Sports

May 8, 2025

Published 1 month ago

TL;DR

PSG faces Inter in UCL final; Knicks up 2-0 on Celtics; Pickens traded to Cowboys.


Highlights

  • PSG beats Arsenal 2-1 (3-1 agg) to reach Champions League final vs. Inter Milan on May 31 1.
  • Knicks rally again to stun Celtics, take 2-0 lead in NBA East semis; Boston 25% from three in two games 2.
  • Thunder set NBA playoff record with 87 first-half points, lead Nuggets by 31 in West semifinal Game 2 4.
  • Steelers trade WR George Pickens to Cowboys for a third-round pick; Pickens joins Dak Prescott in Dallas 3.
  • Eagles restructure TE Dallas Goedert’s deal to $10M plus incentives for 2025, keeping him in Philadelphia 7.
  • Stars’ Mikko Rantanen posts second consecutive playoff hat trick, joins rare NHL company, boosts Dallas’ playoff momentum 5.
  • Maple Leafs up 2-0 on Panthers in NHL playoffs after Marner’s game-winner; series shifts to Florida 8.
  • Orioles acquire RHP Luis F. Castillo (3.64 ERA in 2024) from Mariners, option him to Triple-A; DFA Walter Pennington 13.
  • NCAA files revised House v. NCAA settlement with roster grandfathering; scholarship/payment pool issues unresolved 11.
  • FIFA confirms eight Brazilian cities for 2027 Women’s World Cup, final at MaracanĂŁ, 32 teams to compete 10.
  • Pimlico Race Course to close after May 17 Preakness for $14.3M rebuild, reopening for 2027 race 14.
  • Former UFC champ Alex Pereira hints at retirement after UFC 313 loss and frustration with UFC management 9.

Commentary

Champions League bettors and fantasy players now have a PSG vs. Inter Milan final set for May 31 in Munich, after PSG’s 2-1 win over Arsenal 1. PSG’s run, highlighted by key contributions from Fabian Ruiz and Achraf Hakimi, and Gianluigi Donnarumma’s penalty save, positions them as a strong contender 1. Luis Enrique’s comments about Ligue 1’s reputation may influence market sentiment, but the matchup is a first in official competition, adding uncertainty for oddsmakers 181.

In the NBA, the Knicks’ consecutive 20-point comeback wins in Boston—driven by Jalen Brunson, Mikal Bridges, and Josh Hart—have exposed the Celtics’ late-game struggles and poor three-point shooting 2. This is a critical trend for bettors and DFS players as the series heads to Madison Square Garden 2. Meanwhile, Oklahoma City’s record-setting 87-point first half against Denver signals a potential shift in the West, with six Thunder players in double figures—important for player props and rotation analysis 4.

NFL roster news is reshaping fantasy and futures outlooks. The Steelers’ trade of George Pickens to Dallas gives the Cowboys another weapon alongside CeeDee Lamb, while the Eagles’ restructured deal with Dallas Goedert locks in their TE1 for 2025 37. Both moves clarify depth charts and salary cap strategies, impacting early fantasy projections and betting lines 37.

On the ice, Mikko Rantanen’s back-to-back playoff hat tricks put him in elite NHL company and give Dallas momentum in their series 5. Toronto’s 2-0 lead over Florida, with Mitch Marner delivering in key moments, is a notable development as the series shifts to Florida 8. DFS players should monitor goalie situations and key skater usage as these series progress 8.

Off the field, the NCAA’s revised House settlement introduces grandfathering for roster limits but leaves scholarship and payment pool issues unresolved, maintaining uncertainty for non-revenue sports 11. FIFA’s confirmation of eight host cities for the 2027 Women’s World Cup, with the final at Maracanã, sets the stage for future international betting and fantasy pools 10. Pimlico’s closure after the Preakness will impact the horse racing calendar through 2027 14. In MMA, Alex Pereira’s possible retirement could reshape the UFC’s light heavyweight division and betting markets 9.

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