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Spring Training: All Eyes on Pitchers

GOODYEAR, AZ - FEBRUARY 19: Joey Cantillo #54 of the Cleveland Guardians poses for a photo during the Cleveland Guardians photo day at Goodyear Ballpark on Thursday, February 19, 2026 in Goodyear, Arizona. (Photo by Nic Antaya/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images

We are finally back. Now a week into Spring Training, quite a few pitchers are showcasing a lot of intriguing tweaks and adjustments to their arsenals, starting with Gavin Williams.

First off, a quick shoutout to TJStats for chart images and more! A more than worthwhile site that you should use throughout baseball season.

Secondly, I *WILL NOT* be looking into a pitcher’s velocity unless it is substantially up or down. We will call this the Doug Nikhazy rule.

Gavin showcased a sinker at times in 2025, going to it less than 7% of the time, but in his first Spring start, it was heavily featured and likely lends to the belief that he will lean on it more in 2026. It was mislabeled at times on Statcast on Tuesday against LA and only tracked four sinkers, labeling three others fastballs, but thanks to the TJStats daily ‘Pitch Editor’, I was able to switch over the fastballs that matched the sinker profile, and came out with a quality breakdown of where Gavin’s sinker is at heading into the season.

Gavin’s sinker last season averaged 9.7 inches of induced vertical break and 15.1 inches of arm-side run. He went to it almost exclusively against right-handed hitters. In his first outing of the Spring, he turned to it against just righties, and it profiled with better shape, generating 11.7 inches of induced vertical break and 16.4 inches arm-side. Similar to his cutter last season, I expect his sinker to take a step forward in usage this season as he continues to round out his arsenal.

Now we’ll take a look at another Guardians starting pitcher, Slade Cecconi, who showcased more aggressive changes in arsenal in his first outing, and I am very excited about it.

Above shows the difference in movement patterns between Cecconi’s slider and cutter from 2025 to his first outing in the Spring. Cecconi’s cutter got him into quite a bit of trouble when he used it last season. It often turned into a cement mixer and hovered in the middle of the plate far too often, getting barreled at a 20% rate. In his outing on Wednesday, Cecconi’s cutter worked along an axis identical to his 4-seam (1:15), finding a more stable horizontal axis. His slider also generated nearly three inches more glove-side break with less induced vertical break.

He slider went through a more pronounced change. It works along a better horizontal axis, and in doing so, it’s become more sweeper-like. Cecconi generated more horizontal separation between his cutter and slider during his outing where it was more of a diagonal drop last season. This is a much needed change for Cecconi, whose struggles to work across the zone with his breaking pitches got him hit hard throughout 2025. He will need to utilize his slider more consistently to do this (3.1% usage in ‘25), and with a far better shape (106 TJStuff+ on 2/25, 98 TJStuff+ in 2025).

BULLPEN NAMES TO WATCH

  • Shawn Armstrong showcased his good cutter/sweeper combo in his first outing on Wednesday
    • Expect Armstrong to be a strong help along the back-end of the ‘pen. Gaddis will need him.
  • Cody Heuer has struggled substantially early in his first couple outings this Spring.
    • 31.4% overall zone-rate and 30% walk rate across 10 batters faced…not great!
  • Franco Aleman’s two appearances have been split results
    • First outing saw better command with swing and miss on slider
    • control woes continued in second outing; allowed a home run and walked two batters, struggling to locate his secondaries still

SPOT START SQUAD WATCH

  1. Will Dion: 2 IP // 3 K // 0 ER // 4 whiffs // 28.6% whiff rate // .225 xwOBACON
    • Showcased great command, quality low 90s fastball with good VAA traits; slider looks to be improved; likely this year’s Nikhazy
  2. Austin Peterson: 1.1 IP // 1 K // 1 BB // 3 whiffs // 4 ER // .565 xwOBACON
    • Lived in the heart of the plate; does not have the stuff to venture inside the shadow; doesn’t have the stuff to get deep in counts to nibble
  3. Doug Nikhazy: 2 IP // 1 K // 1 BB // 0 ER // 3 whiffs // .663 xwOBACON
    • Breaking stuff continues to be impressive
      • fastball continued to look fringy; both induced whiffs and got smoked
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Preview: Second City Showdown

Nov 23, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Blackhawks center Jason Dickinson (16) tries to score against the Colorado Avalanche during the third period at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images | Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images

With two of five games in a seven day stretch now behind them, it’s safe to assume that the Colorado Avalanche were looking forward to the weekend.

This afternoon, the visiting Chicago Blackhawks will make their only regular season appearance in Denver, as the Avs face their third consecutive Central Division opponent in four days.

Colorado Avalanche (38-10-9)

The Opponent: Chicago Blackhawks (22-27-9)

Time: 4:00 P.M. MST/6:00 P.M. EST

Watch: ALT, ALT+ (Avalanche Broadcast Area), CHSN (Blackhawks Broadcast Area), ESPN+, NHL Center Ice (Outside Regional Broadcast Areas – US), SN+, NHL Centre Ice (Canadian Broadcast Areas)

Listen: Altitude Sports Radio KKSE-FM 92.5 FM

Colorado Avalanche

The Avalanche currently sport a .500 record for the month of February, going 2-2 in that time frame. This would sound a lot more alarming if it weren’t for the extended Olympic pause that led to playing only four games through the month. A victory today would keep them from posting their second consecutive sub-500 month of hockey, and would certainly provide a lift after losing 5-2 to the visiting Minnesota Wild this past Thursday. Mackenzie Blackwood stopped 31 of 34 shots in a contest that featured an impressive goalie duel between him and Filip Gustavsson—who stopped 45 of 47 shots in his own right—only to be overshadowed by questionable judgement (see Brent Burns launching the puck into the crowd during an Avalanche penalty kill that was already down not one, but two skaters) and officiating (poke checks are penalties now?).

Coach Jared Bednar lamented his team’s inability to widen the gap on both Minnesota and the idle Dallas Stars. “It’s the standings at the end of the year is what matters, right? So, that [game] was a missed opportunity; that’s what that was. Nine points if we win, two games in hand, that’s a long road to try and catch you, and now it’s tight. Five [points] with two [games] in hand, and there’s lots of hockey to be played. We’ve just got to take care of our business.”

The loss allowed Minnesota—playing in a first game of a back to back pair of their own—to leapfrog over Dallas to second place in the Central Division, closing to within five points of the Avs. However, just like the Avs, Minnesota failed to seize the moment in their second half of back to back games, as they lost to the Utah Mammoth by a score of 5-2 at Delta Center on Friday evening. The loss prevented them from closing to within three points of the Avalanche, who can now restore their seven point cushion with a win this afternoon.

