The N.H.L. semi-final round is set after the defending champion, Florida Panthers advanced to that round for the third straight season, scoring thrice within 6 and change of the 2nd period, in an eventual (6-1) road rout of the Toronto Maple Leafs in game 7 last night.
“Fla” will meet Carolina (Hurricanes), (that area has an NFL team named the Panthers), in a semi in just the team’s second ever ‘offs clash, with the other recent, just 2 years ago when the Panthers won 3 1 goal games, 2 in overtime, one in a 4 OT such, and swept the Hurricanes.
Carolina has home advantage and is a slight game 1 “fave” with Florida a slight series such. The Hurricanes are (5-0) at home in these ‘offs and only they played into at least the second round without losing at home (only prediction in this too close to call series is that “Caro” will lose a home tilt within it).
In the other “semi,” set after the Dallas Stars “motored” to a second straight semi vs the Edmonton Oilers on Harley’s OT goal (first name Thomas and pictured below) in #6, begins Wednesday night with Edmonton, a la Florida (Florida 7’d Edmonton in last year’s final) a sans home advantage, slight series “fave” and #1 underdog.
Thomas Harley, who scored the #6 overtime winner for Dallas, is pictured above.
This will be the 8th ‘offs clash contested between the Stars and Oilers with Dallas having won 5 of the previous 7, 5 of the 6 played between the teams all from (’97-’03), as noted but not directly above, Edmonton “semi’d” Dallas in last season’s semis clash.
The NBA semi-final round is set after the (68-14) Oklahoma City Thunder restored form to some degree, routing the more than series respectable Denver Nuggets in #7 this afternoon.
They (“City”) will now face the Minnesota Timberwolves in one semi while the New York Knicks, in their first semi-final in 25 years, meet the Indiana Pacers for the 9th time in the ‘offs and fourth time in the semi-final round in the other series.
Both Minnesota and Indiana, series underdogs without home advantage at least at the start, lost in their semis last year.
Oklahoma City is in just their 5th semi as the Thunder and first since 2016.
Last night was not a good one for the defending champions, (much worse for the Celtics as the Knicks advanced to the semis for the first time in 25 years, ripping the Tatum-less Celts (119-81) as the Leafs of Toronto, routed in a home 5th, forced a 7th in Toronto tomorrow night with a (2-0) win at Florida vs the defending champion Panthers in #6).
The winner of tomorrow night’s #7 will face the Carolina Hurricanes in one NHL semi-final round while the Edmonton Oilers await the winner of the Dallas Stars vs Winnipeg Jets “Qtr,” which Dallas leads 3 games to 2, with #6 in Dallas tonight.
In the NBA, the Knicks and Indiana Pacers will be meeting in the “semis” for the fourth time while Minnesota (Timberwolves) will journey either to Oklahoma City or Denver for the NBA Western Conference Final opener Tuesday, depending on the outcome of tomorrow afternoon’s deciding game between the homestanding (68-14) Oklahoma Thunder (that record did not help the ’73 Celts) and the 2023 NBA champion, Denver Nuggets.
Dikembe Mutombo, gone too young at age 57, was a vital member of the ’94 Denver Nuggets, who pulled a shocking best of 5 prelims upset over the then Seattle SuperSonics, who became the Thunder of “Ok” in ’01.
Then ’twas (42-40) Denver winning the last 3 to oust the top ranked (63-19) SuperSonics. this time there is almost as big a discrepancy and already in these quarters, two by far lower ranked teams, the Pacers and Knicks pulled upsets, the former vs (64-18) Cleveland (Cavaliers), with Oklahoma City an aforementioned (68-14) and West 4 seed Denver at (50-32).
By the way the Knicks were (51-31) while “Indy” was (50-32).
Among the “else” who would have home advantage in an unlikely, but possible all ex ABA teams final between Indy and Denver? Maybe I will “Dick Tracy” it and get on it, however, not right away.
