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He planned to track the Nuggets on his smartphone like most of his teammates, but there was no viewing party in the works or anxious huddle around the high-definition television in the locker room.

The Timberwolves mostly were just relieved they did their part by beating Memphis, considering way they’ve playing lately.

”It’s our fault for leaving it up to chance,” Wiggins said. ”So we’ve just got to wait and see.”

Fittingly for a once-promising season that has become a slog to the finish, the Wolves wound up watching the Nuggets rally past Portland about an hour after they left the court at Target Center. That kept Denver tied with Minnesota at 46-35 for eighth place in the Western Conference with two days remaining on the schedule.

Well, guess who their final opponent is? The Nuggets will bring a six-game winning streak to Target Center on Wednesday night.

”If it was easy it wouldn’t be fun Matt Szczur Jersey ,” center Karl-Anthony Towns said after practice Tuesday. ”If it was easy it wouldn’t be the Minnesota way.”

The Wolves’ last trip to the playoffs ended with a loss in six games to the Los Angeles Lakers in the conference finals in 2004, when Kevin Garnett was patrolling the post. Towns? He was 8 years old. Wiggins was 9.

”They’ve prepared themselves all year for this,” coach Tom Thibodeau said, expressing confidence in the team’s young cornerstones to perform up to the task despite missing critical postseason experience.

With the Nuggets and Wolves only one game behind New Orleans, Oklahoma City and San Antonio, the winner could receive quite the reward. Both Denver and Minnesota can still finish as high as fifth.

There’ll be some relief and satisfaction just to be part of the 16-team tournament after the 82-game grind, but avoiding the eighth seed and a matchup with league-leading Houston would be preferable. Same goes for seventh place and pairing with defending NBA champion Golden State Cheap Trenton Cannon Jersey , a daunting foe even if star Steph Curry isn’t cleared yet to return from his knee injury.

The Wolves were in control of a spot in the playoffs, as high as third place, for most of this season until Jimmy Butler’s absence began to catch up to them and their primary competitors in the West cranked up their games. The Wolves have won both games with Butler back from the meniscus cartilage injury in his right knee, after going 8-9 without him, but losing at home to the Grizzlies two weeks ago even with their emotional leader and best all-around player missing was still inexcusable. Just one more win, and they’d already be safely in.

Nothing ever comes easy for this snake-bitten franchise, though Cheap Dallas Goedert Jersey , a history that Towns and Wiggins are well aware of.

”I’ve been here my whole career now,” Wiggins said. ”So it’s about time we do something.”

The Nuggets have their own long-frustrated fan base, with their last appearance in the playoffs coming in 2013. The last time they passed the first round was 2009, one of the franchise’s three trips to the Western Conference finals since joining the NBA. The others were in 1978 and 1985.

Seven of Denver’s last nine opponents are headed to the playoffs. The other two were against the Timberwolves, without Butler, and the Los Angeles Clippers, the only other teams in the league that haven’t clinched but sport winning records. The Nuggets eliminated the Clippers (42-39) by beating them on Saturday.

They’ve had to do this the hard way George Foster Jersey , too.

”We wouldn’t want it any other way,” guard Gary Harris said.

The Nuggets have produced a remarkable series of clutch performances, with fourth-quarter moxie pushing them to this point as much as any specific skill or strength. They held the Blazers to just 33 points in the second half on Monday night, further galvanizing their belief that not only can they make the playoffs but be a factor once they begin.

”It’s as high as it can be,” coach Mike Malone said. ”I don’t know if it can get any higher. To not play your best basketball and still find ways to win is a really encouraging and confidence-building type of feel.”

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AP Sports Writer Arnie Stapleton in Denver contributed to this report.

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The Presidents’ Trophy winners had the NHL’s best road record during the regular season, but the Predators got the split they needed before this series switches to Winnipeg for Game 3 on Tuesday night. That’s where the Jets posted the league’s best home record.

Craig Smith and Fiala skated up on a 2-on-1, and Jets defenseman Byflugien failed to block Smith’s cross-ice pass to Fiala who beat goalie Connor Hellebuyck with a backhander.

