What a journey it has been. It feels like just yesterday that I, Max Baker, started my Remix writing career. And now, sadly, it’s coming to an end.  

But enough about me, let’s talk ball. 

NBA PLAYOFFS

The Detroit Pistons and New York Knicks played an instant classic. The Knicks led for the majority of the game and held a 103-92 lead at the 8:52 mark of the fourth quarter. The Pistons rallied with a 20-2 run to go ahead by seven points with 2:35 to play. Enter Jalen Brunson. The point guard scored five straight points and then hit the game-winner with less than five seconds remaining. He finished with 40 points in the win. Fun season for the Detroit Pistons while the Knicks will try to escape the second round with a battle against the Boston Celtics.

If there was one series that you knew was going seven games, it was the Clippers versus the Nuggets. Neither team has been able to gain a stronghold on the series and with LA’s 111-105 win over the Nuggets, it will head to a do-or-die game on Saturday. James Harden was spectacular in the first half and Nicolas Batum played 34 key minutes in the win. In the words of the great Zaza Pachulia, “WE’RE GOING TO GAME SEVEN"

NHL PLAYOFFS

The Toronto Maple Leafs were the first of three teams to advance to the second round on Thursday night. They finally closed out the Ottawa Senators with a 4-2 win on the road. William Nylander tallied two goals and Max Pacioretty netted the game-winner with 5:29 to play in the third period. The Maple Leafs will face the defending Stanley Cup Champion Florida Panthers in the second round. 

The Vegas Golden Knights knocked off the Minnesota Wild. Although he didn’t play, that marks the end of goalie Marc-Andre Fleury’s illustrious career. The Knights will play the Edmonton Oilers in the second round. 

After trailing the series 2-0, the Oilers rattled off four straight wins to defeat the Los Angeles Kings. The Oilers trailed in all four games, including two games where they were losing heading to the third period.  

The Colorado Avalanche staved off elimination with four third period goals in a 7-4 win over the Minnesota Wild. Game seven will be on Saturday.

MLB

Juan Soto hit his first two home runs at Citi Field as a member of the New York Mets Thursday afternoon. The Mets still lost to the Arizona Diamondbacks 4-2.

And congratulations to Guardians third baseman Jose Ramirez, who became the first player in Cleveland franchise history and 24th in Major League history to hit 250 home runs and steal 250 bases.

NOTEWORTHY NEWS

Tyrese Haliburton’s father, John Haliburton, will not be in attendance for the Indiana Pacers’ home and road games for the foreseeable future. Haliburton engaged in a heated conversation with Giannis Antetokounmpo on the court after the Pacers’ win on Tuesday night, Let’s stay in our seats next time John! Or I guess there won’t be a next time in the foreseeable future. 

THIS WEEKEND’S BIG GAMES (all times Eastern)

NBA PLAYOFFS:

• Rockets @ Warriors, Game 6 at 8 PM on ESPN

• Nuggets @ Clippers, Game 7 at 7:30 PM on TNT/Max

• Cavaliers @ Pacers, Game One Sunday at TBD on TNT/Max

• *IF NECESSARY* Warriors @ Rockets, Game 7 Sunday at 8:30 PM

NHL PLAYOFFS:

• Jets @ Blues, Game 6 at 8 PM on TNT

• Stars @ Avalanche, Game 7 Saturday at 8 PM on ABC

• *IF NECESSARY* Blues @ Jets, Game 7 Sunday at 7 PM

THE KENTUCKY DERBY: Into the starting gate at 6:57 PM, Saturday on NBC; Ben’s picks: Tiztastic, Publisher, and Final Gambit. You can view all the horses and odds here

We’re running it back with another JJ Redick quote:

“I’ll start with the offseason and the work that’s required in an offseason to be in championship shape,” Redick said Thursday. “And we have a ways to go as a roster. And certainly, there are individuals that were in phenomenal shape. There's certainly other ones that could have been in better shape. That's where my mind goes immediately is we have to get in championship shape."

Absolutely no idea who he could be talking about here… 

Have a wonderful weekend!