Five Takeaways from Heat’s Loss to Bucks in Game 2

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Giannis Antetokounmpo missing, and the Bucks not missing should sum this game up pretty well.

An offensive explosion leaves the Heat in the dust as they tie up the series 1-1.

Heat head back to Miami to protect home court.

But first, some takeaways from game 2…

#1: The Bucks insanely dominant offensive first half, the Heat’s underwhelming perimeter defense.

When it comes to describing the ways that first half went aside from listing off 81 points scored, 12 of 21 from three, and the overall energy controlling for the Bucks, there honestly was a common denominator to all of their problems: perimeter defense. After the Heat planted Max Strus on Brook Lopez in game 1, the Bucks adjusted. He completely took over early in this game inside, as the Bucks hit the 40 point mark in paint points in the first half. We can blame lack of size or the guy fronting down low, but their issues didn’t lie there. Instead it was the entry passes being made with ease after strolling right into a paint touch. When looking at the lineups they’re running, it’s clear we shouldn’t be surprised, but that’s the way Miami has gotten by in this structure. If the ball pressure isn’t there, the defense isn’t there.

#2: The interchanging spot without Tyler Herro.

To quickly zoom out from all of the specifics for a second, the Heat have had some decisions to make regarding the replacement for Tyler Herro. The early stint went to Duncan Robinson as he stepped into his starting role, and the idea of it was much better than game two’s result. No actions involved, zero shot attempts, and a pair of quick fouls as one came on a triple that went down. Victor Oladipo rotated into the bunch, and he was much better than originally expected. The question is always about stepping back from constant on-ball reps, and if his pull-ups can fall against a team that blocks off the rim. And well, they were dropping early which was a good sign. But aside from those two, many Heat fans were calling for more Kevin Love next to Bam Adebayo as they were getting blitzed in the paint. This shooting performance was what it was, but they need to find the next move.

#4: A giant downgrade in the pace department.

Talk about a tale of two games. As I sat here in game 1 describing the things that went right, a big part of that was the Heat randomly increasing pace a large amount which shifted much of their offensive looks. Getting to their initial actions, letting Jimmy Butler loose a ton, and making that four verticals deep bomb to not have to operate against the Bucks’ set defense every time down. Well, that wasn’t the case in this one. Right from the jump, I said to myself, yeah they don’t have the same transition urgency as they did the other night. Walking it down the floor, back against the shot clock more often than they wanted, and less movement as a whole. I’m not saying I expected Miami to go from one of the lowest pace teams to top of the league, but it’s about a recognition of matchup and the need for energy. Game 1 it was noticed, game 2 it was left in the past.

#4: I have some matchup questions…

After already beating the drum of the Brook Lopez paint factor, it should be noted that I didn’t have a problem with stick with that matchup. Force Brook Lopez to beat you and get off the three point line was a trial run. But the two primary Bucks players saw a new individual matchup tonight, and both seemed to have their way. Jimmy Butler on Jrue Holiday, Gabe Vincent on Khris Middleton. Why? Yeah let me be upfront, I have no idea. Holiday had a 21 point first half himself, but that wasn’t due to a matchup problem, he just found open gaps off secondary attacks. Middleton, on the other hand, liked what he saw. A skilled 3 level scorer who can play with his back to the basket now has a 6 foot guard attached to him? Well okay. It wasn’t even an out of this world Middleton performance, but the point still stands. Switching up those matchups felt odd, and I definitely wouldn’t keep that going heading into game 3.

#5: Zoom out: time for the reset.

So now that we addressed this game enough and everything that went wrong, perspective is necessary. It’s only 1 win on the road to grabbing 4. And if we’re being honest, the Heat already did their job by stealing a game in Milwaukee’s building. The two issues with that is 1) they acted like a team in game 2 that already got what they needed and 2) the guy in MVP contention should be returning pretty soon. But either way, a total reset is needed, and all the focus lands on protecting home court. They get another two day break before they get back to business, as we should monitor that knee for Butler who was rubbing it on the bench late in the third. Reset, adjust the game-plan, and control the energy again back in your own building.

Five Takeaways from Heat’s Win Over Bucks

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Well, that was a game.

Heat steal game 1 in Milwaukee. Wild Jimmy Butler performance, unfortunate injuries, and a major win by Miami.

Some takeaways…

#1: My early primary takeaway: the Heat’s defense and shot forcing stands out.

Well, the Miami Heat came out swinging offensively. And that wasn’t even the main thing that stuck out to me: it was the defense. Erik Spoelstra stayed with the usual starting lineup as Max Strus was guarding Brook Lopez to start, and man were they getting the shots that they wanted. Lopez wouldn’t even walk past the three point line, falling right into the Heat’s hand. When it came to their helping, Miami was helping over off corners and the Bucks just weren’t hitting consistently from deep. The Bucks still found ways to score inside, but they needed to add layers. Kevin Love showcased one of those layers, which is positional defense. He was active, taking charges, and the Heat’s rotations were crisp. Lean offense all you want, the defense is the bigger factor.

