CLEVELAND, OH - JANUARY 28: Lebron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers throws chalk in the air before the game against the Cleveland Cavaliers on January 28, 2026 at Rocket Arena in Cleveland, Ohio. 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 Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James made headlines for signaling out Memphis and Milwaukee as places he doesn’t enjoy playing when he was on a golf YouTube video with Bob Does Sports. Those comments — particularly saying he doesn’t enjoy playing in Memphis — made people angry.
“A random f***** Tuesday in Milwaukee,” James said on the YouTube video when talking about life in the NBA. “Staying at the f****** Hyatt at 41 years old. You think I want to do that shit? Being in Memphis on a f****** random ass Thursday? I’m not like the first guy to even talk about it in the NBA. We’re all like, ‘You guys have to move. Go over to Nashville.’”
James was asked to clarify those comments on Saturday. And in the process, he decided to do a drive-by on his hometown in the process.
“41 years old, it’s two cities I do not like playing in right now,” James said on Saturday. “That’s Milwaukee, and that’s Memphis. What is the problem? I don’t like going home either. Shit, and I’m from there.”
James tried to clarify that he wasn’t taking a shot at the city or their people when listing places he doesn’t enjoy going to.
“I’m not talking about the city, like the people in Memphis,” James said. “I don’t like staying at the Hyatt Centric. What’s wrong with that?”
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How much you want to read into him saying he doesn’t enjoy going home to Cleveland for games is up to you. In context, it seemed like he was saying he doesn’t like going to the hotel and traveling there in the winter, as was the case this season when the Lakers made their lone trip to play the Cleveland Cavaliers. However, you could read it another way if you wanted to as well.
What we do know is that James is in the last year of his current contract with Los Angeles. And while things have been working out well for him and the Lakers over the last month, it’s clear that he isn’t the focal point of the franchise anymore. He’s adjusted to that well on the court, taking a tertiary role alongside both Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves when the trio is healthy, which they won’t be heading into the playoffs. Whether or not James wants that to continue to be his reality off the court remains to be seen.
That said, it’s difficult to picture James playing anywhere but Cleveland and Los Angeles next season. We’ll see how this all unfolds this summer. A lot can change between now and July.
Who: Phoenix Suns (42–35) vs. Chicago Bulls (29–47)
When: 12:30 PM Arizona Time
Where: United Center — Chicago, Illinois
Watch: Arizona’s Family 3TV, Arizona’s Family Sports, NBATV
Listen: KMVP 98.7
The Suns are about to play their 78th game of the season (yeah, the postseason is coming in fast), and it’ll be their final matchup against an Eastern Conference team: the Chicago Bulls.
About a month ago, Phoenix got caught off guard by this same team, losing by just two points in a messy and somewhat concerning game. The Suns never even held the lead, largely due to poor shooting: 39% from the field, 28% from three, and 67% from the free-throw line.
As for recent form, it hasn’t been pretty for either side. The Suns are 3–7 over their last 10 games, while the Bulls are even worse at 2–8, including a five-game losing streak. One team is trying to regain confidence and rhythm to secure the 7th seed, while the other is basically playing for nothing. Too far from the Play-In, too far from the lottery.
Probable Starters
Injury Report
Suns
Amir Coffey — QUESTIONABLE (Left Ankle)
Haywood Highsmith — OUT (Right Knee)
Bulls
Zach Collins — OUT (Right Toe)
Noa Essengue — OUT (Left Shoulder)
Josh Giddey — QUESTIONABLE (Left Hamstring)
Lachlan Olbrich — PROBABLE (Plantar Fascia)
Nick Richards — QUESTIONABLE (Right Elbow)
Collin Sexton — PROBABLE (Right Finger)
Anfernee Simons — OUT (Left Styloid)
What to Watch For
The Suns are facing a Chicago team that plays at one of the fastest paces in the league (3rd this season), driven by transition engines like Josh Giddey, Tre Jones, and Collin Sexton. The first key matchup will be tempo control: Booker needs to dictate a more controlled pace against a team that constantly wants to run, and fast, rushed basketball hasn’t exactly worked out for Phoenix lately.
Another key factor is the matchup between Matas Buzelis and the Suns’ wings. Buzelis has taken a real leap this season. He’s not in the MIP race, but his improvement is undeniable. He’s long, offensively versatile, and has no problem putting up double-digit rebounding performances. If given too much freedom, he can be dangerous—Brooks, Fleming, and the rest will need to stay locked in.
Finally, the battle inside could be intense: Mark Williams (if he plays), Oso Ighodaro, Khaman Maluach, Guerschon Yabusele, Nick Richards, and Jalen Smith will all be involved. The Bulls are the second-best defensive rebounding team (34.8 per game), while the Suns rank 4th in offensive rebounds. This could turn into a real war in the paint in Chicago.
Key to a Suns Win
The first key is simple: slow the game down. Chicago is only dangerous when they control the pace. If Phoenix dictates tempo, forces the Bulls into half-court sets, and limits turnovers, the advantage shifts immediately.
The second focus is attacking Chicago’s perimeter defense, one of the weakest in the league (24th this season). Booker, Green, and Gillespie need to hunt switches, go at Giddey and Tre Jones, and generate open looks for O’Neale, Allen, Fleming. Or even Oso Ighodaro (okay, maybe not him).
