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NBA Preview: Orlando Magic (24-34) at Toronto Raptors (27-31)

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NBA Preview: Orlando Magic (24-34) at Toronto Raptors (27-31)

The All-Star break is coming at just the right time for the ailing Toronto Raptors, who will be short-handed again when they face the visiting Orlando Magic on Tuesday.

Toronto has won four of its past five games but likely will be without three rotation players against the Magic. Gary Trent Jr. (left calf strain) and Precious Achiuwa (right ankle sprain) are listed as questionable, while O.G. Anunoby will miss his ninth straight game due to a sprained wrist.

Raptors coach Nick Nurse also could be unavailable after being away from the team since Saturday for personal reasons. Assistant coach Adrian Griffin served in Nurse’s place Sunday, when Toronto held on for a 119-118 win over the visiting Detroit Pistons.

Fred VanVleet scored 35 points in the victory, while Pascal Siakam continued to impress with 28 points.

Siakam is averaging 29.8 points in his past four games and has been a key part of the Raptors’ recent surge. The seven-year pro was added to the All-Star Game roster last week as an injury replacement.

After watching him in action over the weekend, Detroit coach Dwane Casey was baffled at Siakam’s original omission as an All-Star reserve.

Toronto has also received a spark from 7-foot-1 center Jakob Poeltl, who was acquired from the San Antonio Spurs at last week’s trade deadline.

Poeltl had six points and five rebounds in 25 minutes against Detroit and has already made a positive impact on the defensive end.

Orlando will be playing for the third time in four nights and on the second night of a back-to-back after beating the host Chicago Bulls 100-91 on Monday.

Paolo Banchero scored 22 points while Franz Wagner and Markelle Fultz added 18 apiece for the Magic, who won for the fourth time in six games.

Fultz contributed 10 rebounds and nine assists against Chicago and is averaging 16.1 points on 54.5 percent shooting in seven games this month.

Orlando guard Cole Anthony missed the Monday contest due to right wrist soreness, and he is listed as day-to-day.

The Magic added depth in their frontcourt by signing free agent Goga Bitadze on Monday. The 6-foot-11 center averaged 3.3 points and 2.3 rebounds in 21 games with the Indiana Pacers this season, leaving his career averages at 4.8 points and 2.8 rebounds in 170 games (all for Indiana) across four seasons.

Panarin, Karlsson and Keller Named NHL ‘Three Stars’ of the Week

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Panarin, Karlsson and Keller Named NHL ‘Three Stars’ of the Week

NEW YORK – New York Rangers left wing Artemi Panarin, San Jose Sharks defenseman Erik Karlsson and Arizona Coyotes right wing Clayton Keller – who all recently participated in the 2023 Honda NHL All-Star Weekend at FLA Live Arena – have been named the NHL’s “Three Stars” for the week ending Feb. 12.

FIRST STAR – ARTEMI PANARIN, LW, NEW YORK RANGERS

Panarin, who made his first All-Star Game appearance in South Florida, led the NHL with 4-5—9 in four contests to propel the Rangers (31-14-8, 70 points) to a perfect week and their fifth straight win dating to Jan. 27. He collected two assists in a 5-4 overtime victory against the Calgary Flames Feb. 6. Panarin then registered one helper in both a 4-3 triumph over the Vancouver Canucks Feb. 8 and a 6-3 win versus the Seattle Kraken Feb. 10. He capped the week by scoring a career-high four goals (including a natural hat trick that featured the game-winner) and matching a personal best with five points (last achieved March 12, 2022 at DAL: 1-4—5) in a 6-2 victory against the Carolina Hurricanes Feb. 11. The 31-year-old Panarin, who also eclipsed 200 career goals on Saturday (203-425—628 in 561 GP), tops New York with 16-43—59 through 53 total games this season. He also places among the League leaders in assists (9th; 43), power-play assists (10th; 19) and points (20th; 59).   

SECOND STAR – ERIK KARLSSON, D, SAN JOSE SHARKS

Karlsson, a seven-time All-Star, paced defensemen with 2-5—7 in three outings to guide the Sharks (17-26-11, 45 points) to a pair of victories. He posted 1-2—3, including the primary helper on Timo Meier’s overtime winner, in a 4-3 triumph against the Tampa Bay Lightning Feb. 7. Playing in his 53rd game of the season (a 4-1 loss to the Florida Panthers Feb. 9), Karlsson assisted on San Jose’s lone goal to become the fastest blueliner to reach the 70-point milestone since Paul Coffey in 1988-89 (45 GP w/ PIT). Karlsson then finished the week with 1-2—3, his eighth three-point performance of 2022‑23, in a 4-1 victory over the Washington Capitals Feb. 12. The 32-year-old two-time Norris Trophy winner leads defensemen in goals (18), assists (55) and points (73) through 54 total appearances this season. He also shares second place among all skaters (forwards and defensemen) in assists and ranks fifth in points.

