Category: Trade & Rumors England

Second night Back-to-Back Games: Heat defeats Magic 107-103 in overtime

 

Miami defeated its intrastate rival, the Orlando Magic, in overtime 107-103 within the Amway Center on Saturday night in its league-leading 40th clutch game.

 

With 2:34 remaining in the regular-time period, Miami was down by as much as nine points, but Tyler Herro, Gabe Vincent, and Jimmy Butler scored seven straight points to make the score 95-93 with 1:12 remaining. Orlando led by four when Banchero’s one-handed, off-balance floater beat the shot clock, but the Heat rallied thanks to a Bam Adebayo backdoor feed to Butler with more than 30 seconds remaining. After Gabe Vincent made two free throws to force overtime, Miami defeated Orlando 10-6, with five of those points coming from Herro.

 

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The Heat won on Saturday night for the tenth time in a row in Florida, including their second victory over the Magic this year.

 

Butler played 34 minutes, finishing with 22 points, seven rebounds, six assists, two steals, and two blocks while shooting 7-of-17 from the field and making all eight of his free throws tries for the Heat, who had Friday limited Butler’s minutes to 28.

 

Tyler Herro led Miami’s other four scorers in double figures. Herro scored 23 points in the end, making 10 of 23 shots. Bam Adebayo recorded a double-double of 13 points and 17 rebounds. Gabe Vincent scored 20 points, and Max Strus scored 12 points, both of whom made four 3-pointers.

 

Six Magic players scored in double figures, with Markelle Fultz leading the way with 17 points on 7 of 14 shooting. Wendell Carter, Jalen Suggs, Mo Wagner, and Franz Wagner scored 14 points, while Banchero had 16 points and 13 rebounds in 34 minutes.

 

Both teams struggled offensively during Saturday’s rock fight, with Miami scoring just 104.9 points per 100 possessions (22nd percentile), while Orlando scored 102 points per 100 plays (14th percentile). In the halfcourt, the Heat scored 90.6 points per 100 plays (31st percentile), compared to the Magic’s 88.9 points per 100 plays (26th).

 

They had the 10th-lowest turnover rate going into the weekend, but they committed 19 turnovers, which resulted in 24 Magic points. Miami was prevented from going downhill for most of the game by Orlando’s extended switch-heavy defensive attack; when it did get to the rim, much of the success came on cuts and attacking creases, but it only required 20% attempts at the edge.

 

Erik Spoelstra was right: Once again, fans received value for their money. Despite the overtime outcome, Saturday marked Miami’s 32nd game with 110 or fewer points, the most in the NBA.

 

Finally, a victory is a victory. All could be more appealing. The Heat will play two more games, starting Monday against the top-seeded Denver Nuggets, to squeak by until the All-Star break.

 

Raptors defeat Pistons 119-118, VanVleet hits the top 30 for the ninth time

 

The Toronto Raptors defeated the Detroit Pistons 119-118 on Sunday for their fourth victory in five games. Pascal Siakam added 28 points, while Fred VanVleet scored 35 points, surpassing 30 for a career-high ninth time this season.

 

Toronto defeated Detroit for the second time in a row after losing the previous six encounters thanks to Scottie Barnes’ 20 points and Precious Achiuwa’s 11 points and 11 rebounds.

 

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After losing a 12-point lead in the final five minutes of Friday’s home defeat to Utah, VanVleet and the Raptors recovered.

 

VanVleet said, “That hurt.” “Everyone was indeed frustrated, but the game continued. We must focus on the games in front of us and stack them as high as we can.”

 

VanVleet has a record of 20-7 for Toronto when he scores 30 points or more. In three straight games, Siakam has scored 25 or more points.

 

In charge of the Raptors on Sunday while head coach Nick Nurse was abroad for personal matters, Toronto assistant coach Adrian Griffin remarked, “It’s a luxury to have two men out there who you can instruct the team through.”

 

Dwane Casey, the head coach in Detroit, worked with Siakam and VanVleet while in Toronto.

 

About Toronto’s duo, Casey observed, “They were the difference in the game.” “They carried the entire team; they did a terrific job.”

 

Bojan Bogdanovic got 33 points for the Pistons, Alec Burks had 21, Hamidou Diallo had 21, and Jaden Ivey had 18. Detroit failed to win two straight games for the second time this season.

 

Detroit defeated San Antonio in double overtime in a game of two of the NBA’s weakest teams on Friday. Since winning at Denver and Utah on November 22 and 23, the Pistons have lost all ten of their victories.

