GETTING CLOSER

The Celtics took both games in Boston last week and lead the series 2-0. In Game 1, the team trailed at the half but closed in during the 3rd frame. After Paul Pierce had to be carried off by teammates, he hopped into a wheelchair and the captain's return seemed out of the question. But briskly, he returned to a standing ovation and the team woke up, reclaimed the lead and held on for a 98-88 victory. Pierce scored 15 in the 3rd quarter and Garnett was also a stud.
In Game 2, the Celtics led most of the way and held a double digit lead at halftime before blowing it open in the second half. The Lakers trailed by 24 points with 7 minutes to go but somehow, someway came all the way back by scoring 41 points in the final frame. They pulled within 104-102 but could not pull off the unfathomable comeback. The Celts won 108-102. Pierce had 28 points, Rondo had 16 dimes and unlikely hero Leon Powe put in 21 points in just 15 minutes!
The scene shifts to LA for the next three. But if the Celts go take care of business, we'll be talking Celtic NBA Champs real soon. Web wish them the best. BEAT LA! GO CELTICS!
As far as the Red Sox are concerned, this week was much better. Why? Because they were at home! After losing Monday night in Baltimore, the road trip ended poorly, going 4-6 overall. The team headed to the friendly confines of Fenway Park and won 5 of 6 to retake first place. The Red Sox welcomed the Rays into town, trailing 1.5 games in the division. No lie. The team won the 1st game behind rookie phenom Justin Masterson and hot-hotting Drew. The Sox won the next game too rather easily and Coco Crisp went hard into Iwamura hard on a steal attempt after being mad at Bartlett for nearly kneeing his head in a steal attempt earlier in the game. Rays coach Maddon had a mean verbal argument with Crisp but things did not get any farther. Until the next day. With the Sox winning the next game early, Scott Shields drilled Crisp on the 1st pitch he saw and Crisp charged the mound. It was a huge melee, another brawl that occured between the 2 clubs. Seems to happen every year, but this was the first time ever the Rays were actually somewhat good. In the end, Lester, Crisp and Casey got suspended, while Crawford, Gomes, Shields, Iwamura and Jackson did too. In the end though, the Sox demolished the Rays in the 3 game sweep. After Seattle took 2 of 3 from the Sox the week before, the team had revenge on their minds vs. the worst team in baseball. But Seattle crushed Colon and error driven Sox in game 1. But the team bounced back and rocked the Mariners 11-3 the next day. Masterson outdueled Bedard in the rubber game, improving the team's home mark to a beautiful 26-6! They evened the season series up with Seattle at 3 with the win. The Sox have 3 games this week vs. the O's. The staff looks great, Big Papi should return from his wrist injury in hopefully 3 weeks and Manny Ramirez and J.D. Drew are very hot. Go Sox!

AL EAST STANDINGS

1. Red Sox 40-26 -
2. Rays 37-26 1.5
3. Jays 33-32 6.5
4. Yanks 32-32 7
5. Orioles 31-31 7