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NBA Preview: Dallas Mavericks (29-26) at Los Angeles Clippers (31-26)

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NBA Preview: Dallas Mavericks (29-26) at Los Angeles Clippers (31-26)

New era set to begin when Kyrie Irving, Mavs visit Clippers

The Kyrie Irving era with the Dallas Mavericks is set to take flight Wednesday, although the team’s full on-court vision will not be realized until the weekend at the earliest.

Officially acquired Monday in a trade with the Brooklyn Nets, Irving is expected to make his debut with the Mavericks in a game against the host Los Angeles Clippers. But his much-anticipated pairing with fellow star Luka Doncic will have to wait.

Doncic has been ruled out for a third consecutive game with a heel injury. His return is expected to come either on Friday or Saturday at Sacramento as the Mavericks are set to face the Kings in consecutive games.

Irving, who requested a trade out of Brooklyn last week, practiced with his new Dallas teammates Tuesday on the University of Southern California campus. Afterward, he touched on some reasons why he wanted a fresh start.

His desire for ultimate respect will be tested early. Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd wasted no time saying that the Mavericks will continue to be Doncic’s team to lead.

Irving’s first game with the Mavericks will provide him the opportunity to make an immediate statement. The Mavs enter the day in sixth place in the Western Conference, one game behind the fourth-place Clippers.

Los Angeles will be wrapping up the season series between the teams after winning two of the first three games against the Mavericks. Their most recent meeting was a 112-98 Clippers victory on Jan. 22 in Dallas.

The Clippers return home from a 4-2 road swing through the Eastern Conference that closed with a 124-116 victory Monday against Irving’s old team, the Nets.

With Kawhi Leonard and Paul George healthy and back on the court together again, the Clippers are 8-2 since Jan. 20, with nine of those 10 games on the road.

Los Angeles has made its push up the standings by essentially going to an eight-man rotation as of late, although the team had nine players see at least 15 minutes of action Monday as George scored 29 points and Leonard added 24.

The Clippers reportedly made a push to add Irving themselves, before the Mavs won out.

NBA Preview: Minnesota Timberwolves (29-28) at Utah Jazz (27-28)

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NBA Preview: Minnesota Timberwolves (29-28) at Utah Jazz (27-28)

Though the Utah Jazz have a losing record amid a roster overhaul, the team has been competitive in most games.

Monday night was an embarrassing exception to that rule.

Meanwhile, the Minnesota Timberwolves, Utah’s next opponent, probably feel even worse about their most recent game coming into a Wednesday matchup against the Jazz in Salt Lake City.

The Jazz collapsed in the fourth quarter of a 124-111 home loss against the Dallas Mavericks on Monday, who were playing without Luka Doncic and every player involved in the Kyrie Irving trade.

Utah was done in by the unlikely duo of Josh Green and Jaden Hardy, who each scored a career-high 29 points.

The Hardy from the other locker room disagreed.

Jazz coach Will Hardy said, “This is the first game all season where I’ve felt disappointed in our focus. There (are) always nights where bounces don’t go your way, but I felt collectively we did not have the necessary focus on the little things. That’s why we lost the game.”

As for the Timberwolves, they trailed by 30 points after the first quarter at Denver on Tuesday and never recovered, taking a 146-112 shellacking from the Nuggets.

Nobody struggled more than former Jazz center Rudy Gobert, who went scoreless on 0-for-2 shooting and grabbed just five rebounds. Denver center Nikola Jokic, meanwhile, racked up a triple-double in 28 minutes, registering 20 points, 16 assists and 12 rebounds.

The only positive for Gobert? He played just 19 minutes, so he should be well-rested for his second return trip to Utah, where he played nine seasons and earned the Defensive Player of the Year award three times.

Gobert looked like his usual All-Star self when Minnesota visited Utah on Dec. 9, amassing 22 points and 13 rebounds in the Timberwolves’ 118-108 win.

