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The Best of the Day: June 4th, 2021
See the best of the day in sports from June 4, 2021, including Kawhi's spectacular performance and Urias' diving catch the preserve a no-no
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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 6/4 here.
Kawhi Leonard‘s much-needed 45-point performance helped to keep the Clippers’ season alive, as they forced Game 7 against the Mavericks to be played in LA. This series is the first in NBA history where the road team has won the first 6 games, so the Clips are going to need to break this streak to advance. June 4 also marks the 21st anniversary of the Kobe-Shaq alley-oop that capped off a Game 7 win to send LA to the NBA Finals.
In a season full of no-hitters, Freddy Peralta of the Brewers almost added another one. Luis Urias made a diving catch, to preserve his pitcher’s no-no in the 7th inning, however, it was ultimately spoiled in the 8th. The San Diego Padres look to be serious contenders this year, as they have one of their best teams in franchise history, winning a record 12 straight at home.
Here is the best of the day from June 4, 2021:
Kawhi Leonard took over in Game 6 to keep the Clippers season alive
The LA Clippers were on the brink of elimination down 3-2 in their series against Dallas, but Kawhi Leonard put together the best game of his career to save his team and force a Game 7. The road team has now won all of the first six games, the first time this has happened in NBA history. The Klaw tied his playoff career-high with 45 points on 72% shooting to keep their postseason hopes alive. Luka Doncic had another great outing with 29 points, but it wasn’t enough to outlast Leonard and the Clips.
Kawhi accounted for half of his team’s 3PM throughout the game and scored eight straight points for LA late in the 4th quarter, to give them a 98-90 lead with 1:41 remaining. After that, the Clippers cruised to their Game 6 victory, which brings the series back to LA where the winner will face Utah in the second round.
LEONARD STEPBACK 3.. BANG!!!
— NBA (@NBA) June 5, 2021
He's got 45.
Clippers by 8 with under 2:00 left.#NBAPlayoffs on ESPN pic.twitter.com/tcGEZoae8n
Kawhi throws it down over KP 😤 pic.twitter.com/4vnDI2oVQZ
— NBA TV (@NBATV) June 5, 2021
The Mavericks, Clippers series is the first time in NBA playoff history the road team has won the first 6 games of a series (excluding bubble games last season). pic.twitter.com/zuXkBA7X3F
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) June 5, 2021
Kawhi Leonard's 45 points (and counting) are the most when facing elimination in Clippers franchise history.
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) June 5, 2021
It's his 2nd 40-point game when facing elimination.
The other was Game 7 against the 76ers, when he hit the game-winner.
H/T @EliasSports pic.twitter.com/tvcbFuCBpO
In 6 games this postseason, Kawhi Leonard of the @LAClippers is averaging 32.8 points per game on 60.5 percent shooting.
— OptaSTATS (@OptaSTATS) June 5, 2021
He's the first player to average 30.0+ PPG on 60.0+ percent shooting over his first 6 games of a postseason since Kareem Abdul-Jabbar in 1983.
Related: Stories of the Day
THE BEST GAME OF KAWHI LEONARD’S HOF CAREER SAVED LOS ANGELES
LeBron James and the LA Lakers were just sent home by Phoenix, and the city of Los Angeles is hoping one of their superstar-fueled teams can make a run this postseason. Kawhi’s heroic performance ensured at least one of them is still standing. If the Clippers were to lose, it is very possible that they will shake things up, given that their current roster wasn’t living up to the expectations and Leonard himself could depart in free agency.
With all of this on the line, Leonard stepped up and dominated the game, especially in the fourth quarter to save their season and potentially many of the players’ place on the squad. Now it all comes down to Game 7 where the Clips will look to be the first home team to win a game during a series that has historically only seen road teams win. But for now, the best game of Kawhi’s future Hall of Fame career saved Los Angeles’ season and what could be a very murky future outlook.
COLORS KEY | FULL CLIPPERS OUTLOOK
Kawhi came up CLUTCH to force Game 7 🔥 pic.twitter.com/gl8NDo2wUC
— NBA TV (@NBATV) June 5, 2021
According to @EliasSports Kawhi Leonard is the 4th player in NBA postseason history with 45 points and 70% FG when facing elimination, joining Jamal Murray, LeBron James and Wilt Chamberlain. pic.twitter.com/ceODjx0mco
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) June 5, 2021
Related: NBA Takeaways of the Day
Luis Urias preserved the no-hitter
The play! @LuisUrias03 keeps the no-no alive. 😱 pic.twitter.com/MiQKETnPBo
— MLB (@MLB) June 5, 2021
Related: MLB Highlights
SF Kawhi Leonard, LAC (W @DAL): 45 PTS (18-25 FG | 5-9 3P), 3 AST, 6 REB, 0 BLK, 2 STL, 4 TO
#PlayerOfTheDay (6/4/21) - F Kawhi Leonard, LAC
— Pro Sports Outlook (@PSO_Sports) June 5, 2021
TOP FACTS:
- 1st series that road teams won all of the 1st 6 games
- 1st w/ 30+ PPG & 60+ FG% in 1st 6 playoff GP since '83
- Most PTS when facing elimination in LAC history
KEY STATS:
45 PTS, 6 REB, 2 STL, 18-25 FG (72%), 5-9 3P https://t.co/rMWUqRJSLb
Related: Players of the Day
Los Angeles Clippers (104) vs. Dallas Mavericks (97)
[Highlights] #4 CLIPPERS (-146; $10.44) d. #5 @MAVERICKS (+130; $10.00) 104-97 [LAC -3 | u216.5] (TIED 3-3)
Related: Games of the Day
Related: Facts of the Day
This is the best team in Padres history
San Diego #Padres now have the longest home winning streak (12 straight) in franchise history pic.twitter.com/VlnSPL3axT
— Pro Sports Outlook (@PSO_Sports) June 5, 2021
Related: Latest PSO Posts
DATE: June 4, 2000
SIGNIFICANCE: An iconic Kobe to Shaq alley-oop capped off the largest Game 7 4th Qtr comeback in NBA history
FULL story on the Kobe-Shaq alley-oop that capped off a historic Game 7 4th Qtr comeback https://t.co/TTdXnIMcwF
— Pro Sports Outlook (@PSO_Sports) June 4, 2021
Related: Significant Sports History
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