Deadspin | NBA roundup: Defensive-minded Lakers collect win over Raptors

Deadspin | NBA roundup: Defensive-minded Lakers collect win over Raptors

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Jan 18, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers center Deandre Ayton (5) shoots against Toronto Raptors forward Collin Murray-Boyles (12) during the first half at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

Deandre Ayton scored 25 points with 13 rebounds and Luka Doncic also had 25 points as the host Los Angeles Lakers turned improved defense into a much-needed 110-93 win over the Toronto Raptors on Sunday night.

LeBron James scored 24 points as the Lakers won for just the second time in their past seven games, and are 6-9 since Dec. 20, after a 19-7 start to the season. Doncic and Ayton returned after sitting out Saturday’s loss at Portland with injuries.

Los Angeles gave up a season low in points after allowing an average of 133.5 points while losing their past two games. Ayton was 10 of 10 from the floor after missing one game with a back injury.

Scottie Barnes scored 22 points and Sandro Mamukelashvili added 20 for the Raptors, who dropped consecutive games for the first time since Dec. 20-21. Former Laker Brandon Ingram scored 19 for Toronto, which lost both games to Los Angeles this season. The Raptors lost center Collin Murray-Boyles to a sprained left thumb in the third quarter. Murray-Boyles finished with 11 points, seven rebounds and five assists.

Bulls 124, Nets 102

Coby White scored 24 points and canned a season-best seven of Chicago’s 20 3-pointers as it earned a split of a weekend home-and-home series with visiting Brooklyn.

Five other players made it into double figures for the Bulls, who connected on 52.1% of their field goals and dished out a whopping 41 assists. Ayo Dosunmu came off the bench to add 19 points, while Matas Buzelis and Nikola Vucevic each tallied 17 points. Jalen Smith chipped in 12 points, Kevin Huerter collected 11 and Tre Jones notched 10 points and 10 assists in a reserve role. Vucevic (11 rebounds) and Smith (10) each added double-doubles.

Nolan Traore came off the bench to score 16 points for the Nets, while fellow reserve Jalen Wilson added 14. Rookie Danny Wolf also bagged 14 points, while Nic Claxton contributed 12 and Egor Demin and Tyrese Martin each managed 11 points.

Hornets 110, Nuggets 87

Brandon Miller scored 23 points and Charlotte went wire-to-wire, leading by as many as 33 points in beating host Denver.

Hornets rookie Ryan Kalkbrenner tied a career high with 17 points, while teammates Collin Sexton and Kon Knueppel finished with 14 points each. Tidjane Salaun had a double-double with 13 points and 11 rebounds, and LaMelo Ball contributed 10 for Charlotte, which snapped an eight-game losing streak against the Nuggets.

Denver tied a season low for total points, having lost at home to the Atlanta Hawks on Jan. 9 by the same final score. Jamal Murray led the Nuggets with 16 points but came out of the game with 5:24 left in the third quarter. Julian Strawther scored 15 points, Jalen Pickett contributed 12 and Peyton Watson 11.

Grizzlies 126, Magic 109

Ja Morant returned to the lineup after missing the previous six games with a right calf contusion and had 24 points and a season-high-tying 13 assists to lead Memphis to victory over Orlando in London.

Morant, the subject of trade discussions ahead of the Feb. 5 NBA trade deadline, made 7 of 13 shots, including 3 of 4 from long range. He was appearing in just his 19th game of the season. Jock Landale came off the bench to contribute 21 points and eight rebounds for the Grizzlies, while Jaren Jackson Jr. finished with 17 points and five boards. Rookie Cedric Coward scored 13 points.

The Magic, who beat Memphis on Thursday in Berlin, were led by Anthony Black with 19 points and six assists. Wendell Carter Jr. had 18 points and seven boards and Paolo Banchero finished with 16 points, nine assists and eight rebounds. Franz Wagner had 14 points.

Rockets 119, Pelicans 110

Jabari Smith Jr. scored a season-high 32 points, Kevin Durant moved into sixth place on the career scoring list and Amen Thompson provided support with an all-around display as Houston claimed a victory over visiting New Orleans.

Thompson posted 20 points on 10-of-14 shooting, eight rebounds and six assists. Durant added 18 points and eight assists, and his two free throws with 15 seconds to play pushed Durant past Dirk Nowitzki on the career scoring list. Alperen Sengun chipped in 21 points and, like Smith and Thompson, secured eight rebounds.

Trey Murphy III paced the Pelicans with 21 points while Zion Williamson posted 20 points. Rookie Derik Queen chipped in 15 points and five assists for the Pelicans, who have lost 13 of 15.

