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Atlanta Braves at Seattle Mariners Game Thread: May 6

SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - MAY 05: Matt Olson #28 of the Atlanta Braves reacts after hitting a solo home run during the ninth inning against the Seattle Mariners at T-Mobile Park on May 05, 2026 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Jack Compton/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The Atlanta Braves will look to improve to 6-0 in rubber matches and stay unbeaten in series with Wednesday afternoon’s 4:10 p.m. EDT series finale against the Seattle Mariners.

Martín Pérez will be tasked with making another start after he wasn’t used in the bullpen Tuesday night. Jim Jarvis, called up this morning, will make his major league debut at shortstop to give Jorge Mateo a day off.

Let’s baseball one more time before a high-stakes series this weekend against the Dodgers.

Game Info

Preview

Lineups

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Tyler Glasnow leaves game vs. Astros in second inning with sore back

There's good news and bad news for Tyler Glasnow and Los Angeles Dodgers fans.

Good news for the Glasnow generals, or those who have him on their fantasy team, Glasnow recorded his 1,000th career strikeout in a start against the Houston Astros on May 6. He threw a curveball at Yordan Álvarez, one of the game's notable sluggers, who bit and missed, giving Glasnow strikeout No. 1,000.

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How to watch San Francisco Giants vs. San Diego Padres

Adrian Houser lifting his leg to throw a pitch.
PHILADELPHIA, PA - APRIL 30: Adrian Houser #12 of the San Francisco Giants pitches during the game between the San Francisco Giants and the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park on Thursday, April 30, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Denis Kennedy/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images

The San Francisco Giants conclude their three-game series against the San Diego Padres this afternoon, and they’re hoping for a much-needed series win. We’re also hoping for that.

Taking the mound for the Giants is righty Adrian Houser, who is still trying to find his groove this season. Houser has made six starts this year, and is 0-3 with a 7.12 ERA, a 5.75 FIP, and 16 strikeouts against 10 walks in 30.1 innings. He gave up three earned runs in 4.2 innings against the Philadelphia Phillies his last time out, which, unfortunately, was one of his best starts of the year.

San Diego is opting for an opener, with righty Bradgley Rodriguez kicking things off. The 22-year old has appeared in 14 games this year, and is 0-1 with a 1.62 ERA, a 2.60 FIP, and 12 strikeouts to five walks in 16.2 innings. This is his first career start.

Enjoy the game everyone. Go Giants!

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Lineups

Giants

  1. Heliot Ramos — LF
  2. Jung Hoo Lee — CF
  3. Casey Schmitt — 2B
  4. Matt Chapman — 3B
  5. Rafael Devers — 1B
  6. Willy Adames — SS
  7. Bryce Eldridge — DH
  8. Jesús Rodríguez — RF
  9. Patrick Bailey — C

RHP. Adrian Houser

Padres

  1. Jackson Merrill — CF
  2. Manny Machado — 3B
  3. Miguel Andujar — DH
  4. Gavin Sheets — 1B
  5. Fernando Tatis Jr. — 2B
  6. Ramón Laureano — LF
  7. Nick Castellanos — RF
  8. Freddy Fermin — C
  9. Sung-Mun Song — SS

RHP. Bradgley Rodriguez

Game #37

Who: San Francisco Giants (14-22) vs. San Diego Padres (21-14)

Where: Oracle Park, San Francisco, California

When: 12:45 p.m. PT

Regional broadcast: NBC Sports Bay Area

National broadcast: n/a

Radio: KNBR 680 AM/104.5 FM, KSFN 1510 AM

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Lakers' Jarred Vanderbilt day-to-day after dislocating right pinky finger

OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA - MAY 05: Chet Holmgren #7 of the Oklahoma City Thunder dunks against Rui Hachimura #28 and Jarred Vanderbilt #2 of the Los Angeles Lakers during the second quarter in Game One of the Second Round of the NBA Western Conference Playoffs at Paycom Center on May 05, 2026 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. 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 Joshua Gateley/Getty Images)
Lakers forward Jarred Vanderbilt can't stop Thunder center Chet Holmgren from dunking during the second quarter of Game 1 on Tuesday night in Oklahoma City. Vanderbilt dislocated his right pinky finger when his hand struck the backboard. (Joshua Gateley / Getty Images)

Though Jarred Vanderbilt suffered a gruesome dislocated right pinky injury during the Lakers’ loss in Game 1 against the Thunder on Tuesday, coach JJ Redick said his forward has been listed as day-to-day for the second-round series.

