Celtics lead NBA Finals 2-0; Alcaraz, Swiatek win French Open

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Attention: We are waiting for a Dan Hurley decision between going to Lakers or stay in UConn today, so keep it locked to CBS Sports today.

Good morning everyone, but especially…

THE BOSTON CELTICS

O Celts are two games away from “Banner 18” and won game 2 with a performance that was far from their best, achieving a 105-98 victory over Independents Sunday night.

For the second game in a row, Boston showed that although they have a record-breaking offense, their versatile, intelligent and well-constructed defense can save the day. And when your biggest stars don’t shine, a great super team supporting cast can carry the load.

• Jrue Vacation was magnificent with 26 points (on 11 of 14 shots) and 11 rebounds. He was able to do this on both ends and especially in clutch time. Derrick White (18 points, four 3-pointers) had a big block with less than a minute left. Boston won despite shooting just 10 of 39 (25.6%) from 3-and-1. Jayson Tatum scoring just 18 points on 6-of-22 shooting.
• But with his driving and passing, Tatum (12 assists) and Jaylen Brown (21 points, seven assists) are proving impossible for Dallas to protectwrites James Herbert.

On the weekend, Jason Kidd raised some eyebrows saying Brown is Boston’s best player. But through two games, It doesn’t matter who Boston’s “best” player iswrites Bill Reiter.

• Reiter: “While like most NBA teams Once they win, or almost win, a title, the Mavs need their star power to shine – both your stars.
  But Boston was built differently. One out of five or six guys can beat you. It seems that’s what Kidd missed when he tried to shake things up. He’s not facing two stars. He faces five of them, depending on the night, the moment, the specific need.”

In the same vein, we are getting closer to “Who should be the Finals MVP?” time, and Colin Ward-Henninger says should be general manager Brad Stevens. Hard to argue there.

As for the Mavericks, it’s pretty simple. Luka Doncic It is Kyrie Irving It has to be from another world. Doncic was almost perfect – 32 points, 11 rebounds, 11 assists and one (inadvertently) heated exchange with Celtics owner Wyc Grousbeck — but still took the blame for the loss.

Irving, however, was worlds away…again…with 16 points on 7-of-18 shooting. Dallas needs him to improve. Much better, writes Brad Botkin. Dallas simply doesn’t have the high-level depth to keep up otherwise.

Honorable mentions

And it’s not such a good day for…

CAITLIN CLARK

The biggest name in women’s college basketball isn’t going to the Olympics: Caitlin Clark I won’t join Team USA in Paris. Here’s Who (Allegedly) Will:

• Guards: Diana Taurasi, Sabrina Ionescu, Chelsea Gray, Jackie Young, Kelsey Plum, Jewell Lloyd
• Advanced: A’ja Wilson, Breanna Stewart, Kahleah Copper, Napheesa Collier, Alyssa Thomas
• Center: Brittney Griner

Clark had a rough start to her WNBA career, but there would certainly be upsides to bringing her to Paris given her popularity alone. But basketball is not a popularity contest. More, as Jack Maloney writes, “Considering the depth of talent and limited roster spots, the Team USA Olympic squad is without a doubt the most difficult basketball team to field in the world.”

As a result, while Clark may be the biggest overlooked “name” on the list, she is not even the biggest snub from a long list of themJack writes.

• Maloney: “Arike Ogunbowale– [She] he was never part of the final squad for the World Cup or Olympics. That hasn’t changed this year, and she’s arguably the biggest snub of all. Through the first three weeks of the season, she is second in the league in scoring at 26.6 points per game, and is averaging career highs with five assists and 3.1 steals per game.”

Clark, to his credit, accepted his omission calmly It is took motivation from it, Fever trainer Sides of Christie he said.

Not-so-honorable mentions

Carlos Alcaraz and Iga Swiatek win singles titles at the French Open

The smile turned into a frown, the confidence into controversy. He went from almost a set to win to a set to lose, with his back against the wall, his opponent rejuvenated.

And then it came Carlos Alcaraz in full force, emphatically showing that this is indeed their era – and it’s just the beginning. The 21-year-old star fought back with a 6-3, 2-6, 5-7, 6-1, 6-2 victory over Alexander Zverev to win her third Grand Slam and her first French Open.

Alcaraz struggled in the second set and fell apart in the third, where he led 5-2, before losing five games in a row, complaining about court conditions along the way. But he recovered impressively, both mentally and physically (he took a medical break on his thigh) and improved to an astonishing 11-1 in five sets.

Symbolically, it is worth highlighting that Alcaraz’s title comes at the same event Novak Djokovic withdrew due to a torn meniscusIt is Rafael Nadal lost in the first round perhaps from his last French Open. While we’ll never count out Djokovic, and there are plenty of 20-somethings who can push Alcaraz to the limit, the Spanish sensation is well-positioned to be at the top of the sport for a long time.

Iga Swiatek23 years old, is already there after completing his third title at Roland Garros with a 6-2, 6-1 dominance over Jasmine Paolini. Swiatek became the…

• Youngest woman in the Open Era to win five Grand Slams
• Youngest woman in the Open Era to win four French Opens
• First woman to win a single Grand Slam three consecutive times since Serena Williams (US Open 2012-14)
• First woman to win three consecutive French Opens since Justine Henin (2005-07)

Scottie Scheffler wins Memorial as US Open approaches

Beneath the preternaturally serene surface, there is an intensely competitive fire burning within. Scottie Scheffler, and we saw it once again this weekend. The world number 1 hit a knee par putt from just 1.5 meters to beat Memorial by one stroke Collin Morikawacelebrating with a big punch when the ball fell into the cup.

Scheffler was far from his best Sunday, when the course was brutally difficult – only six of the 52 players broke par. Scheffler’s two over 74s were actually his worse score this season. But he had great ups and downs in par defense on 16 and 18 to claim his fifth win of the season. He is the first player with five wins in a season before the US Open since Tom Watson in 1980.

He also has won over $24 million in prize money this seasona PGA Tour record with almost three months left in the season.

But what really made this win special is that it was Scheffler’s first as a father. His wife and son were there to greet him on the lawn after the victory.

Next up for Scheffler and the players trying to catch him (good luck with that) is the US Open. We’ll have lots of preview content coming your way this week!

Sergei Bobrovsky frustrates Oilers in opening Stanley Cup final

The unstoppable force was stopped thanks to a truly immovable object. Sergei Bobrovsky made 32 saves – several of them spectacular – as the Panthers beat the Lubricators3-0, in Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final.

The Panthers only had 18 shots on goal, but they were opportunistic with them: Carter Verhaeghe It is Evan Rodrigues they both hit Stuart SkinnerIt is Eetu Luostarinen added an empty network.

Bobrovsky was huge throughout the night, but especially on the power play, where Edmonton’s normally excellent unit went 0 for 3. It’s the first time the Oilers have gone scoreless this postseason.

What will we watch on Monday

Orioles in Rays6:50 pm on FS1
Fever in the sun7pm on NBA TV
Stanley Cup Final – Game 2: Oilers at Panthers8pm on ABC