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A note about programming: We’re off tomorrow. Chris will be back Tuesday.
return
Miracle in Miami
It’s impossible to tell the Celtics. Throughout three quarters of Saturday, they appeared to be in control – just as they were in Games 4 and 5 as they came back from a 3-0 series deficit.
However, they got their foot off the gas in the fourth quarter and — for 2.9 seconds — it looked like the Heat would pull off a series win out of nowhere. Al Horford fouled a Jimmy Butler three-pointer, and Butler’s three free throws gave Miami a one-point lead with three seconds to play.
Then it happened to Derek White.
What a way to send your team home for Game 7 😮💨
This season-saving running back by Derrick White was the definition of clutch.
🎥 @tweet pic.twitter.com/ADUa442g4h
– The NBA (The AthleticNBA) May 28, 2023
If the Celtics complete the first 3-0 comeback in NBA history — and they can do it at home on Monday — White’s advice will be immortalized by a tenth of a second on the clock. Giving the Celtics a 104-103 victory in a game they both deserved to win and fought to lose. Three takeaways as the series moves to seven:
- Jason Tatum scored 25 points in the first half and looked like he was on his way…then stopped scoring. He had six 1-of-9 points in the second half.
- It’s a good sign for Boston that they found a way to win despite shooting 7-of-35 (20 percent) from 3-point range. The Celtics were 0-6 in the postseason when he made fewer than 15 3s.
- Miami should get more from Butler and Bam Adebayo to get a chance in Game 7. Two Heat stars score 9-of-37 (24.3 percent) from the field. Butler in particular didn’t look like himself until late in the game. I admit it: “I told the guys in the dressing room, ‘If I play better, we’re not in that situation, honestly.'”
Can’t wait for Game 7. The Boston and Miami markets gave us two of the most interesting series of the NBA and NHL playoffs. The Bruins are not allowed at the TD Garden on Mondays.
Go deeper
Derrick White made his way into Celtics history in Game 6: “All we can say is, ‘Oh my God’
Speaking of the NHL… There is a 3-0 story developing in the West as well. The Stars picked up their second consecutive win on Saturday, defeating the Golden Knights 4-2 and forcing a Game 6 comeback in Dallas. Stars captain Jimmy Bean will return after serving a two-match ban.
Only four teams have come back from a 3-0 deficit in the NHL playoffs, including the Kings (over the Sharks) as recently as 2014.
Go deeper
Jake Oettinger ‘money’ the stars when they needed him most: ‘He’s our rock’
help wanted
Hopkins hits free agency
We predicted that wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins might switch teams in the off-season, but not quite like that. In a mild surprise, the Cardinals released their five-time Pro Bowler Friday after they couldn’t find a trade partner.
Hopkins, who turns 31 next week, is instantly becoming the most interesting player available and could help a number of Super Bowl contenders. Some landing zones that make sense:
- Invoices: Hopkins could be the missing piece of a receiving corps led by Stephon Diggs and Gabe Davis. He will likely need to sign at a reduced price in hopes of winning a championship.
- Patriots: New England needs a No. 1 receiver and Bill Belichick has been a big fan of them. But will Hopkins want to reunite with Bill O’Brien, his old coach in Houston?
- Heads: As with Buffalo, cap space will be an issue, but a natural/fit need here – Hopkins could be an upgrade on Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Kadarius Toney and Skyy Moore.
No matter where he signs, temper expectations a bit. Hopkins had two years removed from his last All-Pro season and played in just 19 of 34 regular season games over the past two seasons due to injuries and suspensions. Receivers his age struggled to recapture their early career successes; The last All-Pro receiver to make 31 or more teams was Reggie Wayne… in 2010. There’s a reason the Cardinals can’t find a deal.
Introductions
Welcome to Luton
The Premier League play-off is unlike any sporting event – 90 minutes to award the Premier League promotion that could change the course of a club and the careers of its players.
