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NBA Playoffs Western Conference Finals Game 3 Preview: Denver Nuggets (2-0) at Los Angeles Lakers (0-2)

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NBA Playoffs Western Conference Finals Game 3 Preview: Denver Nuggets (2-0) at Los Angeles Lakers (0-2)

Two-time league MVP Nikola Jokic is enjoying an historic postseason but teammate Jamal Murray can be cited as the prime reason why the Denver Nuggets are just two victories away from reaching the NBA Finals for the first time.

The Nuggets can move closer to the elusive milestone on Saturday night when they visit the Los Angeles Lakers in Game 3 of the Western Conference finals.

Murray’s explosive fourth-quarter performance fueled Thursday’s 108-103 win to give Denver a 2-0 edge in the best-of-seven series.

He poured in 23 of Denver’s 32 fourth-quarter points on 6-of-7 shooting, including four 3-pointers, as the Nuggets held off the Lakers. Murray finished with a game-high 37 points.

The game wasn’t going Murray’s way over the first three quarters as he made just five of 17 shots and Denver trailed by three points entering the final period.

Murray is averaging 34 points in the series. He scored 31 in Denver’s 132-126 victory in Game 1.

After Game 2, he said the subpar shooting over the first three quarters wasn’t even a burden.

Jokic contributed 23 points, 17 rebounds and 12 assists for his seventh triple-double of this postseason and his 13th in his playoff career. Only Magic Johnson (30) and LeBron James (28) have more.

One thing not sitting well with the Nuggets is that the plight of the seventh-seeded Lakers remains the national narrative — not the top-seeded team that has beaten them twice so far.

Los Angeles certainly has a lot of adjustments to make if it plans to make a run in the series.

And in the eyes of LeBron James, Game 3 must result in a Lakers victory.

“We still got to play with the same desperation as we did (Thursday),” James said. “We came out with an ‘L’ but (it) doesn’t give us any more comfort. We can’t go into any postseason game with comfort, just because you either haven’t lost at home or you’re going back home. I think it’s even more you got to be on edge because when you go home, you get in your own bed, get around your family, everybody’s being cool and jolly and everything.

James twisted an ankle late in Game 2 but insists the ailment is minor and that he will play Saturday.

James scored 22 points in Game 2 but missed all six of his 3-point attempts. Anthony Davis had just 18 points in Game 2. shooting 4-for-15, after pouring in 40 in Game 1.

Lakers coach Darvin Ham still views the series as winnable because his club is undefeated at home in the postseason at 6-0.

Austin Reaves (22.5 points per game) and Rui Hachimura (19.0) are playing well for Los Angeles in the series.

MLS Preview: New England Revolution (7-2-3) at Philadelphia Union (5-4-3)

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MLS Preview: New England Revolution (7-2-3) at Philadelphia Union (5-4-3)

The Philadelphia Union won their last meeting with the New England Revolution, 2-1, at home in July 2022, ending a five match winless run against the Revolution (D2 L3). Since the start of the 2020 playoffs, New England Revolution has avoided defeat in five of six meetings against Philadelphia Union, more than any other team in that time.

After a 13-match home winning streak in MLS play (including playoffs) the Philadelphia Union have won only one of their last four matches at Subaru Park. Philadelphia failed to score against D. C. United on Wednesday but hasn’t played consecutive matches without scoring at home since October 2016.

Including corners, New England Revolution attempted 36 crosses in its 2-1 loss loss to Inter Miami FC over the weekend. Only five of those 36 were completed (13.9%) the Revolution’s lowest accuracy on corners/crosses (minimum 30 attempts) since June 2015 against the Chicago Fire (4/31 – 12.9%).

Andre Blake’s clean sheet against D. C. United on Wednesday was his 66th since becoming the Philadelphia Union’s first-choice goalkeeper in 2016, more than any other goalkeeper in that time. Blake has kept at least one clean sheet against every opponent he has faced more than five times in his MLS career, including six against the Revolution.

Against Inter Miami FC, Carles Gil scored his 24th goal in the regular season since joining MLS prior to the 2019 season. Gil has 76 goal contributions (24 goals, 52 assists) in that time as only Carlo Vela (96) and Hany Mukhtar (82) have more.

