Saturday, May 30, 2015

Victory In Tulsa For T2

At Tulsa, Oklahoma:

Michael Manchoff scored twice (64', PK-74') and Kharlton Belmar once (90') as Portland Timbers 2 defeated the Tulsa Roughnecks 3-1 on the road in Saturday United Soccer League action.

Next up for T2, a Friday (June 5) encounter on the road with Oklahoma City Energy FC at 5:00 PM Pacific Time.

Captain Jack Pulls Through For Timbers

At Commerce City, Colorado:

Jack Jewsbury scored the winning goal in the third minute of second-half stoppage time on Saturday night as the Portland Timbers defeated the Colorado Rapids 2-1 for their first-ever Major League Soccer victory at Dick's Sporting Goods Park.

Gaston Fernandez scored the Timbers' other goal in the 38th minute.

Sam Cronin had equalized for the Rapids in the 89th minute, only to see "Captain Jack" score the game-winner at the death.

The Timbers will host the New England Revolution next Saturday night in Portland at 7:30 PM Pacific Time (Timbers' broadcast network via KPDX-TV).

SaberCats Too Much For Thunder

At Portland, Oregon:

The San Jose SaberCats (9-0) defeated the Portland Thunder (3-6) 61-42 on the road in Saturday afternoon Arena Football League action.

Stanley Cup Playoffs: It's Blackhawks vs. Lightning For The Marbles

At Anaheim, California:

Jonathan Toews scored twice in the first period---once on the power play---on Saturday night as the Chicago Blackhawks assured themselves of their third appearance in the Stanley Cup Final in the last six years by defeating the Anaheim Ducks 5-3 on the road in the seventh and deciding game of the Western Conference Final.

Corey Crawford saved 35 of 38 Anaheim shots.

The Blackhawks will open the Stanley Cup Final on Wednesday on the road in Tampa against the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Pumas Hand Timbers U-23s First Defeat Of PDL Season

At Portland:

In a battle of the teams that were level on points atop the Premier Development League's Northwest Division, the Kitsap Pumas blanked the previously-unbeaten Portland Timbers' Under-23 squad 2-0 on the road on Friday.

Friday, May 29, 2015

Stanley Cup Playoffs: Lightning Knock Out Rangers, Advance To First Final Since 2004

At New York:

The Tampa Bay Lightning, with third-period goals from Alex Killorn and Ondrej Palat, and a shutout performance from goalie Ben Bishop, who saved all 22 shots, blanked the New York Rangers 2-0 on the road on Friday night and won the seventh and deciding game of the Eastern Conference Final.

The Lightning will play in their first Stanley Cup Final since 2004 (when they defeated the Calgary Flames four games to three) and will face the winner of the Chicago-Anaheim series (set to be decided on Saturday).

Wednesday, May 27, 2015

Maxi's Goal Holds Up As Timbers Knock Off DC United At Home

At Portland, Oregon:

Maximiliano Urruti scored the only goal of the match in the fifth minute as the Portland Timbers defeated visiting DC United 1-0 in Wednesday Major League Soccer action.

The Timbers will travel to Commerce City, Colorado for a Saturday night clash with the Colorado Rapids at 6:00 PM Pacific Time.  The game will be broadcast on the Timbers' TV network via Portland-Vancouver's KPDX-TV.

NBA Playoffs: Warriors Oust Rockets, Win First Conference Title In 40 Years; Golden State To Get Crack At LeBron And Cavaliers

At Oakland, California:

Stephen Curry scored 26 points while Harrison Barnes added 24 and Klay Thompson 20 as the Golden State Warriors defeated the visiting Houston Rockets 104-90 on Wednesday and won the NBA's Western Conference final four games to one and advanced to their first NBA Finals since winning their most recent league crown in 1975.

The Warriors will open the league championship series against LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers in Oakland next Thursday.

Stanley Cup Playoffs: Blackhawks Dominate Ducks, Force Game Seven Of West Final

At Chicago:

Andrew Shaw scored twice while Duncan Keith had three assists on Wednesday as the Chicago Blackhawks squared the Western Conference Final at three games apiece following their 5-2 game-six home victory over the Anaheim Ducks.

The series will be decided on Saturday night in Anaheim, California with the winner advancing to the Stanley Cup Final.

T2 Drop OT Decision To Sounders 2 In Open Cup Play

At Tukwila, Washington:

Pablo Rossi scored the winning goal in overtime (104') on Wednesday as Seattle Sounders 2 defeated visiting Portland Timbers 2 2-1 in the third round of the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup tournament as the United Soccer League affiliates of the same-named Major League Soccer clubs battled for 120 minutes.

T2's next USL match is on the road against the Tulsa Roughnecks this coming Saturday.

Tuesday, May 26, 2015

Stanley Cup Finals: Rangers Humble Lightning In Tampa, Force Game Seven Back At MSG

At Tampa, Florida:

Derek Brassard delivered a hat trick while Henrik Lundqvist saved 36 of 39 shots on Tuesday as the New York Rangers shredded the Tampa Bay Lightning 7-3 on the road to square the Eastern Conference Final at three games apiece.

The series, and the Eastern Conference's berth in the Stanley Cup Final, will be decided in New York City on Thursday night, with the winner to face the Chicago-Anaheim winner in the final.

