Springer, Astros Outlast Dodgers in Historic Game 2
Everyone was on the same page that Wednesday's Game 2 will go down as one of the greatest games in World Series history, and it was worth staying up for. The Houston Astros became the first postseason teams with home runs in the ninth, 10th, and 11th innings, evening the series at one-apiece with a 7-6 win over the Los Angeles Dodgers. George Springer hit the game-winning, two-run home run in the 11th off of Brandon McCarthy, which was the fourth long ball in the past three innings for Houston. Marwin Gonzalez tied the game in the ninth with a solo shot off of Kenley Jansen, followed by Jose Altuve and Carlos Correa going back-to-back in the 10th. The Dodgers followed right along, as Yasiel Puig went deep and Kike Hernandez drove in a run with a single to keep the game going in the 11th. Following Springer's blast, Charlie Culberson had a solo home run in the bottom of the 11th, but the Dodgers could not bring the tying run around. The 11th-inning home runs were just the third and fourth in World Series history, following Kirby Puckett in 1991 and David Freese in 2011. All of that drama came well after Justin Verlander's impressive start, as he struck out five over six innings, allowing three runs, including a two-run bomb to Joc Pederson. Rich Hill lasted just four innings in the start for Los Angeles and struck out seven. The wild series now shifts to Houston for Game 3 on Friday night, where Yu Darvish will match up with Lance McCullers.
Cavs Fall to Nets Despite LeBron's Triple-Double
LeBron James took over at point guard this week for the Cleveland Cavaliers with Derrick Rose out with an injury, and his production has not been phased with that switch. James went off for a triple-double of 29 points, 10 rebounds, and 13 assists on Wednesday, but his team fell on the road to the Brooklyn Nets, 112-107. Spencer Dinwiddie led the scoring for the Nets with 22 points, including the go-ahead three-pointer with 43 seconds left, all of this while starting in place of the injured D'Angelo Russell. Jeremy Lin would be the second-string starter, but he is out for the season with an injury. The 22 points were a career-high for the former second-round pick of the Detroit Pistons, as his late shot helped his team overcome blowing a 14-point lead in the fourth. James's triple-double was the first of his season and 56th of his career, but his two missed free throws late sealed the Cavs' fate at the Barclays Center. The Nets were able to spread the wealth in this win, as Allen Crabbe and Rondae Hollis-Jefferson had 19 points apiece, while DeMarre Carroll added 18, as they were just short of becoming the first team to start an NBA season with five straight 115-point games. Either way, both teams left the night with a record of 3-2, as the Cavs move on to visit the New Orleans Pelicans on Saturday, while the Nets will take on their in-state rivals, the Knicks on Friday night.
Thunder Take Down PG-13's Former Team
Paul George played his first game against his former team, the Indiana Pacers, on Wednesday night, and he was able to lean on his new teammates to lead the way. George was held to just 10 points, but Russell Westbrook had a triple-double of 28 points, 10 rebounds, and 16 assists in the Oklahoma City Thunder's 114-96 victory. George lasted just 19 minutes, as he fouled out with 6:15 remaining in the game, but his teammates supported him enough to move past that. Carmelo Anthony had 28 points and 10 rebounds, helping the Thunder overcome a mild two-game losing streak. Steven Adams got the job done down low with 17 points and 11 rebounds for OKC, who were playing against a couple of former teammates Victor Oladipo and Domantas Sabonis. Oladipo led the way for Indiana in the loss with 35 points on 11-for-18 shooting, as he is averaging 26 points per game in his first season with his new team. The Thunder led by just six at halftime, but they outscored the Pacers by 16 in the second half to pull away for good. They are back at it on Friday when they visit the Minnesota Timberwolves, while the Pacers are off until Sunday, when they host the San Antonio Spurs.
Everyone was on the same page that Wednesday's Game 2 will go down as one of the greatest games in World Series history, and it was worth staying up for. The Houston Astros became the first postseason teams with home runs in the ninth, 10th, and 11th innings, evening the series at one-apiece with a 7-6 win over the Los Angeles Dodgers. George Springer hit the game-winning, two-run home run in the 11th off of Brandon McCarthy, which was the fourth long ball in the past three innings for Houston. Marwin Gonzalez tied the game in the ninth with a solo shot off of Kenley Jansen, followed by Jose Altuve and Carlos Correa going back-to-back in the 10th. The Dodgers followed right along, as Yasiel Puig went deep and Kike Hernandez drove in a run with a single to keep the game going in the 11th. Following Springer's blast, Charlie Culberson had a solo home run in the bottom of the 11th, but the Dodgers could not bring the tying run around. The 11th-inning home runs were just the third and fourth in World Series history, following Kirby Puckett in 1991 and David Freese in 2011. All of that drama came well after Justin Verlander's impressive start, as he struck out five over six innings, allowing three runs, including a two-run bomb to Joc Pederson. Rich Hill lasted just four innings in the start for Los Angeles and struck out seven. The wild series now shifts to Houston for Game 3 on Friday night, where Yu Darvish will match up with Lance McCullers.
Cavs Fall to Nets Despite LeBron's Triple-Double
LeBron James took over at point guard this week for the Cleveland Cavaliers with Derrick Rose out with an injury, and his production has not been phased with that switch. James went off for a triple-double of 29 points, 10 rebounds, and 13 assists on Wednesday, but his team fell on the road to the Brooklyn Nets, 112-107. Spencer Dinwiddie led the scoring for the Nets with 22 points, including the go-ahead three-pointer with 43 seconds left, all of this while starting in place of the injured D'Angelo Russell. Jeremy Lin would be the second-string starter, but he is out for the season with an injury. The 22 points were a career-high for the former second-round pick of the Detroit Pistons, as his late shot helped his team overcome blowing a 14-point lead in the fourth. James's triple-double was the first of his season and 56th of his career, but his two missed free throws late sealed the Cavs' fate at the Barclays Center. The Nets were able to spread the wealth in this win, as Allen Crabbe and Rondae Hollis-Jefferson had 19 points apiece, while DeMarre Carroll added 18, as they were just short of becoming the first team to start an NBA season with five straight 115-point games. Either way, both teams left the night with a record of 3-2, as the Cavs move on to visit the New Orleans Pelicans on Saturday, while the Nets will take on their in-state rivals, the Knicks on Friday night.
Thunder Take Down PG-13's Former Team
Paul George played his first game against his former team, the Indiana Pacers, on Wednesday night, and he was able to lean on his new teammates to lead the way. George was held to just 10 points, but Russell Westbrook had a triple-double of 28 points, 10 rebounds, and 16 assists in the Oklahoma City Thunder's 114-96 victory. George lasted just 19 minutes, as he fouled out with 6:15 remaining in the game, but his teammates supported him enough to move past that. Carmelo Anthony had 28 points and 10 rebounds, helping the Thunder overcome a mild two-game losing streak. Steven Adams got the job done down low with 17 points and 11 rebounds for OKC, who were playing against a couple of former teammates Victor Oladipo and Domantas Sabonis. Oladipo led the way for Indiana in the loss with 35 points on 11-for-18 shooting, as he is averaging 26 points per game in his first season with his new team. The Thunder led by just six at halftime, but they outscored the Pacers by 16 in the second half to pull away for good. They are back at it on Friday when they visit the Minnesota Timberwolves, while the Pacers are off until Sunday, when they host the San Antonio Spurs.
