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Analysis: As the NBA’s eyes are on Las Vegas, the Spurs and Pistons have a long road ahead

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:44:44 GMT

There was so much promise six weeks ago. San Antonio was reveling in the debut of Victor Wembanyama, the No. 1 pick who arrived with amazing fanfare. Detroit had a new coach in Monty Williams — just two years removed from taking Phoenix to the NBA Finals — and a roster featuring five top-five draft picks from the last five years.The Spurs started 3-2 and had a 21-point lead in the third quarter of their sixth game. The Pistons started 2-1, the only thing keeping them from a 3-0 start was a missed straightaway jumper by Cade Cunningham at the buzzer of their opener in Miami. So much promise, for both teams.And nothing since. Nothing.As the inaugural NBA In-Season Tournament winds down its quarterfinal round Tuesday and prepares to move amid the glitz and glamour of Las Vegas for its Final Four — capped Saturday by the awarding of a new trophy and the winning team’s players splitting about $8 million — the Spurs and Pistons are at the other end of the spectrum, mired already at the bo...

No. 9 UNC’s faster tempo is helping the Tar Heels thrive entering a matchup with No. 5 UConn

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:44:44 GMT

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (AP) — North Carolina coach Hubert Davis is spending much of every game emphatically waving his arm to signal his Tar Heels to go-go-go in pushing the ball upcourt on just about every rebound.His team is doing a better job of increasing the tempo to start this season than in either of his first two years. That’s a key for ninth-ranked UNC entering Tuesday’s matchup against fifth-ranked reigning NCAA champion Connecticut in New York’s Madison Square Garden, which is the headliner on the week’s AP Top 25 schedule.“We do it in practice, we push the ball in practice, we find the open man,” guard RJ Davis said, adding: “We know our tempo, we know the pace we need to be at, and you can see the benefits from it.”That game headlines the week’s AP Top 25 schedule after North Carolina made the biggest jump of eight spots in Monday’s new poll. Playing fast had long been a key piece of UNC’s success under retired Hall of Famer Ro...

Miami Police Department spreads holiday cheer with surprise gift cards during traffic stops

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:44:44 GMT

Chief Manuel Morales and Enrique Santos of iHeart Radio have joined forces with the City of Miami Police Department to bring the spirit of selfless giving to the streets this holiday season.Surprise traffic stops turned into moments of joy as officers, including Chief Morales himself, exchanged gift cards for summonses in various areas across the City of Miami.On Monday, as part of this festive endeavor, officers handed out $100 gift cards instead of citations during some traffic stops.“As we stop motorists, we recognize them and let them know, hey, listen, you did X violation, however, we’re spreading some joy and giving some positive reinforcement,” said Chief Morales.The unexpected act of generosity left drivers pleasantly surprised.“I don’t know how to react right now, I’m shocked,” said Sophia Gonzalez. “All I did was make a right, and I saw a hand to pull over, and I’m like, ‘What did I do?’ But, you know, thing...

Art Miami 2023 set to unveil global masterpieces

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:44:44 GMT

The art world’s spotlight turns to South Florida as the 33rd annual Art Miami unveils its VIP opening Tuesday, marking the commencement of one of the most anticipated events in contemporary and modern art. With 170 international galleries, this original and longest-running art fair promises a visual feast at CONTEXT Art Miami, located at One Herald Plaza in downtown Miami.As the epicenter of Art Week, this edition will feature over 900 artists, showcasing investment-quality paintings, sculptures, and more. From London to Tokyo, Paris to Miami, the event spans 31 countries, solidifying its status as a global contemporary art market leader. The festivities kick off with a VIP preview benefiting the Perez Art Museum Miami (PAMM). Renowned luxury jewelry brand Yvel, celebrated for its exceptional creations, returns as the Official Jeweler, adding a touch of glamour to the affair.Marking the beginning of one of South Florida’s busiest times of the year, Art Miami stands as th...

