JUNE 2 COFFEE CLUB

[Thomas]

Y Thursday, June 2 On Today's Scorecard Need to Know

For the first time since 2019 and the sixth time in the past eight seasons, the Warriors are back in the NBA Finals. But unlike their dynastic run that spanned from 2014 to 2019, this trip to the Finals wasn't a given. Just two years ago, the Warriors had the worst record in the NBA. Last year, they missed the playoffs after losing both play-in games. The biggest key for the Celtics heading into the NBA Finals might be their three days off between Game 7 against the Heat and Game 1 of the Finals. Boston has endured a pair of grueling back-to-back seven game series against the Bucks and Heat, playing every other day since May 7, after getting three days off following Game 2 against Milwaukee. To take a deeper dive into tonight NBA Conference finals opener click here.

Trending Today Warming Up

Per Axios Sports: Based on their 50-1 preseason odds, the Celtics would be the biggest long shot to win a title in the past 35 years, per sports betting archive SportsOddsHistory.com. 97%: That's how many NBA champions have been top-three seeds, a trend that will continue this year with the second-seeded Celtics and third-seeded Warriors facing off. FYI: Stephen Curry is 107-58 in playoff games (.695), better than any MVP in NBA history.

Grinding Out The Profits I'll 'Av Another

When a team in the Stanley Cup playoffs allows 6 goals in a contest it's almost certainly met with a loss. Not when Colorado edged Edmonton, 8-6, in their NHL playoff series opener Tuesday night. The high-octane offenses didn't disappoint in the barnburner of a Game 1 between the Avalanche and Oilers. Both sides went to work with a five-goal first period and a six-goal second period in the eventual 8-6 final score. Nathan MacKinnon scored his team-leading ninth goal of the playoffs. Our guess is they won't smell 14 goals tonight.

[Chamblin]