Atlanta, GA

Messi back in starting lineup, scores in Miami win

Published

9 months ago

March 16, 2025

Messi back in starting lineup, scores in Miami win

Mar 16, 2025, 09:53 PM ET

Substitute Fafà Picault scored for Inter Miami CF in the 89th minute, and Lionel Messi struck for the first time in the MLS regular season in a dramatic, late 2-1 victory at Atlanta United FC on Sunday.

Miami (3-1-0) triumphed despite six saves from Atlanta’s Brad Guzan, who played an integral role in his team’s playoff upset of Messi’s squad in a best-of-three series this past fall during the opening round of the MLS Cup playoffs.

Atlanta shocked the Supporters’ Shield winners by winning the rubber match 3-2 on the road to eliminate Messi and Miami from the playoffs.

Messi’s goal came in the 20th minute of just his second regular-season appearance for Miami, which has already played eight matches because of Concacaf Champions Cup action. The World Cup winner started the game after being sidelined for three games due to muscle fatigue before coming off the bench on Thursday night in a 2-0 win at Cavalier FC of Jamaica.

The start for Messi came on the heels of Miami manager Javier Mascherano defending the usage of his star player early in the season.

Emmanuel Latte Lath scored his third goal in the 11th minute to give Atlanta (1-1-2) an early lead. But his teammates were still stuck on one goal combined as Atlanta’s winless run extended to three matches after defeating Montreal in their season opener.

Both teams had plenty of chances for a second-half winner from open play, but Picault provided an unlikely header to ultimately decide the game.

Jordi Alba got the ball out wide from a late, short corner kick and sent an outswinging ball to the back post. Picault outmuscled Ajani Fortune and sent a header bouncing back across goal, somehow wrong-footing Guzan and nestling inside the far left post.

It was Picault’s first goal for his sixth MLS club, having moved to Miami from Vancouver this offseason.

Miguel Almirón started the attack, opening the scoring with an excellent ball over the top to play Brooks Lennon down the right. Lennon then played an excellent cross that Latte Lath met with a powerful back post header past Rocco Ríos Novo.

Latte Lath thought he had his second just after the quarter-hour mark, but it was ruled offside. Miami pulled level on its next foray forward.

Guzan sprawled off his line to disrupt an initial cross from the right, but Messi surprised Bartosz Slisz with some rare defensive pressure to dispossess the midfielder as Atlanta tried to play out. From there, he weaved his way past the sliding Derrick Williams, then deftly chipped the charging Guzan.

Atlanta United play FC Cincinnati on the road Saturday. Inter Miami are idle until they host the Philadelphia Union on March 29.

Information from Reuters and The Associated Press was used in this story.

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Atlanta, GA

Philadelphia 76ers at Atlanta Hawks odds, picks and predictions

Published

12 hours ago

December 14, 2025

Press Room

Philadelphia 76ers at Atlanta Hawks odds, picks and predictions

The Philadelphia 76ers (14-10) and Atlanta Hawks (14-12) meet Sunday. Tip-off from State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia, is set for 6 p.m. ET. Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s NBA odds around the 76ers vs. Hawks odds and make our expert NBA picks and predictions for the best bets.

Season series: Hawks lead 1-0

The 76ers beat the Indiana Pacers 115-105 Friday, covering as 5-point home favorites with the Under (221) cashing. C Joel Embiid led the team with 39 points on 12-for-23 shooting. Philadelphia has found its rhythm, winning 4 of its last 5 games while going 3-2 against the spread (ATS). It is 14-9-1 ATS on the season.

The Hawks lost to the Detroit Pistons 142-115 on Friday, failing to cover as 7-point road underdogs as the Over (233) hit. G Nickeil Alexander-Walker led all scorers with 22 points and 4 made 3-pointers. Atlanta, after a 10-5 November, has gone just 1-4 in its last 5 games, covering 3 times in that stretch. It is 14-12 ATS on the season.

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76ers at Hawks odds

Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 9:54 a.m. ET.

Moneyline (ML): 76ers +155 (bet $100 to win $155) | Hawks -190 (bet $190 to win $100)
Against the spread: 76ers +4.5 (-105) | Hawks -4.5 (-115)
Over/Under (O/U): 226.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)

76ers at Hawks key injuries

76ers

C Joel Embiid (knee) questionable
G Tyrese Maxey (illness) doubtful
G Kelly Oubre Jr. (knee) out
F Trendon Watford (adductor) out

Hawks

G Nickeil Alexander-Walker (ankle) questionable
C Kristaps Porzingis (illness) out
G Trae Young (knee) out

For most recent updates: Official NBA injury report.

