Sudoku For September 11, 2013

Observations and other notes of interest from Sunday night’s 123-118 overtime victory over the Dallas Mavericks: – This was the game the Heat couldn’t close out against the Kings at home. – The game they couldn’t close out against the Suns on the road. – This time, the endgame was the Heat’s game. – Closer to what happened in Minnesota. – Which means something. – Because it’s not as if this team has much when it comes to margin for error. – It requires the best of Jimmy Butler. – Check. – Bam Adebayo stepping up. – Such as the late defensive stop on Kyrie Irving and then the 3-pointer. – (We’ll forget the other 3-pointer that hit the side of the backboard). –  And a play call from Erik Spoelstra executed to perfection. – In this case, Butler’s basket at the end of regulation. – So a step forward. – And a move to .500. – Needed. – Because it didn’t get easier when Terry Rozier was out with a recurring foot issue. – When Haywood Highsmith left in the second half due to illness. – When Duncan Robinson was called for a foul seemingly at every turn. – The Heat could not have been handed a better break than Luka Doncic being sidelined. – Of course they also were handed ample open shots from point blank. – And ample free throws. – Off. – And clank. – Still, found a way. – With Rozier out again, the Heat again opened with a lineup of Bam Adebayo, Highsmith, Jimmy Butler, Tyler Herro and Robinson. – Of lineup continuity or the lack thereof, Spoelstra said ahead of the game, “I think the most important thing right now is whatever’s working for us, we’ve got to look into that right now.

MIAMI — Jimmy Butler was back in attack mode. Luka Doncic was missing for the opposition. It was an advantage the Miami Heat needed. It was an advantage the Heat seized. With Butler scoring 33, including the tying basket at the end of regulation and a key basket in overtime, the Heat outlasted the Dallas Mavericks 123-118 in overtime Sunday night at Kaseya Center. “The efforts are starting to get a little bit more consistent,” coach Erik Spoelstra said. With the victory, the Heat moved back to .500, at 7-7, and ultimately had enough to offset 27 points from Dallas guard Kyrie Irving. “I feel like I’ve got to start attacking more often,” Butler said of his aggression.

MIAMI GARDENS — Calais Campbell, the wildly productive and amazingly insightful defensive lineman, didn’t want to leave the Miami Dolphins earlier this month at the trade deadline. I don’t blame him. I like what this Dolphins team has shown during this three-game winning streak that continued with Sunday’s 34-15 victory over the New England Patriots. This winning streak has featured good offense.

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MIAMI GARDENS — Mike McDaniel is forever acting unlike any NFL coach, and there he was again after Sunday’s game, propping his young daughter in a chair at the back of the interview room before mentioning to media, “Be nice with your questions.” It was a light touch after a good day of work.

In this Dolphins Deep Dive video, the South Florida Sun Sentinel’s Chris Perkins and Dave Hyde discuss Miami’s “complete victory” on Sunday over the New England Patriots and look ahead to the Dolphins’ big prime-time matchup with the Green Bay Packers on Thanksgiving. (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=40bacbdb-084a-4980-bafa-92da3b5cd8f1&cid=38d5daa3-18ac-4ee1-a905-373c67622f25'; cnx.cmd.push(function() { cnx({ playerId: "40bacbdb-084a-4980-bafa-92da3b5cd8f1" , mediaId: "1743a2c2-d391-4415-80e4-5bb2442b2192" }).render("67f4dfb000e74c6f9699b986082b86b9"); });