Butler pasiklab ng triple double
ITINUMBA ng smiling assassin ng Heat sina Lakers superstars LeBron James at Anthony Davis sa Game 3 ng NBA Finals Linggo ng gabi sa Orlando bubble. The post Butler pasiklab ng triple double first appeared on Abante......»»
Rice imports as of mid-March 886,963 MT
The country’s rice imports as of mid-March have surpassed the total volume recorded in the entire first quarter of last year by a double-digit rate, to over 880,000 metric tons, government data showed......»»
Andales cancels IBF world title fight in Japan
CEBU CITY, Philippines — Filipino ArAr Andales reportedly withdrew from his world title bout on March 31 in Nagoya, Japan. Andales was scheduled to fight the reigning International Boxing Federation (IBF) world minimumweight champion, Ginjiro Shigeoka of Japan. Their world title duel was supposedly a double-header world title bout with fellow Filipino Melvin Jerusalem gunning.....»»
Addressing the Philippines’ 2024 Threat Landscape: Kaspersky Launches KUMA Platform
To help Filipino businesses and organizations stay safe in cyberspace while embracing digitalization, Kaspersky announces today the launch of Kaspersky Unified Monitoring and Analysis Platform (KUMA), its integrated software solution that includes a set of functions for security information and event monitoring and management. The Philippines is expected to continue its double-digit growth towards $35B […].....»»
The ‘Dune: Part Two’ cast on costumes, politics, and veils
'Dune' stars Zendaya, Timothee Chalamet, Austin Butler, and Florence Pugh share their thoughts on making the epic sci-fi film.....»»
Too heated: Butler, 3 others ejected as tempers flare in Heat-Pelicans duel
Heat star Jimmy Butler and three other players get thrown out following a brawl during an emotional Heat-Pelicans battle.....»»
Jimmy Butler ejected in 4th-quarter scuffle but not before helping Heat top Pelicans 106-95
Jimmy Butler ejected in 4th-quarter scuffle but not before helping Heat top Pelicans 106-95.....»»
Jimmy Butler serves up 16th triple-double as Heat top Wemby, Spurs
In a game featuring statistical oddities, Heat star Jimmy Butler racks up the numbers against rookie sensation Victor Wembanyama and the Spurs.....»»
Jimmy Butler returns from 7-game absence, guides Heat past Nets in overtime thriller
Jimmy Butler scored 31 points in a successful return from a sprained toe and hit the go-ahead free throws with.....»»
Gerard Butler to reprise ‘How to Train Your Dragon’ role for live-action remake
Scottish actor Gerard Butler will be reprising his role from "How to Train Your Dragon" in the animated film's upcoming live-action remake......»»
Butler scores 36 as Heat down Nets
Jimmy Butler erupted for 36 points and steered the red-hot Miami Heat to a win over the Brooklyn Nets, 122-115, in their NBA clash Friday morning (Manila time.).....»»
Gazans await ‘life and death’ aid, Israel readies invasion
Thousands of tonnes of "life and death" aid for Gaza should be delivered soon, the United Nations said Friday, to relieve a "beyond catastrophic" situation after unrelenting Israeli bombing in response to an unprecedented Hamas attack. Some 175 lorries stuffed with vital medicines, food, and water stretched into the distance at the Rafah crossing with Egypt, which has removed concrete roadblocks and is scrambling to repair the route into besieged Gaza -- the only one not controlled by Israel. Overseeing operations personally, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres told reporters: "These trucks are not just trucks, they are a lifeline, they are the difference between life and death for so many people in Gaza." Israel has vowed to destroy Hamas after the Islamist militant group launched a shock raid from the Gaza Strip on October 7, killing at least 1,400 people, mostly civilians shot, mutilated or burned to death, according to Israeli officials. Hamas gunmen also kidnapped some 200 hostages including foreigners from around two dozen countries. The Islamist group said Friday that its armed wing had released two Americans among the captives, a mother and her daughter, the first fruit of mediation efforts by the Gulf state of Qatar. The Islamist group did not detail how or when the hostages were released. The Israeli military said earlier Friday that most of those abducted to Gaza were still alive. It said more than 20 were minors. In response to the Hamas attack, Israeli bombers have levelled entire city blocks in Gaza in preparation for a ground invasion they say is coming soon. The Hamas-run health ministry said 4,137 Palestinians, mostly civilians, have died in the onslaught. Israeli jets pounded more than 100 Hamas targets in Gaza overnight, the army said, with AFP reporters hearing loud explosions and witnessing plumes of smoke billowing from the northern Gaza Strip. Embracing front-line soldiers and clad in body armour, Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu urged them to "fight like lions" and "win with full force". Fists clenched and voice raised, Netanyahu told cheering troops: "We will deal harsh blows to our enemies in order to achieve victory." Defence Minister Yoav Gallant told some of the tens of thousands of personnel preparing the ground invasion that "the order will come soon". 