Miami, FL

Miami Turned A Big 3 Into A Deep 10

Published

3 years ago

May 12, 2022

P.J. Tucker and Max Strus of the Miami Warmth encompass Philadelphia’s James Harden throughout Sport 5 of the Jap Convention semifinals.

Wilfredo Lee / AP Photograph

The Miami Warmth have been no strangers to championship formulation underneath Erik Spoelstra. Since 2008-09, Spoelstra’s first season as head coach following the legendary Pat Riley’s resolution to step away from the sidelines, solely the San Antonio Spurs sport a greater win share than Miami.

However because the Heatles years introduced the franchise two titles, Miami has taken a a lot totally different method to group constructing. Its Large Three has been changed by a seemingly endless checklist of contributors surrounding its foundational stars. The Warmth tied for the league lead with 10 gamers logging at the very least 1,000 minutes for a similar group this previous common season as they adjusted to prolonged absences from Jimmy Butler, Bam Adebayo, Kyle Lowry and Sixth Man of the 12 months winner Tyler Herro, who every missed double-digit video games this season.

They usually’ve continued to regulate throughout their second-round sequence towards Philadelphia, even whereas Butler is within the midst of probably the greatest particular person playoff runs in franchise historical past. With Lowry persevering with to be out and in of the lineup as he struggles with a hamstring harm, Spoelstra has needed to depend on his depth: P.J. Tucker, Victor Oladipo, Dewayne Dedmon, Gabe Vincent and Max Strus have every taken on key roles for the Warmth, who’re only one sport away from the Jap Convention finals.

The depth is most obvious on protection, the place the function gamers actually shine. The Warmth entered the postseason ranked fourth leaguewide in defensive effectivity, marking the group’s finest end since Spoelstra’s first title run as head coach in 2011-12. And in Tuesday evening’s Sport 5, they clamped down, holding the Sixers to solely 85 factors — their lowest whole on this postseason.

Tucker performed an important function in that stingy efficiency, taking the lion’s share of half-court matchups towards James Harden. Tucker confronted The Beard on 34 matchups Tuesday and held him to simply 6 factors. Tucker has additionally usually been known as on to tackle Joel Embiid throughout this sequence; he has spent 63 % of his defensive half-court possessions on one of many Sixers’ two largest stars.

For Tucker, tall assignments are only one a part of his status for doing all the things it takes to win a possession, sport or sequence. The veteran, who earned a hoop final season with Milwaukee, leads the league in playoff minutes over the previous 5 years and stays an skilled at making every of them rely. He’s defended a league-high 534 jumpers within the final 5 playoffs whereas rating seventh amongst all gamers in photographs defended from the paint. Tucker’s invaluable mix of hustling onerous, defensive versatility and floor-spacing grants Miami an elite defender able to holding issues down when Adebayo sits.

Oladipo has additionally performed a key function in conserving Harden underneath wraps throughout this sequence. The 2 have confronted off in 64 matchups with Philly in its half-court offense, and Oladipo has held Harden to an efficient field-goal share of 36.7 %.

Oladipo, who led the NBA in steals in 2018, journeyed an extended street earlier than working his method into Miami’s rotation. His return from a quad harm courting again to 2019 noticed him closing the common season along with his first 40-point sport since 2017. Regardless of totaling solely 52 appearances within the earlier two years mixed, Oladipo has proved himself able to contribute to a playoff run.

“We simply actually needed to be open-minded,” Spoelstra mentioned not too long ago about Miami’s course of with Oladipo. “We have been thrilled to have the ability to purchase him. We knew there could be a course of. It was placed on pause for a very long time, however he simply persevered. … And in the event you would’ve thought 5 years in the past that we might purchase Vic and add him to a gaggle like this, you’d have mentioned ‘not an opportunity.’”

Strus, Vincent and Dedmon are all undrafted gamers who discovered their method into a possible championship rotation on the proper time. The three have made contributions on each ends of the ground. Strus and Vincent, specifically, have each performed essential roles in Miami’s most-used lineup towards Philadelphia. That duo plus Butler, Adebayo and Tucker has accrued a web score of +40.0 over 47 minutes collectively within the convention semifinals.

