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Heat’s Jaquez eliminated in first round of All-Star dunk contest despite jumping over Shaq

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Heat’s Jaquez eliminated in first round of All-Star dunk contest despite jumping over Shaq


Miami Heat rookie Jaime Jaquez Jr. was eliminated in the first round of the Slam Dunk championship during All-Star Saturday in Indianapolis, despite an opening dunk that had him elevating over 7-foot-1 former Heat center Shaquille O’Neal.

Jaquez was the first to compete in the opening round of the two-round competition, participating in a “Heat Culture” jersey.

The first of two first-round attempts by the 6-6 wing had him placing O’Neal in the lane facing the basket, with Jaquez elevating above to complete the dunk on his first attempt.

Jaquez’s second attempt in the two-dunk first round was preceded by a video tribute to others of Mexican lineage who competed in the NBA.

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On that second attempt, after missing on his first try, Jaquez bounced the ball to himself, double clutched and reverse dunked while spinning 180 degrees.

Also in the competition were Boston Celtics forward Jaylen Brown, New York Knicks forward Jacob Toppin and G League player Matt McClung, the winner of last year’s contest, with McClung and Brown advancing to the two-player final round. McClung then repeated as champion.

Among the judges for the event were former Heat guard Gary Payton and Broward County prep legend and Hall of Famer Mitch Richmond.

Center Bam Adebayo, the Heat’s lone representative in Sunday night’s All-Star Game, visited with Jaquez in the locker room before Saturday’s competition.

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Jaquez was the Heat’s first participant in the competition since Derrick Jones Jr. in 2020, with Jones winning that event.

The Heat also had Harold Miner as a winner of the competition in 1993 and ’94 in the two years he competed (Miner also was named to participate in 1994, but was injured).

The Heat’s only other participant in the franchise’s 36 seasons was Billy Thompson, who placed seventh in 1990.

The dunk competition was Jaquez’s second appearance during All-Star Weekend.

Friday, Jaquez participated in the Rising Stars competition for first- and second-year players.

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That proved to be a short night, with Jaquez’s team eliminated in the opening round of the two-round competition.

Playing on a team with San Antonio Spurs big man Victor Wembanyama, and the recipient of an alley-oop pass for a dunk from Wembanyama, Jaquez closed that 10-minute appearance with six points on 3-of-4 shooting, with three assists and two rebounds.

Jaquez’s team lost in that semifinal to a team of G League standouts that included recent Heat acquisition Alondes Williams, who scored 11 points in that matchup.

Williams, who was signed to a Heat two-way contract last week, then finished with three points in his team’s loss in that final Friday round.

Before Jaquez competed Saturday, Milwaukee Bucks guard Damian Lillard’s won the 3-point shootout, the Heat without an entrant in that competition. Earlier,  a team representing the Indiana Pacers won the All-Star Saturday skills competition, which also did not feature a Heat competitor.

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Sunday, the Heat’s Williams and Cole Swider, who also is on a Heat two-way contract, will compete in the G League All-Star Game in Indianapolis in the hours ahead of the NBA All-Star Game.





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Miami, FL

May a steadying presence as Cards hold off Marlins in Miami

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May a steadying presence as Cards hold off Marlins in Miami


MIAMI — Dustin May attacked the strike zone and got ahead in counts, allowing his arsenal to play at its best in the Cardinals’ 5-3 win over the Marlins at loanDepot park on Tuesday.
The right-hander consistently set the tone early, either landing a first-pitch strike or inducing a foul



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Ranking the Miami Heat’s Top Trade Targets

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Ranking the Miami Heat’s Top Trade Targets


The Miami Heat are heading into another crucial offseason, and they MUST make changes. This team has been mediocre for the past few seasons and has been stuck in the Play-in Tournament. The Heat can’t currently compete with the way the roster is constructed. They need to trade for a star who can lead this team, and if a star becomes available, Miami will be involved. The real question is which direction actually makes the most sense. 

The Heat could go after three potential targets this summer: Giannis Antetokounmpo,  Kawhi Leonard, and Donovan Mitchell. Who should Miami target? Let’s stack rank them based on fit, risk, and potential. 

1. Giannis Antetokounmpo: The Only Move That Changes Everything

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Apr 10, 2026; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo enjoys a moment during warmups prior to the game against the Brooklyn Nets at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images | Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images

The Miami Heat need to go all-in for Giannis. This is a trade that would completely reshape the franchise. Giannnis could potentially turn the Heat into a contender overnight. Even with his recent injury cutting his season short, nothing about his overall impact has changed. He still bends defenses in a way very few players can. Teams build entire game plans around simply trying to slow him down, and most of the time, it doesn’t work.

