Less than 24 hours after a tough 2OT loss, the Orlando Magic are back at it again as they visit the Los Angeles Clippers, where they’re pegged as 4-point underdogs in the NBA odds.
Based on the schedule and injury situations for both sides, my Magic vs. Clippers predictions and NBA picks are targeting the Under on Sunday, February 22.
Magic vs Clippers prediction
Magic vs Clippers best bet: Under 215.5 (-110)
It was a taxing night for the Orlando Magic in a 113-110 2OT loss in Phoenix. Six players logged at least 33 minutes, with Desmond Bane, Anthony Black, and Paolo Banchero playing 40+.
The Los Angeles Clippers just lost to the Lakers, where Kawhi Leonard (ankle) couldn’t finish the game. He is questionable tonight. John Collins and Darius Garland are also out for the fourth-lowest scoring team in the league.
Orlando has hit the Under in five of its last seven games, and the Under is 4-1-1 in the last six head-to-head meetings.
Magic vs Clippers same-game parlay
Bane is coming off a team-high 34 points against Phoenix, and he’s got a generous scoring line of 18.5 against the Clippers, considering he’s gone for 19 or more in 11 of his last 13.
It’s been good vibes for Bennedict Mathurin since being traded by Indiana. He’s topped his 22.5-point line in two of three games with L.A. With Kawhi questionable, he’s one legit offensive source for the points-hungry Clips.
Magic vs Clippers SGP
Under 215.5
Desmond Bane Over 18.5 points
Bennedict Mathurin Over 22.5 points
Our "from downtown" SGP: Bank on Banchero
Banchero dished out eight assists vs. Phoenix, and has had 5+ assists in back-to-back games.
Brook Lopez is coming off his best rebounding game of the year with 10 boards against the Lakers. He’ll have more resistance against Orlando, but getting six boards shouldn’t be a struggle for him as the main big in the Clippers’ rotation.
Magic vs Clippers SGP
Under 215.5
Desmond Bane Over 18.5 points
Bennedict Mathurin Over 22.5 points
Paolo Banchero Over 4.5 assists
Brook Lopez Over 5.5 rebounds
Magic vs Clippers odds
Spread: Magic -3 | Clippers +3
Moneyline: Magic +122 | Clippers -144
Over/Under: Over 215 | Under 215
Magic vs Clippers betting trend to know
Orlando has win five straight games when playing with a rest disadvantage. Find more NBA betting trends for Magic vs. Clippers.
How to watch Magic vs Clippers
Location
Intuit Dome, Inglewood, CA
Date
Sunday, February 22, 2026
Tip-off
9:00 p.m. ET
TV
FDSN Florida, FDSN SoCal
Magic vs Clippers latest injuries
Not intended for use in MA. Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
Fresh off a fourth-quarter heist at the Garden, the Knicks (36*-21) head to the United Center to face the Chicago Bulls (24–33). The matchup gives New York a chance to firm up its hold on third place against a Bulls team that has lost as many consecutive games as an octopus has arms. (That’s eight, buddy.)
The season series sits tied at one apiece. When they last met, the Knicks beat the Bulls 128-116 on November 2, 2025. Jalen Brunson led New York with 31 points. Josh Giddey paced Chicago with 23.
The Bulls are planning a massive offseason bender to forget this campaign. They rank 23rd in offensive rating at 114 and 26th in defensive rating at 118.1. They can score a bit, averaging 116.4 points per game, which puts them 11th in the league, but no team sees them on the schedule and says, Uh-oh, better double-knot my Nikes.
Aussie hair model Josh Giddey leads the brigade, averaging 18.4 points per game and spreading 8.5 assists. Matas “Line Drawing Face” Buzelis averages 15 points per game and shoots 36% from three. Their starting five will likely be Giddey, Anfernee Simons (20.1 PPG), Isaac Okoro (9.1 PPG), Buzelis, and Jalen Smith (10.2 RPG). Last night, with Simons out, our old pal Guerschon Yabusele was in the starting lineup. As I said, good times in Chicago!
On Chi-Town’s injury report, Simons is day-to-day with a wrist injury. Zach Collins is out for the season for the Bulls with a toe problem, as is Noa Essengue with a shoulder injury.
Prediction
ESPN gives the Knicks an 82% chance to win. Oh, they’d better. Last night, the Knicks opened the game strong, then looked dead in the water for two quarters until Jose Alvarado injected life into them. Is Jose your new favorite Knick, yet? Or do you still cling to Bridges like a weird old Teddy? (Bear, Ruxpin, Pendergrass—whatever you’re into.)
Chicago also played at home last night, in a 16-point loss to Detroit that would have been uglier if not for a 34-point fourth quarter. We doubt the Bulls are even playing for pride at this point, so the Knicks’ bench should take care of business and let the starters cool their heels. Knicks by a dozen.
Game Details
Date: Sunday, February 22, 2026 Time: 8 PM ET Place: United Center, Chicago, IL TV: MSG Follow: @ptknicksblog and bsky
* Should be one more, but the Cup final was just an acid flashback.
