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Hornets vs. Celtics Predictions: Odds, expert picks, recent stats, trends and Best bets for April 13

It’s Sunday, April 13, and the Charlotte Hornets (19-62) and Boston Celtics (60-21) are all set to square off from TD Garden in Boston.

The Hornets are currently 7-33 on the road with a point differential of -9, while the Celtics have an 8-2 record in their last ten games at home. Boston is 3-0 against Charlotte this season with double-digit wins in every meeting.

Boston is firmly in the second seed of the East, while Charlotte holds the second-worst record in the East and the third-worst overall record. Neither team will play its starters for the full amount of minutes and a win or loss doesn't impact either team.

We’ve got all the info and analysis you need to know ahead of the game, including the latest info on how to catch tipoff, odds, recent team performance, player stats, and of course, our predictions, picks & best bets for the game from our modeling tools and staff of experts.

Listen to the Rotoworld Basketball Show for the latest fantasy player news, waiver claims, roster advice and more from our experts all season long. Click here or download it wherever you get your podcasts.

Game details & how to watch Hornets vs. Celtics live today

  • Date: Sunday, April 13, 2025
  • Time: 1:00PM EST
  • Site: TD Garden
  • City: Boston, MA
  • Network/Streaming:

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

Game odds for Hornets vs. Celtics

The latest odds as of Sunday:

  • Odds: Hornets (+569), Celtics (-840)
  • Spread:  Celtics -13
  • Over/Under: 213 points

That gives the Hornets an implied team point total of 105.53, and the Celtics 112.31.

Want to know which sportsbook is offering the best lines for every game on the NBA calendar? Check out the NBC Sports’ Live Odds tool to get all the latest updated info from DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM & more!

Expert picks & predictions for Sunday’s Hornets vs. Celtics game

NBC Sports Bet Best Bet

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

"Boston just destroyed Charlotte 130-94 thanks to a massive second half, but I don't see that happening again. All three Celtics wins came by double-digits and after that 36-point win, the spread for this game has moved down. There's no incentive for either side, so I lean Charlotte to cover."

Please bet responsibly. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline at 1-800-522-4700.

Our model calculates projections around each moneyline, spread and over/under bet for every game on the NBA calendar based on data points like recent performance, head-to-head player matchups, trends information and projected game totals.

Once the model is finished running, we put its projections next to the latest betting lines for the game to arrive at a relative confidence level for each wager.

Here are the best bets our model is projecting for today’s Hornets & Celtics game:

  • Moneyline: NBC Sports Bet is staying away from a play on the Moneyline.
  • Spread: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play ATS on the Charlotte Hornets at +13.
  • Total: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the under on the Game Total of 213.

Want even more NBA best bets and predictions from our expert staff & tools? Check out the Expert NBA Predictions pagefrom NBC Sports for money line, spread and over/under picks for every game on today’s calendar!

Important stats, trends & insights to know ahead of Hornets vs. Celtics on Sunday

  • The Celtics have won 4 of their last 5 home games against teams with losing records
  • The Celtics' last 3 home games versus the Hornets have gone over the Total
  • The Celtics have covered the Spread in their last 3 home matchups with the Hornets
  • The Celtics have won 8 of their last 10 games

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

Follow our experts on socials to keep up with all the latest content from the staff:

- Jay Croucher (@croucherJD)

- Drew Dinsick (@whale_capper)

- Vaughn Dalzell (@VmoneySports)

- Brad Thomas (@MrBradThomas)

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Knicks vs. Nets Predictions: Odds, expert picks, recent stats, trends and best bets for April 13

It’s Sunday, April 13, and the New York Knicks (50-31) and Brooklyn Nets (26-55) are all set to square off from Barclays Center in Brooklyn.

The Knicks are currently 23-17 on the road with a point differential of 4, while the Nets have a 3-7 record in their last ten games at home. New York is 3-0 against Brooklyn this season with wins of 2, 4, and 8 points.

New York is solidified as the No. 3 seed, so they have nothing to play for ahead of this matchup. It's the same case for the Nets who own the fourth-worst record in the East.

We’ve got all the info and analysis you need to know ahead of the game, including the latest info on how to catch tipoff, odds, recent team performance, player stats, and of course, our predictions, picks & best bets for the game from our modeling tools and staff of experts.

Listen to the Rotoworld Basketball Show for the latest fantasy player news, waiver claims, roster advice and more from our experts all season long. Click here or download it wherever you get your podcasts.

Game details & how to watch Knicks vs. Nets live today

  • Date: Sunday, April 13, 2025
  • Time: 1:00PM EST
  • Site: Barclays Center
  • City: Brooklyn, NY
  • Network/Streaming: WLNY

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

Game odds for Knicks vs. Nets

The latest odds as of Sunday:

  • Odds: Knicks (-339), Nets (+269)
  • Spread:  Knicks -8
  • Over/Under: 213 points

That gives the Knicks an implied team point total of 109.59, and the Nets 105.42.

Want to know which sportsbook is offering the best lines for every game on the NBA calendar? Check out the NBC Sports’ Live Odds tool to get all the latest updated info from DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM & more!

Expert picks & predictions for Sunday’s Knicks vs. Nets game

NBC Sports Bet Best Bet

Vaughn Dalzell (@VmoneySports) leans the Nets to cover

Please bet responsibly. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline at 1-800-522-4700.

Our model calculates projections around each moneyline, spread and over/under bet for every game on the NBA calendar based on data points like recent performance, head-to-head player matchups, trends information and projected game totals.

Once the model is finished running, we put its projections next to the latest betting lines for the game to arrive at a relative confidence level for each wager.

    Here are the best bets our model is projecting for today’s Knicks & Nets game:

    • Moneyline: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the New York Knicks on the Moneyline.
    • Spread: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play ATS on the New York Knicks at -8.
    • Total: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play on the over on the Game Total of 213.

