WATERCOOLER CHAT: PACERS EDGE HEAT IN GAME 1, SPURS’ IBAKA OUT, CALIFORNIA CHROME’S NASAL STRIP ISSUE IN BELMONT
BASKETBALL
The Indiana Pacers coach said he was tired of losing the first game of the series, so Roy Hibbert took that to heart and  lead the team to a first round win over the Miami Heat Sunday night. The Pacers now take a one game lead in the Eastern Conference Finals. 107-96.
In the Western Conference Finals, the top seeded San Antonio Spurs seemingly caught a break when the Oklahama Thunder’s Serge Ibaka went down with a calf injury and is likely out for the series. With that said, the Spurs  still don’t believe that Serge is out so they are going into Monday night’s game assuming he’ll play.
HORSE RACING
The Kentucky Derby and now Preakness winning horse, California Chrome might not race in the last leg of the Triple Crown series (the Belmont) because race officials say he’s not allowed to wear a nasal strip, which helps the horse open up  its nasal passages and get more air. California Chrome has worn the nasal strip for the past 6 winning races and his owners don’t want to mess with the winning formula.  The New York gaming commission says that any equipment worn by horse or the jockey must be approved by them. The officials in New York have the final say but it’s truly in everyone’s best interest if this horse races. It’s been 35 years since we’ve had a Triple Crown winner (winning the Derby, Preakness and Belmont). Affirmed won in 1978 and the fans and horse racing industry have been anxiously awaiting another winner ever since.
