The Eastern Conference semifinals are set, and the Boston Celtics will take on the Washington Wizards in their second-round NBA playoff matchup. The Celtics and Wizards are evenly matched, as each team implements a strong backcourt with complementary wing players. The two teams’ area of struggle also is similar, as neither squad has the personnel to dominate on the glass. Considering all of the similarities, it comes as no surprise the Celtics and Wizards split their regular-season series, with the home team winning each contest. Luckily for the top-seeded Celtics, they will have home-court advantage in the series, which kicks off Sunday at TD Garden.... NESN.com
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NFL Draft 2017: Best Available Players For Patriots Entering Day 2
by Zack Cox on Fri, Apr 28, 2017 at 11:30AM 2,750 The New England Patriots sat on the sidelines Thursday during a wild and crazy first round of the 2017 NFL Draft. And with zero picks in the second round, either, Bill Belichick’s club isn’t scheduled to make its first pick until late Friday night. In anticipation of Day 2, here are a few players on Nicholas Goss’ best available list who could be fits for the Patriots, with the caveat that any or all of them might be gone by the time New E... NESN.com
Red Sox Notes: Rick Porcello Is ‘Back In Control’ Despite Loss Vs. Yankees
Boston Red Sox starter Rick Porcello is one loss away from matching his season total from 2016. The 2016 American League Cy Young winner took another tough-luck loss Wednesday night against the New York Yankees. Porcello allowed three runs (two earned) on five hits in 6 2/3 innings. He also struck out nine batters and notched a career-high 20 swings-and-misses. A common theme over the first month for Porcello has been shaky defense behind him and a lack of run support. Another unearned run Wednesday for Porcello gives him five so far on the young season, which is tied for the most in the major leagues. But, despite the right-hander’s 1-3... NESN.com
Chris Coghlan Soars Into Home Like Superman During Breathtaking Slide
With moves like this, we might have just found the new David Ross for the next season of “Dancing with the Stars.” Toronto Blue Jays utilityman Chris Coghlan had one of the most impressive slides you’ll ever see Tuesday when he soared over St. Louis Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina and slid safely into home with a jaw-dropping display of athleticism at Busch Stadium. Oh. My. Goodness. The 2009 National League Rookie of the Year sure knows how to end a play with an exclamation point. Thumbnail photo via Jeff Curry/USA TODAY Sports Images ... NESN.com
Could Rajon Rondo Play In Game 5? Chris Mannix Not Ruling Bulls Guard Out
The Chicago Bulls’ success in their first-round NBA playoff series has hinged almost exclusively on Rajon Rondo. And while Bulls coach Fred Hoiberg already stated Rondo won’t play in Wednesday’s crucial Game 5 against the Boston Celtics as he heals from a fractured thumb, others aren’t ruling out his early return. During an appearance Tuesday on 98.5 The Sports Hub’s “Toucher & Rich,” Yahoo! Sports’ Chris Mannix cited sources in saying Rondo might be a game-time decision Wednesday at TD Garden. “I don’t think its a foregone conclusion that he doesn’t play (Wednesday) night,” Mannix said, via CBS Boston. “I know Fred... NESN.com
US Dealers Calling On Porsche To Further Expand Panamera Lineup
When Porsche revealed the new Panamera Sport Turismo, we joked the wagon made the sedan variant seem pointless. Those words apparently were truer than we even realized. Despite the lack of popularity of wagons in the United States, the Sport Turismo has made a lot of noise since its release, as it improves on the looks of the Panamera 4. The model also is the talk of the town among U.S. dealers, though for a different reason, according to Automotive News. In addition to improving on its appearance, the Sport Turismo also fixed the sedan’s other major problem. It is the first Panamera to be sold with five seats, which reportedly is something dealers ... NESN.com
Celtics’ Isaiah Thomas Continues To Shine In Series Vs. Bulls Amid Adversity
No one knew how Isaiah Thomas was going to perform in the NBA playoffs. Just a day before the start of the postseason, the Boston Celtics point guard learned his 22-year-old sister had been killed as a result of a single-car crash in Washington. Thomas would take the floor the following night, and although the Celtics dropped Game 1 of their first-round series against the Chicago Bulls, Thomas’ 33 points in the contest were remarkably impressive. Since then, Thomas has continued to shine for the Celtics, who evened their series with the Bulls with a critical 104-95 win at the United Center on Sunday. Thomas once again paced the Celtics with 33 ... NESN.com