- All Sports
Quick Sports
USA
PHILADELPHIA — Josh Hart raised his arms and extended three fingers on each hand on his go-ahead 3-pointer from the top of the arc with 24.4 seconds left that was finally enough to send the New York Knicks past the Philadelphia 76ers 118-115 in Game 6 on Thursday night and into the second round of the playoffs.
Jalen Brunson had 41 points and 12 assists to lead the Knicks, who are set for an Eastern Conference semifinal matchup with Indiana. The Pacers beat Milwaukee in six games and advanced to the second round for the first time in 10 years.
Game 1 is Monday night in New York.
The Knicks are through to the second round in consecutive years for the first time since the postseasons from 1992-2000, and even then, nobody did what Brunson did in this series by scoring 40 points or more in each of the final three games. He became the first Knick to do that since Bernard King 40 years ago, and the first NBA player to score 40 or more to close out a series since Michael Jordan for Chicago against Cleveland in 1989.
In a series defined by tight games, Hart hit the clutch shot that made it 114-111 and again had “Let’s go Knicks! Let’s go Knicks!” chants echoing throughout Philly’s home court. Joel Embiid scored a bucket but fouled out on the next possession. Donte DiVincenzo sealed New York’s win with two free throws.
“The fourth quarter was just one big play after the next,” Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau said.
Naturally, the former Villanova Wildcats trio of Hart, DiVincenzo and Jalen Brunson saved the Knicks from a first-half collapse that was nearly enough to force a Game 7. DiVincenzo scored 23 points and Hart had 16.
Embiid finished with 39 points and 13 rebounds. Buddy Hield had 20 points. After dropping 45 points in Game 5, Tyrese Maxey was a non-factor in the first half and finished with 17.
“This series probably could have went the exact opposite the way it did,” 76ers coach Nick Nurse said. “But it didn’t.”
The 76ers still haven’t made it past the second round since 2001 and can pin the bulk of the blame in this one on their starters. Tobias Harris, in the final year of a five-year, $180 million contract, went scoreless. So did Kyle Lowry.
Despite Philadelphia’s best efforts to keep rowdy Knicks fans at home, Wells Fargo Center sounded more like Madison Square Garden in the waning moments. Knicks fans crowded near New York’s tunnel after the game and held their phones high to capture video of their favorite team headed to the locker room.
“Was it hostile?” Thibodeau cracked, when asked about the atmosphere.
This was a game were it seemed natural to want to skip ahead to the final minute. After all, there have been five playoff games since the 1996-97 season where a team trailed by five or more in the final 30 seconds of regulation and came back to win — and two were in this series.
Game 2, the Knicks rallied to win 104-101.
Game 5, the 76ers came back for a 112-106 overtime win.
Exhilarating, exhausting, there was more can-you-top-this ahead.
With Sixers fans having seized back the building, they were roaring at the late tip — shortly after 9 p.m. EDT — only for the Knicks to come roaring out to a 33-11 lead. Just last season, the 76ers held a 3-2 series lead against Boston in the East semifinals, only to drop Game 6 at home, and then Game 7 in Boston. The Sixers lost Game 6 and the East semis in 2022 at home to Miami.
Only in this Game 6, the Sixers showed some moxie.
With Maxey unable to find a shot, Hield about saved the season. Acquired at the trade deadline, Hield lost his starting job after a late-season slump. He missed all four 3-point attempts in the first three games of the series and did not play in the last two. Hield found his shot in Game 6, hitting five 3s in the second quarter that sparked the Sixers on a 34-11 run.
His fifth 3 helped send the Sixers into the half with a 54-51 lead.
Maxey hit a 3 for a 10-point lead in the third before a pair of wild misses from beyond the arc sparked a Knicks rally. OG Anunoby closed the third quarter with a tying 3 for New York and he opened the fourth with one for an 86-83 lead. With the game tied 95-all, Brunson hit a step-back 3 and then another 3 that made it 101-95.
Anunoby’s dunk for an eight-point Knicks lead with 2:43 left looked like it might be decisive. But the Sixers had one more run in them.
“A lot of our guys don’t have playoff experience,” Thibodeau said. “I think going through a series like this invaluable to them.”
https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2024/05/03/knicks-advance-to-the-eastern-conference-semis-topping-76ers-118-115-in-game-6/
Here are Orlando area high school scores and top performers from Thursday, May 2:
Baseball
CLASS 7A DISTRICT 9
Harmony 8, Osceola 0
Buzz: Iziah Santiago was 2-for-3 with a home run, 2 runs scored and 3 RBI for the Loghorns (16-11), while Yathniel Matos went 2-for-3 with a double, 2 runs scored and an RBI, and Evan Christ notched the pitching win with 9 strikeouts in 5 shutout innings.
CLASS 7A DISTRICT 5
Windermere 5, Olympia 1
Buzz: Ty Head was 2-for-3 with a run scored and an RBI for the Wolverines (24-3) in the victory, while Connor Fink got the pitching win with 1 run given up in 5 innings. Adonys Velez went 2-for-4 with a run scored for the Titans (17-10).
CLASS 7A DISTRICT 4
Lake Brantley 7, Apopka 4
Buzz: Isaac Padilla and Maurice Brown each had 2 hits and a run scored for the Patriots (18-9), while JD Rojas added a double and 3 RBI in the win.
CLASS 7A DISTRICT 3
Timber Creek 2, Boone 1
Buzz: Zach Walker went 3-for-3 with a double and an RBI for the Wolves (21-6), while Connor Mulready got the pitching win with 2.1 innings of scoreless relief.
CLASS 7A DISTRICT 2
Lake Mary 4, Spruce Creek 3 (11 inn.)
CLASS 6A DISTRICT 8
Viera 4, St. Cloud 0
CLASS 6A DISTRICT 7
Lake Minneola 6, South Lake 3
CLASS 6A DISTRICT 4
New Smyrna Beach 8, Oviedo 0
CLASS 5A DISTRICT 5
Deltona 17, Pine Ridge 2
Buzz: Garrett Thompson was 2-for-4 with 3 RBI for the Wolves (10-15), while Jay Albizu went 2-for-2 with a double, 3 runs scored and 2 RBI, and Jayden Lochiatto and JJ Robles each added 2 hits and 2 RBI.
CLASS 4A, DISTRICT 7
Bishop Moore 2, Eustis 1
Buzz: Devon Elmendorf had a solo home run for the Hornets (17-9), while Aaron Reabe had 9 strikeouts in the complete game pitching win, and Tyler Lomas and Xavier Perry each added doubles. Jayden Wise had a solo home run for the Panthers (15-12) in the loss.
CLASS 3A DISTRICT 9
Umatilla 4, Montverde Academy 2
Buzz: Kannon Steinke went 2-for-3 with 2 RBI for the Bulldogs (19-8) in the win, while Aidan Ross also had 2 hits and an RBI. Alan Hernandez had a double for the Eagles (14-9) in the loss.
CLASS 2A DISTRICT 7
The First Academy 4, Foundation Academy 2
CLASS 2A DISTRICT 6
Mount Dora Christian 8, Master’s Academy 4
Buzz: Bryan Schutte was 2-for-3 with a home run and 2 RBI for the Bulldogs (19-8) in the win, while Justin Earle added a home run and 2 RBI. Jackson Bellhorn, Cy Smith and Evan Slockett each had 2 hits for Master’s (17-9), while Sean Andersson added a home run.
Softball
CLASS 7A DISTRICT 10
Osceola 4, Harmony 2
Buzz: Faith Ferrer went 2-for-4 with a run scored and an RBI for the Kowboys (14-10), while Alexis Miranda had 5 strikeouts in the complete game pitching win. Lindsay Green was 2-for-3 with a double and an RBI for the Longhorns (11-10) in the loss.
CLASS 7A DISTRICT 9
Boone 13, St. Cloud 11
Buzz: Kalyn Woods was 4-for-4 with a double, 4 runs scored and 4 RBI for the Braves (12-10) in the win, while Ava Solberg went 3-for-6 with a double, 3 runs scored and 2 RBI, and Sarai Collazo was 3-for-5 with a double. Grace Watford and Brooke Scott each had 4 hits and 2 RBI for the Bulldogs (13-14) with Watford having 2 doubles.