The Stifle Tower played just five minutes in the Timberwolves’ 126-125 loss to Utah on Jan. 16 in Minneapolis. On that night, Jazz rookie center Walker Kessler, who was a piece in the blockbuster Gobert trade last offseason, had career highs of 20 points and 21 rebounds.

Kessler has been a bright spot for the Jazz, playing even better than his averages of 7.9 points and 7.4 rebounds would suggest. He also is blocking 2.1 shots per game while averaging just 20.4 minutes.

Even though the 7-foot rookie played better against Dallas, finishing with 13 points, nine rebounds and three blocks — compared to two points and five boards in the previous game vs. the Atlanta Hawks — the Jazz seemed out of sorts against the Mavericks.

On a positive note for Minnesota, the team was accompanied on the current road trip by Karl-Anthony Towns, who has been sidelined due to a calf injury since late November.

NBA Preview: Sacramento Kings (30-23) at Houston Rockets (13-41)

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NBA Preview: Sacramento Kings (30-23) at Houston Rockets (13-41)

With De’Aaron Fox back, Kings look for more success vs. Rockets

It is no coincidence that, after winning nine of the previous 12 games with guard De’Aaron Fox orchestrating their high-scoring offense, the Sacramento Kings dropped both of the contests that Fox missed prior to his return to the starting lineup on Monday against the Houston Rockets.

And right on cue, the Kings appeared whole again, throttling the Rockets 140-120 to square their record at 3-3 on a seven-game road trip, which concludes Wednesday with the second half of a two-game visit to Houston.

Fox paired 16 points with eight assists and added four rebounds, two steals and one block in 29 minutes. The Kings, who through Monday were first in the NBA in scoring at 119.3 points per game and second in offensive rating (117.2), eclipsed 130 points for a league-best 12th time this season.

Fox was not selected for the All-Star Game but appears likely to earn a spot as an injury replacement with Warriors guard Stephen Curry expected to be sidelined for several weeks with a leg injury.

With Fox back in the fold, the Kings appeared as offensively vibrant as ever, with five others joining Fox in double figures paced by rookie forward Keegan Murray, whose career-high 30 points were punctuated by eight 3-pointers, a new franchise mark for a rookie.

Murray needed only 17 shots to set his personal best in points and added six rebounds and one assist to his glittering stat line. He was 1-for-16 from behind the arc in his three previous games.

Rockets coach Stephen Silas was equal parts livid and bewildered in the aftermath of a second consecutive blowout defeat and third this season against the Kings.

Houston failed to produce a competitive effort on Saturday against the Oklahoma City Thunder and then showcased minimal defensive intensity against the Kings, who shot 58.4 percent overall while hitting 21 3-pointers.

The Rockets have allowed the Kings to shoot 53.5 percent over three games this season, including an eye-opening 60-for-129 from behind the arc, good enough for 46.5 percent. The Kings have averaged 138 points against Houston on an incredible 64.7 percent effective field goal percentage. For comparison, the Brooklyn Nets lead the NBA in effective field goal percentage at 58.1 percent.

Houston Dash sign Katy native Bárbara Olivieri

WNBA Editor
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Houston Dash sign Katy native Bárbara Olivieri

NEED TO KNOW:   

  • The midfielder joins the Dash from C.F. Monterrey in LigaMX Femenil  
  • Oliveri made 19 appearances and scored three goals for Rayadas during the 2022-2023 Apertura season 
  • The Katy native played two seasons at Texas A&M University before playing professionally  

HOUSTON – The Houston Dash signed midfielder Bárbara Olivieri to a one-year contract through the 2023 season with an option for the 2024 season, the team announced today.  

“Bárbara is an exciting young player who brings creativity on the ball as an attacking midfielder and a range to score goals from all over the pitch,” Dash general manager, Alex Singer said. “She can break lines, find space to create and combine with teammates, or create chances for herself. We’re thrilled to bring her back to her hometown and see her development with the club.”  

Oliveri joins Houston after one year in Mexico’s LigaMX Femenil with Monterrey CF. While with Rayadas, Oliveri made 19 appearances, scoring three goals during the 2022 LigaMX Femenil Apertura season. After arriving in Feb. 2022, the midfielder made nine appearances and scored one goal in the 2022 Clausura season. 

