Browsing: Odds

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Each December, the MLB draft lottery is a must-see event for baseball fans.

After the initial draft lottery saw the No. 1 overall pick go to the team with the best odds (2023 Pirates), we’ve had back-to-back years with drawings resulting in upsets (2024 Guardians and 2025 Nationals). Will the lottery drawing for the 2026 draft have more surprises in store?

Here’s everything to know.

When Is The MLB Draft Lottery?

This year’s draft lottery is set to take place during the Winter Meetings in Orlando on Tuesday, Dec. 9 at 5:30 p.m. ET.

How To Stream The 2026 MLB Draft Lottery?

The event will be broadcast on MLB Network and streamed live on MLB.com.

How Does The MLB Draft Lottery Work?

As part of the collective bargaining agreement signed in 2022, MLB instituted a draft lottery to help curb tanking.

Per the CBA, all eligible non-playoff teams are entered into the lottery for a chance to claim the top six picks, with odds determined by the standings. Ping pong balls are placed in an air-blown lottery machine that produces a ball labeled with a number every 15 seconds. Four balls are collected to create a four-digit code corresponding to a certain team.

The process is repeated until the top six lottery spots are filled. Once complete, the remaining lottery teams are then slotted according to the original odds.

Which Teams Have The Best Odds?

After being ineligible for a lottery pick last year (more on this below), the White Sox come into the draft with the best odds for landing the 1-1 pick at 27.73%. The Twins have the second-best odds at 22.18% and the Pirates are third at 16.81%. The Astros have the lowest odds at just 0.34%.

You can find the complete odds here.

Why Aren’t The Rockies, Nationals & Angels Included In The Lottery?

In a typical year, the bottom three teams would have an equal shot to win the first overall pick. However, both the Rockies and Nationals are ineligible for the lottery this year—leaving the White Sox with best overall odds of any team.

The new system is a tough blow in particular for the Rockies, who finished with the worst overall record in baseball and would have been a lock for the top overall pick in the upcoming draft under the old system. Now, because they picked in the lottery in 2023 and 2024, theyâ€ll have to settle for just the 10th overall pick.

The Rockies are ineligible as a revenue payee that has picked in the lottery in each of the past two drafts, while the Nationals are ineligible as a revenue payor that picked in the lottery last year.

Under the current draft lottery rules, teams that receive revenue sharing (e.g., the Rockies) canâ€t pick in the lottery in three consecutive years, while teams that pay into revenue sharing (e.g., the Nationals) canâ€t pick in the lottery in consecutive years.

The Angels are the third ineligible team for the lottery this year. They are a revenue payor like the Nationals and picked in the lottery last year.

Teams ineligible to receive a lottery pick can pick no sooner than 10th overall. For 2026, the Rockies will pick 10th, the Nationals will pick 11th and the Angels will pick 12th.

The remaining 15 eligible teams will have a chance for a lottery pick. After the first six selections are determined the rest of the order for non-postseason teams is determined by reverse order of regular season winning percentage. Ties are determined by winning percentage of the prior season.

What About The Non-Lottery Teams?

Non lottery-eligible teams (the eight postseason teams) have their draft order determined by a combination of postseason finish, regular season standings and revenue sharing status. Here is that order for this year’s lottery, plus all picks out to the World Series champion Dodgers:

18. Reds
19. Guardians
20. Red Sox
21. Padres
22. Tigers
23. Cubs
24. Mariners
25. Brewers
26. Braves
27. Mets
28. Astros (PPI)
29. Diamondbacks (Compensatory)
30. Guardians (Competitive Balance A)
31. Royals (Competitive Balance A)
32. Diamondbacks (Competitive Balance A)
33. Cardinals (Competitive Balance A)
34. Orioles (Competitive Balance A)
35. Pirates (Competitive Balance A)
36. Yankees (Competitive Balance A)
37. Phillies (Competitive Balance A)
38. Rockies (Competitive Balance A)
39. Rockies (Second Round)
40. Blue Jays (Second Round)
41. Dodgers (Second Round)

Who Are The Top Prospects Available For The 2026 Draft?

In October, Baseball America published its latest ranking of the top 100 draft prospects for 2026. The list is topped by UCLA shortstop Roch Cholowsky, who’s continued to hold the No. 1 spot as one of the best college shortstop prospects weâ€ve seen in years.

Texas high school shortstop Grady Emerson ranks second in the class and appears to be the clear leader in the prep ranks thanks to a polished hit tool and a solid toolset beyond it.Â

You can find more rankings and draft coverage here:

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It might be Tiger Woods’ tournament, but Scottie Scheffler basically owns the Hero World Challenge. Scheffler, the World No. 1, is back in the Bahamas again this week and returns as the massive betting favorite.

2025 Hero World Challenge betting favorites

Scheffler is +140 to win this week, according to Fanatics Sportsbook. While those odds may seem ridiculous, it’s partly due to Scheffler’s form, tournament history and the field. A handful of big names are in the Hero World Challenge but the field is still just 20 players, and one who is typically Scheffler’s biggest competition, Rory McIlroy, is playing the Australian Open this week.

