25 Feb

Top DraftKings, FanDuel daily Fantasy basketball picks for Thursday, Feb. 22 include Nikola Jokic

The NBA returns to competitive action on Thursday after a week off from regular-season contests. Depending on who you ask, the NBA All-Star Game may or may not count as competitive action, so all players should have received significant rest since last taking the floor for their teams last week. The rested NBA DFS player pool, combined with a 12-game slate, means there are many avenues daily Fantasy basketball players can take when forming their NBA DFS strategy and NBA DFS lineups on sites like FanDuel and DraftKings.

Should you form your NBA DFS lineup with elite superstars such as Luka Doncic, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jayson Tatum with some significantly cheaper pieces for NBA DFS picks? Or, could a strong NBA DFS strategy feature taking many similarly priced players for a balanced lineup? The return from the All-Star break doesn’t come at the exact midway point of the NBA season, but it often creates an increased sense or urgency for the postseason push, so how should that affect your NBA DFS strategy? Before making your NBA DFS picks, be sure to check out the NBA DFS advice, player rankings, stacks, and top daily Fantasy basketball picks from SportsLine’s Mike McClure.

McClure is a DFS professional with more than $2 million in career winnings. He’s also a predictive data engineer at SportsLine who uses a powerful prediction model that simulates every minute of every game 10,000 times, taking factors like matchups, statistical trends and injuries into account.

This allows him to find the best NBA DFS values and create optimal lineups that he shares only over at SportsLine. They’re a must-see for any NBA DFS player.

On the Thursday before the NBA All-Star break, McClure highlighted Jazz guard Keyonte George as one of his top picks in his NBA DFS player pool on both sites. The result: George had 33 points, two rebounds, six assists and three steals, returning 54 points on DraftKings and 51.4 points on FanDuel. Anybody who included him in their lineups was well on the way to a profitable day.

McClure has turned his attention to NBA action on Thursday and locked in his top daily Fantasy basketball picks. You can only see them by heading to SportsLine.

Top NBA DFS picks for Thursday, February 22
For Thursday, one of McClure’s top NBA DFS picks is Nuggets center Nikola Jokic, who is listed at $11,600 on DraftKings and $12,100 on FanDuel. Jokic is having another MVP-caliber season, posting 26.1 points with 12 rebounds and 8.9 assists per contest. The 6-foot-11 center is fourth in the NBA in rebounds and assists this season, and a rested Jokic will likely be a dangerous Jokic on Thursday night.

Jokic is averaging the second-most rebounds over his eight-year career while averaging at least 26 points for the third time in the last four seasons. The six-time All-Star is about as safe of a play as there is on a nightly basis for NBA DFS lineups due to his ability to contribute in every aspect of the game offensively. The Nuggets play the Wizards, who are allowing the most points in the NBA (123.9 ppg). The two-time NBA MVP had 42 points, 12 rebounds and eight assists in his first meeting of the year against Washington and is averaging 38.7 points, 12.7 rebounds and 7.7 assists over his last three games against the Wizards.

Another part of McClure’s optimal NBA DFS strategy includes again rostering Jazz guard George ($4,700 on DraftKings and $5,800 on FanDuel). Even after scoring 33 points with six assists on Thursday in his final game before the NBA All-Star break, George’s price remains relatively unchanged on sites like FanDuel and DraftKings. The No. 16 overall pick in the NBA Draft has taken on a much larger role in recent contests, scoring at least 10 points in nine of his last 10 games while averaging six assists over his last four contests.

The 20-year-old is averaging 11.7 points and 4.3 assists per game and has played at least 29 minutes in each of his last four games. The Jazz play the Hornets, who turned a 10-game losing streak into a three-game winning streak before the All-Star break. But still, the Hornets are allowing the seventh-most ppg (119.4), and George had 10 points in only 13 minutes in their first meeting this season. With George receiving a much larger workload now than he did in the first meeting, McClure expects the rookie to continue to outperform his price tag for NBA DFS lineups on Thursday. See McClure’s other NBA DFS picks right here.

How to set your NBA DFS lineups for Thursday, February 22
McClure is also targeting a player who could go off for massive numbers on Thursday because of a dream matchup. This pick could be the difference between winning your tournaments and cash games or going home with nothing. You can only see who it is here.

