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IPL 2026 — Mumbai Indians announces Keshav Maharaj as replacement for injured Mitchell Santner  Mumbai Indians has drafted in Keshav Maharaj as a replacement for the injured Mitchell Santner, who has been ruled out of the remainder of IPL 2026 with a left shoulder injury.Maharaj, a seasoned left-arm spinner who has also led South Africa in T20Is, joined the squad ahead of MI’s must-win clash against Sunrisers Hyderabad at the Wankhede Stadium on Wednesday. He was quick to get into the groove, training with the side during Monday’s practice session. He was also involved in a long chat with the leadership group, including Director of Cricket Rahul Sanghvi.In Santner’s absence, MI has opted for like-for-like replacement, especially in the spin department. Maharaj brings control, game awareness and a proven ability to operate in pressure situations — traits MI has sorely lacked in an inconsistent campaign.The move, however, adds an interesting dimension to MI’s spin resources. With A.M. Ghazanfar emerging as the lead spinner and Will Jacks waiting in the wings, it remains to be seen how the think-tank integrates Maharaj into the XI.At 36, Maharaj comes in with pedigree but limited IPL exposure — his only two appearances coming for Rajasthan Royals in 2024. Having gone unsold at the auction last December, this late-season call-up offers both opportunity and urgency.Published on Apr 27, 2026  #IPL #Mumbai #Indians #announces #Keshav #Maharaj #replacement #injured #Mitchell #Santner

IPL 2026 — Mumbai Indians announces Keshav Maharaj as replacement for injured Mitchell Santner

Mumbai Indians has drafted in Keshav Maharaj as a replacement for the injured Mitchell Santner, who has been ruled out of the remainder of IPL 2026 with a left shoulder injury.

Maharaj, a seasoned left-arm spinner who has also led South Africa in T20Is, joined the squad ahead of MI’s must-win clash against Sunrisers Hyderabad at the Wankhede Stadium on Wednesday. He was quick to get into the groove, training with the side during Monday’s practice session. He was also involved in a long chat with the leadership group, including Director of Cricket Rahul Sanghvi.

In Santner’s absence, MI has opted for like-for-like replacement, especially in the spin department. Maharaj brings control, game awareness and a proven ability to operate in pressure situations — traits MI has sorely lacked in an inconsistent campaign.

The move, however, adds an interesting dimension to MI’s spin resources. With A.M. Ghazanfar emerging as the lead spinner and Will Jacks waiting in the wings, it remains to be seen how the think-tank integrates Maharaj into the XI.

At 36, Maharaj comes in with pedigree but limited IPL exposure — his only two appearances coming for Rajasthan Royals in 2024. Having gone unsold at the auction last December, this late-season call-up offers both opportunity and urgency.

Published on Apr 27, 2026

#IPL #Mumbai #Indians #announces #Keshav #Maharaj #replacement #injured #Mitchell #Santner

Mumbai Indians has drafted in Keshav Maharaj as a replacement for the injured Mitchell Santner, who has been ruled out of the remainder of IPL 2026 with a left shoulder injury.

Maharaj, a seasoned left-arm spinner who has also led South Africa in T20Is, joined the squad ahead of MI’s must-win clash against Sunrisers Hyderabad at the Wankhede Stadium on Wednesday. He was quick to get into the groove, training with the side during Monday’s practice session. He was also involved in a long chat with the leadership group, including Director of Cricket Rahul Sanghvi.

In Santner’s absence, MI has opted for like-for-like replacement, especially in the spin department. Maharaj brings control, game awareness and a proven ability to operate in pressure situations — traits MI has sorely lacked in an inconsistent campaign.

The move, however, adds an interesting dimension to MI’s spin resources. With A.M. Ghazanfar emerging as the lead spinner and Will Jacks waiting in the wings, it remains to be seen how the think-tank integrates Maharaj into the XI.

At 36, Maharaj comes in with pedigree but limited IPL exposure — his only two appearances coming for Rajasthan Royals in 2024. Having gone unsold at the auction last December, this late-season call-up offers both opportunity and urgency.

