Wales head coach Sean Lynn has announced his first squad for the 2025 Guinness Women’s Six Nations campaign. Lynn, who will lead his club side Gloucester/Hartpury in their third successive PWR final on Sunday, has named a 37-player squad for the tournament. Wales open their campaign away to Scotland on Saturday, March 22nd (KO: 4.45pm). […]
The post Lynn names 37-strong Wales Women squad for Six Nations appeared first on Welsh Rugby Union | Wales & Regions.
Purdue Boilermakers vs. Michigan Wolverines Game Preview
Toronto Raptors vs. Utah Jazz Preview
The Toronto Raptors (23-43) and Utah Jazz (15-51) are all set to square off from Delta Center in Salt Lake City.
The Raptors are playing good basketball right now. They have won back-to-back games and six of their last four.
The Raptors are currently 7-23 on the road with a point differential of -5, while the Jazz have a 4-6 record in their last ten games at home.
We’ve got all the info and analysis you need to know ahead of the game, including the latest info on the how to catch tipoff, odds, recent team performance, player stats, and of course, our predictions, picks & best bets for the game from our modeling tools and staff of experts.
Listen to the Rotoworld Basketball Show for the latest fantasy player news, waiver claims, roster advice and more from our experts all season long. Click here or download it wherever you get your podcasts.
Game details & how to watch Raptors vs. Jazz live today
Never miss a second of the action and stay up to date with all the latest team stats and player news. Check out our day-by-day NBA schedule page, along with detailed matchup pages that update live in-game.
Game odds for Raptors vs. Jazz
The latest odds as of Friday:
That gives the Raptors an implied team point total of 116.42, and the Jazz 117.73.
Want to know which sportsbook is offering the best lines for every game on the NBA calendar? Check out the NBC Sports’ Live Odds tool to get all the latest updated info from DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM & more!
Expert picks & predictions for Friday's Raptors vs. Jazz game
NBC Sports Bet Best Bet
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Our model calculates projections around each moneyline, spread and over/under bet for every game on the NBA calendar based on data points like recent performance, head-to-head player matchups, trends information and projected game totals.
Once the model is finished running, we put its projections next to the latest betting lines for the game to arrive at a relative confidence level for each wager.
Here are the best bets our model is projecting for today’s Raptors & Jazz game:
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Important stats, trends & insights to know ahead of Raptors vs. Jazz on Friday
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Newcastle face Liverpool in Sunday’s Carabao Cup final, while in-form Brighton visit Manchester City on Saturday
Saturday 3pm Venue Goodison Park
Continue reading...Los Angeles Lakers vs. Denver Nuggets Preview
The Los Angeles Lakers (40-24) and Denver Nuggets (42-24) are all set to square off from Ball Arena in Denver.
The Lakers had a challenging game last night against the Milwaukee Bucks. They were down big for much of the game and couldn’t generate offense outside of Luca Doncic.
They are 13-point underdogs on the second half of a back-to-back in Mile High.
The Lakers are currently 15-17 on the road with a point differential of 1, while the Nuggets have a 8-2 record in their last ten games at home.
We’ve got all the info and analysis you need to know ahead of the game, including the latest info on the how to catch tipoff, odds, recent team performance, player stats, and of course, our predictions, picks & best bets for the game from our modeling tools and staff of experts.
Listen to the Rotoworld Basketball Show for the latest fantasy player news, waiver claims, roster advice and more from our experts all season long. Click here or download it wherever you get your podcasts.
Game details & how to watch Lakers vs. Nuggets live today
Never miss a second of the action and stay up to date with all the latest team stats and player news. Check out our day-by-day NBA schedule page, along with detailed matchup pages that update live in-game.
Game odds for Lakers vs. Nuggets
The latest odds as of Friday:
That gives the Lakers an implied team point total of 115.52, and the Nuggets 122.29.
