Sports Briefs

NBA Update

Detroit dominated Miami in a do-or-die game five and is headed to Miami for a Friday night game. Showcasing their defense, the Pistons allowed the Heat to score only 78 points and limited Shaquille O’Neal and Dwyane Wade to a combined 42 points. The Heat were terrible on the free throw, going 6/20 versus the Pistons 23/26. The story of the game was a Ben Wallace block on O’Neal that made the arena shake. As O’Neal went up for a momentum-changing dunk, Wallace flew out of nowhere to deny Big Diesel his shot.

NHL Stanley Cup

The Carolina Hurricanes will host the Edmonton Oilers on Monday in the Stanley Cup Finals. The Oilers eliminated the Anaheim Mighty Ducks in five games to represent the West. The ‘Canes beat the Buffalo Sabres in seven games to capture the East crown. Edmonton was an unexpected finals contender but through the play of defenseman Chris Pronger and newly acquired goalie Dwayne Roloson the Oilers look tough to beat.

Reacquiring the Rocket

Forty-three-year-old pitcher Roger Clemens has re-signed with the Houston Astros for a contract of $22 million. His signing could be the turning point the Astros need to get back in the pennant race. Having a record of just 27-27, the Astros are seven and a half games back in the NL Central. Sitting behind the dominant Cardinals and the retooled Reds, Clemens could be a big boost for the struggling club. The Rocket will start pitching in the Class A minors and move his way up for a major league debut on June 22.