NBA Playoffs: Cavs Roast Hawks, Complete Sweep, Reach NBA Finals (First Time Since 2007)

At Cleveland:

LeBron James scored 23 points on Tuesday night as the Cleveland Cavaliers won their first Eastern Conference championship since 2007 as they completed a four-game sweep of the visiting Atlanta Hawks with a 118-88 conference final series game-four rout.

The Cavaliers will play the Golden State-Houston winner in their second NBA Finals, which begin on Thursday of next week.

Cleveland was swept in four straight games eight years ago by the San Antonio Spurs.

For LeBron, this will be his fifth consecutive finals appearance, having won two titles in four tries with Miami.

Monday, May 25, 2015

Stanley Cup Playoffs: OT Goals Sends Ducks On Verge Of Winning West Crown

At Anaheim, California:

Matt Beleskey scored the winning goal 45 seconds into overtime on Monday as the Anaheim Ducks, who blew a two-goal lead in the final two minutes of regulation, defeated the visiting Chicago Blackhawks 5-4 to take a three-games-to-two Western Conference Final series lead as the Stanley Cup Playoffs continued.

The Ducks can lock up a berth in the Stanley Cup Final with a game-six victory on Wednesday in Chicago.

NBA Playoffs: Rockets Hold Off Warriors, Avoid Sweep

At Houston:

James Harden scored a playoff career-high 45 points on Monday night (33 of them in the second half) as the Houston Rockets avoided a four-game sweep at the hands of the Golden State Warriors with a 128-115 game-four home win in the NBA Western Conference finals.

Josh Smith added to the Rockets' coffers with 20 points.

The Warriors, led by Klay Thompson's 24 points, Draymond Green's 21 (along with his 15 rebounds), and Stephen Curry's 20, still lead the series three games to one and can finish off the Rockets back home in Oakland on Wednesday.

Sunday, May 24, 2015

NBA Playoffs: LeBron Wills Cavs Past Hawks In OT; Cleveland One Victory Away From Finals

At Cleveland:

LeBron James scored 37 pints, grabbed 18 rebounds, and dished out 13 assists on Sunday night as the Cleveland Cavaliers outlasted the visiting Atlanta Hawks 114-111 in overtime to take a three-games-to-none NBA Eastern Conference final series lead.

Jeff Teague paced the Hawks with 30 points while Paul Millsap added 22.

The Cavaliers can lock up their first conference title since 2007 with a game-four home win on Tuesday.  No team has ever come back in NBA history from a three-games-to-none deficit to win a best-of-seven playoff series.

Stanley Cup Playoffs: Lightning Blank Rangers At MSG, Take 3-2 East Final Series Lead

At New York:

Valterri Filppula and Steven Stamkos (power play) each scored a second-half goal and Ben Bishop stopped all 26 shots on Sunday night as the Tampa Bay Lightning blanked the New York Rangers 2-0 on the road to take a three-games-to-two Eastern Conference Final series lead.

The Lightning can finish off the President-Trophy-winning Rangers with a game-six home victory in Tampa on Tuesday and clinch a berth in their first Stanley Cup Final since 2004 (when they defeated Calgary four games to three for the first Stanley Cup championship by a team from Florida).

Timbers U23 Win On The Road At Crossfire's Expense

At Redmond, Washington:

In a Premier Developement League contest played last Tuesday, the Portland Timbers' Under-23 squad knocked off the Washington Crossfire 3-2 on the road.

This coming Friday, the Timbers U23s will host the Kitsap Pumas in a PDL contest, set for 11:00 Pacific Time.

Predators Devour Visiting Thunder

At Orlando, Florida:

The Orlando Predators (5-4) handed the Portland Thunder (3-5) their fourth road defeat of the Arena Football League season on Saturday night with a nationally-televised 69-43 mauling.

NBA: Warriors Blast Rockets In Houston; Golden State One Victory Away From First Finals Appearance Since '75

At Houston:

Stephen Curry scored 40 points as the Golden State Warriors blew out the Houston Rockets 115-80 on the road in game three of the NBA's Western Conference finals to take a commanding three-games-to-none series advantage.

The Warriors can close out the Rockets on Monday night in Houston and assure themselves of their first appearance in the NBA Finals since winning their most recent league championship in 1975.

No team has ever come back from a three-games-to-none series deficit to win an NBA best-of-seven playoff series.

Stanley Cup Playoffs: Blackhawks Square West Final With Ducks At 2-2 After 2OT Win

At Chicago:

As the Stanley Cup Playoffs continued on Saturday, Antoine Vermette scored the winning goal 5:37 into the second overtime as the Chicago Blackhawks squared the Western Conference Final at two games apiece following their 5-4 game-four home win over the Anaheim Ducks.

Saturday, May 23, 2015

Early Goal Sinks Timbers In Toronto

At Toronto:

Sebastian Giovinco's goal in the fifth minute held up on Saturday as Toronto FC knocked off the visiting Portland Timbers 1-0 in Major League Soccer action.

The Timbers' next match is this coming Wednesday night back home in Portland against DC United (7:30 PM Pacific Time, ROOT Sports Northwest).

T2 Drop Home Decision To Sounders 2

At Portland, Oregon:

Damion Lowe (38') and Andrew Craven (55') delivered the scoring on Friday as Seattle Sounders 2 defeated Portland Timbers 2 by a score of 2-0 in United Soccer League action.