Defensive discipline is also crucial. The Suns need to rediscover consistency in their help defense, traps, and pick-and-roll coverage. Mistakes will happen, that’s inevitable — but they need to be minimized. This is the kind of game where you clean things up and prepare for bigger challenges ahead.
Lastly, Phoenix absolutely has to win the non-Booker minutes, which is a recurring issue. That means giving clear playmaking responsibility to Green, Gillespie, or even Allen, running simple sets (Spain PnR, ghost screens, off-ball actions), and leaning into Oso’s simplicity. A more defensive-minded lineup could also help create extra possessions and tempo swings — which, in 2026, is basically the foundation of winning basketball.
If these three levers are pulled, the Suns should be in control.
Prediction
I don’t expect an easy game. Not at all. It should be fast-paced and entertaining, and if the shot-making is there, we could see a really fun matchup between two teams with completely different approaches to tempo.
That said, Phoenix is still the better team (and nearly at full strength), so I’m going with a solid win for the Suns.
The Los Angeles Clippers head to Sacramento, trying to move up in the seeding for the play-in round. L.A. faces three teams with a worse record in the last five contests, which could help the Clippers catch Portland, as long as they take care of business in the games they should win.
That hasn't happened lately. Los Angeles has failed to cover its last four, while the Sacramento Kings are 4-1 ATS over the last five.
That's why my Clippers vs. Kings predictions and NBA picks call for the Kings to cover at home.
Clippers vs Kings prediction
Clippers vs Kings best bet: Kings +13 (-110)
The Los Angeles Clippers have turned around their season after a terrible start, but they're still not used to being the hunted. Los Angeles has covered less than 40% of the time when it's been favored in a game and is just 5-11 ATS as a road favorite, missing the spread by an average of 4.5 points.
L.A. has also failed to cover three of its last four as a double-digit favorite. This is only the second time this season they've been favored by double figures on the road, and they missed covering the last time, a week ago at Milwaukee, by 3.5 points.
The Sacramento Kings, meanwhile, have nothing to play for, but they've found new life. Sacramento has covered as a double-digit dog three times in the last 10 days, winning one outright.
The Kings are 7-7 over their last 14 games, 9-5 ATS. That run includes a win over the Clippers on March 14, despite being a 13.5-point underdog. The Clippers are 8-6 outright over that stretch but just 5-9 ATS.
They've covered as a road favorite just three times in calendar year 2026 and not since March 2.
Sacramento's interior game matches up well with a Clippers team that doesn't handle banging in the paint well.
The Kings shot a season best 58.5% against L.A. in the win, and in their February meeting before that, Sacramento led by double figures early and was leading into the fourth quarter before the Clippers rallied to win—but not cover.
Clippers vs Kings same-game parlay
Both teams rank in the bottom half of the league in pace, and the Clippers are No. 28. Los Angeles has been Under in four of its last five, Sacramento in two of its last three.
Sacramento bullied the Clippers inside the paint the last time they played. If that trend continues, Brook Lopez may find the going tough in the paint and look to kick the ball out. He has 10 assists in his last four games.
Clippers vs Kings SGP
Clippers +12.5
Under 228.5 points
Brook Lopez Over 1.5 assists
Our "from downtown" SGP: Brook from Downtown!
Interior production has been a problem for the Clippers, and Sacramento is not a good matchup for them.
The Kings should own the inside, as they did in the last matchup. In addition to passing out of the paint, Lopez, who has three games with multiple treys in the last five, will likely look to shoot from outside.
John Collins has grabbed fewer than seven rebounds in his last six games. Raynaud has hit double-figure scoring in eight of the last nine and has 35 boards in his last four games.
Clippers vs Kings SGP
Sacramento +13
Maxime Raynaud double-double
Brook Lopez Over 1.5 made threes
John Collins Under 6.5 rebounds
Clippers vs Kings odds
Spread: Clippers -13 | Kings +14
Moneyline: Clippers -855 | Kings +575
Over/Under: Over 228.5 | Under 228.5
Clippers vs Kings betting trend to know
The Kings have won their last four ATS against the Clippers as an underdog. Find more NBA betting trends for Clippers vs. Kings.
How to watch Clippers vs Kings
Location
Golden 1 Center, Sacramento, CA
Date
Sunday, April 5, 2026
Tip-off
9:00 p.m. ET
TV
FDSN SoCal, NBC Sports California
Clippers vs Kings latest injuries
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Boston, MA - March 1: Boston Celtics guard Baylor Scheierman gives a thumbs-up after making a 3-pointer in the fourth quarter. The Celtics played the Philadelphia 76ers at TD Garden on March 1, 2026. (Photo by Danielle Parhizkaran/The Boston Globe via Getty Images) | Boston Globe via Getty Images
Boston’s newest wave of role players — Baylor Scheierman, Hugo Gonzalez, Jordan Walsh, and Ron Harper Jr. — aren’t being asked to manufacture offense on their own. That responsibility already belongs to Boston’s stars.
Instead, they’re asking them to do something far more specific: attack advantages and keep the ball moving. The guiding principle is simple. When the ball finds you, decide immediately. Shoot. Drive. Pass. Just don’t let it stick.
And while they share success this season as a similarity, the Celtics set of wings are all a little different. For Sam Hauser, he can do many things, but his calling card is his three-point shooting. Conversely, Jordan Walsh is known for his pesky individual defense. Hugo Gonzalez is still raw. However, he’s undeniably a momentum-shifter, what Joe Mazzulla affectionately describes as “giving the game what it needs.”