Vanderbilt, who is left-handed, was injured in the second quarter trying to block a dunk by Oklahoma City’s Chet Holmgren, but his hand hit the backboard. Vanderbilt immediately doubled over in pain, as the bone broke through the skin and had to be put back in place.

“They were able to put his finger back together and it’s splinted and he’s day-to-day,” Redick said Wednesday.

The Lakers and Thunder play Game 2 here Thursday night at Paycom Center.

Redick said it was a “reduction” for Vanderbilt, meaning it was a procedure to restore his dislocated finger.

Vanderbilt had his finger taped and had a splint on the finger after the game.

Read more:Frustrated Luka Doncic breaks his silence; doctors forecasted he'd miss Thunder series

“Yeah. I mean, he's obviously a tough-minded player and person,” Redick said. “It just, he had a full dislocation. So they just put the stuff back together. You know, he'll be day-to-day.”

Redick was asked if it’ll be a pain tolerance issue for his defensive-minded forward.

“Certainly the pain is involved,” Redick said. “From my understanding, it's basically making sure basically the tissue is healed enough. We're obviously going to splint him, but making sure the tissue is healed enough to protect his skin barrier.”

Jaxson Hayes called Vanderbilt’s finger injury “disgusting” because the “whole bone was out of his skin.”

“Obviously, you never want to see one of your teammates go down,” Hayes said. “But, I mean, that was gross. That was really gross.”

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.

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The NBA draft lottery is almost here. Here are the odds for each team

With the 2026 NBA draft lottery on the horizon, 14 teams will gather in Chicago to hear if they will get the No. 1 overall pick in this class.

Pick Nos. 15-60 are already finalized but the lottery order is yet to be determined. With such a top-heavy class, there are plenty of reasons for fans to get excited even if their favorite team is not called at No. 1 overall.

This year has notable prospects including AJ Dybantsa, Cameron Boozer, Darryn Peterson and Caleb Wilson. So even a top-four pick could change a franchise.

MORE: AI predicts the 2026 NBA Draft; Who are the top picks?

While the future of how the NBA draft lottery will work is currently undetermined based on concerns about tanking, the odds for this year are set in stone. Here is what you need to know, including trade details, for each team picking in the lottery.

1. Washington Wizards

A general view of the Washington Wizards logo on a court mop before the game between the Washington Wizards and the Chicago Bulls at Capital One Arena on October 21, 2022 in Washington, DC.

Odds to land No. 1 pick: 14.0%

Odds to land top-4 pick: 52.1%

Most likely draft range: No. 3–5

Worst-case drop: No. 7

Even with the best odds in the lottery, Washington is still more likely to pick No. 5 (47.9%) than anywhere in the top four.

2. Indiana Pacers

Detailed view of the Indiana Pacers logo during the game against New Orleans Pelicans during the first half at Smoothie King Center.

Odds to land No. 1 pick: 14.0%

Odds to land top-4 pick: 52.1%

Most likely draft range: No. 4-6

Worst-case drop: No. 6

This pick is traded to the Clippers if it falls at No. 5 (27.8%) or No. 6 (20.1%), giving the Pacers a 47.9% chance of losing it.

3. Brooklyn Nets

The Brooklyn Nets NBA Cup logo at center court before tip-off against the Orlando Magic at Barclays Center.

Odds to land No. 1 pick: 14.0%

Odds to land top-4 pick: 52.1%

Most likely draft range: No. 4-6

Worst-case drop: No. 7

The Nets have better-than-even odds at a top-four pick (52.1%) but their most likely individual outcome (26.0%) is still No. 6 overall.

4. Utah Jazz

Utah Jazz logo is seen on a uniform during a time out against the New Orleans Pelicans during the first half at Smoothie King Center.

Odds to land No. 1 pick: 11.5%

Odds to land top-4 pick: 45.1%

Most likely draft range: No. 5-7

Worst-case drop: No. 8

Utah has a 45.1% chance to land a top-four pick but its most likely outcome (27.1%) is No. 6 overall.

5. Sacramento Kings

Detailed view of the Sacramento Kings logo during the game against the New Orleans Pelicans in the first half at Smoothie King Center.

Odds to land No. 1 pick: 11.5%

Odds to land top-4 pick: 45.1%

Most likely draft range: No. 5-8

Worst-case drop: No. 9

Sacramento’s odds are solid for a top-four pick but the most likely outcome (25.5%) is No. 7 overall.

6. Memphis Grizzlies

Odds to land No. 1 pick: 9.0%

Odds to land top-4 pick: 37.2%

Most likely draft range: No. 6-8

Worst-case drop: No. 10

Memphis cannot land at No. 5 or anywhere from No. 11 through No. 14.

