Pro Sports News

Cavaliers rally to beat Magic in Game 7, advance to second round

SportsNets - Sun, 05/05/2024 - 13:52

CLEVELAND (AP) — Donovan Mitchell brought redemption and relief to himself and the Cavaliers.

A year after being bullied and bounced in the first round of the NBA playoffs, Cleveland is moving on.

Mitchell made sure.

“This is why I’m here,” he said. “It’s my job.”

Mitchell scored 39 points, Caris LeVert added 15 and Cleveland avoided a potentially franchise-shifting loss by rallying for a 106-94 win over the Orlando Magic on Sunday in Game 7 to advance in the Eastern Conference playoffs.

The Cavs trailed by 18 in the first half and were in danger of being eliminated early for the second year in a row — a scenario that may have led to firings.

But Mitchell, who scored 50 in a Game 6 loss at Orlando and has been battling a left knee injury for months, put the Cavs on his back. He carried them past an up-and-coming Orlando team whose playoff inexperience showed in the second half.

“I don’t mean this disrespectful, but it doesn’t really mean much,” Mitchell said. “We didn’t come in just to win the first round. We accomplished one goal, now we have to do it again. That’s the mindset.”

According to the NBA, Cleveland’s comeback is the largest in a Game 7 since the league began tracking play-by-play in 1997-98.

Evan Mobley grabbed 16 rebounds and Darius Garland hit a critical 3-pointer — after getting a pep talk from Mitchell — in the fourth for Cleveland, which won its first playoff series without LeBron James since 1993.

The Cavs will begin the second round on the road against the top-seeded Celtics in Game 1 on Tuesday. Boston went 2-1 against Cleveland this season.

In the closing minutes, the towel-waving crowd inside Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse chanted, “We want Boston!” — a matchup that didn’t look likely an hour earlier.

“I’m pretty sure everybody thinks they’re going to come in and kick our ass,” Mitchell said. “So for us to continue to stay level-headed throughout, and just be who we are, that’s the biggest thing.”

Paolo Banchero scored 38 — just 14 after halftime — and added 16 rebounds to lead the Magic, who grew up in the series but couldn’t figure out how to win in Cleveland as both teams held serve on their floors.

Orlando’s Franz Wagner and Jalen Suggs went a combined 3 of 28 from the field.

The moment turned out to be too much for the Magic, who pushed the Cavs to the limit.

“After the first game, people were like, I don’t know if they’re ready,” Banchero said. “To come back the way we did, it shows where we’re headed and shows what we’re able to do.”

Down by 10 at halftime, Cleveland raised its defensive intensity in the third quarter and outscored Orlando 33-15. The Magic went just 4 of 24 from the field in the period and seemed hesitant while waiting for Banchero to do more.

The Cavs were up 85-77 in the fourth when Garland, who was in foul trouble in the first half and was clearly frustrated before Mitchell wrapped his arm around him on the bench, drained a 3-pointer from the corner to put Cleveland up 11.

After the shot dropped and Orlando called a timeout, a relieved Garland was bear-hugged by Mitchell, who was acquired in a trade two years ago from Utah to hopefully get Cleveland closer to another championship.

The Cavs took another step with him.

“We’ve been at it for two years and we’ve been trying to get past this first round, so he knew that we all wanted it at the same time and together,” Garland said. “He knew that I was a little bit down in the first half, but he kept trusting me.

“It’s cool just having him in my ear a little bit, just telling me to keep going, stay confident in myself. I really needed it.”

Cleveland was again without starting center Jarrett Allen, who missed the final three games in the series with a painful rib injury sustained from an errant Magic elbow.

Before he got hurt, Allen was Cleveland’s most consistent player against the Magic, getting 20 rebounds in Game 2 while giving the Cavs a defensive presence underneath to at least deter Orlando drives.

His status for the Boston series remains unknown.

Led by the 21-year-old Banchero, the Magic, who only won 22 games two years ago before they selected him with the No. 1 overall pick in the draft, were 24 minutes from winning a series they trailed 2-0.

But Orlando didn’t have enough — or Mitchell.

Whenever the Cavs needed a big play, the All-Star guard made one. Whenever a teammate needed support, he was there. And in scoring 89 points in the final two games, Mitchell may have finally silenced critics who pointed to his inability to close.

This time, he finished the job.

“That’s what special players do when it matters most,” Cavs coach J.B. Bickerstaff said. “He was special when he needed to be.”

Blue Jays’ Guerrero Jr. crushes grand slam to left field

SportsNets - Sun, 05/05/2024 - 13:50

var adServerUrl = ""; var $el = $( "#video_container-761877" ); var permalink = $el.closest('.snet-single-article').data('permalink');

/* if ( "1" == true && 'undefined' !== typeof window.getIndexAds ) { var so = {preroll:{1:{1:{siteID:191888},2:{siteID:191889}}}}; adServerUrl = window.getIndexAds( 'http://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/ads?sz=640x360&cust_params=domain%3Dsportsnet.ca&iu=%2F7326%2Fen.sportsnet.web%2FVideo&ciu_szs=300x250&impl=s&gdfp_req=1&env=vp&output=vast&unviewed_position_start=1&ad_rule=1&vid=6352375455112&cmsid=384', so, permalink); } else { adServerUrl = "http://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/ads?sz=640x360&cust_params=domain%3Dsportsnet.ca&iu=%2F7326%2Fen.sportsnet.web%2FVideo&ciu_szs=300x250&impl=s&gdfp_req=1&env=vp&output=vast&unviewed_position_start=1&ad_rule=1&vid=6352375455112&cmsid=384"; } */ adServerUrl = "http://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/ads?sz=640x360&cust_params=domain%3Dsportsnet.ca&iu=%2F7326%2Fen.sportsnet.web%2FVideo&ciu_szs=300x250&impl=s&gdfp_req=1&env=vp&output=vast&unviewed_position_start=1&ad_rule=1&vid=6352375455112&cmsid=384"; var adServerUrl_result = adServerUrl.includes("cust_params"); var queryString=''; if(adServerUrl_result){ var gettheDUFI = localStorage.getItem("theRED_loc")

