As the Houston Texans used their bye week to fix any problems the team is looking to clear up amidst a 2-5 start to the season, there is a conversation around quarterback C.J. Stroud and his contract situation. While rumors will continue to surround the Texans, two NFL insiders look into the type of extension […]
The post Texans rumors: Could C.J. Stroud get $70 million a year? Don’t count it out appeared first on ClutchPoints .
With the Houston Astros hiring former St. Louis Cardinals assistant general manager and former player Randy Flores as the ball club’s next general manager, he is bringing a unique perspective to the role. As the Astros made the hire of Flores, the new general manager would express how his playing career is going to impact […]
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The Phoenix Suns sit 12th in the Western Conference after a 1‑4 start to the 2026‑27 season, sparking concerns that they’re falling behind the postseason “train.” Unlike last year’s comparable start—when the Suns were only 3 games from first and managed to rally—this year's early losses leave them 4.5 games back of the league-leading Rockets and add pressure amid higher local expectations. Injuries to players like Mark Williams and inconsistent execution are cited as key issues, while anti‑tanking draft rules mean a poor finish could still yield a low lottery chance, potentially benefiting rivals. The author argues the Suns must act quickly on the trade market to avoid a season‑long slump.
The Seattle Mariners announce Jason Kanzler as their 22nd manager, marking the third hire of the Jerry Dipoto era. The 36‑year‑old former Astros hitting coach and ex‑Cubs farm director replaces the dismissed Dan Wilson and joins a dramatically younger coaching staff after the ouster of veteran coaches Manny Acta, Perry Hill, Kevin Seitzer, and Eric Young Jr. Kanzler, a University of Buffalo alum with playing experience for the Minnesota Twins and coaching stints in the Cape Cod League and Astros’ big‑league staff, brings leadership and a bilingual edge but no prior managerial résumé. The move aligns with Dipoto’s push for fresh perspectives from outside the organization.
Payton Pritchard once again had a tough nice for the Boston Celtics as he struggled in the loss to the Rockets finishing the game with just 4 points 0-7 from the field and 0-5 from deep. Pritchard has struggled this year when the Celtics have played teams not named the Chicago Bulls. In games against [...]
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Kevin Durant got into a tense back-and-forth with a reporter who pointed out that he hasn't been taking a lot of shots.
A Celtics‑focused fan breaks down the upcoming Rockets‑Celtics showdown, highlighting key factors like Boston’s 5‑1 start, a back‑to‑back schedule, and travel fatigue for the Rockets. He praises Marcus Smart’s intensity, warns that the Rockets struggle with free‑throw shooting and flopping, and predicts the Celtics will dominate the boards, potentially leading by 40 at halftime. He notes the impact of players such as JD Mitchell Robinson, Jaylen Tatum, and the odd “PG‑13” reference, while teasing a possible revenge game from Ime Udoka’s bench. The post mixes humor with serious analysis, suggesting the Celtics have the edge in a high‑scoring, three‑point‑heavy contest.
The Seattle Mariners appoint 36‑year‑old Jason Kanzler as their new manager, replacing Dan Wilson. Kanzler, a former Astros minor‑league hitting coach (2019‑21) and major‑league staffer (2022‑23), has served as the Cubs’ director of player development since 2024, making this his first managerial role and the league’s second‑youngest hire after Nationals’ Blake Butler. Jerry Dipoto’s track record now stands at 3‑for‑3 for hiring first‑time managers. Kanzler was chosen from a shortlist that included former Astros manager Joe Espada and other bench coaches.
The Seattle Mariners have reportedly tapped 36‑year‑old Jason Kanzler as their new manager, a decision expected to be confirmed on Tuesday. Kanzler, a former Astros coach and the former Cubs director of player development, beats out former Astros skipper Joe Espada for the job. He becomes the 22nd manager in Mariners history and the second‑youngest in MLB, behind Washington’s Blake Butera. The hire follows Dan Wilson’s departure after a disappointing 2026 season and signals Seattle’s shift toward a youth‑focused, player‑development strategy.
Dana Brown returns to the Atlanta Braves as a senior advisor to amateur scouting, reuniting with GM Alex Anthopoulos. The move, confirmed by The Athletic, follows Brown's departure from the Astros earlier this season. During his 2019‑2022 stint with Atlanta, Brown helped secure future stars like Michael Harris II, Spencer Strider and Tyler Matzek, contributing to the Braves' World Series win. Anthopoulos praised Brown's conviction in drafting and signing talent, noting their 20‑year working relationship across three clubs. The hire is billed as a significant boost to the Braves' front office.
Kevin Durant and the Rockets are winning. He doesn't understand why a reporter was asking about shots
Running back Joe Mixon reacted to the fatal Learjet 60 crash in Greenacres, Florida, after revealing he had flown on the same aircraft with the same pilots just a month earlier. The crash killed all nine aboard, including 20‑year‑old co‑pilot Nathalia Gadelha, and forced the evacuation of hundreds of residents. Mixon, a free agent since his March release from the Texans, expressed devastation on Twitter, praising the crew as “incredible professionals.” The NTSB reports possible in‑flight breakup but has not yet determined a cause.
Houston Rockets star Kevin Durant didn't want to focus on his individual contributions in Monday's 109-93 win over the Boston Celtics.
Despite the New York Jets’ 2-6 record, the blog argues the team’s offense is a bright spot and could be one of the best in the franchise’s recent 15‑year history. Ranked 12th in EPA/play and 10th in success rate through eight weeks, the young unit—average age 23.8 and largely under contract—features promising prospects like Adonai Mitchell, Omar Cooper, Braelon Allen and linemen Joe Tippmann and Olu Fashanu. The author notes persistent red‑zone woes and questions whether coaching or luck is to blame, but contends the overall record is misleading, with net EPA comparable to teams such as the Raiders, Texans and Giants. The piece suggests the Jets could become a playoff contender if the offense continues to develop.
