NEW YORK (AP) — Matt Rempe helped the New York Rangers get their postseason off to a powerful begin.

Rempe and Artemi Panarin scored 33 seconds aside within the second interval, and the Presidents’ Trophy-winning Rangers beat the Washington Capitals 4-1 on Sunday in Sport 1 of their first-round playoff sequence.

Jimmy Vesey had a purpose and an help, Chris Kreider additionally scored, Barclay Goodrow had two assists for the Rangers. Igor Shesterkin completed with 20 saves.

“It’s clearly good to get that first one,” mentioned New York’s Peter Laviolette, who turned the primary coach in NHL historical past to guide six completely different groups to the Stanley Cup playoffs. “There’s issues we might have achieved higher. … You’ll want to win separately, so for that the outcome was good.”

The Rangers, in search of their first championship in 30 years, gained their third straight and eleventh within the final 14 video games.

Martin Fehervary scored and Charlie Lindgren stopped 27 photographs for the Capitals, who had gained three straight and 4 of their final 5 video games to earn the second wild card within the Jap Convention.

“We’ve acquired to do a approach higher job offensively,” Capitals coach Spencer Carbery mentioned. “It’s no secret. We struggled all 12 months however we’ve acquired to search out methods to create extra on the inside. We’ve acquired to skate out of stress, we’ve acquired to maintain pucks off the yellow. We regularly ran pucks round.”

Sport 2 of the best-of-seven sequence is Tuesday evening.

Main 3-1 after two durations, the Rangers outshot the Capitals 15-6 within the third.

Kreider made it 4-1 as he put a backhander previous Lindgren on a breakaway from the fitting facet with 3:43 left within the third interval. It was his forty first postseason purpose, extending his franchise file.

The Rangers bottled up Capitals star Alex Ovechkin, who had no photographs on purpose. He was held and not using a shot solely 5 occasions in 79 video games through the season.

“All of us perceive it’s the playoffs,” Ovechkin mentioned. “Neglect about this one and transfer ahead.”

After a scoreless first interval during which the groups mixed for 11 photographs on purpose, there have been 4 targets within the second interval.

Rempe acquired the Rangers on the scoreboard first, sweeping within the puck from the left facet off a deflection throughout the entrance of the web by Vesey at 4:17.

Rempe, the 21-year-old rookie who has garnered lots of consideration for his bodily play and fights, drew chants of “Rem-pe! Rem-pe!” from the gang.

“That was a giant purpose to place vitality within the constructing, perhaps as a result of it was him, too, put a bit of extra additional juice within the constructing,” Laviolette mentioned. “After which be capable of get one other one proper after that. That was a turning level within the sport.”

Panarin, who had a career-high 49 targets through the common season, made it 2-0 simply 33 seconds later at 4:50 as he fired a shot previous Lindgren from the fitting circle. Alexis Lafreniere knocked defenseman Vincent Iorio off the puck and shoulder-first into the boards. Lafreniere then ship the puck to Trocheck, who despatched throughout to Panarin for the purpose.

Iorio went to the dressing room after the play and didn’t return. Carbery didn’t have an replace on his standing.

“I don’t assume it was that, it was shut, it was borderline,” he mentioned of the hit. “I really feel dangerous for him as a result of he put himself in a troublesome spot. In all probability wants to maneuver the puck faster there and get it out of his arms. Then he hangs on to it, wobbles it.”

Vesey made it 3-0 as he acquired the puck off a attract the fitting circle and fired it previous Lindgren at 6:23. Rempe in entrance knocked down Beck Malenstyn to provide Vesey some house for his shot.

“(Rempe) scoring despatched the followers loopy, and we scored two extra targets within the subsequent couple of minutes,” Vesey mentioned. “He positively will get the gang into the sport and because the crew with home-ice benefit, you’re going to attempt to feed off that vitality within the crowd.”

Fehervary deflected a shot by Tom Wilson off his foot and previous Shesterkin to get the Capitals on the scoreboard at 7:31.

Rempe was whistled for charging to provide the Capitals an influence play 2:07 into the sport. The Capitals managed only one shot on purpose through the benefit and had a number of photographs blocked. Additionally they went a 14:09 stretch within the interval and not using a shot on purpose because the Rangers had an 11-7 benefit.

The Rangers improved to 21-9 within the openers of a seven-game sequence at house.

