Category: General

Dauphin Island man killed when truck hits culvert, flips

A Dauphin Island man was killed in a single-vehicle accident just south of Mobile Friday, the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency said in a release.

The accident occurred on Alabama 193, about five miles south of Mobile, about midnight Friday. A 2015 Ford F-350 driven by 36-year-old Thomas H. Clough left the roadway, struck a culvert head wall and overturned.

Clough was not wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

The cause of the crash remains under investigation, ALEA said.

General

South Alabama basketball adds Chattanooga transfer

South Alabama basketball has added former Chattanooga guard/forward Randy Brady from the transfer portal, a source confirmed to AL.com.

The 6-foot-5 Brady started 11 of 33 games for for the Mocs this past season, averaging 3.5 points and 4.8 rebounds in 21 minutes per game. The Chattanooga native — a three-star recruit in the 2021 class who redshirted as a true freshman — has two seasons of eligibility remaining.

Brady announced his commitment to South Alabama via Instagram:

Brady is the Jaguars’ third portal commitment of the spring 2024 cycle, joining guards Barry Dunning of UAB and Dylan Fasoyiro of Division II Daemen (N.Y.) University. South Alabama is expected to add up to four more transfers before summer semester classes begin on May 29.

South Alabama went 16-16 in 2023-24, its sixth season under coach Richie Riley.

General

Birmingham police seeking public’s help in unsolved October 2022 homicide

Birmingham police are asking for the public’s help in finding whoever shot a man to death on the porch of an Inglenook home in 2022.

Litfelton Alexander Frost, 32, died on Oct. 27, 2022.

Birmingham police received a 911 call around 4:30 p.m. that Thursday about a person shot in the 4100 block of 38th Avenue North.

Officers found Frost unresponsive on the porch of a house. He was pronounced dead on the scene at 4:47 p.m.

Investigators believe Frost was standing on the front porch when he was shot from a passing vehicle. The shooter then drove away.

Frost was Birmingham’s 123rd homicide that year.

Anyone with information is asked to call detectives at 205-254-1764 or Crime Stoppers at 205-254-7777.

General

NHL playoffs free livestream: How to watch second round games, TV, schedule

The NHL playoffs continue tonight with two second round games scheduled on TNT. Fans can livestream both NHL playoff games for free by using the free trial offered by DirecTV Stream. If fans have already used that option, then they can get a discounted Sling subscription to watch all the action tonight.

(D1) Florida Panthers vs (D2) Boston Bruins

The Boston Bruins play against the Florida Panthers tonight at 6 p.m. CT on TNT. The Panthers were blown out in the series opener against the Bruins, but they returned the favor with a 6-1 win in game 2 on Wednesday. With the win, the Panthers were able to even the series 1-1 before game 3 tonight in Boston. Since the first two games were nearly exact opposites of each other, game 3 should be a more balanced and competitive game.

The Bruins defense has gotten them to the second round of the NHL playoffs, as they have conceded the fewest amount of goals per game this postseason. In all nine of their postseason games, the Bruins have only allowed more than two goals twice. Meanwhile, the Panthers offense is averaging the third-most goals per game out of any team this postseason. The Panthers have scored at least three goals in each game this postseason, except their series opener against the Bruins. So, this series will be a matchup between the best defense and one of the best offenses in the NHL.

(D2) Edmonton Oilers vs (D1) Vancouver Canucks

The Edmonton Oilers take on the Vancouver Canucks tonight at 9 p.m. CT on TNT. The Oilers choked a multiple goal lead during the series opener on Wednesday, as the Canucks came back to win 5-4 and took a 1-0 series lead. After failing to steal game 1 on the road, the Oilers are looking to finish the job during game 2 tonight.

The Oilers have scored more than four goals per game this postseason, which is the second-most goals per game out of all NHL playoff teams this year. Their offensive success has stemmed from their 15% shooting percentage. This means the Oilers score 15% of the time they shoot on target, which is the highest percentage out of all teams this postseason. Meanwhile, the Canucks are averaging less than three goals per game in the playoffs. Despite their low average, the Canucks were able to score three goals in the third period of game 1. So, they are capable of keeping up with the Oilers high-powered offense.