#2: Playoff Jimmy Butler.

He says it’s not a thing, but I disagree with Jimmy Butler himself: playoff Jimmy is real. All of the talk is about the schematics of Milwaukee’s defense not meshing with the skill-set of Butler, but I have news: Butler doesn’t care about your scheme. He still finds ways to get to his usual spots all across the floor. Bursting by the league’s best perimeter defender in Jrue Holiday, taking it strong on Brook Lopez, and hitting all the in-between jumpers he found. 24 points on 11 of 17 shooting in that first half. Pure control and dominance. Once he gets into that mode, it’s hard to get him out of it. The next step late in the second quarter was the Bucks’ added help, which led to kick outs with some Heat 3 balls falling. Just reacting and capitalizing.

#3: 84 games later, the Heat pushing pace?

When it comes to Miami Heat themes, transition play and pace pushing is not one of them. For one, it’s not an Erik Spoelstra thing, and secondly, this Heat team usually has no clue *how* to do it. Yet to open this game 1, everybody was running. Four vertical plays calls to Butler, Caleb Martin playing on-ball for some transition control, and operating in the early clock. Like I said, yes they were getting in transition, but the key is not playing with your back against the clock time and time again. They had control, which usually means more of a rhythm to take those quick shots within the possession.

#4: Battle of injuries…

How quickly a series can change. Early in the game, Giannis Antetokounmpo flies down the lane for a layup with Kevin Love ready to take the charge right underneath. He hits the floor hard on his back, and he kept going back and forth from the locker room to the game. Finally he took one final trip to the locker room before being ruled out, which is just an absolute killer. Fast forward to the final minutes of the second quarter, the Heat took a shot of their own. Tyler Herro dove on the floor for the loose ball, coming up clearly in pain. He was holding his right hand, gameplay still going, the ball finds him in the corner, and he takes a shot with a broken hand. Yes you read that correctly, a broken hand was the official diagnosis. Once again, how quickly a series can change. Twice.

#5: The fourth:

Let’s be honest: this was a must win. We didn’t say that heading in, but we did say that heading into halftime. Antetokounmpo out, the Heat in a rhythm: this is the one to get. Heat up 108-100 with 8 minutes left, but Bucks keep fighting back. Adebayo looks for a handoff, Vincent finds him, and pulls it for a three to extend it to 11. Needed shot. Fast forward to a 9 point lead with 6 minutes left, the offense was burning out. Butler-Bam run a high PnR, Butler hits the elbow, and knocks down a pure pull-up jumper. The next possession, we see a Strus-Bam PnR, Holidays stays glued to Strus, hits Bam in the pocket, and another pull-up middy is the result. 115-102. Bucks cut it to 10 with just under 4 minutes to go, and Heat in need of another score. Brook Lopez camped under the rim, Bam handling, finally building the courage to flow into a pull-up. Book it. The Bucks answer with an and-1, as Heat counter with a Caleb Martin corner triple. Heat walk out after stealing a game in Milwaukee.

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Five Takeaways from Heat’s Win Over Bulls

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Do or die game. Backs against the wall. Either pack it up and head home, or put up a fight to face the Milwaukee Bucks on Sunday evening.

Max Strus chose his side of that equation, and so did Jimmy Butler.

Heat head to Milwaukee to face the Bucks…

Some takeaways…

#1: Max Strus’ night.

In a do or die game for a fighting chance in the playoffs, it has to be a Jimmy Butler explosion? Bam Adebayo? Tyler Herro? Nah it was just Max Strus who saw one drop, and wouldn’t stop from there. Heat open the game spamming the same action over and over: Herro-Bam PnR. It allows both to operate against that drop, which led into heavy helping from the wings and corners. Max Strus was the beneficiary of that, as his defender kept sagging. Catch and shoot three after catch and shoot three landed him at 6 triples at half. It actually should’ve been 7, but he literally got “Max Strused.” The PA announcer comes across the arena to announce his earlier 3 had been ruled out of bounds and taken away. Again? Yes, again. Either way, he was scorching, and kept capitalizing.

#2: Heat rotation change? Or not?

When it comes to switching things up, you never see it coming with Erik Spoelstra. When you least expect it, he will hit you with two new starters or rotation players on a random night late in the regular season, or to kick off the playoffs. So we should’ve known when he told the media on Thursday changes were coming. It was almost too predictable. On a night where it felt like Caleb Martin was needed to slow down DeMar DeRozan and Zach LaVine, Spoelstra stuck with the usual lineup with Gabe Vincent and Max Strus. But hey, I’d say the Strus call was a pretty decent one. The funny part was he didn’t even change up the back-end. I figured Cody Zeller would slip in for Kevin Love, but nope. They ran it back….

#3: Tyler Herro, Bam Adebayo pushed out of their spots early.

