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A BAD, BAD, BAD LOSS

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BOSTON – Cleveland’s Donovan Mitchell scored 41 points, including 26 in the second half, as the visiting Cavaliers extended their winning streak to nine games by beating the Boston Celtics 123-116 Friday night in a matchup of the Eastern Conference’s top teams.

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Cavs All-Star point guard Darius Garland added 20 points for Cleveland, which trailed by 22 points less than five minutes into the game. The Cavaliers have won their last seven road games and own the NBA’s best overall record (49-10).

Boston’s Jayson Tatum had season highs of 46 points and 16 rebounds, and added nine assists for Boston, which has lost two in a row and dropped to 18-11 at home. The Celtics were missing starters Kristaps Porzingis (illness) and Jrue Holiday (hand).

The Celtics also got 37 points from Jaylen Brown, who tied the game at 114-114 on a jump shot with 3:15 to play. Mitchell gave Cleveland a 116-114 lead on a floater that began a 7-0 spurt by the Cavaliers.

Mitchell made 13 of 26 field goal attempts and was 10 of 11 from the free-throw line. Cleveland’s Evan Mobley finished with 17 points and 12 rebounds.

The Celtics made seven of their first nine 3-point attempts and had a 38-26 advantage after one quarter. Boston scored the game’s first 11 points and led 25-3 with 7:11 remaining in the quarter.

Cleveland trailed 49-47 with 6:25 remaining in the first half, but Boston had a 74-64 halftime lead. Tatum had 30 points, nine rebounds and seven assists in the half.

Boston pushed its lead to 17 points with just over eight minutes left in the third, but Cleveland was within 98-95 entering the fourth quarter.

The Cavaliers led for the first time when Mobley made a 3-pointer that put Cleveland up 104-101 with 8:43 to play.

The teams split their four regular-season meetings this season.

–Field Level Media

Celtics Extend Deal with TD Bank

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BOSTON/PORTLAND, (Maine) – The Boston Celtics extended their deal with TD Bank through the 2044-45 season. This sponsorship will continue the bank’s role as the retail and online banking provider for the NBA’s Boston franchise and the Maine Celtics of the G-League.

“We’re elated to extend our partnership with TD Bank, and build on our shared commitment to community engagement and connection with our fans,” Boston Celtics president Rich Gotham said in a statement. “TD Bank’s continued investment in our initiatives makes a significant impact, and their ongoing support ensures we can continue providing unique experiences for fans while contributing to meaningful causes that benefit the Greater Boston area.”

Included in the terms of the extension, the bank will launch a Celtics season ticket wait list that will enhance “engagement with this dedicated Celtics fanbase.”

With the Maine Celtics, TD Bank will add sponsored promotional games, such as ‘EmpowHER Night’ and ‘Fan Appreciation Game.’ They will also hold CommUNITY Crew events in Maine to support its local communities.

“TD’s New England heritage runs deep,” said Leo Salom, TD Bank president and CEO, in a statement. “Since 2004, we’ve proudly stood alongside Celtics fans, whether it’s celebrating unforgettable moments at TD Garden, bringing unique perks to our customers or supporting programs that uplift the communities we serve. As the official bank of the Boston Celtics for the next 20 years, we’re excited to keep growing this relationship and creating even more ways to support the team, the fans, and the community we all love.”

The naming rights to the arena for the Celtics and NHL’s Boston Bruins is done through the Bruins and parent company Delaware North,

 

 

Pistons Extend Streak, Crush Celtics

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BOSTON – Malik Beasley scored 26 points in 22 minutes off the bench and the host Detroit Pistons extended their winning streak to eight games by cooling off the Boston Celtics 117-97 on Wednesday.

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Detroit now has its longest winning streak in 17 years. The last time the Pistons won eight or more consecutive games came in 2008, when they strung together 10 victories from Jan. 23-Feb. 13.

Cade Cunningham had 21 points and 11 assists for Detroit, and Tobias Harris tossed in 16 points while grabbing nine rebounds. Jalen Duren added 13 points and 11 rebounds.