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AP NHL playoffs: https://apnews.com/hub/stanley-cup and https://www.apnews.com/hub/NHL

Washington solely had six pictures within the third interval and didn’t get its first on web till there was 7:44 remaining.

“It makes the sport fairly straightforward when everybody’s going like that,” New York defenseman Ok’Andre Miller mentioned. “I believe we had our foot on the pedal all evening and made it actually onerous on their defensemen, did not give them a lot. “

The Capitals have been 2-for-2 on the penalty kill however 0-for-4 on the ability play.

“They’ve clearly bought excellent particular groups over there, and to close them down on the PK was large momentum for us,” Carlson mentioned. “We had loads of probabilities to seize it by means of these kills, by means of the ability performs, however if you let it blow within the wind, you by no means know what is going on to occur.”

NOTES: Kreider performed in his 108th playoff recreation to go Marc Staal for sole possession of third place Rangers historical past. Solely Dan Girardi (122) and Henrik Lundqvist (130) have performed in additional. … Capitals defenseman Vincent Iorio sustained an upper-body harm within the second and didn’t return. Coach Spencer Carbery didn’t have an replace. Washington was additionally with out defensemen Nick Jensen (higher physique) and Rasmus Sandin (higher physique), and Carlson performed a game-high 27:24. … Panarin has 121 factors within the common season and playoffs mixed. The one Rangers gamers with extra in a single season are Jaromir Jagr (125 in 85 video games in 2005-06) and Vic Hadfield (122 in 94 video games in 1971-72). … Ovechkin was held and not using a shot on objective for the fourth time in 148 postseason video games. He’s second amongst lively NHL gamers with 72 playoff objectives, one behind Dallas Stars ahead Joe Pavelski.

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Damian Lillard’s sensational begin ensured the Milwaukee Bucks would fare simply advantageous with out Giannis Antetokounmpo of their playoff opener.

Lillard scored all 35 of his points earlier than halftime and the Milwaukee Bucks defeated the Indiana Pacers 109-94 on Sunday whereas Antetokounmpo watched from the bench.

“I don’t suppose that it’s all on me however I do know that I’ve obtained to be a bit of bit extra aggressive and I’ve obtained to step ahead a bit of bit extra assertively,” Lillard stated. “Within the playoffs … it’s about setting a tone. We’re going to see this crew a number of instances, and also you wish to set up your self, particularly on your private home ground. That was simply my mentality, to come back out and attempt to set the tone.”

The Bucks wanted Lillard to step up with out Antetokounmpo, whose return date is unsure as he offers with a strained left calf that additionally prompted him to overlook Milwaukee’s last three regular-season video games. Sport 2 of the playoff sequence is Tuesday in Milwaukee.

Lillard got here by by setting a Bucks document for factors in both half of a playoff recreation. He didn’t rating in any respect and tried solely 5 photographs within the second half because the Pacers targeted on slowing him down, however the injury was performed by that time.

“He’s obtained that prizefighter-like mentality,” Bucks coach Doc Rivers stated. “It’s virtually like he’s coaching for the combat. When the bell rings, he appears to be prepared.”

This was Lillard’s first postseason recreation since 2021. He spent his first 11 seasons with the Portland Path Blazers earlier than the Bucks acquired him in a commerce.

“The final two years, not being within the playoffs, it sucked,” Lillard stated. “Early holidays. Final yr, I went to Coachella. I ain’t by no means been in a position to go to Coachella. It’s taking part in within the playoffs yearly. Simply having that lengthy summer season, it was like, man, I used to be over that.”

Pascal Siakam had 36 factors and 13 rebounds for the Pacers, who hadn’t scored fewer than 99 factors within the common season whereas averaging a league-high 123.3 factors per recreation. The Pacers shot 8 of 39 from 3-point vary.

Indiana, which had received 4 of its 5 regular-season conferences with the Bucks, is making its first playoff look since 2020. The Pacers haven’t superior past the opening spherical since 2014.

“It’s simple to simply say we missed photographs and now we’re nervous or no matter,” stated Indiana’s Tyrese Haliburton, who had 9 factors, eight assists and 7 rebounds. “No matter you all are going to run with, it doesn’t matter. I simply really feel like we missed photographs, on the finish of the day. The ball wasn’t hopping. They usually made photographs within the first half and that form of dug us a gap.”

Khris Middleton had 23 factors and 10 rebounds for the Bucks, whereas Bobby Portis added 15 factors and 11 rebounds.

