Monday Wrap on Tuesday
Pistons-Celtics: There's No Such Thing As Momentum
People always talk about which team has the momentum in the NBA playoffs. It doesn't matter. At all. The Pistons were supposed to have it after ending Boston's unbeaten record at home in Game 2, and Boston won Game 3. That meant the Celtics had it, since they had gotten the road-game gorilla off their backs, but then they lost Game 4.
So I suppose now the Pistons have it, right?
Three things matter in the NBA postseason - home court, energy and shooting. Yesterday, the Pistons were at home, played hard - especially Antonio McDyess and Jason Maxiell - and made shots. That's why they won the game.
Speaking of McDyess, it is great to see him playing so well. He's a good guy, and he's come back from horrific injuries to both knees. This was someone that was one of the 10 best players in the NBA, and he basically lost three seasons to knee injuries, and has worked incredibly hard to get back to where he is now. Unlike the rest of the Pistons core, he doesn't have a ring, and he desperately wants one.
Red Wings-Penguins: Shoot The Puck!
In the hockey playoffs, there is a type of momentum that matters - the hot (or cold) goalie. Right now, the Penguins don't look like they could score on Chris Osgood if the NHL let them have three pucks. Actually, if the Pens did get three pucks, they would just immediately turn all of them over to the nearest player in a red jersey, so I guess it wouldn't matter.
Marc-Andre Fleury is looking a bit rattled in the other net, but can you blame him? At this point, he knows that his only chance of winning to keep the game 0-0 until the ancient Red Wings like Nick Lidstrom and Chris Chelios have to go to bed.
Tigers: Consistently Inconsistent
Speaking of endless 0-0 games, the Tigers lost 1-0 in 13 innings to the Anaheim California Angels of Los Angeles last night, meaning they've now scored one run in 24 innings. The Tigers are averaging a decent 4.9 runs in their last 14 games, but 49 of those came in the three wins against Seattle and the 19-3 blowout of the Twins.
Ron Gardenhire said last week that the Tigers remind him of "piranhas", but I think he had the wrong animal. They are more like pythons. They can devour massive amounts in one gulp, but they are only hungry once a week.
Horse Racing: Daytona Is In California?
There were three major races on Memorial Day - the Gamely and the Shoemaker at Hollywood Park, and the legendary Met Mile at Belmont.
The Shoemaker was supposed to decide the West Coast's best turf horse, and Daytona made a pretty good argument for himself. He sat behind Ever A Friend for most of the race, then kicked by him in a tough stretch duel.
Daytona won the Hollywood Derby in November, but people were impressed by Ever A Friend's win in March's Frank Kilroe Mile, so this was supposed to the championship match. If it was, Daytona won a unanimous decision, and now he appears headed for a showdown with Kip DeVille in October's Breeders Cup Mile.
Diamond Diva tried to steal the Gamely by jumping out to a big early lead, but Precious Kitten ran her down in the stretch. Diamond Diva did finish second, which is a nice finish given the presence of major-winner Ruthierenne.
In the Met Mile, Commentator got into a speed duel with First Defence, and Divine Park took advantage by blowing by both of them in the stretch. Commentator is unbeatable when he gets a comfortable early lead, but at 7, he can't handle sustained pressure duels.
Cricket: Aussies Hang On
The Australians won the First Test against West Indies on Monday when they bowled them out for 191 to win by 95 runs.
Why is this important? Because I had told Justine Larbalestier that watching the Test would be something fun and relaxing, because there was no way her beloved Aussies could lose. I looked like an idiot when they were at 18-for-5 in their second innings, but they recovered to 167 and bowled out the Windies with time to spare.
When you are trying to impress famous authors with your witty cricket comments, it helps if they don't blow up in your face, so well done, Australia.