TAMPA, Fla — Newly acquired Detroit Tigers outfielder Austin Meadows is expected to be ready for Opening Day Friday against the Chicago White Sox after recently being slowed by an oblique injury.

Meadows, 26, was set to take part in a simulated game Wednesday.

Meadows, who had a career-high 106 RBIs last season, was acquired from the Tampa Bay Rays on Monday night for infielder Isaac Paredes and a competitive balance round B pick in the 2022 draft.

Meadows’ younger brother, Parker, was selected by Detroit in the second round of the 2018 draft. He played for Class A Lakeland and Class A West Michigan last year.

The Tigers open at Comerica Park, ready to show off a roster boosted by offseason trades and free-agent signings.

Meadows hit .234 with 27 homers last season.

“He’s rarin’ to go,” Tigers manager AJ Hinch said before Tuesday’s spring training game against the New York Yankees. “Obviously it’s a shock for him because he’s going one camp to another last minute, but given his familiarity with the organization through his brother, I think he could be up and running pretty quickly.”

Meadows made the AL All-Star team in 2019, when he finished with a .291 batting average, 33 homers and 89 RBIs.

“I know we added a big bat at a really fun time as we get close to breaking camp,” Hinch said.

Detroit is much improved after going 77-85 last year in its fifth consecutive losing season. Meadows joins a lineup that includes star infielder Javier Baez, who signed with the Tigers in free agency, and Spencer Torkelson, one of the majors’ top slugging prospects.

Paredes, 23, can play second, third and shortstop. He batted .208 with a homer and five RBIs in 23 games with Detroit last season.

“We gave up some value as well,” Hinch said. “That was not a free trade. That definitely impacted the organization’s depth. What you want in these trades is both teams to get what they need and it sounds like we did.”

Game notes:
The Tigers agreed to terms with RHP Spencer Turnbull on a two-year deal to avoid arbitration. … RHPs Jacob Barnes, Will Vest and Drew Hutchison have been told that they made the Opening Day roster. … Hinch said the Tigers will start the season with 14 or 15 pitchers on the expanded 28-man roster.

Read More

1:00 PM ET

The ESPN fantasy and betting cheat sheet is your pregame destination for our best intel and data to help you make smart fantasy and wagering decisions. NBA game odds are provided by Caesars Sportsbook, and fantasy advice is based on ESPN 10-team leagues.

Jump ahead: Game of the night | Picks and props | Analytics edge

What you need to know for tonight’s NBA slate

by Jim McCormick and Kyle Soppe

Bobby Buckets: Bobby Portis has a DFS price tag that sandwiches him between big names like Deandre Ayton and Andre Drummond and it makes sense. It could also result in a suppressed roster percentage tonight against a Bulls team that has seen their defensive efficiency dip and rebound rate fall off a cliff over the past three weeks. Portis has at least eight boards in seven of his past eight games and has totaled 42 points and 16 rebounds in 49 minutes so far this month. Could Milwaukee rely on him more down the stretch as they prepare for another deep playoff run? That’d be nice, but it’s not mandated at this price tag. There is far more upside than downside in Portis tonight.

Tre Day: The Spurs won’t have Dejounte Murray in the lineup against the Thunder this evening, which means second-year guard Tre Jones (99% available) is set to start his third straight game. Jones delivered 18 points and 14 combined rebounds and assists in a win over the Trail Blazers last weekend, evidence he can thrive against a shallow Denver backcourt this evening.

More Mo: Filling in for Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley is a tall task for any frontcourt, but Cleveland unearthed a productive option in Moses Brown (94% available). Facing Joel Embiid over the weekend, Brown pulled a dozen boards and has collected 47 rebounds over his past four games. Brown is a double-double threat facing an Orlando team allowing nearly 47 DraftKings points to centers over the past 15 games, the ninth-highest rate in the NBA over this stretch. For those in truly deep formats, Moritz Wagner (98%) produced 18 points and nine rebounds his last time out.

