ES
NFL Previews 
MLB Previews 
NBA Previews 
NHL Previews 
Soccer Previews 
Against Red Sox, Tarik Skubal strives to squash Tigers’ road losing streak
With two-time reigning American League Cy Young Award winner Tarik Skubal taking the mound, a pitchers’ duel could be on tap as the visiting Detroit Tigers look to even their four-game series against the Boston Red Sox on Saturday afternoon.
Skubal (2-2, 2.22 ERA), a left-hander, will try to play the role of stopper as Detroit’s road skid reached nine games with a 1-0, 10-inning setback in Friday’s series opener. Before Friday though, the Tigers had been on a six-game winning streak, with home sweeps of the Miami Marlins and Kansas City Royals.
Masataka Yoshida’s pinch-hit single scored Jarren Duran with the only run in a game Friday that featured just four hits for each team. For Detroit, Jahmai Jones had two.
Skubal will make his first start at Fenway Park since 2023. Last Sunday, in an 8-2 win over the Marlins, he threw 6 2/3 innings of one-run ball with seven strikeouts but thought he could do better. He took a no-hitter into the sixth inning.
“My stuff wasn’t good,” Skubal said. “But those things happen in baseball. It’s not always when you have your best stuff. If that was the case, it would be easy to predict our game. It’s just not like that.”
Skubal carries a 2-2 record and 4.91 ERA against Boston into Saturday’s game, his sixth start vs. the Red Sox. Most recently, he allowed five runs on seven hits while striking out 11 in a May 14, 2025, no-decision in a game the Tigers won 6-5.
Before Friday’s first pitch, Detroit placed infielder Zach McKinstry on the 10-day injured list with left hip/abdominal inflammation and recalled No. 6 prospect Hao-Yu Lee from Triple-A Toledo for his MLB debut. He went 0-for-3.
“We’re excited for Lee to get his feet wet in the big leagues,” Tigers manager A.J. Hinch said. “We’ve had him in camp the last couple of seasons. … He can play good defense. He’s a good baseball player.”
Beyond Jones, Kevin McGonigle had another hit, giving him 22 and a .306 average to lead all AL rookies.
An eight-inning start from Ranger Suarez helped set the stage for Boston’s second consecutive win on Friday, but it took an extra frame and Yoshida’s first career walk-off knock to get the job done.
Yoshida has just 29 at-bats this season, though he is on a six-game hitting streak.
“In these situations, I know how he feels; you want to play,” Red Sox manager Alex Cora said. “We got him for a reason here (from Japan), and he’s been banged up, and now all of a sudden, this is how we’re going to play the game … with this roster and we’re going to maximize it, but it’s not easy.”
The Friday shutout win was Boston’s third of the season and second in as many home games.
Brayan Bello (1-1, 6.14 ERA) will look to throw his own gem on Saturday. The right-hander gave up a total of 10 runs (eight earned) in his first two starts before earning his first win with 6 2/3 innings of two-run ball last Sunday against the St. Louis Cardinals in a 9-3 game.
“When I’m staying in the zone, this is the result that you get,” Bello said after the game. “When I’m executing all of my pitches, being aggressive in the zone, this is what happens.”
Bello is 0-1 with a 5.74 ERA in three career starts against Detroit. He took a no-decision in a 10-9 Tigers win on May 13, 2025, after allowing three runs (two earned) in 4 2/3 innings.
–Field Level Media
Toronto opens this first-round matchup on Saturday, April 18, 2026 at Rocket Arena, and the market is not being subtle about how it sees Game 1. Cleveland is laying 8.0 points at home, the Cavaliers are sitting at -355 on the moneyline, Toronto comes back at +277, and the total is set at 219.5. That is a real playoff number. It tells you the market respects Cleveland’s home floor, its offensive structure, and probably its late-game shot quality a good bit more than Toronto’s in this specific opener.
Still, this is not a throwaway underdog. The Raptors won 46 games, earned the No. 5 seed in the East, and got here because they defend, force mistakes, and have enough wing size to make better offenses work. Cleveland finished 52-30 and holds home court, but the gap between these teams is not just about record. It is more about style. The Cavaliers are cleaner in the half court, more stable offensively, and deeper in terms of reliable playoff shot creation. Toronto is more uncomfortable to play against than this line might suggest, though uncomfortable does not always mean cover.
That is the tension in this handicap. Cleveland looks like the better team and the deserved favorite. Toronto has enough length, enough transition pressure, and enough defensive activity to make the favorite earn every stretch of control. So for bettors, the question is not really who should be favored. That part is obvious. The real question is whether Cleveland can create enough clean offense and enough separation to justify laying a full eight points in a playoff opener.
Follow proven NBA handicappers.
Bet smarter every night.
Toronto Raptors vs Cleveland Cavaliers Odds
These are the current betting lines, and bettors should always monitor the latest NBA odds before placing a wager.
| If your game read is… | Best market that usually fits |
|---|---|
| Cleveland’s half-court offense is just too steady and the home team controls the final two quarters | Cavaliers moneyline (-355) |
| The Cavaliers win the glass, limit transition damage, and create real separation late | Cavaliers -8.0 (-113) |
| Toronto’s wing defense and transition game keep this tighter than the market expects | Raptors +8.0 (-109) |
| Cleveland finds rhythm from deep and Toronto scores enough in transition to keep the pace alive | Over 219.5 |
| The game slows into longer half-court possessions and Toronto struggles to score efficiently in the paint | Under 219.5 |
Toronto Raptors Betting Form
Toronto enters this series with a profile that is easy to underestimate if you only look at the seed and the price. The Raptors finished 46-36 and built a lot of that success on defense, length, and pressure. They were one of the better defensive teams in the conference this season, finishing with a 113.0 defensive rating, and they paired that with enough offensive competence to stay out of the ugly, low-ceiling range that usually traps young playoff teams. Their offense was not elite, but it was functional enough at 115.9 in offensive rating to make the defense matter. That combination is how underdogs become annoying.
The offensive shape is still a little volatile. Toronto is more dangerous when it can get into the open floor, push off turnovers, and let its wings attack before the defense is set. Scottie Barnes is a big part of that because he can rebound, handle, and create mismatches without the offense becoming overly guard-dependent. Brandon Ingram gives them a needed half-court scorer, and RJ Barrett adds downhill strength that can matter if Cleveland’s perimeter defenders are forced into more help decisions than they want. But there is a catch. The Raptors do not shoot it especially well from deep, and when the floor shrinks, their scoring can flatten out for stretches.
That is why the Immanuel Quickley status matters so much. If he is fully available, Toronto has a more organized guard presence, a little more pull-up shooting, and better pace control. If he is limited, the Raptors become more wing-driven and a bit less tidy late in possessions. That can still work in certain matchups, but it is harder on the road against a Cleveland team that does not need many empty trips to build a run. The Toronto Raptors stats and results page helps frame the full-season profile, and bettors should keep checking the Toronto Raptors injury report right up to tip because Toronto’s path to the cover depends a lot on how stable its backcourt looks.
