oklahoma city thunder vs cleveland cavaliers

NBA PREDICTIONS: Oklahoma City Thunder VS Cleveland Cavaliers Expert Picks

The two best clubs in the NBA will meet for the last time in Thunder VS Cavaliers. Read on to see our analysis of this game between Oklahoma City Thunder and Cleveland Cavaliers.  Keep reading for NBA Betting predictions, picks and odds for the Thunder VS Cavaliers, brought to you by MatchPlug. Follow us for full coverage of this game. Predictions and Betting Preview for Oklahoma City Thunder VS Cleveland Cavaliers  Odds by 1XBet. Betting On The Oklahoma City Thunder Oklahoma City Thunder is 33-6 overall this campaign. They are first position in the Western Conference and have a 6.5 game lead over the Houston Rockets. Oklahoma is one game behind Cleveland for the top record in American Basketball. They have won three straight matches since they lost to Cleveland.  In their last match, Oklahoma beat Philadelphia 118-102 on the road on Tuesday. They opened up the match with a 32-11 lead in the first half which gave them an easy victory. The 76ers never took the lead going wire-to-wire. The Thunder shot 55.6% from the field and 33.3% from behind the 3-point line in the loss. They forced 22 turnovers which led to 29 points.  Betting On The Cleveland Cavaliers The Cleveland Cavaliers are 34-5 overall this term. They are first in the Eastern Conference. The Cavaliers are 6 matches ahead of the Boston Celtics for the top position. They also have the top record in American Basketball. Cleveland is one game ahead of Oklahoma for first position. Their 12-game winning streak ended against the Indiana Pacers two matches ago.  The Cavaliers bounced back with a victory in their last outing. They defeated the Pacers in the second match of their back-to-back by a 127-117 score in Indianapolis on Tuesday. Cleveland mainted a 1-point lead at halftime and never conceded the lead in the second half. They shot 48.3% from the field and 34.1% from behind the 3-point line. Cleveland out rebounded the Pacers 49-37 which was important.  MatchPlug Prediction For Oklahoma City Thunder VS Cleveland Cavaliers Fans can expect a close match, but Cleveland knows how to play road matches. The Cavaliers are 3-0 against the spread when they have emerged underdogs. Take them to cover the spread in this match against the Oklahoma City Thunder.  Final Prediction: Cleveland Cavaliers +2.5.

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sacramento kings vs houston rockets

NBA PREDICTIONS: Sacramento Kings VS Houston Rockets Expert Picks

The 2024-25 NBA season continues with a Western Conference contest between the Sacramento Kings and Houston Rockets on Friday. Kings VS Rockets will be held at Golden 1 Center Sacramento, CA.  Use MatchPlug’s to find the NBA Predictions Tonight for the Kings VS Rockets. Predictions and Betting Preview For Sacramento Kings VS Houston Rockets  Odds by 1XBet. Betting On The Sacramento Kings The Sacramento Kings have performed well under acting head coach Doug Christie, going 7-2 SU and 5-3-1 ATS. Last Tuesday, the Kings ended their seven-game winning streak, taking a 130-115 road loss against the Milwaukee Bucks.  Sacramento is now 8th in the NBA in adjusted offensive efficiency (115.7 points per 100 possessions) and 14th in adjusted defensive efficiency (113.5). They are second in the NBA in defensive rebound percentage (77.7%).  Betting On The Houston Rockets  The Houston Rockets are unbeaten in four successive meetings, leaving Monday’s 120-118 home win over the Memphis Grizzlies. They have been crushing the boards so far, leading the NBA in offensive rebound percentage (31.0%).  Houston depends on their defense, permitting 107.9 points per 100 possessions (3rd in the NBA). They scored 113.8 points in return (11th) on 51.6% shooting from inside the arc (28th) and 33.4% from downtown (also 28th).  MatchPlug Prediction On Sacramento Kings VS Houston Rockets  The Rockets are not great at shooting, and the Kings have enough weapons to destroy their solid defense. Sacramento makes 55.6% of its 2-pointers (8th in the NBA).  Final Prediction: Sacramento Kings Spread. 

