The Miami Heat knocked off the Toronto Raptors up north in a feisty, awesome game on Tuesday. Wayne Ellington — a revelation — hit the game-winning layup with 0.3 seconds to go. The win launched the Heat into the No. 4 seed. But before all that, James Johnson — nicknamed Bloodsport, 7-0 in official mixed martial arts matches, and 20-0 as a kickboxer — squared off with Serge Ibaka, and Ibaka didn’t flinch. Both were ejected.
The Heat and Raptors have beef. Who knew?
We have that and more in Wednesday’s NBA newsletter.
After Ellington’s winner, DeMar DeRozan and Goran Dragic shared unpleasantries before DeRozan pushed the Slovenian and later swung mildly as they were being separated. He was mad about something. DeRozan indicated in the post-game that Dragic approached him after the Raptor’s last-second heave.
Whatever the case, Ibaka and probably DeRozan are going to be suspended for the Raptors’ big Thursday showdown against the Cavaliers. Kyle Lowry is day-to-day with a busted ass — err, bruised tailbone. That game might not be must-watch after all.
Scores Galore ...
MIA 90, TOR 89
POR 117, OKC 106
ORL 99, DAL 114
SAC 86, LAL 99
... And So Much More
Mock draft time! Ricky O’Donnell has Luka Doncic (who came into this season at the top and has been incredible in Europe) at No. 1 with Mo Bamba and Trae Young racing up the board.
The Warriors brought Dr. Dre and Jimmy Iovine to practice. What a team.
Paul Flannery on Karl-Anthony Towns, who is already good and still getting better.
Victor Oladipo is apparently going to be cast as Jim Halpert in the reboot of The Office.
The Ball brothers played their first game in Lithuania and ... it was something. Like 1.6 million people tuned in. Meanwhile, Stan Van Gundy has declared he will boycott the traditional pre-game sitdown with ESPN’s announcer crew before the Pistons’ January 19 game to protest the fact that ESPN covered LaVar Ball’s comments about Luke Walton. Seems like a good way to ensure people keep talking about LaVar Ball and paying him attention!
Eleven games on Wednesday, including Thunder-Wolves (8 p.m. ET) and Clippers-Warriors (10:30) on ESPN. Full schedule here.
Be excellent to each other.
Every great scorer needs to learn Dirk Nowitzki’s one-legged fadeaway
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