The Miami Heat return to the hardwood tomorrow night, again at the AAA, against the Memphis Grizzlies. The Grizzlies are a very tough team, and have been adjusting to life after trading their best player, Rudy Gay, for salary reasons. Memphis comes into Miami riding an eight-game winning streak, while Miami has won 12 in a row, the second-longest winning streak in team history. Friday’s game will be televised on Sun Sports and ESPN. The Heat will then hit the road for games on Sunday afternoon in New York against the Knicks, Monday night in Minneapolis against the Minnesota Timberwolves, and Wednesday in Orlando against the Magic.
TODAY’S TRIVIA QUESTION: LeBron James is well on his way to capturing his fourth MVP award in the last five years. Two-part question today:
1 - Who is the only player other than LeBron to win in that span?
2 - Who was the last NBA player to capture three MVP’s in a row?
Tell you later, alligator.
In the NBA yesterday,
Sacramento 125 Orlando 101
John Salmons had 21 points, Marcus Thornton added 20
Cleveland 103 Toronto 92
Dion Walters led the way with 23 points for the Cavs, still without the services of Kyrie Irving, who missed his second straight game with a knee injury
Detroit 96 Washington 95
Jose Calderon’s layup with 1:05 left was the difference-maker. Brandon Knight scored 32 points, Greg Monroe added 26
New York 109 Golden State 105
The Knicks got 35 points from Carmelo Anthony, JR Smith scored 26 off the bench, and Tyson Chandler grabbed a career-best 28 rebounds. Stephen Curry scored 54 for the Warriors in the loss.
Memphis 90 Dallas 84
Marc Gasol had 21 points, 12 rebounds, and five assists. Zach Randolph scored 22 points and pulled down 10 rebounds.
Milwaukee 110 Houston 107
Monta Ellis hit the game-winning three pointer in the closing seconds
Oklahoma City 119 New Orleans 74
Easy night for the Thunder as Kevin Durant had 18 points, 11 rebounds, and 10 assists in only three quarters. Russell Westbrook scored 29 points.
Phoenix 105 San Antonio 101 (OT)
The Suns snapped the Spurs’ 18-game home winning streak. Wesley Johnson hit a three-pointer at the buzzer to send the game into overtime, and Marchin Gortat’s go-ahead tip-in with just over a minute left in the extra period was the clincher.
Atlanta 102 Utah 91
Al Horford had 34 points and 15 rebounds, Josh Smith finished with 24 points and 14 boards.
Denver 111 Portland 109
Andre Miller’s go-ahead layup with 24 seconds left was the difference. Ty Lawson scored 30 points and had six assists, Andre Iguodala added 29 points, 8 assists, 7 rebounds, and five steals.
TONIGHT IN THE NBA:
LA Clippers @ Indiana 7:00 pm
Philadelphia @ Chicago 8:00 pm TNT
Minnesota @ LA Lakers 10:30 pm TNT
In college hoops, the #5 University of Miami Hurricanes beat the Virginia Tech Hokies 76-58 to improve to 23-4 (14-1 in the ACC), and stay perfect at home, 13-0. Shane Larkin scored 22 points and was smothering on defense against the country’s leading scorer, Erick Green, holding him to only 16 points, well below his 25.2 average. The Canes now have to travel to #3 Duke for a game on Saturday at 6:00 pm, and you can watch that key matchup on ESPN. A victory over Duke would clinch the Canes’ first basketball conference championship ever, and would probably put them in excellent position for a top seed in the NCAA tournament later in March. Another team in the top ten fell yesterday, as #4 Michigan lost to Penn State 84-78.
The FIU Panthers return to the hardwood tonight, in Louisiana-Monroe, against the Warhawks.
In college baseball, the Hurricanes defeated Barry University 5-1, improving their season record to 9-0. They will have their first true test this season as they travel to Gainesville for a three game series against the Florida Gators this weekend. FIU hosts #8 Ole Miss at the FIU Baseball stadium for a three game set this weekend.
In Major League exhibition baseball, the Marlins beat the Washington Nationals yesterday, 5-1. Nathan Eovaldi struck out three in his 2 scoreless innings. Donovan Solano was 2-2 with a run scored and a run batted in. The Fish take on the Cardinals in Jupiter at 1:05 pm. Jacob Turner will start on the mound. A “B” game at 10:00 am between the Cards and the Marlins will feature Jose Fernandez on the mound.
