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New Jersey Sets Another Gaming Revenue Record as iGaming Surge Continues

Gaming Editor
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New Jersey Sets Another Gaming Revenue Record as iGaming Surge Continues

New Jersey’s gaming industry delivered yet another historic performance in 2025, setting a new annual revenue record and reinforcing its position as the nation’s second‑largest gaming market behind Nevada.

According to the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement, total gross gaming revenue (GGR) from Atlantic City’s nine casinos, online casino platforms, and both retail and in‑person sports betting reached $6.98 billion last year. The figure represents a 10.8% increase over 2024—an annual jump of more than $683 million—and marks the fifth straight year of record‑setting gaming revenue in the Garden State.

James Plousis, chair of the New Jersey Casino Control Commission, said the industry’s continued growth has fueled broader economic benefits across the region. “A successful gaming industry benefits all of New Jersey. It has sparked investment in Atlantic City’s convention, tourism, and entertainment centers, creating jobs and producing new economic activity across South Jersey,” he noted.

State gaming taxes flowing into the Casino Revenue Fund—which supports programs for seniors and residents with disabilities—surpassed $1 billion in 2025.

iGaming Drives Growth as Land‑Based Casinos Deliver Mixed Results

Online casino gaming once again served as the engine of New Jersey’s gaming expansion. iGaming operators generated more than $2.91 billion in revenue, a 22% increase from 2024. December alone produced nearly $273.2 million, the highest monthly total in state history.

For the first time ever, online casinos collectively earned more revenue than Atlantic City’s nine brick‑and‑mortar casinos.

Land‑based casinos still posted gains overall. Despite a sluggish December that saw in‑person play fall nearly 7%, Atlantic City casinos reported $2.89 billion in 2025 GGR, up 2.7% year‑over‑year. Slot revenue rose 1.7% to $2.13 billion, while table games climbed 5.7% to $762.5 million.

However, performance varied widely by property:

Casinos with In‑Person Revenue Growth

  • Borgata: $800.8M (+8.5%)
  • Hard Rock: $550.8M (+1.1%)
  • Ocean: $468.1M (+14.3%)
  • Harrah’s: $225M (+0.5%)

Casinos with Declines

  • Bally’s: $133M (‑8.5%)
  • Golden Nugget: $135.8M (‑7.7%)
  • Caesars: $203.8M (‑6.7%)
  • Tropicana: $216.8M (‑4.9%)
  • Resorts: $159.9M (‑1.2%)

Borgata remained the market leader by a wide margin, while Ocean posted the strongest percentage growth.

2026 Outlook: Growth Meets New Competitive Pressure

While Atlantic City managed to grow revenue in 2025, the road ahead is far from smooth. Three full‑scale casinos are expected to open in downstate New York—two in Queens and one in the Bronx—directly targeting a region that has long served as Atlantic City’s most important feeder market.

The extent of the impact remains uncertain, but analysts widely expect the New York properties to siphon off a meaningful share of Atlantic City’s visitation and gaming spend.

At the same time, rising labor costs and increased expenses for goods and services are squeezing margins, particularly for the city’s lower‑performing casinos. Properties such as Bally’s, which posted the steepest revenue decline in 2025, appear especially vulnerable in the coming years.

NHL Morning Skate – January 18, 2026

NHL Editor
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NHL Morning Skate – January 18, 2026
NHL Morning Skate – Jan. 18, 2026

* The Maple Leafs and Canadiens both earned multi-goal, third-period comeback wins on Hockey Day in Canada, boosting the League’s total to tie the third most at this stage of a season in NHL history.

* Mika Zibanejad scored a hat trick and reached the 20-goal mark to climb a number of Rangers franchise lists and help lift his club to victory.

* Sunday’s three-game slate opens with the Lightning visiting the Stars on NHL Network, Sportsnet and TVA Sports and will mark the two-week countdown before Tampa Bay hosts Boston at Raymond James Stadium for the 2026 Navy Federal Credit Union NHL Stadium Series.
 

THIRD-PERIOD COMEBACKS APLENTY FOR CANADIAN CLUBS ON HOCKEY DAY
Two Canadian clubs earned multi-goal, third-period comebacks on Hockey Day in Canada as Montreal and Toronto both did so as visitors Saturday. The 2025-26 campaign has now featured 30 multi-goal, third-period comeback wins, which tied 1983-84 for the third most at this stage of a season (766 GP), behind only 2022-23 (37) and 2019-20 (35).

* The Maple Leafs rallied from a two-goal deficit in the third period to force extra time, where Max Domi (1-1—2) scored his first regular-season overtime goal with Toronto – he also tallied in overtime of Game 2 of the 2025 First Round – to help the Maple Leafs finish off a four-game road trip with a 2-1-1 record. It marked their seventh third-period comeback win of 2025-26, tied with the Canadiens for the second most in the NHL this season behind the Golden Knights (8).

* Juraj Slafkovský and Alexandre Carrier both scored in the final 4:24 of the third period before Cole Caufield potted the overtime winner as Montreal (27-15-7, 61 points) moved within one point of Tampa Bay (29-13-4, 62 points) for first in the Atlantic Division. Caufield netted his franchise-record 12th overtime goal and tied J.T. Miller as well as Kirill Kaprizov for the third most among all players since he entered the NHL in 2020-21 – he trails William Nylander (13) and Sebastian Aho (13).

* The contest also featured Lane Hutson record his sixth career three-assist game, tied for the fifth most by a defenseman age 21 or younger in NHL history (also Quinn Hughes, Larry Murphy & Ray Bourque). The list is topped by Phil Housley (9), Paul Coffey (9), Bobby Orr (8) and Robert Picard (7).


ZIBANEJAD SCORES HAT TRICK, CAPTURES FRANCHISE RECORD IN WIN
Mika Zibanejad (3-0—3) scored his second hat trick of the season, captured the Rangers record for power-play goals, moved into a tie for a couple other franchise records and hit the 20-goal mark for the 10th time in his career as New York defeated Philadelphia at Xfinity Mobile Arena.

* Zibanejad, who will skate for Team Sweden in the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026, recorded his ninth hat trick with the Rangers and tied Bill Cook for the most in franchise history. Zibanejad became the fourth Swedish player with 10 career hat tricks, joining Kent Nilsson (14), Filip Forsberg (11) and Markus Naslund (11).

* Zibanejad registered his ninth consecutive 20-goal season with New York and eclipsed Jean Ratelle (8) for the longest stretch in franchise history. He also tied Ratelle (9) for the third-most 20-goal campaigns overall with the club behind Rod Gilbert (12) and Chris Kreider (10).

GOLDEN KNIGHTS, BRUINS WIN SEVENTH AND SIXTH STRAIGHT GAME
The Golden Knights and Bruins extended the NHL’s longest active winning streaks to seven and six games, respectively.

* Mark Stone and Mitch Marner scored two of Vegas’ seven goals – both in the third period to help the club match a franchise record for most in a single frame (5) – as the Golden Knights (24-11-12, 60 points) maintained their four-point lead on top spot in the Pacific Division and tied their fifth-longest winning streak in franchise history (also 7 GP in 2023-24 & 2018-19). Vegas scored seven goals in a contest for the third time this season – only three teams have done so more: Anaheim (5), Colorado (4) and Washington (4).

