Dodgers place starting pitcher Blake Snell on injured list

Dodgers pitcher Blake Snell looks down as he struggles during the first two inning against the Atlanta Braves on April 2
Dodgers starting pitcher Blake Snell, who struggled at times against the Atlanta Braves on April 2 at Dodger Stadium, has been placed on the injured list. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

The Dodgers placed starting pitcher Blake Snell on the injured list Sunday with left shoulder inflammation, dealing the first injury blow to their starting rotation this season.

Snell’s IL stint was backdated to April 3, meaning the $182-million offseason signing will be out at least through the end of next week’s homestead.

Manager Dave Roberts didn’t have a specific timeline for Snell’s expected absence, but said the left-hander would miss a minimum of two starts.

Read more:Pitching and defensive struggles prove costly as Dodgers drop series to Phillies

Before his injury was announced Sunday, Snell threw off the bullpen mound at Citizens Bank Park, then spoke with general manager Brandon Gomes and head trainer Thomas Albert for several minutes in the outfield.

Roberts said Snell reported soreness, prompting the Dodgers to IL him ahead of his next scheduled start Tuesday.

“If you’re not going to finish your bullpen, that’s pretty much a tell-all to then kind of nip whatever is going on in his arm,” Roberts said.

The Dodgers called up reliever Matt Sauer in a corresponding move, but are without a clear starter for either Tuesday or Wednesday (when they were already planning to go with a bullpen game or spot starter, rather than pitch Yoshinobu Yamamoto on four days’ rest).

The team does have depth options in triple-A, including Landon Knack, Bobby Miller and Justin Wrobleski.

“One day you feel good with where you’re at, and then the next day you’re scrambling a little bit,” Roberts said of the uncertainty in the starting rotation. “That’s part of the marathon of a major-league season.”

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.

Wilyer Abreu walks it off for Red Sox in thrilling win vs. Cardinals

Wilyer Abreu walks it off for Red Sox in thrilling win vs. Cardinals originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston

Wilyer Abreu and the Boston Red Sox stayed hot Sunday in Game 1 of their doubleheader against the St. Louis Cardinals at Fenway Park.

Boston entered the bottom of the ninth inning trailing 4-2 with All-Star closer Ryan Helsley on the mound for St. Louis. Trevor Story and Abreu worked back-to-back walks to begin the frame, then Romy Gonzalez made it a one-run game with a one-out double.

Connor Wong walked to load the bases, and Rafael Devers added another walk to score the tying run. Aroldis Chapman kept the Cardinals off the board with a clutch appearance in the top of the 10th.

With one out in the bottom of the 10th, Abreu smashed a line drive off the Green Monster to secure a 5-4 walk-off Red Sox victory:

Abreu, who has arguably been the hottest hitter in baseball to start the year, was supposed to sit Game 1 and play Game 2. Red Sox manager Alex Cora said the 2024 Gold Glove award winner was dealing with “heavy legs,” but the 2024 Gold Glover entered as a pinch-hitter in the ninth inning.

Through nine games, Abreu is hitting .522 (12-for-23) with two doubles, three home runs, nine RBI, eight walks, and only two strikeouts.

The Red Sox’ fourth consecutive win improved their record to 5-4. They will wrap up their series vs. St. Louis with Game 2 of Sunday’s doubleheader at 7:10 p.m. ET.

Canadiens: Express Visit In Nashville

Samuel Montembeault blanked the Predators in December - Photo credit: David Kirouac-Imagn Images

After nabbing a 3-2 win against the Philadelphia Flyers last night, the Montreal Canadiens will try to win a fifth game in a row when they take on the Nashville Predators on Sunday night. The hosts are on the opposite end of the spectrum, having lost their last five games in regulation. The Habs have bounced back after a five-game losing streak and are now 5-3-2 in their last 10 games, while the Preds are 2-8-0 in the same span.

Three Takeaways From A Canadiens Comeback Win
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The two teams have crossed paths once this season so far, with Montreal blanking Nashville 3-0 with Samuel Montembeault. Jake Evans, Patrik Laine, and Joel Armia had scored on the night.