But if there’s a Celtic that encompasses all three of those skills, it’s Baylor Scheierman and according to our readers, he’s been the most pleasant surprise this season.
Scheierman is your classic “not great at anything, but good at everything” player. In other words, Derrick White in a former Nebraska high school quarterback’s body. The final first round pick of the 2024 NBA Draft has not just turned his sophomore year into a breakout season, but he’s become such an integral part of the Celtics rotation.
WASHINGTON, DC - APRIL 03: Gus Varland #47 of the Washington Nationals pitches against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the fifth inning at Nationals Park on April 3, 2026 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Nats pitching staff has been up and down to start the season, with more downs lately. However, one guy who has been impressing me lately is Gus Varland. He is not a well known name, and he has bounced around, but I have liked what I have seen from the 29 year old. I had the chance to chat with him a bit earlier today.
He is clearly a sharp and introspective guy. One thing he talked about was his search to find confidence. After a couple rough outings in Spring Training, he said he talked to the Nats pitching coaches about the mental side of his game. He wanted to solve the “age old question of how you get confidence”.
For him, there are two ways to get confidence, either through results or through a strong mentality. Varland wanted to gain a more confident mentality. I loved how he described his new approach. He said, “If I am going to pitch today in the big leagues, am I going to be scared or am I going to be confident. I am choosing to be confident no matter what happens”.
This is something that applies to life as well as sports. Varland’s winding path has given him plenty of reasons to be scared or discouraged, but right now, he is choosing to be confident.
With his stuff, there is reason to be confident as well. Varland has a dynamic fastball/slider mix. The heater has a ton of life at the top of the zone and the slider looks like the fastball until it drops off the table. So far, Varland has been executing those pitches at a high level as well.
Varland was one of a few guys who the Nats have picked up off of waivers. The waivers process is unique, and players can be unaware of their fate for many days. Varland said he was in limbo for five days this time, before landing with the Nats. It was not the first time Varland has been in DFA limbo, but it still must be a very odd experience.
Back in 2024, Varland actually spent some time with the Dodgers, before getting DFA’d and going to the White Sox. That means he knows some of the players, and was Shohei Ohtani’s teammate at one point. Varland has gotten the better of Ohtani so far this series, striking him out twice. He called that experience, “the best because he is the best. The fact I can get him out gives me even more confidence”.
Ohtani and Varland actually have a history beyond just being teammates. When his mother was courageously battling cancer, Ohtani actually made a donation and covered a large part of the medical expenses. Varland’s mom is now cancer free!
Aquí vemos un turno de Shoei Ohtani siendo ponchado por Gus Varland el día de ayer 3 de abril. Algo normal de un juego de béisbol.
Lo que pasaron por desapercibido del momento, es el reencuentro. Ohtani ayudó a salvar la vida de la madre de Gus Varland, su ex compañero de… pic.twitter.com/n6Y1IacF8Q
While that was obviously an awesome story, Varland is now carving his own path in DC. If he keeps pitching like he has so far this season, he will be in high leverage spots before too long. The one thing Varland thinks he needs to do to get there is improve his execution.
Execution is something Varland touched on a couple times, and it is something that is important for him. He will mix in a changeup on rare occasions, but Varland is basically a two pitch pitcher. That makes command very important. Hitters know what is coming, but if Varland is commanding it well, hitters will still struggle.
After talking to him, Varland is a guy I will definitely be rooting for. He missed almost all of last season, and he told me that he has had four different surgeries in his career. However, despite all the adversity he has faced on and off the field, Gus Varland is confident and ready to prove himself with the Washington Nationals.
The Rangers turned back the clock to accommodate Daylight Saving Time. What they also wanted to do was turn back the CALENDAR!
"'All of a sudden, they're skating like a playoff team," says The Old Scout. "It's too bad they didn't play this way when it counted."
True enough but the 4-1 win over the playoff-seeking Red Wings yesterday at The Garden delivered playoff hope – in the future.
"If Gabe Perreault can play next season like he did against Detroit," adds The Old Scout, "he'll automatically become the cornerstone of the offense. Ditto for some of the other kids."
Adam Sýkora and Jaroslav Chmelař could easily be Rangers next season but it was Perreault's hat trick that had the matinee crowd thinking that GM Chris Drury's no-fooling around "Retool" is for real.
Truth is Reality starts in October but – for tonight we'll see how Gabe and his chums fare against Alex Ovechkin who very likely will be making his last appearance before the Manhattan crowd.
If so, it's high time we salute one of the most exceptional players in the history of the game: YAY! OVIE.
ATLANTA, GA - MARCH 30: Charles Bassey #99 of the Boston Celtics drives to the basket during the game against the Atlanta Hawks on March 30, 2026 at State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia. 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 Hagy/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The Golden State Warriors plan to sign center/power forward Charles Bassey to the team’s roster, according to a report by Michael Scotto of HoopsHype. Bassey has spent the season dominating with the Warriors G-League affiliate in Santa Cruz, but recently received a trio of 10-day contracts between short stints with the Boston Celtics and Philadelphia 76ers. Bassey’s deal will likely only span the remainder of this season, but if the Dubs are high on his prospects, they could try to add a non or partially-guaranteed minimum salary through next season.
