May 22, 2013; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Heat point guard Norris Cole (30) and Indiana Pacers point guard George Hill (3) battle for a loose ball in overtime of game one of the Eastern Conference finals of the 2013 NBA Playoffs at American Airlines Arena. The Heat win 103-102. Mandatory Credit: Robert Mayer-USA TODAY Sports

It’s tough to stay healthy if you’re Indiana Pacers guard George Hill.

The IUPUI product seems to always be battling some type of nagging injury and today is no different as he’s been diagnosed with a sprained big toe. Thankfully for the Pacers, it’s not expected to keep him out of action come Game 2, which tips off this evening in Miami.

Per Mark Montieth:

George Hill has sprained left big toe, from Game 1. Had it iced after practice. Says he’s OK.

Hill and the Pacers don’t expect the injury to linger, though, it is something to keep an eye on in the case it does flare up or if Hill appears to struggle with movement.

The 26-year-old point guard is currently averaging 14.8 points, 4.6 assists, 3.9 rebounds and 1.5 steals a game, despite only shooting 39.7% throughout the playoffs.

Hill and the Pacers will attempt to tie up their Eastern Conference Finals matchup with the Miami Heat tonight, with tip scheduled for 8:30 PM EDT.

Fast & Furious 6 is set to drop in theaters tonight and, unlike The Hangover Part III which has had some horrible reviews, Fast & Furious 6 appears to be worth the visit to theaters. After looking through reviews on the Internet to see what we should expect from the latest installment of this series, it looks like Fast & Furious 6 is as action-packed and entertaining as any of the other films in this series.

What are the film experts and critics saying about Fast & Furious 6?

Alonso Duralde of The Wrap: ”When the craziness slows down and people actually talk, the theme of family is constantly underlined, to the extent that my seatmate suggested a drinking game for every time the word ‘family’ is mentioned. Nonetheless, while Diesel and Walker have a fairly limited skill set as actors, they are put to good use here, and six movies in, they’ve definitely established themselves and their co-stars as a cohesive unit.”

Claudia Puig of USA Today: “Here’s a movie that could easily have been dialogue-free. And probably would have been better for it. But the volume is a key element, especially for those who find the sound of revved-up engines evocative.”

Ian Kar of Heavy.com: “I never thought I’d gush about Fast & Furious 6 — especially since I was such a fan of Fast Five — but that’s what I’ve been doing since I saw the film. The action scenes were obviously going to be great, but you’ll underestimate how massive these actions scenes are. The trailers simply don’t do them justice — only by watching the film in theaters will you be able to grasp the magnitude of the action scenes. Punches, cars, and bodies flying left and right, this is definitely the most action packed film in Fast & Furious series.”

Alan Scherstuhl of Village Voice: “While certainly tricked-out with digital effects work, part 6, and its direct predecessor, feel analog by comparison. Instead of on a Playstation, the chases seem to take place on the floor and in the mind of a 10-year-old. There’s nothing to laud here in terms of storytelling, and the dialogue is all quips and exposition, but Lin aces something rare: the spirit of freewheeling play.”

Betsy Sharkey of Los Angeles Times: ”The movie doesn’t know when or how to put the brakes on. It does, however, understand precisely what it is. No pretensions to greatness, it demonstrates total dedication to ‘badassness,’ which I believe is the technical term.”

Todd McCarthy of The Hollywood Reporter: ”This new entry will only add mightily to the good fortunes of Universal’s biggest franchise; no matter how silly and outlandish the action gets — and it does become ridiculous — it also delivers the goods its audience expects, with the added bonus of the return of Michelle Rodriguez.”

Devin Faraci of Badass Digest: ”The series under Justin Lin (who has directed the last four) is completely aware of how silly it is.The series leans into the over the top action and the goofy soap opera elements in a way that’s not quite tongue-in-cheek — Lin is never making fun of the movies or the characters — but that is in a spirit of having an awful lot of fun with it.”

Will you be heading out to theaters to see Fast & Furious 6 when it is released or will you wait to catch it on DVD after reading the reviews? Sound off in the comments section and share your thoughts.

Jan. 13, 2012; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Phoenix Suns head coach Alvin Gentry during game against the New Jersey Nets at the US Airways Center. The Nets defeated the Suns 110-103. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

There aren’t many people in professional sports, let alone NBA basketball, with a worse reputation than that of Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling.

That said – when you have a team complete with Chris Paul and Blake Griffin, even working under Donald Sterling can be considered a plus job.

Case in point? Alvin Gentry. The one time Clippers coach (2000-2003) who’s already felt the brunt of a Sterling firing would like a return to his former stomping grounds, this according to ESPN Los Angeles:

“If you look at that job, it’s probably the best one out there,” Gentry said of the Clippers’ vacancy Thursday in an interview on ESPNLA 710. “When you take into consideration the talent level that they have and what they did this year.”

League sources have told ESPNLosAngeles.com that Gentry will be considered for the Clippers’ job once the process gets more serious.

Gentry, who spent last season in Phoenix before a mid-season firing hasn’t had the best success during his head coaching tenure, compiling a 335-370 lifetime record but he does come with a proven track record. He’s also shown an ability to win with a solid roster, as he did with the Suns in 2009-10, going 54-28.

The Hangover trilogy is coming to a conclusion with Hangover Part III, which officially is released in theaters tonight. Unfortunately for Legendary Pictures and Warner Bros, Hangover 3 has been getting some awful reviews leading up to the release. For those who want to get some feedback about the film before paying up to go see the movie in theaters, we have got some of the most damning and hilarious quotes from reviews around the web.

