Five Takeaways from Heat’s Win Over Pacers

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The Heat faced the Pacers just hours before the deadline on Wednesday night, as Bam Adebayo shines yet again.

He’s had big time offensive nights, but when it comes to that knockdown jumper: this is at the top.

Some takeaways from this one….

#1: The Heat come out with a hot offensive first quarter.

With not much focus on an actual basketball game being played tonight, the Heat came out with a surprising amount of energy. The offense was moving extremely well, as they were hitting shots from the outside and finding back-door cutters often. That interior play led to 9 first quarter free throw attempts. Gabe Vincent was the story of that early quarter, as he walked into an immediate 11 points, which is some awkward timing. The trade deadline hours away, and Kyle Lowry on the top of everybody’s mind, he found his offensive comfort in a heavy off-ball role. Spot-up threes and some PnR play got him going. That got the Heat up to 39 points in that opening quarter, but inconsistency struck again.

#2: Bam Adebayo’s high isos and elbow jumpers…

Bam Adebayo’s game has become simple on the offensive end. Not in terms of role, but in terms of approach. To finish the first quarter, he dribbles down the open floor with an expiring clock, and flows into a deep fade-away jumper at the buzzer doesn’t even hit rim. Shortly after to begin the second quarter, limited time left on the shot clock, he fades at the same spot for the same shot. Bucket. Those rhythm shots turned into a full-out elbow jumper display off every pocket pass and isolation. He was getting to the line as well, but it wasn’t in a Jimmy Butler grind it out style. The jumper was dictating. The pump-fake just kept finding buyers. He finished with 20 points in the first half alone. His scoring levels have become extremely fluid, and they fit the playoff style so well.

#3: Noting some issues, plus the TJ McConnell game.

We often talk about random scrub Heat killers, but TJ McConnell always seems to find his game against the Heat in recent years. He knows the primary spot he can score from, Miami knows the primary spot he can score from. But sometimes that’s just a shot you’ll live with in context of the offense. That was the case in the first half, where he ran off 16 early points in that short mid-range area. As much as I talked about the Heat’s early flow, they still trailed by 3 at half. Even more importantly, they gave up 63 points to this Pacers team in 24 minutes. In big picture, no matter what the roster looks like, the Heat will figure out how to operate within top ranked defenses. But this just sums up the inconsistencies way too often. Shooting variants, coverage variants. That’s what makes playoff projections tough at times due to the wide range of the unknown of who you are getting exactly.

#4: Jimmy Butler willing his way to buckets.

As much as I discussed Bam utilizing his strengths, Jimmy Butler was doing the same heading into the third quarter. Let me start by saying the Pacers are a team that defends Butler much differently than any other team in league. The match-up that Butler usually searches for, already sits there on a platter as their small guard Andrew Nembhard is his match-up each game they’ve played. It’s not a total disadvantage since they constantly shade help, but it shifts Butler’s original approach. In that third quarter, we saw him just willing his way to the basket. Embracing contact, fading for and-1’s in mid-air. Playing off misses and dump-offs around the rim. He was in his element, and most of all, he was playing with a certain level of intensity. Butler and Bam finding their way…just hours before the deadline.

#5: Hours away from the cut-off.

On a night that the Heat played a game against the Pacers, with their two top dogs in Butler and Bam leading the way, it didn’t even feel like a game night. All of the focus seems to be on that 3 o’clock deadline tomorrow afternoon, as they search for any type of improvement. We’ve talked enough names, but I just want to discuss it in the context of this game. Watching Bam Adebayo not hit rim on any jumper. Seeing Jimmy Butler score whenever he chooses it’s necessary. Get them the help they most definitely deserve. We often headline this point with Butler’s window, but what about Bam’s surge? He’s playing at an incredible level right now, and that shouldn’t be wasted either. Let’s just see how this plays out, hours away from the cut-off.

Former Eagles Players who Added to Franchise History Books

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This season has been pretty phenomenal for Philadelphia Eagles fans, and it’s understandable that the fans would be getting a little bit excited about the prospect of lifting the Lombardi this season. Apart from a Super Bowl in 2017, the Eagles have kind of been dry since the 1960s at this point, but they destroyed the 49ers this past weekend 31-7 to book their place in the Super Bowl, where they’ll face the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday, February 12th. The Chiefs had a little bit of a harder time claiming their place as they edged out a 23-20 win over the Bengals.

 

The 2023 Super Bowl will be played at the State Farm Stadium in Glendale Arizona between the Philadelphia Eagles and the Kansas City Chiefs

Source: SN

 

Today, we’re going to take a brief detour on the path to the future and take a look behind us. The history books are full of big names when it comes to people who have represented the Philadelphia Eagles, so we’re going to look at some of the biggest names to pull on that jersey and take a little bit of time to go into what made them such important figures for the Eagles, etching their names in the history of this franchise forever.