A Nigerian native, Bassey spent his college career at Western Kentucky before turning pro. The Philadelphia 76ers drafted him with the 53rd pick in the 2021 NBA Draft. Waived by the Sixers after just one season, Bassey eventually landed with the Spurs on a two-way contract, where he spent the previous three seasons. No longer eligible for a two-way contract and unable to get another NBA deal, Bassey received a training camp invite with the Hawks, but was waived, received a brief 10-day stint with the Grizzlies, before landing in Santa Cruz.
In 17 games (16 starts) with the Santa Cruz Warriors this season, Bassey averaged 20.4 points, 11.7 rebounds, and 2.1 blocks in 29.1 minutes per game on 61.0%/40.5%/.65.9% shooting. In eight NBA games, he’s averaged 2.9 points and 2.6 rebounds on 62.5% shooting from the field in 6.6 minutes per game (15.6 points, 14.3 rebounds, 2.7 blocks, and 1.4 steals per 36 minutes).
It’s been a season of progress for the Toronto Raptors, yet they find themselves in Play-In peril ahead of today’s trip to the Boston Celtics.
That amps up the pressure on a Toronto team that’s 5-5 in its last 10 games, and my Raptors vs. Celtics predictions expect Jaylen Brown to guide Boston towards another dominant victory.
Read on for my NBA picks and betting angles for this April 5 battle, with Eastern Conference seeding still in flux.
Raptors vs Celtics prediction
Raptors vs Celtics best bet: Jaylen Brown Over 27.5 points (-112)
Jaylen Brown has played his way onto a lot of MVP ballots this season, and he’s putting the finishing touches on a career year. So, don’t count on the Toronto Raptors slowing him down here.
With a 28.7 ppg average that ranks fourth in the NBA, Brown is rolling, and he’s gone past this points prop O/U in seven of his last eight outings.
Forget any concerns about Jayson Tatum’s return disrupting Brown’s rhythm. He’s still getting to his spots, as we saw in a 43-point masterpiece against the Heat. In fact, he’s jacked up 20+ shots in six of his last eight contests — and 29 FGAs in two of his past three games. That doesn’t sound like a star suffering from fewer touches.
Likewise, his 3-point struggles are balanced out by a healthy dose of free throws. With his effective downhill style, Brown averaged 9.5 FTA per game in March and knocked them down at an 86% clip.
Toronto has been on the receiving end of some big outings from Boston’s No. 7, including a 30-point performance in December, and the visitors had some costly defensive lapses in losses to the Pistons and Kings this week.
Meanwhile, the Celtics are emerging as the team to beat in the East, and I see Brown adding to his collection of 30-point games today.
Raptors vs Celtics same-game parlay
With Brown leading the charge, Boston is a formidable home team, as its 26-11 record at TD Garden suggests. Joe Mazzulla’s men are 8-2 SU in their past 10 contests, and they’ve won nine of their last 10 meetings with the Raptors.
I’ll triple down on this Boston Celtics offense with a wager on Derrick White to heat up from downtown. He nailed five 3-pointers last time out against the Bucks, so the arrow is pointing up.
Raptors vs Celtics SGP
Jaylen Brown Over 27.5 points
Celtics moneyline
Derrick White Over 2.5 threes
Our "from downtown" SGP: The Js bring it!
Boston's star duo looks ready for a playoff run, and this SGP signals impressive stats for both of the Js here.
Tatum is way ahead of schedule in his injury comeback, and he’s grabbed double-digit rebounds in five of his past six contests. He’s also dished a combined 28 dimes in his last three games.
Raptors vs Celtics SGP
Jaylen Brown Over 27.5 points
Jayson Tatum Over 4.5 assists
Jayson Tatum Over 9.5 rebounds
Celtics -9.5
Raptors vs Celtics odds
Spread: Raptors +10 | Celtics -10
Moneyline: Raptors -375 | Celtics -400
Over/Under: Over 220.5 | Under 220.5
Raptors vs Celtics betting trend to know
The Under is 23-14 in Celtics home games this season. Find more NBA betting trends for Raptors vs. Celtics.
How to watch Raptors vs Celtics
Location
TD Garden, Boston, MA
Date
Sunday, April 5, 2026
Tip-off
3:30 p.m. ET
TV
Sportsnet, NBCS-Boston
Raptors vs Celtics latest injuries
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.
The Montreal Canadiens can join those teams in the Eastern Conference playoff bracket on Sunday, April 5.
Also Sunday, the Carolina Hurricanes can clinch the Metropolitan Division title, and the Colorado Avalanche can clinch the Central Division and Western Conference titles.
The Eastern Conference bracket could also see some big changes. The Ottawa Senators, Detroit Red Wings, Philadelphia Flyers (88 points each) and the Washington Capitals (87) are in action.
The Senators currently hold the second wild-card spot in the East on a tiebreaker and could be passed by the other three teams. The Flyers could move past the idle New York Islanders (89) into third place in the Metropolitan Division. The Islanders would drop out of a playoff spot if both the Flyers and Capitals win.
Here's what to know about the NHL standings, including the latest playoff bracket, who can clinch today and the tiebreaker procedures for the 2025-26 season:
Who's in the 2026 NHL playoffs?
Eastern Conference: Carolina, Tampa Bay, Buffalo
Western Conference: Colorado, Dallas, Minnesota
Who can clinch an NHL playoff berth today?
