOH panel earlier this year. The combination of the more inclusive metric and the Easter lift conspired to help boost the opening weekend’s deliveries by 17%.

While the NBA didn’t maintain that big year-over-year surge for long—after the second weekend of the playoffs, the rate-of-change was +4%—the first round finished on a strong note, as TNT averaged 6.63 million viewers for Game 7 of the Warriors-Rockets series. With an average draw of 4.51 million viewers per game, that maxed-out set stands as the playoffs’ second-biggest attraction, trailing only the truncated Wolves-Lakers series (5.1 million).

From a ratings standpoint, the Lakers’ early exit is less than ideal, as it dashed hopes for a second-round showdown with Golden State. When James and Curry crossed swords in the 2023 playoffs, that six-game slate averaged 7.8 million viewers, peaking with 8.64 million for the deciding telecast on ESPN.

While there won’t be a Lakers-Warriors juggernaut to help boost the NBA’s numbers this time around—the 2023 series was the most-watched conference semifinals in 27 years—a lengthy Knicks-Celtics duel could go a long way toward staving off a letdown. While the ratings for Game 1 of the New York-Boston tilt have yet to be issued, the rekindled rivalry between these two major-market franchises guarantees that at least one high-profile team will punch its ticket to the Eastern Conference Finals.

Together, the combined reach of the nation’s largest media market (New York boasts 7.49 million TV households) and the No. 9 DMA (2.58 million) translates into a hometown rooting interest for 8% of all U.S. TV homes. All told, the Eastern time zone is home to 48% of all TV users.

Out West, any best-case scenario involves Curry and the Warriors advancing to the Finals. The rest of the field is littered with smaller-market clubs, with top seed Oklahoma repping a market with 762,700 TV homes, giving the Thunder 40% of the local reach of the Nuggets and Timberwolves.

Coverage of the NBA playoffs continues Wednesday night with Game 2 of Knicks-Celtics tipping off at 7 p.m. ET, followed by Nuggets-Thunder in the 9:30 p.m. slot. Both games will be carried by TNT/truTV.

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The Walking Wounded: NHL Stars Hit The Ground Running After Long Injuries

Matthew Tkachuk (John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images)

When we think of NHL players returning from injury just in time to help their team in the playoffs, we usually think of Patrick Kane, Nikita Kucherov or Mark Stone. 

Those three players seem to evoke the most wrath from rival fan bases after their teams discovered new ways of pumping up their playoff rosters by leveraging long-term injured reserve to unprecedented levels.

Though he is still dealing with chronic issues, Stone only missed two games after Christmas this year. His 66 games played were the most for him since the year he was traded to the Vegas Golden Knights, 2018-19. And Vegas was pretty healthy this year. William Karlsson missed two months, but he was back by late March, just before Shea Theodore returned from the arm injury he suffered at the 4 Nations Face-Off.

Elsewhere, though, other teams got some big boosts from less-familiar faces in Round 1. Here’s a look at some of the most impactful injury returns:

Gabriel Landeskog, LW, Colorado Avalanche

His team didn’t advance, but Landeskog’s return after three grueling years of surgeries and rehab was the feel-good story of the first round. Best of all, the Colorado Avalanche captain played just like he always has, with an aggressive jolt of energy.

Landeskog averaged a solid 17:13 of ice time after his Game 3 return. He finished with four points and a plus-four over five games.

Matthew Tkachuk, LW, Florida Panthers

A groin injury at the 4 Nations tournament ended Tkachuk’s regular season at 52 games. But the super-pest returned with a bang in Game 1, setting the tone for the Panthers with three power-play points on the way to a 6-2 win over the Tampa Bay Lightning – in Tampa, no less.

Starting Round 2, Tkachuk saw a playoff-high 19:06 of ice time in Game 1 against the Toronto Maple Leafs. He’s now up to six points in six games.

As for Matthew’s brother, Brady Tkachuk, his playoffs are over, but he collected seven points against the Leafs while battling a hip issue that had nagged him since 4 Nations and an upper-body problem that cost him eight games near the end of the year.

NHL Playoff Predictions 2025: Which East Teams Will Win Round 2? Expect A Leafs And Panthers Game 7NHL Playoff Predictions 2025: Which East Teams Will Win Round 2? Expect A Leafs And Panthers Game 7The second round of the NHL’s Stanley Cup playoffs starts Monday, so it’s time to predict them.

