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Progressives assail PH gov’t abstention from UN reso for humanitarian truce
"No amount of explanation can bury the fact that the Philippines refused to support a humanitarian resolution and legitimized genocide as a form of so-called right to self-defense of an imperialist-backed occupation state.” The post Progressives assail PH gov’t abstention from UN reso for humanitarian truce appeared first on Bulatlat......»»
Revamped Celtics chase NBA title
New York, United States—Adding All-Star guard Jrue Holiday and Latvian big man Kristaps Porzingis has given the revamped Boston Celtics new belief they can contend for their first NBA crown since 2008. The Celtics have lost in the Eastern Conference finals in four of the past seven seasons as well as being defeated by Golden State in the.....»»
Knights begin four-peat quest versus Bombers
Four teams – one seeking to continue its dynastic reign, another tired of being a two-time bridesmaid, a third out to bury its dark past and the last hoping to hit it big this time – open NCAA Season 99 basketball today in a pair of titanic showdowns at the MOA Arena......»»
Morocco mourns quake victims as death toll passes 2,000
Moroccans on Sunday mourned the victims of a devastating earthquake that killed more than 2,000 people, as rescue teams raced to find survivors trapped in the rubble of flattened villages. The strongest-ever quake to hit the country has killed at least 2,012 people and injured over 2,059, many of them critically, according to the latest official figures. Friday's 6.8-magnitude quake struck 72 kilometers (45 miles) southwest of the tourist hub of Marrakesh, wiping out entire villages in rural areas. "I've lost everything", said Lahcen, a resident of the mountain village of Moulay Brahim, whose wife and four children were killed. Rescue workers recovered the bodies of Lahcen's three daughters from the rubble of what was once their home, but have not yet found the bodies of his wife and son. "I can't do anything about it now, I just want to get away from the world and mourn." Troops and emergency services have scrambled to reach remote mountain villages where victims are still feared trapped. Al-Haouz province, where the epicenter of the earthquake was located, suffered the most deaths with 1,293, followed by the province of Taroudant with 452. - First funerals - Bouchra, another resident of remote Moulay Brahim village, dried her tears with her scarf as she watched men digging graves to bury the victims. "My cousin's grandchildren are dead", she said in a knotted voice. "I saw the devastation of the earthquake live, and I'm still shaking. It's like a ball of fire that has swallowed up everything in its path," she said. "Everyone here has lost family, whether in our village or elsewhere in the region", she added. Authorities declared three days of national mourning, while several countries, including Israel, France, Spain, Italy and the United States, have offered aid. Neighboring Algeria, which has had rocky relations with Morocco, opened its airspace, which had been closed for two years, to flights carrying humanitarian aid and the injured. - 'Years of aid' - The Red Cross warned that it could take years to repair the damage. "It won't be a matter of a week or two... We are counting on a response that will take months, if not years", Hossam Elsharkawi, the organization's Middle East and North Africa director, said in a statement. The village of Tafeghaghte, 60 kilometers southwest of Marrakesh, was almost entirely destroyed by the quake, the epicenter of which was only about 50 kilometers away, an AFP team reported, with very few buildings still standing. "Three of my grandchildren and their mother are dead," said 72-year-old Omar Benhanna. "They're still under the debris. It wasn't so long ago that we were playing together." Residents buried around 70 victims in the nearby cemetery on Saturday, as the funeral rites were punctuated by cries and screams. In the evening, television channels broadcast aerial images showing entire villages of clay houses in the Al-Haouz region completely destroyed. "The public authorities are still mobilized to speed up rescue operations and evacuate the injured", the interior ministry said Saturday evening. The tremor was also felt in the coastal cities of Rabat, Casablanca, Agadir and Essaouira, where many panicked residents took to the streets in the middle of the night, fearing that their homes would collapse. This earthquake is the deadliest in Morocco since the 1960 quake that destroyed Agadir, in which nearly 15,000 people, a third of the city's population, died. kao-ezz/roc/dhw/mtp © Agence France-Presse The post Morocco mourns quake victims as death toll passes 2,000 appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
‘Baldie’ and big-talker
