Category: SPORTS

Sean Payton’s Denver Broncos shall be in motion on Sunday’s slate of preseason video games. supply: Getty Pictures

Week 2 of the NFL preseason is about to come back to a detailed, however earlier than it concludes, we’ve got two video games left for tonight, Sunday, August 18, between the Denver Broncos and Inexperienced Bay Packers and the New Orleans Saints and San Francisco 49ers. 

Under, I’ll focus on the very best bets for these video games and end it with the very best wager for at present’s CFL slate. 

Let’s dive in. 

Denver Broncos vs. Inexperienced Bay Packers

The Broncos are sizable favorites on this one, and it is smart—the standard of the quarterback is totally of their favor. 

The Broncos will throw out a mixture of Bo Nix, Zach Wilson, and Jarrett Stidham, whereas the Packers will principally use Sean Clifford and Michael Pratt. I don’t count on to see Jordan Love an excessive amount of this preseason.

Nix has possible already earned his function because the beginning quarterback on this offense, however Stidham and Wilson are enjoying because the direct backup now. 

For the Packers, Pratt confirmed some promise in school in 2022, throwing for over 3,000 yards, 27 touchdowns, and 5 interceptions, however he handled some accidents in 2023.

Clifford was underwhelming at Penn State. In his fifth season in 2022, he accomplished lower than 65% of his passes and eclipsed 3,000 passing yards simply as soon as. I keep in mind being shocked that he was even drafted. 

Search for Nix to separate himself right here extra and for Stidham and Wilson to appear like Brady and Mahomes in opposition to this solid of Packers quarterbacks. 

Finest Wager: Broncos -7 (-108 at DraftKings)

San Francisco 49ers vs. New Orleans Saints

The 49ers will give the starters some run right here of their second preseason recreation, however I wouldn’t count on it to final lengthy with Trent Williams nonetheless not reporting for camp and left guard Aaron Banks present process surgical procedure on his pinkie. 

Nonetheless, I belief the 49ers teaching employees extra, even with the second and third-team offenses with Joshua Dobbs, Brandon Allen, and Tanner Mordecai stepping into the combination. 

Behind Derek Carr on the Saints are Jake Haener and Spencer Rattler. Haener seemed OK in Week 1 in opposition to Arizona, finishing 9 of 13 passes for 107 yards, however Rattler struggled a bit, finishing simply 9 of 17 passes for 70 yards and averaging simply 4.1 yards per try. 

I additionally just like the 49ers backfield behind Christian McCaffrey right here, with Elijah Mitchell, Jordan Mason, and rookies Isaac Guerendo and Cody Schrader mixing in. 

Search for a slender 49ers win at house. 

Finest Wager: 49ers -1 (-105 at DraftKings)

BC Lions vs. Winnipeg Blue Bombers

The Lions picked up Nathan Rourke after the Atlanta Falcons launched him, and he’ll begin this recreation in opposition to Winnipeg.

This transfer got here on the excellent time, with Vernon Adams Jr. out with an damage. Not solely did the Lions choose him up, however additionally they signed him on a large contract. He’ll make almost $750k in 2025 and $815k in 2026. This made him the highest-paid participant within the CFL. 

He’ll get a matchup in opposition to a Blue Bombers crew that’s quarterbacked by Zach Collaros. This season, Collros has accomplished 165 of 238 passes (69.3%) for two,018 yards, 4 touchdowns, and eight interceptions. 

Rourke final performed within the CFL in 2022 with BC. He had 3,349 passing yards, 25 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions. 

Search for the addition of Rourke to spice up morale and snap the Lions three-game shedding streak. 

Finest Wager: BC Lions -2.5 (-120 at FanDuel)

Saturday’s WNBA triple-header yielded a slew of standout performances, a lot in order that we scrapped the High 5 Performers format right here at SB Nation and as a substitute ranked a High 7. That record contains a number of All-Stars — Sabrina Ionescu, A’ja Wilson, and Napheesa Collier, amongst others — in addition to up-and-coming gamers like Kamilla Cardoso.