'Beyond catastrophic' US President Joe Biden said Friday he expected the first aid for Gaza to pass through the Rafah crossing from Egypt within the next two days, under a deal he clinched to allow in 20 trucks of supplies for civilians. Medicine, water purifiers and blankets were being unloaded at El Arish airport near Gaza, an AFP reporter saw, with Ahmed Ali, head of the Egyptian Red Crescent, saying he was getting "two to three planes of aid a day". But World Health Organization emergencies director Michael Ryan said Biden's 20-truck deal was "a drop in the ocean of need" and that 2,000 trucks were required. The UN says more than one million of Gaza's 2.4 million people are displaced, with the humanitarian situation "beyond catastrophic" and deteriorating daily. Refugees from northern Gaza told harrowing tales of bombs, profiteering and extreme temperatures as whole families trekked on foot to flee the violence. Mother of seven Fadwa Al-Najjar walked for 10 hours with her family from northern Gaza to reach a UN camp in the southern city of Khan Yunis, saying she saw cars hit by a strike just in front of them. "We saw bodies and limbs torn off and we just started praying, thinking we were going to die," she said. 'It's unimaginable' On the other side of the conflict, the full horror of what Israel suffered on October 7 and following days was still emerging, as traumatised residents recounted their stories. Shachar Butler, a security chief at the Nir Oz kibbutz, where Hamas militants killed or kidnapped a quarter of the 400 residents, recalls more than a dozen gunmen spraying bullets indiscriminately and lobbing grenades at homes. "It's unimaginable," the 40-year-old told AFP as part of a trip organised by the Israeli military. "Anytime someone tried to touch my window, I shot him," he said. "The people who came out got kidnapped, killed, executed, slaughtered." Butler estimated as many as 200 militants attacked the kibbutz, entering from three sides before going house-to-house. Homes there were still charred with burnt personal belongings strewn everywhere. Israel says around 1,500 Hamas fighters were killed in clashes before its army regained control. 'No safe place' Biden requested a massive $105 billion security package Friday, including $14 billion for Israel, but paralysis in the still speakerless Congress means it will hit an immediate wall. Fresh from a whirlwind trip to Israel this week, Biden is hoping to staunch the possibility of a wider Middle East war. The United States has moved two aircraft carriers into the eastern Mediterranean to deter Iran or Lebanon's Hezbollah, both Hamas allies, from getting involved. After days of clashes with Hezbollah fighters along the Lebanese border, Israeli authorities announced the evacuation of Kiryat Shmona, a nearby town which is home to some 25,000 residents, many of whom have already left. The conflict has inflamed passions across the region, with protests held in several countries. Thousands flooded into Egypt's iconic Tahrir Square in support of Gaza, an AFP correspondent said. Protests were also held outside the French and US embassies in Tunis. Following a strike at a church compound late Thursday, the Hamas-controlled interior ministry said several people sheltering at the church were killed and wounded, blaming an Israeli strike. The Israeli army acknowledged a church wall had been damaged in one of its air strikes targeting a "command and control centre belonging to a Hamas terrorist". "This place is dedicated for praying, a place of love and peace," said witness Abu Khalil Jahshan. "There is no safe place here in Gaza." The post Gazans await ‘life and death’ aid, Israel readies invasion appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Jimmy Butler’s new look: Even the Miami Heat were surprised by it
MIAMI— Jimmy Butler had a new look for Media Day, and the NBA world immediately took notice. The Miami Heat forward arrived for the team’s first official day of work this season with piercings — eye, lip and nose — along with a new hairstyle and his fingernails painted black. It’s become a trend of.....»»
