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Odds, Line, Score Prediction, Time: 2024 NBA Picks, Nov. 8 Predictions from a Proven Model

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Odds, Line, Score Prediction, Time: 2024 NBA Picks, Nov. 8 Predictions from a Proven Model

The New Orleans Pelicans will visit the Orlando Magic in an interconference battle on Friday’s NBA schedule. Both teams are 3-6; Orlando is 2-0 at home, while New Orleans is 1-3 on the road. The Magic have defeated the Pelicans in five consecutive games. Both teams are 2-7 against the spread in the 2024-25 NBA season.

Kickoff is at 7 pm ET at the Kia Center in Orlando, Florida. The latest Magic vs. Pelicans have Orlando favored by 6 points, according to SportsLine consensus. The over/under is 212.5 points. Before entering any Pelicans vs. Magic, you want See the model’s NBA predictions at SportsLine.

The SportsLine Projection Model simulates every NBA game 10,000 times and has generated over $10,000 in winnings from $100 player bets on its top-rated site. NBA selections for the last six seasons. The model enters Week 3 of the 2024-25 NBA season on an excellent 101-64 run on all top-rated NBA picks dating back to last season, returning more than $3,000. Anyone who follows sports betting and betting apps has made huge profits.

The model has set her sights on New Orleans vs. Orlando. Can head to SportsLine to see their picks. Here are several NBA Betting Lines for Pelicans vs. Magic:

  • Distribution of Magic vs. Pelicans: Magic -6
  • Magic vs Pelicans over/under: 212.5 points
  • Magic vs. Money Line Pelicans: Magic: -238, Pelicans: +192
  • Magic Vs. Picks Pelicans: See selections on SportsLine
  • Magic vs Pelicans Stream: fubo tv (Try it for free)

Why the Pelicans can cover

New Orleans is coming off a loss on Wednesday to the Cleveland Cavaliers, 131-122, despite a complete game from José Alvarado, who hit all seven of his shots from beyond the arc en route to 27 points, five assists and three steals. Meanwhile, Zion Williamson led New Orleans with 29 points after missing the previous two games. While Williamson (hamstring) is listed as questionable for Friday, he is expected to play after being off Thursday, while Trey Murphy III (hamstring) has a chance to make his season debut tonight, although he is listed as doubtful.

Brandon Ingram leads the Pelicans with 24.1 points and also has 6.1 rebounds and 4.6 assists. He’s one of seven Pelicans to reach double figures, and New Orleans can take solace in knowing it has an NBA-best 15-7-1 record against the spread as a road underdog since the start of the season. passed, which is the best record in the league. Orlando, meanwhile, has lost seven straight games against the spread, losing five straight outright. See which team to choose here.

Why Magic can cover

Meanwhile, Orlando is coming off a 118-111 blow to the loss column at the hands of the Indiana Pacers on Wednesday. However, the team showed its depth, as six players scored at least 10 points, led by 28 points from Franz Wagner. As a team, Orlando ranks fifth in the NBA in defensive rating, which should be amplified against a Pelicans team that is second-worst in offensive rating.

While Orlando is without leading scorer Paolo Banchero (oblique), as well as starting center Wendell Carter Jr. (foot), New Orleans is even more decimated by injuries. Dejounte Murray (hand), CJ McCollum (adductor), Herbert Jones (shoulder) and Jordan Hawkins (back) are out for the Pelicans and combine to average more than 55 points per game. Additionally, Orlando is nearly unmatched when it comes to spread success recently, as its 57-41 record against the spread since the start of last season is second-best in the NBA. See which team to choose here.

How to Make Magic Vs. Picks Pelicans

The model has simulated Pelicans vs. Magic 10,000 times and the results are available. We can tell you that the model is leaning downward and also generated a point spread pick that is right almost 70% of the time. You can only see the pick on SportsLine.

So who wins Magic vs. Pelicans and which side of the spread wins in almost 70% of simulations? Visit SportsLine now to see which side of the Pelicans vs. Magic must jump, all from the model that has a 101-64 streak on the NBA’s top-rated picks.and find out.

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Premier League: Wolves and Southampton face tough relegation battle

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Premier League: Wolves and Southampton face tough relegation battle

Wolves boss Gary O’Neil has dismissed any fears over his job ahead of their crucial match against relegation rivals Southampton.

The bottom two of the Premier League meet on Saturday when the Saints visit Molineux with the focus on both managers.

With just one win between them in 20 top-flight games this season, last-place Wolves have three points, with the Saints one point above them.

