Sports Redux: Trade This

The Boston Celtics (35-18) four-game road swing continued with a third consecutive victory on Friday, a 96-76 decision over the Portand Trailblazers.

Ray Allen paced the Green with 21 points, 11 coming in the fourth quarter as the home team tried to rally. "Ray is going to get traded tomorrow," Doc Rivers said. "We're going to keep saying it so he can keep playing well."

After escaping L.A. with an 87-86 win over the Lakers on Thursday, the Celtics started strong in Portand last night against the Trailblazers rolling to a 56-38 lead at the half. Kevin Garnett had 13 points and seven boards at the half. Rajon Rondo (8 points, 9 assists) ended the half with a nifty jumper. Rondo finished with 10 points and 11 assists. KG had 16 points.

The Celtics staggered to the All-Star break. A quick start, post break, might make them look like more legitimate contenders again. One question Bostonist has, though, is does swapping Eddie House for Nate Robinson really make them a better club?

The Red Sox pitching staff is assembled in Fort Myers with potential aces everywhere. Jon Lester refused to be labeled the ace. But, he talked about Josh Beckett like he is the ace. John Lackey was added to the mix this winter and sounds like he doesn't give a crap if you call him the ace or not. "Honestly, I expect a lot out of myself and...there's going to be some pressure, but I would have that on myself no matter where I was playing."

Vince Wilfork's contract status might be the top item on the minds of Pats fans. Of course, it is unsettled as Bill Belichick has told us nothing about the situation. He's unsigned and seems likely to be franchised. Adalius Thomas seems like he'll be elsewhere soon, which makes one wonder why he's not gone yet. Richard Seymour was shipped off to Oakland in September and is also a franchise-tag candidate. Ex-Pats receiver Deion Branch's name popped up in trade rumors this week.

This Bostonist loves the Olympics. Even curling. If you've watched any of the alpine skiing from Vancouver, you surely wondered about the blue lines on the downhill course. Initially, Bostonist thought it was just a prank pulled by the snowboarders. No. It's the latest method of trying to ensure safety on the treacherous downhill slopes.

As of Friday afternoon, Olympians from New England earned seven medals (two gold, two silver, three bronze) in the Winter Games. If New England competed as a separate Olympic team, that would be the fourth highest medal total behind the United States, Germany and Norway. Canada and France also have seven medals. New England's population is about 14,300,000. For reference, traditional Winter Olympics power Netherlands has about 16,500,000 people and four medals so far in Vancouver.

Kathryn Tappen's blog at NESN.com recently highlighted a great local charity event scheduled for Wednesday, March 3 at the Radisson Hotel in Boston. It's the Face Off for Ace fundraiser for the Ace Bailey Children’s Foundation, which supports hospitalized children and their families.

Ace Bailey played professionally for 11 seasons with five different teams, including the Boston Bruins, and the Edmonton Oilers of the World Hockey Association. Bailey died on September 11, 2001 on United Airlines Flight 175.

Wayne Gretzky will speak that night and will be joined by Don Cherry, Ray Bourque and Terry O’Reilly, among others, to support the charity. Visit www.acebailey.org for more information.