 

  1. Reggie White – Defensive End
  2. Chuck Bednarik – Linebacker
  3. Steve Van Buren – Running Back
  4. Brian Dawkins – Safety
  5. Pete Pihos – Tight End

 

Pete Pihos

 

When it comes to players from deep in the history books, between 1953 and 1955, Pihos led the league in receiving, was outstanding for a tight end, and was a very physical player once he received the ball, to the point where defenders would genuinely consider whether tackling him was a good idea. He would go on to make the Pro Bowl six times in a row, which is an incredibly impressive feat. 

 

Brian Dawkins

 

There are few names loved more by Eagles fans than Brian Dawkins; he was picked up in the second round of the 1996 draft. He’s a member of the fairly exclusive “20/20” club, being one of very few players to ever post both 20 sacks and 20 interceptions, which is impressive. But when it comes to Dawkins, it wasn’t just his stats that made him so good; he put his body on the line like a human wrecking ball, making huge plays, taking games by the scruff of the neck, and changing the momentum with his own hands.

 

Steve Van Buren

 

Steve Van Buren led the league in rushing yards in four of his eight years playing professionally, and while he may not be one of the “greatest” running backs of all time in terms of stats, for the Eagles he was fantastic. He built up a reputation as a terrifying returner, adding five touchdowns to his career stats from returning kicks and punts. Even though he represented the Eagles way back in the 40s and 50s, it’s fair to say he is still one of the greatest Eagles of all time.

 

Chuck Bednarik

 

Chuck Bednarik is a player who will go down in history as one of the most brutal men to make tackles. He would shut down the most bold and stupid players who dared challenge him. He came to the Eagles in 1949 as the first pick in the draft and stayed with the Eagles for a pretty staggering 14 years. Bednarik is a Pro Football Hall of Famer and fully deserves that status. 

 

Reggie White isn’t just one of the greatest Eagles of all time; he’s one of the greatest to ever play the game. 

Source: Sportscasting

Reggie White

 

Reggie White is arguably everyone’s number one pick here; he was picked up by the Eagles in the 1985 supplemental draft, recording 11 sacks in his rookie season and not posting numbers below that in his time in Philadelphia. But, as one of the greatest players in history, it’s insane to put him anywhere other than first on this list. Unfortunately, some poor decisions by the top brass had him slip away to the Packers in 1993, but he was absolutely incredible for the Eagles and everywhere else he played, really, earning him a spot in the pro football hall of fame. 

 

With that being said, it’s time to look forward. The Eagles are scheduled to face the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl 57 on February 12th at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. We’ve examined how experts believe this one will play out, who the favorite is, what the over/under is, and brought you the best odds on the big game. For fans located in sports betting regulated states like Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, Michigan, and Ohio, there are also plenty of betting promotions that are currently available for the Super Bowl. Sadly, Massachusetts punters won’t be able to take advantage of the betting specials offered by MA online sportsbooks this time around because the state won’t be allowing online gambling until after the Super Bowl this year. However, bettors can visit retail bookies instead, as they became legal on January 31st of this year. 

 

So, without further ado, here are the odds you’re looking at! Firstly, the favorite for this game is the Philadelphia Eagles; you’ll be looking at odds in the region of -125, which will see a return of $9 from a $5 stake. For the “underdogs,” you’ll be getting around +105, which will net you $10.25 from the same stake, so it’s a tight one to call. Of course, these are two teams that have put everything on the line all season to get here, and it all boils down to this. 

 

When it comes to individual lines, here are some of the big ones: if you’re looking to bet on the spread, you’re looking at -110 for either +1.5 or -1.5, which is a return of $9.54 from a $5 stake. If you’re looking at the over/under, they’re also putting up odds of -110 on an over/under of 50.5 points. We found a pretty good parlay that comes in at +500 and returns $30 from $5; the lines are the following: Chiefs to win, Travis Kelce to score a TD in the match, and Patrick Mahomes to get 300 or more passing yards in the match! Not too bad, really.

 

That’s just about it for this one. What do you think about the players we’ve mentioned here? Are there any big names you think we’ve missed? I think when you properly look over the history books when it comes to players that have represented the Eagles, there are countless names you could put here, but with a limited amount of time here, we could only talk about so many, and we personally think we’ve picked the best of the best.

 

So, Eagles fans, how are we feeling ahead of the Super Bowl? I imagine the nerves have fully kicked in now, and you’re all chewing your fingers to the bone. But in my opinion, you have nothing to worry about. Your team has had a phenomenal season and has looked absolutely brilliant throughout, even on the few occasions where they haven’t gotten the result they were after. It’s time to push on and cap off the season with a bit of gold, right? 

Five Takeaways from Panthers blowout win against Lightning

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SUNRISE – After more than a week away from game play due to the All-Star break, the Florida Panthers traded in their flip flops for hockey skates as they returned to FLA Live Arena to take on the Tampa Bay Lightning in another edition of the Battle of Florida. 

 

The Cats didn’t miss a beat from their last game, the Jan. 28th comeback win against the Boston Bruins tonight against their cross-state rivals. 

 

2023 All-Star Game MVP Matthew Tkachuk continued his dominant season with a five-point night in the Panthers 7-1 win. 

 

Here’s tonight’s takeaways.

