LeBron, Cavs Continue Playoff Dominance in Game 1
The Cleveland Cavaliers hadn't played a game in nine days, but that rest caused absolutely no rust for the defending champs. LeBron James finished with 38 points, nine rebounds, and seven assists, as the Cleveland Cavaliers cruised in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals for a 117-104 win over the Boston Celtics. Kevin Love also went off for a playoff career-high 32 points, along with 12 rebounds, as the Cavaliers improved to 9-0 this postseason. With the Golden State Warriors at 10-0, it is the first time two teams have begun the playoffs with at least nine straight victories. "King James" made sure that was the case by recording his fifth straight game with at least 35 points. Avery Bradley and Jae Crowder each had 21 points to lead Boston, who got just 17 points from star Isaiah Thomas. The Cavs held an early double-digit lead in the first quarter after the Celtics missed 11 of their first 14 shots. Game 2 of the series will also be in the TD Garden on Friday night.
Senators Use Fast Start to Take Series Lead on Penguins
The Ottawa Senators wasted no time to jump ahead of the Pittsburgh Penguins on Wednesday night, using a 5-1 victory to take a 2-1 Eastern Conference Finals lead. Mike Hoffman scored in the first 48 seconds of the game, while Marc Methot, Derick Brassard, and Zack Smith added first-period goals in the win. Methot, Brassard, and Smith all scored within a 2:18 span to make it the fastest three goals in team playoff history. Kyle Turris's second-period tally gave the Senators a 5-0 advantage. Sidney Crosby's late power-play goal helped the Penguins avoid an embarrassing shutout on the road. Craig Andersen finished the night with 25 saves, outdueling the previously red-hot Marc-Andre Fleury with ease. Fleury allowed four goals on nine shots and was pulled in the opening period. Matt Murray came in to make 19 saves in his first taste of action since returning from injury. The series remains in Ottawa for Game 4 on Friday night.
Young, Red Sox Outlast Cardinals in 13 Innings
The Boston Red Sox played the role of the comeback kids on Wednesday night, rallying from a 4-0 deficit to outlast the St. Louis Cardinals in extras, 5-4. Chris Young broke the tie in the 13th inning with an RBI single, helping Boston sweep the short two-game series. Jackie Bradley Jr.'s two-run home run began the rally in the seventh, before Xander Bogaerts and Andrew Benintendi knocked in runs in the eighth to force extra innings. Mitch Moreland scored the winning run after leading off the 13th with a double off of Sam Tuivailala. Fernando Abad earned his first win of the year by throwing two scoreless innings. Ben Taylor recorded his first career save with a scoreless inning of his own. The Cardinals had won eight of 10 and got off to a quick start with a leadoff home run from Dexter Fowler. They are now 19-1 when leading after seven, while the Red Sox are now just 3-17 when trailing at that point.
The Cleveland Cavaliers hadn't played a game in nine days, but that rest caused absolutely no rust for the defending champs. LeBron James finished with 38 points, nine rebounds, and seven assists, as the Cleveland Cavaliers cruised in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals for a 117-104 win over the Boston Celtics. Kevin Love also went off for a playoff career-high 32 points, along with 12 rebounds, as the Cavaliers improved to 9-0 this postseason. With the Golden State Warriors at 10-0, it is the first time two teams have begun the playoffs with at least nine straight victories. "King James" made sure that was the case by recording his fifth straight game with at least 35 points. Avery Bradley and Jae Crowder each had 21 points to lead Boston, who got just 17 points from star Isaiah Thomas. The Cavs held an early double-digit lead in the first quarter after the Celtics missed 11 of their first 14 shots. Game 2 of the series will also be in the TD Garden on Friday night.
Senators Use Fast Start to Take Series Lead on Penguins
The Ottawa Senators wasted no time to jump ahead of the Pittsburgh Penguins on Wednesday night, using a 5-1 victory to take a 2-1 Eastern Conference Finals lead. Mike Hoffman scored in the first 48 seconds of the game, while Marc Methot, Derick Brassard, and Zack Smith added first-period goals in the win. Methot, Brassard, and Smith all scored within a 2:18 span to make it the fastest three goals in team playoff history. Kyle Turris's second-period tally gave the Senators a 5-0 advantage. Sidney Crosby's late power-play goal helped the Penguins avoid an embarrassing shutout on the road. Craig Andersen finished the night with 25 saves, outdueling the previously red-hot Marc-Andre Fleury with ease. Fleury allowed four goals on nine shots and was pulled in the opening period. Matt Murray came in to make 19 saves in his first taste of action since returning from injury. The series remains in Ottawa for Game 4 on Friday night.
Young, Red Sox Outlast Cardinals in 13 Innings
The Boston Red Sox played the role of the comeback kids on Wednesday night, rallying from a 4-0 deficit to outlast the St. Louis Cardinals in extras, 5-4. Chris Young broke the tie in the 13th inning with an RBI single, helping Boston sweep the short two-game series. Jackie Bradley Jr.'s two-run home run began the rally in the seventh, before Xander Bogaerts and Andrew Benintendi knocked in runs in the eighth to force extra innings. Mitch Moreland scored the winning run after leading off the 13th with a double off of Sam Tuivailala. Fernando Abad earned his first win of the year by throwing two scoreless innings. Ben Taylor recorded his first career save with a scoreless inning of his own. The Cardinals had won eight of 10 and got off to a quick start with a leadoff home run from Dexter Fowler. They are now 19-1 when leading after seven, while the Red Sox are now just 3-17 when trailing at that point.
