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e fire alarm rang. It was a fire drill.</p><p id="09ee">The fire alarm rang, but it was a fire drill.</p><h1 id="bab4">Rule 2: Use commas to separate nouns of direct address</h1><p id="0e85">Note: A noun of direct address names the noun (person) to whom the speaker is speaking.</p><p id="bc01"><b>Examples:</b></p><p id="cac0">Come in, Steve, and close the door.</p><p id="1844">Steve, come in and close the door.</p><p id="0543">Come in and close the door, Steve.</p><h1 id="8001">Rule 3: Use commas to separate an appositive</h1><p id="37ad"><b>Note:</b> Appositive are words placed immediately after other words that carry the same meaning and add clarity.</p><p id="e223"><b>Example:</b></p><p id="301d">Mrs. Gross is in Florida<b>.</b></p><p id="77cd">Mrs. Gross, my aunt, is in Florida.</p><h1 id="7f0c">Rule 4: Use commas to set off words that interrupt the sentence</h1><p id="ea4e"><b>Example:</b></p><p id="92b3">The fabric is pre-shrunk.</p><p id="aa46">This fabric, on the other hand, is pre-shrunk.</p><h1 id="20b2">Rule 5: Use commas to separate introductory words or phrases from the base sentence</h1><p id="5fc6"><b>Examples:</b></p><p id="4422">Bill sat through the horror film.</p><p id="c704">Closing his eyes, Bill sat through the horror film.</p><p id="6a65">Yes, Bill sat through the horror film.</p><h1 id="7331">Rule 6: Use commas after every item in a list except the last</h1><p id="a933"><b>Note:</b> Follow this rule with nouns and verbs.</p><p id="f3e7"><b>Examples:</b></p><p id="6d66">Sam, Susan, Steve and Scott went home. (nouns)</p><p id="e5f6">The dog barked, jumped and rolled over. (verbs)</p><h1 id="ca7b">Rule 7: Use commas to separate two or more adjectives that describe a noun</h1><p id="1c90"><b>Note:</b> Adjectives are descriptive words.</p><p id="b208"><b>Example:</b></p><p

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id="6230">The bright, yellow sun illuminated the sky.</p><h1 id="3306">Rule 8: Use commas to separate a quote from the tag line</h1><p id="a919"><b>Note: </b>A quote states exactly what the speaker said. A tag line explains the quote.</p><p id="4a93"><b>Examples:</b></p><p id="87a3">“The mayor,” stated Peter, “has brown hair.”</p><p id="5d53">Peter stated, “The Mayor has brown hair.”</p><p id="0faa">“The Mayor has brown hair,” stated Peter.</p><h1 id="2636">Rule 9: Use commas in dates, addresses, and numbers</h1><p id="00c4"><b>Examples:</b></p><p id="44b2">Friday, October 13, 1977</p><p id="5701">1334 Maple Road, William, New York 14221</p><p id="317a">12,000</p><p id="5f4c">These rules provide a simple list to save and reference when you are unsure about comma placement.</p><div id="0811" class="link-block"> <a href="https://bmahler-55533.medium.com/membership"> <div> <div> <h2>Join Medium with my referral link - Brenda Mahler</h2> <div><h3>Read every story from Brenda Mahler (and thousands of other writers on Medium). Your membership fee directly supports…</h3></div> <div><p>bmahler-55533.medium.com</p></div> </div> <div> <div style="background-image: url(https://miro.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:320/0*NI3JeOLnl_ZBoZWf)"></div> </div> </div> </a> </div><h2 id="0eca">If you found this helpful, follow Strategies for Writing, a space for writers offering a series of posts in a question — answer format. Each article supports writers with inspiration and responses to questions you’ve always wondered about.</h2><h2 id="2d43">Posts require only 2–4 minutes to read so writers have time to write. Visit often!</h2></article></body>

Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

Marcus Smart’s big sacrifice

How the Celtics turned their season around

In the midst of their first three game losing streak this season, the Boston Celtics came into Los Angeles looking to right the ship against their 2015 doppelgangers.

Making the Smart Play

With the Lakers having a “normal” first quarter (0 for 7 from beyond the arc), the Celtics took a small lead, then extended it on the strength of Kyrie Irving and the Marcus Who Can Shoot (Morris, .354 career 3P%).

Nothing had to be done, so Marcus Smart stepped up and hit 3 of his first 5 shots from beyond the arc, giving Boston a 14-point lead late in the first half.

The Lakers came back to make the game close, but everyone knew the Celtics’ defensive excellence, greater experience and Kyrie’s ability as a closer would end with another close victory over a lottery team, right?

Apparently, everyone got the message but the Marcus who can’t shoot.

Like a drunken gambler who just doesn’t know when to walk away from the roulette wheel, Smart — a 29.3% career 3-point shooter, currently fighting for the #9 spot as the worst NBA shooter ever— returned to his normal habit of orchestrating a symphony of rim clanking sounds by missing 3 of his next 4 shots. Still, hitting 4 for 9 from downtown is a super night. Only four players in the NBA shoot 3-pointers better than that.

When the game is on the line, he has to make the smart play, right?

Brad-exander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day

Coach Brad Stevens looks like such a school boy, but I’m sure the curse words had to be boiling up inside him as the Lakers took control of the game in the fourth quarter: Kyle Kuzma single-handedly beating Kyrie Irving in one-on-one; Jayson Tatum’s horrible play (1 for 6 with 3 turnovers) costing him ROY votes on national TV; all while the Lakers missed 15 free throws in throughout the game. On one bad call, you could read his lips as he yelled “bullshit.”

But nothing could prepare him for the last 5.7 seconds of the game, as Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (KCP), a 78% career free throw shooter missed both shots and Smart got the rebound.

Here’s a recap of the play-by-play call and a transcript of Stevens thoughts:

Rebound Smart, who dribbles up the court… (Okay, there’s no time outs, so he has to advance the ball)

…pursued by KCP (Okay, Marcus, get the ball to Kyrie. He’s an automatic layup, we’re only down by one.)

Smart crosses midcourt, guarded by KCP… (Dude, you gotta pass the ball)

…goes behind the back to get space… (Look! There’s Rozier wide open at the right corner)

Smart takes a step back, off balance three… (*holding his rosary beads* Help me, Jesus…)

…it’s no good. The Lakers win! (Ima cut that muthfucka)

In the news the next day came this announcement:

Happy “End” ings, or All’s Well that “Ends” Well.

That night, against the Clippers, Smart’s tag team of replacements (Ojeleye, Nader, and Larkin were all DNPs against the Lakers) shot a combined 4 for 9 from beyond the arc in an easy win.

The story released today states “Marcus Smart out two weeks with right hand lacerations.”

But I think we all know the truth.

Marcus Smart will never jack up a bad 3-pointer again.
NBA
Boston Celtics
Los Angeles Lakers
Humor
Game of Thrones
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