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1. Justin Herbert shines against Dolphins; puts Chargers in seventh seed
Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert put on a show on Sunday Night Football to lead the Chargers past the Miami Dolphins and back into the playoff picture. The Sporting Tribune’s Fernando Ramirez was at SoFi Stadium and has the latest on the surging Chargers.
A lot was made when Chargers versus Dolphins was made the primetime, especially because of the connection between the quarterbacks. Justin Herbert and Tua Tagovailoa will be forever connected due to the 2020 NFL draft class. Herbert was the quarterback that shined on Sunday night and led the Chargers to a 23-17 victory over the Dolphins. He threw for 367 yards and one touchdown, but how he controlled the game made the difference. This victory slots the Chargers into the seventh and final playoff spot. This game was more than that, though. It showed fight from a team that was down safety Derwin James, defensive tackle Sebastian Joseph-Day, and cornerback Bryce Callahan.
2. USC QB Caleb Williams wins the Heisman Trophy
USC quarterback Caleb Williams was named the 2022 winner of the Heisman Trophy on Saturday. The Sporting Tribune has more on Williams’ big night in New York City.
Williams, the 88th winner in the award’s history, earned 544 first-place votes. He threw for 4,075 yards with 37 touchdowns for the 11-2 Trojans. He also rushed for 372 yards and 10 touchdowns, throwing just four interceptions as the Trojans went 8-1 in the Pac-12. Williams and USC will face Tulane in the Cotton Bowl on Jan. 2. “This is really awesome to be up here,” Williams said. “To now be a part of this historic fraternity is truly an honor and something I will cherish for the rest of my life.” The four finalists, all named Monday, were all quarterbacks: Georgia’s Stetson Bennett, TCU’s Max Duggan, Ohio State’s C.J. Stroud and Williams. Williams entered the evening as the runaway favorite for the award, despite being the only finalist to miss the College Football Playoff. “Guess you can’t win them all,” Williams quipped.
3. Morocco's rising World Cup star
Croatia and Argentina secured their spots in the World Cup semifinals, and Morocco beat Portugal to become the first African team to reach the final four. They will play the defending champions France, who beat England in their quarter-final match. The Sporting Tribune’s Chandrima Chatterjee has more on the World Cup’s Cinderella story.
Through the dark skies of controversy and grief of the 2022 World Cup, one star has risen to shine its light. The green star of Morocco made history when the Atlas Lions defeated the entire Iberian Peninsula, first Spain in the Round of 16, then Portugal in the Quarter-final. Morocco, despite being sleepy giants of African football, have a history of record-making. In 1970, they were the first African nation to claim a World Cup point. In 1986, they were the first African team in the Round of 16. And now, in 2022, they are the first African country in a World Cup semifinal.
4. Lakers escape Pistons and end road trip at 3-3
The Lakers snap their three-game losing streak with a much-needed victory over the Detroit Pistons. The Sporting Tribune’s Rey Moralde has more on the Lakers getting back to their winning ways.
The Lakers beat the Detroit Pistons with a closer-than-we-expected 124-117 win. This is no disrespect whatsoever to the Detroit Pistons. I thought the Lakers would run away early and win comfortably. The Pistons are young and clearly in rebuilding mode. Everyone expected them to be at or near the bottom and came into this game with a 7-21 slate.
5. Evaluating the Ducks' 2022-23 first quarter performance
The 2022-23 season has not been kind to the Anaheim Ducks. The Sporting Tribune’s Derek Lee gives his evaluation of the team at the first quarter mark of the season.
Through 28 games, the Anaheim Ducks sit dead last not only in the Pacific Division but the entire league. Their 7-18-3 record and -50 goal differential include just one regulation win and pair of special teams units that are 31st (second-to-last) among all teams. They concede the highest amount of shots per game (37.5) league-wise by a significant margin and both of their goaltenders currently hold save percentages under .900. Their latest result was a 6-1 drubbing to the 27th-placed San Jose Sharks. There are some positives as well. Troy Terry and Trevor Zegras are on track to outpace their point totals from their breakout performances last season. Mason McTavish is perhaps in the midst of his own this year. Defenseman Cam Fowler, too, has quietly put together a solid offensive campaign. He’s on track to break his career-high in points for the second time in three seasons.
6. Freshman lead No. 19 UCLA to victory over Denver
UCLA freshman Will McClendon received extended minutes and used them well while Dylan Andrews led the way for No. 19 UCLA over Denver. The Sporting Tribune’s Kamran Nia has more from the Bruins’ win.
When Wil McClendon checked in after 2:15 minutes of play, No. 19 UCLA Bruins fans knew they would see extended looks of deep rotation players. The redshirt freshman McClendon immediately forced a turnover amid a 14-1 Bruins scoring run. The run would give them a 16-4 lead, one they would never lose, before beating the Denver Pioneers, 87-64. Still working back to form from an ACL injury, McClendon played 11 minutes, scoring three points. Even with deep rotation players checking in early, the Bruins were challenged in the first half. Despite forcing 12 turnovers, the Pioneers kept the game close by shooting 57.1% from the floor and 66.7% from beyond the arc.
7. Odds and Ends presented by Circa Sports
Here are some odds at Circa Sports if you’re thinking about placing a wager today:
8. Ticket Time presented by TickPick
Here are the “get in” prices for tickets if you’re thinking about going to a game today:
Boston Celtics at LA Clippers: $35
9. On the Air presented by Pirnia Law
Here are the game times and television channels for professional teams in the region today:
4:30 p.m. – Anaheim Ducks at Ottawa Senators – Bally Sports West
7:30 p.m. – Boston Celtics at LA Clippers – Bally Sports SoCal
10. The Arash Markazi Show presented by The Sporting Tribune
Friday was the debut of Legends of Sports Friday with hall of fame photographer Andy Bernstain, who interviewed fellow hall of famers Bill Walton and Ralph Lawler.
Listen to The Arash Markazi Show presented by The Sporting Tribune on The Mightier 1090 ESPN Radio in Southern California, 98.5 The Fan in Las Vegas and the Hawaii Sports Radio Network 95.1 FM and 760 AM in Hawaii. You can also listen to the show on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Play and Stitcher.
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That’s it for today. Talk to you all tomorrow!
