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Lakers’ JJ Redick takes ownership for one of his team’s defensive weaknesses

To see the Los Angeles Lakers’ offense digress the way it did during Sunday’s loss to the Celtics — despite their prolific individual offensive talent — shouldn’t have been a surprise. 

The Celtics poked at one of the Lakers’ tactical weaknesses that’s been evident for the last few months. 

And Lakers coach JJ Redick took ownership of his team underperforming in those situations.

Lakers head coach JJ Redick took ownership of his team underperforming. MediaNews Group via Getty Images

The Celtics had multiple big men play in deep drop coverage against the Lakers’ pick and rolls, which stifled their offense just two days after it had one of its better performances of the season in Friday’s home win over the Clippers.

“When teams play the deep drop, we have our counters and we just got to [execute],” Redick said. “Sometimes when the ball’s just changing ends quick, it’s easy to just get into drag after drag after drag. So, I took ownership of that. We have our counters for deep drop. We got to do a better job of that.”

The Lakers did poorly against the Celtics. 

Too often, their offense would bog. 

Coach Redick believes the drop in potential assists is one of the many reasons why the Lakers hasn’t sustained a level of excellence that’s expected with Dončić, James and Reaves at the helm.  MediaNews Group via Getty Images

Get stuck in a pattern of running set plays. Or not using the power of the pass to shift the defense, instead trying to rely on the individual offensive strengths of Luka Dončić, LeBron James or Austin Reaves to create advantages against a Celtics team that wasn’t allowing many.

The Lakers became predictable. And their struggles were, too.

The issues they faced were similar to the ones they had in their Dec. 1 home loss to the Suns, when they struggled offensively against a Phoenix team that had Mark Williams in a deep drop.

Or when they’ve gone up against the Victor Wembanyama-led Spurs.

The Lakers take on the Celtics Feb. 22 at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles. NBAE via Getty Images

“Our lowest potential assist games are all against the deep drop,” Redick said. “So I got to do a better job. 

The drop in potential assists is the result of a lack of ball movement — an issue that also isn’t new for the Lakers.

It’s one of the many reasons why their offense hasn’t sustained a level of excellence that’s expected with Dončić, James and Reaves at the helm. 

“It mostly depends on the team we play against,” Rui Hachimura responded when asked how the Lakers can have a consistently great offense. “There are some teams that play really good team defense. Against that, we have to be sharing the ball, trusting each other. We got to have ball movement. [Having] ball movement is going to be the key.”

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This Lakers team shouldn’t be expected to play like the “Beautiful Game” Spurs, which featured high-spaced ball movement and player movement.

Nor should they be expected to not allow their best players to freelance the offense from time to time.

But what should be expected is to consistently have better execution when defenses are in a drop.

As a prolific pull-up shooting team with high-caliber ball-handlers, they have the personnel to flip a tactical weakness into a strength. And they’ve shown they have the counters in their playbook, especially earlier in the season.

Now it’s about being consistent — which would be a new surprise within itself. 

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Quick Spring Recap: Jays Lose to Yankees

Feb 24, 2026; Dunedin, Florida, USA; Toronto Blue Jays infielder Josh Kasevich (86) singles during the second inning against the New York Yankees at TD Ballpark. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images | Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images

Yankees 8 Blue Jays 7

We got to see the ball/strike appeal system, several times. It works great. Very quick.

Beyond that, well, the Yankees scored a lot of runs.

Jays pitchers:

  • Grant Rogers: 2 innings, 4 hits, 2 earned, 1 walk, 1 k and he hit Aaron Judge with a pitch.
  • Tyler Rogers: 1 inning, 2 hits, 2 earned, 2 strikeouts, 1 home run. It was fun to watch him pitch.
  • Angle Bastardo: 1 inning, 1 walk, 1 strikeout. Game day shows he topped out at 98 mph.
  • Jesse Hahn: 2 outs, 3 hits, 1 walk and 3 earned.
  • Hayden Juenger: 1 out.
  • Ryan Jennings: 1 inning, clean.
  • Tanner Andrews: 1 inning, 1 strikeout.
  • Nate Garkow: 2 innings, 2 hits, 1 earned, 1 k.

Batters:

Starters:

  • Miles Straw: 0 for 3, 1. He’s hitting .167 this spring.
  • Daulton Varsho: 1 for 2, a triple. He’s hitting .500. Played center after DHing the first couple of games. He’s played a more than most. I think he wants to get in a lot of at bats early.
  • Jesus Sanchez: 1 for 3, RBI, 2 strikeouts.
  • Davis Schneider: 1 for 2. .200.
  • Leo Jimenez: 0 for 2, 2 k. .167.
  • Brandon Valenzuela: 1 for 2, k. I thought he looked good behind the plate. .333.
  • Josh Kasevich: 1 for 2. .500.
  • Riley Tirotta: 0 for 2. .200.
  • Ben Cowles: 0 for 2, 2 k. .000.

