Sports News - Boston.com

Today's Globe Sports front-page

One happy holiday

The Celtics started yesterday without captain Paul Pierce, home recovering from a knee infection. (By Frank Dell’Apa, Globe Staff)

Some of it is familiar for Boston College. The late December practices, ending the season with a bowl game - something that every BC football player since 1999 has experienced. (By Mark Blaudschun, Globe Staff)

For Carroll, they are winning ways

He is the man who bridged the gap between the Tuna and the Hoodie. He is the first head coach hired by Bob Kraft, forever known around New England as Mr. Pumped-and-Jacked, and tonight he’ll be coaching USC against Boston College in the Emerald Bowl. (By Dan Shaughnessy, Globe Columnist)

Taylor wants to run past ex-teammates

Fred Taylor had a way of teasing his teammates when he was in Jacksonville. Shortly after Jack Del Rio left his post as the defensive coordinator at Carolina in 2003 to lead the Jaguars, he built a defense that would eventually rank second in the league. (By Monique Walker, Globe Staff)

Football

Chargers in fine form for playoffs

Philip Rivers threw two touchdowns passes, LaDainian Tomlinson ran for two scores, and the San Diego Chargers beat the Tennessee Titans, 42-17, last night to grab the AFC’s No. 2 seed and a first-round bye in the playoffs. (Associated Press)

Westbrook set to return

Brian Westbrook could be a decoy, part-time player, or third-down specialist. All that matters is he’ll be back on the field. (Associated Press)

A biting accusation by Rodgers

Many things can happen at the bottom of a pile. A finger to an eye, a twisted arm, a sucker punch, the list goes on. (Associated Press |)

Basketball

Rondo steps in for Pierce as Celtics leader

It wasn’t the Rajon Rondo that everyone was used to. It wasn’t the pass first, second, and third point guard. (By Julian Benbow, Globe Staff)

Garnett OK after crashing to floor

Having had to sit Kevin Garnett Tuesday against Indiana with a right thigh bruise, the last thing Doc Rivers wanted to see in the final moments of the Celtics’ 86-77 win over Orlando yesterday was Garnett stretched out on the hardwood after taking a nasty fall and knocking his head against the floor. (By Julian Benbow and Frank Dell’Apa, Globe Staff)

Cavaliers spoil Lakers’ holiday

After the Cleveland Cavaliers made the defending NBA champions look ordinary, the Los Angeles Lakers’ fans threw up their foam hands in frustration. (Associated Press)

Hockey

Draft picks key to Bruins’ improvement

For the Bruins, like every other NHL club, the upcoming month is a significant one for scouting teenage puck prodigies, expanding on their organizational viewings, and focusing evaluations of the players that might someday become Boston property. (By Fluto Shinzawa, Globe Staff)

Colleges

’Canes, Badgers linked at the top

If Wisconsin beats Miami in the Champs Sports Bowl, Hurricanes fans may have an unlikely figure to blame: University of Miami president Donna Shalala . (Associated Press)

Today's bowl games

LITTLE CAESARS PIZZA BOWL Who: Marshall (6-6) vs. Ohio (9-4) Where: Detroit When: 1, ESPN At a glance: Call it the Pizza Bowl or the Motor City Bowl (which it was until this season), but it’s still hard to make this game sound appetizing. Ohio has done a nice job for Frank Solich and could have at least earned a ... (Boston Globe)

Northeastern holds off SMU

Matt Janning had 16 points, 8 rebounds and 6 assists to lead Northeastern to a 73-62 win over Southern Methodist yesterday in the seventh-place game of the Diamond Head Classic. (Staff and Wire Reports)

Additional Sports Coverage

Pacquiao plans to sue Mayweathers

Manny Pacquiao says he is planning to file a defamation lawsuit against Floyd Mayweather Jr ., that fighter’s father, and Golden Boy Promotions. In a statement posted yesterday on his website, Pacquiao claimed his character has been damaged by accusations he says are untrue. At the core of the dispute is the insistence of the Mayweather camp of using ... (Boston Globe)

LATEST NEWS FROM AP

Asada tops short program at Japan nationals

Mao Asada has finished first in the women's short program at the Japan national championships to strengthen her chances of winning a spot in the Vancouver Olympics. (AP Sports Writer, 5:01 a.m.)

Fans throw foam on court in Lakers' loss to Cavs

The yellow foam hands came flying in from every corner of the lower bowl, sailing onto the court in dozens of frisbee-style arches late in the Cleveland Cavaliers' dominant victory. (AP Sports Writer, 4:51 a.m.)

