Tyler Herro’s homecoming soured despite his efforts to prove a point after breaking his hand at Fiserv Forum 19 minutes into the Playoffs. This time, the Heat got Bucked, with Damian Lillard and Giannis Antetokounmpo leading the stampede. Bam Adebayo was absent with a hip injury and unable to shield the paint plus switch outside. Haywood Highsmith was still out with a left knee sprain. For three quarters, Orlando Robinson auditioned for a new squad – the Beijing Royal Fighters. And still, the Heat clawed back to within six points during the last 30 seconds.
Even with the missing contributors, Herro was the singular Heatle who came prepared until his colleagues picked it up late. A night earlier, the Atlanta Hawks thumped the Bucks by 17 points and, at one moment, had them down 31. Monday, there was no chance of that, given how Miami pantsed Milwaukee in the Postseason and was hurt going in. Cream City’s unit was sloppy in the first half but still in control.
In the opening quarter, the Heat used the 2-2-1 press to slow the Bucks, not allowing any fastbreak buckets. Herro exploited Milwaukee’s drop coverage, hitting consecutive high-difficulty floaters over Bobby Portis. Thomas Bryant scored eight points by cutting and posting. Jimmy Butler recorded nine early points before taking his foot off the gas.
The Heat was tied at 28 after a quarter, but the Bucks charged to a 7-0 run before coach Erik Spoelstra called timeout. He’d seen enough after Herro was blitzed and ripped on two possessions by Portis, and Butler looked disinterested not playing with Lillard. Rookie Jamie Jaquez Jr. then missed four shots in a row before the close of the half.
O. Robinson was BBQ and picked up two fouls in three minutes. One of his penalties was so obvious that when Spo instinctually cried flop on Cameron Payne, referee Tony Brothers walked past him, rolling his eyes. Josh Richardson left 3-point shooters open, but Herro kept the group on life support with the squad’s three final baskets of the quarter, pushing his output to 18 points.
At intermission, the Heat was down 52-62 following a last-second top of the key trifecta, swished by Jae Crowder when Herro over-helped on the wing. The Bucks scored 28 points in the paint and 11 were off Miami’s turnovers. Antetokounmpo and Portis repeatedly mauled the backline.
Next came the infamous turd quarter as the Bucks went on an 11-4 run before Spo called another break that failed to stop the bleeding. For the period, Herro was the team’s offense, but the Heat conceded 14 of 22 baskets to eight different Bucks, digging a 25-point ditch.
Milwaukee then committed the cardinal sin of not extinguishing the Heat’s embers. In the fourth, Spoelstra benched Butler, and the visitors chopped away with a bevy of 3-pointers and paint attacks. O. Robinson nailed a bomb from the corner, beat Portis off the dribble from the top to the cup, scored at close range off a roll, and had five rebounds and five assists. Duncan Robinson canned three triples.
With under two minutes left, D. Robinson cut the deficit to six as he maneuvered to the square for a transition floater. His leaning 3-pointer in front of two defenders on the right wing was the last retaliatory blow the Heat landed.
Milwaukee won 122-114.
After his third match with the Bucks, Lillard said as the team goes on, it will continue to get better. “We [have] a great starting group, but I think one of our greatest strengths is our bench, our depth. When we [have] guys coming in, moving the ball, playing with energy, getting deflections… we’ll be a hard team to beat.”
At the postgame presser for the losing side, Spoelstra said his group earned its 25-point deficit, but then the young crew battled back. “I’m sure Milwaukee was just trying to play it out, hoping we were going to go away, but our guys did some good things out there…we just need to move the needle this week.”
The Heat’s record is now 1-3.
https://www.fivereasonssports.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG_3635.jpg10621763Mateo Mayorgahttps://www.fivereasonssports.com/wp-content/uploads/FiveReasonsWebsiteLogo.svgMateo Mayorga2023-10-31 06:27:222023-10-31 06:27:22Mateo’s Hoop Diary: Miami Heat come up short in fourth-quarter comeback in Milwaukee
As the exodus of the Miami Dolphins’ offensive line via the medical tent left few able bodies up front, it was clear what was needed.
The Miami defense needed to make some plays to lend a hand and fend off the New England Patriots on Sunday at Hard Rock Stadium.
Cornerback Jalen Ramsey, in his much-anticipated Dolphins debut, delivered as hoped with a key interception late in the first half that kept Miami on course for a 31-17 win and a season sweep of the Patriots.
The first sweep of an AFC East opponent since Mike McDaniel became the Dolphins coach kept Miami in first place in the division at 6-2 going into next week’s showdown with the Kansas City Chiefs in Germany.
Certainly an ideal time to add a six-time Pro Bowl corner going into that matchup.
Ramsey beats recovery forecast by more than a month
With Xavien Holland and Jevon Holland missing Sunday due to injuries, Ramsey’s presence was a big boost to the Dolphins secondary.
Miami’s major offseason acquisition had to wait nearly half the season to show the difference he can make after injuring his left meniscus on the second day of training camp in July. His return to action was at least a month sooner than the most optimistic forecasts for his recovery from surgery.
Ramsey made it back 94 days after what he said was a full repair of his damaged meniscus.
“They told me late December. I wanted to beat that at least by a month,” Ramsey said. “It got to a certain point where I kind of circled this game. …. When I put my mind on certain things I just go all out.”
The veteran, who won a Super Bowl with the L.A. Rams, made it clear that it was a group effort that got him back on the field, praising Dr. John Uribe who performed the surgery as well as the trainers, weight training staff and everyone involved in his rehab.
Ramsey called his interception
But once back on the field, he wasn’t messing around. In fact, he predicted the interception in his first game back.
Patriots quarterback Mac Jones didn’t target Ramsey until late in the half. When he did he probably regretted it.