CLASS 7A DISTRICT 5
Windermere 7, East Ridge 1
Buzz: Veronica Peterson was 2-for-3 with an RBI for the Knights (19-7) in the loss.
CLASS 7A DISTRICT 4
Timber Creek 6, Winter Park 3
Buzz: Katie Jofre-Furno had a run scored and 2 RBI for the Wolves (18-7), while Gabbi Scott had 2 strikeouts and gave up 2 earned runs in the complete game pitching win. Sarah McDavid was 2-for-3 with a run scored and an RBI for the Wildcats (14-11).
CLASS 7A DISTRICT 3
Lake Brantley 7, Lake Mary 4
Buzz: Catharine Conway, McKaelyn Fowler and Rylin Sprague each had 2 hits for the Patriots (16-8) in the win, with Fowler having a triple and 2 RBI, and Sprague having a double and 2 RBI. Gabriella Mike went 2-for-3 with a home run and 3 RBI for the Rams (12-15).
CLASS 7A DISTRICT 2
Spruce Creek 9, Orange City University 0
CLASS 6A DISTRICT 9
South Lake 11, Lake Minneola 9
Buzz: Destiny Johns went 4-for-4 with a home run, 4 runs scored and 2 RBI for the Eagles (18-8) in the win, while Emma George was 2-for-3 with a home run, run scored and 2 RBI, and Lillyan Land added a single and 3 RBI.
CLASS 6A DISTRICT 4
Hagerty 5, Winter Springs 2
Buzz: Ana Roman was 2-for-3 with a home run and 3 RBI for the Huskies (21-5) in the win, while Stella Christie had 2 singles and an RBI, and Alexis Felker added a solo home run.
CLASS 5A DISTRICT 6
Horizon 6, Auburndale 1
Buzz: Madison Velazquez went 2-for-3 with a home run and 3 RBI for the Hawks (20-5), while Nyree James was 2-for-3 with a double and a run scored, and Mackenzie Duncan had 10 strikeouts in the complete game pitching win.
CLASS 5A DISTRICT 4
Deltona 5, Matanzas 3
CLASS 4A, DISTRICT 7
Eustis 16, Vanguard 6
Buzz: Lillie Smith was 3-for-3 with a double, run scored and 3 RBI for the Panthers (21-2), while Jensen Luke also went 3-for-3 with a double, 2 runs scored and an RBI, and Ciara Maple was 2-for-4 with a triple, 2 runs scored and 3 RBI.
CLASS 3A DISTRICT 7
Montverde Academy 2, Trinity Prep 0
Buzz: Luna Taboas went 3-for-3 with a home run and 2 RBI for the Eagles (23-4) in the win, while Leila Susala was 2-for-3 with a double, and LaBreah Sands pitched the complete game shutout with 11 strikeouts and just 1 hit given up. Wilson Merce had a double for the Saints (16-6) in the loss.
CLASS 2A DISTRICT 7
Cornerstone Charter 5, The First Academy 2
Buzz: Ayani Hernandez had a home run, double, 2 runs scored and 2 RBI for the Ducks (24-3) in the win, while Kaylee Phillips, Olivia Nogueras and Liany Rosario added 2 hits each.
CLASS 2A DISTRICT 5
Mount Dora Christian 7, Geneva School 6
Buzz: Raelyn Richardson was 3-for- with a run scored and an RBI for the Bulldogs (14-12) in their thrilling win as they scored twice in the bottom of the 7th inning. Katie Bayly went 2-for-3 with a solo home run in the win. Katie Classe was 2-for-3 with an RBI for the Knights (8-11) in the loss.
Boys Tennis
FHSAA STATE TOURNAMENT
CLASS 3A
At Sanlando Park, Altamonte Springs
Team semifinals:
St. Thomas Aquinas 4, Lake Buena Vista 2
Singles
1. Pete Tran (LBV) d. Edwards 6-1, 6-4
2. Reeser (STA) d. Wil Nguyen 2-6, 6-3, 10-4
3. Freitas (STA) d. Brian Duong 6-2, 7-5
4. Not completed
5. Lira (STA) d. Sebastien Loth 2-6, 6-3, ret. (inj)
Doubles
1. Train/Nguyen (LBV) d. Edwards/Reeser 4-0, 4-1
2. Paun/Freitas (STA) d. Landon Dabney/Duong 4-2, 4-2
Barron Collier 4, Ponte Vedra 1
Championship: Barron Collier 4, St. Thomas Aquinas 1
Individual singles
Tran (Lake Buena Vista) d. Gabriel Garcia 4-1, 4-0
Whitesides d. Brock Masters (Lyman) 6-4, 6-1
Individual doubles
Vinals/Nunez d. Masters/Alexi Castro (Lyman) 6-0, 6-0.
Semifinal
Tran/Wil Nguyen (Lake Buena Vista) d. Jovan Golijanan/Alessandro De Bernardo (Osceola) 5-4 (7-5), 4-2.
CLASS 1A
At Red Bug Lake Park, Casselberry
Team semifinals:
St. Andrew’s 5, Community School of Naples 0
True North Classical Academy 4, Holy Trinity Episcopal 1
Championship: St. Andrew’s 4, True North Classical Academy 1
Individual singles
Semifinal
Samuel Uribe (Downtown Doral) d. Rafaehl Stahl (Geneva School) 6-4, 6-3
Individual doubles
Ling/Davis (Pensacola Catholic) d. Ben Demetriades/Mathew Gu (Trinity Prep) 6-2, 4-6, (12-10)
Girls Tennis
FHSAA STATE TOURNAMENT
CLASS 3A
At Sanlando Park, Altamonte Springs
Team semifinals:
Barron Collier 4, Ponte Vedra 0
St. Thomas Aquinas 4, Niceville 1
Championship: St. Thomas Aquinas 4, Barron Collier 1
CLASS 1A
At Red Bug Lake Park, Casselberry
Team semifinals:
St. Andrew’s 4, Master’s Academy 0
True North Classical Academy 4, Pensacola Catholic 1
Championship: True North Classical Academy 4, St. Andrew’s 0
Individual singles
Isabella Hartung (Trinity Prep) d. Summer Bryant 6-0, 6-0
Maria Navaro (Benjamin) d. Hartung (Trinity Prep) 6-4, 6-3
Individual doubles
Aleksandriya Dzheneva/Thaila Wells (Holy Trinity) d. Hartung/Eva Chang (Trinity Prep) 6-4, 3-6, 11-9
Girls Beach Volleyball
Regional semifinals
REGION 2
St, John Lutheran 3, Winter Springs 2
New Smyrna Beach 5, Spruce Creek 0
REGION 3
Hagerty 4, Oviedo 1
Montverde Academy 3, Winter Park 0
Boys Volleyball
District tournament finals
DISTRICT 3
At Lake Mary
Lake Mary 3, Seminole 0 (25-17, 25-20, 25-20)
DISTRICT 4
At Lake Howell
Lake Howell 3, Lake Brantley 0 (25-15, 25-22, 25-21)
DISTRICT 5
At East River
Timber Creek 3, Hagerty 1 (25-18, 25-21, 20-25, 25-19)
DISTRICT 7
West Orange 3, Apopka 0
Buzz: Aidan Lowry had 10 kills, 3 digs and 2 aces for the Blue Darters (22-4) in the 25-18, 25-20, 25-19 win, while Logan Rogers had 19 assists, and Devon Bolling added 7 kills and 4 digs.