Evander Kane, John Klingberg, Trent Frederic, Edmonton Oilers

After missing the entire regular season while he got a laundry list of ailments addressed, Kane added another threat to the Edmonton offense when he returned in Game 2 of the first round.

It didn’t take long for him to get his feet under him. He chipped in a goal and an assist to help the Oilers get their first win of the series in Game 3, added another in Game 5, and delivered the pass that set up the game-winner from Ryan Nugent-Hopkins in Game 1 of the second round against Vegas.

If Kane’s return has been welcome, John Klingberg’s early contributions have been downright surprising. His 2023-24 season lasted barely a month before he was shut down for hip surgery, and when he signed with Edmonton in January, he managed just 11 regular-season games. But Klingberg also joined the Oilers’ series against the Kings in Game 2 and instantly formed an airtight shut-down defense pairing with Jake Walman.

Then there’s Trent Frederic, essentially acquired on spec from the Boston Bruins at the deadline while he was out with a lower-body issue. The big 27-year-old only logged 7:10 of ice time in one game with the Oilers before the end of the regular season. But he was ready for Game 1 and has brought a dose of bottom-six grit that the Oilers didn’t have elsewhere in their lineup.

Tyler Seguin, C, Dallas Stars

Still no Miro Heiskanen for the Stars, but Jason Robertson could return from a Game 82 knee injury for Game 1 against Winnipeg on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, Tyler Seguin has been chipping in, even though his body has been through some things over the last few years.

After essentially duct-taping himself together to get to the Stanley Cup final in the 2020 bubble, Seguin missed almost the entire 2020-21 season following hip surgery. This year, he went under the knife for a hip issue again in December, but he looked like he hadn’t missed a beat when he put up an assist in his return for the last game of the regular season.

In Round 1, Seguin averaged 14:55 a game and chipped in four points, including the overtime-winner in Game 3. 

Get the latest news and trending stories by following The Hockey News on Google News and by subscribing to The Hockey News newsletter here. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on THN.com.

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Report: Sharks Still Open To Trading 2nd Overall Pick

© Eric Bolte-Imagn Images

The San Jose Sharks lost out on the first overall selection in the recent draft lottery for the 2025 NHL Entry Draft, but they didn't slip any more than that, and have earned the right to select second overall after the New York Islanders won the prize of winning of selecting before anyone else.

However, it seems as though Mike Grier, Sharks' general manager, remains open to moving the selection for the right price.

Moving out the second overall pick would cost a lot from any team looking to move up in the draft, but the Sharks could benefit either way. On one hand, moving the pick could bring them assets that help them immediately improve, but on the other, they could add another elite prospect that could help them become a contender in the future.

Time will tell what ends up happening, but it's good to know the Sharks are considering all options in hopes of climbing their way out of the bottom of the standings sooner rather than later.

San Jose Sharks Secure Second Overall Pick In 2025 NHL Draft LotterySan Jose Sharks Secure Second Overall Pick In 2025 NHL Draft LotteryIt is unbelievable but the San Jose Sharks didn't win the Draft Lottery Celebrini Gets Incredible Opportunity To Play With Crosby & MacKinnon At WorldsCelebrini Gets Incredible Opportunity To Play With Crosby & MacKinnon At WorldsSan Jose Sharks forward Macklin Celebrini has an incredible opportunity ahead of him at the IIHF World Championships. Former Sharks Ceci, Granlund Move On To Second Round With Dallas StarsFormer Sharks Ceci, Granlund Move On To Second Round With Dallas StarsAs the first round of the playoffs comes to a close, the San Jose Sharks are more focused on the offseason and the upcoming draft lottery in hopes of earning the first overall selection in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft. However, two former Sharks have moved on to the second round.
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Staal Hired By Sabres As Special Assistant To Adams

New Special Assistant to the GM Eric Staal played 32 games with the Buffalo Sabres in 2020-21

The Buffalo Sabres were expected to make some changes to their coaching and management staff in the wake of their 14th straight season missing the playoffs, and on Wednesday, the club announced the hiring of former Sabre Eric Staal as a special assistant to GM Kevyn Adams. 

The 18-year NHL veteran played the majority of his NHL career with the Carolina Hurricanes, where he won a Stanley Cup in 2006. He also played with the New York Rangers, Minnesota Wild, Montreal Canadiens, Florida Panthers, and 32 games with the Sabres in 2020-21.