Friday, May 22, 2015

NBA Playoffs: Lebron And Cavs Too Much For Hawks; Cleveland Stretches East Finals Series Lead To 2-0

At Atlanta:

LeBron James scored 30 points, dished out 11 assists, and grabbed nine rebounds as the Cleveland Cavaliers defeated the Atlanta Hawks 94-82 on the road on Friday night to stretch their NBA Eastern Conference finals advantage to two games to none.

Stanley Cup Playoffs: Rangers Roll Over Lightning, Square East Final At Two Games Apiece

At Tampa, Florida:

Rick Nash scored twice (once on the power play) and had an assist while Henrik Lundqvist saved 38 of 39 shots as the New York Rangers squared the Eastern Conference final at two games apiece on Friday after their 5-1 road demolition of the Tampa Bay Lightning as the Stanley Cup Playoffs continued.

Thursday, May 21, 2015

NBA Playoffs: Warriors Hold Off Rockets, Take 2-0 West Finals Series Lead

At Oakland, California:

Stephen Curry scored 33 points as the Golden State Warriors extended their advantage in the NBA's Western Conference finals to two games to none following their 99-98 game-two home victory over the Houston Rockets.

James Harden paced the Rockets with 38 points (while grabbing 10 rebounds and dishing out nine assists) but committed a turnover in the game's final seconds. Dwight Howard had 19 points and 17 rebounds for Houston.

Stanley Cup Playoffs: Ducks Knock Off Blackhawks In Chicago, Take 2-1 West Final Series Lead

At Chicago:

Patrick Maroon (power play) and Simon Despres each scored a goal while Frederik Andersen saved 27 of 28 shots on Thursday as the Anaheim Ducks defeated the Chicago Blackhawks 2-1 in game three of the Western Conference Final as the Stanley Cup Playoffs continued.  The Ducks now hold a two-games-to-one series advantage.

Wednesday, May 20, 2015

Stanley Cup Playoffs: Lightning Beat Rangers In High-Scoring Affair In OT; Tampa Bay Leads East Final 2-1

At Tampa, Florida:

Nikita Kucherov scored the winning goal at 3:33 of overtime on Wednesday as the Tampa Bay Lightning took a two-games-to-one Eastern Conference Final series lead over the New York Rangers following their 6-5 game-three home win as the Stanley Cup Playoffs continued.

NBA Playoffs: Cavs Take East Final Opener In Atlanta

At Atlanta:

LeBron James scored 31 points while J.R. Smith converted eight three-point shots en route to a 28-point performance as the Cleveland Cavaliers took the opening game of the NBA's Eastern Conference finals 97-89 over the Atlanta Hawks on the road on Wednesday.

Jeff Teague paced the Hawks with 27 points.  Atlanta suffered a blow when DeAndre Carroll suffered a knee injury in the game. 

NBA Playoffs: Warriors Outlast Rockets In West Final Opener

At Oakland, California:

Stephen Curry scored 34 points on Tuesday as the Golden State Warriors overcame a 16-point deficit and upended the visiting Houston Rockets 110-106 in the opening game of the National Basketball Association's Western Conference Finals.  James Harden paced the Rockets with 28 points while grabbing 11 rebounds.  Trevor Ariza added 20 points to the Houston coffers.

Stanley Cup Playoffs: Blackhawks Win Triple-Overtime Thriller; Tie Series With Ducks At 1-1

At Anaheim, California:

Marcus Kruger scored the winning goal at 16:12 of the third overtime period on Tuesday night as the Chicago Blackhawks won the longest game in franchise history, 3-2 on the road against the Anaheim Ducks and squared the Stanley Cup Playoffs' Western Conference final at one game apiece.  Andrew Shaw, who scored one of two first-period power-play goals for the 'Hawks, thought he scored the game winner in the second OT period.  The goal, however was disallowed because he deliberately head-butted the puck into the net, ala Cristiano Ronaldo. 

Chicago goaltender Corey Crawford saved 60 of 62 shots for the victory while his Anaheim counterpart Frederik Andersen saved 53 of 56 shots.

The game was also the longest in Ducks history and the first triple-overtime match ever staged in California.

Tuesday, May 19, 2015

Timbers 2 Buck Michigan In US Open Play; Get Sounders2-Kitsap Winner Next

At Pontiac, Michigan:

In the lone Tuesday contest from the second round of the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup tournament, Kharlton Belmar (56') and Fatawu Safiu (90'+) each scored a goal as Portland Timbers 2 defeated the PDL's Michigan Bucks 2-0 on the road.

The Timbers' USL affiliate will play next week in the tournament's third round between the winner of Wednesday's Seattle Sounders FC 2 (USL)-Kitsap Pumas (PDL) match.

Monday, May 18, 2015

Stanley Cup Playoffs: Tyler Johnson's Hat Trick Helps Lightning Square East Final With Rangers At One Game Apiece

At New York:

Tyler Johnson delivered a hat trick on Monday as the Tampa Bay Lightning dominated the hosts New York Rangers 6-2 in the second game of the Eastern Conference final as that Stanley Cup Playoff series is now leveled at one game apiece.  The hat trick is the first in Tampa Bay's playoff history.  Alex Killorn added two goals and Steven Stamkost added one to the Lightning's coffers.