Prigozhin Circus comes to town
There are those who rise to the occasion in high-stakes geopolitics, displaying strategic brilliance and unwavering determination. Then there are those, such as Yevgeny Prigozhin and his longtime friend Vladimir Putin, who stumble through their power plays like bumbling neighborhood bullies caught off guard. The recent “mutiny” of Prigozhin’s Wagner mercenary group against Putin is a farce, a feeble attempt to save face as Russia and Wagner crumble under the weight of their failed war against Ukraine. To be honest, expecting Prigozhin, the opportunistic chameleon, to lead a genuine revolt against his fellow mobster Putin would be naivete. Prigozhin, who was once known for his culinary skills, has ditched his caterer’s hat in favor of a toy soldier’s beret, believing himself to be a military strategist. Nonetheless, his track record on the sidelines of previous and current Putin wars reveals nothing but incompetence and self-interest. That “mutiny” is nothing more than Prigozhin running away from Ukraine with his tail tucked between his legs. And the funny thing is that Putin lapped it all up from his former quasi-butler. While Prigozhin’s threat to depose Putin was clearly a bluff, the fact that Putin overreacted and declared virtual martial law in Russia indicates that the once-astute leader has lost touch with reality. Ukraine, under President Volodymyr Zelensky, has dealt Putin and his cronies one crushing defeat after another on the battlefield. Putin’s vulnerability is exposed, and his overreaction reveals a panic within the Kremlin’s walls. Everything considered, the Putin-Prigozhin intramural only serves to highlight the absurdity of these two clowns and vindicates the countries that are supporting Ukraine’s fight against Russian aggression, including NATO and European Union members. They’ve recognized the bluster and bravado of these neighborhood bullies and have wisely chosen to provide Ukraine with weapons, training, and other assistance. For students of history, the recent events in Russia bring to mind Winston Churchill’s famous quote, “Russia is a riddle wrapped in a mystery inside an enigma.” Churchill delivered that statement on 1 October 1939 on the radio on whether then-Soviet Russia would join World War 2, which had just broken out. The UK Prime Minister was, of course, referring to the Soviet Union’s unpredictable and often contradictory foreign policy, while suggesting that the Soviet Union’s actions were ultimately motivated by its own national interests, rather than by any ideological or moral principles. Churchill would be proven right, as the Soviet Union would only join the last global war on 22 June 1941 — only after Nazi Germany invaded and used the Molotov-Ribbentrop non-aggression pact between them to wipe the Führer’s backside. But enough digression. The riddle has been solved with Putin and Prigozhin: They’re simply jokesters, stumbling and fumbling their way through their own follies. It’s no surprise that the rest of the world is simultaneously amused and perplexed by their antics. Prigozhin’s dramatic exit from Russia without being charged adds another twist to this tragicomedy. His forces took control of a key army headquarters, threatened the capital, and then abruptly reversed course to purportedly avoid bloodshed in Moscow. Residents were cheering and chanting “Wagner! Wagner!” outside the military headquarters they had captured, demonstrating the absurdity of the situation. While publicly remaining neutral, the United States and its allies are acutely aware of the potential consequences of this Barnum and Bailey show. President Joe Biden’s meetings with the leaders of France, Germany, and the United Kingdom highlight concerns that Putin’s grip on the nuclear-armed country is slipping. Russia’s foreign ministry, on the other hand, had issued a stern warning to the US and its allies, claiming that the rebellion plays into the hands of Russia’s external enemies. Whatever. Amid all this, Ukraine is reveling in the chaos that has engulfed its long-time adversary amid this political theater. According to President Zelensky’s aide, Prigozhin humiliated Putin and demonstrated that, in Russia, “there is no longer a monopoly on violence.” Ukraine is now seeing a golden opportunity to ratchet up its counter-offensive against Russian invaders, buoyed by the vulnerabilities exposed within the Russian regime. Zelensky had been mocked as a B-movie actor playing the role of a President. Okay, that’s a matter of opinion. There’s no debate, though, of Putin and his “frenemy” Prigozhin being pathetic comedians whose jokes are flat and are on them. Still, we’re all captive audiences in this Putin-Prigozhin sitcom. The post Prigozhin Circus comes to town appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
