Archives: News

Versatile Timberwolves aim to go up 2-0 against Suns

Minnesota Timberwolves coach Chris Finch fully understood that his initial game plan for beating the Phoenix Suns in the playoffs would have a short shelf life. It worked in Game 1. That doesn’t mean the same plan will work in Game 2. “I’m sure they’re going to be making adjustments,” Finch said, “as are we.” The Timberwolves will try to seize a 2-0 lead in the best-of-seven Western Conference quarterfinal series when they tip off

Nationals aim to continue winning trend, host Dodgers

There’s a strange trend in place as the Los Angeles Dodgers and host Washington Nationals begin a three-game series Tuesday night. It’s the Nationals who appear to be the hotter team, while the Dodgers will be looking for some answers at the beginning of a nine-game road trip. While the Dodgers won 10-0 on Sunday against the New York Mets, that was the highlight of a 3-6 homestand. That includes a 1-2 mark against the

Guardians take another swing at Tanner Houck in Red Sox rematch

The Cleveland Guardians took three of four at Boston last week. However, they didn’t have an answer for Tanner Houck, who recorded his first career complete game against them. Looking for a better effort against Houck, the host Guardians aim to cool off the Red Sox while trying for a fifth consecutive victory Tuesday night. Under first-year manager Stephen Vogt, Cleveland entered play Monday with a major league-best 16-6 record and plus-52 run differential, plus

Chelsea star Cole Palmer uncertain for Arsenal showdown

Arsenal will try to extend their slim Premier League lead and continue putting pressure on Manchester City and Liverpool when they host Chelsea in a massive London derby Tuesday. The Gunners may catch a break if Chelsea’s Cole Palmer can’t recover from an illness in time to contribute to the Blues’ effort. With Manchester City and Chelsea contesting their FA Cup semifinal over the weekend, Arsenal (23-5-5, 74 points) regained the top spot with a

Quick-strike Rangers aim to go up 2-0 on Capitals

Sunday, the New York Rangers struck first with a three-goal, second-period barrage in a little more than two minutes to take control and open the playoffs impressively while ignoring most attempts by the Washington Capitals to physically engage them. The Rangers did just about everything right in Game 1 and will attempt to duplicate the effort Tuesday night when they host the Capitals in Game 2 of their Eastern Conference first-round series. New York seeks

Stars get another crack at Golden Knights in postseason

The Vegas Golden Knights begin their defense of their Stanley Cup title on Monday night when they face the host Dallas Stars in Game 1 of a Western Conference first-round playoff series. Vegas and Dallas met in the Western Conference final last season, with the Golden Knights taking the series in six games. They then went on to defeat the Florida Panthers in five games to win their first Stanley Cup. Vegas enters the postseason

Bruins keep perspective on series-opening win over Maple Leafs

While the Boston Bruins opened their Eastern Conference first-round playoff series with a convincing 5-1 win over the visiting Toronto Maple Leafs, coach Jim Montgomery knows that his club can show even more in Game 2 on Monday. Jake DeBrusk scored two power-play goals in a 2:32 span after an earlier assist in the second period, leading the Bruins to their eighth consecutive win over Toronto between the regular season and playoffs combined. The Bruins

Health concerns mount before 76ers battle Knicks in Game 2

Philadelphia attempts to even the Eastern Conference first-round series with the New York Knicks at 1-all on Monday night, but the 76ers might be without point guard Tyrese Maxey as reigning MVP Joel Embiid works his way back to health. Maxey, the team’s leading scorer (26.9 points per game) in the regular season, was downgraded to questionable on the official injury report released Monday with an illness and was not a participant in the gameday

Mets regroup after injury; Giants bid to bounce back after rough day

The New York Mets’ six-game winning streak was snapped with a 10-0 loss Sunday at the Los Angeles Dodgers, two days after starting catcher Francisco Alvarez suffered a torn ligament in his left thumb. The Mets will need to tread on without Alvarez, who is set to undergo surgery Tuesday in Los Angeles and is expected to miss six to eight weeks. New York manager Carlos Mendoza will employ a tandem of Omar Narvaez and

Diamondbacks’ Brandon Pfaadt bids for redemption vs. Cards

Brandon Pfaadt’s first career start against the St. Louis Cardinals did not go well. Pfaadt (1-1, 5.32 ERA) allowed homers to Nolan Arenado and Lars Nootbaar as the Arizona Diamondbacks dropped a 9-6 decision to the Cardinals on April 12 in Phoenix. Pfaadt, a right-hander, will take his second shot at the Cardinals on Monday night when the Diamondbacks begin a three-game series in St. Louis. The Cardinals scored six runs on seven hits and