After a tough slate coming out of the All-Star break, the Charlotte Hornets look to get back on track as they battle the Washington Wizards on Sunday.
My Hornets vs Wizards prediction and free NBA picks expect the visitors to dominate the lottery-bound home team.
Hornets vs Wizards prediction
Hornets vs Wizards best bet: Hornets -11.5 (-110)
The Charlotte Hornets have played tough but come up short in close losses to both the Rockets and the Cavaliers, but they’ve remained a solid cover team, going 7-1-0 against the spread in their last eight.
The Washington Wizards swept a two-game home set against the Pacers, but Indiana had so many regulars out, it’s hard to imagine they’ll be able to match that effort when the competition levels up.
The Wiz did play the Hornets tough last game in a 4-point loss, but that’s the outlier: Charlotte has slammed them the two other times, winning by at least 17 points in each.
Hornets vs Wizards same-game parlay
Kon Knueppel has been lighting it up from distance of late, nailing at least four 3-pointers in six of his last nine games. Against the Wiz, he’s drilled five moneyballs twice in three games.
Brandon Miller’s scoring has dipped in February, scoring 24 points or more just twice in seven games. He’s yet to hit 24+ points in two meetings with Washington this year.
Hornets vs Wizards SGP
Hornets -11.5
Knueppel Over 3.5 threes
Miller Under 23.5 points
Our "from downtown" SGP: Wizards feel the sting
Let’s roll out a big SGP for the rest of the Hornets’ starters that are on the board.
LaMelo Ball has gone Under 7.5 assists in six of seven games, but take the Over as he’s doled out at least nine dimes in each of the three games against Washington this year.
Ryan Kalkbrenner is coming off a season-high 13 rebounds in a season-high 36 minutes. With Miles Bridges and Moussa Diabate still serving suspensions, he’ll be a prominent big man for Charlotte on Sunday.
Hornets vs Wizards SGP
Hornets -11.5
Knueppel Over 3.5 threes
Miller Under 23.5 points
Ball Over 7.5 assists
Kalkbrenner Over 7.5 assists
Hornets vs Wizards odds
Spread: Hornets -11.5 | Wizards +11.5
Moneyline: Hornets -602 | Wizards +450
Over/Under: Over 226.5 | Under 226.5
Hornets vs Wizards betting trend to know
Charlotte has nine straight wins as a betting favorite. Find more NBA betting trends for Hornets vs. Wizards.
How to watch Hornets vs Wizards
Location
Capital One Arena, Washington, D.C.
Date
Sunday, February 22, 2026
Tip-off
6:00 p.m. ET
TV
FDSN Southeast Charlotte, Monumental SN
Hornets vs Wizards latest injuries
Not intended for use in MA. Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - FEBRUARY 21: Actor Spike Lee reacts during the fourth quarter between the Houston Rockets and New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on February 21, 2026 in New York City. 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 Ishika Samant/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Knicks looked like they were about to put us into another deep depression…
…until they didn’t. Oh, boy, they didn’t.
Here’s everything to know about the night in which New York sent KD back to Twitter.
Mike Brown: "In the huddle to start the 4th KAT said 'Hey––at the end of the day it starts defensively'…And he led the charge on that end of the floor" pic.twitter.com/Y7vZwR5Srr
“We found a way, that’s what I’m most excited about; we found a way.”
On Towns’ role in the Knicks’ scoring hierarchy:
“Knowing that those two guys are our leading scorer, our second-leading scorer [Jalen Brunson and Towns], first-most shots, second-most shots; trying to fit those two guys in that order and then everybody else is what’s most important. I look at KAT and he’s probably right where he should be. Maybe he should be the leading scorer, I don’t know, but for sure the second-leading scorer — he’s that. He gets the second-most field goal attempts behind Jalen. … The No. 1 guy is probably gonna get the most stuff, because he’s the No. 1 guy. The No. 2 guy, he’s gonna get the second-most stuff because he’s the No. 2. So whatever you do, hopefully it averages out to you getting the second most, if you’re the No. 2 guy.”
On trying to simplify the offense:
“We’ve simplified it a lot. We’ve simplified it a lot to try to fit him in and everyone else at the same time. … Our offense is different now than it was in the preseason because I’ve had to try to adjust and make it fit everybody to where Jalen’s getting his first, KAT’s getting his second, then we go from there.”
On Brunson in crunch time vs. Houston:
“Jalen was in a groove. It didn’t matter who was on him; he found a way to score.”
On the fourth-quarter defense:
“In the fourth quarter, our guys found a way. They buckled down defensively.”
On Alvarado spark decision:
“[Assistant coach] Rick Brunson was the one that suggested throwing Jose in the game at the time, which was the right call. We threw Jose in, and he gave us a spark on both ends of the floor.”
On Jose and Tyler Kolek reps:
“Jose’s played, obviously. Jose’s played well for us. He’s given us a different look. Tyler’s been awesome, for Year 2. He has a chance to be a good pro, really good pro. He’s just gotta stick with it, and we gotta keep trying to help him by finding ways for him to get reps. So today was a good opportunity for us to find a way for him to get a rep.”
