About The times. (Gainesville, Ga.) 1972-current | View Entire Issue (Dec. 26, 2018)
2B Wednesday, December 26, 2018 ^ The Times, Gainesville, Georgia | gainesvilletimes.com SPORTS NBA Celtics 121, 76m MICHAEL DWYER I Associated Press Boston Celtics’ Kyrie Irving (11) reacts in front of Philadelphia 76ers’ Jimmy Butler after making a 3-pointer in overtime Tuesday, Dec. 25 in Boston. Boston topples Philly in overtime victory BY DOUG ALDEN Associated Press BOSTON — Kyrie Irving hit back-to-back 3-pointers in overtime for six of his 40 points and the Boston Celtics rallied to a 121-114 win over the Philadelphia 76ers on Tuesday night. Irving, who forced the OT on a jump shot with 20 seconds left in the fourth, also pulled down 10 rebounds for the Celtics, who trailed 113-108 with 3:33 left in the extra period before rallying behind Irving down the stretch. Ben Simmons’ two free throws with 2:15 left to put the Sixers up 114-112, but Philadel phia didn’t score again. Irving’s 3-pointer with 3:01 left gave Bos ton its first lead of overtime at 115-114, then after a miss by Philadelphia, Irving hit another 3-pointer with 1:28 left and Boston fans leaped to their feet and cheered louder than they had all night. Jayson Tatum and Marcus Morris scored 23 apiece for Boston and Terry Rozier had 10 points. Joel Embiid led Philadelphia with 34 points, making 12 of 12 free throws, and pulled down 16 rebounds. Jimmy Butler scored 24, JJ Redick had 17 points and Ben Simmons added 11 points, 14 rebounds and eight assists for the Sixers. The Celtics led 57-51 at halftime, but Philadelphia used a 15-2 run in the third while shooting 60 percent in the period and led 89-86 entering the fourth. Philadelphia shot 60 percent in the third quarter, hitting five 3-pointers, and led 89-86 entering the final quarter. It stayed tight through the end of the fourth. Chandler got open for a 3-pointer with 37 seconds left and the Sixers led 108-106, then Irving pulled up for a 13-foot jumper to tie it at 108 with 20 seconds left. Redick missed a jumper just before the buzzer and the game went into OT. LACK OF OTs This was only the second game on Christ mas Day since 2004 that went to overtime. Miami’s win over New Orleans in 2015 was the only other one. TIP-INS: 76ers: Wilson Chandler returned after missing Saturday’s win over Toronto with a left quad contusion. He finished with 15 points. Philadelphia reserves did not score a point in the first half. Celtics: Irving had 16 points and five rebounds in the first quarter. C Aron Baynes (broken finger) missed his third straight game. Horford’s minutes restriction was increased from 20 to 25 minutes in his sec ond game back since missing seven in a row. SCOREBOARD Football/NFL Basketball/NBA Hockey/NHL AMERICAN CONFERENCE East W L T Pet PF PA y-New England 10 5 0 .667 398 322 Miami 7 8 0 .467 302 391 Buffalo 5 10 0 .333 227 357 N.Y Jets 4 11 0 .267 330 403 South W L T Pet PF PA x-Houston 10 5 0 .667 382 313 Indianapolis 9 6 0 .600 400 327 Tennessee 9 6 0 .600 293 270 Jacksonville 5 10 0 .333 242 296 North W L T Pet PF PA Baltimore 9 6 0 .600 363 263 Pittsburgh 8 6 1 .567 412 347 Cleveland 7 7 1 .500 335 366 Cincinnati 6 9 0 .400 355 439 West W L T Pet PF PA x-Kansas City 11 4 0 .733 530 418 x-L.A. Chargers 11 4 0 .733 405 320 Denver 6 9 0 .400 320 326 Oakland 4 11 0 .267 287 432 NATIONAL CONFERENCE East W L T Pet PF PA y-Dallas 9 6 0 .600 303 289 Philadelphia 8 7 0 .533 343 348 Washington 7 8 0 .467 281 335 N.Y. Giants 5 10 0 .333 334 376 South W L T Pet PF PA y-New Orleans 13 2 0 .867 490 320 Atlanta 6 9 0 .400 380 391 Carolina 6 9 0 .400 343 368 Tampa Bay 5 10 0 .333 364 430 North W L T Pet PF PA y-Chicago 11 4 0 .733 397 273 Minnesota 8 6 1 .567 350 317 Green Bay 6 8 1 .433 376 369 Detroit 5 10 0 .333 293 360 West W L T Pet PF PA y-L.A. Rams 12 3 0 .800 479 352 x-Seattle 9 6 0 .600 401 323 San Francisco 4 11 0 .267 310 387 Arizona 3 12 0 .200 201 398 x-clinched playoff spot y-clinched division Sunday’s games Miami at Buffalo, 1 p.m. Atlanta at Tampa Bay, 1 p.m. Jacksonville at Houston, 1 p.m. Dallas at N.Y. Giants, 1 p.m. Detroit at Green