What are the film experts and critics saying about The Hangover Part III?

David Fear of Time Out New York: ”Humor feels like an afterthought: Galifianakis’ clueless manchild act, always a winner, feels pitifully DOA, while Cooper and Helms, having realized they could play their respective douche-dude and nebbish roles in their sleep, proceed to do just that.”

Stephen Holden of The New York Times: For “The Hangover Part III,” directed by Todd Phillips from a screenplay he wrote with Craig Mazin, is a dull, lazy walkthrough that along with “The Big Wedding” has a claim to be the year’s worst star-driven movie.

Chris Nashawaty of Entertainment Weekly: “As a Sin City romp, it’s too tame. And as a ‘very special’ ode to Alan’s journey to responsibility, it’s a miscalculation of what fans want from a series featuring a smoking monkey.”

Scott Weinberg of GeekNation: “Exists for the producers, the studios and nobody else. Insulting, amateurish garbage.”

Richard Roeper:  “Director Todd Phillips delivers a film so different from the first two, I’m not even sure it’s supposed to be a comedy.”

Stephen Farber in The Hollywood Reporter: ”Young viewers looking for unbridled raunch will be sadly disappointed, and so will other moviegoers expecting more than a few wan chuckles. This picture is like a brightly colored balloon with all the comic air seeping out.”

Odie Henderson for the Chicago Sun-Times: “I had to wait until halfway through the closing credits for my first, and only, laugh.”

Star Pulse: ”While ‘The Hangover Part 3′, is once  again directed and written by Todd Phillips and Craig Mazin, this time it fails to produce anything that actually stands out. It lacks the shock and absurdity that made the first film so laugh-out-loud funny. With the exception of the  change in geography, it’s essentially a copy and paste job where the jokes have gone stale.”

Kyle Smith of the New York Post: “The good news is that The Hangover Part III isn’t a rerun like the second episode. The bad news is everything else. For all the promise of mayhem and WTF moments, the final episode hits you with all the force of a warm can of O’Doul’s.”

Will you be heading out to theaters to see The Hangover Part III when it is released or will you wait to catch it on DVD after reading the poor reviews? Sound off in the comments section and share your thoughts.

Nov 15 2011; Austin, TX, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant poses for photographs with fans at a game between the Texas Longhorns and the Rhode Island Rams at the Frank Erwin Center. Texas beat Rhode Island 100-90. Mandatory Credit: Brendan Maloney-USA TODAY Sports

After the devastating tornado struck Moore, Oklahoma near Oklahoma City, Thunder star Kevin Durant showed us that he was a class act by donating $1 million to the disaster relief. The Red Cross announced the news, it was not Durant that came forward with the story. It goes to show that he was doing it out of the kindness of his heart and not the desire for attention.

Now, we are learning that Durant has done even more to help out those affected by the tornado.

Durant has encouraged Nike to donate $1 million in merchandise to the victims, along with the profits from special edition KD V Elites that were designed.

Here is the shoe that Durant and Nike have teamed up for with proceeds going to Oklahoma relief:

Proceeds from these KD V Elites to the Oklahoma relief efforts. (Photo via Bleacher Report on Twitter (@BleacherReport)

Durant is a class act. There is no denying that.

It is great that he continues to help out his community in any way possible. These are the stories that make us loves sports.

Apr 28, 2013; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Celtics center Kevin Garnett (5) and small forward Paul Pierce (34) celebrate against the New York Knicks during game four of the first round of the 2013 NBA playoffs at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Mark L. Baer-USA TODAY Sports

Speaking to ESPN’s Chris Forsberg, Boston Celtics co-owner Wyc Grousbeck said he’d not only like to have Paul Pierce back next season, but Kevin Garnett as well.

Per Forsberg:

“I want to retire Paul’s number, but I don’t want to do it any time soon because I want him to keep playing for us, to be honest. I want KG back. I want Doc back. I’d love to have Rondo back. I just want to get them more help, that’s my going-in assumption.”

Pierce of course, who is 35 (and will be 36 prior to the season), has hinted at potential retirement as has Kevin Garnett, who just turned 37.

That said – both Pierce and Garnett, despite their creaky knees, have continued to play well unlike many counterparts who’ve slowed down as they aged.

Pierce has an early termination clause in his contract for the upcoming 2013-14 season, which would allow him to opt out if so desires. If he doesn’t, he’ll be due over $15 million dollars in his final season under contract, though, the deal is only guaranteed for $4 million if the Celtics wanted to move on.

Garnett is due more than $12 million for the upcoming season as well as next, though, 2014-15 is not guaranteed.

Dec 21, 2012; Toronto, ON, Canada; The Raptors logo on the head of Toronto Raptors center Amir Johnson (15) against the Orlando Magic at the Air Canada Centre. The Raptors beat the Magic 93-90. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports

Earlier this morning, CBS’ Ken Berger reported that the Toronto Raptors had requested permission to speak to Indiana Pacers general manager Kevin Pritchard. That came on the heels of a report that the Denver Nuggets would deny the Raptors permission to speak with their GM, Masai Ujiri. However, apparently, there was a change of heart.

According to Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports, the Nuggets have indeed granted the Raptors permission to speak to Ujiri, somewhat of a shock given all of the refusal reports we’ve heard over the past week.

