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Deadspin | Ranger Suarez stymies Cards, earns first Red Sox win  Apr 11, 2026; St. Louis, Missouri, USA; St. Louis Cardinals second baseman JJ Wetherholt (26) leaps and throws to first after forcing out Boston Red Sox second baseman Marcelo Mayer (11) during the third inning at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-Imagn Images   Ranger Suarez scattered three hits over six scoreless innings and Willson Contreras went 2-for-4 with a double and three RBIs to lead the Boston Red Sox to a 7-1 victory over the host St. Louis Cardinals on Saturday night.    It was the first win in three starts for Suarez (1-1), who made headlines by signing a five-year, 0 million free-agent contract with Boston in January. Suarez walked two, struck out six and retired 14 of the last 15 batters he faced.     Jarren Duran went 2-for-5 with an RBI and a run, Marcelo Mayer reached base three times with a single and two walks and Carlos Narvaez had two hits and scored a run for Boston, which won for the third time in four games.    Jordan Walker hit his major league-leading sixth home run for St. Louis, which had a three-game win streak snapped. Kyle Leahy (1-2) suffered the loss, allowing two runs on three hits and three walks over four innings while striking out two.    Boston took a 2-0 lead in the fourth. Roman Anthony led off with a walk and advanced to second on a one-out single by Duran. Contreras, who spent the last three seasons with St. Louis, followed with a double into the left field corner, driving in Anthony and Duran.     The Red Sox had a chance to extend the lead in the seventh, loading the bases with one out on a walk to Mayer, a single by Narvaez and a hit batter by Rafaela. But reliever Justin Bruihl came in and struck out Anthony and got Caleb Durbin to fly out to end the threat.    St. Louis cut the lead to 2-1 in the eighth when Walker smashed a 429-foot home run onto the grassy berm in dead center off reliever Garrett Whitlock, his fifth homer in the last seven games.    Boston broke the game open with a five-run, six-hit ninth against reliever Matt Svanson, highlighted by a two-run single by Durbin and RBI singles by Rafaela, Duran and Contreras.    –Field Level Media   #Deadspin #Ranger #Suarez #stymies #Cards #earns #Red #Sox #win

Deadspin | Ranger Suarez stymies Cards, earns first Red Sox win
Deadspin | Ranger Suarez stymies Cards, earns first Red Sox win  Apr 11, 2026; St. Louis, Missouri, USA; St. Louis Cardinals second baseman JJ Wetherholt (26) leaps and throws to first after forcing out Boston Red Sox second baseman Marcelo Mayer (11) during the third inning at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-Imagn Images   Ranger Suarez scattered three hits over six scoreless innings and Willson Contreras went 2-for-4 with a double and three RBIs to lead the Boston Red Sox to a 7-1 victory over the host St. Louis Cardinals on Saturday night.    It was the first win in three starts for Suarez (1-1), who made headlines by signing a five-year, 0 million free-agent contract with Boston in January. Suarez walked two, struck out six and retired 14 of the last 15 batters he faced.     Jarren Duran went 2-for-5 with an RBI and a run, Marcelo Mayer reached base three times with a single and two walks and Carlos Narvaez had two hits and scored a run for Boston, which won for the third time in four games.    Jordan Walker hit his major league-leading sixth home run for St. Louis, which had a three-game win streak snapped. Kyle Leahy (1-2) suffered the loss, allowing two runs on three hits and three walks over four innings while striking out two.    Boston took a 2-0 lead in the fourth. Roman Anthony led off with a walk and advanced to second on a one-out single by Duran. Contreras, who spent the last three seasons with St. Louis, followed with a double into the left field corner, driving in Anthony and Duran.     The Red Sox had a chance to extend the lead in the seventh, loading the bases with one out on a walk to Mayer, a single by Narvaez and a hit batter by Rafaela. But reliever Justin Bruihl came in and struck out Anthony and got Caleb Durbin to fly out to end the threat.    St. Louis cut the lead to 2-1 in the eighth when Walker smashed a 429-foot home run onto the grassy berm in dead center off reliever Garrett Whitlock, his fifth homer in the last seven games.    Boston broke the game open with a five-run, six-hit ninth against reliever Matt Svanson, highlighted by a two-run single by Durbin and RBI singles by Rafaela, Duran and Contreras.    –Field Level Media   #Deadspin #Ranger #Suarez #stymies #Cards #earns #Red #Sox #winApr 11, 2026; St. Louis, Missouri, USA; St. Louis Cardinals second baseman JJ Wetherholt (26) leaps and throws to first after forcing out Boston Red Sox second baseman Marcelo Mayer (11) during the third inning at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-Imagn Images

Ranger Suarez scattered three hits over six scoreless innings and Willson Contreras went 2-for-4 with a double and three RBIs to lead the Boston Red Sox to a 7-1 victory over the host St. Louis Cardinals on Saturday night.

