Thunder vs Bulls Prediction, Picks & Odds for Tonight’s NBA Game

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The shorthanded Oklahoma City Thunder visits the United Center for a non-conference matchup tonight with the Chicago Bulls.

Oklahoma City has dominated Chicago in recent history, and my Thunder vs. Bulls predictions expect that dominance to continue tonight. 

Read on for my NBA picks for Tuesday, March 3. 

Thunder vs Bulls prediction

Thunder vs Bulls best bet: Thunder -10.5 (-105)

Despite missing Isaiah Hartenstein and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander tonight, the Oklahoma City Thunder enter as a well-oiled machine against a Chicago Bulls squad in a total tailspin. 

While the Bulls recently beat a Giannis-less Milwaukee team, they entered that game on a staggering 11-game losing streak and rank dead last in net rating since the trade deadline

OKC boasts the league’s No. 1 defensive rating and covers 57% of its road games. Facing a "tanking" Bulls “G-League” roster, the Thunder’s elite defensive efficiency and transition offense should pull away for a double-digit cover.

Thunder vs Bulls same-game parlay

With OKC missing three starters, Luguentz Dort and Chet Holmgren will likely receive heavy usage. 

Dort has cleared 10.5 points in three straight games without SGA, while Holmgren’s 19-point Dallas performance could fuel another big night against the leaky Bulls defense. 

Thunder vs Bulls SGP

  • Thunder -10.5
  • Luguentz Dort Over 10.5 points
  • Chet Holmgren Over 18.5 points

Our "from downtown" SGP: Cason closed

Cason Wallace is another who should see heavy usage. He dropped eight dimes Sunday at Dallas and has cleared his assist total in four of his previous six contests. 

Thunder vs Bulls SGP

  • Thunder -10.5
  • Luguentz Dort Over 10.5 points
  • Chet Holmgren Over 18.5 points
  • Cason Wallace Over 5.5 assists

Thunder vs Bulls odds

  • Spread: Thunder -10.5 (-105) | Bulls +10.5 (-115)
  • Moneyline: Thunder -475 | Bulls +370
  • Over/Under: Over 229 | Under 229

Thunder vs Bulls betting trend to know

The Chicago Bulls have only covered the spread in 18 of their last 50 games (-16.10 units / -29% ROI). Find more NBA betting trends for Thunder vs. Bulls.

How to watch Thunder vs Bulls

LocationUnited Center, Chicago, IL
DateTuesday, March 3, 2026
Tip-off8:00 p.m. ET
TVFDSN Oklahoma, CHSN

Thunder vs Bulls latest injuries

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Suns vs Kings Prediction, Picks & Best Bets for Tonight’s NBA Game

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The team with the fewest wins in the NBA faces a playoff hopeful as the Sacramento Kings host the Phoenix Suns tonight.

Maxime Raynaud has seen big minutes and big numbers in Sacramento’s shorthanded frontcourt, and my Suns vs. Kings predictions expect a stat-stuffing performance from the rook.

Here are my best free NBA picks for this Pacific Division showdown on Tuesday, March 3.

Suns vs Kings prediction

Suns vs Kings best bet: Maxime Raynaud double-double (+105)

The Sacramento Kings are missing Domantas Sabonis and Dylan Cardwell, which means Maxime Raynaud will see ample playing time.

Raynaud has 12 double-doubles on the season, and four of them have come across his last six outings.

In those six games, Raynaud has averaged 15.3 points and 11 rebounds across 31.2 minutes. In that span, the Phoenix Suns have surrendered the sixth-most rebounds (47.8).

Given Raynaud’s recent success as a scorer and rebounder, this line is mispriced, and I’m happy to take this profitable wager at plus-money odds.

Suns vs Kings same-game parlay

Nique Clifford has started two straight games, and he's averaged 32.5 PRA across 40.5 minutes. The rookie has averaged 19.4 PRA across 12 starts, hitting the Over on this combo line in three of his last five in the starting lineup.

The Kings' offense isn't going to put up a ton of points regularly, and the Phoenix Suns are 25-35 to the Under this season.

Suns vs Kings SGP

  • Maxime Raynaud double-double
  • Nique Clifford Over 22.5 points+rebounds+assists
  • Under 223

Our "from downtown" SGP: Kings of the hill

The Suns hit the road after playing eight of nine at home, while Sacramento is back home after five straight on the road. Phoenix is just 3-6-1 ATS across its last 10, and the Kings will be motivated to avoid the season sweep by a division rival after dropping three straight to PHX. 

Suns vs Kings SGP

  • Maxime Raynaud double-double
  • Nique Clifford Over 22.5 points+rebounds+assists
  • Under 223
  • Kings moneyline

Suns vs Kings odds

  • Spread: Suns -10.5 | Kings +10.5
  • Moneyline: Suns -500 | Kings +375
  • Over/Under: Over 223 | Under 223

Suns vs Kings betting trend to know

The Sacramento Kings have hit the team total Under in 31 of their last 50 games (+9.35 Units / 16% ROI). Find more NBA betting trends for Suns vs. Kings.

How to watch Suns vs Kings

LocationGolden 1 Center, Sacramento, CA
DateTuesday, March 3, 2026
Tip-off11:00 p.m. ET
TVPeacock

Suns vs Kings latest injuries

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Panthers Arrive In New Jersey As Late-Season Push For Playoff Spot Continues Against Devils

The Florida Panthers are looking to pick up points as they try to make a late-season push toward a spot in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

Time is running short for Florida, with only 22 games remaining in the regular season and an eight-point deficit to try and overcome.

The Cats have a great opportunity to quickly make up some ground in the coming days, but it won’t be easy as they’ll play three road games in the next four days, starting Tuesday in New Jersey.

Over the past month, the Devils have not had an easy stretch, winning just two of their past nine outings.

The Devils’ recent struggles have dropped them to next-to-last in the Eastern Conference, with 60 points through 60 games despite being a divisional playoff team last season.

Florida arrives in Newark coming off consecutive crushing defeats, one on home ice to the Buffalo Sabres in which a controversial goal was allowed and one on Long Island where the Panthers tied the game late only to give up a backbreaking goal in the final seconds.

One big positive for the Panthers was that they welcomed defenseman Dmitry Kulikov back into the lineup against the Islanders. Kulikov was hurt during the second game of the season and had been working his way back for several months.

Several other injured players, to include Tomas Nosek, Seth Jones and Jonah Gadjovich, are all on the road trip with the Panthers and could crack the lineup at any time.

Whether there is enough time for the Cats to make a final run at a playoff spot remains to be seen, but if they’re going to give it the old college try, they have to start making progress as soon as possible.

Here are the Panthers projected lines and pairings for Tuesday’s joust in New Jersey:

Carter Verhaeghe – Evan Rodrigues – Sam Reinhart

Mackie Samoskevich – Sam Bennett – Matthew Tkachuk

Eetu Luostarinen – Anton Lundell – Brad Marchand

A.J. Greer – Jesper Boqvist – Sandis Vilmanis

Gus Forsling – Aaron Ekblad

Niko Mikkola – Dmitry Kulikov

Donovan Sebrango – Jeff Petry

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Photo caption: Nov 20, 2025; Sunrise, Florida, USA; Florida Panthers defenseman Niko Mikkola (77) moves the puck behind the net of New Jersey Devils goaltender Jake Allen (34) during the second period at Amerant Bank Arena. (Sam Navarro-Imagn Images)

Game Preview: Knicks at Raptors, March 3, 2026

Don’t fear, Canadian friends! The Knicks (39*-22) are in your country to face the Raptors (35-25), not to start a war. Unless they lose. Then maybe Canada becomes an existential threat.

This tilt features two top-five Eastern Conference teams, with New York third and Toronto fifth. Both have won six of their last 10 games. When they last met, on January 28, New York whomped Toronto, 119–92, behind a blistering 30 points from Mikal Bridges. OG Anunoby added 26 points and a season-high six steals, while Josh Hart matched a season-high with 22 points. For the Dinos, Brandon Ingram led with 27 points, Scottie Barnes posted 17 points and 10 rebounds, and our old pal RJ Barrett chipped in 14.

The Toronto Raptors beat the Wizards, 134 to 125, on Saturday thanks to 27 points and 11 assists from Immanuel Quickley. In a Sunday matinee, the Knicks beat the Spurs, 114–89, behind 25 points from Mikal Bridges. Jalen Brunson scored 24 with seven assists, and Josh Hart chipped in a 10-10 double-double. Victor Wembanyama led San Antonio with 25 points and 13 boards.

The Raptors post a 114.9 offensive rating, 16th in the league. Their defensive rating is 112.9, seventh overall. They score 114 points per game, ranking 22nd, and surrender 112, eighth in the league. They don’t take a ton of threes – 33 per game – maybe because they shoot 35%. Don’t be fooled by their 35 wins; most of those came against the league’s weaker teams.

That sleepy All-Star Ingram averages 22 PPG and shoots 37% for Toronto, while fellow All-Star Barnes puts up 19 PPG and grabs 8 RPG. As for the OAKAAKs, Barrett can be counted on for 18 PPG, and Quickley logs almost 18 points per game and 6 APG, shooting 38% from yard. Sandro (never forget) Mamukelashvili averages 11 PPG and grabs five boards.