First, the sport outcomes from Saturday’s play:

• The Lynx defeated the Mystics 99-83 to enhance to 19-8, good for third-best within the league.
• The Sky beat the Sparks to 79-67 to enhance to 11-15, constructing upon their lead for the eighth seed.
• The Liberty beat the Aces 79-67 to enhance to 23-4, the very best document within the league.

Listed here are the Saturday’s high 7 WNBA performers, ranked:

7. Sabrina Ionescu, New York Liberty

Picture by David Becker/NBAE by way of Getty Photographs

The Liberty grew to become the primary group within the WNBA to clinch a playoff spot on Saturday, they usually wouldn’t have completed it with out Sabrina Ionescu, who’s within the midst of a profession yr and has come out robust in each video games because the Olympic break.

Ionescu was a game-high plus-minus of +14 within the Liberty’s win over the Aces, and posted a team-high 23 factors (9-21 FG) together with 6 rebounds and three assists. The Liberty’s win streak has prolonged to 6.

“It’s good to see we’ve been in a position to choose up the place we left off,” stated Ionescu postgame.

6. Jonquel Jones, New York Liberty

Picture by Candice Ward/Getty Photographs

Jonquel Jones has additionally been essential to the Liberty’s success, and she or he flirted with a triple-double on this one. The previous MVP was enormous within the Liberty’s 79-67 win over the Aces, ending with 10 factors (4-9 FG), 17 rebounds (7 offensive), and seven assists.

Jones — the third-leading scorer on the Liberty this season — was comparatively quiet offensively on this, however rebounding has an unlimited impression on her teammates, Sabrina Ionescu stated postgame.

“We shoot the ball with confidence realizing that JJ’s down there if we do miss,” Ionescu stated. “She cleans that up nearly each single time.”

5. Lindsay Allen, Chicago Sky

Lindsay Allen helped saved the day within the Sky’s 94-90 win over the Sparks, ending with a season-high 16 factors (on an environment friendly 7-11 taking pictures), alongside 6 assists and 4 rebounds.

Chicago trailed by 10 heading into the fourth quarter, and Allen was instrumental in securing the win down the stretch, hitting two leap pictures within the closing minutes to assist the Sky full the comeback.

“We simply wanna proceed to turn into who we’re alleged to be as a group,” Allen stated postgame. “Proceed to do exactly preserve with our requirements, the non-negotiables we need to be. Simply proceed to ramp up as we get nearer to the playoffs and attempt to turn into a playoff group after which make noise there.”

The win provides the Sky a 2.5 sport lead for the final spot within the postseason with 14 video games left to play.

4. A’ja Wilson, Las Vegas Aces

Picture by David Becker/NBAE by way of Getty Photographs

A’ja Wilson continues to tear up the league, although the Aces haven’t been their traditional dominant selves. After falling to New York, Las Vegas slid all the way down to fifth within the WNBA standings.

Wilson was efficient within the loss — posting 24 factors (8-15 FG), 11 rebounds, 3 steals, and three blocks — however stated postgame she felt the Aces have to have a extra centered mindset heading into video games.

“Our want-to issue wasn’t there for 40 minutes — that doesn’t matter if we had a break or we didn’t,” Wilson. “We are able to’t have that.”

3. Stefanie Dolson, Washington Mystics

Joe Rondone/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK

The Mystics proceed to wrestle, however Stefanie Dolson is having one heck of a season. In Saturday’s loss to the Lynx, Dolson shot 8-8 from the sphere, together with 6-6 from three. That tied a WNBA document for many threes made with out a miss.

Nevertheless, her team-high 23 factors weren’t sufficient to beat one other huge night time by the Lynx and Napheesa Collier. Nonetheless, Mystics coach Eric Thibault famous postgame how essential Dolson has been for Washington, per the group.

“She makes our offense click on in lots of methods, Stef,” Mystics coach Eric Thibault stated after the loss. “She’s at all times completed that as a connector, passing the ball. However when she’s aggressive taking pictures the ball, it’s a game-changer.”

