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Tocchet comes home to be new head coach of Flyers' rebuild

Tocchet comes home to be new head coach of Flyers' rebuild originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

Danny Briere and Keith Jones have their guy.

The Flyers tabbed Rick Tocchet as their new head coach Wednesday. Tocchet, a Flyers Hall of Famer revered by the organization, will lead a team that has been in transition for a while now, trying to take the next step.

For Briere, the Flyers’ general manager, and Jones, the president of hockey operations, this was their first head coaching hire. It’s one that could define their rebuild.

“I am very happy to welcome Rick Tocchet as our head coach,” Briere said in a statement released by the team. “During this process it became clear that Rick was the absolute right coach to lead our team. He has enjoyed the highest level of success both as a player and coach.

“Rick’s ability to teach and understand his players, combined with his passion for winning, brings out the best in young players at different stages of their development and has earned the respect and confidence of highly talented All-Stars and veteran players alike.”

Tocchet, 61, has always adored the organization, despite winning three Stanley Cups with the rival Penguins — one as a player and two as an assistant coach. His accomplished playing career was bookended by the Flyers. He started (1984-85) and finished (2001-02) in Philadelphia, spending parts of 11 seasons with the Flyers.

He referred to the Flyers as a family ahead of his induction into the team’s Hall of Fame.

“That’s why I’ll always have Flyer blood in me,” Tocchet said in October 2021. “I don’t care if you go other places, you win Cups other places … the relationships, the people that I’ve met over the years being in the organization, it has just been incredible. The Flyers helped me become a man, which I’ll always be grateful for.”

The Tocchet hire comes just about four weeks after the Flyers’ 2024-25 season ended at 33-39-10. The team undeniably regressed in its rebuild, finishing tied with the Bruins for the Eastern Conference’s worst record. The step backward resulted in John Tortorella being fired with nine games left in the season.

“That’s the toughest part of the rebuild, is going through this,” Briere said after the coaching change. “I really hope that this is the bottom, this is rock bottom for us, today, and this is the turnaround.”

What likely drew the Flyers to Tocchet were his connections to the front office and his coaching style. Briere and Jones know what they’re getting in Tocchet as a person and communicator. Both were teammates with Tocchet, so the relationship is already strong.

“We are thrilled to have Rick lead our team into the future,” Jones said in a statement released by the team. “What is impressive about Rick is that players gravitate towards him and develop a strong relationship in the process. There is a genuine trust that he will do everything he can to bring success to the team.”

Tocchet gives the Flyers their desired blend of demanding but also lenient. While he likes the game to be played hard, he’ll also provide his players some leash. Quinn Hughes, a talented puck-mover on the back end, won the Norris Trophy (top defenseman) at 24 years old in Tocchet’s first full season as the Canucks’ head coach.

That 2023-24 campaign in Vancouver has been the best of Tocchet’s coaching career. He won the Jack Adams Award (Coach of the Year), leading the Canucks to 50 wins and 109 points. Vancouver took the eventual Western Conference champion Oilers to seven games in the second round.

This season, the Canucks had a drama-filled year and finished with 90 points (38-30-14) to miss the playoffs. Tocchet and Vancouver split a little over two weeks ago. Canucks president of hockey operations Jim Rutherford said Tocchet wanted to be closer to his family on the Eastern part of the United States.

Tocchet’s head coaching résumé may be a bit skewed from his four seasons with the Coyotes, one of the NHL’s most challenging markets at the time. But Tocchet is not rich with playoff success. Over his three stops, he has been to the postseason twice and his 11 victories are tied with former Flyers head coach Dave Hakstol.

The Flyers would love to see him change that narrative in Philadelphia. They’ve missed the playoffs in five straight seasons, matching the franchise’s longest drought. Their last trip was in 2020 and that came in the Toronto bubble because of COVID-19. So the Flyers haven’t had a postseason game in Philadelphia since 2018.

The club has a critical summer ahead with many assets. Since May 2023, Briere has done good work putting the rebuild in position to potentially take the necessary steps. The Flyers won’t be a top contender next season, but they want to better. They need to have more answers moving forward.

They hope Tocchet is a big one.

Now they’ll need to build Tocchet’s staff. Will Brad Shaw be back? Who will be the power play coach?

The Flyers’ offseason has begun.