The Raptors’ likely starting five will be Quickley, Ingram, Barrett, Barnes, andJakob Poeltl (9.8 PPG, 7.4 RPG). The game’s injury report says you won’t see Miles McBride, Collin Murray-Boyles, and Mr. Chucky Hepburn. And we thought the only Chucky in the league was Cam Thomas.

THIS DATE IN KNICKS HISTORY:  On March 3, 1967, Walt Bellamy logged a triple-double, recording 29 points, 14 rebounds and 10 assists in a 138-132 loss to the Lakers in L.A. The following year, the Hall-of-Famer was traded with Howard Komives to the Detroit Pistons for Dave DeBusschere.

Prediction

ESPN gives the Knicks a 56% chance to win. As they should. The Knicks hold a better record and lead the five-game season series, 3-0. Their frontcourt might be thin, though; Mitchell Robinson is likely to sit, given that he’ll be needed tomorrow at home against the Thunder.

Which raises a good point: since our heroes will have to zip back across the border and face OKC in approximately 24 hours, how much effort should they exert tonight, in a possible playoff preview? Conventional wisdom suggests they should pace themselves, which could result in a tighter game. Plus, Quickley loves to shoot three-pointers against the Knicks, making 11-of-25 in five career games against his old team. When they met in January, Quick stunk and posted seven points on nine shots in almost 30 minutes. He’ll do better tonight. Although the Knicks have beaten the Raptors 11 straight times, winning number 12 might not be so easy. New York takes this one by three.

Game Details

Who: New York Knicks (39*-22) at Toronto Raptors (35-25)
Date: Tuesday, March 3, 2026
Time: 7:30 PM ET
Place: ScotiaBank Arena, Toronto, CA
TV: MSG
Follow: @ptknicksblog and bsky

* Should be one more, but NBA Cup wins, like love, are evanescent stuff.

NHL Player Props & Best Bets for Today, March 3: Hooray for Necas

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We have 11 games on the NHL schedule this evening, and I’ve done my research to find the best NHL player props. I’ll include Martin Necas, Matt Boldy, and Matt Duchene. 

Read more in my NHL picks for Tuesday, March 3. 

Best NHL player prop bets today

PlayerBet99
Avs Necas Over 0.5 assists-130
Wild Boldy anytime goal+125
Stars Duchene Over 0.5 assists+135

img alt="Get a first bet encore up to $800 with the BET99 promo code COVERSNHL" width="100%" loading="lazy" src="https://img.covers.com/promo-articles/bet99nhlcreative2526.jpeg"Get a first bet encore up to $800 with BET99 bonus code COVERSNHL.
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Our best NHL player props for Tuesday, March 3

Take a look at our best bets and expert analysis below.

Prop #1: Martin Necas Over 0.5 assists

-130 at BET99

Martin Necas has been a stud for the Colorado Avalanche this season. He’s supplied 45 assists, which ranks Top 15 in the league.

Necas has compiled five helpers across his last four games, cashing the Over in assists in all but one contest since the break. The 27-year-old had two helpers on Monday evening in a victory over the Kings. 

He has 20 assists in 28 road games, and the Avs visit the Ducks tonight. 

  • Time: 10:00 p.m. ET
  • Where to watch: ALT, Victory+

Prop #2: Matt Boldy anytime goal

+125 at BET99

Matt Boldy scored Team USA’s opening goal in the gold medal game against Canada, and that was only fitting considering the type of campaign he’s having. The Minnesota Wild star is sitting second in the NHL in goals with 35. 

The 24-year-old has found the back of the net in two of his last three appearances, and he’s already scored three goals since the Olympic break, building on his huge goal in the final. 

The Wild welcome the Lightning to town this evening, and Boldy has netted 15 goals in 30 home games. 

  • Time: 9:30 p.m. ET
  • Where to watch: TNT

Prop #3: Matt Duchene Over 0.5 assists

+135 at BET99

Matt Duchene hasn’t put up huge numbers this season, but in fairness, he’s only suited up 35 times.

Regardless, Duchene has 12 goals and 12 assists. He’s cashed the Over in helpers in four of his last five outings dating back to the start of February. 

The veteran had a goal and an assist in a huge win over the Canucks on Monday night. The Stars are in Calgary this evening to face the Flames. 

Last season, Duchene had three assists in three meetings with Calgary. 

  • Time: 9:00 p.m. ET
  • Where to watch: Victory+, SN1

These props are available now at BET99, one of our best betting sites.

Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
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Tiny Wizards Lineup Pummeled by Houston Rockets

WASHINGTON, DC -  MARCH 2: Sharife Cooper #13 of the Washington Wizards drives to the basket during the game against the Houston Rockets on March 2, 2026 at Capital One Arena in Washington, DC. 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 Stephen Gosling/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

Last night’s loss by the Washington Wizards — this time to the Houston Rockets — seems from the numbers like it was at least a somewhat entertaining game. They fell behind by as much as 19, then went ham in the fourth quarter to trim the final margin to just five.

Now, it was one of those sorta phony “comebacks” that was more than a little about Houston slacking off. But, Sharife Cooper had the game of his career and the quarter of his life (11 points on 5 shots, plus 2 assists in the fourth). Jaden Hardy shot 4-4 in the period. Justin Champagnie 3-3.

<p>Wizards guard Sharife Cooper with a paint touch and kickout pass during the team’s loss to the Houston Rockets.</p><br> | NBAE via Getty Images

So, I’d imagine these guys were giving a helluva good effort and it might have even been fun to see.

Unfortunately, I can only imagine because of the NBA’s blackout rules. I live in the Houston market, so I can’t use League Pass. Well, technically I can, I just have to wait three days.

“Every NBA game is available live with NBA League Pass in every country except the US and Canada due to blackouts,” the league explains on their website. “Blackout restrictions exist because local and national content providers have certain exclusive rights to show live games and content.”

The problem, of course, is that these blackout rules were made decades ago when the only ways to watch games were to show up in person or catch it on over-the-air TV. Cable TV entered the fray and made local market games available to subscribers, which for a time was virtually every household.

We’re in the cable cutting era now. According to AdWave, 80% of US households had a pay cable, satellite, in 2011. The current number is about half that. In 2024, 4 million households canceled cable per day. The pace increased in 2025 — an estimated 77 million households dumped their cable TV subscriptions last year alone.

In other words, cable and satellite are dying. People are consuming content over the internet and via streaming services. Or they’re pirating games they want to see by watching illegal streams that put their device and network security at risk.

The goal of these kinds of blackouts is to force people like me to buy cable or satellite so I can watch these games. That’s the theory. The reality is that it’s not working. Any bump the cable company gets from sports fans is offset by the millions of households canceling. Or, in my case, not subscribing at all when I moved to Texas.

Archaic blackouts are doing two main things at this point;

  1. Punishing fans who don’t have a cable subscription. I’m a hoops junkie who enjoys the way the Rockets play and would watch virtually every game — if I could. But I’m not paying another $20+ per month on top of my League Pass subscription to watch the Rockets. I’ll catch them on national TV or put on a three-day old game in the background when I’m doing something else.
  2. Undermining the development of new fans. To me, this is the more serious consequence. I became a fan watching over-the-air Bullets games on channel 20 — at-times staticky and often in black-and-white (that’s what we had in the kitchen) — but I could follow the action, especially when the great Mel Proctor was calling the game. How does a kid who’s curious about NBA basketball but doesn’t know much experience more than highlights if her parents don’t have the right subscriptions to watch games until three days after the game?

The three-day waiting period to watch an NBA game is absurd. Preposterous. Ridiculous. Unreasonable. By the time last night’s game is legally available to me, the Wizards will have played the Orlando Magic (tonight) and the Utah Jazz (Thursday). Which is to say, I’m never watching this game. I may see clips at some point if I’m doing some video analysis, but that’s it.

It’s time for the very smart people running the NBA to update these broadcast policies to reflect the changed reality of how people consume content. A League Pass subscriber should have access to every game, regardless of where it’s played or who’s broadcasting it. Financial aspects might get complex, but this seems like the sort of problem that smart people could figure out — or at least prompt an AI to figure it out for them.

I’ll stop complaining with this: The NBA’s broadcast policy should reflect something Commissioner Adam Silver said a couple years ago: maximum flexibility for people to watch games. Someone who cares enough about the NBA to have a “no-ads” League Pass subscription should be able to watch anything using League Pass. ‘Nuff said.

Thoughts & Observations

  • Since I didn’t watch, these are all derived from the box score or play-by-play.
  • Once again, the Wizards have done the improbable. They shout 54.3% from three-point range and were +30 from the three-point line and lost.
  • The Rockets pummeled the Wizards on the boards despite the absence of Steven Adams. Houston had 21 offensive rebounds to Washington’s 20 defensive boards. They out-rebounded Washington 59-27. This is not unexpected considering Washington’s complete lack of size. Julian Reese, a 6-9 forward they signed on Saturday, started at center. He could manage just four rebounds in 28 minutes.
  • Houston committed 20 turnovers — 1-in-5 possessions. Alperen Sengun and Kevin Durant combined for 14 turnovers (8 and 6 respectively). Outside of Reese (four turnovers), the Wizards did a pretty good job avoiding turnovers.
  • Bilal Coulibaly hitting 5-7 from three-point range is a welcome development. He’s up to 30.4% from the three-point line this season. That’s something of an improvement from last season’s 28.1%.