    Want even more NBA best bets and predictions from our expert staff & tools? Check out the Expert NBA Predictions pagefrom NBC Sports for money line, spread and over/under picks for every game on today’s calendar!

    Important stats, trends & insights to know ahead of Knicks vs. Nets on Sunday

    • The Knicks are on a 3-game win streak at the Nets
    • The Nets' last 3 games at home versus the Knicks have stayed under the Total
    • The Knicks have failed to cover in 22 of their 40 road games this season
    • The Knicks are on a 3-game win streak at the Nets

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

    Follow our experts on socials to keep up with all the latest content from the staff:

    - Jay Croucher (@croucherJD)

    - Drew Dinsick (@whale_capper)

    - Vaughn Dalzell (@VmoneySports)

    - Brad Thomas (@MrBradThomas)

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    Pacers vs. Cavaliers Predictions: Odds, expert picks recent stats, trends and Best bets for April 13

    It’s Sunday, April 13, and the Indiana Pacers (49-32) and Cleveland Cavaliers (63-17) are all set to square off from Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Cleveland.

    The Pacers are currently 19-20 on the road with a point differential of 2, while the Cavaliers have an 8-2 record in their last ten games at home. Indiana beat Cleveland two games ago, 114-112 and the Pacers own the season series 2-1.

    Cleveland is locked into the No. 1 seed, so they will be resting a majority of starters, if not all, while Indiana is soldidly in the No. 4 seed. Indiana tanked the last outing against Orlando to avoid being the No. 3 seed and seeing Boston in the second round, something they will likely do here too.

    We’ve got all the info and analysis you need to know ahead of the game, including the latest info on how to catch tipoff, odds, recent team performance, player stats, and of course, our predictions, picks & best bets for the game from our modeling tools and staff of experts.

    Listen to the Rotoworld Basketball Show for the latest fantasy player news, waiver claims, roster advice and more from our experts all season long. Click here or download it wherever you get your podcasts.

    Game details & how to watch Pacers vs. Cavaliers live today

    • Date: Sunday, April 13, 2025
    • Time: 1:00PM EST
    • Site: Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse
    • City: Cleveland, OH
    • Network/Streaming:

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

    Game odds for Pacers vs. Cavaliers

    The latest odds as of Sunday:

    • Odds: Pacers (-188), Cavaliers (+156)
    • Spread:  Pacers -4.5
    • Over/Under: 227 points

    That gives the Pacers an implied team point total of 114.97, and the Cavaliers 112.62.

    Want to know which sportsbook is offering the best lines for every game on the NBA calendar? Check out the NBC Sports’ Live Odds tool to get all the latest updated info from DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM & more!

    Expert picks & predictions for Sunday’s Pacers vs. Cavaliers game

    NBC Sports Bet Best Bet

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

    "Indiana's entire gameplan was to get the No. 4 seed to have the home edge over the No. 5 seed and avoid No. 2 Boston in the second round. That has worked to perfection and it was evident in the previous contest versus Orlando. I don't expect Indiana to take this game seriously, while Cleveland can allow their bench players to get some extra shots up in preparation for the postseason. It's Cavs or pass for me."

    Please bet responsibly. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline at 1-800-522-4700.

    Our model calculates projections around each moneyline, spread and over/under bet for every game on the NBA calendar based on data points like recent performance, head-to-head player matchups, trends information and projected game totals.

    Once the model is finished running, we put its projections next to the latest betting lines for the game to arrive at a relative confidence level for each wager.

    Here are the best bets our model is projecting for today’s Pacers & Cavaliers game:

    • Moneyline: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the Indiana Pacers on the Moneyline.
    • Spread: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play ATS on the Indiana Pacers at -4.5.
    • Total: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the under on the Game Total of 227.

    Want even more NBA best bets and predictions from our expert staff & tools? Check out the Expert NBA Predictions pagefrom NBC Sports for money line, spread and over/under picks for every game on today’s calendar!

    Important stats, trends & insights to know ahead of Pacers vs. Cavaliers on Sunday

    • The Pacers have won 6 straight matchups against Eastern Conference teams
    • The Pacers' last 5 road games have gone over the Total
    • The Cavaliers have covered in 48 of their 80 games this season
    • The Pacers have won 6 straight matchups against Eastern Conference teams

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

    Follow our experts on socials to keep up with all the latest content from the staff:

    - Jay Croucher (@croucherJD)

    - Drew Dinsick (@whale_capper)

    - Vaughn Dalzell (@VmoneySports)

    - Brad Thomas (@MrBradThomas)

    Posted on

    Pistons vs. Bucks Predictions: Odds, expert picks, recent stats, trends and best bets for April 13

    It’s Sunday, April 13, and the Detroit Pistons (44-37) and Milwaukee Bucks (47-34) are all set to square off from Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee.

    The Pistons are currently 22-18 on the road with a point differential of 2, while the Bucks have a 5-5 record in their last ten games at home. These squads just met on Friday and Milwaukee won 125-119 to extend the season series to 3-0 in favor of the Bucks.

    Both teams are firmly locked into the No. 5 and No. 6 seeds, so there will be no chance the starters play full minutes, or at all in this contest. The Pistons will face the Knicks in the No. 3 versus No. 6 matchup, while Milwaukee and Indiana meet for the No. 4 versus No. 5 series.

    We’ve got all the info and analysis you need to know ahead of the game, including the latest info on how to catch tipoff, odds, recent team performance, player stats, and of course, our predictions, picks & best bets for the game from our modeling tools and staff of experts.

    Listen to the Rotoworld Basketball Show for the latest fantasy player news, waiver claims, roster advice and more from our experts all season long. Click here or download it wherever you get your podcasts.

    Game details & how to watch Pistons vs. Bucks live today

    • Date: Sunday, April 13, 2025
    • Time: 1:00PM EST
    • Site: Fiserv Forum
    • City: Milwaukee, WI
    • Network/Streaming:

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

    Game odds for Pistons vs. Bucks

    The latest odds as of Sunday:

    • Odds: Pistons (-282), Bucks (+229)
    • Spread:  Pistons -6.5
    • Over/Under: 224 points

    That gives the Pistons an implied team point total of 114.4, and the Bucks 111.01.

