Oklahoma City Thunder vs Golden State Warriors - Game 2 - Full Highlights | 2016 NBA Playoffs
The Warriors" sudden plummet is sending shock waves from Oakland to Las Vegas.
Tickets for Thursday night"s win-or-you"re-done Game 5 at Oracle Arena are suddenly more affordable. And the bookies are also jumping off the bandwagon, anointing the Cleveland Cavaliers the new favorite to win the NBA title.
The Cavs, who began the season as favorites but were quickly eclipsed by the steam-rolling champions, are a 7-5 bet, according to Bovada.lv.
The Thunder, the Warriors" potential kryptonite, are second at 8-5. Golden State has fallen to 3-1. (Which is still a heckuva lot better than Toronto, at 25-1, despite tying the Eastern Conference Finals 2-2.)
According to online ticket reseller Rukkus, the average price for Thursday"s potential elimination game has plummeted to $509 with the cheapest seat going for $175. That average is more than $100 cheaper than Sunday"s Game 2.
Klay Thompson"s 11 3-Pointers | Warriors vs Thunder | Game 6 | May 28, 2016 | 2016 NBA Playoffs
The NBA Western Conference finals between the Golden State Warriors and Oklahoma City Thunder continue Sunday night, with Game 3 at Chesapeake Energy Center in Oklahoma City.
The Thunder leads the best-of-7 series 2-1. Oklahoma City won 133-105 in Game 3 on Sunday to even the series.
TNT will broadcast the game beginning at 8 p.m. Central, 9 p.m. Eastern.
Preview
Draymond Green knows who is responsible for his kick to the groin of Thunder center Steven Adams: Russell Westbrook and the rest of the NBA stars who get to the foul line with a whole lot of salesmanship.
Green"s kick felled the 7-foot, 255-pound Adams during the second quarter of Golden State"s Game 3 loss to Oklahoma City in the Western Conference finals on Sunday night. Westbrook later said Green kicked Adams intentionally and that didn"t go over well with the Warriors" standout.
"There are multiple plays where I did it later in the game when I got fouled and my right leg went up," Green said Monday. "I always do it. Russell said I did it on purpose, but he"s part of the superstar group that started all this acting in the NBA."
Game 4 is Tuesday. Live streaming for Game 4 is available via TNT Overtime.
Green even pointed to a play at the end of the second quarter, when Green fouled Westbrook on a long 3-pointer.
"Russell Westbrook kicked me at the end of the half," Green said. "He just didn"t happen to catch me where I caught Steven Adams."
Westbrook wasn"t thrilled with Green"s comments, calling Green"s foul on the 3-pointer a "dumb play on his part."
"I"ve never been fined for one flop since I"ve been playing in the NBA," Westbrook said. "I don"t know about no flopping or nothing. I don"t know how to flop. But it seems like he was the one that was flailing, kicking his legs out and stuff yesterday. It wasn"t me."
Green was called for a flagrant 1 foul and Adams later noted that Green had kneed him in the same spot during Game 2. Green was fined $25,000 by the NBA on Monday and the foul was upgraded to a flagrant 2, but he was not suspended and will be in uniform when the defending champion Warriors try to even the series at 2-2.
Warriors coach Steve Kerr said he needs Green at his best.
"He needs to refocus a little bit," Kerr said. "He"ll admit it. It was not one of his best games in fact, it was one of his worst. The great thing with Draymond is he always turns it around. He"s one of the great competitors that we have in the league, that we have on our team. When things aren"t looking great, he usually plays his best."
Kerr knows Green might have made himself a target for the officials.
"Does he have to be careful? I guess," Kerr said. "Now, people are watching for him or whatever. He"s just going to play, he"s going to be himself, and we"ll see what happens."
Green insists the hit that sent Adams to the floor wasn"t that big a deal.
"I can see how somebody can think it was intentional, but yet nobody can go in my head and say, "Draymond was thinking about kicking him and he kicked him,"" Green said. "If you watch my reaction, I walk back to the three-point line, clap everybody"s hands, turn around and look like, "What"s the dude on the floor for?""
