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Signing Allen Obando has been quite a surprise for an Inter Miami team that has been heavy reliant on its veteran players to lead the way. However, it seems that they are keen to finally invest in a young talent who has a strong potential to prosper as the next face of the club in the years to come. What makes Obando’s signing particularly intriguing is his opportunity to train alongside one of the greatest players of all time, Lionel Messi. Messi’s arrival in Miami has been a game-changer for the club, and for young talents like Obando, it’s a golden opportunity. Messi’s experience, work ethic, and footballing intelligence will undoubtedly rub off on the young Ecuador international. Obando caught the eye of scouts from top clubs worldwide. However, it was Inter Miami who moved quickly to secure the future of this budding star. As a club that has invested heavily in youth development alongside its high-profile signings, Inter Miami sees Obando as a player with enormous potential to make an impact both immediately and in the long run. A New Opportunity For a player like Obando, being able to learn from Messi – who has won seven Ballon d'Or awards and is regarded as one of the best footballers in history – will be invaluable. Messi’s approach to the game, his vision on the field, and his ability to read and control the game will surely be lessons Obando will absorb with both eagerness and gratitude. "I'm excited to have the opportunity to continue my career with a new challenge at a great club like Inter Miami," said Obando. "I'm ready to get to work to continue growing as a player and help my teammates and the club fight for our objectives this season." Adding Obando is a key move for Inter Miami – who adds depth behind Uruguayan star Luis Suarez. It can be remembered that Ecuador international Leo Campana used to be the backup to Suarez before Miami opted to trade him to the New England Revolution back in December. In football, it’s not just about making big-name signings; it’s about cultivating and developing talent for sustained success. By investing in Obando now, Inter Miami is not only securing a rising star for the future but also ensuring that the club’s success extends well beyond the era of their veteran players. In essence, Obando is positioned to be one of the pillars of the next generation of Inter Miami players. The Next Messi? Though Obando is young, his confidence and ability on the ball suggest that he has the tools to become a star. With a solid work ethic and the right guidance, it’s not difficult to imagine him thriving in Miami’s attacking lineup, especially under the tutelage of Messi. As a player who is known for his technical skill, vision, and ability to link play, Obando could be the perfect successor to take on the creative responsibilities that Messi will eventually leave behind. But it's not just about filling a void. Obando has the potential to carve out his own identity and style of play while contributing to the team’s success on the field. In the long run, he could become one of the top playmakers in Major League Soccer and even make his mark internationally. Inter Miami has always set its sights on building a winning team that attracts global talent while nurturing the stars of tomorrow. The signing of Allen Obando is a testament to that vision, and it’s clear that the future of the club is in good hands with such a promising young player in their ranks.

The Los Angeles Lakers initially had a strong start with Luka Doncic being traded into the team, going 9-2 in its first 11 games and coming up with impressive strides as the tandem of Doncic and LeBron James seemed to be the perfect combination that the Lakers needed to turn things around. However, it seems that the problems are finally starting to show up. In a shocking deal at the trade deadline, Doncic was picked up by the Lakers after the latter team opted to give up Anthony Davis to the Dallas Mavericks, shocking the entire NBA world. After a slow start with his new team, Doncic did adjust well and soon averaged impressive numbers of 27.2 points, 8.6 rebounds, and 7.8 assists per game. LA’s recent struggles, however, hasn’t been really looking good for their case in the 2025 NBA Playoffs – especially in a Western Conference that is stacked with a lot of competitive teams that has a team sitting at .500 in the 10th seed. The Lakers losing out on their recent games isn’t a great look, which says a lot about their pace heading into the final set of games in the season. Where’s the Blame? The Lakers have lost eight out of its last twelve games, and now they are currently in the fourth seed of the Western Conference as of the time of writing. It is easy to say that the struggles could be the fatigue kicking in as the season goes down to the finish, but then, Doncic himself admits that he is at fault for not being able to steer the ship to the right path – him and LeBron James, that is. "I think me and Bron, think we should be the guys to do that," Doncic said after the team's 118-106 loss to the Magic. "That's on me. Obviously, I've got to do better, I've got to talk more. I talked in the first half, then just kind of let my voice down and I shouldn't do that." Doncic has found his footing on the offensive end with the Lakers, but the lack of a sense of urgency to win key games has been really alarming as of late. It’s not like the Lakers’ schedule is also set to get easy in the closing stretch – not when they have the league-leading Oklahoma City Thunder twice on a back-to-back. The Lakers have always managed to make it to the playoffs so far in the past few years, and yet things haven’t been the same since they won that title in 2020. Now more than ever, it seems that they will need to refine their chances and make the most of their final set of games. By the Numbers Looking at the standings, the Lakers are just a few wins away from getting into the second seed and acquiring a highly-needed homecourt advantage against some of its tough opponents. However, they are also just a few losses from becoming a Play-In Team as well. The West’s 2-8 seeds are all separated by just a meager 0.5 games, meaning that a single win or loss could well affect the standings drastically. When it comes to the odds, the Lakers are quite a surprise team at the top five, just behind the Oklahoma City Thunder, Boston Celtics, Cleveland Cavaliers, and the Denver Nuggets. Los Angeles stands at +1400, tied with the latter team. However, that number is subject to change in the coming weeks as the Lakers try to make the most of their chances and somehow navigate the closing games on their schedule with a bang.