There is no confirmation of who will be in the Canadiens' net and no pregame media availability. Montembeault was on duty last night, but I believe he'll be there if he says he’s good to go. He has a 4-1-0 record against Nashville with a 2.76 goals-against average and a .917 save percentage, while Jakub Dobes has never taken them on. Juuse Saros will be manning the home net; he has a 5-1-1 record against Montreal with a 2.89 GAA and .929 SP.

The Canadiens have not confirmed if Josh Anderson will be back in action. He missed Saturday night’s game for family reasons, and given the timing, it’s highly likely his wife has or is giving birth to the couple’s first child. Oliver Kapanen, who filled in for him on Saturday, played well, and Martin St-Louis said he could see the progress in his game after the months he spent in the SHL. After the game, Brendan Gallagher gave the youngster the man of the match’s glasses as a welcome back.

Up front, Patrik Laine is the Canadiens’ most productive forward against Nashville. With 11 points in 25 games, he’s the only Hab who has hit double digits. Brendan Gallagher is in second place with nine points in 17 games, and Joel Armia is third with an eight-point output in 19 games. Cole Caufield only has seven points, but he got them in the same number of games.

On the other side, Steven Stamkos has 50 points in 52 duels against the Canadiens, Ryan O’Reilly is in second place with 27 points in 30 games, and Jonathan Marchesseault completes the top three with 17 points in 21 games. Barry Trotz went all out on the free agency market last Summer, but the results have been disastrous. The Predators are 30th in the league with 62 points, and the GM will need to be creative this Summer if he wants to turn things around.

Even if they are going through a tough stretch, the Preds have won six of the last ten duels between the two teams. While Montreal has got a four-point lead in the second wild card spot, now is not the time to take their foot off the pedal. The Columbus Blue Jackets, the Detroit Red Wings, and the New York Islanders are all in action on this busy Sunday in the NHL. According to Moneypuck.com, Montreal has a 74.2% chance of making the Spring dance.


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Jalen Brunson set to return to Knicks lineup Sunday vs. Suns

It was reported earlier in the week that this could happen, and on Sunday it will become a reality.

Jalen Brunson is set to return to the Knicks lineup Sunday when New York hosts Phoenix, a story reported by Chris Haynes and multiple Knicks writers.

Earlier in the week, Brunson said he was cleared for basketball activities, the only question on his return was timing. With the Knicks on a back-to-back this weekend — they beat Atlanta Saturday — the real question was which one of the games he would play, because it was never going to be both.

Brunson would be a lock to make an All-NBA team this season except he has played in 61 games and needs to play at least 20 minutes in four more to reach the league's 65-game threshold to be eligible for postseason awards. The Knicks have five games remaining, including Sunday. Brunson is averaging 26.3 points a game this season with a 60.6% true shooting percentage, plus he's dishing out 7.4 assists a game.

Barring a highly unlikely total collapse in the season's final week, the Knicks will be the No. 3 seed in the East and host either Detroit or Milwaukee in the first round.

Takeaways from the Ducks 6-2 Loss to the Canucks

Apr 5, 2025; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Vancouver Canucks defenseman Quinn Hughes (43) checks Anaheim Ducks forward Cutter Gauthier (61) during the third period at Rogers Arena. Mandatory Credit: Anne-Marie Sorvin-Imagn Images

The Anaheim Ducks wrapped up their brief two-game Western Canada road trip with a Saturday matinee against the Vancouver Canucks. The Ducks were coming off of a decisive 4-1 defeat at the hands of the Calgary Flames on Thursday and fared even worse on Saturday, as they dropped their third game of their last four by a score of 6-2.

Takeaways from the Ducks' 4-1 Loss to the Flames

The Canucks entered Saturday having gone winless in their previous three games and hoping to remain within shouting distance of the second wild card spot in the Western Conference. They were without top centers Elias Pettersson and Filip Chytl in this game.

Jacob Trouba is considered day-to-day with a lower-body injury and missed this game. He was replaced by Oliver Kylington, who played his third game as a Duck. Nikita Nesterenko drew back into the fourth line after he was scratched on Thursday in favor of Brett Leason.