Trail Blazers 117, Kings 100

Deni Avdija returned from a three-game absence due to a back injury to score a game-high 30 points, Toumani Camara shoehorned nine of his 17 points into a key second-quarter run and Portland held host Sacramento at arm’s length through the second half for a victory.

Shaedon Sharpe chipped in with 27 points and Donovan Clingan snatched a game-high 17 rebounds as part of a double-double with 21 points for the Trail Blazers, who used a third straight win to reach .500 for the first time since mid-November. Portland has won 10 of its last 13 games.

Reserve Malik Monk and Russell Westbrook had 23 points apiece and Zach LaVine added 18 for the Kings, who saw a four-game winning streak come to an end with a third consecutive loss to the Trail Blazers this season.

–Field Level Media

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Deadspin | Ticket prices plunge for U.S.-Belgium World Cup knockout match United States fans celebrate outside Seattle Stadium on June 19, 2026. SEATTLE — Ticket prices for the United States’ highly anticipated round of 16 game against Belgium on Monday plunged by more than 30% before rebounding slightly early Saturday evening. The get-in price for the final 2026 World Cup match in Seattle hit nearly ,000 on June 1, according to ticket-tracking service TicketData.com. After dipping to as low as ,549 on Tuesday, the get-in price spiked to ,836 after the USMNT solidified their spot in the round of 16 with a 2-0 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina. However, the get-in price has steadily declined in the days since. It dropped to ,423 on Saturday afternoon — a 32% decrease over the past three days — but the get-in price rebounded to ,635 at 6 p.m. ET. That late boost pushed the US-Belgium game from the fourth-highest get-in price to the second-highest price among the eight round of 16 matches. Mexico’s game against England in Mexico City on Sunday sits at ,574. ROUND OF 16 TICKET PRICES* Mexico-England, 7/5 (Houston): ,574 USA-Belgium: 7/6 (Seattle): ,635 Argentina-Egypt: 7/7 (Atlanta): ,599 Brazil-Norway: 7/5 (New York): ,537 Portugal-Spain: 7/6 (Dallas): ,367 Switzerland-Colombia: 9 (Vancouver): 2 Paraguay-France: 7/4 (Philadelphia): 4 Canada-Morocco: 7/4 (Houston): 1 *TicketData.com as of 6 p.m. ET on July 4 The significant drop in the get-in price for the US-Belgium game is somewhat surprising considering the Red Devils’ base camp is located just 10 miles south of Seattle Stadium at the Sounders FC Performance Center. Monday will mark Belgium’s third match in Seattle following a 1-1 draw with Egypt in the group stage and a dramatic 3-2 comeback victory over Senegal in the round of 32. Canada was the first team eliminated from the round of 16 with their 3-0 loss to Morocco on Saturday. The get-in price for that match dropped 14% from 8 over the final 72 hours. –Derek Harper, Field Level Media #Deadspin #Ticket #prices #plunge #U.S.Belgium #World #Cup #knockout #matchUnited States fans celebrate outside Seattle Stadium on June 19, 2026.

SEATTLE — Ticket prices for the United States’ highly anticipated round of 16 game against Belgium on Monday plunged by more than 30% before rebounding slightly early Saturday evening.

The get-in price for the final 2026 World Cup match in Seattle hit nearly $4,000 on June 1, according to ticket-tracking service TicketData.com. After dipping to as low as $1,549 on Tuesday, the get-in price spiked to $2,836 after the USMNT solidified their spot in the round of 16 with a 2-0 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina.

However, the get-in price has steadily declined in the days since. It dropped to $1,423 on Saturday afternoon — a 32% decrease over the past three days — but the get-in price rebounded to $1,635 at 6 p.m. ET.

That late boost pushed the US-Belgium game from the fourth-highest get-in price to the second-highest price among the eight round of 16 matches. Mexico’s game against England in Mexico City on Sunday sits at $3,574.

ROUND OF 16 TICKET PRICES*

Mexico-England, 7/5 (Houston): $3,574

USA-Belgium: 7/6 (Seattle): $1,635

Argentina-Egypt: 7/7 (Atlanta): $1,599


Brazil-Norway: 7/5 (New York): $1,537

Portugal-Spain: 7/6 (Dallas): $1,367

Switzerland-Colombia: $959 (Vancouver): $972

Paraguay-France: 7/4 (Philadelphia): $914

Canada-Morocco: 7/4 (Houston): $721

*TicketData.com as of 6 p.m. ET on July 4

The significant drop in the get-in price for the US-Belgium game is somewhat surprising considering the Red Devils’ base camp is located just 10 miles south of Seattle Stadium at the Sounders FC Performance Center. Monday will mark Belgium’s third match in Seattle following a 1-1 draw with Egypt in the group stage and a dramatic 3-2 comeback victory over Senegal in the round of 32.