Per Wojo:

The Denver Nuggets have granted the Toronto Raptors permission to speak to the NBA’s Executive of the Year, Masai Ujiri, and a meeting is expected to take place within the next 24 hours, league sources told Yahoo! Sports.

Initial reports from earlier this week suggested that the Raptors were willing to pay upwards of $2 million dollars a year to bring Ujiri back to Toronto, where he served as an assistant general manager prior to taking the Nuggets job. However, Wojnarowski is reporting now that the Raptors are willing to pay $3 million:

Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment CEO Tim Leiweke is aggressively pursuing Ujiri to become the Raptors’ general manager and plans to present an offer that will pay him nearly $3 million annually over the course of a multiyear contract, league sources said.

September 18, 2011; Atlanta, GA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Michael Vick (7) runs the ball against the Atlanta Falcons in the first quarter at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Shirey-USA TODAY Sports

Michael Vick may not be the same quarterback that he once was before entering the league, but the Philadelphia Eagles quarterback still believes he has the elite speed that initially made him a star. With quarterbacks like Robert Griffin III and Colin Kaepernick making an impact in the NFL, Vick wants to remind us all that he is still the fastest there is.

“These guys are young and they’re fast and they’re quick, the thing I do have is a very quick get-up,” Vick said, via the Dan Patrick Show. “I really don’t feel like there’s a quarterback in the league who can beat me in a 40-yard dash. If somebody wants to set something up, I’ll be more than glad to accept the challenge. But as of right now I’m going to say me. But Colin Kaepernick is fast and RG3 is fast as well.”

Vick did reportedly beat teammate LeSean McCoy in a 40-yard dash race this season, so maybe there is something to his confidence with his speed.

The former No. 1 overall pick may have trouble holding on to the ball and he may be aging, but that doesn’t mean that he is slowing down. Whether or not Vick is the fastest quarterback in the league is hard to prove, but there is no doubt he ranks near the very top.

Feb 22, 2013; Toronto, ON, Canada; Toronto Raptors forward Rudy Gay (22) at center court during their game against the New York Knicks at the Air Canada Centre. The Raptors beat the Knicks 100-98. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports

Void of a general manager after removing Bryan Colangelo from the role, the Toronto Raptors have been doing their best to fill the vacancy.

Their initial hope was that they’d be able to sway current Denver Nuggets general manager Masai Ujiri back to his former stomping grounds in Toronto, even willing to pony up over $2 million a year to do so. But the Denver Nuggets haven’t exactly been happy to oblige, yet to give the Raptors permission to speak to the highly desired GM.

*UPDATE* – Raptors have been given permission to speak to Ujiri now

Next in line, apparently? None other than former Portland Trail Blazers and current Indiana Pacers GM, Kevin Pritchard.

Per CBS’ Ken Berger:

The Toronto Raptors have asked permission to interview Pacers general manager Kevin Pritchard to head up their basketball operations, league sources told CBSSports.com on Friday.

There’s been no word on if the Pacers have approved or denied their request.

Pritchard was a driving force behind some of the solid moves the Portland Trail Blazers made a few seasons back, although, at the time he wasn’t even the GM – simply an assistant. Going off of his recommendations though, the Blazers built up a solid core of youth that unfortunately didn’t materialize, much in part due to injuries.

Pritchard also rubbed a few the wrong way when he coined the phrase “Pritchslapped” in reference to “winning” trades with opposing general managers, though, it apparently hasn’t haunted him too much.

May 4, 2013; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Brooklyn Nets head coach P.J. Carlesimo reacts on the sidelines against the Chicago Bulls in game seven of the first round of the 2013 NBA Playoffs at the Barclays Center. Bulls win 99-93. Mandatory Credit: Debby Wong-USA TODAY Sports

It was a whirlwind season for the now former Brooklyn Nets head coach.

After the Nets fired Avery Johnson, P.J. Carlesimo took over the 14-14 team and compiled a 35-19 record from that point on, leading the Nets into the playoffs as the fourth seed in the Eastern Conference.

All was good, right? Well, not exactly.

The Nets dropped their opening round series against the Derrick Rose-less Chicago Bulls which lead to Carlesimo’s firing, but apparently, it wasn’t his fault. The coach, who’s most famous for his run-in with Latrell Sprewell during his time in Golden State, took some pretty big swipes at the Nets’ roster recently, questioning their ability to become a serious contender.

Per the New York Daily News:

I still would not call them one of the favorites.  I wouldn’t put that on whoever is lucky enough to get the job.  I think it’s a team that could win a lot of games.  I think it’s a 50-win team, a playoff team and a team that could do well, particularly in the Eastern Conference.  But to win a championship is a bear. …I still do think it’s a good job.

Photo via The Score

Josh Klein is a writer for FanSided partner BroJackson.com. For more great content, head on over to Bro Jackson and check out Josh’s work.

I’m going to pitch you a movie:

It’s 2013, and a dastardly villain named Mr. Swackhammer (who sounds a disturbing amount like Frank Reynolds) has spent a decade rotting in a prison on the moon. He is a broken man, forlornly bouncing a basketball in his dank cell, muttering to himself about a “go-go-gadget arm that put him in this hellhole,” when he sees a light shining through the bars on his cell window. It’s a ship, orange and round, hurtling toward the moon at an alarming rate, and finally crashing through the wall of Swackhammer’s cell. One of the panels of the orb opens with a smoky hiss, and out steps . . .wait for it . . . MICHAEL JORDAN.

