Florida Panthers winger Brad Marchand was forced to exit last night’s game against the St. Louis Blues with an undisclosed injury.
Coach Paul Maurice spoke to the media following the game, stating that Marchand would be looked at “tonight and tomorrow,” per Florida Hockey Now’s George Richards.
Marchand had skated in just 11:19 of ice time before exiting the game. The 37-year-old had played the first two periods but did not join the team when they took the ice for the third period.
Marchand had recently returned after missing six games following a collision with Toronto Maple Leafs winger Bobby McMann. He played four games in his return, scoring two goals and four points. This season, Marchand has notched 25 goals and 50 points in 45 games.
The Panthers now find themselves eight points back of the Boston Bruins for the second wild card spot, although they have played two fewer games than the Bruins. If Marchand is out long-term, it would greatly affect the Panthers’ chances of making the playoffs.
It would also affect his ability to play for Team Canada at the Olympics. The NHL pauses its schedule in a week, and the Panthers are set to play four more games.
More information will hopefully be provided when the Panthers practice and Maurice speaks to the media.
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PALLEKELE, Sri Lanka (AP) — Fast bowler Sam Curran became the second Englishman to achieve a Twenty20 hat trick as Sri Lanka was beaten by 11 runs in a rain-affected series opener on Friday.
Rain allowed only 17 overs to Sri Lanka, which was all out for 133 with four balls unused. England was cruising to victory when rain ended its innings after 15 overs. But at 125-4 England won by the DLS method.
Curran was smashed for 35 runs in his first two overs but made a stunning comeback by taking three wickets in three balls in his last over to finish with 3-38. Sri Lanka was dismissed two balls later. The only other England men's T20 hat trick was by Chris Jordan against the United States at the 2024 T20 World Cup.
The three-match series is a final tune-up before next week's T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka.
Curran’s expensive first two overs helped Sri Lanka surge to 76-1 after seven overs thanks to Kusal Mendis and Pathum Nissanka.
But spinners Adil Rashid (3-19) and Liam Dawson (2-31) ripped out the middle order. Curran added his hat trick and Jamie Overton took the last wicket.
England made a blazing start to the chase when Phil Salt smashed Maheesh Theekshana for 6-4-4 off the first three balls. Jos Buttler welcomed fast bowler Eshan Malinga with four straight boundaries.
The Sri Lanka fielders were sloppy. Salt top-scored with 46 runs off 35 balls but was dropped on 17 off the bowling of Wanindu Hasaranga and on 41 off Matheesha Pathirana by Nissanka. Another Nissanka drop also cost Pathirana taking Harry Brook's wicket on 11.
Tom Banton smashed 29 off 15 balls with some attractive reverse-swept boundaries and Brook was a casual 16 not out.
The second match is on Sunday and the final game on Tuesday.
The Los Angeles Clippers and Denver Nuggets are two of this month’s best NBA storylines, and tonight’s matchup could yet prove to be a playoff preview.
Denver’s 10-6 mark without Nikola Jokic (and plenty of other starters) is beyond stunning, but L.A. has flipped the script even more dramatically, and my Clippers vs. Nuggets predictions expect Ty Lue’s squad to have revenge on their minds at Ball Arena.
Read on for my free NBA picks and betting tips for this January 30 clash.
Clippers vs Nuggets prediction
Clippers vs Nuggets best bet: Clippers -6.5 (-110)
There’s never a dull moment with these Los Angeles Clippers, and they’re authoring one of the great in-season turnarounds after a miserable 6-21 start.
Powered by Kawhi Leonard and James Harden, L.A. has won 16 of its past 19 contests. The next mission is avenging a Game 7 no-show in Denver in last year’s playoffs.
All the signs look promising. The Clippers are 8-2 ATS in their last 10 outings, and they’ve won five of their last six matchups away from Intuit Dome.
The visitors have also held opponents under the 110-point mark in eight of their last 10 games.
While the Denver Nuggets have surpassed expectations during a nightmare injury crisis, this is the kind of matchup where the absences of Nikola Jokic, Aaron Gordon, Christian Braun, and Cam Johnson will be felt.
Jamal Murray will have a huge burden to carry, with Kris Dunn shadowing him all night.
Denver has clearly unlocked newfound depth with extra minutes across the rotation, but four of its past seven wins have come against NBA minnows.
This is a different proposition against a veteran L.A. team, so I’m laying the points and trusting the Clippers to bring the intensity that was badly missing on their last visit to Mile High City.
Clippers vs Nuggets same-game parlay
Ivica Zubac had some big rebounding games in Denver in last season’s playoffs, and he’s nailed this Over in five of his past seven outings, including a 19-board effort against the Lakers last week.
His battle with Jonas Valanciunas will be key, and Zubac could feast against the Nuggets’ untested backup frontcourt options.
It’s tough to see the Clippers covering the spread without a dynamic Harden performance, so this assists pick is a natural SGP add.
The Beard ranks fourth in the NBA in assists this year, and he’s dished 9+ dimes in four of his past six games.