Ryan Johansen scored two goals Cheap Ed Dickson Jersey , Viktor Arvidsson had a goal and two assists, and P.K. Subban had a goal and an assist as Nashville won both its 100th postseason game as a franchise and coach Peter Laviolette’s 50th with the team. Filip Forsberg also had three primary assists for the first time in the postseason in his career.

Mark Scheifele scored two goals and had an assist. Byflugien had a goal and an assist, and Brandon Tanev had a goal for Winnipeg.

Tanev tied it at 3 Cheap Arden Key Jersey , putting the puck past Pekka Rinne’s right skate at 5:11 of the third. Johansen answered 34 seconds later, skating around Jets defenseman Toby Enstrom and beating Hellebuyck hight.

But Scheifele forced overtime with his fourth goal in this series and eighth this postseason with 1:05 left in regulation and Hellebuyck pulled for the extra attacker.

CAPITALS 4, PENGUINS 1

WASHINGTON (AP) Alex Ovechkin scored his seventh goal of the playoffs Eric Sogard Jersey , Braden Holtby made 32 saves and Washington built a lead and this time held on to beat Pittsburgh and even the series.

After blowing a two-goal lead for the third time in these playoffs in Game 1, this time Washington built on it. The Capitals also were the beneficiary of a questionable video review in the third period when the NHL ruled there were no definitive replays showing the puck crossed the goal line on what would have been Pittsburgh’s second goal.

Jakub Vrana scored on the power play and Brett Connolly on a breakaway for the Capitals, who have beaten goaltender Matt Murray glove-side all five of their goals against him through two games. Nicklas Backstrom scored an empty-netter to seal it with 6.1 seconds left.

Kris Letang scored for Pittsburgh.

Holtby robbed Sidney Crosby and Jake Guentzel with sliding pad saves to on the way to evening the series going into Game 3 Tuesday in Pittsburgh Blaine Boyer Jersey , which could mark the return of Penguins star center Evgeni Malkin from an apparent leg injury.

PHOENIX — For the first time in 52 days Cheap Taven Bryan Jersey , A.J. Pollock was back Monday where he belonged — in center field and hitting fourth in the Arizona lineup after missing time with a fractured left thumb.

St. Louis, meanwhile, seems to be in a juggling mode where its outfield is concerned. Jose Martinez, who has spent most of the first half at first base, did pregame work in right field for the second straight day, and that appears that is his position moving forward.

Pollock was hitless in four at-bats and scored a run, but the Cardinals took the first game of the series when Yadier Molina had two hits, including a homer and three RBIs in a 6-3 victory Monday.

Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo apologized to Molina behind the batting cage before the game for language he used in an argument the second inning of an April 8 game in St. Louis. Lovullo was ejected and Molina had to be restrained as players from both teams entered the field.

“Everything is in the past Giants Cheap Jerseys ,” Molina said. “I have a bunch of respect for him and the organization in Arizona.”

Arizona right-hander Zack Greinke is to oppose St. Louis right-hander Jack Flaherty in the second game of the series Tuesday.

St. Louis broke a four-game losing streak and, with four runs in the first inning, had a lead for the first time since last Tuesday. The Diamondbacks have lost four in a row.

“It is frustrating,” Lovullo said. “I think we are a better team then we have showed these last four games. The season has its ups and downs and we should know that. We had a situation just like this before.”

Pollock, who has missed extended time because of injuries the last two seasons, will be monitored, Lovullo said.

“He wants to play every day. He makes that perfectly clear,” Lovullo said. “He does not like to come out of the lineup James Paxton Jersey , and I love that. But I explained to him that we’re going to control his playing time and his innings until he’s one hundred percent removed from any more things popping up.”

Pollock was slashing .293/.346.503 with 11 homers and 33 RBIs in 40 games before his injury.

Martinez leads the Cardinals with 52 RBIs, but he also leads NL first basemen with seven errors. Rookie Tyler O’Neill started in right field Monday, with Matt Carpenter at first.

