The Celtics have been by no means afraid of the Nets, plus why to count on the surprising on the NFL Draft

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Good morning to everybody however particularly to…

THE BOSTON CELTICS

All season lengthy, the No. 2 seed within the Japanese Convention appeared just like the one no one needed, because the Nets possible awaited because the No. 7 seed. However the Celtics have been by no means afraid of that spot, and now we all know why. Boston completed off a powerful sweep of Brooklyn final evening with a 116-112 Sport 4 win.

Boston is basically, actually good, and we must always have seen it coming. After the All-Star Break, the Celtics had the NBA‘s greatest file, greatest offensive score and third-best defensive score. The Celtics are magnificent defensively with no weak spots on that finish of the ground. Offensively, Tatum is a top-tier star, Brown can carry the load as effectively, and there is greater than sufficient within the supporting solid.

What I like in regards to the Celtics most is that they do not stray from who they’re, and so they play to their strengths. Their greatest energy on this collection was, actually, their bodily energy. Over the 4 video games, the Celtics gained the factors within the paint battle by 54 and the rebounding battle by 22. It was solely becoming that final evening, every of Boston’s final 4 buckets have been layups, and two have been off of offensive rebounds.

The Celtics had loads of blowout wins down stretch of the common season. Thus far this postseason, they’re exhibiting they will win the shut ones, too, writes our NBA reporter Sam Quinn.

• Quinn: “If something, sweeping this particular Nets crew in 4 shut video games is maybe much more spectacular than doing it in 4 blowouts. The whole benefit of getting Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving is that your crew ought to all the time have the ability to generate shot within the half-court. It is top-of-the-line shot-creating duos in NBA historical past, and with crunch-time so depending on half-court shot-creation, beating them within the clutch 4 occasions is insanely spectacular.”

Honorable mentions

And never such morning for…

THE BROOKLYN NETS

The Nets entered this season as the favourite to win the NBA title. Ever since then, little or no went proper.

• Kyrie Irving‘s vaccine standing made him a part-time participant for a lot of the season.
• Kevin Durant performed simply 55 video games attributable to accidents.
• James Harden went from third famous person to mid-season departure.
• Ben Simmons arrived because the centerpiece of the Harden deal… after which by no means performed.
• Joe Harris obtained damage, the massive males have been subpar, head coach Steve Nash struggled to regulate yada, yada, yada. You identify it, the Nets in all probability suffered from it.

When it got here all the way down to it, sure the sweep was stunning and embarrassing, however the Nets have been merely not a championship-caliber crew, and the Celtics uncovered that. The silver lining is that subsequent yr ought to carry the return of a wholesome Simmons and Harris, Irving stated final evening he would return (he has a participant possibility) and Durant is not going anyplace.

Nonetheless, Brooklyn has numerous work to do.

Not so honorable mentions

Mavericks go up 3-2; Raptors save season … once more 🏀

The Mavericks have their star totally again, and so they’re trying harmful. Dallas dominated Utah, 102-77, in an important Sport 5 to take a 3-2 collection lead.

• Luka Doncic had 33 factors (in 33 minutes!) and added 13 rebounds and 5 assists.
• Jalen Brunson added 24 factors, his fifth straight sport with 20+.
• The Jazz shot an abysmal 10 p.c (3-for-30) on 3-pointers. It is the worst 3-point capturing efficiency in NBA postseason historical past (min. 25 makes an attempt).

If I informed you the Mavericks have not gained a playoff collection since successful the 2011 NBA title, you in all probability would not imagine me. However I promise you, it is true. They will have an opportunity to vary that Thursday evening. 

In the meantime, for those who thought the Raptors have been going to go away quietly after falling down three video games to none towards the 76ers, assume once more. Toronto staved off elimination once more and reduce the collection deficit to 3-2 with a 103-88 win in Philadelphia.