No post All-Star slump for Matthew Tkachuk 

On Saturday night, FLA Live Arena belonged to the Panthers’ star forward Matthew Tkachuk.

 

No. 19 won All-Star MVP with his seven point performance across the two games the Atlantic Division played in the All-Star Game.

 

Two nights later he was back in the same building with a little more at stake.

 

Tkachuk finished the night with two goals and three assists, pushing his season point total to 71.

 

“I have a really good understanding of Matthew as a player,” said head coach Paul Maurice. “He’s an elite, elite talent.”

 

It took Tkachuk 60 games last season to reach 70 points with Calgary. He hit that tonight in game number 50. 

 

Carter Verhaeghe is creeping in on 30 goals 

Season three with the Panthers is proving to be the best one for Carter Verhaeghe. 

 

The 27-year-old was sitting on 26 goals entering tonight’s game against his former club.

 

Verhaeghe potted two more goals tonight, on top of two assists, bumping his career-high goal total to 28 this season. 

 

As long as he stays on the ice, it’s looking like a sure thing he hits the 30-goal milestone, with 40 not out of the possibility.

 

His teammates spoke about how effective Verhaeghe has been offensively. 

“He’s got so much speed, so it’s all about hitting him in the right spots in the offensive zone,” Tkachuk said about Verhaeghe. “He’s got such a great shot so it’s actually really easy to play with him.”

 

Aleksander Barkov injury scare

In the second period, Panthers’ captain Aleksander Barkov took a puck off the hand, which sent him to the locker room. 

 

Barkov did not return to the game following the blocked shot.

 

Panthers head coach Paul Maurice said Barkov probably won’t skate tomorrow, however they don’t think this is going to be a long-term injury. 

 

Sergei Bobrovsky makes 30 saves in his return

The Panthers starting goalie hasn’t seen game action since he got injured in the opening minutes  against Montreal on Jan. 19th. 

 

Tonight in his first start since then, Bob slammed the door on Tampa, stopping 32 of 33 shots faced.

 

“There was a tip early in that first period that he got his pad out on, [he was] real big on the penalty kill,” said Maurice on Bobrovsky’s game. “The right saves at the right time are so critical, especially against a powerful team like that.”

 

Bobrovsky’s movement was smooth across the crease; it didn’t look like there were any lingering issues from the injury that kept him sidelined for the last three weeks. 

 

Spencer Knight, who hasn’t played an NHL game since Jan. 8th in Dallas was the backup tonight, Florida sent goaltender Alex Lyon down to Charlotte (AHL). Lyon played in the last six games for the Panthers. 

 

Net front presence wins the game

When a team wins by six goals, it’s a little harder to pinpoint where they were most dominant.

 

What jumped out to me was how aggressive the Panthers were in front of the Lightning net. 

 

Goals from Tkachuk, Bennett, Luostarinen and Staal all came from around the Tampa crease. 

 

Florida is a fast team that is good off the rush, but when they are able to be the aggressor in 1-on-1 battles, it can change the dynamic of their game.

 

“The Luosatarinen goal is the way goals are scored in the playoffs and or I just say at this time of year, it gets harder and it’s a grind game” said Maurice. “Pucks from the point, pucks in the net front, Luostarinen’s tip, that’s the future of the way we have to score.”

Cannabis in Sports: How It Can Help or Harm

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Contents

Benefits of Weed to Athletes

Health Risks of Cannabis to Athletes

Does Cannabis Enhance Performance?

Is Weed Allowed in Sports?

The Debate Goes On

 

Although numerous fitness enthusiasts and athletes consume marijuana, there are questions about its benefits and side effects. Does smoking weed affect cardio, weightlifting, and other exercises? Can the herb improve your capability?

 

Using cannabis has pros and cons for sportspersons. Many assume that premium CBD seeds may produce marijuana that can enhance your performance at the gym. Others feel the plant could harm you. More information you can find here. 

 

Here are the things to know about cannabis in sports.

 

Benefits of Weed to Athletes

Whether you’re an amateur or a pro athlete, marijuana may help you in the following ways:

 

Muscle Spasm Treatment

This condition occurs when your muscles tighten and contract involuntarily. While the problem is usually harmless, it leads to a lot of temporary pain. Overexertion of the body’s elastic fibers during physical activities is one of its primary causes.

 

While running or working out, you may experience muscle spasms. Studies suggest that cannabis could treat this acute condition. Reports say the herb may speed up recovery after exercises, decreasing the occurrence of involuntary contraction and tightening.

 

Pain and Soreness Relief

Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD), two of the compounds in marijuana, could relieve pain. These chemical agents interact with the body to lower the soreness you experience after a workout or sporting activity.

 

Studies show that THC binds with some cannabinoid receptors in the sensory neurons. In response to the interaction, the nerve cells lower pain sensation. The psychoactive compound also makes you euphoric, reducing your level of reaction to the soreness in your system.

 

Along with using essential sports equipment to heal injuries, consuming weed before a workout could be the secret to alleviating pain.