Hockey giveth, and hockey taketh away.

Nathan MacKinnon returned to the lineup against Minnesota for the first time since returning from the Olympics, and while he did not add to his NHL goal scoring total—he remains at a League best 40 goals—he did reach the 95 point plateau (Edmonton’s Connor McDavid leads all skaters with 100 points). Martin Nečas, who scored his 24th and 25th goals of the season on Thursday evening, trails Brock Nelson (30) for third place in team scoring, and is three goals shy of tying his career high (28). While the loss to Minnesota may look lopsided by box score alone, Blackwood’s play to keep his team close for the majority of the contest ought to merit a return to the crease today.

The Avs still remain the undisputed leader across the Central Division, Western Conference, and League standings. Coming into this afternoon’s game, they have a game in hand on Dallas (who will be in action at American Airlines Center tonight against the Nashville Predators), and three games in hand on Minnesota.

Today’s game is the second in the three game series with Chicago. The Avs won the previous matchup on November 23, a 1-0 decision.

Projected Lineup

Forwards:
Gabe Landeskog – Nathan MacKinnon – Martin Nečas
Artturi Lehkonen – Brock Nelson – Valeri Nichushkin
Ross Colton – Jack Drury – Victor Olofsson
Joel Kiviranta* – Parker Kelly – Gavin Brindley

Defense:
Devon Toews – Cale Makar
Josh Manson – Brent Burns
Brett Kulak – Sam Malinski

Between the Pipes:
Mackenzie Blackwood
Scott Wedgewood

Kiviranta, who was injured during the second period after taking a hit from Minnesota’s Zach Bogosian, is uncertain for today’s game at the time of this writing.

Chicago Blackhawks

Chicago had a great start to 2026, winning five of their first six games in January. However, they followed up that effort by losing nine of their next twelve games prior to the Olympic break. Currently occupying seventh place in the Central Division standings with 53 points, they remain two points ahead of last place St. Louis (51). They kicked off a five game road trip prior to the Olympics, with their most recent effort being a 4-2 loss to the Nashville Predators at Bridgestone Arena on Thursday evening.

Like Colorado, Chicago also representation in Italy at the Olympics, but to a significantly smaller scale. Center Teuvo Teravainen won the bronze medal alongside Kiviranta as a member of Finland’s roster. The notable absence is center Connor Bedard, who was not invited to participate as a member of Canada’s Olympic roster. Bedard, who scored his twenty-fourth goal of the season against Nashville on Thursday night, currently leads all Chicago skaters in assists (30) and points (54), and ranks second to left wing Tyler Bertuzzi in goals (26).

While Bedard’s solid sophomore campaign led many to believe that he was on the short list to be selected to the Olympics by Hockey Canada, he was ultimately left off the roster once the final selections were announced. Bedard missed twelve games with an upper body injury sustained in a literal last second face-off sequence against St. Louis Blues captain Brayden Schenn back in December, leading many to speculate if the injury was a key factor in leaving Bedard off the Canadian Olympic roster.

Goaltender Spencer Knight is three wins away from tying his career high (19) in his first full season with Chicago. He will likely start today against Colorado. Despite leading all Chicago goaltenders in wins (Arvid Soderblom has five wins on the season and Drew Commesso has one), Chicago has given up more than two goals in fourteen of ninteen games played in since the start of the New Year. That has contributed to the third worst goal differential (-33) in the NHL; only St. Louis (-52) and Vancouver (-62) rank lower.

Today’s match-up against Colorado marks their only regular season visit to Denver, and marks the first game of a back to back weekend. They will finish the weekend in—where else?—Salt Lake City against the Mammoth on Sunday afternoon. The season series against Colorado will conclude on home ice at United Center on March 20.

Projected Lineup

Forwards:
Ryan Greene – Connor Bedard – Andre Burakovsky
Oliver Moore – Frank Nazar – Tyler Bertuzzi
Ryan Donato – Jason Dickinson – Ilya Mikheyev
Teuvo Teravainen – Nick Foligno – Landon Slaggert

Defense:
Alex Vlasic – Louis Crevier
Connor Murphy – Sam Rinzel
Matt Grzelcyk – Artyom Levshunov

Between the Pipes:
Spencer Knight
Arvid Söderblom

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Public Skate: Bruins vs. Flyers

BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - JANUARY 29: Pavel Zacha #18 of the Boston Bruins celebrates his first period goal with David Pastrnak #88, Jonathan Aspirot #45, and Morgan Geekie #39 against the Philadelphia Flyers at TD Garden on January 29, 2026 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by China Wong/NHLI via Getty Images) | NHLI via Getty Images

With a 3 PM start, you’re getting the rare “Preview/Public Skate” combo!

Hold onto this post, it may be worth money someday.

Prior to today’s game, here are the basics:

  • When: Today, 3(ish) PM
  • Where: Xfinity Mobile Arena – Philadelphia, PA
  • How to follow: ABC, 98.5 The Sports Hub
  • Opposing perspective:Broad Street Hockey

I say “3ish” for the start time, as these ABC national games always seem to kind of just start whenever they want. 3:01, 3:12, 3:99…you decide.

The Flyers beat the Rangers in OT last time out, a 3-2 road win on Thursday.

With that win, the Flyers are still hanging around the very fringes of the Eastern Conference playoff race: they’re eight points behind the Bruins for the second wild card spot, with three teams between them and the B’s.

Similar to Thursday night’s game, the Bruins fill be facing a team attempting to chase them down in the standings, so it goes without saying that this is a pretty big game for both sides.

(I should probably stop saying that in general, as that will be the case for every game unless a team is completely out of contention. Cliches are fun though.)

One of the reasons the Flyers have been hanging around: the play of former Bruin Dan Vladar, who has been a great signing for Philly.

Vladar is 17-9-6 on the season with a 2.46 GAA and .905 save percentage. He has stumbled a bit lately though, posting a 1-3-3 record in his last seven starts.

These two teams met at TD Garden back in late January, a 6-3 win for the Bruins that saw the home team get goals from six different scorers.

Spreading the wealth, etc.

It remains to be seen if Jeremy Swayman will draw back in for the Bruins today. You could make a pretty convincing argument that Joonas Korpisalo deserves another start after Thursday’s performance, but I guess we’ll see.

Michael DiPietro was sent back to Providence on Friday, an indication that Swayman will at least be available to dress.

Other than that, not much has changed since Thursday for the black and gold.

Bruins! Flyers! On national TV!

Discuss.

