The Sportsletter - Record Wreckers 🔥

BY JEFF YODER

MAR. 7, 2023  |  SUBSCRIBE  |  REFER  |  WEB VIEW

Good Morning,

It’s the calm before the madness. We’re about to launch tourney week, but Monday’s news cycle had something to say. The first quarterback domino has fallen in the NFL offseason, and the NBA and NHL feature record-breaking scoring sprees.

Letter Rip!

NBA

The 40-Point Pace

Photo: Jason Miller / Getty Images

NBA Players Shattering Scoring Records With More 40-Point Games in 2022-23 Season

Scoring has reached a new dimension. The 2022-23 NBA season has been a playground for high-scoring performances with players dropping 40-point games almost nightly. A dozen-or-so 50-point games and even two 71-point games have stolen the show. And with three more 40-pieces last night, the league now boasts 160 40-point games this season. That’s already 18 more than the all-time record that was broken in late February (142: 1961-62). The league is on pace for 200 40-pointers by the end of the regular season.

What Happened Last Night?

Three more 40-balls occurred in the Eastern Conference with Donovan Mitchell (40 points) leading the Cavs past the Celtics in overtime (118-114). The 76ers also beat the Pacers in a shootout (147-143) where Joel Embiid (42 points) and Tyrese Haliburton (40 points) both caught fire. Damian Lillard also had a 31-13-12 triple double, but he leads the way with 14 40-point games in 2022-23.

Most 40-Point Games This Season

Damian Lillard (POR): 14

Luka Doncic (DAL): 12

Giannis Antetokounmpo (MIL): 11

Joel Embiid (PHI): 11

Jayson Tatum (BOS): 10

Donovan Mitchell (CLE): 8

Players With 5 40-Point Games: LeBron James (LAL), Nikola Jokic (DEN), Zach LaVine (CHI), Devin Booker (PHX), Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (OKC)

Defense be gone. No one — not even Lillard — will come close to the individual record for most 40-point game in a season (Wilt Chamberlain, 63). Michael Jordan (37), Kobe Bryant (27) and plenty others had better individual scoring years, but the league-wide scoring binge is reaching new heights.

NBA Highlights

Cavaliers def. Celtics (118-114, OT)

76ers def. Pacers (147-143)

Blazers def. Pistons (110-104)

Heat def. Hawks (130-128)

Nuggets def. Raptors (118-113)

Kings def. Pelicans (123-108)

NHL

The Year of Connor

Photo: Bill Wippert / Getty Images

Oilers’ Connor McDavid Scores 2 Goals, Sets Career-High With 124 Points

When the NHL season comes to a close next month, the team records will belong to the Boston Bruins. The individual honors? Those will belong to Connor McDavid. The Year of Connor reached a new milestone on Monday when McDavid scored two goals to lift the Oilers over the Sabres (3-2) and snatch a new season-long career-high with 124 points, and he has 17 games to play. The 26-year-old superstar has risen to the top of the NHL in Year 8 with a historic clip of offensive firepower. McDavid has scored 12 goals in the last eight games. He leads the league in goals (54), assists (70) and total points (124), and it’s not even close.

2023 NHL Points Leaders

Connor McDavid (EDM): 124 points

Leon Draisaitl (EDM): 96 points
Nikita Kucherov (TBL): 88 points

David Pastrnak (BOS): 84 points

Tage Thompson (BUF): 83 points

McDavid’s 2023 In Perspective

For those unfamiliar with the hockey record books, only nine players have recorded 140 points or more in a single NHL season. Phil Esposito (2), Mario Lemieux (5) and Wayne Gretzky (11) did it multiple times, and Gretzky went over 200 points four different times. He holds the all-time record with 215 points in 1985-86. But no player has gone over 140 points in a season since the 90s. McDavid is on pace for 156 points by season's end.

Watch: Connor McDavid Scores Twice as Oilers Beat Sabres (3-2)

Other NHL Highlights

Sharks def. Jets (3-2, OT)

Flames def. Stars (5-4)

Blackhawks def. Senators (5-0)

Canucks def. Predators (4-3, S/O)

Kings def. Capitals (4-2)

NFL

QB Dominos: Carr Signs With Saints

Photo: Sean Gardner / Getty Images

QB Derek Carr Finalizes 4-Year, $150 Million Deal With Saints as First QB Domino Falls

The first domino falls… Former Raiders QB Derek Carr finalized a four-year, $150 million deal with the New Orleans Saints on Monday. The contract features $100 million in total guarantees. The four-time pro bowler has always showcased a talented arm and strong leadership skills, but he failed to win a playoff game in nine years with the Raiders. Now, a new franchise with offensive weapons and a stout defense could bring Carr redemption in the second half of his career. He ranks eighth in both yards and touchdowns among active NFL quarterbacks.