if(gettheDUFI){ queryString += "dufiid=" + gettheDUFI + '&'; queryString += "ppid=" + gettheDUFI + '&'; var ppid = "ppid=" + gettheDUFI + '&'; }

var DUFI_IP = sessionStorage.getItem("DUFI_IP")

if(DUFI_IP){ queryString += "dufiip=" + DUFI_IP + '&'; }

adServerUrl = adServerUrl.replace(/cust_params=/, ppid + 'cust_params=' + encodeURIComponent(queryString) ); }

$el.after( unescape("%3Cscript src=\"" + (document.location.protocol == "https:" ? "https://sb" : "http://b") + ".scorecardresearch.com/beacon.js\" %3E%3C/script%3E") );

$( document ).one( 'ready', function() { $( "#video_container-761877" ).SNPlayer( { bc_account_id: "1704050871", bc_player_id: "JCdte3tMv", //autoplay: false, //is_has_autoplay_switch: false, bc_videos: 6352375455112, is_has_continuous_play: "false", adserverurl: adServerUrl, section: "", thumbnail: "https://www.sportsnet.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/6352375455112-1024x576.jpg", direct_url: "https://www.sportsnet.ca/mlb/video/blue-jays-guerrero-jr-crushes-grand-slam-to-left-field/" }); });

Categories: Canada Sports News, Ontario Sports News, Pro Sports News

Denny Hamlin: ‘This is the year’ he wins the NASCAR championship - NASCAR

Google Sports - Sun, 05/05/2024 - 13:48

Denny Hamlin: ‘This is the year’ he wins the NASCAR championship NASCARView Full Coverage on Google News

Categories: Pro Sports News, World Sports News

Celtics to face Cavaliers in Eastern Conference Semifinals - WCVB Boston

Google Sports - Sun, 05/05/2024 - 13:48

Celtics to face Cavaliers in Eastern Conference Semifinals WCVB Boston
2024 NBA playoffs: Celtics will host next series Sunday or Tuesday The Boston Globe
Cleveland Cavaliers Advance to 2024 NBA Playoffs Eastern Conference Semifinals NBA.com
4 things to know as Celtics face Cavaliers in 2nd round of playoffs MassLive.com
NBA playoffs: Here's the Celtics' schedule for the Eastern Conference semifinals Boston.com

Categories: Pro Sports News, World Sports News

Closing thoughts on the Maple Leafs and what happens next

SportsNets - Sun, 05/05/2024 - 13:45

You can’t successfully treat a patient without an accurate diagnosis, which means that as much as Leafs fans are eagerly thinking about the future today – in particular which heads may roll – there needs to be some reflection on what just happened.

So, allow me one more dive into the actual hockey that just wrapped up, and what that may mean for the future, as the autopsy continues.

The team didn’t score

The Leafs have been held to two goals or less in 13 of their past 14 playoff games, scoring a whopping three in the other. Frankly, that is insane. The team averaged 3.63 goals per game in the regular season, second most in the league, which means they were more likely to score four than three in any given game this (regular) season.

William Nylander ended up scoring three in four playoff games, each of which was a massive goal for the Leafs. In Game 7, Sheldon Keefe used him for over two minutes more than their next-most used forward. In fact, Nylander averaged 1.5 minutes per game more than any other Leafs forward in the series. He once again rose to the occasion.

Auston Matthews had an all-world Game 2, single-handedly driving a Leafs road victory before getting sick and injured and then trying to trudge through Games 3 and 4. In Game 7, he almost certainly shouldn’t have been playing, but was given 17 minutes of ice time, led Leafs forwards in shot attempts, and set up a massive goal to give them the lead in the third. You could give him an incomplete grade for the series, but with four points and good underlying numbers in trying circumstances, it would be tough to say Matthews didn’t pull his weight.

Real Kyper and Bourne

Nick Kypreos and Justin Bourne talk all things NHL, all season long. Watch live every weekday on Sportsnet and Sportsnet+ — or listen live on Sportsnet 590 The Fan — from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. ET.

Find latest episodes

No offence from Marner or Tavares

I hate to be flippant here, but this is really about Mitch Marner. When John Tavares signed his extension, it was assumed that the back-end of the deal might not be pretty and, at this point, he’s no longer a player who can drive play. He can still put some pucks away if put in the right spots, but his ho-hum, semi-disappointing performance in this series was closer to expectation than letdown at this point. (That doesn’t mean it’s not a problem, it’s just that they weren’t banking on him thriving this late in the deal.)

In the playoffs, the Leafs’ all-world chance creator just… doesn’t create enough chances. Over the past three NHL regular seasons combined Marner is just outside the top-10 in points, sitting 11th with a per-game average of 1.27. But in the playoffs this season his one goal and two assists in seven games was an average of 0.43 points per game, miles short of what Leafs fans have come to expect from him.

