Paolo Mariano Articles - Page 3

Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark was a guest analyst for the much-anticipated clash between the Los Angeles Lakers and the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on Sunday. She joined NBA legends Reggie Miller and Carmelo Anthony and anchor Maria Taylor on NBC’s pregame show to match the star power of the Lakers and […]

Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James was back in one of his favorite arenas in the world on Sunday, as they visited the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden for a marquee matchup. James has had iconic moments in the hallowed venue. There is truly something different, almost mystical, about competing at Madison Square […]

The reserves for next month’s NBA All-Star Game in Los Angeles were announced on Sunday, including Houston Rockets forward Kevin Durant. Meanwhile, among the first-timers is Miami Heat guard Norman Powell.  Powell has been on a tear in his maiden season with the Heat, averaging career-highs of 23.0 points, 3.7 rebounds, 2.6 assists, and 1.2 […]

Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards is one of the most electrifying scorers in the NBA. With his athleticism, range, and moxie, he can easily get buckets on a nightly basis. Due to Edwards’ offensive prowess, a facet of his game that is usually overlooked is his defensive ability. Edwards is a tough on-ball stopper, and […]

Cooper Flagg had himself a night on Thursday, but the Dallas Mavericks fell short as they lost to the Charlotte Hornets, 123-121, in a pulsating contest at American Airlines Center. Kon Knueppel, Flagg’s former teammate at Duke, drained the game-winning free throws with 4.1 seconds left to give the Hornets their fifth straight win. Knueppel […]

Drake Maye has a lot of things on his mind right now as he tries to lead the New England Patriots against the Seattle Seahawks in Super Bowl LX at Levi’s Stadium on February 8. The 23-year-old Maye remains inspired because of his wife, Ann Michael Maye. She has been nothing but supportive since they […]

The Denver Nuggets have continued to find success even without Nikola Jokic, defeating the Brooklyn Nets, 107-103, at Ball Arena on Thursday. The win spoiled Michael Porter Jr.’s first return to Denver since being traded to Brooklyn in the offseason. It was a seesaw affair in the fourth quarter, as the two teams exchanged leads. […]

Michael Porter Jr. was back in a familiar place on Thursday as the Brooklyn Nets visited the Denver Nuggets at Ball Arena. It was his first return to Mile High City since the Nuggets traded him to the Nets in the offseason. Porter spent his first six years in the NBA in Denver, helping the […]

The clock is ticking for the New Orleans Pelicans to make a move, as the trade deadline is quickly approaching. The Pelicans are already rumored to be shopping around Zion Williamson, Trey Murphy III, and Herb Jones. But as of writing, the Pelicans have stayed pat, perhaps awaiting what the other teams will do, especially […]

The drama surrounding Golden State Warriors forward Jonathan Kuminga is the gift that keeps on giving. Or so it seems. Fans quickly speculated after it was revealed that Kuminga left the Warriors’ recently concluded five-game road trip early. Many believed that he went home to pack his stuff as Kuminga was going to be moved […]

Dallas Mavericks forward Cooper Flagg woke up the crowd at American Airlines Center on Thursday amid their lackluster start against the Charlotte Hornets. The Mavericks found themselves down by double digits early on after the Hornets, who are on a four-game winning streak, outscored them in the first quarter, 33-20. In the second frame, Flagg […]

Everyone in the NBA is waiting with bated breath on what will happen to the drama involving Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks. With the trade deadline fast approaching, the anticipation has only gotten more feverish. It was recently reported that Antetokounmpo is now willing to move on from the Bucks. Multiple teams are salivating […]

Even though they fell short of the ultimate goal, the Los Angeles Rams had another successful campaign, extending the team’s culture of winning under coach Sean McVay. But as the adage goes, there is always room for improvement. While the Rams’ high-powered offense, powered by Matthew Stafford, Puka Nacua, and Davante Adams, was among the […]

Bronny James used to watch in awe as a kid, as his dad, LeBron James, built a legacy with the Cleveland Cavaliers. Now, as fate would have it, they are teammates on the Los Angeles Lakers, with the younger James looking to make a name for himself, even though it feels like an exercise in […]

For years, people have been telling San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama that he is a rare breed. But with his meek personality, Wembanyama probably often shrugged it off. These days, it seems that he has embraced the fact that he is built differently. It has become increasingly clear, especially after Wembanyama dominated the Houston […]

LeBron James looked pensive as he talked to reporters after the Los Angeles Lakers were routed by the Cleveland Cavaliers, 129-99, at Rocket Arena on Wednesday. It spoiled James’ return to his hometown and his latest impressive feat, as the Lakers played listlessly in the second half. James was not his usual self, scoring only […]

Fans of the Houston Rockets held their breath after Alperen Sengun appeared to have suffered an ankle injury in the fourth quarter against the San Antonio Spurs at Toyota Center on Wednesday. ClutchPoints’ Brett Siegel reported that Sengun limped to the locker room after sitting for a while on the bench. Sengun took a shot […]

Fans of the Boston Celtics got excited after Jayson Tatum seemingly hinted recently that he is close to returning to action. A few days ago, a video of him working out spread on social media. Tatum, who is recovering from an Achilles injury, looked fit and ready to go. Even Derrick White was impressed, saying […]

Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs were looking for payback against Kevin Durant and the Houston Rockets as they faced off anew at Toyota Center on Wednesday. The Rockets defeated the Spurs at home, 111-106, last week, with Wembanyama being held to just 14 points on an atrocious 5-of-21 shooting from the field. In […]

The Boston Celtics got embarrassed on their home floor on Wednesday as the Atlanta Hawks ran away with the victory, 117-106, in a tension-filled contest at TD Garden. The Celtics started flat and got outscored by the Hawks in the first quarter, 38-18. They tried to rally, but Atlanta held on to notch its fourth […]

