Entries by Mateo Mayorga

Mateo’s Hoop Diary: Kings seize Kaseya Center after halftime ceremony honoring Bam Adebayo, Nikola Jović and Erik Spoelstra

Jimmy Butler, Bam Adebayo and the crew failed to stop the Kings from their second-half flurry.   Tyler Herro initiated the offense with 13 first-quarter points. Adebayo finished a lob through the lane and made a putback over Domantas Sabonis. Yet, the squad made the remaining two of 12 shots in the frame and led […]

Mateo’s Hoop Diary: Heat showed no guts while getting blasted in the second half by the Orlando Magic

The Miami Heat christened Pat Riley Court with a disconcerting loss to the touring Orlando Magic. Shutting down Bam Adebayo and Jimmy Butler, connecting on seven more threes, collecting 16 extra rebounds plus Paolo Banchero busting the Heat’s rear was the difference.  The first half had nine ties and 17 lead changes and the second […]

Mateo’s Hoop Diary: Champion Celtics put Knicks to shame and tie the single-game 3-point record in the season opener

The Champs got their new jewelry, raised their 18th championship banner and outclassed the Knicks in the season opener, unleashing a record-tying 3-point bombardment.    Kristaps Porziņģis was absent for the Celtics as he recovers from surgery on his left leg.    The hosts started off by attacking Karl-Anthony Towns for multiple buckets at close […]

Mateo’s Hoop Diary: Minnesota Lynx win Game 4 versus the New York Liberty, setting up the season finale

Courtney Williams blended the defense with her dribble. Napheesa Collier picked up four steals. And Bridget Carleton buried the two freebies that put the hosts over the edge.    Early, Kayla McBride and Collier connected on four of five 3-pointers and each scored at close range. But the crew had four turnovers because of miscommunication, […]

Mateo’s Hoop Diary: New York Liberty tie up championship series going to Minnesota

The New York Liberty won Game 2 at home to tie the WNBA Finals. Sabrina Ionescu unfastened Minnesota’s coverages early on. Breanna Stewart registered a record seven steals in a championship bout. And Betnijah Laney-Hamilton connected on four back-breaking trays.   Early, the Lynx’s offense missed four makeable 3-pointers and committed five turnovers, while the […]