NBA Finals

Boston Celtics vs. Golden State Warriors

TV

Game 1 Thursday, 8 PM CT, ABC, Boston @Golden State

Game 2 Sunday, 7 PM CT, ABC, Boston @ Golden State

Game 3, Wednesday, June 8, 8 PM CT, ABC, Golden State @ Boston

Game 4, Friday, June 10, 8 PM CT ABC, Golden State @ Boston

Game 5, if necessary, Monday, June 13, 8 PM CT, ABC, Boston @ Golden State

Game 6, if necessary, Thursday, June 16, 8 PM CT, ABC, Golden State @ Boston

Game 7, if necessary, Sunday, June 19, 7 PM CT, Boston @ Golden State

Boston has the best defense is the league, but they really struggle with turnovers. I love this Celtics team. Thirty three year old Al Horford is such a leader for their team as he takes care of the stud 20 somethings on the team, Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown and Marcus Smart. He’s also a spectacular player at 6’10”. As good as the Celtics are, I just have to go with Steph Curry, Klay Thompson, Draymond Green and the Warriors. They’ve been an unstoppable force in these playoffs. Going with the 6 time NBA Champions, most recently in 2015, 2017 and 2018. Give me Curry as the MVP as well.

Warriors over Celtics in 6

Stanley Cup Finals

Much like the NBA Playoffs, the Stanley Cup Playoffs have been riveting. It’s down to the Conference Finals in the Eastern and Western Conferences, with 4 teams competing to make the Stanley Cup Finals and capture the coveted Lord Stanley Cup.

Here are my predictions for this stellar event. TV coverage for the semis is on ESPN and TNT. ESPN for the East and TNT for the West. Lightning at Rangers tonight at 7 on ESPN. Colorado Avalanche, with the best regular season record, won last night over the Edmonton Oilers, 8-6, in game 1.

Eastern Conference Finals

New York Rangers vs. Tampa Bay Lightning

The Lightning are the 2 time defending Stanley Cup champion, and their talent is through the roof exceptional. They’re a very, very difficult team to defeat, so tough, so talented. But I don’t like Rangers goalie Igor Shesterkin, I love the guy. Just a phenomenal goalie. Add that to the firepower of the Rangers and their terrific defense, and I’m taking the upset here. Rangers get it done with the home ice in what will be an epic series.

Rangers over Lightning in 7

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Western Conference Finals

Colorado Avalanche vs. Edmonton Oilers

Colorado is a stellar offensive team. Connor McDavid is a terrific player for the Oilers, but the Avalanche look unstoppable with their electric speed on the ice and their magical agility, stick work and scoring ability. Give me the Avs.

Avalanche over Oilers in 6

Stanley Cup Finals

Avalanche vs. Rangers

TV

Game 1, Saturday, June 18, 7:10 PM CT, ABC. New York @ Colorado

Game 2, Monday, June 20, 7:10 PM CT, ABC, New York @ Colorado

Game 3, Wednesday, June 22nd, 7:10 PM CT, ABC, Colorado @ New York

Game 4, Friday, June 24, 7:10 PM CT, ABC, Colorado @ New York

Game 5, Sunday, June 26, 7:10 PM CT, if necessary, ABC, New York @ Colorado

Game 6, Tuesday, June 28, 7:10 PM CT, if necessary, ABC, Colorado @ New York

Game 7, Thursday, June 30, 7:10 PM CT, if necessary, ABC, New York @ Colorado

Prediction

It’s the offensive explosiveness and electricity of the Colorado Avalanche versus the physicality and toughness of the New York Rangers. When the talent is about equal, I go with the more physical team. Plus, the 26 year old Shesterkin, from Moscow, though not everybody’s favorite place, but produces incredible hockey players, is the best goalie in the NHL and that really helps.

Rangers over Avalanche in 6

Conn Smythe Trophy, Most Valuable Player in Stanley Cup Playoffs

Igor Shesterkin

Prediction for the Memorial Tournaemnt

TV

Thursday-Friday, 1-5 PM CT, Golf Channel

Saturday-Sunday, 11:30 AM-1:30 PM CT, GC, 1:30-5 PM CT, CBS.

Weather, Showers possible Thursday, Friday through Sunday, mostly sunny, temperatures in the higher 70’s and low 80’s on Sunday. Winds around 8-9 MPH, so not a major factor, but a little bit of a factor.

Odds, Jon Rahm, 9/1, Rory, 10/1 (are they not always the betting favorites every week?), Patrick Cantlay, defending champion, though Rahm had a 6 shot lead after the third round last year but had to withdraw because he tested positive for COVID, 14/1, Jordan Spieth, 18/1, Cameron Smith, 18/1, Collin Morikawa, 18/1, Xander Schauffele, 20/1, Viktor Hovland, 22/1, Shane Lowry, 22/1, Matt Fitzpatrick, 25/1, Hideki Matsuyama, 25/1, Will Zalatoris, 28/1, Joaquin Niemann, 35/1, Max Homa, 35/1, Davis Riley, 40/1. Abe Ancer, 50/1.

Prediction

I’ll take the 25 year old from L.A., by way of Cal-Berkeley. He won the Workday Charity Open at Muirfiueld Village in 2020 in an epic playoff over Justin Thomas, and lost in a playoff to Cantlay last year at the Memorial. Muirfield Village is playing 7,533 yards and is a par 72. Greens are bent grass and will be stomping at 12-13. Give me this young gun, who looks to have more majors ahead of him, but so many of them look like major champion material, so you never know. You just make your best attempt at who will win every week. It’s a challenge with the depth and talent level on tour.

Collin Morkawa

The 77th U.S. Women’s Open Prediction

At Pine Needles Golf Club in Southern Pines, North Carolina

Defending Open Champion is Japan’s Yuka Saso, who won at The Olympic Club in San Francisco in a playoff over fellow countrywoman Nasa Hataoka. Lexi Thompson had a difficult to watch meltdown on the backside of Olympic. Felt bad for her.

Weather, Hot one Thursday, 96, sunny, humidity low at 48%, wind 9 MPH. Friday, 84, 61% humidity, Wind 8 MPH. Saturday, 85, Humidity, 42%, wind 9 MPH. Sunday, 86, Humidity 44%, Wind 8. MPH. So heat is tough tomorrow, but good from Friday on through the weekend.

TV

Thursday, 12-2 PM CT, Peacock, 2-7 PM CT, USA Network

Friday, 12-2 PM CT, Peacock, 2-7 PM CT, USA

Saturday, 11 AM-12 PM CT, Peacock. 12-2 PM CT, USA, 2-5 PM CT, NBC.

Sunday, 12-2 PM CT, USA, 2-6 PM CT, NBC.

Odds

Jin Young Ko, 15/2, Lydia Ko, 12/1, Minjee Lee, 12/1, Lexi Thompson, 14/1, Nelly Korda, 18/1, Hannah Green, 22/1, Nasa Hataoka, 22/1, Jessica Korda, 35/1, Yuka Saso 35/1, Brooke Henderson 45/1, Patty Tavantanakit, 45/1, Jennifer Kupcho, the Chevron Championship champion, first major on LPGA Tour back in March, Danielle Kang, 55/1

Prediction

I’m going to take the 26 year old from Perth, Australia. She won her first major, the Evian Championship in France, in 2021. She most recently won the Cognizant Founders Cup on May 15th in Clinton New Jersey at the Upper Montclair Country Club Course. I like the way she’s trending. Give me,

Minjee Lee