Sports Briefs 7.6.21

NBA

The Phoenix Suns and Milwaukee Bucks will tip off the 2021 NBA Finals in the desert tonight. It’s the first appearance for Milwaukee in the finals since 1974. The Suns are looking to make a mark as they reach their first NBA Finals since 1993.

The Atlanta Hawks are committing long term to head coach Nate McMillan. General manager Travis Schlenk announced the team is removing the interim label from his title, making him the permanent coach moving forward. The contract is for four years, according to ESPN. McMillan led Atlanta to the Eastern Conference Finals after taking over the team in March. The Hawks were 14-20 at that point, but ended the year 27-11 to make their first run to the East Finals since 2015.

NHL

Josh Anderson scored 3:57 into overtime as the Montreal Canadiens beat the Tampa Bay Lightning 3-2 last night. The win forces a Game Five in Tampa on Wednesday as the series is now a three-games-to-one lead for Tampa Bay.

NFL

The top 2021 overall pick is under contract. Trevor Lawrence has signed his rookie contract with the Jaguars. Jacksonville selected Lawrence out of Clemson with the first overall pick back in April’s draft. The highly-touted quarterback prospect is expected to receive 36-point-8 million dollars over four years. More than 24-million is expected to be guaranteed. There is a standard fifth-year option as well.

Golf

The fourth iteration of “The Match” will be held between Phil Mickelson and Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady vs. Bryson DeChambeau and Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers today in Big Sky Montana. The made-for-television golf event will be held at The Reserve Golf Course at Moonlight Basin, which plays at eight-thousand-yards from the tips and features a 777-yard, par-five 17th hole. The four men have been trading barbs on social media leading up to the event. Coverage of “The Match” starts at 4 pm Central time on T-N-T.

Soccer

Nashville will host the USA vs. Canada World Cup Qualifier Match on September 5th. It will be the first qualifier match for the U.S. Men’s National Team on its quest to the 2022 World Cup. Nissan Stadium hosted a Mexico-vs-Panama friendly match on June 30th.