As the celluloid world has long since crossed over to the realm of real life, we, the people, have not been left wanting amusement by big-talking politicians who cultivate images reeking with swagger. Who would forget former Hollywood actor and then-United States President Ronald Reagan’s melodramatic, “Mr. (Mikhail) Gorbachev, tear down this wall,” line during a speech in Berlin in 1987 at the climax of the Cold War? Very few millennials or those belonging to generations after may know that Reagan’s call to the Soviet Union’s supreme leader led, in part, to the toppling of the Berlin Wall, separating communist East Berlin from democratic West Berlin. John le Carré even referenced the Berlin Wall in his novel “The Spy Who Came in From the Cold,” which begins and ends in Berlin, where the wall served as a physical and symbolic presence throughout the story. In the opening scene, the protagonist, Alec Leamas, watched as his last agent was shot dead by Soviet-affiliated East German sentries at the wall, tipping him over the precipice, and convincing him to defect. Way earlier in 1956, Soviet strongman Nikita Khrushchev was visiting Poland when he made that infamous line, “We will bury you,” referring to the US-led West, which then used it to further feed its nuclear holocaust, “end of days” paranoia. Khrushchev would later clarify that he never meant he’d rain nukes on Western nations, but that communism would eventually triumph over capitalism, and that the US would be “buried” by the forces of history. How wrong Khrushchev would be with the demise of Soviet empire. Like Khrushchev, our own debonair senator who dropped his screen name Robin, and assumed his real name Robinhood Padilla, may have not meant literally that he would beat up a resource person in a Senate investigation on the alleged violence committed by an employer to a woman, his house helper. According to journalists, Padilla left the hearing in a huff and mouthed an apology off-camera that he let emotions get the better of him. Fine, if the lesson had been learned not to blur the line between reel and real life. But there’s just this propensity by supposed public servants to use big words when faced with challenges that may not be as big as tearing down the Berlin Wall. Again, amusing, but forgivable, if it gets the desired results. We are referring to that post by Quezon City Police District chief Nicolas Torre III in response to a viral video of a man who hit a cyclist after he swerved his car into the path of the bicycle. The hot-tempered motorist even drew and cocked his pistol. Posted Torre in the video blog: “Damn, yari kang kalbo ka. Sumurrender ka na sa pinakamalapit na QC police station para hindi na tayo mapagod pa pareho. Pakidala at surrender na rin ng baril mo para hindi na kami mag-search warrant pa sa bahay mo. Baka kabahan pa ang SWAT ko at makalabitan ka pa ng M16.” Torre’s post is disturbing on several points, foremost of which is that it was a threat to shoot the man on account of his Special Weapons and Tactics team maybe being too “nervous” to have itchy trigger fingers. Doesn’t speak well of the QCPD SWAT team, really, considering that incident in Navotas City when cops, elite SWAT members according to Senator Risa Hontiveros, fired “warning” shots that killed 17-year-old Jerhode “Jemboy” Baltazar. The general could have also chosen to be more circumspect in his language since that kind of cop-speak does not build public confidence and even adds to the perception that cops shoot first and ask questions later. At any rate, that gun-poking incident involving Willie Gonzales, adds to the reasons why neuropsychiatric tests given by the Philippine National Police to cops and gun license applicants may be considered a failure. Appearing in a press conference called by the suddenly jovial Torre, Gonzales said all’s well that ends well as he and the cyclist had already patched up their tiff. There’s no criminal complaint against Gonzales, said Torre, only an administrative one, with the Philippine National Police’s Firearms and Explosives Office to review Gonzales’ fitness to be allowed to own and carry firearms. In a matter of hours, the tough-talking general had become, to some observers, patronizing of the man he threatened with his post. What an about face? Which brings us to that recent exposure of some rogue cops doctoring neuropsychiatric test results may have to do with us being saddled with neurotic cops and loony armed civilians who can pay thousands of pesos to get them certified to own or carry firearms. Shall we heave a sigh of relief that the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections gun ban is about to commence? Nah. Criminals and those drunk with power are, in fact, most happy during such times when they’re the only ones packing heat. The post ‘Baldie’ and big-talker appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Manila pet cemetery to open soon