THIRD STAR – CLAYTON KELLER, RW, ARIZONA COYOTES

Keller, who skated in his third career All-Star Game (also 2019 and 2022), placed second in the NHL with 3-4—7 across three contests as the Coyotes (17-28-8, 42 points) earned four out of a possible six standings points (1-0-2). He picked up one assist in a 3-2 win against the Minnesota Wild Feb. 6. Keller then closed the week with back-to-back three-point performances, notching 1-2—3 (including his 300th NHL point and the primary helper on the tying goal with 2:27 remaining in regulation) in a 4-3 overtime loss to the Chicago Blackhawks Feb. 10 and 2-1—3 in a 6-5 overtime loss to the St. Louis Blues Feb. 11. It marked the second time in Keller’s career that he has recorded consecutive three-point outings, following March 5-8, 2022 (3-4—7 in 2 GP). The 24-year-old Keller tops Arizona in goals (21), assists (27) and points (48) through 53 total games this season.

NBA Preview: Sacramento Kings (32-24) at Phoenix Suns (31-27)

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NBA Preview: Sacramento Kings (32-24) at Phoenix Suns (31-27)

The Phoenix Suns’ Kevin Durant era has opened at a more deliberate pace, with the star forward serving as more of a celebrity and spectator than basketball player so far.

With Durant still not ready to hit the court in the desert, the new Western Conference favorite welcomes fellow newcomers T.J. Warren and Darius Bazley to the team at home Tuesday against the Sacramento Kings.

Acquired at the deadline from the Brooklyn Nets, Durant attended a star-studded Super Bowl party on Saturday and is expected to be on hand for the Suns’ three-day, two-game homestand leading into the All-Star break.

But the two-time champion with the Golden State Warriors has already been ruled out through the break – including the All-Star Game itself – with a sprained right MCL.

Warren was acquired by the Suns in the same trade as Durant, while Bazley was picked up from Oklahoma City. Both are expected to suit up for Monday’s game, which matches teams separated by two games atop the Pacific Division.

All three newcomers practiced Monday, although there was no doubt whose appearance provided the highlight.

The Kings retained a three-game edge in the loss column over the Suns with a 133-128 overtime win over the Dallas Mavericks at home on Saturday night. That game marked the first time Luka Doncic and deadline acquisition Kyrie Irving teamed for Dallas.

As Bazley makes his Suns debut on Monday, Warren will be making a return to the same Phoenix franchise that drafted him 14th overall in 2014. He played five seasons with the Suns, averaging 14.4 points per game.

He has played just 97 games since in four seasons for the Indiana Pacers and Brooklyn Nets because of a variety of injuries, the most serious of which being a fractured left foot that required multiple surgeries and forced him to sit out the entire 2021-22 season.

The Kings are plenty familiar with Warren and Bazley. They’ve gone up against Warren 13 times in his career and seen him score 20 or more points on five occasions. And they’ve dealt with Bazley eight times, including three times already this season, when he averaged 13.7 points.

Sacramento and Phoenix will be duel for just the second time this season. The Suns took the season-series opener 122-117 on the road in November, with Devin Booker exploding for 44 points in the victory.

The Kings’ De’Aaron Fox countered with just 11 points on that night, to equal his second-lowest output of the season, but is making up for lost time of late. He has gone for 31, 33 and 36 points in his last three outings.

Fox saved 26 of his 36 points for the fourth quarter and overtime of Saturday’s win over Mavericks, almost single-handedly rallying the Kings to a win after All-Star teammate Domantas Sabonis had fouled out.

Tuesday’s game is the last before the All-Star break for the Kings, who have led the Pacific since Jan. 2, after finishing in last place a year ago.

NBA Preview: Boston Celtics (41-16) at Milwaukee Bucks (39-17)

NBA Editor
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NBA Preview: Boston Celtics (41-16) at Milwaukee Bucks (39-17)

Two of the NBA’s best teams will tangle Tuesday night when the Milwaukee Bucks visit the Boston Celtics.

The Celtics are at the top of the Eastern Conference standings, 1 1/2 games ahead of the second-place Bucks.

