Key NBA, NHL, and MLB Showdowns Highlight Wednesday's Must-Watch Games

Key NBA, NHL, and MLB Showdowns Highlight Wednesday's Must-Watch Games

A potential NBA playoff preview unfolds Wednesday as the Atlanta Hawks visit the Cleveland Cavaliers at 7 p.m. ET from Rocket Arena. This matchup carries significant postseason implications for both teams. The Cavaliers (50-29) have secured at least the No. 4 seed and home-court advantage in the first round of the playoffs, but they are still eyeing the New York Knicks (51-28) for the No. 3 seed. With five wins in their last six games, they are in solid form. Conversely, the Hawks (45-34) have clinched a postseason spot but currently sit at No. 5, needing to secure a top-six finish to avoid the play-in round. Their four-game winning streak ended with a 108-105 loss to the Knicks, where they squandered a double-digit lead. Jalen Johnson, a forward for the Hawks, emphasized their urgency: "We've got to take care of some things and go to Cleveland." Cavaliers coach Kenny Atkinson stated that maintaining the health of stars like Donovan Mitchell and James Harden is crucial as they prepare for the playoffs. He noted the depth of the roster as a positive, especially considering injuries throughout the season. In terms of betting, the Cavaliers are favored by 1.5 points, with an Over/Under set at 235.5 points. The SportsLine Projection Model predicts the Cavaliers winning with an average score of 122-114 and covering the spread 68% of the time. Additional Games to Watch MLB: Athletics at Yankees - Time: 7 p.m. | Location: New York City | TV: Prime Video, MLBTV - Pick: Over 8.5 Runs NHL: Sabres at Rangers - Time: 7 p.m. | Location: New York City | TV: TNT, TruTV, HBO Max - Pick: Sabres -130 These matchups promise to deliver excitement as postseason races heat up across the leagues.

Source: CBS Sports - 2026-04-08