Last night, darn near simultaneously, both the top ranked Colorado Avalanche and NBA East four seed, Cleveland Cavaliers staged incredible “reg” comebacks, forcing an overtime period, manifesting in victories.
The ‘Lanche (8-1) in the ‘offs will be in their eighth semi/conference final in this, completed season number thirty (’96-2026–no season in ’05), after overcoming a (3-0) deficit after one period and more telling, a 2 goal deficit in the last 4 minutes, to (4-3) the Minnesota Wild, and win their “qtr” in 5 games.
Brett Kulak (ode to the “Untouchables”), scored the OT winner, while the great Nathan McKinnon’s goal tied the game in the last minute plus.
“Col” (ode to Rader with Dad “Cowboy” comparisons and “rub ins” perhaps always relevant) made the semis in six of their first 7 seasons in Colorado after qualifying just twice and going (0-2) and (2-8) in tilts, in their 16 seasons as the Quebec Nordiques. In Bettman’s NHL, it is difficult to win as a Canada based team.
The Wild in their just completed 25th season have never won as much as a “semis” game, losing four straight to Anaheim and their great netminder J.S. Giguere in ’03.
Meanwhile, the Cavs, who would be bigger underdogs vs the Knicks in the semis, (Det would have home advantage, Cleve would not), won (105-98) at Detroit (Pistons) for their first road win in these ‘offs despite trailing by 9 points in the last two plus minutes, to take a (3-2) series lead.
Game 6 is tomorrow night in Cleveland where the Cavs are (6-0) in these ‘offs.
Elsewhere “since,” the Spurs ripped Minne to lead (3-2) with #6 at Minnesota (Timberwolves) tonight.
In the NHL, Pavel Dorofeyev’s second goal of the game, at 7:12 of overtime lifted Las Vegas (Golden Knights) (3-2) and now up (3-2), vs the Anaheim Ducks, with #6 tonight in Anaheim.
Buffalo won (3-2) at Montreal in game 4 to knot that “quarter” at two games apiece. # 5 is tonight in Buffalo, where (then it was “The Aud”) the 5th/’75 semis, between the two teams, also standing at (2-2), was contested.
#5 OT Goal scorer, Pavel Dorofeyev of the Golden Knights, is pictured above.
The top ranked defending champion, Oklahoma City Thunder completed a 4 game sweep of the L.A. Lakers (-11 plus) (115-110) in #4 in Los Angeles. “City” (0-8) ATS in road ‘offs tilts, however 2025 champions, are (8-0) and I believe (6-2) in these ‘offs, after handing the Lakers a 12th sweep loss, 10 in best of 7 series, (thus (4-0).
The best of 5’s occurring ten years apart in ’57 and ’67, the former in a semi to the St. Louis Hawks, the latter to the then S.F. Warriors in a quarter. Both the Hawks and Warriors lost in the final round in those years, the former to the first of Bill Russell’s 11 titles, all with the Celtics, the latter to the first of what were only two Wilt Chamberlain crowns, that one with a record breaking 76ers team, the other with an also record breaking Lakers’ team in ’72).
Oklahoma City/Seattle SuperSonics franchise was swept by the Lakers thrice with this being a first “City” franchise sweep of the Lakers.
Meanwhile, the New York Knicks, winning games 3 and 4 (game 1 also) so easily, on the anniversaries of each of their 2 NBA crowns, swept the Sixers for a second time (Philly swept them in both the ’78 and ’83 “quarters,” the latter in route to their last title), having done so previously in the best of three/’89 prelims.
All even are the franchises in ‘offs entities, as the Knicks have won three straight series (’26, ’24 “Quarters” and ’89 prelims) after losing the first three ‘offs entities vs the Sixers (the above cited Philly sweeps in ’78 and ’83 and their 6 game “quarters” win in ’68.
For the record, the Knicks/Sixers nee Syracuse Nationals ‘offs mark stands at (5-5) with a (2-0) “quarters equivalent,” going (I wish I had gone to Syracuse and I had the requisite grades, alas the “slats,” sick ghosting, that could have and what might have been sadness) the Nationals way in ’59 (as a response to his sick ghosting, ode to Bing, (not, but I love Dave), Crosby and one day the cryptic will become more, if not entirely clear).