The Patriots were driving to a potential tying touchdown when he read a sideline route for Kendrick Bourne. Ramsey hung back, then jumped the pass for the interception at the Miami 10 and returned it 49 yards before stepping out of bounds.
“I should have scored. I’ve got to find a way to do that,” he said.
The Dolphins cashed in the turnover for a field goal and a 17-7 lead at the half.
McDaniel joked, “He totally disappointed me. He told me he was gonna come back and have a pick six, not a pick field goal.”
Ramsey inspires Dolphins teammates
Ramsey also forced a fumble on running play, though the Patriots retained possession.
His impact on the team drew effusive praise from his teammates.
“It was awesome to have Jalen out there,” quarterback Tua Tagovailoa said. “It was one of the coolest walk-outs I’ve seen here when he walked out through the smoke. Then he topped it off with an interception. The hype is real when it comes to someone like Jalen Ramsey.”
Ramsey revealed that he suffered the injury while locking up with superstar receiver Tyreek Hill in practice.
Hill called Ramsey “next level. … It’s dope to see him back doing it already, like forcing fumbles and just locking down the whole side. I like that. It’s dope to see it. For him to add that to his story, it’s even better. That makes it even better.”
As usual, the Miami offense did much of the heavy lifting despite more injury setbacks to the O-line, which included right guard Robert Hunt (hamstring) and left tackle Kendall Lamm (abdomen) exiting in the first half.
Lamm, himself filling in for Terron Armstead, returned in the second half. But right tackle Austin Jackson was the only regular in action.
Dolphins offense back on track
Tagovailoa threw touchdown passes to Hill, Cedrick Wilson Jr. and Jaylen Waddle. He finished 30 of 45 for 324 yards, including a 42-yard TD to Hill.
Hill had eight catches for 112 yards, Waddle had seven for 121.
It was a solid bounce-back effort after last week’s 31-17 loss to Philadelphia.
But Ramsey’s interception was one of several keys plays by the defense in one of the most impactful games for Vic Fangio’s unit, which limited New England to 218 total yards and 1-of-9 third-down conversions. They sacked Jones three times.
A fumble by Raheem Mostert on the opening possession of the second half set up New England at the Miami 19. But the defense forced a three-and-out, with Christian Wilkins’ sack on third down making the Patriots settle for a field goal.
Holland, Howard expected back soon for Miami
Safety, DeShon Elliott, subbing for Holland, delivered a jarring hit on DeVante Parker to prevent a pass reception and knocked the former Dolphins receiver out of the game.
Bradley Chubb had a sack on Jones that kept another Patriots possession from gaining traction.
The Dolphins did allow an 81-yard drive that cut their lead to 24-17 midway through the fourth quarter. At that point Tua and the offense put matters to rest with a 75-yard drive that ended with a 31-yard touchdown pass to a totally uncovered Waddle for a 31-yard TD.
Next week in Germany, a duel of explosive offenses is expected with Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs. Hill said he is looking forward to matching up with his former teammates.
But Ramsey’s triumphant return gives hope for slowing down the explosive Kansas City offense. Particularly if Howard and Holland are able to return and finally unite Miami’s vision of a championship caliber secondary.
Here are some key moments throughout the game:
First quarter
Dolphins forced a three-and-out on opening possession.
Dolphins’ first possession, Tua completed fourth-and-1 to Waddle. But drive stalled in Patriots’ territory. Chase Claypool was targeted for the first time but didn’t connect.
After getting sacked on second down, Tua threw a bad interception to Kyle Dugger giving New England the ball at the Miami 30. Mac Jones threw a 24-yard touchdown pass to Kendrick Bourne over the middle on third down to take a 7-0 lead. Justin Bethel was badly beaten on the play by Bourne.
Dolphins answered with a 42-yard strike to Tyreek Hill. The Cheetah ran past two defenders on the streak. Fins got the running game going on the drive with Jeff Wilson carrying three times for 19 yards. First notable work of the season for Wilson since returning to action.
It was the seventh time the two have connected on a 40+ yard pass this season. Nobody else in the NFL has more than three.
Second quarter
(tied 7-7)
Tagovailoa scrambled on fourth down as the middle opened up to continue Miami’s next drive. They converted another fourth down on a short pass to Hill to the NE 6.
Right guard Robert Hunt went out with a hamstring injury to his left leg as the beleaguered O-line took another hit. The Dolphins are left with only one starting lineman on offense.
Tua threw 1-yard touchdown pass to Cedrick Wilson Jr. after a pass interference all in the end zone kept the drive alive. Dolphins took a 14-7 lead. 14 plays, 53 yards on a drive lasting 7:25. Two fourth-down conversions and a pass interference kept it going.
Jalen Ramsey, in his first game for the Dolphins, halted a NE bid for a score late in the half with an interception.
eturned 49 yards before stepping out of bounds. He jumped a pass intended for Bourne at the Miami 10.
Left tackle Kendall Lamm went out with a abdomen injury. Kion Smith replaced him as injuries pile up for the patchwork I-line.
Waddle made leaping catch at the NE 16. Sanders made a 30-yard field goal with 29 seconds left in the half.
Dolphins 17-7.
Third quarter
Mostert fumbled on the exchange from Tua, giving NE the ball at the Miami 19.
Christian Wilkins sacked Jones on third down and the Patriots settled for a 38-yard field goal. Both NE scores have come off turnovers.
Dolphins 17-10.
Waddle dropped a pass, than caught the next one for a 23-yard gain.
Claypool made his first catch as a Dolphin, 15 yards for a first down on the NE 14. The big-body wide receiver broke some tackles after the catch. Mostert scored two plays later from the 1 for a 24-10 Miami lead. Nine plays, 77 yards on the drive.
