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The Best of the Day: New Years Day, 2021
See the best of the day in sports from January 1, 2020 including Fields out-dueling Lawrence in the CFP, Chris Paul's clutch shot, and more!
USA Today Sports
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 1/1 here.
The biggest event in pro sports came from the college football world, as the CFP Semifinals were held on New Year’s Day featuring an abundance of top NFL Draft prospects. A pair of Heisman finalists dominated in the first game in QB Mac Jones (297 YDS, 4 TDs) and WR DeVonta Smith (130 YDS, 3 TDs). However, the bigger story came in the second game featuring Trevor Lawrence vs. Justin Fields. Fields was special, out-dueling Lawrence and shredding the Clemson D on his way to a record-setting night that made a statement for his draft stock. The National Championship is now set between Alabama and Ohio State on 1/11, featuring a plethora of future NFL talent.
Here is the best of the day from New Years Day, 2021:
Fields outshined Lawrence in a battle of top-2 potential NFL Draft picks
The matchup between Justin Fields and Trevor Lawrence was inevitable considering how stacked their two teams were and after the way last season’s playoff classic between the Buckeyes and Tigers ended. Their previous battle was a gut-wrenching loss for Fields, who threw the game-sealing interception on a miscommunication with his receiver. This time around though, there was no doubt about who the better team was, as Ohio State thoroughly outplayed Clemson, winning 49-28.
Justin Fields’ performance was the story of the game, as he delivered a legendary stat-line. What made it even more special was how he played after taking a vicious hit to the side that left him clearly less than 100% the rest of the night. Fields showcased his toughness, tossing a TD pass on his first play back after missing just one snap. With him not able to be his usual duel-threat self that makes him such a tantalizing NFL prospect, Fields was able to maneuver inside the pocket and deliver strike after strike, absolutely torching the Clemson secondary with his arm. He finished the game 22-28 for 385 YDS and 6 TDs (both Sugar Bowl records).
Trevor Lawrence played well in the loss, finishing 33-48 for 400 with 3 TDs (1 rush) and 1 INT. However, he also lost a fumble and was clearly affected by the Ohio State D-Line, missing on a few key throws that could have made the game closer. Lawrence is still clearly the top QB prospect and No. 1 overall prospect for the 2021 NFL Draft with three years’ worth of tape to show for it, but Fields may have cemented his place just behind Lawrence as the No. 2 pick. The two Georgia natives have been connected since high school as the top two overall players in the 2018 recruiting class, and now very likely could be the top two players selected in this years’ draft.
Good morning Jets fans here are all six TD passes from Justin Fields' legendary performance against Clemson. pic.twitter.com/8O6Kw7NuJz
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) January 2, 2021
QB grades in the College Football Playoff
— PFF College (@PFF_College) January 2, 2021
🔸 Justin Fields, Ohio State - 92.9
🔸 Mac Jones, Alabama - 84.0
🔸Trevor Lawrence, Clemson - 62.4
🔸Ian Book, Notre Dame - 55.4 pic.twitter.com/pdH24aK5PG
Players with 6 passing TDs vs Clemson in the last 8 years:
— PFF College (@PFF_College) January 2, 2021
1. Justin Fields pic.twitter.com/9sUaGffpsV
Related: Stories of the Day
Chris Paul is the most underrated closer in the NBA
Chris Paul has already had a huge impact on this young Suns team since coming to Phoenix from Oklahoma City in an offseason trade. After leading the overachieving Thunder to the playoffs last season as the fifth seed, Paul is showing again why he is arguably the best leader in the NBA and the most underrated closer. He hit the game-clinching shot with 7.1 seconds left over Nuggets star Nikola Jokic to give Phoenix a four-point lead. With the win, Phoenix now has the best record (5-1) so far this year and appear to have picked up where they left off last season as the hottest team in the bubble when they went a scorching 8-0.
If Phoenix can continue to get this kind of production out of Paul, they could be a serious problem for top contenders in the West. They have an excellent roster, with two top players in Paul and Devin Booker, who led the team in scoring last year with 26.6 PPG. They are surrounded by a bevy of smart, unselfish young and veteran players. Two of those young and talented guys include a pair of third-year players in Deandre Ayton and Mikal Bridges. Ayton, the 2018 No.1 overall pick, has averaged 16.7 PTS and 10.7 REB in his career, while Bridges is second on the team in scoring this year with 15.3 PPG. If they stay healthy, the Suns will be an extremely difficult out.
🚨 CLUTCH. CHRIS. PAUL. 🚨@Suns 104@nuggets 100
— NBA (@NBA) January 2, 2021
7.1 left on League Pass ➡️ https://t.co/34MvdivBto pic.twitter.com/hGGJKLOP4L
Related: NBA Takeaways of the Day
John Collins should be in the dunk contest this year
BRUHHHHH 🥴 pic.twitter.com/IsaAqcX5P8
— Atlanta Hawks (@ATLHawks) January 2, 2021
Related: NBA Highlights | Atlanta Hawks Highlights
SF LeBron James, LAL (@SA): 26 PTS (8-22 FG | 3-7 3P), 10 AST, 11 REB, 0 BLK, 2 STL, 4 TO
#PlayerOfTheDay (1/1/21) - SF LeBron James, LAL
— Pro Sports Outlook (@PSO_Sports) January 2, 2021
FACTS TO KNOW:
- LBJ's 1st triple-double of the season
- Tied J-Kidd for 2nd most triple-dubs (58) after turning 30
- Passed Kobe for 3rd most triple dubs (22) in LAL history
- Trails only Magic & Elgin on LAL's triple-doubles list https://t.co/VisW8rRAdl
Related: Players of the Day
Phoenix Suns (106) vs. Denver Nuggets (103)
SUNS (+135; $11.64) d. @NUGGETS (-135; $9.13) 106-103 [PHX +3.5 | u220.5]
Related: Games of the Day
Related: Facts of the Day
NBA Game Reviews: New Years Day, 2021 by Rob Mason
Friday’s NBA action featured some incredible performances and close finishes to start the New Year.
LeBron, Lillard, Giannis, AD, CP3, and more NBA superstars kicked off 2021 with a bang! ⬇️ https://t.co/R0IbTf5Gym
— Pro Sports Outlook (@PSO_Sports) January 3, 2021
Related: Latest PSO Content
FULL ARTICLE: Most Significant Sports History on January 1st
YEAR: 1967
SIGNIFICANCE: Packers and Chiefs won their respective title games to decide the 1st AFL-NFL Championship matchup
Related: Significant Sports History
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