The game will also feature two of the NBA’s marquee players in Milwaukee’s Giannis Antetokounmpo and Boston’s Jayson Tatum. Antetokounmpo is averaging 32.4 points, third best in the NBA, and 12.3 rebounds per game. Tatum is averaging 30.5 points, sixth best, and 8.6 rebounds per contest.

Tatum had 41 points, seven rebounds, five assists and three steals when the Celtics beat the Bucks 139-118 at Boston on Dec. 25. Antetokounmpo had 27 points, nine rebounds and three assists in the loss.

Milwaukee beat the Los Angeles Clippers 119-106 on the road Friday to extend its winning streak to 10 games. It’s the franchise’s first double-digit-winning streak since winning 18 in a row during the 2019-20 season.

Antetokounmpo, who received the most votes among Eastern Conference players for Sunday’s NBA All-Star Game, led Milwaukee with 35 points in the victory over the Clippers. Brook Lopez added 22 points and 15 rebounds, and Jrue Holiday finished with 19 points for the Bucks, who have won 12 of their last 13.

The Celtics have been without some key pieces lately, but will enter Tuesday’s matchup on a four-game winning streak. Boston was missing Jaylen Brown (facial contusion), Marcus Smart (ankle) and Malcolm Brogdon (Achilles soreness) in Sunday’s 119-109 home triumph over Memphis. Brown and Smart could be out until after the All-Star break.

Tatum struggled from the field against Memphis — 3 of 16 for 16 points — but the Celtics received a 23-point performance from Derrick White, who also had 10 assists.

Boston’s Sam Hauser tied his career-high by making six 3-pointers and finished with 20 points.

The Bucks and Celtics both were active before last week’s trade deadline. The Celtics gained frontcourt depth by picking up center Mike Muscala in a trade with Oklahoma City, and the Bucks landed veteran forward Jae Crowder in a three-team deal with Indiana and Brooklyn.

Phoenix first shipped Crowder to Brooklyn earlier in the week after he had been at odds with the Suns and had yet to play this season. Crowder is not expected to make his Bucks debut until after the break.

Miami Marlins acquire left-handed pitcher A.J. Puk from Oakland Athletics

MLB Editor
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Miami Marlins acquire left-handed pitcher A.J. Puk from Oakland Athletics

MIAMI – The Miami Marlins today acquired left-handed reliever A.J. Puk from the Oakland Athletics in exchange for outfielder JJ Bleday.

Puk, 27, went 4-3 with a 3.12 ERA (66.1 IP/23 ER) over 62 relief appearances in his first full season with Oakland in 2022 and led the Athletics bullpen with 76 strikeouts. He posted a career-best 1.15 WHIP, 3.30 K/BB and 3.12 BB/9 marks, while holding opponents to a .217 batting average (only 19 extra-base hits), which included holding left-handed hitters to a .153 average (three extra-base hits).

In parts of three Major League seasons with the A’s, Puk owns a career 3.56 ERA, 1.264 WHIP, and 105 strikeouts in 91.0 innings In 2017, Puk was named the A’s Organization Pitcher of The Year, ranking third in all of Minor League baseball with 184 strikeouts. He was ranked the club’s No. 1 prospect after the 2017 season, during which he was selected to participate in the Futures Game and was named a MiLB.com Organizational All-Star.

Puk was selected in the first round (sixth overall) of the 2016 First-Year Player Draft by Oakland out of the University of Florida. Born in Minneapolis, Minn., the southpaw was rated as the A’s No. 2 prospect by Baseball America following the 2016, 2018, 2019, and 2020 seasons.

Pirates announce two additional non-roster invitees

MLB Editor
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Pirates announce two additional non-roster invitees

The Pittsburgh Pirates today signed catcher Kevin Plawecki and left-handed pitcher Caleb Smith as minor league free agents. Plawecki and Smith will attend big league camp as non-roster invitees. A total of 67 players will now be in big league camp when the Pirates hold their first workout for pitchers and catchers on February 15.

Kevin Plawecki (C) – Was a member of Boston’s Opening Day roster for the third straight season last year (was the sixth time in his career he was a member of an Opening Day roster)…Made a total of 58 appearances (46 starts) behind the plate for the Red Sox last year while hitting .217 with eight doubles, a home run and 12 RBI in 61 games with Boston…Hit .298 (17-for-57) in 20 games from August 4 through September 16 before being designated for assignment on September 17 and released on September 19…Signed with Texas as a free agent on September 21 and appeared in three games with the Rangers…Has recorded a .235 career average (298-for-1268) with 63 doubles, three triples, 22 home runs and 137 RBI in 449 games in the big leagues with the New York Mets (2015-18), Cleveland (2019), Boston (2020-22) and Texas (2022).

