Toronto Raptors vs. Cleveland Cavaliers Game 7: Can Harden, Mitchell beat Barnes, Raptors at home?

We are here because of one of the wildest bounces you will ever see to decide a game.

Well, it’s a lot more than that shot. It’s Toronto’s pressure twice causing Cleveland to collapse in the clutch. In Game 4 in Toronto, the Cavaliers led by eight with less than five minutes remaining, with the most memorable moment being Donovan Mitchell not being able to get the ball past half court.

Game 6 was wilder. Toronto had been the better team all night and was up by 11 entering the fourth quarter, but Cleveland’s core five — Dean Wade, Donovan Mitchell, James Harden, Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen — sparked a comeback, forced overtime, then did not have the bounces go their way.

This has been an incredibly even series statistically, with both teams scoring exactly 669 points through six games, and, as a result, each has the same 113.2 offensive rating. On paper, it shouldn’t be this close, Cleveland should have won this series handily, especially against a shorthanded Toronto team without starters Brandon Ingram or Immanuel Quickley much of the series (Ingram is officially questionable for Game 7, Quickley is out).

Yet here we are in Game 7 and anything can happen. Including wild bounces off the rim. Here’s what you need to know about Game 7.

When is Raptors vs. Cavaliers Game 7?

Game 7 between the Raptors and Cavaliers is at 7:30 on Sunday at Rocket Arena in Cleveland. The game will be broadcast on NBC and can be streamed on Peacock.

Player to watch: James Harden

James Harden could take over, dominate this game and win it for Cleveland.

Or, he could have another game like Game 4 — where he had more turnovers than field goals — and cost them the game.

Harden has a history of doing both in big moments at his previous stops, and this risk was part of what the Cavaliers traded for him at the deadline. For all he does well, his playoff foibles are a known quantity.

Harden’s overall numbers for the series are good: 21 points, 6.7 assists and 5.2 rebounds a game, shooting 39.5% from 3-point range. But he also is averaging 5.7 turnovers a game — and those are what fuel Toronto’s transition offense that it needs.

Which Harden to the Cavaliers get on Sunday? It could decide the game.

Keys to look for in Game 7

Do the Raptors turnover Harden, Mitchell?

Toronto has been successful in this series with a pressure defense that has frustrated Harden and Mitchell — combined, they are averaging 8.3 turnovers per game.

Toronto is the younger, more athletic team and wants to play fast — if the Cavaliers’ stars cough up the ball and the Raptors’ young legs get out in transition, this could be a long night for Cavs fans.

Can the Raptors buck history?

Cleveland knocked Toronto out of the playoffs for three straight years (2016-2018), and the Raptors are 0-10 against the Cavaliers in playoff games in Cleveland.

If that trend is going to change, look for big nights from one (or both) of Scottie Barnes and RJ Barrett, both of whom are averaging 24 points a game.

Toronto has played harder in this series than Cleveland — it has defended with more energy, dove after the loose balls, and just used hustle to make up for a talent gap. They just need to do that one more time.

And maybe get another lucky bounce.

NBC abruptly cut Kentucky Derby live coverage, sparking fan outrage

Horse racing fans weren’t happy with NBC about its abrupt end to the live coverage of the history-making Kentucky Derby 152.

And basketball fans weren’t too keen on the network either, having had to wait longer than expected to see an NBA playoff matchup.

Not long after Golden Tempo won the Derby — making Cherie DeVaux the first winning female trainer in the history of the race and giving veteran jockey Jose Ortiz his first Derby win — the  Peacock network cut coverage and shifted to game seven of the 76ers and the Celtics playoff series.

Television viewers didn’t get to see the traditional draping of the winning horse with the garland of roses in the Winner’s Circle at the Kentucky Derby.

The NBA game, being played in Boston, was scheduled to start at 7:30 p.m. Eastern. The race festivities went past that time.

“What The Bloody Hell???! @nbc Cuts Away From Draping the Blanket of Red Roses on The Incredible Kentucky Derby Win…??? For The First Few Minutes of Basketball? BLOODY HELL DAMN SCHEDULING,” one person posted on X. “Sometimes you can’t HATE certain networks enough @nbc The Kentucky Derby Win this year was EPIC more so than the first few minutes of a basketball game.”