24 Jan

2024 NBA picks, January 21 predictions from proven model

We’ve got another exciting Western Conference matchup on the NBA schedule as the Los Angeles Lakers and the Portland Trail Blazers are set to tip at 10 p.m. ET on Sunday at Crypto.com Arena. Los Angeles is 21-22 overall and 15-8 at home, while Portland is 12-29 overall and 5-17 on the road. The Lakers won the two previous matchups between these teams this season.

For Sunday, Los Angeles is favored by 10.5 points in the latest Lakers vs. Trail Blazers odds, and the over/under is 228 points. Before entering any Lakers vs. Trail Blazers picks, you’ll want to see the NBA predictions from the model at SportsLine.

The SportsLine Projection Model simulates every NBA game 10,000 times and has returned well over $10,000 in profit for $100 players on its top-rated NBA picks over the past five-plus seasons. The model enters Week 13 of the 2023-24 NBA season on a sizzling 42-23 roll on all top-rated NBA picks this season, returning nearly $2,000. Anyone following it has seen huge returns.

The model has set its sights on Portland vs. Los Angeles. You can head to SportsLine to see its picks. Here are several NBA betting lines for the game:

Lakers vs. Trail Blazers spread: Lakers -10.5
Lakers vs. Trail Blazers over/under: 228 points
Lakers vs. Trail Blazers money line: Lakers: -542, Trail Blazers: +400
Lakers vs. Trail Blazers picks: See picks here
What you need to know about the Lakers
The point spread may have favored the Lakers last Friday, but the final result did not. They received a tough blow as they fell 130-112 to the Brooklyn Nets despite entering the game favored by 7 points. Anthony Davis put forth a good effort for the losing side as he dropped a double-double with 26 points and 12 rebounds. LeBron James also had a double-double with 24 points and 11 rebounds.

However, both players are listed as questionable for Sunday’s matchup, with Davis currently day-to-day because of an Achilles injury while James is day-to-day with an ankle issue. However, Portland has injury issues of its own to deal with, as Shaedon Sharpe (adductor) has been ruled out and Anfernee Simons (illness) and Scoot Henderson (nasal contusion) are questionable.

What you need to know about the Trail Blazers
The Trail Blazers have not had quite the year their fans were hoping for to this point, but back-to-back wins may be a sign of good things to come. They narrowly escaped with a win as the squad sidled past Indiana 118-115 on Friday.

The Trail Blazers can attribute much of their success to Jerami Grant, who scored 37 points, and Malcolm Brogdon, who scored 30 points to go along with seven rebounds and six assists. They’ll have to continue to carry a heavy scoring load with Sharpe out and Simons/Henderson ailing.

How to make Lakers vs. Trail Blazers picks
The model has simulated Lakers vs. Trail Blazers 10,000 times and the results are in. We can tell you that the model is leaning Under and it’s also generated a point-spread pick that hits nearly 60% of the time. You can only see the pick at SportsLine.

24 Jan

2024 NBA picks, January 21 predictions from proven model

The Washington Wizards will face off against the Denver Nuggets at 6 p.m. ET on Sunday at Capital One Arena. Washington is 7-34 overall and 3-15 at home, while Denver is 29-14 overall and 12-10 on the road. Washington limps into Sunday’s showdown having lost nine of its last 10 games.

The Nuggets are favored by 13.5 points in the latest Wizards vs. Nuggets odds, and the over/under is 238.5 points. Before entering any Nuggets vs. Wizards picks, you’ll want to see the NBA predictions from the proven computer model at SportsLine.

The SportsLine Projection Model simulates every NBA game 10,000 times and has returned well over $10,000 in profit for $100 players on its top-rated NBA picks over the past five-plus seasons. The model enters Week 13 of the 2023-24 NBA season on a sizzling 42-23 roll on all top-rated NBA picks this season, returning nearly $2,000. Anyone following it has seen huge returns.

The model has set its sights on Denver vs. Washington. You can head to SportsLine to see its picks. Here are several NBA betting lines for the game:

Wizards vs. Nuggets spread: Wizards +13.5
Wizards vs. Nuggets over/under: 238.5 points
Wizards vs. Nuggets money line: Wizards: +629, Nuggets: -967
Wizards vs. Nuggets picks: See picks here
What you need to know about the Wizards
The Wizards’ recent rough patch got a bit rougher on Saturday after their third straight loss. They took a 131-127 hit to the loss column at the hands of San Antonio. The Wizards didn’t live up to their potential and found themselves falling short of the advantage oddsmakers thought they had coming into the game.

