Tag Archives: back-to-back

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts drops confident truth bomb ahead of free agency push

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The Los Angeles Dodgers have just changed the tone of MLB free agency, and the message came straight from manager Dave Roberts.

Fresh off back-to-back World Series titles, the club appears more focused on a possible three-peat than on a splashy winter spending spree. Speaking at the Winter Meetings on Monday, Roberts made it clear that the Dodgers like where they stand after beating the Toronto Blue Jays in seven games to claim the 2025 World Series.

The manager framed the offseason not as a hunt for stars, but as a chance to support a core that has already delivered two straight rings and three titles since 2020. USA Today’s Bob Nightengale took to X (formerly known as Twitter) with a post that captured the calm, confident stance from the Dodgers skipper. This signaled to the league that the champions may sit out the top of the market.

This shift in strategy also reshapes the top of MLB free agency. Agents and rival clubs often count on the Dodgers to drive up prices, but if the champions step back, teams like the New York Mets, New York Yankees, and San Francisco Giants gain room to chase marquee names without worrying about a late push from Los Angeles.

Inside the clubhouse, the focus seems to be on history. Dodgers Nation later took to the platform, posting a video of the 53-year-old leader doubling down on his outlook and hinting that the team already has its eyes on rare company.

“This team is still focused, there’s some talk about a 3-peat,” Roberts said, underscoring the Dodgers’ determination to continue their championship run.
https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/los-angeles-dodgers/dodgers-news-dave-roberts-free-agency-truth-bomb

Devastating Bucky Irving Update Could Spell Bad News for Buccaneers

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Last season, Bucky Irving broke out as one of the NFL’s most efficient rookies, producing 1, 122 rushing yards at 5. 4 per carry with eight touchdowns, plus 392 receiving yards on 47 catches. Through four games in 2025, Irving added 237 rushing yards and 193 receiving yards with two receiving scores before missing the next six games due to foot and shoulder injuries. Despite initial optimism and the decision not to place him on IR, he has now missed nearly two months of action. He returned to practice last week in a limited capacity and again this week, with Todd Bowles indicating more work was planned and reiterating the team will wait until he’s fully ready. As of Thursday, a return remains unlikely against the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday at SoFi Stadium. Rondé Barber said he doesn’t believe Irving will play on Sunday night and suggested the situation may extend beyond injuries, underscoring why the team’s posture has stayed guarded despite limited practices. On Thursday, Mike Florio agreed that he doesn’t believe Irving will be back this weekend and hinted that Irving might not be back “anytime soon,” a problematic development given that only seven games are remaining in the season. Read More: Raiders’ Pete Carroll Sends Strong Message to Geno Smith After Cowboys Loss Tampa Bay’s offense has struggled to adjust without Irving in the lineup. Since the Eagles game, Irving’s last appearance, the team has gone 3-3, including back-to-back losses entering Week 12. The staff has leaned on Rachaad White and Sean Tucker, but the unit’s explosive run tendencies and screen game have been harder to replicate. White is the team’s leading rusher on the season with 376 rushing yards and four rushing TDs on 97 carries (3. 9 yards per carry). Read More: Cowboys’ Brian Schottenheimer Addresses CeeDee Lamb, George Pickens Decision The question of when Irving returns matters as much to Tampa Bay’s playoff hopes as it does to fans. For the Bucs to stay in the playoff picture, they will need to finish the season strong with an upcoming schedule that features road contests against the Rams, Carolina Panthers, and Miami Dolphins, and at home versus the Arizona Cardinals, New Orleans Saints, Atlanta Falcons, and Panthers. These games won’t just be crucial for the NFC South race, but they may well determine whether the Bucs make it to the postseason altogether.
https://www.newsweek.com/sports/nfl/devastating-bucky-irving-update-could-spell-bad-news-for-buccaneers-11085341

Curry out, other stars questionable at Heat as Warriors’ tough schedule marches on

