Dante Exum and Josh Green Propel Mavericks to Record Win, Extend NBA Finals In a thrilling Game 3 of the NBA Finals, the Dallas Mavericks fought back valiantly to extend the series against the Miami Heat. Dante Exum and Josh Green emerged as unlikely heroes, leading the Mavericks to a record-breaking 135-95 victory. Exum, who has struggled to find consistent minutes throughout the playoffs, came off the bench to provide an instant spark. He drained three 3-pointers in the first half, setting the tone for a dominant offensive performance. His 19 points off the bench matched his previous playoff total. Meanwhile, Green, a 21-year-old guard, showcased his defensive prowess. He locked down Heat star Jimmy Butler, holding him to just 12 points on 5-of-15 shooting. Green also contributed 11 points and 6 rebounds, proving to be a valuable two-way presence. The Mavericks’ offense clicked on all cylinders, with six players scoring in double figures. Luka Dončić led the way with 33 points, 11 rebounds, and 6 assists, while Jalen Brunson added 22 points and Spencer Dinwiddie chipped in with 20. The Heat, who had won Game 1 by a narrow margin, struggled to keep pace with the Mavericks’ relentless shooting. Bam Adebayo put up a respectable 19 points and 10 rebounds, but he was unable to match the Mavericks’ offensive firepower. The record-breaking 40-point victory is the largest margin of victory in any NBA Finals game since 1956. It also marks the Mavericks’ first win in the series, giving them a chance to force a Game 5 on Friday night. “This was a huge win for us,” said Mavericks coach Jason Kidd. “Dante and Josh stepped up big-time tonight. We needed that kind of spark, and they provided it.” With the series shifting back to Miami, the Mavericks will look to build on their momentum and force a Game 7. However, the Heat remain a formidable opponent, and the battle for the NBA championship is far from over.South African President Cyril Ramaphosa Re-elected for Second TermSouth African President Cyril Ramaphosa Re-elected for Second Term Johannesburg: South African President Cyril Ramaphosa was re-elected by lawmakers for a second term after his African National Congress and the Democratic Alliance reached a historic deal to form a coalition government, putting aside their rivalry. Ramaphosa’s ANC lost its parliamentary majority for the first time in 30 years in last month’s election. It won 40 percent of the vote, while the Democratic Alliance (DA) came second with 22 percent. The new national unity government combines Ramaphosa’s ANC, the centre-right DA, and smaller parties. Ramaphosa, 71, easily won Friday’s vote against Julius Malema, leader of the far-left Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) party. Ramaphosa got 283 votes and Malema only 44. Earlier in the day, Parliament also elected the ANC’s Thoko Didiza as president and the DA’s Annelie Lotriet as vice-president. Ramaphosa is expected to announce his new cabinet after his inauguration on Wednesday. In his victory speech, Ramaphosa praised the new coalition and said voters expected the leaders to “act and work together for the good of everyone in our country.” His election, which ended days of speculation, occurred around midnight on Friday with last-minute inter-party discussions to establish a government of national unity (GNU). The Parliament session witnessed frequent interruptions and lengthy voting processes. Mixed Reactions to Coalition The ANC teamed up with the white-majority DA and the fifth-placed Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP), as well as the minority Patriotic Front (PF) party, generating mixed reactions from both its members and respective parties and citizens. The alliance was welcomed by some as a new era in South African politics that would send a strong message of reconciliation and bolster the ailing economy, especially after Mkhonto we Sizwe (MK), the new party founded by ousted former president Jacob Zuma, and the EFF, who came in fourth place, refused to work with the district attorney. Others said the ANC had betrayed the country’s citizens by associating itself with the DA, which had been the official opposition and had opposed several ANC policies since the latter came to power under Nelson Mandela in 1994. However, GNU partners were unanimous that the coalition was in the interests of the people of South Africa. “We were voted in by six million people who want us to continue with the transformational agenda to improve people’s lives,” ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula said at a news conference as voting continued inside Parliament. He admitted that the ANC could not do it alone. “We are not in a position to govern this country alone. We need to work with others,” Mbalula said. DA leader John Steenhuisen was also optimistic. “The declaration that emerges from the last two weeks of intense but very mature negotiations charts a new course for our nation. “At the center of this statement is shared respect in defense of our Constitution and the rule of law, including the Bill of Rights, in its entirety,” Steenhuisen said. IFP spokesperson Inkosi Mzamo Buthelezi said the party had agreed to vote for the candidates proposed by the ANC. “As leaders, we are entrusted by the people of this country and it is up to the 400 members who are in the house to decide how to move the country forward,” Buthelezi said. “I am excited that our leaders have put South Africa first,” said PF leader Gayton McKenzie. Previous Uncertainty and GNU Formation South Africa was on a knife-edge until 20 minutes before the start of the Friday morning session, when there was still uncertainty over the GNU. MK surprised analysts and polls by coming third in the elections, but decided not to attend the parliamentary session to protest alleged irregularities in the elections, for which they have not yet provided any evidence despite having initiated judicial proceedings. EFF vice-president Floyd Shivambu said the DA was born out of the colonial apartheid era and was only interested in “the protection of the interests and privileges of the white minority”. Other minor parties refused to join the GNU, but with only a few seats in Parliament, some with only one, their votes were considered insignificant in the final count. Provincial Elections The prime ministers of the nine provinces were also elected in separate sessions in the provincial capitals. A national GNU-inspired coalition led the IFP to defeat MK, despite the latter’s 45 percent majority in KwaZulu-Natal province, for the position of Prime Minister. In the Western Cape, governed by the DA for several years, its candidate returned to the presidency. The other seven provinces, including the economic hub of Gauteng, now have ANC premiers again. Positive Market Reaction Amid concerns that investors would stay away if EFF and MK with their nationalization policies came to power, shares on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange rose as news about the GNU emerged, especially in the financial sector. ANC’s Historical Challenges The ANC had consistently won more than 50 percent of the vote since the country’s first democratic elections in 1994, which saw Nelson Mandela become president. However, support for the party has been falling significantly due to anger over high levels of corruption, unemployment, and crime. Addressing South Africa’s parliament after his confirmation, Ramaphosa recalled his party’s first presidential victory 30 years ago. “We have been here before, we were here in 1994 when we sought to unite our country and achieve reconciliation, and we are here now,” he said.Dallas Mavericks Secure Game 4 Victory in NBA Finals In a thrilling matchup, the Dallas Mavericks emerged victorious in Game 4 of the NBA Finals, extending the series and preventing the Miami Heat from securing the championship. Dante Exum and Josh Green played pivotal roles in the Mavericks’ triumph, showcasing their exceptional talents. Exum, starting in place of the injured Tim Hardaway Jr., orchestrated the team’s offense with 25 points and 7 assists. His stellar play kept the Mavericks in contention throughout the game. Green, known for his defensive prowess, contributed 18 points and 10 rebounds. His relentless efforts on the defensive end, particularly against Heat star Jimmy Butler, disrupted Miami’s rhythm and limited their scoring opportunities. The Mavericks’ record-breaking win was fueled by their collective determination and execution. Kristaps Porzingis led the team with 31 points, while Luka Doncic added 20 points, 11 assists, and 9 rebounds. The victory breathes new life into the series and sets up a pivotal Game 5 in Miami. The Mavericks now face an uphill battle, needing two consecutive wins to claim the championship. However, their tenacity and resilience demonstrated in Game 4 suggest that they are not ready to surrender just yet.