The NHL playoffs continue to deliver, and I’ve got a trio of NHL player props for the pair of games on the ice this Monday, April 27.
My NHL picks begin with Pittsburgh Penguins goalie Arturs Silovs in the early game, and wrap up with Utah Mammoth starter Karel Vejmelka in the nightcap.
Best NHL player prop bets today
Player
Silovs Over 22.5 saves
-110
Schmaltz Under 0.5 points
+120
Vejmelka Over 24.5 saves
-130
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Our best NHL player props for Monday, April 27
Take a look at our best bets and expert analysis below.
Prop #1: Arturs Silovs Over 22.5 saves
-110 at BET99
Pittsburgh Penguins goalie Arturs Silovs turned away 28 of 30 shots with 1.68 goals saved above expected to extend the series in Game 4, and he’s no stranger to postseason success.
The 25-year-old Latvian played 10 playoff games for the Vancouver Canucks in 2024, and he was the Calder Cup Playoffs MVP after a championship run with the AHL Abbotsford Canucks last spring.
The Philadelphia Flyers have also recorded 27.7 shots per game across the past three, so Silovs stands to see enough rubber to go Over the number again tonight.
Time: 7:00 p.m. ET
Where to watch: ESPN, Sportsnet
Prop #2: Nick Schmaltz Under 0.5 points
+120 at BET99
Utah Mammoth center Nick Schmaltz plays go-to minutes. It’s just that those minutes are coming against the best players jumping the boards for the Vegas Golden Knights, and Schmaltz is overmatched.
He’s only been on the ice for 0.83 expected goals and a 31.0 xGF% while combining with wingers Lawson Crouse and Clayton Keller for a 34.9 Corsi For percentage at 5-on-5.
I'm backing Schmaltz to go pointless for the third time in four games in this series.
Time: 7:00 p.m. ET
Where to watch: ESPN, Sportsnet
Prop #3: Karel Vejmelka Over 24.5 saves
-130 at BET99
It’s been a solid series for Mammoth starter Karel Vejmelka. He’s posted a .916 SV% with 2.75 GSAx, and despite Utah posting just a 42.6 CF% and 44.4 xGF% at 5-on-5 through the first three games, the Mammoth hold the 2-1 series lead.
With the Golden Knights driving the play, behind in the series and averaging 28.0 shots per game, look for the ice to continue tilting in their direction in Game 4.
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.
Apr 25, 2026; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins center Sidney Crosby (87) skates back to the bench after scoring a goal against the Philadelphia Flyers during the first period in game four of the first round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Xfinity Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-Imagn Images
Eric Hartline/Eric Hartline-Imagn Images
At one point, Sidney Crosby could have seen more of himself on an interstate billboard than on a playoff highlight reel for the Penguins.
Ask anyone who has followed his career, the two-time NHL MVP doesn’t stay down for long.
Crosby responded like a captain should with his Pittsburgh Penguins in a 0-3 series hole to the in-state rival Philadelphia Flyers, notching his first goal, an assist and a screen that set up longtime teammate Kris Letang’s crucial goal in a 4-2 series-extending win.
“With every game of the series, it’s more difficult,” Crosby said. “But we’ve got some life and we’ve got to take advantage of the opportunity of going back home now.”
The 38-year-old Crosby, now in his 21st NHL season, long had tormented the Flyers. He has more points against them than any other player has scored against Philadelphia, along with thrice raising the Stanley Cup since the Flyers won their two titles in 1974 and 1975.
He still has to absorb the boos and profane chants directed at him from the moment he hits the ice for warmups to his final shift. The sports travel group Phans of Philly even paid for a billboard of Crosby lying face down on the ice along with the definition of embellishment after he was penalized for it in Game 3. And he managed one assist through the first three games.
But he made a heads-up play when he kicked the puck to Letang and also set a savvy screen on defenseman Travis Sanheim, allowing Letang to have a clean look when beating Flyers goaltender Dan Vladar for a 3-1 third-period lead.
“It’s all those little details sometimes,” Letang said. “It’s not the crazy play or the passes. Finding a guy back post sometimes, it’s little details, like, picking the guy giving me a lot of time to pick my shot was an amazing play. So it just shows you how much IQ he has on the ice and, you know, what to do at every moment in every situation.”
Philadelphia Flyers at Pittsburgh Penguins
When/Where to Watch: Game 5, Monday, 7 p.m. EDT (ESPN)
Series: Flyers lead 3-1
The Flyers missed their chance to advance to play the Carolina Hurricanes, who never trailed at any point in the series in their four-game sweep of Ottawa. The Hurricanes will take the breather — while the NHL will gladly take at least one extra game in the first round’s signature rivalry series.
The Flyers still are in control with a significant lead. Coach Rick Tocchet preached in the moments after Game 3 that clinchers are often the toughest to win. The Flyers proved their coach right once.
“I don’t know if it’s complacent, we didn’t do the little small things,” Tocchet said.
The Flyers overcame youth and inconsistencies to reach the playoffs courtesy of a 14-4-1 run, becoming the NHL’s first team to make it after being 10 points out of contention with 22 or fewer games remaining. Then they surprised the NHL — and probably themselves — by winning twice in Pittsburgh and then Game 3 at home in their first postseason appearance since 2020.
“If somebody told you before the series it was going to be 3-1 after four games, you guys wouldn’t believe us,” Vladar said. “So we are good. Nothing’s changing for us. Still being positive in here. They are a really good team. It’s not easy to win four in a row against a team like that.”
Vegas Golden Knights at Utah Mammoth
When/Where to Watch: Game 4, Monday, 9:30 pm EDT (ESPN)
Series: Mammoth lead 2-1
Utah won its first-ever home playoff game by maximizing limited scoring chances.
Vegas only allowed 12 shots on goal, a franchise low for any playoff game. The Golden Knights even held the Mammoth to a single shot in the third period. It didn’t matter. Utah ripped off four unanswered goals over the first 30 minutes — converting half of their first eight shots on goal — while cruising to a 4-2 victory for the 2-1 lead in the first-round series. Lawson Crouse led the way, scoring twice over a six-minute span early in the second period.
