The Boston Ball Hogs spoiled Miami 305’s return to South Florida, defeating the reigning BIG3 champions Friday night at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise in a matchup that carried significant postseason implications.
Miami entered the Week 7 contest hoping a familiar crowd could provide a late-season lift, but Boston controlled the decisive stretches of the half-court game. The Ball Hogs’ combination of physical defense and perimeter scoring prevented the 305 from establishing the rhythm that powered their 2025 championship run.
The loss came during the BIG3’s second visit of the season to Amerant Bank Arena, giving South Florida fans another look at a Miami roster filled with former NBA players. The league previously brought a four-game showcase to Sunrise on July 5 before returning for Friday’s doubleheader.
Miami’s veteran group is led by captain Mario Chalmers and co-captains Michael Beasley and Reggie Evans, with Lance Stephenson and Sean Williams rounding out the core. Michael Cooper, a five-time NBA champion as a player with the Los Angeles Lakers, coaches the team.
That collection of recognizable names made Miami one of the league’s leading attractions, particularly in Florida. Chalmers and Beasley both played for the Miami Heat, while Evans also spent part of his NBA career in South Florida. Chalmers remains closely connected to the region after playing a supporting role on the Heat teams that won consecutive NBA championships in 2012 and 2013. His Miami tenure is documented in the Heat’s official historical statistics.
Boston countered with a roster built around captain Jeremy Pargo, one of the BIG3’s most dangerous long-range scorers. Garlon Green and Deshawn Stephens serve as co-captains, while Ray Nixon and Quincy Miller provide additional scoring and size. Hall of Fame guard Gary Payton coaches the Ball Hogs.
Pargo’s shooting has been especially valuable under the BIG3’s distinctive rules. In addition to conventional 2- and 3-point baskets, players can attempt 4-point shots from designated circles well beyond the arc. Games are played on a half-court without a running game clock, and the first team to reach 50 points while leading by at least two wins.
Those rules can quickly change the momentum of a contest, and Miami used them to climb back into it. Trailing 26–19 at the half, the 305 outscored Boston 28–24 after the break behind Lance Stephenson and Michael Beasley, who combined for 43 of the team’s 47 points. But the Ball Hogs answered each push and reached the 50-point target first, closing out a 50–47 win in front of a crowd that had come to support the home team.
Boston’s margin came on the glass. The Ball Hogs outrebounded Miami 21–14 and pulled down nine offensive rebounds to the 305’s four, generating extra possessions Miami could not offset. Jeremy Pargo led Boston with 21 points, nine assists and eight rebounds, while Deshawn Stephens added 12 points and nine boards and Ray Nixon hit three of five from beyond the arc.
Miami got little beyond its top two. Captain Mario Chalmers, whose 3-pointer clinched the 305’s championship in last year’s final, did not score and attempted one shot.
The result also represented a measure of payback for Boston. Miami defeated the Ball Hogs 50-31 during the 2025 regular season before continuing a championship run that ended with a 52-48 victory over the Chicago Triplets in the final. Chalmers hit the title-clinching 3-pointer, while Beasley delivered 25 points and 12 rebounds and was named the championship game’s most valuable player.
Miami brought back the nucleus of that title team in 2026, but its defense of the championship has been uneven. The 305 opened the season with a loss to the Los Angeles Riot, rebounded by beating the Detroit Amps and later endured setbacks against the Chicago Triplets and Houston Rig Hands. A victory over Dallas Power helped Miami regain ground before the late-season meeting with Boston.
The Ball Hogs, meanwhile, entered the season seeking their first playoff appearance after finishing 4-4 and losing a tiebreaker in 2025. Their improved play has made them a more formidable opponent in the league’s second season with city-based teams. The full collection of clubs and player information is available through the BIG3’s official team directory.
Despite Friday’s defeat, the Miami 305 remain one of the BIG3’s most recognizable teams and an important part of the league’s Florida presence. The return engagement in Sunrise also demonstrated the market’s appeal to a competition that blends former NBA talent, playground-style basketball and regional identities.
Miami will have little time to dwell on the home loss. With the regular season nearing its conclusion, every possession — and every 4-point attempt — carries added weight as the 305 try to keep their championship defense alive.
Photo by Jeff Klein/Power Play Photo