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The Miami Heat have desperately needed a true superstar who can take over games late in crunch time. The Heat have been relying on undrafted players and role players to create and execute their offense. Giannis flips that instantly by creating advantages on his own, possession after possession.

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I think the most interesting part will be pairing Giannis with Bam Adebayo. They would automatically become the best defensive frontcourt duo in the NBA. Giannis and Bam could both guard 1-5, and their switchability and rim protection would be elite. Offensively, Bam’s versatility allows Giannis to stay aggressive without needing to adjust his game too much.

The risk is obvious. Injuries have started to creep into the conversation, and committing everything to one player always carries weight. Still, Miami has never been a franchise that plays it safe. If Giannis is available, the conversation starts and ends there.

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2. Donovan Mitchell: The Cleanest Basketball Fit

Apr 20, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell (45) reacts after a made basket during the second half during game two of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs against the Toronto Raptors at Rocket Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Dermer-Imagn Images | David Dermer-Imagn Images

If Giannis is the bold swing, Mitchell is the move that makes the most basketball sense from top to bottom. At this stage of his career, Donovan Mitchell knows exactly who he is as a player. He can control tempo, create offense in isolation, and take over stretches of games when things stall out and that is something Miami has struggled with consistently.

This is less about transforming the roster and more about fixing a specific problem. The Heat have lacked a reliable perimeter engine. Mitchell fills that gap immediately. What makes him especially appealing is how easily he fits into different lineups. He doesn’t need the ball every possession to be effective, but he can handle that role when needed. That flexibility matters on a team that values structure as much as Miami does.

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There’s also a timeline advantage here. Mitchell is younger than the other options and doesn’t come with the same long-term durability concerns. He gives Miami a clearer runway to build around, rather than a shorter window that demands immediate results. He may not bring the same overwhelming presence as Giannis, but he raises the overall level of the team in a way that feels sustainable.

3. Kawhi Leonard:  Elite Talent With Too Many Variables

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Apr 15, 2026; Inglewood, California, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Brandin Podziemski (2) is fouled by Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard (2) in the second half during the play-in rounds of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Intuit Dome. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images | Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

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When Kawhi Leonard is available and healthy, he’s still one of the most controlled and efficient players in the league. His season with the Los Angeles Clippers was a reminder of that. Playing 65 games was a big step, and when he was on the floor, he looked like himself, methodical, physical, and impossible to speed up. From a pure basketball standpoint, he fits Miami’s identity. He defends, doesn’t force offense, and thrives in structured environments.

The hesitation comes from everything outside of that. Kawhi’s availability has been unpredictable for years, and even in seasons where he plays a high number of games, there’s always uncertainty about how things will hold up deep into a playoff run. Age adds another layer. Miami wouldn’t just be trading for a player; they’d be betting on a timeline that may already be shrinking. There’s no denying the upside. A healthy Kawhi still moves the needle in a big way. It’s just harder to justify that gamble compared to the other two options.

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Final Take

Each path offers something different. Giannis is the all-in swing that could put Miami back in the championship conversation overnight. Mitchell is the calculated move that stabilizes the offense and fits long-term. Kawhi is the wildcard, still elite, but with more uncertainty than the Heat can comfortably ignore.

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If Miami is serious about breaking out of the middle, they need to pick a direction and commit fully. Giannis is the dream,  Mitchell is the smartest bet, and Kawhi is the toughest sell.

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Man arrested in Miami for alleged sexual battery on 10-year-old girl – WSVN 7News | Miami News, Weather, Sports | Fort Lauderdale

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Man arrested in Miami for alleged sexual battery on 10-year-old girl – WSVN 7News | Miami News, Weather, Sports | Fort Lauderdale


MIAMI (WSVN) – A 21-year-old man was arrested on a charge of sexual battery on a minor by an adult and lewd or lascivious molestation stemming from an alleged incident involving a 10-year-old girl, according to an arrest report.

According to the report, Alvin Davis was arrested due in connection from an alleged incident that occurred Oct. 16, 2025, in Miami. The child’s mother, who became suspicious and placed a recording device in the child’s bedroom.

The report states the girl told investigators that Davis touched her inappropriately on multiple occasions.

Authorities said Davis was transported to the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center and is being held without bond.

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