2. Kamilla Cardoso, Chicago Sky

Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports activities

The Sky’s #3 choose loved arguably her finest sport of the season in Saturday’s win over the Sparks. Cardoso completed with 15 factors (6-9 FG), 14 rebounds, and three assists in 28 minutes of play, and was notably essential within the fourth quarter because the Solar battled down for double-digits.

Postgame, she famous that the Olympic break was good for her restoration, and that she continues to achieve confidence from these round her.

“Simply listening to my coaches and my teammates,” Cardoso stated. “They present me love and assist.”

Sky teammate Lindsay Allen praised Cardoso’s two-way effort within the comeback win in opposition to the Sparks:

“It’s all about her being lively,” she stated. “Her size is one thing that we depend on lots, so when she’s lively, when she’s defending laborious, when she’s working laborious, she’s posting up laborious each possession— it actually makes a distinction for us.”

1. Napheesa Collier, Minnesota Lynx

Picture by Stephen Gosling/NBAE by way of Getty Photographs

With A’ja Wilson having such a traditionally dominant season, the MVP race could also be over. However Lynx star Napheesa Collier is preserving the door cracked open. On Saturday, in a 99-83 win over the Mystics, exploded for 30 factors on 13-16 taking pictures. Her 13 made discipline objectives ties a career-high, per Lynx PR.

“Phee was spectacular,” Thibault stated postgame, whereas noting the Mystics protection left somewhat to be desired. “She made powerful pictures. She made pictures over contests.”

CEBU CITY, Philippines—Mindanao boxing followers are in for a deal with as former world title challenger Joey Canoy squares off in opposition to seasoned veteran Jonathan Refugio for the vacant World Boxing Affiliation (WBA) Asia minimumweight title on August 30 in Polomolok, South Cotabato.

Canoy, combating below the Sanman Boxing banner, enters the ring using a wave of momentum with 4 consecutive knockout victories since 2022. His current performances haven’t gone unnoticed, as he’s now ranked in all 4 main boxing governing our bodies throughout the minimumweight division.

At present, Canoy is ranked No. 4 by the World Boxing Council (WBC), the place compatriot Melvin Jerusalem holds the title.

READ: Canoy, Azarcon tangle in Sanman card July 12

He additionally holds the No. 6 spot within the Worldwide Boxing Federation (IBF) rankings, the place one other Filipino, Pedro Taduran, reigns because the champion. Moreover, Canoy is ranked throughout the High 15 by each the WBA and the World Boxing Group (WBO).

Canoy’s most notable achievement got here when he captured the Oriental and Pacific Boxing Federation (OPBF) mild flyweight title in 2022, defeating Japan’s Kenichi Horikawa with a seventh-round technical knockout.

READ: Canoy stops Japan champion in seventh, takes OPBF mild flyweight belt

Knockout spree

Since then, he has continued his knockout spree, dispatching Clyde Azarcon and Pablito Balidio from 2023 to 2024, cementing his standing as one of many Philippines’ most formidable minimumweight contenders.

The 31-year-old Canoy who’s previously primarily based in Cebu boasts a file of 21 wins, 13 of which got here by knockout, alongside 5 defeats and two attracts.

READ: Canoy fails WBA mild fly title bid, loses to South African foe by choice

In distinction to Canoy’s profitable streak, Jonathan Refugio has confronted difficult occasions in his current bouts.

As soon as a prime prospect within the mild flyweight division, Refugio has misplaced 4 of his final 5 fights, together with two important defeats in 2022 and 2023.

Essentially the most crushing blow got here in 2022 when he was knocked out by fellow Filipino Arvin Magramo throughout their battle for the WBO Oriental mild flyweight title.

Extra just lately, Refugio suffered a sixth-round stoppage loss to Cebuano AJ Paciones in Ho Chi Minh Metropolis, Vietnam, in August final yr.

