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Kyle Lowry leads Philadelphia 76ers past Miami Heat

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Kyle Lowry leads Philadelphia 76ers past Miami Heat


PHILADELPHIA — Everyone in Wells Fargo Center Monday night saw Kyle Lowry — the 18-year NBA veteran playing against his former team, the Miami Heat, for the first time since being traded away from the Heat two months ago — go flying head-long over the scorer’s table and into the stands.

Everyone, that is, except for his coach, Nick Nurse.

“I totally missed it,” Nurse said with a laugh afterwards. “I just heard the crowd react, so I assumed it had to be good.

“I’ve seen him dive into the crowd … you know he’s playing if he’s ending up in the crowd.”

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Lowry, though, had another explanation for it.

“When you get to a certain age,” Lowry said with a smile, “you ain’t got no brakes, so I couldn’t stop myself.”

Lowry’s dive into the stands was just one of several highlight plays on the night for the soon-to-be 38-year-old guard, who finished with 16 points, 4 rebounds and an assist in 35 minutes as Philadelphia claimed a 98-91 victory over Miami in front of a sellout crowd here in South Philadelphia — a win that, at least for one night, allowed the 76ers to leapfrog both the Heat and Indiana Pacers and move into sixth place in the very crowded Eastern Conference standings.

“No,” Lowry said, when asked if he had extra juice for this game against his former team. “I think the juice was that we understood that was a big game for the standings. We needed that win for the standing purposes. I love and admire those guys so much, and I still root for them except for when I’m playing against them. But there was no added juice. Just go out there and try to win a game for our team because of the standings.

“It’s going to be a tight race and we got to do what we can do and hold it down while we can, and then try to take advantage of the opportunities that we have and just win as many games as we possibly can.”

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For Philadelphia, which was led by 30 points, 8 rebounds and 10 assists from Tyrese Maxey, it was a vital win on a few levels. The Sixers — already without Joel Embiid, who will hit the six-week mark in his recovery from meniscus surgery Tuesday — were also missing Tobias Harris for a second straight game, and now will embark on a four-game West Coast swing to take on the Phoenix Suns, Los Angeles Lakers, LA Clippers and Sacramento Kings before returning home next Wednesday to play the Clippers in James Harden’s return to Philadelphia for the first time since being traded in November.

But none of that was on anyone’s mind in the fourth quarter of this chaotic affair, one that saw Miami enter it without Jimmy Butler (foot), Tyler Herro (foot), Kevin Love (heel) Nikola Jovic (hamstring) and Josh Richardson (shoulder) before also losing Duncan Robinson (back) during the game itself, and then come roaring back into things with a 20-6 run to open the fourth quarter and erase what had been a 14-point Philadelphia lead.

That, however, only set the stage for Lowry to make two of the biggest plays of the game: a 3-pointer with 3:09 remaining that made it a two-possession game — and it never became a one-possession game again — followed by a circus layup in traffic with 1:36 to go that gave Philadelphia a 95-89 lead and enough breathing room to hang on.

“Yeah, I mean it certainly helps a lot,” Nurse, who coached Lowry for several seasons in Toronto, said when asked about the veteran guard’s leadership. “I think he sees a lot and positions people a lot. But he’s actually like making more plays than doing that. This is another game where he’s hit a two huge shots with a couple minutes … so he’s making plays, along with his leadership and organization.”

For Lowry and the 76ers, who are now 12-22 this season when Embiid doesn’t play, compared to 26-8 when the league’s reigning Most Valuable Player is in uniform, the goal now is to try to hang on until he’s able to return. Nurse said before Monday’s game that Embiid continues to work out, but there remains no timetable for his return.

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After the game, when Lowry was asked what this group is missing at the moment, he didn’t hesitate in his answer.

“A 7-foot-2 guy,” he said with a laugh. “That’ll help.”

He then went on to say he’s continued to think about the possibility of playing with Embiid, and that he’s already come to appreciate how the superstar center sees the game.

“I haven’t had the opportunity to play with Big Fella, and I’m looking forward to that,” Lowry said. “I’ve seen it, of course, but in person it’s a lot different. The one thing that I’ve learned so far, his basketball mind is very sharp. Very, very smart basketball player, smart individual. So we just got to be patient until he gets back.”

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Rams pick Miami S Kamren Kinchens in 3rd round of 2024 NFL draft. What to know

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Rams pick Miami S Kamren Kinchens in 3rd round of 2024 NFL draft. What to know


The Los Angeles Rams selected Miami safety Kamren Kinchens with the 99th pick of the 2024 NFL draft. The junior earned back-to-back All-ACC First team honors in two seasons as a starter at Miami. Here’s what to know about Kinchens.

