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Heat knock Bulls out of the playoffs for third straight season
There are a few constants in life: death, taxes and the Chicago Bulls losing to the Miami Heat in the play-in tournament.
TYLER HERRO UP TO 38 POINTS ‼️
— NBA (@NBA) April 17, 2025
Taking OVER in the must-win game... #SoFiPlayIn on ESPN pic.twitter.com/2MOzBqA5EX
The No. 10-seeded Heat defeated the No. 9-seeded Bulls, 109-90, behind Tyler Herro's 38 points. Miami advanced to a play-in against the Atlanta Hawks Friday and sent the Bulls home, just like it did in 2023 and 2024.
This game was never close. Herro hit a three-pointer with 5:50 left in the first quarter to give the Heat a 22-12 lead, and they never led by less than double digits the rest of the way. After a first quarter where Herro shot 6-for-6 and scored 16 points, rookie Matas Buzelis' buzzer-beating three only cut Miami's lead to 39-28.
Matas Buzelis JUST beats the 1st-quarter buzzer! #SoFiPlayIn on ESPN pic.twitter.com/wlKOHdwnPA
— NBA (@NBA) April 17, 2025
Last year's Heat-Bulls play-in wasn't close either. The Heat took a 17-point lead after one quarter, and went on to win, 112-91, almost exactly the same as this year's final score. Herro finished with 24 points and one assist shy of a triple-double in that game, which Miami won without Jimmy Butler, just like last season.
In 2023, the Heat took another big first-quarter lead, but the Bulls came back and led in the fourth quarter. Still, Miami closed with a 15-1 run to complete a 102-91 win. The Heat would eventually make the NBA Finals from the play-in.
The common thread in these games is that the Bulls simply can't score against the Heat's defense. Maybe that's testament to Heat center Bam Adebayo's defense, but it might be a sign that despite having high-priced offensive weapons, the Bulls simply don't have good offenses.
In the last three seasons, Chicago has ranked 24th, 19th and 20th in offensive rating, all while having high-priced All-Stars Zach LaVine, DeMar DeRozan and Nikola Vucevic on the team. The Bulls have been stymied by a Heat defense relying on multiple undrafted players, or discarded players like guard Davion Mitchell, a throw-in in this year's Jimmy Butler trade who had 15 points on 5-for-5 shooting Wednesday night.
The Bulls probably need to get off the treadmill of mediocrity that's landed them in the play-in for three straight years. Especially when that means they lose to the Heat every April.
More must-reads:
- Bulls' play-in loss should make them regret trade-deadline decisions
- Heat failed Jimmy Butler, who just needed a 'Batman'
- The 'NBA minutes leaders by season' quiz
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Celtics' sale comes with significant and surprising twists
The sale of the Celtics to an investor group led by William Chisholm has received unanimous approval from the NBA’s Board of Governors, the league announced. The results of the vote were never really in doubt, but it’s significant that there was no opposition to Chisholm’s purchase. The league states that the deal is expected to be finalized soon. Chisholm, a Massachusetts native and lifelong Celtics fan, reached a tentative agreement in March to purchase the franchise for $6.1 billion, which set a record at the time as the largest amount ever paid for a North American sports team. That number has since been exceeded by the sale of the Lakers for $10 billion. Chisholm submitted the highest offer among four groups that were bidding for the team. According to Brian Robb of MassLive, his other stakeholders include Aditya Mittal, Robert Hale and Bruce A. Beal Jr., along with Sixth Street, a private investment firm. Chisholm’s group will obtain a 51% stake in the team from the Grousbeck family in the first phase of the sale and will purchase the remaining shares in 2028. When the sale was first announced, Wyc Grousbeck intended to remain in his role as the team’s governor through the 2027-28 season. However, in a surprising twist, a report on Tuesday indicates that’s no longer possible because Grousbeck will control less than the 15% minimum stake that the NBA requires for the person who holds that position. Instead, Chisholm will become lead governor as soon as the sale is official with Grousbeck serving as alternate governor and CEO through the 2027-28 season. Chisholm will take over the Celtics during a time of transition after years of being one of the NBA’s elite teams. Jayson Tatum‘s Achilles injury coupled with a second-round playoff exit have placed an emphasis on cost-cutting measures to lower the team’s tax bill and escape second-apron restrictions. Jrue Holiday, Kristaps Porzingis and Luke Kornet are already gone from last year’s roster, and more money-saving moves may take place before the new season begins.