It was the first win in three starts for Suarez (1-1), who made headlines by signing a five-year, $130 million free-agent contract with Boston in January. Suarez walked two, struck out six and retired 14 of the last 15 batters he faced.

Jarren Duran went 2-for-5 with an RBI and a run, Marcelo Mayer reached base three times with a single and two walks and Carlos Narvaez had two hits and scored a run for Boston, which won for the third time in four games.

Jordan Walker hit his major league-leading sixth home run for St. Louis, which had a three-game win streak snapped. Kyle Leahy (1-2) suffered the loss, allowing two runs on three hits and three walks over four innings while striking out two.


Boston took a 2-0 lead in the fourth. Roman Anthony led off with a walk and advanced to second on a one-out single by Duran. Contreras, who spent the last three seasons with St. Louis, followed with a double into the left field corner, driving in Anthony and Duran.

The Red Sox had a chance to extend the lead in the seventh, loading the bases with one out on a walk to Mayer, a single by Narvaez and a hit batter by Rafaela. But reliever Justin Bruihl came in and struck out Anthony and got Caleb Durbin to fly out to end the threat.

St. Louis cut the lead to 2-1 in the eighth when Walker smashed a 429-foot home run onto the grassy berm in dead center off reliever Garrett Whitlock, his fifth homer in the last seven games.

Boston broke the game open with a five-run, six-hit ninth against reliever Matt Svanson, highlighted by a two-run single by Durbin and RBI singles by Rafaela, Duran and Contreras.

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Ranger #Suarez #stymies #Cards #earns #Red #Sox #win

Apr 11, 2026; St. Louis, Missouri, USA; St. Louis Cardinals second baseman JJ Wetherholt (26) leaps and throws to first after forcing out Boston Red Sox second baseman Marcelo Mayer (11) during the third inning at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-Imagn Images

Ranger Suarez scattered three hits over six scoreless innings and Willson Contreras went 2-for-4 with a double and three RBIs to lead the Boston Red Sox to a 7-1 victory over the host St. Louis Cardinals on Saturday night.

It was the first win in three starts for Suarez (1-1), who made headlines by signing a five-year, $130 million free-agent contract with Boston in January. Suarez walked two, struck out six and retired 14 of the last 15 batters he faced.

Jarren Duran went 2-for-5 with an RBI and a run, Marcelo Mayer reached base three times with a single and two walks and Carlos Narvaez had two hits and scored a run for Boston, which won for the third time in four games.

Jordan Walker hit his major league-leading sixth home run for St. Louis, which had a three-game win streak snapped. Kyle Leahy (1-2) suffered the loss, allowing two runs on three hits and three walks over four innings while striking out two.

Boston took a 2-0 lead in the fourth. Roman Anthony led off with a walk and advanced to second on a one-out single by Duran. Contreras, who spent the last three seasons with St. Louis, followed with a double into the left field corner, driving in Anthony and Duran.

The Red Sox had a chance to extend the lead in the seventh, loading the bases with one out on a walk to Mayer, a single by Narvaez and a hit batter by Rafaela. But reliever Justin Bruihl came in and struck out Anthony and got Caleb Durbin to fly out to end the threat.

St. Louis cut the lead to 2-1 in the eighth when Walker smashed a 429-foot home run onto the grassy berm in dead center off reliever Garrett Whitlock, his fifth homer in the last seven games.

Boston broke the game open with a five-run, six-hit ninth against reliever Matt Svanson, highlighted by a two-run single by Durbin and RBI singles by Rafaela, Duran and Contreras.