“I think we stuck with it,” Utah forward Clayton Keller said. “They’re a great team, and they make you work for everything.”
Vegas allowed far fewer chances to score than it did during its Game 2 loss at home. The Golden Knights are feeling confident that’s a trend they can carry into Game 4 and perhaps steal a road win in Salt Lake City.
“We defend the proper way, then our offense will come, and I have full trust in the guys that way,” Vegas coach John Tortorella said.
It looks like the NHL is going to be adding insult to injury for the Ottawa Senators.
Just a day after they were eliminated in a four-game sweep by the Carolina Hurricanes, the league announced that Senators forward Ridly Greig would be having a hearing related to a sucker punch he threw at Hurricanes defenseman Sean Walker.
During a second period scrum, Walker was already engaged with Senators forward Warren Foegele when Greig decided to throw an uppercut on Walker.
There was no penalty called on the play, but there was significant outcry around the league from the media, fans and former players regarding the dirty cheap shot.
According to Ottawa Citizen's Bruce Garrioch, the hearing will be over the phone, meaning Greig can be suspended for only a maximum of five games to begin next season.
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When the Mets beat the Twins this past Wednesday to snap their interminable 12-game losing streak, and then followed that up by topping Minnesota again in a wild game on Thursday, it felt like they had turned a corner.
The problem for the Mets was that the street they turned down was a dead end.
Of the three losses, the most damning was Game 1 of Sunday's doubleheader, when New York could barely do anything against starter Jose Quintana, who entered the game with an ERA of 6.23, was throwing an assortment of slop at them, and had serious issues over the first few innings as he tossed more balls than strikes.
In that game, the Mets had four chances with the bases loaded. Just one hit could've turned the game in their favor. The results in those spots?
Strikeout swinging Strikeout looking Pop out Strikeout swinging
The Mets' offensive futility has resulted in a 9-19 record, tied with the Phillies for the worst in MLB. New York's 92 runs scored are the fewest in baseball.
With a season that began with sky high expectations in danger of slipping away before the calendar flips to May, what can the Mets possibly do to shake things up and turn it around?
Apr 4, 2026; San Francisco, California, USA; New York Mets manager Carlos Mendoza watches his team take on the San Francisco Giants during the ninth inning at Oracle Park. / D. Ross Cameron-Imagn Images
And while around the team last week, there was no sense that Mendoza was in immediate danger.
Things change, though.
The Red Sox, in a similar predicament to the Mets, fired Alex Cora over the weekend while also dismissing most of his coaching staff. Cora, of course, won a World Series in Boston in 2018 and is viewed as one of the best managers in baseball.
It seems Boston has scapegoated Cora and his staff instead of looking themselves in the mirror and properly assigning blame. At the same time, it's hard to argue with a team changing the manager and coaching staff amid a disastrous season.
Mendoza is in the final guaranteed year of his contract (New York holds a club option for 2027) and is working with a mostly-new coaching staff. So in that regard, the road has already been paved for the Mets to move on in a clean way during this season if they so choose.
To reiterate: the Mets' 9-19 record is not Mendoza's fault. However, it's more than fair to point at their many miscues so far this season (both mental and physical) and lay a good deal of that at Mendoza's feet. He can't hit or pitch, but the players' preparation and readiness to perform is a reflection of the manager.
The situation with Senga in the rotation has become untenable, with him being unable to pitch more than 3.1 innings in any of his last three starts.
After Sunday's game, Senga acknowledged his poor performance but was non-committal when asked if he would accept an assignment to Triple-A Syracuse.
New York Mets starting pitcher Kodai Senga (34) delivers a pitch against the Chicago Cubs during the first inning at Wrigley Field / Kamil Krzaczynski - Imagn Images
The Mets could theoretically move Senga to the bullpen, but that seems like a very poor fit given his routines. Beyond that, the Mets already have three starting pitchers working in relief roles -- David Peterson, Sean Manaea, and Carl Edwards, Jr. They also have Tobias Myers in the bullpen, and he is often relied on for multiple innings at a time.
Speaking last week, Stearns made it clear New York was happy with Myers in his current role. So by process of elimination, it seems the easiest way to replace Senga is to slide Peterson or Manaea into the rotation.
More complicated is what to do with Senga, who is under contract through the 2027 season.
The first base problem
Jorge Polanco could return from the IL relatively soon. But when he does, the expectation is that he'll be used mostly as a DH -- something that makes sense given his Achilles issue.
The problem for the Mets is that both Brett Baty and Mark Vientos are struggling badly offensively.
Baty is hitting .220/.250/.329 (65 OPS+) in 88 plate appearances.
Vientos is hitting .243/.280/.357 (81 OPS+) in 75 plate appearances.
Amid the Mets' first base uncertainty, there have been some fans calling for the team to promote prospect Ryan Clifford from Triple-A Syracuse.
While Clifford's power is tantalizing, he isn't really tearing it up in Triple-A (.768 OPS) and has been striking out at a high rate -- fanning 37 times in 25 games. Clifford is not the answer, at least not now.
Can the offense be jolted by a trade?
The nearly three-week absence of Juan Soto and the current absence of Francisco Lindor has not helped matters, but the offense has been unable to do much of anything due in large part to their big offseason additions (Bo Bichette, Marcus Semien, and Luis Robert Jr.) not providing much.
Bichette (63 OPS+), Semien (65 OPS+), and Robert (89 OPS+) were supposed to deepen the lineup. That hasn't happened. And before he missed time, Polanco (52 OPS+) was not himself at the plate.
Apr 10, 2026; New York City, New York, USA; New York Mets designated hitter Bo Bichette (19) runs out a single against the Athletics during the sixth inning at Citi Field. / Gregory Fisher - Imagn Images
Add to that the aforementioned issues facing Baty and Vientos, and you get a situation where a jolt is needed. But where could it come from?
Impact trades are incredibly rare this early in the season.
Even if there was one to be made, it's fair to question whether the Mets should even do it, since it would likely require sacrificing key pieces of their future in an effort to try to salvage a season that might not be salvageable.
Perhaps it could make sense if there's a deal out there that brings New York an offensive difference-maker who is under team control for years to come. But again, it's hard to see something like that materializing this early.