7. Atlanta Hawks (via New Orleans Pelicans)

Odds to land No. 1 pick: 6.8%

Odds to land top-4 pick: 29.3%

Most likely draft range: No. 7-9

Worst-case drop: No. 11

This pick was traded to the Hawks from the Pelicans in the 2025 NBA Draft. It cannot land at No. 5 or No. 6. If it lands worse than Milwaukee’s pick, the Hawks will swap for the Bucks’ selection instead.

8. Dallas Mavericks

Odds to land No. 1 pick: 6.7%

Odds to land top-4 pick: 28.9%

Most likely draft range: No. 8-10

Worst-case drop: No. 12

Dallas cannot land at No. 5, No. 6 or No. 7 overall.

9. Chicago Bulls

Odds to land No. 1 pick: 4.5%

Odds to land top-4 pick: 20.2%

Most likely draft range: No. 9-11

Worst-case drop: No. 13

Chicago cannot land at No. 5 through No. 8 and has a nearly zero chance of falling to No. 12 through No. 14.

10. Milwaukee Bucks

Odds to land No. 1 pick: 3.9%

Odds to land top-4 pick: 13.9%

Most likely draft range: No. 10-12

Worst-case drop: No. 14

If the Bucks have a better pick than the Pelicans, which would only happen if Milwaukee jumps into the top four or New Orleans slides to No. 10, the pick is traded to the Hawks. Milwaukee would then receive the Pelicans’ selection. There is an 11.8% chance of that happening. Milwaukee cannot land at No. 5 through No. 8. and holds a nearly 0% chance at No. 13 or No. 14.

11. Golden State Warriors

Odds to land No. 1 pick: 2.0%

Odds to land top-4 pick: 9.4%

Most likely draft range: No. 11-13

Worst-case drop: No. 14

Golden State cannot land at No. 5 through No. 10 with less than 1.0% chance at No. 13 or No. 14.

12. Oklahoma City Thunder (via Los Angeles Clippers)

Odds to land No. 1 pick: 1.5%

Odds to land top-4 pick: 7.2%

Most likely draft range: No. 12-14

Worst-case drop: No. 14

Oklahoma City cannot land at No. 5 through No. 11 with a nearly 0% chance at No. 14.

13. Miami Heat

Odds to land No. 1 pick: 1.0%

Odds to land top-4 pick: 4.7%

Most likely draft range: No. 12-14

Worst-case drop: No. 14

Miami cannot land at No. 5 through No. 12.

14. Charlotte Hornets

Odds to land No. 1 pick: 0.5%

Odds to land top-4 pick: 2.4%

Most likely draft range: No. 12-14

Worst-case drop: No. 14

Charlotte cannot land No. 5 through No. 13. with a 97.6% chance at No. 14, the highest probability of any single outcome in the lottery.

When is the 2026 NBA Draft Lottery?

The 2026 NBA Draft Lottery is Sunday, May 10, 2026, at 3 p.m. ET on ABC in Chicago at McCormick Place.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: NBA draft lottery odds: Complete breakdown for each team

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76ers vs Knicks Computer Picks: Our Best Player Prop Projections for Game 2

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Game 1 of the Eastern Conference semifinals is something that Philly would love to forget and they have a chance to get it right as our NBA player prop projections are ready for Game 2 between the Philadelphia 76ers and New York Knicks, with the model highlighting several high-value spots.

By analyzing the data against current market lines, we’ve identified where the strongest edges exist.

These 76ers vs. Knicks predictions are driven by numbers instead of guesswork.

If you’re building your card, here are the model’s top NBA picks for Wednesday, May 6.

76ers vs Knicks computer picks for Game 2

76ers 76ersKnicks Knicks
George o17.5 points
-120		Brunson o26.5 points
-105
Maxey o2.5 3-pointers
-120		Towns o11.5 rebounds
+105
Oubre Jr. u5.5 rebounds 
-115		Anunoby o17.5 points
-110

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76ers Game 2 computer picks

Paul George Over 17.5 points (-120)

Projection: 20.65 points

Paul George has consistently hovered around his points prop line throughout the Philadelphia 76ers’ playoff run, either clearing it or coming close on multiple occasions.

With Joel Embiid ruled out for Game 2, Philadelphia will need more scoring punch from its supporting cast, putting added pressure on George to step up. Facing the risk of going down 0-2, the Sixers will be counting on Playoff P to deliver the offensive lift they need.

