Morris and Tatum help Celts rout weary Pacers

AP source: Browns pick Kitchens as next coach

The Browns didn't have to go far to find their new coach. Freddie Kitchens was already in the building. The 44-year-old Kitchens, who had a dazzling eight-week run as interim offensive coordinator, is finalizing a contract to become Cleveland's ninth coach since the franchise's 1999 rebirth, a person familiar with the decision told The Associated Press. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the team is not commenting on the imminent hire. As of late Wednesday night, the Browns still had not officially announced Kitchens as their coach. However, there are no obstacles blocking his hiring and he's expected to be introduced at a press conference on Thursday. ESPN was first to announce the decision. Also, Gregg Williams, who went 5-3 as Cleveland's interim coach and defensive coordinator this season, is no longer with the team, the person said. Williams was the first candidate to interview for the coaching vacancy. Kitchens has no previous head coaching experience, but his work with Cleveland's offense — most notably quarterback Baker Mayfield — in the season's second half vaulted him ahead of the other six candidates interviewed by the Browns, who were looking for the right coach to lead them following a stunning turnaround season. Kitchens will get the chance. Under his leadership, Mayfield, the No. 1 overall pick in last year's draft, threw 19 of his NFL rookie record 27 touchdown passes while erasing any doubt that he could be the coveted franchise quarterback that has eluded the Browns for decades. Kitchens and Mayfield formed a strong relationship during their time together, and Browns owners Dee and Jimmy Haslam along with general manager John Dorsey are counting on the pair taking Cleveland to new heights.

AP source: Broncos pick Fangio as new coach

Forget RPOs. John Elway is going with AARP. The Chicago Bears defensive coordinator Vic Fangio, 60, has accepted Elway's offer to become the Denver Broncos' next head coach, a person with knowledge of the agreement told The Associated Press on Wednesday. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the Broncos didn't announce the hiring, something the team won't do until Fangio signs his contract. He's expected to be introduced as the club's 17th head coach on Thursday. Fangio replaces Vance Joseph , who was fired on New Year's Eve after posting the franchise's first back-to-back losing seasons since the early 1970s. Fangio and Elway, who turns 59 this summer, will make up one of the oldest coach-GM duos in the NFL in 2019. Although Fangio, who turns 61 in August, has no NFL head coaching experience, he has been an assistant for 32 years in the NFL and 34 seasons overall, beginning with the Philadelphia Stars of the old USFL in 1984. Just like former Denver defensive coordinator Wade Phillips, Fangio relates to players less than half his age and commands a deep respect in the locker room. "You're talking about one of the best coaches in football," Bears star edge rusher Khalil Mack said recently, dubbing Fangio "the evil genius himself." Elway said when he began his search for his fourth head coach in six seasons that he values experience but also recognizes the need to modernize the Broncos' offensive and defensive schemes to keep up with the run-pass option craze that has swept through the NFL and rendered traditional systems antiquated. Elway didn't believe that innovation necessitated a young, up-and-coming head coach, however. So, instead of going with a fresh-faced offensive-minded novice in the mold of the Rams' Sean McVay, he zeroed in on the grizzled gridiron lifer who's more like his first head coaching hire, John Fox, or even the Chiefs' Andy Reid.

Suspended Clemson DT Lawrence off to NFL

Suspended Clemson defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence is headed to the NFL. Lawrence is the 350-pound, 6-foot-4 lineman who missed the Tigers' College Football Playoff games after he and two teammates tested positive for the banned substance ostarine. Lawrence attended both games and celebrated with teammates Monday night after a 44-16 victory over Alabama in the national championship game. Lawrence announced his decision on Twitter Wednesday. He was a three-year starter and is considered a first-round NFL pick in next spring's draft. He is the third Clemson starter on defense to give up his eligibility to go pro. Earlier, cornerback Trayvon Mullen and linebacker Tre Lamar said they would enter the NFL draft. Mullen was the defensive MVP of the championship game.

Boston — Marcus Morris had 22 points and eight rebounds, Jayson Tatum had 20 points and the Boston Celtics routed the Indiana Pacers 135-108 on Wednesday night.

Kyrie Irving had 12 points before sitting out the fourth quarter, and the Celtics put together their highest scoring game this season to get their fourth straight win.

Boston (25-15) also ended a threegame skid against the Pacers, who entered the night third in the Eastern Conference. The Celtics had seven players score in double figures.

Jaylen Brown scored 22 points, Gordon Hayward had 14 and Daniel Theis added 12 points and six rebounds off the bench. Terry Rozier had 12 points and five assists, and the Celtics got at least 30 assists in their fifth straight game.

Domantas Sabonis had 20 points and seven rebounds for the Pacers (27-14), who had won seven of eight. Thaddeus Young had 10 points and eight rebounds, and Victor Oladipo scored 17 points.

The Pacers never led and fell to 5-2 in the second of back-to-back games this season. They wilted in the second half after beating Cleveland 123-115 the previous night.

Boston led 68-53 at halftime after shooting 56.5 percent (26 for 46) in the first half.

Indiana used a 10-2 run early in the third and cut the margin to 79-67 on Sabonis' hook shot with 5:31 left in the period, but Boston took off again and topped 100 points before the quarter was over.

Theis converted a three-point play to start the Celtics on a 12-3 run, and Boston closed out the period with another surge, getting back-to-back 3-pointers by Rozier for a 100-74 lead with 1:27 left.

Notes

Celtics: Scored 68 in the first half, one point shy of their season-high for points in a half . ... Topped their previous high of 133 points scored against Chicago on Dec. 6 . ... Tatum scored nine of Boston's first 11 points and had 11 in the first quarter, going 5 for 6 . ... Al Horford had eight assists, one short of his season high.