WATERCOOLER CHAT: HAWKS 2-1 OVER PACERS, MEMPHIS WINS IN OT, CLIPS STOLE VICTORY, PINETA SUSPENDED FOR PINE TAR
BASKETBALL
In the NBA, all eyes were on the Indiana Pacers in Game 3 in Atlanta. The Pacers have seemingly fallen apart, but they did have a surge in Game 2 to come back and win.  The Hawks were going to take advantage of home court. The Pacers never made much noise, the Hawks grabbed the win, and suddenly the #8 seed has a 2-1 advantage over the #1 seed in the East. The Pacers are in serious trouble. They look dead out there — nothing like the amazing team we saw the first 3 months of the season. Atlanta 98, Indiana 85.
Then, it was Game 3 of the Memphis Grizzlies hosting the Oklahoma City Thunder. The Thunder looked unbeatable in Game 1 of this series, but Memphis is no joke. They played perfect basketball to win Game 2. Late in the 4th quarter of game 3, the Thunder went on a huge run, the Grizzlies collapsed, and we headed to overtime. In OT the Grizzlies were able to bounce back, despite making a lot of mistakes. They grabbed the win to take a 2-1 lead in the series. Memphis 98, OKC 95.
Finally, in the late game, it was the Golden State Warriors hosting the Los Angeles Clippers. This was going to be a battle, as these teams do not like each other. It’s a new rivalry. It was a low-scoring game and came down to the last possession. The Warriors were trailing late in the 4th, but they muscled their way back, Stephen Curry hit an amazing shot, and they had the ball with just 8 seconds left. Unfortunately for Curry, he had Chris Paul glued to him, and couldn’t get off a good shot. The Clips stole the road victory. LA Clippers 98, Golden State 96.
BASEBALL
Michael Pineta, pitcher for the  NY Yankees was suspended 10 games for having pine tar on his neck…yes, pine tar. He used it for helping him grip the ball, but Rule 8.02(b) “prohibits pitchers from altering the ball to gain an unfair advantage, and forbids them from having a foreign substance on them or in their possession on the mound”. Pineta admitted his error and isn’t planning on contesting. Apparently many well known pitchers have used this substance (or others like it) although in very discreet ways.