It’s playoff season, which also means it’s evaluation season. When it comes to the Miami Heat, those evaluations are for Bam Adebayo and Tyler Herro. And well, they accumulated for a 3 of 12 first half between the both of them. The weird part was that it wasn’t their usual shot diet again, but that wasn’t on them. That was more of a credit to Chicago. Pat Beverly and Alex Caruso were hounding Herro around screens to make his in-between shots extremely uncomfortable, and Bam’s shots were just in traffic every time. And that’s exactly why Strus was getting the looks that he was. On the other side of things, they were still impacting: Adebayo with 10 first half boards, Herro with 5 boards and 5 assists. But finding ways to consistently be comfortable is the thing to watch for.

#4: Some ugly, ugly offense.

As you would expect after that first half, the third quarter decline was coming. Some extremely ugly offense pursued for both teams, but there’s a major difference within the ugly results. The Heat give the Bulls open 3’s by helping down on their shot creators, which means their ugly percentages are just missing shots from their role players. Yet within that gameplan, Chicago can still just get into LaVine or DeRozan isolations, which can work at any given moment. Same thing went for the Heat in terms of giving open shots, yet Max Strus’ hot shooting just made it look unproblematic. But once that died down, the Heat didn’t have an iso outlet. It’s more mid-post insertions with flying defenders at Jimmy Butler, or Bam Adebayo floating down the lane. Bulls led 68-67 at the end of the third, but the profiles felt extremely different from the naked eye.

#5: Clutch time…

Down 6, 7:30 left on the clock. A game that feels like it’s washing away slowly, as Bam Adebayo fights to the rim for a foul. First free throw, swish. Second free throw, clank. Summing up the evening. Jimmy Butler ends up getting to the rim for a layup, cutting it to 4. Falling back on defense, he jumps the play, gets the steal, and lays it in for a 2 point game. Energy rises in the building, as the Heat give up an unnecessary switch, leading to over-helping and an open three. Bulls up 85-80. Fast forward to 5:30 left, Butler takes Caruso again, goes up strong, and-1. 2 point game. LaVine misses, the crowd gets into it, Butler drives baseline, and Strus saves the day. An outstanding cut by Strus to save Butler for the lay-in, tying the game. On defense, Bam and Herro have a miscommunication to give up a DeRozan jumper, feeling like the tide turned. Yet Butler got fouled on a rebound, while in the bonus, as he sinks 2 free throws at the line. 87-87. And shortly after, Coby White answers again with another three. And well, Butler entered that mode. Mid-post insert, clear out, goes to work, and-1 at the rim. Under 2 minutes to go, he dumped it off to Bam who got fouled, knocking down 2 free throws. Heat lead 93-90. DeRozan free throw makes it a 2 point game, yet Butler hits Strus flowing downhill, and he hits the biggest shot of the night. Up 5. Now under a minute to go, Strus gets fouled in the corner for three. What a night for him. Heat head to the playoffs to face the Bucks.

How To Become A Pro Basketball Player

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Did you know that basketball dates all the way back to the late 19th century? It’s true; baseball may have a slightly more storied history, but basketball is one of the oldest modern sports being played in the USA (and elsewhere, of course) right now. It was created by a man called James Naismith, who needed to come up with an exciting game for his students to play, since physical exercise was mandated. He conceptualised a game that could be played either indoors or outdoors, and thus, basketball was born.

 

If you’ve ever seen basketball players at work and thought “I could do that”, then hey, who knows – you might be right! However, becoming a professional basketball player takes a lot of work and dedication. It’s something that people usually begin to undertake from an early age, since basketball players tend to physically peak around their late 20s. Still, it’s never too late to at least enter into the sport on some professional level, so let’s take a look at what you need to become a pro basketballer!

 

Build a base for yourself

 

If you’re serious about training as a pro basketball player, then one of the things you’re going to need is a permanent base of operations. This is where you can store gym equipment, train if you’re not able to do so outdoors (or in your usual gym), and brush up on your basketball knowledge. If you’re just starting out in the world of home ownership, you can use mortgage loans to find your dream home and start planning out your basketball career. Don’t forget to allocate space for some fitness equipment!

 

Train hard

 

What differentiates professional basketball players from amateurs? There’s a certain degree of innate talent involved, but for the most part, an intense training regimen is what separates the wheat from the chaff, so to speak. A great training routine for basketball involves cardio, strength, and resistance; basketball demands a lot from your body, so it’s important to make sure all of your muscles are ready to enter the fray, so to speak. Make sure that your training regimen has been calculated alongside a fitness professional so that it’s as effective as possible.

 

Learn all you can about the sport

 

Naturally, you’re not going to get very far as a professional basketball player if you don’t try to learn everything you possibly can about the sport. That doesn’t just mean physically preparing for your career; it also means brushing up on your history, learning about all of the arcane rules and regulations you might come up against, and generally researching basketball to as much of an extent as possible. Don’t think of this step as boring; instead, take it as a learning opportunity that will give you an edge.

