Dallas Stars (50-20-12, in the Central Division) vs. Minnesota Wild (46-24-12, in the Central Division)

Saint Paul, Minnesota; Saturday, 5:30 p.m. EDT

LINE: Wild -135, Stars +114; over/under is 6

NHL PLAYOFFS FIRST ROUND: Stars lead series 2-1

BOTTOM LINE: The Dallas Stars visit the Minnesota Wild in the first round of the NHL Playoffs with a 2-1 lead in the series. The teams meet Wednesday for the eighth time this season. The Stars won 4-3 in overtime in the last matchup.

Minnesota has a 14-11-4 record in Central Division games and a 46-24-12 record overall. The Wild have a +33 scoring differential, with 268 total goals scored and 235 allowed.

Dallas has a 50-20-12 record overall and a 19-7-3 record in Central Division play. The Stars lead the Western Conference with 71 power-play goals.

TOP PERFORMERS: Matthew Boldy has 42 goals and 43 assists for the Wild. Kirill Kaprizov has six goals and four assists over the past 10 games.

Jason Robertson has 45 goals and 51 assists for the Stars. Wyatt Johnston has scored seven goals and added four assists over the last 10 games.

LAST 10 GAMES: Wild: 5-4-1, averaging 3.6 goals, 5.8 assists, five penalties and 11.6 penalty minutes while giving up 2.9 goals per game.

Stars: 8-2-0, averaging 3.2 goals, 5.4 assists, 5.3 penalties and 12 penalty minutes while giving up 2.6 goals per game.

INJURIES: Wild: Yakov Trenin: day to day (upper-body), Mats Zuccarello: day to day (upper-body).

Stars: Nathan Bastian: out (hand), Roope Hintz: out (lower body), Tyler Seguin: out for season (acl).

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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.

Carolina Hurricanes (53-22-7, in the Metropolitan Division) vs. Ottawa Senators (44-27-11, in the Atlantic Division)

Ottawa, Ontario; Saturday, 3 p.m. EDT

LINE: Senators -111, Hurricanes -109; over/under is 5.5

NHL PLAYOFFS FIRST ROUND: Hurricanes lead series 3-0

BOTTOM LINE: The Carolina Hurricanes visit the Ottawa Senators in the first round of the NHL Playoffs with a 3-0 lead in the series. The teams meet Thursday for the seventh time this season. The Hurricanes won 2-1 in the last matchup.

Ottawa has a 44-27-11 record overall and a 23-13-6 record on its home ice. The Senators have a 9-12-4 record in games they serve more penalty minutes than their opponents.

Carolina is 25-12-5 on the road and 53-22-7 overall. The Hurricanes are second in the league with 291 total goals (averaging 3.6 per game).

TOP PERFORMERS: Tim Stutzle has scored 34 goals with 48 assists for the Senators. Brady Tkachuk has two goals and five assists over the past 10 games.

Sebastian Aho has 27 goals and 53 assists for the Hurricanes. Logan Stankoven has scored seven goals and added five assists over the past 10 games.

LAST 10 GAMES: Senators: 5-3-2, averaging three goals, 4.6 assists, 3.6 penalties and 8.6 penalty minutes while giving up 2.2 goals per game.

Hurricanes: 8-1-1, averaging 3.5 goals, 6.1 assists, 3.6 penalties and 7.8 penalty minutes while giving up 2.2 goals per game.

INJURIES: Senators: Jake Sanderson: day to day (undisclosed), Artem Zub: day to day (undisclosed), Nick Jensen: out for season (lower-body).

Hurricanes: None listed.

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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.

Pittsburgh Penguins (41-25-16, in the Metropolitan Division) vs. Philadelphia Flyers (43-27-12, in the Metropolitan Division)

Philadelphia; Saturday, 8 p.m. EDT

LINE: Flyers -119, Penguins -101; over/under is 5.5

NHL PLAYOFFS FIRST ROUND: Flyers lead series 3-0

BOTTOM LINE: The Philadelphia Flyers host the Pittsburgh Penguins in the first round of the NHL Playoffs with a 3-0 lead in the series. The teams meet Wednesday for the eighth time this season. The Flyers won the last matchup 5-2.

