The Boston Bruins long have had high hopes for Brandon Carlo, and he’s beginning to live up to some of those expectations. In his third pro season, the 22-year-old is beginning to grow into a shutdown defenseman. That was never more evident than in the Bruins’ 6-3 win over the Chicago Blackhawks on Tuesday. Whether it was checks that he made or his decision-making, some of his signs of growth were apparent. To hear Barry Pederson’s breakdown of Carlo’s play, check out the “Amica Coverage Cam” video above, presented by Amica Insurance. Thumbnail photo via Bob DeChiara/USA TODAY Sports
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Why Stephen A. Smith Believes Kyrie Irving Isn’t To Blame For Celtics’ Struggles
The Celtics’ roster features one of the best players the NBA has to offer, but some are starting to believe Boston might be better off without him. As if Kyrie Irving’s uncertain future hasn’t generated enough of a circus, a corner of the basketball world is of the mindset that the star point guard is to blame for the Celtics’ lingering struggles this season. But Stephen A. Smith, for one, believes this idea is ludicrous, and he explained why during Thursday’s edition of “First Take” on ESPN. It’s tough not to agree with Smith’s overarching point. The Celtics’ roster features a number of players at vastly different but equally... NESN.com
NBA Fines 76ers’ Joel Embiid For NSFW Shot At Refs After Loss To Celtics
Joel Embiid’s mouthy frustration has cost him. The NBA fined the Philadelphia 76ers center $ 25,000 on Wednesday for criticizing referees after his team’s loss to the Boston Celtics, according to The Associated Press. Embiid ended his postgame press conference Tuesday night with a high-profile NSFW comment about the referees, and the NBA quickly disciplined him for “public criticism of the officiating which included use of inappropriate language.” Embiid addressed his fine Wednesday night following the 76ers’ win over the New York Knicks. “I knew what I was getting into,” he said, per The AP. This proves it’s always cheap... NESN.com
Charles Barkley Confesses His Crush On Tom Brady, ‘Stupid’ Super Bowl Bet
Charles Barkley has to get in line and wait for Tom Brady. The Basketball Hall of Famer and TNT NBA analyst revealed Tuesday during appearance on “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” the scale of his admiration for the New England Patriots quarterback, head coach Bill Belichick and the franchise itself. Barkley hilariously admitted his crush on Brady while recounting his visit to Patriots practice in the week leading up to Super Bowl LIII. “I made a mistake, Jimmy,” Barkley said. “I looked Tom Brady in the eyes. … I looked him in the eyes, and I said, ‘Damn, you’re a pretty man.’ That’s what I was thinking to myself. I got so embarrassed I
Celtics Wrap: Boston Edges 76ers In Thriller As Gordon Hayward Scores 26
In the absence of Kyrie Irving, it was the Celtics’ veterans that led Boston to a thrilling 112-109 win over the Philadelphia 76ers on Tuesday night in Philadelphia. Gordon Hayward was monumental off the bench, hitting 8-of-11 shots and finishing with 26 points. Al Horford was key in matching up Philadelphia powerhouse Joel Embiid. Horford went for 23 points while provided strong defense on the Sixers center in a physical game between two Eastern Conference powers. Jayson Tatum (20) and Marcus Morris (17) also scored in double digits for the Celtics. Embiid finished with 23 for the 76ers, while Jimmy Butler had 22. The Celtics move to 36... NESN.com
Northeastern’s Cayden Primeau Solidifies Beanpot Legacy In Win Vs. BC
BOSTON — While Northeastern hockey fans have suffered long, fruitless Februaries, Huskies goaltender Cayden Primeau knows nothing but success — and winning — when it comes to the Beanpot. That much proved itself on Monday, as Primeau helped the Huskies to their second consecutive Beanpot title with a 4-2 win over Boston College at TD Garden. And that is why, when Primeau was at the wrong end of a net-front collision with 14:59 left in the third period, there was no way he was coming out of the game. The sophomore took a barreling hit from a Boston College attacker on a rush to the net that sent the goalie sprawling, hunched over,
MLB Rumors: Giants Want To Sign Bryce Harper On These Conditions
Will Bryce Harper be willing to pit-stop in the bay area? The San Francisco Giants plan to offer the free-agent outfielder a lucrative, short-term contract, USA TODAY’s Bob Nightengale reported Sunday. Harper entered free-agency after the 2018 season, having rejected the Washington Nationals’ 10-year, $ 300 million-plus contract offer, but the market hasn’t produced the expected bidding war over the 26-year-old superstar to drive those figures higher. Nightengale didn’t specify how long the Giants contract offer might be or how much it would be worth, so it’s impossible to compare his deal to others he might have received already. Never... NESN.com