Cavaliers Complete Another Sweep
The Cleveland Cavaliers cannot be stopped in their quest for another NBA Title, and so far, they haven't even hit a speed bump. LeBron James has made sure of it, including on Sunday, where he put up 35 points, nine rebounds, and six assists to help his Cavs complete another sweep with a 109-102 win over the Toronto Raptors. Kyrie Irving added 27 points, as Cleveland improved to 8-0 this postseason. They are the first team to win eight straight to begin the postseason a year after winning a title, and the first to do so in consecutive seasons. The Cavaliers also got a big contribution from mid-season acquisition, Kyle Korver, who put up 18 points in the win. The Raptors got 23 points from Serge Ibaka, and 22 from DeMar DeRozan, as they get knocked out by the Cavs for a second straight season. Cleveland advances to face the winner of the Celtics-Wizards series in the Eastern Conference Finals. That second-round series will not end until at least Friday, and could go until next Monday.
Rockets, Wizards Even Second-Round Series
While the Cavs and Warriors have cruised so far this postseason, four other teams are in legitimate battles, including the top-seeded Boston Celtics in the East. They dropped their second straight on the road on Sunday, 121-102, against the Washington Wizards. The win for Washington evens the series at two, as John Wall continued his impressive run with 27 points and 12 assists. Bradley Beal led the offense with 29 points, and the Wizards used a 42-point third quarter to pull away for good. Within that quarter was a game-changing 26-0 run, as they shot a solid 52 percent from the field on the night. Washington used their 34 points off Boston turnovers to fuel their run. They will now hit the road for Game 5 on Wednesday night. Meanwhile, the Houston Rockets continue to go back and forth with the San Antonio Spurs, as they rolled to a 125-104 win on Sunday to tie the series at two. James Harden put up 28 points, while Eric Gordon added 22, as Houston fought back from consecutive losses, including on their home floor in Game 3. The Rockets shot 52 percent on the night in a game that they never trailed, helped out by a 19-for-43 mark from beyond the arc. Gordon made six of those three-pointers, as Houston also overcame losing Nene to an injury. It was announced today that the big man will miss the rest of the postseason with a left adductor tear. He has been a key contributor to a Rockets offense that has scored at least 100 points in all but seven games this season. They will get their first test without him in Game 5 back in San Antonio on Tuesday night.
Predators Advance, Oilers Force Game 7
The Nashville Predators' surprising playoff run has taken them to their first Conference Finals in franchise history, as they advanced past the St. Louis Blues on Sunday with a 3-1 Game-6 victory. Ryan Johansen scored the game-winner just 3:15 into the third period, as the Predators are one step away from the Stanley Cup Finals for the first time in four tries. Pekka Rinne was impressive once again with 23 saves, helping Nashville win their ninth straight playoff game at home, dating back to last season. Roman Josi had a goal and an assist, while Calle Jarnkrok added an empty-netter late to seal the deal. Paul Stastny scored the lone goal for the Blues, who were looking to reach a second straight Conference Finals, but were unable to move the series back on their home ice. The Predators will now face the winner of the Edmonton Oilers-Anaheim Ducks series, which is now going into Game 7 after the Oilers' 7-1 blowout win on Sunday night. Leon Draisaitl recorded a hat trick and five points on the night, as Edmonton overcame a tough double-overtime loss in Game 5. Mark Letestu added on to the offensive barrage with two goals and two assists, sending the series back to Anaheim for the decisive game. The Ducks may not like the sound of that due to the fact that they have lost in Game 7's four straight seasons, including last year against the Predators. It's a trend that is very similar to this series, as they led all four of those 3-2 at one point. Game 7 will take place on Wednesday night in the Honda Center, where the Oilers won back-to-back games to begin this second-round series.
The Cleveland Cavaliers cannot be stopped in their quest for another NBA Title, and so far, they haven't even hit a speed bump. LeBron James has made sure of it, including on Sunday, where he put up 35 points, nine rebounds, and six assists to help his Cavs complete another sweep with a 109-102 win over the Toronto Raptors. Kyrie Irving added 27 points, as Cleveland improved to 8-0 this postseason. They are the first team to win eight straight to begin the postseason a year after winning a title, and the first to do so in consecutive seasons. The Cavaliers also got a big contribution from mid-season acquisition, Kyle Korver, who put up 18 points in the win. The Raptors got 23 points from Serge Ibaka, and 22 from DeMar DeRozan, as they get knocked out by the Cavs for a second straight season. Cleveland advances to face the winner of the Celtics-Wizards series in the Eastern Conference Finals. That second-round series will not end until at least Friday, and could go until next Monday.
Rockets, Wizards Even Second-Round Series
While the Cavs and Warriors have cruised so far this postseason, four other teams are in legitimate battles, including the top-seeded Boston Celtics in the East. They dropped their second straight on the road on Sunday, 121-102, against the Washington Wizards. The win for Washington evens the series at two, as John Wall continued his impressive run with 27 points and 12 assists. Bradley Beal led the offense with 29 points, and the Wizards used a 42-point third quarter to pull away for good. Within that quarter was a game-changing 26-0 run, as they shot a solid 52 percent from the field on the night. Washington used their 34 points off Boston turnovers to fuel their run. They will now hit the road for Game 5 on Wednesday night. Meanwhile, the Houston Rockets continue to go back and forth with the San Antonio Spurs, as they rolled to a 125-104 win on Sunday to tie the series at two. James Harden put up 28 points, while Eric Gordon added 22, as Houston fought back from consecutive losses, including on their home floor in Game 3. The Rockets shot 52 percent on the night in a game that they never trailed, helped out by a 19-for-43 mark from beyond the arc. Gordon made six of those three-pointers, as Houston also overcame losing Nene to an injury. It was announced today that the big man will miss the rest of the postseason with a left adductor tear. He has been a key contributor to a Rockets offense that has scored at least 100 points in all but seven games this season. They will get their first test without him in Game 5 back in San Antonio on Tuesday night.
Predators Advance, Oilers Force Game 7
The Nashville Predators' surprising playoff run has taken them to their first Conference Finals in franchise history, as they advanced past the St. Louis Blues on Sunday with a 3-1 Game-6 victory. Ryan Johansen scored the game-winner just 3:15 into the third period, as the Predators are one step away from the Stanley Cup Finals for the first time in four tries. Pekka Rinne was impressive once again with 23 saves, helping Nashville win their ninth straight playoff game at home, dating back to last season. Roman Josi had a goal and an assist, while Calle Jarnkrok added an empty-netter late to seal the deal. Paul Stastny scored the lone goal for the Blues, who were looking to reach a second straight Conference Finals, but were unable to move the series back on their home ice. The Predators will now face the winner of the Edmonton Oilers-Anaheim Ducks series, which is now going into Game 7 after the Oilers' 7-1 blowout win on Sunday night. Leon Draisaitl recorded a hat trick and five points on the night, as Edmonton overcame a tough double-overtime loss in Game 5. Mark Letestu added on to the offensive barrage with two goals and two assists, sending the series back to Anaheim for the decisive game. The Ducks may not like the sound of that due to the fact that they have lost in Game 7's four straight seasons, including last year against the Predators. It's a trend that is very similar to this series, as they led all four of those 3-2 at one point. Game 7 will take place on Wednesday night in the Honda Center, where the Oilers won back-to-back games to begin this second-round series.