* Stone extended his point streak to 11 games and tied Tomas Hertl (11 GP in 2024-25) for the second-longest run in franchise history behind Jack Eichel (12 GP in 2023-24), while Marner set a franchise mark for fewest games to 50 career points with the club (47 GP) – he bested Jonathan Marchessault (49 GP).

* David Pastrnak (0-2—2) recorded his 100th career multi-assist performance while skating in his 800th NHL game and helped the Bruins overcome an early two-goal deficit en route to their sixth straight victory. Boston (28-19-2, 58 points) leapfrogged Buffalo (26-16-5, 57 points) for the first Wild Card spot in the Eastern Conference. The Bruins, who also posted a seven-game run from Oct. 28 to Nov. 11, 2025, recorded multiple winning streaks of six-plus games in a campaign for the second time in the past five years, following 2022-23 (6x).

* Pastrnak became the 10th Bruins player to record 100 multi-assist games with the club and the fifth-fastest player on that list to reach the mark, following Bobby Orr (437 GP), Phil Esposito (451 GP), Ray Bourque (614 GP) and Rick Middleton (794 GP).


HIGHLIGHTS FROM 13-GAME SATURDAY IN #NHLSTATS: LIVE UPDATES

The most recent edition of #NHLStats: Live Updates featured notes from all 26 teams, including multiple from the Blue Jackets, Flames, Oilers and Hurricanes who each earned wins:

* Kent Johnson and Charlie Coyle scored in the shootout to help the Blue Jackets extend their winning streak to four games – their second run of that length this season (also Oct. 25 – Nov. 1). Rick Bowness became the third head coach in Blue Jackets history to win each of their first three games with the club, joining Claude Noel (3-0-0) and Doug MacLean (3-0-0). 


* The Flames opened Hockey Day in Canada with a win on home ice backed by a 28-save performance from goaltender Dustin Wolf, who earned his 52nd career win to take sole possession of 11th on the Flames’ all-time list (1 back of Rick Wamsley in the top 10), by beating the goaltender who sits tied for eighth on that same list, David Rittich. Islanders defenseman Matthew Schaefer (0-2—2) recorded his sixth career multi-point game in the loss – only Phil Housley (13x), Bobby Orr (8x) and Rasmus Dahlin (8x) have more multi-point performances by a defenseman prior to turning 19.

* Jack Roslovic and Kasperi Kapanen netted two goals apiece during a six-goal second-period surge for the Oilers, who scored six in a frame for the second time in the past 25 years, following April 27, 2013 (6 in P3 vs. VAN). Roslovic and Kapanen became the first pair of Oilers teammates to score multiple goals in the same period since Andrei Kovalenko and Rem Murray on Oct. 24, 1996 (P2 at LAK).

* Andrei Svechnikov recorded his fourth career hat trick, including two goals in a 57-second span of the second period, to help Carolina (30-15-4, 64 points) pad its lead atop the Metropolitan Division. It marked the second time this season Svechnikov scored twice in under a minute (0:54 on Nov. 14, 2025), a first in Hurricanes team history and the fourth time in franchise history a player has scored twice in under a minute more than once in a single campaign. The others: Pat Verbeek (2x in 1990-91), Ron Francis (2x in 1985-86) and Blaine Stoughton (2x in 1983-84).


QUICK CLICKS

*Tim Stützle scores impressive between legs goal

* Alex Ovechkin, Pierre-Luc Dubois meet Montreal Victoire ahead of PWHL Takeover Tour
*Connor Bedard rocks Caleb Williams jersey before Bears playoff game on Sunday
* NHL EDGE stats: Lindy Ruff emerges as Jack Adams contender for Sabres

* With Olympics on horizon, NHL coaches, players balancing regular season, preparation for Games

LIGHTNING VISIT STARS LOOKING TO EXTEND POINT STREAK

Sunday’s three-game slate opens with the Atlantic Division’s first-place Lightning (29-13-4, 62 points) visiting the Central Division’s second-place Stars (27-12-9, 63 points) on NHL Network, Sportsnet and TVA Sports, marking the two-week countdown before Tampa Bay hosts Boston at Raymond James Stadium for the 2026 Navy Federal Credit Union NHL Stadium Series (Feb. 1 on ESPN, SN, TVAS). The Lightning’s franchise record-tying 11-game win streak came to an end with a shootout loss to the Blues on Friday, but Tampa Bay can still extend its point streak to 13 games Sunday, which would tie the fourth longest in franchise history.

* The Lightning-Stars contest will feature two teams trending towards yet another appearance in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, where Tampa Bay (74) and Dallas (61) rank first and third, respectively, in postseason wins across the previous 10. Since 2015-16, the Lightning have advanced to the Conference Finals/Semifinals or further five times (including Stanley Cup wins in 2020 & 2021), while the Stars have advanced as deep four times over that span including Conference Finals appearances in each of the previous three campaigns.

NHL Game Preview: St. Louis Blues (19-21-8) vs. Edmonton Oilers (24-17-8)

NHL Editor
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NHL Game Preview: St. Louis Blues (19-21-8) vs. Edmonton Oilers (24-17-8)

The St. Louis Blues (19-21-8) visit the Edmonton Oilers (24-17-8) in a Western Conference interdivisional matchup. The Blues, sitting seventh in the Central Division with 46 points, are fighting to stay in the playoff hunt but have been inconsistent, relying on their offense amid defensive struggles. The Oilers, second in the Pacific Division with 56 points, are coming off a dominant shutout win and boast elite talent like Connor McDavid, though key absences could impact their depth. This game at Rogers Place features Edmonton’s high-octane attack against St. Louis’ resilient but injury-plagued lineup, potentially leading to a fast-paced contest despite recent unders in the series.

Venue Location

Rogers Place, Edmonton, Alberta. This 18,347-seat arena, home to the Oilers since 2016, is known for its state-of-the-art facilities and vibrant atmosphere during home stands.

Puckdrop is scheduled for 8:00 p.m. ET (5:00 p.m. PT, 6:00 p.m. local time in Edmonton). The game will be broadcast on ESPN+ and Sportsnet, with local radio on 880 CHED (Oilers) and KMOX 1120 AM (Blues).

Recent Team Forms

The Blues have been middling, going 4-5-1 in their last 10 games with a -7 goal differential, including a recent shootout win over Tampa Bay to snap a skid. The Oilers are heating up, winning 6 of their last 10 with a +12 goal differential, highlighted by a 6-0 shutout over Vancouver.

Here’s a breakdown of each team’s last 10 games:

DateOpponentResult (Blues)Score
Jan 16vs. Tampa Bay LightningW (SO)3-2
Jan 13vs. Carolina HurricanesW3-0
Jan 10vs. Vegas Golden KnightsL2-4
Jan 9at Utah Hockey ClubL1-3
Jan 7at Chicago BlackhawksW4-2
Jan 3vs. Montreal CanadiensL3-5
Jan 2vs. Vegas Golden KnightsL4-5
Dec 31at Vancouver CanucksW3-2
Dec 29vs. Seattle KrakenL1-4
Dec 27at Calgary FlamesL (OT)2-3

Overall: 4-5-1 in last 10 (9 points).