A pet cemetery and an animal clinic and shelter are slated to be opened in Manila. This was announced by Mayor Honey Lacuna, who said the planned cemetery for pets is located at the Manila South Cemetery. She added that said cemetery and animal clinic and shelter are already in the works. Once operational, the pet cemetery may be used to bury the dead pets of Manila residents at no cost to the owners. Meanwhile, Lacuna also announced that the city is also going to have an animal shelter and clinic for animal lovers. “The free cemetery is for all our pets because in Manila, we embrace everything,” she said. Lacuna added: “This only goes to show that your city government focuses not only on humans but also our beloved pets.” The lady mayor, a pet lover herself, said that the target date for the opening of its animal clinic and shelter located in Vitas, Tondo is before yearend. The post Manila pet cemetery to open soon appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Manila pet cemetery soon to open
A pet cemetery and an animal clinic and shelter are slated to be opened in Manila. This was announced by Mayor Honey Lacuna, who said the planned cemetery for pets will be located at the Manila South Cemetery. Once operational, the pet cemetery may be used to bury the dead pets of Manila residents at no cost to the owners. "Ang free cemetery na ito ay para sa ating mga alagang hayop dahil sa Maynila, lahat niyayakap," she said."Patunay lamang po ito na ang inyong pamahalaang-lungsod ay nakatuon di lamang sa tao bagkus, maging sa ating mga alagang hayop." She added that the said cemetery is already in the works. Moreover, Lacuna also announced that the city is going to have an animal shelter and clinic for animal lovers. The lady mayor, a pet lover herself, said that the target date for the opening of the animal clinic and shelter, which is located in Vitas, Tondo, is before yearend. The post Manila pet cemetery soon to open appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Arab Israelis bury official as crime wave toll nears 160
A high-ranking civil servant buried Wednesday in Israel is the latest victim of a crime wave that has killed almost 160 members of Israel's Arab minority this year. Abdelrahman Kashua, who held the post of director-general in Tira city, just north of Tel Aviv, was gunned down at a gas station on Monday, police said. Mourners carrying black flags gathered outside a police station in protest as part of the funeral procession. Kashua is among 156 Arab-Israelis killed so far this year, according to the Abraham Initiatives which promotes coexistence between Arabs and Jews. Arab Israelis have long complained of discrimination and police inaction against crime that disproportionately affects their communities. Experts say Arab gangs have amassed large quantities of illegal weapons over the past two decades and are involved in drug and other crimes. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday condemned Kashua's killing as a "red line" and vowed to use all means "in order to defeat this crime" wave. But just hours after his remarks, four more Arab men were murdered in the northern town of Abu Snan. One of the victims, Ghazi Saab, had written on Facebook about his plans to stand in municipal elections later this year, and said "We can no longer remain silent." "Crime and acts of violence in our villages have crossed all limits," he wrote in July. "I appeal to all to not deal in violence. There is no reason to kill." A leading Arab politician, Mansour Abbas, on Wednesday called for greater support for his community. "Our demand is only one, that the state of Israel carries out its duty to protect the lives of Arab citizens," he said at Kashua's funeral. Abbas made history in 2021 when his Raam movement became the first Arab party to join a governing coalition, pressing while in power for funds to tackle crime. Arab Israelis, descendants of Palestinians who stayed on their land after Israel's creation in 1948, make up about 21 percent of the population and many identify as Palestinian. Earlier this month Netanyahu blamed "out-of-control criminal organizations" for the violence, which has led to other protests by Arab Israelis this year. In early June, the prime minister said he was "determined to stop this chain of murders" and would see that happen by not only reinforcing police but also "with the help of the Shin Bet", the internal security agency. The post Arab Israelis bury official as crime wave toll nears 160 appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Latvia s Kristaps Porzingis (foot) to miss FIBA World Cup
(Photo credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports) Kristaps Porzingis of Latvia announced on social media Tuesday that he will miss the FIBA Basketball World Cup because of a foot issue. The 7-foot-3 center, a new member of the Boston Celtics after a three-team trade with the Washington Wizards in June, was set to lead Latvia in the World Cup, which begins Aug. 25 in Japan, the Philippines and Indonesia. "After several weeks o.....»»