Subs:

  • Yohendrick Pinango: 2 walks.
  • Ismael Munguia: 1 for 2.
  • Jake Casey: Ninth inning 2-run homer.
  • Rafael Lantigua: 1 for 2.
  • Arjun Nimmala: 0 for 1, walk, k.
  • Cutter Coffee: 0 for 3.
  • Aaron Parker: 1 for 2.
  • Edward Duran: 0 for 1.
  • Carlos Mendoza: 1 for 2, RBI
  • Charles McAdoo: 1 for 2, double, 2 RBI, 1 k. He also made an error on a popup near second base, calling off the second baseman and then he didn’t get to the ball. .500.
  • Josh Rivera: 0 for 2, k.

Tomorrow’s game isn’t on TV. Can listen on radio if you really are hard cord.

The Jays are now 1-3 on the spring.

For some reason I thought the game was going to be road game for the Jays but it was in Dunedin. I think I got up too early this morning.

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Paul Goldschmidt drives in four as Yankees beat Blue Jays

Feb 24, 2026; Dunedin, Florida, USA; New York Yankees first baseman Paul Goldschmidt (48) hits a two-run double during the fifth inning against the Toronto Blue Jays at TD Ballpark. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images | Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images

Probably the most perplexing move the Yankees made this offseason was the re-signing of Paul Goldschmidt. After a hot start to last year — especially against lefties — he fell away towards the back half of the season. Plus with the emergence of Ben Rice as a legitimate hitter, it seemed like the Yankees didn’t have any worries at first base. However in the dying days before spring training, the Yankees brought back Goldschmidt on a one-year deal, confusing people.

You obviously can’t judge anything on one spring training game, but some early signs show that maybe the Goldschmidt re-signing could come in handy. The veteran clapped back at the haters (sorry), driving in four runs for the Yankees on Tuesday afternoon. Those RBI were the driving force as a representative Yankees’ lineup had a pretty good day on the whole, recording 10 hits in an 8-7 road win over the Blue Jays in Dunedin.

With the Yankees running out a fairly strong spring training starting nine, they got off to a quick start versus Blue Jays minor leaguer Grant Rogers. Trent Grisham led off the game with a single, and Rogers followed that by hitting Judge with a pitch. Cody Bellinger and Jazz Chisholm Jr. then recorded a single each, both bringing home a run.

Meanwhile, Will Warren got the start for the Yankees. While he got one quick out to start the game, Toronto then got on the board as well. Daulton Varsho hit a triple which was followed by a Jesús Sánchez single to open the Jays’ account for the day.

In his 2.2 innings on the day, Warren ended up allowing just that one run on four hits, while striking out four. Among the other possible big league players for the Yankees to appear on the mound were relievers Jake Bird and Brent Headrick. Bird struck out two and allowed one hit in 1.1 scoreless innings. It was a similar story for Headrick, who put up similar numbers in 1.0 innings.

A couple innings later, the Yankees tacked back on to their lead. With Bellinger on base after another single, Paul Goldschmidt recorded his first home run of the spring, going deep to dead center field.

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Two innings after that, Goldschmidt struck once again. Judge and Chisholm were on base after a single and walk respectively when the first baseman stepped to the plate. This time, Goldschmidt doubled to left field, scoring both runners. A couple batters later, Amed Rosario hit a hot shot to third that former Baby Bomber Ben Cowles couldn’t handle, scoring Goldschmidt.

As is custom in spring training games, the Yankees unloaded the bench. Not long after that, the Blue Jays’ backups gained some ground on the Yankees’ backups. Pitcher Bradley Hanner hit Davis Schneider and allowed a couple hits, leading to three runs crossing, including two on a Charles McAdoo double. McAdoo then attempted a steal of third, which led to an error on catcher Miguel Palma, allowing McAdoo to come home for another run.

The Yankees’ reserves did bounce back a bit after that. In the eighth inning, outfield prospect Jace Avina (once acquired for Jake Bauers) hit a long home run to left field to give the Bombers some breathing room. Toronto did make things close in the ninth when Jake Casey—son of former Yankees interim hitting coach Sean—homered to get the Jays within a run. The tying run got as far as third base for Toronto before the Yankees finally shut the door.

One general game note was that the Yankees had a quite successful day with the ABS challenge system. They correctly challenged six calls out of nine attempts.

Tomorrow, the Yankees will return home to Steinbrenner Field, where they’ll play host to the Nationals in a 6:35pm ET night time spring game. Offseason acquisition Ryan Weathers will make his first appearance of the spring and his first as a member of the Yankees.

Box Score

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Bo Bichette shines on defense and offense, prospect Jack Wenninger debuts as Mets tie Astros

The Mets tied the Astros, 6-6, on Tuesday as their spring training slate continued.