Cleveland Cavaliers Betting Form
Cleveland enters with the steadier profile, and that is why the market is comfortable laying this kind of number. The Cavaliers finished 52-30, earned the No. 4 seed, and were quietly one of the better offensive teams in the league with a 119.1 offensive rating. They do not have to play fast to score either, which is the kind of detail that becomes important in playoff basketball. Cleveland’s pace sat just under league average, but the offense still generated strong value because the shot quality remained high and the decision-making stayed clean.
The roster shape matters here too. Donovan Mitchell gives Cleveland the primary shot creation it needs when games get sticky. Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen give the Cavaliers a two-big structure that can protect the rim, finish possessions, and punish smaller lineups. Then there is the newer layer to this offense, which is more veteran creation in the backcourt and more ways to avoid those dead possessions that used to show up in tighter games. It is not just talent. It is a cleaner offensive ecosystem now, and that matters a lot against a Toronto defense that thrives when games get messy.
Cleveland also comes in fairly healthy by playoff standards. That counts for something in Game 1. Thomas Bryant is out, but the main rotation looks much cleaner than what a lot of teams are bringing into the postseason. That gives the Cavaliers a stable rotation, more lineup certainty, and fewer minutes where they are just trying to survive. The Cleveland Cavaliers schedule and stats page is useful if you want the broader team profile, and the Cleveland Cavaliers injury report is still worth monitoring because even small late changes can shift playoff numbers more than people expect.
Toronto Raptors vs Cleveland Cavaliers Matchup Breakdown
This matchup starts with Toronto’s pressure versus Cleveland’s structure. The Raptors want disruption. They want deflections, live-ball turnovers, extra possessions, and enough transition chances to keep the offense from living entirely in the half court. Cleveland wants almost the opposite. It wants calm possessions, side-to-side movement, paint touches that force help, and a game that becomes more about execution than chaos. If the Cavaliers get that version, eight points becomes much more realistic.
The pace angle is interesting because neither team needs to play fast all the time to be effective. Toronto is more comfortable when games loosen up, but Cleveland can score without rushing. That usually matters more in a playoff opener than bettors initially think. The home favorite often gets closer to its preferred pace, especially if it can rebound and keep the opponent out of transition. Toronto’s best chance to flip that is to win the turnover battle and turn Cleveland’s missed shots into quick offense before the two-big lineup gets set.
Shot profile is another real piece of this handicap. Cleveland’s offense is more balanced and more trustworthy in the half court. The Cavaliers can get to the rim, they can play through Mitchell, and they have enough interior size to punish smaller lineups on second chances. Toronto can counter with length and activity, but if the Raptors are not generating transition looks, they can end up leaning too heavily on difficult self-created shots. That is not a great way to survive a favorite laying eight at home. The NBA stats hub is especially useful for this matchup because the difference here is less about headline scoring averages and more about possession quality, turnover pressure, and where each team is likely to get its cleanest shots.
Rebounding sits right in the middle of all of this. Cleveland is not unbeatable on the glass, but Mobley and Allen together create real pressure on both ends. Toronto has length, yes, though the Raptors do not always finish defensive possessions as cleanly as they need to against stronger frontcourts. If Cleveland is winning the glass while also keeping turnovers in check, Toronto’s path to the cover gets narrow pretty fast. That is where a broader NBA betting guide can help frame the game. In spots like this, side and total are connected. A controlled Cleveland game points toward the favorite and usually toward a more modest scoring environment unless Toronto’s transition game shows up early.
Smart NBA picks start here.
Let the data dictate your edge.
Toronto Raptors vs Cleveland Cavaliers Predictions and Best Bets
My first lean is Cleveland -8.0, even if I do not love laying that many points against a defense this active. The Cavaliers just have more reliable answers. They are cleaner in the half court, their primary scoring is easier to trust late, and their size gives them a good chance to control the rebounding battle. That combination tends to matter in Game 1, when rotations tighten and teams lean on what they know best.
Toronto absolutely has a cover path. In fact, it is a pretty clear one. Force turnovers, get out in transition, make Cleveland work through longer possessions, and let Barnes and Ingram create enough offense to avoid long droughts. If Quickley is fully available, that case becomes stronger because the Raptors have another steady ball-handler to organize the offense and punish softer switches. I just think the number is where it is for a reason. Cleveland’s offense is more trustworthy, and that matters a lot in a playoff opener where the dog usually needs some offensive stability just to stay attached.
The total at 219.5 is a little trickier. My first instinct is slight under, mostly because I trust Cleveland to control pace more than I trust Toronto to drag this into a track meet for four quarters. But I do not love it enough to make it the main play. The Raptors can create transition pockets quickly, and one hot Mitchell stretch can push the game into a different script fast. So I think the cleaner angle is still the side.
There is also a game-flow element I keep coming back to. Cleveland does not need to dominate early to cover. It just needs to stay organized, avoid live-ball turnovers, and let the efficiency edge show up over time. That can be enough. A four-point game in the middle of the third can still become a 10-point final if Toronto starts chasing offense. And that feels pretty realistic here.
Best Bet: Cavaliers -8.0 (-113)
NBA Picks and Handicappers on ScoresAndStats
This is the kind of playoff board where comparing opinions actually matters. One injury update, one lineup confirmation, one subtle market move, and the number can look very different. That is why checking today’s NBA picks is useful before locking in a side or total. It gives bettors a better feel for where the strongest angles are showing up across the card, not just in one isolated game.
It also helps to compare the people making those calls. Some handicappers are better at sides, some are stronger on totals, and some consistently do a better job adjusting to roster news without overreacting. The top sports handicappers page helps sort through that, while the handicapper leaderboard gives a cleaner snapshot of long-term performance and consistency.
And for bettors building a fuller playoff card, premium NBA picks can be worth the extra look when the market tightens and every edge matters more. If you want to compare this matchup to the rest of the slate before deciding, the NBA previews hub is a strong place to stack game scripts and see where the best betting value really sits.
Minnesota opens its first-round series on the road Saturday, April 18, 2026 at Ball Arena, and the market is giving Denver real respect right out of the gate. The Nuggets are laying 6.5 points at home, which is not a small playoff opener number against a team with this much size and defensive talent. It says the market trusts Denver’s offense, trusts the home floor, and probably trusts its late-game shot quality a bit more too.
This matchup has real weight to it. Denver finished 54-28 and grabbed the No. 3 seed in the West. Minnesota came in at 49-33 as the No. 6 seed and was solid enough on the road at 23-18. On paper, that sounds like a pretty normal 3-versus-6 series. In reality, it is more complicated. Minnesota still has the kind of frontcourt size and defensive ceiling that can make Denver uncomfortable, while the Nuggets bring the one thing almost nobody can solve cleanly in a seven-game series: Nikola Jokic controlling the game at his own pace.
