Novak Djokovic put on an amazing show in the Australian Open semifinals, and the Golden State Warriors have not lost at home in over a full year. We dive into those stories and much more, here at the Thursday Cheat Sheet.
Novak Djokovic dominates Roger Federer to advance to Australian Open Final
It took four sets, and the match’s most incredible point came from Roger Federer after a crazy rally in the final minutes, but Novak Djokovic won an Australian Open semifinals match that really wasn’t too close. It especially wasn’t close in the first two sets, with Djokovic totally dominating 6-1, 6-2.
I can see Roger Federer is out there playing tennis. What’s the name of the sport his opponent is playing? #AusOpen
— Abe Kuijl (@AbeKuijl) January 28, 2016
Receptionist: Hello, how can I help you? Caller: i’d like to book a tennis lesson. Now! With Novak Receptionist: and your name? Caller: God — Kyle LaCroix (@TennisTycoon) January 28, 2016
Fed’s face — every inch of it — continues to express amazement at how well Nole is playing. An honest response.
— Matt Zemek (@mzemek) January 28, 2016
This is absolutely clinical what Djoker Is doing right now to Fedfan ,this maybe the best I have ever seen someone hit the ball
— Brad Gilbert (@bgtennisnation) January 28, 2016
Magnificent from Djokovic. Not sure I’ve ever seen a standard like the first two sets. — Graham Ruthven (@grahamruthven) January 28, 2016
Even Djokovic said post-match how he “executed everything perfectly” in those first two sets.
“I executed everything perfectly” Pretty much. Those first two sets from Djokovic… 👌🏼👌🏼 https://t.co/TSzdxF5dCk pic.twitter.com/sUJ8zahkEZ
— BBC Tennis (@bbctennis) January 28, 2016
It looked like Federer had no chance — words pretty much never said — but he really kicked it up a notch in the third set, particularly on his serve.
Federer takes the 3rd set. Key was production on his 2nd serve. 1st 2 sets: 3-for-19 (16%) 3rd set: 11-for-14 (79%) — ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) January 28, 2016
Federer would win that set 6-3, and in the fourth set, was hanging in there (down 4-3) when he won the match’s most INSANE point.
But just a few minutes later, it was all over.
In one breath, Federer played one of the greatest points of his life. The next, he got criminally unlucky. The next, he was toast. #Fin
— Matt Zemek (@mzemek) January 28, 2016
While perhaps Federer showed some age, this match was much more about just how unreal Djokovic looked. It would’ve been hard for anyone in the history of tennis — in their prime — to beat Djokovic in those sets. It was amazing, unfair tennis.
Stunning performance from Novak. Gutsy fightback by Roger against a guy that was in sublime form. pic.twitter.com/m00uW6Xfeh
— Darren Cahill (@darren_cahill) January 28, 2016
Djokovic will meet the winner of the Milos Raonic-Andy Murray match in the tournament’s Final. And if he plays anywhere close to as well as he did in this match, he will be the Australian Open champion.
Warriors tied for best-ever NBA record through 46 games, & haven’t lost a regular-season home game in a full year
The Golden State Warriors pummeled — as they do to pretty much everyone — the Dallas Mavericks on Wednesday night, 127-107. Steph Curry only scored 14 points, but remember they have this other guard named Klay Thompson too. All he did was drop 45 on the Mavs, in crazy efficient fashion (14-20 FG, 10-10 FT):
At 42-4, the Warriors are tied with the 1966-67 Philadephia 76ers for the best record in NBA history through 46 games. The 1995-96 Bulls were 41-5 at this point.
The @warriors keep on rolling…but will history repeat itself? pic.twitter.com/iLKWRyGFcp — FOX Sports Live (@FOXSportsLive) January 28, 2016
Golden State has not lost a regular-season game at Oracle Arena in 366 days! *Pulls out calculator*… That’s a year + one day, folks!
