Heat’s Kevin Love Tweaks Aaron Rodgers After Game 1 Win Over Knicks

Heat forward Kevin Love lived up to his nickname of being his team’s quarterback during Miami’s 108–101 win over the Knicks in Game 1 of their second-round playoff series Sunday afternoon.

Love was credited with three assists that traveled at least 60 feet down the court at Madison Square Garden. One of those, in the third quarter, helped the Heat take their largest lead of the game (eight points) over the Knicks.

Coincidentally, one of the most talked-about NFL quarterbacks was in attendance for Game 1: newly acquired Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers. Love apparently had some words for the four-time NFL MVP after the game.

“I told Aaron Rodgers that I have the best quarterback rating in New York City,” Love said, per the South Florida Sun Sentinel

To be fair, Rodgers has yet to start a game for the Jets as he was just traded to New York from Green Bay a week ago. But, this seemed to be Love’s way of emphasizing the Heat’s victorious performance in Game 1.

Love finished the game with nine points, five rebounds and four assists.

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Author: Madison Williams

Knicks Star Takes Blame for ‘Horrific’ Performance in Game 1 Loss to Heat

The Knicks got off to a less-than-ideal start in their second-round playoff series against the Heat on Sunday, and the team’s star point guard, Jalen Brunson, shouldered the blame after the 108–101 loss.

“Today, I was horrific,” Brunson said at the postgame press conference. “Very uncharacteristic by me, and this one’s on me. I gotta be better.”

Brunson was dominant in the first round against the Cavaliers and has developed into a budding star for New York, and his 25 points, seven assists and five rebounds in Game 1 against Miami wouldn’t typically qualify as “horrific” by most standards. But Brunson and the Knicks struggled mightily from behind the arc.

The Knicks were atrocious shooting the ball from deep, making just 20.6% (7-for-34) of their three-pointers. Brunson went 0-for-7 from long range, and in the end it cost New York. Miami dared the Knicks to shoot and threw several defenders at Brunson. It’s worth noting that New York was without All-Star power forward Julius Randle, who missed Game 1 with an ankle injury. 

Hopefully for the Knicks, they’ll get Randle back for Game 2. Tip-off for the second game of the series is scheduled for Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. ET on TNT.

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Author: Joseph Salvador

Shohei Ohtani Hit a Home Run to the Moon, and MLB Fans Were in Awe

Shohei Ohtani did it again. The Los Angeles Angels star went out on a baseball field and did something that had everyone in awe.  

The coolest baseball player in the world hit a home run against the Milwaukee Brewers on Sunday that stayed in the air for a very long time, and once it finally did come down, it dumbfounded spectators. 

In case you missed it, Ohtani hit a towering moon shot to center field at American Family Field that was an absolute no-doubter after traveling 413 feet. The most impressive part of Ohtani’s seventh homer of the year, however, was how high this thing went. 

Check it out: 

Let’s dive into the numbers: 

MLB fans loved it: 

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Author: Andy Nesbitt

10 Veterans Whose Stock Rose After the NFL Draft

The 2023 NFL Draft is in the books, and we now have a clearer picture of how all 32 rosters are going to look heading into the summer months. That means it’s time for fantasy fans to dig deep into the depth charts and start getting their rankings ready for the upcoming best-ball league and redraft madness that’s around the corner.

We’ve already examined the biggest winners and losers among the rookies, so let’s take a look at how the draft will affect incumbent veterans who might or might not have competition heading into the season. Whether it’s based on talent, depth chart or a combination of both, let’s start with the players whose stock is moving up.

Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports

Tony Pollard, RB, Cowboys

The Cowboys had a need at running back, but they didn’t fill it (sorry, Kansas State’s 5’5” Deuce Vaughn won’t cut it). That will leave Pollard as the team’s unquestioned top runner, though there’s a chance the Cowboys could bring back Ezekiel Elliott. For now, Pollard is a No. 1 fantasy option.

Rhamondre Stevenson, RB, Patriots

There were rumors the Patriots could target Texas running back Bijan Robinson if he fell in Round 1, but that didn’t happen. Instead, the team loaded up on defenders, linemen, wideouts and even a kicker … but no runners. As a result, Stevenson’s fantasy appeal remains high.

Rachaad White, RB, Buccaneers

The Buccaneers were another team linked to Robinson, but he went in the top eight. Instead, Tampa Bay went with Pittsburgh defensive tackle Calijah Kancey in Round 1 and North Dakota State offensive tackle Cody Mauch in Round 2. More importantly, the Bucs didn’t draft a back. White is on the rise.

Isiah Pacheco, RB, Chiefs

The Chiefs appear to be happy with their backfield, as the team didn’t select a single runner in the draft. While they could still re-sign Jerick McKinnon, Pacheco looks like the unquestioned top option for now ahead of Clyde Edwards-Helaire. He’ll be a decent flex option in most redrafts.

Cam Akers, RB, Rams

The Rams needed, well, everything in the draft. The team used its 14 selections on offensive and defensive linemen, a quarterback and a few defensive backs. While the Rams did draft Zach Evans out of Ole Miss (Round 6), he won’t compete with Akers as the top man on the depth chart.

Treylon Burks, WR, Titans

The Titans desperately needed depth at wide receiver, but the team didn’t draft one until the seventh round (Colton Dowell out of Tennessee-Martin). That leaves Burks as the unquestioned No. 1 wideout, at least for now. Unless the Titans make trades, Burks’s draft value is on the rise.

Kadarius Toney, WR, Chiefs

The Chiefs lost JuJu Smith-Schuster and Mecole Hardman this offseason and lack for wideouts, so it’s no surprise the team took Rashee Rice out of SMU in Round 2. That was the lone wideout K.C. picked, though, so Toney and Skyy Moore will be in for prominent roles in 2023.

Geno Smith, QB, Seahawks

The fifth-best quarterback in fantasy football last season (not a typo), Smith was rewarded with a new contract and a new wide receiver. That player is Ohio State’s Jaxon Smith-Njigba, who was the top receiver off the board. Smith now has DK Metcalf, Tyler Lockett and JSN in the offense.

Jordan Love, QB, Packers

Love is now the unquestioned starter in Green Bay after the trade of Aaron Rodgers. He gained some weapons in the draft, too, as Green Bay picked two tight ends (Luke Musgrave, Tucker Kraft) and two wideouts (Jayden Reed, Dontayvion Wicks). That should help Love in 2023.

Irv Smith Jr., TE, Bengals

Smith’s lack of durability has fantasy fans concerned, but he was a big winner after the draft. The Bengals were tied to both Michael Mayer and Dalton Kincaid, the top two tight end prospects, in mock drafts. Instead, the team avoided the position altogether. That helps Smith’s draft value.

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Author: Michael Fabiano