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Cavaliers vs Knicks Same-Game Parlay for Tonight's NBA Playoffs Game 2

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Whether you’re riding high off the New York Knicks’ crazy comeback or wallowing in disbelief at the Cleveland Cavaliers’ collapse, we now know that anything can happen in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference finals.

My Cavaliers vs. Knicks same-game parlay isn’t discounting Cleveland – even if everyone else is – and looks up to big man Jarrett Allen to anchor the Cavs' attack. I’m also going Under on a staple of New York’s postseason success, as adjustments may limit his minutes tonight.

Here are my best NBA picks and SGP predictions for May 21.

Our best Cavaliers vs Knicks SGP for Game 2

SGP leg #1: Cavaliers +6.5

The Cleveland Cavaliers were playing fantastic basketball coming into the Eastern Conference finals, having won four of their last five while eliminating the top-seeded Pistons. And the Cavs kept that up for about 36 minutes in Game 1, before the wheels came off in the fourth quarter. Cleveland knows it can hang with the New York Knicks and is mentally tough after a loss, going 27-9 SU when coming off a defeat this season. The Cavs are also 5-2 ATS as an underdog coming off a loss.

SGP leg #2: Jarrett Allen Over 20.5 points + rebounds

Considering how much trouble New York had with Joel Embiid inside in Round 2, Cleveland should have leaned into big man Jarrett Allen more in Game 1. He didn’t have a bad game, but seemed forgotten at times. He’ll often get matched with smaller forwards, and projections for Game 2 call for 13+ points and as many as 10+ rebounds from the 7-footer. He grabbed seven boards in Game 1 – six on the offensive glass – and was in position for 17.0 rebounding chances.

SGP leg #3: Josh Hart Under 12.5 points

Josh Hart’s defense is a staple of this New York run, but his lack of offensive pop is being exposed. Cleveland is choosing to guard Hart with 7-footer Jarrett Allen and begging Hart to shoot from outside. His minutes took a hit in Game 1 with Landry Shamet offering a better two-way return, and his Game 2 forecasts all come in below his 12.5-point scoring total.

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See our full Cavaliers vs Knicks Game 2 preview

Get Jason Logan's full breakdown of this game, including his best bet, plus the latest NBA odds, injuries, and betting trends, in his Cavaliers vs. Knicks predictionsfor Game 2.

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NBA Conference Finals Discussion

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - MAY 20: Dylan Harper #2 of the San Antonio Spurs guards Ajay Mitchell #25 of the Oklahoma City Thunderduring the game during Game Two of the NBA Western Conference Finals on May 20, 2026 at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by David Dow/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

So would it have been smart of me to set this up before the NBA Conference Finals started? Yes. Am I smart? No.

But that’s what happens when in addition to my two kids and one dog, my wife opted to have us foster two puppies. Everything is chaotic all the time now. Here’s the Semi Finals discussion thread.

Right now, the San Antonio Spurs and Oklahoma City Thunder are tied up at 1-1 and both games have been fantastic and insane. I find myself rooting for the Spurs just because they can’t seem to defend without constant fouling. But maybe I’ll change my mind if they take control of the series.

The Cleveland Cavaliers blew their first game to the New York Knicks in absurd fashion. I don’t see how they recover from that loss, to be honest.

Have fun and someone reach out if it gets too crazy

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Charmin crowns Spurs' Carter Bryant 'MVPee' after viral video

Real or not, Charmin is jumping in to reward the player they have crowned the "MVPee" of the NBA playoffs. Hours after a viral video showed San Antonio Spurs rookie Carter Bryant using a public restroom at Paycom Center in full uniform, they offered him free toilet paper.  

The brand announced on Instagram that they would like to send Bryant enough of its Forever Roll to last him through the end of the season. Charmin called it “the best FAST BREAK of the night,” and an “MVPee performance.” 

But is the video real? 

Well, in this day and age of AI, we really don’t know yet. 

The video shows him in full uniform washing and drying his hands. The caption said “mid game btw.” It could be a fake, but it is also possible that Keith Hillary, whose TikTok bio identifies him as an artist at Almighty Ink in Oklahoma City, could have happened to have been standing in the restroom when the Spurs rookie walked in. 

Charmin doesn’t need to confirm the video to jump on a fun marketing campaign.  

They’ve done it with the NBA before. When Kobe Bryant called his Lakers’ teammates “soft like Charmin" during a 2012 practice, the brand fired back on social media within hours. 

And they like viral trends.  

When the Artemis II crew had toilet trouble in orbit earlier this year, Charmin offered them a year’s supply upon landing.  