• Pascal Siakam had 23 factors, 10 rebounds and 7 assists.
• Treasured Achiuwa had 17 factors and 7 rebounds off the bench.
• Joel Embiid had 20 factors, however James Harden struggled once more, managing simply 15 factors on 4-for-11 capturing.
• It was the 76ers’ fewest factors in a playoff sport since 2012.

Keep in mind, groups are 144-0 all-time after main a collection 3-0. Then once more, Doc Rivers is the one coach to blow three 3-1 leads, and Harden hasn’t carried out a lot to shed his popularity as somebody who struggles within the playoffs. I do not assume the 76ers are in deep trouble but, however they’re actually not making issues straightforward on themselves.

Potential surprises that would shake up the NFL Draft 🏈

This NFL Draft is just some days away and has the possibility to get very fascinating in a short time. Why? Just some components:

• There is not any clear No. 1 choose, and the percentages for who will hear his identify referred to as first have swung wildly the previous few days.
• There is not any clear top-tier quarterback group or, for that matter, even one top-tier quarterback.
• Eight groups have a number of first-round picks.

So, count on the surprising Thursday evening. To organize you for the insanity, NFL Draft knowledgeable Chris Trapasso has six stunning eventualities that would fully alter the primary spherical, together with…

• Trapasso: “Saints transferring into the highest 10 for a quarterback — ‘New Orleans is weirdly positioned at No. 16 and No. 19 total. … If the Saints package deal their further first-round choose with others to enter the highest 10 occasion to select a quarterback, it’d throw a wrench within the prime half of the primary spherical, though many groups outdoors of it might be celebrating of their respective warfare room, because it’d transfer an offensive sort out down the board in addition to one other non-quarterback prospects.'”

One other issue taking part in into the draft intrigue is Deebo Samuel, who the 49ers say will value two first-round picks. You already know who has two first-round picks? The Chiefs and the Packers, two receiver-needy groups in win-now mode. May we see Samuel transfer between now and Thursday evening? May Kansas Metropolis or Inexperienced Bay commerce as much as draft a prime extensive receiver as a substitute? We’ll discover out quickly.

See all of Trapasso’s stunning eventualities right here.

Champions League: Manchester Metropolis, Actual Madrid open semifinal spherical right now ⚽

The Champions League is again and we’ve a terrific match kicking issues off with Manchester Metropolis internet hosting Actual Madrid right now at 3 p.m. on CBS and streaming on Paramount+.

The match will characteristic the No. 1 and No. 3 gamers in our High 50 Champions League gamers in Madrid’s Karim Benzema and Metropolis’s Kevin de Bruyne. This is the highest 5:

• 1. Karim Benzema, heart ahead, Actual Madrid
• 2. Mohamed Salah, winger, Liverpool
• 3. Kevin de Bruyne, midfielder, Manchester Metropolis
• 4. Luka Modrić, midfielder, Actual Madrid
• 5. Trent Alexander-Arnold, proper again, Liverpool

However in his daring predictions, our soccer reporter James Benge says a special Madrid attacker will steal the highlight this afternoon.

• Benge: “This would possibly effectively be a sport for Vinicius Junior, who will nearly actually be attacking a participant who just isn’t prepared for the duty. Joao Cancelo‘s suspension was sufficient of a headache for Pep Guardiola however each Kyle Walker and break-in-case-of-emergencies proper again possibility John Stones are combating accidents. … At full pelt Walker ought to have the ability to tame the Brazilian. If Metropolis don’t have their greatest protecting defender at that form of stage, then it is likely to be Vinicius fairly than Benzema who does the injury.“

For every thing else you have to prepare for this big match:

What we’re watching Tuesday 📺

We’re watching the NBA playoffs. This is how one can, too.

And likewise…

⚽ UEFA Champions League semifinal: Manchester Metropolis vs Actual Madrid, 3 p.m. on CBS and Paramount+
🏒 Oilers at Penguins, 7 p.m. on ESPN
🏒 Blues at Avalanche, 9:30 p.m. on ESPN