 

With 10.1 seconds left in the 4th quarter, Ivey’s 3-pointer brought the score to 116-113, but VanVleet immediately retaliated with free throws.

 

Achiuwa sank one of two free throws with 4.4 seconds left to give Toronto a four-point lead after Bogdanovic scored two. Ivey’s three at the final buzzer was insufficient for Detroit.

 

Jalen Duren, a center with the Pistons, had a right ankle injury in the 2nd quarter but came back to play to begin the second half. Friday marked a career-high 30 points for the adolescent rookie. Duren, 19, concluded the game with six points in 21 minutes.

 

He turned it very well, said Casey. “When they approached the rim, he tried to travel up and down the floor but could not pivot or move. We can only hope it won’t endure for very long.”

 

18 Detroit turnovers led to 14 points for Toronto. The Raptors scored a season-low five points off of their eight turnovers.

 

Casey says, “We need to be stronger and more intelligent with the ball. Many turnovers were self-inflicted; we threw the ball to no one or the air.”

 

Jakob Poeltl, a center for the Raptors, had his first start in two games after returning to his original squad. Gary Trent Jr., a guard, sat due to a strained left calf, so he took his place.

 

Toronto led 53-52 at the half and 85-77 heading into the fourth.

 

Raptors win third in a row with change lurking just around corner

 

Even if the Toronto Raptors defeated the San Antonio Spurs 112-98 on Wednesday, the more significant tale hanging over the team’s head makes little difference.

 

Like the rest of the NBA, the Raptors are focused on Thursday’s trade deadline. Given that the Raptors have been the subject of numerous trade rumors, their game against the Spurs might be the last time we see them in this incarnation.

 

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“We have a lot of talented guys on a losing squad. So that’s about it,” said Fred VanVleet, noting that his name has been mentioned in trade rumors more often than ever.

 

“This year, we haven’t performed to our standards. We have so placed ourselves in this situation. There will likely be calls from every team in the league.

 

With the win, the club advances to 10th in the East, good enough for the last play-in place, but it doesn’t disguise the reality that the Raptors still have their worst record through 56 games since the 2012-13 season. Against a Spurs team that’s now lost ten straights to hold a 14-41 record, these lineups are meant to be routine work for a win.

 

Conversations about the Raptors have focused on whether general manager Bobby Webster and president Masai Ujiri should overhaul this squad or add to one that undoubtedly has some positive aspects in a league that doesn’t recognize mediocrity.

 

The fact that all five starters on Wednesday finished with double-digit scoring totals, along with Chris Boucher’s 18-point double-double off the bench, served as a reminder of those positive aspects. They achieved a feat they’ve only done twice this season by winning their third straight game.

 

The Raptors were led by Pascal Siakam, who finished with 38 points, ten rebounds, and seven assists, snapping a 13-game drought in which he had not scored more than 30 points. The 6-foot-9 forward got right to work against the Spurs, scoring 18 points on 7-of-7 field goal shooting to start the first period.

 

Nurse praised Pascal’s ability to “get in a nice rhythm on his mid-range,” stating that Pascal “showed he was aware of what was available and was willing to take them right and simply good tempo and rhythm for him tonight.”

 

Together with Siakam, Fred VanVleet contributed eight points in the first quarter, outscoring the Spurs 26-24.

 

It assisted the Raptors in taking an early lead by helping them during a 14-0 run.

 

The Raptors restored their composure in the third quarter, increasing their lead to 18 points, but the Spurs’ defensive ferocity allowed them to get back into the game in the 2nd quarter. It was notably responsible for Gary Trent Jr. and VanVleet’s performances, whose names are still circulating in trade rumors.

 

This summer, both are available as unrestricted free agents. Along with OG Anunoby, who missed his sixth consecutive game due to a left wrist strain, the trio has drawn interest from several teams vying for the championship.

 

“We have several players that many organizations are interested in, so our scenario is not ideal,” said VanVleet. “The rest of us, you know, will come to work tomorrow, get a nice practice in, and see what happens while the front office will do their thing and do what’s best for the organization.”

 

On the other hand, the Raptors are rumored to be interested in Jakob Poeltl. The big man was moved to Toronto in the 2018 Kawhi Leonard deal after being selected as a lottery pick by the team.

 

The lack of a dependable big man in the Raptors’ starting lineup has hampered their season. On Wednesday at Scotiabank Arena, the Raptors did an excellent job stopping Poeltl. Siakam frequently targeted him, forcing him to play defense while scoring 12 points on 4-11 shooting for the Spurs.

 

Head coach Nurse was entirely complimentary of the former Raptor before the game.