As noted in a previous post and in this one’s headline, the Carolina Hurricanes are “semis” entrants for the fifth time (2-3) in previous, having gone (8-0) this far in the ‘offs.They await the winner of the Sabres/Canadiens quarter, which Montreal (Canadiens) leads (2-1) with #4 tonight in Montreal, Canada.
Elsewhere and brief, the NHL top ranked ‘Lanche (Colorado Avalanche) exploded in the 3rd period to (5-2) the Minnesota Wild to take a (3-1) “quarters” lead with that series winner to face the Las Vegas (Golden Knights)/Anaheim (Ducks) series winner in the NHL semis/Western Conference Final. Currently “L.V. , ” tonight’s host in #5 and “An” are tied at two games apiece.
NBA where the Thunder and Knicks are in the semis, in which they will be the favorites, the other 2 “quarters” stand (2-2), those being Detroit/Cleveland in an all home with #5 in Detroit tomorrow night and #6 in “Cleve,” where the Cavs are (6-0) in these ‘offs–remember every ‘offs team almost always loses at least one at home, but so far Oklahoma City, Colorado and Carolina, each (4-0) and the just cited Cavs have not. Noting Toronto (Raptors) went (3-0) at home, however, were 7’d by “Cleve,” in the prelims— and higher ranked San Antonio (Spurs)/Minnesota (Timberwolves).
In the seminal film, “On The Waterfront,” (1954) one could call it good cop/bad cop as the former Leif Erickson and the not so nice or bad Martin Balsam played Crime Commission investigators, talk with Marlon Brando’s “Terry Malloy.” (There is a fine actor named Terry Molloy).
Erickson, told “those guys will do anything to win a bet” by Marlon/”Terry” recalls watching the fixed fight and agrees with Terry that indeed he did have “Wilson?” figured out.
Balsam’s character, listed as “Gillette,” is more business like, to say the least.
I noted the coincidence of Balsam and Erickson working together, this time as the stars along with Norma Crane, three or so years later on an episode of “Alfred Hitchcock Presents,” called “The Equalizer.” (Did they not make a show by that name years later, a safe bet being it was not nearly as good, though I like Queen Latifah, its star).
In the “Hitch” episode Balsam and Erickson are enemies. Anyone see any other noting of the two paired again three or so years later. Please send it here via the comments.
Closest to “us,” left to right, Marlon Brando and Leif Erickson.
Behind them, shown in between is Martin Balsam.
Balsam seated, Erickson standing in the “Hitch” episode which aired on CBS, Sunday night February 9, 1958.
On the next Sunday February 9th, also on CBS, a certain group appeared here on television for the first time on “The Ed Sullivan Show.”
‘Twas 1964 and Sullivan intoned, “stretching” “The Beatles !!!”
In essence, the Bruins, leading the final round series (3-0), knew they were going to win their first title in 29 years, however as #4 headed into overtime “exactly” 56 years ago today on another Mother’s Day May 10th, vs the third year St. Louis (0-12 in their three final rounds under the great Scotty Bowman, who would go on to guide a record 9 Cup winners, one more than his mentor, the also great Hector “Toe” Blake), the drama involved winning it at home.
It took forty seconds and a “give and go,” executed brilliantly between Derek Sanderson and goal scorer Bobby Orr, who flew through the air into memories and a statue, that to a degree salves the wounds of both Boston winter sports teams out in round 1, the Celtics as big “faves”–thus a “pave” for the Knicks, as Philly out in 4 vs Carolina and down (3-0) to the Knicks in the “quarters,” is so likely next, maybe today, in 4 straight.
Anyway Bobby is an all-time great, in my book the greatest, though as he once told me, they needed to win one more title at least. They won two.
Click below to view greatness, the play by the way a pass from the excellent player (more ways than one, but a good man) Sanderson, vs a great netminder Glenn Hall and called by the superb broadcaster Dan Kelly.
Most of all: Bobby Orr
Tonight on the exact 56 year anniversary of their first crown, the New York Knicks bid for a commanding (3-0) “quarters” lead at Philadelphia vs the 76ers.
The previous five Sixers/Knicks ‘offs series went to the team with home “advantage,” who also won the series opener. Three were sweeps, two in best of 5 prelims.
