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Jaylen Brown scores 41, receives standing ovation as Celtics rout Spurs

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 15:41:20 GMT

As well as they have played for most of the season, the Celtics have proven susceptible to losses to inferior opponents. They’ve lost to the Magic three times. More recently, they lost to the Rockets, the worst team in the Western Conference. Those defeats may be pivotal in the race for the No. 1 seed.But in returning home for the stretch run of the regular season, the Celtics have seemed to turn on their focus. They took care of business over the Pacers in their first game after a long road trip, which is routinely a more challenging game than lets on. On Sunday, they didn’t have Jayson Tatum, but that was hardly an excuse against the lottery-bound Spurs.After falling behind early, the Celtics went on a run and never looked back. Jaylen Brown scored 41 points with 13 rebounds, Malcolm Brogdon had 20 points and nine assists and Derrick White had 19 points on four 3-points against his former team. Not even another Marcus Smart ejection could rattle the Celtics as they cruised to an e...

What’s the Chicago White Sox plan for relief in late innings in the absence of closer Liam Hendriks?

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 15:41:20 GMT

Kendall Graveman noticed something different with his performance Friday against the Oakland Athletics at Hohokam Stadium.“The first couple outings I had (this spring) were rough, I mean I found every barrel in Maricopa County,” the White Sox reliever joked . “The thing now, (I) got off some barrels (Friday), got some softer contact. Got some ground balls, which is my game.”Graveman pitched a scoreless ninth inning in the 12-0 victory, his first appearance with the team since returning from the World Baseball Classic.The right-hander is one of the late-inning options for the Sox in the absence of Liam Hendriks, who announced in January he was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma. The Sox anticipate knowing more in the “coming days and weeks about a potential timeline” regarding their closer, according to general manager Rick Hahn.In the meantime, Sox manager Pedro Grifol recently said the plan in those situations is “going to be leveraging it...

Yankees Notebook: Brito nails rotation audition with perfect day

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 15:41:20 GMT

If Sunday served as an audition, Jhony Brito cemented his case for the cast.The 25-year-old Dominican righty twirled 5.1 perfect innings against the Blue Jays in his bid to join the Yankees’ early-season rotation. The team likely needs an extra staffer with Luis Severino battling a low-grade lat strain; Brito started in place of the injured veteran.With four-seamers and sinkers that reached 97 mph, changeups, curveballs and sliders, Brito made the most of his unexpected opportunity. He struck out the first three Toronto hitters he faced before inducing 10 groundouts. An efficient outing, Brito threw just 58 pitches — he actually needed to rip a few more in the bullpen afterward — while lowering his spring ERA to 2.08.“It felt like a big opportunity,” the Yankees’ 27th-best prospect said after exiting to an ovation at George M. Steinbrenner Field. “It was a great way for them to see if I can keep being the pitcher I’ve been in camp and ...

Bruins beat Carolina in a shootout, 4-3

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 15:41:20 GMT

The Bruins simply cannot lose these days.Facing the second-best team in the league without Patrice Bergeron, Brad Marchand and Hampus Lindholm, the B’s built a 3-1 lead through the first 40 minutes but gave up two goals in the first 3:44 of the third period to the Carolina Hurricanes.But the B’s absorbed that sucker punch and beat the Canes 4-3 in a shootout after both Charlie Coyle and Jake DeBrusk beating Freddie Andersen in the skills competition. Jeremy Swayman was terrific, turning away 34 shots and both Cane attempts in the shootout.It was momentous win in many ways. It was the B’s 57th win, tyingthe 1970-71 B’s for the club record while David Pastrnak scored two goals, including his 50th. It was also the B’s first win at PNC Arena since winning the Eastern Conference Finals there in 2019.The Bruins took a 3-1 lead into the third period, but the Hurricanes clawed to within a goal just 97 seconds into the third period. A rebound off the end boards ...

Two arrested in Chula Vista after police pursuit

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 15:41:20 GMT

CHULA VISTA, Calif. -- Two were arrested at the Chula Vista Mall after a police pursuit started in the South Bay, according to law enforcement.The pursuit began just before 2:30 p.m. in San Ysidro after San Diego police were alerted of a stolen vehicle in the area.Authorities followed the suspect all the way to the Burlington Coat Factory in Chula Vista Mall at 555 Broadway, where the pursuit ended. High-speed motorcycle pursuit leads to arrest in National City The vehicle reported stolen appeared to be a red Chevrolet SUV.Law enforcement took two people into custody. Neither suspect have been identified by police at this time. SDPD was also unable to share the age and gender of the suspects, as well as if there was another suspect still at large.