British entry ICAP Leopard leads yacht race

British yacht ICAP Leopard got out to an early lead in the Sydney to Hobart yacht race on Saturday, with Alfa Romeo and four-time defending champion Wild Oats XI in close pursuit. (AP, 2:01 a.m.)

Roy, Blake lead Trail Blazers past Nuggets

Brandon Roy had 41 points while wearing a thin brace to protect his sore left shoulder and Steve Blake scored 17 to lead the Portland Trail Blazers to a 107-96 win over the Denver Nuggets on Friday night. (AP, 2:11 a.m.)

Friday's College Basketball

EAST No scores reported from the EAST. (AP, 3:21 a.m.)

Sharpshooting Suns rout Clippers 124-93

Amare Stoudemire led seven Phoenix players in double figures with 26 points and the Suns beat the Los Angeles Clippers for the sixth straight time in a 124-93 rout on Friday night. (AP Sports Writer, 12/25/09)

Samhan helps Saint Mary's hold off Hawaii 84-75

Omar Samhan scored 24 points to lead five players in double figures and Saint Mary's held off Hawaii 84-75 in the third-place game of the Diamond Head Classic on Friday night. (AP, 12/25/09)

Friday's College Basketball

EAST No scores reported from the EAST. (AP, 12/25/09)

Chargers secure 1st-round bye, beat Titans 42-17

The San Diego Chargers have their first-round bye, and Philip Rivers is still perfect in December. (AP Sports Writer, 12/25/09)

Fans throw foam on court in Lakers' loss to Cavs

After the Cleveland Cavaliers made the defending NBA champions look ordinary, the Los Angeles Lakers' fans threw up their foam hands in frustration. (AP Sports Writer, 12/25/09)

Nevada player arrested on suspicion of shoplifting

A Nevada linebacker who did not play in the Hawaii Bowl after he was dismissed by the team had been arrested days earlier on suspicion of shoplifting. (AP, 12/25/09)

Kool leads Western Michigan over Charleston 66-63

David Kool scored 16 points and Martelle McLemore had 15 to lift Western Michigan to a 66-63 win over College of Charleston in the fifth-place game of the Diamond Head Classic on Friday. (AP, 12/25/09)

Pacquiao says he plans to sue Mayweather

Manny Pacquiao says he is planning to file a defamation lawsuit against Floyd Mayweather Jr., the fighter's father, and Golden Boy Promotions (AP, 12/25/09)

Celtics-Magic, Box

BOSTON (86) T.Allen 6-11 4-7 16, Garnett 3-9 4-4 10, Perkins 3-4 0-0 6, Rondo 7-18 3-7 17, R.Allen 5-12 6-7 18, Wallace 5-7 0-0 11, Scalabrine 1-4 0-0 3, S.Williams 0-1 0-0 0, House 1-6 3-3 5, Davis 0-1 0-0 0. Totals 31-73 20-28 86. ORLANDO (77) Pietrus 3-7 2-2 9, Lewis 5-14 6-7 19, Howard 1-7 3-4 5, ... (AP, 12/25/09)

Strong defense helps Celtics top Magic 86-77

The Boston Celtics left the floor with the smallest of grins, hands raised in triumph, leaving the Orlando Magic's fans listening to a somber song by Elvis. (Associated Press Writer, 12/25/09)

Now Olympians, Shuster recruited pal Smith to curl

Jason Smith still calls out John Shuster for tricking him into going curling way back when they were teenagers in tiny Chisholm, Minn. Shuster, the one who could already drive at the time, showed up at Smith's house on a Sunday tempting his buddy with a McDonald's run. (AP Sports Writer, 12/25/09)

Russia announces Olympic hockey squad

Alexander Ovechkin, Evgeni Malkin and Ilya Kovalchuk are among the 14 NHL players on the 23-player Russia squad for the Vancouver Olympics. (AP, 12/25/09)

Janning leads Northeastern to 73-62 win over SMU

Matt Janning had 16 points, eight rebounds and six assists to lead Northeastern to a 73-62 win over SMU in the seventh-place game of the Diamond Head Classic on Friday. (AP, 12/25/09)

Taylor among 5 questionable for Patriots vs Jags

New England Patriots running back Fred Taylor is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against his former team, the Jacksonville Jaguars. (AP, 12/25/09)

Redskins' Haynesworth sent home from practice

Washington Redskins defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth has been sent home from practice. Coach Jim Zorn told reporters Friday he sent home Haynesworth for disciplinary reasons. Zorn says Haynesworth will still play Sunday against the Dallas Cowboys but might not start. (AP, 12/25/09)

