Fantasy baseball draft values for 2026: Why Mick Abel, Jordan Lawlar, more are worth targeting

Spring training has wound to a close, but there are still a couple of days left to sneak in a fantasy baseball draft. If you, like me, are one of those people who are planning to draft until the bitter end, I wanted to give you one more article highlighting some of my favorite values in fantasy baseball drafts right now. So far, I've written about breakout hitters using Process+, my favorite bounceback starting pitchers, my favorite bounceback hitters, my favorite late-round starting pitcher targets, my post-hype sleeper hitters, and more.

While this article will feature some of the same players, I wanted something that could serve as a one-stop shop for all my favorite draft picks who I believe are going too late in drafts. With that in mind, all of these players are currently being drafted after pick 200 and are players I am actively targeting enough so that I'm OK jumping ADP by a few rounds. Once you've hit pick 200 in your drafts, at least half of your picks, if not more, will be churned off your roster at some point during the season, so that's the point in a draft where I am more willing to aggressively focus on the players I believe in rather than follow ADP or make the safe choice.

I've separated the section between hitters and pitchers to make it easier to find your value, and I've listed them in ADP order. All ADP is taken from NFBC Online Championship (12-team redraft league) drafts between March 16th and March 23rd (55 drafts).

Fantasy Baseball Hitter Draft Values

Kevin McGonigle - SS, Detroit Tigers (ADP: 215)

At this point, McGonigle is still in Tigers camp and seems to be headed towards being named the Opening Day shortstop. I know projections are tepid on him, as they are on most prospects, but this is a top-five prospect in baseball who hit .305/.408/.583 in 88 minor league games last season with 19 home runs and 10 steals. He hit .250 this spring, but had just a 5.9% SwStr% with 11 walks and 8 strikeouts in 52 plate appearances. That's an elite understanding of the strike zone that I think will set him up for plenty of success. Once you get outside of the top 200, these are the types of risks you should be taking.

Caleb Durbin - 3B, Boston Red Sox (ADP: 219)

Durbin makes an elite level of contact and shows a tremendous understanding of the strike zone. He is now moving from a park that ranked 19th for right-handed hitters, according to Statcast’s Park Factors, to one that ranks 8th. If you sort just for hits, Boston is the 4th-best park for right-handed hitters, while Milwaukee is 24th. The issue is that Boston ranks 22nd in right-handed power, while Milwaukee ranks 6th. Good thing for Durbin that his value doesn’t come from his power. He may only hit 10 home runs in Boston, but it would not surprise me if the Green Monster helps improve his batting average from .256 to something over .270. Considering he’s also a threat to steal at least 20 bases and play almost every day in a good lineup, that makes him a strong buy this fantasy season.

Jake Burger - 1B, Texas Rangers (ADP: 237)

I interviewed Burger during spring training and wrote about that here. The short version of my takeaway from that interview is that Burger struggled to start the season and then was putting tremendous pressure on himself to produce for his new team, which led to mechanical changes in his swing that he identified in the offseason when watching tape. He spent the offseason simply trying to get back to the swing path and contact point he had in 2023 and 2024 when he put up back-to-back seasons with a .250 batting average and at least 29 home runs. We don't have to argue that Burger will be better than that. We just have to say that the real version of Burger is what we saw in those two seasons, and he's a major value at this price.

Mickey Moniak - OF, Colorado Rockies (ADP: 244)

Moniak is coming off a career-best season where his bat speed increased, his barrel rate jumped to nearly 14%, his hard-hit rate was a career-high 45%, and he made more contact than he ever had before. He doesn’t walk, and there will always be some swing-and-miss in his game, but he has plenty of power and hits in arguably the best offensive environment in the game. Maybe he’s more of a .250-.260 hitter, given his league average overall contact, but he’s going to make that contact count. Another 20 home run season feels like a given, and he has the speed to swipe 10 bases as well. He may sit versus lefties sometimes, but Colorado doesn’t have tons of options to challenge him early, so you’re going to get a .255 hitter who goes 20/10 as a baseline. That’s pretty good at this cost.

Jordan Lawlar - 3B, Arizona Diamondbacks (ADP: 257)

Lawlar has been climbing up draft boards as it becomes clear that he's going to make the Opening Day roster, but I'm still taking shares. He's going to pick up outfield eligibility early and slashed .313/.403/.564 with 11 home runs and 20 steals in 63 games at Triple-A last season. I know that hasn't carried over to MLB at-bats yet, but he has looked good this spring and came into the 2024 season as the 11th-ranked prospect in baseball. I think he has the chance to be a 20/25 guy in a full season, and that has value at this point in your draft.

Andrew Vaughn - 1B, Milwaukee Brewers (ADP: 268)

I covered Vaughn in a few of the articles linked above, but the short version of why I'm interested in him is that he hit .308/.375/.493 with nine home runs and 46 RBI in 64 games with Milwaukee while posting an 11% barrel rate and 47.4% hard-hit rate. He also cut his chase rate a bit and has really always been a pretty decent hitter. In a full season in a good home park and better team, I think Vaughn is a legit .270 hitter with 20-25 home run power. I’d even take him as my 1B in deeper formats.

Josh Lowe - OF, Los Angeles Angels (ADP: 280)

Yes, Josh Lowe can't stay healthy, and he already had some oblique issues this spring. However, we're talking about a player who had 20 home runs and 32 steals in 2023 and has a career 8.6% barrel rate with a .250/.306/.414 slash line in 403 MLB games. There are flaws in Lowe's profile: he doesn't hit lefties well, he swings and misses too much, and he's oft-injured, but he also has the raw tools to be an incredibly fantasy-friendly player when healthy. Given that his ADP has fallen around pick 300, it's worth a gamble to see if you can get a strong run of production to start the season, especially now that he plays in Angel Stadium, which ranks 8th in baseball for left-handed home run production.

Brett Baty - 2B/3B, New York Mets (ADP: 284)

Baty is another player I’ve written about who I've been targeting in drafts. He looked great in 110 games last season after his early demotion to Triple-A. He hunted his pitch more often and got behind in the count less, which caused his overall swinging strike rate to drop, and his barrel rate to jump to 13%. I think he’s the starting designated hitter for the Mets against right-handed pitching. When you add his ability to play second base, third base, and potentially even left field if the Mets need to give somebody an off day, there is still a path for Baty to push for 500 plate appearances this season, which makes him a real value at his draft price.

Miguel Vargas - 1B/3B, Chicago White Sox (ADP: 298)

Vargas is a smart hitter who consistently puts himself in good positions to succeed based on his elite understanding of the strike zone. He has a high zone swing rate while also posting a near double-digit walk rate, an 87% zone contact rate, and just an 8% SwStr%. His power also isn’t great, but a 9.3% barrel rate, 40% hard-hit rate, and 89.7 mph average exit velocity are all slightly above league average. In the second half of the season, Vargas hit .267/.354/.436 in 45 games with six home runs and 25 RBI. Given that last year was also his first year as a full-time player, it makes some sense that he would begin to settle in as the year went on. I think that second half is a pretty good reflection of who Vargas could be as an MLB hitter, and that type of player has value for you as a multi-position bench bat or a corner infielder in deeper formats.

