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Identity-less Timberwolves fall into 3-0 hole after Game 3 loss to Nuggets

Published Mon, 16 Dec 2024 23:40:56 GMT

The NBA’s regular season reveals more than most recognize. Over the course of 82 games, identities crystallize.Denver established one — a fine-tuned machine centered on two-time reigning MVP Nikola Jokic, who’s armed with a couple elite scorers and a host of role players who perfectly balance out the team’s general skillset. The Nuggets made a few key offseason additions last summer to fortify their defense, but the core has been set for years and has built a profound understanding of how to execute in the most critical moments.Minnesota’s identity is that it doesn’t have one. What the Timberwolves excelled at or relied upon changed numerous times over the months, and the results fluctuated accordingly.“We’ve struggled with a consistent identity all year, whether it’s been two bigs, or a small lineup, or Rudy only or whatever,” Finch said. “We obviously aren’t there yet.”So when times got tough or tense, Minnesota had nothi...

Daily horoscope for April 22, 2023

Published Mon, 16 Dec 2024 23:40:56 GMT

Moon Alert: After 6:30 a.m. EDT today (3:30 a.m. PDT), there are no restrictions to shopping or important decisions today. The Moon is in Gemini.Happy Birthday for Saturday, April 22, 2023:You are a charming person who loves beauty in their surroundings. You are also hardworking and often want spaces around you to your specifications. Focus on your personal responsibilities to others this year, especially family. This means you have to take excellent care of yourself. Perhaps it’s time for a makeover.ARIES(March 21-April 19) ★★★Your focus on money and possessions will increase in the next four weeks. Take care of old business. If you’re looking for work, go back to someplace you worked before or applied before. Your best chances will be from the past, not the future. Tonight: Chatty times.TAURUS(April 20-May 20) ★★★★It’s all about you for the next four weeks. Use this window of time to rejuvenate yourself and replenish your energy for the rest of the year. You can ...

Nuggets’ Nikola Jokic on Game 3 win over Timberwolves: “We didn’t want to give them life”

Published Mon, 16 Dec 2024 23:40:56 GMT

MINNEAPOLIS – Nikola Jokic slapped himself eight times, smacking his biceps and ribs as if the Macarena had only recently reached Serbia.In a 120-111 Game 3 victory that featured a glaring 35-13 free-throw disparity in favor of the Timberwolves, Jokic was tired of being beaten like a punching bag. Rarely, if ever, has he been so outright demonstrative and disrespectful to officials.But Friday night’s Game 3, with a chance to seize a commanding 3-0 lead over Minnesota, warranted such overt gesticulations.“If something is obvious, I just like to say it’s obvious,” Jokic said delicately, after polishing off a 20-point, 12-assist, 11-rebound triple-double that featured no trips to the free-throw line.Assessing Jokic’s night, Nuggets coach Michael Malone formed a zero with his fingers and peered through the hole to represent his astonishment at the unique feat.But Jokic doesn’t show up the officials, risking his reputation and a technical foul, if he and the Nuggets didn’t intend to crus...

Gooch takes 10-shot lead into final round of LIV Australia

Published Mon, 16 Dec 2024 23:40:56 GMT

ADELAIDE, Australia (AP) — Talor Gooch continued his bogey-free run at the inaugural LIV Australia tournament Saturday and shot his second consecutive 10-under 62 to increase his lead to 10 strokes after two rounds at the Grange Golf Club.Gooch had a 36-hole total of 124 going into Sunday’s final round. He led by four strokes after the opening round.As tournament leader, the 31-year-old American began his round on the first hole Saturday in the shotgun-start format and posted four birdies in five holes from the ninth hole. He birdied his final hole at the Grange to take his lead into double digits.“Everything is just going my way,” said Gooch, who had an eagle and eight birdies Saturday. “I’m hitting the ball where I want it to go, a couple of times when I missed a shot I ended up in a decent spot.”There was a six-way tie for second including Brooks Koepka, who shot 65. Local favorite and British Open champion Cam Smith was a further stroke back and in a tie for eighth after a...

Migrantes exigen justicia tras aplazamiento de audiencia por incendio en Ciudad Juárez

Published Mon, 16 Dec 2024 23:40:56 GMT

CIUDAD JUÁREZ, México- Migrantes en la fronteriza Ciudad Juárez exigieron este viernes justicia por el incendio que mató a 40 migrantes en un centro del gobierno mexicano después de que se aplazó la audiencia judicial programada para este día del jefe del Instituto Nacional de Migración (INM), Francisco Garduño.“Todos estamos a la expectativa, que se haga justicia que es lo que esperamos, que estos casos no queden impunes, que comparezcan ante los cuerpos de investigación, tribunales, Fiscalía, todas, todos aquellos a quienes les corresponda asumir esa responsabilidad”, dijo a EFE el venezolano Juan Ángel Pavón.Pavón se manifestó junto a otros migrantes este viernes, cuando estaba programada la primera audiencia del director del INM por su presunta responsabilidad penal en el incendio que mató a 40 migrantes en un centro de detención el 27 de marzo pasado.Aunque la audiencia se aplazó para el martes próximo, el venezolano expresó su satisfacción por la decisión de la Fiscalía Genera...

Trevor Moore scores on OT power play, Kings beat Oilers 3-2

Published Mon, 16 Dec 2024 23:40:56 GMT

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Trevor Moore grew up in nearby Thousand Oaks and came to Los Angeles Kings playoff games one day hoping to achieve his own postseason moment.On Friday night it happened for the 28-year old forward even though he needed to wait a little bit to make sure it counted.Moore became the first California-born player to score a postseason overtime goal for a California-based team, with his power-play goal 3:24 into the extra period giving the Kings a 3-2 victory over the Edmonton Oilers and a 2-1 lead in the Western Conference first-round series.“It was awesome. Super fun playing in that building. That energy was like nothing else. It was really special,” Moore said after his first goal of the series and fourth postseason score of his career. Game 4 on Sunday night in Los Angeles.The goal was upheld following a lengthy review to determine if Gabriel Villardi played the puck in the corner with a high stick. The NHL’s situation room said there was no conclusive video e...