Sack by Chubb pushed the Patriots back to their 10.
Quarter ends with Dolphins up 24-10.
Fourth quarter
Patriots put together a 13 play, 81-yard drive with Jones throwing a 3-yard touchdown pass to JuJu Smith-Schuster to cut the Miami lead to 24-17 with 8:30 remaining.
Somehow Waddle found himself uncovered over the middle for a 31-yard clinching touchdown.
Dolphins 31-17 with 2:43 remaining.
Jaelen Phillips added a sack just before the two-minute warning.
Brandon Jones had two near interceptions in the final two minutes. He got leveled on the second one by JuJu Smith-Schuster, prompting a scuffle between the teams. Smith-Schuster was called for an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty on the play.
Craig Davis has covered South Florida sports and teams, including the Dolphins, for four decades. Follow him on the site formerly known as Twitter @CraigDavisRuns.
Three games into the season, the Miami Heat are already below .500 after losing its first road back-to-back set to the Boston Celtics and Minnesota Timberwolves. In both defeats, the Heat let go of the rope late.
Saturday, Jimmy Butler was the only NBA player to rest for a game, per the NBA injury report. Meanwhile, Kevin Love has a shoulder contusion, Haywood Highsmith has a left knee sprain, Caleb Martin has left knee tendinosis and Josh Richardson has right heel inflammation. The Heat is lucky trainer Jay Sabol and Co. worked around the clock to straighten out Jamie Jaquez Jr.’s left groin strain and Duncan Robinson’s left foot sprain.
The Heat were in it for three quarters, but through the game…
The Timberwolves got into the paint at will
Against man-to-man coverage and some 2-3 zone, Minnesota invaded Miami’s interior for 58 points, easily entering via handoffs, pick and roll, dribble breakdowns and crashing the offensive glass. Last season, the Heat had the strictest paint protection in the league, only permitting 46.2 points in the square. Rudy Gobert, Naz Reid, Kyle Anderson and Mike Conley were the main culprits. In total, the Timberwolves made 29 of 46 paint tries.
This is where it would have been nice to have Butler. He could have helped stop the ball outside, contest in the paint, or intercept a pass in the lane.
The Heat played faster than usual in the first half
Thirteen of 22 fastbreak points were scored in the first half. Steals and quick outlet passes pushed the pace like Love was on the court. This gave the Heat a boost because, for the game, it was only dropping 76.3 points per 100 half-court plays, per Cleaning the Glass. The second half was much slower, flowing at a pace rating of 95.0. The league average last season was 99.2.
The Heat couldn’t hit from deep or get to the line
The Timberwolves contested well against many of the Heat’s 3-point attempts after the catch and in drop coverage. Robinson found someone attached to his hip most of the night, causing him to miss eight tries. Kyle Lowry bricked over the length of Conley, Anderson and Towns. Jamal Cain couldn’t splash one either when the defense abandoned him, too. The only Heatle to shoot well beyond the arc was Herro.
The Heat was misfiring so badly that even Adebayo hoisted one up when the defense didn’t bother to leave the paint. But worse yet, the Heat couldn’t get to the line often to get the hosts in foul trouble and cut the flow of the game, giving themselves a breather. At the charity line, Miami made eight of 14 freebies.
Results of Adebayo and Herro leading in usage
Adebayo and Herro conducted 59.1% of Miami’s offensive plays and made 15 of 37 field goal attempts. In the first half, they were powering the Heat with a combined 25 points on 50% shooting.
In the second half, Herro was shut down on drives by Gobert and KAT at the rim. Conley and Nickeil Alexander-Walker forced him into tough jumpers, finishing the second half, making three of 12 field goals.
Adebayo was more of an offensive lineman than a scorer in the last 24 minutes, only taking five shots and making two. Before the game got out of reach, his last two dimes were feeds to Herro at the top of the key.
Collapse in the fourth quarter
The Heat entered the fourth quarter down seven points and proceeded to convert six of 25 field goals. In a six-minute stretch, the visitors missed 11 shots in a row. The offense was predictable, with minimal movement on the perimeter by off-ball players, allowing the Timberwolves to sag off, clogging the lane. Bad shots were taken early in the shot clock that prevented the Heat any chance at an offensive rebound.
Defensively in the last interval, Miami gave up four above-the-break triples and one in the corner because of unnecessary overhelp. Reid and Anthony Edwards took over, totaling 19 points on 88% shooting.
https://www.fivereasonssports.com/wp-content/uploads/fullsizeoutput_5156.jpeg10851527Mateo Mayorgahttps://www.fivereasonssports.com/wp-content/uploads/FiveReasonsWebsiteLogo.svgMateo Mayorga2023-10-29 13:30:492023-10-29 13:30:49Takeaways from the Miami Heat’s loss in Minnesota
The Green Machine waited 151 nights for revenge and, in the meantime, reloaded with Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porziņģis while it licked its wounds. Game 7’s home loss to the Miami Heat in the Eastern Conference Finals was just the fifth experience for the NBA’s third-oldest club. It was also the first time the Heat took one of those, known as the “greatest two words in sports” on the road.
Friday’s contentious affair started with the Celtics exploiting the Heat’s weak corner protection. Yet the Heat raced to an 11-point lead six minutes in as Kevin Love’s outlet passing pushed the pace, Adebayo assaulted the square, putting Porziņģis in foul trouble, while Tyler Herro bombarded over breakdowns. Then Boston went on a 12-4 run on a flurry of rim attacks.
In the second quarter, Jayson Tatum scored seven of nine points with Jaime Jaquez as his cover, splashing a left-wing triple, dusting and powering past him on the baseline. Jaylen Brown also had seven in frame two, intercepting an inbound for a dunk on Miami’s turf with a corner triple and layup against drop coverage.