Four Factors

Below are the four factors that decide wins and losses in basketball — shooting (efg), rebounding (offensive rebounds), ball handling (turnovers), fouling (free throws made).

The four factors are measured by:

  • eFG% (effective field goal percentage, which accounts for the three-point shot)
  • OREB% (offensive rebound percentage)
  • TOV% (turnover percentage — turnovers divided by possessions)
  • FTM/FGA (free throws made divided by field goal attempts)
FOUR FACTORSROCKETSWIZARDSLGAVG
eFG%53.8%58.8%54.3%
OREB%51.2%15.6%26.1%
TOV%19.8%11.9%12.8%
FTM/FGA0.2610.1210.207
PACE10199.4
ORTG122117115.3

Stats & Metrics

PPA is my overall production metric, which credits players for things they do that help a team win (scoring, rebounding, playmaking, defending) and dings them for things that hurt (missed shots, turnovers, bad defense, fouls).

PPA is a per possession metric designed for larger data sets. In small sample sizes, the numbers can get weird. In PPA, 100 is average, higher is better and replacement level is 45. For a single game, replacement level isn’t much use, and I reiterate the caution about small samples sometimes producing weird results.

POSS is the number of possessions each player was on the floor in this game.

ORTG = offensive rating, which is points produced per individual possessions x 100. League average so far this season is listed in the Four Factors table above. Points produced is not the same as points scored. It includes the value of assists and offensive rebounds, as well as sharing credit when receiving an assist.

USG = offensive usage rate. Average is 20%. Median so far this season is 17.7%.

ORTG and USG are versions of stats created by former Wizards assistant coach Dean Oliver and modified by me. ORTG is an efficiency measure that accounts for the value of shooting, offensive rebounds, assists and turnovers. USG includes shooting from the floor and free throw line, offensive rebounds, assists and turnovers.

+PTS = “Plus Points” is a measure of the points gained or lost by each player based on their efficiency in this game compared to league average efficiency on the same number of possessions. A player with an offensive rating (points produced per possession x 100) of 100 who uses 20 possessions would produce 20 points. If the league average efficiency is 115, the league — on average — would produced 23.0 points in the same 20 possessions. So, the player in this hypothetical would have a +PTS score of -3.0.

Players are sorted by total production in the game.

WIZARDSMINPOSSORTGUSG+PTSPPA+/-
Sharife Cooper173720227.7%8.83937
Bilal Coulibaly275613425.3%2.71884
Bub Carrington286013117.1%1.61511
Justin Champagnie275714015.8%2.21473
Jamir Watkins183919110.5%3.11504
Kyshawn George224511828.7%0.4111-5
Jaden Hardy183911128.9%-0.591-9
Tre Johnson22456622.8%-5.1-10-5
Will Riley33697017.3%-5.5-15-13
Julian Reese28582411.7%-6.2-57-12
ROCKETSMINPOSSORTGUSG+PTSPPA+/-
Amen Thompson316514921.4%4.72486
Reed Sheppard428911420.2%-0.217310
Kevin Durant377812926.2%2.9114-1
Alperen Sengun388011233.4%-0.896-4
Clint Capela112414622.5%1.61696
Dorian Finney-Smith27571248.7%0.4681
Tari Eason255210716.9%-0.76013
Aaron Holiday2042925.3%-0.5-7-8
Josh Okogie91903.6%-0.8-1752

Pistons vs Cavaliers Prediction, Picks & Odds for Tonight’s NBA Game

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The Cleveland Cavaliers have a six-game home winning streak on the line when they host the Detroit Pistons in an NBA Central Division matchup.

Tonight’s clash features two elite defenses, and my Pistons vs. Cavaliers predictions expect a low-scoring battle at Rocket Arena. 

Read on for my NBA picks for Tuesday, March 3.

Pistons vs Cavaliers prediction

Pistons vs Cavaliers best bet: Under 227.5 (-115)

James Harden running the entire offense as the primary scorer and ball handler usually slows the game down. He brings it up, gets the Cleveland Cavaliers into sets, and makes you defend deep into the clock.

Cleveland is without Donovan Mitchell, its late-clock bailout option. Remove him, and the Cavs lose downhill attacking and easy paint touches. Against a Detroit Pistons defense allowing the fourth-fewest points per game, scoring will not come easily.

Cleveland will lean on its own elite defense to compete. These head-to-head battles usually turn into low-scoring wars, which is why the Under is the play tonight.

Pistons vs Cavaliers same-game parlay

I’ll back the Cavs to win. They must have a chip on their shoulders after blowing a nine-point lead late on Friday night in Detroit.

Having Harden and a healthy Keon Ellis should be enough to shore up the defense and secure their seventh consecutive victory at Rocket Arena.

Pistons vs Cavaliers SGP

  • Under 227.5
  • Cavaliers moneyline

Our "from downtown" SGP: TEASER

Dennis Schroder is starting in Mitchell’s absence and has dished at least four dimes in five straight contests.

Tobias Harris is in for a tough night against Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen. He’s also failed to score more than 14 points in three of his last five games. 

Pistons vs Cavaliers SGP

  • Under 227.5
  • Cavaliers moneyline
  • Dennis Schroder Over 3.5 assists
  • Tobias Harris Under 13.5 points

Pistons vs Cavaliers odds

  • Spread: Pistons -2.5 (-110) | Cavaliers +2.5 (-110)
  • Moneyline: Pistons -140 | Cavaliers +120
  • Over/Under: Over 228 (-110) | Under 228 (-110)

Pistons vs Cavaliers betting trend to know

The last 10 meetings are 3-7-0 to the Under. Find more NBA betting trends for Pistons vs. Cavaliers.

How to watch Pistons vs Cavaliers

LocationRocket Arena, Cleveland, OH
DateTuesday, March 3, 2026
Tip-off7:00 p.m. ET
TVFDSN Detroit, FDSN Ohio

Pistons vs Cavaliers latest injuries

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Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.

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Blackhawks Post-Olympic Goaltending Has Been Excellent

Since the Olympics ended, the Blackhawks are 1-2-0. A lot has been made of the Chicago Blackhawks' scoring depth during this stretch.

In the two losses, they scored a combined 3 goals, two of which came off the stick of Connor Bedard. In the one win, they scored four, and Bedard had none of them.

In all of the games, win or lose, the goaltending has been excellent. In the first game against the Nashville Predators, Spencer Knight allowed 3 goals on 25 shots.

Against Colorado on Saturday, he allowed 2 goals on 34 shots. One day later, Arvid Soderblom blanked the Utah Mammoth, the first shutout of his NHL career. In the victory, Soderblom made 22 saves. 

Nashville and Colorado each had an empty-net goal, which is obviously not placed on the goaltenders. Knight and Soderblom combined to allow just 5 goals on 81 shots.

That type of goaltending performance between two guys will cut it in the NHL. Lack of scoring is the reason the Blackhawks went 1-2-0 with this level of goalie play. 

Moving forward, the Blackhawks need this to continue from their goalies. That much pressure shouldn’t be put on them, but it’s the reality of the situation. This young team relies on the netminders more than a veteran team that is seasoned to winning. 

Spencer Knight, whom the Blackhawks acquired in the Seth Jones trade, has emerged as a number-one goalie in the NHL. He still has some things to improve in his game, but the tools are there for him to be a star. The team in front of him getting better certainly won’t hurt either. 

As for Soderblom, he has had an up-and-down season. The low points were not great, but there have been some really good outings as well, including his first career shutout over the weekend. For the rest of the year, you can expect him to play one of every three games or one half of any back-to-back situation. 

Drew Commesso is doing well in the AHL, but he is unlikely to carve out a role in the NHL full-time this season. He should be allowed to compete for Knight’s backup job next year.

They could also use him as trade bait at some point as well. Either way, the Blackhawks haven’t had super-elite goaltending all year, but it is far from the problem, especially when Knight is on top of his game. 

If this post-Olympic run continues, the Blackhawks will have a strong record-wise finish, which will spark expectations coming into next year. 

Image

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AFL 2026 predicted ladder part three: Brisbane’s best may be yet to come

Everything about the Lions suggests they have more to show, while Fremantle and Gold Coast are stacked with talent but don’t seem ready

“It’s definitely not ideal, is it?” Darcy Fogarty said in the days following Izak Rankine’s homophobic slur. And no, it wasn’t. It wasn’t ideal for his AFLW colleagues. It wasn’t ideal for the people running things. It wasn’t ideal for Rankine himself. And it wasn’t ideal for his team, who’d spilled into the rooms after the round 23 win over Collingwood on top of the footballing world. It was a party atmosphere that night, the celebration of a club that had secured a double chance, broken a hoodoo, and finally believed it belonged with the best. What could possibly go wrong?

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Around the NBA: A deep dive into the Detroit Pistons

DETROIT, MI - FEBRUARY 27: Cade Cunningham #2 of the Detroit Pistons drives to the basket during the game against the Cleveland Cavaliers on February 27, 2026 at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Brian Sevald/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

Less than two years after a historically awful 14-68 season, the Pistons are now the #1 team in the league.

