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This is an article version of the CBS Sports HQ AM Newsletter, the ultimate guide to every day in sports. <\/em>You can sign up to get it in your inbox every weekday morning here<\/em><\/a>.<\/em> <\/p>\n THE INDIANA PACERS AND THE OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER<\/strong> <\/p>\n Have you ever turned all of the settings on a video game to “easy” and just run wild? That’s what it must’ve felt like for the Pacers,<\/strong>\u00a0who steamrolled the Cavaliers<\/strong> in Game 4, building up a postseason record-tying 41-point halftime lead and cruising to a 129-109 win<\/a> — and a 3-1 series lead — over the East’s top seed. <\/p>\n Indiana was a scorching 12 for 18 (67%) from 3 in the first half, taking a 80-39 lead into the break. Pascal Siakam<\/strong> (21 points), Myles Turner<\/strong>\u00a0and Obi Toppin<\/strong> (20 each) led the way offensively as seven Pacers finished in double digits. <\/p>\n The Pacers’ offense has been the league’s best this postseason, its ball movement precise and shooting stunning. What a fun team to watch. <\/p>\n Elsewhere, after faltering late in Games 1 and 3, the Thunder<\/strong> rallied past the Nuggets<\/strong>,\u00a092-87<\/a>, to even the series at 2-2. <\/p>\n As the score indicates, this one was ugly. The teams shot 24% from 3 and combined for 28 turnovers. The Thunder’s 36% field goal percentage was its second-lowest in a playoff win in franchise history. <\/p>\n The difference, it proved, was Shai Gilgeous-Alexander<\/strong>, who scored nine points in the fourth quarter<\/a><\/span> — when Oklahoma City outscored Denver 29-18. <\/p>\n Another difference? The bench. Oklahoma City’s outscored Denver’s 35-8, and the Thunder bench made eight of the team’s 10 3s.\u00a0Aaron Wiggins<\/strong> (+14),\u00a0Alex Caruso<\/strong> (+12) and Cason Wallace<\/strong>\u00a0(+12) had the best plus\/minuses on the team. <\/p>\n Let’s not completely forget another starter,\u00a0Isaiah Hartenstein<\/strong>, either:\u00a0Nikola Joki\u0107<\/strong>\u00a0scored 27 points but shot just 9 for 22 and had just three assists. Hartenstein has led a strong defensive effort against Joki\u0107 all series. <\/p>\n THE CLEVELAND CAVALIERS<\/strong> <\/p>\n Gone is the 64-win machine from the regular season, the humming offensive attack and that versatile defense. These Cavaliers look helpless, flustered, overwhelmed, overmatched. <\/p>\n They got dominated in Game 1. They blew a lead that should have been impossible to blow<\/a><\/span> in Game 2. They rallied the troops in Game 3, but then fell apart again in Game 4. The zone defense got shredded. And to cap it all off, Donovan Mitchell<\/strong> — the only player who has held up his end of the bargain all series — is\u00a0dealing with an ankle injury<\/a><\/span>. He didn’t play in the second half of Sunday’s loss. <\/p>\n There are way too many defensive lapses. The offense outside Mitchell has been up-and-down, and the role players who shined all season have shrunk in the spotlight. <\/p>\n Still, don’t count Cleveland out just yet. The Cavs authored the most famous 3-1 comeback in the history of the NBA, but managing this comeback will not be easy<\/a><\/span>, Sam Quinn writes. <\/p>\n Jimmy Butler<\/strong>\u00a0(33 points) and Jonathan Kuminga<\/strong>\u00a0(30) were outstanding<\/a><\/span>. They were still no match for the supercharged superstar that is Anthony Edwards<\/strong>. <\/p>\n Edwards\u00a0scored 28 of his 36 points in the second half<\/a><\/span> as the Timberwolves<\/strong> took Game 3 against the Warriors<\/strong>,\u00a0102-97<\/a>. Minnesota has a 2-1 series lead. <\/p>\n Steve Kerr<\/strong> laid out Golden State’s comeback blueprint<\/a><\/span>, and though a healthy Stephen Curry<\/strong>\u00a0would certainly help, Kerr can’t depend on that … yet. Curry reportedly went through “a pretty strenuous workout”<\/a><\/span>\u00a0ahead of Game 3, albeit not at full speed. Here’s Brad Botkin with more: <\/p>\n The\u00a0NBA Draft lottery is tonight<\/a><\/span>, and several teams will see if their “Sag for Flagg” or “Wave the White Flag for Flagg” (or whatever you prefer) tanking