The Florida Panthers are in prime form, having won four straight games, and they just got even stronger. After acquiring All-Star defenseman Seth Jones, the defending Stanley Cup champions are laser-focused on securing the top spot in the Atlantic Division. Their next challenge? The surprising Columbus Blue Jackets, who are battling for a wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference. The two teams met once earlier this season, with the Panthers claiming a tight 4-3 victory in Columbus back in October. Thursday’s matchup in Sunrise, Florida, promises to be a high-stakes battle between a Stanley Cup contender and a Blue Jackets team fighting to stay in playoff position. Jones, a five-time All-Star defenseman, made his Panthers debut in Monday’s 2-1 win

The Houston Rockets will look to snap their losing streak and regain momentum when they visit the New Orleans Pelicans on Thursday in the first of a two-game set between the Southwest Division rivals. Houston remains in the No. 5 spot in the Western Conference, but the team has struggled since the All-Star break, going just 3-4 and losing its last three games. Additionally, the Rockets have dropped their last eight road contests, with their last away win coming on Jan. 28 in Atlanta. They have lost 11 of 16 overall since that victory. In their latest outing, a 115-102 loss to the Indiana Pacers on Tuesday, the Rockets trailed 67-57 at halftime, frustrating head coach Ime Udoka. Despite their

When the New York Knicks and Los Angeles Lakers last met on Feb. 1, it was a night that altered the NBA landscape. The Lakers won 128-112 in New York, but the real shockwave came with reports that Los Angeles had acquired Luka Doncic from the Dallas Mavericks. Since Doncic made his Lakers debut on Feb. 10, Los Angeles has gone 8-2, continuing its dominant stretch that started even before the blockbuster trade. Going back to Jan. 21, the Lakers have posted an impressive 17-3 record. Their latest victory came on Tuesday, a 136-115 rout of the New Orleans Pelicans, where Doncic put up 30 points and 15 assists. He joined elite company, becoming one of just four Lakers to

Orlando star Paolo Banchero believes the Magic need to do some soul-searching to regain their “swag” as they prepare to host the Chicago Bulls on Thursday night. Thursday’s matchup marks the end of a seven-game homestand for Orlando. What began as an opportunity to climb above .500 has turned into a desperate attempt to avoid a fifth straight loss. The Magic suffered another heartbreaking defeat on Tuesday, falling 114-113 to the Toronto Raptors for the second time in three days, with both losses decided by a combined three points. Banchero was a bright spot against Toronto, delivering a stellar 41-point, eight-rebound, and eight-assist performance. However, the Magic struggled in the third quarter, getting outscored 31-19, including a devastating 22-4 Raptors