In the NBA East, it is almost certain that the conference’s semi-final round will match the Toronto Raptors and Boston Celtics (that is certain) while the Milwaukee Bucks, leading the Orlando Magic, 3 games to 1, will face the Miami Heat.
The Celtics (Boston is now 14-6 vs the Sixers franchise in ‘offs series and this was the first time in 16 best of 7 series between the franchises, 14 as Boston vs Philadelphia-there were two best of 7 series matching Boston and the Syracuse Nationals– either team swept the other), Raptors and Heat all swept their “prelims,” with Milwaukee, likely (12 or so point favorites) to make it 4 straight wins, after dropping their series opener to the Orlando Magic.
In Western Conference play, (can not say out west as this “charade,” which I fear will benefit the great player, but systemic “team switcher,” LeBron James–alas I hail his efforts to fight systemic racism, albeit with speech peppered with “double negatives,” is being played in a bubble in East coast Florida) the Lakers led by James and Utah led by Donovan Mitchell have (3-1) series leads vs Portland and Denver respectively.
The Clippers, a potential roadblock to another “King James coronation,” are (2-2) with Dallas, while Houston, I suppose the tougher potential Lakers’ “quarters” foe are (2-2) vs Oklahoma City.
I once loved the Lakers, suffering their many close call defeats and as my late father remarked, getting “is that all there is,” but relief from their 6 titles (’72 and 5 with Magic., Kareem and Company in the ’80’s, before no longer rooting for them). It has been a long, sick road and why do I care?!!
Donovan Mitchell has led the Utah Jazz to a (3-1) series lead vs the higher seeded favorite Denver Nuggets.
Denver and the Clippers are the only teams among the 16 NBA ‘offs qualifiers, never to have made an NBA final series.
Angela Buxton, who partnered with the great Althea Gibson, to win major Women’s Double titles at both the French Open and Wimbledon in 1956, died recently at age 85.
Significantly in an age of greater prejudice and restriction (of course its ugliness is still a big part of reality), Ms. Buxton of Jewish descent and Ms. Gibson a Black woman, stirred emotions as they teamed for tennis victories.
Angela Buxton’s career was cut short due to a severe hand injury when she was just 22.
Later, she was instrumental in helping Althea Gibson overcome financial hardship.
I just hope the players of today realize what the likes of Buxton and Gibson endured and for far less money. However, I will not hold my breath.
Angela Buxton, pictured above.
Today another fine episode of “What’s My Line?”
The iconic actor, Edward G. Robinson was the mystery guest in this episode from 1953.
Panelists are Dorothy Kilgallen, Steve Allen, Arlene Francis and Bennett Cerf.
John Charles Daly is the show’s host.
Enjoy.
The 1981 Stanley Cup finalists, that year’s eventual, repeat champion champion New York Islanders and the Dallas Stars (then as the Minnesota North Stars, it was the Isles in 5 games, which is the case in their first round win vs Washington (Capitals), completed last night) wrapped up their first round series last night.
Rookie Denis (as in Potvin, now I am getting carried away with Isles/Stars “stuff”) Gurianov had 4 goals as the Stars overcame a (3-0) deficit and took the Calgary Flames in 6 games, the same result as Minne’s semi-final win vs the Flames in ’81, the Flames first season in Calgary.
Next the Stars will meet the Colorado Avalanche, the second seed in the West. Las Vegas (Golden Knights), the West top seed, awaits the Canucks/Blues series winner.
The Islanders will face the East top seed Philadelphia Flyers in a ’75 semis and ’80 final redux, if Philly wins vs Montreal (Canadiens).
Should the Canadiens, who trail the series 3 games to 2, rally to win, they would face the Tampa Bay Lightning and Boston (Bruins) would be the Islanders’ “quarters” opponent.
Denis Gurianov, pictured above, joins Tony Hrkac (he did as a St. Louis Blues player also in the round of 16, 32 years ago) as the only NHL rookies to tally 4 goals in a playoff game.
Don’t look now, but Hrkac was a member of the Stars’ lone title team in 1999.
All eight NHL first round series, four of which ended in 5 games, involved teams with the letter “C” starting either their city or team nickname.
Seven (one had to in the “C”olorado Avalanche’s series win vs the Phoenix “C”oyotes) have manifested in the “C” team either having already lost the series or trailing in it.
Las Vegas 5’d “C”hicago, Boston ditto vs “C”arolina and Tampa Bay the same vs “C”olumbus. Meanwhile, the Islanders lead the ’18 champion “C”apitals 3 games to 1.
In series currently standing at (3-2), the Flyers lead the “C”anadiens, who stayed alive with a game 5 win and Dallas is ahead of “C”algary.
The lone “C” team either leading or beating one that is not, involves the “C”anucks, leading the defending champion Blues. They rallied from a (3-1) deficit in game 5 to do so.
Sadly, Hall of Fame player, Dale Hawerchuk, pictured above, who wore the esteemed “C” as captain of the old Winnipeg Jets, now the Arizona Coyotes, has passed away, far too young at the age of 57.
Future top achievers abounded in an episode of “The Rifleman,” first seen in 1958, that aired today on MeTV.
The episode’s title is “The Marshal,” and it introduced Paul Fix as Micah Torrence.
Future top achievers were director Sam Peckinpaugh and cast members, James Drury, Warren Oates and the lovely Abby Dalton.
Left to right, Johnny Crawford and Chuck Connors as son and father on “The Rifleman.”
The Tampa Bay Lightning look as though they will avenge last season’s shocking 4 game loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets.
They took a seemingly commanding 3 games to 1 series lead, winning (2-1) this afternoon in game 4.
Elsewhere in the NHL East, the New York Islanders lead the ’18 champion Washington Capitals, then coached by current Islanders’ coach, Barry Trotz, three games to none.
Barry Trotz, pictured above.
As you have read here, I am opposed to the partial season/playoffs going on in both basketball and baseball. Hockey I can live “con.”
Despite my opposition, especially to basketball, let’s note there will be an opening round series between the heavily favored Boston Celtics and their long time rival, Philadelphia 76ers.
Boston holds a (9-4) edge in the many ‘offs series between the teams. When the Sixers were the Syracuse Nationals, the teams met in 7 playoff(s) series, with the Celts winning 4.
The first such series was in 1953, the most recent just two years ago, when the big underdog Celtics upset the 76ers, in the “quarters.”
Both that series and this year’s began or will begin on a Monday.
Click below for a nice article regarding Celts/Sixers history by Jim Fenton of The Patriot Ledger.
Celtics and 76ers have a long playoff history
“Monday, Monday can’t trust that day.” Certainly Celts won at Philly, in “Monday upsets,” 50 years apart in 1968 and 2018
Today, another great episode of “What’s My Line?”
This episode aired in August, 1963 with Joey Bishop as the mystery guest.
Panelists were Dorothy Kilgallen, who introduced panelist Robert Q. Lewis as the host of “Play Your Hunch,” Arlene Francis and Bennett Cerf.
John Daly is the show’s host.
Enjoy watching.
The Columbus Blue Jackets will not go away as their (3-1) game 2 win squared their series with the Tampa Bay Lightning.
This followed a 5 overtime victory by Tampa Bay in game 1.
Remember last year, in this same round but now 16 months, not 12 later, Columbus shocked the top ranked Lightning, winning in 4 straight games.
Above the Blue Jackets and Toronto Maple Leafs shake hands (I guess if they “faced” each other in hockey, this was fine sans gloves or masks) after Columbus made it 53 consecutive “completed” seasons, sans even a Cup Final appearance for the Maple Leafs.
Andy B Sports 