    Want to know which sportsbook is offering the best lines for every game on the NBA calendar? Check out the NBC Sports’ Live Odds tool to get all the latest updated info from DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM & more!

    Expert picks & predictions for Sunday’s Pistons vs. Bucks game

    NBC Sports Bet Best Bet

    Vaughn Dalzell (@VmoneySports) leans the Under in this matchup:

    "Neither team has anything to play for and their matchups, plus betting odds are already set for Game 1 of the first round. This will be an Under or pass as the motivation won't be there for much of anybody. The underdog is likely a good bet in all the games today that don't have playoff seeding involved."

    Please bet responsibly. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline at 1-800-522-4700.

    Our model calculates projections around each moneyline, spread and over/under bet for every game on the NBA calendar based on data points like recent performance, head-to-head player matchups, trends information and projected game totals.

    Once the model is finished running, we put its projections next to the latest betting lines for the game to arrive at a relative confidence level for each wager.

    Here are the best bets our model is projecting for today’s Pistons & Bucks game:

    • Moneyline: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the Detroit Pistons on the Moneyline.
    • Spread: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play ATS on the Detroit Pistons at -6.5.
    • Total: NBC Sports Bet is staying away from a play on the Game Total of 224.

    Want even more NBA best bets and predictions from our expert staff & tools? Check out the Expert NBA Predictions pagefrom NBC Sports for money line, spread and over/under picks for every game on today’s calendar!

    Important stats, trends & insights to know ahead of Pistons vs. Bucks on Sunday

    • The Bucks have won 3 straight home games
    • Each of the Bucks' last 3 home games against the Pistons have gone over the Total
    • The Bucks are 23-18 ATS at home this season
    • The Bucks have won 4 of their last 5 games at home against divisional opponents

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

    Follow our experts on socials to keep up with all the latest content from the staff:

    - Jay Croucher (@croucherJD)

    - Drew Dinsick (@whale_capper)

    - Vaughn Dalzell (@VmoneySports)

    - Brad Thomas (@MrBradThomas)

    Posted on

    Bulls vs. 76ers Predictions: Odds, expert picks, recent stats, trends and best bets for April 13

    It’s Sunday, April 13, and the Chicago Bulls (38-43) and Philadelphia 76ers (24-57) are all set to square off from Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia.

    The Bulls are currently 20-20 on the road with a point differential of -2, while the 76ers have a 2-8 record in their last ten games at home. Chicago is 5-1 over the last six games compared to Philly who is 1-13 over the last 14. Philadelphia is 2-1 against Chicago this season but lost by 32 points in the previous meeting.

    Chicago's head coach Billy Donovan said he expects his starters to play full minutes here, but I highly doubt that since Chicago is locked into the No. 9 seed. Philadelphia has the third-worst record in the East and fifth-worst record overall, so there's no incentive to win or lose, just pride on the line in the final home game of the year.

    We’ve got all the info and analysis you need to know ahead of the game, including the latest info on how to catch tipoff, odds, recent team performance, player stats, and of course, our predictions, picks & best bets for the game from our modeling tools and staff of experts.

    Listen to the Rotoworld Basketball Show for the latest fantasy player news, waiver claims, roster advice and more from our experts all season long. Click here or download it wherever you get your podcasts.

    Game details & how to watch Bulls vs. 76ers live today

    • Date: Sunday, April 13, 2025
    • Time: 1:00PM EST
    • Site: Wells Fargo Center
    • City: Philadelphia, PA
    • Network/Streaming:

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

    Game odds for Bulls vs. 76ers

    The latest odds as of Sunday:

    • Odds: Bulls (-472), 76ers (+361)
    • Spread:  Bulls -10
    • Over/Under: 232 points

    That gives the Bulls an implied team point total of 120.13, and the 76ers 114.92.

    Want to know which sportsbook is offering the best lines for every game on the NBA calendar? Check out the NBC Sports’ Live Odds tool to get all the latest updated info from DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM & more!

    Expert picks & predictions for Sunday’s Bulls vs. 76ers game

    NBC Sports Bet Best Bet

    Vaughn Dalzell (@VmoneySports) leans the Bulls to cover in the first half:

    "Whether or not Chicago does play its starters full minutes, the first half would be the better way to back them, but after that, I would solely look at the 76ers to win or cover this game. There is no incentive to win for Chicago as they are locked into the No. 9 seed and unable to move up or down due to tiebreakers. If the starters do play, the first half is the best angle, but the 76ers could be good value to live bet."

    Please bet responsibly. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline at 1-800-522-4700.

    Our model calculates projections around each moneyline, spread and over/under bet for every game on the NBA calendar based on data points like recent performance, head-to-head player matchups, trends information and projected game totals.

    Once the model is finished running, we put its projections next to the latest betting lines for the game to arrive at a relative confidence level for each wager.

    Here are the best bets our model is projecting for today’s Bulls & 76ers game:

    • Moneyline: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the Chicago Bulls on the Moneyline.
    • Spread: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play ATS on the Chicago Bulls at -10.
    • Total: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play on the over on the Game Total of 232.

    Want even more NBA best bets and predictions from our expert staff & tools? Check out the Expert NBA Predictions pagefrom NBC Sports for money line, spread and over/under picks for every game on today’s calendar!