“One of those tough conversations,” St. Louis manager Mike Matheny said of Martinez’s position shift.

“He is so good offensively. And trying to figure out ways to maybe help our defense a little bit on the infield. We’re going to be working him as hard as we can to get him comfortable there and plug him into the equation. There are still going to be some opportunities at first.”

Martinez, slashing .299/.367/.496 with 13 and a team-high 52 RBIs, has played 72 games at first base this season after basically splitting time between first and the corner outfield spots in last season. Left field is now covered by free agent sign Marcell Ozuna.

“Tyler O’Neill is going to play,” Matheny said. “We know when he gets hot, he’s got the potential to do good things for us. Try to get a good look at him while he is in play mode. He’s been swinging it well. Just some different looks. Get some other guys engaged in the infield Cheap Korey Toomer Jersey , too.”

Greinke, 8-5 with a 3.41 ERA, has 13 scoreless innings in his last two starts, victories at Pittsburgh and Miami as part of a three-win road trip. He has won three starts in a row and was 5-1 with a 2.95 ERA in six June starts, dropping his ERA to the lowest it has been since the second week of the season.

“He’s on a Zack Greinke run,” Lovullo said. “He had a real nice run from the middle of May last year until the end of the season, where he just grinds up innings. Fast innings, which equal wins.”

Greinke is 12-5 with a 3.42 ERA in 19 career appearances against the Cardinals. He has more victories against only team Lucas Giolito Jersey , Detroit (13). Greinke is 3-1 with a 2.40 ERA in eight home starts this season and is 16-2 at Chase Field the last two years.

Rookie Flaherty, 3-3 with a 2.92 ERA, has made quality starts in four of his 11 appearances and had a career-high 13 strikeouts while giving up only one hit in seven innings of a no-decision against Milwaukee on June 22. He gave up four runs in four innings in his last appear, a 5-1 loss to Cleveland.

Flaherty, 1-1 with a 2.20 ERA in five starts on the road, has never faced Arizona.

The excellent late-inning reliever Authentic Geron Christian Jersey , who pushed Cleveland through the postseason in 2016, has made progress with his right knee injury but will not be activated until later this month. Miller has been sidelined with inflammation in his knee since May 26, and his comeback recently stalled.

But he threw 31 pitches off a mound on Thursday Cheap Jeremiah Attaochu Jersey , and the Indians were excited and encouraged by his progress. Pitching coach Carl Willis told manager Terry Francona that Miller looked better.

”Went well,” Francona said Friday before the Indians opened a three-game series with Oakland. ”By Carl’s account, you can really tell the difference that he’s getting a little more sure of himself. The good news is that he really is making strides. My goodness Adam Frazier Jersey , if we can get him back in time to get him on a roll, that’s the biggest goal.”

Francona said Miller will continue throwing bullpen sessions over the next week. With the All-Star break starting on July 16, Francona said it’s likely the Indians will continue to take it slow with the 32-year-old.

”To try to do this right Dolphins Cheap Jerseys , I think we need to let him throw his bullpens,” Francona said, adding it’s possible Miller will be sent on a minor-league rehab assignment before he’s activated.

The left-hander has been dealing with knee issues since last year and has been limited to just 17 appearances this season. Miller was on the DL twice in 2017 with patella tendinitis.

Cleveland’s bullpen isn’t the same without Miller Jake Odorizzi Jersey , who dominated in the `16 postseason – he struck out 30 in 19 1-3 innings – and helped the Indians get to their first World Series since 1997.

Miller opened this season with 10 scoreless innings before hurting his left hamstring and going on the disabled list. He struggled when he returned and is 1-3 with a 4.40 ERA over 14 1-3 innings.

Miller’s health could impact what the Indians decide to do before the July 31 trading deadline.

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The Boston Bruins look to continue their recent surge Sunday when they travel to Philadelphia for a matinee game against the Flyers.

Boston moved back atop the Atlantic Division on Saturday with a 5-1 victory over the Florida Panthers at TD Garden.