DISTRICT 8
Freedom 3, Cypress Creek 0 (25-19, 25-22, 25-14)
DISTRICT 9
Horizon 3, Windermere 1 (25-19, 23-25, 25-17, 25-19)
DISTRICT 10
St. Cloud 3, Poinciana 1 (23-25, 25-23, 25-22, 25-20)
DISTRICT 16
Park Vista 3, Deltona Trinity Christian 1 (24-26, 25-14, 25-19, 25-18)
Boys Track & Field
CLASS 1A DISTRICT 8
At Holy Trinity in Melbourne
Team scores:
1. Holy Trinity 161
2. Foundation Academy 126
3. Orlando Christian Prep 101
4. Melbourne Central Catholic 64
4. Faith Christian 64
6. The First Academy 54
7. Pineapple Cover 50
8. City of Life Christian 29
9. Odyssey Charter 19
10. Merritt Island Christian 3
11. Brevard HEAT 1
12. Florida Prep 1
Individual events:
100 – 1. Christopher Bronaugh (Foundation) 10.49
200 – 1. Bronaugh (Foundation) 21.30
400 – 1. Alexis Garcia (OCP) 51.76, 2. Gilbert Mackey (OCP) 53.79
800 – 1. Ty Cannon (Foundation) 1:57.84
1,600 – 1. Jensen (Holy Trinity) 4:25.11, 2. Andrew Nyland (Foundation) 4:47.17
3,200 – 1. Spreitzer (Holy Trinity) 9:57.02
110 hurdles – 1. Joshua Demosthenes (OCP) 14.69
400 hurdles – 1. McRoy (Holy Trinity) 58.24
400 relay – 1. Foundation (Rogers, Bronaugh, Jean, Bronaugh) 42.17
1,600 relay – 1. Holy Trinity 3:31.66, 2. Foundation (Cannon, Nyland, Basden, McFarland) 3:35.16
3,200 relay – 1. Holy Trinity 8:32.24
High jump – 1. Timothy Reid (TFA) 5-7.75, 2. Sam McFarland (Foundation) 5-5.75
Pole vault – 1. Walker Hughes (TFA) 9-4.25
Long jump – 1. Woulard (Melbourne) 23-4.50, 2. Cameron Basden (Foundation) 21-10.75
Triple jump – 1. Jae Spellman (Faith Christian) 44-8.75
Shot put – 1. Valentino Garcia (OCP) 51.6.25, 2. Dennis Campbell (OCP) 41-4.50
Discus – 1. Kameka (Holy Trinity) 127-6, 2. Garcia (OCP) 122-10
Javelin – 1. Hudson Hunt (Faith Christian) 160-10, 2. Nigel Solomon (Faith Christian) 136-3
Girls Track & Field
CLASS 1A DISTRICT 8
At Holy Trinity in Melbourne
Team scores:
1. Holy Trinity 215
2. The First Academy 109.5
3. Foundation Academy 74
4. Pineapple Cove 53
5. Faith Christian 42
6. Odyssey Charter 38
7. City of Life Christian 32
8. Melbourne Central Catholic 29.5
9. Merritt Island Christian 26
10. Brevard HEAT 13
11. Orlando Christian Prep 11
12. New Dimensions 1
Individual events:
100 – 1. Collins (Holy Trinity) 11.93, 2. Lee Peters (Foundation) 12.27
200 – 1. Collins (Holy Trinity) 24.68, 2. Peters (Foundation) 25.54
400 – 1. Gianna Landri (TFA) 1:01.42, 2. Charity Claytor (TFA) 1:02.26
800 – 1. Norton (Pineapple Cover) 2:25.62
1,600 – 1. Francis (Holy Trinity) 5:50.68
3,200 – 1. Addison Stewart (TFA) 12:29.81, 2. Vivianna Gonzalez (City of Life) 13:29.42
100 hurdles – 1. Easton (Holy Trinity) 15.39
400 hurdles – 1. Miller (Melbourne) 1:05.90, 2. Makayla Hayes (Faith Christian) 1:09.18
400 relay – 1. Holy Trinity 48.41, 2. Foundation (Lambert, Watts, Bangsund, Peters) 51.34
1,600 relay – 1. Holy Trinity 4:08.86, 2. TFA (Mason, Claytor, Brown, Landri) 4:18.23
3,200 relay – 1. TFA (Claytor, Landri, Stewart, Mason) 10:17.59
High jump – 1. Phillips (Holy Trinity) 4-11.75
Pole vault – 1. Weiner (Holy Trinity) 7-4.50, 2. Haley Pine (TFA) 7-4.50
Long jump – 1. Alicia Johnson (Faith Christian) 16-0.25, 2. Avery Bangsund (Foundation) 15-2
Triple jump – 1. Johnson (Faith Christian) 36-4.25, 2. Harmoni Rigg (OCP) 32-1
Shot put – 1. Vanzwieten (Merritt Island) 32-6.50
Javelin – 1. Vanzwieten (Merritt Island) 134-10
Varsity content editor Buddy Collings can be reached by email at bcollings@orlandosentinel.com.
https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2024/05/03/high-school-scores-stats-may-2/
INDIANAPOLIS — Obi Toppin scored 21 points, T.J. McConnell had 20 points and nine assists and the Indiana Pacers won a playoff series for the first time in a decade, beating the Milwaukee Bucks 120-98 in Game 6 on Thursday night.
The Pacers will face the winner of the Philadelphia-New York series in the Eastern Conference semifinals. New York took a 3-2 lead into Game 6 later Thursday.
Indiana’s milestone victory came exactly 30 years after it swept Orlando 3-0 to advance in the NBA playoffs for the first time in franchise history, and it came on a night the Bucks again were without Giannis Antetokounmpo. The two-time league MVP never played after straining his left calf April 9.
Damian Lillard, meanwhile, returned from a right Achilles injury and played well — but was not nearly as dominant as he was in the first two games when he scored 69 points. Lillard finished with 28 points on 7-for-16 shooting.
Bobby Portis Jr. added 20 points and 15 rebounds for Milwaukee. Brook Lopez also had 20 points, and Khris Middleton had 14 points and eight rebounds.
Two-time All-Star Tyrese Haliburton had 17 points, 10 assists and 6 rebounds for Indiana, and Pascal Siakam finished with 19 points and seven rebounds. Toppin and McConnell each had playoff career-high scoring totals, and McConnell also had four steals.
Indiana went 8-3 against the Bucks this season and handed Milwaukee its second straight first-round exit.
Easy? Not a chance. Indiana turned the game with a 23-3 first-quarter spurt that made it 29-19 and the Pacers never trailed again.
But every time the Bucks charged back the Pacers had an answer.
When Milwaukee cut it to 38-34 early in the second quarter, Indiana scored seven straight points. When the Bucks opened the second half on a 9-4 run to close to 63-56, Indiana responded with a 10-5 run to extend the margin to 12. When Milwaukee got to 85-78 with 6:05 left in the third, McConnell capped an 11-0 run with back-to-back 3-pointers to make it 96-78 early in the fourth.
And the Bucks never recovered as the Pacers extended the lead to 104-84 with 8:07 to play. From that point, it was a festive atmosphere at Gainbridge Fieldhouse with Pacers players being serenaded off the court to a standing ovation.
https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2024/05/02/indiana-pacers-milwaukee-bucks-nba-playoffs-damian-lillard-obi-toppin-giannis/
In his four years in Colorado, Tim Howard forged friendship with Rapids coach Chris Sharpe that endu
Every Saturday, Colorado Rapids goalkeepers coach Chris Sharpe wakes up early, heads down to his living room and turns on the Premier League. When Tim Howard appears on the TV screen to analyze matches, Sharpe’s 3-year-old son, Jaxon, joins him.
“Uncle Timmy!” Jaxon says, pointing his fingers at the screen with his eyes wide.
Some days, Jaxon will stay put and watch whatever match is on display. Other times, he’ll go back to kicking a soccer ball around or playing with toys. But the excitement never wanes when Uncle Timmy is on TV.
Jaxon might be too young to fully comprehend what Howard is talking about on TV, but there are days when Howard’s words are in part taken right from his dad. Before Howard and his “Premier League on NBC” co-hosts, Rebecca Lowe and Robbie Earle, go on the air, he’ll text Sharpe and ask for his viewpoint — especially if a goalkeeper is one of the topics on the docket — and sometimes repeats it on live TV.
When Howard is inducted into the National Soccer Hall of Fame on Saturday, Sharpe will be the one talking on camera as he introduces his star pupil and close friend on the stage in Frisco, Texas. The moment will stand as a testament to the special bond formed and nurtured during their relatively short time together in Colorado — and one that still lingers to this day.
“I think the best way I can describe (the relationship) is just the trust between him and myself,” Sharpe said.
A blessing in disguise
Of all the highs and lows of Howard’s time in a Rapids jersey, a four-month stretch between the end of 2016 to the beginning of 2017 is burned into Sharpe’s memory.