 

“When he was here, we adored him. Nurse praised him for being “just an excellent, smart, tough, relentless worker,” pointing out his capacity to create effective screens, rebound, and defend the rim. “When he was here, we truly liked him.”

 

Suppose Poeltl will return to Toronto before the 3 p.m. time remains to be known. When the Raptors visit Scotiabank Arena on Friday, Feb. 10, it will be interesting to see what portion of the current squad will still be in place due to the trade deadline.

 

Adebayo scores 38, as the Heat hold off sliding Pacers 116-111

 

Bam Adebayo came into this season hoping for more chances. He was given those chances by the Miami Heat, who are delighted with the results.

 

Jimmy Butler contributed 25, and Miami’s All-Star center equaled his season high with 38 points as the Heat defeated the Indiana Pacers 116-111 on Wednesday night to end a two-game losing streak.

 

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Adebayo made 12 of 16 field goal attempts and 14 of 14 foul shots.

 

Erik Spoelstra, the Heat’s coach, noted, “Bam, obviously, was incredibly good on both sides of the court.”

 

For the Heat, who ended a two-game losing streak, Gabe Vincent scored 17 points, Caleb Martin finished with 12 and 11 rebounds, and Tyler Herro scored 15.

 

Indiana, which has dropped 13 of its last 15 games, was led by Buddy Hield’s 29 points. TJ McConnell scored 18 points, while Myles Turner scored 23 points and grabbed 11 rebounds.

 

Tyrese Haliburton led the Pacers with ten assists, but the Heat defense, which Butler led, limited him to just 11 points, 32 fewer than his total from a victory at Miami on December 23. Indiana was within three points after his 3-pointer with 10.5 seconds left, but Adebayo secured the win with free throws.

 

According to Pacers coach Rick Carlisle, “Miami has earned its reputation as a competitive team through hard work, a squad that always answers to prior setbacks.”

 

The four-game regular-season series between the Heat and Pacers were split. This one went to the conclusion, precisely like the prior three. Heat 410, Pacers 405, compared to a combined score of Pacers 294 and Heat 294 going into Wednesday. This season, no game has been decided by more than five points.

 

Adebayo’s 10th 30-point performance of the year matched the sum of all Heat players put together (Butler has 5, Herro has 4, and Max Strus has 1).

 

Butler remarked, “He’s discovered a fantastic balance.” “You must continue to feed the person you have the hot hand with. Most of the time, it’s Bam. Sometimes you have to ride the wave.

 

Since LeBron James, who is currently the NBA’s career scoring leader, had 31 such games for Miami in 2013–14, Only six Heat players had at least ten sets of 30 or more in the same season, and he is one of them.

 

Adebayo claimed, “The work speaks for itself.”

 

Pascal Siakam break silence and reveal true feelings on Raptors trade talks

 

The Toronto Raptors franchise has captured the interest of several NBA players and executives as the February 9th trade deadline approaches.

 

 

The Raptors have the 11th-best record in the Eastern Conference despite having realistic postseason hopes going into the 2022–23 season. And because of the team’s egregious underperformance, a number of its players, including O.G., have recently heard their names prominently mentioned in trade speculations. Anunoby, Gary Trent Jr., and particularly, former All-Star Pascal Siakam.

 

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In a recent interview with the media, Siakam discussed his outlook as the trade deadline draws near, according to a tweet from Sportsnet’s Michael Grange:

 

 

“I’m never sure what’s going on. Even though you guys are asking me all these questions, I have no idea what’s happening. I’m fortunate to live my passion and play the game I love while getting paid for it. I’m primarily focused on the game. At the end of the day, I realize that being here in Year 7 is a business, and I accept that. I’ve seen people go, I’ve seen people arrive here, so nothing surprises me.”

 

 

Siakam, 28, is in his sixth season in the NBA, all of which have been spent with the Toronto Raptors. In 45 games this season, he has averaged 24.7 points, 7.9 rebounds, 6.2 assists, 0.6 blocks, and 0.8 steals. Siakam is having a career year in almost all respects, but his scoring efficiency is down from the previous year – his current field-goal percentage of 46.9% is far lower than his 49.4% clip.

 

Raptors’ Fred VanVleet and Pascal Siakam expressed interest in a three-team Kyrie trade

 

The trade that will bring Kyrie Irving to the Dallas Mavericks may involve the Toronto Raptors, the Brooklyn Nets, and a third team.

 

Before the Kyrie Irving-to-Dallas trade is finalized, one “possibility for broadening the trade” would be for Brooklyn to “package Spencer Dinwiddie and draft money to Toronto in an attempt to get Fred VanVleet,” according to NBA reporter Marc Stein.