The Saturday edition was an absolute treat. Luton Town, a club who play their home games in a 10,000-seater stadium and have not played in England’s top flight since 1992, survived a penalty shootout to defeat Coventry City and secure promotion.
“Luton Town will be next season’s Premier League club!”
The moment the club got promoted at Wembley 😱 pic.twitter.com/IIn6AK8eQb
– ESPN FC (ESPNFC) May 27, 2023
It’s the story Wrexham dreams of. Luton – which sounds like a luxury brand, but is actually a town an hour north of London – was playing at the fifth tier of the English pyramid just nine years ago but has slowly climbed the ladder. Our team has put together a great guide for newcomers to the English Premier League. Some highlights:
Luton Town will be heavily favored to drop back after one season in the Premier League. But staying up wouldn’t be impossible – all three teams that got promoted from the Championship this year (Fulham, Bournemouth and Nottingham Forest) – managed to avoid relegation this year.
phenomena
The next big thing for golf
Rose Zhang is 20 years old and already owns a record held by Tiger Woods. Not a bad note on a resume on your way out of college.
The Stanford golfer, world No. 1 amateur since September 2020, turned pro on Friday and will make her debut next weekend at the Mizuho US Open in Jersey City, NJ Brendan Quinn wrote that it will be “one of the most anticipated (debuts)” of the season. The history of women’s professional golf”.
Here’s why:
- Zhang won 12 of 20 college championships in two years at Stanford, breaking Woods’ school record for six fewer events. She won the NCAA Individual Championship in 2022 and 2023.
- She set an NCAA single-season scoring record (69.68) as a freshman, then shaved nearly a complete strikeout from it to a 68.70 average in 27 innings as a sophomore. She finished in the top ten in 18 of the 20 collegiate events. silly!
Circle the US Women’s Open in Pebble Beach (June 22-25), her first major as a pro. She is expected to play in all five majors this summer.
Summary / s
Bucks land a head coach
There’s a huge on-the-job coaching vacancy: The Bucks are hiring Raptors assistant Adrian Griffin as Mike Budenholzer’s replacement, according to league sources. the athlete. The hire follows a process that included a one-on-one meeting with Giannis Antetokounmpo at his home. Interestingly enough, Nick Nurse, Griffin’s former boss, was a finalist before withdrawing from the search.
The 76ers, Suns, Raptors, and Pistons still have vacancies.
Oklahoma makes it 48th in a row
The most dominant team in the sport right now has to be the Oklahoma softball team. The Sooners clinched an NCAA record 48th consecutive win on Saturday, coming from behind to defeat Clemson 8-7 and advance to the Women’s College World Series. Oklahoma, chasing a third straight national championship, is an unfathomable 56-1 this season, outscoring opponents 478-56, and is 171-8 over the past three seasons.
Renderings of Vegas stadium release
On the field, the Oakland A’s are 10-44 with a 132-loss pace – with what may be their worst winning percentage (. 185) in the modern era.
Off the field, Las Vegas developments continue. The team has released its first renders of what the stadium at The Strip will look like. The 30,000-seat stadium will have a retractable roof and will be located on nine acres at the Tropicana Las Vegas Resort. Just don’t let Danny Ocean see the charts.
Pulse options
The stars collide, the manager’s distrust…and the vape violations? This deep dive into Toronto FC’s fractured culture is well worth your time.
Happy Indy 500 Day. Follow our live updates from the track.
The NFL is investigating a fifth Lions player for violating the league’s gambling policy, Kalyn Kahler reports. Here’s a primer on NFL rules.
NHL players can be discerning about the color of their tape. Does one color produce better results?
The final day of the Bundesliga season produced huge drama: Borussia Dortmund’s disastrous draw propelled Bayern Munich to an 11th successive title.
Willie Adams, who plays for the Brewers, suffered a concussion after being hit by a foul ball during a Friday game against the Giants.
Iowa State Athletic Director Gary Barta is retiring after 17 years. His legacy, writes Scott Docterman, is one of triumph and chaos.
(Top photo: Isaac Baldizon/NBAE via Getty Images)