surge

The New York Knicks scored 18 unanswered points on the way to a 109-93 win against the Cleveland Cavaliers as they took a 2-0 lead in their best-of-seven Eastern Conference final.

The score was tied at 53-53 when the Knicks pulled away at their Madison Square Garden home to take a 71-53 lead on the way to a ninth straight victory.

Josh Hart scored 26 points, including five three-pointers, for the home side as he racked up a career-high tally for a play-off game, while team-mate Jalen Brunson added 19 points and 14 assists.

The Knicks, who last reached the NBA Finals match in 1999 and have not been champions since 1973, also had Mikal Bridges scoring 19 points and Karl-Anthony Towns 18.

“We don’t really care who gets the shine, the shots, the minutes, those kind of things – we’re focused on winning,” Hart said.

“I think everyone is willing to sacrifice their own personal agendas or performance for the betterment of the team. And when you have a group of guys that do that, sky’s the limit.”

Donovan Mitchell scored 26 points for the Cavaliers and James Harden contributed 18 for the visiting side, who went 2-0 down to the Detroit Pistons in the last round before emerging 4-3 series winners.

“This isn’t our first time facing adversity,” Mitchell said. “We’ve been to two game sevens, so being down 2-0, it’s not the biggest challenge.

“It’s right there. So let’s go ahead and take advantage of it.”

Games three and four will take place in Cleveland on Saturday and Monday.

The winners will play either the Oklahoma City Thunder or San Antonio Spurs, whose Western Conference final is tied at 1-1.

THE spring weather has been very up and down so far – but sadly for the week of half-term it looks like rain is on the way.

If you’re considering a family-friendly break this May half-term, there are still plenty of holiday deals in Spain, Turkey and Cyprus.

Follow The Sun’s award-winning travel team on Instagram and Tiktok for top holiday tips and inspiration @thesuntravel. 

On the Beach has found that bookings for May half-term are up by as much as 40 per cent in recent weeks as it looks like weather in the UK will be yet another washout – so we’ve Sun Travel has found some of the best deals abroad on offer.

BLUESEA Los Fiscos, Lanzarote

First up is the BLUESEA Los Fiscos in Lanzarote which has a pretty swimming pool and white-washed apartments.

Stays include free Wi-Fi and access to the pool bar – there’s also a children’s playground.

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Holiday spot slashes prices to entice Brits – from 7 nights all inclusive for £289pp

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All the CHEAPEST holidays you can still book for May half term – from £163pp

With the all-inclusive package, guests can enjoy the buffet that serves up all three meals and plenty of drinks.

A five-night stay at the BLUESEA Los Fiscos in Lanzarote, Spain, including flights leaving from Manchester on May 27 cost £293pp (based on 2 adults and 2 children).

To make it all-inclusive is an extra £28pp.

Guitart Central Park Aqua Resort, Spain

Guitart Central Park Aqua Resort in the Costa Brava will be a hit with the kids thanks to its aquapark with two waterslides and splash zone.

To keep them further entertained, the hotel has more activities like football, rugby and tennis.

It has three buffet restaurants, is an 11-minute walk to nearby Cala Banys Beach and has spacious bedrooms.

A five-night half-board stay at the Guitart Central Park Aqua Resort including flights leaving from London Luton on May 26 cost £330pp (based on 2 adults and 2 children).

Miarosa Konakli Garden, Turkey

Miarosa Konakli Garden has it all, comfortable rooms, a pool with waterslides and a plenty of entertainment.

The hotel has its own kids club as well as a playground – and for the whole family to get involved there’s activities like darts, table tennis, card games and watersports.

There’s a main restaurant as well as three bars – including one by the pool.

A four-night all-inclusive stay at the Miarosa Konakli Garden in Antalya, Turkey, including flights leaving from London Gatwick on May 25 cost £368pp (based on 2 adults and 2 children).  

Best Los Angeles Hotel, Spain

Best Los Angeles Hotel has fewer frills than some of the other offers, but it has everything needed for a relaxing half-term break in the sun.

It’s 10-minutes from popular beaches and the nearby town of Salou is known for its shops, bars and restaurants.

The PortAventura Theme Park is around two miles away too for those who fancy a go on thrilling rides.

A seven-night half-board stay at the Best Los Angeles Hotel including flights leaving from Dublin on May 25 cost £320pp (based on 2 adults and 2 children).

MedPlaya Flamingo Oasis, Spain

When the Spanish sun comes out, MedPlaya Flamingo Oasis in Costa Blanca is where you want to be.

It has a huge lake-style swimming pool to cool off in and is surrounded by sunloungers.

During the evenings, there’s performances at the Piano Bar – or head up to the rooftop bar to watch the sunset.

A seven-night half-board stay at the MedPlaya Flamingo Oasis including flights leaving from Edinburgh on May 25 cost £260pp (based on 2 adults and 2 children).