BetMGM is poised to face a whopping $110K fine from the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario, or AGCO, for failing to restrict third-party marketing enterprises from offering bonus and other gambling lures to players in their advertising. BetMGM Canada Inc. has been hit with a record-breaking fine of $110,000 (CA) by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario for alleged violations of the province's strict iGaming advertising regulations. The penalty, the largest imposed since Ontario's regulated iGaming market launched in April of 2022, demonstrates the responsibility of operators to ensure compliance with marketing standards - even when working with third-party affiliates. Ontario's strict iGaming regulations Under Ontario law, licensed iGaming operators are prohibited from advertising gambling lures or inducements, credits, or bonuses to the general public. The regulations aim to promote responsible gambling and minimize the risk of harm from excessive gaming. While penalties for violating these rules have been relatively rare, the AGCO has previously fined major operators, including Unibet ($48,000 in August 2022), DraftKings ($100,000 in June 2022), BetMGM ($48,000 in May 2022), and PointsBet Canada ($30,000 in May 2022). The latest fine against BetMGM highlights the increased scrutiny on operators’ marketing practices and their relationships with third-party affiliates. Third-party marketing under the microscope The AGCO has alleged that BetMGM went against the Registrar's Standards for Internet Gaming by collaborating with marketing companies that improperly offered financial incentives to the public for signing up with the platform. The regulator's investigation uncovered two incidents in which cash inducements were used to attract new customers. In January, representatives from BetMGM at the National Franchise Show allegedly offered $100 (CA) in cash to individuals who opened a new account and made a $15 deposit. This practice violates Ontario's regulations, which prohibit operators from advertising monetary incentives in public settings. Further scrutiny in March revealed that BetMGM's affiliate, 'Above the Street,' engaged in similar prohibited marketing tactics. The AGCO determined that this campaign resulted in 377 player sign-ups and $127,180 in commissions paid to the affiliate. The violations continued into April, when another BetMGM marketing affiliate, 'Maple Leaf Marketing,' was found to have engaged in prohibited advertising. The AGCO found that this campaign led to 94 player registrations, generating $34,000 in commission payments. Regulator emphasizes accountability Ontario’s iGaming laws hold licensed operators responsible for the actions of their third-party suppliers, requiring them to ensure compliance with regulatory standards. "Responsible gambling safeguards and the protection of Ontarians on registered gaming sites is among our key priorities," said Dr. Karin Schnarr, AGCO Chief Executive Officer and Registrar. "The AGCO monitors the activities of all registered operators and their third-party suppliers to ensure they are meeting our high standards, and we continue to take strong action to ensure they operate within the public interest." Ontario has positioned itself as a leader in responsible gambling regulation, with some of the world's strictest rules around marketing and inducements in the iGaming sector. The AGCO's enforcement actions signal a strong commitment to maintaining these standards. BetMGM's response and potential appeal BetMGM has the option to appeal the AGCO's decision to the Licence Appeal Tribunal in Ontario. The company has not yet publicly commented on whether it intends to challenge the fine. The case serves as a reminder to all iGaming operators in Ontario that compliance extends beyond their internal operations to the actions of their marketing partners and affiliates. As the market matures, regulators are demonstrating a willingness to levy significant penalties to enforce responsible gambling policies and ensure operators adhere to the rules. With Ontario's iGaming market continuing to grow, operators will need to exercise greater oversight over their marketing affiliates to avoid costly penalties and reputational risks.