Wolves remain winless, and only five of the 18 teams previously winless after 10 Premier League games have survived.

Southampton come in off the back of their first win of the season, a 1-0 win over Everton, while there has been a slight shift in momentum at Wolves following draws with Brighton and Crystal Palace.

But the hosts are still searching for an elusive league victory (Ipswich are the only other winless team) and have won just once in their last 20 games, dating back to last March, although O’Neil has said that looking back at last season is “irrelevant.”

Their last clean sheet in the top flight was 23 games ago in February, and they have conceded a league-high 27 goals, but there is still a sense of perspective at the club given what O’Neil has faced.

The Wolves have played seven of the top eight in their first 10 games and have lost defender Yerson Mosquera to a season-ending knee injury, leaving them short after failing to replace Max Kilman in the summer.

Parting ways with O’Neil, popular within the club, would be a reluctant decision, but with November’s matches being against Crystal Palace, Southampton, Fulham and Bournemouth, Wolves need wins if they are to keep their place.

“My job and my future are the least of my worries,” the 41-year-old said Friday.

“I am not asking the club for any backing or support, I am very comfortable in this seat or on the side of the field in any situation that arises.

“I feel very comfortable with myself and with the work done here. In difficult situations you learn a lot about people. When there were negative noises [against Palace]I felt very comfortable and supported my own decisions.

“The harder it gets, the more ready I am to do it. Tomorrow is an incredible opportunity.” [Saturday] to show what you stand for and who you are when things go wrong.

That first victory could come against Martin’s Southampton, in a match in which there could be goals.

Excluding penalties, both the Wolves and the Saints are the two worst teams in the league at defending set pieces. The Wolves, who fired set-piece coach Jack Wilson in October, have conceded nine while Saturday’s visitors have conceded seven.

The hosts have been patient despite their position in the table and the Saints are similar, recognizing that they are not far from a breakthrough.

There has been a feeling at St Mary’s that they have been competitive, despite costly mistakes, and Martin is still on the verge of achieving his pre-season survival goal. After returning to the Premier League in May, there are still prospects at the club.

The Saints are three points from safety, and a second successive win could put them within striking distance of escaping the relegation zone, depending on Crystal Palace’s result at home to Fulham.

Martin said: “When you don’t win, it affects your mood and energy. There is no one in this room or outside of this room who wants to win more than me or the players. That’s impossible. I feel a great belief in what I do.” we do as a team.

“Whatever the outcome, I really believe that if the guys stick to the job with the intensity they played with last week, we’ll come out of this in a really good place.

“If we don’t, we’ll figure it out and keep working. In terms of that, a positive performance, a positive result, everyone can come to this last moment.”[international] rest feeling a little better about themselves.

football

Bold NFL Week 10 Predictions: Panthers and Bryce Young win on the road; Drake Maye surpasses Caleb Williams

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Bold NFL Week 10 Predictions: Panthers and Bryce Young win on the road; Drake Maye surpasses Caleb Williams

Action in the NFL It’s never been closer through the first nine weeks of a season. Seventy-five games have been determined by seven points or fewer in 2024, the most in the first nine weeks of a season in NFL history, according to CBS Sports Research.

With such tight margins, anyone could win in any given week and anything could happen in any given week. So what surprising sequence of events will occur in Week 10? Let’s take a closer look at the latest batch of our bold CBS Sports NFL predictions.

Panthers win first game with Bryce Young as starting quarterback outside Bank of America Stadium

Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young, first overall pick in 2023 NFL DraftHe has never won a game outside of Bank of America Stadium in his NFL career, as he is 0-10 in his career away from home. In those 10 games, he has a 54.3% completion percentage, an average of 5.1 passing yards per attempt, and a 7-to-10 touchdown-to-interception ratio.

Although Week 10 against the New York Giants, also 2-7, is technically a home game for the Panthers, it will take place in Munich, Germany, at Bayern Munich’s Allianz Arena. Young and the Panthers will surprise the Giants with Young’s first victory outside of Bank of America Stadium.

The Giants are currently on a four-game losing streak and are the only NFL team that hasn’t held a lead in the last month, dating back to Week 6. Their four consecutive games without a lead ties the longest drought since 2000 along with with Weeks 5-8 in 2019, which was Daniel Jones’ rookie year. In fact, New York has lost 12 of Jones’ last 15 starts. The only thing Carolina has to stop New York from doing is going after Young with the best pass rush in the NFL. They lead the league with 35 sacks as a team, and defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence’s nine sacks are the second-most in the entire NFL. However, Carolina, after her offseason spending spree, is ready to meet the challenge. The Panthers are allowing the fifth-lowest quarterback pressure rate (29.9%) in the NFL and have allowed just 17 sacks, tied for the eighth-fewest in the league. I bet Carolina and Young will hold on and escape with the victory.