Want to know which sportsbook is offering the best lines for every game on the NBA calendar? Check out the NBC Sports’ Live Odds tool to get all the latest updated info from DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM & more!
Expert picks & predictions for Friday's Lakers vs. Nuggets game
NBC Sports Bet Best Bet
Please bet responsibly. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline at 1-800-522-4700.
Our model calculates projections around each moneyline, spread and over/under bet for every game on the NBA calendar based on data points like recent performance, head-to-head player matchups, trends information and projected game totals.
Once the model is finished running, we put its projections next to the latest betting lines for the game to arrive at a relative confidence level for each wager.
Here are the best bets our model is projecting for today’s Lakers & Nuggets game:
Want even more NBA best bets and predictions from our expert staff & tools? Check out the Expert NBA Predictions page from NBC Sports for money line, spread and over/under picks for every game on today’s calendar!
Important stats, trends & insights to know ahead of Lakers vs. Nuggets on Friday
If you’re looking for more key trends and stats around the spread, moneyline and total for every single game on the schedule today, check out our NBA Top Trends tool on NBC Sports!
Bet the Edge is your source for all things sports betting. Get all of Jay Croucher and Drew Dinsick’s insight weekdays at 6AM ET right here or wherever you get your favorite podcasts.
Follow our experts on socials to keep up with all the latest content from the staff:
- Jay Croucher (@croucherJD)
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- Vaughn Dalzell (@VmoneySports)
- Brad Thomas (@MrBradThomas)
Missouri Tigers vs. Florida Gators Game Preview
England will drive back to an empty stadium if France slip up, but their performance in Cardiff will define campaign
If all goes well for England, somewhere around half past nine on Saturday they will be preparing to clamber on to the team bus and head back to the stadium. They will have decamped to their hotel a couple of miles away in Cardiff Bay but if they have held up their end of the bargain against Wales and it appears that Scotland could do them a favour, England are due back at the Principality Stadium just after 10pm for a possible trophy presentation.
It will be a replica trophy in Cardiff – the real thing is in Paris given France remain hot favourites – but broadcasters and sponsors want their champagne moment, come what may, and as a result England must oblige, even in an empty stadium. It means that England could be left a touch red-faced if France leave it late to put Scotland to the sword. All dressed up at the Principality with nowhere to go.
Continue reading...Kentucky Wildcats vs. Alabama Crimson Tide Game Preview
The Los Angeles Kings were dominant on home ice, shutting out the Washington Capitals 3-0 in a statement victory at Crypto.com Arena. Goaltender Darcy Kuemper was flawless in his first game back against his former team since getting traded over the summer, shutting out all 21 shots faced to record his third shutout of the year.
The Kings' defense was equally sturdy, holding Alex Ovechkin without even a single shot on goal—an unusual sight against one of the NHL's best goal-scorers. The victory extended the Kings' winning streak to four games and was a significant confidence booster as they moved to second place in the Pacific division.
Los Angeles showed great defensive discipline and capitalized on their scoring chances to hand the Capitals their first loss in six games. The Kings' shutdown of Washington's potent offense was a testament to their growing cohesion and toughness in high-stakes games.
A High Stakes Test Passed with Flying Colors
This contest proved to be more than just another regular-season game — it was an actual litmus test of the Kings' playoff worthiness, and they answered emphatically. The Kings could stifle Washington's high-octane offense, posting one of their most complete performances of the season.
Their organized defense persisted in frustrating the Capitals, and their ability to stifle Ovechkin's chances was a testament to their improved ability to lock down top talent. With Kuemper standing tall in net and the likes of Kevin Fiala and Quinton Byfield stepping up when it mattered most, each contributed a goal.
Combined with eight shots on goal, the Kings collectively proved they can keep up with top-level teams when it matters.
The Kings' are now 16-1-1 whenever they score the first points at home, proving their dominance when they get off to good starts.
Coming into this game, the Kings were in the hunt for the second seed right behind the Oilers, but with the win today and the Oilers losing their last two games, LA is now on top. Since the trade deadline, the Kings have looked like the team they were back in January, winning four in a row and now 15 games above .500.