Bay, 1 p.m. N.Y. Jets at New England, 1 p.m. Carolina at New Orleans, 1 p.m. Arizona at Seattle, 4:25 p.m. L.A. Chargers at Denver, 4:25 p.m. Oakland at Kansas City, 4:25 p.m. San Francisco at L.A. Rams, 4:25 p.m. Philadelphia at Washington, 4:25 p.m. Chicago at Minnesota, 4:25 p.m. Cincinnati at Pittsburgh, 4:25 p.m. Cleveland at Baltimore, 4:25 p.m. Indianapolis at Tennessee, 8:20 p.m. EASTERN CONFERENCE Atlantic Division W L Pet GB Toronto 25 10 .714 — Philadelphia 22 13 .629 3 Boston 20 13 .606 4 Brooklyn 16 19 .457 9 New York 9 26 .257 16 Southeast Division W L Pet GB Charlotte 16 16 .500 — Miami 16 16 .500 — Orlando 14 18 .438 2 Washington 13 21 .382 4 Atlanta 9 23 .281 7 Central Division W L Pet GB Milwaukee 23 10 .697 — Indiana 22 12 .647 1 1 / 2 Detroit 15 16 .484 7 Chicago 9 25 .265 14 1 /z Cleveland 8 26 .235 15 1 /z WESTERN CONFERENCE Southwest Division W L Pet GB Houston 18 15 .545 — San Antonio 18 16 .529 1 /2 Memphis 17 16 .515 1 Dallas 15 17 .469 2 1 /z New Orleans 15 19 .441 3 1 /z Northwest Division W L Pet GB Denver 21 10 .677 — Oklahoma City 21 12 .636 1 Portland 19 14 .576 3 Utah 16 18 .471 6 1 /z Minnesota 15 18 .455 7 Pacific Division W L Pet GB Golden State 23 11 .676 — L.A. Lakers 19 14 .576 3 1 /z L.A. Clippers 19 14 .576 3 1 /z Sacramento 18 15 .545 4 1 /z Phoenix 8 26 .235 15 Tuesday’s Games Milwaukee 109, New York 95 Houston 113, Oklahoma City 109 Boston 121, Philadelphia 114, OT L.A. Lakers at Golden State, Late Portland at Utah, Late Toay’s Games Phoenix at Orlando, 7 p.m. Washington at Detroit, 7 p.m. Charlotte at Brooklyn, 7:30 p.m. Indiana at Atlanta, 7:30 p.m. Toronto at Miami, 7:30 p.m. Cleveland at Memphis, 8 p.m. Minnesota at Chicago, 8 p.m. Denver at San Antonio, 8:30 p.m. New Orleans at Dallas, 8:30 p.m. Sacramento at L.A. Clippers, 10:30 p.m. Thursday’s Games Boston at Houston, 8 p.m. New York at Milwaukee, 8 p.m. L.A. Lakers at Sacramento, 10 p.m. Philadelphia at Utah, 10:30 p.m. Portland at Golden State, 10:30 p.m. EASTERN CONFERENCE Atlantic Division GP W L OT Pts GF GA Tampa Bay 37 28 7 2 58 154106 Toronto 37 25 102 52 140103 Buffalo 37 21 11 5 47 111105 Boston 37 20 134 44 10596 Montreal 37 19 135 43 115117 Florida 35 15 146 36 115125 Detroit 38 15 176 36 109126 Ottawa 37 15 184 34 118144 Metropolitan Division GP W L OT Pts GF GA Washington 35 22 103 47 129103 Columbus 36 21 123 45 117109 Pittsburgh 36 18 126 42 119110 N.Y. Islanders 35 18 134 40 10198 N.Y. Rangers 35 15 146 36 102115 Carolina 35 15 155 35 90 103 Philadelphia 35 15 164 34 104125 New Jersey 35 12 167 31 102125 WESTERN CONFERENCE Central Division GP W L OT Pts GF GA Winnipeg 36 24 102 50 128101 Nashville 37 22 132 46 11195 Colorado 37 19 126 44 129115 Dallas 37 18 163 39 99 102 Minnesota 35 17 153 37 10399 St. Louis 34 14 164 32 96 114 Chicago 39 13 20 6 32 111145 Pacific Division GP W L OT Pts GF GA Calgary 37 22 123 47 127103 San Jose 38 19 127 45 124115 Vegas 39 20 154 44 117112 Anaheim 38 19 145 43 95 109 Edmonton 36 18 153 39 102111 Vancouver 39 17 184 38 117125 Arizona 36 16 182 34 93 101 Los Angeles 37 14 20 3 31 86 112 Transactions BASEBALL American League OAKLAND ATHLETICS—Agreed to terms with RHP Mike Fiers on a two-year contract. BASKETBALL National Basketball Association HOUSTON ROCKETS — Signed G Austin Rivers. FOOTBALL National Football League HOUSTON TEXANS — Signed WR Steven Mitchell Jr. from the practice squad. Placed LB Brian Peters, WR Demaryius Thomas and CB Kayvon Webster on injjured reserve. Signed LB Chris Landrum to the practice squad. Released LB Kennan Gilchrist from the practice squad. INDIANAPOLIS COLTS — Signed DE Anthony Wimbush to the practice squad. OAKLAND RAIDERS — Signed S Dallin Leavitt and TE Paul Butler from the practice squad. Placed CB Daryl Worley on injured reserve. Waived DE Damontre’ Moore. SEATTLE SEAHAWKS — Signed coach and executive vice president of football operations Pete Carroll to a three-year contract extension. TENNESSEE TITANS — Placed DT Jurrell Casey and TE Cole Wick on injured reserve. Signed QB Austin Davis and LB LaTroy Lewis. Signed WR Kalif Raymond and DL Kendal Vickers to the practice