The New England Patriots (2-7) have lost four straight road games and the Chicago Bears (4-4) have won their first three home games this season.

However, New England will snap its road losing streak thanks to 2024 third overall pick quarterback Drake Maye out-dueling 2024 first overall pick quarterback Caleb Williams. Maye, with six touchdown passes and 209 rushing yards in five career games, is the first rookie since the 1970 AFL/NFL merger with five or more touchdown passes and 200 or more rushing yards in his first five games. Last week, Williams completed just 22 of his 41 passes (53.7%) for 217 yards and was sacked six times in a 29-9 loss to the Arizona Cardinals in Week 9. Chicago’s third-down conversion rate 19.2% in the last two weeks is the worst in the NFL, and they have had five scoreless quarters in the last two weeks.

The Patriots aren’t the best team, but Maye’s magic outweighs Williams’ magic as the Bears are trying to find themselves while Maye gets carried away.

Bet on Drake Maye and Caleb Williams accessories at FanDuel Sports Betting. See the latest FanDuel Promotion to enter the game.

Patrick Mahomes and Chiefs offense get 30+ points from Broncos’ No. 3 scoring defense

One could look at this bold prediction and disagree with his entry in this column. Let’s discuss why it’s bold and why it will come to fruition.

First, the Kansas City Chiefs side. Yes, the back to back Super Bowl The champions are 8-0 and are the NFL’s last undefeated team in 2024, but they aren’t winning by any style points. They have the lowest point differential (+56) for an 8-0 team in NFL history, according to CBS Sports Research. Patrick Mahomes has played mediocre football this season: He has thrown 11 touchdowns to nine interceptions, a touchdown-to-interception rate that ranks 28th among 35 qualified quarterbacks, and he ranks 18th in passer rating (90.1). . Both marks would be career lows in seasons in which he has multiple starts.

The last time these two teams met in Week 8 last season, the Denver Broncos handed Mahomes the third biggest loss of his career with a 24-9 loss. His 11 career interceptions and 21 sacks against the Broncos are the most against any opponent in his career. Mahomes’ last four games against Denver have not been productive: he has seven touchdown passes and seven interceptions in addition to being sacked 11 times.

That’s on top of the Broncos having the third-ranked scoring defense in the NFL, allowing just 17.9 points per game this season. Denver’s 31 sacks are tied for second in the NFL, they rank third in quarterback pressure rate (40.2%) and lead the league in blitz rate at 42.6%. Mahomes, a three-time Super Bowl MVP and considered the best player in the NFL today, doesn’t see the blitz very often: He’s been blitzed on 20% of his dropbacks this season, the second-lowest figure in the season. league.

After Denver exhausted itself to stop the Baltimore Ravens’ running game in Week 9, they were attacked in the air as Lamar Jackson completed 16 of his 19 passes for 280 yards and three touchdowns. Mahomes and head coach Andy Reid will successfully identify the weak link and exploit it to score at least 30 points for the second time this season.

No quarterback and wide receiver combination has been more in sync this season than the Detroit Lions’ dynamic duo of Jared Goff and Amon-Ra St. Brown. St. Brown has caught his last 30 targets from Goff, which is the longest streak in a single season by a quarterback, wide receiver and tight end duo since at least 1991, according to NFL Pro Insights. He also caught a touchdown in six consecutive games, tying the longest single-season streak in Lions history, according to CBS Sports Research.

Goff eventually throws an incomplete pass when targeting St. Brown, and the duo fails to connect in the end zone for a touchdown in Week 10 against the Houston Texans. Here are a couple of reasons. No. 1 is Texans cornerback Derek Stingley, whose 52.1 passer rating allowed in man coverage this season is the fifth-lowest among NFL cornerbacks this season, with a minimum of 10 targets in man coverage. Another is the pressure on Houston’s quarterbacks. They’ve generated pressure at the second-highest rate in the NFL (42%), according to NFL Pro Insights, and Goff will get rid of the ball quickly when pressured, throwing it 0.41 seconds after the initial pressure on average, which is second . fastest in the league, according to NFL Pro Insights. The combination of Stingley and the Texans, Will Anderson Jr. and Danielle Hunter, will stop Goff and St. Brown in a way they haven’t seen since their six-game winning streak began in Week 3.