Clippers vs Nuggets SGP
Clippers -6.5
Ivica Zubac Over 10.5 rebounds
James Harden Over 8.5 assists
Our "from downtown" SGP: More boards for Hardaway
Tim Hardaway Jr. does most of his damage as a shooter, but he’s also quietly chipped in on the glass lately. He’s grabbed 3+ boards in four straight outings.
Over/Under: Over 210.5 (-110) | Under 210.5 (-110)
Clippers vs Nuggets betting trend to know
The Nuggets are 1-4 ATS in their last five home games. Find more NBA betting trends for Clippers vs. Nuggets.
How to watch Clippers vs Nuggets
Location
Ball Arena, Denver, CO
Date
Friday, January 30, 2026
Tip-off
9:00 p.m. ET
TV
FDSN SoCal, Altitude
Clippers vs Nuggets latest injuries
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Fort Myers, FL - February 21: Northeastern outfielder Cam Maldonado catches a fly ball for an out. (Photo by Danielle Parhizkaran/The Boston Globe via Getty Images) | Boston Globe via Getty Images
We’re so close to Spring Training! So close! And we’re surprisingly close to finishing our ranking of the top 44 prospects in the San Francisco Giants organization, too. The list marches on, as we gear up for real baseball once more.
The next name on the list is a newcomer: it’s outfielder Cam Maldonado, who makes his CPL debut as the No. 34 prospect in the system. Maldonado, who hits and fields right-handed, was the team’s seventh-round pick in July’s draft out of Northeastern, and received a signing bonus ($287,400) right in line with his draft position.
He got into 17 games after being drafted, all with Low-A San Jose, where he hit .237/.352/.339 for a .691 OPS and a 92 wRC+.
Maldonado, who turned 22 in November, has some big time tools, notably his speed. He stole five bases in his short stint with the Baby Giants (without getting caught), and in his three years of college ball he swiped 90 bags, while being caught just 13 times. But he’s no tweener: he also has some exciting power, and bopped 15 home runs in just 60 games in his final season with Northeastern, while sporting a .631 slugging percentage and a .279 isolated slugging.
The downsides are ones that are shared by a few of his prospects in this area of the list. The biggest hole in Maldonado’s game is that there’s a large amount of swing and miss. He K’d in 18.8% of his at-bats last year with Northeastern which, on the one hand, represented huge improvement over his 25.9% rate the year prior but, on the other hand, is still a way-too-high number for college, especially outside of a power conference.
Maldonado also has, despite his speed, some question marks surrounding his center field defense, though those question marks are more of the “unknown” variety than the “red flag” variety, which is the case with most outfielders getting ready for their first full season of affiliated ball. Needless to say, we’ll likely get some clarity on his defensive abilities in the upcoming year, and if he can play decently in center, that will make his offensive profile a lot greener. I’d expect him to return to San Jose to start the year, where he should play every day in the outfield, and hopefully see a lot of time in the center of the grass.
Now let’s add to the list, and we’ve got some new names to vote on today.
Note: Each player’s first name links to their Baseball-Reference page, and their last name links to their Fangraphs page.All stats are from the 2025 season.
There’s no photo available of Wisdom pitching, so here’s one of him blowing a bubble |
Patrick Wisdom had an interesting four years (plus two at-bats in the 2020 pandemic season) as a Cub.
He hit 28 home runs in just 106 games and 338 at-bats in 2021, setting a franchise rookie record. In a nine-game stretch not long after being called up from Triple-A Iowa, he hit .379/.438/1.138 (11-for-29) with seven home runs. That got him named NL Player of the Week. But he also struck out 12 times in that stretch, and as was the case for Matt Mervis, the K’s were his undoing.
Wisdom certainly had his moments. He hit 23 or more homers three straight years, and for a time played a decent third base. But his defense started to slip and so did his playing time. By 2024 he was a bit player, appearing in just 75 games and hitting .175 with eight home runs.
One of those 75 games included his pitching appearance in relief of Mervis in that awful April 27, 2024 game in Boston.
Pablo Reyes, the first hitter Wisdom faced, singled. That scored the sixth run of the inning, charged to Mervis. Then Wisdom walked Tyler O’Neill, which loaded the bases.
That brought up Wilyer Abreu, who had singled earlier in the inning off Mervis.
As you can see, the first baseman taking the throw was… Mervis, who moved back there after his disastrous pitching stint.
Wisdom played the 2025 season for the Kia Tigers in KBO. He batted .236/.321/.535 with 35 home runs in 119 games… and 142 strikeouts. That was enough for him to get a minor-league deal with the Mariners with a NRI to Spring Training, so we could potentially see him play against the Cubs March 12 at Sloan Park.
I wish Wisdom well. He was well-liked as a Cub and his 84 home runs in blue pinstripes rank 35th in franchise history (tied with Ron Cey and Moose Moryn).
Jan 28, 2026; Dallas, Texas, USA; Dallas Mavericks forward P.J. Washington (25) and Minnesota Timberwolves guard Donte DiVincenzo (0) battles for the ball during the first half at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images | Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images
There hasn’t been much different of late in the NBA Power Rankings Watch. Not for the Mavericks, at least. They collected a handful of wins, and followed it with a free fall of losses. The kind of thing a lottery team tends to do. But what to make of all of it, ahead of next week’s NBA trade deadline that so far has been remarkably quiet. Not just for Dallas, but across the league.