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Flyers' Offseason Gamble Rewarded with Another Contract

Rodrigo Abols played in 24 games for the Flyers this season. (Photo: Dan Hamilton, Imagn Images)

According to PuckPedia, the Philadelphia Flyers have re-signed center Rodrigo Abols to a one-year, one-way contract worth $800k, bringing some continuity to the organization's forward depth for the 2025-26 season.

Abols, 29, made his NHL debut nearly nine full years after being drafted, suiting up for the Flyers in a 2-1 overtime win over the Detroit Red Wings on Jan. 21.

The Riga, Latvia, native was solid in limited minutes, scoring two goals, three assists, and five points in 22 games while quietly posting an elite 58.4 faceoff win percentage.

Abols' ability to play center and wing certainly played a part in the Flyers' decision to keep him around, as did his overall solid season in the AHL with the Lehigh Valley Phantoms.

In 47 regular season games with the Phantoms, Abols potted 15 goals, 17 assists, and 32 points while playing in North America competitively for the first time since March 8, 2020.

You may recall that the Flyers took a swing on the 6-foot-4 forward last summer, giving Abols a chance out of the SHL and signing him to a one-year contract worth league-minimum ($775k) on June 15.

And, in seven Calder Cup playoff games, Abols scored two goals.

Looking forward, Abols constitutes a group of depth Flyers forwards that also includes the likes of Anthony Richard, Jacob Gaucher, rookies Karsen Dorwart and Devin Kaplan, and Nick Deslauriers.

Abols will be 30 years old when his new Flyers contract expires on July 1, 2026.

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Analysts give Warriors ‘zero' chance to win Game 5. vs. Timberwolves

Analysts give Warriors ‘zero' chance to win Game 5. vs. Timberwolves originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

It’s not likely, but certainly not impossible.

The Warriors are looking to become just the 14th team in NBA history, and the first since 2020, to overcome a three-games-to-one playoff series deficit as they face elimination in Game 5 of their Western Conference semifinals series against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Wednesday at Target Center.

After winning Game 1 on May 6, Golden State has lost three consecutive games, and returns to Minnesota for a win-or-go-home contest without superstar Steph Curry, who continues to be out with a left hamstring strain and could return for Game 6 on Sunday if the Warriors are able to pull off the road victory on Wednesday.

However, TNT analysts Dwight Howard, Jalen Rose and Charles Barkley all believe that Golden State stands no chance against Minnesota in Game 5.

“They’ve got about the same amount of chance as Boston does: Zero. It’s over with for both of them … Golden State is out,” Howard said Tuesday on “Inside The NBA.”

“I agree with you on the Warriors,” Rose added. “Anthony Edwards has shown me a level of dominance and killer instinct now that he can really shoot the 3-pointer and he’s getting his teammates involved and Julius Randle has been terrific in this series. I think Minnesota finds a way to close it out.”

“It is over for the Warriors [Wednesday] night,” Barkley chimed in.

Well, there you have it, Dub Nation. It’s over … right?

However, this wouldn’t be the first time the number zero has been associated with a Warriors playoff run.

This time, however, the Warriors must win without Curry, who famously pays close attention to what some NBA analysts state about his team’s chances and uses it as motivation on the court.

The stage, at this point in the playoffs, is much smaller than it was in the 2022 NBA Finals, but history does show that Golden State doesn’t mind being the underdog.

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Brewers at Guardians Prediction: Odds, expert picks, starting pitchers, betting trends and stats for May 14

Its Wednesday, May 14 and the Brewers (20-22) are in Cleveland to take on the Guardians (24-17).

Logan Henderson is slated to take the mound for Milwaukee against Gavin Williams for Cleveland.

The Guardians shut out the Brewers last night, 2-0. Logan Allen and three relievers combines to shut down Milwaukee allowing just three hits and but four baserunners all night. Milwaukee has been shut out on consecutive nights after scoring just ten runs the previous four games.

Lets dive into the matchup and find a sweat or two.

We’ve got all the info and analysis you need to know ahead of the game, including the latest info on the how to catch tipoff, odds, recent team performance, player stats, and of course, our predictions, picks & best bets for the game from our modeling tools and staff of experts.

Follow Rotoworld Player News for the latest fantasy and betting player news and analysis all season long.

Game details & how to watch Brewers at Guardians

  • Date: Wednesday, May 14, 2025
  • Time: 1:10PM EST
  • Site: Progressive Field
  • City: Cleveland, OH
  • Network/Streaming: FDSNWI, CLEG, MLBN

Never miss a second of the action and stay up-to-date with all the latest team stats and player news. Check out our day-by-day MLB schedule page, along with detailed matchup pages that update live in-game with every out.

