Boston, MA
With Kristaps Porzingis back, Celtics obliterate Clippers in 32-point win
For the first time in 210 days, the Celtics were able to trot out their preferred starting five Monday night at TD Garden.
The result: a hero’s welcome for the now-healthy Kristaps Porzingis and a comprehensive beatdown of one of the NBA’s hottest teams.
Boston steamrolled the Los Angeles Clippers 126-94 in Porzingis’ return from offseason leg surgery to improve to 15-3.
Porzingis played 22 minutes in his season debut, showing some expected signs of rust but finishing with 16 points, six rebounds, two assists, two blocks and one steal.
“I thought he played well,” Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla said. “We were able to get back to some of our defensive versatility. Obviously, a little bit of rim protection, a little bit more physicality on the ball because he was back there, so I thought he brought that. Offensively, he just really helped our spacing. It was good to get him back.”
Jayson Tatum led all Boston starters with 20 points on 7-of-15 shooting. Derrick White added 19 points, seven assists, four rebounds and a steal, and Jaylen Brown scored 17, plus six boards, four assists, three steals and one block.
White (5-for-9) and bench scorers Payton Pritchard (6-for-10) and Sam Hauser (3-for-3) led another explosive 3-point effort for the Celtics, who went 22-for-51 (43.1%) from downtown in the win. Pritchard scored 20 points and grabbed two steals as his NBA Sixth Man of the Year campaign continued.
The Kawhi Leonard-less Clippers, owners of the league’s fourth-best defensive rating, came in riding a five-game win streak, during which they allowed just 96.8 points per game. The Celtics surpassed that mark before the end of the third quarter.
“I think when we’re at our best, you have to have an understanding of, ‘This is what we do,’” Mazzulla said. “When we’re at our best, we do this. And how long can we stay at the best version of ourselves?”
Porzingis, who missed Boston’s first 17 games, waited until 10 minutes into warmups to take the court, doing so with a smile on his face and a paper coffee cup in his right hand. His solo entrance preceded a personalized hype video that played on the Garden Jumbotron, its final shot an all-caps declaration: “HE’S BACK.”
The fan-favorite big man remained the center of attention once the game tipped off. Porzingis attempted 3-pointers on three of the Celtics’ four possessions and four of their first seven. Though he made just one of those — after his third miss, he grinned, seemingly acknowledging the impact of his long layoff — he was immediately impactful on the defensive end.
Before being subbed out for Neemias Queta seven minutes in, Porzingis helped force misses by Ivica Zubac, Amir Coffey and Derrick Jones Jr. with strong contests at the rim.
Rim protection was one of Boston’s biggest areas of concern in Porzingis’ absence — they dropped from fifth-best last season to eighth-worst this season in opponent shooting percentage inside the restricted area and first to 14th in blocks per game — so this was a welcome sight for Mazzulla and Co.
“Eleven blocks tonight,” the coach deadpanned. “It helps.”
Queta, a healthy DNP in Sunday’s win over Minnesota, blocked two shots in the first quarter, including one by James Harden. He had some difficulties against Zubac, who was LA’s only consistent scorer in the game (23 points on 11-of-14 shooting, 10 rebounds), but was a solid second option with Al Horford (illness/rest) and Luke Kornet (hamstring) both unavailable.
The Celtics led 27-20 after one quarter, then stretched their lead to 29 points in the second by doing what they do best: flooding their opponent beneath a tsunami of threes. They went 12-for-17 from deep during a merciless 51-point quarter — the third-highest-scoring quarter in franchise history and highest since 1970. White hit four triples on his own. Brown and Pritchard made three apiece. Hauser and Jrue Holiday each had one.
The 12 made threes tied the NBA record for a single quarter. It also equaled the total number of threes the Clippers attempted in the entire first half. Boston led 78-49 at halftime.