For one of the the biggest names in the game, it cannot be denied that Russell Wilson moving on to the New York Giants is a big surprise considering how the team is actually leaning to surprise the rest of the league with a revitalized campaign. As he is set to start for the Giants, there are indeed high expectations to look out for with the season coming soon. A 10-time Pro Bowl quarterback, Wilson definitely has a lot to offer on the table for the New York Giants considering how he was satisfactory in his one-year run with the Pittsburgh Steelers. At the age of 36, it does seem that Wilson will be going for some impressive runs in the game now more than ever, and it is expected that the star will shine through with a bigger role to look out for. The Giants haven’t been a winning team over the past few years, and one can be certain that they are seeking to turn their fortunes around this season with a chance to come up with an impressive campaign after being out of the playoffs and the postseason chase for so many years. Leading a Talented QB Room The Giants purposely signed Wilson not to just start, but to also come up with a proper mentorship to new signings in Jameis Winston and Tommy DeVito. This move also brings the epic rumors of the Giants bringing in the legendary now-former New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers – who will now be likely headed to the former team of Wilson, the Steelers. Still, the 36-year-old quarterback has a lot to offer in his game. Wilson has carved out a stellar decade of work with the Seattle Seahawks from 2012 to 2021. In that span, he has led them to impressive strides that also bore nine Pro Bowl selections. To even spice it up, Wilson won his lone Super Bowl at the MetLife Stadium, where he will now be playing his home games moving forward. Wilson is expected to have Wilson at the front order for the QB rotation with Winston and DeVito on the mix. However, New York also has its no. 3 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, which could necessarily mean that they will also initiate a promising selection – and it is possible that they would even pick yet another QB who could actually serve as a protege for Wilson as well. It can be remembered that the Giants also let go of Daniel Jones last season, officially opening up their quest to search for the next franchise QB. Let’s be clear here, Wilson isn’t the answer and will not be permanent – but more of a bridge who will prepare the next generation for New York. Retooling the Offensive Playbook Wilson’s skill set—his mobility, deep ball accuracy, and ability to make plays on the run—would likely lead to a shift in offensive strategy. The Giants’ coaching staff might tweak the playbook to emphasize play-action passes, deep shots downfield, and quarterback mobility, all of which Wilson excels in. The defense would have to account for Wilson’s mobility, which would create more opportunities for Barkley to break out, as defenders can’t just focus on stopping the run game or the quarterback passing. This could lead to more balanced offensive play, helping the Giants control the clock and maintain more sustained drives. While some growing pains might be expected in the transition, if everything clicks, the Giants could become a major contender in the NFC. However, the pressure in New York would be high, and the team would need to surround him with enough talent for a real shot at a Super Bowl.

Tennis is such an unpredictable game, and it cannot be denied that this has been the story so far in the Women’s Singles of the Miami Open as Alex Eala has gone to deliver one of the biggest wins of her career, taking down Iga Swiatek in straight sets to earn her ticket to the semis stage of the tournament so far. It is an unprecedented feat for Eala, who continues to ride on a massive success in her games. No player has ever beaten a Grand Slam champion three matches in a row – and Eala made it look so easy after logging her second win against a top 10 player as well. No Filipino tennis player has ever managed to reach the semis of any Masters 1000 tournament, and yet here she is, proving her worth on the big stage. A graduate of the Rafa Nadal Academy less than two years ago, Eala has been on a blazing push in her games as of late, and she even went on to deliver an impressive rally in her games so far. With her win against Swiatek, she is now guaranteed to be the first Filipina ever ranked in the top 100 of the WTA Rankings. A Historic Pace At the age of 19, Eala is now the first player from the Philippines to enter any tour-level semifinal, and is the third wild card to reach the last four in Miami, joining Justine Henin in 2010 and Victoria Azarenka in 2018 - both of whom were former World No. 1s returning from extended breaks. Eala, on the other hand, was ranked no. 140 before winning this clash with Swiatek. “I'm in complete disbelief right now, I'm on cloud nine. It's so surreal," she said. "I feel like I'm the exact same person as I was in that photo. But of course, circumstances have changed! I'm so happy and so blessed to be able to compete with such a player on this stage ... My coach told me to run, to go for every ball, to take all the opportunities I can, because a five-time Slam champion is not going to give you the win." This run by Eala also included wins over Grand Slam champions Jelena Ostapenko and Madison Keys, making her the second wild card to beat three Grand Slam champions since Elina Svitolina in Wimbledon 2023. Before her run in the Miami Open, Eala has not beaten any opponent in the Top 40, nor has she faced any Top 20 opponents. Now, she has logged two top 10 victories as of late, and she’s on the semis of the prestigious Miami Open. Breaking Barriers Following her victory, Eala now becomes the third player to reach her first WTA semis in the Miami Open, joining Mary Joe Fernandez in 1988 and Danielle Collins in 2018. To be in this kind of company is a rare feat – something that would actually bring Eala to a promising pace in her games in the long run, and raise the Philippine flag. Tennis isn’t a popular sport in the Philippines, and it is even less popular than badminton as a whole. The country is dominated by basketball for starters, and its national sport, arnis, isn’t as popular as tennis to begin with. So for Eala to win big in such a tournament against tough opponents – she is sure sending a strong message. "I think I was so in the moment, and I made it a point to be in the moment every point that it's hard to realize what just happened,” Eala said. “It's hard to realize that you won the match. I really tried to soak it all in, because this has never happened to me before, and that's why I was looking at the screen. You know, I really wanted to keep that moment in my mind."