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The Warriors will be shorthanded Wednesday night when they face the Heat in Miami on the second night of a Florida back-to-back set. Steph Curry, who led Golden State with 34 points in Tuesday’s loss in Orlando, has been ruled out with an ankle injury that has been lingering since earlier in the Warriors’ road trip in San Antonio. Curry passed Vince Carter for No. 22 on the NBA’s all-time scoring list. Joining Curry in street clothes for the Miami game are Al Horford (toe injury management), Jonathan Kuminga (knee tendinitis) and De’Anthony Melton (ACL rehab). The Warriors have listed Jimmy Butler as questionable with a back strain, while Draymond Green and Buddy Hield are questionable to play due to illness. Horford played in Tuesday’s game and the Warriors have said he will not play both ends of a back-to-back this season as they aim to keep the 39-year-old healthy for the playoffs. Kuminga has not played since Nov. 12, when the Warriors beat the Spurs in San Antonio and he missed the second half with knee soreness. Butler left a Nov. 4 game against the Suns against Phoenix with back soreness and missed the next night’s game in Sacramento, but has played in each game since. That Nov. 5 game in Sacramento is the lone game this season in which the Warriors have sat all three of their veteran stars Curry, Green and Butler as they try to balance winning with rest for their players above age 35. Wednesday’s game will complete Golden State’s fifth back-to-back set of the season as the Warriors play their 17th game (12 on the road) in 30 days to open the season.
https://www.montereyherald.com/2025/11/19/steph-curry-injury-warriors-heat-schedule/

Afghanistan vs Myanmar Prediction and Betting Tips | 18th November 2025

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Afghanistan and Myanmar will clash in a neutral venue in Bangladesh on Tuesday during the 2027 AFC Asian Cup qualifiers. However, the match is a dead rubber as both teams have already been eliminated from the competition.

Ranked 162nd in the world, Afghanistan, also known as the Lions of Khorasan, have struggled throughout the qualifiers. They have failed to win any of their four Group E fixtures, collecting just two points from two draws against Pakistan last month. Earlier in the campaign, Afghanistan lost 2-1 to Myanmar in their opening game, followed by a 1-0 defeat to Syria. Afghanistan have never qualified for the Asian Cup before, and their dream of reaching the tournament remains elusive after another disappointing qualifying campaign.

On the other hand, Myanmar started the qualifiers strongly. The Chinthe won their first two games, gathering six points from a possible six, and looked like serious contenders alongside Syria. However, the Qasioun Eagles dashed Myanmar’s hopes by handing them back-to-back defeats last month. Syria dominated with a 5-1 home win and a 3-0 victory away. Myanmar’s defense struggled against a lethal Syrian attack led by Omar Khribin, who scored a hat-trick in their first meeting.

### Afghanistan vs Myanmar: Head-To-Head and Key Numbers

Afghanistan and Myanmar have faced each other just once before, with Myanmar claiming a 2-1 victory in March 2025. Currently, Afghanistan is one of eight teams without a win in the Asian Cup qualifiers. Myanmar has six points from four games, while Afghanistan has earned only two. Interestingly, Myanmar has conceded nine goals, whereas Afghanistan’s defense has allowed just four.

Form-wise, Myanmar is winless in their last three matches, while Afghanistan has failed to win any of their eight games in 2025, suffering five losses. According to the latest FIFA World Rankings, Afghanistan sits at 162nd place, with Myanmar just behind in 163rd.

### Match Prediction: Afghanistan vs Myanmar

Though Myanmar defeated Afghanistan in their previous qualifier, the stakes are lower this time as both sides are already out of contention. While Myanmar may still pose a challenge, Afghanistan should be able to hold them to a draw and share the spoils.

**Prediction:** Afghanistan 1-1 Myanmar

### Afghanistan vs Myanmar: Betting Tips

– **Tip 1:** Result – Draw
– **Tip 2:** Goals Over/Under 2.5 – Under 2.5
– **Tip 3:** Both Teams to Score – Yes
https://www.sportskeeda.com/football/afghanistan-vs-myanmar-prediction-betting-tips-18th-november-2025

Pelicans’ Trey Murphy dominates despite loss to Spurs

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New Orleans Pelicans forward Trey Murphy lit up the court with a career-best performance in Saturday’s game, but it wasn’t enough to secure a third consecutive win. The Pelicans fell 126-119 to the San Antonio Spurs at Frost Bank Center.

Murphy tied his career-high with 41 points, shooting an efficient 15-of-22 from the field, including 5-of-11 from three-point range. He also contributed nine rebounds. With key starters Zion Williamson (hamstring), Yves Missi (illness), and Jordan Poole (quad strain) sidelined, New Orleans leaned heavily on Murphy. He scored 16 points in the first half and added 25 in the second. One of the highlights was his impressive 38-foot buzzer-beater at the end of the third quarter, cutting the deficit to 92-85.

Rookie guard Jeremiah Fears added 18 points, while Herb Jones contributed 15. Rookie forward Derik Queen delivered a well-rounded performance off the bench with 13 points, seven assists, five rebounds, and two blocks in just 25 minutes. Queen also played the entire fourth quarter for a third consecutive game, helping the Pelicans close the gap to within one possession at 122-119 late in the contest.

