The Shoes That Won Last Night: Justin Verlander Dominates ALDS Game Five, NBA Preseason Action

Not Available Lead
Complex Original

Image via Complex Original

Not Available Lead

Lead
Image via Getty Images/Jonathan Daniel

The Divisional round of the MLB is officially over after the Detroit Tigers defeated the Oakland Athletics 3-0 behind a fantastic outing from Justin Verlander and a home run from Miguel Cabrera. Now the League Championship Series is set with the NLCS featuring the Los Angeles Dodgers vs. the St. Louis Cardinals while the ALCS features the Tigers vs. the Boston Red Sox. Get your popcorn!

The New York Giants continued their sorry season as they went to 0-6 in a loss to the Chicago Bears. Brandon Marshall had some pretty nice touchdown catches and Bears cornerback was all over the field with two interceptions and a touchdown in the Bears' 27-21 victory. The NBA Preseason went overseas as the Houston Rockets routed the Indiana Pacers 116-96 behind 21 points from James Harden in the Mall of Asia Arena in Manila. There were also some interesting matchups back in the States including the Kings vs. the Lakers and the Miami Heat vs. the Detroit Pistons on the schedule. Here are The Shoes That Won Last Night.

Rafael Canton is a freelance writer from Queens, NY and contributor to Sneaker Report. Anytime there is a conversation about the NBA, music, or nutella, he can be found in the thick of the discussion. He can be found on Twitter @RafelitoC7.

RELATED: The Shoes That Won Last Night: NLDS Game Five, and NBA Pre-Season Action
RELATED:
 The Shoes That Won Last Night: MLB Playoffs Heat Up, WNBA Finals Rout

adidas Payoff
Image via Getty Images/Mike Young

Shoe: adidas Payoff
Player: Patrick Beverley
Game: Houston Rockets vs. Indiana Pacers

Jeremy Lin better watch his back. Patrick Beverley has been impressing the Houston Rockets since last year with his fearless and impressive play at the point guard position. In yesterday's game in Manila against the Pacers, Beverley was impressive all-around with 12 points, 4 rebounds, and 5 assists to help the Rockets defeat the Pacers rather easily 116-96. Beverley got the start over Lin, and we wouldn't be shocked if that ever became permanent with how Beverley has played recently.

$80

Nike Alpha Pro TD
Image via Getty Images/Jonathan Daniel

Shoe: Nike Alpha Pro TD
Player: Jay Cutler
Game: Chicago Bears vs. New York Giants

The New York Giants are a sorry team right now, but let's focus on the positive. Jay Cutler is having a solid season and he kept that solid season moving with a good performance against the Giants on Thursday night. Cutler hooked up with Brandon Marshall for two touchdowns in the second quarter and he managed the game well. The Bears might need a little more from Cutler in the future but the point is that he's getting the job done by putting the Bears in the Playoff discussion.

$95

Nike Zoom Hyperdunk
Image via USA TODAY SPORTS

Shoe: Nike Zoom Hyperdunk
Player: DeMarcus Cousins
Game: Sacramento Kings vs. Los Angeles Lakers

We all were shocked when DeMarcus Cousins was able to secure a big contract extension from the Sacramento Kings. He's a ridiculously talented young center, but in short he is a knucklehead. The Kings have been a disaster over the past few years, but with a new ownership group and some shrewd moves, the Kings could be a little bit better with Cousins featured in the middle. In the Kings' Thursday night Preseason game against the Lakers, Cousins had 16 points and 12 rebounds in 26 minutes in a 104-86 Kings victory.

$140

Nike Hyperdunk
Image via USA TODAY SPORTS

Shoe: Nike Hyperdunk
Player: Seimone Augustus
Game: Minnesota Lynx vs. Atlanta Dream

The WNBA crown is back in Minnesota as the Lynx finished off their sweep of the Atlanta Dream with an 86-77 victory. Championships usually seem like hard work, but the Lynx made this look rather easy winning all seven Playoff games to sweep the entire Playoffs. The Lynx got a balanced effort from their starting lineup including 14 points from Seimone Augustus who also had 8 of those points in the fourth quarter to help put the Dream away for good.