This week’s reporting on Milwaukee Bucks’ on-again-off-again superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo and a “new” trade request likely halted actions from leadership across the league while his market is calibrated. And while the Mavericks shouldn’t figure at all in those actual dealings, a direction for the organization and their roster strategy remains unclear.
Naji Marshall has been phenomenal since being plugged into the starting lineup as the de facto point guard in early January. Marshall has averaged 20.0 points, 5.9 rebounds and 4.5 assists while shooting 57.6% from the floor to help the Mavs go 6-4 during that stretch. The 6-foot-6 wing has quietly emerged as one of the NBA’s most efficient drivers this season, in large part due to Marshall’s lethal floater. According to NBA tracking data, Marshall is shooting 60.5% from the floor on drives, trailing only Luka Doncic among the league’s top 40 scorers on such plays. — MacMahon
The Mavs rank seventh defensively and the last five games (107.8 points allowed per 100 possessions) have been their best stretch on that end of the floor since early November. Two of those games came against teams that rank in the top 10 offensively and their win last Monday was the Knicks’ worst offensive game of the season (97 points on 105 possessions).
P.J. Washington and Daniel Gafford both returned from short absences last week, but Dwight Powell has remained in the starting lineup. He’s played just 478 total minutes thus far, but the Mavs have been at their best (plus-11.6 per 100 possessions) with Powell on the floor.
Coming up: The Mavs’ defense will continue to be tested, with seven of their final eight games before the All-Star break coming against teams that rank in the top 10 offensively. They’ve held the Rockets (fourth) to just 108.0 points per 100 possessions (Houston’s second-worst mark vs. any opponent) in three meetings thus far, set to complete the season series on Saturday.
The Dallas Mavericks followed up an undefeated week by going 0-4 since the last edition of the power rankings.
If they have a few more runs like this most recent one, great. Adding one of this draft class’ potential stars to Cooper Flagg could set Dallas up for contention for years.
And if the Mavs can combine more losing with more games like Thursday’s from Cooper Flagg, even better.
Dallas came up short against the Charlotte Hornets on Thursday, but Flagg showed his upside as a volume scorer with a career-high 49 points.
No team has lost more clutch-time games than the Mavericks this season. The latest was a fourth-quarter catastrophe against the visiting Los Angeles Lukas, a game where the Mavericks overcame a 14-point deficit just to blow a 15-point lead with seven minutes to play. Dallas missed 10 straight shots and also failed to grab a rebound until the final seconds while getting outscored 29-8 to end the game Saturday. The Mavericks have played adequately since a 5-15 start, but the offense is bad, and a team that stocked up on size uses painfully little of it on the glass.
FREDERICKSBURG, VIRGINIA - SEPTEMBER 7, 2025: Eli Willits #13 of the Fredericksburg Nationals in action during a Carolina League game against the Carolina Mudcats at Virginia Credit Union Stadium on September 7, 2025 in Fredericksburg, Virginia. The Mudcats beat the Nationals, 6-3. (Photo by Rodger Wood/Diamond Images via Getty Images) | Diamond Images/Getty Images
While it lacks the thump it once had when James Wood and Dylan Crews were atop the rankings, the Nationals’ farm system is currently the deepest it has ever been, and certainly in a better spot than where it was this time last year. Opinions on the farm range, as Keith Law of The Athletic ranked the Nats farm 6th best in baseball, and Kiley McDaniel of ESPN ranked it 14th, but the overall sentiment remains: the future looks brighter than before for the Nats, even if the present is not where they hoped to be.
The farm system has seen a big boost this offseason from prospects acquired in deals for players such as MacKenzie Gore, Jose A. Ferrer, and Jake Bennett, and there is still the potential of more to come, with Paul Toboni taking calls on other major leaguers such as CJ Abrams and Jacob Young. While I don’t expect a deal to get done this winter, perhaps being a move that happens at the trade deadline or next winter, I fully support Toboni looking to maximize this team’s farm system, setting them up for a future run at contention better.
Given all the young talent in the farm system, the fact very little Nats prospects will be graduating from prospect status soon, the potential for one or both of CJ Abrams and Jacob Young to be moved this year, and the Nationals picking 11th in the 2026 MLB Draft, it’s fair to assume this farm system will be in an even better spot at the end of 2026 than it is now. Let’s take a look at how the top of this hypothetical Nationals farm could shake out.
Graduating From Prospect Status
C Harry Ford
1B/DH Abimelec Ortiz
OF Christian Franklin
RHP Luis Perales
1B Yohandy Morales
OF Andrew Pinckney
Given that most of the talent in the Nationals’ farm system is accumulated in the lower levels of the minor leagues, there are very few prospects who are going to lose prospect status in the 2026 season. The only players who are locks to graduate prospect status this season are catcher Harry Ford and first baseman Abimelec Ortiz, both likely to be in the lineup on Opening Day, or soon afterwards at the very least.