Published on Apr 27, 2026

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Deadspin | Yankees promote OF Jasson Dominguez to make 2026 debut <div id=""><section id="0" class=" w-full"><div class="xl:container mx-0 !px-4 py-0 pb-4 !mx-0 !px-0"><img src="https://images.deadspin.com/tr:w-900/28601154.jpg" srcset="https://images.deadspin.com/tr:w-900/28601154.jpg" alt="MLB: Spring Training-New York Yankees at Chicago Cubs" class="w-full" fetchpriority="high" loading="eager"/><span class="text-0.8 leading-tight">Mar 24, 2026; Mesa, Arizona, USA; New York Yankees outfielder Jasson Dominguez against the Chicago Cubs during spring training at Sloan Park. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images<!-- --> <!-- --> </span></div></section><section id="section-1"> <p>The New York Yankees promoted outfielder Jasson Dominguez from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre ahead of Monday’s game against the Texas Rangers.</p> </section><section id="section-2"> <p>He’s the replacement on the roster for right-hander Luis Gil, who was optioned to Triple-A after taking the loss in Sunday’s 7-4 loss at Houston. He’s a potential lineup replacement for Giancarlo Stanton, who missed his second straight game Sunday with a calf injury but has not been placed on the injured list.</p> </section><br/><section id="section-3"> <p>A product of the Dominican Republic, Dominguez saw extended action for the Yankees in 2025 and produced during Spring Training before New York optioned him to the minors on March 20. </p> </section> <section id="section-4"> <p>The 23-year-old’s 2025 line included a batting average of .257 with a .331 on-base percentage and a .388 slugging percentage over 429 plate appearances. He totaled 47 RBIs, 10 home runs and 23 stolen bases.</p> </section><section id="section-5"> <p>Over 22 games with Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre this spring, Dominguez notched 13 RBIs and three home runs with a .306 batting average.</p> </section><br/><section id="section-6"> <p>–Field Level Media</p> </section> </div> #Deadspin #Yankees #promote #Jasson #Dominguez #debut

