SOURCE SPORTS: Celtics Edge Cavs, Take 3-1 Series Lead

Celtics Edge Cavs, Take 3-1 Series Lead

Behind a combined 60 points from Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, the Boston Celtics defeated the shorthanded Cleveland Cavaliers 109-102 to secure a 3-1 series lead. Tatum posted 33 points, 11 rebounds, and five assists, while Brown contributed 27 points, eight rebounds, and shot 60% from the field. This marks the second straight game where both stars scored 25+ points and the 15th time they have done so as playoff teammates.

The Celtics showcased their resilience by bouncing back from a Game 2 loss at home, sweeping the next two road games for the second consecutive series.

Jrue Holiday filled the stat sheet with 16 points, seven rebounds, five assists, four three-pointers, three steals, and one block in 43 minutes, further bolstering Boston’s performance.

The Cavaliers, missing their leading playoff scorer Donovan Mitchell due to a calf strain, and with LeBron James watching from courtside, struggled to match Boston’s firepower. Darius Garland shook off a scoreless first quarter to finish with 30 points, while Caris LeVert and Evan Mobley added 19 points each.

Despite their efforts, Cleveland couldn’t overcome Mitchell’s absence, allowing the Celtics to take control of the series.

The teams will face off again in Game 5, with Boston looking to close out the series and Cleveland aiming to extend it.

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SOURCE SPORTS: Derrick White Leads Celtics in Close-Out Win over Miami HEAT

Derrick White Leads Celtics in Close-Out Win over Miami HEAT

Derrick White continued his stellar performance for the Boston Celtics, delivering a game-high 25 points to propel his team to a resounding 118-84 victory over the Miami Heat in Game 5. The Celtics secured their spot in the Eastern Conference Semifinals with this win.

White’s explosive start set the tone for the game, as he scored 15 points in the opening quarter, including three crucial three-pointers. His impressive performance earned him rare accolades, becoming only the sixth player in playoff history to average 20+ points while shooting over 55% from the field, 45% from beyond the arc, and 90% from the free-throw line.

The Celtics dominated from start to finish, never trailing in the game and leading by as many as 37 points, marking the third-largest playoff win in franchise history. Their defensive prowess was also evident, holding the Heat to under 90 points for the game.

While Bam Adebayo led the Heat with 23 points, Miami fell short of advancing to the Eastern Conference Semifinals for the first time since 2021.

Boston now awaits the winner of the ORL-CLE series, with the Cleveland Cavaliers holding a 3-2 lead. As the series heads to Orlando for Game 6,

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SOURCE SPORTS: Rajon Rondo Officially Announces Retirement

Rajon Rondo

Rajon Rondo has officially called it a career.

Speaking on the All the Smoke podcast, Rondo revealed that the NBA has “absolutely” seen the end of him on the court, and he will spend time with his kids.

“What a time, it was definitely something that I never took for granted when I was in the game,” Rondo said. “I loved every minute of it, and I appreciate the brotherhood that I was able to share and bond and grow with over the years. I’ve learned so much in this game and it’s made me the man who I am today. … I tell people all the time, this wasn’t a dream of mine, it was a goal. I was able to lock in, stay disciplined, I didn’t party a lot in college. But it was worth the sacrifice of me getting to where I wanted to be in life.”

Rondo is a 2x NBA champion, winning with the Boston Celtics in 2008 and the Los Angeles Lakers in 2020.

Across his career, Rondo averaged 9.8 points, 7.9 assists, and 4.5 rebounds across 957 career games. In addition to the Lakers and Celtics, Rondo played for the Dallas Mavericks, Chicago Bulls, Sacramento Kings, New Orleans Pelicans, Atlanta Hawks, Los Angeles Clippers, and Cleveland Cavaliers.

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Ime Udoka Net Worth 2024: What Is The NBA Coach Worth?