Lukas Dostal got the start for the Ducks and saved just 20 of the 26 shots he faced, but he didn’t stand much of a chance on any of the six goals he let in, as the shots he faced were consistently screened, tipped, or the result of a lapse in coverage.

In the Vancouver crease stood Thatcher Demko, who saved 30 of 32 shots in this game.

Apr 5, 2025; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Vancouver Canucks goaltender Thatcher Demko (35) and defenseman Quinn Hughes (43) defend against Anaheim Ducks forward Isac Lundestrom (21) during the third period at Rogers Arena. Mandatory Credit: Anne-Marie Sorvin-Imagn Images

Here are my notes:

Pavel Mintyukov-Mintyukov was easily the most positively impactful Ducks blueliner in this game. He was the only defenseman killing rush attacks in the neutral zone with clever tactics to bait breakout passes to seemingly open outlets before he closed in and caused a turnover.

He was breaking up pass attempts with clever stick checks and was poised yet aggressive with the puck on his stick, looking to create much-needed offense from the offensive blueline and the rush.

Trevor Zegras-Zegras had a tough outing in Calgary, seemingly outmatched by their speed and willingness to crowd the Anaheim crease. However, he bounced back nicely in this game and was far more active on both the forecheck and with the puck on his stick.

He displayed a willingness to curl and support his defensemen when the Ducks were regrouping to build speed from his end and into the neutral zone so that he could attack downhill through the middle of the ice, where he’s the most dangerous.

Rush Defense-Rush defense was a significant issue for the Ducks in the 2023-24 season where forwards would do well to backcheck, but there was a lack of communication and failure to pick up opposing trailers entering the zone. That issue popped up again on Vancouver’s first goal of the game, the one that ignited their stretch of five goals in 4:30.

Special Teams-The Ducks now have the worst power play in the NHL, converting at a 12.4% clip. They could stand to take aspects of what made the Canucks successful on both their man-advantages in this game. Chief among them was movement. Whether it was Quinn Hughes activating to find Conor Garland on the backdoor or Brock Boeser sliding from the goal line to the bumper for a high tip, Vancouver predicated their power play on player movement.

The Ducks power play has been too stagnate for too long. Leo Carlsson, specifically, could stand to activate more to find soft ice away from the puck and render himself more of a consistent scoring threat.


The Ducks will travel back home on Monday to host the Edmonton Oilers, as their remaining schedule is down to six games on the season.

Ducks Young Forwards Driving the Offense

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Suns vs. Knicks Predictions: Odds, expert picks, recent stats, trends and best bets for April 6

It’s Sunday, April 6, and the Phoenix Suns (35-42) and New York Knicks (49-28) are all set to square off from Madison Square Garden in New York.

The Suns are currently 12-27 on the road with a point differential of -2, while the Knicks have an 8-2 record in their last ten games at home.

New York won the only meeting of the season, 138-122 in Phoenix back on November 20. Over the last five games, Phoenix has lost all five, while New York is 4-1 in that stretch.

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 Suns vs. Knicks live today

  • Date: Sunday, April 6, 2025
  • Time: 7:00PM EST
  • Site: Madison Square Garden
  • City: New York, NY
  • Network/Streaming:

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

Game odds for Suns vs. Knicks

The latest odds as of Sunday:

  • Odds: Suns (+268), Knicks (-334)
  • Spread:  Knicks -7.5
  • Over/Under: 228 points

That gives the Suns an implied team point total of 112.98, and the Knicks 116.89.

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 Sunday’s Suns vs. Knicks game

NBC Sports Bet Best Bet

Vaughn Dalzell (@VmoneySports) leans the Knicks to cover:

"The Suns have lost five straight games by double-digits, but this isn't the worst spot to back them as the Knicks have struggled since Jalen Brunson went down with an injury. New York is 4-1 over the last five games, but three of the four wins came against non-playoff teams. Phoenix needs to find its stride and with five straight losses, desperation will set in. I lean toward the Suns at +7.5 or better."

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 Suns & Knicks game:

  • Moneyline: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the New York Knicks on the Moneyline.
  • Spread: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play ATS on the Phoenix Suns at +7.5.
  • Total: NBC Sports Bet is staying away from a play on the Game Total of 228.

