Trash Talk & Popcorn

05/27/2021

By: Jeff Yoder

Good Morning,

Golf is getting another celebrity match-play event (see below). The trash talk has already begun, and we love it.

Memorial Day Weekend is around the corner. Don’t miss tomorrow’s preview of the 105th Indianapolis 500, the Champions League Final and more on the way this holiday weekend.

Letter Rip!

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GOLF

The Match (Part III) is Coming

Image via Bleacher Report / Photo Credit: David J. Phillip (AP)

July 6: Phil Mickelson & Tom Brady vs. Bryson DeChambeau & Aaron Rodgers

 

Here we go again! The new tradition of celebrity golf challenges gets another chapter this summer. The Match (Part III) features familiar teammates Phil Mickelson and Tom Brady against a new set of challengers — Bryson DeChambeau and Aaron Rodgers. Mickelson previously took on Tiger Woods in the first rendition of The Match. In Part II, it was Mickelson and Brady against Woods and Peyton Manning.

 

Phil Flying High: The announcement comes just three days after Mickelson’s historic win at the PGA Championship where he was a 200-1 underdog. Brady congratulated Phil on Twitter after the win, to which Mickelson responded by praising Brady’s longevity and ability to perform at a high level well into his 40s. Both Brady and Mickelson are shining examples of defeating father time in sports, and now they’re adding Rodgers to the show. The Green Bay Packers quarterback is currently holding out after making celebrity appearances at the Kentucky Derby and as the guest host of ‘Jeopardy!’.

 

The Match: Part III (Tuesday, July 6)

Moonlight Basin (Big Sky, Montana)

 

Additional Storylines

Yahoo! Sports: Tom Brady is Already Talking Trash to Aaron Rodgers About ‘The Match’

CBS Sports: Brooks Koepka-Bryson DeChambeau Beef Escalates After ‘The Match’ Reveal

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NBA PLAYOFFS

1st-Round Series Heating Up 🔥

Photo: Alex Goodlett / Getty Images

Knicks Win at Madison Square Garden, Jazz Win Game 2 Despite Ja Morant’s 47, Westbrook Gets Popcorn Shower…

 

What a weird, wild and historic night in the NBA Playoffs. Both 1-seeds were winners, the Knicks rocked out at MSG, and Philly fans were throwing popcorn… on players. Let’s not forget: Ja Morant had 47 points in his second-ever playoff game, but in a losing effort. Lots to unpack and little time, so let’s run it back.

 

Gm 2: 76ers def. Wizards (120-95)

The 1-seed Sixers cruised to another win in Game 2 behind 22 points apiece from Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons, but the story of the game was Russell Westbrook’s popcorn incident. As he was limping back to the locker room with an ankle injury, a fan dumped popcorn on him through the tunnel. Westbrook lost his cool and the fan was ejected. PHI Lead Series (2-0)

 

Gm 2: Knicks def. Hawks (101-92)

The Knicks delivered in Game 2 with the franchise’s first playoff win in Madison Square Garden since 2013, but it didn’t come easy. New York trailed Atlanta by double digits until a third-quarter swing (32-18). They poured it on in the 4th in front of a raucous MSG crowd, holding the Hawks to just 35 second-half points. Derrick Rose led the way with 26 off the bench. Series Tied (1-1)

 

Gm 2: Jazz def. Grizzlies (141-129)

The return of Donovan Mitchell (25 points) brought some much-needed assistance to the Jazz after a Game 1 upset by the Grizzlies. Utah’s scoring was off the charts in Game 2, including seven players in double figures. Grizzlies guard Ja Morant (47 points) did all he could to mount a comeback, but the Jazz held on. Series Tied (1-1)

 

Fun Fact: Ja Morant’s 73 points in his first two career playoff games is the second-most all time behind George Mikan (75). Luka Doncic (70) is third on the list.