 “As I looked for ways to enhance our existing staff, I wanted to add somebody to our group that has a fresh perspective and the direct experience of winning at all levels of hockey,” Adams said in a press release. "Eric was one of the first people I thought of when I originally became general manager, so it is fitting that he is the first addition to our organization this offseason. He has done it all as a player, and I know his experience and knowledge will be invaluable to our team as we look to take the next step."

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The move marks the first made by the Sabres since the end of the regular season, but signifies that Adams position as the club’s GM is safe, since they are bringing in his teammate from the 2006 Cup-winning Hurricanes as an advisor. It is possible that Staal, with his long history and many connections in the league, is being brought in to help recruit players to Buffalo.  

“I loved my time in Buffalo, and as a player, I was lucky to get a small glimpse of what makes the city such a special place and a terrific sports town,” Staal said. “Throughout my career, I was fortunate to be on so many successful teams and I hope I can lean on some of those experiences to help the organization moving forward. I’m thankful to Kevyn for giving me this opportunity, and I’m eager to lend my experience to help in any way that I can."

Follow Michael on X, Instagram, and Bluesky @MikeInBuffalo

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Vancouver Canucks 2025 NHL Draft Target: Jack Ivankovic

Jack Ivankovic of the Brampton Steelheads (Photo Credit: Eric Young/CHL)

The Vancouver Canucks enter the 2025 NHL Entry Draft with a pick in each round. Leading up to the draft day, we at The Hockey News will be profiling a different prospect who the Canucks could take with each of their picks. Today's prospect is Brampton Steelheads goaltender Jack Ivankovic, who Vancouver could select 47th overall.

Latest From THN’s Vancouver Canucks Site:

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Ivankovic is one of the top goaltenders available in this draft. Listed at 5'11", 170lbs, the 17-year-old had another strong season in the OHL, posting a record of 25-12-5 with the Steelheads. Ivankovic was also one of two goaltenders selected to participate in the CHL USA Prospects Challenge, making 10 saves for the victory.

Despite only being 17, Ivankovic already has a long track record with Team Canada. He has won back-to-back U18 Gold Medals and was named the tournament's top goaltender this past year after posting a 6-0 record with a .961 save percentage. Ivankovic was also part of Canada's World Junior team in 2025, stopping 24 of 26 shots in his only game of the tournament. 

One of Ivankovic's biggest strengths is his composure in net. He is positionally sound and doesn't fold under pressure. Ivankovic can also read how situations develop and understands when he needs to hold onto pucks for whistles.

Another area where Ivankovic thrives is athleticism. His side-to-side movement is an asset, allowing him to make cross-crease saves. Ivankovic also has good net presence, which means he understands where he is in relation to the net and how he needs to adjust his positioning to block any openings. 

While Ivankovic is a high-end prospect, there will always be concerns due to his size. Since he is on the shorter side, he does get beat up high on occasion, which is something he needs to work on. That being said, he is bigger than Nashville Predators goaltender Juuse Saros, which shows that a path to the NHL is possible at his size.

After not drafting a goaltender for the last two drafts, 2025 is the perfect opportunity for the Canucks to add another keeper to the organization. With the right development path, Ivankovic could have a bright future, as he possesses a lot of the traits needed to succeed in the NHL. If he is still available at 47, he would be a smart selection by Vancouver.

Make sure you bookmark THN's Vancouver Canucks site and add us to your favourites on Google News for the latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns, and so much more. Also, be sure to leave a comment at the bottom of the page and engage with other passionate fans through our forum.

The Hockey News
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Paris Saint-Germain 2-1 Arsenal (agg: 3-1): Champions League semi-final, second leg – as it happened

Gianluigi Donnarumma made two awesome saves as PSG withstood an early onslaught to beat Arsenal in a pulsating game

A relaxed Mikel Arteta talks to TNT Sports

It’s our biggest night for a long time. But this isn’t where we want to be – we want to make the final. We are very close. We learned a few things from the first game, about the level of the two teams and the small margins. We have a big conviction that we’re gonna do it tonight.

This is where this club deserves to be. We still have so much to do – so much to win, so much consistency to show – but hopefully we are on the right trajectory.

Continue reading...
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Mets sign LHP Colin Poche to minor league deal

The Mets have signed LHP Colin Poche to a minor league contract, the team announced Wednesday.

Poche, 31, will report to Triple-A Syracuse after starting the 2025 season with the Washington Nationals.

