Cavaliers Dominate Celtics in Embarrassing Game 2
The Cleveland Cavaliers took their playoff dominance to a whole different level on Friday night, cruising to their 13th straight postseason victory, 130-86, over the Boston Celtics. The rout gives them a 2-0 Eastern Conference Finals lead, led by LeBron James' 30 points on the night. Kevin Love added a double-double of 21 points and 12 rebounds, as Cleveland set an NBA playoff record with a 41-point halftime lead. Kyrie Irving chipped in 23 points, as the Cavs took advantage of the Celtics losing Isaiah Thomas to a hip injury. Thomas left in the first half and did not return, as head coach Brad Stevens says their star will be re-evaluated before Game 3. Reports say this is a nagging injury that began last week during the second-round series with the Washington Wizards. Boston did avoid their worst loss in playoff history, which is a 47-point defeat at the hands of the Orlando Magic in 1995. Things only get tougher for them, as they hit the road for Games 3 and 4 beginning on Sunday night.
Crosby, Penguins Even Series With Senators
While the NBA Playoffs continue to be as lopsided as ever, the Stanley Cup Playoffs continue to prove how exciting it can be. That remained true on Friday night, Sidney Crosby had a goal and an assist to help the Pittsburgh Penguins even Eastern Conference Finals with a 3-2 victory. Matt Murray got the save over Marc-Andre Fleury and made 22 saves, sending the series back to Pittsburgh tied at two apiece. Brian Dumoulin and Olli Maattaa also scored for Pittsburgh, who held a 3-0 lead after two periods. Clarke MacArthur and Tom Pyatt found the back of the net to make things interesting for Ottawa, who could not tie the game in the final minutes with an empty net. Murray got his first start after replacing Fleury in Game 3, as the veteran had started the first 15 games of the postseason. The series heads back to Pittsburgh for Game 5 on Sunday.
Rangers Extend Win Streak to Double Digits
The Texas Rangers remained the hottest team in baseball on Friday night, extending their win streak to ten games with a 5-3 win over the Detroit Tigers. Mike Napoli and Joey Gallo both went deep, as the Rangers have the longest win streak in the majors since Boston won 11 straight last season. Although, they have made up just two games in the standings on the Houston Astros, who fell to the Cleveland Indians on Friday. Nick Martinez allowed one unearned run in five innings, snapping an 11-start winless streak of his own. Matt Bush came in to earn his fifth save in six tries, striking out Alex Avila to secure the victory. Daniel Norris suffered the loss for the Tigers after allowing five runs on seven hits over 5.2 innings, but he did strike out eight. Detroit was playing without an injured Miguel Cabrera, and a Victor Martinez, who is gone for the birth of his child. The series continues in Mo-Town on Saturday night.
The Cleveland Cavaliers took their playoff dominance to a whole different level on Friday night, cruising to their 13th straight postseason victory, 130-86, over the Boston Celtics. The rout gives them a 2-0 Eastern Conference Finals lead, led by LeBron James' 30 points on the night. Kevin Love added a double-double of 21 points and 12 rebounds, as Cleveland set an NBA playoff record with a 41-point halftime lead. Kyrie Irving chipped in 23 points, as the Cavs took advantage of the Celtics losing Isaiah Thomas to a hip injury. Thomas left in the first half and did not return, as head coach Brad Stevens says their star will be re-evaluated before Game 3. Reports say this is a nagging injury that began last week during the second-round series with the Washington Wizards. Boston did avoid their worst loss in playoff history, which is a 47-point defeat at the hands of the Orlando Magic in 1995. Things only get tougher for them, as they hit the road for Games 3 and 4 beginning on Sunday night.
Crosby, Penguins Even Series With Senators
While the NBA Playoffs continue to be as lopsided as ever, the Stanley Cup Playoffs continue to prove how exciting it can be. That remained true on Friday night, Sidney Crosby had a goal and an assist to help the Pittsburgh Penguins even Eastern Conference Finals with a 3-2 victory. Matt Murray got the save over Marc-Andre Fleury and made 22 saves, sending the series back to Pittsburgh tied at two apiece. Brian Dumoulin and Olli Maattaa also scored for Pittsburgh, who held a 3-0 lead after two periods. Clarke MacArthur and Tom Pyatt found the back of the net to make things interesting for Ottawa, who could not tie the game in the final minutes with an empty net. Murray got his first start after replacing Fleury in Game 3, as the veteran had started the first 15 games of the postseason. The series heads back to Pittsburgh for Game 5 on Sunday.
Rangers Extend Win Streak to Double Digits
The Texas Rangers remained the hottest team in baseball on Friday night, extending their win streak to ten games with a 5-3 win over the Detroit Tigers. Mike Napoli and Joey Gallo both went deep, as the Rangers have the longest win streak in the majors since Boston won 11 straight last season. Although, they have made up just two games in the standings on the Houston Astros, who fell to the Cleveland Indians on Friday. Nick Martinez allowed one unearned run in five innings, snapping an 11-start winless streak of his own. Matt Bush came in to earn his fifth save in six tries, striking out Alex Avila to secure the victory. Daniel Norris suffered the loss for the Tigers after allowing five runs on seven hits over 5.2 innings, but he did strike out eight. Detroit was playing without an injured Miguel Cabrera, and a Victor Martinez, who is gone for the birth of his child. The series continues in Mo-Town on Saturday night.