It’s undoubtedly one of the greatest turnarounds in league history, but many are still questioning their place among basketball’s elite. Now that we have 60 games worth of sample, there should be more than enough data to see just how good Detroit is, and where they place in the East’s hierarchy.

Let’s start with their fundamentals.

The Pistons’ style has remained the same

Detroit hasn’t changed their style: they’ve simply improved on their strengths and limited their weaknesses. The Pistons are attempting 36.6% of their shots around the rim this season (3rd league-wide) compared to 33.2% last year, and have improved their efficiency from 65.9% to 66.7% while doing so. On top of that, Detroit has decreased the number of threes they take. The Pistons’ poor spacing has resulted in opponents benefiting when they bomb from deep, so they’ve cut down their 3-point frequency from 36.1% to 31.9%. Given that Detroit’s making just 34.9% of their attempts (22nd league-wide), I’d consider that a win.

With the Pistons being a medi0cre halfcourt offense, they’ve also prioritized running more, as their transition frequency has increased from 17% to 18% (3rd league-wide). That may not sound like a big change, but it directly impacts the number of half-court possessions they have too, which has decreased from 76.9% to just 75.5% this year (lowest league-wide). These subtle but important changes add up quickly, and it’s helped Detroit sport a top-10 offensive rating (117.6) when it was just 16th last season (115.1).

Duren’s leap has been Detroit’s most important development

Of course, the biggest improvements have come from their stars. Jalen Duren, specifically, has taken an All-Star leap that has given Detroit a second cornerstone piece to build around. Duren has increased his scoring from 11.8 to 18.5 points per game while maintaining good efficiency, although his true shooting has dropped from 70.3% to 66.9%. Still, that’s a worthwhile tradeoff given his usage has gone from 16.1% to 20.8%, which is in the 84th percentile amongst all big men. Importantly, Duren’s isolations have more than doubled from last season and he’s averaging 1.08 points on such plays, which is also in the 84th percentile in the entire league. These plays only occur on 9% of possessions (outside the top 80 league-wide), but it does give Detroit a last-ditch option if needed, while also taking some offensive burden off Cade.

Duren’s self-created shots mostly come in the mid-range, an area where he is shooting a respectable 49%. He’s also taking 31% of his shots from that area, which is a 13% increase from last season.

Defensively, Duren’s rim protection has improved drastically. Opponents have gone from shooting 62.9% within 6 feet of the basket last season to just 58.8% this year, with the latter number being 5.3% lower than the opponents’ expected field goal percentage. It’s not elite by any means, but Duren has now turned himself into a good defensive centre when he was a liability in previous seasons.

The biggest defensive improvement Duren’s made is his positioning and decision-making. He’s averaging the lowest foul rate of his career and now puts himself in the right spots to contest shots. In the first clip below, Duren goes straight up to avoid contact and reacts mid-air to switch arms and block the layup attempt. Then, in the second clip, he helps cover for the driver at the last second, so that McCain can’t easily dump it down to Drummond.

Defense has been Detroit’s calling card

The Pistons are currently the #2 ranked defense with a 109.1 DRTG that’s “only” 1.7 points behind OKC. Considering how far ahead the Thunder’s defense was to start the season, it’s impressive that Detroit is within striking distance, and the difference between the Pistons’ 109.1 DRTG and the third-ranked Spurs at 111.4 is the difference between San Antonio and 9th-ranked Phoenix (113.7).

In fact, Detroit has had the best defense league-wide since late November, with rim protection being their biggest strength. Opponents are only shooting 62.9% overall within 4 feet of the basket, which is the fourth-lowest mark in the league. More importantly, the Pistons are also allowing just 27.7% of opponent shots to come in that area, which is the third-fewest mark league-wide too. The combination of both limiting the quantity and quality of attempts in the most dangerous offensive area gives Detroit an extremely high defensive floor, but they’ve also been somewhat lucky as well.

Due to their emphasis on rim protection, the Pistons are conceding 39.1% of all opponent shots to come from three — the 11th highest mark in the league. Fortunately, teams have made just 34.8% of those attempts, which is the fourth-lowest mark this season. Given that the league average three-point percent is 36.1%, Detroit might be due for some regression, but their fundamentals are so sound that their floor is still a top 3 defense, with OKC being the only team that’s definitively better.

The same can’t be said about their offense…

It’s a different story on offense. The Pistons have a 120.1 ORTG with Cade playing — equivalent to Boston’s 3rd ranked offense — but that drops to an abysmal 112.1 when he’s off, which would rank 26th league-wide. Even with Duren’s improvements, Detroit lacks a reliable second creator behind Cade, although they’re still a +3.0 in those minutes due to their elite defense.

Nothing about their playstyle changes when Cade sits. Detroit has just become so reliant on him that they can’t generate efficient shots when he’s not at the helm, and it also takes away one of their most reliable offensive sets: the pick and roll between Cade and Duren. Cade is second only to Luka in the entire league in P&Rs run per game, scoring a robust 0.95 points on such possessions (73rd percentile). Duren benefits even more, as he also ranks in the top 20 in rolls per game while scoring an absurd 1.38 points on those plays (86th percentile). Without their offensive fulcrum, the Pistons are simply lost on offense. They don’t have a secondary ballhandler good enough to be a caricature of Cade, and they also lack a deadeye shooter to run motion sets for.

Still, I would consider Detroit to be the clear favorite to come out of a flawed East, mainly due to how they match up with the other contenders. The Pistons have beaten the Knicks by 84 points in three games this season and also possess the Cavs’ achilles heal: size and physicality in the frontcourt. Boston is the real wildcard amongst the East’s elite given Tatum’s potential return, but until that happens, Detroit is the safest bet.

If the Pistons do make it to the finals, though, I can’t see them beating whichever juggernaut comes out of the West. I believe that all three of OKC, Denver, and San Antonio are better than Detroit, and the West team should be clear favorites in the finals regardless of the matchup. Even so, this season will go down as a resounding success for the Pistons, and they have enough assets to acquire help in the offseason to come back even better next year.


This week, please check out Marilyn’srecap of the Spurs’ past week! San Antonio could legitimately win the title this year, and the league is coming to grips with that.

Thanks for reading!

All stats courtesy of Cleaning the Glass and NBA Stats.

Bucks vs. Celtics Player Grades: Giannis’ return spoiled in third straight blowout loss

MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - MARCH 02: Bobby Portis #9 of the Milwaukee Bucks dribbles the ball against Sam Hauser #30 of the Boston Celtics during the second quarter at Fiserv Forum on March 02, 2026 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. 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 Patrick McDermott/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Even with Giannis returning and the Boston Celtics being without Jaylen Brown, the Milwaukee Bucks dropped their third straight game, losing in ugly fashion, 108-81. It’s the second straight game that the Celtics have held the Bucks to 81 or fewer points, after Milwaukee scored 79 on February 1 in Boston. Read our full summary of the game here and catch a six-minute audio recap on the Bucks+ podcast, Bucks In Six Minutes, below.

Player Grades

Giannis Antetokounmpo

25 minutes, 19 points, 11 rebounds, 2 assists, 3 turnovers, 1 block, 7/18 FG, 2/5 FT, -8

Despite some rust, there were some vintage Giannis moments, displaying his usual aggressiveness in the paint. Maybe just leave the mid-range jumpers off the shot diet moving forward. 

Grade: B-

Kevin Porter Jr.

31 minutes, 8 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists, 3 steals, 3 turnovers, 3/6 FG, -8

The Celtics did a great job of forcing KPJ into contested looks. After starting the game 3/4 from the field, with a layup and dunk in there, Boston made him take just two shots for the rest of the game.  

Grade: C-

AJ Green

18 minutes, 0 points, 4 rebounds, 0/3 3P, -4

The seven games since the All-Star break haven’t been very good for Green. He’s averaging a paltry 6.6 PPG (well below his season average of 10.3) and is shooting 31.8% from three-point territory. Tonight was another example of the opposition going out of its way to prevent Green from shooting, with Sam Hauser even swatting one away. 

Grade: F

Ousmane Dieng

30 minutes, 13 points, 2 assists, 1 rebound, 5/10 FG, 3/7 3P, -8

Dieng’s second start in a Bucks uniform was a bit of a shock, but there were things to like. He displayed an ability to play off of Giannis and convert from deep, while also not letting up on defence; that’s the 3-and-D archetype he has to fit into moving forward. That said, Dieng had a few ill-timed shots and didn’t break the paint all that often. 

Grade: B-

Myles Turner

18 minutes, 5 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, 1/6 3P, -6

It was another rough outing for Turner. He couldn’t buy a three in the first quarter, and just looked overmatched when the Celtics went small. Many of the Bucks’ best runs came when he was off. 

Grade: D-

Ryan Rollins

24 minutes, 5 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals, 2/11 FG, 1/5 3P, -23

There might have been a reason why Doc chose Rollins as the one who got benched in favor of Dieng. He looked dreadful on both ends, and Doc was visibly upset with some of the shots he was taking. After averaging 20+ PPG in February, he’s off to a bad start in March.