–Field Level Media

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Premier League 2025-26 — Man City routs Chelsea to close gap on leaders Arsenal <div id="content-body-70855110" itemprop="articleBody"><p>Manchester City ignited the Premier League title race with a second-half blitz that sealed a 3-0 win against Chelsea as it closed the gap on leader Arsenal on Sunday.</p><p>Pep Guardiola’s side produced a devastating spell immediately after half-time, with Nico O’Reilly and Marc Guehi scoring in the space of six minutes at Stamford Bridge. Jeremy Doku wrapped up a statement victory to ensure City took advantage of Arsenal’s shock 2-1 home defeat against Bournemouth on Saturday.</p><p>Second-placed City is now only six points behind Arsenal with a game in hand, setting up a seismic showdown against the Gunners at the Etihad Stadium on April 19.</p><p>Having beaten Arsenal in the League Cup final and thrashed Liverpool in the FA Cup quarter-finals, City is hitting form at just the right time.</p><p>Its bid for a seventh English title under Guardiola appeared to be fading after successive draws with strugglers West Ham and Nottingham Forest in their previous two league matches. A disjointed first half against Chelsea suggested City might waste a golden opportunity to pile pressure on Arsenal.</p><div class=" article-picture center"><img src="https://ss-i.thgim.com/public/incoming/4r8bln/article70855151.ece/alternates/FREE_1200/AFP_A7JM9L7.jpg" data-original="https://ss-i.thgim.com/public/incoming/4r8bln/article70855151.ece/alternates/FREE_1200/AFP_A7JM9L7.jpg" alt="Nico O'Reilly (c) continued his goal-scoring form and found the opener for Man City." title="Nico O'Reilly (c) continued his goal-scoring form and found the opener for Man City." class=" lazy" width="100%" height="100%"/><div class="pic-caption"><figcaption class="figure-caption align-text-bottom"><p> Nico O’Reilly (c) continued his goal-scoring form and found the opener for Man City. | Photo Credit: AFP </p><img class="caption-image" src="https://assetsss.thehindu.com/theme/images/SSRX/lightbox-info.svg" alt="lightbox-info"/></figcaption></div><p class="caption"> Nico O’Reilly (c) continued his goal-scoring form and found the opener for Man City. | Photo Credit: AFP </p></div><p>But Guardiola’s half-time team-talk had the desired effect and City can now target next weekend’s do-or-die visit from Mikel Arteta’s spluttering team.</p><p>If City wins that blockbuster clash, it will be within three points of Arsenal, which blew substantial leads in the 2023 and 2024 title races, allowing Guardiola’s men to pip them to the trophy.</p><p>Arteta said the defeat to Bournemouth was a “punch in the face” and City’s success in west London was another body blow for the Spaniard. City has won 29 of its 32 league games in the month of April in recent seasons, underlining its ability to thrive when the title pressure mounts.</p><p>After winning its first four league matches following Liam Rosenior’s arrival from Strasbourg to replace Enzo Maresca, Chelsea has won just one of its last seven, losing three in a row and faced with some difficult questions.</p><p>Chelsea, which hasn’t beaten City since the 2021 Champions League final, was again without Enzo Fernandez after Rosenior’s controversial decision to drop the Argentine midfielder for hinting he might leave in the summer.</p><h4 class="sub_head">Cherki sparkles</h4><p>Sixth-placed Chelsea looked subdued without Fernandez and it trailed four points behind Liverpool in the race to qualify for the Champions League via a top-five finish.</p><p>Lacking energy and cohesion in a sloppy start, City was fortunate not to fall behind when Marc Cucurella’s clinical finish was disallowed for a tight offside. City also let Pedro Neto in far too easily for a stinging strike that forced Gianluigi Donnarumma to save at his near post.</p><div class=" article-picture center"><img src="https://ss-i.thgim.com/public/incoming/ba2gum/article70855147.ece/alternates/FREE_1200/2026-04-12T173609Z_357251441_UP1EM4C1CW8NP_RTRMADP_3_SOCCER-ENGLAND-CHE-MCI.JPG" data-original="https://ss-i.thgim.com/public/incoming/ba2gum/article70855147.ece/alternates/FREE_1200/2026-04-12T173609Z_357251441_UP1EM4C1CW8NP_RTRMADP_3_SOCCER-ENGLAND-CHE-MCI.JPG" alt="Rayan Cherki set up the goals for Nico O’Reilly and Marc Guehi." title="Rayan Cherki set up the goals for Nico O’Reilly and Marc Guehi." class=" lazy" width="100%" height="100%"/><div class="pic-caption"><figcaption class="figure-caption align-text-bottom"><p> Rayan Cherki set up the goals for Nico O’Reilly and Marc Guehi. | Photo Credit: Reuters </p><img class="caption-image" src="https://assetsss.thehindu.com/theme/images/SSRX/lightbox-info.svg" alt="lightbox-info"/></figcaption></div><p class="caption"> Rayan Cherki set up the goals for Nico O’Reilly and Marc Guehi. | Photo Credit: Reuters </p></div><p>It took City 35 minutes to mount an incisive raid as Bernardo Silva stretched to meet O’Reilly’s cross, but Robert Sanchez made a fine save from the midfielder’s close-range effort.</p><p>City stepped up after the interval and O’Reilly made the breakthrough in the 51st minute.</p><p>Rayan Cherki whipped an in-swinging cross from the right wing towards O’Reilly and the City left-back reprised his League Cup final heroics with another clinical header from close range.</p><p>Six minutes later, Cherki again showed the creative genius that has won over Guardiola despite some impetuous moments in his first season in Manchester.</p><p>The France playmaker glided past a gaggle of Chelsea players on the edge of the area before threading a sublime pass to Guehi, who looked more like a forward than a centre-back as he smashed a perfect strike into the far corner from 12 yards.</p><p>City benefitted from wretched Chelsea defending for its third goal in the 68th minute.</p><p>Sanchez rolled the ball to Moises Caicedo even though the Chelsea midfielder was surrounded by three City players and Doku pounced, racing into the area to drill home.</p><p class="publish-time" id="end-of-article">Published on Apr 12, 2026</p></div> #Premier #League #Man #City #routs #Chelsea #close #gap #leaders #Arsenal