MLS Preview: CF Montréal Impact (5-7-0) at New York Red Bulls (2-4-7)

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MLS Preview: CF Montréal Impact (5-7-0) at New York Red Bulls (2-4-7)

CF Montreal Impact and the New York Red Bulls have alternated wins in each of the last seven meetings, with CF Montreal Impact recording a 2-0 home win on April 22. CF Montreal Impact has defeated the New York Red Bulls multiple times in a single season only once in club history, doing so in 2019.

The New York Bulls have won only two of their first 13 MLS matches this season (D7 L4), equaling their fewest wins at this stage of a season, most recently doing so in 2009. Both wins have come at home as New York Red Bulls has lost only once at Red Bull Arena in league play this season (W2 D3).

CF Montreal Impact have lost six of their last seven away matches in MLS play, failing to score in all six defeats, including a 3-0 loss at FC Cincinnati on Wednesday. This run of six losses in seven road games comes after a seven-match road winning streak to end last regular season.

After not keeping a clean sheet in any of their previous 10 matches, the New York Red Bulls have shut out opponents in each of their first three matches under Troy Lesesne in all competitions. Lesesne is the first coach in New York Red Bulls history to see the team record clean sheets in each of his first three matches in charge.

The CF Montreal Impact has attempted an MLS-low 9.8 shots per match this season and was right at that average with 10 attempts on Wednesday against FC Cincinnati. CF Montreal has taken more than 10 shots just four times all season, the fewest such games by any MLS team in 2023.

A’s place RHP Jackson on injured list; designate RHP Neal for assignment

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A’s place RHP Jackson on injured list; designate RHP Neal for assignment

OAKLAND, Calif. — The Oakland A’s placed right-handed pitcher Zach Jackson on the 15-day injured list retroactive to May 17 with a flexor tendon strain in his right elbow and designated right-handed pitcher Zach Neal for assignment, the club announced today.  The moves clear a spot for right-handed pitcher Lucas Erceg, who was acquired from Milwaukee for cash considerations on Wednesday.

Jackson was on the A’s Opening Day roster and is 2-1 with a save and a 2.50 ERA in 19 relief appearances.  He has a .261 opponents batting average and has walked 10 batters in 18.0 innings while striking out 23.

Neal was recalled from Las Vegas on May 11 and allowed three runs on four hits in 3.1 innings over two relief appearances with the A’s before he was optioned on Monday.  He is 0-0 with a 5.56 ERA and .182 opponents batting average in three games, two starts, with Las Vegas.

Erceg was 3-1 with a 6.45 ERA in 13 relief appearances with Triple-A Nashville.  He was originally a second round pick of the Brewers in the 2016 First-Year Player Draft as a hitter and converted to pitcher in 2021.  The 28-year-old right-hander is 8-11 with two saves and a 5.07 ERA in 84 career minor league appearances, including 17 starts, and will be making his Major League debut.

Dodgers select the contract of Tyler Cyr

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Dodgers select the contract of Tyler Cyr

LOS ANGELES – The Dodgers selected the contract of right-handed pitcher Tyler Cyr and optioned right-handed pitcher Andre Jackson to Triple-A Oklahoma City.

Cyr, 30, appeared in 15 games for Triple-A Oklahoma City, posting a 2-1 record with a 4.86 ERA (9 ER/16.2 IP) and 24 strikeouts. Last season, the righty made 12 appearances in the Major Leagues with Philadelphia and Oakland, allowing four runs in 13.1 innings with 16 strikeouts. He posted a 1-0 mark with a 2.08 ERA (3 ER/13.0 IP) and 16 strikeouts with Oakland. In eight minor league seasons, he is a combined, 19-13 with a 3.08 ERA (102 ER/298.1 IP) and 358 strikeouts in 233 games (three starts). He was originally drafted by the San Francisco Giants in the 10th round of the 2015 First Year Player Draft out of Embry-Riddle University.

Jackson, 26, was recalled last night, pitched 3.1 innings, allowing three runs on two hits with three strikeouts. He fired three perfect innings before getting tagged for three runs in the eighth inning. On the season, he has allowed 13 runs in 14.1 innings with 13 strikeouts in six appearances for Los Angeles. He has been with the Dodgers parts of three seasons and he is 0-1 with a 4.50 ERA (18 ER/36.0 IP) and 32 strikeouts in 14 career games. He has was drafted by the Dodgers in the 12th round of the 2017 draft out of the university of Utah.