The Kings' well-balanced attack, good goaltending, and improved offensive dept proved worthy tonight against a formidable team. It was proven against the Capitals' deadly mixture of veteran savvy and youth that this season has been challenging to beat.
The Kings' specialty teams, which have been the catalyst for their recent success, proved dominant against Washington's power play, which has been among the top in the league. Also, with Darcy Kuemper facing his former team after the trade back in the Summer for Pierre-Luc Dubois, Kuemper didn't look fazed. He stayed locked in throughout the game, locking up the best offense.
Ovechkin’s Goal Chase Stalled
The center of attention coming into this game was Alex Ovechkin—the future Hall of Famer with 886 goals. Under his belt, he only needed nine more goals to break Wayne Gretzky's record.
However, tonight's game was disappointing because he remains goals behind Wayne Gretzky's all-time scoring mark. The Kings' defensive suffocation of Ovechkin's typical scoring avenues kept him from even taking a shot on goal.
The Kings not only held Alex Ovechkin without a goal, but the Capitals forward also went without a shot on goal for only the second time this season.
— Russell Morgan (@NHLRussell) March 14, 2025
This performance was surprisingly quiet for a player who scored from anywhere on the ice. With time working in his favor this season, Ovechkin will look to catch up quickly as he chases NHL history.
For the Kings, they didn't care about the record Ovechkin was chasing at all. Ovechkin's goal-scoring ability is a unique feat, and he has made a career out of scoring in big situations, but today, he was held without a shot on goal for only the second time this season.
The Kings' defense stayed alert, didn't force too many stupid penalties, and watched Ovechkin closely every time he stepped onto the ice.
Pierre-Luc Dubois and Matt Roy Return
The Kings traded away Dubois for Kuemper during the offseason, and it's been a success for both teams. Dubois has been an integral part of the Capitals scoring punch. Dubois has been a great addition to the nation's capital by recording 57 points (17 goals, 40 assists), providing size and quality to the Capitals forward position.
It would be interesting to see what both players would do against their former teams tonight. However, Roy struggled to get going, finishing with zero goals and shots on goal, while Dubois had a solid outing.
On the other hand, Dubois got six shots on goal, getting very close to scoring on a few occasions, but was short with Kuemper's ruling defense on the goal line. But the whole Capitals team struggled tonight. It wasn't just individual players; the team looked unprepared for what was coming at them.
Kuemper's First Game vs. Old Team
Another interesting subplot coming into this game was the return of goalie Darcy Kuemper, who was facing his old team for the first time since he was sent to Los Angeles in the offseason as part of a trade that sent Pierre-Luc Dubois off.
Kuemper's return against his former team looked like the Capitals may regret getting rid of him in the offseason. Kuemper's poise and sharp positioning were key in neutralizing Washington's attack. He saved all 21 shots the Capitals threw at him, especially during a crucial penalty kill in the second period that kept momentum in the Kings' favor. His performance provided a reminder of why he was such a key piece for the Capitals before the summer trade.
With a .915 save percentage and 2.29 goals-against average, Kuemper has been a solid player for the Kings all season, keeping them fighting for home ice for playoff time. Kuemper's familiarity with the Capitals' roster played a massive advantage in tonight's game.
🎶 we want you babyyyyy 🎶 pic.twitter.com/NUMSXJXmSa
— LA Kings (@LAKings) March 14, 2025
Having spent much time in Washington, he looked like he knew their shooters and was prepared for what was coming at him. His first game against them didn't phase him; if anything, it motivated him all game. Given his track record, Kuemper was born for moments like this and was focused when it mattered most: helping the Kings beat one of the league's top teams.
A Team to Be Feared
With this resounding win against one of the league's best teams, the Kings have made it clear that they are a legitimate playoff contender. Keeping Ovechkin in check, stifling Washington's offense, and showing great poise in big moments also mark the Kings as a possible dangerous postseason contender.
