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Good morning! Be overrated today.
The Upside Down: Home-court advantage is for suckers
Each spring, NBA rights holders bless us with melodramatic ads for the playoffs. Big drama! Every night! Tune in for every second and consume every ad! Please!
Most of the time, each game isn’t a must-watch, especially this early in the postseason. We still have eight teams left. Flukes can still linger at this point.
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And yet, this year? The ads were correct. The second round is cooking. No home team has won a game. Even down to the minutiae, nothing has gone as expected. Teams with long breaks look lost. Teams with no rest look fresh. Nothing is real.
Last night’s slate was the best we’ve had so far:
- In the late game, the Warriors outpaced the Timberwolves 99-88 in a contest that wasn’t as close as that 11-point margin suggests. And they did it largely without Steph Curry, who left the game in the first half with a hamstring injury. Minnesota scored just 31 points in the first half. Draymond Green hit four 3-pointers, Jimmy Butler and Buddy Hield were electric and Anthony Edwards — the prince who was promised — came out flat. Golden State 1, Minnesota 0.
- The earlier game was even more shocking. The top-seeded Cavaliers entered the game missing three key contributors and still opened up a massive early lead over the Pacers, who had already stolen Game 1 in Cleveland on Sunday. Donovan Mitchell had 48 points, but it wasn’t enough to stop Tyrese Haliburton, Mr. Overrated, from swiping a Game 2 win with what can only be conveyed in video form.
Just look at the situation here: Pacers down two, 12 seconds left, Haliburton at the line with a chance to make it a one-point game with plenty of time to foul. Instead, this happens:
TYRESE HALIBURTON WINS GAME 2 FOR THE PACERS 😱🤯
WHAT. A. WILD. PLAY. pic.twitter.com/rFsjZmtrBz
— NBA (@NBA) May 7, 2025
With that, the Pacers are up 2-0. Unbelievable. This is the first time in NBA history all road teams have won Game 1 in the second round.
Let’s move on to our other playoff sport:
News to Know
Oilers, Canes surge
The NHL also put on some excellent playoff action last night, with two impressive comebacks to boot. In Las Vegas, Edmonton — in true Oilers fashion — overcame an early deficit with three third-period goals in a 4-2 win over the Golden Knights to take a 1-0 series lead. Ditto for the Stanley Cup favorite Hurricanes, who needed overtime to outlast Alex Ovechkin and the Capitals, 2-1.
Inter stuns Barca in CL classic
In what is already one of the best Champions League matches ever played, Inter Milan topped FC Barcelona 7-6 on aggregate yesterday, despite blowing two separate 2-0 leads over both legs of this semifinal matchup. I thought it was over after Raphinha punched in an 87th-minute goal, which gave Barca a 6-5 aggregate lead with mere minutes to play. Instead, Francesco Acerbi tied it in the 93rd to force extra time, where Davide Frattesi ended it in the 99th. Just an incredible game I wish I could watch again.
Akron ineligible for postseason
The Akron football team will not play in a bowl game next year, the NCAA said, as a result of the program’s poor Academic Progress Rate score. It’s the first time in over 10 years a program has incurred such a penalty. The Zips have not played in a bowl game since 2017. Read more.
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More news
- Defense attorneys in the ongoing Hockey Canada sexual assault trial grilled the complainant yesterday. We had multiple writers on scene in Ontario.
- Sue Bird is the new managing director for the USA women’s national basketball team, sources told The Athletic.
- An F1 surprise: Alpine team principal Oliver Oakes resigned yesterday, effectively immediately. More details here.
- The Yankees designated Carlos Carrasco for assignment yesterday. They have a few candidates to take his spot in the rotation.
- Aston Villa and Tottenham Hotspur will play their next match two days earlier after discussion with the Premier League. Read our full report.
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Pulse Polls: A new AI slant?
From a PR perspective, NBC was doing everything right. After reacquiring NBA rights last summer, the network retooled its once-beloved coverage by hiring smart talent and, of course, bringing back “Roundball Rock,” which is a home run.
And then yesterday, news trickled out of a possible snag: In trying to truly harness the nostalgia of all this, NBC said it will use AI to recreate Jim Fagan’s voice for promotional materials. Fagan, who died in 2017, was the classic voice of the network’s 1990s promos.
There’s a lot to parse here. Feelings on AI, nostalgia for the 90s, etc. Before I opine, I want to know how you feel about it.
Do we think this is:
- Harmless and cool. You’re overreacting, Branch.