The Alps: The Rockets are leaning on their youth movement down the stretch. Productive vets Christian Wood and Dennis Schroder are sidelined for tonight’s matchup with Brooklyn, positioning Jalen Green and Kevin Porter Jr. with heaps of creation equity. Beyond the backcourt, we find rookie center Alperen Sengun (82% available) positioned to produce as the primary post playmaker for the Rockets. Last time out, Sengun tallied 14 points, 15 rebounds, and four dimes, evidence he can thrive against a Brooklyn team that still lacks proven interior defense.

Hyphenated Hype: While bad teams often give young players heavy minutes during this time of the season, there are also scenarios where steady vets see a surge in production. Such is the case for Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (75% available). With Kyle Kuzma still sidelined, Caldwell-Pope has scored at least 17 points in five straight games and has averaged 23.8 points on stellar percentages over that span. Next up is a meeting with a Timberwolves defense allowing nearly 43 DraftKings PPG to small forwards over the past 15 games.

Memphis Deep: With Ja Morant out and Dillon Brooks is listed as doubtful, Tyus Jones (90% available) can help fantasy rosters. He netted 25 points and 11 combined assists and rebounds against the Spurs last Wednesday. De’Anthony Melton (82%) also should see more minutes with Brooks ailing. He sits second in the league made 3-pointers over the past five games behind only Jalen Green.

Game of the Night

Milwaukee Bucks at Chicago Bulls
8 p.m. ET, United Center o Chicago, IL

Line: Bucks (-4.5)
Moneyline: Bucks (-190), Bulls (+160)
Total: 234 points
BPI Projected Total: 219.5 points
BPI Win%: Bucks (58.9%)

Key players ruled out: none

Notable: The Bulls are just 5-13 in their past 18 games against the spread.

Best bet: Bucks -4.5. The Bucks are just too big for the Bulls, especially with the Bulls starting DeMar DeRozan at power forward against Giannis Antetokounmpo. The way these two teams have played of late favors the Bucks. The Bulls have lost seven of their last 11 games with a -7.5 point scoring margin, while the Bucks have won 11 of their last 14 games (+5.6 point margin) that Giannis has played. — Andre Snellings

Breaking down the rest of the slate

Philadelphia 76ers at Indiana Pacers
7 p.m. ET, Gainbridge Fieldhouse, Indianapolis, IN

Line: 76ers (-12.5)
Moneyline: 76ers (-800), Pacers (+550)
Total: 231points
BPI Projected Total: 233 points
BPI Win%: 76ers (69.9%)

Key players ruled out: Chris Duarte

Joel Embiid continues to make his case for the NBA’s Most Valuable Player award. David Liam Kyle/NBAE via Getty Images

Notable: After a stretch where four of five games went under the total, each of Indiana’s past four games have gone over Vegas’ projection.

Cleveland Cavaliers at Orlando Magic
7 p.m. ET, Amway Center, Orlando, FL

Line: Cavaliers (-8.5)
Moneyline: Cavaliers (-360), Magic (+285)
Total: 214.5 points
BPI Projected Total: 215.5 points
BPI Win%: Cavaliers (63.9%)

Key players ruled out: Evan Mobley, Wendell Carter Jr., Cole Anthony

Notable: The Cavs have covered consecutive games on the heels of dropping four straight ATS.

Houston Rockets at Brooklyn Nets
7:30 p.m. ET, Barclays Center, Brooklyn, NY

Line: Nets (-17.5)
Moneyline: Nets (-2800), Rockets (+1200)
Total: 243.5 points
BPI Projected Total: 232.5 points
BPI Win%: Nets (82.5%)

Notable: The Nets have failed to cover four straight and have seen four under tickets chase in their past five games.