He made 13 appearances with the Nats this season, all in relief, pitching to a 11.42 ERA and a 2.54 WHIP. His last appearance came April 30 against the Phillies, where he pitched a perfect inning.

Prior to this year, Poche spent four seasons with the Tampa Bay Rays, where he was much more effective. He had a combined 3.94 ERA with Tampa and saved 12 games. His best season came in 2023, when he appeared in 66 games while pitching to a 2.23 ERA and a 1.09 WHIP. He also had 22 holds and saved a game.

With the injuries to lefties Danny Young and A.J. Minter, the Mets will hope Poche can get back to form and help a bullpen that is in need.

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Former Lakers star Byron Scott is accused of sexually assaulting a girl 38 years ago

LOS ANGELES, CA, TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2016 - Lakers head coach Byron Scott seems to ponder his next move during action against the Timberwolves at Staples Center. (Robert Gauthier/Los Angeles Times)
Former Lakers star Byron Scott, shown coaching the Lakers in 2016, has been accused of a sexual assault that allegedly took place 38 years ago. (Los Angeles Times)

Former Lakers player and head coach Byron Scott is accused in a lawsuit obtained by The Times of sexually assaulting a 15-year-old student at Studio City Campbell Hall High School in 1987.

The former student alleges that Scott escorted her into a janitor's closet and that according to the lawsuit he "began kissing her on the mouth as she repeatedly asked 'what are you doing?'

"Then, despite her clear protests, Scott pushed [her] to her knees, and, against her will, pulled off her top. Scott then pulled down his shorts, exposed his erect penis, and tried to force [her] to perform oral sex on him."

The lawsuit originally was filed in Los Angeles Superior Court on Dec. 30, 2022, but Scott was referred to as "John Doe," the Lakers as "one of the most popular NBA franchise teams" and Campbell Hall as "Private School Doe." An amended complaint filed May 1 named Scott, the Lakers and Campbell Hall after a judge denied objections by Scott that he shouldn't be identified because he is a public figure and that there wasn't evidence to corroborate the woman's claims.

The plaintiff is named in her lawsuit but The Times doesn't publish the names of alleged sexual assault victims. She came forward after the California Child Victim's Act took effect in 2020, extending the statute of limitations for survivors of childhood sexual abuse to file civil claims against their abusers.

"Like many victims of childhood sexual assault, [she] was resigned to deal with the trauma privately, with only few close to her and a handful of mental professionals knowing what occurred on that summer day," the lawsuit states.

Read more:An older and wiser Byron Scott is still all business

"Then, Governor Newsom passed the California Child Victim’s Act, which revived [her] claims against the former professional athlete and the elite Los Angeles private school, and perhaps others. And while still a difficult decision to come forward now and relive the trauma, [she] is bravely doing so to shine a light and to seek some amount of justice and hopefully closure for the significant psychological trauma and emotional distress that she has experienced every day since the sexual assault."

Scott's attorney, Linda Bauermeister, issued a statement to The Times: "Our client is devastated by this complaint, a basketball event that took place in 1987. Our client believed the plaintiff to be over 18 and had no idea she would claim otherwise until 35 years later. He respects girls and women, and the claims have blindsided him and his family."

Scott was 26 when a handful of Lakers players and officials filmed an instructional training video in the Campbell Hall gym. According to the complaint, the alleged victim was left alone with adults during a break and struck up a conversation with Scott. They ate lunch together and she gave him a tour of school facilities.

They soon were alone and, according to the complaint, Scott "forcefully grabbed [her] by the arm and pulled her inside the room." The complaint says she had "never kissed a boy."

The complaint blames the school for creating the circumstances for the sexual assault, saying, "Campbell Hall faculty and staff failed to take any steps or implement any safeguards to supervise or otherwise protect Plaintiff from anything that could, and eventually would, happen to her."

"… she continues to suffer, severe psychological and emotional distress, as well as feelings of embarrassment, loss of self-esteem, shame, and humiliation," the lawsuit states.

Read more:How Byron Scott found out he got fired from the Lakers and what he plans to do next

Scott, who grew up in Los Angeles and attended Inglewood Morningside High, began his fifth season with the Lakers, with whom he spent 11 of his 14 NBA seasons and won three championships, in 1987. He went on to coach five NBA teams over 15 seasons, including the Lakers from 2014 to 2016.

Get the best, most interesting and strangest stories of the day from the L.A. sports scene and beyond from our newsletter The Sports Report.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.