Fans can watch both second round NHL playoff games tonight for free by using the free trial offered by DirecTV Stream. Alternatively, Sling is an affordable option for consumers.

General

Class 5A Boys: Galvan’s goal lifts Gulf Shores past Guntersville

Gulf Shores’ Talan Galvan scored two goals to cap off a fierce rally as the fifth-ranked Dolphins stormed from behind to secure a 3-2 overtime victory over No. 2 Guntersville in Friday’s Class 5A boys championship match at Huntsville’s John Hunt Park.

Gulf Shores (21-7-1) wins its first boys soccer title in school history after falling to John Carroll in last year’s championship.

“We thought we had a good plan, really excited about it, and taking those two goals down was disappointing,” Gulf Shores coach xx said. “But we’ve been down before and we knew we had to keep fighting. We were in their half a lot early on but couldn’t finish. We had to be patient, knock the ball around and find our opprotunites.”

The Dolphins came out firing, taking two shots in the first two minutes, but Guntersville was the first to find the back of the net.

Following a yellow card on Jordan Simon, Guntersville’s AJ Shumate scored on a penalty kick in the eighth minute to give the Wildcats an early 1-0 lead in the match. Shumate, a junior, scored a school-record 61 goals this season and has 162 goals in his career.

Brandon Manganaris added a second goal in the 39th minute, his only shot of the game, and scored off an assist from Cooper Davis as Guntersville held a 2-0 lead at the halftime break.

It did not take long for Gulf Shores to reassert itself, Noah Guthrie cutting the advantage to 2-1 off an assist from Bryan Nunez in the 53rd minute. The Dolphins had 10 shots on goal but only converted three with Guntersville goalkeeper Slaide Mohn notching seven saves.

“I was on the bench but I saw it was a nasty volley,” Galvan said. “Noah put it away and that’s what put us back in the game.”

Galvan provided the equalizer in the 67th minute on a penalty kick following consecutive fouls called on the Wildcats.

“They were hyped up,” Norton said. “At that point, I had a feeling we were going to win this game. Once we got that first one back, it raised our fighting spirit. These guys have not given up all year and they deserve it. Talan is such an incredible player and we knew he would bury that (penalty kick) to equalize it.”

Neither team could break the stalemate in the waning moments of regulation, or the first overtime, and the match almost ended in penalty kicks until Galvan scored the game-winning goal heading into the final minute of the second overtime session.

“I saw the rings, baby, that’s all I saw,” he said. “We’re bringing home the Blue Map. I didn’t think we were going to PK’s and never had a doubt in my mind. I knew we were going to score and it was on me to bury it because it was a gimme.”

Guntersville (25-4-1) has four semifinal appearances in the program history and advanced to its first title match this season. The Wildcats fell to eventual 2023 champion John Carroll in last year’s semifinal match.

“I’m proud of the kids,” Guntersville coach Zack Ross said. “We made some adjustments at halftime that if you look back on it, maybe we shouldn’t have gone so defensive. We play in a tough area, probably five playoff quality teams in that area, and that helped us make it here. It just wasn’t meant to be for us this year. We had two seniors on the field so we have a lot of talented players coming back.”

General

Class 4A Boys: Bayside Academy shuts out Mars Hill for 4th straight state soccer title

Make it four straight state titles for the Bayside Academy boys soccer team.

Junior midfielder Luke Ferguson scored a pair of goals and assisted on the other as the Admirals pulled away from Mars Hill Bible 3-0 in the second half Friday to claim the Class 4A state title at Loretta P. Spencer Sports Complex and John Hunt Park.

The Admirals (10-4-2) also won the 4A state title in 2023 to go with back-to-back 1A-3A crowns in 2021 and 2022.