Caleb Smith (LHP)- Spent the 2022 season with Arizona where he went 1-3 with a 4.11 ERA (70.0ip/32er) , 65 strikeouts and .218 batting average against in 44 appearances (one start)…Limited left-handed batters to a .170 batting average (16-for-94)…Has gone 108 batters since allowing his last home run to a left-handed hitter on October 1, 2021 (was hit by Colorado’s Dom Nuñez)…Ranked third among National League relievers in innings pitched (43.0) prior to last year’s All-Star break…Was on the 15-day injured list from August 1-28 with a fractured right hand…Did not allow a run in nine of his final 13 outings after being reinstated from the injured list on August 29…Has averaged 9.6 strikeouts per 9.0 innings pitched in his big league career with the New York Yankees (2017), Miami (2018-20) and Arizona (2020-22).

Astros claim LHP Matt Gage off waivers

MLB Editor
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Astros claim LHP Matt Gage off waivers

Left-handed reliever made 11 appearances for Blue Jays in 2022

HOUSTON, TX – The Houston Astros have claimed LHP Matt Gage off of waivers from Toronto. Gage joins the Astros 40-man roster, which is now full. Including Gage, the Astros will have 63 players at Major League Spring Training, which includes 40 players on their 40-man roster and 23 non-roster invitees. 

Gage, 30, had a strong season in the Blue Jays organization in 2022, while pitching at the Major League and Triple A levels. He made 11 appearances for the Blue Jays last season, the first Major League appearances in his career, posting a 1.38 ERA (2ER/13IP) and a 0.92 WHIP. All 11 of those outings came in June and July. He spent the majority of his year at Triple A Buffalo and was equally effective, going 2-2 with 12 saves and a 2.34 ERA (11ER/42.1IP) in 41 games. While with Buffalo, he allowed just a .197 opponent average and struck out 46 in 42.1 innings pitched.

The Astros will hold their first official Spring Training workout for pitchers and catchers at the Ballpark of the Palm Beaches complex in West Palm Beach, FL, on Thursday, Feb. 16. The first official workout for the entire squad is scheduled for Tuesday, Feb. 21.

A’s Acquire OF JJ Bleday from Miami for LHP A.J. Puk

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A’s Acquire OF JJ Bleday from Miami for LHP A.J. Puk

OAKLAND, Calif. — The Oakland A’s have acquired outfielder JJ Bleday from the Miami Marlins for left-handed pitcher A.J. Puk, the club announced today.

Bleday was the Marlins first round pick and the fourth selection overall in the 2019 First-Year Player Draft and made his Major League debut with Miami in 2022.  He batted .167 with five home runs and 16 RBI in 65 games and also walked 30 times for a .277 on-base percentage.  The 25-year-old left-handed hitter started 37 games in center field, 15 in left field and four in right field.  Bleday also hit .228 with 20 home runs, 52 RBI and an .835 OPS in 85 games with Triple-A Jacksonville and is a .225 hitter with 35 home runs and 125 RBI in 233 games in three professional seasons.

Puk went 4-3 with four saves, a 3.12 ERA and .667 opponents OPS in a career-high 62 relief appearances in his third season in the majors with Oakland last year.  He allowed a .217 opponents batting average but walked 23 and hit 10 batters for a .310 on-base percentage.  The 27-year-old left-hander was the A’s first round pick and sixth selection overall in 2016 but has missed two seasons due to “Tommy John” surgery in 2018 and shoulder surgery in 2020.  He is 6-6 with a 3.56 ERA in 84 relief appearances in three seasons in the majors.

MBB-FBS: Northern Illinois Huskies (11-14) return to the road Tuesday at Ball State Cardinals (18-7)

NCAABB Editor
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MBB-FBS: Northern Illinois Huskies (11-14) return to the road Tuesday at Ball State Cardinals (18-7)

The Northern Illinois University men’s basketball team heads back on the road Tuesday as the Huskies travel to Muncie, Ind., to face Ball State. Game time against the Cardinals is slated for 6 p.m. CT and will be available on ESPN+, as well as 94-9 WDKB and The Varsity Network app.

NIU is coming off an 81-53 victory on Saturday (Feb. 11) to improve to 11-14 overall, 7-5 in Mid-American Conference play, fifth in the league standings. Six players scored in double figures against the Broncos, led by 18 points from Zarique Nutter (Newark, N.J.). It marked the first time NIU had six double figure scorers in a game since Dec. 14, 2016, against Olivet Nazarene.