On evolving offense philosophy:
“If you watch us closely from the beginning of preseason until now, our offense is different. And it’s different because… it’s evolving to try and fit not just Jalen, not just KAT, but all of our guys. Knowing that those two guys are our leading scorer, our second leading scorer, first most shots, second most shots; trying to fit those two guys in that order and then everybody else is what’s most important.”
On Towns’ season evaluation:
“In a game, you can literally dissect every single game and say this guy didn’t get a shot. And yeah, that’s correct. It happens sometimes. That’s life. Sometimes OG [Anunoby] may have 15 shots and KAT may have nine shots and Jalen may have 26 shots. But as long as at the end of the day it averages out to what it needs to be or what it should be, I think that’s what the season’s about. (The offense is) a work in progress. You’ve gotta continue to feel and evolve as a group and hopefully you can do it around the guys that you need to knowing, ‘OK if this doesn’t work, I’ve gotta go and change this,’ and like I said earlier, our offense is different from now than it was in the preseason because I’ve had to try to adjust and make it fit everybody to where Jalen’s getting his first, KAT’s getting his second, then we go from there.”
On his time with the Warriors and the team’s ever-adjusting with Durant:
“Even our teams in Golden State, when we got KD, we had to change. It was a little different before KD, and KD gets here, we had to change it, and then as the season went along, we were like, okay this is not gonna work, we’ve gotta change it.”
“I just challenged our team to start the fourth. I said, ‘we can win this game and I’ve seen us do it and it starts with the first possession of the fourth quarter playing defense. We gotta get a stop.’ I wanted to do my part as well and glad I was able to find a way to get that stop and from then I wanted to set the tone for our team and set the intensity level that we needed to play for for 12 minutes if we expected to come out with a win.”
On the Knicks’ defense on Saturday:
“We got stops. We got turnovers and that translated into offense and it gave us a confidence boost, that momentum. The crowd was amazing, all 15 guys on the team were amazing.”
On prioritizing the championship over individual performances, in response to Shaq:
“Nah, for sure. But what you said, too, if we win a championship, they can talk about anybody as long as we all get a ring. That’s the most important thing. I don’t care about none of that.
“I wanna make sure we all understand that the biggest goal, the main goal here, is to win. It don’t matter about who gets the credit or whatever.”
“Didn’t like how I was playing. Decided that I had to switch it; that simple. It’s the mentality of trying to get downhill, make plays, not being hesitant, not being passive. If there are mistakes, they’re aggressive mistakes. Don’t want to be on your heels. I just feel like the first two quarters, I was.”
“It’s always gonna [feel] amazing. It’s kind of like a pride thing I got. It’s like when I play for my national team [Puerto Rico] or my country, I’m playing for my hometown, and I’m always gonna have to represent on another level, and just compete.”
On building rhythm with the team:
“Just getting a real rhythm. Like I’ve said, it just comes with spending time with the guys and being around them and slowly getting it. But we’re passing that, we’re in rhythm now so we’ve got a good stretch ahead of us and we’re trying to do something special here.”
On doing little things in the comeback:
“Sometimes it’s not gonna be shots falling and you gotta do the little things, get steals, and do that. But it’s always gonna be a different type of motor when I put that jersey on. I’m from here, and I gotta represent the best way I can.”
This Shaq/KAT convo got REAL awkward:
Shaq: If you guys win the chip, they'll talk about Brunson. You have to be dominant
KAT: They can talk about anybody as long as we get a ring thats the most important thing
“At the beginning of the game, I said you were playing soft because I’ve seen you at times when you play great. And what you must understand in New York, you need to be great for you guys to win the championship. It’s high aspirations. If you guys win the championship, of course, they’re gonna talk about [Jalen] Brunson, but it’s you and your play. You have to be dominant. You responded very, very well. You played well, you played in the paint, that’s how you should play. You should always play great. Being from Jersey, good ain’t good enough. You had a great game tonight. I’m proud of you.”
Jun 21, 2017; Kansas City, MO, USA; A detail view of a statue of Satchel Paige on display during a presentation at the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-Imagn Images
If you were faced to win one game, which nine players and starting pitcher would you have in a Cleveland starting lineup?
You can answer by sorting by WAR and wRC+, or by OPS and batting average. You can look and peak and longevity. You can go by your favorites and guys for whom injuries derailed promising careers.
Is it Jim Thome at first base and Jose Ramirez at third?
Is it Bob Feller, Satchel Paige or Corey Kluber on the mound?
Is it Lou Boudreau or Omar Vizquel at short?
Is it Tris Speaker, Kenny Lofton or Grady Sizemore in center?
Is it Travis Hafner or Eddie Murray or Andre Thornton at DH?
It’s one game for all the marbles so marshall your memories and tell us which 10 Cleveland Indians/Guardians you would be lining up to win it all!
Feb 21, 2026; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Cleveland Guardians right fielder Nolan Jones (22), left, is congratulated by Cleveland Guardians first baseman Kyle Manzardo (9) after hitting a 3-run home run in the fifth inning against the Milwaukee Brewers at American Family Fields of Phoenix. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images | Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
The Guardians started off Spring Training 2-0, with wins against the Reds and the Brewers.