Elsewhere in the East, top seed but not conference favorite, (the Knicks are), Detroit (Pistons) held serve, covered both and lead Cleveland (Cavaliers) (2-0).
Top ranked and defending champion Oklahoma City (Thunder) covered and all teased in the first two high priced spreads vs the Lakers, while San Antonio ripped Minne (Timberwolves)in #2 after Minne’s 2 point win in their “quarters” opener.
Below from the ’68 “Quarters,” Celts’ #6 clincher at Detroit (Pistons).
| Boston Celtics 111, Detroit Pistons 103 | ||
| Scoring by quarter: 22–24, 35–25, 30–31, 24–23 | ||
| Pts: John Havlicek 31 Rebs: Bill Russell 23 Asts: John Havlicek 12 | Pts: Dave Bing 44 Rebs: Dave DeBusschere 14 Asts: Dave Bing 4 | |
| Boston wins series, 4–2 | ||
Also in “late, (not) great ’68, Philly also in 6, vs the Knicks in their “quarter.”
The Carolina Hurricanes, nee Hartford Whalers, whose lone crown was attained in 200″6″, took a commanding (3-0) “quarters” lead with a (4-1) win at Philadelphia (Flyers) last night.
Meanwhile the top ranked Colorado Avalanche, nee Quebec Nordiques, whose first of three titles came in 199″6,” won both home tilts and lead Minnesota (Wild) two games to none in their quarterfinal series.
Both “Caro” (wonder if “Raleigh Robin” cares), at (7-0) and “Col” (6-0) are unbeaten thus far in these ‘offs.
Elsewhere, while the Las Vegas Golden Knights/Anaheim Ducks series stands at (1-1), the Ducks getting a split in Sin City, once taboo for sports leagues and now cultivated, with a game 2 win.
The Buffalo Sabres, the lone “quarters” entrant sans at least one title, (only the Minnesota Timberwolves among the eight NBA “quarters” entrants also are sans a title), doubled the Montreal Canadiens (Stanley Cup Champions in 1946,1956,1966,1976 and 1986, also pre NHL won it in 1916, Montreal teams, the NHL Maroons won it in 1926 and the Wanderers (cue Dion, however not hockey great Marcel Dionne) took the prize in 1906) in their at “Buff” opening game.
Frederick Andersen, pictured above, was brilliant in the key game 2 overtime when he stopped the Flyers with them having an edge in play, before Taylor Hall, the 2018 Hart Memorial Trophy winner as NHL “Reg” MVP, won it for “Caro.”
Very likely the ‘Canes will play in a semi-final series for the seventh time, (2-4) in previous such series.
Some comments with maybe follow. Maybe these NHL ‘offs are going to be all Colorado and Carolina, each (6-0) (4-0) at home but, I say though that is a pretty hefty plurality “fave” to be the NHL final match up, much will happen, making it at least a slight struggle for both to get there. Noting Las Vegas, under late season hired coach John Tortorella is up (1-0) vs Anaheim, which paved for Vegas, beating an underachieving Edmonton team in the prelims. Maybe becomes relevant as I remember John Sterling, a superb broadcasting talent, who died days back at age 87.
John Sterling, who once had a “Superstar” “intro” while doing his WMCA sports talk show, (Phil Chenier was one of the superstars and at that point he was close) on which he was so often rude to the callers, perhaps in some cases deservedly so, had quite an ego, told me off once when I asked why are you so pro Nets, by saying “they pay me dumby,” yet the maybe morphs to definite, as he was an exceptional talent, so much better than almost all play by play people today, who put together an incredible career.
I emulated him, not as much as I did Joe Tait or Marv Albert, in doing basketball play by play. All four of us were “on the play,” (Marv Albert wrote telling me I was, exponentially small consolation as …..). Sterling was excellent, though an unabashed “homer,” even distorting, such as during his famed or infamous bdcst of the Nets’ #6 last ABA title clinching win, vs the Denver Nuggets in ’76 (at a point— (Denver’s) Issel walks with the ball, lays it up and in, as an example).