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Cavaliers vs. Pacers Predictions: Odds, expert picks, recent stats, trends and best bets for May 9

It’s Friday, May 9, and the Cleveland Cavaliers (64-18) and Indiana Pacers (50-32) are all set to square off from Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis for Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals.

The Pacers grabbed a Game 2 victory after erasing a 20-point deficit and a Tyrese Haliburton game-winner with 1.1 seconds remaining for a 120-119 win. Donovan Mitchell posted 48 points and 9 assists in a tiring all-out performance as Cleveland was without Evan Mobley, Darius Garland, and Deandre Hunter. All three players are questionable for Game 3.

The Cavaliers are currently 30-11 on the road with a point differential of 10, while the Pacers have an 8-2 record in their last ten games at home. We’ve got all the info and analysis you need to know ahead of the game, including the latest info on how to catch tipoff, odds, recent team performance, player stats, and of course, our predictions, picks & best bets for the game from our modeling tools and staff of experts.

Listen to the Rotoworld Basketball Show for the latest fantasy player news, waiver claims, roster advice and more from our experts all season long. Click here or download it wherever you get your podcasts.

Game details & how to watch Cavaliers vs. Pacers live today

  • Date: Friday, May 9, 2025
  • Time: 7:30 PM EST
  • Site: Gainbridge Fieldhouse
  • City: Indianapolis, IN
  • Network/Streaming: ESPN

Never miss a second of the action and stay up to date with all the latest team stats and player news. Check out our day-by-day NBA schedule page, along with detailed matchup pages that update live in-game.

Game odds for Cavaliers vs. Pacers

The latest odds as of Friday:

  • Odds: Cavaliers (-132), Pacers (+111)
  • Spread:  Cavaliers -2
  • Over/Under: 229 points

That gives the Cavaliers an implied team point total of 115.07, and the Pacers 114.03.

Want to know which sportsbook is offering the best lines for every game on the NBA calendar? Check out the NBC Sports’ Live Odds tool to get all the latest updated info from DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM & more!

Expert picks & predictions for Friday’s Cavaliers vs. Pacers game

Rotoworld Best Bet

Vaughn Dalzell (@VmoneySports) likes the Cavaliers on the ML:

"Cleveland is in an all-out motivational and must-win spot. We know the stats that teams down 3-0 are basically burnt toast, so the Cavaliers will have to do everything possible to avoid that at Indiana. While the odds are against them, Cleveland is the slight favorite and I expect that number to grow if Mobley or Hunter are ruled in. At -120 to -135 odds right now, Cleveland is the best bet as I think they close past -175."

Please bet responsibly. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline at 1-800-522-4700.

Our model calculates projections around each moneyline, spread and over/under bet for every game on the NBA calendar based on data points like recent performance, head-to-head player matchups, trends information and projected game totals.

Once the model is finished running, we put its projections next to the latest betting lines for the game to arrive at a relative confidence level for each wager.

Here are the best bets our model is projecting for today’s Cavaliers & Pacers game:

  • Moneyline: NBC Sports Bet is staying away from a play on the Moneyline.
  • Spread: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play ATS on the Indiana Pacers at +2.
  • Total: NBC Sports Bet is staying away from a play on the Game Total of 229.

Want even more NBA best bets and predictions from our expert staff & tools? Check out the Expert NBA Predictions pagefrom NBC Sports for money line, spread and over/under picks for every game on today’s calendar!

Important stats, trends & insights to know ahead of Cavaliers vs. Pacers on Friday

  • The Pacers have an average winning margin of +7 in their 5 wins against the Cavaliers this season
  • 5 of the Pacers' last 7 matchups with the Cavaliers have gone over the Total
  • The Pacers have covered as an underdog 3 times in a row
  • The Cavaliers have failed to cover the Spread in 3 straight matchups against Eastern Conference Central Division teams

If you’re looking for more key trends and stats around the spread, moneyline and total for every single game on the schedule today, check out our NBA Top Trends tool on NBC Sports!

Follow our experts on socials to keep up with all the latest content from the staff:

- Jay Croucher (@croucherJD)
- Drew Dinsick (@whale_capper)
- Vaughn Dalzell (@VmoneySports)
- Brad Thomas (@MrBradThomas)

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Giants believe they have ‘good chance' every time Ray takes mound

Giants believe they have ‘good chance' every time Ray takes mound originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

The Giants like their odds whenever undefeated left-handed starter Robbie Ray toes the rubber.

