FILE – In this Sept. 2, 2020, file photo, the NBA logo is displayed at center court during an NBA first-round playoff basketball game between the Houston Rockets and Oklahoma City Thunder in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. NBA training camps open around the league Tuesday, Dec. 1, 2020,though on-court sessions will be limited to individual workouts and only for those players who have gotten three negative coronavirus test results back in the last few days. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill, File)
RANT SPORTS – There is a lot of basketball left to be played in the 2024-25 NBA season.
While some teams have positioned themselves well to secure a postseason spot, others have dug themselves into a deep hole.
Like every NBA season, there are a few pleasant surprises and major disappointments at this juncture of the year when the temperatures dip in mid-winter and players begin sporting beanie hats instead of baseball caps to the arenas.
The Magic are one of the feel-good stories of the season. Head coach Jamahl Mosley has to be one of the leading candidates for NBA Coach of the Year after losing Pablo Banchero five games into the season as well as persevering through injuries to key guys like Franz and Moritz Wagner. Banchero returned Jan. 10 after missing 34 games. Now, it is just a matter of the star forward regaining his groove, and his teammates playing at the level they did without him.
9). Indiana Pacers (23-19)
After reaching the East finals last season, the Pacers had high hopes this year. After a slow start, they are starting to get it going, winning 8 out of their last 10. We’ll see if a recent hamstring injury costs two-time All-Star Tyrese Haliburton to miss any time. Regardless, coaching matters, and Indy is in great hands with Rick Carlisle, who will call on Paschal Siakam (20.1 points, 7.3 rebounds) and Myles Turner (15.4 points, 6.9 rebounds) to step up.
8). Memphis Grizzlies (27-15)
The Ja Morant show is must-watch entertainment. After playing only nine games last season, the star point guard has stayed out of trouble off the court this year, which makes the Grizz that much scarier. Jaren Jackson Jr. (22.7 points, 6.4 rebounds) and Desmond Bane (17.2 points, 4.9 assists) are both having exceptional seasons. Plus, big man Zach Edey (7.4 rebounds) has provided a nice presence in the paint during his rookie season.
7). Milwaukee Bucks (23-17)
The mindset in Milwaukee is: Let us just get to the postseason healthy. With Damian Lillard and Giannis Antetokounmpo on your side, who would blame them? The Bucks showed what they can do during the in-season tournament, capturing the 2024 NBA Cup after routing Oklahoma City, 97-81, in the championship game. They nailed 17 3s during the blowout win in Vegas. Now, it is just a matter of … getting to the postseason healthy.
6). Houston Rockets (27-13)
Head coach Ime Udoka and the Rockets are ahead of schedule. After finishing 41-41 and missing the postseason last year, Udoka and his young bunch were not supposed to be this good this quickly. They are, however. Jalen Green (21.5 points), Alperen Sengun (19.3 points, 10.4 rebounds, 5.1 assists) and Amen Thompson (13 points, 8 rebounds) have arrived earlier than expected, and their top 5 defense in efficiency can lock teams down.
5). New York Knicks (27-16)
Gritty. In one word, that is how to describe these Knicks. But what else would you expect from a Tom Thibodeau-led team? Despite rough patches this season, New York is still third in the East. Jalen Brunson (26 points, 7.5 assists) is the main attraction, but he has ample help. New additions Karl-Anthony Towns (25.4 points, 13.9 rebounds) and Mikal Bridges (18 points) have been good fits, while Josh Hart continues to do all the dirty work.
4). Denver Nuggets (25-16)
Like their star player, Nikola Jokic, the Nuggets are silently going about their business. Jokic, who already has won three MVPs, is averaging a quiet 30.6 points, 13.2 rebounds and 9.9. assists a night. After struggling early, Jamal Murray has rediscovered his magic. On Tuesday night, he dropped 45 on the Mavs. It is not just about slowing down The Joker and Murray, though. At 36, Russell Westbrook seems reborn during his first season in Denver.