Jake DeBrusk had two goals and an assist Sean Manaea Jersey , and linemates Ryan Donato (one goal, one assist) and David Krejci (three assists) helped the trio combine for eight points.

“I liked it. I think most people liked it,” Bruins coach Bruce Cassidy said of adding winger Donato to the Krejci-centered line. “I thought they had good chemistry; they were feeding off each other.

“Krejci, obviously, I think him and Jake have had real good chemistry. It’s one consistent, for the most part Alex Wood Jersey , that Krech has had, so it was a pretty good line in terms of puck possession, making plays. They can each complement each other. So we’ll see how it goes.”

The Bruins (49-17-11) lead the Tampa Bay Lightning by one point with a game in hand. Boston is 5-0-3 in its last eight games.

Tuukka Rask (10-0-1 in his last 11 starts) stopped 30 of 31 shots.

The Panthers took a 1-0 lead at 4:59 of the first period, but Boston tied it midway through the period and led 2-1 before the first 20 minutes were over.

“Yeah, we’re playing good,” Rask said. “It was a good start. We kept it going Authentic Daryl Worley Jersey , it looked like guys were making plays and playing with confidence, it’s fun to watch, like people say.”

Boston’s road trip continues Tuesday with a showdown against the Lightning and concludes Thursday when they visit the Panthers.

The news wasn’t all good for the Bruins. Center Riley Nash left after getting hit in the head with a shot in the second period and defenseman Brandon Carlo left in the third period with an undisclosed injury.

“Didn’t look good when you go off on a stretcher, obviously,” Cassidy said of Carlo. “So we’ll keep our fingers crossed on that one. Same with Nash. I know he was getting stitches in his ear … Not what you want right now, but we’ll see how they are.”

The Flyers (39-25-14) have injury issues of their own as they chase the Columbus Blue Jackets and Pittsburgh Penguins for second place in the Metropolitan Division while comfortably in wild-card position.

Goaltender Michal Neuvirth — just back after missing 18 games with a lower-body injury — left Wednesday’s 2-1 victory over the Colorado Avalanche with a lower-body injury. Petr Mrazek Authentic M.J. Stewart Jersey , who had been slumping, replaced Neuvirth 8:07 into the second period and made 17 saves.

Ivan Provorov had a goal and an assist and Claude Giroux scored as Flyers ended a mini-losing streak at two games.

“Just a gutsy effort,” Flyers coach Dave Hakstol NHL.com. “I think we’ve gotten a lot of those efforts throughout the year.

“I thought everybody that was in the lineup just went out and did their part. There was a couple of great performances probably to go with it, but everybody in the lineup for sure did their part.”

With Neuvirth day-to-day, the Flyers recalled Alex Lyon, who will back up Mrazek on Sunday. Goalie Brian Elliott Cheap Phillip Gaines Jersey , out since core muscle surgery in February, practiced Saturday and could return before the end of the regular season.

“I’ve never had a surgery before so it’s a new process for me and it’s a tough time of year because there’s a possibility of coming back at the end and you’re shooting for it,” Elliott told the Courier Post.

After Sunday, the Flyers close against the bottom three teams in the division. They travel to Brooklyn to face the New York Islanders before hosting the Carolina Hurricanes and the New York Rangers.

DENVER — When Andrew Suarez starts Wednesday for the San Francisco Giants Natrell Jamerson Jersey Saints , he will try to help them avoid being swept by the Colorado Rockies and solidify his spot in the Giants’ changing rotation.

Colorado left-hander Tyler Anderson (5-3, 4.23 ERA) will oppose Suarez (3-4, 4.18).

Before his team lost 8-1 on Tuesday to the Rockies, Giants manager Bruce Bochy announced that Johnny Cueto will be reinstated from the 60-day disabled list to start Thursday against St. Louis and Jeff Samardzija will come off the 10-day disabled list and start Saturday against the Cardinals.

Cueto (elbow strain) went 3-0 with an 0.84 ERA in five starts for the Giants this season. His last start for the Giants came April 28, and he pitched 7 2/3 scoreless innings in two rehab starts for Triple-A Sacramento.

