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Celtics overcome late fireworks, hold off Hawks to start road trip

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:28:52 GMT

After taking control for most of the game, the Celtics certainly did not make things easy for themselves late on Saturday night in Atlanta.Boston’s worst habits that started its post-break slide came into view. Their double-digit lead was sliced down to an uncomfortable margin, and their inability to keep opponents off the offensive glass continued. Then, Marcus Smart was inexplicably ejected with less than 90 seconds to go after a skirmish with Trae Young.But unlike their pitfalls from their three-game skid earlier this month, the Celtics never cratered or succumbed to their late-game struggles. It wasn’t nearly perfect, but the C’s had enough answers down the stretch to hold off the Hawks for a 134-125 victory to kick off their six-game road trip.Jayson Tatum had another special night with 34 points, 15 rebounds and six assists, and Jaylen Brown scored 24 points to lead six Celtics in double-figure scoring. Young had 35 points and 13 assists to lead the Hawks, who could be a poten...

Wendell Carter’s return helps defense in Magic’s overtime win over Heat

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:28:52 GMT

The Orlando Magic are hoping the return of their starting big man will lead to better defensive performances.Saturday’s 126-114 overtime win over the Miami Heat at Amway Center was a step in the right direction.Wendell Carter Jr. was back in the lineup after missing the previous three games — losses to the Portland Trail Blazers, Milwaukee Bucks and Utah Jazz — because of hip pain.“He does so many little things,” coach Jamahl Mosley said pregame. “Like his ability to when to roll and where to roll in pick-and-rolls. It’s why he and Franz [Wagner] have such a great connection in the pick-and-roll.“Defensively, that early talk, that early help with the guards; helping them navigate through screens and being in the right position if something breaks down — those are the things that you don’t really pick up on because he’s covering it so fast.”The Magic’s defensive efficiency tanked without Carter in the previ...

Winderman’s view: Jimmy Butler could use a few friends (who can score)

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:28:52 GMT

Observations and other notes of interest from Saturday night’s 126-114 overtime loss to the Orlando Magic:– Yes, Jimmy Butler is a one-man band.– Which says plenty about Jimmy Butler since the All-Star break.– He also has to feel lonely at the top of the scoring sheet.– The supporting cast is well paid, or at least will be when Tyler Herro’s extension kicks in next season to join Bam Adebayo on his extension.– But it’s as if there is nothing there when Butler isn’t in there.– And the man certainly deserves his rest.– With this one the second night of a back-to-back.– With three more Heat back-to-back sets to follow.– Kyle Lowry was supposed to be the sidekick in stardom.– That never happened.– Adebayo was trending that way.– Then came the All-Star break.– As for Herro, the ultimate streak-scoring element, perhaps.– But not necessarily a No. 2 on an elite team.– So Butler...

Favoring continuity, China reappoints central bank governor

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:28:52 GMT

BEIJING (AP) — China on Sunday reappointed Yi Gang as head of the central bank in an effort to reassure entrepreneurs and financial markets by showing continuity at the top while other economic officials change.Yi, whose official title is governor of the People’s Bank of China, plays no role in making monetary policy, unlike his counterparts in other major economies. His official duties lie in “implementing monetary policy,” or carrying out decisions made by a policymaking body whose membership is a secret. But the central bank governor acts as spokesperson for monetary policy, is the most prominent Chinese figure in global finance and is in charge of reassuring bankers and investors at a time when China’s economy is emerging from drastically slower growth. At the March 5 opening of the annual session of China’s rubber-stamp parliament, the National People’s Congress, China announced plans for a consumer-led revival of the struggling economy, setting this year’s growth target at “ar...

Columbus rallies to tie Toronto with late goal in TFC home opener

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:28:52 GMT

Substitute Jimmy Medranda’s 75th-minute goal gave the Columbus Crew a 1-1 draw with Toronto FC in TFC’s home opener Saturday night.Aidan Morris put Medranda in behind the Toronto defence and the Colombian, just two minutes into his Columbus debut, chipped Sean Johnson for the goal only to see the offside flag go up. But referee Ismir Pekmic awarded the goal after reviewing the play on the pitchside monitor.Columbus (1-1-1) had a chance to win it in stoppage time but Cucho Herndandez hit the goalpost and Alexandru Matan sent the rebound just wide.Deandre Kerr had given Toronto the lead in the 25th minute. TFC (0-1-2) was looking for its first win of the Major League Soccer season after opening with a 3-2 loss at D.C. United and 1-1 draw at Atlanta.It was a depleted TFC attack with Italian star Lorenzo Insigne, the league’s highest-paid player, missing a second straight game with a lower body injury. Starting striker Adama Diomande and Ayo Akinola, who replaced him m...