Cam Smith - OF, Houston Astros (ADP: 299)

Cam Smith hit .236/.312/.358 slash line in his 134-game rookie season after having just 20 TOTAL PLATE APPEARANCES above High-A before winning a starting job. Smith showed good swing decisions all season and has a stretch over the middle of the season where he hit .271/.330/.386 in 76 games with a 42% hard-hit rate. The consistency wasn't there last season, but I think that can be expected given his age and limited experience. I would expect some clear steps forward this season.

Coby Mayo - 1B, Baltimore Orioles (ADP: 326)

Thanks to an injury to Jordan Westburg, it appears that Coby Mayo will have a spot in Baltimore’s lineup to start the season and could have the chance to hold onto it, given Westburg’s checkered injury history. Mayo is another former top prospect who had a 10% barrel rate last season in 294 plate appearances. He seems to have settled in at the plate a bit this spring, and while I'm not convinced he'll ever post a rally high batting average, I think he could push for 20-25 home runs if he’s able to hold onto the job for the majority of the season.

Tyler O’Neill - OF, Baltimore Orioles (ADP: 344)

Tyler O'Neill is basically free at this point, and I think it's because he wasn't listed as a starter on Roster Resource for the longest time. Oh, yeah, and because he played just 54 games last year due to injury, and he seems to be injured all the time. However, much like with Josh Lowe, that's a gamble you can take at this point in your draft. O'Neill is making $16.5 million this season. The Orioles simply aren't going to limit him to a small-side platoon role when he's healthy. This is also a player who hit 31 home runs with an .847 OPS for Boston in 2024 before signing his deal with the Orioles. We know what he can do when he's on the field, and we're seeing it this spring since he's gone 9-for-19 with a 47% hard-hit rate. You take this gamble now, and you can just cut him if/when he gets hurt.

Max Muncy - 2B/3B, Athletics (ADP: 352)

I'm not sure anybody had a better spring than Max Muncy on the A's. The 23-year-old was in a battle for the third base job and won it by going 19-for-49 (.388) with five home runs, 14 runs scored, 12 RBI, and one steal. He posted a 54% hard-hit rate and showed solid gains in his chase rate. Now, those gains are in a small sample size, and his overall contact rate of 72% is still below average, so we need to take this with a grain of salt. He had a 31% strikeout rate in the majors last year and a 27% mark in the minors in 2024, so strikeouts will likely always be part of his game. However, he also had a 10% barrel rate in 63 MLB games last season, so he might actually be a 20 home run hitter, especially in that park, who can hit .240. He's not going to give you much in the way of stolen bases, but we're talking about somebody you're taking in deeper formats at the end of your drafts. It's worth a gamble to see if this carries over early on.

Mike Yastrzemski - OF, Atlanta Braves (ADP: 356)

Yastrzemski is going to start in the outfield against all right-handed pitching and hit in the middle third of the lineup. Remember that the only two teams he’s played for are the Giants and Royals. Those home parks rank 26th and 28th, respectively, for left-handed home run power. Meanwhile, Atlanta’s home stadium ranks 7th. That’s a pretty big chance for Little Yaz. He has always made an elite level of contact, and while I doubt he hits better than .235-.240, his bat speed has improved in each of the last three years, which has contributed to his average exit velocity increasing as well. There’s a chance he hits .235 with 20+ home runs and 5-8 steals while hitting near the middle of Atlanta’s lineup, and that’s not nothing at this cost.

Cole Young - 2B, Seattle Mariners (ADP: 359)

Young popped for me inmy second-year hitters article, which came out before spring training games started. He has since crushed spring training, hitting .281/.349/.667 with six home runs, 18 RBI, and three steals in 63 plate appearances. In my article, I mentioned that Young’s 9.1% SwStr%, 26.7% chase rate, and 79.3% overall contact rate indicate a strong contact profile. When he does put the ball in play, his 5.6% barrel rate may not be that alluring, but he did also post a 114.1 max exit velocity, which is tied with Jac Caglianone, who we think of as a power hitter. I think he's more of a deep-league MIF target, but I wouldn't just write off this spring performance as a fluke.

Fantasy Baseball Pitcher Draft Values

Kodai Senga - SP, New York Mets (ADP: 213)

I've been in on Senga all off-season, and he's probably my most-rostered player. This is a guy who was inconsistent in 2025 and battled a hamstring injury down the stretch, but still had a 3.02 ERA despite all of that. Our biggest concerns for him were that his fastball velocity was down, and he had reduced his cutter usage. However, this spring he has been up to 99 mph, sitting 97 mph, and is using the cutter like we like to see. That fastball velocity and cutter usage is going to set him up nicely to put hitters away with the Ghost Fork, so I'm expecting a big season here.

Joey Cantillo - SP, Cleveland Guardians (ADP: 267)

I know people are souring on Cantillo because he's inconsistent, but I'm going to stick to my guns here. Cantillo rejoined the rotation at the end of last year and, in his final 10 starts of the season, posted a 2.48 ERA, 1.12 WHIP, and 54/22 K/BB ratio in 54.1 innings. He had a really strong 32.5% CSW and 13% SwStr% over that stretch as well. His fastball isn't great, but he has elite extension, which makes it play up a bit more than it seems like it will. The pitch only needs to set up his changeup and curve for success, and I'm a believer that he can do that.

Mick Abel - SP, Minnesota Twins (ADP: 278)

I didn't believe Abel was going to beat out Zebby Matthews for a starting spot, and that's on me. I preferred Abel, but I just thought the Twins would side with the player who had given them MLB innings before. Abel has far more upside though. His fastballs are good, and he flashed improved secondaries last season. I also think the mental skills work he did allowed him to attack hitters more and gave him more confidence on the mound. I'm fully in on a breakout happening here.

Parker Messick - SP, Cleveland Guardians (ADP: 283)

Messick was one of my picks for a late-round starting pitcher with the tools to finish inside the top 25. Now he has a rotation spot locked up, and the breakout could be happening. The 25-year-old pitched to a 2.72 ERA, 1.31 WHIP, and 38/6 K/BB ratio in 39.2 big league innings last year. He’s a lefty with a really good changeup that had a 16.1% SwStr% against righties last year, which gives him legitimate strikeout upside. He has a deep arsenal and a track record of missing bats in the minors, so I'm fully buying in here.

Paul Sewald - RP, Arizona Diamondbacks (ADP: 285)

I think Sewald opens the season as the Diamondbacks' closer. He's back to throwing 92 mph, and while that may not seem like a lot, that's what he was throwing in 2022 and 2023 when he saved a combined 54 games in two seasons. He simply needs his fastball to be good enough to set up his slider, and that hasn't been the case the last two seasons. The Diamondbacks will be good enough to win games, but not so good that they blow teams out, which could mean plenty of save chances.

Matthew Liberatore - SP, St. Louis Cardinals (ADP: 291)

Liberatore posted a 4.21 ERA and 1.30 WHIP in his first full MLB season when the league average for starting pitchers was a 4.16 ERA and 1.29 WHIP. He also had a .300 BAIP and 70% LOB%, which were below average and could suggest some bad luck. This offseason, he modified his change-up into a kick-change that’s kind of a hybrid between a splitter and a traditional change-up. As a left-handed pitcher, a good changeup is crucial for Liberatore, but he posted a 8% SwStr% to righties last year with a nearly 40% Ideal Contact Rate (ICR) allowed, which was below league average. He also changed his cutter, which is now almost three mph harder and is a pitch he can use to get ahead against righties to set up the slider and new changeup. I expect a sizable step forward this season.

