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Deadspin | Skidding Brewers ask P Jacob Misiorowski to silence Jays  Apr 1, 2026; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Jacob Misiorowski (32) delivers a pitch against the Tampa Bay Rays in the first inning at American Family Field. Mandatory Credit: Michael McLoone-Imagn Images   The Milwaukee Brewers will turn to hard-throwing Jacob Misiorowski as they look to end a five-game skid when they face the visiting Toronto Blue Jays on Tuesday.  Misiorowski (1-1, 3.31 ERA) will be opposed by fellow right-hander Kevin Gausman (0-1, 2.08) in the opener of a three-game series.  The Brewers were idle Monday after losing at home to the Washington Nationals 8-6 on Sunday when the bullpen allowed six runs in the seventh and eighth innings.  Toronto also was off Monday after concluding a six-game homestand with an 8-2 loss to the Minnesota Twins, dropping to 1-4-0 in series play this season. Starter Max Scherzer was tagged for eight runs in 2 1/3 innings. The Blue Jays outhit the Twins 12-8 but stranded 12 runners and finished 2-for-14 with runners in scoring position.  “I think just kind of missing that hit to kind of keep the game flow where it should be,” Toronto manager John Schneider said Sunday. “It seems like we’ve been playing kind of out of sync a little bit with an inning here, an inning there.”  Milwaukee, which had scored just six runs in its four previous losses, got a game-tying three-run homer from Gary Sanchez in the seventh inning on Sunday after two solo homers by Brice Turang and another by Jake Bauers.  It’s the first five-game losing streak for the three-time defending National League Central champs since a six-game skid in June 2023. It was the first time the Brewers were swept by the Nationals in Milwaukee since 2006.  “We’ll respond, we’ll figure it out,” Turang said Sunday. “We’ve got a really good team. When we’re just playing our game, we’re hard to beat. We know that. It’s just understanding each individual guy to trust each other and trust themselves.”  The Brewers, already without injured starters Jackson Chourio and Andrew Vaughn, are waiting on test results for Christian Yelich, who departed from the Sunday game with tightness in his left hamstring.   “We’re most likely going to get some bad news on Yelich,” Brewers manager Pat Murphy said Sunday.  Misiorowski was saddled with the loss his last time out when he lost command after a dominant start as the Red Sox beat the Brewers 3-2 in Boston last Tuesday. He allowed just two hits through five innings and opened the sixth with his 10th strikeout, but then threw 11 straight balls and walked the bases loaded, with each runner eventually scoring after DL Hall replaced Misiorowski.  Misiorowski, named to the All-Star team last season after just five major league starts, has 28 strikeouts in 16 1/3 innings this season and opponents are batting just .143 against him. The Tuesday game will be his first appearance against the Blue Jays.  Gausman has pitched far better than his record indicates. He allowed one run on one hit in six innings without a decision in his first start, followed by two hits over six scoreless innings with another no-decision.  Gausman took the loss his last time out, giving up three runs in 5 1/3 innings in a 4-1 loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers.  Gausman is 2-0 with a 1.51 ERA in seven career appearances vs. the Brewers, including five starts. He faced them once last season, allowing one run in seven innings without a decision in a 4-1 loss on Aug. 30.  The Toronto bullpen combined to throw 15 1/3 shutout innings in the three games against Minnesota, allowing just five hits with 20 strikeouts and two walks.  Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is hitting .345 (10-for-29) with three doubles, a homer and three RBIs over his past eight games. Daulton Varsho hit .348 over the last homestand with three doubles, two homers, five RBIs and four runs.  –Field Level Media    #Deadspin #Skidding #Brewers #Jacob #Misiorowski #silence #Jays

