Captain Wes Morgan

A wild Heat-Raptors Game 1, a Warriors fourth-quarter comeback, and Jake Arrieta continuing his mind-blowing run. Let’s get to all of that and much more (such as a giant balloon pop), here at the Wednesday Cheat Sheet… 

The Heat beat the Raptors in overtime, despite Kyle Lowry hitting a half-court shot at the end of the regulation

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The Heat went into Toronto and got a 102-96 win over the Raptors in Game 1 of their Eastern Conference semifinals. It looked like Miami was going to get the win in regulation, but Raptors point guard Kyle Lowry nailed a half-court shot at the regulation buzzer to tie the game 90-90.

But the Heat were able to overcome that momentum change and win the overtime period 12-6. Guards Goran Dragic (26 points) and Dwyane Wade (24 points) led the way for Miami.

And it was Wade’s defense that put the game away in overtime:

The Warriors entered the fourth quarter trailing the Blazers by 11 points, and won the game by 11 points

OAKLAND, CA - MAY 03:  Damian Lillard #0 of the Portland Trail Blazers stands on the court during their game against the Golden State Warriors in Game Two of the Western Conference Semifinals during the 2016 NBA Playoffs on May 3, 2016 at Oracle Arena in Oakland, California.  NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement.  (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA – MAY 03: Damian Lillard #0 of the Portland Trail Blazers stands on the court during their game against the Golden State Warriors in Game Two of the Western Conference Semifinals  (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

The Portland Trail Blazers appeared on the verge of stealing one at Oracle Arena. Damian Lillard had just hit a buzzer-beating three to cap off a ridiculous third quarter in which he scored 17 points:

And then the Warriors started to play like the Warriors (though minus Steph). Golden State outscored the Blazers 34-12 in the fourth quarter, to come away with a 110-99 victory and take a 2-0 series lead.

Steph’s status for Game 3 is still up in the air, but the urgency shouldn’t be there quite as much with the Warriors getting the Game 2 win. Of course, they’d surely like Steph to get some playing time under his belt before the upcoming series vs the Spurs or Thunder, and this series vs the Blazers could end in four games.

Jake Arrieta keeps doing ridiculous things

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I wrote about Jake Arrieta’s mind-blowing run after his second career no-hitter a couple weeks ago, and the Chicago Cubs’ ace has only continued to keep making the numbers/stats/facts even more ridiculous.

On Tuesday night, Arrieta faced a Pittsburgh Pirates lineup that he shut out in the 2015 NL Wild Card Game, and continued his dominance vs them. Arrieta tossed seven scoreless innings, allowing just two hits and two walks to a Pirates team that leads the majors in on-base percentage. He also hit an RBI single in the Cubs’ 7-1 win.

Arrieta now has an 0.84 ERA, is 6-0, and the Cubs haven’t lost one of his road starts in a year (I hate pitcher wins… but there’s nothing fluky about them on this Arrieta run):

Just insane. Also, the Cubs are an MLB-best 19-6, and are in historically special territory with their run differential right now:

Quick Hits

Batmobile

– The Lightning got an overtime victory over the Islanders on a Brian Boyle goal. The win gives Tampa Bay a 2-1 lead in the second-round series.

– Bryce Harper signed a record-breaking 10-year extension with Under Armour. He’ll be signing a record-breaking contract with an MLB team in a few years (after the 2018 season) too.

– So… it turns out that Houston Texans offensive tackle Duane Brown’s positive PED test last year came from contaminated meat. This is going to be the hot PED excuse now.

– In light of Leicester City’s English Premier League title, Phillip Bupp examines sports’ most unlikely champions and how Leicester City’s story connects with each one.

– Leicester City captain Wes Morgan was honored with a custom Captain Morgan bottle.

– Villanova hero Kris Jenkins withdrew from the NBA Draft and will return to the Wildcats for his senior season.

– Wichita State is interested in joining the Mountain West, and may bring football back.

– Jordan Spieth has the right attitude following his Masters collapse: “My dog didn’t die.”

– Klay Thompson’s brother Trayce hit a home run that literally never came down. But Klay a gave an estimated distance on Trayce’s bomb:

– It’s never too early to look ahead: Eric Galko takes a look at 10 players who could go No. 1 overall in the 2017 NFL Draft.

– Joe Lucia writes how Pablo Sandoval’s long-term contract is another ill-advised third baseman signing.
– Angels rookie Ji-Man Choi claims he felt a ghost at the team’s hotel in Milwaukee.

– Someone built a real-life Batmobile and used it at the Gumball 3000 race.

– Failed candidate Ted Cruz elbows wife in face.

– Another Cosmo Kramer/Jackie Chiles-esque story: Starbucks is being sued for putting too much ice in drinks.

One last breath of gratuitous procrastination

Now this is how you make an entrance (or I guess an exit in terms of the balloon).

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About Matt Clapp

Matt is an editor at The Comeback. He attended Colorado State University, wishes he was Saved by the Bell's Zack Morris, and idolizes Larry David. And loves pizza and dogs because obviously.

He can be followed on Twitter at @Matt2Clapp (also @TheBlogfines for Cubs/MLB tweets and @DaBearNecess for Bears/NFL tweets), and can be reached by email at mclapp@thecomeback.com.