Pacers First Quarter Could Set the Tone in Elimination Game Against the Knicks

In today’s newsletter…

- Leading Off: Nuggets meltdown
- NBA: Siakam’s unpredictable minutes 
- MLB: Astros still getting too much credit
- News: Scheffler arrested at PGA Championship 

If you’re reading this, you probably already know that the Nuggets lost to the Timberwolves by 45 last night, forcing a Game 7 in Denver on Sunday. It was the most embarrassing playoff loss in recent memory, especially since it was the defending champions and the league’s MVP. Minnesota has already won in Denver twice in this series and clearly has a lot of momentum going into that decisive game.

Already down 25 after three quarters, the Nuggets completely shut down in the fourth and got outscored 29-9. That’s on top of only scoring 14 points in the first — or a combined 23 points in 24 minutes of basketball. It’s hard to see a team coming back from that in an elimination game, especially with an extra day to think about it. Or maybe the Nuggets need to be the underdog to be motivated. We’ll find out this weekend.

In today’s newsletter, Chris is looking for the Pacers to continue their first quarter dominance at home in Game 6 against the Knicks. In MLB, Jack is tracking a bounce-back game from Phillies starter Zack Wheeler and a tough strikeout matchup for Braves lefty Max Fried.