From a betting perspective, this is one of those spots where the spread is telling you the story. Denver is not being priced like a team that just needs to survive at home. It is being priced like the side more likely to own the possession battle, control the rhythm, and execute better late. That does not automatically mean the Nuggets cover. It does mean Minnesota probably needs a very sharp Anthony Edwards game, plus disciplined half-court defense, just to keep this inside one or two possessions late.
Follow proven NBA handicappers.
Bet smarter every night.
Minnesota Timberwolves vs Denver Nuggets Odds
The current number provided here is the spread, and bettors should always monitor the latest NBA odds for any moneyline, total, and line movement updates before placing a wager.
| If your game read is… | Best market that usually fits |
|---|---|
| Denver’s offense stays efficient at home and Jokic controls the half-court game | Nuggets -6.5 (-110) |
| Minnesota’s size travels well, Edwards creates enough offense, and the game stays tight | Timberwolves +6.5 (-112) |
| Denver wins the rebounding and turnover battle and slowly builds separation | Nuggets -6.5 (-110) |
| Minnesota’s defense bothers Denver just enough and forces a one-possession finish | Timberwolves +6.5 (-112) |
Minnesota Timberwolves Betting Form
Minnesota enters this series with a profile that still makes bettors pause before laying a big number against it. The Timberwolves averaged 118.0 points per game this season, played at a 100.53 pace, and posted a 116.8 offensive rating with a 113.5 defensive rating. That combination is important because it shows a team that is not stuck in one mode. Minnesota can win with defense and size, sure, but it is not some low-ceiling grinder. There is enough transition play, enough downhill force, and enough scoring on the wing to make a favorite work for four quarters.
The whole handicap starts with Anthony Edwards. He finished the regular season among the league’s top scorers, and when he is right physically, he changes how every Denver defender has to operate. He pressures the rim, he can pull up over coverage, and he creates enough panic to open kick-out threes and weak-side cuts. The issue is that his status is not completely clean entering Game 1. That matters a lot. If Edwards is limited in any way, Minnesota’s offense becomes less threatening possession to possession, and the margin for error against Denver shrinks fast.
There is still plenty to like about the rest of the roster. Rudy Gobert gives Minnesota a real rebounding and rim-deterrence presence. Julius Randle can punish smaller defenders and create some of the messy, physical possessions that playoff dogs often need. The Timberwolves also have enough length on the perimeter to at least make Denver work across multiple actions. But if you are betting Minnesota, you are basically betting on two things at once: Edwards being close to himself, and the Wolves winning enough defensive possessions to slow Denver’s efficiency. The Minnesota Timberwolves stats and results page helps frame the full-season shape, and bettors should be checking the Minnesota Timberwolves injury report right up to tip because Minnesota’s side value looks very different depending on Edwards’ condition.
Denver Nuggets Betting Form
Denver comes into this game looking like the steadier side, and there is no real mystery as to why. The Nuggets finished 54-28, went 28-13 at home, and closed the regular season on a 12-game winning streak. That is not just hot form. That is a team entering the playoffs with rhythm, confidence, and a very clear offensive identity. Denver averaged 122.1 points per game this season with a 122.6 offensive rating, and that is the part of the matchup Minnesota has to solve first.
Jokic is the center of everything, obviously, but the bigger betting point is how Denver shapes possessions around him. The Nuggets play slower than Minnesota at a 98.36 pace, yet they are still one of the most efficient offenses in the league. That is a dangerous mix in the playoffs because it means they do not need volume to score. They can win the shot-quality battle while still keeping games under control. Denver also shot 49.6 percent from the field and 39.6 percent from three this season, so this is not an offense living on one hot stretch. It has been clean for a long time.
There are still a few availability notes worth watching. Peyton Watson is out, and Spencer Jones is listed as questionable. That matters for wing depth more than headline scoring, but rotation stability always matters in Game 1. Even with those questions, Denver still looks like the side with the clearer late-game answers. Jokic can slow a game down without killing the offense, Jamal Murray can create against pressure, and the Nuggets usually make opponents pay for losing focus off the ball. The Denver Nuggets schedule and stats page is worth checking for the bigger statistical profile, and the Denver Nuggets injury report should stay on the radar in case any late changes affect the rotation.
Minnesota Timberwolves vs Denver Nuggets Matchup Breakdown
This game is really about whether Minnesota can drag Denver into enough uncomfortable possessions to make 6.5 points feel heavy. If the Wolves can defend without overhelping, stay attached to shooters, and keep Jokic from turning every touch into a clean read, then the underdog has a real shot to cover. But that sounds easier than it is. Denver’s offense does not just rely on one-on-one brilliance. It relies on timing, spacing, and an almost constant stream of second and third reads that punish hesitation.
The pace battle matters too. Minnesota plays faster. Denver is more deliberate. In a playoff opener at Ball Arena, I usually lean toward the home team imposing its preferred rhythm unless the underdog has a major athletic edge or a major shot-volume edge. Minnesota has some of that, but not enough for me to just assume the Wolves can speed this up whenever they want. If the game settles into Denver’s half-court tempo, the Nuggets become very tough to disrupt because they do not waste many possessions and they rarely look rushed.
Rebounding is another swing category, maybe the biggest one besides Edwards’ health. Minnesota has the size to compete, and Gobert can tilt possessions just by being around the ball. But Denver is not small, and Jokic’s rebounding plus outlet passing can instantly turn a stop into a scoring chance. If the Nuggets are winning the glass while also controlling tempo, that is where the favorite can slowly separate. Not always with a huge run. Sometimes just with three or four small stretches where Minnesota gets one look and Denver gets two.
Shot profile matters as well. Denver is one of the better shooting teams in the league, especially from three, and that tends to stress Minnesota’s defensive choices. Stay home and Jokic operates in space. Help hard and the ball finds shooters. The Wolves can counter with length and some switching flexibility, but the weak point is obvious enough: if Edwards is not fully explosive, Minnesota may not have enough easy offense to answer Denver’s efficient half-court scoring. That is why the NBA stats hub is especially useful for this matchup. The surface read says Denver is just better. The deeper read says Denver is better in the exact areas that tend to matter most in playoff Game 1s: efficiency, tempo control, and late-clock creation.
This is also the kind of series opener where broader context helps. A favorite that plays slower, shoots well, and has the best player on the floor often creates a strong spread case when the underdog enters with even one major health question. That is the sort of angle covered well in an NBA betting guide, and it is also where a broader sports betting strategy guide can help bettors think through how side value changes once one injury note starts pulling the entire handicap.
Smart NBA picks start here.