Ferguson, the tournament MVP, scored his first goal 10 minutes into the second half as the Admirals began to control of the pace. He nailed a penalty kick at the 66:01 mark and assisted on the final goal made by teammate Stephen Trotter.

The Admirals limited Mars Hill to just one shot on goal. Bayside took 10 shots on goal – four by Ferguson, three by Downing Sweat. Keeper Brycen Thrasher saved seven of them.

This post will be updated

General

Nuggets-Timberwolves free livestream: How to watch NBA playoffs game 3, TV, schedule

Game 3 of the NBA playoff series between the Denver Nuggets and Minnesota Timberwolves is scheduled for tonight at 8:30 p.m. CT on ESPN. Fans can livestream tonight’s game 3 and other NBA playoff games for free by using the free trials offered by DirecTV Stream and Fubo TV. If fans have already used both of those options, then Sling is an affordable streaming service that offers a first month discount to new users.

The Minnesota Timberwolves currently hold a 2-0 series lead over the Denver Nuggets. This has been the most surprising second round series in the NBA playoffs thus far because the Nuggets are the higher seed and won the NBA championship last year. The Nuggets also have superstar center Nikola Jokić, who just won his third NBA regular season MVP award. So, they were favorites at the beginning of the series. However, Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards is determined to complete the upset and advance to the Western Conference Finals for the first time in his career.

Edwards has averaged more than 32 points per game throughout this postseason, which leads all of his other teammates by at least 11 points. Edwards is only 22 years-old, but he has made the Timberwolves a dangerous team in the NBA playoffs this year.

The Timberwolves have not reached the second round of the NBA playoffs since 2003, so this is already a successful season for the team. However, they are on the verge of making it to the Western Conference Finals, as the next two games in this series are played in Minnesota.

Game 2 was a blowout victory for the Timberwolves, as Edwards and center Karl-Anthony Towns each scored 27 points. Meanwhile, Jokić only scored 16 points and had his worst postseason performance of the season. Game 3 should be much more competitive because Jokić will likely have a bounce back game and the Nuggets will be fighting to avoid a 3-0 series deficit. Tonight’s game will also be the first home game for the Timberwolves in this series, so their home crowd will be making a lot of noise in the arena.

Fans can watch tonight’s game 3 and other NBA playoff games for free by using the free trials offered by DirecTV Stream and Fubo TV. Alternatively, Sling is a streaming service that offers a first month discount for new users.

General

Suspect in Mobile DUI murder case tried to flee to South America, arrested at airport

The suspect in an April DUI-related murder case tried to flee the country by purchasing a plane ticket to South America, according to court filings by the Mobile County District Attorney’s Office.

Antonio Rodas was arrested Wednesday and charged with murder in the death of 19-year-old Adam Luker. Police say Rodas had a blood alcohol content of .3 — three times Alabama’s legal limit of .08 when his SUV slammed into Luker’s driver’s side door at 88 mph on Moffett Road in Semmes.

Police also say Rodas was driving in the wrong lane and had multiple beers in his vehicle. Prior to the crash that killed Luker, police had received numerous 911 calls regarding a vehicle matching that of Rodas’ SUV driving recklessly.

Rodas was convicted of DUI in Mobile in 2022 after a November 2021 arrest. His blood alcohol content in that case was .19, according to court records.

The Mobile District Attorney’s Office has filed a motion to have Rodas held without bond pending trial under Aniah’s Law.

“Given the nature of the incident, his criminal history and the fact Mr. Rodas is in this country illegally, we feel strongly that seeking Aniah’s Law is the appropriate course of action,” said Mobile County District Attorney Keith Blackwood.

Under Aniah’s Law, overwhelmingly approved by Alabama voters in 2022, defendants can be held without bond for specific violent offenses, including murder.

Rodas was also charged with domestic violence in April 2021, although that charge was dismissed. At that time, however, Rodas’ immigration status was brought to the attention of U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE), according to court records.

He currently has a hold placed on him by ICE, according to the Mobile Metro Jail docket.

