MAGICAL MONDAY by Tannen

The Celtics & Lakers lose home playoff games on the same night for the first time in 60 years. The 2 best players in the NHL each score hat tricks in the same game. The current hottest pitcher in the major leagues turns in another shutout to drop his ERA to below a half run. Orlando looked like they'd run Boston out of their own gym before the Celts showed that heart of a champion and rallied to make it a game but came up 5 points light in game 1. In the nightcap, the Rockets really took it to LA leading for most of the game and winning with minimal drama to take a one games to zip lead in that West semi. Houston established from the opening gun they would be willing to mix it up and we saw a ton of physical confrontations and bloodied players. While Kobe had 32 points it was in a manner not usually connected to Laker success as he chucked up 31 shots. Yao Ming was just outstanding with 28 points and 10 rebounds. The big fella simply makes himself impossible to guard when he steps out and hits that 15-18 footer. Ron Artest might be borderline nuts and the haircut proved it, but he was a major tone setter with his incredible defense, unselfish play on offense and those 21 points. He was the best player on the court last night.
In hockey, Washington and Pittsburgh put on a show with the Caps winning 4-3 to take a 2-games to none edge in that East Conference semi final. The top guns for each team, Sid the Kid Crosby of the Pens and Alex Ovechkin of the Capitals each found the net 3 times in one of the more entertaining games of this post season.
In baseball, Zach Greinke of the Royals was on the most recent cover of Sports Illustrated and proceeded to shoot down the SI jinx with a dazzling complete game, 10 strikeout, zero walk shutout of the White Sox. He's now 6 & 0 keeping the below average Kaycee team in the AL Central hunt. This time of year ranks really high for sports from my chair.