Apr 6, 2026; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Detroit Tigers third baseman Colt Keith (33) looks on after challenging a called strike against the Minnesota Twins in the fifth inning at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-Imagn Images | Jesse Johnson-Imagn Images
Detroit Tigers (4-7) vs. Minnesota Twins (5-6)
Time/Place: 7:40 p.m., Target Field SB Nation Site: Twinkie Town Media: Detroit SportsNet, MLB.TV, Tigers Radio Network Pitching Matchup: LHP Framber Valdez (1-0, 0.75 ERA) vs. RHP Bailey Ober (0-0, 6.75 ERA)
DETROIT (AP) — Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham is expected to return to the lineup on Wednesday against the Milwaukee Bucks.
Cunningham has been sidelined since March 19 after sustaining a collapsed lung in a win over the Washington Wizards.
Cunningham is averaging 24.5 points, 9.9 assists and 5.6 rebounds in 61 games this season.
During his absence, he became one of the faces of the controversy over the NBA’s rule requiring players to play 65 games to be eligible for seasonal awards. He is considered a very strong candidate for All-NBA First Team honors, but he will only reach 64 games even if he plays in Detroit’s three remaining games.
The Pistons (57-22) have clinched the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference. They have also won the Central Division for the first time in 18 years and are hoping to win their first playoff series since the 2007-08 season.
ATLANTA, GEORGIA – NOVEMBER 28: Nickeil Alexander-Walker #7 of the Atlanta Hawks moves the ball as Dean Wade #32 and Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Cleveland Cavaliers attempt to steal in the first quarter during the 2025-26 Emirates Cup at State Farm Arena on November 28, 2025 in Atlanta, Georgia. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Cleveland Cavaliers are starting their preferred starting five of James Harden, Donovan Mitchell, Dean Wade, Evan Mobley, and Jarrett Allen. This should be a good test against the Atlanta Hawks.
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ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 08: Ronald Acuña Jr. #13 of the Atlanta Braves reacts after hitting a double against the Los Angeles Angels in the first inning at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on April 08, 2026 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Okay, so technically relentless would be scoring in every inning, and the Braves only scored in five of the nine frames available to them, but hey — it worked just fine. The offense started early and didn’t stop until well past clobberin’ time, leading to an 8-2 victory over the Angels. Meanwhile, Grant Holmes did what the team needed him to do despite an ugly second inning, pitching nearly seven frames and letting the Braves avoid using any of their key bullpen arms heading into tomorrow’s off-day. With the victory, the Braves move to 8-5, and have yet to lose a series all season.
The scoring started early. Ronald Acuña Jr. led off with a bloop double behind third base, and then moved around the bases on a couple of outs to score the game’s first run. In the second, Austin Riley drew a leadoff walk, stole second with two outs, and then scored on Jonah Heim’s semi-bizarre ground rule double, which was simultaneously a barrel but also kind of a hanging-up-forever fly ball into the right-field corner.
This portended a cruising-ish game for the Braves, but Holmes had a lot of trouble in the second. For a second there, it looked like the Braves might suffer a disappointing loss due to Holmes’ struggles. The frame started with Holmes hanging a slider to Braves hero and noted pugilist Jorge Soler, cutting the lead in half. Holmes then totally fell apart mechanics-wise (his first was rough but not this rough despite being a 1-2-3 frame), with three walks and a single sandwiched in there to tie the game. The game-tying base on balls was actually initially ruled a strikeout, but ABS is a thing, and it was a facile overturn into an RBI for Logan O’Hoppe.
After that, though, Holmes locked in. He blew Oswald Peraza away on three pitches, and then lucked out when Zach Neto A) randomly tried to bunt with the bases loaded and then B) popped up a down-the-pipe fastball to shallow right. Mike Trout was up next, and Holmes served him a hanging slider on 1-2, but Trout just bounced it weakly back up the middle to Ozzie Albies to keep the game tied.
And then, it was all Braves. Angels starter Reid Detmers grazed Drake Baldwin on 0-2 with one out, and Matt Olson bashed a low liner (so low it wasn’t even a barrel!) over the yellow line in right-center for a two-run homer. Riley followed with a hustle double, and then Mauricio Dubon hit a routine grounder that Neto airmailed, giving the Braves a fifth run. The hits just kept on coming, too. In the fifth, after Detmers departed, Dubon yanked a two-run double. In the sixth, Baldwin dunked a ball into center to score Michael Harris II, who had drawn a leadoff walk and stolen second earlier in the inning.