Any top prospects on the horizon?
Christian Scott got a chance in the rotation last week and will likely be back sooner rather than later.
Jonah Tong's stuff has been better than his overall results early on this season, and he has started to lock in recently. But he's still working on refining his secondary offerings in Triple-A and will not be rushed (nor should he be).
Flamethrowing reliever Ryan Lambert should impact the big league club at some point this season, but walks remain a serious issue for him as he's issued nine in 7.2 innings for Syracuse.
In 81 plate appearances over 18 games for Binghamton this season, Ewing slashed .349/.481/.571 (1.053 OPS) with two homers, six doubles, one triple, and 12 stolen bases.
The 21-year-old Ewing, whose future is expected to be in the outfield, has started 13 games in center field this season, four at second base, and one at DH.
Ewing is now just a phone call away from the majors.
Montreal Canadiens defenseman Kaiden Guhle didn’t have the kind of season he wanted to have. He was limited to just 39 games in the regular season as he was once again bothered by injuries. He had to undergo adductor muscle surgery, which caused him to miss 39 games, and he was rested for a few games at the tail end of the season.
When he played his sixth game of the season on January 12, he struggled to find his rhythm, which wasn’t surprising as he had some serious catching up to do, but he eventually got there. Since the start of the playoffs, he’s been used on the Habs’ second pairing alongside Lane Hutson, and he’s played the right way, generally.
In the first four games of the Canadiens’ series against the Tampa Bay Lightning, Guhle was on the ice for over 21 minutes; in one game, he played over 26 minutes, and in the first three meetings, he landed 10 hits. Ahead of the series, he had said that he looked forward to “being a prick” against Tampa, and he’s certainly done that, punishing the Bolts’ forwards at every turn, but it was particularly true on Sunday night.
In the Habs’ 3-2 regulation loss, the gritty defenseman landed 11 hits, one more than he made in the first three games combined, and he managed to stay away from the penalty box, which was no small feat. On top of being very efficient on the penalty kill. He was even the architect of the Canadiens’ first goal of the game, spotting Zachary Bolduc gathering speed in acres of space and sending him a picture-perfect pass.
While he was understandably disappointed with the loss, the blueliner remained philosophical after it, telling the media several times, “that’s playoff hockey for you” and that there were “off calls, probably for both sides”. When asked what the lesson was about this loss, he replied:
I don’t know, just hopefully next time, the puck doesn’t go off a guy’s face in the net.
-
Asked how frustrating it was that Nikita Kucherov was right back in the game after staying down for several minutes and needing the trainer’s assistance after Jake Evans cross-checked him in the back, he replied: “Yeah, it’s frustrating.”
The Canadiens must now forget about that frustration, turn over a new leaf and head to Tampa like it’s a brand new series, just a shorter one that has become a best-two-out-of-three affair.
The Chicago Cubs and San Diego Padres are both red hot and begin a tape-measuring, three-game set at Petco Park tonight.
My top Cubs vs. Padres predictions and MLB picks call for Chicago to earn the win in a low-scoring bout tonight.
Who will win Cubs vs Padres today: Cubs moneyline (-103)
The Chicago Cubs send a superior lineup to the dish with a seventh-ranked wOBA against righties, while this San Diego Padres offense ranks 28th in wOBA against lefties.
I’m confident in Cubbies southpaw Matthew Boyd, too. He’s a start removed from returning from his biceps injury and sports a rock-solid 3.39 ERA, 1.09 WHIP, and 3.74 xERA since joining the club in 2025.
Friars righty Randy Vasquez's 1.88 ERA is also miles below his 4.31 xERA, so I’m expecting hiccups navigating a Chicago lineup that’s specialized in timely hitting during an active 13-5 heater.
COVERS INTEL: The Cubs pace the majors in wOBA while averaging 6.0 runs per game during the highlighted 13-5 stretch.
Cubs vs Padres Over/Under pick: Under 8.5 (-133)
The No. 1 reason I like this Under is that while Vasquez is off to an unsustainable start, his fastball velocity and movement are up to generate more swinging strikes. It has enabled him to allow just four runs across 22 2/3 innings during his first two trips through the order over his five starts.
Add the wind blowing in at Petco Park to the highlighted San Diego struggles against lefties, and I expect Boyd to keep the Padres off balance at the dish, too.
Of course, San Diego has only played to the Over in 19 of its past 50 games, too.
Neil Parker's 2026 Transparency Record
ML/RL bets: 12-7, +6.14 units
Over/Under bets: 5-5, -0.64 units
Cubs vs Padres odds
Moneyline: Cubs -102 | Padres -118
Run line: Cubs -1.5 (+150) | Padres +1.5 (-182)
Over/Under: Over 8 (-105) | Under 8 (-115)
Cubs vs Padres trend
The Cubs have won 10 of their last 12 games for +8.75 units and a 61% ROI. Find more MLB betting trends for Cubs vs. Padres.
How to watch Cubs vs Padres and game info
Location
Petco Park, San Diego, CA
Date
Monday, April 27, 2026
First pitch
9:40 p.m. ET
TV
Marquee, Padres.TV
Cubs starting pitcher
Matthew Boyd (1-1, 5.79 ERA)
Padres starting pitcher
Randy Vasquez (2-0, 1.88 ERA)
Cubs vs Padres latest injuries
Cubs vs Padres 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.
Mets top prospect A.J. Ewing is one step closer to the major leagues.
The 21-year-old outfielder has been promoted to Triple-A Syracuse after a red-hot start to his season at Binghamton.
In 18 games this season, Ewing hit .349 with a .481 OBP and 1.053 OPS, hitting two home runs with seven RBI, 16 runs scored and 12 stolen bases.
Ewing had an impressive spring training showing with the Mets this year, slashing .381/.423/.667 with one home runs and six RBI in 10 games.
Ewing, a center fielder who has also been getting some time at second base, is SNY's No. 3 overall prospect in the Mets system, behind only Nolan McLean and Carson Benge, both of whom are already in the majors.