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Can Technology Fix NBA Officiating? A Bold Solution to Playoff Issues | Deadspin.com <div id="section-1"> <p>I’ve seen the future of the NBA. It’s part Caitlin Clark, part Waymo and, of course, a heaping helping of IT.</p><p>There have been 30 NBA playoff games to date. And there have been – according to no better source than players on the losing team – 30 poorly officiated boat races.</p><p>Coincidence? Hardly.</p><p>For years, perimeter play in the NBA postseason has resembled that of the NFL, complete with the chucking, hand-fighting and illegal picking.</p><p>If you’re wondering why Stephen Curry shoots more 30-footers now than ever before, it’s because apparently bear-hugging is legal inside 25 feet. So what’s a little guy to do?</p><p>Clark has received this kind of hands-on treatment since Day 1 of <a href="https://deadspin.com/without-caitlin-clark-wnba-still-sees-historic-growth-in-fans-and-viewership/" target="_blank">her miserable WNBA life</a>. She’s bumped endlessly attempting to dribble around screens and held constantly while simply trying to use picks to free herself without the ball.</p><p>To its credit, the WNBA has created (they don’t call it this, but let’s be honest) the “Clark Compromise” this season. If you watched the preseason games over the weekend, you undoubtedly heard the broadcasters complaining about it.</p><p>I applaud Cathy Engelbert, and that’s hard to do. The league has instructed its refs to clean up the perimeter mess – from the clutching and bumping of defenders preventing offensive players from legally utilizing screens, to the hip-checking and general bullying screen-setters routinely employ on undersized defenders.</p><p>The constant whistles made Saturday’s games hard to watch, as the broadcasters noted. But that’s missing the point.</p><p>The goal is to use otherwise meaningless exhibitions to make the fast-approaching regular-season openers more enjoyable to watch. You know, by actually calling fouls now so that players are hard-taught to play by the book by the time the finicky viewers start tuning in.</p><p>Imagine that, NBA.</p><p>The premier men’s league has half-heartedly attempted to take this type of approach in the past couple of seasons, and clearly it’s not working. Ask Curry. Ask Devin Booker. Ask anybody <a href="https://deadspin.com/why-shai-gilgeous-alexander-should-be-nba-mvp-front-runner-again/" target="_blank">trying to guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander</a>, James Harden or Jaylen Brown.</p><p>Let ‘em play has become the unofficial motto of the NBA postseason. And what has it given us?</p><p>In general: Less entertainment, poorer shooting opportunities, frustration, more extra-curriculars among players and an inordinate number of key injuries.</p><p>Specifically: There have been 30 playoff games so far. In those games, three of the 60 teams have been held under 90 points. That’s 5%. In the regular season, it was 1.7%.</p><p>Same with scores under 100. There have been 16 of them so far in the postseason (26.7%). In the regular season: 10.6%.</p><p>Sunday was the worst: More teams failed to reach triple figures than did. Number of watchable games: Zero.</p><p>That’s letting ‘em play. But play exactly what, I’m not sure.</p><p>In fact, with all the fouling that’s going uncalled, they’re not playing at all. They’re moshing.</p><p>It’s time to get with the times and take corrective steps. My solution is extreme – gee, imagine that – but when you’ve got people switching off a Thunder-Suns playoff game to watch Day 3 of the NFL draft, you’ve got problems.</p><p>The NBA needs to take a Waymo approach. You know, an implanted chip that tells the brain: All contact is bad. Avoid at all costs.</p><p>No, I’m not suggesting tattooing a sensor into every player’s forehead. Rather, a simple memory scan of each player’s arms – the major culprits in most of these so-called victimless crimes – so that when someone’s shoulder or elbow or forearm or hand simply touches an opponent, the referee gets buzzed and the actionless action is stopped.</p><p>Why? Because touching an opponent should be illegal. Think baseball. Not football.</p><p>As Waymo has taught us: All contact is bad.</p><p>And if cars can learn it, why can’t humans?</p><p>Then it’s IT’s turn.</p><p>Within one second, IT has the ability to study every available angle of a “collision” and make the determination: Which player caused this to happen?</p><p>Was it Brown pushing off Paul George in order to create space to get off a clean shot? Or was it George sticking a forearm into Brown’s back, stalling his initial move toward the hoop?</p><p>In today’s game, it doesn’t matter. More possessions than not resemble DK Metcalf and Carlton Davis wrestling inside the 5-yard, anything-goes NFL passing zone.</p><p>Only the NBA has no such thing.</p><p>Really. One second. That’s all it would take IT to point its virtual punitive finger.</p><p>And then guess what? Brown wouldn’t do it again. Or Harden. Or SGA.</p><p>That’s how you clean up and speed up the NBA game. Or at least start to do so.</p><p>Imagine an NBA rule in which you’re not allowed to touch your opponent. Yes, it’s hard to envision. But think about it for a minute.</p><p>Fifty years ago, when Lester Hayes was <a href="https://www.espn.com/espn/cheat/news/story?id=2957892" target="_blank">literally using stickum</a> to latch onto wide receivers, who would have thought a hands-off rule would revolutionize football?</p><p>And that was back when the only IT was Isiah Thomas.</p><p>The NBA had hand-checking back then. Remember that thrill-killer?</p><p>That was banished and the game became great. But the problem has resurfaced, more so in the postseason than in the regular year, when it was a lesser issue because star players weren’t complaining. They were resting.</p><p>It’s time to get with the times, Commissioner Silver. Take the leap.</p><p>Thank you Caitlin Clark for saving the NBA.</p> </div> #Technology #Fix #NBA #Officiating #Bold #Solution #Playoff #Issues #Deadspin.com