With Denis Bouanga out, it is expected that LAFC would not find some winning strides that early to begin with. Instead, the team is seeing some impressive wins lately, thanks to the presence of David Martinez off the bench. It does seem that the Venezuelan teenager is showing off his rising talent, and he could well be the third threat that the team needs to work with in order to spice up their winning chances. Playing on the road with Bouanga, who is out with injury, and missing some key pieces on the offensive end, having Martinez step up in their games is definitely a huge boon to look out for. From promising offensive runs all the way to top handling and even scoring the ball at an incredible pace, one can say that there’s really a lot to expect from Martinez’s sudden rise to action. His stardom with LAFC is starting to skyrocket, and fans are definitely feeling the excitement of the 19-year-old’s rise to dominance now more than ever, and one can say that the Black & Gold are feeling lucky themselves to have such a deep roster where any next man up can step up and prove themselves well on the big stage. Sparking the Offense Martinez has been lauded as one of LAFC’s young experiments – a theme common in soccer clubs as they try to see how one prospect would actually fit with the rest of the team and maybe score a star footballer in the making. At this point, it seems that LAFC is starting to see the fruit of its labors, with Martinez seeing an impeccable rise to the top of the game now more than ever. And one can say that this is indeed a great find for the team once more. As of the time of writing, LAFC soars to the third spot in the Western Conference, tied for points with Austin FC and just three points behind the Vancouver Whitecaps for the first seed. Having Martinez as another potential star could well be a promising note that they can look out for with the way this team is evolving as another contender to look out for. While it is still early, with just five games played into the season, it is expected that Martinez will play a huge role in how they can find their path to the playoffs now more than ever. Who knows, maybe it will be Martinez who will be making a bigger impact heading into the later stages of the season. Blending with Bouanga For LAFC, the potential pairing of David Martínez and Denis Bouanga could be the spark that propels the team to new heights. As Martínez rises to prominence, his combination with Bouanga could create one of the most exciting duos in Major League Soccer. Martínez is a creative, intelligent playmaker who thrives on the ball. He’s got the vision to make incisive passes and is capable of dictating the tempo from midfield. On the other hand, Bouanga is the explosive, direct force in the final third. His blistering pace, flair, and ability to take on defenders make him a constant threat. Bouanga is more about creating chaos and finishing chances, using his agility to get into dangerous positions. Whether it’s scoring goals on the break, controlling the midfield, or simply making life difficult for opposing defenders, Martínez and Bouanga could become one of the most feared combinations in MLS. LAFC fans have a lot to look forward to in the coming months as this dynamic duo looks set to light up the league and lead LAFC to new successes.