Around 40 migrants rescued, others found dead off Cape Verde
Several migrants have been found dead and around 40 rescued from a boat off Cape Verde, authorities said Tuesday, with fears dozens more may have died. Cape Verdean media reported that the "pirogue" style boat common in the region left Senegal a month ago, while police said about 100 people had set off from the West African coast. Senegal's foreign ministry said late Tuesday that 38 people, including a citizen of Guinea-Bissau, were rescued from the migrant boat off the Cape Verde coast. The vessel was spotted on Monday almost 200 miles from the island of Sal by a Spanish fishing boat, which alerted Cape Verde authorities, police said. "We must open our arms and welcome the living and bury the dead with dignity," said Cape Verdean Health Minister Filomena Goncalves, as quoted by the Inforpress news agency. Around 40 survivors and several dead bodies were found on the boat, but sources differed on the exact number. The coast guard said the total number of survivors and dead was 48. The local morgue said it had received seven dead bodies. Jose Rui Moreira, a health official in Sal, said there were 38 survivors and seven needed to be taken to hospital. Cape Verde lies about 600 kilometres (350 miles) off the coast of West Africa on the maritime migration route to the Spanish Canary Islands -- a gateway to the European Union. Thousands of migrants fleeing poverty and war risk their lives to make the dangerous crossing each year. They often travel in modest boats or motorised canoes supplied by smugglers, who charge a fee for the journey. In January, rescue teams in Cape Verde saved around 90 migrants adrift in a canoe, while two others aboard died. The migrants were from Senegal, The Gambia, Guinea-Bissau and Sierra Leone. The post Around 40 migrants rescued, others found dead off Cape Verde appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Confronting a paradox
Often perceived as a low-paying and demanding occupation, farming is crucial and should be a profitable job that provides us the food we consume. How about if our farmers get frustrated with intermediaries or middlemen whom they rely on to sell their produce, and decide to just leave their harvests to rot? A farmer in Cebu province ranted on Facebook about how middlemen exploited them by offering low prices, leaving him and other farmers with meager profits, while they reaped the higher margins themselves. An under 2-minute video that made the rounds last week showed the farmer chopping a squash to pieces against the backdrop of a large pile of the produce, as he raged about the hardships farmers go through only to be offered P3 per kilo. This was not even enough to offset the financial capital and labor used to grow the squash. He lamented how his family was expecting to feast on other food besides cassava that they regularly had on the dining table during the growing season. Stories of farmers throwing away their harvest evoke sympathetic emotions, highlighting the prevailing poverty and hardships they face. Their stories are prevalent in the rural areas, reinforcing reports that so many farmers have to endure poverty and suffering — that should inspire institutions to launch projects aimed at assisting them. Lucky are those who spend their retirement doing backyard farming, those who plant vegetables for personal consumption. In the case of the Cebu farmer in the video, commercial farming as a good source of income is a myth, neither is planting profitable vegetables like ampalaya, eggplant, string beans, squash, carrots, potatoes, onions and garlic, among others. With the grim reminder that there are still a lot of forsaken Filipino farmers and that we have to do more to achieve inclusive growth, there is more to raising awareness of their sad plight. We are confronted with a paradox. The agriculture sector, despite its crucial role in the Philippine economy, often goes unnoticed, possibly due to its slow growth compared to other sectors like construction. John Bae, in his research article titled “Beyond the Farmers’ Plight: A Closer Look at Philippine Agriculture,” said the paradox surrounding the unnoticed agriculture sector contributes to persistent rural poverty. Research indicates that poverty is primarily an agricultural issue, with a significant number of impoverished individuals residing in farming and fishing regions. This suggests that the poverty experienced by farmers is not only a matter of inequality or social injustice but a fundamental problem within the agriculture sector itself. The plight of vegetable farmers is a compelling issue that demands attention from policymakers and agricultural organizations. By addressing challenges such as market volatility and linkages, climate change, limited resources, and inadequate infrastructure, we can create an enabling environment for our vegetable farmers to thrive in. By investing in infrastructure, storage facilities, and irrigation systems, government can help mitigate losses due to post-harvest issues and weather-related risks. Most of all, promoting farmer cooperatives and empowering them to negotiate fair prices can reduce their dependence on middlemen who bury them further in the quagmire of poverty. Let us not lose sight of the fact that the farmers are the main reason there’s food on our tables. The post Confronting a paradox appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Biden to host Japan, South Korea leaders 18 Aug — White House