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 Suns vs. Knicks on Sunday

  • The Knicks have won 8 of their last 10 home games, while the Suns have lost 14 in 16 on the road
  • The Under has cashed in the Knicks' last 4 games
  • The Knicks have covered in their last 5 games as a home favorite

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

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)

Wizards vs. Celtics Predictions: Odds, expert picks, recent stats, trends and best bets for April 6

It’s Sunday, April 6, and the Washington Wizards (17-60) and Boston Celtics (57-20) are all set to square off from TD Garden in Boston.

The Wizards are currently 9-28 on the road with a point differential of -12, while the Celtics have a 7-3 record in their last ten games at home. Boston is 3-0 against Washington this season with victories of 12, 14, and 20 points.

Boston has won 10 of the past 11 games, while Washington is 1-4 in the last five contests and 2-9 over the previous 11.

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 Wizards vs. Celtics live today

  • Date: Sunday, April 6, 2025
  • Time: 6:00PM EST
  • Site: TD Garden
  • City: Boston, MA
  • Network/Streaming:

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

Game odds for Wizards vs. Celtics

The latest odds as of Sunday:

  • Odds: Wizards (+1450), Celtics (-3846)
  • Spread:  Celtics -20.5
  • Over/Under: 226 points

That gives the Wizards an implied team point total of 112.34, and the Celtics 122.99.

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 Sunday’s Wizards vs. Celtics game

NBC Sports Bet Best Bet

Vaughn Dalzell (@VmoneySports) leans a live bet angle between Boston and Washington:

"With three double-digit victories against Washington this season, there's no reason to think it won't happen again but laying -20.5 points in an NBA game is tough to do. I'd look at a live bet on the Celtics or a better number on the Wizards if this is truly a blowout."

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 Wizards & Celtics 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 Washington Wizards at +20.5.
  • Total: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play on the under on the Game Total of 226.

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 Wizards vs. Celtics on Sunday

  • The Celtics have won 7 straight games against the Wizards
  • The Celtics' last 3 versus the Wizards have stayed under the Total
  • The Wizards are 3-7 against the spread in their last 10 games
  • The Celtics' last 3 versus the Wizards have stayed under the Total

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)

What we learned as Flores' walk-off hit secures another Giants sweep

What we learned as Flores' walk-off hit secures another Giants sweep originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

BOX SCORE

SAN FRANCISCO – That’s how to open up the first Giants homestand of the 2025 MLB season.

The Giants maintained their position as one of the hottest teams in baseball, beating the Seattle Mariners 5-4 on Sunday at Oracle Park to complete the series sweep and continue their best start to a season in more than 20 years.

Wilmer Flores was the hero this time, delivering a first-pitch pinch-hit single to drive in Luis Matos with the game-winning walk-off hit in the ninth inning.

Matos reached on a fielder’s choice then advanced to third when Mariners right fielder Victor Robles crashed into the net chasing down Patrick Bailey’s fly ball. Robles threw the ball back in but remained on the ground for several moments before being taken off the field via cart.

Umpires reviewed the play and Matos was sent back to second before Flores lined a sharp single to right for the game-winner.

Camilo Doval got the win despite surrendering the tying run in the top of the ninth.

Jung Hoo Lee had two hits and has reached safely in all eight games that he has played this season Mike Yastrzemski homered and drove in three runs.

The Giants are 8-1 for the first time since 2003.

Giants pitcher Jordan Hicks had mixed results in his second start of the season. The former reliever-turned-starter had five strikeouts in 5 1/3 innings but allowed six hits and three runs.

Here are the takeaways from Sunday’s game:

Funtastic Fourth

San Francisco’s offense broke out for four runs in the fourth, marking the second time in nine games that the Giants have put up four in one frame.

Three of the first four San Francisco batters in the inning had singles, and Yastrzemski capped the inning with a booming three-run blast into the left field stands that gave the Giants a 4-2 lead.

That is an obviously encouraging sign considering San Francisco has been held to four runs or fewer in three of their first eight games.

Gold Glove Style

For many years, the Giants didn’t have to give much thought to their defensive play at shortstop because they had four-time Gold Glove winner Brandon Crawford there to make all the plays.

