NBA: Jimmy Butler returns to guide Heat past Nets in OT | ABS-CBN

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NBA: Jimmy Butler returns to guide Heat past Nets in OT

NBA: Jimmy Butler returns to guide Heat past Nets in OT

Field Level Media/Reuters

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Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler react to an official during the first half of the NBA basketball game between the Miami Heat and the Brooklyn Nets at the Kaseya Center in Miami, Florida, USA, November 16, 2023. Rhona Wise, EPA-EFE/File.
Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler react to an official during the first half of the NBA basketball game between the Miami Heat and the Brooklyn Nets at the Kaseya Center in Miami, Florida, USA, November 16, 2023. Rhona Wise, EPA-EFE/File.

Jimmy Butler scored 31 points in a successful return from a sprained toe and hit the go-ahead free throws with 11.8 seconds left in overtime as the Miami Heat outlasted the struggling Brooklyn Nets for a 96-95 victory Monday night in New York.

In his first action since Dec. 30 following a seven-game absence, Butler helped the Heat earn their third straight win and showed little effects from the injury. He scored 21 in the second half and overtime after the Heat scored 31 points in the opening 24 minutes for their lowest half all season.

Butler made 8 of 12 field-goal attempts and hit 15 of 16 free throws, including the go-ahead free throws after the Heat trailed by five early in the extra period.

A 3-pointer by Royce O'Neale gave the Nets a 93-88 lead with 3:51 left in OT, but the Heat pushed back and were within 95-94 after Tyler Herro sank a triple with 49.1 seconds left. After Nic Claxton was called for offensive goaltending with 24.7 seconds to go, Butler was fouled by Dennis Smith Jr. and made both free throws.

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The Nets did not call timeout and the game ended when Mikal Bridges missed a 10-footer with 1.1 seconds.

Herro scored 23 of his 29 after halftime for the Heat, who shot 37.9 percent overall despite hitting only 26.2 percent in the first half. Bam Adebayo contributed 11 points and a season-high 20 rebounds for the Heat, and Herro added 11 boards.

Bridges scored 26 points to lead the Nets, who dropped their third straight and lost for the 13th time in 16 games. Cam Thomas added 23 while O'Neale contributed 15 for the Nets, who shot 34 percent and sank only 12 of 55 3-point tries (21.8 percent).

Claxton's three-point play less than two minutes into the second quarter gave Brooklyn its first double-digit lead. The Nets scored the last six points of the half for a 45-31 lead at the break.

The Heat ripped off a 19-3 lead and forged a 50-50 tie on Butler's hoop with about five minutes left in the third. The visitors took a four-point lead before Thomas hit a pair of free throws with 11.5 seconds left to give Brooklyn a 69-68 lead entering the fourth.

Butler's hoop capped an 11-2 spurt that put Miami ahead 79-74 with 6:15 left.

The Heat took an 82-79 edge with 3:45 to go when Butler banked in a 10-footer off the glass, but two free throws by Bridges forged an 88-88 tie with 4.4 seconds left. Butler missed a potential game-winning 19-footer at the horn to send the game to overtime.

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UAAP: De Jesus tips hat to Lady Bulldogs, Meneses — ‘Very solid yung NU’

UAAP: De Jesus tips hat to Lady Bulldogs, Meneses — ‘Very solid yung NU’

Rom Anzures,

ABS-CBN News

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The National University Lady Bulldogs in UAAP Season 87. Photo from UAAP Media.The National University Lady Bulldogs in UAAP Season 87. Photo from UAAP Media.MANILA — De La Salle University head coach Ramil de Jesus had a front row seat to National University's display of their prowess on Sunday, as the Lady Bulldogs opened their title defense with a victory.

The Sherwin Meneses-mentored team got one over de Jesus and his Lady Spikers, with NU sweeping La Salle on Sunday.

The veteran coach was admittedly in awe of the impressive performance of the hitters from Jhocson Street.

“Very solid yung NU,” the multi-titled coach commented. “Kumbaga, kilalang-kilala nila yung isa't isa. Yun ang isa sa mga strengths nila. Dahil sa tagal nila magkakasama. Alam nila yung weaknesses, and alam nila yung strengths.”

De Jesus also commended Meneses who took over the spot that NU’s former tactician left, Season 86 champion mentor Norman Miguel.

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“Happy ako para sa kanya, kasi halos lahat ng team na napuntahan niya, maayos and buo,” said de Jesus. “Yung pinapasok niyang sistema unti-unti nang nakukuha.”

Meneses’ system would be crucial for the present core of Lady Bulldogs as they have won two championships since 2022, with Bella Belen and the rest of the squad winning Season 84 with Karl Dimaculangan and just last year with Miguel.

However, de Jesus emphasized that the main foundation of this success -- aside from their coaches -- is the solid volleyball program of NU from high school to the collegiate ranks.

“Actually, yung NU, hindi lang naman yung Season 84 eh,” he said. “Since sa high school, magkakasama na yun. So, magtagal na talaga sila magkakasama.”

“Advantage talaga na yun. And then, alam din nila kung paanong hindi sila mara-rattle. Alam nila kung sino yung go-to-guy talaga, so very solid yung NU,” he continued.

And this, acknowledged de Jesus, is a design that is very challenging to sustain.

“Every year nag-evolve yung volleyball eh,” he said. “So, ang challenge ngayon eh, kung kayang maka-adapt nung, lalo na recruitment kasi yung problema eh.”

“Pag medyo active ka sa pagre-recruit, and then yung lahat ng Class A na player yung makukuha mo, advantage yun.”

“Pero kung makakakuha ka ng Class B, napakahirap i-develop, and then isabay doon sa Class A? Mahabang proseso yun,” added de Jesus, who is now on his 28th year as Lady Spikers head coach.

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