The Cheat SheetBy Kevin McGuire on

2017 has taught us nobody should ever want to be up 20+ points in a postseason game

If even the San Antonio Spurs cannot find a way to close out a game with a 25-point lead, what hope is there for anyone else to do anything? Of course, the Spurs were not the only team to blow a lead on Sunday in postseason action. Let’s get down to business in your Monday morning edition of The Cheat Sheet.

Spurs blow 25-point lead, Warriors take Game 1

Everything was going smoothly for the Spurs, until Kawhi Leonard was lost to an injury.

Maybe it was the halftime speech from Steve Kerr, who was back around the team for the first time since leaving to focus on his health concerns. Maybe it was a government conspiracy after San Antonio head coach Gregg Popovich ripped Donald Trump to shreds. Or maybe it was the injury to Kawhi Leonard? Whatever it was, the San Antonio Spurs managed to hold a 20-point lead at halftime in Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals on the road against the Golden State Warriors, extended the lead to as many as 25 points, and lost.

This was the largest blown lead by a team coached by Popovich. The Warriors defended their home court in miraculous fashion with a 113-111 victory thanks to a second-half tear. Naturally, the comeback was fueled by Stephen Curry (40 points, 7 three-pointers) and Kevin Durant (34 points).

The turning point of the game may have been when the Spurs lost Leonard to an injury. Leonard injured his left ankle in the second half after landing on the foot of Zaza Pachulia of the Warriors. Some thought the injury may have been intentional to some degree, but Leonard said after the game there was no ill-intent.

Leonard will undergo an MRI after not returning to Game 1. After Leonard left the game, the Warriors went on an 18-0 run.

Game 2 of this series will be played on Tuesday night. And because the NBA playoff scheduling is weird, by then we will finally know who will be facing the Cleveland Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference Finals. Game 7 of a second-round matchup between the Boston Celtics and Washington Wizards will tip off tonight in Boston. That’s right. The Western Conference Finals will have played two games before the Eastern Conference Finals play just one. LeBron James and the Cavs have not played a game since May 8. That is quite a break before the conference finals, which tip off on Wednesday in either Boston or Cleveland.

Ducks rally to draw even with Predators

The Ducks were in danger of leaving for Nashville down 0-2, but instead evened the series with a come-from-behind win.

Elsewhere in the state of California, the Anaheim Mighty Ducks also found themselves digging out of a hole on their way to a Game 2 victory in the Western Conference Finals. Anaheim battled back from a 3-1 deficit against the Nashville Predators to secure a 5-3 victory to even up the conference finals matchup as it moves to Nashville for Game 3. Here is the go-ahead goal from Nick Ritchie past Pekka Rinne…

On Saturday, the Ottawa Senators stunned the Pittsburgh Penguins with an overtime victory in Game 1 of the eastern conference finals. These hockey playoffs have been a thrill. You should give it a try.

Derek Jeter Night in the Bronx

Derek Jeter was finally given some respect on Sunday night by the Yankees.

The New York Yankees honored The Captain, Mr. November, Derek Jeter on Sunday night by adding Jeter’s No. 2 and plaque to the Memorial Park. The Yankees

Needless to say, Jeter received plenty of love from the fans. Including an inappropriate amount from one in particular on Mother’s Day of all days…

Somebody needs to be fired for this paint job though…

As for the Houston Astros, they certainly played the role of spoiler on this evening with a 10-7 victory, and some good trolling along the way.

Of course, it’s not a big time event until Marlins Man shows up, and WHAT THE HELL IS HE WEARING?!?!?!

https://twitter.com/SInow/status/863920030555275264

TOTAL violation. This man must be stopped.

If you are wondering if a Yankee will ever wear No. 0, it’s always a possibility.

Si Woo Kim makes history in Players Championship

Si Woo Kim has won more Players Championships by age 21 than anyone else ever has, combined.

History was made on Sunday at The Players Championship as Si Woo Kim became the youngest player to win the tournament in tournament history. Kim, 21, shot three under with no bogeys to help him stay on top of the pack with a three-stroke lead.

Ian Poulter tied for second and had some choice words for Golf Channel analyst Brandel Chamblee afterward.

Alright then!

Quick Hits

Max Scherzer injury
How many humans can take a rocket off a knee, get back up and continue to dominate on the mound? We know of at least one.

– Max Scherzer took a 100 MPH line drive off his knee Sunday night against the Phillies. It looked extremely painful as he collapsed to the ground, but dude is a machine and kept on pitching, including a nine-pitch inning with three strikeouts the inning after taking the liner off his knee (although he did give up two runs and the lead after getting banged up). Also, the Nationals bullpen is in need of some upgrades if the Nats have any money left over after shelling out big bucks for Bryce Harper this weekend.

– Joe Maddon and Jon Lester are no fans of the slide rule after this weekend.

– Dog watches squirrel causing a delay in a baseball game on TV.

– Buster Posey caught 17 innings of a baseball game and ended it on a home run.

– J.J. Watt had an epic bat flip after winning a home run derby.

– If you missed it the other day, Tom Brady is on the cover of Madden NFL 18.

– Want to place some early bets? Here are some NFL win totals to look over, for entertainment purposes only…

– There are worst jobs to have than being the commissioner of the Big Ten.

– And when I am named commissioner of college football, in-state and traditional rivalries lost in realignment will be mandated to be renewed on an annual basis, including Penn State-Pitt. Also, recruits will not be dropped by schools merely because the kid announced he received an offer from another school.

– Any excuse to watch vintage footage of Dr. J on in Rucker Park is an excuse worth giving.

– FOX Sports 1 is introducing a new morning show in September titled “First Things First,” because that is a totally unique name that bears absolutely no resemblance to any other morning sports talk (debate) show on television today. It will feature Nick Wright and Cris Carter, and we should probably just call if “Pre Take.” Dozens will watch.

– In other FS1-related news, Colin Cowherd is the subject of animosity from one Washington Wizards beat reporter after John Wall’s latest performance in the playoffs.

– Emmy-winning actor Powers Boothe passed away yesterday at the age of 68.

– While Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 continues to rule the box office, King Arthur is already being labeled a massive flop.

– Miss D.C. won the Miss USA pageant.

– Seen in Boston…

–  This may make you never watch Star Wars the same way again…

https://twitter.com/DepressedDarth/status/862895116096331778

One last gratuitous moment of procrastination

I am pretty sure I will never be good at a sport like table tennis, so I continue to be amazed by just how well some people play the game.

View post on imgur.com

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