 

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According to recent sources, Pascal Siakam is also a target for the Nets, though the Raptors might be less inclined to trade him.

 

According to Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium, the Nets have agreed to trade Markieff Morris and Irving to the Mavericks in return for Dinwiddie, Dorian Finney-Smith, an unprotected 2029 first-round choice, and 2027 and 2029 second-round picks.

 

However, as Ian Begley of SNY noted, “in their negotiations on Kyrie Irving, representatives of the organization also reached up with Toronto regarding a following transaction.” the Nets’ pursuit of a trade with the Raptors did come up later.

 

Whether the Raptors decide to sell with an eye toward the future could determine whether such a trade occurs.

 

It appears that they are a minor contender when they are 25-30 and a half games back of the Washington Wizards for the final berth in the Eastern Conference play-in tournament. Siakam, Scottie Barnes, VanVleet, and O.G. Anunoby have a strong core that might compete with other clubs for the top spot in the standings.

 

From the Nets’ perspective, signing a veteran with championship experiences like VanVleet or Siakam would show that even after trading Irving, they still want to contend for a championship this year.

 

There are far worse supporting casts for Kevin Durant than one that includes one of the Raptors players, Ben Simmons, Nic Claxton, Seth Curry, and others. Kevin Durant is still one of the league’s greatest players.

 

Even though Durant has missed a lot of time due to injury, Brooklyn is still in fourth position in the Eastern Conference rankings with a 32-20 record. A long playoff run might be possible if the Raptors sign someone and he returns healthy.

 

And it depends on how the discussions go before the deadline on Thursday.

 

Miami Heat made Bam Adebayo untouchable in a trade deal

 

According to recent sources, the Miami Heat are supposedly making All-Star big man Bam Adebayo untouchable in trade discussions, which will likely come as no surprise to Miami Heat fans.

 

Adebayo has improved significantly on offense this season and has been far more aggressive than in prior seasons. Because of his improved aggressiveness, he is averaging 21.5 points, 10.0 rebounds, and 3.2 assists per game this season while hitting 54.1 percent of his shots from the field.

 

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For several seasons, the University of Kentucky product’s defense has been one of the best in the league, but his offensive game seemed to need to catch up at times.

 

However, he dispelled doubts about that aspect of his game by being the team’s second-leading scorer this season. He trails Jimmy Butler by only 0.4 points per game.

 

The 25-year-old is on his way to becoming the Heat’s No. 1 offensive option, which would be highly beneficial come postseason time.

 

With a 29-25 record, Miami is presently sixth in the Eastern Conference. The club has been highly inconsistent this season and is now on a two-game losing streak. The good news is that it has two extremely winnable home games against the Indiana Pacers and Houston Rockets.

 

Evaluating the status of Bam’s stated goal

 

Adebayo stated before the start of the regular season that he intended to attempt 18 shots each game. He asserted that the Heat is “a lot better” when he is scoring the ball during the team’s media day.

 

Even though the center is now falling short of its aim, he deserves some praise. Adebayo makes a nightly average of 15.9 shots. He took about three more shots per game last season than he does now.

 

Adebayo’s continuous improvement in his game is very remarkable. Given his trend, it wouldn’t be unexpected to hear him ranked among the best 15 players in the league regularly.

 

The fact that Adebayo is now locked for the foreseeable future is good news for the Heat. What kind of player he develops into in the future will only become apparent with time.

 

Heat’s Dewayne Dedmon might sign with the Oklahoma City Thunder and Utah Jazz

 

Dewayne Dedmon’s time with the Miami Heat may be coming to an end, as the franchise is reportedly attempting to trade him. According to Heat source Ira Winderman, the veteran center could end up with the Utah Jazz or the Oklahoma City Thunder.

 

“The Utah Jazz or the Oklahoma City Thunder might be landing locations in a Dedmon selloff,” Winderman said.

 

According to an earlier source, the Heat are also looking into trade options that might net them a lower-paid player. Because of salary-cap considerations, that is the best option for the front office.

 

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Although it’s still determined whether the Jazz and Thunder are searching for seasoned support, it may make sense for them to attempt to trade for Dedmon in exchange for a player who satisfies Miami’s purported requirements.

 

The Heat is undoubtedly one of the teams to watch as the trade deadline approaches. When a great grab like Kyrie Irving is available, the Heat might be buyers at the deadline.

 

The Brooklyn Nets are interested in obtaining any of Jimmy Butler, Bam Adebayo, or Tyler Herro in return for Irving, so there may be little chance of them securing the star point guard. Considering how important those three have been to the team this year, it is evident that the Heat would prefer to keep them.