Outside of those 2, there are very few prospects near the top of the Nationals’ farm system who I see losing prospect status in 2026, with Luis Perales having the best chance if he lights up Triple-A and debuts midway through the year. After him, it’s an assortment of lower-ranked prospects, such as outfielder Christian Franklin, outfielder Andrew Pinckney, and first baseman Yohandy Morales, who could end up getting enough time in the bigs to make them no longer prospects.
Top 100 Prospects
SS Eli Willits
RHP Travis Sykora
RHP Jarlin Susana
3B Gavin Fien
One of Devin Fitz-Gerald/Seaver King/Landon Harmon/Other
While the Nationals have 4 top 100 prospects currently, with one soon to graduate in Harry Ford, they also have a ton of high upside prospects who could jump into top 100 lists with a strong 2026 campaign. One prospect who I’m highly confident in cementing himself as a top 100 prospect soon is Gavin Fien, the headliner of the return in the MacKenzie Gore trade. While he wasn’t dominant in his 10 professional games in 2025 following the draft, he showed promise and why many analysts are so incredibly high on his bat.
After Fien, there is a long line of young prospects in the Nationals’ farm system who could make the leap from interesting to exciting in 2026. Top of that list may be second baseman Devin Fitz-Gerald, who was scorching Low A pitching in 2025 before a shoulder injury ended his season. After him, plenty of names jump to mind, with Seaver King, who is already a top 100 prospect according to Keith Law, standing out as a prospect who could see a big breakthrough in 2026 with the new coaching staffs in the minor leagues.
New Additions
Prospects From CJ Abrams Trade (Top 100 Prospect + More)
Prospects From Jacob Young Trade (Top 250ish Prospect)
11th Overall Pick (Top 100-150 Prospect)
42nd Overall Pick
78th Overall Pick
There are numerous avenues Paul Toboni and his front office could take to boost the Nat’s farm system, many that us fans wouldn’t even think of right now, but as of now, these are the most likely ways they can do so. If the report that the Nationals turned down a package led by Shortstop Josuar Gonzalez from the Giants, a top 50 prospect in the sport according to some outlets, for CJ Abrams, then we can make the eventual trade return for him to be at the very least in the same ballpark.
Perhaps that does mean getting a deal done for Gonzalez and others with the Giants, perhaps it means a deal centered around a top-ranked pitcher like Bubba Chandler, Seth Hernandez, or Hunter Barco from the Pirates, but whatever it is, I trust this front office to not give in on their demands in the sake of making a deal happen.
The Nationals will also have the opportunity to add a strongly touted prospect in the MLB Draft this July, as they hold the 11th overall pick. While it’s unfortunate that the new lottery rules have once again knocked the Nats out of the top 10, there will still be plenty of highly regarded prospects available at 11th overall, with Bryce Rainer and Braden Montgomery, both consensus top 100 prospects currently, both being selected 11th or later in the 2024 MLB Draft.
While he favored prospects who played up-the-middle positions with his first-rounders during his time in Boston, anything could be on the table for Toboni and his staff this year, depending on how the draft class and draft board shake out.
Mock End of 2026 Top 10Nationals Prospects
SS Eli Willits
SS Josuar Gonzalez
RHP Travis Sykora
RHP Jarlin Susana
3B Gavin Fien
2B Devin Fitz-Gerald
RHP Cameron Flukey
SS Seaver King
RHP Landon Harmon
OF Bo Davidson
From this hypothetical list, you have 4 surefire top 100 prospects, 3 very close to being top 100s, and 3 more with the talent to be top 100s. While prospect rankings are irrelevant once these players reach the bigs, as then it becomes about your performance and not your potential, the more lottery tickets you can stock up to cash in the big leagues, the better. I’m excited to see what more tricks Paul Toboni has up his sleeve, and how else he’ll stock up the Nationals’ farm system for years to come.
The good news for the Phoenix Suns is their competition for the top Play-In spot in the West is also beset by injury. The bad news for Phoenix is that the Cleveland Cavaliers should hand it a loss tonight.
My Cavaliers vs. Suns predictions may not back Cleveland outright, but that is because injuries always create value elsewhere in a roster.
Let's get into why in my NBA picks for Friday, January 30.
Cavaliers vs Suns prediction
Cavaliers vs Suns best bet: Dillon Brooks Over 22.5 points (-105)
Dillon Brooks may not be known as a scorer, but he has poured in 26, 26 and 40 points in the three games since Devin Booker’s ankle sprain. Maybe more notable, Brooks has averaged 20 field-goal attempts per game in those three games.
Even looking beyond this past week, it is clear Brooks is comfortable chucking when Booker is not around. He has averaged 23.6 points in seven games this season with Booker sidelined and 20.5 points in 35 games alongside the Phoenix Suns cornerstone.
Brooks’ shot volume ticks up to 19.4 attempts per game, from 16.7, without Booker, and he takes nearly twice as many free throws.
If this seems too obvious, it may be. But that does not mean it is wrong.
Cavaliers vs Suns same-game parlay
As much of a delightful surprise as the Suns have been this season, losing Devin Booker for an unknown stretch dampens all that enthusiasm.