DateOpponentResult (Oilers)Score
Jan 17vs. Vancouver CanucksW6-0
Jan 15vs. New York IslandersL0-1
Jan 13vs. Detroit Red WingsW4-2
Jan 10at Los Angeles KingsL (SO)3-4
Jan 8vs. Seattle KrakenW5-3
Jan 6at Calgary FlamesW3-1
Jan 3vs. Anaheim DucksW4-2
Jan 1at Vegas Golden KnightsL2-4
Dec 30vs. San Jose SharksW5-1
Dec 28at Vancouver CanucksL3-4

Overall: 6-3-1 in last 10 (13 points).

Injury Report

St. Louis Blues:

Robert Thomas (C): Out (lower body, IR) – Re-evaluated in two weeks (expected late Jan.).

Mathieu Joseph (RW): Out (elbow) – Expected return Jan. 18, but status questionable.

Pius Suter (C): Out (ankle).

Dylan Holloway (LW): Out (ankle) – Games played: 33, 8 goals, 9 assists.

Philip Broberg (D): Day-to-day (upper body, concussion protocol).

The Blues are missing their leading scorer (Thomas, 45 points) and several depth pieces, straining their offense and blue line.

Edmonton Oilers:

Leon Draisaitl (C): Out (personal leave of absence) – Expected return Jan. 24.

Adam Henrique (C): Out (undisclosed, LTIR).

Tristan Jarry (G): Out (lower body, LTIR) – Expected mid-January, but not confirmed.

Jake Walman (D): Out (lower body).

The Oilers are without Draisaitl (second in team points) for a second straight game, forcing adjustments like Nugent-Hopkins centering the top line.

Key

Player Matchups

With absences on both sides, this game spotlights Edmonton’s speed against St. Louis’ grit, including Ryan Nugent-Hopkins’ 1,000th NHL game milestone.

Connor McDavid (EDM F) vs. Jordan Kyrou (STL F): McDavid leads the league with 62 points and recently extended his streak; he’ll face Kyrou (team-high points for Blues, 7 in recent games) in high-speed rushes.

Evan Bouchard (EDM D) vs. Jake Neighbours (STL F): Bouchard (power-play quarterback, 8 goals) will contend with Neighbours’ physical forecheck (4 goals lately).

Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (EDM F) vs. Pavel Buchnevich (STL F): Nugent-Hopkins steps up sans Draisaitl (multi-point games recent); Buchnevich provides secondary scoring for Blues.

Goaltending: Stuart Skinner (EDM) vs. Jordan Binnington (STL): Skinner (strong in shutout win, sub-2.50 GAA lately) vs. Binnington (recent shutout, but inconsistent road form).

Other keys: Edmonton’s power play (top-5) vs. Blues’ penalty kill (bottom-10). Blues’ even-strength defense must contain McDavid’s line.

Series History

The all-time series favors the Blues at 76-66-11-4 (153 games), but Edmonton holds a slight edge at home. Recently, the Blues are 4-2-2 in their last eight meetings, including a 3-2 win on Dec. 31, 2025. The Oilers are 3-1-1 in the last five overall. The under has hit in 6 of the last 9 games.

Betting Trends

Puck Line: Oilers 6-4 ATS in last 10; Blues 3-7 ATS in last 10 road games.

Over/Under: The over is 4-1 in Oilers’ last 5 home games; under is 5-1 in last 6 head-to-head.

Other Trends: Oilers 7-3 SU in last 10 overall; Blues 2-5 SU in last 7 road tilts. Series often sees low power-play goals (under 1.5 in 7 of last 10

Game Odds

St. Louis Blues                   6.5

Edmonton Oilers              – 155

Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Saturday, January 17, 2026

NHL Game Preview: Ottawa Senators (22-19-6) vs. Detroit Red Wings (29-16-4)

NHL Editor
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NHL Game Preview: Ottawa Senators (22-19-6) vs. Detroit Red Wings (29-16-4)

The Ottawa Senators (22-19-6) travel to face the Detroit Red Wings (29-16-4) in an Atlantic Division clash. The Senators, clinging to the final wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference with 50 points, have struggled lately but boast a strong offense led by Brady Tkachuk. The Red Wings, tied for first in the Atlantic with 62 points, are riding a hot streak and have been dominant at home. This matchup features former teammates like Alex DeBrincat (now with Detroit) facing his old club, with Detroit’s balanced attack testing Ottawa’s goaltending depth amid injuries. Expect a high-scoring game at Little Caesars Arena, where Detroit’s recent form gives them the edge.

Venue Location

Little Caesars Arena, Detroit, Michigan. This 19,515-seat venue, opened in 2017, is known for its modern amenities and raucous atmosphere during Red Wings home games, especially against divisional rivals.

Puckdrop is scheduled for 5:00 p.m. ET (2:00 p.m. PT, 4:00 p.m. local time in Detroit). The game will be broadcast on ESPN+, with local feeds on Sportsnet (Ottawa market) and Bally Sports Detroit (Detroit market). Radio coverage is available on TSN 1200 for Senators fans and 97.1 The Ticket for Red Wings listeners.

Recent Team Forms

The Senators have been inconsistent, going 4-6-0 in their last 10 games with a -8 goal differential, including a recent overtime loss to Montreal. They’ve shown offensive flashes but have lost five of their last seven overall. The Red Wings are surging, winning four of their last five and 7-3-0 in their last 10, outscoring opponents 38-25 in that span.

Here’s a breakdown of each team’s last 10 games (inferred from recent results and trends):

DateOpponentResult (Senators)Score
Jan 17vs. Montreal CanadiensL (OT)5-6
Jan 15at New York RangersW8-4
Jan 13vs. Boston BruinsL2-4
Jan 10at Carolina HurricanesL3-5
Jan 8vs. Vancouver CanucksW4-2
Jan 5at Detroit Red WingsL3-5
Jan 3vs. Pittsburgh PenguinsL1-4
Jan 1at Pittsburgh PenguinsL3-4
Dec 29vs. Seattle KrakenW4-3
Dec 27at Buffalo SabresW5-2

Overall: 4-6-0 in last 10 (8 points).

DateOpponentResult (Red Wings)Score
Jan 16vs. San Jose SharksW4-2
Jan 13vs. Boston BruinsW5-2
Jan 12vs. Carolina HurricanesW4-3
Jan 10vs. Montreal CanadiensW4-0
Jan 8vs. Vancouver CanucksW5-1
Jan 5vs. Ottawa SenatorsW5-3
Jan 3at Pittsburgh PenguinsL1-4
Jan 1vs. Pittsburgh PenguinsL3-4
Dec 30at New York IslandersW3-2
Dec 28vs. Toronto Maple LeafsL2-4

Overall: 7-3-0 in last 10 (14 points).

Injury Report

Ottawa Senators:

Linus Ullmark (G): IR-NR (personal) – Expected return Jan. 20. Ottawa’s starting goalie (2.85 GAA) is out, forcing reliance on backups like Leevi Meriläinen, who has struggled recently.

No other major injuries reported, though the team has dealt with minor issues.

Detroit Red Wings: No injuries reported. The Red Wings enter fully healthy, providing lineup flexibility.

Key

Player Matchups

This divisional tilt highlights offensive stars and revenge narratives, with DeBrincat facing his former team.

