The NBA Playoffs got underway on Saturday, and, of course, the highlight of the first two days of games was the Heat picking up right where they left off last season, and lighting up the Milwaukee Bucks, 110-87. LeBron James finished with 27 points, on 9 of 11 shooting, 10 rebounds, and eight assists. Old man time, Ray Allen, came off the bench to score 20, Dwyane Wade had 16 points, and Chris Bosh added 15. The Heat held the Bucks to 42% shooting and dominated on the boards, outrebounding Milwaukee 46-31. Make a note of this . . . even though Miami won by 23 points, they were far from perfect. The Heat shot only 30% from beyond the 3-point arc, and they committed 19 turnovers. The second game of the series will be played tomorrow night, with a start time of 7:30 pm.
In the other first round games this weekend,
New York 85 Boston 78
Carmelo Anthony had 36 points to lead the Knicks. The Knicks defense was outstanding, holding the Celtics to only eight points in the fourth quarter, just 25 in the entire second half.
Denver 97 Golden State 95
Andre Miller finished with a game-high 28 points, including the game-winning layup with just 1.2 seconds remaining in the game. Stephen Curry had tied the game for Golden State with a three-pointer with just 14 seconds remaining. The Warriors lost David Lee for the rest of the playoffs with a hip injury.
Brooklyn 106 Chicago 89
Deron Williams had 22 points, Brook Lopez added 21 in the win.
LA Clippers 112 Memphis 91
Chris Paul led the Clippers with 23 points and seven assists, one of seven Clippers in double figures.
Indiana 107 Atlanta 90
Paul George finished with a triple-double - 23 points, 12 assists, and 11 rebounds. George Hill added 18 points, Roy Hibbert added 16. The Pacers won a game 1 in a playoff series for the first time since 2006.
San Antonio 91 LA Lakers 79
Tim Duncan had 17 points and 10 rebounds, Tony Parker had 18 points and 8 assists, while Manu Ginobili scored 18 points off the bench.
Oklahoma City 120 Houston 91
Kevin Durant scored 24 points, Kevin Westbrook finished with 19 points, 10 assists, and eight rebounds.
Here is this this week’s schedule of games:
TONIGHT
Chicago @ Brooklyn 8:00 pm TNT
Game 2 Nets lead 1-0
Memphis @ LA Clippers 10:30 pm TNT
Game 2 Clippers lead 1-0
TUESDAY
Milwaukee @ Miami 7:30 pm Sun, NBA-TV
Game 2 Heat lead 1-0
Boston @ New York 8:00 pm TNT
Game 2 Knicks lead 1-0
Golden State @ Denver 10:30 pm TNT
Game 2 Nuggets lead 1-0
WEDNESDAY
Houston @ Oklahoma City 7:00 pm TNT
Game 2 Thunder lead 1-0
Atlanta @ Indiana 7:30 pm NBA-TV
Game 2 Pacers lead 1-0
LA Lakers @ San Antonio 9:30 pm TNT
Game 2 Spurs lead 1-0
Going from the hard court to the diamond, the Cincinnati Reds broke open a close game, scoring 8 runs in the bottom of the seventh inning, to pound the Marlins 10-6, taking three out of four games of the series, a series in which the Reds outscored the Fish 25-11. Yesterday’s game was tied 2-2 in the seventh, but the first six Reds batters reached base. Shoddy outfield defense by the Marlins didn’t help matters whatsoever. The Marlins managed to score four runs in the ninth inning when Giancarlo Stanton FINALLY drove in a run this season, and Miguel Olivo hit a three-run, pinch-hit homer. The man-child was 4-18 in the series against the Reds, with eight strikeouts. The Marlins are in Minnesota where they are facing the Twins in a two-game series. They will have a day off on Wednesday, and return home for a four-game series against the Cubs. Here are the pitching match-ups against the Twins:
Tonight Ricky Nolasco vs Kevin Correia 8:10 pm
Tomorrow Jose Fernandez vs Mike Pelfrey 1:10 pm
The Fish are still bringing up the rear in MLB in runs scored, with a grand total of 43 runs in their first 19 games. I will be posting the “bottom five” rankings in runs scored until the Marlins aren’t on the list. At this point, I am not very optimistic about this list not being a permanent part of this blog.