Carter Bryant, no relation to Kobe, played 10 minutes in the Spurs 122-113 loss. He didn’t score. He was minus-10, but apparently, he did wash his hands.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Charmin offers Spurs' Bryant 'MVPee' toilet paper

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Blackhawks Select Ivar Stenberg & 3 More Prospects In New Mock Draft

The Chicago Blackhawks have four picks in the first two rounds of this year's NHL Entry Draft. They have the fourth-overall pick, their own second-round, the Toronto Maple Leafs' second-round pick, and the New York Islanders' second-round pick. With this, the Blackhawks have the potential to land some promising new prospects in their system at the draft.

The Athletic's Corey Pronman and Scott Wheeler recently released their latest mock draft, where they predicted each of the first two rounds of this year's draft. 

For the Blackhawks' fourth-overall pick, Pronman predicted that Chicago would land left winger Ivar Stenberg. This would be massive if it came to fruition for the Blackhawks, as he is widely considered one of the best players in this year's draft. He has the potential to become a star in the NHL and would be a big pickup for a Blackhawks club that needs more skill on the wing. 

In 43 games with Frolunda HC of the Swedish Hockey League (SHL), Stenberg recorded 11 goals, 22 assists, and 33 points. 

With the Blackhawks' own second-round pick, Pronman predicted that they would select defenseman Jakub Vanecek. Vanecek is a 6-foot-2 left-shot defenseman who demonstrated plenty of promise this season with the Tri-City Americans of the WHL. In 59 games this season, he posted 14 goals, 21 assists, and 35 points. 

With the Maple Leafs' second-round pick, Wheeler predicted that the Blackhawks would take another left-shot defenseman in Ben Macbeath. The 6-foot-2 blueliner spent this season in the WHL with the Calgary Hitmen, posting seven goals and 51 points in 67 games. The Calgary, Alberta native has plenty of skill and could be a nice pickup for Chicago if selected. 

Then, with the Islanders' second-round pick, Wheeler had the Blackhawks take goaltender Dmitri Borichev. The 6-foot-3 netminder spent this season in Russia's MHL with Loko-76 Yaroslavl, where he posted a 12-8-3 record, a .929 save percentage, and a 2.25 goals-against average. 

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Boston Celtics Daily Links 5/21/26

PHILADELPHIA, PA - APRIL 24: The sneakers worn by Tyrese Maxey #0 of the Philadelphia 76ers during the game against the Boston Celtics during Round One Game Three of the 2026 NBA Playoffs on April 24, 2026 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by David Dow/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

GlobeIsaiah Thomas hopes ‘second act’ with Celtics will help him become a GM

‘Some days the 3-point shooting gets a little much’: Kevin McHale on watching the Celtics this season

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scores 30, Thunder top Spurs in Game 2 of Western Conference finals

Maine’s Cooper Flagg among three unanimous first-team selections for the NBA’s All-Rookie team

CelticsBlog CelticsBlog exit interview: Derrick White’s shooting drop off sparks big questions

What I’ve learned so far from the 2026 NBA Playoffs

CLNS MediaShould the Celtics Sign LeBron James? | Garden Report

Should the Celtics Trade for Giannis Antetokounmpo? | Garden Report

NBC Sports BostonHow a quieter summer could slingshot Celtics toward future big moves

NESNInsider Suggests Rising Squad As Potential Fit For Jaylen Brown In Three-Team Trade Involving Giannis Antetokounmpo

Celtics Get Love in Best Champions Ranking, But Lakers Still Too High

Mass LiveCeltics rookie gets votes for league award despite limited opportunity

Celtics WireShould we be worried about the Celtics?

Isaiah Thomas on scouting for the Celtics at the 2026 NBA Combine

Luka Garza to represent Bosnia and Herzegovina in FIBA World Cup

Where do the Boston Celtics go from here?

Who should the Celtics sign with the midlevel exception?

Celtics’ Jaylen Brown has been disrespected to start the summer

Should the Celtics offer Jaylen Brown a contract extension?

Did Stephen A. Smith cross a line when talking about Jaylen Brown?

Exploring the Celtics’ salary cap situation

Celtics history: Ron Watts born; alum Don Nelson wins Coach of the Year

Celtics Hugo Gonzalez misses 2026 NBA All-Rookie teams by 3 spots

Will the Spurs, Thunder change how the Celtics teambuild?