Philadelphia has a 43-27-12 record overall and a 15-9-5 record in Metropolitan Division play. The Flyers have committed 322 total penalties (3.9 per game) to rank seventh in NHL play.

Pittsburgh has gone 41-25-16 overall with a 13-7-9 record against the Metropolitan Division. The Penguins are 41-8-9 in games they score at least three goals.

TOP PERFORMERS: Travis Konecny has 27 goals and 41 assists for the Flyers. Porter Martone has six goals and six assists over the last 10 games.

Sidney Crosby has 29 goals and 45 assists for the Penguins. Evgeni Malkin has scored six goals and added five assists over the past 10 games.

LAST 10 GAMES: Flyers: 9-1-0, averaging 3.8 goals, 5.9 assists, 4.8 penalties and 11.2 penalty minutes while giving up 1.8 goals per game.

Penguins: 3-7-0, averaging 3.4 goals, 5.6 assists, 4.7 penalties and 13.2 penalty minutes while giving up 3.5 goals per game.

INJURIES: Flyers: Rodrigo Abols: out (ankle), Nikita Grebenkin: out (upper body), Emil Andrae: day to day (upper-body).

Penguins: Filip Hallander: out (leg), Caleb Jones: out for season (shoulder).

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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.

Chicago Cubs (16-9, first in the NL Central) vs. Los Angeles Dodgers (17-8, first in the NL West)

Los Angeles; Friday, 10:15 p.m. EDT

PITCHING PROBABLES: Cubs: Jameson Taillon (1-1, 3.97 ERA, 1.28 WHIP, 21 strikeouts); Dodgers: Emmet Sheehan (2-0, 5.85 ERA, 1.40 WHIP, 18 strikeouts)

LINE: Dodgers -163, Cubs +137; over/under is 9 1/2 runs

BOTTOM LINE: The Los Angeles Dodgers host the Chicago Cubs to start a three-game series.

Los Angeles has a 17-8 record overall and a 9-3 record at home. The Dodgers have the best team batting average in MLB play at .280.

Chicago has a 5-4 record in road games and a 16-9 record overall. Cubs hitters have a collective .357 on-base percentage, the highest percentage in the majors.

Friday's game is the first time these teams meet this season.

TOP PERFORMERS: Andy Pages has a .337 batting average to lead the Dodgers, and has four doubles and five home runs. Max Muncy is 13 for 36 with four home runs and five RBIs over the last 10 games.

Nico Hoerner has seven doubles and four home runs for the Cubs. Alex Bregman is 14 for 43 with two doubles, a triple and three RBIs over the past 10 games.

LAST 10 GAMES: Dodgers: 6-4, .263 batting average, 2.72 ERA, outscored opponents by 20 runs

Cubs: 9-1, .325 batting average, 3.46 ERA, outscored opponents by 33 runs

INJURIES: Dodgers: Landon Knack: 15-Day IL (undisclosed), Brock Stewart: 15-Day IL (shoulder), Jake Cousins: 60-Day IL (elbow), Gavin Stone: 60-Day IL (shoulder), Kike Hernandez: 60-Day IL (elbow), Bobby Miller: 60-Day IL (shoulder), Brusdar Graterol: 15-Day IL (shoulder), Evan Phillips: 60-Day IL (elbow), Tommy Edman: 10-Day IL (ankle), Edwin Diaz: 15-Day IL (elbow), Blake Snell: 15-Day IL (shoulder), Mookie Betts: 10-Day IL (back), Ben Casparius: 15-Day IL (shoulder)

Cubs: Caleb Thielbar: day-to-day (hamstring), Jordan Wicks: 15-Day IL (forearm), Shelby Miller: 60-Day IL (elbow), Porter Hodge: 15-Day IL (elbow), Phil Maton: 15-Day IL (knee), Ethan Roberts: 15-Day IL (finger), Justin Steele: 60-Day IL (elbow), Christopher Austin: 60-Day IL (knee), Daniel Palencia: 15-Day IL (oblique), Hunter Harvey: 15-Day IL (tricep), Cade Horton: 60-Day IL (forearm)

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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.

