NBA Playoffs: LA and the Superstars
Lakers-Trail Blazers
The Los Angeles Lakers and the Portland Trail Blazers are tied 1-1, after the Lakers’ Anthony Davis went all AD in Game 2, to the tune of 31 points and 11 rebounds. With that and his defensive prowess, LA won, 111-88, to tie the series.
After dislocating his left index finger last night, Damian Lillard will be in the starting lineup for tomorrow’s Game 3. Unfortunately, Blazers’ forward Zach Collins will need season-ending ankle surgery, as reported by ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.
As for the rest of the West:
- The Los Angeles Clippers and the Dallas Mavericks are tied 1-1, after the Mavs bench came up big with 47 points and a 127-114 Game 2 victory. Game 3 is tonight.
- The Utah Jazz took a 2-1 series lead over the Denver Nuggets earlier today.
- The Houston Rockets are up 2-0 on the Oklahoma City Thunder. Game 3 is tomorrow.
Over in the Eastern Conference
Bucks-Heat
The No.1 seed Milwaukee Bucks were, for lack of a better term, embarrassed by the eighth-seed Orlando Magic Tuesday. But, they got their revenge last night with a 111-96 victory, and the series is tied.
The league’s reigning MVP, Giannis Antetokounmpo, led Milwaukee with 28 points, 20 rebounds, yes 20, and five assists. Game 3 is tomorrow.
As for the rest of the East:
- The Toronto Raptors, aka the defending camps, are up 3-0 on the Brooklyn Nets.
- The Boston Celtics are up 2-0 on the Philadelphia 76ers, and Game 3 is today.
- Miami is up 2-0 on the Pacers, with Game 3 happening tomorrow.
Ron Rivera
Washington Football Team head coach Ron Rivera has been diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma located in a lymph node. The cancer was caught early and Rivera told ESPN’s Adam Schefter that it is “very treatable and curable.”
Though there is a plan in place should he need to take time off from coaching, Rivera will continue coaching for now. We are sending lots of good vibes and positive thoughts to Rivera and his family.
Insensitive and Inexcusable Comments
Last night, NHL analyst Mike Milbury, in reference to the benefits of the NHL’s playoff bubble, said, “Not even any woman here to disrupt your concentration.” Milbury has since apologized, while the NHL released a statement that called the comment “insensitive and insulting.” Agreed.
Earlier this week, MLB and NFL announcer Thom Brennaman used an anti-gay slur during a Cincinnati Reds broadcast. He was subsequently pulled from any FOX NFL broadcasts this fall, and he has been suspended from working on any Reds games.
Subway Series Postponed
This weekend’s series between the New York Yankees and the New York Mets has been postponed, after one Mets staff member and one Mets player have tested positive for the coronavirus.
After the Mets’ Thursday game against the Marlins was cancelled, the team flew back to New York for testing, while the two people who tested positive stayed in Miami.