Pirates make multiple roster moves

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Pirates make multiple roster moves

The Pirates today made the following roster moves: 

  • LHP Rob Zastryzny (left elbow discomfort) was returned from his rehabilitation assignment and was activated from the 15-day Injured List – STATS
  • To make room on the 40-man roster, OF Miguel Andujar was designated for assignment – STATS
  • The 40-man roster remains at 40.

Twins place Nick Gordon on 10-day injured list

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Twins place Nick Gordon on 10-day injured list

Club recalls Kyle Garlick from Triple-A St. Paul

ANAHEIM, CA – The Minnesota Twins announced today that they have placed utility player Nick Gordon on the 10-day Injured List with a right tibia fracture (retroactive to May 18).

Gordon, who sustained the injury after fouling a pitch off his leg in the fifth inning of Wednesday afternoon’s game at Dodger Stadium, played in 34 games for the Twins this season, hitting .176 (16-for-91) with five doubles, one triple, two home runs, seven RBI, 13 runs scored and one walk.

To replace Gordon on the 26-man roster, the Twins have recalled outfielder Kyle Garlick from Triple-A St. Paul. Garlick, who will be making his second stint with the Twins this season, recently played in 18 games for the Saints, hitting .197 (13-for-66) with two doubles, one triple, three home runs, 10 RBI, 12 runs scored, 13 walks and a .329 on-base percentage. He played in three games for the Twins from April 13-19, going 1-for-7 with one home run.

Cubs conduct several roster moves

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Cubs conduct several roster moves

PHILADELPHIA – The Chicago Cubs today activated infielder Nico Hoerner from the 10-day injured list, recalled infielder Edwin Ríos from Triple-A Iowa and selected the contract of outfielder Mike Tauchman from Iowa. In corresponding moves, outfielder Cody Bellinger has been placed on the 10-day injured list (retroactive to May 16) with a left knee contusion, right-handed pitcher Keegan Thompson has been optioned to Iowa and infielder Eric Hosmer has been designated for assignment.

Hoerner, 26, is batting .303 (46-for-152) with six doubles, one triple, two home runs and 19 RBI in 35 games for Chicago prior to suffering a left hamstring strain May 8 vs. the Cardinals. His 12 stolen bases are the fourth-most in the N.L., while his 46 hits are tied for the 12th-most. The right-handed hitting infielder reached safely in 26-straight games from April 2-May 2, the longest streak by a Cub since Kris Bryant reached in 26-straight games in 2019.

The Cubs’ first round selection in 2018 out of Stanford University, Hoerner in parts of five MLB seasons is batting .281 (272-for-968) with 43 doubles, seven triples, 15 home runs and 120 RBI in 282 games. He was the first member of the 2018 draft class to make his MLB debut when he was promoted from Double-A Tennessee, Sept. 9, 2019.

Ríos, 29, has split the 2023 campaign between Chicago and Iowa, appearing in 12 games for the Cubs and seven for Iowa. After signing a one-year contract with Chicago in February of 2023, Ríos made Chicago’s Opening Day roster and played in 12 games, batting .100 (2-for-20) with a double, a home run and two RBI prior to being optioned to Iowa May 5. With the I-Cubs, Ríos has played in seven games, going 4-for-21 (.190) with two doubles, one home run and one RBI.

The sixth-round selection of the Dodgers in 2015 out of Florida International University, Ríos has played in parts of five MLB seasons with the Dodgers (2019-22) and Cubs, hitting .211 (59-for-280) with 10 doubles, one triple, 21 home runs and 45 RBI in 124 career games, averaging one home run every 13.3 at-bats. In 505 career minor league games, Ríos owns a .290 average (545-for-1,880) with 134 doubles, four triples, 105 home runs, 366 RBI and an .881 OPS.

Tauchman, 32, is batting .278 (22-for-79) with four doubles, three home runs, 15 RBI, 21 walks and a .427 on-base percentage in 24 games for the I-Cubs this season. A non-roster invitee to the Cubs major league Spring Training in 2023, Tauchman last appeared in the major leagues in 2021, when he split 75 games between the San Francisco Giants and New York Yankees. In 257 career major league games with the Rockies (2017-18), Yankees (2019-21) and Giants (2021), Tauchman is 134-for-580 (.231) with 30 doubles, two triples, 17 home runs and 78 RBI.