He explains to Swackhammer that in the 18 years since Jordan and the Tune Squad defeated the MonStars and closed Moron Mountain for good, Jordan has embraced the dark side. Due to his inability to do wrong from 1983-1995, no one believes that his actions have had evil intentions. Drafting Adam Morrison third overall: Dastardly. Kwame Brown? You know it. He exclaims to Swackhammer, “I had a Hitler mustache in a national commercial for God’s sakes! Come on! I traded Tyson Chandler for Erick Dampier and then cut Dampier without even using the $13 million trade exception that was my only valuable asset! WHY DO PEOPLE THINK I AM A GOOD PERSON?”

Jordan decides the only way to teach the people of Earth a lesson and destroy their most iconic heroes, the Looney Tunes (yes, it’s a stretch, but America loves nostalgia). He says he’s even brought some friends, and out from the ship walks the Nerdlucks, who grab the ball Swackhammer has been bouncing. It’s the very ball that they use to steal talent from NBA players. Jordan says that it’s clear that the MonStars’ mistake years ago was only player choice. “Come on, Swackhammer! Shawn Bradley? Are you kidding? Let’s talk about who’s talent we’re going to steal. It’s 2013, and we need to find the best.”

PG: Russell Westbrook

Some people might say Chris Paul, but we’re not looking for floor generals here, nor are we looking for our guy to dish out assists (sorry Rajon). We want scoring, and we want a lot of it. His reckless playing style, unbelievable athleticism, and bad decisions are perfect for the MonStar squad. He’s a monster on the defensive end, and that’s also going to be important, remember, we need scoring, but the last Space Jam finished with a 78-77 final. Plus, as a bonus: His fashion sense comes with him. All of the MonStars will be wearing flower-print shirts and lenseless glasses for the whole movie!

SG: Kobe Bryant

Again, scoring is what we want, and age/bones-turning-to-dust are not a problem once his talents are transplanted into a MonStars body. He’s already got the facial expressions down, and we need his veteran leadership once the Looney Tunes inevitably drink some sort of “Special Drink” aka “Deer Antler Spray” at halftime.

SF: Kevin Durant

We need some outside shooting on this squad, plus our team was looking a little mean. Durant seems like a nice guy, and with KD on the court, it’ll keep Westbrook angry.

PF: Blake Griffin

Fine, this one’s just for the Sportscenter highlights and YouTube hits. Griffin is a borderline MonStar already.

C: Anthony Davis

Some people would have expected to see Dwight Howard in this spot, but he’s a cancer that we can’t afford on the MonStars, and it’s pretty clear what kind of marketing tie-ins this could bring about.

Team sounds good, right? Here’s the rest of the movie: The Nerdlucks steal the talent from these players, the Looney Tunes come to the rescue because they’ve seen all this before, and challenge the MonStars to a game (Yes, it’s the exact same plot as the first movie, but hey, it’s worked before), but they’ll need an NBA star of their own. Enter LeBron James.

LeBron and the Tune Squad go into halftime up 66-18, causing Jordan to yell at the Kobe-infused MonStar how he’ll never be as good as him; this speech can be unscripted, I’m sure Michael has a little something in the hopper. Jordan steps in to Kobe’s spot on the floor, leading a valiant second half comeback, but the MonStars fall short when Lebron hits a game-winning fullcourt shot. Jordan, Swackhammer, and the rest of the Nerdlucks are banished to a fate worse than moon jail: They’re required to attend every Charlotte Bobcats game for the rest of eternity.

Feb 6, 2013; Auburn, AL, USA: Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton cheers with students during the game between the Alabama Crimson Tide and the Auburn Tigers at Auburn Arena. The Tigers beat the Tide 49-37. Mandatory Credit: John Reed-USA TODAY Sports

Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton was instantly a star on the collegiate level during his time with the Auburn Tigers. Newton was only with Auburn for one year, but during his time at the university he set a number of college records and ultimately led the Tigers to a national championship.

Newton capped that year off with a Heisman Trophy, Maxwell Award, Manning Award, AP Player of the Year and then he was finally named the No. 1 overall pick in the 2011 NFL Draft.

While Newton hit the wall in his sophomore season with the Panthers, he is preparing to bounce back in 2013. During Panthers OTAs this past week, Newton was spotted representing his college team during the workouts.

Here is the image of Newton at the Panthers OTA rocking the Auburn logo:

Photo via reddit (r/CFB)

If Newton can dial in to his Auburn success, that would be a great sign for the Panthers moving forward.

That is one of the great things about college football. Your pride will never leave you.

I am sure Auburn fans love seeing the little shout out from Newton.

Feb 3, 2013; New Orleans, LA, USA; Baltimore Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis (52) prior to their game against the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl XLVII at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports

Former Baltimore Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis is a future Hall of Famer with two Super Bowl championships, but he is ready to add another accomplishment his career. Lewis announced that he plans to climb Mount Killimanjaro in June for an effort to raise awareness and funds for an East African clean water project.

“In one month, I will climb Mt. Kilimanjaro in Tanzania to raise money and awareness for clean water projects in East Africa,” Lewis wrote on his web site.

“I am so FIRED UP for this adventure, but until then, I need your help to bring clean water wells to thousands of children and families. Show your support by following my TackleKili journey, spreading the word, and donating to TackleKili. Each action you complete below earns you more entries to win my autographed helmet! Thank you for your support and good luck!