Sunday, May 17, 2015

Stanley Cup Playoffs: Ducks Dominate Blackhawks In West Final Opener

At Anaheim, California:

Frederik Andersen stopped 32 of 33 shots while Kyle Palmieri's second-period goal proved to be the game winner on Sunday as the Anaheim Ducks dominated the visiting Chicago Blackhawks 4-1 in the opening game of the Western Conference final as the Stanley Cup Playoffs continued.

NBA Playoffs: Rockets Complete Comeback From 3-1 Series Deficit, Will Face Warriors For West Crown

At Houston:

James Harden scored 31 points while Trevor Ariza added 22 and Dwight Howard 16 (to go with his 15 rebonds) as the Houston Rockets kept the visiting Los Angeles Clippers at bay en route to a 113-100 game-seven victory and overcame a three-games-to-one deficit and won their series four games to three, ruining the Clippers' hope of advancing to what would have been the first conference final in their 45-year history as the second round of the NBA Playoffs concluded on Sunday.

Blake Griffin scored 27 points (to go with his eleven rebounds) and Chris Paul added 26 (to go with his ten assists) to pace Los Angeles.

The Rockets will open the Western Conference final (their first since 1997) against the Golden State Warriors in Oakland on Tuesday.

Saturday, May 16, 2015

Thunder Smack KISS At Home, End Three-Game Skid; Big Night For Darron Thomas

At Portland, Oregon:

Quarterback Darron Thomas threw for 229 yards and six touchdowns and ran for another on Saturday as the Portland Thunder (3-4) snapped their three-game Arena Football League losing streak with a 63-47 home win over the winless Los Angeles KISS (0-8) in front of 10, 023 fans at the Moda Center.

Late Equalizer Gains Road Draw For T2

At Sandy, Utah:

Rondell Winchester's equalizer in the 87th minute on Saturday lifted Portland Timbers 2 to a 1-1 United Soccer League road draw with Real Monarchs.  Emery Welshman scored in the ninth minute for Real Salt Lake's USL affiliate.

T2 will head on to Pontiac, Michigan for a Tuesday US Open Cup match against the Michigan Bucks from the USL's Premier Development League.

Timbers Fall To Dynamo In Houston

At Houston:

In Saturday Major League Soccer action, Will Bruin scored twice (9', 83') while Giles Barnes scored the winning goal in the 75th minute as the Houston Dynamo defeated the visiting Portland Timbers 3-1.

The Timbers will pay a visit on Toronto FC next Saturday at 2:00 PM Pacific Time (ROOT Sports Northwest).

140th Preakness Stakes: American Pharoah Wins On Sloppy Track; 3rd Horse To Win Derby And Preakness In Four Years

At Baltimore:

In Saturday's 140th edition of the Preakness Stakes, American Pharoah, with jockey Victor Espinoza aboard, won the race on a rain-soaked muddy track with Tale of Verve finishing second, seven lengths in back, and Divining Rod finishing third.  American Pharoah became the third horse in four years to win both the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness, and the fourteenth since Affirmed became the most recent Triple Crown winner in 1978.

American Pharoah, with trainer Bob Baffert, will look to end the Triple Crown-winning drought in the Belmont Stakes, scheduled for June 6 at Elmont, New York. 

Stanley Cup Playoffs: Rangers Take Opening Game Of East Final

At New York:

Dominic Moore scored the winning goal with 2:25 remaining in regulation while Henrik Lundqvist saved 23 of 24 shots as the New York Rangers defeated the visiting Tampa Bay Lightning 2-1 in the opening game of the Eastern Conference final as the Stanley Cup Playoffs continued on Saturday.

Garo Yepremain, Kicker Who Played On Dolphins SB VII And SBVIII Title Teams, R.I.P.

Garo Yepremian, the Cypriot-born soccer-styled placekicker who played on the Miami Dolphins' Super Bowl VII and Super Bowl VIII championship teams, passed away on Friday at a Media, Pennsylvania hospital from cancer at age 70.

Mr. Yepremian, who began his NFL career in 1966 with the Detroit Lions, with whom, as a rookie,  he broke a league record with six field goals in a game against the Minnesota Vikings).  He joined the Dolphins in 1970.

On Christmas Day in 1971, Garo kicked the game-winning field goal in the second overtime period that ended was is still the longest game in National Football League history as the Dolphins defeated the Kansas City Chiefs in an American Football Conference divisional playoff game.

The following year, he played on the Dolphins' undefeated 17-0 team.  It was in Super Bowl VII in Los Angeles that Garo had a field-goal attempt blocked.  Next, he picked up the football and attempted a pass but fumbled.  The ball was recovered by Washington Redskins defensive back Mike Bass, who returned it to the end zone for the  Redskins' lone score.  The Dolphins still won the game 14-7 and wrapped up what is still the NFL's only unbeaten and untied season.

The Dolphins repeated as Super Bowl champs the following season.

A two-time Pro Bowler with the Dolphins, Garo later kicked for the New Orleans Saints and Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Friday, May 15, 2015

NBA Playoffs: Hawks, Warriors Wrap Up Respective Series, Advance To East And West Finals Respectively

The NBA Playoffs continued on Friday with two games.

