Damian Lillard And The Trail Blazers
Damian Lillard just may be the MVP of the Bubble, and that was super evident last night, when he led the Portland Trail Blazers to a 134-133 win over the Brooklyn Nets. This win also gave the Trail Blazers the eighth-seed in the Western Conference and a spot in the play-in tournament, which starts this weekend.
12 of Lillard’s 42 points came in the fourth quarter, including an incredible three-pointer with under two minutes to play that put Portland within four. It’s not just Lillard’s points – 51, 61 and the aforementioned 42 in his last three games – but it’s also been his aggressiveness all over the court that has made the difference.
The Blazers only need to win one of two potential play-in games to advance to the playoffs and face the Los Angeles Lakers. They take on the Memphis Grizzlies tomorrow at 2:30 pm ET/11:30 am PT.
College Football And The Week That Was
It’s fair to say that college football, and college athletics generally, had itself a week.
With concerns about the coronavirus pandemic and the health and safety off all involved, the Big Ten postponed its fall football season and will try playing in the spring instead. The Pac-12 canceled fall sports and will also look at the potential of playing in the spring.
Meanwhile, the ACC, the SEC and the Big 12 are going forward as planned. All eyes will be on three of the Power 5 conferences to see how this plays out.
Mookie Betts Three Homer Game
Los Angeles Dodgers’ right fielder Mookie Betts was moved to the leadoff spot last night, a spot from which he hit three home runs and went 4-for-4 with five RBIs and four runs scored. I’m no expert, but it sure seems like batting first worked out well, and it is where he’s batted most of his career.
Betts is now one of only three players in MLB history to have six career three-homer un games. The other two are Sammy Sosa and Johnny Mize. Mookie is currently batting .319 with seven home runs and 15 RBIs.
So, was the trade and blockbuster contract worth it? You Betts ya.
St. Louis Cardinals Will Be Working Overtime
Due to the team’s coronavirus outbreak, the St. Louis Cardinals have not played a game since July 29 and have only played five games total. As a result, the Cardinals are about embark on a doubleheader-palooza. I may have made that word up.
Of their 21 games this month, four will be doubleheaders and of their 32 games in September, seven will be doubleheaders. Calling all pitchers, like all of them. The Cards are going to need your help.
St. Louis gets back on the field tomorrow when they take on the Chicago White Sox for a, you guessed it, doubleheader. Just for reference, the Cards are 2-3, while the White Sox are 10-9.
National Tight End Day
Yesterday was a good day to be a NFL tight end, specifically a NFL tight end who played in the Super Bowl.
To start the day off, San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle agreed to a five-year, $75 million contract extension, that includes $40 million guaranteed, with $30 million guaranteed at signing. As arguably the league’s best tight end and most important offensive player that’s not a quarterback, every penny is well-deserved.
Then, Travis Kelce and the Kansas City Chiefs agreed to a four-year, $57.25 million extension that includes $28 million in guaranteed money.
National Tight End Day came early.