Five Takeaways from Heat’s Win Over Jazz

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The Miami Heat clearly needed this one…

Another clutch game down the stretch ends in a big Tyler Herro three with a minute to go.

Some takeaways…

#1: What’s been needed from Gabe Vincent the most showcased early on…

When it comes to early positives, Gabe Vincent came out played well early on. Why was that? Well that was the game-plan considering the Jazz were planting Lauri Markkanen on Vincent one-on-one. He clearly wasn’t afraid to attack that right out the gates, leading into 3 early triples off spot-up movement jumpers. But that isn’t even what’s been needed most from him. I’m going to talk about the defensive issues next, but he was everywhere defensively in that opening stint from an individual perspective, which is what we were used to last year. Point of attack hound who obtained a certain level of screen navigation that this team truly needed. We’ve seen less consistency with that this season it feels, which is why quick flashes showcase the real need from him heading down the stretch of the season.

#2: Heat defensive slippage coming from two Jazz areas in first half…

It feels like it’s the same thing every night when I illustrate the early first half defense for the Heat. Positional slippage is the main surprise for me, since it’s obvious the isolation defense won’t be superior when eyeing down this roster. But what has continually kept this Heat defense intact over recent seasons is the strong rotations, wise close-outs, and on-a-string type defense. Right now, that’s not the case, as this Heat team has been the 23rd best defense in first quarters post All Star break. To take it a step forward, the opposing formula this time around was even more odd, as two players combined for 41 points: Lauri Markkanen and Simone Fontecchio. The common thread still comes back to a drop-off in their specialty: Markkanen off secondary attacks and Fontecchio off spot-up movement threes. Two elements that reflect team defense and positional stuff. A weird, weird trend.

#3: The current rotation at (almost) full health.

Just to note what things looked like for the Heat roster wise, the one thing I was curious about was the rotation tonight. Erik Spoelstra said pregame that Gabe Vincent would continue to get the start, as he wants to ramp up the minutes for Kyle Lowry slowly, but the question became: Do they go 10? Will somebody be cut from the 9 man rotation? Duncan Robinson or Haywood Highsmith (who are the 11th and 12th looking in)? Well, the answer was that the Heat went 10. An early entrance for Omer Yurtseven, followed by Max Strus. Caleb Martin, Kyle Lowry, and Victor Oladipo came soon after, as we saw a very short stint of an all bench lineup. Way to take the non-Butler and Bam minutes up a notch (lol). For full-on rhythm purposes from both a coaching and player perspective, I’m not the biggest fan of 10, especially when depth hasn’t been your friend. My thing to watch is that if they inevitably bump down to 9, what group of guys does that consist of?

#4: Some Bam Adebayo slippage?

The hot topic over the recent stretch has been the back seat Bam Adebayo has taken along the way for Miami’s struggles. We keep saying Jimmy Butler is looking around an empty room at the moment, but Bam Adebayo was this group’s high level playing incredible basketball for the first 2 and a half quarters of the season. But lately, the effectiveness and comfort doesn’t seem to be there. The usual dotted line/ free throw line jumpers aren’t on high volume, as more stuff has included entry passes baseline and things going toward the rim. Why is that? Well that could have something to do with the spacing purposes in the new lineup with Kevin Love, as Caleb Martin used to be the baseline roamer and rim diver in those lineups. But it’s not about fit, he’s just flat at the moment. The defense hasn’t been as full force in your face either, which is the real element that makes you look twice. Late in the third they got him going on the break a bit in transition for easy ones into an eventual offensive board and put-back to finish the quarter, which is necessary when he’s pressing in the half-court. They need the pre All Star break Bam Adebayo again. Badly.

#5: Another late-game walk-through…

Around 8 minutes left in the fourth quarter of another close game to nobody’s surprise, the Heat were getting a decent stretch from Victor Oladipo. This came just after a couple of relief threes from Kyle Lowry that was much needed, but Oladipo hit a big spot-up three himself. Shortly after he caught his man sleeping and floated baseline off a cut for an easy lay-up. For this offense to flow correctly, that movement from him is needed immensely. Fast forward to 4 minutes to go, Jimmy Butler has a miscommunication with Bam Adebayo on a cut for a turnover, Jazz go in other direction for a lob to Walker Kessler. Jazz go up 2, Heat call timeout. What else would the play-call be? A Jimmy Butler triple on the left wing. A little over a minute to go, Talen Horton Tucker hits a tough turnaround to go up 1. The next possession, Tyler Herro does Tyler Herro things with a step back 3 to take the lead by 2. Gabe Vincent draws an offensive foul on the other end after review, but Heat come up short with a Herro tie up. Heat force a miss on other end, as Bam comes down with the rebound to ice the game with free throws.

Expert Picks, Insights, and Futures Odds For The 2023 Triple Crown

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(courtesy of Lindsay Griffin)

 

Spring is an exciting time for horse racing fans. 

 

Last year’s youngest equine competitors have begun to come into their own and make names for themselves. True talent emerges over pure precocity, and nearly every owner and trainer dreams, even just fleetingly, of winning the Kentucky Derby.

 

It is an exciting time for fans, as well. Many who follow the sport keep a close eye on their favorite horses, analyzing past performances and track workout tabs prior to Kentucky Derby prep races. Of course, these fans also often enjoy placing bets on the horses they’ve followed, and all the better if those bets bring forth a profit. If one of those picks turns out to be a Kentucky Derby winner, not only can the bettor gain a tidy profit, but a hefty helping of bragging rights as well.

