Tag: Toronto

Report: Golden State Warriors showing interest in signing veteran center Marc Gasol

According to Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN, the Golden State Warriors are one of the teams showing interest in former Raptors center Marc Gasol.

After reportedly signing former Boston Celtics guard Brad Wanamaker to a one-year contract, the Golden State Warriors have shifted their plans to the frontcourt market in free agency.

According to Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN, the Warriors are showing interest in veteran big man Marc Gasol. However, the Warriors will have competition to bring the former Defensive Player of the Year. The Los Angeles Lakers and Toronto Raptors have also shown interest in signing Gasol.

Via @wojespn on Twitter:

Gasol spent the last season and a half playing with the Raptors, averaging 8.1 points on 44.2% shooting from the field with 6.4 rebounds and 3.5 assists per contest. During his 70 game stint in Toronto, the three-time All-Star shot 40.0% from beyond the arc on 2.9 attempts per game.

During Toronto’s run in the Orlando Bubble, Gasol tallied seven points on 46.5% shooting with 5.9 rebounds and 2.9 assists in eight games. The 6-foot-11 center struggled in Toronto’s postseason campaign. Over 11 playoff tilts at Disney World, Gasol registered six points on 39.1% shooting from the field.

Against the Golden State Warriors in the 2019 NBA Finals, Gasol started all six games, registering 12 points on 44.7% shooting from the field with 7.3 rebounds and 2.7 assists per game.

With an impressive resume that includes an NBA championship and a spot on the All-NBA First Team, the 35-year-old could be a competent mentor to help oversee the development of Golden State’s recent No. 2 overall draft pick. At only 19-years-old, James Wiseman could learn from a veteran like Gasol.

Along with being able to knock down an open 3-pointer and the ability to defend the rim, Gasol could provide a level of veteran stability to Golden State’s frontcourt with Wiseman, Marquese Chriss and Kevon Looney.

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Steph Curry spotted at Drake’s OVO gym in Toronto for offseason shooting competition

While the second round of the NBA Playoffs is underway in the Orlando Bubble, Stephen Curry was spotted at Drake’s OVO home gym in Toronto.

While the second round of the NBA playoffs is underway inside the league’s Orlando Bubble, the Golden State Warriors are busy with an extended edition of the offseason.

Instead of preparing for another run at the Finals, Stephen Curry has been active during Golden State’s time off the court. The two-time Most Valuable Player has been releasing at-home workout videos for his fans while captaining a new book club. Curry virtually appeared alongside his family at the Democratic National Convention to endorse Joe Biden and Kamala Harris. The Golden State point guard has also been paying attention to the action on the hardwood at Disney World.

Along with his off-court activities, Curry has been participating in individual workouts at the Golden State Warriors practice facility. Yet, for a recent training session, the six-time All-Star traveled north to shootaround with a famous rapper.

On Thursday, Curry was spotted getting shots up at Drake’s Toronto OVO gym. Curry matched up with the Canadian music star for a 3-point shootout.

Via @gswchris on Twitter:

Via @RapAllStars on Twitter:

In Drake’s latest music video for the song “Laugh Now Cry Later,” Curry’s former teammate Kevin Durant played a featured character.

Despite Drake cheering on the Toronto Raptors courtside against the Warriors in the 2019 NBA Finals, it looks like he still has a solid relationship with members of the Golden State family.

Drake’s Raptors will lace up for a series-deciding game seven against the Boston Celtics on Friday at 6 P.M. PT inside the Orlando Bubble.

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Florida Panthers vs. New York Islanders odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Saturday’s Florida Panthers at New York Islanders NHL Playoffs Qualifier Round sports betting odds and lines, with NHL betting picks, tips and best bets.

The Florida Panthers and the New York Islanders tangle Saturday in Game 1 of their best-of-five NHL Playoffs Qualifier Series round at 4 p.m. ET at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, one of two hub locations for the NHL restart. We analyze the Panthers-Islanders sports betting odds and lines, while providing NHL betting tips and picks around this matchup.

Florida Panthers vs. New York Islanders: Projected starting goalies

Sergei Bobrovsky vs. Thomas Greiss

Bobrovsky, who made the start in Wednesday’s preseason game against the Tampa Bay Lightning, registered a 23-19-6 record, 3.23 goals-against average and .900 save percentage across 50 games (49 starts). It wasn’t exactly the type of production the team hoped they’d get from Bobrovsky after backing up a Brink’s truck to his house last offseason. However, he can wash all of those buyer’s remorse feelings away with a strong postseason run. It might be tough, however, as he was 0-2-0 in two starts against the Isles, although he had a respectable 2.05 GAA and .938 SV%.

Greiss was the backstop in a 2-1 exhibition win over the rival New York Rangers on Wednesday night, a good sign he’ll be manning the crease in Game 1 against the Cats. While “Bob” was pretty good against the Isles this season, Greiss was just a little better against the Panthers. Greiss posted a 2-0-0 record, 1.00 GAA and .972 save percentage in two regular-season starts, stopping 69 of the 71 pucks he faced.

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Panthers vs. Islanders: Odds, picks and betting tips

Odds courtesy of BetMGM; access them at USA TODAY Sports for a full list. Odds last updated Wednesday at 10:45 p.m. ET.