Stephen Curry was back in action for the Golden State Warriors against the Utah Jazz at Delta Center on Wednesday after sitting out their previous game due to a knee injury. Without Curry, the Warriors were crushed by the Minnesota Timberwolves, 108-83, at Target Center on Monday. Golden State also played without Jimmy Butler, Draymond […]

The royal return of Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James to Rocket Arena on Wednesday became even more special. The Lakers visited the Cleveland Cavaliers, aiming for their third straight win. It was an emotional homecoming for James, who had to wipe away his tears when the Cavaliers played a video tribute for him in […]

The Minnesota Timberwolves visited the Dallas Mavericks at American Airlines Center on Wednesday, looking to gain more momentum after recently snapping their five-game skid. The Timberwolves are coming off a victory against the Golden State Warriors, 108-83, on Monday. Minnesota played without Anthony Edwards, while Golden State did not have Stephen Curry, Jimmy Butler, and […]

The prodigal son came home on Wednesday as LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers visited the Cleveland Cavaliers at Rocket Arena. It is an emotional moment for James every time he returns to his hometown. He treats being from Akron, Ohio as a badge of honor, knowing that he has reshaped not only a […]

Denver Broncos passing game coordinator and quarterback coach Davis Webb is garnering real interest from multiple teams following their impressive run this season. Just a few years ago, Webb was trying to carve out a niche as a bright young mind under the tutelage of coach Sean Payton. Now, he has become a sought-after drillmaster. […]

Nebraska suffered its first loss of the season after allowing Michigan to escape with the come-from-behind win, 75-72, at Crisler Center on Tuesday. Trey McKenney made a go-ahead layup with a little over a minute left, while Aday Mara split his free throws. The third-ranked Wolverines then held down the fort on defense to complete their […]

The New England Patriots and Seattle Seahawks are back in the Super Bowl, with both looking to prove that dynasties can be rebuilt and narratives can be changed. It feels like a sequel to the Super Bowl in 2015, only this time, there is no Tom Brady, no Bill Belichick, no Russell Wilson, and no […]

Oklahoma City Thunder center Isaiah Hartenstein may not be seeing action due to an issue with his calf, but his heart is surely still in the right place. There is still no timetable for Hartenstein’s return. He, however, has been making the most out of his extra time by supporting his teammates and reaching out […]

Brooks Koepka is set to return to the PGA Tour after his exit from LIV Golf. Koepka will compete in the Farmers Insurance Open in San Diego, which will start on Wednesday. Koepka cited “the needs of his family” in his decision to leave LIV Golf, the controversial league in Saudi Arabia. His move has […]

NFL legend Bill Belichick will have to wait a little longer before being inducted into the Hall of Fame after he was left off the ballot in his first year of eligibility. It was revealed in a report from ESPN’s Don Van Natta Jr. and Seth Wickersham on Tuesday. It noted that Belichick, who led […]

Tyrese Maxey immediately hugged Joel Embiid after they connected for an alley-oop slam in the second quarter on Tuesday. It extended the Philadelphia 76ers’ lead over the Milwaukee Bucks at Xfinity Mobile Arena. Fans exploded after Maxey threw a perfect lob to Embiid, who then rammed it home in emphatic fashion. The 31-year-old Embiid was […]

Joel Embiid was back in the lineup on Tuesday as the Philadelphia 76ers hosted the Milwaukee Bucks at Xfinity Mobile Arena. Embiid sat out the front end of their back-to-back set on Monday, with the 76ers getting walloped by the Charlotte Hornets, 130-93, at Spectrum Center. Embiid, fully rested, did not waste any time imposing […]

The football world was shocked on Tuesday after it was revealed that NFL legend Bill Belichick, who many thought was a shoo-in, was snubbed in his first year on the ballot for the Hall of Fame. Clearly, Belichick is one of the greatest coaches in NFL history, leading the New England Patriots to six Super […]

The stage is set for the NBA Rising Stars Challenge in next month’s All-Star Weekend in Los Angeles after the player draft on Tuesday. The three coaches, NBA legends Vince Carter, Tracy McGrady, and Carmelo Anthony, formed their lineups made up of the league’s top rookies and sophomores. Also part of the mini-tournament is a […]

NBA legend Allen Iverson is in hot water following a complaint from one of the participants of his recent event in Australia. As reported by Fox Sports, citing a post on Reddit, Iverson was scheduled to meet 12 kids who are battling cancer at a popular car dealership in Melbourne. It was co-organized by a […]

The much-awaited NBA All-Star Game in Los Angeles next month will feature a new format and the league’s biggest names, including Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic and Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic. They have been fixtures in the midseason spectacle, and Doncic and Jokic have enjoyed it together as good friends, including playing pranks […]

As the trade deadline looms, it feels like the Dallas Mavericks are still trying to find their space in the timeline spectrum: Do they try to win now or build for the future? With the string of unfortunate events since trading Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers, fans are eager for any positive development, […]

Los Angeles Lakers star Luka Doncic was all smiles after they handily beat the Chicago Bulls, 129-118, at United Center on Monday. They have notched back-to-back wins, while also starting their five-game road trip on a positive note. Doncic starred anew for the Purple and Gold, exploding for a game-high 46 points, including eight three-pointers, […]

Once in a while, Los Angeles Lakers center Jaxson Hayes will pull off a jaw-dropping highlight, reminding fans that he is one of the most effortlessly athletic players in the NBA. To wit: The Lakers’ game against the Chicago Bulls on Monday. With the Lakers ahead by a comfortable margin in the fourth quarter, Hayes […]