Brady Tkachuk (OTT F) vs. Moritz Seider (DET D): Tkachuk leads Ottawa with 3 goals in recent games and thrives in physical play (high hits, shots). He’ll challenge Seider, Detroit’s top defenseman with strong shutdown abilities and 6 assists lately.

Tim Stutzle (OTT F) vs. Dylan Larkin (DET F): Stutzle (high points pace) brings speed for Ottawa, while Larkin (recent tiebreaking goals) anchors Detroit’s center depth and faceoff wins.

Alex DeBrincat (DET F) vs. Jake Sanderson (OTT D): DeBrincat, traded from Ottawa, has been hot with points in recent wins; Sanderson (7 points leading Ottawa D) will try to contain him on the wing.

Goaltending: Leevi Meriläinen (OTT) vs. Cam Talbot (DET): Meriläinen steps in for Ullmark but has poor numbers (overplayed, high GAA); Talbot (strong in last 5 starts, sub-2.50 GAA) gives Detroit stability.

Other keys: Ottawa’s power play (top-15) vs. Detroit’s penalty kill (top-10). Detroit’s even-strength scoring could exploit Ottawa’s defensive lapses.

Series History

The all-time series favors Detroit at 35-30-1-3 (69 games), but Ottawa has won 7 of the last 10 meetings and 13 of the last 17 overall. The over has hit in 4 of the last 5 games. Last meeting: Detroit won 5-3 on Jan. 5, 2026, at home. In playoffs, they’ve met once (2006 Eastern Conference Semifinals, Ottawa won 4-1).

Betting Trends

Puck Line: Detroit is 5-1 ATS in last 6 games; Ottawa is 1-5 ATS in last 6.

Over/Under: The over is 4-1 in Ottawa’s last 5 road games and 4-1 in the last 5 head-to-head; Detroit games have gone over in 3 of last 5 home tilts.

Other Trends: Detroit is 5-1 SU in last 6 home games; Ottawa is 2-4 SU in last 6 overall. The Senators are 6-2 SU in last 8 visits to Detroit, but recent form favors the Wings.

Game Odds

Ottawa Senators              6.5

Detroit Red Wings           – 125

Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Saturday, January 17, 2026

NHL Game Preview: Tampa Bay Lightning (29-13-4) vs. Dallas Stars (27-12-9)

NHL Editor
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NHL Game Preview: Tampa Bay Lightning (29-13-4) vs. Dallas Stars (27-12-9)

The Tampa Bay Lightning (29-13-4) face off against the Dallas Stars (27-12-9) in a cross-conference matchup between two teams vying for playoff positioning. The Lightning, sitting atop the Atlantic Division with 62 points, are coming off a shootout loss but have been dominant in recent weeks. The Stars, second in the Central Division with 63 points, hold a slight edge in the standings but have struggled lately, dropping six of their last eight games. This game pits Tampa’s high-powered offense against Dallas’ stout defense, though injuries could play a major role. With both teams dealing with slumps and key absences, expect a low-scoring affair at the American Airlines Center.

Venue Location

American Airlines Center, Dallas, Texas. This 20,000-seat arena has been the Stars’ home since 2001 and is known for its passionate crowd, especially in matinee games.

Puckdrop is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. ET (11:00 a.m. PT, 1:00 p.m. local time in Dallas). The game will be broadcast on NHL Network, with local feeds on The Spot (Tampa Bay market) and Victory+ (Dallas market). Radio coverage is available on WDAE 100.7 FM for Lightning fans and KTCK 1310 AM for Stars listeners.

Recent Team Forms

The Lightning have been one of the hottest teams in the NHL over the last month, winning eight of their past 10 games before a recent stumble. They’ve outscored opponents 42-22 in that stretch, showcasing offensive depth despite injuries. The Stars, conversely, have hit a rough patch, losing seven of their last 10, including three straight home defeats. Their offense has dried up, averaging just 2.4 goals per game in January.

Here’s a breakdown of each team’s last 10 games:

DateOpponentResult (Lightning)Score
Jan 16vs. St. Louis BluesL (SO)2-3
Jan 13vs. Pittsburgh PenguinsW (SO)2-1
Jan 10vs. Philadelphia FlyersW7-2
Jan 6vs. Colorado AvalancheW4-2
Jan 3vs. San Jose SharksW7-3
Jan 1vs. Los Angeles KingsW5-3
Dec 30at Utah Hockey ClubW4-1
Dec 28at Vegas Golden KnightsW3-2
Dec 26vs. New York RangersL1-4
Dec 23vs. Florida PanthersW5-2

Overall: 8-1-1 in last 10 (17 points).

DateOpponentResult (Stars)Score
Jan 15vs. Utah Hockey ClubL1-2
Jan 12at Los Angeles KingsW3-1
Jan 10at San Jose SharksL (OT)4-5
Jan 7vs. Washington CapitalsW4-1
Jan 6vs. Carolina HurricanesL3-6
Jan 4vs. Montreal CanadiensL3-4
Jan 1vs. Chicago BlackhawksL3-4
Dec 30at Minnesota WildW2-1
Dec 28vs. Edmonton OilersL2-5
Dec 26at Seattle KrakenW4-3

Overall: 4-5-1 in last 10 (9 points).

Injury Report

Tampa Bay Lightning:

Brayden Point (C): Out (lower body) – Expected return Feb. 5. A massive loss, as Point leads the team with 28 goals and 55 points.

Victor Hedman (D): Out (elbow surgery) – Expected return Feb. 1. Tampa’s top defenseman (45 points) is sidelined, weakening the blue line.

Ryan McDonagh (D): Out (undisclosed) – Expected return Jan. 20.

Emil Martinsen Lilleberg (D): Out (undisclosed).

Scott Sabourin (RW): Out (undisclosed) – Expected return Jan. 26.

The Lightning are without three key defensemen and their star center, forcing reliance on depth players like Darren Raddysh (recently with power-play assists).

Dallas Stars:

Miro Heiskanen (D): Expected to return today after missing time (undisclosed). His presence bolsters the defense with 7 assists in recent games.

No other major injuries reported, though the team has dealt with minor ailments in forwards like Rodrigo Abols (lower body, sidelined indefinitely but not a key player).

Dallas enters relatively healthy, giving them an edge in depth.

Key

Player Matchups

This game features elite talent on both sides, but Tampa’s injuries shift the focus to their remaining stars against Dallas’ balanced lineup.

Nikita Kucherov (TB F) vs. Miro Heiskanen (DAL D): Kucherov leads the NHL with 65 points (28 goals, 37 assists) and thrives on the power play. He’ll test Heiskanen, who returns to anchor Dallas’ top pair and has 4 goals and 7 assists in limited recent action. Expect Kucherov to exploit gaps, but Heiskanen’s speed could neutralize him.

Jason Robertson (DAL F) vs. Darren Raddysh (TB D): Robertson paces the Stars with 27 goals and 121 shots, using his shot volume to create chances. Raddysh, stepping up with 4 assists recently, will need to contain him on the rush.

Wyatt Johnston (DAL F) vs. Jake Guentzel (TB F): Johnston (25 goals) brings youth and scoring touch for Dallas, while Guentzel (22 goals) provides secondary offense for Tampa amid absences.