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columbus blue jackets vs san jose sharks

NHL Predictions Today: Columbus Blue Jackets VS San Jose Sharks Expert Picks

The San Jose Sharks will visit Columbus Ohio to face the Columbus Blue Jackets on Friday. Watch Jackets VS Sharks.  MatchPlug has the NHL Prediction for Blue Jackets VS Sharks. View the picks, odds, and analysis we laid out in this preview. Betting Preview for Columbus Blue Jackets VS San Jose Sharks  Odds as provided by 1XBet. Betting On The Columbus Blue Jackets The Columbus Blue Jackets have won five straight matches, which is their longest winning streak since 2019/20. They maintained their latest streak on Tuesday night in a 3-2 score over the Philadelphia Flyers at home. Zach Werenski led the regulation, scoring twice including the game-tying goal with less than five minutes left in the match. Columbus is 8-2 in their last ten matches. They are fifth in the league in goals per game this term. The Blue Jackets are 7th in shot per game and 7th in shooting percentage. On the power play, they are 9th in the NHL. Defensively, Columbus is 31st in the NHL in goals allowed. 11th in shots allowed per game and 31st in save percentage. The Blue Jackets are 15th in penalty minutes per game and 27th on the penalty-kill.  Betting On The San Jose Sharks  The San Jose Sharks enter this match after a 6-3 victory over the Detroit Red Wings in Detroit on Tuesday. William Eklund delivered a goal and two assists to lead the Sharks’ attack. While Nico Sturm tallied a short-handed goal and Jan Rutta, Mikael Granlund, Tyler Toffoli, and Mario Ferraro scored as well.  San Jose are 3-7 in their last 10 matches despite winning on Tuesday night. They are 28th in the NHL in goals per game. The Sharks are 18th in shots per game and 26th in shooting percentage. They rank 23rd in power-play percentage. Defensively, San Jose is 28th in the league in goals allowed per game. They are first in the NHL in fewest shots allowed per game. 17th in save percentage. The Sharks are 18th in the NHL in penalty-kill percentage and 15th in penalty minutes. MatchPlug Prediction For Columbus Blue Jackets VS San Jose Sharks  Although the Blue Jackets struggle defensively, they have permitted only five goals in their last three matches. They should hold off the Sharks considering San Jose ranking 28th in goals per game.  Final Prediction: Columbus Blue Jackets Spread. 

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scaroni: instant conceicao success no surprise

Scaroni: ‘Instant Conceicao success no surprise’

AC Milan president Paolo Scaroni says he has always been confident about Sergio Conceicao bringing his club success. Conceicao just came back from Saudi Arabia after leading Milan to a win in the Supercoppa Italiana tournament.  Scaroni said: “Did I expect it? I have to say that I expected it a little because he has that character, but it seems to me that everything is going in a good direction. Let’s hope it continues. “We have many (goals). We want to stay in the Champions League of course and also in the league we must do better for sure, there is no doubt. “I have always said that being in the Champions League next year is fundamental.”

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mendes accepts interest from manchester united

PSG wing-back Mendes accepts interest form Manchester United

PSG wing-back Nuno Mendes has accepted interest from Manchester United. Per reports by the Manchester Evening News, Mendes is open to joining the Red Devils.  The Portuguese player worked with Ruben Amorim at Sporting CP and would not mind a reunion with the Manchester manager.  However, the salary offer United made is smaller than what Mendes expected.  PSG is insisting that Mendes will not leave this month for less than €60m.

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nottingham forest make contact with vitao

Nottingham Forest make contact with Vitao

Nottingham Forest are beginning to make transfer moves, with their sights set on Vitao from Internancional.  Most people believed that Nottingham would fall behind after a good start to the season, but they are yet to show any signs of a surrender.  Nuno Espirito Santo have played a vital role in keeping the club afloat since preseason, with things changing drastically for them. Nottingham owner Evangelos Marinakis thinks Nikola Milenkovic is a huge part of that success.  Forest’s defensive record has improved, as they have conceded only 19 goals so far, which is on the same level with league leaders Liverpool.  It appears Nottingham wish to strengthen their centre-back position, hence the decision to sign Vitao.