Let the data dictate your edge.
Minnesota Timberwolves vs Denver Nuggets Predictions and Best Bets
My lean is Denver -6.5, and I think that is the right side unless Edwards gets upgraded and looks completely unrestricted. The Nuggets are at home, they are entering the postseason in better form, and they own the cleaner offensive identity. More than anything, they have fewer questions. In Game 1, that matters. The market does not need Denver to be perfect. It just needs the Nuggets to be the more stable team for most of the night.
Minnesota absolutely has a path to the cover. If Edwards is aggressive from the start, if Gobert and Randle help win the glass, and if the Wolves can make Denver’s shooters work for every clean look, then 6.5 is not some impossible number. I just do not love counting on all of those things at once on the road against a team this efficient. Denver usually gets to the answers faster. That tends to show up late, when a two-point game becomes an eight-point game in about two minutes.
There is also the altitude factor, which I do not like to overplay, but it is still real in playoff openers when the home team is already comfortable playing slow and forcing repeated defensive decisions. Minnesota can handle physical games. The concern is whether it can handle a physical game that also demands perfect focus for 48 minutes. Denver is built to punish the three or four lapses that almost every opponent has.
I would need a better number to get excited about Minnesota pregame. At +6.5, the Wolves are close enough to being live that I understand the dog case, but not close enough for me to prefer it over the favorite. Denver’s offense is just more trustworthy, and Jokic gives the Nuggets the most reliable possession-by-possession edge in the series.
Best Bet: Nuggets -6.5 (-110)
NBA Picks and Handicappers on ScoresAndStats
This is the time of year when comparing multiple playoff opinions matters more than ever. Game 1 markets are usually sharper than regular-season boards, and one injury update can move the spread quickly. That is why checking today’s NBA picks is useful before locking in a side, especially in a matchup where one player’s status can change the entire read.
It also helps to compare the people making those calls. Some handicappers are better at sides. Others are stronger on totals or live-game reads. The top sports handicappers page gives bettors a broader way to sort through styles, and the handicapper leaderboard helps you separate short-term noise from longer-term performance.
And for bettors who want a stronger playoff card rather than one quick opinion, premium NBA picks can be worth the extra look. That matters even more once the postseason gets rolling and every number starts tightening up. You can also compare this matchup against the rest of the board through the NBA previews hub if you want a fuller card view before making your final decisions.
Atlanta opens this first-round matchup on Saturday, April 18, 2026 at Madison Square Garden, and the betting market is making a pretty clear statement right away. New York is laying 5.5 points at home, the Knicks moneyline sits at -218, the Hawks come back at +179, and the total is parked at 217. That number tells you a few things at once. The market respects New York’s home floor, trusts its half-court structure a little more, and still expects Atlanta to bring enough offense to keep the game from falling into the ultra-low playoff range.
This is an interesting opener because the two teams arrive here from very different angles. The Knicks finished with the stronger overall record and home-court edge, which matters in a building like this. The Hawks, though, closed the season playing much sharper basketball than their full-year reputation suggests. So this is not one of those series where the lower seed just hopes to survive. Atlanta has enough creation, enough length, and enough recent defensive form to make this uncomfortable.
From a betting standpoint, the handicap starts with style. New York usually wants control. It wants the game in the half court, wants Jalen Brunson picking apart late-clock possessions, and wants the frontcourt to turn misses into extra trips. Atlanta is more dangerous when the game loosens up a bit, when the ball moves side to side, and when its playmakers can force quick defensive decisions. That tension is basically the whole game.
Follow proven NBA handicappers.
Bet smarter every night.
Atlanta Hawks vs New York Knicks Odds
These are the current betting lines, and bettors should always monitor the latest NBA odds before placing a wager.
| If your game read is… | Best market that usually fits |
|---|---|
| New York controls the glass, executes better late, and looks stronger in the half court | Knicks moneyline -218 |
| The Knicks defend well enough on the perimeter and create separation in the fourth quarter | Knicks -5.5 (-108) |
| Atlanta’s recent form carries over and its shot creation keeps the game tight | Hawks +5.5 (-111) |
| Both offenses find enough spacing and transition chances to push the pace above expectation | Over 217 |
| The game tightens into a slower playoff opener with more half-court possessions | Under 217 |
Atlanta Hawks Betting Form
Atlanta is a tougher read than it looks if you are only staring at the seed line. The Hawks did not spend the whole season looking this stable, but they finished the year with a much stronger defensive identity and a more reliable lineup rhythm. That matters now. In a playoff opener, bettors are not just backing talent. They are backing who knows what kind of game it wants to play. Atlanta, lately, has had a much clearer answer to that question.
The offense still starts with Trae Young’s pull-up range and playmaking, but it does not end there. Jalen Johnson gives Atlanta another real advantage creator because he can attack off the catch, rebound, and keep possessions flowing without stopping the ball. Dyson Daniels adds defensive pressure and extra transition value, while Onyeka Okongwu gives the Hawks a mobile big who can survive in multiple coverages. The Hawks are not always clean possession to possession, and that is still the worry, but the ceiling gets a lot more interesting when the ball is moving and the wings are active.
From a betting angle, Atlanta’s case rests on two things. First, it has enough perimeter creation to avoid getting buried by New York’s half-court defense. Second, its recent defensive improvement gives it a path to covering even if the offense is merely decent. That is important because road underdogs do not need a perfect game to cash. They need enough stops to keep pressure on the favorite. The Atlanta Hawks stats and results page is useful for tracking that late-season shape, and it is worth checking the Atlanta Hawks injury report before tipoff because Atlanta’s depth looks much better when its core rotation stays intact.
New York Knicks Betting Form
New York enters with the more complete season-long profile, and that is why the market is comfortable asking bettors to lay points in Game 1. The Knicks have been better for longer, especially at home, and the structure of their offense tends to translate well into playoff basketball. They can play slower without panicking, they usually win the rebounding battle, and when games get tight late, Brunson still feels like the cleanest shot creator on the floor.
That matters a lot in this matchup. Karl-Anthony Towns changes the geometry of the court because he drags opposing bigs into space, and that opens driving lanes for Brunson, Hart, and Bridges. OG Anunoby gives New York a strong answer on the other end because he can take difficult perimeter assignments without wrecking the rest of the scheme. This is a team that can win with spacing, with strength, or just by grinding out more useful possessions over the final 10 minutes.
The main betting question is whether New York can create enough separation to cover, not whether it deserves to be favored. The Knicks are usually solid enough in the half court and on the glass to win this kind of game. Covering a playoff number is different. That usually requires either shot-making margin or a clear possession edge. New York has a realistic path to both, especially at home. The New York Knicks schedule and stats page helps frame the bigger picture, and bettors should still track the New York Knicks injury report before locking anything in because playoff rotations shrink fast when one piece is limited.