Goaltending: Andrei Vasilevskiy (TB) vs. Jake Oettinger (DAL): Vasilevskiy (22-9-2, 2.45 GAA) remains elite despite team injuries, but Oettinger (20-8-5, 2.30 GAA) has the edge at home with better recent form (under 2.00 GAA in last five starts).

Other keys: Tampa’s power play (20.41%, 15th in NHL) vs. Dallas’ penalty kill (85%, top-10). Dallas’ even-strength play could dominate if Tampa’s depleted defense falters.

Series History

The all-time series is dead even at 32-32-3 for Tampa against Dallas (including playoffs). Tampa has dominated recently, going 13-5 straight up in the last 18 meetings and 8-3 on the road in the last 11. The under has hit in 7 of the last 9 games between these teams. Last meeting: Tampa won 2-1 in OT on Oct. 30, 2025. In the 2020 Stanley Cup Final, Tampa beat Dallas 4-2 for the title.

Betting Trends

Puck Line: Tampa is 7-3 against the spread in last 10 road games; Dallas is 4-6 ATS in last 10 overall.

Over/Under: The under is 6-0 in Tampa’s last 6 games and 7-2 in the last 9 head-to-head matchups. Dallas games have gone under in 8 of last 10 home contests.

Other Trends: Tampa is 7-1 SU on the road in last 8; Dallas is 2-5 SU in last 7 home games. Power-play goals have been rare in this series (under 1.5 in 6 of last 8).

Game Odds

Tampa Bay Lightning      – 125

Dallas Stars                         5.5

Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Saturday, January 17, 2026

NBA Game Preview: Toronto Raptors (25-18) vs. Los Angeles Lakers (24-16)

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NBA Game Preview: Toronto Raptors (25-18) vs. Los Angeles Lakers (24-16)

The Toronto Raptors travel to face the Los Angeles Lakers in a cross-conference matchup that could highlight contrasting team trajectories. The Raptors, sitting in the playoff mix in the East, have shown resilience despite injuries, avoiding consecutive losses for nearly a month. The Lakers, dealing with a banged-up roster including potential absences of key acquisitions like Luka Doncic, aim to leverage their home court to climb the Western standings. This game could turn on star performances amid roster adjustments from the 2025-26 season’s trades and injuries.

Venue Location

Crypto.com Arena, Los Angeles, California. This iconic venue, formerly Staples Center, provides the Lakers with a strong home advantage, where they’ve gone 11-8 this season.

Tipoff is scheduled for 9:30 PM ET (6:30 PM PT local time). The game will be broadcast on TSN (for Raptors markets), Spectrum SportsNet/SportsNet LA (for Lakers markets), and available on NBA League Pass.

Injury Report

Both teams are navigating significant injuries, with the Raptors missing key frontcourt and wing players, and the Lakers potentially without star Luka Doncic and others. Reports are as of game day morning; monitor for updates.

TeamPlayerPositionInjuryStatusExpected Return
Toronto RaptorsJakob PoeltlCLower Back StrainOutIndefinite
Toronto RaptorsRJ BarrettFLeft Ankle SprainOutIndefinite
Toronto RaptorsJa’Kobe WalterGRight Hip PointerOutIndefinite
Toronto RaptorsImmanuel QuickleyGNot Specified (Listed)QuestionableGame-Time Decision
Toronto RaptorsJamison BattleFNot SpecifiedQuestionableGame-Time Decision
Toronto RaptorsChucky HepburnGG-League Assignment/InjuryOutIndefinite
Los Angeles LakersLuka DoncicPGNot SpecifiedOutIndefinite
Los Angeles LakersDeandre AytonCLeft KneeQuestionableGame-Time Decision
Los Angeles LakersMarcus SmartSGNot SpecifiedOutIndefinite
Los Angeles LakersAustin ReavesGNot SpecifiedQuestionableGame-Time Decision
Los Angeles LakersAdou ThieroG/FNot SpecifiedQuestionableGame-Time Decision
Los Angeles LakersJaxson HayesCNot SpecifiedQuestionableGame-Time Decision

The Raptors’ absences weaken their interior defense and scoring, while the Lakers’ potential loss of Doncic (a major offseason acquisition) shifts more burden to LeBron James and Austin Reaves.

Key

Player Matchups

With injuries forcing lineup changes, this game features compelling battles between young talent and veteran savvy. Key matchups include:

Scottie Barnes (TOR) vs. LeBron James (LAL): Barnes, averaging strong all-around numbers (e.g., 24 points, 7 rebounds, 6 assists in recent games), faces the ageless James. This forward clash could dictate pace and rebounding.

Gradey Dick or Davion Mitchell (TOR) vs. Austin Reaves (LAL): If Reaves plays, his scoring (highlighted by 44 points in their December meeting) tests Toronto’s perimeter defense. Quickley’s potential absence amplifies this.

Ochai Agbaji (TOR) vs. Rui Hachimura (LAL): Hachimura’s clutch shooting (game-winner in December) versus Agbaji’s defensive versatility.

Frontcourt: Chris Boucher (TOR) vs. Anthony Davis (LAL, assuming healthy): Without Poeltl, Toronto relies on Boucher to contain Davis’ dominance inside.

If Available: Immanuel Quickley (TOR) vs. Marcus Smart (LAL): A guard matchup of playmaking vs. defense, but both may sit.

The absence of Doncic and Barrett shifts focus to Barnes and James as primary creators.

Recent Team Forms

The Raptors have been streaky but resilient, while the Lakers show flashes amid injuries.

Toronto Raptors Last 10 Games: 6-4 record. They’ve avoided back-to-back losses since mid-December, with highlights including a close win over a top East team. Recent: Strong defensive showings, but injuries have forced overtime efforts.

Los Angeles Lakers Last 10 Games: 5-5 record. Victories include a 123-120 buzzer-beater at Toronto on Dec. 4 (Reaves’ 44 points). Recent inconsistencies due to injuries, but home wins provide momentum.

Series History

The Lakers hold a 36-22 all-time advantage over the Raptors. Los Angeles has dominated recently, winning the last six meetings, including a 123-120 victory in Toronto on Dec. 4, 2025 (Hachimura’s buzzer-beater). Toronto’s last win was in 2023; they’ve gone 3-7 in the last 10. At Crypto.com Arena, Lakers are 20-9 historically vs. Toronto.

Betting Trends

Spread: Lakers -1.5 (-110), Raptors +1.5 (-110). Lakers are 18-22 ATS overall but 10-9 at home; Raptors 22-21 ATS, strong as road underdogs (11-10).

Total (O/U): 224.5 (-110 both). Lakers games hit over in 55% of contests; Raptors trend under in road games (45% over).

Recent ATS Trends: Raptors 6-4 ATS last 10; Lakers 5-5. Toronto covers in 60% of games as underdogs; Lakers 52% as home favorites.

Other Notes: With injuries, lines have shifted toward Lakers home edge. Raptors 11-1 ATS in wins this season.

Game Odds

Toronto Raptors               – 1.5

Los Angeles Lakers          223.5

Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Saturday, January 17, 2026

NBA Game Preview: Portland Trail Blazers (21-22) vs. Sacramento Kings (12-30)

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NBA Game Preview: Portland Trail Blazers (21-22) vs. Sacramento Kings (12-30)

The Portland Trail Blazers head to Sacramento for a Western Conference clash against the struggling Kings. Portland, sitting around .500, comes off a back-to-back after facing the Lakers, while the Kings, near the bottom of the standings, look to build on a modest home win streak despite key absences. This matchup features Portland’s depth tested by injuries against Sacramento’s veteran core aiming to capitalize on home court.