 

Join an amateur team

 

You’re not going to get noticed by pro scouts if you don’t join an amateur team and start playing some basketball. There are amateur teams and leagues all over the world, so you should be able to find one that matches your ambitions. Just be aware that it’ll likely be easier to enter into an amateur team with a real chance of scouting pros if you’re younger; unfortunately, basketball, like most sports, tends to favour those who are in their late teens or early 20s when it comes to scouting out professionals.

 

Talk to pro basketball players

 

If you get the chance, it’s a good idea to talk to as many pro basketball players as you can. This will give you an idea of what the reality of a career in basketball is like; you may have some starry-eyed dreams, which is understandable, but it’s important to know what it’s really like being out there on the court. You could also listen to some great basketball podcasts that dissect the NBA (which is the world’s biggest basketball league) and talk about the ins and outs of the sport itself.

 

Go to games

 

There’s no better way to learn what it’s like to be a professional basketball player than to watch them at work, so why not go along to a few NBA games if you can? Securing tickets to these events can sometimes be difficult thanks to massive demand, but if you can get hold of some, it’s a great learning opportunity. Watch how the players move and how they interact with their space. See what kind of techniques they’re using and try to figure out how you can incorporate that into your own game.

 

Create a portfolio

 

You might not think that making an online portfolio is that important as a basketball player, but you’d be mistaken. If you can upload some videos showing some of your major highlights during games, then you’ve got a better chance of being spotted by online talent scouts. Ask someone you know to film you while you play (assuming that the league you’re playing in allows this, of course), or talk to your league’s filming crew about using some of their footage for your portfolio.

 

Be serious about your goals

 

You won’t make it as a professional if you aren’t completely dedicated to the sport and everything that goes with it. All professional basketball players have one thing in common: they’re hungry, and they need to succeed. If you don’t have that drive and that hunger, then you may find yourself overtaken by those who do. It’s important to take your training, your play, and your post-match analysis seriously so that you can keep improving as a professional hopeful. 

 

Tips for Betting on the NBA

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The NBA is one of the most popular sports in the world to bet on. With the playoffs rapidly approaching, the action has never been hotter. The key is to know the various NBA betting odds and how to make the most of them.

As it turns out, there are a few helpful tips that can help you dominate the bet slip. Follow these NBA betting tips and you can put yourself in the best position to win as big as the players on the court.

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Manage your bankroll

One of the most important things to do when betting, no matter what sport, is to manage your bankroll. Without that knowledge, you are going to find yourself burning through your bankroll quickly and often. That only leads to big losses rather than even bigger winnings.

Wherever you start, limit yourself to betting a certain percentage of your bankroll. This way, if you hit a cold streak, you won’t immediately be staring down a zero balance. The goal is to win but you also want to be able to prolong having to make deposits on a regular basis.

Use the schedule to your advantage

The goal should be to keep it simple and one of the simplest things you can do is keep an eye on the schedule. In the NBA, especially, teams tend to not do as well when they are on the second half of a back-to-back.

Watch for teams in a similar situation. Maybe a team is playing their third game in four nights. Maybe they played in an overtime game last time out. Use the schedule to help narrow down your picks. It’s not a guarantee to work but it may give you an advantage that you would have otherwise lacked. The NBA is one of those sports where teams apply load management frequently, so keep an eye on games where stars may not be suiting up.

Live betting is your friend

With the implementation of live betting, there is another avenue in which players can win. When it comes to sports like the NBA, sometimes it can be difficult to make a pick before the game starts. So, why not wait to see what things look like before making a wager?

With live betting, you can see how the action unfolds before acting. Maybe you aren’t really into a particular favorite and want to see if they start well. If they don’t, taking the underdog could lead to a nice score.

Sometimes things don’t feel right and the way a game unfolds only solidifies that. If you aren’t totally sure about a game but still want to wager, wait for the game to begin and see how things progress. Live betting is an advantage to those who regularly watch the games.

Track your bets

Don’t just bet on a whim. Track your bets to see how you’ve been doing, where your strengths are, and what patterns may be emerging. For all you know, there may be patterns that can help you to narrow your focus and create regular winners.

Maybe you struggle with home favorites who are favored by more than 10 points. Tracking your bets allows you to see the history of these specific situations and adjust accordingly. Betting is a lot of luck but it is a lot of studying, too. Use the information being presented to you to your fullest advantage. It will increase the odds of you making a winning bet, especially over a longer period of time. Don’t ignore the data because it can be your friend.

Five Takeaways from Heat’s Loss to Hawks

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Well, the Heat found themselves in an awkward position in the play-in, and it just got much more awkward.

After losing to this Hawks team, it’s officially win and you’re in, or lose and you’re out.

The problem is that even if they are in, the Bucks are standing there waiting.