NBA Playoff Picks: Best Bets for Pistons vs Magic and Nuggets vs Timberwolves | Deadspin.com  Mar 17, 2026; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves guard Ayo Dosunmu (13) goes to the basket against the Phoenix Suns in the third quarter at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-Imagn Images   Nothing says drama quite like a No. 8 seed being up 2-1 on a No. 1 seed in the first round of the NBA Playoffs or a No. 2 seed facing elimination in Game 5. Anything can happen in the postseason, though, right? The biggest question now is what the NBA Best Bets will be for Monday’s playoff games.Will Orlando take one step closer to history? Will Minnesota make history and eliminate the Nuggets, becoming just the eighth No. 7 seed to knock off the No. 2 seed in the first round? Good questions, now let’s talk answers.Detroit Pistons vs. Orlando MagicDefensively, the Pistons are playing better than they did during the regular season. The offense just isn’t giving the defense enough help. Orlando, on the other hand, has five players averaging in double digits in the series, and the Magic are playing much better on defense in this series than they ever did during the regular season.Cade Cunningham has stepped up his game, averaging 31 points per game, but he’s not getting enough help on the scoreboard. Jalen Duren averaged 19.5 points and 10.5 rebounds per game this season. He’s averaging 9 points and 8.3 rebounds per game in this series.My Pick: Orlando ML at +135 (bet365)There is a chance this game will play out similarly to Game Four between the Knicks and Hawks: New York dominated and led by 21 points going into the fourth quarter before winning 114-98. But I’m not sold on the idea. Yes, Detroit has several players underperforming, but the Magic defense deserves a lot of credit for stepping up.The chance they do it again (unlike the Hawks) is good enough to make Orlando ML a solid value play. Our Current Best OffersChannel debug: betting  Denver Nuggets vs. Minnesota TimberwolvesIt is not uncommon to see a team down 3-1 and facing elimination come out strong in the elimination game and roll to an easy win. That may very well happen in this game, but not necessarily because the Nuggets get their act together and start playing as fans expect. No, it will likely be more because the Timberwolves lost Anthony Edwards and Donte DiVincenzo to injuries in Game Four.Edwards wasn’t putting up a ton of points like he often does, but he was the facilitator for the offense. So, not only will they lose his points, they’ll miss him creating shots for everyone else. His absence will also allow the Denver defense to focus a little more on Ayo Dosunmu.My Pick: UNDER 222.5 at -114 (FanDuel)I want to believe more in Denver to get it together and dominate this game and the rest of the series. While I believe they’ll win this game, I don’t have enough faith to believe they can cover a 10.5-point spread. However, the UNDER has paid off in three of four games. Minnesota’s scoring is going to slip for this game.While Denver could make up the difference and send the final score over the total, they have given us no reason in this series to believe it will happen. Our Current Best OffersChannel debug: betting   #NBA #Playoff #Picks #Bets #Pistons #Magic #Nuggets #Timberwolves #Deadspin.comMar 17, 2026; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves guard Ayo Dosunmu (13) goes to the basket against the Phoenix Suns in the third quarter at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-Imagn Images

Nothing says drama quite like a No. 8 seed being up 2-1 on a No. 1 seed in the first round of the NBA Playoffs or a No. 2 seed facing elimination in Game 5. Anything can happen in the postseason, though, right? The biggest question now is what the NBA Best Bets will be for Monday’s playoff games.

Will Orlando take one step closer to history? Will Minnesota make history and eliminate the Nuggets, becoming just the eighth No. 7 seed to knock off the No. 2 seed in the first round? Good questions, now let’s talk answers.

Detroit Pistons vs. Orlando Magic

Defensively, the Pistons are playing better than they did during the regular season. The offense just isn’t giving the defense enough help. Orlando, on the other hand, has five players averaging in double digits in the series, and the Magic are playing much better on defense in this series than they ever did during the regular season.

Cade Cunningham has stepped up his game, averaging 31 points per game, but he’s not getting enough help on the scoreboard. Jalen Duren averaged 19.5 points and 10.5 rebounds per game this season. He’s averaging 9 points and 8.3 rebounds per game in this series.

My Pick: Orlando ML at +135 (bet365)

There is a chance this game will play out similarly to Game Four between the Knicks and Hawks: New York dominated and led by 21 points going into the fourth quarter before winning 114-98. But I’m not sold on the idea. Yes, Detroit has several players underperforming, but the Magic defense deserves a lot of credit for stepping up.

The chance they do it again (unlike the Hawks) is good enough to make Orlando ML a solid value play.

