Five Takeaways from Heat’s Loss to Bulls

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The Heat drop the opening game of this home stand to the Chicago Bulls, and it wasn’t a surprise.

When you struggle to shoot and defend, you don’t win basketball games.

The Heat got a good night from Bam, but the drop-off from there was steep. Not a huge margin for error with this roster.

Five takeaways tonight…

#1: No Butler. No Lowry. Yes Bam.

It was a rough start for the Heat in the first quarter, since if you exclude Bam Adebayo, the Heat shot 4 of 18 from the field. Adebayo, though, was 4 of 4 from the field. At the half, he was 7 for 7 from the field for 16 points, along with 5 rebounds and 5 assists. Oh, and he can play defense a little. For one, he was just getting to his go-to in that 8 foot range, simply flowing right into the pull-up effortlessly. His second level of impact came through running the floor. Not through transition points, but getting Miami into early offense. Hand-off at 18 seconds at the shot clock isn’t the usual, but it is when your big is playing point guard. Lastly, the Heat’s shooters were being blitzed heavily. What does that mean? Slip, pocket pass, kick when tag comes, assist. Adebayo was doing some very good things in this one, if the stats didn’t say so already.

#2: The Heat’s defensive game-plan: a full game timeline. From bad to good to worse.

The Heat came out in pure Chicago Bulls match-up fashion: switch the pick and roll to have Adebayo shut the water off, as the Victor Oladipo/Max Strus type fights for his life by fronting the post. Quickly after Nikola Vucevic started 4 of 4, the Heat shifted to a zone. From there, Zach LaVine got hot through shooting spot-ups above the break, largely decided by the Heat’s 2-3 zone. But then the adjustment came. The Heat built a rhythm as they went back to more of that double and recover scheme. Basically if Vucevic was found as a mid-range post-up hub, or DeRozan got to his middy area, the Heat were shooting over a second defender. That caused turnovers, and got Miami easy buckets for a positive run to finish the first half. The issue was that it seemed they couldn’t get back to that. In the second half, the switching returned, and so did Vucevic’s interior scoring. Point of attack issues continue to re-appear. The theme: this team has good stretches of game-plan, but it usually fades on night’s like this.

#3: A minor play for many, a telling play for me.

As I stated before, Herro was seeing doubles out of the PnR in this one. Yes I know, no surprise. He had a slow start, but began picking up as a scorer late in the second quarter. But more importantly, he was making the right pocket pass reads along the way. To finish the second quarter, he flows right into a middle of the floor PnR, and the same doubles flies his way. Except this time, the pocket pass wasn’t thrown. He got up in the air, turned, and flung an over-head pass to Robinson on the left wing for three. Those are the minor elements needed to perfect the overplaying he’s going to see. It’s not always going to be the conventional way to get him out of awkward scenarios. Plays like that are important to shelf for the moment.

#4: A certain Oladipo led lineup explains a lot of the night.

In pockets of this game, the Heat went to a certain 5 man lineup that I proclaimed the “let Dipo cook” grouping: Oladipo-Robinson-Strus with a mixture of Highsmith-Cain-Dedmon. Obviously a tough lineup to try and win generally, but it was all about Oladipo creating at the top of the key for himself or others. And well, that wasn’t a good thing. The issue was that when he was creating for others, that never seemed to end in a positive result. Nothing against his play-making or constant skip passes, but the reliance on Dedmon as a hand-off hub says a lot. Plus Dipo’s own shot wasn’t falling consistently, and there’s a heavy reliance on the three-ball. The Heat ran a reluctant eight man rotation in this one, but it was clear those off pockets of the game were too tough to overcome on either end of the floor.

#5: So, about the Bulls relation to the Heat…

When speaking trades, there are many teams that will be looking to tank even further in search of that number 1 pick in the upcoming draft. Other teams will just begin to sell as they fall down the charts, which includes the Chicago Bulls. When watching this team live tonight, it raises the question of who would improve this roster. Well the answer to that is many of them, but let me just stay with DeMar DeRozan. If you can find a way to add him to this roster, you do it. I know it’s not the prettiest fit on paper, but watching Spo tinker with Sioux Falls players every night to try and make it work, just give him the talent. Figure everything else out later. Obviously this is an ideal scenario, but it doesn’t feel as out of reach as past conversation. In my personal opinion, I’d try and poke around that as long as possible.

Top 8 reasons for an immense amount of cricket betting

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If there is any game that has ruled over the hearts of people and has a crazy fan base across the globe is none other than “Cricket.” However, it is not a global game but over the years the rise of cricket has bewildered everyone as from the child to old-age have shown the ultimate interest in it.

But this love for cricket has not stopped at just watching it on ground or on television similar to FairGo casino login taking over as the greatest online gambling site also the betting on cricket matches has widely emerged in the past few years. And this is the topic of our content today. Let us figure out what are the reasons for such an immense rise in cricket betting across the nations.