Here are the takeaways...

-Right-handed prospect Jack Wenninger got the start for the Mets and pitched well.

Wenninger tossed two scoreless innings while allowing two hits, walking two, and striking out three. He used a five-pitch mix -- a four-seam fastball that touched 96 mph, along with a changeup, cutter, sinker, and slider. 

Following a breakout campaign last year for Double-A Binghamton, Wenninger is expected to open this season with Triple-A Syracuse. 

- Juan Soto made a nice play in left field in the first inning, charging in on a shallow low liner and catching it near his shoe tops. His first time up, Soto ripped a single in the hole between first base and second base. Soto ended his day 1-for-3 with a run scored.

-Bo Bichette smoked a single off the opposing pitcher in the first inning. He hit a sacrifice fly to deep center field his second time up, and grounded out in his third and final plate appearance. 

Bichette made a smooth play at third base to end the third inning, coming in on a high chopper before bare-handing the ball and throwing on the run to first base for the out.

-Marcus Semienroped a double over the left fielder's head in the second inning. He finished 1-for-3 with a run scored. 

- Part of the competition for the right field job, Mike Tauchman blasted a three-run homer to right field in his first at-bat. The homer came on a 78 mph changeup that caught the middle of the plate. 

- Ronny Mauricio smacked a solo homer to right his first time up. He went 1-for-3 overall. 

- A.J. Ewing entered in the middle innings and hit a sacrifice fly -- his second of the spring.

- Jonathan Pintaro, who began transitioning from starting to relief last season, was solid. Pintaro, whose four-seam fastball routinely hit 96 mph in his first inning of work, allowed one run on one hit while walking two and striking out one in 1.2 innings. The run scored after Pintaro was lifted for Jeffrey Yan.

Highlights

What's next

The Mets host the Cardinals on Wednesday at 1:10 p.m. on PIX11. 

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Kevin Durant rails against Adidas: ‘Who the f—k wears Adidas?’

It’s very clearly checks over stripes for Kevin Durant.

The NBA superstar — a longtime Nike athlete — railed against Adidas during a conversation with an influencer at an All-Star week party in Los Angeles earlier this month, and his rant against the shoe giant was captured on video.

The Rockets forward’s teardown of the massive apparel company began when his pal, content creator Kpreme, told him he was going to leave the event the two were at to head to an Adidas bash.

Durant questioned why he would go to that, asking, “Do you wear Adidas?”

Rockets forward Kevin Durant has a lifetime deal with Nike. NBAE via Getty Images

When Kpreme responded no, Durant said, “Exactly.”

“Who the f—k wears Adidas?” the future Hall of Famer said. “Nah. Real s—t. If you’re not hooping, who wears Adidas?”

Durant went on to ask further, “So why you going to a f—king Adidas party?”

Kevin Durant told Kpreme at an NBA All-Star week party, “F—k Adidas.” Instagram/@kpreme

The shade didn’t stop there. Several minutes later, after Kpreme asked Durant if he could get him some of his shoes, Durant continued to go in on Adidas.

“F—k no,” Durant said. “You’re going to an Adidas party. F—k Adidas.”

Durant first signed a contract with Nike when he was a rookie with the Supersonics in 2007. In 2023 — following over a decade of signature shoe releases — he agreed to a lifetime deal with the Swoosh that’s apparently come with a side of vitriol for its biggest competitors.

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Paul Goldschmidt homers, doubles as Yankees defeat Blue Jays

The Yankees defeated the Toronto Blue Jays by a score of 8-7 on Tuesday afternoon.

Here are the key takeaways...

-- The Yankees were in business right away thanks to a Trent Grisham single and an Aaron Judge walk to lead off the first inning. Cody Bellinger and Jazz Chisholm Jr. then notched back-to-back base hits to give the Yankees a quick 2-0 lead. 

-- Bellinger, fresh off signing a new multi-year deal to remain in the Bronx, has looked very comfortable at the dish in the early part of spring. With two hits on Tuesday, he now has a 1.334 OPS.

-- Paul Goldschmidt extended the Yanks' lead in the third inning with a towering two-run blast off of Tyler Rogers. Goldschmidt’s homer caromed high off the batter’s eye in center, traveling an estimated 415 feet with a 108.5 mph exit velocity.

Goldschmidt delivered again in the fifth, roping an RBI double into the corner in left. Again, it's early, but Goldschmidt has posted a 1.333 OPS during the spring.

--Righty Will Warren, who could feature prominently in the Yankees' starting rotation as Gerrit Cole and Carlos Rodon get up to speed, had a solid showing on the mound. Warren went 2.2 innings, allowing one earned run on four hits. He struck out four, did not walk a batter, and threw 36 of his 49 pitches for strikes.

