NBA Play-In Tournament
Friends, we have come to one of the most wonderful times of the year, and that time is NBA Playoff Time. But before the festivities, aka the games, start tomorrow, there was a play-in tournament to, well, play.
Wednesday night saw a pretty awesome matchup between LeBron James and Steph Curry, as the Warriors traveled to Tinseltown to take on the Lakers. LA came out victorious behind LeBron’s epic game-winning three-pointer to grab the 7th seed in the West. But all hope is not lost for Golden State. The Warriors take on the Memphis Grizzlies tonight in a battle for No. 8.
Meanwhile in the East, Russell Westbrook delivered on his midseason promise, and the Washington Wizards are going to the playoffs, after beating the Indiana Pacers, 142-115, to clinch the eighth and final spot. Westbrook had 18 points, 15 assists and eight rebounds in the victory.
NBA commissioner Adam Silver said that he’d like the play-in tournament to stay. TBD on how that goes.
NBA Playoff Matchups
NBA fans, you have a full weekend of playoff basketball to enjoy, and I want to make sure you know what to watch and when. Without further ado, your schedule. You’re welcome.
Saturday:
Miami Heat @ Milwaukee Bucks – 2 pm ET/11 am PT
Dallas Mavericks @ Los Angeles Clippers – 4:30 pm ET/1:30 pm PT
Boston Celtics @ Brooklyn Nets – 8 pm ET/5 pm PT
Portland Trail Blazers @ Denver Nuggests – 10:30 pm ET/7:30 pm PT
Sunday:
Washington Wizards @ Philadelphia 76ers – 1:00 pm ET/10 am PT
Los Angeles Lakers @ Phoenix Suns – 3:30 pm ET/12 :30 pm PT
Atlanta Hawks @ New York Knicks – 7 pm ET/4 pm PT
Grizzlies/Warriors @ Utah Jazz – 9:30 pm ET/6:30 pm PT
Seattle Mariners
Earlier today, ESPN’s Jeff Passan reported that at least one member of the Seattle Mariners has tested positive for COVID-19, while also reporting that the team is among MLB’s least vaccinated. Passan said the low vaccination rate is causing concern in the organization that more positive tests are coming.
Seattle (21-23) is in San Diego this weekend to take on the Padres (27-17).
The Seattle Mariners have at least one COVID positive, sources tell ESPN, and there is concern within the organization that the relatively low level of vaccination within the clubhouse could be problematic. The Mariners, source said, are among the least-vaccinated teams in MLB.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) May 21, 2021
Blue Looks Good on You, Albert Pujols
It was just a few weeks ago that we were talking about Albert Pujols’ release from the Los Angeles Angels and what that meant for his future. Pujols has since found a new home down the freeway – or two – with the Los Angeles Dodgers, and things are off to a promising start.
Since his arrival on Monday, the Dodgers have not lost a game. Coincidence? Probably, but it makes for a good story. You know what makes for an even better story? Pujols hit his first home run as a Dodger last night – 668th of his career – and in doing so, drove in catcher Will Smith, whose favorite player growing up was, you guessed it, Albert Pujols.
You couldn’t script it better, even in Hollywood.
And With the First Pick in the 2021 NFL Draft
The Jacksonville Jaguars selected quarterback Trevor Lawrence. It was a pick that was written in the stars as soon as the Jags secured the No. 1 pick, and by secured, finished with the worst record in the NFL.
Each team gets 10 minutes to make its first-round picks, and the Jaguars took most of the time. In the team’s YouTube series The Hunt, it was revealed that the pick took so long for two reasons. 1) Per NFL rules, the team had to wait until at least seven of the 10 minutes had passed. 2) They got Lawrence’s voicemail several times until head coach Urban Meyer made the call himself.
The trials and tribulations of being the first pick in the NFL Draft.