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Celtics-Cavaliers: 5 takeaways as Boston pushes Cleveland to the brink

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Celtics-Cavaliers: 5 takeaways as Boston pushes Cleveland to the brink


Celtics stars Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown dominate once again with 33 and 27 points, respectively, in Game 4.

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CLEVELAND – Though it ultimately didn’t work out, there was precedent for what the Cavaliers hoped to do against Boston on Monday in Game 4 of their Eastern Conference semifinal series.

The underdogs had to play without their MVP guard and their center.

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The opponent was the Celtics.

LeBron James was sitting in the front row in street clothes.

The last time those ingredients all came together was on Feb. 1, when the Los Angeles Lakers faced the Celtics in Boston with both James and center Anthony Davis unavailable to play.

Easy night for the guys in green? Hardly. The remaining Lakers showed up the Celtics and, to a degree, their two stars with an unlikely 114-105 victory.

This time, however, the variables were a little off. Cleveland’s Donovan Mitchell and Jarrett Allen were the two sidelined starters. James was just there as a visiting Cavs alumnus, his Lakers done for two weeks already. And the Celtics already had been humbled once in this series, so they weren’t about to let it happen again.

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Here are five takeaways from the 109-102 victory that has Boston one shy of earning its sixth East finals appearance in eight years.


With Donovan Mitchell out in Game 4, Darius Garland delivers big for the Cavaliers. Can they coordinate star performances?

1. Bad calf bad for Cavs

What is it with calf strains this postseason? Giannis Antetokounmpo never got on the court for Milwaukee because of his. Boston’s Kristaps Porzingis has missed five games and counting since straining his right one in the first round vs. Miami. Now it’s Mitchell, whose left calf bit him Saturday in Game 3 and didn’t heal enough by Monday.

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All Mitchell did over the first three games was average 31.7 points, 6.3 rebounds and 5.3 assists while hitting 53% of his 3-point attempts, making him easily the best player in the series.

His absence hurt the Cavs offensively, not just in the production lost, but in enabling Boston to shift its defensive focus to players less accustomed to such heat.

The ”others” hung in there admirably. The Cavs even led briefly early in the third quarter, 65-64, and scratched back late to 100-95, forcing Boston into its first official “clutch” minutes of the postseason.

Darius Garland, Mitchell’s backcourt mate, shouldered the biggest load and scored 30 points. Evan Mobley rose to the challenge, hitting 8-of-13 shots. And Max Strus hit his first five 3-pointers, just the way Cleveland envisioned when they acquired him last summer.

But…

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2. It wasn’t enough

Strus missed his final four 3-point attempts on his way to fouling out. Mobley needed even more offensive opportunities, but the Cavs went a little 3-crazy, making just 3-of-13 in the fourth quarter and 15-of-48 overall.

That’s their most attempts, regular season or playoffs, since March 2023 when they also shot 48 in a game against Boston.

Maybe it made sense because they were missing Mitchell’s firepower. But getting the ball inside more against veteran Al Horford (who starts in Porzingis’ absence) might have meant higher percentage shots.

And it could have gotten the Cavs to the foul line a little more; they shot just seven free throws to the Celtics’ 24 and got outscored on freebies 21-5.

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Cavs coach J.B. Bickerstaff didn’t like the whistle disparity one bit, saying his guys weren’t rewarded when they did attack the basket. Garland trespassed most frequently in the paint, wound up on the floor plenty and shot just two free throws.

“Seven free throw attempts in 48 minutes is tough,” Garland said. “We drive the ball. A lot. Seven free throws. Two of them are techs. So five total in a 48-minute game.”

Garland, an All-Star two years ago, played hard and reached 40 minutes while lugging four fouls. He was his team’s only starter in positive plus-minus territory at plus-1. But a key for the Cavs in the immediate if not longer-term future will be getting him to mesh better with Mitchell.