House Oversight Republicans flaunt payments made by Hunter Biden to his dad; documents say they were for a car

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:44:44 GMT

(CNN) — Republicans on the House Oversight Committee released a document showing payment from Hunter Biden’s business entity, Owasco PC, to President Joe Biden when he was not in office, but neglected to include evidence that the president’s son was repaying his father for a car.The redacted document provided to CNN shows that an account affiliated with Hunter Biden paid Joe Biden $1,380 on September 17, 2018. The document states the payments would occur on a monthly basis, and the panel is aware of at least three monthly payments to Joe Biden in total, a source familiar with the committee’s work told CNN.But documents provided to CNN appear to show that Hunter Biden was repaying his father for a Ford Raptor, information that had already been publicized. A source familiar with the payment told CNN that Hunter Biden’s credit was low at the time while he was struggling with addiction, so he couldn’t finance the car and his father signed for the ...

Lawsuit alleges Brian Laundrie shared with his parents that Gabby Petito was ‘gone’ and that he needed a lawyer

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:44:44 GMT

(CNN) — Brian Laundrie told his parents Gabby Petito was “gone” in what is described as a frantic phone call that took place three weeks before her remains were discovered, according to an amended civil complaint filed by Petito’s parents on November 30.Joseph Petito and Nichole Schmidt are suing Laundrie’s parents and their attorney, claiming they intentionally withheld information about 22-year-old Gabby Petito’s death, causing them pain and emotional distress.Petito was reported missing by her family in September 2021 after she embarked on a trip with Laundrie, her fiancé. Authorities found her remains in Wyoming days later, on September 19, and a coroner ruled her cause of death strangulation. Laundrie returned to his Florida home and then vanished into a reserve for weeks, before investigators found his remains and a medical examiner ruled he died by suicide. Authorities said they found writing...

Supreme Court to hear case that could make it harder for Congress to tax the rich

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:44:44 GMT

(CNN) — The Supreme Court will hear oral arguments on Tuesday in a case that could both save the rich billions of dollars and hamper President Joe Biden and Democrat from imposing certain types of wealth taxes in the future.The case, Moore vs the United States, could have sweeping ramifications for the existing tax code, potentially overturning multiple provisions that largely hit well-off Americans and costing the federal government hundreds of billions of dollars in revenue.The case centers on a measure in the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, which Republicans in Congress passed in 2017. It created a one-time transition tax levied on shareholders on undistributed profits accrued between 1986 and the end of 2017 by certain foreign corporations that are majority owned by Americans. The provision is expected to raise $340 billion over a decade.Charles and Kathleen Moore, who were investors in an India-based company, were hit with a $15,000 tax bill because of the provision, though they sa...

International Ice Hockey Federation mandates neck guards to be worn at all levels following Adam Johnson’s death

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:44:44 GMT

(CNN) — The International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) has announced that neck guards will be mandatory at all levels, including the Winter Olympics and World Championships, following Adam Johnson’s death.Johnson died after sustaining a cut to the neck in a collision with another player during the second period of the Nottingham Panthers’ game against the Sheffield Steelers in England on October 28.A Sheffield coroner’s report found that the 29-year-old “sustained an incised wound to the neck caused by the skate of another player” and later died in hospital as a result of the injury.In a statement released on Monday, the IIHF said it has taken the decision “on recommendation from its Medical Committee.”“The neck laceration protectors are now mandatory for the senior categories in addition to the U20 and U18 categories, for which neck laceration protectors had already been enforced as per IIHF Official Rule Book,” the statement read.“The exact date this ...

New England Aquarium Sea Turtle Hospital

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:44:44 GMT

Patriots-Chargers film review: Bill Belichick’s worst roster flaw is killing the offense

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:44:44 GMT

Like the lonely zero that hung on the scoreboard at Gillette Stadium on Sunday, Bill Belichick’s history of drafting wide receivers is sad, painful and plain to see.Do you know the last college receiver the Patriots selected who became a multi-year NFL starter?That would be Deion Branch in 2002. That’s right.It’s been more than 20 years since Belichick drafted and developed a true wideout. Tom Brady papered over that problem for two decades, as he did many dynasty-era deficiencies. But now Belichick’s receiving corps is undermining the Patriots more than any other non-quarterback position on the roster.Think about it.Kayshon Boutte failed to tap a second foot inbounds in the final seconds of the Pats’ season opener against the Eagles; DeVante Parker dropped a 50-yard bomb on the final drive at Las Vegas; JuJu Smith-Schuster deflected a game-sealing interception to the Commanders to clinch a loss in Week 9.On Sunday, it was Tyquan Thornton’s turn t...