Coaches will love it, a chance for the practice time

Coaches will love it, a chance for the practice time that was rarely available to them. And veteran teams like the Celtics and Spurs could thrive with the extra time off.

The Spurs won the 1999 title after the lockout and hope they have one more run in the Tim Duncan era. They never recovered after Manu Ginobili was hurt in the regular-season finale last year and were knocked off by Memphis in one of the NBA's biggest postseason upsets.

They're healthy now and rolling into the postseason, just as they did in '99, after winning their final 10 games. 

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Amid the pomp and firepower of an impressive Red Sox

Amid the pomp and firepower of an impressive Red Sox home opener was the snapshot of Jacoby Ellsbury writhing in pain at second base after Rays shortstop Reid Brignac had fallen on his right shoulder.

Ellsbury, who was trying to break up a double play on Dustin Pedroia's grounder, was helped up by trainers. He held his right arm close to his body as he walked off the field.

Initial report on his injury, according to one team source: "It's not good.'' Friday night a baseball source said Ellsbury has a dislocated or partially dislocated shoulder and will miss 6-8 weeks.