Note: During the season, on Garland’s 12 biggest scoring nights, Mitchell didn’t play in seven of them and shot horribly in two more. Garland needs the ball in his hands to have an impact.


3. Boston vs. Boston? Celtics win

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This one had the markings of a trap game for the Celtics, but they got much of that vulnerability out of their system when they lost Game 2. They might need regular reminders that they are deeper, more talented and simply better than most of the NBA, but generally one per series is sufficient.

Boston was stronger on the boards (48-32), better on the break (22 points in nine opportunities) and cleaned up a turnover issue (10 in the first half, five from there). “Passing to the guys in the green jerseys,” coach Joe Mazzulla said. “That’s the most poise you can have.”

They also deserve some credit for Cleveland’s frosty 4-for-23 shooting from the 3-point line in the second half.

“Everybody talks about clutch offense,” Mazzulla said. “I thought our clutch defense was good.”


4. Brown as the night’s ‘heel’

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Boston’s Jaylen Brown got tangled up with Strus in the second quarter and, from that point on, became the target of boos from the capacity crowd at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse.

The Celtics wing had hit a short jumper, then fell to the floor. Strus nearly tripped over him, and appeared to brush his left foot against Brown’s head as he stepped over. Brown quickly grabbed Strus’ foot, sending the Cavs wing to the floor.

A review determined it was simply a common foul, nothing flagrant, but the Cleveland fans let Brown hear it the rest of the night.

Later, Brown had an interaction with official Tyler Ford that drew attention. He came out high on the right wing and bumped into the official before teammate Jayson Tatum got Brown the ball.

Brown steadied himself enough to sink a 3-pointer that make it 105-97 with 1:07 left. That sealed it – even LeBron got up from his courtside seat and exited through a tunnel.

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5. Big storylines heading to Game 5

Mitchell’s aching calf and Allen’s sore ribs will be of utmost concern to the Cavaliers heading into what might be their final outing of the season Wednesday in Game 5 (7 p.m. ET, TNT).

If it is, that would mean they played their last home game Monday. And considering all the speculation about Mitchell’s desire for a contract extension – or failing that, his interest in playing elsewhere – it’s conceivable he might not suit up again for Cleveland.

Porzingis probably will stay on the sideline a while longer, a luxury afforded the team that’s up 3-1. And one Celtics injury unlikely to disrupt their rotation is the chest bruise Brown suffered when Tatum celebrated a bit too hard after that final 3-pointer. Brown expressed some legit pain when Tatum whacked him.

“I didn’t realize how hard I hit him,” Tatum said. “I’ve been lifting a lot lately.”

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* * * 

Steve Aschburner has written about the NBA since 1980. You can e-mail him here, find his archive here and follow him on X.

The views on this page do not necessarily reflect the views of the NBA, its clubs or Warner Bros. Discovery.





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Boston, MA

Proposed “perfect” Red Sox trade sees Boston deal Jarren Duran, prospects for $15.5 million two-time All-Star ace

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Proposed “perfect” Red Sox trade sees Boston deal Jarren Duran, prospects for .5 million two-time All-Star ace


The Boston Red Sox found their ace in Garrett Crochet this year, after trading for him around this time last year. Now, they’ve made some moves to finally get him some support in the rotation, but none of those moves are truly a No. 2 to back him up.

Fansided’s Cody Williams believes he has the perfect trade for a name that’s been floated around as an option: Milwaukee Brewers All-Star Freddy Peralta. 

“While Boston has long looked like an obvious suitor for Peralta, the trade assets haven’t necessarily lined up perfectly for both them and Milwaukee…Now, the Brewers still aren’t in need of outfield help, so to speak, but there is certainly room to upgrade over the likes of Jake Bauers, Garrett Mitchell or Blake Perkins, which Duran or Abreu would allow them to do. Furthermore, in typical fashion for Milwaukee, they could flip an asset they’re unlikely to be able to pay in Peralta for immediate major-league upgrades with plenty of club control at low cost and prospects that could help keep the ball rolling under Pat Murphy,” Williams wrote. 