Not only has Scheffler won the Hero World Challenge the last two years, but he was the runner-up (both times to Viktor Hovland) the two years prior. That means in his last four appearances he’s won twice and finished as the runner-up twice.

Now those odds make sense.

Robert MacIntyre has the second-best odds to win at +1100, closely followed by Cameron Young (+1100). Keegan Bradley, fresh off his appearance in The Skins Game on Friday, is +1600 to win.

While Woods isn’t in the field this year as he recovers from his latest back surgery, he will be on-site and has a press conference scheduled for 9 a.m. ET on Tuesday.

The Hero World Challenge, an unofficial PGA Tour event, will be broadcast live on Golf Channel from 1:30-4:30 p.m. on Thursday and Friday, with Golf Channel and NBC sharing the weekend broadcast.

You can see the complete odds for the Hero World Challenge as of Monday morning below, and click here to download the Fanatics Sportsbook app.

2025 Hero World Challenge odds

Scottie Scheffler (+140)
Robert MacIntyre (+1100)
Cameron Young (+1200)
J.J. Spaun (+1400)
Keegan Bradley (+1600)
Sam Burns (+1600)
Aaron Rai (+1800)
Hideki Matsuyama (+1800)
Jordan Spieth (+2000)
Akshay Bhatia (+2200)
Alex Noren (+2200)
Justin Rose (+2200)
Chris Gotterup (+2500)
Corey Conners (+2500)
Harris English (+2500)
Sepp Straka (+2500)
Brian Harman (+3000)
Billy Horschel (+3250)
Andrew Novak (+4000)
Wyndham Clark (+4000)

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  Sean AllenDec 1, 2025, 12:00 PM ET

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  Sean Allen is a contributing writer for fantasy hockey and betting at ESPN. He was the 2008 and 2009 FSWA Hockey Writer of the Year.

The Winnipeg Jets, Toronto Maple Leafs, Florida Panthers and Edmonton Oilers strutted into the season with swagger — implied playoff chances of 75%, 83%, 94% and 92%, respectively.

But as the games piled up, the confidence meter has been recalibrated: Winnipeg is coasting at 57%, Toronto’s dreams have cooled to 41%, Florida is clawing back at 67% and Edmonton is still running at a healthy 85%.

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Take a look at the current standings, and you won’t find any of these teams in a playoff position. Instead, the Chicago Blackhawks, Seattle Kraken, Pittsburgh Penguins and Philadelphia Flyers are occupying those spots to start December. Their preseason implied playoff chances were 6%, 14%, 14% and 25%, respectively, yet after two months of action (roughly 29% of the season), the markets have only nudged them upward: the Flyers are at 49%, the Penguins at 26%, the Kraken at 24%, and the Blackhawks are still just at 13%.

Admittedly, the current standings aren’t a perfect gauge, as games played range from 24 to 27 and teams have faced very different opponents. But even a quick projection using point percentage, accounting for both strength of schedule played and remaining, can tack on projected points and normalize the standings.

This method doesn’t attempt to account for slumps, injuries, coaching changes or any of the other chaos generators that will shape the rest of the season. Instead, think of it as a way of projecting the remainder of the season if every team had just as much success as they’ve had so far.

If strength of schedule has any sway, it’s the San Jose Sharks who are getting the least love from the markets right now. By our simple strength-of-schedule calculation — using point percentage of opponents faced and opponents remaining — the Sharks have played the second-hardest schedule so far and have the easiest schedule going forward. And in the “same success continues” projection, it’s San Jose that sneaks into the final playoff spot in the West.

Yet they remain a contrarian bet: their odds have only drifted from 16-1 in the preseason to 11-1 now.

Editor’s Picks

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In both the East and the West, we have to account for tighter standings this season with more overtime points being handed out. There have been an average of 2.28 standings points awarded per game so far. That compares to 2.21 for all of last season, 2.20 at last year’s Thanksgiving mark and 2.23 in 2023-24.

The difference from first (34 points) to last (24) in the East right now is a 10-point gap. Last Thanksgiving, it was 33 (Carolina Hurricanes) to 19 (Montreal Canadiens).

Confidence from bettors is the quickest way for odds to start swinging, but it’s hard to build any when almost everyone is bunched together. Parity keeps the markets cautious.

Only four teams have seen a swing greater than 25% in their implied playoff chances from the preseason to now: the Maple Leafs (down 43%), Vancouver Canucks (down 30%), Panthers (down 27%) and Anaheim Ducks (up 43%).

Expanding the cutoff to 20% only adds four more: the Nashville Predators (down 24%), New York Rangers (down 21%), St. Louis Blues (down 20%) and Flyers (up 24%).

So maybe the markets aren’t asleep at the wheel, maybe they’re just staring at the same traffic jam as the rest of us. With everyone mashed into the same point cluster, even the big movers feel more like overcorrections than declarations. Until a few teams actually create daylight, no one’s ready to plant a flag.

