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Paul George and Clippers powerless against Jimmy Butler in loss to Heat

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Paul George and Clippers powerless against Jimmy Butler in loss to Heat

On the NBA circuit, there are few cities through which the visiting locker room clears out faster than right here, the place late-night dinners and nightlife await alongside Biscayne Bay or the quick drive to South Seaside.

And that’s on a very good evening. There was actually no purpose for the Clippers to linger after Thursday evening’s 115-110 loss to the Miami Warmth, after an evening the place small breakdowns continued the large development hanging over this season: The Clippers nonetheless can’t achieve traction on their championship pursuit, a relentless run of accidents main a preseason title contender to usually slip backward as quickly because it finds progress.

After Kawhi Leonard’s game-winning shot Monday claimed the opener of this four-game journey and injected life into the squad within the long-awaited return of Leonard and fellow All-Star Paul George from damage, the Clippers have misplaced to Orlando and Miami, groups which have struggled to search out their identities.

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Amid lengthy stares within the locker room, the Clippers remained optimistic that they might play the lengthy recreation and change into the staff they need to be.

“I’ve obtained confidence, that we’ve accomplished it earlier than, very comparable locker room over my time right here final three years, so I obtained confidence we are able to do it, we’ve simply obtained to all get wholesome and get on the identical web page and enjoying on the identical time,” level guard Reggie Jackson stated. “It’s going to take some reps however hopefully we are able to all get wholesome right here quickly and begin truly logging minutes collectively to place it collectively.”

Mentioned George: “We’re not that far off.”

A ten-point first-quarter Clippers lead was undone by permitting 13 consecutive factors. After the Clippers lower their deficit to at least one halfway via the fourth quarter, Miami started a 12-5 run within the subsequent 4 minutes. Bam Adebayo scored 31 factors however Jimmy Butler scored Miami’s ultimate eight through the recreation’s ultimate three minutes, together with three contested jumpers to increase the Warmth’s result in six, eight and 5 at essential junctures.

“Too many breakdowns in opposition to a staff like this the place it was like one cross, bucket or we simply fell asleep, no assist facet [defense],” stated George, who scored 29 factors, with eight rebounds and 7 assists that led to 19 factors. “These factors we are able to’t give as much as a very good staff and I assumed that was the sport.”

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Not even a sometimes dependable indicator in Clippers victories may save them from losses on back-to-back nights. They entered Wednesday 10-2 when making extra three-pointers than their opponent. They made seven greater than Orlando, and 5 greater than Miami, even capturing 47% in opposition to the Warmth. On Wednesday, turnovers and what coach Tyronn Lue known as poor fourth-quarter protection overcame that benefit, and one evening later, Miami exploited the turnover hole once more, committing eight to the Clippers’ 16.

“I’ve to be higher, simply giving the ball away,” stated Jackson, who traveled, dedicated a carry and threw an simply intercepted cross in a five-minute stretch of the third quarter. He completed with 4 turnovers, the identical as George.

There have been Clippers reinforcements in Luke Kennard and John Wall, who performed after being held out the primary evening of the back-to-back for precautionary causes, and Marcus Morris Sr. returned to the beginning lineup after being in poor health in Orlando. However as some teammates got here again, others had been unavailable.

Leonard was held out of the second evening of the again to again and Terance Mann was in concussion protocol after slamming into Orlando’s Kevon Harris on the ultimate play of Wednesday’s time beyond regulation. Even those that did play had been saved on a tightly choreographed lineup rotation. Lue coaches off of intestine really feel for which lineup changes to make, however since Leonard and George returned Monday underneath strict minutes limits, he has coached whereas referencing a card that he stated reveals instances when gamers needs to be eliminated.

Considered one of few silver linings that Lue has taken from the Clippers’ up-and-down begin is that it’s no outlier in a Western Convention the place eight groups entered Thursday between .500 and .583. Nobody has run away from the pack.

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“That at all times makes you are feeling higher in regards to the season and the way it’s going,” Lue stated earlier than tipoff.

That leaves room for alternative. How lengthy it’ll take the Clippers to take benefit is one other query, nevertheless.

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Scottie Scheffler tees off for PGA Championship's 2nd round after arrest

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Scottie Scheffler tees off for PGA Championship's 2nd round after arrest

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Scottie Scheffler teed off from the 10th hole in the second round of the PGA Championship at Valhalla Golf Course in Kentucky just hours after he was arrested.

As his name was announced, and he stepped toward the tee box, Scheffler received a raucous round of applause. He would go on to birdie.

