NBA and NHL fans are enjoying the playoff action. Both leagues’ top prize is in sight as they are down to the final four. Baseball paid tribute to one of its legends over the weekend, and an old powerhouse is back on top in English football (soccer to the Americans out there).
National Basketball Association (NBA)
No upsets here…The NBA has reached its conference finals without any surprises. The top two teams in the East and in the West advanced to face each other.
The Golden State Warriors swept their second-round series and earned a week off before the Western Conference Finals began. Trip to Napa, perhaps?
The San Antonio Spurs, Golden State’s finals opponent, welcomed their leader Kawhi Leonard back from an ankle injury but sadly he re-injured it in what some called a dirty play in Sunday’s series opener.
Source: Fansided.com
The Warriors took advantage with an epic comeback, eliminating a 25-point deficit. Two-time MVP Steph Curry led the way with 40 points.
In the Eastern Conference, the defending champion Cleveland Cavaliers were also on a week-long hiatus as they awaited their conference finals opponent. Maybe they were taking relatives around the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame on their days off?
The Boston Celtics earned the right to meet the Cavs by getting past the Washington Wizards winning the deciding game seven Monday night. Boston was led by 5’9” MVP candidate and dynamo, Isaiah Thomas, who averaged 27 points per game in the series.
The future is coming…Tuesday night the NBA holds its annual Draft Lottery where the league’s worst teams learn what position they will have in June’s Draft. The prize is top young talent to rebuild struggling franchises. Ernst & Young ensures that the correct envelopes are selected. Let’s hope there’s no Moonlight / La La Land Oscars night repeat.
National Hockey League (NHL)
The prize is near…The NHL has also reached its conference finals with fanfare and anticipation.
The defending champion Pittsburgh Penguins won Monday night to tie their best-of-seven series with the Ottawa Senators 1-1. The games resume Wednesday in the Canadian capital and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will surely be watching.
Grand Ole Opry or DisneyLand? In a matchup of far-from-traditional hockey cities, the Nashville Predators and Anaheim Ducks are tied 1-1 in the Western Conference Finals. The series shifts to Music City Tuesday night.
Major League Baseball (MLB)
What’s in a number? When that number is “2”, a whole lot to the New York Yankees and their fans. That uniform belonged to Derek Jeter, the five-time champion and heart and soul of the Yankees for two decades. His number 2 was retired over the weekend and no Yankee will ever wear it again. Need a primer on Jeter’s accomplishments?
Source: NY Times
The Houston Astros lead the American League while the Washington Nationals sit atop the National League and are helping DC fans recover from their Capitals and Wizards second-round exits in hockey and basketball.
Eyes off the prize? Last season’s champion Chicago Cubs and runner up Cleveland Indians, preseason favorites to meet up again in the World Series, are both struggling thus far. Hope is not lost as there are still four months left in the season.
Soccer
It feels good to back on top. That’s what Chelsea fans are saying as the team won its fifth Premier League title Friday. A late goal from substitute Michy Batshuayi sealed the 1-0 win over West Brom. As if they need an excuse to party in London…
Source: NY Daily News
Tennis
Calendar Alert…Ready for some slipping and sliding on clay? The 2017 French Open starts next Monday in Paris. Serbian Novak Djokovic won last year’s men’s singles title and Spaniard Garbine Muguruza is the defending women’s champion.
Know who doesn’t have to worry about red clay stains on his t-shirts and shorts? 18-time Major champion Roger Federer who announced on Monday that he will skip the French Open and focus instead on upcoming grass and hard court tournaments.
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