Odds for the Brewers at the Guardians

The latest odds as of Wednesday:

  • Moneyline: Brewers (+130), Guardians (-154)
  • Spread:  Guardians -1.5
  • Total: 8.0 runs

Probable starting pitchers for Brewers at Guardians

  • Pitching matchup for May 14, 2025: vs. Gavin Williams
    • Brewers: Logan Henderson
      Last outing: 4/20 vs. Athletics - 6IP, 1ER, 3H, 1BB, 9Ks
    • Guardians: Gavin Williams (3-2, 4.38 ERA)
      Last outing: 5/9 vs. Philadelphia - 5IP, 0ER, 4H, 4BB, 8Ks

Rotoworld still has you covered with all the latest MLB player news for all 30 teams. Check out the feed page right here on NBC Sports for headlines, injuries and transactions where you can filter by league, team, positions and news type!

Top betting trends & insights to know ahead of Brewers at Guardians

  • Cleveland has won 5 of their last 7 games
  • The Guardians' last 3 versus the Brewers have stayed under the Total
  • The Brewers have failed to cover the Run Line in 3 straight games at the Guardians
  • Jose Ramirez is riding an 8-game hitting streak (12-29)

If you’re looking for more key trends and stats around the spread, moneyline and total for every single game on the schedule today, check out our MLB Top Trends tool on NBC Sports!

Expert picks & predictions for tonight’s game between the Brewers and the Guardians

Rotoworld Best Bet

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Our model calculates projections around each moneyline, spread and over/under bet for every game on the MLB calendar based on data points like past performance, player matchups, ballpark information and weather forecasts.

Once the model is finished running, we put its projection next to the latest betting lines for the game to arrive at a relative confidence level for each wager.

Here are the best bets our model is projecting for Wednesday's game between the Brewers and the Guardians:

  • Moneyline: NBC Sports Bet is staying away from a play on the Moneyline.
  • Spread: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play ATS on the Milwaukee Brewers at +1.5.
  • Total: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the over on the Game Total of 8.0.

Want even more MLB best bets and predictions from our expert staff & tools? Check out the Expert MLB Predictions page from NBC

Follow our experts on socials to keep up with all the latest content from the staff:

  • Jay Croucher (@croucherJD)
  • Drew Dinsick (@whale_capper)
  • Vaughn Dalzell (@VmoneySports)
  • Brad Thomas (@MrBradThomas)
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Get ready for playoff drama with many top pitchers in peak form

There are so many top pitchers ready to show why they are aces that the opening playoff games are going to be nerve-racking, unpredictable and sometimes lasting until sundown or even longer (there was a 19-inning playoff game in 2023 played over two days).

“We’re going to see a bunch of these guys on TV one day,” Harvard-Westlake coach Jared Halpert said. “It will be a year for the ages.”

Let me offer pitchers to watch:

Angel Cervantes, Warren. With a 97-mph fastball, the UCLA commit begins action Thursday in Division 3 against host Redondo Union. He has a 16-strikeout game and a no-hitter this season along with 95 strikeouts in 59 2/3 innings. “I think I improved on commanding my pitches and being able to throw my off-speeds anywhere I want,” he said.

Said coach Cesar Martinez: "He's been dominant."

Seth Hernandez, Corona. He’s 17-0 in two years of high school baseball with 88 strikeouts and three walks in 42 1/3 innings while throwing 98 mph this season. “He’s amazing,” Halpert said. Hernandez will pitch Tuesday against Los Osos or Cypress.

Jackson Eisenhauer, Crespi. He’s 9-1 with a 0.24 ERA as the surprise standout pitcher in his senior year and probably the Mission League MVP after throwing just 11 innings last season. He has a sweeping curveball and can reach 91 mph. He and Tyler Walton are a terrific starting duo for the Division 1 playoffs.

Vaughn Neckar, Vista Murrieta. The Oklahoma commit with a 95-mph fastball is 6-2 with a 0.73 ERA and should be on the mound Thursday against Harvard-Westlake sophomore pitcher Justin Kirchner, who is 8-0 with an 1.81 ERA.