 

Here are some expert tips for the 2023 Kentucky Derby contenders by TwinSpires. Take a look at who and how to bet on the Kentucky Derby that happens on May 6.

 

The Future Pools

 

The Kentucky Derby and the Kentucky Oaks (the top race for three-year-old fillies) both offer a Future Wager, in which horse players can select their candidate months before the race is even won. The risk of loss is much higher than that of a standard bet because the bettor is putting money down without even being sure that their selection will run in the race at all. However, because of that risk, the financial rewards for a win can also be quite high. 

 

There are several opportunities to make a Future Wager on the Kentucky Derby, but each pool is only open for a few days. Pool 5 runs from March 10th through March 12th, and Pool 6 will open on March 30th and close on April 1st.

 

This year, each Future Wager pool has forty betting choices; 38 individual horses, and options for “All Other Males” and “All Other Fillies.” At the close of Pool 4, “All Other Males” was the overall favorite option, with Forte, Hoosier Philly, Tapit Trice, and Instant Coffee being the five top individual horses offered.

 

 

Insights and Trends

 

Up-and-comers beware: the experience counts.

 

It appears that this year, many of the top Triple Crown contenders (at least at the time of this writing) were top-tier two-year-olds or had at least broken their maidens by the end of 2022. 

 

Forte is of course the obvious example here; the Eclipse Champion Two-Year-Old Male of 2022 had a fantastic seasonal debut, taking the Grade II Fountain of Youth Stakes easily. However, he is not the only one. Practical Move, the recent winner of the Grade II San Felipe Stakes, was a Grade I winner at two. 

 

Grade III Lecomte Stakes winner Instant Coffee won the Grade II Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes as a two-year-old, and Grade II Rebel Stakes winner Confidence Game, while not a stakes winner at two, had two impressive victories over the Churchill Downs surface. 

 

It is also important to consider a racehorse’s human connections, and right now, trainer Brad Cox looks to have an embarrassment of Triple Crown riches. 

 

He is the trainer of the aforementioned Instant Coffee, as well as Grade II Risen Star Stakes winner Angel of Empire, Grade III Withers Stakes winner Hit Show, Grade III Gotham Stakes runner-up Slip Mahoney, and Gun Runner Stakes winner Jace’s Road. 

 

While only time will tell how many of these colts will make it to the Kentucky Derby, these are certainly names to keep in your head when planning your bets on future Kentucky Derby prep races!

 

4 Types Of Candy Most Adults Will Like

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Life’s too short to not indulge in a little sweetness every now and then. But gone are the days when we chose our favorite candy based purely on which colorful, cartoon-covered wrapper drew us in at the store; as adults, we tend to appreciate more complex flavors that offer something beyond sugary-sweet intensity. Whether you’re wanting something for an afternoon pick me up or as a gift for someone special—or both!—here are four types of candy sure to satisfy adult palates and sweet tooths alike.

CBD Gummies

 

CBD gummies are the perfect snack for adults looking to enjoy a sweet treat without the potential side effects of traditional sugary candy. Not only do these gummies incorporate Cannabidiol (CBD) compounds, but they’re also vegan, gluten-free, and generally low in sugar. Best of all, they come in a variety of yummy flavors like raspberry, peach, and orange – making them one of the four types of candy most grown-ups will delight in eating. From Chill Out Gummies to other types of CBD Gummies, you are sure to find something that fits your taste buds. Some gummies contain THC, making them ideal for connoisseurs of marijuana edibles. It’s worth noting that THC-infused gummies are only legal to purchase in states where recreational marijuana is legal.

 

Retro Sweets 

 

Nothing captures a flood of childhood memories quite like a scrumptious treat from the past. Retro sweets are really something special, allowing us to take a trip down memory lane and enjoy the delicious old-fashioned candy that defined our youth. While many adults today prefer modern treats, it’s hard to deny the nostalgic appeal of retro sweets. Who doesn’t love familiar favorites such as gummy bears, gumdrops, jawbreakers, and taffy? These four types of candy are sure to make any adult smile as they relive rocky roads of summer picnics and afterschool indulgences. Give your inner child the ultimate satisfaction — grab some retro sweets and enjoy the comforting taste of nostalgia! When choosing retro sweets, be sure to pick up a few of those hard-to-resist treats like Bon Bons and popcorn balls. It’s okay to indulge every now and then. 

 

Gourmet Treats 

 

Few things are as pleasurable as indulging in a box of gourmet chocolates and caramels. Gourmet treats make the perfect gift for any adult who enjoys indulging their sweet tooth. Rich, creamy caramels combined with melt-in-your-mouth chocolates create an addiction that’s hard to resist. From classic milk chocolate truffles to exotic dark chocolate bark with sea salt, enjoy the delicious range of flavors that gourmet chocolates and caramels have to offer. Take your taste buds on a journey like never before; these types of candy will please every palate imaginable! If you’re looking for ultimate satisfaction, gourmet treats are the way to go. They’re sure to make any adult feel like a kid in a candy store. If you’re in the mood for something unique, many chocolatiers also offer alcohol-infused treats — an adult twist on a classic favorite. 