With the passing of time, the game of cricket has reached every street of the country. The betting on such games was from very early but in the past few years, this betting has taken the digital platform and induced the people in large numbers to start betting. Let us now focus on the different points that why betting on cricket is so popular.

Instant source of money

Talking about betting and cricket, one cannot forget the biggest cricket event named Indian Premier League (IPL). As per the reports, the flow of money during this entire season of cricket was in a huge amount and many of them have turned their fortune with the amount won.

The craze of people towards this game is beyonds limits and they do not give it a second thought before adding their money into this game. In a few hours of game, one can generate a good source of money. However, it is the fact that if someone wins, then someone will lose.

A number of cricket tournament throughout the year

This is one of the major reasons as there are a number of cricket tournaments that take place across the world throughout the year. Whether it is IPL, BPL, Big Bang League, or several other national or international tournaments. Such a number of tournaments give people a choice to bet over any league they want.

Also, in order to bet for events happening either in the nation or outside the frontiers, the bettor does not need to book a ticket and visit various websites that let them log in and add their money on the match. Once the game is over, they will get the result.

A sufficient amount of information

The love for cricket has emerged in such a way that anyone who is fond of this game has proper knowledge about it. No matter whether you are talking to a kid or an old man, they will let you know all about the cricket. Everyone has sufficient knowledge about this game and this knowledge helps them to make a wise selection while betting. Thus, there is less amount of risk involved in it.

Online betting option

The main craze of betting in cricket has been given limelight by online betting applications. Talking about the betting online application, we cannot forget to mention Dream 11, the giant online betting platform.

With the emergence of such applications, the entire process of betting has become so easy that from sitting at your house, you can get all the information about various tournaments happening across the world and gather information about the players current performances that help you to add the right player in your team. Also, the rate of entry is very minimal but the amount of winning is very huge.

Bet on several factors

In the game of cricket, one can have the option to add their money on several other factors. Like, if we make the betting process that happens in an online part where you need to make a team of players from both the playing team and as per the performance of your players, you get the point.

But in offline betting, you get the option to add money to several factors like who will perform well? Who will get the man of the match? The best bowler? Which team will win? And so are other factors. This makes it easy for the bettor to add money on the factors they are sure about.

Rules of crickets are easy

No one ever adds their money at a place about which they are not aware of. Before anyone goes to bet on a game, they get a proper idea about the game and the players playing there.

The rules of cricket are not that tough to remember as other game’s rules are and thus it makes it easy for any of us to collect the knowledge about the game and start betting. Because of its easy rule, youth of any age start betting to earn a good amount of return.

A very popular game

Being fond of cricket, will you dare to add money in baseball or soccer? Of course, No. We all bet on the game we like and know. Since cricket has left such an impactful love over the people, they would definitely go to add their money in it.

Also, compared to other games, people know more about the different leagues, well-named players, rules, and everything about cricket and this enhances the number of people who go for betting in cricket.

No age limits

The main reason for rising popularity in cricket betting is that there are no age limits. Anyone with knowledge and money in pocket can become a part of this betting process. Also, the various other online platforms make it easy for anyone to participate in this betting.

Conclusion

We have cleared the top 8 reasons why betting in cricket is getting so popular these days. If you are among the one who believe in betting, then choose cricket for that.

Top 5 Reasons Ohio Sports Betting Market Will Be Among Largest in US

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Ohio sports bettors have been waiting patiently for online sportsbooks to go live and the wait is finally over. As of Jan 1, 2023 online sports betting will be live and bettors can take advantage of some insane Ohio sportsbook promo codes from the top operators. 

 

As analysts take a look at the potential of this new betting market, many have high expectations that the Buckeye State will become one of the largest betting markets in the country. Let’s explore the top 5 reasons why Ohio bettors will be betting heavy in 2023.

11 Out of 16 Operators Will Be Live January 1, 2023

Even though it has been a long process to finally get a launch date for online betting in Ohio, it’s been a scramble for operators to get their licenses in time for launch. As of the writing of this article, there are 18 brands that will be going live on Jan 1st. 

 

As anyone would expect, all the top betting brands will be open for business: BetMGM Ohio, Caesars Sportsbook Ohio, PointsBet, WynnBET, DraftKings, FanDuel, Bet365, BetFred, Superbook, Tipico and Barstool. 

 

Brands like PlayUP, Parx, Underdog Sports, Fantatics, BetRivers, Unibet and Bally’s are still working towards their launch efforts but it does not look like they will make it by the Jan 1st launch date. 

Ohio Sports Betting Projections for 2023 

Analysts have high hopes that Ohio bettors will take full advantage of legal sports betting i in 2023, regardless of the possible nationwide recession. Projections range between $9 and $12 Billion USD in potential bets placed for the year taxable at 10% rate. 

 

Is this number realistic? With 12 million residents in Ohio, the numbers projected are conservative and could be easily exceeded. This could make the Buckeye State one of the largest markets in the country.