Regardless of his current setbacks, Refugio stays a harmful opponent.

Earlier than his shedding streak, he loved a formidable five-fight profitable run from 2017 to 2019, taking down a number of fellow Filipinos with notable talent and willpower.

At 31, Refugio holds a file of twenty-two wins, 10 losses, and 5 attracts, with 8 of these victories coming by knockout.

Learn Subsequent

Rising up as a New York Jets fan, I had to deal with the truth that Tom Brady owned my group and the AFC East at massive for many years.

So that you’ll forgive me if I bask in a bit of schadenfreude over the truth that it’s Aug. 17, and the New England Patriots can’t say who shall be their beginning quarterback for the regular-season opener at Cincinnati in three weeks.

It’s an entire new period in Foxborough. 

The Patriots should not solely 5 years faraway from Brady’s remaining snap as their quarterback however now march on with out Invoice Belichick pulling all of the strings. Jerod Mayo acquired to start out contemporary after the Patriots shipped away former first-round choose Mac Jones.

Mayo made the protected choice to open camp, saying that Jacoby Brissett was their beginning quarterback as a result of he was essentially the most “pro-ready” man within the room. Drake Maye, the third general draft choose, is slowly beginning to overtake him. On Friday, after the Pats’ second preseason sport, Mayo stated the competitors “positively isn’t over.”

Is New England going to attend for Week 7 or 9 at hand the rookie the reins? The 2 guys taken in entrance of Maye, Caleb Williams and Jayden Daniels, are the no-doubt starters for Chicago and Washington. Maye ought to be a part of them and begin Week 1.

It isn’t essentially the most awkward quarterback circumstance within the NFL this yr; the Atlanta Falcons did that to themselves by paying Kirk Cousins truckloads of cash, then ticking him off by selecting Michael Penix Jr. eighth general. However Brissett signed a one-year, $8 million deal to return to the group that drafted him in 2016, and he’s standing in the best way of the Patriots getting a head begin on their future.

I’ve all the time been a quiet fan of Brissett. The dude has been thrust into some odd conditions earlier than, particularly in 2019, when Andrew Luck retired weeks earlier than the season and Brissett did a nice job because the Indianapolis Colts’ sudden starter all yr. Then there was 2022, when he led the Cleveland Browns for 11 video games earlier than Deshaun Watson completed out his suspension. 

Brissett’s now 31 occurring 32, and if preseason outcomes imply something to you, he hasn’t lit the world on hearth. One three-and-out within the opener earlier than Maye entered the sport. Seventeen yards and an finish zone interception towards the Philadelphia Eagles on Thursday.

Maye has proven regular enchancment, in Mayo’s eyes, with a dashing landing to go together with 6-of-11 passing in restricted motion Thursday.

“A number of the issues that occurred the final couple of weeks was simply stepping up into strain. I assumed he did a greater job general with utilizing his legs and actually extending performs,” Mayo stated.

“… He must be quicker, get the blokes out and in of the huddle quicker, get to the road, and simply be on level. That’s one thing for him to work on, and he’s. Now we have three extra days of camp, and that’s going to be my emphasis for him.”

Appears like a man who plans to attend till the final attainable minute to disclose his name for Week 1. Belichick could be proud!

The Patriots—and once more, as a Jets man, I take immense enjoyment of saying this—aren’t going to be aggressive this season, whatever the QB choice. They simply traded away malcontent go rusher Matthew Judon. The roster isn’t one Brandon Aiyuk away from beating the Payments, Dolphins and Jets for the AFC East, and so they moved on from courting Aiyuk after one commerce provide to the 49ers didn’t work out. So get Maye underneath middle, get him sport reps as shortly as attainable, and begin establishing your future.

Or Mayo may all the time get his previous teammate Brady on the cellphone. Appears like he thinks he may nonetheless sling the pigskin round.

Rhyne Howard returned from the Paris Olympic a newly minted Bronze medalist, due to her efficiency as a member of Crew USA’s 3×3 basketball staff.