It began with perhaps the deepest pit of Howard’s four seasons in Colorado.
“I’ll never forget it. I can still feel it, look,” Sharpe said, pointing to goosebumps on his arms eight years later.
Howard never favored one-off performances like his 15 saves against Belgium in the 2014 World Cup. Instead, he was most driven by consistent performance, which made the pursuit of appearing in the 2018 World Cup — which would have been his fourth and final go around on soccer’s biggest stage — relentless.
The U.S. men’s national team played Mexico in a World Cup qualifier less than a week after the Rapids beat the LA Galaxy in penalties to reach the 2016 Western Conference Final — Howard made two enormous saves.
Howard texted Sharpe that week complaining of persistent groin pain. Watching from home, Sharpe noticed Howard’s kicks were short and off-target. Something wasn’t right.
In the 35th minute, he watched his goalkeeper go down in pain. Howard tried to continue, but signaled to be subbed off five minutes later after laboring to make a routine save. It was later revealed that he’d suffered a significant groin injury.
Sharpe sank into the cushions of the same couch he and his son now share on Premier League match days, struggling and ultimately failing to hold back tears.
After the game, the two talked, exchanged plans for the road back and shed a few more tears. Then, it was time to get back to work.
Howard, 37 at the time, admits now that he knew the injury could have ended his career. Sharpe didn’t want to allow such thoughts to fester.
So on the walls of various rooms inside Dick’s Sporting Goods Park, Sharpe posted the date of a game early in 2017 against New York Red Bulls in which he had to play to be eligible for a World Cup qualifier against Costa Rica.
It was all the encouragement Howard needed.
“The work he put in was phenomenal to do at that age,” Sharpe said. “And that motivation was frightening. It’s all the stuff people don’t see behind the scenes that make it unbelievable. Every day, religiously, he was in the gym, in the rehab facility, just constantly working at it. In the end, he did it probably six weeks shorter than anyone thought he would.”
Howard returned to play four months later on the exact date on the wall. To this day, that is what raises the hair on Sharpe’s arms.
Later that year, the USMNT’s World Cup hopes vanished with an infamous 2-1 loss at Trinidad and Tobago, and with it, Howard’s aspiration of a fourth trip to soccer’s grandest stage.
“Probably once or twice in my life have I ever felt … that pressure on my chest,” Howard said. “We failed. We lost.”
“Yes, we’ve done it”
The Secretary of Defense typically set aside a particular celebration for some of his biggest moments: Find something to kick. It didn’t matter if it was a goalpost, a stanchion or advertisement boards. When Howard made a big save, get out of his way.
Both Sharpe and Rapids president Pádraig Smith fondly remember when he brought it out for his biggest moment in Colorado, both of them touting it as one of their favorite memories of Howard in a Rapids jersey.
In a penalty shootout against the LA Galaxy in the 2016 MLS Western Conference semifinals, Howard dove to his right to save a relatively weak attempt by Ashley Cole. The stop all but clinched the contest in front of a sold-out DSGP.
After he denied former Rapid Jeff Larentowicz on the next attempt to win the match and send the Rapids to their first conference finals since 2010, Howard did not look for anything to kick. Instead, he simply wagged his finger in the air and nodded. The job was finished.
“It’s easy to think of that game. He was absolutely terrific,” Smith said. “When I think of Tim, I think of the performances day in and day out. At training, in games, the standards he held himself to and the standards he demanded of others really helped advance the club and show the type of professional he was.
“It would have been very easy for him to come over here, as many others have done at the latter stages of their career, and take it easy. He did not. He came here to win.”
L.A. scored on just one of four attempts. Howard dove the right direction all four times, and it was no fluke. He and Sharpe worked tirelessly in the film room to determine who on the Galaxy would take penalties and where they’d go.
When he fought his way back to action after his injury in the ensuing months, Howard was quick to remind the world he was still there both physically and emotionally.
In his return match against RBNY, he made a few routine saves early. But a top-class stop against MLS legend Bradley Wright-Phillips in the 23rd minute sparked something. After sprawling for the stop, he lunged back to his goal in celebration, pumping his fists while beating his chest and forehead with his gloves.
“He looked over at me and it was like, ‘Yes, we’ve done it,’” Sharpe said. “I remember that week was just joyous because of all the work he put in, and I can take no credit for it. I was just by his side and nudged him along. … His reaction to that save was everything he worked for. It was an amazing moment in time with him and I think those four months (recovering) probably built our whole relationship.”
End of an era, start of new life
At 40 years old, Howard entered what would be his final season with the Rapids in 2019.
Here and there, he’d pick up an injury, causing him to play a match then rest for a couple in cycles.
Toward the end of the season, in a game against RBNY, he had to play “half of the second half” using only his left foot because of a lingering right calf injury, according to Sharpe. In the locker room following the match, Sharpe knew something was up.
“He walked into the dressing room after the game and I didn’t say anything to him,” Sharpe said. “But when he sat next to me — I’ll never forget it — he put his head on my shoulder and started to cry. He knew it was coming to an end. … His body just couldn’t sustain the rigors of training and the rigors of 90 minutes.”
Howard missed a month after the RBNY game and played just two more matches for the Rapids that season: a 3-0 win over FC Dallas in his last home game and a 3-1 loss away at LAFC. He came out of retirement to play six matches for USL Championship side Memphis 901 FC the following year but hasn’t played professionally since.
Howard and Sharpe never reminisced on the stretch of injury recovery that cultivated their unique partnership. But to this day, it still hangs in the background of their friendship.
“It was a time that galvanized our relationship as a coach and a player, as two friends,” Sharpe said.
As his coach, Howard learned plenty from Sharpe in four years in Colorado, particularly on the road to recovery in 2016. Not long after his retirement, Howard, a father of two, returned the favor tenfold with words of wisdom regarding fatherhood.
“When my wife and I had my son, Tim said, ‘Chris, he’s going to change your world. Football is going to become second to what the child gives you,’” Sharpe said. “Football has always been my life, but now … Tim was absolutely right.”
These days, when Sharpe and his son watch Howard and soccer matches on TV together, sometimes he can’t help but reflect on the moments, good or bad, that forged a lifelong bond.
Sharpe will not share a couch with his son this Saturday, but Jaxon will be among the many faces in Texas listening as Sharpe shares those stories on stage alongside Uncle Timmy.
Want more sports news? Sign up for the Sports Omelette to get all our analysis on Denver’s teams.
https://www.denverpost.com/2024/05/02/tim-howard-chris-sharpe-rapids-friendship-hall-of-fame/
It is easier to dethrone the King than step on the Ant.
This represents a delightful development for the NBA as the playoffs move into the second round. The Nuggets vanquished LeBron James, setting up a matchup with the upstart Minnesota Timberwolves and superstar Anthony Edwards.
The NBA remains as popular as its stars. And no one is shining like Edwards. The timing is perfect. Look around the survive-and-advance brackets and who is missing: James, Anthony Davis, Steph Curry, Kevin Durant and Devin Booker. This Dream Team became The Meme Team.
These should be dark days, and ESPN would like you to believe that a LeBron-less postseason requires a coal miner’s helmet to see a glimmer of light. Truth is, there are stars ready to replace them not unlike when Michael Jordan succeeded Larry Bird and Magic Johnson.
Don’t get it twisted. I am not saying Edwards is Jordan. But the way he plays widens eyes and turns heads. He mocks gravity, averaging 2.99 feet of air on his dunks, tops in the league. He scored 31 points per night against a Suns team whose roster looked like the island of misfit toys.
And let’s state the obvious: Edwards wants the smoke more than the Marlboro Man. He has the personality to take up the superstar slack, his interviews a blend of spontaneity and comedy.
I say this as someone who respects LeBron’s game: Are we really going to miss the stamping of feet after every whistle? Are we really going to miss the pleading, begging and flopping? There were times during the Lakers series they didn’t need a ball. They needed a bib. And a pacifier.
Beginning Saturday, we get Edwards vs. Jamal Murray. What makes this special is that this is not AAU mercenary hoops. These are great players on great teams who play the game the right way. With all due respect to Tyrese Maxey and Jalen Brunson, Murray has become the best closer in sports since Mariano Rivera. Edwards agrees, telling The Post recently of the Nuggets, “Without him, they’re not good.”