‘Warm as the sun’: Pangulasian illuminated
Among the four island resorts under the El Nido Resorts umbrella, Pangulasian stands out for its luxury concept. This property in Bacuit Bay shares the resort group’s ecological vein, but each has its own particular lure. Apulit Island in Taytay is deemed the “adventure” destination in an idyllic setting; Miniloc in El Nido is the “discovery” place for activity-filled holidays; and Lagen Island is the “sanctuary,” made distinct for its “lush, four-hectare forest and calm, shallow lagoon.” While travelers may opt for their own kind of vacations — and at a time when custom travel itineraries are the rage — the enduring appeal of island getaways will always be in most bucket lists. The Philippines offers a mélange of island resorts, but in the realm of true luxury, just a handful may be considered — among them, Pangulasian. El Nido Resorts’ Mags Bautista, senior marketing and communications manager, tells Daily Tribune more about this island destination. [caption id="attachment_140326" align="aligncenter" width="525"] BEDROOM suite.[/caption] Daily Tribune (DT): What makes Pangulasian distinct among other island resorts? Mags Bautista (MB): Pangulasian Island delivers luxury Filipino hospitality designed to match the stunning natural beauty of its setting in the Managed Resource Protected Area of El Nido-Taytay. It brings together sustainable practices and world-class comfort to offer naturally immersive experiences with its 750-meter stretch of white-sand beach, a house reef teeming with marine life, and a spectacular view of the sunrise and sunset — it definitely stays true to its local moniker as the “Island of the Sun.” For accommodations, it has a total of 42 contemporary Filipino villas built sustainably with cutting-edge “green” design. [caption id="attachment_140325" align="aligncenter" width="525"] PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY OF REBY TRINIDAD | FROLICKING along the 750-meter white sand at Pangulasian.[/caption] PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY OF REBY TRINIDAD | FROLICKING along the 750-meter white sand at Pangulasian. DT: Would you say Pangulasian is the most luxurious resort in the Philippines? Why? MB: No. While there are other resorts that have superior facilities and amenities, Pangulasian takes pride in its excellent customer relations. Guests always come back to the resort because of the hospitality of the staff that, you could say, is “warm as the sun.” The workforce brings in unparalleled efforts and dedication to ensure that guests have a truly memorable and enjoyable stay. DT: What can you say about the amenities, facilities of Pangulasian? Any special services given to guests — personal butler, dine by the beach, room service? MB: Although the resort does not have butler service, it offers room service from 8 a.m. until 10 p.m. The resort also offers private lunches outside Pangulasian and private dinners within the resort. Happy hour at the pool bar from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. [caption id="attachment_140327" align="aligncenter" width="525"] Pangulasian’s team takes extra care to provide a truly meaningful guest experience.[/caption] DT: What makes the food and beverage at Pangulasian special? MB: Staying true to our commitment to sustainability, we source many of our products locally, importing internationally only to provide the occasional familiar option for international guests who would like a bit of a taste of home. We commit to support local suppliers with an emphasis on sustainable development. The resort offers unique drinks such as our signature thirst-quenching Tropical Spice, blended Watermelon, and Mango Ginger drink. Guests will also enjoy our very own Pangulasian Sunrise made with hand-squeezed dalandan juice paired with premium tequila. [caption id="attachment_140330" align="aligncenter" width="525"] STEAK with asparagus and potato slices.[/caption] DT: Are there any dishes that are a must-try for guests? MB: Absolutely! Our head chef recommends the following set of dishes: Starting with Ensaladang Talong soup; Tomato and Shrimp for the main course; US Angus Rib eye with Pangulasian Bistek sauce; and Baguna Calamansi pie for the dessert. DT: How about the beach and sports/water activities? Some say the waters are better for activities like snorkeling rather than swimming. Would you agree? MB: Though nestled in the protected marine seascape of El Nido, guests of Pangulasian can enjoy various water activities. Through the regular island-hopping tours, guests can engage in kayaking, snorkeling and swimming activities all across Bacuit Bay to better appreciate the beauty of El Nido. The