Key players ruled out: Seth Curry, Goran Dragic

Best bet: Jalen Green over 23.5 points. Green is ending his rookie season at a sprint. In his last six games, he has averaged 29.0 PPG (48.4 FG%, 80.8 FT%, 45.8 3P%). He’s scored at least 30 points in four straight, and will be facing a weak Nets defense that ranks 20th in the NBA in defensive rating and plays with the 11th-fastest pace. — Snellings

Charlotte Hornets at Miami Heat
7 p.m. ET, FTX Arena, Miami, FL

Line: Heat (-5.5)
Moneyline: Heat (-230), Hornets (+190)
Total: 226.5 points
BPI Projected Total: 226 points
BPI Win%: Heat (58.9%)

Key players ruled out: none

Atlanta Hawks at Toronto Raptors
7:30 p.m. ET, Scotiabank Arena, Toronto, ON, CA

Line: Raptors (-4)
Moneyline: Raptors (-180), Hawks (+155)
Total: 226 points
BPI Projected Total: 224 points
BPI Win%: Raptors (59.6%)

Key players ruled out: John Collins

Notable: The Raptors are looking to avoid consecutive ATS losses for the first time in nearly a month (March 4-6).

Best bet: Scottie Barnes over 27.5 points+ assists + rebounds. OG Anunoby is questionable due to a quad injury. Regardless, Barnes will play a significant role for the Raptors. In the last six games, he’s averaged 16 PPG, 5.0 APG, and 6.0 RPG. The Hawks are 26th in points allowed per 100 possessions. Barnes is in a great position to surpass his per game averages during that time period. — Moody

Fantasy streamer: De’Andre Hunter. Hunter has been a steady producer for the Hawks this season. Over the last 14 games, he’s averaged 14.3 PPG, 5.1 RPG, 2.6 APG and 1.0 SPG in 30.2 MPG. Hunter is available in 87% of ESPN leagues. Danilo Gallinari (knee) and Bogdan Bogdanovic (knee) are both questionable, so Hunter might see additional minutes. — Moody

Washington Wizards at Minnesota Timberwolves
8 p.m. ET, Target Center, Minneapolis, MN

Line: Timberwolves (-11.5)
Moneyline: Timberwolves (-700), Wizards (+475)
Total: 234 points
BPI Projected Total: 240 points
BPI Win%: Timberwolves (76.8%)

Key players ruled out: Kyle Kuzma, Jaden McDaniels

Notable: Three straight Washington games have gone over the total, this coming after four of five went under.

Portland Trail Blazers at Oklahoma City Thunder
8 p.m. ET, Paycom Center, Oklahoma City, OK

Line: Thunder (-3.5)
Moneyline: Thunder (-160), Blazers (+140)
Total: 223.5 points
BPI Projected Total: 224.5 points
BPI Win%: Thunder (72.1%)

Key players ruled out: Josh Hart, Anfernee Simons, Tre Mann

Notable: Don’t look now, but the Thunder are 8-2 ATS over their past 10 games.

Fantasy streamer: Theo Maledon. On Tuesday night, Tre Mann will miss his fifth consecutive game due to a right hamstring injury. This means Maledon will continue to see extensive playing time. He has averaged 16 points, 5.0 assists and 6.0 rebounds per 40 minutes this season, and is available in 95% of ESPN leagues. — Moody

San Antonio Spurs at Denver Nuggets
9 p.m. ET, Ball Arena, Denver, CO

Line: Nuggets (-6.5)
Moneyline: Nuggets (-240), Spurs (+200)
Total: 234.5 points
BPI Projected Total: 223.5 points
BPI Win%: Nuggets (79.6%)

Key players ruled out: Dejounte Murray

Notable: The Spurs continue to overachieve down the stretch: 6-1 ATS in their past seven contests.

