With the Boston Celtics holding a 3-0 lead over the Dallas Mavericks in the NBA Finals, it won’t be long before all eyes zone in on the draft, which is set for June 26–27.For the first time ever, the draft will span two days. While no player in this year’s pool is as captivating as 2023 No. 1 overall selection Victor Wembanyama, there’s plenty of talent to go around, especially from Wembanyama’s native country of France.Here is our latest lottery mock draft, with just over two weeks left until 58 players hear their names called in New York:1. Atlanta Hawks: Alexandre Sarr, F/C, FranceSarr has started to slip to No. 2 in a handful of mock drafts in favor of fellow Frenchman Zaccharie Risacher, but his defense could do wonders for an Atlanta team that has yet to find its identity on that side of the ball.2. Washington Wizards: Zaccharie Risacher, FranceFew teams shot the 3-pointer worse than Washington this season, and Risacher is starting to become a sharpshooter from distance. He can also defend at a high level, too, making him a lock at No. 2 if Atlanta doesn’t scoop him up.3. Houston Rockets: Donovan Clingan, C, UConnPairing Clingan and Alperen Sengun in the frontcourt someday would give the Rockets a legitimate paint presence while also bolstering their bench, as Jabari Smith Jr. could take on the role of sixth man. 4. San Antonio Spurs: Reed Sheppard, G, KentuckyThere’s not a lot that Wembanyama can’t do, but San Antonio now needs to surround him with shooters, making Sheppard the perfect fit.5. Detroit Pistons: Matas Buzelis, F, G LeagueIf Cade Cunningham can stay healthy and Jaden Ivey continues to develop, the Pistons won’t have to worry about their backcourt for a long time. But Buzelis can help Detroit start to revamp outside of that duo, as the 19-year-old can play virtually anywhere the Pistons need him to. 6. Charlotte Hornets: Rob Dillingham, G, KentuckyInstant offense is Dillingham’s calling card, and he and LaMelo Ball could be special together. That is, of course, if Ball stays healthy and avoids traffic violations.7. Portland Trail Blazers: Stephon Castle, G, UConnIt’s far too early to give up on Scoot Henderson, but he was a bit underwhelming last season. Castle is a do-it-all guy who could bring the Trail Blazers to life.8. San Antonio Spurs: Cody Williams, F, ColoradoThis would be more of a long-term investment for San Antonio, as Williams still has a lot of room for growth, but he could end up paying massive dividends.9. Memphis Grizzlies: Dalton Knecht, G/F, Tennessee Sure, injuries destroyed the Grizzlies in 2023-24, but even at full strength, they don’t really have an offensive spark plug off the bench. Knecht would be just that.10. Utah Jazz: Tidjane Salaun, F, FranceLike Williams, Salaun is going to take time to reach his full potential, but Utah isn’t in win-now mode by any means.11. Chicago Bulls: Kel’el Ware, C, IndianaThe Bulls have been needing someone with bounce down low for years, and Ware’s athleticism would finally give them a true interior threat.12. Oklahoma City Thunder: Zach Edey, C, PurdueOklahoma City won’t need Edey to put up the gaudy scoring numbers that he did in college, but boy oh boy do they need someone to crash the glass.13. Sacramento Kings: Ron Holland, F, G LeagueHolland has a lot of potential as a scorer and would fit right in with a Sacramento team that has been offensive-minded over the past two seasons.14. Portland Trail Blazers: Devin Carter, G, ProvidenceIf the Blazers do end up going with Castle, it would be a bit surprising if they took Carter, too. But Carter doesn’t let his size hold him back, establishing himself as a tenacious rebounder who makes opponents’ lives a heck of a lot harder with his smothering defense. Relatedfootball bettingbetting nflbet on college football gamesnba betbet on mlb gamesbest nhl sportsbooksbest betting sites for ufcbest soccer betting sitescopa america betting sites
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Romelu Lukaku scored twice and assisted another to help Inter to a 3-1 win over Lazio that lifted Antonio Conte s men above bitter rivals Milan to the top of Serie A.
Milan s shock 2-0 loss to Spezia on Saturday opened the door for Inter and they pounced at San Siro on Sunday, taking a one-point lead into next weekend s huge Derby della Madonnina.
Lazio were furious with the awarding of Inter s 22nd-minute penalty as replays appeared to show Wesley Hoedt, drafted in after Stefan Radu was injured in the warm-up, got some of the ball before taking out Lautaro Martinez.
Lukaku converted and added a second ahead of half-time with the assistance of VAR, before teeing up Martinez to seal the points after Gonzalo Escalante had given Lazio some temporary hope.
Br…
Verdict: Manchester City -3
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Huddersfield will target an unlikely victory against Manchester City on Sunday as they look to move away from the Premier League relegation zone. We make our prediction on the clash from the Etihad.
Manchester City
Even though Manchester City have already been crowned Premier League champions, they can set a number of records with victory against Huddersfield. Three points on Sunday will ensure they surpass Chelsea’s 2004-05 record of 95 points, and last season’s 30 wins. Just two more goals and Pep Guardiola’s men will also break the Blues record of 103 set in 2009-10. City may have been forgiven for taking their foot off the pedal since they mathematically secured the title, however a 5-0 victo…
Tottenham qualified for the Champions League quarter-finals for the first time since 2010-11 after Tuesday s 1-0 win at Borussia Dortmund secured a 4-0 aggregate triumph.