$140

New Balance 2000 PE's
Image via Getty Images/Ezra Shaw

Shoe: New Balance 2000 PE's
Player: Miguel Cabrera
Game: Detroit Tigers vs. Oakland Athletics

Triple crowns mean nothing if you aren't getting clutch hits when it counts. Miguel Cabrera proved that he's clutch with a two-run homer in the top of the fourth inning to give the Tigers a 2-0 lead and gave stating pitcher Justin Verlander something to work with. Cabrera's been dealing with a sore groin and abdominal strain, but he still powered through to take the Tigers to the ALCS despite facing a 2-1 deficit in the series.

$80

Nike Air Max Hyperposite
Image via USA TODAY SPORTS

Shoe: Nike Air Max Hyperposite
Player: Chris Bosh
Game: Miami Heat vs. Detroit Pistons

Does Miami take any breaks from taking apart the competition? It's the NBA Preseason, but Miami seems already primed to defend their NBA title once again. Chris Bosh scored 28 points for Miami in just 25 minutes of action. Bosh's jumper was on point and he also got into the lane for some easy finishes under the rim to help Miami finish off Detroit 102-97 making Miami 2-0 during the Preseason so far. Any wagers on how likely Miami will be back winning the championship?

$150

Nike Alpha Pro TD Low
Image via Getty Images/David Banks/Stringer

Shoe: Nike Alpha Pro TD Low
Player: Tim Jennings
Game: Chicago Bears vs. New York Giants

Eli Manning was a hot mess for the 0-6 Giants, but that's another story. His three interceptions were costly, but Tim Jennings took advantage of Eli's misfortune like there were interceptions on sale. Jennings got his coupons and was able to get two interceptions and one of those interceptions led to the first touchdown of the game giving the Bears a 7-0 lead early in the game. The other interception sealed the 27-21 victory for the hometown Bears as they improved their record to 4-2.

$95

Nike Lunar Hypergamer Low
Image via Getty Images/Mike Young

Shoe: Nike Lunar Hypergamer Low
Player: James Harden
Game: Houston Rockets vs. Indiana Pacers

NBA players better be prepared to fear the beard and also watch out for Dwight Howard. James Harden had 21 points in the Rockets 116-96 victory over the Indiana Pacers in Manila. Harden also had 5 rebounds, 4 assists, and 4 steals for the Rockets making his living at the free-throw line with ten attempts throughout the game. Harden only played 27 minutes but was efficient and effective looking like he was in midseason form.

$85

Nike HYPERVENOM Phelon IC
Image via Getty Images/Jonathan Daniel

Shoe: Nike Hypervenom Phantom FG
Player: Brandon Marshall
Game: Chicago Bears vs. New York Giants

The Nike Hypervenom is usually used a soccer cleat, but Brandon Marshall wore the cleat to promote Mental Health Awareness Week. While he is likely to get fined for wearing the green cleats, he is looking to match the NFL's fine and donating that to the Mental Health cause. The Hypervenom's must be good luck as Marshall caught two touchdown passes in the second quarter to lead the charge as the Bears went into halftime with a 24-14 lead. The Bears would end up winning the game 27-21.

$180

Reebok Vero IV Low
Image via Getty Images/Thearon W. Henderson

Shoe: Reebok Vero IV Low
Player: Justin Verlander
Game: Detroit Tigers vs. Oakland Athletics

Justin Verlander must be listening to Meek Mill because we thought he was finished. The Detroit ace had a subpar season and had people question whether he was over the hill. Verlander was back to his old dominant ways with a performance to be remembered in game five against the Oakland Athletics. Verlander threw eight innings giving up just two hits and fanning 10 batters. Verlander also took a no-hitter into the seventh inning and retired the first 16 Athletic batters in the game.

$30

Rafael Canton is a freelance writer from Queens, NY and contributor to Sneaker Report. Anytime there is a conversation about the NBA, music, or nutella, he can be found in the thick of the discussion. He can be found on Twitter @RafelitoC7.

RELATED: The Shoes That Won Last Night: NLDS Game Five, and NBA Pre-Season Action
RELATED:
 The Shoes That Won Last Night: MLB Playoffs Heat Up, WNBA Finals Rout