Canada was the first team eliminated from the round of 16 with their 3-0 loss to Morocco on Saturday. The get-in price for that match dropped 14% from $838 over the final 72 hours.

–Derek Harper, Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Ticket #prices #plunge #U.S.Belgium #World #Cup #knockout #match">Deadspin | Ticket prices plunge for U.S.-Belgium World Cup knockout match United States fans celebrate outside Seattle Stadium on June 19, 2026. SEATTLE — Ticket prices for the United States’ highly anticipated round of 16 game against Belgium on Monday plunged by more than 30% before rebounding slightly early Saturday evening. The get-in price for the final 2026 World Cup match in Seattle hit nearly ,000 on June 1, according to ticket-tracking service TicketData.com. After dipping to as low as ,549 on Tuesday, the get-in price spiked to ,836 after the USMNT solidified their spot in the round of 16 with a 2-0 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina. However, the get-in price has steadily declined in the days since. It dropped to ,423 on Saturday afternoon — a 32% decrease over the past three days — but the get-in price rebounded to ,635 at 6 p.m. ET. That late boost pushed the US-Belgium game from the fourth-highest get-in price to the second-highest price among the eight round of 16 matches. Mexico’s game against England in Mexico City on Sunday sits at ,574. ROUND OF 16 TICKET PRICES* Mexico-England, 7/5 (Houston): ,574 USA-Belgium: 7/6 (Seattle): ,635 Argentina-Egypt: 7/7 (Atlanta): ,599 Brazil-Norway: 7/5 (New York): ,537 Portugal-Spain: 7/6 (Dallas): ,367 Switzerland-Colombia: 9 (Vancouver): 2 Paraguay-France: 7/4 (Philadelphia): 4 Canada-Morocco: 7/4 (Houston): 1 *TicketData.com as of 6 p.m. ET on July 4 The significant drop in the get-in price for the US-Belgium game is somewhat surprising considering the Red Devils’ base camp is located just 10 miles south of Seattle Stadium at the Sounders FC Performance Center. Monday will mark Belgium’s third match in Seattle following a 1-1 draw with Egypt in the group stage and a dramatic 3-2 comeback victory over Senegal in the round of 32. Canada was the first team eliminated from the round of 16 with their 3-0 loss to Morocco on Saturday. The get-in price for that match dropped 14% from 8 over the final 72 hours. –Derek Harper, Field Level Media #Deadspin #Ticket #prices #plunge #U.S.Belgium #World #Cup #knockout #match

And by Tuesday night, the final eight teams will be left standing.

The Round of 16 kicks off on the Fourth of July here in the United States, as Canada takes on Morocco while later in the day, tournament favorites Kylian Mbappé and company will look to get by a Paraguay side that is coming off a stunning upset of Germany.

And following two huge matches on Sunday — including what could be a massive tilt between Mexico and England in Mexico City — the United States hopes to move on to the Quarterfinals against Belgium on Monday night.

Here is the full schedule for the Round of 16, which will be updated following each match.

Round of 16 schedule and scores

Here is the full schedule for the Round of 16 at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. All times listed are Eastern.

Morocco 3, Canada 0
France 1, Paraguay 0

Brazil vs. Norway (New York/New Jersey Stadium), 4:00 p.m.
Mexico vs. England (Mexico City Stadium), 8:00 p.m.

Portugal vs. Spain (Dallas Stadium), 3:00 p.m.
United States vs. Belgium (Seattle Stadium), 8:00 p.m.

Argentina vs. Egypt (Atlanta Stadium), 12:00 p.m.
Switzerland vs. Colombia (BC Place Vancouver), 4:00 p.m.

#World #Cup #Full #schedule #scores">2026 World Cup Round of 16: Full schedule and scores And by Tuesday night, the final eight teams will be left standing.The Round of 16 kicks off on the Fourth of July here in the United States, as Canada takes on Morocco while later in the day, tournament favorites Kylian Mbappé and company will look to get by a Paraguay side that is coming off a stunning upset of Germany.And following two huge matches on Sunday — including what could be a massive tilt between Mexico and England in Mexico City — the United States hopes to move on to the Quarterfinals against Belgium on Monday night.Here is the full schedule for the Round of 16, which will be updated following each match.Round of 16 schedule and scoresHere is the full schedule for the Round of 16 at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. All times listed are Eastern.Morocco 3, Canada 0France 1, Paraguay 0Brazil vs. Norway (New York/New Jersey Stadium), 4:00 p.m.Mexico vs. England (Mexico City Stadium), 8:00 p.m.Portugal vs. Spain (Dallas Stadium), 3:00 p.m.United States vs. Belgium (Seattle Stadium), 8:00 p.m.Argentina vs. Egypt (Atlanta Stadium), 12:00 p.m.Switzerland vs. Colombia (BC Place Vancouver), 4:00 p.m. #World #Cup #Full #schedule #scores

Round of 16 kicks off on the Fourth of July here in the United States, as Canada takes on Morocco while later in the day, tournament favorites Kylian Mbappé and company will look to get by a Paraguay side that is coming off a stunning upset of Germany.