Fantasy streamer: Tre Jones. In his second start in place of Dejounte Murray on Sunday, Jones finished with 18 points, seven rebounds, seven assists and one steal in 34 minutes. Murray is ill and will not play against the Nuggets on Tuesday night. Jones is available in 99.5% of ESPN leagues. — Moody

Memphis Grizzlies at Utah Jazz
9 p.m. ET, Vivint Smart Home Arena, Salt Lake City

Line: Jazz (-5)
Moneyline: Jazz (-210), Grizzlies (+175)
Total: 221.5 points
BPI Projected Total: 222 points
BPI Win%: Jazz (63.4%)

Key players ruled out: Ja Morant

Notable: The Jazz have dropped seven straight ATS (but only one of those games came in front of their home crowd).

New Orleans Pelicans at Sacramento Kings
9 p.m. ET, Golden 1 Center, Sacramento, CA

Line: Pelicans (-8)
Moneyline: Pelicans (-360), Kings (+300)
Total: 225.5 points
BPI Projected Total: 225 points
BPI Win%: Pelicans (65.7%)

Key players ruled out: De’Aaron Fox, Domantas Sabonis

Notable: The Kings have seen seven of their past nine games go over the total.

Fantasy streamer: Davion Mitchell. Mitchell continues to be a great streamer in his absence of De’Aaron Fox, who is out again with a hand injury. Over the last seven games, Mitchell has averaged 20 PPG, 3.0 RPG, 9.0 APG and 1.0 SPG in 41 MPG. Mitchell is available in 55% of ESPN leagues. — Moody

Los Angeles Lakers at Phoenix Suns
10:30 p.m. ET, Footprint Center, Phoenix, AZ

Line: Suns (-11.5)
Moneyline: Suns (-715), Lakers (+510)
Total: 231.5 points
BPI Projected Total: 219 points
BPI Win%: Suns (85.5%)

Key players ruled out: none

Notable: The Lakers are 1-3 ATS in their past four with the over coming through in three of those four games.

Analytics Edge

BPI highest projected totals

1. Minnesota Timberwolves (124.8 points)
2. Brooklyn Nets (121.7 points)
3. Philadelphia 76ers (119.7 points)

BPI lowest projected totals

1. Los Angeles Lakers (103.5 points)
2. Orlando Magic (105.9 points)
3. San Antonio Spurs (107 points)

BPI top probability to win (straight up)

1. Phoenix Suns (86.2%)
2. Brooklyn Nets (82.5%)
3. Denver Nuggets (80.1%)

Read More

Gene Shue, a two-time NBA Coach of the Year who won 784 games with the Bullets, 76ers and Clippers, has died. He was 90.

A five-time All-Star as a player for the Pistons, Shue went on to coach for more than two decades. He took the Baltimore Bullets to the NBA Finals in 1971, then did the same with the Philadelphia 76ers in 1977. He is still the record holder for the Washington-Baltimore franchise with 522 victories.

The Wizards and the NBA announced Shue’s death Monday.

“Gene dedicated his life to the game and left an indelible mark as a player, head coach and executive,” the league said.

Shue played collegiately at Maryland, where he was named the top player at the Southern Conference Tournament in 1953, then earned All-ACC honors the following year after the Terrapins joined that league. He was taken with the No. 3 pick in the 1954 draft by the Philadelphia Warriors.

His five All-Star selections came as a member of the Detroit Pistons, and he played a decade in the NBA before transitioning to coaching. He took over the Bullets in 1966, and he was named Coach of the Year in 1968-69 when the team went 57-25. In 1971, Baltimore reached the Finals before losing to Milwaukee.

“We are saddened by the passing of former Bullets head coach Gene Shue, a Baltimore native and the winningest coach in franchise history,” the Wizards said.

Shue resigned after the 1972-73 season, then took over the 76ers. Philadelphia reached the Finals in 1977 but lost in six games to Portland.

Shue was fired by the 76ers early the following season and ended up with the San Diego Clippers from 1978-80. When the NBA adopted the 3-pointer in the 1979-80 season, the Clippers led the league in both attempts and field goals from long distance.

