Fraud alerts like a discover card + more sports

Happy Friday!

I almost feel bad for the playoffs… they just give, give, give, and we just take, take, take.

Well, I guess our taking isn’t as bad as what some former players did to defraud the NBA.

We’ve got lots to cover. Let’s get going.

Headlines

🏀 Former Boston Celtics player Glen “Big Baby” Davis was sentenced to 40 months in federal prison, and he participated in an insurance fraud scheme that took more than $5 million from the NBA. 20 other people were convicted in the case.

🏀 You can’t fire superstars in the NBA, so teams are doing the next best thing…firing the coaches! The Phoenix Suns have fired Frank Vogel, The Lakers fired Darvin Ham, and there are a few other changes too. Instead of firing coaches after 1 or 2 years, maybe see if you can build a little chemistry. Just a thought.

🏀 Caitlin Clark made her WNBA debut last night. She scored 12 points, and there were 13,000 people in attendance. Did we mention this was a preseason game?

🏒 The coaching carousel doesn’t end in the NBA. The Toronto Maple Leafs have fired Sheldon Keefe, who was the bench boss for five seasons. The NJ Devils, LA Kings, Seattle Kraken, Winnipeg Jets, and San Jose Sharks all have coaching vacancies.

🏀 Pat Bev has been suspended four games by the NBA for the altercation that he had with a fan last week. If you didn’t see it, check it out here, where Bev throws a ball at Pacer fans two times.

Now, onto playoffs….

NBA

Cleveland 118 | Boston 94

The Cleveland Cavaliers did the unthinkable yesterday and tied up their series with the Celtics 1-1. They did it by getting a road win in Boston. Not just any road win, it was a 24 point win that is some type of redemption after losing by 25 in game 1.

Donovan Mitchell dropped 29 for the Cavs and all the starts scored double digits. Even Caris LeVert added 21 from the bench.

Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown had decent games, with each scoring 25 and 19, respectively. The rest of the team struggled. The Celtics finished with a 41% make rate from the field, and they only shot 23% from three. NOT IDEAL.

Did we forget to mention the Cavs were a 12.5-point underdog?

Dallas 119 | Oklahoma City 110

The Dallas Mavericks tied their series 1-1 with the Thunder late last night. Luka Doncic had a much better night on the court than in game 1. Luka scored 29 points, and the Mavs also got 29 from P.J. Washington. Tim Hardaway Jr. added 17 from the bench.

Luka had to have a little chat with some fans off the court during the 4th quarter because, apparently, “a grown-ass man” insulted his family.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the Thunder with 33 points.

More overtime in the NHL + a bounce back

New York Rangers 3 | Carolina Hurricanes 2 (OT)

It was a scrappy game 3 in Raleigh where the Rangers got their 2nd consecutive OT win in the playoffs and now have a 3-0 lead against Carolina. Last night was a story of power plays coming up short.

The Rangers were scoreless on their four power plays, and the Hurricanes were scoreless on their five opportunities; even worse for the ‘Canes, the Rangers scored a short-handed goal in the 2nd period to tie up the match 1-1. The Rangers took the lead on an Alexis Lafreniere goal early in the 3rd, but Carolina scored with 1:36 left on the clock after they pulled their goalie.

Artemi Panarin ended things quickly in OT with a goal just 1:43 into the extra period.

Colorado Avalanche 3 | Dallas Stars 5

Dallas was on the brink of losing the first 2 games at home for the 2nd series in a row, but they avoided that with a big win over Colorado thanks to a fast start from the boys.

The Stars scored the first four goals of the game over a 24-minute span, scoring late in the first and three more times in the second.

Colorado would make a bit of a comeback, scoring 3 goals in the 3rd, but Dallas put it away with an empty goal in the last minute of play.

Game 3 is heading to Colorado.

The SEC needs Condon protection

The University of Georgia’s baseball team walk-on Charlie Condon, aka the no.1 draft prospect for this year’s MLB draft, has hit a record 34 home runs in college baseball. They only play like 50 games in a college season, and he’s practically guaranteeing a home run in 3 of every 4 games. My question is why are they still throwing to him?!

What to watch this weekend

NBA

Friday

🏀 Knicks @ Pacers, 7 pm on ESPN

Knicks lead series 2-0 and will be without OG Anunoby for game 3

🏀Denver @ Minnesota, 9:30 pm on ESPN

Minnesota leads series 2-0

Saturday

🏀Thunder @ Mavericks, 3:30 pm on ABC

Series tied 1-1

🏀Celtics @ Cavaliers, 8:30 pm on ABC

Series tied 1-1

Sunday

🏀Knicks @ Pacers, 3:30 pm on ABC

Game 4

🏀Denver @ Minnesota, 8pm on TNT

Game 4

NHL

Friday

🏒Florida @ Boston, 7 pm on TNT

Series tied 1-1

🏒Edmonton @ Vancouver, 10 pm on TNT

Vancouver leads series 1-0

Saturday

🏒New York @ Carolina, 7 pm on TNT

New York leads series 3-0

🏒Dallas @ Colorado, 10 pm on TNT

Series tied 1-1

Sunday

🏒Florida @ Boston, 6:30 pm on TBS

Game 4

🏒Edmonton @ Vancouver, 9:30 pm on TBS

Game 4

That’s a wrap for today. Enjoy your Friday; I hope you golf on Saturday and definitely enjoy celebrating all the Moms out there on Sunday!

Cheers!

-The DB