Their defensive depth, defensive skills, and goaltending have established them as a team that can abuse top-level teams, and they should take heart from this statement victory.
After the win, Kuemper had one thing to say after their shutout win against the Capitals.
"We have our eye on trying to get home ice in the playoffs," said the should-be Vezina finalist.
What's the first rule of climbing out of a deep hole? Stop digging.
Dallas Mavericks ownership and front office are in a hole with their fan base after trading away Luka Doncic and assembling a team that went from the NBA Finals a season ago to likely missing the playoffs entirely this year (to be fair, injuries are a part of that). The Mavericks need to stop digging, yet here is what team governor Patrick Dumont said during a speaking engagement put on by a Dallas-area real estate organization this week:
"This was a decision about the future. If you look at our roster today and who we have, we feel like we've positioned ourselves to be incredibly competitive against the best teams in the NBA. And if you're a fan of basketball -- I'll just throw that out there -- you have Kyrie Irving, Klay Thompson, P.J. Washington, Anthony Davis and either Daniel Gafford or Dereck Lively as your starting five. That's going to put fear into a lot of teams in the league, if we can get going...
"The objective was, 'How do we create a roster for the future that allows us to be the most competitive team?'...
"It's really just about improving the team for the future."
You can feel the collective eye rolls from Mavericks fans. Tell us again how trading away a 25-year-old top-five player in the world (when healthy) for a 32-year-old great player but with an injury history is a good decision about the future. Stop digging.
Klay Thompson, for his part, is buying into the message.
Klay Thompson still believes in the Mavericks’ future despite all of the injuries.
— Joey Mistretta (@JoeyMistretta_) March 11, 2025
He wants to help lead them back to “glory”#MFFLpic.twitter.com/QoPcK9uuY0
Former Mavs owner Mark Cuban this week echoed what sources from every corner of the league have been saying since the trade: Even if somehow you talk yourself into the need to trade Doncic, "Just get a better deal." As great as Anthony Davis can be, as much as Max Christie is thriving, getting just one first-round pick in this trade is mind-boggling, let alone there should have been more win-now talent. The Knicks gave up five first-round picks to get Mikal Bridges last offseason. Cuban rightfully said that if Dallas had gotten four first-round picks with Davis and Christie, the conversation would be different (fans would have still questioned the wisdom of making the trade, but at least that's close to a fair return). It should be noted the Lakers only had two firsts to trade, so a third and maybe fourth team would have had to come in with much bigger roles than Utah had in the existing deal.
The fastest way out of the hole for the Mavericks is to start winning games (and not jack up ticket prices). However, with the unfortunate ACL injury to Kyrie Irving that will sideline him until at least the middle of next season, it will be a while before the level of winning fans saw with Doncic returns. Until then, stop digging.
So, you are saying there’s a chance?
The Detroit Red Wings are knee-deep in pursuing the final Wild Card position in the Eastern Conference. They held firm to a position for a very long time. However, a recent losing streak has knocked them out of the playoff picture.
For now.
Bookmark The Hockey News Detroit Red Wings team site to stay connected to the latest news, game-day coverage, and player features.
The hockey website MoneyPuck publishes updates on every NHL team’s playoff chances. Earlier on Friday, they posted the latest chances. Rejoice, Red Wings fans – there’s still a chance.
Red Wings Bring Over Anton JohanssonYou can never have too many defensemen.
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Top Red Wings Prospect Sets SHL Record
McLellan on Jonatan Berggren's Path Back into Lineup: "Sometimes You Gotta Steal from your Teammate"The last two times out, as Red Wings coach Todd McLellan and his staff have put together their lineup, they have omitted Jonatan Berggren's name from the forward group.
According to MoneyPuck’s model, the Red Wings have a 9.3 percent chance of reaching the postseason.
