SIX STRAIGHT FOR CELTICS

The Spurs were 8-2 at home before last night. And they'd won 5 straight before last night. both streaks came to an end thanks to Kevin Garnett and the Celtics. KG had 20 points and 7 rebounds to lead the attack. Rondo contributed 12 points and 12 assists. Wallace dropped 13 off the bench.

The Spurs were held to 2/15 at 3 pointers, and helped the C's cause by shooting a dreadful 41% from the free throw line.

The Celtics now sit atop the Eastern Conference, tied with Orlando at 15-4. But unlike the Magic, the C's have an 8.5 game lead in the division.

Source:
ESPN

Photo Credit:
AP Photo/Eric Gay

SOX SIGN SCUTARO

The Sox seem to have found a solution to their short-stop problem (how many times have we said that before?), or so it seems. They've signed Marco Scutaro to a 2 year deal, which also comes with an option for a 3rd year.

Scutaro is solid. You'll hear that word a lot today as this deal is discussed. Solid. Solid. Solid. He's a solidly sound fielder, who hits for a solid average, and has a nice solid OBP. He hit .282 with a nice .379 OBP last year. He also knocked out 12 homeruns.

The Sox will have to send a 1st round pick to Toronto, but they just got one from the Braves when they signed Wagner.

The short-term of the deal is fantastic. Whatever the salary turns out to be, it's not something that will weigh heavy on the Sox payroll for years to come like Julio Lugo and Edgar Renteria.

The short deal also allows the Sox to groom Jose Iglesias in the minors for a few years without any rush, but then open the door for him in 2012 or 2013.

Sources:
Boston Herald
Baseball-Reference.com

BC 62, MICHIGAN 58

I know, Michigan isn't a basketball powerhouse. And I know that BC allowed the Wolverines to stick around and make this game far too interesting (BC led by 10 at halftime and 15 early in the 2nd). But look at what BC's conference-mates did in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge. Duke lost. Wake Forest lost. Clemson lost. The ACC lost by 6 games to 5.

BC is now 4-0 in the Challenge. And after a lackluster effort down at the Paradise Jam, the Eagles rebounded with two nice road wins over Providence and Michigan before starting their ACC season on Sunday when they host 8-0 Miami.

Source:
ESPN

Photo Credit:
AP Photo

LIGHTNING STRIKES ONCE, BUT THE BRUINS STRIKE FOUR TIMES

In order to be one of the top-tier teams in this League, you have to register performances like this one. Tampa Bay is a solid team, a potential playoff team. And the Bruins dominated them on home ice.

Marco Sturm was faster in this game than he's been all year. Savard, fresh off his new contract, netted his 200th career goal. Bergeron and Rechhi were all over the offensive plays.

Oh, and Tim Thomas was lights out, making 39 saves, including some of that trademark Superman stuff of his.

The Bruins have now won 6 of 7 games, and secured 15 of 14 possible points in that stretch.

Bruins at Canadiens Friday night at 8.

Source:
ESPN

Photo Credit:
AP Photo/Elise Amendola

B'S SAVVILY SIGN SAVARD

The Bruins and Marc Savard agreed to a 7 year, $28M deal. Savard's led the Bruins in points every year he's been in Boston. Earlier this season, the B's lost Savard to injury, and the offense devolved into a predictable and bland unit. Since his return, the Bruins got their swagger back, scoring goals in a variety of ways.

Peter Chiarelli and the B's front office have been extraordinarily pro-active the past few months. Some criticized them for not retaining Kessel, but it's clear that Phil was out line his pockets. Savard won't be going to soup kitchens with his $28 million, but he could have followed his former linemate's tracks and gotten more on the open market.

The Bruins have 8 forwards already under contract for the 2010-2011 season. Along with 3 defensemen and both goalies. Krejci, Savard, Wideman, Thomas and Rask are all locked up for the 2011-12 season. And if the world doesn't end in 2012, Savard and Thomas will both be around in 2013.

Source:
The Canadian Press
ESPN
HockeyBuzz.com

CELTICS STREAK NOW AT FIVE

The Celtics and Bobcats came into last night's game, both riding 4 game win streaks. But it was Boston that extended theirs.

Ray Allen was 5/6 from beyond the arc, dropping a game high 27 points. KG added 16, and Kendrick Perkins exploded for 21 points and 12 boards. Eddie House had 12 off the bench.

The Celtics' offensive production is layered so thickly these days. If KG has an off night, then Pierce and Allen step up. Pierce had a bad outing in this game, shooting 3/8 for a mere 8 points, but was picked up by his teammates.

Celtics at 9-6 San Antonio Thursday night.

Source:
ESPN

Photo Credit:
AP Photo/Chuck Burton

CASE OF THE MONDAYS

Laurence Maroney and Sam Aiken were the best two Patriots on the field. That pretty much summarizes the game.

It started off well for New England. Maroney was running the ball with a fire that we haven't seen since his split carries with Corey Dillon. And the defense held New Orleans to 3 points in their first 2 offensive series.



Welker returned a punt for 41 yards, and the Pats were in perfect position to go up 14-3. Then Brady threw an awful, inexcusable, garbage interception. We didn't know it then, but we know now, the game ended right there.

Brady was awful. What's worse is that his ineptitude was often unforced. The Saints defense did a good job of pressuring him in the 2nd half, but they were forced to defend the run in the 1st. The Saints secondary played well, but Brady made them look much better. Brady's first INT looked like something out of a Mark Sanchez highlight reel. And his second was pure Jake Delhomme.

Brady missed open receivers. He threw balls too low, too high, underthrew, overthrew, didn't lead Moss or Welker for those valuable YACs. It was one of the worst games I've seen from him in years.

The Patriots' defense wasn't inspiring either, but that's what we expected. The Saints came into this game averaging 36.1 points, and they put up 38. Brees and the Saints receivers adjusted to what the Patriots were doing. Brees was also the most accurate I've ever seen a quarterback be. The young and small Pats' secondary had no chance. The defensive front also failed to put any pressure on Brees.



As a Patriots fan, the loss itself didn't hurt much. The Saints are better, plain and simple. But this defeat does make the losses to the Jets, Broncos, and Colts sting even more. The Patriots can't afford to lose to Miami next weekend. And could you imagine had the Dolphins not shit the bed in Buffalo Sunday? This upcoming game would be for the division. That's sad.

There's no magic solution to the Patriots woes. Brady has to play better. There's no or plot or plan to make that happen. The DBs have to tackle better. There's no ploy or scheme to ensure that.



And although he had a great game, I'm gonna rip Laurence Maroney. After he fumbled the ball, he was a completely different player. The way he turtled when he saw Vilma coming at him was just pathetic.

And I'm tired of Ron Jaworski giggling after EVERYTHING Jon Gruden says.

Patriots @ Dolphins Sunday at 1.

Source:
ESPN

Photo Credits:
AP Photo

I HATE PETE CARROL BUT...

What he did at the end of the USC/UCLA game was nice. Before this play, USC took a knee, but UCLA then called a timeout. In response, this happened:



Pete Carrol was trying to end the game, but UCLA coach Rick Neuheisel didn't want it to end. Personally, I would've simply passed for a 1st down, or maybe ran the ball (UCLA had 2 timeouts remaining). But Neuheisel invited the touchdown pass.

But Pete Carrol's sideline celebration looks like a 12 year old girl at a Jonas Brother concert.