My issue with Marner’s play is what changes about it in the playoffs. He’s an east-west player and always will be, which is fine (or even good), but in the regular season he also puts defences on their heels by taking off, challenging them, and making them second guess what he’s going to do next. In the playoffs, his first thought with all plays seems to be east-west, frankly even south, and instead of challenging the opposing team, he resigns himself to not even trying to get to the middle or up-ice.

var adServerUrl = ""; var $el = $( "#video_container-166035" ); var permalink = $el.closest('.snet-single-article').data('permalink');

/* if ( "1" == true && 'undefined' !== typeof window.getIndexAds ) { var so = {preroll:{1:{1:{siteID:191888},2:{siteID:191889}}}}; adServerUrl = window.getIndexAds( 'http://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/ads?sz=640x360&cust_params=domain%3Dsportsnet.ca&iu=%2F7326%2Fen.sportsnet.web%2FVideo&ciu_szs=300x250&impl=s&gdfp_req=1&env=vp&output=vast&unviewed_position_start=1&ad_rule=1&vid=6352343328112&cmsid=384', so, permalink); } else { adServerUrl = "http://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/ads?sz=640x360&cust_params=domain%3Dsportsnet.ca&iu=%2F7326%2Fen.sportsnet.web%2FVideo&ciu_szs=300x250&impl=s&gdfp_req=1&env=vp&output=vast&unviewed_position_start=1&ad_rule=1&vid=6352343328112&cmsid=384"; } */ adServerUrl = "http://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/ads?sz=640x360&cust_params=domain%3Dsportsnet.ca&iu=%2F7326%2Fen.sportsnet.web%2FVideo&ciu_szs=300x250&impl=s&gdfp_req=1&env=vp&output=vast&unviewed_position_start=1&ad_rule=1&vid=6352343328112&cmsid=384"; var adServerUrl_result = adServerUrl.includes("cust_params"); var queryString=''; if(adServerUrl_result){ var gettheDUFI = localStorage.getItem("theRED_loc")

if(gettheDUFI){ queryString += "dufiid=" + gettheDUFI + '&'; queryString += "ppid=" + gettheDUFI + '&'; var ppid = "ppid=" + gettheDUFI + '&'; }

var DUFI_IP = sessionStorage.getItem("DUFI_IP")

if(DUFI_IP){ queryString += "dufiip=" + DUFI_IP + '&'; }

adServerUrl = adServerUrl.replace(/cust_params=/, ppid + 'cust_params=' + encodeURIComponent(queryString) ); }

$el.after( unescape("%3Cscript src=\"" + (document.location.protocol == "https:" ? "https://sb" : "http://b") + ".scorecardresearch.com/beacon.js\" %3E%3C/script%3E") );

$( document ).one( 'ready', function() { $( "#video_container-166035" ).SNPlayer( { bc_account_id: "1704050871", bc_player_id: "JCdte3tMv", //autoplay: true, //is_has_autoplay_switch: false, bc_videos: 6352343328112, is_has_continuous_play: "false", adserverurl: adServerUrl, section: "", thumbnail: "https://www.sportsnet.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/6352343328112-1024x576.jpg", direct_url: "https://www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/video/its-run-its-course-is-marner-odd-man-out-in-maple-leafs-core/" }); });

Matthew Knies had maybe the best playoff series of any Leafs player because he constantly challenged the opposing defence, pushed to the crease, and said “stop me.” Those defences often do, but it’s hard work, it taxes them, and Knies ended up barrelling into the Bruins crease multiple times. It even earned him two goals.

When you don’t challenge forward, it looks like hesitation and often results in just giving the puck to the other team like a “punt.”

In the last of the non-impactful moments below, Marner doesn’t even think about taking it to the crease for a shot or stuff play. I’ve chosen not to show bad plays here, but just a couple of fleeting seconds where Marner’s instincts were to move away from advancing the puck hard, which I think reflects why he goes quiet in the playoffs. Too much sideways and backwards.

(Sportlogiq had him with 52 turnovers in the series, a high number – sixth-most among forwards in the playoffs – but it’s not terrible as a percentage of his total touches.)

Marner too rarely challenges the opposing defence. He is apparently 6-feet and 175 pounds, but seems smaller in the playoffs.

Leafs D corps was terrific, except the guy they needed to be great

The only way this series goes to overtime of Game 7 is because the Leafs’ defence group was absolutely excellent. They blocked tons of shots, laid the body, and made it a nightmare for Boston to get to the net. Jake McCabe took a step towards being a top-pair type of defenceman with how he can play mean playoff hockey, but also handle the puck, much like other coveted names (a la Jake Muzzin or Mattias Ekholm). He’s not in that class maybe, not yet anyway, but he was in this series.

Joel Edmundson was mean but composed with the puck, and involved offensively. Simon Benoit was a warrior, and Ilya Lyubushkin may have gone a seven-game series without making a significant mistake.

But Morgan Rielly seemed tired, not involved in the offence in the slightest, and to me, was backed so far off on the defensive side of things he wasn’t forcing the Bruins to make any decisions with the puck.

What’s stranger still is that although he had these bad gaps, he oddly wasn’t able to use that to even give himself an advantage on retrievals, which was relevant on the winning goal in Game 7. SportLogiq had Rielly’s percentage of “defensive zone denials with exit” sixth among the Leafs’ defencemen.

Look how far back he is into the Leafs zone on some of these plays.

Toronto was a goal short of a series win and didn’t get any offence from Rielly this time around. I think those are connectable dots.

What to do with injury prone players

Bobby McMann was the type of powerful, upside depth the Leafs had desperately been lacking in previous years. He’s fast, hard on the forecheck, and can shoot it in the net when he gets a chance.

And then he just wasn’t there for them, despite there being no obvious injury-causing collision to the eyes of fans. It’s not his fault, but it stunk that he wasn’t available.

One of the reasons for McMann’s slower ascent to the NHL (despite all those tools) had been an inability to stay healthy, which reared its head at the worst possible time.

Joseph Woll is the same. Injuries have regularly left him unavailable, and that showed up at a terrible time, too.

Edmundson gave the Leafs everything he had, and was both available and great, but when trying to re-sign him it’s worth considering this has been an issue in the past for him as well (and he did miss games with Leafs dealing with injury before the playoffs).