They are not as good. As long as Nikola Jokic is on the roster, the Nuggets are contenders. But Murray is the secret sauce of the Big Mac. Consider what we’ve already learned about Murray this postseason. He plays hard, he plays hurt and he takes more big shots than a 21st birthday party. When he jogged to the locker room after Game 5, he placed his hands on Jokic’s shoulders, exalting in joy.
Nuggets basketball could live forever in these snapshots. But they are not done yet. The climb only gets steeper.
The Edwards v. Murray stat watch makes this series fascinating. Edwards viewed Durant as his favorite player, and he took pleasure in crushing his dreams in the first round. His respect for Murray is real. He figures to make this personal, making it a tough draw for Murray, especially if his strained left calf lingers.
But Edwards also has plenty of Jokic in his game. Coach Chris Finch said Ant has superstar DNA, but genuinely cares about his teammates’ success. Will Edwards defer to Karl-Anthony Towns in big moments? Or drive and dish more to Mike Conley Jr., who will be expending plenty of energy guarding Murray?
Likewise, Murray might need to work more as a true playmaker than a shot-taker. The Timberwolves have a history of guarding Jokic one-on-one with Rudy Gobert. Jokic filled his stats with helium against him this season, averaging 33.3 points, 11.8 rebounds, and 4.3 assists in four games. The last number is revealing if you know how Jokic messes around and gets a triple-double daily.
Jokic spent the Lakers series facilitating teammates because of the constant double teams. It worked, barely, as the Nuggets missed a battery of open looks, save for Michael Porter Jr. If the T-Wolves dare guard Jokic with Gobert, he must look to the basket. This casts Murray as a point guard first, but someone always trusted to make the last shot.
Over the last two springs, the Nuggets have never required more than six games to dispatch an opponent. This time against this team, it might be different. And that might be a bad thing for the players, but not the viewers.
So, yes, many stars are watching the playoffs from their couches or Cancun, including LeBron. It’s OK. Really.
Minnesota v. Denver is just fine featuring the cast of The Avengers: The Ant-Man, The Joker, and, in Murray, the NBA’s best Batman.
Want more sports news? Sign up for the Sports Omelette to get all our analysis on Denver’s teams.
https://www.denverpost.com/2024/05/02/anthony-edwards-jamal-murray-nuggets-timberwolves-nba-playoffs/
It is easier to dethrone the King than step on the Ant.
This represents a delightful development for the NBA as the playoffs move into the second round. The Nuggets vanquished LeBron James, setting up a matchup with the upstart Minnesota Timberwolves and superstar Anthony Edwards.
The NBA remains as popular as its stars. And no one is shining like Edwards. The timing is perfect. Look around the survive-and-advance brackets and who is missing: James, Anthony Davis, Steph Curry, Kevin Durant and Devin Booker. This Dream Team became The Meme Team.
These should be dark days, and ESPN would like you to believe that a LeBron-less postseason requires a coal miner’s helmet to see a glimmer of light. Truth is, there are stars ready to replace them not unlike when Michael Jordan succeeded Larry Bird and Magic Johnson.
Don’t get it twisted. I am not saying Edwards is Jordan. But the way he plays widens eyes and turns heads. He mocks gravity, averaging 2.99 feet of air on his dunks, tops in the league. He scored 31 points per night against a Suns team whose roster looked like the island of misfit toys.
And let’s state the obvious: Edwards wants the smoke more than the Marlboro Man. He has the personality to take up the superstar slack, his interviews a blend of spontaneity and comedy.
I say this as someone who respects LeBron’s game: Are we really going to miss the stamping of feet after every whistle? Are we really going to miss the pleading, begging and flopping? There were times during the Lakers series they didn’t need a ball. They needed a bib. And a pacifier.
Beginning Saturday, we get Edwards vs. Jamal Murray. What makes this special is that this is not AAU mercenary hoops. These are great players on great teams who play the game the right way. With all due respect to Tyrese Maxey and Jalen Brunson, Murray has become the best closer in sports since Mariano Rivera. Edwards agrees, telling The Post recently of the Nuggets, “Without him, they’re not good.”
They are not as good. As long as Nikola Jokic is on the roster, the Nuggets are contenders. But Murray is the secret sauce of the Big Mac. Consider what we’ve already learned about Murray this postseason. He plays hard, he plays hurt and he takes more big shots than a 21st birthday party. When he jogged to the locker room after Game 5, he placed his hands on Jokic’s shoulders, exalting in joy.
Nuggets basketball could live forever in these snapshots. But they are not done yet. The climb only gets steeper.
The Edwards v. Murray stat watch makes this series fascinating. Edwards viewed Durant as his favorite player, and he took pleasure in crushing his dreams in the first round. His respect for Murray is real. He figures to make this personal, making it a tough draw for Murray, especially if his strained left calf lingers.
But Edwards also has plenty of Jokic in his game. Coach Chris Finch said Ant has superstar DNA, but genuinely cares about his teammates’ success. Will Edwards defer to Karl-Anthony Towns in big moments? Or drive and dish more to Mike Conley Jr., who will be expending plenty of energy guarding Murray?
Likewise, Murray might need to work more as a true playmaker than a shot-taker. The Timberwolves have a history of guarding Jokic one-on-one with Rudy Gobert. Jokic filled his stats with helium against him this season, averaging 33.3 points, 11.8 rebounds, and 4.3 assists in four games. The last number is revealing if you know how Jokic messes around and gets a triple-double daily.
Jokic spent the Lakers series facilitating teammates because of the constant double teams. It worked, barely, as the Nuggets missed a battery of open looks, save for Michael Porter Jr. If the T-Wolves dare guard Jokic with Gobert, he must look to the basket. This casts Murray as a point guard first, but someone always trusted to make the last shot.
Over the last two springs, the Nuggets have never required more than six games to dispatch an opponent. This time against this team, it might be different. And that might be a bad thing for the players, but not the viewers.
So, yes, many stars are watching the playoffs from their couches or Cancun, including LeBron. It’s OK. Really.
Minnesota v. Denver is just fine featuring the cast of The Avengers: The Ant-Man, The Joker, and, in Murray, the NBA’s best Batman.
Want more sports news? Sign up for the Sports Omelette to get all our analysis on Denver’s teams.
https://www.denverpost.com/2024/05/02/anthony-edwards-jamal-murray-nuggets-timberwolves-nba-playoffs/
As the saying goes, a playoff series doesn’t start until someone loses on their home court.
In the case of the Magic, if Orlando falls at Kia Center on Friday night against the Cavs in Game 6, it’s over.
The Magic trail Cleveland 3-2 after dropping Game 5 by 1-point on the road Tuesday.
Both sides have protected homecourt and it wasn’t until this week’s game at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse that a contest had been decided by single digits.
Just because the Magic won Games 3 and 4 at home, they’re not guaranteed to win again. There’s not a lot that separates the Nos. 4 and 5 seeds.
“You have to go take it,” coach Jamahl Mosley said after practice Thursday at Advent Health Training Center.
For all but four of his players, Game 6 will be their first time facing postseason elimination. Despite the added pressure that comes with that, guard Jalen Suggs isn’t changing his approach.
“I’m going about it the same way that I’ve gone about the rest of these games,” he said. “Continuing to have good confidence, good joy, a comfortability going into these games understanding that the work has been done. Everything — all of the preparation, the workouts, training, going through the learning moments — has happened already.
“Now it’s just enjoying this moment and being fully present here. That’s where my mind is at. [I am] ready to play, ready to be back home in front of the fans and ready to go play a game Sunday in Cleveland.”
Should Orlando avoid elimination and tie the series at 3, Game 7 would take place at 1 p.m. and televised exclusively on ABC.
Tip-off time, TV network set for Magic’s home Game 6 Friday vs. Cleveland
Before then, however, the Cavs and Magic could each be without a starter for Game 6.
Gary Harris was not a full participant at Magic practice Thursday and is considered a game-time decision, Mosley said.
The veteran guard, who started the first five games of the series, only engaged in the walkthrough portion of practice after missing the fourth quarter of Game 5 with a right hamstring strain.