Our Current Best Offers

Channel debug: betting

Denver Nuggets vs. Minnesota Timberwolves

It is not uncommon to see a team down 3-1 and facing elimination come out strong in the elimination game and roll to an easy win. That may very well happen in this game, but not necessarily because the Nuggets get their act together and start playing as fans expect. No, it will likely be more because the Timberwolves lost Anthony Edwards and Donte DiVincenzo to injuries in Game Four.

Edwards wasn’t putting up a ton of points like he often does, but he was the facilitator for the offense. So, not only will they lose his points, they’ll miss him creating shots for everyone else. His absence will also allow the Denver defense to focus a little more on Ayo Dosunmu.

My Pick: UNDER 222.5 at -114 (FanDuel)

I want to believe more in Denver to get it together and dominate this game and the rest of the series. While I believe they’ll win this game, I don’t have enough faith to believe they can cover a 10.5-point spread. However, the UNDER has paid off in three of four games. Minnesota’s scoring is going to slip for this game.

While Denver could make up the difference and send the final score over the total, they have given us no reason in this series to believe it will happen.

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#NBA #Playoff #Picks #Bets #Pistons #Magic #Nuggets #Timberwolves #Deadspin.com">NBA Playoff Picks: Best Bets for Pistons vs Magic and Nuggets vs Timberwolves | Deadspin.com  Mar 17, 2026; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves guard Ayo Dosunmu (13) goes to the basket against the Phoenix Suns in the third quarter at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-Imagn Images   Nothing says drama quite like a No. 8 seed being up 2-1 on a No. 1 seed in the first round of the NBA Playoffs or a No. 2 seed facing elimination in Game 5. Anything can happen in the postseason, though, right? The biggest question now is what the NBA Best Bets will be for Monday’s playoff games.Will Orlando take one step closer to history? Will Minnesota make history and eliminate the Nuggets, becoming just the eighth No. 7 seed to knock off the No. 2 seed in the first round? Good questions, now let’s talk answers.Detroit Pistons vs. Orlando MagicDefensively, the Pistons are playing better than they did during the regular season. The offense just isn’t giving the defense enough help. Orlando, on the other hand, has five players averaging in double digits in the series, and the Magic are playing much better on defense in this series than they ever did during the regular season.Cade Cunningham has stepped up his game, averaging 31 points per game, but he’s not getting enough help on the scoreboard. Jalen Duren averaged 19.5 points and 10.5 rebounds per game this season. He’s averaging 9 points and 8.3 rebounds per game in this series.My Pick: Orlando ML at +135 (bet365)There is a chance this game will play out similarly to Game Four between the Knicks and Hawks: New York dominated and led by 21 points going into the fourth quarter before winning 114-98. But I’m not sold on the idea. Yes, Detroit has several players underperforming, but the Magic defense deserves a lot of credit for stepping up.The chance they do it again (unlike the Hawks) is good enough to make Orlando ML a solid value play. Our Current Best OffersChannel debug: betting  Denver Nuggets vs. Minnesota TimberwolvesIt is not uncommon to see a team down 3-1 and facing elimination come out strong in the elimination game and roll to an easy win. That may very well happen in this game, but not necessarily because the Nuggets get their act together and start playing as fans expect. No, it will likely be more because the Timberwolves lost Anthony Edwards and Donte DiVincenzo to injuries in Game Four.Edwards wasn’t putting up a ton of points like he often does, but he was the facilitator for the offense. So, not only will they lose his points, they’ll miss him creating shots for everyone else. His absence will also allow the Denver defense to focus a little more on Ayo Dosunmu.My Pick: UNDER 222.5 at -114 (FanDuel)I want to believe more in Denver to get it together and dominate this game and the rest of the series. While I believe they’ll win this game, I don’t have enough faith to believe they can cover a 10.5-point spread. However, the UNDER has paid off in three of four games. Minnesota’s scoring is going to slip for this game.While Denver could make up the difference and send the final score over the total, they have given us no reason in this series to believe it will happen. Our Current Best OffersChannel debug: betting   #NBA #Playoff #Picks #Bets #Pistons #Magic #Nuggets #Timberwolves #Deadspin.com

can happen in the postseason, though, right? The biggest question now is what the NBA Best Bets will be for Monday’s playoff games.