Ohio Created 3 Types of Betting Licenses

The state legislature was creative when legalizing betting. The idea was to give operators different opportunities to capitalize on sports betting in different settings therefore creating different licenses for each. That inspired type A, type B and type C licenses depending on the venue. 

 

Type A is online betting only. Operators that are focused on offering bettors their online platform either via their website or app will need to apply for this type of license in order have a legal sportsbook in Ohio. 

 

Brands such as BetMGM, Caesars Sportsbook, Fanduel and DraftKings fall under this category as their target is online betting and sports betting through their apps.

 

Type B covers casino in-person betting and betting at sports venues. PointsBet will be known as Hollywood Gaming at Mahorning Valley Race Course and MaximBet will be at Jack Cleveland Casino handling their sports betting offerings.

 

Type C covers betting kiosks in bars and restaurants and are ran by the state lottery. With College Football Bowls coming up, Super Bowl and NBA, these betting kiosks in bars and restaurants will be a big hit to make those last minute bets. 

 

Bars and restaurants will not only be the businesses that will be able to take advantage of these kiosks, gas stations, bowling alleys and grocery stores will have the ability to put in these kiosks to offer their customers online betting.

The State of Ohio Needs Tax Revenue

Ohio legislators took a wait and see approach as they saw how other states launched sports betting and how taxation was handled. Seeing the negative impact of a 51% tax rate for sportsbook operators in New York, Ohio took a more conservative approach and landed their tax rate at 10%. Their goal is to attract operators to the state and create another tax revenue stream that public education and youth sports programs can benefit from. 

 

Since football and basketbal will take 68% of all bets in the state, taxes should be rolling in pretty consistantly for at least 6 to 8 months out of the year. NHL and MLB will will cover the rest of the months.

 

Sportsbooks will be able to deduct promotional costs from the total taxation number in 2027 which is a silver linning for operators. 

Kentucky Sports Betting is Not Legal Yet

Usually states that legalize sports betting lean on surrounding states to attract out of state bettors. Kentucky sports bettors will be key as Ohio kicks off legal sports betting on Jan 1st. Projections are modest but during March Madness, the states expects to see an uptick in tourism from residents of Kentucky wanting to bet legally throughout the tournament.

Five Takeaways from Heat’s Win Over Spurs

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The Heat faced the Spurs in Mexico City on Saturday afternoon, and it was another back and forth event.

Jimmy Butler, Bam Adebayo, and Tyler Herro provided enough offensive pressure throughout, while Victor Oladipo and Duncan Robinson truly stood out.

Robinson forced the second half run, Oladipo gave Miami some point of attack push back 1-on-1.

Some takeaways…

#1: Tyler Herro’s passing/Bam Adebayo’s rolling.

Before things took a bit of a turn, there was a certain Heat offensive staple they were getting to often: Tyler Herro/Bam Adebayo PnR. With Kyle Lowry out, it meant more ball-handling/creating reps for Herro at point guard. While I enjoy the stuff in the half-court, the full-court creation allows us to appreciate the control of Lowry. Herro got to the floater immediately in this one, then followed that up with keeping Tre Jones on his back before drawing the foul. From there, the setting up took off, as the Adebayo roll was the weakness of the Spurs defense. Live on-ball pressure combined with rolling gravity is quite the combo. The only issue is that it feels like when it’s connecting often, don’t stray away for two or three possessions. Make that defense stop it, then adjust from there.

#2: The Spurs early run: putting a certain Heat player in every action.

With 4 minutes left in the first quarter, Bam Adebayo exited the game with a 20-12 lead. 3 minutes later, he was coming back into the game down 5 with a score of 20-25. How did that happen? Well, the Spurs made it pretty clear that they weren’t going to get away from their offensive game-plan: attack Dewayne Dedmon in drop. I don’t want to give him all the blame, since the point of attack defense was bending a decent amount, but the goal was simply to create 2-on-1’s with Dedmon containing. We’ve talked often about the back-up big man situation, and it almost felt like Orlando Robinson is worthy of more opportunity. It isn’t helping Dedmon either that his foot injury continues to linger. The non-Bam minutes need figuring out.

#3: My thoughts on the Jovic-Bam minutes.

On paper, that front-court screams versatility and creativity. Two big guys who have the ability to both run the floor, and create opportunities for others through their passing ability. A movement offense dream. But it doesn’t ever seem to be utilized in that fashion. As noted to begin this piece, the early offense was heavy in the PnR direction with Bam and Herro, meaning Nikola Jovic is used as a spot-up guy. Of course that is fine, but those 7 minutes of play in a half are basically wasted by that point. They have the upside for sure, but the utilization next to each other feels like it needs to be elevated.

#4: Jimmy Butler flips an offensive switch in the third quarter.