 

Natural Options 

 

If you’re looking for a sweet, satisfying treat with all of the indulgence and none of the guilt, why not try some natural candy options? Not only are these healthier alternatives to traditional, processed food products; but they also provide enjoyable flavors that adults will love. Whether it’s dark chocolate-covered cherries, homemade caramels infused with natural flavorings, or freeze-dried pieces of fruit bursting with juicy sweetness, there’s something to fulfill everyone’s craving in these natural candy options. Best of all, they often contain fewer unnatural ingredients and artificial sweeteners that can be hard on your body! Natural candy lets you indulge in your favorite treat without the negative health effects. Plus, they’re just as delicious as any store-bought candy! 

 

With such varied and exciting candy options available, there truly is something to enjoy for everyone. Whether you’re in the mood for a quick sweet fix, hankering after some nostalgia with retro sweets, or feeling like treating yourself to something luxurious, CBD gummies, gourmet treats, or natural options have got you covered. No matter which of these adult-friendly candy delights you choose, it’s sure to result in an enjoyable and flavorful experience. For those who embrace their inner child with carefree abandon, nothing beats munching on a treat for old times’ sake. And for those who want something more grown up and sophisticated there are also plenty of powerful flavor combinations that indulge even the most refined palate! So why not get your taste buds tingling today and explore the wonderful world of adult candy? With just the right sweet treat, you can make all of your wildest candy dreams come true!

Five Takeaways from Heat’s Win Over Cavs

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Well, this wasn’t pretty.

There were ups, and even more downs.

But some big shots from Tyler Herro and Jimmy Butler doing Jimmy Butler things led the way.

Some takeaways…

#1: Donovan Mitchell hot first half, eyeing the defensive plan…

Donovan Mitchell had a hot opening half on Friday night scoring a very efficient 25 points, along with 6 threes. In comparison to a game ago where the Cavaliers had Darius Garland, you would think the Heat would be able to focus more on the on-ball magic of Mitchell, right? Well nasty crossover after step back three gave a very different impression. The early problems weren’t that they weren’t focused on Mitchell, it was that they were *too* focused on him. By that I mean, they were getting lost off-ball time and time again, leaving them behind in rotations and giving Cleveland open slots to operate. From there, that’s when Mitchell got busy on his step back threes against single coverage. Felt like more blitzing and shading was necessary than he was being given, but this is the exact reason I’ve harped on leaning defense in this rotation by now.

#2: The turnover problems continue…and that’s a *big* problem.

There hasn’t been an extremely heavy diet of wins this season for the Heat, but do you know the common thread between most of them? The turnover battle. Before I get into the main slice of this from the game tonight, the Heat’s defense was elite for the sole reason of pressuring and forcing turnovers. More possessions, more fast-break opportunities, more of a chance to win with this uneven half-court offense. Now to the specifics of this game, they weren’t putting themselves in a position to win that battle with the amount of careless ones they were giving up. Part of this is the two primary offensive hubs aren’t guard creators, so the creation to your trigger is not a pass first guard. (I know what you’re thinking: that’s ideally Kyle Lowry) But it’s pretty simple that this Heat team isn’t good enough for Tyler Herro and Victor Oladipo specifically to be that high volume in turnovers, just as the usage rises.

#3: My take on what’s needed from Bam Adebayo in a certain unit.

So the Heat changed things up a bit with the rotations recently, as Butler anchors the second unit late into the first quarter, while Adebayo and Herro exit early to re-enter with some of the role guys to begin the second quarter. But the usage of Bam in that lineup has stuck out to me heavily. They use him as a roller even more than usual, part of the Herro or Oladipo pick and roll sets, which ties back to the turnover conversation. Bam should not be a primary roller here. He needs to be a primary option off the attack on the ball. Cross screen into mid-post insertion. Pin-down into a curl at free throw line. The stuff that puts him in creation mode, instead of the reactionary base to the guards. This is something everybody wants to see in general, but it’s needed even more when Butler isn’t out there as well.

#4: Jimmy Butler doing Jimmy Butler things.

When it comes down to unwatchable stretches, this third quarter tonight was definitely up there. Heat came out and score a quick 10 points and seem to be rolling, yet things plummeted shortly after. Not able to get a stop on one end, with just an insanely bad offensive process on the other end, feeling like a full on grind every single time. With that said, late in the third, Jimmy Butler began resorting to a bit of a jumper display. He was hitting them, but that pretty much sums up the process of the offense. Even aside from the jumpers, he was the entire key to every Heat offensive run that was made in this game. Why is that? Well as I harp on repeatedly, his mid to low post touches are the savior to the Heat’s offense. He was getting whatever, whenever he wanted in this game, but the rough stretches for this team were just…rough.

#5: The fourth quarter…

Adebayo drives, kicks, and Herro finds just enough space to get off a leaning triple in the corner. 1 point game. Heat force a miss, Herro gets it into transition, pull-up three to take a 2 point lead. That was a stretch early in the fourth that shifted some energy back on Miami’s side. Heat force a turnover on an inbounds around the halfway mark of the fourth, leading to a Strus pass to Bam for the dunk. 3 point game. Butler began getting into some of that downhill juice shortly after. A tough lay-in into a bump and float jumper off glass into a strong drive down an open lane for the dunk. Heat up 7 now with Butler entering that mode. Some back and forth ensued with some triples falling in the Cavs favor, putting this game back at a 3 point lead for Miami. Another late shot clock jumper by Tyler Herro put Miami up 5, on an extremely tough step back. Mitchell responds again with a floater. A Mobley lob under a minute to go puts things at a 1 point game. 20 seconds left, Strus screens as Butler ends around, leading into yet another pull-up jumper. 3 point game again. Mitchell ends up getting fouled at the rim with 10 seconds left, putting Miami in a position I feel like I’ve seen them in 100 times this year. Martin knocked down 2 free throws, and Miami escaped with a win.