Atlanta Hawks vs New York Knicks Matchup Breakdown
The first thing I look at here is possession control. Atlanta would prefer a game with some pace, a little back-and-forth flow, and enough early offense to keep New York from loading the half court every trip. The Knicks would rather make this game feel heavy. More late-clock actions. More rebounding battles. More possessions where Brunson gets to work against a defense that has already been shifted once or twice. If New York gets that version, the favorite probably looks right.
The second layer is shot profile. Atlanta can pressure a defense with guard creation and drive-and-kick sequences, but New York’s wings are built to make those reads more difficult. If the Hawks are creating good threes and getting downhill without turning the ball over, then the dog is very live. If those kick-outs become rushed or if the Knicks can stay attached enough to force tougher pull-ups, Atlanta’s offense becomes much more volatile. On the other side, Towns’ spacing and Brunson’s midrange craft can force the Hawks into uncomfortable choices. Help too early, and New York gets clean looks. Stay home, and Brunson starts owning the middle of the floor.
Rebounding is the swing category I keep coming back to. In a playoff opener with a modest total, extra possessions matter even more than usual. New York usually has the stronger profile there, and that gives it a built-in cushion if the shooting is ordinary. Atlanta has enough athletes to compete on the glass, but if the Knicks are winning offensive rebound margin and limiting second chances at the other end, that starts to pull the spread toward the home side.
There is also a broader playoff angle worth mentioning. Game 1s can look more deliberate than people expect. Coaches trust structure first. They test counters later. So even though Atlanta has enough offense to threaten an over, I still think the NBA stats hub is especially useful here because this matchup is likely to be decided by pace, rebounding, and efficiency on a possession-by-possession basis, not just raw scoring averages. And if you want the bigger strategy layer, this is a good spot for an NBA betting guide or even a broader sports betting strategy guide because side and total are closely connected in this kind of game.
Smart NBA picks start here.
Let the data dictate your edge.
Atlanta Hawks vs New York Knicks Predictions and Best Bets
My first lean is toward New York, but I do not think this is a blind favorite spot. The Knicks make sense because they have the cleaner half-court identity, the better home environment, and the more stable late-game offense. That matters in a series opener. Usually the team that can generate the easier late-clock looks has the safer floor, and that still points to New York.
At the same time, 5.5 is not tiny. Atlanta has enough creators to stay within range if Trae is seeing the floor well early and if Jalen Johnson is giving the Hawks secondary scoring without forcing bad possessions. I think that is the strongest argument for the dog. The Hawks do not need to dominate any one area. They just need to avoid losing too many at once. If they keep the turnover count manageable and hit enough catch-and-shoot threes, this could stay inside two possessions for most of the night.
The total at 217 is also interesting. My instinct is that the game starts a little tighter than that number implies. Not dead, not ugly, just tighter. New York’s preferred style is slower and more controlled, and playoff openers often feature longer possessions and more testing rather than immediate rhythm. The danger with the under is simple enough. Atlanta can create pace pockets quickly, and late fouling can ruin a solid read in the final minute. Still, I lean slightly under because I trust the Knicks to pull the game toward their rhythm more than I trust the Hawks to fully open it up.
If you want the cleanest betting angle, I think New York on the spread is the best fit. The home edge, the rebounding edge, and the better closing offense are enough for me. Not by a mile, maybe not comfortably, but enough.
Best Bet: Knicks -5.5 (-108)
NBA Picks and Handicappers on ScoresAndStats
Playoff markets get tighter, and that usually means bettors need more than one opinion before pressing a side. That is where today’s NBA picks help. It is not just about finding a pick you agree with. It is about seeing whether the handicap lines up across different cappers, especially when injuries, pace, and matchup-specific angles are all pulling on the number.
That also makes it worth comparing who is actually producing over time. Some bettors want high-volume daily cards. Others want selective playoff positions with stronger reasoning behind each play. The top sports handicappers page is useful for that, and the handicapper leaderboard gives you a cleaner snapshot of consistency, transparency, and longer-term results.
If you want to go a step further during the postseason, premium NBA picks can make more sense than they do in the regular season because the board gets sharper and each edge matters a bit more. And if you are building out a full betting card for the night, the NBA previews hub is a solid place to compare matchup logic across the slate.
Houston heads to Crypto.com Arena on Saturday, April 18, 2026 for a playoff matchup that feels a little strange when you first look at the number. The Rockets are the road favorite at -5.0, the moneyline sits at Houston -212 and Los Angeles +174, and the total is all the way down at 207.5. That alone tells you what the market thinks about the shape of this game. It is expecting a defensive, slower, more half-court opener with Houston holding the cleaner roster situation entering tip.
This is not a normal Lakers playoff setup either. Los Angeles is at home, but the roster context matters more than the building. The Lakers finished with the stronger regular-season record, yet they come into this game dealing with major availability issues at the top of the offense. Houston has its own injury questions too, so this is one of those Game 1 spots where bettors really do need to think through multiple paths before locking in a side or total.
From a betting perspective, the game looks pretty simple on the surface. Houston has the more stable defensive profile, the better rebounding base, and fewer offensive holes if its key names are available. The Lakers still have enough size, experience, and home-court energy to make this ugly for four quarters, but ugly does not always mean live. Sometimes ugly just means lower scoring and harder to cover if you are chasing offense that is not really there.
Follow proven NBA handicappers.
Bet smarter every night.
Houston Rockets vs Los Angeles Lakers Odds
These are the current betting lines, and bettors should always monitor updated Houston Rockets vs Los Angeles Lakers odds before placing a wager.
| If your game read is… | Best market that usually fits |
|---|---|
| Houston controls the glass, wins the turnover battle, and keeps Los Angeles in a half-court game | Rockets moneyline (-212) |
| Houston’s defense wears down a short-handed Lakers offense over four quarters | Rockets -5.0 (-110) |
| Los Angeles hangs around at home, gets enough from LeBron, and keeps it inside two possessions | Lakers +5.0 (-111) |
| Both teams struggle to create easy points and the game stays slow from the opening quarter | Under 207.5 |
| Houston gets downhill, the free throws climb, and late fouling stretches the score | Over 207.5 |
Houston Rockets Betting Form
Houston enters this matchup with the profile bettors usually trust in a playoff opener. The Rockets were one of the better defensive teams in the league during the regular season, allowing just 110.0 points per game, and they paired that with elite team rebounding at 48.1 boards per night. That matters a lot in a game lined this low. When a favorite already owns the rebounding edge and is less likely to give away second-chance points, it does not need explosive offense to cover a number like -5.
Offensively, Houston was not some slow, grind-only team either. The Rockets still scored 115.2 points per game, and they did it with a physical shot diet that can travel in the postseason. They are comfortable playing through size, finishing possessions, and forcing opponents to defend multiple actions in the same trip. Even if the spacing is not perfect every night, the floor balance is usually solid. That keeps them from giving up easy transition points, which is a quiet but important angle against a Lakers group that probably needs simpler offense to stay in the game.