Killimanjaro is the highest free-standing mountain in the world at over 19,000 feet above sea level.

Those who register and donate through Lewis’ site will be eligible to win a Lewis autographed Ravens helmet.

If you want to help spread the word on social media, Lewis has already started the hashtag “#TackleKilli”.

It would be just another great accomplishment in the up and down life of Ray Lewis.

May 19, 2012; Munich, GERMANY; Chelsea defender Ashley Cole (3) carries the ball against Bayern Munich midfielder Thomas Muller (25) during the UEFA Champions League final at Allianz Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mitchell Gunn-USA TODAY Sports

For the third time in 4 years, Bayern Munich is in the Champions League Final. In 2010, Munich lost to Inter Milan 2-0 and then they failed to win the Champions League in their home stadium against Chelsea last year. They lost in penalty kicks in that contest. They are dangerously close to becoming the Buffalo Bills of European soccer.

“We have to win,” said Munich forward Thomas Müller. “If you lose three finals in four seasons you are going to be labelled chokers. We could win a lot in London but we could lose a lot, too.”

Winning in London, the backyard of the team that beat them in the Champions League is an interesting scenario but irrelevant as they’re playing their league rival in the Final.

“Every sportsman wants success. It is very important,” Müller said. “What would happen if you don’t win? Well, everyone has to cope with that themselves.”

A young local journalist asked Bayern Munich manager, Jupp Heynckes, if they could survive a third defeat in the final.

“You are a young man and young men should be optimistic. I have been a coach for 34 years and I’ve always looked forward. Be optimistic for us.”

Müller had a lot to say about this game:

“It’s a spicy game and I like spicy food. It’s great we’re playing Dortmund. Everything is about this final. Everything is big. Excitement is big. You can win and lose a lot.

“We were runners-up three times last season so we know where we want to go.

“In football you always look forward and it’s about the next game you play. Of course, you look back also but last year’s final and the one of three years ago has nothing to do with this game, apart from the players that played in those two games.

“Last year we’d loved to have won it. We have to win this cup — whether it is in Munich or London is not so important to me.

“It seems this season we’ve been stronger away from home than we have been at home so it’s looking good for us.

“The pressure is always there with Bayern but we can cope with it. We’re a stronger team now. The players developed and we made great signings that improved the team.”

“After Euro 2000, things have really changed. Two teams in the Champions League final is the proof of this.”

Is it safe to say he is focused?

May 22, 2013; Ottawa, ON, CAN; Pittsburgh Penguins right wing Pascal Dupuis (9) celebrates with left wing Matt Cooke (24) after a goal against the Ottawa Senators in the third period in game four of the second round of the 2013 Stanley Cup playoffs at Scotiabank Place. The Penguins defeated the Senators by a score of 7-3. Mandatory Credit: Marc DesRosiers-USA TODAY Sports

The Pittsburgh Penguins have dropped just one game in their Eastern Conference semifinals series against the Ottawa Senators and that came in double-overtime in Game 3. To respond to their first bit of adversity this series, Pittsburgh came out and dominated Ottawa by a score of 7-3. It was a demoralizing loss for the Senators and now all of the momentum is in Pittsburgh’s corner heading in to tonight’s game.

If Pittsburgh can perform like they have for most of this series, they will be punching their ticket to the Eastern Conference finals while the Senators get booted from the NHL postseason.

What time do the Penguins and Senators drop the puck? We’ve got all of the information you will need to know to make sure you don’t miss out on any of the action.

Start time: 7:30 p.m. ET
Location: Pittsburgh, PA
Venue: Consol Energy Center
TV Info: NBC Sports Network
Live Stream: NBC Sports Live Extra

Here is how the Pens – Senators series has played out so far:

• Game 1: Penguins 4, Senators 1
• Game 2: Penguins 4, Senators 3
• Game 3: Senators 2, Penguins 1 (2OTs)
• Game 4: Penguins 7, Senators 3
• Game 5: Friday, May 24, Ottawa at Pittsburgh, 7:30 p.m., NBCSN
• *Game 6: Sunday, May 26, Pittsburgh at Ottawa, Time TBD
• *Game 7: Tuesday, May 28, Ottawa at Pittsburgh, Time TBD

Dec 3, 2011; Atlanta, GA, USA; A detailed view of an SEC logo on a yard marker during the first half of the 2011 SEC championship game between the LSU Tigers and the Georgia Bulldogs at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

There is almost no true college football fan that can argue that anyone other than the SEC is the most dominant conference in the nation. If they do, they are either blinded by their favorite team’s colors or they simply have been living under a rock. Regardless, the Southeastern Conference is as good as it gets.

One of the aspects of the SEC that sets it apart from the others is the level of passionate fan bases and the historic rivalries that take place.

Everyone wants to know how you stack up against your rivals, so you will always hear debates about who has more Heisman Trophy winners or who has hoisted the most national championship trophies. Those are all good ways to compare who the most dominant team in the conference is, but there is also another way.

The folks at College Spun looked over the records of every SEC team since 2001 to determine who had the best winning percentage. When taking in to consideration of the conference record, College Spun did not include conference championship games. 

The results aren’t terribly surprising, but there are a few teams that could be a notch or two higher or lower than you would imagine.