Here are all the scores from yesterday’s spring training games. You can “click” on the box scores and the recap under each individual game’s line score.
Three veteran managers may be feeling some pressure this season, as Noah Trister points out in this story:
From the Palm Beach Post’s Joe Capozzi, new SS Adeiny Hechavarria is ready for the task of replacing Jose Reyes.
Here is Marlins owner Jeffrey Loria “Letter to our Fans” that was published in the three South Florida major newspapers last weekend.
I will have a reply to Mr. Loria’s letter, and I’ll share it with you in tomorrow’s blog.
Check out this article carefully - - - Maury Brown talks Jeffrey Loria in the bizofbaseball.com
In other baseball news, Joel Sherman of the New York Post shows no love for Joba Chamberlain:
The Yankees’ Kevin Youkilis talks with Mark Feinsand of the New York Daily News regarding PED’s and cheaters in baseball:
I continue with my analysis of all 30 MLB teams as we hit spring training running. Please allow me to introduce to you the World Champion San Francisco Giants and the Texas Rangers.
SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS 94-68 Mgr. Bruce Bochy
The World Series champs come back with almost their entire crew from last year. They added OF Andres Torres, and relievers Sandy Rosario and Chad Gaudin. They rewarded Marco Scutaro, Angel Pagan, and Jeremy Affeldt with new contracts. Their pitching staff remains one of the best, if not the best, in the NL. NL MVP Buster Posey has positioned himself among the top players in baseball. Can Tim Lincecum return to form and can closer Sergio Romo handle a full season as the closer?
TEXAS RANGERS 93-69 Mgr. Ron Washington
After consecutive World Series appearances in 2010 and 2011, the Rangers didn’t win a playoff game last year. That brought about some significant changes in Texas this offseason, with the departures of Josh Hamilton, Mike Napoli, and Michael Young. Also gone are pitchers Koji Uehara, Mike Adams, and Scott Feldman. The new faces include DH-1B Lance Berkman, P’s Josh Lindstrom and Jakim Soria, and C AJ Pierzynski. Nelson Cruz will miss 50 games with a PED suspension. Watch for top prospects Jurickson Profar and Mike Olt to make a splash this spring.
We end our MLB team breakdowns tomorrow with the Washington Nationals and the Toronto Marlins Blue Jays.
THE ANSWER TO TODAY’S TRIVIA QUESTION: LeBron James is well on his way to capturing his fourth MVP award in the last five years. Two-part question today:
1 - Who is the only player other than LeBron to win in that span?
2 - Who was the last NBA player to capture three MVP’s in a row?
1 - Derrick Rose won the award in 2011.
2 - Larry Bird did it in 1984, 1985, and 1986. Before Bird, we have to go all the way back to 1966, 1967, and 1968 with Wilt Chamberlain and 1961, 1962, and 1963 to Bill Russell.
Don’t miss my two “Descarga Deportiva” segments (for the Spanish-challenged, “Sports Jam Session”) every day, Monday through Friday, at 9:25 am and 12:15 pm on Radio Esperanza, 1550 AM or on the internet on www.miradioesperanza.com.
The 9:25 am segment on Radio Esperanza is brought to you by the fine folks at La Lechonera Products. The inventors of the original mojo criollo way back in 1970, also offer the BEST naranja agria (sour orange marinade) product on the market, along with the latest additions to the family - the SALSA PICANTE (hot sauces, both HOT and EXTRA HOT), SALSA DE ALITAS (Buffalo Wings Sauce) and the truly incredible SALSA PICANTE con AJO (Garlic Pepper Sauce - Sriracha). Look for all the La Lechonera products at Publix, Winn Dixie, Sedano’s, Presidente, and GFS. If they don’t have it where you shop, ask nicely the first time, then use whatever means necessary to make sure they start offering the complete line of products. Go to www.lalechoneraproducts.com and LIKE them on Facebook. Check out some great recipes!
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Behave yourselves, and always remember that tomorrow will bring us a brand new day.
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