Spurs Outlast Rockets in OT for Series Lead
The San Antonio Spurs lost star Kawhi Leonard to an ankle injury for most of the second half in Tuesday's Game 5, but that did not stop them from taking a 3-2 series lead on the Houston Rockets. Danny Green led the charge with seven of his 16 points coming in overtime, helping his Spurs hold off the Rockets for a 110-107 victory at home. James Harden had a potential tying three-pointer blocked by Manu Ginobili and had a triple-double effort go to waste in the loss. Harden finished with 33 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists, but could not give his team the series lead heading back to Houston. Harden was involved with Leonard leaving the game, as the Spurs' star scorer stepped on the foot of the bearded one with 5:37 left in the third quarter and exited with a left ankle injury. He was limited in the fourth quarter and sat out the entire overtime period. Leonard finished with 22 points and 15 rebounds in 38 minutes and does expect to play in Game 6. That game will take place at the Toyota Center on Thursday night.
Senators Double-Up Rangers to Advance
The Ottawa Senators are returning to their first Conference Finals since the 2006-07 season, as they got past the New York Rangers on Tuesday night, 4-2, at Madison Square Garden. Erik Karlsson led the Senators with a goal and an assist, while Craig Andersen made 37 saves, including numerous ones during a stellar third period. Ottawa led 3-1 entering the third, and Chris Kreider's tally made it a one-goal deficit. The Rangers then out-shot the Senators, 15-5, in the final 20 minutes, but could not beat Andersen to tie the game. Jean Gabriel-Pageau sealed the deal for Ottawa with an empty-netter with 6.2 seconds remaining. Clarke McArthur had two assists on the night, while Mark Stone and Mike Hoffman each scored in the first period. In the final game of their season, the Rangers got a goal from Mika Zibanejad, and 22 saves from Henrik Lundqvist. The Senators will face the winner of the Penguins-Capitals series, which is heading to Game 7 in Washington D.C. on Wednesday night.
Reds Snap Yankees' Six-Game Win Streak
The New York Yankees have enjoyed plenty of unexpected success to begin the MLB season, and that includes a recent six-game win streak. That run came to an end on the road Tuesday night, as the Cincinnati Reds used a five-run second to take down New York 5-3. Joey Votto's two-run single highlighted the big inning against C.C. Sabathia, which also included a two-run single from Billy Hamilton. This was the fourth straight rough start for Sabathia, who allowed five runs on seven hits in six innings. With the four straight struggling starts, his ERA now sits at 5.77 on the season. Gary Sanchez and Didi Gregorious both went deep in the loss, which dropped New York a half game behind the Baltimore Orioles, who walked off against the Washington Nationals in 12 innings. Tim Adelman allowed three runs over five innings, but improved to 2-1 on the young season for Cincinnati. The Reds have also enjoyed an impressive start that sees them at 18-15 just over a month into the season.
The San Antonio Spurs lost star Kawhi Leonard to an ankle injury for most of the second half in Tuesday's Game 5, but that did not stop them from taking a 3-2 series lead on the Houston Rockets. Danny Green led the charge with seven of his 16 points coming in overtime, helping his Spurs hold off the Rockets for a 110-107 victory at home. James Harden had a potential tying three-pointer blocked by Manu Ginobili and had a triple-double effort go to waste in the loss. Harden finished with 33 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists, but could not give his team the series lead heading back to Houston. Harden was involved with Leonard leaving the game, as the Spurs' star scorer stepped on the foot of the bearded one with 5:37 left in the third quarter and exited with a left ankle injury. He was limited in the fourth quarter and sat out the entire overtime period. Leonard finished with 22 points and 15 rebounds in 38 minutes and does expect to play in Game 6. That game will take place at the Toyota Center on Thursday night.
Senators Double-Up Rangers to Advance
The Ottawa Senators are returning to their first Conference Finals since the 2006-07 season, as they got past the New York Rangers on Tuesday night, 4-2, at Madison Square Garden. Erik Karlsson led the Senators with a goal and an assist, while Craig Andersen made 37 saves, including numerous ones during a stellar third period. Ottawa led 3-1 entering the third, and Chris Kreider's tally made it a one-goal deficit. The Rangers then out-shot the Senators, 15-5, in the final 20 minutes, but could not beat Andersen to tie the game. Jean Gabriel-Pageau sealed the deal for Ottawa with an empty-netter with 6.2 seconds remaining. Clarke McArthur had two assists on the night, while Mark Stone and Mike Hoffman each scored in the first period. In the final game of their season, the Rangers got a goal from Mika Zibanejad, and 22 saves from Henrik Lundqvist. The Senators will face the winner of the Penguins-Capitals series, which is heading to Game 7 in Washington D.C. on Wednesday night.
Reds Snap Yankees' Six-Game Win Streak
The New York Yankees have enjoyed plenty of unexpected success to begin the MLB season, and that includes a recent six-game win streak. That run came to an end on the road Tuesday night, as the Cincinnati Reds used a five-run second to take down New York 5-3. Joey Votto's two-run single highlighted the big inning against C.C. Sabathia, which also included a two-run single from Billy Hamilton. This was the fourth straight rough start for Sabathia, who allowed five runs on seven hits in six innings. With the four straight struggling starts, his ERA now sits at 5.77 on the season. Gary Sanchez and Didi Gregorious both went deep in the loss, which dropped New York a half game behind the Baltimore Orioles, who walked off against the Washington Nationals in 12 innings. Tim Adelman allowed three runs over five innings, but improved to 2-1 on the young season for Cincinnati. The Reds have also enjoyed an impressive start that sees them at 18-15 just over a month into the season.