In a back and forth game, the Heat needed somebody to takeover as the offensive hub to open up the second half. That guy ended up being Jimmy Butler. While they couldn’t break away by any means due to the continued defensive bending, Butler allowed Miami to stay somewhat parallel in that third quarter. Side pick and rolls down that baseline began drawing Spurs’ big men out little by little, which pretty much set up his constant drives and finishes around the rim. His slow and methodical play-style gave Miami some half-court offensive hope, along with the constant trips to the line. On the positive side, Butler was the one to put the Heat in a decent position.

#5: Duncan Robinson providing boost for Heat…Heat providing sets for Duncan Robinson.

Aside from the Butler tone setting to kick off the second half, Robinson kept them alive for large pockets of that span. Was it just Robinson hitting open shots? Well sometimes, but it was more than that. They were running sets for him again. Herro walks down to the left wing, as Robinson and Bam set up for double drag. Two fly at Herro, Bam sets the second screen, and he throws a skip pass to a wide open Robinson for the open bucket. A little bit later, they run a version of Horns with Robinson and Bam at each elbow. Robinson slips the screen to the opposite wing by Bam, who then sets the down-screen. Big time three-point shot by Robinson is the result. The very next play, they run a curl for Robinson in the same area, who draws two. He hits Bam with a pocket pass as Bam skies for a dunk. We still need to see consistency in his shooting, but watching the team run these type of sets is great to see.

8 Things You Need to Consider Before Gambling Online

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When it comes to gambling, there are a lot of things to consider before you start playing. Are you prepared to risk your money on games of chance? Are you familiar with the rules and regulations governing online casinos? Do you know how to spot a scam? This blog post will discuss 8 important things that you need to keep in mind before gambling online. It will also provide tips to help you maximize your chances of winning and minimize the risk of losing money. So, if you are considering playing on an online casino, here are 8 things you need to consider before gambling online:

 

1. Research the Website

 

Before signing up with an online casino, it is important to do some research on the website. Read reviews from customers and other players to find out if the site is reputable. You should also look for information regarding regulatory boards and licensing authorities that have certified the website. Also, according to the information on Saint Vincent Casino website, there are four legal online gambling websites in Italy. Additionally, make sure to read the Terms and Conditions of the website before creating an account. This way, you can know what to expect from the website and avoid any unpleasant surprises.

 

2. Check for Security Features

 

Secure websites are essential when gambling online. Look for websites that offer strong 128-bit encryption or higher. Encryption is a method of scrambling data that ensures your personal information is safe and secure. You should also look for websites that use digital signatures, which are electronic credentials that confirm the identity of the sender and receiver. This way, your personal and financial details will remain safe when you are gambling online. 

 

Additionally, look for websites with a valid Terms of Service agreement, as this ensures that the website is trustworthy and honest. This means that the website will not try to take advantage of you or scam you. Furthermore, make sure the website utilizes third-party payment processors, as this allows you to easily make deposits and withdrawals. For example, PayPal is a secure payment processor that many online casinos accept. Or, you can use an e-wallet such as Skrill.

 

3. Set Limits on Your Gambling

 

Gambling can be a lot of fun, but it can also lead to compulsive behavior if you don’t know your limits. Before playing any games, make sure to set a budget for yourself and stick to it at all times. It’s important to remember that gambling should be done responsibly and not as an investment opportunity. Also, never chase your losses; this can quickly spiral out of control and land you in more debt than you can afford. 

 

Additionally, set a loss limit for yourself to ensure that you don’t lose more money than you can afford. For instance, you can set a limit of $500 per month and stick to it. If you are having problems sticking to it, there are websites that allow you to set time and spending limits for yourself.

 

4. Understand the Rules of the Game

 

Not all online gambling sites offer the same games, so make sure to read up on the rules and regulations of each game before playing. If a game is new to you, start by playing free versions until you get the hang of it. This will help you avoid making costly mistakes when betting real money. Additionally, understand how bonuses work at each casino and be aware of any playthrough requirements or other restrictions. This way, you can take full advantage of the bonuses and promotions offered by the website. 

 

Furthermore, you should practice responsible gaming. This means that you should not let your emotions take over and always gamble responsibly.

 

5. Familiarize Yourself With Casino Odds 

 

Different games have different odds, so make sure to familiarize yourself with them before placing your bets. This way, you’ll know which games have better chances of winning and are more profitable. Knowing the odds may help you make more informed decisions and maximize your chances of winning big. For instance, the house edge for slot machines is typically higher than that of table games such as blackjack or roulette. Additionally, some websites may offer lower house edges than others, so do your research before signing up. This way, you can maximize your potential winnings. 

 

6. Look for Bonus Offers 

 

Online casinos often offer bonuses and promotions to entice players to sign up with them. Make sure to look out for these offers, as they can give you a boost when playing your favorite games. However, always remember to read through the terms and conditions before claiming any bonus or promotional offer – some might have strings attached that could put you at a disadvantage instead of giving you an advantage! 