Green scored six points, made 1 of 9 shots and committed four turnovers in a game to forget. Normally one of the league"s best defenders, he was beaten numerous times individually by the Thunder, and the Warriors were outscored by 43 points with him on the floor.
With the crowd booing loudly every time Green touched the ball, he couldn"t make plays to shut Thunder fans up.
"That"s what was frustrating to me," he said. "I was just bad. I missed a couple easy ones and it just kind of killed my whole game. That was pretty frustrating, especially with all the boos, because I love boos and it usually helps me play well. It was frustrating that I couldn"t get it going."
Green has been below his standard throughout the series. He"s averaging 13 points on 37 percent shooting in the series, and just 5.3 rebounds and 4.7 assists. In the regular season, Green averaged 14 points on 49 percent shooting, 9.5 rebounds and 7.4 assists.
Warriors guard Stephen Curry expects Green to improve. Green bounced back after a poor Game 3 in a first-round loss to Houston to post 18 points, eight rebounds and six assists in a 121-94 victory in Game 4.
"He"s mentally strong, so nothing that happened last night is going to affect Game 4 except light a fire probably," Curry said. "You can look at trends and all that. In the Houston series, he was able to understand what he needed to do differently. He"s a very smart guy. He has a great eye for the game. I think it matters to him a lot to have an impact on the game. He"ll find a way."
Information from the Associated Press was used in this report.
With good friend Kevin Durant and the Oklahoma City Thunder one win away from a trip to the NBA Finals, New England Patriots defensive lineman Terrance Knighton has paused his attempts to coerce the former MVP to join the Boston Celtics this summer.
But the Windsor, Connecticut, native who signed this offseason with the Patriots has pledged to resume his full-court press once Durant"s season is over.
"I"m leaving him alone right now. Letting him finish up," Knighton told reporters earlier this week at Patriots" offseason training activities at Gillette Stadium.
"I love how he"s playing. I hope that he wins [an NBA title], kind of hope that he doesn"t. But as soon as the season"s over, if he"s hoisting the trophy or not, I"ll be texting him every day, calling him, flying down to OKC. I"ll be in his ear a lot. Trust me."
Knighton has previously noted how he and Durant clicked when introduced a few years back. Knighton visited Durant in Oklahoma City and posted some video of the two playing one-on-one at the team"s practice facility.
While many have wondered whether Oklahoma City"s strong playoff showing has made it more likely that Durant will re-sign with the Thunder when he reaches free agency this summer, the 6-foot-3, 354-pound Knighton says he"s an expert at applying pressure.
Having Knighton in New England can"t hurt. He played last season in Washington, Durant"s hometown and another potential suitor this summer if the free agent explores his options.
2016 Monaco - Post-Qualifying: Daniel Ricciardo Drive of the day (other than Hamilton): Sergio Perez
There was such much drama between the front two that we should not forget Sergio Perez in third. From seventh on the grid he managed the conditions well, keeping in the hunt. Once everyone was on dry tyres the Mexican was third and kept his cool. It was a well-deserved podium for Force India.
Move of the race: Hamilton
Not so much a move but Hamiltons ability to stop Ricciardo making a move. Particularly on worn wet tyres, with Ricciardo on fresh intermediates, it was a masterclass of defensive driving. Once onto slicks, he rode his luck at times, attracting a stewards investigation for running straight out at the chicane. But the verdict was no further action. Quite right too. It allowed this one to be decided on track.
Weekend to forget: Max Verstappen
Oh dear. How the mighty can fall. After the most sublime performance under immense pressure in Spain, becoming the youngest grand prix winner of all time, this was a dire weekend for the 18-year-old.
REAL MADRID 1-1 (5-3) ATLÉTICO DE MADRID | UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE GOLES | ¿LEWANDOWSKI AL MADRID?
Martin Meissner/Associated Press
Reported Real Madrid target Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang will leave Borussia Dortmund this summer, according to his national-team coach.
As reported by Marc Williams of the Daily Star, when asked about why the Gabon international was left out of his most recent squad, manager Jorge Costa gave a fascinating response: Aubameyang asked me not to be selected because he is in the process of changing club.