Injuries can be bad luck, but there’s no denying some players are more consistently available than others. It matters.

var adServerUrl = ""; var $el = $( "#video_container-691134" ); var permalink = $el.closest('.snet-single-article').data('permalink');

/* if ( "1" == true && 'undefined' !== typeof window.getIndexAds ) { var so = {preroll:{1:{1:{siteID:191888},2:{siteID:191889}}}}; adServerUrl = window.getIndexAds( 'http://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/ads?sz=640x360&cust_params=domain%3Dsportsnet.ca&iu=%2F7326%2Fen.sportsnet.web%2FVideo&ciu_szs=300x250&impl=s&gdfp_req=1&env=vp&output=vast&unviewed_position_start=1&ad_rule=1&vid=6352342961112&cmsid=384', so, permalink); } else { adServerUrl = "http://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/ads?sz=640x360&cust_params=domain%3Dsportsnet.ca&iu=%2F7326%2Fen.sportsnet.web%2FVideo&ciu_szs=300x250&impl=s&gdfp_req=1&env=vp&output=vast&unviewed_position_start=1&ad_rule=1&vid=6352342961112&cmsid=384"; } */ adServerUrl = "http://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/ads?sz=640x360&cust_params=domain%3Dsportsnet.ca&iu=%2F7326%2Fen.sportsnet.web%2FVideo&ciu_szs=300x250&impl=s&gdfp_req=1&env=vp&output=vast&unviewed_position_start=1&ad_rule=1&vid=6352342961112&cmsid=384"; var adServerUrl_result = adServerUrl.includes("cust_params"); var queryString=''; if(adServerUrl_result){ var gettheDUFI = localStorage.getItem("theRED_loc")

if(gettheDUFI){ queryString += "dufiid=" + gettheDUFI + '&'; queryString += "ppid=" + gettheDUFI + '&'; var ppid = "ppid=" + gettheDUFI + '&'; }

var DUFI_IP = sessionStorage.getItem("DUFI_IP")

if(DUFI_IP){ queryString += "dufiip=" + DUFI_IP + '&'; }

adServerUrl = adServerUrl.replace(/cust_params=/, ppid + 'cust_params=' + encodeURIComponent(queryString) ); }

$el.after( unescape("%3Cscript src=\"" + (document.location.protocol == "https:" ? "https://sb" : "http://b") + ".scorecardresearch.com/beacon.js\" %3E%3C/script%3E") );

$( document ).one( 'ready', function() { $( "#video_container-691134" ).SNPlayer( { bc_account_id: "1704050871", bc_player_id: "JCdte3tMv", //autoplay: true, //is_has_autoplay_switch: false, bc_videos: 6352342961112, is_has_continuous_play: "false", adserverurl: adServerUrl, section: "", thumbnail: "https://www.sportsnet.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/6352342961112-1024x576.jpg", direct_url: "https://www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/video/maple-leafs-keefe-on-why-woll-wasnt-available-for-game-7/" }); });

Ilya Samsonov

The Leafs are going to have Woll back, and they’ll hope he stays healthy because when he is, he’s a legit NHL starter. They’ll also have to find a good “1B” for when he’s out, because they can’t go back to Samsonov. He was extremely “fine” at times, in that you can’t point a finger at him and say “that’s the reason the Leafs lost.” But on the chance Pastrnak got in overtime, Samsonov barely touched the puck until it was deep in the crease.

I’m going to guess most goalies poke or just stuff this touch pretty quick?

It’s actually baffling how the puck slid between Samsonov’s pad and the post. It must’ve gone under his literal skate blade. It’s still not in the net in this frame below.

The Hampus Lindholm short-side floater that ripped back the Leafs momentum in Game 7 is a positional save: if you’re big and square it will just hit you.

And further to any of this, there was barely a stretch of games this season that you could point to and say Samsonov is an “NHL starter” except the very chunk of games that pushed the Leafs to start him in the playoffs. I don’t see any way they have him back, barring him accepting a role as a clear back-up on the cheap.

Sheldon Keefe’s future

When I watch a game, I’m typically watching the often-predictable shape of how one type of play leads into the next. A retrieval into a breakout, into the neutral zone, into a zone entry, into a forecheck, into a backcheck, into neutral zone defence, into a zone entry against…and on and on, back and forth.

In those regards, I don’t think any coach in the league is outright better than Sheldon Keefe. His teams are well-structured and clearly have a solid plan that they execute.

But coaching is a process business only for about two-thirds of the league; it isn’t for perceived Cup contenders, who are results or bust. And so, you have to win, and the Leafs haven’t won in the playoffs.

Add the dagger that their power play went 1-for-20 in a series they lost by a goal, and the coach is in big trouble.

I think Keefe will have success somewhere else — many coaches thrive in their second job — but I don’t think they’ll give him another crack at it here in Toronto. And that’s probably the right call.

var adServerUrl = ""; var $el = $( "#video_container-233765" ); var permalink = $el.closest('.snet-single-article').data('permalink');

