Boston, MA
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.
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.
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.
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…
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.
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
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’
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.
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.”
* * *
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.
Boston, MA
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.
“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.”
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.
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.”
Boston, MA
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.
“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.
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.
Wu’s office launched an internal audit last May after the city main streets’ program’s alleged misuse of federal ARPA funds was flagged by the Boston Finance Commission, a City Hall watchdog.
“We’re grateful for city staff who have been working to ensure oversight of every dollar of federal funds spent on pandemic recovery, including grants to nonprofit organizations,” Wu spokesperson Emma Pettit said in a statement at the time. “Through their diligence, these financial irregularities were identified and reported to the appropriate agencies to take action.
“The city will continue to support any further investigation, and is undertaking a further audit to ensure full accountability.”
Boston, MA
Skip the chaos and crowds with unique holiday markets are worth the detour – The Boston Globe
The holiday season is in full swing: The puffer jackets have been broken out of storage, carols and festive pop classics play throughout every store, and the annual struggle of what gifts to get your loved ones (and that one office White Elephant) is back. If you are looking to skip the long lines (and stinky cheese) at more social media-famous markets, but still want some one-of-a-kind holiday shopping from small businesses, here are some smaller holiday markets to visit this winter.
A CLASSIC CHRISTMAS Reading Memorial High School’s Drama Club (and supporting organizations) will host a Dickens Holiday Marketplace and Craft Fair once again this holiday season. The market, which has run for over 20 years, hosts 55 New England-based vendors selling artisan goods, including wooden cutting boards and goods from Magnus Woodsmith, pottery from Nancy Littlehale, and more. There will also be hands-on crafting opportunities, including coloring and cookie decorating. The Saturday marketplace — including an on-site warm beverage sale — is also a fund-raiser for RMHS’s drama department, raising money to support production equipment, scholarships for graduating students, and other needs. RMHS drama club members dressed in Victorian costumes will roam the fair and perform short skits and sing carols. There will also be tap, jazz, and contemporary dance performances by local troupes in the school’s performing arts center.
Dickens Holiday Marketplace and Craft Fair. Reading Memorial High School, 62 Oakland Road, Reading. Dec. 13, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Entry is free. rmhsdrama.org
SUPPORTING WOMEN-OWNED BUSINESSES Boston Women’s Market hosts its holiday market at Night Shift Brewing in Everett on Saturday from noon to 5 p.m. New England-based, women-owned vendors will be selling gift-able goods, including handmade jewelry from ADK Jewelry, natural skincare products from Beauté Noir, and cat toys and playhouses from Cat in the Box. The market will also be host to a family holiday celebration, including free ornament painting and an ugly sweater contest. There will be giveaways throughout the market of Night Shift Brewing gift cards and merchandise. If you’re hungry, Daddy’s Bonetown Burgers has you covered, and specialty holiday cocktails, yet to be announced, make the perfect holiday treat.
Boston Women’s Holiday Market. Night Shift Brewing, 87 Santilli Highway, Everett. Dec. 13, noon to 5 p.m. Entry is free. bostonwomensmarket.com

CULTURAL COLLECTIVE In celebration of the season, the Cultural Survival Bazaar will hold a Winter Solstice Indigenous Art Holiday Market on Dec. 13 and Dec. 14 at The Boston Center for the Arts Cyclorama. The market will highlight Indigenous art and artists from around the world, including North and South America, Palestine, East Africa, and more. There will be over 50 vendors, such as Chinampa Temachtiani, which sells jewelry, clothing, and axolotl plushies, Hebron Glass, which sells blown glass goods, and Afri-Root Collective, which sells handmade African art from women artists. The market will also feature live musical performances from Lyla June, Yarina, and more. Looking for a new book to cozy up with this winter? Attendees can also participate in a book swap.
Winter Solstice Indigenous Art Holiday Market. Boston Center for the Arts, 539 Tremont St. Dec. 13 from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., Dec. 14 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tickets are $10. Free for children under 18. bazaar.culturalsurvival.org/boston

SHOPPING SMALL Returning for its fourth year, Small Mart Market is hosting the second of two holiday vintage shopping events in Greater Boston. The holiday market will take place at the Crystal Ballroom with over 50 vendors, including vintage clothing resellers and upcycled fashion designers. Vendors include the market’s organizers, High Energy Vintage, a Somerville-based secondhand clothing and record shop, and Existential Thread, a Rhode Island-based vintage clothing store, as well as others, such as Jessamy Shay, who designs clothing by repurposing garments and fabrics. There will also be artisan goods and artists selling prints, posters, and pottery. The market will also feature a full bar, complete with festive beverages such as a cranberry Moscow Mule and Irish Coffee for purchase.
Small Mart Market Holiday Market, Crystal Ballroom at Somerville Theatre, 55 Davis Square, Somerville. Dec. 20, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Entry is free. smallmartmarket.com
FRIENDLY SHOPPING (AND COMPETITION) The Charles River Speedway and the Brighton Bazaar are partnering for the Bazaar’s 100th event, The Holiday Stroll, on Dec. 20 and 21. The Speedway hosts over 60 local vendors, featuring a variety of artisan goods, including metal art, kitchenware, and decor from Eli West, handmade pottery from Sugalski Ceramics, and more. At the upper courtyard of the Speedway, there will be a gingerbread house building competition on each day of the market. With a $5 buy-in, which can be purchased ahead of time or on site, the competition will last from noon to 3 p.m. Winners will be announced within the week after the market for prizes such as a $75 gift card to a Speedway vendor of their choice or two tickets to a show at The Roadrunner of the winner’s choice. For a less high-stakes activity, there will be card-making stations where attendees can craft personal holiday greetings for loved ones.
The Holiday Stroll. The Charles River Speedway, 525 Western Ave., Brighton. Dec. 20-21, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Entry is free. charlesriverspeedway.com

SECONDHAND STOCKING STUFFERS The Somerville Flea — usually known for holding court in Davis Square in summer and fall — hosts its annual holiday market on Dec. 21 for last-minute shoppers looking for one-of-a-kind secondhand goods. The extensive shopping event will feature around 40 vendors and their curated collections of vintage goods, such as clothes from Dandelion District, books from Hiding in Books, and home decor from Unpredictable Finds. A DJ will play holiday mixes to set the festive mood while you shop. Snacks and beverages will be available at Arts at the Armory’s ROOTED Café.
The Somerville Flea Holiday Markets. Arts at the Armory, 191 Highland Avenue, #1C, Somerville. Dec. 21, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Entry is free. thesomervilleflea.com
Isabella Bernstein can be reached at isabella.bernstein@globe.com.
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