However, it didn’t take lengthy for her to re-adjust to five-on-five, the type of basketball the 6 ‘2 guard is most aware of. In an 83-81 win over the Sky on Friday night time, Howard exploded for a season-high 30 level, capturing a scorching 10-16 from the sphere.

Howard hasn’t had essentially the most environment friendly season — she’s capturing 38.6% from the sphere en route to fifteen.4 factors per sport. However, the 2022 Rookie of the Yr hasn’t misplaced confidence, and it paid off on this one.

“I all the time say shooters shoot,” mentioned Howard, who hit 5-9 three-pointers. “As soon as I see one go in, then the following couple are going to be warmth checks, so that they proceed to go in.”

Tina Charles saved the day for the Dream

Although Howard was the sport’s main scorer, it was veteran heart Tina Charles who emerged the hero.

After Dream guard Jordin Canada sunk a pair of free throws, Atlanta led by 3 with 10 seconds to play. Then, Skylar Diggins-Smith — who had a season-high 29 factors — missed a three-point try and tie issues up, however, Jewell Loyd obtained the rebound and hit a 3 of her personal.

The sport seemed to be headed to time beyond regulation, when Charles nailed a game-winner on the buzzer to ship the win for Atlanta.

Charles, the third-leading scorer in WNBA historical past, completed the night time with 16 factors and seven rebounds and was celebratory postgame.

“It was only a nice really feel,” Charles mentioned. “Only a nice win.”

Allisha Grey (19 factors) and Naz Hillmon (13 rebounds, 6 factors) had been additionally standouts for the Dream.

Jordin Canada, who’s been out with a damaged finger since July 2nd, scored 10 factors, all of which got here within the fourth quarter. Dream head coach Tanisha Wright praised her contributions.

“She’s anyone who has expertise on this league who’s received championships on this league,” Wright mentioned. “And so, to have anyone on the market, only a flooring normal, that may create and discover the suitable individuals on the proper time, and various things like that and having expertise, having the ability to go to her for the final shot.”

With the win, the Dream presently sit in ninth in WNBA standings, holding an 8-17 document. The playoffs are nonetheless inside attain — they’re two video games behind the Chicago Sky for eighth place — however Atlanta should string collectively some wins within the remaining 15 video games of the WNBA season.

For the Storm, Skylar Diggins-Smith confirmed out within the loss

Diggins-Smith was aggressive from the outset and set a brand new season excessive of 29 factors on 11-21 capturing. She additionally added 5 assists.

“I’m simply attempting to be aggressive for the staff,” Diggins-Smith mentioned after the sport, noting she navigates a fragile steadiness between scoring and facilitating.

Jewell Loyd, who shot simply 7-19 from the sphere en path to 21 factors, credited Diggins-Smith for giving Seattle a preventing likelihood.

“With out her, we’re actually not on this sport,” Loyd mentioned. “We understood that, and from the beginning, she was aggressive on each ends of the ground. That’s what we want from her.”

PHOTO USA In the present day Sports activities Photos

Each soccer coach feels stress to win.

The diploma of stress can differ relying on the circumstances. Some really feel a must win this season as a result of they’re multi-years right into a rebuilding challenge that’s not on time.

Some really feel a must win this season as a result of they’d an unexpectedly unhealthy season final season. And a few really feel a must not simply win however to win massive each season as a result of that’s the expectation for his or her elite program.

The stress to win this season may be much less or higher in some instances with the arrival of the 12-team playoff area. 

Some would possibly really feel much less stress at not having to complete within the high 4 to win a berth within the championship match. Some would possibly really feel extra stress as a result of the expanded area will increase the expectation of constructing the CFP. 

Totally different coaches really feel completely different pressures relying on the standing of this system and the stage of their tenures.

Right here’s a take a look at the school soccer coaches underneath probably the most stress in 2024.

Ryan Day, Ohio State

OK, so Day’s job isn’t precisely on the road this yr. In any case, his file with the Buckeyes is 56-8. However he does have probably the most pressure-packed jobs in faculty soccer, to not point out a three-game dropping streak towards Michigan.