The AthleticNBA player tiers 2026: LeBron James, Steph Curry, Kevin Durant slide to Tier 2

Boston Sports Journal Celtics 2025 NBA Draft scouting primer

Hardwood Houdini Nick Wright issues harsh reality check for Stephen A. Smith after Jaylen Brown threat

Celtics could shop in the division for sleeper free agent big man target

Celtics reportedly worked out local proven winner ahead of NBA Draft

Thunder’s Game 2 win was a call-to-action for Brad Stevens and the Celtics

Ron Harper Jr.’s brother providing plenty of hope for Celtics’ future

Celtics should be eager to capitalize on Warriors’ possible dilemma this summer

Victor Wembanyama forcing Celtics to rethink their frontcourt rebuild

CLNS Media/YouTube Why Josue Pavon WOULD NOT Trade Jaylen Brown | Celtics Daily

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Basketball Network “Neither one of these teams have the ingredients” — Paul Pierce dismisses the Knicks and Cavs as true title threats

SI .comWhat Boston Celtics Pre-draft Workouts Could Say About Upcoming Draft Strategy

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Jason Kidd breaks silence after shocking Mavericks firing

Head coach Jason Kidd of the Dallas Mavericks reacts during the second half of the NBA game against the Phoenix Suns at Mortgage Matchup Center on April 08, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona.
Head coach Jason Kidd of the Dallas Mavericks reacts during the second half of the NBA game against the Phoenix Suns at Mortgage Matchup Center on April 08, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona.

Jason Kidd has broken his silence after his Mavericks exit. 

The now-fired head coach thanked the Dallas organization, players and fans after five seasons with the team in a lengthy post to social media on Thursday. 

“The last five years in Dallas have meant more to my family and me than I can fully put into words,” he wrote.

“… To the players, thank you for your trust, your commitment, and the battles we went through together. I am proud of what we built, the relationships formed, and the way you competed night in and night out.

“To the fans, thank you for embracing me and supporting this team with so much passion. Your energy, loyalty, and love for the Mavericks make Dallas one of the truly special places in sports. And to the city of Dallas, thank you for welcoming my family and me with open arms. The friendships and memories created here will stay with us forever.”

Kidd ended his statement by saying he leaves the Mavericks “with nothing but gratitude and respect for everyone who was part of this journey.”

Earlier this week, the Mavericks announced that they had “mutually agreed” to part ways with Kidd, who still had four years and more than $40 million left on his contract, after five seasons at the helm. 

New president of basketball operations Masai Ujiri said in a statement that he wanted to take the franchise in a different direction.

Head coach Jason Kidd of the Dallas Mavericks looks on during the game against the Minnesota Timberwolves on March 30, 2026 at American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas. NBAE via Getty Images

“As we evaluate the future of our basketball program, we believe this is the right moment for a new direction for our team,” Ujiri said. “We have high expectations for this franchise and a responsibility to build a basketball organization capable of sustained championship contention. We will conduct a thorough, disciplined search for our next head coach and continue to evaluate our entire basketball operations staff to ensure we compete at the standard Mavs fans expect and deserve.”

Kidd led the Mavericks to the NBA Finals in 2024 and the Western Conference finals in 2022, but was so-so otherwise, going 205-205 over his five-year run. 

This season, with Luka Doncic on the Lakers after the Mavericks’ ill-fated 2025 trade and Cooper Flagg in his debut NBA season, Dallas went 26-56. 

Kidd, who spent time as the Nets and Bucks head coach before his time with the Mavericks, is already being floated for other jobs. 

NBA insider Marc Stein reported that the Magic, who are also looking for a new head coach, had interest in Kidd in 2021, and are looking for an experienced voice to take the job.

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Why Hunter Pence disagrees with Bryce Eldridge's lack of playing time for Giants

Why Hunter Pence disagrees with Bryce Eldridge's lack of playing time for Giants originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

To put it simply, the Giants have not been playing well during the 2026 MLB season. And with those struggles come increasing scrutiny of each and every decision.

Much of that scrutiny lately has been around San Francisco’s handling of top prospect Bryce Eldridge, who has seen inconsistent playing time since being recalled to the majors on May 4.

After Giants president of baseball operations Buster Posey said earlier Thursday the team has a “day-to-day” mindset regarding Eldridge, former San Francisco star Hunter Pence joined 95.7 The Game’s “Willard and Dibs” show to share his thoughts on the situation.

“I don’t like that personally, and I’m not sure how they’re gonna figure that out, but it’s so hard to learn the big leagues, and this is a prospect that you’re looking at being a franchise kind of guy. He’s got that kind of talent. He’s still so young,” Pence told Mark Willard and Dan Dibley. “I would want him playing every day, personally, but these are decisions — they know Bryce Eldridge, he’s a very intelligent kid. Every time I talk to him, he understands the situation.

“But for me, I think you’ve got to play to get better and sitting on the bench can really wreck your confidence because your timing gets off. You start missing a pitch here and there just because, it could be the smallest calibration, and then you start questioning yourself. And that’s the last thing you want, is him to not be able to get in rhythm. When you’re playing every day, you’re going to have your 0-for-4s, you’re going to have your slumps, and you get back in there and you’re slowly solving it. You kind of fine-tune to the frequency of the speed of the game.

