Celtics rout 76ers, Red Sox fall to Rays

After two one-point games to begin their Eastern Conference semifinal series, the Celtics blew out the 76ers 107-91 Wednesday night in Philadelphia to take a 2-1 series lead. The Celtics used a 22-6 run in the second quarter to run away from the young Sixers team. Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett and Rajon Rondo combined to score 74 of the 107 points. Garnett led the team with a game-high 27 points and pulled down 13 rebounds. Pierce poured in 24 points and added 12 rebounds, while Rondo also had a double-double scoring 23 points and dishing out 14 assists.

Celtics send clear-cut message– Chris Forsberg has Wednesday night’s rout being a statement game for the team.

Angry Celtics send a message– Paul Flannery looks at the Celtics’ dominating performance.

Celtics paint pretty picture– Mark Murphy says the Celtics trusted what has worked for them ever since the All-Star break in Wednesday’s 16-point win.

Unrelenting defense flexed its muscle too– Gary Washburn has the Celtics’ defense being just as dominant as the offense in the win.

Rajon Rondo attacks at will– Dan Duggan looks at the Celtics point guard’s performance.

Celts land on the inside– Steve Bulpett has the Celtics big men getting the job done in the win.

Paul Pierce overcomes injury, 76ers– Ron Borges has Pierce overcoming his injury and coming up big when the team needed him most.

It’s clear what team is better, and they know it– Dan Shaughnessy has after Wednesday night’s game there is no question who the better overall team is.

The Red Sox saw their five-game winning streak come to and end with a 2-1 loss to the Rays Wednesday night at Tropicana Field. The team did get another strong outing from their starting pitcher as Clay Buchholz went five innings, scattering five hits, allowing two earned runs and striking out five. He did balk home the Rays first run in the second inning.

Buchholz has roller coaster evening– Sean McAdam looks at the Red Sox starter’s outing, in which although was shaky at times, was a step in the right direction for the Red Sox righty.

Red Sox pay for a misplay– Scott Lauber looks at the play in which Cody Ross misjudged a fly ball where the Rays scored their second and game-winning run.

Not all the right moves– Nick Cafardo has how balks are becoming an issue for the Red Sox pitching staff.

Difficult math in this division– John Tomase looks at the competitive AL East, in which right now there isn’t much difference from the first place team and the last place team.

Also, a big topic of discussion the past few days has been Curt Schilling’s situation in Rhode Island with his video game venture, 38 Studios. The company missed its loan payment of just over $1.1 million to the state on May 1.

The hypocrisy of Curt Schilling– Kirk Minihane looks at the situation and Schilling’s past.

In case you missed this yesterday, here is Rob Bradford’s piece following his interview with former Red Sox closer Jonathan Papelbon. There is some pretty interesting stuff in here including Papelbon going by “Cinco Ocho” now, his dislike for the Red Sox medical staff, when he knew he wouldn’t be returning as a member of the Red Sox and looking back, if he thinks he made the right decision leaving Boston. This was a good get by Bradford, getting to Papelbon before the rest of the Boston media descend on Philadelphia this weekend as the Red Sox and Phillies get together for the beginning of interleague play.