But we will get to that soon. For now, let’s talk about this game…

#1: The Hawks punched first…and second…and third.

Well, that was quite the first half. Energy was going to be the key with this Heat team, and they lacked that even more than you can imagine. The offense was an awful watch by all means, but the defense was just sad to watch honestly. Easy switches, simple swing, bucket. Trae Young finding Tyler Herro or Max Strus, and going to work. Paint touch, kick-out, three. Repeat, repeat, repeat. That first half was an absolute route from the Hawks on offense, as they were just reacting to any coverage the Heat ran and knocking down the open shots. But like I said, the offense doesn’t deserve a break. 5 of 19 shooting at half from Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo is tough to look past. The reason it’s important is because it represented the amount of bunnies they missed. A surprising, yet not surprising, half of basketball for the Heat.

#2: Hello, Kyle Lowry?

There wasn’t many positives from the Heat across the first 24 minutes of basketball, but Kyle Lowry would definitely be the one. Somehow clawed his way to 19 points in the first half, and did it in an extremely smooth manner. He looked like he was playing in his Toronto days with the paint touches he was generating from possession to possession, and actually attempting shots at the rim. Also got to the line 5 times and knocked down a couple triples. He was the team’s best player in that first half by far. Now if I was to present this information prior to tip-off, I already know everybody’s response: “oh, the Heat are winning by 20.” Except with that level of play, they were actually the ones down 20. Just an odd profile.

#3: Okay, the transition offense needs some words.

We often joke about the Tyler Herro transition pull-up triples. You never know when they’re coming, and Erik Spoelstra only can’t say anything when they drop, as Herro noted to me recently. But in reality, this team’s fast-break play is exactly what I just said: a joke. We got one of those Herro transition 3’s early in the game as Miami had a 2-on-1, while Bam Adebayo parked under the basket. Missed opportunity. Another time rolling down the floor with some momentum, the ball found Caleb Martin on the right wing. Instead of running with numbers, he took that jumper that gave Atlanta the ball right back. Missed opportunity. Then to cap it all off, Herro circulating the floor and snakes into the lane in transition, yet he doesn’t meet a defender. He meets Caleb Martin who clobbers into him for another turnover. It’s one thing to not run in transition, and it’s another thing to not know how.

#4: The Heat’s third quarter counter punch: Tyler Herro going at Trae Young.

The start of the second half was the counter punch the Heat needed. As I detailed before this game, this isn’t last year anymore with how Atlanta is guarding Tyler Herro. No more Delon Wright hounding, instead it’s Trae Young baiting. Basically daring him: “Hey, takeover.” So the Heat said to kick off the third: “Hey Tyler, just go at him.” So he did, and cooked him 3 straight possessions into mid-range jumpers before the Hawks called time-out. And then the Heat caught a flow. Hitting shots, defending much better, role players stepping up. All of a sudden it was a 5 point game and Herro no longer had Young on him. They already adjusted, since they were just waiting to see if he’d do it. I can talk about the things that went right in that third quarter to make it a game, but the credit really goes to Herro for opening up the menu.

#5: The fourth quarter:

Hello, Kyle Lowry…again. One Kyle Lowry section wasn’t enough after his start to the fourth quarter. Down 13, entering the Jimmy Butler minutes. The Heat just needed something, and well Lowry answered again. Tough lay-ins, wild passes, and two massive pull-up 3’s before Butler re-entered with under 8 minutes to go. Heat winning the non-Butler minutes through their back-up PG? Well, they were only down 6 at that point, yet it fluctuated right back up to 11 after the Heat just couldn’t finish defensive possessions with the offensive rebounding disparity. Down 102-91 with 6 minutes left. Yet Lowry just kept fighting back by himself. Pindown, handoff, 3. Pindown, handoff, 3. Best game in a Heat uniform for him. Yet it never seemed to make a mark on the responding Hawks. Heat blitz, Hawks swing and shoot, and another rebound they would find for a dunk. The same formula was getting the same result.

 

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Winners and Losers of the 2023 NCAA Basketball Tournament

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Sports titles are highly important and prove a team’s excellence. And it’s no different at the collegiate level. Every year, March Madness, or the NCAA tournament, is a source of suspense and interest for most collegiate basketball fans and the participating teams. The tournament is also a test of who is the best of the best and those who flopped.

 

Last April 3, the NCAA playoffs for 2023 came to an end, and we have winners and losers. But who were the biggest wins and losses during the NCAA Tournament? Who stood out the most during the March Madness tournament? And who was falling behind throughout the tournament?

 

But before we get started, asking, is bet365 legal in canada? is an important question to some. And the answer is yes! On August 27, 2021, Canada formally repealed the government ban on single-game sports betting. So be ready for next year’s March Madness!

Rising to the Top

UConn Huskies

On April 4, the University of Connecticut Huskies were hailed the 2023 NCAA champions and sealed the status of collegiate basketball royalty. The team won against the San Diego State Aztecs, where the latter overcame a 14-point deficit in the semifinals.