-- It was a good day for the Yankees regulars overall, as Grisham, Judge, Bellinger, Chisholm, and Goldschmidt all made their way into the hit column. The only typical starter without a hit was Austin Wells, who went 0-for3 and remains hitless this spring.

Highlights

Next up

The Yankees host the Washington Nationals on Wednesday evening, with first pitch in Tampa set for 6:35 p.m.

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Game Preview: Shorthanded Suns face tall task against surging Celtics

BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - APRIL 04: Payton Pritchard #11 of the Boston Celtics dribbles the ball against Oso Ighodaro #4 of the Phoenix Suns during the second quarter at the TD Garden on April 04, 2025 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Brian Fluharty/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Who: Phoenix Suns (33-25) vs. Boston Celtics (37-19)

When: 7:00 pm Arizona Time

Where: Mortgage Matchup Center — Phoenix, Arizona

Watch: Arizona’s Family 3TV, Arizona’s Family Sports, Suns+

Listen: KMVP 98.7


Tonight presents a demanding challenge for the Phoenix Suns yet again after an ugly loss to Portland on Sunday night. They’ll need to have a short memory after scoring just 77 points on Sunday night.

The Suns welcome a Boston team that has looked every bit like a contender, carrying a 37-19 record and a three-game win streak into the Mortgage Matchup Center. The Celtics sit near the top of the Eastern Conference for a reason, bringing depth, structure, and defensive discipline every night despite being down Jayson Tatum.

Phoenix enters at 33-25, clinging onto the seventh spot in the West, but the circumstances make this one steeper than usual. Injuries have thinned the rotation, forcing younger players and reserves into expanded roles against one of the league’s most complete rosters. Will we see more of the rookies? We might have to.

The Suns have managed to stay competitive through stretches like this before. Doing it against Boston will require poise, execution, and collective effort across the board, which has been their mantra all season long.

This is a game they are “supposed” to lose. We’ll see if Jordan Ott and company can deliver another surprise this season.

Probable Starters

Suns

  • Mark Williams
  • Ryan Dunn
  • Royce O’Neale
  • Jalen Green
  • Collin Gillespie

Celtics

  • Neemius Queta
  • Sam Hauser
  • Derrick White
  • Baylor Scheierman
  • Payton Pritchard

Injury Report

Suns

  • Grayson Allen — QUESTIONABLE (Right Ankle Sprain)
  • Devin Booker — OUT (Right Hip Strain)
  • Dillon Brooks — OUT (Left Hand)
  • Jordan Goodwin — OUT (Left Calf Strain)
  • Haywood Highsmith — OUT ( Right Knee Injury)
  • Cole Anthony — OUT (Not With Team)

Celtics

  • Jaylen Brown — OUT (Knee)

What to Watch For

Boston has one of the best defensive units in the NBA this season. They disrupt passing lanes, force turnovers, and make you uncomfortable, similar to Phoenix’s style. The Celtics traveled to the Bay Area and Los Angeles on consecutive games and defeated them with ease. Phoenix needs to bring a different energy to the game tonight to have a chance and eliminate the West Coast momentum they’ll carry in.

This Suns team ranks among the league’s best in offensive rebounding (13.1 per game), with Mark Williams particularly active crashing the glass. That extra possession could be crucial against a Boston squad that loves to clear defensive rebounds and push in transition. If Phoenix can secure extra chances and keep the ball alive, they stay in these tight moments.

PORTLAND, OR – FEBRUARY 3: Mark Williams #15 of the Phoenix Suns grabs the rebound during the game against the Portland Trail Blazers on February 3, 2026 at the Moda Center Arena in Portland, Oregon. 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 Cameron Browne/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

Without Booker, Brooks, and possibly Allen, Phoenix needs shots from unlikely places. Collin Gillespie has been a quiet but steady source of scoring lately, and role players like Royce O’Neale, Ryan Dunn, and others must help keep Boston honest on the perimeter. The Suns have shown the ability to knock down threes at a strong rate this season, but consistency from role players will be huge tonight. Could tonight be the Amir Coffey game?

Boston is not just guards and wings. They pound the glass and play physical basketball. Phoenix’s interior defense needs to rotate smartly, communicate, and limit second-chance points. Williams and the Suns’ frontline must make it hard for Boston in the paint if this game is going to feel competitive down the stretch. Even without Jaylen Brown, the Celtics are built for that “next man up” style of play with players who fit their system flawlessly.

Slowing Payton Pritchard down will be a key for Phoenix, and this is a game they are going to miss Jordan Goodwin in desperately.

Key to a Suns Win

Score points. Please? Someone? Anyone? The Suns are going to need “the others” to step up in a big way tonight.

Compete every possession. Boston is disciplined and rarely lets up. Phoenix needs to mirror that effort level from tipoff through the final buzzer.