Anthony Crump (Inkster, Mich.) and Kaleb Thornton (Bolingbrook, Ill.) both recorded double-doubles against Western Michigan, with Crump posting 11 points and a career-best 14 rebounds while Thornton had 10 points and a career-high tying 11 assists. It was the first time since Nov. 18, 2019, against Longwood that two Huskies had double-doubles in the same game.

The win over Western Michigan also gave NIU its first season sweep of the Broncos since the 2005-06 season.

NIU currently has four players leading the MAC in statistical categories in conference play. Thornton leads the league in both assists, with 6.1 per game, and steals, recording 2.5 per contest. David Coit (Columbus, N.J.) has the conference lead in free throw percentage, shooting 94.4 percent (34-of-36) while Harvin Ibarguen (Cali, Colombia) is tied for the league lead in field goal percentage, shooting 80.9 percent (38-of-47).

The Cardinals come into Tuesday’s contest with an 18-7 overall record, including a 9-3 mark in MAC play, tied for third in the conference. Ball State is 10-1 at home this season and is coming off a 93-72 victory over Bowling Green on Saturday (Feb. 11). Four players score in double figures for the Cardinals, led by 14.8 points per game from Jarron Coleman. Jaylin Sellers adds 13.3 points per game, Payton Sparks is averaging 12.6 points, and a team-best 8.2 rebounds, per contest while Demarius Jacobs is scoring 11.8 points per game.

Following Tuesday’s contest, NIU will return home on Saturday, Feb. 18, for its annual “Cram the Convo” doubleheader. The Huskie women’s basketball team will host Ball State at 1 p.m., followed by the men’s basketball team against Miami at 3:30. Tickets for “Cram the Convo” and all remaining home games are available now at NIUHuskies.com/tickets or by calling the NIU Athletics Ticket Office at (815) 753-PACK (7225).

WBB-D2: Ouachita Baptist Tigers (10-11) at Henderson State Reddies (13-10)

NCAABB Editor
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WBB-D2: Ouachita Baptist Tigers (10-11) at Henderson State Reddies (13-10)

Henderson State gets set to host the second installment of the Battle of the Ravine against rivals Ouachita Baptist on Tuesday, Feb. 14 at 5:30 p.m. in the Duke Wells Center.
 
REDDIES REPORT
Henderson went 1-1 in its final trip to the Sooner State with a win over Southwestern Oklahoma State 62-57 and fell to Northwestern Oklahoma State 65-49. The Reddies are now 13-10 overall and 10-7 in the GAC, which places them fourth in the league standings.
 
Against Northwestern Oklahoma State, Ashley Farrar led the team with 13 points and recorded four rebounds. This season, the Green Forest, Ark. native is third in the league in scoring, averaging 18.5 points a game and shooting 43.9 percent from the field. Sonni Martin tallied seven assists across the two games, including four against the Lady Rangers and is averaging 3.1 each game.
 
The Reddies’ fourth-ranked three-point defense will be tested against Ouachita Baptist, who ranks first in shots from deep. Opponents are shooting 29.3 percent from beyond the arc against HSU and averaging 4.6 triples a game. In the last five games, teams have gone 26-of-89 from deep against the Reddies.
 
The first time the two sides met, Henderson fell to Ouachita Baptist 69-59 in the Bill Vining Arena. Jiles paced the team with 16 points, going 4-10 from beyond the arc and recording six rebounds. Gracie Raby and Farrar rounded out the scoring with 12 and 10 points, respectively.
 
Henderson leads the all-time series 48-41, but Ouachita Baptist has won the last two games against the Reddies. In the last 11 games in the Duke Wells Center, HSU has won nine contests and only lost three times, including a 91-89 win last time at home. 
 
SCOUTING OUACHITA BAPTIST
The Tigers have won two of their last four contest and fell to Southwestern Oklahoma State 70-65 in their previous game. Ouachita is 10-11 overall this season, with seven league wins and ten defeats.  
 
OUA has one of the best three-point attacks in the GAC, as the team is converting 36.3 percent of its shots from beyond the arc. The Tigers are led by Laney Mears and Heidi Robinson, who are shooting 43.2 and 42.9 percent, respectively from the three-point line and rank in the top five in three-point field goal percentage.
 
Makayla Miller is Ouachita Baptist’s second-leading scorer, averaging 13.6 points a game, and is shooting 46.5 percent from the field. The guard is also first in the GAC in steals with 2.8 a game and second in assists with 4.7 a contest.

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