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Home , Art Modell, FIRST Championship, The Shot

TUESDAY, JUNE 16, 2015 SPORTS

More heartbreak looms for sports fans

CLEVELAND: Cleveland sports fans championship team in any major pro Broncos 98 yards in 15 plays over 5:02 to 1995 and the then-Florida Marlins in hometown cheer once more by return- have suffered so much heartache in 51 sport-when the won level the game at 20-20 with 37 seconds 1997, the latter after being three outs ing last July, vowing to make the Cavs a years without a champion that the most the 1964 NFL crown. remaining in the fourth quarter. Denver from victory in game seven. The original champion. painful moments have their own names: It’s the longest such hoodoo for any won 23-20 on an over-time field goal. Browns were relocated to in During the playoff run, James and The Shot, and . city in US history, covering 156 com- “The Fumble” came in a 1988 Broncos- 1996 by owner Art Modell and won Cavs coach Dave Blatt met 1964 Browns Now the are on bined seasons of futility for the Browns rematch, again with a Super Super Bowls as the Ravens in 2001 and running back , James even the verge of adding another chapter to Cavaliers, Browns and baseball’s Bowl berth on the line. 2013 while Cleveland was given an bowing to the 79-year-old American that legacy of frustration as they face a . A National Hockey Denver led 38-31 in the fourth quar- expansion team named the Browns that football legend as he sat at courtside must-win situation in today’s sixth game League team, the Barons, lasted only ter when Browns rusher lost its lone playoff game in 2002 and before game three. “What he means to of the NBA Finals. two seasons before merging with a rival. took a handoff and looked set for a has had only two winning seasons in 16 this city, this community, what he The Golden State Warriors seized a 3- “I understand the drought our city touchdown before he fumbled and campaigns. means to sports and to myself is 2 lead in the best-of-seven title series has been in as far as a major champi- Denver recovered at its 2-yard line. The So Cleveland fans were overjoyed unprecedented, so it was great to see with a 104-91 home victory Sunday, onship, so it’s a huge motivation inside Broncos allowed an intentional safety, when the Cavaliers landed the top pick him there,” James said of the eight-time meaning the Cavaliers must win of me,” Cavaliers star LeBron James said. but won 38-33. “The Shot” came in the in the 2003 NBA Draft and selected NFL rushing champion who was elected Tuesday at home to force a seventh “It has helped me get to this point, but first round of the 1989 NBA playoffs James, a prep star from nearby Akron. to the gridiron Hall of Fame in 1971 and game Thursday in California. If the I’m not done. I’m going to command a with Chicago and Cleveland level at 2-2 He even led the Cavs into the 2007 NBA later became an actor and civil rights Warriors, who had the NBA’s best record lot out of myself and hopefully we’re when made the game- Finals, where they were swept by San activist. and top-scoring attack, can muster one able to come through.” Cleveland sports winning basket at the buzzer of game Antonio. “I was a huge football fan when I was more win, it will be another near-miss supporters can only hope. five to eliminate the Cavs. But James broke Cleveland fans’ a kid and Jim Brown was one of my for long-suffering fans in Cleveland. “The Drive” came in 1987 in the NFL’s The Indians, who have not won hearts in 2010 by leaving for Miami, idols,” Blatt said. “Jim told me, ‘Hey, it’s More than a half-century has passed American Conference final when Denver ’s crown since where he won two titles and reached about time we win another one here.’ I since cursed Cleveland celebrated a quarterback John Elway guided the 1948, lost the to in the finals twice more, then made his said, ‘Nothing I’d like better.’” —AFP Blackhawks sight Stanley Cup