crystal-clear waters with its sustainably managed house reefs make El Nido a good spot for snorkeling and diving. We also offer more immersive activities like the mangrove cruise in Aberawan, bottom fishing with the local fishermen, and the hiking trail through the forest of Pangulasian. DT: What do most guests like to do at the resort? MB: Guests, mostly foreigners, are fascinated by El Nido’s big and small lagoons, its pristine beaches with crystal clear waters, and of course, its stunning limestone rock formations. As such, Pangulasian guests always look forward to hop on the daily complimentary island tours and join the morning snorkeling to see the coral reefs and spot some black-tip reef sharks. DT: How does one get to Pangulasian? What does the resort do to make guests feel relaxed and comfortable getting there? MB: Airswift offers daily flights from Manila to El Nido, Palawan. Travel time is approximately one hour long. Guests are welcomed by one of Pangulasian’s tour guides upon arrival at the airport. They are then transported to the Jetty Lounge for refreshments and a bathroom break. After which, a 30-minute boat ride takes guests across the Bacuit Bay to Pangulasian Island Resort. DT: What makes a stay worth the splurge for guests of the resort? MB: As what most people would say, “Money can’t buy happiness,” but here in Pangulasian, the island team takes extra care to provide a truly meaningful guest experience — all the way from their arrival at Lio airport, to their festive welcome at the resort, through guided tours and activities, and up until we bring them back to the airport for their departure. With its spacious villas, its local and international selection of dishes, and island tours and activities, the team strives to deliver on the promise of excellent service and hospitality. The post ‘Warm as the sun’: Pangulasian illuminated appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Nuggets cancel flight plan to Boston
Cancel that flight plan, Denver. Turns out, the NBA Finals are starting in the Mile High City after all. And Jimmy Butler was proven right......»»
Boston makes Miami feel heat
LOS ANGELES (AFP) — Boston poured in 16 three-pointers in a dominant 110-97 victory over the Miami Heat on Thursday that kept the Celtics alive in the National Basketball Association championship chase. For the second straight game, the Celtics fended off elimination, cutting the deficit in the best-of-seven Eastern Conference finals to 3-2 with the wire-to-wire triumph. Miami will get another chance to close it out when they host game six on Saturday. The Celtics will be trying to take one more step toward becoming the first NBA team to rally from a 3-0 deficit to win a best-of-seven playoff series. “The only thing that can stop us is us,” Celtics forward Jaylen Brown said in an on-court interview. Before a rapturous, raucous crowd at TD Garden in Boston, the Celtics looked every inch the favorites they were before the series started — before the upstart eighth-seeded Heat grabbed the first two games in Boston, then embarrassed the second seeds in game three. Four Celtics starters scored more than 20 points, with Derrick White leading the way with 24 on a night when he made six of eight attempts from three-point range. “Got some good looks and was able to knock them down, and just kind of rolled with it,” said White, who said the Heat’s defensive focus on Brown and fellow star wing Jayson Tatum gave him more room to operate. Marcus Smart added 23 and had five steals while Brown and Tatum scored 21 apiece. More importantly, the energetic Celtics harried the Heat into 16 turnovers that led to 27 Boston points. They had 17 second-chance points compared to Miami’s seven. “Tonight we were the tougher playing team,” Brown said. “We set the tone from start to finish.” Boston was locked in on both ends of the floor from the opening tip-off, roaring to a 23-7 lead in a matter of minutes. After Tatum was whistled for a technical foul with 8:43 in the first quarter, the Celtics responded with three consecutive three-pointers. Tatum scored 12 points in the first quarter and Brown took over with 12 in the second. Meanwhile, Heat talisman Jimmy Butler struggled to get going, scoring eight points in the first half and finishing with 14 — his lowest-scoring game of the playoffs. He sat out most of the fourth quarter. Duncan Robinson led the Heat with 18 points off the bench. Bam Adebayo scored 16 points but coughed up six turnovers. Kyle Lowry starting at point guard after Gabe Vincent was ruled out with a sprained ankle, scored five points with four turnovers. “We’ve just got to play better,” Butler said. “Start the game off better, on the starters, make it more difficult for them. “They are in a rhythm