Wednesday, May 09, 2018

NBA Playoffs: Celtics Hold Off Sixers To Win East Semifinal Series; Boston To Face Cleveland In East Final

At Boston:


In the lone Wednesday NBA Playoff contest, the Boston Celtics, with Jayson Tatum scoring 25 points and Jaylen Brown adding 24, the Boston Celtics defeated the visiting Philadelphia 76ers 114-112 in game five of their Eastern Conference semifinal series, enabling the Celtics to win the series four games to one.


Joel Embiid and Dario Saric each scored 27 points (while grabbing 12 and 10 rebounds, respectively) for the 76ers.


The Celtics will host the opening game of the Eastern Conference Final against the Cleveland Cavaliers this coming Sunday at 12:30 PM Pacific Time (ABC).

Tuesday, May 08, 2018

NBA Playoffs: Rockets, Warriors Advance To West Final With Wins On Tuesday

Both Western Conference semifinal series concluded in the NBA Playoffs on Tuesday.

At Houston:

Chris Paul scored 41 points and dished out ten assists (while grabbing seven rebounds) as the Houston Rockets defeated the visiting Utah Jazz 112-102 in game five of their conference semifinal series, which the Rockets won four games to one.

Donovan Mitchell scored 24 points and grabbed nine rebounds for the Jazz.  Alec Burks added 22 points to the Utah coffers.


At Oakland, California:

Stephen Curry scored 28 points as the Golden State Warriors finished off the visiting New Orleans Pelicans 113-104 in the fifth game of their conference semifinal series, won by the hosts four games to one.


Kevin Durant added 24 points to the Warriors' coffers while Klay Thompson added 23.

Anthony Davis scored 34 points and grabbed 19 rebounds for the Pelicans while Jrue Holiday registered a triple double (27 points, 11 assists, and 10 rebounds).



The Golden State Warriors will battle the Houston Rockets in the Western Conference Final, set to start next Monday in Houston at 6:00 PM Pacific Time (TNT).

Monday, May 07, 2018

Stanley Cup Playoffs: Caps Oust Penguins In OT; Predators Dominate Jets In Winnipeg, Force Game Seven Back In Music City

The Stanley Cup Playoffs continued on Monday with two games.

EASTERN CONFERENCE:

At Pittsburgh:

Evgeny Kuznetsov scored the winning goal at 5:27 of overtime as the Washington Capitals ended the Pittsburgh Penguins' two-year reign as Stanley Cup Champions by winning game six of their conference semifinal series 2-1 on the road and taking the series four games to one.

Braden Holtby saved 21 of 22 shots for the Caps.

Washington will face the Tampa Bay Lightning in the Eastern Conference Final.  The Lightning will host the first two games of that series.

WESTERN CONFERENCE:

At Winnipeg, Manitoba:

Viktor Arvidsson and Filip Forsberg each scored twice (with one of the former's an empty netter) while Pekke Rinne saved all 34 shots as the Nashville Predators squared their conference semifinal series at three games each after their 4-0 game-four road rout of the Winnipeg Jets.

The series----and the playoffs' second round----will conclude in Nashville on Thursday night (5:00 PM Pacific Time, NBCSN).  The winner will take on the Vegas Golden Knights in the Western Conference Final.

NBA Playoffs: LeBron Helps Cavaliers Complete Sweep Of Raptors; Sixers Top Celtics In Philly To Stay Alive

Both Eastern Conference semifinal series continued on Monday as the NBA Playoffs continued.

At Philadelphia:

Dario Saric scored 25 points as the Philadelphia 76ers avoided elimination by defeating the Boston Celtics 103-92 on the road in game four of their conference semifinal series.

The Celtics, who lead three games to one, can still finish off the Sixers back home in Boston with a game-five victory on Wednesday.

At Cleveland:

LeBron James scored 29 points, dished out 11 assists, and grabbed eight rebounds as the Cleveland Cavaliers completed a four-game conference semifinal series sweep of the Toronto Raptors 128-93 at home.


Kevin Love added 23 points to Cleveland's coffers.

The Cavaliers will face either Boston or Philadelphia in the Eastern Conference Final with the Celtics or 76ers holding home-court advantage.

Sunday, May 06, 2018

NBA Playoffs: Warriors, Rockets On Cusp Of Setting Up Potentially Mouth-Watering West Final

The NBA Playoffs continued on Sunday with two Western Conference semifinal series games.

At New Orleans:

Kevin Durant scored 38 points while Stephen Curry added 23 as the Golden State Warriors took a three-games-to-one conference semifinal series lead with their 118-92 game-four road beat-down of the New Orleans Pelicans.

Anthony Davis topped the Pelicans with 26 points while grabbing 12 rebounds.  Etwane Moore added 20 points to the New Orleans coffers.

The Warriors can finish off the Pelicans with a game-five home victory in Oakland on Tuesday (7:30 PM Pacific Time, TNT).

At Salt Lake City, Utah:

Chris Paul scored 27 points while James Harden added 24 as the Houston Rockets defeated the Utah Jazz 100-87 on the road in game four of their conference semifinal series.