Chargers WR Quentin Johnston enters his second straight game with 100+ yards receiving against the Titans’ No. 1 pass defense.

Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Quentin Johnston, the 21st overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, was heavily criticized for a disappointing rookie year, but he’s starting to turn things around in Year 2. He departed for the first game of his career with more than 100 receptions. yards in Week 9 at the Cleveland Browns, racking up 118 receiving yards and a touchdown while catching four of his five targets. That included a 66-yard scoring drive in which he sneaked behind the entire defense.

He’ll have a tough task in Week 10 against the Tennessee Titans, who are allowing the fewest passing yards per game (155.8) in the entire league, but Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert is starting to warm up. He has thrown for 286.8 passing yards per game over the last four games, and is on pace to reach career highs in passing yards per attempt (7.7) and passer rating (101.6). Herbert and Johnston continue their respective productive stretches and light up the NFL’s best pass defense.

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WI vs Eng: Nicholas Pooran, Andre Russell, Akeal Hosein, Shimron Hetmyer return

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WI vs Eng: Nicholas Pooran, Andre Russell, Akeal Hosein, Shimron Hetmyer return

The quartet missed West Indies’ previous T20I matches, in Sri Lanka last month, due to personal reasons. Hetmyer was then called up for the ODIs against England.

Otherwise, the team is practically the same as the one that lost 2-1 to Sri Lanka. Alick Athanaze, Andre Fletcher, Fabian Allen and Shamar Springer were the players who dropped out, while uncapped Terrance Hinds kept his place. Matthew Forde comes in as cover after Alzarri Joseph received a two-match ban for walking off the field in the third ODI.

Romario Shepherd was fit to be included despite having to retire midway through the deciding ODI against England after suffering cramps.

“The T20 team is our most established team, with a lot of experienced players,” said West Indies head coach Daren Sammy. “However, the difficulty will be choosing the XI as each player is fighting for a place. As we are facing a very good England team, I am sure that the selected team will continue to play a type of cricket that will allow us to win. games and this ‘Rivalry’ series.”

After the Barbados match, the teams will move to Saint Lucia, and the West Indies will need to confirm their squad for the remaining three matches.

West Indies T20I squad for first two T20Is against England

Rovman Powell (captain), Roston Chase, Matthew Forde, Shimron Hetmyer, Terrance Hinds, Shai Hope, Akeal Hosein, Shamar Joseph, Brandon King, Evin Lewis, Gudakesh Motie, Nicholas Pooran, Andre Russell, Sherfane Rutherford, Romario Shepherd

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NWSL playoff schedule, live stream, how to watch: Everything to know about the eight remaining quarterfinalists

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NWSL playoff schedule, live stream, how to watch: Everything to know about the eight remaining quarterfinalists

The largest edition of the NWSL playoffs will take place on Friday and the league will expand from six to eight teams, teasing an entertaining round of quarterfinal matches after a fascinating regular season.

The focus of the quarterfinals will be on the top four teams from the regular season, who built a 16-point gap between themselves and the rest of the league. They will be considered the favorites in their quarterfinal matches, while the rest will enter action this weekend as true underdogs. That doesn’t mean the lower seeds don’t have strengths of their own that could see them advance to the semifinals, especially in win-or-go-home games.

Before the action begins, here’s an overview of each NWSL playoff contender.

Quarterfinal schedule

All Eastern Time

Friday, November 8
Orlando Pride vs. Chicago Red Stars, 8 p.m. (prime time)

Saturday November 9
Kansas City Current vs. North Carolina Courage, 12 p.m. (CBS)

Sunday, November 10
Washington Spirit vs. Bay FC, 12:30 p.m. (ABC)
NJ/NY Gotham FC vs. Portland Thorns FC 3 pm (ABC)

1. Orlando Pride (60 points, 18-2-6)

Head coach: Seb Hines
Player to watch: Barbara Banda

One of the perennial bottom-dwellers of the NWSL, their fortunes finally reversed this season after a successful rebuild led by sporting director Haley Carter and head coach Seb Hines. They won the NWSL Shield and recorded the league’s longest unbeaten streak at 23 games, and they aim to add to their achievements in their first playoff streak. Barbra Banda will certainly be a focal point after scoring 13 goals in the regular season, although she is not the only source of her goals: Marta has nine this season, while Adriana has six. Even with their offensive exploits, the Pride also boast one of the best defenses in the league after conceding just 20 goals.

