Celtics Outlast Heat
On January 11th, the Celtics were 20-21, in 10th place & struggling to stay over .500. Fans were calling for head coach Ime Udoka to be run out of town and this didn’t look like the team that was two wins away from the NBA Finals in 2020. The Celtics finished the 2nd half of the regular season with a 31-10 record and established themselves as the hottest team in the NBA heading into the playoffs. They looked dominant sweeping Kevin Durant and the Nets, endured a physical 7-game war by ousting the reigning champion Bucks. In the Eastern Conference Finals against the Miami Heats, the Celtics responded to every challenge the Heat provided during this grueling 7-game series.
In Game 7, the Celtics came out on the road in Miami and kept the Heat at arm’s length through most of the game. The Heat made a furious rally late in the 4th quarter to get the deficit to 2 and had a chance to tie or win the game in the final seconds but Jimmy Butler’s 3-pointer was wide and the Celtics held on win the game & series 100-96. Can’t fault Heat G/F Jimmy Butler as he played all 48 minutes while having 35 points and 9 rebounds. Butler simply didn’t get enough help as 6th Man Award Winner Tyler Herro was out for Game 7. Bam Adebayo had 25pts & 11rebs but that wouldn’t nearly be enough as Jayson Tatum led the Celtics with 26pts, 10rebs & 6 assts while Jaylen Brown & Marcus Smart added 24 points each. Tatum was named Eastern Conference Finals MVP.
The NBA Finals are now set as the Celtics, looking for their 18th championship in 22 appearances, goes up against Steph Curry & the Golden St. Warriors who are seeking their 7th championship in 11 appearances. It should be a very interesting series and I think the Celtics size and defense may prove to be too much for the Warriors.
Baseball Woes
The Chicago White Sox started the season 6-2 and appeared as one of the teams who would be vying for a World Series title this year. Since that point the Sox are 17-21 which included an 8-game losing streak. On top of that the Sox have suffered injuries to Eloy Jiminez, Lance Lynn, Luis Robert and now Tim Anderson. The Sox pitching staff, particularly their back end starters and bullpen, have been spotty while their offense as a whole has struggled hitting just .233 as a team with an OBP of .290.
After splitting a 2-game series from the woeful Cubs, the White Sox’ next 9 games are against the Blue Jays, Rays and Dodgers who have a combined 88-53 record. The White Sox are going to have to do a better job of base running, fielding and quality at-bats if they’re going to come out of this 9 game stretch with a plus .500 record. This figures to be a long, difficult season for a team that some had winning the AL pennant. Only time will tell if the White Sox will be able to turn it around.
CHGO Sports’ Sean Anderson & Herb Lawrence recapped the Sox’ win and problems:
Final Thoughts
- AEW: Double or Nothing
All Elite Wrestling held its latest PPV Double Or Nothing last night and it was stacked with matches. Though it seemed to go on… and on… and on, the night ended(finally) with CM Punk beating Hangman Adam Page to win the AEW World Championship. This time last year wrestling fans wondered if CM Punk would even wrestle again and now he’s the champion.
What Culture Wrestling’s Simon Miller recapped the night’s events:
- Chicago Bulls – What’s Next for Zach LaVine
Bulls G Zach LaVine had successful knee surgery in Los Angeles and should be ready to start when the 2022-23 season begins. The lingering question is whether the Bulls will sign LaVine to a max contract or not. CSN’s K.C. Johnson joined David Kaplan on Unfiltered to discuss LaVine’s surgery and impending free agency:
- The Larry O’Brien Trophy Gets a Makeover
The NBA unveiled redesigns for the Eastern and Western Conference title trophies and introduced the inaugural MVP trophies for each conference. The Conference MVP trophies are named after Larry Bird and Magic Johnson.
Now after nearly 5 decades, the Larry O’Brien trophy is getting an upgrade:
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