ASnoted "Aubameyang was in the stands at the San Siro[on Saturday] to watch Real Madrid beat city rivals AtleticoMadrid on penalties in the Champions League final."
Williams noted that aside from Real Madrid, the likes of Manchester United, Arsenal, Manchester City and Barcelona are also interested in the striker.
However,Borussia Dortmund CEO Hans-Joachim Watzke deniedAubameyang is leaving. "Is Aubameyang set to leave? That"s bulls--t,"Watzke toldSport Bild (h/tStefanCoertsof Goal)when questioned about a potential transfer.
It was a memorable season for Aubameyang, as a string of scintillating displays at the point of the attack saw the 26-year-old cement his status as one of the best forwards in the game. Here is a recap of some of his best moments of the campaign:
Under Thomas Tuchel, the forward has made tremendous progress.Aubameyang blends his stunning raw speed and dribbling ability with composed finishing, an area of his game that held him back previously in his career. Playing through the middle on the shoulder of the last man has allowed him to be devastating in the final third.
Aubameyang would fit in well alongside Real"s current attacking options.
He has all the attributes to become a Real Madrid player should that come to fruition. Los Blancos are synonymous with direct attacking football and moving the ball quickly through the phases to exploit the weaknesses of opponents. Its the kind of setup thatd see Aubameyang thrive, especially if he had Gareth Bale and Cristiano Ronaldo flanking him.
As noted by BBC Sports Oluwashina Okeleji, the player once toldCadena Cope hed love to sample La Liga too:
Dortmund will be desperate to keep hold of the striker, as hes epitomised the manner in which they play under Tuchel. However, BVB have always been open to cashing in for the right price, and if there is so much interest in their star man from so many illustrious clubs, they could command a huge fee.
Itd be easy to see why Real would be intent on getting him on board too. Karim Benzema aside, theres no other natural No. 9 available to manager Zinedine Zidane; Aubameyang would offer a frightening new dimension.
Real Madrid midfielder Toni Kroos has dismissed speculation about a possible transfer, insisting he is happy to remain in the Spanish capital.
I dont have any worries [Real Madrid will look to sell], no, said the Germany international, per James Walters of the Daily Star. "The media now says a lot hinges on the outcome of the [Champions League] final, but I have played two very good years here and have taken a central position in our game right from the beginning.
Kroos added he feels as though his standing is good at the club despite links with a move to both City and United.
Theres certainly been an upturn in form fromKroos since Zidane took over at Real in January. As noted by Squawka Football, he was a crucial influence in the clubs successful UEFA Champions League campaign:
Kroos quality has never been in doubt. With the ball at his feet, hes incredibly gifted, able to ping passes long distances, dictate the tempo of a game and take the pressure off his team with his quick feet. But there were times last season when the German was exposed by Los Blancos" system.
Kroos has been much improved under Zidane"s guidance.
With Casemiro nestled at the base of the midfield, Kroos doesnt have to worry too much about defensive duties. Hes allowed to shuffle forward, pick possession up higher up the field and have a greater say in more dangerous areas. Provided he continues to be protected, the 26-year-old could be a key player at the Santiago Bernabeu for many years yet.
OKLAHOMA CITY --Klay Thompsonmade a playoff-record 11 3-pointers and scored 41 points, and the defending champion Golden State Warriors forced a seventh game in the Western Conference finals with a 108-101 victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder on Saturday night.
Stephen Currybounced back from a slow start to finish with 29 points, 10 rebounds and nine assists.
The Warriors, who set the league"s regular-season record with 73 wins, will host Game 7 on Monday. The winner will play Cleveland in the NBA Finals.
Oklahoma City dominated Games 3 and 4 at home, but the Warriors made 21 of 44 3-pointers on Saturday, while Oklahoma City was 3 of 23.
Kevin Durantscored 29 points andRussell Westbrookadded 28 for the Thunder. But Durant made just 10 of 31 shots and Westbrook was 10 of 27.