Another called out NBC Sports and Peacock streaming service, writing, “You have outdone yourself with your absolute CRAP coverage of the Kentucky Derby. You cut to warm ups in a basketball game and skipped the first woman to win the Derby and the post interviews and pictures. What a total, complete disgrace! HORRIBLE.”

Some basketball fans appeared to be just as irritated.

“Reason number 17274737 having national broadcasts for these rounds suck: coverage for the game I should be able to watch locally is delayed because of the Kentucky Derby,” one X user said.

Contact Midwest Connect reporter Cheryl V. Jackson at cjackson@usatodayco.com or 317-444-6264. Follow her on X.com: @cherylvjackson or Bluesky: @cherylvjackson.bsky.social.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: NBC cut Kentucky Derby coverage for NBA playoffs, sparking outrage

Gleyber Torres injury: Detroit Tigers 2B leaves game vs Rangers

Detroit Tigers second baseman Gleyber Torres suffered an injury.

The 29-year-old exited the Tigers’ game on Saturday, May 2, with left side tightness before the fourth inning against the Texas Rangers at Comerica Park, replaced at second base by Hao-Yu Lee.

Torres remains under medical evaluation.

The severity of the injury is unknown.

WALKING WOUNDED: Tigers lose Will Vest to injured list with right forearm inflammation

In the first inning, Torres was thrown out at home plate – from right fielder Ezequiel Duran to catcher Danny Jansen – trying to score from second base on Riley Greene’s single.

Torres is the slowest player on the Tigers’ roster, and Duran has a strong arm in the Rangers’ outfield.

Third-base coach Joey Cora sent Torres anyway.

Torres, though, stayed in the game and provided an RBI single in the second inning.

By the fourth, however, Torres was out of the game.

This story will be updated.

Contact Evan Petzold at epetzold@freepress.com or follow him @EvanPetzold.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit Tigers’ Gleyber Torres leaves game with injury

Gleyber Torres injury: Detroit Tigers 2B leaves game vs Rangers

Detroit Tigers second baseman Gleyber Torres suffered an injury.

The 29-year-old exited the Tigers’ game on Saturday, May 2, with left side tightness before the fourth inning against the Texas Rangers at Comerica Park, replaced at second base by Hao-Yu Lee.

Torres remains under medical evaluation.

The severity of the injury is unknown.

WALKING WOUNDED: Tigers lose Will Vest to injured list with right forearm inflammation

In the first inning, Torres was thrown out at home plate – from right fielder Ezequiel Duran to catcher Danny Jansen – trying to score from second base on Riley Greene’s single.

Torres is the slowest player on the Tigers’ roster, and Duran has a strong arm in the Rangers’ outfield.

Third-base coach Joey Cora sent Torres anyway.

Torres, though, stayed in the game and provided an RBI single in the second inning.

By the fourth, however, Torres was out of the game.

This story will be updated.

Contact Evan Petzold at epetzold@freepress.com or follow him @EvanPetzold.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit Tigers’ Gleyber Torres leaves game with injury

Houston Rockets jersey history No. 13 – Kelvin Cato (1999-2004)

The Houston Rockets have had players donning a total of 52 different jersey numbers (and have one not part of any numerical series for Houston assistant coach and general manager Carroll Dawson) since their founding at the start of the 1967-68 season, worn by just under 500 players in the course of Rockets history.

To honor all of the players who wore those numbers over the decades, Rockets Wire is covering the entire history of jersey numbers and the players who wore them since the founding of the team all those years ago right up to the present day.

With seven of those jerseys now retired to honor some of the greatest Rockets of all time to wear those jerseys, there is a lot of history to cover.

And for today’s article, we will continue with the fifth of 11 who wore the No. 13, big man alum Kelvin Cato. After ending his college career at Iowa State, Cato was picked up with the 15th overall selection of the 1997 NBA Draft by the Dallas Mavericks.

The Atlanta, Georgia native played the first two seasons of his pro career with the Portland Trail Blazers after a draft night deal, coming to an end when he was dealt to the Houston Rockets in 1999. His stay with the team lasted until he was dealt to the Orlando Magic in 2004.

During his time suiting up for the Rockets, Cato wore only jersey No. 13 and put up 6.2 points, as many rebounds, and 1.4 blocks per game.

All stats and data courtesy of Basketball Reference.