squad. TODAY ON TV SOCCER BASKETBALL ■ Fullham vs. Wolves, 7:25 a.m., NBCSN ■ Liverpool vs. Newcastle United, 9:55 a.m., NBCSN ■ Brighton vs. Arsenal, 12:10 p.m., NBCSN ■ Watford vs. Chelsea, 2:25 p.m., NBCSN ■ Pacers at Hawks, 7:30 p.m., FSSE FOOTBALL ■ First Responder Bowl: Boston College vs. Boise State, 1:30 p.m., ESPN ■ Quick Lane Bowl: Minnesota vs. Georgia Tech, 5:15 p.m., ESPN ■ Cheez-lt Bowl: California vs. TCU, 9 p.m., ESPN NFL Making an impact DAVID RICHARD I Associated Press Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) celebrates late in the fourth quarter against the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Dec. 23, in Cleveland. Several first-round NFL rookies have already greatly improved their teams BY SCHUYLER DIXON Associated Press From Baker Mayfield at the top of the first round to Lamar Jackson at the bot tom, rookie quarterbacks had an impact, one way or another, in their NFL debuts. And don’t forget some of the players, at some of the other positions, in between. The betting favorite for NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year is New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley, taken No. 2 behind Cleveland’s May- field in the draft this past spring. The first-year player with the biggest impact on the standings has been Los Angeles Chargers safety Derwin James , the No. 17 pick and a strong con tender for top defensive rookie honors for a team assured of making the play offs for the first time since 2013 — and still in the run ning for the best record in the AFC going into the final weekend. Even though Mayfield and the Browns were eliminated from playoff contention with two games left, the impact of the 2017 Heisman Trophy winner from Oklahoma was pro found. Think of what it says that the Browns stayed in the postseason chase com ing off an 0-16 season, and despite a midseason coach ing change. Not to mention, May- field was backing up Tyrod Taylor when the season began, before his knack for winning games gave the Browns little choice but to promote him. “The amount of work that he puts in does not shock us that he also takes it to the ballgame because he works extremely hard to have an overall under standing of every aspect of the game,” said interim coach Gregg Williams, who took over when Hue Jackson was fired halfway through the season. “That does not come easy.” The Ravens selected Lamar Jackson with the 32nd pick of the first round, figuring he was a backup at best behind 10-year starter Joe Flacco. Since a hip injury that sidelined Flacco in early Novem ber, Baltimore is 4-1 with Jackson leading a run-first attack that has kept the Ravens alive as they try to end a three-year playoff drought. A victory against the Browns on Sunday gives Baltimore the AFC North title. Flacco was ready to return last week, but coach John Harbaugh stuck with Jackson over the 2013 Super Bowl MVP. “He’s the reincarnation of Michael Vick,” Tampa Bay defensive tackle Ger ald McCoy said. “He’s a lot faster than you think on the field. When you see him in person, he can really run. He’s going to be good for a longtime.” Sam Darnold (third overall to the New York Jets), Josh Allen (seventh to Buffalo) and Josh Rosen (10th to Arizona) have had pretty much typical rookie quarterback years — more struggles than successes. But all three have offered glimpses that they can lead their respective franchises for years. Darnold strained his foot at Miami on Nov. 4, a game in which he threw four interceptions. In the three outings before he was sidelined, the 21-year-old quarterback completed just 47 percent of his passes — 52 of 110 — for 558 yards and two touchdowns with a whopping seven INTs. After missing three games, he has six TDs and one pick, attributing the turnaround to getting a chance to watch and learn from Josh McCown. But the Jets lost the past two. “Sometimes you’re going to go out there and play well and win. Sometimes you’re going to play well and lose,” Darnold said. “The NFL is a tough league. I found that out really quick.” Allen also was much bet ter after returning from a right elbow