Gary Morse, Orange Lutheran. He’s a 6-foot-8 junior committed to Tennessee who is continuing to develop at a school that produced Cy Young Award winner Gerrit Cole. Morse is 7-2 with a 1.08 ERA.

Mike Erspamer, San Clemente. The left-handed Stanford commit dominated in the Sea View League and gets to face Westlake in a Division 2 opener. He’s 6-3 with a 1.71 ERA.

Hunter Manning, West Ranch. The Long Beach State commit has a school-record 16-strikeout performance this season and is 7-0 with a 0.78 ERA.

Jordan Ayala, Norco. One of the best freshmen in Southern California, Ayala went 7-3 with a 0.82 ERA in helping the Cougars win 12 of their last 13 games.

Garrett Jacobs, Mira Costa. The junior right-hander is 9-1 with 91 strikeouts in 63 innings and has a 1.44 ERA for the 26-2 Mustangs.

Damian Catano, Arcadia. He went 9-1 with a 1.13 ERA as a junior for the Pacific League champions and teamed with senior Gus Cooper (7-1, 1.22 ERA) to help Arcadia go 25-3.

Jake Brande, Palm Desert. The 6-foot-7 Long Beach State commit throws strikes and is 8-1 with a 1.35 ERA.

Zach Strickland, Maranatha. The hard-throwing UCLA commit is 6-0 with a 0.58 ERA and 86 strikeouts in 48 innings. He opens against Anaheim Canyon in Division 2.

Brandon Thomas, Mater Dei. The Fresno State commit has been facing Trinity League pitchers all season and now goes in Division 2. He has a 1.08 ERA with 12 walks in 58 1/3 innings.

Dustin Dunwoody, Royal. The junior Arizona commit is 7-0 with a 1.28 ERA and has 86 strikeouts in 60 innings.

Jared Grindlinger, Huntington Beach. Get ready for the unleashing of the sophomore standout who has been used strategically to save his arm for May Madness. He's 5-0 with a 0.77 ERA in 27 1/3 innings.

Ryan Oaks, Summit. Committed to Cal State Northridge, Oaks is 6-0 with a 0.88 ERA and 78 strikeouts in 56 innings.

Sign up for the L.A. Times SoCal high school sports newsletter to get scores, stories and a behind-the-scenes look at what makes prep sports so popular.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.

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Jamie Smith: ‘To win an away Ashes would be every England cricketer’s dream’

England’s wicketkeeper-batter on the innings that changed his career, the influence of Kevin Pietersen and a huge year of Test cricket ahead

“When the pressure’s on,” Jamie Smith says intently on an otherwise languid morning at the Oval, “it definitely gives you more of a focus. You can’t get away from the fact that, when the game is on the line, you want to be the one that takes it on and wins it. Look at some of the best players that have played the game – and the impact they’ve had in situations where they’ve been needed the most.

“Look at Stokesy [Ben Stokes, his England captain] and some of the innings he’s played where he’s rescued the side from defeat or led them to victory. They’re the things that get remembered. So it would be nice to be the sort of player that can do similar.”

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Stephen A believes Steph won't win another title with Warriors

Stephen A believes Steph won't win another title with Warriors originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

Steph Curry’s chances of winning a fifth NBA title took a heartbreaking hit during the Warriors’ current playoff push.

After knocking out the Houston Rockets in a tense seven-game series in the first round, Curry sustained a Grade 1 left hamstring strain in Game 1 of Golden State’s Western Conference semifinals matchup with the Minnesota Timberwolves.

The Warriors had their star point guard’s back and pulled out a Game 1 victory in Minnesota but have failed to win another game without their best player as they face elimination in Game 5 down 3-1. Curry already has been ruled out of Wednesday’s contest and will be re-evaluated Saturday, one day before a potential Game 6 at Chase Center.

But Stephen A. Smith and the rest of the “First Take” crew think it’s already too late for Curry, who they believe won’t win another championship with the Warriors.

“It’s not because of Steph at all. Steph is still playing like an all-world player when he’s on the court,” Smith said Wednesday morning. “The brother’s spectacular. I think the second we really, really knew in our hearts that this was it was when they didn’t get Kevin Durant to come back. Remember, they were interested in acquiring Kevin Durant. Kevin Durant made it clear he didn’t want to go back. And because he didn’t want to go back, Jimmy Butler was the consolation prize.