Lillard had 19 factors within the opening interval, the very best first-quarter level complete by any participant in a playoff opener since no less than 1997. He had the very best first-half level complete for any participant in a postseason contest since Kevin Durant had 38 on the break for the Golden State Warriors in a 2019 first-round recreation with the Los Angeles Clippers.

He then obtained some assist from his teammates whereas taking a well-deserved breather. Milwaukee outscored Indiana 14-3 whereas Lillard was on the bench for practically the primary 5 minutes of the second quarter.

As soon as Lillard returned, he picked up proper the place he’d left off. He sank a 3-pointer whereas getting fouled and accomplished a four-point play to increase Milwaukee’s result in 65-35. The Bucks have been forward 69-42 at halftime.

“The primary half was embarrassing,” Pacers coach Rick Carlisle stated. “No excuses. We’ve merely obtained to come back out higher. It was ugly, and all of us personal it.”

Indiana closed the third quarter with 9 straight factors to get Milwaukee’s lead right down to 83-71, however the Bucks regained management.

Jae Crowder and Malik Beasley made 3-pointers on consecutive possessions to start out an 8-0 run that prolonged Milwaukee’s result in 99-77 with 8:10 left. Milwaukee stayed forward by no less than 14 the remainder of the best way.

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AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/NBA

HILTON HEAD ISLAND, S.C. — Seems solely the rain can cease Masters champion Scottie Scheffler.

Scheffler holed a tough pitch for eagle on his second gap Sunday to construct some separation within the RBC Heritage and regarded so flawless that it was solely a matter of time.

After which he ran out of time. A storm system with heavy rain stopped play for 2½ hours, and Scheffler was capable of get via solely 15 holes when darkness compelled a Monday end. He led by 5 photographs with nobody significantly difficult him.

“Everyone seems to be making an attempt to chase Scottie, and he is making it actually robust as a result of he retains successful,” U.S. Open champion Wyndham Clark stated after giving it his finest effort.

Clark, who began the ultimate spherical 7 photographs behind, opened birdie-eagle-birdie and at one level bought to inside 1 shot of Scheffler. He was 8 beneath via 11 holes till an journey into the bushes proper of the twelfth fairway led to double-bogey.

Clark already has completed runner-up to Scheffler twice on this wonderful run, at Bay Hill and The Gamers Championship in consecutive weeks in March. He a minimum of managed to complete his spherical at 6-under 65 and posted at 15-under 269.

Patrick Cantlay and J.T. Poston joined him at 15 beneath and have been simply off the 18th inexperienced. Sahith Theegala additionally was 15 beneath and in the precise tough on the sixteenth gap.

The ultimate spherical is about to renew at 8 a.m. ET Monday. Scheffler has three holes separating him from a fourth victory in his previous 5 tournaments, a degree of dominance not seen on the PGA Tour because the prime of Tiger Woods.

The exception in his streak was a runner-up end within the Houston Open, when he misinterpret a birdie putt from 5 toes that will have compelled a playoff.

Now he’s on the verge of turning into the primary participant since Bernhard Langer in 1985 to win the week after slipping on the Masters inexperienced jacket.

Scheffler was relentless as ever Sunday, particularly on the finish.

On the par-5 fifteenth, he hit his second shot into the water fronting the inexperienced, which he assumes was on account of mud on the underside of his ball. Dealing with a fourth shot with bushes blocking a direct path to the flag, he hit a shot with sufficient spin to experience the slope right down to 12 toes.

The horn to cease play had already sounded. Scheffler selected to complete and flippantly pumped his fist when he made it for par. That prolonged his streak to 66 straight holes at par or higher.

Scheffler confirmed extra emotion for that par than for his eagle on the second gap or the 2 birdies that adopted.

“I felt just like the par was fairly essential tonight, simply having the ability to fall asleep and nonetheless conserving a clear card,” he stated. “I felt like I bought a foul break there within the fairway. I have not needed to hit a shot like that in a very long time, so I figured there will need to have been mud on the underside of the ball. Simply good to maintain the cardboard clear.”

If it is a battle for second place — identical to it was on the Masters final week when Scheffler gained by 4 photographs — there was cause for Cantlay and Poston to attend.

Second place alone is value $2.16 million, some $800,000 greater than a four-way tie for second.

Cantlay marked his ball subsequent to the collar of tough left of the inexperienced. Poston was wanting the inexperienced, some 30 yards from the again left pin.