    Important stats, trends & insights to know ahead of Bulls vs. 76ers on Sunday

    • The Bulls have won 4 of their last 5 matchups against Eastern Conference Atlantic Division teams
    • The Bulls' last 3 games have gone over the Total
    • The 76ers are 1-4 against the spread in their last 5 games at home
    • The Bulls have won 4 of their last 5 matchups against Eastern Conference Atlantic Division teams

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

    Follow our experts on socials to keep up with all the latest content from the staff:

    - Jay Croucher (@croucherJD)

    - Drew Dinsick (@whale_capper)

    - Vaughn Dalzell (@VmoneySports)

    - Brad Thomas (@MrBradThomas)

    Posted on

    County cricket day three: Yorkshire thrash Worcestershire, Kent beat Middlesex – as it happened

    How all the day three action unfolded, as Yorkshire cantered to a 504-run win and in Division Two Kent eased to an eight-wicket victory

    Things have progressed without too much incident so far this morning at OT, Northants have kept their attacking fields, Lancashire their restraint. Lancs 152-4.

    Elsewhere in Division Two: Leaning has picked up a second wicket to get rid of the dangerous Geddes (75), Middx 262-7. Singh Dale has dismissed the dangerous Carlson, Glamorgan 175-4 and looking down a sink-hole. And Derbyshire are nine down at Grace Road, 105 behind. Four wicket for Van Beek, who dismissed Andersson and who in the words of Mike Daniels “has firmly established himself as a favourite here very quickly.” Derbys 379-9.

    Continue reading...
    Posted on

    Red Sox place RHP Richard Fitts on IL, call up veteran pitcher

    Red Sox place RHP Richard Fitts on IL, call up veteran pitcher originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston

    Injuries continue to plague the Boston Red Sox pitching staff.

    Right-hander Richard Fitts was placed on the 15-day injured list due to a right pectoral strain, the club announced Sunday. Veteran righty Michael Fulmer was called up from Triple-A Worcester to take his place.

    Fitts tossed five scoreless innings in Saturday’s 3-2 loss to the Chicago White Sox, allowing only two hits and striking out five. The 25-year-old exited the game due to the injury during the bottom of the sixth inning.

    The Red Sox began the season with Fitts and Sean Newcomb in their rotation amid injuries to starters Brayan Bello (shoulder strain), Lucas Giolito (hamstring strain), and Kutter Crawford (patellar tendinopathy). Fortunately for Boston, Bello and Giolito appear close to returning after completing multiple rehab outings with the WooSox.

    Fitts debuted in 2024, allowing only four earned runs across 20.2 innings (1.74 ERA). Through three starts this season, he has a 3.18 ERA.

    Fulmer, 32, last pitched in the majors with the Chicago Cubs in 2023. The 2016 American League Rookie of the Year underwent season-ending elbow surgery at the end of the 2023 season that forced him to miss all of 2024.

    Fitts’ injury adds to what has been a brutal week for Boston. The Red Sox have dropped five of their last six games, including two straight against the lowly Chicago White Sox.

    With ace Garrett Crochet on the mound, they’ll look to salvage their three-game series vs. Chicago with a much-needed victory on Sunday.

    Posted on

    Three Takeaways From A Battle With The Maple Leafs

    Jakub Dobes had a great night on Saturday - Photo credit: Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images

    After missing their first opportunity to confirm a playoff berth against the Ottawa Senators on Friday night, the Montreal Canadiens had another chance against the Toronto Maple Leafs on Saturday, but they couldn't seal the deal once again. 

    Demidov Takes His First Strides As A Member Of The Montreal Canadiens
    David Reinbacher is Traveling with Laval
    Three Takeaways From A Missed Opportunity

    Kaiden Guhle’s physicality

    After the 5-2 defeat in Ottawa, many hoped to see Arber Xhekaj in the Canadiens’ lineup on Saturday night. The gritty blueliner has a knack for landing bone-crushing hits, and the Leafs’ stars are not particularly fond of that style of play. However, lineup decisions are all up to Martin St-Louis and he elected not to use him.

    Thankfully for St-Louis, though, Kaiden Guhle was in fine form and was throwing his body around with a purpose. In a single shift, he managed to rock two Leafs players, including John Tavares. That didn’t sit well with Toronto, and Max Domi took exception. After coming on the ice, he went straight to Guhle to ask him to dance instead of getting involved in the play. Both men got fighting majors, but Domi got a minor for unsportsmanlike conduct.

    The Canadiens couldn’t score on the man advantage, but it was still a good night for Guhle, who bounced back after a tough outing on Friday.

    Shooting Is Good But…

    The Great One once said that 100% of the shots you don’t take don’t go in, and he was right. The same goes for 100% of the shots you take that don’t make it to the net. After 40 minutes of action, the Canadiens only had seven shots, but they had 37 shot attempts. Some missed the net, some were blocked, but the bottom line is that opening shooting lanes is important.

    Even though only seven of those attempts made it on net, according to Natural Stat Trick, scoring chances were 15-8 Montreal, and high-danger shot attempts were 8-6 for them as well through 40 minutes, but the Maple Leafs also had 14 shot blocks. This was a Toronto side playing with only five blueliners, which made it even more impressive.

    About Lane Hutson

    Much has been written about the rookie defenseman’s offensive game, but tonight, we got yet another example of just how good he can be defensively. In the third frame, he was dispossessed at the Toronto blueline, but he back-checked perfectly, keeping the positioning on Matthew Knies and neutralizing what could have been a scoring chance.

    In a tight game with a top team, Hutson played just under 23 minutes tonight, and he was not shielded, just like he hasn’t been all year. He keeps playing big minutes against the best players, and he still finds a way to be a factor.

    Jakub Dobes had a fantastic game. He stopped 34 of the 35 shots he faced. It wasn’t always pretty, but he was efficient. At one point on the penalty kill, the Leafs were skating around the zone and testing the youngster, who actually spun on himself in the crease, looking very much like a Wayne Gretzky tabletop hockey goaltender.

    The more shots he got, the more confident he looked and I like how aggressive he is in net. He’s not as positionally sound as Carey Price was, far from it, but when he’s on his game, there’s no hesitation in his play. Sometimes, that means he overcommits, and the net can get pushed off its moorings, but nobody should complain as long as the puck stays out.