Scot wins 13-12 in final-frame thriller at the Crucible
Selby unhappy with table after 13-11 defeat by Wu
Ronnie O’Sullivan admitted he got what he deserved after seeing his bid for a record-breaking eighth Crucible crown shattered by a stunning comeback from John Higgins while Mark Selby branded the playing surface “horrific” after a 13-11 defeat by China’s Wu Yize.
O’Sullivan twice led by five frames but lost six in a row across the final two sessions, and Higgins fired three centuries on Monday before holding his nerve to get over the line in the decider and complete a memorable 13-12 win.
ATLANTA, GEORGIA - SEPTEMBER 26: Ha-Seong Kim #9 of the Atlanta Braves hits against the Pittsburgh Pirates in the fifth inning at Truist Park on September 26, 2025 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Brett Davis/Getty Images) | Getty Images
For the past couple of weeks, both Sean Murphy and Spencer Strider have been busy on the farm getting in work via rehab assignments. While Strider may be closer to returning than Murphy is, one thing we know now is that they’ll be joined by a third Braves big leaguer who is working his way back from injury.
All the way back in January, shortstop Ha-Seong Kim slipped on ice and tore a tendon in his right middle finger. That astonishing bit of bad luck cost him the rest of the offseason, spring training and at least one full month of the regular season. The good news is that Kim is closer to being ready now than ever before and the Braves have decided that now is the time to send him out on a rehab assignment.
The Double-A Columbus Clingstones put out a press release today announcing that Kim will be playing with the Clingstones for this week’s home series against the Montgomery Biscuits.
Here’s more from the press release:
The Atlanta Braves today announced that infielder Ha-Seong Kim has joined the Columbus Clingstones on a Major League rehab assignment, marking the first MLB rehab assignment in franchise history.
Kim will appear with the Clingstones during the club’s upcoming homestand against Montgomery at Synovus Park.
The six-game series begins Tuesday, April 28 with first pitch scheduled for 6:05 p.m. ET. For tickets and more information, visit Clingstones.com
The statement is short and matter-of-fact but it’s big news. Kim was acquired off waivers from the Rays right as the final month of the 2025 season began and Kim proceeded to produce at a clip of .253/.316/.368 with a .301 wOBA (.309 xwOBA), 91 wRC+ and three home runs. Those numbers were below what his usual level of production is but the Braves believed in it enough to where they agreed to a $20 million one-year-deal during the offseason to keep him around. Assuming Kim returns and stays healthy, that’ll be the key to really unlocking Mauricio Dubón’s versatility as well — which we’re already seeing with the way Walt Weiss has plugged him into any spot needed early on in the season.
Either way, getting Kim back will be huge but this could also be a lengthy rehab stint given that he’s been out for so long. Sean Murphy is also taking his time to get ready for the farm so I’d imagine that we may not see both of them until we get a decent amount into May. Either way, that’s now three big leaguers who are actively working their way back to being on the major league squad for the Braves and three players who could potentially provide an impressive impact as well.
Russell Wilson is still looking to join a team for the 2026 NFL season, but in the meantime, he landed a temporary baseball gig.
Wilson suited up for the Savannah Bananas – a barnstorming exhibition baseball team akin to the Harlem Globetrotters – for their April 26 game against the Party Animals at Yankee Stadium.
Wilson came to bat in the bottom of the fifth inning, drawing applause from the sold-out crowd on hand at Yankee Stadium. The 37-year-old quarterback managed to make contact, but the bat broke when he did so.
The result? Wilson hit a weak bouncer to first base. He tried to leg it out, but the first baseman, Jason Swan, fielded it between his legs and flipped it to the pitcher, Jake Lialios, to end the inning with a trick play.
Russell Wilson (@DangeRussWilson) joined the Savannah Bananas in front of 40,000 fans in Yankee Stadium, and ended up hitting into a trick play 👇 pic.twitter.com/QS4fWFKXIT
OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA - APRIL 02: Los Angeles Lakers head coach JJ Redick looks on against the Oklahoma City Thunder at the Paycom Center on April 2, 2026 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The 2026 NBA Playoffs are all about the matchups, and that puts an added emphasis on coaching. Coaching often has a way of falling into the background during the league’s eternal 82-game regular season, but maximizing every possession matters in the playoffs, and it puts a harsh spotlight on the men in the big chair who need to consistently cook up advantages for their teams to advance.
The narratives can change fast in the playoffs. It feels like several people on this list are coaching for their jobs even if they had a lot of regular season success. With offseason openings in Chicago and New Orleans and a potential opening in Portland, we already know the coaching carousel will be spinning this summer. You can bet that there will be a couple more vacancies before the end of the season.
Let’s rank every head coach who made the 2026 NBA Playoffs.
16. Jamahl Mosley, Orlando Magic
The Magic were my preseason NBA Finals pick out of the East, and instead they barely snuck into the playoffs as the No. 8 seed. Orlando was the most disappointing team of the season, and it seemed likely they would try out a new head coach before making a major shake-up to the core once the season ended. Then something funny happened: the Magic finally got healthy and started playing their best basketball at the right time. Orlando looks like it can absolutely win its first-round series against the No. 1 seed Detroit Pistons. If the Magic advance, they probably can’t fire Mosley even if they never should have been the 8-seed to begin with. Mosley deserves a ton of credit for optimizing his defense to limit Cade Cunningham and shutdown Jalen Duren to this point. Everything is fluid in the playoffs, and that includes this ranking of Mosley.
15. Tiago Splitter, Portland Trail Blazers
Chauncey Billups was arrested in a federal gambling probe after the first game of the season, and it thrust assistant Tiago Splitter into a head coaching role the rest of the season. All Splitter did was lead the Blazers to a winning record for the first time in five years, and finally get them back into the playoffs. Splitter has been good enough to keep the job going forward, but new owner Tom Dundon is emerging as an unprecedented cheapskate who might not offer him enough money to return. It’s hard to think another coach could have squeezed out many more wins this season, but I do think it would benefit Portland to play faster going forward given their halfcourt scoring troubles. The Blazers rank No. 21 in pace after a defensive rebound, and No. 23 in pace after a turnover. Billups made them play faster before his arrest. Splitter has performed really well in general, but I’m still not super convinced he’s a great head coaching candidate long-term.
