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Jimmy Butler’s heroics not enough as Heat fall 126-114 in OT in Orlando

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:30:50 GMT

In a season of bad losses, add one more to the Miami Heat’s ledger.A particularly painful loss.Both emotionally.And in the standings.Recovering from a 15-point fourth-quarter deficit to force overtime on a twisting Jimmy Butler 3-pointer at the regulation buzzer, the Heat nonetheless found a way to lose Saturday night to a team that entered the night 27-40.Perhaps fittingly, it ended with Butler walking off the court before the 126-114 overtime loss to the Orlando Magic at Amway Center was over, with the Heat assessed a technical foul for only having four players on the court.Butler seemingly could not have done more on his 38-point night, matching his regular-season high as a member of the Heat.Butler’s teammates could not do nearly enough otherwise, no other Heat player scoring more than 14.“Usually you’d have that kind of effort and that kind of performance,” coach Erik Spoelstra said, “your team, you find a way to figure it out and get a win. ...

Pence says Trump ‘endangered my family’ on Jan. 6

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:30:50 GMT

By ZEKE MILLER and CHRIS MEGERIAN (Associated Press)WASHINGTON (AP) — Former Vice President Mike Pence on Saturday harshly criticized former President Donald Trump for his role in the Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol, widening the rift between the two men as they prepare to battle over the Republican nomination in next year’s election.“President Trump was wrong,” Pence said during remarks at the annual white-tie Gridiron Dinner attended by politicians and journalists. “I had no right to overturn the election. And his reckless words endangered my family and everyone at the Capitol that day, and I know history will hold Donald Trump accountable.”Pence’s remarks were the sharpest condemnation yet from the once-loyal lieutenant who has often shied away from confronting his former boss. Trump has already declared his candidacy. Pence has not, but he’s been laying the groundwork to run.In the days leading up to Jan. 6, 2021, Trump pressured Pence to overturn President Joe Biden’s election ...

Celtics overcome late fireworks, hold off Hawks to start road trip

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:30:50 GMT

After taking control for most of the game, the Celtics certainly did not make things easy for themselves late on Saturday night in Atlanta.Boston’s worst habits that started its post-break slide came into view. Their double-digit lead was sliced down to an uncomfortable margin, and their inability to keep opponents off the offensive glass continued. Then, Marcus Smart was inexplicably ejected with less than 90 seconds to go after a skirmish with Trae Young.But unlike their pitfalls from their three-game skid earlier this month, the Celtics never cratered or succumbed to their late-game struggles. It wasn’t nearly perfect, but the C’s had enough answers down the stretch to hold off the Hawks for a 134-125 victory to kick off their six-game road trip.Jayson Tatum had another special night with 34 points, 15 rebounds and six assists, and Jaylen Brown scored 24 points to lead six Celtics in double-figure scoring. Young had 35 points and 13 assists to lead the Hawks, who could be a poten...

Wendell Carter’s return helps defense in Magic’s overtime win over Heat

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:30:50 GMT

The Orlando Magic are hoping the return of their starting big man will lead to better defensive performances.Saturday’s 126-114 overtime win over the Miami Heat at Amway Center was a step in the right direction.Wendell Carter Jr. was back in the lineup after missing the previous three games — losses to the Portland Trail Blazers, Milwaukee Bucks and Utah Jazz — because of hip pain.“He does so many little things,” coach Jamahl Mosley said pregame. “Like his ability to when to roll and where to roll in pick-and-rolls. It’s why he and Franz [Wagner] have such a great connection in the pick-and-roll.“Defensively, that early talk, that early help with the guards; helping them navigate through screens and being in the right position if something breaks down — those are the things that you don’t really pick up on because he’s covering it so fast.”The Magic’s defensive efficiency tanked without Carter in the previ...

Winderman’s view: Jimmy Butler could use a few friends (who can score)

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:30:50 GMT

Observations and other notes of interest from Saturday night’s 126-114 overtime loss to the Orlando Magic:– Yes, Jimmy Butler is a one-man band.– Which says plenty about Jimmy Butler since the All-Star break.– He also has to feel lonely at the top of the scoring sheet.– The supporting cast is well paid, or at least will be when Tyler Herro’s extension kicks in next season to join Bam Adebayo on his extension.– But it’s as if there is nothing there when Butler isn’t in there.– And the man certainly deserves his rest.– With this one the second night of a back-to-back.– With three more Heat back-to-back sets to follow.– Kyle Lowry was supposed to be the sidekick in stardom.– That never happened.– Adebayo was trending that way.– Then came the All-Star break.– As for Herro, the ultimate streak-scoring element, perhaps.– But not necessarily a No. 2 on an elite team.– So Butler...