“I just felt like we were playing with really good pace,” said Pritchard, who was a team-best plus-30 in the win. “Makes, misses, getting it out quick, running to our spots. I feel like when we play fast like that, we get great looks, and the flow was incredible.”
Porzingis did not have a hand in that second-quarter 3-point parade, but impacted the game in several other areas. He threw down an acrobatic dunk off a Brown alley-oop, scored on a put-back after a Brown miss, assisted on two made threes, notched one steal and recorded one official block, plus another as the Clippers’ shot clock expired to force a 24-second violation.
The Celtics went cold to start the third quarter, surrendering a 10-0 Clippers run that spanned more than 4 1/2 minutes. Tatum ended Boston’s scoring drought with a dunk, then Porzingis went to work, manipulating post-ups to score six straight Celtics points across four possessions.
A flurry of threes from Pritchard (two) and Hauser (one) gave Boston some additional breathing room, and despite scoring just 21 points in the frame, it took a 21-point lead into the fourth quarter.
The Celtics cruised from there, with the Garden crowd reaching max volume after Pritchard slipped past a Clippers defender and lofted a lob to Porzingis, who slammed it home.
Asked whether Porzingis’ return gave Boston an emotional lift, Mazzulla replied: “Yeah, no question.”
“I think he’s a high-level personality,” he said, “but I think any time — obviously we built an identity with him last year, and I think the guys were excited to get him back. We were ready to have him back. … I think each guy likes playing with him because of just how he plays and the pressure that we can take off each other. So we definitely felt that.”
Mazzulla emptied his bench midway through the fourth, giving late minutes to the seldom-used Jaden Springer and Baylor Scheierman. Queta was a force in garbage time, finishing with 12 points on 5-of-6 shooting, nine rebounds, four blocks and two steals.
The Celtics are off until Friday, when they visit the Chicago Bulls in their final game of NBA Cup group play.
Originally Published:
President-elect Donald Trump’s economic agenda will put workers and entrepreneurship first, from tax cuts and deregulation to a tough stance on China. It was those policies that drove Latinos to support him in record numbers.
Those Latinos may be the most significant beneficiaries of those policies, from consumers to workers in industries like construction and energy to small business entrepreneurs.
Like most Americans, Latino voters prioritized economic policies over other hot-button issues in November. This trend was evident in battleground states, where many Latinos supported Trump’s domestic agenda — and no wonder. During Trump’s first term, the unemployment rate for Hispanics hit a record low of 3.9% in 2019, and wages rose across industries. The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 enabled Latino-owned businesses to reinvest and expand, driving economic growth, bigger paychecks and more job opportunities.
Contrast the pre-pandemic Trump years to the Biden administration’s four years in charge. Rising costs for essentials like healthcare and housing, along with inflationary pressures, have eroded wage gains for Americans. Despite these challenges, the Latino community’s resilience and entrepreneurial spirit remain strong, as does their faith in Trump’s campaign promises to invest in education, workforce development and entrepreneurship.
Trump’s “America First” agenda has consistently emphasized job creation and pro-business policies in each of his runs for office, a message that resonates with the thriving entrepreneurship culture in Latino communities.
Again, these aren’t hopes and dreams. According to the U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Latino-owned businesses grew 34% over the last decade. Trump’s first-term policies contributed significantly to that growth — and they will likely accelerate the future of Latino business with policies like lower taxes, reduced regulatory burdens, and stopping China’s economic, technological, and intellectual property predations.
Trump’s focus on American manufacturing, energy independence, and industries like steel, automotive, and oil and gas could see a resurgence.
Of course, things aren’t entirely rosy for Latinos or other Americans. Inflation is still high, the prices of college, healthcare, and housing continue to bury younger Americans in debt, and trade tensions could increase the prices of commodities. That’s where Latinos have always thrived in America — under pressure, as long as fundamental opportunities for work and entrepreneurship are present.
