Sports
NBA roundup: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scores 52, but Thunder lose
Jan 29, 2025; San Francisco, California, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) drives to the hoop against the Golden State Warriors in the second quarter at the Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-Imagn Images Stephen Curry bounced back from a four-point first half with five second-half 3-pointers and the Golden State Warriors rallied to overcome Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s 52 points and stun the Oklahoma City Thunder 116-109 on Wednesday night in San Francisco.
Andrew Wiggins went for a team-high 27 points and Curry finished with 21 points for the Warriors, who beat the Western Conference front-runners for the second time in three meetings this season.
Kevon Looney chipped in with a career-high-tying 18 points off the bench as Golden State earned its third win in four games.
Gilgeous-Alexander logged the second 50-point effort of his career. He put up 54 in a home win over the Utah Jazz on Jan. 22. Gilgeous-Alexander, who singlehandedly outscored the Warriors in the first quarter with a 21-point performance, finished 16-for-29 from the field. He padded his point total with an 18-for-21 night at the free-throw line.
Raptors 106, Wizards 82
Scottie Barnes scored 24 points as visiting Toronto thrashed Washington for its fifth straight win.
Barnes eclipsed the 20-point mark for the fourth consecutive game, making 10 of 19 attempts from the field. Jakob Poeltl finished with 12 points, eight rebounds and six assists.
Kyle Kuzma recorded 19 points and 10 rebounds for the Wizards, who lost their 15th game in a row, one game shy of their season-worst skid.
Celtics 122, Bulls 100
Kristaps Porzingis scored a season-high 34 points and collected 11 rebounds to help Boston breeze to a victory over visiting Chicago.
Porzingis made 10 of his 18 field goal attempts, including 8 of 14 shots from behind the 3-point arc. His eight 3-pointers tied his career high. Jaylen Brown added 28 points, six rebounds and six assists for the Celtics, who also received a 22-point performance from Derrick White.
The Bulls didn’t have leading scorer Zach LaVine, who is averaging 24.0 points per game. Chicago guard Coby White returned from an ankle injury and scored 16 points in 31 minutes.
Knicks 122, Nuggets 112
Jalen Brunson posted his second double-double in three games for host New York, which continued its surge with a win over Denver.
Brunson, who finished with 30 points and 15 assists, had 15 points during a decisive third-period run for the Knicks, who have won five straight following a 3-6 skid. Karl-Anthony Towns supplied 14 points and 10 rebounds, while OG Anunoby netted 23 points.
Jamal Murray scored 33 points for the Nuggets, who set a season-worst with their third straight loss. Denver superstar Nikola Jokic finished with 17 points, six rebounds and six assists while playing just 33 minutes due to early foul trouble.
Cavaliers 126, Heat 106
Donovan Mitchell scored 34 points and Evan Mobley collected 22 points and 15 rebounds, lifting visiting Cleveland to a wire-to-wire victory over Miami.
Ty Jerome contributed 20 points and Georges Niang added 15 off the bench for the Cavaliers, who shot 54 percent from the floor and held a decisive 68-38 edge in points in the paint.
Terry Rozier scored 22 points off the bench for the Heat, who have lost six of their last nine games. Tyler Herro also put up 22 points, and Bam Adebayo contributed 21 points and nine rebounds.
Mavericks 137, Pelicans 136
P.J. Washington and Daniel Gafford had double-doubles, four of their Dallas teammates scored in double figures and the visiting Mavericks defeated New Orleans.
Washington finished with 25 points, 14 rebounds and eight assists, and Gafford had 22 points, 12 rebounds and four blocked shots. Kyrie Irving logged 25 points, nine boards and six assists. Klay Thompson added 20 points, Quentin Grimes had 17 and Spencer Dinwiddie put up 11 as Dallas won for the third time in four games.
Trey Murphy III scored 32, Zion Williamson added 29 points and seven assists, Dejounte Murray scored 27 points, and CJ McCollum amassed 23 points and eight assists for New Orleans, which lost its fourth straight game.
Timberwolves 121, Suns 113
Minnesota rode a pivotal fourth-quarter run to a road win over Phoenix in a chippy contest featuring a bevy of technical fouls.
Nickeil Alexander-Walker scored 23 points off the bench and Anthony Edwards scored a team-high 33 points for Minnesota, which earned its fourth straight win. Julius Randle finished with 28 points on 10-of-16 shooting from the floor and matched Edwards with a game-high seven rebounds. Randle also swiped a game-high three steals, and his six assists matched Mike Conley’s team high.