The Montreal Canadiens will clinch a playoff berth if they get at least one point vs. the Devils or if the Red Wings or Senators lose.
The Carolina Hurricanes will clinch the Metropolitan Division title if they get at least one point vs. the Senators or the Penguins fail to win in regulation.
The Colorado Avalanche will clinch the Central Division and Western Conference titles if they defeat the Blues.
NHL games today (Sunday, April 5)
All times Eastern.
Minnesota at Detroit, 1, TNT
Florida at Pittsburgh, 3
Boston at Philadelphia, 3:30, TNT
Carolina at Ottawa, 5
New Jersey at Montreal, 7
Washington at N.Y. Rangers, 7, ESPN
St. Louis at Colorado, 9:30, ESPN
NHL Eastern Conference standings 2025-26
After April 4 games. x-clinched playoff spot. z-eliminated
Metropolitan Division
x-Carolina Hurricanes (104)
Pittsburgh Penguins (94)
New York Islanders (89)
Atlantic Division
x-Tampa Bay Lightning (102)
Montreal Canadiens (100)
x-Buffalo Sabres (100)
Wild card
Boston Bruins (96)
Ottawa Senators (88)
Sitting out of playoff position: Detroit Red Wings (88), Philadelphia Flyers (88), Columbus Blue Jackets (88), Washington Capitals (87), New Jersey Devils (81), z-Toronto Maple Leafs (78), z-Florida Panthers (77), z-New York Rangers (73)
NHL Western Conference standings 2025-26
After April 4 games. x-clinched playoff spot. z-eliminated
Central Division
x-Colorado Avalanche (110)
x-Dallas Stars (102)
x-Minnesota Wild (98)
Pacific Division
Edmonton Oilers (87)
Anaheim Ducks (87)
Vegas Golden Knights (86)
Wild card
Utah Mammoth (86)
Nashville Predators (81)
Sitting out of playoff position: Los Angeles Kings (81), San Jose Sharks (79), Winnipeg Jets (78), St. Louis Blues (76), Seattle Kraken (75), Calgary Flames (72), z-Chicago Blackhawks (70), z-Vancouver Canucks (52)
NHL playoffs if they started today
NHL Eastern Conference playoff bracket
Here is how the Eastern Conference playoff bracket would look if the season ended on April 4:
Carolina (M1) vs. Ottawa (WC2)
Pittsburgh (M2) vs. N.Y. Islanders (M3)
Tampa Bay (A1) vs. Boston (WC1)
Montreal (A2) vs. Buffalo (A3)
The winner of the first series would play the winner of the second in the second round. The winner of the third series would play the winner of the fourth. Key: M - Metropolitan Division. A - Atlantic Division. WC - wild card
NHL Western Conference playoff bracket
Here is how the Western Conference playoff bracket would look if the season ended on April 4.
Colorado (C1) vs. Nashville (WC2)
Dallas (C2) vs. Minnesota (C3)
Edmonton (P1) vs. Utah (WC1)
Anaheim (P2) vs. Vegas (P3)
The winner of the first series would play the winner of the second in the second round. The winner of the third series would play the winner of the fourth. Key: C - Central Division P - Pacific Division. WC - wild card
NHL tiebreakers: What is the first tiebreaker in NHL standings?
If two teams are tied in points at the end of the regular season, here are the tiebreakers:
Regulation wins
Regulation and overtime wins (ROW)
Total wins
Most points earned in head-to-head competition: If teams had an uneven number of meetings, the first game played in the city that has the extra game is excluded.
Goal differential
Total goals
When does the NHL regular season end?
The NHL regular season is scheduled to end on Thursday, April 16, with six games.
When do the NHL playoffs start?
The NHL's Stanley Cup playoffs are scheduled to begin on April 18.
CINCINNATI, OHIO - MARCH 31: Oneil Cruz #15 of the Pittsburgh Pirates celebrates after hitting a two RBI home run in the 9th inning against the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park on March 31, 2026 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across MLB. Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in Pirates fans and fans across the country. Sign up here to participate in the weekly emailed surveys.
This week’s question asked you about Oneil Cruz, who’s poor performance in the field has stuck out like a sore thumb. He has had a good start at thr plate, currently hitting .290 with 3 home runs for the 5-3 Buccs. But the 27-year-old is getting to the point in his career when it’s less about pontential and more — he is what he is at this point. So we asked our readers if it was time to move on from Cruz. Here is what you said:
So there you have it. A full two-thirds of Pirates fans voted that it’s time to move on. I thought it would be a little lower than that but understand the frustration with the highly talented but also highly mercurial Cruz.
As usual, don’t forget to drop by FanDuel’s MLB page. You can bet on all kinds of player props as well as the Bucs winning the Worlds Series (+5000) and also for them just making the MLB Playoffs (+164).
BOSTON, MA - MARCH 27: Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics boxes out during the game against the Atlanta Hawks on March 27, 2026 at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. 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 Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
From the moment Tatum hit the court in his first game almost a month ago, one thing has stuck out to me: the guy has come back to the game with a nose for the ball that is truly remarkable.
It’s like we’ve got a Steve Austin Six Million Dollar Man thing going on here, because Tatum has, from the get-go, displayed a knack for grabbing rebounds that is truly remarkable, given his career numbers.
