WHAT'S GOING ON IN THE ZONE.....

Jokic Joins Wilt, 2nd Center With 50 Triple-Doubles

Posted by sportszonechicago — Wed, 3 Mar 2021 15:06 GMT

Nikola Jokic continues to build an MVP case by doing things that no center has done since Wilt Chamberlain. On Tuesday, Jokic collected the 50th triple-double of his career with 37 points, 11 assists and 10 rebounds to help the Denver Nuggets rout the Bucks 128-97 at Milwaukee's Fiserv Forum. Click below to read more: https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/30994192/denver-nuggets-nikola-jokic-joins-wilt-chamberlain-only-centers-50-triple-doubles

Tiger Touched As Golfers Wear Red To Honor Him

Posted by sportszonechicago — Mon, 1 Mar 2021 15:53 GMT

More than a dozen PGA Tour players showed their support for Tiger Woods on Sunday by wearing his traditional final-round outfit - red shirt, black slacks - scribbling "TW" on the side of their hats or using a ball stamped with "TIGER." They were small gestures meant to lift the spirits of Woods, who is recovering in a Los Angeles-area hospital after suffering serious injuries from a car accident earlier this week. Click below to read more: https://www.golfchannel.com/news/tiger-woods-touched-players-showing-their-support-wearing-red

Cross, Pioneering Black Sports Analyst, Dies At 81

Posted by sportszonechicago — Mon, 1 Mar 2021 14:46 GMT

Broadcasting pioneer and former NFL Pro Bowl cornerback Irv Cross died Sunday morning in Minnesota, the Philadelphia Eagles announced on the team's website. He was 81. Cross was the first African American sports analyst on national television when he worked for CBS Sports as an NFL analyst and commentator from 1971 to 1994. He anchored the Emmy-winning show "The NFL Today," from its inception in 1975 through 1989. Cross also covered other sports, including the NBA, track and field and gymnastics. Click below to read more: https://www.cnn.com/2021/03/01/us/irv-cross-nfl-sportscaster-death/index.html

Dream Sold To Group That Includes Montgomery

Posted by sportszonechicago — Fri, 26 Feb 2021 18:24 GMT

The Atlanta Dream have been sold to a group led by Larry Gottesdiener after WNBA players and the public called for co-owner Sen. Kelly Loeffler to sell the franchise. Co-owner Mary Brock also sold her share, putting the team under entirely new ownership, the team announced Friday. The team will stay in Atlanta. The sale was unanimously approved by WNBA and NBA Boards of Governors. The three-member investor group is comprised of former Dream star Renee Montgomery, Suzanne Abair and Gottesdiener. Click below to read more: https://theathletic.com/news/atlanta-dream-get-new-ownership-kelly-loeffler-sells-share/L49Ly3TgUtwU

NBA 2021 All-Star Reserves

Posted by sportszonechicago — Wed, 24 Feb 2021 00:41 GMT

The NBA announced its All-Star Game starters last Thursday, but given the somewhat predictable nature of picking the top five players in each conference, tonight's reveal is the more important one. On Tuesday, the league unveiled the seven All-Star reserves for each conference as selected by the coaches within those conferences. The seven slots were divided amongst two guards, three frontcourt players and two wild card slots to get rosters up to 12, with the inclusion of the five starters. Here are the 14 reserves that earned their spots on Tuesday: Click below to read more: https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/nba-all-star-game-2021-damian-lillard-james-harden-among-reserves-selected-by-leagues-coaches/

Chicago Bulls vs. Houston Rockets Recap

Posted by sportszonechicago — Tue, 23 Feb 2021 14:59 GMT

The Rockets entered Monday night's contest against the Bulls banged up and losers of seven straight, so this was a game Chicago needed to take care of to keep the momentum going. It looked like the Bulls were going to run the home Rockets off their own floor from the opening tip when they went up 22-7, but a lull to close the first quarter and open the second made things interesting ... for a bit. After taking a six-point lead into halftime, Chicago then basically pulled a repeat of the Pelicans third quarter from a few weeks ago, scoring a season-high 46 points to turn the game into a total laugher. The fourth quarter was extended garbage time, with the Bulls cruising to a 120-100 victory to make it four wins out of five. Denzel Valentine even dunked for the third time in his career. Click below to read more: https://www.blogabull.com/2021/2/22/22296504/bulls-vs-rockets-final-score-chicago-uses-46-point-3rd-quarter-to-surge-to-120-100-win

