Tag: Game

Celtics call Pritchard 3 ‘play of the game’ in Game 2

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Payton Pritchard #11 of the Boston Celtics reacts after his made three-point basket against the Dallas Mavericks to end the third quarter in Game Two of the 2024 NBA Finals at TD Garden on June 09, 2024 in Boston, Massachusetts. Maddie Meyer/Getty Images/AFP

Payton Pritchard doesn’t care much about what his line in the stat sheet looks like, which is one of the many things that endears him to Joe Mazzulla and the Boston Celtics.

He was sent into Game 2 of the NBA Finals with 3.3 seconds remaining in the third quarter, with one mission: Take a desperation 3-pointer before time expires. It’s a low-percentage shot, and it’s no secret that plenty of NBA players won’t take them because it can hurt their stats.

Pritchard takes them happily. And this time, it worked.

A 34-footer, from the NBA Finals logo just inside the midcourt stripe, bounced off the backboard and in for a nine-point lead going into the fourth quarter. They were Pritchard’s only three points of Game 2, and they were an unforgettable part of Boston’s 105-98 win over the Dallas Mavericks.

“I think the play of the game can’t go unnoticed, the humility of our team, is Payton’s shot at the end of the quarter,” said Mazzulla, the Celtics’ coach. “You see guys around the league pass up on that shot or fake like they want to take it, so that their numbers don’t get messed up. He takes pride in taking that, and that’s winning basketball.”

READ: NBA Finals: Luka Doncic triple-double not enough for Mavericks

The play was one that the Celtics call for Pritchard. He caught the inbounds pass while building a head of steam, took three dribbles, stopped just in time and let it fly. It went in, he started jumping around like a madman and a sold-out crowd at TD Garden followed suit.

“The energy that Payton brings, him just having the (courage) to take that shot … it was definitely a confidence boost,” Celtics guard Jrue Holiday said.

According to SportRadar, Pritchard is one of five players in the NBA with at least 13 attempts from 30 or more feet in the final 3 seconds of a period this season. Indiana’s Tyrese Haliburton went 5 for 20 in those moments, Denver’s Nikola Jokic went 1 for 16, Milwaukee’s Damian Lillard went 4 for 14 and Dallas’ Luka Doncic is 0 for 14 on those tries.

They’re all superstars, all max-contract guys who don’t have to worry if their 3-point percentage takes a tiny hit.

Pritchard — now 2 for 13 on such heaves this season — isn’t a max guy. Not even close. He sacrifices the numbers anyway, and that’s what Mazzulla was raving about after Game 2.

READ: NBA Finals: Celtics hold off Mavericks for 2-0 lead

“It shows belief he put me in that situation, knowing I could hit that shot.” Pritchard said. “To believe in me, it means a lot as a player.”

And it wasn’t some throwaway moment, either.

Dallas had just cut a double-digit deficit down to six, a very manageable margin going into the final 12 minutes. Pritchard’s shot wasn’t just three big points; it breathed life into Boston going into that closing quarter.

“He has the humility and selflessness to not care if he misses it,” Mazzulla said. “He practices it and has an understanding of how a shot like that can impact the end of a quarter and it can impact the run that a team makes. So, they had went on a run to end the quarter, and I thought that shot kind of gave us a little bit of poise and a little bit of momentum that we needed heading into the fourth quarter. That was big-time.”

Rest heading into Game 4 vital for SMB, says CJ Perez

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San Miguel Beermen’s CJ Perez during Game 3 of the PBA Philippine Cup Finals against the Meralco Bolts.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines—Unlike the first three games of the PBA Philippine Cup Finals, San Miguel and Meralco will have more time to prepare and recover heading into Wednesday’s Game 4.

That’s exactly what the Beermen need, especially June Mar Fajardo, according to CJ Perez after a 93-89 loss in Game 3.

“The two days of rest will be huge for us, of course especially for June Mar,” said Perez in Filipino, referring to the seven-time MVP who had 12 points and 15 rebounds but committed seven turnovers.

