Brooklyn pounds Bulls, Hawks gain split, Rockets stave off elimination
The Nets used a 33-18 fourth quarter to blow open a close game as Brooklyn stayed alive in its series with the Bulls. Deron Williams led the nets with 23 points and 10 helpers as Brooklyn will go back the the United Center for Game VI trailing three game to two. Nate Robinson, starting for the injured Kirk Heinrich, led the Bulls with 20 points and eight assists.
The Hawks evened their series with the Pacers at 2-2 with a 102-91 win at the Phillips Center. Josh Smith had 29 points and 10 boards for the winners. Paul George had 21 points and 12 rebounds in a losing effort for Indiana.
In the nightcap, the Houston Rockets avoided gettwing swpt by OKC with a 105-103 win over the Thunder. Chandler Parsons had a 27-10-8 for the Rockets who overcame 38-8-6 from Kevin Durant. Game V is in Oklahoma City with the Thunder leading the series 3-1.
Warriors/Nuggets and Grizz/Cippers are tonight’s TNT twin-bill
Two games tonight of TNT with the Golden State Warriors looking to close the Nuggets in Denver. In the late game, the Grizz and Clipper meet in game five tied at two game apiece. The Nuggets are -7.5 point home favorites with the total 213 1/2. The Clippers will be spotting the Grizz five points with the high low set at 180.
Jets get no takers, cut Tebow to lessen QB glut
With six quarterbacks on the roster and OTAs right around the corner, the Jets have released Tim Tebow. In his only year in New York, Tebow rushed for 102 yards, threw for 39 and scored no touchdowns. The Jets didn’t do the ex-Heisman Trophy winner any favors by holding on to him through the draft. An additional 21 undrafted quarterbacks have signed free agent contracts since the draft making Tebow an afterthought. Rumor have Tebow possibly going to the CFL to regenerate his career.
NBA center Jason Collins comes “out”
Washington Wizard big man Jason Collins has become the first active player in the four major sports to openly come out as gay. Collins makes the admission in the upcoming edition of Sports Illustrated. The 12-year veteran has played on six teams and has a career average of 3.6 points and 3.8 rebounds in 713 games. Read excerpts of the SI article by clicking here.
NHL playoffs start tonight
The NHL playoffs begin tonight with three games. At 8:05 PM EST, the top-seeded Chicago Blackhawks host the Minnesota Wild. Chicago is -240 with total five flat even. Also at 8:05 PM EST, the defending champion Kings travel to St Louis. The Blues are -130 with the total 5 under -150. In the 10:35 PM finale, the Anaheim Ducks are -150 over Detroit with the total 5 shaded 15 cents to the low.
MLB News and Notes
The Dodgers have activated SS Hanley Ramirez of the disabled list. Ramirez had surgery on his thumb during spring training after an injury in the World Baseball Championship. Ramirez, 29, owns a career batting line of .298/.371/.495 with 158 homers and 237 steals. He came to the Dodgers last year after starting his career with the Marlins.
Five Milwaukee Brewers including starting pitcher Yovani Gallardo hit home runs last night in a 10-4 rout of the Pittsburg Pirates. Gallardo threw seven innings of three-hit ball to improve to 10-2 lifetime against the Bucs and retired the last 13 batters he faced.
Free Play
(NBA) Golden State +8 over Denver (Tuesday, April 30, 8:05 PM EST )