“Johnny’s set to go,” Bochy said. “He passed all the tests, checked every box off. Been throwing the ball well. Hasn’t given up a run there. Bullpen (session Monday) went fine. Been hitting Youth Pernell McPhee Jersey , bunting. I talked to Johnny. He said, ‘I’m ready to go. I feel better now than before (the injury).’ When you get one of your big guys ready to go, you pitch him.”

Bochy said Cueto would be limited to 85 pitches Thursday, and Derek Holland, if he doesn’t come out of the bullpen in the Rockies series, would back up Cueto.

Samardzija will pitch for the Giants for the first time since May 29. Bochy said that Dereck Rodriguez, who was scheduled to pitch Thursday Youth Denzel Ward Jersey , will instead start Friday. Madison Bumgarner, of course, will take his regular turn Sunday. That leaves Suarez or Chris Stratton for the final spot in the rotation. Both pitchers have minor league options.

Suarez might have the advantage because he has pitched well lately. He went 2-0 in six June starts, and in his last outing Friday at Arizona, he allowed one run in six innings. Suarez made his Coors Field debut and first start against the Rockies on May 28 and allowed four runs (three earned) in five innings in a no-decision after heeding advice from catcher Buster Posey.

Suarez said, “I remember the last time we were, before my bullpen Bears Elite Jerseys , Buster came up to me and he was like ‘As long as you keep throwing it right, it’ll be fine. But if you try too much, that’s the problem you’ll have. Your stuff isn’t as good.’ I just made sure to just throw it normal.”

Meanwhile, Stratton gave up a career-high 11 hits and a career-high eight runs in 5 2/3 innings Tuesday. In his past six starts, Stratton is 1-3 with a 5.79 ERA.

Anderson threw a career-high eight scoreless innings with one walk and eight strikeouts Wednesday at Los Angeles in a 3-1 win over the Dodgers. Anderson is 2-2 with a 2.70 ERA in his past five starts with six walks and 32 strikeouts in 33 1/3 innings. He’s 0-2 with a 5.56 ERA in four career starts against the Giants, including a no-decision May 20 at AT&T Park where he gave up five runs in 5 1/3 innings as the Rockies lost 9-5.

The Rockies have won 14 of their past 16 games from the Giants (45-42) at Coors Field. The Rockies (43-43) have climbed back to .500 by winning five of their past six games. They have been getting outstanding starting pitching, the latest effort being seven scoreless innings Tuesday from Antonio Senzatela in his first start this season for the Rockies.

The Colorado starters have pitched well in six of the past eight games Texans Elite Jerseys , going 4-0 with a 2.15 ERA in that stretch and allowing 12 earned runs and 31 hits in 50 1/3 innings with 11 walks and 41 strikeouts.

“We’re only going to go as far as they do,” Rockies third baseman Nolan Arenado said. “They’re pitching great. They’re giving the offense a chance. Quick innings, which is huge.”

Ian Kinsler homered and drew a bases-loaded walk, Mike Trout had three hits and a sacrifice fly, and the injury-plagued Angels beat the Oakland Athletics 8-4 on Friday night to snap a four-game skid.

Tyler Skaggs (6-4) struck out eight over seven strong innings, allowing no earned runs and seven hits with one walk. He improved to 3-0 with a 0.45 ERA in June.

”Tyler was right on the money tonight. He had all his pitches working,” manager Mike Scioscia said.

The Angels placed four more players on the disabled list Friday Youth Jonathan Allen Jersey , bringing their total to a franchise-record 15 on the DL at one time and leaving just 12 members of the opening day roster. The A’s in 2016 were the last club to have 15 players simultaneously on the DL.

It was a nice boost for Skaggs to get a big lead early and see his teammates come out strong despite all the injuries.

”It’s a testament to (GM) Billy Eppler. You look at our farm system a few years ago, we’d have never be able to do this,” Skaggs said. ”We’re still growing and a lot of guys stepped up tonight.”