US President Joe Biden will host Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio and South Korea's President Yoon Suk Yeol for a summit at his retreat outside Washington on 18 August, the White House said Friday. "The leaders will celebrate a new chapter in their trilateral relationship as they reaffirm their strong bonds of friendship and the ironclad alliances between the United States and Japan, and the United States and the Republic of Korea," an official statement said. The summit, held at the Camp David presidential retreat in rural Maryland near Washington, DC, will be a chance to "discuss expanding trilateral cooperation across the Indo-Pacific and beyond," the White House said. They will address the "continued threat" from North Korea and "advance a shared trilateral vision for addressing global and regional security challenges, promoting a rules-based international order, and bolstering economic prosperity." Biden has made a priority of getting close US allies Japan and South Korea to overcome years of tension and work together in the face of nuclear-armed North Korea's ongoing saber rattling and fear of confrontation with superpower China. Relations between Pyongyang and Seoul are at one of their lowest points, with diplomacy stalled and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un calling for increased weapons development, including tactical nukes. In response, Yoon has pulled South Korea closer to long-standing ally Washington and sought to bury the hatchet with former colonial power Japan. In April, Seoul and Washington said that if Pyongyang ever used its nuclear weapons against the allies, it would face a nuclear reaction and the "end" of its regime. The post Biden to host Japan, South Korea leaders 18 Aug — White House appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Ex-NBA All-Star Kemba Walker signs for Monaco
Former NBA All-Star guard Kemba Walker signed for next season with Monaco on Friday. A four-time All-Star between 2017 and 2020, Walker is one of the highest profile signings in the history of the French league. He was drafted by the Charlotte Hornets where he played for eight seasons before leaving in 2019, before spending two seasons at the Boston Celtics, then a season at the New York Knicks. Last season, the 33-year-old played just nine games with the Dallas Mavericks, who signed him as a free agent in November before cutting him in January. The experienced Walker played 750 NBA games during his career and is the all-time leading scorer for the Hornets. Monaco hope Walker he will line up alongside influential American guard Mike James, who joined in July 2021 and still has a season left on his contract in the Principality. Walker is the fourth signing by the reigning French champions as they attempt to improve on their third-place finish in the Euroleague -- Europe's top club competition -- last season. French internationals Terry Tarpey, Mam Jaiteh and Petr Cornelie have also been recruited. Monaco also confirmed the one-season extension of the contract of Lithuanian centre Donatas Motiejunas, 32. The post Ex-NBA All-Star Kemba Walker signs for Monaco appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Kai Sotto suffered back pains in Orlando’s loss to Boston
Kai Sotto suffered back pains as he only played in the first half in Orlando Magic's 77-94 loss to the Boston Celtics in the NBA Summer League at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada Sundau morning (Manila time). For eight minutes, Sotto was scoreless after going 0-of-3 from the field and grabbed two rebounds, one assist, one block and one turnover as the Magic lost all five games in the Summer League. Sotto, 21, never played in the second half and left the arena with a back support straped onto him. Vincent Valerio Bodon led Boston with 13 points. Robert Baker II scored 15 points for the Magic. The post Kai Sotto suffered back pains in Orlando’s loss to Boston appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Porzingis to Boston
The Washington Wizards have agreed to trade center Kristaps Porzingis to the Boston Celtics as part of a three-team trade that also includes Marcus Smart heading to the Memphis Grizzlies, two people with knowledge of the deal said Thursday morning......»»
