Sports
Cavaliers Facing Elimination Again in Game 7 Against Pistons
After winning three games in a row and their first road game of the playoffs, it looked like Cleveland was going to roll their way into the Eastern Conference Finals. Unfortunately for them, Detroit is a team that will never quit, and they answered every question on Friday night with a dominating 115-94 win, the largest victory for either team this series.
Before Friday’s no-show, prediction markets gave the Cavs nearly an 80% chance to advance; that number has fallen to 37% with a massive Game 7 on the horizon.
Obviously, every game 7 is a must-win, but it means far more for Cleveland. Since LeBron left in 2018, the media have not respected the Cavs. They’ve been painted as a soft team that cannot win in the postseason. Now, they expedited their contention window by trading for James Harden, a move that needs to result in at least an Eastern Conference Finals appearance.
Cleveland is the most expensive roster in the sport, and if they spin out again in the Eastern Conference Semifinals, I’m not sure Dan Gilbert will be willing to keep eating the exorbitant tax bill he’s been taking on. If the Cavs lose, we might be watching the end of the Donovan Mitchell and company era in Cleveland.
Now, this isn’t to take anything away from Detroit, but this whole season has felt like it’s arrived one season early. I think if you ask even the most biased of Pistons fans, they would admit this team is not ready to contend for a championship.
Cade Cunningham looks like a future face of the NBA, but he desperately needs more help, something he finally received in Game 6. Seven Pistons not named Cunningham scored at least 8 points, and role players were a very solid 42% from behind the arc.
Paul Reed continued to be a spark plug off the bench for Detroit, but more importantly, Jalen Duren finally had a very solid performance. He dropped 15 points and 11 rebounds, which were the most points and second-most rebounds he’s had in a game this series.
He’s simply the biggest X-Factor going into Game 7. Duren is likely to be awarded with All-NBA honors this year, and he needs to perform like an All-NBA player to help Cunningham.
Game 7 opens with Detroit as 4.5-point favorites, and I think that’s a little bit high. This game comes down to one thing for me: will Cleveland’s guards show up?
Outside of too many turnovers, James Harden didn’t have a horrible Game 6, but Donovan Mitchell absolutely no-showed and was a net negative every time he stepped on the court. It has been a horrific postseason for Mitchell, but all could be forgotten with a legendary Game 7 performance. In the playoffs, nobody remembers how they got there; they only remember who the victor is.
Against my better judgment, I would lean Cleveland +4.5 in Game 7.
Sports
Report: FIFA, Iran hold talks ahead of World Cup
Mar 20, 2025; Marina Del Rey, California, USA; Mattias Grafstrom at the The Global Center of Gravity for Soccer is in North America pannel at Marina Del Rey Marriott. Mandatory Credit: Bailey Holiver-Imagn Images FIFA Secretary-General Mattias Grafstrom described his Saturday meeting with the head of Iran’s Football Federation (FFIRI) as “constructive” as concerns about the nation’s participation in next month’s World Cup have not abated.
Grafstrom met with FFIRI President Mehdi Taj in Istanbul and told Reuters he was confident about Iran competing in the United States, despite hostilities between the two countries extending into their third month.
“We’ve had an excellent meeting and constructive meeting together with the Iran FA,” Grafstrom said during a visit to Istanbul. “We’re working closely together and looking very much forward to welcoming them in the FIFA World Cup.”
Iran is slated to play all three of their group matches in the United States, beginning with a contest vs. New Zealand in Los Angeles on June 15. They are also scheduled to take on Belgium in Los Angeles and conclude Group G play against Egypt in Seattle on June 26.
Iran asked that their games be moved to Mexico, but FIFA President Gianni Infantino denied that request.
Taj has served as president of Iran’s governing body since 2022, but he had previously served in Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).
The 66-year-old was not allowed to enter the FIFA Congress in Vancouver, Canada earlier this month due to his IRGC ties.