EASTERN CONFERENCE:

At Washington:

DeMarre Carroll scored a playoff-career-high 25 points and grabbed ten rebounds while Paul Milsap (to go with his 13 boards) and Jeff Teague each added 20 as the Atlanta Hawks held off the home-standing Washington Wizards 94-91 to win their conference semifinal series four games to two and advanced to their first conference or divisional playoff final since 1970.  

For the Wizards, Bradley Beal scored 29 points while John Wall added 20 (to go with his 13 assists).  Paul Pierce appeared to have scored the three-point basket at the end of regulation that would have sent the game into overtime.  However, the basket was waved off after video replay show that the shot was taken after time expired.

The Hawks will open the Eastern Conference finals against the Cleveland Cavaliers at home in Atlanta on Wednesday.

The Hawks last reached the NBA Finals in 1961, when they were based in St. Louis, three years after having won their only league crown.



WESTERN CONFERENCE:

At Memphis:

Stephen Curry, who scored 32 points (and dished out ten assists), made eight three-point shots, including one from 62 feet out as time expired in the third quarter, helping the Golden State Warriors defeat the Memphis Grizzlies 108-95 on the road and won their conference semifinal series four games to two.  Klay Thompson added 20 points for the Warriors, who advanced to their first conference final since 1976, the year after they last won the NBA title.

Marc Gasol scored 21 points and grabbed 15 rebounds for the Grizzlies.

Golden State will have home-court advantage in the upcoming Western Conference finals, which will open on Tuesday in Oakland, against the winner of the Houston Rockets-Los Angeles Clippers series (currently deadlocked at three games apiece; to be decided on Sunday in Houston).

The Thrill IS Gone:B.B. King, Legendary "King of the Blues," R.I.P.

B.B. King, the legendary blues icon who entertained countless millions for generations with his world-weary voice and wailing guitar, which he often called Lucille, passed away on Thursday at Las Vegas at age 89.

Mr. King, born Riley B. King to sharecroppers in Mississippi in 1925, had recently been in hospice care.

B.B., a self-taught guitarist whose name stood for "Blues Boy," listened to primeval bluesman Rice Miller, one of two performers who worked under the nom de plume Sonny Boy Williamson in 1941 on King Biscuit Time, which aired over KFFA Radio in Helena, Arkansas, which the young Mr. King heard on the radio during a lunch break at the plantation where he picked cotton.

After serving in the Army and marrying his first wife, 22-year-old B.B. went to seek out Mr. Miller in Memphis as he was looking for work.

Mr. Miller had two performances that night, one in Memphis, the other in B.B.'s native Mississippi.  He handed the lower-paying nightclub job to Mr. King.  It paid $12.50.

Mr. King, who had been being paid $5 per day at the plantation, never returned to his tractor.

He became a popular disc jockey on Memphis radio station WDIA, spinning blues records.

In 1951, B.B. had his first big hit, "Three O'Clock Blues," which reached the top of the Rhythm and Blues charts.  It stayed there for 15 weeks.

He began a tour that took him the biggest stages in which a bluesman could appear:  The Apollo Theater in Harlem, the Howard Theater in Washington, the Royal Theater in Baltimore.

By the time he divorced his first wife (after eight years of marriage), he was playing 275 one-night stands on the so-called "Chitlin' Circuit."

After numerous R&B hits in the 1950s (such as his version of "Every Day I Have The Blues," which came out in 1955) and 1960s, and after his second marriage had ended in divorce in 1966, in 1969, B.B. recorded a minor-key-tinged blues entitled "The Thrill Is Gone."

It was the success of that recording during a time in which there was a surging popularity among young white listeners in the blues that enabled Mr. King to gain many fans beyond the R&B genre.

He was make numerous appearances in many countries around the world into the 21st century.

There's no question that The King of the Blues will sorely be missed.

Here's B.B., performing "The Thrill Is Gone," at Chicago's Crosswinds Guitar Festival in 2010.

Thank you, B.B., for the music and memories.  And Rest In Peace.



Thursday, May 14, 2015

NBA Playoffs: Cavs Rough Up Bulls, Win Series; Rockets Roar Back, Upend Clippers On Road, Force Game Seven At Home

The NBA Playoffs continued with two games on Thursday.

EASTERN CONFERENCE:

At Chicago:

Matthew Dellavedova scored 19 points while LeBron James added 15 (to go with his 11 assists and nine rebounds) as the Cleveland Cavaliers dominated the home-standing Chicago Bulls 94-73 and won their conference semifinal series four games to two.

Jimmy Butler scored 20 points to pace the Bulls.

The Cavaliers advanced to their first Eastern Conference final since 2009 and are awaiting the winner of the Atlanta-Washington series, which the Hawks currently lead three games to two.

WESTERN CONFERENCE:

At Los Angeles:

James Harden scored 23 points while Dwight Howard added 20 (to go with his 21 rebounds) and Corey Brewer 19 (15 of them in the fourth quarter) as the Houston Rockets, who trailed by as many as 19 points in the third quarter and by 13 as the fourth quarter commenced, outscored the Los Angeles Clippers 40-15 in that final period en route to a 119-107 home victory in game six of their conference semifinal series.  Chris Paul scored 31 points (while dishing out 11 assists) and Blake Griffin added 28 for the Clippers, who were denied the opportunity to clinch their first-ever conference final berth.  

The series will be decided on Sunday in Houston.