North Korea test-fires 2 more missiles as tensions rise

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 15:41:20 GMT

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — North Korea fired two short-range ballistic missile toward waters off its eastern coast Monday, adding to a recent flurry in weapons tests as the United States prepared to deploy an aircraft carrier strike group to neighboring waters to step up military exercises with the South. South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff said the missiles flew cross-country after being fired from a western inland area south of the North Korean capital of Pyongyang but didn’t immediately release specific flight details. Japan’s coast guard said it believed both weapons landed outside Japan’s exclusive economic zone. The launches were the North’s seventh missile event this month and underscore heightening military tensions in the region as the pace of both North Korean weapons tests and the U.S.-South Korea joint military exercises has accelerated in recent months in a cycle of tit-for-tat responses. The allies last week completed an 11-day exercise that included their biggest...

Casualties mount in Pennsylvania chocolate factory explosion

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 15:41:20 GMT

WEST READING, Pa. (AP) — A fifth body has been recovered from the site of a powerful explosion at a chocolate factory in a small town in eastern Pennsylvania and two remained unaccounted for Sunday.West Reading Mayor Samantha Kaag said in an email to the Associated Press that the fifth body was found Sunday morning by first responders and confirmed dead by the by the Berks County Coroner’s Office. The coroner was unable to confirm the identity of that person, Kaag said.West Reading Borough Chief of Police Wayne Holben confirmed the body of a fourth victim was found under debris early Sunday at the R.M. Palmer Co. plant in the borough of West Reading, about 60 miles (96 kilometers) northwest of Philadelphia. Holben asked for continued prayers from the community and vowed that rescuers and officials “will not rest until every single person affected by this tragedy has been accounted for” from the blast that occurred just before 5 p.m. Friday.Rescue crews have been using heat imaging e...

Slain officers’ families issue statements thanking public for support

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 15:41:20 GMT

EDMONTON — The families of two Edmonton police officers fatally shot earlier this month have issued statements thanking the public for their support.The statements from the families of Const. Brett Ryan and Const. Travis Jordan, released through the Edmonton Police Service, came on the eve of a regimental funeral for the officers Monday at Rogers Place arena.The Ryan family statement notes the father-to-be’s absence is profound, and it thanks the public for its “selflessness expressed through thoughtful words, blue ribbons, touching tributes, acts of kindness, and much more.”The Jordan family, meanwhile, says “the incredible outpouring of support” it continues to receive in Edmonton and across the country “has not gone unnoticed and is deeply appreciated.”Both statements thank people for respecting their privacy.Police say the officers were responding to a family dispute at an apartment complex March 16 when they were gunned down by a 16-yea...

Durbin endorses Vallas, Jackson campaigns for Johnson as mayoral race heats up

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 15:41:20 GMT

CHICAGO — Brandon Johnson and Paul Vallas were out talking to voters and announcing endorsements.Both candidates for mayor in Chicago spent Sunday campaigning around the city.Paul Vallas shared another endorsement — Senator Dick Durbin announced his support for him."I believe that Paul Vallas can lead Chicago forward and be [a] bridge to united the good people in this city," Durbin said.Vallas said he feels Durbin's support will have a major impact on undecided voters."I believe all Democrats and the majority [of] Democrats believe that public safety is a crisis we need to deal with now," Vallas said. "I believe this will help me." Proximity: New Lyric opera grapples with gun violence in Chicago United States Representative Jonathan Jackson, who endorsed Johnson earlier in his campaign for mayor, spoke on his behalf Sunday at an event in South Shore."I want to see transparency, I want to see investment back in our children," Jackson said. "Brandon stands for public safety, how do...

Women’s basketball: Gophers get commitment from Wisconsin wing Grace Grocholski

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 15:41:20 GMT

The Minnesota’s women’s basketball program just nabbed one of Wisconsin’s top recruits, courtesy of new coach Dawn Plitzuweit: Kettle Moraine’s Grace “G.G.” Grocholski.A 5-foot-10 wing, Grocholski was headed for West Virginia before the Plitzuweit, then the Mountaineers coach, left to succeed Lindsay Whalen at Minnesota last week. Grocholski was released from her National Letter of Intent and on Sunday declared on Twitter that she had committed to the Gophers.“I’m happy to announce that I will be attending the University of Minnesota to continue my academic and athletic career,” she wrote. “Once again I want to thank my family, my high school and AAU coaches, and my teammates. After a long recruiting journey, Go Gophers.”She initially committed to Arizona State but was released from her NIL when coach Charli Turner Thorne retired. ESPN ranked her the 98th overall recruit in the 2023 class.Third times the charm… I’m happy to announce that I will be attending the University of Minneso...