Despite their efforts, all went unrewarded as the Spurs managed to hold on. San Antonio was led by De’Aaron Fox in his season debut. Fox, returning after missing the first eight games due to a hamstring injury, scored 24 points, including an impressive stretch of 13 consecutive points in the second quarter that helped build a halftime lead.

Victor Wembanyama posted a double-double with 18 points and 18 rebounds, while Devin Vassell added 16 points. Harrison Barnes chipped in 15, and Stephon Castle recorded a double-double of 14 points and 14 assists. Julian Champagnie also contributed 14 points. The Spurs maintained a 43-40 rebounding advantage over the Pelicans.

This game marked New Orleans’ second defeat to San Antonio this season, following a 120-116 overtime loss earlier in October. The Spurs, playing the second game of a home back-to-back, improved their record to 7-2. The Pelicans dropped to 2-7.

New Orleans will look to turn things around in their next game against the Phoenix Suns on Monday.
https://clutchpoints.com/nba/new-orleans-pelicans/pelicans-news-trey-murphy-dominates-loss-spurs

Player grades: Tyrese Maxey, Sixers knock off Raptors to end skid

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PHILADELPHIA – The Philadelphia 76ers returned home on Saturday to host the Toronto Raptors, aiming to snap a two-game losing streak. Sporting their 2001 throwback uniforms and court, the Sixers were also looking to start their back-to-back games on a high note against a pesky Raptors squad.

Toronto posed challenges at times during the contest, but led by the stellar play of Tyrese Maxey, Philadelphia secured a 130-120 victory to get back in the win column. Maxey delivered a dominant performance with 31 points, seven assists, and four rebounds to lead the Sixers to a much-needed win and renewed confidence.

Joel Embiid added 29 points, six rebounds, and four assists. Trendon Watford posted a triple-double with 20 points, 17 rebounds, and 10 assists. Kelly Oubre Jr. chipped in 19 points. Off the bench, Quentin Grimes scored 11 points, while VJ Edgecombe contributed 11 points, seven rebounds, and four assists.

Here are the player grades following Philadelphia’s win:

**Tyrese Maxey: A-minus**
The Raptors struggled to contain Maxey throughout the game. Numerous times, the star guard blew past defenders off the dribble and found ways to finish at the basket. He knocked down a couple of crucial three-pointers early to set the tone. Although Toronto managed to slow him down after his hot start, Maxey kept attacking and creating opportunities for himself and teammates. His quickness and sound decision-making led to easy baskets, making him a constant threat.

**VJ Edgecombe: B-minus**
Toronto focused significant defensive attention on Edgecombe to limit his impact, and he initially struggled with this pressure. However, he showed maturity by attacking the glass and finding ways to contribute positively. Edgecombe had several highlight-worthy moments and made some clutch shots down the stretch to provide an offensive spark for the Sixers.

**Kelly Oubre Jr.: B-plus**
Oubre has been a consistent contributor for Philadelphia this season, and he continued that trend in this game. He attacked the basket aggressively, finishing with some acrobatic moves over Toronto’s defenders. Although his three-point shooting faltered, Oubre was efficient inside the paint and helped the Sixers maintain offensive rhythm throughout the game.

**Trendon Watford: A-plus**
Starting in this game, Watford made an immediate impact by doing many of the little things that help teams win in the NBA. He made hustle plays, took on ball-handling duties, ran the offense effectively from the power forward position, and crashed the boards. Watford was highly efficient offensively, made smart post plays, and contributed defensively. As he continues to develop, he will be an invaluable asset for the Sixers.

**Joel Embiid: A-minus**
The Raptors chose to go small to start the game, defending Embiid with the likes of Scottie Barnes and Brandon Ingram. Embiid capitalized on this by utilizing his size, strength, and soft touch around the basket for easy scoring opportunities. Although he missed open three-point attempts and the defense had some lapses leading to easy Toronto buckets, Embiid was mostly a force in the paint. He also made intelligent passing plays when doubled. Overall, Embiid had another efficient offensive night but showed occasional defensive struggles—a mixed yet encouraging performance as he works toward regaining full form.

**Quentin Grimes: B-minus**
Needing momentum in the second quarter, the Sixers got a timely boost from Grimes. With Toronto holding a double-digit lead, Grimes knocked down a couple of crucial triples to shift momentum in Philadelphia’s favor. The bench unit had its ups and downs overall, but Grimes delivered key moments that helped spark the team.