efforts in hopes of landing presumptive No. 1 pick Cooper Flagg<\/strong> paid off or not. <\/p>\n Five teams have at least a 10% chance to get the top pick (full odds here<\/a><\/span>). <\/p>\n Of course, there are other storylines. The 76ers would love No. 1, of course, but they’ll be biting their fingernails well before that. If the pick is No. 1-6 (64% chance it is), it stays with Philadelphia; if not, it goes to the Thunder. After a disastrous 2024-25, Philadelphia has a ton on the line tonight. <\/p>\n After them, the\u00a0Nets<\/strong>\u00a0have a 9% chance at the No. 1 pick\u00a0and<\/em>\u00a0own four first-round picks overall. As we’ve discussed before, they could be a\u00a0major player<\/a><\/span> in the\u00a0Giannis Antetokounmpo<\/strong>\u00a0sweepstakes (if there is one) this summer. Landing Flagg would be a monumental add to their rebuild. <\/p>\n Here’s Cameron Salerno’s latest\u00a0mock draft<\/a><\/span>. <\/p>\n Derek Carr<\/strong> retired Saturday<\/a><\/span>\u00a0due to a shoulder injury that the Saints<\/strong> described as a “labral tear accompanied by significant degenerative changes to his rotator cuff.”<\/em> <\/p>\n The Saints drafted Tyler Shough<\/strong> 40th overall in the 2025 draft, and coach Kellen Moore<\/strong> says Shough,\u00a0Spencer Rattler<\/strong> and Jake Haener<\/strong> will compete for the starting job<\/a><\/span>. <\/p>\n Jared Dubin says starting Shough makes the most sense<\/a><\/span> — after all, he was the only one Moore drafted — though there could be\u00a0outside options<\/a><\/span> to bring in. And if it doesn’t go well, there could be Arch Manning<\/strong> waiting to return to his hometown in 2026<\/a><\/span>, Shehan Jeyarajah notes. <\/p>\n As for another uncertain quarterback room,\u00a0Shedeur Sanders<\/strong> talked about proving himself<\/a><\/span>\u00a0and choosing his jersey number<\/a><\/span>. He and Dillon Gabriel<\/strong> began their professional careers<\/a><\/span> at the Browns<\/strong>‘ rookie minicamp. <\/p>\n Here’s the latest top five of Matt Snyder MLB Power Rankings<\/a><\/span>: <\/p>\n The Cardinals<\/strong> had the biggest jump, from 23rd to 12th. <\/p>\n There’s no arguing last place. It’s the Rockies<\/strong>, who are 7-33 this season and lost 21-0 Saturday<\/a><\/span>, their worst loss in franchise history. On Sunday (after a win, no less) they fired<\/a><\/span> manager Bud Black<\/strong>, who had been in the role since 2017. The decision came one day after GM Bill Schmidt<\/strong> expressed optimism<\/a><\/span> about the team turning it around under Black. I suppose losing by three touchdowns — when you’re a baseball team!<\/em> — can change your perspective pretty quickly. Third base coach Warren Schaeffer<\/strong> will take over. <\/p>\n Here’s more from around the bigs: <\/p>\n \ud83c\udfc0 NBA Draft lottery<\/strong>, 7 p.m. on ESPN \ud83c\udfc0 Good morning to all, but especially to… <\/h2>\n
\ud83d\ude00 Honorable mentions <\/h3>\n
\ud83c\udfc0 And not such a good morning for … <\/h2>\n
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\n <\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n \ud83d\ude1e Not so honorable mentions <\/h3>\n
\ud83c\udfc0 Latest Stephen Curry update as Warriors trail Timberwolves 2-1
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\ud83c\udfc0 NBA Draft lottery odds, top storylines <\/h2>\n
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\ud83c\udfc8 Derek Carr retires, Saints to hold quarterback competition
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\u26be MLB Power Rankings, weekend roundup: Rockies fire Bud Black
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\ud83d\udcfa What we’re watching Monday <\/h2>\n
\ud83c\udfd2 Capitals at Hurricanes (Hurricanes lead 2-1)<\/strong>, 7 p.m. on TNT\/truTV
\ud83c\udfc0 Celtics at Knicks (Knicks lead 2-1)<\/strong>, 7:30 p.m. on ESPN
\ud83c\udfd2 Golden Knights at Oilers (Oilers lead 2-1)<\/strong>, 9:30 p.m. on TNT\/truTV
\u26be Diamondbacks at Giants<\/strong>, 9:45 p.m. on FS1
\ud83c\udfc0 Timberwolves at Warriors (Timberwolves lead 2-1)<\/strong>, 10 p.m. on ESPN <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n