2. Spirit of Washington (56 points, 18-6-2)

Head coach: Jonathan Giraldez
Player to watch: trinidad rodman

The 2021 champions, the Washington Spirit, have barely missed a beat this season, even when they had to wait until the summer for new head coach Jonatan Giraldez to join the group. It’s another scoring team with several offensive-minded stars, but US women’s national team star Trinity Rodman stands out from the rest. He has eight goals and six assists this season and is back just in time after suffering a minor injury about a month ago.

3. New Jersey/New York Gotham FC (56 points, 17-4-5)

Head coach: Juan Carlos Amorós
Player to watch: Yazmeen Ryan

They may have been the surprise champions a year ago, but NJ/NY Gotham FC has built a real contender this year. They are the super team of the NWSL after signing four stars from the USWNT over the winter during the free agency window, but their strength is that they have many high-impact players. One of them is Yazmeen Ryan, who played her first games with the USWNT in October after another impressive season in the NWSL, scoring five goals and five assists in the regular season. Keep an eye on Gotham’s defense, too: like the Pride, they’ve only conceded 20 goals this season, with goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger standing out in her first season with the club.

4. Kansas City Stream (55 points, 16-3-7)

Head coach: Vlatko Andonovski
Player to watch: Lo’eau LaBonta

Kansas City Current were one of the most entertaining teams to watch in the NWSL this season, scoring and conceding at times in almost equal measure. Their defensive effort has improved throughout the season after signing goalkeeper Almuth Schult and defender Kayla Sharples, but they have not abandoned their scoring tendencies. However, they could be without regular season leading scorer Temwa Chawinga due to injury. It could complicate things for the Current, but they are not exactly without scoring options: veteran Lo’eau LaBonta has six goals this season.

5. North Carolina Courage (39 points, 12-11-3)

Head coach: Sean Nahas
Player to watch: Ashley Sanchez

Historically one of the best teams in the NWSL, inconsistency got in the way of the North Carolina Courage at times this season. Although they have one of the best defensive records for playoff teams, they rank 10th in the league in expected goals this season. Their offense, however, has some positives, courtesy of Ashley Sanchez, who was a surprising draft day trade from the Spirit. She has five goals and four assists this season, a performance good enough for her to return to the USWNT after about a year away from the group.

6. Portland Thorns (34 points, 10-12-4)

Head coach: Rob Gale
Player to watch: Sam Coffey

The Portland Thorns are the most successful team in the NWSL, but they were far from their best in 2024. Their somewhat porous defense has been saved by an impactful offense, which ranks fifth in the league with 35 goals in the regular season . Sophia Smith is responsible for 12 of them and also has six assists this season, but if the Thorns are to get ahead, Sam Coffey will likely be key as a tone-setting midfielder.

7. Bay FC (34 points, 11-14-1)

Head coach: Albertin Montoya
Player to watch: Rachael Kundananji

Bay FC, the second NWSL expansion team to reach the postseason, recovered from a poor start and found some consistency to earn a playoff spot. They have become cleaner defensively throughout the season after conceding a high number of goals earlier in the year, with the addition of 2019 Women’s World Cup winner Abby Dahlkemper helping their case. Bay will still be able to call on some high-profile forwards to bolster their chances, including Rachael Kundananji. He has five goals and four assists this season, a good performance after Bay paid a record transfer fee for his services in the winter.

8. Chicago Red Stars (32 points, 10-14-2)

Head coach: Lorne Donaldson
Player to watch: Mallory Swanson

Although they booked a playoff spot weeks ago, a late-season slump meant they fell from sixth to eighth place in the final weeks of the regular season. Overcoming that drop against the Shield winners will be no easy task, especially as the Red Stars rank 13th in the league in expected goals. However, if there is anyone who can guarantee the Red Stars are on the scoreboard, it is Mallory Swanson, who has seven goals and four assists in her first full season since recovering from a serious knee injury.

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Pocketpair Shares Nintendo and The Pokémon Company’s Palworld Lawsuit Lawsuits

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Pocketpair Shares Nintendo and The Pokémon Company’s Palworld Lawsuit Lawsuits

 

Palworld developer Pocketpair has shared more details of the lawsuit it faces from both Nintendo and The Pokémon Company over alleged similarities between the latter’s titular franchise and its own monster-based survival game.

Nintendo and The Pokémon Company first filed a lawsuit against Pocketpair on September 19, eight months after Palworld’s release, alleging that the title infringed multiple patent rights.