 

7. Check Out Customer Support 

 

You should never gamble online without first checking out the customer support offered by the website. It’s important to have access to reliable customer service 24/7 in case you encounter any issues or have questions. The best websites will offer live chat, email, and phone support for their customers. 

 

8. Don’t Gamble If You’re Feeling Stressed Or Emotional 

 

Gambling should be an enjoyable activity and not something that causes you stress or misery. If you’re feeling emotionally overwhelmed, take a break and don’t gamble until you’re in a better frame of mind. You should also avoid gambling if you are feeling depressed or anxious, as this can further worsen your emotional state. So, be sure to take care of yourself both physically and mentally before gambling online. 

 

For example, take a break and get out of the house for some fresh air, or talk to someone about your worries. Also, make sure to take advantage of any responsible gambling initiatives that the online casino offers – such as self-exclusion and deposit limits. This way, you can have peace of mind that your gambling activity is being monitored and won’t get out of control. 

 

Gambling online can be an exciting experience with plenty of potential rewards, as long as you are well-prepared before signing up with an online casino. Keep these 8 things in mind before gambling online and you’ll be able to enjoy the best possible gaming experience. Good luck!

 

How to Choose a Winning Team for Sports Betting

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Betting and sports always go together, as it adds an element of excitement. If you are a newbie wishing to enter the fun world of nfl betting, things might feel tricky at first glance. However, it doesn’t have to be that way. This post shares tips and tricks to make the betting experience straightforward for beginners. 

 

Knowledge

If you want to be successful at betting, you need to have knowledge of the sport. Picking your favorite team is a huge mistake when it comes to wagering. Betting requires strategic thinking and analyzing historical data. With this, you have a higher chance of predicting the outcome. 

 

Know your goals

Before you even start betting, you need to have a clear idea of your goals. Do you bet to win, or do you do it solely for fun? This helps you shape your strategy and achieve your goal. Placing a random bet or choosing your favorite aren’t the right strategies for betting if you want to win. If you want to become an experienced bettor, you need to keep up to date with the latest information. Reading about the teams and individual players will give you an advantage. Also, knowing about the changes in structure is crucial. Transformers can change how a team performs, so be sure to keep an eye on this type of info. When a team loses a valuable player, this will change a lot. 

 

The more understanding you have of the sport, the better. You might have plenty of knowledge about your favorite. However, it is essential to have insights about the other teams as well. Knowing about the underdog is crucial, as you need to assess their performance and know when they will beat their favorite. 

 

The head of the team is another critical thing to consider. A new coach will have a different impact on the team, so be sure to investigate their background. Also, a player’s injuries are another thing to consider. An injury will throw off the player from the season, or a past injury might influence their current status. As an experienced bettor, mind all the small details that would impact the game. With this, you can be more confident about your betting skills.

 

Choose one sport

The betting market is extensive, with so many options to consider. Every sport offers betting options, but this doesn’t have to mean you should take them all. Make sure to choose one sport and stick to it. This way, you can become a pro in this area and make the best bets. You can track all the related updates when you focus on one sport. You won’t need deep research before placing a bet since it becomes your interest. 

 

Watching lots of games doesn’t make you an experienced bettor. You can watch tons of matches but still miss some vital details. Instead, take some time to analyze the stats to get to know more. You don’t want to go for the favorite but the one with the highest statistical chance of winning. 

 

If you intend to earn money, be sure to keep an eye on the win and loss ratio. This determines your success with betting. 

 

Final thoughts

The difference between an experienced and a beginner bettor is the time dedicated. A newbie will place bets solely for entertainment purposes, while experienced betters go well prepared with the goal of winning. Pick one sport that will be your to-go for betting and keep an eye on the latest trends and updates. 

 

Five Takeaways from Panthers’ loss to Penguins

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SUNRISE: The Panthers were back at home on Thursday night to faceoff against the red hot Pittsburgh Penguins, who came to Sunrise riding a six-game win streak.

 

Backstopped by a strong goaltending performance and a multi-point night from their captain Sidney Crosby, the Penguins defeated the Panthers 4-2, extending their win streak to seven.

 

Here’s tonight’s takeaways: 

The illness bug continues to bite the Panthers

Injuries aside, because this team is heavily affected by it, the Panthers have been getting hammered by the “non-COVID” illness bug. 

 

Florida has seen many of their big time players miss time due to illness over the last few weeks. 

 

Last game Carter Verhaeghe was out of the lineup; Anton Lundell hasn’t played since Dec. 1 in Vancouver, and Spencer Knight just returned to the lineup tonight after nine days. 


The Panthers had to play tonight’s game without their leading scorer Matthew Tkachuk, who is out with… an illness.

 

Florida had to roll 11 forwards tonight, even with today’s call up of Aleksi Heponiemi. 

 

Even strength scoring belonged to the Panthers

In a 4-2 loss, Florida came out on top in one category – 5-on-5 goals. 