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Bruins vs Flyers Prediction, Picks & Odds for Today’s NHL Game

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Bobby Brink has seen his shot volume increase since Tyson Foerster went down with an injury.

My Bruins vs. Flyers predictions expect that trend to continue in a favorable shooting matchup against Boston.

Let’s take a closer look at my NHL picks for Saturday, February 28.

Bruins vs Flyers prediction

Bruins vs Flyers best bet: Bobby Brink Over 1.5 shots on goal (-170)

Bobby Brink’s shot volume has risen noticeably without Tyson Foerster, especially at home.

Before Foerster’s injury, Brink averaged 1.5 shots on 2.5 attempts in Philadelphia. He has since produced 1.8 shots, 3.6 attempts, and gone Over 1.5 shots 62% of the time.

The boost is more noticeable in favorable matchups. In five home games against Bottom-10 shot suppression teams, Brink has averaged 2.6 shots on 4.4 attempts. He cleared this line in each.

The volume should remain strong against the Boston Bruins, who’ve allowed the third-most shots to wingers over their last 10 games.

Bruins vs Flyers same-game parlay

Philadelphia Flyers forward Owen Tippett has averaged 3.6 shots on 6.6 attempts over his last 10 home games, going Over in eight of them.

The lone Unders were against stingy shot suppression teams like the Senators and Kings — which the Bruins are certainly not.

Projected starters Jeremy Swayman (fourth) and Dan Vladar (15th) both rank near the top of the league in Goals Saved Above Expected, meaning it should be difficult to translate those shots into goals.

Bruins vs Flyers SGP

  • Bobby Brink Over 1.5 shots on goal
  • Owen Tippett Over 2.5 shots on goal
  • Under 6.5

Bruins vs Flyers odds

  • Moneyline: Boston -105 | Philadelphia -115
  • Puck line: Boston +1.5 (-250) | Philadelphia -1.5 (+205)
  • Over/Under: Over 6.5 (+115) | Under 6.5 (-135)

Bruins vs Flyers trend

The Flyers have hit the Under in each of their last five games (+5.00 Units / 90% ROI). Find more NHL betting trends for Bruins vs. Flyers.

How to watch Bruins vs Flyers

LocationXfinity Mobile Arena, Philadelphia, PA
DateSaturday, February 28, 2026
Puck drop3:00 p.m. ET
TVABC

Bruins vs Flyers 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 and view our best betting sites or check out our top sportsbook promos.

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NHL Player Props & Best Bets for Today, February 28: Back Schaefer to Score

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It’s a busy Saturday evening across the National Hockey League, with a total of 13 games on the schedule. That means there’s lots of value in the NHL player props, and I’ll include Brayden Point, Matthew Schaefer, and Macklin Celebrini. 

Read more in my NHL picks for Saturday, February 28.

Best NHL player prop bets today

PlayerBet99
Sharks Celebrini Over 3.5 shots on goal-120
Isles Schaefer anytime goal+475
Bolts Point Over 0.5 assists +115

img alt="Get a first bet encore up to $800 with the BET99 promo code COVERSNHL" width="100%" loading="lazy" src="https://img.covers.com/promo-articles/bet99nhlcreative2526.jpeg"Get a first bet encore up to $800 with BET99 bonus code COVERSNHL.
(not available in Ontario)

Our best NHL player props for Saturday, February 28

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

Prop #1: Macklin Celebrini Over 3.5 shots on goal

-120 at BET99

Macklin Celebrini just lit it up with Team Canada at the Winter Olympics, proving to the world he’s already one of the NHL’s elite. He never has any issues creating chances, averaging 3.48 SOG per contest. 

The Sharks star didn’t get on the scoresheet in his first game back from the Olympics, but Celebrini did register five shots on target. He’s cashed the Over in SOG in three of his last four games. 

He’ll get pucks on net against the Oilers tonight. 

  • Time: 4:00 p.m. ET
  • Where to watch: NBCSCA, SN

Prop #2: Matthew Schaefer anytime goal 

+475 at BET99

Matthew Schaefer’s rookie season has been one for the ages. The first overall pick has collected 41 points overall, and that includes 18 goals.

He’s given the Islanders a boost on both ends of the rink. 

The youngster bagged two goals in his first game since the break on Thursday against the Canadiens, and he’s found the back of the net in four of his last six appearances. 

The Isles face the Blue Jackets tonight, and that’s good news for Schaefer. He’s lit them up in 2025-26, already scoring twice across two meetings. Schaefer will score No. 19 this evening. 

  • Time: 6:00 p.m. ET
  • Where to watch: MSGSN, FDSN OH

Prop #3: Brayden Point Over 0.5 assists

+115at BET99

Brayden Point has missed substantial time this season due to injury, but his numbers are still impressive.

In 39 games, he’s scored 14 goals and registered 21 helpers. The Canadian has hit the ground running since the NHL returned from the Olympic break, too. 

The 29-year-old has notched assists in back-to-back games, setting up a goal on Wednesday against the Maple Leafs. He also had another helper in Thursday’s loss to the Hurricanes. 

The Lightning welcome the Sabres to town tonight, and Point has collected 11 assists in 18 home contests. 

  • Time: 7:00 p.m. ET
  • Where to watch: MSG-B, The Spot

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

Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
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.

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Good Morning San Diego: Padres fall in walk-off; Sung-Mun Song records hits in back-to-back games

SCOTTSDALE, ARIZONA - FEBRUARY 27: Randy Vásquez #98 of the San Diego Padres delivers a pitch to the Colorado Rockies in the first inning of a spring training game at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick on February 27, 2026 in Scottsdale, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images) | Getty Images

When the San Diego Padres and the Colorado Rockies meet in a road matchup, it usually results in a high number of hits and an equally high number of runs. That was not the case on Friday when the Padres traveled to Scottsdale, Ariz. to play the Rockies at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick. The game turned into a pitchers duel and it was decided in the bottom of the ninth when Zac Veen hit a walk-off home run to give Colorado a 3-2 win. San Diego managed just four hits in the game with three of those hits coming from the starting lineup. Jake Cronenworth, Ramon Laureano and Sung-Mun Song got on base with hits and the fourth hit was added by Samad Taylor, who had an RBI-single in the top of the eighth inning. The Padres return to the Peoria Sports Complex to host the Seattle Mariners in their second meeting of the spring on Saturday at 12:10 p.m.