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Cowboys discuss new deal with McCarthy

Dallas Cowboys to begin discussion with Mike McCarthy on new deal

The Dallas Cowboys and Mike McMarthy are getting ready to begin talks of a new contract. Dallas owner Jerry Jones and McCarthy are open to continuing their partnership. Both sides are expected to start talks today on a new deal to keep him with the Cowboys.  These discussions are happening after several days of talking about the 2024 season and future.  McCarthy’s contract will expire on Tuesday, giving the Cowboys a sole negotiation window before he becomes a free agent.  Almost all of the team’s assistant coaches will have their contracts expire this week. This makes the talk between Jones and McCarthy an urgent one.  During Dallas’ five-game skid in the middle of the year, which featured shameful defeats to the Lions, Eagles, and the Texans, it seemed certain that the Cowboys would drop McCarthy after the season. However, the team powered through to win four of their last seven matches.  Even Jones spoke well of McCarthy’s work and how his staff navigated their challenges. He also spoke about the team losing Dak Prescott.  Several players supported McCarthy to return during and after the season, including Prescott and Micah Parsons.  The Cowboys’ 7-10 record in 2024 followed three straight 12-5 finishes from 2021-23, making it the second season they missed playoffs under McCarthy.  Entering this year, the big question for the team is whether McCarthy could lead them past their constant playoff failures. The early-season slump and third-place finish in the NFC East ensured that question would not be answered this year. Jones and Mike discussing will decide whether the coach will get another chance to take away those struggles.  If those negotiations fall through and McCarthy becomes a free agent, he would get interest from several clubs who are hiring. The Chicago Bears already asked to interview him, a request the Cowboys refused. 

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rams vs vikings

NFL PREDICTIONS: Los Angeles Rams VS Minnesota Vikings betting Tips

The Los Angeles Rams and Minnesota Vikings will play the last game of Wild Card weekend tonight. Rams VS Vikings will be held at State Farm Stadium.  Find the NFL Betting tips, picks, odds, and analysis for Watch Rams VS Vikings on MatchPlug. We have the previews for similar matches in this league. Predictions And Betting Preview For Los Angeles Rams VS Minnesota Vikings Odds provided by 1XBet. Betting On The Los Angeles Rams  The Los Angeles Rams came into December as a 5-6 SU football team, but a five-game winning streak put them on track for their second AFC West title in the last four years. The last time they won the division, they went ahead to win the Super Bowl that season.  This will be the second time in a row the Rams appeared in a postseason contest and their sixth appearance since the 2017 season. After already winning the division crown, Los Angeles gave their starters a break in a 30-25 regular season finale defeat against the Seattle Seahawks.  Betting On The Minnesota Vikings The Minnesota Vikings scored 14 regular season victories this year, their highest since going 15-1 in 1998. They began the season strong, winning five straight before a brief, two-game slip up. Then the Vikings soldered on to the end, winning nine consecutive matches before the Detroit Lions ended that run in the regular season finale to send them to the gift seed in the NFC.   Minnesota enters the postseason with an offensive average of 25.4 points per game, the 9th best mark in the NFL this year. The 9 points scored in the season finale was the Vikings lowest output of the season and they averaged 27 points over their last five regular season contests.  MatchPlug Prediction For Los Angeles Rams VS Minnesota Vikings  With a lot of attention on the defensive tackles for the Rams, the amateur defensive unit could be facing a big day. With what is happening in Los Angeles, emotions are high for the team, and they will draw from that to win this match against the Vikings.  Final Prediction: Minnesota Vikings. 