Nick has highlights here for you. Homers from Nolan Jones and Cooper Ingle headlined the day. Good at-bats from Travis Bazzana, David Fry and Gabriel Arias were also nice to see.
The Guardians play the Athletics at 3:05PM ET today. Baseball back on an everyday basis – what a joy!
SARASOTA, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 16: Zach Eflin #24 and Chris Bassitt #40 of the Baltimore Orioles smile during practice at Ed Smith Stadium on February 16, 2026 in Sarasota, Florida. (Photo by Todd Olszewski/Baltimore Orioles/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Hello, friends.
There are now 32 days remaining until Orioles Opening Day. They’ll be playing near-daily exhibitions from now until March 23. Yesterday’s game was an 8-2 loss to the Pirates, helped along by Dietrich Enns managing to give up six runs in one-third of an inning. The O’s hit the road for the first time today, with a 1:05 game coming against the Tigers. This will be broadcast on 98 Rock (97.9 FM) in the Baltimore area, with no local TV broadcast. The Tigers network is not doing a broadcast either.
Tough luck if you want to see anyone who is playing today. Or tomorrow or Tuesday. Although MASN is airing a lot more games this spring, there are gaps and those gaps are largely concentrated in the early games of the schedule. If you were watching yesterday, you got to see quite a few prospects get a little game action. Hope you enjoyed it while you could. There will be no live feed of Orioles baseball to help you feel warmer as it snows back in the home territory of Birdland today.
Not much to say about the exhibition games yet. The Orioles have played two fake games and they have one win and one loss. Probably not a ton to draw about today’s game either, since as a road game early in spring it’ll probably feature the bare minimum number of major league regulars required. There is an actual rule about this, which I believe was prompted because a number of years ago the Red Sox sent too many jabronis out on their early spring games and it was enough to make the commissioner’s office unhappy.
Notes on Eflin and Baz live BP, the plan for Kremer, and more (School of Roch) Zach Eflin and Shane Baz did live batting practice sessions before yesterday’s game. Roch notes that questions remain about whether Eflin will make the Opening Day roster.
Nothing of particular note is recorded on this day in Orioles history. Unless there’s bad news, that probably won’t change today.
One current member of Orioles camp has a birthday today. Happy 29th to pitcher José Espada, who pitched three scoreless innings in one game with the team last year. Former Orioles who were born today: 2016 reliever Brian Duensing, 2014 infielder Kelly Johnson, 2005 outfielder Ramón Nivar, 2006 pitcher John Halama, Maryland-born 1960-67 pitcher Steve Barber, and 1954 one-game pitcher Ryne Duren. Though he allowed two earned runs in two innings of his MLB debut with the Orioles, Duren made it back to MLB several years later and carved out a ten-year career.
Is today your birthday? Happy birthday to you! Your birthday buddies for today include: general and 1st president George Washington (1732), baseball Hall of Fame manager Sparky Anderson (1934), basketball Hall of famer Julius Erving (1950), actor Kyle MacLachlan (1959), actress Rachel Dratch (1966), and actress Drew Barrymore (1975).
On this day in history…
In 1076, pope Gregory VII, not the pope Gregory the calendar is named after, excommunicated the reigning Holy Roman Emperor, Henry IV, in response to Henry sending Gregory a letter demanding that Gregory abdicate the papacy.
In 1819, Spain and the United States signed the Adams-Onís Treaty, which provided that in two years time, Spain would sell Florida to the US for $5 million. The sale occurred two years later as indicated by the treaty.
In 1848, people in Paris sparked a revolution that, within three days, led to the abdication of the king, abolition of the revived monarchy, and the formation of the Second French Republic. This was the first of a wave of revolutions across Europe in 1848, though ultimately none were as successful in their goals as the French one.
In 1889, President Grover Cleveland signed the bill permitting the admittance of North and South Dakota, Montana, and Washington into the United States.
In 1980, the US men’s hockey team defeated the Soviet Union in Olympic competition by a 4-3 score, a game known in sporting lore simply as the “Miracle on Ice.” The American team went on to defeat Finland in the gold medal game. The 2026 men’s hockey team will play for a gold medal against the Canadian team today.
A random Orioles trivia question
I received a book of Orioles trivia for Christmas. I’ll ask a question each time it’s my turn in this space until I run out of questions or forget. The book gives multiple choice answers, which I typically think would be too easy for us but I’ll give you a chance at today’s question:
In what year was the B&O Warehouse built?
A. 1904
B. 1896
C. 1900
D. 1913
If you’re answering early in the day, please be considerate and use spoiler text in your comment so that others arriving later can still feel they get a fresh crack at the question. Thanks!
**
And that’s the way it is in Birdland on February 22. Have a safe Sunday.
The Milwaukee Bucks welcome the Toronto Raptors to Fiserv Forum on Sunday afternoon as both teams look to stay in the win column following the All-Star break.
Both teams will be missing key players today, but the visitors’ depth and defense will give them the edge.
I’ll break down the pick in my Raptors vs. Bucks predictions and NBA picks for Sunday, February 22.