For the Heat, Adebayo punched in eight more points, Duncan Robinson splashed back-to-back triples and Dru Smith canned a pair of trays as Jimmy Butler was invisible. With fewer than three minutes left in the half, the Celtics seized its first lead since early in the first quarter.
At intermission, the Heat was down 55-60, having permitted Boston 10 offensive rebounds that turned into 14 second-chance points. Equally concerning was that the hosts had scored 32 points in the paint and had recovered 57.6% of the rebounds, giving them four extra shots.
In the third quarter, Herro hit consecutive trifectas at the top and blew past Holiday on a drive. Adebayo charged at the cup multiple times and hit another faceup, midrange jumper over Porziņģis. For the stretch, the Heat converted 59.1% of its tries and were up a point entering the fourth quarter.
Then the Derrick White show began, with a 3-pointer at the key and a drive against drop coverage to extend Boston’s lead to three. He recorded nine more on his scorecard for the frame, plus Brown had a dozen. The visitors never claimed control again, despite Porziņģis fouling out with three minutes left with his team up seven.
As the leprechauns’ fireworks display was ensuing, only four field goals dropped for the Heat- out of 19. Miami was forced to play mainly from the outside in the fourth and only scored one two-pointer– four minutes after making a singular shot in six attempts.
But the Heat had a chance, down three points with under a minute remaining. Butler and Herro trapped White and the ball came loose. White saved it before dribbling over the halfcourt line, yet Butler was flagged for a penalty. Coach Erik Spoelstra challenged the ruling, but it was unsuccessful. He then screamed at referee Kevin Scott that he missed the call.
The Celtics were the nastier team, leading by four in loose ball recovered and offensive rebounds collected by five and won 119-111.
At the postgame presser, Spo said, “My view is one thing, and the explanation is another thing… that call didn’t go our way, but we had plenty of opportunities, particularly on the glass. I think if we just [cleaned] up those areas, we probably are playing from a position of control a little bit more often in the second half.”
In the winning side press room, Tatum was pleased not to carry the load late. He said, “It shows the depth of our team… it felt good to win this way.”
https://www.fivereasonssports.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG_3580.jpg572940Mateo Mayorgahttps://www.fivereasonssports.com/wp-content/uploads/FiveReasonsWebsiteLogo.svgMateo Mayorga2023-10-28 03:56:192023-10-28 03:56:19Boston Celtics pull away in fourth quarter against the Miami Heat
For the Miami Heat’s 36th season debut, 19,695 spectators filled the Kaseya Center as it hosted Detroit’s young Pistons. Early, the reigning East champs allowed its guests to record 11 of 19 first-quarter field goals, including five triples. Yet, despite shooting 25.8% higher from the field in the first quarter, coach Monty Williams’ squad only held a three-point lead because of eight turnovers, five of which were Miami steals.
Offensively, Tyler Herro was shooting blanks, missing seven of his first eight tries, but Bam Adebayo opened with seven points. Jimmy Butler dropped four baskets in a row after missing two. For the Pistons, third-year point guard Cade Cunningham maneuvered to the midrange and cup, shooting over Kyle Lowry, Caleb Martin and Herro. Rookie guard Ausar Thompson swatted three Heat shots, defending the ball handler and swarming Butler twice after he caught a backdoor pass under the rim.
In the second quarter, Miami permitted just 31.8% of Detroit’s attempts to fall, held Thompson to a make out of seven and logged four additional steals. But Cunningham still beat drop coverage and switches easily, raising his output to 18 points on eight of 11 shots with two assists in the first half.
Of Miami’s six assists in the second interval, Duncan Robinson was involved in four as a passer or scorer. Rookie Jaime Jaquez and Butler set up the other two. Kevin Love’s outlet passing didn’t translate to dimes, but it put the Heat in the fast lane in transition.
At halftime, the Heat was up 58-47 but behind on the glass by six. Detroit’s Isaiah Stewart, Jalen Duren and Thompson, combined for 19 of its 27 boards, seven being offensive, turning into eight second-chance points. Miami wasn’t protecting the arc well either. However, it forced 12 misses in the paint, allowing Detroit only a dozen points in the square.
In the second half, Miami’s offense dropped off significantly because Detroit pressured the ball and sagged off Lowry to bother paint penetration or a nearby shooter. Yet, the hosts hammered the offensive glass, recovering eight boards and earned a handful of more trips to the line.
With over nine minutes left, the Heatles were up 19 points. That lead was reduced to one as Miami’s staunch paint protection disappeared, conceding the restricted area for six buckets and the perimeter for two triples. Adebayo switched onto Cunningham on five possessions, pressuring three misses on drives and a midrange jumper.
Cunningham’s 3-pointer with fewer than two minutes left, inching Detroit closer by a point, was his team’s last basket. He attempted three more but was contested by Lowry at the wing, rejected by Adebayo at the cylinder, and bothered by Butler at the top of the key on the last hoist of the night that clanked the side of the rim.
The Heat held off the Pistons in its season opener, 103-102, and finished with 19 second-chance points.
Adebayo, who finished with 22 points and eight rebounds, was then interviewed on the court about how the Heat made the stops to come up with a win. He said, “We did blow a lead, but as long as we [won] by half a point, we got stops down the stretch. That’s all that matters.”
https://www.fivereasonssports.com/wp-content/uploads/7DDCFD45-84D5-448E-9B22-6A38E3F59F47-scaled.jpeg18872560Mateo Mayorgahttps://www.fivereasonssports.com/wp-content/uploads/FiveReasonsWebsiteLogo.svgMateo Mayorga2023-10-26 05:26:402023-10-26 05:32:46Mateo’s Hoop Diary: Miami Heat hold off Detroit Pistons in home opener
SUNRISE — Less than a month after playing in the Stanley Cup Final, Panthers fan favorite Anthony Duclair was on his way out of South Florida.
