Boston, MA
Confident Celtics ‘in a great spot’ as Game 5 nears
SAN FRANCISCO — The Boston Celtics know that, as soon as once more, they didn’t make the most of securing residence court docket by dropping Recreation 4 of the NBA Finals Friday night time.
However, because the collection shifts again right here to Chase Middle for Recreation 5 Monday night time with the collection now turning right into a best-of-3 affair for the NBA title, Boston stays assured it will possibly as soon as once more safe the street win it must get the job carried out.
“You possibly can take positives out of something,” Celtics ahead Jaylen Brown mentioned. “Clearly, I believe we will be in a greater place than we’re in, however we’re not. It is 2-2. Nonetheless, nothing to hold your head about. A number of nice basketball remains to be in entrance of us. We take our errors and study from them and also you apply it as greatest you possibly can going ahead. I nonetheless assume we’re in a fantastic spot.
“I am excited to see how we reply over the following couple of days. I imply, it is thrilling. It is the largest stage on the earth. I am going to take our group, our guys, versus anyone. So I am trying ahead to it.”
There’s loads of cause for Brown to really feel optimistic about Boston’s possibilities in opposition to the Golden State Warriors. Sure, the Celtics should win at the very least yet one more street recreation to win the NBA title, however they’ve — to date in these playoffs — had extra success away from residence than taking part in at TD Backyard. Coming into Recreation 5, the Celtics are 8-3 in street video games on this postseason — in comparison with going simply 6-5 at residence.
And, on prime of that, Boston has received all seven video games it has performed after a loss to date in these playoffs – and has gone 13-1 in such video games for the reason that Celtics started turning their season round in late January.
“We clearly put ourselves within the place to stretch the lead and be up 3-1,” Celtics coach Ime Udoka mentioned. “However, backside line is we’re 2-2 and we earned that as properly, not being down 0-2 or 1-2 or regardless of the case could also be. And so I am positive they mentioned the identical factor about Golden State after we beat them right here. We all know it is a lengthy collection. Like I mentioned, we have been battle examined in two seven-game collection in Milwaukee and Miami.”
These experiences in opposition to Milwaukee and Miami within the Japanese Convention semifinals and finals, respectively, are additionally a part of Boston’s confidence transferring ahead. The Celtics went on the street and received elimination video games in opposition to each groups in their very own constructing, which supplies them confidence they will do the identical factor this time round.
“(Recreation 4) was a troublesome loss, and we perceive that,” Tatum mentioned. “We have been right here earlier than. That is third time in a row I really feel like we have been right here. So we all know what it takes. We all know what now we have to do and a focus to element and issues like that. I am assured like I’ve been all playoffs, assured in the truth that we’ll reply and play higher for almost all of the sport (Monday).”
The opposite issue Boston is concentrated on is that there are clear issues that the Celtics can management that, in the event that they do them, ought to result in optimistic outcomes. When Tatum has at the very least seven assists in a recreation this season, Boston is 18-2 – together with recording 15 consecutive victories. In an analogous vein, when Boston commits 15 or fewer turnovers on this postseason, the Celtics are 14-2 — together with victories in Video games 1 and three.
Conversely, when Boston commits 16 or extra turnovers, it’s 0-6 — together with its losses in Video games 2 and 4.
“I believe the narrative will get shifted to Curry and what he is doing,” Udoka mentioned. “However in our wins and losses, they’re scoring the identical factors. Lots has been reliant on our offense, to your level, within the fourth quarter. However even all through the sport, we had a number of alternatives, being up 5, six, seven, and poor offense or turnovers allow them to again within the recreation. The distinction within the recreation that we stretched the lead was we took benefit of these alternatives. We have been stable. And in opposition to this staff, anytime you run some poor offense, flip the ball over, stay ball turnovers, allow them to get out, we all know how shortly they will get again within the recreation.
“That was the case in Recreation 4 once we had our possibilities.”
One factor hanging over the Celtics heading into Recreation 5, because it has been all through this collection, is the standing of beginning heart Robert Williams, who has been coping with ongoing soreness in his left knee.
Williams was plus-6 in 31 minutes in Recreation 4, ending with 7 factors, 12 rebounds, 4 assists, a steal and two blocks, however requested out of the sport with lower than 4 minutes to go within the fourth quarter after an ungainly touchdown on that ailing left knee, during which Williams is coping with a bone bruise and that he had surgical procedure on his meniscus two-and-a-half months in the past.