For Cleveland, center Jarrett Allen did not practice Thursday after missing Game 5 with a right rib contusion from Game 4. He will be traveling with the team to Orlando and is expected to “give it a go if he can,” Cavs coach J.B. Bickerstaff told reporters.
Allen and Harris are officially listed as questionable.
Bickerstaff moved Evan Mobley to center and stared Isaac Okoro in place of Allen to open Game 4.
“Not having Jarrett, it’s a different game plan,” Mosley said when asked how Allen’s absence changes things for the Cavs. “They go smaller, play a lot faster and they’re hunting a lot more 3s. There was a conscious effort to do that.
“Our ability to make sure that we’re getting back in transition, defending the 3-point line, but also finishing out possessions so they’re not able to get those offensive rebounds for the kickout 3s [is important.]”
Harris averaged 3.8 points, 2.0 rebounds and 1.20 steals in 26.3 minutes during his five starts. He missed 28 games during the regular season because of injury, including 16 (Dec. 27-29, Jan. 5-31) with a right calf strain. He also missed five games (Nov. 4-14) with a right groin strain.
He also dealt with a plantar fascia strain in his right foot that forced him to miss four games between recovery and injury maintenance in late March and early April.
The Magic closed Game 5 with Suggs, Franz Wagner, Paolo Banchero, Jonathan Isaac and Wendell Carter Jr. but Mosley has other options to replace Harris in the starting lineup.
Second-year pro Caleb Houstan made two starts (March 30 and April 10) in the final two weeks of the regular season in place of Harris. There’s also rookie Anthony Black, who started 33 games but mostly did so in place of guard Markelle Fultz.
Of the two, Houstan has played more significant minutes in the series.
Whether or not Harris is available, the Magic are determined to extend their season.
“We’re all hopeful,” guard Cole Anthony said. “This team is beatable. We’ve done it before and we can do it again.”
Jason Beede can be reached at jbeede@orlandosentinel.com
If you go …
Magic vs. Cavs, Game 6
When: Friday at Kia Center, 7
How to watch: Bally Sports Florida/ESPN
https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2024/05/02/orlando-magic-cleveland-cavs-gary-harris-injury-update-nba-playoffs-jarrett-allen-jalen-suggs-kia-center-jamahl-mosley/
As the Denver Nuggets enter the second round of the 2024 NBA playoffs, a breakdown of their series matchup against the Minnesota Timberwolves:
Who has the edge?
Guards: If Jamal Murray is healthy and hot, he can keep pace with any scoring guard in the NBA. But he might not be either of those things right now. Meanwhile, Anthony Edwards has welcomed these playoffs with the captivating intensity of a tornado. If you’re not strong enough to withstand his provocation, you’ll be sucked into a vortex of buckets, blocks and smack-talk. He draws his power from any perceived weakness revealed by an opponent. Devin Booker and Kevin Durant have already suffered casualties. If there’s any optimism for Denver, it’s that Minnesota’s offense is prone to over-reliance on Edwards. The Nuggets need to find a way to make Minnesota point guards Mike Conley and Monte Morris liabilities, then pile extra pressure on Edwards as an initiator. In both regular-season wins, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope held Edwards scoreless in the fourth quarter. Good luck pulling that off in the playoffs. Edge: Timberwolves.
Wings: This is where the Timberwolves present a potential matchup problem. In the regular season, Jamal Murray shot only 40% from 2-point range against Minnesota, leaning heavily on his 3-point jumper. He was held to fewer than 20 points in both head-to-head meetings on the road. The 6-foot-9 Jaden McDaniels is a nightmarish defender. He missed last year’s series because he punched a wall late in the regular season, but there’s no dodging him this year. On the other hand, the Nuggets happen to employ a 6-10 wing in Michael Porter Jr. who has been their second-best offensive asset in these playoffs so far, forcing Minnesota into tough decisions about where McDaniels is best suited: on Murray or MPJ. Edge: Nuggets.
Bigs: This could go either way. The Timberwolves have arguably the most complete front-court in the NBA with All-Star Karl-Anthony Towns, likely Defensive Player of the Year Rudy Gobert and Sixth Man of the Year Naz Reid. But the Nuggets’ center is the most unstoppable singular force in the league. Nikola Jokic was as dominant as usual in the first round, and he’s given Gobert the business multiple times in past playoff meetings. Until proven otherwise? Edge: Nuggets.
Bench: Denver’s second unit established a playoff identity predicated on lockdown defense in the first round against the Lakers, keeping Jokic’s rest minutes to a wash (for the most part). But this ain’t the Lakers’ bench. Reid isn’t even a starter, yet he’s one of the best ball-handling centers in the league. He’ll keep Aaron Gordon busy when Gordon isn’t guarding Towns. Or if Minnesota wants to use a two-big bench lineup with Towns and Reid, it’ll force Peyton Watson to guard Reid. Then there’s Nickeil Alexander-Walker, a solid two-way wing who averaged 12.3 points in the first round and was a plus-59 for the series. The Nuggets need the same defensive output against a tougher challenge from Watson and Christian Braun; they also need those two to start scoring. Edge: Timberwolves.
Coaching: Here’s a plot twist. Chris Finch, who finished third in voting for NBA Coach of the Year, ruptured his right patellar tendon late in Game 4 against Phoenix when Mike Conley collided with him on the sideline. The Timberwolves might need to get creative with their sideline spacing if he’s able to return swiftly from the surgery he underwent between rounds. Injuries are a part of the game, and it’s normal this time of year for teams to be forced into uncomfortable situations, figuring out new methods to execute plays. It’s not as common for teams to require modification in how they call plays. Edge: Nuggets.
— Bennett Durando, The Denver Post
Five things to watch
We meet again, old friend
For the second year in a row, the Nuggets stand opposite their old friend, Tim Connelly. Once the front office leader of the Nuggets organization, Connelly left for Minnesota two years ago, executed a blockbuster trade for Rudy Gobert and then watched as his big acquisition flopped and his former team rampaged to its first Larry O’Brien Trophy. A year later, Gobert has reaffirmed his status as one of the NBA’s best defenders, and the Timberwolves stand as perhaps the biggest threat to a Nuggets return to the NBA Finals. Get used to it, folks. This rivalry could be just getting started.
Mile High connections
Of course, the Connelly connection is only the beginning of the Nuggets East theme coming out of Minneapolis. Head coach Chris Finch served as an associate head coach under Michael Malone for one season in 2016-17, lead assistant Micah Nori was another Malone assistant from 2015 to ’18, and backup point guard Monte Morris filled the same role for the Nuggets for five seasons as the franchise rose from afterthought to title contender. If that’s not enough, current Denver assistant coach Ryan Saunders was the Timberwolves’ head coach for three years before getting fired in 2021, and general manager Calvin Booth once served as a T-Wolves scout. These teams know each other well.
Bigs on bigs
After battling with Anthony Davis for five games, the defensive challenge for Nikola Jokic will take on a different tone against Minnesota. While Rudy Gobert doesn’t pose near the same offensive threat as AD, it’s likely the Timberwolves will make Jokic work by using Gobert as a consistent on-ball screener. The more critical matchup to watch, however, may be the faceoff between Aaron Gordon and Karl-Anthony Towns. Last spring, AG’s ability to neutralize KAT as a one-on-one defender (37% shooting, 10 baskets, nine turnovers) was a game-changer. Submit another series like that, and AG will further burnish what’s become a formidable reputation as a postseason stopper.
Spread-out series
If you’re looking for the team that most benefited from closing out its first-round series quickly, look no further than the Nuggets. With Jamal Murray (calf) and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (ankle) both banged up, the four days’ rest between their closeout of the Lakers on Monday and Game 1 vs. the T-Wolves on Saturday has offered a welcome break. Even better? With both teams finishing their series in four games or fewer, they will also get an extended three-day break between Game 2 in Denver and Game 3 in Minneapolis. Advantage, Nuggets.
Repeat performance?
In winning their first-round series, the Nuggets became the fourth reigning NBA champion to reach the conference semifinal round in the past five seasons. The problem: Not a single one of those defending champs advanced past that semifinal round. The 2022-23 Warriors lost to the Lakers in six, the 2021-22 Bucks lost to Celtics in seven, the 2019-20 Raptors lost to the Celtics in seven, and the 2020-21 Lakers didn’t even make it out of the first round.