Padres News:

  • AJ Cassavell of Padres.com looks at four big questions facing manager Craig Stammen and the Padres with Opening Day less than a month away.
  • San Diego has been using the ABS challenge system frequently throughout Spring Training and that is helping the Padres get a feel for how they will use it during the regular season. Luis Campusano, who used the system in the minors last season, has appeared to be the most comfortable and successful, but fans have seen Freddy Fermin, Ty France and Nick Castellanos all have calls successfully overturned.
  • Sung-Mun Song had his second hit in as many games against the Rockies and appears to be getting a handle on the velocity at the MLB level. He should get more opportunities to see live in-game pitching in the coming weeks as Fernando Tatis Jr., Manny Machado and Xander Bogaerts head to the World Baseball Classic.
  • Randy Vasquez had another strong spring outing for the Padres with no runs and no hits allowed over 2.2 innings. San Diego was unable to pull off a win, but Vasquez appears to be taking advantage of his opportunity to be the fourth starter in the Padres rotation.

Baseball News:

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There's been a change to F1's engine rules and it could mostly impact Mercedes

LONDON (AP) — Formula One ’s governing body has reached a compromise with manufacturers that changes the way the compression ratio will be measured midway through this season and in the 2027 season.

New engine rules set out a compression ratio of 16:1 — a measurement of how tightly the pistons squeeze the mixture of fuel and air before it ignites, and therefore how much power can be generated.

The regulations include a test to stop teams exceeding 16:1, but the checks happen at “ambient temperature.” Some rival teams have suggested Mercedes found a way for components to behave differently when they heat up during use, beating the test, though Mercedes says its engine is fully legal.

The compromise announced Saturday means the compression ratio will be controlled in both hot and cold conditions from June 1 and only when hot from the 2027 season thereafter.

There are seven F1 races before the June 1 test.

“The regulations introduced for 2026 represent one of the biggest changes in recent memory,” the FIA said. “All parties acknowledge that with the introduction of such significant regulatory changes, there are collective learnings to be taken from pre-season testing and the initial rounds of the 2026 championship.

“Further evaluation and technical checks on energy management matters are ongoing.”

Mercedes also supplies McLaren, Alpine and Williams.

___

AP auto racing: https://apnews.com/hub/auto-racing

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Former Flyers Star Emerging As Trade Candidate

The Ottawa Senators are currently in a tough spot. At the time of this writing, they trail the Boston Bruins by seven points for the final wild card spot in the Eastern Conference standings. The Senators are also behind the Washington Capitals and Columbus Blue Jackets, so they have a lot of work to do to try to keep their playoff hopes alive.

Yet, with the Senators' playoff hopes not looking the best, a former Philadelphia Flyers star has now entered the rumor mill.

In a recent article for The Athletic, NHL insider Pierre LeBrun wrote that the Senators could make former Flyers captain Claude Giroux available if they struggle in their games leading up to the deadline.

"Giroux has a full no-move clause, and Ottawa is his home. But he’s also never won a Cup. My sense is Giroux would rather stay put because he thinks they can still make the playoffs. But if the Sens struggle over the next week and dig a hole, that could make him think about things," LeBrun wrote.

If the Senators make Giroux available and the longtime Flyer is open to a trade, there is no question that he should generate a lot of interest. Even at 38 years old, the former Flyer is still an impactful forward in the NHL. His stats this season demonstrate this, as he has 11 goals, 28 assists, 39 points, and a plus-15 rating in 58 games with Ottawa. 

With the Flyers being below the Senators in the standings, a reunion with Giroux at the deadline won't be happening. However, there should be plenty of playoff teams interested in him, as he is exactly the kind of veteran forward that contenders love to add. 

Nevertheless, it will be interesting to see if the Senators end up moving Giroux from here.

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Trail Blazers vs Hornets Prediction, Picks & Odds for Today’s NBA Game

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The Charlotte Hornets seek a fourth straight win as they host the Portland Trail Blazers on Saturday afternoon.

Charlotte is the hottest team in the Association over the last two months, and my Trail Blazers vs. Hornets predictions expect a comfortable victory for the home team.

Here are my best free NBA picks for this cross-conference showdown on Saturday, February 28.

Trail Blazers vs Hornets prediction

Trail Blazers vs Hornets best bet: Hornets -8 (-110)

After a slow start, the Charlotte Hornets have done a complete 180, and they’ll have no problem covering a modest spread at home. 

Over the last 20 games, Charlotte’s 15-5 ATS record is best in the Association, and its 9.5-point differential per game is second-best. The Hornets have covered in six straight overall and six of their last seven at home.

The Portland Trail Blazers have covered in three straight on the road, but that mark is fool’s gold, as the matchups were against the tanking Utah Jazz, the shorthanded Phoenix Suns, and the spiraling Chicago Bulls.

Trail Blazers vs Hornets same-game parlay

The Hornets are 1-6 to the Under across their last seven home games, while the Trail Blazers are 2-5 to the Under across their last seven on the road. Charlotte's defense will be able to put the clamps on a Portland offense missing its top scorer in Deni Avdija.

Miles Bridges is averaging 17.9 points per game this season, and bettors can take advantage of a mispriced line that has dropped due to a six-point showing in his last game out. Bridges has scored 14+ in 41 of 55 games this season, and he'll have no problem bouncing back with a solid scoring effort at home.

Trail Blazers vs Hornets SGP

  • Hornets -8
  • Under 229.5
  • Miles Bridges Over 13.5 points

Our "from downtown" SGP: Knueppel keeps going

Kon Knueppel broke Keegan Murray’s single-season rookie 3-point record as he converted eight triples in his last game out. Across his last eight games, he’s splashed 5.1 triples, and he’s hit at least four treys six times in that span.

Trail Blazers vs Hornets SGP

  • Hornets -8
  • Under 229.5
  • Miles Bridges Over 13.5 points
  • Kon Knueppel Over 3.5 3-pointers

Trail Blazers vs Hornets odds

  • Spread: Portland +8 (-110) | Charlotte -8 (-110)
  • Moneyline: Portland -320 | Charlotte +260
  • Over/Under: Over 229.5 (-110) | Under 229.5 (-110)

Trail Blazers vs Hornets betting trend to know

The Trail Blazers have hit the Under in 15 of their last 20 away games (+9.50 Units / 43% ROI). Find more NBA betting trends for Trail Blazers vs. Hornets.

How to watch Trail Blazers vs Hornets

LocationSpectrum Center, Charlotte, NC
DateSaturday, February 28, 2026
Tip-off1:00 p.m. ET
TVBlazerVision, FDSN SE Charlotte

Trail Blazers vs Hornets 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 and view our best betting sites or check out our top sportsbook promos.

