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portland trail blazers sign former nba 1st round pick

Portland Trail Blazers reportedly sign former NBA 1st round pick

Per reports by Shams Charania from The Athletic and Stadium, Kevin Knox has been re-signed by the Portland Trail Blazers. 

Knox is coming off a year where played for the Detroit Pistons and Portland Trail Blazers. The former Kentucky star was traded in the middle of the season from Pistons to Trail Blazers.

He concluded the year while avergaing 6.6 points and 2.8 assists per contest while shooting 45.8% from the field and 34.9% from the three-point range in 63 regular season games. This summer, Knox became a free agent, and on Saturday, Charania reported that he would re-sign with Portland.

After playing college basketball for one season with the Wildcats, Knox was the initially the ninth pick in the 2018 NBA Draft by the New York Knicks. In addition to playing for the Knicks, Pistons and Trail Blazers, he has also been with the Atlanta Hawks.

In the course of five seasons, the 24-year-old has a career averaging 7.5 points and 2.9 rebounds per contest while shooting 38.5% from the field and 34.2% from the three-point range in 275 regular season matches (he has been in three NBA playoff matches too).

Meanwhile, the Trail Blazers are off a year where they were the 13th seed in the Western Conference with a 33-49 record. Portland has missed the postseason for two consecutive years.

Related News:

Gigi Datome, Ex Pistons and Celtics player retires.

gigi datome ex-pistons and celtics player retires

Gigi Datome, Ex Pistons and Celtics player retires

Gigi Datome who previously played for the Detroit Pistons and Boston Celtics, will be retiring from basketball. 

On Saturday, Italy lost to Slovenia in the FIBA World Cup by a score of 89-85. This victory placed Slovenia in seventh place and Italy in eight place in the tournament.

Datome who played for Italy, previously announced on Instagram that he would retire at the end of the World Cup. So, the game on Saturday marked the end of his 20-year career as a pro.

He finished his last game with one point and two rebounds in ten minutes of playing time.

During his time in the National Basketball Association, Gigi played two seasons in the NBA for the Detroit Pistons and Boston Celtics. With more than 37 matches with the Pistons, he averaged 2.5 points and 1.4 rebounds per contest while shooting 35.8% from the field.

With the Celtics, he played 18 regular season matches and averaged 5.3 points and 1.4 rebounds per contest while shooting 49.4% from the field and 47.2% from the three-point range.

He also competed in three NBA playoff games (the Celtics were swept in the first round by the Cleveland Cavliers in 2015). In addition to playing in the NBA and G League, Datome had an long overseas career

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Debatebly, Gigi Datome’s best season was in 2013 when he appeared in 29 games for Acea Roma and averaged 16.9 points, 5.8 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 1.6 steals per contest while shooting 48.2% from the field and 41.9% from the three-point range in 33 minutes of playing time.

His career averages are 8.5 points and 3.2 rebounds per contests while shooting 47.7% from the field and 42.9% from the three-point range in 565 games.

Related News:

Portland Trail Blazers reportedly sign former NBA 1st round pick.

los angeles lakers sign new players

Los Angeles Lakers sign four new players

The Los Angeles Lakers signed four new players on Thursday. Forward Vincent Valerio-Bodon and guards Damion Baugh, Bryce Hamilton and Scotty Pippen Jr. 

Valerio-Bodon (6’9’’, 200) recently appeared in 30 matches (all starts) for Sopron KC of the Hungarian NBIA during the 2022-23 season, averaging 8.2 points, 4.1 rebounds and 1.8 assists in 25.7 minutes per game while shooting 50.3 percent from the field, 41.2 percent from 3-point range and 87.9 percent from the free-throw line. 

He previously played for DEAC of the Hungarian NBIA in 2021-22, appearing in 28 games (24 starts) and averaging 5.6 points, 3.4 rebounds and 1.3 assists in 19.3 minutes per game. Valerio-Bodon participated in one game for the Boston Celtics at 2023 NBA 2K24 Summer League in Las Vegas, recording 13 points (4-8 FG, 2-4 3PT, 3-3 FT), six rebounds, three assists and one block in 25 minutes.