Best Online Casino Games in Bangladesh

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List of the Most Popular Online Casino Games 

The main feature of good gaming platforms is the variety of gaming activities, there are usually more than 10, and the total number of games always exceeds 1000. Below are the most popular games and their brief descriptions.

Online Poker

This is one of the most popular card games in online casinos. The goal of this game is to accumulate a combination of cards greater than the combination of your opponents. Each player is dealt 2 cards and during the playing 3 more cards will be added to the table. At the end of the game the players are uncovered and the player with the highest combination wins. 

Online Roulette

This game of chance has a wheel with different zones and numbers. Before the spin begins, the player bets on a field or a number. During the spin, a ball is thrown onto the wheel. To win, it is necessary for the ball to hit the number or area that the casino customer has chosen.

Online Slots

At all sites, slot machines are supplied to online casinos by software providers. Any slot machine always has a certain number of reels that can be spun. There are also paylines. In order to win, the player needs to collect a certain combination of symbols. Always in any casino, slots are presented in sufficient numbers and have a wide range of variations with different rules.

Black Jack

In this game, the user will almost always play against the dealer. The goal of this game is to get as close as possible to the number 21 and beat the opponent’s hand. During the game, the casino customer has the right to gain cards from the deck, so his combination was closer to the number 21. But the main feature is that if the combination of the player’s hand exceeds 21 the player loses.

Lotteries 

These games are analogous to the lottery in which you can participate in real life. The player can buy a lottery ticket on the casino website. Then he chooses the numbers he wants on the ticket and then waits for the live broadcast of the lottery. And during the broadcast he learns whether he has won or not.

Andar Bahar

At the beginning of the game, the dealer places a card on the table face up. The player then bets on either Andar or Bakhar. Now the dealer begins to place cards on each side of the table until he receives a card of the same value from the deck. Depending on which side the card is dealt, the player wins or loses.

Rummy 

A card game in which a player tries to improve his hand. He can do this when it is his turn to play, either by drawing cards from the deck or by picking up a card thrown by his opponent and then discarding it from his hand.

Jandi Munda

The point of this game is that after the dice have been rolled, the person who guesses the most prominent symbol wins. The more times the symbol you specify appears face up, the more you win.  A special feature is that if the symbol you bet on appears three times, you win three times your original bet.

How do I Start Playing at an Online Casino?

You don’t need to know anything supernatural to start playing, you just need to follow the instructions below:

  1. Choose an online casino from our article;
  2. Go to that casino by following the link;
  3. Click on the registration button in the top bar;
  4. Fill in all the necessary data to create an account;
  5. Click on your deposit in the top panel;
  6. From offered payment systems choose convenient for you variant and replenish the balance of your account;
  7. Go to the section of the casino and choose the game you like.

The 10 Best Online Casinos 

There are companies in the online casino games market that have been operating for a long time. They are time-tested, and they have an extensive customer base all over the world. Here is their list:

  • Parimatch;
  • 4rabet;
  • Mostbet;
  • Megapari;
  • 1xbet;
  • Melbet;
  • Bet365;
  • Rabona;
  • Purewin;
  • Betway.

Bonuses in Online Casino Games in Bangladesh

The more you play, the more you will win. For such players casinos provide various bonuses. Most often it is money, or free spins on slot machines. The main bonuses are listed in the table below:

Type of bonus offers The essence of the action
Welcoming Proposal A certain percentage is added to the amount of the first deposit. In addition, a certain number of free spins may also be given.
Reloading Bonus To take advantage of this promotion, the gambler makes a deposit with a certain amount of money on a certain day. This promotion is reusable.
No deposit bonus To get this bonus, the gambler will not even need to make a deposit. The promotion allows you to get cash for your birthday or other holidays.
Referral bonus As part of this bonus, the customer will need to invite friends to the casino. For each friend, a fixed amount of money will be added to his balance.
Mobile casino bonus The bonus can be obtained by downloading the casino application. Most often it is additional money to the balance of the account.

Methods of Payment for Casino Games

Those online casinos on our list have many different payment methods. They always create only the best conditions for their customers. The list of payment systems and deposit methods that are available:

  • UPI;
  • Skrill;
  • Neteller;
  • Visa;
  • Mastercard;
  • EcoPayz;
  • PayTM;
  • Paysafecard;
  • Bitcoin;
  • Ethereum;
  • Litecoin.

 

Source: https://onlinecasinobd.com/ 

Five Takeaways from Heat’s Loss to Cavs

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Starting another two-game home set, the Heat faced the Cavaliers on Wednesday night.

They fell late after making a decent push, but let’s get right into the takeaways…

#1: Against the best paint protection team in the league, the Heat find success in the interior.