The Katy, Texas native played collegiately at Texas A&M University where she quickly earned several accolades. She was named the SEC Freshman of the Year in 2020 and was an All-SEC First Team selection in her first year with the program. Oliveri made 26 starts in 26 appearances, scoring 13 goals in two seasons with the Aggies. After her sophomore season in College Station, Oliveri announced she would forego the rest of her eligibility to turn professional.  

The Venezuelan American made her debut for the Venezuela Women’s National Team in December 2021, scoring the game-winning goal and adding an assist in her first career international appearance. Before her senior team debut, Oliveri represented Venezuela in the 2022 South America U-20 Women’s Football Championship and the 2018 South American U-17 Women’s Football Championship.  

Prior to joining Texas A&M, Oliveri played prep soccer at Tompkins High School where she was a three-year varsity athlete, led the Falcons to two state championship final appearances and a 64-9-6 overall career record. Oliveri starred in the youth ranks playing for Albion Hurricanes FC from 2013-2019. With the Hurricanes, Oliveri earned several youth accolades including ECNL Texas Conference Player of the Year and an ECNL All-America selection from 2017-2018.  

TRANSACTION: Houston Dash sign midfielder Bárbara Olivieri to a one-year contract through the 2023 season with an option for the 2024 season. 

Astros sign RHP Bryan Garcia to Minor League contract

MLB Editor
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Astros sign RHP Bryan Garcia to Minor League contract

Reliever will be one of 23 non-roster invites at Major League Spring Training

HOUSTON, TX – The Houston Astros have signed RHP Bryan Garcia to a minor league contract with an invitation to Major League Spring Training. Including Garcia, the Astros will have 62 players at Major League Spring Training, which includes 39 players on their 40-man roster and 23 non-roster invitees.

Garcia, 27, spent his 2022 season in the Tigers organization, bouncing between the Major Leagues and Triple A. For the Tigers, Garcia made four starts, going 2-0 with a 3.54 ERA (8ER/20.1IP), while allowing just a .200 (14×70) opponent batting average. He spent the majority of last season at Triple A Toledo, where he went 5-3 with a 3.80 ERA (36ER/85.1IP) in 39 games, including 11 starts. Garcia has pitched in each of the last four seasons (2019-22) with the Tigers and owns a career 7-3 record with six saves and a 5.52 ERA (54ER/88IP).

The Astros will hold their first official Spring Training workout for pitchers and catchers at the Ballpark of the Palm Beaches complex in West Palm Beach, FL, on Thursday, Feb. 16. The first official workout for the entire squad is scheduled for Tuesday, Feb. 21.

NFL Transactions 2-7-23

NFL Editor
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NFL Transactions 2-7-23

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​The following are the NFL transactions for Tuesday, February 7. Transactions will be published each day after they are circulated to NFL clubs. This public version will include waiver requests, assignments via waivers, terminations, free agent signings, reserve list and practice squad additions and deletions, and trades.

RESERVE LIST ADDITION

CLEVELAND
    Dwumfour, MichaelDTRutgers   
         Free Agent Signing
         Reserve/Future

Boxing Preview: Rey Vargas (36-0, 22 KO’s) vs O’Shaquie Foster (19-2, 11 KO’s)

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Boxing Preview: Rey Vargas (36-0, 22 KO’s) vs O’Shaquie Foster (19-2, 11 KO’s)

Undefeated two-division world champion Rey Vargas and top contender O’Shaquie Foster previewed their battle for the vacant WBC Super Featherweight World Championship during a virtual press conference on Wednesday before they meet on Saturday, February 11 live on SHOWTIME from the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas in a Premier Boxing Champions event.

The SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING telecast begins at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT and is topped by Vargas on his quest to become a three-division world champion against the hungry challenger Foster, who steps into the ring to vie for a title for the first time.

