By Tim Stannard

1) LeBron wins basketball’s own Messi v Ronaldo duel

So many questions pouring out of Sunday’s grand NBA Play-off finale from hybrid football-basketball fans. Was Steph Curry channeling Steph Curry? Out-fought by the more physical and considerably more unpopular King James to win the game’s equivalent of the Champions League?

Or was Curry the version of Cristiano Ronaldo seen against Austria? Failing to deliver when matters got sweaty? It’s a debate that could literally last four minutes or maybe even a segment on the XTRA tonight at midnight. Either way, Cleveland will be partying like its 2016 on Monday, as the Cavs are returning home with a big old trophy.

The Golden State Warriors blew a 3-1 lead to eventually crash out at home to leave Steph Curry chewing on his mouth guard like a toothpick and taking the defeat for his team very much on the chin. "I've done it before, I didn't do it tonight,” confessed the pained point guard. “I had some good moments but didn't do enough to help my team win, especially down the stretch."

2) Team USA gears up for Argentina assault in Copa climax

With the play-offs finally over, there is now some wiggle room in the American sporting spotlight for TEAM USA! The Copa America is having another day of slumber after the dramatics of Mexico “doing a Brazil” on Saturday night against Chile. Except Brazil went one goal better in their infamous World Cup defeat to Germany two years ago.

Houston is the scene of the first semi-final and it is USA versus Argentina and their team of finale-choking rabble-rousers. Sports Burst is getting patriotic here. Jurgen Klinsmann is leading the charge by saying that himself and his players aren’t afraid of any of the Argentinean footballers who will be lining up on a sweaty Texas evening. And local hero, JJ Watt, has been getting in on opening a can of all-American whoop ass on Messi by dropping by the training camp, too. Catch all the latest news from Houston on the XTRA at midnight ET.

All eyes are also going to be on Mexico to see how the home supporters and federation take to what was a bit of an unfortunate night against Chile. Monday’s version of ‘Record’ sets the tone a little by choosing to put F1 driver, Sergio Perez, on the front cover after his third-place finish in the European Grand Prix.

3) England look to seal Group B deal as Pedro storms over sub role for Spain

Over at Euro 2016, the authorities will be trying to squeeze in a couple of games of football amidst the crowd violence. France and Switzerland showed what may be upon us though with a safety first and quite dreadful goalless draw that saw both teams through to the last 16.

Group B is in action today although there are slightly different permutations. A draw for England in a clash against third-placed Slovakia will be enough to see the side through although it would be at the expense of top spot, if Wales beat Russia. Russia could also go through with a victory. Basically, it’s complicated. Go look at the standings if you are that involved. England are expected to leave Wayne Rooney on the bench in an effort to go for goals to secure top spot. All the chat and reaction will be on the XTRA at midnight ET.

In one of the more obvious confessions of the day, Gareth Bale has revealed that he doesn’t take any advice from Cristiano Ronaldo on how to take free-kicks. Good thing too.

Pedro has had a bit of a toys-out-of-pram moment in the Spanish camp suggesting that the current tournament might well be the last for the Chelsea man who has lost his starting spot. "I had other expectations when I arrived here and it hasn't been at all what I wanted,” moaned the former Barca forward.

4) FC Differdange 03 begin Europa League quest

The Champions League and Europa League is upon us! Hand back those trophies Real Madrid and Sevilla as some new challengers are in town. The draw has been made for the first round qualifiers and some steamy set-ups have been arranged by UEFA’s warmed balls – allegedly according to Sepp Blatter. Floro Tallinn of Estonia against Lincoln of Gibraltar looks a winner. The brilliantly-named FC Differdange 03 are in action in the Europa League although avoided a tough ask against Spartak Myjava.

5) Russians still fuming over Rio athlete ban

Russian sports minister, Vitaly Mutko, is continuing to take the banning of Russia’s track-and-field athletes for the Rio Olympic games well. Mutko is upset that a whistle-blower athlete, Yulia Stepanova, could be competing at the Games as an independent despite being previously banned herself for doping.

WHAT IS SPORTS BURST?

The life philosophy of Sports Burst is that if you are not upsetting someone, then you are not trying hard enough. SB is a daily trawl and troll through the morning's sports news to bring you fact-nuggets to make you both smile and swear. Hopefully at the same time.