 

Inflammation Reduction

After hours at the gym, certain body parts may swell and become red. Inflammation is your system’s means of preventing further damage to the affected areas. Although this defense mechanism often starts the rehabilitation process, it’s often painful.

 

Clinical investigators note that cannabis may reduce the symptoms of inflammation. CBD is a non-psychoactive compound with anti-inflammatory properties. 

 

The cannabinoid decreases the adhesion of immune cells and pro-inflammatory cytokines, the causes of swelling and redness.

 

Sleep Improvement

To perform well during a competition or training, an athlete must recover fully from the effects of past workouts. Adequate sleep is one of the factors that promotes rapid and complete healing.

 

Marijuana is a potential sleep inducer. Studies claim that the THC and CBD in cannabis could make slumber better, longer, and more sound. Athletes who smoke weed may enjoy more restful nights than their non-toking counterparts.

 

The herb may also subdue dreams and sleep apnea, preventing restlessness. It’s one of the ways marijuana or hemp can impact your fitness.

 

Health Risks of Cannabis to Athletes

Despite the possible advantages of cannabis to athletes, the plant could have some adverse effects. Frequent weed users may experience psychotic episodes or depression. The herb could also impair coordination, a crucial skill in most sporting activities.

 

Over the long term, marijuana could increase the risk of certain neurocognitive, respiratory, and cardiovascular disorders. Suffering from any of these conditions may decline your performance. 

 

Since chronic consumption has the most damaging consequences, moderate and casual use could reduce the risks of developing these complications.

 

Does Cannabis Enhance Performance?

There’s no evidence that the herb gives athletes undue advantages. Several studies claim weed doesn’t make you faster, stronger, bigger, or better at any sport. It also doesn’t increase your endurance. 

 

Since the plant accelerates recovery, many claim it could improve the capability of a sportsperson or fitness freak. This argument doesn’t have compelling scientific support.

 

On the contrary, numerous researchers propose that cannabis could decrease your performance. It may undermine your physical abilities by increasing your blood pressure and heart rate.

 

Weed makes you weaker in the gym or during training by promoting exhaustion. The herb could obstruct your body’s arousal system, causing tiredness and drowsiness.

 

Due to the contradicting reports on marijuana’s effects, it’s difficult to specify how it aids performance.

 

Is Weed Allowed in Sports?

Sports federations don’t approve of cannabis use. Although the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) doesn’t say marijuana improves athletes’ ability, the organization considers it a “substance of abuse.”

 

Various associations banned athletes from competing due to weed consumption. A notable example is Sha’Carri Richardson, who lost her place at the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo.

 

Randy Gregory, Josh Gordon, Cory Juneau, and Chris Barnett suffered similar fates in other sporting events. After reviews in 2022, various federations reduced the severity of punishment for offenders.

 

Sportspersons can use the plant during the off-season, but they should abstain when participating in any international competitions.

 

The Debate Goes On

The effects of cannabis on athletes remain controversial. While some researchers believe smoking weed affects cardio and other workouts, others propose it’s ineffectual. 

 

Sports science requires more studies on the herb to provide evidence of its short- and long-term impacts.

 

The only certainty is there’s no place for marijuana in sports. Despite the calls to permit cannabis, many organizations still prohibit its use. This restriction doesn’t stop numerous sportspeople from consuming the plant recreationally.

Atlantic Division wins 2023 NHL All-Star Game, Matthew Tkachuk takes home MVP in Sunrise

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SUNRISE – The 2023 NHL All-Star weekend came to an end on Saturday night in South Florida, with the host team fans going home happy in more ways than one.

 

The championship game saw the Atlantic Division, represented by Florida Panthers’ stars Aleksander Barkov and Matthew Tkachuk, take on the Central Division All-Stars.

 

In the final, catalyzed by a Matthew Tkachuk goal 37 seconds into the game, the Atlantic stormed to a four-goal lead. They’d be able to hold onto their big cushion, defeating the Central 7-5 to take home the win and the $1 million bonus.

 

It was the first time the Atlantic won the All-Star game since the NHL moved to the 3-on-3 divisional format in 2016. 

 

Florida’s Matthew Tkachuk led all skaters with seven points across the two games. His efforts were more than enough to win All-Star game MVP.

 

During the pair of games, Tkachuk played on a line with Barkov and his brother Brady. 

 

“Getting to play with Barky and getting to play with Brady, it was just fun from the start,” said Tkachuk. “We had an unreal time… I really, really enjoyed it (All-Star weekend).” 

 

The Tkachuk brothers have never played together in a competitive environment before Saturday’s game. With the newest honorary Tkachuk brother Aleksander Barkov on their line, the trio combined for 16 points on the night.

 

“It was actually fun, I wasn’t expecting that,” Barkov said about playing with the two brothers. “[They are] two great guys, off-ice especially and on the ice we had a lot of fun. You never felt like you had any nerves because you were having fun and enjoying every second.” 

 

The weekend as a whole was a success for South Florida. The All-Star game was a sellout, with 19,250 fans in attendance. The league also brought in a record 7,000 guests during the week, according to NHL commissioner Gary Bettman.