Even though they lost, the Wizards were smashing the offensive glass and finished the game with 14 offensive rebounds. That’s the most offensive rebounds they’ve managed all season.

What you need to know about the Nuggets
The Celtics typically have all the answers at home, but on Friday the Nuggets proved too difficult a challenge. They skirted past the Celtics 102-100. The victory came about thanks to a strong surge starting at the 3:30 mark of the second quarter when the Nuggets were facing a 58-46 deficit.

The Nuggets can attribute much of their success to Jamal Murray, who scored 35 points along with eight rebounds and five assists, and Nikola Jokic, who almost dropped a triple-double with 34 points, 12 rebounds, and nine assists. For the season, Jokic is averaging 25.7 points, 11.9 rebounds and 9.1 assists per game.

How to make Wizards vs. Nuggets picks
The model has simulated Wizards vs. Nuggets 10,000 times and the results are in. We can tell you that the model is leaning Over, and it’s also generated a point-spread pick that hits in almost 60% of simulations. You can only see the pick at SportsLine.

24 Jan

2024 NBA picks, January 21 predictions from proven model

We’ve got another exciting Southeast Division matchup on the NBA schedule as the Orlando Magic and the Miami Heat are set to tip at 6 p.m. ET on Sunday at the Kia Center. Orlando is 22-20 overall and 13-6 at home, while Miami is 24-18 overall and 12-10 on the road. The Heat have dominated this series in recent years, winning eight of the last 10 meetings against the Magic.

The Heat are favored by 1 point in the latest Magic vs. Heat odds, and the over/under is 215 points. Before entering any Heat vs. Magic picks, you’ll want to see the NBA predictions from the advanced computer model at SportsLine.

The SportsLine Projection Model simulates every NBA game 10,000 times and has returned well over $10,000 in profit for $100 players on its top-rated NBA picks over the past five-plus seasons. The model enters Week 13 of the 2023-24 NBA season on a sizzling 42-23 roll on all top-rated NBA picks this season, returning nearly $2,000. Anyone following it has seen huge returns.

The model has set its sights on Miami vs. Orlando. You can head to SportsLine to see its picks. Here are several NBA betting lines for the game:

Magic vs. Heat spread: Magic +1
Magic vs. Heat over/under: 215 points
Magic vs. Heat money line: Magic: -105, Heat: -115
Magic vs. Heat picks: See picks here
What you need to know about the Magic
Orlando lost to Philadelphia at home by a decisive 124-109 margin on Friday. The Magic have not had much luck with the 76ers recently, as the team’s come up short the last two times they’ve met. The Magic’s loss came about despite a quality game from Wendell Carter Jr., who dropped a double-double with 25 points and 11 rebounds. Carter Jr. continues to roll, besting his previous point total in each of the last four games he’s played.

The Magic limp into Sunday’s showdown having lost five of their last six games. However, Orlando is 7-3 against the spread in its last 10 games against an opponent from the Eastern Conference.

What you need to know about the Heat
Meanwhile, the point spread may have favored the Heat on Friday, but the final result did not. They lost 109-108 to Atlanta on a last-minute jump shot From Dejounte Murray. The Heat have now suffered a loss in back-to-back games.

Jimmy Butler put forth a good effort for the losing side as he scored 25 points along with six assists and five rebounds. For the season, Butler is averaging 21.3 points, 5.0 rebounds and 4.5 assists per game. He’s knocking down 48.2% of his field goals and 37.7% of his 3-point attempts.

How to make Magic vs. Heat picks
The model has simulated Magic vs. Heat 10,000 times and the results are in. We can tell you that the model is leaning Over, and it’s also generated a point-spread pick that hits in over 60% of simulations. You can only see the pick at SportsLine.

24 Jan

2024 NBA picks, January 21 predictions from proven model

The Houston Rockets will face off against the Boston Celtics at 7 p.m. ET on Sunday at the Toyota Center. Houston is 20-21 overall and 16-6 at home, while Boston is 32-10 overall and 12-9 on the road. The Celtics are 15-5 in their last 20 games, while the Rockets are 2-5 in their last seven contests.