 

But unfortunately, they were never able to overcome the Huskies. After the victory, UConn joined 1997 Arizona as the No. 4 seed to be champion of the NCAA Division I men’s basketball tournament.

LSU Tigers

The LSU Tigers won the 2023 NCAA Division I women’s basketball tournament championship, its first-ever national title, by defeating Iowa 102-85. A 17-point halftime advantage and clutch outside shooting by the Tigers allowed them to stave off the Hawkeyes’ gallant comeback attempt.

 

LSU scored over 50% of their total score in the first half, including 75% from three-point shots. Jasmine Carson, who came off the bench for LSU, scored 21 points in the first half, including a perfect five of five three-pointers.

Angel Reese and Adama Sanogo

The Most Outstanding Player of the Women’s Basketball Championship was LSU Tigers forward Angel Reese. During the finals, Reese recorded a double-double in the championship game. Reese had 15 points, ten rebounds, five assists, and three steals.

 

On the other hand, Adama Sanogo was the Men’s Basketball Championship Most Outstanding Player. He recorded his fourth double-double of the competition with 17 points and ten rebounds during the finals. Over six tournament games the UConn Huskies had, he averaged 19.6 points and 9.8 rebounds, helping UConn win its sixth national championship.

Biggest Flops

College Blue-bloods

The second round of the NCAA Tournament eliminated the college blue-bloods, specifically Duke, Kansas, and Kentucky. Just UCLA remains in the Sweet 16 among the Top 10 winningest college basketball schools in history.

 

When Kansas, Duke, and Kentucky were eliminated, North Carolina failed to earn a spot in the tournament. Just twice in this century has the historic quartet not been represented in the Sweet 16.

A No-Go For No. 1 and No. 2 Seeds

No. 1 seed Purdue and No. 2 seed Arizona were the first well-known teams to lose and fail to move past the first round. But that was only the beginning of the favorites falling like dominoes. Before the dust had settled on the first weekend, more than a few brackets had already been destroyed. The No. 1 seed Kansas and No. 2 seed Marquette were among the brackets eliminated in the second round.

San Diego State Approach to Winning

The approach by SDSU to overpowering the Huskies was a half-hearted pursuit on their end. SDSU thought the strength of their offensive half-court approach could force opponents out of their comfort zones. They also thought they could win by decelerating the game’s pace.

 

With the Huskies’ lanky players like Sanogo, Clingan, and Karaban towering over them, it was obvious that this strategy wouldn’t succeed. Nonetheless, congratulations to the Aztecs on becoming the first Mountain West team in the NCAA’s Final Four.

Heading Onto the Next Season

NCAA’S 2023 basketball tournament was complete mayhem for three weeks, but there are finally national champions. The overall playoffs were a great representation of grit, sportsmanship, and excellence from both the winners and the losers. We can’t wait for the next season to see who’ll rise to the top and who will flop.

Five Takeaways from Heat’s Win Over 76ers

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The Miami Heat walked into Philadelphia for a game they always get up for, especially as they continue to fight for positioning, and came away with a healthy win.

Hot shooting, strong coaching, and high level play from their main guys.

Some takeaways from this big night….

#1: The Heat’s hot start: pace, pace, pace.

A 67 point first half is far from normal when it comes to the Miami Heat. But aside from overall confidence, ball movement, and high level shooting, there was a clear common denominator as to why the Heat came out zooming: the pace was higher than ever. As we know, the Heat almost never run the break, since even when they do it, it’s super ineffective. But the Philadelphia 76ers are also slow paced, and consistently have trouble getting back off both makes and misses. The Heat were ready for that, clearly at the top of the scouting report. Jimmy Butler was headlining the 40 yard dash club, sprinting down the floor for early clock buckets and feeds. This team hasn’t been elite in any one category all year, but there’s one thing they can always capitalize on: opposing weaknesses. And it always feels weaknesses are put on blast when Erik Spoelstra and Doc Rivers matchup.

#2: Why Tyler Herro was so impressive tonight…

Tyler Herro has put up 16 point first halves before, so what made the first 24 minutes tonight special for him? Well, it’s the process. He was being physical right out the gate, starting with a strong right slot attack where PJ Tucker was flying over for the help. Usually the formula equals an in-between type floater to settle, but he didn’t do that here. He took it right at Tucker who clobbered him, but it got him two free throws. Nothing is better than Herro play a strong offensive game. He wasn’t setting for jumpers either, since his primary focus was paint touches and rim attacks. Aside from that, I thought his defense was much better than usual with his overall activity. His task in this matchup is to be a constant helper as he starts on Tucker, but he also is forced into a ton of scramble switches on guys like James Harden. He was clicking, and the Heat need it.