In 13 games, Tatum is averaging 9.9 rebounds, which is enough to lead the team by almost a full board (Neemias Queta is second at 9 rebounds per game over the same time period).
What’s more impressive about that stat is that it’s significantly higher than his numbers from last season. Tatum’s shooting is down meaningfully from last season, as is his assist total (eFG% is down from .537 to .494, assists are 5.1, down from 6.0), but his rebounding has gone from 8.7 to 9.9 rips per game, with all of that increase coming on the defensive glass.
With a little bit of luck, Tatum could end the season averaging a double-double, something that he’s never done in his career.
Importantly, Tatum’s rebounds aren’t coming strictly at the expense of other players on the team.
Looking at advanced stats split before and after Tatum’s return, the Celtics have been rebounding the other team’s misses at a 75.4% clip since March 6th. Prior to that, the team’s defensive rebounding rate was just 70.4%. Defensive rebounds are up by more than 3 per game in real numbers.
Given that the Celtics score 119.4 points per 100 possessions, those extra three rebounds amount to an extra 3.6 points per game, and are partially responsible for a better than one point per 100 possession drop in opponent production against Boston.
Not surprisingly, Boston’s net rating per game has gone from +7.3 before Tatum’s return to +8.5 since, with no meaningful change in field goal percentage to indicate better offensive efficiency on that side of the ball.
Tatum is still very much a work in progress on the offensive side of the court, but he seems to be content to work into the flow of the game at that end, not trying to force himself back into game shape in a manner that works to the detriment of the team as a whole, but, on the other end of the court, he’s been the team’s number one rebounding option from the get-go.
BOSTON, MA – FEBRUARY 11: Kevin Garnett Rajon Rondo #9 of the New Orleans Pelicans Head Coach Doc River of the LA Clippers and former player Paul Pierce enjoy the game between the Boston Celtics and Cleveland Cavaliers on February 11, 2018 at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. 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 2018 NBAE (Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Doc Rivers into the Hall of Fame
I suppose this was, in some ways, a foregone conclusion.
The Basketball Hall of Fame seems to place a high value on longevity when it comes to coaches at all levels of the sport, and at this point in time, Doc is the only coach with more than 2,000 games under his belt that isn’t in the hall of fame. Heck, Bill Fitch is in the Basketball Hall of Fame with 2,050 games coached, and he’s got a losing record as a head coach.
But I think that time will not be kind to Doc’s reputation. To be sure, he’s got a pretty decent record, overall, 1192-863 as of this date, and it’s not out of the question that he could top Lenny Wilkens’ record for total games coached. Wilkens coached 2,487 games in his career, and Doc is sitting at 2,055 games. At the same time, Doc has morphed from a coach who could get the most out of his players to a guy who seems bent on blaming them for everything. There’s also the matter of the blown 3-1 playoff series.
The version of Doc that is coaching the Bucks these days seems a far cry from the “Ubuntu” Doc that led the Celtics to a title in 2008 and confidently hid $2,600 in the Staples Center locker room in 2010 to convince the team that they were going to make the Finals that year.
I kind of feel for the guy. It doesn’t seem like he enjoys coaching very much these days, and it makes me wonder why he keeps at it. Is he chasing Lenny Wilkens’ record? Does he not want to figure out life holds for him after he’s done coaching?
Los Angeles, CA – February 22: Guard Jaylen Brown #7 of the Boston Celtics shoots between Austin Reaves #15 and center Deandre Ayton #5 of the Los Angeles Lakers as guard Luka Doncic #77 looks on in the second half of a NBA basketball game at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on Sunday, February 22, 2026. (Photo by Keith Birmingham/MediaNews Group/Pasadena Star-News via Getty Images) | MediaNews Group via Getty Images
Another one bites the dust
The Lakers have shut Luka Doncic down for the rest of the season, meaning that he’s also going to miss the 65 game threshold for regular season awards.
Predictably, people are up in arms about this.
I stand by my observations from last week: There should be a declared minimum number of games played to qualify for awards that are quite literally based on the games one plays, and if that minimum cuts out a player due to injury, well, that’s just how these things work. If you want to get a regular season award, logic dictates that you participate in a significant number of regular season games.
Right now, you can take off every fifth game and still qualify for the MVP award. Lowering the threshold to 60 games would mean that you can take every fourth game off, which seems excessively lenient to me, and either abolishing the limit or lowering it further seems to be even less defensible.
And in Doncic’s case, he would’ve met the threshold if he had been less adept at incurring technical fouls.
The Ottawa Senators are going cold at exactly the wrong time. On Saturday afternoon, they lost for the fourth time in five games (1-3-1), falling 4-1 to the Minnesota Wild at Canadian Tire Centre.
The good news is that the teams around them in the wild card race, Columbus, Detroit, and the Islanders, all lost in regulation as well. So the Sens are still holding down the final wild-card spot with six games left to play.
Steve Warne and Gregg Kennedy discuss the effects of all the injuries on defense, including the recent one to rookie Carter Yakemchuk.
The other bit of good news was the return of Jake Sanderson, who missed 13 games with a shoulder injury.
But that's where the silver-lining playbook ends.
The Sens didn't seem overly inspired by their top defenseman's return on Saturday, and also learned that Tyler Kleven would be out indefinitely after being struck by a puck on the side of his head in Thursday's win over Buffalo.