Jose Briceno and Jose Miguel Fernandez had RBI singles in the third as Los Angeles bounced back with a big offensive night after having lost four straight following a six-game winning streak. The Angels avoided matching their longest losing streak of the season.

Skaggs didn’t allow a run until consecutive RBI doubles by Josh Phegley and Marcus Semien in the fifth.

But Oakland again didn’t score for starter Chris Bassitt (0-2), who was done after four innings after he allowed six runs – only two earned on a sloppy night of fielding for the home team – on seven hits.

Bassitt hurt his cause when he fielded Albert Pujols‘ first-inning grounder and threw high over first baseman Matt Olson’s head, allowing two runs to score.

”The early part of the game was about as bad as we’ve played Youth Mark Andrews Jersey ,” A’s manager Bob Melvin said.

Oakland dropped its fourth straight game on the heels of a sweep by World Series champion Houston the previous three days.

Bassitt was brought back up from Triple-A Nashville for his fourth big league stint of 2018, this time to fill Trevor Cahill’s spot in the rotation.

The right-hander is 0-8 over his last 12 starts dating to Aug. 21, 2015.

He received no runs of support for a second straight outing – the seventh time in 25 career starts the A’s failed to score for him – and he has received two or fewer runs of support in 21 of his 25 starts.

Angels reliever Justin Anderson received a mound visit from Scioscia and a trainer after loading the bases with two outs in the ninth, and Scioscia said afterward one of the pitcher’s fingernails had cracked. Anderson then allowed a run on a wild pitch.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Angels: Going on the DL Friday for the Angels were INF Zack Cozart (partially dislocated left shoulder), RHP Jim Johnson (lower back strain) Antonio Callaway Jersey Browns , RHP Garrett Richards (strained left hamstring) and RHP Nick Tropeano (inflammation in his pitching shoulder). The Angels called up four righty pitchers from Triple-A Salt Lake: Eduardo Paredes, Akeel Morris, Felix Pena and Jake Jewell. … SS Andrelton Simmons (sprained right ankle) ran the bases for a second straight day and is making progress, Scioscia said. Simmons was taking batting practice as well.

Athletics: 3B Matt Chapman is set to be placed on the DL on Saturday with a bruised right hand that also bothered him in spring. He may see a specialist. An MRI showed no structural damage, Melvin said. Chapman’s consecutive games streak ended at 149 games dating to last season. He and Olson were only players to appear in first 69 games Cowboys Game Jerseys , while Olson played in his 70th straight this season Friday.

UP NEXT

Angels: LHP John Lamb will be called up from Triple-A to start Saturday, meaning the Angels must make another move by designating someone for assignment to clear space on the 40-man roster.

Athletics: LHP Sean Manaea (5-6, 3.49) pitches for the A’s, having gone 1-4 with a 5.93 ERA over his last eight starts.

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Giannis Antetokounmpo was criticized after Game 5 of Milwaukee’s Eastern Conference series against Boston for not doing more Youth Kyzir White Jersey , particularly on the offensive end.

The harshest critic: Antetokounmpo, himself.

He took only 10 field-goal attempts, his third-lowest total of the entire season. Antetokounmpo still had a brilliant stat line, finishing only one assist shy of a triple-double, but the Bucks lost 92-87 and now go back to Milwaukee trailing the first-round matchup 3-2.

Game 6 of the Celtics-Bucks series is the lone matchup on the Thursday night NBA schedule.

”Game 6, I’ve got to come out and be more aggressive,” Antetokounmpo said. ”It’s on me. I had open shots Youth Durham Smythe Jersey , but they weren’t my shots so I didn’t feel comfortable taking them. … I’ve got to be more aggressive, make more plays because definitely, my teammates need me.”

It’s not like he was choosing to not be involved.

The Celtics got Marcus Smart back for Game 5, and Boston is much better defensively when he’s on the floor. Open looks seem to happen far more infrequently when Smart is out there, and the Bucks must solve that riddle or else their season is about to end.

