Sports Redux: Counting the Stars on the New Jersey Turnpike

Playing in New Jersey can suck the life out of even the best of teams. Even the vaunted '86 Celtics lost there twice. And last night, the vaunted '09 Celtics were minutes away from dropping their second straight game.

But these guys aren't vaunted for nothing. After blowing a big lead, the C's found themselves down three with 1:14 left. Paul Pierce finds Ray Allen - 3 pointer - tied. Pierce pops a killer jumper - lead. Ray Allen hits two free throws - icing on the cake. Everybody can now get out of Jersey. Pierce finished with 31, Ray with 16, Rondo with 20, and Perk(!) with 17.

The big subplot of the game (well, biggish) was Stephon Marbury's return to the state where he used to play, which of course is also across the river from the city where he used to not play. The Jersey crowd mustered enough enthusiasm to boo Stephon every time he touched the ball, which caused a few smiles but didn't spark him enough to score any points. The Onion has a troubling report about Starbury's aspirations.

The Bruins made a couple of deadline moves after all yesterday. They picked up plucky defenseman Steve Montador from Anaheim, and the ancient Mark Recchi from Tampa Bay, to bolster their squad as they head to the playoffs. And they did it without breaking up the current roster at all - the cost was the Petteri Nokelainen and two minor leaguers. ESPN approves, saying Recchi can bring some veteran wisdom (he's won two Cups) and can still actually play. So that's good.

Manny signed with the Dodgers, which is only news we care about because now he's locked up and the Yankees won't grab him when Johnny Damon's hitting .219 in May.