Racing Ahead

Playoffs and champions are the talk of the sports world this week. Let’s take a look…

TINK Sports Big-3

Here are three things you need to know:

1) The heavyweight NBA playoffs matchup most were hoping for between the Golden State Warriors and Houston Rockets is almost a reality

2) The Las Vegas Golden Knights, in their first season, continue to amaze during the NHL playoffs

3) Justify ran to glory winning the 144^th Kentucky Derby

National Basketball Association (NBA)

The Houston Rockets and Golden State Warriors were the NBA’s two best teams all season and have been on a collision course to meet in the Western Conference Finals. The fans will likely get what they’ve been waiting for as both teams lead their best-of-seven series 3-1.

The defending champion Warriors welcomed two-time MVP Steph Curry back from injury and are getting their groove back as well.

Source: The Big Lead

In the East, (still) the game’s best player, LeBron James, led his Cleveland Cavaliers to a sweep of mega-fan Drake’s Toronto Raptors. The Cavs have a few days off to rest as they wait for the Boston Celtics / Philadelphia 76ers winner. The surprising Celtics, whose two best players are out with injury, are up 3-1.

National Hockey League (NHL)

No licking. You might expect to hear that from frustrated parents but not pro sports league officials. The NHL told Boston Bruins forward Brad Marchand to cut it out after he was caught licking an opponent’s face.

Source: Sports Illustrated

Lucky for the Tampa Bay Lightning they were not distracted and defeated the Bruins 4-1 to advance to the Eastern Conference Finals. Their opponent will be the Washington Capitals who closed out the Pittsburgh Penguins Monday night.

Finally…the Caps and their star are smiling today. The squad is the Eastern Conference Finals for the time in 20 years. Washington’s Alex Ovechkin, one of the game’s all-time players but with limited playoff success, got the best of his nemesis, Sidney Crosby. Sid the Kid, a three-time champion and fellow NHL great, has been the author of numerous Ovechkin playoff exits. #TurningTheTables

Let it roll. The Las Vegas Golden Knights, in their inaugural season, have advanced to the Western Conference Finals. The magical hockey season continues and the Knights await the Winnipeg Jets / Nashville Predators winner. That series is tied 3-3.

Soccer

Scheduling alert for Memorial Day weekend…If you have any soccer fans coming to your BBQ, note that the top European soccer match, the Champions League Final, is set for Saturday, May 26. Real Madrid takes on Liverpool at Kiev Olympic Stadium.

In somber soccer news Sir Alex Ferguson, Manchester United’s long-time coach and one of the English Premier League’s best ever, is in intensive care after suffering a brain hemorrhage. #GetWellFergie

Horse Racing

Justify my love…The Kentucky Derby, horse racing’s marquee event, was run Saturday. After two minutes and four seconds, not enough time to enjoy a mint julep and show off an over-the-top hat, Justify won the 144^th Derby in front of 157,000 soaked spectators.

Source: Sporting News

The athletic colt (three-year-old horse) some compare to LeBron James won a $1.4 million purse and is positioned to earn much more in stud fees. Justify was so cool and gifted that he became the first horse in 136 years to win the Derby despite not even racing as a two-year-old. #YoungAndTalented

 Major League Baseball (MLB)

The New York Yankees continue to tear through baseball taking 15 of their last 16 games. The Bronx Bombers are winning in every way including overcoming a four-run eighth inning deficit Sunday. The bombers now own baseball’s second-best record trailing only their arch-rival Boston Red Sox.

Source: The Atlantic

Welcome to the club! Los Angeles Angels first baseman Albert Pujols recorded his 3,000^th hit last week becoming just the fourth player to reach that milestone and have 600+ home runs. The others? Only baseball legends you may have heard of: Willie Mays, Hank Aaron and Alex Rodriguez. #Elite #ExclusiveCompany

 

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See you next time…