After three consecutive home losses, I was starting to doubt the Boston Celtics winning this season’s NBA crown. Going to the game against the dangerous Milwaukee Bucks, I was looking to another defeat. The Celtics however showed they have enough pride left as they collared the Bucks 139-118. Jayson Tatum exploded for 41 points including a spectacular slam dunk over Giannis Antetokoumpo, who powered the Bucks with 27 points. Jaylen Brown scored 29 points to return the Celtics to the top of the Eastern Conference. Next to fall was Houston 126-102 with Brown scoring 39 points and Tatum 38. Robert Willams scored 11. Jalen Green topscored for the Rockets with 28 points. Then last Thursday, the Celtics survived a last minute rally by the Los Angeles Clippers to avenge a 20-point loss two weeks ago. The Celtics won 116-110 to lead the league with a 26-10 record. Tatum and Brown each scored 29 points while Marcus Smart added 17 and 9 assists. Derrick White brought the house down when he blocked Paul George’s shot with 33 seconds left in the game. Kawhi Leonard scored 26 points while George added 24 for Clippers. Boston was again without head coach Joe Mazzulla who had an eye problem while Malcolm Brogdon did not play because with a non-covid related illness. Smart also blocked seven-footer Ivica Zubac’s shot that led to a white transition finish. The Celtics were coached by Damon Stoudamire. Boston faces the Denver Nuggets on Jan 2. The Celtics are indeed back in the groove.
Chinese is rapid Chess Champion
WGM Tan Zhongi of China tied with WIM Dinara Saduakassova of Kazakstan with eight points but emerged champion after she won the playoffs in the 2022 FIDE Women’s World Rapid Championship in Almaty, Kazakstan. Dinara settled for silver while 15-year old Indian WIM Savitha Shki was third with 8 points and best tiebreaks in a group of four players.
Carlsen picks Messi
World Chess champion Magnus Carlsen of Norway picked Leo Messi ahead of Christiano Ronaldo as the greatest of all time football player Carlsen is a great fan of Real Madrid who said “Victory is a state of mind”. When he celebrated his 23rd birthday, he took a ceremonial kick-off in the LIGA match between Real Madrid and Villadolid at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium with 68,000 people watching. Messi scored two penalty kicks to win this year’s World Cup over France.
NOTES: Congratulations to former Cebu City Sports Commission Chair Edward Hayco on his appointment as Commission (PSC), commissioner.
Happy New Year everyone!