Zach Eflin - SP, Baltimore Orioles (ADP: 301)

I've written about Eflin basically everywhere, and he's one of my most drafted players this season. After undergoing a "minimally invasive" procedure in the offseason to fix a slipped disc in his back that was causing nerve issues, I think we're going to see a more precise Eflin this season. He still missed plenty of bats last year on his sweeper and curve, but they performed poorly in two-strike counts, which tells me that the movement may be fine, but the precision of the command was off. That’s thanks to the back injury. Eflin has a deep pitch mix and has shown a bit of a velocity uptick in spring training. Add to that his plus team context, and I’m buying all the way back in.

Lucas Erceg - RP, Kansas City Royals (ADP: 329)

This is simply because Carlos Estevez looks really bad this spring, an dhis velocity is down. Estevez has pitched around that over the last two seasons, but he has always seemed to be walking a tight rope as a closer, and there is a strong chance that he simply falls off this season. If he does, I think Erceg is the guy, so I'm taking early shares now to see what happens.

Brandon Sproat - SP, Milwaukee Brewers (ADP: 336)

The Brewers are going to be without Quinn Priester and potentially Brandon Woodruff to start the season, but it seems like Sproat has won a spot in the rotation. The 25-year-old had a mediocre four-start debut for the Mets in 2025, but he was emerging as a solid prospect in 2024 and 2025 in the minor leagues. He has a six-pitch mix that gives him plenty of ways to attack hitters, and that's a profile that the Brewers really know how to get the most out of. This is a great late pick because you can keep him on your bench for his first start, and you'll know right away if he's ready or not.

Grant Taylor - RP, Chicago White Sox (ADP: 343)

At this point in the draft, I'd rather draft an elite multi-inning reliever like Taylor than speculate on saves for a bad team like the Twins or Rockies. Taylor wants to throw 100 innings this season, and he posted an elite 34.4% strikeout rate last season. He has overpowering stuff and could even find himself getting some saves or cheap wins for the White Sox. I like having those ratios buffers late in drafts.

Hogan Harris - RP, Athletics (ADP: 344)

If I am going to speculate on saves, I think Hogan Harris deserves some attention for an Athletics team that I think will be good. Yes, he's left-handed, so he may not get all of the saves, but he has looked good this spring and is throwing harder than he did last year. Last season, he produced a 3.20 ERA and 23.5% strikeout rate in 64.2 innings. That added velocity has helped him add some swing and miss this spring, and maybe that will even carry over into the season? That's a gamble I'll take.

Justin Wrobleski - SP/RP, Los Angeles Dodgers (ADP: 355)

This is a bet against Roki Sasaki. Sasaki made the rotation, but half of the batters he faced in spring training reached base. I don't think his new cutter is a difference-maker, and his fastball still is getting hit a lot. If Sasaki gets chased from a start early, it's going to be Wrobleski that comes in for him. If Sasaki gets sent down to Triple-A, it's going to be Wrobleski that takes his spot in the rotation. I'm not saying it's a lock to happen, but I'll take the chance on it in deeper formats.

Jordan Romano - RP, Los Angeles Angels (ADP: 357)

The Angels don't have a closer right now, but many people are drafting as if it's clearly Kirby Yates. It might be, but Romano hasn't allowed a run in five innings this spring and has a 23.5% K-BB%. It's been a rough two years for him, and he might be done, but maybe he's not, so that's worth a gamble at this point in drafts. If you're in a league with IL spots, I love drafting Ben Joyce and just putting him on your IL. I think he could be back in May and quickly emerge as the primary late-inning guy for the Angels.

Anthony Kay - SP, Chicago White Sox (ADP: 360)

Hat tip to my podcast co-host Nick Pollack for this one. Kay has come back from Korea and is throwing harder while also featuring a changeup that looks legit. As a lefty, that will play. He could be a streamer this season, and has a strong case to be the best starting pitcher on the White Sox. He's still more of a deep-league option only.

How to watch Golden State Warriors vs Dallas Mavericks: Live stream info for tonight's game

Tonight's Peacock NBA Monday doubleheader begins at 7:00 PM when the San Antonio Spurs take on the Miami Heat at Kaseya Center. The action continues at 9:30 PM with a Golden State Warriors vs Dallas Mavericks matchup at American Airlines Center in Texas. Live coverage begins at 6:00 PM with NBA Showtime on NBC and Peacock. See below for additional information on how to watch each game.

Follow all of the NBA action on NBCSN and Peacock. Peacock will feature 100 regular-season games throughout the course of the 2025-2026 season.

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Golden State Warriors vs Dallas Mavericks Game Preview:

The Warriors have lost seven of their last eight games, including the last three straight. The team is decimated with injuries: Jimmy Butler has been out for the season with a torn ACL since January 19. Stephen Curry hasn't played since January 30, missing the last 21 straight games with a right knee injury. Moses Moody has missed the last ten with a wrist sprain, and Al Horford has missed the last five with a left calf strain.

However, the Warriors, currently 10th in the Western Conference, are still in Play-In Tournament position.

That is not the case for the Mavericks have lost twelve of their last 14 games. Tonight they look to earn their first home win since January 22.

RELATED:Warriors at Mavericks Prediction - Odds, recent stats, trends, and best bets for March 23

How to watch Golden State Warriors vs Dallas Mavericks:

  • When: Monday, March 23
  • Where: American Airlines Center, Dallas, Texas
  • Time: 9:30 PM ET
  • Live Stream: NBCSN and Peacock

What other NBA games are on Peacock tonight?

How to watch the NBA on NBC and Peacock:

Peacock NBA Monday will stream up to three Monday night games each week throughout the regular season. Coast 2 Coast Tuesday presents doubleheaders on Tuesday nights throughout the regular season on NBC and Peacock. On most Tuesdays, an 8 p.m. ET game will be on NBC stations in the Eastern and Central time zones, and an 8 p.m. PT game on NBC stations in the Pacific and often Mountain time zones.

Check local listings each week. Both games will stream live nationwide on Peacock. Sunday Night Basketball coverage will also be available on NBC and Peacock. For a full schedule of the NBA on NBC and Peacock, click here.

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Sign up here to watch all of our LIVE sports, sports shows, documentaries, classic matches, and more. You'll also get tons of hit movies and TV shows, Originals, news, 24/7 channels, and current NBC & Bravo hits—Peacock is here for whatever you’re in the mood for.

NBA on NBC 2025-26 Schedule:

Click here to see the full list of NBA games that will air on NBC and Peacock this season.

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Mets 2026 season preview: 2026 is of the utmost importance for David Peterson

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 17: David Peterson #23 of the New York Mets looks on between pitches in the second inning during a game against the San Diego Padres at Citi Field on September 17, 2025 in New York City. (Photo by Brandon Sloter/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The Mets’ starting rotation is a mixture of homegrown players and acquired talent heading into the 2026 season. They’ve got some young players fresh from the minor leagues either firmly entrenched or knocking on the door in Nolan McLean, Christian Scott, and Jonah Tong. And they have a group of starters they acquired outside the organization, either in free agency (Sean Manaea, Clay Holmes) or by trade (Freddy Peralta). 