Steelers' Tomlin Positive For COVID-19

Posted by sportszonechicago — Mon, 22 Feb 2021 21:07 GMT

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, an NFL team has been affected in the offseason. Steelers coach Mike Tomlin was diagnosed with COVID-19 and is away from the team facility, NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported Monday, per sources informed of the situation. A Steelers spokesman would not confirm the specific case, but did say members of the coaching and personnel staffs were sent home last week after a couple of tests for the novel coronavirus ended up being positive. Click below to read more: https://www.nfl.com/news/steelers-coach-mike-tomlin-covid-19-away-from-facility

Timberwolves Fire Coach Ryan Saunders

Posted by sportszonechicago — Mon, 22 Feb 2021 14:43 GMT

The Minnesota Timberwolves lost to the New York Knicks on Sunday to fall to a league-worst 7-24 this season. That defeat turned out to be the last straw for management, and the team announced shortly after the game that they have fired coach Ryan Saunders. What's more, they already have a replacement lined up. Toronto Raptors assistant Chris Finch is expected to be named their new coach, according to Shams Charania of The Athletic. The Wolves' press release indicated a formal announcement should arrive on Monday. Click below to read more: https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/timberwolves-fire-coach-ryan-saunders-reportedly-expected-to-hire-raptors-chris-finch-as-replacement/

Chicago Bulls vs. Sacramento Kings Recap

Posted by sportszonechicago — Sun, 21 Feb 2021 15:04 GMT

The Bulls led early and it rarely got too close for comfort, holding off the Sacramento Kings late for a 122-114 victory. It was a pretty wild game of two shorthanded below-average teams, I don't think I've ever watched more players fly sprawling out over the baseline under the basket. But the Bulls looked a class above (more close to strictly average, really) and that is a nice level to see at this point in the season with some key guys still out. Click below to read more: https://www.blogabull.com/2021/2/20/22293648/bulls-vs-kings-final-score-a-taking-care-of-business-night-as-bulls-get-another-win

Nuggets' Murray 1st Ever To Drop 50 With No FTAs

Posted by sportszonechicago — Sat, 20 Feb 2021 15:36 GMT

Not himself of late, Jamal Murray got a lecture from Nuggets coach Michael Malone about being more aggressive and not passing up open shots. He listened -- and launched. Murray scored a regular-season career-high 50 points, and became the first player in NBA history to get that many without trying a free throw, as Denver beat the Cleveland Cavaliers 120-103 on Friday night. Click below to read more: https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/30931950/denver-nuggets-jamal-murray-first-ever-50-points-zero-free-throw-attempts

Naomi Osaka Wins 2021 Australian Open

Posted by sportszonechicago — Sat, 20 Feb 2021 15:04 GMT

World No. 3 Naomi Osaka has claimed her second Australian Open following a dominant 6-4 6-3 win over Jennifer Brady. Osaka and Brady traded service breaks in the first eight games as neither player could gain momentum. However, the 23-year-old Osaka would take over, taking advantage of a sloppy Brady service game to take the first set 6-4. From here, it was all Osaka, immediately breaking twice to take the first four games of the second set. Click below to read more: https://www.sportingnews.com/us/tennis/news/australian-open-2021-naomi-osaka-beats-jennifer-brady-to-take-womens-title/1bevb6nss3xnq12h0ido2bes1j

Eagles Release DeSean Jackson

Posted by sportszonechicago — Fri, 19 Feb 2021 22:33 GMT

Wide receiver DeSean Jackson is officially a free agent. The Eagles announced Jackson's release on Friday afternoon after reports earlier in the day indicated that he'd be dropped from the roster. Jackson also weighed in on the move before it became official. Click below to read more: https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2021/02/19/eagles-announce-desean-jacksons-release/

Osaka Defeats Serena, Advances To Australian Final

Posted by sportszonechicago — Thu, 18 Feb 2021 15:41 GMT

'Just to be on the court playing against her, for me, is a dream,' the tennis phenom said of Williams. Tennis phenom Naomi Osaka triumphed over Serena Williams to move on to the final round of the Australian Open. Despite pressure from the 23-time Grand Slam winner, Osaka held Williams off to win 6-3, 6-4. Click below to read more:

Padres, Tatis Agree On 14 Years, $340M

Posted by sportszonechicago — Thu, 18 Feb 2021 02:12 GMT

The San Diego Padres and superstar shortstop Fernando Tatis Jr. came to terms on a 14-year contract extension Wednesday, per Dennis Lin and Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic. Robert Murray of FanSided reported the deal was for $340 million. In just two MLB seasons, Tatis has quickly developed into one of the best all-around players in Major League Baseball, and the Padres' decision to lock up the 22-year-old phenom long-term speaks to that fact. Click below to read more: https://www.bleacherreport.com/articles/2913824-fernando-tatis-jr-padres-reportedly-agree-to-14-year-340m-contract-extension