Donovan Mitchell led the Jazz with 25 points.

The Rockets, who now lead the series three games to one, can advance to the Western Conference Final with a game-five home win in Houston on Tuesday (5:00 PM Pacific Time, TNT).

Stanley Cup Playoffs: Lightning, Golden Knights Advance To Respective Conference Finals

The Stanley Cup Playoffs continued on Sunday with two games.

EASTERN CONFERENCE:

At Tampa, Florida:

Brayden Point, J.T. Miller (power play), and Anton Stralman (empty netter) each scored once while Andrei Vasilevskiy saved 27 of 28 shots as the Tampa Bay Lightning defeated the visiting Boston Bruins 3-1 in game five of their conference semifinal series, which the Lightning won four games to one.

Tampa Bay will have the home-ice advantage in the Eastern Conference Final against the winner of the Washington-Pittsburgh series (which the Capitals lead three games to two).



WESTERN CONFERENCE:

At San Jose, California:

Jonathan Marchessault, Nate Schmidt, and Cody Eakin (empty netter) each scored a goal while Marc-Andre Fleury saved all 28 shots as the Vegas Golden Knights finished off the San Jose Sharks by blanking them 3-0 on the road in game six of their conference semifinal series, enabling them to win the series four games to two.

Next up for the Golden Knights, an encounter in the Western Conference Final against the Nashville-Winnipeg series winner (the Jets lead that series three games to two).

Maestro's Late Goal Carries Timbers Past Quakes In San Jose

At San Jose, California:

Diego Valeri's goal in the 88th minute off a free kick on Saturday night made the difference as the Portland Timbers defeated the San Jose Earthquakes 1-0 for their first road win of the season.

Jeff Attinella came up with four saves to preserve his second straight shutout, and the Timbers' third successive Major League Soccer victory.

The Timbers will now prepare themselves for their 100th contest across all eras against the Seattle Sounders in a Cascadia Cup clash, set for next Sunday at home (1:00 PM Pacific Time, ESPN).

T2 Gain Scoreless Road Draw Against Saint Louis FC

At Fenton, Missouri:

In Saturday United Soccer League action, Portland Timbers 2 gained a 0-0 road deadlock with Saint Louis FC.

The next T2 match will be on the road in Tacoma, Washington against Seattle Sounders FC 2 next Saturday at 5:00 PM Pacific Time (streamed live over ESPN+).

Saturday, May 05, 2018

144th Kentucky Derby: Justify Tops Field On Rainy Saturday

At Louisville, Kentucky:

On a rainy Saturday, on a wet, muddy track at Churchill Downs, Justify, with jockey Mike Smith aboard, won the 144th edition of the Kentucky Derby, becoming the first horse since Apollo in 1882 to win the Run for the Roses without having raced as a two year-old.

Trainer Bob Baffert won his fifth Derby.

Good Magic was second and Audible finished third.


Stanley Cup Playoffs

Two Stanley Cup Playoff games were contested on Saturday.

EASTERN CONFERENCE:

At Washington:

John Carlson (power play), Brett Connolly, Evgeny Kuznetsov, Jakub Vrana, T.J. Oshie (empty netter), Lars Eller (another empty netter) each scored once as the Washington Capitals doubled up the visiting Pittsburgh Penguins 6-3 in game five of their conference semifinal series, which they now lead three games to two.

The Caps can close out the series with a game-six win on Pittsburgh ice this coming Monday (4:00 PM Pacific Time, NBCSN).



WESTERN CONFERENCE:

At Nashville, Tennessee:

Kyle Connor scored twice as the Winnipeg Jets, with Connor Hellebuyck saving 38 of 40 shots, defeated the Nashville Predators 6-2 on the road in the fifth game of their conference semifinal series.

The Jets can punch their ticket for their first-ever conference final by knocking off the Predators back home in Winnipeg on Monday (6:30 PM Pacific Time, NBCSN).

NBA Playoffs: Celtics, Cavaliers One Win Away From Showdown For East Title

The NBA Playoffs continued on Saturday with two Eastern Conference semifinal series games.

At Philadelphia:

Jayson Tatum scored 24 points as the Boston Celtics defeated the Philadelphia 76ers 101-98 in overtime in game three of their conference semifinal series.

Joel Embiid scored 22 points to lead the Sixers, while grabbing 18 rebounds.

The Celtics can close out the series, which they lead three games to none, with a game-four victory in Philadelphia on Monday (3:00 PM Pacific Time, TNT).

At Cleveland:

LeBron James who scored 38 points (while dishing out seven assists), converted the game winner at the buzzer as the Cleveland Cavaliers held off the visiting Toronto Raptors 105-103 in game three of their conference semifinal series, which they now lead three games to none.

Kevin Love added 21 points to Cleveland's coffers.

Kyle Lowry paced the Raptors with 27 points while dishing out seven assists.

The Cavaliers can close out the series with a game-four home win in Cleveland on Monday (5:30 PM Pacific Time, TNT).

Friday, May 04, 2018

Glenda!

Here's a glamour photo of 1930s-1960s screen actress Glenda Farrell.