“Knock wood, for sure,” manager Bob Melvin told reporters after San Francisco’s 3-1 series-clinching win over the Chicago Cubs on Wednesday at Wrigley Field. “I mean, 5-0 is a pretty good record – sub-three ERA now. When he takes the mound, we feel like we have a really good chance.”

Ray, a 12-year MLB veteran who won the 2021 AL Cy Young award with the Toronto Blue Jays, is amidst a career year in the Bay. 

He has a 2.84 ERA through eight starts and has collected 46 strikeouts over 44 1/3 innings, all figures parallel to the 2.84 ERA and 248 strikeouts Ray finished with over 32 games and 193 1/3 frames during his Cy Young campaign.

Wednesday’s win in Chicago followed a similar tune to what Ray has produced all season. After the Giants handily beat the Cubs 14-5 on Tuesday, Ray followed by allowing three hits and one earned run through six frames. He needed 98 pitches to collect five strikeouts.

“After winning last night, Robby on the mound, we had a good feeling we were going to win today,” Melvin told reporters. “Get an off day tomorrow – it’s always nice to win before an off day too.”

Ray elicited 16 balls in play, but kept contact close to the ground.

Melvin can get used to Ray – who appeared in a mere seven games in 2024 due to recoveries from Tommy John Surgery and a left hamstring strain – being an automatic win.

“Today – in the past, maybe he just throws high heaters and lets them get the ball in the air – he had a lot of ground balls, just enough strikeouts, gave us six innings,” Melvin told reporters.

“He seems to be getting better as the season goes along, even though it’s been pretty good all season.”

Ray won a career-high 15 games as a 2017 MLB All-Star with the Arizona Diamondbacks, and he has a chance to top that mark this season.

Download and follow the Giants Talk Podcast

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Knicks vs. Celtics – Game 2 Predictions: Odds, expert picks, recent stats, trends and best bets for May 7

It’s Wednesday, May 7, and the New York Knicks (51-31) and Boston Celtics (61-21) are all set to square off from TD Garden in Boston for Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals.

The Knicks stole Game 1 in Boston, 108-105 in OT behind Jalen Brunson and OG Anunoby's 29 points each. Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum both scored 23 points to lead Boston, but they could not survive the Knicks 33-21 run from the start of the fourth quarter. Kristaps Porzingis exited Game 1 with an illness after 13 minutes, so his status (questionable) is important entering Game 2 for Boston, while Jrue Holiday returned after missing three games (16 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists).

The Knicks are currently 24-17 on the road with a point differential of 4, while the Celtics have an 8-2 record in their last ten games at home. We’ve got all the info and analysis you need to know ahead of the game, including the latest info on how to catch tipoff, odds, recent team performance, player stats, and of course, our predictions, picks & best bets for the game from our modeling tools and staff of experts.

Listen to the Rotoworld Basketball Show for the latest fantasy player news, waiver claims, roster advice and more from our experts all season long. Click here or download it wherever you get your podcasts.

Game details & how to watch Knicks vs. Celtics live today

  • Date: Wednesday, May 7, 2025
  • Time: 7:00 PM EST
  • Site: TD Garden
  • City: Boston, MA
  • Network/Streaming: TNT / TruTV / Max

Never miss a second of the action and stay up to date with all the latest team stats and player news. Check out our day-by-day NBA schedule page, along with detailed matchup pages that update live in-game.

Game odds for Knicks vs. Celtics

The latest odds as of Wednesday:

  • Odds: Knicks (+409), Celtics (-552)
  • Spread:  Celtics -10.5
  • Over/Under: 211 points

That gives the Knicks an implied team point total of 104.47, and the Celtics 109.94.

Want to know which sportsbook is offering the best lines for every game on the NBA calendar? Check out the NBC Sports’ Live Odds tool to get all the latest updated info from DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM & more!

Expert picks & predictions for Wednesday’s Knicks vs. Celtics game

Rotoworld Best Bet Vaughn Dalzell (@VmoneySports) likes the Celtics 1Q Team Total Over 28.5 and Josh Hart Under 11.5 Points:

"In Game 1, I was on Josh Hart's Over 11.5 Points and that cashed with 14, thanks to an early four-point start during the first few minutes and an efficient 5-for-9 shooting. However, Hart's numbers in Game 2 dip slightly compared to Game 1's when it comes to points and field goal attempts, which I expect to happen here. Hart has scored at least 10 points in all six Game 1's of his career, but that's not the case in Game 2's.