Seattle Mariners (11-15, fourth in the AL West) vs. St. Louis Cardinals (14-10, third in the NL Central)

St. Louis; Friday, 8:15 p.m. EDT

PITCHING PROBABLES: Mariners: George Kirby (3-2, 2.97 ERA, 1.05 WHIP, 27 strikeouts); Cardinals: Andre Pallante (2-1, 4.05 ERA, 1.45 WHIP, 12 strikeouts)

LINE: Mariners -161, Cardinals +135; over/under is 8 runs

BOTTOM LINE: The St. Louis Cardinals open a three-game series at home against the Seattle Mariners on Friday.

St. Louis has a 7-5 record in home games and a 14-10 record overall. Cardinals hitters have a collective .375 slugging percentage to rank ninth in the NL.

Seattle has an 11-15 record overall and a 1-8 record in road games. The Mariners have a 4-2 record in games when they hit two or more home runs.

The matchup Friday is the first meeting this season between the two clubs.

TOP PERFORMERS: Jordan Walker leads the Cardinals with eight home runs while slugging .607. Ivan Herrera is 11 for 38 with three home runs and six RBIs over the last 10 games.

Randy Arozarena has six doubles and two home runs for the Mariners. Cal Raleigh is 12 for 41 with two doubles, three home runs and four RBIs over the last 10 games.

LAST 10 GAMES: Cardinals: 6-4, .237 batting average, 4.70 ERA, outscored by three runs

Mariners: 4-6, .269 batting average, 4.13 ERA, outscored by five runs

INJURIES: Cardinals: Hunter Dobbins: 15-Day IL (knee), Matt Pushard: 15-Day IL (knee), Lars Nootbaar: 60-Day IL (heels)

Mariners: Victor Robles: 10-Day IL (pectoral), Logan Evans: 60-Day IL (arm), Carlos Vargas: 60-Day IL (lat), Miles Mastrobuoni: 60-Day IL (calf), Brendan Donovan: 10-Day IL (groin), Bryce Miller: 15-Day IL (oblique), Patrick Wisdom: 10-Day IL (oblique)

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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.

Los Angeles Angels (12-14, third in the AL West) vs. Kansas City Royals (8-17, fifth in the AL Central)

Kansas City, Missouri; Friday, 7:40 p.m. EDT

PITCHING PROBABLES: Angels: Yusei Kikuchi (0-2, 5.63 ERA, 1.62 WHIP, 27 strikeouts); Royals: Noah Cameron (1-1, 5.40 ERA, 1.45 WHIP, 17 strikeouts)

LINE: Royals -116, Angels -104; over/under is 9 runs

BOTTOM LINE: The Kansas City Royals begin a three-game series at home against the Los Angeles Angels on Friday.

Kansas City has an 8-17 record overall and a 6-7 record at home. The Royals are 1-5 in games decided by one run.

Los Angeles has a 12-14 record overall and a 7-7 record on the road. Angels pitchers have a collective 3.99 ERA, which ranks fifth in the AL.

Friday's game is the first time these teams meet this season.

TOP PERFORMERS: Maikel Garcia has six doubles and two home runs while hitting .265 for the Royals. Vinnie Pasquantino is 6 for 39 with a double, a triple and three home runs over the past 10 games.

Nolan Schanuel has four doubles, three home runs and 18 RBIs for the Angels. Mike Trout is 10 for 35 with a double and six home runs over the last 10 games.