Clean decision-making. Turnovers against a team like Boston are costly. The Suns must protect the ball and maximize every possession.

Exploit mismatches. With Boston potentially short on wings, ball movement and pin-down actions can create easy looks if Phoenix executes.

Finish at the rim. Boston’s length is a deterrent, but attacking closeouts and finishing strong is what allows a young Phoenix squad to stay within striking distance.

Prediction Time

If Phoenix can stay connected on both ends of the floor, who knows? This could be one of those nights where the Suns shock a contender and remind the league they belong in every conversation. I’m not counting on that, but would love to be wrong. I think Boston overwhelms them from start to finish.

Suns 100, Celtics 113

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How to watch Warriors vs. Pelicans

SAN FRANCISCO, CA - OCTOBER 30: Zion Williamson #1 of the New Orleans Pelicans and Draymond Green #23 of the Golden State Warriors look on during the game on October 30, 2024 at Chase Center in San Francisco, California. 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 Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2024 NBAE (Photo by Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

The Golden State Warriors begin their road back-to-back with Tuesday night’s matchup against the New Orleans Pelicans. Tip-off is scheduled for 5:00 PM PT in New Orleans and can be watched on NBC Sports Bay Area.

Previously with the Warriors:

The Warriors snapped a two-game losing streak on Sunday with a win over the Denver Nuggets, 128-117. Playing without Stephen Curry and Kristaps Porzingis — and with Draymond Green ruled out as a late scratch — Golden State had just nine available players against a strong Denver team led by three-time league MVP Nikola Jokic.

But despite being shorthanded, the Dubs competed hard for all 48 minutes, leaning on physical defense and a collective effort on offense to grind out the win. It was a classic “Strength in Numbers” performance, but perhaps the biggest contribution came from Brandin Podziemski. The third-year guard delivered a huge fourth quarter where he shot 6-of-6 from the field and scored 15 of his 18 points to help seal the victory.

What to watch for tonight:

Golden State is expected to remain undermanned for Tuesday’s game in New Orleans. Curry remains out with a knee injury, while Porzingis did not travel with the team. Al Horford is also expected to be held out for load management on the second night of a back-to-back.

Fortunately, tonight’s matchup against the Pelicans should be in the Warriors’ favor. New Orleans sits near the bottom of the Western Conference standings with a record of 16–42 and has struggled on both ends of the floor, ranking sixth-worst in offensive rating (112.5) and fourth-worst in defensive rating (118.1). Not to mention, their most recent starting lineup featured four players who are shooting below 30 percent from the three-point line this season.

Enjoy the game Dub Nation. GO WARRIORS!!! 

Projected Starters

Warriors: Pat Spencer, De’Anthony Melton, Moses Moody, Gui Santos, Draymond Green

Pelicans: Herbert Jones, Saddiq Bey, Zion Williamson, Derik Queen, DeAndre Jordan

How to watch Regular Season Game 58

Who: Golden State Warriors (30 – 27) vs. New Orleans Pelicans (16 – 42)

When: Tuesday, February 24th, at 5:00 p.m. PT

Where: Smoothie King Center — New Orleans, Louisianna

TV and Streaming: NBC Sports Bay Area (available on fuboTV)

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Bryce Montes De Oca made a statement in first Spring Training outing for the Washington Nationals

PITTSBURGH, PA - SEPTEMBER 06: Bryce Montes de Oca #63 of the New York Mets gets a new ball after throwing a wild pitch, allowing a run to score in the eighth inning against the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park on September 6, 2022 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin Berl/Getty Images) | Getty Images

We have stressed all offseason that the battle for spots in the Nationals bullpen is wide open. That means we could have some surprise contenders pitch their way on to the roster. One player who made a strong first impression is Bryce Montes De Oca, who struck out the side in his first outing of the spring.

The 29 year old Montes De Oca has been a favorite of analytics types for years now due to his nasty stuff. He has a fastball that can run into the triple digits, a wipeout slider, a tight low to mid 90’s cutter and a changeup. The raw stuff is good enough to be a high leverage arm. However, he has run into health and control questions. 

Montes De Oca missed all of last season due to Tommy John, and has only thrown 10 innings since 2022. However, he looked good as new in his first spring outing. He was leaning on a nasty mid-80’s slider which accounted for all his strikeouts. The 6’7 righty also showed off his cutter, sinker and changeup. That one sinker he threw was 98 MPH.

This offseason Paul Toboni decided not to spend money on bullpen arms. Instead of paying guys like Lucas Sims and Colin Poche, Toboni looked for diamonds in the rough. Montes De Oca was one of the pitchers he signed to a minor league deal. He is a long shot to make the team out of camp due to his lack of work over the past few years.

However, if he continues to look like he did in his first outing, it could be time to have a conversation. It is not like the Nats bullpen is full of proven commodities that are locks to make the team. Sure, it has only been one appearance, but Montes De Oca looked much sharper than Andre Granillo, who had a much better chance of making the team entering camp.