    Despite the loss, this was a great game for the Canadiens. They battled hard, stuck with it, and overcame quite a bit of adversity, including a five-on-three penalty kill that shouldn’t have been, as the coach clearly stated in his post-game presser.

    Photo credit: Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images

    Mike Pezzetta played his 200th game in the NHL last night, and as much as everyone loves the human, it's time to get the player out of the lineup. If there's any kind of accountability under St-Louis, he has to scratch him after the bad holding the stick penalty he took in the third frame. The Leafs couldn't capitalize on the man-advantage, but still enough is enough and with a lineup spot being needed for Ivan Demidov, the gritty forward just made the coach's job easier by putting himself on the chopping block. 

    Thanks to the one point collected from that overtime loss, the Detroit Red Wings are now officially eliminated, meaning the Columbus Blue Jackets are the only team that can still catch Montreal. The Habs have a five-point lead over the Jackets, but the Ohio outfit has a game in hand. They will play on Sunday against the Washington Capitals, whom they destroyed 7-0 on Saturday. However, not everyone was dressed for the Caps.

    Canadiens stories, analysis, breaking news, and more! Tap the star to add us to your favorites on Google News, never to miss a story.  

    Follow Karine on X @KarineHains Bluesky @karinehains.bsky.social and Threads @karinehains.

    Bookmark The Hockey News Canadiens' page for all the news and happenings around the Canadiens. 

    Posted on

    Butler, Leonard's impact is focal point of Warriors-Clippers game

    Butler, Leonard's impact is focal point of Warriors-Clippers game originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

    SAN FRANCISCO –The stakes will be high Sunday afternoon when the Warriors and Los Angeles Clippers meet. The incentives are similar and there is a deep mutual familiarity. Yet it’s the nascent unfamiliarity that could prove pivotal.

    This is the first time since Dec. 2023, 16 months, that the Warriors will face LA star Kawhi Leonard. This is the first time ever that the Clippers will see Jimmy Butler III as a Warrior.

    Each of the two veterans hope to be the difference for his team when the ball goes up at Chase Center. Coverage on NBC Sports Bay Area begins with “Warriors Pregame Live” at 11:30 p.m. PT, with tipoff scheduled for 12:30.

    “It should be a Game 7 type of vibe,” Stephen Curry says.

    Oh, it will be. It is circumstances such as these that led the Warriors to acquire Butler at the Feb. 6 trade deadline. If “Playoff Jimmy” still is a thing, this would be a good time to see it.

    The sixth-place Warriors (48-33) are chasing victory because it would lock down the No. 6 seed in the Western Conference and a guaranteed playoff berth. A loss would drop them to seventh place and into the play-in tournament.
    The fifth-place Clippers (49-32) would finish no lower than fifth if they win, but could tumble as low as seventh if they lose.

    The Warriors are 0-3 against the Clippers this season, and injury maintenance kept Leonard inactive for all three games. He has been a regular presence since midseason. He has played in 13 of LA’s last 15 games, averaging 25.8 points per game on 54-percent shooting from the field, including 49.2 percent from deep. Leonard is relatively new to Golden State, but he is back to playing at All-Star level.

    All three of LA’s wins over Golden State came when Butler was a member of the Miami Heat. The Clippers have not faced Butler at all this season.

    “They beat us three times this year,” Draymond Green concedes, “but we’re a new team.”

    The Warriors were 25-26 before Butler made his debut, but since have posted a 23-7 record – 23-6 in games including Butler. He is averaging 17.5 points per game, shooting 46.8 percent from the field and 87.8 percent from the line, adding 5.8 assists, 5.7 rebounds and 1.7 steals per game.

    Can the addition of Butler bring an end to LA’s bullying of the Warriors?

    Is Leonard’s availability enough to overcome the progress of the “new” Warriors?

    The veteran forwards will see plenty of each other in the regular-season finale, and whoever has the superior individual game puts his team in position to win.

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    Sources: Warriors convert forward Key to standard NBA contract

    Sources: Warriors convert forward Key to standard NBA contract originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

    The Warriors on Sunday converted Braxton Key from his two-way contract to a standard NBA contract, filling Golden State’s 15th and final roster spot, sources told NBC Sports Bay Area.

    His signing makes him eligible for the playoff roster.

    The Warriors did weigh options outside of the organization before landing on Key. 

    Key, 28, is a 6-foot-8 center/power forward who has played 36 games in the NBA over the past four seasons. But it was his dominant play in the G League this season between the Santa Cruz Warriors and San Diego Clippers that impressed many inside Golden State, earning some high praise along the way. 

    “This dude’s the best player we’ve seen in the G League this year,” Santa Cruz coach Nicholas Kerr said ahead of the Sea Dubs’ game at Chase Center on March 9. “He’s a monster defender. He can get to the rim, and he’s made shots for us so far. You can tell that he’s a gamer, too.” 

    Kerr’s assessment is full of compliments celebrating a player who was both great for him, and great against him this past season. 

    It’s what he said next that surprised Key later that day. 

    “Maybe it’s unfair to Draymond [Green] to compare the two, because Draymond’s a four-time champion and future Hall of Famer – Braxton has some Draymond qualities,” Kerr said. 

    During halftime of the Warriors’ game against the San Antonio Spurs on Wednesday, Green was given his award for being March’s Western Conference Defensive Player of the Month. Key also was honored at halftime that same night by the same person at center court for being the G League’s Defensive Player of the Year. Key became the third player in Santa Cruz history to win the award, joining Aaron Craft and Stefhon Hannah. 

    “That’s nice,” a smiling Key first said back on March 9 when told of Kerr comparing him to Green.

    “I mean, that’s a Hall of Famer, Key continued. “That’s a four-time champ, that’s a Defensive Player of the Year – that’s a lot. That’s big shoes to fill. I’m definitely watching him a lot. I see myself in him for sure. Just the way he plays, and then obviously the selflessness and what he does for the team. Defensively, he’s a beast.” 