Patriots have big Drake Maye concern surface at Vikings' joint practice
Defense ruled the day during the joint practice between the New England Patriots and Minnesota Vikings. Per Chad Graff of The Athletic, the Patriots defense did a masterful job of disrupting Vikings second-year quarterback J.J. McCarthy at Wednesday's practice. However, New England's offensive line was unable to allow Drake Maye to have enough time to finish plays. "Even with four new expected starters up front following last year’s debacle, Wednesday suggested that there will likely be some bumps ahead for this offensive line," Graff wrote. "Sure, going up against the Vikings was always going to be a difficult task. Greenard has been wrecking his own team’s practices in training camp, and everyone in New England knows how good Flores’ scheme can be. But the domination was so thorough by the Vikings’ front seven that three straight plays at one point would’ve resulted in a sack." Maye showed flashes of promise when he had time to throw downfield or was able to use his legs to buy time or scramble when pressure came. The concern is that the offensive line won't allow Maye enough time to even scramble so he can make throws. Graff has noticed the same issues that happened on Wednesday have been a constant at training camp against the Patriots defense. With a new-look offensive line that includes first-round pick Will Campbell at left tackle, the Patriots are expected to have some bumps at training camp and in September. New England's offense probably won't look great out of the gate while the offensive line develops in offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels' scheme. If and when the offensive line improves, Maye will have a chance to show off the arm that made him the No. 3 pick in 2024. For now, the offensive line is a concern much like it was last season.
Justin Jefferson Injury Update Leaves Minnesota Vikings Fans With A Mixed Bag Of Emotions
The Minnesota Vikings are gearing up for the 2025 NFL season, with fans eager to see how the team will perform under JJ McCarthy’s leadership. However, one storyline dominating training camp is Justin Jefferson’s hamstring injury. Arguably the best wide receiver in the league, Jefferson has been sidelined with the hope of a full recovery by Week 1. While updates on his rehab bring positive news, there are still concerns about how this will affect the Vikings’ season, particularly his chemistry with the team’s new quarterback. Here’s a deep dive into the positives, the challenges, and what it all means for the Vikings. The Good News: Justin Jefferson Is Progressing Head coach Kevin O’Connell recently provided an update on Jefferson’s recovery, noting that the receiver is progressing well and will be reassessed next week. For Vikings fans, this is the silver lining. The organization appears to be taking a cautious approach to ensure Jefferson is fully healed, as lingering issues with hamstring injuries have derailed seasons for even the best NFL players. O’Connell’s deliberate pacing suggests the team is focusing on the bigger picture—a healthy Jefferson navigating a 17-game season. After missing seven games in 2023 with a Grade 2 hamstring strain, the emphasis now is on preventing a repeat of that scenario. Leaving Jefferson out of practice and preseason games may seem frustrating, but it’s the smarter move considering his value to the team. With his track record of success, Jefferson doesn’t need extra reps to get up to speed and should be as dominant as ever once he returns to the field. The Concerns: Lingering Effects of the Injury Hamstring injuries, while often non-catastrophic, can be notoriously tricky. The soft tissue requires a delicate balance of rest and strengthening to avoid re-aggravation. The fact that Jefferson has dealt with hamstring issues before raises questions about whether this injury could linger. Given the missed time in training camp, Jefferson’s absence could even extend into the opening weeks of the season if the Vikings feel the need to be extra cautious. The team has a tough early schedule, and missing Jefferson against formidable defenses would significantly impact the offense’s explosiveness. Another concern is how Jefferson’s recovery might affect his usual sharpness. For a player who relies heavily on quick bursts, precise route-running, and agility, even slight discomfort could have an impact on his performance. Jefferson’s ability to separate from defenders makes him elite—any limitation in that department could be costly. The Chemistry Question with JJ McCarthy This offseason marked a monumental change for the Vikings with JJ McCarthy stepping in as the team’s quarterback. Developing chemistry between a quarterback and wide receiver duo is