**Andre Drummond: B-plus**
Philadelphia relied on Drummond in the first half, where he pulled down rebounds and moved well defensively. Called upon again in the second half, the veteran delivered important defensive plays and scored after battling inside with the Raptors. Drummond continues to make a strong case as Philadelphia’s primary backup big man.

**Justin Edwards: C-minus**
The second-year guard showed some defensive promise but committed a turnover early in his minutes that led to a Raptors bucket. He did contribute on offense with a corner three-pointer in the second half to help keep the Sixers’ scoring momentum alive.

**Jabari Walker: C-plus**
Walker continues to play within his role, focusing on team-first basketball. While his three-point shot is yet to fall consistently, Philadelphia will maintain confidence in him and provide minutes to help him find his rhythm.

**Adem Bona: D-plus**
Bona’s initial minutes included an offensive foul and some defensive lapses. He showed aggression on the glass, which is a positive, but overall, it was a tough night for the young big man.

—

The 76ers’ victory over the Raptors marked a positive step in ending their skid and building momentum as they continue their season. With strong performances from Maxey, Watford, and Embiid, Philadelphia has reasons to feel optimistic moving forward.
https://sixerswire.usatoday.com/story/sports/nba/sixers/2025/11/08/player-grades-tyrese-maxey-sixers-knock-off-raptors-to-end-skid/87175817007/

World Series champion Dodgers take in Spurs vs. Lakers

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The Los Angeles Dodgers completed their quest to win back-to-back World Series last week, kicking off a busy schedule of celebrations and appearances.

Members of the Dodgers have made notable appearances on popular shows such as “Dancing with the Stars” and “The Tonight Show,” among others, engaging with fans and sharing their championship excitement.

On Wednesday, Dodgers players Will Smith, Blake Snell, and Tyler Glasnow attended the Lakers’ game against the San Antonio Spurs at Crypto.com Arena. Before the game, the players were seen posing for photographs and even shooting a basketball on the court during the pregame activities.

Luka Dončić and Rui Hachimura of the Lakers also joined in the celebration, taking a photo with the Dodgers and the iconic World Series Trophy. This memorable moment highlighted the connection between Los Angeles’ premier sports teams and their shared championship spirit.
https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/dodgers/2025/11/05/dodgers-lakers-spurs-game-world-series-victory/87117473007/

Mark Williams sets ‘new standard’ in first start with Suns

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PHOENIX – The emergence of the next Phoenix Suns big man could be in the form of 23-year-old center Mark Williams.

Let’s take a step back before making any bold claims. When the Suns traded for Williams on draft night, despite also selecting another center in Khaman Maluach, it felt like Williams might be brushed out of the rotation. That hasn’t been the case. In fact, he has become the focal point—and the crème de la crème—of Phoenix’s hectic center rotation, which includes himself and three other players at the position.

Even with the competition being an emphasis, head coach Jordan Ott knew that getting Williams physically right and on the appropriate regimen was more important than anything else. When the team announced Williams would be on a minutes restriction, it showed that Ott’s vision was coming to fruition.

While Williams could’ve pouted about the decrease in workload, he made the most of it. Fast forward to his first start in the purple and orange, and he delivered a standout performance. A 20-point, 11-rebound double-double, along with four steals and two blocks, had him popping out on the stat sheet.

That wasn’t even the most impressive part for Ott, though. It was much simpler than the numbers.

“That he can do it back-to-back games. I think after the last game (vs. Utah Jazz), we just talked about his standard as we learn him and he learns us. Obviously, he’s a big presence out there, and how he’s done back-to-back games. We were changing things up for Morant tonight,” Ott said.

“He’s able to do it, so even that’s not on the box score. I think there are multiple things there we can be happy about where Mark is at, and now that’s a new standard. Keeping them to that standard is what we’re all here to do.”

It isn’t just Jordan Ott who loves Mark Williams with the Suns. Another shining supporter is point guard Collin Gillespie, who was with Williams during the pre-draft process. Gillespie shared insights about their time together during training camp and media day, expressing confidence in Williams’ development.

Gillespie knew that the former Duke big man would come around. Earlier in the week, Williams’s approach didn’t change once he joined the Suns: he stayed ready, was patient, and made sure to maximize every opportunity.

The double-double immediately catches attention, but it was much more than that. Williams has stepped up in the screen-and-roll, filling the empty pockets for easy buckets, and establishing himself as a legitimate rim threat. Those are only a glimpse of what Gillespie has seen through four games.