Willy Adames is the newest player to try to fill the gap Crawford created when he signed with the St. Louis Cardinals after the 2023 season. Adames hasn’t won a Gold Glove, but he made a tremendous play against the Mariners on Sunday.

Seattle’s No. 3 hitter Julio Rodriguez bounced a sharp grounder up the middle in the fifth inning that Adames chased down behind second base. In one motion, Adames did a 360-degree spin and fired the ball to first base to get the out.

Serving It Up

During his brief time with the Giants, Hicks has done a good job of keeping the ball in the yard before giving up a pair of solo home runs to the Mariners.

Seattle slugger Julio Rodriguez smashed a 2-1 sweeper from Hicks for a 423-foot home run in the first inning before Cal Raleigh added a 347-foot drive leading off the third.

It was the first time since June 11, 2024 that Hicks was tagged for two home runs. The 28-year-old right-hander didn’t give up a home run in his final 12 starts of 2024 or his first start this season.

Download and follow the Giants Talk Podcast

Kings vs. Cavaliers Predictions: Odds, expert picks, recent stats, trends and best bets for April 6

It’s Sunday, April 6, and the Sacramento Kings (37-40) and Cleveland Cavaliers (62-15) are all set to square off from Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Cleveland.

The Kings are currently 18-21 on the road with a point differential of 0, while the Cavaliers have a 9-1 record in their last ten games at home. Sacramento won the only meeting of the season at home versus Cleveland, 123-119 on March 19.

Cleveland won three straight games and six of the past seven, while Sacramento is coming off a win, but are 2-7 since beating the Cavaliers.

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 Kings vs. Cavaliers live today

  • Date: Sunday, April 6, 2025
  • Time: 6:00PM EST
  • Site: Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse
  • City: Cleveland, OH
  • Network/Streaming: NBA TV

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 Kings vs. Cavaliers

The latest odds as of Sunday:

  • Odds: Kings (+362), Cavaliers (-474)
  • Spread:  Cavaliers -10
  • Over/Under: 237 points

That gives the Kings an implied team point total of 117.42, and the Cavaliers 122.63.

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 Sunday’s Kings vs. Cavaliers game

NBC Sports Bet Best Bet

Vaughn Dalzell (@VmoneySports) leans Evan Mobley Over 2.5 Blocks and Steals:

"The Defensive Player of the Year race is heavily favored toward Draymond Green, so Evan Mobley will have to make a strong impression to close the regular season. Mobley is coming off a three-block and one-steal performance versus San Antonio and recorded two or more blocks in six of the past seven games. In most games, this prop is juiced heavily or 3.5, but because he had one total block and steal, the value on this is an even -115 either way. I have to lean the Over for Mobley."

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 Kings & Cavaliers game:

  • Moneyline: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the Cleveland Cavaliers on the Moneyline.
  • Spread: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play ATS on the Sacramento Kings at +10.
  • Total: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the under on the Game Total of 237.

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 Kings vs. Cavaliers on Sunday

  • The Cavaliers have won 8 of their last 10 games against teams with losing records
  • 4 of the Kings' last 5 matchups with the Cavaliers have gone over the Total
  • The Cavaliers are 1-4 against the spread in their last 5 games
  • The Cavaliers have won 13 of their last 16 games at home

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)

Jazz vs. Hawks Predictions: Odds, expert picks, recent stats, trends and best bets for April 6

It’s Sunday, April 6, and the Utah Jazz (16-62) and Atlanta Hawks (36-41) are all set to square off from State Farm Arena in Atlanta.

The Jazz are currently 7-32 on the road with a point differential of -9, while the Hawks have a 6-4 record in their last ten games at home. Atlanta won the only meeting of the season in Utah, 124-121.

Atlanta has lost three straight games and five of the past six compared to Utah who has dropped eight consecutive outings and 18 of the previous 19.

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 Jazz vs. Hawks live today

  • Date: Sunday, April 6, 2025
  • Time: 6:00PM EST
  • Site: State Farm Arena
  • City: Atlanta, GA
  • Network/Streaming:

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

Game odds for Jazz vs. Hawks

The latest odds as of Sunday:

  • Odds: Jazz (+445), Hawks (-602)
  • Spread:  Hawks -12
  • Over/Under: 243 points

That gives the Jazz an implied team point total of 120.4, and the Hawks 126.65.