Baugh (6’4’’, 194) began his professional career after spending the past four seasons at TCU (2021-23) and the University of Memphis (2019-21). Collegiately, the Tennesse native appeared in 117 career games (88 starts), registering averages of 7.8 points, 3.9 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 1.3 steals in 26.8 minutes. In his last season as a Horned Frog, Baugh played in 29 matches (all starts) and averaged 12.6 points, 4.7 rebounds, 5.8 assists and 1.8 steals in 35.0 minutes per game, earning him All-Big 12 Second Team honors. He ended the season ranked third in the conference in total assists (169) and 13th in the NCAA in assists per game (5.8).

Hamilton (6’4’’, 205) showed in 29 regular season games (27 starts) as a rookie last season for the South Bay Lakes, averaging 14.1 points, 4.6 rebounds and 2.1 assista in 28.2 minutes per game. He played four collegiate seasons at UNLV (2018-22), appearing in 119 games (69 starts) and averaging 14.9 points, 4.4 rebounds and 1.7 assists in 26.0 minutes per contest.

His career-high 21.8 points per game average as a senior lead all conference players. Hamilton secured a spot on three successive All-Mountain West conference teams, plus two first team selections in 2019-20 and 2021-22.

Pippen Jr. (6’1’’, 185) as as rookie in 2022-2, joined in 19 NBA G League regular season games (four starts) for South Bay, posting averages of 21.4 points, 4.1 rebounds, 5.6 assists and 1.6 steals in 27.9 minutes per game. The 22-year-old was chosen to participate in the 2023 Jordan Rising Stars Game as part of NBA All-Star Weekend and was named NBA G League Player of the Week on December 19.

In addition, he played in six games for the Los Angeles Lakers last season, averaging 2.3 points in 5.3 minutes. In three collegiate seasons (2019-22) at Vanderbilt University, he appeared in 90 games (89 starts) and averaged 17.5 points, 3.1 rebounds, 4.3 assists and 1.6 steals in 31.6 minutes. Pippen Jr. earned all All-SEC First Team honors after his sophmore and junior campaings.

More From The NBA:

Stan ‘Whitey’ Von Nieda, oldest NBA alumnus, dies at 101.

stan whitey von nieda

Stan ‘Whitey’ Von Nieda, oldest NBA alumnus, dies at 101

Stan ‘Whitey’ Von Nieda died Thursday at 101 years in Elizabethtown, PA.

Von Nieda was not just the oldest living former NBA player, but he was also the only one to reach 100 years. He got a certificate verifying that on June 19, 2022, the date he reached age 100, from the National Basketball Retired Players Association.

Stan, a 6-foot-1 swingman, broke into the NBA with the NBL Tri-Cities Blackhawks in 1947 and was a member of the NBL’s All-Rookie team. 

After his second pro season, Von Nieda logged his one “official’’ NBA season, the NBAL and BAA merged in August 1949 with Tri-Cities and Baltimore. He averaged 5.3 points and 2.4 assists per game in 59 matches before an eye injury in January 1950 ended his basketball career.

“I could play either (guard or forward),” Von Nieda was quoted in Lancaster (Pa.) Online’s obituary. “Sometimes I’d take my man down inside and hook it over him.”

October 29, 1949, He scored 14 points in the inaugural post-merger NBA game pitting Tri-Cities vs. Denver.

His coach with Tri-Cities? Red Auerbach. The Tri-Cities franchise has operated uninterrupted, relocating to become the Milwaukee, St.Louis and eventually became Atlanta Hawks. Interestingly, Von Nieda’s nickname was shared by his uncle, Harry Von Nieda.

Why did the native of Ephrate, PA, become a 25-year-old rookie? After his freshman year at Penn State, Von Nieda enlisted in the Army and became a paratrooper during and after World War II. He parachuted behind German lines during the Battle of the Bulge.

After his NBLA/NBA stint, He coached three seasons at Elizabethtown College in Lancaster County. He later had a career in advertising sales and worked as a bartender. 

Stan and his first wife, the late Dorothy, raised six children. He reportedly continued to play basketball, semi-pro, and recreationally, into his 60s.

Von Nieda’s widow, Arlene, told Lancaster Online that they were many social occasions where people would ask, “Is that Whitey Von Nieda? I saw him play years ago … he was great.”

Related NBA News:

Los Angeles Lakers sign four new players.

lucic marks return to bruins

Lucic marks return to Bruins with 1st pitch at Fenway Park

Boston Bruins forward Milan Lucic marked his return to the team on Friday, throwing out the first pitch before the Boston Red Sox game against the Baltimore Orioles at Fenway Park.