Matching up with the best defense in basketball, it should also be mentioned that this team formulated their scheme from the Milwaukee Bucks. Protect the paint, play with length, and force the opposing team into mid-range shots. So what did the Heat do in the opening quarter? Went right at their bigs in the paint. The Heat had 12 made field goals in the first quarter, and 9 of those came in the paint. They were also shooting 75% from the field in that range. Credit to Bam Adebayo and Jimmy Butler who were converting down there often, but it was also intentional schematically. The Heat drew up 2 early sets to get Love into some high-low actions for a lay-in. Miami usually counters this style with a ton of threes, but with their current roster state, they clearly can’t be relying on that element.

#2: Bam Adebayo in foul trouble means…literal trouble.

To start this game out, Bam Adebayo was guarding Donovan Mitchell on the far sideline who was tight roping it already. Adebayo gave a slight hand-check, leading into a very quick foul, and a pretty pour decision in the bigger picture. Shortly after, Adebayo picked up his second foul, which put Miami in a very awkward position when it comes to the troublesome no-Butler/Bam minutes. The Heat have been trying to get Adebayo back in to begin the second and altering those two guys’ time, yet they couldn’t do that with his two fouls. Instead the Cavs made a run in a long 3 minutes, before he came back in at the 10 minute mark. And there landed another quick foul, putting him at 3. He didn’t play the rest of the quarter, but it just displays the value of Bam, and the need to be smart with his hands.

#3: Jimmy Butler has been thrown his fair share of basketball related allegations, but I’d like to cross one off the list.

We had the “Jimmy Butler being doubled” conversation in the past. We’ve had the “Jimmy Butler against length” conversation even more often, since there have been a few nights where teams schematically place their bigger versatile defender on him to bother. But if I can confidently cross anything off the list, it would be facing length No question he wants smaller match-ups, it’s quite literally what he’s searching for all game, which was actually Max Strus screens to get Darius Garland in the action who kept hedging and recovering. But even with that, he was seeing a whole lot of both Mobley and Allen early on, yet still find ways to get them in the air and get to the line. Plus he had some buckets in the paint off secondary attacks. The point is that this shouldn’t be a benchmark of concern.

#4: The X’s and O’s action of the night…

When it comes to my schematic takeaway of the night, the Heat were getting to a pretty different three-man action in the half-court than we are accustomed to: Gabe Vincent, Jimmy Butler, Kevin Love. Early in the game they used Love as the perimeter passing hub, as Vincent positioned himself for the back-screen for Butler. Butler dove, and so did 2 Cavalier defenders. Love swung to Vincent, who drove and dumped it off to Bam for the dunk. We saw this many times throughout the game, flashing once in the third quarter with the exact set-up. Except this time they weren’t prepared to double Butler on the roll, as Love lobbed it to him for the easy conversion. They’re going to need more from Vincent and Love as scoring threats to really make this hub a true success.

#5: The fourth quarter…

As the clock hit the 6 and a half minute mark, a timeout was called, as Heat fans hoped this was finally the stoppage to get their best player Jimmy Butler back into the game. Luckily they kept the deficit at only 7 in that span, since it’s just simply a risky game to play with them losing so many games in that 2 to 3 minutes this season. The offensive spacing was not looking too great for the first few minutes, as the Cavs were basically daring Oladipo to make plays off the catch. Around the 4 minute mark, a Bam elbow touch turned into a contact drive for the and-1. 5 point game. Heat had a good look off a turnover right after, but Herro came up just short on the three. After a timeout, the Heat drew up another elbow touch for Bam, as Butler got fouled off-ball and went to the free throw line. Heat force turnover on other end and run the break for a big time Martin dunk. Garland responds with a bucket and a 3 point lead, as a very odd possession ends in full Oladipo dribbling and a 3 point chuck. Cavs score on other side, and they’re up 5 again. After some trouble inbound in what felt like a game that was over, Heat force a 5 second violation. Miami draws up a nice set to hit Herro cross court, who rises up with full contest. Back at 2 point game. A potential Bam steal on the following inbound was collapsed upon when the ref called a foul, as Jarrett Allen went 1 for 2. Down 3, a pindown for Strus is the set and it’s off the rim. It felt like Herro should’ve been the call, but they got a decent look. Heat lose…

How Technology Has Enhanced Sneaker Design

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Did you know that sneakers are the most profitable business in the shoe industry? Apart from providing protection and comfort, this kind of footwear is fashionable. As a result, it generated an estimated market value of $78.59 billion in 2021.

Brands like Nike and Adidas are always looking for ways to improve and innovate new designs. People have started collections and would fight over the latest limited edition sneakers. But how was this possible?

We’ll tell you: technology. The sneaker industry lives through innovation, and technology has been the leading force to many brands’ success.

Are you wondering how technology enhances sneaker design? Read on to learn more about the correlation between technology and sneaker design.

Less Cost Yet More Flexible and Precise

If you ask a sneaker designer which of the past and present eras is better, most choose the latter. Technology has enabled sneaker designers to work faster and easier. First, the accessibility of materials, equipment, and processes improved.

In the past, shoe prototyping was expensive due to the lack of materials and available equipment. Further, businesses need to go to factories to create the products.

Today, brands can make their products and own specialized equipment.

Businesses found alternative ways to meet demands through technology. This allowed them to reduce the cost of creating shoe samples.

Second, designers can create designs with more precision and detail. It allows them to have control over what they do.