Details of which patents were not shared, but now Pocketpair has specified the three patents it is accused of infringing through a post on its website.

The company also reported that Nintendo and The Pokémon Company are seeking an injunction against Palworld, as well as payment of at least ¥5 million ($33,683) plus damages for late payments to each company.

Pocketpair intends to defend its game by stating: “We will continue to assert our position in this case through future legal proceedings.”

As previously speculated by media and legal experts, including MBHB associate Andrew Velzen, in an analysis for GameIndustry.biz – the patents in question are:

  • JP7545191, which refers to a system for using capture elements that can capture characters found in a virtual space.
  • JP7493117, which refers to a targeting system for deploying said capture elements.
  • JP7528390, which refers to a system for mountable characters.

The Pocketpair post reports that all of these were requested and registered after Palworld first launched on January 19, 2024, as Velzen noted in his article for GameIndustry.biz.

Velzen added that Nintendo has also applied for homologous patents in the US, although some were filed as early as September 2022.

In his article, he noted that the outcome of this case could have significant repercussions for the video game industry.

“In recent years, the video game industry has moved somewhat away from patents, especially for game features,” he wrote. “However, if Nintendo is successful here, perhaps this paradigm could be in doubt.”

 

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Robert de Pauw: Aston Villa boss is aware that clubs ‘cut off the coach’s head’ if results are bad

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Robert de Pauw: Aston Villa boss is aware that clubs ‘cut off the coach’s head’ if results are bad

Aston Villa manager Robert de Pauw said he knows clubs “cut off the coach’s head” if results don’t meet expectations.

De Pauw, who was appointed in June after Carla Ward resigned at the end of last season, is still searching for her first Women’s Super League (WSL) win.

Villa are 10th in the table with two points after six games, their worst start to a WSL campaign.

“It’s also football and a performance-oriented company. So yes, the coach’s head was cut off,” De Pauw said.

The Dutchman has only managed one competitive win (a 2-0 win over Crystal Palace in the Women’s League Cup) during his seven games in charge of Villa.

However, his team has pushed defending champions Chelsea and leaders Manchester City in the league, losing both matches by just one goal.

“If performance goes down and results don’t come, you know what happens,” De Pauw added.

“I try not to get attached to that because I know I can look in the mirror and the staff can look in the mirror, and we do everything we can about it.

“We know we work hard and spare no effort before every game.”

De Pauw, who is new to the league after leaving Bayer Leverkusen at the end of last season, said he has spoken to experienced players such as Jordan Nobbs about the difficulties of the WSL.

“I talk to them a lot because they know this league better than most.

“Jordan knows it better than anyone and says it will happen. So I’m also confident it will happen, but it has to come soon.”

Villa will hope to end their winless streak on Sunday when they travel to Manchester United, who are unbeaten in the league this season.

“That’s the next step we have to take, to take something out of the game and not just rattle the cage, but bring it home and bring the points home,” De Pauw said.

football

Fantasy basketball: How to win while including Joel Embiid

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Fantasy basketball: How to win while including Joel Embiid
It’s no surprise that the Philadelphia 76ers are being cautious with Joel Embiid after signing him to a three-year, $193 million extension. Embiid is in elite company; Over the past three seasons, he has averaged at least 30 points and 10 rebounds per game. Only six other players in NBA history have had multiple seasons with those numbers.

But before this season, to the frustration of fantasy basketball coaches everywhere, Embiid said in an interview that he may never play back-to-back games again as the team tries to keep him healthy. The 76ers haven’t reached the Conference Finals since 2001, and while fantasy managers who selected Embiid with an early draft pick may be frustrated, none of this is surprising.

Embiid has missed 204 of a possible 637 games over the past eight seasons, not counting his first two seasons, which were missed entirely due to injury. He has never played more than 68 regular-season games in any of his eight seasons. Last season he played 39.

So let’s all take a deep breath, think logically about Embiid, the 76ers, and how things should be handled from a fantasy perspective once he makes his season debut, which is expected to happen Tuesday against the Knicks, following his three …suspension of the game.

Plan accordingly

Even when Embiid returns to the court, we know he will miss many more games this season. The 76ers have 15 more consecutive games on the schedule, for example, and history shows that there is also a chance that the star center will miss more games due to various injuries and ailments, which are somewhat inevitable for a 7-foot, 30-year-old player in the NBA. We also know that the 76ers are a different team without Embiid, relying on a different cast to make up for the 30+ points, 10+ rebounds and 1.5+ blocks missing from the lineup. The good news is that you can plan accordingly.