Milan played his first eight seasons in Boston and assisted the Bruins in winning the Stanley Cup in 2011 before being traded to the Los Angeles Kings in 2015. He then played for three seasons with the Edmonton Oilers and four with the Calgary Flames before re-signing with the Bruins this offseason.

The city welcomed the veteran in style since he decided to come back to the team that chose him in the second round (No.50) of the 2006 NHL Draft.

Red Sox infielder Justin Turner caught Lucic’s first pitch, then he dropped his glove and playfully go after Lucic in front of the pitcher’s mound.

More NHL News:

Ducks flaunt baseball skills at Angel Stadium.

ducks flaunt baseball skills

Ducks flaunt baseball skills at Angel Stadium

The Los Angeles Angels hosted their annual Ducks Night at Angel Stadium in Anaheim this weekend and some Anaheim Ducks players showed up and showed off.

Anaheim forwards Mason McTavish and Troy Terru displayed some stickhandling skills, by using hockey sticks to shoot ceremonial first pitches from the grass in front of the pitcher’s mound.

During the batting practice before the game, forward Max Jones showed that he has more than just a powerful shot, launching a baseball over the centerfield fence and then celebrating with a bat flip.

The Anaheim Ducks in attendance, wore Angels jerseys and special baseball hats with the team’s logo printed on it.

More NHL News:

Lucic marks return to Bruins with 1st pitch at Fenway Park.

julian hall

New York Red Bulls sign forward Julian Hall

The New York Red Bulls have signed highly advertised academy product Julian Hall, the club announced on Thursday.

Hall aged 15 years, becomes the second-youngest homegrown signing in RBNY history, inking a three-and-a-half-year deal through the 2026 season with the option for renewal in 2027. He is eligible for both the US and Poland national teams.

“We are very excited to add Julian to our roster for this season and also the long-term,” RBNY head of sport Jochen Schneider said in a release. “Julian has had a very good season, not just at the academy level, but the MLS NEXT Pro level as well and he has demonstrated that he has the qualities to succeed in our system.”

Hall has shown a knack for goalscoring, securing 28 goals in 39 academy appearances over the past three seasons. He is featured in seven matches for New York Red Bulls II in MLS Next Pro this season, becoming the youngest goal-scorer in club history (15 years, 73 days) after scoring against the New England Revolution II on June 4.

Julian Hall also emerged a top performer during this year’s U-15 MLS Nex Cup, gathering MVP honors after scoring five goals in the tournament, plus a game-tying goal that spearheaded his side’s MLS NEXT Cup title victory. He won the 2023 GA Cup Golden Boot too.

“We have seen very good things from Julian over the last calendar year,” RBNY head coach Troy Lesesne said. “Julian is a very promising young striker that has a lot of potential and we are excited to help him to continue to grow.”

Related News:

Wayne Rooney to leave MLS because of Tom Brady.

wayne rooney to leave mls

Wayne Rooney to leave MLS because of Tom Brady

Ex-Manchester United legend Wayne Rooney is reportedly thinking about going back to England with Birmingham City, and his friend and minority owner of the team, Tom Brady, is the reason for this decision.

Rooney, who is presently the DC United coach in the MLS, is reportedly showing interest in the project being created by Birmingham City’s new mangement in the English second division, known as the Championship.

The expert is regarded as a global figure in the soccer world and can bring big names ot the club, with the vision of taking Birmingham City back to the Premier League in the near future.

Brady, who won seven Super Bowl rings and one of the greatest names to ever grace the NFL, is constantly in contact with Rooney and is said to be the one facilitating the potential move. There is a chance that Rooney will return to England if he got the right opportunity.

Working with Birmingham City would also mean that Rooney and his family go back to their exquisite Chesire mansion, valued at more than 20 million, once they have completed their time in the United States.

Birmingham, presently managed by John Eustace, made a great start in the Championship, sitting fourth in the table thanks to three wins and two draws.

Rooney had planned to be a manage for another English club after his time with DC United in MLS. Reports state he is frustrated by the lack of communication with the American club’s owners over making a new offer, as his contract expires in December.

While speaking recently, Wayne Rooney aired his frustration at the lack of communication from the club about his future and hammered on the need to plan for the next season properly.