The Cleveland Cavaliers should prevail with a rest advantage, and it is worth noting the three Phoenix games since Booker’s injury have all gone Under their totals.
Cavaliers vs Suns SGP
Dillon Brooks Over 22.5 Points
Cavaliers moneyline
Under 220
Our "from downtown" SGP: Cavs show up the Suns
When you are already shorthanded, the second night of a back-to-back is not the time to be a short underdog. Phoenix should actually be blown out late tonight.
Cavaliers vs Suns SGP
Dillon Brooks Over 22.5 points
Under 220
Cavaliers -3.5
Cavaliers vs Suns odds
Spread: Cavaliers -3.5 | Suns +3.5
Moneyline: Cavaliers -170 | Suns +245
Over/Under: Over 220 | Under 220
Cavaliers vs Suns betting trend to know
Cleveland is 6-2 against the spread in its last eight games. Find more NBA betting trends for Cavaliers vs. Suns.
How to watch Cavaliers vs Suns
Location
PHX Arena, Phoenix, AZ
Date
Friday, January 30, 2026
Tip-off
9:00 p.m. ET
TV
FDSN Ohio, Suns+
Cavaliers vs Suns 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.
This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here
WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 29: Kyle Kuzma #18 of the Milwaukee Bucks reacts after being called for a foul against the Washington Wizards during the second half at Capital One Arena on January 29, 2026 in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) | Getty Images
In this week’s Tuesday Tracker, we pick up the pieces from last Friday’s Giannis injury amid more reporting from the usual national sources that Giannis’ time in Milwaukee may be ending by the deadline. Here are the highlights:
85% of fans surveyed now want the Bucks to forget about making the playoffs completely, even via the play-in (they’re currently two spots behind the 10th seed).
Perhaps relatedly, 66% want the Bucks to shut down Giannis for the rest of the season to heal his calf.
65% believe Giannis will still not request a trade before the deadline, despite the injury and the aforementioned reporting.
33% of our respondents think the Bucks should just trade him anyway, but 58% oppose a team-initiated trade. That’s consistent with a poll we ran on X, where “no” got 62% of the vote.
The majority of fans polled want Milwaukee to trade one or both of Kyle Kuzma and Bobby Portis. 26% want to sell high on Portis for whatever they can, and 25% want to do the same with Kuzma. The most popular option at 31% is to trade both of them together for someone who makes more than their $34.9m combined next season.
Thanks again for voting! Check back on Tuesday for another slate of questions.
The Pittsburgh Penguins practiced without two of their franchise cornerstones on Friday.
Evgeni Malkin and Kris Letang missed Friday's practice, and the Penguins' PR account tweeted that there would be an update on their statuses on Saturday.
Forward Evgeni Malkin and defenseman Kris Letang will not practice today. Their statuses will be updated tomorrow. pic.twitter.com/as1DAv0noI
The Columbus Blue Jackets travel to Chi-Town for a matchup with the Chicago Blackhawks tonight.
Adam Fantilli has registered at least three shots in seven of his past eight games, and my Blue Jackets vs. Blackhawks predictions see the Columbus forward building on those totals in a high-paced matchup.
Let’s break down my NHL picks for Friday, January 30.
Puck drop is set for 8:30 p.m. ET from the United Center in Chicago, with the game airing on FDSN Ohio and CHSN.
Blue Jackets vs Blackhawks prediction
Blue Jackets vs Blackhawks best bet:Adam Fantilli Over 2.5 shots (-130)
Adam Fantilli has piled up the shots with Columbus Blue Jackets teammate Rick Bowness behind the bench. He has averaged 3.4 shots on goal through seven games while going Over his total in six of them.
That includes successful showings against the Flyers, Lightning, and Senators, all of whom play a slower pace and/or are among the best shot suppression sides in the NHL.
Fantilli’s production in those matchups makes it easy to get excited about his chances of success against the Chicago Blackhawks.
Chicago ranks 26th in shots allowed per game this season and is showing no signs of improvement. In fact, the Blackhawks sit 29th in shot suppression over the past 10 games.
Fantilli has fared remarkably strong against Bottom-10 shot suppression teams, recording three shots or more in 11 straight contests.
Given the Blackhawks have also allowed the fifth-most shots to centers over their last 10, this is not a spot I’d expect Fantilli to slow down.
Blue Jackets vs Blackhawks same-game parlay
Fantilli sits second on the Blue Jackets in shots on goal (56) and expected goals (7.27) over his last 19 appearances. He is a 12.4% shooter through 183 NHL games and has an excellent release. This drought isn’t going to last, and this is a good matchup to find the net.
The Blue Jackets have allowed 3+ goals in five of seven games under Bowness. One of the exceptions came against a lifeless Canucks team that sits dead last in the NHL.
They can still be exploited, and Connor Bedard has assists in five of his last six vs. teams ranking Bottom-10 in shots allowed, goals allowed, or both.