Meanwhile, Holmes rolled along after his second inning hiccup. The Angels made some pretty good contact here and there, but the Braves’ defense was solid. From the third through the sixth, the Angels got just one baserunner. Holmes struck out the first two he faced in the seventh, but Peraza hooked a well-placed curve for a double, and Neto beat out a slow roller. The Braves swapped Holmes for Joel Payamps to face Mike Trout, and Payamps came through by getting Trout to swing through high heat. Jose Suarez finished the game with two frames, striking out the side in the first and getting a double play in the second. Harris snagged a Peraza liner in center to end the game.
The Braves’ side of the box score looked quite delicious in this one, with five doubles, a homer, six walks, and a hit by pitch. Detmers was overwhelmed (4/2 K/BB ratio, the Olson homer, in 4 1/3); Holmes ended up with a decent line overall (6/3 K/BB ratio, the Soler homer, in 6 2/3) but would’ve been nearly pristine if you removed that second inning from consideration.
The Braves now embark on what is a happier flight home than if this game had gone sideways in the second, and get a well-deserved day of rest after 13 straight games to begin the season. They will open up a homestand with a set against the Guardians on Friday night.
SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 05: Jake Meyers #6 of the Houston Astros bats against the Athletics during the second inning at Sutter Health Park on April 05, 2026 in Sacramento, California. (Photo by Scott Marshall/Getty Images) | Getty Images
An awful road trip got even worse as the Astros were swept by the Colorado Rockies, falling under .500.
You know those days where nothing goes right straight from the jump? The Astros do too. Today was one of those days.
Looking to salvage the finale of a 3 game series against the Rockies in Colorado, the wheels came off very fast for Houston in a 9-1 drubbing that sent them to their fourth straight loss and a game under .500 at 6-7. The Astros are now 1-5 on the current 10 game road trip.
Cristian Javier continued to struggle with his velocity, bouncing between 91-93 MPH with his fastball, and that was the lesser of his issues today.
Javier had to leave the game after just 1 inning due to shoulder pain. Trainers checked on him before the start of the second inning, and the Astros had to remove him.
A.J. Blubaugh was summoned in relief in an unusual spot – needing to get ready very quickly.
Blubaugh never looked comfortable today and it manifested in a 5-run second inning from which the Rockies never looked back.
Houston was held to just 1 run for the second consecutive game. They did manage 8 hits and 2 walks, but went 1-for-7 with RISP and left 9 men on base.
Complicating matters for the Astros, they also lost centerfielder Jake Meyers in the game. Meyers was injured on a check swing in the top of the 2nd, clutching at his side.
Jake Meyers immediately grabbed his oblique after this check swung. He’s leaving this game. pic.twitter.com/7H6D3qhC3G
Abreu’s struggles and inconsistencies are still a mystery to the team and Abreu, who is struggling mightily to regain his usual elite form.
The Astros have an off day Thursday before beginning a 4-game series in Seattle against the Mariners. They are expected to go to a 6-man rotation beginning with that series as they will play 13 straight days.
Many fans wondered if Jordan Goodwin would even make the opening day roster when the team claimed him off waivers after being released by the Los Angeles Lakers. With him returning to the Valley, many speculated about how much of a difference-maker he would truly be. Well, Goodwin saw all of that and proved it where it mattered this season, on the court.
This year, he was recognized for winning the Dan Majerle Hustle award. This is given to a player every year, to recognize their heart, grit, and hard work in getting them to where they are in the rotation. Something that Suns legend and Ring of Honor member Dan Majerle always represented in Phoenix.
Goodwin is very deserving of this crown, as I mentioned, many did not know what he could be for the Suns this year. He was competing with Jared Butler for the final roster spot, and even though Goodwin earned it, there was no set spot in the rotation for him. He had to earn those minutes, and he did that, proving to the fanbase that the return of Goody was going to be a revival.
Jordan Goodwin would make an All NBA 1st Effort Team if there was one of those
Man is just relentless on both ends trying to create opportunities for his team
The guard this season is putting up some nice numbers, averaging 8.7 points, 4.9 rebounds, 2.2 assists, and 1.5 steals per game while shooting 37% from three. His ability to showcase his defense prowess and be an effective ball stopper is what makes him highly praised in the valley. This is what made him stand out and get the playing time he sees now.
Jordan Goodwin this season:
• Leads the Suns in deflections, 8th overall in the NBA • Leads the Suns in steals • 36 games with multiple steals, the 5th most in the NBA • 136 offensive rebounds, 3rd among all guards https://t.co/RHXU9DiK68
Goodwin always has that fight in him and never gives up. The hustle this man shows when he touches the court is infectious, and it plays off to the rest of the team. He is always fighting for loose balls, trying to generate a steal, and on some nights, he can get it going from three-point land. This year, Goodwin had a career-high 8 threes against the Oklahoma City Thunder, the one time they beat the team this season.