“I’m a bit disappointed and frustrated that there has been no contact for two months,” said Rooney. “I asked about a new deal. We can sit down and talk about it, but I haven’t heard back.

“I asked to sit down and talk because we need to move forward with planning for next season and that’s frustrating because I’d rather know what the plan is anyway because we need to plan for next season. We need to do it sooner rather than later.”

A return to England, courtesy for Brady and Birmingham City, may signify a new chapter in Rooney’s career as a coach.

More MLS News:

New York Red Bulls sign forward Julian Hall.

twins vs mets betting predictions

MLB EXPERT PICKS: Minnesota Twins VS New York Mets betting Predictions

Minnesota Twins VS New York Mets will have National League East fourth-place New York (64-75, 4th NL East) travel to Target Field for the second match of a three-game interleague series versus the American League Central-leading Minnesota Twins (73-67, 1st AL Central). 

Mets were defeated by the Washington Nationals 3-2 on Wednesday. They won four of their last six, but lags by 27 games in the NL East and is 8 games behind the third and final NL widlcard qualifying spot. 

Minnesota lost to the Cleveland Guardians 2-1 on Wednesday, but they won four of the last six and lead Cleveland by 6 ½  games at the top of the AL Central, New York will play without six pitchers and position players Luis Guillorme and Starling Marte.

MatchPlug has the MLB Expert Picks, predictions, and odds for Twins VS Mets. We are a Sure Prediction Site to get accurate MLB match analysis.

Predictions and Betting Preview for Minnesota Twins VS New York Mets MLB Regular Season

  • Venue: Target Field, Minneapolis, Minnesota.
  • When: Saturday, September 9th, 2023
  • Time: 19:10 GMT.
  • Teams to play: Twins and Mets.
  • MLB Expert Picks: MONEYLINE 1.701

Odds by 1XBet and BetMGM.

Betting On The Minnesota Twins

  • 1XBet Spread: -1.5
  • 1XBet Moneyline: 1.701
  • 1XBet Over/Under: Over 8.5
  • BetMGM Spread: -1.5
  • BetMGM Moneyline: 1.67
  • BetMGM Over/Under: Under 9

Minnesota Twins have had several injuries to their position players, but the pitching staff is steadfast in keeping the team first in the American League Central. Minnesota has the most Quality Starts in baseball with 69. They are the fourth-best in WHIP, batting average allowed and has the seventh-best team ERA at 3.95. Kenta Maeda will be on the mound tonight. Maeda is 3-7 with an ERA of 4.73 and 9 strikeouts.

At the plate, the Twins are 21st in team batting average with .242. They improve to 11th an 17th in slugging percentage and on base percentage respectively. They are 14th in runs scored with an average of 4.65 per game. Max Kepler and Joey Gallo share 21 home runs to lead Minnesota, Michael A. Taylor hit 20 but is out on injury. Carlos Correa leads in RBI with 62 and Kepler is second is 52.

Betting On The New York Mets

  • 1XBet Spread: +1.5
  • 1XBet Moneyline: 2.34
  • 1XBet Over/Under: Under 8.5
  • BetMGM Spread: +1.5
  • BetMGM Moneyline: 2.25
  • BetMGM Over/Under: Over 9

The New York Mets struggle at the plate the whole season. They have scored the 20th most runs with an average of 4.39 runs per game. Mets batting average is 24th in a 30-team league and its on-base percentage and slugging percentage are both 18th. Pete Alonso has 15 doubles, two triples and team bests in home runs with 42 and RBI with 102. Lindor leads the Mets in doubles with 30, has two triples, and is second-best in home runs with 26 and RBI with 83.

New York’s pitching staff needs improvement as the Mets are just 18th in team ERA with 4.43. They are 18th in batting average permitted and 21st in WHIP. The starting rotation has 48 Quality Starts which is 14th in baseball. Kodai Senga leads in wins with 10 and strikeouts with 1.76. David Peterson will pitch tonight. He is 3-7 with an ERS of 5.40 and 95 strikeouts.

MatchPlug Prediction

The Mets won four of the last six and head-to-head against the Twins. They are 10-1 in the last 11. They have also won five straight on the road against the Twins. David Peterson has been inconsistent on the mound for the New York. In the last four outings, Peterson alternated between strong and weak starts permitting four runs in each of two starts and one run in each of the other two starts.