But if you’re hunting for value, this is the kind of gridlock you want. Parity makes the favorites look shakier, but it also leaves a few teams significantly underpriced. The Sharks projecting into a playoff spot while still sitting at 11-1 is a “someone forgot to change that line” special. The Blackhawks — keeping that playoff spot warm for the Sharks — at +700 aren’t far off, either.

In a season where everyone’s stuck in the same lane, you’re not betting on who’s great … you’re betting on who finds the open road first.

Note: Odds by DraftKings Sportsbook and subject to change.

Awards

Similarly, let’s have a quick check-in on the movers and shakers for the major NHL awards when it comes to implied percentage from the odds.

Hart Trophy Risers

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Connor Bedard shows off ridiculous hands for the goal

Connor Bedard shows off ridiculous hands for the goal

• Nathan MacKinnon, C, Colorado Avalanche: +36.8% (preseason/current, +500/-115)

• Connor Bedard, C/RW, Chicago Blackhawks: +6.3% (preseason/current, 250-1/14-1)

• Macklin Celebrini, C, San Jose Sharks: +3.9% (preseason/current, 250-1/22-1)

• Cale Makar, D, Colorado Avalanche: +2.4% (preseason/current, 40-1/20-1)

• Jack Eichel, C, Vegas Golden Knights: +2.1% (preseason/current, 25-1/16-1)

Hart Trophy Fallers

• Leon Draisaitl, C, Edmonton Oilers: -6.7% (preseason/current, 10-1/40-1)

• Auston Matthews, C, Toronto Maple Leafs: -5.2% (preseason/current, 15-1/100-1)

• Connor McDavid, C, Edmonton Oilers: -4.7% (preseason/current, +200/+250)

• David Pastrnak, RW, Boston Bruins: -4.4% (preseason/current, 15-1/55-1)

• Kirill Kaprizov, LW, Minnesota Wild: -4.4% (preseason/current, +800/14-1)

Norris Trophy Risers

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Cale Makar scores goal for Avalanche

Cale Makar nets goal for Avalanche

Norris Trophy Fallers

• Quinn Hughes, D, Vancouver Canucks: -9.9% (preseason/current, +235/+400)

• Evan Bouchard, D, Edmonton Oilers: -3.8% (preseason/current, 20-1/100-1)

• Rasmus Dahlin, D, Buffalo Sabres: -3.8% (preseason/current, 20-1/100-1)

• Roman Josi, D, Nashville Predators: -3.6% (preseason/current, 25-1/500-1)

• Miro Heiskanen, D, Dallas Stars: -3.5% (preseason/current, 16-1/40-1)

Vezina Trophy Risers

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Logan Thompson makes big-time save vs. Islanders

Logan Thompson makes big-time save vs. Islanders

• Logan Thompson, G, Washington Capitals: +26.0% (preseason/current, 20-1/+225)

• Andrei Vasilevskiy, G, Tampa Bay Lightning: +17.6% (preseason/current, 10-1/+275)

• Spencer Knight, G, Chicago Blackhawks: +10.1% (preseason/current, 100-1/+800)

• Scott Wedgewood, G, Colorado Avalanche: +4.3% (preseason/current, N/A/22-1)

• Jeremy Swayman, G, Boston Bruins: +2.9% (preseason/current, 25-1/14-1)

Vezina Trophy Fallers

• Connor Hellebuyck, G, Winnipeg Jets: -15.0% (preseason/current, +450/30-1)

• Anthony Stolarz, G, Toronto Maple Leafs: -4.1% (preseason/current, 20-1/150-1)

• Jake Oettinger, G, Dallas Stars: -3.8% (preseason/current, 15-1/40-1)

• Juuse Saros, G, Nashville Predators: -3.1% (preseason/current, 25-1/150-1)

• Dustin Wolf, G, Calgary Flames: -2.8% (preseason/current, 25-1/100-1)

Calder Trophy Risers

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Matthew Schaefer nets goal for Islanders

Matthew Schaefer nets goal for Islanders

• Matthew Schaefer, D, New York Islanders: +67.1% (preseason/current, 22-1/-250)

• Jesper Wallstedt, G, Minnesota Wild: +4.3% (preseason/current, 60-1/16-1)

• Beckett Sennecke, RW, Anaheim Ducks: +3.2% (preseason/current, 60-1/20-1)

• Ivan Demidov, RW, Montreal Canadiens: +1.9% (preseason/current, +275/+250)

• Braeden Bowman, RW, Vegas Golden Knights: +1.4% (preseason/current, N/A/70-1)

Calder Trophy Fallers

• Alexander Nikishin, D, Carolina Hurricanes: -10.1% (preseason/current, +800/100-1)

• Zayne Parekh, D, Calgary Flames: -7.0% (preseason/current, 12-1/150-1)

• Ryan Leonard, RW, Washington Capitals: -6.7% (preseason/current, 12-1/100-1)

• Zeev Buium, D, Minnesota Wild: -6.3% (preseason/current, 12-1/70-1)

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The NBA MVP race is sorting out to a be a three-player race as we enter the seventh week of the season. However, Cade Cunningham’s name continues to pop up in MVP conversations as the Pistons have stayed hot. Giannis Antetokoumpo back from injury, while Victor Wembanyama is out, and Tyrese Maxey is still balling — here is my MVP list.

