Blake Davis
This is an article version of the CBS Sports HQ AM newsletter, the definitive guide to every day in sports. You can sign up to receive it in your inbox every weekday morning here.
Please tick the sign up box to confirm you would like to sign up.
Thanks for signing up!
Keep an eye on your inbox.
Sorry!
An error occurred while processing your subscription.
Good morning to everyone, but especially to…
DAMIAN LILLARD AND THE MILWAUKEE BUCKS
With Giannis Antetokounmpo came out with a strained calf, the deer stopped with Damian Lillard in Milwaukee at the start of the 2024 NBA playoffs. On Sunday, Lillard set the tone in Money‘109-94 Game 1 win over the Pacemakers.
A distraught Indiana entered the Fiserv Forum hoping to catch the host Bucks without their two-time MVP in the lineup. However, Lillard made sure those dreams were dashed quickly. Lillard exploded for 35 points in the first half and helped Milwaukee take a 17-point lead into the locker room at halftime.
After scoring 19 points in the first frame, Lillard walked off the court telling the crowd, “This is what you brought me here for.” In fact. Lillard would finish the first half with 35 points, setting a franchise playoff record, but was held scoreless in the second half. But it didn’t matter – the Bucks held a 69-42 halftime lead for an easy victory.
Dollars are hopeful that Antetokounmpo can return at some point in the playoffs, but if Lillard continues to score nearly three dozen first-half points, the 2021 Finals MVP could be a long time coming.
Honorable mentions
And it’s not such a good day for…
Getty Images
ROAD PLAYOFF TEAMS
They say home is where the heart is, and apparently that’s where all the victories are too. This weekend’s series opener in the NBA and NHL playoffs led to an 0-14 mark for road teams.
In the NBA, road teams went 0-8 and suffered an average margin of defeat of 13.3 points. With the chance to lead the series 1-0 over Kawhi Leonard-any less ClippersO Independents laid an egg in the 109-97 loss. Oddly enough, the NBA’s most-played game of the weekend saw the No. 8 seed Pelicanswithout Zion Williamsonget the top seed Thunder down to the wire. CJ McCollum missed a three-pointer at the buzzer that would have given New Orleans a stunning Game 1 victory.
In the NHL, road teams were generally more competitive, but the results were the same. Visiting clubs scored 13 goals over the weekend, and six of them were missed by Avalanche. But perhaps the most disheartening performance was that of the great Alex Ovechkinwho failed to score even a shot on goal against guards at the Capitals‘4-1 defeat.
All of these road teams have now dug themselves a hole in the postseason and may want to consider asking the hotel for new sheets or softer pillows.
Not-so-honorable mentions
Reddick wins amid chaotic finish at Talladega
Getty Images
NASCAR was at Talladega for the GEICO 500 on Sunday, and the remarkable race did not disappoint. The entire race turned upside down on the final lap and Tyler Reddick was able to steal the sixth Cup victory of his career with chaos unfolding around him.
On the last lap, the race leader Michael McDowell was facing serious pressure from Brad Keselowski, and he was desperate to stay at the front of the pack. Unfortunately, this desperation cost the two drivers and some others who were competing for position in the final straight.
McDowell went from high to low as he tried to block Keselowski and keep him in the rearview mirror when Keselowski’s No. 6 car rear-ended McDowell’s No. 34. McDowell spun, chaos ensued and Reddick capitalized. With cars flailing around him, Reddick’s No. 45 car emerged from the pack unscathed. Reddick hit the gas and passed Keselowski at the last second to take a big win for himself and 23XI racing.
- Reddick was among 23 different drivers who held the lead at some point during the GEICO 500.
- Reddick’s late push represented the 72nd and final lead change of the day.
- This is the second consecutive Talladega race in which there have been 70 or more lead changes.
The legend itself, Michael Jordanhe was present for the first time in one of his team’s victories.
As for McDowell, it was a frustrating finish for him after leading more laps than any other driver (36). His six points in the World Cup standings are no consolation for a devastating final run.
Ohtani surpasses Matsui in MLB record books
Getty Images
It turns out that Shohei Ohtani is very good at hitting baseballs from long distance. On Sunday, Ohtani became the the most prolific Japanese hitter in MLB history, including former Yankees outfielder Hideki Matsui in the process.
In the third round of Dodger‘Stripped by 10 to 0 over the MetsOhtani hit his fifth home run of the season off Adrian Houser in the right field bleachers at Dodger Stadium.
This was the 176th home run of Ohtani’s MLB career and set the record for most home runs hit by a Japanese-born player in MLB history. That pushed him past Matsui, who landed 175 fingers in his 10-year career.
To make Ohtani’s historic feat even more impressive, he needed about 60% of plate appearances as Matsui to hit 176 home runs. Matsui hit .175 in 5,066 plate appearances. Ohtani needed just 2,979 plate appearances to pass him.
Interestingly, Ohtani’s five home runs this season put him second among Japanese-born Dodgers. The person he’s chasing? Your manager, David Robertswho hit seven career home runs in 302 games with the Dodgers.
Separating candidates from suitors in MLB
Getty Images
The MLB season is still young and everyone is still trying to separate the pretenders from the contenders. This is the case of Guardiansa team that has some skeptics despite its 16-6 record.
In your latest CBS Sports MLB Power Rankings, Matt Snyder reluctantly placed the Guardians in his top five despite his misgivings about his personnel. Snyder explains his questions about Cleveland’s resume, which doesn’t exactly include many wins against the Killer line.
- Snyder: “First of all, they’re 6-1 against the A’s. I know the A’s aren’t as atrocious as they were last year, but they’re not a good baseball team either. The Guardians are also 2-1 against the hapless White Sox , which means half of their wins are against two of the worst teams in baseball.”
With 140 games left until the end of this season, there is still plenty of time for the Guardians to show that they truly belong on this list. But for now, their hot start has given them a spot in the top five for the week:
- Atlanta Braves (14-6)
- Baltimore Orioles (15-7)
- New York Yankees (15-7)
- Philadelphia Phillies (14-8)
- Cleveland Guardians (16-6)
What will we watch on Monday
Game 2: Magic at the Cavaliers7pm on NBA TV
Game 2: Maple Leafs at Bruins7pm on ESPN
Game 2: 76ers vs. Knicks7:30 pm on TNT
Game 2: Islanders in Hurricanes7:30 pm on ESPN2
Game 1: Golden Knights in the Stars9:30 pm on ESPN
Mets at Giants9:45 p.m. on ESPN+
Game 2: Lakers vs. Nuggets10pm on TNT
Game 1: Kings at Oilers10pm on ESPN2
