Paolo Mariano Articles - Page 4

Age is really just a construct for Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James. James has defied logic with his level of play at 41 years old. While most people his age are dealing with physical problems and medical bills, the four-time MVP has continued to soar high and gallantly compete. Against the New Orleans Pelicans […]

It was indeed unlucky number 13 for the Indiana Pacers on Tuesday as they suffered their 13th straight defeat after bowing to the Cleveland Cavaliers, 120-116, at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. The Pacers held a nine-point lead, 93-84, heading into the fourth quarter. They, however, allowed the Cavaliers to storm back and complete the come-from-behind victory. With […]

The Detroit Lions will get busy looking for a new offensive coordinator after firing John Morton on Tuesday. Morton only spent one season in his return to Detroit. The writing on the wall became clear for Morton when coach Dan Campbell took over offensive play-calling duties in Week 10. Campbell tried to downplay the move, […]

It looks like John Harbaugh will not have a hard time finding a new job. After getting fired by the Baltimore Ravens on Tuesday, several teams are already reportedly inquiring about the now-unemployed coach. Harbaugh spent 18 seasons with the Ravens, leading them to multiple appearances in the playoffs and a Super Bowl title in […]

Despite still having a year left in his contract, Kliff Kingsbury and the Washington Commanders mutually parted ways on Tuesday. The decision reportedly came as a surprise to some players, including Jayden Daniels, who was a strong supporter of Kingsbury. The 46-year-old Kingsbury will be looking for a new job, and the offensive coordinator might […]

Quinnen Williams quickly endeared himself to fans when the Dallas Cowboys acquired him from the New York Jets in November. But even his late addition could not help the Cowboys squeeze into the playoffs. The Cowboys missed the playoffs for the second straight year after finishing with a 7-9-1 record. The team’s listless defense was a […]

The next few weeks will be crucial for the Miami Dolphins as they look to build a new foundation for the future. The Dolphins missed the playoffs for the second straight year, and a fresh vision is needed, starting from the top. In October, the Dolphins fired Chris Grier as general manager after nine years at the helm. […]

There is really nothing like a revenge game. Kevin Durant would agree, as he carried the Houston Rockets past the Phoenix Suns, 100-97, draining the game-winning three-pointer for an extra in-your-face souvenir. Durant finished with a team-high 26 points, 10 rebounds, and four assists. He struggled from deep, missing 10 of his 12 attempts. But […]

Someone from the Golden State Warriors got tossed again versus the Los Angeles Clippers at Intuit Dome on Monday. No, it’s not Draymond Green. Coach Steve Kerr went after the referees with 7:57 left in the fourth quarter after John Collins was not called for a goaltending violation on Gary Payton II’s shot. Kerr refused […]

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the Oklahoma City Thunder probably thought that they would have a cakewalk against the Charlotte Hornets at Paycom Center on Monday. The exact opposite, however, happened. The Thunder were routed by the Hornets by 27 points, 124-97, to absorb back-to-back losses. The Hornets broke away in the second quarter and never gave […]

Jalen Pickett had himself a night on Monday as he led the Denver Nuggets over the Philadelphia 76ers in a nail-biting finish in overtime, 125-124, at Xfinity Mobile Arena. While it was Bruce Brown who made the game-winning basket for the short-handed Nuggets, it was Pickett who kept them afloat throughout the game. With the […]

The Houston Rockets welcomed a special guest at Toyota Center on Monday as they faced off against the Phoenix Suns. Houston Astros pitcher Tatsuya Imai was on hand to watch the game at courtside. Imai recently signed a three-year, $54 million deal with the Astros after spending nine years with the Saitama Seibu Lions in […]

We’re putting this in capital letters so it sinks in quicker: THE CHARLOTTE HORNETS DEFEATED THE OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER. Read it again: THE CHARLOTTE HORNETS DEFEATED THE OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER. Yes, the lowly Hornets completed a massive upset of the league-leading Thunder by 27 points, 124-97, stunning the fans at Paycom Center and freezing hell […]

