Celtics lead NBA Finals 2-0; Alcaraz, Swiatek win French Open

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Heads up: We’re anticipating a Dan Hurley decision between going to the Lakers or staying at UConn right now, so keep it locked to CBS Sports today.

🍀 Good morning to everybody, however particularly to …

THE BOSTON CELTICS

The Celtics are two video games away from “Banner 18,” they usually gained Recreation 2 with a efficiency that was removed from their finest, slugging out a 105-98 victory over the Mavericks Sunday evening.

For the second straight sport, Boston confirmed that whereas it has a record-breaking offense, its versatile, sensible and well-constructed protection can save the day. And when its largest stars aren’t shining, an impressive super team-caliber supporting cast can carry the load.

• Jrue Vacation was magnificent with 26 factors (on 11-for-14 taking pictures) and 11 rebounds. He received it accomplished on each ends and, critically, in clutch time. Derrick White (18 factors, team-high 4 3-pointers) had an enormous block with below a minute left. Boston gained regardless of taking pictures simply 10 for 39 (25.6%) from 3 and Jayson Tatum scoring simply 18 factors on 6-for-22 taking pictures.
• However with their driving and passing, Tatum (12 assists) and Jaylen Brown (21 factors, seven assists) are proving impossible for Dallas to guard, James Herbert writes.

Over the weekend, Jason Kidd raised some eyebrows by saying Brown is Boston’s best player. However by two video games, it doesn’t matter who Boston’s “best” player is, Invoice Reiter writes.

• Reiter: “Whereas like most NBA teams that win, or virtually win, a title, the Mavs want their starpower to shine — each their stars. 
  However Boston is constructed in a different way. Certainly one of 5 or 6 guys can beat you. That appears to be what Kidd missed when he tried to stir issues up. He isn’t up towards two superstars. He is up towards 5 of them, relying on the evening, the second, the precise want.”

In the same vein, we’re nearing “Who ought to be Finals MVP?” time, and Colin Ward-Henninger says it should be general manager Brad Stevens. Arduous to argue there.

As for the Mavericks, it is fairly easy. Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving need to be otherworldly. Doncic was darn near good — 32 factors, 11 rebounds, 11 assists and one (inadvertent) heated exchange with Celtics owner Wyc Grousbeck — however nonetheless shouldered the blame for the loss.

Irving, although, was worlds away … once more … with 16 factors on 7-for-18 taking pictures. Dallas wants him to be higher. A lot better, Brad Botkin writes. Dallas merely would not have the top-tier depth to maintain up in any other case.

👍 Honorable mentions

🏀 And never such a superb morning for …

CAITLIN CLARK

The largest identify in ladies’s school basketball is not heading to the Olympics: Caitlin Clark won’t join Crew USA in Paris. Here’s who (reportedly) will:

• Guards: Diana Taurasi, Sabrina Ionescu, Chelsea Grey, Jackie Younger, Kelsey Plum, Jewell Loyd
• Forwards: A’ja Wilson, Breanna Stewart, Kahleah Copper, Napheesa Collier, Alyssa Thomas
• Middle: Brittney Griner

Clark has had a bumpy begin to her WNBA profession, however there would definitely be benefits to bringing her to Paris given her recognition alone. However basketball isn’t a recognition contest. Plus, as Jack Maloney writes, “Contemplating the depth of expertise and the restricted spots, Crew USA’s Olympic squad is arguably the toughest basketball workforce to make on the planet.”

In consequence, whereas Clark may be the most important “identify” snubbed from the roster, she’s not even the biggest snub on a long list of them, Jack writes.

• Maloney: “Arike Ogunbowale — [She] has by no means made the ultimate roster for the World Cup or Olympics. That did not change this 12 months, and he or she is arguably the most important snub of all. By way of the primary three weeks of the season, she’s second within the league in scoring at 26.6 factors per sport, and is averaging career-highs with 5 assists and three.1 steals per sport.”