Minnesota goaltender Jesper Wallstedt made 33 saves, but probably deserved a shutout. The Sens had some looks, but many of their 33 shots were from the perimeter or with no one at the net. Drake Batherson scored with under four minutes left in the game, chipping a puck into the net while lying on the ice.
It's the second time in three games that Batherson has been a shutout buster. He scored Tuesday in Florida, where the Sens were down 5-0. And on a day when the Sens' good news seemed to be rolled up with bad news, Batherson's goal was no different. He was struck by a shot on the play and headed down the tunnel afterward.
As for Minnesota, they jumped out to a 2-0 first-period lead on some good fortune.
Skating down the left wing midway through the first, Jonas Brodin drifted a light wrist shot on net, which Linus Ullmark normally would have steered out of harm's way. But it took a funny skip off the ice, then off Ullmark, straight into traffic, off Nikolas Matinpalo’s skate and into the net.
The next goal was more of a gift. Jordan Spence coughed it up at the offensive blue line for a 2-on-0 that was finished off by Ryan Hartman for a 2-0 Minnesota lead. Hartman is the guy who was suspended for eight games last year for slamming Tim Stutzle's face off the ice, showing a brutal misunderstanding of what a face-off means.
On Saturday, metaphorically at least, Hartman did that to the Senators again, scoring twice to lead the charge.
After the game, head coach Travis Green talked about the loss and took issue with a reporter describing the team as having a lack of urgency.
"When you ask if we played with enough urgency, I think it feels like you are asking if we tried hard enough," Green said. “That’s just easy to say when you lose. Our guys want to win. They want to win bad. Some guys didn’t have the best game, and that would have gone a long way for us to win.”
Green said there were three or four players in particular who didn't play well, but obviously didn't identify them. That's absolutely not his style, nor does he like to gush too long over individual players who have great games.
Despite the flat performance, the Senators, along with the Red Wings, Blue Jackets, and Flyers, will begin another day on Sunday, tied at 88 points. Ottawa will have the tiebreaker with a substantial lead in regulation wins.
The Sens will host the Carolina Hurricanes on Sunday at 5 pm in a battle of two teams on short rest. The 'Canes were busy doing Ottawa a huge favour on Saturday night with a 4-3 regulation victory over the Islanders.
Steve Warne The Hockey News
This article was first published at The Hockey News Ottawa. Check out more great Sens features from The Hockey News at the links below:
CINCINNATI, OHIO - MARCH 30: Pitcher Chase Burns #26 of the Cincinnati Reds speaks with catcher Tyler Stephenson #37 at the pitcher's mound during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Great American Ball Park on March 30, 2026 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Jeff Dean/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Cincinnati Reds powered their way to victory on Friday in the series opener against the Texas Rangers, with 2-run blasts by Spencer Steer and Tyler Stephenson fueling the 5-3 victory. On Saturday, it was starting pitcher Rhett Lowder’s excellence paired with some timely bucket brigade of singles that led to Cincinnati’s 2-0 win.
On Sunday, it will be Chase Burns with the chance to put his stamp on the first road series of the season for the Reds as they look to sweep aside the Rangers and move three games over the .500 mark. Burns was his electric self again in his first start of the season, fanning 7 in 5.0 IP while allowing nary a run and a lone hit in a 2-0 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates, showing zero ill-effects from his bullpen role down the stretch in 2025 and his somewhat odd ‘de-load’ late in spring camp.
Standing in Cincinnati’s way will be another former #2 overall pick in Texas Rangers starter Jack Leiter. Leiter, whose path to big league success hasn’t been quite as rocket-like as Burns, settled in as a solid mid-rotation contributor for the 2025 Rangers, but the stuff has always been there for him to lead a rotation. Still just 25 years old (for a few more days), he looked the part of an ace in his first start of the season, and the Reds will have their work cut out for them today against the righty.
It’s something of an interesting matchup today given yesterday’s between Rhett Lowder and Kumar Rocker. Lowder and Burns, of course, were both aces that came out of Wake Forest’s elite pitching development program, while both Rocker and Leiter came out of a Vanderbilt system that current Reds pitching coordinator Derek Johnson set in motion himself. All four are former Top 10 overall picks, too, showing just how much elite arm talent has been on display in this series so far.
First pitch for Sunday’s matinee is set for 2:35 PM ET, as the Reds will head to Miami next to continue their first road trip of the 2026 season.
For whatever reason, Nate Lowe is back on the bench and Ke’Bryan Hayes is starting at 3B again. Here’s how the Reds will line up for this one:
ST. PETERSBURG, FLORIDA - AUGUST 25: A general overall aerial view of Tropicana Field and stadium dome damage from Hurricane Milton on August 25, 2025 in St. Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by Kirby Lee/Getty Images)
Kirby Lee/Getty Images
A sellout crowd will welcome the Tampa Bay Rays back to renovated Tropicana Field on Monday for the first time in 18 1/2 months.
The quirky stadium with the tilted roof and unique catwalks underwent major repairs after Hurricane Milton swept through downtown St. Petersburg on Oct. 9, 2024, and caused extensive damage.
High wind ripped sections of the original roof, allowing rain to fall into the stadium bowl for months. Water caused mold and damage to electrical, sound and broadcast systems.
There was thought initially the Rays would never play another game at the only ballpark they had called home since the franchise’s debut in 1998. Instead, nearly $60 million was spent to replace the roof and rebuild the Trop.