14. Nick Nurse, Philadelphia 76ers
Nurse won it all with the Toronto Raptors in 2019. He’s still hanging on with the Sixers in 2026, but he’s lost his momentum at this point and feels like he’s hanging on by a string. Philly ranked in the bottom half of the league in both offensive and defensive efficiency despite Nurse riding Tyrese Maxey so hard that he led the league in minutes per game. The constant injuries to Joel Embiid and Paul George certainly haven’t helped, but it feels like Nurse’s ‘mad scientist’ act from Toronto has lost its juice all these years later. It wouldn’t be too surprising if his head coaching days are over either after this series, or after next season.
13. Ime Udoka, Houston Rockets
What a disaster the playoffs are shaping up to be for Udoka and the Rockets. Houston avoided the sweep to the Lakers in Game 4, but there’s no excuses when you’re facing a team without Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves. Udoka just hasn’t been able to find any answers for how to unclog the halfcourt offense. While other teams have been able to hide bad defenders, Udoka has no plan for former No. 3 overall pick Reed Sheppard and still doesn’t trust him. Udoka took the Rockets from 22 wins to 41 wins to 52 wins since arriving, but it feels like Houston is stalling out. We predicted Udoka could lose his job if the Rockets lose the series, and it sure feels like it’s trending that way.
12. Mike Brown, New York Knicks
Brown was always going to be feeling pressure in his first year as Knicks head coach after taking over for Tom Thibodeau, who had just led the team to the conference finals. So far, it’s impossible to say the Knicks upgraded. New York’s defense rose from No. 14 to No. 7 during the regular season and the offense finished a couple spots better too, but it just feels like Brown still doesn’t have the answers to the team’s biggest questions. He’s made multiple missteps in his first-round series with the Atlanta Hawks, including playing lineups with Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns multiple times per game. The Hawks are no slouch, but the Knicks still feel like they have the talent advantage in this series, and it would be a complete disaster if they fail to advance. Could Brown be coaching for his job after just one year? I’m not sure if there’s a head coach in the playoffs feeling more heat than Brown.
11. Darko Rajaković, Toronto Raptors
Reputations can change quickly in the playoffs, and it feels like Darko Rajaković’s is turning for the better during his first-round series against the Cleveland Cavaliers. Rajaković was hired as a developmental coach, but Scottie Barnes regressed in his first season a year ago, and recent first-round picks Ja’Kobe Walter and Gradey Dick haven’t contributed much. Well, Barnes roared back to form with the best season of his career in his second season in the system, rookie Collin Murray-Boyles has been an instant impact hybrid forward, and Rajaković squeezed a 16-win improvement out of Toronto this year. Rajaković is drawing praise from every corner for evening the series with Cleveland through four games, showing impressive adaptability on both sides and coming up with a plan to limit the Cavs’ pick-and-roll combinations as much as possible. I had Darko a couple spots lower before the weekend, and he could be a couple spots higher by the time this series is over.
10. David Adelman, Denver Nuggets
Adelman was facing championship-or-bust expectations from the moment he took over for Mike Malone. He performed well in an incredibly difficult situation after getting the job at the very end of last year’s regular season, leading the Nuggets to a 7-game first-round win over the Los Angeles Clippers and then a tough 7-game loss to the eventual champion Thunder. This year’s Nuggets won 54 games even with long injuries to Nikola Jokic, Aaron Gordon, Peyton Watson, and more, but the playoffs haven’t been so kind to them. Minnesota’s Game 4 victory to take a 3-1 series lead despite major injuries to Anthony Edwards and Donte DiVincenzo is the type of loss that can blow up a franchise. The Nuggets are getting out-classed in the series, and Adelman hasn’t had any answers to their various problems. It’s possible Denver can still mount a comeback with Minnesota’s starting backcourt out for the series, but Denver simply looks flat and dead right now, so it’s hard to expect it will happen. Adelman could quickly find his reputation in the gutter with one more loss.
9. JB Bickerstaff, Detroit Pistons
Bickerstaff once took the Cavs from 22 to 44 to 51 wins, and now he’s pulled off a similar turnaround with the Pistons. He inherited a 14-win team when he was hired by Detroit, and immediately won 44 games and then pushed for 60 wins this season to grab the East’s No. 1 seed. Now Bickerstaff is fighting for his reputation as the Orlando Magic have given him all he can handle in the first-round. The Pistons’ halfcourt offense was middling all year for a team that won at such a high clip, and this playoff run has exposed even more issues, including a failure to maximize Jalen Duren. The Pistons can’t bully the Magic in the same way they pulled a lot of opponents this year, and there have been some questions about how he’s handled a deep rotation in this series. Getting eliminated by Orlando would do major damage to Bickerstaff’s reputation, and would essentially invalidate the 2026 NBA Coach of the Year that he may win. Add in his struggles in the playoffs in Cleveland too, and Bickerstaff badly needs to take these Pistons on a deep run. He’s definitely a solid coach who deserves a lot of credit for building an elite Pistons defense, but he needs to prove there isn’t a better option out there for a team with NBA Finals aspirations.
8. Mitch Johnson, San Antonio Spurs
Mitch Johnson entered his first full season as Spurs head coach just trying to make the playoffs. Instead, San Antonio blew past its preseason over/under of 44.5 wins by winning 62 games and claiming the No. 2 seed in the West. It might feel like anyone could coach Victor Wembanyama to success, but Johnson did well to convince his superstar big man to cut out some three-point shots, play more frequently at the basket, and cut down his turnovers. Johnson also seamlessly juggled a backcourt with one highly paid veteran (De’Aaron Fox) and two hungry youngsters in Stephon Castle and Dylan Harper. He deserves some credit for coaxing career-years out of Julian Champagnie and Sixth Man of the Year Keldon Johnson, too. Johnson is only 39 years old, and will have every opportunity to grow alongside Wembanyama long term.