For the spread, I like Boston at -10 and -10.5m, but I like a quick start at home even more. The Celtics first quarter team total is set at 28.5 and I believe that's a number they can hit. New York has averaged 31.0 points per game in the first quarter of their four road games this postseason, so Boston will have to match that. While Orlando stifled them in the first round, Boston put up 32 first-quarter points in the following game off a loss — something I can see happening again."

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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 today’s Knicks & Celtics game:

  • Moneyline: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the Boston Celtics on the Moneyline.
  • Spread: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play ATS on the New York Knicks at +10.5.
  • Total: NBC Sports Bet is staying away from a play on the Game Total of 211.

Want even more NBA best bets and predictions from our expert staff & tools? Check out the Expert NBA Predictions pagefrom NBC Sports for money line, spread and over/under picks for every game on today’s calendar!

Important stats, trends & insights to know ahead of Knicks vs. Celtics on Wednesday

  • The Knicks have won their last 3 games as a road underdog
  • The Over is 10-7 in the Celtics' matchups against Eastern Conference Atlantic Division teams this season
  • The Celtics have failed to cover in 4 of their last 5 matchups against Eastern Conference Atlantic Division teams

Expect a high-scoring Game Two clash. The Boston Celtics had the second-most efficient offense in the NBA during the regular season, averaging 116.3 points per game, while the Knicks weren’t far behind, averaging 115.8 per game. The over landed in Game One and can do so again.

If you’re looking for more key trends and stats around the spread, moneyline and total for every single game on the schedule today, check out our NBA Top Trends tool on NBC Sports!

Follow our experts on socials to keep up with all the latest content from the staff:

- Jay Croucher (@croucherJD)
- Drew Dinsick (@whale_capper)
- Vaughn Dalzell (@VmoneySports)
- Brad Thomas (@MrBradThomas)

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No Full-Time NHLers, 2 KHLers On Slovak World Championship Roster

Patrik Rybár makes a save for Slovakia during the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing. © George Walker IV-Imagn Images

Hockey Slovakia released a list of 26 players that will be headed to Stockholm, Sweden for this year’s IIHF World Championship. It includes no full-time NHL players, most notably Juraj Slafkovský, whose decision not to play is covered in depth by Karine Hains on THN’s Montreal Canadiens site.

Players under NHL contracts that have played either most or all of the season in the AHL include goaltender Samuel Hlavaj of the Minnesota Wild, defenseman Samuel Kňažko of the Columbus Blue Jackets, and forwards Dalibor Dvorský of the St. Louis Blues, Samuel Honzek of the Calgary Flames, Martin Chromiak of the Los Angeles Kings and Adam Sýkora of the New York Rangers. Kňažko, whose Cleveland Monsters were just eliminated from the Calder Cup playoffs, will meet the team in Stockholm.

Pavol Regenda, a San Jose Sharks prospect, is two games away from elimination with the San Jose Barracuda and, reportedly, will likely join the Slovaks if his AHL team is eliminated this round.

This will be the first World Championship since 2021 that the Slovaks have included KHL players on their roster. For three years, Hockey Slovakia refused to select any player from the Russian-based league for its national teams.

However, in a controversial reversal of policy, Slovakia chose three KHL players to its Olympic qualifying roster in August. One of those, defenseman Mário Grman, is on this team as well. One other has been selected to this team: Patrik Rybár, who was the starting goaltender on the 2022 Olympic bronze-medal team.

Interestingly, neither Martin nor Kristián Pospišil is on this team. Martin plays for Calgary, which missed the Stanley Cup playoffs, and Kristián won the Czech Extraliga championship as a member of Kometa Brno. Both brothers were vocal last year about their objection to allowing KHL players on the team, but both ultimately played in the Olympic qualifiers.

Other than AHL and KHL players, the roster includes 10 players from the Czech Extraliga, five from the domestic Slovak Extraliga and two from Switzerland’s National League.

Martin Pospíšil after Olympic qualifiers: “It was never anything against the players” from the KHLMartin Pospíšil after Olympic qualifiers: “It was never anything against the players” from the KHL Martin Pospíšil was calm and reflective after Slovakia’s 3-1 victory over Kazakhstan on Sunday in Bratislava, which qualified the team for the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy.