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Ducks eye series win in Game 6, but Oilers have knack for comebacks
The first chance to close their playoff series was a bust for the Anaheim Ducks. ,The second opportunity will be Thursday on home ice when they play host to the Edmonton Oilers in Game 6 of their Western Conference first-round series.,"We're going to be more ready for the first five, 10 minutes," sa...

Undermanned Wolves try to eliminate balanced Nuggets in Game 6
Faced with key injuries, the Minnesota Timberwolves will try to close out their Western Conference first-round playoff series against the Denver Nuggets in Game 6 on Thursday in Minneapolis. ,Minnesota successfully managed Game 4 despite losing star Anthony Edwards and his starting backcourt mate, D...

Sixers out to 'do whatever it takes' in Game 6 vs. Celtics
With their backs against the ropes in Game 5 on Tuesday, the Philadelphia 76ers came out swinging against the Boston Celtics., ,The Sixers' impressive fourth-quarter performance in Boston sent the first-round Eastern Conference playoff series back to Philadelphia, where the teams will take the court...

Knicks' physicality has helped them of brink of advancing past Hawks
Jalen Brunson can continue to build on his reputation as a big-time player if he finds a way to carry the New York Knicks into the second round of the playoffs.,Led by Brunson, the Knicks hold a 3-2 lead over the Atlanta Hawks in their best-of-seven, first-round Eastern Conference series and will tr...

James Harden's turnover issues plaguing Cavaliers vs. Raptors
James Harden's playoff history has a common theme throughout his 17-year career. Only Utah Jazz legends Karl Malone and John Stockton have appeared in more postseason games without winning an NBA championship.,Harden's shortcomings in the postseason are front and center as his Cleveland Cavaliers re...

Mammoth not sweating handing home ice back to Golden Knights
After dropping a tough overtime game and a chance to take a commanding a 3-1 series lead, the Utah Mammoth were still feeling positive heading to Las Vegas for Game 5 of their best-of-seven Western Conference first-round matchup with the Vegas Golden Knights on Wednesday night.,"There's still plenty...

Injury-depleted Rockets, Lakers both feeling urgency about Game 5
In a series that has been devoid of impact players, the Los Angeles Lakers will get another chance to advance into the Western Conference semifinals when they play host to the Houston Rockets in Game 5 of their first-round series on Wednesday.,The Rockets staved off elimination in Game 4 and won the...

Penguins look to ride momentum, stave off elimination in Game 6
The momentum in the first-round playoff series between the Philadelphia Flyers and Pittsburgh Penguins has officially shifted to the west.,The Penguins have won two straight games with their season on the line and will look to continue their rally against their intrastate rivals Wednesday when they ...

Lightning, Canadiens enter pivotal Game 5 of closely contested series
The Tampa Bay Lightning have returned home tied 2-2 in their Eastern Conference first-round matchup with the Montreal Canadiens, and according to coach Jon Cooper, it may not be that way if not for the play of Max Crozier. ,Game 5 takes place in Tampa on Wednesday night after a two-day break followi...

Ducks visit Oilers seeking first series victory in 9 years
The Anaheim Ducks are one victory away from winning their first Stanley Cup playoff series in nine years.,Finishing off the two-time defending Western Conference champion Edmonton Oilers, especially on the road, won't come easily.,The Ducks own a 3-1 edge in the best-of-seven first-round series head...

Pistons aiming to avoid historic early exit vs. Magic
The Detroit Pistons need a three-game winning streak to avoid joining an infamous list. Only six top seeds in NBA history have flamed out in the first round of the playoffs to a No. 8 seed.,The Pistons trail Orlando 3-1 in their best-of-seven series after a 94-88 road loss on Monday. The series resu...

Ducks seeking first series victory in 9 years vs. Oilers
The Anaheim Ducks are one victory away from winning their first Stanley Cup playoff series in nine years.,Finishing off the two-time defending Western Conference champion Edmonton Oilers, especially on the road, won't come easily.,The Ducks own a 3-1 edge in the best-of-seven first-round series head...

Brewers' Chad Patrick takes the bump to try to stifle Diamondbacks
After snapping a four-game losing streak, the Milwaukee Brewers will turn to right-hander Chad Patrick against the visiting Arizona Diamondbacks on Tuesday in the opener of the three-game series.,Arizona has not officially named a starter, but veteran right-hander Merrill Kelly (1-1, 9.31 ERA) is li...

Touting their tenacity, Knicks set for another scrap with Hawks
The Knicks will try to ride a tone-setting first quarter from Game 4 of their Eastern Conference first-round series against the Atlanta Hawks into Game 5 on Tuesday in New York.,The Knicks responded to consecutive one-point losses by securing a seven-point lead after the end of the first quarter in ...

Rockies-Reds series pits two of NL's surprise teams
Two teams coming off impressive weekend series meet when the Colorado Rockies visit the Cincinnati Reds in the opener of a three-game series Tuesday night.,The Reds have been one of the better stories in the National League to open the season. They've won all 11 of their games decided by two runs or...

HR drought over, Shohei Ohtani leads Dodgers vs. Marlins
As Shohei Ohtani emerges from an early-season downturn, the four-time MVP will now square off against a team that absorbed one of the best days of his career., ,The Los Angeles Dodgers are set to open a three-game home series Monday against the Miami Marlins, who are midway through a six-game road t...

Containing Cubs' offense next quest for Padres' Randy Vasquez
After conquering Coors Field in his last outing, Randy Vasquez now looks to tame the Chicago Cubs' potent attack.,The San Diego Padres right-hander tries to keep his outstanding start to the season going Monday night when he takes the mound to open a three-game series against the Cubs at Petco Park....

Facing Jays, Red Sox hope managerial change sparks turnaround
Boston Red Sox players have been more than open about their feelings behind the organization's decision to fire manager Alex Cora and five members of the coaching staff Saturday.,An unpopular choice made by the front office could spark an early-season turnaround, though, as Boston has won back-to-ba...

Cardinals turn to Dustin May against Pirates to stop skid
After dropping three games by a total of four runs while getting swept at home, the St. Louis Cardinals will look for better fortune on the road as they begin a four-game series against the Pittsburgh Pirates on Monday.,St. Louis has lost four straight and five of six and is tied with the Milwaukee ...

Pistons need All-Star version of Jalen Duren to hang with Magic
Detroit center Jalen Duren has been unusually quiet during his team's first-round series against the Orlando Magic.,That likely needs to change soon if the Pistons intend to earn their first playoff-series win since 2008.,Duren has been a non-factor for the top-seeded Pistons, who trail 2-1 in this ...