Split

Celtics 81, 76ers 82

Red Sox 6, Mariners 1

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Well it was kind of a wash last night.  Sox finally got a great outing of Lester and had the bats going to back him up, but the Celts were overpowered by the inexperienced 76ers.  If not for KG setting an illegal pick (blatantly trying to sack tap a guy) in the final seconds, the C's may very well have stolen a second straight game to take a commanding lead in the series.  Instead, they let the youngsters back into the thing and gave them some confidence going forward.

If you're the 6ers you have to be feeling pretty damn good about yourselves right now, knowing you've basically come one play away from being up 2-0 over a team with championship experience.  If you're the Celtics, you want this thing over as quickly as possible.  The more games you have to play, the worse your chances are of winning it all.  Exhibit A: Paul Pierce (2-9 shooting, 7 points, 5 turnovers).  This guy probably doesn't have a ton of games left in him this season, so they all have to count.  Now you have to play a 5 game series against a younger team, without home court advantage.  Not the best situation, but the best teams overcome that stuff.

If you're the Sox, you still shouldn't feel too great about yourselves.  Yes, you got a complete game near-shutout out of your top pitcher and notched a third straight win at home.  But you beat the Indians and the Mariners.  Granted, a win's a win, but you're still 16-19 overall and 8-11 at home.  AND, you got Beers n Bogeys Beckett going today.  He really needs a perfect game to get back on track, and to get some people back on his side.  Guy's basically universally hated right now.  It's been sort of a while since a member of the Red Sox was really universally hated and ridiculed like that.  But I'm all for it.  This is what happens when you're fat, drunk and sucking.

Basically it's a tough road ahead for both teams.  And as for the Patriots, I don't really care about any of this Welker negotiation stuff.  He'll be around.  He'll catch mad balls.  The draft picks will be nice adds.  That's all on them for now.

BTW what do I keep saying?  PD, Papi, rookies.  Even though PD snapped his streak, he walked and scored in the first behind a Papi double.  Danny Nava again comes to the plate with men on base and takes the first pitch yard.  Da' Thrill hits and scores.  Love it.  And the Sox need to sign upcoming free agent Josh Hamilton right gd now.

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