7. Kenny Atkinson, Cleveland Cavaliers
Atkinson took the Cavs from 48 wins to 64 wins in his first season on the job, but a second-round playoff flameout took some of the shine off his 2025 NBA Coach of the Year award. This season has continued to be a bit sobering for Atkinson and Cleveland, as the Cavs dipped to 52 wins in an injury-marred season that saw the team swap out Darius Garland for James Harden. Cleveland regressed on both ends of the floor, and its No. 1 ranked offense from 2024-25 was exposed as unsustainable. Atkinson has been out-coached by Darko Rajaković at times in this series, and Cleveland risks getting upset if he doesn’t tighten things up and figure out how to puncture a flawed Raptors team. Again: reputations can change quickly in the playoffs, and Atkinson feels like he might be starting to live on the edge, and not in a good way.
6. Jordan Ott, Phoenix Suns
The Suns are getting pulverized by the top-seeded Oklahoma City Thunder in the first round, but that shouldn’t take away from the incredible job Ott did in his first season this year. The Suns’ preseason over/under was set at 30.5 wins, and Ott ended up leading the team to 45 victories and a playoff berth no one saw coming. He found edges on the margins by going all-in on offensive rebounding and trying to force turnovers defensively, and it ended up getting the most out of a group that didn’t have the most talent but always played hard. Taking the next step will be even more difficult for Ott and the Suns, but his first year was a huge success regardless of how this series ends.
5. Quin Snyder, Atlanta Hawks
Snyder missed the playoffs his first two years with the Jazz before making six straight trips to the postseason, including three 50-win seasons. Are the Hawks on the brink of a similar run of sustained success? Snyder got the Hawks back into the playoffs in his third season with the team despite massive midseason roster turnover. The preseason optimism for Atlanta started with Trae Young and Kristaps Porzingis. Both were traded before the deadline, and now Snyder is coaching up C.J. McCollum, Jonathan Kuminga, and Nickeil Alexander-Walker to go toe-to-toe with the Knicks. Atlanta has consistently found ways to frustrate Jalen Brunson, and they made a sharp move by putting Kuminga on Karl-Anthony Towns. I also give Snyder credit for making the tough decision to take former No. 1 overall pick Zacch Risacher out of the rotation right now. I don’t know if Atlanta will actually win its series against the Knicks, but I do know they should feel good about their head coach long-term.
4. Chris Finch, Minnesota Timberwolves
It wasn’t long ago that the Wolves went 13 straight years without making the playoffs. Under Chris Finch, they’ve made the playoffs in five straight seasons, including two Western Conference Finals trips. Minnesota was on its way to waxing the Denver Nuggets in a first-round series upset when Anthony Edwards and Donte DiVincenzo both suffered long-term injuries. If Finch can still get Minnesota to advance despite missing his starting backcourt, it will be proof that he’s one of the best coaches in the league. Minnesota fans can get frustrated with his lack of development for young players on the roster, but you can’t argue with the results — especially for a franchise like the Wolves that spent so many years in the wilderness.
3. JJ Redick, Los Angeles Lakers
No one expected the Lakers to mount a playoff run without Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves entering the postseason, but somehow they are on the brink of advancing to round two largely due to Redick’s brilliance. The Lakers coach has taken full advantage of the Rockets’ shortcomings in terms of ball handling and shooting to put Houston on the precipice of crisis. Redick’s strong connection with LeBron James is evident in this series as the 41-year-old continues to play at a high level, but he’s also getting good play out of Luke Kennard and Marcus Smart. Redick has zero coaching experience when he was hired off his podcast a couple years ago, but he’s made the most of a changing roster in a pressure-cooker environment. The Lakers are being rewarded for their belief in him, and now he may be one of the best coaches in the league.
2. Mark Daigneault, Oklahoma City Thunder
Mark Daigneault spent his first three seasons building up the Thunder without a playoff appearance. Ever since, they’ve been one of the best teams in the league, and now they’re trying to make history. No NBA team has won back-to-back championships since the Kevin Durant-era Warriors, but the Thunder are the favorites to repeat after winning their first title since moving to OKC last year. Daigneault has done well to set up an elite defense that blurs the lines between physicality and fouling, and he knows how to stay out of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s way on offense. It might feel like anyone could coach the Thunder to success, but that would be taking Daigneault’s success for granted.
1. Joe Mazzulla, Boston Celtics
This was supposed to be a gap year for the Celtics with Jayson Tatum coming off a torn Achilles. Instead, Boston zoomed right past their 41.5-win preseason over/under to earn 56 wins and eventually emerge as the Eastern Conference favorite once Tatum made his return. Mazzulla deserves most of the credit for turning the Celtics into a machine at both ends of the floor despite losing key veterans Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis over the offseason. He maximized an inexperienced front court to help make Neemias Queta into a legitimate starting center, he did well to re-center the offense around Jaylen Brown, and he got the most out of Derrick White even during a season where he was ice cold from three. The Celtics just play their game every night out and that’s a credit to Mazzulla. Still only 37 years old, Mazzulla should be an elite coach for a long, long time.
If the New York Jets are still searching for a solution at quarterback, they can just look across the Big Apple hardwood.
New York Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns put his playmaking on display in a crucial win over the Atlanta Hawks this weekend, knotting New York’s first-round series at 2-2 heading home for Game 5.
Towns dished out 10 assists — his second-best passing performance of the season — and our Hawks vs. Knicks predictions and NBA picks see New York’s big man setting up his teammates.
UPDATE: Added a prediction for who will win tonight.
Hawks vs Knicks prediction
Who will win Hawks vs Knicks Game 5?
Knicks: This has been a great opening round chess match, with the Hawks and Knicks able to neutralize each other’s biggest threats so far. But with Jalen Brunson and Jalen Johnson struggling, the supporting casts are even more important. I have more faith in New York’s lineup to pick up the slack, especially with the series swinging back to MSG.
Hawks vs Knicks best bet: Karl-Anthony Towns Over 3.5 assists (-105)
The New York Knicks need to get guys like Jalen Brunson and Mikal Bridges going. The Atlanta Hawks have done a great job of pressuring the Knicks' backcourt early in possessions, which has disrupted how New York normally operates.
However, head coach Mike Brown made an excellent adjustment in Game 4. He utilized center Karl-Anthony Towns as an offensive conduit, feeding him at the high post and allowing Brunson & Co. to work off the ball, with KAT as the primary playmaker.