The Celtics are favored by 11 points in the latest Rockets vs. Celtics odds, and the over/under is set at 227 points. Before entering any Celtics vs. Rockets picks, you’ll want to see the NBA predictions from the advanced computer model at SportsLine.

The SportsLine Projection Model simulates every NBA game 10,000 times and has returned well over $10,000 in profit for $100 players on its top-rated NBA picks over the past five-plus seasons. The model enters Week 13 of the 2023-24 NBA season on a sizzling 42-23 roll on all top-rated NBA picks this season, returning nearly $2,000. Anyone following it has seen huge returns.

The model has set its sights on Boston vs. Houston. You can head to SportsLine to see its picks. Here are several NBA betting lines for the game:

Rockets vs. Celtics spread: Rockets +11
Rockets vs. Celtics over/under: 227 points
Rockets vs. Celtics money line: Rockets: +428, Celtics: -588
Rockets vs. Celtics picks: See picks here
What you need to know about the Rockets
The Rockets had to suffer through a three-game losing streak, but that streak is no more. In a tight game that could have gone either way, Houston made off with a 127-126 victory over Utah.

The Rockets can attribute much of their success to Alperen Sengun, who dropped a double-double with 37 points and 14 rebounds. Another player making a difference was Jabari Smith, who dropped a double-double with 24 points and 10 rebounds.

What you need to know about the Celtics
Meanwhile, the Celtics unfortunately witnessed the end of their three-game winning streak on Friday. They fell just short of Denver by a score of 102-100. The Celtics didn’t live up to their potential and found themselves falling short of the advantage oddsmakers thought they had coming into the game.

Even though the team lost, the Celtics still had their share of impressive performances. One of the most dominant came from Derrick White, who scored 24 points along with five assists. He continues to roll, besting his previous point total in each of the last three games he’s played.

How to make Rockets vs. Celtics picks
The model has simulated Rockets vs. Celtics 10,000 times and the results are in. We can tell you that the model is leaning Under, and it’s also generated a point-spread pick that hits in well over 60% of simulations. You can only see the pick at SportsLine.

24 Jan

2024 NBA picks, Jan. 21 best bets by proven model

The Los Angeles Clippers (26-14) will host the Brooklyn Nets (17-24) in a cross-conference affair on Sunday afternoon. This is the second and final regular season meeting of the year for these two teams. On Nov. 8, Brooklyn defeated the Clippers 100-93. The Nets lead the all-time series 54-45 over Los Angeles.

Tip-off is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. ET at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles. The Clippers are a 10.5-point favorite in the latest Nets vs. Clippers odds via SportsLine consensus, while the over/under for total points scored is 226. Before making any Clippers vs, Nets picks, you’ll want to see the NBA predictions and betting advice from the proven computer model at SportsLine.

The SportsLine Projection Model simulates every NBA game 10,000 times and has returned well over $10,000 in profit for $100 players on its top-rated NBA picks over the past five-plus seasons. The model enters Week 13 of the 2023-24 NBA season on a sizzling 42-23 roll on all top-rated NBA picks this season, returning nearly $2,000. Anyone following it has seen huge returns.

Now, the model has set its sights on Nets vs. Clippers and just locked in its picks and NBA predictions. You can head to SportsLine now to see the model’s picks. Here are several NBA odds and betting lines for Clippers vs. Nets:

Nets vs. Clippers spread: Los Angeles -10.5
Nets vs. Clippers over/under: 226 points
Nets vs. Clippers money line: Los Angeles -556, Brooklyn +408
LAC: The Clippers are 7-3 ATS in their last 10 games
BK: The Nets are 1-10 ATS in their last 11 games on the road
Nets vs. Clippers picks: See picks at SportsLine
Why the Clippers can cover
Forward Kawhi Leonard is a complete threat for the Clippers. Leonard is nearly automatic from the mid-range area and has the instinct to consistently jump into passing lanes. The five-time All-Star is averaging 23.8 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 3.8 assists per contest. He has scored 26 or more points in two of his last four games.

Guard James Harden has found a home in Los Angeles. Harden can still create his own shot but has the court vision to be a reliable playmaker. The 10-time All-Star ranks sixth in the league in assists (8.4) to go along with 16.9 points per game. He’s notched at least eight assists in 12 straight games. In his previous game, Harden finished with 16 points and eight assists. See which team to pick here.