CHICAGO: The Chicago Blackhawks are on Dahlbeck and a 2015 first-round draft the verge of winning their third Stanley pick. But Vermette has found a groove. He Cup championship in six years thanks to has three game-winners in his last nine the performance of depth players like games, including two in the Stanley Cup Antoine Vermette in Game Five. final, and has been dominant in the face- Vermette’s game-winning goal in off circle. Chicago’s 2-1 win against the Tampa Bay “Right off the get-go, this was a great Lightning on Saturday has the Blackhawks opportunity for me,” he said. “I want to a victory away from celebrating another make the best out of it. This is a special NHL title. team. “This is all fun right now. But there’s Game Six is set for the in a lot of work still ahead.” Chicago on Monday. It is an opportunity The Blackhawks are well aware how for the Blackhawks to celebrate their first close this series has been despite their Stanley Cup title on home ice since 1938. back-to-back victories. No team in the They won their last three champi- final has enjoyed more than a one-goal onships on the road in 1960-61, 2009-10 lead at any time in the five games and and 2012-13. “I’m sure it will be crazy over each game-winner has been scored in the the next two days in town,” Blackhawks third period. The Lightning also overcame coach Joel Quenneville said. “The buzz will a 3-2 deficit in the first round to oust the be off the charts. Looking forward to it.” Red Wings. This has Tampa coach There was a time when Quenneville did Jon Cooper confident about another not look forward to finding a spot in the comeback. lineup for the 32-year-old Vermette. He “There wasn’t head hanging (after OAKLAND: Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (left) reaches for the ball next to Golden State Warriors guard Shaun Livingston during was scratched for the first two postseason Game Five),” he said. “They were ticked off. the second half of Game 5 of ’s NBA Finals. —AP games and again in Game Three of the It’s not the first time we’ve blown a situa- Western Conference final against the tion at home, gone on the road and dug Anaheim Ducks. our heels in. We’ve done this all playoffs Warriors one win from NBA title It was not a good situation because the long. “If I’m going to be behind a bench Blackhawks paid a hefty price in acquiring and want a team in this playoffs, it’s this him from the Arizona Coyotes on Feb. 28 one right here. We’re looking forward to CLEVELAND: The Golden State Warriors won the Andrew Bogut to return to their run-and-gun Four (at home), we can’t repeat that or they will in exchange for defenseman Klas Game Six. —Reuters battle of small-ball and defeated the Cleveland style in a 21-point Game Four victory, Cleveland raise the trophy for sure.” Cavaliers 104-91 on Sunday to move within a responded by limiting starting center Timofey With the Cavs battling through limited depth win of their first NBA title in 40 years. Mozgov to just nine minutes on Sunday. and ever piling minutes for James, they kept the Stephen Curry scored 37 points and the The move kept Cleveland close deep into the game close until the fourth where the night Warriors withstood a 40-point triple-double fourth quarter until Andre Iguodala scored five turned into a face-off between James and Curry. Busch wins from LeBron James to grab a 3-2 lead in the straight points to put Golden State ahead 91-84 James silenced the crowd with a deep three- best-of-seven series. With the Golden State fan with less than four minutes remaining. pointer that gave the Cavs an 80-79 edge, but base starving for a title, the Oracle Arena crowd Curry, who scored 17 points in the fourth, Curry responded with a behind-the-back pull-up chanted “one more to go” following the win. The added two late three-pointers and free throws to three-pointer of his own on the next possession NASCAR race Warriors can clinch their first championship help seal the win. Iguodala finished with 14 and Golden State never trailed again. since 1975 with a win in Game Six today in points, eight rebounds and seven assists. James Much had been made about the defensive Cleveland. Their Game Five win was a battle of tallied 14 rebounds and 11 assists for his second job that Cleveland guard Matthew Dellavedova : Kurt Busch won his second IndyCar Series and in the GTE Pro catego- speed, with both teams benching their big men triple-double of the series. had done against Curry during the Finals, but as a strategic move. “It was a chess