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MI vs RCB: लगातार तीसरे मैच में हारी मुंबई, आरसीबी ने वानखेड़े में दर्ज की शानदार जीत; तालिका में हुआ बदलाव

Kieron Pollard was unequivocal in his assessment of Jasprit Bumrah. Addressing the media on the eve of Mumbai Indians’ home game against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), the batting coach insisted the franchise was not “looking too much” into Bumrah’s wicket-less run.

“When the time comes to get wickets, he’ll get wickets. If not, and he’s economical, we’ll accept that as well,” Pollard said, backing the spearhead to come good.

But as the two heavyweight team clashed at the Wankhede Stadium on Sunday, Bumrah’s lean patch continued. He returned figures of 0 for 35 in four overs (economy 8.75), the most economical among the six bowlers used, yet unable to provide the breakthroughs Mumbai Indians desperately needed as RCB piled up a daunting 240.

Against a star-studded batting unit, Mumbai’s bowlers were put under sustained pressure from the outset. Bumrah, often relied upon to break partnerships or stem the flow of runs, found himself operating in damage-control mode.

He began with a 10-run over, with Virat Kohli welcoming him with a deft boundary over short third. While he managed to keep things tight thereafter, the early opportunity to make an inroad slipped by.

Reintroduced in the sixth over, shortly after Mitchell Santner conceded 22 runs, Bumrah briefly restored control, giving away just six. It was a reminder of his discipline and control, even on a night when the margins were unforgiving.

However, wickets remained elusive. With Phil Salt and Kohli setting the tempo and attacking relentlessly, Mumbai Indians struggled to find a way through.

In his second spell, Bumrah delivered a tidy seven-run over, but the penultimate over tilted the balance again. Tim David took him on, striking a four and a six as Bumrah conceded 13 runs, a rare sight for a bowler who usually thrives at the death.

So far this season, Bumrah has conceded 123 runs in four matches without a wicket, an unusual stretch for a bowler of his calibre. The last time he endured a similar phase was back in 2014, when he went four matches without a breakthrough.

For Mumbai Indians, the concern is not just the lack of wickets, but the absence of those decisive interventions Bumrah has so often provided, the breakthroughs that halt momentum and shift matches.

The tournament, though, is still young. And the team would hope for Bumrah to rediscover his rhythm, because as history suggests, when Bumrah strikes, the balance often shifts with MI.