LAST 10 GAMES: Royals: 1-9, .236 batting average, 6.19 ERA, outscored by 25 runs

Angels: 4-6, .250 batting average, 3.98 ERA, outscored opponents by 14 runs

INJURIES: Royals: James McArthur: 60-Day IL (elbow), Bailey Falter: 15-Day IL (elbow), Maikel Garcia: day-to-day (elbow), Stephen Kolek: 15-Day IL (oblique), Carlos Estevez: 15-Day IL (foot), Jonathan India: 10-Day IL (shoulder), Alec Marsh: 60-Day IL (shoulder)

Angels: Kirby Yates: 15-Day IL (knee), Ryan Johnson: 15-Day IL (illness), Robert Stephenson: 60-Day IL (elbow), Grayson Rodriguez: 15-Day IL (arm), Ben Joyce: 15-Day IL (shoulder), Anthony Rendon: 60-Day IL (hip), Alek Manoah: 15-Day IL (finger)

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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.

New York Knicks (53-29, third in the Eastern Conference) vs. Atlanta Hawks (46-36, sixth in the Eastern Conference)

Atlanta; Saturday, 6 p.m. EDT

LINE: Knicks -1.5; over/under is 214.5

EASTERN CONFERENCE FIRST ROUND: Hawks lead series 2-1

BOTTOM LINE: The Atlanta Hawks host the New York Knicks in the Eastern Conference first round with a 2-1 lead in the series. The Hawks won the last meeting 109-108 on Thursday, led by 24 points from Jalen Johnson. OG Anunoby led the Knicks with 29.

The Hawks have gone 27-25 against Eastern Conference teams. Atlanta has a 7-8 record in games decided by 3 points or fewer.

The Knicks are 35-17 in Eastern Conference play. New York ranks fifth in the NBA giving up only 110.1 points while holding opponents to 46.0% shooting.

The 118.5 points per game the Hawks score are 8.4 more points than the Knicks allow (110.1). The Knicks are shooting 47.8% from the field, 0.4% higher than the 47.4% the Hawks' opponents have shot this season.

TOP PERFORMERS: Johnson is averaging 22.5 points, 10.3 rebounds and 7.9 assists for the Hawks. Nickeil Alexander-Walker is averaging 18.9 points over the last 10 games.

Karl-Anthony Towns is averaging 20.1 points and 11.9 rebounds for the Knicks. Jalen Brunson is averaging 19.6 points and 2.4 rebounds while shooting 46.0% over the past 10 games.

LAST 10 GAMES: Hawks: 6-4, averaging 116.3 points, 44.1 rebounds, 26.1 assists, 8.7 steals and 5.5 blocks per game while shooting 47.6% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 111.2 points per game.

Knicks: 6-4, averaging 111.5 points, 43.5 rebounds, 25.8 assists, 8.3 steals and 3.7 blocks per game while shooting 48.6% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 106.0 points.

INJURIES: Hawks: Jock Landale: out (ankle).

Knicks: None listed.

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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.

Detroit Pistons (60-22, first in the Eastern Conference) vs. Orlando Magic (45-37, eighth in the Eastern Conference)

Orlando, Florida; Saturday, 1 p.m. EDT

LINE: Pistons -2.5; over/under is 214.5

EASTERN CONFERENCE FIRST ROUND: Series tied 1-1

BOTTOM LINE: The Orlando Magic host the Detroit Pistons in game three of the Eastern Conference first round with the series tied 1-1. The Pistons defeated the Magic 98-83 in the last meeting on Wednesday. Cade Cunningham led the Pistons with 27 points, and Jalen Suggs led the Magic with 19.

The Magic are 26-26 in Eastern Conference games. Orlando has a 19-19 record in games decided by at least 10 points.

The Pistons are 39-13 against conference opponents. Detroit has a 10-6 record in games decided by less than 4 points.

The 115.7 points per game the Magic average are 6.1 more points than the Pistons give up (109.6). The Pistons average 11.0 made 3-pointers per game this season, 1.1 fewer made shots on average than the 12.1 per game the Magic allow.

TOP PERFORMERS: Paolo Banchero is averaging 22.2 points, 8.4 rebounds and 5.2 assists for the Magic. Desmond Bane is averaging 17.1 points over the last 10 games.