After single-digit outputs in every of the primary 4 outings towards Philly, Strus scored 19 factors in Sport 5. Much more spectacular? His 10 rebounds gave him his first profession double-double in 121 whole NBA video games. Vincent loved his personal breakout scoring efficiency throughout Sport 5 whereas enjoying an important function in limiting Harden to simply 5 factors on drives to the basket, The Beard’s second-lowest single-game whole over the past seven postseasons.

Although accidents have undermined Embiid’s affect within the sequence, he’s nonetheless a drive to be reckoned with, and Miami has given Embiid no scarcity of contested appears. Even when Adebayo takes a breather, the Warmth’s bench comes by way of: Regardless of lacking Sport 4 with an sickness, Dedmon has tied Adebayo and Butler for the group lead with 9 shot contests towards Embiid on this sequence.

Dedmon has been significantly efficient when deployed alongside Tucker. The Warmth have a web score of +23.5 within the 35 playoff minutes when Dedmon and Tucker have spelled Adebayo. Over the course of this season, Dedmon collected 112 shot contests from the restricted space, practically matching his whole from the earlier two seasons mixed. Together with the playoffs, Embiid’s efficient field-goal share when guarded by Dedmon this yr sits at simply 34.8 %.

Irrespective of the lineup from at some point to the subsequent, Spoelstra stays unwavering in his belief in any Warmth participant to step up and win the subsequent possession. He mentioned as a lot earlier than Miami misplaced consecutive street outings in Video games 3 and 4, paving the way in which for Tuesday’s bounceback victory.

“You must have the proper of men which can be about successful and are prepared to work by way of a technique of it, ” Spoelstra mentioned after the Warmth’s Sport 2 win. “It’s not going to occur by way of osmosis. Now, the final three months, we’ve been capable of work by way of this, despite the fact that it hasn’t essentially been on the wooden. We’ve had movie periods, shootarounds, practices the place we’ve been capable of work totally different combos and put collectively our menu and the way we’re making an attempt to maximise one another’s strengths.”

Take a look at our newest NBA predictions.

Source link

Miami, FL

Award Talk, Pro Bowl Voting Begins

Published

4 hours ago

November 25, 2024

Press Room

Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa has been on a tear since he returned from injured reserve, and his performance in the Miami Dolphins’ 34-15 victory against the New England Patriots on Sunday might have been his best so far this season.

Not surprisingly, that performance has been recognized by the NFL, which has made him one of the three nominees for the FedEx Air Player of the Week.

Tagovailoa completed 29 of 40 passes for 317 yards with four touchdowns and no interceptions against New England, good for a passer rating of 128.9.

The other nominees are Kansas City’s Patrick Mahomes and Minnesota’s Sam Darnold.

Fans can vote for the award on Twitter, with the winner announced later in the week.

Based on the performances of Week 12, Tagovailoa would seem to be a front-runner for the AFC Offensive Player of the Week award — though the Monday night game features an AFC matchup between the Baltimore Ravens and Los Angeles Chargers.

On Monday, Tagovailoa also was announced as the Dolphins nominee for the 2024 Art Rooney Sportsmanship Award.

Eight finalists will be selected and put on the Pro Bowl ballot for when players make their votes in December.

The award, which began in 2014, went to Dolphins defensive lineman Calais Campbell in 2022 when he was a member of the Baltimore Ravens.

Tagovailoa is one of five QBs among the nominees, along with Josh Allen, Patrick Mahomes, Dak Prescott and Jordan Love.

Former Dolphins linebacker Kyle Van Noy is the nominee for the Ravens this year.

Fan voting for the 2025 Pro Bowl Games opened Monday.

Fans can make their selections at ProBowl.com/Vote, on team websites (such as www.miamidolphins.com/pro-bowl-games/vote) or on social media.

During the final two weeks of voting (Dec. 9-23), fans can vote directly on
“X” (formerly Twitter) by tweeting the first and last name of the player, tagging the player’s official
Twitter handle or creating a hashtag including the player’s first and last name. All three of these
methods must include the hashtag: #ProBowlVote. During the final two days (Dec. 22-23),
social votes will count as double.

The selections will be determined by balloting from fans, players and coaches, with each counting one-third of the process.

Players and coaches will cast their votes Friday, Dec. 27.

The Pro Bowl Games will take place in Orlando on Feb. 2.

