Bucks/Grizzlies Need To Win For Intriguing 1st Round. Bruins Rebound, Oilers Survive & Leafs Gut Check Lead NHL. The First Place Pirates? Rodgers/Lamar Swallow NFL Draft? Davis-Garcia: Unimpressed
Another month is coming to a close, but the beginning of two action packed podcasts are on the horizon as I'll come correct on all that's going on in the sports galaxy. On deck:
(3:31) There hasn't been a lot of drama in the first round of the NBA Playoffs. The Sixers have swept the Nets into the spring (Joel Embiid's health & Nets direction after so much promise before the season began is an addendum), the Celtics are one game away from advancing. The Nuggets were unable to sweep the Timberwolves, but still hold a commanding 3-1 series lead. What about the Knicks? Winning both home games as they're up 3-1, whereas, the Suns won both games in LA vs. the Clippers looking to close them out at home in Game 5 (I have some serious thoughts on the Kawhi Leonard injury and his future, which has sabotaged this series). The Warriors have climbed back to even their series vs. Sacramento to deliver some intrigue and excitement. Can they win one road game, which is what they'll need to do in order to get to the next round? But we'll have to bank on both Memphis and Milwaukee to tie their respective series which resume tonight. I'll get into the state of the Grizzlies as they're at a crossroad to their season, with a lot of controversy surrounding their chirpy, defensive leader Dillon Brooks. And will Giannis Antetokounmpo return from a back injury that's kept him out since the first quarter of Game 1?
(24:29) We're hoping for a lot of drama in the Stanley Cup Playoffs as we enter the second week of the first round. The Bruins have bounced back nicely as they won both games in Florida to take a commanding 3-1 lead. The Islanders face that same deficit after a deplorable Game 4 in their building vs. Carolina. Can they bring the series back to Long Island for Game 6? A classic is brewing out West between the Kings-Oilers as they've played three of the four games into OT, where Edmonton prevailed in Game 4. The Maple Leafs had a huge gut check win in Tampa as they scored in the final minute to tie, then win in OT over the Lightning to take a 2-1 series lead. Let's see what'll take place tonight if any of those series (i.e. NYR-NJ, TB-TOR, SEA-COL or WPG-VEGAS) can draw even to add some suspense as the opening round continues.
(38:18) Don't look now, but the Pittsburgh Pirates are in FIRST PLACE! You read that right! They've done a wonderful job of late. Winners of seven in a row and even gave the manager, Derek Shelton an extension. Unfortunately, it comes with a caveat. How about the Orioles as they've been riding high, winning 10 of 12 to secure second place behind Tampa Bay in the AL East. The Astros seem to have come out of their early season doldrums as they swept the Braves in Atlanta over the weekend. My beloved Mets are coming off a 7-3 West Coast trip, but couldn't secure a series win in San Francisco as they lost the back two after winning the first couple. Then we have the Oakland A's. A team that could flirt with the 1962 Mets record for futility. They have a stadium issue unlike any other. They are drawing flies, but there is some hope as the possibility of relocating could be in the works.
(50:09) The NFL will have their annual draft in Kansas City on Thursday. Is it possible that reports, rumors or news of Aaron Rodgers and Lamar Jackson seeking new destinations could swallow the festivities later this week?
(53:32) A highly anticipated match between Gervonta 'Tank' Davis & Ryan Garcia fell way short of the hype as Davis wins by KO in the 7th round. There's been talk about Davis being the "face of boxing". Is that accurate? Are there any contenders in his class that could threaten that?
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Intro/outro music by Cyklonus.