Stanley Cup Playoffs: Lightning, Knights One Win Away From Reaching Respective Conference Finals

The Stanley Cup Playoffs continued on Friday with two games.

EASTERN CONFERENCE:

At Boston:

Daniel Girardi scored the winning goal 3:18 into overtime as the Tampa Bay Lightning defeated the Boston Bruins 4-3 on the road in game four of their conference semifinal series.

The Lightning, who now lead three games to one, can finish off the Bruins with a game-five victory in Tampa on Sunday (12:00 Noon Pacific Time, NBC).


WESTERN CONFERENCE4:

At Las Vegas, Nevada:

Alex Tuch scored twice (once on a power play) as the Vegas Golden Knights held off the visiting San Jose Sharks 5-3 in game five of their conference semifinal series.

The Golden Knights, who now lead three games to two, can advance to the Western Conference Final with a game-six win in San Jose on Sunday (4:30 PM Pacific Time, NBCSN).

NBA Playoffs: Pelicans Cut Warriors' Series Lead To 2-1; Rockets Overpower Jazz For 2-1 Series Lead

Two games, both in the Western Conference, were played on Friday as the NBA Playoffs continued.

At New Orleans:

Anthony Davis scored 33 points and grabbed 18 rebounds as the New Orleans Pelicans cut the Golden State Warriors' conference semifinal series advantage to two games to one following their 119-100 game-three home victory.

Jrue Holiday added 21 points to the Pelicans' coffers.

Klay Thompson topped the Warriors with 26 points while Kevin Durant added 22 and Stephen Curry 19.

At Salt Lake City, Utah:

Eric Gordon and James Harden (who dished out 12 assists) each scored 25 points as the Houston Rockets defeated the Utah Jazz 113-92 on the road in the third game of their conference semifinal series, which they now lead two games to one.

Thursday, May 03, 2018

T2 Blank Republic At Home

At Portland, Oregon:

In Wednesday United Soccer League action, Dairon Aspilla (16') and Augie Williams (36') each scored once as Portland Timbers 2 blanked the visiting Sacramento Republic 2-0.

Next up for T2,  a road match against Saint Louis FC at Fenton, Missouri this coming Saturday at 5:30 PM Pacific Time, to be streamed live over ESPN+.

More Madeleine!

Here's another glamour photo of 1930s and 1940s British-born screen actress Madeleine Carroll.


Stanley Cup Playoffs: Penguins, Predators Square Respective Series At 2-2

Two games were contested on Thursday as the Stanley Cup Playoffs continued.

EASTERN CONFERENCE:

At Pittsburgh:

Jake Guentzel scored twice (once on an empty netter) while Matt Murray saved 20 of 21 shots as the Pittsburgh Penguins leveled their conference semifinal series at two games apiece following their 3-1 game-four home win over the Washington Capitals.



WESTERN CONFERENCE:

At Winnipeg, Manitoba:

Ryan Hartman and P.J. Subban (power play) each scored once while Pekka Rinne saved 32 of 33 shots as the Nashville Predators defeated the Winnipeg Jets 2-1 on the road in the fourth game of their conference semifinal series, now squared at two games apiece.

NBA Playoffs: Cavs, Celtics Stretch Respective Series Leads To 2-0

Two games, both in the Eastern Conference, were contested in the NBA Playoffs on Thursday.

At Toronto:

LeBron James scored 43 points and dished out 14 assists (while grabbing eight rebounds) as the visiting Cleveland Cavaliers overpowered the Toronto Raptors 128-110 in game two of their conference semifinal series, which the Cavs now lead two games to none.


Kevin Love helped the Cavaliers' cause with 31 points and 11 rebounds.

DeMar DeRozan topped the Raptors with 24 points while Kyle Lowry added 21.

At Boston:

Jayson Tatum scored 21 points while Terry Rozier added 20 (to go with his seven rebounds and nine assists) as the Boston Celtics downed the visiting Philadelphia 76ers 108-103 in the second game of their conference semifinal series, which they now lead two games to none.

J.J. Redick topped the Sixers with 23 points while Robert Covington added 22 and Joel Embiid 20 (to go with his 14 rebounds).

Wednesday, May 02, 2018

Madeleine!

Here's a glamour photo of English-born 1930s and 1940s screen actress Madeleine Carroll.


Stanley Cup Playoffs: Lightning Take 2-1 Series Lead Over Bruins; Sharks Take Bite Out Of Golden Knights To Square Series At 2-2

Two games were contested in the Stanley Cup Playoff on Wednesday.

EASTERN CONFERENCE:

At Boston:

Ondrej Palat scored twice in the first period while Andrei Vasilevskiy saved 28 of 29 shots as the Tampa Bay Lightning defeated the Boston Bruins 4-1 on the road in game three of their conference semifinal series to take a two-games-to-one lead and reclaim home-ice advantage.


WESTERN CONFERENCE:

Marcus Sorensen, Joonas Donskol, Tomas Hertl, and Joe Pavelski (power play) each scored once while Martin Jones stopped all 34 shots as the San Jose Sharks dominated the visiting Vegas Golden Knights 4-0 in game four of their conference semifinal series, now level at two games apiece.