#3: The battle of the 2-3 zone:

One of the loudest X’s and O’s battles when these two teams match up always seems to be the zone defense. The 76ers have a base between their primary guys, and a 2-3 zone forces much more reliance on their role players to be active. Something I’ve been calling for the Heat to do is run a constant 2-3 zone when Bam Adebayo goes to the bench. Kevin Love in the bottom of the zone relying on positional defense is maximizing your roster. We finally saw the Heat go to it, and man was it stumping this 76ers roster. Philadelphia immediately came up with a very original thought of their own, and decided to throw out the 2-3 zone themselves. The Heat stalled for quite a bit late in the second quarter, as they weren’t getting to their zone base. As I noted on Twitter, Jimmy Butler shouldn’t be initiating against it, he needs to be flashing middle. Out of the timeout, they set up a stagger screen with Bam Adebayo, Butler got it in the middle of the floor, and hit a tough bucket. It’s chess. And Spo loves to play chess.

#4: Jimmy Butler still rolling in playoff (in) mode.

Jimmy Butler in April and beyond: there’s just nothing like it. As we’ve been monitoring, Butler’s been playing at an insane level since the All Star break which he always tends to do. But looking at tonight specifically, we got a nice mixture of playoff Jimmy and Jimmy in the Philadelphia building, which is a deadly combo. As I noted early in this piece, he played a major role in the original run to kick off this game with the transition play, but don’t let that fool you: he was cooking against their set defense as well. Mid-range pull-ups and fades, getting to the basket against switches of all kinds (smalls in the mid-post or bigs on the perimeter), plus the usual controlling off the incoming doubles. And it may sound cliche, but things really transcend X’s and O’s when talking Butler this time of year. He just has a switch that can be flipped on when he chooses, and that thing has been taped on for weeks.

#5: Really as simple as last year’s shooting formula.

I can sit here and talk Jimmy Butler in playoff mode. I can talk about Tyler Herro being effective and physical. I can talk about Bam Adebayo being himself and attacking. But that formula didn’t always equal a win last year or this season. The primary equation always pointed toward role players shooting the three ball at a high level. Halfway through the 4th quarter, they stood stationary at 46% shooting from deep at high volume. It wasn’t one guy either, it was everybody. Tyler Herro and Max Strus headlined, but even the bench contributions from guys like Kevin Love and Kyle Lowry from deep. Sometimes over an 82 game season, it’s about peaking at the right time. Last season, even with Miami falling one shot away from the Finals, the shooting fell off at the worst time and it took Butler heroics to get to that point. Could this story be coming full circle with the shooting peaking at the right time? Only time will tell.

Analyzing the Impact of Basketball on Florida’s Sports Scene

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Basketball is a sport that has grown in popularity worldwide, and it has had a significant impact on Florida’s sports scene. As one of the most popular sports in the state, basketball has had a significant impact on the economy, as well as other sports in the state. This article will analyze the impact of basketball on Florida’s sports scene. 

Charting the Future of Basketball in Florida

Basketball is one of the most popular sports in the United States, and Florida is no exception. With numerous professional, college, and high school teams, Florida is home to some of the most talented basketball players in the country. As the sport continues to grow and evolve, it is essential to chart the future of basketball in the Sunshine State.

The first step in charting the future of Florida basketball is to identify the current state of the sport. The state currently has two NBA teams (the Orlando Magic and the Miami Heat), as well as two WNBA teams (the Orlando Miracle and the Miami Sol). Florida also has five NCAA Division I men’s basketball programs (the University of Florida, Florida State University, the University of Miami, Florida Gulf Coast University, and the University of Central Florida). Additionally, numerous state high school teams represent the public and private school systems.

The second step is to look at the trends impacting the future of basketball in Florida. One of the biggest trends is the growth of technology in the sport. For example, video and other digital technologies to analyze and improve player performance have become increasingly popular. 

The third step is to consider the potential impact of these trends. As technology and analytics become more prevalent, teams will likely become more competitive and successful. Additionally, the use of analytics and data will likely lead to better decision-making and performance by players and coaches. Additionally, the use of technology and analytics could lead to more opportunities for players to be scouted by professional teams, as well as better fan engagement.

 

Examining the Impact of Basketball on Florida’s Culture

From the high school level up to the professional level, basketball is a major part of the state’s culture. It has had a tremendous impact on the state’s economy, its communities, and its people.

First, basketball has had a significant impact on the economy of Florida. The state has seen a large influx of investment in the sport due to the growth in its popularity. Professional teams such as the Miami Heat, Orlando Magic, and Tampa Bay Rays have all drawn in large revenue from ticket sales and merchandise. The sports industry itself has been a major economic driver, generating millions of dollars in revenue and taxes in the state.

Furthermore, basketball has had a positive impact on the communities of Florida. The presence of professional teams in the state has brought a sense of community pride and camaraderie amongst the residents. In addition, basketball has also provided employment opportunities to many people in the state. Local businesses have also been able to take advantage of the influx of people attending games, which has resulted in a boost to the local economy.

