March 10, 2022

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The Nets and Sixers meet for the first time since each team swapped disgruntled superstars. It might be the most anticipated regular-season game of the year — even with Ben Simmons watching from the bench.

PSG Out of UCL Again Despite 2nd-Highest Transfer Sum

UEFA Champions League/Design: John Regula

Paris Saint-Germain’s colossal spending couldn’t save them from yet another massively disappointing Champions League exit.

At a total of $916.2 million, the French giants have spent the second-most transfer money worldwide to build [[link removed]] their current squad — behind only Manchester City [[link removed]] ($1.1B).

Up 2-0 on aggregate in their second-leg matchup against Real Madrid ($582.5M), PSG allowed a second-half hat-trick to Karim Benzema and crashed out in the UCL Round of 16 for the fourth time in six seasons.

Even with a lone bright spot, the superstar attacking trio simply didn’t work.

PSG paid Barcelona the highest transfer fee of all time ($244.2M) for Neymar in 2017. The Brazilian went scoreless this UCL campaign, contributing two assists.Lionel Messi, who notoriously left Barça on a free transfer in 2021, scored five goals over the campaign but generally played below his stratospheric standards.Kylian Mbappe was the second-most-expensive transfer ever ($159.5M) and led the team with four assists and six goals — including the only two against Madrid — during UCL play.

And to twist the knife further, Mbappe appears intent on leaving PSG for their conquerors.

The 23-year-old reportedly [[link removed]] rejected a $188 million offer from PSG that would have made him one of the world’s highest-paid footballers.

Now, Real are gearing up to offer the French superstar a huge contract once his deal expires this summer.

How the Suns’ Current Success Started in the Bubble

Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports/Design: John Regula

A few seasons ago, the Suns finished dead last in the West (19-63). Now they’re 53-13 and the first team to clinch a postseason spot.

They’ve been nearly unstoppable since an 8-0 run in the Orlando bubble ended an otherwise lackluster 2019-20 season — a streak that now appears to have been a turning point.

The bubble streak made a strong enough impression to compel [[link removed]] GM James Jones to keep those core pieces with one essential addition: Chris Paul. The result was a Finals appearance last year and the current best odds (+380*) to win their first NBA title.

The Suns have won 75% of their games — 126-42 record — since the bubble, including playoffs.They’re 22-9 against teams above .500 and 27-5 in “clutch” games — both best in the Association.Their payroll ($136.4) ranks just 13th in the NBA.They have an 8.5-game lead over the 2-seed Grizzlies.

Jones allocated $48 million (35%) of the payroll to leading scorer Devin Booker (25.6 PPG), glue guy and iron man [[link removed]] Mikal Bridges, G League success story Cameron Payne, and sharpshooter Cameron Johnson (44.8% 3PT, tied-2nd in NBA).

Deandre Ayton ($12.6M) and Frank Kaminsky ($2M) were also part of the 2019-20 squad forged in the bubble.

The Suns would need to finish 10-6 to set a new franchise-record for wins in a season (62) from 2004-05. There’s little reason to doubt them.

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Colts Have Cap Space But No Starting QB

Marc Lebryk-USA TODAY Sports/Design: John Regula

On Wednesday, the Colts ended the failed Carson Wentz experiment, sending the veteran quarterback to the Washington Commanders in exchange for three draft picks.

Since Peyton Manning’s departure in 2010 and Andrew Luck’s stunning early retirement in 2019, Indy has been on a QB carousel [[link removed]].

According to the NFL [[link removed]], the Colts are the only team in league history to go four consecutive seasons with a different QB starting 15-plus games: Luck, Jacoby Brissett, Philip Rivers, and Wentz.

Wentz arguably cost them a playoff appearance, and he’ll affect them in the 2022 draft — though there is a silver lining.

They hold nine selections, but don’t have a first-round pick — because they sent it to the Eagles for Wentz.But Washington will pay the full $28M due Wentz, leaving the Colts with the most cap space ($69.3M).With Sam Ehlinger and James Morgan the only QBs on the roster, Indy currently has the league’s lowest combined cap hit ($1.7M) at the position.

The Colts aren’t likely to land their next franchise QB in this draft, so GM Chris Ballard will have to find the 2022 starter via free agency — Mitchell Trubisky, Jameis Winston, Marcus Mariota — or a trade.

Possible trade candidates include the 49ers’ Jimmy Garoppolo, who is in the final year of a five-year, $137.5 million contract ($27M cap hit), the Raiders’ Derek Carr ($20M), or the Vikings’ Kirk Cousins ($45M).

Making Headlines

Tiger Woods-Twitter/Design: John Regula

Golf: Tiger Woods was officially inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame; the 15-time major winner was introduced at the ceremony by his daughter, Sam.

MLB: On Day 99 of the lockout, the league and union agreed to negotiate on an international amateur draft, possibly paving the way for a new CBA and a 162-game regular season.

NFL: The Commanders will cut veteran S Landon Collins, saving approximately $6.6 million against the cap.

NCAAM: Coach Bruce Weber is stepping down after 10 seasons with Kansas State, finishing 184-147 (82-98 in Big 12).

NBA: Brandon Ingram is out at least 7-10 days with a hamstring injury; the Pelicans are the play-in 10-seed.

Today's Action

NHL

07:08 PM

Jets (+110) at Devils (-130)

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NBA

10:10 PM

Warriors (-130) at Nuggets (+110)

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NHL

07:08 PM

Avalanche (-125) at Hurricanes (+105)

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*All times are EST unless otherwise noted.

*Odds/lines subject to change. T&Cs apply. See [[link removed]] for details.

Written by Doug Greenberg [[link removed]], Anthony Puccio [[link removed]], Chris Kuc [[link removed]]

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