Ime Udoka’s journey through professional basketball is a story of relentless dedication, strategic insight, and a deep understanding of the game. His days as a player transitioned into a respected coach. Udoka has made an indelible mark in the world of basketball. As of 2024, this journey of hard work and strategic decisions in and out of the basketball arena has culminated in a net worth of $25 million, as reported by Eric Singer. It reflects his success in a highly competitive field.

The Court Chronicles: Udoka’s Basketball Career

ime udoka
EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – NOVEMBER 18: Ime Udoka. #5 of the Portland Trail Blazers points during a game against the New Jersey Nets at. Continental Airlines Arena on November 18, 2006 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The Blazers won 86-68. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

Udoka’s career in basketball began with his notable skills on the court. He played for various teams in the NBA and internationally. His time as a player was marked by athletic prowess and a keen understanding of the game’s intricacies. Transitioning into coaching, Udoka brought a fresh perspective to the role, shaped by his experiences as a player. His tenure as an assistant coach with teams like the San Antonio Spurs, and later as the head coach, showcased his strategic brilliance and ability to inspire and lead teams to success.

Accolades & Achievements: A Coach’s Journey

ime udoka
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA – JUNE 13: Head coach Ime Udoka of the Boston. Celtics reacts to a foul call on Grant Williams. #12 during the third quarter against the Golden State. Warriors in Game Five of the 2022 NBA Finals at. Chase Center on June 13, 2022 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

Udoka has been recognized throughout his coaching career for his tactical intelligence and leadership qualities. Further, his approach to coaching, characterized by a focus on defense and player development, has earned him accolades in the NBA community. His contributions to the teams he has coached have reflected in their performances but also in the growth and development of the players under his tutelage.

Beyond The Whistle: Udoka’s Life Off The Court

ime udoka
CALABASAS, CA – MAY 20: (L-R) Assistant Coach for the San Antonio Spurs Ime Udoka. Kez Udoka, Actress Nia Long and Massai Dorsey II attend MANDAFEST Mandla Morris’ 13th Birthday. Celebration on May 20, 2018 in Calabasas, California. (Photo by Randy Shropshire/WireImage )

Moreover, Ime Udoka’s impact extends beyond the basketball court. His involvement in various charitable endeavors highlights his commitment to community service. A private individual, Udoka balances his high-profile career with a dedicated personal life. However, the infidelity scandal that rocked the NBA also shook up his home. His longtime relationship with actress Nia Long came to an end after it was discovered Udoka was having an affair.

Overall, Ime Udoka’s ascent to a net worth of $25 million is not just a story of financial success but a narrative of a basketball professional who has expertly navigated the transition from player to coach. His journey reflects a deep commitment to the sport, strategic foresight, and a dedication to positively influencing the game and the community.

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WATCH: Drake Gives In-Game Hilarious Commentary During Raptors-Celtics Game

Drake Gives In-Game Hilarious Commentary During Raptors-Celtics Game

Drake hit up the Toronto Raptors and Boston Celtics In-season tournament matchup and delivered commentary from his courtisde seat. Joining the TSN broadcast, The Boy jokes about former Raptors coach Nick Nurse no longer coaching the team and more.

“First of all, this guy’s not Nick Nurse,” Drake said. “I haven’t been here in a while. I don’t know where we’re at. The court is a completely different color. Payton Pritchard’s out there looking like a crypto scammer. This is crazy. What’s going on, boys?”

You can hear it below.

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Nia Long Calls Out Celtics And Ime Udoka’s Mistress On Instagram

Nia Long was wrapped up in a truly unfortunate situation last year. Overall, it all had to do with her ex Ime Udoka, and his infidelity with a Boston Celtics staffer. The woman in question was Kathleen Lynch, who was some sort of liaison for the team. Originally, it was revealed that Udoka was being suspended for a full year due to misconduct. However, the full scope of the allegations was revealed to the world. The Celtics were the ones who blew the whistle, which had a lot of people questioning their motives.