Jayson Tatum led the Celtics, who saw their six-game winning streak snapped, with 27 points. Derrick White and Payton Pritchard had 18 points apiece, while Kristaps Porzingis chipped in 11 points. Al Horford logged nine points and 10 rebounds.

Boston played without Jaylen Brown (left thigh contusion).

The Pistons led by nine points after the first quarter and pushed the advantage early in the second. Boston rallied to tie it at 55-apiece entering halftime by making 11 3-pointers in the second quarter.

Tatum led the Celtics at the break with 15 points, while White and Pritchard had 12 apiece. Beasley led the Pistons with 12 points.

Detroit regained the lead by scoring the first six points in the third quarter, including a Cunningham 3-pointer. The Pistons extended the lead to double digits, 77-66, with 4:38 left in the quarter on a Duren tip-in. Duren also scored the next two Detroit baskets off passes from Cunningham.

A Beasley 3-pointer upped the advantage to 84-71, and the Pistons were up 90-79 as the quarter ended.

Boston committed turnovers on its first three possessions in the fourth. Beasley took advantage on the first two giveaways by knocking down 3-pointers. Ronald Holland II’s putback gave Detroit a 98-79 lead. Cunningham made a layup midway through the final quarter for a 106-87 advantage.

Boston coach Joe Mazzulla soon went deep into his bench, essentially conceding the Detroit victory. The Celtics still won the season series, 3-1.

–Field Level Media

Pistons Bid for 8th Straight vs. Celtics

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DETROIT – (Staff and Wire Service Report) – The surprising Detroit Pistons will try to do something on Wednesday that they haven’t accomplished in 17 years. They’ll look to stretch their winning streak to eight games when they host the defending champion Boston Celtics.

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The last time Detroit won eight or more consecutive games came in 2008, when it strung together 10 victories from Jan. 23-Feb. 13.

The Pistons reached the Eastern Conference finals for the sixth straight time that season and lost to the eventual champion Celtics.

Detroit posted back-to-back victories in very different ways on Sunday and Monday. The Pistons won an offensive showdown at Atlanta, 148-143, then relied on a solid defensive effort to defeat the Los Angeles Clippers, 106-97.

“It took grit. It wasn’t easy,” coach J.B. Bickerstaff said. “I think both teams were coming in a little fatigued. The style of basketball they play is rough, rugged and physical — a lot of hands, a lot of grabbing and holding. So, it wasn’t going to come easy for us.”

That game began a four-game homestand for the Pistons. They’ll also face Denver on Friday and Brooklyn on Saturday before heading out on a four-game road trip.

“I know how much this team means to this city when our guys are playing at the level they are playing at,” Bickerstaff said. “They aren’t doing it for themselves. We need our fans. We love it when they’re in the building. They’ve got our back. It just brings a different vibe to the group because we want to make them happy.”

No one is making them happier than All-Star Cade Cunningham, who is averaging career highs in points (25.8 per game), assists (9.5) and rebounds (6.3). Cunningham believes Bickerstaff, who replaced Monty Williams after he was fired by Cleveland following last season, deserves a lot of credit for the franchise’s turnaround.

“I think he’s Coach of the Year, obviously,” Cunningham said. “The things that he’s done, how prepared that we’ve been, I’m not surprised that we’ve won so many games. We feel more prepared than other teams.”

Boston will be playing the second game of the back-to-back. The Celtics collected their sixth consecutive victory by defeating Toronto, 111-101.

Jaylen Brown led the way with 24 points, Derrick White supplied 22 and Payton Pritchard contributed 20 off the bench.

Pritchard has reached the 20-point mark in four of his last seven games.

“He’s really well rounded where he can score at all three levels,” head coach Joe Mazzulla said. “He can do it in transition, he can do it in the half court, he can do it off offensive rebounds and he can create his own shot.”

The Celtics didn’t have two of their starters as Jrue Holiday was rested and Kristaps Porzingis was a late scratch due to illness. Reserve big man Al Horford (left big toe sprain) also sat out but all three are expected to play on Wednesday.

