Lester With the No-No

Jon Lester last night became the first Red Sox lefthander since 1956 to throw a no-hitter at Fenway Park as he blanked the Kansas City Royals 7-0.

Gordon Edes looks at the young Red Sox lefty coming full circle, showing he has finally recovered fully and turned the chapter on part of his life. Jeff Horrigan says that Lester redefined his Red Sox career last night. Joe Haggerty says that Lester delivered on all of his great promise and expectations last night. Bob Stern has Lester’s journey taking another turn for the better last night. Paul Kenyon looks at an emotional night for both Lester and Terry Francona. Jeff Goldberg has Lester adding a new chapter to his personal feel-good tale. Ron Chimelis has Lester repaying the Sox for their confidence in him. Bill Ballou has a look at Lester’s crowning achievement.

Rob Bradford notes that Lester wasn’t sharp prior to the game, but sure had it once the game started.Dan Shaughnessy looks at the latest in a string of great moment for Boston fans. Steve Buckley has Lester getting a moment to savor after his long road back to health. Jon Couture has Lester capping his long road back with the no-no. Sean McAdam says that last night could be a sign of things to come for the Red Sox.

A no-hitter is almost always a team effort, Nancy Marrapese-Burrell looks at the contributions of the rest of the Red Sox to Lester’s gem. Steven Krasner says that Lester had his entire repertoire working last night. Horrigan looks at Jason Varitek making some history of his own by catching his fourth no-hitter. McAdam notes that catching no-hitters is becoming old hat for Varitek. Goldberg has a look at Ellsbury’s catch which preserved the no-hitter.

Alex Speier has a look at Red Sox AA prospect Zach Daeges, who is drawing comparisons to Kevin Youkilis. Mike Petraglia looks at the recent power trip of Youkilis.

Horrigan’s notebook has a look at the defensive play of the game, a grab by Jacoby Ellsbury in the fourth inning. Edes’ notebook has more on Varitek making history. Stern’s notebook has more on Varitek’s fourth no-hitter behind the plate. The ProJo notebook has the Royals realizing early on that Lester had special stuff. Goldberg’s notebook has more on Varitek. Ballou’s notebook looks at Youkilis now as a triple threat at the plate.

Celtics

The Eastern Conference Finals are back in Boston, as the Celtics get set to take on the Pistons in game one tonight at the Garden.

Marc J. Spears says that the Pistons come into this one rested, having not played in a week, while the Celtics feel ready having just dispatched the Cavs less than 48 hours ago. Mark Murphy looks at the Celtics backcourt, which will face its stiffest challenge of the postseason in this series. Tim Weisberg has the Celtics momentum going up against the Pistons’ rest. Lenny Megliola says that the Pistons may be rested, but the Celtics have rhythm in their favor.

Bob Ryan says that the Celtics enter this series looking a little vulnerable…though he says that’s not necessarily a bad thing. Steve Bulpett writes that the home court advantage is even more important to the Celtics now. Bill Reynolds claims that having made it to the Eastern Conference Finals, the pressure is now off the Celtics. Mike Szostak says that the Pistons depth and experience will provide a challenge for the Celtics.

Bill Burt says that Ray Allen could cost the Celtics the series if he doesn’t snap out of his slump. Scott Souza has more on Allen trying to find his role for the postseason. Bill Doyle says Allen has been merely a decoy thus far in the playoffs. Desmond Conner has UConn products Allen and Richard Hamilton going head-to-head this series in search of the NBA title.

Murphy goes through the matchups between the clubs and gives the Celtics the edge in only one position. Jeff Howe goes through the same matchups and gives the Celtics the edge in five out of seven areas. Kevin McNamara also goes through the matchups. Bulpett offers Five keys for the Celtics in this series. Spears has Pierce game for more after the Cavs series.

Gerry Callahan satires about just how bad things could’ve been this season.

Murphy’s notebook has Pierce moving on from game seven against the Cavs. Vega’s notebook has Ray Allen putting in extra work in an effort to break out in this series. Szostak’s notebook has Allen keeping his head up despite his struggles.

Patriots

On Patriots Daily, Dan Snapp says that John Tomase may be accountable, but he hasn’t been held to account for his actions.

Mike Reiss has preseason games a subject of discussion at the NFL owners meetings. Karen Guregian has all the Patriots hopeful cornerback candidates getting thrown into the mix at passing camp this week.