The Esports World Cup 2025 returns with a much bigger set of games to be played on the big stage, and it only means that there’s going to be indeed more impressive showdowns and games that will unfold with an expected total of 25 titles coming in. The top esports organizations from all over the world are definitely coming in hot now more than ever. The success of the Esports World Cup 2024 was highly unprecedented. In fact, it featured a whopping total of 1,500 players and 200 clubs from 100 different countries – alluding to 22 tournaments organized on over 21 games that featured a collective prize pool of a whopping $60 million in total. Across eight weeks of action, the EWC 2024 managed to bring in 500 million viewers and 2.6 million attendees overall. Considering how the 2025 edition is being hyped at a grand scale, and with four new games being added to the mix of the original lineup, it does seem that there is indeed going to be a much bigger hype in the coming months as the Esports World Cup 2025 builds its momentum with a lot of teams expected to come up with blazing campaigns in the coming months. Hyping the Big Stage The EWC 2025 has already opened up its Weekly All-Access Passes for the audience, and it means fans can now secure their experience on the Esports World Cup. As with the previous edition, the EWC will be once again held in the Boulevard City in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. This will be hosted by the EWCF and ESL FACEIT Group and is set to feature a total of 25 games, with each having its own independent format and prize pool. The Esports World Cup 2025 is expected to include 25 games, but the event organizers have yet to confirm two titles. Here are the confirmed titles for the said event. Honor of Kings Call of Duty Black Ops 6 Call of Duty Warzone Free Fire Street Fighter 6 Dota 2 Rainbow Six Siege Counter-Strike 2 PUBG Mobile EA Sports FC 25 Overwatch 2 Apex Legends Mobile Legends: Bang Bang Mobile Legends: Women Rocket League Chess Rennsport PUBG Battlegrounds Crossfire Fatal Fury League of Legends Teamfight Tactics Valorant For starters, StarCraft II, Fortnite, and Tekken 8 are all not yet determined to be in the mix for the set of games in this year’s edition despite being played in 2024. A total of six games are also added to the game roster, spearheaded by Chess. Impressive Changes in EWC There is still no update on the final set of prize pools for each game, although the likes of Counter-Strike 2 ($1,250,000), Black Ops 6 ($1,800,000), League of Legends ($2,000,000), Rocket League ($1,000,000) and Overwatch ($1,000,000) all have confirmed prize pools as of the time of writing. The string of tournaments also begins with Valorant at the front schedule from July 7-13, along with other titles. There will be at least seven weeks of action, with the final week from August 18-24 featuring FPS Veterans Showdown with Counter-Strike 2 at the helm. All signs point towards an exciting experience in the Esports World Cup 2025, and it cannot be denied that this is going to be one of the biggest esports events in the world in the years to come as the games continue to join the hype while also attracting major sponsors and high viewership rates time and time again.

When you’re a young star on the rise in the ATP Tour, fatigue shouldn’t be an excuse, especially in long, drawn-out heavy showdowns in the tournaments. That was exactly the case when Carlos Alcaraz fell short in his Miami Open run, and it is safe to say that he’s not feeling 100% for his game with the way he has played in the past few tournaments. After failing to defend his title in the Indian Wells Open, Carlos Alcaraz made sure to note his mistakes come up with a better groove, and start winning titles again heading into the second leg of the Sunshine Double. However, that would not be the case as the world no. 3 was caught off-guard and got knocked out of the tournament at the hands of David Goffin. Now, it seems that the focus for Alcaraz is to work out on his issues – and get back on track as soon as possible as he is dropping points. That is not favorable, especially when you’ve got a window to make the most of your chances before Jannik Sinner returns from his doping ban and finally gets back into play. Fatigue Kicking In? Playing in his 90th Masters 1000 tournament, Alcaraz was expected to go off on a blazing pace and keep a strong attack to make the most of his chances. However, the unexpected fatigue coming from his legs in the second set combined with the inconsistency he’s played for most of the match, that is really a bummer – and a rare sight to see considering that he’s barely entered his 20s. “Simply, the guy played great tennis,” World No. 3 Alcaraz said in his press conference. “I didn’t make the most of the chances he gave me and in the end, tennis is based on taking opportunities. If you don’t make the most of them, you allow your opponent to relax and play with confidence. I think that’s what happened today.” Alcaraz was only able to reach deuce twice whenever he is returning the serve. Goffin was able to break him four times in their match as a whole. Credit to the Belgian star, he did put Alcaraz on his heels and was playing catch-up for most of the clash. “It’s true that I didn’t play well and my level was poor, but you have to give some credit to David," Alcaraz added. "I think he has a game that’s hard to play, even though it may not look like it. It’s hard to face. Tonight he was very solid from start to finish. I thought his level would drop a little, but because I didn’t put him under pressure, I think he stayed confident throughout and it didn’t drop.” The Desire to Do Well Alcaraz has not won a tournament to begin his 2025 season yet. That says a lot about how the pace is going for the young star considering that he is already making a strong push in his games last year. The only thing that is keeping him from a big stride is, well, himself. “How am I feeling? Dreadful. Dreadful because of this defeat and because this is a tournament I always want to do well at, and losing my first match hurts,” added Alcaraz, who had not fallen at the first hurdle at this event since his first appearance in 2021. The season is still young for Alcaraz to worry about. The tour is slated to head for one of the most pivotal stretches of the season – the grass and the clay courts are still waiting. Both of those surfaces are Alcaraz’s domains, which should give him a boost once more.