“He wasn’t feeling well and at the same time we wanted to make sure that we’ll have him for tomorrow,” Mazzulla said of Porzingis. “We kind of all made that decision together, just kind of as a team, that it’d be best if we make sure we have him tomorrow.”

The Celtics will be aiming for a four-game series sweep. They won the season’s first three meetings over the Pistons.

–Field Level Media

Red Sox Add More with Moore

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FT MYERS – (Staff Report from Official News Release) – The Boston Red Sox added left-handed pitcher Matt Moore to the club’s 2025 Spring Training roster as a non-roster invitee. He will wear number 56.

Moore, 35, posted a 5.03 ERA (27 ER/48.1 IP) with 41 strikeouts in 51 relief appearances for the Los Angeles Angels in 2024. The left-hander did not allow an earned run from July 25 to August 19 (10.2 IP) and did not surrender an earned run in 37 of his 51 total appearances. Since the start of 2022, he owns a 2.98 ERA (58.0 IP/175.0 IP) and .210 opponent batting average (134-for-639) in 164 games. Originally selected by the Tampa Bay Rays in the eighth round of the 2007 First-Year Player Draft, the Florida native has a 4.39 ERA (557 ER/1,142.2 IP) with 1,053 strikeouts in 369 career Major League games (164 starts) with the Rays (2011-15), San Francisco Giants (2016-17), Texas Rangers (2018, 2022), Detroit Tigers (2019), Philadelphia Phillies (2021), Cleveland Guardians (2023), Miami Marlins (2023), and Angels (2023-24). The 2013 American League All-Star has also posted a 3.33 ERA (9 ER/24.1 IP) in five career Postseason games with the Rays (2011, 2013) and Giants (2016).

Marchand, Bruins Return to Garden Ice

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BOSTON – (Staff and Wire Service Report) – Two nights after TD Garden hosted the thrilling 4 Nations Face-Off finale, the Boston Bruins are going back to work on their Eastern Conference wild-card chase.

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Boston begins the final stretch of the regular season Saturday with the first of a three-game homestand, facing an Anaheim Ducks team that surged into the NHL’s two-week break.

Bruins coach Joe Sacco knows how important it will be for his team to come out strong. The Bruins remain one point below the playoff cut line — with the three teams both above and below them holding games in hand.

“We have to play some good hockey here in the last 25 games to put ourselves in a position to compete for a playoff spot,” Sacco said. “I don’t know the exact number of (points) that it’s going to take to get in. … But let’s look short term here, two or three games (at a time) and try to take care of business.”

Boston team captain Brad Marchand and goaltender Jeremy Swayman are both expected to play Saturday after concluding 4 Nations on opposite sides of the United States-Canada final. However, top defensemen Charlie McAvoy and Hampus Lindholm will not suit up.

While Lindholm has remained sidelined with a lower-body injury since November, McAvoy had “an infection in his right shoulder” and suffered “a significant injury to his AC joint” during Team USA’s 4 Nations opener last week, the Bruins said.

“(McAvoy is) such a gamer,” Bruins forward Charlie Coyle said. “He plays hard. Yeah, injuries and things happen, but he was a man possessed playing those games. He was so much fun to watch. It fired me up watching on TV.”

McAvoy was released from the hospital on Thursday and is reportedly on a week-to-week timeline.

The 36-year-old Marchand posted points in six of his final seven games before the break. Now, he looks to carry the momentum of a medal-winning week back to the Bruins.

“It means a little bit more being here,” Marchand said of winning the best-on-best tournament in Boston. “I care tremendously about this city and the people and the fans; have a lot of friends and family here. But at the end of the day, when you get on the ice, you don’t think about that stuff.”

Revs Open Season at Nashville

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NASHVILLE – (Staff and Wire Service Report) – The New England Revolution and Nashville SC were two of the worst teams in the Eastern Conference last season. Those facts led to some roster makeovers as both teams hope to improve this year, beginning when the Revolution visit Nashville on Saturday night.