Usually, these kinds of internal scandals are kept under wraps. However, with Udoka, it felt like they were making an example out of him. Unfortunately, Nia Long was along for the ride and suffered a lot of emotional turmoil as a result of all this. It was an embarrassing situation to be the victim of, and it is still something that hurts her deeply. In fact, in a recent Instagram post, Long revealed how she feels like the Celtics lacked a lot of awareness.

Read More: Nia Long Admits Her Son, Kez, Is Having A “Really Tough Time”

Nia Long Reveals Her Feelings

In the post above, you can see a clip in which a woman speaks on how the world treats white women’s tears versus black women’s tears. Overall, it was a poignant thought that Long clearly resonated with. In her caption, the actress wrote “Where was this level of awareness a year ago @celtics ??? #kathleenlynch.” Long used the mistress’ full name here, which just goes to show that she is sick of people hiding the woman’s identity. She wants the woman to feel the same public scrutiny that she felt when the story first broke.

No matter what, it is clear that what happened to Long was unfortunate and very sad. Hopefully, she is able to heal over the coming months and years. Let us know your thoughts on how the Celtics handled this, in the comments section below. Additionally, stay tuned to HNHH for more news and updates from around the sports world. We will always keep you informed.

Read More: Nia Long Admits To Dating 30-Year-Old Man During High School In Resurfaced Interview: Watch

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Latvian National Team Deny Kristaps Porzingis Injury Report

On August 9, it was reported that new Boston Celtics center Kristaps Porziņģis had suffered a foot injury while preparing for the FIBA World Cup. Porziņģis has played for the Latvian National Team since 2017. However, after EuroBasket 2017, it would be five years before he appear for the team again. The injury news was first reported by Rupert Fabig of the Hamburger Abendblatt. While Fabig said the injury “wasn’t too serious”, he did stress that it could led the Celtics to pull Porziņģis from the World Cup.

Porziņģis has struggled immensely with injuries in recent years. The center only manged to play 50+ games in a season once between 2017 and 2022. However, the 2022-23 campaign was a career year for Porziņģis, who was a top-30 player in scoring and rebounding. That landed him on the Celtics in a three-team trade with the Wizards and Grizzlies. He is a massive upgrade at the position over the veteran Al Horford. However, there’s now a debate as to whether Porziņģis is actually injured.

Read More: Rudy Gobert scores first-ever three-pointer, immediately makes things weird

Is Kristaps Porzingis Injured?

The Latvian Basketball Union has denied rumors that Porziņģis is injured. “There has been information that questions the participation of Kristaps Porzingis in the FIBA ​​World Cup. LBS denies this information. Both the players’ individual preparation plans and the team’s overall training process are ongoing. The line-up for the match against the Dominican Republic will be announced on August 12,” the federation tweeted on August 10. This, of course, completely contradicts the previously reporting

So what’s the real story here? It’s possible that Porziņģis did report an injury but it turned out to not be as serious as first thought. Or, there is every chance that the LBS doesn’t want to reveal its roster issues this close to the start of the tournament. Regardless, it’s likely that behind the scenes, the Celtics are attempting to the get the full story so they can make a fully informed decision. Latvia has been drawn into a group with the US, Lebanon and France. They begin their tournament in Jakarta against Lebanon on August 25.

[via]

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Dwyane Wade Brushes Off Latest Paul Pierce Beef

In a recent appearance on It Is What It Is, Paul Pierce took aim at his longtime rival, Dwyane Wade. “My skills went unappreciated because I didn’t get to play with a lot of great players,” Pierce told Cam’ron and Ma$e when discussing the lack of consistent success in his long NBA career. Furthermore, Pierce said that if his “Big Three” with Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen had come together sooner, he would have multiple NBA rings. This of course was widely taken as a knock against Wade and the implication that Wade’s success came from his partnership with LeBron and Chris Bosh.

It’s hard to put up a 1-to-1 comparison of the two players, namely because they didn’t play the same position. However, Wade is widely considered the better play. He put up better points and assists per game as well as being the better shooter. Of course, Pierce had a three-point shot that Wade didn’t. However, at the end of the day, they are both Hall of Fame players with iconic careers. Wade just happens to have more rings than Pierce. Furthermore, instead of re-igniting a mostly dormant beef, Wade just found Pierce’s new comments kind of amusing.