Venue Location

Golden 1 Center, Sacramento, California. This modern arena, opened in 2016, provides a vibrant atmosphere for the Kings, who have leveraged home energy during their current streak.

Tipoff is scheduled for 9:00 PM ET (6:00 PM PT local time). The game will be available on NBA League Pass, NBC Sports California, KUNP, and Blazervision. Broadcast details may vary by market.

Injury Report

Both teams are hampered by injuries, with Portland particularly thin in the backcourt and Sacramento missing a key forward. Updates as of morning game day; check for last-minute changes.

TeamPlayerPositionInjuryStatusExpected Return
Portland Trail BlazersDamian LillardPGAchilles TendonOutIndefinite
Portland Trail BlazersScoot HendersonGHamstring TearOutIndefinite
Portland Trail BlazersMatisse ThybulleGAnkleOutIndefinite
Portland Trail BlazersDalano BantonGFoot (possibly Wesley? Note: Data varies)OutIndefinite
Portland Trail BlazersDeni AvdijaFLower BackOutIndefinite
Portland Trail BlazersKris MurrayFLumbar Strain/BackOutIndefinite
Portland Trail BlazersRobert Williams IIICKneeQuestionable (GTD)January 18, 2026
Sacramento KingsKeegan MurrayPFAnkleOutLate January/Early February 2026 (3-4 weeks)
Sacramento KingsKeon EllisGLeft Knee SorenessQuestionable (GTD)January 18, 2026

Portland’s absences leave them without several starters and key reserves, potentially forcing reliance on Shaedon Sharpe and Anfernee Simons. Sacramento’s loss of Murray weakens their wing defense and scoring.

Key

Player Matchups

With injuries reshaping lineups, expect these battles to define the game. Portland’s youth versus Sacramento’s experience could lead to a fast-paced affair.

Anfernee Simons (POR) vs. De’Aaron Fox (SAC): Simons, Portland’s leading scorer (assuming healthy), faces Fox’s speed and scoring (around 25 PPG). This guard matchup could explode if both push the tempo.

Shaedon Sharpe (POR) vs. DeMar DeRozan (SAC): Sharpe’s athleticism (21.6 PPG) tests DeRozan’s mid-range mastery (19.1 PPG). With Murray out, DeRozan may shoulder more defensively.

Jerami Grant (POR) vs. Domantas Sabonis (SAC): Grant’s versatility challenges Sabonis’ all-around game

(double-double threat). Portland’s frontcourt depth is thin with Avdija out.

Deandre Ayton (POR) vs. Russell Westbrook (SAC): Ayton’s rebounding battles Westbrook’s energy (15.1 PPG, 7.0 APG, 6.4 RPG). Westbrook’s veteran savvy could disrupt Portland’s interior.

Bench Impact: Portland’s reserves like Toumani Camara step up; Sacramento relies on Malik Monk for sparks, especially if Ellis sits.

Overall, Sacramento’s home vets might edge out Portland’s depleted roster, but Sharpe and Simons could keep it close.

Recent Team Forms

Portland shows flashes but struggles with consistency; Sacramento is in a rut but hot at home.

Portland Trail Blazers Last 10 Games: 5-5 record (estimated). Recent: Win over Lakers 132-116 (Jan 17/18, international report). They’ve won 7 of last 8 night games per trends, but injuries mount. Last five: Mixed, with defensive issues allowing high scores.

Sacramento Kings Last 10 Games: 3-7 record (estimated). They’ve won 4 straight at home but lost 4 of last 5 as home favorites after a win. Last five: 3-2 overall, 4-1 ATS. Struggling overall but building momentum.

Series History

Portland holds a commanding all-time edge: 145-90 in regular season. Recent meetings are split, with Portland winning 7 of last 10 in some trends, but Sacramento took the last matchup 121-82 (Apr 14, 2024). In 2023-24: Portland won at home 130-113 (Dec 26, 2023). At Golden 1 Center, Portland has had success, but Sacramento’s home streak could shift dynamics. No meetings yet this season.

Betting Trends

Spread: Kings -2.5 (-110), Trail Blazers +2.5 (-110). Sacramento is 11-1 ATS in wins this season, 2-2 as favorites. Portland is 1-21 ATS in losses (most by >2 points).

Total (O/U): 228.5 (-110 both). Kings games trend under recently; Portland’s often high-scoring.

Recent ATS Trends: Kings 4-1 ATS last 5; Portland strong as underdogs but vulnerable on back-to-backs. Overall: Kings 7-13 ATS on road, but solid at home.

Other Notes: Portland 7-8 in last 15 night games; Kings lost 4 of 5 as home favorites post-win. Line stable despite injuries.

Game Odds

Portland Trail Blazers     228.5

Sacramento Kings            – 2.5

Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Saturday, January 17, 2026

NBA Game Preview: Charlotte Hornets (15-27) vs. Denver Nuggets (29-13)

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NBA Game Preview: Charlotte Hornets (15-27) vs. Denver Nuggets (29-13)

The Charlotte Hornets face a tough road test against the Denver Nuggets in a cross-conference matchup. The Hornets, sitting 12th in the Eastern Conference, are looking to snap a rough stretch on their Western Conference road trip, while the Nuggets, third in the Western Conference, aim to extend their strong home form. This game pits a rebuilding Hornets squad against a Nuggets team dealing with significant injuries but still boasting depth and recent momentum.

Venue Location

Ball Arena, Denver, Colorado. This high-altitude venue (5,280 feet above sea level) often gives the Nuggets a home-court advantage, as visiting teams can struggle with fatigue and conditioning.

Tipoff is scheduled for 8:00 PM ET (6:00 PM MT local time). The game will be broadcast on FDSSE (for Hornets markets) and ALT (for Nuggets markets), with live streaming available on platforms like NBA League Pass.

Injury Report

Both teams are dealing with key absences, which could significantly impact the game. Denver’s injuries are particularly notable, with their star center sidelined, potentially opening up opportunities for Charlotte’s interior players.

TeamPlayerPositionInjuryStatusExpected Return
Charlotte HornetsMoussa DiabateSFHamstringQuestionable (GTD)January 18, 2026
Charlotte HornetsMason PlumleePFGroinOutNo timetable (potentially February)
Denver NuggetsChristian BraunSGAnkleOutIndefinite
Denver NuggetsJonas ValanciunasCCalfOutEarly February 2026
Denver NuggetsNikola JokicCKneeOutExtended period (potentially February 1, 2026)
Denver NuggetsCameron JohnsonPFKneeOutExtended period (potentially January 22, 2026)
Denver NuggetsTamar Bates–FootOutApril 1, 2026

Note: Jokic’s absence is a massive blow for Denver, as he leads the league in assists and rebounds. Reports were updated as of morning on game day, so monitor for last-minute changes.

Key

Player Matchups

This game features intriguing battles, especially with Denver missing Jokic, forcing adjustments in the frontcourt. Key matchups to watch:

Jamal Murray (DEN) vs. LaMelo Ball (CHA): Murray is coming off a 42-point explosion against Washington, showcasing his scoring prowess. Ball, Charlotte’s dynamic point guard, averages high-volume assists and points but will need to navigate Denver’s perimeter defense without turning the ball over. This could be a high-scoring guard duel.

