Celtics cool off Heat

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04/10/2009 - Boston, MA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Paul Pierce scored 28 points and pulled down eight rebounds to guide the Boston Celtics to a 105-98 win over the Miami Heat.

Glen Davis tallied 22 points, Ray Allen 21, while Rajon Rondo chipped in seven points, 10 rebounds and 12 assists as the Celtics won their sixth straight and for the 10th time in 11 games.

Despite the win, the Celtics were pushed out of any chance at attaining the top seed in the Eastern Conference. Cleveland claimed that Friday night by winning at Philadelphia. Boston moved two games ahead of Orlando for second in the East. The Magic lost at home to the Knicks Friday night.

Dwyane Wade scored 31 and had nine assists for the Heat, who remained a game ahead of Philadelphia for fifth in the Eastern Conference. Miami, which has lost two in a row and four of six, can finish no better than fifth.

Michael Beasley scored 23 and had 13 rebounds for Miami, which also received 16 points and nine boards from Jermaine O'Neal.

O'Neal's jumper tied the game at 95 for the Heat with under three minutes left, but Pierce gave Boston the lead for good by sinking two foul shots with 1:37 left.

Wade then missed a three-pointer, and Davis powered his way in the lane for two points with 57 seconds to go.

Kendrick Perkins blocked an O'Neal layup try at the other end, and Wade then missed a layup. Pierce made two foul shots, while Allen sank four more from the charity stripe to seal the victory.

Miami held a 25-22 edge after 12 minutes, but Boston rallied and was ahead 54-47 at the half. The Celtics opened a double-digit lead in the third, as Pierce sank a three-pointer for a 70-60 difference. It was 79-72 Boston moving to the fourth.

Game Notes

The Heat have three games remaining - at home against New York on Sunday, at Atlanta on Tuesday and in Miami vs. Detroit on Wednesday...Boston plays at Cleveland Sunday before playing Philadelphia on the road Tuesday and then hosting Washington to end the regular season...Prior to the game, Celtics co- owners Wyc Grousbeck, Stephen Pagliuca and Bob Epstein presented the Red Auerbach Award to Allen. The award is given to a Celtics player who best exemplifies the spirit of what it means to be a Celtic...Wade has now scored in double figures in 93 straight games, extending his own franchise mark...Boston forward Kevin Garnett missed his sixth straight game due to a strained right knee and is out indefinitely...Rondo has 650 assists this season, moving him past Bob Cousy into fourth on the team's all-time single- season list. Tiny Archibald is third with 671...Boston has won eight of the last nine meetings.

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Problem with Bears?

Chicago, IL - New Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler and star linebacker Brian Urlacher shot down reports of a rift, saying they're simply not true.

"There's nothing between us," Cutler said Thursday, when he reported to training camp. "I just want to put that to rest. There never has been anything between us."

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Urlacher added: "I never said what I was quoted as saying and that's it. I have a lot of respect for Jay. I think Jay knows that."
Former Bears receiver Bobby Wade caused a stir when he told Minneapolis radio station KFAN-AM that Urlacher used a profanity while questioning Cutler's manhood during a conversation in Las Vegas last weekend. Wade, who now plays for the Vikings, said Urlacher used a profane version of the word "wimp" during the interview that had to be edited out.
go radio station WSCR-AM also reported that Urlacher had to be restrained from confronting Cutler during organized team activities.
"I wouldn't go face-to-face with Brian, anyway," Cutler said. "No, that's never happened. I've hung out with Brian away from the facility numerous times and we've always gotten along."
Urlacher, noting he was limited by a groin injury, denied the reports in an interview with the Chicago Tribune and did it again when he reported to camp.
"I didn't practice this summer, so I don't know how I would fight the guy if I didn't practice," Urlacher said. "We have no problems. I'm excited about football starting. I'm excited to have him as our quarterback."
Why would Wade say that?
"I don't know," Urlacher said. "Maybe he's jealous because we have a good quarterback now."
Cutler said the first he heard of any friction was when he got a call from Urlacher to clear the air. Urlacher, however, said he had already taken several calls from teammates wondering if the reports were true when Cutler phoned.
"He called me and I said, What's up (expletive), what are you doing?'" a grinning Urlacher said, uttering the same word he allegedly used with Wade. "It's so dumb to me that this even got to this point, but it did and then here we are."
better place after going 9-7 and missing the playoffs for the second straight year. They have a franchise quarterback for the first time in decades after acquiring Cutler in an offseason trade with Denver. But there are questions about his attitude following a fallout with Broncos management and new coach Josh McDaniels.
His critics include former Bears coach Mike Ditka and former Indianapolis and Tampa Bay coach Tony Dungy, one of Smith's mentors. Smith, however, said Cutler has been a model teammate so far while denying any animosity with Urlacher.
"There's no issue with Jay and Brian, except Brian and Jay are both excited about being teammates for our club this year," coach Lovie Smith said. "No more than that. We can't spend a whole lot of time on something that isn't true. I have talked to the players. Whenever something comes out, you have to address it, but it's a non-issue."
In some ways, Cutler is getting a second chance in Chicago, an opportunity to repair his reputation.
Smith said another quarterback - Michael Vick - deserves one, although he doesn't see it happening with the Bears, who lack an experienced backup. The former Atlanta Falcons star, who served a 23-month sentence for running a dogfighting ring, said Thursday he is getting close to signing with a pro football team.
"A second chance, like everyone in society who has paid their debt to society," Smith said. "He deserves a second chance. As far as we're concerned, we like this team that we have right now."
Particularly the new quarterback.
"Me and Brian have been on a good relationship since I've been here, and I expect it to continue that way," Cutler said.

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