Grade: F

Bobby Portis

23 minutes, 12 points, 1 rebound, 1 assist, 4/7 FG, 3/4 3P, -21

Bobby’s defensive issues reared their ugly head, and he couldn’t out-rebound some of the smaller Boston players. Portis continued to space the floor, but man, the other side of the ball was a train wreck.

Grade: C-

Cam Thomas

11 minutes, 2 points, 2 rebounds, 1 assist, 0/3 FG, 2/2 FT, -18

The Bucks opted not to convert Pete Nance for this? Doc admitted that if Thomas is not scoring, he’s not really going to be out there—last night was proof of that. 

Grade: F

Jericho Sims

22 minutes, 3 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists, 1/1 FG, 1/2 FT, -13

The only Buck besides Giannis who seemed to have a pulse on the glass. Sims looked solid on both ends of the floor and has really played well these last few weeks after a poor stretch before that. 

Grade: C+

Pete Nance

15 minutes, 6 points, 3 rebounds, 2/2 3P, -4

Welcome back to the rotation, Pete! He was a good floor spacer and showed why he should be in the mix moving forward. The Bucks need all the shooting and length they can get. 

Grade: B

Gary Harris

13 minutes, 6 points, 1 rebound, 2/4 3P, -15

With Kyle Kuzma inexplicably out of the rotation, Doc opened the door to Harris. That door should be shut moving forward. Before garbage time, Harris played 7:52 and was a -18. Need I say more?

Grade: F

Doc Rivers

Doc had a rough night. I thought the idea to start Dieng was solid, but the rest of the rotations just made no sense (Kuzma’s DNP-CD being the best example of that). Doc also brought up the offense getting stagnant again. Listen, I know it’s up to the players to execute the plays, but the coach is responsible for creating them. Van talked about Doc’s glaring flaws in his article, and everything he wrote rang true last night.

Grade: D

Garbage Time: Andre Jackson Jr., Gary Trent Jr., Thanasis Antetokounmpo

DNP-CD: Kyle Kuzma

Inactive: Alex Antetokounmpo, Taurean Prince, Cormac Ryan

Bonus Bucks Bits

  • After his first game back, Giannis talked at length about how this rehab stint was different for him and how he had to approach mentally as well as physically. He also said he doesn’t feel like he’s playing at a deficit anymore:

“I have a lot of smart people around me who tell me the truth, tell me what to do. At the end of the day, I’ve been in this position in life by fighting through things, and I just listen to my gut, and I fight through adversity. Sometimes that’s smart, sometimes that’s not smart. Things I was able to do in the past, maybe I can’t do no more. I just got to be smarter, I’m not old, I’m older for sure. I’m not 24 years old no more. I’ve been dealing with a lot of soft tissue injuries, and if you’re not able to take care of them, they can linger, and I think that’s what happened this year. I feel like I’ve been playing the whole year at a deficit, but now this is the first time where I have a little bit in my tank, that I’m not risking anything, so I’m happy that I’m here.”

  • Doc had mentioned pre-game that now that Giannis is back, they have to figure out what pieces to put out there when he’s not on the floor. It’s safe to say that wasn’t achieved; after Giannis subbed out with 6:13 left in the first quarter, the Bucks went from down two to down 17 by the time he checked back in. They did get better in the non-Giannis stretches throughout the rest of the game, but were starting so far behind the eight ball that it didn’t even matter. 
  • Once again, the Bucks lost the numbers battle. They were outshot by 21 (95-74), lost the turnover battle (16-10), and were out-rebounded 63-47. On the offensive glass alone, it was a 19-9 Celtics advantage. 
  • Bobby Portis was asked about why the Bucks have turned so sharply from a team that won eight out of 10 to a team that’s lost the last three games by a combined 79 points: 

“We’re just playing better teams, kind of fool’s gold, for real. We won eight out of 10, playing against teams that are trying to lose. (Now we’re) playing for teams that are jockeying for position (in the playoffs). We used to be in that position too, jockeying for position, you got games on your schedule you can’t lose. Guys are circling us as the can’t lose team, so they’re coming in trying to win that game. Credit the other team for locking in and getting a dub.” 

  • Doc said the decision not to play Kuzma was a coach’s decision. Per Keith Smith, this is the first DNP-CD of Kuzma’s nine-year career.

Up Next

The Bucks will get their first look at Jonathan Kuminga in his new threads, as the Atlanta Hawks make their way to Fiserv Forum on Wednesday night for an 8:30 p.m. Central tip-off. Catch the game on ESPN and FanDuel Sports Network Wisconsin. 

Columbus Blue Jackets (68 pts) vs. Nashville Predators (62 pts) Game Preview

The Columbus Blue Jackets are back at home to play the Nashville Predators tonight at 7 PM.   

Nashville Predators - 27-25-8 - 62 Points - 3-3-4 in the last 10 - Lost 1 - 5th in the Central.

Columbus Blue Jackets - 30-21-8 - 68 Points - 8-1-1 in the last 10 - Won 1 - 5th in the Metro.

Team Notes Per CBJ PR

  • Columbus began its 12th back-to-back set of the season with a 5-4 OT win at the NY Rangers on Monday. The club is 15-5-3 (.717 pts. pct.) in back-to-backs this season.
  • CBJ, who play four-straight at home, have recorded points in nine of 10 games played at Nationwide Arena in 2026 (7-1-2).
  • Last night's contest at New York began a stretch of eight games in 13 days, including two back-to-back sets, through Mar. 14.
  • Since Dec. 22, the Blue Jackets have gone 16-6-2 (34 pts, .708 points pct.) and rank fourth in the NHL in points percentage (.708) and penalty kill pct. (84.1), sixth in points (34), seventh in save percentage (.906) and goals-against/game (2.71) as well as 10th-T in goals for/game (3.46).
  • The club has scored the opening goal in 13 of the past 15 games and has scored first 37 times in 2025-26 (25-7-5).

Player Notes Per CBJ PR

  • Charlie Coyle posted two assists at New York and has tallied 5-10-15 and five multi-point efforts in the last nine games.
  • Adam Fantilli, who registered 1-1-2 at the Rangers, has recorded goals in three consecutive games (3-2-5), points in four-straight (3-3-6), and has totaled 4-7-11 in the past nine contests.
  • Kirill Marchenko notched his team-leading fourth multi-goal outing of the season with 2-1-3, including the OT winner, at the Rangers. He has collected points in six of his past seven contests since Jan. 24 (4-5-9).
  • Mason Marchment scored his 10th goal as a Blue Jacket on Saturday vs. the Islanders and required the fewest games by any player to reach the mark with the franchise (10-6-16, 16 GP).
  • Mathieu Olivier has totaled 5-2-7 in the last eight contests.
  • Zach Werenski, who missed last night's game due to illness, set a franchise record for defensemen with points in nine- straight games (2-11-13). He also has points in 22 of his past 24 games played since Dec. 11 (11-24-35, 11 multi-point efforts).

Blue Jackets Stats

  • Power Play - 20.1% - 16th in the NHL
  • Penalty Kill - 77.6% - 22nd in the NHL
  • Goals For - 184 - 17th in the NHL
  • Goals Against - 188 - 22nd in the NHL 

Predators Stats

  • Power Play - 22.6% - 10th in the NHL
  • Penalty Kill - 80.0% - 13th in the NHL
  • Goals For - 172 - 22nd in the NHL
  • Goals Against - 207 - 30th in the NHL

Series History vs. ThePredators     

  • Columbus is 32-58-1-13 all-time, and 23-21-0-6 at home vs. Nashville.
  • CBJ have also won four of the last five games played at Nationwide Arena and picked up points in seven of the past nine at home since Jan. 10, 2019 (6-2-1).
  • The home team in the series has won four consecutive meetings and gone 17-3-1 in the last 21 matchups since Apr. 7, 2018.
  • Four of the past six meetings have been decided by a single goal.
  • The winning team in the series has scored four goals or more in three of the last four meetings and eight of the previous 11 matchups (including SO goals).
  • Columbus has killed off 21-of-24 Nashville power play attempts over the last seven contests (87.5 pct.) and gone 27-of-32 on the penalty kill in the last 10 matchups overall (84.4 pct.).

Who To Watch For ThePredators

  • Steven Stamkos leads the Preds with 30 goals
  • Ryan O'Reilly leads the team with 37 assists and 58 points.
  • Juuse Saros is 21-18-6 with a SV% of .892.
  • Back-up Justus Annunen is 6-7-2 with a SV% of .893. His last start was on February 26th.

CBJ Player Notes vs.Predators

  • Jet Greaves is 0-2-0 with a GAA of 4.04 vs. the Predators.
  • Boone Jenner has 14 points in 25 games.
  • Mason Marchment has 12 points in 17 games against Nashville.

Injured Reserve

  • Brendan Smith - Lower Body - Missed 21 Games IR - Out for the rest of the regular season.

***Zach Werenski missed the last game due to illness. 

TOTAL MAN GAMES LOST: 159

How to Watch & Listen: Tonight's game will be on FANDUEL SPORTS NETWORK. The radio broadcast will be on 97.1 The Fan, with Bob McElligott behind the mic doing the play-by-play.  

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Wild's Matt Boldy Wins Back-To-Back NHL Three Stars Of The Week

ST. PAUL, Minn. — The NHL announced on Monday the three stars of the week. New York Islanders defenseman Matthew Schaefer, Pittsburgh Penguins goaltender Arturs Silovs and Minnesota Wild winger Matt Boldy have been named the NHL’s “Three Stars” presented by GEICO for the week ending March 1.