Why the Nets can cover
Forward Mikal Bridges is one of the main contributors on both ends of the floor. Bridges plays suffocating defense due to his light feet and superb length. The Villanova product also excels at scoring in transition. Bridges averages 21.3 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 3.7 assists per game. On Jan. 15 versus the Heat, he finished with 26 points, nine boards, and six assists.

Guard Cam Thomas provides Brooklyn with a natural scorer. Thomas is an effortless three-level scorer and owns a quick first step. The LSU product logs 20.6 points, 2.5 rebounds, and shoots 35% from downtown. He racked up 23-plus points in three of his last four games. In Friday’s win over the Lakers, Thomas dropped 33 points and four assists. See which team to pick here.

How to make Clippers vs. Nets picks
SportsLine’s model is leaning Over on the total, projecting 234 combined points. The model also says one side of the spread hits well over 50% of the time. You can only see the model’s picks at SportsLine.

21 Jan

Jaguars sign Doug Pederson’s son Josh, who becomes second USFL player to ink NFL contract in 2023

Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Doug Pederson has brought in a familiar face — and a very familiar face at that. The Jaguars have signed tight end Josh Pederson, the son of coach Pederson, the team announced Monday.

Pederson played his college ball at Louisiana-Monroe before going undrafted in 2021. In 35 games for the Warhawks, he caught 99 passes for 1,191 yards and 11 touchdowns. Pederson previously had short stints with the San Francisco 49ers, New Orleans Saints and Kansas city Chiefs, but never suited up for an NFL game. Most recently, Pederson played for the USFL’s Houston Gamblers.

Josh Pederson
TE
This past USFL season, Pederson was the Gamblers’ second-leading receiver with 24 receptions for 325 yards in 10 games played. Houston went 5-5 and missed the postseason.

Last week, the Gamblers announced they had terminated Pederson’s contract with the designation that he was going to sign with an NFL team. Now we know who that team is. Pederson is the second USFL player to sign an NFL contract this offseason after the Cowboys added former MLS player and standout Birmingham Stallions kicker Brandon Aubrey.

AMAZING: #Jaguars head coach Doug Pederson attended today’s USFL game to see his son, Houston Gamblers tight end Josh Pederson:

And Pederson credited spring football as an important opportunity for players to show the #NFL what they can do.

👏👏👏 pic.twitter.com/atqg7fqcEe

— MLFootball (@_MLFootball) April 16, 2023
Currently, the Jaguars have six tight ends on roster: Evan Engram, Luke Farrell, Gerrit Prince, Sammis Reyes, Brenton Strange and Leonard Taylor. Engram received the franchise tag this offseason after a career year in which he caught 73 passes for 766 yards and four touchdowns, and Strange was selected in the second round of the 2023 NFL Draft with the No. 61 overall pick.

21 Jan

Packers to sign former Birmingham Stallions QB, USFL MVP Alex McGough, per report

The Green Bay Packers are beginning a new era after trading away franchise legend Aaron Rodgers this offseason. Jordan Love has the chance to establish himself as the new quarterback in Green Bay, but the Packers are adding someone who could compete to be his backup. Per KPRC2, the Packers are expected to sign former Birmingham Stallions quarterback and 2023 USFL MVP Alex McGough after a successful workout.

The Stallions repeated as USFL champions this summer, and their quarterback was a big reason why. McGough completed 67.4 percent of his passes for 2,104 yards, 20 touchdowns and just five interceptions in the regular season. He led the league in passing touchdowns, and ranked third in passing yards.

It’s also worth noting that McGough was a dual-threat quarterback, as he finished sixth with 403 rushing yards and third with five rushing touchdowns. His USFL head coach, Skip Holtz, believes McGough is an NFL quarterback.

“I think he’s as good as I’ve ever been around, and I’ve been around a lot of NFL quarterbacks,” Holtz said, via theusfl.com.

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McGough played his college football at Florida International University, and was a seventh-round pick of the Seattle Seahawks in 2018. However, he did not make the final roster, and was signed to the practice squad. McGough also had short stints with the Jacksonville Jaguars and Houston Texans, but the 27 year old has yet to play in an NFL game.

If the McGough signing comes to fruition, the Packers will carry four quarterbacks into training camp: Love, Sean Clifford, Danny Etling and McGough.