This article originally appeared on Rockets Wire: Rockets jersey history No. 13 – Kelvin Cato (1999-2004)

Surging Yankees have a new stealth power weapon: You’ll never guess | Klapisch

NEW YORK — Like any major league team, the Yankees engage in the time-honored tradition of pre-game batting practice. Same as it ever was: get loose and gauge how light the bat feels.

While BP sessions are mandatory, manager Aaron Boone allows his players to choose between the Stadium’s underground cages or outside on the field. Preferences vary – Aaron Judge splits it 50-50, Austin Wells is indoor-only – but there’s one Yankee who’s strictly old school.

No matter if it’s day or night, hot or cold, Jose Caballero takes batting practice outside – and only outside – for a distinctly low-tech reason.

“It just makes me feel good,” he said. “I can see the ball fly and see how the ball is carrying to all fields.”

Caballero stands at 5-9, 175 pounds with a touch of Ozzie Smith in him. His hands are that good. But being as lean as a greyhound doesn’t mean Caballero lacks muscle. To the contrary. Boone says, “Cabby hits bombs in batting practice every day.”

And that power doesn’t shut off when BP ends at 5 pm. Caballero blasted a 108-mph home run in the first inning of the Yankees’ 7-2 win over the Orioles Friday night. He almost went deep in the seventh inning too, long after the game was out of reach.

With an American League-best 21-11 record, the Bombers are on a roll of biblical proportions. But that’s not the weekend’s No. 1 narrative.

It’s not Will Warren, who delivered another gem (6.1 innings, one earned run, nine strikeouts). It’s not Ben Rice, who smacked his 11th HR of the season, right behind Judge’s 12.

It’s Caballero, who’s taking giant steps towards becoming the full-time shortstop. Talk about good timing: only hours after the Yankees extended Anthony Volpe’s injury rehab assignment for another two days, Caballero took full advantage of being alone on the stage.

He’s saying all the right things about the battle he appears to be winning. No gloating, no self-promotion and no disrespect towards Volpe. Caballero says, “I wish him the best” and emphasizes he only wants to “help the team win any way I can.”

Boone, along with general manager Brian Cashman, could’ve brought Volpe back on Friday. The reports from Somerset say the Jersey kid is fully recovered from off-season shoulder surgery. There’s nothing left for him to prove at the minor league level.

A year or even a month ago, there would’ve been no question about Volpe’s reinstatement. But Caballero, batting a solid .266 with three HRs in his last seven games, has chipped away at Volpe’s hold on the position. Teammates are now openly praising Caballero and his relentless energy.

“He’s a fun guy to watch,” said Rice. “You see what he does on the bases, running around, causing havoc, great defense, great at-bats, willing to play small ball, willing to take the extra base.”

The Yankees could’ve ended the suspense by now. But time’s almost up: Volpe’s injury-rehab will expire on Sunday. That’s when activation becomes automatic.

The question is whether Volpe returns to the Bronx or is officially demoted to Class-AAA. Boone says the club’s hierarchy will use the rest of the weekend to “assess” their choices. But how much more evidence is necessary?

Friday’s take-down of the Orioles also raised other questions:

Is Warren’s spot in the rotation safe?

It seems that way, even with Gerrit Cole and Carlos Rodon the verge of returning from the injured list. Warren has allowed two or fewer earned runs in each of his seven starts, the most in the major leagues.

His growing dominance, not to mention impenetrable self-confidence, make it a near-guarantee Warren will be a rock-solid No. 5 starter with Cole, Rodon Max Fried and Cam Schlittler ahead of him.

“I think we’re going to have the best staff in all of baseball when they come back,” Warren said. “The best pitchers are going to pitch, so I have to keep going out there and doing my job.”

Did Pete Alonso open up about the Mets after hitting a home run on his first swing back in New York?

The former-Mets first baseman spoke to reporters at length before the game, but was careful not to re-open old wounds.

He acknowledged being allowed to leave the Mets as a free agent without an offer or even a final conversation with Steve Cohen or David Stearns. But insisted there was no bitterness.

“You can’t erase history or what happened, because I enjoyed my time in New York,” Alonso said. “But I’m also really stoked to represent Baltimore.”

Why are there so many bad teams in the American League, including the Orioles?