Be sure to check out DraftKings for all the latest game odds & team props for every matchup this week on the NBA schedule!

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Oklahoma City Thunder Primary Logo

1. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City Thunder (+170)

Points Per Game: 32.9 (2nd)
Assists Per Game: 6.7 (15th)
Rebounds Per Game: 4.9 RPG (89th)

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander leads the league in plus-minus (+238) for November and points (452) off the third-most field goals made (143) and ninth-most attempts (256). The Thunder have won 11 straight games and has an NBA-best 19-1 record, which is why SGA is my No. 1.

SGA scored 37, 40, and 37 points over the past three games and 31 or more in the previous five. Despite not playing a majority of fourth quarters this season and recorded 30 or fewer minutes in 11 of 20 games — I think SGA is the rightful favorite with his career-high 54.5 field goal percentage and 42.3 three-point percentage.

Denver Nuggets Primary Logo

2. Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets (+140)

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Points Per Game: 28.9 (7th)
Rebounds Per Game: 12.4 (1st)
Assists Per Game: 10.9 (1st)

The Joker’s fabulous November has continued in style. Nikola Jokic has six triple-doubles and seven double-doubles in 14 games to go along with 32.0 points per game. In November alone, Jokic has scored the second-most points behind SGA (452-448), leads the NBA in assists (154), and ranks third in rebounds (164).

Overall, Jokic leads the NBA in rebounds (12.4) and assists (10.9), plus comes in at seventh in points per game (28.9). It’s likely that Jokic averages a 30-point triple-double this season, and with Denver at 14-5 and firmly in the top three of the West — it’s safe to say he will be a top-three finisher for MVP again.

Los Angeles Lakers Primary Logo

3. Luka Doncic, Los Angeles Lakers (+320)

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Points Per Game: 35.1 (1st)
Assists Per Game: 9.4 (2nd)
Rebounds Per Game: 8.5 (T-20th)

Luka Doncic and the Lakers are 6-0 in the past six games and he’s on fire! Doncic has averaged 35.5 points, 10.0 assists, and 7.6 rebounds over that span with five double-doubles and five games of 33 or more points. The Lakers’ superstar leads the league in points (35.1) and ranks second in assists (9.4) and even with LeBron James back in the mix — Doncic apparently ins’t slowing down anytime soon.

Detroit Pistons Primary Logo

4. Cade Cunningham, Detroit Pistons (+5000)

Points Per Game: 28.8 (9th)
Rebounds Per Game: 6.4 (46th)
Assists Per Game: 9.4 (3rd)

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Cade Cunningham was one of the few players to see his stock improve over the past week. That’s because Detroit keeps winning! The Pistons win streak was snapped at 13 consecutive wins and boast a 14-2 record over the past 16 games.

Even in the two recent losses, Cunningham posted a 39-point triple-double with 13 rebounds, and 11 assists, plus 42 points, 8 rebounds, and 5 assists.

Philadelphia 76ers Primary Logo

5. Tyrese Maxey, Philadelphia 76ers (+7000)

Points Per Game: 31.7 (3rd)
Rebounds Per Game: 4.7 (T-100th)
Assists Per Game: 7.5 (8th)

Tyrese Maxey has watched his odds drop from +4000 to +7000 after scoring 27, 20, and 22 points over the past three games following his 54-point outburst in OT versus Milwaukee. The 76ers are still above water with a 10-8 record as Maxey ranks top 10 in scoring (31.7) and assists (7.5). Despite the stellar start, staying in the top five for MVP will be difficult.

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Detroit Pistons Primary Logo

Cade Cunningham, Detroit Pistons (+5000)

Points Per Game: 28.8 (9th)
Rebounds Per Game: 6.4 (46th)
Assists Per Game: 9.4 (3rd)

The Pistons franchise player is averaging a career-high across the board in almost every category and with a 16-4 record that leads the East and ranks second in the NBA, Cunningham has to be a top five candidate on everyone’s MVP rankings. Cunningham has scored 30 or more points in seven of the last 11 games, double-doubled in eight, and triple-doubled in two.

Stock Down

San Antonio Spurs Primary Logo

Victor Wembanyama, San Antonio Spurs (+15000)

Points Per Game: 26.2 (14th)
Rebounds Per Game: 12.9 (2nd)
Blocks Per Game: 3.6 (1st)

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Victor Wembanyama has now missed two weeks of action and six games. San Antonio has gone 5-1 in those six games, so at 13-5, the Spurs are still thriving despite missing their franchise player. Wembanyama is expected to be re-evaluated later this week and return sometime in December.

Milwaukee Bucks Primary Logo

Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks (+3000)

Points Per Game: 30.9 (4th)
Rebounds Per Game: 10.9 (5th)
Assists Per Game: 6.6 (17th)

Giannis Antetokounmpo shifted from +900 to +1600 to +3000 as he missed 10 days. However, Giannis returned the past two games, a back-to-back versus the Nets and Knicks, splitting the two games and scoring 30 and 29 in each.