Each he and Udoka, nonetheless, mentioned that he was feeling higher Sunday, and have been optimistic about him being on the court docket as soon as once more in Recreation 5.
“Feeling good,” Williams mentioned. “Somewhat sore, however on the facet of the higher days (I’ve had).
“I used to be truly in search of the clip (to see what occurred). I can not essentially let you know if it was the leaping or the touchdown, however typical soreness, man. However like I mentioned, I really feel okay.”
Udoka went on to say that there was no particular play that triggered Williams’ damage, and that whereas he should undergo his regular pregame testing to find out if can go, Udoka felt assured Williams would be capable to.
Boston, MA
Amid reported federal investigation, Boston city councilor releases statement
A Boston city councilor reportedly subject to a federal investigation declined to comment on the matter in a statement Wednesday, but thanked her supporters and committed to staying in office.
“My job is show up and to fight for you. And I will continue to do just that; the people’s work,” District 7 Councilor Tania Fernandes Anderson wrote in a post on Instagram.
The statement, addressing what Fernandes Anderson called “the news yesterday,” followed a Boston Globe report that federal authorities were investigating the councilor and had sent subpoenas to City Hall.
- Read more: Boston City Councilor Fernandes Anderson investigated by feds, reports say
Citing anonymous sources, the Globe reported that the nature of the investigation was unclear. No criminal charges had been filed.
Fernandes Anderson, who represents Roxbury, Dorchester and the South End, said she had received “a tremendous amount of prayers, support, and well wishes” since the story was published.
“Unfortunately, I am not able to comment on this matter at this time,” she said Wednesday. “As soon as I can I will be sure to share with you.”
It is not Fernandes Anderson‘s first brush with scrutiny.
In July 2023, the Massachusetts Ethics Commission cited Fernandes Anderson for hiring her sister and son to full-time staff positions after she took office in 2022.
Fernandes Anderson appointed her sister as director of constituent services with an initial salary of $65,000, later increasing her salary to $70,000 with a $7,000 bonus in June 2022.
Her son was appointed office manager around the same time, with an initial salary of $52,000. Eleven days later, Fernandes Anderson increased his pay to $70,000.
The commission required her to pay a $5,000 civil penalty.
More recently, other state authorities levied fines against Fernandes Anderson last month for multiple campaign finance violations.
The state Office of Campaign and Political Finance said the city councilor had not promptly disclosed $32,900 of the $34,500 that was deposited into her campaign account from Nov. 2023 to Sept. 2024.
The office ordered her to pay a $1,750 fine. She was also forced to return $100 in excess contributions from another candidate’s committee.
Fernandes Anderson is in her second term and is the first Muslim, first formerly undocumented immigrant and first African immigrant to serve on the council.
She won reelection in 2023 with more than 70% of the vote in her district.
Boston, MA
Boston College Locks in 2025 Athlete Kaelan Chudzinski
Bill O’Brien and the Boston College Eagles continue to roll through the early signing period for football, locking in yet another talented prospect as a member of the 2025 recruiting class.
3-Star wide receiver/tight end Kaelan Chudzinski officially signed with the Eagles on Wednesday. He committed to Boston College in early November and has been locked in with the Eagles ever since.
Chudzinski, who hails from Needham, Mass., is a big bodied target, standing at 6-foot-4, 210 lbs. with the ability to also play tight end. This season he’s helped guide a St. Sebastian’s Arrows team to a 4-3 record. He uses his big frame to haul in contested catches, and also is a very effective blocker in the run game.
While he lacks the outright speed of some other prospect in this year’s recruiting class and of some of the players already on the roster, Chudzinski plays with a high motor and is a very efficient route runner.
247Sports ranks the talented prospect as the No. 128 tight end in the nation and the No. 12 player in the state of Massachusetts.
As of now, the Eagles hold the No. 50 ranked recruiting class in the nation, according to 247Sports’ composite ranking, but could still be in play to land more talented prospects.
Stay locked into Boston College on SI for all your Eagles news, and check out our Boston College football recruiting tracker to stay up to date on the 2025 class and more.