Blue Jackets vs Blackhawks SGP
Adam Fantilli Over 2.5 shots
Adam Fantilli anytime goalscorer
Connor Bedard Over 0.5 assists
Blue Jackets vs Blackhawks odds
Moneyline: Blue Jackets -145 | Blackhawks +125
Puck Line: Blue Jackets -1.5 (+165) | Blackhawks +1.5 (-200)
Over/Under: Over 6.5 (+100) | Under 6.5 (-120)
Blue Jackets vs Blackhawks trend
Adam Fantilli has generated 3+ shots in three straight games against Chicago. Find more NHL betting trends for Blue Jackets vs. Blackhawks.
How to watch Blue Jackets vs Blackhawks
Location
United Center, Chicago, IL
Date
Friday, January 30, 2026
Puck drop
8:30 p.m. ET
TV
FDSN Ohio, CHSN
Blue Jackets vs Blackhawks latest injuries
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change. 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.
This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here
College Basketball: BYU AJ Dybantsa (3) in action, dribbles vs Arizona State at Marriott Center. Provo, UT 1/7/2026CREDIT: Erick W. Rasco (Photo by Erick W. Rasco/Sports Illustrated via Getty Images) (Set Number: X164813 TK1)
I recently wrote that if the Washington Wizards are rewarded with the No. 1 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, that they should not hesitate to take Kansas freshman guard Darryn Peterson. While I still believe that Peterson should be at the top of the Wizards’ big board, it would not be a disaster if they end up selecting No. 2 and Peterson is unavailable.
BYU freshman wing AJ Dybantsa and Duke freshman forward Cameron Boozer have long been considered part of the consensus top three alongside Peterson. North Carolina freshman forward Caleb Wilson and Houston freshman point guard Kingston Flemings have both had dramatic rises up draft boards and will likely be picked after the Peterson-Dybantsa-Boozer trio.
But, there is a clear option for the Wizards after Peterson.
AJ Dybantsa, 6’9” Wing from BYU
SALT LAKE CITY, UT – JANUARY 10: AJ Dybantsa #3 of the Brigham Young Cougars is pressured by Kendyl Sanders #13 of the Utah Utes during the first of their game at the Jon M Huntsman Center on January 10, 2026 in Salt Lake City, Utah.(Photo by Chris Gardner/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Talent evaluators have had their eye on AJ Dybantsa since he was a freshman in high school and he won the Massachusetts Boys Basketball Gatorade Player of the Year. It has seemed like a foregone conclusion for years that Dybantsa would be one of the top picks in the 2026 NBA Draft. Dybantsa came to BYU with sky-high expectations, and has not only met them, but surpassed them. He has put together a dominant and historic campaign and is helping make BYU a legitimate national championship contender.
At 6’9”, 210 pounds with elite athleticism, Dybantsa has truly enviable positional size that will allow him to be a difference-maker on both ends of the floor at the NBA level. He can score at all three levels, play above the rim and has even shown flashes of some advanced playmaking abilities. He has combo guard skills and plays with a comfortability and fluidity rarely seen in someone so big at his age.
Many questioned Dybantsa’s decision to attend BYU, which is not known as a program that normally attracts elite prospects and one-and-done candidates. But, head coach Kevin Young has revitalized the program in just his second year at the helm. Young, who was an NBA assistant from 2016-2024 with the Philadelphia 76ers and the Phoenix Suns, has turned BYU into a dream landing spot for players with NBA aspirations. Egor Dëmin, who was on last year’s BYU’s team, was drafted eighth overall last year and has been one of the best rookies in the NBA so far. Young has not only turned BYU into a winning team, but has made them one of the top developmental programs in the country.
Dybantsa is averaging 23.6 points, 6.7 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 1.3 steals and 0.5 blocks per game while shooting 53.0% from the field, 31.8% from three and 76.2% from the free throw line. He is leading the entire NCAA in points per game. On Jan. 24 in a 91-78 victory over Utah, Dybantsa scored 43 points and made four threes, both season highs, while also grabbing six rebounds, dishing out three assists and blocking a shot.
43 points on 24 shots for potential No. 1 pick AJ Dybantsa in BYU's win over Utah. Season-high four 3s, while showing his lethal shot-creation and finishing prowess scoring in every which way from all over the floor. pic.twitter.com/vlzmANRq1f
Dybantsa’s biggest test of the season came on Monday against an undefeated Arizona team. While his 24 points, four rebounds and five assists look solid on the surface, along with his crucial role in helping orchestrate a frantic BYU comeback attempt in the final minutes, his game showed some cracks going up against a frontcourt featuring the 7’2”, 260 pound Montiejus Krivas and likely top-10 pick Koa Peat. Dybantsa showed some tunnel vision and often settled for contested mid-range jumpers instead of looking for teammates or making the extra effort to find a more efficient shot.
While Dybantsa has not looked like a superstar on the defensive end at the collegiate level, he still has the potential to be an elite NBA defender because of his length, quickness and athletic tools. His positioning and timing need work, but those should come with time. It is easy to see how Dybantsa could become a versatile, switchable Swiss Army Knife on defense.