 

Both of Florida’s goals tonight came at even-strength. Their opponent on the other hand, didn’t score a single one of their goals at 5-on-5.

 

All four of the Penguins’ goals came when they were either up a man, or down.


Pittsburgh scored twice on the power play, once shorthanded and iced the game with an empty net goal when Florida had an extra attacker. 

 

Tonight was a goalie battle

For fans of the man in the crease, this was the game to watch. Pittsburgh’s Tristan Jarry and Florida’s Sergei Bobrovsky both battled hard to keep their team’s in the game.

 

For the visiting team, Jarry was the star of the game for Pittsburgh. The Pens goaltender had 32 saves on the night and kept the Panthers special teams off the scoresheet. 

 

Florida had a flurry of good looks in the second period, but Jarry slammed the door shut, as Pittsburgh took that period 2-0. 

 

On the other end of the ice, Sergei Bobrovsky started his fifth straight game, finishing the night with 35 saves and three goals against, two of which came from a Pittsburgh powerplay. 

 

Both goaltenders saw multiple odd-man rushes tonight and respectively followed many of those chances with big time saves.  

 

Ryan Lomberg played a solid game with a depleted forward lineup

Ryan Lomberg always puts in a valiant effort no matter how much ice time he gets. With 11 forwards in the lineup, two of which just came from the AHL over the last few days, the Panthers played Lomberg over 14 minutes tonight.

 

The 5 ‘9 forward started the game off hot with his linemate Eric Staal. The pair seemed to have a lot of chemistry with each other tonight and it paid off as they connected for the first goal of the game.

A falling Staal was able to get the puck towards goal before Lomberg was able to beat Jarry up high on a tough angle. 

 

Lomberg plays a fast, hard fore-checking game and tonight it was evident on how much work he does along the boards and corners.

 

Florida lost the game on special teams

While winning the even strength game tonight, Florida’s downfall was their special teams performance.

 

With the lineup having so many guys going in and out this week, the Cats had to do lots of line juggling for the special teams units. 

 

“We have had a different power play unit pretty much every game for the last four,” Panthers head coach Paul Maurcice said. “Start putting that together at five o’clock because the guys are coming to our lineup so late.”

 

On the penalty kill, Florida conceded two goals as the Penguins finished the night 2/3 on the power play. 

 

Florida had three power play chances of their own, however not only did they go 0/3 on the  man-advantage, they also gave up a shorthanded goal to Pittsburgh’s Kris Letang, which tied the game at one early in the second period.

 

The special teams battle killed the Panthers who played a relatively strong even-strength game. 

Five Takeaways from Heat’s Win Over Rockets

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A win for the Heat, a career night for Tyler Herro.

Some takeaways from this game, with a primary focus on the play and impact of Herro…

#1: Well, Tyler Herro happened again.

25 points. 6 of 8 from three. Oh wait, that wasn’t his game stats, those were just his numbers at the half. After a 35 point night 24 hours ago, he picked up right where he left off. As I described yesterday, he was responding to the blitzing coverages and shifted to more off the ball. Tonight was a variation of that, except there was no altering coverage. His first five triples of the game came from above the break, meaning he’s just working off slip screens for catch and shoot stuff, or pure pull-ups. The three-point shooting surging at the same time as he’s getting to the line is a true gem, since we know the mid-range pull-up will be there. His off-ball movement has been great as well, which is crucial with a healthy team out there.

#2: The need for movement on this team.

While I hinted at the Herro element of this, with his continued repositioning, this team found their rhythm early in this game off pure movement. The first way is with ball movement, as it was clear it wasn’t sticking: drive, paint touch, kick, swing, repeat. There was a lineup that Jimmy Butler headlined tonight that really took this to the next level, as he was surrounded by Max Strus, Duncan Robinson, Haywood Highsmith, and Orlando Robinson. Off first glance, he’s battling it out with four undrafted guys. On second glance, he’s the only viable play-maker/distributor. That takes us into the second element of movement, which is just players cutting and flying off screens. Looking at that lineup, that basically forces you into that style. But this shouldn’t be a role player blueprint, it’s a necessary Miami Heat blueprint.

#3: Orlando Robinson time…

With Dewayne Dedmon out on the second night of a back to back, it gave Orlando Robinson some run who has been killing it in the G-League. Plus with the Heat’s need for a viable back-up center, it’s good to get this look into his game. He had a very great first half, since he knows how to hit open slots when off the ball in the interior. He makes himself available on the roll, while never seeming to stall anything on either end. He rebounds well, and gives that second unit some energy. That in-between touch will develop as he goes, but the baseline for his game is there. Now it’s just about finding a role, which there’s a certain position that needs to be filled on this roster. After flipping two-ways with Dru Smith, he might stick now for good. Or better yet, find himself a roster spot.

#4: The Heat’s shooters struggling to…shoot?