- Lazy and cheap. Stop living in the past, NBC.
Make your voice heard here. We’ll publish the results tomorrow.
What to Watch
📺 UCL: Arsenal at Paris Saint-Germain
3 p.m. ET on CBS/Paramount+
If this is anything like yesterday’s Inter-Barca match, it’s must-watch stuff. And don’t forget about Declan Rice’s heroics against Real Madrid in the quarters. PSG is up 1-0 on aggregate right now. A win puts them through to the Champions League final.
📺 NBA: Knicks at Celtics
7 p.m. ET on TNT/Max
We are back with both upset series tonight, and I’m choosing this one because I am most curious if New York’s Game 1 performance was a fluke. In Oklahoma City, I know Nikola Jokić will keep Denver in the series. Boston still feels like the favorite here, but the moxie of this Knicks group is unimpeachable.
📺 NHL: Stars at Jets
9:30 p.m. ET on ESPN
Yes, I’m picking against the No. 1 series in our power rankings, but I do this to help you plan your night. Panthers-Maple Leafs airs simultaneously with our pick above, so turn on ESPN early if you care more about the pucks. Either way, a stellar night of TV. This is Game 1 of what should be a great series.
Get tickets to games like these here.
Pulse Picks
Thousands of you clicked on this wonderful story about George Karl yesterday … which actually published this morning. Apologies for that. You can read it here now, I promise.
Just call him Mr. Nugget: Aaron Gordon has been Denver’s most clutch player in this surprising playoff run. Behind him, the Nuggets won’t go quietly against the NBA’s best team.
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The Magic and Rockets are not so different, as John Hollinger writes — both full of promise and both dealing with the same problems.
James Mirtle thinks Panthers center Sam Bennett should be suspended for his hit on Leafs goalie Anthony Stolarz. I agree.
Aaron Judge may be the best right-handed hitter in modern history, as Jayson Stark detailed. We’re expanding on this tomorrow, too.
Here’s a name to remember for next year’s Premier League campaign: Liam Delap, the Ipswich Town star every elite club wants.
Most-clicked in the newsletter yesterday: Jeff Zrebiec’s column on the Justin Tucker saga. Read it here.
Most-read on the website yesterday: The Champions League live blog.
Ticketing links in this article are provided by partners of The Athletic. Restrictions may apply. The Athletic maintains full editorial independence. Partners have no control over or input into the reporting or editing process and do not review stories before publication.
(Top photo: AP Photo / Abbie Parr)
This news was originally published on this post .
About the author
Protagonista do Betis, Antony faz mistério sobre seu futuro no clube espanhol para a próxima temporada
Betis quer permanência de atacante brasileiro (Foto; Divulgação/Facebook Oficial Betis) Desde sua chegada ao Betis. Antony vai sendo o grande jogador da equipe espanhola, marcando gols e ajudando o time em sua campanha na Conference League. Mas o futuro do atleta ainda não está definido por ora O meia-atacante está emprestado até o fim da temporada ao clube andaluz, mas sua permanência na equipe ou seu retorno ao Manchester United não estão ainda definidos. E o jogador também não deu nenhuma indicação do que deverá ser de sua carreira a partir da próxima temporada. PUBLICIDADE PUBLICIDADE ‘Não sei o que vai acontecer’ Em declarações feitas antes da partida desta quinta-feira (8) contra a Fiorentina, pelas semifinais da Conference League, Antony acionou um tom de ‘mistério’ ao ser perguntado sobre o seu futuro no Betis e uma potencial permanência em LaLiga. […]
Gol sofrido pelo Vasco na Sul-Americana deixa torcedores incrédulos; assista
Gol sofrido pelo Vasco na Sul-Americana (Reprodução) O Vasco teve uma partida para ser esquecida nesta quarta-feira (7). Atuando na Venezuela contra o Puerto Cabello, a equipe carioca, com um futebol apático, lidou com uma goleada por 4 a 1. Entre os gols anotados, o lance envolvendo Gerardo Padrón trouxe um sentimento de revolta. Mesmo sem uma estatura elevada, Padrón conseguiu ganhar de Lucas Piton pelo alto. Levando em conta a cabeçada próximo da baliza, Léo Jardim ficou incapaz de realizar a defesa. Neste cenário, a falha refletiu o péssimo desempenho do Vasco no duelo pela Sul-Americana. PUBLICIDADE PUBLICIDADE O Vasco tomou um gol de CABEÇA de um jogador de 1 METRO E 59 CENTÍMETROS pic.twitter.com/jOAVC6nGZP— Noite de Copa (@Noitedecopa) May 7, 2025 Erro defensivo revolta torcedores Lidando com falhas ao longo dos 90 minutos, o Vasco sofreu para conter […]
Dodgers place Evan Phillips on injured list as their bullpen usage continues to spike
