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Thunder put 11-game winning streak on line vs. Timberwolves

NBA: Oklahoma City Thunder at Indiana PacersDec 26, 2024; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Ajay Mitchell (25) dribbles the ball while Indiana Pacers guard T.J. McConnell (9) defends in the second half at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images

The Oklahoma City Thunder are one of the hottest teams in the NBA for plenty of reasons.

Two-time All-Star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is averaging 32.8 points, 5.9 rebounds, 5.5 assists, 2.4 steals and 1.5 blocks during the Thunder’s 11-game winning streak.

Gilgeous-Alexander’s performances, as good as they’ve been, have been expected. But rookie Ajay Mitchell’s recent surge wasn’t as easy to predict.

Gilgeous-Alexander, Mitchell and Oklahoma City will try to extend their winning streak when they host the Minnesota Timberwolves on Tuesday.

A win would tie the Thunder’s longest winning streak since the franchise moved to Oklahoma City ahead of the 2008-09 season.

Tuesday’s game is the first of the season between the teams and the second of a five-game homestand for the Thunder.

Mitchell, a second-round pick in this year’s draft, has surged of late, giving Oklahoma City a versatile option both to pair on the floor with Gilgeous-Alexander and to be a primary ball-handler when the latter is on the bench.

That’s been particularly important with Alex Caruso having missed the last three games with a right hip strain.

“He is just another guy that is a steady hand on the wheel,” coach Mark Daigneault said. “When he has the ball in his hands, he makes very sound plays. He can score, he can shoot, he can play in the midrange, he can get to the rim. Then, he makes the right reads. So, he can play on the ball, he can play off the ball.”

After averaging 5.3 points and 1.7 assists in 15.4 minutes over the first 27 games of the season, Mitchell is averaging 13.0 points and 2.3 assists in 22.6 minutes over the last four games. He’s also shooting 64.5 percent from the field during that stretch, and his turnovers have ticked down despite the greater usage.

But while Mitchell’s offensive numbers have been “loud,” as Daigneault said, it’s on the other end of the floor where Mitchell has earned his expanded playing time.

“He defends in a way where you can play him,” Daigneault said. “He does it on both ends.”

While the Thunder have the longest active winning stretch in the NBA, the Timberwolves also enter with some momentum thanks to a three-game winning streak.

Those victories have come over a trio of teams near the Timberwolves in the Western Conference standings – Dallas, Houston and San Antonio.

After entering the month below .500, Minnesota has gone 8-4 so far in December.

Donte DiVincenzo, acquired from the Knicks in an offseason trade, has been a big piece of that turnaround.

After averaging just 8.9 points and shooting 35.4 percent overall and 32.6 percent on 3-pointers through October and November, DiVincenzo is averaging 11.5 points on 44.3 percent overall shooting and 40.8 percent from beyond the arc in December.

“He’s been himself,” Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert said of DiVincenzo. “Just making playing on both ends, making high IQ plays, making the right play and knocking down big shots. That’s who he is.”

–Field Level Media

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Best Value Betting Picks Ahead of 2026 NFL Draft

Feb 27, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Arizona State wideout Jordyn Tyson (WO40) speaks to members of the media during the NFL Combine at the Indiana Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Jacob Musselman-Imagn ImagesFeb 27, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Arizona State wideout Jordyn Tyson (WO40) speaks to members of the media during the NFL Combine at the Indiana Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Jacob Musselman-Imagn Images

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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Timberwolves look to shake off rust in Game 2 vs. Nuggets

NBA: Playoffs-Minnesota Timberwolves at Denver NuggetsApr 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

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East-leading Nashville might be without Sam Surridge at Atlanta

MLS: Nashville SC at Chicago Fire FCApr 4, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Fire FC defender Jack Elliott (3), defender Mbekezeli Mbokazi (4) and Nashville SC forward Sam Surridge (9) battle for control of the ball during the second half at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Talia Sprague-Imagn Images

If Nashville SC intend to extend their lead atop the MLS Eastern Conference standings with a win against host Atlanta United on Saturday night, they might have to do it without their leading scorer for a second straight match.

Sam Surridge was sidelined with a hamstring injury on Tuesday when Nashville (5-1-1, 16 points) defeated Liga MX side Club America 1-0 in the second leg of their CONCACAF Champions Cup quarterfinal tie and secured passage to the semifinals. The Englishman, tied atop the MLS leaderboard with seven goals, is questionable for Saturday.

“He’s made some good progress … and so, right now, it’s just (him having to) clear a few hurdles with medical and performance to see if we can get him ready for (Atlanta),” Nashville head coach BJ Callaghan said.

Though Atlanta (1-5-1, 4 points) ranks near the bottom of the East, Callaghan does not take the latest chapter in the clubs’ Southeastern derby lightly.

“It doesn’t matter where anybody is on the table. The table doesn’t really matter this early in the season, anyway,” Callaghan said. “They’re going to bring out their best. We’ve had good games in the past (during) the history of both clubs, so the expectation is going to be nothing short of that.”

Atlanta United defeated Chattanooga FC 3-1 on Wednesday in the U.S. Open Cup Round of 32, snapping a three-match losing streak across all competitions (0-2-1).

Atlanta has won just once in MLS play, but it can gain momentum with a positive result against Nashville in front of a home crowd.

“The poor results are something we can resolve before the World Cup break, but it’s also important to confidence and the emotional state of the team,” Atlanta head coach Tata Martino said through an interpreter. “What we also have to work on is not just trying to solve the results, but (improving the) confidence and emotional state of the team.”

The Five Stripes will be without Miguel Almiron (knee irritation) for up to two weeks after he felt leg discomfort during the match against Chattanooga. Steven Alzate (adductor) will be unavailable as well.

Nashville and Atlanta are deadlocked at 4-4-5 in their 13 previous regular-season matches.

–Field Level Media

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