Previews, predictions, general talk
As we head toward Saturday’s Preakness Stakes, analysts are reviewing the post positions and factoring them into the odds. Unlike the Kentucky Derby, which uses a special starting gate to accommodate the field of 20 horses, the Preakness is typically a smaller race, drawing 10-14 horses. 21 more words
Preakness Post Positions — EQUINE Ink
Miami could use Smart’s physical defense and veteran ball handling savvy.
Report: Marcus Smart aiming to return for Game 2; Horford likely out — ProBasketballTalk | NBC Sports
Starting Pitcher: Warren Spahn
1942-1965, primarily for the Boston/Milwaukee Braves
363 career victories (most by a lefthanded pitcher and sixth all time)
Career victories is most by any pitcher whose career was beyond the 1920 live ball era
3.09 career earned run average (ERA)
2,583 career strikeouts
Pitched 382 lifetime complete games
63 career shutouts is sixth most all time and most by anyone from the live ball era
World Series champion in 1957
17-time National League All-Star
8-time NL win leader
3-time NL ERA leader
4-time NL strikeout leader
Pitched 2 career no-hitters
Major league Cy Young Award winner in 1957 (given to one pitcher, not separated by American League and National League, as it is today)
Inducted into Baseball hall of Fame in 1973
Warren Spahn Award is named for best lefthanded pitcher
Named to Major League Baseball’s all-century team in 1999
Ranked number 21 in The Sporting News’ list of Baseball’s Greatest Players
C: Yogi Berra
1B: Lou Gehrig
2B: Rogers Hornsby
SS: Honus Wagner
3B: Mike Schmidt
LF: Ted Williams
CF: Willie Mays
RF: Babe Ruth
SP: Walter Johnson
SP: Christy Mathewson
SP: Warren Spahn
Eastern Conference:
Tampa Bay Lightning over Florida Panthers 4-3
The battle of Florida features the two-time defending champion Lightning taking on the Presidents Trophy-winning Panthers. This is a rematch of a playoff series from a year ago when Tampa Bay cruised past Florida. I’m taking the battle tested Lightning in an extremely tight series.
Carolina Hurricanes over New York Rangers 4-2
Both teams survived seven game series in the first round. The Rangers were generally outplayed by the Pittsburgh Penguins, especially during 5 on 5 play, however were saved by Pittsburgh blowing leads in the final 3 games (all Rangers victories). Carolina will not allow New York back into any games.
Western Conference:
Colorado Avalanche over St. Louis Blues 4-2
The Avs will finally get over the hump of the second round and continue to be the Stanley Cup favorites by getting past a tough St. Louis squad.
Edmonton Oilers over Calgary Flames 4-3
The battle of Alberta will see Connor McDavid and company ride into the conference finals in what could be a classic series. Look for Oilers’ goaltender Mike Smith to have to stand on his head at times.
Eastern Conference:
#2 Boston Celtics over #1 Miami Heat 4-2
The Miami Heat seem to always fly under the radar, don’t they? Even after cementing the top seed in the conference, the conversation seemed to revolve around the other contenders, such as the defending champion Bucks, or the 76ers, Nets, and this round’s opponent, the Boston Celtics.
The Celtics are certainly worthy of the attention, with their torrid pace from February on. Boston’s surge came on the back of its top ranked defense, a scheme that plays well in the postseason. Jayson Tatum is emerging as a superstar before our very eyes, while the C’s possess stars, Jaylon Brown, Marcus Smart, and Al Horford.
The Heat, meanwhile, possess one of the best players in the NBA in Jimmy Butler, who has gone through stretches of dominance in the playoffs before when he carried the Heat to the finals in 2020. Also on the roster are capable role players Bam Adebayo, Tyler Herro, and the emerging Max Struss. Kyle Lowry is questionable to start the series due to his hamstring problems.
Expect games where both teams fail to reach triple digits, as both the Celtics and Heat have top notch defenses. Butler will once again carry the Heat, and may steal a game or two, however, Boston’s defense is one where they may be able to contain Butler enough to where Miami will need someone else to step up. Tatum, on the other hand, has a stronger supporting cast on his side and will lead the Celtics back to the finals.
Western Conference
#3 Golden State Warriors 4 #4 Dallas Mavericks 3
Well, the Dallas Mavericks have are attention now, don’t they? That was a dominant and statement win on the road in Game 7 over the 64-win Phoenix Suns. And here’s the kicker: the Mavs will be underdogs once again in this series.
Dallas, of course, has its one superstar in Luka Doncic. While it is preferred to have more than one scoring option, I have to wonder which of the Warriors will draw the assignment of guarding Doncic. If someone is able to give him fits (unlikely), it will be up to folks like Spencer Dinwiddie (30 points in Game 7 at Phoenix) or Jalen Brunson.
Golden State obviously has more scoring punch in Steph Curry, Kyle Thompson, Andrew Wiggins, and youngster Jordan Poole. Dallas’ wings must get out and distract the Warriors’ shooting outside to slow down the 3-point threat.
I’m having trouble picking against the Mavericks in this series, however, when I look at Golden State’s scoring options, I see no other choice but to pick the Warriors. Look for Doncic to be Superman, but fall just short of the finals.
Doc Rivers stepped onto the court and called timeout before Bam Adebayo even finished his pick-six dunk.
In Game 6, Heat and 76ers show they’re on different levels — ProBasketballTalk | NBC Sports
Starting Pitcher: Christy Mathewson
1900-1916, primarily for the New York Giants
Also known as “Matty”
373 career victories
2.13 career earned run average (ERA)
2,502 career strikeouts
2-time National League pitching triple crown winner (wins, ERA, strikeouts)
4-time NL wins leader
5-time NL ERA leader
5-time NL strikeout leader
Pitched 2 no-hitters
World Series champion in 1905
Pitched 3 complete game shutouts in the 1905 World Series, allowing a mere 14 hits
Inducted into Baseball hall of Fame in 1936 as part of the inaugural class that included Babe Ruth, Ty Cobb, Honus Wagner, and Walter Johnson
Named to Baseball’s All-Century Team in 1999
Ranked in 1999 #7 on The Sporting News’ list of the 100 Greatest Baseball Players (highest ranked pitcher)
ESPN ranked his feats in the 1905 World Series as the greatest playoff performance of all time
Insisted on enlisting into the United States Army for World War One. In France, he was accidentally gassed during a chemical training exercise and contracted tuberculosis. He died of the illness in 1925 at the age of 45.
C: Yogi Berra
1B: Lou Gehrig
2B: Rogers Hornsby
SS: Honus Wagner
3B: Mike Schmidt
LF: Ted Williams
CF: Willie Mays
RF: Babe Ruth
SP: Walter Johnson
SP: Christy Mathewson
The Grizzlies’ Taylor Jenkins was second in the voting, the Heat’s Eric Spoelstra came in third.
It’s official: Suns’ Monty Williams named NBA Coach of the Year — ProBasketballTalk | NBC Sports
Bam Adebayo threw a beautiful looping alley-oop pass to Jimmy Butler, whose cut to the rim was freed by a perfectly timed Tyler Herro backscreen.
High-scoring Heat rout 76ers in Game 2, take 2-0 series lead — ProBasketballTalk | NBC Sports
Kirill Kaprizov has a hat trick for the Minnesota Wild, the Edmonton Oilers bounce back with a shutout, and the Tampa Bay Lightning get even, while the Carolina Hurricanes dominate the Boston Bruins again.
NHL Rink Wrap: Hurricanes dominate again; Wild, Lightning, Oilers get even — ProHockeyTalk | NBC Sports
Whipped Owl 