A player like Dybantsa is versatile enough to thrive on almost any roster in the entire NBA, but the Wizards would be an especially perfect fit. He would instantly form one of the best scoring wing/forward duos in the entire league alongside Kyshawn George, really only behind Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown on the Boston Celtics and Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner on the Orlando Magic. If Trae Young signs an extension, Dybantsa would benefit from his playmaking and the open looks he would get from sharing the court with such an effective on-ball creator. Positionally, the Wizards could go big and play Dybantsa at the two with George at the three, or go for a smaller lineup with Dybantsa at his more natural position at the three and have George play up at the four.
The NBA comparisons for Dybantsa are endless. The most common one is probably NBA legend Tracy McGrady. Like McGrady, Dybantsa has the skills and fluidity of a much shorter player and can score from anywhere on the floor. Other comps include Paul George, Kevin Durant, and Jaylen Brown.
I project Dybantsa to immediately be a 20 point per game scorer the second he enters the NBA. He has the potential to grow into one of the league’s truly elite bucket-getters along with having real two-way potential. Those types of players do not come around very often. While Peterson is still looking like the real prize of this draft, Dybantsa is no ordinary consolation prize. He is a player the Wizards could build around and who could play a key role in getting them out of their rebuild and back into playoff contention.
The New York Knicks will try to run their winning streak to five games as they host the Portland Trail Blazers at Madison Square Garden tonight.
New York’s defense has been on point over the past week after some earlier lapses, and I’m counting on that trend to continue as I back the Under in my Trail Blazers vs. Knicks predictions.
Find out more in my free NBA picks for Friday, January 30.
Trail Blazers vs Knicks prediction
Trail Blazers vs Knicks best bet: Under 224.5 (-110)
The New York Knicks recently went through a stretch in which they won just two of 11 games from New Year’s Eve through January 19. At the time, it seemed the lack of defense was the problem, with opponents averaging 117.2 ppg during that stretch.
New York has turned that around in a heartbeat ever since. The Knicks have won four in a row, with opponents averaging only 88.5 ppg in those contests, and three of the four have been held below 100 points.
Yes, those numbers are skewed by the ridiculous 120-66 win over the Brooklyn Nets last week, but the team does appear to be playing with renewed urgency.
That sets up a tough matchup for the Portland Trail Blazers. Portland might like to run the court, but they are near the bottom of the league in offensive efficiency (109.9), and have been held below 100 points in two of their last three games – all of which have gone to the Under.
Overall, the Knicks have now hit the Under in six straight games, while the Blazers have done so in four of their last five. But beyond the trends, it’s New York’s defensive effort that is likely to define this game.
I’m taking the Under tonight.
Trail Blazers vs Knicks same-game parlay
I’m pairing the Under with the Knicks to cover in my SGP, as New York’s renewed defensive intensity has led it to cover in each of its last four games.
I’m also taking Mikal Bridges (16.0 ppg) to hit his scoring total of 15.5 points, as he’s hit that number in each of his last two games, including a 30-point performance against the Toronto Raptors on Wednesday.
Trail Blazers vs Knicks SGP
Under 224.5
Knicks -7.5
Mikal Bridges Over 15.5 points
Our "from downtown" SGP: Dishing!
OG Anunoby is only averaging 2.3 assists per game this year, but has dished out at least three in three of his last four games during the Knicks’ winning streak.
The Under is 6-0 in New York’s last six games overall. Find more NBA betting trends for Trail Blazers vs. Knicks.
How to watch Trail Blazers vs Knicks
Location
Madison Square Garden, New York, NY
Date
Friday, January 30, 2026
Tip-off
7:30 p.m. ET
TV
BlazerVision, MSG Sportsnet
Trail Blazers vs Knicks latest injuries
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DALLAS, TX - JANUARY 29: Kon Knueppel #7 of the Charlotte Hornets shoots the ball as Cooper Flagg #32 of the Dallas Mavericks plays defense during the game on January 29, 2026 at American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Cooper Neill/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Thursday night in Dallas, Cooper Flagg and Kon Knueppel had their first NBA game against each other as the Charlotte Hornets visited the Dallas Mavericks and man, did they both ball out.
Flagg finished with 49 points, 9 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal and one block while Knueppel racked up 34 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists and 1 steal.
None it was selfish or gunning: Flagg shot 20-29 (68.9%) while Knueppel hit 10-16 (62.5%) and all of it came in the flow of the game for both.
It was an interesting stop in the Rookie of the Year race, which will go to one or the other, unless they split the award, which would be amazing.
At this point, on an individual basis, you might have to give to Flagg, but in terms of impact on the team, Knueppel has the edge. The nature of his game has persuaded everyone to buy in and he has transformed the Hornets into something unusual. We heard today that with Knueppel, LaMelo Ball, Brandon Miller, Moussa Diabate and Miles Bridges starting, the Hornets are 10-1 and their offensive efficiency with that group is off the charts good.
Here are some videos of last night’s game and some links below that.
Jan 29, 2026; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Phoenix Suns forward Dillon Brooks (3) celebrates a three point shot against the Detroit Pistons in the second half at Mortgage Matchup Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Sometimes there is a calm before the storm. A moment of clarity before chaos ensues. An instant where anticipation creeps in and you have to grab your emotions by the collar before they sprint off without you.