For instance, most designers use a drawing tablet to create their work. To add detail, they can zoom in on the sketch. After designing, they can save it on the device and access it later.

For sneaker designers, technology adds more flexibility and precision to their work.

Improves Quality

During the late 18th century, people wore plimsolls which were rubber-soled shoes. Although comfortable, the soles would sometimes catch sharp objects. Wearing this kind of shoes today can affect your performance.

To improve comfort, people replaced this design with air-cushioned, gel-filled capsules. Today, some brands use these in their products, and Nike is one of them. As one of the top footwear brands, it continues to develop and adapt to technology.

The air sole is one of their staple technologies, which has since been a consistent feature in Nike’s new shoes. Its goal is to add cushion by placing air inside the sole.

Cushioning is the capacity of the footwear to absorb the force of an impact. Adding cushions gives more comfort to the feet compared to other designs. Further, the Nike Air cushioning reduces shoe weight without reducing performance.

More Fit, No Injury

Have you experienced struggling to find shoes that fit right for you? Wearing tight, loose, or footwear without enough support can stress your feet.

In the worst-case, pressure can result in pain and injuries, limiting your movement. The only way to prevent this is to use footwear appropriate for your feet, body, and lifestyle. With technology, you can find the perfect-fit shoes for you.

Today, many retailers put 3D foot scanners in their stores. It aims to improve the customer shopping experience by getting their exact foot measurements. As a result, customers can find the best insole fit with no problem.

The 3D foot scanner examines the foot and provides insight into your step pattern. It can also identify your weight balance and foot biometrics.

The New Balance flagship stores in Boston and Taipei started using 3D foot scanners. If you want to check the NB 550 for sale and buy one online, use the FitFully app in beta.

Manufacturers can also use a 3D foot scanner to make new sneaker designs. Apart from shoe orthotics, one can use the equipment to design new shoe models with ease. In addition, it can produce footwear faster and with accurate results.

Fast Production

Sneaker trends change and evolve fast. If brands are slow, they can get left behind in the craze. To keep up with the changes, manufacturers must shorten their lead time.

Top brands use technology in their manufacturing facilities to produce sneakers. This allowed them to release products into the market fast while keeping costs low.

Nike uses the Grabit robotic system’s electroadhesion technology. Unlike manual labor, this lets the brand produce its shoe upper faster. The robots stack the materials using the electroadhesive gripper.

Adidas uses systems like heat bonding and robot-controlled laser. This enables designers to sketch, create prototypes, and manufacture quickly.

Track Activities

Have you heard of smart shoes? Like a phone, the sneaker anatomy contains microchips, sensors, and a battery. It can offer users personalized feedback about their day-to-day activities, health conditions, and fitness.

Experts created smart shoes to promote comfort, convenience, and good health. But how do they work? To use the smart shoes, link them to an application or another smart device.

Next, the sensors send signals to the connected app or device. It can provide information about your surroundings or activity levels, depending on the sensors it carries.

For instance, your smart shoes have a gyroscope sensor. If activated, this measures your orientation and angular velocity. It can also offer in-depth information about yourself, like the number of steps taken, calories burnt, and fatigue level.

Although it has no tracking feature, Nike created smart shoes that lace up by themselves. The pressure sensors trigger an algorithm when you wear it, allowing automatic lacing. Digitsole developed smart shoes that can analyze your condition for personalized health feedback.

It can assess your fatigue level, posture, and calories. After the assessment, it creates precise data on how to improve your condition.

How Technology Enhances Sneaker Design

Among the different types of shoes, sneakers are the most versatile. One can wear it for running, doing errands, or styling a fit. It’s no wonder that most people have at least one pair of sneakers.

To continue meeting demands, brands use technology to enhance their sneaker design. All the latest sneakers are faster, lighter, and more comfortable thanks to technology. If you found this article helpful, please consider checking out our other blog posts.

Five Takeaways from Heat’s Win Over Hawks

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Heat beat the Hawks the second time in 3 days after a very strong showing from their bench.

Oladipo, Martin, Robinson come up big.

Some takeaways…

#1: Another horrendous defensive start for the Heat…

The Hawks were 2 points shy of handing the Heat their 3rd 70 point first half in the last 4 games. When it comes to expectations, did we think the early lineups they’ve been leaning into were going to be elite defensive units? I know I haven’t. But the issues have felt so simple when it comes to the schematics. The game-plan has been generally fine, yet the lack of resistance to stop the ball is the start of all their problems. This Hawks team wasn’t just killing them from deep, since they only collected 5 triples through the first 24 minutes. They were bursting by the point of attack with ease and making plays in the lane. 38 points in the paint in that first half, going 19 of 24 from the field in that range. Yeah, the shot profile was rather simple.

#2: In the meantime, Heat offense actually somewhat humming? But one constant downfall…

While the Heat were putting together an embarrassing defensive half, the Heat were quietly stringing together some of their best offense in some time. 7 of 12 from three and 54% shooting overall. A main key to that was the bench unit didn’t fully fall off a cliff, giving credit to Duncan Robinson and Caleb Martin, who I will get into more extensively next. Like it usually is, all of their scores were heavy half court grinds and sets, but there is one downfall that keeps popping up: turnovers. If the Heat could find a way to wind that down a bit, the offense would be in such a better spot. Usually the second unit gets careless with Victor Oladipo leading the offense into some giveaways, but it’s the guard room in general. That screams discomfort. But either way, they were battling through that for positive scoring surprisingly.