However, he has pitched better than Minnesota starter Meada. New York has gone 3-3 over Peterson’s last six starts. While Maeda has struggled over the last four outhings allowing 15 runs in just 18 innings and the Twins lost three of those four starts.

Prediction: Minnesota Twins Moneyline.

Related Preview:

MLB EXPERT PICKS: New York Yankees VS Milwaukee Brewers betting Predictions.

yankees vs brewers betting predictions

MLB EXPERT PICKS: New York Yankees VS Milwaukee Brewers betting Predictions

New York Yankees VS Milwaukee Brewers, see both teams hope to close out the strong season down the stretch. 

Milwaukee has a 77-62 record and have the best record in the National League Central Division with a 28-20 record since the All-Star Break. New York has a 70-70 record but with eight wins in their previous 10 games, they have an outside chance of reaching postseason if they can finish the year strong. 

Wade Miley will be the Brewers starting pitcher for tonight’s match, Miley has permitted 9 runs in his last three starts. The Yankees will choose Michael King who has allowed only one run in his last three outings.

Find the MLB best bets today, picks, and odds for Yankees VS Brewers on Matchplug. We are one of the Best sports betting sites to read MLB match previews on.

Predictions And Betting Preview For New York Yankees VS Milwaukee Brewers MLB Regular Season

yankees vs brewers betting predictions
  • Venue: Yankee Stadium, New York City, New York.
  • When: Saturday, September 9th, 2023
  • Time: 19:05 GMT
  • Teams to play: Yankees and Brewers.
  • MLB Expert Picks: MONEYLINE 1.69.

Odds by 1XBet and BetMGM.

Betting On The New York Yankees

  • 1XBet Spread: -1.5
  • 1XBet Moneyline: 1.69
  • 1XBet Over/Under: Over 8.5
  • BetMGM Spread: -1.5
  • BetMGM Moneyline: 1.67
  • BetMGM Over/Under: Under 9

The New York Yankees are having a tough season, but late season push places them as possible contenders for the wild card spot. Michael King has brought some relief during the season, but has improved in recent matches as a starter too, allowing just 27 runs in 78 innings pitched while tossing 91 strikeouts. With a .345 expected opponent slugging percentage, a 30.7 Hard Hit Percentage, and a 3.34 expected ERA, opponents are making a weak contact and struggle to drive in runs against King this season.

New York’s lineup has let the team down this season, scoring just 4.24 runs per game. Aaron Judge is slashing .275/.343/.472 with 25 home runs and 244 total bases but the rest of the lineup has struggled. Just two batters have an OPS+ over 100 and opposing pitchers can knock out the lineup due to this.

Betting On The Milwaukee Brewers

  • 1XBet Spread: +1.5
  • 1XBet Moneyline: 2.36
  • 1XBet Over/Under: Under 8.5
  • BetMGM Spread: +1.5
  • BetMGM Moneyline: 2.25
  • BetMGM Over/Under: Over 9

The Milwaukee Brewers are having a blast this season and hope to close the division in the upcoming weeks. Wade Miley showed flashes this season but is having a challenging year on the mound, permitting 38 runs in 100 innings pitched. Furthermore, with a .262 expected opponent Batting Average, a 15.8 Strikeout Percentage, and a 4.66 expected ERA, opponents make contact and piecing together strong appearances on the plate to drive in runs easily.

Milwaukee’s lineup hopes to improve in coming weeks as they score only 4.40 runs per match. William Conteras is slashing .279/.357/.457 with 15 home runs and 206 total bases while Christian Yelch slashes .274/.363 with 17 home runs and 226 total bases. The rest of the lineup struggles. Just two batters have an OPS+ over 100 and opposing pitchers can limit the top-heavy lineup due to this.

MatchPlug Prediction

Milwaukee Brewers may be having a great season, but the Yankees have turned a corner in recent matches and intend to control the game from the first inning. New York should drive in rusn at will against Wade Miley. 

With Aaron Judge, Gleyber Torres, and the rest of the lineup making hard contact and powering the ball to constantly circle the bases. New York should limit the Brewers lineup with King pitching strong innings to permit the bullpen to close out the game with a lead. The Yankees should win tonight’s match with a powerful performance at home.

Prediction: New York Yankees Moneyline.

Related Preview:

MLB EXPERT PICKS: Minnesota Twins VS New York Mets betting Predictions.

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