Raptors vs Bucks prediction
Raptors vs Bucks best bet: Raptors -3 (-110)
The Toronto Raptors will be without Scottie Barnes, but the Milwaukee Bucks might be in even rougher shape with Giannis Antetokounmpo sidelined and Myles Turner listed as questionable.
Milwaukee has the fifth-worst offense in the NBA, and they’ll be even more crippled without Giannis, who’s scoring 28 ppg — 25% of the Bucks’ points.
The Raps don’t need to outscore you to win — they’ve got the eighth-best defense in the league and have allowed just 108.5 ppg over their last six contests.
Toronto also has a 63% win rate on the road, tied for sixth-best in the NBA.
Raptors vs Bucks same-game parlay
Brandon Ingram scored 33 points in his first contest back from the All-Star Game, with his 26 field goal attempts tying his second-highest mark this season. He’s also hit Over 24.5 points in five of his last eight games.
With Barnes out, Ingram will be Toronto’s main man on offense again.
Raptors vs Bucks SGP
Raptors -3
Ingram Over 24.5 points
Our "from downtown" SGP: Rollin' in the deep
The Bucks are 24th in opponent three-point percentage and 26th in threes allowed per game, so Ingram, RJ Barrett, and Immanuel Quickley should rain down plenty of points from downtown.
Ryan Rollins has been hot from long range for Milwaukee, hitting Over 2.5 threes in six of his last seven, while Cameron Thomas is averaging 1.6 threes per game this year.
Raptors vs Bucks SGP
Brandon Ingram Over 1.5 threes made
RJ Barrett Over 1.5 threes made
Immanuel Quickly Over 2.5 threes made
Ryan Rollins Over 2.5 threes made
Cameron Thomas Over 1.5 threes made
Raptors vs Bucks odds
Spread: Raptors -3 | Bucks +3
Moneyline: Raptors -150 | Bucks +125
Over/Under: Over 220 | Under 220
Raptors vs Bucks betting trend to know
The Raptors have hit the Under in 32 of their last 50 games (+12.20 Units / 22% ROI). Find more NBA betting trends for Raptors vs. Bucks.
How to watch Raptors vs Bucks
Location
Fiserv Forum, Milwaukee, WI
Date
Sunday, February 22, 2026
Tip-off
3:30 p.m. ET
TV
TSN, FDSN Wisconsin
Raptors vs Bucks latest injuries
Not intended for use in MA. Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
Alexis Mac Allister scored in injury time, after having a previous goal ruled out, to snatch a Liverpool win
Eric Peterson gets in touch: “I wouldn’t mind Wayne Rooney pulling on an old Everton kit and getting on some podcast to remind Arne Slot, “Easy there, sport. You say that the only thing you and Jurgen Klopp have in common is that you both won the league. That’s not true. You both won the league with Jurgen’s team. Whether you can build a champion of your own is a different question.”
Arne Slot just spoke to Sky, starting with Dominik Szoboszlai at full-back: “He needs to be because that’s what we need. We have our issues, especially in defence. Missing our 2 fullbacks, but Dominic has done that job really well. Last week, Curtis Jones, did his job really well. So that’s the good thing about midfielders, they are usually able to play in more positions than only in the midfields.
Tempe, AZ - February 21, 2026: Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto (18) pitches in the first inning at Diablo Stadium, Tempe, AZ on February 21, 2026. (Eric Thayer / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
Dodger baseball is officially back in session, and it began on Saturday with a thunderous 15-2 victory over the Angels at Tempe Diablo Stadium.
Getting the nod for the cactus opener was the reigning World Series MVP Yoshinobu Yamamoto, who tossed 29 pitches over 1 2/3 innings, allowing two runs (one earned) while striking out three and allowing zero walks. For added benefit, his offense supplied him with a nine-run cushion entering his final frame of work.
The Dodgers’ six-run second inning gave Yamamoto a wide gap between innings, where he allowed the Angels’ only offense of the day. He remarked that he still felt great on the mound and is feeling well ahead of his next cactus start, per Sonja Chen of MLB.com.
“I was already feeling good,” Yamamoto said. “And then somehow I was able to carry that to today’s game, especially the first inning. I think I was great, but due to the gap between innings, that affected me a little bit.”
“Oh, is he?” a visibly surprised Roberts said before letting out a big laugh after Saturday’s 15-2 rout of the Angels. “I was in between, but then I was like, I didn’t want to miss him for sure. So that’s good that he confirmed that, that’s great.”
Links
With an open runway to assume the starting second base job at the beginning of the regular season, Hyeseong Kim made quite the impression on Saturday, going 2-3 with a pair of singles and three RBI. Kim spoke with Kirsten Watson of SportsNet LA about his performance on Saturday, noting that he spent time this offseason working on his lower body movements.
“I spent a lot of time practicing my lower body movements, and luckily I was able to get some good results today.”