match and Cleveland’s Tristan Thompson had 19 points Golden State’s MVP broke out in a big way to NASCAR Sprint Cup race of the season, a ry at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. This was we both have a bunch of wings and guards that and 10 rebounds while James tallied 14 silence that narrative. “I’m taking (Curry) in any rain-shortened event at Busch’s third career Cup win at MIS and can fill a lineup,” Curry told reporters after con- rebounds and 11 assists for his second triple- matchup,” team mate Green said. “(Dellavedova) International Speedway on Sunday that first since 2007. It’s his first multi-win sea- necting on seven three-pointers. double of a series he is dominating. was hounding-physical, dirty, whatever you was called 62 laps short of its scheduled son in NASCAR’s top series since 2011. “They made an adjustment and tried to “I want to do whatever helps our team win want to call it. I was going with Steph no matter distance. The fourth weather-related red This was supposed to be a 400-mile, match our lineup. I’m sure there will be another and I haven’t been able to do that the last two what, and I’m still rolling with Steph no matter flag of the day came after lap 138 of a 200-lap race, but the weather made that adjustment.” After the Warriors benched center (games),” James said. “We weren’t good in Game what.” —Reuters scheduled 200. Busch was leading at the a tough task from the start. The first red time, and he was declared the winner flag delayed the race for about an hour, after heavy rain soaked the track. Dale and the second stoppage came not long Earnhardt Jr. was second, followed by after that. Laps 12 through 28 were all Mercury rises over Lynx Martin Truex Jr. under caution, and the third red flag With the rain approaching, Kyle came during a competition caution. Larson did his best to stay in the lead, Almost immediately after the race went PHOENIX: DeWanna Bonner scored 22 points as the Stars with 17 points - all in the first half - and Bone was 9 of 11 from the floor. Jasmine Thomas but with fuel running low, he came to pit green following the third red flag, Kyle the Phoenix Mercury extended their home winning Danielle Robinson added 10 points and seven had 17 points and Alyssa Thomas added 10. on lap 133, giving up the lead to Busch. Busch went into the wall. That was the streak to 22 games with an 81-66 victory over the assists. Angel McCoughtry paced the Dream with 24 The first three red flags, on laps 14, 20 end of his race. Lynx on Sunday. Tulsa led 34-31 at intermission, despite points. Erika de Souza and Tiffany Hayes both and 46, delayed the race for a total of The bad weather held off for a while Candice Dupree scored 16 points, Leilani McBride’s effort. An 8-2 run midway through the added 10 points. (3-1) took over in the over two hours. Kevin Harvick led for 63 after that - until the rain returned with a Mitchell had 11 and Alex Harden added 10 off the fourth quarter - all on by Diggins and Paris - fourth quarter, using a 9-2 run to go up eight, then laps, but a tire problem knocked him well vengeance. First came the yellow flag, bench for Phoenix (2-2). Minnesota (3-1) was led by turned a four-point lead into a 10-point advantage scored 13 straight - including consecutive 3-point- back. He finished 29th, only the second then red. The grandstands were evacuat- Maya Moore and Seimone Augustus with 17 points for the Shock. The game was delayed 30 minutes ers by Stricklen - to build a 20-point lead. The time all year he’s been out of the top 10. ed, and the rest of the race was eventual- apiece. Lindsay Whalen added 13. due to a leak in the arena roof. Dream (2-3) raced out to a 20-5 lead early, but the Phoenix used a six-point spurt at the end of the Sun used a 13-2 run - including Chelsea Gray’s 3- Harvick did stay atop the Cup standings, ly canceled. Busch was already in good first quarter to take the lead and settled for a 48-38 STORM 60, SPARKS 54 pointer - to trim the deficit to four at the end of the leading by 15 points over Truex. Pole shape to make the Chase for the Sprint edge at the half. Both teams shot over 48 percent Abby Bishop scored 13 of her career-high 18 first quarter. winner Kasey Kahne was 15th. Cup, having