It’s like Phil Collins’ In the Air Tonight, right before the drums crash down. You feel it coming. You anticipate your air drum solo. The note hangs in the room. You are ready, but you wait. There is beauty in the pause. Because on one side lives restraint, and on the other lives release.
Well, the hurt doesn’t show, but the pain still grows It’s no stranger to you and me…
PHOENIX, ARIZONA – JANUARY 27: Dillon Brooks #3 of the Phoenix Suns looks on during the national anthem before the game against the Brooklyn Nets at Mortgage Matchup Center on January 27, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona. 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 Jeremy Chen/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Dillon Brooks knows that space well. You see it before every game. The vacant stare. Eyes locked somewhere past the hardwood, past the noise, past the stakes. It looks like intimidation, but it is not. It is meditation. It is breath control. It is taking in the sights and the sounds, the crowd humming, the moment stretching. Calm first, chaos later. Control now, eruption soon. The drum solo is coming. He is preparing himself to meet it head-on.
It was an unbelievably impressive effort by Dillon on Thursday night against the Detroit Pistons. Against the Eastern Conference’s best team, and the second-best team in the league by defensive rating, he had a night. A career night. 40 points. 4-of-7 from beyond the arc. 10-of-12 at the free throw line. Add 8 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 stocks, and you are staring at the most complete game of his career.
Then came the contrast.
As he walked into the postgame press conference, the game ball tucked calmly against him, the chaos disappeared.
This is a man who lives on the edge during games, who thrives in disruption and confrontation, suddenly quiet. Grounded. Almost serene. No bravado. No chest pounding. Even after a performance he will remember forever and the leather under his arm to prove it, he spoke softly. He reflected on that moment before the storm. The meditation. The calm that makes the chaos possible.
“It’s just me focusing on my breathing, trying to calm myself down before the game starts,” Brooks noted of his pregame ritual. “Just getting into like feeling the whole crowd and the whole like atmosphere of the game.”
It’s a “Medataive thing”, he added. “It puts me in my mode.”
He was in his mode on Thursday night, all right. His 40-point performance surpassed his previous career high of 37, which came in a loss as a member of the Grizzlies in 2021.
But that stare comes from somewhere else too. Yes, it is meditative. But it also serves another purpose entirely. Dillon admitted as much afterward. He talked about being a kid and watching Iron Mike Tyson. That is where it started.
Oh “When I was a kid, I used to watch Mike Tyson,” he said. “That’s probably where I got the stare from, too, was probably Mike Tyson.”
That is the contrast. Stillness paired with menace. Meditation paired with aggression. A man at peace who is fully prepared to drag you into chaos. Dillon is not staring into nothing. He is staring into you. And once he senses the balance tilt, once he feels the fear creep in, the switch flips. Calm gives way to attack. And by then, it is already too late.
Dillon the Villain, right?
It was Villain t-shirt night, after all, and his head coach entered the press room donning one. When Suns’ sideline reporter Amanda Pflugrad said, “Love the shirt,” Jordan Ott responded.
“Yeah, I do, too, after that. Like I said, we can give it away every night.”
“He had a great night, obviously, career high…and we needed all of them.”
That Brooksian edge does not live on adrenaline alone. It is built. Repeated. Earned in empty gyms when nobody is watching. “There’s a piece that you guys don’t get to see is like off outside of the game,” Ott said. “How he communicates on the court in practice or shootaround, in our film sessions.”
“I saw Dillon was working last night in the gym,” he added.
Brooks pointed to Kobe Bryant as the blueprint. He talked about watching Kobe Muse a couple nights earlier, soaking in that footage. The idea that readiness is not a switch you flip on game night. It is something you drag with you every day. Off days included. Especially off days.
That is the contrast again. Chaos on the floor, discipline behind the scenes. The snarling competitor versus the quiet worker. While others rest, he shoots. While the noise fades, he sharpens. Kobe understood that separation is created when effort becomes routine. Dillon has taken that lesson and made it personal. Work now, fear later. Preparation first, eruption second.
I happened to be sitting courtside during shootaround, talking with former Solar Panel Podcast host and PHNX GM Greg Esposito, when Mat Ishbia walked up. He acknowledged the work we do at Bright Side, and I thanked him in turn for giving me reasons to write positive things. About this team. About the way they play. He smiled and fired back a familiar refrain. “Well, I told you guys.” You damn right he did.
Behind him stood Dillon Brooks. Not listening. Not watching. Locked into his routine. Multiple basketballs pounding the floor at once, a blur of motion and intent, hands busy, mind elsewhere. Work before words. Process before praise. A few minutes later, he drifted to his usual spot. Feet set. Breathing controlled. Eyes distant. Living fully in the moment before the moment.
Contrast does the rest. Quiet preparation versus loud results. Empty gym habits colliding with a packed arena payoff. That calm turned into the best scoring night of his career. Not a fluke. Not a surprise. A culmination. In a game that was not only enjoyable to watch, but a genuine pleasure to witness. Chaos earned. Release delivered.