Favoring continuity, China reappoints central bank governor

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:30:50 GMT

BEIJING (AP) — China on Sunday reappointed Yi Gang as head of the central bank in an effort to reassure entrepreneurs and financial markets by showing continuity at the top while other economic officials change.Yi, whose official title is governor of the People’s Bank of China, plays no role in making monetary policy, unlike his counterparts in other major economies. His official duties lie in “implementing monetary policy,” or carrying out decisions made by a policymaking body whose membership is a secret. But the central bank governor acts as spokesperson for monetary policy, is the most prominent Chinese figure in global finance and is in charge of reassuring bankers and investors at a time when China’s economy is emerging from drastically slower growth. At the March 5 opening of the annual session of China’s rubber-stamp parliament, the National People’s Congress, China announced plans for a consumer-led revival of the struggling economy, setting this year’s growth target at “ar...

Columbus rallies to tie Toronto with late goal in TFC home opener

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:30:50 GMT

Substitute Jimmy Medranda’s 75th-minute goal gave the Columbus Crew a 1-1 draw with Toronto FC in TFC’s home opener Saturday night.Aidan Morris put Medranda in behind the Toronto defence and the Colombian, just two minutes into his Columbus debut, chipped Sean Johnson for the goal only to see the offside flag go up. But referee Ismir Pekmic awarded the goal after reviewing the play on the pitchside monitor.Columbus (1-1-1) had a chance to win it in stoppage time but Cucho Herndandez hit the goalpost and Alexandru Matan sent the rebound just wide.Deandre Kerr had given Toronto the lead in the 25th minute. TFC (0-1-2) was looking for its first win of the Major League Soccer season after opening with a 3-2 loss at D.C. United and 1-1 draw at Atlanta.It was a depleted TFC attack with Italian star Lorenzo Insigne, the league’s highest-paid player, missing a second straight game with a lower body injury. Starting striker Adama Diomande and Ayo Akinola, who replaced him m...

2 more children die after a Montclare house fire at a Chicago firefighter's home

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:30:50 GMT

CHICAGO — Two more children who were critically injured in a house fire at a firefighter's home in Montclare earlier this week died Friday evening, further echoing the pain and grief being felt throughout the Northwest Chicago neighborhood."It’s very sad," said Perla Martinez, a Montclare resident. "We’ve never had something like this happen before and it just caught us off guard ... It’s really sad."A family member told WGN the two children who died Friday evening were 2-year-old Emery Stewart and 9-year-old Autumn Stewart. Emery and Autumn's mother, Summer Day-Stewart, died from her injuries earlier in the day, while 7-year-old Ezra Stewart died in the fire Tuesday. Family tells WGN that Summer's memory will live on through organ donation, while the Chicago firefighter community comes together to help pay for the family's funerals. Memorial services begin Wednesday for fallen Chicago officer "I hope they are okay in this time of their loss," Martinez said. "And we're always here...

Archdiocese asks South Side pastor to step aside amid decades-old sexual abuse claims

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:30:50 GMT

CHICAGO — Cardinal Blase Cupich asked a pastor at a South Side church to step aside and live away from his ministry after the Archdiocese of Chicago received an allegation of child sexual abuse from decades ago.According to a letter penned by Cupich, Most Holy Redeemer Parish associate pastor, Father Paul Guzman, was overseas on military duty when the archdiocese received the allegation, which stems from approximately 40 years ago when Guzman was a layman and 25 years before he entered Mundelein Seminary to prepare for priesthood.Cupich said that in keeping with the Archdiocese's child protection policies, he asked Guzman to step away from the ministry immediately upon his return from military duty and he agreed to cooperate with the church's direction.The allegation was also reported to the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services and the Cook County State's Attorney's Office. Toward the end of the letter, Cupich said that the Archdiocese's Office for the Protection of C...

1 dead, 5 injured in crash near Elgin

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:30:50 GMT

TRAVIS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — One person was pronounced dead Saturday night after a crash on County Line Road, according to a tweet from Austin-Travis County EMS.The crash occurred around 8:45 p.m. The deceased and one other person were pinned in a vehicle prior to the arrival of first responders. The extricated survivor and four other people were injured in the crash.ATCEMS, Elgin Fire and STAR Flight responded to the scene.This is a developing story. KXAN will provide updates as more information becomes available.