And following two huge matches on Sunday — including what could be a massive tilt between Mexico and England in Mexico City — the United States hopes to move on to the Quarterfinals against Belgium on Monday night.

Here is the full schedule for the Round of 16, which will be updated following each match.

Round of 16 schedule and scores

Here is the full schedule for the Round of 16 at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. All times listed are Eastern.

Morocco 3, Canada 0
France 1, Paraguay 0

Brazil vs. Norway (New York/New Jersey Stadium), 4:00 p.m.
Mexico vs. England (Mexico City Stadium), 8:00 p.m.

Portugal vs. Spain (Dallas Stadium), 3:00 p.m.
United States vs. Belgium (Seattle Stadium), 8:00 p.m.

Argentina vs. Egypt (Atlanta Stadium), 12:00 p.m.
Switzerland vs. Colombia (BC Place Vancouver), 4:00 p.m.

#World #Cup #Full #schedule #scores">2026 World Cup Round of 16: Full schedule and scores

And by Tuesday night, the final eight teams will be left standing.

The Round of 16 kicks off on the Fourth of July here in the United States, as Canada takes on Morocco while later in the day, tournament favorites Kylian Mbappé and company will look to get by a Paraguay side that is coming off a stunning upset of Germany.

And following two huge matches on Sunday — including what could be a massive tilt between Mexico and England in Mexico City — the United States hopes to move on to the Quarterfinals against Belgium on Monday night.

Here is the full schedule for the Round of 16, which will be updated following each match.

Round of 16 schedule and scores

Here is the full schedule for the Round of 16 at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. All times listed are Eastern.

Morocco 3, Canada 0
France 1, Paraguay 0

Brazil vs. Norway (New York/New Jersey Stadium), 4:00 p.m.
Mexico vs. England (Mexico City Stadium), 8:00 p.m.

Portugal vs. Spain (Dallas Stadium), 3:00 p.m.
United States vs. Belgium (Seattle Stadium), 8:00 p.m.

Argentina vs. Egypt (Atlanta Stadium), 12:00 p.m.
Switzerland vs. Colombia (BC Place Vancouver), 4:00 p.m.

#World #Cup #Full #schedule #scores

In the city where the Declaration of Independence was adopted 250 years ago, the Fourth of July had turned Philadelphia into a festival and a furnace. At Reading Terminal Market, locals mixed with French and Paraguayan supporters over cheesesteaks, pizza slices, and iced drinks, while the bridge above offered a patch of shade from the 42-degree heat. There was no such cover at the Lincoln Financial Field, where France spent much of the afternoon labouring in the sun before Kylian Mbappé’s penalty finally broke Paraguay’s resistance and sealed a 1-0 win that sent Les Bleus into the World Cup quarterfinals.

Philadelphia wore its history loudly. Around the Independence Hall and Liberty Bell, where Thomas Jefferson’s words and the signatures of the founding fathers gave birth to the Declaration in 1776, tourists queued through the day in the punishing heat, posing cheerfully with a costumed Statue of Liberty, France’s most memorable gift to the United States.

The holiday mood had travelled to the stadium as well, where an extended fireworks display entertained the crowd before kick-off. It added a little more heat and a veil of smoke to an already punishing evening, where France was stripped of its usual fluency and reduced to the impatience of a side being made to wait.

For long stretches, Gustavo Alfaro’s side dragged another heavyweight into frustration. Paraguay, which had already eliminated Germany in the previous round, turned the game into a scrap with its compact defending and relentless closing of space. France had the ball almost constantly, finishing the first half with more than 80 per cent possession, but not the control it had exerted for much of this tournament.

Didier Deschamps had been forced into a change before kick-off, with Manu Koné brought into the midfield after Aurélien Tchouaméni had picked up an injury in training.

Sensing there was little room through the middle, Les Bleus went wide early and almost found a reward when Mbappé narrowly failed to connect with a teasing delivery.