The one starter sort of stuck in the middle is longtime Met David Peterson. After an offseason of roster upheaval, Peterson finds himself the longest-tenured Met, having made his debut with the team during the COVID-shortened 2020 season. He has been with the team his entire career, and 2026 is his final season before hitting free agency. A good walk year could set him up for a good payday, but will he be able to be consistently good for a whole season?

Over the course of his career, Peterson has a 4.12 ERA in 622.2 innings pitched. He has 614 strikeouts, a 1.373 WHIP, and a 98 ERA+, and he’s accumulated 6.7 bWAR in his six major league seasons. His ERA+ perfectly explains his career, he’s been an almost exactly average pitcher. Sometimes he’s been a bit better, sometimes he’s been a bit worse. But he’s never had that transcendent season or the absolutely awful season, instead just cruising through every season right around the middle of the pack.

His 2025 season was split into two parts that couldn’t be more starkly different. Through the end of July, he was enjoying one of the best stretches of his career. In the first half of the year, he had a 3.06 ERA across 109 innings, with 93 strikeouts, a 7.7 K/9 and a 1.239 WHIP. He threw a complete game shutout, his first and only one in his career thus far. And he pitched well enough to be named to the All-Star Game as a roster replacement. His performance in the month of July was transcendent, with a 1.05 ERA in 25.2 innings across four games that month. At the end of July he looked like he was the only dependable option in the Mets’ rotation.

But starting in August, the wheels came off and he imploded. He threw 59.2 innings across the last two months of the season, and in September he only pitched 16.2 innings in four games. His ERA in August was an awful 6.68, and his September was even worse with a 9.72 ERA. In August, there was at least the lone bright spot of his best K/9 of the season, with a 10.2 K/9. But in September he went back down to a 7.6 K/9, and he had an unbelievably bad 1.920 WHIP, giving up 18 hits in fewer than 17 innings.

Now, one of the other positives of Peterson’s 2025 season was that it was the first time in years that he didn’t have his season interrupted by an injury. He might have been way worse in the second half, but he played the whole season. He had suffered through multiple injuries in his career, with shoulder fatigue in 2020, side soreness that ended his 2021 season in July, and a torn labrum in his left hip in 2024. But he stayed healthy in 2025 and didn’t once get sent to the minor leagues, which happened in his only other healthy season in 2023.

Peterson is entering the 2026 season with an eye on his impending free agency at the end of the season. If his season is more like the first half of 2025, he could find himself signing a nice contract and setting up his future, as well as helping the Mets immensely this year. If his season is more like his second half of 2025, though, it could be a disaster for both him and the team.

2026 Global Series Sends Seattle To Finland

Get ready to use your frequent flyer miles!  The NHL has announced the Kraken will face the Caroline Hurricanes in Helsinki, Finland next season as part of the NHL’s Global Series.  Started in 2017, the Global Series’ goal is to grow the game of hockey internationally.  Since 2017, the Global Series has brought NHL hockey to five countries and several different cities.

Courtesy of the NHL
Courtesy of the NHL

The Kraken and Hurricanes will play at Veikkaus Arena on November 12th and 14th.  The venue normally hosts Helsinki’s professional hockey team the Jokerit.  Maximum capacity for a hockey crowd is 13,349 people.

Speaking of the opportunity to play at home, Kaapo Kakko said he is “real excited” about the chance to play in front of his family and friends, “I was always thinking that it would be fun to play there in Finland…” He went on to add that hockey is the most popular sport and Finland and he is excited for the Finnish audience to have a chance to see a game in person.

Besides Kakko, the Kraken have several other Finnish players and prospects including: Eeli Tolvanen, Jani Nyman,Julius Miettinen, Ville Ottovainen, Nikki Kokko, and Kim Saarinen.  Tolvanen and Kakko most recently represented Finland at the Olympics, while Miettinen and Saarinen competed for Team Finland at the 2026 World Juniors Championship.

Thinking of planning a trip? Information about an all-inclusive tour and tickets can be found here.

Lakers vs Pistons Computer Picks: Our Best Player Prop Projections for March 23

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Luka Doncic and the Los Angeles Lakers will head to the Motor City to take on the Detroit Pistons tonight, and our NBA player prop projections have found plenty of high-value plays. 

Still hungry for more NBA picks? Our complete Lakers vs. Pistons predictions have you covered.

Lakers vs Pistons computer picks for March 23

Lakers LakersPistons Pistons
Doncic u4.5 threes 
-140
Thompson o9.5 points
-125
Reaves o4.5 assists 
-105
Duren u21.5 points
-110
Ayton o9.5 points
-115
Huerter o8.5 points
-125

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Lakers computer picks

Luka Doncic Under 4.5 threes (-140)

Projection: 3.5 threes

Luka Doncic is the best scorer in the world right now, but that play has caused the books to push his 3-point total a little too high. He's surpassed this line in just two of his last five games, and even if he hits four, he'll still stay Under this line.

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Austin Reaves Under 4.5 assists (+115)

Projection: 4.4 assists

The Los Angeles Lakers and Detroit Pistons have been slowing down the pace in their recent outings, which will surely cut into the amount of possessions we'll see in the Motor City tonight.

With LeBron James and Luka Doncic getting their fair share of ball handling, Austin Reaves will see his time with the ball cut down, leading to fewer assists.

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Deandre Ayton Over 9.5 points (-115)

Projection: 10.8 points

While the possessions may be cut down, Los Angeles has the fifth-best offense over the last 15 games. With Detroit trying to slow down Luka and Bron, Deandre Ayton will go to work down low.

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Pistons computer picks

Ausar Thompson Over 9.5 points (-125)

Projection: 11.4 points

Ausar Thompson is a monster on the boards despite his size, and the Pistons have grabbed the second-most offensive rebounds in the NBA over the last 20 games. Thompson will eat on the offensive glass, leading to easy second-chance buckets.

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Jalen Duren Under 21.5 points (-110)

Projection: 18.5 points

Our projections page sees this as a five-star play, projecting three points fewer for Jalen Duren's line tonight. A drop-off in possessions will hamper Duren's shot total, leading to a lower points total than we've seen from the big man in recent outings.

span style="font-size: 14px;"🔥/span spanBet duren Now at bet365!/span

Kevin Huerter Over 8.5 points (-125)

Projection: 9.6 points

No Cade means Detroit needs to find offense elsewhere, and that came from Kevin Huerter in his last outing. Huerter dropped 14 points, and our projections page has him pegged for nearly 10 points tonight.

span style="font-size: 14px;"🔥/span spanBet huerter Now at bet365!/span

How to watch Lakers vs Pistons tonight

LocationLittle Caesars Arena, Detroit, MI
DateMonday, March 23, 2026
Tip-off7:00 p.m. ET
TVSpectrum SportsNet, FDSN-Detroit

Not intended for use in MA.
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'He Has It': How Trust In Fraser Minten Has Allowed Bruins To Win Their Trade With Maple Leafs So Quickly

BOSTON — Fraser Minten didn’t know what to expect when he was moved by the Toronto Maple Leafs to the Boston Bruins last season.

Just over a year removed from a deadline-day deal that saw him go from one of Toronto’s top prospects to an everyday NHLer with the Bruins, the 21-year-old Vancouver native has quickly emerged as one of Boston’s most trusted assets. Most recently, he has found himself slotted as the team’s top-line center, skating alongside superstar David Pastrnak.