Pittsburgh Steelers star DK Metcalf has largely remained mum about his two-game suspension following his controversial interaction with a fan of the Detroit Lions in Week 16. Safe to assume, his legal team advised him to keep his mouth shut, especially since the fan, Ryan Kennedy, is seeking a civil lawsuit. But the 28-year-old Metcalf […]

There was a bit of a problem during the game between the Houston Rockets and the Phoenix Suns on Monday, and Tari Eason really took it sitting down. The game clock malfunctioned in the first minute of the second quarter. While it was being fixed, Eason, instead of going back to the bench, sat down […]

The Detroit Pistons chose to be zesty against the New York Knicks on Monday. But it had nothing to do with the players. The Pistons looked to get back-to-back wins as they hosted the Knicks at Little Caesars Arena, where they have a 12-3 record. They are coming off a convincing win against the Cleveland […]

Two of the league’s top defenders, Amen Thompson and Dillon Brooks, faced off on Monday as the Houston Rockets hosted the Phoenix Suns at Toyota Center. They guarded each other in the early goings of the game, and in one instance, it was Thompson who got the better of Brooks. After a defensive stop, the […]

The defensive unit of the Los Angeles Chargers will be in full force for their wild-card round tussle against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium on Sunday. With quarterback Justin Herbert and running back Omarion Hampton being bothered by a hand injury and an ankle injury, respectively, the defensive crew will be expected to […]

The Pittsburgh Steelers should enjoy their season-ending win against the Baltimore Ravens at Acrisure Stadium on Sunday. They deserve it after surviving a back-breaking affair. But for coach Mike Tomlin, they should save the bigger celebration for their real mission. The Steelers beat the Ravens, 26-24, to rule the AFC North for the first time […]

It’s fascinating how emotions can change in just a few minutes. Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Zay Flowers was in a jubilant mood after scoring a crucial touchdown against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday. But when the final buzzer sounded, he was an image of despair, as the Ravens fell short against the Steelers, 26-24. With […]

For the second straight time, the Memphis Grizzlies learned a hard lesson: When Luka Doncic is cooking, the Los Angeles Lakers are virtually unstoppable. The Lakers beat the Grizzlies, 120-114, at Crypto.com Arena on Sunday, with Doncic pouring in a game-high 36 points on 10-of-20 shooting from the field. He also had nine rebounds and […]

Tyler Loops’ notifications must be blowing up right now—but for the wrong reason. The Baltimore Ravens absorbed a painful loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers, 26-24, at Acrisure Stadium on Sunday, with Loop muffing the game-winning field goal. The tough defeat left the Ravens out of the playoffs, with the Steelers claiming the AFC North. Loop’s […]

The winner-take-all season-ender between the Baltimore Ravens and the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday lived up to the billing as it ended in nail-biting fashion. The Steelers escaped with the win, 26-24, at Acrisure Stadium behind the late touchdown connection between Aaron Rodgers and Calvin Austin III. It came after the Ravens took the lead following […]

When the going gets tough, Lamar Jackson gets going. The Baltimore Ravens trooped to Acrisure Stadium on Sunday to face the Pittsburgh Steelers for the crown in the AFC North, with Jackson also continuing his quest to finally make it to the Super Bowl. The Steelers took the lead, 20-17, with less than five minutes […]

It’s a family affair for the Pittsburgh Steelers against the Baltimore Ravens at Acrisure Stadium on Sunday as brothers Connor Heyward and Cam Heyward connected on a touchdown. With the Steelers down by seven, 10-3, on first and goal in the third quarter, they employed an end zone punch, with the younger Heyward scoring after […]

The Pittsburgh Steelers got a huge boost against the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday as TJ Watt returned from a lung injury. It was perfect timing for the Steelers since they were battling the Ravens for the division title. Watt’s presence alone immediately improved their defense. The 31-year-old linebacker even made a huge play in the […]