‘Jealousy made me kill her’
The Quezon City Police District reported yesterday that the body of a 21-year-old woman earlier tagged missing had been dug up Thursday night in a vacant lot in North Caloocan. Her alleged boyfriend, identified by the police as Jeffrey Montales (Morales, in another report), was arrested after he reportedly admitted to killing Argee Cabangunay in a fit of jealousy. Cabangunay’s remains were retrieved from a lot inside a subdivision in Barangay 171, according to the police. “I confronted her about a man she was chatting with. I pushed her. I am so sorry, and I even slept beside her (dead body),” the suspect said, according to the police. The suspect claimed he strangled the woman Sunday afternoon and returned the next day to bury her. P/Maj. Jose Hizon, commander of the Caloocan City police substation 9, said they have taken custody of the boyfriend, who may be charged with murder. An uncle of the victim said in a TV interview that they were surprised by her death as they noted efforts by the suspect to mislead the victim’s family. “It’s too painful, this thing that happened to our relative. She’s too young,” he said. “We did not even know that they were boyfriends.” “It’s only in that last conversation that we got to know that,” the uncle added. “She was breaking up with him, and he stalked her in her job and was making trouble for her.” The suspect even accompanied the woman’s parents to the police to report her disappearance. Leaving their house last Sunday with a man, the woman never returned. Her parents were surprised upon opening her social media account when they learned that the man she was last seen with was her boyfriend. The post ‘Jealousy made me kill her’ appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
‘Beeracle’ cited by NY Times
There’s an article in the May 29, 2023, issue of The New York Times citing San Miguel Beer’s comeback from a 0-3 deficit to win the 2015-16 PBA Philippine Cup Finals over Alaska in relation to the Boston Celtics’ bid to duplicate the feat in the NBA Eastern Conference Finals against the Miami Heat this season......»»
Boston makes Miami feel heat
LOS ANGELES (AFP) — Boston poured in 16 three-pointers in a dominant 110-97 victory over the Miami Heat on Thursday that kept the Celtics alive in the National Basketball Association championship chase. For the second straight game, the Celtics fended off elimination, cutting the deficit in the best-of-seven Eastern Conference finals to 3-2 with the wire-to-wire triumph. Miami will get another chance to close it out when they host game six on Saturday. The Celtics will be trying to take one more step toward becoming the first NBA team to rally from a 3-0 deficit to win a best-of-seven playoff series. “The only thing that can stop us is us,” Celtics forward Jaylen Brown said in an on-court interview. Before a rapturous, raucous crowd at TD Garden in Boston, the Celtics looked every inch the favorites they were before the series started — before the upstart eighth-seeded Heat grabbed the first two games in Boston, then embarrassed the second seeds in game three. Four Celtics starters scored more than 20 points, with Derrick White leading the way with 24 on a night when he made six of eight attempts from three-point range. “Got some good looks and was able to knock them down, and just kind of rolled with it,” said White, who said the Heat’s defensive focus on Brown and fellow star wing Jayson Tatum gave him more room to operate. Marcus Smart added 23 and had five steals while Brown and Tatum scored 21 apiece. More importantly, the energetic Celtics harried the Heat into 16 turnovers that led to 27 Boston points. They had 17 second-chance points compared to Miami’s seven. “Tonight we were the tougher playing team,” Brown said. “We set the tone from start to finish.” Boston was locked in on both ends of the floor from the opening tip-off, roaring to a 23-7 lead in a matter of minutes. After Tatum was whistled for a technical foul with 8:43 in the first quarter, the Celtics responded with three consecutive three-pointers. Tatum scored 12 points in the first quarter and Brown took over with 12 in the second. Meanwhile, Heat talisman Jimmy Butler struggled to get going, scoring eight points in the first half and finishing with 14 — his lowest-scoring game of the playoffs. He sat out most of the fourth quarter. Duncan Robinson led the Heat with 18 points off the bench. Bam Adebayo scored 16 points but coughed up six turnovers. Kyle Lowry starting at point guard after Gabe Vincent was ruled out with a sprained ankle, scored five points with four turnovers. “We’ve just got to play better,” Butler said. “Start the game off better, on the starters, make it more difficult for them. “They are in a rhythm since the beginning of the game,” Butler added. “But we are always going to stay positive, knowing that we can and we will win this series. We’ll just have to close it out at home.” Butler said the Heat allowed their shooting struggles to affect their defensive intensity. “But that’s easily correctable,” he said. “You just have to come out and play harder from the jump.” The Heat, who won the NBA title in 2006, 2012 and 2013, still only need one more win to reach a seventh NBA Finals. Boston, whose 17 NBA titles are tied with the Los Angeles Lakers for the most in history, last won it all in 2008 and came up short in last season’s