The Dolphins had six Pro Bowl selections last season: QB Tua Tagovailoa, RB Raheem Mostert, FB Alec Ingold, WR Tyreek Hill, T Terron Armstead and CB Jalen Ramsey.

Source link

Miami, FL

ACC power rankings: CFP hopefuls SMU, Miami, Clemson remain on top after Week 13

Published

12 hours ago

November 25, 2024

Press Room

ACC power rankings: CFP hopefuls SMU, Miami, Clemson remain on top after Week 13

Last Saturday was a day of relative chaos in college football.

Seven of the top 25 teams in the US LBM Coaches Poll lost, with much of the carnage occurring in the SEC, where three top-15 teams fell, all to unranked opponents.

If there’s a conference that stands to benefit the most from that mayhem, it just might be the ACC, which now has a conceivable path to getting two teams into the 12-team College Football Playoff. Its three most likely entrants — SMU, Miami and Clemson — held up their end of the bargain with comfortable victories Saturday against Virginia, Wake Forest and The Citadel, respectively.

But what does the rest of the league look like?

Here’s how the ACC’s 17 teams stack up after Week 13 of the 2024 college football season:

ACC football power rankings

1. SMU (10-1, 7-0 ACC)

Last week: 1
This week: vs. Cal

The Mustangs’ 33-7 win at Virginia was the eighth victory in a row for coach Rhett Lashlee’s team and clinched it a spot in the ACC championship game. A win against Cal at home on Saturday would give SMU its second-consecutive season with at least 11 wins — a mark it hadn’t previously reached since 1982.

2. Miami (10-1, 6-1)

Last week: 2
This week: at Syracuse

In their first game since a gutting loss at Georgia Tech, the Hurricanes pulled away late from Wake Forest, scoring 22 unanswered points in the final eight minutes for a 42-14 victory. With a win at Syracuse, Miami will earn just its second-ever trip to the ACC championship game, a surprisingly rare appearance for a program of its historical caliber.

3. Clemson (9-2, 7-1)

Last week: 3
This week: vs. No 14 South Carolina

The Tigers are done with ACC play and can make the conference championship game if Miami loses at Syracuse. Even if they don’t make it to Charlotte, a win against rival South Carolina would give them not only in-state bragging rights, but it would keep their playoff hopes alive, with a 10-2 overall record.

4. Syracuse (8-3, 4-3)

Last week: 4
This week: vs. No. 7 Miami

The Orange’s 31-24 victory against UConn gave it at least eight wins for the fourth time since 2010. With 470 yards against the Huskies, Kyle McCord broke the program’s single-season passing yardage record. Syracuse can cap off what has been a strong first season for coach Fran Brown with a win against Miami that would shake up the national playoff picture.

5. Louisville (7-4, 5-3)

Last week: 7
This week: at Kentucky

The Cardinals’ loss to Stanford in Week 12 was as ugly a setback as a ranked team has endured this season, but they bounced back by throttling Pitt 37-9. Louisville nearly doubled the Panthers in total yardage, 507-265. Now, it will try to snap a five-game losing streak to rival Kentucky.

6. Georgia Tech (7-4, 5-3)

Last week: 5
This week: vs. No. 6 Georgia

The Yellow Jackets held on for a 30-29 victory against NC State, assuring them of back-to-back winning seasons for the first time in 10 years. They racked up nearly 400 yards of total offense despite playing much of the game with backup Aaron Philo at quarterback. Next up? Their annual rivalry game against Georgia.

7. Duke (8-3, 4-3)

Last week: 6
This week: at Wake Forest

The Blue Devils have thrived in close games this season, with five of their eight wins coming by a single score following a 31-28 victory against Virginia Tech. They can pick up a ninth win on Saturday against a struggling Wake Forest team. It would be the fourth time since 2013 that Duke had won at least nine games, something it hadn’t previously done since its 1941 Rose Bowl season.

8. Pitt (7-4, 3-4)

Last week: 9
This week: at Boston College

The Panthers have lost four in a row since a 7-0 start that shot them up to No. 17 in the Coaches Poll. The latest setback was a 28-point dismantling at the hands of Louisville, a game in which Pitt lost starting quarterback Eli Holstein to a nasty-looking leg injury in the first quarter.