“And it’s the same in Triple-A, whether you’re in the big leagues, like, there is a step to learn, but everyday at bats, and you’re going to have to learn to adjust from that failure, but you need to get another day after an 0-for. You need to get another day after — you’re never going to allow a kid to hit a lefty if he never faces a lefty. You’ve got to give him the chance, and they’ll solve it. If you trust your scouts, you trust the talent of the player, you’ve got to have confidence in him, believe in him and give him the everyday at bats.”

This week, Eldridge admitted he’s “surprised” about his lack of playing time since rejoining the big league club. On the other hand, Giants broadcaster Mike Krukow said Wednesday that Eldridge hasn’t “earned” the right to more playing time yet.

The 21-year-old has started just nine of 16 possible games since his call-up, in addition to a pair of pinch-hit at-bats. Eldridge is slashing .156/.229/.281 in 35 plate appearances with a home run and 10 strikeouts.

MLB Pipeline’s No. 18 overall prospect is trending up as of late, though, going 3-for-8 — including a 113.4-mph RBI double — in this week’s series against the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Download and follow the Giants Talk Podcast

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Dodgers pitching turnover was high during 13-game stretch

Los Angeles, CA - April 10: Manager Dave Roberts #30 of the Los Angeles Dodgers looks on as pitcher Justin Wrobleski throws in the bullpen prior to a baseball game between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Texas Rangers at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on Friday, April 10, 2026. (Photo by Keith Birmingham/MediaNews Group/Pasadena Star-News via Getty Images) | MediaNews Group via Getty Images

After an incredibly stable stretch of 13 game days in a row in April, the Dodgers just completed a much more chaotic 13-day span with pitching turnover more than every other day.

In the previous long stretch of games, from April 17-29, the Dodgers only made one pitching roster move during the 13 days, calling up Jake Eder when closer Edwin Díaz was placed on the injured list to undergo elbow surgery. That was abnormal, as during the 2025 season the Dodgers in stretches of at least 10 game days in a row before September roster expansion added three, nine, three, and four pitchers to the active roster.

This most-recent span, which just ended on Wednesday, was quite prolific for the Dodgers, who added a pitcher eight times to the roster in 13 days, three of which weren’t even in the organization two weeks ago:

  • May 8: Paul Gervase called up, Tyler Glasnow to injured list
  • May 9: Blake Snell activated from injured list, Brock Stewart placed on injured list
  • May 10: Wyatt Mills called up, Gervase optioned
  • May 15: Charlie Barnes, who was claimed off waivers May 9, called up, Blake Snell placed on injured list
  • May 17: Gervase called back up, Jack Dreyer to injured list
  • May 17: Chayce McDermott called up, Barnes optioned
  • May 18: Jonathan Hernández signed and joined the bullpen, McDermott optioned
  • May 19: Eric Lauer, who was acquired by trade on Sunday, was activated, Mills optioned

The Dodgers were seemingly playing catchup for the last two weeks, starting with Wednesday, May 6 in Houston, when Glasnow left his start with back spasms after just one inning. That necessitated the bullpen to cover the final eight innings of that game, before the off day that predated this 13-game stretch. Snell returning from his rehab assignment a week early further complicated things, as he lasted only three innings in his start and has since landed back on the injured list and had elbow surgery this Tuesday.

The Dodgers needed a bullpen game to fill in for Snell’s scheduled Friday start, using eight pitchers in the opener in Anaheim. In the other 12 games during this stretch Dodgers starting pitchers did their best, averaging 5.81 innings per start with a 3.88 ERA, compared to 6.05 innings per start with a 2.40 ERA from April 17-29. But the bullpen in that first 13-day stretch had to cover 34 1/3 innings compared to 46 1/3 innings in this most-recent span.

That means a lot of scrambling to cover innings, which necessitated many of these moves, some of them stacking on each other. For instance, Barnes was called up Friday and pitched in both games he was active before getting optioned on Sunday for McDermott, who pitched in his one game active before getting sent down for Hernández on Monday.

To the bullpen’s credit, they thrived even with the heavy workload and turnover. After the seventh inning on Tuesday, May 12 against the San Francisco Giants, Dodgers relievers pitched 29 scoreless innings over the last eight-plus games, helping to underwrite a 7-1 stretch.

The schedule eases a bit with respect to off days, with the Dodgers playing six games in a row before another off day next Thursday, and they won’t have to play more than 10 days in a row for the next month. Their next stretch of 13 days in a row comes from June 26-July 8.