Boldy, 24, fresh off winning a gold medal with the United States at the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026, led the NHL with three goals, four assists and seven points in three games for the Wild.

Boldy has points in nine consecutive games dating to Jan. 24 (8-10—18). He is second in the NHL with 35 goals and sits ninth with 69 points through 57 games this season (35-34—69).

Right before the Olympic break, Boldy was named the NHL's first star of the week when he had three goals and three assists in just two games.

For action-packed issues, access to the entire magazine archive and a free issue, subscribe to The Hockey News at THN.com/free. Get the latest news and trending stories by subscribing to our newsletter here. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on THN.com.

Recent Wild Stories

'Nothing's Going To Ruin This': USA General Manager Bill Guerin Speaks On Olympic Celebration Controversy'Nothing's Going To Ruin This': USA General Manager Bill Guerin Speaks On Olympic Celebration ControversyUSA Hockey GM Bill Guerin deflects criticism of Olympic celebration, prioritizing the gold medal victory over public opinion.

- Wild's Kirill Kaprizov Ties Marian Gaborik's All-Time Goals Record.

- 'I'm Usually Seeing Ghosts': Wild's Quinn Hughes Embraces Viral Stare Reputation.

- Wild Goalie Prospect Steals The Show In Slovakia's Upset Win In Olympic Opener.

- From The Crease: Gustavsson On The 'Swagger' Quinn Hughes Has Brought.

- 'We Want To Compete For The Stanley Cup': Why Bill Guerin Went All In.

3-Man Fastbreak: Shooting, Duren as No.2, and the Spurs matchup

DETROIT, MI - FEBRUARY 23: Victor Wembanyama #1 of the San Antonio Spurs drives to the basket during the game against the Detroit Pistons on February 23, 2026 at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan. 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 Chris Schwegler/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

The Detroit Pistons are entering the final stretch of their schedule, and while their position as the No. 1 team in the Eastern Conference has never been more secure, the doubts about the playoff viability of this team only seem to be growing. It is rare that you see any article about the Pistons, about contenders, or about threats, and you don’t see folks handwaving Detroit’s chances in the playoffs. Whether that is a first-round upset at the hands of a new NBA darling (and legitimately dangerous team), the Hornets, a second-round upset via the new-look Cavs, or an Eastern Conference Finals loss at the hands of the big-market Celtics or Knicks. Let’s sort through the noise and dive into the latest trends.

1. Shooting

How many teams in today’s NBA could start a game 0-for-15 from three and still win comfortably? Maybe one or two, and it includes Detroit.

The Pistons are succeeding in a way many believed was extinct. While the league loads up on shooting and spacing, Detroit continues to score in gritty, physical ways — and more importantly, prevent points on the other end.

The tradeoff, of course, is perimeter shooting. Detroit’s identity is built around the rim, and that comes at a cost. After hovering around league average for much of the season, the Pistons now rank 26th in three-point percentage. Over their last four games, they’ve gone 32-for-126 (25.4%) from deep — and still won three of four.

That’s impressive. It’s also not sustainable through multiple playoff series.

DETROIT, MI – FEBRUARY 27: Daniss Jenkins #24 of the Detroit Pistons drives to the basket during the game against the Cleveland Cavaliers on February 27, 2026 at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Brian Sevald/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

As postseason defenses tighten and points at the rim become harder to manufacture, the question becomes unavoidable: Does Detroit have enough shot-making to survive when it matters most?


2. Is Duren a true No. 2?

Championship teams almost always share one trait: at least two All-Star–level players. Detroit has dominated the Eastern Conference largely with a collective approach behind Cunningham, but Jalen Duren is beginning to test whether that hierarchy needs redefining.

Over the past stretch, Duren has shown real flashes of being a legitimate second option. Before last night’s win in Orlando, he led the Pistons in scoring for four straight games, averaging 28.3 points, all alongside Cunningham. That’s not empty production — that’s shared offensive responsibility.

We saw how defenses sold out to stop Cunningham in last year’s playoffs, and he’ll be an even bigger focal point this time around. If Duren can consistently punish that attention — not just as a finisher, but as someone who can initiate offense — it changes Detroit’s ceiling.

The challenge? There aren’t many bigs who can truly function as a No. 2 without any perimeter game. Whether Duren can bend that rule may end up being one of the defining questions of Detroit’s postseason run.

3. Are the Spurs Detroit’s ultimate kryptonite?

This version of the East’s No. 1 seed is dominant — but not matchup-proof. And no team has exposed Detroit’s weaknesses quite like the San Antonio Spurs.

In last Monday’s 114–103 loss at Little Caesars Arena, San Antonio highlighted everything Detroit struggles with. The Pistons controlled the first half by hitting outside shots and capitalizing when Victor Wembanyama was off the floor. The second half told a different story.

Detroit’s offense stalled, rhythm disappeared, and Cade Cunningham was pushed into becoming a perimeter shooter — not where he’s most comfortable or effective. The Pistons went 7-for-36 from three, while San Antonio knocked down 18-of-40, a gap that decided the game.

DETROIT, MICHIGAN – JANUARY 10: Jalen Duren #0 of the Detroit Pistons blocks out Victor Wembanyama #1 of the San Antonio Spurs duirng a during the first-half free throw at Little Caesars Arena on January 10, 2024 in Detroit, Michigan. 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 (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Wembanyama disrupts Detroit’s rim-based identity in a way few players can. In a hypothetical Finals matchup, his presence alone would fundamentally alter how the Pistons play. It would be electric for the league — but from Detroit’s perspective, it’s probably a matchup they’d rather avoid.

We won’t have to wait long to see a rematch as Detroit travels to San Antonio on Thursday – this time they’ll have reinforcements in Isaiah Stewart.


2026 NHL Trade Deadline Tracker: Betting Odds, Trade Analysis & Market Movement

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The NHL Trade Deadline is officially done, with the 3 p.m. ET finish line now crossed, signalling that the sprint to the postseason is now underway.

Most of the big names reportedly available did not move, but there were still some notable deals made by Stanley Cup odds contenders — and my 2026 NHL Trade Deadline tracker features betting analysis of the most notable deals, and how NHL betting odds were affected by each trade. 

Trade deadline at a glance

Notable completed trades in 2026

TeamDateTeam

Avalanche Avalanche
Nazem Kadri
R4 pick (2027)

Mar. 6Flames Flames
Victor Olofsson
Max Curran
R1 pick (2028)
R2 pick (2027)

Flames Flames
Brennan Othmann

Mar. 6RangersRangers
Jacob Battaglia

SabresSabres
Tanner Pearson

Mar. 6JetsJets
R7 pick (2027)

Bruins Bruins
Lukas Reichel

Mar. 6Canucks Canucks
R6 pick (2026)

CapitalsCapitals
David Kampf

Mar. 6Canucks Canucks
R6 pick (2026)

KingsKings
Scott Laughton

Mar. 6Maple LeafsMaple Leafs
R3 pick (TBD)*

Flames Flames
Ryan Strome

Mar. 6DucksDucks
R7 pick (2027)

Red Wings Red Wings
Justin Faulk

Mar. 6Blues Blues
Justin Holl
Dmitri Buchelnikov
R1 pick (2026)
R3 pick (2026)

KrakenKraken
Bobby McMann

Mar. 6Maple LeafsMaple Leafs
R2 pick (2027)
R4 pick (2026)

IslandersIslanders
Brayden Schenn

Mar. 6Blues Blues
Jonathan Drouin
Marcus Gidlof
R1 pick (2026)
R3 pick (2026)

Penguins Penguins
Elmer Soderblom

Mar. 6Red Wings Red Wings
R3 pick (2026)

CapitalsCapitals
Timothy Liljegren

Mar. 6SharksSharks
R4 pick (2026)

HurricanesHurricanes
Nic Deslauriers

Mar. 6FlyersFlyers
R7 pick (2027)*

PanthersPanthers
Vinnie Hinostroza

Mar. 6WildWild
Future considerations

LightningLightning
Corey Perry

Mar. 6KingsKings
R2 pick (2028)

WildWild
Nick Foligno

Mar. 6Blackhawks Blackhawks
Future considerations

WildWild
Bobby Brink

Mar. 6FlyersFlyers
David Jiricek

DucksDucks
John Carlson

Mar. 6CapitalsCapitals
R1 pick (2026)*
R3 pick (2027)

SabresSabres
Logan Stanley
Luke Schenn

Mar. 6JetsJets
Jacob Bryson
Isak Rosen
R2 pick (2027)
R4 pick (2026)

SabresSabres
Sam Carrick

Mar. 6RangersRangers
R3 pick (2026)
R6 pick (2026)

Blue Jackets Blue Jackets
Conor Garland

Mar. 6Canucks Canucks
R2 pick (2028)
R3 pick (2026)

Red Wings Red Wings
David Perron

Mar. 5Senators Senators
R4 pick (2026)*

Senators Senators
Warren Foegele
R3 pick (2026)*

Mar. 5Kings Kings
R2 pick (2026)
R3 pick (2026)*

Stars Stars
Michael Bunting

Mar. 5Predators Predators
R3 pick (2026)