Devin Booker, who also received a technical foul, finished with 28 points and a game-high eight assists. Bradley Beal added 17 points and six assists for Phoenix, while Grayson Allen had 11 points and seven rebounds.
76ers 117, Kings 104
Tyrese Maxey supplied 30 points and eight assists to guide host Philadelphia past Sacramento for its fourth straight win.
Kelly Oubre Jr. added 15 points and four steals for Philadelphia, which continued to play without Joel Embiid (knee) and Paul George (finger), among others.
Sacramento lost for the third time in four games despite all five starters scoring in double figures. Malik Monk notched 21 points and eight assists, while Domantas Sabonis recorded his third straight triple-double (13 points, 14 rebounds and 11 assists).
Nets 104, Hornets 83
Keon Johnson scored 18 points as Brooklyn won at Charlotte, snapping a seven-game losing streak.
Jalen Wilson added 15 points for the Nets, while Nic Claxton supplied 12 points, eight rebounds and six blocked shots.
Miles Bridges led Charlotte with 23 points to go with 13 rebounds. The Hornets, who have lost four of their last five games, were without LaMelo Ball (ankle) and Mark Williams (foot).
Clippers 128, Spurs 116
Kawhi Leonard poured in a season-high 27 points and Ivica Zubac amassed 21 points and 22 rebounds as Los Angeles dominated the final five minutes to win at San Antonio.
Norman Powell also had 27 points while James Harden racked up 21 points and 11 assists for the Clippers, who earned their third victory in four games.
Wembanyama scored 23 points and pulled down 12 rebounds to lead the Spurs, who have lost five of their past six games.
Pacers 133, Pistons 119
Pascal Siakam had a season-high 37 points, Tyrese Haliburton added 30 and Indiana fought off a strong challenge to defeat Detroit in Indianapolis.
The game saw a total of six technical fouls called, four on Detroit, and Pistons backup center Isaiah Stewart was ejected in the second quarter after a flagrant foul on Pacers forward Thomas Bryant.
Indiana is an NBA-best 10-2 since the start of 2025, and all 10 wins have been by double figures. Detroit was led by Cade Cunningham’s 32 points. Myles Turner had 24 for the Pacers.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Curtis Mead, Keibert Ruiz help Nationals tame Giants
Apr 19, 2026; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Washington Nationals first baseman Curtis Mead (45) rounds the bases after hitting a two run home run against the San Francisco Giants during the fifth inning at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images Curtis Mead hit a two-run homer, Keibert Ruiz had two hits and the Nationals beat the San Francisco Giants 3-0 in Washington on Sunday to avoid a series sweep.
Andrew Alvarez (1-0), called up earlier in the day from Triple-A Rochester, pitched 4 1/3 scoreless innings for the win, allowing three hits and striking out five without a walk.
PJ Poulin opened for Washington and was replaced by Miles Mikolas with two outs and two on in the first. Mikolas, who began the day with an 11.49 ERA, pitched four scoreless innings while allowing four hits in his best outing of the young season.
Rafael Devers and Drew Gilbert had two hits each for the Giants, who had won three straight, but went 0-for-11 with runners in scoring position.
San Francisco’s Robbie Ray (2-3) gave up three runs on seven hits over six innings. He struck out seven and walked one.
The Giants put runner on first and second with two outs in each of the first two innings but did not score.
The Nationals got an infield single and a walk to open the third inning but couldn’t cash in. Curtis Mead hit a blooper to shallow left field that dropped, but Keibert Ruiz briefly broke back towards second and was thrown out at third. Brady House flied to the warning track in center and CJ Abrams flied out.
Washington took a 3-0 lead in the fifth. Nasim Nunez reached on a bunt single and stole second. Ruiz hit shot to left center and Heliot Ramas made a diving effort but couldn’t come up with it. Nunez scored and Mead lined the first pitch he saw from Ray out to left for a two-run homer.
The first two Giants reached base in the eighth inning on an error and a single, but Casey Schmitt grounded into a double play and pinch hitter Jerar Encarnacion struck out.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Best Value Betting Picks Ahead of 2026 NFL Draft
It’s hard to believe that the 2026 NFL Draft is already almost here. It’s the perfect time to cash in on some draft betting picks.
Over the last few months, countless NFL mock drafters have taken stabs at where these top prospects could be selected.
In this article, we’ll take a look at some of the best value on the board, utilizing FanDuel Sportsbook odds. Remember, this doesn’t mean that we’re predicting these players will be drafted in these spots.
Rather, we’re going to try to cash in on some valuable plus money opportunities for the NFL Draft, an event that is always capable of a few surprises.
No. 3 Overall: Francis Mauigoa (+650)
The Arizona Cardinals have the No. 3 overall pick – and they have needs all over their roster.