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Sean Sweeney, Steve Nash among betting favorites to be the next coach of the Dallas Mavericks

SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS - MAY 12: Associate head coach Sean Sweeney (L) and head coach Mitch Johnson of the San Antonio Spurs look on during the second quarter against the Minnesota Timberwolves in Game Five of the Second Round of the NBA Western Conference Playoffs at Frost Bank Center on May 12, 2026 in San Antonio, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Alex Slitz/Getty Images) | Getty Images

With the news of the week now officially days old, it’s time for us to examine what the Dallas Mavericks might actually do to fill their head coaching position. While no official interviews have taken place, consider this a hot board of sorts. Thanks to some offshore means, we have an idea of some of the names who will be considered here. Let’s dive into the names.

Is the former Mavs assistant ready to come back up I-35?<p>(Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)</p><br> | Getty Images

According to Bet Online, San Antonio Spurs Associate Head Coach Sean Sweeney (+125) is the favorite to be the next head coach of the Mavs. Sweeney is, of course, a known entity for the Mavs and its fans, as he was former coach Jason Kidd’s number one assistant, handling the defensive side of the ball. Considering how young this search is at this juncture, it’s a bit surprising to see this overwhelming of a favorite. For those who are unfamiliar with the betting odds, (+125) is implied odds of 44.4%.

Nurse and Ujiri go way back. Could a reunion be in store?<p>(Photo by David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images)</p><br> | NBAE via Getty Images

Next in line are Nick Nurse (+300) and Frank Vogel (+400), respectively. Nurse is a well-known entity to Team President Masai Ujiri, as Nurse was the first coaching hire that Ujiri ever made in his career. It will be tough to pull this off, though, as Nurse is the coach of the Sixers. It would require them giving Dallas permission to interview him. Vogel, on the other hand, was Kidd’s lead assistant last season. It is unknown if Ujiri retained him, as we are still learning who was let go in the organization’s sweeping changes.

The Amazon Prime crew analyzing the NBA Cup<p>(Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)</p><br> | NBAE via Getty Images

Amazon Prime’s Steve Nash (+650) checks in at fourth in the odds. Nash has head coaching experience from his time in Brooklyn, which came with Kyrie Irving, funny enough. I don’t think this is a viable option for various reasons, but it would be very ironic if they went from one iconic Maverick point guard to another.

Rounding out the top five is former Bulls coach Billy Donovan (+700). It sounds like he’s the favorite in Orlando, so I wouldn’t put too much into this.

Here are the rest of the odds:

Micah Nori dapping up Luka Doncic after the 2024 Western Conference Finals<p>(Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images)</p><br> | Getty Images
  • Tiago Splitter, former Blazers interim head coach (10/1)
  • Tom Thibodeau, former Knicks, Wolves, Bulls head coach (12/1)
  • Michael Malone, current head coach at North Carolina, former Nuggets, Kings head coach (16/1)
  • Johnnie Bryant, current head coach at UCF, longtime Coach K assistant at Duke (20/1)
  • Micah Nori, current lead assistant with Timberwolves, former assistant with Raptors (22/1)
  • Darvin Ham, current assistant with Bucks, former head coach of Lakers (28/1)
  • Jon Scheyer, current head coach at Duke (28/1)
  • Chris Quinn, current lead assistant with the Heat (33/1)
  • Phil Handy, current Mavs player development coach (33/)
  • Terry Stotts, former assistant with Warriors, Mavs, former Blazers head coach (40/1)
  • Todd Golden, NCAA Champion, current head coach at Florida (50/1)
  • Dirk Nowitzki, GOAT, current Amazon Prime analyst (75/1)

Who would you like to see be the next head coach? Sounds off below.

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Lakers-Dodgers connection paid off with Austin Reaves’ oblique injury rehab

Austin Reaves did “everything” he could to give himself a chance to return to the Lakers during the NBA playoffs after suffering a Grade 2 oblique strain one week before the regular season ended.

And his mission was successful: Reaves returned in Game 5 of their eventual first-round playoff series victory over the Rockets and played in six postseason games before the Lakers were swept in the second round by the Thunder. 

The Lakers’ Austin Reaves underwent treatment for his Grade 2 oblique strain at the Dodgers’ facility. NBAE via Getty Images

While Reaves didn’t share what “everything” entailed, he took advantage of the Lakers’ connection to another iconic sports franchise in the local market.

In addition to rehabbing at the Lakers’ practice facility in El Segundo, Reaves also underwent treatment at the Dodgers’ facility. 

A story from Yahoo Sports, which cited two anonymous sources, stated that Reaves’ rehabbing at the Dodgers’ facility was a suggestion by the Lakers.

“There were days I left my house at 7:30 [a.m.] and I didn’t get back until 7:30 [p.m.] or later at night,” Reaves said of his rehab process. “Just going through every possible thing I could do to help myself get better. And we did it as a collective. We huddled up when it first happened and it was basically attacked every single day after.”

Reaves’ rehab process is another example of the connection between the Lakers and Dodgers since Mark Walter became the majority owner of the Lakers last October. Walter had already been the controlling owner of the Dodgers since 2012. 

