June 9, 2022
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OTD in 1985, the Lakers defeated the Celtics in the NBA Finals for the first time in their storied rivalry. But today, it’s Boston who’s celebrating…
The Celtics Are Locking Up The Warriors In The 4th Quarter [[link removed]]
Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
Much has been made of the Warriors’ third-quarter domination in these NBA Finals, but there’s always one left to play — and the Celtics are owning it.
On Wednesday, Boston answered Golden State’s 33-point third quarter with a lockdown, 23-11 fourth, sealing a 16-point Game 3 victory and a 2-1 series lead.
Even with Steph Curry and Klay Thompson combining for 56 points — their most since Game 7 of the semifinals — the Celtics dominated when it mattered most — and are now two wins away from the Larry O’Brien Trophy.
The Celtics have outscored the Warriors 87-47 in fourth quarters this series.They’re averaging 29 PTS in the fourth on 53% shooting and 46.7% from three.Meanwhile, they’re holding the Warriors to 15.7 4Q PTS on 39% shooting and 19.2% from three.
With at least two more games in front of Boston’s unwelcoming [[link removed]] crowd, the Finals are the Celtics’ to lose as long as their fourth-quarter prowess — led by the $69.2 million trio of Jayson Tatum (26 PTS), Jaylen Brown (27 PTS), and Marcus Smart (24 PTS) — holds up.
But against the famous Golden State offense, Boston’s clutch defense did the trick — especially on Curry, who has scored just six points on 3-10 shooting (-30) in fourth quarters this series and appeared to suffer a late-game knock.
The Celtics have notoriously run hot-and-cold in these playoffs, but they’re heavy favorites to win the title (-240) ahead of what could be an epic Game 4.
Rams Add Cooper Kupp Extension To Massive Spending Spree [[link removed]]
Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
There appears to be no stopping the Rams’ massive post-Super Bowl spending spree, as they appear dead set on repeating as champs for the first time in nearly a decade.
Just two days after extending DT Aaron Donald to a historic [[link removed]] $160 million extension, Los Angeles re-upped with WR Cooper Kupp for a reported [[link removed]] three years and $80 million. The extension includes a guaranteed $75 million — the most ever for an NFL receiver.
Kupp’s extension is the fifth in a string of big-money offseason moves as the Rams systematically either lock down players or secure free agents with lucrative offers. The total value of those five deals is a staggering $431.5 million — $310 million guaranteed.
Kupp will now make $110M over the five years of his deal.QB Matt Stafford re-upped for 4 YRS/$160M, and Donald for 3 YRS/$95M.LB Bobby Wagner signed for 3 years/$50M — $65M with incentives.WR Allen Robinson signed for 3 years/$45M, including $30M guaranteed.
All this spending begs the question [[link removed]]: How will the Rams fit the contracts under the NFL’s $208.2 million salary cap?
There’s no easy answer, but GM Les Snead has done some skillful maneuvering, lowering several of the highest cap hits via extensions, backloading of deals, prorated signing bonuses, and voidable years.
At some point, the piper will need to be paid, but owner Stan Kroenke can afford it with an estimated net worth of $10.7 billion.
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The Power Hitter Behind Oklahoma’s Dominant WCWS Run [[link removed]]
Brett Rojo-USA TODAY Sports
Oklahoma is arguably the most dominant team ever in college softball — thanks in large part to perhaps the greatest power hitter ever.
Jocelyn Alo smacked two home runs during No. 1 Oklahoma’s 16-1 annihilation of unseeded Texas in Game 1 of the WCWS Finals. The Sooners’ six homers set a WCWS single-game record, and their 16 runs tied [[link removed]] another.
Alo’s historically explosive hitting is transcending the series — and even the season: Her second multi-HR of the tournament set [[link removed]] the record for the most across a WCWS career.
Alo is NCAA softball’s all-time leader in career home runs (122) — in March, she hit her record-breaking 96th in her native Hawaii.She’s the first player in Division I history to [[link removed]] both lead in home runs and hit at least 30 homers in [[link removed]] three separate seasons.Her 12 RBI in this WCWS set a single-year record, and her 322 career RBI are tied for second-most in D-I history.
Alo’s on-field brilliance is starting to translate financially: She holds an NIL deal with local car dealership Fowler Automotive, was the subject [[link removed]] of OU’s first co-branded NIL product, and was taken first overall in both the Athletes Unlimited and Women’s Professional Fastpitch drafts.
It’s also been a boon to Oklahoma (58-3) and college softball in general: The WCWS set its single-day attendance record on June 4 with [[link removed]] 12,533 fans.
Making Headlines
LIV Golf
Golf: The PGA Tour suspended 17 players — who could face lifetime bans [[link removed]] — for defecting to the LIV Golf Series, which kicked off Thursday in London, including Phil Mickelson, Dustin Johnson, Kevin Na, and Sergio Garcia; LIV called the suspensions “troubling” and “vindictive.”
MLB: The Cubs and catcher Willson Contreras reached an agreement on a $9.6M contract for the 2022 season; Contreras is having his best offensive season of his career, batting .277 with 10 HRs and 23 RBI.
NFL: Despite initial optimism that the Lions’ 12th overall pick Jameson Williams (ACL) would be healthy enough in time for training camp, coach Dan Campbell told reporters he doesn’t expect him to be ready.
NBA: There’s “ optimism [[link removed]]” that Steph Curry will be available for Game 4 after suffering a foot injury in the fourth quarter of Game 3.
NHL: Lightning coach Jon Cooper said center Brayden Point will remain sidelined (lower body) against the Rangers in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Finals on Thursday in New York.
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Written by Anthony Puccio [[link removed]], Chris Kuc [[link removed]], Doug Greenberg [[link removed]] Edited by Brian Krikorian [[link removed]]
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