Hockey and basketball playoffs start this week, so get ready for two months of intense competition. The Masters Tournament in golf already brought some drama of its own, and TINK’s got it all for you!
NBA
The NBA season wraps on Wednesday and the playoffs start Sunday. Quick primer: The NBA has 30 teams and 16 make the playoff, eight in each conference,
The Western Conference is set with the Golden State Warriors having won the regular season #1 seed. The Eastern Conference top spot is up grabs between the defending champion Cleveland Cavaliers and the surprising Boston Celtics. If the Celtics win Wednesday’s regular-season finale, they will secure the top seed and home-court advantage in the Eastern Conference.
The Eastern Conference’s final playoff spot will go to either the Chicago Bulls or the Miami Heat.
Source: USA Today
Russell Westbrook, the intense MVP frontrunner, achieved what most in the basketball world considered unachievable – averaging a triple-double (double figures in points, rebounds and assists) for the season. The incredible feat had only been done once, a mere 55 years ago by NBA legend Oscar Robertson (aka “The Big O”).
NHL
The grueling hockey season came to an end Sunday, and the playoffs kick off on Wednesday. The NHL playoff structure mirrors the NBA’s with eight teams from each conference battling to win the Stanley Cup.
The sport has a new star in Edmonton Oilers center Connor McDavid. The Canadian won the scoring title and led his once-awful Oilers to the playoffs. At 20 years of age he’s not old enough to celebrate his fabulous season with a cocktail in the US, but lucky for him he can raise a glass in Alberta where the drinking age is 18. McDavid’s Oilers face the San Jose Sharks in their opening round matchup.
Golf
My new favorite color is green. Those words might not be spoken by Anna Wintour or Lauren Conrad but certainly were echoed by Sergio Garcia Sunday.
Garcia birdied his sudden death playoff hole to win the Masters golf tournament. The match went to the extra hole after Garcia missed a putt for the victory on the 18th and final regulation hole. Garcia became only the third Spaniard to win the Masters. Took him long enough you say? 74 majors and no win until now. True story….no golfer has ever played as many majors as a pro before winning one for the first time. For his efforts Sergio takes home a tailored green jacket and a cool $2 million.
Source: Sky Sports
MLB
America’s Pastime kicked off its regular season last week. Surprises are the name of the game already. The Minnesota Twins, Arizona Diamondbacks and Cincinnati Reds, picked by many to finish at the bottom of the standings, are all division leaders.
108-year wait is over…To nobody’s surprise the defending champion Chicago Cubs are off to a great start and in mid-season form. Magic was in the air Sunday night when the Cubbies raised their first championship banner since 1908. They won the game in dramatic fashion with a walk-off hit in the ninth inning by All-Star Anthony Rizzo.
Source: MLB.com
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