Even before the Nats signed him to a minor league deal, there were people who saw something in Montes De Oca. His stuff just exploded off the page when you look at the data. In 2022, he averaged 100 with a 95 MPH cutter and a slider with crazy movement. Even if the stuff is a bit watered down after multiple Tommy John’s, what he showed the other night was still nasty.

Signing stuff monsters like this to minor league deals is a great process. If they fail to throw strikes or don’t look as sharp due to injuries, you can still just send them to the minors. However, arms like Montes De Oca do not grow on trees. He is unique, and unique is good in the pitching world.

Some of the pitches he was throwing before the injuries hit were downright ridiculous. There is one 101 MPH sinker that just moves across the plate that is totally nuts. It is one of the craziest pitches I have ever seen.

Sure, Montes De Oca has 7.55 walks per 9 in his MILB career, but the stuff is filthy. He also has 13.31 K/9 in his career as well. It is a fun gamble to take for a rebuilding team. An example of this approach working out well, at least in a small sample is Clayton Beeter.

Beeter does not have the injury history of a Montes De Oca, but he also has issues finding the zone at times. However, he still posted a 2.49 ERA in 24 outings due to his swing and miss stuff. There were times where he just didn’t have it, and was not able to find the zone. On the flip side, there were other outings where Beeter just overwhelmed hitters. 

Bryce Montes De Oca is cut from the same cloth. When he is hitting his spots, he is absolutely untouchable. You are just going to have to have another reliever ready to warm up in a pinch because there will be nights where he does not have it. Even with his dominant outing the other night, Montes De Oca is still unlikely to break camp with the team. However, he will be a factor if his stuff looks this crisp.

 Who knows, maybe all the arm issues have forced him to clean up his mechanics and he throws more strikes. It is a long shot, but we can dream. Bryce Montes De Oca’s dominant outing the other night caught my eye and it should make you guys pay attention too. Maybe just maybe Paul Toboni found a diamond in the rough.

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Knicks vs Cavaliers Computer Picks: Our Best Player Prop Projections for February 24

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Our NBA player prop projections are back for tonight's prime-time matchup, and the model has spotlighted a few plays that really pop.

We ran the numbers, lined our projections up against the market, and locked in on the spots with genuine value.

For these Knicks vs. Cavaliers predictions, it’s not guesswork — it’s all driven by the data.

If you’re building your betting card, these are the NBA picks the model likes most for Tuesday, February 24.

Knicks vs Cavaliers computer picks for February 24

Knicks KnicksCavaliers Cavaliers
Towns u19.5 points 
-112		Mitchell u27.5 points 
-112
Hart o4.5 assists
-155		Harden o2.5 3-pointers
+135
Brunson o2.5 3-pointers
-112		Allen o8.5 rebounds
-112

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Knicks computer picks

Karl-Anthony Towns Under 19.5 points (-112)

Projection: 18.9 points

Compared to last year's 23.8 mark, Karl-Anthony Towns' points per game have dipped to 19.6.

The New York Knicks have played at the fifth-lowest up-tempo pace in the league over the last 15 games. 

Whereas the Cleveland Cavaliers have played at the 10th-lowest up-tempo pace in the NBA over the last five games, which ought to reduce possessions for the Knicks.

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Josh Hart Over 4.5 assists (-155)

Projection: 4.6 assists

Josh Hart has a strong path to clearing 4.5 assists because he’s not just a wing who spots up. He pushes the ball in transition, initiates sets in the halfcourt, and thrives as a connector who keeps the offense flowing. When the ball swings, he’s often the guy making the extra pass that leads directly to a bucket.

Another big factor working in his favor is New York’s dominance on the offensive glass. The Knicks are the NBA's fourth-ranked offensive rebounding team, which creates second-chance possessions and extended plays.

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Jalen Brunson Over 2.5 3-pointers (-112)

Projection: 2.7 3-pointers

This game against the Cavaliers sets up nicely for threes since opposing starting point guards have attempted the second-highest rate of triples in the NBA this season (41.4%) against them.

That kind of defensive tendency gives an elite guard like Jalen Brunson plenty of room to capitalize.

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Cavaliers computer picks

Donovan Mitchell Under 27.5 points (-112)

Projection: 26.5 points

Donovan Mitchell has hit the Under 27.5 points in six of his last 10 games, and the trend makes sense when you look at how he’s been used and the defensive matchups he’s faced.

Over this stretch, Mitchell has seen more balanced scoring roles, with teammates stepping up offensively and defenses collapsing on him in key spots, limiting his efficiency and high-volume scoring opportunities.