Max Strus and Duncan Robinson have had similar paths. Undrafted to Heat two-way to starter. When one has struggled in the past, the other guy was ready to step up and capitalize. But right now, the Heat aren’t getting anything from either one of their sharpshooters, which after three quarters the stats included 1 for 9 for Robinson and 1 for 8 from Strus. After Robinson had a good game in OKC, he regressed yet again beyond the arc. Strus, on the other hand, had a very fast start to the season, yet has tailed off this past month. This happens with shooters, but he just can’t find any sort of rhythm at the moment, with many of his shots coming up short. Both will have the chance to be that guy for this Heat team, but this group needs a reliable perimeter threat not named Tyler Herro.

#5: I talked Tyler Herro earlier, but it was a career night: he changes this team’s dynamic.

A 40 ball. 19 threes in 24 hours. This isn’t just a hot streak, this is a turning point with sensational numbers to back it up. Aside from the X’s and O’s stuff I brought up to begin this piece, there’s an overarching point that makes these games even more important. This gives this Miami Heat team life. That is something this team has lacked immensely, since it felt like every game has consisted of looking around for a wake up call. Two things give a team extra life. The first one is a trade, since change of scenery can change the energy of a group, which is still necessary with certain holes on the roster. The second is a player emerging right in front of your eyes. Now I won’t say this is completely “emerging” since Herro’s on a max contract, but he’s hitting new strides in the half-court at the moment. When this team needed it most, Herro gave them the boost.

Five Takeaways from Heat’s Win Over Thunder

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It wasn’t as easy as it looked early on, but the Heat escape Oklahoma City with a win behind Tyler Herro’s big night.

Some takeaways…

#1: Tyler Herro comes out on fire, but it didn’t just happen naturally.

Tyler Herro walked into the locker room at halftime with 20 points and 6 made threes. But it just wasn’t that simple. To begin the game, he was seeing two defenders on every single screen. Basically the game-plan from the playoffs. He began just making the pocket pass and going isolation a bit more as counters, but then Victor Oladipo entered. He took over ball-handling duties as Herro shifted to spot-up shooting mode. That’s when the scoring began to get rolling a bit. The reason this is so important is because this isn’t how he generated all 6 triples, but he did do it for the first 4. Why is that important? After knocking down 4 threes, it doesn’t matter the coverage they’re putting on him in an action. Now he’s in a rhythm and they have to adjust to him. It all falls from this one element, but the quick and timely adjustment was a cool thing to see.

#3: Victor Oladipo’s defensive nature didn’t go anywhere.

Victor Oladipo has been ramping back up over this past week, generating some buckets from time to time off the driblle and on spot-ups, but that hasn’t been the thing that has stood out most. It’s the defense, to nobody’s surprise. In his first game back, Erik Spoelstra had him pressing at the top of a 2-2-1 press on his opening possession, which tells you where he is at this stage. But looking at just tonight, he completely threw Shai and company out of a rhythm. Haywood Highsmith was getting some run, which meant they were just switching back and forth on Shai’s ball screens. Then the zone adjustment came, as he hit passing lanes very well with 3 first half steals. The biggest point is his lateral quickness is still there, since he can position himself perfectly to cut guys off on drives and rolls. Now that’s a natural ability.

#3: Heat’s three-point shooting finally having a moment early, but then…

Well, as I’ve talked about continuously on these takeaway pieces, the Heat have been needing a three-point shooting night. And I’m not talking about Herro in this topic, it’s more about the role players. Duncan Robinson got some minutes tonight, and they were actually running actions we’re familiar with. Screening away for him to shoot to the top of the key, some pick and roll stuff, etc. Caleb Martin and Oladipo each added in a bit, but Kyle Lowry deserves some credit for his spot-up shooting as well. There’s a theme here with the shooting, which pretty much is the catch and shoot spam. And what co-aligns with spot-up spams? Paint touches and strong drives. Do you know what the Heat were not generating in the second half? Paint touches and strong drives. (Which I’ll get into next)

#4: The constant takeaway: blowing leads.

As the Heat held a 21 point lead in the first half, I tweeted out: who’s taking the final shot in the clutch tonight? While it seems like a joke, it most definitely isn’t when watching this Heat team. Once they find something that works, they get extremely complacent. For example, as I explained before, the Heat’s three point shooting profile was quite simple. But after shooting over 50% on 16 made threes over 24 minutes, they seemed to get too comfortable. Those paint touches and sprays turned into perimeter swings and pull-ups. Then back on the other end, there’s just so much slippage from time to time at the point of attack. If they aren’t pulling up Bam’s guy to come screen, it’s an easy paint touch for Shai and others. This is one of the many trends the Heat have acquired along the way this season, and this may be the very worst one.

#5: Our locked in 5th takeaway: a walk down clutch time.