Will Orlando take one step closer to history? Will Minnesota make history and eliminate the Nuggets, becoming just the eighth No. 7 seed to knock off the No. 2 seed in the first round? Good questions, now let’s talk answers.

Detroit Pistons vs. Orlando Magic

Defensively, the Pistons are playing better than they did during the regular season. The offense just isn’t giving the defense enough help. Orlando, on the other hand, has five players averaging in double digits in the series, and the Magic are playing much better on defense in this series than they ever did during the regular season.

Cade Cunningham has stepped up his game, averaging 31 points per game, but he’s not getting enough help on the scoreboard. Jalen Duren averaged 19.5 points and 10.5 rebounds per game this season. He’s averaging 9 points and 8.3 rebounds per game in this series.

My Pick: Orlando ML at +135 (bet365)

There is a chance this game will play out similarly to Game Four between the Knicks and Hawks: New York dominated and led by 21 points going into the fourth quarter before winning 114-98. But I’m not sold on the idea. Yes, Detroit has several players underperforming, but the Magic defense deserves a lot of credit for stepping up.

The chance they do it again (unlike the Hawks) is good enough to make Orlando ML a solid value play.

Our Current Best Offers

Channel debug: betting

Denver Nuggets vs. Minnesota Timberwolves

It is not uncommon to see a team down 3-1 and facing elimination come out strong in the elimination game and roll to an easy win. That may very well happen in this game, but not necessarily because the Nuggets get their act together and start playing as fans expect. No, it will likely be more because the Timberwolves lost Anthony Edwards and Donte DiVincenzo to injuries in Game Four.

Edwards wasn’t putting up a ton of points like he often does, but he was the facilitator for the offense. So, not only will they lose his points, they’ll miss him creating shots for everyone else. His absence will also allow the Denver defense to focus a little more on Ayo Dosunmu.

My Pick: UNDER 222.5 at -114 (FanDuel)

I want to believe more in Denver to get it together and dominate this game and the rest of the series. While I believe they’ll win this game, I don’t have enough faith to believe they can cover a 10.5-point spread. However, the UNDER has paid off in three of four games. Minnesota’s scoring is going to slip for this game.

While Denver could make up the difference and send the final score over the total, they have given us no reason in this series to believe it will happen.

Our Current Best Offers

Channel debug: betting

#NBA #Playoff #Picks #Bets #Pistons #Magic #Nuggets #Timberwolves #Deadspin.com">NBA Playoff Picks: Best Bets for Pistons vs Magic and Nuggets vs Timberwolves | Deadspin.com
NBA Playoff Picks: Best Bets for Pistons vs Magic and Nuggets vs Timberwolves | Deadspin.com  Mar 17, 2026; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves guard Ayo Dosunmu (13) goes to the basket against the Phoenix Suns in the third quarter at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-Imagn Images   Nothing says drama quite like a No. 8 seed being up 2-1 on a No. 1 seed in the first round of the NBA Playoffs or a No. 2 seed facing elimination in Game 5. Anything can happen in the postseason, though, right? The biggest question now is what the NBA Best Bets will be for Monday’s playoff games.Will Orlando take one step closer to history? Will Minnesota make history and eliminate the Nuggets, becoming just the eighth No. 7 seed to knock off the No. 2 seed in the first round? Good questions, now let’s talk answers.Detroit Pistons vs. Orlando MagicDefensively, the Pistons are playing better than they did during the regular season. The offense just isn’t giving the defense enough help. Orlando, on the other hand, has five players averaging in double digits in the series, and the Magic are playing much better on defense in this series than they ever did during the regular season.Cade Cunningham has stepped up his game, averaging 31 points per game, but he’s not getting enough help on the scoreboard. Jalen Duren averaged 19.5 points and 10.5 rebounds per game this season. He’s averaging 9 points and 8.3 rebounds per game in this series.My Pick: Orlando ML at +135 (bet365)There is a chance this game will play out similarly to Game Four between the Knicks and Hawks: New York dominated and led by 21 points going into the fourth quarter before winning 114-98. But I’m not sold on the idea. Yes, Detroit has several players underperforming, but the Magic defense deserves a lot of credit for stepping up.The chance they do it again (unlike the Hawks) is good enough to make Orlando ML a solid value play. Our Current Best OffersChannel debug: betting  Denver Nuggets vs. Minnesota TimberwolvesIt is not uncommon to see a team down 3-1 and facing elimination come out strong in the elimination game and roll to an easy win. That may very well happen in this game, but not necessarily because the Nuggets get their act together and start playing as fans expect. No, it will likely be more because the Timberwolves lost Anthony Edwards and Donte DiVincenzo to injuries in Game Four.Edwards wasn’t putting up a ton of points like he often does, but he was the facilitator for the offense. So, not only will they lose his points, they’ll miss him creating shots for everyone else. His absence will also allow the Denver defense to focus a little more on Ayo Dosunmu.My Pick: UNDER 222.5 at -114 (FanDuel)I want to believe more in Denver to get it together and dominate this game and the rest of the series. While I believe they’ll win this game, I don’t have enough faith to believe they can cover a 10.5-point spread. However, the UNDER has paid off in three of four games. Minnesota’s scoring is going to slip for this game.While Denver could make up the difference and send the final score over the total, they have given us no reason in this series to believe it will happen. Our Current Best OffersChannel debug: betting   #NBA #Playoff #Picks #Bets #Pistons #Magic #Nuggets #Timberwolves #Deadspin.comMar 17, 2026; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves guard Ayo Dosunmu (13) goes to the basket against the Phoenix Suns in the third quarter at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-Imagn Images