Cunningham is averaging 23.9 points, 5.5 rebounds and 9.9 assists for the Pistons. Duncan Robinson is averaging 2.5 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games.

LAST 10 GAMES: Magic: 7-3, averaging 115.1 points, 45.0 rebounds, 27.4 assists, 10.2 steals and 4.9 blocks per game while shooting 46.2% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 111.8 points per game.

Pistons: 7-3, averaging 116.0 points, 44.7 rebounds, 30.0 assists, 10.0 steals and 7.2 blocks per game while shooting 49.8% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 108.1 points.

INJURIES: Magic: Jonathan Isaac: day to day (knee).

Pistons: None listed.

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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.

Oklahoma City Thunder (64-18, first in the Western Conference) vs. Phoenix Suns (45-37, seventh in the Western Conference)

Phoenix; Saturday, 3:30 p.m. EDT

LINE: Thunder -9.5; over/under is 214.5

WESTERN CONFERENCE FIRST ROUND: Thunder lead series 2-0

BOTTOM LINE: The Oklahoma City Thunder visit the Phoenix Suns in the Western Conference first round with a 2-0 lead in the series. The Thunder won the last meeting 120-107 on Thursday, led by 37 points from Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. Dillon Brooks led the Suns with 30.

The Suns have gone 29-23 against Western Conference opponents. Phoenix has a 7-10 record in games decided by 3 points or fewer.

The Thunder are 41-11 in conference play. Oklahoma City leads the Western Conference giving up just 107.9 points per game while holding opponents to 43.7% shooting.

The Suns average 112.6 points per game, 4.7 more points than the 107.9 the Thunder allow. The Thunder score 7.9 more points per game (119.0) than the Suns allow their opponents to score (111.1).

TOP PERFORMERS: Collin Gillespie is averaging 12.7 points and 4.6 assists for the Suns. Devin Booker is averaging 23.5 points over the last 10 games.

Gilgeous-Alexander is scoring 31.1 points per game and averaging 4.3 rebounds for the Thunder. Isaiah Joe is averaging 2.6 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games.

LAST 10 GAMES: Suns: 4-6, averaging 108.5 points, 43.0 rebounds, 22.6 assists, 7.4 steals and 4.7 blocks per game while shooting 45.1% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 112.6 points per game.

Thunder: 8-2, averaging 121.0 points, 44.3 rebounds, 27.8 assists, 11.0 steals and 4.9 blocks per game while shooting 49.2% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 106.7 points.

INJURIES: Suns: Mark Williams: day to day (foot), Jordan Goodwin: day to day (calf).

Thunder: Jalen Williams: out (hamstring), Thomas Sorber: out for season (knee).

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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.

Denver Nuggets (54-28, third in the Western Conference) vs. Minnesota Timberwolves (49-33, sixth in the Western Conference)

Minneapolis; Saturday, 8:30 p.m. EDT

LINE: Nuggets -1.5; over/under is 229.5

WESTERN CONFERENCE FIRST ROUND: Timberwolves lead series 2-1

BOTTOM LINE: The Minnesota Timberwolves host the Denver Nuggets in the Western Conference first round with a 2-1 lead in the series. The Timberwolves won the last meeting 113-96 on Friday, led by 25 points from Ayo Dosunmu. Nikola Jokic led the Nuggets with 27.

The Timberwolves are 9-7 in division matchups. Minnesota is seventh in the league with 118.0 points and is shooting 48.1% from the field.

The Nuggets are 11-5 against the rest of their division. Denver is seventh in the Western Conference with 44.0 rebounds per game led by Jokic averaging 12.9.

The Timberwolves average 118.0 points per game, 1.1 more points than the 116.9 the Nuggets allow. The Nuggets are shooting 49.6% from the field, 3.4% higher than the 46.2% the Timberwolves' opponents have shot this season.

TOP PERFORMERS: Julius Randle is averaging 21.1 points, 6.7 rebounds and five assists for the Timberwolves. Dosunmu is averaging 13.7 points over the last 10 games.