The one thing that makes this section less clean is availability. Fred VanVleet is already out, and that changes the way Houston organizes late-clock possessions. Kevin Durant is also carrying a questionable tag, which obviously matters to every market on the board. If Durant plays and looks close to normal, Houston has the best offensive player available in this matchup outside of LeBron. If he sits, the Rockets become more defensive, more rebounding-heavy, and probably more under-friendly. That is why it makes sense to keep checking the Houston Rockets stats and results page and monitor the Houston Rockets injury report before placing anything tied to side, total, or props.
Los Angeles Lakers Betting Form
The Lakers are in a different kind of spot. Their overall regular-season numbers still look respectable enough, with 116.3 points per game, but the current version of the roster is not really reflected by those full-season averages. The reason the market has been willing to make Los Angeles a sizable home underdog is pretty obvious. Luka Doncic is out, Austin Reaves is out, and that removes a huge amount of self-created offense, secondary playmaking, and shot-making from the backcourt.
That leaves LeBron James carrying even more of the decision-making burden, and that can work in short bursts. It can even work for a full game if the supporting cast hits shots early. But against a Houston team that rebounds, defends, and can throw multiple long bodies at primary creators, that is a hard way to live for 48 minutes. The Lakers also allowed 114.6 points per game during the regular season, which is not terrible, but it is not the profile of a defense that can repeatedly erase bad half-court possessions on the other end.
The home angle is still worth respecting. Los Angeles is not talentless, and playoff home underdogs can hang around just on energy, whistle pressure, and a slower rhythm. The Lakers also beat Houston twice in March, which at least gives bettors a reason to consider the dog if they believe those matchup details carry over. Still, this current version of the team has a much thinner margin for error than the full-season record suggests. It is worth tracking the Los Angeles Lakers schedule and stats page and staying on top of the Los Angeles Lakers injury report because, honestly, late availability is the whole handicap here.
Houston Rockets vs Los Angeles Lakers Matchup Breakdown
The pace should be one of the first things bettors think about. This total is sitting at 207.5 for a reason. The market is not expecting free-flowing offense or a wide-open transition game. Houston’s strongest path is to make this physical, finish possessions with rebounds, and force the Lakers into long half-court trips where LeBron has to solve everything himself. That is a workable formula because Los Angeles is missing so much backcourt creation.
The rebounding gap looks especially important. Houston averaged 48.1 rebounds per game during the regular season, while the Lakers were down at 41.0. That is not a tiny difference. In a playoff game where every empty trip feels heavier, extra possessions can decide both the side and the total. If Houston wins the glass by a clear margin, the Rockets can cover without shooting especially well. If Los Angeles somehow neutralizes that edge, the dog becomes much more interesting.
Shot profile matters too. The Lakers, as currently built, may need a very efficient LeBron game plus enough corner shooting to punish Houston for loading up. That is possible, but it feels fragile. Houston has more ways to generate acceptable offense even when things bog down, particularly if Durant is available. Without VanVleet the guard play is less steady, sure, but the Rockets can still lean on size, offensive rebounding, and paint pressure. I also think the NBA stats hub is useful here because this matchup is less about surface scoring averages and more about how the possession battle is likely to play out.
There is also a rest and rhythm element. It is Game 1, which usually means tighter rotations, more half-court possessions, and fewer experimental lineups. Coaches tend to trust size, defense, and players who do not break the structure. That leans Houston. If you want the educational angle, this is exactly the kind of game where an NBA betting guide helps frame how side and total connect. If the favorite is built on defense, rebounding, and roster stability, the spread and the under often point in the same general direction.
Smart NBA picks start here.
Let the data dictate your edge.
Houston Rockets vs Los Angeles Lakers Predictions and Best Bets
My lean is Houston on the spread, and I think the number is still playable at -5.0 if Durant is active. The Rockets have the cleaner path to points, the better rebounding outlook, and the stronger defensive baseline. More importantly, they do not need this to be pretty. They just need to drag the Lakers into a game where every possession feels expensive. That should favor the deeper and more physically stable team.
I also like the under, maybe more than I wanted to when I first saw the matchup. At 207.5, the total is already depressed, so this is not some blind playoff-under angle. But when you really walk through the game script, it is still hard to build a strong case for clean offense from both sides. The Lakers are missing too much shot creation. Houston is already without VanVleet and may not have a full version of Durant. That pushes this toward a lower-possession, lower-efficiency opener unless the whistles get out of control.
The one argument for the Lakers is simple enough. They are at home, LeBron is still more than capable of controlling stretches, and the Rockets are not perfectly healthy either. If you think Houston’s offense stalls without VanVleet and with Durant limited, then Lakers +5.0 becomes the better side. I get that angle. I just do not trust Los Angeles to generate enough reliable offense over four quarters, especially if the game settles into the kind of possession-by-possession grind the line is already hinting at.
So the strongest angle for me is still the Houston side, with the under as the secondary look. If Durant were ruled out, I would become much less interested in laying the points and probably move even harder toward the total instead. But with the information on the board right now, Houston still looks like the sharper side.
Best Bet: Rockets -5.0 (-110)
NBA Picks and Handicappers on ScoresAndStats
If you are betting NBA playoff games, this is exactly when it helps to compare more than one opinion before committing to a number. A Game 1 like this can move quickly once injury confirmations hit, and sometimes the best edge is simply getting ahead of a market adjustment. That is why checking today’s NBA picks matters, especially on a card where one player status can change both the spread and the total.
It also helps to compare the people making those calls. Some handicappers are stronger on sides, some on totals, and some are simply better at reacting to late injury information without overcorrecting. The top sports handicappers page gives bettors a broader view, while the handicapper leaderboard makes it easier to sort by long-term performance and transparency instead of guessing based on one hot week.
And if you want a more aggressive playoff approach, there is value in tracking stronger paid analysis as the board tightens. The postseason usually punishes lazy bets and rewards bettors who shop for the best angle instead of forcing a pick. That is where premium NBA picks can fit, especially if you are building a card around sides, totals, and derivatives rather than just taking one headline bet.
Cubs aim to extend offensive surge at expense of skidding Mets
The Chicago Cubs have a chance Saturday to do something they have achieved only twice since 1900.
The New York Mets can only hope they don’t inch closer to yet another bit of ignoble history.
The Cubs will look to remain red-hot Saturday afternoon when they host the free-falling Mets in the middle contest of a three-game series.
Jameson Taillon (0-1, 4.86 ERA) is slated to start for the Cubs against Freddy Peralta (1-1, 3.86) in a battle of right-handers.