 

Bettman said on Saturday that the estimated economic revenue from the weekend for South Florida is in the $25-$30 million range. 

 

Florida Panthers CEO Matthew Caldwell was more than satisfied with the way the events turned out over the week.

 

“I know Toronto’s got it next year but let’s get it back,” Caldwell chuckled. “ We love throwing events like this… as soon as Vinny [Viola] bought the team we’ve been trying to get an All-Star game.”

 

The NHL will return to action on Monday night, with the Panthers and Lightning starting it off in another edition of the Battle of Florida in Sunrise.

Five Takeaways from Heat’s Loss to Bucks

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The Heat finished off their 4 game road trip in Milwaukee, and the Heat’s core guys came to play in comparison to last game in New York.

Jimmy Butler was a constant force offensively, yet so was Giannis Antetokounmpo.

The Heat’s top guys were good, but that wasn’t good enough.

Some takeaways…

#1: The front-court size differences showing early.

Giannis Antetokounmpo and Brook Lopez vs Bam Adebayo and Caleb Martin. Yeah, when looking at the height column of their player profiles, it’s a striking disparity. The early showing expressed that perfectly, as the Bucks offensive plan was strictly matchup based. Finding guys like Antetokounmpo over the top time and time again, as the shots at rim was insanely one-sides in that first quarter. The Heat’s primary first half run came when Antetokounmpo was on the sideline, which makes sense, but as I said before the game, the key to this game was going to be sitting back in zone. If they out-shoot you, it is what it is. But you can’t let the Bucks dictate matchups all day off switches. The Heat ended up tied at half, but there was still a clear need for front-court additions. Yes, that was plural.

#2: Tyler Herro controlling the offense big time early on.

After that opening explanation, you may be asking yourself: tied at half? Well I was asking myself that same question at many time stamps, but the answer in the second quarter was Tyler Herro. Even when Jimmy Butler’s crashing rim attempts were needed, Tyler Herro’s in-between game just kept saving the offense. Making quick decisions on when to utilize his favorite floater and when to stop and pop into the usual pull-up jumper. We know he likes this matchup for more reasons than it being his hometown with family in the crowd. He’s been vocal about loving this drop. His comfort was most noticeable, as he was playing extremely loose when roaming downhill or on the break. And when Herro’s playing freely, that’s when he’s at his best.

#3: So ummm, back-up big minutes were…something

Last game. Erik Spoelstra had the choice of playing Udonis Haslem or Dewayne Dedmon behind Bam Adebayo. His goal was to play them both, but ended up going with UD in that Knicks matchup. Fast forward to tonight, Dedmon was the one hitting the early scorer’s table. He went 0 of 4 in the first half. There was an incredible 60 second run he went on: a missed layup turned into an immediate takedown tackle for the foul. Shortly after, he pulled an in rhythm above the break triple that short rimmed. As much as I joke about it on social media, those seven minutes in that first half hurt. I mentioned front-court help early in this piece, but you just can’t be one big man injury away from this point.

#4: Jimmy Butler extremely engaged offensively in this one.

Jimmy Butler has this certain quality. It’s a switch. He can turn it on and off whenever he chooses, leading to incredible playoff runs when it matters most. A matchup that hasn’t always been his favorite is this drop coverage Bucks squad with the way they protect the rim, but that didn’t matter. He flipped his switch. Dominating on the downhill drives into tough bank shots, good in-between range play, and getting to the line when needed. He was seeking on-ball reps in that third quarter, which is needed from him in games like this. As I said Herro took control early on, Butler was silently taking over throughout. When his fingerprints are on games like this, you know in two areas: free throw attempts and defensively. He was extremely active in both categories, compared to his last performance in New York.

#5: More fourth quarter breakdowns…

As the time ticked in the fourth quarter with Jimmy Butler still not checking in, it felt like the Heat trailing by only 2 at the end of the third was the best it could get. Yet Bam Adebayo and company kept Miami in it heading up to the halfway mark, as Butler entered. The next issue that approached for the Heat: their constant shot making all night began to hit a wall. As the shot making dissolved, the Antetokounmpo game-plan will only go so far, as he just continued to battle to the free throw line on a ton of straight line drives. It’s simply an uphill battle when fighting past the size and shooting disadvantages. They put up a fight all the way til the end behind their top 3 guys, but it just wasn’t good enough. A summary of their season, a theme for the trade deadline.

2023 NHL All-Star Skills Competition Results

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SUNRISE: FLA Live Arena played host to the 2023 NHL All-Star Skills Competition on Friday night. 

 

We saw movie references, a dunk tank and a putting green amongst other events.

 

Here’s the results of the competitions:

Fastest Skater – Andrei Svechnikov

The first event of the night saw five skaters do a timed lap around the arena, with the two fastest players advancing to the finals. 

 

Carolina’s Andrei Svechnikov clocked in the fastest time in attempt one, while LA’s Kevin Fiala followed him to the finals with the second best time.