After three seasons in Florida, the now 28-year-old’s time in Sunrise came to an abrupt end — on July 1, he was traded to San Jose.
“Obviously there were rumors before [the trade happened],” Duclair said on Monday when addressing Florida media for the first time since the trade. “Sometimes it’s inevitable… obviously being traded isn’t the best feeling because I’ve built so many relationships down here.”
Going from a team just weeks removed from a Stanley Cup Final appearance to the team who finished fourth from last in the standings isn’t an ideal situation, but Duclair expressed his contendness on the new challenge that awaited him in San Jose.
“It’s tough to leave but at the same time I think I went to a great opportunity,” Duclair said. “Mike [Grier] called me right away and explained to me how big the opportunity is for me here. A chance to continue to grow as a player and step into kind of a leadership role here.”
When Duclair gets onto the ice later tonight in Sunrise, there’s sure to be a loud array of cheers raining down from the stands of Amerant Bank Arena.
He was loved by a lot of people in South Florida — whether that was from his teammates, staff, fans or members of the local community.
“Oh man, big smile, we loved having him around,” Panthers head coach Paul Maurice said when asked about Duclair off the ice. “What a wonderful joy for the game, and laughter, that part we certainly miss.”
Over the course of three seasons with the Panthers, Duclair played in 137 regular season games, picking up 99 points (43,56,99) — including a career-high 31 goal season in 2021-2022. Duclair appeared in 34 Stanley Cup Playoff Games with the Panthers over that span, 20 of which came last season.
The Sharks forward is sure to receive a good reception in his return to Sunrise tonight. In his time with the Panthers, the arena was always filled with ‘Duclair’ jerseys — and the crowd even created a chant for him — 19,000+ shouting “Duuuke” in unison as he flew down the wing.
His return will be a bittersweet. He’ll skate in front of the Florida faithful once again, only this time he’ll be in teal and white, not red and blue.
“It’s going to be special for sure,” Duclair said. “I just want to approach this game like any other, but it’s going to be pretty cool, especially with the run we had last year… those kinds of runs you build relationships for a lifetime.”
While reminiscing on his time with the Panthers, Duclair said the biggest standout for him was the teammates he had in Florida.
“I got to play with some unbelievable players. I mean guys like Barkov, who’s arguably on of the best defensive forwards in the game, just the opportunity to learn from him,” Duclair said. “Huberdeau, Bennett, Tkachuk, guys who make an impact game in and game out. You learn from guys like that.”
As for reuniting with those teammates, Duclair was more than happy he’d be able to do that.
“I know it’s going to be cool to see those guys again.”
As a franchise, Florida really flipped the script three years ago beginning in the 2020-2021 season. From getting into the postseason, to winning the President’s Trophy, and then making it to the Stanley Cup Finals over the course of three years — Anthony Duclair was there for all of it.
“South Florida’s always going to have a special place in my heart. I had a great three years here and I’m just looking forward to tomorrow (Tuesday night).”
https://www.fivereasonssports.com/wp-content/uploads/DUKE.jpg513903Alex Baumgartnerhttps://www.fivereasonssports.com/wp-content/uploads/FiveReasonsWebsiteLogo.svgAlex Baumgartner2023-10-24 02:34:302023-10-24 02:34:30‘South Florida’s always going to have a special place in my heart’: Anthony Duclair returns to Sunrise to face Panthers
The 31-17 loss at Philadelphia was a reality check for the Miami Dolphins and left a sour taste.
It doesn’t have to linger.
Losing on the road in prime time to an Eagles team coming off its first loss of the season wasn’t surprising. Especially given a ridiculously one-sided penalty assessment by the officials that bordered on scandalous.
It wasn’t crippling, though. It was an out-of-conference defeat. The Dolphins woke up Monday holding all the cards in the AFC East, thanks to the Bills’ loss at New England.
What will matter is how they respond to it. Upcoming games in the next month will carry more weight in defining the fate of this season.
Notably, a bounce-back opportunity at home this week against the Patriots followed by the defending Super Bowl champion Chiefs in Germany. The first meeting with the Jets, who defeated these Eagles looms a month away at the Meadowlands.
High-scoring Dolphins humbled
Sunday’s defeat did put Dolphins shortcomings on display to a national audience. Their speed and scheme-driven offense found the going much tougher against a very physical defense.
The Eagles immediately shut down Miami’s league-leading rushing attack, holding it to minus-7 yards in the first half and 45 for the game. They applied more pressure on Tua Tagovailoa than he’s been accustomed to this season and sacked him four times.
This was not, however, a repeat of the humiliation at Buffalo. Though it seemed headed that way until the final drive of the first half when Tua made a remarkable 29-yard completion to Cedrick Wilson, Jr. on third-and-18 and then hit Tyreek Hill streaking past double coverage for a 27-yard touchdown.
The Dolphins were competitive against the defending NFC champions. They showed resiliency in coming back from a 17-3 deficit to pull even despite considerable adversity. They were on the brink of tying it again in the fourth quarter until Tagovailoa made the one regrettable throw of an otherwise commendable performance, tossing up a dying quail that was intercepted.
Tua’s former Alabama teammate Jalen Hurts, with a pass rusher bearing down, launched a 48-yard strike to all-world wide receiver A.J. Brown on the game-sealing touchdown drive and the night belonged to Philadelphia.