Jamal Murray is averaging 25.4 points and 7.1 assists for the Nuggets. Jokic is averaging 22.8 points over the last 10 games.

LAST 10 GAMES: Timberwolves: 5-5, averaging 116.8 points, 41.1 rebounds, 25.7 assists, 8.1 steals and 5.7 blocks per game while shooting 47.7% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 117.0 points per game.

Nuggets: 8-2, averaging 123.6 points, 47.1 rebounds, 28.8 assists, 7.2 steals and 4.0 blocks per game while shooting 48.2% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 115.7 points.

INJURIES: Timberwolves: Terrence Shannon Jr.: out (illness), Jaylen Clark: out (illness).

Nuggets: Aaron Gordon: out (calf), Peyton Watson: out (hamstring).

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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.

Los Angeles Lakers (53-29, fourth in the Western Conference) vs. Houston Rockets (52-30, fifth in the Western Conference)

Houston; Friday, 8 p.m. EDT

LINE: Rockets -9.5; over/under is 205.5

WESTERN CONFERENCE FIRST ROUND: Lakers lead series 2-0

BOTTOM LINE: The Los Angeles Lakers visit the Houston Rockets in the Western Conference first round with a 2-0 lead in the series. The Lakers won the last matchup 101-94 on Wednesday, led by 28 points from LeBron James. Kevin Durant led the Rockets with 23.

The Rockets have gone 29-23 against Western Conference opponents. Houston is 23-8 when it has fewer turnovers than its opponents and averages 14.4 turnovers per game.

The Lakers are 33-19 against Western Conference opponents. Los Angeles is 8-3 in games decided by 3 points or fewer.

The Rockets are shooting 47.9% from the field this season, 0.4 percentage points lower than the 48.3% the Lakers allow to opponents. The Lakers are shooting 50.2% from the field, 4.2% higher than the 46.0% the Rockets' opponents have shot this season.

TOP PERFORMERS: Durant is scoring 26.0 points per game with 5.5 rebounds and 4.8 assists for the Rockets. Amen Thompson is averaging 18.9 points and 6.0 rebounds while shooting 59.5% over the past 10 games.

James is averaging 20.9 points, 6.1 rebounds and 7.2 assists for the Lakers. Rui Hachimura is averaging 1.9 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games.

LAST 10 GAMES: Rockets: 7-3, averaging 117.5 points, 46.1 rebounds, 27.1 assists, 8.0 steals and 5.1 blocks per game while shooting 48.3% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 108.1 points per game.

Lakers: 7-3, averaging 111.7 points, 39.9 rebounds, 28.8 assists, 9.8 steals and 4.5 blocks per game while shooting 52.2% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 108.5 points.

INJURIES: Rockets: Fred VanVleet: out for season (acl), Steven Adams: out for season (ankle).

Lakers: Austin Reaves: out (oblique), Jake LaRavia: day to day (leg), Luka Doncic: out (hamstring).

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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.

Boston Celtics (56-26, second in the Eastern Conference) vs. Philadelphia 76ers (45-37, seventh in the Eastern Conference)

Philadelphia; Friday, 7 p.m. EDT

LINE: Celtics -7.5; over/under is 215.5

EASTERN CONFERENCE FIRST ROUND: Series tied 1-1

BOTTOM LINE: The Philadelphia 76ers and the Boston Celtics are in a 1-1 series tie in the Eastern Conference first round. The 76ers defeated the Celtics 111-97 in the last matchup on Tuesday. VJ Edgecombe led the 76ers with 30 points, and Jaylen Brown led the Celtics with 36.

The 76ers are 9-7 against the rest of their division. Philadelphia ranks eighth in the Eastern Conference with 50.1 points per game in the paint led by Tyrese Maxey averaging 14.0.

The Celtics are 10-6 against the rest of the division. Boston ranks third in the league averaging 15.5 made 3-pointers per game while shooting 36.7% from deep. Derrick White leads the team averaging 2.7 makes while shooting 32.7% from 3-point range.