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In the loss to the Knicks, Giannis had 30 points, 15 rebounds, and 8 assists in his return from injury, but his odds continue to drop, which is a clear sign that the market is starting to correct itself on the 9-12 Milwaukee Bucks. The Bucks are 8-7 with Giannis and 1-5 without him.

Follow my plays for the season on X @VmoneySports, Instagram @VmoneySports_ and Action App @vaughndalzell.

Be sure to check out DraftKings for all the latest game odds & team props for every matchup this week on the NBA schedule!

How to Watch the NBA on NBC and Peacock

Peacock NBA Monday will stream up to three Monday night games each week throughout the regular season. Coast 2 Coast Tuesday presents doubleheaders on Tuesday nights throughout the regular season on NBC and Peacock. On most Tuesdays, an 8 p.m. ET game will be on NBC stations in the Eastern and Central time zones, and an 8 p.m. PT game on NBC stations in the Pacific and often Mountain time zones. Check local listings each week. Both games will stream live nationwide on Peacock. NBC Sports will launch Sunday Night Basketball across NBC and Peacock on Feb. 1, 2026. For a full schedule of the NBA on NBC and Peacock, click here.

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For the second straight week, Nikola Jokic is the odds leader for MVP, but I’m headed in a different direction. Victor Wembanyama and Alperen Sengun saw the biggest shift in odds, while Tyrese Maxey and Cade Cunningham continue to play at elite levels, keeping their names in the hat.

Be sure to check out DraftKings for all the latest game odds & team props for every matchup this week on the NBA schedule!

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Oklahoma City Thunder Primary Logo

1. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City Thunder (+190)

Points Per Game: 32.2 (3rd)
Assists Per Game: 6.6 (16th)
Rebounds Per Game: 4.9 RPG (94th)

In 11 out of 18 games, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has played 30 or fewer minutes, including six of the past seven games. Despite the lower minute output, SGA has a 32.7% usage rate, which ranks the fifth-highest. A great examine if how dominant SGA has been, he scored 31 points in 30 minutes on 9-of-14 field goals, three-of-three from deep, and 10-of-12 free-throws. Not many players can be that efficient and it’s one of the many reasons why SGA is regarded as the best bucket-getter on the planet — and his team is an NBA-best 17-1.

Denver Nuggets Primary Logo

2. Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets (+130)

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Points Per Game: 29.6 (6th)
Rebounds Per Game: 12.8 (2nd)
Assists Per Game: 11.1 (1st)

In November, Nikola Jokic has six triple doubles over 12 games and 11 consecutive performances of 26 or more points until last night! Denver is 13-4 after going 3-2 over the past five games, but still good enough for the second-best record in the West behind the Thunder and third overall (OKC, DET).

Jokic has been the odds on leader for MVP two weeks now, but I still sit him at No. 2. The team success for Oklahoma City (17-1 record) has been more impressive with a target on their backs, but if Jokic finds a way to elevate his game — I may come around to The Joker being No. 1.

Los Angeles Lakers Primary Logo

3. Luka Doncic, Los Angeles Lakers (+400)

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Points Per Game: 34.5 (1st)
Assists Per Game: 8.9 (4th)
Rebounds Per Game: 8.8 (18th)

Luka Doncic did not see his odds shift a single cent over the past week. It wasn’t his scoring though, because Doncic has been on fire. In the past four games, Doncic has scored 24, 41, 37, and 33 points with three double-doubles. Doncic has had a turnover and efficiency problem.

In those four games, Doncic has 20 total turnovers and shot 50% from the floor once in that span. He’s attempted 41 triples as well, nailing 13 of them (31.7%). With LeBron James back in the mix, the cohesion of the Lakers offense will look a little different, so Doncic’s odds may not change much in the next month, if anything, drop back to +500 or +600.

Detroit Pistons Primary Logo

4. Cade Cunningham, Detroit Pistons (+5000)

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Points Per Game: 27.1 (14th)
Rebounds Per Game: 6.0 (T-55th)
Assists Per Game: 9.6 (2nd)

Detroit has now won 13 straight games and owns the best record in the East and second-best in the NBA! Cade Cunningham has been the driving force for the Pistons as he’s played in 10 of those 13 games.

Cunningham scored at least 30 points in five of those 10 and double-doubled in eight with one triple double. He’s on a tear and with Boston, Orlando, Miami, Atlanta, and Milwaukee in the next five games — Detroit will be tested with some of the best competition in the Eastern Conference outside of Cleveland or New York.

Philadelphia 76ers Primary Logo

5. Tyrese Maxey, Philadelphia 76ers (+4000)

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Points Per Game: 33.0 (2nd)
Rebounds Per Game: 4.6 (T-106th)
Assists Per Game: 7.8 (6th)

Tyrese Maxey continued his reign of terror on opposing defenses by dropping 54 points on the Bucks in a 123-114 OT win. Maxey put up 30 field goal attempts, making 18 of them (60%), to go along with 12 made free-throws and 6-of-15 from three (40%).