Here are how all of the teams stack up:

1. LSU – .729 winning percentage (70-26)
2. Florida – .708 winning percentage (68-28)
3. Georgia – .698 winning percentage (67-29)
4. Alabama – .646 winning percentage (62-34)
5. Auburn – .604 winning percentage (58-38)
6. Tennessee – .531 winning percentage (51-45)
7. South Carolina – .510 winning percentage (49-47)
8. Arkansas - .500 winning percentage (48-48)
9. Ole Miss – .344 winning percentage (33-63)
10. Mississippi State - .263 winning percentage (26-70)
11. Kentucky – .250 winning percentage (24-62)
12. Vanderbilt – .208 winning percentage (20-76)

NOTE: Texas A&M and Missouri were not included in the list because they just joined the conference last season. If they were to be included, however, Missouri would be tied with Kentucky (.250), while the Aggies would hold the top spot (.750).

Despite Alabama’s recent dominance, they come in at only No. 4 on the list, but that is nothing to be ashamed of when you look at their success over the past few years. There is also the fact that many believe the SEC East, where Florida and Georgia reside, is the weakest of the two divisions within the conference.

Make of the conference records what you will, but it is not the only way to stack the SEC teams up against each other.

Every year there is a shift in power, but there is no denying LSU has had the most consistent success.

What do you make of the conference records since 2001? Sound off in the comments section and share your thoughts.

[H/T: College Spun]

Jan 12, 2013; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Gegard Mousasi (black shorts) and Mike Kyle (grey shorts) in their Strikeforce MMA Light Heavyweight bout at the Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports

While most of the eyes in the mixed martial arts world will be on Saturday night’s UFC 160 pay-per view, there is a quality fight card taking place on AXS TV from Championship Fighting Alliance. The event, which takes place at BankUnited Center in Coral Gables, features a headline bout between Strikeforce and UFC veteran Mike Kyle and seasoned MMA veteran Travis Wiuff, who has a total of 85 professional fights on his record.

Kyle is a training partner of UFC heavyweight champion Cain Velasquez at American Kickboxing Academy, who fights in the previously mentioned UFC 160 this weekend.

In the night’s co-main event, a female featured bout between Allanna Jones and controversial transgender fighter Fallon Fox will take place. All eyes will be on Fox as the world finally gets to see her perform on live television.

If you want to catch all of the CFA 11: Kyle vs. Wiuff II action tonight, here is the information you will need:

Date: May 24, 2013
Location: Coral Gables, Florida
Venue: BankUnited Center
Broadcast: AXS TV
Live Stream: N/A

Enjoy this preview video from Championship Fighting Alliance:

Here is the night’s fight card that will be broadcast on AXS TV:

• Mike Kyle vs. Travis Wiuff
• Fallon Fox vs. Allanna Jones
• Luis Palomino vs. Robert Washington
• Elvin Brito vs. Sean Soriano
• Czar Sklavos vs. Alexis Vila
• Oscar Delgado vs. Mike King

Check back with FanSided.com later tonight for the CFA 11 results.

May 16, 2013; Berea, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Brandon Weeden (3) talks on a cell phone after organized team activities at the Cleveland Browns Training Facility. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports

Cleveland Browns quarterback Brandon Weeden is ready to head home to the Oklahoma City area where he will be helping the victims in Moore, Oklahoma who were affected by the devastating tornado earlier this week. Weeden has been talking with Oklahoma Lt. Gov. Todd Lamb since the disaster and he plans to visit over Memorial Day weekend to help out in any way he can.

“I’ll do anything, whether it’s getting in the rubble and doing whatever, it doesn’t matter,” Weeden said, via the Associated Press. “I’ll be there to help.”

The tornado hit very close to home for Weeden, who’s wife, Melanie, is from Moore. Her brother and mother still live in the town, but they were not affected by the natural disaster.

It actually went right through my wife’s hometown,” Weeden said. “Fourth Street, the path they keep talking about, my mother-in-law lives on Main, which is four blocks north of it, and my brother-in-law lives two blocks south of it. It went right over the top of them. Very, very fortunate to have no injuries and everybody’s safe.”

Weeden became a star at Oklahoma State, so it is great to see him returning home to help out in his community when they need it the most.

Browns wide receiver Josh Cooper is also from Moore, Oklahoma and he plans to visit the town and lend a helping hand in the coming weeks. When Cooper learned of what Weeden would be doing, he was very thankful and appreciative.

“What a great guy,” Cooper said. “That’s pretty cool to see. I saw the picture with his jersey hanging from stuff out there. Props to him, that’s a great thing he’s doing.”

May 19, 2012; Munich, GERMANY; Bayern Munich fans cheer during the UEFA Champions League final against Chelsea at Allianz Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mitchell Gunn-USA TODAY Sports

Tomorrow afternoon’s Championship League final is set to begin at 2:45 p.m. EST at Wembley Stadium in London, England. The participants in the final are two German giants and Bundesliga rivals – Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich.

The heated rivalry should lead to a very exciting final on Saturday as the two sides battle it out yet again for one of the most prestigious trophies in the sport.

[RELATED: 2013 Champions League Final Preview: Borussia Dortmund vs Bayern Munich]

There is no knowing who will have the edge on the pitch on gameday, but you can always look over the history and stats to get a better idea of how things may play out.

Here is the Borussia Dortmund vs. Bayern Munich infographic to help you have a better idea of who will hoist the UEFA Champions League final on Saturday, via favourit:

Infographic courtesy of Favourit

Tune in to FanSided.com tomorrow for the Champions League final results immediately following the conclusion of the match.

