Monday Sports Updates – Rams & Patriots Advance To Superbowl 53
Rams Edge Saints In OT, Advance To Super Bowl
(New Orleans, LA) — The Los Angeles Rams are going to the Super Bowl. Greg Zuerlein nailed a 57-yard field goal in overtime to give the Rams a 26-23 win over the Saints in the NFC Championship Game in New Orleans. Drew Brees was intercepted by John Johnson in overtime, leading to LA’s winning field goal. The refs missed a pass interference call that would have allowed the Saints to essentially run out the clock in regulation, with Zuerlein instead kicking a 48-yarder to force OT. Jared Goff passed for 297 yards, a touchdown and an interception for LA. Brandin Cooks hauled in seven passes for 107 yards. Brees threw for 249 yards, two touchdowns and the costly pick in overtime for New Orleans. The Saints led 13-0 after the first quarter and did not trail until the final play of the game.
Patriots Outlast Chiefs In Overtime, Advance To Super Bowl
(Kansas City, MO) — The New England Patriots are going back to the Super Bowl. The Pats won the coin toss in overtime and drove for a touchdown on the opening drive for a 37-31 win over the Chiefs in the AFC Championship Game in Kansas City. New England overcame two interceptions from Tom Brady to advance. Sony Michel ran for 113 yards and two touchdowns and Rex Burkhead also rushed for two scores, including the game-winner. The Patriots will face the Rams in Super Bowl 53. Patrick Mahomes threw for 295 yards and three touchdowns for the Chiefs. KC scored 24 points in the fourth quarter to force OT. Leading 28-24, a potential game-sealing interception for the Chiefs was wiped out by a neutral zone infraction. KC was denied its first Super Bowl appearance since 1970.
Rams To Play Patriots In Super Bowl 53
(Atlanta, GA) — The matchup for Super Bowl 53 in Atlanta is set. The New England Patriots will play the Los Angeles Rams for the Lombardi Trophy on February 3rd. The Patriots outlasted the Chiefs 37-31 in overtime to win the AFC championship in Kansas City. The Rams rallied past the Saints 26-23 in overtime to win the NFC championship in New Orleans. It will be the fourth Super Bowl appearance for the Rams and their first since 2002 when they lost to the underdog Patriots and quarterback Tom Brady. Brady and New England are in the big game for the third straight year and fifth time in the last eight.
Moore Expected To Be Promoted, Kitna To Join Cowboys’ Staff
(Frisco, TX) — Multiple-outlets report Cowboys quarterback coach Kellen Moore will be promoted to be the offensive coordinator. He would replace Scott Linehan, who was fired Friday. Former Cowboys quarterback Jon Kitna is expected to be the new Dallas quarterbacks coach. Kitna is the offensive coordinator for the San Diego Fleet in the recently created Alliance of America Football.
Clippers Win In San Antonio
(San Antonio, TX) — Tobias Harris had 27 points, nine assists and nine boards to send the Clippers to a 103-95 victory over the Spurs in San Antonio. Patrick Beverley contributed 18 points and 12 rebounds in the victory. Montrezl Harrell also scored 18 points for LA, which snapped a season-worst, five-game skid. The Clippers are 25-and-21. LaMarcus Aldridge led the Spurs with 30 points and 14 rebounds. Rudy Gay added 19 points for San Antonio, which had its two-game winning streak snapped to slip to 27-and-21.
NBA
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Indiana Pacers 120, Charlotte Hornets 95
LA Clippers 103, San Antonio Spurs 95
Minnesota Timberwolves 116, Phoenix Suns 114
Smith Rejoining Mavericks Tomorrow
(Dallas, TX) — Mavericks guard Dennis Smith Junior will be back in uniform tomorrow night after missing games and practices with trade speculation stories circulating. Head coach Rick Carlisle issued a statement Smith would return for the home game tomorrow against the Clippers. Smith confirmed he could be there.
Mavs Facing Bucks Today On Road
(Milwaukee, WI) — The Mavs will try to snap a three-game skid today when they meet the Bucks in Milwaukee. Dallas has lost six of its last eight to fall to 20-and-25 overall. They will return home tomorrow to face the Clippers to tipoff a three-game homestand.
Rockets Facing Sixers On Road Tonight
(Philadelphia, PA) — The Rockets will face the Sixers tonight in Philadelphia. James Harden scored 48 points as Houston rallied from a 21-point deficit to defeat the Lakers 138-134 in overtime Saturday. Harden was scored 30 or more points in 19 straight games. Houston leads the Southwest with a 26-and-19 record. Philly is 30-and17 overall and 19-and-5 at home.
NHL
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Chicago Blackhawks 8, Washington Capitals 5
New York Islanders 3, Anaheim Ducks 0
Vancouver Canucks 3, Detroit Red Wings 2
Arizona Coyotes 4, Toronto Maple Leafs 2
Carolina Hurricanes 7, Edmonton Oilers 4
Stars Reassign Two To AHL Affiliate
(Dallas, TX) — The Stars reassigned right wing Denis Gurianov and center Roope Hintz to the Texas Stars, their top affiliate in the AHL. They also sent defenseman Connor Carrick to Texas on a conditioning loan to their farm club, which plays in the Austin suburb of Cedar Park. The Stars head into the All-Star break with 52 points and a 24-21-and-4 record. They do not play again until January 30th against the Sabres at home.
PGA Desert Classic (at La Quinta, CA)
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1. Adam Long (-26)
T2. Phil Mickelson (-25)
T2. Adam Hadwin (-25)
Baseball Hall Of Fame Class Revealed Tomorrow
(Cooperstown, NY) — The National Baseball Hall of Fame will reveal its Class of 2019 tomorrow. Among the first-ballot nominees this year are Mariano Rivera, Roy Halladay, Todd Helton and Andy Pettitte. Returnees include Edgar Martinez, Barry Bonds, Roger Clemens and Sammy Sosa.
College Basketball (Top-25 Coaches Poll)
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Boston College Eagles 87, #11 Florida State Seminoles 82
#13 Marquette Golden Eagles 79, vs Providence Friars 68
#24 Iowa Hawkeyes 95, Illinois Fighting Illini 71
College Basketball Roundup
(Undated) — In area college basketball tonight, Baylor fresh off a 73-62 upset of number-nine Texas Tech will play at West Virginia in a Big 12 showdown. Tomorrow, Texas Tech will be at Kansas State and Texas A&M will be at Florida. The Aggies have lost five of their last six. Wednesday, TCU will host Texas.
#8 Lady Buffs Fall Saturday to Tarleton 72-65
#16 West Texas A&M Defeats Tarleton, 83-71