Jordan Goodwin full highlights vs. Oklahoma City Thunder last night (108-105 W):
A career-high 26 points on 9/16 FG (56.3%), a career-high 8 threes on 8/13 3PT (61.5%), 4 Rebounds, 1 TOV, 1 PF, and a +/- of +8 in 30:47 minutes played off the bench.
This type of heart and effort is hard to find in the NBA, and for the Suns, it was vacant from previous teams. Now with Jordan Ott at the helm, things have shaped up differently for the Suns and in a lot better light. A majority of that on the defensive end starts with Goodwin and also ends with him. That is why he is recognized for receiving an award he most certainly deserves. The next on the agenda for Goodwin is a well-deserved long-term contract to stay in the Valley.
WASHINGTON, DC – APRIL 07: Will Riley #27 of the Washington Wizards brings the ball up court against Collin Sexton #2 of the Chicago Bulls during the first half at Capital One Arena on April 7, 2026 in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Washington Wizards and Chicago Bulls square off again Thursday for Round 2 at Capital One Arena.
Game info
When: Wednesday, April 9 at 7:00 p.m. ET
Where: Capital One Arena, Washington, D.C.
How to watch: Monumental Sports Network, League Pass
Injuries: For the Wizards, Tre Johnson (foot) and Jaden Hardy (back) are questionable, while Alex Sarr (toe), Trae Young (quad), Kyshawn George (elbow), Anthony Davis (hand), Tristan Vukcevic (knee), Cam Whitmore (shoulder), and D’Angelo Russell (not with team) are out.
For the Bulls, Josh Giddey (hamstring), Matas Buzelis (illness), and Isaac Okoro (quad) are questionable, while Nick Richards (elbow), Anfernee Simons (wrist), Jalen Smith (calf), Zach Collins (toe), and Noa Essengue (shoulder) are out.
What to watch for
The Wizards are coming off an absolute shellacking at the hands of the Bulls on Tuesday in a matchup that ended 129-98. Washington fell behind by 20 points in the first quarter and never mounted anything remotely resembling a comeback.
One difference coming into the rematch is that the Wiz have since ensured that the team will keep its 2026 first-round pick. There’s a chance Washington will look to pick up one more victory, knowing that the team enters Thursday with a 2.5-game cushion over the Brooklyn Nets and a full game over the Indiana Pacers in the race to the bottom. Perhaps the Wizards will try to appease the basketball gods with a final win.
Will Riley also gets another crack at the Bulls after posting arguably the worst game of his career against Chicago. Washington’s second-half breakout rookie finished with just two points on 1-of-13 shooting. Riley had just come off back-to-back 30-point games.
Without Victor Wembanyama standing in the way, the Portland Trail Blazers have a much clearer path to the postseason. And guard Scoot Henderson has a much clearer path to the bucket tonight against the San Antonio Spurs.
San Antonio will not have its superstar center tonight, leaving the Spurs without their paint protector. No player in the NBA has a more transformative impact than the 7-foot-4 Frenchman.
Our Trail Blazers vs. Spurs predictions measure a Wemby-less San Antonio team, and my NBA picks see a hot spot to back Scoot’s prop market on Wednesday, April 8.
Trail Blazers vs Spurs prediction
Trail Blazers vs Spurs best bet: Scoot Henderson Over 14.5 points (-105)
The San Antonio Spurs’ interior defense is among the best in the league when the lanky center is patrolling the key, allowing less than 45 points in the paint per game since the All-Star break.
Without Victor Wembanyama, that rim protection disappears faster than the brisket at 2M Smokehouse.
Just look at how quickly the Spurs’ interior crumbled when Wemby missed a chunk of time between November and December. San Antonio was gashed for 55.3 points in the paint in those dozen games — second most in the NBA during that span. Most recently, the L.A. Clippers dropped 56 PITP on the Spurs without Wembanyama on April 2.
Portland Trail Blazers guard Scoot Henderson is a big part of the team’s postseason push. The former No. 3 overall pick missed 51 games with a torn hamstring but has found his stride the past month, averaging 15 points over his last 17 appearances.
Henderson is a dangerous dribble-drive weapon and excellent at getting to the rim, making him a live offensive option for the Trail Blazers tonight. He’s attempted at least 11 field goals in each of his last six games and can draw contact and score from the foul line. San Antonio will also be missing starting guard Stephon Castle, who is one of the team’s better on-ball defenders.
Not only will Henderson find his way to the rim, but he’s also been shooting well from deep, with a 9-for-18 count from beyond the arc the last three games. Scoot’s player projections sit between 14 and 17 points, and my number sits north of 16 points.
Trail Blazers vs Spurs same-game parlay
The Blazers are pissed after a controversial OT loss at Denver handed them just their third loss in the past 11 games. Portland is pushing for a better seed to set them up for an easy path in the Play-In Tournament.