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Tyrese Maxey Over 2.5 3-pointers (-120)

Projection: 3.35 3-pointers

Tyrese Maxey struggled from deep in Game 1, going 0-for-3 from beyond the arc, but he’ll look to quickly rediscover his range in Game 2.

The 76ers guard has been a key spark throughout the postseason, often carrying the offensive load when Joel Embiid has been limited or unavailable.

With that responsibility likely back on his shoulders, Maxey will be counted on once again to provide scoring punch and perimeter production in Game 2.

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Kelly Oubre Jr. Under 5.5 rebounds (-115)

Projection: 4.93 rebounds

Everything still circles back to Embiid, and with him ruled out for Game 2, additional rebounding opportunities are likely to open up across the board.

Kelly Oubre Jr. grabbed five rebounds on eight chances in just 27 minutes during Game 1, and while he should see enough volume to stay active on the glass again, there’s still some risk he lands just shy of this line.

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Knicks Game 2 computer picks

Jalen Brunson Over 26.5 points (-105)

Projection: 28.75 points

Jalen Brunson torched the 76ers for 35 points in Game 1, and he’ll look to keep that momentum rolling back home at Madison Square Garden — a stage where he’s consistently thrived under the spotlight and delivered on this scoring line.

Having cleared the Over in six of his last 10 games, Brunson is well-positioned to replicate that performance in Game 2 as he looks to do whatever it takes to defend home court.

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Karl-Anthony Towns Over 11.5 rebounds (+105)

Projection: 13.06 rebounds

Karl-Anthony Towns has been a force on the glass throughout the New York Knicks playoff run, but his rebounding output in Game 1 against the Sixers was relatively quiet by his standards.

With the Knicks ranking fourth in the league at home in offensive rebounding (13.1 per game), expect Towns to elevate his presence on the boards in Game 2 with the home crowd behind him.

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OG Anunoby Over 17.5 points (-110)

Projection: 18.83 points

OG Anunoby has had a steady impact for the Knicks throughout this postseason, providing efficient scoring and clearing the Over on this points prop in five of his last seven playoff games.

With the series set to shift to Philadelphia after tonight, it wouldn’t be surprising to see Anunoby deliver another strong outing before the Knicks hit the road.

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How to watch 76ers vs Knicks Game 2

LocationMadison Square Garden, New York, NY
DateWednesday, May 6, 2026
Tip-off7:00 p.m. ET
TVESPN

Not intended for use in MA.
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Canadiens Likely Making Lineup Changes For Game 1 vs. Sabres

The Montreal Canadiens play Game 1 against the Buffalo Sabres on Wednesday night. The Canadiens will look to start their series against Buffalo with a win on the road. 

Based on the team's morning skate, the Canadiens could have a different-looking roster for Game 1. 

As reported by RDS' Patrick Friolet, Brendan Gallagher and Jayden Struble skated with the Canadiens' extras during their morning skate. In addition, Joe Veleno and Arber Xhekaj skated with the main group.

Gallagher, who turned 34 today, has one goal and a plus-1 rating in three games so far this post-season for the Canadiens.

Struble played in all seven games of the Canadiens' first-round series against the Tampa Bay Lightning, where he had zero points and a plus-3 rating. 

If Veleno gets into the lineup, it would be the first playoff game of his NHL career. In 61 regular-season games this year with the Habs, he had two goals, five points, 166 hits, and a minus-12 rating. 

As for Xhekaj, he has one assist, 12 penalty minutes, and a plus-3 rating in six playoff games so far this spring with the Canadiens. 

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The Short Porch is thinking about the cycle

It’s been an exciting few days of Cubs baseball at the corner of Clark and Addison. Last night the Cubs walked off the Reds in the bottom of the tenth inning for their second walkoff win in a row. Tuesday night Michael Conforto hit the first walk-off home run of his career and the first two-out, two-strike walk-off home run at Wrigley Field since the David Bote Ultimate Grand Slam in 2018. However, today I want to focus on something other than walk-offs, specifically, should we reconsider the cycle in an era where most of us would agree that being on base matters more than getting there via a single.

On Saturday, Ian Happ really powered the Cubs to victory en route to wait I propose should be considered a new type of cycle. First, he hit this monster home run [VIDEO].

That ball was absolutely demolished, hit 110.6 miles per hour off the bat and traveling 399 feet into the wind. It certainly gave the Diamondbacks pause the next time Happ ambled to the plate in the bottom of the third with runners at second and third. The D-backs intentionally walked Happ, much to the chagrin of the Wrigley faithful.

