Filed under: Celtics, Heat

BOSTON (AP) — LeBron James and the Miami Heat could not win in Boston in the regular season. And now they may have to do it in the playoffs. Rajon Rondo had a triple-double, and James missed a crucial free throw with 12.5 seconds left in the Celtics’ 85-82 victory over Miami on Sunday. Boston improved to 3-0 against the Heat this season, taking back the top spot in the East and clinching the potential tie breaker for home-court advantage in the playoffs.

The teams will play again in Miami on April 10.

“They are the defending Eastern Conference champions,” Heat Coach Erik Spoelstra said. “You have to go through them, and they ain’t going to make it easy. We understand that this isn’t going to be an easy ride for us, and that’s where we’re at our best.”

The Heat eliminated most of a 13-point fourth-quarter deficit and trailed by 83-81 with 19 seconds left when they brought the ball in from a timeout and got it to James at the top of the key. He drove on Paul Pierce and drew a foul. He missed the first free throw and made the second.

On the ensuing inbound pass, James went into the stands for the ball but merely knocked it to Ray Allen; the Celtics got the ball downcourt to Glen Davis, who was fouled. Davis hit both foul shots with 6.3 seconds to go, and Mike Miller missed a 3-point attempt in the final seconds that would have sent the game to overtime.

?

Permalink?|?Email this?|?Linking?Blogs?|?Comments

Read this article:
Celtics Continue Dominance Over Heat

Filed under: Maple Leafs , Eastern TORONTO – Let the annual dog and pony show — also known as the Tomas Kaberle trade derby — to start up again.

Go here to read the rest:
Tomas Kaberle Trade Derby Back on

Filed under: Clippers, Lakers, Mavericks, Thunder

As the NBA season reaches its midpoint, the Los Angeles Lakers have yet to play two conference opponents: the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Dallas Mavericks.

The Lakers host both this week with Oklahoma City heading to Staples Center Monday night as part of a special Martin Luther King Day doubleheader on TNT.

“We normally would have played them by now,” Lakers guard Kobe Bryant told The Oklahoman. “I haven’t seen them (play this season). I know (Kevin) Durant is being Durant and Russell (Westbrook) is being Russell. I’m looking forward to seeing them.”

TNT analyst and former NBA coach Mike Fratello is as well, a contest that could preview the Western Conference finals. The two teams met in the first round of the playoffs last season.

?

Permalink?|?Email this?|?Linking?Blogs?|?Comments

See the rest here:
Lakers and Thunder Finally Meet Again

Filed under: ULEB

(AP) Former NBA star Allen Iverson plans to have a lesion removed from his right leg in the United States and intends to rejoin his Turkish team in time for the playoffs.

Gary Moore, Iverson’s longtime manager, said Iverson told him Wednesday that he doesn’t plan to retire because of the painful condition.

Moore said Iverson has a lesion that is pressing up against the bones of his leg and requires surgery in the U.S.

“It has to be removed and tested to see if it’s benign or not,” Moore said by phone. “Once that’s removed, Allen is going to look to rehabilitate his leg because the doctors tell him he’ll be out four to six weeks, He’s hoping to be able to play in the playoffs.”

Besiktas spokesman Kursat Kaplan said Wednesday the team would assess Iverson’s future after another MRI this week.

Moore had no timetable for Iverson’s surgery, only that it was “soon.”

“People need to know that Allen is and always has been a fighter,” Moore said. “He’s got a battle ahead of him.”

Moore said Iverson “totally disputes” reports out of Turkey that he was set to retire.

?

Permalink?|?Email this?|?Linking?Blogs?|?Comments

Read this article:
Manager: Allen Iverson Needs Surgery, Not Ready to Retire

Filed under: MLB Playoffs , MLB Umpires Major League Baseball does not plan to expand the playoffs or use of instant replay in 2011. Commissioner Bud Selig told MLB.com there isn’t enough time to implement such changes for the upcoming season. There had been some thought that adjustments for this season might be proposed at this week’s owners’ meetings in Arizona

See the article here:
Bud Selig: MLB Won’t Expand Playoffs or Instant Replay in 2011

Filed under: NHL Awards , NHL Fans , NHL Videos Every Monday morning Adam Gretz and Chris Botta recap the week in the greatest hockey league in the world. We call it the NHL Cycle. HALF-SEASON AWARDS MVP: Sidney Crosby — He’s out with a concussion for at least a week, but nobody was better in the first half of the 2010-11 season

The rest is here:
The NHL Cycle: First Half Awards, Best of the Weekend

Filed under: Flames , Western Calgary Flames general manager Darryl Sutter resigned Tuesday. Assistant Jay Feaster will take over the team on an interim basis.

See the article here:
Darryl Sutter Out as Flames GM

Filed under: Blackhawks Jonathan Toews, the third-youngest player selected to captain in NHL history, could arguably be one of the league’s most stoic leaders of all-time. It’s what earned the 22-year-old native of Manitoba the moniker Captain Serious

More:
NHL Year in Review: Jonathan Toews for Person of the Year

Filed under: Nationals , MLB Rumors , MLB Hot Stove The Nationals reportedly have agreed to a one-year deal with Rick Ankiel , adding another new piece to their outfield. Ankiel will make $1.5 million in 2011 and could earn an additional $1.25 million in incentives, reports SI.com

See the rest here:
Rick Ankiel Reportedly to Join Nationals

Filed under: Canucks , Western The lasting impression of Markus Naslund’s final day as a Vancouver Canuck was his furrowed brow.

See the rest here:
Markus Naslund’s Number Finally Retired by Canucks