 

The championship round saw Svechnikov finish on top again, clocking in at 13.69 seconds. 

 

Breakaway Challenge – Alexander Ovechkin and Sidney Crosby 

Outfit creativity was on point in this challenge. Toronto’s Mitch Marner really took Miami Vice to another level when he came out in a James Crockett suit. 

 

Boston’s David Pastrnak wouldn’t let Marner outdo him with the entertainment references. Pasta paid homage to Adam Sandler’s Happy Gilmore, wearing the Gilmore Bruins jersey and putting away a putt into the back of the net. 

 

Hometown guy Matthew Tkachuk pulled out all the tricks for his attempt. Not only did he bring out his brother Brady, he also involved Panthers’ captain Sasha Barkov, former Panthers’ goalie Roberto Luongo and Miami Dolphin star Christian Wilkins. 

 

The winner of the competition would be Alexander Ovechkin and his son Sergei, who involved Sidney Crosby in their breakaway challenge.

 

Tendy Tandem – Connor Hellebuyck and Juuse Saros 

This new event sees one goalie shoot the puck from behind the goal-line, while the opposing division’s goaltender attempts to stop an “odd-man rush” coming the other way.

 

The Central Division tandem of Connor Hellebuyck (WPG) and Juuse Saros (NSH) took home the win.

 

Accuracy Shooting – Brock Nelson

The accuracy shooting contest initially started off with ten players. Only the top four times would advance to the final round. 

 

Edmonton Oilers’ captain Connor McDavid demolished round-one, going 4/4 in under ten seconds.

 

In the semi-final, McDavid went 4/4 again,  however Nazem Kadri was a step quicker, knocking McDavid out of the competition. 

 

The final saw Brock Nelson defeat Kadri to win the competition.

 

Splash Shot – Mikko Rantanen and Cale Makar

In a very beach themed event, NHL players attempted to sink each other into the water by shooting pucks at a dunk tank.

 

Colorado Avalanche teammates Mikko Rantanen and Cale Makar continued their winning ways when they won the Splash Shot challenge from Fort. Lauderdale beach.

 

The most impressive feat from the competition may have been New York Rangers goaltender Igor Shesterkin using a goalie stick to shoot the pucks.

 

Hardest Shot – Elias Pettersson

The favorite entering the hardest shot competition was Washington Capitals’ captain Alexander Ovechkin.

 

The winner would not be the Great 8, but Vancouver Canucks forward Elias Pettersson.

 

Pettersson clocked back-to-back triple digit speeds, with the winning speed coming in at 103.2 MPH.

 

Pitch ‘n Puck – Nick Suzuki

This pre-taped event combined two sports that have often been intertwined, hockey and golf.

 

Players made their way to the golf course, teeing off with hockey sticks rather than drivers.

 

Montreal Canadiens captain Nick Suzuki put away the birdie putt to clinch the title.The most impressive feat from the competition may have been New York Rangers goaltender Igor Shesterkin using a goalie stick to shoot the puck.

Five Takeaways from Heat’s Loss to Knicks

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The Miami Heat played the New York Knicks in Madison Square Garden on Thursday night, and Bam Adebayo was showing out fresh off an All-Star nod.

It was another night of an absolute grind though on both ends, resulting in a Heat loss in the final seconds.

Some takeaways…

#1: Bam Adebayo, the two-time All Star, showing out in the Garden.

Shortly before tipoff, the All-Star reserves were released, as Bam Adebayo was one of those names. Much deserved, while I’ll save that exact topic for another time. As for this game, Adebayo was playing like that All-Star self. He was the story of the second quarter as the Heat worked their staggering rotation between Butler and Bam, as Bam found his offense over a specific stretch. He had a pair of big time dunks, as one was a complete poster on Fournier who was late on the weak-side help. Aside from that trend, the Knicks were playing at a much faster speed than the Heat wanted. But Bam doesn’t mind thriving in that field. They began finding him in transition consistently which they need to do more of. He was the offense for them early on, finishing the half with a complete clear-out and isolation pull-up. The main bright spot.

#2: Another on/off Heat point guard segment.

At halftime, Kyle Lowry was a -20. The Heat only trailed by 3 points at that time stamp. It should be noted that Gabe Vincent was great in all elements of that half, but the main thing to note is that the offensive energy shifted. He entered and flowed into a high PnR and knocks down a pull-up three. That alone was the primary explanation. Vincent is comfortable, Lowry is not. We can talk about him missing shots, needing to guard post players every time down, or the constant off-ball role all day long, but his entire career was built off control, confidence, and comfortability at the helm of an offense. He has nothing close to that anymore. That’s the second straight game where he had an invisible first 24 minutes. Once again, that just can’t happen, especially when you are hurting the team.

#3: Udonis Haslem as the backup big, telling in many areas.