Hyeseong Kim (2-3, 3 RBI, R) discusses playing for Team Korea in the WBC, his strong start to Spring Training, his comfortability in year 2 and his skin care routine. @kirsten_watsonpic.twitter.com/wVOERvprCy
The Dodgers had a 50 percent success rate in using the new Automated Ball-Strike (ABS) system, but don’t expect them to use it with high frequency. Anthony Solorzano of the Los Angeles Times writes about how the Dodgers will implement the ABS system, noting that they will take a more conservative approach when challenging balls and strikes.
“It’s good that we’re practicing in spring, but we’re having conversations about leverage and how to use it to our advantage.”
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Duke basketball and coach Jon Scheyer got exactly what it wanted against Michigan — a March test in February.
The No. 3 Blue Devils (25-2, 13-1 ACC) took down No. 1-ranked Michigan (25-2, 15-1 Big Ten), 68-63, on a neutral floor at Capital One Arena, a venue that could host Duke again for the NCAA Tournament’s East Regional where Duke is projected to be a No. 1 seed.
And it looked the part.
"That was a game that didn't feel like that was played in February, that felt like a March or April game," Scheyer said.
It was the highest attended college basketball neutral-site game, with 20,537 fans in attendance.
Cameron Boozer posted a team-high 18 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists in the win, where Duke outrebounded Michigan 41-28 and dominated in the paint, 34-24. Duke used a 6-0 run to regain the lead and close the first half up, 35-33, a lead it did not relinquish for the remainder of the contest. Michigan got within one twice in the second half, but that's as close as the Wolverines could get.
Scheyer went into the game knowing it would be a great test for his team. While he said he did not necessarily learn anything new from his squad, he instead saw growth.
"I see the connectivity on defense," he said. "I see the plays they're making on offense of how to win in March and how to win going forward. And that's the biggest thing that I saw.
"I think there's a lot that we could have done better, and I think that's a good thing. It doesn't diminish how proud I am of our team. I think we still can get a lot better, but I think we've done that. I think this was just the next step in order to prove that, to show it."
For junior guard Caleb Foster, who finished with 12 points, four rebound and four assists, the atmosphere reflected that of one come March.
"It definitely felt like a tournament game, obviously going against Michigan and then having a neutral site in the environment, both Michigan and Duke fans," Foster said. "It was a great environment to play in."
While Scheyer emphasized staying in the present, he didn’t shy away from recognizing how much Saturday’s environment could matter later.
"I do know this game helped us understand what a tournament environment is," he said. "... I'm thankful for this, just this whole event, the game, because I think it really simulates what it's going to be and whether we have an opportunity to play in Washington or not, this helped us a lot."
Anna Snyder covers Duke for The Fayetteville Observer as part of the USA TODAY Network. Reach her at asnyder@usatodayco.com or follow her @annaesnydr on X, formerly known as Twitter.
MILWAUKEE, WI - DECEMBER 18: Kevin Porter Jr. #7 of the Milwaukee Bucks drives to the basket during the game against the Toronto Raptors on December 18, 2025 at Fiserv Forum Center 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2025 NBAE (Photo by Gary Dineen/NBAE via Getty Images). | NBAE via Getty Images
The Milwaukee Bucks are back in Fiserv this afternoon, playing host to the Toronto Raptors. This game begins a stretch in which they play nine out of their next 10 games at home. With Giannis out, the Bucks have found a nice groove with their recruits. That said, we should also acknowledge that the Bucks have had a favorable schedule of late and/or played banged-up teams. This game should be a good barometer of where they’re at (though the Bucks catch something of a break with Scottie Barnes being out). Milwaukee is 1-2 against Toronto this season.
Where We’re At
As mentioned, the Bucks have won six of their last seven. They just came off a W over their pick-swap nemesis, the Pelicans, and beat the Thunder and Magic before the All-Star break. Over the aforementioned seven-game stretch, the Bucks have the seventh-best net rating in the NBA (fourth on offence, 17th on defence). One stat I found quite interesting was that, even though it feels like the Bucks have been moving the ball more, they actually rank 26th in assist percentage across that seven-game stretch. So in reality, it’s been more about the isolation scorers (namely Cam Thomas and Kevin Porter Jr.) getting into their bags more than anything else—which is maybe a little concerning?
The Raptors, winners of three of their last four, have made the jump they intended to make this year after trading for Brandon Ingram in the middle of last season. They are no longer a team hanging at the bottom of the standings. The primary reason for that has been their defence, which ranks fifth for the season and 11th over the last five games. Of course, the recent drop-off could be tied to their anchor, Jakob Poeltl, missing significant time due to a back injury. However, Poeltl’s absence has opened the door for their lottery pick, Collin Murray-Boyles, to start and flourish in a larger role. Poeltl is back now, but Murray-Boyles has remained the starter. Seems like a positive long-term for the Raps.
Injury Report
For the Bucks, Giannis (calf) and Taurean Prince (neck) are out. Myles Turner (calf) is questionable.
For the Raptors, Scottie Barnes (personal) is the only out.