Michael Porter Jr. (DEN) vs. Brandon Miller (CHA): Both are sharpshooting wings. Porter’s size and efficiency from deep (around 40% on 3s) could exploit Miller, but the young Hornet has shown defensive flashes and scoring upside.

Aaron Gordon (DEN) vs. Miles Bridges (CHA): Gordon’s athleticism and versatility will test Bridges, who provides Charlotte’s secondary scoring. With Jokic out, Gordon may see more post touches.

Frontcourt Battle: Without Jokic and Valanciunas, Denver relies on players like Dario Saric or backups. Charlotte’s Tidjane Salaun or Grant Williams (if healthy) could capitalize on rebounding edges.

Overall, Denver’s depth might prevail, but Charlotte’s youth could keep it competitive if Ball and Miller heat up.

Recent Team Forms

The Nuggets enter on a hot streak, while the Hornets have been inconsistent but showed blowout potential in wins.

Charlotte Hornets Last 10 Games: 4-6 record. They’ve averaged around 120 PPG in recent outings but have defensive lapses. Recent results include a dominant 150-95 win over Utah (Jan 10), a 135-117 victory over the Lakers, and a 136-116 loss to Golden State. They’re 2-3 in their last five, with close losses to Toronto and Indiana highlighting clutch issues.

Denver Nuggets Last 10 Games: 8-2 record, including a current 3-game win streak. They’ve won 6 of their last 7 at home. Highlights: 121-115 win over Washington (Jan 17, Murray’s 42 points), 118-109 victory at Dallas (Jan 14). They’re averaging high efficiency, but Jokic’s injury could slow them.

Series History

The Nuggets hold a 41-30 all-time edge over the Hornets since Charlotte entered the league. Denver has dominated recently, winning the last three meetings (e.g., 129-115 on Feb 20, 2025; 107-104 on Feb 1, 2025; 111-93 on Jan 1, 2024). In their lone head-to-head this season so far (if any), Denver covered the spread. Charlotte’s last win over Denver was in 2023. At Ball Arena, Denver is 22-13 historically vs. Charlotte.

Betting Trends

Spread: Nuggets -1.5 (-110), Hornets +1.5 (-110). Denver is 15-14 ATS when favored by 1.5 or more; Charlotte is 21-15 ATS as a 1.5+ underdog.

Total (O/U): 229.5 (-110 both sides). Denver games have gone over in 27 of 42 (64%); Charlotte’s have hit over in only 18 of 42 (43%).

Recent ATS Trends: Both teams are 7-3 ATS in their last 10 games. Denver is 25-17 ATS overall (10-4 as home favorites); Charlotte is 24-18 ATS (1-0 ATS vs. Denver this season).

Other Notes: Denver wins 71% of games as favorites (22-9); Charlotte is 12-24 as underdogs. With Jokic out, the line has tightened from initial projections.

Game Odds

Charlotte Hornets            228.5

Denver Nuggets                – 1.5

Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Saturday, January 17, 2026

NBA Game Preview: New Orleans Pelicans (10-34) vs. Houston Rockets (24-15)

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NBA Game Preview: New Orleans Pelicans (10-34) vs. Houston Rockets (24-15)

Venue and Game Details

The New Orleans Pelicans (10-34) take on the Houston Rockets (24-15) at Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. This 18,500-seat arena, opened in 2003, is the home of the Rockets and has hosted multiple NBA All-Star events and playoff games.

Tip-off is scheduled for Sunday, January 18, 2026, at 7:00 p.m. ET (6:00 p.m. CT).

The game will be broadcast on SCHN (Rockets), Gulf Coast Sports/Pelicans+, and NBA League Pass.

This is the second meeting of the season; New Orleans won the first 133-128 in overtime on December 18, 2025, at Smoothie King Center.

Recent Team Forms

The Pelicans are coming off a 127-119 loss to the Pacers on January 16, while the Rockets edged the Timberwolves 110-105 on the same day.

Here’s a look at their last 10 games (most recent first):

New Orleans Pelicans (2-8 in last 10, 1-4 in last 5):

DateOpponentResultScore
Jan 16@ INDL119-127
Jan 14vs BKNW116-113
Jan 13vs DENL116-122
Jan 11@ ORLL118-128
Jan 9@ WASW128-107
Jan 7@ ATLL100-117
Jan 6vs LALL103-111
Jan 4@ MIAL106-125
Jan 2vs PORL109-122
Dec 31@ CHIL118-134

New Orleans has averaged 112.9 PPG in losses but allowed 121.2 PPG, with poor defense (48.1% opponent FG) and turnovers (14.8 per game). Zion Williamson leads with 24.6 PPG over the stretch, but injuries have hampered consistency.

Houston Rockets (5-5 in last 10, 3-2 in last 5):

DateOpponentResultScore
Jan 16vs MINW110-105
Jan 15vs OKCL91-111
Jan 13vs CHIW119-113
Jan 11@ SACL98-111
Jan 10@ LACW128-109
Jan 8@ LACW131-121
Jan 7@ PORL115-127
Jan 5vs INDW123-114
Jan 3vs PHXL108-115
Jan 1@ DALL103-120

Houston has averaged 112.3 PPG recently but excels defensively (holding opponents to 107.8 PPG in wins).

Alperen Sengun averages 22.1 PPG and 11.4 RPG over the last 10, with strong rebounding (49.2 RPG team).

Injury Report

New Orleans Pelicans:

Trey Alexander (G): Out (G League – Two-Way).

Jose Alvarado (G): Out (left oblique strain) – Expected to miss additional time.

Hunter Dickinson (C): Out (G League – Two-Way).

Herbert Jones (F): Out (right ankle sprain).

Dejounte Murray (G): Out (right Achilles rupture) – Out for season.

The Pelicans’ backcourt and defense are severely depleted without Jones and Murray.

Houston Rockets:

Isaiah Crawford (G): Out (G League – Two-Way).

Tari Eason (F): Questionable (right ankle sprain).

Tristen Newton (G): Out (G League – Two-Way).

Fred VanVleet (G): Out (right knee ACL repair) – Out for season.

VanVleet’s absence hurts playmaking, but Eason’s potential return adds depth.

Key Player Matchups

This Southwest Division matchup highlights Houston’s defensive prowess against New Orleans’ injury-riddled offense. The Rockets’ rebounding (49.2 RPG, 1st in NBA) could dominate the Pelicans’ weaker boards (42.8 RPG).

Zion Williamson (NOP) vs. Alperen Sengun (HOU): Williamson (24.6 PPG recently) brings power inside; Sengun (22.1 PPG, 11.4 RPG) counters with versatility and blocks (1.2 BPG).

Trey Murphy III (NOP) vs. Dillon Brooks (HOU): Murphy (18.7 PPG, 38% 3PT) stretches the floor; Brooks provides perimeter defense (1.1 SPG).

Jordan Hawkins (NOP) vs. Reed Sheppard (HOU): Hawkins (14.2 PPG) fills in at guard; Sheppard (11.8 PPG, 4.2 APG) exploits mismatches.