With the Bruins battling for playoff positioning and the Maple Leafs mired in an unexpected race to the bottom of the NHL standings, to say the change of scenery has worked out for Minten would be a massive understatement.

“You want to be on the ice and having a first-hand impact on the game,” Minten told The Hockey News following Bruins practice at Warrior Ice Arena. “I’m happy to be getting the opportunity I am. I'm just trying to continue to work hard and make the most of it.”

On March 7, 2025, the Maple Leafs sent Minten and a top-five protected 2026 first-round pick to Boston in exchange for veteran defenseman Brandon Carlo. At the time, Minten was struggling to find his footing with the AHL’s Toronto Marlies, stuck behind a veteran-heavy depth chart at center. While the haul for Carlo was significant, few expected the Bruins to see such immediate returns on the youngster.

What Could The Maple Leafs Do To Justify Trading Away Fraser Minten?What Could The Maple Leafs Do To Justify Trading Away Fraser Minten?Boston Bruins rookie Fraser Minten is shining this season, while the player he was traded for – veteran defenseman Brandon Carlo – hasn't found his stride in Toronto. How can Leafs GM Brad Treliving salvage this lopsided trade?

The Leafs are currently on track to miss the postseason for the first time in a decade, snapping the longest active streak in the NHL. Meanwhile, Minten has defied every internal expectation in Boston.

How did the transition happen so fast? Simply put: Hockey IQ.

“There are a lot of things you can’t teach. That’s what he has, and that’s why he’s ahead of some other guys,” Bruins head coach Marco Sturm said of his center. “Even the teaching part, he gets it right away. He just has it. He’s lucky enough to be born with it.”

Sturm compares Minten’s development to Quinton Byfield, whom he coached in the Los Angeles Kings organization. That trust has allowed Sturm to deploy Minten in high-leverage minutes with Pastrnak. Minten’s cerebral approach has allowed the former Leafs’ second-round pick to thrive in a top-six role. 

‘He Was A Steal For Us’: Maple Leafs Trading Of Prospect Fraser Minten To Boston Not Aging Well‘He Was A Steal For Us’: Maple Leafs Trading Of Prospect Fraser Minten To Boston Not Aging WellAs the Maple Leafs risk missing the postseason for the first time in a decade, the immediate success of Fraser Minten in Boston is turning the Brandon Carlo trade into the latest chapter in a long history of lopsided deals between the two rivals.

“It’s a lot of intentional placing of where he goes on the ice and how he’s able to find soft spots. His offense is very intellectual,” Minten explained of his linemate. “Obviously, he has tremendous skill, but he sees the ice so well. Playing on a line with him, you learn so much about the little details that make those guys elite.”

Although Minten’s ice time has averaged 15:16 this season, the usage has increased as the stakes get higher. He’s averaged well north of 17 minutes over the last 10 games and logged a career-high 21:09 in Boston’s most recent game, a much-needed 4-2 victory against a Detroit Red Wings team that, for the time being, has knocked them out of a playoff position.

While Minten hasn't kept a close eye on the wreckage in Toronto since his departure, he is aware of the standings. However, his focus remains on a dogged hunt for a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. Through games played on March 23, 2026, the Bruins sit at 39-23-8, occupying the first Wild Card spot with 86 points, just two points clear of the cutline.

Bruins Trade Brandon Carlo To Maple Leafs In Surprising Deal Bruins Trade Brandon Carlo To Maple Leafs In Surprising Deal The Boston Bruins have traded defenseman Brandon Carlo to the Toronto Maple Leafs in exchange for Fraser Minten, a 2026 first-round pick, and a 2025 fourth-round pick. The Bruins are also retaining 15% of Carlo's salary.

“It looks like every time you win, other teams win, and every time you lose, everyone gets a little closer,” Minten said. “It’s super tight. Every game is high stakes and fun, and that’s what makes it rewarding right now.”

Despite the rivalry, Minten maintains a connection to his former club through teammate and Easton Cowan

“I hear from him pretty much every other day. We check in through the highs and lows of being a first-year pro,” Minten said. 

With Cowan currently struggling to find consistency in his rookie campaign, Minten acts more as a sounding board than a mentor.

“We’re just friends. I’m there to listen, but it’s not like we’re going too deep on that stuff.”

Cowan is also renting Minten’s place in Toronto this season. We’re told he’s a good tenant and has paid his bills on time.

In 70 games this season, Minten has 16 goals and 15 assists.

Senators Defenseman Lassi Thomson To Play First NHL Game Since 2022: 'It's A Pretty Cool Moment For Me:'

Lassi Thomson begins Act 2 on Broadway on Monday night.

After three different injuries on Ottawa's blue line this month, Thomson will step in for the Senators against the New York Rangers in his first NHL game since November 25th, 2022.

Thomson and Belleville teammate Dennis Gilbert were recently called up to fill the void left by Jake Sanderson (shoulder) and Nick Jensen (knee). Thomson has been serving as the seventh defenseman, but when Gilbert was felled by a hard hit into the end boards on Saturday night against Toronto, the Senators confirmed on Monday morning that the young Finn would be the next man up.

As he chatted with Sens host Jackson Starr on Monday morning, Thomson was lit up a like a Christmas tree.

"It's a pretty awesome opportunity," Thomson said. "Being around the boys for almost two weeks, seeing the group in the locker room after they're winning games. It's pretty awesome to check in right now in New York. I've never played here before.

"So it's a pretty cool moment for me."

Thomson leads all AHL defensemen in goal scoring (14) this season and the 2019 first-rounder certainly upgrades Ottawa's blueline from a skating and shooting perspective.

"Well, he's such a gifted skater, right?" Belleville interim head coach Andrew Campbell told TSN 1200 radio last month. "So the more we can get Lassi involved in the rush and involved in the offense, it not only benefits Lassi's style of play, but benefits us as a team.

"He's probably one of the better skaters in in the whole league, so, yeah, he's driven our offense from the back end and he does lead the league in goals for defensemen. So, some really good stuff from Lassi."

However, just like 2024 first-rounder Carter Yakemchuk, the knock on Thomson the last time he was here was more the defensive side of his game, so it will be interesting to see if he's made some good strides in that area as well.

Thomson spent last season with the Malmo Redhawks in the Swedish league, leading all Malmo skaters in goals (17) and points (29) in 50 games.

Interestingly, while he was gone, the Sens ended up needing right shot help last season. With Travis Hamonic nearing the end, Belleville's Nikolas Matinpalo was the one who cashed in on the opportunity.

So, when Thomson opted to re-sign with the Sens last summer, he was probably thinking he had some real NHL opportunity. Case in point: Hamonic wasn't going to be extended, Nick Jensen was coming off major hip surgery, Yakemchuk is still a kid, and Thomson probably felt like he could compete with Matinpalo.

But a couple of weeks after Thomson signed, the Senators acquired defenseman Jordan Spence in a draft day deal with the LA Kings. Spence and Matinpalo both made the NHL roster, and the veteran Jensen was surprisingly ready for opening night.

The door may have slammed in his face last fall, but it's wide open right now.

