The Cheat SheetBy Kevin McGuire on

Finally, fortune smiles upon Boston

Going into the NBA Draft lottery Tuesday night, there were some good feelings the Celtics, Lakers, and 76ers would be taken care of by the NBA Gods with the power to manipulate the lottery results as they best serve the NBA. They did just that, leading skeptics to once again have reason to question the lottery premise once again.

Celtics get No. 1 pick; Lakers No. 2, Sixers No. 3

Finally, Boston sports catches a break.

For the second year in a row, the Boston Celtics, Los Angeles Lakers and Philadelphia 76ers will each get a top three draft pick, but this year it will be the Celtics who get to pick first overall. Boston landed the top draft pick in the lottery Tuesday night, followed by the Lakers at No. 2 for the second year in a row and the 76ers, whose fans still adore Sam Hinkie. So, how did the Celtics, who already are set to play in the Eastern Conference Finals as the No. 1 seed get that top pick? It goes back to that 2013 draft day trade that shook up the Celtics in a massive trade with the Brooklyn Nets. In the exchange, the Celtics received first-round draft picks in 2014, 2018 and this year from the Nets, with the right to swap picks with the Nets for 2017.

That worked out well.

The Lakers slide into a good spot for a second-straight year, which has many feeling they will be in a position to lock up Lonzo Ball. The Lakers also managed to secure their draft pick rather than be forced to swap picks with the Sixers. The Sixers will now get the Lakers’ first-round pick next season as a result of a three-team trade back in 2012. As for the Sixers, lottery representative Joel Embiid was certainly dressed for the occasion and was a star attraction.

Here’s how the NBA Draft lottery played out (and here’s the full draft order for this year’s NBA Draft)…

2017 First-Round Lottery Results

1. Boston
2. Los Angeles Lakers
3. Philadelphia
4. Phoenix
5. Sacramento
6. Orlando
7. Minnesota
8. New York
9. Dallas
10. Sacramento
11. Charlotte
12. Detroit
13. Denver
14. Miami

Warriors take commanding 2-0 lead with 36-point blowout

Golden State’s in a pretty good spot against a depleted San Antonio.

On the court, it was all Golden State in Game 2 of the Western Conference Finals. The Spurs were without Kawhi Leonard, and it showed from the jump. The Warriors drubbed the Spurs in the first half and did not let up in the second half of a 136-100 victory. The Warriors didn’t need a halftime speech from Steve Kerr in this one.

As fate would have it, the Warriors did lose a player to injury during the game. That player was none other than Zaza Pachulia, who suffered a right heel contusion after seemingly landing funny off a dunk.

The Spurs may be in some trouble, and Gregg Popovich is looking to ligth a fuse.

https://twitter.com/NBAWorldNewz/status/864694238117851138

The (increasingly boring) series now takes a few days off before resuming on Saturday with Game 3 in San Antonio. But don’t worry, NBA fans. The Eastern Conference Finals will get a chance to catch up with two games starting tonight with the Celtics hosting the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Late goal lifts Predators to 2-1 series lead

Literally, nothing was standing in the way of Nashville’s game-winning goal.

The Nashville Predators hosted their first Western Conference Finals game in franchise history Tuesday night, and had reason to celebrate. The Anaheim Ducks held a slim 1-0 lead going to the third period, but the Predators scored twice in the third to rally their way to a 2-1 series lead. Filip Forsberg tied the game at 1-1 just minutes into the third period, and Roman Josi picked up a loose puck and fired it toward open space in the net to take the lead and set off the party in Nashville.

Biggest sports moment in Nashville history? Arguably, although the Music City Miracle is tough to beat.

This series will resume Thursday night. Meanwhile, the Eastern Conference Finals continue tonight in Ottawa between the Senators and Pittsburgh Penguins. That series is also tied, 1-1.

As for Nashville, their regularly-featured anthem singer is not happy about not getting to sing before games while the team brings in A-list stars to sing the anthem.

Quick Hits

Cubs manager won his 1,000th game, and celebrated with a glass of red wine.

– Jimmy Kimmel will host the Oscars again next year, and Peyton Manning will host the ESPYS this summer.

– This was quite the embarrassing own goal by an Italy defenseman in the IIHF Worlds…

On another note, the USA upset Russia in another IIHF matchup with two goals in the third period to break a 3-3 tie.

– The NHL’s newest team, the Las Vegas Knights, now has an AHL affiliate in Chicago lined up.

– Speaking of Las Vegas, Mark Cuban fired a shot at the NFL’s greed in discussing the Raiders’ upcoming relocation to Las Vegas.

– Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger did not retire this offseason, but he apparently came close.

– HOT TAKES INCOMING as a vote has led to Five Guys being named the best burger chain.

– A minor league baseball stadium flooded so badly, fish were swimming through the infield… and disrupting nudists?

– The Orioles clipped the Tigers in 13 innings by a final score of 13-11. The Orioles took a three-run lead in the top of the 12th inning, only to blow it. Fortunately for them, they bounced back in the 13th for the win.

– Reddit is going to sponsor a NASCAR driver for an upcoming race.

– Maria Sharapova won’t even get a wild card at the French Open.

– Dancing With the Stars is getting a spinoff featuring the children of celebrities and OH MY GOD WHY DO YOU PEOPLE WATCH THIS?

– The Rock or Donald Trump? Who would you vote for in a presidential election? Also, here is a story about Donald Trump leaking information that won’t cause trouble in D.C.

One last gratuitous moment of procrastination

Puppies make every day better.

https://gfycat.com/ShabbyOblongAldabratortoise

About Kevin McGuire

Contributor to Athlon Sports and The Comeback. Previously contributed to NBCSports.com. Host of the Locked On Nittany Lions Podcast. FWAA member and Philadelphia-area resident.

View all posts by Kevin McGuire