Championship dreams are within sight for NBA and NHL fans as the leagues march ahead to their Conference Finals. The Kentucky Derby also made dreams come true for a couple boys who met on a Brooklyn stoop.
Providing a much-needed break from the political heat, the Washington-area hockey and basketball teams are locked in close playoff battles. The baseball teams are excellent too and are playing each other this week.
National Basketball Association (NBA)
A competitive game, please? That’s what NBA fans are pleading for as 15 of 16 second-round playoff contests have been decided by 10 or more points.
Can you say mismatch?…The Cleveland Cavaliers thoroughly dominated the Toronto Raptors, sweeping their series 4-0. Last year’s Raptors squad, cheered on by head fan Drake, took the Cavs to six games in the conference finals but the Canadian-born rapper couldn’t work his hometown magic this season.
Source: USA Today
Home cooking…Like school kids starting spring break, the Cavs are smiling as they look forward to a week off. Their next opponent will be the winner of the Boston Celtics and Washington Wizards slugfest. The series is tied 2-2 with each team winning on their home court.
In the Western Conference the Golden State Warriors overwhelmed the Utah Jazz taking the series 4-0. Maybe the Warriors dissing the Utah nightlife before the series began provided the motivation they needed to win and not return to Salt Lake City. Jazz fans were disappointed with the sweep but defended their city’s nightlife honor with these T-shirts:
Source: Fanzz.com
The Warriors looked very much like the team with the best regular season record and favorites to take home the title. They await the San Antonio Spurs and Houston Rockets winner. The Spurs lost aging veteran Tony Parker (once Eva Longoria’s hubby) for the rest of the playoffs to a leg injury and are locked in a 2-2 tie with the Rockets.
National Hockey League (NHL)
Hockey in Tennessee and California? Yes indeed. Sunday was a big night in the Western Conference as the Nashville Predators and Anaheim Ducks were both looking to close out their series and advance to meet each other in the conference finals. The Predators did their job beating the St. Louis Blues to reach their first ever conference final. The Edmonton Oilers said “not so fast” and beat the Ducks to force a Game 7 on Wednesday.
In the Eastern Conference, the defending champion Pittsburgh Penguins are thrilled to have MVP Sidney Crosby back from concussion but they couldn’t close out the Washington Capitals Monday night. The deciding game 7 is Wednesday in DC.
The Caps-Penguins survivor will face the Ottawa Senators–New York Rangers winner. Ottawa leads 3-2 and looks to close out the series Tuesday night.
Horse Racing
Mint juleps (what is a mint julep you ask?) and crazy hats were all the rage Saturday at the 143rd Kentucky Derby. So what does that have to do with Brooklyn? A couple kids from Williamsburg kept the faith and their colt, Always Dreaming, dominated the 20-horse field.
Celebrity fashion was on full display this year at Churchill Downs. For a trip down memory lane (and a chuckle) take a look at some of the most memorable hats in Derby history.
Major League Baseball (MLB)
The New York Yankees continue to surprise baseball pundits. Thought to be in rebuilding mode, the Baby Bombers sport the best record in baseball. They won a three game series against the World Series favorite Chicago Cubs over the weekend. The matchup culminated in a six-hour, 18 inning (that’s twice as long as a regular season game) victory Sunday night. Baseball historians are now dreaming about a Yankees-Cubs Word Series – a rematch of a classic that took place in…wait for it…1932.
The Yankees are led by Starlin Castro, a former Cubs star, and Aaron Judge, a 25-year old monster who stands 6’7” and 282 pounds. Both players are among the league leaders in Home Runs, Batting Average and Runs Batted in, and like to celebrate too.
Source: Getty Images
Beltway Battle…We’re not talking about Obama Care, North Korea or Education but baseball. Joining the Yankees atop the MLB standings are the Baltimore Orioles and Washington Nationals. The teams are locked in a four-game series that began with an Orioles win Monday.
Caught playing hooky? New York Mets former all-star pitcher Matt Harvey was suspended three days without pay because he didn’t show up to the ballpark Saturday. The worst part is that it was an off day for Harvey meaning that he wasn’t going to pitch. More time for the NYC nightlife…
Olympics
Ending on a sad note, US bobsled star Steven Holcomb, 37, was found dead in his room at the Olympic Training Center. The three-time Olympic medalist and five-time world champion had previously attempted suicide.
Share the TINK Sports love.
Remember at TINK Sports we watch the games so you don’t have to.
See you next time…
Recent Comments