Young Man Wants You To Realize The Grizzlies Beating The San Antonio Spurs Is A Really Big Deal

Your morning roundup for April 30, the day we deal with Ouzo hangovers from George Kalpaxis and Julie Herrmannsdoerfer's lovely wedding.

• Despite Manu Ginobili hitting a half-court buzzer beater to close the third quarter, the San Antonio Spurs became the fourth No. 1 seed in NBA history to lose to a No. 8. In this case, that No. 8 was the Memphis Grizzlies, who advanced to face the Oklahoma City Thunder in the second round with a 99-91 Game 6 victory. [ Commercial Appeal]

"Not a lot of people knew about us coming in," [Grizzlies coach Lionel] Hollins said. "We certainly have made some noise and turned some heads. If we had not won, we would have just been another eight seed losing to a one seed."

Whoa.

• The Tampa Bay Lightning won their fourth consecutive playoff game with a 4-2 victory over the Washington Capitals, but Simon Gagne was taken from the ice with a head injury that apparently rendered him unconscious [ Tampa Tribune].

• In what at least one Red Wings fans calls a "frustrating game," the San Jose Sharks beat Detroit 2-1 in overtime on Wings defenseman Brad Stuart's kind-of own goal [ Free Press]

• The Cleveland Indians extended their winning streak to 11 with a walk-off Carlos Santana grand slam against the Tigers's Joaquin Benoit. At 17-8, the Tribe has the best record in the American League. Yes, they sure do. [ The Plain Dealer]

• The amazing New York Mets managed to notch two hits in six innings against the mighty Vance Worley, a fill-in fifth starter for the Philadelphia Phillies, who won 10-3 with two HRs (one grand slam) from Ryan Howard. The Mets, whose pitchers combined to hit four batters last night, will face Roy Halladay this afternoon. [ Philadelphia Inquirer; photo H/T Stephen M. Falk]

• The 21,399 people who decided to take in a Washington Nationals game last night saw the hometown side drop Tim Lincecum's record to 2-3 on the season as Jason Marquis hurled a five-hit shutout. [ Washington Post]

• With the 74th pick in the 2011 NFL Draft, the New England Patriots selected Ryan Mallett, quarterback from the University of Arkansas, big fan of Erin Andrews and sadomasochism, and decliner of opportunities to discuss "heavy rumors of drug use and [if] possible addiction kept him from coming out for the 2010 draft." [ Boston Globe]

• Ratings for the NFL Draft's first night were down according to preliminary Nielsen data [ AdWeek]. Ratings for the NFL Draft's first night still outdrew a very special episode of "The Office" [ Hollywood Reporter].

• No NBA playoff games on today's docket, but there are two in the NHL. More on them via open thread later. For now, just enjoy an image from last year's Stanley Cup playoffs.

• Do you miss hoops-hypeman Gus Johnson? Here's a link to a photo and podcast from his appearance on Arli$$'s Show. [ The Robert Wuhl Show] (H/T John R.)

• Final tally on the value of "Sneaker Champ" Gilbert Arenas's 2010-11 season footwear: $7,730. [ CounterKicks]

• Real Madrid coach Jose Mourniho continues to lose his mind. He left Cristiano Ronaldo, who likes scoring goals, out of Saturday's game against Zaragoza. Meanwhile, Ronaldo was critical of Madrid's defensive tactics against Barcelona: "I don't like it but I have to adapt to what they ask me to do." [ Daily Mail]

• Today's soccer-viewing recommendations: Chelsea vs. Tottenham Hotspur at 12:30 p.m. [ Telegraph]. Real Sociedad vs. Barcelona at 1:55 p.m. [ Sky Sports]

A few stories you might've missed.

Life Lessons: In one fell swoop, a lifeguard-cum-BMW intern makes the rest of humanity look better.

Heart Like A Wheel: R egarding Braves pitcher Derek Lowe of street-racing DUI fame, Buster Olney says, "He's kind of like a Red Sox version of David Wells."

Theory of Devolution: Frank McCourt is #winning.

Sooth Saying: "Crazy Bandwagon Columnist" Mike Bianchi of the Orlando Sentinel thought the Atlanta Hawks would squander their series lead. They didn't.