“We’re looking at Jimmy Butler, we know what he can do. Jimmy Butler has no problem being Robin. But can you be Batman anymore? The answer is likely no. And then you look at Draymond Green. Draymond Green was my Defensive Player of the Year. Draymond Green is getting outplayed by Julius Randle in this series. So what choice do you have but to concede that this is it for the Golden State Warriors?”

Co-analysts Chris “Mad Dog” Russo and three-time NBA champion Udonis Haslem agreed with Smith, acknowledging the end is near for Curry and the Warriors.

Smith added that while Golden State traded for Butler, which helped save its season, the core of Butler, 35, Green, 35 and Curry, 37, won’t be enough to overpower the growing youth in the West with teams such as the Timberwolves, the Oklahoma City Thunder, the Houston Rockets and the San Antonio Spurs.

We are witnessing that firsthand in the series between the Timberwolves and Warriors, although Curry has been a non-factor due to his injury.

“There’s too much resistance in the Western Conference for Golden State to overcome,” Smith said. “I think we’ve seen the last of Steph Curry as a champion in Golden State.”

While Curry still might have plenty in the tank, he knows his NBA clock is ticking. The sharpshooter revealed in March that a fifth ring is the “only thing” he’s still playing for. While the ESPN analysts’ words might leave a sour taste in Dub Nation’s mouth, Curry’s always been one to prove the doubters and naysayers wrong.

And one thing’s for certain: he won’t go out without a fight.

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Warriors provide encouraging update on Steph's injury before Game 5

Warriors provide encouraging update on Steph's injury before Game 5 originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

Steph Curry is inching closer toward a potential return in the NBA playoffs.

But will he have a chance to?

After Golden State ruled its superstar guard out for Game 5 of the Western Conference semifinals against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Wednesday at Target Center, the team provided an official update on the status of Curry’s strained left hamstring.

“Curry, who has missed the last three games due to a strained hamstring, has been re-evaluated,” the team statement reads. “The re-evaluation indicated that Curry is making good progress in his recovery. He has been cleared to participate in light on-court workouts, including shooting drills. He will be re-evaluated again on Saturday.”

If the Warriors, who trail the Timberwolves three games to one in the series, were to win Game 5 on Wednesday, they would force a Game 6 on Sunday at Chase Center, which could allow Curry to return as Golden State looks to complete its unlikely series comeback.

Curry suffered the hamstring injury in the second quarter of the Warriors’ Game 1 win on May 6 after scoring 13 points in 12 minutes. Golden State has lost three consecutive games and now faces elimination Wednesday in Minnesota.

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Warriors provide encouraging update on Steph's injury before Game 5

Warriors provide encouraging update on Steph's injury before Game 5 originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

Steph Curry is inching closer toward a potential return in the NBA playoffs.

But will he have a chance to?

After Golden State ruled its superstar guard out for Game 5 of the Western Conference semifinals against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Wednesday at Target Center, the team provided an official update on the status of Curry’s strained left hamstring.

“Curry, who has missed the last three games due to a strained hamstring, has been re-evaluated,” the team statement reads. “The re-evaluation indicated that Curry is making good progress in his recovery. He has been cleared to participate in light on-court workouts, including shooting drills. He will be re-evaluated again on Saturday.”

If the Warriors were to win Game 5 on Wednesday, they would force a Game 6 on Saturday at Chase Center, which could allow Curry to return as Golden State looks to erase a three-games-to-one series deficit.

This story will be updated …

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How Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami struggles mirror his time with PSG

The Argentine superstar has been top-class, but a lack of structure behind him has been his team’s undoing. Sound familiar?

Inter Miami are used to having a target on their back by now, but no opponent has hit them harder than Minnesota United did on Saturday in a 4-1 rout. As if inflicting Lionel Messi’s heaviest-ever defeat in Major League Soccer wasn’t enough, the Loons took the opportunity to rub it in on social media, labelling South Florida’s Galacticos a “Pink Phony Club” – a jibe that irked David Beckham.

Beckham’s frustration, along with everyone else’s at Inter Miami, has built over a number of weeks. The Herons are experiencing an early-season reckoning. Their Concacaf Champions Cup challenge was ended by a rampant Vancouver Whitecaps who ran up a 5-1 aggregate scoreline to make the final despite Inter Miami making the competition a big priority.

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Jackson recalls Butler's unforgettable advice after Warriors-Grizzlies

Jackson recalls Butler's unforgettable advice after Warriors-Grizzlies originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

If you want advice from Warriors star forward Jimmy Butler, you might have to physically earn it.