It’s true, the field is exceptionally weak this year. Ten of the league’s 15 teams are under .500 and just two, the Yankees and Rays, are over .600. That should theoretically clear the Bombers’ path to the World Series. But haven’t we said that before?

Read the original article on NJ.com. Add NJ.com as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Antonelli on Miami pole from revived Verstappen

Kimi Antonelli, 19, is the youngest driver to lead the F1 world championship [Getty Images]

Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli bounced back from a difficult sprint race to take pole position for the Miami Grand Prix.

It was the Italian’s third pole in four grands prix this season and his team-mate and title rival George Russell was down in fifth place, 0.399 seconds adrift.

Max Verstappen took second, 0.166secs from Antonelli, after a remarkable turnaround in form for his Red Bull team following upgrades to their car.

McLaren’s Lando Norris, who dominated the sprint earlier on Saturday, was fourth, behind Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc, whose team-mate Lewis Hamilton was sixth, ahead of McLaren’s Oscar Piastri.

Sunday’s race has been moved forward by three hours to 18:00 BST (13:00 local time) because of the threat of thunderstorms.

A statement from Formula 1 and governing body the FIA said the decision was made because “the weather forecast (predicts) heavier rainstorms later in the afternoon close to the original planned race start time” of 16:00 local.

‘Light at the end of the tunnel’ for Verstappen

Antonelli secured his pole with his first run in final qualifying, and a mistake on his final run meant he faced an anxious wait to see if anyone could improve his time.

But only Verstappen, who was third fastest on the first runs, managed to go faster on a second attempt in the 33C Miami heat.

The 19-year-old, who was demoted from fourth to sixth in the sprint by a five-second penalty for exceeding track limits, said: “It has been an amazing day to be on pole again.

“It was a difficult start to the day with the sprint but super-happy with the recovery. I got a little bit excited on the final lap of Q3 but the first lap was good enough. I was very stressed just waiting for everyone to finish their laps.”

Red Bull, like McLaren and Ferrari, brought a major upgrade to their car for this weekend, and while McLaren’s worked well early on, refinements from Red Bull and Mercedes left the sprint winners trailing.

Verstappen, who has been considering his future in Formula 1, said “there’s light at the end of the tunnel” after his team’s improvements.

“To be on the front row after being over a second behind is really incredible. It’s massive.

“It is everything because before nothing really worked, I felt like a total passenger. It could understeer, it could snap on me.

“We are still not where we want to be in terms of understanding everything, but the car feels a lot more together and I can finally drive the way I want to drive.”

Verstappen’s team-mate Isack Hadjar, who had had a promising start to his Red Bull career, was left trailing, 0.825secs adrift of the Dutchman in ninth. He said he had been struggling with a lack of power all weekend.

McLaren fall back after sprint one-two

McLaren slipped back from their effort in the sprint, for which they qualified first and third and finished one-two in the race.

Norris was 0.385secs from pole but just 0.04secs behind Leclerc.

The world champion said: “I felt like I was doing a better job but we were slower. Today is probably a little more where we should be.

“We probably could have been third. The weird thing is how much pace we lost from yesterday. We need to understand that some of that is conditions.

“It is a lot hotter than this point yesterday and the wind was a little different, but all in all it was a lot trickier, a much messier session from our aide as a team, myself included.

“Some things to understand. It’s not like we did a bad job, I think yesterday everyone did do a bad job and we capitalised and today we are more where we deserve to be.”

Leclerc was a little disappointed with third after Ferrari’s upgrade, saying they were just not fast enough to compete at the very front. He headed Hamilton by 0.176secs.

The top 10 behind Piastri was completed by Alpine’s Franco Colapinto, on good form on one lap all weekend, Hadjar and the second Alpine of Pierre Gasly.

At the back, Fernando Alonso made it 40 grand prix qualifying sessions in a row beating Aston Martin team-mate Lance Stroll as his team improved after qualifying right at the back for the sprint, both their drivers beating the Cadillacs.

Top 10

1. Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes) – 1:27.798

2. Max Verstappen (Red Bull) +0.166

3. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) +0.345

4. Lando Norris (McLaren) +0.385

5. George Russell (Mercedes) +0.399

6. Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari) +0.521

7. Oscar Piastri (McLaren) +0.702

8. Franco Colapinto (Alpine) +0.964

9. Isack Hadjar (Red Bull) +0.991

10. Pierre Gasly (Alpine) +1.012

How to follow Miami Grand Prix on the BBC

Kimi Antonelli secured his third consecutive pole position with his first run in final qualifying on Saturday [Getty Images]

Formula 1 has returned after an enforced five-week break with the Miami Grand Prix at the Miami International Autodrome.

