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Hot shooting, stifling defense carry Magic over Kings

NBA: Sacramento Kings at Orlando MagicMar 29, 2025; Orlando, Florida, USA; Orlando Magic forward Paolo Banchero (5) passes the ball against Sacramento Kings guard/forward DeMar DeRozan (10) in the first quarter at Kia Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Reper-Imagn Images

Caleb Houstan’s 6-of-7 3-point shooting off the bench en route to 18 points helped the Orlando Magic capitalize on a stifling defensive effort as they cruised psat the visiting Sacramento Kings 121-91 on Saturday.

Orlando (36-39), the NBA’s top defense in points allowed coming into Saturday’s matchup, delivered its 18th game holding an opponent to fewer than 100 points this season. The Magic limited the Kings to 42 percent shooting from the floor, including 7-of-28 from 3-point range.

The Orlando defense was especially effective against Zach LaVine, holding him to just 10 points on 3-of-8 shooting and forcing him into five turnovers.

The Magic came out aggressively from the start, not allowing the Kings (36-38) a made field goal until more than three minutes into the contest. By then, Orlando built a nine-point it never relinquished.

Jonathan Isaac helped cap the tone-setting first quarter with a steal of a Malik Monk pass — one of six Monk turnovers in the game — that led to a Goga Bitadze dunk in transition.

The sequence put an exclamation mark on Orlando’s 38-21 first-quarter performance.

Bitadze recorded a double-double off the bench with 12 points and 10 rebounds. Houstan knocked down three triples before halftime to help the Magic take a 15-point lead into intermission.

Sacramento cut the deficit to 11 points early in the third quarter on a DeMar DeRozan 3-pointer, the last of his team-high 21-point effort. Orlando erupted in response, going on a 26-5 run from that point.

Franz Wagner scored 10 of his 21 points during the decisive burst. Behind Wagner, Houston and Paolo Banchero, who scored a game-high 24 points, the Magic recorded their fifth-highest scoring game of the season.

Domantas Sabonis finished with 14 points and 13 rebounds for Sacramento, which was playing the first of six straight road games.

–Field Level Media

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Mayar Sherif wins Iasi title after Paula Badosa retires

May 28, 2026; Paris, France; Mayar Sherif of Egypt returns a shot during her match against Coco Gauff of the United States on day five at Stade Roland Garros. Mandatory Credit: Susan Mullane-Imagn ImagesMay 28, 2026; Paris, France; Mayar Sherif of Egypt returns a shot during her match against Coco Gauff of the United States on day five at Stade Roland Garros. Mandatory Credit: Susan Mullane-Imagn Images

Egypt’s Mayar Sherif claimed her first title in nearly four years Monday after Spain’s Paula Badosa retired in the final of the Iasi Open in Romania.

In a match carried over from Sunday due to rain, Sherif was up 6-4, 4-0 when Badosa was forced to bow out due to injury after 72 minutes.

Sherif, 30, took control with a service break in the seventh game of the opening set and broke Badosa twice to open the second set.

Sherif claimed her first WTA Tour-level trophy since winning the Parma Open in Italy — also on clay — in October 2022.

–Field Level Media

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Ex-Steelers RB Le'Veon Bell arrested in Canton, Ohio

Pittsburgh Steelers running back Le'Veon Bell from last January.

XXX IMG_XXX_SW_LE_VEON_BELL__1_1_NKN22DFI.JPGPittsburgh Steelers running back Le’Veon Bell from last January.

XXX IMG_XXX_SW_LE_VEON_BELL__1_1_NKN22DFI.JPG

Former Pittsburgh Steelers star running back Le’Veon Bell was arrested over the weekend in Canton, Ohio.

He still was being held Monday in the Stark County jail on a warrant out of Michigan over child support payments, according to multiple reports.

Bell’s attorney, Thomas Shaffer of Uniontown, Pa., told the Canton Repository that his client is “inaccurately” being charged based on the salary he received as an NFL player.

