Will Royals cover vs. White Sox? | Celtics sit atop final NBA Power Rankings

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Monday, April 15, 2024

Happy Monday, sports fans.

Sunday produced quite a bit of drama in the sports world. Scottie Scheffler captured his second Masters green jacket at Augusta National win in three years, while the NBA postseason picture came clear with the conclusion of the regular season. With the NBA set to begin the play-in tournament on Tuesday, we've got a 14-game MLB slate to tide us over. Consider this a sneak preview for the type of expert analysis and insight you will receive as a SportsLine subscriber.

Former Ole Miss head coach Steve Sloan dies at 79.

Cowboys star CeeDee Lamb is absent from voluntary offseason workouts as he is looking for a new contract.

updated look at the NHL playoff picture as the regular-season winds down.

All times Eastern |Game odds via SportsLineconsensus

Today's top story

CELTICS ENTER POSTSEASON ATOP NBA POWER RANKINGS

A bow was put on the 2023-24 NBA regular season on Sunday. The postseason matchups, including those for this week's play-in tournament, are officially set. Once the 16-team playoff field starts on Saturday, the Boston Celtics will be the favorite to -- at the very least -- emerge from the Eastern Conference. All eyes will be on Jayson Tatum & Co. to see if they'll capture that elusive 18th NBA championship, and first since 2008. But that will be decided at a future time; what we know for now is that CBS Sports NBA writer Colin Ward-Henninger has Boston atop his final edition of his weekly NBA Power Rankings

Ward-Henninger: "Let's start at the top, where the Boston Celtics have lived for the entire year. Joe Mazzulla's squad finished as a historically great regular-season team, right up there with Michael Jordan's Chicago Bulls of the late 1990s and the Steph Curry-Kevin Durant Golden State Warriors. There hasn't been a more obvious No. 1 in the final Power Rankings in a long time, finishing with a laughable 14-game lead over the second place New York Knicks in the East."

The Hot Ticket

Royals at White Sox, 7:40 p.m. | TV: ESPN+

The Pick: Royals (-155)

Key trend: The Royals are 4-0 against the White Sox this season.

SportsLine expert Mike Barner is 13-2 in his last 15 Royals moneyline picks.

Barner: "The Royals have a significant advantage in the starting pitching department for this game. They will deploy Seth Lugo, who held the White Sox to one run over 6 2/3 innings earlier this season. Lugo has logged at least six innings and allowed two or fewer runs in all three of his starts this year. The White Sox will start Nick Nastrini, who didn't post impressive numbers at Double-A and has only thrown 26 2/3 career innings at Triple-A. The Royals also have a more dangerous lineup, so look for them to come away with the victory."

Here's what else SportsLine is saying about the game:The Projection Model has a "B" pick on the spread, while having "C" picks on the moneyline and total.Get one week of picks from SportsLine completely free with the promo codeNEWSLETTER*

Also on tonight ...

Reds at Mariners, 9:42 p.m. | TV: MLB.TV

The Projection: Over 7 (-115)| Grade: A -- Strong

SportsLine's Projection Model has a "A" grade on the total with "C" grades for the spread and moneyline for the contest. The over is 5-1 in the Reds last six games, so we'll back that trend to continue in this spot.

SportsLine expert picks: Our staff has combed through the Monday night MLB slate and offered their best plays as the season continues.Get one week of picks from SportsLine completely free with the promo codeNEWSLETTER*

* Open to new subscribers only. This offer of 7 days free of SportsLine expires at 11:59 p.m. ET on 12/31/24. Must use the promo codeNEWSLETTERto redeem the Offer. Offer is not transferable. Valid credit card is required.SUBSCRIPTIONS WILL AUTOMATICALLY RENEW AFTER THE 7 DAY TRIAL PERIOD, AND YOUR CARD WILL BE CHARGED BASED ON THE REGULAR PRICE OF $9.99 (MONTHLY), $24.99 (QUARTERLY), $99.99 (ANNUAL) ON AN ONGOING BASIS UNLESS YOU CANCEL YOUR MEMBERSHIP PRIOR TO THE END OF THE FREE TRIAL. To cancel, call(888) 508-3055or email

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UEFA Champions League

The First Cut

Only 8 teams remain in the fight for the UEFA Champions League trophy. Watch as the battle continues tomorrow with Barcelona taking on PSG on CBS and all matches streaming on Paramount+Watch Live

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