Nothing says drama quite like a No. 8 seed being up 2-1 on a No. 1 seed in the first round of the NBA Playoffs or a No. 2 seed facing elimination in Game 5. Anything can happen in the postseason, though, right? The biggest question now is what the NBA Best Bets will be for Monday’s playoff games.

Will Orlando take one step closer to history? Will Minnesota make history and eliminate the Nuggets, becoming just the eighth No. 7 seed to knock off the No. 2 seed in the first round? Good questions, now let’s talk answers.

Detroit Pistons vs. Orlando Magic

Defensively, the Pistons are playing better than they did during the regular season. The offense just isn’t giving the defense enough help. Orlando, on the other hand, has five players averaging in double digits in the series, and the Magic are playing much better on defense in this series than they ever did during the regular season.

Cade Cunningham has stepped up his game, averaging 31 points per game, but he’s not getting enough help on the scoreboard. Jalen Duren averaged 19.5 points and 10.5 rebounds per game this season. He’s averaging 9 points and 8.3 rebounds per game in this series.

My Pick: Orlando ML at +135 (bet365)

There is a chance this game will play out similarly to Game Four between the Knicks and Hawks: New York dominated and led by 21 points going into the fourth quarter before winning 114-98. But I’m not sold on the idea. Yes, Detroit has several players underperforming, but the Magic defense deserves a lot of credit for stepping up.

The chance they do it again (unlike the Hawks) is good enough to make Orlando ML a solid value play.

Our Current Best Offers

Channel debug: betting

Denver Nuggets vs. Minnesota Timberwolves

It is not uncommon to see a team down 3-1 and facing elimination come out strong in the elimination game and roll to an easy win. That may very well happen in this game, but not necessarily because the Nuggets get their act together and start playing as fans expect. No, it will likely be more because the Timberwolves lost Anthony Edwards and Donte DiVincenzo to injuries in Game Four.

Edwards wasn’t putting up a ton of points like he often does, but he was the facilitator for the offense. So, not only will they lose his points, they’ll miss him creating shots for everyone else. His absence will also allow the Denver defense to focus a little more on Ayo Dosunmu.

My Pick: UNDER 222.5 at -114 (FanDuel)

I want to believe more in Denver to get it together and dominate this game and the rest of the series. While I believe they’ll win this game, I don’t have enough faith to believe they can cover a 10.5-point spread. However, the UNDER has paid off in three of four games. Minnesota’s scoring is going to slip for this game.

While Denver could make up the difference and send the final score over the total, they have given us no reason in this series to believe it will happen.

Our Current Best Offers

Channel debug: betting

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Towhid Hridoy’s half-century led Bangladesh to a six-wicket victory against New Zealand to open their T20 international series on Monday.