#3: Caleb Martin finally thriving in his role.

Now when it comes to full on positives, Caleb Martin has been a major one over the last few games. As we’ve addressed all year, Martin needs to be in a role off the bench that fits him, as Bam described as “free,” while also pointing out the obvious of not having to play at the four. As for tonight, he saved the Heat’s offense. Not just because he had 16 points in that span, but the way he was getting it. Back-door cut, off-ball movement, simple slip. The consensus there, he was the only player for Miami that was moving in a way to support the hubs in Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo. He’s also athletic and skilled enough to make plays at the rim following the dime, leading to some early trips to the line. It’s pretty clear he looks extremely more comfortable at the moment.

#4: The two sides of Victor Oladipo on a night to night, play by play basis.

It’s been evident for a while when watching Victor Oladipo that it’s essentially a seesaw effect. There are the moments where he’s hitting shots, putting pressure on the rim, and forcing turnovers to get on the break. Yet there are other times where the turnovers are just way too much for the Heat to overcome. We saw both of these things tonight. In that first half, he was definitely loose with the ball much like the entire Heat roster, but he’s basically the man in control with that unit. Fast forward to the third, he really changed the outlook for them, beginning with a tough crossover and step back triple in the corner. He followed that up by just literally shifting the pace. Every rebound, every shot, while being on the ball or off, he was sprinting down the floor with clear momentum. It gave them a jolt, and that added pace is needed for this team, especially in that unit. Later to begin the fourth, a Duncan Robinson lob to Oladipo cemented that.

#5: Late-game finish…

Heat trailed by 1 with under seven minutes to go, and they were still searching for Duncan Robinson. Hand-off, denial, re-hand-off, three pointer. Trae Young responds with a three of his own, before Herro gets comfortable on a right wing three to put it back even at a tie game. 113-113. Out of the timeout, Heat get some offensive boards into an eventual kick-out to Caleb Martin for three, flowing back into a Jimmy Butler pick and roll who finds Herro in the same corner. That put Miami at 16 of 28 from three on the night. Hawks responded back to cut it to 3, before Butler hit a fading short jumper to put it back at 5. Heat muck up the play defensively, force a turnover, and Bam throws it down the floor to Herro. Up 7. Trae Young gets a floater to go, so Miami needs a bucket here. Heat keep going to the Butler-Herro PnR with Herro screening to get Young in the action: Butler floater. Another Young floater to counter, right before Herro turns it over on a blitz for a Murray lay-in. Heat up 125-122. Miami runs a Bam-Butler inverted PnR with 40 seconds left, and he hits the jumper. One problem: it was called a travel. Luckily Heat force a turnover on other end, and Butler gets fouled to ice it at the line.

Five Takeaways from Heat’s Win Over Hawks

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After some real crushing losses in this building for the Heat this week, they finally had a breakthrough against the Hawks.

Smooth offense, Bam Adebayo’s best game since the All Star break, and simply a needed win.

Some takeaways…

#1: The Heat changing up their offensive actions a bit, starting off with an uncommon two-man action.

When it comes to the Heat scoring 66 points in the first half, it’s obvious we don’t see that often. But we also saw something within their process that we don’t see often, and that began right out the gates when Miami noticed an interesting match-up. With Trae Young on Tyler Herro, Jimmy Butler was searching for Tyler. They were running a heavy diet of two-man game, which usually ended in an easy pocket pass to Butler on the short roll, as he can search for the best option back-side within that 4-on-3. That was part of the reason Butler ended up with 5 assists at half, since they were over-committing when he got 2 feet in the lane. The other main adjustment surrounded the focus of Bam Adebayo, which I will get to later…

#2: There’s been a call for a shift in the substitution pattern, and the Heat seemed to have answered.

No Jimmy Butler, no Bam Adebayo. That’s been a lineup pattern that I’ve been tracking very closely over the last week, since it’s been so problematic night in and night out. The Heat changed things right off the bat, as Bam Adebayo got an early exit with Tyler Herro coming right behind him. There was about a 2 minute span to finish the first where neither were on the floor, but you can live with two. Just as the second quarter started up, Bam Adebayo was back out there. The entire goal is to give Butler the job with the second unit instead of Herro, since it can stabilize offense and control the turnover problems they’ve had in those units. It was clear the adjustment was coming, but good that the Heat didn’t wait on it.

#3: Bam Adebayo finding his flow, but it was intentional from Miami schematically.

As I said earlier in this piece, the Heat’s actions felt different in this game. The Butler-Herro combo was match-up based, but the Bam Adebayo sets were team/Bam based. Inverted PnR’s with Herro and Butler screening to get him downhill is always something that’s called for, and we saw that a good bit early. I’ve also been a big fan of running curls for him to operate off, since it’s essentially a living mismatch. Strus down-screened for him in the second quarter, he received it inside the elbow, jabbed, and flowed into a smooth jumper in his spot. A little bit later as Gabe Vincent walked the ball down the floor, Spo was punching his fist into an open hand, calling for a split action repeatedly. They got it to Bam, he waves Herro to fly off the screen, but it’s all a ploy to get Bam in space. Ends in a push shot for an and-1. My takeaway is as simple as this: run. actions. for. Bam. Adebayo.

#4: Cody Zeller time?