Kamren Kinchens scouting report

Kinchens was elite in his sophomore year, earning All-American and All-ACC First Team honors in 2022. He continued the strong play in 2023 with another All-ACC First Team nod because of his nose for the ball and toughness, despite missing two games with a head/neck injury. He’s a hard hitter, and is capable in run support. But NFL scouts are concerned with his lack of speed, and he has gotten mixed up in zone coverage before. But his instincts and ability to force takeaways make him an intriguing prospect for pro teams despite a lackluster day at the NFL combine.

Kamren Kinchens height, weight

Kinchens, who is from Miami and went to Miami Northwestern (Fla.) High School, is 5-foot-11 and 203 pounds.

Kamren Kinchens college stats

Kinchens tallied 162 tackles, including 99 solo tackles, in 34 games as a Hurricane. He also snagged 11 interceptions and broke up 26 passes in three years. Five of those picks and 10 of those pass breakups came in his junior campaign.

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Kamren Kinchens highlights

Kinchens erupted for nine solo tackles, one sack, two tackles for loss and two pass breakups against North Carolina, and combined for 11 solo tackles in back-to-back games against Florida State and Louisville. He had at least one pass breakup and one interception for three weeks in a row against Clemson, Virginia and NC State, and had at least six total tackles in two-thirds of games played last year.

Kamren Kinchens NFL combine measurables

Kinchens and fellow Hurricane James Williams tied for the slowest 40-yard dash (4.65) and 10-yard split (1.59) times among DBs. His 35 inch vertical ranked in the bottom third of his position group, and his 9-foot-2 broad jump ranked last out of 20 DBs that participated.



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Medellin mayor takes stand against child sex tourism after arrest of Miami pharmacist

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Medellin mayor takes stand against child sex tourism after arrest of Miami pharmacist


MIAMI – Federico Gutiérrez, the Mayor of Medellin, Colombia hosted a news conference Friday regarding the federal case of a Miami pharmacist which experts say is bringing new attention to the prevalence of child sex tourism in Colombia.

The suspect, Stefan Andres Correa, also appeared in Miami federal court.

Authorities said just as Correa stepped onto a Miami International Airport jet bridge to board a flight to Bogotá Friday, an outbound border search revealed the 42-year-old — traveling alone — was carrying about nine cellphones.

On some of those devices, Homeland Security Investigations agents based out of MIA would discover photos and videos of Correa raping young girls and a conversation with a sex trafficker about his plans to victimize an 11-year-old girl, prosecutors allege.

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Court documents state that in a graphic series of text messages, Correa promised that both the trafficker and the girl would get $300,000 Colombian pesos — about $75 — and the girl would receive an iPhone, as long as he was allowed to rape her in Medellín.

Federal investigators revealed that Correa admitted to flying to Colombia on numerous occasions with the intent of engaging in sexual activities with minors on numerous occasions.

Investigators disclosed that Correa had traveled to Colombia approximately 45 times in the past two years, a revelation that sparked outrage from Medellin’s mayor.

During the conference, the mayor expressed incredulity over the lack of intervention regarding Correa’s actions and announced new measures to combat child sex tourism in Medellin. These measures include the seizure of properties from owners who enable the sexual exploitation of minors.

Read more: Miami pharmacist’s trafficking case casts spotlight on ‘horrific’ child sex tourism in Colombia

Larry Gumbiner, an international consultant and retired high-level U.S. diplomat, emphasized the dark underbelly of child sex tourism in Medellin, which has flourished amid the city’s international tourist boom.

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“It built into a crescendo when they found an American citizen with two underage girls in his hotel room,” said Gumbiner. “I think it has exploded to the realm of public opinion and the political system has to now deal with it.”

Gutiérrez recently announced new measures to combat sex tourism including seizing properties from owners that allow the sexual exploitation of minors.

“I think finally for the political system, it reached a breaking point where the mayor felt he had to do something,” said Gumbiner.

In federal court Friday, Correa’s public defender agreed to a pre-trial determination at this stage, in a case that is also being heard in the court of public opinion in Colombia.

His next court appearance is scheduled for next week.

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The United States Attorney’s Office Southern District of Florida Spokesperson told Local 10 News in a statement Friday: “The Department of Justice does not provide arrest/booking photos.”

A Walmart spokesperson also confirmed Correa last worked as a pharmacist for Sam’s Club in Orlando back in 2021.

Copyright 2024 by WPLG Local10.com – All rights reserved.



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What they’re saying about Dolphins’ first-round draft pick Chop Robinson

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What they’re saying about Dolphins’ first-round draft pick Chop Robinson


Here’s what NFL draft analysts are saying about the Miami Dolphins’ draft after the first round, which saw the team select Penn State edge rusher Chop Robinson with the No. 21 pick Thursday night.

