Spurs whack Heat 114-104 to lead 3-2 going back to Miami

In an effort to jumpstart Manu Ginobli, Spurs head coach Greg Popovich inserted No.20 into the starting lineup. He was not disappointed. On the first possession of the game, Ginobli knocked down a step back three and it was on for the Argentine who finished with 24 points and 10 assists. Danny Green continued his torrid three-point shooting and chipped in with an additional 24. Green knocked down his 25th trifecta of the Finals breaking the record of Ray Allen with possibly two games left to be played. The Spurs shot 60% in the game compared to 43% for the Heat. Lebron and DWade both had 25 for Miami.

The series returns to South Beach on Tuesday with Miami opening as a 7-point favorite with the total receiving a major adjustment …. up to 191 1/2.

Lefty is the bridesmaid at the US Open for sixth time

It would have been a great story. Father’s Day, 43rd birthday, five runner-up finishes in the US Open and eight runner-up finishes in majors overall. It was not to be for Phil Mickelson who led through 54 holes but could not seal the deal at Merion on Sunday. Justin Rose shot a final round 70 to win the US Open while Lefty needed a day high 37 putts to complete his round and finish two shots back. With Rose in the clubhouse with a one shot lead, Mickelson needed a birdie on 18 to force a Monday playoff. A poor drive left Mickelson in the rough and he was unable to get to the green in two on the Par 4 final hole. Mickelson’s pitch was a bit strong and rolled by the hole to give Rose the win.

Merion Notes …..

The final four groups shot a combined 33 over par on Sunday

Tiger Woods final score of +13 was his worst ever in a major

Shawn Stefani aced the 213 yard Par 3 17th hole on Sunday, the first hole-in-one ever at a major played at Merion

There were no birdies on the final hole on Saturday or Sunday

Blackhawks and Bruins skate tonight in Game III

After two epic overtime games in Chicago, the Stanley Cup Finals switch to Boston for Game III. Boston is a -130 home ice favorite with the total five flat with the under shaded 40 cents. If you haven’t watched this final yet, check it out when you can. Play has been great.

MLB News and Notes

Torii Hunter hit his 300th career home run and Doug Fister held the Twins hitless through six innings in Detroit’s 5-2 win over the Minnesota.

The Dodgers and Clayton Kershaw are in negotiations on a contract extension that would pay the southpaw somewhere in the neighborhood of $200 million.

The next big “phenom” will make his MLB debut on Tuesday when the Rays trot out Wil Myers. Tampa Bay acquired Myers over the winter in the James Shields deal. The power hitting outfield prospect has 14 homers and 57 RBIs in 63 games for AAA Durham.

Biffle wins at Michigan

Greg Biffle took advantage of some late wrecks to win his second straight race at Michigan Motor Speedway. It was a historic win for Biffle’s ride which won for the 1000th time just a couple of miles up the road from company headquarters. Kevin Harvick, Martin Truex Jr, Kyle Busch and Tony Stewart rounded out the top five.

Terrell Owens visits Ochocinco in jail

Terrell Owens visited Chad Ochocinco in jail and apparently it was quite a humbling experience for the future Hall of Fame wideout. Owens finished his career with 1,078 catches (sixth all-time) for 15,934 yards (second all-time) and 153 touchdowns (second all-time), while Johnson caught 766 passes for 11,059 yards and 67 touchdowns. T.O. was on blast on twitter Saturday night and you can read the tweets here.

THIS JUST IN ……

Chad Johnson has apologized to Judge Kathleen McHugh and has been released from jail

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Happy Father’s Day !!!

Heat/Spurs Game Five Preview

The Heat and Spurs go at it again tonight in Game V tonight at San Antonio with the Heat currently -1.5 point favorites. The total opened at 187 and has been bet up to 187 1/2. The Heat have alternated wins and losses over their last 19 games. A lot has been made about Miami’s 12-0 SU and ATS record following their L12 straight up losses. Not much has been made of the Heat’s 0-7 SU and ATS record after their last seven wins. In the end, it will probably come down to Tony Parker’s aching hamstring.

Bruins level series with OT win

The Boston Bruins gave one away in Game I of the Stanley Cup finals. They stole it back with a 2-1 overtime win in Game II. Daniel Paille got the winner at 13:48 of the first OT to send the series back to Boston tied 1-1. The Bruins were outshot 19-4 in the first period but survived that assault to win in money time.

Ovechkin wins Hart Trophy for the third time

Alex Ovechkin has been named the NHL MVP for the third time. Ovechkin scored 32 goals, 27 in the Caps final 32 games including 16 on the power play. Ovechkin beat Stanley Crosby in a tight vote, Crosby clearly hurt by missing a month with a broken jaw.

Lefty leads US Open after 54 holes

Is this the day that Phil Mickelson breaks through at the US Open ??? Lefty is the only golfer under par after 54 holes heading into Sunday’s final round. Mickelson leads Hunter Mahan, Charl Schwartzel and Steve Stricker by a shot. There are just 10 golfers within 5 shots of the lead including Luke Donald and Justin Rose. It could be a magical day for Lefty who has been the runner-up in this event a record five times. Mickelson could get off the schneid today with a win which would come on his 43rd birthday and Father’s Day.

Kahne favored at Michigan

Sprint Cup – Odds to Win the Quicken Loans 400 at Michigan International Speedway (Odds courtesy of Bovada)

Drivers 50/1 or less

Kasey Kahne #5 9/2
Jimmie Johnson #48 19/4
Dale Earnhardt Jr. #88 13/2
Carl Edwards #99 15/2
Greg Biffle #16 9/1
Matt Kenseth #20 9/1
Kurt Busch #78 10/1
Kyle Busch #18 11/1
Denny Hamlin #11 14/1
Brad Keselowski #2 15/1
Joey Logano #22 15/1
Tony Stewart #14 15/1
Kevin Harvick #29 20/1
Jeff Gordon #24 25/1
Martin Truex Jr. #56 25/1
Clint Bowyer #15 28/1
Mark Martin #55 30/1
Paul Menard #27 30/1
Jamie McMurray #1 50/1
Ricky Stenhouse Jr. #17 50/1
Ryan Newman #39 50/1

Evans wins split decision in UFC 161 main event

Rashad Evans dominated the third round in his lightheavyweight fight with Dan Henderson to earn a split decision in the headliner of UFC 161 in Winnipeg. Evans was floored by a straight jab late in the first round but was able to grind his way back into the fight. In the co-feature, Stip Miocic won an easy unanimous decision over Roy Nelson in a battle of heavyweights.

UFC 161 Results

Light Heavyweight: Rashad Evans def. Dan Henderson Decision (split) (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)
Heavyweight: Stipe Miocic def. Roy Nelson Decision (unanimous) (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Light Heavyweight: Ryan Jimmo def. Igor Pokrajac Decision (unanimous) (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Women’s Bantamweight: Alexis Davis def. Rosi Sexton Decision (unanimous) (29-28, 29-27, 29-28)
Heavyweight: Shawn Jordan def. Pat Barry TKO (punches)
Welterweight: Jake Shields def. Tyron Woodley Decision (split) (27-30, 29-28, 29-28)
Lightweight: James Krause def. Sam Stout Submission (guillotine choke) 3 4:47
Welterweight: Sean Pierson def. Kenny Robertson Decision (majority) (29-28, 29-28, 28-28)
Bantamweight: Roland Delorme def. Edwin Figueroa Decision (unanimous) (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Lightweight: Mitch Clarke def. John Maguire Decision (unanimous) (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Bantamweight: Yves Jabouin def. Dustin Pague Decision (split) (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)

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