Since Walter bought the franchise, the Lakers have made several changes to their business-side front office, including Lon Rosen as the president of business operations (replacing Tim Harris), Michael Spetner as the new chief strategy and growth officer (new position) and Ryan Kantor as the vice president of global partnerships (new role).

Reaves returned to the court in the first-round NBA playoff series against the Rockets. NBAE via Getty Images

Dodgers executives Farhan Zaidi and Andrew Friedman joined the Lakers in advisory roles in November. 

Lakers president of basketball operations/general manager Rob Pelinka mentioned after the season ended that the franchise will collaborate with the Dodgers to upgrade the medical/performance resources within the Lakers’ practice facility.

With the Lakers’ G League team relocating to Coachella Valley, the Lakers will have more space to utilize. 

“We’re bringing in a biomechanics lab, new movement labs, a recovery lab; those things are super expensive to do and super thoughtful, but we’re doing the planning with Lon and his team around that, and that construction is going to happen this offseason,” Pelinka said.

“They’re going to be redoing aspects of the court as well. It’s a full rebuild and retool, and it’s adding to the great things that are already here, which have led to success, but elevating it and bringing it to the next level. So an ongoing process that we’ll be doing throughout the offseason. Probably, hopefully, culminating in and around the summer league in Vegas.”

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How to watch Cavaliers-Knicks NBA Playoffs Game 2 for free: Time, livestream

New York Post may be compensated and/or receive an affiliate commission if you click or buy through our links. Featured pricing is subject to change.

An image collage containing 1 images, Image 1 shows OG Anunoby drives on James Harden during the Knicks' 115-104 comeback overtime win in Game 1 on May 19, 2026 at the Garden

After pulling off a historic comeback in Game 1, the New York Knicks will look to take a 2-0 series lead in tonight’s Game 2 against the Cleveland Cavaliers.

The Knicks were down 22 points in the fourth quarter and mounted a stunning comeback, tying the game at 101-all in the final seconds of regulation to force overtime. New York blew the game open with a 9-point run to start the extra period, which eventually ended in a 115-104 Knicks win.

Jalen Brunson finished with 38 points and 6 assists to lead the charge, while Mikal Bridges chipped in 18 points. The Cavaliers dominated the first three quarters behind 29 points from Donovan Mitchell and a 15-point, 14-rebound double-double from Evan Mobley.

NBA Eastern Conference Finals: what to know
  • What: Cleveland Cavaliers vs. New York Knicks, Game 2
  • When: May 21, 8 p.m. ET
  • Where: Madison Square Garden (New York, New York)
  • Channel: ESPN
  • Streaming: DIRECTV (try it free)

The series will move to Cleveland for Games 3 and 4 beginning on Saturday, May 23.

Cavaliers vs. Knicks start time:

Tonight’s (May 21) Cavaliers vs. Knicks Game 2 is scheduled to tip off at 8 p.m. ET.

How to watch Cavaliers vs. Knicks for free:

If you don’t have cable, you’ll need a live TV streaming service to stream the game for free.

DIRECTV is our top pick for watching basketball live for free — its five-day free trial includes ESPN (plus nearly every other channel you’ll need for the rest of the NBA postseason). When the trial is over, you’ll pay as low as $44.99/month and gain access to over 90 live channels.

TRY DIRECTV FOR FREE

If you aren’t ready to commit to a full-on subscription, you can try a Sling Orange Day Pass. Priced at $4.99, you’ll get 24 hours of access to all Sling TV Orange has to offer, including ESPN. Sling also offers weekend and week-long passes for its Orange plan, which offer between three and seven days of access.

Knicks-Cavaliers second round playoff schedule

  • Game 1: Knicks 115, Cavs 104 (OT)
  • Game 2: Thursday, May 21 (8 ET, ESPN)
  • Game 3: Saturday, May 23 (8 ET, ABC)
  • Game 4: Monday, May 25 (8 ET, ESPN)
  • Game 5: Wednesday, May 27 (8 ET, ESPN)*
  • Game 6: Friday, May 29 (8 ET, ESPN)*
  • Game 7: Sunday, May 31 (8 ET, ESPN)*

* if necessary

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Why Trust Post Wanted by the New York Post

This article was written by Angela Tricarico, Commerce Streaming Reporter for Post Wanted Shopping, Page Six, and Decider.com. Angela keeps readers up to date with cord-cutter-friendly deals, and information on how to watch your favorite sports teams, TV shows, and movies on every streaming service. Not only does Angela test and compare the streaming services she writes about to ensure readers are getting the best prices, but she’s also a superfan specializing in the intersection of shopping, tech, sports, and pop culture. When she’s not writing about (or watching) TV, movies, and sports, she’s also keeping up on the underrated perfume dupes at Bath & Body Works and testing headphones. Prior to joining Decider and The New York Post in 2023, she wrote about streaming and consumer tech at Insider Reviews.