TEAM W-L Runs
Marlins 4-15 43
Dodgers 8-10 54
Cubs 5-12 57
White Sox 7-11 61
Mariners 7-13 61
TODAY’S TRIVIA QUESTION: The Marlins have the worst record in the majors so far at 4-15, and this is the poorest 19-game start in franchise history. What was their worst 19-game start prior to this season? Tell you later, alligator
In the rest of MLB yesterday, first in the National League,
Mets 2 Nationals 0
John Buck hit his 7th homer of the season and Dillon Gee combined with his bullpen to deal the shutout. Incredible as it may seem, Buck leads the major leagues with 22 RBI.
Pirates 4 Braves 2
After losing the opening game of the series on Thursday, the Pirates took three in a row from the Braves. Clint Barmes drove in two runs in the win. Kris Medlen took the loss for the Braves, the first game in his career that he has lost after having a lead.
Giants 5 Padres 0
Barry Zito tossed seven shutout innings. Buster Posey hit a two-run homer, his first of the season.
Brewers 4 Cubs 2
Ryan Braun crushed a three run homer and the Brewers have now won seven in a row.
D-Backs 5 Rockies 4
Arizona scored two runs in the top of the ninth inning to beat the Rockies, the go-ahead run a result of a sacrifice fly by Gerardo Parra. Heath Bell got the win in relief for the Diamondbacks, pitching a 1-2-3 eighth inning.
Phillies 7 Cardinals 3
Ben Revere broke a 3-3 in the eighth inning with a run-scoring single, and catcher Erik Kratz followed with a three-run homer to ice the win for the Phillies.
Over in the American League:
Blue Jays 8 Yankees 4
The Blue Jays rallied to erase a 4-2 deficit in the sixth inning to salvage the finale of their three-game series. JP Arencibia doubled and hit a two-run homer, Brett Lowrie also drove in a couple of runs. The Yankees lost for only the third time in their last 12 games.
Royals 4 Red Sox 2 (Game 1)
Salvador Perez hit the go-ahead two-run single in the top of the fourth inning. Ervin Santana gave up two runs in seven innings, both of them in the first inning. The Rays swept a three-game series against the A’s for the first time since 2005.
Royals 5 Red Sox 4 (10 innings) (Game 2)
Former Marlin bust Andrew Miller walked in the winning run in the top of the tenth inning as the Royals swept the doubleheader against the Red Sox. KC relief pitcher struck out the side in the bottom of the 10th to shut the door on the Red Sox.
Twins 5 White Sox 3
Josh Willingham delivered the key hit, a three-run double in the seventh inning.
Rays 8 A’s 1
Roberto Hernandez, the pitcher formerly known as Fausto Carmona, earned his first win since 2011. Yunel Escobar went 3-4 with a home run and finished with 2 RBI.
Indians 5 Astros 4
Mark Reynolds hit the go-ahead homer in the seventh inning and made a diving stop at third base to end the game with the bases loaded.
LA Dodgers 7 Orioles 4
Matt Kemp went 3-5 and Mark Ellis drove in three runs.
Rangers 11 Mariners 3
Nelson Cruz, Mitch Moreland, Adrian Beltre, and Leonys Martin all connected long distance for the Rangers. Cruz’ blast was with the bases loaded.
Angels 4 Tigers 3 (13 innings)
Mark Trumbo ended the game with a walk-off homer in the bottom of the 13th inning. The Angels, who had been struggling so far this season, managed to sweep the three-game series against Detroit.
Today’s games, first in the National League:
Pirates @ Phillies 7:05 pm
AJ Burnett vs Jonathan Pettibone
Cardinals @ Nationals 7:05 pm
Shelby Miller vs Dan Haren
Cubs @ Reds 7:10 pm
Travis Wood vs Mike Leake
Braves @ Rockies 8:40 pm
Mike Minor vs Jeff Francis
Brewers @ Padres 10:10 pm
Kyle Lohse vs Jason Marquis
D-Backs @ Giants 10:15 pm
Wade Miley vs Ryan Vogelsong
Over in the American League:
A’s @ Red Sox 6:35 pm
AJ Griffin vs Felix Doubront
Blue Jays @ Orioles 7:05 pm
JA Happ vs Chris Tillman
Yankees @ Rays 7:10 pm
CC Sabathia vs Matt Moore
Indians @ White Sox 8:10 pm
Justin Masterson vs Dylan Axelrod
Mariners @ Astros 8:10 pm
Felix Hernandez vs Brad Peacock
Rangers @ Angels 10:05 pm
Derek Holland vs Joe Blanton
Here are the standings in MLB:
Here are the individual league leaders in MLB:
In NFL news, the New Jork Jets traded CB Darrelle Revis to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for the Bucs’ first round pick (#13) and a conditional pick in 2014. In my opinion, a great move by the Jets, who now have the 9th and 13th picks in the first round. Adam Schefter of ESPN is all over the story:
The Fins and the KC Chiefs are still talking about a trade for Chiefs OT Branden Albert. I am hearing that the Dolphins and Albert are in negotiations to finalize a new contract. Here's my opinion: if the Dolphins pull the trigger on this deal, they’re going to have a lot of explaining to do, especially if they trade a second-round pick and pay the $8-9 million a year Albert is looking for in a multi-year deal. That is more than what Jake Long left for. If, however, they have a taker for their first round pick (#12) and they are able to pick up, for example, a second round pick to move down in the first round, that move would would make the trade much more palatable. We already know that the Chiefs are going to draft OT Luke Joeckel with the first pick in the draft. What are they going to do, draft Joeckel and keep Albert? I don’t think so. GM Jeff Ireland needs to keep his hands in his pockets and wait them out. Maybe then, you get Albert for a third-round pick or a pick in next year’s draft. Worse case, you have to wait them out at least until you can trade your 12th pick for an extra second to replace the one you trade for Albert. Patience, perseverance: everything comes to he that waits.