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Scheffler got back to the course less than an hour before his tee time. He was tied for 12th at the start of the second round and released a statement. His first stroke hit just off the fairway.

“This morning, I was proceeding as directed by police officers. It was a very chaotic situation, understandably so considering the tragic accident that had occurred earlier, and there was a big misunderstanding of what I thought I was being asked to do,” he said. “I never intended to disregard any of the instructions. I’m hopeful to put this to the side and focus on golf today.

Scottie Scheffler warms up before the second round of the PGA Championship golf tournament at the Valhalla Golf Club on Friday, May 17, 2024, in Louisville, Kentucky. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)

“Of course, all of us involved in the tournament express our deepest sympathies to the family of the man who passed away in the earlier accident this morning. It truly puts everything in perspective.”

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He was with Wyndham Clark and Brian Harman.

“Just a wild morning, man,” Harman told ESPN’s Marty Smith.

ESPN reported that Scheffler drove past a police officer in his SUV with markings on the door indicating it was a PGA Championship vehicle. The officer screamed at him to stop and then attached himself to the car until Scheffler stopped his vehicle about 10 yards later. ESPN reporter Jeff Darlington characterized it as a “misunderstanding with traffic flow” as authorities were investigating a traffic fatality earlier in the morning.

“Scheffler was then walked over to the police car, placed in the back, in handcuffs, very stunned about what was happening, looked toward me as he was in those handcuffs and said, ‘Please help me,’” Darlington said on ESPN’s “SportsCenter.” “He very clearly did not know what was happening in the situation. It moved very quickly, very rapidly, very aggressively.”

Scottie Scheffler booking photo

Scottie Scheffler was booked into a Kentucky jail on May 17, 2024. (Louisville Department of Corrections)

XANDER SCHAUFFELE’S 9-UNDER START MAKES PGA CHAMPIONSHIP HISTORY

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“Right now, he’s going to jail,” one officer at the scene told Darlington. “He’s going to jail and there ain’t nothing you can do about it.”

Scheffler was booked into the Louisville Department of Corrections later Friday. He was charged with second-degree assault of a police officer (a felony), criminal mischief, reckless driving and disregarding signals from an officer directing traffic.

Scheffler was coming off of four victories in the last five tournaments, including a second Masters title. He was home in Dallas the last three weeks waiting for the birth of his first child, which occurred on May 8.

Scottie Scheffler on 12

Scottie Scheffler hits a drive at the 12th hole during the first round of the 2024 PGA Championship at Valhalla Golf Club on May 16, 2024 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Joe Robbins/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Xander Schauffele had the lead after the first round. He was 9-under par. Sahith Theegala, Tony Finau and Mark Hubbard were tied for second place at 6-under par.

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Column: Reds' Alon Leichman lives his dream with a heavy heart thinking of Israeli hostages

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Column: Reds' Alon Leichman lives his dream with a heavy heart thinking of Israeli hostages

For Alon Leichman, the assistant pitching coach for the Cincinnati Reds, his job is at Dodger Stadium this weekend. His heart is in Israel.

His first coach, the one who taught him to play baseball, struggles to endure each day. The coach’s brother, kidnapped from his home by Hamas militants seven months ago, is believed to remain captive in the Gaza Strip.

“As of 10 days ago,” Leichman said Thursday, “he was still alive.” He had been shown on a hostage video.

One of Leichman’s former teammates on an Israeli national team also was kidnapped.

“I’m afraid,” Leichman said, “he is not alive.”

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The Oct. 7 Hamas attack is to Israelis what the Sept. 11 Al Qaeda attack was to New Yorkers: Everyone knows someone who was killed.

Israel observed its Memorial Day this week. Leichman got a somber text from one of his friends there, apologetic in tone.

“I only got to four graves today,” the text read.

These should be days of celebration for Leichman, who was born and raised in Israel before playing college ball at Cypress College and UC San Diego. He worked as a minor league coach — briefly for the Dodgers, and for six years with the Seattle Mariners — and along the way pitched for Israel in the 2020 Olympics.

The Reds hired him last season. He had made the major leagues.

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“I am living out my dream,” he said.

Israel’s Alon Leichman kneels and reacts after a baseball game against the Dominican Republic during the Tokyo Olympics on Aug. 3, 2021.

(Matt Slocum / Associated Press)

He reminds himself of a country’s tears wherever he goes, with the silver dog tag he wears around his neck. Embossed upon the dog tag, in English and Hebrew, is the national cry in support of the hostages: “Bring them home — now!”

