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The Best of the Day: May 18th, 2021
See the best of the day in sports from May 18, 2021 including Tatum's monster performance vs. DC, IND's experience advantage, and more!
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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 5/18 here.
The NBA play-in tournament got underway Tuesday night, as the Indiana Pacers defeated the Charlotte Hornets while the Boston Celtics took down the Washington Wizards. Jayson Tatum’s 50-point explosion helped secure the Celtics a spot in the postseason, while the Pacers benefited vs. a young Hornets team from their past playoff experience, as their roster is very similar to last years’ squad. Also, Spencer Turnbull pulled off a historically unlikely no-hitter, PSO drops MVP favorite Nikola Jokic’s season highlights, and Randy Johnson became the oldest SP to throw a perfect game on this day in 2004.
Here is the best of the day from May 18, 2021:
Jayson Tatum exploded for 50 points in Celtics play-in victory over Washington
Celtics F Jayson Tatum put on the best performance of his young career, leading Boston to a 118-100 victory over the Washington Wizards in the play-in tournament. Tatum scored 32 of his 50 points in the second half, while Kemba Walker added 29, as the Celtics officially punched their tickets to the playoffs and a first round matchup with the Brooklyn Nets.
With three Eastern Conference Finals appearances in the last four years, Boston entered this season with high expectations. Unfortunately, they have been among the most disappointing teams in 2021, finishing just 36-36 and failing to avoid the play-in tournament. However, now they have a chance to put that disappointment behind them and make a playoff run. It will be daunting challenge though, as they will be heavy underdogs against an absolutely loaded Nets squad.
The Wizards’ backcourt duo of Russell Westbrook (20 PTS/ 6-18 FG/ 0-4 3PT) and Bradley Beal (22 PTS/ 10-25 FG/ 1-6 3PT) each struggled with their shots vs. Boston. Now, after a red-hot finish to the season, Washington finds itself in a win-or-go-home matchup with the Indiana Pacers for the eighth seed where they’ll look to overcome the 0.4% chances of making the postseason they had just two months ago.
☘️ 50 POINTS
— NBA (@NBA) May 19, 2021
☘️ 32 in 2nd half
☘️ Celtics earn East #7 seed@jaytatum0's huge night guides the @celtics to #StateFarmPlayIn victory!
#7 Celtics vs. #2 Nets - #NBAPlayoffs First Round Game 1 Saturday: 8pm/et on ABC pic.twitter.com/bHA0j4JNQD
👏 @KembaWalker's 29 PTS, 6 3PM help the @celtics beat Washington in the #StateFarmPlayIn! #BleedGreen
— NBA (@NBA) May 19, 2021
#7 Celtics vs. #2 Nets - #NBAPlayoffs First Round Game 1 Saturday: 8pm/et on ABC pic.twitter.com/AbeFPOritA
Powering his team to a 118-100 win in the East's 7-8 play-in game (advancing them to Round 1) on Tuesday, Jayson Tatum between regular season and playoff competition has now had 50+ points on 3 occasions. That puts him into sole possession of 2nd on this list of @celtics scorers pic.twitter.com/z3n8ek63LV
— StatsCentre (@StatsCentre) May 19, 2021
Related: Stories of the Day
PLAYOFF EXPERIENCE AND CONTINUITY ARE KEY IN GAME 1’S
The Indiana Pacers sent home the Charlotte Hornets in Tuesday’s play-in matchup in the East. They were extremely dominant offensively and led by double-digits essentially the entire game. Indiana had seven players in double figures and Domantas Sabonis tallied 21 boards. He was only one assist from having a triple-double while the entire Pacers roster contributed to the scoring and led a balanced offensive attack.
The key to the Pacers success comes from playoff experience and continuity. Indiana brought back 98% of the team’s total minutes during the 2019-20 season, a staggering 9% more than the second-highest team, the Chicago Bulls. This clearly gave them the advantage, as teams that have proven playoff success are more likely to win Game 1’s because the squad and their stars have been through the process of postseason basketball before. When picking teams to win games, it’s always wise to go with the more experienced squad in Game 1.
Sabonis sets up Brissett backdoor... @Pacers take a lead into the break on TNT! #StateFarmPlayIn
— NBA (@NBA) May 18, 2021
Winner will face the loser of tonight's WAS/BOS matchup to decide the East #8 seed in the #NBAPlayoffs. pic.twitter.com/hPfuho5Ghv
Domantas Sabonis' (14 PTS, 21 REB, 9 AST) near triple-double pushes @Pacers past CHA in the #StateFarmPlayIn! #AlwaysGame
— NBA (@NBA) May 19, 2021
The Pacers will play the Wizards on Thursday at 8pm/et on TNT to decide the East #8 seed in the #NBAPlayoffs. pic.twitter.com/9HIAw6TQZ8
Related: NBA Takeaways of the Day
Devonte’ Graham from WAY DEEP
Devonte' Graham from WAY out 😱 pic.twitter.com/nfp9Z3mpTE
— NBA TV (@NBATV) May 18, 2021
Related: NBA Highlights
F Jayson Tatum, BOS (W v.WSH): 50 PTS (14-32 FG | 5-12 3P), 4 AST, 8 REB, 2 BLK, 1 STL, 2 TO
#PlayerOfTheDay (5/18/21) - F Jayson Tatum, BOS
— Pro Sports Outlook (@PSO_Sports) May 19, 2021
TOP FACTS:
- 2nd most GP with 50+ PTS in #Celtics history
- Trails only Larry Bird in Celtics 50-PT games
- 1st BOS player with 50+ PTS 2x in 1 season; now 3x
KEY STATS:
50 PTS, 8 REB, 4 AST, 2 BLK, 14-32 FG, 5-12 3P https://t.co/0NmIlCaUgk
Related: Players of the Day
Washington Wizards (100) vs. Boston Celtics (118)
[Highlights] #7 @CELTICS (-130; $7.74) d. #8 WIZARDS (+110; $11.15) 118-100 [BOS -2 | u232.5]
Related: Games of the Day
Related: Facts of the Day
MVP frontrunner Nikola Jokic just wrapped up the greatest season in Denver Nuggets history and PSO put together his best highlights from the season
Nikola Jokic just had the greatest season in Denver #Nuggets franchise history https://t.co/NiSDNnCfp1
— Pro Sports Outlook (@PSO_Sports) May 19, 2021
Related: Latest PSO Posts
DATE: May 18, 2004
SIGNIFICANCE: Arizona Diamondbacks’ Randy Johnson became the oldest (40) pitcher to throw a perfect game in MLB history
May 18, 2004: Arizona #Diamondbacks SP Randy Johnson became the oldest pitcher (40 years old) to throw a Perfect Game in MLB history
— Pro Sports Outlook (@PSO_Sports) May 18, 2021
https://t.co/5SKbMF9QBn
Related: Significant Sports History
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