crucial, and every lost practice rep makes that process harder. McCarthy is a dynamic young talent, but he’s coming off a season-ending injury in 2024 and is still adjusting to the speed of the NFL game. While early preseason snaps have shown promise, the connection between McCarthy and Jefferson hasn’t been stress-tested enough to give fans full confidence yet. With Jefferson on the sideline and rookie receiver Jordan Addison suspended for the first three games, this puts even more pressure on McCarthy to adapt. Doubling down on their connection during training camp was a priority, but Jefferson’s absence forces a delay in that process. For now, McCarthy will build rapport with other playmakers like tight end TJ Hockenson, but it’s undeniable that Jefferson is the centerpiece of the offense. The earlier McCarthy and Jefferson can get meaningful reps together, the better the Vikings’ chances for a seamless start to the season. Why the Vikings’ Cautious Approach Is the Right Move While the concerns are real, this situation showcases the Vikings’ long-term thinking under Kevin O’Connell. Hamstring injuries demand respect—rushing back too soon can trigger setbacks that derail seasons. By prioritizing Jefferson’s long-term health over preseason scrimmages, the team is protecting its most valuable offensive asset. O’Connell has reiterated that the Vikings intend to compete for postseason success, not just early-season wins. This strategy, though frustrating for fans hungry to see Jefferson dominate, could help the team build toward sustained success over the course of a grueling season. Final Thoughts Justin Jefferson’s hamstring injury is a double-edged sword for the Vikings. On one hand, the careful management of his health inspires confidence that he’ll be ready to deliver highlight-reel performances when the games matter most. On the other hand, the lack of chemistry-building reps with JJ McCarthy raises questions about how quickly the offense can hit its stride. The Vikings are playing the long game, and that’s the right call. If Jefferson returns at 100% for Week 1, this moment of preseason adversity will feel like nothing more than a brief hiccup. If the injury lingers, however, it could magnify challenges for an offense that’s already adjusting to new leadership. For now, patience is the name of the game. Vikings fans should trust the organization to strike the balance between caution and urgency, as the ultimate goal remains deep postseason success with Jefferson as the team’s unstoppable playmaker.
Bryson DeChambeau divulges Scottie Scheffler's biggest advantage
We all know Scottie Scheffler is the best golfer on the planet by a fairly large margin, but what makes him so much more consistent than other stars in professional golf? Bryson DeChambeau, one of Scheffler's biggest rivals in major championships, thinks he knows the answer. In Tuesday's appearance on "The Pat McAfee Show," DeChambeau detailed how Scheffler dominates the PGA Tour weekly. "He's got the best spin and distance control I've ever seen," DeChambeau said. "He controls the golf ball from a spin perspective so much better than everybody else. Like, if you're 175 yards out, and it's 10 miles [an hour] into the wind, he knows how to control the flight and spin to get that ball to land right next to the hole every time. Probably since Tiger [Woods], he's the best that we've seen." The stats confirm DeChambeau's breakdown. Scheffler has ranked first on the PGA Tour in strokes gained on approach in three straight seasons. He also ranks first in proximity to the hole and greens in regulation percentage over the last four years. Iron play is Scheffler's superpower, but it wasn't always that way. "I played with him in college a bunch, and I've said it before, but he's definitely improved since college for sure," DeChambeau said with a chuckle. "It's impressive to see what he's done, and we're all aspiring to do that. That's something I've gotta get better at. I can hit it farther than him. I can hit it probably straighter than him. I can make just as many putts as him, but, really, it's about my iron play right now and wedges to get a little more consistent." Iron play is the biggest indicator of success in professional golf. If you're giving yourself more birdie chances from close range than anyone in the field, you're going to have the best chance to win by Sunday afternoon. No one is better at hitting specific distances more consistently than Scheffler. Just look at how accurate he is. DeChambeau has the best chance to catch Scheffler as the best player in the world because he's elite off the tee and on the greens, but that won't happen unless he makes a major improvement to his iron game.
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