— Matt Schubert
Staff predictions
Bennett Durando, Nuggets beat writer: Look, I’ve been met with scrutiny by a certain member of this predictions panel for claiming — well before the playoffs — that I think Minnesota is Denver’s most dangerous Western Conference threat in a seven-game series. It’s about to get a whole lot tougher if Murray can’t stay healthy. Tentatively … Nuggets in seven.
Sean Keeler, sports columnist: Will Karl Anthony-Towns kindly shoot his team out of the series, as he did last spring? Doubt it. Naz Reid missed the first round a year ago, and the Nuggets feasted during what would’ve been his minutes behind Bruce Brown, Jeff Green and Christian Braun. Only Braun remains, while the Wolves’ bench got deeper with the addition of old friend Monte Morris. If Ant Edwards truly is the next MJ, he’ll steal one at Ball Arena. But he can’t beat 19,000 of the Nuggets’ closest friends all by himself. Nuggets in seven.
Ryan McFadden, sports reporter: This series won’t be easy. Minnesota’s defense is elite and Anthony Edwards’ performance in the first round has some thinking he is the second coming of Michael Jordan. Whoever wins this series will represent the Western Conference in the NBA Finals. If Murray can replicate his performance in Game 5 against the Lakers, Denver should come out on top. Get your popcorn ready because this series is going to be thrilling. Nuggets in seven.
Troy Renck, sports columnist: The Nuggets have not been extended past six games the past two springs in the postseason. This matchup represents their toughest. The Nuggets won without shooting well vs. the Lakers. While Jamal Murray figures to regain his accuracy, Nikola Jokic is a central figure to this series. I expect him to have multiple 40-point games, including when it matters most in a series more suited for the octagon than a court. Nuggets in seven.
Matt Schubert, sports editor: As Anthony Edwards so deftly pointed out, the Nuggets’ playoff fortunes rest on Jamal Murray. A year ago, a healthy Murray torched Minnesota to the tune of 27.2 points, 6.4 assists and 5.6 rebounds on 47.1% shooting in a 4-1 series win. If that Murray shows up more often than the one who labored for long periods of the Lakers series (game-winners withstanding), the Nuggets advance. Simple as that. Nuggets in seven.
Want more Nuggets news? Sign up for the Nuggets Insider to get all our NBA analysis.
https://www.denverpost.com/2024/05/02/nuggets-vs-timberwolves-scouting-report-matchups-predictions-tv/
As the Denver Nuggets enter the second round of the 2024 NBA playoffs, a breakdown of their series matchup against the Minnesota Timberwolves:
Who has the edge?
Guards: If Jamal Murray is healthy and hot, he can keep pace with any scoring guard in the NBA. But he might not be either of those things right now. Meanwhile, Anthony Edwards has welcomed these playoffs with the captivating intensity of a tornado. If you’re not strong enough to withstand his provocation, you’ll be sucked into a vortex of buckets, blocks and smack-talk. He draws his power from any perceived weakness revealed by an opponent. Devin Booker and Kevin Durant have already suffered casualties. If there’s any optimism for Denver, it’s that Minnesota’s offense is prone to over-reliance on Edwards. The Nuggets need to find a way to make Minnesota point guards Mike Conley and Monte Morris liabilities, then pile extra pressure on Edwards as an initiator. In both regular-season wins, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope held Edwards scoreless in the fourth quarter. Good luck pulling that off in the playoffs. Edge: Timberwolves.
Wings: This is where the Timberwolves present a potential matchup problem. In the regular season, Jamal Murray shot only 40% from 2-point range against Minnesota, leaning heavily on his 3-point jumper. He was held to fewer than 20 points in both head-to-head meetings on the road. The 6-foot-9 Jaden McDaniels is a nightmarish defender. He missed last year’s series because he punched a wall late in the regular season, but there’s no dodging him this year. On the other hand, the Nuggets happen to employ a 6-10 wing in Michael Porter Jr. who has been their second-best offensive asset in these playoffs so far, forcing Minnesota into tough decisions about where McDaniels is best suited: on Murray or MPJ. Edge: Nuggets.
Bigs: This could go either way. The Timberwolves have arguably the most complete front-court in the NBA with All-Star Karl-Anthony Towns, likely Defensive Player of the Year Rudy Gobert and Sixth Man of the Year Naz Reid. But the Nuggets’ center is the most unstoppable singular force in the league. Nikola Jokic was as dominant as usual in the first round, and he’s given Gobert the business multiple times in past playoff meetings. Until proven otherwise? Edge: Nuggets.
Bench: Denver’s second unit established a playoff identity predicated on lockdown defense in the first round against the Lakers, keeping Jokic’s rest minutes to a wash (for the most part). But this ain’t the Lakers’ bench. Reid isn’t even a starter, yet he’s one of the best ball-handling centers in the league. He’ll keep Aaron Gordon busy when Gordon isn’t guarding Towns. Or if Minnesota wants to use a two-big bench lineup with Towns and Reid, it’ll force Peyton Watson to guard Reid. Then there’s Nickeil Alexander-Walker, a solid two-way wing who averaged 12.3 points in the first round and was a plus-59 for the series. The Nuggets need the same defensive output against a tougher challenge from Watson and Christian Braun; they also need those two to start scoring. Edge: Timberwolves.
Coaching: Here’s a plot twist. Chris Finch, who finished third in voting for NBA Coach of the Year, ruptured his right patellar tendon late in Game 4 against Phoenix when Mike Conley collided with him on the sideline. The Timberwolves might need to get creative with their sideline spacing if he’s able to return swiftly from the surgery he underwent between rounds. Injuries are a part of the game, and it’s normal this time of year for teams to be forced into uncomfortable situations, figuring out new methods to execute plays. It’s not as common for teams to require modification in how they call plays. Edge: Nuggets.
— Bennett Durando, The Denver Post
Five things to watch
We meet again, old friend
For the second year in a row, the Nuggets stand opposite their old friend, Tim Connelly. Once the front office leader of the Nuggets organization, Connelly left for Minnesota two years ago, executed a blockbuster trade for Rudy Gobert and then watched as his big acquisition flopped and his former team rampaged to its first Larry O’Brien Trophy. A year later, Gobert has reaffirmed his status as one of the NBA’s best defenders, and the Timberwolves stand as perhaps the biggest threat to a Nuggets return to the NBA Finals. Get used to it, folks. This rivalry could be just getting started.
Mile High connections
Of course, the Connelly connection is only the beginning of the Nuggets East theme coming out of Minneapolis. Head coach Chris Finch served as an associate head coach under Michael Malone for one season in 2016-17, lead assistant Micah Nori was another Malone assistant from 2015 to ’18, and backup point guard Monte Morris filled the same role for the Nuggets for five seasons as the franchise rose from afterthought to title contender. If that’s not enough, current Denver assistant coach Ryan Saunders was the Timberwolves’ head coach for three years before getting fired in 2021, and general manager Calvin Booth once served as a T-Wolves scout. These teams know each other well.
Bigs on bigs
After battling with Anthony Davis for five games, the defensive challenge for Nikola Jokic will take on a different tone against Minnesota. While Rudy Gobert doesn’t pose near the same offensive threat as AD, it’s likely the Timberwolves will make Jokic work by using Gobert as a consistent on-ball screener. The more critical matchup to watch, however, may be the faceoff between Aaron Gordon and Karl-Anthony Towns. Last spring, AG’s ability to neutralize KAT as a one-on-one defender (37% shooting, 10 baskets, nine turnovers) was a game-changer. Submit another series like that, and AG will further burnish what’s become a formidable reputation as a postseason stopper.
Spread-out series
If you’re looking for the team that most benefited from closing out its first-round series quickly, look no further than the Nuggets. With Jamal Murray (calf) and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (ankle) both banged up, the four days’ rest between their closeout of the Lakers on Monday and Game 1 vs. the T-Wolves on Saturday has offered a welcome break. Even better? With both teams finishing their series in four games or fewer, they will also get an extended three-day break between Game 2 in Denver and Game 3 in Minneapolis. Advantage, Nuggets.
Repeat performance?