As the Detroit Tigers continue to rebuild and retool their roster in hopes of returning to postseason contention, two names loom large in the team’s pitching future: Jackson Jobe and Casey Mize. These two young arms are expected to play pivotal roles in the Tigers’ pitching staff in 2025 and beyond. With the Tigers focusing on improving their starting rotation and bolstering their bullpen, Jobe and Mize could be the cornerstone pieces that help restore Detroit’s place in the upper echelon of MLB pitching. Neither Jackson Jobe nor Casey Mize fit the traditional mold of back-of-the-rotation pitchers, a clear indication of the impressive depth the Tigers have cultivated, primarily through their own developmental system. Jobe, following his late-season debut and postseason experience last September and October, has shown the kind of growth Detroit was hoping for, further solidifying his status as a key building block for the future. Meanwhile, Mize, now fully healthy, has overhauled his pitching arsenal, and with renewed confidence, is making a compelling case for a spot among the Tigers' top five starting options heading into the 2025 season. The Hopes of Bigger Talent The pairing of Jobe and Mize in the Tigers’ rotation could create a dynamic 1-2 punch for the team. Mize, with his polished approach and experience, can guide Jobe through the challenges of a major league season, while Jobe’s electric stuff provides a complementary dynamic to Mize’s more refined pitch mix. Both pitchers have the potential to evolve into aces, and their partnership could form the foundation of a Tigers pitching staff that, in the coming years, could be one of the league’s most formidable. With a solid mix of experience and raw talent, they provide a dual threat that would be tough for opposing teams to overcome. The Detroit Tigers have made significant strides in their rebuild, and the addition of Mize and Jobe to the pitching staff is a major step in their journey back to relevancy. With the right development and health, these two arms could spearhead the Tigers’ return to contention in the AL Central and beyond. The 2025 season will be an exciting one for Detroit fans, with Mize and Jobe expected to play leading roles in the team’s resurgence. The Tigers' future may very well hinge on the shoulders of these two young pitchers, and if they can reach their full potential, Detroit could soon find itself back in the postseason picture. Jackson Jobe: An Ace to Watch Out For Jobe’s fastball-slider combination is already highly regarded, with the ability to generate swings and misses across the strike zone. His slider, in particular, is considered one of the best breaking balls in his age group. On top of his pitch selection, Jobe's maturity on the mound and his poise in high-pressure situations set him apart from other young pitchers. The Tigers have been lacking a true ace for years, and Jobe has the potential to fill that void. While it may take time for him to adjust to the big leagues, his skill set is already MLB-ready, and his stuff is elite enough to make him a frontline starter for years to come. Jobe’s arrival gives the Tigers a fresh face and a new energy in their rotation. His youth and drive could reinvigorate the team and provide a boost to the clubhouse, especially for other younger players like Tarik Skubal.