Nobody has an opportunity of catching Scheffler until the world’s No. 1 golfer makes a collection of blunders within the morning, and that regarded inconceivable.

Scheffler has not made worse than par since a double-bogey on the third gap Thursday. He had a streak of 53 holes — relationship to the fifteenth gap of the opening spherical — with out something larger than a 4 on his scorecard.

He started the ultimate spherical with a 1-shot lead over Sepp Straka and asserted himself on the par-5 second gap. His second shot caught the again slope of a entrance bunker and shot it over the inexperienced, leaving him a pitch up towards mounds, short-sided given the inexperienced ran away from him.

It got here off completely, bouncing quick and proper, crawling up the slope and feeding down into the cup. Scheffler simply checked out his caddie, Ted Scott, his backside lip barely jutted as if to say, “Not dangerous.”

After which each gap besides No. 8, he was placing for birdie. He missed two possibilities inside 10 toes however dealt with the par-5 fifth with ease and holed a 6-foot birdie putt on the thirteenth, when his strategy narrowly cleared the steep railroad ties framing the entrance bunker.

All he has to do now could be end to gather one other $3.6 million test earlier than he heads house, the place his spouse is due with the couple’s first baby the next week.

9 gamers have to complete, a gaggle that doesn’t embody Tom Hoge.

Hoge elected to complete the 18th after the horn sounded. His tee shot sailed out of bounds. His fourth shot went into the native space, and Hoge chopped his option to a quintuple-bogey 9. That gave him a 74, dropping him from a tie for sixth to a tie for 18th.

MILWAUKEE — Two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo didn’t play within the Bucks’ 109-94 Recreation 1 win in opposition to the Indiana Pacers on Sunday evening.

Antetokounmpo has not performed since April 9, sitting out Milwaukee’s closing three regular-season video games with a strained calf.

The Bucks stay hopeful the therapy for Antetokounmpo’s damage will enable him to return someday later within the sequence, sources advised ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. Coach Doc Rivers, in the meantime, stated he nonetheless didn’t have any readability on an damage timeline.

“We put together with what’s on the ground,” Rivers stated earlier than Recreation 1. “Giannis has accomplished plenty of work. He is capturing, he is operating once more, he seems to be good, however he hasn’t been capable of take part.”

Accidents have saved Antetokounmpo out of playoff video games for the second straight season. He suffered a again damage in Recreation 1 of the 2023 playoffs and was sidelined the subsequent two video games in opposition to the Miami Warmth. He returned for Recreation 4, however the Bucks misplaced the sequence in 5 video games.

Antetokounmpo averaged 42.2 factors and 13 rebounds in Milwaukee’s 5 regular-season conferences with Indiana. He scored a franchise-record 64 factors within the Bucks’ solely win in opposition to the Pacers.

The Bucks went 4-5 with out Antetokounmpo throughout the common season.

“We have actually ready this week with what we have had,” Rivers stated earlier than Sunday’s recreation.

MILWAUKEE — With the clock winding down towards the top of the primary quarter, Bucks level guard Damian Lillard put an exclamation level on his Recreation 1 masterpiece.

With a crossover, he created house and stepped again right into a 28-foot 3-pointer, a classic transfer from Lillard to knock down a shot previous the outstretched hand of Pacers guard T.J. McConnell because the first-quarter buzzer sounded. Lillard then trotted down the courtroom, basking within the adulation of a sold-out crowd at Fiserv Discussion board.

“What time is it?” the general public handle announcer requested.

“Dame Time!” the gang roared.

“That is what y’all introduced me right here for,” Lillard yelled to the gang as he beat his chest.

With two-time NBA MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo sidelined by a calf pressure, Lillard carried the Bucks to a 109-94 victory over the Pacers on Sunday in Recreation 1 of their first-round playoff sequence. Lillard completed with 35 factors, all within the first half, to assist construct Milwaukee a halftime cushion that was by no means threatened.

“Within the playoffs, it is about setting the tone,” Lillard mentioned. “We’ll see this workforce a whole lot of occasions, and also you wish to set up your self, particularly on your private home flooring. That was my mentality, to come back out and try to set the tone in that means.”

Recreation 2 is Tuesday evening in Milwaukee.

Lillard’s 35 factors within the first half have been the second-highest complete by any participant within the first half of an NBA playoff recreation up to now 25 years, trailing solely Kevin Durant’s 38 factors in 2019, in keeping with analysis by ESPN Stats & Info. Lillard set a playoff profession excessive for factors in a half and scored extra factors than any Bucks participant in a primary half since Antetokounmpo within the 2021 NBA Finals.