Canada and the United States, who are co-hosting the World Cup with Mexico, have classified the IRGC as a “terrorist entity” and have stated that they will not permit people with ties to that group in their respective nations.
Grafstrom would not specifically address entry and visa arrangements for Iranian players. The discussion with Taj primarily involved operational issues.
“We’ve discussed all relevant matters, but I think it’s not the place to discuss the details,” he said. “Overall, a very positive meeting and we’re looking forward to continuing the dialogue.”
Taj also shared with Reuters that the meeting with Grafstrom and other FIFA officials was positive.
“I am pleased that they listened to Iran’s points, all 10 points that we had raised, and they offered solutions for each of them. I hope, God willing, that our national team can go to the World Cup without any problems and achieve very good results there,” he said.
The Iranian squad is scheduled to leave Tehran for a training camp in Turkey on Monday. Their base in the United States is located at the Kino Sports Complex in Tucson, Arizona, and they are slated to travel there in early June.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Angels select OF Jose Siri, option Bryce Teodosio
Feb 26, 2026; Tempe, Arizona, USA; Los Angeles Angels outfielder Jose Siri (28) catches a fly ball in the second inning against the Chicago Cubs at Tempe Diablo Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-Imagn Images The Los Angeles Angels selected the contract of outfielder Jose Siri on Saturday prior to the team’s home game against the Los Angeles Dodgers. In corresponding transactions, outfielder Bryce Teodosio was optioned to Triple-A Salt Lake and right-handed reliever Ben Joyce was transferred to the 60-day injured list.
Siri, a five-year MLB veteran known for his speed and defensive ability, has not appeared in a big-league game this year. In 2023, he enjoyed a career season with the Tampa Bay Rays, blasting 25 home runs and stealing 12 bases in 101 games.
Last season, Siri’s offensive production cratered with the New York Mets as he missed five months with a broken tibia. In 16 games, he went 2 of 36 with no home runs and one RBI.
The 30-year-old has been producing this season for Salt Lake in the hitter-friendly PCL. He owns five home runs, 27 RBIs, four stolen bases and a .288 batting average in 140 plate appearances.
Teodosio shares a similar skillset. The speedy defensive specialist was batting .213 with no home runs and four stolen bases in 34 games for the Angels this season. The 26-year-old will be given more time to develop in the minors.
Joyce has not pitched in a major league game since April 8, 2025, as he needed labrum surgery last May. Accordingly, the 60-day IL move is not surprising as he continues to work through a rehab assignment with Single-A Rancho Cucamonga.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Slumping Corey Seager (back spasms) not in lineup vs. Astros
May 13, 2026; Arlington, Texas, USA; Texas Rangers shortstop Corey Seager (5) throws out Arizona Diamondbacks first baseman Ildemaro Vargas (not pictured) to end the first inning at Globe Life Field. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images Texas Rangers shortstop Corey Seager is not in Saturday’s starting lineup against the Houston Astros, as he woke up with back spasms, according to manager Skip Schumaker.
Seager, who is mired in a career-worst 0-for-27 stretch at the plate, did not play on Friday, but Schumaker said that was due to a previously scheduled day off.
“He wanted to see if he could loosen up when he got here,” Schumaker said. “It just didn’t loosen up, so just wanted to play it smart and not push him.”
Seager went 0-for-4 with two strikeouts in Wednesday’s game versus the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Five-year veteran Ezequiel Duran, who is hitting .274, will start his second consecutive game at shortstop and bat in the No. 5 hole.
Duran has also played second base, third base and both corner outfield spots in 2026.
Seager, a five-time All-Star, is now batting .179 with seven home runs and 20 RBIs in 42 games this season.
He is in his fifth season in Texas after signing a 10-year, $325 million deal prior to the 2022 season. Seager played for the Los Angeles Dodgers from 2015-2021.
–Field Level Media
Report: FIFA, Iran hold talks ahead of World Cup
Wordle today: Answer, hints for May 17, 2026