READ: PBA Finals: Newsome, Meralco deliver own dagger in Game 3

“June Mar’s really having a hard time so rest is really needed now.”

Despite having Fajardo in tow, San Miguel struggled in the rebounding department which could be attributed to Meralco having the fresher legs.

June Mar Fajardo San Miguel Beermen Game 3 PBA Philippine Cup Finals

San Miguel Beer center June Mar Fajardo during Game 3 of the PBA Philippine Cup Finals.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

“We just need to have a lot of energy to beat Meralco. That’s where we’re losing, also in the rebounding department, they had a lot more rebounds because of their hustle,” said Perez, who was held to just 18 points on 6-of-19 shooting from the field.

READ: PBA Finals: Meralco escapes San Miguel for 2-1 series edge

Aside from the rebounding woes, San Miguel also shot itself in the foot with missed opportunities at the free throw line, going just 23-of-35 in that area.

“The free throws were the most crucial. We missed seven late in the game and that made the difference. They also had a lot of offensive rebounds.”

Newsome, Merlaco deliver own dagger in Game 3

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Chris Newsome and the Meralco Bolts after beating the San Miguel Beermen in Game 3 of the PBA Philippine Cup Finals.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines—Meralco defeated San Miguel in Game 3 of the PBA Philippine Cup Finals in familiar fashion on Sunday night.

With the game on the line, Chris Newsome drilled a go-ahead triple from the corner with 34 seconds to go that turned out to be the dagger in the Bolts’ 93-89 escape for a 2-1 lead in their best-of-seven title series.

“To be honest,  I wasn’t thinking. I was just being in the moment,” said Newsome.

“It felt good that my shot did fall but at the end of the day, you can’t let your guard down until it [the clock] says 0:00.”

READ: PBA Finals: Meralco escapes San Miguel for 2-1 series edge

Newsome’s shot was reminiscent of Marcio Lassiter’s 3-pointer with 13 ticks remaining that capped the Beermen’s late rally in the final 30 seconds of Game 2.

Newsome finished with 26 points, four rebounds and four assists. He came alive in the second half, where he fired 20 points.

Despite his heroics that include a pair of free throws to seal the game, the 30-year-old swingman put more emphasis on playing smarter especially down the stretch.

READ: PBA Finals: Meralco quickly moves on from Game 2 heartbreak

“It’s about staying present and focusing on possessions at hand. I hate turning the ball and having those mental lapses,” said Newsome, who committed a turnover with a minute left that led to a couple of freebies by June Mar Fajardo for an 89-88 San Miguel lead.

“Those are things I could look at after the game and I can’t let that affect me in the next play. My team’s counting on me to be strong for them and to be a leader for them.”

Fortunately for Newsome, he was able to redeem himself in a major way and win it for Meralco.

PBA Finals Game 3 San Miguel vs Meralco

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2024 PBA Philippine Cup Finals schedule (Game 3)

Smart Araneta Coliseum

6:15 p.m. – San Miguel Beermen vs Meralco Bolts

FULL SCHEDULE HERE.

San Miguel Beermen swingman Marcio Lassiter celebrates with his teammates late in Game 2 of the PBA Philippine Cup Finals against the Meralco Bolts.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

Frosty for most of Friday night, San Miguel Beer marksman Marcio Lassiter came through in the final moments of the PBA Philippine Cup Finals, bailing the much-fancied Beermen out from what would have been a 0-2 hole against hard-fighting Meralco.

Despite a 1-for-7 shooting going into that final play, Lassiter hit a step-back triple from the left wing with 13.2 seconds remaining to give the Beermen the lead. It turned out to be the basket the defending champions needed to ultimately level the best-of-seven championship series to a game apiece.