A Palatine, Ill., native, Tauchman was drafted by Colorado in the 10th round in 2013 out of Bradley University. In 700 minor league games, he has batted .301 (771-for-2,565) with 151 doubles, 40 triples, 52 home runs and 350 RBI.

Bellinger, 27, is batting .271 (39-for-144) with nine doubles, one triple, seven home runs and 20 RBI in 37 games for the Cubs in 2023. The left-handed hitting outfielder signed a one-year contract with the club in December 2022.

Thompson, 28, is 2-2 with a 4.22 ERA (10 ER/21.1 IP) in 15 games out of the bullpen for Chicago this season. Twice this season he has tossed at least 3.0 scoreless innings of relief.

Hosmer, 33, appeared in 31 games for the Cubs during the 2023 campaign, batting .234 (22-for-94) with three doubles, two home runs and 14 RBI. He signed a one-year contract with the Cubs in January 2023.

Red Sox reinstate RHP Kutter Crawford from 15-day injured list

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Red Sox reinstate RHP Kutter Crawford from 15-day injured list

BOSTON, MA — The Boston Red Sox today reinstated right-handed pitcher Kutter Crawford from the 15-Day Injured List.

Chief Baseball Officer Chaim Bloom made the announcement.

Crawford, 27, was placed on the Injured List on May 5 (retroactive to May 4) with a left hamstring strain. He made his lone rehab appearance Tuesday with Triple-A Worcester, allowing one run on three hits in 3.0 innings against Lehigh Valley, striking out four batters and walking none. The right-hander owns a 3.51 ERA (10 ER/25.2 IP) in seven outings (two starts) this season, including a 1.08 ERA (2 ER/16.2 IP) in five relief appearances. In 29 career outings (15 starts) with Boston (2021-23), Crawford has a 5.31 ERA (62 ER/105.0 IP).

Yankees acquire OF Greg Allen

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Yankees acquire OF Greg Allen

The New York Yankees today announced that they have acquired OF Greg Allen from the Boston Red Sox in exchange for minor league RHP Diego Hernández and cash considerations.

Allen, 30, has hit .232 (165-for-712) with 103R, 30 doubles, 7 triples, 10HR, 67RBI, 45BB and 45SB in 282 career games over parts of six Major League seasons with the Cleveland Guardians (2017-20), San Diego Padres (2020), the Yankees (2021) and Pittsburgh Pirates (2022). He has played all three outfield positions in his career (CF – 136G/101GS, LF – 108G/54GS, RF – 51G/27GS).

The switch-hitting outfielder has played in 37 games this season with Triple-A Worcester, batting .250 (29-for-116) with 25R, 8 doubles, 1 triple, 2HR, 15RBI, 21BB and 23SB. His 23SB are the second-most among Triple-A batters. Allen was signed by the Red Sox as a minor league free agent on January 13, 2023.

The San Diego, Calif., native was originally drafted by Cleveland in the sixth round of the 2014 MLB First-Year Player Draft. He was acquired by San Diego from Cleveland along with RHP Mike Clevinger and a player to be named later (Matt Waldron) in exchange for INF Gabriel Arias, LHP Joey Cantillo, C Austin Hedges, INF Owen Miller, INF/OF Josh Naylor and RHP Cal Quantrill on August 31, 2020. Allen was then acquired by the Yankees from San Diego on January 6, 2021 in exchange for LHP James Reeves. He hit .270 (10-for-37) with 9R, 4 doubles, 1 triple, 2RBI, 5BB and 5SB in 15 games with the Yankees. Allen was then claimed off waivers by the Pittsburgh Pirates on November 15, 2021.

Hernández, 18, made his professional debut in 2022 with the DSL Bombers, going 4-2 with a 2.10 ERA (34.1IP, 24H, 16R/8ER, 14BB, 48K, 2HR) in 12 games (five starts). The Heroica Puebla de Zaragoza, México, native was originally signed by the Yankees as a non-drafted free agent on January 20, 2022.

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