    Key’s locker is directly next to Green’s. It’s not the skill of the fellow small-ball center who is the Defensive Player of the Year frontrunner that stood out most to Key when they first shared the court, but his voice. 

    “The first thing I noticed yesterday at walkthrough was Draymond was talking during the film, saying ‘Let’s do this on that play, or let’s do that on that play’ against the Pistons,” Key said. “Just seeing him be vocal and all that was definitely … it’s not surprising. 

    “You always hear that about him, but it woke me up.” 

    In four games against Santa Cruz this season when he was playing for the Clippers’ G League affiliate, Key averaged 19.3 points on 70.5-percent shooting, 9.8 rebounds, 4.8 assists, 2.3 steals and 1.3 blocked shots. Then the Warriors swooped him up from San Diego the same day they converted Pat Spencer to an NBA contract on March 5, signing Key to a two-way contract. Key made an immediate impact with Santa Cruz. 

    That same day, Key scored 30 points on 10-of-16 shooting in his Santa Cruz debut while also having 13 rebounds, one assist, three steals and a block. Key in 11 games with Santa Cruz averaged 22.5 points, 9.9 rebounds, 3.9 assists, 3.4 steals and 0.8 blocks per game. He shot 55.4 percent from the field and 45.2 on threes. Between San Diego and Santa Cruz, Key played 33 games in the G League this season and averaged 18.4 points – on 50.5-percent shooting – 9.5 rebounds, 4.3 assists, 2.9 steals and 1.0 blocks per game. 

    His 130 steals didn’t just lead the G League. They’re the third-most ever for a season in G League history.

    When Santa Cruz played the Mexico City Capitanes at Chase Center, in which Golden State head coach Steve Kerr was in attendance, Key scored 19 points (9-of-13 shooting) and added eight rebounds, four assists and four steals. The Warriors coach took notice, too. 

    “Braxton looks like a real NBA defender,” he said the next day. “He’s quick and athletic, and I think he’s another guy who could step in and play some minutes for us if needed.”

    Key has appeared in three games for the Warriors, playing a total of 11 minutes. Fittingly, Key swiped two steals against the Phoenix Suns on Tuesday in the last six minutes and 43 seconds of the Warriors’ blowout win.

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    Warriors convert forward Key to standard NBA contract

    Warriors convert forward Key to standard NBA contract originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

    The Warriors on Sunday converted Braxton Key from his two-way contract to a standard NBA contract, filling Golden State’s 15th and final roster spot, the team announced.

    His signing makes him eligible for the playoff roster.

    The Warriors did weigh options outside of the organization before landing on Key. 

    Key, 28, is a 6-foot-8 center/power forward who has played 36 games in the NBA over the past four seasons. But it was his dominant play in the G League this season between the Santa Cruz Warriors and San Diego Clippers that impressed many inside Golden State, earning some high praise along the way. 

    “This dude’s the best player we’ve seen in the G League this year,” Santa Cruz coach Nicholas Kerr said ahead of the Sea Dubs’ game at Chase Center on March 9. “He’s a monster defender. He can get to the rim, and he’s made shots for us so far. You can tell that he’s a gamer, too.” 

    Kerr’s assessment is full of compliments celebrating a player who was both great for him, and great against him this past season. 

    It’s what he said next that surprised Key later that day. 

    “Maybe it’s unfair to Draymond [Green] to compare the two, because Draymond’s a four-time champion and future Hall of Famer – Braxton has some Draymond qualities,” Kerr said. 

    During halftime of the Warriors’ game against the San Antonio Spurs on Wednesday, Green was given his award for being March’s Western Conference Defensive Player of the Month. Key also was honored at halftime that same night by the same person at center court for being the G League’s Defensive Player of the Year. Key became the third player in Santa Cruz history to win the award, joining Aaron Craft and Stefhon Hannah. 

    “That’s nice,” a smiling Key first said back on March 9 when told of Kerr comparing him to Green.

    “I mean, that’s a Hall of Famer, Key continued. “That’s a four-time champ, that’s a Defensive Player of the Year – that’s a lot. That’s big shoes to fill. I’m definitely watching him a lot. I see myself in him for sure. Just the way he plays, and then obviously the selflessness and what he does for the team. Defensively, he’s a beast.” 

    Key’s locker is directly next to Green’s. It’s not the skill of the fellow small-ball center who is the Defensive Player of the Year frontrunner that stood out most to Key when they first shared the court, but his voice. 

    “The first thing I noticed yesterday at walkthrough was Draymond was talking during the film, saying ‘Let’s do this on that play, or let’s do that on that play’ against the Pistons,” Key said. “Just seeing him be vocal and all that was definitely … it’s not surprising. 

    “You always hear that about him, but it woke me up.” 

    In four games against Santa Cruz this season when he was playing for the Clippers’ G League affiliate, Key averaged 19.3 points on 70.5-percent shooting, 9.8 rebounds, 4.8 assists, 2.3 steals and 1.3 blocked shots. Then the Warriors swooped him up from San Diego the same day they converted Pat Spencer to an NBA contract on March 5, signing Key to a two-way contract. Key made an immediate impact with Santa Cruz. 

    That same day, Key scored 30 points on 10-of-16 shooting in his Santa Cruz debut while also having 13 rebounds, one assist, three steals and a block. Key in 11 games with Santa Cruz averaged 22.5 points, 9.9 rebounds, 3.9 assists, 3.4 steals and 0.8 blocks per game. He shot 55.4 percent from the field and 45.2 on threes. Between San Diego and Santa Cruz, Key played 33 games in the G League this season and averaged 18.4 points – on 50.5-percent shooting – 9.5 rebounds, 4.3 assists, 2.9 steals and 1.0 blocks per game. 

    His 130 steals didn’t just lead the G League. They’re the third-most ever for a season in G League history.

    When Santa Cruz played the Mexico City Capitanes at Chase Center, in which Golden State head coach Steve Kerr was in attendance, Key scored 19 points (9-of-13 shooting) and added eight rebounds, four assists and four steals. The Warriors coach took notice, too. 