With Jensen out for the regular season, and Sanderson at least another week away, it's a great opportunity for Thomson to get in one last audition for the Senators (or his next NHL team) as he heads into Group 6 UFA this summer.

Steve Warne
The Hockey News 

This article was originally published at The Hockey News. For more Senators news, analysis, and features, visit the Ottawa Senators site at The Hockey News.

More at The Hockey News:
Tim Stützle Still Puzzled By Senators' Decision To Let Michael Amadio Get Away
Former Senators Prospect Makes Edmonton Oilers Debut Saturday Night
The Buying and Selling Of Jakob Chychrun Never Quite Worked Out In Ottawa
One Year Later, The Fabian Zetterlund Trade Is Still Taking Shape
With Injuries To Sanderson And Jensen, the Sens Top Up Depth At AHL Trade Deadline

New York Yankees @ Chicago Cubs: Carlos Lagrange vs. Shota Imanaga

TAMPA, FLORIDA - MARCH 22, 2026: Aaron Judge #99 of the New York Yankees celebrates with teammates after hitting a solo home run during the fifth inning of a spring training game against the Philadelphia Phillies at George M. Steinbrenner Field on March 22, 2026 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Leah King/Diamond Images via Getty Images) | Diamond Images/Getty Images

The Yankees have wrapped up their 2026 spring training slate in Florida, as they prepare to begin the new season on Wednesday. However on their way out to San Francisco for Opening Day, they’ve made a little pit stop at the Cubs’ spring complex.

Today and tomorrow, the Yankees are in Arizona to wrap up their preseason play with a pair of games against the Cubs. Although it’s not unusual that team leave their normal environment in the finale days before the regular season starts, this is the first time that I can remember the Yankees playing exhibition games in Arizona. The Yankees actually trained in Phoenix in 1951 in a one-year swap of spring sites with the New York Giants, but aside from that, such spring visits have been rare.

As you might expect from the final days before they have to start playing for real, the Yankees’ lineup resembles one that we could see in a regular season game. Opposing a lefty pitcher, Paul Goldschmidt and Amed Rosario are both in the lineup, but other than that, it’s basically the first choice player at every other position.

They’ll be backing up Carlos Lagrange on the mound. Lagrange probably won’t be in a MLB lineup in the next couple weeks, but this is a nice reward for him after he’s been very impressive this spring. He won the James P. Dawson Award as the best Yankees rookie in camp.

Said lefty that the Yankees’ lineup will face is Shota Imanaga. After a very impressive rookie campaign in 2024, Imanaga took a step back last season, and has been so-so in spring training so far. Like the Yankees, the Cubs’ lineup is pretty strong, including new addition Alex Bregman.

We won’t get much in the way of video from this game, as it’s a radio-only day, but thankfully, that’s something we won’t have to deal with when the regular season starts.

How to watch

Location: Sloan Park — Mesa, AZ

First pitch: 3:05 pm ET

TV broadcast: N/A

Radio broadcast: WFAN 101.9 FM/660 AM or WSCR 104.3 FM/670 AM (Cubs)

Online stream: none (audio available via MLB.tv)

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Lakers’ Marcus Smart, Rui Hachimura sitting out against Pistons

An image collage containing 2 images, Image 1 shows Rui Hachimura dribbles the ball up the court, Image 2 shows Los Angeles Lakers guard Marcus Smart reacts during a game against the New York Knicks

DETROIT — The Lakers will be without one of their starters and a key bench player during Monday’s road game against the Pistons.

Starting guard Marcus Smart (right ankle soreness) and Rui Hachimura (right calf soreness) were downgraded to unavailable against the Pistons after entering the game as questionable. 

Los Angeles Lakers guard Marcus Smart reacts against the New York Knicks at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Rui Hachimura of the Los Angeles Lakers brings the ball up court against the Houston Rockets during the first half at Toyota Center on March 18, 2026 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Alex Slitz/Getty Images) Getty Images

Magic big man Goga Bitadze fell on Marcus Smart’s right foot after Smart drew a shooting foul on a layup attempt late in the first half of the Lakers’ Saturday win in Orlando

Hachimura was seen on the bench with his right half wrapped up to start the second half of the game against the Magic. He played five minutes in the third quarter on Saturday but wasn’t seen on the bench to close out the game.

Reserve big man Maxi Kleber (lumbar back strain) is available for the first time since March 8.

Mets inform Carson Benge that he's made 2026 Opening Day roster as starting right fielder

Mets top outfield prospect Carson Benge entered 2026 spring training with a legitimate chance to win a spot on the Opening Day roster.

And that's exactly what he's done.

Manager Carlos Mendoza announced that Benge, the Mets' first-round pick in the 2024 MLB Draft, has made the Opening Day roster.

"We just told him that he will be playing right field on Thursday for the New York Mets, so he made the team," Mendoza said.

"A moment that he’ll never forget…. It’s a big day for the organization. A kid that gets drafted in 2024 and two years later here we are giving him the news that he’s going to be playing in the big leagues for us."

Benge, understandably, was ecstatic to hear the news.

“Joy over everything, I would say. Just knowing that I worked hard for it," Benge said. "Countless hours I spent, all my family members and friends that have sacrificed some time for me, that it’s all going to come true, my dream since I was little, it’s pretty cool.”

The 23-year-old Benge hit .366 with a .435 OBP, driving in five runs and stealing a base. And that doesn’t include a home run that he hit in an exhibition game against Team Israel.

He also more than held his own among a lineup filled with stars like Juan Soto, Bo Bichette, Francisco Lindor, and others, looking confident at the plate while playing a strong right field.

"He earned it," Mendoza said. "He had a hell of a camp, and we are all excited to watch this kid play."

"We don’t want to get ahead of ourselves here, but just how he carried himself throughout camp, you could tell with the way that he was interacting, the way he presented himself on the field and off the field, you could tell right away that there is something special about this guy," the manager added.

“I’d say I’ve always had a certain amount of confidence in myself," said Benge, "being able to compete with whoever it may be that I’m going up against. So I feel like I’ve always had a good amount of confidence in myself.”

The Mets will now travel from Port St. Lucie back to New York, with first pitch of Thursday's Opening Day matchup with the Pittsburgh Pirates set for 1:15 p.m.

Benge will take the field with his teammates for the first time as a big leaguer, and should receive a rousing ovation from the Citi Field crowd.

“I’ve always thought about it since I was a little kid, thinking about that moment when you first take the field in the big stage for the first time," Benge said. "It’s going to be surreal. I’m going to try my best to take it in. Stay calm and play my game.”

Flames Eye Offseason Shakeup With Two Departures

The 2025-26 NHL campaign has been unforgiving for the Calgary Flames.

With several cornerstone players shipped out and GM Craig Conroy constrained by ownership on further trades, the franchise now faces the daunting task of rebuilding while keeping one eye on their highly anticipated new arena in a few years.

Conroy has already made waves, moving Mackenzie Weegar and Nazem Kadri ahead of the March 6 trade deadline, and there’s little doubt more roster maneuvers are on the horizon before the June draft. Here’s a closer look at two Flames who are almost certainly on their way out:

Jonathan Huberdeau – The Contract Catastrophe

DOH!

Jonathan Huberdeau’s tenure in Calgary has been, to put it mildly, a blazing disappointment. After a career-high 115-point campaign with the Florida Panthers in 2021-22, Huberdeau was packaged in the blockbuster Matthew Tkachuk trade, a deal that looked promising on paper but has largely backfired for the Flames.