Deadspin | Skidding Brewers ask P Jacob Misiorowski to silence Jays
Deadspin | Skidding Brewers ask P Jacob Misiorowski to silence Jays  Apr 1, 2026; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Jacob Misiorowski (32) delivers a pitch against the Tampa Bay Rays in the first inning at American Family Field. Mandatory Credit: Michael McLoone-Imagn Images   The Milwaukee Brewers will turn to hard-throwing Jacob Misiorowski as they look to end a five-game skid when they face the visiting Toronto Blue Jays on Tuesday.  Misiorowski (1-1, 3.31 ERA) will be opposed by fellow right-hander Kevin Gausman (0-1, 2.08) in the opener of a three-game series.  The Brewers were idle Monday after losing at home to the Washington Nationals 8-6 on Sunday when the bullpen allowed six runs in the seventh and eighth innings.  Toronto also was off Monday after concluding a six-game homestand with an 8-2 loss to the Minnesota Twins, dropping to 1-4-0 in series play this season. Starter Max Scherzer was tagged for eight runs in 2 1/3 innings. The Blue Jays outhit the Twins 12-8 but stranded 12 runners and finished 2-for-14 with runners in scoring position.  “I think just kind of missing that hit to kind of keep the game flow where it should be,” Toronto manager John Schneider said Sunday. “It seems like we’ve been playing kind of out of sync a little bit with an inning here, an inning there.”  Milwaukee, which had scored just six runs in its four previous losses, got a game-tying three-run homer from Gary Sanchez in the seventh inning on Sunday after two solo homers by Brice Turang and another by Jake Bauers.  It’s the first five-game losing streak for the three-time defending National League Central champs since a six-game skid in June 2023. It was the first time the Brewers were swept by the Nationals in Milwaukee since 2006.  “We’ll respond, we’ll figure it out,” Turang said Sunday. “We’ve got a really good team. When we’re just playing our game, we’re hard to beat. We know that. It’s just understanding each individual guy to trust each other and trust themselves.”  The Brewers, already without injured starters Jackson Chourio and Andrew Vaughn, are waiting on test results for Christian Yelich, who departed from the Sunday game with tightness in his left hamstring.   “We’re most likely going to get some bad news on Yelich,” Brewers manager Pat Murphy said Sunday.  Misiorowski was saddled with the loss his last time out when he lost command after a dominant start as the Red Sox beat the Brewers 3-2 in Boston last Tuesday. He allowed just two hits through five innings and opened the sixth with his 10th strikeout, but then threw 11 straight balls and walked the bases loaded, with each runner eventually scoring after DL Hall replaced Misiorowski.  Misiorowski, named to the All-Star team last season after just five major league starts, has 28 strikeouts in 16 1/3 innings this season and opponents are batting just .143 against him. The Tuesday game will be his first appearance against the Blue Jays.  Gausman has pitched far better than his record indicates. He allowed one run on one hit in six innings without a decision in his first start, followed by two hits over six scoreless innings with another no-decision.  Gausman took the loss his last time out, giving up three runs in 5 1/3 innings in a 4-1 loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers.  Gausman is 2-0 with a 1.51 ERA in seven career appearances vs. the Brewers, including five starts. He faced them once last season, allowing one run in seven innings without a decision in a 4-1 loss on Aug. 30.  The Toronto bullpen combined to throw 15 1/3 shutout innings in the three games against Minnesota, allowing just five hits with 20 strikeouts and two walks.  Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is hitting .345 (10-for-29) with three doubles, a homer and three RBIs over his past eight games. Daulton Varsho hit .348 over the last homestand with three doubles, two homers, five RBIs and four runs.  –Field Level Media    #Deadspin #Skidding #Brewers #Jacob #Misiorowski #silence #JaysApr 1, 2026; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Jacob Misiorowski (32) delivers a pitch against the Tampa Bay Rays in the first inning at American Family Field. Mandatory Credit: Michael McLoone-Imagn Images

The Milwaukee Brewers will turn to hard-throwing Jacob Misiorowski as they look to end a five-game skid when they face the visiting Toronto Blue Jays on Tuesday.

Misiorowski (1-1, 3.31 ERA) will be opposed by fellow right-hander Kevin Gausman (0-1, 2.08) in the opener of a three-game series.

The Brewers were idle Monday after losing at home to the Washington Nationals 8-6 on Sunday when the bullpen allowed six runs in the seventh and eighth innings.