Mr. Sterling was even better broadcasting hockey. He was superb. This past Saturday, the day he fell ill, not to recover, I heard he and Bob Lawrence on a broadcast of game 1 of the best of 3 Isles/Canucks NHL prelim in 1976. Early action, a quick (2-2) and else, with Sterling so good and entertaining.
He was off the Isles’ broadcasts, having seen the team develop, but a great Montreal team was in the way of them winning a crown, before the team’s incredible run of 4 straight Stanley Cup wins in 5 straight final round appearances (’80-’84).
It was near opposite with Sterling and the Yankees, after 4 bad years (’89-’92), sustained excellence, another 4 of 5, that being four Yankees titles (three in a row ’98-2000) from (’96, John’s favorite-2000) and a fifth in 2009.
I made my peace with the man I call “Superstar,” with memories of his comment to me, his being nice when I gave him a fact, his unbelievable “just woke up” voice when I called him at his hotel room around noon, one year when he was with the Braves, actual talk of a pendant he was wearing while on the telecast of a World Football League game. (so many of these leagues that tried, if only Hitler sold some paintings and the USFL succeeded!!) It included “back after the commercial for more talk about John’s pendant.”
There is much more I can write, quickly a young and different voice, Sterling is conducting interviews with Orioles players after they swept the defending champion Dodgers in the ’66 World Series.
Speaking of those Dodgers in that great era (pennants in ’63,’65 and ’66-titles in the first two), John often told the story of L.A. pitcher Don Drysdale, who missed the game, being informed that Sandy Koufax pitched a no hit game. Don’s reply, a question, did we win? The Dodgers light hitting along with great O’s pitching manifested in 0’s for the Dodgers, in that ’66 Fall Classic.
It stops there, but there is more. Most important, the memories good and bad flow. What an impact! What a career! I have to add he and the truly great Mel Allen, reminiscing about past World Series, circa ’77, before broadcasts of Yankees ‘offs tilts, are treasures. Sterling had great talent, memorable broadcasts and MAYBE that is all needed, to tilt John into the win column.
I will resist, in the big ones, Sterling Wins (maybe I did not, but no capital letters Mom).
Click below, watch and hear vintage “Superstar” Sterling calling it with Ernie Johnson Sr. commenting as Rick Camp hits a most improbable game tying home run as part of an unbelievable, rain delayed, eventual Mets win vs Camp’s and Sterling’s team, the Braves, that ended past 4 A.M. the next day July 4 and 5, 1985.
54 years of my memories, both good and bad–tilted very good, regarding the so talented John Sterling, pictured above.
Yet another one more, 56’s (in John’s case 5600 plus consecutive games broadcast, not in the same league as Joe D’s hitting streak of 56 consecutive, but quite a feat. Maybe a shared cup of coffee between them awaits.
Beginning with its so well acted and humorous, different takes on which song the great Bruce Springsteen ought to use as the concert”opener,” right through the end, “American, Italian,” directed by Mike Keller (playing at the Chain Theatre 312 West 36th Street as part of its Factory Series), is intense, humorous and so meaningful, hitting many key points, as though an effective pinball machine.
Written by Anthony P. Pennino, set in 1984-1985, an extended Italian American family/plus one girlfriend with six shown characters, all brought to the audience with excellent performances, goes through and asks questions, regarding some very important life issues.
Those actors are Dante Palminteri, as “Vin,” yes the son of Chazz and in an “apple not falling far,” excellent turn, and all excellent Donovan Counts as first cousin “Gio,” Isabella Bertoni as Vin’s sister “Gina,” Sara Romanello as his girlfriend “Lisa,” Paul Romanello as tough and worse, (thus good acting), father of Vin, “Vincenzo” and Marc Romero, given great concepts by Mr. Pennino, as more sensible Uncle to Vin, and father to Gio, “Frank.”
Family roles, demographics, generational characteristics and responsibilities, segments of great music, yes stereotypes, humor and pathos are all addressed very well, a part of this fine production.
Clicking the link below, enables purchasing of tickets.
The quarterfinal round is set in both the NHL and NBA.
In fact, NHL conference top seeds, Colorado and Carolina have already won very different “quarters” openers, each by 3 goals, the overall top ranked ‘Lanche of Colorado (9-6) vs the Minnesota Wild and the ‘Canes of Carolina (3-0), vs the Philadelphia Flyers.