Vargas will return to fight at the Alamodome after winning the 126-pound title at the arena in July 2022 on SHOWTIME. During the virtual presser, Foster, who fought on SHOBOX: The New Generation® four times, revealed his own history at the venue, as he qualified for the Olympic Trials as an amateur at the Alamodome.

REY VARGAS
“I want to thrill the fans. So come at me with whatever you have. Let’s give the fans what they want.

“Alamodome is definitely a beautiful venue and a place where I have wonderful memories. This is another step for me toward history and there’s no better place to do it than in San Antonio. I’m looking forward to giving the fans a great show.

“Foster is very different from my last opponent. We’ve done a lot of different things in this training camp. We’re getting ready for the strategy that we think he’s going to employ. He’s elusive and he can be tough to catch.

“At the end of the day it’s about two guys in the ring trying to get the best out of each other. I’ve been in friendly and hostile environments in the ring. So I’m not worried about anything other than Foster.

“We’re coming back to a place where I have really good memories and I’m ready to do it again. I know that it’s a new weight class, but I don’t’ feel uncomfortable at all. I want to make history and do something that I’ll remember for the rest of my career.

“I’ve fought all kinds of styles, so nothing really surprised me. I have a hunch that Foster is going to come forward and be aggressive. If he fights me tactically, then I’ll be ready for that too.

“This is definitely an interesting challenge. I haven’t decided which weight I’m going to fight at afterward. I’m going to focus on the moment and this great fight that we’re going to have on February 11.

“I had a lot of important fights before the Mark Magsayo fight. I didn’t go from the bottom to the top in one fell swoop, I took the steps that were necessary to get to where I am.

“My power is definitely going to translate to 130 pounds. I have everything to gain and nothing to lose. The work that I’ve put into my power during training will definitely work in my favor.

“The Leo Santa Cruz fight is definitely something we’ve had our eyes on for years. There were some obstacles coming up, and that’s when this opportunity came up. I’m always up for new and exciting challenges and this was definitely one of them. I think this will be just as good of a fight as the Santa Cruz fight will be.”

O’SHAQUIE FOSTER
“Camp has been going great. This is the best camp I’ve ever had. I want to appreciate Vargas for coming up and challenging me for the title. We’re ready. I’ve had to take a lot of ‘0’s’ lately and Vargas is going to be another one on the list.

“Everything happens for a reason. I had a couple setbacks and had to get focused and weed out the bad energy in my life. Now I’m ready. I have history at the Alamodome myself. I qualified for the Olympic trials there, so it’s going to be a fun night.

“I’ll be the first world titlist to come out of my city, so I’d be making history for Orange, Texas and raising the bar for the next generation. I’m ready to show the world that I’m one of the top fighters.

“It didn’t matter who I was facing. I was ready for anybody. It just makes it better that he’s an undefeated two-time champion. He’s a current champion, so I should get all my props after the fight.

“I thought it was a close fight for Vargas against Mark Magsayo but I thought he pulled it out. He was a little more active.

“For me to be a better person, I had to separate myself from the crowd. I moved away from my hometown five years ago and I only go back to see my family. I’m just focused on what I have to do in the future.

“I don’t know why he thinks I’m going to come out aggressively at him. I come out with different styles every time I fight. If he tries to box me or walk me down, good luck. He needs to worry about what he’s going to do.

“It’s going to be fireworks. We put in real work. Every fight I come in with a different style, so for this fight I’m bringing all the tricks. I’m going to show the world that I belong and that I’m here to stay.”

Boxing Preview: Santos Reyes (12-0, 3 KO’s) vs Adam Azim (7-0, 6 KO’s)

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Boxing Preview: Santos Reyes (12-0, 3 KO’s) vs Adam Azim (7-0, 6 KO’s)

‘The Assassin’ has his next assignment: the electrifying Adam Azim (7-0, 6 KO’s) will return to the ring on Saturday, February 11 at the OVO Wembley Arena in London, England against undefeated South American Santos Reyes (12-0, 3 KO’s).