Bills QB Fitzpatrick a gametime decision

Bills quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick was limited in practice Friday and his availability for Sunday's game in Atlanta will be a gametime decision. (AP, 12/25/09)

Wade, Heat cool off Knicks with 93-87 win

Dwyane Wade had 30 points and nine rebounds, and the Miami Heat spoiled New York's return to Christmas competition, snapping the Knicks' three-game winning streak with a 93-87 victory Friday. (AP Basketball Writer, 12/25/09)

UConn uses decade to become basketball power

Connecticut began its run of national basketball championships in the 1990s, but it was over the past decade that the school staked its claim as the center of the college basketball universe. (Associated Press Writer, 12/25/09)

Panthers RB Williams doubtful against Giants

Carolina Panthers running back DeAngelo Williams is doubtful for Sunday's game against the New York Giants after missing his third straight practice with a sprained left ankle. (AP, 12/25/09)

Westbrook ready to return after 2 concussions

Brian Westbrook could be a decoy, part-time player or third-down specialist. All that matters is he'll be back on the field. (AP Sports Writer, 12/25/09)

Magic coach doesn't want Christmas NBA games

Stan Van Gundy has a request for the NBA: no more Christmas games. "I actually feel sorry for people who have nothing to do on Christmas Day other than watch an NBA game," the Orlando Magic coach said. (Associated Press Writer, 12/25/09)

BC meets USC in Emerald Bowl

This was the year Southern California actually wanted to stay home for a bowl game. (AP Sports Writer, 12/25/09)

Knight's second season looks brighter than first

Pat Knight seems to have coached himself out of an identity crisis. Knight acknowledged he had a difficult time adjusting in his first full season at Texas Tech last year. Players said he may have tried to please too many people -- his bosses, fans, his team. (Associated Press Writer, 12/25/09)

Freestyle trials: Engaging risk or waste of time?

The fact that one of America's best freestyle skiers, Ryan St. Onge, didn't earn an Olympic spot at Olympic trials didn't bother him at all. (AP National Writer, 12/25/09)

Vick remains sporting world's Rorschach test

The road back will never be completely clear for Michael Vick. There's plenty of justice in that. (AP Sports Columnist, 12/25/09)

NHL Calendar

Jan. 1 -- Winter Classic: Philadelphia Flyers vs. Boston Bruins at Fenway Park. Feb. 15-Feb. 28 -- Olympic break. (AP, 12/25/09)

Wizards say Arenas had firearms in locker

Washington Wizards guard Gilbert Arenas stored unloaded firearms in a container in his locker, according to the team, and the NBA is looking into the situation. (AP Sports Writer, 12/25/09)

SMU dominates Nevada in return to postseason

SMU is back from the dead. Freshman Kyle Padron threw for an SMU-record 460 yards, leading the Mustangs to a 45-10 victory over Nevada in the Hawaii Bowl on Thursday night -- SMU's first postseason appearance in 25 years. (AP Sports Writer, 12/25/09)

Thursday's College Basketball

EAST No scores reported from the EAST. (AP, 12/25/09)

SMU dominates Nevada in return to postseason

Freshman Kyle Padron threw for an SMU-record 460 yards, leading the Mustangs to a 45-10 victory over Nevada in the Hawaii Bowl on Thursday night -- SMU's first postseason appearance in 25 years. (AP Sports Writer, 12/24/09)

Thursday's College Basketball

EAST No scores reported from the EAST. (AP, 12/24/09)

Wizards say Arenas had firearms in locker

Washington Wizards guard Gilbert Arenas stored unloaded firearms in a container in his locker, according to the team, and the NBA is looking into the situation. (AP Sports Writer, 12/24/09)

Aggies' Derrick Roland heading home

Texas A&M senior guard Derrick Roland is heading home for Christmas -- with a rod and three screws in his leg. (AP Sports Writer, 12/24/09)

Kobe: "Nothing there" for Cavs-Lakers rivalry

Kobe Bryant and Derek Fisher scarcely remember how to celebrate Christmas without a high-profile game smack in the middle of their holiday season. (AP Sports Writer, 12/24/09)

Oakland A's nearing 1-year deal with Duchscherer

Right-hander Justin Duchscherer has reached a preliminary agreement on a one-year contract that would keep him with the Oakland Athletics, a person with knowledge of the negotiations told The Associated Press on Thursday. (AP Baseball Writer, 12/24/09)