David Bailey (+110) and Arvell Reese (+260) are the betting favorite to come off of the board in this spot. But what if the Cardinals want to hook up new offensive minded head coach Mike LaFleur with a player to help fix his offense?
That could lead the Cardinals to Mauigoa, who was a standout right tackle for the Miami Hurricanes. 31-year-old veteran Elijah Wilkinson is expected to start at right tackle for the Cardinals.
They’ll probably take an edge rusher. But if they don’t Mauigoa would be the play at +650.
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No. 6 Overall: Caleb Downs (+1200)
The Cleveland Browns don’t need a defensive player. But Browns general manager Andrew Berry continues to float the idea of the team trading down. It’s a safe bet to expect the Browns to try and trade back.
Who would be worth another organization deciding to trade up for? Ohio State star safety Caleb Downs, who should still be on the board if the New York Giants select his Buckeyes teammate, Sonny Styles, at No. 5 overall.
Obviously, a lot has to go right for this selection to cash. But Downs is one of the best players in the draft. If he’s still available outside of the top five selections, he won’t last much longer.
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No. 10 Overall: Jordyn Tyson (+440)
Tyson is the one player in this class that could cause a major shakeup inside the top 10 picks.
According to reports, 20 teams attended the Arizona State star’s private workout, where the consensus seemed that most teams were comfortable with his medical situation.
The Giants just acquired the No. 10 selection from the Cincinnati Bengals. The NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo reported that Giants GM Joe Schoen had dinner with Tyson the night before the private workout.
If Tyson is still available at No. 10 overall, the Giants could load up on offense for Jaxson Dart.
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Sports
Timberwolves look to shake off rust in Game 2 vs. Nuggets
Apr 18, 2026; Denver, Colorado, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards (5) dribbles the ball up the court during the first half against the Denver Nuggets in game one of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-Imagn Images The Denver Nuggets’ halftime adjustments in Game 1 on Saturday spurred them to a 116-105 win over Minnesota. Now, it’s the visiting Timberwolves’ turn to adjust for Game 2 of their Western Conference quarterfinal series on Monday night.
Minnesota missed 14 of its first 16 shots in the third quarter, when Denver built a 15-point lead. The Timberwolves cut it to 97-95 in the fourth quarter, but two turnovers contributed to a Nuggets’ run that put it away.
It is only one game, and No. 6 Minnesota has an opportunity to steal one from No. 3 Denver before heading home for Games 3 and 4.
“No one wants to have a moral victory, but we understand we had every opportunity to win that game and down the stretch, we cut it to two,” Ayo Dosunmu said. “We just have to be better.”
Composure and the ability to defend without fouling will be vital if the Timberwolves want to even the series. Jaden McDaniels hit a turnaround jumper that ended a Minnesota drought in the third quarter, and then drew a technical for pushing Nuggets star Nikola Jokic in the back after the bucket.
The Timberwolves had 25 personal fouls that led to 33 free-throw attempts for Denver, 16 by Jamal Murray. He didn’t miss from the line, and the Nuggets missed just three overall.
Minnesota’s chances to pull off the upset in the series hinge on star guard Anthony Edwards. He missed 11 of the final 14 games of the regular season due to a balky right knee, and Timberwolves head coach Chris Finch said Edwards looked “rusty” Saturday.
Edwards acknowledged he struggled.
“I haven’t played in like a month, month and a half, so, I was a little fatigued,” he said despite tallying 22 points, nine rebounds, seven assists and three blocks.
Denver is hoping to get fully healthy for the rest of the series if forward Peyton Watson can return from a right hamstring strain. Watson has not played since aggravating the hamstring injury on April 1. He initially sustained the injury Feb. 4 and missed more than six weeks.
The Nuggets do have Jokic and Murray healthy, and they were a force in Game 1. Jokic recorded the 22nd triple-double of his playoff career, and Murray scored 30 points despite going 7-for-22 from the field. He did most of his damage from the line and disputed Minnesota’s grumblings in the disparity of foul calls.
“I thought I got fouled on every single one of them. I don’t know what everybody is talking about,” Murray said. “They were real fouls.”
Denver has been on a roll since losing to Memphis on March 18. The Nuggets won their final 12 games of the regular season to overtake the Los Angeles Lakers for the third seed and secure a third playoff meeting in four years against the Timberwolves to build on a budding rivalry.
“I think some people say it’s the same teams. I don’t think it’s the same teams,” Jokic said. “People are more experienced, different players. One player can change the whole situation, the whole rotation, the whole momentum of the team.”
–Field Level Media
