Month: July 2020

As the Phoenix Suns begin their NBA …

Stoyer wouldn’t confirm the number of …

Stoyer wouldn’t confirm the number of layoffs. However, sources have informed The Republic close to 30 employees were laid off Monday and sports360az.com also reported Wednesday the team let go of 30 employees. “We are in the process now of posting new positions to hire to address new responsibilities,” Stoyer said. The layoffs come amid other cuts the franchise has made.

Pelicans Film Room: Three key plays from New Orleans vs. Utah Jazz

Both offensive and defensive mistakes down the stretch spelled doom for the New Orleans Pelicans against the Utah Jazz on Thursday.

The New Orleans Pelicans opened up play inside the NBA’s bubble on Thursday evening by taking on the Utah Jazz. The back-and-forth game featured some lows early from New Orleans and some highs in the middle periods.

But while much has changed around the world in the four months since the Pelicans last played a basketball game, much of the same problems plagued them on the court as they collapsed down the stretch to fall to Utah, 106-104.

New Orleans controlled long sections of the second and third quarters and looked close to blowing the game open at times. But with Zion Williamson limited, the team watched its lead slowly slip away, leading to a 97-94 advantage with 5:00 to go.

That would signify a “clutch” situation as defined by the NBA – contests that are within five points with five minutes left – an area the Pelicans have struggled mightily in this season. Thursday was no different as the team finished with an offensive rating of 63.6, a defensive rating of 120.0 and a net rating of -56.4 in those five clutch minutes.

It wasn’t all bad for the Pelicans down the stretch, but too much of it was. The offense managed just seven points over those final five minutes while the defense allowed 12.

Here’s a look at three plays from each side of the court that proved to be difference-makers in the loss.

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Cam Heyward would ‘love to retire a Steeler’ but still no progress on contract extension

The contract of Steelers defensive lineman expires following the 2020 season.

No movement has been made since Steelers Wire reported in June that contract negotiations between defensive lineman Cam Heyward and the Steelers were at a standstill.

According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, Heyward’s agent Michael Perrett said there have been very general discussions about the lineman’s future but “in no particular terms”.

“I thought we’d be further along in the process. In a normal year, we might be,” Perrett told ESPN. “The current situation [with the pandemic] has led to a lot of uncertainty, but NFL business is still moving forward. Cam would love to retire a Steeler, but at this point, he just doesn’t know how all of this is going to play out.”

Historically, it’s been Steelers policy not to deal with contracts in-season, so August will be a pivotal month for negotiations.

Heyward’s base salary in 2020 is $9.5 million (16th among interior linemen), which will count $13.2 million against the cap, the fifth-highest behind Ben Roethlisberger, Bud Dupree, David DeCastro and Stephon Tuitt.

Generally, the front office mediates extensions of key veterans already under contract right before the season (Joe Haden last September and Stephon Tuitt in 2017). It’s likely that should Heyward and the Steelers not agree to a contract extension before September 14, one of two things will happen: The franchise tag or free agency.

Since entering the league, Heyward stats have been nothing short of impressive. The three-time Pro Bowler has 397 tackles, 54 sacks, 30 pass deflections, six forced fumbles and five fumble recoveries. Among interior linemen, Heyward’s 29 sacks since 2017 put him behind only the Rams Aaron Donald.

Heyward is among a laundry list of 2021 free agents, including wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster, running back James Conner, linebacker Bud Dupree, offensive tackle Alejandro Villanueva and cornerback Mike Hilton.

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Sixers star Joel Embiid will play vs. Pacers, Glenn Robinson III doubtful

Philadelphia 76ers big man Joel Embiid will play in Saturday’s restart opener against the Indiana Pacers.

The Philadelphia 76ers are officially getting back at it on Saturday and they will be taking on the Indiana Pacers in a big matchup for them. The Sixers and the Pacers are currently tied for the 5 seed in the East, but Philadelphia is sitting at the 6 seed as the Pacers have the tiebreaker.

Philadelphia was dealing with injury issues over their three scrimmage games, but they did receive some good news on Friday as they get set for the restart opener.

Big mn Joel Embiid missed their final two scrimmage games with a right calf issue and he is all good to go and will play on Saturday. Meanwhile, Raul Neto is dealing with lower back tightness and he will be probable while Glenn Robinson III is doubtful with a left hip pointer injury.

The Sixers and the Pacers will tipoff at 7:00 p.m. EST from the VISA Athletic Center inside the bubble in Orlando. The NBA has returned. [lawrence-related id=35884,35874,35865]