Shue’s second stint with the Bullets began in 1980, and he took them to the playoffs three more times before being fired in March 1986. His second Coach of the Year award came in 1982.

He went back to the Clippers for his final coaching stop, then became general manager of the 76ers in 1990 and served until 1992.

Shue was inducted into University of Maryland’s Hall of Fame in 1991.

Read More

Gene Shue, a two-time NBA Coach of the Year who won 784 games with the Bullets, 76ers and Clippers, has died. He was 90.

A five-time All-Star as a player for the Pistons, Shue went on to coach for more than two decades. He took the Baltimore Bullets to the NBA Finals in 1971, then did the same with the Philadelphia 76ers in 1977. He is still the record holder for the Washington-Baltimore franchise with 522 victories.

The Wizards and the NBA announced Shue’s death Monday.

“Gene dedicated his life to the game and left an indelible mark as a player, head coach and executive,” the league said.

Shue played collegiately at Maryland, where he was named the top player at the Southern Conference Tournament in 1953, then earned All-ACC honors the following year after the Terrapins joined that league. He was taken with the No. 3 pick in the 1954 draft by the Philadelphia Warriors.

His five All-Star selections came as a member of the Detroit Pistons, and he played a decade in the NBA before transitioning to coaching. He took over the Bullets in 1966, and he was named Coach of the Year in 1968-69 when the team went 57-25. In 1971, Baltimore reached the Finals before losing to Milwaukee.

“We are saddened by the passing of former Bullets head coach Gene Shue, a Baltimore native and the winningest coach in franchise history,” the Wizards said.

Shue resigned after the 1972-73 season, then took over the 76ers. Philadelphia reached the Finals in 1977 but lost in six games to Portland.

Shue was fired by the 76ers early the following season and ended up with the San Diego Clippers from 1978-80. When the NBA adopted the 3-pointer in the 1979-80 season, the Clippers led the league in both attempts and field goals from long distance.

Shue’s second stint with the Bullets began in 1980, and he took them to the playoffs three more times before being fired in March 1986. His second Coach of the Year award came in 1982.

He went back to the Clippers for his final coaching stop, then became general manager of the 76ers in 1990 and served until 1992.

Shue was inducted into University of Maryland’s Hall of Fame in 1991.

Read More

The Chicago Blackhawks were very active at the NHL’s trade deadline this year. They traded guys like Marc-Andre Fleury, Brandon Hagel, and Ryan Carpenter during that week leading up to the final minute and received some pretty good assets in return.

They also might have tipped off the fact that they are thinking about trading one of Jonathan Toews or Patrick Kane this summer. You have to know the rules in depth to see how and it starts with salary retention.

Read More

With just four games to go in the 2021-2022 regular season, the Chicago Bulls have yet to clinch anything more than just a spot in the play-in tournament.

However, with the way the season began, getting stuck in the play-in tournament would be a monumental letdown. The Bulls want and deserve more than that, at this point.

Read More

Read More

As the NBA’s 2021-22 regular season draws to a conclusion on April 10, teams near the middle of the standings are battling for postseason seeding with a special focus on the league’s play-in tournament.

Held before the first round of the 2022 NBA playoffs, the play-in tournament adds an exciting wrinkle to the end of the regular season. Teams were already less incentivized to tank games down the stretch because of the flattened lottery odds instituted in 2019. Now that the top 10 teams in the standings will finish the regular season with at least a chance to make the playoffs, more franchises will stay in the mix for longer.

The play-in tournament will be held April 12-15.

Here’s everything you need to know about the setup this season.