Down 7 with four minutes to go, after possessing that 21 point lead early on, the Heat were just searching for some type of offensive base. Oh yeah, and maybe some type of point of attack defense. Herro walks the ball down the floor, hitting yet another three around the screen, seeming to be the Heat’s one area of comfort in the half-court. Shortly after a timeout, Lowry sticks a deep 3 to cut the lead down to two, but Josh Giddey matched it on the other end as Miami continued to help off him. Now a 5 point game again, Oladipo gets out on the break, converted on a tough lay-up in traffic. Three point game, a Lowry paint touch kicks it to Herro for an open 3. Back to the original gameplan that was working. After another tough transition lay by Oladipo, which actually was an and-1, the Heat took the lead by 2. Under a minute to go, the Heat look to close it out a bit, and Lowry holds the ball for 24 seconds then shoots a step back three off the rim. Yeah, talk about bad process. To follow up on that isolation possession, Herro hits a fading mid-range to give the Heat a 2 point lead with 4 seconds left. Well then.

Most Wagered College Football Teams of the Decade

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If you’re a college football fan, you’ve had some of the best times in the last decade because of the exciting turn of events in the top college football teams and the legitimization of sports betting.

Countless teams have come and gone throughout the years, making it impossible to draw any firm conclusions on how they’re better than the others. For this list, we focused on the best college football teams expected to win the NCAA championships in the last decade.

Alabama Crimson Tide

Out of Alabama’s 16 NCAA championships, just three came before the poll era. Nick Saban, the head coach of the University of Alabama football team, became the first coach in NCAA history to win more championships than the great Bear Bryant, who won seven titles. In addition, Alabama was a participant in the College Football Playoff every year from 2012 through 2018, except for 2019.

In college football odds, the Alabama football team is the favorite to win the national title this 2022. On the other hand, the Crimson Tide still has 15 games, some of which might be quite challenging.

For a team to win a championship needs more than just two players. However, the team’s best two players are the top reason why they have a shot at winning. Bryce Young and Will Anderson Jr. are two of the greatest players in the country, and the Alabama Crimson Tide has both. 

Ohio Buckeyes

After losing starting quarterback Braxton Miller to injury before the 2014 season, the Buckeyes weren’t considered much of a chance to win the national championship. The next man up was J.T. Barrett, and he led Ohio State to a loss against Virginia Tech, the Buckeyes’ second of the season. However, after Barrett went down with a season-ending injury, the Buckeyes still managed to win later. 

 

Cardale Jones led a 59-0 blowout of Wisconsin in the Big Ten title game, while Ezekiel Elliott rushed for 476 yards and six touchdowns in a College Football Playoff (CFP) favored victory over Alabama and Oregon to conclude the 12-1 championship record.

Georgia Bulldogs

Kirby Smart has worked with the Georgia Bulldogs since the team replaced its longstanding manager before the 2016 season. As a result, Georgia was able to recruit more effectively under his direction, and the Bulldogs won the national championship for the first time since 1980. 

Moreover, the Bulldogs set several records in the NFL draft this spring. Their dynamic defense, for instance, set a new mark by securing five first-round picks. In addition, the Bulldogs made a vow to make it to the Final Four, and it was another factor in Georgia’s victory over Oklahoma.

Preseason odds made the Georgia Bulldogs the third favorite to win the national championship this year. The Bulldogs were rated third, trailing No. 2 Ohio State and No. 1 Alabama.

Clemson Tigers

Dabo Swinney is regarded as one of the top college football coaches owing to his 11-year streak of leading his team to 10 or more victories. He has reached the national championship four times since 2015, winning twice and losing twice. 

Since the Tigers snatched glory away from Florida State, no other Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) team has come close to matching their accomplishments. Despite still being the odds-on favorite to win the ACC Championship Game this year, the Clemson Tigers have had a relatively lackluster season thus far.

Oklahoma Sooners

The long and storied success of the Oklahoma Sooners makes it one of the premier programs in college football. It has been for the better part of a century. However, despite winning several Big 12 wins since the 2017 season, Oklahoma’s three appearances in the College Football Playoff have resulted in few significant victories. 

 

After spending the previous four years as the defensive coordinator at Clemson, Venables is returning to Oklahoma to take over for incoming USC head coach Lincoln Riley. Venables worked in various roles in Oklahoma from 1999 to 2011. 

The Sooners’ decision to transfer to the Southeastern Conference (SEC) in the coming years may increase their revenue from football. Still, it may make it much more difficult for one of the strongest teams in the nation to win a national title.

LSU Tigers

The Tigers will forever be remembered as a legendary team in collegiate football. It is the only college football program to win three national titles since 2000, and they did it with three different coaches. In addition, LSU has the most significant offense in SEC history. 

Joe Burrow, a senior quarterback, had a fantastic senior season. The schedule boasts several remarkable victories, the most recent coming against a Clemson team striving to join the select group of college football’s finest franchises.

Final Thoughts

While not every college football team can win the national championship, even those who fall short of that mark can still be considered among the best in the history of the sport. Sometimes, the heavy favorites don’t win but are still champions in their supporters’ hearts.