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      Big third quarter pushes Celtics past Heat

      May 8, 2011 /
      Boston Celtics forward Kevin Garnett (5) pats teammate forward Paul Pierce (34) on the chest after a play against the Miami Heat in the second half of the Eastern Conference Semifinals at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts on May 7, 2011. UPI/Matthew Healey

      The C’s aren’t dead yet. In what was definitely a ‘must-win’ Game 3, the Celtics looked like their old selves for most of the game and outscored the Heat 28-15 in the third quarter en route to a 97-81 win in Game 3.

      Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce both struggled in the first two games, but came up big on Saturday. Garnett posted 28 points (on 13-of-20 shooting) and 18 rebounds, while Pierce scored 27 points, hitting 5-of-7 shots from long range.

      Most importantly, the Celtics played good defense on Miami’s three stars, who combined for 15-for-41 (37%) shooting from the field. Garnett dominated Chris Bosh, who scored just six points on 1-for-6 shooting.

      Keep an eye on Rajon Rondo heading into Game 4. He got tangled up with Dwyane Wade and injured his arm. He went to the locker room and was able to return, but he was clearly favoring it in the second half.

      External Sports, NBA

      OKC blows lead, loses Game 3

      May 8, 2011 /
      Memphis Grizzlies center Marc Gasol (L) and forward Zach Randolph celebrate their team’s win over Oklahoma City Thunder after NBA basketball action in Memphis, Tennessee May 7, 2011. REUTERS/Alan Spearman (UNITED STATES – Tags: SPORT BASKETBALL)

      The Thunder’s fourth-quarter woes continue. OKC led by 13 points heading into the final period and still found a way to lose. After taking a lot of heat for his shot selection in the playoffs, Russell Westbrook still hasn’t adjusted his game, and after coming into the game with 9:55 to play, he went 1-for-7 from the field (0-for-1 from 3PT), scoring four points to go along with two assists and five turnovers in the fourth quarter and overtime. OKC went on to lose, 101-93.

      The Thunder simply haven’t been getting good shots down the stretch, thanks to Westbrook’s decision-making and inability to get his teammates going. From an accuracy standpoint, Kevin Durant wasn’t any better, hitting just 2-for-10 from the field (0-for-3 from 3PT), scoring just four points in the final period and overtime. Credit Tony Allen’s defense for harassing Durant into tough shots. For a tall, lanky scorer like Durant, it can be tough to face a defender that is shorter and a lot quicker, which is the case here. Scott Brooks and/or Durant needs to find a way to use his size as an advantage either by posting up in the paint or by catching the ball on the mid-wing and backing Allen down. Unfortunately, with Westbrook pounding the ball for most of the shot clock, a few of Durant’s attempts came as the shot clock was winding down.

      Looking at the box score, the difference in the game was the Thunder’s poor shooting from long range. They hit just 4-for-21 shots from 3PT and were settling for threes even when they weren’t falling.

      The Grizzlies definitely deserve credit for not quitting and taking advantage of the opportunities that Westbrook and Co. gave them. They played tremendous defense, especially in the final 17 minutes, while Zach Randolph (21 points, 21 rebounds) led five Memphis players in double digits.

      Game 4 is on Monday night on TNT.

      External Sports, NBA

      Manny Pacquiao downs Shane Mosley

      May 8, 2011 /
      Manny Pacquiao (L) of the Philippines connects with a body shot on Shane Mosley of the U.S. during their WBO welterweight title fight at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada May 7, 2011. Pacquiao retained the title by unanimous decision. REUTERS/Steve Marcus (UNITED STATES – Tags: SPORT BOXING IMAGES OF THE DAY)

      Manny Pacquiao coasted to his 14th straight victory by unanimous decision on Saturday night, dropping rival Shane Mosley in twelve rounds.

      FOX Sports has a round-by-round scorecard:

      Round 3
      Pacquiao starting to push the pace in an attempt to use his speed to take the fight away from Mosley. Pacquiao getting more punches in. Pacquiao floors Mosley with a big right hand after a straight jab and Mosley is on glass legs. Pacquiao has a minute to get what could be the telling blow. Pacquiao pushing for the finish but Mosley doing well to avoid taking a clean shot. A big round for Pacquiao.

      Round 6
      Pacquiao turns up the pace midway through the round and Mosley is clearly struggling to match fire with fire. But Pacquiao clearly can’t sustain the pace for anything more than the occassional burst. And it’s when he slows down that Mosley is able to re-establish himself and claw his way back into the fight. Mosley is doing a good job of avoiding taking too much damage and is clearly trying to fight off the back foot and counterpunch Pacquiao.

      Round 10
      More action in the the 10th than the previous than in the past few combined. Pacquiao tries to push the action by once again increasing the speed and his punching volume. A Pacquiao flurry is cut shut by Mosley complaining of a clash of heads. Pacquiao resumes the flurry but isn’t quite landing the telling blow. Mosley pushes him down to the canvass with his right and incredibly the referee gives it as a knockdown. A furious Pacquiao comes forward and clips Mosley with a strong left that hurts the challenger. Best action of the fight but terrible officiating.

      10-9 to Mosley based on the fact that Pacquiao took almost all the round save the “knockdown.”

      98-91 Pacquiao

      Round 12
      Pacquiao starts fastly but Mosley is the one who needs to attack in this final round. Mosley forces Pacquiao up against the ropes but the punches he gets off don’t seem to hurt the champion. Pacquiao guilty of holding and punching, goes hunting for the knockout. Setting a furious pace in the final minute with a right hook and a left hook hurting Mosley. But he can’t finish a fight that was expected to end early.
      118-109 on my scorecard.