MORE: Current NBA standings

How the play-in race is shaping up

EASTERN CONFERENCE

Entering Tuesday, here’s how the play-in standings look in the East:

5. Chicago Bulls: 45-33, 2.5 games ahead of 7th
6. Toronto Raptors: 45-33, 2.5 GA
—
7. Cleveland Cavaliers: 43-36, 1.5 games ahead of 8th
8. Atlanta Hawks, 41-37, 1.5 GB
9. Charlotte Hornets: 40-38, 2.5 GB
10. Brooklyn Nets, 40-38, 2.5 GB

All the teams below Brooklyn in the Eastern Conference (Washington, New York, Indiana, Detroit, Orlando) have officially been eliminated from play-in contention. Additionally, Charlotte and Brooklyn have been eliminated from contention for sixth place, meaning the Hornets and Nets will be in the play-in round. The Cavs and Hawks can get up to sixth and avoid the play-in round.

Here’s how the play-in games would look if the season ended today:

No. 8 Hawks at No. 7 Cavaliers

No. 10 Nets at No. 9 Hornets

Here are Tuesday’s games with the potential to impact the play-in standings in the East:

Cavaliers at Magic, 7 p.m. ET

Rockets at Nets, 7:30 p.m. ET

Hornets at Heat, 7:30 p.m. ET

Hawks at Raptors, 7:30 p.m. ET

Bucks at Bulls, 8 p.m. ET on ESPN

WESTERN CONFERENCE

Entering Tuesday, here’s how the play-in standings look in the West:

5. Denver Nuggets: 47-32, 2 games ahead of 7th
6. Utah Jazz: 46-32, 1.5 GA
—
7. Minnesota Timberwolves: 45-34, 6 games ahead of 8th
8. LA Clippers: 39-40, 4.5 games ahead of 9th
9. New Orleans Pelicans: 34-44, 3 games ahead of 11th
10. San Antonio Spurs: 33-45, 2 games ahead of 11th
—
11. Los Angeles Lakers: 31-47, 2 GB

The four teams below the Los Angeles Lakers in the standings (Sacramento, Portland, Oklahoma City, Houston) have been eliminated from play-in contention. The Timberwolves can finish no worse than seventh, while the Clippers are locked into the eighth seed. The Spurs hold the tiebreaker over the Lakers, meaning the Lakers must finish ahead of San Antonio to make the play-in tournament.

Here’s how the play-in games would look if the season ended today:

No. 8 Clippers at No. 7 Timberwolves

No. 10 Spurs at No. 9 Pelicans

Here are the games Tuesday with the potential to impact the play-in standings in the West:

Wizards at Timberwolves, 8 p.m. ET

Spurs at Nuggets, 9 p.m. ET

Grizzlies at Jazz, 9 p.m. ET

Pelicans at Kings, 10 p.m. ET

Lakers at Suns, 10:30 p.m. ET

MORE: Full NBA schedule

How does the NBA play-in tournament work?

There will be six total games involving eight teams as part of the play-in tournament, split up between the two conferences.

2 Related

The teams that finish Nos. 1-6 in each conference will be guaranteed playoff spots, while team Nos. 7-10 in the standings will enter the play-in. Any team that finishes worse than No. 10 will be in the lottery.

Here’s how the games will work:

Game 1: The No. 7 team in the standings by winning percentage will host the No. 8 team, with the winner earning the No. 7 seed in the playoffs. The losing team gets another chance in Game 3.

Game 2: The No. 9 team will host the No. 10 team, with the winner moving on to Game 3. The loser is eliminated and enters the NBA draft lottery.

Game 3: The loser of the No. 7 vs. No. 8 matchup will host the winner of the No. 9 vs. No. 10 matchup, with the victor grabbing the No. 8 seed in the postseason. The loser of Game 3 also enters the lottery.

This means that the teams with the seventh-highest and eighth-highest winning percentages will have two opportunities to win one game to earn a playoff spot, while the teams with the ninth-highest and 10th-highest winning percentages need to win two straight games to advance.

What’s next after the play-in?

Once the play-in winners, seeded No. 7 and No. 8 from each conference advance, the 2022 NBA playoffs will begin on April 16. Game 1 of the NBA Finals is June 2.

Read More