 

Miami presently occupies sixth position in the standings with a 29-25 record, keeping them in the middle of the Eastern Conference playoff race. The Heat have recovered from a shaky start to the 2022–23 season thanks to a number of players, including Dedmon, who put in some strong performances.

 

The 33-year-old, who had been playing little until coach Erik Spoelstra decided to start him on the floor for the Miami Heat’s game against the Milwaukee Bucks on Saturday, appears to be out of the rotation now.

 

Dedmon has played 30 games this season, scoring 5.7 points and 3.6 rebounds per match. How many games the big man will play in a Heat uniform is still being determined.

 

Potential Nets-Raptors trade on a process in light of the Kyrie Irving Mavs deal

 

According to sources, the Brooklyn Nets are in a bind after dealing star Kyrie Irving to the Dallas Mavericks. They will want to bolster the roster around Kevin Durant and have contacted the Toronto Raptors.

 

Begley stated that the Nets have spoken with Toronto about a potential transaction in their discussions with organization members about Kyrie Irving. As the Thursday trade deadline approaches, that could be relevant in this situation.

 

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This is essential information since many people were speculating about whether the Nets will try to deal with Durant, who made a trade request over the summer. Durant is still on the roster because a deal was never finalized. According to some reports, the Suns might be interested if Durant were available. However, early indications suggest that Durant will remain where he is.

 

With Fred VanVleet and OG Anunoby, the Raptors still own two of the most valuable trade assets, though it’s yet to be apparent if both will be dealt with before the deadline on Thursday.

 

According to Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium, the Nets received Spencer Dinwiddie, Dorian Finney-Smith, a first-round pick, and numerous second-round picks. These are resources that the Nets could use in a trade with Toronto.

 

The New York Knicks, reportedly willing to trade three first-round picks to get the player, will likely be a rival team for the Nets. There are rumors that the Memphis Grizzlies and New Orleans Pelicans are also participating.

 

The Los Angeles Clippers and Orlando Magic have been mentioned as potential opponents for VanVleet.

 

The good news for the Nets, who are trying to change course, is that they have at least a few days left before the deadline to come up with a solution.

 

Heat center Omer Yurtseven cleared for ‘high-impact work’

 

Not a trade-related story, but the Miami Heat got encouraging word about one of their big players on Monday morning.

 

According to source, Omer Yurtseven, a center for the team, has been cleared for “high impact work” and that his ankle is now fully healthy. Yurtseven played just one preseason game before suffering the ankle injury, underwent surgery, and has missed the entire season up to this point.

 

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The Heat anticipates that Jackson will “play in games after All-Star break,” which will take place from February 17–19. Yurtseven is still in Miami and is not currently traveling with the team on their four-game road trip.

 

According to Jackson, Yurtseven’s representative, Nick Glass, corroborated the information.

 

“Omer should provide excellent lift in the second half,” according to Omer’s agent Keith Glass. “Orlando Robinson runs out of NBA-eligible two-way days on February 25 if he plays every game up to that point. Robinson can be converted to a conventional deal if Heat chooses.”

 

It’s still being determined whether Yurtseven will play a part in the rotation whenever he returns, and the trade deadline is just two weeks away on February 9. The Heat, meanwhile, could use all the frontcourt support they could get behind star big Bam Adebayo, given the roster’s present structure.

 

Orlando Robinson, a rookie two-way center, has proven to be a lifesaver following Dewayne Dedmon’s disastrous start. However, as I’ve already stated, the Heat still requires a dependable rotational big man to play behind Adebayo. Yurtseven and Dedmon are the Heat’s only two playoff-eligible big men, as Robinson, who is eligible for 26 of the team’s next 31 games but isn’t because he’s still on a two-way contract, isn’t.

 

Yurtseven is the missing component that can provide 10-15 decent minutes per night, even after recovering from an ankle injury. Maybe he isn’t. With a record of 28–23, the Heat doesn’t have much time to speculate. The excitement of the unknown makes it more likely to believe they make a play for a backup large.

 

Last year, Yurtseven showed flashes of ability as a mid-to low-post hub, rebounder, and (drop) defender, although most of his playing time was due to Adebayo and Dedmon’s injuries. In 56 games, 12 of which he started, he averaged 5.3 points and 5.3 rebounds on 52.6 percent shooting.

 

However, it is encouraging for the Heat to see that their 24-year-old 7-footer is getting closer to returning after there was talk (from myself and others) that he would sit out the entire year.