Avalanche Avalanche
Nicolas Roy

Mar. 5Blackhawks Maple Leafs
R1 pick (2027)*
R5 pick (2026)*

Oilers Oilers
Jason Dickinson
Colton Dach

Mar. 4Blackhawks Blackhawks
Andrew Mangiapane
R1 pick (2027)*

Avalanche Avalanche
Nick Blankenburg

Mar. 4Predators Predators
R5 pick (2027)
Mammoth Mammoth
MacKenzie Weegar
Mar. 4Flames Flames
Olli Maata
Jonathan Castagna

3x R2 pick (2026)

Stars Stars
Tyler Myers

Mar. 4Canucks Canucks
R2 pick (2027)
R4 pick (2029)

Wild Wild
Michael McCarron

Mar. 3Predators Predators
R2 pick (2028)

Oilers Oilers
Connor Murphy

Mar. 2Blackhawks Blackhawks
R2 pick (2028)
AvalancheAvalanche
Brett Kulak
Feb. 24PenguinsPenguins
Samuel Girard
R2 pick (2028)
KingsKings
Artemi Panarin
Feb. 4RangersRangers
Liam Greentree
R3 pick (2026)*
IslandersIslanders
Ondrej Palat
R3 pick (2026)
R6 pick (2027)
Jan. 28DevilsDevils
Maxim Tsyplakov
CanucksCanucks
Cole Clayton
R2 pick (2026)
R2 pick (2027)
Jan. 19SharksSharks
Kiefer Sherwood
FlamesFlames
Zach Whitecloud
Abram Wiebe
R1 pick (2027)
R2 pick (2028)
Jan. 18Golden KnightsGolden Knights
Rasmus Andersson

*Conditional draft pick

Stanley Cup odds favorites

TeamBet99
Avalanche Avalanche+280
Lightning Lightning+370
Hurricanes Hurricanes+550
Golden Knights Golden Knights+800
Oilers Oilers+1050

Latest 2026 NHL Trade Deadline tracker

Trade: Red Wings acquire D Justin Faulk from  Blues for Justin Holl,  an undisclosed first-round pick, and an undisclosed third-round pick

The betting shift: Steve Yzerman gets off his hands and still fails at the deadline by not getting a center to replace Andrew Copp as C2. However, their odds to make the playoffs went from -300 to -550 week-on-week, but a likely date vs the Sabres or Bolts is a tough task for an inconsistent offense that added to a strength in the Faulk trade. Only one of the Red Wings, Penguins, Islanders, Canadiens, Blue Jackets, or Bruins is going to miss the playoffs, and I think the Islanders are the team that does.

MoneyPuck has Detroit as an 82% favorite to make the playoffs. 

Trade analysis: Detroit added to its defense depth with the addition of a veteran in Faulk. However, this team's issues are on offense and center depth, as Andrew Copp should not be the center of the best line. This team has been saved by the play of John Gibson and will struggle to beat Buffalo, Tampa, and/or Carolina. They are not a player in the East. Faulk helps, but it is not enough.


Trade: Kraken acquire F Bobby McMann from  Blackhawks for a 2027 second-round pick, and a 2026 fourth-round pick

The betting shift: The Seattle Kraken, currently clinging to the last spot in the West, get off their hands and spend very little on Bobby McMann, who can fit into the middle-six for the Kraken, who lack top-end talent. Seattle is +185 to make the playoffs and is three points up on the Sharks, who have two games in hand.

MoneyPuck has Seattle as a 60% favorite to make the playoffs, which is well off their 35.1% implied probability from the +185 price. I think Seattle is a buy at this price. They only have to worry about the Sharks, as the Kings and Predators have been selling off.

Trade analysis: Seattle is in a bad spot, likely facing the Avs in the first round, and Bobby McMann is a 29-year-old rental that will likely need $5 million AAV in the offseason to retain. This team will struggle to attract top talent, and McMann has a middle-six ceiling. 


Trade: Lightning acquire F Corey Perry from  Kings for an undisclosed second-round pick

The betting shift: The Tampa Bay Lightning finally make a move, reuniting with Corey Perry for a second-round pick. This isn't an odds mover, but Tampa has moved from +400 outright to +420 week-on-week. The move is because the Sabres are closing in on the No.1 seed in the Atlantic. The Bolts are currently -330 to win the division, but were -900 just on Tuesday. 

Trade analysis: The top-heavy Lightning need to be scared of the surging Buffalo Sabres, who are tied with the Bolts for the first spot in the Atlantic, but Tampa has played two fewer games. This trade was needed as the already thin middle-scoring of the Lightning is injured, and Perry can fit a role in a system he knows very well. 

Since 2020, Perry has lost five times in the Stanley Cup playoffs, including once with the Lightning in 2022. Buffalo is the better playoff roster, in my opinion. 


Trade: Wild acquire F Bobby Brink from  Flyers for D David Jiricek

The betting shift: The Wild have been stuck on +1,800 to win the Cup for a week. It's a tough spot for them as their first-round opponent is likely the Dallas Stars, who have also gotten better. They are 10/1 to win the division, currently, and the fourth-shortest odds to win the West at +850. I'd still prefer the Stars at the same prices, especially with Dallas projected to get home ice in Round 1. 

Trade analysis: Bobby Brink is a great winger for the Wild, who currently have Vladimir Tarasenko in the LW2 spot with Marcus Johansson injured. He could find himself on a great line with Matt Boldy and Joel Eriksson Ek. The Wild still need a No.1 center before I would consider them a better team than the Stars. 

Brink's role in Philadelphia was second line and PP1, so his absence will be filled with someone who will likely be priced incorrectly for a point. Denver Barkey might be getting some key offensive minutes down the stretch for the Flyers. 

David Jiricek is a former sixth-overall pick in 2022 who is on his third team and has been pointless this year in 25 games. His window for relevance is closing quickly, but there is room for minutes in Philadelphia, especially if Rasmus Ristolainen is shipped out of town.  


Trade: Ducks acquire D John Carlson from Capitals for a 2026 first-round pick* and a 2027 third-round pick

The betting shift: The Anaheim Ducks make a splash and shock the hockey world, and John Carlson, overnight. Anaheim moves to +240 from +290 on Tuesday to win the division and a lengthy +7,000 to win the Cup, the same price as the Capitals, who move to -310 to miss the playoffs from -190 a week ago. Head coach Joel Quenville has slid to +3,300 to win coach of the year, but beating Lindy Ruff is going to be tough to do. 

Trade analysis: The Ducks add a potential rental to run a struggling PP1, but the Capitals' power play has been one of the worst units all season. The Ducks also have plenty of offensive-minded defensemen like Jackson LaCombe and Pavel Mintyukov. The real addition here is Cup-winning experience and leadership that Carlson brings, and will help a younger forward group.

I still like Edmonton to take the division at a better price, and if Anaheim hosted the Oilers in the first round, I would have Edmonton as the favorite in the series. The Ducks are a well-constructed roster, but they haven't been together long, nor had playoff adversity/experience together. That 70/1 price should be a little shorter, though, as MoneyPuck has them at 2.6% to win the Cup, which is a true price of +3,746. 

The Capitals are just four points out of a playoff spot and apparently aren't giving up on the season. It's tough to believe when you rip out the biggest leader on that team and replace him with nothing that will be coming through the door this weekend. Give the Caps front office credit, though; they shipped Carlson off instead of getting nothing for him.


Trade: Sabres acquire D Logan Stanley and D Luke Schenn from Jets for D Jacob Bryson, F Isak Rosen, a 2027 second-round pick, and a 2026 fourth-round pick 

Trade:Sabres acquire F Sam Carrick from Rangers for a 2026 third-round pick and a 2026 sixth-round pick

The betting shift: Let's go Buffalo. The Sabres shore up some center depth and add to one of the best bluelines in hockey. Buffalo has moved from +2,500 to +2,200 this week for the Cup, and that's down from +3,300 last week at this time. The Sabres can push the top teams in the East and are currently tied with the Bolts for the division lead. They're +380 to win the division, down from +1,400 on Tuesday.

Trade analysis: The Sabres move on from the failed Colton Parayko trade and add a pair of opposite-handed D-men who can play tough minutes, with Logan Stanley having decent offensive upside. They have taken the same path as the Stars and Avalanche and have loaded up on the blueline with seven NHL starters. I'm buying Buffalo for the division right now, but the price is dropping. They can beat the Canes and Bolts. I love the Sabres, and they could still upgrade that top line and replace Peyton Krebs with over $5m in space. It's Buffalo in the East and Dallas/Edmonton in the West for me. 


Trade: Blue Jackets acquire F Conor Garland from Canucks for a 2028 second-round pick and a 2026 third-round pick

The betting shift: Columbus is one point out of a playoff spot, and Montreal, Pittsburgh, the Islanders, and Boston are falling. The Blue Jackets were +165 to make the playoffs one week ago. Bettors have missed the bus on the BJ's odds, but betting on one of the teams mentioned above to miss the playoffs at plus-money is the better look. The Islanders and Penguins at +200 each stand out. 