Maxey is a walking bucket and is currently averaging 32.0 points per game in 11 November games. Maxey scored at least 30 points in six of those contests, but the 76ers are 5-6 in that span. Despite Philadelphia’s losses stacking up, Maxey’s MVP odds continue to shorten.

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Denver Nuggets Primary Logo

2. Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets (+130)

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Points Per Game: 29.6 (6th)
Rebounds Per Game: 12.8 (2nd)
Assists Per Game: 11.1 (1st)

Nikola Jokic has now held strong as the MVP favorite in terms of odds for two weeks, but I still prefer SGA. However, Jokic ranks top six in points, rebounds, and assists so far on 62/41/85 shooting splits. Jokic has put together 44 and 55-point efforts over the last six games and 11 consecutive performances of 26 or more points.

Stock Down

San Antonio Spurs Primary Logo

Victor Wembanyama, San Antonio Spurs (+10000)

Points Per Game: 26.2 (14th)
Rebounds Per Game: 12.9 (2nd)
Blocks Per Game: 3.6 (1st)

Alperen Sengun went from +8000 to +20000 over the past week, but that wasn’t the biggest drop in stock — that was Victor Wembanyama. Amid his injury news, Wemby went from +750, meaning $10 wins $75, to +10000, $10 wins $1,000!

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With concerns of Wembanyama hitting the league minimum of 65 games played to win an award. He’s only missed four games so far, but Wembanyama could miss multiple weeks.

Milwaukee Bucks Primary Logo

Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks (+1600)

Points Per Game: 31.2 (4th)
Rebounds Per Game: 10.8 (8th)
Assists Per Game: 6.8 (14th)

Giannis Antetokounmpo shifted from +900 to +1600 as he missed the past three games after suffering a low-grade left groin strain. He was expected to miss 1-2 weeks and already missed one. Through 13 games, Antetokounmpo is averaging the most points (31.2), assists (6.8), and highest field goal percentage (62.9%) of his career this season. If he misses another week, there won’t be many more he can miss in order to win MVP.

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Follow my plays for the season on X @VmoneySports, Instagram @VmoneySports_ and Action App @vaughndalzell.

Be sure to check out DraftKings for all the latest game odds & team props for every matchup this week on the NBA schedule!

How to Watch the NBA on NBC and Peacock

Peacock NBA Monday will stream up to three Monday night games each week throughout the regular season. Coast 2 Coast Tuesday presents doubleheaders on Tuesday nights throughout the regular season on NBC and Peacock. On most Tuesdays, an 8 p.m. ET game will be on NBC stations in the Eastern and Central time zones, and an 8 p.m. PT game on NBC stations in the Pacific and often Mountain time zones. Check local listings each week. Both games will stream live nationwide on Peacock. NBC Sports will launch Sunday Night Basketball across NBC and Peacock on Feb. 1, 2026. For a full schedule of the NBA on NBC and Peacock, click here.

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When asked about returning to a team in free agency, MLB players usually trot lines that boil down to, “I’d love to, this is a great organization, we’re going to sit down and see what we can do.”

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Let’s just say New York Mets closer Edwin Díaz didn’t do that.

Speaking to reporters ahead of the 2025 MLB Awards in Las Vegas on Thursday, Díaz was asked what he thinks his chances of returning the Mets are after opting out of his record five-year, $102 million deal. His answer: 50-50.

Which is better than a lot of other possible answers, but still probably not what Mets fans want to hear.

Díaz did follow tradition by praising both New York and the Mets organization, but also indicated he wasn’t interested in giving them any sort of discount and is ready to be happy somewhere else.

That’s probably the right angle to take when the owner of the team in question is also the richest man in baseball. Mets owner Steve Cohen is currently trying to get his team on the right track after an extremely disappointing and expensive 2025, and two of the items at the top of his to-do list will be either retaining or replacing Díaz and first baseman Pete Alonso.

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Díaz is entering free agency after one of the best seasons of his career, just like he did in 2022 when he landed that $102 million contract. In both seasons, he earned All-Star honors and the Trevor Hoffman NL Reliever of the Year Award.

To retain Díaz, early indications are it will take, well, Edwin Díaz money. The Athletic reported Wednesday that Díaz is believed to be seeking essentially the same deal he got three years ago.

Edwin Díaz is the top arm on the relief market. He will receive interest beyond the Mets. (Photo by Brandon Sloter/Getty Images)

(Brandon Sloter via Getty Images)

Díaz is, of course, three years older than he was when he got that deal, so the question then becomes whether Cohen believes if the current form of the right-hander holds a similar market value. Díaz opting out of the deal was understandable from his perspective, but we’re also talking about a reliever in his 30s. Those are rarely great bets for deals spanning a half-decade.

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There’s also the fact that while Díaz’s 2025 was great, his 2024 saw him blow seven saves and post a 3.52 ERA while dealing with a shoulder impingement and his 2023 saw him miss the entire season with a torn patellar tendon.