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Canadiens: One Last Chance For Revenge

After losing to the New York Islanders in overtime on Thursday night, the Montreal Canadiens will get one last chance for revenge against the Washington Capitals this season. Spencer Carbery’s men eliminated the Habs last spring and beat them twice already this season: 8-4 in the first duel in November with Jakub Dobes in net and 3-2 in January with Samuel Montembeault in net.

The Caps were in action at home on Friday night, beating the Vegas Golden Knights 3-2, and will therefore be playing the second game of a back-to-back against the Habs. Washington is currently on the outside looking in of the playoff picture, sitting in ninth place of the Eastern Conference with 69 points, two points behind the Boston Bruins. However, Boston has three games in hand because the Caps have already played 61 games, leaving them with very little room for error. They’re on a three-game winning streak and have a 7-2-1 record in their last 10 games.

Insider Believes Canadiens Explored Flyers Defenseman As An Option
Canadiens Should Consider Targeting Flames D-Man
Canadiens: Bell Centre Hostile To American Anthem
Canadiens’ Laine Given Permission To Speak To Other Teams

As for the Canadiens, they were overtaken in the standings by both the Detroit Red Wings and the Buffalo Sabres in the last two days. Both teams have 74 points, one point ahead of the Habs, but the Sainte-Flanelle has a game in hand. With Thursday night’s loss, Montreal has a 6-2-2 record in its last 10 games and needs to start winning in regulation in a hurry. Every point given to the opponents in a tight playoff race matters.

Since Montembeault got the start on Thursday, and Martin St-Louis has already said that both goaltenders would get a game this week, Dobes will be in the net tonight. The Czech netminder has a 1-1-0 record against the visitors with a 3.71 goals-against average and a .857 save percentage. As for Montembeault, he’s 2-3-1 with a 3.63 GAA and a .891 SV.

Meanwhile, Charlie Lindgren will get the start against his former team since Logan Thompson was in the net on Friday. Lindgren has a 4-1-0 record against the Canadiens with a 2.83 GAA and a .889 SV. As for Thompson, he’s 2-0-1 against the Habs with a 2.58 GAA and a .900 SV.

Up front, it will be interesting to see whether St-Louis sticks with the same lineup or if Zachary Bolduc returns. Nick Suzuki is Montreal’s most productive forward against the Caps with 20 points in just 17 games, followed by Brendan Gallagher with 16 points in 32 games and Mike Matheson with 15 points in 29 games. It’s also worth noting that Cole Caufield has 14 points in just 13 games against Washington. As for Lane Hutson and Noah Dobson, they’ve been on fire since they were put on the same pairing. Hutson has a five-game point streak with six points over that span, while Dobson has a six-game point streak with nine points, including three goals.

The Canadiens will need to keep a close eye on Alexander Ovechkin, who is the Caps’ top point producer against the Tricolore with 74 points in 62 games. The Great Eight has not found the back of the net in his last seven games, and a meeting with Montreal might be just what the doctor ordered for the sharpshooter who has four points in two duels so far this season.

John Carlsson is Washington’s second most productive skater with 28 points in 46 games, followed by Pierre-Luc Dubois, who has 23 points in 27 games. The Quebecer has five points in three games since returning from an abdominal surgery that sidelined him for four months. Surprisingly, fourth-liner Ethan Frank has seven points in three duels with the Habs, including six points in the two games played so far this season.

The game is set for 7:00 PM, and you can catch it on TVAS, CITY, SNE, and MNMT. Jake Brenk and Cody Beach, a former St. Louis Blues draft pick who never made the NHL as a player, are set to officiate, while Devin Berg and Travis Toomey will be the linemen.

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

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Bucks vs. Knicks Player Grades: Rollins and Porter cool off in blowout loss

Feb 27, 2026; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; New York Knicks center/forward Karl-Anthony Towns (32) shoots against Milwaukee Bucks guard AJ Green (20), left, and Milwaukee Bucks center/forward Myles Turner (3) in the second half at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Michael McLoone-Imagn Images | Michael McLoone-Imagn Images

The Milwaukee Bucks couldn’t notch their third three-game winning streak of the month, losing to the New York Knicks 127-98. New York shot a staggering 21/41 from the three-point line, while the Bucks turned the ball over 16 times. Read our full summary of the game here and catch a six-minute audio recap on the Bucks+ podcast, Bucks In Six Minutes, below.

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Player Grades

Ryan Rollins

32 minutes, 13 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists, 5 turnovers, 5/9 FG, -30

Rollins had some decent moments during the first half, but the second half was a different story. He was held scoreless on 0/2 shooting and turned the ball over three times. 

Grade: D+

Kevin Porter Jr.

27 minutes, 11 points, 10 assists, 6 rebounds, 3 turnovers, 4/12 FG, -16

One of the quieter double-doubles you’ll see all season. The Knicks’ defense did a great job of making KPJ a pass-first player. He made the right reads in those spots, but couldn’t get it going f0or himself. 

Grade: C-

AJ Green

30 minutes, 7 points, 2 rebounds, 2/6 3P, -17

The Knicks have always been a bad matchup for Green since he became a regular rotation player. He’s averaging 6.8 PPG in 10 career games against the Knicks, the fifth-fewest against Eastern Conference opponents, and last night was no different; the size of their wings seems to neutralize his ability to get good shots off. 

Grade: D

Kyle Kuzma

27 minutes, 17 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists, 6/11 FG, 4/7 3P, -16

Kuzma continues to feel it from three-point range. While Doc wasn’t happy with all of his attempts, at least they’re going in right now. Kuzma did a solid job of guarding Brunson once the switch was made, helping to limit him to two points in the second half on 1/4 shooting. 

Grade: B

Myles Turner

25 minutes, 19 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists, 4/7 3P, -20

It’s a shame Turner’s bounce-back game was wasted on a blowout like this. He did a great job limiting Karl-Anthony Towns’ offense when Doc opted to throw Kuzma (who was originally guarding Towns) on Brunson. Hopefully, these types of games will be more common for Turner down the stretch. 

Grade: B

Bobby Portis

17 minutes, 14 points, 2 rebounds, 2 steals, 5/8 FG, 2/3 3P, 2/3 FT, -10

Portis provided consistent offense off the bench. It was an efficient game for BP on offense, but there were a few defensive lapses when he fell asleep and allowed a shooter to get wide open. 

Grade: B-

Cam Thomas

17 minutes, 7 points, 2 rebounds, 2/9 FG, 3/3 FT, -17

After an incredible start to his Bucks tenure, now we’re seeing the bad side of Thomas’ game. He forced several bad shots, and combined with the fact that he’s a non-factor on defense, it’s hard to keep him on the floor.