Trade analysis: Conor Garland doesn't have a clear role immediately, as Boone Jenner is back and Mathieu Olivier has played well on the right side with Charlie Coyle. His six-year $36m contract kicks in next year. His ceiling is likely 60 points, and he could shine in the playoffs as a gritty forward who plays bigger than he is. 


Trade: Senatorsacquire F Warren Foegele and a 2026 third-round pick*  from Kings for a 2026 second-round pick and a 2026 third-round pick*

The betting shift: Ottawa is four points out of the final playoff spot and is currently +120 (45.5%) to make the playoffs, with MoneyPuck putting them at 44.9%. The Sens have the 12th-most difficult schedule down the stretch.

Trade analysis: Warren Foegele is under contract for one more season at $3.5m, and the winger could fit on any of the top three lines in Ottawa with Claude Giroux, Michael Amadio, and Ridley Greig all playing on the right side. It's an improvement, but one that isn't moving the betting needle. Having him for a full season next year is a bonus because he can contribute in a middle-six role. 


Trade: Starsacquire F Michael Bunting from Predators for a 2026 third-round pick

The betting shift: The Stars have slowly crept up to +1,700 to win it all, and the additions of Michael Bunting for bottom-six depth and Tyler Myers for a third pair have made this team better. They are six points out of first and will likely play host to the Wild, but this is a team that I'm buying in the West.

Trade analysis: Bunting will help a team that has little depth on their third line right now with injuries, and the pesky forward will step right in to that role. He is a good agitator and draws penalties. I like him more than Nic Roy at a better price, but Bunting is a rental. Nashville is still winning and three points out of playoff spot while its front office is selling everything. 


Trade: Avalanche acquire F Nick Roy from Blackhawksfor a 2027 first-round pick and a 2026 fifth-round pick

The betting shift: The Avalanche are not going to get shorter on their already paper-thing +280 odds to win the Cup. It does make them a deeper team down the middle without subtracting from their current lineup, and if you want to bet on the Avs in any market, I'd wait until Friday night, as it's going to be tough for their odds to get much shorter than they already are. 

Trade analysis: The Leafs pull off a big win, and the Avs get some center depth that was desperately needed, and something they might have been willing to overspend on. I think it's too much. Roy was pretty unnoticeable with decent minutes (14+ per game) and had 20 points in 59 games. He will not be missed in Toronto, but maybe Colorado has a better plan for him than Craig Berube did. The Avs have gotten deeper at center and on the blueline, but might still be in the market for a top-six winger with over $6 million in current cap space. 


Trade: Oilersacquire F Jason Dickinson (50% retained) and F Colton Dach from Blackhawks for F Andrew Mangiapane and a conditional 2027 first-round pick

The betting shift: The Oilers were sitting at +500 to win the division, down from +700 after the Connor Murphy trade, while their +1,100 outright odds remain unchanged. I'm still a buyer of the Oilers as the Golden Knights are going to blow the division.

Trade analysis: Edmonton picked up a shutdown center in Jason Dickinson while getting 50% of his salary retained. It's not a goalie, but the additions of Murphy and Dickinson make this a better defensive team. Colton Dach might struggle to be an everyday player, but there is some upside hidden in there. The Pacific division is still up for grabs. 

The Oilers are not left with much cap space and will have to get creative if they want to bring in more bodies. 

The Hawks are stockpiling picks, which I'm sure is pissing off Connor Bedard


Trade: Avalanche acquire D Nick Blankenburg from Predatorsfor a 2027 fifth-round pick

The betting shift: The Colorado Avalanche can't get any shorter on their Cup outright odds at +280. It's a silly number considering how hard it is to win 16 games in the NHL playoffs while avoiding bad variance and injuries. They are +150 to win the West and -4,000 to win their division. I'd love for them to make one more move, have the market shift, and bet against them. I already love the current Stars and Oilers prices.

Trade analysis: How do the Calgary Flames end up selling to acquire MacKenzie Weegar, while the Colorado Avalanche land an offensive defenseman like Nick Blankenburg for just a fifth-round pick?

Blankenburg is having a career year with 21 points in 49 games and can contribute on the power play. Though undersized at 5-foot-9, he can comfortably handle third-pair minutes while providing offensive upside.

Colorado now boasts impressive blue-line depth for a potential playoff run, with Brett Kulak, Sam Malinski, and Blankenburg available to fill the bottom pair.


Trade: Mammothacquire D MacKenzie Weegar from Flames  for D Olli Maatta, C Jonathan Castagna, and three 2026 second-round picks

The betting shift: Utah entered Wednesday sitting 7th in the West, one point up on the Kraken, four points clear of the ninth-place Sharks, and miles back of the Wild for the third spot in the Central. They are -650 to make the playoffs compared to +120 for Seattle, which is tough to swallow considering Seattle is a point behind with a game in hand.

This trade could move that playoff market far enough where fading them might be the better option. Moneypuck has them at 85% probable to make the playoffs (-554). Outside of that market, I want nothing to do with them to win the West or the Cup. 

Trade analysis: The Mammoth have added a right-shot defenseman who brings strong offensive value but can be inconsistent in his own zone. His arrival likely pushes John Marino out of a top-four role — a move that probably strengthens the overall structure. With Ian Cole and Marino outside the top four, Utah suddenly has impressive blue-line depth for a potential playoff push.

It’s remarkable what this team has accomplished this year, but winning four playoff games still feels unlikely — unless the Vegas Golden Knights continue to struggle while holding the top spot in the Pacific.

Their playoff price was already inflated, and this move may push it even higher, making a fade down the stretch the sharper angle.

MacKenzie Weegar is owed $6.25 million annually through the 2030–31 season. Jonathan Castagna has more than a point per game at Cornell this year in his third year there after being a third-round selection in 2023. It's a massive haul for Calgary for a D-man in a down season. 


Trade: Starsacquire D Tyler Myers from Canucks for a 2027 second-round pick, a 2029 fourth-round pick, and 50% salary retention

The betting shift: The Dallas Stars started the day at +1,800 to win the Cup, +850 to win the West, and +2500 to win the division. Although a bottom-pairing D-man might not move these lines, I do believe the market is too low on the Stars, who are in the same tier as the Avs for me. It's a good time to jump on Dallas futures, IMO. 

Trade analysis: The Stars are the No.1 team in hockey in xGF% over the last 25 games, with the Avalanche ranking 10th. This is one of the best teams in hockey that has been incredible on the backend and just got better and didn't give up anything on the roster.

They are winning without Mikko Rantanen and Roope Hintz, with the former expected back sometime in March. It's not a blockbuster, but it's a positive trade for arguably one of the best teams in hockey that has plenty of playoff experience. I'm buying the Oilers, and I'm buying the Stars in the West.


Trade: Wildacquire C Michael McCarron from Predators for a 2028 second-round pick

The betting shift: The Minnesota Wild's outright price moved from +1,800 to +1,700 overnight, but that had everything to do with their win over the Lightning, more so than adding a fourth-line center.

Trade analysis: The Wild are not a serious team until they shore up their center position, as Ryan Hartman is not a No.1 center. Adding some depth is a great first step, but the second-round price seems a little steep and could mean teams have to overspend on the top-line centers available.

The Wild are still a major trade away from being considered in the same breath as the Avs and Stars. 


Trade: Oilers acquire D Connor Murphy from Blackhawks for a 2028 second-round pick and 50% salary retention 

The betting shift: The Edmonton Oilers' outright price moved from +1200 to +1100 following the trade, but their divisional outright stayed put at +700

Trade analysis: Everyone knew the Oilers needed goaltending, but bolstering the blue line at a reasonable cost with a right-shot, stay-at-home defenseman to pair with Darnell Nurse is a strong move. It addresses a key structural need and should pay dividends once they solidify the crease.

With one or two more additions, this roster is capable of getting back to the Finals. If Edmonton continues to improve, I’ll be looking to add more Connor McDavid MVP exposure and take a position on them to win the Pacific at +700.


Top targets that did not move at the NHL Trade Deadline

  • Robert Thomas (STL): Young, legitimate top-two center signed long term with a no-trade clause.

  • Vincent Trochek (NYR): Adds strong depth down the middle. Excellent in the faceoff circle and reliable on the penalty kill.

  • Jordan Binnington (STL): His club numbers this season have been underwhelming, and I wouldn’t price him purely off his Team Canada performance.

  • Steven Stamkos (NAS): Trending upward in 2026.

Popular NHL futures markets


How to bet the NHL Trade Deadline

  • Fading the "New Arrival" Bump
    Don't be surprised if a brand-name player doesn't stuff the statsheet on his first day with a new club. There is an adjustment period, and waiting a couple of games might bring the best value before backing them.

  • Player Prop Hunting
    Players moving to better teams might not have the same role they had previously. If a player goes from a top-line role and PP1 to line two and PP2, his prop projections should drop. Usage is everything.

  • The "Addition by Subtraction" Angle
    Winning for bad teams is not rewarded at this time of the year. If a team is in the market to move a key player, beating the books to some point totals and/or other future markets can be profitable. Everyone wants to bet the Over on teams making additions, but don't forget about the subtractions.

  • Open opportunities: There will always be more eyes (and bets) on the big-name player moving to another team in the prop market, but, like above, don't forget what the subtraction will do to the lesser team, which will likely have to fill key roles with new names. Find those names. 

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