Clark, to her credit score, took her omission in stride and drew motivation from it, Fever coach Christie Sides stated.

👎 Not so honorable mentions

🎾 Carlos Alcaraz, Iga Swiatek win French Open singles titles

The smile had became a scowl, the arrogance into contentiousness. He had gone from almost being one set away from successful to at least one set away from shedding, his again towards the wall, his opponent rejuvenated.

After which got here Carlos Alcaraz in full drive, emphatically exhibiting that it’s certainly his period — and it is only the start. The 21-year-old famous person roared again for a 6-3, 2-6, 5-7, 6-1, 6-2 victory over Alexander Zverev to seize his third Grand Slam and his first French Open.

Alcaraz struggled within the second set and unraveled within the third, which he led 5-2 earlier than shedding 5 straight video games, complaining concerning the courtroom situations alongside the best way. However he recovered in spectacular trend each mentally and bodily (he took a medical timeout for his thigh) and improved to an astonishing 11-1 in five-setters.

Symbolically, it is value noting Alcaraz’s title is available in the identical occasion Novak Djokovic withdrew from due to a torn meniscus, and Rafael Nadal lost in the first round of maybe his remaining French Open. Whereas we’ll by no means depend out Djokovic, and there are many 20-somethings who can push Alcaraz to the brink, the Spanish sensation is well-positioned to be atop the game for a very long time.

Iga Swiatek, 23, in the meantime, may be very a lot already there after finishing her Roland Garros three-peat with a 6-2, 6-1 domination of Jasmine Paolini. Swiatek turned the …

• Youngest girl within the Open Period to win 5 Grand Slams
• Youngest girl within the Open Period to win 4 French Opens
• First girl to win a single Grand Slam three consecutive instances since Serena Williams (2012-14 US Open)
• First girl to win three straight French Opens since Justine Henin (2005-07)

⛳ Scottie Scheffler wins the Memorial as U.S. Open looms

Under the supernaturally serene floor, there’s an intensely aggressive fireplace burning inside Scottie Scheffler, and we noticed it as soon as once more this weekend. The World No. 1 nailed a knee-knocking par putt from simply inside 5 toes to win the Memorial by one stroke over Collin Morikawa, celebrating with a giant fist pump because the ball dropped into the cup.

Scheffler was removed from his finest Sunday when the course performed brutally tough — solely six of the 52 gamers broke par. Scheffler’s two-over 74 was truly his worst rating this season. However he got here up with large par-saving up-and-downs on 16 and 18 to seize his fifth win of the season. He is the primary participant with 5 wins in a season earlier than the U.S. Open since Tom Watson in 1980.

He has additionally made over $24 million in prize money this season, a PGA Tour report with nonetheless almost three months left within the season.

However what actually made this win particular is that it was Scheffler’s first as a father. His spouse and son have been there to greet him greenside after the win.

Subsequent up for Scheffler and the gamers attempting to catch him (good luck with that) is the U.S. Open. We’ll have loads of preview content material coming your method this week!

🏒 Sergei Bobrovsky stymies Oilers in Stanley Cup Closing opener

The unstoppable drive was stopped, because of a very immovable object. Sergei Bobrovsky made 32 saves — a number of of the spectacular selection — because the Panthers beat the Oilers, 3-0, in Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final.

The Panthers solely put 18 pictures on aim, however they have been opportunistic with them: Carter Verhaeghe and Evan Rodrigues each beat Stuart Skinner, and Eetu Luostarinen added an empty-netter.

Bobrovsky was large all through the evening, however particularly on the facility play, the place Edmonton’s usually wonderful unit went 0-for-3. It is the primary time the Oilers have been held scoreless this postseason.

📺 What we’re watching Monday

⚾ Orioles at Rays, 6:50 p.m. on FS1
🏀 Fever at Solar, 7 p.m. on NBA TV
🏒 Stanley Cup Closing — Recreation 2: Oilers at Panthers, 8 p.m. on ABC