Philippines, 14 Apr 2026
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


NBA Playoffs -- Deng drops 31, too much Heat grounds Hornets


PhilBoxing.com




MIAMI- When Loul Deng signed a two-year contract with the Heat ​in July of 2014,​ the ​former Chicago Bull ​expected an annual playoff​s​ trip​.​ But injuries to several key players last season derailed​ those expectations.

​On Sunday night at a sold-out AmericanAirlines Arena, Deng, an 11-year veteran, savored the sweetness of a postseason win when the Miami Heat dominated the Charlotte Hornets, 123-91, in Game 1 of their opening round series.

Deng ​led all scorers with 31 points ​plus ​seven rebounds​​ while Hassan Whiteside added 25 points and 11 boards as both were spectacular in their first playoff appearances in a Heat uniform.

"I thought we did a good job of just moving the ball," Deng spoke to the media after ​a sterling performance in which he drilled 4-of-6 triples. "I just knew that they liked to take away the paint. If you're not excited to play in a game like that, then you don't love the game​,​"​ Deng added.​

Miami outscored the Hornets ​56​-​36 ​in the paint and the Heat ​shot an astonishing 56 % from the field including ​a franchise playoffs record ​41 ​first quarter points.​

The Hornets,​ meanwhile​,​ have now lost ​five​ straight playoff ​against the Heat.​

"Whether you lose by 30 or one, it's 1-0," Hornets' head-coach Steve Clifford said. "So we lost one game. "If Deng and Whiteside are going to combine for those numbers ​then it's going to be hard for us to win."

Nicolas Batum notched 24 points and Kemba Walker added 19 points for the visitors.

"We made a lot of mistakes," Walker said. "Coach gave us an awesome game plan and we just completely went against it. We didn?t do what he told us to do. That?s not really us. We?re usually the team that plays mistake free. Tonight, that wasn?t the case. They played extremely well as well, but we definitely made a lot of mistakes."

Game 2 of the series is Wednesday night ​at ​the ​AmericanAirlines Arena.

Photo: Luol Deng sparked the Heat with 31 points to lead Miami over the Hornets in Game 1 of the opening round of the playoffs​.


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Roman David Garay.


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • Middleweight Contender Vito Mielnicki Jr. Dominates Omar Huerta in Main Event at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City & Live on ProBoxTV
    , Mon, 13 Apr 2026
  • Sergio Martinez returns with a victory at 51
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Mon, 13 Apr 2026
  • Team USA Secures Three Gold Medals on Final Day of 2026 Gee Bee Boxing Tournament
    , Mon, 13 Apr 2026
  • Rosales to fight Obedencio in RFL co-main event
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Mon, 13 Apr 2026
  • Quiñonero to fight Cadalso in Juego Todo Pro
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Mon, 13 Apr 2026
  • Miel Fajardo Unleashes Thrilling Fury: Filipino Slugger Blasts Reyes in IBF Flyweight Eliminator in Argentina
    By Carlos Costa, , Sun, 12 Apr 2026
  • IBA NOMAD 14 delivers spectacular night of combat sports in Almaty
    , Sun, 12 Apr 2026
  • Fajardo TKOs Reyes in IBF flyweight eliminator
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Sun, 12 Apr 2026
  • P450k in Mt. Apo Boulder Face Challenge
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Sun, 12 Apr 2026
  • Tyson Fury gets a unanimous decision victory after 12 rounds against Arslanbek Makhmudov in England
    , Sun, 12 Apr 2026
  • 'The Take Over' Renden Oppas Scores Win in Australia
    By Carlos Costa, , Sun, 12 Apr 2026
  • CK Ingles: A Chess Player, Chess Team Manager - CHESS KINGS, Chess Tournament and Event Organizer
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sun, 12 Apr 2026
  • Hebert Conceicao Sousa Wins Perilous Unanimous Decision over Johan Gonzalez in Main Event of ProBoxTV from Prudential Center  in Brick City
    , Sat, 11 Apr 2026
  • ARGENTINE KO KING CHAVES FACES MADUENO IN LAS VEGAS
    , Sat, 11 Apr 2026
  • Team USA Clinches Eight Medals At 2026 Gee Bee Boxing Tournament
    , Sat, 11 Apr 2026
  • Weights From ‘Mielnicki vs. Huerta’ Event from Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City and Broadcast live on ProBoxTV
    , Sat, 11 Apr 2026
  • Boquiren to face Olmillo in RFL on April 18
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Sat, 11 Apr 2026
  • USA Opens Strong at 2026 Gee Bee Tournament In Helsinki
    , Sat, 11 Apr 2026
  • Filipino chess prodigy Nika Juris Nicolas eyes Woman International Master title
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 11 Apr 2026
  • Blazen Rocili "The Filipino Giant" Dominates in Statement Victory at "Rumble in the UNE," Improves to 10-0
    , Fri, 10 Apr 2026
  • Oppas to face Lu on April 11 in Australia
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 10 Apr 2026
  • Ilar, Infiesto to play in Guevarra Chess Cup
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 10 Apr 2026
  • Pabular to face Kitano on April 13 at Korakuen Hall
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 10 Apr 2026
  • Five reasons why IBA NOMAD 14 in Almaty is worth watching
    , Fri, 10 Apr 2026
  • Antonio bounces back in Sydney International Open Chess Championship
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Fri, 10 Apr 2026




  •  



     
    PhilBoxing.com has been created to support every aspiring
    Filipino boxer and the Philippine boxing scene in general.
    Please send comments to feedback@philboxing.com


    PRIVATE POLICY | LEGAL DISCLAIMER
    developed and maintained by dong secuya
    © 2026 philboxing.com.