Thunder, Celtics dominate Game 1s; who will meet Dortmund in Champions League final?

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Good morning everyone, but especially…

OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER AND THE BOSTON CELTICS

O Thunder are growing rapidly, right before our eyes. Oklahoma City defeated Dallas 117-95 to open their second-round series.

After sweeping the Zion Williamson-any less Pelicans with relative ease, the Thunder knew they faced a much tougher challenge against the battle-tested Independentsand when Kyrie Irving hit a 3-pointer in the third quarter to tie it within one, which appeared to be the case. But after a timeout, the hosts finished the quarter with a 3-point barrage to restore the lead to 10 and never gave up.

• Everyone contributed, but the biggest star paved the way: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 29 points and narrowly missed a triple-double. Chet Holmgren scored 19 points and Jalen Williams scored 18, 10 of which came in a mesmerizing one-minute, 36-second span early in the fourth quarter that put things sideways.
• Oklahoma City’s bench outscored Dallas’ bench 42-23.
• The Thunder defense flexed its muscles, forcing 16 turnovers. Perhaps most impressively, it maintained Luka Doncic for just 19 points, breaking their streak of 24 consecutive playoff games with at least 20 points.

Dallas was coming off an absolute series battle against the Clippers and lost the last five games 1. Will not panic. I still hope for a very good series.

I can’t say the same about Celtics-Cavaliersespecially after Boston defeated Cleveland 120-95 in Game 1. Jaylen BrownThe team’s 32 points led the way, but it was their second-leading scorer that not only shows the stark difference between these teams, but shows why Boston is the title favorite, writes Sam Quinn.

• Quinn: “Derrick White is taking a leap in the league If Boston does indeed win the championship this season, White will clearly end up being their version Aaron Gordon, Andrew Wiggins It is Brooke Lopez. They got him for a first-round pick and a future trade. Now? He’s basically a max player, the kind of star guard in his role that is virtually never available on the trade market. Brad Stevens he has gotten almost everything right since he took over Boston. White is his biggest victory.”

Honorable mentions

• What a night in the NHL. O guards beat the Hurricanes 4-3 in double extra time in Vicente Trocheckwinner to take a 2–0 series lead, and the Avalanche came back from 3-0 down to win the Stars 4-3 in extra time in Miles WoodGame 1 winner.
• The NFL schedule will be released in a week.
• O Sharks won the NHL Draft lottery.
• Cody Bellinger It is to go back!
• There’s a new NIL-led event in men’s college basketball: the “Festival of the Age of Players” in Las Vegas. Seven of the eight teams were chosen, according to Matt Norlander.
• Meet Arkansas‘ 28-year-old walk-on wide receiver who played three seasons in the MLB and has a brother who played in the NBA.
• Utah inn Sam Huard.
• O Senators hired Travis Green and the Blues extended Drew Bannister.

And it wasn’t such a good day for…

PSG

Woodworking can be kind. It can also be cruel. For PSG, was basically the last one. Les Parisiens hit the post three times – and saw a fourth rebound after a great Gregor Kobel saved – when their UEFA Champions League campaign came to a devastating end with a 2-0 aggregate defeat to Borussia Dortmund.

Mats Hummels nodded in a corner in the 50th minute for the only goal after Dortmund won the first leg 1-0 last week.

Let’s give all the credit in the world to Dortmund, who are the most unlikely finalists of all timesays Jame Benge.

• Benge: “The last quarter of a century has produced just two new Champions League winners: one, the plaything of a Russian oligarch, the other, a vehicle of soft power for Abu Dhabi. Borussia Dortmund have proven to be a rich choice for those richest in the that they, invariably fighting to repeat the brilliance of the beginning of 2010… Dortmund were the team that everyone wanted in the round of 16 and some would have signed in the round of 16 as well.”

Kobel incredible game is a microcosm of Dortmund’s trajectorynotes Chuck Booth.

But it’s a brutal way to end PSG’s season. They will almost certainly see superstar Kylian Mbappé leave this summer, and this was a golden opportunity to send him champions of Europe – and his club champions of Europe for the first time. While this isn’t PSG’s most devastating Champions League defeat in a long run of them, it’s up therewrites Jonathan Johnson.

Now, what’s next? Jonathan also has this answer.

• Johnson: “Luis Enrique also has questions to answer about the frequent cuts and changes to his starting XIs and the unbalanced nature of some of his team selections, but the truth is that the Spaniard has brought a largely young and inexperienced group beyond expectations. … Mbappe, however, is perhaps the biggest loser of all with no goal and much involvement in both legs before his expected move to Real Madridwho could very well reach the final… against Bayern Munchen despite him.”

Not-so-honorable mentions

Preview, picks for the UEFA Champions League semi-final between Real Madrid and Bayern Munich

Today, Real Madrid or Bayern Munich join Borussia Dortmund in the UEFA Champions League final. There is everything to play for in Madrid after last week’s thrilling 2-2 draw in Munich. Here’s a full preview and how to watch as we will have everything you need all day.

This one, frankly, is bigger than a match. Much bigger, in fact. from Madrid Jude BellinghamBavaria Harry Kane and the now eliminated Mbappe are all Fighting for the sport’s highest honorsJames watches.

Kane is best known for his lack of trophies. Real Madrid have more Champions League titles than anyone else. Who comes one step closer? Francesco Porzio says…

• Porzio: “Match prediction: Real Madrid 2, Bayern Munich 1 – Despite the incredible performance Thomas TuchelThe team’s first game in Munich, playing against Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabéu, the second leg is always the last thing you want to do in this sport. That’s why I’m waiting Carlos Ancelotti and your team does it once again.”

Here is Tom Fornelli Corner Choices.

Rudy Gobert named Defensive Player of the Year

Become a father one day, make NBA history the next – that’s been Rudy Gobertweek so far. After birth of your child on Monday, Gobert was announced as Defensive Player of the Year on Tuesday. It’s his fourth award, tying Well Wallace It is Dikembe Mutombo most of all time; he joins Mutombo as the only player to win the award on multiple teams.

• Gobert, 31 years old, is the first player in the Timber Wolves story to win the prize. He also won in 2018, 2019 and 2021 as a member of Jazz. This season, he led the NBA in individual defensive rating (104.4) and anchored the NBA’s best defense.
• Opponents shot just 43% at the basket with Gobert defending, the third-lowest rate allowed of any center this season who has saved at least 500 shots.
• Gobert adds something to what has been a phenomenal awards season for Minnesota: naz reid gain Sixth Man of the Year It is Mike Conley gain Teammate of the Year.
• Gobert beat other finalists Victor Wembanyama (who won Recruit of the Year) It is Bam Adebayo. Anthony Davis finished in fourth place.

Gobert missed Minnesota’s Game 2 victory over the Nuggets for the birth of his son, but will return for Game 3 on Friday, when Minnesota hopes to take a 3-0 series lead.

What will we watch on Wednesday

Real Madrid vs Bayern Munich3pm on Paramount+
Diamondbacks at Reds6:40 pm on FS1
Game 2: Bruins vs. Panthers7:30 pm on ESPN
Game 2: Pacers at Knicks8pm on TNT
Game 1: Oilers on Canucks10pm on ESPN