General

2024 NBA playoffs: Knicks-Pacers Game 3 odds & Jalen Brunson, Tyrese Haliburton props

Catena Media provides exclusive sports betting and online gambling content in collaboration with AL.com, including picks, analysis, tools and sportsbook and online casino offers to help bettors get in on the action. Please wager responsibly.

The New York Knicks take a 2-0 Eastern Conference semifinal series lead on the road for Game 3 Friday night, May 10, against the Indiana Pacers. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. ET (ESPN) at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.

Below we take a closer look at the Game 3 odds as well as the odds on a few of the more popular Jalen Brunson and Tyrese Haliburton player props.

Bet on Knicks-Pacers Game 3 while taking advantage of our top online sportsbook welcome promo code offers which currently are worth up to a combined $4,850 in new-customer bonuses (see list following article).

Knicks vs. Pacers Game 3 odds: Indiana a heavy home favorite

New York overcame halftime deficits to win each of the first two games at Madison Square Garden, prevailing 121-117 on Monday and 130-121 on Wednesday.

The Pacers, though, are returning home where they’ve won eight straight games, including all three in their 4-2 first-round series triumph over the third-seeded Milwaukee Bucks.

As of midday Thursday, Indiana was a top online sportsbook-consensus 7.5-point Game 3 favorite (-305 moneyline) with a game total of 222.5 points.

The Knicks, meanwhile, were catching +240 moneyline odds as the underdog Friday.

Brunson, who finished fifth in league MVP voting, has led the way for the Knicks with 43- and 29-point efforts in the two contests. The N.Y. guard saw his string of four consecutive 40-point-plus playoff outings end Wednesday, but it might’ve been Brunson’s most impressive showing yet as he scored 24 of his 29 points in the second half after missing the second quarter with foot soreness, logging 32 minutes total.

Brunson’s status for Game 3 is officially listed as questionable but most indications are that he will play.

Fellow starters Donte DiVencenzo (averaging 26.5 points in series), Josh Hart (21.5 points, 14 rebounds, 7.5 assists) and OG Anunoby (20.5 points, 6.5 rebounds) have provided ample and timely assistance.

Anunoby, however, became the latest Knicks player to get bitten by the injury bug as he departed Game 2 with a hamstring injury in the third quarter and didn’t return. On Thursday, he was ruled out for Game 3.

Indiana, meanwhile, continues to feature a balanced scoring attack with its top eight players all averaging between nine and 20 points per game in the series.

Haliburton leads the way, averaging 20 points and a team-high 8.5 assists. The All-Star guard bounced back from his disappointing 6-point struggle in Game 1 to score a game-high 34 points Wednesday, including a 7-of-11 performance from 3-point range.

Forward Pascal Siakam (16.5 points, team-most 7.5 rebounds) and reserve Obi Toppin (16.0 points), a 2020 first-round draft pick of the Knicks, also are standing out for the Pacers.

Defense, though, continues to be a major shortcoming for Indiana, which ranks last among the eight active playoff teams with a 117.8 defensive rating while allowing the Knicks to to shoot 55.4 percent so far in the series.

Knicks vs. Pacers Game 3 odds: Jalen Brunson key player props

With Brunson’s 35.6-point postseason scoring average tops in the league, most eyes will be on his Game 3 points scored prop.

And accordingly, it’s set high at 35.5.

With Brunson averaging 35.8 points in five games against Indiana this season, the odds were tilted toward the over as of Thursday with Caesars Sportsbook offering the best over 35.5 value at -111.

Another intriguing Brunson prop to consider is his rebound-plus-assist total, set at 11.5.

The odds are shaded the under here despite Brunson clearing the 11.5 total in five of the six games this postseason in which he has played 33 minutes or more.

That’s the concern, though, with betting Brunson overs as a re-aggravation of his Game 2 foot injury could prove costly.