Ohio State adopted its newest loss to the Wolverines with a desultory loss to Missouri within the Cotton Bowl and completed No. 7 within the remaining CFP rankings, its lowest end underneath Day. 

Most preseason rankings have the Buckeyes both No. 1 or No. 2, so the stress is on Day to provide not solely a victory over Michigan but additionally a deep run within the CFP (and ideally a nationwide championship).

Will Corridor, Southern Miss

The expectations for the Golden Eagles aren’t practically as excessive as they’re for Ohio State, however after sandwiching a pair of 3-9 finishes round a 7-6 mark in 2022, the stress is on Corridor to provide a crew that exhibits important enchancment and is an element within the Solar Belt Convention race.

Mario Cristobal, Miami

supply: Getty Photos

Cristobal is getting into his third season, however extremely regarded recruiting and switch lessons have expectations for the Hurricanes on the rise. Cristobal’s second crew improved from 5-7 to 7-6, however final season fell wanting what it might have been.

Miami seemed prefer it was going to enhance to 5-0 because it tried to expire the clock whereas main 20-17 and possessing the ball in Georgia Tech territory within the remaining minute. However as an alternative of kneeling out the clock, they ran the ball, misplaced a fumble on third down and allowed the Yellow Jackets to drive 74 yards in 24 seconds to attain a successful landing. 

The Canes by no means totally recovered and wound up dropping 4 of their final 5 video games, resulting in questions on whether or not the top coach acquired in the best way of what ought to have been a greater file.

Clark Lea, Vanderbilt

Jul 15, 2024; Dallas, TX, USA; Vanderbilt head coach Clark Lea talking at Omni Dallas Resort. Obligatory Credit score: Brett Patzke-USA TODAY Sports activities

The Commodores’ historically modest expectations can solely hold the stress low for therefore lengthy. Lea has gone 2-10, 5-7 and 2-10, and with Vanderbilt within the midst of a $300 million athletic improve, the expectations may be much less modest starting in 2024. 

Billy Napier, Florida

Jul 17, 2024; Dallas, TX, USA; Florida head coach Billy Napier talking at Omni Dallas Resort. Obligatory Credit score: Brett Patzke-USA TODAY Sports activities

The Gators count on to be constant contenders for the SEC championship, and with Napier’s first two groups ending 6-7 and 5-7 and Texas and Oklahoma arriving to make the convention even deeper, there’s numerous stress on Napier’s third crew to have a breakout season.

Kalani Sitaki, BYU

Sitaki is the third-winningest coach in Cougar historical past, going 61-41 in eight seasons. However after an 11-1 file that landed BYU at No. 11 within the AP post-season ballot in 2020, Sitaki’s groups have received fewer video games in three consecutive seasons (10-3, 8-5, 5-7). The general success of his tenure stays an asset, however there’s stress to begin trending upward once more.

Dave Aranda, Baylor

Sep 2, 2023; Waco, Texas, USA; Baylor Bears head coach Dave Aranda on the sidelines through the second half towards the Texas State Bobcats at McLane Stadium. credit: Raymond Carlin III-USA TODAY Sports activities

It was simply three years in the past that the Bears went 12-2 and beat Ole Miss within the Sugar Bowl. However Baylor adopted that milestone season with a 6-7 end earlier than sliding to 3-9 final season. The stress is on Aranda to provide a dramatic turnaround in 2024.

Sam Pittman, Arkansas

Jul 18, 2024; Dallas, TX, USA; Arkansas head coach Sam Pittman talking at Omni Dallas Resort. Obligatory Credit score: Brett Patzke-USA TODAY Sports activities

Pittman endured a 3-7 end in his first season in 2020 earlier than lifting the Razorbacks to a 9-4 file in his second season. However slipping to 7-6 and 4-8 the final two years—together with the arrival of Texas and OU—has Pittman feeling stress a minimum of as sturdy as what Napier is feeling in Florida.

