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Heads up: We’re anticipating a Dan Hurley determination between going to the Lakers or staying at UConn immediately, so preserve it locked to CBS Sports activities immediately.

🍀 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 tremendous team-caliber supporting forged can carry the load.

• Jrue Vacation was magnificent with 26 factors (on 11-for-14 taking pictures) and 11 rebounds. He bought it carried out 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 unattainable for Dallas to protect, James Herbert writes.

Over the weekend, Jason Kidd raised some eyebrows by saying Brown is Boston’s finest participant. However via two video games, it would not matter who Boston’s “finest” participant is, Invoice Reiter writes.

• Reiter: “Whereas like most NBA groups that win, or nearly win, a title, the Mavs want their starpower to shine — each their stars. 
  However Boston is constructed in another way. One among 5 – 6 guys can beat you. That appears to be what Kidd missed when he tried to stir issues up. He is not up in opposition to two superstars. He is up in opposition to 5 of them, relying on the evening, the second, the particular want.”

In an identical vein, we’re nearing “Who must be Finals MVP?” time, and Colin Ward-Henninger says it must be normal supervisor Brad Stevens. Onerous to argue there.

As for the Mavericks, it is fairly easy. Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving need to be otherworldly. Doncic was darn near excellent — 32 factors, 11 rebounds, 11 assists and one (inadvertent) heated alternate with Celtics proprietor 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. Lots higher, 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 very good morning for …

CAITLIN CLARK

The most important title in girls’s school basketball is not heading to the Olympics: Caitlin Clark will not be part of Staff USA in Paris. This is 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 will not be a recognition contest. Plus, as Jack Maloney writes, “Contemplating the depth of expertise and the restricted spots, Staff USA’s Olympic squad is arguably the toughest basketball group to make on this planet.”

Consequently, whereas Clark may be the largest “title” snubbed from the roster, she’s not even the largest snub on an extended checklist 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 she or he is arguably the largest snub of all. By 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 dropping, his again in opposition to the wall, his opponent rejuvenated.

After which got here Carlos Alcaraz in full power, emphatically exhibiting that it’s certainly his period — and it is just 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 dropping 5 straight video games, complaining in regards to the court docket 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 price noting Alcaraz’s title is available in the identical occasion Novak Djokovic withdrew from resulting from a torn meniscus, and Rafael Nadal misplaced within the first spherical of maybe his ultimate 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 lady within the Open Period to win 5 Grand Slams
• Youngest lady within the Open Period to win 4 French Opens
• First lady to win a single Grand Slam three consecutive occasions since Serena Williams (2012-14 US Open)
• First lady to win three straight French Opens since Justine Henin (2005-07)

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

Beneath 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 remodeled $24 million in prize cash this season, a PGA Tour report with nonetheless almost three months left within the season.

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

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

🏒 Sergei Bobrovsky stymies Oilers in Stanley Cup Last opener

The unstoppable power was stopped, because of a really immovable object. Sergei Bobrovsky made 32 saves — a number of of the spectacular selection — because the Panthers beat the Oilers, 3-0, in Recreation 1 of the Stanley Cup Last.

The Panthers solely put 18 pictures on aim, however they had 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 glorious 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 Last — Recreation 2: Oilers at Panthers, 8 p.m. on ABC