Miami Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra said it best after last night’s 113-77 debacle against the San Antonio Spurs. Coach Spo said he didn’t recognize his team that was on the court yesterday, adding later that they (the Heat) got what they deserved. The Spurs’ “Big Three” totally overwhelmed and outplayed Miami’s “Big Three”, who played defense more like the Three Stooges and shot the basketball like Three Blind Mice. Just who were San Antonio’s “Big Three” last night? It wasn’t the names you expect - - - try Danny Green, Gary Neal, and Kawhi Leonard, who outscored LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, and Chris Bosh 65-43, including 15-22 three-pointers. Although you have to give credit where credit is due to the Spurs, when Danny Green leads the Spurs with 27 points, hitting on 7 of 9 three-pointers, and Gary Neal finishes with 24 points, including six baskets from beyond the arc, you have a lot to look at on game film and in the mirror. The Spurs set a Finals record with 16 3-pointers. I don’t care who you are, when you hit three-pointers like that, it is virtually impossible to overcome. This was as embarrassing a playoff performance as I have ever witnessed by the Heat on both sides of the court. The 36-point loss is the worst in Heat playoff history, and ranks third all-time in the history of the NBA Finals. What do you do now? Look at it as a loss, period. A 36-point loss counts just the same as a one-point loss. Circle the wagons, take responsibility, and play your game. As we sit here today, the team needs to understand that the series is not over. The Heat need to write their own script for game four, and need to make sure that there is a game six back in Miami. Here’s the schedule for the rest of the series:
Game 4 Thu, June 13 9:00 pm @ San Antonio
Game 5 Sun, June 16 8:00 pm @ San Antonio
Game 6 * Tue, June 18 9:00 pm @ Miami
Game 7 * Thu, June 20 9:00 pm @ Miami
* -- If Necessary
* -- If Necessary
TODAY’S TRIVIA QUESTION: Last night’s 36-point loss by the Heat is the third worst loss in NBA Finals history. Top two? Tell you later, alligator.
Just who are Danny Green and Gary Neal? Yahoo! Sports looks for the answer:
In news from around the NFL, Tim Tebow says it is an “honor” to be able to play for Coach Bill Belichick. Here’s ESPN’s story:
In Dolphin News, Randy Starks was at the Dolphins’ mandatory minicamp yesterday, and the team was easing him in:
By the way, does anybody know why Armando Salguero isn’t back at the Herald yet covering the Dolphins? Only the shadow knows.
Good news for the Marlins last night. The Man-Child is back. Giancarlo Stanton blasted a two-run homer in the eighth inning to lead the Fish to a 5-4 win over the Milwaukee Brewers last night at Marlins Park. Second baseman Derek Dietrich also connected long distance with a man on, and Logan Morrison had a run-scoring double, his first RBI since World War II. Chad Qualls got the win, pitching a perfect eighth inning and Steve Chisek closed out the game with a scoreless ninth inning, recording his seventh save. Hats off again to Marlins starter Jacob Turner, who gave the Fish another quality start, going seven innings and giving up only 3 runs and five hits. Turner struck out six and walked only two hitters. The Marlins look to take the series tonight at 7:10 pm with Kevin Slowey on the hill. The Brewers will counter with Alfredo Figaro.
The Fish are still the worst run-scoring team in MLB, with 193 runs in their 64 games. Here are the bottom dwellers, who today have a new member - the New York Metropolitans:
TEAM W-L Runs
Marlins 19-45 193
Nationals 31-32 219
Dodgers 28-36 226
White Sox 28-35 229
Mets 23-36 233
In the major leagues yesterday, in the American League,
Rays 8 Red Sox 3
Desmond Jennings homered twice, Matt Joyce and Evan Longoria also went yard.
Orioles 3 Angels 2
Nick Markakis had the go-ahead two-run single for the O’s.
Twins 3 Phillies 2
Justin Morneau delivered the go-ahead run-scoring single in the bottom of the eighth inning after the Phillies had tied the game on a two-run single by Ryan Howard in the top of the inning.
Indians 5 Rangers 2
The Indians broke an eight-game losing streak. Drew Stubb’s drove in two runs and Corey Kluber gave up a run and six hits in eight innings of work.
Blue Jays 7 White Sox 5 (10 innings)
Jose Bautista tied the game with a homer in the ninth inning, and Rajai Davis scored the game-winner in the tenth on a wild pitch.
Tigers 3 Royals 2
Victor Martinez drove in the winning run in the eighth inning with a sacrifice fly. Max Scherzer upped his record to 9-0 this season.