The first Heat player to hit the scorer’s table tonight in Madison Square Garden was no other than Udonis Haslem. Orlando Robinson will be out for a bit, possibly leaving Dewayne Dedmon another opening. Except they correctly didn’t go that way. Why? Well the logical perspective is that he’s being discussed in trade conversations, so why risk him getting injured. The other perspective which is where I lean: Haslem is the better option right now. His principles defensively are much more impactful than alternate options. But the other thing this conversation showcases: the trade deadline is a time for front-court help. I know that’s an obvious thing to say, and yes Omer Yurtseven is coming back soon, but they can’t be one injury away from making decisions like this one in April.

#4: A wild third quarter with runs on both sides.

A 3 point game turned into a 13 point game rather quickly to kick off the third quarter. The Heat couldn’t score while the Knicks found their way against certain matchups. One of those matchups was RJ Barrett against Tyler Herro, since they were really trying to draw that switch time and time again. Well if that’s happening, they’re going to need something big from him offensively. And they began getting it. Three straight possessions, three straight Herro triples. The key was that he was confident in his pull-up out of that high PnR, and as he found his offense, others did as well. Miami ended up hitting 5 triples in a 3 and a half minute span, taking the lead right back. Yet to finish the quarter, the early quarter story turned into the late quarter story. Heat had trouble scoring, as Randle now found the matchups he liked for buckets or kick-outs in that mid-post. It’s a game of runs, and this 12 minute span showed that.

#5: Late-game activity: Bam Adebayo *was* the offense.

That late-third quarter stuff blended right into the fourth quarter. The Heat’s zone was being picked apart, and the shots from deep weren’t falling for Miami. As things were going downhill, Bam went into selfish mode. A great mode. He would run down the court, get into his mid-post spot, then operate into a jumper. Then again. Then Butler entered and they ran inverted PnR’s for him. Then again. Waiting til you are trailing by double digits to run this stuff for Bam and let him loose is probably the weirdest part about all of that. This play-style cut the lead to only 5. They continued running stuff for him, such as an easy curl into the free throw line that cut the lead down again to 3. Like I said in the headline, he *was* the offense, and that needs to be a constant theme. Shortly after, he flowed into a baseline step back late in the shot clock, getting him to the 30 point mark. Some back and forth continues with some New York buckets, and Tyler Herro mid-range play, landing in a one possession game under a minute to go, Knicks inbounding. They lob it up to Randle, Bam swipes it for the steal, and gets it into transition. With the Heat down by 3 and a chance to tie, Herro had a good look for three and missed, then they got the steal for another chance. Herro passed up on a three, kicked to Strus, which led to a turnover. Yet that wasn’t ball-game just yet. The Heat challenged the inbound on the Knicks side and won it with another chance to tie or win. Inbound to Herro in the short corner, and it’s off. Buzzer sounds.

5 Basketball Players Who Changed the Game

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America has a deep love for sports. However, throughout the 20th century, four major sports dominated the American popular culture. These four Major League sports are basketball, football, hockey, and baseball. All four of these sports have garnered a major following (though soccer has already overtaken hockey in popularity) all over the country. 

The United States is also where the Fantasy League got its start. For those who don’t know, Fantasy League is a term that most often refers to fantasy football. Though recently fantasy basketball, fantasy soccer, and fantasy baseball have garnered some popularity as well. It is very easy to learn this game, especially if you are already a fan of football. And it is especially fun for bettors, as new options open up, making the hobby a lot more fun.

But, we are here to talk about basketball. More precisely, the players who have, in some ways, changed the game. Whether through their technical mastery or sheer overwhelming physique, these five players have done their part and have gone down as legends in basketball history.

Shaquille O’Neal

We can’t make a list like this without talking about Shaquille O’Neal. Shaq began his career with Orlando Magic, but, his most notable years he spent with the Miami Heat, who have recently brought Caron Butler aboard as head coach.

Shaq became known for his “black tornado” move, in which he would post up a defender, turn around, and use his elbows as leverage to score a slam dunk. The reason he is on this list is because of his overwhelming stature. During his first NBA season, he broke two backboard supporters, prompting the NBA to enhance their strength and stability for future seasons. 

Stephen Curry

Prior to Stephen Curry’s introduction to the NBA, dunks lead the game. Since adding Curry to their lineup, the Golden State Warriors have completely changed the game, forcing other teams to try for more shots, simply to keep up with the team. 

For his part, Curry is widely considered the best shooter that the National Basketball Association has ever seen, setting and breaking records within the field. He set the record for most three pointers made within a season with over 200, a record which he kept surpassing each subsequent year. Right now, he is at 402. The question is, will he go higher? 

Larry Bird 

Back in the 70s, the NBA was losing fans. The American population was losing interest. That is until the Boston Celtics signed Larry Bird in 1979. Larry Legend, as he came to be known became an instant success. He earned Rookie of the Year, the MVP award, the Finals MVP award, the All-Star MVP Award, the Coach of the Year and the Executive of the Year, making him the only basketball player in history to do so. In many ways, he is one half of the duo that elevated basketball back into the mainstream. So, who is the second half?