I could post regarding that, at least yesterday, the new Pope ( a Chi-sox rooter) could not overcome the slump (I am being kind and not sure why, regarding both quantity and quality even /morality in this assessment) of someone named, “Arthur Ralph” on his “free picks” or some incredible “down (3-2) Celtics history,” however, choose to recall a better time, that of Earvin’s 42 and Silk’s 37, when the Lakers sans the great Kareem, went to Philadelphia and won at the time, just their second L.A. title. That occurred 45 years ago tonight.
Earvin is the certainly well known Earvin “Magic” Johnson, who scored 42 points that night and his overall performance remains minimum one of, arguably the greatest big game, certainly title clinching upset win of all-time, in any sports situation.
“Silk” is the great player, Jamaal Wilkes, whose 37 (points) that night is often forgotten.
Not by me, as to see it live (remember the first two years of Earvin “Magic” and Larry (Bird) with each of their teams winning crowns, but not vs the other–that would manifest down the road — the title clinching games were TV’d on delayed tape save in the finalist’s cities) I was alone in room 302 of an L.A. Howard Johnson’s and fondly remember, legendary L.A. broadcaster “Chick” Hearn calling Jamaal’s 20 foot shots, “the layup,” as they were launched in his unique shooting style and that night more profoundly than others for “Silk,” they went in.
Included in the above video, the fine broadcaster Buddy Blattner interviews the great player Bob Pettit after his, a la above cited Magic 22 years later, all-time type performance in an NBA title clinching game, that in ’58 #6/final round vs the Celtics.
Boston has won some road 6th games down (3-2) and lost some. Tonight they are slight underdogs in another, 52 years after another at New York vs the Knicks.
Then Boston won #6 but lost #7 at home to the Knicks, who went on to win their last crown to date. Boston “reg’d” (68-14), the Knicks (51-31) this season were (57-25).
(68-14) “Ok” City now faces a 7th, albeit at home, vs Denver Sunday afternoon as I add to the nostalgia with updates from the “3” ridden modern NBA.
Remembering what “Mom” and at least one other imparted, regarding if you do not have something nice to say about someone, …… I will not assuage Manfred’s character or personally or even the other commissioners who encourage wagering on their sports with such beyond intrusive methods as sponsored in game (“sucker bets,” by the way), “live” wagering.
Simply put, Pete, (Rose, who was baseball’s greatest promoter and the good side of the coin that is the work hard and you will reap, largely falsehood, that churns it, most places) is dead, having predicted ‘they’ would put him in what is a far from glorious “Hall,” after his death.
As with much, Pete was correct. Below, Marty Brennaman gives his opinion, with which I strongly agree.
Per Marty—Pete’s family ought to say “Thanks, but NO thanks.”
After as cited above, all four in the “attrition full,” ‘offs had results manifesting in (3-1) series standings, 5 of the 7 entities that are through 4 games, stand that way while now heavy series “fave,” Dallas leads NHL President’s Trophy winning Winnipeg, but series underdog even at the start, (2-1) with #4 in “Big D,” tonight. (Ode to Don Drysdale who won 25 games “the year before”).
The New York Knicks, now up (3-1) in a bid to make their first “semis” appearance in 25 years are now (3-0) in games 4 vs the Celts when holding a (2-1) series lead. Jalen Brunson had 39 points for the Knicks while attrition befell Boston, as it has Cleveland and Golden State, who also trail (3-1) in their “qtrs,” when Ja Tatum was carried off the court and based on Celts only “5” in #5, is unlikely to play in that tilt, which might be the season’s last for the 18 time and defending NBA champion, Boston Celtics. (Alas more serious, even tragic injuries involving Tatums past, as a legal but brutal play by Jack Tatum on Darryl Stingley led to the latter’s inability to walk, while reliever Ken Tatum’s no fault hitting Paul Blair in the face certainly was bad and hurt the superb fielding Blair’s career).
Elsewhere, “Minne” (Timberwolves) bidding for a second consecutive “semis app,” and just the third in their 36 seasons existence, lead (3-1) after they won by “enough” in an all “wease,” vs the Curry-less Warriors. (The Warriors made 5 straight NBA final rounds, winning 3 from 2015-2019 and then after big fan Brad Weiner had died, they took a 4th (by rights they ought to have “taken a fifth,” but James had “silver” in his pocket) in 2021.