That’s what the Mets got in their first ride with Díaz as a nine-figure reliever — three seasons that boil down to the good, the bad and the ugly. You typically want more than one good season out of three when you’re paying that level of money, but that’s a risky bet with pretty much any reliever.

This is MLB we’re talking about, though, in which every contender spends at least part of the offseason waking up from nightmares of an unreliable bullpen in the playoffs. Díaz is No. 11 on Yahoo Sports’ free-agent rankings and easily the top reliever, which means there is going to significant interest from teams with deep pockets beyond the Mets.

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Edwin Diazâ€s stance has remained the same.

Even after opting out of the two remaining guaranteed years in his deal with the Mets to hit free agency, the All-Star closer would like to find his way back to Queens next season.

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With him set to test the open market, though, that doesnâ€t appear to be a lock.

Speaking with reporters at the MLB Awards on Thursday, Diaz put the odds of a return at an even 50-50.

There have already been some talks between his representation and the Mets about a potential new contract, but concrete details havenâ€t been discussed.

Diaz says that he is simply looking for the best deal possible for his family.

“I love New York. I would love to stay in New York, but if I have to go another place, I would be happy,” Diaz told reporters, including Newday’s Laura Albanese. “I want to win a ring, so wherever I go, I want to win a ring and enjoy the time.

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“I like the organization. You know, if they came with the best deal for me, Iâ€d enjoy to stay with them, but at the end of the day, I donâ€t know what theyâ€re thinking.”

The 31-year-old was once again Carlos Mendozaâ€s most-trusted late-inning arm this season, pitching to a 1.63 ERA and 0.87 WHIP while striking out 98 batters and locking down 28 saves.

This week at the MLB GM Meetings, David Stearns said that heâ€d love to have both Diaz and Pete Alonso back rocking orange and blue next season, but itâ€s too early to predict how things will play out.

“We love both Pete and Edwin. They’ve been great representatives of the organization,” Stearns said. “We’d love to have them both back. At this stage of the offseason, itâ€s really tough to predict any outcomes, but certainly, we would love to have both those guys back.”

The Mets did extend Diaz the qualifying offer, but he will most certainly decline that before Tuesday’s deadline.

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The DP World Tour season comes to an end this week with the 2025 DP World Tour Championship in Dubai, and Rory McIlroy leads a star-studded field as the betting favorite. Here is everything you need to know about the DP World Tour Championship odds and other betting favorites to start the week.

DP World Tour Championship betting favorites

This week marks the final event of the DP World Tour season and the season-long Race to Dubai. McIlroy is leading the Race to Dubai standings, and this week he’ll be hunting for his fourth-straight and seventh overall title.

McIlroy, the World No. 2, comes into the week with as the betting favorite with +400 odds-to-win. He was always going to be the favorite, and a final-round 62 to finish T3 at last week’s Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship didn’t change that.

The man who lost in a playoff in Abu Dhabi, Tommy Fleetwood, is second in the pre-tournament betting odds at +600.

Filling out the top 5 are three more European stars: Tyrrell Hatton (+1100), Ludvig Aberg (+1400) and Robert MacIntyre (+1400).

You can see the top 20 and ties in the DP World Tour Championship betting odds as of Monday morning below, or download the Fanatics Sportsbook app to see the full list of odds and bets for this week.

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2025 DP World Tour Championship odds

Rory McIlroy (+400)
Tommy Fleetwood (+600)
Tyrrell Hatton (+1100)
Ludvig Aberg (+1400)
Robert MacIntyre (+1400)
Matt Fitzpatrick (+1600)
Nicolai Hojgaard (+1800)
Aaron Rai (+2000)
Rasmus Hojgaard (+2200)
Alex Noren (+2500)
Shane Lowry (+2500)
Marco Penge (+2800)
Justin Rose (+3000)
Tom McKibbin (+3500)
Kristoffer Reitan (+4500)
Patrick Reed (+4500)
Rasmus Neergaard-Petersen (+4500)
Angel Ayora (+5500)
Michael Kim (+5500)
Jordan Smith (+6000)

Kevin Cunningham

Golf.com Editor

As senior managing producer for GOLF.com, Cunningham edits, writes and publishes stories on GOLF.com, and manages the brand’s e-newsletters, which reach more than 1.4 million subscribers each month. A former two-time intern, he also helps keep GOLF.com humming outside the news-breaking stories and service content provided by our reporters and writers, and works with the tech team in the development of new products and innovative ways to deliver an engaging site to our audience.

By Gary Pearson, BetMGM

Will the New York Rangers’ poor puck luck continue, and can the Pittsburgh Penguins maintain their dream start? Are the Anaheim Ducks for real, and will the real Linus Ullmark please stand up?

And is Steve Yzerman’s seemingly fruitless project in Detroit finally destined to take the next step?

I answer those questions while weighing in on whether the aforementioned NHL teams will make the Stanley Cup playoffs.

Ottawa Senators (Yes) (-120)

The Senators had a rocky start to the season. Yet, they are right in the mix despite losing five of the first seven games and seeing their former Vezina-winning goaltender sport the worst goals saved above expected (minus-8.1).