Grade: D

Jericho Sims

23 minutes, 2 points, 4 rebounds, 1/1 FG, -21

In a game where the Bucks needed another big game from Sims on the glass, he failed to deliver. Jericho really struggled against the taller Knicks bigs of Towns and Robinson. 

Grade: D-

Ousmane Dieng

12 minutes, 0 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, 0/2 FG, -11

The usage of Dieng has been very confusing (more on that later). Despite that, Dieng failed to put points on the board and got beaten a few times on defense. He has to at least stand up as a defensive player for the Bucks as his offence develops. The two looks he did get were low percentage looks, taking a contested three over Diawara and a long step-back three that rimmed out. 

Grade: D

Doc Rivers

The usage of Dieng has to be investigated. Doc talks about how much they like him, yet against a team with a lot of big wings, he played four minutes and 27 seconds in the first half. That, combined with leaving Thomas out there too long, didn’t help matters. I do give him credit for switching Kuzma onto Brunson, but the game was so out of hand at that point, did it really matter? 

Grade: D+

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

Inactive: Alex Antetokounmpo, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Taurean Prince, Cormac Ryan

Bonus Bucks Bits

  • A quick Giannis update: Doc said that he’s been progressing through individual work and live four-on-four play with no setbacks. He didn’t provide any indication of how close the two-time MVP is to returning.
  • As I mentioned at the beginning of the rapid recap, Doc called out the Bucks’ need to take care of the ball. They didn’t do that, turning the ball over 16 times and allowing the Knicks to score 19 points off of those. It’s the 22nd time this season they’ve turned it over 16+ times. Their record in such games falls to 8-14. 
  • It was easily one of the best shooting nights for the Knicks, hitting 51.2% from three-point range; that was the third-highest percentage they’ve posted this season. Yet for Doc, the issues the Bucks had on defense were that they didn’t match the Knicks’ physicality: 

“Some of the guys on their team we gave shots to, we’re fine with that, (but) we should’ve still went out and guarded it. I just thought they got everything they wanted, forget the threes for a second. Whenever they wanted to drive, they drove the ball. When they wanted to shoot, they shot the ball. I just didn’t think we met their physicality and their intensity. It’s a good lesson for them, you knew how this game was going to play, and we just didn’t meet the moment.” 

  • It was another good shooting performance from Kuz from beyond the arc. Over his last three games, he’s shooting an even 50% (12/24). 

Up Next

The Bucks will kick off March on the road with a Sunday matinee against the free-falling Chicago Bulls. Tip-off is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. Central at the United Center. You can catch the game on FanDuel Sports Network Wisconsin. 

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Kyle Anderson’s Top 5 Plays with the Timberwolves

MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - APRIL 9: Kyle Anderson #1 of the Minnesota Timberwolves reacts after a play in the fourth quarter of the game against the Washington Wizards at Target Center on April 9, 2024 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 Stephen Maturen/Getty Images) | Getty Images

On Thursday, it was reported that Kyle Anderson will be reuniting with the Minnesota Timberwolves following a buyout with the Memphis Grizzlies.

Anderson signed a two-year contract with the Timberwolves during the 2022 offseason and ended up being one of the best free agent signings in the franchise’s history. He played an outsized role throughout the team’s playoff push in the 2022-23 season, as well as during the franchise’s first trip to the Western Conference Finals in 20 years in the 2024 Playoffs.

Let’s take a trip down memory lane and look at some of the most memorable moments of Slo-Mo’s previous stint in Minnesota.

#5: The Punch Heard Round the World

This one probably fits better in the dishonourable mention category.

In the final game of the 2022-23 regular season, the Wolves found themselves locked into the Play-In Tournament, leaving a matchup against the New Orleans Pelicans that would determine their seed and matchup. With a win, Minnesota would be the 8-seed and would need just one more win to clinch a playoff spot. A loss would have dropped them to ninth, meaning a date with the upstart Oklahoma City Thunder to save their season.

It had already been a difficult season to that point. The Wolves came into the game 41-40, underachieving some lofty goals following the trade for Rudy Gobert in the offseason. With Wolves down 12 in the second quarter, emotions finally boiled over when Gobert punched Anderson during a timeout.

Despite the fight and losing Jaden McDaniels earlier in the game when he punched a wall and ended his season, the Wolves turned the game around and won 113-108 in one of the weirdest games in Timberwolves history. Anderson finished the game with eight points, nine rebounds, four assists, two blocks, and a steal.

With Gobert suspended for the team’s first Play-In Game, the Wolves went on to lose to the Los Angeles Lakers in overtime before defeating the Thunder to secure the franchise’s second straight playoff appearance, in which they lost to the one seed and eventual champion Denver Nuggets in five games.

#4: A Spin Move Past DiVicenzo and the Knicks

After the disappointing 2022-23 season, the Wolves decided not to make any major roster changes heading into the next season, believing in the twin towers pair of Gobert and Karl-Anthony Towns that had struggled the season prior.

That decision proved to be the correct one as, after a 1-2 start to the season, the Wolves went 12-3 in November, setting the franchise record for wins in a calendar month. The winning streak took the Wolves from a bit of a laughing stock to a powerhouse in the Western Conference and stands as one of the best months in the history of the Timberwolves.

Anderson had one of his classic Slo-Mo moves during the Wolves’ tenth win of the season, hitting Donte DiVincenzo and the New York Knicks with a pretty spin move for a layup.

#3: Season-High Against His Former Team

Before joining the Timberwolves in the summer of 2022, Anderson spent four seasons with the Memphis Grizzlies, making the playoffs twice, including a six-game defeat of the Timberwolves in the 2022 Playoffs.

The next season with Anderson on the Wolves, Slo-Mo, against his former team, put together his highest scoring performance in a Timberwolves uniform, putting up 23 points on 9-16 shooting, including 4-7 from beyond the arc over 27 minutes while starting in place of Towns, who was injured.

The late-January win put the Wolves’ record at 26-25, putting them over .500 for the first time in over two months.

#2: Game-Winning Steal Against Golden State

It’s difficult to overstate Anderson’s importance to the Wolves making the Playoffs in the 2022-23 season. Slo-Mo provided phenomenal playing, defense, and leadership the entire season, often serving Timberwolves head coach Chris Finch’s safety valve off the bench when the game wasn’t going Minnesota’s way.

Anderson’s most clutch play of the season came in late March against the Golden State Warriors. With the Wolves down by one and only a four-second differential, Minnesota likely needed to foul to prolong the game. Anderson had other ideas as he deflected and stole a pass from Draymond Green before finding Towns for the go-ahead 3-pointer.