Both highly regarded Carolina (Hurricanes) and last year’s finalist and Carolina’s in ’06 when “Caro” won their lone crown, Edmonton (Oilers), won easily last night and lead the ’18 champion Washington Capitals and 2023 title winning Las Vegas Golden Knights respectively, (3-1).
The Oilers, who won 5 straight final rounds (the last of which in ’90 sans Gretzky), after being denied by another great team, the New York Islanders, who swept them in ’83, have lost in their last 2 final round appearances.
Last season Florida (Panthers) went up (3-0) vs them and held on to win (2-1) in a home 7th and as cited Carolina beat them in ’06, that also in 7 and by a (3-1) score (e net goal late), in the game for “all the marbles.” (Peter Falk was in “All The Marbles”).
Florida won both at home and are (2-2) with Toronto. As cited, Dallas, “semi’d out” by Edmonton last season leads Winnipeg (2-1).
Mark Messier, also an integral if not most important component of the lone New York Rangers title team since 1940, is pictured as an Edmonton Oilers player.
He was on 5 title teams with Edmonton. (’84,’85,’87 ’88 and ’90).
Only one ‘offs “qtr” stands (3-1), that Indiana (Pacers), bidding for a second straight “qtrs” win, sans home advantage, leading Cleveland after the teams exchanged rout wins in #’s 3 and 4 in Indy, the latter saw Indy with an incredible (80-39) lead at the half in an eventual 20 points “ease.”
Last year’s Indiana quarters win was vs the Knicks in an all home through 6 games, won in a #7 rout by the Pacers. After the Celts followed through and routed the Knicks in #3, the Knicks still lead (2-1) and now 7 of the 10 (2-0), ’67 on Knicks/Celts series went to (2-1). Of those, 5 became (3-1) with the ’67 best of 5 “quarter” ending that way.
Out West, “City” that is Oklahoma City (Thunder) about whom and sports in general “localer,” Robin cares not, won #4 to split in Denver and are “top heavy” to advance, but surely that is not certain.
That series winner faces the Minnesota (Timberwolves)/G.S. Warriors series winner, an entity, Minne leads (2-1) vs the “Curry-less” Warriors.
For the record in the NHL, while defending champion Florida (Panthers) won both at home to get even (2-2) vs “Tor,” Dallas (Stars), Carolina (Hurricanes) and Edmonton (Oilers) all sans home “adv,” lead their series (2-1).
The beautiful 1920’s performer/actress Norma Talmadge is pictured above. Those were the so called “Roaring Twenties.”
A century later (no roar, Bill Rohr hurled 8 one third hitless innings vs the Yankees on opening day ’67, a season 100 to 1 Red Sox “impossible dreamed” to a 7 game W.S. albeit falling short to the great Gibson (Bob), in #7) will the Panthers make it 6 of 6 2020’s seasons with a Florida team, either they (them?) or the T.B. Lightning as an NHL finalist?
Told you, every team loses at home and now still at least relatively early in each major sports league’s “quarters,” only the Carolina Hurricanes among 31 teams (the Blues did not lose a home tilt but were ousted in excruciating fashion, in an all home team, prelims series vs the Winnipeg Jets), have not lost at home.
Last night all 4 resulted in what those seeking extensions coveted as the Jets got even with a home #2 win vs Dallas (Stars) while defending NHL champion Florida (Panthers) vs “Tor” (Leafs) and East top seed Cleveland (Cavaliers) vs “Indy” (the Pacers are now (3-1) at home in these ‘offs), won but still trail (2-1).
In the other tilt, 6 point(s) or so underdog Denver (Nuggets) won (113-104) in overtime, no less, to take a (2-1) series lead vs top ranked/(68-14) Oklahoma City (Thunder).