2 more children die after a Montclare house fire at a Chicago firefighter's home

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:28:52 GMT

CHICAGO — Two more children who were critically injured in a house fire at a firefighter's home in Montclare earlier this week died Friday evening, further echoing the pain and grief being felt throughout the Northwest Chicago neighborhood."It’s very sad," said Perla Martinez, a Montclare resident. "We’ve never had something like this happen before and it just caught us off guard ... It’s really sad."A family member told WGN the two children who died Friday evening were 2-year-old Emery Stewart and 9-year-old Autumn Stewart. Emery and Autumn's mother, Summer Day-Stewart, died from her injuries earlier in the day, while 7-year-old Ezra Stewart died in the fire Tuesday. Family tells WGN that Summer's memory will live on through organ donation, while the Chicago firefighter community comes together to help pay for the family's funerals. Memorial services begin Wednesday for fallen Chicago officer "I hope they are okay in this time of their loss," Martinez said. "And we're always here...

Archdiocese asks South Side pastor to step aside amid decades-old sexual abuse claims

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:28:52 GMT

CHICAGO — Cardinal Blase Cupich asked a pastor at a South Side church to step aside and live away from his ministry after the Archdiocese of Chicago received an allegation of child sexual abuse from decades ago.According to a letter penned by Cupich, Most Holy Redeemer Parish associate pastor, Father Paul Guzman, was overseas on military duty when the archdiocese received the allegation, which stems from approximately 40 years ago when Guzman was a layman and 25 years before he entered Mundelein Seminary to prepare for priesthood.Cupich said that in keeping with the Archdiocese's child protection policies, he asked Guzman to step away from the ministry immediately upon his return from military duty and he agreed to cooperate with the church's direction.The allegation was also reported to the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services and the Cook County State's Attorney's Office. Toward the end of the letter, Cupich said that the Archdiocese's Office for the Protection of C...

1 dead, 5 injured in crash near Elgin

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:28:52 GMT

TRAVIS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — One person was pronounced dead Saturday night after a crash on County Line Road, according to a tweet from Austin-Travis County EMS.The crash occurred around 8:45 p.m. The deceased and one other person were pinned in a vehicle prior to the arrival of first responders. The extricated survivor and four other people were injured in the crash.ATCEMS, Elgin Fire and STAR Flight responded to the scene.This is a developing story. KXAN will provide updates as more information becomes available.

In snow, Loons slip up and settle for 1-1 draw with Red Bulls

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:28:52 GMT

Minnesota United’s second Snow Opener went only slightly better than indelible first one in 2017.The club’s inaugural MLS home game seven years ago is seared in supporters’ memories for the snow globe scene at TCF Bank Stadium. But that match also scarred with the 6-1 loss to expansion cousin Atlanta United.In Saturday’s home opener, the Loons gave up a first-half lead and settled for a 1-1 draw with New York Red Bulls at Allianz Field.It’s not just the 2017 home opener that went awry. Nearly every home opener has gone poorly for Minnesota as they fell to 1-3-3 before Saturday. The Loons’ only win come in 2018.Loons manager Adrian Heath had gathered his players after Friday’s training session for a quick message. Minnesota started strong with a 1-0 win over FC Dallas on Feb 25 and then had a bye in Week 2. “We had a good start last week, don’t ruin it,” Heath relayed.But Minnesota (1-0-1) let two points slip away on a snowy surface against New York (0-1-2). The sounds of Bob Marley ...

Kiszla: Prep legends Rudy Carey and Dick Katte proof basketball wisdom never grows old

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:28:52 GMT

The two philosopher kings of Colorado prep hoops, with 17 state championships and nearly 1,800 victories between them, crossed paths in a quiet corner of the Denver Coliseum, far from view of an amped-up crowd buzzing in anticipation of the biggest game of the season.Denver East coach Rudy Carey clasped his hands, bent at the waist like a samurai and respectfully bowed his head toward the heart of Denver Christian legend Dick Katte.Sixty minutes prior to tipoff of the Class 6A championship game between East and Fossil Ridge on Saturday, Katte told Carey: “Go do good, young man.”Then with the calm of a basketball Yoda, Katte reassured Carey: “I know you will do well.”Led by the gravity-defying drives of D’Aundre Samuels and the pure-as-falling-snow jump shot of Jack Greenwood, East then went out and ran a very good Fossil Ridge team into the ground, winning 82-61.Well, could you kindly give me a rewrite of the Colorado prep history book?While eavesdropping on the conversation between...