The Cubs and Mets continued going in opposite directions Friday afternoon, when Moises Ballesteros hit a three-run homer to cap a four-run first-inning outburst that sparked Chicago to a 12-4 rout.
The win was the third straight for the Cubs, who have collected 10-plus runs in each of those games while outscoring the Mets and Philadelphia Phillies 33-10. Chicago last scored at least 10 runs in three straight games from Sept. 13-15, 2019, when the Cubs outscored the visiting Pittsburgh Pirates 47-15 in a sweep.
The Cubs have scored at least 10 runs in at least four straight games twice in the past 126 years — first in a five-game stretch from June 1-6, 1930, and then in a four-game stretch from June 28-July 1, 2018.
“That number of runs, it means there’s a lot of people doing good things,” Cubs manager Craig Counsell said. “One of the strengths of our team should be just the length of our lineup and just being able to get production everywhere in the lineup.”
The only solace for the Mets as they try to snap a nine-game losing streak is the fact the Cubs were slumping prior to their breakout. Chicago scored 73 runs in its first 16 games, during which it scored one run or none four times.
The Mets have been outscored 56-16 during their skid — the longest for the club since an 11-game losing streak from Aug. 28-Sept. 8, 2004. New York hasn’t lost more than 11 straight since dropping 12 in a row from Aug. 10-23, 2002.
The four runs the Mets scored Friday marked just the second time they scored more than two runs during the tailspin. They haven’t led at the end of an inning since the first inning of an 11-6 loss to the Athletics on April 11 — a span of 53 frames.
“We have got to be able to put a consistent game here where we’re clicking our best — with starters, playing defense, offensively,” Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said. “That has got to start.”
Despite the skid, Mendoza’s job apparently isn’t in jeopardy. President of baseball operations David Stearns said before the Friday defeat, “I think Mendy’s doing a really good job. I think he’s putting our players in a position to succeed. He’s enormously consistent.”
Peralta took the loss in his most recent start, when he allowed one run over six innings as the Mets fell to the Athletics 1-0 on Sunday. He is 9-3 with a 3.21 ERA in 22 career games (17 starts) against the Cubs.
Taillon didn’t factor into the decision on Sunday after giving up six runs over six innings in the Cubs’ 7-6 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates. He served up three homers and walked two but struck out 10.
Taillon is 4-1 with a 2.78 ERA in seven lifetime starts against the Mets.
–Field Level Media
Reds’ bullpen geared up for another look at Twins
The stout Cincinnati bullpen appears to be at full strength as the Reds prepare for the middle contest of a three-game series against the Minnesota Twins on Saturday afternoon in Minneapolis.
Connor Phillips (2.25 ERA), Graham Ashcraft (1.64 ERA), Tony Santillan (0.00 ERA) and Emilio Pagan (six saves, 4.35 ERA) held the Twins to two hits and no runs over the final 3 2/3 innings of a 2-1 win on Friday.
After sustaining an apparent hamstring injury on the last pitch of a 2-1 home victory over the San Francisco Giants on Tuesday, Pagan appears to be healthy. He needed just 13 pitches, eight of which were strikes, to get through a 1-2-3 ninth inning on Friday.
Pagan has blown just one save opportunity, in the Reds’ second game of the season. He has struck out 10 hitters in 10 1/3 innings, and in his past seven outings, he has allowed no runs and one hit in seven innings.
“I’m getting through it,” Pagan said of pitching through the hamstring ailment. “As long as I can do my delivery on the mound and not have to change any of that, I’ll be fine.”
The last out of the game came on a grounder to second base.
Pagan said of running to cover first base, “Just trying to get off quick, a natural reaction on a ball hit that way, I could just tell that it was tight, but as long as I can do my delivery … I like my chances.”
The Reds will turn to Andrew Abbott (0-2, 5.85 ERA) for the Saturday start. The left-hander struggled his last time out in a 9-6 loss at the Los Angeles Angels on Sunday. He yielded a career-high-tying seven runs on eight hits in just three-plus innings.
In his lone start against the Twins, Abbott didn’t earn a decision while throwing 5 2/3 innings on June 17, 2025. He permitted five runs (one earned) on eight hits and no walks with five strikeouts.
Minnesota is slated to give the ball to Taj Bradley (3-0, 1.25). His last time out, the right-hander earned the win as he pitched five innings in the Twins’ 8-2 victory over the Toronto Blue Jays on Sunday. Bradley surrendered one run on five hits and four walks, and he struck out seven.
Bradley was a winner in his lone start against the Reds, which came as a member of the Tampa Bay Rays on April 18, 2023. He tossed 5 1/3 scoreless innings, allowed three hits and one walk and fanned nine.
He will be in search of more run support than Minnesota mustered in the series opener.
The Twins lost their second straight game and only managed five hits on Friday, but they had their chances. Luke Keaschall ended two potential rallies. He struck out looking with the bases loaded to end the third inning, and grounded he into a double play with runners on the corners to end the fifth.
Hitting out of the No. 3 hole in the Twins’ lineup, Keaschall has a .211 average with one home run and nine RBIs on the season. He is 0-for-7 in the past two games, and he wants to focus on the next game.
“I hit into my first double play of the season with men on first and third. That’s obviously not what I wanted to do,” Keaschall said. “Every day we have to treat it as its own. Be present. Every day is a new day and we have to try and get the most out of each day. Try to be present and we’ll get them back.
“We are ticked off, it’s going to change soon.”
–Field Level Media
Yankees bring knack for late heroics into rematch with Royals
In their past five wins, the New York Yankees experienced jubilation in their dugout during their final at-bat.
The Yankees hope to experience more good feelings but secure a win even earlier when they host the Kansas City Royals on Saturday afternoon.
New York is 4-8 over its past 12 games after winning seven of its first eight. The last of the victories in the hot start was a 9-7 decision over the Miami Marlins on April 4, a contest decided on a two-run single by Giancarlo Stanton in the eighth inning.
The Yankees also scored four times in the eighth on April 7 to beat the A’s on Amed Rosario’s three-run homer. New York then lost five straight before splitting a four-game series this week against the Los Angeles Angels, where both wins were walk-offs.
In the series opener against Kansas City on Friday, New York earned a 4-2 victory thanks to Ryan McMahon coming through with his biggest hit of the season. After spending most of the game taking swings in the batting cage, McMahon entered on defense at third base for Rosario after the seventh and delivered a tiebreaking two-run homer with two outs in the eighth against Alex Lange.
“You get excited for people,” Yankees manager Aaron Boone said. “It was a huge, huge at-bat obviously. I think he was hitting for about the whole game down underneath, so obviously ready for it. Put a good swing on it on a crazy night.”
The homer was McMahon’s sixth hit in 43 at-bats (.140) this season — and the previous five hits were singles.