“He carried us,” Bucks coach Doc Rivers mentioned. “He was unbelievable.”

Even with Lillard going scoreless within the second half whereas the Pacers compelled the ball out of his arms, his teammates have been capable of decide up the slack. Khris Middleton scored 23 factors on 9-of-14 taking pictures, whereas Bobby Portis added 15 factors and 11 rebounds.

Nevertheless it was the aggressive means Lillard got here out that helped carry the Bucks.

“I’ve seen that on tv rather a lot,” Middleton mentioned. “He got here out, threw the primary punch and actually obtained us off to a terrific begin with a terrific lead that lasted the entire recreation.”

Lillard almost matched Indiana (42 factors) within the first half because the Pacers, who completed second within the NBA in offensive effectivity throughout the common season, struggled to generate factors of their first playoff recreation. They missed their first 12 3-pointers, and their 42 factors have been their fewest in any half this season.

It was the primary time Indiana shot under 40% in a recreation this season.

Pascal Siakam scored 36 factors, however Tyrese Haliburton was restricted to 9 factors and 9 assists, whereas his teammates shot 9-of-26 off his passes.

“All people was lively, adopted the sport plan,” Rivers mentioned.

This was the tenth straight postseason loss for the Pacers, relationship again to the 2017-18 season.

“It is easy to simply say we missed photographs and now we’re nervous or no matter,” Haliburton mentioned. “No matter you all are going to run with, it would not matter. I simply really feel like we missed photographs, on the finish of the day. The ball wasn’t hopping. And so they made photographs within the first half and that form of dug us a gap.”

Pacers coach Rick Carlisle was extra succinct.

“The primary half was embarrassing,” he mentioned. “No excuses. We have merely obtained to come back out higher. It was ugly, and all of us personal it.”

Milwaukee took a 1-0 lead within the sequence with out Antetokounmpo, who has not performed since April 9, when he strained his left calf. Rivers mentioned earlier than Recreation 1 that he didn’t have any readability on when Antetokounmpo could be able to play once more.

So the Bucks wanted this sort of efficiency from Lillard, who was traded from the Portland Path Blazers to Milwaukee every week earlier than the beginning of coaching camp. His first season in Milwaukee was crammed with ups and downs, adjusting to a brand new workforce and taking part in subsequent to a different famous person for the primary time in his profession. Lillard averaged 24.3 factors on 42% taking pictures (35.4% from 3) in 73 video games throughout the common season, a down yr by his lofty requirements.

However after getting by the common season, Lillard mentioned he felt the thrill this week of coming into his first playoff run with Milwaukee and an opportunity to compete for his first championship.

“The final two years not being within the playoffs, it sucked,” Lillard mentioned. “Early holidays. Final yr, I went to Coachella. I ain’t by no means been capable of go to Coachella.

“Simply having that lengthy summer season, I used to be over that. Having the ability to be in a playoff sequence on a championship workforce, championship group, realizing that we obtained a possibility for it, that was the factor I used to be wanting ahead to most.”

Info from The Related Press was used on this report.

LONDON — Manchester United are into the FA Cup ultimate, however the method with which they scraped previous Coventry Metropolis will do nothing for Erik ten Hag’s prospects of remaining as supervisor.

If something, the supporters who streamed out of Wembley and again to Manchester after watching their group win a penalty shootout on the finish of a dramatic day might be extra satisfied than ever that the Dutchman is now not the proper man for the job. United have been cruising at 3-0 earlier than permitting Coventry to attain 3 times within the ultimate 20 minutes, together with a Ninety fifth-minute equaliser, sending the sport to penalties tied 3-3.

The Championship aspect have been the higher group in additional time and thought that they had accomplished one of many best FA Cup comebacks ever when Victor Torp discovered the web with the ultimate kick solely to have their celebrations reduce brief by VAR and the tightest of offside calls. Ultimately it was extra Wembley penalty heartbreak for Coventry, who misplaced in a shootout to Luton City in final season’s Championship playoff ultimate.

– Stream the replay on ESPN+: Man United vs. Coventry Metropolis (U.S. solely)

United, in the meantime, go on to the ultimate in opposition to Manchester Metropolis, a repeat of final season’s showpiece. Ten Hag is more likely to be on the touchline subsequent to Pep Guardiola on Might 25, however there’s ever-increasing doubt that he’ll nonetheless be at Outdated Trafford subsequent season.