Trying to become the 10th team to overcome a 3-1 deficit, the Warriors trailed much of the game and trailed by eight going to the fourth quarter.
Thompson kept them in it with four 3-pointers in just over seven minutes to start the period. Curry then hit two 3s, the second of which tied the game at 99 with 2:47 to play.
Thompson"s 3 with 1:35 to play put the Warriors up 104-101.
The Thunder, who blew a number of fourth-quarter leads during the regular season, fell apart in the final minutes after Golden State had finally gone ahead for good.
Westbrook lost control of the ball, and after Thompson missed a 3, Westbrook turned the ball over again. Curry"s layup with 14.3 seconds to play put the Warriors up by five, the Thunder turned it over again, and the Warriors were in the clear.
The Thunder led 23-20 after one quarter, then seized momentum early in the second.Steven Adams" powerful one-handed dunk onDraymond Greendrew a roar from the crowd and gave Oklahoma City a 37-28 lead. Green, who had hit Adams in the groin area twice during the series, was a constant target for the vocal Thunder fans.
Thompson opened the second half with back-to-back 3-pointers to give the Warriors a 54-53 edge, but the Thunder closed the quarter strong and led 83-75 heading into the fourth.
Love & Friendship Movie CLIP - Disaster (2016) - Kate Beckinsale, Chloë Sevigny Movie HD
At the beginning of Stephanie Danler"s new Sweetbitter, there"s an image of a girl, Tess, driving over the George Washington Bridge. We don"t really know much about her. She"s come to New York City to leave her past behind a common experience. She falls into a job at a landmark restaurant, loosely modeled on Union Square Cafe.
And what she thinks is going to be a temporary job, a placeholder, becomes her life. She falls in love with it and that"s the arc of the book, her love affair with this world. Danler tells NPR"s Rachel Martin that while she has a lot in common with Tess, "she quickly became a character, and is in many ways much better and much worse at life than I was at that age."
Interview Highlights
On why she didn"t just write a memoir
I wasn"t interested in it. I really loved the freedom of fiction. I loved that I"ve been working in restaurants since I was 15 years old, and I got to compile all of those restaurants into this restaurant. And all the servers that I"ve known, and all the men that I"ve known, and all the mentors I"ve had ... it"s thrilling, that"s the thrill, that"s why we write novels.
On why she set the book in a restaurant
If the guests had any idea of the rich life that is going on behind the scene, and the drama and the sexual tension and the sadness and the joy and the friendship, I think that those currents add a lot of energy to restaurants.
Stephanie Danler
Well, I had this expertise in restaurants ... I"ve worked every position from hostess to the general manager and the beverage director. So I had this knowledge that, you don"t notice your servers, they"re invisible mostly. But I would always think to myself, that as I was waiting tables, if the guests had any idea of the rich life that is going on behind the scene, and the drama and the sexual tension and the sadness and the joy and the friendship, I think that those currents add a lot of energy to restaurants. I prefer to dine in places where I can feel the staff a little bit, they have a little bit of a personality. But I hadn"t ever seen it written about, I saw that there was a space to create something there.
On figuring out how to write a good s*x scene
s*x is the undercurrent of the whole book, because what we"re really investigating is Tess"s appetites across the board. And also her becoming more of a woman, this transition fromg girlhood to womanhood. And s*x is a big part of that, figuring out l**t and desire. So I knew it was essential to the novel that I write a s*x scene. And you have all these technical choices as a writer, which is, am I going to fade to black? What kind of language am I going to use, how far am I going to go with this? And there were drafts in which I went much further. And then I went back, and I thought, what is true of Tess"s voice? ... and so when I was writing about s*x, it was sexy, because it was sexy to Tess.
On whether Tess"s experiences were good for her
That"s a great question. Because I am still so grateful for my experience and I just stopped waiting tables like a year ago ... she is grateful. It does change the way that you pay attention to the world, it does change the way that you interact with your senses, this kind of education. And I don"t think we know much about what"s going to happen to her. And we know that she"s going to continue to make mistakes, because this is not a linear path that she"s on. But she"s wiser. She has more knowledge, and that is her power.