Player To Watch
Let’s go with Cam Thomas. Since getting real minutes from the second game against Orlando, CT has averaged 24.3 PPG. I mean, he just diced the Pelicans’ defence; it’s going to be interesting to see how he fairs against the Raptors, though. This is a team that backs itself to switch at an elite level. They have a trove of lanky, strong wings (as is Toronto tradition), and a bunch of hard-nosed guards. One of those guards is Jamal Shead, who, if you haven’t watched him, might be one of the NBA’s best point-of-attack defenders; no, I’m not exaggerating. Cam will likely have to deal with Shead for much of the game—it will be interesting to see if he can still score at the same rate.
How To Watch
FanDuel Sports Network Wisconsin at 2:30 p.m. CST.
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - MARCH 04: Anthony Edwards #5 of the Minnesota Timberwolves dribbles the ball against Paul George #8 of the Philadelphia 76ers in the second quarter at Target Center on March 04, 2025 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. 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 David Berding/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Philadelphia 76ers Date: February 22nd, 2026 Time: 6:00 PM CST Location: Target Center Television Coverage: FanDuel Sports Network – North Radio Coverage: KFAN FM, Wolves App, iHeart Radio
The Wolves survived their first post–All-Star break game by taking what looked like a chill Friday night win over Dallas and turning it into a full emotional cardio session that required a late-game Anthony Edwards rescue mission.
Of course they did.
For a while, it looked like we were getting the “responsible adult” version of Minnesota that comes out humming, defending, sprinting, moving the ball, and stacking a lead. They jumped Dallas early, built a sizable cushion by the end of the first quarter, kept the momentum rolling into the second… and then the Rudy Gobert flagrant happened.
And I swear, the moment they went to the monitor, it was like someone hit pause on Minnesota’s soul.
The stoppage. The review. The weird dead-air energy that comes from watching referees freeze-frame a boxout like it’s the Zapruder film. The Target Center crowd going from “we’re cooking tonight” to “uh oh, we’ve seen this movie.” It’s the exact same script that played out when the Suns were in town and Gobert got hit with a flagrant two against Mark Williams.
When play resumed, the Wolves weren’t the same. Dallas suddenly had life. The lead started leaking. The Mavericks crept within 12 at halftime, and then came the third quarter. Minnesota came out flat, Dallas came out sharp, and that 18-point lead evaporated until the game was tied.
You could feel it. The Wolves were about to do the thing again. The thing where they take a game that’s supposed to be a comfortable cruise and turn it into a late-night therapy appointment. And then Ant checked in midway through the fourth, threw on the cape, and basically told Dallas, “This was fun, but I have stuff to do.”
That’s what stars do. They end the nonsense.
Ant picked Dallas apart from every level. He was getting downhill, finishing through contact, hitting the midrange stuff that feels like the final form of his offense, then pulling out those patented momentum threes.
This wasn’t just “Ant got hot.” This was controlled domination. The kind you only see from a guy who knows exactly where the game is going and decides he’s not letting it go there.
Rudy Gobert was also huge. The Mavericks had no answer for him on the glass. He cleaned up rebounds, finished putbacks, gave Minnesota easy points when the offense got a little sticky, and generally made life miserable around the rim. Which is why the flagrant is so brutal. Now that he’s suspended, Sunday against Philly beomes that much more difficult.
Naz was the third key performer, acting as the perfect antidote to the Wolves’ inevitable offensive lulls. Threes, paint buckets, quick-hitter offense. When the offense starts looking like it’s moving through wet cement, Naz is one of the few guys who can just… generate.
Now Comes the Sixers Game: No Rudy, No Excuses
So the Wolves get Philadelphia at Target Center on Sunday, trying to make it four straight, and they’ll have to do it without the guy who basically serves as their defensive operating system.
The loss of Gobert is monumental, especially for a team that has periodically treated defense like a suggestion this season. Without Rudy as the safety net, Minnesota’s margin for error gets smaller, and the habits become everything.
The good news? Sometimes the Wolves weirdly thrive when the situation gets harder. They’ll play like maniacs against OKC, then sleepwalk against the Jazz. They’ll show up for Denver, then treat New Orleans like a preseason scrimmage. It makes no sense, but it’s been real all season.
And with that, here are the keys to the game…
#1: Everyone Has to Defend Like Rudy’s Watching From the Stands
Without Gobert, Minnesota cannot afford lazy blow-bys, sloppy closeouts, or that “Rudy will clean it up” mindset, because Rudy will be in street clothes.
This becomes a perimeter accountability game.
Jaden McDaniels has to be a menace. Ayo Dosunmu has to pressure the ball. Ant has to lock in when he’s guarding a primary creator. Julius has to give real resistance instead of “turnstile-and-pray.”
Because if Philly starts living at the rim, Minnesota’s defense will unravel quickly.
#2: Julius and Naz Have to Own the Paint
No Rudy means the rebounding burden shifts immediately to Randle and Reid. They have to clean the glass like it’s their job, because for this game, it is. If the Wolves lose the paint battle and the rebounding battle, they’re basically spotting Philly extra possessions and extra confidence.
#3: Keep the Ball Moving
Minnesota actually did a solid job sharing the ball against Dallas. When the Wolves move it, they get cleaner looks, they play faster, and the offense feels inevitable. When the offense stagnates, it turns into late-clock Ant bailouts, Randle dribbling into traffic, contested jumpers, and turnovers that lead to runouts.