A’s 6 Yankees 4
Derek Norris homered and drove in four runs, Coco Crisp also connected long distance. Bartolo Colon won his fifth straight start to improve to 8-2. Mark Teixeira drove in three runs for the Yankees in the loss.
Mariners 4 Astros 0
Aaron Harang was brilliant on the mound, tossing a two-hit shutout. Raul Ibañez connected long distance in the win. JD Martinez had both Astros hits against Harang.
Over in the National League,
Pirates 8 Giants 2
Gerrit Cole won in his major league debut, allowing two runs and seven hits in 6 1/3 innings. Pedro Alvarez and Starling Marte hit home runs, Alvarez finished 3-3 with three RBI.
Cardinals 9 Mets 2
Allan Craig blasted a three-run homer and Michael Wacha earned his first major league win. The Mets have lost seven of eight.
Reds 12 Cubs 2
Zack Cozart and Xavier Paul both blasted three-run homers, Joey Votto and Jay Bruce also connected long distance.
Rockies 8 Nationals 3
Tyler Colvin hit a pair of two-run homers, Carlos Gonzalez also went yard, his blast came with two runners on base.
Dodgers 5 D-Backs 3
Tim Federowicz’ three-run double in the bottom of the eighth inning led the way in a game that featured a couple of bench-clearing brawls.
Padres 3 Braves 2
Andrew Cashner allowed two runs and six hits in eight innings. Chase Headly connected long distance for the Padres, who have won five of their last seven games. Tim Hudson pitched well in the loss, giving up three runs and five hits while striking out seven in 7 1/3 innings.
Today’s games:
In the American League,
Angels @ Orioles 12:35 pm
Jerome Williams vs Jason Hammel
Tigers @ Royals 2:10 pm
Justin Verlander vs James Shields
Red Sox @ Rays 7:10 pm
Alfredo Aceves vs Chris Archer
Indians @ Rangers 8:05 pm
Ubaldo Jimenez vs Nick Tepesch
Phillies @ Twins 8:10 pm
Tyler Cloyd vs Mike Pelfrey
Blue Jays @ White Sox 8:10 pm
Esmil Rogers vs Chris Sale
Yankees @ A’s 10:05 pm
Phil Hughes vs Dan Straily
Astros @ Mariners 10:10 pm
Jordan Lyles vs Jeremy Bonderman
Over in the National League,
Reds @ Cubs 2:20 pm
Mike Leake vs Travis Wood
Braves @ Padres 3:40 pm
Paul Maholm vs Edinson Volquez
Giants @ Pirates 7:05 pm
Barry Zito vs Francisco Liriano
Cardinals @ Mets 7:10 pm
Shelby Miller vs Dillon Gee
Brewers @ Marlins 7:10 pm
Alfredo Figaro vs Kevin Slowey
Nationals @ Rockies 8:40 pm
Ross Ohlendorf vs Jorge de la Rosa
D-Backs @ Dodgers 10:10 pm
Patrick Corbin vs Hyun-Jin Ryu
From the NY Daily News, we hear that MLB is going after former University of Miami pitching coach Lazaro “Lazer” Collazo to get him to testify in the Biogenesis PED scandal. Here are the details:
Show me the money! ESPN talks about payrolls in sports:
Yasiel Puig’s first week in the major leagues earned him NL Player of the Week award. I don’t think it gets any better than that:
The Yankees’ Brett Gardner captured the AL honor:
A wild bench-clearing brawl between the Diamondbacks and the Dodgers last night. A fight that will be referred to as “one for the aged”, as some of those old guys can still fight! Check out what Ken Rosenthal has to say and some of the priceless video:
Here are the up-to-the-minute standings in MLB:
Here are the individual league leaders in MLB:
In college baseball, the College World Series begins this Saturday in Omaha. Love the CWS in Omaha! Saturday’s schedule has Missisippi State taking on Oregon State at 3:00 pm, and Indiana facing Louisville at 8:00 pm. On Sunday, North Carolina plays North Carolina State at 3:00, and UCLA battles LSU at 8:00. How does LSU do it, year in and year out?
From BleacherReport.com, here is the complete bracket and their analysis and previews:
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THE ANSWER TO TODAY’S TRIVIA QUESTION: Last night’s 36-point loss by the Heat is the third worst loss in NBA Finals history. Top two?
1998 Utah Jazz (lost by 42 to the Chicago Bulls)
2008 LA Lakers (lost by 39 to the Boston Celtics)
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Behave yourselves, and always remember that tomorrow will bring us a brand new day.
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