Timbers U23s Start Season On Winning Note

At Portland, Oregon:

The Portland Timbers Under-23 squad opened their Premier Development League season on a winning note on Thursday by blanking visiting Lane United FC 2-0.

The PDL is in the fourth level of Soccer in the United States along with the National Premier Soccer League.

Wednesday, May 13, 2015

NBA Playoffs: Hawks, Warriors Take 3-2 Series Leads

The NBA Playoffs continued with two Wednesday contests.

EASTERN CONFERENCE:

At Atlanta:

Al Horford, who scored 23 points and grabbed 11 rebounds, swooped in and snatched an offensive rebound and dropped in a shot from under the basket to carry the Atlanta Hawks to an 82-81 game-five home win over the Washington Wizards.  Bradley Beal paced the Wizards with 23 points.

The Hawks, who lead their conference semifinal series three games to two, can close out the Wizards with a game-six win in Washington on Friday night and advance to the third round of the playoff since moving to Atlanta from St. Louis in 1968.

They last reached the finals in 1961 while still based in St. Louis.  They won their only league title in 1958.



WESTERN CONFERENCE:

At Oakland, California:

Klay Thompson scored 21 points while 0Stephen Curry added 18 as the Golden State Warriors dominated the visiting Memphis Grizzlies 98-78 in the fifth game of their conference semifinal series.

The Warriors, who now lead three games to two, can oust the Grizzlies with a game-six Friday night win at Memphis and advance to their first conference final since 1976---the year after they last won the NBA title.

Stanley Cup Playoffs: Rangers Top Caps In OT, Win Series, Get Shot At Lightning; Capitals Lose Another Series After Blowing Three-Games-To-One Lead

At New York:

Derek Stepan scored the winning goal at 11:24 of overtime as the New York Rangers defeated the visiting Washington Capitals 2-1 in the seventh and deciding game of their Eastern Conference semifinal series in the lone Wednesday night Stanley Cup Playoff contest as the second round concluded.  Henrik Lundqvist saved 35 of 36 shots for the victory.

The Rangers will next take on the Tampa Bay Lightning in the Eastern Conference final with the winner advancing to the Stanley Cup Final, with the opening game set for Saturday at Madison Square Garden.

As for the Capitals, this marked the fifth time that they had blown a three-games-to-one lead and lost a best-of-seven playoff series.

Tuesday, May 12, 2015

NBA Playoffs: Cavs Hold Off Bulls, Take 3-2 Series Lead; Rockets Avoid Elimination, Force Game Six Against Clippers

The NBA Playoffs continued on Tuesday with two games.

EASTERN CONFERENCE:

At Cleveland:

LeBron James scored 38 points and grabbed 12 rebounds while Kyrie Irving scored 25 as the Cleveland Cavaliers took a three-games-to-two lead in their conference semifinal series following their 106-101 game-five home win.  Jimmy Butler scored 29 points and grabbed nine rebounds for the Bulls.

The Cavaliers can lock up a berth in the Eastern Conference finals with a game-six win in Chicago on Thursday.



WESTERN CONFERENCE:

At Houston:

James Harden scored 26 points and grabbed 11 rebounds while Trevor Ariza added 22 and Dwight Howard 20 (to go with his 15 rebounds) as the Houston Rockets avoided elimination by dominating the visiting Los Angeles Clippers 123-104 in game five of their conference semifinal series.  Blake Griffin scored 30 points (and pulled down 16 rebounds) while Chris Paul added 22 (to go with his ten assists) for the Clippers, who lead the series three games to two and who can still close out the Rockets with a victory in game six back home in Los Angeles on Thursday.

Stanley Cup Playoffs: Lightning Finally Finish Off Habs, Advance To East Final; Canada's Cup Drought Continues

At Tampa, Florida:

Nikita Kucherov had two goals (one an empty-netter) and an assist on Tuesday as the Tampa Bay Lightning dominated the visiting Montreal Canadiens 4-1 and won their Eastern Conference semifinal series four games to two.  Ben Bishop saved 18 of 19 shots as the Lightning advanced to the Eastern Conference final, in which they will face the winner of the New York Rangers-Washington Capitals series (which would be decided on Wednesday at New York).

With the Canadiens' defeat, it will now have been 21 straight seasons (not counting 2005, in which there was no postseason due to the lockout) without a Canadian club winning the Stanley Cup (the last time a team from north of the border won Lord Stanley's Cup was when the Habs defeated Los Angeles in five games in 1993).

Monday, May 11, 2015

Hmmmm.............

Maybe Tom wasn't so terrific after all.

NBA Playoffs: Hawks, Warriors Win On Road, Square Respective Series At 2-2

Two games were played in the NBA Playoffs on Monday.

EASTERN CONFERENCE:

At Washington:

Jeff Teague scored 26 points as the Atlanta Hawks squared their conference semifinal series with the Washington Wizards at two games apiece following the 106-101 game-four road win, despite 34 and 22 points respectively from the Wizards' Bradley Beal and Paul Pierce.  Paul Milsap added 19 points and Al Horford 18 (to go with his ten rebounds) to the Hawks' coffers.



WESTERN CONFERENCE:

At Memphis:

Stephen Curry scored 21 of his 33 points in the first half as the Golden State Warriors defeated the Memphis Grizzlies 101-84 on the road in game four of their conference semifinal series, now on level terms at two games apiece.