MORE: Cubs predicted to trade for $3.75 million 150 SO ace to create 1-2 punch with Shota Imanaga

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The trade would look like this: 

Red Sox get: RHP Freddy Peralta

Brewers get: OF Jarren Duran, SS Franklin Arias (No. 1 Prospect), RHP Juan Valera (No. 12 Prospect) 

MORE: Mariners predicted to trade for $5.75 million All-Star, Gold Glove as amazing replacement for Jorge Polanco

Peralta posted a 17-6 record, a 2.70 ERA, 204 Ks, and a WHIP of 1.075 over 176 innings pitched last season. Combine him with Crochet, and the Sox have a World Series-contending-level rotation. 

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The only problem with this is it’s basically a one-year rental. Peralta’s contract is up after this year, and he’s projected to get a five-year, $152 million deal. 

The Sox have shown they don’t believe in giving long-term contracts out to players over 30, and Peralta will be 30 in the upcoming season. Hopefully, the Sox make an exception, get uncomfortable like they said they would, and pursue this trade.

MORE MLB NEWS

Braves predicted to be top trade candidate for $325 million two-time World Series MVP, five-time All-Star as massive upgrade over Mauricio Dubon

Red Sox predicted to be top landing spot for $116.5 million three-time All-Star, two-time Silver Slugger, would be massive upgrade from David Hamilton

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Phillies predicted to be top trade candidate for $7.7 million All-Star MVP, would replace Nick Castellanos



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Boston, MA

BU spoils Northeastern final game at Matthews Arena

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BU spoils Northeastern final game at Matthews Arena


BOSTON – Before the lights went out at Matthews Arena for the last time, they shined brightly on Boston University center Brandon Svoboda.

The sophomore from Pittsburgh scored two goals including the game-winner at 18:21 of the third to lift the Terriers to a 4-3 victory over Northeastern, on Saturday night. Svoboda’s fourth of the season was the final goal scored at Northeastern’s historic Matthews Arena.

The Terriers’ victory over the Huskies was the last sporting event played inside Matthews Arena, which officially opened its doors as Boston Arena in April of 1910.

“I got a lucky bounce and I capitalized on it and put it in the back of the net,” said Svoboda. “Playing the last game ever in this building is pretty special and what was it, 1910 this place was built so it was pretty special being the last team playing in this building.

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“We are a young group and we are figuring it out so it was obviously a big deal to get a W in the last game in this arena.”

BU improved to 9-8-1 and 6-3-0 in Hockey East going into the semester break while the No. 11 Huskies fell to 10-6-0 and 5-4-0 in the conference.

“It was just a big win for us going into the semester break,” said BU coach Jay Pandolfo. “The first half has not been ideal for us so to finish it that way, to come back in the third period to win a hockey game in this environment, where this is their last home game here and they wanted to win and we found a way to pull it off.”

Northeastern purchased the structure in 1979 and renamed it Matthews Arena three years later. The demolition of the old barn nestled between Mass. Ave and Gainsborough Street will begin in January and the new arena is scheduled to go online in September of 2028.

“Having a new facility is definitely a big selling point,” said NU coach Jerry Keefe. “It is going to have all the amenities you need to develop players and I think this generation of recruits like the shiny and the new.”

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The first Beanpot Tournament was played at Boston Arena in 1952, so it seemed appropriate that Northeastern would play its final game against a neighboring Beanpot opponent. BU played its home games at Boston Arena from 1918 to 1971 before moving into its new facility on Babcock Street.

Pandolfo enjoyed many Matthews moments both on the ice and behind the bench. Pandolfo also played in the final Beanpot game at the old Boston Garden.

“I always enjoyed playing here that’s for sure,” Pandolfo said. “It was a fun place to play and I always enjoyed it and I enjoyed coaching there. It is a great environment and a special old building.