O-line health major concern for Dolphins
The Dolphins were left to pick up the pieces. Of greatest concern is the health of the offensive line, which had three backups playing most of the night after left guard Isaiah Wynn went out early with a quad injury. His replacement, Lester Cotton, promptly got flagged for holding that negated a touchdown — borderline penalty compared to some that weren’t called on the Eagles.
The officiating, which led to 10 penalties assessed against the Dolphins and none — that’s zero, zilch — against the home team was a disgrace for the NFL. There should be repercussions, but don’t hold your breath.
Any fans from other teams going to comment on this game I’m just showing them this. No words necessary. pic.twitter.com/qBoZNygrVr
Miami coach Mike McDaniel was wise to avoid addressing what wasn’t called on the Eagles and focus on how the Dolphins hurt their own cause. Beginning with delay of game on their first offensive play and including defenders lining up offside more than once.
Roughing the passer on Christian Wilkins was tacky-tack, but why shove him after the pass was thrown? It was undisciplined, and the Eagles scored their first touchdown two plays later.
“You can’t just point a finger and say that it’s not fair. That doesn’t make any sense to me,” McDaniel said after the game. “It’s more about looking at ourselves, the stuff that we can control, and what things we can clean up in our game.”
Getting some injured offensive linemen back would help with that, notably center Connor Williams. Fill-in Liam Eichenberg struggles to make a clean snap and looks out of place, which he is. He’s never been a center.
Inexplicably, the Dolphins left themselves without a legitimate backup center when they traded veteran Dan Feeney to Chicago for a late-round draft pick.
McDaniel revealed late Monday that Wynn will be out for “weeks.”
McDaniel passively voicing his frustration with the officiating when talking about Tua’s INT:
“I was hoping Raheem could step back and make a play on the ball. He had an issue doing so with apparently what was legal contact down the field.”
McDaniel said, “We weren’t as crisp as usual coming out of the huddle, which always leads to stuff, and we will take a hard look at that in terms of what we are doing and how we are doing it, and make sure that we get better because it definitely wasn’t good enough to win and to beat a football team like that. It was a shame because I thought our defense gave us a definite chance to win with the way they played and made some serious physical plays that were kind of wasted.”
The Dolphins’ defense played a solid game, for the most part. They limited the Eagles to 2.9 yards a carry rushing.
Having Jaelan Phillips back has greatly improved the pass rush. They put some heat on Hurts, forced him to fumble once and caused him to throw a pick-6 to Jerome Baker off a deflection by blitzing Kader Kohou.
Hurts’ ability to escape trouble and make a productive play is why the Eagles QB was an MVP finalist last season. He repeatedly frustrated the Dolphins in that manner despite playing the second half with a brace on his left leg.
The defense was less effective after linebacker David Long Jr. collided with safety Jevon Holland and left the game and wore down in the fourth quarter.
Miami’s defense needs to be better and there is reason to believe it will be with cornerback Jalen Ramsey close to returning. Especially if Xavien Howard, who missed Sunday’s game, can get past his groin injury.
Turns out that Holland, who returned to the game, entered concussion protocol on Monday, but Long is OK, according to McDaniel.
Dolphins shift focus to AFC challenges
McDaniel will try to get his high-flying offense back on track quickly. He indicated that wide receiver Chase Claypool, who was active for the first time Sunday but didn’t get a touch on offense, is ready to contribute at least on a limited package of plays.
Looking further ahead, super rookie running back De’Von Achane is expected to return following the bye in week 10.
Mike McDaniel said he spoke with the team before the game and warned them that if they were to win the game last night they would likely have lofty expectations of being the "best team in football".
And if they were to lose they would be viewed as a team that can't beat good… pic.twitter.com/JaUQrPS86Q
To be sure, Sunday’s defeat felt like so many Dolphins disappointments, going all the way back to the Marino era, of raising expectations only to get slapped down by a top team. To emerge from the pack of pretenders they are going to have to start winning these type of games.
For now, there is no choice but to focus on what comes next — Patriots and Chiefs before the break to regroup.
To be sure, Sunday’s loss hurts, but all is not lost for Miami.
Craig Davis has covered South Florida sports and teams, including the Dolphins, for four decades. Follow him on the site formerly known as Twitter @CraigDavisRuns.
https://www.fivereasonssports.com/wp-content/uploads/tua-hurts-2.jpg394624Craig Davishttps://www.fivereasonssports.com/wp-content/uploads/FiveReasonsWebsiteLogo.svgCraig Davis2023-10-23 18:10:542023-10-23 20:11:31Pressure Point: Defeat stings for Dolphins; what matters is how they respond to it
It was following the 2018 season that Miami Dolphins owner Steve Ross announced he was committing to rebuilding the team from the ground up.
Unlike previous failed efforts this was not intended as a quick fix. Ross made it clear he wasn’t just aiming for a winning record or a playoff appearance, the objective was top of the heap, a Super Bowl victory.
Seems forever ago. But when you look past all the rough patches, missteps, embarrassments and controversies since then, six games into this season the Dolphins really are tracking toward the objective.
Look at the accumulation of talent and the remarkable achievements of coach Mike McDaniel’s state-of-the-art offense led by Tua Tagovailoa on the way to 5-1, and this is what was envisioned. A team capable of winning the big kahuna, right?
Except that there is still a great gulf to cross. Because these Dolphins, for all of their fantasy league dazzle, haven’t won anything significant yet.
Dolphins seek first win of ’23 over top-tier opponent
Which is why this week’s Sunday Night Football showdown at Philadelphia is a massive opportunity for this franchise. The McDaniel era is in need of a signature win. It’s eagerly awaited and about time.
It’s been a hoot watching Tua and Co. run rings around bottom-feeding Broncos, Giants and Panthers. But if Ross’ vision really is ready to bear fruit, no better way to prove it than to do it on the road in prime time against an opponent that went to the Super Bowl last season.