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Ha-Seong Kim returns, Chadwick Tromp to catch in finale against Marlins

MIAMI, FL - MAY 19: Atlanta Braves shortstop Ha-Seong Kim (7) runs to first base during a game between the Miami Marlins and the Atlanta Braves on May 19, 2026 at LoanDepot Park in Miami, Florida.(Photo by Chris Arjoon/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

After a couple of feel-good wins in Miami, the Braves can take the four-game set with another victory on Thursday night. Ha-Seong Kim returns to the lineup, and Chadwick Tromp will make his first start of the year as the Braves take aim at Sandy Alcantara.

For the Marlins, it’s mostly a familiar set of faces at this point. Owen Caissie is still in the lineup after getting shaken up on Dominic Smith’s “triple” last night, so that’s good to see. This lineup is somewhat similar to the one the Marlins used when clobbering the Braves on Monday, though it features Christopher Morel over Connor Norby at first base, and has Caissie dropped down to seventh.

For both the Marlins (44 batting orders in 50 games coming into this one) and the Braves (37 in 50), this will be a novel lineup.

Only the first five guys in Miami’s order have ever faced Spencer Strider, and all have either two or three PAs against him. The combined line is a .212 wOBA and .287 xwOBA in 14 PAs, with all the good stuff coming from Xavier Edwards and Otto Lopez, and everyone else not having anything positive to speak of yet.

For the Braves, it’s a completely different story given Alcantara’s durability and tenure. Everyone but Tromp has faced him at least once, with the head-to-head matchups ranging from 16 (Kim) to 51 (Ozzie Albies). It’s definitely kind of a mixed bag of performances, led by Ronald Acuña Jr. and Michael Harris, without a lot of other positives (though at least Albies has good results). Collectively, it’s a whopping 243 career PAs between this octet and Alcantara, with a collective .317 wOBA (eh) but a .281 xwOBA (bleh).

We’ll see what happens.

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The Short Porch is thinking about blisters

Blisters might not seem like much from the outside, and to be clear those have a much better prognosis than, say, forearm or tricep soreness. That said, Edward Cabrera’s latest injury is a frustrating reminder that even something as small as a blister can have a big impact on a rotation held together with tape and prayers. One pitch into the fourth inning on Wednesday night at Wrigley Field, Edward Cabrera’s start was over, and more questions about the Cubs depleted pitching ranks are sure to follow.

A blister. On his right middle finger. Again.

Cabrera has a documented history of blister issues, including a spring training blister in 2025 that cost him the first two turns through the Marlins rotation last season. The Cubs knew this was part of the package when they traded for Cabrera in January.

Blisters are relatively minor issues. They’re not rotator cuffs. They’re not UCLs. They usually don’t require surgery or six-to-18 month timelines. However, for a pitcher, the blister is the exact point of contact between a finger and a baseball. It’s in a location that determines any number of things like spin rate, grip, and command. A blister on a pitcher’s middle finger, especially a pitcher like Cabrera, fundamentally alters the ability to execute pitches.

Manager Craig Counsell indicated it was an issue Cabrera has dealt with before:

“It’s something that he’s dealt with a little bit,” Counsell said. “It just got worse tonight — to the point where it was clearly affecting his command, as much as anything. We tried to do something after the third inning and it just didn’t work. You could tell. The first pitch could have told you he wasn’t going to be able to continue.”

Wednesday’s start against the Brewers was not Cabrera’s finest outing this season. He threw 3.0 innings giving up four runs (only one earned) on four hits while walking and striking out two batters. It’s possible something was off even before Cabrera left the game. He was talking with pitching coach Tommy Hottovy and the training staff in the bottom of the third, retreating to the dugout and then heading back out, which confirms that the Cubs were working on the issue before Cabrera left the game.

The glass half full read here is that Cabrera sounds confident about making his next start. Blisters can heal faster than structural injuries, and Cabrera has navigated this before.

However, the glass-half-empty read is that nothing feels good about the state of the Cubs rotation right now. Cade Horton is gone for the season following elbow surgery. Justin Steele suffered setback in his return from elbow surgery. Matthew Boyd is working his way back from knee surgery. Colin Rea and Ben Brown are already in the rotation, and if Cabrera were to miss any meaningful time the Cubs would need to look to Javier Assad or perhaps Doug Nikhazy, who the Cubs claimed off waivers from the White Sox in April, to make starts in the interim.

Blisters aren’t elbows. But on a rotation this depleted, even a minor detour feels like a five-alarm fire. The Cubs need Cabrera to be healthy and make as many starts as possible this season. That probably means taking the time to ensure this blister issue is dealt with in a way that won’t return later in the season.

