10 Awesome Things That Happened This Weekend (5/2-5/4)

10. Jon Lester Racks Up 15 Ks
            It was an extremely gaudy number of strikeouts for Lester, who isn’t known for a high strikeout rate. He hasn’t pitched this well in a game since his no-hitter all the way back in 2008.

9. Denny Hamlin Earns First Win of 2014 at Talladega

            Denny can thank his lucky stars that NASCAR didn’t throw a caution flag before he took the white, as there was no way he would’ve held the lead on the backstretch during the final lap.

8. Pacers Survive 3-Point Chucking Hawks
            Atlanta set NBA records for most threes in a series and a single playoff game Saturday, but that wasn’t enough to overcome a Pacers squad that sort of look like it figured things out. We’ll find out when they face John Wall and the Wizards tonight.

7. Thunder Outrun Z-Bo-Less Grizzlies

            Marc Gasol wasn’t able to clog up the paint without his fellow star big man, and Oklahoma City took full advantage.

6. California Chrome Dominates Kentucky Derby

            California Chrome couldn’t have asked for a better set of circumstances for the Derby, but that’s because he’s a horse and he can’t ask questions.

5. Brooklyn Survives Late Raptors Rally, Advances to Second Round Date With Miami

            We were pulling for the Raptors, but ultimately Brooklyn will deliver the greater test for Miami than the young Toronto club would have. The Nets are 4-0 against the Heat this season.

4. Marion Gaborik Ties Game Late, Then Delivers Kings Overtime Victory Over Ducks

            When he’s engaged, there are few snipers more effective than Gaborik in THE NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE. Saturday night, Gaborik was engaged.
         
3. Bruins Rack Up Four Third Period Goals, Even Series With Montreal
            It’s hard to remember another hockey team that has as much of a flair for the dramatic as the Bruins have had over the past five years or so. Saturday was another memorable comeback, which ensures they wouldn’t travel to Montreal in a 0-2 hole.
         
2. Clippers Outlast Warriors in Game 7 Shootout
            Doc Rivers looked more excited Saturday night than he was when the Celtics won the title six years ago. I guess with all his team has dealt with over the past week, it was warranted.

1. Damian Lillard Delivers the Dagger, Eliminates Houston

            0.9 seconds was all Lillard needed to send the Rockets home for the summer. Blazers-Rockets may not have lasted the full seven games, but from start to finish it was the most entertaining series of the first round.