NFL.com: “Robinson has the speed and flexibility to be a top-notch designated pass rusher as a rookie and much more in the future. His relative lack of production in college (11.5 sacks in three years) belied his ability to win against tackles and disrupt plays. The Dolphins needed to add more edge rushers, even after signing Shaq Barrett in free agency, as both Jaelan Phillips and Bradley Chubb are working their way back from season-ending injuries.” Grade: B

CBSSports.com: “I love this pick for Miami. He has the best first step in this draft. With a little coaching, he will become a dominant pass rusher. They can also move him around as a joker on their front. Love it.” Grade: A

USAToday.com: “With Bradley Chubb and Jaelan Phillips both recovering from season-ending injuries, Miami might have felt uncomfortable with the outlook for its pass rush being able to slow other AFC contenders. Robinson is a feast-or-famine kind of player at this point in his development, but all the athletic traits are there for him to become an extremely difficult matchup for any blocker. Operating in a spot role might be a favorable situation for the early part of his career.” Grade: B

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The Athletic: “With both of its starting edge rushers (Jaelan Phillips and Bradley Chubb) coming back from season-ending injuries, Miami needed reinforcements, even if just to rotate. The Dolphins picked up perhaps the best player available, and one with plenty of upside. They could have used an offensive lineman, but an earlier run at that position helped nudge them toward Robinson.”

“One of the most feared pass rushers in the Big Ten, Robinson commanded attention last year on Penn State’s elite defense. He picked up just four sacks and 7.5 tackles for loss in 10 games, but he was regularly double teamed in passing situations. The 6-3, 254-pounder has elite get-off at the line of scrimmage, which was validated by his 4.48 40 at the combine.” Grade: B+

Yahoo Sports: “Robinson is a raw pass rusher, but he’s found himself in a good spot playing for new Dolphins defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver. Robinson has all the tools in the world to become an elite pass rusher in the NFL if he can get a few signature moves down. The Dolphins also have some nice insurance in case Bradley Chubb and Jaelan Phillips have a slow return from injury.” Grade: B

ProFootballNetwork.com: “Robinson is a powerful rusher who plays with his hair on fire to terrorize offensive linemen with motor, incredible explosive speed, and impressive bend, he enters the league without having been particularly productive for a Penn State program that has produced several prospects who didn’t quite live up to their potential when they arrived in the NFL.”

“It’s a solid pick, but with players ranked higher on the PFN board at positions of need, not to mention neglecting the real need on the offensive line, it could definitely have been a better selection.” Grade: B-

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NYPost.com: “A good example of when need meets value. Robinson is explosive around the outside, creating more disruption than his 11.5 sacks in 35 career games suggests. He was at his best against vaunted Michigan.” Grade: A-

FoxSports.com: “Given how explosive the Miami Dolphins’ offense can be, it makes sense to boost a pass rush to punish opposing quarterbacks attempting to keep up, especially with former first-round edge rusher Jaelen Phillips struggling to stay healthy. Robinson explodes off the ball like he has springs in his shoes. While the splash is undeniable, his iffy productivity is worrisome. In a position group full of boom-or-bust prospects, Robinson is the biggest lottery ticket of them all.” Grade: B+

SBNation.com: “While I would’ve gone for a lineman here to protect QB Tua Tagovailoa, Chop Robinson here is a fine pick. The Dolphins current EDGEs, Bradley Chubb and Jaelan Phillips, are both coming off really bad lower body injuries and it might be time to get some more insurance. Robinson is a blur off the edge in the passing game, and while his run defense leaves a bit to be desired, with Shaq Barrett on the field he might not have to play the run early in his career. A fine pick for the Dolphins at a position of need.” Grade: B+

BleacherReport.com: “The 6’3″, 254-pound pass-rusher explodes off the ball with the quickest first step of any edge prospect in this year’s class. In fact, his 4.48-second 40-yard dash at this year’s NFL Scouting Combine was the fifth-fastest among 250-plus-pound edge-rushers at the combine since 2003, according to NFL Next Gen Stats. He also has the flexibility to turn the corner and shorten the path toward opposing quarterbacks.”

“Robinson’s paltry total of 11.5 career sacks shouldn’t fool anyone. He led the Big Ten in pass-rush grade and pass-rush win rate this past season, per Pro Football Focus. The first-team All-Big Ten selection is an explosive edge-rusher with the potential to grow into an every-down player.”

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Strengths: Lightning-quick off the snap, Gumby-like flexibility, multiple pass-rush moves, build belies power.

Weaknesses: Needs to improve against the run, can be rocked by bigger/longer offensive linemen.

Grade: B

PFF.com: “Robinson, ranked 40th on the PFF big board, could be considered a bit of a reach, but his potential is undeniable. He has dimensions of power and speed in his pass-rush arsenal. He also earned a 93.9 pass-rush grade over the past two seasons, which ranks second among FBS edge defenders — behind the Colts’ Laiatu Latu. Miami’s edge group could be a dominant unit if Robinson achieves his potential and Bradley Chubb and Jaelan Phillips recover from their injuries.” Grade: Average



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