• The Canadian Press

    Ingram, Valanciunas lift Zion-less Pelicans past Kings and into the playoffs

    NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Hustle plays and production from up and down the lineup helped the New Orleans Pelicans overcome the absence of leading-scorer Zion Williamson, keep their season alive and avoid a historically significant loss. Brandon Ingram scored 24 points, Jonas Valanciunas added 19 points and 12 rebounds, and the New Orleans Pelicans booked a spot in the NBA playoffs with a 105-98 victory over the Sacramento Kings in a play-in tournament elimination game on Friday night. “We stayed togeth

  • The Canadian Press

    Thunder start playoffs against the Pelicans

    New Orleans Pelicans (49-33, seventh in the Western Conference) vs. Oklahoma City Thunder (57-25, first in the Western Conference)Oklahoma City; Sunday, 9:30 p.m. EDTBETMGM SPORTSBOOK: LINE Thunder -7.5; over/under is 214.5WESTERN CONFERENCE FIRST ROUND: Thunder host first series matchupBOTTOM LINE: The Oklahoma City Thunder host the New Orleans Pelicans to begin the Western Conference first round. Oklahoma City went 2-1 against New Orleans during the regular season. The Thunder won the last reg

  • The Canadian Press

    Celtics kick off playoffs against the Heat

    Miami Heat (46-36, eighth in the Eastern Conference) vs. Boston Celtics (64-18, first in the Eastern Conference)Boston; Sunday, 1 p.m. EDTBETMGM SPORTSBOOK: LINE Celtics -13.5; over/under is 208.5EASTERN CONFERENCE FIRST ROUND: Celtics host first series matchupBOTTOM LINE: The Boston Celtics host the Miami Heat to begin the Eastern Conference first round. Boston went 3-0 against Miami during the regular season. The Celtics won the last regular season matchup 110-106 on Feb. 11. Jayson Tatum led

  • The Canadian Press

    Lillard and the Bucks host Indiana to start playoffs

    Indiana Pacers (47-35, sixth in the Eastern Conference) vs. Milwaukee Bucks (49-33, third in the Eastern Conference)Milwaukee; Sunday, 7 p.m. EDTBETMGM SPORTSBOOK: LINE Pacers -1.5; over/under is 231.5EASTERN CONFERENCE FIRST ROUND: Bucks host first series matchupBOTTOM LINE: The Milwaukee Bucks host the Indiana Pacers to open the Eastern Conference first round. Indiana went 4-1 against Milwaukee during the regular season. The Pacers won the last regular season matchup 126-124 on Nov. 10. Tyrese