It didn’t seem that consequential at the time, but then in the sixth inning Happ hit a double down the right field line. He capped off quite the offensive day during his last at bat in the bottom of the eighth, scorching this triple to right center [VIDEO].

And now, dear Cubs fans, we have a bit of a conundrum. Ian Happ finished a single short of the cycle with an intentional walk. For all intents and purposes according to on base percentage, he did the thing. He had four plate appearances and got to each base in turn during all of them. He hit his way to the hardest parts of a cycle, and honestly looked so good doing it that the Diamondbacks just ceded first base to him rather than let him do more damage.

Admittedly, tweaking these types of rules is sure to upset the traditionalists. However, I’m not proposing that any old walk or hit by pitch can substitute for the single in a cycle. I’m proposing that in the very narrow instance where a batter only comes to the plate four times during a game with three of those plate appearances resulting in a double, triple and home run, if the opposing team has taken it upon themselves to take the bat out of the batter’s hands putting him on first intentionally in that fourth plate appearance, that should count as a modern baseball cycle. For what it’s worth, my colleague at BaseballHQ, Kris Olson agreed:

To be clear, I am not proposing we name this a Sanchez Cycle. But Ian Happ was robbed and should have a something akin to a cycle credited to his résumé. Perhaps we should call it the Happ Cycle, honestly. What say you, BCB?

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Warriors’ Lacob Says His Padres Bid Assumed No MLB Games in 2027

Golden State Warriors co-owner Joe Lacob said his unsuccessful bid to buy the San Diego Padres assumed that the entire 2027 MLB season would likely be lost due to labor strife.

Lacob’s group was one of a handful of final bidders in the MLB auction, which was ultimately won by billionaire José E. Feliciano and his wife Kwanza Jones for a league-record $3.9 billion.

The sale came ahead of the potential MLB labor standoff. The current CBA expires at the end of this current season, and both sides are gearing up for what could be a prolonged fight over a salary cap, service time and other major issues.

Speaking at Sportico’s Invest Westconference in San Francisco on Wednesday, Lacob was asked how his group modeled the potential risk of games being lost.

“We assumed likely not a season next year,” Lacob said. “Or at least that it was a possibility.”

Giving an owner’s perspective, he added that he believed baseball would benefit from having more cost certainty in the form of both a salary floor and a salary cap. He said that would likely result in the same amount of money paid on players, but would spread that money out across more teams.

“It’s good for the league to have proper and appropriate competition,” he said. “It can’t be just the Warriors doing well in the NBA, it has to be all the teams. Otherwise you don’t have a great league.”

Lacob said his interest in the Padres was both personal—“I happen to like baseball a lot”—but also financial. He said the economics of MLB look similar to that in the NBA, where teams in both sports rely heavily on tickets, media, sponsorships, high-end hospitality and merchandise. 

“That’s what the businesses are,” he said. “It’s about local revenue generation. And I believe that we could be really good at doing that with a baseball team.”

On Feliciano’s winning bid, he added: “Some people have said it’s an overpay; it was a lot more than us, and I think we were second. But I think in the long run it will be a good investment, because I do believe in baseball.”

Lacob and his partner Peter Guber bought the Warriors in July 2010 for $450 million, at the time the highest price ever paid for an NBA franchise. The team is now worth $11.33 billion, according to Sportico’s latest valuations, more than any other team in the league.

Asked about the status of head coach Steve Kerr, who is in contract talks, Lacob declined to comment. He said the talks could have a resolution “today, tomorrow or in three weeks, I don’t know.”

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2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs: Round 2, Game 2 – Ducks vs. Golden Knights Gameday Preview (05/06/26)

Ducks head coach Joel Quenneville speaks to the media after their morning skate at T-Mobile Arena.

The Ducks felt good about their play in Game 1, despite failing to take a 1-0 series lead. The Golden Knights, despite winning the game, felt that they did not play as well as the Ducks.

"I think we kind of dictated the game for most of it," Ducks forward Beckett Sennecke said. "Especially the first period. We came out a lot better than they did."

"I thought across the board, we had everyone contributing and we had the energy we were looking for and speed and pace" Ducks head coach Joel Quenneville said. "We had some good opportunities, we missed some great chances as well."

While it may be concerning that Vegas was able to win a game where they felt like they weren't at their best, the Ducks believe that they were right in it until the end, just like Game 1 against the Edmonton Oilers.

"It's little things, breakdowns," Sennecke said. "That unfortunate call that we thought should have been icing. But it's more of the same."