Zion Williamson Makes NBA History

Posted by sportszonechicago — Wed, 17 Feb 2021 17:31 GMT

New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson etched an entry into NBA history on Tuesday in leading his team to a 144-113 win over the Memphis Grizzlies. Dominating inside while hitting a sizzling 13-for-16 from the field, Williamson became the only player in league history (during the shot-clock era) to average 23 points or more on 60% or better field-goal percentage through their first 50 career games. Click below to read more: https://www.nba.com/news/zion-williamson-makes-nba-history-in-first-50-career-games

Happy Birthday Jim Brown

Posted by sportszonechicago — Wed, 17 Feb 2021 16:00 GMT

Today (Feb. 17, 2021) is Jim Brown's 85th birthday. Recognized as possibly the greatest football player ever, Syracuse's legendary No. 44 is one of 17 Cleveland Browns who are in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. He played nine seasons in the NFL, all with the Browns. He still is the franchise's leader in rushing yards (12,312) and rushing touchdowns (106). Click below to read more: https://www.syracuse.com/orangefootball/2021/02/happy-birthday-jim-brown-32-facts-you-might-not-know-about-syracuses-legendary-no-44.html

Chicago Sports Recap

Posted by sportszonechicago — Tue, 16 Feb 2021 03:26 GMT

Bulls vs. Pacers: Zach LaVine scored 12 of his 30 points in the fourth quarter to help Chicago force overtime, and the Bulls then pulled away from the Indiana Pacers for a 120-112 victory Monday night. Chicago had lost 10 straight against Indiana and eight straight on the road in the series. Click below to read more: https://www.espn.com/nba/recap?gameId=401267580 Blackhawks vs. Red Wings: The Chicago Blackhawks started a six-game road trip in Detroit against the Red Wings, kicking things off with a 3-2 overtime win that they didn't really deserve.The Blackhawks were out-played pretty much the entire night with the Red Wings finishing with an advantage in shot attempts (56-46), shots on goal (29-24), and high-danger scoring chances (10-7). But a win's a win, and the Blackhawks are now 5-0-1 when scoring the first goal in a game this season and 3-0-3 in their last six road games. Click below to read more: https://www.bleachernation.com/blackhawks/2021/02/15/thieves-in-the-night-blackhawks-3-red-wings-2-ot-february-15-2021/

Wallace First Black Driver To Lead Lap At Daytona

Posted by sportszonechicago — Mon, 15 Feb 2021 15:11 GMT

Bubba Wallace ran into trouble early and late in his first Daytona 500 driving for Michael Jordan.He still came out of NASCAR's marquee race on Sunday with another milestone, becoming the first Black driver to lead a lap in the Daytona 500. Wallace dipped to the low line late in the second stage to grab the lead on Lap 129 in the No. 23 Toyota. He lost the lead back to two-time defending champion Denny Hamlin -- who co-owns 23XI Racing with Jordan -- and ran third at the end of the stage. Click below to read more: https://www.espn.com/racing/story/_/id/30903680/bubba-wallace-becomes-first-black-driver-lead-lap-daytona-500

Arrieta Back With Cubs On 1-Year Deal

Posted by sportszonechicago — Sat, 13 Feb 2021 15:36 GMT

The Chicago Cubs and free-agent starting pitcher Jake Arrieta reached an agreement on a one-year deal, pending physical, according to multiple reports on Friday, including FanSided's Robert Murray and MLB Network's Jon Heyman. Arrieta will be rejoining the club after he last pitched for the Cubs in 2017, a year after winning a World Series with Chicago in 2016. Click below to read more: https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/cubs-jake-arrieta-agree-to-one-year-reunion-via-free-agency-per-reports/

Bulls vs. Clippers Recap

Posted by sportszonechicago — Sat, 13 Feb 2021 14:57 GMT

The Bulls looked to be going into a stretch, without several rotation players, where they were about to get smoked by any halfway decent team. It took a record-breaking shooting performance to avert that fate last time out, but Friday night against the Clippers they were more in form in a 125-106 drubbing. Click below to read more: https://www.blogabull.com/2021/2/12/22281320/bulls-vs-clippers-final-score-chicago-pummeled-in-2nd-half-after-keeping-it-close-early