Adam and Mike recap Boston’s loss to the Houston Rockets.
A brutal schedule spot and cold shooting handed the Celtics a loss in Houston, but a closer look reveals major long-term positives.
The Dallas Mavericks’ recent 15‑point loss to the Sacramento Kings highlights deeper issues beyond Kyrie Irving’s knee injury. Despite a promising win over the Houston Rockets, the team shot just 7‑of‑33 from three and couldn’t generate spacing, with rookie Cooper Flagg posting a career‑low 3‑of‑19 shooting and six turnovers. Coach Dusty May’s questionable lineup choices—starting Flagg without other ball‑handlers—mirrored past missteps and left the squad looking unprepared. While the Mavericks still feature emerging talents like Irving and Flagg, the article argues that their habit‑breaking and defensive intensity must improve now to sustain playoff hopes for the 2026‑27 season.
The article uses a mock‑Scott Boras negotiation to gauge a suitable long‑term contract for Astros shortstop Jeremy Pena. By comparing his five‑year BWAR/FWAR totals (22.2/17.9) with those of ten paid shortstops, the author identifies Dansby Swanson and Trea Turner as the closest historical analogues. Examining the deals those players secured—Seager’s 10‑year, $32.5 M AAV; Swanson’s 7‑year, $25.3 M; Turner’s 11‑year, $27.3 M; Bogearts’ 11‑year, $25.5 M—the piece calculates an inflation‑adjusted average of roughly $30.7 M per season for a 2027 contract. The analysis helps fans and analysts gauge what Pena’s next deal might look like.
The Colorado Rockies announce Ethan Katz as their new pitching coach, a move highlighted by the Denver Post and The Athletic. Katz, formerly an assistant with the Houston Astros and praised for his hands‑on work with starters, faces the daunting task of reviving a staff plagued by thin rotation depth and Coors Field’s hitter‑friendly conditions. The blog links to a pending interview with Rockies staff about his prior firing after one season and previews a follow‑up podcast. Additional MLB news includes free‑agent rankings, award finalists, and upcoming hot‑stove storylines.
With the NFL trade deadline looming, the Cleveland Browns’ Week 9 showdown against the New Orleans Saints could shape GM Andrew Berry’s next move. A 5-4 record may keep the roster stable, while a 6-3 win could push Berry to pursue edge help, especially after losing DE Alex Wright and questioning Jared Verse’s play. The Browns have eyed veteran pass rusher Jadeveon Clowney, who’s been a rotational DE for the struggling Texans, posting 4 QB hits, 2 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks in 125 snaps. Houston may entertain offers for Clowney—likely a late‑round pick—if they’re forced into a sell‑off after a loss to the Chargers, making him a potential late‑deadline target for Cleveland.
The Celtics' five-game streak ends with a 109-93 loss to the Houston Rockets on Nov. 2, 2026, a defeat largely credited to former Celtic Marcus Smart's impact for Houston. Smart, playing 4:35 into the third quarter, helped the Rockets surge to a 100-82 lead with key defensive fouls and back‑to‑back threes, highlighting his defensive prowess under coach Ime Udoka. Boston shot a dismal 28.6% from three (12‑of‑42), with Jayson Tatum making only one of seven attempts, while missing Paul George compounded the woes. The article also notes Mitchell Robinson's injury‑limited night and the Celtics' search for a post‑Smart point guard.
The Houston Rockets snap the Boston Celtics' five-game winning streak with a 109-93 road win on Nov. 2, 2026, as former Celtic Marcus Smart fuels the upset. Smart draws multiple fouls on Jayson Tatum, forces his ejection, and caps the night with back‑to‑back three‑pointers, finishing with eight points, four rebounds, four assists and two steals. Boston shoots a woeful 38.6% overall and 4‑for‑21 from three, with Tatum going 1‑for‑7 from distance and committing a season‑high five turnovers. Houston counters with 40% shooting from beyond the arc and 54.4% overall. The loss ends the Celtics' Eastern Conference‑best streak amid a grueling back‑to‑back schedule.
Alperen Sengun recorded 26 points, 10 assists and seven rebounds as the Houston Rockets defeated the Boston Celtics 109-93 on Monday night at Toyota Center.
The post Alperen Sengun powers Rockets past Celtics as Houston reaches 7-1 appeared first on TalkBasket.net .
The Houston Rockets cruise to a 109-93 victory over the Boston Celtics, improving to 5-2. Alperen Şengün leads with 26 points on 12‑15 shooting, adds 7 rebounds and 10 assists. Jabari Smith contributes 10 rebounds and hits 4‑of‑5 from three, while Marcus Smart adds timely buckets despite a rough shooting night. Boston struggles, going just 12‑42 from three and falling behind in the fourth quarter as the Rockets pull away. Absences for both teams—Clint Capela for Houston and Paul George for Boston—don't stop Houston's dominant run after a recent loss in Dallas.
The Celtics fall to the Houston Rockets, exposing some concerning issues with Boston’s roster. The Garden Report crew breaks down the struggles of Payton Pritchard and Derrick White, Jayson Tatum’s shooting woes, and the impact of Paul George’s absence. Plus, John Zannis, Bobby Manning, and Jimmy Toscano discuss Mitchell Robinson’s rough start, Joe Mazzulla’s rotations, [...]
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