The only other Eastern Conference teams with a lower chance of making the playoffs are the Boston Bruins, Philadelphia Flyers, Pittsburgh Penguins, and Buffalo Sabres. Of those teams, only the Sabres have no chance of making it.
The Red Wings currently have 68 points, two points back of the final Wild Card team, the Columbus Blue Jackets. The New York Rangers also have 70 points but have played 66 games to the Red Wings' (and Blue Jackets') 65.
Can The Red Wings Make The Playoffs?Nobody likes losing.
There is always a chance because so much of making the playoffs is outside of the players’ control. They can’t influence how other games play out.
What they can control is their individual performances. The Red Wings have 17 games remaining on the schedule, which is plenty of time to close the gap and pull ahead of other teams in the running.
Buckle up, Red Wings fans, the end of this season could be a photo finish.
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Kevin O'Connor and retired NBA star Gordon Hayward discuss the prospects of Marquette Golden Eagles guard Kam Jones, who plays St. John's on Friday afternoon in the Big East tournament. Did the changes Jones made to his game help his draft stock this year after deciding to come back for a final season at Marquette? Gordon Hayward joins Yahoo Sports on behalf of Colgate Total.
Orlando Magic vs. Minnesota Timberwolves Preview
The Orlando Magic (31-36) and Minnesota Timberwolves (38-29) are all set to square off from Target Center in Minneapolis.
The Orlando Magic are a game and a half behind the Atlanta Hawks for the Southeast Division. They have been in a bit of a slide losing seven of their last 10.
The Timberwolves are third in the Northwest, but are on a six game winning streak.
The Magic are currently 13-20 on the road with a point differential of -1, while the Timberwolves have a 6-4 record in their last ten games at home.
We’ve got all the info and analysis you need to know ahead of the game, including the latest info on the how to catch tipoff, odds, recent team performance, player stats, and of course, our predictions, picks & best bets for the game from our modeling tools and staff of experts.
Listen to the Rotoworld Basketball Show for the latest fantasy player news, waiver claims, roster advice and more from our experts all season long. Click here or download it wherever you get your podcasts.
Game details & how to watch Magic vs. Timberwolves live today
Never miss a second of the action and stay up to date with all the latest team stats and player news. Check out our day-by-day NBA schedule page, along with detailed matchup pages that update live in-game.
Game odds for Magic vs. Timberwolves
The latest odds as of Friday:
That gives the Magic an implied team point total of 102.87, and the Timberwolves 108.35.
Want to know which sportsbook is offering the best lines for every game on the NBA calendar? Check out the NBC Sports’ Live Odds tool to get all the latest updated info from DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM & more!
Expert picks & predictions for Friday's Magic vs. Timberwolves game
NBC Sports Bet Best Bet
Please bet responsibly. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline at 1-800-522-4700.
Brad Thomas (@MrBradThomas) is leaning towards the Timberwolves -10.5…
Thomas: “The Magic are coming off a big win last night against the Pelicans. However, back-to-back road games feel a bit tough for a struggling team. They played in Orlando in January, and the Timberwolves won and covered. The Timberwolves have also covered in five of their last six.”
Our model calculates projections around each moneyline, spread and over/under bet for every game on the NBA calendar based on data points like recent performance, head-to-head player matchups, trends information and projected game totals.
Once the model is finished running, we put its projections next to the latest betting lines for the game to arrive at a relative confidence level for each wager.
Here are the best bets our model is projecting for today’s Magic & Timberwolves game:
Want even more NBA best bets and predictions from our expert staff & tools? Check out the Expert NBA Predictions page from NBC Sports for money line, spread and over/under picks for every game on today’s calendar!
Bet the Edge is your source for all things sports betting. Get all of Jay Croucher and Drew Dinsick’s insight weekdays at 6AM ET right here or wherever you get your favorite podcasts.