Without Wembanyama, the pace of play picks up with the Spurs going smaller. The Blazers will score inside and out, taking advantage of the missing shot blocker while continuing their 3-point attack.
Trail Blazers vs Spurs SGP
Trail Blazers +3.5
Over 229
Scoot Henderson Over 14.5 points
Our “from downtown” SGP: Treasure trail
Without Wembanyama, things change drastically in this game. Henderson can score at the rim, Donovan Clingan can crash the glass with ease, and Deni Avdija can spot up from outside. Portland needs the win and already knocked off a Wemby-less Spurs team back in January.
Trail Blazers vs Spurs SGP
Trail Blazers moneyline
Scoot Henderson Over 14.5 points
Donovan Clingan Over 11.5 rebounds
Deni Avdija Over 1.5 threes
Trail Blazers vs Spurs odds
Spread: Trail Blazers +3.5 | Spurs -3.5
Moneyline: Trail Blazers +130 | Spurs -150
Over/Under: Over 229 | Under 229
Trail Blazers vs Spurs betting trend to know
Portland has covered the spread in six of its last seven games. Find more NBA betting trends for Trail Blazers vs. Spurs.
How to watch Trail Blazers vs Spurs
Location
Frost Bank Center, San Antonio, TX
Date
Wednesday, April 8, 2026
Tip-off
9:30 p.m. ET
TV
ESPN
Trail Blazers vs Spurs latest injuries
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The MVP award is one of the most prestigious honors in professional basketball—and one of the most debated. But how is the MVP actually chosen?
🗳️ MVP Voting Process
The MVP is determined by a panel of 100 sportswriters and broadcasters from the U.S. and Canada, as well as a fan vote that counts as one ballot. Each voter selects five players, ranked from first to fifth place. The point system is as follows:
1st place vote: 10 points
2nd place: 7 points
3rd place: 5 points
4th place: 3 points
5th place: 1 point
The player with the highest total point tally at the end of voting is crowned NBA MVP.
📊 What Do Voters Consider?
While there’s no official checklist, MVP voters typically weigh several key factors:
Individual statistics: Points, assists, rebounds, efficiency, advanced metrics like PER or Win Shares
Team success: MVPs are rarely chosen from losing teams and Top 3 seeds are the norm
Narrative and storyline: Voters often reward players overcoming adversity or carrying a franchise
Consistency and availability: Games played, durability, and clutch performance matter
👀 Voter Biases and Trends
Some unofficial trends also influence MVP outcomes:
“Voter fatigue”: Players who’ve already won may need to outperform their own past seasons to win again
New blood bias: Voters sometimes prefer rising stars over repeat winners
Position favoritism: Guards and forwards tend to dominate MVP voting, although that trend has been changing in recent years
📈 NBA MVP trends
Here are some trends you may want to consider before placing a bet on the NBA MVP:
Repeat winners are somewhat common. Jokic’s 2022 win marked the 12th different player to have won the award two (or more) years in a row.
The MVP usually comes from an elite team. Since 1985, only seven MVP winners have come from a team that didn’t finish first or second in its conference.
The award is usually given to a player with a few years of experience. A rookie hasn’t won MVP since Wes Unseld in 1969, and only two MVPs have been 22 or younger (Wes Unseld and Derrick Rose).
Centers have historically dominated the MVP award. While they went on a two-decade drought between Shaquille O’Neal (2000) and Nikola Jokic (2021), centers have now won four of the last five MVPs.
📜NBA MVP betting history
A quick look at recent NBA MVPs and their opening odds.
On top of that, there’s great news about the status of Pistons star Cade Cunningham.
After missing time after suffering a collapsed lung, Cunningham is expected to make his return Wednesday night against the Milwaukee Bucks, according to ESPN’s Vincent Goodwill.
The Pistons went 8-3 without Cunningham. Overall, the team has a 13-5 record and has averaged 114.8 points per game without its MVP candidate.
Cunningham has averaged 24.5 points, 5.6 rebounds and a career-high 9.9 assists in 61 games this season. With just three games remaining, Cunningham seemingly won’t be eligible for end-of-year awards, such as Most Valuable Player, due to the league’s 65-game threshold.
More important for Cunningham and the Pistons’ brass, though, is his return in time to make a run in the postseason.
It’s the first time that the Pistons have been the top dog in the East since 2007. That season ended with an Eastern Conference finals loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers, led by a 22-year-old LeBron James.
Last year, the Pistons snapped a five-year postseason drought with a playoff berth as the No. 6-seed. However, they lost a hard-fought series in the first round of the 2025 NBA Playoffs to the New York Knicks, 4-2.
The Pistons selected Cunningham with the first overall pick of the 2021 NBA Draft out of Oklahoma State. He’s helped lead the charge to get the franchise back to its winning ways.