Toronto also was off Monday after concluding a six-game homestand with an 8-2 loss to the Minnesota Twins, dropping to 1-4-0 in series play this season. Starter Max Scherzer was tagged for eight runs in 2 1/3 innings. The Blue Jays outhit the Twins 12-8 but stranded 12 runners and finished 2-for-14 with runners in scoring position.

“I think just kind of missing that hit to kind of keep the game flow where it should be,” Toronto manager John Schneider said Sunday. “It seems like we’ve been playing kind of out of sync a little bit with an inning here, an inning there.”

Milwaukee, which had scored just six runs in its four previous losses, got a game-tying three-run homer from Gary Sanchez in the seventh inning on Sunday after two solo homers by Brice Turang and another by Jake Bauers.

It’s the first five-game losing streak for the three-time defending National League Central champs since a six-game skid in June 2023. It was the first time the Brewers were swept by the Nationals in Milwaukee since 2006.

“We’ll respond, we’ll figure it out,” Turang said Sunday. “We’ve got a really good team. When we’re just playing our game, we’re hard to beat. We know that. It’s just understanding each individual guy to trust each other and trust themselves.”


The Brewers, already without injured starters Jackson Chourio and Andrew Vaughn, are waiting on test results for Christian Yelich, who departed from the Sunday game with tightness in his left hamstring.

“We’re most likely going to get some bad news on Yelich,” Brewers manager Pat Murphy said Sunday.

Misiorowski was saddled with the loss his last time out when he lost command after a dominant start as the Red Sox beat the Brewers 3-2 in Boston last Tuesday. He allowed just two hits through five innings and opened the sixth with his 10th strikeout, but then threw 11 straight balls and walked the bases loaded, with each runner eventually scoring after DL Hall replaced Misiorowski.

Misiorowski, named to the All-Star team last season after just five major league starts, has 28 strikeouts in 16 1/3 innings this season and opponents are batting just .143 against him. The Tuesday game will be his first appearance against the Blue Jays.

Gausman has pitched far better than his record indicates. He allowed one run on one hit in six innings without a decision in his first start, followed by two hits over six scoreless innings with another no-decision.

Gausman took the loss his last time out, giving up three runs in 5 1/3 innings in a 4-1 loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Gausman is 2-0 with a 1.51 ERA in seven career appearances vs. the Brewers, including five starts. He faced them once last season, allowing one run in seven innings without a decision in a 4-1 loss on Aug. 30.

The Toronto bullpen combined to throw 15 1/3 shutout innings in the three games against Minnesota, allowing just five hits with 20 strikeouts and two walks.

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is hitting .345 (10-for-29) with three doubles, a homer and three RBIs over his past eight games. Daulton Varsho hit .348 over the last homestand with three doubles, two homers, five RBIs and four runs.


–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Skidding #Brewers #Jacob #Misiorowski #silence #Jays

Apr 1, 2026; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Jacob Misiorowski (32) delivers a pitch against the Tampa Bay Rays in the first inning at American Family Field. Mandatory Credit: Michael McLoone-Imagn Images

The Milwaukee Brewers will turn to hard-throwing Jacob Misiorowski as they look to end a five-game skid when they face the visiting Toronto Blue Jays on Tuesday.

Misiorowski (1-1, 3.31 ERA) will be opposed by fellow right-hander Kevin Gausman (0-1, 2.08) in the opener of a three-game series.

The Brewers were idle Monday after losing at home to the Washington Nationals 8-6 on Sunday when the bullpen allowed six runs in the seventh and eighth innings.

Toronto also was off Monday after concluding a six-game homestand with an 8-2 loss to the Minnesota Twins, dropping to 1-4-0 in series play this season. Starter Max Scherzer was tagged for eight runs in 2 1/3 innings. The Blue Jays outhit the Twins 12-8 but stranded 12 runners and finished 2-for-14 with runners in scoring position.

“I think just kind of missing that hit to kind of keep the game flow where it should be,” Toronto manager John Schneider said Sunday. “It seems like we’ve been playing kind of out of sync a little bit with an inning here, an inning there.”