Magic Johnson

Larry Bird’s greatest rival, Magic Johnson is the second part of the greatest sports rivalry of all time. It all began in college basketball, when the two first met on the court, and carried on into the professionals. The two players are largely responsible for breathing new life into the NBA, and both are widely considered two of the greatest players in their own right. Johnson especially carries the title as the greatest point guard in basketball history.

Michael Jordan

No list of great basketball players is complete without MJ. Widely considered the greatest athletes of all time, Michael Jordan and the 90s Chicago Bulls are largely credited as the team that helped bring the NBA international attention. The explosion of popularity that happened in his time is still unmatched to this day.

Not to mention, Michael Jordan is widely regarded as the greatest player of all time, and for good reason. His playstyle was diverse, switching from shooter, to guard, to forward, to even a point guard. His stamina was out of this world. The versatility of his offense left little need for three pointers, which is why he lags behind his successors (Kobe Bryant and LeBron James) in that department. 

Five Takeaways from Heat’s Win Over Cavs

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On the second game of the road-trip, the Heat faced the Cavaliers in Cleveland.

The Heat battled through for a solid win behind Jimmy Butler.

Some takeaways from this one…

#1: Jimmy Butler sets the early offensive tone.

The number 1 defense in the NBA colliding with another top 5 defense never screams pretty offense. And that was looking to be the case to begin this game. The Heat looked lost in the half-court, quickly flowing in a terrible direction in that building. Yet, Butler took the reigns of the offense to steer Miami back in the other direction. He was spamming mid-post touches, mostly following off-ball screens to create mismatches. Garland or Dean Wade on his back meant he had them right where he wanted. Low post touches for lay-ups, drawing clear fouls, and simply watching for the double. After an immediate 11 points, that double was coming sooner, as he began dishing out to baseline drifters. He revived Miami in that first quarter with this formula, and that’s an equation we will see very often in big games.

#2: One Bam Adebayo moment that is needed during a tough stretch.

Bam Adebayo seemed to be carrying over that Charlotte Hornets rust early in this game, as that solid Cavs defense was jamming Bam up to not even receive the ball in his spots. Fast forward to the second quarter, Adebayo got the ball at the half-court line in transition. He put his head down, crashed into Jarrett Allen, and threw down a tough dunk over the top of him. From that moment on, Adebayo found his rhythm. A 12 point second quarter was the result, all coming in that painted area off drives, post-ups, and of course some short mid-range touch shots. But the main point is this: Adebayo’s going to have cold nights just like every player in this league, but his response needs to be this exact blueprint. Realizing he’s faster and stronger than most guys on the floor, so it’ll all generate from some drives to the basket in space. That dotted line jumper must remain his go-to with how automatic it is, but the way to revive it will begin with rim attempts time and time again.

#3: First half point guard play: a lopsided affair.

Kyle Lowry’s name has been coming up quite often for obvious reasons. His impact hasn’t been there, and the bare stats make his case an even tougher one. At halftime tonight, that held up. He didn’t record one single stat except a pair of turnovers, while Victor Oladipo was battling through inefficient play to make necessary plays. He ended up with 5 assists at half, mostly through his energy and ability to get to the rim consistently and dish out or dump off. I think this is a very possible adjustment come playoff time when it comes to shifting lineups, but for now, it’s pretty simple to say this stuff can’t happen. Yes, Oladipo can carry the play-making weight at times, but Lowry’s going to have to play *some* part in that as well. In the third quarter, he was much more engaged though. He knocked down two triples, and made some nice passes to get others involved in the offense. They need his fingerprints on things when he’s out there.

#4: Third quarter trends…

If you’ve watched Heat basketball, you’ve probably heard about the “turd quarter,” as the Heat always seem to let games get away from their control following the half. For example, that was the case last year as well, but Miami was 12th in the NBA in 3rd quarter offense. This season, the Heat are dead last in 3rd quarter offense…by a wide margin. There’s just something about drifting from game-plan or lacking energy in that span. The Heat actually found some flow early in the third tonight following an immediate 9-0 Cavs run, but then they let go again. The defense tailed off, and you just noticed Cleveland becoming the dictators on how they wanted to play compared to Miami in previous minutes. The third quarter trend has become a joke in many ways, but it’s really not. It’s an actual issue somewhere in the philosophy.

#5: Oh look at that, more clutch time…

Tie game midway through the fourth, a lineup of Vincent-Herro-Butler-Martin-Bam on the floor. Martin finds space for a baseline runner to put Miami up 2, followed by a Vincent spot-up triple to give Miami a 5 point lead. The role players stepping up was a good sign, as Bam was sluggish and Herro just started getting going shortly before. Cleveland responded with a Garland pull-up and a wide open Okoro 3 to even things right back up. It was clear at this time, defense would be the key to this one. Mitchell got to the line, going 1 for 2, as the Heat flowed down there end into a Bam jumper at that dotted line. Heat up 1. Butler now hunting for the Garland switch once again, gets to the basket, but misses. Bam gets the offensive rebound and puts back up. 3 point game. Following another stop, Butler now takes Mobley off the dribble, and fades into a middy jumper. Up 5 now. Second half of the season Jimmy Butler seems activated.