In winning their first-round series, the Nuggets became the fourth reigning NBA champion to reach the conference semifinal round in the past five seasons. The problem: Not a single one of those defending champs advanced past that semifinal round. The 2022-23 Warriors lost to the Lakers in six, the 2021-22 Bucks lost to Celtics in seven, the 2019-20 Raptors lost to the Celtics in seven, and the 2020-21 Lakers didn’t even make it out of the first round.
— Matt Schubert
Staff predictions
Bennett Durando, Nuggets beat writer: Look, I’ve been met with scrutiny by a certain member of this predictions panel for claiming — well before the playoffs — that I think Minnesota is Denver’s most dangerous Western Conference threat in a seven-game series. It’s about to get a whole lot tougher if Murray can’t stay healthy. Tentatively … Nuggets in seven.
Sean Keeler, sports columnist: Will Karl Anthony-Towns kindly shoot his team out of the series, as he did last spring? Doubt it. Naz Reid missed the first round a year ago, and the Nuggets feasted during what would’ve been his minutes behind Bruce Brown, Jeff Green and Christian Braun. Only Braun remains, while the Wolves’ bench got deeper with the addition of old friend Monte Morris. If Ant Edwards truly is the next MJ, he’ll steal one at Ball Arena. But he can’t beat 19,000 of the Nuggets’ closest friends all by himself. Nuggets in seven.
Ryan McFadden, sports reporter: This series won’t be easy. Minnesota’s defense is elite and Anthony Edwards’ performance in the first round has some thinking he is the second coming of Michael Jordan. Whoever wins this series will represent the Western Conference in the NBA Finals. If Murray can replicate his performance in Game 5 against the Lakers, Denver should come out on top. Get your popcorn ready because this series is going to be thrilling. Nuggets in seven.
Troy Renck, sports columnist: The Nuggets have not been extended past six games the past two springs in the postseason. This matchup represents their toughest. The Nuggets won without shooting well vs. the Lakers. While Jamal Murray figures to regain his accuracy, Nikola Jokic is a central figure to this series. I expect him to have multiple 40-point games, including when it matters most in a series more suited for the octagon than a court. Nuggets in seven.
Matt Schubert, sports editor: As Anthony Edwards so deftly pointed out, the Nuggets’ playoff fortunes rest on Jamal Murray. A year ago, a healthy Murray torched Minnesota to the tune of 27.2 points, 6.4 assists and 5.6 rebounds on 47.1% shooting in a 4-1 series win. If that Murray shows up more often than the one who labored for long periods of the Lakers series (game-winners withstanding), the Nuggets advance. Simple as that. Nuggets in seven.
Want more Nuggets news? Sign up for the Nuggets Insider to get all our NBA analysis.
https://www.denverpost.com/2024/05/02/nuggets-vs-timberwolves-scouting-report-matchups-predictions-tv/
ST. PETERSBURG — Kevin Cash was right the other day when he said his Rays were “fortunate” to be where they were record-wise a month into the season, given all that’s gone wrong.
Consider the lack of production from their offense, especially key players such as Randy Arozarena and Yandy Diaz. Their deficiencies on defense, in terms of plays messed up or not made. The inconsistencies from both ends of their pitching staff. And the ongoing injury issues that have kept them from fielding anything even close to the 26-man roster they envisioned during spring training.
To go into this weekend 14-18 and just a good week away from battling for the top spot in the American League East?
Fortunate indeed.
They have some hope in that a few of the struggling hitters are trending a wee bit better, the pitching staff seems to have stabilized, and several of the injured players are closing in on returns.
But to this point, they have been somewhat of a mess, four games under .500 for the first time since the 2018 season — before their run of five consecutive playoff appearances began.
Some of the issues are lack of performance by key players, some team-wide, some a result of injuries and roster reconstruction that have left them unbalanced.
Here are 10 numbers entering Thursday that illustrate some of what has ailed the Rays through the first 20% of their schedule.
Minus-43
Rays’ run differential, fourth-worst in the majors through Wednesday and better than only the eight-win Marlins (minus-60), seven-win Rockies (minus-74) and six-win White Sox (minus-80). That includes a majors-most eight losses by six or more runs. Given the organizational emphasis on pitching and defense, this would seem to be not good.
10-6
Record in games decided by one or two runs. Given some of their defensive and other issues, that seems an unsustainable performance. Plus, the Rays are 4-8 against teams with .500 or better records and 10-10 vs. teams under .500.
13
Players on the injured list, second-most in majors. The players lost since the start of spring training have been impactful, including their top two relievers (Pete Fairbanks, Colin Poche), top three left-handed hitters (Brandon Lowe, Josh Lowe, Jonathan Aranda), No. 4 starter (Taj Bradley) and No. 5/6 outfielder (Jonny DeLuca). Plus, their top defensive infielder, Taylor Walls, has been delayed in returning from offseason surgery.
28
Rays ranking among the 30 teams in terms of defensive runs saved, currently minus-21. More than anything, Cash said, their defense — “every bit of it, all facets” — has been their biggest flaw: “Our defense is not major-league standard, our defense certainly is not Tampa Bay Rays standard, and we’re going to continue to work on it to get it right.”
In their first nine seasons under Cash, the Rays finished lower than 10th only once, in 2022 when they were 18th at plus-9.
Their ineptitude can be measured in other ways, such as being a bottom-third team in baseball-reference.com’s defensive efficiency index at .689. Last season, they ranked fourth at .703.
42
Home runs allowed by Rays pitchers, tied with the Blue Jays for second-most in the majors, behind the White Sox. Relievers (including bulk-inning pitchers following openers) gave up 21 of those, which is the most by any bullpen in the majors. Plus, the Rays’ overall ERA of 4.63 ranks 25th.
68
Extra-base hits, tied for third-fewest in the majors. That’s due in large part to having hit the sixth-fewest home runs (26, with Isaac Paredes the only player with more than three). The weird part is that with 188 singles (third-most in the majors), the Rays actually rank in the upper half of teams with 256 hits and are tied for 16th with a .238 batting average.
83
Walks by Rays hitters, fifth-fewest in the majors. That includes five games with no free passes and eight with just one. Such an accomplishment is something of a team effort, but it is led by Jose Caballero, who has one walk in 109 plate appearances, two by Harold Ramirez in 110 and three by Amed Rosario in 108. Plus, they have 12 games with 10 or more strikeouts. … Related, Rays pitchers have given up 102 walks, ranking mid-pack.
.139, .455, 34
Batting average, OPS and OPS+ for outfielder Randy Arozarena, who by just about any measure (in this case minimum 100 plate appearances) has been among the three least-productive players in the majors. Plus, Arozarena has had only one game with multiple RBIs, has gone 28 games since his last with multiple hits and has left 61 runners on base (third-most among AL hitters).
191
At-bats by left-handed hitters against right-handed pitchers, fewest in the majors.
This is where the injuries to lefty swingers Josh Lowe, Brandon Lowe and Jonathan Aranda (as well as the absence of switch-hitter Wander Franco due to legal issues) have really cost the Rays. They have lost the advantage that was a key part of their previous success from stocking their lineups with lefties and being able to counter, and at times prevent, bullpen moves.
Plus, the lefty hitters they have are relatively inexperienced: Richie Palacios, Ben Rortvedt and Austin Shenton, plus switch-hitter Niko Goodrum.
Per baseball-reference.com’s overall platoon advantage calculations, the Rays overall have had the edge (having batters face opposite-hand pitchers) in only 43.7% of plate appearances, fourth-fewest in the majors. Last season, the Rays were 14th at 52.9. In their 100-win 2021 season, they ranked third at 62.1.
.211, .279
Batting average and on-base percentage for Yandy Diaz, who last year led the AL with a .330 average and was second with a .410 OBP and, as the leadoff hitter, was considered the catalyst to the Rays offense that scored the second-most runs in the AL. Among hitters with 100 at-bats hitting leadoff this season, Diaz has the second-lowest average and third-worst OPS.
If you go …
Rays vs. Mets
When: Friday at Tropicana Field, 6:50
How to watch: Bally Sports Sun
https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2024/05/02/tampa-bay-rays-kevin-cash-randy-arozarena-yandy-diaz-mlb/