Milwaukee, which had scored just six runs in its four previous losses, got a game-tying three-run homer from Gary Sanchez in the seventh inning on Sunday after two solo homers by Brice Turang and another by Jake Bauers.

It’s the first five-game losing streak for the three-time defending National League Central champs since a six-game skid in June 2023. It was the first time the Brewers were swept by the Nationals in Milwaukee since 2006.

“We’ll respond, we’ll figure it out,” Turang said Sunday. “We’ve got a really good team. When we’re just playing our game, we’re hard to beat. We know that. It’s just understanding each individual guy to trust each other and trust themselves.”

The Brewers, already without injured starters Jackson Chourio and Andrew Vaughn, are waiting on test results for Christian Yelich, who departed from the Sunday game with tightness in his left hamstring.

“We’re most likely going to get some bad news on Yelich,” Brewers manager Pat Murphy said Sunday.

Misiorowski was saddled with the loss his last time out when he lost command after a dominant start as the Red Sox beat the Brewers 3-2 in Boston last Tuesday. He allowed just two hits through five innings and opened the sixth with his 10th strikeout, but then threw 11 straight balls and walked the bases loaded, with each runner eventually scoring after DL Hall replaced Misiorowski.

Misiorowski, named to the All-Star team last season after just five major league starts, has 28 strikeouts in 16 1/3 innings this season and opponents are batting just .143 against him. The Tuesday game will be his first appearance against the Blue Jays.

Gausman has pitched far better than his record indicates. He allowed one run on one hit in six innings without a decision in his first start, followed by two hits over six scoreless innings with another no-decision.

Gausman took the loss his last time out, giving up three runs in 5 1/3 innings in a 4-1 loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Gausman is 2-0 with a 1.51 ERA in seven career appearances vs. the Brewers, including five starts. He faced them once last season, allowing one run in seven innings without a decision in a 4-1 loss on Aug. 30.

The Toronto bullpen combined to throw 15 1/3 shutout innings in the three games against Minnesota, allowing just five hits with 20 strikeouts and two walks.

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is hitting .345 (10-for-29) with three doubles, a homer and three RBIs over his past eight games. Daulton Varsho hit .348 over the last homestand with three doubles, two homers, five RBIs and four runs.

–Field Level Media

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Praful Hinge became the first bowler to take three wickets in the first over of an IPL match for Sunrisers Hyderabad against Rajasthan Royals at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad.

Hinge, making his IPL debut, dismissed Vaibhav Suryavanshi, Dhruv Jurel, and Lhuan-dre Pretorius in the first over of RR’s chase.

Hinge had initially been named to make his debut in SRH’s match against Punjab Kings, but did not feature after being named in the Impact Player list.

After conceding a single from his first delivery, Hinge struck his first blow, dismissing Vaibhav Suryavanshi first ball caught and bowled. He struck two balls later, drawing a chop-on from Dhruv Jurel.

His third dismissal was fellow debutant Lhuan-dre Pretorius, who flicked the ball to Nitish Kumar Reddy at deep backward-square.

Prior to today’s match, Hinge had played just one T20 for his state side, Vidarbha.

Published on Apr 13, 2026

#SRH #IPL #Praful #Hinge #bowler #wickets #IPL #match">SRH vs RR, IPL 2026: Praful Hinge becomes first bowler to take three wickets in the first over an IPL match  Praful Hinge became the first bowler to take three wickets in the first over of an IPL match for Sunrisers Hyderabad against Rajasthan Royals at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad.Hinge, making his IPL debut, dismissed Vaibhav Suryavanshi, Dhruv Jurel, and Lhuan-dre Pretorius in the first over of RR’s chase.Hinge had initially been named to make his debut in SRH’s match against Punjab Kings, but did not feature after being named in the Impact Player list.After conceding a single from his first delivery, Hinge struck his first blow, dismissing Vaibhav Suryavanshi first ball caught and bowled. He struck two balls later, drawing a chop-on from Dhruv Jurel.His third dismissal was fellow debutant Lhuan-dre Pretorius, who flicked the ball to Nitish Kumar Reddy at deep backward-square.Prior to today’s match, Hinge had played just one T20 for his state side, Vidarbha.Published on Apr 13, 2026  #SRH #IPL #Praful #Hinge #bowler #wickets #IPL #match

Free Coby White.

