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The Associated Press •

Pro leagues balance profit, integrity risks in legal betting era

When Calvin Ridley was suspended for betting on NFL games in 2022, it was largely dismissed as an isolated incident among the four biggest North American professional leagues in the era of legalized sports gambling.

He served a yearlong suspension, penned a lengthy apology calling it “an isolated lapse in judgement,” and was reinstated in March.

But in April when three players were disciplined for betting on NFL games and two more for placing wagers on non-league games, followed this month by an investigation into another player, a spotlight shone not just on the NFL but U.S. sports betting as a whole.
The Associated Press •

Reluctant but resolute Popovich leads international-rich 2023 Basketball Hall of Fame class

UNCASVILLE, Conn. (AP) — For years, Gregg Popovich has eschewed the idea of him being worthy of inclusion in the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame.

He felt others were more deserving and worthy of the sport’s highest honor.

On Friday, the man whose career has sprouted basketball tenacles that now span the globe was listed among a collection of basketball royalty that underscored his undeniable impact on the game.

He can no longer run from the inevitable.
The Associated Press •

Celtics thrive on 3s, beat Heat 110-97 in Game 5 to extend East finals

The Boston Celtics have looked elimination in the face four times this postseason and still haven’t blinked.

Derrick White had 24 points, including six 3-pointers, and the Celtics dominated the Miami Heat 110-97 on Thursday night in Game 5 to extend the Eastern Conference finals.

Marcus Smart had 23 points and five steals. Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown finished with 21 points apiece as the Celtics won their second straight and trimmed Miami’s series lead to 3-2. The Celtics are halfway to becoming the first team in NBA history to overcome a 3-0 deficit to win a series.

“We’ve got to do whatever it takes to get a win,” White said.

Boston also survived two elimination games in the second round against the 76ers. Teams that fell behind 3-0 are 0-150 all-time in series.

“It just says that our backs are against the wall and we’re sticking together and we’re competing at a high level to give ourselves a chance,” Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla said.
The Associated Press •

A look at sports gambling rules among Big 4 pro leagues

The Supreme Court’s 2018 ruling in Murphy vs. NCAA ushered in a new era of legalized sports betting in the U.S., allowing states to establish their own sports wagering laws.

Despite opposition from the major sports leagues, the high court overturned a federal law – the 1992 Professional Amateur Sports Protection Act – that had barred betting on football, basketball, baseball and other sports in most states.

With the ruling came a new approach to how the NFL, NBA, MLB and NHL associate with the industry.

Each league prohibits its employees and players from betting on their own games. But there are variations.
The Associated Press •

Patriots navigating uncertainty as matchup with Bills looms

Bill Belichick doesn’t usually watch Monday night games on television.

But with the Patriots preparing to play the Bills, and with New England’s playoff hopes hinging on a victory, the longtime coach happened to have the Buffalo-Cincinnati game on.

That means Belichick was like millions of others watching live as Bills safety Damar Hamlin collapsed on the field because his heart had stopped.

“Life is bigger than this game. And I think this is one of those humbling moments for all of us,” Belichick said Thursday.

That’s because what he saw took him back to 1997 and another game he’ll never forget.
The Associated Press •

Dugger INT return helps lift Pats over fading Dolphins 23-21

His team clutching a two-point lead, the ball on the 1-yard line and the season in the balance, Mac Jones decided to improvise.

Facing third-and-goal, the Patriots quarterback looked to his left and saw a Dolphins defense guarding against a run and linebacker Duke Riley spread out covering Jakobi Meyers. Jones made eye contact with his receiver, took the snap and tossed a short fade where only Meyers could reach it. He did, falling into the end zone for a touchdown.

It may prove to be the play that saved the Patriots’ season.
The Associated Press •

Brown scores 36, Tatum-less Celtics outlast Wizards 130-121

Marcus Smart laughs when he thinks about how far Jaylen Brown has come since he was a rookie.

There were moments during that 2016 season when he remembers a 19-year-old Brown at times recklessly driving 1-on-5 and throwing up wild shots at the rim.

“His excuse was: ‘When everybody is telling me to slow down, the defense hears that, so I’m going to speed up.’ We’d be like, ‘No, that doesn’t make any sense,’” Smart recalled. “He’s using more of his grace now, to where he’s understanding that sometimes just be patient and let the game come to you instead of going and get it yourself.”
The Associated Press •

Celtics have NBA's best record despite offseason strife

The Celtics entered the season with a built-in reason to underachieve.

Ime Udoka, the man who had changed so much about their culture and led them to the NBA Finals as a first-year coach last season, was given a yearlong suspension prior to training camp for having an inappropriate relationship with a woman in the organization.

But nearly a quarter into its schedule, Boston has emerged from that preseason cloud with an NBA-best 13-4 record and looks like a team that’s still capable of capitalizing on its championship window.
The Associated Press •

Pats QB Jones believes he can salvage rough start to Year 2

As a rookie NFL quarterback, Mac Jones approached nearly everything he did last season like a sponge.

The formula was uncomplicated: Take in the information, concepts, plays, and instructions as presented, then execute as asked.

It helped him set the standard among the league’s first-year signal callers, as he led the 2021 QB class in both yards passing (3,801) and touchdowns (22). It earned him a Pro Bowl selection and raised expectations for him and a franchise hoping to have finally found the guy to build around post-Tom Brady.

If only it were that easy.
The Associated Press •

Judge homers twice to reach 57, Yanks beat Sox 7-6 in 10

It’s a rare thing for a Red Sox fan to cheer for a member of the New York Yankees.

Aaron Judge caused some of Boston’s faithful to make an exception on his latest visit to Fenway Park

Judge hit his major league-leading 56th and 57th home runs, Gleyber Torres had a go-ahead three-run double in the 10th inning and the Yankees held on to beat the Red Sox 7-6 on Tuesday night.

Playing in New York’s 142nd game, the Yankees slugger’s second drive of the night brought fans from both sides of the rivalry to their feet in applause as he moved four from tying the American League home run record Roger Maris set with the Yankees in 1961.

“(Red Sox fans) were wearing me out on deck, I don’t know if they were cheering or not,” Judge said. “They were wearing me out. But nah, it’s all of baseball fans. Just fans all over. Red Sox, Yankees — it doesn’t matter. They came here to see a good game and to see a show. Both teams I think put on a good show for them.”
AP News •

Big or small, Bruins defense making it happen in playoffs

The Boston Bruins are a case study in extremes on the blue line.

There are some prototypical bruisers: At 6-foot-9 and 250 pounds, 42-year-old Zdeno Chara anchors Boston’s first pairing and the 6-foot-5 Brandon Carlo is on the second line.

The rest of the defense? Take it down a notch: Torey Krug and Matt Grzelcyk are both just 5-9 and Connor Clifton is listed at 5-11.

Whatever they’re doing, it’s working: The Bruins defense and red-hot goaltender Tuukka Rask entered Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final allowing a playoff-best 1.94 goals per game through the first three rounds.
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