Published on Apr 12, 2026

#RCB #IPL #Bumrahs #wicketless #run #strange #confrontation #Mumbai #Indians">MI vs RCB, IPL 2026 — Bumrah’s wicket-less run a strange confrontation for Mumbai Indians  Kieron Pollard was unequivocal in his assessment of Jasprit Bumrah. Addressing the media on the eve of Mumbai Indians’ home game against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), the batting coach insisted the franchise was not “looking too much” into Bumrah’s wicket-less run.“When the time comes to get wickets, he’ll get wickets. If not, and he’s economical, we’ll accept that as well,” Pollard said, backing the spearhead to come good.But as the two heavyweight team clashed at the Wankhede Stadium on Sunday, Bumrah’s lean patch continued. He returned figures of 0 for 35 in four overs (economy 8.75), the most economical among the six bowlers used, yet unable to provide the breakthroughs Mumbai Indians desperately needed as RCB piled up a daunting 240.Against a star-studded batting unit, Mumbai’s bowlers were put under sustained pressure from the outset. Bumrah, often relied upon to break partnerships or stem the flow of runs, found himself operating in damage-control mode.He began with a 10-run over, with Virat Kohli welcoming him with a deft boundary over short third. While he managed to keep things tight thereafter, the early opportunity to make an inroad slipped by.Reintroduced in the sixth over, shortly after Mitchell Santner conceded 22 runs, Bumrah briefly restored control, giving away just six. It was a reminder of his discipline and control, even on a night when the margins were unforgiving.However, wickets remained elusive. With Phil Salt and Kohli setting the tempo and attacking relentlessly, Mumbai Indians struggled to find a way through.In his second spell, Bumrah delivered a tidy seven-run over, but the penultimate over tilted the balance again. Tim David took him on, striking a four and a six as Bumrah conceded 13 runs, a rare sight for a bowler who usually thrives at the death.So far this season, Bumrah has conceded 123 runs in four matches without a wicket, an unusual stretch for a bowler of his calibre. The last time he endured a similar phase was back in 2014, when he went four matches without a breakthrough.For Mumbai Indians, the concern is not just the lack of wickets, but the absence of those decisive interventions Bumrah has so often provided, the breakthroughs that halt momentum and shift matches.The tournament, though, is still young. And the team would hope for Bumrah to rediscover his rhythm, because as history suggests, when Bumrah strikes, the balance often shifts with MI.Published on Apr 12, 2026  #RCB #IPL #Bumrahs #wicketless #run #strange #confrontation #Mumbai #Indians

Deadspin | Trail Blazers can clinch No. 8 seed with win vs. Kings  Apr 10, 2026; Portland, Oregon, USA;  Portland Trail Blazers forward Deni Avdija (8) high-fives forward Toumani Camara (33) as guard Jrue Holiday (5) heads to the bench during a timeout in the first half against the LA Clippers at Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Jaime Valdez-Imagn Images   The Portland Trail Blazers look to secure the No. 8 position in the Western Conference when they host the woeful Sacramento Kings on Sunday in the regular-season finale for both clubs.  The Trail Blazers put themselves in position to nab a spot in the key 7 vs. 8 play-in contest by routing the visiting Los Angeles Clippers 116-97 on Friday night.  Portland (41-40) and Los Angeles share the same record but the Trail Blazers hold the tiebreaker edge due to having a better record in Western Conference games.  The big deal between being No. 8 or No. 9 is this: Teams in the 7-8 game earn a playoff berth with one win with the loser receiving a second chance. The teams in the 9 vs. 10 pairing need two wins to get in.  Portland is well aware of what’s at stake against the Kings.  “We’ve got one game left in the regular season,” Trail Blazers interim coach Tiago Splitter said after Friday’s contest. “We‘ve got to finish the job here.”  Portland certainly played with more urgency than the Clippers. The Trail Blazers outscored Los Angeles 30-13 in the final quarter.  The Trail Blazers racked up 12 steals, four by reserve Matisse Thybulle.  “We had an outstanding performance defensively,” Splitter said. “A lot of guys did a good job.”  All-Star forward Deni Avdija led the offensive surge with 35 points. It marked his 14th game of 30 or more points this season.  “He was aggressive, he was getting to the paint, he was finding teammates and getting to the free-throw line,” Splitter said of Avdija. “Nothing new I can say about him.”  Shaedon Sharpe returned from a 28-game absence due to calf and fibula injuries to play 15 minutes off the bench against the Clippers. The guard, who last played on Feb. 6, had eight points and four rebounds.   The Trail Blazers are 3-0 against the Kings this season but the Dec. 18 contest in Portland was a wild battle.  Portland pulled out a 134-133 overtime win behind two free throws from Avdija with 1.5 seconds left to cap his 35-point outing. Sacramento forced the OT with an electric 17-2 burst to end regulation. The Kings’ DeMar DeRozan had 33 points, including the tying 3-pointer with 7.8 seconds left.  On Sunday, the Kings (22-59) will be looking to avoid the second 60-loss campaign in franchise history. Sacramento went 17-65 in the 2008-09 campaign.  The Kings have performed well this month with three wins in five games. Sacramento just split a home-and-home with the Golden State Warriors, losing 110-105 on the road Tuesday and following up with a 124-118 home win on Friday.  Devin Carter scored a career-high 29 points while Maxime Raynaud added 23 for the Kings in their home finale.  “Couldn’t get any better, and the way we did it was also awesome,” Raynaud said afterward. “I mean, it was a very physical game. Obviously people were talking on both sides the whole time. It was pretty well fought, pretty close till the end, so the best way to go out.”  DeRozan sat out the past two games due to right hamstring soreness and will sit out Sunday as well. He turns 37 in August and is under contract for next season.  “I’ve been doing this for 17 years, it’s beyond a blessing,” DeRozan said of his career. “… But it’s been a tough year for us.”  Carter also established career bests of six 3-pointers and nine rebounds on Friday. The first-round pick (No. 13 overall) in 2024 has played in 73 games (11 starts) over his two NBA seasons.  “It’s just the confidence,” Carter said of his big outing. “I put the work in. At the end of the day, I just imagine being in the gym working by myself. That’s all it is.”  –Field Level Media   #Deadspin #Trail #Blazers #clinch #seed #win #KingsApr 10, 2026; Portland, Oregon, USA; Portland Trail Blazers forward Deni Avdija (8) high-fives forward Toumani Camara (33) as guard Jrue Holiday (5) heads to the bench during a timeout in the first half against the LA Clippers at Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Jaime Valdez-Imagn Images

