Underdog NBA

Riley: Heat won't trade Bam Adebayo.

Pat Riley on recent Heat results: "I'm really pissed. I'm disappointed. Disgruntled." On the Heat's plan: "I’m not going to change. I’m not going to try to lose. I’m not going to tank."

Pat Riley on his future: "I’m not going to retire. I’m not going to resign. I’m not going to step aside. When I came here almost 31 years ago, I have the same attitude that I had in that press conference on the Imagination ... I want another parade down Biscayne Boulevard."

Injuries 4/27 DET: Kevin Huerter - Questionable ORL: Jonathan Isaac - Doubtful OKC: Jalen Williams - Out Thomas Sorber - Out PHX: Jordan Goodwin - Questionable Mark Williams - Out MIN: Anthony Edwards - Out Donte DiVincenzo - Out DEN: Aaron Gordon - Questionable Peyton Watson - Out

Amick: Mike Brown, Nick Nurse, Kenny Atkinson among coaches on the hot seat. "The noise surrounding the Knicks’ Mike Brown won’t die down unless they reach the NBA Finals, and even that might not be good enough for the first-year New York coach to be safe."

"Heavy frontrunner" has emerged among NBA's lottery reform plans, per @sam_amick: - 18 teams part of lottery (rather than current 14) - Bottom 10 teams all have 8% chance at no. 1 pick - Remaining 20% odds at no. 1 divided among other 8 teams Vote coming next month.

LeBron James on this play: "I'm more pissed off about them kicking Adou out. That was uncalled for and it made no sense. I think that's the first time he's ever been thrown out of a game in his life. I don't think that was warranted. Give him two technicals, the kid just got in the game, that was ridiculous." James Williams, the official who made this call, is the same referee that Devin Booker called out earlier in the playoffs.

Reactions to Deandre Ayton's ejection call: Ime Udoka: "It looked intentional. I was surprised it was a flagrant 2. But that's the NBA nowadays, and they call it a little softer than they used to." JJ Redick: "(Deandre Ayton) has such a sweet, kind soul. No, that wasn't dirty or intentional. It looked from our vantage point like he was trying to brace himself with that off arm." Deandre Ayton: "We’re both sweaty guys. I just slipped off his shoulder ... I know it looked crazy on camera, but I'm not a dirty player."

Udoka: Kevin Durant (ankle) considered game-to-game, could return in Round 1.

Adou Thiero and Aaron Holiday were ejected late in Sunday's game.

@The_Mike_Ox @SC30RvngeSZN 2023 Celtics, against the Heat

@UnderdogNBA @SC30RvngeSZN Was the last one to force a game7 the Celtics in 2024?

Entering these playoffs, 159 teams in NBA history have faced a 0-3 series deficit. Only 62 of them won Game 4. Rockets make it 63 out of 160. Game 5 set for Wednesday.

@SC30RvngeSZN 15. Only 4 forced a Game 7. None of them have ever won the series.

@UnderdogNBA How many has won game 5s

LeBron James in Game 4 loss at Rockets: 10 PTS 2-9 FG 8 TO Tied for the third-lowest scoring playoff game of his career. He played 45 minutes two nights ago at age 41.

Kevin Durant waves goodbye to Deandre Ayton after Ayton's ejection.

The play that led to Ayton's ejection:

Status alert: Deandre Ayton has been ejected Sunday after being assessed a Flagrant 2 foul.

Payton Pritchard on Joel Embiid being upgraded to available just before Game 4, via @zm_cox: "We just changed maybe a small adjustment before the game, but we didn’t talk about it at all."

Kevin Durant is on the Rockets' bench during Game 4 tonight. (h/t @ohnohedidnt24)