Paolo Mariano Articles - Page 4

Michael Jordan may have a statue outside the United Center, but on Monday, it was LeBron James who commanded awe as the Los Angeles Lakers visited the Chicago Bulls. In the early minutes of the first quarter, James tapped the ball away from Matas Buzelis. It went to Luka Doncic, who then tossed it to […]

The Minnesota Timberwolves have fallen short in the conference finals in back-to-back seasons. They were not due to a lack of effort, but arguably, inadequacies in personnel. The Timberwolves have built their roster around Anthony Edwards’ offensive gravity and Rudy Gobert’s rim protection, but they have struggled at times to surround them with consistent two-way […]

Aryna Sabalenka continued her impressive run in the Australian Open after disposing of Anastasia Potapova, 7-6 (4), 7-6 (7), in the third round on Thursday at Rod Laver Arena. While Potapova posed a challenge, Sabalenka kept her cool to march on to the next round against Victoria Mboko. The top-seeded Sabalenka, the reigning WTA Player […]

Brandon Aiyuk’s time with the San Francisco 49ers has gone from breakout star to bewildering exit. General manager John Lynch recently stated that the wide receiver has likely played his last snap for the 49ers. While Aiyuk has not been officially released yet, multiple teams are already watching the situation closely as the offseason unfolds. […]

Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards did not have to look far to pin the blame after they lost to the Chicago Bulls, 120-115, at Target Center on Thursday. The Bulls clawed back from a 14-point deficit at halftime to pull off the upset, with Jalen Smith and Coby White sinking crucial free throws. Chicago improved […]

The cold weather could be a real storyline in the AFC Championship Game between the Denver Broncos and the New England Patriots at Empower Field at Mile High on Sunday. If the forecast becomes punishing, it could impact the respective strategies of both teams. The passing game tends to tighten up in cold weather, with […]

The Houston Rockets saw their three-game winning streak end at the hands of the Philadelphia 76ers in overtime, 128-122, at Xfinity Mobile Arena on Thursday. The Rockets fell short despite a big game from Kevin Durant, who tallied 36 points, including five three-pointers, seven rebounds, and three assists. He, however, also had eight turnovers. The […]

The Philadelphia 76ers survived the Houston Rockets in overtime, 128-122, at Xfinity Mobile Arena on Thursday. It was a frenetic finish for the 76ers and the Rockets as they traded clutch plays. Tyrese Maxey sent the game into an extension with a jumper with 40 seconds left in the fourth quarter. Maxey, however, could have […]

The much-publicized saga involving Jonathan Kuminga and the Golden State Warriors got even testier after the comments of general manager Mike Dunleavy Jr. recently. Kuminga, who has grown displeased with his role, has demanded a trade from the Warriors. Dunleavy addressed the issue and was quite blunt with his remarks. “When you make a demand, […]

The Golden State Warriors are still reeling from the season-ending knee injury of Jimmy Butler, and now, they might also lose the player who’s supposed to soak up his minutes after Jonathan Kuminga suffered a knee injury on Thursday. Kuminga was driving to the rim in the second quarter against the Dallas Mavericks at American […]

After a jittery start to the season, Dallas Mavericks rookie Cooper Flagg has now lived up to the hype of being the top overall pick of last year’s draft. While there are still areas for improvement, Flagg has proven that he can lead the Mavericks. A facet of his game that he needs to work […]

Philadelphia 76ers guard VJ Edgecombe did not waste any time making his presence felt against the Houston Rockets at Xfinity Mobile Arena on Thursday. The 76ers have struggled recently, coming off a loss to the Phoenix Suns, 116-110, on Tuesday, and Edgecombe wanted to reenergize his team against the Rockets. In the first quarter, he […]

A pair of MVPs and champions met at Fiserv Forum on Wednesday, as Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks hosted Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the Oklahoma City Thunder. The highly anticipated matchup, however, became a one-sided affair, as the Thunder manhandled the Bucks, 122-102. Oklahoma City outscored Milwaukee, 38-18, in the first quarter and never looked […]