since the beginning of the game,” Butler added. “But we are always going to stay positive, knowing that we can and we will win this series. We’ll just have to close it out at home.” Butler said the Heat allowed their shooting struggles to affect their defensive intensity. “But that’s easily correctable,” he said. “You just have to come out and play harder from the jump.” The Heat, who won the NBA title in 2006, 2012 and 2013, still only need one more win to reach a seventh NBA Finals. Boston, whose 17 NBA titles are tied with the Los Angeles Lakers for the most in history, last won it all in 2008 and came up short in last season’s championship series against the Golden State Warriors. The winners of the series will play the Western Conference champion Denver Nuggets, who swept the Lakers in four games to reach the NBA Finals for the first time. White said the Celtics expect a formidable challenge in Miami on Saturday. “The crowd is going to be in it. It’s not going to be easy,” he said. “It’s going to take 48 minutes of battling, scratching, clawing, and we’ve got to find a way to win.” Heat coach Erik Spoelstra was unconcerned that two big defeats had demoralized his team. “Who cares about mood?” Spoelstra said. “We have a gnarly group. It’s a competitive series. You always expect things to be challenging in the conference finals.” The post Boston makes Miami feel heat appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Celtics pummel Heat to keep NBA title hopes alive
Boston poured in 16 three-pointers in a dominant 110-97 victory over the Miami Heat on Thursday that kept the Celtics alive in the NBA championship chase. For the second straight game, the Celtics fended off elimination, cutting the deficit in the best-of-seven Eastern Conference finals to 3-2 with the wire-to-wire triumph. Miami will get another chance to close it out when they host game six on Saturday. The Celtics will be trying to take one more step toward becoming the first NBA team to rally from a 3-0 deficit to win a best-of-seven playoff series. "The only thing that can stop us is us," Celtics forward Jaylen Brown said in an on-court interview. Before a rapturous, raucous crowd at TD Garden in Boston, the Celtics looked every inch the favorites they were before the series started -- before the upstart eighth-seeded Heat grabbed the first two games in Boston, then embarrassed the second seeds in game three. Four Celtics starters scored more than 20 points, with Derrick White leading the way with 24 on a night when he made six of eight attempts from three-point range. "Got some good looks and was able to knock them down, and just kind of rolled with it," said White, who said the Heat's defensive focus on Brown and fellow star wing Jayson Tatum gave him more room to operate. Marcus Smart added 23 and had five steals while Brown and Tatum scored 21 apiece. More importantly, the energetic Celtics harried the Heat into 16 turnovers that led to 27 Boston points. They had 17 second-chance points compared to Miami's seven. "Tonight we were the tougher playing team," Brown said. "We set the tone from start to finish." Boston was locked in on both ends of the floor from the opening tip-off, roaring to a 23-7 lead in a matter of minutes. After Tatum was whistled for a technical foul with 8:43 in the first quarter, the Celtics responded with three consecutive three-pointers. Tatum scored 12 points in the first quarter and Brown took over with 12 in the second. Meanwhile, Heat talisman Jimmy Butler struggled to get going, scoring eight points in the first half and finishing with 14 -- his lowest-scoring game of the playoffs. He sat out most of the fourth quarter. Duncan Robinson led the Heat with 18 points off the bench. Bam Adebayo scored 16 points but coughed up six turnovers. Kyle Lowry starting at point guard after Gabe Vincent was ruled out with a sprained ankle, scored five points with four turnovers. "We've just got to play better," Butler said. "Start the game off better, on the starters, make it more difficult for them. "They are in a rhythm since the beginning of the game," Butler added. "But we are always going to stay positive, knowing that we can and we will win this series. We'll just have to close it out at home." Butler said the Heat allowed their shooting struggles to affect their defensive intensity. "But that's easily correctable," he said. "You just have to come out and play harder from the jump." The Heat, who won the NBA title in 2006, 2012 and 2013, still only need one more win to reach a seventh NBA Finals. Boston, whose 17 NBA titles are tied with the Los Angeles Lakers for the most in history, last won it all in 2008 and came up short in last season's championship series against the Golden State Warriors. The