While the Rays played their 2025 home games across the bay in Tampa at Steinbrenner Field — the spring training home of the New York Yankees — their stadium got a makeover.
The new roof was installed last August, and the final panel was put in place Nov. 21. Luxury suites and the stadium video board were upgraded. The stadium has new artificial turf, home-plate club seats, clubhouse carpet and lockers, and new flooring on the outfield deck.
“I think guys are excited, and rightfully so,” Rays manager Kevin Cash said about the team’s return home. “Our organization has worked incredibly hard and the city and the county, to get it back up to speed. I briefly walked through there, couldn’t be more impressed with the way it looks, and excited to see our fans. I think our guys are going to appreciate just having our fans in the building, cheering us on for our opening day.”
It’ll be the 20th consecutive season the Rays have sold out their home opener, excluding 2020 when fans weren’t allowed inside the stadium because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“I’m just really excited to get back in the Trop,” said reliever Griffin Jax, who joined the team last July. “I always enjoy going there as a visitor. It’ll be cool to see all the new renovations and upgrades they made along the way. We’ve seen it a handful of times walking through and seeing pictures and stuff. It looks great. It’ll be good to be back in our home.”
After spending a season playing in a minor league ballpark, the Rays are looking forward to going back to big league amenities.
“It was difficult,” Jax said about playing at Steinbrenner Field. “I don’t think anybody expects to play in a situation like that. It’s just one of those things you have to make any adjustment you can and get ready to play because there is still baseball to be played that night. The situation isn’t great. The environment wasn’t awesome, but it’s still baseball. You just have to roll with it. I was only there for two months. Shout out to all these guys who were there for an entire year because it was not ideal.”
Tropicana Field may not be home for the Rays for much longer. The Rays are under lease to play there through at least the 2028 season, but the team’s new ownership group is pursuing a new ballpark that would be built in Tampa, in the shadows of the Yankees’ spring training complex and across the street from Raymond James Stadium, home to the NFL’s Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is showing signs of life with the bat, and I think he breaks through this afternoon in a plus-pitching matchup.
Find out why in my Blue Jays vs. White Sox predictions and MLB picks below.
Blue Jays vs White Sox predictions
Blue Jays vs White Sox best bet: Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Over 1.5 total bases (+120)
Davis Martin was hit hard in his first outing, allowing three extra-base hits, culminating in a .937 opponent OPS, while ranking in the second percentile in hard-hit rate.
The Toronto Blue Jays slugger hits the ball as hard as anyone in the league. He ranked in the 90th percentile in hard-hit rate last season and is starting to show that same level of pop in his bat.
Guerrero finally hit his first home run of the season yesterday, and nearly had another with a long moon shot that was caught at the wall.
This tells me that he’s starting to see and hit the ball better, and I’ll bank on that bat continuing its breakout today with Martin on the mound.
COVERS INTEL: Davis Martin was hit hard in his first outing of the season, giving up a homer and two doubles, while ranking in the third percentile in average-exit velocity to go along with a .530 xSLG rate.
Blue Jays vs White Sox same-game parlay (SGP)
I’ll continue the trend of betting on Vladdy breaking out offensively and take him to go Over 0.5 RBI this afternoon.
Davis Martin had a 5.11 xERA last season and a 7.27 xERA in his last outing. Thus, the base paths could be busy tonight, and if Vladdy gets his hits with men on base, he’s in the right spot in the lineup to cash in a run or two.
For the final leg, I’ll take Eric Lauer to go Over his strikeout total. He had nine Ks in his first outing, and Chicago ranks 29th in Ks this season, already having struck out 18 times through the first two games of the series.
Blue Jays vs White Sox SGP
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Over 1.5 total bases
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Over 0.5 RBI
Eric Lauer Over 4.5 strikeouts
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Blue Jays vs White Sox home run pick: Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (+400)
I’ll continue to back Vladdy and take him as my home run pick for tonight. Homers come in bunches for Guerrero Jr., and with the first one out of the way, he could erupt anytime now.
Additionally, the matchup favors Vladdy, who has terrific bat-to-ball skills, squaring the ball up, and hitting it with authority. This combination is dangerous for a pitcher like Martin, who gets hit hard and often.
2026 Transparency record
Best bets: 2-5, -2.65 units
SGPs: 1-6, -2.5 units
HR picks: 2-5, +1.3 units
Blue Jays vs White Sox odds
Moneyline: Toronto -165 | Chicago +140
Run line: Toronto -1.5 (+100) | Chicago +1.5 (-120)
Over/Under: Over 8 | Under 8
Blue Jays vs White Sox trend
The Blue Jays have covered the first-five run line in 16 of their last 21 games for +11.05 units and a 46% ROI. Find more MLB betting trends for Blue Jays vs. White Sox.
How to watch Blue Jays vs White Sox and game info
Location
Rate Field, Chicago, IL
Date
Sunday, April 5, 2026
First pitch
2:10 p.m. ET
TV
Sportsnet
Blue Jays starting pitcher
Eric Lauer (1-0, 3.38 ERA)
White Sox starting pitcher
Davis Martin (1-0, 5.40 ERA)
Blue Jays vs White Sox latest injuries
Blue Jays vs White Sox weather
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.
COVERS INTEL: Davis Martin was hit hard in his first outing of the season, giving up a homer and two doubles, while ranking in the third percentile in average-exit velocity to go along with a .530 xSLG rate.