Welcome to Wednesday’s Morning Mashup, where we’ll get you caught up on what’s going on in the sports world and beyond.

In the odd story of the day, a couple of Atlanta Hawks accused Celtics captain Paul Pierce of failing to pay off a $10,000 bet Pierce allegedly initiated during the team’s 2008 playoff series.

Al Horford alleged Pierce followed up some on-court trash-talking with the bet, but he didn’t pay off after the Hawks pushed the series to the full seven games.

FOOTBALL: Chris Price breaks down the strange week for Patriots linebackers, leading with Tully Banta-Cain’s release and re-signing. Price also has the Patriots moving on without receiver Joey Galloway. Fellow receiver Julian Edelman reportedly broke his arm during Sunday’s game. Bill Belichick discusses the team’s recent moves and says that linebacker Eric Alexander was never released, despite reports to the contrary. Special teams ace Sam Aiken signed a contract extension.

Steve DeOssie has his Week 6 Patriots report card, and to no one’s surprise, the team grades out well across the board. Kerry Byrne dissects the information supporting Tom Brady’s dominance in wintry-weather games.

Even Rolling Stone magazine is critical of Browns coach Eric Mangini.

UConn held its first practice since the weekend stabbing death of cornerback Jasper Howard.

BASEBALL: The Yankees closed in on another World Series appearance by routing the Angels, 10-1. The umpires had another tough night. Meanwhile, Yankees closer Mariano Rivera is denying accusations that he spit on the baseball in Game 3, after a video clip made it appear so.

Ned Colletti agreed to a long-term extension as general manager of the Dodgers.

BASKETBALL: The Celtics dropped a 108-103 preseason decision to the Knicks in New York, as Doc Rivers focused on getting the bench plenty of action.

Jessica Camerato write about how music is a driving force for new Celtic Marquis Daniels.

The NBA and its regular referees are apparently close to ending their dispute.

HOCKEY: The Bruins traded a pair of 2010 draft picks for Sabres forward Daniel Paille. Joe Haggerty presents the weekly NHL power rankings.

HISTORIVIA: On Oct. 21, 1975, the Red Sox beat the Reds, 7-6, in an epic Game 6 of the World Series. The game was best remembered for Carlton Fisk’s game-winning home run off the foul pole in left field in the 12th inning. The other dramatic Red Sox home run came off the bat of pinch-hitter Bernie Carbo, a game-tying three-run shot with two outs in the eighth-inning. Tough question: For whom was Carbo pinch-hitting?

QUOTE OF THE DAY: “I don’t think it’s anybody’s fault or anything you can just pinpoint. It’s just one of those things that just didn’t work out. Anytime you sign a player, you expect he’ll come in and be a productive player for you.” — Patriots coach Bill Belichick on receiver Joey Galloway, who was released yesterday

STAT OF THE DAY: 14 — Number of times Tom Brady has been named AFC Offensive Player of the Week, including two this season after this week’s honor.

‘NET RESULTS: Here’s a gem from the summer that only recently showed up on the web. An entertainer named Durwood Fincher, who goes by the alias “Mr. Doubletalk” when conducting fake interviews, got some Red Sox in front of the camera when they were in Atlanta and had some fun with the unsuspecting players. The video is 8 minutes, 32 seconds long, but it’s worth it. Especially the parts where the interviewer repeatedly refers to Jonathan Papelbon as “Bobby” until Papelbon threatens to hit him.

HISTORIVIA ANSWER: Roger Moret, who pitched the eighth inning in relief of starter Luis Tiant

SOOTHING SOUNDS: Manfred Mann is 69 today.

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