Top News:
Stefan Bondy / New York Daily News:
Knicks blow 21-point lead in loss; Nets still control play-in destiny — Another game against the Nets, another collapse from the Knicks at MSG. — After leading by as many as 21 in the second half, the Knicks' offense completely deteriorated down the stretch and the Nets maintained control …
Discussion:
NetsDaily
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Kristian Winfield / New York Daily News:
Nets' resilience makes them contenders despite odds — The Nets play their best basketball with their backs against the wall. That's why their championship hopes are still alive in what looks like a lost season. — The Nets trailed by 17 points at the half and faced a deficit as large …
Discussion:
New York Post and Newsday
Kristian Winfield / New York Daily News:
Kyrie Irving pours in 42 in much-needed win vs. Rockets — All he needed was a little bit of rest. — Fresh off two days of rest for the first time since becoming a full-time player, Kyrie Irving pelted the Rockets with a barrage of treys to power the Nets to a 118-105 victory over Houston on Tuesday.
Discussion:
The Athletic and New York Post
Julia Poe / Chicago Tribune:
Chicago Bulls clinch 1st playoff berth since 2017. Now there's 3 games left to settle their seed in the East— 5th or 6th. — Even 40 points from DeMar DeRozan wasn't enough for the Chicago Bulls to beat the Milwaukee Bucks in their final meeting of the regular season.
Discussion:
Mercury News
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Julia Poe / Chicago Tribune:
Lonzo Ball endures another setback in his recovery from knee surgery, but the Chicago Bulls aren't shutting him down yet — The Chicago Bulls haven't given up hope on Lonzo Ball yet, but the guard's window for returning this season could be closing after another injury setback.
Discussion:
Blog a Bull, Hoops Rumors and Orange County Register
USA Today:
2022 MLB predictions: World Series and award picks for the baseball season … It's been a long road to get here, but the 2022 Major League Baseball season is finally upon us. — Baseball's winter of discontent - featuring a 99-day lockout - gave way to a shortened spring training …
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News … and Oklahoman
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Coley Harvey / ESPN:
Atlanta Braves' Ronald Acuna Jr. acknowledges rift with former teammate Freddie Freeman — MLB, Atlanta Braves, Los Angeles Dodgers — ATLANTA — Braves outfielder Ronald Acuna Jr. acknowledged an internal rift with former teammate Freddie Freeman during an interview late Wednesday …
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …
Buster Olney / ESPN:
MLB to allow pitchers, catchers to use anti-sign-stealing technology during regular season, sources say — Pitchers and catchers will have the option of using newly tested signaling devices as they decide what pitches to throw in the upcoming regular season, industry sources told ESPN.
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David Waldstein / New York Times:
M.L.B. Approves Technology to Limit Sign Stealing
Discussion:
baseballmusings.com
Anthony Castrovince / MLB.com:
MLB informs clubs PitchCom is approved for '22 season
Discussion:
Rays News, Battery Power and The Athletic
Jeff Passan / ESPN:
Sources: All-Star 3B Jose Ramirez agrees to 5-year, $124M extension with Cleveland Guardians — All-Star third baseman Jose Ramirez and the Cleveland Guardians are in agreement on a five-year, $124 million contract extension, sources familiar with the deal told ESPN.
Marc Stein:
Trading Russell Westbrook — A busy, complicated summer awaits for the Lakers, but let's get into the options they do have for parting with the former MVP — The Los Angeles Lakers can't come out and say what everyone knows: They want to trade Russell Westbrook before the start of next season.
Discussion:
Orange County Register, Hoops Rumors, Silver Screen and Roll and NBA Analysis Network
RELATED:
ESPN:
Sources: Minnesota Twins to acquire Chris Paddack in deal with San Diego Padres — MLB, Minnesota Twins, San Diego Padres — The Minnesota Twins have agreed to acquire right-handers Chris Paddack and Emilio Pagan in a trade with the San Diego Padres, sources told ESPN's Jeff Passan on Thursday.
Discussion:
New York Post, Sports Illustrated, DraftKings Nation, Gaslamp Ball and Call to the Pen
ESPN:
Pittsburgh Pirates, 3B Ke'Bryan Hayes reportedly agree to eight-year, $70 million deal — The Pittsburgh Pirates are building around third baseman Ke'Bryan Hayes. — The Pirates and Hayes, 25, have come to terms on a new eight-year, $70 million deal pending Hayes passing a physical, according to multiple reports.
Discussion:
Sports Illustrated, Sportsnet.ca, DraftKings Nation, MLB Trade Rumors and baseballmusings.com
Bob Nightengale / USA Today:
Made to play villain all winter, MLB commissioner Rob Manfred is ‘thrilled’ to get 2022 started — Watch Video: MLB is back, but will fans be after ugly offseason? — NEW YORK — He was vilified and mocked from coast to coast. — Major League Baseball players openly chastised him.
Discussion:
ESPN