Yves Missi (NOP) vs. Steven Adams (HOU): Missi (if available, 8.4 RPG) battles for rebounds; Adams (9.6 RPG) anchors the paint.

Series History

The Rockets lead the all-time regular-season series 48-39 over the Pelicans.

In 87 meetings, Houston holds a slight edge, but New Orleans has won 3 of the last 5, including the December 18, 2025 overtime thriller (133-128).

The Rockets’ longest streak was 10 wins (2013-2016), while the Pelicans’ was 6 (2018-2019).

Betting Trends

Spread (ATS): Pelicans 23-21 overall (15-10 at home, 8-11 on road); Rockets 19-20 (13-3 at home, 6-17 on road).

Pelicans are 2-8 ATS in last 10; Rockets 1-4 ATS as 10+ point favorites.

Over/Under: Pelicans games 24-20 to the over (15-10 at home); Rockets 19-20 (9-7 at home).

Last matchup went over 235.5 (261 points); over in 6 of last 10 H2H.

Game Odds

New Orleans Pelicans    231.5

Houston Rockets              – 13.5

Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Saturday, January 17, 2026

NBA Game Preview: Brooklyn Nets (12-27) vs. Chicago Bulls (19-22)

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NBA Game Preview: Brooklyn Nets (12-27) vs. Chicago Bulls (19-22)

Venue and Game Details

The Brooklyn Nets (12-27) face the Chicago Bulls (19-22) at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois. This 21,000-seat arena, opened in 1994 and home to the Bulls since then, features a statue of Michael Jordan outside and has hosted numerous NBA Finals.

Tip-off is set for Sunday, January 18, 2026, at 7:00 p.m. ET (6:00 p.m. CT).

The game will air on YES (Nets broadcast) and CHSN (Bulls broadcast), with live streaming available on NBA League Pass.

This is the second half of a home-and-home series, following Brooklyn’s 112-109 victory over Chicago on January 16 at Barclays Center.

Recent Team Forms

Both teams enter off a quick turnaround from their January 16 matchup, where Brooklyn held off a late Chicago rally for a 112-109 win despite trailing early.

netsdaily.com +2

Here’s a breakdown of their last 10 games (most recent first):

Brooklyn Nets (2-8 in last 10, 1-4 in last 5):

DateOpponentResultScore
Jan 16vs. CHIW112-109
Jan 14@ NOPL113-116
Jan 11@ DALL105-113
Jan 10@ MEML98-103
Jan 7vs. LACL105-121
Jan 5vs. ORLL103-104 (OT)
Jan 4vs. DENW127-115
Jan 2@ WASL99-119
Jan 1vs. HOUL96-120
Dec 29vs. GSWL107-120

The Nets have averaged just 106.5 PPG in their last 10, with poor shooting (44.7% FG) and high turnovers (13.5 per game), but they’ve shown grit in close wins like against Chicago (forcing 8 turnovers).

statmuse.com +1

Cam Thomas has been a standout, averaging 26.8 PPG recently, while Nic Claxton anchors the defense (8.2 RPG, 1.8 BPG).

Chicago Bulls (4-6 in last 10, 3-2 in last 5):

DateOpponentResultScore
Jan 16@ BKNL109-112
Jan 14vs. UTAW128-126
Jan 13@ HOUL113-119
Jan 10vs. DALW125-107
Jan 8@ MIAL98-105
Jan 6vs. CHAW115-102
Jan 4@ ATLL110-118
Jan 3vs. INDL105-112
Jan 1@ CLEL101-114
Dec 30vs. WASW120-108

The Bulls have averaged 112.4 PPG in their last 10 but allowed 116.7 PPG, highlighting defensive woes (opponents shooting 48.6% FG).

statmuse.com +1

Nikola Vucevic leads with 18.7 PPG and 10.5 RPG, while Matas Buzelis adds energy (12.4 PPG recently).

Injury Report

Brooklyn Nets:

Tyson Etienne (G): Out (G League – Two-Way).

Haywood Highsmith (F): Out (right knee surgery) – Re-evaluated in February.

Chaney Johnson (G): Out (G League – Two-Way).

E.J. Liddell (F): Out (G League – Two-Way).

Michael Porter Jr. (F): Out (rest) – Day-to-day management.

Drake Powell (G): Out (left knee injury recovery) – Expected return mid-February.

Ben Saraf (G): Out (G League – On Assignment).

Ziaire Williams (F): Out (illness/conditioning) – Expected return January 19.

The Nets’ depth is hit hard, especially in the frontcourt, forcing reliance on Cam Thomas and Nic Claxton.

Chicago Bulls:

Zach Collins (F/C): Out (right toe sprain) – Out until after All-Star break (Feb. 13).

Noa Essengue (F): Out (left shoulder surgery) – Out for season.

Josh Giddey (G): Doubtful (left hamstring strain) – Ramping up, possible return soon.

Yuki Kawamura (G): Out (G League – Two-Way).

Emanuel Miller (G): Out (G League – Two-Way).

Patrick Williams (F): Questionable (right ankle sprain) – Day-to-day.

Chicago’s backcourt is thinned without Giddey, putting pressure on Coby White (18.2 PPG) and Nikola Vucevic.

Key Player Matchups

This Eastern Conference clash pits Brooklyn’s struggling offense against Chicago’s porous defense, with rebounding (Bulls 45.6 RPG vs. Nets 40.2 RPG) likely key on a neutral floor feel due to injuries.

Cam Thomas (BKN) vs. Coby White (CHI): Thomas (24.1 PPG, 41% 3PT in Jan) brings scoring flair; White (18.2 PPG) must contain him without Giddey.

Nic Claxton (BKN) vs. Nikola Vucevic (CHI): Claxton (11.4 PPG, 8.2 RPG) dominates the paint; Vucevic (18.7 PPG, 10.5 RPG) could exploit Brooklyn’s thin frontcourt.

Terance Mann (BKN) vs. Matas Buzelis (CHI): Mann (12.3 PPG) provides versatility; Buzelis (12.4 PPG recently) adds athleticism in transition.

Day’Ron Sharpe (BKN) vs. Patrick Williams (CHI, if available): Sharpe (9.6 RPG) battles for boards; Williams (GTD, 10.8 PPG) could stretch the floor.

Series History

The Bulls lead the all-time regular-season series 101-89 over the Nets (including New Jersey era).

In 200 total meetings (including playoffs), Chicago holds a 108-92 edge.

Over the last 10 games, it’s split 5-5, but Brooklyn has won 6 of the last 8, including the January 16 thriller (112-109) and a 113-103 win on December 3, 2025.

Chicago’s longest streak was 12 wins (1993-1998), while Brooklyn’s was 7 (2012-2014).

Betting Trends

Spread (ATS): Nets 19-20 overall (11-12 as 6+ point underdogs); Bulls 19-21-1 (10-10-1 as favorites).

Nets are 6-2 ATS in last 8 vs. Bulls.

Over/Under: Nets games 15-24 to the over (avg. line -3.9); Bulls 19-22 (avg. +3.9).

Last matchup went under 225.5 (221 points); under in 14 of last 18 H2H.

Moneyline: Nets 10-27 as underdogs (27% win rate); Bulls 12-9 as favorites.

Game Odds

Brooklyn Nets                   222.5

Chicago Bulls                     – 6.5

Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Saturday, January 17, 2026

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