The Sacramento Kings suffered their third straight loss after getting pummeled by the Toronto Raptors, 122-109, at Golden 1 Center on Wednesday. The Kings, who were on a four-game winning streak entering the game, had a strong start, taking a nine-point lead at halftime, 61-52. They, however, failed to sustain it, as the Raptors slowly […]

The Oklahoma City Thunder made easy work of the Milwaukee Bucks, 122-102, at Fiserv Forum on Wednesday. The win, however, could prove to be costly after Ajay Mitchell was forced to exit the game in the second half. The Thunder were already undermanned against the Bucks, as they played without Jalen Williams, Isaiah Hartenstein, Alex […]

If there’s one lesson that the world’s ancient philosophers have taught humanity, it’s this: The internet never forgets. Brooklyn Nets center Nic Claxton should know. The Nets got obliterated by the Knicks by 54 points, 120-66, at Madison Square Garden on Wednesday. The Knicks, who are amid a concerning slump, unleashed all their frustrations like […]

Jalen Johnson continues to turn heads as he led the Atlanta Hawks over the Memphis Grizzlies, 124-122, in a wild finish at FedExForum on Wednesday. Johnson nailed the go-ahead basket with 46.1 seconds left to help the Hawks improve to 21-25. They snapped their four-game losing streak. The high-flying forward tallied game-highs of 32 points […]

The tension boiled over between the Milwaukee Bucks and the Oklahoma City Thunder at Fiserv Forum on Wednesday after Bobby Portis and Cason Wallace got into it in the third quarter. As the Thunder were getting into their set, Portis planted an elbow on Wallace’s chest. Wallace took exception to it and pushed Portis before […]

Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark cheered for the Indiana Hoosiers as they defeated the Miami Hurricanes in the national championship game, 27-21, on Monday. Clark even got thrilled for Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza when his favorite rapper, Lil Uzi Vert, entered Hard Rock Stadium. During her training, Clark decided to have a little fun and […]

Even before the season began, many believed that the Charlotte Hornets would be one of the more thrilling teams to watch despite their streak of losing records. The Hornets have proven that, with LaMelo Ball, Miles Bridges, and Brandon Miller leading the crew. The young trio has electrified the fans with aerial displays and high-octane […]

It did not take long for Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant to get into another scuffle. But this time, it is not with his teammate. The Grizzlies faced the Atlanta Hawks at FedExForum on Wednesday, and things got heated in the second quarter. Morant tried to attack the rim but was bodied up by Hawks […]

It feels like the Milwaukee Bucks are walking a tightrope these days as they continue to struggle in their campaign, while also trying to navigate the situation involving Giannis Antetokounmpo. With the trade deadline just around the corner, the Bucks must be feeling the pressure on what to do with Antetokounmpo. The two-time MVP has […]

The New York Knicks are looking to end their four-game winning streak as they are battling the Brooklyn Nets at Madison Square Garden on Wednesday. The Knicks need all the positive energy they can get to put an end to their slump, which has fans and observers getting concerned. The Knicks were firing on all […]

All eyes will be on backup quarterback Jarrett Stidham as he tries to lead the Denver Broncos as a sudden replacement against the New England Patriots in the ACF Championship Game on Sunday. Stidham was thrust into the spotlight after starting quarterback Bo Nix suffered a season-ending ankle injury in their dramatic win in overtime, […]

The Denver Nuggets played their 12th straight game without Nikola Jokic on Tuesday, falling to the Los Angeles Lakers, 115-107, at Ball Arena. The Nuggets failed to hold on to their halftime lead, as the Lakers rallied in the second half to capture the win. Denver fell to 29-15, including 12-8 at home. While the […]

Luka Doncic once again starred for the Los Angeles Lakers as they beat the Denver Nuggets, 115-107, at Ball Arena on Tuesday. The Lakers notched back-to-back wins and improved to 26-16, including 14-8 on the road. They are only 5-5 in their last 10 outings, even with Doncic and LeBron James putting up big numbers. […]

