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At a glance

chad finn

Why were the first four games of this Celtics-Heat series so noncompetitive?

The top two teams in the conference have been playing a series of one-sided games. Explanations are hard to come by.
Celtics

Jayson Tatum named All-NBA first team

The 24-year-old Tatum, who was All-NBA third team in 2019-20, averaged 26.9 points per game this past season.
NBA NOTEBOOK

Doncic, Mavericks force Warriors, Western finals back to California

Luka Doncic had 30 points and 14 rebounds as Dallas avoided a sweep, and snapped he Warriors’ nine-game winning streak in Western Conference finals games, though they are still firmly in control.
NBA Playoffs

Celtics say Marcus Smart, Robert Williams are questionable for Game 5

Smart, who missed Game 4, continues to deal with a right ankle sprain, while Williams is experiencing left knee soreness.

celtics
Eight thoughts on the evened-up Celtics-Heat series as it heads back to Miami
Robert Williams’s status for the rest of the series is something to keep an eye on, as is Marcus Smart’s health.

christopher l. gasper
Brad Stevens’s acquisition of Derrick White is paying off for Celtics in these playoffs
Game 4 marked White's latest contribution, as he filled in admirably for Marcus Smart, emphasizing the savviness of Stevens's move.

Chad Finn

Don’t overlook the importance of the Celtics winning the battle of the big men in Game 4

Al Horford and Robert Williams were highly effective on both ends of the court, particularly in neutralizing Game 3 star Bam Adebayo.
NBA Playoffs

The Heat couldn’t buy a bucket in the first quarter, and things didn’t get much better after that

The Heat’s start was historically bad, and they became the first team since 2009 to go the first seven minutes of a playoff game without scoring a field goal.
Gary Washburn | On basketball

It was ugly and rugged, but an exceptional effort carried the Celtics to a crucial Game 4 victory

The Celtics controlled this game from the opening tip with their defense, stifling the Heat from scoring in their half-court offense.
GAME 4: CELTICS 102, HEAT 82 | SERIES TIED, 2-2

Celtics cleaned up their messes and turned up the heat on defense in Game 4 beatdown

“We have a prideful team, one of the best defensive teams in the league, as well as individuals,” Celtics coach Ime Udoka said, “and they heard some of the things that were said.”
Live updates

How it happened: A stunning and complete Celtics beatdown in Game 4 leaves the series tied

The Heat did not score for the first four minutes of Game 4, and were thoroughly routed as the series now shifts back to Miami.
ADAM HIMMELSBACH | INSTANT ANALYSIS

Observations as Celtics run away from ice-cold Heat early to square the Eastern Conference finals, 2-2

The Heat missed their first 14 shots from the field in Game 4, their starters had just 12 first-half points as a group, and Boston won a laugher at TD Garden to make the series a best-of-three.
Dan Shaughnessy

If the Celtics don’t win the series, it will be one of the biggest blown opportunities in Boston sports history

Boston’s Game 4 beatdown of the hobbled Heat was an exclamation point for the locals.
Celtics Notebook

Celtics’ Marcus Smart and Heat’s Tyler Herro both sit out Game 4 of Eastern Conference finals

Derrick White started in Smart’s place on Monday. Center Robert Williams, who missed Game 3 because of knee soreness, was cleared to return.
NBA NOTEBOOK

Warriors on cusp of a return to NBA Finals, barring a historic Mavericks comeback

The Mavericks are staring down a 3-0 series deficit because they’ve been outscored on average, 62-47, in the second half. Part of the reason is the inconsistency of Luka Doncic’s supporting cast.
celtics vs. heat | 8:30 p.m. (ABC)

Celtics haven’t had much of a home-court advantage in these playoffs

Going into Monday's Game 4 at TD Garden, the Celtics were only 4-3 at home in the playoffs, but a sparkling 5-2 on the road.
Celtics

Jimmy Butler’s status is uncertain, but the Heat proved they can win anyway in Game 3

Butler sat out the second half with right knee inflammation.
CELTICS

Jayson Tatum proving inconsistent as teams heap defensive pressure on him

Despite adding some signature moments to his portfolio these playoffs, the Celtics — in a marked change from the regular season — actually have been better by the numbers with Tatum on the bench.

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chad finn
The TD Garden scoreboard reflected another blowout in progress as the Celtics raced to a big early lead in Game 4.

Why were the first four games of this Celtics-Heat series so noncompetitive?

The top two teams in the conference have been playing a series of one-sided games. Explanations are hard to come by. 1 hour ago

Former Patriots wide receiver Julian Edelman was one of several Boston-area athletes who reacted to the Texas school shooting on Twitter.

‘This doesn’t feel like America’: Julian Edelman, other Boston athletes express dismay, outrage after Texas school shooting

The former Patriots wide receiver took to Twitter after another mass shooting. 1 hour ago

Red Sox at White Sox | 8:10 p.m. (NESN)
Rich Hill is 0-2 with a 6.26 ERA in 18 career appearances against the White Sox,

Game 43: Red Sox at White Sox lineups and notes

Rich Hill will be on the mound as the Red Sox look to extend their winning streak to seven games in Chicago.

peter abraham | on baseball
Kiké Hernández rounds the bases after hitting the first pitch of the game for a home run Tuesday night.

Patience pays off as this Red Sox team is finally forming its own identity

Less than three weeks ago, they were in last place, 10 games out of first, now we’re seeing that identity form and it’s one defined by a relentless offense.

Red Sox 16, White Sox 3
Trevor Story and Rafael Devers connected for two of the Red Sox' four home runs on Tuesday night.

‘That was impressive, relentless:’ Red Sox erupt early against White Sox, cruise to sixth straight win

All nine Red Sox starters collected at least one hit, eight drove in at least one run, and seven had multiple hits.

TUESDAY'S BASEBALL | SOFTBALL ROUNDUP

Preston Joia delivers walkoff hit as Mashpee baseball finishes what it started against Cohasset

Colton Colleran pitched nine innings before the game was suspended April 26 and struck out one Tuesday to preserve a tie game going into the bottom of the 10th.

TUESDAY'S SCHOOLS ROUNDUP
North Andover's Tyler Fay (right) chases Billerica's Steven Lucozzi.

Dominic Terrazzano sets the tone early as Billerica boys’ lacrosse beats North Andover

The junior returned from injury to score the first two goals as the Indians avenged an earlier loss to the Scarlet Knights and clinched the league title.

Celtics
Jayson Tatum had led the Celtics into the Eastern Conference finals against Miami.

Jayson Tatum named All-NBA first team

The 24-year-old Tatum, who was All-NBA third team in 2019-20, averaged 26.9 points per game this past season.