The Wolves don’t need “pretty.” They need connected. Make the extra pass. Keep everyone engaged. Make Philly guard actions, not just talent.
#4: Lean Into the Spacing Advantage
Here’s the weird silver lining: without Gobert, Minnesota can play five-out or at least five-threats lineups more often. That means the paint is less crowded. So instead of mourning what Rudy does offensively (putbacks, lobs), Minnesota needs to weaponize what his absence opens up: more driving lanes.
You can’t replace Gobert’s defense, but you can make Philly pay on the other end by spacing them out and attacking.
#5: Ant Has to Put His Superstar Stamp on This One
Ant followed up the All-Star MVP weekend with a 40-piece. Now he gets a real test: short-handed, higher stakes, tougher opponent, and momentum on the line.
He needs to outshine Tyrese Maxey. He needs to control the game emotionally and tactically. He needs to score and facilitate, because without Rudy, Minnesota’s safety net is gone. And when the safety net is gone, your superstar has to become the floor and the ceiling.
But here’s the important part: He needs to do it within the flow. No hero-ball spirals. No heat-check threes with 18 seconds on the shot clock because you’re mad about a missed call. Pick spots, bend the defense, make the right play, then punish them when they overreact.
This is what “face of the league” looks like in February: not highlights… control.
This Is a “Prove You’re Serious” Game
The league just tied a hand behind Minnesota’s back with the Gobert suspension. The Wolves don’t get to whine about it, not if they’re serious about climbing from the 6-seed into the home-court range.
This is a game that will tell us something. If Minnesota shows up locked in defensively, shares the ball, wins the rebounding battle by committee, and lets Ant steer the ship like a grown-up superstar? That’s a team building real momentum into March.
If they come out sloppy, casual, turnover-prone, and surprised that Philly doesn’t roll over? That’s the Wolves doing their thing again.
They don’t need perfection Sunday.
They need professionalism.
Because if you’re going to make a real run in April and May, you better learn how to survive a February game without your Defensive Player of the Year.
TAMPA, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 17: Jazz Chisholm Jr. #13 of the New York Yankees poses for a photo during Spring Training Photo Day at George M. Steinbrenner Field on February 17, 2026 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The New York Yankees enter the 2026 season with a plethora of choices to pick for their leadoff spot. That said, one might be tempted to claim this team doesn’t have a prototypical leadoff hitter, but to do so, one would have to determine what makes a prototypical leadoff hitter these days. In 2026, the best leadoff hitters get on base by any means necessary, and any lineup aspiring to be one of the more productive offenses in the game has quite a few of those. At this point, flat-out good hitters dominate the top spot; guys like Kyle Schwarber, Shohei Ohtani, and Ronald Acuña Jr have become signature leadoff guys, though no one would’ve batted an eye to see them hit second, or even third or fourth.
The Yankees have number of good hitters, which means they have a number of options to bat first. Joshua Diemert wrote recently about the merits of Ben Rice as a potential option in the number one spot in the Yankee lineup —he made great points that align with some of what I’ll say today, trying to make a case for Jazz Chisholm Jr.
Our focus is that most of the other alternatives, Rice and Trent Grisham, specifically, are coming off two productive seasons that deviate quite a bit from the expectations surrounding them. As much as the underlying data supports them carrying on, at least to some extent, the less pressure on them to repeat, the better. Neither has a long track record of elite hitting, and allowing them to continue to prove themselves lower in the order could prove beneficial.
The qualifying offer was always a likely outcome for Grisham’s return—as much as the Yankees needed him back, it would be very difficult to justify a long-term deal off one season from a hitter with a below league-average batting line in each of the prior three campaigns. Rice is coming off a breakout season, but only a year before, he managed to play himself out of a starting role on a team that had no other suitable options for his position. Rice’s 9.4% walk rate last year is pretty good, but it’s not necessarily the anchor to justify a spot leading off on its own.
Someone playing devil’s advocate could argue that many of the concerns voiced above regarding choosing Rice or Grisham for that spot also ring true with Chisholm. But for all the ups and downs in his career, Jazz had already established himself at a productive level before joining the Yankees, and with the projection of a walk rate similar to Rice, his speed is best utilized in the leadoff spot. Since joining New York, Chisholm has a success rate in stolen absences of roughly 83 percent, swiping 49 bags on 59 attempts. Who is more likely to suffer more with the threat of Jazz running and Aaron Judge up at the plate? Judge and Chisholm themselves, or the pitcher? I would posit that there’s a decent chance that, leading off, Chisholm’s already stellar steal success rate would improve even further if he was taking leads off first base while pitchers were concerned with dealing with the best hitter
Chisholm got on base just as much as Rice a year ago, and I think it’s a pretty fair to claim that at this time, he is better suited for the pressure of hitting in front of Judge—a pressure that can turn into a gift if he performs, as no one is likelier to see more pitches to hit than the player hitting in front of the reigning back-to-back AL MVP. Maybe Chisholm won’t win MVP, like he’s said he hopes to, but he’s a great choice to hit at the top of the Yankee lineup nonetheless.