After a month-long Olympic break, WNBA play lastly resumed on Thursday night time. Sarcastically, the identical gamers who’ve represented USA Basketball these previous few weeks in Paris led manner of their groups’ wins — no relaxation, no drawback.

Within the triple-header, the Liberty got here away with a 35-point win over the Sparks, the Mercury with a 20-point win over the Sky, and the Lynx with a 9-point win over the Mystics.

Curiously sufficient, it was 5 members from the U.S. girls’s Olympic basketball crew who dominated the WNBA final night time. Listed below are Thursday’s prime 5 performers, ranked from excellent to ridiculously good.

5. Sabrina Ionescu, New Liberty

Sabrina Ionescu had one other stellar outing for the Liberty, posting 18 factors on 6-13 taking pictures, 6 assists and 4 rebounds in a win over the Sparks. She completed the sport with a plus-minus of +25 in simply 23 minutes, serving to the Liberty get out to a 19-point first quarter lead and by no means trying again.

Ionescu is within the midst of a profession season, averaging 19.8 factors and 6.1 assists per recreation — each profession highs. After a couple of weeks of serving because the youngest member on Workforce USA in Paris, Ionescu helped the Liberty enhance to a league-best 22-4 document.

4. Napheesa Collier, Minnesota Lynx

Photograph by David Sherman/NBAE by way of Getty Pictures

Napheesa Collier is again and it appears to be like like she she by no means left. Collier suffered a foot damage towards the Solar on July 4th and didn’t play once more till All-Star Weekend. The Lynx went 3-2 with out her pre-Olympics, and it was evident simply how vital she was to their play on each sounds of the ball. However, Collier seemed good all through her Paris tenure — averaging 6.7 factors and 6.5 rebounds — and didn’t miss a beat in her first recreation again with the Lynx in over a month.

Collier completed with 17 factors, 12 rebounds, and a pair of steals, serving to the Lynx to a 79-68 win over the Mystics. The Lynx improved to 18-8 on the season.

After the sport, Collier credited the crew’s unwavering connectivity: “We’re so robust, and our chemistry is so good. We imagine in one another a lot – it doesn’t matter if we’re up or down. We keep collectively.”

3. Breanna Stewart, New York Liberty

Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports activities

Keep in mind when Breanna Stewart was in a taking pictures hunch? That now seems like a distant reminiscence. Stewart went 0-14 from downtown in 4 video games with the Liberty in July, however appears to be like to have discovered her rhythm after a superb Paris Olympic event wherein she averaged 16.3 factors on 56.7% taking pictures.

Stewie dominated within the Liberty’s 103-68 win over the Sparks, ending with 27 factors in simply 20 minutes of play. Her offensive efficiency was as environment friendly as they arrive — she hit 10-15 pictures and made 3-4 from three-point vary.

After the sport, Stewart credited her Liberty teammates for serving to make the re-acclimation again to the WNBA simpler.

“This crew enjoys being round one another,” she stated. “We’ve a chemistry and a camaraderie.”

2) Brittney Griner, Phoenix Mercury

Photograph by Gary Dineen/NBAE by way of Getty Pictures

In Paris, Brittney Griner took a backseat position as A’ja Wilson and Breanna Stewart dominated the frontcourt.

However again in a Mercury jersey, Griner seemed to have reverted to her former unstoppable self. The Sky had no reply for the 6’ 9 heart, who loved one in every of her greatest performances of the 2024 season. Griner dominated the paint, ending the sport with 23 factors on 10-12 taking pictures, to associate with 9 rebounds, 6 assists, and 5 blocks.

After the 85-65 win, Griner stated she loved the uncommon alternative to match up towards a participant practically her peak: Sky rookie Kamilla Cardoso stands at 6’ 7.

“I at all times like going up towards individuals my measurement,” Griner stated. “I seemed ahead to it tonight. I used to be pleased with it — I simply type of learn it.”