“Six months ago he cashed in an NFL pension to pay $50,000 in child support for that child. His guidelines are still inaccurately being deemed based on his NFL salary and his professional boxing career,” Shaffer said. “This is a revolving door because he pays a number that doesn’t reflect his true income. The issue will never end. The court needs to reflect his true income.”

Bell, 34, was arrested Saturday after an autograph-signing appearance at a mall in Jackson Township, Ohio.

A second-round draft pick by the Steelers out of Michigan State in 2013, Bell played five seasons with the Steelers before sitting out the 2018 season in a contract dispute. He continued his career with the New York Jets (2019-20), Kansas City Chiefs (2020), Baltimore Ravens (2021) and Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2021).

Bell made three Pro Bowls, earned two All-Pro first-team selections and produced three 1,000-yard seasons with the Steelers.

He retired with 9,843 yards from scrimmage (6,554 rushing and 3,289 receiving) and 51 touchdowns in 96 career games (81 starts).

After football, Bell went 2-1 as a professional boxer from 2022-24.

–Field Level Media

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Athletics vs. Diamondbacks Predictions: Best Bets, Odds and Props for Monday

May 23, 2026; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks second baseman Ketel Marte (4) watches after hitting a two run home run against Colorado Rockies starting pitcher Michael Lorenzen (24) during the fourth inning at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Anna Carrington-Imagn ImagesMay 23, 2026; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks second baseman Ketel Marte (4) watches after hitting a two run home run against Colorado Rockies starting pitcher Michael Lorenzen (24) during the fourth inning at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Anna Carrington-Imagn Images

The Athletics (42-57) head to Chase Field in Phoenix to battle the Arizona Diamondbacks (51-48) in Game No. 100 for both teams.

The A’s were playing some good ball earlier in the season, but they’ve been in a nosedive for a while now, and the A’s currently sport a minus-114 run differential, worst among all teams in the majors. In fact, with the Kansas City Royals sitting at minus-99, the A’s are the only triple in triple digits in the category.

The A’s hit the road with a 22-27 mark on the road, and they’re just 18-24 in interleague play in 2026.

For the Diamondbacks, they’re just 12-15 in interleague play, but Arizona has a respectable 29-21 mark at home, while it took two of three games over the weekend against the St. Louis Cardinals, including wins in the past two.

While Arizona’s record against the AL leaves a lot to be desired, it will be facing LHP Jeffrey Springs (3-9, 6.08 ERA, 1.42 WHIP). That’s great news for the Diamondbacks, as they’re 15-7 against left-handed starting pitchers, the fewest losses in the majors. In fact, no other team has fewer than 10 losses vs. LHP.

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The Diamondbacks should be able to roll up some huge totals against Springs, who leads the majors with 26 homers allowed in just 97 ⅔ IP across his 19 starts. He also gets himself into a lot of trouble with 37 walks. Springs is a little better on the road, than at home, going 1-3 with a 5.19 ERA and 10 homers allowed in 43 ⅓ IP, but that’s not exactly encouraging.

Arizona counters with Canadian-born LHP Mitch Bratt (0-0, 6.00 ERA, 1.67 WHIP). He’ll be making just his third Major League start, and it will be his first showing in front of the home fans. It’s set up to be a very good spot for him to make his home debut, but with a 23-year-old pitcher who doesn’t go deep into games, there is risk.

However, the A’s are 12-22 vs. LHP this season, so the rookie could look a lot better than he actually is.

We’re going to take the DIAMONDBACKS -1.5 (+124) on the run line at plus-money, although if you’re a bit on the conservative side, backing the Snakes (-163) as moderate favorites is perfectly OK.

In addition, we’re going to go OVER 9 (-122), as Springs should give up his fair share of runs, and Bratt might also give up a few. If Springs gets knocked around, there isn’t a lot of help behind him. The A’s rank dead-last in the majors in bullpen ERA (5.51). The Diamondbacks are middle of the road in bullpen ERA (3.95).

And, for an extra bonus, since Springs is so giving, let’s take KETEL MARTE – ANYTIME HOME RUN (+326) for the chance to go more than 3X. Marte is slashing .299/.346/.588 against lefties with seven homers in just 97 at-bats. Let’s roll it up!

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