France’s clearest opening before the break came from a quick transition as Mike Maignan released Mbappé into open grass with a quick throw after a Paraguay corner. Juan Cáceres, however, was ready for the sprint race with one of football’s fastest. He matched the Real Madrid forward stride for stride before making a last-ditch clearance.

Paraguay offered little in attack, but Junior Alonso, Omar Alderete and Gustavo Gómez held their line together, attacking crosses and crowding the box, while those ahead continued to break opposition’s rhythm and add to the frustration inside the French contingent.

France resumed with greater urgency after the interval and in the 54th minute, Dembélé let fly from distance, drawing an acrobatic save from Orlando Gill, who pushed the ball away at full stretch. The breakthrough, when it finally came, arrived through VAR rather than open play.

Desire Doué went down inside the area under Diego Gomez’s challenge, and the referee was sent to the pitch-side monitor, and a sense of dread descended upon the Paraguayan bench. After a brief review, the spot-kick was awarded and the stadium erupted. Mbappé stepped up and rolled his penalty low into the corner, as the goalkeeper dived the wrong way.

Gill’s double save to deny Mbappé in stoppage time did little to alter the course of this contest.

This was not France at its fluent best. But, in the end, one penalty was enough to send Deschamps’ side through and leave Paraguay’s rearguard effort unrewarded.

Published on Jul 05, 2026

#Mbappe #penalty #breaks #Paraguay #resistance #France #reaches #World #Cup #quarters">Mbappe penalty breaks Paraguay resistance as France reaches World Cup quarters In the city where the Declaration of Independence was adopted 250 years ago, the Fourth of July had turned Philadelphia into a festival and a furnace. At Reading Terminal Market, locals mixed with French and Paraguayan supporters over cheesesteaks, pizza slices, and iced drinks, while the bridge above offered a patch of shade from the 42-degree heat. There was no such cover at the Lincoln Financial Field, where France spent much of the afternoon labouring in the sun before Kylian Mbappé’s penalty finally broke Paraguay’s resistance and sealed a 1-0 win that sent Les Bleus into the World Cup quarterfinals.Philadelphia wore its history loudly. Around the Independence Hall and Liberty Bell, where Thomas Jefferson’s words and the signatures of the founding fathers gave birth to the Declaration in 1776, tourists queued through the day in the punishing heat, posing cheerfully with a costumed Statue of Liberty, France’s most memorable gift to the United States.The holiday mood had travelled to the stadium as well, where an extended fireworks display entertained the crowd before kick-off. It added a little more heat and a veil of smoke to an already punishing evening, where France was stripped of its usual fluency and reduced to the impatience of a side being made to wait.For long stretches, Gustavo Alfaro’s side dragged another heavyweight into frustration. Paraguay, which had already eliminated Germany in the previous round, turned the game into a scrap with its compact defending and relentless closing of space. France had the ball almost constantly, finishing the first half with more than 80 per cent possession, but not the control it had exerted for much of this tournament.Didier Deschamps had been forced into a change before kick-off, with Manu Koné brought into the midfield after Aurélien Tchouaméni had picked up an injury in training.Sensing there was little room through the middle, Les Bleus went wide early and almost found a reward when Mbappé narrowly failed to connect with a teasing delivery.France’s clearest opening before the break came from a quick transition as Mike Maignan released Mbappé into open grass with a quick throw after a Paraguay corner. Juan Cáceres, however, was ready for the sprint race with one of football’s fastest. He matched the Real Madrid forward stride for stride before making a last-ditch clearance.Paraguay offered little in attack, but Junior Alonso, Omar Alderete and Gustavo Gómez held their line together, attacking crosses and crowding the box, while those ahead continued to break opposition’s rhythm and add to the frustration inside the French contingent.France resumed with greater urgency after the interval and in the 54th minute, Dembélé let fly from distance, drawing an acrobatic save from Orlando Gill, who pushed the ball away at full stretch. The breakthrough, when it finally came, arrived through VAR rather than open play.Desire Doué went down inside the area under Diego Gomez’s challenge, and the referee was sent to the pitch-side monitor, and a sense of dread descended upon the Paraguayan bench. After a brief review, the spot-kick was awarded and the stadium erupted. Mbappé stepped up and rolled his penalty low into the corner, as the goalkeeper dived the wrong way.Gill’s double save to deny Mbappé in stoppage time did little to alter the course of this contest.This was not France at its fluent best. But, in the end, one penalty was enough to send Deschamps’ side through and leave Paraguay’s rearguard effort unrewarded.Published on Jul 05, 2026 #Mbappe #penalty #breaks #Paraguay #resistance #France #reaches #World #Cup #quarters

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