preview Page 95 - Sports News, Headlines & Highlights

Mavericks trying to pull out of funk as Raptors visit
The Dallas Mavericks will set out to snap an untimely three-game losing streak when they play host to the Toronto Raptors on Friday.,The Mavericks' recent skid has caused them to fall into the 10th and final play-in spot in the Western Conference, and a turnaround doesn't seem likely based on recent...

With stars back, Wild face Flames on verge of clinching playoffs
The Minnesota Wild have an opportunity to clinch a spot in the Stanley Cup playoffs when they visit the Calgary Flames on Friday.,The Wild (43-29-7, 93 points) hit the road with a renewed sense of confidence after a roller-coaster 8-7 overtime victory over the San Jose Sharks on Wednesday, in which ...

Slumping Suns close out home schedule against Spurs
The Phoenix Suns will look to produce a final home win in a disappointing season when they host the San Antonio Spurs on Friday in a late-season Western Conference game with nothing on the line but pride. ,Both teams have been eliminated from the postseason and are using the final two games to eithe...

Thunder look to lock up league's best record against Jazz
A lot of the talk surrounding the Utah Jazz this season has been about their rebuilding process, tanking and acquiring one of the top picks of the 2025 NBA Draft.,Incidentally, the rookie on their team who's excelling the most right now is the one who didn't get selected in the first round. In Wedne...

After helping Sens clinch playoff bid, Canadiens hope they're next
The Ottawa Senators have already clinched their spot in this year's Stanley Cup playoffs. However, big games still remain on the regular-season schedule, including Friday's home contest against a Montreal Canadiens squad that also has a lot on the line.,Ottawa (42-30-6, 90 points) currently holds th...

Dodgers look to get back to winning ways at home vs. Cubs
After proving to be mere mortals on the road, the Los Angeles Dodgers will return to where they showed invincibility with the start of a home series against the Chicago Cubs on Friday.,The Dodgers opened the season 8-0 then went 2-4 on a just-completed road trip to Philadelphia and Washington. Their...

Battered Mariners set to take on AL West-leading Rangers
The Seattle Mariners have hit a speed bump.,Just this week, right fielder Victor Robles and second baseman Ryan Bliss have been placed on the injured list.,That means the Mariners will be without two of their top stolen base threats when they open a three-game series with the American League West-le...

After disappointing loss, Warriors set to face Trail Blazers
Playoff mode has started for the Golden State Warriors, who travel to face the Portland Trail Blazers on Friday for a regular-season game that is crucial for their postseason seeding.,"We are already in the playoffs," Warriors coach Steve Kerr said. "This is what the playoffs feel like -- a lot of p...

Reds' resurgent pitching staff gets next test from Pirates
The Cincinnati Reds look to continue their strong pitching to start the season when they host the Pittsburgh Pirates in the opener of a three-game weekend series Friday.,Entering MLB play Thursday, the Reds had MLB's fourth-best ERA at 3.15 while posting seven quality starts, holding the opposition ...

Devils aim to raise level of play, starting with game vs. Penguins
The New Jersey Devils punched their ticket to the postseason on Wednesday, one day after their coach declared that his team was not ready to play in its most recent game.,The Devils (41-30-7, 89 points) look to atone for their lackluster performance when they host the Pittsburgh Penguins on Friday i...

Bears 2025 draft needs, picks, best fits and history
For the first time in three years, the Bears enter the draft somewhere other than the top. ,And somehow, starting over in Chicago has never been quite this exciting. ,Anticipation for a pairing of 2024 No. 1 pick Caleb Williams with new head coach Ben Johnson has the Bears expecting a jump out of th...

Pushing to improve play-in status, Bulls welcome Wizards
Making a late-season surge in pursuit of a playoff spot, the Chicago Bulls face the last-place Washington Wizards in their regular-season home finale on Friday.,Chicago (37-43) has won four of its last five, with a 7-3 mark over the last 10, following Wednesday's 119-111 victory over the Miami Heat....

Celtics set for final playoff prep with a pair vs. Hornets
A pair of teams with not much at stake will meet Friday when the Charlotte Hornets visit the Boston Celtics.,Boston (59-21) is locked in as the No. 2 seed for the Eastern Conference playoffs and rested its top six players throughout Wednesday's 96-76 loss at Orlando. A victory would have given the C...

Nationals on upswing ahead of visit to Marlins
On a run of four victories in five games, the Washington Nationals are set to visit the Miami Marlins on Friday night to start a weekend series.,Washington has won two straight series, taking two of three each from the Arizona Diamondbacks and the World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers.,It has be...

Yankees have cooled off while Giants are heating up
While the New York Yankees hit 22 homers on their first homestand, then experienced mixed results on their first road trip, the San Francisco Giants continued one of their better starts in recent seasons.,The Yankees attempt to produce more powerful swings Friday night when they host the San Francis...

Playoff positioning stakes remain sky-high as Grizzlies host Timberwolves
If the Memphis Grizzlies want to avoid falling into the NBA's postseason play-in tournament -- for those teams finishing seventh through 10th in the Western Conference -- the instructions are clear cut.,Close the season with three consecutive wins.,The Grizzlies (47-32) play visiting Minnesota (46-3...

Panthers hoping for better health, while Red Wings desperate for wins
With the playoffs on the horizon later this month, the Florida Panthers appear to finally be back on track.,Florida (45-29-4, 94 points) will host the Detroit Red Wings on Thursday night in Sunrise.,The Panthers, who won their first Stanley Cup title last year, already have clinched a playoff berth ...

Stars look for redemption as well as gaining on Central leader Jets
Thursday night's game between the Dallas Stars and visiting Winnipeg Jets is about more than just first place in the Central Division.,The Stars are seeking redemption after a historic loss to the Vancouver Canucks on Tuesday. Dallas allowed three goals in the final minute, before losing 6-5 in over...

Surging, energized Bucks host floundering Pelicans
The Milwaukee Bucks are playing some of their basketball of the season as the start of the postseason looms.,The Bucks have won five games in a row as they host the New Orleans Pelicans on Thursday night. It matches their longest win streak since a season-best seven-game streak from mid-November unt...

Jazz, Blazers search for positives as they wind down seasons
With only pride and draft lottery positioning on the line, the Utah Jazz will host the Portland Trail Blazers on Wednesday night in Salt Lake City.,Both teams come into the contest having already been eliminated from postseason play. The Jazz (16-63) were out of the running months ago, but the Blaze...