In ’75: Buffalo “semi’d” Montreal, but Philly repeated as Cup Winners in 6.
Elsewhere in the East, Buffalo (Sabres) and Montreal (Canadiens) will square off. Out West, tonight Las Vegas (Golden Knights) open their “quarter” vs the Anaheim Ducks.
NBA “quarters” begin tonight, and I think you have to pay extra to see the Knicks/Sixers sixth post-season series opener, the opening game winner having won all the previous series.
Yesterday both the East top seed, but not the conference “fave,” Detroit PIstons and fourth seed Cleveland Cavaliers won respectively very easily and fairly easily, vs the Orlando Magic and Toronto Raptors respectively and will clash in the quarters, say a half year plus after the two cities’ baseball teams met in a 12/8 preliminary type round.
A far more glorious history is recounted in the Detroit Lions’ 3 wins in four NFL title game clashes with the original Cleveland Browns in the 1950’s.
Basketball’s two best teams, but at best, only one can make the final round, the defending champion and top seed Oklahoma City Thunder and San Antonio Spurs are huge favorites, too much of such in my opinion, respectively, vs the Los Angeles Lakers, who 6’d Houston (Rockets) and Minnesota (Timberwolves), who are without Anthony Edwards. “Minne” 6’d Denver in the prelims.
The great Bobby Layne “QB’d” two of the Lions’ wins and the one loss vs Cleveland while Tobin Rote, the father of future local New York sports reporter, Rock Rote, was at the helm for Detroit in the last of those clashes and also the last time Detroit even played for, no less won the NFL crown, that in 1957.
Although they did “title” (an NBA high 18th), as recently as 2024 and for both seasons since they were “Tatum-less” in the game in which they fell out of the ‘offs, the Boston Celtics deserve criticism, as does the “attrition a big factor” four best of seven rounds, NBA, for that matter, but not as severely, NHL playoffs.
First, praise for the Philadelphia 76ers, who ended a 6 playoffs series loss skein vs and at Boston, winning #7 there yesterday as they did in a #7 “semi” in ’82, the last time Philly took out Boston (not to dinner or from the library but of the ‘offs).
Now some Knicks/Sixers nee Nationals ‘offs history, as their fourth “quarters” clash begins Monday night at Madison Square Garden.
This will be the sixth Sixers/Knicks playoffs series and the ninth between the franchises as the Knicks and Nationals had ‘offs clashes in the first three possible seasons (’50-’52) and one more in ’59. (The Nats won a best of 3 semi (2-1) in ’50 and a best of 3 “quarter” (2-0) in ’59 while the Knicks took best of 5 “semis” (3-2) in ’51 and (3-1) in ’52).
Prior to the Knicks’ 6 game series triumph in 2024, the last three series contested between these teams resulted in sweeps, the Sixers sweeping the Knicks in 4 straight games in both the ’78 and ’83 “quarters,” the latter in route to their second Philly crown in ’83 (they won one as the Nationals that with the great Dolph Schayes in 1955).
New York swept the 76ers in 3 straight games in the ’89 preliminary round. In that aforementioned 2024 season, the Knicks made it (2-0) vs the Sixers in preliminary series, winning in 6.
By far, the most compelling Sixers/Knicks series, the lone non sweep, was Philadelphia’s 6 game triumph in the 1968 quarterfinals.
Game 3 in Philly where all odd numbered games were or would have been played and the series tied at one game apiece, was a two overtime 76ers win.
It was a costly win, as the 76ers’ great “6th man,” Billy Cunningham (the ’83 team’s coach) was lost for the rest of the ‘offs.
The Sixers were defending champions, having finished a (68-13), ’66-’67 season with a crown, one of 2 won by the great Wilt Chamberlain. They had an excellent ’67-’68 season “reg,” finishing with a (62-20) record.
However, the Boston Celtics overcame a (3-1) semis series deficit vs them and went on to their 10th title in 12 seasons, eventually to be 11 in 13, with the last of that incredible Bill Russell/Sam Jones and other greats era, coming vs the Lakers and their off-season acquisition, Wilt Chamberlain in ’68-’69
A truly great player, Billy Cunningham, is pictured below.
Andy B Sports 