Who stars when Embiid sits down?

Obviously, Embiid contributes a ton of scoring and rebounding to the 76ers, but there’s one part of his game that often gets overlooked: his free throw production. Despite missing time over the past four seasons, Embiid leads the league with 2,185 free throws made between 2020 and 2024, making him the only player with more than 2,000 in that span.

Why does that matter?

Players who get to the line consistently give their teams easy and reliable points, slow down the game, and put opponents in foul trouble. That’s a huge advantage, especially in close games, where he wears down defenses and creates more scoring opportunities. Last season, the 76ers went 31-8 with Embiid on the court, but struggled going 16-27 without him. Philadelphia’s points per game (109.1) fell when he was away, while opponents’ points per game increased (112.7), a gap that is difficult to make up.

Tyrese Maxey has improved in recent seasons, averaging 26.3 points per game when Embiid sits. He also adds some rebounds and assists per game, however in the short term Maxey will be out of the lineup; A hamstring injury in Wednesday’s loss to the LA Clippers is expected to keep him out for several weeks. Until he returns, keep an eye on Jared McCain, Kyle Lowry and Reggie Jackson for more minutes.

There are two other players available in many ESPN leagues who could see a big boost whenever Embiid misses time: Andre Drummond and Kelly Oubre Jr.

During his time with the Bulls last year, Drummond (20.7% of the roster) scored 14.1 ppg and 17.9 RPG in 10 starts and, during the season, averaged 19.6 ppg and 21.0 rebounds every 40 minutes. At just 31 years old, the 13-year pro still has some gas left in the tank. Having him on your roster in addition to Embiid is a smart strategy if you can make it work; play Embiid when he’s available, turn to Drummond whenever Embiid misses time, just like the Sixers will.

Meanwhile, Oubre (38.6% of the roster) averaged 17.1 points per game in 37 games without Embiid last season, compared to 13.4 points per game when he played. The veteran forward’s scoring presence will be even more important in the short term while Maxey is out.

Should you trade Embiid?

Some fantasy managers might be tempted to trade Embiid, and that’s understandable. It’s been a frustrating start to the season. But anyone who recruited him knew the risk that came with that decision. This is all part of the journey when you have Embiid on your roster. Furthermore, everyone knows the 76ers’ load management strategy, so his trade value has likely decreased.

Instead of settling for less, consider holding on to the big star man. Last season, Embiid recorded 26 games with 30+ points and 10+ rebounds, tying Nikola Jokic for second in the league. And even if his minutes decline this season, a possibility with a capable veteran like Drummond on the roster, Embiid’s value remains high. He scored 1.03 points per minute last season, making him the only player to reach that number since Wilt Chamberlain in 1961-62.

Do you still want to change it?

If you find yourself in a position where you’re willing to trade Embiid at a discount, possibly out of necessity, offering a deal for another struggling star like Tyrese Haliburton or Anthony Edwards is a potential option. This is particularly effective if that star is a better fit for your roster, or if another coach in the league is as frustrated by his disappointing first round as you are with Embiid.

Another option, which rarely works well in fantasy sports, is to trade the star power Embiid offers for quality depth, getting back two solid players in return. Potential targets in that type of scenario could include a combination of Jordan Poole, Jarrett Allen, DeMar DeRozan, Nikola Vucevic and Buddy Hield, just to name a few.

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SA vs IND 2024/25, SA vs IND 1st T20I Match Report, Nov 08, 2024

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SA vs IND 2024/25, SA vs IND 1st T20I Match Report, Nov 08, 2024

South Africa chose bowl v India

Aiden Markam decided to hunt in South Africa’s first international home match of the summer, with a line-up full of versatile players. Both Marco Jansen and Gerald Coetzee were included in the XI for the first time in almost four months on their respective returns from injuries and conditioning blocks. Patrick Kruger, who played in both sides of the T20 World Cup, kept his place and South Africa included a fourth bowling all-rounder in debutant Andile Simelane. The occasion was very special for the 21-year-old, who plays local cricket in Durban.
South Africa also have the option of two specialist spinners – left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj and leg-spinner Nqabayomzi Peter – while Markram can also bowl. Markram’s regular opening partner, Reeza Hendricks, was ruled out due to illness.