      Pacquiao of course wins on all three judges scorecards in lopsided fashion, with of them going as far as to ignore the knockdown that the referee incorrectly called. The scores are 119-108, 120-108, 120-107. Despite those scores it was a disappointing performance from the pound-for-pound king.

      Manny Pacquiao defeats Shane Mosley via unanimous decision to retain the WBO welterweight title

      Following the loss, the talk around the web is whether or not Mosley should hang ‘em up. He talked a good game coming into the fight, but resembled a boxer who was fighting more for a $6 million paycheck than to defeat a more skilled opponent.

      It was clear that Pacquiao was too fast and strong for the 39-year-old Mosley.

      Boxing, External Sports

      Animal Kingdom wins 2011 Kentucky Derby

      May 7, 2011 /
      Jockey John Velazquez gestures while aboard Animal Kingdom after winning the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky, May 7, 2011. REUTERS/Jeff Haynes (UNITED STATES – Tags: SPORT HORSE RACING)

      Jockey John Velazquez wasn’t even supposed to mount Animal Kingdom on Saturday.

      A day after losing his ride when Uncle Mo was scratched due to a gastrointestinal problem, Velazquez rode Animal Kingdom to victory at the 2011 Kentucky Derby. It was Velazquez’s first career win at the first leg of the Triple Crown, which makes this day even more special for the jockey from Carolina, Puerto Rico.

      Animal Kingdom was a long-shot coming into this week at 30/1. His odds didn’t wavier much, as bettors focused on the favorite Dialed In, the Calvin Borel-mounted Twice The Appeal, and Pants On Fire (who was ridden by 23-year-old Rosie Napravnik, who was hoping to become the first-ever female to win the Kentucky Derby).

      But in the end, Dialed In finished a disappointing eighth after spending much of the race in the rear. Borel never got Twice The Appeal moving either, because the combo finished 10th and Pants On Fire came in ninth.

      A $2 wager on Animal Kingdom paid $43.80 to win, $19.60 to place and $13.00 to show. Nehro finished second and paid $8.80 to place and $6.40 to show, while Mucho Macho Man paid out $7.00 on a $2 wager to show.

      A $2 Exacta on Animal Kingdom and Nehro paid out $329.80, while a $2 Trifecta of Animal Kingdom, Nehro and Mucho Macho man paid out $3,952.40. Finally, a winning $2 superfecta of Animal Kingdom, Nehro, Mucho Macho Man and Shackleford (who lead for most of the race) paid $48,126.00.

      The track announced that 164,858 people attended the race, which set a new attendance record for the Kentucky Derby. It surpassed the previous record crowd of 163,628 set back in 1974.

      External Sports, horse racing

      2011 Kentucky Derby Predictions

      May 7, 2011 /
      Exercise rider Nate Quinonez gallops Kentucky Derby hopeful Twice The Appeal on the track during early morning workouts at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky, May 5, 2011. REUTERS/Jeff Haynes (UNITED STATES – Tags: SPORT HORSE RACING)

      Listen, I don’t mean to brag but I’m going to anyway.

      I was good last year predicting the Triple Crown – I mean, real good.

      I had Paddy O’prado to place in the Kentucky Derby (he finished third) and Super Saver (the winner) listed as one of the horses to “keep your eye on.” In the Preakness, I hit Lookin’ At Lucky for the win and nailed First Dude to finish in the money, which is noteworthy since he was a 20/1 long shot to open. Finally, in the Belmont, I predicted the top three (Drosselmeyer, Fly Down, First Dude) to finish in the money, although not in the correct order.

      So basically what I’m saying is that if you don’t take my picks today and wager the deed to your house, your wife and/or your dog, that’s just dumb. LET IT RIDE!!!

      I’m kidding – I’m not that arrogant, although I did mange to find some luck last year in my predictions so we’ll see how I fare this year. On second thought, you may want to avoid these three…

      Win: Twice The Appeal (+1000)
      Like I’m going to pass on taking Calvin Borel at Churchill Downs…when he’ll be coming out of the No. 3 post position. Ha! No way. Twice The Appeal has won three of his last four races, with his latest victory coming at the Sunland Derby on March 27. He does seem a little too good to be true, but I have faith in more Borel magic happening today.

      Place: Archacharch (+1200)
      Why isn’t this horse receiving more love? He drew the rail on Wednesday and his odds went from +900 to +1200. Granted, the rail hasn’t produced a winner since 1988 (Winning Colors) but it still has the most victories (12) in Kentucky Derby history. It’s a prime spot and for a horse that is coming off a victory at the Arkansas Derby to be listed at +1200, this feels like a nice value. If it weren’t for Calvin Borel’s magic at Churchill Downs, I would probably peg Archarcharch to win.

      Show: Dialed In (+500)
      Dialed In has been the favorite all week, even though his odds continue to drop. He was listed at +350 on Monday, +300 on Tuesday, and +250 on Wednesday when the post positions were drawn. Now he’s +500, which seems like a great value to me. He won the Florida Derby in his last outing on April 3 and also took first in the Holly Bull earlier this year. The only problem is that he doesn’t have much career experience, but I wouldn’t be surprised if he won the roses on Saturday. He’s a nice-looking horse.

      External Sports, horse racing

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