The Portland Trail Blazers look to secure the No. 8 position in the Western Conference when they host the woeful Sacramento Kings on Sunday in the regular-season finale for both clubs.

The Trail Blazers put themselves in position to nab a spot in the key 7 vs. 8 play-in contest by routing the visiting Los Angeles Clippers 116-97 on Friday night.

Portland (41-40) and Los Angeles share the same record but the Trail Blazers hold the tiebreaker edge due to having a better record in Western Conference games.

The big deal between being No. 8 or No. 9 is this: Teams in the 7-8 game earn a playoff berth with one win with the loser receiving a second chance. The teams in the 9 vs. 10 pairing need two wins to get in.

Portland is well aware of what’s at stake against the Kings.

“We’ve got one game left in the regular season,” Trail Blazers interim coach Tiago Splitter said after Friday’s contest. “We‘ve got to finish the job here.”

Portland certainly played with more urgency than the Clippers. The Trail Blazers outscored Los Angeles 30-13 in the final quarter.

The Trail Blazers racked up 12 steals, four by reserve Matisse Thybulle.

“We had an outstanding performance defensively,” Splitter said. “A lot of guys did a good job.”

All-Star forward Deni Avdija led the offensive surge with 35 points. It marked his 14th game of 30 or more points this season.

“He was aggressive, he was getting to the paint, he was finding teammates and getting to the free-throw line,” Splitter said of Avdija. “Nothing new I can say about him.”


Shaedon Sharpe returned from a 28-game absence due to calf and fibula injuries to play 15 minutes off the bench against the Clippers. The guard, who last played on Feb. 6, had eight points and four rebounds.

The Trail Blazers are 3-0 against the Kings this season but the Dec. 18 contest in Portland was a wild battle.

Portland pulled out a 134-133 overtime win behind two free throws from Avdija with 1.5 seconds left to cap his 35-point outing. Sacramento forced the OT with an electric 17-2 burst to end regulation. The Kings’ DeMar DeRozan had 33 points, including the tying 3-pointer with 7.8 seconds left.

On Sunday, the Kings (22-59) will be looking to avoid the second 60-loss campaign in franchise history. Sacramento went 17-65 in the 2008-09 campaign.

The Kings have performed well this month with three wins in five games. Sacramento just split a home-and-home with the Golden State Warriors, losing 110-105 on the road Tuesday and following up with a 124-118 home win on Friday.

Devin Carter scored a career-high 29 points while Maxime Raynaud added 23 for the Kings in their home finale.

“Couldn’t get any better, and the way we did it was also awesome,” Raynaud said afterward. “I mean, it was a very physical game. Obviously people were talking on both sides the whole time. It was pretty well fought, pretty close till the end, so the best way to go out.”