Certainly “on paper,” that was a good result for the “extenders.” Denver is (4-1) at home in these ‘offs and look out (below?) if they go to (5-1) in #4 tomorrow, which I with only a bit of confidence, say they will not.
Once, certainly under the great coach, Bud Wilkinson, “Ok” teams (only the Thunder, nee SuperSonics of “Sea,” “exist” among major pro teams) were “allowed.”
This (68-14) team, as a potential last line of defense, would get the right odds but as with almost all, can not be trusted.
There is such a long way to go, however, I believe if home advantage teams win the rest of the way, dare I say the “so long without titles,” Toronto Maple Leafs and swallow hard, as it still requires more, New York Knicks would win crowns.
Start with the Leafs, who had a better “reg,” (the (51-31), “3” seed, Knicks in these “qtrs,” have topped anybody, scoring 2 incredible comeback wins, at Boston vs the defending champion (61-21) Celtics) winning their “div,” and ranking fourth in the NHL overall standings, trailing only the top ranked/President’s Trophy winning, Winnipeg Jets, East top seed, Washington Capitals and the West “1,” the Las Vegas Golden Knights, all of whom lost home quarterfinal series, opening games.
“Tor” trailed (1-0), and (2-1) led (3-2) and held on to win (4-3) in game 2, with Mitch Marner’s third period tally scored just :16 after defending champion “Fla,” tied it, decisive.
Somewhat incredibly, only one of the 11 Knicks/Celtics ‘offs clashes starting in ’67 stood (1-1) after two games, that the year the Knicks 7’d the (68-14) Celts and me, in route to their last crown.
On paper, neither Tor/Fla or Knicks/Celts is over and neither up (2-0) team is that big a fave, however I “see” (I guess ode to Marv Albert), both Tor and the Knicks (ex Villanova player and ode to Lynn, Mikal Bridges, has delivered game saving steals, up 3 in #1 and only 1 last night in #2, for the Knicks) winning these series.
Mikal Bridges, when playing for “The Vill,” is pictured above.
I still doubt it is “curtains” for the three, higher ranked, series and game big favorites, who/whom in a seemingly unprecedented result, all lost their quarterfinal series opening games, however those victories by the Indiana Pacers at top East seed, Cleveland (Cavaliers), New York Knicks at defending champion Boston (Celtics) and Denver Nuggets at top ranked (68-14) in the “reg,” Oklahoma City (Thunder) moved some needles of perception and finance.
This is the 16th ‘offs clash between the only two original NBA/BBA franchises that have been in one city for all 79 years of play, (the Warriors once in Philadelphia seek to be the 4th underdog 2025 “quarters” opener road winners tonight at Minnesota vs the Timberwolves) and 11th since the Celts’ dynasty began in ’57 and 12 years passed between the team’s ‘offs meeting 5 straight seasons (’51-’55) and their next in ’67.
Boston leads the all-time series just (8-7) (3-2) pre ’57 with those #’s 9 and 11 showing as 9 of the 11 ‘offs meetings between the teams have opened in “Beantown,” with 8 resulting in Celtics victories. The former, but not the latter, in game 1 last night, a 3 points overtime win for the Knicks.
Elsewhere last night, Aaron Gordon who stuffed in the winning hoop just before time expired in the ’23 season champion Nuggets’ series squaring, #4 win vs the L.A. Clippers in the prelims, “hit”– changing plus 1 Oklahoma City to plus 2 and a Denver win at “Ok.” City, after Chet Holmgren, truly inexcusably missed a pair of free throws, to complete an at least 64 to 1 parlay with the three road teams, the Pacers, Knicks and Nuggets all scoring more points than their opponent in games 1/”Qtrs.”
Emmette Bryant, 86 years old, pictured below, contributed mightily to the Celtics’ incredible 11th title in 13 seasons in ’69, notably scoring 20 points in the title clinching winner take all 7th at L.A. and playing a standout opening game, at New York vs the Knicks, in the “semis.”
Only then and in 2013, the latter the only post ’55 series between the “originals” in which the Knicks won a home opening game, that opened in New York.
Andy B Sports 