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Nashville finished in 13th place in the East and was next-to-last with 38 goals.

The Revolution hope they have elevated the attack with the acquisition of forward Leo Campana from Inter Miami and the signing of free-agent midfielder Jackson Yueill, formerly of the San Jose Earthquakes.

Campana, 24, scored 28 goals in three seasons with Miami, with the Ecuadorian netting eight last season. Yueill, 27, had 13 goals and 19 assists in eight seasons with San Jose.

“We’re hungry, ambitious. I think it’s a new team who really wants to do well this year, so it’s really important to do well at the beginning of the season,” Yueill told reporters. “The guys are eager to play. Everyone loves soccer and loves to be out there. The games are what matter, and everyone is eager to do well this year.”

Forward Giacomo Vrioni was the Revolution’s leading scorer last season with nine goals but he was shipped to CF Montreal in the offseason. Carles Gil (seven goals, 10 assists) was the only other New England player with more than three goals. Gil was the 2021 MLS MVP.

Nashville’s departures include defenders Shaq Moore and Lukas MacNaughton and midfielders Sean Davis, Anibal Godoy and Randall Leal.

Davis was traded to the Los Angeles Galaxy for midfielder Gaston Brugman, the MLS Cup MVP.

Brugman, the 32-year-old from Uruguay, was a part-time starter for the Galaxy.

Nashville coach B.J. Callaghan is in his first full season running the club and sees no reason why his squad can’t make a huge jump up the standings.

“The message that we have is that we’re committed,” Callaghan told reporters. “We’ve replenished the roster, we have a lot of new players, players that are exciting as individuals but also fit the team that we want to bring to Nashville.”

The top scoring holdovers are forward Sam Surridge (12 goals) and midfielder Hany Mukhtar (eight goals, 10 assists). Mukhtar was the 2022 MLS MVP.

New England went 2-0-1 against Nashville last season and holds a 3-2-3 edge in the all-time series.

–Field Level Media

Red Sox Sit Top Prospect

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FT. MYERS – (Staff and Wire Service Report) – Boston’s top prospect Roman Anthony was scratched from the Red Sox lineup Friday with right elbow soreness.

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Manager Alex Cora said the move is a precaution after Anthony was hit by a pitch in the right elbow on Thursday, and he might be back after sitting out Boston’s spring training exhibition opener against Northeastern.

Anthony was slated to hit leadoff and play left field with Boston’s “Big Three” prospects in the top three spots in the batting order. Second baseman Kristian Campbell and shortstop Marcelo Mayer remained in the lineup Friday.

“He’s sore,” Cora said after Anthony arrived to take batting practice.

The No. 2 prospect in baseball, Anthony was replaced by Trayce Thompson, a spring training non-roster invitee. Thompson has played seven seasons with five teams prior to joining the Red Sox.

Anthony, 20, was a second-round pick in the 2022 draft. Baseball Prospectus ranks him first among all MLB prospects with Major League Baseball Pipeline and Baseball America ranking Anthony second.

In parts of three minor league seasons, he has a combined .284 batting average with 32 home runs, 141 RBIs and 38 stolen bases in 245 games.

–Field Level Media

Oh, CANADA 🇨🇦

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BOSTON – (Staff and Wire Service Report) – Canada’s Connor McDavid scored 8:18 into overtime, propelling his national team to a 3-2 win over the United States in the championship game of the inaugural 4 Nations Face-Off on Thursday.

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McDavid, the Edmonton Oilers star received Mitch Marner’s centering feed and buried a wrist shot from the slot to score the golden goal, his third tally of the tournament.

Marner assisted on Canada’s final two goals. Sam Bennett scored the tying marker with six minutes left in the second period.

Nathan MacKinnon’s tournament-leading fourth goal opened the scoring for Canada.

Jordan Binnington made 31 saves in the Canadian net, including six in overtime.