winners of the series will play the Western Conference champion Denver Nuggets, who swept the Lakers in four games to reach the NBA Finals for the first time. White said the Celtics expect a formidable challenge in Miami on Saturday. "The crowd is going to be in it. It's not going to be easy," he said. "It's going to take 48 minutes of battling, scratching, clawing, and we've got to find a way to win." Heat coach Erik Spoelstra was unconcerned that two big defeats had demoralized his team. "Who cares about mood?" Spoelstra said. "We have a gnarly group. It's a competitive series. You always expect things to be challenging in the conference finals." The post Celtics pummel Heat to keep NBA title hopes alive appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Heat on brink of NBA Finals after 128-102 win over Celtics
The Miami Heat knocked the stuffing out of the Boston Celtics on Sunday, powering to a 128-102 victory to take a 3-0 stranglehold on the NBA Eastern Conference finals. The Heat, who host game four on Tuesday, are one win away from reaching the NBA Finals against either the Denver Nuggets or Los Angeles Lakers. The Celtics meanwhile are battling the weight of history -- no NBA team has rallied from 0-3 down to win a best-of-seven playoff series. Heat talisman Jimmy Butler could afford a relatively quiet 16-point night as point guard Gabe Vincent led the way, connecting on 11 of 14 shots from the field, including six of nine from three-point range, on the way to a game-high 29 points. Duncan Robinson added 22 points off the bench for Miami, who are vying to become just the second eighth-seeded team -- after the 1999 New York Knicks -- to reach the NBA Finals. Unlike in their first two wins of the series in Boston, there would be no need for the Heat to claw back a double-digit deficit. In front of a pumped-up crowd at Kaseya Center in Miami, the Heat dominated, Boston unable to build on an early three-point lead in the face of a total team effort from the hosts on both ends of the floor. "I don't know if 'surprised' is the word," Vincent said of the lopsided result. "We played well tonight. We defended. We made shots. We forced them into turnovers." "The next game, the mentality is to come out and compete at a high level, defend, try to make the right read every time offensively and just play good basketball. "It's the first to four games. We are not satisfied with three." Boston star Jayson Tatum scored 14 points and Jaylen Brown added 12, but Tatum made just one of his seven three-point attempts and Brown missed all seven of his as the Celtics connected on just 11 of their 42 three-point attempts. Miami made 19 three-pointers on 39 attempts, connecting on 46 of their 81 shots overall. "As you can tell, the rim was as big as the ocean for everybody," said Miami center Bam Adebayo, who thrilled the crowd with a pair of alley oop dunks and a spin around Brown for a one-handed slam on the way to 13 points. "(We were) making the extra pass, making the right pass and everybody played together." Caleb Martin scored 18 points off the bench for Miami. Max Strus chipped in 10 and the Heat didn't miss a beat when veteran Kevin Love departed after less than five minutes with an ankle injury. The Heat closed a fast-paced, physical first quarter on a 9-2 scoring run to lead 30-22 and pushed their lead to as many as 22 points in the second quarter. Boston managed to cut the gap, but with the Celtics again struggling from three-point range and with turnovers, Miami's 61-46 halftime lead represented the biggest halftime deficit faced by Boston this post-season. There would be no re-set for the Celtics in the third quarter. They had managed to trim the deficit to 12 early in the second half, but Miami out-scored them 32-17 to take a 93-63 lead into the fourth. Tatum and Brown combined for just three baskets in the third, Miami's dominance evident on back-to-back Boston possessions midway through the period when Adebayo blocked Tatum's shot on one and Martin came up with a steal to set up a Strus three-pointer. The shell-shocked Celtics went more than three minutes in the period without scoring. "I don't even know where to start," Brown said. "I feel like we let our fan base, organization down, we let ourselves down, and it was collective. We could point fingers, but in reality, it was just embarrassing." Boston's first-year coach Joe Mazzulla, who took the helm after Ime Udoka was abruptly suspended before the season for an improper workplace relationship, took the blame for the Celtics' disjointed performance. "I just didn't have them ready to play," Mazzulla said. "Whether it was the starting lineup or it was an adjustment, I have to get them in a better place ready to play, and that's on me." The post Heat on brink of NBA Finals after 128-102 win over Celtics appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Butler brilliance as Miami stun Boston