"I thought we played a good game," Ducks forward Cutter Gauthier said. There's a couple mistakes we need to clean up. Not playing this team in a little bit here, we knew what to expect, but we didn't really know what to expect going into it. It's a good challenge. They've got a great team and it's going to be fun to compete against them again tonight."

May 4, 2026; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Vegas Golden Knights goaltender Carter Hart (79) defends his net as a deflection by Anaheim Ducks center Leo Carlsson (91) lifts over the cross bar during the first period of game one of the second round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images
May 4, 2026; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Vegas Golden Knights goaltender Carter Hart (79) defends his net as a deflection by Anaheim Ducks center Leo Carlsson (91) lifts over the cross bar during the first period of game one of the second round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images

"I think that's what playoffs is," Ducks forward Ryan Poehling said. "Maybe a little cat and mouse where maybe they didn't play their best (in Game 1) and stole one from us. But, from our standpoint, you just know that they're going to come out harder. They're going to make adjustments, they're going to be tougher on us, try to slow us down."

Anaheim's power play went 0-for-4 in Game 1, but Quenneville said he liked the looks they got, also noting that they won't be able to score on the power play every single game.

"They did a good job against us," Quenneville said. "They've got great sticks. The time and space is a lot tighter. We had a couple looks, but at the same time, we had one of those special series in the last one where we don't expect to be scoring at that rate. But I still thought there was enough momentum in our power play opportunities, our possession and zone time that the power play was still effective in what they had to do. It's just a matter, now, of trying to find a goal to get it going."

"Edmonton kind of lets you hang onto it a little bit more," Sennecke said of the opposing penalty kill setup. "Vegas comes with a lot of pressure, so that's just kind of having a good middle release. That's kind of something we went over yesterday and this morning. Winning the draw is a huge part of the power play, I think we went 0-for-5."

Troy Terry will play in Game 2 despite missing the morning skate due to maintenance, which has been the norm for the past month or so. Radko Gudas, who has been out with a lower-body injury since Game 1 of the Oilers series, participated in morning skate for the second consecutive gameday, but will not play in Game 2.

Ducks Projected Lines

Chris Kreider - Leo Carlsson - Troy Terry
Alex Killorn - Mikael Granlund - Beckett Sennecke
Mason McTavish - Ryan Poehling - Cutter Gauthier
Jeff Viel - Tim Washe - Ian Moore

Jackson LaCombe - Jacob Trouba
Pavel Mintyukov - John Carlson
Tyson Hinds - Drew Helleson

Lukáš Dostál (confirmed)

Golden Knights Projected Lines

Ivan Barbashev - Jack Eichel - Pavel Dorofeyev
Brett Howden - Mitch Marner - Mark Stone
Tomáš Hertl - William Karlsson - Keegan Kolesar
Cole Smith - Nic Dowd - Colton Sissons

Brayden McNabb - Shea Theodore
Noah Hanifin - Rasmus Andersson
Ben Hutton - Kaedan Korczak

Carter Hart (confirmed)

Related articles:

Anaheim Ducks Rival Sharks to Draft Second Overall

Beckett Sennecke Calder Trophy Finalist

Takeaways from the Ducks 3-1 Loss to the Golden Knights, Vegas Leads Series 1-0

Belief, Short Memory Can Help Ducks Beat Golden Knights

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Game 36: San Diego Padres at San Francisco Giants

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - MAY 05: Xander Bogaerts #2 of the San Diego Padres is congratulated by Nick Castellanos #21 of the San Diego Padres after he hit a home run against the San Francisco Giants in the second inning at Oracle Park on May 05, 2026 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) | Getty Images

San Diego Padres (21-14) at San Francisco Giants (14-22), May 6, 2026, 12:45 p.m. PST

Watch: Padres.TV

Location: Oracle Park – San Francisco, Calif.

Listen: 97.3 The Fan

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How Shai Gilgeous-Alexander figured out the Lakers defense in Game 1

OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA - MAY 05: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander #2 of the Oklahoma City Thunder drives around LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers during the first quarter in Game One of the Second Round of the NBA Western Conference Playoffs at Paycom Center on May 05, 2026 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. 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 Joshua Gateley/Getty Images) | Getty Images

No team won more games than the Thunder this season. A well-oiled machine with back-to-back 60-win regular seasons flexed its basketball muscle Tuesday night.

While the final score is not entirely indicative of a back-and-forth affair, a dominant team performance nonetheless forced LA back to the drawing board.

​Facing the clear-cut deepest team in the league — playing an unconventional 11 guys in the first half — the Lakers’ top item is still the head of this venomous snake in Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. A game plan of multiple bodies held up for a while before the reigning MVP took out a scalpel and dissected LA’s defense.