SEE ALSO:

• Dortmund’s Mario Götze to Miss Champions League Final Against Bayern Munich

Dec. 9, 2011; Tualatin, OR, USA; Portland Trail Blazers head coach Nate McMillan speaks with the media after the first day of the Portland Trail Blazers training camp. Mandatory Credit: Steve Dykes-USA TODAY Sports

It came as no surprise when the Los Angeles Clippers announced earlier this week that they had fired head coach Vinny Del Negro, but now all attention turns to who Clippers owner Donald Sterling will target as a replacement. While their aren’t many names surfacing in the Clippers head coaching search just yet, it appears that the team is ready to go after a man with plenty of experience.

Per Chris Broussard of ESPN:

The Clippers, having just released Vinny Del Negro on Tuesday, are in the early stages of their search. They are high on Nate McMillan. Byron Scott and Golden State assistant Mike Malone are also strong candidates. Both have ties to Chris Paul as they coached him in New Orleans, and Paul is believed to be fond of each of them.

Let me start off by saying, yes, this is Chris Broussard, but the McMillan hire would make a lot of sense if he was really interested in the job.

The Clippers are a very attractive job for potential coaching candidates, so this process could take a while as Sterling sorts through the candidates and searches for the best fit.

Nov 18, 2012; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) talks with wide receiver Wes Welker (83) before the start of the game against the Indianapolis Colts at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports

When the New England Patriots decided to pass up on re-signing wide receiver Wes Welker and watch him bolt to the Denver Broncos, there were mixed reactions from those within the organization and the fans of the team. Some of the reports focused on Tom Brady’s unhappiness with the decision, but he has never really opened up about the decision.

That all changed when he went on Dennis & Callahan to talk about the move. As you would expect, Brady was very supportive and understanding about the business aspect of the NFL.

“I don’t think anything surprises me any more in the NFL,” Brady said during an appearance on WEEI. “I’ve been around long enough to see things happen at different times with the greatest players of all, whether that’s Wes, or Randy Moss being traded from the Raiders, or Brett Favre playing for the Jets and the Vikings. That’s what happens. Like I said, it’s a very tough, competitive business.”

Brady didn’t get too involved in the discussion about his emotions that tied in to Welker’s release, but he did hint that he would have done things a little differently if he was running the show.

“Of course I have feelings. But those feelings are very personal to me,. I used to get caught up in anger and frustration and disappointment. But I don’t make the decisions. These things aren’t up to me,” Brady added. “At some point you’ve got to realize the things that are out of your control. You’ve just got to let go and focus on my job and what I need to do. Because the game moves on, the team moves on. There’s only so long you can dwell on the past. At some point you’ve got to move forward. Like I said, my job for my team is to be the best quarterback, and not the general manager and not the coach and not the owner.”

Brady is a seasoned veteran, so no one understands the game quite like him at this point in his career.

While he may be upset about the decision to let Welker walk behind closed doors, he is a true professional and won’t publicly speak out. Brady wants the focus to remain on the team’s performance on the field, so he will not become a distraction off the field by causing controversy over Welker’s departure.

Feb 27, 2013; Los Angeles, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins guard/forward Shabazz Muhammad (15) during the game against the Arizona State Sun Devils at Pauley Paviliion. UCLA won in overtime 79-74. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

The NBA Draft is fast approaching and while four fan bases remain glued to the tube to see if their favorite team can make championship dreams come true, 26 other teams are combing draft sheets and reviewing tape to see if they can’t find the player to take them to the level of Conference Finals dominance. One of those players may be UCLA forward Shabazz Muhammad, but according to ESPN draft analyst Chad Ford, Muhammed may take an epic tumble which could land him outside the lottery picks.

Ford currently has Muhammad mocked 14th overall to the Utah Jazz which is not only an absolute steal for the Jazz but it’s a representation of how much Muhammad’s stock has dropped over the last month. But while Ford has Muhammad mocked tot he Jazz at the very end of the lottery picks, the question needs to be asked how real is the possibility that Muhammad falls out of the lottery?

The answer is quite simply low at the moment.

Yes, Muhammad’s stock has dropped recently and his critics are mounting faster than any other player in his class. But Muhammad is one of the most gifted scores in the draft and that’s something that teams put above mostly everything at the end of the day.

In all honesty, there’s not a very good reason as to why Muhammad would slip past the Detroit Pistons at 8th overall, as Detroit is looking like a fit for the UCLA product. The Pistons need a flashy scoring option and Muhammad fits the bill almost perfectly. He has his flaws, but he’s a scorer who will try to light up the board every game and teams value that in the NBA even if they try to avoid the topic.

However, while there’s serious reason to believe the Pistons would bite if Muhammad fell to them at 8th overall, their biggest need is at the three spot and someone could fall with Muhammad that fills that need and makes a better pick. After Detroit there’s Minnesota who could look Muhammed’s way but seem to need a scoring point guard more. Portland is likely to look at a shooting guard while Philadelphia and Oklahoma City will be looking at bigs with their picks.

That brings us right to the next possible spot for Muhammed which is the Dallas Mavericks pick. Dallas doesn’t want this pick and Muhammed might be a guy that teams would trade up to get if he falls this far as there’s a significant drop off in talent outside of the lottery. If no one bites there we have Utah who likely won’t pass on Muhammad and will thusly save him from dropping out of the lottery.