Alex Ovechkin has proved himself to be the gritty star that many fans have praised him for years, and his success with the Washington Capitals can already be called a career at this point and he’d still earn a shot at the Hall of Fame without any doubt. However, it seems that he wants to cap off his legendary career by surpassing Wayne Gretzky’s scoring record in the NHL. At the age of 39, nothing is already surprising for Alex Ovechkin. He gets injured? Well, he always comes back stronger than ever. He has a scoring slump? Well, he gets over it in just a short period of time. With Gretzky’s record standing at 894, it seems that Ovechkin may well be bringing the thunder in his next few games as he seeks to break the scoring record and set a new dynamic in the NHL as he continues to play at a higher level. Before this week, Ovechkin was sitting at 887 goals total, and he came up with a huge performance to close the gap now more than ever. With the way he is pacing in the game right now – he could both break the scoring record and even set a bigger number in the long run, and then bring a huge finish by the end of the season by also leading the Washington Capitals to a coveted championship. The Race to the Record Alex Ovechkin has been focused on breaking the scoring record, and he has even partnered with the Hockey Fights Cancer and the V Foundation for Cancer Research to launch "THE GR8 CHASE for Victory Over Cancer.” This campaign will see the star donate a dollar amount equal to the goal total he scores all the way to end of his career. Monumental Sports & Entertainment, which owns the Capitals, will match every donation. "It's just a matter of time, whether it's late this year, early next year, whenever," Gretzky told NHL.com earlier this season about Ovechkin's chances of breaking his record. "I mean, he's a great player. He's a great goal scorer." It can be remebered that Alex Ovechkin opened the season with 853 career goals in tow. He was blazing hot in his early games of the season, coming up with 15 goals in 18 games. Ovechkin did suffer a broken fibula back in November, leading him to miss five weeks of action. However, that did not do anything to hamper his goal-hunting pace at all. In fact, Ovechkin scored four goals in his first five games coming off injury. To come up with a strong scoring run in his return from such an injury says a lot about the expectations set before him, which certainly brings a promising dynamic for the star’s hopes of proving his worth better than ever. A Chance at a Title? As of the time of writing, the Washington Capitals are the only team to have clinched a playoff spot so far – and that says a lot about how they are doing better than he 48-win Winnipeg Jets, who have just played a game more than the Caps so far. Being able to clinch ahead of last year’s contenders in the Edmonton Oilers and champions Florida Panthers, one can say that Ovechkin has played a huge role in leading the charge – and the Capitals are reaping all the massive benefits now more than ever. Who knows, maybe this could end up as a massive season to remember for Alex Ovechkin, who is definitely going to clinch that scoring record anytime this week. After all, another championship could only add to his already legendary career.

The Cleveland Cavaliers have led the league with the best record for most of the season. While they are toe-to-toe with the Oklahoma City Thunder on the other side of the NBA in the Western Conference, one can say that the struggles that the Cavaliers are facing right now are really concerning for a historic first seed in the NBA now more than ever. As one of the only two teams to reach 50 wins in the Western Conference this season, it cannot be denied that the Cleveland Cavaliers have some high expectations with the way they are playing right now. From shocking massive contenders in the East and putting up huge showdowns against the West, one can say that the team has been really cracking up huge records as of late. However, late losses to a mix of struggling and competitive teams such as the Orlando Magic, Los Angeles Clippers, Sacramento Kings, and the Phoenix Suns mean a lot – especially when it's four in a row. Never have we seen a team start a season with a high energy and come up with huge energy only to come up with four losses in a row late in the season with just 11 games to play. A Promising Season Donovan Mitchell as emerged as a huge MVP candidate behind the likes of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Nikola Jokic, Darius Garland has risen to star status, and Evan Mobley has evolved into a two-way beast. One can say that the Cavaliers are having a dream season following a second-round exit at the hands of then-champions Boston Celtics. It cannot be stressed enough that they have enjoyed massive victories over the season – three winning streaks of at least 15 wins, including a recent one that ended at sweet 16. There have been a lot of expectations for the Cavaliers, and they have certainly smashed it without any stoppage. What’s impressive is that they are the first team to clinch a playoff spot. First to claim a total of 50 wins – and the first and only team to achieve three winning streaks of 15 in a row in a single season. That strong chemistry and impressive dynamic that the Cavaliers are bringing behind head coach Kenny Atkinson is promising for a lot of critics, and they are certainly bringing the fight to everyone that comes their way. Concerning Late Struggles However, the Cavaliers’ season is also peppered with a lot of problems and issues. There’s Donovan Mitchell’s lack of spark when it comes to playing against top-five teams in the league, and then there’s their lack of impressive scoring in recent games – where they have been really great especially in the first half. The awful shooting has been in display as the Cavaliers have lost four in a row for the first time this season, and one can say that it gets alarming as the playoffs come close with just a few more weeks to go. Now more than ever, it is an issue that they need to resolve at this point in time. Sure, they have won a game against a tanking team in the Utah Jazz today, but losing four of the last five says a lot, especially after coming off a 16-game winning streak that many fans and critics have praised so far, and that is definitely an alarming thing to note with the NBA season coming into an epic close now more than ever.