They appear ready for this moment. They lead the NFL in every offensive category worth mentioning. They’re lapping the field in most of them.
Tagovailoa, finally rising above all the criticism and doubts about his ability and health, is on pace to pass for 5,315 yards and 39 touchdowns.
Yet the seemingly unstoppable Dolphins remain suspects. Because the other time they went on the road this season against a playoff-caliber opponent at Buffalo, the Bills stopped them cold. Humbled them by 28 points.
🚨NEW ADP🚨@houtz and I dive into Miami’s Sunday Night Football matchup with the Eagles. Start your weekend with injuries updates, key matchups and much more! https://t.co/aP1RbTbEI2
Although the Dolphins are one of five 5-1 teams, most of the notable power rankings have them outside of the top two — Pro Football Talk and The Athletic are exceptions, both ranking Miami No. 1. Yahoo Sports has the Fins sixth, one spot behind the 4-2 Bills.
It’s fair, considering their head-to-head result, and it’s inconsequential anyway. If you really belong at the top of the heap, prove it. Start beating the best of the best.
The Dolphins have yet to defeat a team that entered this week with a winning record. Their five wins came against teams that are a combined 5-24.
Sunday in Philly is a major test for the high-flying Fins, and the most intriguing matchup of the NFL season so far. It features Tua matching throws with former Alabama teammate Jalen Hurts, who has his own corps of speedy receivers.
The Dolphins and Eagles rank 1-2 in total offense, though Miami holds an edge of more than 100 yards a game (498.7 to 395.0).
Miami’s vulnerability is with a defense that ranks 20th and got steamrolled by the Bills for 414 yards and six touchdowns. The Dolphins have the sixth-worst passer rating (98.9) against and may have to play with their best cover man, Xavier Howard, out or limited by a groin injury.
Mike McDaniel took significant exception when asked if he thought any QB could succeed in this situation:
“I’m about to push this podium over. My answer to that would be who the F cares? I’ve coached a long time and I haven’t seen people do what our guys do.” pic.twitter.com/25R63PYeKN
So it will be up to Tagovailoa to keep Miami’s high-octane offense rolling against the best defense (Eagles ranked ninth) they’ve faced since Buffalo.
That’s the compelling draw for a Sunday night national audience. That and to pick apart any flaw in Tagovailoa’s performance. The referendum on Tua is ongoing, despite the growth he is exhibiting and success he is having in his fourth season.
McDaniel had an appropriately salty response this week to a suggestion that “there are some folks who believe that many quarterbacks … would excel and flourish” in the coach’s creative offensive scheme with an arsenal of elite receivers and backs at his disposal: “My answer to that would be, ‘who the f cares’ because it is a team.”
He went on to say, “It is a team working together, people working together and myself, Tyreek Hill, Tua, cool but what if no one’s blocking anyone? You know what I mean? Like we’re all connected in that way.”
If you want to see what he’s talking about, watch this week’s installment of “The QB School” (see below) highlighting the sophisticated design of McDaniel’s offense in action in last week’s rout of the Panthers.
Former pro quarterback JT O’Sullivan analyzes how the use of deception and presnap motion puts the playmakers in spots to make big-yardage plays and how skillfully Tua makes it all work.
Interesting to see how various plays unfold. On a short touchdown pass to Jaylen Waddle, Tagovailoa actually had a choice of three open receivers. Rolling to his left to avoid an unblocked rusher, he opted for the toughest of the three possible throws and delivered it precisely to Waddle.
Dolphins eager to prove themselves on ‘big platforms’
Can Miami’s “Greatest Show on Surf” produce similar results in a hostile setting against a much tougher opponent?
It’s a question the Dolphins need to answer and the overriding reason to tune in Sunday night.
“I think the bigger thing is that we’re a football team that’s learning to win different ways, finding some balance. And I think a lot of guys are getting better within the respective systems,” McDaniel said this week. “So we’ll be moving forward the way that we would hope, which is with games that matter, on big platforms.”
For Miami, it’s time to turn eye-opening talent into defining wins. It’s the only route to Ross’ Super Bowl vision.
Craig Davis has covered South Florida sports and teams, including the Dolphins, for four decades. Follow him on the site formerly known as Twitter @CraigDavisRuns.
https://www.fivereasonssports.com/wp-content/uploads/tua-wins-new.jpg387509Craig Davishttps://www.fivereasonssports.com/wp-content/uploads/FiveReasonsWebsiteLogo.svgCraig Davis2023-10-21 13:26:412023-10-21 13:26:41Pressure Point: Miami Dolphins aim for much-needed signature win vs. Eagles
SUNRISE — At 27-years-old, Uvis Balinskis didn’t think the chance to play in the NHL would come to light — that was until the Florida Panthers came calling.
Born in Ventspils, Latvia, Balinskis played youth hockey in his home country before moving to Germany in 2013 — joining the Augsburger EV junior program.
Balinskis would spend two years in Germany before he returned to Latvia to play with KHL side Dinamo Riga, and their then farm team HK Riga.
After playing five years for Riga in the Russian leagues, Balinskis made the switch to the Czech ExtraLiga in 2020 — joining HC Litvínov.
Three years in Czechia went by, and Balinskis, now with Czech side Bílí Tygři Liberec, entered the summer of 2023 with his 27th birthday on the horizon.
At this point in his career, it didn’t seem like Balisnkis would leave Europe.
“I didn’t really think I was gonna make the NHL or sign in the NHL in my life anymore,” Balinskis told Five Reasons.
Despite this feeling, the NHL dream wasn’t over just yet.
Over the summer, Balinskis’ fate changed — he would sign a one-year NHL contract with the Panthers.