Chris Newsome CJ Perez San Miguel Beermen Meralco Bolts PBA Finals

San Miguel Beer’s CJ Perez tries to score against Meralco’s Chris Newsome in Game 2 of the PBA Philippine Cup Finals.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

As much as Cliff Hodge described the heartbreaking loss Meralco absorbed in Game 2 of the PBA Philippine Cup as “just one game,” there’s also a reason for the Bolts to pity themselves for the missed chance of getting another win over San Miguel Beer.

“We should have won that. We had them on the ropes,” Hodge said before acknowledging the way the Beermen were able to pull off an escape act, 95-94, at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

PBA Finals Game 2 San Miguel vs Meralco

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2024 PBA Philippine Cup Finals schedule (Game 2)

Smart Araneta Coliseum

7:30pm – Meralco Bolts vs San Miguel Beermen

FULL SCHEDULE HERE.

PBA Finals: Meralco quickly moves on from Game 2 heartbreak

Meralco Bolts coach Luigi Trillo in Game 2 of the PBA Philippine Cup Finals against San Miguel Beermen. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines—It’s just one game. At least that’s how Meralco wants to look at the Game 2 heartbreak to San Miguel in the PBA Philippine Cup Finals.

The Bolts fumbled their chance for a momentous 2-0 lead after a last-second shot by Marcio Lassiter, absorbing a stinging 95-94 loss to San Miguel on Wednesday.

But despite the heartbreaking loss, Cliff Hodge kept a positive mentality as they get a chance to rebound not 48 hours later for Game 3. FULL STORY

PBA Finals: Jericho Cruz says fan involved his family in trash talk

San Miguel Beermen's Jericho Cruz in Game 2 of the PBA Philippine Cup Finals against Meralco Bolts.

San Miguel Beermen’s Jericho Cruz in Game 2 of the PBA Philippine Cup Finals against Meralco Bolts. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines—Jericho Cruz found himself in a screaming match with a fan in the middle of San Miguel’s Game 2 win over Meralco in the PBA Philippine Cup Finals at Araneta Coliseum on Friday.

At around the eight-minute mark of the fourth quarter, Cruz figured in a physical contact play with the Bolts’ Chris Newsome which saw the former drop to the floor. FULL STORY

VIDEO: Jericho Cruz on spat with fan in Finals Game 2

Jericho Cruz explains what happened in the fourth quarter when he exchanged words with a spectator, who was soon escorted out of Game 2.

PBA Finals: CJ Perez turns frustrations into 34-point explosion

San Miguel Beermen's CJ Perez during Game 2 of the PBA Philippine Cup Finals against Meralco Bolts.

San Miguel Beermen’s CJ Perez during Game 2 of the PBA Philippine Cup Finals against Meralco Bolts. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines—Forget the past and focus on the present. That was the central game plan for CJ Perez in San Miguel’s Game 2 win over Meralco in the PBA Philippine Cup Finals.

In the Beermen’s 95-94 victory over the Bolts at Araneta Coliseum on Friday, Perez let his frustrations from Game 1 go to focus on an all-important second game in the best-of-seven series. FULL STORY

VIDEO: San Miguel CJ Perez, Jorge Gallent on Game 2

San Miguel’s CJ Perez and coach Jorge Gallent talk about their thrilling Game 2 win over Meralco in the PBA Finals.

PBA Finals: San Miguel survives Meralco in thriller to tie series at 1-1

San Miguel Beermen's CJ Perez during Game 2 of the PBA Philippine Cup Finals against Meralco Bolts.

San Miguel Beermen’s CJ Perez during Game 2 of the PBA Philippine Cup Finals against Meralco Bolts. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

San Miguel played with steely nerves down the stretch to survive plucky Meralco, 95-94, leveling the championship series of the PBA Philippine Cup to a game apiece.

The Beermen rode the hot hand of CJ Perez all of Friday night at Smart Araneta Coliseum in Cubao, Quezon City, to keep the Bolts within striking range before turning to Marcio Lassiter in the crunch for a step-back triple with 13 ticks left to seal the club’s escape act.