McMahon, a left-handed batter, may come off the bench again in the next two games since the Yankees are opposing lefties Noah Cameron and Cole Ragans. Rosario, a right-handed hitter, is a career .297 batter off left-handed pitching, though he is 3-for-14 (.214) this season off southpaws.
The Royals are coming off another close defeat. They have dropped five straight and are 2-8 in their past 10 games.
Following the two-run homer allowed by Lange, they own a 6.08 ERA bullpen ERA, second worst in the majors.
“I feel like when you fall behind guys, bad things happen,” Lange said. “Those hitters are really good. It (stinks) going out there and blowing a game. You feel like you let the boys down and they’ve been battling their ass off all year.”
Vinnie Pasquantino drove in both Kansas City runs and hit a tying homer in the eighth before McMahon went deep in the bottom half. Bobby Witt Jr. went hitless in four at-bats and is 5-for-23 (.217) in his past six games.
Will Warren, coming off his shortest start this season, will start for the Yankees on Saturday. Warren (1-0, 2.45 ERA) allowed four runs, all unearned, on three hits in 3 2/3 innings and took a no-decision on Monday when the Yankees earned an 11-10 victory over the Angels.
The right-hander’s only career start against the Royals was a no-decision in New York’s 1-0 victory at Kansas City last June 12. In that outing, Warren allowed four hits in 5 2/3 innings.
Cameron (1-0, 3.94 ERA) allowed one run in each of his first two starts this year before he was tagged for five runs on six hits in 5 1/3 innings during a no-decision on Sunday against the Chicago White Sox. He struck out four and walked two.
Cameron yielded six runs on seven hits in 5 2/3 innings during a 10-2 loss at Kansas City last June 10 in his only career start against the Yankees.
–Field Level Media
Rockets-Lakers series ‘much deeper’ than LeBron James-Kevin Durant tilt
A pair of NBA legends will square off once more when the Los Angeles Lakers and Houston Rockets face off in a first-round series starting Saturday in Los Angeles.
Kevin Durant led the Rockets to the No. 5 seed in his first season with the team, while LeBron James has helped guide the Lakers to the No. 4 seed.
However, each team could be without significant firepower in the opener.
Durant is listed as questionable due to a bruised right knee.
Meanwhile, Lakers guards Luka Doncic (hamstring) and Austin Reaves (oblique) could end up missing the series entirely after both were injured in a 139-96 blowout loss at Oklahoma City on April 2. Both are officially out for Game 1.
The situation will thrust James back to the forefront at age 41, while in his record 23rd NBA season. Even while starting the season with a sciatica injury, it did not appear as if James lost a step, with averages of 20.9 points, 6.1 rebounds and 7.2 assists in 60 games.
“He had not a good season, not a great (one), he had a remarkable season,” Lakers head coach JJ Redick said. “All things considered, you take away the fact that he’s in his 23rd year and he’s 41 years old, he had a remarkable season.”
After three consecutive losses when Doncic and Reaves went down, the Lakers rebounded to win their final three games of the regular season to clinch the fourth seed. It was James who pulled the group together in a team meeting to make the late push.
“He’s very vocal,” the Lakers’ Rui Hachimura said. “… It’s big time for him.”
At age 37 and in his 18th season, Durant averaged 26.0 points with 5.5 rebounds and 4.8 assists. Perhaps most impressive of all was his 78 regular-season games played, his most since 2018-19.
“Of course, from the outside looking in, casual folks who are not in the life with us every day, yeah, the (playoff) matchup is definitely fun,” Durant said, according to The Sporting News. “Two great players who have been in the league for a long time, but everybody who’s involved in this series knows it’s much deeper than that.”
The rebounding total was Durant’s lowest since he was a rookie with the Seattle SuperSonics in 2007-08, but staying out of the fray inside likely helped to keep him fresh. The Rockets had plenty of rebounding, leading the NBA at 48.1 per game and 15.0 on the offensive end.
“It’s the best rebounding team in the last 25 years,” James said, anticipating the challenge ahead.
And it might have been even better had Steven Adams not gone down with an ankle injury in January.
While scoring can be a challenge for the Rockets at times, the focus on extending possession with offensive rebounds has served them well. While the Lakers led the NBA at 50.2% shooting from the floor, the Rockets were 10th at 47.9% and 18th at 115.2 points per game.
Alperen Sengun was as much of an all-around threat as Durant with 20.4 points, to go along with team bests in rebounding (8.9) and assists (6.2). Sengun’s passing ability helped to make up for the loss of Fred VanVleet, who tore his ACL in the preseason.
Amen Thompson added 18.3 points with 7.8 rebounds and Jabari Smith Jr. had 15.8 points with 6.9 rebounds.
Houston closed out the regular season by winning nine of its last 10 games, but it lost twice to the Minnesota Timberwolves since March 25 and dropped consecutive games to the Lakers in March at home.
–Field Level Media
Sounders ready for homecoming, rematch with St. Louis City
St. Louis City and the Seattle Sounders met six weeks ago, but St. Louis coach Yoann Damet isn’t focusing much on that match as the clubs are set to square off Saturday in Seattle.
“It feels like it was months ago, to be honest,” Damet said of St. Louis’ 1-0 defeat. “That’s how much we’ve played since then, and that’s how much we’ve improved, I think, as well.
“I’m not putting too much into that game thinking it’s going to be the same game. It’s going to be completely different at their place.”
Seattle (4-1-1, 13 points) won 1-0 at St. Louis on March 7 as Kalani Kossa-Rienzi scored the lone goal in the 47th minute. The Sounders’ Andrew Thomas made five saves in posting the clean sheet.
This will be the Sounders’ first MLS home match since the season opener. They went 3-1-1 on a five-game trip while a grass surface was being installed at Lumen Field in anticipation of this summer’s FIFA World Cup.
The Sounders got a chance to play on the new surface Wednesday, a 3-1 victory against Tigres UANL in the CONCACAF Champions Cup. Despite the outcome, the Sounders were eliminated from the competition due to the away-goals tiebreaker.
As for the field?
“I think all the players liked it. I definitely liked it. It played really well,” Sounders forward Danny Musovski said. “I feel like the ball was moving smoother than it usually does, and I think it feels better on our bodies as well.”
Midfielder Paul Rothrock leads the Sounders with three goals, and forward Jesus Ferreira has recorded four assists.
St. Louis (1-3-3, 6 points) is 1-0-2 over its past three league matches following a three-game losing streak. St. Louis played to a 1-1 draw last Saturday at FC Dallas as defender Timo Baumgartl scored the equalizer in the 61st minute and goalkeeper Roman Burki made two saves.
St. Louis also had a midweek match, defeating FC Tulsa of the USL Championship 4-0 to reach the Round of 16 in the U.S. Open Cup. Marcel Hartel scored the opening goal for St. Louis in that match and leads the team in league play with two tallies.
–Field Level Media