Prediction

Islanders 4, Panthers 2

Moneyline (ML)

The ISLANDERS (-121) have won four consecutive meetings with the Panthers (+100), so there is a lot of confidence for the boys in blue and orange. In addition, the favorite has cashed in five of the previous six meetings in this series. New York is trying to wash a bad taste out of its mouth after being swept by the Carolina Hurricanes in the postseason a year ago. Florida will be getting its feet wet, returning to the postseason since 2016. That invaluable experience last season for the Isles, albeit brief, will be the difference, as well as having Barry Trotz behind the bench.

New to sports betting? A $10 bet on the Islanders to win returns a profit of $8.30, while a $10 wager on the Panthers results in a profit of $10.

Puck Line/Against the Spread (ATS)

It might be a good idea to go lightly on ISLANDERS (-1.5, +225) on the puck line. Keep in mind, though, that while New York won each of the previous three regular-season meetings, one win came in a shootout, and the other in a 2-1 win in regulation on the Island. Either way, the moneyline cashed twice, and the puck line did not. So tread lightly.

Over/Under (O/U)

UNDER 5.5 (-110) is a slam-dunk play in this one. Expect the skaters to look like they’re pushing in sand early in the qualifiers after a long layoff, taking at least a game or two to knock off the rust. Plus, the first three meetings between these clubs each cashed the under. Look for more of the same.

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Norman Powell’s career high 37 points spoils Steph Curry’s return from injury, 121-113

Stephen Curry’s 23 points in his return from injury wasn’t enough against the defending champion Toronto Raptors.

In a rematch of the 2019 Finals, the Golden State Warriors game against the Toronto Raptors was one of the most anticipated games on the NBA’s slate. Stephen Curry made his long-awaited return to the court after missing the past 58 games.

Yet, the defending NBA champions spoiled Curry’s reunion at Chase Center in San Francisco, 121-113.

The Warriors battled the Eastern Conference playoff-bound Raptors late into the game. However, even with Curry’s help, Golden State could not closeout.

The Dubs cut the Raptors lead to one-point heading into the final period of the game. Yet, the talent of Pascal Siakam and Kyle Lowry took over the contest. Golden State made it entertaining at the end of the game with a late run with Curry on the floor, but it wasn’t enough.

Lowry and Siakam combined for 13 points on 4-of-7 shooting in the fourth quarter to hold off the gritty Warriors.

The Raptors sealed Golden State’s 10th straight loss at home this season. The Warriors will have the chance to snap their 10-game home losing streak on Saturday when the Philadelphia 76ers come to the Bay Area.

Stephen Curry

Curry was on a minutes restriction against the Raptors, but the six-time All-Star took advantage of his time back on the court. Curry scored 23 points on 6-of-16 shooting in 27 minutes. Curry added seven assists and six rebounds against the Raptors.

In his return, Curry flashed glimpses of his All-Star caliber play. Whether it was long-distance shooting or crafty passes, the two-time Most Valuable Player looked like his old self on the court.

Norman Powell

All-Stars like Siakam and Lowry lead the Raptors, but against the Warriors, Norman Powell arrived. Powell registered a career-high 37 points on 13-of-20 shooting in 38 minutes for the Raptors. The UCLA product added three rebounds, three steals and two assists.

Anytime the Warriors chipped away at Toronto’s lead, Powell answered.

Damion Lee

Damion Lee continued his breakout campaign with another solid performance. Lee matched Curry’s total with 23 points on 8-of-17 shooting while adding five rebounds and three assists.

Lee had back-to-back chances to keep the Warriors in the game late, but could not convert a pair of free throws. When Marquese Chriss stole an offensive rebound, Lee missed an open 3-pointer to cut Toronto’s lead to three with under a minute remaining.

Stephen Curry on making his long-awaited return from injury: ‘It feels like the first day of school’

After missing four months due to injury, Stephen Curry is clear to make his long-awaited return to the court.

It has been a long process for Stephen Curry to make his return to the basketball court. The injured point guard has missed 58 games for the Golden State Warriors since breaking his left hand against the Phoenix Suns in only the fourth contest of the new season.

After going through a lengthy rehab, Curry is finally clear to make his much-anticipated return to the floor on Thursday night. The two-time Most Valuable Player will suit up against the Toronto Raptors at Chase Center in San Francisco.

Curry spoke to reporters at Golden State’s morning shootaround about his return to the court for the first time in four months.

Via Connor Letourneau of the San Francisco Chronicle:

I’m excited. Coming into this year, I was excited to compete and see what the season held in terms of our transition as an organization. Obviously, that was taken away pretty quickly. Four months to just get ready for a day like today, where a lot of hard work has gone into the rehab. So many people helped me get to this point, where I’m confident in getting back out on the floor and getting back to what I love to do. Joining my guys who have been through a lot this season — trying to finish this season on a strong note. It feels like the first day of school pretty much all over again, which is exciting. I feel pretty comfortable, pretty confident in where I’m at physically. Just excited to get back out there.

All eyes will be on Curry against the defending NBA champion Raptors on Thursday night. Following Toronto, the six-time All-Star will have 19 games remaining in the 2019-20 season to work back from injury.