/* if ( "1" == true && 'undefined' !== typeof window.getIndexAds ) { var so = {preroll:{1:{1:{siteID:191888},2:{siteID:191889}}}}; adServerUrl = window.getIndexAds( 'http://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/ads?sz=640x360&cust_params=domain%3Dsportsnet.ca&iu=%2F7326%2Fen.sportsnet.web%2FVideo&ciu_szs=300x250&impl=s&gdfp_req=1&env=vp&output=vast&unviewed_position_start=1&ad_rule=1&vid=6352342963112&cmsid=384', so, permalink); } else { adServerUrl = "http://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/ads?sz=640x360&cust_params=domain%3Dsportsnet.ca&iu=%2F7326%2Fen.sportsnet.web%2FVideo&ciu_szs=300x250&impl=s&gdfp_req=1&env=vp&output=vast&unviewed_position_start=1&ad_rule=1&vid=6352342963112&cmsid=384"; } */ adServerUrl = "http://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/ads?sz=640x360&cust_params=domain%3Dsportsnet.ca&iu=%2F7326%2Fen.sportsnet.web%2FVideo&ciu_szs=300x250&impl=s&gdfp_req=1&env=vp&output=vast&unviewed_position_start=1&ad_rule=1&vid=6352342963112&cmsid=384"; var adServerUrl_result = adServerUrl.includes("cust_params"); var queryString=''; if(adServerUrl_result){ var gettheDUFI = localStorage.getItem("theRED_loc")

if(gettheDUFI){ queryString += "dufiid=" + gettheDUFI + '&'; queryString += "ppid=" + gettheDUFI + '&'; var ppid = "ppid=" + gettheDUFI + '&'; }

var DUFI_IP = sessionStorage.getItem("DUFI_IP")

if(DUFI_IP){ queryString += "dufiip=" + DUFI_IP + '&'; }

adServerUrl = adServerUrl.replace(/cust_params=/, ppid + 'cust_params=' + encodeURIComponent(queryString) ); }

$el.after( unescape("%3Cscript src=\"" + (document.location.protocol == "https:" ? "https://sb" : "http://b") + ".scorecardresearch.com/beacon.js\" %3E%3C/script%3E") );

$( document ).one( 'ready', function() { $( "#video_container-233765" ).SNPlayer( { bc_account_id: "1704050871", bc_player_id: "JCdte3tMv", //autoplay: true, //is_has_autoplay_switch: false, bc_videos: 6352342963112, is_has_continuous_play: "false", adserverurl: adServerUrl, section: "", thumbnail: "https://www.sportsnet.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/6352342963112-1024x576.jpg", direct_url: "https://www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/video/keefe-discusses-how-maple-leafs-beat-themselves-in-certain-games/" }); });

Luck

Like when a dirty player throws a borderline hit, nobody wants to have the conversation about whether the hit was bad or accidental. That player has lost the benefit of the doubt. Likewise, the Leafs have lost the right to complain about extenuating circumstances when things don’t go well.

But boy…

Nylander missing three games to ocular migraines after missing only one game combined the past three years, coupled with Matthews playing 81 regular season games but then being compromised (or gone) for five of seven playoff games, combined with Woll shockingly missing Game 7… what a set of bad bounces. And yet another alternate reality “what could have been” series.

But it doesn’t matter, of course, as there’s only one reasonable conclusion at this point.

“Run it back” has run its course.

Canada’s Felix Auger-Aliassime loses to Andrey Rublev in Madrid Open final

SportsNets - Sun, 05/05/2024 - 13:35

MADRID — Despite sleepless nights struggling with a fever, Andrey Rublev found a way to fight back and win the Madrid Open for the first time.

Rublev was feeling sick all week but rallied to beat Felix Auger-Aliassime in three sets on Sunday and clinch his second Masters 1000 title.

Rublev won 4-6, 7-5, 7-5 after Auger-Aliassime double-faulted on the last point of the final at the clay-court tournament in the Spanish capital.

“I would say this is the most proud title of my career,” Rublev said. “I was almost dead every day. I was not sleeping at night. The last three, four days I didn’t sleep.”

Rublev gave “full credit to the doctors,” who were “doing some tricky things” just to make sure he could play.

“I have no words,” the eighth-ranked Rublev said. “If you knew what I had been through in the past nine days you would not imagine that I would be able to win a title.”

The 26-year-old Russian won his first Masters 1000 title at Monte Carlo last year. Auger-Aliassime was playing in his first final at this level.

Rublev entered Madrid on a four-game losing streak after early exits at Indian Wells, Miami, Monte Carlo and Barcelona. One of his victories in Madrid came in the quarterfinals against home-crowd favourite Carlos Alcaraz.

He now has 16 career titles, and two this season after Hong Kong in January. He had arrived with a 5-1 record against Auger-Aliassime, including a win in their sole matchup on clay.

Auger-Aliassime’s path to the final saw second-ranked Jannik Sinner withdraw because of an injury ahead of the quarterfinals, and Jiri Lehecka retired against the Canadian in the first set of the semifinals.

Other injuries hit the men’s draw in Madrid, starting with Novak Djokovic’s withdrawal before the tournament. Daniil Medvedev retired in the quarterfinals, while Alcaraz was hampered by a sore right arm and Rafael Nadal bowed out of what was likely his last appearance in his home country.

Iga Swiatek won the women’s title for the first time in her career on Saturday.

Categories: Canada Sports News, Ontario Sports News, Pro Sports News

Rays’ Pepiot bruised after getting hit by 107.5 mph line drive

SportsNets - Sun, 05/05/2024 - 13:25

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Ryan Pepiot departed with a lower left leg bruise in the second inning of Sunday’s game against the New York Mets after getting hit by a 107.5 mph line drive hit by Starling Marte.

The team said X-rays were negative.

Pepiot fell immediately to the ground but was able to get back up on his own. He was removed after throwing a couple of warm-up pitches from the mound.

Pepiot is 3-2 with a 3.68 ERA in seven starts. He was acquired from the Los Angeles Dodgers last December in a trade where the Rays sent ace Tyler Glasnow to the National League club.

The right-hander was charged with three runs and three hits over two-plus innings. He went 2-0 with a 1.00 ERA over his previous three starts.

Sports bras?

