BOSTON — Brad Stevens keeps it short and sweet. The Boston Celtics head coach has a knack for communicating with his players, whether it’s getting more out of them in clutch situations or helping them keep their heads in the game when the moment might get the better of them. Such was the case in the third quarter of the C’s 92-87 win over the Milwaukee Bucks in Game 5 of their first-round NBA playoff series. Celtics guard Terry Rozier and Bucks guard Eric Bledsoe have been exchanging words all series, and the rivalry boiled over when the two got into a scuffle that saw Bledsoe get hit with a flagrant foul and Rozier
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Bruins Vs. Leafs Game 6 Takeaways: B’s Shots Not Hitting Net; Mitch Marner On Fire
The Stanley Cup playoff series between the Boston Bruins and Toronto Maple Leafs was billed as the most evenly matched first-round matchup, so in some ways, it’s fitting a Game 7 will decide which team advances. The Leafs survived Monday night at Air Canada Centre with a 3-1 win in Game 6, and now they must go back to Boston and try to beat the Bruins at TD Garden for the second time this series. Here are some takeaways from Game 6. Bruins Need to Hit the Net On More ShotsThe Bruins have dominated puck possession for most of this series, and that’s been evident in their overwhelming shot attempt totals. But over the
Scary Kris Bryant Hit-By-Pitch Draws Ire Of Chili Davis, Cubs Coaches
Sunday’s Chicago Cubs-Colorado Rockies game got contentious in a hurry. On just the eighth pitch of his outing at Coors Field, Rockies starter German Marquez drilled Cubs third baseman Kris Bryant in the head with a 96 mph fastball. Bryant was visibly shaken after the frightening incident, which obviously left everyone in the ballpark concerned. Concern wasn’t the only emotion of the moment, though. Cubs hitting coach Chili Davis and assistant hitting coach Andy Haines both were seen angrily yelling at the umpires, as they believed Marquez may have been hit intentionally. You can see Davis gesturing to an umpire at about the 1... NESN.com
Red Sox Wrap: Bats Silenced In 3-0 Loss As Athletics’ Sean Manaea No-Hits Boston
The Oakland Athletics did what no team has done to the Red Sox in 25 years. A’s starter Sean Manaea threw the first no-hitter of the 2018 MLB season against the leagues’ best offense when they beat the Boston Red Sox, 3-0 Saturday night. He gave up two walks and the A’s did commit an error, but it’s the zero in the hit column that highlights the game. This was Oakland’s first no-hitter since Dallas Braden threw a perfect game on Mother’s Day in 2010. Chris Sale gave up three runs and struck out 10 batters, but Manaea was locked in from the get-go, only needing 108 pitches to secure the no-hitter for Oakland.
Sean Kuraly, Adam McQuaid Weigh In On Playing Without Patrice Bergeron In Game 4
The Boston Bruins fared well without their best player Thursday night, but they are hoping to have him back for Saturday’s game. Patrice Bergeron was a late scratch for the B’s 3-1 Game 4 victory over the Toronto Maple Leafs in their first-round Stanley Cup playoff series, which resulted in them taking a 3-1 lead back to Boston. Bergeron skated during Friday’s practice and will be reevaluated Saturday, according to head coach Bruce Cassidy. To hear what Sean Kuraly and Adam McQuaid had to say about playing without Bergeron, check out the “NESN Sports Today” video above, presented by People’s United Bank. ... NESN.com
Justise Winslow Stepping On Joel Embiid’s Mask May Have Backfired
The Miami Heat aren’t going down without a fight. But the Joel Embiid and the Philadelphia 76ers appear to be willing sparring partners. Embiid made his triumphant return from an orbital fracture Thursday night, sporting a black mask to protect his face in Game 3 of the teams’ first-round playoff series. Justise Winslow decided to knock the Sixers star down a few pegs, though. So, after Embiid tossed the clear plastic part of his mask on the floor, the Heat forward went over and stomped on the thing in an attempt to break it. That’s cold, Justise. The move forced the Sixers’ staff to find Embiid a replacement plastic piece. But other... NESN.com
Alex Cora Not Surprised By Red Sox’s Impressive Start To 2018 Season
The Boston Red Sox continued their franchise-record start Tuesday when they pummelled the Los Angeles Angels 10-1 at Angel Stadium. Boston cranked six home runs, including three from Mookie Betts to start their West Coast road trip off on the right foot. The Red Sox improved to 14-2 on the season, marking only the second time in franchise history that they have won 14 out of 16 games, with the first time coming during the summer of 2011. Manager Alex Cora isn’t surprised by his team’s impressive start, noting that they were playing all-around good baseball in spring training. Cora also was pleased that his club wasn’t sluggish in the first game a... NESN.com