Memphis Grizzlies forward GG Jackson learned that the hard way.

Jackson, appearing on Wednesday’s edition of Fan Duel TV’s “Run It Back,” was asked if he’s received advice from a player on another team. He listed Butler as one of the three players he’s sought words of wisdom from, but the delivery left a lasting impression on his head — literally.

“When we played the Warriors, excuse my language, but he smacked the s–t out of my head after the game,” Jackson said. “He was like, ‘What’s up, young fella?’ And smacked me and told me a couple things.”

Ouch.

Butler’s Warriors and Jackson’s Grizzlies met in the first NBA play-in game between the Western Conference’s No. 7 and No. 8 seeds. Golden State outlasted Memphis 121-116 behind Butler’s 38 points.

Jackson received a DNP-CD (Did Not Play, Coach’s Decision) in the Grizzlies’ loss.

Memphis drafted Jackson in the second round of the 2023 NBA Draft. As a rookie, Jackson turned heads while appearing in 48 games (18 starts) and averaging 14.6 points, 4.1 rebounds and 1.2 assists in 25.7 minutes.

After returning in late January from a foot injury that required surgery in Year 2, Jackson experienced a bit of a sophomore slump through 29 games. He averaged 7.2 points, 3.2 rebounds and 1.0 assists in 15.8 minutes.

In addition to Butler, Jackson revealed Khris Middleton and Brandon Ingram as the other players who have given him helpful advice as he navigates his young NBA career.

“I always ask these guys what was it for them that got them over that hump,” Jackson said. “Because everyone has years where it’s kind of a slump year, whether it’s at this next level or college or high school. Just finding a way to get over that hump. All of them just told me the same thing. It’s about how many reps you get up.”

The 20-year-old certainly appreciates the advice from Butler, a 14-year pro, and it’ll be an interaction he likely won’t ever forget.

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Pacers see off top-seeded Cavaliers to reach finals

Tyrese Haliburton #0 of the Indiana Pacers after the Pacers celebrates with teammates
It is the first time since 2005 against Boston that the Pacers have won three road games in a play-off series [Getty Images]

The Indiana Pacers reached the NBA's Eastern Conference finals for the second year running by beating top seeds the Cleveland Cavaliers in game five.

Tyrese Haliburton scored 31 points and added eight assists as Indiana triumphed 114-105 to win the best-of-seven semi-final series 4-1.

"The winning team writes the script," Indiana coach Rick Carlisle said.

"This was one of the best teams in the league. I'm sorry their season had to end like this. They had the perfect season, and we came along and were hot at the right time."

The fourth-seeded Pacers will face either the Boston Celtics or the New York Knicks, who lead the NBA's defending champions 3-1, in the final.

The Celtics claimed a clean sweep against the Pacers in last year's Eastern finals.

Cleveland, who topped the Eastern Conference, thrashed Miami 4-0 to book their place in the semi-finals.

However, they could not cope with the tempo of the Pacers and Donovan Mitchell, who led the Cavaliers with 35 points, said they had "let the city down".

"We just didn't get the job done. Nothing else needs to be said," added Mitchell.

"We let the city down. We let each other down. I believe in this team. That's what just sucks. We're a good team, but ultimately for three [home] games, we don't seem it."

Thunder on brink of Western Conference final

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 31 points as the Oklahoma City Thunder beat the Denver Nuggets to move 3-2 ahead in their Western Conference semi-final series.

Nuggets centre Nikola Jokic grabbed 44 points and 15 rebounds, but he could not stop Oklahoma City from running out 112-105 winners in game five.

"This is a really disappointing loss," Denver interim coach David Adelman said.

"The guys in there should be disappointed. It's a heavy loss and we have to bounce back quickly to win game six and give ourselves a chance to come back. Have a game like this, but finish it."

Jalen Williams' three-pointer opened up a 106-103 lead with 1:18 remaining before Gilgeous-Alexander's three with 48 seconds to go extended the Thunder's advantage to six.

"What the great players do is they rise in the face of those challenges and adversities," Thunder coach Mark Daigneault said of Gilgeous-Alexander.

"Despite the fact that the pressure was mounting and it got hotter in there, he got cooler and just kind of settled into it, made the right plays, let the game tell him what to do."

The Thunder can clinch the series on Friday (01:30 BST) in Denver.