MIAMI — The bill is coming due on the Los Angeles Dodgers’ most troubling statistic in the early season. No team in baseball has asked for more innings from its bullpen than the Dodgers, who are already dealing with injury question marks in their rotation. The concerns have bled into their bullpen, as the club placed reliever Evan Phillips on the injured list Wednesday with right forearm discomfort.AdvertisementThe move was announced after the first pitch of an eventual 10-1 win over the Miami Marlins. The Dodgers are playing 10 games in 10 games. Wednesday’s marked the sixth and manager Dave Roberts said the stretch had already “redlined” some of their relievers.That group includes Phillips. The team’s saves leader a year ago, he missed the start of the season and all of last year’s World Series with a partial tear of […]
Revisions to roster limits in House vs. NCAA settlement propose ‘grandfathering’ in response to judge’s ultimatum
Attorneys filed revisions to the House vs. NCAA settlement Wednesday that would allow college athletic departments to exceed the settlement’s proposed roster limits through voluntary “grandfathering” of any athletes who were previously assured a roster spot.According to the revised proposal, any athlete who has been or would have been cut as a result of the settlement can be “grandfathered in,” meaning those athletes will not count against the settlement’s roster limits for the duration of their college eligibility. That includes incoming freshmen for the 2025-26 academic year who had a previously offered spot revoked due to settlement preparations.Any decisions to retain these impacted athletes would be made at the discretion of individual schools, but the revision allows for “grandfathered” athletes to maintain that status if they transfer to different schools. The latest revised filing has been made in the House […]
President Donald Trump plans to create commission on college athletics: Sources
A federal commission on college athletics appears to be in the works after President Donald Trump directed aides to explore ways the administration could help an American institution that is struggling to transition from outdated amateurism to something that operates more like professional sports.After speaking last week with former Alabama football coach Nick Saban, who is concerned that college sports is being harmed by the big money pouring into it to compensate athletes with little regulation, The New York Times and Wall Street Journal reported Trump was interested in weighing in with an executive order.AdvertisementYahoo! Sports reported Wednesday that Trump is planning to create a presidential commission to examine a long list of issues facing college sports, from booster-funded payments and transfer rules to conference alignment and Title IX.Two people briefed on the White House’s interest in forming a commission […]
Steve Kerr, Chris Finch start lobbying officials 1 game into Warriors-Wolves series
MINNEAPOLIS — One of the most surprising aspects of Golden State’s Game 1 victory over Minnesota on Tuesday was the Warriors’ control of the glass against the bigger, stronger Timberwolves.Golden State outrebounded Minnesota 51-41, with 18 of those boards coming on the offensive end. The sharp elbows and sweat equity generated more possessions to offset 39.1 percent shooting from the field and helped the Warriors take a 1-0 lead in the series despite only having Steph Curry for 13 minutes in the game because of a hamstring injury.AdvertisementTimberwolves coach Chris Finch was profoundly disappointed in the intensity and focus from his team in the opener. He also believes the Warriors were getting away with murder while battling Rudy Gobert for rebounds.“They do a lot of fouling, shoving, holding, pushing and tackling Rudy,” Finch said after practice Wednesday. “That’s clear. We […]
Related
Protagonista do Betis, Antony faz mistério sobre seu futuro no clube espanhol para a próxima temporada
Betis quer permanência de atacante brasileiro (Foto; Divulgação/Facebook Oficial Betis) Desde sua chegada ao Betis. Antony vai sendo o grande jogador da equipe espanhola, marcando gols e ajudando o time em sua campanha na Conference League. Mas o futuro do atleta ainda não está definido por ora O meia-atacante está emprestado até o fim da temporada ao clube andaluz, mas sua permanência na equipe ou seu retorno ao Manchester United não estão ainda definidos. E o jogador também não deu nenhuma indicação do que deverá ser de sua carreira a partir da próxima temporada. PUBLICIDADE PUBLICIDADE ‘Não sei o que vai acontecer’ Em declarações feitas antes da partida desta quinta-feira (8) contra a Fiorentina, pelas semifinais da Conference League, Antony acionou um tom de ‘mistério’ ao ser perguntado sobre o seu futuro no Betis e uma potencial permanência em LaLiga. […]
Gol sofrido pelo Vasco na Sul-Americana deixa torcedores incrédulos; assista