Sunday, May 10, 2015

Stanley Cup Playoffs: Rangers Force Game Seven With Caps; Ducks Finish Off Flames With OT Tally, Get Blackhawks Next

The Stanley Cup Playoffs continued on Sunday with two games.

EASTERN CONFERENCE:

At Washington:

Chris Kreider scored twice in the first period, with one of the goals scored on the power play, as the New York Rangers defeated the Washington Capitals 4-3 on the road and squared their conference semifinal series at three games apiece.

The series will conclude at New York on Wednesday night.

This is the fifth time that the Capitals will be playing a game seven after blowing a three-games-to-one series lead.  They lost on all four previous occasions.



WESTERN CONFERENCE:

Corey Perry scored the game-and-series-winning goal at 2:26 of overtime as the Anaheim Ducks defeated the visiting Calgary Flames 3-2 and won their conference semifinal series four games to one.

The Ducks will take on the Chicago Blackhawks in their first conference final since 2007, the year they won the Stanley Cup.  Anaheim will have home-ice advantage in this upcoming series.

NBA Playoffs: LeBron Powers Cavaliers Past Bulls As Series Is Leveled At 2-2; Clippers Bash Rockets, Take 3-1 Series Lead

The NBA Playoffs continued on Sunday with two games.

EASTERN CONFERENCE:

At Chicago:

LeBron James, who scored 25 points, grabbed 14 rebounds, and dished out eight assists, scored the game-winning basket at the buzzer as the Cleveland Cavaliers squared their conference semifinal series with the Chicago Bulls at two games apiece following their 86-84 game-four road victory, despite 31 points from the Bulls' Derrick Rose.



WESTERN CONFERENCE:

At Los Angeles:

DeAndre Jordan scored 26 points and grabbed 17 rebounds while Blake Griffin added 21 as the Los Angeles Clippers once again dominated the visiting Houston Rockets 128-95 in game five of their conference semifinal series.  James Harden scored 21 points to pace the Rockets.  

The Clippers can lock up the series----and play in a conference final for the first time in their 45-year, three-city history----with a game-five road win in Houston on Tuesday night.

Saturday, May 09, 2015

NBA Playoffs: Home Wins Give Wizards, Grizzlies 2-1 Respective Series Leads

The NBA Playoffs continued with two games on Saturday.

EASTERN CONFERENCE:

At Washington:

Paul Pierce, who scored 13 points,  delivered the game-winning bucket at the buzzer as the Washington Wizards, who led by 20 points with seven minutes left in regulation, held on for a 103-101 game-three home win over the Atlanta Hawks and now lead their conference semifinal series two games to one.  Otto Porter (who grabbed nine rebounds), Bradley Beal (who dished out eight assists), and Nene each scored 17 points to pace the Wizards while Jeff Teague and Dennis Schroder each scored 18 to lead the Hawks.



WESTERN CONFERENCE:

At Memphis:

Zach Randolph scored 22 points while Marc Gasol added 21 (to go with his 15 rebounds) as the Memphis Grizzlies topped the visiting Golden State Warriors 98-89 to take a two-games-to-one conference semifinal series lead, despite 23 points from Stephen Curry and 20 from Klay Thompson for the Warriors.

Stanley Cup Playoffs: Habs Top Lightning, Avoid Elimination, Force Game Six

At Montreal:

In the lone Saturday Stanley Cup Playoff contest, Pierre-Alexandre Parenteau scored the winning goal with 4:07 remaining in regulation as the Montreal Canadiens defeated the visiting Tampa Bay Lightning 2-1 to force a sixth game of their Eastern Conference semifinal series.  Carey Price saved 24 of 25 shots for the victory.

The Lightning, still leading three games to two, can close out the series with a home win in Tampa on Tuesday night.

Friday, May 08, 2015

NBA Playoffs: Home Wins Give Bulls (In Dramatic Fashion) And Clippers (In Lopsided Fashion) Respective 2-1 Series Leads

Two games in the NBA Playoffs were contested on Friday.

EASTERN CONFERENCE:

At Chicago:

Derrick Rose, who scored 30 points, hit the game-winning three-point shot at the buzzer as the Chicago Bulls defeated the visiting Cleveland Cavaliers 99-96 to take a two-games-to-one conference semifinal-series lead.  Jimmy Butler added 20 points to the Bulls' coffers.  LeBron James scored 27 points, dished out 14 assists, and grabbed eight rebounds for the Cavaliers.



WESTERN CONFERENCE:

At Los Angeles:

J.J. Redick scored 31 points while Austin Davis added a playoff-career-high 25, and Blake Griffin 22 (to go with his 14 rebounds) as the Los Angeles Clippers took a two-games-to-one conference semifinal-series advantage following their 124-99 game-three home beat-down of the Houston Rockets.  James Harden scored 25 points and dished out 11 assists for the Rockets

Stanley Cup Playoffs: OT Goal Keeps Rangers Alive, Forces Game Six In Washington; Ducks Overcome Flames, Take 3-1 Series Lead

The Stanley Cup Playoffs continued on Friday with two games.

EASTERN CONFERENCE:

At New York:

After Chris Kreider leveled the match with 1:41 seconds remaining in regulation, Ryan McDonagh delivered the game winner at 9:37 of overtime as the New York Rangers came from behind to upend the visiting Washington Capitals 2-1 and cut the Caps' conference-semifinal-series lead to three games to two.  Henrik Lundqvist saved 28 of 29 shots for New York while his Washington counterpart Braden Holtby saved 41 of 43 shots in the losing effort.