​SGA scored a modest 18 points with six assists and seven uncharacteristic turnovers. LA used a similar scheme they’ve done with many stars this season, sending help instantly with multiple help defenders and forcing the opponent to play out of rotation.

​Marcus Smart was given the on-ball assignment to chase and stick on SGA. Any ball screen was played with aggressive coverages as shown in the clip below. Watch as Lu Dort comes to the screen for his guard, with Jaxson Hayes as the opposite defender.

​SGA comes off the screen with downhill intentions. Hayes never leaves him with Smart trailing and four Lakers with a foot in the paint. It forces SGA to throw an errant pass out of bounds.

A few possessions later, watch as he comes to get a screen from Jaylin Williams and Deandre Ayton meets him at the level. SGA leaves his feet to find his open teammate, with LeBron James perfectly anticipating the pass for a transition basket.

While he hit five of them, the purple and gold’s defense held SGA to just seven shot attempts in the first half and more turnovers (four) than assists (three).

OKC, being the problem solver team they are, came up with some answers at halftime to counter. One was having the screen set much higher for SGA, making it harder to send help and creating more space for their superstar guard to operate.

Watch below as Isaiah Hartenstein comes to the screen for SGA almost at the midcourt mark, which sends him downhill into a patented step-back in the mid-range.

​Later in the fourth quarter, the Lakers decide to “fire” him on the catch — send two defenders to take the ball out of his hands — and make the Thunder play out of rotation. OKC made crisp passes out of it all night, as shown below, as the ball swung around the court and ends up in the corner for a three from Jared McCain, who connected on 4-7 on the night from long distance.

LA overall held the leading 3-point attempting team in the playoffs to just 13 makes on 30 shots. It was an eight-point game with just under a minute left in the third before the Thunder put the game on ice in the fourth.

There’s no answer for SGA, as he’s shown an ability to break any defense thrown his way and is the heavy favorite to lead his team back-to-back championships.

​You have to pick your poison, and sometimes you die either way.

“Tonight was very simple,” SGA said postgame.  “Multiple bodies, that means multiple people are open and just trust my teammates from there.”

Even as simple as it was, the game plan and execution were good, but it just wasn’t perfect. Even then, the odds are stacked against you against a team playing with all the answers.

You can follow Raj on X at @RajChipalu

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Is It Possible One Of Gavin McKenna Or Ivar Stenberg Fall To Blackhawks?

With the Toronto Maple Leafs and San Jose Sharks winning the top two picks in the 2026 NHL Draft, the Chicago Blackhawks fell to pick number four. Like the Blackhawks, the Vancouver Canucks also dropped two spots into the third selection. 

After the lottery concluded, GM Kyle Davidson was adamant that he would take the best player available with the fourth overall pick. 

Most people believe that Gavin McKenna and Ivar Stenberg are the two best players in the draft, or at least will be the top two prospects selected, but there is a world where one of them falls to the Blackhawks at four. 

The Toronto Maple Leafs are almost certainly going to take one of them. Their new Senior Executive Advisor of Hockey Operations, Mats Sundin, is Swedish. He may have a heavy influence on landing the Swedish-born Stenberg. There is also the possibility that they go with the Canadian-born star McKenna. 

Second overall, the Sharks may consider a defenseman because their pipeline is thin at that position in terms of high-end talent. They have one of the best farm systems in the league, but it's mostly based on elite forwards. One of the big three defenders in the draft makes more sense for them than any winger or center. 

Third overall is a wild card, too. The Vancouver Canucks, in a situation where the Sharks take a defenseman, may still go with Caleb Malhotra over whichever one the Leafs leave behind. 

Malhotra is the son of former NHL player Manny Malhotra, who also happens to be the head coach of the Abbotsford Canucks, Vancouver's AHL affiliate. Their scouting department is a fan of the player, more than just because of his name. 

If that's the way that the first three picks go, the Blackhawks will see one of those two forwards (McKenna/Stenberg) fall to them. Both of their playstyles would fit into the organization right away. 

Gavin McKenna has off-ice communication with Connor Bedard, and Ivar Stenberg is more than familiar with Anton Frondell, both on and off the ice. Each player having an olive branch to the organization would make the transition easier. 

This is all a hypothetical situation because nobody truly knows what Toronto, San Jose, or Vancouver will be thinking come June, but it is not out of the realm of possibility. 

The Blackhawks need a forward with star potential more than a defenseman, but if McKenna, Stenberg, and Malhotra are all gone, they may go with a potential franchise blue-liner. The Sharks are the wild card in that regard. 