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 Sunday’s Jazz vs. Hawks game

NBC Sports Bet Best Bet

Vaughn Dalzell (@VmoneySports) leans Dyson Daniel to go Over his 26.5 PRA prop:

"As the season closes, Dyson Daniels inches closer to winning Most Improved Player of the Year and a team like the Utah Jazz provides a quality opponent for him to pad some stats. Daniels went Under in his past outing, so I like this spot as a bounce back Over for Daniels."

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 Jazz & Hawks game:

  • Moneyline: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the Atlanta Hawks on the Moneyline.
  • Spread: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play ATS on the Utah Jazz at +12.
  • Total: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the under on the Game Total of 243.

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 Jazz vs. Hawks on Sunday

  • The Hawks have won 12 of their last 20 home games against teams with losing records
  • The Over is 7-3 in the Hawks' last 10 games
  • The Jazz have covered in all nine of their matchups against Eastern Conference Southeast Division teams this season
  • The Atlanta Hawks were woeful against the New York Knicks last time and a -12.5 is unlikely to be covered by Quin Snyder's inconsistent side. The Jazz have covered in all nine of their matchups against Eastern Conference Southeast Division teams this season and can keep things tight in Georgia.

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)

Canucks Gameday Preview #77: Wrapping Up A Back-To-Back Against The Golden Knights

Feb 22, 2025; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Vegas Golden Knights goaltender Adin Hill (33) makes a save against Vancouver Canucks center Dakota Joshua (81) during the third period at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images

The Vancouver Canucks (35-28-13) wrap up their three-game home stand on Sunday when they face the Vegas Golden Knights (46-22-8). This is the first of two games between these Pacific Division rivals this month, as they are also scheduled to face off on the final day of the regular season. Like every game down the stretch, this is a must-win for Vancouver, as a loss would see their playoff odds drop below 1%. 

Latest From THN’s Vancouver Canucks Site:

MUST SEE: Canucks Elias Pettersson Scores First Career Goal

The Canucks’ Record In Back-To-Backs This Season

"They've Been Delivering For 18, 20 Years Under Pressure": Canucks Rick Tocchet Discusses The Historic Careers Of Sidney Crosby & Alex Ovechkin

Sunday's game will not be an easy one, as the Golden Knights still have plenty to play for. While Vegas has already clinched a post-season berth, they are competing for the top spot in the division and home ice for at least the first two rounds. Overall, it is going to be a tough test for the Canucks, and one they will need to pass if they still have plans of qualifying for the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs. 

Players to Watch:

Aatu Räty:

Aatu Räty has been making the most of his recent call-up. He continues to be dominant in the faceoff dot and has shown he can be an impactful third-line center at the NHL level. If Räty can win his matchup and keep delivering faceoff wins, it will go a long way in helping Vancouver take down the Golden Knights. 

Brett Howden:

One player on Vegas' roster who isn't discussed enough is Brett Howden. The 27-year-old has filled in nicely as part of the top six and, like Räty, is having success in the faceoff dot. With points in five of his last season, Howden could easily find the scoresheet Sunday night. 

Vancouver Canucks (35-28-13):
Last 10: 4-4-2

Quinn Hughes: 16-56-72
Brock Boeser: 25-23-48
Elias Pettersson: 15-30-45
Conor Garland: 19-26-45
Jake DeBrusk: 24-20-44

Vegas Golden Knights (46-22-8):
Last 10: 7-3-0

Jack Eichel: 27-66-93
Mark Stone: 19-47-66
Tomáš Hertl: 31-28-59 *Injured
Shea Theodore: 7-47-54
Pavel Dorofeyev: 33-17-50

Game Information:

Start Time: 7:00 pm PT
Venue: Rogers Arena
Television: Sportsnet
Radio: Sportsnet 650

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

Williams’ solo try edges Warrington to Challenge Cup win against St Helens

  • Quarter-final: Warrington 20-12 St Helens
  • Wolves to play Leigh Leopards in semi-final

Warrington Wolves edged a pulsating Challenge Cup quarter-final with St Helens to set up a semi-final showdown with Leigh Leopards next month.