won at Richmond in April. in the half, but the Mercury made 5 of 8 from points in the second half as the Storm rallied to Connecticut then dominated much of the sec- Busch’s victory in his No. 41 Chevrolet The shortened Michigan race was a beyond the arc and Minnesota was 0 of 4. beat the Sparks. Bishop scored back-to-back bas- ond quarter to run up an 11-point lead before was part of a huge weekend for Chevy, missed opportunity for several drivers The Lynx went over three minutes early in the kets to put the Storm (2-2) up 53-50 with 4:18 left Atlanta put together an eight-point run to trail by which took the top three spots in this with no wins, like Larson, Kahne and Jeff third without scoring, and Phoenix ran its lead to in the game - their first lead since the opening min- three, 39-36, at the half. —AP Cup race while also winning in the Gordon.—AP 17 after a pair of Monique Curry free throws. utes. Phoenix’s Brittney Griner served the fourth of The rookie and No. 1 draft pick Jewell Loyd her seven-game suspension due to her offseason added ’s final six points to help them snap a domestic violence incident. two-game losing streak. She finished 4 of 10 from the field after entering the game averaging 5.0 MYSTICS 74, LIBERTY 59 points on 5-for-31 shooting. Ivory Latta scored 20 points and Stefanie Jantel Lavender led the Sparks (0-2) with 12 Dolson added 15 as the Mystics beat the Liberty. points and nine rebounds. Erin Phillips and Alana The Mystics (3-1) bounced back from a 64-61 loss Beard each added 10 points. The Sparks were again to the Atlanta Dream on Friday and moved ahead without Candace Parker, Kristi Toliver and Nneka of the Liberty (3-2) into a first-place tie with the Ogwumike who also missed the season-opening Connecticut Sun atop the Eastern Conference 86-61 loss at Seattle on June 6. standings. Kara Lawson scored eight straight and Taylor SKY 98, FEVER 72 Hill added a jumper to cap a 15-2 Mystics run for a Elena Delle Donne scored 24 points - her lowest 71-50 lead. Lawson finished with 13 points and Hill output of the season - with nine rebounds as the with 10. Essence Carson and Carolyn Swords led Sky dominated the Fever. Delle Donne’s first 3- the Liberty with 12 points each and Sugar Rodgers pointer put Chicago (2-2) up 9-2 and the Sky never added 10. trailed. She was 10 of 11 from the line. Cappie New York also lost rookie forward Rebecca Allen Pondexter scored 15 points, Courntey Vandersloot for the remained of the season due to a right knee had 14 and Clarissa Dos Santos added 12. Betnijah cartilage injury. Allen plans to return home to Laney and Jamierra Faulkner had 11 and 10, in order to undergo surgery and com- respectively. The Fever was paced by Marissa plete her rehabilitation process. She hopes to Coleman with 16 points. return to the Liberty next season. Natalie Achonwa had 12 and Maggie Lucas added 10 points. Indiana forward Tamika Catchings SHOCK 73, STARS 62 served a one-game suspension by the league for Skylar Diggins scored 21 points to lead the making contact with a game in Friday’s win Shock over the Stars. Jordan Hooper had 11 points over Phoenix. Indiana (1-4) trailed 53-21 at the half. off the bench, Karima Christmas had 10 points and The Fever was just 6 of 35 from the floor in the Courtney Paris added 10 points and career-high 19 first half and 1 of 12 on 3-pointers. They went more rebounds - including 11 on the offensive boards. than 10 minutes between the second and third The Shock (3-1) were missing leading scorer quarters without scoring. Odyssey Sims, who injured her left knee in Tuesday’s rout of Seattle. Sims averages 17.3 points SUN 82, DREAM 64 PHOENIX: Mercury’s Leilani Mitchell (5) and 4.7 assists. Kelsey Bone and Shekinna Stricklen both scored drives to the hoop around the defense of MICHIGAN: Kyle Busch poses with his wife Samantha and 1-month-old baby Brexton The Stars fell to 0-3, their worst start since going 18 points to lead the Sun over the Dream. Stricklen Minnesota Lynx’s Jennifer O’Neill (0) during a Locke in the winner’s circle after winning the NASCAR Xfinity series auto race. —AP 0-5 to begin the 2005 season. Kayla McBride led came off the bench to hit 4 of 6 3-point attempts. WNBA basketball game. —AP