injury that kept him out four games. On the open-ended ques tion of who had emerged as the leader of the Buf falo offense, coach Sean McDermott chose Allen, citing how he responded coming off the injury. “You become the leader by earning the respect of your teammates,” McDer mott said. “He was will ing to do that early on. He didn’t try to jump out in front when he hadn’t earned it.” Allen has proven to be a productive runner for Buffalo. Rosen’s completion per centage is near the bottom among starting quarter backs, but coach Steve Wilks says the Cardinals still covet Rosen as the quarterback of the future. He showed enough early for Arizona to waive Sam Bradford, who started the first three games. Barkley has several rookie records for the Giants: first with 1,000 yards rushing (third in the NFL with 1,198 with a game to go)’ most touchdowns (10); and most 100-yard rushing games (6). The downside for the Giants was a 1-7 start that turned Barkley’s season mostly into a stat chase. The for mer Penn State standout made an impression. “I just know that you give him a couple of touches, he’s going to make some thing big happen out of those couple of touches,” receiver Sterling Shepard said. “You got to give him the ball and he can make magic happen.” James and Dallas line backer Leighton Vander Esch, two of the stronger betting choices for Defen sive Rookie of the Year, were chosen two spots apart in the draft. James leads the Chargers with 99 tackles, according to SportRadar, and is tied for the team lead with three interceptions. Vander Esch, taken 19th, has the Cowboys’ rookie record for tackles, accord ing to the coaches’ count. The former eight-man high school player and Boise State walk-on also played a big role in helping the Dallas defense remain the team’s strength despite two stretches without longtime standout linebacker Sean Lee. “Just embracing and enjoying my time here,” Vander Esch said. “It’s an awesome atmosphere, kind of like back in Boise but just intensified that much more. You have to soak it all in, but then again you have to go out and compete and show them you deserve to be here.” NFL playoffs still not set BY BARRY WILNER Associated Press Barring ties in Week 17 — and there are some wild scenarios should certain games end in draws Sunday — the road to the playoffs is quite straight in the NFC. The path to a first-round bye in the AFC has a bunch of curves in it. Already in are NFC division winners Dallas (East), New Orleans (South), Chi cago (North) and the Los Angeles Rams (West). AFC divisions clinched belong to New England in the East and, well, nobody else. But there are clear leaders. Seattle owns an NFC wild card, and the LA Chargers have one in the AFC, though they can still win the AFC West. “You either believe in something or you don’t,” says coach Pete Carroll, whose 9-6 Seahawks made the postseason in what was considered a rebuilding year. “I think just staying the course and knowing we’re on to something. Believing in the history. We know what we’re capable of doing. We’ve shown it over a lot of years. You’re always adapting, but it’s staying what you’re true to. I think that’s what is happening. ” Most powerful so far has been New Orleans, with the league’s best record at 13-2, and a dynamic offense led by Drew Brees. The Saints have home-field advan tage throughout the conference playoffs. The Rams (12-3) get the other opening- round bye if they beat San Francisco on Sunday. If they lose and the Bears win at Minnesota, Chicago (11-4) earns the week off and Los Angeles drops to the third seed. A Bears win also could keep the Vikings (8-6-1) out of the postseason, providing defending champion Philadelphia (8-7) wins at Washington. Only the Vikings or Eagles can get the second NFC wild card. In the AFC, seeding is more muddled. Any of four teams could be the top or sec ond seed. The simplest route is if Kansas City (11- 4) and New England (10-5), currently the top two in the conference, both win Sun day. But if the Chiefs lose at home to Oak land and the Chargers (11-4) win at Denver, Los Angeles moves into the top spot.