Grand Muthu Golf Plaza Hotel & Spa, Tenerife

In Tenerife, families can enjoy a break at the Grand Muthu Golf Plaza Hotel & Spa.

It has a swimming pool and lots of entertainment – for any adults who want to golf, there are two of the island’s most popular courses nearby.

Accommodation is in studios, apartments and junior suites with a balcony or terrace.

A four-night all-inclusive stay at the Grand Muthu Golf Plaza Hotel & Spa including flights leaving from Glasgow on May 25 cost £310pp (based on 2 adults and 2 children).

Arsi Blue Beach, Turkey

The Arsi Blue Beach is a great choice for families as it’s steps away from Antalya’s Alanya Beach and has a children’s pool on-site.

Not forgetting the adults, there are also spa treatments and a sauna is available too.

Guests can enjoy meals at the restaurant and make sure to pop into the lounge bar and beach bar too.

A five-night all-inclusive stay at the Arsi Blue Beach in Turkey including flights leaving from Belfast on May 26 starts from £259pp (based on 2 adults and 2 children).

Arabella World Hotel, Turkey

The 4-star Arabella World Hotel sits on Turkey’s sun-drenched southern coast and even has its own private beach.

With swimming pools and slides, dining, wellness and children’s activities too – no one in the family will ever be bored here.

But if that isn’t quite enough, Water Planet Aquapark is around a 10-minute drive away.

A seven-night all-inclusive stay at the Arabella World Hotel including flights leaving from Belfast on May 24 starts from £319pp (based on 2 adults and 2 children).

Cosmelenia Hotel Apartments, Cyprus

If you fancy heading further afield, check out the Cosmelenia Hotel Apartments in Ayia Napa.

Small but mighty, it has everything for a family break from its swimming pool to parasol- covered sunbeds, air-conditioned rooms, a restaurant and bar.

Waterworld Waterpark just a short walk away too.

A six-night all-inclusive stay at the Cosmelenia Hotel Apartments including flights leaving from Belfast on May 25 starts from £319pp (based on 2 adults and 2 children).

Deloix Aqua Center, Spain

The Deloix Aqua Center is found in a quiet part of Benidorm and has it all from an aqua centre, children’s water playground and rooftop paddle courts with city views.

It has three outdoor swimming pools, including a lagoon-style pool and one indoor pool for year-round paddling.

There’s a spa, gym and wellness centre as well as an on-site restaurant, café and bar.

A five-night full-board stay at the Deloix Aqua Center Spain including flights leaving from Belfast on May 25 starts from £309pp (based on 2 adults and 2 children).

Prices correct at time of publication.

May 10 (UPI) — Energy Secretary Chris Wright said Sunday the Trump administration is “open” to the possibility of suspending the federal tax on gasoline sales as prices spike amid the U.S.-Israeli war against Iran.

Wright said during an appearance on NBC’s Meet the Press he and Trump are “open to all ideas” to lower energy prices, including following the lead of some U.S. states in temporarily shelving taxes on gas at the pump amid the price surge.

“All measures that can be taken to lower the price at the pump and lower the prices for Americans, this administration is in support of,” he said. “We are constantly looking for different ideas.”

Citing previous measures such as releasing oil from the U.S. strategic petroleum reserves and “revising federal regulations on summer gasoline blends to make it easier for American refineries to produce more gasoline,” Wright said the suspension of the 18-cents-per-gallon federal tax on gas is also on the table.

“We are working every day to offset this rise in prices because of a critical conflict in Iran to drive prices down, and we’re open to all such ideas,” he said.

Wright’s comments came as the average national price of a gallon of unleaded gasoline stood at $4.52 per gallon as of Sunday, according to the Automobile Association of America.

U.S. drivers have seen sharp increases in pump prices in recent weeks after Iran blocked the vital Strait of Hormuz waterway connecting Persian Gulf oil and natural gas producers with world markets.

The move came in retaliation to a wave U.S.-Israeli bombing attacks on Iran beginning Feb. 28, which Washington and Tel Aviv claim were necessary to prevent the imminent development of a nuclear weapon by Iran’s rulers.

The price of regular gas last week surged 25 cents for the second consecutive week to $4.55 — $1.40 higher than they were a year ago and marking their highest level since 2022, the AAA reported.

Crude oil prices have dipped below $100 per barrel while a fragile cease-fire between the United States and Iran has been in place and negotiations to reopen the Strait have been ongoing. But with global oil supplies tightening, upwards pressure on pump prices continues.

In a separate appearance on CBS News’ Face the Nation on Sunday, Wright refused to predict were gas prices were heading.

“I don’t know the future of gas prices,” he said while admitting that “gasoline and diesel prices are up, and they will remain up while this conflict’s in place, and then they will come back down.

“And, ultimately, they’ll come back down lower than they were before.”