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When is the NBA Draft lottery? Date, time, format and how to watch

The 2026 NBA Draft lottery is just days away, and fans, executives, and players alike are speculating about which franchise will secure the coveted No. 1 overall pick, a selection that could dramatically reshape the future of a team.

The NBA Draft lottery employs a randomized drawing system to determine the selection order for the first 14 picks. These lottery selections are critical, often serving as the lifeline for franchises seeking to rebuild around standout talent. The top four picks are determined by the lottery itself, while the remaining teams in the lottery draw select in positions five through 14, according to the reverse order of their 2025-26 regular-season records.

The rest of the first round (picks 15 to 30) and the entire second round follow the same reverse order format. Every team is guaranteed one pick per round, ensuring that talent is distributed as equitably as possible across the league.

Heading into the NBA Draft Lottery, the Washington Wizards, Indiana Pacers, and Brooklyn Nets each hold a 14% chance of winning the top pick due to their regular-season records. However, the lottery’s element of chance means that even teams with the worst records aren’t guaranteed the No. 1 selection.

Upsets and surprises are common with the NBA Draft Lottery. Here is how to watch and what to know about the event.

More: Who are top picks in new AI NBA mock draft ahead of 2026 lottery?

When is the 2026 NBA Draft Lottery?

The 2026 NBA Draft Lottery is set for Sunday, May 10 at 3 p.m. ET and will be broadcast on ABC.

  • Date: Sunday, May 10
  • Time: 3 p.m. ET
  • TV: ABC
  • Location: McCormick Place Convention Center (Chicago, Illinois)

What teams will participate in the 2026 NBA Draft Lottery?

The 14 NBA teams that did not qualify for the 2026 NBA Playoffs are eligible for the NBA Draft lottery.

What is the format for the NBA Draft Lottery?

Under the current format, the teams with the worst regular-season records each have a 14% chance of securing the top overall pick, a system meant to prevent intentional losing, or "tanking," while still offering hope to franchises in need of a fresh start. The lottery itself utilizes a random drawing to determine the order of the first four selections in the NBA Draft. After the top four are set, the remaining lottery teams select in inverse order of their regular-season records, ensuring a fair and competitive draft order.

Who won the 2025 NBA Draft Lottery?

The Dallas Mavericks captured the top pick in the 2025 NBA Draft Lottery, securing the coveted No. 1 overall pick for the first time in franchise history. With this opportunity, Dallas selected standout player Cooper Flagg.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 2026 NBA Draft lottery date, time, TV and what to know about format

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Lakers vs Thunder Same-Game Parlay for Thursday's NBA Playoffs Game 2

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The Oklahoma City Thunder didn’t blow anyone away with their performance in the series opener with the Los Angeles Lakers. But when the smoke settled, OKC beat L.A. by 18 points despite star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander having a quiet night.

My same-game parlay for Thursday’s Game 2 isn’t getting in the way of Oklahoma City, even with LeBron James doing the lion’s share of the scoring for Los Angeles.

Here are my NBA picks, SGP, and Lakers vs. Thunder predictions for May 6.

Our best Lakers vs Thunder SGP for Game 2

SGP leg #1: Thunder -15.5

It was like “death by 1,000 papercuts” for the Los Angeles Lakers in Game 1. They were able to hang around for a while, but the Oklahoma City Thunder kept cashing in on the Lakers’ miscues, and when it all added up over 48 minutes, the Thunder had an 18-point win. 

Los Angeles doesn’t have the offensive firepower or the defense to trade blows with the reigning champs. With OKC waking up from a long slumber between series, it rolls over L.A. in Game 2.

SGP leg #2: LeBron James Over 21.5 Points

LeBron James scored 27 points in an extremely efficient effort in Game 1, hitting 12 of 17 shots. James got whatever he wanted, and OKC seemed fine with that, passing on pressures or double teams on the Lakers' star.

The Thunder were more focused on shutting down L.A.’s supporting staff. James will continue to score in Game 2, with projections north of 23 points, and I expect his field-goal total to jump back up to 20+ as long as the other Lakers are struggling.

SGP leg #3: Chet Holmgren Over 16.5 Points

Chet Holmgren is a big problem for the Los Angeles defense. The Thunder’s 7-footer led the way with 24 points in Game 1, and a lot of those were easy buckets and dunks.

His size, quickness, and energy expose L.A.’s soft interior protection, and his ability to step outside and knock down triples is almost undefendable. He’s forecasted for another 20+ point performance in Game 2.

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