Follow our experts on socials to keep up with all the latest content from the staff:
- Jay Croucher (@croucherJD)
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On Wednesday night, the Vancouver Canucks did something they previously hadn’t done at all this season — they won a game after trailing two periods. Taking the 4–3 shootout win against the Calgary Flames brings them up to 71 points on the season with 17 games remaining. Two of those games occur this weekend at Rogers Arena, where the Canucks will play the Chicago Blackhawks on Saturday and Utah Hockey Club on Sunday. While Chicago is pretty much a shoe-in for a top-three draft pick this year, Utah is sneakily only two points back of Vancouver. Let’s take a look at what this weekend could have in store for the Canucks.
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Vancouver’s first matchup this weekend comes against Chicago, who are currently sporting a 20–37–9 season record that puts them second-last in the Western Conference with 49 points. Only the San Jose Sharks have a lower point total than them. Despite their abysmal record, Vancouver can’t approach this game with the expectation of automatically gaining two points.
Chicago’s most dangerous factor coming into this game is the newly-acquired Spencer Knight, who is sporting a 2.24 GAA and .928 SV% in his three games with the Blackhawks so far. Knight has led the Blackhawks to a win against Utah and the Los Angeles Kings. In his two losses against the Colorado Avalanche and Sharks with Chicago, he only let in two goals and three goals respectively, still posting save percentages of .900% and .875%. Prior to being traded, he registered two shutouts and a 2.40 GAA with the Florida Panthers.
Another thing Vancouver should also be aware of is Chicago’s strong special teams. Their power play currently sits at fifth in the NHL with an effectiveness rate of 24.8%. Notably, they have scored five power play goals in their last 10 games. Their penalty kill has been steady as well, posting a killing percentage of 80.9% — 11th in the league.
Vancouver and Chicago are the bottom-two shot producers in the NHL. They’re both also towards the bottom of the standings in goals-for. While it’s likely that this game could be a low-scoring affair, since the start of March, Vancouver has seen a significant increase in shots-for, while Chicago has not. In this case, the key to securing two points against the Blackhawks will be to play the same way they did at the end of their match against the Flames. They’ll need to control play and keep applying pressure (or should I say, meet pressure with pressure?).
Utah has been a surprise team for many this season. A rebranded version of the Arizona Coyotes, Utah wasn’t expected to perform too well given the circumstances. However, they’ve put on quite the show for their new fanbase and have climbed up to a 29–25–11 record. This puts them at 69 points with 17 games left in their season, only a hair away from reaching Vancouver’s current position. Utah has had Vancouver’s number in both of their season matchups so far, taking both of their victories by only one goal.
As it stands, Utah has two players at the 50-point mark and above, and five who have more than 40 points. Vancouver’s lone player with more than 50 points is Quinn Hughes, who has 61 in 51 games played. Next in line are Conor Garland and Elias Pettersson with 39. For reference, Clayton Keller (74), Nick Schmaltz (50), Dylan Guenther (48), Logan Cooley (47), and MIkhail Sergachev (43) all have more points than Vancouver’s top-scoring forwards. While Utah is not a particularly high-scoring team compared to others in the NHL, their goals-for count of 184 is still higher than Vancouver’s 176.
One surprising stat about Utah is their corsi-for percentage, which tracks even-strength shot attempts by a team. They are currently ninth in the NHL in this stat with 51.68%, putting them higher than the Vegas Golden Knights, Washington Capitals, and Winnipeg Jets. Vancouver is 22nd in the league with 49.03%.
As is the case with all games at this time of year, this weekend’s back-to-back is a big one for Vancouver. They have the opportunity to escape with all four points, taking two away from a team currently chasing them in the standings. Puck drop for Saturday is at 7:00 pm PT, while Sunday’s game starts at 5:00 pm PT.
Make sure you bookmark THN's Vancouver Canucks site and add us to your favourites on Google News for the latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns, and so much more. Also, be sure to leave a comment at the bottom of the page and engage with other passionate fans through our forum.
Clemson Tigers vs. Louisville Cardinals Game Preview