Smart wasn’t the only defensive hero for Boston in Game 5. The Celtics put Semi Ojeleye on Antetokounmpko, and it worked as well as Boston could have hoped.

”Giannis is a heck of a player,” Celtics coach Brad Stevens said. ”You’re not going to be perfect against him. You’re not going to hold him down by any means. He makes plays for other people Mark Walton Jersey Elite , he’s very unselfish … but we just felt like we needed a little bit more ball pressure overall, and so that was the decision to go smaller.”

If Antetokounmpko doesn’t come up bigger Thursday, it’ll be Boston going to the second round.

Here’s some of what to know going into Game 6:

CELTICS AT BUCKS

Boston leads 3-2. Game 6, 8 p.m. EDT, TNT

NEED TO KNOW: Since 2002, there have been 29 NBA teams with at least one postseason series win to their credit. The lone exception: The Bucks. It’s been 17 years since the Bucks advanced to the second round, and the Celtics are on the cusp of adding another year to Milwaukee’s wait. So far in the series Youth Alex McGough Jersey , Milwaukee has outscored Boston 520-519 – which would indicate that it’s been a super-close matchup. That’s not the reality. There have been wild ebbs and flows, with one team leading by 16 points at some point in each of the last four games.

KEEP AN EYE ON: Free throws. Boston is 99 for 130 in the series from the line, while Milwaukee is 68 for 100. The Bucks have been called for 30 more fouls in the series, 124-94 – which works out to six more per game.

PRESSURE IS ON: Clearly, the Bucks. They’re facing elimination, of course, so there’s the pressure. Antetokounmpko was on the Milwaukee team that won two elimination games against Chicago in 2015 (before the Bucks eventually lost that series in six games). And he also remembers the sting of last season Harold Landry Jersey Titans , when the Bucks went home for Game 6 trailing Toronto 3-2 and wound up letting a pair of late leads slip in what became a season-ending loss.

INJURY UPDATE: Getting Smart back was a rare bit of good news for Boston in this injury-marred season, one where the Celtics have been without Gordon Hayward since opening night and ultimately lost Kyrie Irving for the playoffs. Smart hadn’t played in about six weeks after tearing a ligament in his right thumb, but was a clear difference-maker for the Celtics in Game 5.

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WASHINGTON — Conditioned by years of playoff failures Harrison Phillips Jersey Bills , Washington Capitals fans are always prepared for the worst.

After Thursday’s Game 1 overtime loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets, some Capitals followers quickly progressed through the five stages of death and began planning for the offseason.

But the sun came up Friday, Beltway traffic was no worse than usual, and the Capitals can even the series Sunday night at Capital One Arena.

“I thought we were average,” Capitals coach Barry Trotz said of Thursday’s loss. “I know we have another level.

“Playoff hockey is about … a lot of times it’s 50-50. Nothing’s happening, nothing’s happening and then something happens and it changes the course of maybe the game.”

The Capitals squandered leads of 2-0 and 3-2 before Artemi Panarin’s artistic overtime goal gave the Blue Jackets a 1-0 series lead. It is the first time Columbus has led a playoff series in four tries as they seek their first series win.

Panarin Youth Jordan Whitehead Jersey , who led Columbus with 82 points in the regular season, added two assists and became the first player in franchise history with three points in a playoff game.

“We traded away a really good player in (Brandon Saad) to get (Panarin),” Blue Jackets coach John Tortorella told NHL.com. “A different type of player, a guy that makes something out of nothing. Makes a great play on the tying goal and scores just a goal that a lot of people can’t score in this league. That’s sometimes the difference between winning and losing.”

Sergei Bobrovsky stopped 27 shots for Columbus and Washington’s Philipp Grubauer made 23 saves after getting the starting nod over Braden Holtby.

“There was nothing in that game that you’d say, why you would make a change? Philipp’s been really good,” Trotz told reporters Saturday. “So we’ll go back with Grubi; I’ve got a lot of confidence in him Youth Cleveland Browns Jerseys , and we’ll be ready.”

