The GIST: Four teams are still fighting for the rights to BringYaAss.com the Larry O’Brien Trophy, with an epic overtime (OT) Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals (ECF) in the books and the Western Conference Finals (WCF) beginning tonight. Swish swish.

No. 1 Boston Celtics eke out Game 1 dub over No. 6 Indiana Pacers: Boston's Jaylen Brown went full superman last night, nailing this three to send the game to OT, where the league’s top squad snuck away with a 133–128 win after blowing multiple double digit leads in regulation.

• Celtics superstar Jayson Tatum came up clutch with 10 points in OT, but Boston’s player of the night was Jrue Holiday, who added a season-high 28 points in addition to his usual defensive excellence.
• Despite dominating at home in the regular season, Boston has struggled on their home court in the playoffs, making tomorrow’s 8 p.m. ET Game 2 a prime opportunity for the resilient Pacers to even the series up.

No. 3 Minnesota Timberwolves and No. 5 Dallas Mavericks clash in WCF: Game 1 tips off tonight at 8:30 p.m. ET, marking just the second time since 2015 that the WCF won’t feature LA Laker LeBron James or Golden State Warrior Steph Curry. That said, there’s no shortage of shooting stars in this series.

• The Wolves’ Anthony Edwards is drawing Michael Jordan comparisons, high praise for the 22-year-old who’s led Minnesota to their first WCF since 2004. Along with his explosive scoring, the Wolves also boast an award-winning defense, anchored by Rudy Gobert.
• But that D will be tested by the Mavs, who, yes, lost three of four regular-season games to Minnesota, but are now led by finally flowing Luka Dončić and Kyrie Irving, and boast postseason clutch king, P.J. Washington. This is going to be good.

The GIST: Only four teams are left skating for the title of Stanley Cup champions: the NY Rangers and Florida Panthers in the Eastern Conference and the Dallas Stars and Edmonton Oilers in the Western Conference. Let’s break it all down.

Eastern Conference Final: The Madison Square Garden lights will be shining brighter than ever when the puck drops for Game 1 tonight at 8 p.m. ET, the first playoff meeting between the Rangers and Panthers in 27 years.

• Florida has some regrets after last year’s Stanley Cup Final loss and will rely on left winger (and noted pest) Matthew Tkachuk (pronounced kuh-CHUCK) and center Aleksander Barkov to purr their way back to the ’ship.
• However, they’ll be tested by the Presidents’ Trophy winners, specifically NY’s brick wall of a goalie in Igor Shesterkin, who has a stunning .923 save percentage this postseason. Doesn’t hurt when you also have endless offensive weapons to choose from.

Western Conference Final: It’s been a grind for Dallas, who beat the defending champion Vegas Golden Knights and high-scoring Colorado Avalanche to get here. If postseason points leader Miro Heiskanen continues to dominate on both ends of the ice, the Big D will be tough to beat.

• Standing in their way? The only Canadian team still in contention. Edmonton overcame a horrible start to the season and are back in the conference final for the second time in three years, thanks to the steady play of superstars Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl.
• However, the Oils will need consistent production from the rest of the squad to end Canada’s 31-year Stanley Cup drought. Giddy on up — Game 1 goes down tomorrow at 8:30 p.m. ET.

Did you know The GIST was founded in Toronto, Canada? That’s why you can trust us when we say Toronto is the place to be.

• From PWHL Toronto’s hugely successful first season to hosting NHL All-Star Week and the first-ever WNBA Canada Game, Toronto is a bucket list destination for every sports fan.

To celebrate Toronto’s booming sports scene and thriving business community, we’re partnering with Destination Toronto for a special live episode of The GIST of It, recording this afternoon near the Rogers Centre, home of the Toronto Blue Jays.

• Tune in for a can’t-miss conversation between GIST co-founder Ellen Hyslop and iconic Toronto reporter Hazel Mae. Swing and a win.

NCAA softball Super Regionals, with the first two of the eight best-of-three series swinging into action tomorrow. Batter up.

Golden State Valkyries merch. Snag some sleek purple threads to cheer the newest WNBA team on in style.

Tennis Channel's women's coverage, which dedicates Tuesdays to highlighting the best women on the court. Now that’s an ace.