June 3, 2022
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30 years ago, the Bulls’ Michael Jordan gifted the world his famous “shrug” after making six threes in the first half of Game 1 of the 1992 Finals vs. Portland.
Horford’s ‘Green’ Celtics Stun Warriors in Game 1 [[link removed]]
Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports
Entering Game 1 of the NBA Finals, the Warriors had played a collective 123 games in the title series — the Celtics zero. So much for experience.
The C’s green (pun intended) squad stunned Golden State on the road to take a 1-0 lead, led by 15-year veteran Al Horford, who scored 26 points and knocked down a career-high six threes on eight attempts, the most in a Finals debut.
Frustrated in the playoffs during his first stint in Boston, Horford is now three wins from his first ring — and an extra $12 million.
Horford will earn $7M in incentives if the C’s win the title.His $14.5M salary rose to $19.5M for winning the Eastern Conference Finals.Overall, Horford has the potential to earn a guaranteed $26.5M next year — which will be Boston’s third-highest salary.
First-year GM Brad Stevens, who coached Horford from 2016-19, took a calculated risk by bringing him back in exchange for former All-Star Kemba Walker — and it’s paying off in what his front-office predecessor Danny Ainge called a game-changing [[link removed]] move.
And Horford’s defense made a major contribution to a final frame in which Boston held GS to 16 points — the most lopsided fourth quarter in Finals history. He’s leading the postseason in shots contested and FG% allowed.
The Celtics are now favorites (-190) to win it all after entering the series as underdogs (+130).
Should Ronaldo Choose Man U Over Champions League? [[link removed]]
Manchester United
Throughout his record-breaking career, Cristiano Ronaldo has been synonymous with Champions League success.
That’s why it’s surprising [[link removed]] that at 37, CR7 is committing to Manchester United, despite big transfer exits, a new coach — and a failure to qualify for Champions League football.
Does he think he can play forever, or have his win-now priorities shifted?
United’s 58-point season was the club’s worst-ever showing in the Premier League, and Ronaldo left Juventus after repeated UCL frustration — but on this season’s evidence, perhaps he can extend his historic prime a few more years.
His 18 EPL goals were his fewest since 2008-09 — but still third in the league.At a salary estimated [[link removed]] at just over $33M, Ronaldo is the Premier League’s highest-paid player.New manager Erik ten Hag comes in with a strong reputation and could quickly lead United back to the Champions League.
That last objective could be difficult given the ascendency of clubs like Tottenham — not to mention the fact that city rivals [[link removed]] and reigning EPL champions Manchester City won the Erling Haaland sweepstakes.
It also doesn’t help that United are [[link removed]] losing at least three of their biggest names — Paul Pogba, Jesse Lingard, and Juan Mata — this offseason.
Even if United recover in the transfer market, their hopes of returning to the pinnacle of European football could still hinge on their age-defying superstar.
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Avalanche’s Unsung Defense Makes Them Unstoppable [[link removed]]
Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
After Game 1’s historical goalfest, the Avalanche dominated on the other side of the puck to take a 2-0 series advantage over the Oilers in the Western Conference Finals.
On Thursday, the Avalanche blanked the Oilers 4-0 behind backup goaltender Pavel Francouz, who made 24 saves for his second shutout this postseason while filling in for the injured Darcy Kuemper.
While Francouz was stellar — already justifying the two-year, $4 million extension he signed in March — the defensive support from Cale Makar, Devon Toews, Bowen Byram, and Erik Johnson could make the Avs unbeatable in search of their first Stanley Cup since 2001.
They held Oilers stars and postseason scoring leaders Leon Draisaitl and Connor McDavid to a combined five shots on goal in Game 2.The Oilers were outshot 26-11 over the last two periods and limited to seven high-danger chances [[link removed]] overall.Colorado tops the postseason in goals-for (4.58) but is also third in goals-against (2.75).
Kuemper’s status for Game 3 in Edmonton (8 p.m. ET, TNT) remains unknown, but the Avs are clicking even without him.
Plus, they have history on their side: Teams with a 2-0 series advantage in the Conference Finals are 91-7 all-time.
Colorado is now -900 to win the series and has the best odds (-155) to lift the Cup.
Making Headlines
Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
MLB: The Phillies fired manager Joe Girardi after a 22-29 start, 12 games back of the NL East-leading Mets; Rob Thomson was named interim manager for the rest of the season. Also: The Astros signed Yordan Alvarez to a six-year, $115M contract, the largest ever for a DH, per Jeff Passan [[link removed]].
French Open: (5) Rafael Nadal advanced to the finals of the men’s tournament after (3) Alexander Zverev injured his right ankle during the second set of their semifinal match; Nadal will face the winner of the Casper Ruud-Marin Cilic semi as he seeks his 22nd Grand Slam title.
NBA: Former Nets coach Kenny Atkinson has reportedly [[link removed]] emerged as the favorite to nab the Hornets’ coaching job and will meet with owner Michael Jordan next week.
NFL: RB Frank Gore will sign a one-day contract and retire as a member of the 49ers; Gore is the league’s third-leading all-time rusher (16,000 YDS).
NCAAM: Five-star guard Tyrese Proctor will reclassify and play for Duke next season; Proctor was originally recruited to play for the Blue Devils starting in 2023.
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Written by Anthony Puccio [[link removed]], Doug Greenberg [[link removed]], Chris Kuc [[link removed]] Edited by Brian Krikorian [[link removed]]
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