Bedard's Daily Briefing 02.14.19: Celtics roll into All-Star break, Red Sox pitchers in focus

Good morning!

A few random thoughts while I wonder if Marcus Smart even realized he missed 20 3-pointers in a row...

• Good, solid win by the Celtics last night to finish before the All-Star break on a high note.


• The most encouraging thing? Gordon Hayward has played well in three-straight games. Can he keep stacking success and become a real threat?


• I'm sure he's had similar back-to-back games in his long career but, man, Al Horford was really good against Joel Embiid and Andre Drummond.


• Just stop with the better-off-without-Kyrie nonsense. But watch him ratchet up the drama on All-Star Weekend. You know that's going to happen. Brad Stevens is already making excuses for Kyrie when he does, inevitably, suit up for the All-Star Tamperfest.


• Man, Tommy Heinsohn was in rare form last night ... and the Celtics led by double digits most of the time. At one point, as the Celtics were cruising in the fourth quarter, he said Celtics brass should be on the phone with the league. Save it for when it's warranted and needed. It was worse than Zolak complaining about every call.


• Bruins brought up some guy named Karson ... there better be a deal coming.


• Nathan Eovaldi and his robot arm are back.


• I think Chris Sale Watch has replaced Pedro Watch. Aces with slight builds are always being monitored.

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