The Sportsletter - 2 Legit to Quit ✌️

BY JEFF YODER

 JAN. 20, 2022  |  SUBSCRIBE  |  REFER  |  WEB VIEW

Happy Friday 👋

Another weekend of playoff football is on the horizon, but not before an epic NBA Finals rematch and more upsets down under. We'll have our NFL "Final Four" by Monday morning. Weekend sports coming in hot...

Letter Rip!

TENNIS

2 Seeds Fall in Melbourne

Photo: Mark Kolbe / Getty Images

#2 Ons Jabeur & #2 Casper Ruud Upset in 2nd Round of Australian Open

One day after men’s No. 1 seed Rafael Nadal exited the Australian Open, both 2-seeds followed suit. Men’s No. 2 Casper Ruud was stunned by Jenson Brooksby in four sets yesterday before No. 2 Ons Jabeur suffered a meltdown against Marketa Vondrousova in the women’s draw. And suddenly two weeks in Australia just got interesting with three of the best players sent packing. Iga Swiatek, Coco Gauff, Novak Djokovic and Stefanos Tsitsipas are all still swinging. Here’s the latest from Melbourne:

Men’s Highlights

J. Brooksby def. #2 C. Ruud (6-3, 7-5, 7-6, 6-2)

#3 S. Tsitsipas def. T. Griekspoor (6-2, 7-6), 6-3)

#4 N. Djokovic def. E. Couacaud (6-1, 6-7, 6-2, 6-0)

#7 D. Medvedev def. J. Millman (7-5, 6-2, 6-2)

A. Popyrin def. #8 T. Fritz (6-7, 7-6, 6-4, 6-7, 6-2)

Women’s Highlights

#1 I. Swiatek def. C. Bucsa (6-0, 6-1)

M. Vondrousova def. #2 O. Jabeur (6-1, 5-7, 6-1)

#3 J. Pegula def. M. Kostyuk (6-0, 6-2)

#4 C. Garcia def. L. Fernandez (7-6, 7-5)

#7 C. Gauff def. B. Pera (6-3, 6-2)

Additional Storylines

AP: No. 2s Ruud & Jabeur Out at Australian Open

SI: Andy Murray Outlasts Thanasi Kokkinakis in 5.5-Hour Marathon Match

NBA

Finals Rematch Goes OT

Photo: Maddie Meyer / Getty Images

Celtics Take Down Warriors (121-118, OT) in Finals Rematch (By Matthew Cahill)

What a game! The Celtics and Warriors faced off in an overtime thriller that saw Boston finally exercise their demons with Golden State. Just like the final three games of the Finals and their previous matchup in December, the Dubs controlled the majority of the game thanks to their stifling defense, holding the C’s to just 39% from the field. Despite that, Jayson Tatum (19), Al Horford (10), and Robert Williams (11) all recorded double digit rebounds to lead an assault on the glass and keep the game competitive. Jaylen Brown then came alive down the stretch and sent the game to overtime by knocking down a clutch three with just 18 seconds left. In OT, the Celtics used an 8-0 run to give them just enough of a cushion to withstand a late Golden State run and pick up their eighth straight win. 

Watch: Warriors vs. Celtics Game Highlights

Must See: Stephen Curry’s half court bomb to end the second quarter

Despite the loss, Steph Curry made the play of the night by picking Tatum’s pocket and drilling a pull up jumper from about 50 feet out to close the half.

Golden State’s Road Woes Continue

One of the more fascinating storylines all year has been the Warriors’ struggles in away games. Even though they are one of the most battle-tested and experienced groups in NBA history, they cannot seem to figure out how to win on the road this year, as they are now just 5-18 on the road, good for second worst in the league. For a team that has won a road game in an NBA record 27 straight playoff series, it is utterly perplexing how bad they have been away from the Chase Center this season. 

Other Scores

Bulls def. Pistons (126-108)

Timberwolves def. Raptors (128-126)

76ers def. Trail Blazers (105-95)

Suns def. Nets (117-112)

Additional Storyline

ESPN: Where Have the Warriors Gone? Collapse to Celtics Could Spark Changes by Steve Kerr

NBA.Com: LeBron James, Giannis Antetokounmpo Lead in Third Fan Returns of NBA All-Star Voting

NFL PLAYOFFS

Divisional Round Primer

Photo: Mitchell Leff / Getty Images

Previewing All 4 Games to Determine the Conference Championships

The NFL Playoffs are ready to kickoff weekend number two: The Divisional Round. The 1-seeds are touchdown favorites on Saturday with all the pressure on the Eagles and Chiefs welcoming underdogs. The Sunday matchups could be tighter. Expect Damar Hamlin in attendance for Bills-Bengals on Sunday in an emotional game, and we’ll answer major questions about Dak Prescott’s ability to get the Cowboys over the hump. Let’s prime the Divisional Round…

AFC: Jaguars (10-8) at Chiefs (14-3)

The Jags head into Arrowhead sporting a six-game win streak and hot off last week’s epic 27-point comeback, but the Chiefs are the biggest favorites in the Divisional Round. Kansas City won the regular season meeting (27-17) in a game where Patrick Mahomes carved up Jacksonville for 331 yards and 4 TDs. It’s Andy Reid against his Philadelphia quarterback from two decades ago with the AFC title game on the line.