Reddit Sports - Sun, 05/05/2024 - 13:18

I only like the Auden nursing bras. I don’t use the latch feature, just lift the whole thing up to nurse. But removable pads are the enemy. Any similar sports bras that work well?? Looking for a straight across neckline in case I wear a lower cut top in summer, and don’t want to do an additional layer (tank top) over bra

submitted by /u/jackfruit46783 to r/breastfeedingsupport
[link] [comments]

Categories: Pro Sports News

Vave Casino - Feature-rich Crypto Gaming Hub for Outstanding Slots, Tables, Live dealers, and Sports Betting

Reddit Sports - Sun, 05/05/2024 - 13:18

https://preview.redd.it/0juov8ijpnyc1.jpg?width=1335&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=6fb88c9c8d7681774e7d117aa262c664e179eb67

Vave Casino is a feature-rich crypto gaming hub with thousands of outstanding slots, tables, live dealer, and sports betting options powered by top studios and catering to all play styles through over-generous welcome bonuses, 100% Cashback Bonus for casino games on the first Sunday, and other recurring promotions.

While the vast casino game suite rightfully grabs attention, Vave operates an equally robust sportsbook catering to seasoned sports bettors and newcomers too with competitive odds across 30+ sports and niche leagues along with perpetual bonuses help differentiate Vave as a smooth, rewarding centralized hub for betting.

Vave Casino facilitates live, in-play wagering once matches get underway. This allows adjusting bets reactively based on unfolding situations and momentum shifts. Vave pricing algorithms update odds in real time across associated markets. Players can also cash out active bets early to either cut losses or lock in winnings. In addition to its robust security, casino game selection, and sports betting, Vave offers players a few other unique products to enhance the experience.

If you still need your sports fix even during an off day, check out Vave’s virtual sports simulator. These photo-realistic, computer-generated contests let you bet on virtual football, horse racing, greyhounds, and more. So whether you want some background entertainment, to play slots with your favorite movie characters, or wager on simulated matches during downtime, Vave has you covered with these fun additional products integrated right into their platform. It’s all part of the one-stop entertainment hub they strive to build.

Snooker superstar Judd Trump is Vave’s Global Brand Ambassador and despite the vast above promotion Vave Casino created a special beneficial promo code "first15" for everyone writing this. Apart from the narrated the Vave Casino has more bonus offers to suit everyone's needs and benefits.

https://vave.com/

https://twitter.com/official_vave

submitted by /u/WhichRadio6124 to r/Casino_Slots
[link] [comments]

Categories: Pro Sports News

NASCAR Cup Series race at Kansas: Live updates, highlights, leaderboard - Tennessean

Google Sports - Sun, 05/05/2024 - 13:10

Categories: Pro Sports News, World Sports News

Canadian Pendrith holes out for birdie from bunker to extend lead

SportsNets - Sun, 05/05/2024 - 13:00

var adServerUrl = ""; var $el = $( "#video_container-555970" ); var permalink = $el.closest('.snet-single-article').data('permalink');

/* if ( "1" == true && 'undefined' !== typeof window.getIndexAds ) { var so = {preroll:{1:{1:{siteID:191888},2:{siteID:191889}}}}; adServerUrl = window.getIndexAds( 'http://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/ads?sz=640x360&cust_params=domain%3Dsportsnet.ca&iu=%2F7326%2Fen.sportsnet.web%2FVideo&ciu_szs=300x250&impl=s&gdfp_req=1&env=vp&output=vast&unviewed_position_start=1&ad_rule=1&vid=6352372575112&cmsid=384', so, permalink); } else { adServerUrl = "http://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/ads?sz=640x360&cust_params=domain%3Dsportsnet.ca&iu=%2F7326%2Fen.sportsnet.web%2FVideo&ciu_szs=300x250&impl=s&gdfp_req=1&env=vp&output=vast&unviewed_position_start=1&ad_rule=1&vid=6352372575112&cmsid=384"; } */ adServerUrl = "http://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/ads?sz=640x360&cust_params=domain%3Dsportsnet.ca&iu=%2F7326%2Fen.sportsnet.web%2FVideo&ciu_szs=300x250&impl=s&gdfp_req=1&env=vp&output=vast&unviewed_position_start=1&ad_rule=1&vid=6352372575112&cmsid=384"; var adServerUrl_result = adServerUrl.includes("cust_params"); var queryString=''; if(adServerUrl_result){ var gettheDUFI = localStorage.getItem("theRED_loc")

if(gettheDUFI){ queryString += "dufiid=" + gettheDUFI + '&'; queryString += "ppid=" + gettheDUFI + '&'; var ppid = "ppid=" + gettheDUFI + '&'; }

var DUFI_IP = sessionStorage.getItem("DUFI_IP")

if(DUFI_IP){ queryString += "dufiip=" + DUFI_IP + '&'; }

adServerUrl = adServerUrl.replace(/cust_params=/, ppid + 'cust_params=' + encodeURIComponent(queryString) ); }

$el.after( unescape("%3Cscript src=\"" + (document.location.protocol == "https:" ? "https://sb" : "http://b") + ".scorecardresearch.com/beacon.js\" %3E%3C/script%3E") );

$( document ).one( 'ready', function() { $( "#video_container-555970" ).SNPlayer( { bc_account_id: "1704050871", bc_player_id: "JCdte3tMv", //autoplay: false, //is_has_autoplay_switch: false, bc_videos: 6352372575112, is_has_continuous_play: "false", adserverurl: adServerUrl, section: "", thumbnail: "https://www.sportsnet.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/6352372575112-1024x576.jpg", direct_url: "https://www.sportsnet.ca/golf/video/canadian-pendrith-holes-out-for-birdie-from-bunker-to-extend-lead/" }); });

Categories: Canada Sports News, Ontario Sports News, Pro Sports News

The Briefing: Liverpool 4 Tottenham 2 - Elliott and Salah boost Reds, more questions for Spurs - The Athletic

Google Sports - Sun, 05/05/2024 - 12:54

The Briefing: Liverpool 4 Tottenham 2 - Elliott and Salah boost Reds, more questions for Spurs The Athletic
Danny Murphy column: Keeping Mohamed Salah not Liverpool's priority BBC.com
PL Update: Liverpool rebound against Tottenham NBC Sports
Liverpool and Elliott turn on style as Tottenham’s top-four hopes fade away The Guardian
Jürgen Klopp press conference: 'I really like the way the boys played' Liverpool FC

Categories: Pro Sports News, World Sports News

Unwin & Holl lead GB clean sweep at World Cup

BBC Sports - Sun, 05/05/2024 - 12:43

Sophie Unwin and Jenny Holl lead home a British podium clean sweep at the Para-Cycling Road World Cup in Ostend.