Gol sofrido pelo Vasco na Sul-Americana (Reprodução) O Vasco teve uma partida para ser esquecida nesta quarta-feira (7). Atuando na Venezuela contra o Puerto Cabello, a equipe carioca, com um futebol apático, lidou com uma goleada por 4 a 1. Entre os gols anotados, o lance envolvendo Gerardo Padrón trouxe um sentimento de revolta. Mesmo sem uma estatura elevada, Padrón conseguiu ganhar de Lucas Piton pelo alto. Levando em conta a cabeçada próximo da baliza, Léo Jardim ficou incapaz de realizar a defesa. Neste cenário, a falha refletiu o péssimo desempenho do Vasco no duelo pela Sul-Americana. PUBLICIDADE PUBLICIDADE O Vasco tomou um gol de CABEÇA de um jogador de 1 METRO E 59 CENTÍMETROS pic.twitter.com/jOAVC6nGZP— Noite de Copa (@Noitedecopa) May 7, 2025 Erro defensivo revolta torcedores Lidando com falhas ao longo dos 90 minutos, o Vasco sofreu para conter […]
Dodgers place Evan Phillips on injured list as their bullpen usage continues to spike
MIAMI — The bill is coming due on the Los Angeles Dodgers’ most troubling statistic in the early season. No team in baseball has asked for more innings from its bullpen than the Dodgers, who are already dealing with injury question marks in their rotation. The concerns have bled into their bullpen, as the club placed reliever Evan Phillips on the injured list Wednesday with right forearm discomfort.AdvertisementThe move was announced after the first pitch of an eventual 10-1 win over the Miami Marlins. The Dodgers are playing 10 games in 10 games. Wednesday’s marked the sixth and manager Dave Roberts said the stretch had already “redlined” some of their relievers.That group includes Phillips. The team’s saves leader a year ago, he missed the start of the season and all of last year’s World Series with a partial tear of […]
Revisions to roster limits in House vs. NCAA settlement propose ‘grandfathering’ in response to judge’s ultimatum
Attorneys filed revisions to the House vs. NCAA settlement Wednesday that would allow college athletic departments to exceed the settlement’s proposed roster limits through voluntary “grandfathering” of any athletes who were previously assured a roster spot.According to the revised proposal, any athlete who has been or would have been cut as a result of the settlement can be “grandfathered in,” meaning those athletes will not count against the settlement’s roster limits for the duration of their college eligibility. That includes incoming freshmen for the 2025-26 academic year who had a previously offered spot revoked due to settlement preparations.Any decisions to retain these impacted athletes would be made at the discretion of individual schools, but the revision allows for “grandfathered” athletes to maintain that status if they transfer to different schools. The latest revised filing has been made in the House […]
President Donald Trump plans to create commission on college athletics: Sources
A federal commission on college athletics appears to be in the works after President Donald Trump directed aides to explore ways the administration could help an American institution that is struggling to transition from outdated amateurism to something that operates more like professional sports.After speaking last week with former Alabama football coach Nick Saban, who is concerned that college sports is being harmed by the big money pouring into it to compensate athletes with little regulation, The New York Times and Wall Street Journal reported Trump was interested in weighing in with an executive order.AdvertisementYahoo! Sports reported Wednesday that Trump is planning to create a presidential commission to examine a long list of issues facing college sports, from booster-funded payments and transfer rules to conference alignment and Title IX.Two people briefed on the White House’s interest in forming a commission […]
Steve Kerr, Chris Finch start lobbying officials 1 game into Warriors-Wolves series
MINNEAPOLIS — One of the most surprising aspects of Golden State’s Game 1 victory over Minnesota on Tuesday was the Warriors’ control of the glass against the bigger, stronger Timberwolves.Golden State outrebounded Minnesota 51-41, with 18 of those boards coming on the offensive end. The sharp elbows and sweat equity generated more possessions to offset 39.1 percent shooting from the field and helped the Warriors take a 1-0 lead in the series despite only having Steph Curry for 13 minutes in the game because of a hamstring injury.AdvertisementTimberwolves coach Chris Finch was profoundly disappointed in the intensity and focus from his team in the opener. He also believes the Warriors were getting away with murder while battling Rudy Gobert for rebounds.“They do a lot of fouling, shoving, holding, pushing and tackling Rudy,” Finch said after practice Wednesday. “That’s clear. We […]
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