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James Harden Over 2.5 3-pointers (+135)

Projection: 2.6 3-pointers

James Harden has been scorching from deep lately, hitting the Over 2.5 made 3-pointers in six of his last 10 games.

Tonight, the conditions are ideal for Harden to keep that hot streak alive.

The Knicks have struggled to contain elite perimeter scorers this season, often leaving shooters open in catch-and-shoot situations and giving up extra possessions through their defensive schemes.

Combine that with Harden’s ability to create his own shot or pull defenders out of the paint, and he has multiple paths to knock down three or more from beyond the arc.

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Jarrett Allen Over 8.5 rebounds (-112)

Projection: 9.2 rebounds

Jarrett Allen has been a rebounding machine, hitting the Over 8.5 rebounds in nine of his last 10 games.

He’s consistently active on both ends of the floor, using his size, timing, and positioning to snatch boards over smaller or slower opponents. Allen’s ability to read the ball off the rim and box out effectively gives him multiple chances to control the glass, and his motor ensures he’s always around the action.

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How to watch Knicks vs Cavaliers tonight

LocationRocket Arena, Cleveland, OH
DateTuesday, February 24, 2026
Tip-off7:00 p.m. ET
TVPeacock

Not intended for use in MA.
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Braves all-around solid in spring win against Tigers

ATLANTA, GEORGIA - SEPTEMBER 22: Matt Olson #28 of the Atlanta Braves reacts after their 11-5 win over the Washington Nationals at Truist Park on September 22, 2025 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The Atlanta Braves took on the Detroit Tigers today in North Port, FL. With it being a home game for the Braves we saw mostly starters in the lineup and the debut Reynaldo López after his long injury absence.

The game started off strong for the Braves both offensively and on the pitching side of things. It is important to note that the Tigers only had approximately three to four starting caliber players in their lineup, but López looked solid in his two innings of work.

López only saw eight batters. He was not perfect, but he got the job done. He surrendered a single in the first inning to Kevin McGonigle and in the second inning he walked Zach McKinstry in the second, but he also secured two strikeouts along the way. One thing to keep an eye on is that while he was pitching two stolen bases happened. Grant Holmes came in to take over and also pitched two innings. He saw the minimum number of batters with six. He did give up a walk, but the damage was mitigated by inducing a double play.

Joey Wentz came in to pitch the fifth and it did not start well. He walked the first two hitter and gave up a single right after that. Luckily for Wentz he got bailed out with an outfield assist on that single, but a run scored. Wentz then settled down for the most part for the rest of his two-inning outing. He ultimately had three strikeouts, one HBP, two walks, one single, and one ER.

Owen Murphy broke the trend of two-inning outings for Braves pitchers today and finished up the game for his third inning of work by pitching ninth. He held his own with one hit and four strikeouts. His only blemish was giving up a bases empty double. He also had an ABS win as a pitch was overturned for a strikeout.

The bats for the Braves started the game hot. They scored three runs in the first inning thanks to a single from Olson, Riley reaching on an error, Albies hitting a double to score two, and then Yastrzemski continuing his hot spring with a double of his own. It should also be noted that Acuña walked, but when he tried to steal third, he was thrown out. This could be a good sign that Acuña is being aggressive on the base paths after taking a step back the past few seasons due to injuries.

The offense was relatively quiet until the fifth, but new Braves addition Mauricio Dubón reached on a single and ultimately score when Matt Olson hit a two-run bomb to make the score 5-1 at that time.

After the fifth the Braves brought in most of their subs. Prized SS prospect John Gil did come in game as well, but he pinch hit for Profar in the seventh and walked and eventually scored. The subs did not slow down with the bats at all, ultimately scoring three runs after the fifth inning to total eight total runs for the Braves today.

The Braves will take on the Pirates tomorrow at the same time and same place where the Pirates will send their ace Paul Skenes against the Braves’ Bryce Elder who is fighting for a rotation spot.

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JJ Redick got a confusing response from NBA on non-goaltend call vs. Celtics

Los Angeles, CA - February 22: Head coach JJ Redick of the Los Angeles Lakers react against the Boston Celtics in the second half of a NBA basketball game at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on Sunday, February 22, 2026. (Photo by Keith Birmingham/MediaNews Group/Pasadena Star-News via Getty Images) | MediaNews Group via Getty Images

While everyone constantly argues about officiating and calls in basketball, the goaltending rule feels pretty clear. A defender can not touch the ball on its descent or interfere with the rim.

So, in the third quarter of the Lakers-Celtics matchup, when Neemias Queta stuck his entire hand through the basket on a Deandre Ayton shot attempt and there was no goaltend called, it seemed like an error by the officials.

On the NBC broadcast, the announcers said live that it was missed and, upon reviewing the replay, doubled down on that take.

Head coach JJ Redick was so irate by this call that he earned a technical foul because of it. After the loss, he expressed shock that a defender had been able to touch the net like that and said he would follow up through the appropriate channels to get clarification.