The 76ers make 46.2% of their shots from the field this season, which is 2.0 percentage points higher than the Celtics have allowed to their opponents (44.2%). The Celtics are shooting 46.7% from the field, which equals what the 76ers' opponents have shot this season.

TOP PERFORMERS: Maxey is scoring 28.3 points per game with 4.1 rebounds and 6.6 assists for the 76ers. Paul George is averaging 19.2 points and 4.6 rebounds while shooting 47.5% over the past 10 games.

Brown is averaging 28.7 points, 6.9 rebounds and 5.1 assists for the Celtics. Sam Hauser is averaging 2.7 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games.

LAST 10 GAMES: 76ers: 5-5, averaging 110.7 points, 44.9 rebounds, 22.8 assists, 7.9 steals and 4.1 blocks per game while shooting 46.0% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 111.7 points per game.

Celtics: 7-3, averaging 119.3 points, 45.8 rebounds, 26.9 assists, 6.7 steals and 4.3 blocks per game while shooting 49.0% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 108.5 points.

INJURIES: 76ers: Joel Embiid: day to day (abdomen).

Celtics: None listed.

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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.

NC State at Virginia Tech — ACCNX

Virginia at Pittsburgh — ACCNX, ESPN Unlimited

Maryland at Michigan State — Big Ten Plus

NC State at Virginia — ACCNX

North Carolina at Virginia Tech — ACCNX

NWSL: Kansas City Current vs. Washington Spirit — Prime Video

The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive TV listings provided by LiveSportsOnTV.

Boston at Philadelphia — Prime Video

The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive TV listings provided by LiveSportsOnTV.

Washington at Michigan — Big Ten Plus

Maryland at Michigan State — Big Ten Plus

Detroit at Cincinnati — Detroit SportsNet, ESPN Select, ESPN Unlimited, MLB.TV, Reds.TV

The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive TV listings provided by LiveSportsOnTV.

Saint Joseph's at La Salle — ESPN Select, ESPN Unlimited

Villanova at Seton Hall — ESPN Select, ESPN Unlimited

Virginia at Pittsburgh — ACCNX, ESPN Unlimited

Penn State at Oregon — CW Portland, Big Ten Plus

Philadelphia at Atlanta — Apple TV

Pittsburgh at Milwaukee — SportsNet Pittsburgh, Brewers.TV, ESPN Select, ESPN Unlimited, MLB.TV

Boston at Philadelphia — Prime Video

The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive TV listings provided by LiveSportsOnTV.

All Times EDT

Thursday, April 23

MLB

Atlanta at Washington, 1:05 p.m.

Milwaukee at Detroit, 1:10 p.m.

Philadelphia at Chicago Cubs, 2:20 p.m.

San Diego at Colorado, 3:10 p.m.

Chicago White Sox at Arizona, 3:40 p.m.

L.A. Dodgers at San Francisco, 3:45 p.m.

N.Y. Yankees at Boston, 6:10 p.m.

Minnesota at N.Y. Mets, 7:10 p.m.

Pittsburgh at Texas, 8:05 p.m.

NBA - Playoffs

Eastern Conference First Round - Game 3

New York at Atlanta, 7 p.m.

Cleveland at Toronto, 8 p.m.

Western Conference First Round - Game 3

Denver at Minnesota, 9:30 p.m.

NHL - Playoffs

Eastern Conference First Round - Game 3

Buffalo at Boston, 7 p.m.

Carolina at Ottawa, 7:30 p.m.

Western Conference First Round - Game 3

Colorado at Los Angeles, 10 p.m.

_____

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP) — Throwing confetti from the stands, one of the most deeply-rooted traditions among soccer fans in Argentina, will no longer be allowed in the capital city of Buenos Aires.

The Buenos Aires Sports Security Committee issued a “preventive” ban on the use of confetti in stadiums in the district on Wednesday, following the fire that broke out during last Sunday's match between River Plate and Boca Juniors at the Monumental Stadium.

Firefighters had to intervene to extinguish the flames that damaged several stadium seats and caused spectators to flee.