While a February trade from Chicago to Charlotte allowed the North Carolina native to forge a fresh start with his non-toxic, home-state team, White still is aiming to escape the Eastern Conference play-in tournament.

Not to mention the Miami Heat, Chicago’s play-in foil for the past three seasons.

On Tuesday, White’s Hornets will host the Heat in the play-in opener, and White has a pulse on how to prevail.

“We’ve just got to use our pace,” he said. “It’ll be a tough game if we make it a half-court game. It plays into their favor because of all the weapons they have offensively, the length that they play with defensively, the physicality they play with. So, I think we’ve got to use our pace.”

Miami took the season series from Charlotte 3-1, with both meetings in South Beach coming before Nov. 7 amid the Hornets’ 4-14 start.

Charlotte entered a March 6 visit from the Heat at 32-31 and stuck around before losing 127-120. The Hornets put everything together 11 days later, coasting to a 136-106 victory as the Heat were without Bam Adebayo (right calf tightness) and fellow frontcourt starter Andrew Wiggins (toe).

Both teams navigated injuries down the stretch of the regular season but enter Tuesday in relatively good health. As with Charlotte against New York, Miami capitalized on facing a foe already in the East playoff field during Sunday’s regular-season finale. The Heat handled the Atlanta Hawks by 26 as 13 players saw the court.

“They’re a team that’s going to be obviously well-prepared,” White said. “They got a hell of a coach in Erik Spoelstra. So for us, we got to be honed into the details.”

Some cynics might say that Spoelstra’s star is tumbling as the Heat have been relegated to the play-in the past three seasons. Whatever the case, he boasts two NBA championships and four other Finals appearances since taking the reins in 2008-09.

Of course, that includes the 2022-23 Heat, who regrouped from a loss in the 7-8 game to defeat White and the Bulls and earn an official spot in the playoff draw. Eighth-seeded Miami upset Milwaukee, New York and Boston before bowing out to Denver in a five-game Finals.

For better or worse, Spoelstra knows the urgency of the play-in nearly as much as he does the Finals. In his experience, tackling the former doesn’t have to be formidable.

“You have to absolutely embrace it,” Spoelstra said. “It makes you feel alive, that’s for sure, if you’re a competitor.

“You don’t want the season to go the way it can to put you in the play-in, but once you’re in it, it’s exhilarating. You have to embrace the competition, embrace how every single possession really does matter.”

The Hornets need a victory on Tuesday and against the loser of Wednesday’s Orlando-Philadelphia game to advance to the East draw for the first time since 2016.

The Heat know the drill — both in the play-in and against the division rival Hornets. Charlotte features LaMelo Ball, Brandon Miller, Kon Knueppel and White among a horde of regulars who are comfortable with moving the ball and creating opportunities from long range.

“They play a lot faster at home, so obviously you’ve got to be aware of the shooters,” Adebayo said. “They run their offense with such a pace and sometimes it seems chaotic. You’ve got to be able to maintain through when they make runs or if it’s one of those big momentum swings, you’ve got to understand how we can settle and get back in the play.”

As Spoelstra can attest, anything can happen from there.