“A big body. He could put a ton of pressure on the rim, rolling, and screening. He sets great screens and can give guys good looks coming off the screen,” Gillespie said postgame. “And he’s done a great job on the glass as well, but you kind of see it sometimes, he makes those little plays happen off of missed shots where he’ll tip it off the glass and then keep it to himself.”

“Yeah, he’s been effective for us. And he’s going to continue to get better as he plays more games, as we get more continuity with each other while playing. It’s been awesome so far.”

The back-to-back games won’t be an issue. The mentality isn’t an issue. Williams’ on-court performance has been exceptional up to this point. Now, it’ll be about maintaining that standard for the duration of the season.
https://clutchpoints.com/nba/phoenix-suns/suns-news-mark-williams-sets-new-standard-first-start-phoenix

Bruins’ struggles continue with blowout loss to Senators 7-2

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OTTAWA, Ontario (AP) — Drake Batherson and Tim Stutzle each recorded two goals and an assist to lead the Ottawa Senators to a commanding 7-2 victory over the Boston Bruins on Monday night. The win marked Ottawa’s third straight triumph.

Claude Giroux, Nick Cousins, and Fabian Zetterlund also contributed goals for the Senators, while goaltender Leevi Merilainen made 26 saves. The 23-year-old goalie showed significant improvement after allowing seven goals in his only other start this season against the Buffalo Sabres on October 15.

The Bruins got on the board first with Morgan Geekie scoring on Boston’s opening shot, capitalizing on a defensive-zone turnover by Ottawa. However, that early goal was all the Bruins could manage offensively until the final seconds of the game when Viktor Arvidsson scored with less than 10 seconds remaining.

Boston’s Jeremy Swayman made 17 saves but the team remains in last place in the Atlantic Division.

Batherson’s first goal of the night came on the power play and tied the game 1-1 at the midpoint of the opening period. Notably, Monday marked the first time since February 2023 that the Senators have scored more than six goals in back-to-back games, having put up seven goals against the Washington Capitals on Saturday.

In an unusual but spirited moment, the Senators played the World Series game between the Toronto Blue Jays and Los Angeles Dodgers with full broadcast audio during the first and second intermissions. Most fans stayed in their seats, giving hearty roars that are rarely heard from a Toronto team visiting the nation’s capital.

Up next:
– Bruins: Host the New York Islanders on Tuesday.
– Senators: Visit the Chicago Blackhawks on Tuesday.
https://www.boston.com/uncategorized/boston-bruins/2025/10/27/bruins-struggles-continue-with-blowout-loss-to-senators-7-2/

Falcons lose Divine Deablo to injury amid SNF vs. 49ers

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Brimming with confidence after back-to-back wins, the Atlanta Falcons aimed to secure their third straight victory as they visited the San Francisco 49ers at Levi’s Stadium for “Sunday Night Football.”

The Falcons entered the game riding high, having convincingly defeated the Washington Commanders and the Buffalo Bills in their previous two outings. With momentum on their side, they looked to add the 49ers to their list of vanquished opponents.

However, Atlanta faced a significant setback when linebacker Divine Deablo was forced to exit in the first half due to a forearm injury. According to ESPN’s Marc Raimondi, Deablo will not return for the second half. This is a tough loss for the Falcons, who rely heavily on defensive firepower to contain a formidable 49ers offense. Before leaving the game, Deablo had registered a solo tackle.

At halftime, San Francisco held a 10-3 lead, thanks in part to running back Christian McCaffrey, who scored on a one-yard touchdown run. Despite the deficit, Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. had a solid first half, completing 13 of 19 passes for 128 yards.

Even without Deablo, Atlanta remains poised to mount a comeback in the second half.

Deablo, 27, signed a two-year, $14 million contract with the Falcons in March after spending his first four NFL seasons with the Las Vegas Raiders. He quickly established himself as a key contributor in Atlanta, accumulating 23 total tackles so far this season. Falcons head coach Raheem Morris had high praise for Deablo even before the season began, describing him as “an avatar” and commending his ability to “pressure the passer,” as highlighted in a report by Heavy’s Trevor Williamson.

The severity of Deablo’s forearm injury is currently unknown. As of the latest update, the 49ers lead 13-3 early in the third quarter, with both teams battling hard under the lights at Levi’s Stadium.
https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/atlanta-falcons/falcons-news-atlanta-loses-divine-deablo-injury-snf-49ers