Cubs play the Dodgers after Hoerner’s 4-hit game

Published Mon, 16 Dec 2024 23:40:56 GMT

Los Angeles Dodgers (10-11, second in the NL West) vs. Chicago Cubs (12-7, third in the NL Central)Chicago; Saturday, 2:20 p.m. EDTPITCHING PROBABLES: Dodgers: Dustin May (1-1, 3.00 ERA, .92 WHIP, 13 strikeouts); Cubs: Hayden Wesneski (1-0, 4.15 ERA, 1.69 WHIP, 11 strikeouts)FANDUEL SPORTSBOOK MLB LINE: Dodgers -137, Cubs +116; over/under is 9 runsBOTTOM LINE: The Chicago Cubs play the Los Angeles Dodgers after Nico Hoerner had four hits on Friday in a 13-0 win over the Dodgers.Chicago has a 12-7 record overall and a 6-5 record at home. The Cubs have a 12-1 record in games when they have more hits than their opponents.Los Angeles is 10-11 overall and 4-5 in road games. The Dodgers have gone 7-3 in games when they record at least eight hits.The teams meet Saturday for the sixth time this season. The Cubs are up 3-2 in the season series.TOP PERFORMERS: Hoerner has five doubles, a home run and nine RBI for the Cubs. Patrick Wisdom is 11-for-41 with two doubles, a triple, six home runs ...

Reds aim to stop 4-game skid, take on the Pirates

Published Mon, 16 Dec 2024 23:40:56 GMT

Cincinnati Reds (7-13, fifth in the NL Central) vs. Pittsburgh Pirates (14-7, second in the NL Central)Pittsburgh; Saturday, 6:35 p.m. EDTPITCHING PROBABLES: Reds: Luis Cessa (0-2, 13.50 ERA, 2.75 WHIP, three strikeouts); Pirates: Rich Hill (1-2, 5.57 ERA, 1.33 WHIP, 15 strikeouts)FANDUEL SPORTSBOOK MLB LINE: Pirates -151, Reds +129; over/under is 9 runsBOTTOM LINE: The Cincinnati Reds are looking to break a four-game losing streak with a victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates.Pittsburgh has a 14-7 record overall and a 5-3 record at home. Pirates hitters are batting a collective .251, which ranks seventh in the NL.Cincinnati has a 7-13 record overall and a 1-7 record in road games. The Reds are 6-2 in games when they scored at least five runs.The matchup Saturday is the sixth time these teams meet this season. The Pirates hold a 3-2 advantage in the season series.TOP PERFORMERS: Bryan Reynolds has three doubles, a triple and five home runs for the Pirates. Connor Joe is 13-for-37 with ...

Arizona Diamondbacks take on the San Diego Padres Saturday

Published Mon, 16 Dec 2024 23:40:56 GMT

San Diego Padres (10-12, third in the NL West) vs. Arizona Diamondbacks (12-9, first in the NL West)Phoenix; Saturday, 8:10 p.m. EDTPITCHING PROBABLES: Padres: Joe Musgrove (0-0); Diamondbacks: Merrill Kelly (1-2, 3.38 ERA, 1.27 WHIP, 18 strikeouts)FANDUEL SPORTSBOOK MLB LINE: Padres -147, Diamondbacks +126; over/under is 9 1/2 runsBOTTOM LINE: The Arizona Diamondbacks play the San Diego Padres on Saturday.Arizona has gone 6-3 at home and 12-9 overall. The Diamondbacks have a 10-3 record in games when they record at least eight hits.San Diego has gone 5-4 in road games and 10-12 overall. The Padres are 4-8 in games when they have allowed at least one home run.The teams meet Saturday for the fifth time this season. The season series is tied 2-2.TOP PERFORMERS: Corbin Carroll leads Arizona with four home runs while slugging .493. Pavin Smith is 8-for-24 with two home runs and 10 RBI over the past 10 games.Xander Bogaerts has four doubles and five home runs while hitting .349 for the P...

Philadelphia Phillies host the Colorado Rockies Saturday

Published Mon, 16 Dec 2024 23:40:56 GMT

Colorado Rockies (6-15, fifth in the NL West) vs. Philadelphia Phillies (9-12, fourth in the NL East)Philadelphia; Saturday, 3:05 p.m. EDTPITCHING PROBABLES: Rockies: Kyle Freeland (2-1, 3.80 ERA, 1.27 WHIP, 12 strikeouts); Phillies: Cristopher Sanchez (0-0)FANDUEL SPORTSBOOK MLB LINE: Phillies -187, Rockies +158; over/under is 9 1/2 runsBOTTOM LINE: The Philadelphia Phillies host the Colorado Rockies on Saturday.Philadelphia has a 4-4 record in home games and a 9-12 record overall. Phillies hitters are batting a collective .279, the third-best team batting average in MLB play.Colorado has gone 3-8 in road games and 6-15 overall. The Rockies are 6-1 in games when they did not give up a home run.Saturday’s game is the third time these teams match up this season.TOP PERFORMERS: Alec Bohm has three doubles and three home runs for the Phillies. Trea Turner is 13-for-43 with three doubles and a home run over the past 10 games.Kris Bryant has four doubles and three home runs for the...