The Miami Heat took it to the Oklahoma City Thunder last night from the opening tipoff, outscoring the Thunder 32-17 in the first quarter. They eventually extended the lead to 79-56 with 5 minutes left in the third quarter, and coasted to a 110-100 win. LeBron James scored 39 points to lead Miami, but missed a late 3-pointer to fall to 14-24 from the court, 58%. That ends his streak of consecutive 30-plus games and shooting over 60% at six. Regardless, in his last seven games, he is shooting at a ridiculous 69% clip, 80-116. The team is off until next Wednesday, when they go on the road for three games: The Hawks in Atlanta on Wednesday, the Bulls in Chicago on Thursday, and the 76ers in Philadelphia on Saturday, before returning to Miami to face the Cleveland Cavaliers on Sunday evening. The Big Three will be in Houston for the All-Star game weekend and will be playing in the game on Sunday.
In the only other game in the NBA last night
LA Clippers 125 LA Lakers 101
Chris Paul led the way with 24 points, Blake Griffin had 22, and Chauncey Billups added 21.
There are no games tonight, as the NBA hits the All-Star weekend break. Here’s the TV schedule for the weekend:
Friday:
Celebrity All-Star Game 7:00 pm ESPN
Rising Stars Challenge 9:00 pm TNT
Rising Stars Challenge 9:00 pm TNT
Saturday:
Shooting Stars, Skills Challenge, 3-Point Shootout, Slam Dunk Contest 8:30 pm TNT
Sunday:
2013 All-Star Game 8:00 pm TNT
TODAY’S TRIVIA QUESTION: Michael Jordan turns 50 years old on Sunday, more proof that we are ALL getting older. His number 23 was retired by two NBA teams. I’ll give you the Chicago Bulls. What other team also retired MJ’s number? Tell you later, Alligator.
Moving over to college hoops, the #3 ranked University of Miami Hurricanes have won 12 in a row, and put that impressive winning streak on the line at Clemson on Sunday at 6:00 pm.
FIU lost on the road to Troy last night, by the score of 69-61. The Panthers had an 18-2 in the second half to take the lead 48-42 with just under 10 minutes left in the contest, but couldn’t hold the lead. The team is home to take on Western Kentucky at the US Century Bank Arena tomorrow night.
Spring Training is here! I will be bringing you analysis of all 30 teams over the next three weeks. One team from each league every day, in alphabetical order. Today, may I present to you Colorado Rockies and the Detroit Tigers.
COLORADO ROCKIES 64-98 Mgr. Walt Weiss
The Rockies really didn’t do anything of notice over the winter, but did hire Walt Weiss to replace Jim Tracy as manager. Weiss was coaching a high school team last year at this time, by the way. On a team that always lacks pitching, when the only starter you add is former Marlin bust Chris Volstad, you know there are issues. Injuries last year kept starting pitcher Jorge de la Rosa, 1B Todd Helton, and All-Star shortstop Troy Tulowitzki out of action last season. I believe it is fair to say that the Rockies will be bringing up the rear in the NL West.
DETROIT TIGERS 88-74 Mgr. Jim Leyland
The defending AL champs are poised to repeat and go back to the fall classic this season. They’re still the class of the AL central, and, quite possibly, the best team in the American League. They added Torii Hunter to bolster their outfield, and are hoping that DH Victor Martinez can come back healthy after missing the entire 2012 campaign with a knee injury. If pitching, hitting, and defense wins, then the Tigers should be able to repeat. Scary team all around.
Monday: The Los Angeles Dodgers and Houston Astros.
Juan C. Rodriguez of the Sun Sentinel brings us some interesting stuff on newest Marlin, Chone Figgins.
Also from the Sun Sentinel, here’s the latest on pitching prospect Jose Fernandez.
Up in Yankee Land, the team is counting on some of their young pitchers coming back from injuries as their future. Here’s the Daily News’ take:
Regardless of what you read or hear, I am still told that MLB is continuing its efforts to try and “persuade” the Marlins ownership to sell the ball club, possibly to Governor Bush and his group. (Maybe a financial incentive?) We’ve already seen how MLB is willing to punish South Florida as long as Jeffrey Loria owns the team.
Dear Jeffrey Loria and minions:
You're still here?!?!? What do you mean, you still haven’t sold the team? Valentine’s day came and went! What are you waiting for now? Easter? Next year’s HOF election? Haven't you done enough damage already? Baseball fans in South Florida need a Marlins owner that loves the game of baseball, and doesn’t just love owning a team. We need an owner that wants to win, not one that just treats it only as a money-making business.
Stay alert out there, Mr. Loria. Your window of opportunity to get out of town is opening up in just a few days. The five-year anniversary of the Marlins and Miami-Dade County agreement for the baseball stadium is coming up on February 21, 2013. After that time, the “penalty” for selling the team is only 5%, a mere pittance, based on a $250 million value of the team. You’ve already saved much more than that on the salary dump this season alone. Of course, you and your minions have already decided not to field a quality major league roster this coming season, hopefully setting up the sale of the team. (I’m sure MLB is willing to cough up the 5% just to get you out of their hair.)
We’ll continue to keep our fingers crossed and light a candle in the meantime.
Here’s the answer to today’s question: Michael Jordan turns 50 years old on Sunday, more proof that we are ALL getting older. His number 23 was retired by two NBA teams. I’ll give you the Chicago Bulls. What other team also retired MJ’s number?
Jordan’s #23 was also retired by the Miami Heat, making him the only player that has had his number retired by a team he did not play for.
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. HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND!
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