The 2024 election underscored a profound truth: Latinos are critical players in America’s economic and political present and future. Trump is setting the standard for policymakers, business leaders and investors: prioritize partnerships with the Latino community, recognize our role as a cornerstone of America’s future prosperity, and understand that we are an engaged voting block that will vote with, and for, our wallets.
Gabriela Berrospi is a Peruvian-born entrepreneur and financial educator dedicated to empowering the Latino community through financial literacy/InsideSources
Boston, MA
Crime Briefs: Bicyclist struck by SUV in Boston’s South End suffering life-threatening injuries
A bicyclist is in the hospital with life-threatening injuries after an SUV struck him in the South End Friday morning.
Police responded to the intersection of Albany and East Berkeley Streets at around 11:12 a.m. Friday for a motor vehicle strike call, according to a police report. The severity of the injuries necessitated the presence of homicide and accident reconstruction investigative teams.
The striking vehicle was a gray 2013 Ford Escape, according to the report.
A Boston Police Department spokesman confirmed to the Herald at around 6 p.m. that the bicyclist was still in critical condition and that his injuries were still life threatening.
Cops nab one of Boston’s most wanted
BPD officers arrested a man who had made the department’s most wanted list for charges including aggravated assault and battery, mayhem and armed robbery.
A brief BPD update states that Christopher Anderson, 39, of Quincy, was arrested in the area of 88 Bailey Street on Thursday afternoon. He is expected to be arraigned in Dorchester District Court.
Assault suspect sought
The BPD is looking for a man they describe as “a black male, light complexion, wearing all black clothing, and black gloves” for an aggravated assault Wednesday afternoon in the 700-block of Dudley Street in Dorchester.
Police ask that anyone who recognizes him to contact detectives at (617) 343-4275 or to provide information anonymously through the CrimeStoppers tip line by calling 1-800-494-TIPS (8477) or texting the word TIP to CRIME (27463).
Courtesy/BPD Dorchester aggravated assault suspect. (Courtesy/BPD)
The day has finally arrived to Nebraska football to play in a bowl game again, and the Big Ten Conference has released the team’s availability report.
For the Huskers, 14 players are listed as out: wide receiver Demetrius Bell, kicker Tristan Alvano, fullback Barret Liebentritt, defensive back Evan Taylor, defensive back Roger Gradney, defensive back Thomas D’Onofrio, offensive lineman Teddy Prochazka, offensive lineman Turner Corcoran, defensive lineman David Borchers, offensive lineman Tyler Knaak, wide receiver Cooper Hausmann, tight end Mac Markway, defensive lineman Sua Lefotu, and defensive lineman Conor Conneally. No Huskers are listed as questionable.
Nebraska is also without opt out Micah Mazzccua (offensive line) and a number of players that hit the transfer portal.
The ACC does not require injury reports, but Boston College will be without opt outs defensive end Donovan Ezeiruaku and offensive tackle Ozzy Trapilo, both first-team All-ACC selections this fall. The Eagles are also without running back Alex Broome, cornerback Amari Jackson, and linebacker Owen McGowan, who all suffered season-ending injuries at various points this fall.
Nebraska and Boston College are slated for an 11 a.m. CST kick on ABC.
All availability reports can be found at BigTen.org.
MORE: Nebraska Wide Receiver Isaiah Neyor Enters Transfer Portal
MORE: Nebraska Defensive Back Koby Bretz Reverses Course, Exits Transfer Portal to Stay a Husker
MORE: The Huskers and the Curse of the Bambino Will Rock the Boston College Eagles at Yankee Stadium
MORE: Huskers Visit 9-11 Memorial, Ring NYSE Opening Bell Ahead of Pinstripe Bowl
MORE: HuskerMax Pinstripe Bowl Predictions: Nebraska vs. Boston College
Stay up to date on all things Huskers by bookmarking Nebraska Cornhuskers On SI, subscribing to HuskerMax on YouTube, and visiting HuskerMax.com daily.
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