“A very good shot by CJ to bring the lead down to one and then another good shot from Marcio to give us this victory today. So, kudos to the two of them,” said head coach Jorge Gallent. FULL STORY

LIVE UPDATES: San Miguel vs Meralco Finals Game 2

Game 2 of the PBA Philippine Cup Finals between San Miguel Beermen and Meralco Bolts.

San Miguel’s Don Trollano, Meralco’s Chris Banchero warm up for Game 2

Chris Banchero scattered 18 points in Meralco’s Game 1 win over San Miguel in the #PBAFinals. Can he and the Bolts pull off another dub tonight

San Miguel’s Don Trollano is ready for action. And he got the Kobe 8 “Venice Beach” on foot, too.

Scenes before Game 2 of PBA Finals

Here are some of the moments before Game 2 of the PBA Philippine Cup Finals between Meralco and San Miguel Beer tips off at Smart Araneta Coliseum. The Bolts will look to take a 2-0 lead over the Beermen in the 7:30 p.m. contest.

PBA Finals: San Miguel looks to regain ‘united’ identity

San Migiuel Beermen's CJ Perez during Game 1 of the PBA Philippine CUp Finals against Meralco Bolts.

San Migiuel Beermen’s CJ Perez during Game 1 of the PBA Philippine Cup Finals against Meralco Bolts. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

CJ Perez insists that rust wasn’t the main reason why Game 1 of the PBA Philippine Cup Finals didn’t go San Miguel Beer’s way.

“Hindi lang talaga kami naglaro ng buo. Hindi yun yung San Miguel basketball (We just didn’t play as a unit, and that’s not the San Miguel way),” Perez said as the Beermen hope to atone for a 93-86 loss when the two teams meet again on Friday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Another defeat in the 7:30 p.m. matchup will put the Beermen in a dangerous spot amid an all-Filipino campaign they have dominated, and the Bolts closer to their long chase for a first PBA championship. FULL STORY

PBA Finals: Brandon Bates not letting the spotlight get to him

Meralco Bolts' Brandon Bates against San Miguel defenders in the PBA Philippine Cup Finals.

Meralco Bolts’ Brandon Bates against San Miguel defenders in the PBA Philippine Cup Finals. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines—Meralco’s Brandon Bates has been earning praise and attention as of late with his organic uprising in the PBA Philippine Cup.

Now in the Finals of the all-Filipino tournament, Bates is still being heavily talked about but he doesn’t want the attention and the limelight to get into his head.

“Firstly, I really appreciate all the support. All the fans that have popped up online to support me. I really, really appreciate it but you can’t let it get to your head,” said an ecstatic Bates with Inquirer Sports after their Game 1 win over San Miguel at Araneta Coliseum on Wednesday. FULL STORY

PBA Finals: Chris Newsome gets ‘full-circle’ moment in KD 4 ‘Galaxy’

Meralco Bolts' Chris Newsome during the PBA Finals Game 1 against San Miguel Beermen

Meralco Bolts’ Chris Newsome during the PBA Finals Game 1 against San Miguel Beermen. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines—Meralco Bolts’ Chris Newsome had a full-circle moment in Game 1 of the PBA Philippine Cup Finals.

And that moment was encapsulated in his game-worn shoes in the form of the Nike KD IV “Galaxy.”

“It definitely is a full-circle moment for me to actually have the opportunity to pick these up and then wear them in the Finals. I definitely feel like it’s a full circle moment,” said Newsome with Inquirer Sports after their 93-86 win over San Miguel at Araneta Coliseum on Wednesday. FULL STORY

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Celtics pay tribute to Bill Walton before Game 1

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A display honoring basketball great Bill Walton appears on a screen before Game 1 of basketball’s NBA Finals between the Boston Celtics and the Dallas Mavericks, Thursday, June 6, 2024, in Boston. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

BOSTON  — Bill Walton only spent one full season with the Boston Celtics. His impact was unforgettable.