Read More: Dwyane Wade steps out with Gabrielle Union and Yung Miami

Wade Takes A Playful Jab At Pierce

“Rent’s expensive in America and I’m living rent-free,” Wade told The Dan Le Batard Show. “This is why I love the media. It’s documented. I don’t need to say anything, everything is documented. I’ll just let y’all talk about all that, it sounds better from y’all anyway. I’m done playing the game of basketball, I’m not comparing myself to someone who’s playing the game or not playing the game. That’s not my challenge anymore…I went and got my Avengers. And everybody was mad that I got to play with different guys.”

Of course, Paul Pierce isn’t the only person who has been talking a little bit of trash about Wade. Fellow 2023 Hall of Famer Dirk Nowitzki also opened up about Wade in a recent interview. “I wouldn’t say we’re friends,” the Mavs icon said. “I think there’s a mutual sense of respect for each other’s career and obviously were cordial. There’s no bad blood, obviously, anymore. We all moved on, things were said on both sides or done that neither side liked, but that’s part of competition at the highest level.”

[via]

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Jaylen Brown Plans to Develop ‘Black Wall Street’ in Boston With New $304 Million Supermax Contract

Jaylen Brown Plans to Develop 'Black Wall Street' in Boston With New $304 Million Supermax Contract

Jaylen Brown has announced plans for his new $304 million contract, the largest in NBA history. Speaking with the media, Brown revealed that he will pour back into the community that has hosted his basketball career.

“I appreciate the investment and the commitment from the Celtics,” Brown said. “That commitment will be felt from me here in Boston on and off the floor.”

Brown now aims to bring “Black Wall Street” to Boston, aiming to helpt the racial wealth gap in the city.

“There’s analytics that support that stimulating the wealth gap is something that could be a betterment for the entire economy,” Brown said. “With the biggest financial deal in NBA history, it makes sense to talk about one, your investment in community. But two, also the wealth disparity here that nobody wants to talk about. … It’s something we can all improve on.”

Also available at the press conference was Celtics’ co-owner Wyc Grousbeck, who stated Brown’s character was part of the decision to make the financial investment in the character.

“It’s not just about a contract or money or playing basketball. It’s about making a difference in life,” Grousbeck said. “That’s what Jaylen embodies to me and to my partner Steve [Pagliuca] and others and to all of us here at the Celtics. He’s a true Celtic. He’s a Celtic for years to come.”

Jaylen Brown has signed the richest deal in NBA history. According to ESPN, Brown has inked a five-year, $304 million supermax extension with the Boston Celtics.

Brown and his agent Jason Glushon met with ownership on Sunday to finalize the deal, placing him under contract until the 2028-29 season. Brown now passes Finals MVP Nikola Jokic and his $276 million extension with the Denver Nuggets.

Brown’s teammate Jayson Tatum is eligible for a supermax extension next summer. Last season, Brown averaged 26.6 points on 49% shooting. In the first year of his deal, Brown will make $52.3 million, and in the final year he will make $69.1 million.

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SOURCE SPORTS: Jaylen Brown Signs Five-Year Extension Worth $304 Million with Celtics, Richest in NBA History

jaylen brown

Jaylen Brown has signed the richest deal in NBA history. According to ESPN, Brown has inked a five-year, $304 million supermax extension with the Boston Celtics.

Brown and his agent Jason Glushon met with ownership on Sunday to finalize the deal, placing him under contract until the 2028-29 season. Brown now passes Finals MVP Nikola Jokic and his $276 million extension with the Denver Nuggets.

Brown’s teammate Jayson Tatum is eligible for a supermax extension next summer. Last season, Brown averaged 26.6 points on 49% shooting. In the first year of his deal, Brown will make $52.3 million, and in the final year he will make $69.1 million.

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