“That’s the biggest attachment for me and that I just enjoyed it. My grandfather played at Northeastern, my mom’s dad and that makes it special as well. It was also Boston University’s home rink as well for a long time and that is a big reason we are here closing it out with Northeastern.”

The Huskies had some extra zip in their blades that created several scoring opportunities, all of which deftly handled by BU netminder Mikhail Yegorov.

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NU went up 1-0 on a power play goal by freshman center Jacob Mathieu at 11:28 of the first. Mathieu found an opening outside the BU crease and redirected Giacomo Martino’s wrister from the left circle for his fifth of the season.

NU went up 2-0 at 14:36 when junior center Tyler Fukakusa finished a two-on-one break with his second goal of the season. BU got on the board when Svoboda netted a power play goal at 17:40, his third of the season.

“We were playing fine but we just made some mistakes so to get out of that first period 2-1 was important no question about that,” said Pandolfo.

BU tied the game 2-2 on sophomore center Sacha Boisvert’s second of the season at 13:38 of the second. NU went up 3-2 when sophomore left wing Joe Connor beat the buzzer at 19:59 with his sixth of the season. NU tied the game 3-3 on Kamil Bednarik tally at 18:02 of the third. Svoboda would score 19 seconds later to complete the comeback.

“You give up a late goal at the end of the second period after a power play, that can really hurt you,” said Pandolfo. “But our guys were determined to come back.”

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Boston city councilor pushes for state audit of federal grant funds after misuse by city program

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Boston city councilor pushes for state audit of federal grant funds after misuse by city program


Boston City Councilor Ed Flynn requested that the state auditor’s office conduct a formal audit of the nearly $560 million in American Rescue Plan Act funds the city received from the federal government, in light of misspending by a city program.

Flynn sent a letter to State Auditor Diana DiZoglio on Friday requesting an audit of the federal grant funds the city received through the ARPA legislation of 2021 that was issued as a COVID-19 pandemic-relief measure.

The councilor said Boston received nearly $560 million in federal funds for pandemic recovery. The money was committed by the end of 2024, and must be spent by the end of next year, he said.

“In May of this year, it was reported that the City of Boston’s Three Squares Main Streets program allegedly misspent ARPA funds in the amount of $32,000,” Flynn wrote in the letter. “Irresponsible funding and spending leads to inflated costs and missed opportunities to improve our communities.

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“It is critical that the City of Boston spends taxpayer dollars responsibly to regain our credibility and show respect to the residents,” he added.

Flynn wrote that he chose to pursue a state audit due to the City Council’s failure to hold oversight hearings, and ensure that “Boston is in compliance with spending regulations.”

Auditor DiZoglio’s office said Friday that it had received Flynn’s letter and that the councilor’s request requires a majority vote from the City Council and approval from the mayor to permit the auditor’s office to conduct a municipal audit.

“Our General Counsel will be sending Councilor Flynn the legal process required, under the law, to engage the Office of State Auditor with respect to a municipal audit,” DiZoglio spokesperson Andrew Carden said in a statement.

“Unlike the Office of Inspector General, which has the full legal authority to audit and investigate municipal government entities without a request or permission from a city or town, the Office of State Auditor, while mandated to audit state government entities, is actually legally required to obtain permission from a municipality, via both a majority vote from the City Council and approval by the Mayor, to be permitted to conduct a municipal audit,” Carden added.

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Flynn told the Herald he wouldn’t hold his breath for approval from his colleagues on the City Council, which is largely allied with Mayor Michelle Wu.

“Since the City Council failed to hold the necessary oversight hearings to determine how we spend federal funds, an outside audit is essential to ensure appropriate spending, demonstrate transparency and accountability,” Flynn said. “The Boston City Council will not support an independent audit of our financial records to ensure we are complying with federal spending laws.”

Mayor Wu’s office didn’t respond to a request for comment on whether the Wu administration would support Flynn’s request for a state audit.



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