The 33-year outdated stated she felt contemporary regardless of not having a lot of a break — Workforce USA competed within the gold medal recreation on Sunday, however Griner solely averaged 14.3 minutes per recreation all through the event.

“I type of really feel rested, actually,” she stated.

1) Kahleah Copper, Phoenix Mercury

Photograph by Melissa Tamez/Icon Sportswire by way of Getty Pictures

Kahleah Copper – who spent seven seasons with the Sky and led the crew to a championship in 2021 – confirmed out in her first recreation again at Wintrust Area. She exploded for 29 factors on 12-19 taking pictures, serving to the Mercury defeat the Sky.

“Everyone knows what she will do,” Brittney Griner stated of Copper. “We’ve been on the opposite finish of it on this area. I’m simply glad I get to see it from the facet of being her teammate now.”

Copper was matter-of-fact when requested postgame if that is the type of efficiency she hoped to have towards her former crew.

“Sure,” she stated with a smile. “Environment friendly, you win — I like that.”

PHOTO USA Immediately Sports activities Photos

We’re smack-dab in the course of August. 

NFL preseason is in full swing, MLB season divisional races are heating up, the WNBA common season is a few month away from ending and we’ve mentioned goodbye to the Olympics.

Loads is occurring in sports activities, and we have now the primary NFL preseason recreation of Week 2 tonight.

Beneath, I’ll contact on an NFL level unfold and two MLB wagers: a run line and a pitcher prop.

Philadelphia Eagles vs. New England Patriots

The Eagles and Patriots have hung out collectively throughout joint practices. If that’s any indication of how the sport unfolds, the Patriots are in bother. 

Hunter Henry has been lacking as a consequence of damage, Jacoby Brissett had 4 straight crimson zone incompletions, Ja’Lynn Polk had one catch, the offensive line gave up 10 “sacks,” and, oh yeah, the group simply traded edge rusher Matthew Judon to Atlanta. 

With Vic Fangio because the Eagles defensive coordinator, the starters will want some reps to get used to the brand new system he is putting in. In Week 1 of the preseason, the Patriots offense didn’t carry out properly towards largely Carolina Panthers backups. 

The Patriots scored 17, averaged simply 4.3 yards per play, and transformed simply 5 of 15 third-down makes an attempt. 

Search for the Eagles to maintain this shut. 

Greatest Guess: Eagles +2.5 (-108 at DraftKings)

Oakland Athletics vs. New York Mets

The Athletics are averaging simply 4.06 runs per recreation in comparison with 4.78 from the Mets, however the Mets are sending Jose Quintana to the mound, who’s had tough outings these days. He’s allowed 15 runs over his previous 5 begins, six house runs, and has walked 13. 

His HR/9 is 1.37, which is the Twelfth-worst within the league. The Athletics hit 1.26 house runs per recreation, which is fifth-most within the league, they usually’re averaging six runs per recreation over their final three outings. 

Search for the A’s offense to get one thing going towards Quintana. A’s starter Mitch Spence has been strong over his final 4 begins, permitting two runs or much less in every.

Greatest Guess: Athletics +1.5 (-140 at FanDuel)

Philadelphia Phillies vs. Washington Nationals

Wheeler is Twelfth within the MLB in Okay/9 at 9.84 over 142.2 innings this season. The Nationals are fifth-best within the league in strikeouts per recreation at 7.50. That quantity goes as much as 8.16 on the highway. 

The prop line right here is simply 6.5, and Wheeler has topped that complete in 5 of his final six begins. He has just one begin towards Washington this 12 months, which resulted in additional than seven innings, and he managed six strikeouts. 

Along with the Nationals being extra whiff-prone on the highway, Wheeler has additionally carried out higher at house, hanging out 87 batters and holding hitters to a .187 batting common in comparison with 69 strikeouts on the highway. 

This shall be a detailed name at 6.5, however getting the +104 line for strikeout numbers he’s had in additional than half his begins this season is interesting.

Greatest Guess: Zack Wheeler Over 6.5 Strikeouts (+104 at FanDuel)