In the NBA Eastern conference semi-finals against the Knicks at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, the Pacers got a stunning finish last night, when with 9 seconds to go, Aaron Nesmith hit 2 free throws– the Pacers winning it, 111-106. They now only trail 2 games to 1. Tyrese Haliburton played 38 minutes, and scored 35 points. Game 4 against the Knicks is at home again tomorrow afternoon, at 3:30.
Later today it’ll be “that time of year” around here, as racing cranks up for IndyCar, at the Speedway. Alex Palou started defending his 2023 Grand Prix of Indy title by winning the pole for today’s race. Palou’s the 2-time incumbent series champion. His best lap Friday, a minute and just over 9 seconds, driving a Honda. Palou says he had to crank things up to win the pole for the 14-turn road course. He says he didn’t expect it, but he’ll take it. Christian Lundgaard qualified second, and 2-time series champ Will Power will start 3rd. We’ll have live coverage of the Grand Prix for you at 3:00 this afternoon.
Later, it’ll be the Reds and Giants, live from San Francisco on the Sports Voice, 103.9 FM WRBI. The Reds grabbed their first win this month last night, 4-2 over San Fran, snapping an 8-game losing streak. It was all highlighted by Stuart Fairchild’s pinch-hit inside-the-park home run in the 8th inning. And Spencer Steer was big too… with an RBI double in the first inning, and a single in the 3rd that tied the game. Join Tommy Thrall and Cowboy Jeff Brantley for tonight’s broadcast at 6:45.
The high school diamond lives continue, nearing the end of the regular season. Friday, Greensburg racked up its 15th softball win against only 4 losses, topping South Dearborn 4-1, Batesville got shut out 2-0 by Franklin County, Southwestern of Hanover knocked off South Ripley 6-3, Milan hammered Jac-Cen-Del 12-2, and South Decatur got pummeled at Hauser, 15-1. Baseball saw Madison battle into extra innings, 9 instead of 7, to get by Franklin County, the final score Cubs 8, Wildcats 7. Batesville’s Bulldogs went to Brownstown Central, defeating the Braves 5-2, Hauser beat South Decatur 5-1, Milan blanked Jac-Cen-Del, 10-0, and South Ripley got shut out by Southwestern of Hanover, 10-0.