76ers at Hawks picks and predictions

Prediction

76ers 114, Hawks 111

BET 76ERS (+155).

The Hawks have fallen off a cliff, and their defense has gone with them. They are 1-4 over their last 5 outings and have allowed at least 123 points in 5 of their last 8 games. Their offense hasn’t matched that shortcoming, scoring 100 points or fewer in 2 of their last 5 contests.

The 76ers, on the other hand, are surging, and their defense has been much improved from earlier in the season. They have held 4 of their last 5 opponents to 105 points or fewer and haven’t given up more than 112 points in December (through 5 games). Philadelphia has won 3 straight on the road.

Take 76ERS (+155).

PASS.

The preferred option is the moneyline, thanks to the enhanced odds. The spread is also playable, particularly with the 76ers.

BET UNDER 226.5 (-110).

The 76ers have gone Under in 5 straight games, and while their defense has stepped up, they have scored 116 points or fewer in their last 4 contests. They are 11-13 O/U on the season.

The Hawks are 3-2 O/U in their last 5 games, largely due to their weak defense, which is less likely to be exploited given that the 76ers rank 20th in pace. Expect a slower-tempo game and take UNDER 226.5 (-110).

For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.

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Atlanta, GA

Starters Braves Have on Their Radar, Top Prospects in Play

Published

24 hours ago

December 14, 2025

Press Room

Starters Braves Have on Their Radar, Top Prospects in Play

The Atlanta Braves have locked down two free agents. One bolstered the bullpen while the other diversified their options on the offense. Now, from what we’re hearing, the attention has turned to fortifying the rotation.

We are gaining an idea of who the Braves are targeting on the starting pitching market. Framber Valdez and Michael King appear to be the top two free-agent options they’re taking a look at, per source. The goal would be to land one of the two. How far along any potential talks are or if they’re currently talking at all is unclear. We just know now that these two are preferred targets.

Previous reports said that the Mets and Giants had previously chatted with Valdez. King is on the radar of the Tigers and Cubs. There are contenders in play for these same guys.

Signing a free agent is their plan A for acquiring starting pitching depth. What we are hearing confirms the willingness to cough up a draft pick to make a big signing. Both have a qualifying offer attached to them.

That being said, they are willing to go out on the trade market if needed and in a specific circumstance. Plan B is to make a deal for Milwaukee Brewers right-hander Freddy Peralta.

The 2025 All-Star has been rumored to be a trade candidate since the start of the offseason. What we are hearing lines up with previous speculation as to the type of moves the Braves could make. The Athletic’s Jim Bowden suggested the Braves make a move for Peralta, and part of that suggestion included a potential trade piece that would likely be dealt in this scenario.

The Brewers would likely want to make the centerpiece of the return the Braves’ No. 2 prospect, JR Ritchie. However, the Braves would likely prefer to hang onto Ritchie. They see him as a key piece of their future. They would likely prefer to make the centerpiece of the deal Hurston Waldrep, who showed significant promise once she was called up toward the end of last season.

Another player would likely be dealt along with one of the two names. The Braves would like to know whether an extension would be in play. They wouldn’t want to make the move for strictly a rental.

However, the Brewers want to get a trade done during the offseason. If he’s on the roster during the regular season, it would put them in a bind. They don’t see him as someone they’ll be able to keep around, but if they’re contending, they can’t trade him at the deadline. He would have to stick around for a push, and then he would walk.

Meanwhile, the Braves are pushing to have a top-five payroll in the league for next season. That puts them in the position to take on one of the two possible free-agent signings or take on a contract extension in a potential trade.

More From Atlanta Braves on SI

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Atlanta, GA

2 Dead In Fiery Crash On Interstate 75 In Atlanta

Published

2 days ago

December 13, 2025

Press Room

2 Dead In Fiery Crash On Interstate 75 In Atlanta

ATLANTA, GA — Two people are dead following a fiery crash on Interstate 75 in Atlanta, according to police.

The crash occurred shortly before 3:15 a.m. Saturday on southbound I-75 near Cleveland Avenue Southwest. According to police, a Kia Sportage was traveling on I-75 when the driver lost control of the vehicle while attempting to exit at Cleveland Avenue.

Police said the vehicle left the roadway, hit a pole and subsequently caught fire.

Two unidentified occupants of the vehicle were pronounced dead at the scene.

Investigators with the Atlanta Police Department Accident Investigations Unit responded to the scene to determine what led to the crash. The investigation into the collision is ongoing.

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