Rays Hold Their Ground through Extra-Innings Thriller in Game 4
Rays 4 - 3 Brewers (Final/12) Highlights
What happened?
The Brewers had the chance to walk into Tropicana and put the final nail in the casket of the Rays. Fortunately for the Rays, their defense prevailed through the first 9 innings and even the 3 after that. Finally, a Ben Williamson walk-off single gave the Rays life as they head back to Milwaukee for Game 5. Chandler Simpson was electric, hitting 3-for-5 with an RBI, and Griffin Jax stood his ground through early in this game. The Brewers probably thought they won it in 12th after a Cooper Pratt dinger, but the Brewers couldn’t hold on. The Rays looked good today… they wouldn’t, would they?
What would have to happen for Tampa to come back?
Tampa Bay needs to win two straight. One more at home tonight, then head to Milwaukee for a potential Game 7. Drew Rasmussen has been the best pitcher in this series, and the bullpen showed in Game 4 that they can contain Milwaukee’s offense when locked in. The Rays have done it before — they went to the World Series in 2008 and 2020 and know what it takes to win on the biggest stage. Tonight is a must-win, and they have shown they are capable of delivering one.
Game 5 in Tampa:
Game 5 is in Tampa Bay tonight, and the Rays will have the crowd behind them for what could be a season-defining game. Rasmussen is the obvious choice to start, and if he pitches anywhere near his 1.29 ERA from earlier in the postseason, Milwaukee is going to have a tough night. The Brewers will be desperate to close it out and avoid taking this back to Milwaukee, but road closers rarely go smoothly. Expect a tight, low-scoring game, the kind of game that was predicted for this entire series but never materialized. Tampa Bay win 3-2 and force a Game 6.
Knicks bounce back with big win vs. the Pistons
Knicks 111 - 97 Pistons Highlights
What happened?
The Knicks marched into MSG 0-3. Contract extensions were getting messy, and it looked like New York had a bad case of championship fever. Last season, they played the Pistons 3 times and got beat (by a lot) each time. Everything seemed stacked up against the Knicks, but Karl-Anthony Towns had other plans. 27 points and 20 rebounds to lead the Knicks past the Pistons amidst fiery contract talks is not just legendary but inspiring. Brunson tacked on 23 points, and Mikal finally got a three to go. The champions are right back on track, or at least I think they are.
NBA Digest
Anthony Edwards halts his MVP case with a 2-month injury to his knee.
Kawhi Leonard is out with knee swelling.
Banchero set to miss a month with ankle injury.
Jalen Williams has a broken left fibula and will be out for a long period.
Jaren Jackson Jr., Cason Wallace, Jalen Duren, and Jalen Suggs are also injured.
Injuries are killing the NBA right now
Daily Recap
NBA
Celtics 125 - 124 Nets after OT. Jayson Tatum calls the game with a buzzer-beating middy. Highlights
Kings 103 - 130 Spurs. Most one-sided matchup of the season ends in a San Antonio blowout. Highlights
Trail Blazers 136 - 129 Lakers. Unbeaten Trail Blazers upset Lakers despite Luka’s 41. Highlights
The Crystal Ball
Predicting for Tonight’s Slate:
Heat vs. Hawks. Heat win. No way they fall to 0-5.
Wizards vs. Cavs. Cavs win. Just a better team.
Hornets vs. Pistons. Pistons win. Pistons bounce back after a loss to the Knicks.
Magic vs. Raptors. Raptors win. Raptors rally without Kawhi.
Knicks vs. Bulls. Knicks win. The Knicks season has ‘officially’ started.
Rockets vs. Bucks. Rockets win. Houston stay undefeated.
Warriors vs. Timberwolves. Warriors win. Timberwolves crumble without Ant.
Nuggets vs. Pelicans. Nuggets win. Nuggets win again in a rematch of an overtime thriller.
Spurs vs. Jazz. Spurs win. Wemby is rolling, and that means so are the Spurs.
Thunder vs. Mavs. Thunder win. Despite the losses of Wallace and Williams, SGA leads the team to victory.
Lakers vs. Clippers. Lakers win. Lakers take a win in the LA derby.