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Yankees tie game late but fall to Mariners in extra innings, 2-1

The Yankees tied the game in the ninth but could not come through in extras, falling to the Mariners, 2-1, in 11 innings on Tuesday night in Seattle.

The Yankees are now 1-3 in extra-inning games this season and dropped their first game started by Max Fried -- they entered a perfect 8-0.

Here are the takeaways...

-The Yankees' lineup could not do much against starter Bryan Woo or the Mariners' bullpen. They had just five hits and were 0-for-4 with runners in scoring position and left six men on base entering the ninth. But against closer Andres Munoz, Paul Goldschmidt reached on a HBP and stole second (his third of the season). Austin Wells grounded out but moved the pinch-running Pablo Reyes to third. Anthony Volpe tapped a slider with a check swing toward first baseman Dylan Moore, who was playing in. Moore threw home but it was wide, allowing Reyes to score and Volpe to go to second base on the fielder's choice and error.

Without getting a hit, the Yankees tied the game. It was Munoz's first earned run allowed this season. Jasson Dominguez struck out looking on a pitch below the strike zone. The mild-mannered Dominguez had some words for homeplate umpire Mark Wegner. Aaron Boone came out to protect his player and give Wegner a few words of his own, but when the ump ejected the Yankees skipper, Boone let him have it. Wegner's strikezone was very inconsistent and hitter-friendly for both sides. Oswald Peraza ended the inning by grounding out.

-After failing to score a run in the 10th and 11th, even with the ghost runner, the Mariners made the Yankees pay. Tim Hill was asked to keep the score tied but back-to-back singles from Ben Williamson and J.P. Crawford pushed the winning run across.

-Fried came into Tuesday's start with a 6-0 record and an MLB-low 1.05 ERA, and that continued in the first inning after it took just five pitches to get through the opening frame, but the Mariners hitters made him work. They battled and got into high-pitch at-bats and finally broke through in the fourth thanks to a Julio Rordriguez single and Cal Raleigh's booming double off the center field wall to score the game's first run.

YES Network analyst Jeff Nelson commented that he keeps seeing Fried blowing on his hands, and that could be an indication that he just doesn't have the command of his pitches like he usually does. And it showed as Fried had to grind through this one thanks to the Mariners fouling off 23 of his pitches.

Fried exited the game after five innings (91 pitches/57 strikes), allowing one run on four hits, two walks and striking out five. It's the second-shortest outing of his season and ended a streak of six consecutive quality starts.

-On the other side, Woo dominated. After a two-out double to Cody Bellinger in the first inning, Woo went through the Yankees' lineup in order the next four innings. He retired 15 in a row at one point before Trent Grisham and Aaron Judge hit two-out singles in the sixth, but Woo wrapped up the inning by getting Bellinger to fly out.

The Yankees had their chances despite Woo's performance. Wells' one-out double in the seventh forced Seattle to pull Woo out of the game. Volpe walked and both runners had a successful double steal, but left-hander Gabe Speier struck outDominguez and Peraza to end the threat.

New York mustered just five hits and was 0-for-14 with runners in scoring position while leaving 11 men on base.

-With Oswaldo Cabrera's fractured ankle, Peraza started at third base and went 0-for-4 with a strikeout. He did make some great defensive plays at the hot corner. Jorbit Vivas started at second and went 0-for-2 with a strikeout. He was lifted for pinch-hitter Ben Rice in the later innings, and the newly-recalled DJ LeMahieu played second in the ninth inning. LeMahieu actually got an at-bat in the 10th, striking out.

Bellinger's first-inning double extended his hitting streak to nine games. It was his only hit of the night.

-The Yankees' bullpen did its job to give the offense a chance to tie or take the lead. Fernando Cruz struck out the side in a perfect sixth inning -- a nice bounceback from allowing three runs in 0.2 innings this past Saturday. Mark Leiter Jr., Luke Weaver and Devin Williams struck out a combined five batters in three perfect innings.

Game MVP: J.P. Crawford

Crawford's single ended the game, stopped the Mariners' four-game losing streak and prevented Seattle from losing their second straight series.

Highlights

What's next

The Yankees look to take their three-game series with the Mariners on Wednesday afternoon. First pitch is set for 4:10 p.m.

Will Warren (2-2, 4.75 ERA) will take the mound while the Mariners will have Luis Castillo (3-3, 3.95 ERA) on the bump.