    “Braxton looks like a real NBA defender,” he said the next day. “He’s quick and athletic, and I think he’s another guy who could step in and play some minutes for us if needed.”

    Key has appeared in three games for the Warriors, playing a total of 11 minutes. Fittingly, Key swiped two steals against the Phoenix Suns on Tuesday in the last six minutes and 43 seconds of the Warriors’ blowout win.

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    Three Takeaways From Blues' 4-3 Shootout Loss Against Kraken

    Robert Thomas (middle) extended his point streak to 11 games with an assist, but the St. Louis Blues fell to Vince Dunn (right) and the Seattle Kraken, 4-3 in a shootout on Saturday. (Steven Bisig-Imagn Images)

    A point is nice, but from a selfish standpoint, the St. Louis Blues needed another.

    The Blues turned up empty on their season-ending three-game road trip, falling to the Seattle Kraken, 4-3 in a shootout, on Saturday at Climate Pledge Arena.

    So that makes three straight losses (0-2-1) after a franchise-record 12-game winning streak by the Blues (43-30-8), who lost ground to the Minnesota Wild, who rallied from a 2-0 third-period deficit to down the Vancouver Canucks, 3-2 in overtime on Saturday.

    So as it stands going into Sunday, the Wild have 95 points, the Blues have 94 and each have one game remaining; the Calgary Flames have 90 points and have three games remaining it stands as this for the Blues:

    * They can clinch if the Flames lose in regulation against the San Jose Sharks on Sunday.

    * They clinch with a regulation win in their season finale against Utah Hockey Club on Tuesday.

    The Flames can technically catch the Blues in points. The two teams can max out at 96 points, but if the Flames win all three of their remaining games in regulation, and the Blues win against Utah in overtime or a shootout, the Flames would own the first tiebreaker and that’s regulation wins (32-31) and thus would eliminate the Blues.

    Any Flames loss in regulation would eliminate the Flames altogether, because they could tie the Blues in regulation wins (RW, 31-31), but the Blues own the next tiebreaker, which is regulation or overtime wins (ROW) 39-34.

    Sound complicated enough? We will break it all down as each day passes.

    As for Saturday, it was the return of Colton Parayko for the Blues. The defenseman missed the past 17 games (the Blues were 13-3-1) with a left knee injury suffered March 5 against the Los Angeles Kings. He would score in his return and play 23:21 and was a plus-1 with two shots on goal, two hits and five blocks.

    Nick Leddy had a goal and an assist, and Radek Faksa scored for the Blues, while Jordan Binnington made 14 saves.

    The Blues lost the shootout in seven rounds when Chandler Stephenson scored, and Jimmy Snuggerud was denied to end it.

    Let’s go into Saturday’s Three Takeaways:

    * Five chances in a shootout to get extra point – The Blues need points, and even a shootout point would have been massive.

    They had five chances – five – to end the game in a shootout after Jake Neighbours and Robert Thomas opened with shootout goals off Philipp Grubauer.

    It was 2-1 in the third round, but Binnington couldn’t make the save on Kappo Kakko, but then Brayden Schenn had a chance to win it but hit the post.

    And when Binnington made saves on Matt Beniers, Shane Wright and Jared McCann, the Blues had the puck on their stick three times to win, and Zack Bolduc, Pavel Buchnevich and Jordan Kyrou each failed to produce the winner.

    And when Stephenson beat Binnington, who was 4-for-7 on his shootout attempts, Snuggerud pulled the puck back to his backhand and not sure if Grubauer got a stick on his attempt or not, but the puck sailed over the net to end it on his first NHL shootout attempt.

    It ended the trip with one point, and at least a point was lost when the Blues fell to the Edmonton Oilers, 4-3, on Wednesday giving up a late third-period goal to lose that one.

    * Unable to hold lead in third period after fighting back – The Blues entered the third period down a goal, thanks to old friend Jaden Schwartz’s fortuitous bounce that gave Seattle a 1-0 lead at 3:44 of the second period and needed a comeback.

    They started it and it was Radek Faksa who tied it 1-1 at 1:06 on an effort play and forecheck, keeping a puck alive at the blue line before getting it to the net and finish by banking it in off a flailing Grubauer.

    But Seattle would retake the lead 2-1 when Mikey Eyssimont scored at 6:44 after a Tyler Tucker turnover making a pass from his zone into the neutral zone that was picked off.

    But the Blues would strike twice in 13 seconds when Parayko tied it 2-2 at 7:21 off a little 2-on-1 with Robert Thomas, who extended his point streak to 11 games (four goals, 19 assists) when the Blues caught Seattle with a couple forwards back behind the Blues’ goal line.

    Then Leddy made it 3-2 at 7:34 after a pressure forecheck, winning a puck back, Bolduc finding Leddy and his shot from the high slot into the top shelf.

    That makes it 46 goals by Blues D-men, which is second behind the Colorado Avalanche, who have 52.

    That’s when the Blues needed to buckle down and take away ice and again allowed the tying goal, this time to Wright, after Jamie Oleksiak walked past Ryan Suter before sliding the puck into the bottom of the slot and the puck caromed in off Wright’s skate while being contested by Alexey Toropchenko to tie the game 3-3 at 9:53.

    The Blues had been so good at shutting down things in the third period, but in the past three games have allowed, that’s six goals allowed on this trip (including one empty-netter) in three third periods.

    * Played slow, sluggish early – For the second time in three games on this trip, the Blues started slow and looked uninspired.

    Their three first-period shots and minimal O-zone time marked three straight games with fewer than 10 shots in the opening period and just 14 total, including three at Winnipeg and three tonight.

    We keep going back to having to play without Dylan Holloway, who remains out week to week with a lower-body injury, but his absence has affected the play of all the lines.

    It’s hardly the kind of play you want to see while desperately trying to lock down a wild card berth and forced them to play from behind twice in this game before they got things going in the right direction in the third.