21 Jan

Daryl Johnston names the one USFL player he’s most surprised to see not signed by an NFL team

Over 20 former USFL players are currently on NFL rosters. Daryl Johnston, the former Cowboys legend and current USFL president, is surprised that one USFL player is not currently employed by an NFL team.

When recently asked to name the USFL player he is most surprised is not currently signed by an NFL team, Johnston quickly pointed to Justin Hall, a receiver/returner who spent this past USFL season with the Houston Gamblers. An undrafted rookie last spring, Hall spent the 2022 preseason with Raiders and had a workout with the Dolphins last month.

“He’s tough as nails,” Johnston recently said of Hall during an interview with CBS Sports. “He was one of those guys that I just thought, with the direction the NFL is moving, he’s that space guy. Doesn’t have the quick twitch that KaVonte [Turpin] has, but he’s got a toughness and a contact balance that’s very impressive.”

The 5-foot-8 Hall played collegiately at Ball State, where he caught 318 passes and 18 touchdowns. He also averaged 26.1 yards per kickoff return that included a 99-yard return for a score against Army.

Hall signed with Houston after not making the Raiders’ 53-man roster. During his first season with the Gamblers, Hall was top five in the USFL in receiving yards, touchdown catches and punt return yards.

The Chiefs, given all the drops that transpired during their season-opening loss to the Lions, may decide to give the 24-year-old Hall a look sometime soon.

Kenji Bahar to Justin Hall for the Houston Gamblers #USFL

pic.twitter.com/nFO70NOazE

— USFL Gambling Podcast (@USFLGambling) April 22, 2023
While Hall waits for his next opportunity, several other former USFL players are preparing for Week 1 of the NFL’s regular season. Four former USFL players — Cowboys receiver/returner KaVonte Turpin, Cowboys kicker Brandon Aubrey, Broncos long snapper Mitchell Fraboni and Panthers defensive tackle LaBryan Ray — are currently on 53-man rosters. Quarterback Alex McGough, the USFL’s reigning league MVP, is one of 17 former USFL players currently on NFL practice squads.

These players are part of the 100 former USFL players who signed with NFL teams over the past two years. All but one of the NFL’s 32 teams have signed a USFL player over that span.

“I couldn’t be happier for these guys,” Johnston said. “It’s what we talk to them about and what we strive for as a league. I always remember Jeff Fisher saying it’s not about getting them to the NFL, because a lot of them have already done that. It’s about getting them the opportunity to stay in the NFL.”

Not surprisingly, a considerable number of USFL players who jumped to the NFL have come from the two-time defending champion Birmingham Stallions. Two members of the Stallions’ 2022 championship team — Bears linebacker DeMarquis Gates and Ravens cornerback Tae Hayes — are beginning their second consecutive seasons on NFL rosters. Six members of Birmingham’s most recent championship team are currently employed by NFL teams.

Despite that turnover, Johnston feels that Birmingham will continue to be a force to be reckoned with in 2024. He said that the trust that’s developed between Stallions coach Skip Holtz and GM Zach Potter is one of the reasons why.

“He’s got great connections. He’s always trying to turn the roster over to get better,” Johnston said of Potter. “I think Birmingham is always going to be tough. Depending on what happens with Alex. Alex was the difference-maker in our league last year. He was just outstanding.”

As far as the USFL is concerned, Johnston feels that the league will eventually be a better alternative for players than college football when it comes to preparing to play in the NFL.

“What we’re providing with the USFL is invaluable because it allows these guys to get into a professional atmosphere, work on the day-to-day grind, work on the details of the position, get better at their craft,” he said. “We really feel like, once we get the momentum behind us, we’re going to be the better alternative.”

21 Jan

2022 WWE Crown Jewel card, matches, rumors, predictions, start time, match card, location, date

Roman Reigns and Logan Paul are touching down in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on Saturday, Nov. 5. The undisputed WWE universal championship is on the line as the superstars of WWE make the long flight over for the Crown Jewel PPV event.

WWE’s Crown Jewel events are notorious for recruiting legends and outsiders for rare appearances, for better or worse. Shawn Michaels, Triple H, The Undertaker, Goldberg, Tyson Fury and Cain Velasquez have all previously appeared at the show. The 2022 edition takes a more measured, story-driven approach yet features Reigns defending his world title against social media superstar Paul. The main event is built around Paul’s desire to one-up his exhibition boxing match against Floyd Mayweather and the potential that he can land one lucky shot on Reigns. Paul impressed in performances at WrestleMania 38 and SummerSlam, but few expected him to receive a main event title shot so soon.