They also need the baseball gods to stop testing them, just for a little while.

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Paul Goldschmidt is showing he still has a lot to offer

May 9, 2026; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; New York Yankees first baseman Paul Goldschmidt (48) celebrates in the dugout after hitting a home run against the Milwaukee Brewers in the first inning at American Family Field. Mandatory Credit: Michael McLoone-Imagn Images | Michael McLoone-Imagn Images

The Yankees initially decided to bring in Paul Goldschmidt ahead of the 2025 campaign to be their first baseman. Throughout the first couple months, the signing was a coup, as he hit a scalding .338/.394/.495 with a 148 wRC+. Plenty of folks in the Yankees’ orbit thought that he had found the Fountain of Youth. Come June, the worm turned, and it got ugly. Goldschmidt hit just .226/.277/.333 with a 69 wRC+ from that point on, ceding time at first to the emerging Ben Rice after manager Aaron Boone had to concede that the veteran was no longer an everyday bat.

Then, New York opted to bring back Goldschmidt for 2026, but this time, he came with a manual: Don’t play him absolutely every day, generally stick to southpaws, and the 38-year-old might actually remain a useful player all year. It’s obviously too early to tell whether that strategy will actually work, since it’s May, but the early returns are promising. The former MVP is enjoying an amazing start to the season.

As of now, Goldschmidt is slashing an excellent .284/.391/.581 with five home runs and a 172 wRC+ in 87 plate appearances. The sample is still very small, yes, but Goldy is absolutely locked in. He is even hitting holding his own against righties with a 93 wRC+ (compared to 74 last year), in addition to absolutely murdering lefties (231 wRC+).

Goldschmidt didn’t overhaul his swing or mechanics, but he is showing some elite underlying stats that suggest he can remain a productive offensive player for the Yankees as long as he is being used properly. His .631 expected slugging percentage is actually higher than his .581 SLG, and his xwOBA is a cool .448, even better than his .422 wOBA. His 19.3-percent barrel rate would actually be among the very best in the league if he were a qualified hitter.

Part of his success this year can be explained by the fact that Goldschmidt is swinging more often, particularly at the first pitch. His career first-pitch swing rate is 25.6 percent, and entering yesterday, it was at 38.6 this year, which would be a career-high. His swing percentage has gone from 47.8 percent last year (and 43 percent in his career as a whole) to 49.2 percent in 2026 through the start of play of Wednesday.

The extra aggressiveness has resulted in some loud and productive contact. Remember, some of the best pitches to hit are often the first few ones in an at-bat. Twice in the past couple weeks, the Yankees started him at leadoff against a southpaw, and he took the first pitch of the ballgame out, first against Baltimore’s Trevor Rogers and then off Toronto’s Patrick Corbin.

Additionally, a whopping 22.6 percent of Goldschmidt’s batted balls have been pulled in the air, by far a career-best and significantly higher than his 16.6 percent mark over his entire MLB tenure. It’s not a secret that pulling the ball in the air is directly correlated with power production, especially coupled with an elite 56.6 percent hard-hit rate. Now, will these trends last all of 2026? Probably not, but they’re more encouraging signals of future success than the out-of-character .382 BABIP that powered his sensational start to 2025.

More importantly, with Rice blossoming into a truly elite hitter and multiple All-Star-caliber outfielders, the Yankees can afford to keep Goldschmidt fresh while also giving him relevant playing time. It seems like the perfect formula to try and get the best out of him for the entire season. They might have to use him a little more in certain situations—like amid the current crunch with Giancarlo Stanton and Jasson Domínguez out while Trent Grisham also nurses a leg injury—but for the most part, they should be able to be selective. The man has played more games than anyone in baseball since the start of 2012 and could use the extra time off his feet.

At this moment in time, Goldschmidt deserves a lot of credit for being a key component of the Yankees’ offense. A 172 wRC+ approaching his 39th birthday in September is nothing to sneeze at, and while 83 plate appearances aren’t a whole lot, they are definitely not insignificant.

For whatever it’s worth—more so I suppose to roster construction under Hal Steinbrenner’s balance sheet than anyone else—the Yankees are getting considerable value for their buck, as Goldschmidt is playing on a $4 million salary in 2026. It’s not even June, and the veteran infielder has already been worth $8 million this year, according to FanGraphs. It’s not an exact science, but it’s already a good deal.

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Again, Goldschmidt’s biggest challenge will be maintaining this production over the course of the entire year, or at least something close to this level. He is one of the most durable major leaguers in recent history, a pro’s pro with an impeccable work ethic and a desire to remain at the top, so he definitely has a chance to be a key contributor at very least.