    * Hear what coach Jim Montgomery, Parayko and Leddy had to say postgame:

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    Game Day Preview: The Calgary Flames vs The San Jose Sharks (April 13)

    Calgary Flames left wing Blake Coleman (20) controls the puck during the third period against San Jose Sharks center Macklin Celebrini (71) at the SAP Center in San Jose on Monday, April 7, 2025. (Photo: Stan Szeto-Imagn Images)

    The Calgary Flames will host the San Jose Sharks for the second time in the last seven days.

    Well, here is the deal....

    After Seattle beat St. Louis, now Calgary has one job: go 3-0 in their remaining games. More on that in the playoff odds below…

    One game at a time.

    The Flames first face off against the Sharks, the same team that pushed them to the limit for the first two periods before Calgary’s third period comeback on April 8. San Jose players definitely want to finish the job this time. And if it comes with the perk of knocking Calgary out of the playoff picture, then I’m sure this team will not be short on motivation to do so.

    HEAD 2 HEAD

    Based on all three prior games this season, the Calgary Flames have the third-best save percentage against the San Jose Sharks at even-strength situations. On 4 vs 5 penalty kill situations, Calgary’s save percentage against San Jose is 14th. The Sharks average 27.3 shots on goals per game to the Flames. That is 15th amongst all teams. San Jose, meanwhile, has the fifth-lowest shooting percentage when playing against Calgary. Despite the favorable numbers, it is expected that Wolf will make his seventh consecutive start in net. At this point, considering the direness of the Flames’ situation, it won’t be shocking if he’s goalie for the rest of the regular season.  

    However, Calgary’s shooting percentage is 16th against San Jose. In the power play, Flames are 2-for-8 against San Jose. They could work on that. Still, Calgary does average 33.7 shots on goal per game against San Jose. That’s 6.4 shots better than what Sharks average against the Flames.

    TALE OF THE TAPE (SKATERS)

    Source: Natural Stat Trick

    TALE OF THE TAPE (GOALIES)

    Source: Natural Stat Trick

    PLAYOFF ODDS

    After the Blues got only one point against the Kraken last night, they are four points ahead of the Flames, while the Wild are ahead by five after their win against the Canucks. Calgary have two more games in hand on both teams. For the Flames to have a chance to qualify, the have to hope that the Blues DON’T get a regulation win in their final game against Utah. If that happens, Calgary is out...unless Minnesota loses its final game.

    But if Minnesota wins its last game against Anaheim, they qualify, regardless of whether it is in regulation or overtime. Then, that coupled with a St. Louis win, the Flames are out for sure.

    If a St. Louis regulation win doesn't happen, Calgary has to beat out St. Louis in whatever points the Blues have put up at that time, whether it is 94 or 95.

    But the common denominator in all these scenarios is, as mentioned earlier, Calgary has to go 3-0 the rest of the way.

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    3 Takeaways: Golden Knights Clinch Pacific Division Title With 5-3 Victory Over Nashville Predators

    LAS VEGAS -- The Golden Knights clinched the Pacific Division for the fourth time in eight years after defeating the Nashville Predators 5-3 on Saturday night.

    Noah Hanifin snapped a 15-game goal drought by scoring with 1:55 left in the game to snap a 3-3 tie with a blistering shot from the point to put the Golden Knights ahead after they squandered a two-goal lead to start the third period.

    "I was asked this morning what I thought one of the great qualities of our team was, and I thought it was our resilience, our willingness to push back and keep playing no matter what," Vegas coach Bruce Cassidy said. "Now, do we want to give up a two-goal lead right out the gates to start the third? Of course not. You got to be mindful of another team might not let you off the hook if you do that. We have to be careful with that. Every team in this league is good. If you don't play the right way, I don't care who you're playing, a team that's eliminated, (a) first-place (team), whatever, you know they're going to make you pay."

    Vegas, which has won four of its last five games, also got goals from Brett Howden, Nic Roy, Alexander Holtz and Ivan Barbashev in the win, while Adin Hill made 14 saves.

    <i>Golden Knights defenseman Noah Hanifin (15) celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal against the Predators during the third period of an NHL game at T-Mobile Arena on April 12, 2025. <b>Photo Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images</b></i>

    Here are three takeaways from the game:

    SHEA-D BUSINESS: Shea Theodore's assist on Roy’s goal broke the franchise record for points in a single season by a defenseman. It was Theodore's 55th point of the season (7 goals, 48 assists). The 55 points are a career-high for the 29-year-old. His previous high was 52 points, set during the 2021-22 season. His 48 assists are also a career-high.

    HENDERSON HOLTZ: After spending a good portion of the first half of the season with the Golden Knights, Holtz was sent down the interstate to the team's AHL franchise in nearby Henderson. Holtz said his time spent with the Silver Knights helped with his poise on the ice, while he felt his puck control improved which translated into more confidence on the ice upon returning to Vegas. The goal was his fourth of the season for the Golden Knights.

    "He's a better player than when he left, so that's a positive," Cassidy said. "That's a credit to the player that goes down there, identifies that this isn't punishment. You're on a good hockey team, a first-place team when he left, and you got to get better if you expect to push through and grab someone's job."

    MARCHESSAULT'S RETURN: Former Golden Knight Jonathan Marchessault returned to T-Mobile Arena for the first time since signing with the Predators last summer. An original member of the franchise, Marchessault remains one of the most beloved players in the team's short history, as he helped lead the team to the 2023 Stanley Cup title.

    The 34-year-old, who scored a goal early in the third period, received a standing ovation after an 80-second video played on the area's large video above the ice.

    "It was unbelievable," Marchessault. "That's what you expect. High-class organization, high-class people from top to bottom. Great fans, unbelievable. They were always there for me and my family, but for anyone that puts on a jersey there. It was just unbelievable to see Vegas. It's gonna be unbelievable memories for me for sure."

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