Hridoy finished 51 not out from 27 balls, including two fours and three sixes. He shared a 57-run partnership with Parvez Hossain and another 49 with Shamim Hossain in an unbeaten fifth wicket to help Bangladesh race to the victory.

New Zealand posted a challenging 182 for six, after 51 apiece from Dane Cleaver and opener Katene Clarke, and appeared set for victory as its bowlers checked Bangladesh top order batters, leaving the host 77 for three in the 11th over.

But Hridoy’s calculated aggression helped Bangladesh reach 183 for four with 12 balls to spare.

Leg-spinner Ish Sodhi, the only holdover from New Zealand’s recent World Cup campaign, led the visitor’s early charge with two for 40.

Hridoy then counterattacked to bring the asking run rate under control with support from Parvez Hossain, who made 28 off 14 balls. After his dismissal, Shamim Hossain came in to hit an unbeaten 31 off 13 balls.

Bangladesh captain Liton Das won the toss and put New Zealand into bat first. Clarke and Cleaver shared an 88-run stand for the second wicket after opener Tim Robinson was run out for a duck in the second over.

Leg-spinner Rishad Hossain, who took two for 32, then removed both of the set batters in consecutive overs to stall the progress.

Bangladesh’s pace trio of Shoriful Islam, Tanzim Hasan Sakib and debutant Ripon Mondol were initially wayward but pulled things back after the breakthrough. Tanzim dismissed Bevin Jacobs to leave the visitors under pressure.

Stand-in New Zealand captain Nick Kelly, leading in the absence of injured Tom Latham, steadied the innings before a brief interruption due to bad light.

Following the break, Josh Clarkson provided late impetus with an unbeaten 27 off 14 balls to guide New Zealand to a challenging total.

The three-match series continues on Wednesday in Chattogram.

Published on Apr 27, 2026

#Towhid #Hridoys #halfcentury #leads #Bangladesh #Zealand #T20I #series #opener">Towhid Hridoy’s half-century leads Bangladesh past New Zealand in T20I series opener  Towhid Hridoy’s half-century led Bangladesh to a six-wicket victory against New Zealand to open their T20 international series on Monday.Hridoy finished 51 not out from 27 balls, including two fours and three sixes. He shared a 57-run partnership with Parvez Hossain and another 49 with Shamim Hossain in an unbeaten fifth wicket to help Bangladesh race to the victory.New Zealand posted a challenging 182 for six, after 51 apiece from Dane Cleaver and opener Katene Clarke, and appeared set for victory as its bowlers checked Bangladesh top order batters, leaving the host 77 for three in the 11th over.But Hridoy’s calculated aggression helped Bangladesh reach 183 for four with 12 balls to spare.Leg-spinner Ish Sodhi, the only holdover from New Zealand’s recent World Cup campaign, led the visitor’s early charge with two for 40.Hridoy then counterattacked to bring the asking run rate under control with support from Parvez Hossain, who made 28 off 14 balls. After his dismissal, Shamim Hossain came in to hit an unbeaten 31 off 13 balls.Bangladesh captain Liton Das won the toss and put New Zealand into bat first. Clarke and Cleaver shared an 88-run stand for the second wicket after opener Tim Robinson was run out for a duck in the second over.Leg-spinner Rishad Hossain, who took two for 32, then removed both of the set batters in consecutive overs to stall the progress.Bangladesh’s pace trio of Shoriful Islam, Tanzim Hasan Sakib and debutant Ripon Mondol were initially wayward but pulled things back after the breakthrough. Tanzim dismissed Bevin Jacobs to leave the visitors under pressure.Stand-in New Zealand captain Nick Kelly, leading in the absence of injured Tom Latham, steadied the innings before a brief interruption due to bad light.Following the break, Josh Clarkson provided late impetus with an unbeaten 27 off 14 balls to guide New Zealand to a challenging total.The three-match series continues on Wednesday in Chattogram.Published on Apr 27, 2026  #Towhid #Hridoys #halfcentury #leads #Bangladesh #Zealand #T20I #series #opener

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