It was Towns’s just second game back after a 53-game absence. The previous game, KAT also had the go-ahead points as he knocked down two late free throws to put the Wolves up one over the Atlanta Hawks, leading to his famous “This is what movies is made of” quote.

#1 Navigating Traffic in the West Finals

The 2024 Western Conference Finals did not go as planned for the Timberwolves. Despite having home-court over the fifth-seeded Dallas Mavericks, the Wolves fell behind 3-0 in the series, eventually losing to the Mavs in five games.

In the Wolves’ lone win of the series in Game 4, Slo-Mo had a gigantic impact on the game. With the Wolves up two late in the game, Anderson motioned to Towns to stand in the left corner. When Edwards drove to the paint, Slo-Mo called for Towns to get the ball and screened off Kyrie Irving to give the Wolves a five-point lead.

The play is a perfect example of what Anderson brought throughout his time in Minnesota. His leadership both on and off the court became invaluable for a Wolves team learning on the fly about how to be a championship contender in the NBA, and he had countless plays like this one, where he took the young players under his wing and put the Wolves in a position to win games.

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Dillon Dingler returns but Troy Melton is shutdown with elbow inflammation

Detroit Tigers pitcher Troy Melton throws at live batting practice during spring training at TigerTown in Lakeland, Fla. on Sunday, Feb. 15, 2026. | Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

From the start of Detroit Tigers described Dillon Dingler as close to returning to full action after an arthroscopic procedure to clean up his right elbow. Still, the status of their starting catcher remaining uncertain was a little bit disconcerting, though Dingler was notably present catching bullpens on the backfields over the past two weeks. As it turned out, the Tigers estimates on his return were accurate, as the 27-year-old catcher made his first start of the spring in Friday’s drubbing of the Philadelphia Phillies.

Dingler’s arm wasn’t really tested, but since he’s back on the field healthy after a throwing program to build his arm strength up, we’ll assume that isn’t an issue. More to the point was getting him going in time to get enough plate appearances to be ready for Opening Day. That got off to a good start as Dingler struck out in his first at-bat but then smoked a double to plate Spencer Torkelson with the Tigers first run of the game. After that they were off to the races, winning 16-8.

That was the positive injury news on Friday. The unfortunate news was that right-hander Troy Melton has been shut down with inflammation in his right elbow, making his eventual status for Opening Day pretty questionable. Melton hadn’t appeared in a game yet, but neither have Framber Valdez or Justin Verlander as of yet. The latter two have no reported issues and have the experience not to be any rush in February. Presumably we’ll see them take the mound this weekend or next week at the latest.

Troy Melton gets shutdown

While Troy Melton was currently on the outside of the starting rotation looking in, he was a big factor in picking up a crumbling pitching staff last summer, and went on to pitch well in his first postseason. As starting depth, and probably headed to the bullpen to begin the year, Melton is still a weapon for the club in either role, with the added benefit of having some comfort factor doing either job. This isn’t really much of a setback for the team yet, unless they really need rotation help a month from now as the season begins.

It’s easy to leap to worst case scenario conclusions, but inflammation in the elbow is pretty common, particularly as pitchers are ramping up to a full workload early in camp. The inflammation itself should resolve fairly soon. The issue of course is that inflammation in the tight, narrow passage through the joint where the humerus and ulna bones connect, makes it very difficult to get clear imaging of structures inside and around the elbow. So, for now there’s nothing to do but let it subside until they can properly examine him via MRI.

The irritation and inflammation could be minor and fairly routine, allowing him to start throwing again, or it could be caused by bone chips, spurs, or a rough spot in the passage through the joint that the UCL stretches against. Those would require comparetively minor procedures that might only set Melton back a month or so, depending on when they get an answer. It could also be a tear in the UCL, or even a tendon issue, that would potentially cost him the season.

Right now, Melton has a case of Schrodinger’s elbow. When the inflammation subsides and they can get the imaging done properly, the Tigers might have a relatively healthy pitcher who doesn’t even need a procedure, or they might have a Tommy John case. We’ll just have to wait and see.

First cuts from spring camp

The Tigers also announced their first round of cuts from spring camp. All four are pitchers rehabbing from minor injuries, so it’s no surprise they were transferred to minor league camp. Relievers Phil Bickford, Dugan Darnell, and Tyler Owens, along with veteran minor league starter Troy Watson, were all reassigned. Watson is returning from right elbow arthroscopy, while Bickford is rehabbing a right triceps strain. Darnell and Owens are both rehabbing after hip procedures.

None of the group was ever likely to break camp with the major league club.

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Yankees Birthday of the Day: Bill Holland

The New York Black Yankees baseball team belonged to the Negro National League, one of several Negro leagues which were established during the era of racial segregation in the United States. Button with metal pin back. The front of the button has a white background with a blue line drawing of a baseball with shading at the bottom and two crossed baseball bats at the top. There is blue text at the center that reads "N.Y. BLACK YANKEES." Artist Unknown. (Photo by Heritage Art/Heritage Images via Getty Images) | Heritage Images via Getty Images

Throughout our “Yankees Birthday of the Day” series, we’ve taken the opportunity to celebrate and remember scores of Yankees from throughout the generations, from Hall of Famers to journeymen, from those born in the 1800s through to members of the team’s last championship squad. Today, we’ll be taking a slight detour to shed some light on a New York baseball icon who never got the chance to don the pinstripes due to the color of his skin.

Elvis William “Bill” Holland
Born: February 28, 1901 (Alexandria, IN)
Died: December 3, 1973 (New York, NY)
New York Black Yankees Tenure: 1932-1941

Bill Holland began his pro career in 1918 at the age of 17, pitching for the Richmond Giants in Indiana. Little is known about the right-hander’s performance in these early days before the founding of the first Black Major League, but he was already gaining a reputation as a durable fireballer, reportedly once pitching 20 innings in less than 24 hours. When the Negro National League formed in 1920, Holland took his talents from Warner Jewell’s ABCs of Indianapolis to Detroit and immediately established himself as one of the league’s top pitchers on the Stars.

Although Negro League statistics are famously difficult to track in a standardized way due to the number of exhibitions and games against not-quite-pro-caliber operations, Holland posted a 3.08 ERA between 1920-22 in confirmed Negro National League games (a stretch that also included a brief stint with Negro League founder Rube Foster’s Chicago American Giants). The man nicknamed “Devil” punched out 351 in 578.1 innings — a mark that put him among the top of the league. His 1.077 WHIP in 1922 led the majors.