Jimmy Butler led a fourth-quarter fightback as the Miami Heat stunned the Boston Celtics 111-105 to take a 2-0 lead in their NBA Eastern Conference finals series on Friday. Miami talisman Butler finished with 27 points as the eighth seeds grabbed a second straight victory at Boston's TD Garden to leave the Celtics with a mountain to climb if they are to reach the NBA finals. Miami had trailed by 11 points early in the fourth quarter and the Celtics led by as much as nine with under seven minutes of the final frame remaining. But Butler led a sensational 20-9 Miami run in the final minutes of the fourth quarter that turned the game on its head and leaves his team just two wins away from returning to the NBA finals as the best-of-seven series heads to Miami for games three and four. "We got some dogs, and I love it, I love every bit of it," an elated Butler said during an on-court interview after the Miami win. "Guys never quit, guys never give up, we love playing with one another -- we got so much faith and trust in one another." Nine of Butler's 27 points came during the fourth-quarter rally, with the Miami star seemingly fired up after an angry nose-to-nose exchange with Boston's Grant Williams midway through the fourth quarter. At that stage in the game, Boston led 96-89, but Miami launched a devastating late run that turned the contest decisively in favor of the Heat. "Just healthy competition, and I love it," Butler said afterwards of his exchange with Williams. "I'm always here to compete, I like to talk at times, as long as we get the win I'm good with it though." Butler received offensive support from Caleb Martin with 25 points off the bench, while Bam Adebayo delivered another all-round effort with 22 points, 16 rebounds and nine assists. Duncan Robinson added 15 points from the bench including three three-pointers. A shellshocked Boston meanwhile were left reflecting on another shattering defeat at home despite 34 points from Jayson Tatum. Jaylen Brown finished with 16 points but had a wayward shooting night, making only 7-of-23 from the field, while Robert Williams III and Malcolm Brogdon had 13 points apiece. Game three takes place in Miami on Sunday. The post Butler brilliance as Miami stun Boston appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Embiid, Giannis, Doncic, Tatum named to All-NBA First Team
NBA Most Valuable Player Joel Embiid of Philadelphia, Milwaukee's Giannis Antetokounmpo, Dallas star Luka Doncic and Boston's Jayson Tatum were among those named Wednesday to the All-NBA First Team. The elite squad, among three chosen in voting by a global media panel, also included Oklahoma City's Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. Greek star Antetokounmpo, a two-time NBA MVP, was the only unanimous first-team selection with 100 votes and 500 points and was joined among forwards by US standout Tatum, who was second with 98 votes and 484 points. Embiid, the star big man from Cameroon, was named to his first All-NBA First Team with 87 first-team votes and 474 total points. Canadian guard Gilgeous-Alexander had 63 first-team votes and 407 points to 60 first-team ballots and 403 points for Slovenian guard Doncic. It marked the first first-team selections for Embiid and Gilgeous-Alexander, the second for Tatum, the fourth for Doncic and the fifth for Antetokounmpo. The All-NBA Second Team included Denver center Nikola Jokic, a two-time NBA MVP from Serbia; guards Stephen Curry of Golden State and Donovan Mitchell of Cleveland and forwards Jimmy Butler of Miami and Jaylen Brown of Boston. The All-NBA Third Team included Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James, New York forward Julius Randle, Portland guard Damian Lillard and two Sacramento Kings -- guard De'Aaron Fox and Lithuanian center Domantas Sabonis. Four-time MVP and four-time champion James, who became the NBA's all-time leading scorer in his 20th NBA campaign, was among the 15 honor selections for the 19th time in his career with his third nod to the third team after 13 first-team and three second-team selections. Curry was among the All-NBA squads for the ninth time in his career, four times on the first team and four more on the second. Jokic and Butler were each among the 15 elite players for the fifth time. Jokic has had three first-team spots while Butler has never been on the top unit. Lillard was in the All-NBA group for the seventh time in his career. He made the top squad once and the second team four times. The post Embiid, Giannis, Doncic, Tatum named to All-NBA First Team appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»