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crosby delivers goal two assists for penguins for victory over oilers

Crosby delivers goal, two assists for Penguins in victory over Oilers

Sidney Crosby had one goal and two assists, beating Joe Sakic for ninth all-time in points in a 5-3 victory for the Pittsburgh Penguins over the Edmonton Oilers. It happened at PPG Paints Arena on Thursday.  Crosby recorded 1,643 points (604 goals, 1039 assists), ahead of Sakic (1,641) and behind Mario Lemieux (1,723) in eighth. “They’re one of the most dangerous teams in the League,” Crosby said. “It doesn’t take much. They can make a lot out of nothing. So, it was a good challenge, a good test for us.” Bryan Rust followed Crosby’s lead to deliver a goal and two assists, Drew O’Connor scored a goal and an assist, while Marcus Pettersson had two assists for Pittsburgh (18-17-8). Before then, the Penguins had lost four in a row and three straight in overtime or a shootout. Alex Nedeljkovic made 40 saves.  Leon Draisaitl scored twice, while Connor McDavid got three assists for Edmonton (25-13-3), who had won their last four. Stuart Skinner recorded 21 saves. The Oilers outscored the Penguins 37-9 in seven straight victories since a 5-2 loss on December 20, 2019.  “I don’t think the tipping point was tonight, going into the game, that they were ready to play and they were fired up,” Edmonton coach Kris Knoblauch said. “It happens throughout the year. You have a good game, the next one’s not. I think for 40 minutes, we have a heck of a game. The first 20 minutes, we were not ready for it and they outplayed us.” Rickard Rakell gave Pittsburgh a 1-0 lead at 3:19 with his club-leading 21st goal of the term, a wrist shot in the crease after Rust tipped a point shot from Pettersson.  Rust made the score 2-0 at 7.22, stealing a pass from Pettersson in the left face-off circle for a snapshot ahead of a screen for Rakell. He snapped a six-game goalless run with his 16th this year.  Kevin Hayes then drew out the lead to 3-0 at 9:46 on a one-timer in the slot off a pass from O’Connor behind the net. “It feels good when we do that, that’s for sure,” Rust said. “I think for us, that was our goal, to be on our toes, be all over them, be on top of them, because they’re very fast, a skilled team.” Draisaitl levelled it to 3-1 at 12:33 with a backhand on a free puck two seconds after Nedeljkovic made a save on Zach Hyman’s breakaway. O’Connor scored for Pittsburgh on a wrist shot from the left circle, pushing it to 4-1 at 13:41. “Obviously, not the start we wanted,” Oilers defenseman Mattias Ekholm said. “At that time, it’s just a matter of looking forward. Can’t really do much about the past. So, I thought we came out better in the second. Took some ground on them. But at the end of the night, we can’t dig ourselves that big of a hole.” Crosby made the score 5-1 on a power play at 5:42 of the second period, a snap shot from below the right circle off a slap pass from Michael Bunting. “I’m running out of superlatives,” Penguins coach Mike Sullivan said of Crosby. “What he’s accomplishing, first of all, his body of work in the League, his legacy that has been built to this point, speaks for itself. He’s the consummate pro. He just represents our sport, the League, the Pittsburgh Penguins in such a great way. “He just carries himself with so much grace and humility and integrity. And he’s a fierce competitor on the ice.” Draisaitl pulled the Oilers to within 5-2 at 10:58 with a one-timer set up by McDavid, his NHL-leading 31st goal. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins scored again for Edmonton on a wrist shot from the slot, cutting it to 5-3 on power play at 19:15. “We expect a lot better out of ourselves to start games, for sure,” Oilers defenseman Brett Kulak said. “We pride ourselves on that. We just came back in, addressed it. We knew we didn’t like it.”

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newcastle chief nickson checking on trafford

Newcastle chief Nickson checking on Burnley keeper Trafford

Newcastle United have sent out head of recruitment Steve Nickson to scout for them.  The Magpies are circling Burnley goalkeeper James Trafford. Trafford, who used to play for Manchester City had some challenges adapting to Burnley last season.  But, he has been exceptional in the Championship, and could transfer in the summer. According to The Mail, Newcastle will wait until the end of the term to make their move.  With Martin Dubravaka likely to leave the club then, Trafford could be his replacement. 

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