Both teams could benefit from more discipline in Game 2. While referees generally try to let the players determine the outcome at even strength in the postseason, Columbus scored on two of its four power plays and Washington scored on two of its six.

Evgeny Kuznetsov scored two goals 29 seconds apart on a five-minute power play in the first period after Josh Anderson was ejected for a hit on Michael Kempny, who left the game.

Columbus tied the score 2-2 on a third-period power play after Alexander Wennberg took a blow to the head from Washington’s Tom Wilson.

Finally, the Blue Jackets forced overtime when Andre Burakovsky went off for tripping at 14:55 of the third period.

“That’s playoff hockey. That’s what it’s all about is momentum and not giving the other team life at crucial moments in the game,” Wilson told The Washington Post. “There’s some situations out there we can obviously manage better.”

Kempny should be back for Game 2, but Wennberg is doubtful Authentic Customized 49ers Jerseys , likely forcing Columbus make some changes to their lineup. Twenty-one-year-old forward Sonny Milano, a healthy scratch for Game 1, will be in the Blue Jackets’ lineup. He had 14 goals and eight assists in the regular season.

“He still scares the hell out of me in a lot of situations,” Tortorella told The Washington Post. “But he’s a guy, another guy that can make something out of nothing and score a big goal for you.”

The Capitals could have their entire roster healthy Sunday if fourth-line center Jay Beagle returns after missing Game 1 with an upper-body injury. In addition to his faceoff prowess, Beagle plays significant time on the penalty kill. He practiced Saturday and said he hopes to play.

“It’s all about starting with the puck Authentic Customized Giants Jerseys , and he gives us an advantage in that more than most guys in the league,” Trotz told The Washington Post.

The Capitals were 23-8-1 in the regular season after a loss.

Winston said in a statement released on Facebook that the NFL informed him of their decision on Thursday. The discipline stems from the league’s investigation of an accusation that the 2013 Heisman Trophy winner groped a female Uber driver during a ride the quarterback took in Arizona, where Winston was attending a charity event in March 2016.

The driver did not file a criminal or civil complaint, however she reported the incident to Uber. The NFL learned of the allegation, when it was reported publicly last November.

”The league promptly initiated a comprehensive investigation that included interviews with several persons, including the driver, Winston and others with relevant information Cheap Los Angeles Chargers Hoodie ,” the NFL said in a statement announcing the suspension. ”The league also examined an extensive amount of other evidence, including telephone records, business records, data from electronic devices and other communications.”

The Bucs drafted Winston No. 1 overall in 2015, despite questions about the young quarterback’s behavior during his college career at Florida State.

Winston, 24 Kevin Hogan Jersey Redskins , was accused of raping a fellow student at FSU, but was never charged. The university settled a Title IX lawsuit over its handling of the allegations with Winston’s accuser, Erica Kinsman, in January 2016 for $1.7 million.

Winston said in his statement Thursday that ”in the past 2 years my life has been filled with experiences, opportunities and events that have helped me grow, mature and learn.” Winston added that he has eliminated alcohol from his life.

Winston Jaguars Elite Jerseys , who’s thrown for 11,636 yards and 69 touchdowns in three NFL seasons, has started 45 of the Bucs’ past 48 games. He missed three games last season with a shoulder injury and the Bucs finished 5-11, missing the playoffs for the 10th straight season.

He will miss the Bucs’ season opener at New Orleans on Sept. 9, as well as homes games against defending Super Bowl champion Philadelphia and Pittsburgh. He will be eligible to return to the team on Sept. 25, the day after Tampa Bay plays the Steelers.

The league said Winston is also required to have a clinical evaluation and cooperate in any recommended program of therapeutic intervention.

”All members of our organization are expected to conduct themselves in accordance with the personal conduct policy of the NFL Youth Carolina Panthers Hats ,” the Bucs said in a statement. ”We are disappointed that Jameis put himself in a position that has been found to violate the policy and accept today’s decision by the commissioner.”

The suspension will cost Winston $124,411 of his base salary of $705,000 for the upcoming season. The quarterback is set to earn $20.9 million in 2019.

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