HOT
The Best of the Day: April 8th, 2021
See the best of the day in sports from April 8, 2021 including NYM controversial walk-off vs. MIA, Boucher's big game vs. the Bulls, and more!
Biz News Post
The ‘Best of the Day’ is a daily PSO original series showcasing the most significant stories, highlights, and facts going on in the land of the NFL, NBA, & MLB every day. Get a recap on EVERYTHING that happened on 4/8 here.
There was some controversy in baseball on Thursday, as the Mets earned a walk-off win on a HBP vs. Miami, after it appeared that New York OF Michael Conforto leaned in on the pitch. After his huge game vs Chicago, Raptors C Chris Boucher is showing that he is the best big man coming off the bench in the NBA. Kawhi hammered it home over DeAndre Ayton, the Heat took down the Lakers in an NBA Finals rematch, and the Thunder have been historically bad over their last five games.
Here is the best of the day from April 8, 2021:
Mets controversial walk-off win after Michael Conforto leans into the pitch
Thursday’s contest between the Miami Marlins and New York Mets ended in controversy when Mets OF Michael Conforto was hit by a pitch. It is unclear whether he leaned into it or not, and only Conforto knows his intentions, but regardless, it allowed New York to earn a win in their home opener.
MICHAEL CONFORTO GETS HIT BY A PITCH AND THE METS WIN IT 3-2!!!!! pic.twitter.com/R1QdgiRQJ5
— SNY (@SNYtv) April 8, 2021
The walk-off HBP would have never happened though, if it weren’t for Jeff McNeil, who hit a homer to knot the game at 2-2 in the bottom of ninth. The clutch game-tying shot was especially significant for him considering it was his 29th birthday. Though it didn’t come without controversy, the home opening win for the Mets was quite the way to kick off a new era of baseball in New York under new owner Steve Cohen.
JEFF MCNEIL TIES THE GAME IN THE 9TH!!!!!! pic.twitter.com/0CXGrYBNDZ
— SNY (@SNYtv) April 8, 2021
Related: Stories of the Day
CHRIS BOUCHER IS THE BEST BENCH BIG MAN IN THE NBA
Chris Boucher was given an opportunity to prove himself this season, and he has done just that. The Raps forward/center has played 51 games for them this season but has only started six times. He’s averaging 23.3 minutes per game, and tallying 13.3 points and 6.3 rebounds in those minutes, good for 20.5 points and 9.7 rebounds per 36 minutes this season. Boucher was given exactly 36 minutes of playtime against Chicago with De’Andre Bembry out and had the best game of his career.
Without Kyle Lowry or Fred VanVleet playing vs. Chicago, Boucher set career-highs in points (38), rebounds (19), offensive rebounds (9), field goals made (14), and minutes played (36). Thursday night showed everyone his potential in this league as a starter, and with continued improvement, there is no reason he can’t be an above-average starter at Center for Toronto going forward.
Boucher has really come into his own this season, developing into an important piece for this squad in 2020-21 that he was a bench warmer for when they won the championship a couple of seasons ago. He is the single-most efficient player for the Raps this season and leads the team in blocks (4th most in the NBA).
He’s been given more opportunities to prove himself recently due to suspensions, COVID, and injury-related issues Toronto has been dealing with, and he’s seized the moment while proving himself as the NBA’s best bench big man.
COLORS KEY | FULL RAPTORS OUTLOOK
Chris Boucher is the first @Raptors player to put up 35+ PTS and 15+ REB in a game since Chris Bosh in 2010. @EliasSports pic.twitter.com/ObPGhA6rH6
— NBA.com/Stats (@nbastats) April 9, 2021
Related: NBA Takeaways of the Day
Kawhi’s ridiculous dunk over Ayton
KAWHI DROPPED THE HAMMER 🔨 pic.twitter.com/wVF6FN0O8b
— NBA TV (@NBATV) April 9, 2021
Related: NBA Highlights
C Chris Boucher, TOR (L v.CHI): 38 PTS (14-24 FG | 3-7 3P), 1 AST, 19 REB, 1 BLK, 1 STL, 1 TO
#PlayerOfTheDay (4/8/21) - C Chris Boucher, TOR
— Pro Sports Outlook (@PSO_Sports) April 9, 2021
TOP FACTS:
- 1st Raptor w/ 35+ PTS & 15+ REB since Bosh (2010)
- Career-high 38 PTS & career-high 19 REB vs. CHI
- Lowry & VanVleet were out for TOR's 15th L in 18 GP
KEY STATS:
38 PTS, 19 REB, 14-24 FG (58%), 3-7 3P (43%) https://t.co/7yrbQCcFOO
Related: Players of the Day
Los Angeles Lakers (104) vs. Miami Heat (110)
[Highlights] @HEAT (-500) d. LAKERS (+383) 110-104 [LAL +9.5 | o205.5]
Related: Games of the Day
Related: Facts of the Day
PSO Scouting Report: QB Trey Lance (North Dakota St.) by Ricky Eisenbart
PSO breaks down QB Trey Lance’s future outlook and how his game will translate to the next level in the NFL
Trey Lance NFL Scouting Report:
— Pro Sports Outlook (@PSO_Sports) April 9, 2021
Physical Tools: A+
Game Film: ??
Production: ??
Risk: B
Overall: ??
FULL evaluation:https://t.co/gsEBwAMeZ1
Related: Latest PSO Posts
DATE: April 8, 1974
SIGNIFICANCE: Hank Aaron broke the all-time HR record, passing Babe Ruth with his 715th career homer
April 8, 1974: Atlanta Braves OF Hank Aaron hit his record-breaking 715th career home run, passing the immortal Babe Ruth for the most in MLB history pic.twitter.com/tFP3eTphHQ
— Pro Sports Outlook (@PSO_Sports) April 8, 2021
Related: Significant Sports History
Share the Best of the Day and follow below for more great sports content!