Warriors after tonight’s win are now on a 1-year winning streak at home for regular season games. Last loss at Oracle was Jan. 27, 2015. — Mike Rosenberg (@RosenbergMerc) January 28, 2016
That’s a 40-game home winning streak, tying them for second all-time.
Most consecutive home wins, NBA history 1994-96 Bulls 44 1994-96 Magic 40 2014-16 Warriors 40 — ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) January 28, 2016
They’re the first team to score 120+ in five straight games since the 1992-93 Phoenix Suns.
The @Warriors are also the 1st team since the 1992-93 @Suns to score 120 in 5 straight games. 🔥🔥🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/omJIurITUy — FOX Sports Live (@FOXSportsLive) January 28, 2016
And they haven’t trailed in any of the last 186 minutes they’ve played.
The Warriors have not trailed in any of the last 186 minutes they have played — ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) January 28, 2016
It’s just incredible what they’re doing right now, and it doesn’t appear they’re going to slow down anytime soon.
We’re 10 days away from Super Bowl 50
– This is great stuff from Brad Gagnon: The world was a very different place when Peyton Manning made his first NFL start.
– Ranking the top 20 players for SB50.
– Power Rankings: Super Bowl 50’s starters, specialists, and coordinators.
– The 5 most important 1-on-1 battles that could decide SB50.
– Savvy free agent moves shaped rosters for Denver and Carolina in very different ways.
– How a Super Bowl loss helped John Elway build NFL’s best defense in Denver.
– Von Miller and the Broncos defense delivered one of the most thorough beatdowns ever seen.
– Statistical proof of how much better Ted Ginn is with Cam Newton.
– Cam Newton: I’m an African-American QB that may scare a lot of people.
– Cam Newton’s California tax bill will be bigger than his Super Bowl bonus.
– Probably the most important SB50 story out there: Oscar Mayer offers chance to spend Super Bowl weekend in super-sized Wienermobile. Nothing like spending a weekend inside a big ol’ wiener with your friends.
– I’m personally not a fan of this one: NFL will return to Roman numerals for next year’s Super Bowl.
Quick Hits
– Calgary Flames’ Dennis Wideman cross-checked a linesman last night. It certainly looked intentional. Not good.
– LA Kings’ Milan Lucic hits lineseman with punch during scrum. Now this one was probably accidental.
– The Spurs fouled Rockets big man Clint Capela last night on purpose… while he was standing out of bounds. That’s after the Rockets fouled the Pistons’ Andre Drummond 12 straight times last week. This Hack-A-_ stuff is out of control.
– Consolidation and validation: Angelique Kerber seizes berth in first Grarand Slam Final.nd Slam F
– USMNT’s Matt Miazga set to join Chelsea.
– There is now a Drone Racing League (DRL) and they expect to be the next big thing.
– Karl-Anthony Towns makes trick shot.
– Lol: Hue Jackson has not spoken to or met Johnny Manziel.
– MLB unveils new hire and program to increase minority and female hiring. This is great to hear.
– Braxton Miller’s 40-yard dash goal at the NFL Combine is ridiculous.
– 10,000-year-old mammoth bones found at Oregon State football stadium.
– So, this is absolutely awesome: the Frisco RoughRiders (Rangers’ double-A team) want to put a LAZY RIVER in their ballpark.
– Sharon Osbourne has a sexual dream about Shaq, tweets about it.
– Kanye West destroyed Wiz Khalifa on Twitter over a misunderstanding.
– Darth Vader will apparently appear in Star Wars Anthology film, Rogue One.
– The Joker is finally getting his own villain-themed roller coaster.
– Conan O’Brien pays tribute to Abe Vigoda with touching video. Some great clips of Vigoda’s appearances (that were frequent and always awesome) on Late Night with Conan O’Brien.
– Someone finally created a beer koozie that counts how many beers you’ve had.
One last breath of gratuitous procrastination
Dogs vs their ultimate nemesis: Stairs. It pains me to pick against dogs but I think I have to with this one.