Linus Ullmark, as he did last season, should improve. As importantly, the Sens will get their heart and soul back in the next month. If they remain within reach when Brady Tkachuk returns from injury, their playoff chances will be in good shape.

Detroit Red Wings (Yes) (+105)

One of the pacesetters in the Atlantic Division, the Detroit Red Wings have flown out of the gate. Eight of their first nine wins came against playoff teams from last season, five of which have short Stanley Cup odds and are among the Stanley Cup favorites.

Their electric start comes despite having the fourth-worst goals differential above expected at 5-on-5. I expect a positive regression in that respect, which should reinforce their playoff pedigree.

The +105 odds imply a 48.78 percent chance of advancing to the dance.

Anaheim Ducks (No) (-150)

I don’t recall this much buzz emitting from Anaheim since the original naming of the franchise. Sitting pretty atop the Pacific Division with the Edmonton Oilers and Vegas Golden Knights, the Ducks’ odds to make the playoffs have shortened to +125.

While the seventh-youngest team (26.92 years) deserves all of their early-season plaudits, inexperience will catch up to them over the course of a long, gruelling season. I’m also cognizant of the fact that seven of their opening 11 games were against non-playoff teams from last season.

Pittsburgh Penguins (No) (Odds)

When will the bubble burst for rookie coach Dan Muse?

The Penguins are off to a start resembling the script of a Disney fairy tale. Look beyond their win-loss record, though, and you’ll unearth some disconcerting signs.

Until recently, the Pens had the third-best goals differential above expected, which has since dropped to 12th at 5-on-5.

Currently, they have the fourth-best goals against above expected in all situations (minus-9.34). I can’t see the goaltending duo of Tristan Jarry and Arturs Silovs sustaining that elite standing, nor do I believe that no-longer-a-kid Sid will finish among the league leaders in goals.

New York Rangers (Yes) (+105)

As the NHL’s second-best road team and worst in their own rink, the Rangers are navigating a perplexing dichotomy. However, I don’t foresee their Madison Square Garden horror show continuing.

With the second-best expected goals differential and the fourth-most expected goals at 5-on-5, it’s only a matter of time before their puck luck turns around.

And now that coach Mike Sullivan has adapted to life in the Big Apple, don’t be surprised when his team stops singing the blues on home ice.

Advanced
stats are according to moneypuck.com.

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The PGA Tour travels to Mexico this week for the 2025 World Wide Technology Championship, hosted at the Tiger Woods-designed El Cardonal course. There, two U.S. Ryder Cup rookies lead the betting favorites. Here is everything you need to know about the World Wide Technology Championship odds and other betting favorites to start the week.

World Wide Technology Championship betting favorites

The PGA Tour is back this week for the World Wide Technology Championship, and 2025 U.S. Ryder Cup team members Ben Griffin and J.J. Spaunare headlining the field.

They’re also leading the betting favorites in the pre-tournament odds.

Griffin, who went 1-1-0 in his U.S. Ryder Cup debut, tops the list as the outright betting favorite at +1000 odds-to-win. He’s in that position thanks to his stellar season.

The 29-year-old captured his first career PGA Tour victory at the team event Zurich Classic of New Orleans, then added his first solo win at the Charles Schwab Challenge in May. He added a runner-up the next week at the Memorial, one of two second-place finishes he recorded in 2025.

Spaun, who played a starring role as a rookie at Bethpage with a 2-1-0 record, is right behind Griffin at +1200. He famously won the 2025 U.S. Open at Oakmont to earn his place on the team.

Filling out the top 5 are three players tied at +2200 odds-to-win: Max Greyserman, Michael Thorbjornsen and Rico Hoey.

You can see the top 20 and ties in the World Wide Technology Championship betting odds as of Monday morning below, or download the Fanatics Sportsbook app to see the full list of odds and bets for this week.

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2025 World Wide Technology Championship odds

Ben Griffin (+1000)
J.J. Spaun (+1200)
Max Greyserman (+2200)
Michael Thorbjornsen (+2200)
Rico Hoey (+2200)
Si Woo Kim (+2200)
Garrick Higgo (+2500)
Kevin Yu (+2800)
Wyndham Clark (+2800)
Michael Brennan (+3000)
Thorbjorn Olesen (+3000)
Keith Mitchell (+3500)
Nick Taylor (+3500)
Pierceson Coody (+3500)
Emiliano Grillo (+4000)
Jacob Bridgeman (+4000)
Jesper Svensson (+4000)
Matt Wallace (+4000)
Nico Echavarria (+4500)
Johnny Keefer (+5000)

Kevin Cunningham

Golf.com Editor

As senior managing producer for GOLF.com, Cunningham edits, writes and publishes stories on GOLF.com, and manages the brand’s e-newsletters, which reach more than 1.4 million subscribers each month. A former two-time intern, he also helps keep GOLF.com humming outside the news-breaking stories and service content provided by our reporters and writers, and works with the tech team in the development of new products and innovative ways to deliver an engaging site to our audience.