“Queta stuck his entire hand through the rim,” Redick on Sunday. “Not just grab the net. He stuck it through the cylinder. That’s typically a goaltend. Not tonight, obviously. They recognized that he did that and said that’s not a goaltend. I’ll get some clarification on the rule on that because, honestly, that’s a great way to defend floaters.”

Well, Redick did just that, and at Lakers practice on Monday, he said that Monty McCutchen, the NBA’s SVP of ref development, told him that the call was right.

What?

A player can actually put their hand through the rim, and that’s not interference?

According to the NBA’s official rulebook, it wasn’t interference since it didn’t disrupt the ball. The closest the official statements come to discussing this scenario is Section H of Rule No. 111.

h. Vibrate the rim, net or backboard so as to cause the ball to make an unnatural bounce, or bend or move the rim to an off-center position when the ball is touching the ring or passing through.

I guess since Neemias didn’t cause the ball to make an “unnatural bounce,” it’s not a goaltend, but I’m not so sure he can be absolved so easily. How can we be sure that his putting his hand through the rim and the nets being moved so much didn’t move the rim at all?

After all, the ball was on the rim and bounced off while the net was moving due to Neemias’ interference. It was a dicey play to say the least and a very confusing call for the NBA to make this way.

Given how the NBA tends to review things like tanking and cap circumvention, perhaps it should be expected that their answers will only raise more questions for the rest of us.

While this call felt egregious, there were plenty of other decisions by the refs that were perplexing on Monday.

Austin Reaves still doesn’t understand why he got a technical foul called on him during the game and there was a lot of physicality allowed in the contest, but consistency on what was a foul remained a mystery.

While none of this caused the Lakers to play so poorly against the Celtics, it certainly didn’t help.

And given the answer Redick got to this call, it seems we are even more confused afterwards about what a goaltend even is.

You can follow Edwin on Twitter at @ECreates88 or on Bluesky at @ecreates88.bsky.social.

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Canadiens Rookie Having Big Breakout Year

The Montreal Canadiens play their first game following the Olympic break on Feb. 26 against the New York Islanders. The Habs are undoubtedly in a good spot at this point of the season, as they have a 32-17-8 record and are second in the Atlantic Division standings with 72 points.

There are several reasons why the Canadiens are one of the top teams in the Eastern Conference this season, and forward Oliver Kapanen is undoubtedly one of them. After posting two assists in his first 18 career NHL games last season, Kapanen has broken out in a big way this campaign for the Canadiens and has cemented himself as a key part of their forward group in the process. 

In 57 games so far this season with the Canadiens, Kapanen has recorded 18 goals, 13 assists, 31 points, and a plus-5 rating. Kapanen is currently tied with Anaheim Ducks forward Beckett Sennecke for the most goals among all NHL rookies. He is also fourth in points out of all NHL rookies, so he has undoubtedly been one of the top rookies in the NHL this season.

With all of this, there is no question that Kapanen has been having an impressive breakout year for the Canadiens. The young forward should only get better as he continues to gain experience, and it will be fascinating to see how he finishes off the season from here. 

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Suns forward Dillon Brooks out at least 4-to-6 weeks with a fractured hand

PHOENIX (AP) — Phoenix Suns forward Dillon Brooks had surgery Monday to repair a fractured left hand and will miss at least the next four-to-six weeks before being re-evaluated, the team said Tuesday.

The 30-year-old Brooks was hurt during Saturday's game against the Orlando Magic. He's averaging a career-high 20.9 points and 3.7 rebounds per game.

The Suns have been one of the NBA's surprise teams this year with a 33-25 record, but have suffered a recent rash of injuries. The team's top three leading scorers — All-Star guard Devin Booker (strained hip), Brooks and Grayson Allen (knee/ankle) — were sidelined for a 92-77 loss to the Portland Trail Blazers on Sunday.

Also on Tuesday, the Suns said reserve guard Jordan Goodwin is out for a least one-to-two weeks with a left calf strain. Goodwin is averaging 8.9 points and 4.7 rebounds per game.

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AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/NBA

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Swansea bow to co-owner Snoop Dogg with guard of honour before kick-off

  • American rapper arrives to see draw against Preston

  • Ipswich close on second after Middlesbrough drop points

The Swansea City co-owner Snoop Dogg was greeted with twirling towels and a guard of honour on his first visit to the Welsh club. The American rapper, who is a minority owner of the Championship club alongside the television host Martha Stewart and Croatia international Luka Modric, made his first appearance at the Swansea.com Stadium for Tuesday’s clash with Preston.

Snoop Dogg joined the Swansea ownership group last July and made his way to south-west Wales after being at the Winter Olympics, where he served as Team USA’s honorary coach as well as a special correspondent for broadcaster NBC.

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