Categories: Pro Sports News, World Sports News

Semi-final was lost in first half - Quins coach Wilson

BBC Sports - Sun, 05/05/2024 - 12:37

Harlequins head coach Danny Wilson says the "damage was done" in the first half as his side were beaten 38-26 by Toulouse in their debut Champions Cup semi-final.

Categories: Pro Sports News, World Sports News

Liverpool job is a rollercoaster - Klopp

BBC Sports - Sun, 05/05/2024 - 12:35

Manager Jurgen Klopp says his Liverpool side were "really good, until they were really rubbish," calling his job "a rollercoaster" after a hectic 4-2 win against Tottenham.

Categories: Pro Sports News, World Sports News

1 dead at Ohio State University after falling from stadium during graduation ceremony - USA TODAY

Google Sports - Sun, 05/05/2024 - 12:33

1 dead at Ohio State University after falling from stadium during graduation ceremony USA TODAY
Person dies after falling from stands at Ohio State University graduation NBC Chicago
One dead after fall from Ohio Stadium stands during commencement ceremony NBC4 WCMH-TV
Person dies after falling from stands at OSU graduation ABC6OnYourSide.com
University: 1 dead after falling from stands at Ohio State commencement ceremony WLWT Cincinnati

Categories: Pro Sports News, World Sports News

Rink Fries: NCAA considering next steps in allowing CHL players

SportsNets - Sun, 05/05/2024 - 12:11

The American Coaches Association held their convention this week in Naples, Florida and among the topics discussed, the status of CHL players in the NCAA held the most curiosity for many.

And while most of us were expecting a vote to determine if CHLers would be eligible to play in the NCAA, it didn’t happen.

Essentially, what we’re looking at here is NCAA bylaw 12.2.3.2.4, which identifies all CHL players as professional athletes and therefore ineligible to play with the ‘amateurs’ in college hockey. But as we’ve discussed before here and on the 32 Thoughts podcast, with the ushering in of NIL (name, image and likeness) in college sports it’s only a matter of time until NCAA hockey is forced to accept major junior players from the WHL, OHL and QMJHL. It’s a move that would forever change the development structure of hockey and would place the NCAA on top of the development pyramid.

Mike McMahon, who publishes the excellent College Hockey Newsletter, reported this weekend that only between 15-20 per cent of college coaches were interested in changing the bylaw. However, most coaches from Atlantic Hockey and CCHA were in favour.

Most, it sounds, were interested in learning more. Instead of a vote they formed a committee to monitor and discuss how a potential move like this would be implemented. That group includes coaches Grant Potulny (Northern Michigan), Bill Riga (Holy Cross), Ben Barr (Maine), Andy Slaggert (Notre Dame), and Kris Mayotte (Colorado College) along with commissioners/administrators Doug Christiansen (ECAC), Steve Metcalf (Hockey East), Michelle Morgan (Atlantic Hockey), Adam Augustine (Big Ten), Heather Weems (NCHC) and Don Lucia (CCHA).

What needs to happen sooner than later is all parties who have a dog in this race need to get together and figure out how this can work, starting with the NHL.

As someone close to the story told me Saturday: “This is going to happen, it’s only a matter of when and how.” It sounds like the NCAA is now getting out in front of the issue if the “how” turns out to be litigation, which would end the rule quickly.

32 Thoughts: The Podcast

32 Thoughts: The Podcast with Jeff Marek and NHL Insider Elliotte Friedman takes a weekly deep dive into the biggest news and interviews around the hockey world.

Latest episodes

THE END HAS COME FOR THE MAPLE LEAFS

Despite protests from the players, it’s time for this Maple Leafs team. No more doubling down on the core, no more talk about learning and gaining valuable experience through adversity. This is as far as this group can take you. It’s been proven again and again.

Consider players and teams existing in two states – potential and actual. While this group was starting out, the only question was ‘are the kids getting better?’ and they skated in a state of potential where results weren’t as important as growth. But those days are long gone. This team is what it is, these players are who they are, existing in a state of ‘actual’.

Brad Treliving has never been hesitant to pull the trigger on big moves and I’d expect this off-season we’ll see him flex.

But perhaps the bigger question here is how new president and CEO of MLSE Keith Pelley feels about the Maple Leafs’ state of affairs? It’s not Pelley’s MO to sit around quietly like a church mouse.

