As The Sports World Turns

   Wanted: Streakers on the Loose

  Last night the NBA's two streaking teams, The Miami Heat and the Denver Nuggets, extended their streaks in absolute thrillers. The Nuggets indeed went on to tie their franchise record of 12-consecutive wins but it was no easy feat. With about 14 seconds left in the game and the Bulls down 102-105, Bulls guard Nate Robinson buries a three making it a tie game. Ty Lawson would go on to miss the attempt at a game-winning jumper sending it into overtime. Both teams exchanged amazing buckets down the stretch of the extra 5 minutes but the game ultimately came down to an overturned Bulls basket that was ruled offensive interference because of the tip-in by Joakim Noah while the ball was already in the cylinder. With that, Denver escaped from Chicago with their 12th straight win in a 119-118 victory. Nate Robinson finished with 34 points along with 7 assists and Denver's Wilson Chandler finished with 35 points and 9 rebounds off the bench. 

  Before last night Miami had loss 10 consecutive regular season games in Boston. Being down by 17 points at one time in the game, the Heat's largest deficit during the streak, the Heat overcame that pandemonium and pulled out a 105-103 win over the Boston Celtics. That victory extends the streak to 23 wins making this run the 2nd longest winning streak in NBA history. The Celtics did play without their star center-forward Kevin Garnett who was out due to illness and a thigh strain. Nonetheless, I did not count them out because of the absence of Garnett and rightfully so. Jeff Green, who got the start to help fill in for Garnett, was on fire from start to finish finishing the game with 43 points. 21 of those points he'd accumulated before the 5:00 mark of the 2nd quarter. It took a defensive lock down and an 18-foot jumper from LeBron with 10.5 seconds to go to put Miami up 2 and ultimately win the game. Prior to last night, the Celtics had won 161 consecutive games when being up by at least 13 with 8 minutes to go in the game and that became the streak that was snapped last night. Miami improves to 11-1 on the back end of back-to-back games this season which is a league best. The squad goes for 24 Wednesday night against LeBron's old team, the Cleveland Cavilers. 

NFL New Rule?

  An NFL committee will be voting on 6 potential new rules, or modifications of existing rules today and Wednesday. One rule on the table would penalize running backs for using the crown of their helmets to make contact with other players in an attempt break through tackles. Roger Goodell is a big advocate for this rule, which makes it even more likely to pass, as he attempts to make the game safer now and for years to come. If the rule is implemented, the penalty will be a loss of 15 yards. Running backs around the league as well as fans aren't too happy about this rule. But there is still hope as it takes 24 of the 32 total votes to ratify these new rules. 

The Big Dance

  As of Sunday, all the tickets were punched and those invited to the NCAA tournament were surely thrilled. Kentucky, last year's NCAA Tournament winners, were among this year's snubs not making it to the Big Dance. Big East champions, the Louisville Cardinals (29-5) are this year's number 1 overall seed. Other number 1 seeds include the Kansas Jayhawks, the Indiana Hoosiers, and the Gonzaga Bulldogs. Many believe that Duke is the best number 2 seed out there among a list including the Miami Hurricanes, the Ohio State Buckeyes, and the Georgetown Hoyas. Tonight the tournament officially kicks off so get your brackets ready. Are YOU ready for the madness?!

Welker Was Wanted

  When Patriots owner Robert Kraft was asked if he'd spoken to Tom Brady's as it relates to Brady's feelings on the loss of Wes Welker he reportedly said "I don't answer to Tom Brady". Monday Kraft was on record saying that "Everyone in our organization wanted Wes Welker back. Anyone who doubts that, or thinks we weren't serious, just doesn't get it". The Patriots reportedly offered Welker more money ($8 million) in the first year of a contract versus the $6 million that he will be getting from Denver. Still seems to me that the Patriots could have done much more to keep a tandem like Welker and Brady's alive but at least we have some statement from the Patriots side. 

NBA Double Homicide 

  It seems to be a common theme that each week when I do this wrap-up, someone is pronounced dead on a NBA court (not literally of course). Last night in the 2nd quarter, LeBron James threw down a monster dunk on Jason Terry, one of the Celtics that that made comments about the Heat last week. LeBron was later called for a questionable technical foul after the slam for taunting although he actually said nothing, but I'm sure it was worth it. Once again Wikipedia showed its humor and pronounced Jason Terry dead at 9:01 pm on March 18th with the cause of death being LeBron James. De'Andre Jordan, responsible for the shame inflicted upon Brandon Knight last week, tweeted after James' dunk saying: 

"hmmm touche sir...touche. lol"

  Both dunks are definitely front runners for the Dunk of the Year but for now we will just enjoy the moment. If you happened to miss the dunk, or want to watch it for the 15th time, check it out below.

Sources: NBC Sports, ESPN, Fox Sports