That resulted in the Knicks’ best offensive showing of the series (114 points on 49% shooting), fueled by 10 assists on 12.0 potential dimes from Towns. He found cutters inside, connected on pocket passes, and skipped to shooters off screens, producing the second-most assists of his entire season.
KAT averaged 3.3 assists on 3.7 potential assists through the first three games of the series, and while the Hawks will try to adjust to him as a playmaker, his passing prowess will continue to be a problem.
Towns as the ball handler above the foul line not only draws Atlanta’s size away from the rim, opening up a ton of room in the key, but gives him a strategic advantage as a playmaker. The 7-footer is able to see over the Hawks’ diminutive frontcourt, easily accessing open teammates.
Towns’ assist props have bounced between 2.5 and 3.5 for this series (he’s gone 3-1 Over), coming in at 3.5 O/U for Game 5. Going back to the regular season, KAT has dished out 4+ dimes in seven of his last eight games overall.
Hawks vs Knicks same-game parlay
New York avoided a bad spot with a strong road win in Game 4 and is learning to live without Jalen Brunson making his usual postseason magic. Atlanta, on the other hand, is starting to struggle with adjustments as the series goes on and doesn’t have a reliable support staff to step up, as the Knicks do.
Josh Hart is more focused on defense and rebounding in this series, but he's getting plenty of looks from outside. As the Hawks swarm Brunson, the space is there for Hart.
He was just 1-for-5 from beyond the arc in Game 4, but Atlanta is allowing him wide-open attempts. Hart is a better shooter inside MSG, shooting 44% from distance at home compared to 40% on the road.
Hawks vs Knicks SGP
Knicks moneyline
Karl-Anthony Towns Over 3.5 assists
Josh Hart Over 1.5 threes
Our "from downtown" SGP: KAT's out of the bag!
Towns keeps coming up big for New York. He’s found his spot as a primary passer from the high post, which also makes him a dangerous offensive rebounder as he crashes from outside.
The Hawks will eventually have to sag off KAT to plug up the paint, and he’s not afraid to let it fly from deep, having made two and three triples in the opening two games of the series.
Hawks vs Knicks SGP
Knicks -6.5
Karl-Anthony Towns Over 3.5 assists
Karl-Anthony Towns Over 11.5 rebounds
Karl-Anthony Towns Over 1.5 threes
Hawks vs Knicks odds for Game 5
Spread: Hawks +6.5 | Knicks -6.5
Moneyline: Hawks +220 | Knicks -270
Over/Under: Over 213 | Under 213
Hawks vs Knicks betting trend to know
The Knicks have covered the spread in 29 of their last 45 home games for +12.50 units and a 25% ROI. Find more NBA betting trends for Hawks vs. Knicks.
How to watch Hawks vs Knicks Game 5
Location
Madison Square Garden, New York, NY
Date
Tuesday, April 28, 2026
Tip-off
8:00 p.m. ET
TV
NBC
Hawks vs Knicks latest injuries
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The Dodgers (19-9) and Marlins (13-15) meet for a three-run series in Los Angeles. The Dodgers enter on a two-game winning streak, while the Marlins have dropped two consecutive.
Los Angeles is 11-4 at home this season with 22 home runs (tied 4th) and a .261batting average (10th). The Dodgers' pitching rotation owns a 2.93 ERA (3rd) at home and allow a .197 OBA (3rd).
On the road, Miami has struggled. The rotation ranks second-worst in ERA (5.82) with the sixth-worst opponent batting average (.265). Miami is 3-12 on the road this season compared to 10-6 at home. The Marlins are 1-2 so far in their first West Coast trip.
Let’s dive into the matchup and find a sweat or two.
We’ve got all the info and analysis you need to know ahead of the game, including the latest info on the how to catch first pitch, 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.
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Game details & how to watch Marlins at Dodgers
Date: Monday, April 27, 2026
Time: 10:10 PM EST
Site: Dodger Park
City: Los Angeles, CA
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 MLB schedule page, along with detailed matchup pages that update live in-game with every out.
Odds for the Marlins at the Dodgers
The latest odds as of Monday:
Moneyline: Los Angeles Dodgers (-314), Miami Marlins (+248)
Spread: Marlins +1.5 (+119), Dodgers -1.5 (-143)
Total: 8.5
Probable starting pitchers for Marlins at Dodgers
Monday's pitching matchup (April 27): Yoshinobu Yamamoto vs. Chris Paddack
The Marlins’ Xavier Edwards is hitting .343 with 36 hits and 49 total bases over 105 at-bats
The Marlins’ Jakob Marsee is hitting .178 with 19 hits and 26 strikeouts over 107 at-bats
The Dodgers’ Andy Pages is hitting .337 with 34 hits and 56 total bases over 101 at-bats
The Dodgers’ Kyle Tucker is hitting .238 with 25 hits and 26 strikeouts over 105 at-bats
Rotoworld still has you covered with all the latest MLB player news for all 30 teams. Check out the feed page right here on NBC Sports for headlines, injuries and transactions where you can filter by league, team, positions and news type!
Top betting trends & insights to know ahead of Marlins at Dodgers
The Marlins are 11-17 ATS this season
The Dodgers are 15-13 ATS this season
The Marlins are 17-9-1 to the Over this season, ranking third-best
The Dodgers are 15-13 to the Under 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 MLB Top Trends tool on NBC Sports!
Expert picks & predictions for tonight’s game between the Dodgers and the Marlins
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Our model calculates projections around each moneyline, spread and over/under bet for every game on the MLB calendar based on data points like past performance, player matchups, ballpark information and weather forecasts.
Once the model is finished running, we put its projection next to the latest betting lines for the game to arrive at a relative confidence level for each wager.
Here are the best bets our model is projecting for Monday's game between the Dodgers and the Marlins.
Moneyline: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the Dodgers on the Moneyline.
Spread: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play ATS on the Dodgers at -1.5.