No one is harder on Sean Payton than Sean Payton. The Denver Broncos beat the Los Angeles Chargers, 19-3, at Empower Field at Mile High on Sunday, but Payton was not in a celebratory mood. The Broncos, who improved to 14-3, secured the top seed in the AFC for the first time since 2015. They […]

Matt Ryan could be back in a very familiar place after the Atlanta Falcons fired Terry Fontenot as general manager on Sunday. Fontenot spent five years with the Falcons before getting the pink slip, along with Raheem Morris, who was fired as coach. According to NFL insider Jordan Schultz, the Falcons are eyeing Ryan to […]

Some things never change. Unfortunately for the New York Jets, that adage becomes even truer every year. The Jets finished the season with a 3-14 record, including five straight losses after getting trampled by the Buffalo Bills, 35-8, at Highmark Stadium on Sunday. The Jets will miss the playoffs for the 15th straight time, the […]

Raheem Morris’ stint with the Atlanta Falcons came to an end on Monday after he was fired as coach. Morris recently addressed his future in Atlanta, saying he has not spoken yet to owner Arthur Blank. Well, now, the team has made a decision, as reported by ESPN’s Adam Schefter. Sources: Raheem Morris is out […]

The despair continues for the long-suffering fans of the New York Jets as the team will miss the playoffs for the 15th straight year. The Jets closed out their season with a five-game losing streak, including getting routed by the Buffalo Bills, 35-8, at Highmark Stadium on Sunday. The Jets finished with another lowly record, […]

In just a few days, another new year will arrive. As usual, it will come with a lot of deeply reflective questions: Will the world ever find peace? How can economic equality be achieved? Will there be another “Fast and the Furious” movie? But for the Kansas City Chiefs, it has increasingly become obvious: Will […]

Denver Nuggets star Nikola Jokic played Santa Claus and gifted everyone with one of the most iconic performances on Christmas Day in league history. Jokic dropped a monster triple-double of 56 points, 16 rebounds, and 15 assists to power the Nuggets past the Minnesota Timberwolves in overtime, 142-138, at Ball Arena. He also had two blocks […]

Tari Eason has carved out a consistent role for the Houston Rockets as one of the spark plugs off the bench. While he is not as heralded as Alperen Sengun, Kevin Durant, and Amen Thompson, Eason has no problem being under the radar. Eason has missed 14 games this season due to an oblique strain […]

Are the Los Angeles Lakers in deeper trouble than they seem to be? The Lakers suffered their third consecutive defeat after getting manhandled by the Houston Rockets, 119-96, at Crypto.com Arena on Christmas Day. While it was not exactly a season-altering loss, frustrations seem to be simmering under the surface. After the game, Luka Doncic […]

The Los Angeles Lakers absorbed their third straight loss after bowing to the Houston Rockets, 119-96, at Crypto.com Arena on Christmas Day. The Lakers had a lackluster start and failed to find their groove after halftime, allowing the Rockets to cruise to the easy win. The Lakers fell to 19-10, including 7-5 at home. They […]

Luka Doncic did not have to look far to find someone to blame after the Los Angeles Lakers lost to the Houston Rockets, 119-96, leaving their fans disappointed at Crypto.com Arena on Christmas Day. The Lakers allowed the Rockets to have a strong start, scoring 37 points in the first quarter. The Purple and Gold […]

Over the years, games on Christmas Day have become one of the NBA’s most cherished traditions, as they have evolved into a national stage for the league’s brightest stars and biggest rivalries. It is among the many ways of the NBA to give back to fans, who spend money on tickets or tune in on […]

It was a sweet reunion for the once-vaunted trio of Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, and Draymond Green as the Golden State Warriors welcomed the Dallas Mavericks at Chase Center on Christmas Day. It was Thompson’s third game at the storied venue since joining the Mavericks in 2024, and as expected, he was received warmly by […]