This season, Huberdeau has tallied just 25 points in 50 games, including 10 goals and 15 assists, a far cry from the elite production Flames management hoped for. At an eye-popping $10.5 million AAV, his contract is widely regarded as one of the worst in the NHL, if not among the most burdensome deals of recent memory.

Financially, a buyout seems inevitable if Calgary wants to avoid being shackled to this albatross through 2031. The proposed buyout structure is steep: $10.3 million in the first two years, $7.8 million in the third, $10.3 million in the fourth, tapering to $5.8 million and finally $800,000 in the last two years. The math simply does not add up, and on-ice results haven’t justified the investment. Huberdeau’s Calgary experiment has been, in every sense of the word, a disaster—or perhaps more aptly, his tenure has gone up in… flames.

Blake Coleman – The Trade Deadline Survivor

Blake Coleman’s presence in Calgary past the trade deadline raised eyebrows, given the significant interest from other clubs for the versatile former Stanley Cup winner. Yet Conroy remained firm, refusing to lower his asking price.

Looking ahead to the NHL Draft, expect Coleman to be back on the market. Calgary will likely test the waters again, hoping to secure a valuable first-round pick for a player who, while effective, no longer fits the Flames’ long-term blueprint. His combination of experience, versatility, and leadership makes him a tempting target for contenders seeking a playoff-ready piece.

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Red Wings' Dylan Larkin Listed As Game-Time Decision Ahead Of Crucial Matchup vs Senators

The Detroit Red Wings will head into what could be their biggest game of the season on Tuesday against the Ottawa Senators with uncertainty surrounding captain Dylan Larkin.

According to multiple reports, head coach Todd McLellan said that Larkin will be a game-time decision, leaving Detroit fans anxiously waiting to see if their leader will be on the ice.

Detroit fell out of the playoff picture for the first time since December 1 after the New York Islanders defeated the Columbus Blue Jackets 1-0 on Sunday. The Red Wings now sit just one point behind New York, while Ottawa is right on their heels, three points back. The Senators have been in scorching form recently, going 13-3-2 over their last 18 games, making Tuesday’s matchup critical for Detroit to maintain their playoff hopes.

Bookmark The Hockey News Detroit Red Wings team site to stay connected to the latest newsgame-day coverage, and player features

With both the Islanders and the Boston Bruins facing relatively easier opponents, Chicago and Toronto respectively, Detroit cannot afford to drop any more games if they hope to stay competitive in the playoff race. Securing a win against Ottawa would not only keep the Red Wings close in the standings but also stop the Senators from closing the gap further.

Larkin’s potential return is seen as a key factor as the team’s captain and leading offensive presence, his presence could tip the balance in a game that might define Detroit’s postseason chances. With the stakes this high, Tuesday’s showdown against Ottawa is shaping up to be the Red Wings’ most important game of the season.

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Grizzlies vs Hawks Prediction, Picks & Odds for Tonight’s NBA Game

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The Atlanta Hawks will try to extend their home winning streak as they host the floundering Memphis Grizzlies on Monday night.

Atlanta is blowing out teams left and right, and I’m taking it to cover tonight in my Grizzlies vs. Hawks predictions below.

Read on for the full analysis in my free NBA picks for Monday, March 23.

Grizzlies vs Hawks prediction

Grizzlies vs Hawks best bet: Hawks -14 (-110)

The Atlanta Hawks are one of the hottest teams in the NBA, winning 10 in a row at home and 12 of their last 13 overall.

Meanwhile, the Memphis Grizzlies have lost 10 of 11 and are playing with a hobbled roster, with Ja Morant and many other notables out for tonight’s game. 

Atlanta has a point differential of +12.8 over its last 10 games. The Grizzlies are coming off a 23-point loss to the Charlotte Hornets and have lost each of their last three road games by 16 points or more.

I’m taking the Hawks to cover at home.

Grizzlies vs Hawks same-game parlay

Dyson Daniels showed up big for the Hawks on Saturday without Jalen Johnson in the lineup, but the 23-year-old has been playing well recently, no matter who Atlanta puts on the court. I like Daniels to hit the Over on his scoring and rebounding totals, as he’s hit both in six of his last eight.

I’m also backing the Under tonight, as both teams have played below this total in almost all of their recent games.

Grizzlies vs Hawks SGP

  • Dyson Daniels Over 13.5 points
  • Dyson Daniels Over 6.5 rebounds
  • Under 240.5

Our "from downtown" SGP: Okongwu shows versatility

For my long-shot SGP, I’m focusing on Onyeka Okongwu, another Hawks contributor who sometimes gets overlooked. 

Over his last five games, Okongwu has dished out at least four assists on four different occasions. He’s also a capable 3-point shooter, averaging 1.9 makes per game from beyond the arc in 10 games this month.

Grizzlies vs Hawks SGP

  • Hawks -14
  • Under 240.5
  • Onyeka Okongwu Over 3.5 assists
  • Onyeka Okongwu Over 1.5 made threes

Grizzlies vs Hawks odds

  • Spread: Grizzlies +14 (-110) | Hawks -14 (-110)
  • Moneyline: Grizzlies +625 | Hawks -950
  • Over/Under: Over 240.5 (-110) | Under 240.5 (-110)

Grizzlies vs Hawks betting trend to know

The Hawks are 11-2 ATS in their last 13 games. Find more NBA betting trends for Grizzlies vs. Hawks.

How to watch Grizzlies vs Hawks

LocationState Farm Arena, Atlanta, GA
DateMonday, March 23, 2026
Tip-off7:30 p.m. ET
TVFDSN-Memphis, FDSN-Atlanta

Grizzlies vs Hawks latest injuries

Not intended for use in MA.
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Nets vs. Trail blazers: Late night hoops

DENVER, CO - MARCH 22: Scoot Henderson #00 of the Portland Trail Blazers handles the ball during the game against the Denver Nuggets on March 22, 2026 at Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

While it isn’t ideal to want your team to lose, the Nets kind of did what they were supposed to last night against the Sacramento Kings. After a back and forth outing at the Golden 1 Center, Brooklyn lost 126-122, which means they are now one and a half games ahead of the Kings and only two games behind the overall No. 1 held at the moment by the Indiana Pacers. Perfect timing considering the fact that A.J. Dybansta and Darryn Peterson should now be all in to their NBA training at this point.

Tonight, the Nets will continue their West Coast road trip against the Portland Trail Blazers. Portland currently sit as the ninth seed in the Western Conference and a game behind the Los Angeles Clippers for playoff contention. If you ask me, both teams can definitely use each other’s help in this one if you know what I mean (wink wink).

Where To Watch

Catch the late night action tonight at 10:00 p.m. ET on the YES Network and NBA League Pass, as well as streaming on the Gotham Sports App.

Injury Report

Danny Wolf is out with a sprained ankle sprain and Noah Clowney with a sprained right wrist. Drake Powell is also unavailable for left knee injury management. Terance Mann is resting and three Nets remain out for the season: Michael Porter Jr. (left hamstring strain); Egor Demin (left plantar fascia injury management); Day’Ron Sharpe (left thumb surgery) — four if you want to count Grant Nelson (left knee tendinitis.) That means more minutes for the team’s three two-ways.