#Coby #White #Eyes #Breakthrough #Hornets #Face #Heat #Deadspin.com">Coby White Eyes Breakthrough as Hornets Face Heat | Deadspin.com   Free Coby White.While a February trade from Chicago to Charlotte allowed the North Carolina native to forge a fresh start with his non-toxic, home-state team, White still is aiming to escape the Eastern Conference play-in tournament.Not to mention the Miami Heat, Chicago’s play-in foil for the past three seasons.On Tuesday, White’s Hornets will host the Heat in the play-in opener, and White has a pulse on how to prevail.“We’ve just got to use our pace,” he said. “It’ll be a tough game if we make it a half-court game. It plays into their favor because of all the weapons they have offensively, the length that they play with defensively, the physicality they play with. So, I think we’ve got to use our pace.”Miami took the season series from Charlotte 3-1, with both meetings in South Beach coming before Nov. 7 amid the Hornets’ 4-14 start.Charlotte entered a March 6 visit from the Heat at 32-31 and stuck around before losing 127-120. The Hornets put everything together 11 days later, coasting to a 136-106 victory as the Heat were without Bam Adebayo (right calf tightness) and fellow frontcourt starter Andrew Wiggins (toe).Both teams navigated injuries down the stretch of the regular season but enter Tuesday in relatively good health. As with Charlotte against New York, Miami capitalized on facing a foe already in the East playoff field during Sunday’s regular-season finale. The Heat handled the Atlanta Hawks by 26 as 13 players saw the court.“They’re a team that’s going to be obviously well-prepared,” White said. “They got a hell of a coach in Erik Spoelstra. So for us, we got to be honed into the details.”Some cynics might say that Spoelstra’s star is tumbling as the Heat have been relegated to the play-in the past three seasons. Whatever the case, he boasts two NBA championships and four other Finals appearances since taking the reins in 2008-09.Of course, that includes the 2022-23 Heat, who regrouped from a loss in the 7-8 game to defeat White and the Bulls and earn an official spot in the playoff draw. Eighth-seeded Miami upset Milwaukee, New York and Boston before bowing out to Denver in a five-game Finals.For better or worse, Spoelstra knows the urgency of the play-in nearly as much as he does the Finals. In his experience, tackling the former doesn’t have to be formidable.“You have to absolutely embrace it,” Spoelstra said. “It makes you feel alive, that’s for sure, if you’re a competitor.“You don’t want the season to go the way it can to put you in the play-in, but once you’re in it, it’s exhilarating. You have to embrace the competition, embrace how every single possession really does matter.”The Hornets need a victory on Tuesday and against the loser of Wednesday’s Orlando-Philadelphia game to advance to the East draw for the first time since 2016.The Heat know the drill — both in the play-in and against the division rival Hornets. Charlotte features LaMelo Ball, Brandon Miller, Kon Knueppel and White among a horde of regulars who are comfortable with moving the ball and creating opportunities from long range.“They play a lot faster at home, so obviously you’ve got to be aware of the shooters,” Adebayo said. “They run their offense with such a pace and sometimes it seems chaotic. You’ve got to be able to maintain through when they make runs or if it’s one of those big momentum swings, you’ve got to understand how we can settle and get back in the play.”As Spoelstra can attest, anything can happen from there.   #Coby #White #Eyes #Breakthrough #Hornets #Face #Heat #Deadspin.com

Hornets put everything together 11 days later, coasting to a 136-106 victory as the Heat were without Bam Adebayo (right calf tightness) and fellow frontcourt starter Andrew Wiggins (toe).

Both teams navigated injuries down the stretch of the regular season but enter Tuesday in relatively good health. As with Charlotte against New York, Miami capitalized on facing a foe already in the East playoff field during Sunday’s regular-season finale. The Heat handled the Atlanta Hawks by 26 as 13 players saw the court.

“They’re a team that’s going to be obviously well-prepared,” White said. “They got a hell of a coach in Erik Spoelstra. So for us, we got to be honed into the details.”

Some cynics might say that Spoelstra’s star is tumbling as the Heat have been relegated to the play-in the past three seasons. Whatever the case, he boasts two NBA championships and four other Finals appearances since taking the reins in 2008-09.

Of course, that includes the 2022-23 Heat, who regrouped from a loss in the 7-8 game to defeat White and the Bulls and earn an official spot in the playoff draw. Eighth-seeded Miami upset Milwaukee, New York and Boston before bowing out to Denver in a five-game Finals.

For better or worse, Spoelstra knows the urgency of the play-in nearly as much as he does the Finals. In his experience, tackling the former doesn’t have to be formidable.

“You have to absolutely embrace it,” Spoelstra said. “It makes you feel alive, that’s for sure, if you’re a competitor.

“You don’t want the season to go the way it can to put you in the play-in, but once you’re in it, it’s exhilarating. You have to embrace the competition, embrace how every single possession really does matter.”