3). Boston Celtics (29-12)
The defending NBA champion Celtics are running it back with virtually the same team that won the chip last season. Why wouldn’t they with Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Jrue Holiday, Derrick White, etc.? Like the Bucks, it is just a matter of them staying healthy for the playoffs. Kristaps Porzingis has already missed 23 games. Things do not look as crisp on both ends of the floor at times. But when the bright lights come on, Boston will be ready.
2). Cleveland Cavaliers (34-6)
After starting the season winning their first 15 games, everyone was waiting for the Cavs to come back down to earth. It did not happen. Instead, Cleveland rattled off another long win streak, this time 12 games. Kenny Atkinson can coach, and his guys have quickly bought into his system. Donovan Mitchell and Darius Garland might be the best backcourt in the league, and Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen present big problems down in the paint.
1). Oklahoma City Thunder (34-7)
After falling to Cleveland, 129-122, on Jan. 9, the Thunder exacted revenge Thursday night by clobbering the Cavs, 134-114, in a battle between the teams with the best records. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has been spectacular and has to be considered the lead candidate for league MVP. Jalen Williams is special, too, and deserves an All-Star nod. The scary part? They are doing it all without versatile big man Chet Holmgren, who has been out since early November.
5 more on our radar
Los Angeles Clippers (23-17), Minnesota Timberwolves (22-19), Los Angeles Lakers (22-17), Sacramento Kings (21-20), and Atlanta Hawks (21-19).
FILE – Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce (87) waves after the NFL Super Bowl 58 football game against the San Francisco 49ers Sunday, Feb. 11, 2024, in Las Vegas. Kelce will bring his highly successful music festival called Kelce Jam back to Kansas City. The second annual one-day event held on May 18 will be hosted by the superstar tight end of the Chiefs and headlined by Lil Wayne, 2 Chainz, Diplo and local legend Tech N9ne. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II, File)
RANT SPORTS – As Super Bowl LIX Beckons, Football Fans Gravitate to Key Stats and Storylines
On February 9, 2025, the NFC and AFC Conference Champions will meet at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana, for Super Bowl LIX. Football fans have been piling into the action all season to make their picks and predictions for the winner.
As Super Bowl Sunday beckons, there will be a tsunami of interest in the many different forms of football betting. Last year, the Super Bowl set records for American wagering, with some $23 billion bet. This year, seeing the popularity of the big game, platforms are going all out to appeal to this mass of betting interest.
So, there are plenty of offers bouncing around and unique ways to bet on the outcomes of Super Bowl LIX. Keep reading to explore these novel options and discover some stats to keep in mind for the potential Super Bowl contenders this year.
A Diverse Landscape for Super Bowl Fans
Every year, betting lines light up with a whole range of quirky selections. For the Super Bowl, prop markets are always a point of interest – and not just for the player lines. The length of the national anthem, style of the halftime performer’s attire, and the color of the winning team’s Gatorade douse are all in the odds.
In daily fantasy sports betting, the lines can also see a bit more variation. With some platforms, you’ll be able to bundle in these once-a-year kind of props. Many will also offer boosts on certain players hitting or missing their under-over lines. Others are adapting the formula entirely for the big game.
At Sleeper, the emphasis is on collaborating with your squad to make top fantasy picks. You’ll all get to select the DFS player lines that you think will happen, bundle them into a picks list, and watch the stats move in real time. With the Super Bowl fast approaching, savvy DFS teams will be claiming a Sleeper promo for NFL betting like this.
With the offer, each player will get a $55 bonus cash offer after playing $5. So, naturally, many teams will open an account, make the $10 deposit, play $5 on an upcoming game of the NFL, NBA, or anything else, and then get their 11 $5 bonus wagers to use on the big game.
What to Keep in Mind for the Super Bowl
On the NFC side, coming into the Conference Championships, Jayden Daniels absolutely had the upper hand on the Eagles’ QB, who’d suffered a concussion and then a leg injury. However, the Philadelphia defense ranked as the best in the NFL by quite some margin, only allowing 278.4 yards on average. It was Philadelphia that romped to an easy 55-23 victory.