DeRozan sat out the past two games due to right hamstring soreness and will sit out Sunday as well. He turns 37 in August and is under contract for next season.

“I’ve been doing this for 17 years, it’s beyond a blessing,” DeRozan said of his career. “… But it’s been a tough year for us.”

Carter also established career bests of six 3-pointers and nine rebounds on Friday. The first-round pick (No. 13 overall) in 2024 has played in 73 games (11 starts) over his two NBA seasons.

“It’s just the confidence,” Carter said of his big outing. “I put the work in. At the end of the day, I just imagine being in the gym working by myself. That’s all it is.”

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Trail #Blazers #clinch #seed #win #Kings">Deadspin | Trail Blazers can clinch No. 8 seed with win vs. Kings  Apr 10, 2026; Portland, Oregon, USA;  Portland Trail Blazers forward Deni Avdija (8) high-fives forward Toumani Camara (33) as guard Jrue Holiday (5) heads to the bench during a timeout in the first half against the LA Clippers at Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Jaime Valdez-Imagn Images   The Portland Trail Blazers look to secure the No. 8 position in the Western Conference when they host the woeful Sacramento Kings on Sunday in the regular-season finale for both clubs.  The Trail Blazers put themselves in position to nab a spot in the key 7 vs. 8 play-in contest by routing the visiting Los Angeles Clippers 116-97 on Friday night.  Portland (41-40) and Los Angeles share the same record but the Trail Blazers hold the tiebreaker edge due to having a better record in Western Conference games.  The big deal between being No. 8 or No. 9 is this: Teams in the 7-8 game earn a playoff berth with one win with the loser receiving a second chance. The teams in the 9 vs. 10 pairing need two wins to get in.  Portland is well aware of what’s at stake against the Kings.  “We’ve got one game left in the regular season,” Trail Blazers interim coach Tiago Splitter said after Friday’s contest. “We‘ve got to finish the job here.”  Portland certainly played with more urgency than the Clippers. The Trail Blazers outscored Los Angeles 30-13 in the final quarter.  The Trail Blazers racked up 12 steals, four by reserve Matisse Thybulle.  “We had an outstanding performance defensively,” Splitter said. “A lot of guys did a good job.”  All-Star forward Deni Avdija led the offensive surge with 35 points. It marked his 14th game of 30 or more points this season.  “He was aggressive, he was getting to the paint, he was finding teammates and getting to the free-throw line,” Splitter said of Avdija. “Nothing new I can say about him.”  Shaedon Sharpe returned from a 28-game absence due to calf and fibula injuries to play 15 minutes off the bench against the Clippers. The guard, who last played on Feb. 6, had eight points and four rebounds.   The Trail Blazers are 3-0 against the Kings this season but the Dec. 18 contest in Portland was a wild battle.  Portland pulled out a 134-133 overtime win behind two free throws from Avdija with 1.5 seconds left to cap his 35-point outing. Sacramento forced the OT with an electric 17-2 burst to end regulation. The Kings’ DeMar DeRozan had 33 points, including the tying 3-pointer with 7.8 seconds left.  On Sunday, the Kings (22-59) will be looking to avoid the second 60-loss campaign in franchise history. Sacramento went 17-65 in the 2008-09 campaign.  The Kings have performed well this month with three wins in five games. Sacramento just split a home-and-home with the Golden State Warriors, losing 110-105 on the road Tuesday and following up with a 124-118 home win on Friday.  Devin Carter scored a career-high 29 points while Maxime Raynaud added 23 for the Kings in their home finale.  “Couldn’t get any better, and the way we did it was also awesome,” Raynaud said afterward. “I mean, it was a very physical game. Obviously people were talking on both sides the whole time. It was pretty well fought, pretty close till the end, so the best way to go out.”  DeRozan sat out the past two games due to right hamstring soreness and will sit out Sunday as well. He turns 37 in August and is under contract for next season.  “I’ve been doing this for 17 years, it’s beyond a blessing,” DeRozan said of his career. “… But it’s been a tough year for us.”  Carter also established career bests of six 3-pointers and nine rebounds on Friday. The first-round pick (No. 13 overall) in 2024 has played in 73 games (11 starts) over his two NBA seasons.  “It’s just the confidence,” Carter said of his big outing. “I put the work in. At the end of the day, I just imagine being in the gym working by myself. That’s all it is.”  –Field Level Media   #Deadspin #Trail #Blazers #clinch #seed #win #Kings

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