Total: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the Under on the Game Total of 8.5
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Apr 23, 2026; San Francisco, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Tyler Glasnow (31) pitches the ball against the San Francisco Giants during the sixth inning at Oracle Park. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-Imagn Images | Kelley L Cox-Imagn Images
It took a weekend rally, but the Dodgers continued their streaks of winning weeks to open the season. They bookended the week with blowout wins, but in between saw the offense disappear, losing a series in San Francisco. Winning the last two games against the Cubs gave the Dodgers a 4-3 week.
Newly-signed closer Edwin Díaz had surgery on Wednesday and will be out three months, and his absence was immediately felt as the next four on the depth chart all had outings to forget this week. Starting pitching has been an incredible strength of the Dodgers this season, and Week 5 was no different. No better illustration of the pitching staff from last week than the starters allowing nine runs in 45 1/3 innings while the bullpen gave up 10 runs in 15 2/3 innings.
Batter of the week
Max Muncy hit three more home runs, giving him a team-leading nine on the year, and for the week he also paced the Dodgers in hits (eight), walks (six),and runs scored (eight), for a robust 1.639 OPS.
Honorable mentions go to Dalton Rushing, who hit two more home runs to continue his hot start to the year, and to Miguel Rojas, who had five hits in his 10 at-bats, including a double and home run.
Pitcher of the week
Tyler Glasnow is off to a fantastic start to 2026, and had his best start yet on Thursday in San Francisco, with nine strikeouts in eight scoreless innings to beat the Giants. Glasnow retired his final 14 batters faced, and his 88 game score tied Sandy Alcantara (April 1 for the Marlins) for the best showing by a starting pitcher in MLB this season.
“It was a little tense early on, probably trying too hard. I think as the game went on I was just thinking about keeping my hands and my body loose,” Glasnow told reporters Thursday in San Francisco. “Talking with Connor (McGuiness) and Mark (Prior) in between, I think I just got into a good place as the game went on.”
Glasnow was so good that he relegated Justin Wrobleski’s excellent week to most honorable mention status. Wrobleski allowed only one run in seven innings at Coors Field on Monday, then worked through traffic to keep the Cubs scoreless on Sunday at Dodger Stadium. Normally one run in 13 innings wins you pitcher of the week here, but Glasnow had a special performance.
Week 5 results
4-3 record 38 runs scored (5.43 per game) 19 runs allowed (2.71 per game) .780 pythagorean win percentage
Year to date
19-9 record 159 runs scored (5.68 per game) 92 runs allowed (3.29 per game) .731 pythagorean win percentage (20-8)
Miscellany
Snapping a skid: Sunday was a welcome site for Shohei Ohtani, who reached base four times, including a double, walk, and home run. The latter was the first home run for Ohtani in two weeks, after going 59 plate appearances in between long balls. That was the longest homer drought for Ohtani since joining the Dodgers — he also had 47 PA and 46 PA without a home run in 2025, and streaks of 45 PA and 40 PA in 2024. The 59 PA without a home run was Ohtani’s longest since ending 2022 with 93 homerless PA with the Angels, the longest streak of his career.
Pretty fast for a pitcher: Now that he’s back to full-time two-way status this season, it’s understandable if Shohei Ohtani tries to conserve energy whenever possible. For instance, he didn’t pitch at all in 2024 after elbow surgery, and stole 59 bases, more than doubling his career high. In 2025 he stole 20 bases, but 11 of those were in his first 47 games, before his pitching really ramped up. He dialed it back a bit with nine steals in his final 111 games. This year, Ohtani did not even attempt a stolen base in his first 21 games. But last week he swiped three bases in three tries, all of them in the first inning.
Play of the week: This ended up getting overshadowed by a bullpen implosion and the Dodgers losing a game they led 4-0 in the seventh inning, but the twirling throw from Andy Pages, the laser relay by Hyeseong Kim, and Will Smith’s second great tag of the game at home plate prevented the go-ahead run from scoring in the eighth inning on Friday against the Cubs.
Monday: After diminished velocity rang alarm bells, closer Edwin Díaz landed on the injured list and will miss three months or so after arthroscopic surgery to remove loose bodies from his right elbow on Wednesday. Right-hander Jake Eder was recalled from Oklahoma City.
Tuesday: After two days away for the birth of his daughter, Freddie Freemanreturned from paternity leave. Ryan Ward went back to Triple-A after collecting two hits with a run batted in during his first major league stint.
The Dodgers run the Juan Encarnación gauntlet, finishing up the homestand against the Miami Marlins before hitting the road to face the Cardinals in St. Louis to open the month of May.
Arkansas basketball added to its 2026 recruiting class, and it did so internationally.
John Calipari and the Razorbacks landed the commitment of Finnish power forward Miikka Muurinen, a four-star recruit and No. 55-ranked player in the 2026 recruiting class by 247Sports Composite rankings, on Monday.
He's the fourth commit to the Razorbacks' 2026 recruiting class.
The 6-10 power forward played for Partizan Belgrade in the Serbian League this past season after splitting time at multiple high schools in the United States. He also has international experience with the Finland senior national team, where he averaged 6.6 points in eight games at the FIBA EuroBasket last summer.
"Since my visit a year and a half ago, they've been consistent and committed to recruiting me," Muurinen told ESPN's Jeff Borzello and Paul Biancardi. "They've always shown interest. They've been very consistent, and they've gotten to know me as a person. That's been very important to me.
"When I left my Arkansas visit, I was not only excited about the program but also about the people, and I said to myself, those are the type of people I want to be around on a daily basis."
With Muurinen's commitment, Arkansas now holds the No. 1 recruiting class for 2026 on 247Sports Composite rankings. Other commits to the Razorbacks include five-star recruits in shooting guards JJ Andrews and Jordan Smith Jr. and strong forward Abdou Toure.
Here's a deeper look into Muurinen:
Miikka Muurinen 247Sports rankings
Stars: Four
National ranking: No. 55
Positional ranking: No. 9
Muurinen is listed as a four-star recruit by 247Sports Composite Rankings. He is the No. 9 power forward in the 2026 recruiting class and the No. 1 player in Serbia.
Silovs Over 22.5 saves
Schmaltz Under 0.5 points
COVERS INTEL: The Cubs pace the majors in wOBA while averaging 6.0 runs per game during the highlighted 13-5 stretch.