India did a lot of spin with two leg-spinners in Varun Chakravarthy and Ravi Bishnoi, left-arm spinner Axar Patel, left-arm seamer Arshdeep Singh and right-arm quick Avesh Khan. There was no place for all-rounder Ramandeep Singh. Abhishek Sharma and Tilak Varma could also bowl. Their batting was led by Sanju Samson, Suryakumar Yadav and Hardik Pandya, but ends with Axar at number 7.

Suryakumar was happy to bat first on a surface that should be suitable for big scoring in conditions where a full game should be played. Despite some gray clouds in the sky, a strong breeze should keep them moving and entertain the large crowd.

South Africa: 1 Ryan Rickelton (week), 2 Aiden Markram (captain), 3 Tristan Stubbs, 4 Heinrich Klaasen, 5 David Miller, 6 Patrick Kruger, 7 Marco Jansen, Andile Simelane, 9 Gerald Coetzee, 10 Keshav Maharaj, 11 Nqabayomzi Peter.

India: 1 Sanju Samson (wk), 2 Abhishek Sharma, 3 Suryakumar Yadav (captain), 4 Tilak Varma, 5 Hardik Pandya, 6 Rinku Singh, 7 Axar Patel, 8 Arshdeep Singh, 9 Ravi Bishnoi, 10 Avesh Khan, 11 Varun Chakravarthy.

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Champions Trophy 2025: PCB is not prepared to accept a hybrid model

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Champions Trophy 2025: PCB is not prepared to accept a hybrid model
PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi said his board was “not prepared to accept” a hybrid model for the Champions Trophy, insisting Pakistan was preparing to host the entire tournament in the country. Talking to the media at the Gaddafi Stadium, which is being renovated ahead of the Champions Trophy, Naqvi said there had been no official communication from the BCCI to the PCB raising objections to the Indian team playing in Pakistan.

 

Navi’s comments on Friday struck a more optimistic tone than the official line the PCB has previously taken on the issue of India’s alleged reluctance to travel to Pakistan. “In the last two months, the Indian media has been reporting that India is not traveling,” Naqvi said. “I have discussed this with them and my team, and our stance is clear: they must communicate to us in writing any objections they may have. So far, there has been no discussion on the hybrid model, nor are we willing to accept any. Indian media They report it, but no formal communication has reached the PCB.”

 

Naqvi also said he believed Pakistan had in the past shown “great gestures” towards India, referring to the team that traveled to India to play the ODI World Cup in 2023, despite India refusing to travel to Pakistan for the Cup. from Asia. That tournament eventually adopted a hybrid model, with the latter stages being played in Sri Lanka.

 

“If we receive a letter from India, I will have to go to my government and abide by its decisions. Pakistan has shown great gestures towards India in the past, and we would like to say clearly that India should not expect such friendly gestures from us every time [if they refuse to come]. The government will decide whether Pakistan will travel for any future event in India if they do not come to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy. “The PCB will not decide that.”

 

Pakistan and India have had a tense political relationship that has spilled over into cricket issues, with no bilateral tours between the sides since Pakistan visited India for a white-ball series in 2012-13, and no Test cricket since 2007.

 

“cricket should be free of politics,” said Naqvi, who is also Pakistan’s home minister. “No sport should be entangled with politics. If you don’t get along with another country, that’s another matter, but politics should not be involved in sport.”

 

“I don’t think anyone should turn this into a political issue. We will give each team as many facilities as we can. We would like fans from abroad to come to the tournament as well.”

 

Mohsin Naqvi

 

 

The PCB has said three venues – Lahore, Rawalpindi and Karachi – will be used for the tournament, but has offered to host all India’s matches in Lahore, which borders the Indian city of Amritsar, for logistical and security reasons. It would make the journey of any Indian fans traveling to attend the tournament relatively easier, and the PCB said it was prepared to arrange up to 17,000 visas for Indians during the tournament.

 

Naqvi said “almost all countries” wanted to watch the tournament in Pakistan and the PCB would provide whatever facilities it could. “Almost all countries want CT to be played here,” he said. “I am in contact with several boards of directors and they are all looking forward to playing here. I don’t think anyone should turn this into a political issue. We will give each team as many facilities as we can. We would like to see fans from abroad also come to the tournament.” .

 

ESPNcricinfo understands that the BCCI has not discussed the matter internally. The Indian board’s stance has not changed and it will await approval from the Indian government on whether or not to travel to Pakistan for the tournament. It could not be confirmed whether the BCCI formally wrote to the Indian government seeking its approval or even sought instructions informally.

 

The tournament is scheduled to be held in Pakistan from February 19 to March 9, although the ICC is yet to officially announce the schedule.

 

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