Schedule: Saturday (4:30 pm ET, NBC)

Odds: Chiefs (-8.5 points)

NFC: Giants (10-7-1) at Eagles (14-3)

For the third time in a little more than a month, the Eagles and Giants will face off in an NFC East battle. Philly won both of the previous meetings, including a road win where they hung 48 (48-22) before Week 18’s narrow escape (22-16). Daniel Jones and Saquon Barkley looked tough in their Round 1 win against the Vikings, but Jalen Hurts and Miles Sanders combined for 5 TDs in their “healthy” matchup in December. It’s hard to beat a team three times, but Philly fans will have the Linc rocking.

Schedule: Saturday (8:15 pm ET, FOX)

Odds: Eagles (-7.5 points)

AFC: Bengals (13-4) at Bills (14-3)

It’s the rematch of the Damar Hamlin game. The Bengals and Bills were cut short in Week 17 when Hamlin suffered cardiac arrest and the game was called. Now, the two hottest teams in the AFC get to run it back in Buffalo. The Bills haven’t lost since Nov. 13 and the Bengals haven’t lost since Oct. 31. Expect a shootout between Joe Burrow and Josh Allen in 30-degree weather with a chance of snow.

Schedule: Sunday (3:00 pm ET, CBS)

Odds: Bills (-5 points)

NFC: Cowboys (13-5) at 49ers (14-4)

The most intriguing matchup of the Divisional Round might be the renewed rivalry between the Cowboys and 49ers. Dallas and San Francisco have faced off eight times in playoff history, including three straight years from 1970-1972 and 1992-1994 with the Cowboys leading the postseason series (5-3). Six of those eight meetings have been in the NFC Championship. The Niners enter Sunday with an 11-game win streak, but Dallas had a blowout win in the Wild Card round. It’s the oldest remaining QB (Dak Prescott, 29) against the youngest remaining QB (Brock Purdy, 23) in the game with the closest spread of the weekend.

Schedule: Sunday (6:30 pm ET, FOX)

Odds: 49ers (-3.5 points)

From eight to four, let the quest for Super Bowl LVII continue…

Additional Storylines

SI: NFL Divisional Round Odds, Lines & Spreads

CBS Sports: NFL Divisional Round Injury Reports

NFL: Biggest Vulnerability for 8 Remaining Playoff Teams, Plus Updated Super Bowl Probabilities

THE STORYLINES

🏒 Are the Avalanche Drifting?

Last year, the Colorado Avalanche made history as one of the most dominant Stanley Cup champions to ever take the ice. This year’s Avs are threatening to make history, too — but not the good kind. (FiveThirtyEight)

🏈 Winners & Losers of CFB Transfer Portal

The transfer portal has forever changed college football as we know it—or at least until there is some sort of legislation to alter it. That doesn't appear to be coming anytime soon. Here’s how won (and lost) in the portal so far this offseason. (Bleacher Report)

🏀 2023 NCAA Tournament Bracketology

No bracketing principles are violated, but our headaches reveal the number of obstacles the Selection Committee will face in converting a lopsided seed list into a balanced bracket. For us, it's just another day at the office. (ESPN)

🗓️ WEEKEND SCHEDULE

The Must-Watch List

The Divisional Round is ready for action in the NFL Playoffs as the postseason field gets cut from eight to four. There’s other winter sports action across the NBA, NHL, soccer, golf and more, but we’re full speed ahead towards Super Bowl LVII. Enjoy a major weekend of football!

NFL Playoffs (Divisional Round)

AFC: Jaguars at Chiefs (Sat. 4:30 pm)

NFC: Giants at Eagles (Sat. 8:15 pm)

AFC: Bengals at Bills (Sun. 3:00 pm)

NFC: Cowboys at 49ers (Sun. 6:30 pm)

NBA

Grizzlies at Lakers (Fri. 10:00 pm)

Bucks at Cavaliers (Sat. 7:30 pm)

Nets at Warriors (Sun. 8:30 pm)

Full NBA Schedule

NHL

Lightning at Flames (Sat. 3:00 pm)

Avalanche at Kraken (Sat. 10:00 pm)

Penguins at Devils (Sun. 2:00 pm)

Full NHL Schedule

Soccer

Friendly: USWNT vs. New Zealand (Fri. 10:00 pm)

EPL: Liverpool vs. Chelsea (Sat. 7:30 am)

EPL: Arsenal vs. Manchester United (Sun. 11:30 am)

PGA Tour

The American Express Open (All Weekend)

UFC 283

G. Teixeira vs. J. Hill (Sat. 10:00 pm)

NCAA Basketball

M: #14 TCU at #2 Kansas (Sat. 1:00 pm)

M: #5 UCLA at #11 Arizona (Sat. 2:00 pm)

W: #8 Utah at #4 Stanford (Fri. 9:00 pm)

W: Virginia at #7 Notre Dame (Sun. 2:00 pm)

*All Times ET

📰 THE HEADLINES

• Loyola Marymount Ends No. 6 Gonzaga’s 75-Game Home Winning Streak (AP News)

• Colorado & Deion Sanders Flip 5-Star Cornerback Recruit Cormani McClain (SI)

• Notre Dame Basketball Coach Mike Brey to Step Down After 23 Seasons (ESPN)

• Usain Bolt’s Attorney Says He’s Missing $12.7 Million From Bank Account (USA Today)
• Buccaneers Fire Offensive Coordinator Byron Leftwich (CBS Sports)
• LIV Golf & CW Network Agree to Multi-Year Contract Beginning in 2023 (B/R)
• UFC Tightens Grip on Gambling Rules, Hires Integrity Firm (ESPN)

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Writer & Editor: Jeff Yoder

Product Manager: Matthew Cahill

Lead Designer: Joe Stella

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