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Binnington was spectacular while denying a U.S. surge early in the extra session, including a stop on Auston Matthews’ drive to the doorstep at 2:51. Less than two minutes later, the St. Louis Blues goalie stopped another Matthews shot, then saved Brady Tkachuk’s rebound chance.

Tkachuk and Jake Sanderson netted back-to-back goals to lead the U.S. out of an early 1-0 deficit. Matthews assisted on both.

U.S. goaltender Connor Hellebuyck stopped 24 shots.

It was the North American archrivals’ first best-on-best championship meeting since the 2010 Vancouver Olympics — also won by Canada 3-2 in overtime. The U.S. earned a 3-1 victory over Canada in the teams’ round-robin clash on Saturday in Montreal.

MacKinnon scored first 4:48 in, receiving Thomas Harley’s pass from the left point and curling into the slot to send a shot into heavy traffic and past Hellebuyck’s blocker.

Sox Officially Ink Bregman

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FT MYERS – (Staff Report from Official News Release) – After a few days of speculation, the Boston Red Sox today signed infielder Alex Bregman to a three-year MLB contract through the 2027 season. He will wear No. 2. To make room on the 40-man roster, Boston placed left-handed pitcher Patrick Sandoval on the 60-Day Injured List. 

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Bregman, 30, is a two-time All-Star (2018-19), two-time World Series Champion (2017, 2022), and winner of the 2019 Silver Slugger Award and 2024 Gold Glove Award at third base. He has earned American League Most Valuable Player votes in four seasons (2018-19, 2022-23), finishing second in 2019 and fifth in 2018, and was named Ted Williams All-Star Game MVP in 2018. The right-handed hitter has batted .272 (1,132-for-4,157) with an .849 OPS, 694 runs scored, 265 doubles, 18 triples, 191 home runs, and 663 RBI in 1,111 career games with the Houston Astros (2016-24). Selected by Houston in the first round (No. 2 overall) of the 2015 First-Year Player Draft, he has made 977 career starts at third base, 107 at shortstop, 13 as the designated hitter, and two at second base.

In 145 games during 2024, Bregman batted .260 (151-for-581) with 30 doubles, two triples, and 26 home runs while making 142 starts at third base and three as the designated hitter. It marked his fifth season with as many as 30 doubles (also 2017-19, 2022) and his fourth season with 25 or more home runs (also 2018-19, 2023). From May 9 through the end of the season, he batted .280 (127-for-454) with 25 doubles, 25 home runs, and an .838 OPS in 112 games.

The two-time World Series Champion has played in the Postseason in each of his eight full Major League seasons (2017-24), tied for the longest current streak in the Majors. In those eight seasons, he has reached the American League Championship Series seven times and the World Series four times. Since his debut in 2016, his 99 Postseason games are tied for most in the Majors. In that span, he ranks second in runs scored (63) and extra-base hits (37), and tied for second in home runs (19) and RBI (54).

Bregman owns the highest OPS (1.240) of any player with at least 75 career plate appearances at Fenway Park and ranks second in on-base percentage (.490), trailing only Ted Williams (.496). In 21 games at the ballpark, Bregman has hit .375 (30-for-80) with 24 runs scored, nine doubles, and seven home runs. The New Mexico native was selected by the Red Sox out of Albuquerque Academy High School in the 29th round of the 2012 First-Year Player Draft, but did not sign and attended Louisiana State University.

Along with his wife, Reagan, Alex founded the Bregman Cares Charity to accelerate life-changing resources to those in need. The foundation has focused on autism awareness and at-risk youth, raising two million dollars. He was named the Astros’ Roberto Clemente Award nominee three times (2019-21).

Sandoval, 28, was signed by Boston to a two-year contract on December 23, 2024. The left-hander made 16 starts for the Los Angeles Angels in 2024 before undergoing Tommy John surgery on June 26. Originally selected by the Houston Astros in the 11th round of the First-Year Player Draft, the California native has posted a 4.01 ERA (239 ER/536.0 IP) with 529 strikeouts in 107 career Major League games (100 starts) with the Angels (2019-24).