It will be interesting to see what happens on Draft day as a team may take Muhammad because he’s a flashy name who happens to be a flashy scorer. Both things are coveted in the NBA which makes projected Muhammad’s eventual landing spot extremely difficult at this time.

May 18, 2013; Jaragua do Sul, BRAZIL; A general view during the fight between Roger Hollett (white shorts) and Fabio Maldonado (black shorts) during UFC on FX 8 at Arena Jaragua. Mandatory Credit: Jason da Silva-USA TODAY Sports

Over the past few years, there have been a number of fighters in mixed martial arts that have had the results of their bouts overturned and received suspensions from the local governing bodies because of testing positive for marijuana. The suspensions have come under fire because of the length of the suspensions, which often seem very unfair. Depending on where the failed drug test takes place, marijuana suspension can last as long as suspensions for elevated testosterone levels.

That presents an obvious problem.

This sends the message that marijuana and steroids should result in the same punishment and that has rubbed a lot of fighters the wrong way.

One fighter, Thiago Silva, has spoken up about the issue.

“You know, it’s very complicated what to say about that,” said Silva, according to BJPenn.com.  “A lot of guys, they like to drink, you know; I don’t drink, I like to smoke.  I don’t smoke any more, because I really can’t [with my career], but I used to like a lot because it helps me to relax- it’s not like a drug like everybody say[s]. So actually, it’s legal in California, you know.  To be honest, I don’t think it’s fair, you know, because it doesn’t change your performance.”

In a way, Silva has a point.

If marijuana is legally prescribed for a fighter, he should be able to do that in his own time without having to worry about any form of punishment. However, each sport can regulate usage of any substance however they see fit.

There are many of people in the jiu-jitsu community that view marijuana as a performance enhancer because it allows you to focus and see things from a different mindset. So while everyone may not believe it affects your performance, there are many that believe it does.

If the UFC wants to suspend fighters because of marijuana usage, they have every right to. Let’s just hope that they find a way to bring back the suspensions to a more reasonable level of two or three months.

What do you think about marijuana in mixed martial arts? Sound off in the comments section and share your thoughts.

Dec 9, 2012; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings defensive end Jared Allen (69) before the game against the Chicago Bears at the Metrodome. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports

The Minnesota VIkings are entering an interesting period in terms of where the franchise is headed, but there’s a massive, mulleted question mark standing in the way of fans fully embracing the change. Jared Allen told the Star Tribune earlier this week that he would leave the Vikings if they asked him to take a pay cut and he hasn’t backed off that claim. In fact Allen is continuing to question his future with the Vikings and has said he’s not sure if he’ll be with the Vikings in 2014 after his contract expires.

Allen has without a doubt been 1-B on the team in terms of the guy fans love to see hit the field. There’s no questioning Adrian Peterson’s supremacy on the as the face of the franchise but Allen and that mullet — which he recently grew back– have been as prominent as anything in Minnesota in recent years.

But while fans love him, Allen is taking a very hostile stance with management in regards to his contract and that’s not a good thing for fans hoping to see him continue his career with the Vikings.

Currently Allen is entering the final year of his contract and he’s already laying down the law when it comes to what offers the Vikings might come at him with. The Pro Bowler is slated to make $14.2 million in base salary in 2013 with an additional $2.5 million in bonuses bringing his cap hit to around $17 million for Minnesota this season.

Allen can’t possibly think at age 31 he’ll be offered $17 million from the Vikings in 2014 when he’s an unrestricted free agent but he seems to be slamming the door on the organization already. He’s very sensitive to the term ‘restructure’ and thinks of it as an insult of the worst kind towards him should the VIkings approach him with the notion.

Frankly, it’s extremely greedy and low of Allen to essentially give the Vikings the finger before they even think about asking him to help them get some extra cash to alleviate salary cap tension. Allen is entitled to a decent chunk of coin for living through the terrible teams Minnesota has produced the last few years since 2009 but you can’t complain about not having good talent and then lock the safe when it comes time to chip in and put you money where your mouth is.

And it’s not as if the media is blowing this out of proportion — Allen is taking a hostile stance with the Vikings for no apparent reason other than he’s setting his price for them now and it’s either pay up or get out of his way in free agency next season.

Vikings fans are growing increasingly displeased with Allen and this lashing out at the team he has been so much a part of is a really bad look for Allen — worse than the mullet which is increasingly becoming uncool with each hostile remark he makes.

At the 2013 NFLPA Rookie Premiere in Los Angeles, a group of the NFL’s incoming rookie class took some time to take in one of the latest films, “Star Trek Into Darkness.” You wouldn’t necessarily view a group of elite athletes as Trekkies, but you never know what people enjoy in their spare time. In a video that was produced by SB Nation, many of the rookies from the premiere shared their thoughts on the film. 

During the review, we learned that the rookies who weren’t enjoying their Milk Duds simply fell asleep while they watched the film. Of course, there was a large number of the athletes that said they enjoyed the film.

Some of the rookies featured in the review were the likes of Dolphins linebacker Dion Jordan, Saints wide receiver Kenny Stills, Chargers receiver Keenan Allen, Eagles quarterback Matt Barkley, Jaguars running back Denard Robinson, Giants quarterback Ryan Nassib, Packers running back Eddie Lacy and Cowboys rookies Joseph Randle and Terrance Williams.

Here is the video from the rookies as they share their thoughts on “Star Trek Into Darkness”:

If you want out to see the film, share your own thoughts by sounding off in the comments section.