It was after a successful 1922 season that the 22-year-old made his way out east to New York, where he’d make his baseball home for the next two decades. On July 5, 1930, Yankees owner Jacob Ruppert loaned Yankee Stadium for the day to the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters and its president, A. Philip Randolph, a union leader and civil rights activist who organized a doubleheader between the New York Lincoln Giants and the Baltimore Black Sox as a fundraiser for the Brotherhood. In Game 1, New York’s manager — future Hall of Famer John Henry “Pop” Lloyd — gave the ball to a 29-year-old Bill Holland, reportedly making him the first Black pitcher to ever take the mound at the House that Ruth Built. Holland threw a complete game in a 13-4 victory.

The following year, the veteran signed on with the Harlem Stars, who played some of their home games at the Stadium. They rebranded for the 1932 season as the New York Black Yankees, tying themselves in name to what had quickly become the American League’s premier franchise. The club continued to play in the Bronx and also later across the river at Hinchliffe Stadium in Paterson, NJ (recently restored).

Holland would remain with the Black Yankees for the rest of his career, continuing to pitch until the age of 40 in 1941 and being named a starter of the second 1939 East-West All-Star Game, which was held at Yankee Stadium. The official record has him as second in club history in most major pitching counting stats, including starts, wins, innings pitched, and strikeouts. When my colleague Matt looked back at the best players in Black Yankees history in 2021, he had Holland ranked second, behind only teammate and two-way threat Barney Brown.

But these statistics cannot tell Bill Holland’s story. The legendary Cool Papa Bell ranked him alongside Hall of famers Satchel Paige, Smokey Joe Williams, and Bullet Joe Rogan as among the four best pitchers to play in the Negro Leagues. A 1952 poll organized by the Pittsburgh Courier, an African-American newspaper, named Holland to its All-Time Third Team of Black ballplayers, also among the ranks of Hall of Famers.

Perhaps due to a lack of a narrative around his success, or perhaps due to the fact that the Black Yankees were mostly among the worst teams in the league during his time there, Holland has not received the same momentum towards enshrinement as some of his peers. He reportedly died on December 3, 1973, though there is no obituary on file with major New York periodicals for this man who had been an icon among Black New Yorkers for nearly 20 years.

Here at Pinstripe Alley, on what would be Bill Holland’s 125th birthday, we remember a man who left a quiet, proud legacy as a pioneer of Black baseball in New York.

See more of the “Yankees Birthday of the Day” series here.

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Is Reed Sheppard the next Steph Curry?

In some NBA circles, Reed Sheppard has a nickname.

Rule of thumb: If Basketball Reference won’t print it, neither will The Dream Shake. Hmmm. How about Triple Espresso Curry? Why not I Ran Into A Jerk From High School, He Seemed Really Excited To See Me Even Though We Were Never Friends Curry?

To quote the ever-poignant Pusha T (which in itself is a hint), if you know, you know. The more significant point, of course, is that Sheppard has garnered comparisons to Curry.

Are they legitimate?

Rockets’ Reed Sheppard can be a historic shooter

Warning: This attempt at statistical comparison is riddled with flaws.

Firstly, it’d have been better to compare Curry’s sophomore stats. Unfortunately, NBA.com’s tracking data doesn’t go back that far. The furthest back we could get was 2013-14. By then, Curry was a fringe MVP candidate, even if not the direct descendant of Khrysos that Rockets fans have grown to loathe.

Secondly, the league has changed dramatically in the last decade-and-change. Curry is the best shooter of all time, but it’s fair to say that the NBA did not know how to defend him when his style of play was beginning to crystallize. Ironically, the Rockets were instrumental in introducing some coverages that kind of, sort of mitigated his impact for stretches. It’s fair to assume Sheppard is seeing those coverages more regularly.

Lastly, Steph Curry is the best shooter of all time. It stands to reason that he’s unlikely to be number two by the time Sheppard retires. This is the highest bar.

So, the fact that Sheppard comes close to meeting it is very encouraging.

On catch-and-shoot threes, Curry shot 45.8% on 2.6 attempts per game in 2013-14. Sheppard is hitting 40.7% of his 4.4 threes per game. On pull-up threes, Curry hit 40.3% of his 4.4 attempts, while Sheppard is hitting 38.1% of his 2.0 per game.

On face value, perhaps that’s not as comparable as you’d like. The pull-up shooting is the secret sauce. That’s the skill that allowed Curry to warp the geometry of the basketball court. It’s what separates him from the Klay Thompsons and Ray Allens of the world.

Two counterpoints. First, 38.1% is a very strong percentage on pull-up triples. For context, Anthony Edwards is hitting 34.0% of his 6.0 attempts per game. There’s a simple conclusion here: Sheppard should shoot more pull-up threes. He’s got considerable breathing room for his accuracy to decline and remain one of the most effective pull-up three-point shooters in the NBA. As of now, he shoots a higher percentage than anyone in the top-10 in volume besides Ty Jerome and – you guessed it – Steph Curry.

Second, Sheppard doesn’t have to be a Curry facsimile to be one of the most impactful shooters in the NBA. Let it be said that Curry never played with a big man with Alperen Sengun’s combination of interior gravity and passing acumen. Given the potential synergy there, Sheppard’s catch-and-shoot chops could mean more for the Rockets than Curry’s meant for the Warriors.

Once again, volume is a variable. This is a neat stat that shows how much the league has changed. In 2013-14, Curry shot 8.1 threes per 75 possessions. That ranked third in the league behind Miro Telotovic (a beautiful blast from the past, what a fun player) and Gerald Green* (you’re a Rockets fan, so you know what that’s about).

*Green is the only celebrity I ever played against in NBA 2K. Random Rec. The dude played exactly like his NBA self. Finished 4/10 from three, 4/10 from the field. Pretty sure he missed 5 straight before hitting three impossible triples in a row. Surreal.

Sheppard shoots 9.7 threes per 75 possessions. That’s 12th in the league. Regardless of shot type, he needs to shoot more three-pointers. That’s true on a per-possession basis, but it’s more broadly true in general, which is a roundabout way of saying Ime Udoka needs to give him more minutes.

Could that unlock his inner Curry-ness?

Rockets’ Reed Sheppard can be a star

For Udoka to play Sheppard more, Sheppard needs to improve on defense.

He’s been doing that lately. Sheppard is gambling less. All of the hand-wringing about his efforts on that end may have been no more than a reaction to watching a rookie/sophomore on a contending NBA team.

He won’t be Curry. Nobody will. That’s fine. If Sheppard can be, say, 80% of a Steph Curry offensively plus elite defensive playmaking (even if exploitable in certain matchups), that feels like a borderline franchise player. If he can hit 90%, that’s a certified franchise stud.

If you disagree, you might be on drugs.