See Also…
Boston College Men’s Basketball Drops ACC/SEC Challenge to South Carolina
Seven Boston College Football Players Earn All-ACC Honors
Boston, MA
Bruins Notes: Boston Noticing 'Passion' Revival Under Joe Sacco
The Boston Bruins opened up a new chapter under interim head coach Joe Sacco and while the results are showing, the locker room is feeling a change of direction too.
Boston defeated the Detroit Red Wings, 3-2 in overtime, on Tuesday night for the second time since Sacco took over for Jim Montgomery. Much like their recent trip to Detroit in November, the Bruins were put to the test in terms of their patience, defensive poise and ability to score in a timely fashion.
The Black and Gold passed, needless to say, and credit Sacco’s step up to the helm at the team’s recent click, putting them now at 13-11-3 on the year.
“I think we’re playing with a passion,” Nikita Zadorov told reporters, per team-provided audio. “I think we’re playing with pride. I think we’re playing for each other. I thought we were disconnected before. That’s what wasn’t working. I don’t think we fixed much X’s and O’s. I think it’s the same system, the same game plans. We’re just doing it this time.”
Zadorov added: “If one guy makes mistakes, other guys are gonna clean up for them. So I think that’s the main change from the start of the year.”
Story continues below advertisement
The Bruins were cornered once Detroit’s Lucas Raymond scored his second goal of the night in the third period to give the Red Wings a 2-1 lead. It might’ve uplifted Detroit’s bench, however, it wasn’t strong enough for a knockout blow to put Boston away for good. Justin Brazeau had a response of his own for the Red Wings, giving the Bruins new life heading into overtime.
Pavel Zacha, at 2:15 into overtime, took care of the night from there with the game-decider.
“Anytime that we can go out there, especially at that point in the game when you’re down a goal, and that power play unit goes out there and puts one in, it lifts the team is what it does,” Sacco said, per team-provided audio. “It helps the spirit on the bench. It lifts people up as opposed to bringing us down so that was a good sign. That was a positive sign.”
It’s only been seven games, but the Bruins are yet to lose on back-to-back occasions under Sacco, racking up a handful of their season’s most impressive wins in the process.
Story continues below advertisement
Here are more notes from Tuesday night’s Bruins-Red Wings game:
— Boston improved to 5-2 under Sacco’s leadership.
— Bruins goalie Joonas Korpisalo, who held the Red Wings scoreless in the second period, recorded 27 saves on the night. The 30-year-old has notched 20-plus saves in each of last six starts for Boston.
“He deserves a lot of credit for the way he’s come in and played under tough situations sometimes,” Sacco said, per team-provided audio”Tonight he got the beginning of a back-to-back but sometimes he doesn’t. He may get the end of the back-to-backs and he’s just been really solid for us. Really all you can ask from your goaltender is to give your team a chance to win and he’s done that on most nights.”
Story continues below advertisement
— Zadorov’s first-period goal clocked in at 90.46 miles per hour, according to Bruins Correspondent Shawn Hutcheon, marking the fastest goal from a Boston player this season.
“He was engaged in the game tonight,” Sacco said, per team-provided audio. “He was physical, and he was just defending hard tonight. When he was on the ice, the opposition knew that he was playing.”
— The Red Wings, now 10-11-4, have lost three straight games.
— The Bruins will next hit the road and head to the Windy City for a meeting with the Chicago Blackhawks on Wednesday night. Puck drop from United Center is set for 7:30 p.m. ET, and that matchup will be aired on TNT.
Story continues below advertisement
-
Science1 week ago
Despite warnings from bird flu experts, it's business as usual in California dairy country
-
Health1 week ago
CheekyMD Offers Needle-Free GLP-1s | Woman's World
-
Technology1 week ago
Lost access? Here’s how to reclaim your Facebook account
-
Entertainment7 days ago
Review: A tense household becomes a metaphor for Iran's divisions in 'The Seed of the Sacred Fig'
-
Technology6 days ago
US agriculture industry tests artificial intelligence: 'A lot of potential'
-
Sports5 days ago
One Black Friday 2024 free-agent deal for every MLB team
-
Technology4 days ago
Elon Musk targets OpenAI’s for-profit transition in a new filing
-
News3 days ago
Rassemblement National’s Jordan Bardella threatens to bring down French government