Boston Sports Morning Report — Saturday, Oct. 31

 

Not for nuthin'…. But….. no tricks at the Garden last night, just a treat. Payton Pritchard poured in 30 and the Celtics ran past the Bulls 125-111 in the NBA Cup opener for both teams. That's four straight for the Celts. Happy Halloween, everybody. Grab the coffee and a fun-size Snickers, here's the Saturday board.

Short version: the B's host the Blackhawks this afternoon at 1, the Celts are in Orlando Sunday at 3:30, the Pats are in Miami Sunday at 4:25, and the Sox are still in hot-stove mode.

Boston Celtics

• Yesterday: W 125-111 vs Chicago Bulls (NBA Cup group play; Pritchard 30 points, Paul George 8 assists)
• Today: No game
• Next: Sun., Nov. 1, 3:30 PM ET, @ Orlando Magic
• Standings: 4-1, 2nd in the Atlantic, a half game behind Philadelphia (5-1), No. 3 in the East

Two wins over Chicago in five days, and the Cup run is off on the right foot. Orlando comes in 2-3, then it's on to Houston Monday night.

Boston Bruins

• Yesterday: No game (last game: L 4-1 @ St. Louis on Thu., Oct. 29)
• Today: Sat., Oct. 31, 1:00 PM ET, vs Chicago Blackhawks (home, NESN)
• Next: Mon., Nov. 2, 7:00 PM ET, vs Vegas Golden Knights (home, NESN)
• Standings: 9-4-1, 19 points, 1st in the Atlantic (1 point up on Montreal and Florida), No. 2 in the East, 5 points behind Carolina (11-2-2, 24 points)

Two straight losses on the road, so a Halloween matinee back on Causeway Street is just what the doctor ordered. Chicago comes in 4-9. Get the two points and get the kids home in time for trick-or-treating.

New England Patriots

• Yesterday / Today: No games (last game: L 30-24 @ Chicago on Thu., Oct. 22)
• Next: Sun., Nov. 1, 4:25 PM ET, @ Miami Dolphins (CBS)
• Standings: 4-3, 2nd in the AFC East, 1.5 games behind Buffalo (5-1), No. 8 in the AFC

Miami is 1-5, and the Pats are coming off ten days of rest. No excuses. And remember, clocks fall back tonight, so that's an extra hour of sleep before kickoff.

Boston Red Sox

• Yesterday / Today: No games, offseason
• Next: 2027 Opening Day is Thu., March 25, @ Seattle Mariners (time TBA); home opener Thu., April 1, vs Cincinnati
• Final standings: 87-75, 3rd in the AL East, swept by the Yankees in the AL Wild Card round

Nothing on the field till spring. The hot stove's warming up, so let's see what the front office has up its sleeve.

That's the Saturday board. B's this afternoon, then a big Sunday with the Celts and the Pats. Stay safe out there tonight and save me a Reese's.

MOAM Out.