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In Israel last winter, Leichman participated in Saturday evening marches with that rallying cry. He did not wear the dog tag there.

“When I come to the States, I feel like this is when I need to wear this,” he said, cradling the tag in his hand, “because it creates conversation.”

He is not scared by the wave of protest against Israel. Where he grew up, a suicide bomber could lurk around any corner.

“Every bus I went on,” he said, “I had the thought that it might blow up.”

However, he does not mind having those conversations, if only to share what he personally knows. It can be difficult, he said, to persuade people that what they see on social media is different from his lived experience.

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Leichman served in the Israeli army, where he said the training was stern: If you see a suspected terrorist near a civilian, you cannot shoot. His brother recently returned from serving two months in Gaza and said militants tossed grenades and shot at Israeli soldiers and then scattered down tunnels.

“I’m going to believe my brother,” Leichman said.

One of Alon Leichman's gloves features the Israeli flag and the phrase “Bring Them Home Now!”

One of Alon Leichman’s gloves features the Israeli flag and the phrase “Bring Them Home Now!” in honor of Israelis being held hostage by Hamas.

(Courtesy of Alon Leichman)

Leichman is not sure of how the war might end. He is not a general, nor a politician. He said the Israeli government is “shooting itself in the foot” and said that, while Hamas might be the problem, the people of Gaza are not.

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“We want peace,” he said. “We have our disagreements on how we’re going to get there.”

The gloves Leichman has used this season include one stitched with “Bring Them Home Now!” and the Israeli flag, another with an image of the dog tag he wears and a Jewish star.

He took a picture with him wearing one of those gloves last week and sent it to his old coach in Israel, the one whose brother remains a hostage. It is a compassionate gesture and a helpless feeling rolled into one, when that is all you can do.

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Shaun White admits itch to return to competitive snowboarding is 'always there'

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Shaun White admits itch to return to competitive snowboarding is 'always there'

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Shaun White retired from competitive snowboarding following a fourth-place finish in the halfpipe event at the 2022 Winter Olympics.

White was only in his mid-30s when he decided to step away from the spot he dominated for so long. He won three gold medals at the Olympics dating back to 2006 in Italy, not to mention the 10 X Games gold medals he racked up during his illustrious career.

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Shaun White of the United States in action in the Men’s Snowboard Halfpipe Final at Genting Snow Park during the Winter Olympic Games on Feb. 11, 2022 in Zhangjiakou, China. (Tim Clayton/Corbis via Getty Images)

With the trend of great athletes possibly second-guessing retirement, White admitted in an interview with Fox News Digital that the itch to return to snowboarding is “always there.”

“It’s just kind of maintaining this sort of like, well, ‘you stopped for a reason.’ And I spoke to a lot of athletes and they were just like, ‘It never goes away,’” he said. “You’re like watching TV and (say) I could’ve made that catch. They’re just like that’s just embedded and ingrained in your for so many years of doing it. But there’s like this amazing life waiting for you outside of that.”

White said he picked the brains of some famous athletes about how they look at their careers when they are off the field or out of the pool.

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Shaun White in 2023

Shaun White arrives for The Albies hosted by the Clooney Foundation at the New York Public Library in New York City on Sept. 28, 2023. (ANGELA WEISS/AFP via Getty Images)

EX-OLYMPICS STAR SHAUN WHITE RIDES WITH CVS FOR NEW SNACK AND BEVERAGE LINE: ‘THEY’VE REALLY UPPED THE GAME’

“Guys like Michael Strahan, Michael Phelps and I even ran into Tom Brady, which was actually great because he did the, ‘Hey I’m gonna come back’ and yeah it’s hard to let go of that feeling. And it was cool to talk to him about (it) like, ‘Man, we did it. We had our moment and we can celebrate that because the history books will show,’” White said.

He told Fox News Digital he is developing a solid career outside of competition but is still practicing tricks. While he may not be competing against other nations come 2026, he expects to be back in Italy to cheer on his friends.

Shaun White and Nina Dobrev

Nina Dobrev and Shaun White at the 2024 Vanity Fair Oscar Party held at the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts on March 10, 2024 in Beverly Hills, California. (Christopher Polk/Variety via Getty Images)

“It’s definitely fun, and I’ve still been able to get back out on the mountain and work on tricks and have fun and ride. I have my own brand called White Space and we do boards and outerwear and all this stuff. I’m still involved in the sport through that. I was still testing products. We have now young riders that we sponsor. It’s been cool but yeah definitely, like, I’ll be there probably on the microphone or something for that Games. Definitely cheering my friends on.”

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