Mauricio Pochettino s men held a commanding lead ahead of their trip to Signal Iduna Park and, although the hosts piled on the pressure in the first half, Hugo Lloris proved a reliable last line of defence before Harry Kane ultimately put the tie to bed.
Dortmund did everything they could to breathe life into the second leg in the opening period, but they came up against an inspired Lloris, who made a string of vital saves, most impressively to thwart Mario Gotze and Julian Weigl.
Spurs then took full advantage just after the interval, Kane confidently dispatching a one-on-one to become the club…
Market: Atletico Madrid win
Odds: 1/1 @
Looking to extend their buffer at the top of the La Liga table this weekend, Atletico Madrid will make the trip to Getafe on Saturday night.
Starting with the hosts, while Getafe might have hoped they could build off of that 3-0 victory against Valencia when drawing a close to February, it appears that was just a minor bounce for The Blues. Despite only just about missing out on another European finish last season, many in José Bordalás camp will still be looking over their shoulder at the drop zone. Making an immediate return to losing ways last time out thanks to a 2-1 defeat against Real Valladolid, Getafe have now lost five of their last six La Liga matchups and the mood in their camp could be at a real low. Facing …
Barcelona goalkeeper Marc-Ander ter Stegen has been ruled out of the Copa del Rey final due to a knee problem.
The Germany international missed the final three LaLiga games of the season while undergoing treatment for an issue in his right knee.
The club confirmed on Wednesday that Ter Stegen still has discomfort and is therefore unavailable for the match with Valencia at the Benito Villamarin on Saturday.
It means Jasper Cillessen is likely to start, despite reports suggesting he has agreed to leave the club to join Benfica in the coming transfer window.
[INJURY NEWS] FC Barcelona goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen still has discomfort in his right knee and will continue receiving treatment during the coming weeks and, thus, has been ruled out for the Sat…
Neymar must find tranquillity in front of goal to boost his chances of Champions League glory, according to Brazil great Ronaldo.
The Paris Saint-Germain star has put in a pair of virtuoso displays in Lisbon to propel Thomas Tuchel s side into Sunday s showpiece, where they face the might of treble-chasing Bayern Munich at Estadio da Luz.
The only blot on Neymar s performances has been unusually erratic finishing – something for which one of the finest goalscorers of his generation believes there is a simple solution.
He has played very well in the last few games, especially in this final phase in Portugal. He has generated and created many goal situations, Ronaldo told a media event in the Portuguese capital.
But yes, he lacked a bit of calm at the t…
Maurizio Sarri is delighted with Juventus form but acknowledges the team must be better than in seasons past if they are to again retain their Serie A title.
The Bianconeri defeated Roma 3-1 in the Coppa Italia quarter-finals on Wednesday, scoring through Cristiano Ronaldo, Rodrigo Bentancur and Leonardo Bonucci before half-time.
It was a fifth win in a row in all competitions for Juve, in which time they have built a four-point lead over Inter at the top of the league table.
Sarri saw evidence of this winning mentality against Roma but acknowledged improvement was required in a three-way title tussle with the Nerazzurri and Lazio.
Winning is becoming normal, Sarri explained at a post-match news conference. I m happy for the team.
But we don t …
Market: Celtic win to nil
Odds: 21/20 @
Simply looking to extend their stay at the top of the Premiership table this weekend, Celtic will welcome Hearts to Glasgow on Saturday afternoon.
Starting with the hosts, heading into September’s international break with a stellar 3-0 romp against arch-rivals Rangers, Celtic are in the midst of what has become another sensational purple patch. Marking their return from the fortnight interval sat at the top of the Premiership table, Brendan Rodgers’ camp are pencilled in as a landslide contender to make more domestic history this season. Flying out of the traps since opening up the 2024/25 campaign, the former Leicester boss has seen his squad win all of their first four Premiership appearances. Continuing on from what…
Manchester United captain Harry Maguire believes the Red Devils were complacent in their 1-0 loss to Premier League rivals Arsenal.
United s Premier League woes continued after succumbing to Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang s 69th-minute penalty at Old Trafford on Sunday.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer s United humbled last season s Champions League semi-finalists RB Leipzig 5-0 midweek but were off the pace against Arsenal.
United – who languish 15th in the table – have collected just seven points from their six Premier League games this season, the club s lowest tally at this stage since David Moyes short stint at the helm in 2013-14, while they are now winless in their past six league home games.
The Reds are beaten.
— Manchester United (@ManUtd)
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Fernando Torres believes Liverpool are set up for sustained Premier League success and expressed his delight that their 30-year wait for top-flight glory is over.
The former Reds striker feels the 2019-20 title – which saw the team rack up 99 points under Jurgen Klopp – is likely to be the first of many in the coming years.
I m so happy Liverpool won the Premier League because they deserved it, Torres told talkSPORT.
I was especially happy for the supporters; I know how important it was for them to win the Premier League.
Even when they won the Champions League the season before, obviously that s a huge achievement, but once you play for Liverpool and are in contact with the people, you know how important it was for them to win the Premier League…