The franchise paid tribute to the sixth man on its 1986 championship team before Game 1 of the NBA Finals on Thursday night. Walton’s family was in the crowd for a pregame moment of silence that was interrupted by a fan yelling, “We love you, Bill!”

Commissioner Adam Silver called Walton a friend whose evident love for basketball game helped spread the game around the world, including on a 2004 trip to the Great Wall of China.

READ: Bill Walton, Hall of Fame player, dies of cancer at 71

“I can’t think of a better ambassador for the NBA than Bill. He enjoyed talking to every single person,” Silver said before the game. “It’s a sad moment in the league.”

The Celtics nodded to Walton’s Deadheadedness by coming out in black shooting shirts that said “Walton” with a tie-dye background; team staff wore pins with a similar design. The players’ jerseys had a black band with Walton’s name on the shoulder.

“Bill was a champion at every level and the embodiment of unselfish team play,” the public address announcer said, while both the Celtics and Mavericks players applauded. “He derived great joy from basketball and music, and deeply cherished his moments with teammates and friends. We are proud to call him one of the greatest Celtics who ever lived.”

Walton, who died on May 27 at the age of 71, was a three-time national player of the year at UCLA, leading the Bruins to the NCAA championship in 1972 and ’73 during a record 88-game winning streak. He was the runner-up for NBA MVP in 1977, when the Trail Blazers won the NBA title, and won the award the next year.

He also played four seasons for the Clippers – and missed three others with foot injuries – before arriving in Boston in 1986, giving the Celtics enough to push them past the Houston Rockets in the NBA Finals for the franchise’s unprecedented 16th championship.

He was limited to 10 games the following season by foot injuries and retired before going on to a successful second career as a broadcaster — and Grateful Dead follower. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1993.

Meralco quickly moves on from Game 2 heartbreak

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Meralco Bolts' Cliff Hodge in Game 2 of the PBA Philippine Cup Finals against San Miguel Beermen PBA Finals

Meralco Bolts’ Cliff Hodge in Game 2 of the PBA Philippine Cup Finals against San Miguel Beermen. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines—It’s just one game. At least that’s how Meralco wants to look at the Game 2 heartbreak to San Miguel in the PBA Philippine Cup Finals.

The Bolts fumbled their chance for a momentous 2-0 lead after a last-second shot by Marcio Lassiter, absorbing a stinging 95-94 loss to San Miguel on Wednesday.

But despite the heartbreaking loss, Cliff Hodge kept a positive mentality as they get a chance to rebound not 48 hours later for Game 3.

READ: PBA Finals: San Miguel survives Meralco in thriller to tie series at 1-1

“Honestly, it’s just one game. We should’ve won that but that’s a championship team. They came out and made the big plays when they needed to. I’m pretty confident with the way that we’re playing right now,” said Hodge, who had his 25-point, nine-rebound stat line wasted.

“It’s going to be a long series. We’ll forget about this loss and now that we all came out and played hard, we’ll be ready for Sunday.”

Even coach Luigi Trillo doubled down on the “it’s just one game” mindset.

After all, Trillo never thought they would sweep a juggernaut team like the Beermen’s despite drawing first blood in the best-of-seven series.

Instead, the one-time PBA champion coach focused on how Meralco has been making San Miguel look like a beatable team.

“I look at it as we’re not going to sweep San Miguel, right? So every game you want to bring your A game, you want to fight and have fewer breakdowns,” said Trillo.

READ: PBA Finals: Meralco still ‘absolutely’ has not cracked San Miguel code

“I thought we played good enough but we could’ve won this game and go up 2-0 but there’re really things like that. It’s really going to hurt,” he added.

Trillo also emphasized that the Bolts will heavily prepare for another war come Sunday.

“We’ll respond, we’ll do it on Sunday, we’ll watch the film and we’ll be clinical rather than be critical at this point to clean up our mistakes.”

Game 3 rolls on this Sunday at 6 pm, still at Smart Araneta Coliseum.