The Capitals can still finish off the Rangers with a game-six win back in Washington on Sunday.



WESTERN CONFERENCE:

At Calgary, Alberta:

Matt Beleskey scored the game-winning goal 71 seconds in to the third period as the Anaheim Ducks defeated the Calgary Flames 4-2 in game four of their conference semifinal series.

The Ducks, who now lead three games to one, can finish off the Flames back home in Anaheim with a game-five victory on Sunday night and advance to the Western Conference final against the Chicago Blackhawks.

Thursday, May 07, 2015

Stanley Cup Playoffs: Habs Dominate Lightning On Road, Avoid Elimination

Two games were played in the Stanley Cup Playoffs on Thursday.

EASTERN CONFERENCE:

At Tampa, Florida:

Max Pacioretty had a shorthanded goal and two assists while Carey Price stopped 22 of 24 shots as the Montreal Canadiens avoided elimination with their 6-2 road domination of the Tampa Bay Lightning, who still lead the conference semifinal series three games to one.  The Lightning can still finish off the Habs with a game-five win on Montreal ice this Saturday.



WESTERN CONFERENCE:

At St. Paul, Minnesota:

Brent Seabrook, Andrew Shaw (power play), Patrick Kane, and Marion Hossa (shorthanded, empty net) each scored a goal while Corey Crawford saved 34 of 37 shots as the Chicago Blackhawks held off the Minnesota Wild 4-3 on the road and completed a four-game sweep of their conference semifinal series and will take on the Calgary-Anaheim winner in the Western Conference final with a berth in the Stanley Cup Final up for grabs.

Tom...

Not so terrific?

Wednesday, May 06, 2015

NBA Playoffs: Cavs, Rockets Square Respective Series At One Game Apiece

Two games were played on Wednesday as the NBA Playoffs continued.

EASTERN CONFERENCE:

At Cleveland:

LeBron James scored 33 points while Kyrie Irving added 21 as the Cleveland Cavaliers led by 20 points at the end of the first quarter and coasted to a 106-91 game-two home victory over the Chicago Bulls that squared their conference semifinal series at one game apiece.



WESTERN CONFERENCE:

At Houston:

James Harden scored 16 of his 32 points in the fourth quarter while Dwight Howard added 24 to go with his 16 rebounds as the Houston Rockets, with six players scoring in double-figures,  battled back from a 13-point deficit to upend the visiting Los Angeles Clippers 115-109 in game two and leveled their conference semifinal series at a game apiece despite the Clippers' Blake Griffin's 34 points and 15 rebounds.


Stanley Cup Playoffs: Caps, Lightning One Victory Away Each From Conference Final Meeting

The Stanley Cup Playoffs continued with two games played in the Eastern Conference on Wednesday.

At Tampa, Florida:

Tyler Johnson scored the winning goal with 1.1 seconds remaining in regulation as the Tampa Bay Lightning defeated the visiting Montreal Canadiens 2-1 and took a three-games-to-none lead in their conference semifinal series.  Ben Bishop stopped 30 of 31 shots for the Lightning , who can finish off the Habs with a game-four home victory on Thursday.

At Washington:

Andre Burakovsky scored his first two career post-season goals while Branden Holtby saved 28 of 29 shots, including a penalty shot, as the Washington Capitals defeated the visiting New York Rangers 2-1 in game four of their conference semifinal series.  The Caps, who now lead three games to one, can finish off the Rangers with a game-five win in New York City on Friday.

Tuesday, May 05, 2015

Stanley Cup Playoffs: Blackhawks One Victory Away From Sweeping Wild; OT Goal For Flames Cuts Calgary Series Deficit Against Ducks To 2-1

Two games were played in the Stanley Cup Playoffs on Tuesday, both of them contested in the Western Conference.

At St. Paul, Minnesota:

A first-period power-play goal from Patrick Kane provided all the scoring while Corey Crawford stopped all 30 shots in the Chicago Blackhawks' 1-0 game-three road win over the Minnesota Wild.  The Blackhawks, who lead their conference semifinal series three games to none, can finish off the Wild with a game-four victory at St. Paul on Thursday.

At Calgary, Alberta:

Mikael Backlund scored the winning goal at 4:24 of overtime as the Calgary Flames defeated the visiting Anaheim Ducks 4-3 in game three and cut the Ducks' conference-semifinal-series advantage to two games to one.

NBA Playoffs: Hawks, Grizzlies Square Respective Series At 1-1

The NBA Playoffs continued on Tuesday with two games.

EASTERN CONFERENCE:

At Atlanta:

DeMarre Carroll scored 22 points as the Atlanta Hawks squared their conference semifinal series with the Washington Wizards at one game apiece following their 106-90 game-two home win, despite 21 points from Ramon Sessions and 20 from Bradley Beal for the Wizards.



WESTERN CONFERENCE:

At Oakland, California:

Just eight days after having undergone facial surgery, Mike Conley scored 22 points while Zach Randolph added 20 as the Memphis Grizzlies knocked off the Golden State Warriors 97-90 on the road to level their conference semifinal series at one game apiece.  Newly-named NBA MVP Stephen Curry paced the Warriors with 19 points.