Buckle up for a wild couple of weeks in Leafs land.

var adServerUrl = ""; var $el = $( "#video_container-195700" ); var permalink = $el.closest('.snet-single-article').data('permalink');

/* if ( "1" == true && 'undefined' !== typeof window.getIndexAds ) { var so = {preroll:{1:{1:{siteID:191888},2:{siteID:191889}}}}; adServerUrl = window.getIndexAds( 'http://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/ads?sz=640x360&cust_params=domain%3Dsportsnet.ca&iu=%2F7326%2Fen.sportsnet.web%2FVideo&ciu_szs=300x250&impl=s&gdfp_req=1&env=vp&output=vast&unviewed_position_start=1&ad_rule=1&vid=6352343780112&cmsid=384', so, permalink); } else { adServerUrl = "http://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/ads?sz=640x360&cust_params=domain%3Dsportsnet.ca&iu=%2F7326%2Fen.sportsnet.web%2FVideo&ciu_szs=300x250&impl=s&gdfp_req=1&env=vp&output=vast&unviewed_position_start=1&ad_rule=1&vid=6352343780112&cmsid=384"; } */ adServerUrl = "http://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/ads?sz=640x360&cust_params=domain%3Dsportsnet.ca&iu=%2F7326%2Fen.sportsnet.web%2FVideo&ciu_szs=300x250&impl=s&gdfp_req=1&env=vp&output=vast&unviewed_position_start=1&ad_rule=1&vid=6352343780112&cmsid=384"; var adServerUrl_result = adServerUrl.includes("cust_params"); var queryString=''; if(adServerUrl_result){ var gettheDUFI = localStorage.getItem("theRED_loc")

if(gettheDUFI){ queryString += "dufiid=" + gettheDUFI + '&'; queryString += "ppid=" + gettheDUFI + '&'; var ppid = "ppid=" + gettheDUFI + '&'; }

var DUFI_IP = sessionStorage.getItem("DUFI_IP")

if(DUFI_IP){ queryString += "dufiip=" + DUFI_IP + '&'; }

adServerUrl = adServerUrl.replace(/cust_params=/, ppid + 'cust_params=' + encodeURIComponent(queryString) ); }

$el.after( unescape("%3Cscript src=\"" + (document.location.protocol == "https:" ? "https://sb" : "http://b") + ".scorecardresearch.com/beacon.js\" %3E%3C/script%3E") );

$( document ).one( 'ready', function() { $( "#video_container-195700" ).SNPlayer( { bc_account_id: "1704050871", bc_player_id: "JCdte3tMv", //autoplay: true, //is_has_autoplay_switch: false, bc_videos: 6352343780112, is_has_continuous_play: "false", adserverurl: adServerUrl, section: "", thumbnail: "https://www.sportsnet.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/6352343780112-1024x576.jpg", direct_url: "https://www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/video/nylander-defends-maple-leafs-core-we-were-right-there/" }); });

JUUSE SAROS TRADE RUMOURS

With Nashville exiting the playoffs you can fire up (once again) the Juuse Saros rumours. With star netminding prospect Yaroslav Askarov poised for full time duty in the NHL, attention at the draft this year will be focussed on what the Predators do with their top netminder who’s on an expiring contract next season.

Last year at the draft the Preds dangled Askarov to try and move up and it sounds like a package was discussed with San Jose that would have seen the Preds move up to fourth to select stud centre Will Smith. Preds GM Barry Trotz has been searching for an elite, young scoring centre and that hasn’t changed.

WHAT WILL SABRES PAY LUUKKONEN?

Speaking of netminders the Buffalo Sabres’ negotiations with their RFA goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen should be fascinating to follow. It’s no secret UPL has been miffed at times with how he’s felt skipped over and for good reason.

As the Sabres enter a phase where their big contracts all kick in and they need to watch every dollar closely, let’s see where the decimal point lands for their No. 1 goalie. I’m guessing somewhere between $4-5 million on a five-year deal. We’ll see.

WHAT TO DO WITH DUBOIS?

This was a week where we all had a swing at the Pierre-Luc Dubois pinata after the Kings lost to the Oilers in the first round for the third season in a row and the centre’s playoffs were as underwhelming as his regular season.

This is Dubois’ third team where there have been significant performance issues and while he said last week he’d “do anything to be better” it sounds like patience is already thin. And while we wonder if the Kings would get a special carve out to buy Dubois out at 1/3 instead of 2/3 the fact we’re even having the discussion after year one of an eight-year deal is telling. If nothing comes of all the buyout talk and he goes back to the Kings next season, does he do so not as a centre, but rather a winger?

Further on Dubois, I got a note from someone from an NHL team (not LA or Washington) wondering if a Dubois for Darcy Kuemper deal could make sense for both teams. The Kings are searching for goaltending and the Caps could use the help up front.

HAVE FUN…

Very much looking forward to Vancouver and Edmonton hockey Twitter/X behaving in a polite and respectful manner towards each other in the second round here.

Projected Lineup: Round 2, Game 1 at NYR | Carolina Hurricanes - NHL.com

Google Sports - Sun, 05/05/2024 - 12:09

Categories: Pro Sports News, World Sports News

WNBA Fails To Show Promised Key Preseason Game, So Fan Steps In And Has Huge Livestream Results - Deadline

Google Sports - Sun, 05/05/2024 - 12:09

Categories: Pro Sports News, World Sports News

Canada beats U.S. for U18 hockey gold as McKenna picks up hat trick

SportsNets - Sun, 05/05/2024 - 12:08

Canada won gold at the men’s U18 world hockey championship in Espoo, Finland, on Sunday, defeating Team USA 6-4 thanks in large part to the hat trick collected by junior phenom Gavin McKenna.

Henry Mews had three assists, while Tij Iginla had a goal and two assists, including a primary helper on the McKenna goal in the third period that tied the game at 3-3.

Canada added two more, before the Americans launched a brief comeback in the final five minutes. McKenna snuffed it out by scoring his third of the game — and fourth point on the day — into an empty net.

Carter George got the win, stopping 31 of 35 shots.

It’s Canada’s fifth title since the tournament’s inception in 1999.

McKenna, just 16, had 20 points — 10 goals and 10 assists — for Canada over seven games at the tournament, finishing second behind American James Hagens, who had 23.

— With a file from The Canadian Press

Categories: Canada Sports News, Ontario Sports News, Pro Sports News