Also on the card is a real-life recreation of Godzilla vs. Kong. Two of WWE’s largest superstars, Braun Strowman and Omos, will test the durability of the ring when they exchange blows on Saturday. Other notable matches include Raw women’s champion Bianca Belair vs. Bayley in a Last Woman Standing match, and Drew McIntyre vs. Karrion Kross in a steel cage.

Take a look below at the confirmed and predicted matches.

2022 WWE Crown Jewel matches
Undisputed WWE universal championship — Roman Reigns (c) vs. Logan Paul: Paul made his first appearance since SummerSlam on an episode of SmackDown in September. Paul set his sights on the top and challenged Reigns. WWE hosted a press conference in Las Vegas on Sept. 17 that formally set the groundwork for Crown Jewel’s main event. Paul and The Bloodline have repeatedly traded barbs on episodes of SmackDown since.

The O.C. (A.J. Styles, Karl Anderson and Luke Gallows) vs. Judgement Day (Finn Balor, Damian Priest and Dominick Mysterio): Balor had spent weeks attempting to recruit his old friend Styles into Judgement Day. The villainous group gave Styles an ultimatum on Raw: either you’re with them or against them. Styles appeared and feigned allegiance to Balor. It was all a ruse to welcome Anderson and Gallows back into the fold. The two factions, each boasting Bullet Club alumni, will meet in a six-man tag team match.

Brock Lesnar vs. Bobby Lashley: There is unfinished business between Lesnar and Lashley. The two collided at the 2022 Royal Rumble in a WWE championship match that left something to be desired. Lashley emerged victorious to kickstart his second reign as WWE champion. Lesnar has not forgotten the taste of defeat. The former UFC champion made an unexpected return to Raw and leveled Lashley. The impact of the attack left Lashley vulnerable in his United States championship defense that same evening. Seth Rollins usurped the title from Lashley and avoided backlash as Lashley focused on Lesnar.

Braun Strowman vs. Omos: Much like Thanos vs. Galactus, there is only room for one destroyer in the WWE universe. Omos, flanked by his manager MVP, made it clear that Strowman was a target. Strowman officially challenged Omos on the Oct. 21 episode of SmackDown. Omos appears to have the upper hand, effortlessly shoving Strowman out of the ring in the first physical encounter between the two.

Drew McIntyre vs. Karrion Kross (Steel cage match): McIntyre is on the warpath. Kross and Scarlett have repeatedly ambushed McIntyre since the duo returned to WWE in August. McIntyre was on the verge of defeating Kross in a strap match at Extreme Rules before Scarlett sprayed mace in McIntyre’s eyes. Tensions boiled over the following week on SmackDown after McIntyre laid out Kross with a car door. All this leads to a steel cage match at Crown Jewel that intends to cut off Kross from his lifeline Scarlett.

Undisputed tag team championship — The Usos (c) vs. Brawling Brutes (Butch and Ridge Holland): The Bloodline kicked their feud with the Brawling Brutes into overdrive on the Oct. 21 episode of SmackDown. After burying Butch and Holland under an announcer’s table, The Bloodline brutally attacked Sheamus’ left arm with two steel chairs. The severity of the assault should theoretically write Sheamus off TV and buoy a motivated Butch and Holland. This should be a fun follow-up to their solid tag team title match on the Sept. 23 episode of SmackDown.

Raw women’s championship — Bianca Belair (c) vs. Bayley (Last Man Standing match): WWE announced a Raw women’s championship match between Bayley and Belair The booking comes after Bayley defeated Belair in a non-title match on the Oct. 24 episode of Monday Night Raw. Belair looked prime to defeat Bayley before Nikki Cross interfered and attacked everyone, opening the door for Bayley to capitalize.

Women’s tag team championship — Asuka & Alexa Bliss (c) vs. Damage CTRL: Asuka and Bliss beat Dakota Kai and IYO SKY on Raw to win the titles, now the former champions get their rematch at Crown Jewel. The two sides have had several prior run-ins with Asuka and Bliss backing Bianca Belair and Damage CTRL backing their leader, Bayley.