Conclusion

The success of Florida Basketball teams has led to an increase in revenue for the state, as well as increased tourism due to the popularity of the teams. In addition, businesses related to basketball, such as apparel stores, restaurants, and hotels, have seen a major boost in business due to the sport’s popularity.  As the sport continues to grow, basketball will likely continue to have a major impact on Florida’s sports scene.

Five Takeaways from Heat’s Win Over Mavs

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The Heat needed one big time, but so did the Mavericks. Two desperate ball clubs facing off, except the Heat were without Bam Adebayo.

Jimmy Butler came out firing, and the buyout acquisitions came to play, in Kevin Love and Cody Zeller.

To nobody’s surprise, the Mavs made it a clutch game, but Miami escaped.

Some takeaways…

#1: Jimmy Butler entering that mode right out the gate.

As I was discussing before the game, we will know how this thing will go right out the gate. How will we judge it? The energy and body language of Jimmy Butler. And he came out in that playoff-esque mode. Getting the switch he wanted with guard screening, meeting Kyrie Irving at the rim once or twice. We saw a heavier pick and roll dosage without the Bam Adebayo hub, and that was flowing at a great level. That Butler-Cody Zeller pick and roll was looking as comfortable as ever between the two, which is not surprising at all. Butler is a slow paced PnR ball handler, which means he excels with slow paced rollers. More openings on the roll were found in that first half. But ultimately it just came down to Butler making his mind up on his aggression and spirit. If you want to know his confidence, he shot another mid-range jumper in the second quarter and turned around before it went in. Yeah, he’s feeling it.

#2: Kevin Love new role meets a new look Kevin Love.

No Bam Adebayo meant a shifted starting lineup, but it shuffled even more than expected. Both front-court spots were changed with Cody Zeller starting for Bam and Max Strus starting at the four for Kevin Love. That essentially meant Love got the back-up 5 focused role, which is something I’ve been wanting for some time. And man did he look like a different player. He looked like a comfortable player. Shots were falling, taking advantage of mid-post switches more often with more room to operate, and by far his best defensive half I’ve seen. Taking charges off rotations, staying with the Mavericks’ primary ball-handlers in that in-between game, and contesting shots at the rim. Kevin Love is not a starting four, but I do believe he can be a solid back-up 5. And the fact that they shifted it tonight felt like a slow transition into that when Bam returns.

#3: Dealing with Luka Doncic.

It’s no secret that dealing with Luka Doncic is an experience. Take away his scoring, he finds passing lanes. Don’t send help to eliminate his play-making, he can craft his way to the basket with ease for buckets. And when you don’t have your defensive anchor in the middle who spends plenty of time switching out onto him, it makes things interesting. Although the Heat put up a ton of points, they were also giving them up on the other end as Doncic scored 23 points on 10 of 14 shooting in the first half. The Heat’s usual scheme against him went out the window, since the primary switching was immediately all drop and hedging/recovering. Neither of those coverages are a shock to Doncic. Just as Butler was doing on the other end, sometimes you just have to live with the tough shots from superstar players. To Miami’s credit, they did force 10 first half turnovers in this game to counter that, but the Luka Doncic experience just is what it is at this stage it seems.

#4: Oh hey, Cody Zeller…

As I said before, Zeller slotted into the starting five spot without Adebayo. The thing I didn’t mention was the fact he was scoring at will on the roll. Halfway through the third quarter he was up to 20 points on the night, along with 9 for 11 shooting. Well, 7 of those 9 field goals were assisted by Jimmy Butler. Yes you read that correctly. I mentioned it to start this piece but I’m going to go right back to it. There’s a continuity to speed and play-style in the pick and roll. It’s the reason Tyler Herro and Bam Adebayo had such a good rhythm together in that fast paced, reactionary style. When it comes down to Butler, he moves slowly and scouts every move of the defense. He knows Zeller will be since his role is simple: screen, seal, dive. The worry of Butler’s scoring blends into a wide open roll for him every time. Those meshing styles is an interesting thing to monitor.

#5: The fourth quarter…

Six point lead entering the fourth, as Heat fans worry if it’ll be too late once Butler walked to the scorers table down the line in the quarter. They needed to survive that first stretch. And well, Kevin Love grabbed some of the facilitating reigns as a mid-post hub and the Heat’s shooting followed with 10 points in 3 minutes, taking a 112-101 lead with 9 minutes left. Fast forward to the 6 minute mark, Luka Doncic hits his specialty step back 3 to cut the lead to 9 at 119-110, Heat simply trying to hold on. A Heat basket is needed as they come out of timeout up 121-115, and Butler hits a tough hanging middy. As they flow into the defensive end, he hits the passing lane for a steal and transition dunk. Yet Heat still grasping for another stop on other end, as they continue to knock down looks. But a Butler pump fake gets Doncic in the air and to the line, followed by another trip off a physical drive. Trying to pull them to the finish line, and he did just that.