This past September, Balinskis attended Panthers training camp as a 27-year-old rookie — well, rookie in North America.
The blueline battle at camp had a lot of guys competing for limited open spots, but nonetheless there were jobs to be earned during the preseason.
The first few games of the preseason went by and Balinskis survived the first waves of cuts.
He didn’t necessarily stand out from the pack at the start, but he continued to improve as the camp went on.
Multiple players who were with the organization, and had NHL experience started getting sent down. Yet, the newcomer Balinskis started to climb up the depth chart.
“He built through his camp,” head coach Paul Maurice said about Balinskis after training camp.
Balinskis kept chipping away and eventually got word that he did it. On Oct. 12 he would be making his NHL debut on opening night in Minnesota.
Alongside fellow rookie Mackie Samoskevich, Balinskis hit the ice for the infamous rookie lap — at 27, he made his NHL debut.
“[The] first game was really exciting, fun, I really enjoyed that day,” Balinskis said smiling.
In the early stages of this season Balinskis grabbed his chance on the Panthers’ blueline and ran with it. The coaching staff had high praise for him after his first few games.
“He has not looked remotely out of place in his game… some of the things he tries, he’s got a little risk to his game and I’m not talking about foolish risks,” Maurice said. “He would be the biggest surprise of camp for us.”
The Latvian defenseman plays a fast, and physical game. He’ll throw the body, jump up into the play and as Maurice said, he’s not afraid to take risks.
Balinskis is enjoying his time as Panther, an opportunity that he didn’t think would be there at this stage in his hockey career.
He’s living every hockey player’s dream — the NHL dream.
“Everyday I just feel better and I think my game is also getting better,” he said. “Just being here and making the NHL, [my] first game, everything is exciting about this.”
https://www.fivereasonssports.com/wp-content/uploads/Uvis.png13341910Alex Baumgartnerhttps://www.fivereasonssports.com/wp-content/uploads/FiveReasonsWebsiteLogo.svgAlex Baumgartner2023-10-19 17:07:282023-10-19 17:19:02Panthers’ rookie Uvis Balinskis cherishing his NHL opportunity
Despite the Miami Heat striking out on Damian Lillard and folding on Bradley Beal, the next best alternative is not seeking the services of the man who has had a problem almost everywhere he’s been.
James Harden’s behavior perpetually plummets his attractiveness to any organization. At this point, it apparently means little that he is number three all-time in three-point makes, a former MVP, and a seven-time All-NBAer. Could it be, this time, that not even one team out there has convinced themselves that the Beard’s disruptions and shrinking in big moments are exactly what they need?
Yes.
President of basketball ops Daryl Morey has scared away suitors, demanding an exuberant return relative to his disgruntled employee’s talents. But Harden likely did more damage to his cause, engaging in a futile scorched earth tactic that only works when you’re still at the top. Last time I checked, he’s not as fast or impactful through residence at the free throw line as he used to be. If anyone brings it up to him, he’ll lean on old faithful: “Next question.”
The Los Angeles Clippers reportedly don’t want to part with Terance Mann, a quality role player, in an exchange. This should say enough about others not wanting to put up with an aging headache in spite of him being a slight upgrade on the court. Even with Caleb Martin being eligible for an opt-out in a year, including him with other assets/players is not worth it for the Miami Heat because Harden can’t switch and contain multiple positions. Tyler Herro? Get real. Nobody is trading a nice player on the come-up for a lease.
Additionally, Harden’s catch and shoot frequency (12.8%) is nearly half of Tyler Herro’s (25.4), on a marginally higher percentage.
But Heat Culture can change him…
Oh yea? Did this culture, when it was the mystique for the Purple and Gold, change Maurice Lucas on the ‘86 Lakers? Nope. He was all about himself and believed he was so much better than he was at the time. Like Harden today.
If Pat Riley got upset at Byron Scott’s marriage during All-Star weekend, fearing it was a distraction to his team (per Jeff Pearlman, author of Showtime: Magic, Kareem, Riley and the Los Angeles Lakers Dynasty of the 1980s), it’s beyond reasoning that he’d be elated to bring in the peep show enthusiast when everybody today has a portable camera. Harden should have been born 40 years sooner to play on Pat‘s teams.
Has anyone forgotten what Kevin McHale, his former coach, said fairly recently about Harden’s interest level after getting benched in a Playoff win against the Clippers in 2015? “The next year he came to camp, he was fat and didn’t feel like playing, and I got fired [11] games into the season.”
I’ll admit, Harden used to be damned good. In the three seasons he logged over 30 a night, he was playing a shockingly high amount of iso ball and embarrassing defenders. It’s an impossible style to win with because the offense becomes painfully predictable with a lack of ball and player movement. But for those few years, he was as good as a solo act got in the league.
Buyer beware: that guy is never coming back unless he gets traded to NBA Siberia and hijacks the operation.
Last season, Harden led all players in assists (10.7) at age 33. It’s pretty impressive, regardless of playing with the MVP Joel Embiid. But then the 76ers met up with the Boston Celtics, and he played scared in Game 7. He passed up open looks from close-to-mid range and sparsely contributed nine points on three of 11 shots, with seven assists and five turnovers. For the year, his effective field goal percentage was 53.6. In the Playoffs, it dropped to 47.8%.
This man badly wants to escape from the team with the MVP and a new championship coach. It’s unreasonable to think he is serious about winning.
https://www.fivereasonssports.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG_3422.jpg11322195Mateo Mayorgahttps://www.fivereasonssports.com/wp-content/uploads/FiveReasonsWebsiteLogo.svgMateo Mayorga2023-10-19 09:12:292023-10-19 09:19:13Mateo’s Hoop Diary: The Miami Heat should avoid James Harden