With six consecutive stoppage victories – including November’s stunning two-round demolition of the highly-regarded Rylan Charlton – Azim has now established himself as the world’s leading lightweight prospect and considered by many as a future world champion after his breakthrough 2022.

The young prodigy was bestowed with accolades for his astonishing run last year, including the BBC Sport ‘Young Fighter of the Year’ award and the Boxing News ‘2022 Prospect of the Year’. Azim’s trainer Shane McGuigan was also declared ‘Trainer of the Year’ by leading UK media sport’s outlet GiveMeSport.

Azim takes the next step on his journey to world title contention next month – live and exclusively in the UK & Ireland on Sky Sports – and marks a significant career milestone as he headlines a major British arena for the first time.

If the amazing Azim can add a seventh consecutive stoppage to his own record in the process, it will underline his staggering potential – all-time great Amir Khan won his first major world title at the age of 22, but has predicted Azim will win a world title even sooner.

Reyes hails from Nicaragua, a Latin American boxing powerhouse which has produced names such as Alexis Arguello and Ricardo Mayorga, and went 4-0 in 2022. He is the current WBA Fedecentro (‘Central America’) champion and successfully defended his title with a dominant decision victory in December.

‘Sweet’ Caroline Dubois (5-0, 4 KO’s) takes a big step up on February 11 when she faces the highly-experienced Argentinian national champion Yamila Belen Abellaneda (15-5-1, 3 KO’s).

Best known to British fight fans for her WBA Intercontinental title battle with Natasha Jonas’ arch-rival Terri Harper in March last year, Abellaneda – who has successfully defended her Argentian national title four times since winning it in December 2020 – is making her second visit to the UK next month.

Dubois’ standout amateur career – in which she became Youth Olympic champion, World Youth champion and four-times European Youth champion – has segued seamlessly into the professional ranks. Like her stablemate Adam Azim, she went 5-0 in 2022 and marked herself out as one of the global boxing scene’s talents to watch.

The English Middleweight Championship will be on the line when newly-crowned champion Tyler Denny (15-2-3) makes his first defence of the title he won in November with a win over hotly tipped Manchester talent Brad ‘The Sting’ Rea.

Challenging Denny is undefeated Cornwall man Brad Pauls (16-0, 9 KO’s). ‘The Newquay Bomb’ brings a 56% stoppage ratio to the ring and goes into the bout off the back of a win at London’s 02 Arena last summer.

Three stoppage wins in three fights – two of them coming inside the first three rounds – made 2022 a year in which young prospect Viddal Riley (7-0, 4 KOs) marked himself out as a rising threat in the stacked cruiserweight division.

On February 11 he turns his attention to Anees Taj (7-2-0, 5 KOs), a BOXXER Series tournament veteran, and aims to make it judgement day for the law graduate and Watford Grammar School alumnus and start his 2023 campaign in style.

Taj, who narrowly missed out on a place in the 2020 Olympics boxing squad for Pakistan and was once on track to be a professional rugby player before switching to boxing, rides a two-fight win streak into the clash.

Both boxers have no-nonsense fighting styles and look to end their bouts as quickly as possible. Their encounter is likely to be a highly entertaining heavy-artillery firefight – for as long as it lasts.

NBA Preview: San Antonio Spurs (14-40) at Toronto Raptors (25-30)

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NBA Preview: San Antonio Spurs (14-40) at Toronto Raptors (25-30)

After a 4-3 road trip, the Toronto Raptors will open a five-game homestand Wednesday night against the floundering San Antonio Spurs.

The Raptors completed their trip with a 106-103 victory over the undermanned Memphis Grizzlies on Sunday.

Still without O.G. Anunoby because of a wrist injury, the Raptors overcame a 15-point deficit against the Grizzlies, who were without starters Ja Morant, Steven Adams and Dillon Brooks.

The Spurs have lost nine straight after losing to the Chicago Bulls 128-104 Monday night to begin a nine-game road trip.

Keldon Johnson led San Antonio with 21 points.