The NFL Draft begins on Thursday, the 25th, at 8:00 pm with the first round. The second and third rounds will be on Friday, the 26th, at 6:00 pm, and rounds 4-7 are on Saturday, the 27th, starting at noon.
The NFL Draft begins on Thursday, the 25th, at 8:00 pm with the first round. The second and third rounds will be on Friday, the 26th, at 6:00 pm, and rounds 4-7 are on Saturday, the 27th, starting at noon.
In case you missed it, the NFL regular season schedule was announced. Here’s the Dolphins schedule, and will include a minimum of three prime-time games:
Sunday September 8 at Cleveland 1:00 pm
Sunday September 15 at Indianapolis 1:00 pm
Sunday September 22 Atlanta 4:05 pm
Monday September 30 at New Orleans 8:40 pm Sunday October 6 Baltimore 1:00 pm
Sunday October 13 BYE
Sunday October 20 Buffalo 1:00 pm
Sunday October 27 at New England 1:00 pm
Thursday October 31 Cincinnati 8:25 pm
Monday November 11 at Tampa Bay 8:40 pm
Sunday November 17 San Diego 1:00 pm*
Sunday November 24 Carolina 1:00 pm*
Sunday December 1 at NY Jets 1:00 pm*
Sunday December 8 at Pittsburgh 1:00 pm*
Sunday December 15 New England 1:00 pm*
Sunday December 22 at Buffalo 1:00 pm*
Sunday December 29 NY Jets 1:00 pm*
Sunday September 15 at Indianapolis 1:00 pm
Sunday September 22 Atlanta 4:05 pm
Monday September 30 at New Orleans 8:40 pm Sunday October 6 Baltimore 1:00 pm
Sunday October 13 BYE
Sunday October 20 Buffalo 1:00 pm
Sunday October 27 at New England 1:00 pm
Thursday October 31 Cincinnati 8:25 pm
Monday November 11 at Tampa Bay 8:40 pm
Sunday November 17 San Diego 1:00 pm*
Sunday November 24 Carolina 1:00 pm*
Sunday December 1 at NY Jets 1:00 pm*
Sunday December 8 at Pittsburgh 1:00 pm*
Sunday December 15 New England 1:00 pm*
Sunday December 22 at Buffalo 1:00 pm*
Sunday December 29 NY Jets 1:00 pm*
*Games are subject to “flex scheduling” by the NFL
Ben Volin of the Palm Beach Post shares his thoughts on the Fins’ schedule:
In college baseball this weekend, FIU took 2 out of 3 against Middle Tennessee in Murfreesboro, TN this past weekend. FIU had a chance to sweep the series, but wasted a 2-0 lead in yesterday’s finale. FIU returns home for a weekend series against Louisiana-Lafayette. Meanwhile, over in Coral Gables, the Canes also took two out of three against Clemson. They have a Wednesday game this week at home against Florida Atlantic, before heading up to Chestnut Hill, MA to take on Boston College.
Here is the web site for all the latest in High School Baseball -
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THE ANSWER TO TODAY’S TRIVIA QUESTION: The Marlins have the worst record in the majors so far at 4-15, and this is the poorest 19-game start in franchise history. What was their worst 19-game start prior to this season?
The 1995, 1998, and 1999 Marlins opened those seasons 5-14.
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Behave yourselves, and always remember that tomorrow will bring us a brand new day.
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