Over in AFC territory, the Super Bowl machine that are the Kansas City Chiefs might have a shot at history with the unheard-of three-peat, after their 32-29 win over the Bills. There’s also Travis Kelce’s shot at unseating one of Jerry Rice’s long-standing records. With just three receptions in the big game, Kelce would overtake Rice’s haul of 33 takes at the Super Bowl.
Super Bowl LIX promises to be a fascinating game, with a second matchup of these two teams in three years. That contest came down to the final seconds, but who will win this one?
The bigger question here is, where will fans be placing their bets for the colossal event?
William Byron (24) and Kyle Busch (18) race into turn one during the NASCAR Cup series auto race in Richmond, Va., Saturday, Sept. 11, 2021. (AP Photo/Steve Helber)
RANT SPORTS – NASCAR likes to open with a short track exhibition
A week before heading to Daytona for the 2025 NASCAR season, they will kick off the year with an exhibition race on Saturday night under the lights. The event, known as The Cookout will take place at Bowman Gray Stadium, a NASCAR-sanctioned quarter-mile asphalt flat oval short track and a historic football stadium in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.
The race, also known as The Clash, will mark the debut for several new drivers. Two of the top young talents making their NASCAR Cup Series debuts are Tim Brown for Rick Racing and Burt Myers for Team Amerivet.
This race also features the Front Row Motorsports debut for Noah Gragson and the return of Zane Smith that team. Additionally, Todd Gilliland will be driving the flagship No. 38 after three seasons in the No. 34. Furthermore, Josh Berry iin the iconic Wood Brothers No. 21 Ford.
Some familiar names with new and full season rides
AJ Allmendinger has returned to Kaulig Racing full-time, while Riley Herbst has joined 23XI Racing. Cole Custer is back now full time at the Haas Factory Team. Cody Ware is also time in the family-owned No. 51.
Ryan Preece is debuting for RFK Racing and Michael McDowell has moved to Spire Motorsports. Shane Van Gisbergen is racing full-time in Cup for Trackhouse Racing
Here is the full list of cars the teams
1 | Ross Chastain | Phil Surgen | Trackhouse Racing | Chevrolet
2 | Austin Cindric | Brian Wilson | Team Penske | Ford
3 | Austin Dillon | Richard Boswell | Richard Childress Racing | Chevrolet
4 | Noah Gragson | Drew Blickensderfer | Front Row Motorsports | Ford
24 | William Byron | Rudy Fugle | Hendrick Motorsports | Chevrolet
34 | Todd Gilliland | Chris Lawson | Front Row Motorsports | Ford
35 | Riley Herbst | Davin Restivo | 23XI Racing | Toyota
38 | Zane Smith | Ryan Bergentry | Front Row Motorsports | Ford
41 | Cole Custer | Aaron Kramer | Haas Factory Team | Ford
42| John Hunter Nemechek | Travis Mack | Legacy Motor Club | Toyota
43| Erik Jones | Ben Beshore | Legacy Motor Club | Toyot
45 | Tyler Reddick | Billy Scott | 23XI Racing | Toyota
47| Ricky Stenhouse Jr. | Mike Kelley | HYAK Racing | Ford
48| Alex Bowman | Blake Harris | Hendrick Motorsports | Chevrolet
50 | Burt Myers | Tony Eury Jr. | Team Amerivet | Chevrolet
51 | Justin Haley | Billy Plourde |Rick Ware Racing | Ford
54 | Ty Gibbs | Tyler Allen | Joe Gibbs Racing | Toyota
60 | Ryan Preece | Derrick Finley | RFK Racing | Ford
66 | Garrett Smithley | Carl Long | Garage 66 | Ford
71 | Michael McDowell | Travis Peterson | Spire Motorsports | Chevrolet
77 | Carson Hocevar | Luke Lambert | Spire Motorsports | Chevrolet
88 | Shane Van Gisbergen | Stephen Doran | Trackhouse Racing | Chevrolet
99 | Daniel Suarez | Matt Swiderski | Trackhouse Racing | Chevrolet
Where to watch and listen to the race
Practice and qualifying is set for 6:10 on FS1 and heat races are set for 8:30 on FS1. The last chance race is set for 6 p.m. on Sunday on FOX and the main event is scheduled for 8 on FOX.