Kimi Antonelli beat Red Bull’s Max Verstappen and Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc to pole position for the 57-lap race.

Earlier on Saturday, Lando Norris took victory in the sprint race ahead of his McLaren team-mate Oscar Piastri.

Antonelli finished sixth after being handed a five-second penalty for exceeding track limits and dropping two places.

The Italian teenager leads Mercedes team-mate George Russell by seven points in the drivers’ championship.

With thunderstorms forecast in Miami on Sunday, the race start has been brought forward by three hours to 18:00 BST (13:00 local time).

Session start times and BBC coverage

With the late change to the Miami Grand Prix start time, commentary details will be updated on Sunday.

Make sure to listen to every episode of the Chequered Flag podcast. For the first time this year, the post-race show for every grand prix is available to watch on BBC iPlayer and YouTube.

Times BST

Sunday, 3 May

Race: 18:00 (TBC)

What is the Miami GP weather forecast?

Formula 1 said the decision to move the grand prix forward was due to the weather forecast that is expected to bring heavier rainstorms later in the afternoon, close to the original planned race start time of 16:00 local.

There is the additional complication that authorities will not allow the crowd in the grandstands to stay out in the open if there is an electrical storm near the venue.

With the race still likely to run in wet conditions, world champion Norris said drivers will be “thrown in at the deep end”.

Temperatures will be slightly cooler than the previous two days with highs of 28C.

Ronald Acuña Jr. exits game with apparent left hamstring ailment

DENVER, CO – May 1: Atlanta Braves Ronald Acuña Jr. (13) prepares to bat in the first inning during a game between the Atlanta Braves and the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field on May 1, 2026 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Just when it seemed like the Atlanta Braves were starting to turn a corner with injury luck with all of the positive updates on players who are currently on the injury list and Michael Harris II continuing to rake despite quad issues of his own, the injury bug appears to have taken another bite from this squad.

Ronald Acuña Jr. has exited Saturday night’s game against the Colorado Rockies with what appears to be a left hamstring issue. Acuña was simply running out a ground ball to second base and pulled up grabbing at his left hamstring. He walked off the field under his own power but he did need help getting down the stairs according to what we saw on the television broadcast.

We’ll provide more updates as they become available and hopefully it’s not as bad as looks for Acuña.

Cal Raleigh out of Saturday’s lineup, Jhonny Pereda up; Will Wilson to IL with fractured thumb

MINNEAPOLIS, MN – APRIL 29: Will Wilson #7 of the Seattle Mariners plays defense during the game between the Seattle Mariners and the Minnesota Twins at Target Field on Wednesday, April 29, 2026 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Michael Turner/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images

Less than an hour before the Mariners were set to take the field for Randy Johnson number retirement night, the Mariners dropped a significant lineup change, removing starting catcher Cal Raleigh and inserting backup catcher. At the same time, the Tacoma Rainiers announced a roster change, scratching their starting catcher for Saturday, Jhonny Pereda.

This of course led to a good old-fashioned freakout until the next roster move dropped: INF Will Wilson to the IL with a fractured thumb. Wilson’s injury designation is backdated to April 30, meaning he’s been dealing with this since Thursday’s off-day.

Wilson has been providing backup at third base while Brendan Donovan has been on the IL, but Donovan is set to begin a rehab assignment this Tuesday with the Arkansas Travelers in preparation to meet the team in Chicago at the beginning of their next roadtrip. This does leave the Mariners shorthanded on the utility infielder side until Donovan is back, however, meaning a steady dose of Leo Rivas at third base unless the Mariners make another move after the game. If they did want to fill the infielder hole, the options are slim: Ryan Bliss is on the 40-man but limited to second base, where Cole Young has staked a claim; Brock Rodden has positional flexibility, but would require a 40-man move. The other option is bringing up Colt Emerson, but unless the Mariners view the situation as truly dire, it feels unlikely that they’d summon him just for a brief fill-in.

No news from the Mariners yet as to what the issue is with Raleigh; this story will be updated.