City authorities said that “even though the home club had previously approved contingency protocols and the necessary resources for their implementation, an incident occurred that clearly demonstrates the potential ignition risk that these materials pose in contexts with high concentrations of people.”

The day before the game, River Plate’s supporters’ subcommittee called on the fans to cut thousands of confetti pieces to give the “Millionaires” a colorful welcome. Boca won 1-0 with a penalty by Leandro Paredes.

The tradition of throwing confetti from the stands became popular during the 1978 World Cup hosted by Argentina and was later imitated by fans around the globe.

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AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer

Philadelphia at Chicago — Marquee, MLBN, NBCS Philadelphia, ESPN Select, ESPN Unlimited, MLB.TV

Pittsburgh at Texas — RSN, SportsNet Pittsburgh, ESPN Select, ESPN Unlimited, MLB.TV

The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive TV listings provided by LiveSportsOnTV.

Milwaukee at Detroit — Detroit SportsNet, Brewers.TV, ESPN Select, ESPN Unlimited, MLB.TV

The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive TV listings provided by LiveSportsOnTV.

New York at Boston — FS1

Buffalo at Boston — TNT

The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive TV listings provided by LiveSportsOnTV.

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — J.J. Moser scored 12:48 into overtime to give the Tampa Bay Lightning a 3-2 victory over the Montreal Canadiens on Tuesday night, tying the first-round playoff series at 1-1.

The series shifts to Montreal for two games, with Game 3 set for Friday night. Game 4 is Sunday.

Brandon Hagel had a Gordie Howe hat trick with a goal, assist and a fight, and teammate Nikita Kucherov also scored for Tampa Bay. Andrei Vasilevskiy stopped 25 shots.

The Lightning had lost four consecutive home playoff games and 10 of the past 11, dating to Game 4 against Colorado in the 2022 Stanley Cup Final.

Lane Hutson and Josh Anderson scored for the Canadiens. Jakub Dobes finished with 31 saves.

BRUINS 4, SABRES 2

BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) — Morgan Geekie bounced in a shot from beyond center as part of Boston’s three-goal second-period surge and the Bruins beat the Buffalo Sabres 4-2 to even their first-round playoff series at 1 on Tuesday night.

Viktor Arvidsson scored twice and Pavel Zacha also scored. David Pastrnak had two assists to give him five points in the series and tie Bobby Orr for eighth on the Bruins career playoff list with 92 points.

Jeremy Swayman stopped 32 shots, and this time Boston managed to not blow a multigoal third-period lead.

Bowen Byram and Peyton Krebs scored 1:14 apart to cut Boston’s lead to 4-2 with 4:52 remaining in regulation before being stymied by Swayman, who stopped the final eight shots he faced.

The series shifts to Boston for Game 3 on Thursday night.

FIFA is putting more World Cup tickets on sale after angering some fans by adding new, more expensive categories.

Soccer's governing body announced Tuesday it will make more tickets available at 11 a.m. EDT Wednesday for all 104 games in Categories 1, 2 and 3 plus the new “front category” pricing it added this month.

The new category sparked online complaints from fans who said they thought the better seats in the categories they had bought tickets for were withheld and they were assigned less favorable locations.

FIFA in December put tickets on sale at prices ranging from $140 for Category 3 in the first round to $8,680 for the final, then raised prices to as much as $10,990 when sales reopened on April 1.

FIFA did not respond to an April 9 request for comment about the new ticket categories it added.

Also Tuesday, The Athletic reported that tickets sales are lagging for the U.S. opener against Paraguay on June 12 at Inglewood, California. It said a document distributed to local organizers dated April 10 said 40,934 tickets had been purchased for the U.S.-Paraguay game and 50,661 for the Iran-New Zealand contest on April 15. FIFA projects SoFi's World Cup capacity at about 69,650, noting it may change.

FIFA's December sale priced U.S.-Paraguay tickets at $1,120, $1,940 and $2,735, and Iran-New Zealand seats at $140, $380 and $450.

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