Derek Carr’s Career Stats

Record: 63-79

Passing Yards: 4,958

Touchdowns: 217

Interceptions: 99

Completion Percentage: 64.6%

What Does It Mean for Other QBs?

While Carr’s arrival in New Orleans could signal a changing of the guard in the NFC South — with Tom Brady out in Tampa Bay after the Bucs made the playoffs with a losing record — the bigger news is the implications of Carr’s deal on the 2023 QB market. The remaining quarterbacks potentially on the move include Jimmy Garoppolo (49ers), Lamar Jackson (Ravens) and, of course, Aaron Rodgers (Packers). Quarterback-needy teams include the Texans, Colts, Jets, Falcons, Panthers and Raiders.

The Carr domino has fallen. But we’re still waiting on Rodgers.

Additional Storylines

CBS Sports: What the Carr-Saints Deal Means for 2023 NFL QB Market

The Ringer: Derek Carr Might Not Be the Upgrade the Saints Think They’re Paying For

NCAA

Pre-Bracket Polls

Photo: Tim Nwachukwu / Getty Images

UCLA Makes Big Move in Men’s Final Pre-Bracket Poll; Virginia Tech Vaults Up Women’s Standings

Got your dancing shoes ready? The women’s conference tournaments may have solidified the AP Poll with only the Big 12 tournament yet to play after UConn beat Villanova in the Big East finale last night. But the men’s poll is still fluid. Losses and near-misses at the top saw UCLA and Alabama switch spots in this week’s top-five. The Bruins haven’t lost since January, and they look poised to make a deep Pac-12 tourney run and lock up a 1-seed alongside Houston. The other power conference leaders in men’s hoops — Kansas (Big 12), Alabama (SEC), Purdue (Big Ten) and Marquette (Big East) — are teetering between the 1- and 2-lines this week as conference tourneys begin tonight. Here’s where they stand in the final AP Polls before Selection Sunday.

Men’s AP Top-10

1. Houston (29-2) | —

2. UCLA (27-4) | ↑2

3. Kansas (25-6) | —

4. Alabama (26-5) | ↓2

5. Purdue (26-5) | —

6. Marquette (25-6) | —

7. Texas (23-8) | ↑2

8. Arizona (25-6) | —

9. Gonzaga (26-5) | ↑1

10. Baylor (22-9) | ↓3

Full AP Top-25

Women’s AP Top-10

1. South Carolina (32-0) | —

2. Iowa (26-6) | ↑5

3. Indiana (27-3) | ↓1

4. Virginia Tech (27-4) | ↑4

5. Stanford (28-5) | ↑1

6. Maryland (25-6) | ↓1

7. UConn (28-5) | ↑2

8. Utah (25-4) |  ↓5

9. LSU (28-2) | ↓5

10. Villanova (28-5) | ↑1

Full AP Top-25

Big East Final: #7 UConn def. #10 Villanova (67-56)

The Huskies won their 19th Big East Championship behind 19 points and 15 boards from Aaliyah Edwards.

Additional Storylines

B/R: Men’s NCAA Tournament: Stock Watch for Bubble Teams

NCAA: South Carolina Leads A Red-Hot Virginia Tech in Final WCBB Rankings

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THE STORYLINES

🏈 The Bears’ No. 1 Pick

The Bears are likely to trade the No. 1 pick, but why are they being so patient? GM Ryan Poles says he sees seven players in the draft worth taking first. He explains all the factors that would go into trading that pick and why it’s a slow process. (Sports Illustrated)

🏀 3 Points Shy of Pistol Pete

Detroit Mercy’s Antoine Davis ended three points shy of Pete Maravich’s NCAA scoring record in last week’s Horizon League quarterfinal. The Titans (14-19) could get an invite to the College Basketball Invitational, but breaking the record now would seem artificial. (USA Today)

⚾️ The World Baseball Classic

The vibe around the World Baseball Classic feels different this time. There’s anticipation. There’s excitement. There’s intrigue. The unique baseball event is set to take over the next two weeks. Here’s what you need to know. (Sporting News)

📰 THE HEADLINES

• PSG Star Neymar Jr. to Miss Rest of Season With Ankle Surgery (ESPN)
• Novak Djokovic Withdraws From Indian Wells Due to COVID Vaccine (CBS Sports)
• Vikings Release Longtime LB Eric Kendricks (NBC Sports)
• Giants & QB Daniel Jones Getting Closer on Deal (SI)
• Cowboys Place Franchise Tag on RB Tony Pollard (ESPN)

• Seahawks & QB Geno Smith Agree to 3-Year, $105 Million Extension (Yahoo! Sports)

• Red Sox DH Justin Turner Hospitalized After Being Hit in Head by Pitch (USA Today)

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Writer & Editor: Jeff Yoder

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