The Spurs were without rookie Jeremy Sochan (sore lower back), who is doubtful for Wednesday’s game.

Sochan has played well this season and was selected for the Rising Stars game Feb. 17 during the All-Star Game weekend. Spurs coach Gregg Popovich has compared him to Hall of Famer Manu Ginobili, a former Spurs stalwart.

Tre Jones (sore left foot) also did not play for the Spurs in Chicago. Jones and Johnson (ankle) are questionable.

With the trade deadline looming Thursday, the Spurs made a deal on Tuesday. They acquired 33-year-old center Dewayne Dedmon and a 2028 second-round draft pick from the Miami Heat for cash.

Dedmon played for the Spurs in 2016-17 but his future with the team this time is not certain. He could be traded or waived.

Meanwhile, Raptors coach Nick Nurse confirmed Tuesday that Anunoby will not play against the Spurs.

Anunoby suffered a sprained left wrist in the Raptors’ 129-117 loss to the Golden State Warriors on Jan. 27.

Nurse would like to see the Raptors play the relentless type of defense that they are capable of for a full game.

The Raptors defeated the Spurs 143-100 on Nov. 2 in San Antonio in the first game between the teams this season. Pascal Siakam had 22 points, 11 assists and 10 rebounds in only 28 minutes.

NBA Preview: Indiana Pacers (25-30) at Miami Heat (29-25)

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NBA Preview: Indiana Pacers (25-30) at Miami Heat (29-25)

Struggling is one thing. The Indiana Pacers, who visit the Miami Heat on Wednesday night, appear to be unraveling.

With 12 losses in their past 14 games, the Pacers are — or should be — in panic mode.

There is good news for the Pacers, however, in the form of Tyrese Haliburton.

The standout guard leads the Pacers in scoring (20.0) and tops the league in assists (10.3). The third-year pro is shooting 87.0 percent from the foul line, and he has a career mark of 40.6 percent on 3-pointers.

A first-time All-Star this season, Haliburton also impressed Lakers stars LeBron James and Anthony Davis last week when Indiana lost to the Lakers, 112-111.

The Pacers are 1-2 since Haliburton returned from knee and elbow injuries that cost him 10 games. The Pacers went 1-9 without him.

Indiana had gone 8-2 prior to this poor stretch and hopes to soar again with Haliburton back in the fold.

Myles Turner leads Indiana in rebounds (8.1) and blocks (2.4) and ranks second in scoring (17.7).

Buddy Hield and Bennedict Mathurin are Indiana’s other double-figure scorers, both averaging 17.4 points.

Hield scored 21 points in Indiana’s most recent win, a 107-104 home victory over Sacramento on Friday.

Mathurin, a rookie from Montreal who is of Haitian ancestry, is Indiana’s top reserve. The No. 6 pick in the 2022 NBA Draft out of Arizona, he does not lack for confidence, and one of his favorite players has long been Miami star Jimmy Butler.

Butler is coming off a 32-point performance in Saturday’s 123-115 loss at the Milwaukee Bucks.

The loss completed a 1-3 Heat road trip.

By game time, the Heat will have had three full days off. That time was needed, because Miami had only nine healthy players against Milwaukee.

Among others, the Heat played without starting point guard Kyle Lowry (sore left knee) and key reserve Victor Oladipo (sprained right ankle).

Both players will sit out again on Wednesday.

For the season, Butler leads Miami in scoring (21.9) and steals (2.1). Bam Adebayo leads Miami in rebounds (10.0) and blocks (0.8), ranking second in scoring (21.5). Tyler Herro is third on the Heat in scoring (20.4) and in assists (4.5). Lowry leads the Heat in assists (5.3).

A positive factor for the Heat entering Wednesday’s game is the squad’s home record. While they have struggled on the road (12-16), the Heat are 17-9 at home.

Indiana is just 8-18 on the road.

The Pacers, though, are 2-1 against the Heat this season, including a 111-108 win at Miami in their most recent matchup on Dec. 23. Haliburton scored a career-high 43 points in that game. Herro led Miami with 28.

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