For the Trail Blazers, Shaedon Sharpe (calf) and Vit Krejci (calf) will be out of action tonight. Damian Lillard will not play of course He’s recovering from his left achilles surgery.

The Game

If there is a team to look out for in the future, it is the Portland Trail Blazers. Even though they have been plagued with injuries this season, the pieces around this team could shape this organization into a playoff contender very soon. 

Starting with the guards, the Trail Blazers have a good group in the backcourt. Jrue Holiday is still a great piece at 35 years old. He is averaging 16 on 45.6% from the field. Scoot Henderson has shown promise after many thought he was a bust as a top 3 pick in his draft class. Newcomer Caleb Love has proved himself an NBA level scorer and shooter. And the best part of it all, the franchise’s best two players in Damian Lillard and Shaedon Sharpe will most likely be back at the start of next season.

Combining this with a forward who gives you 24 a game like Deni Avdija and a center like Donovan Clingan who gives you a double double in his sleep, Portland has much to be happy for.

For this game specifically, those certain players would be able to do a lot of damage against Brooklyn tonight, especially as Jordi Fernandez continues to lose players. Danny Wolf, who left the game last night against Sacramento due to a left ankle sprain, has become another Net who we will most likely not see for the rest of the year.

But all will be well soon, Nets fans. The tank will continue on, and before you know it, the Draft will bless the organization with something they have been looking for some time now, hope.

Player to Watch

A couple of years back, a lot of fans subscribed to the vague rumor that the Nets should trade Mikal Bridges to Portland for the rights to Scoot Henderson. Sean Marks & co. instead waited and got a haul from the Knicks for Bridges. Whether that rumor was real or not we don’t know, but his story remains a cautionary tale.

The Blazers took Henderson at No. 3 and although there have been patches of light seeping through, the picture remains cloudy. One of those patches took place last week and as Joe Moore of Blazer’s Edge, our sister site in Portland, admitted this is a time when some gaudy numbers come from unlikely names. That said, Moore wrote Henderson did indeed play well last week.

Henderson averaged 17.3 points, 2.5 assists and 2.5 rebounds per game in 22.8 minutes per game this week through the four games. The assist numbers were much lower than his season average of 4.0 per game, but that came as a result of him playing extended minutes alongside Jrue Holiday and Deni Avdija who averaged 5.0 and 7.3 assists respectively this week.

In a role that was more off-ball, Henderson showed great improvement on his shot from deep. He made 14 of his 23 attempts from behind the arc, good for a blazing 60.9% mark. He shot 47.9% from the field overall.

Moreover, Moore noted that Henderson, 22, is playing less out-of-control basketball and perhaps just maturing.

His explosiveness was one of his best qualities coming into the 2023 NBA Draft, and he does not seem to have lost a step after coming back from injury. He still struggles with being out of control at times, as evidenced by his low two-point percentage and averages of 3.0 turnovers and 3.3 fouls this week, but his confidence is growing every game and he has been able to string together a group of good games showcasing a newfound consistency.

There’s no doubt fans are disappointed in Henderson’s progress. The organization may be more patient. He’s averaging 13.5 points but on mediocre shooting numbers: shooting splits of 41/32/81. For tonight’s purposes, it should also be remembered that it was a little more than a year ago that Henderson had his best game: a 39-point explosion vs. the Nets in same arena where they play Monday.

The cautionary tale(s) out of the Scoot Henderson experience is that even super-hyped players given the right situation don’t always make it or you have to be, yes, patient.

From the Vault

January 23, 1991 is not seen as a great date in NBA history, but it is. That was the day the New Jersey Nets traded for Drazen Petrovic in a three-team deal involving the Blazers, Nets and Nuggets. Petrovic had been stuck behind Clyde Drexler and Terry Porter and the knock against European players was that they were soft if skilled.

Petrovic, of course, proved that notion incorrect. He was both and he could lead an NBA team. Not only was the trade lopsided for the Nets (Portland and New Jersey also exchanged firsts) but more importantly, it broke down stereotypes and the league slowly but surely became more international. A year later, he led Croatia to the silver medal at the Olympics which became a huge milestone for a worldwide game.

And so, there is never a bad time for a look back at Petrovic’s career:

Portland’s loss was the Nets gain.

More reading: Blazers EdgeSB Nation NBANew York PostNew York Daily NewsClutch PointsNets WireSteve’s Newsletter

Raptors vs Jazz Prediction, Picks & Odds for Tonight’s NBA Game

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It’s been a tough couple of games for the Toronto Raptors. They couldn’t hold on to another double-digit lead against the Nuggets on Friday, which led to a predictable letdown against the Suns.

But they’ll need to refocus quickly as they play the second half of a back-to-back tonight against the Utah Jazz.

Toronto is a big favorite, but is the number too big? My Raptors vs. Jazz predictions and NBA picks break it all down for this matchup set to tip off at 9 p.m. ET at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City, on Monday, March 23.

Raptors vs Jazz prediction

Raptors vs Jazz best bet: Jazz +12.5 (-110)

The Toronto Raptors generally get the job done against weaker teams. However, I’m not sold on them covering a number this large in this spot.

The second half of a back-to-back at elevation in Salt Lake City. And the Utah Jazz haven’t been as bad as you might think.

While they’re just 3-8 straight up in March, they’re 6-5 ATS and rank 21st in net rating. Toronto is just 17th in net rating over the same stretch and is 1-4 ATS this season when laying double-digit chalk.

The Raps should pull out the win, but this is too many points.

Raptors vs Jazz same-game parlay

Ace Bailey is showing why he was a high lottery pick in last June’s NBA Draft. He's averaging 18.1 points while shooting 37.5% from 3-point range over 13 games since the All-Star break. 

He’s hit three or more threes in four of his last games, and the Raptors perimeter defense has dropped off in March, ranking 28th in opponent 3-point shooting percentage.

For the Raptors, Immanuel Quickley has also been jacking up the treys. He’s hit three or more threes in seven of his last 14 games, and the Jazz allow the most made threes per game in the NBA.

Raptors vs Jazz SGP

  • Jazz +12.5
  • Ace Bailey Over 2.5 threes
  • Immanuel Quickley Over 2.5 threes

Our "from downtown" SGP: Make It Rain

The Raptors' heavy legs will be evident in this one, and defense will likely become an afterthought for both teams, leading to jacking up more shots from long range. 

Raptors vs Jazz SGP

  • Ace Bailey Over 2.5 threes
  • Brice Sensabaugh Over 2.5 threes
  • Immanuel Quickley Over 2.5 threes
  • Brandon Ingram Over 1.5 threes

Raptors vs Jazz odds

  • Spread: Raptors -12.5 | Jazz +12.5
  • Moneyline: Raptors -800 | Jazz +550
  • Over/Under: Over 231 | Under 231

Raptors vs Jazz betting trend to know

The Jazz have hit the Game Total Over in 29 of their last 40 games at home for +16.90 Units and a 38% ROI. Find more NBA betting trends for Raptors vs. Jazz.

How to watch Raptors vs Jazz

LocationDelta Center, Salt Lake City, UT
DateMonday, March 23, 2026
Tip-off9:00 p.m. ET
TVSportsnet, KJZZ

Raptors vs Jazz latest injuries

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