championship series against the Golden State Warriors. The winners of the series will play the Western Conference champion Denver Nuggets, who swept the Lakers in four games to reach the NBA Finals for the first time. White said the Celtics expect a formidable challenge in Miami on Saturday. “The crowd is going to be in it. It’s not going to be easy,” he said. “It’s going to take 48 minutes of battling, scratching, clawing, and we’ve got to find a way to win.” Heat coach Erik Spoelstra was unconcerned that two big defeats had demoralized his team. “Who cares about mood?” Spoelstra said. “We have a gnarly group. It’s a competitive series. You always expect things to be challenging in the conference finals.” The post Boston makes Miami feel heat appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Celtics pummel Heat to keep NBA title hopes alive
Boston poured in 16 three-pointers in a dominant 110-97 victory over the Miami Heat on Thursday that kept the Celtics alive in the NBA championship chase. For the second straight game, the Celtics fended off elimination, cutting the deficit in the best-of-seven Eastern Conference finals to 3-2 with the wire-to-wire triumph. Miami will get another chance to close it out when they host game six on Saturday. The Celtics will be trying to take one more step toward becoming the first NBA team to rally from a 3-0 deficit to win a best-of-seven playoff series. "The only thing that can stop us is us," Celtics forward Jaylen Brown said in an on-court interview. Before a rapturous, raucous crowd at TD Garden in Boston, the Celtics looked every inch the favorites they were before the series started -- before the upstart eighth-seeded Heat grabbed the first two games in Boston, then embarrassed the second seeds in game three. Four Celtics starters scored more than 20 points, with Derrick White leading the way with 24 on a night when he made six of eight attempts from three-point range. "Got some good looks and was able to knock them down, and just kind of rolled with it," said White, who said the Heat's defensive focus on Brown and fellow star wing Jayson Tatum gave him more room to operate. Marcus Smart added 23 and had five steals while Brown and Tatum scored 21 apiece. More importantly, the energetic Celtics harried the Heat into 16 turnovers that led to 27 Boston points. They had 17 second-chance points compared to Miami's seven. "Tonight we were the tougher playing team," Brown said. "We set the tone from start to finish." Boston was locked in on both ends of the floor from the opening tip-off, roaring to a 23-7 lead in a matter of minutes. After Tatum was whistled for a technical foul with 8:43 in the first quarter, the Celtics responded with three consecutive three-pointers. Tatum scored 12 points in the first quarter and Brown took over with 12 in the second. Meanwhile, Heat talisman Jimmy Butler struggled to get going, scoring eight points in the first half and finishing with 14 -- his lowest-scoring game of the playoffs. He sat out most of the fourth quarter. Duncan Robinson led the Heat with 18 points off the bench. Bam Adebayo scored 16 points but coughed up six turnovers. Kyle Lowry starting at point guard after Gabe Vincent was ruled out with a sprained ankle, scored five points with four turnovers. "We've just got to play better," Butler said. "Start the game off better, on the starters, make it more difficult for them. "They are in a rhythm since the beginning of the game," Butler added. "But we are always going to stay positive, knowing that we can and we will win this series. We'll just have to close it out at home." Butler said the Heat allowed their shooting struggles to affect their defensive intensity. "But that's easily correctable," he said. "You just have to come out and play harder from the jump." The Heat, who won the NBA title in 2006, 2012 and 2013, still only need one more win to reach a seventh NBA Finals. Boston, whose 17 NBA titles are tied with the Los Angeles Lakers for the most in history, last won it all in 2008 and came up short in last season's championship series against the Golden State Warriors. The winners of the series will play the Western Conference champion Denver Nuggets, who swept the Lakers in four games to reach the NBA Finals for the first time. White said the Celtics expect a formidable challenge in Miami on Saturday. "The crowd is going to be in it. It's not going to be easy," he said. "It's going to take 48 minutes of battling, scratching, clawing, and we've got to find a way to win." Heat coach Erik Spoelstra was unconcerned that two big defeats had demoralized his team. "Who cares about mood?" Spoelstra said. "We have a gnarly group. It's a competitive series. You always expect things to be challenging in the conference finals." The post Celtics pummel Heat to keep NBA title hopes alive appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
NBA: Celtics rout Heat in Game 5, slice series deficit to 3-2
Derrick White scored 24 points as the host Boston Celtics staved off elimination for the second consecutive contest with a 110-97 win over the Miami Heat in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference finals on Thursday. The Heat never lead in the game, but they still hold a 3-2 edge in the best-of-seven series as […] The post NBA: Celtics rout Heat in Game 5, slice series deficit to 3-2 appeared first on Cebu Daily News......»»