Only two players were in double figures as the game went into the half. Bam Adebayo and Cody Zeller. Yeah, that’s a new look for this Heat team. When it comes to his play, I keep coming back to one single word that stands out: activity. Jimmy Butler and Victor Oladipo are running in transition? Cody Zeller is sprinting a 40 yard dash into the play as a trailer. A shot goes up? Zeller is finding a body to potentially draw a foul or get his hand on the ball off a board. Heat searching for a decent look? Zeller is either screening in the action or off the ball. He is just in every play it feels, which brings me to that word activity. He looks fresh and he has played well.

#5: A needed win…

Aside from all of the schematic X’s and O’s stuff, the reality was a loss to this team would officially flush this season down the drain. I know you’re thinking: well, that’s been proclaimed multiple times already this season. But after those last two performances, they were in true total melt down territory. Also other than the morale side of things, this team specifically needed this against this Hawks team who are closely trailing them. A pair of wins in this set put you in a decent spot in that race within the standings. As I’ve been saying, the Heat’s new goal is the 6 seed. Avoid the play-in, avoid Milwaukee or Boston in the first round, and avoid total embarrassment to be brutally honest. Now you have to sweep this set on Monday.

Five Takeaways from Heat’s Loss to Knicks

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Talk about a tale of two halves. From pure disappointment in the first half to an energized group that actually looked like a basketball team in the second half.

Some takeaways…

#1: The defensive leakage continues in both half-court, and more importantly, transition…

Oh look at that, another 70+ point quarter for the opposing team in the Heat’s own building. As I’ve been noting, the Heat’s shooting is a major problem, but they were at least able to somewhat counter it early in the year by getting games in the mud on the defensive end. Well, that has fallen off completely over the last few weeks. A 20 point opening quarter for Julius Randle set the stage, mostly showcasing that they would find the open slots of Miami’s defense in the half-court following the heavy diet of showing and recovering to eliminate the simple switch. But the bigger issue is that the half-court defense doesn’t even feel like the main issue. Every grinded out Heat offensive possession ends in an extremely speedy Knicks team racing down the floor for layup after layup. No restriction for the Heat in that space whatsoever. The defense has been a problem.

#2: The Butler lineups vs the non-Butler lineups with a clear distinction.

The patterns for this Heat team have been odd as of late. Leaning into an early 5 minute stretch with no Butler or Bam is quite the choice, but Butler was also on pace to play a total of 28 minutes when we hit halftime. That’s an issue in itself, but the reason it’s a bigger problem is due to the fact this team has an insane shift when he’s on and off the floor. It’s one things to look at the lopsided numbers, but the eye test surpasses those stats even further. The Heat don’t have a base without Butler on the floor. They rely on a ton of guard play and pick and rolls, and that is getting them absolutely nowhere. Butler checks in with 6 minutes left in the second quarter, and there’s an immediate change on his way to 19 first half points. We’ve been saying he needs help, but this is looking worse by the day with him on a deserted island.

#3: Oh, is that what a bench looks like?

We can play the blame game on Tyler Herro or Kyle Lowry or Max Strus or Gabe Vincent on a night to night basis surrounding Butler, but let’s take a moment to zoom out for some perspective on a specific unit: the bench unit. Miami’s bench has been non-existent while the Knicks are possibly the most talented bunch in the league. Quickness and scoring from Quickley, solid 2-way play from Josh Hart, energy from Obi Toppin, and a perfect role big in Isaiah Hartenstein. Compared to the Heat’s second unit, they looked like a superteam, as Heat fans count down the seconds until Erik Spoelstra looks down his bench to rotate the core guys back in. This is nothing new since it’s an obvious statement, but seeing this measuring stick up close is definitely eye opening.

#4: A third quarter pick-up: Adebayo, Herro, Butler leading.

Now after all of the negative that I discussed, the Heat made a run of their own to open up the second half, playing with a lot more energy and flow on the offensive end. It began with playing through Bam Adebayo on the break, as he got some easy ones in transition as he started to play much more freely. Some of those short jumpers began to fall as well, getting him and the Heat offense in a flow. Tyler Herro played off of that with some tough pull-ups and movement threes to really spark Miami’s scoring punch. Through all of this, Jimmy Butler was the one creating much of the offense following the over-helping. Playing through their main guys is needed, and the Butler-Herro-Bam grouping showed up in the third.

#5: The fourth quarter…

Jimmy Butler checks in with under 8 minutes to go, Heat down 8. He immediately gets a low block and-1 to cut the deficit back to 5. Shortly after, Victor Oladipo hits his second big shot of the fourth quarter with Butler kicking it out for a top of the key triple. 6 minutes left, 2 point game. A big time Caleb Martin leaning three on the left wing officially put Miami up 1, right before the Heat and Knicks threw some counter punches back and forth. Under 3 minutes to go, a tough Randle fadeaway put the Knicks up 2, followed by a Brunson floater to put at a 4 point game with two minutes to go. Heat respond with a lob to Bam for the dunk, back at a 2 point game. With the crowd getting louder, Bam comes up short on a jumper, rebounded by Butler, and put back in. Simply out working them. Tie game. Another turnaround from Randle is the response, this time being an and-1. Fast forward to a Herro steal and incredible lay-in to put the Heat up 1, followed by a game winning Randle fading three. Tough way to finish that.