Golden State Warriors forward Jonathan Kuminga remains in limbo, with the trade deadline on the horizon. His name continues to be thrown around, especially after his trade demand, and the Warriors are reportedly willing to listen to any offer. The season-ending knee injury of fellow forward Jimmy Butler, however, might have thrown a monkey wrench […]

The Golden State Warriors were dealt a serious blow after it was confirmed that Jimmy Butler suffered a season-ending knee injury on Monday. The Warriors lost one of their top scorers, leaving Stephen Curry with a heavier load. Golden State is in eighth place in the Western Conference with a 25-19 record entering its game […]

Michigan State coach Tom Izzo is an absolute legend. One cannot discuss the growth of college basketball in the past few decades without mentioning Izzo. He has built one of the most enduring programs in the NCAA, producing current NBA stars Draymond Green, Jaren Jackson Jr., and Miles Bridges, among others. Izzo has stuck to […]

After a promising start, including winning the NBA Cup, the New York Knicks have suddenly found themselves in quicksand. They have lost four straight games, going 2-9 in their last 11 assignments. Amid the slump and the trade deadline fast approaching, rumors are growing that the Knicks are shopping around Karl-Anthony Towns. While the talented […]

The Los Angeles Lakers looked to regain their rhythm as they visited the Denver Nuggets at Crypto.com Arena on Tuesday. The Lakers have been largely inconsistent recently, going 5-5 in their last 10 games before facing the Nuggets. What should have been a marquee meeting between two of the league’s elite players, Lakers guard Luka […]

Two of the NBA’s most feared unicorns faced off anew as Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs visited Kevin Durant and the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center on Tuesday. The Spurs beat the Rockets, 121-100, in the NBA Cup in November, with Wembanyama scoring 22 points. Durant had 24 points to lead the Rockets. […]

While Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James is still playing at a high level at 41 years old, his age has naturally brought speculation about how long he can and will want to play in the NBA. James remains one of the league’s elite players, although he has been slowed down by various injuries over […]

Fast-rising quarterback Fernando Mendoza is one of the biggest athletes right now after leading Indiana to its first-ever national title. Their unbeaten run toward the ultimate prize will never be forgotten, with Mendoza’s gutsy touchdown in the fourth quarter adding to the long list of iconic plays in college football lore. Mendoza said in an […]

The Miami Heat fell to the Golden State Warriors, 135-112, at Chase Center on Monday. It spoiled Andrew Wiggins’ first return to the Bay Area since being traded to the Heat. After a tight contest in the first half, the Warriors turned on the jets to break away from the Heat and improve to 25-19. […]

Indiana whooped it up on the field as it was handed its first-ever national championship trophy after beating Miami, 27-21, at Hard Rock Stadium on Monday. It was a fitting image for the Hoosiers, who completed their undefeated season. Fernando Mendoza came up big anew for Indiana, scoring on a gutsy 12-yard rush with 9:18 […]

It is usually tough to find the right words in a moment of despair. Miami coach Mario Cristobal, however, did not have a lot of trouble expressing his respect, gratitude, and admiration for his players after they lost to Indiana in the national championship game on Monday. The Hurricanes fell short, 27-21, despite multiple chances […]

Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza is surely on cloud nine right now after they defeated Miami, 27-21, in a nail-biting finish on Monday to capture the first national championship in program history. Numerous athletes tuned in to the game on Monday, including Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark. She even got excited for Mendoza after famous rapper […]

The Detroit Pistons escaped the Boston Celtics by the skin of their teeth, 104-103, at Little Caesars Arena on Monday. The Pistons improved to 31-10, including 18-4 at home. The Pistons were ahead, 104-99, with only 1:37 left in the fourth quarter. The Celtics, however, close the gap after Jaylen Brown made back-to-back buckets. Detroit […]