Two of the cup’s most successful clubs met on a sun-drenched afternoon in Warrington, in a contest that was level at half-time and which ebbed and flowed for most of the match. But in the end, it was Sam Burgess’s side who came through a thrilling tie with the England captain, George Williams, scoring the decisive try with 10 minutes remaining.

Continue reading...

Raptors vs. Nets Predictions: Odds, expert picks, recent stats, trends and best bets for April 6

It’s Sunday, April 6, and the Toronto Raptors (28-50) and Brooklyn Nets (25-52) are all set to square off from Barclays Center in Brooklyn.

The Raptors are currently 11-27 on the road with a point differential of -5, while the Nets have a 2-8 record in their last ten games at home. Toronto is 2-1 versus Brooklyn this season with the last two wins coming by 17 and 30 points.

Brooklyn is coming off a 15-point loss that snapped a two-game winning streak. The Nets are 2-7 over the last nine games, while the Raptors are 0-3 over the past three contests and 4-7 over the previous 11.

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 Raptors vs. Nets live today

  • Date: Sunday, April 6, 2025
  • Time: 3:30PM EST
  • Site: Barclays Center
  • City: Brooklyn, NY
  • Network/Streaming:

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

Game odds for Raptors vs. Nets

The latest odds as of Sunday:

  • Odds: Raptors (-131), Nets (+110)
  • Spread:  Raptors -2
  • Over/Under: 214 points

That gives the Raptors an implied team point total of 107.57, and the Nets 106.52.

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 Sunday’s Raptors vs. Nets game

NBC Sports Bet Best Bet

Vaughn Dalzell (@VmoneySports) leans the Raptors on the ML:

"Toronto has won the last two meetings by a combined 47 points after losing the first meeting by seven points. While the Nets have the slight rest advantage, I would lean toward the Raptors here, especially since they opened as slight favorites. It's Toronto ML or pass."

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 Raptors & Nets game:

  • Moneyline: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the Toronto Raptors on the Moneyline.
  • Spread: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play ATS on the Brooklyn Nets at +2.
  • Total: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play on the over on the Game Total of 214.

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 Raptors vs. Nets on Sunday

  • The Raptors have won their last 3 matchups against divisional opponents
  • Each of the Nets' last 5 home games against the Raptors have stayed under the Total
  • The Nets have covered in 26 of their 48 matchups against Eastern Conference teams this season
  • The Nets have covered in 26 of their 48 matchups against Eastern Conference teams this season

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)

Mets Injury Notes: Dedniel Núñez scheduled to pitch Sunday for Syracuse, Frankie Montas throwing from 75 feet

Prior to Sunday’s afternoon affair with the Toronto Blue Jays, Mets manager Carlos Mendoza provided a few updates on players making their way back from injury, including relieverDedniel Núñez.

 Núñez,who was optioned to Triple-A at the end of spring training in order to properly ramp him back up following a pronator strain in his right forearm suffered last August, is scheduled to pitch for Syracuse on Sunday.

Núñez threw 2.0 dominant innings on Thursday night against Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, allowing just one hit while throwing 29 pitches.

And while the results have been there for Núñez, that’s not exactly what Mendoza and the Mets are hoping to see.

“Continue to take the baseball. We’re not looking at results right now,” Mendoza explained. “I think it’s just more building him up. I think it’s twice now that he’s gone multiple innings, and that’s what we want to see, his ability to recovery.

“I think it’s just the recovery. Are you going to be able to take the baseball two days after you throw two innings? Are you going to be able to bounce back, you throw one inning, and not necessarily back-to-back, but what about two out of three? That’s what we’re preparing him for.”

RHP Frankie Montas

Montas threw from up to 75 feet on Saturday, with Mendoza referring to it as “light tossing.”

“Still early in his throwing progression, but he’s throwing,” the manager said.

C Luis Torrens

Torrens is once again out of the starting lineup due to a forearm contusion, but Mendoza said the veteran is available off the bench behind Hayden Senger.

“Hopefully just a couple of days,” Mendoza said, noting that Torrens is still sore.