Knicks vs. Pacers Game 3 odds: Tyrese Haliburton key player props

Even boosted by his 34-point outburst in Game 2, Haliburton is averaging an even 17 points this postseason — down from his regular season average of 20.1 points.

Nonetheless, Haliburton’s Game 3 points prop is set at 19.5, with the odds shaded toward the under.

Haliburton’s assists prop — set at 9.5 as of Thursday — also should attract plenty of action.

The Indy guard led the league with his 10.9-assist average during the regular season. But that average has dipped to 9.1 in the playoffs (8.5 vs. N.Y.), and Haliburton has totaled double-digit assists in only three of eight games this postseason.

General

2024 NBA playoffs: Thunder vs. Mavericks Game 3 odds, top 3 player prop best bets

Saturday’s Game 3 of the Western Conference semifinals takes us to the Lone Star State as the top-seeded Oklahoma City Thunder visit the fifth-seeded Dallas Mavericks. Tipoff from the American Airlines Center is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. ET on ABC.

Below we take a look at the Game 3 odds and recommend three best player prop bets for the contest.

Wager on Saturday’s Thunder-Mavericks matchup while taking advantage of our top online sportsbook welcome promo code offers which currently are worth up to a combined $4,850 in new-customer bonuses (see list below).

Thunder vs. Mavericks Game 3 odds: Dallas a 3-point home favorite

Visiting Dallas evened the series at a win apiece Thursday night with a 119-110 road victory in Game 2.

Guard Luka Doncic, playing on a sprained right knee, and forward P.J. Washington scored 29 points apiece for the Mavs, who connected on 18-of-37 3-point attempts.

Point guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored a game-high 33 points for the Thunder, which lost for the first time in six outings this postseason.

Gilgeous-Alexander, who finished second in league MVP voting, also paced all scorers with 29 points in OKC’s runaway 117-95 win in Game 1 Tuesday.

Guard Kyrie Irving scored 20 and Doncic had 19 for Dallas in the series opener, but the latter hit only 6-of-19 shot attempts and finished with five turnovers.

Dallas, which is 2-1 at home this postseason, opened as a 3.5-point (-150 moneyline) Game 3 favorite, according to a Thursday night consensus of the top online sportsbooks. But 12-some hours later, that had dipped slightly to a consensus 3-point line.

Oklahoma City was catching consensus +130 moneyline odds Friday as the underdog while the Game 3 total was hovering around 219 points.

Thunder vs. Mavericks Game 3 player prop best bet: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander over 29.5 points (-115 odds at FanDuel Sportsbook)

SGA’s national breakout season hasn’t lost any steam in the playoffs as he’s averaging 28.5 points per game on 48 percent shooting to rank seventh among all postseason scorers.

He’s scored at least 28 in four of his six postseason contests this spring, including the 29- and 33-point outings against the Mavs.

We’re paying a little star player tax with the 29.5-point total, but we’ll still go with the SGA scoring over in Game 3.

Thunder vs. Mavericks Game 3 player prop best bet: Luka Doncic under 3.5 3-pointers made (+106 odds at FanDuel Sportsbook)

Prior to going 5-of-8 from long range in Thursday’s Game 2 win, Doncic had been in a decided shooting slump, connecting on only 8-of-49 3-point attempts in his previous five postseason games.

Doncic may have found a temporary elixir in Game 2, but his sprained knee is at least going to need some extended time off to heal.

And so we’ll take the under on Luka’s trey total at the attractive, plus-money price.

Thunder vs. Mavericks Game 3 player prop best bet: Chet Holmgren under 8.5 total rebounds (-105 odds at DraftKings Sportsbook)

The 7-foot-1 Holmgren averaged 7.9 rebounds during the regular season and is a tick above that so far in the playoffs at an even 8.0.

He’s had eight or fewer boards, though, in four of six postseason games, including seven and six in the two contests against Dallas.

It’s a risk because 7-1 is, well, 7-1, but the trends and slim price are pointing us to the under on Holmgren’s rebound total and so that’s where we’ll go in Game 3.