Yankees-Red Sox Start Time Changed Due to Celtics-Mavericks NBA Finals Game 4

The Boston Red Sox moved up the start time for Friday's game against the New York Yankees to accommodate fans who will want to watch the Boston Celtics play the Dallas Mavericks in the NBA Finals.

First pitch for Boston and New York will now be 6:30 p.m. ET instead of 7:10 p.m. That should lessen the overlap with Game 4 of the Finals, which tips off at 8:30 p.m.

The Red Sox and Yankees are unlikely to wrap things up before the Finals start. According to Baseball Reference, games are averaging two hours and 38 minutes this season. The new start time at least means a standard nine-inning affair should conclude well ahead of the second half in Game 4.

Friday night could be a joyous occasion for sports fans in Beantown.

The Celtics are up 2-0 on the Mavs. A sweep would require Boston taking the next two games in Dallas, but that's a plausible scenario when the Mavericks' best player is fighting through an injury. ESPN's Tim MacMahon reported Luka Dončić had a pain-killing injection ahead of Game 2 for his chest contusion and another may be required prior to Game 3.

Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla has injury problems of his own with Kristaps Porziņģis day-to-day due to a "rare" leg injury. Even if Boston is without the 7'2" center, it should have enough to come out on top Wednesday and set up a series-clinching situation Friday.