“Blended emotions, it’s clear,” Ten Hag mentioned when requested to sum up the day. “It is an achievement to be twice within the FA Cup ultimate in two years. Within the final 20 years, United have been 5 instances within the ultimate however we are actually two instances in two years. It is an enormous achievement.

“When you find yourself so in management, dominating the sport, 3-0 up, we should always win it. The way in which we did not was not good. From the 70 minutes to the top we made errors.”

What, then, will Sir Jim Ratcliffe be considering? The 71-year-old United co-owner was within the stands after finishing the London marathon hours earlier, however watching Ten Hag’s group within the second half offered his most gruelling trial of the day.

The sport was seemingly accomplished and dusted within the 58th minute when Bruno Fernandes scored United’s third, just for the Pink Devils to then inexplicably resolve to remind everybody simply how flimsy they’re.

For a lot of the afternoon, Coventry performed like a group simply completely happy to be on a break from the Championship, the place they’ve misplaced three of their previous 4 video games. However as soon as Ellis Simms pulled a purpose again within the 71st minute, United started to creak and crack, and Coventry took benefit.

Callum O’Hare acquired the second eight minutes later through a heavy deflection earlier than referee Robert Jones brought about bedlam within the sea of sky blue behind the purpose by pointing to the penalty spot having noticed a debatable handball from Aaron Wan-Bissaka.

VAR confirmed it, Haji Wright tucked it away and for the primary time since Sir Alex Ferguson’s ultimate sport in cost in 2013, United had thrown away a three-goal lead.

With United now apparently decided to grab defeat from the jaws of victory, Wright flashed likelihood broad in additional time and Simms hit the underside of the crossbar.

Solely the VAR strains saved United from shedding to Torp’s purpose within the 121st minute — “I believe it was a toenail offside” Coventry boss Mark Robins mentioned afterwards — however Ten Hag nonetheless needed to thank O’Hare and Ben Sheaf for lacking penalties within the shootout. They’ve most likely stored him in a job for an additional month.

It mentioned all the things that when Rasmus Højlund scored with the decisive kick to guide a second successive FA Cup ultimate, the celebrations have been muted. If it is doable to be undeserving of victory having led 3-0, then United discovered a method to obtain it.

“We will play at very excessive ranges, however in the identical match we will go to very low ranges and that is not explainable,” Ten Hag mentioned. “On a number of events we let one another down. At the moment we acquired away with it. With all of the accidents, we do not have so many instruments. We do not also have a again 4 of their greatest positions.

“On that half I’ve to present the group a praise, the gamers managed that, they have been ready that isn’t of their greatest. They gave 100%, and it isn’t at all times straightforward to play the perfect soccer if you’re not in your greatest place.”

Ten Hag has been eager to level to the lengthy damage record as the important thing purpose behind the group’s depressing marketing campaign, however though he confronted Coventry with out 10 senior gamers and Casemiro as an auxiliary centre-back, it did not clarify the collapse.

Once more he substituted Alejandro Garnacho within the second half and ceded a component of management. Prior to now month, the Argentine has been changed with United main Chelsea 4-3, main Liverpool 2-1 and main Coventry 3-0, and every time they’ve fallen away.

Garnacho was nonetheless working when he got here off within the 66th minute, and it was noteworthy that Robins mentioned United started to look “leggy” across the identical time.

United’s new possession group insists no determination has been made on Ten Hag’s future, but when he loses his job in the summertime, it will likely be due to days like this.

He mentioned afterward it was “loopy” to assume that victory in an FA Cup semifinal might need weakened his place as supervisor, however that was the overriding feeling when Højlund’s ultimate penalty nestled within the web.

Nonetheless in cost, no apparent successor and an FA Cup ultimate in opposition to Metropolis to return, there’s nonetheless time for him to show he ought to keep, however struggling previous Coventry solely offered extra compelling arguments that he ought to go.

BOSTON – The Boston Celtics obtained off to the beginning they hoped for as they started their quest for the franchise’s 18th championship on Sunday in opposition to the Miami Warmth at TD Backyard.

Jayson Tatum notched his first profession playoff triple-double with 23 factors, 10 rebounds and 10 assists to steer the Boston Celtics previous the Miami Warmth 114-94 on Sunday to open their first-round playoff sequence.