 

Tonight’s Schedule

Gm 3: Bucks at Heat (7:30 pm ET)

MIL Lead Series (2-0)

Gm 3: Suns at Lakers (10:00 pm ET)

Series Tied (1-1)

Gm 3: Nuggets at Blazers (10:30 pm ET)

Series Tied (1-1)

 

Additional Storylines

HoH: Ja Morant Drops 47 Points in Losing Effort in Game 2 (Video)

Yardbarker: Madison Square Garden is Off the Rails for Knicks 1st Playoff Win in 8 Years

CBS Sports: Injured Russell Wetsbrook Loses His Cool After Philly Fan Dumps Popcorn on His Head

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NHL PLAYOFFS

The Champs Move On ⚡️

Photo: Scott Audette / Getty Images

Lightning & Islanders Advance; Wild Force Game 7 Against Golden Knights

 

Two more teams advanced to the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs on Wednesday night, and one of them is the defending champs. Meanwhile, the Minnesota won its second straight to force the first Game 7 in the NHL postseason after trailing the series 3-1. We’re one step closer to the Stanley Cup Finals.

 

Gm 6: Lightning def. Panthers (4-0)

A no-doubter in Florida… The defending Stanley Cup champions shut the door on the Panthers with a 4-0 shutout in Game 6 behind Andrei Vasilevskiy’s 29 saves. Brayden Point scored a nifty goal while Steven Stamkos had a goal and an assist. The Lightning await the winner of the Hurricanes-Predators series. TBL Win Series (4-2)

 

Gm 6: Islanders def. Penguins (5-3)

The Islanders were flirting with a Game 7 after trailing the Penguins (3-2) in the second period, but Brock Nelson had other plans. The Isles’ center had a pair of goals and an assist to turn the tables and send New York on to Round 2. They’ll face the Bruins next. NYI Win Series (4-2)

 

Gm 6: Wild def. Golden Knights (3-0)

Let’s go seven! The Wild shut out Vegas on Wednesday night to force Game 7 after trailing the series 3-1. All three Wild goals came in the third period. Game 7 will be Friday night (9:00 pm ET), and the winner gets the Avalanche next. Series Tied (3-3)

 

Tonight’s Schedule

Gm 5: Canadiens at Maple Leafs (7:00 pm ET)

TOR Lead Series (3-1)

Gm 6: Hurricanes at Predators (9:30 pm ET)

CAR Lead Series (3-2)

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🎥 OTHER HIGHLIGHTS

⚾️ MLB: Astros Axe the Dodgers Streak

The L.A. Dodgers entered Wednesday riding an eight-game win streak, but the Astros snapped it with a 5-2 win. Two of the infamous Astros, Jose Altuve and Carlos Correa, hit home runs to end a four-game skid of their own.

 

🏀 WNBA: Aces Win Duel in the Desert

The Aces and Mercury were the lone WNBA game in action on Wednesday, and the battle of the desert was a thriller ’til the very end. Las Vegas won it (85-79), but the Aces’ Jackie Young (27) and the Mercury’s Britney Griner (27) put on a show.

 

⚽️ SOCCER: Villareal Stuns Man-U in Europa League

Outshot and out-possessed, but not outplayed. The Spanish club Villareal upset Manchester United in the Europa League finale on Wednesday. The match needed full time and then some after a 1-1 draw before Villareal won a thriller in penalty kicks (11-10).

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THE STORYLINES

🏈 Did Trump Try to Save Patriots From Spygate?

In the Spring of 2008, the NFL was in crisis… A hard-charging United States senator from Pennsylvania named Arlen Specter had launched an investigation into the Spygate scandal. He tried to determine how many games the New England Patriots illegally won, and why commissioner Roger Goodell had destroyed the evidence. Now, there’s a theory… (ESPN)

 

🏛️ How NIL Laws Will Change College Sports

Laws related to name, image and likeness, or NIL, will shatter the basic concept that has defined the NCAA model for more than a century: that student-athletes cannot be reimbursed in any form for participating in athletics. Here’s how the dramatic change will impact college sports. (USA Today)

 

⛳️ Brooks vs. Bryson is Exactly What Golf Needs

With Tiger Woods out of the game at the moment, the best possible thing that could’ve happened to the golf world took place over the weekend. And I am not talking about Phil Mickelson winning a major at the age of 50… I’m talking about the growing feud between Brooks Koepka and Bryson DeChambeau. (FOX Sports)

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