9. Boston College (6-5, 3-4)

Last week: 12
This week: vs. Pitt

The Eagles rolled past North Carolina 41-21 after holding the Tar Heels to 212 total yards and forcing three turnovers. The win got Boston College to bowl eligibility in its first season under coach Bill O’Brien.

10. North Carolina (6-5, 3-4)

Last week: 8
This week: vs. NC State

The Tar Heels’ three-game win streak got snapped in unsightly fashion, with a 20-point loss to Boston College in a game in which quarterback Jacolby Criswell threw three interceptions. The setback came days after 247Sports reported that 73-year-old coach Mack Brown plans to remain at North Carolina beyond this season.

11. Cal (6-5, 2-3)

Last week: 15
This week: at No. 9 SMU

The Golden Bears have had some tough luck in their first season in the ACC, with five one-score losses in conference play, but they’re ending the season on a strong note. Cal has won three of its past four games and became bowl eligible with a win over rival Stanford.

12. Virginia Tech (5-6, 3-4)

Last week: 11

This week: vs. Virginia

Since getting to 5-3 and seemingly putting its early season disappointments behind it, the Hokies have come undone, with three consecutive losses after a 31-28 defeat against Duke. It was Virginia Tech’s fifth one-score loss this season. Coach Brent Pry’s team will need a win against rival Virginia to earn bowl eligibility.

13. Virginia (5-5, 2-4)

Last week: 10
This week: at Virginia Tech

A difficult final stretch of their schedule has worn on the Cavaliers, who have lost five of their past six games after a 4-1 start. Four of those six matchups came against teams that were ranked at the time. Virginia was held to just 173 total yards in a 26-point home loss to SMU.

14. NC State (5-6, 2-5)

Last week: 13
This week: at North Carolina

The Wolfpack suffered an excruciating 30-29 loss to Georgia Tech, a game in which it took a six-point lead with a touchdown with 1:30 remaining, but allowed a go-ahead, 75-yard drive in just 1:08. It will need a win against North Carolina to avoid missing a bowl for just the third time in the past 11 years.

15. Stanford (3-8, 2-6)

Last week: 14
This week: at San Jose State

The Cardinal very nearly followed up its stunning win against Louisville with another victory, but allowed 17 unanswered points to squander a two-touchdown lead in the third quarter in a 24-21 loss to rival Cal.

16. Wake Forest (4-7, 2-5)

Last week: 16
This week: vs. Duke

Whatever faint hopes the Demon Deacons had of reaching a bowl were dashed by Miami in a game in which they were out-gained by a 508-193 margin.

17. Florida State (2-9, 1-7)

Last week: 17
This week: vs. Florida

The Seminoles snapped a six-game losing streak with a 41-7 victory against what’s now a 1-11 FCS Charleston Southern team. Already assured of a last-place finish in the ACC, coach Mike Norvell’s team can try to end a miserable season with a win against rival Florida.

Source link

Miami, FL

How To Watch: No. 8 Miami’s Final Regular Season Game at Syracuse

Published

20 hours ago

November 24, 2024

Press Room

How To Watch: No. 8 Miami’s Final Regular Season Game at Syracuse

It’s do-or-die now for The Miami Hurricanes. Win and they are headed to Charlotte to face the SMU Mustangs for the Chance at hold the ACC Title for the first time since joining the conference in 2004.

First, they have to defeat one of the best offenses in the Atlantic Coast Conference in the Syracuse Orange led by Kyle McCord who is also on a mission of his own.

The Hurricanes have the No. 1 offense in the country but with a questionable defense, it could be hard to say what makes of the Canes and their championship asperation. One step at a time for the Hurricanes however as they look to get some players back for the final game of the season in the likes of Elijah Alston and Damari Brown.

The the additon of those two players on the defensive side of the ball, the Hurricanes could push pass the Orange and the offense that stands in their way. They will try to do it led by Heisman hopeful quarterback Cam Ward and his gunslinging arm and litany of weapons surrounding him.

Date: November 30

Time: 3:30 ET

TV: ESPN

Location: JMA Wireless Dome

Series: The Hurricanes lead the series 16-7 against the Orange.

Last Matchup: The Hurricanes dominated on defense in a 27-19 victory where Syracuse QB Eric Dungey threw four interceptions. Canes QB Malik Rosier threw for 344 yards and two TDs.