Derrick White added 20 factors and 4 assists for Boston, which completed with six gamers in double-figures.

Miami spoiled the Celtics’ NBA finals goals final season, leaping out to a 3-0 lead within the convention finals after which blowing them out in Boston in Recreation 7.

However Boston fed off the power of the TD Backyard crowd on Sunday, pulling down 22 3-pointers and outscoring the Warmth 31-14 within the third quarter. The Celtics’ lead grew as excessive as 34 factors within the fourth. Miami used a late run to get as shut as 14, however Boston was in a position to shut it out.

Together with the common season, Boston is 38-4 at residence and has received its previous 4 conferences with the Warmth.

Bam Adebayo scored 24 factors for the Miami, which performed for the second straight sport with out star Jimmy Butler following his proper knee damage through the play-in spherical. Terry Rozier additionally remained out with a neck damage. Delon Wright added 17 factors. Jaime Jaquez Jr. completed with 16 factors.

Recreation 2 is Wednesday in Boston.

Tempers flared within the ultimate minute when Caleb Martin undercut Tatum on a rebound try and despatched him crashing arduous to flooring. Brown obtained in Martin’s face afterward, resulting in a quick scrum and double technical fouls on Brown and Martin.

Boston did not have reserve massive man Luke Kornet after he strained his proper calf in apply on Saturday. However the Celtics’ bench stepped up with out him, contributing 30 factors.

Sunday’s sport had a very totally different really feel with out Butler, whose postseason heroics keyed Miami’s run from play-in qualifier to the NBA finals a yr in the past.

Boston beat the Warmth in all three regular-season conferences this season, together with a 33-point drubbing in Miami.

Sunday’s sport resembled that one, with the Celtics leaping on the Warmth from the opening faucet.

On the primary possession of the sport Tatum was stripped on the final second on a dunk try however corralled the free ball and located Brown for a 3-pointer.

After a Miami miss, Brown adopted that up with a drive and spin transfer previous Jaime Jaquez Jr. for a two-handed dunk.

It was a part of a 17-2 run by the Celtics over the primary three-plus minutes. Miami began by lacking its first 4 pictures earlier than Adebayo’s brief jumper lastly obtained the Warmth on the scoreboard.

“So, we meet once more.”

That is straight out of a film script. The Boston Celtics face the Miami Warmth within the NBA Playoffs as soon as once more. It’s giving me a number of conflicting emotions.

On one hand, this can be a excellent alternative for revenge. They knocked us out final 12 months and we will (and will) return the favor this 12 months. Maybe that motivation for revenge will stop this group from getting overconfident and looking out previous the opponent the way in which they could have in dealing with the Chicago Bulls.

Then again, this Warmth group is simply not excellent and with out Jimmy Butler, they need to barely register as a pace bump to this 12 months’s model of the Celtics. Boston has a lot better objectives on this 12 months’s playoffs and so they merely must do their job to advance to the following spherical. If something, they need to be targeted on making fast work of this sequence to allow them to relaxation and put together for the following one.

On a metaphorical different hand, if the previous has taught us something, it’s to respect Erik Spoelstra. He’s going to throw all the things on the Celtics that he can consider. He’s going to maintain them on their toes and make issues attention-grabbing. They may even steal a recreation if the Celtics get unfocused or have a foul capturing evening. And oh boy will the recent takes circulate like lava over scorched earth. However this Celtics group is prepared for it and if something, they may get some good “clutch time” reps early within the playoffs.

Then on Normal Grievous’ different metallic hand, the playoffs are lastly beginning. One of the best Celtics group since 2009 has been coasting for over a month now. They lapped the sphere and handled the final portion of the season as an prolonged apply. The lengthy checklist of stats that show how particular this group was this season is enjoyable and all, however finally, none of that issues now. That was all prologue for what this season shall be remembered for. The Celtics can lastly lock in and lengthen the X-wings into assault mode.

Win the title and so many narratives change endlessly. That’s the one factor that issues at this level. There’s a lot expertise on this roster, too. The core of this group is aware of how laborious it’s to get near that purpose and fall quick. Jrue Vacation is aware of how laborious it’s to complete the job. Porzingis is aware of how laborious it’s to win on this league so he’s prepared play any position to assist this group win. Mazzulla would do something (and I imply something) to win a title.

This group is prepared. They’ve one purpose. The Warmth are simply the first step in the direction of that purpose.

Let’s go, Celtics!