The Hornets need a victory on Tuesday and against the loser of Wednesday’s Orlando-Philadelphia game to advance to the East draw for the first time since 2016.

The Heat know the drill — both in the play-in and against the division rival Hornets. Charlotte features LaMelo Ball, Brandon Miller, Kon Knueppel and White among a horde of regulars who are comfortable with moving the ball and creating opportunities from long range.

“They play a lot faster at home, so obviously you’ve got to be aware of the shooters,” Adebayo said. “They run their offense with such a pace and sometimes it seems chaotic. You’ve got to be able to maintain through when they make runs or if it’s one of those big momentum swings, you’ve got to understand how we can settle and get back in the play.”

As Spoelstra can attest, anything can happen from there.

#Coby #White #Eyes #Breakthrough #Hornets #Face #Heat #Deadspin.com">Coby White Eyes Breakthrough as Hornets Face Heat | Deadspin.com

Free Coby White.

While a February trade from Chicago to Charlotte allowed the North Carolina native to forge a fresh start with his non-toxic, home-state team, White still is aiming to escape the Eastern Conference play-in tournament.

Not to mention the Miami Heat, Chicago’s play-in foil for the past three seasons.

On Tuesday, White’s Hornets will host the Heat in the play-in opener, and White has a pulse on how to prevail.

“We’ve just got to use our pace,” he said. “It’ll be a tough game if we make it a half-court game. It plays into their favor because of all the weapons they have offensively, the length that they play with defensively, the physicality they play with. So, I think we’ve got to use our pace.”

Miami took the season series from Charlotte 3-1, with both meetings in South Beach coming before Nov. 7 amid the Hornets’ 4-14 start.

Charlotte entered a March 6 visit from the Heat at 32-31 and stuck around before losing 127-120. The Hornets put everything together 11 days later, coasting to a 136-106 victory as the Heat were without Bam Adebayo (right calf tightness) and fellow frontcourt starter Andrew Wiggins (toe).

Both teams navigated injuries down the stretch of the regular season but enter Tuesday in relatively good health. As with Charlotte against New York, Miami capitalized on facing a foe already in the East playoff field during Sunday’s regular-season finale. The Heat handled the Atlanta Hawks by 26 as 13 players saw the court.

“They’re a team that’s going to be obviously well-prepared,” White said. “They got a hell of a coach in Erik Spoelstra. So for us, we got to be honed into the details.”

Some cynics might say that Spoelstra’s star is tumbling as the Heat have been relegated to the play-in the past three seasons. Whatever the case, he boasts two NBA championships and four other Finals appearances since taking the reins in 2008-09.

Of course, that includes the 2022-23 Heat, who regrouped from a loss in the 7-8 game to defeat White and the Bulls and earn an official spot in the playoff draw. Eighth-seeded Miami upset Milwaukee, New York and Boston before bowing out to Denver in a five-game Finals.

For better or worse, Spoelstra knows the urgency of the play-in nearly as much as he does the Finals. In his experience, tackling the former doesn’t have to be formidable.

“You have to absolutely embrace it,” Spoelstra said. “It makes you feel alive, that’s for sure, if you’re a competitor.

“You don’t want the season to go the way it can to put you in the play-in, but once you’re in it, it’s exhilarating. You have to embrace the competition, embrace how every single possession really does matter.”

The Hornets need a victory on Tuesday and against the loser of Wednesday’s Orlando-Philadelphia game to advance to the East draw for the first time since 2016.

The Heat know the drill — both in the play-in and against the division rival Hornets. Charlotte features LaMelo Ball, Brandon Miller, Kon Knueppel and White among a horde of regulars who are comfortable with moving the ball and creating opportunities from long range.

“They play a lot faster at home, so obviously you’ve got to be aware of the shooters,” Adebayo said. “They run their offense with such a pace and sometimes it seems chaotic. You’ve got to be able to maintain through when they make runs or if it’s one of those big momentum swings, you’ve got to understand how we can settle and get back in the play.”

As Spoelstra can attest, anything can happen from there.

#Coby #White #Eyes #Breakthrough #Hornets #Face #Heat #Deadspin.com

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