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Matthew Paras

mparas@washingtontimes.com

Matthew Paras was a digital sports writer for the Washington Times.

Articles by Matthew Paras

Los Angeles Clippers guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, left, and Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry reach for the ball during the second half of Game 2 of a first-round NBA basketball playoff series in Oakland, Calif., Monday, April 15, 2019. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

Warriors’ collapse brings back ‘3-1’ jokes

The Golden State Warriors surrendered a 31-point lead Monday in a loss to the Los Angeles Clippers -- the largest in NBA playoff history. A few years back, they blew a 3-1 series lead over the Cleveland Cavaliers to lose the 2016 NBA Finals.

April 16, 2019
Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin (8), of Russia, celebrates with defenseman Brooks Orpik (44) after overtime in Game 2 of an NHL hockey first-round playoff series against the Carolina Hurricanes, Saturday, April 13, 2019, in Washington. The Capitals won 4-3 in overtime. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

Alex Ovechkin’s evolution as passer on display in Game 2

The evolution was on full display Saturday in the Capitals' 4-3 overtime win over the Carolina Hurricanes. The 33-year-old did not score a goal, but Ovechkin tallied two assists and had a series of bone-crunching hits to help the Capitals take a two-games-to-none lead in the series.

April 13, 2019
Washington Capitals center Lars Eller, right, of Denmark, skates with the puck against Carolina Hurricanes center Sebastian Aho, left, of Finland, during the second period of Game 1 of an NHL hockey first-round playoff series, Thursday, April 11, 2019, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

Capitals’ questioned penalty kill comes up big in Game 1

Late in the third period of Thursday's game, Nicklas Backstrom did exactly the type of thing that separates playoff hockey from the regular season. As the Carolina Hurricanes were on the power play, looking to tie the game, the Capitals star used his body as a shield using to block two shots.

April 12, 2019
Baltimore Orioles' Chris Davis, left, reacts after he was called out a strikes in the eighth inning of a baseball game against the Oakland Athletics, Thursday, April 11, 2019, in Baltimore. In the fourth season of a $161 million, seven-year contract, Davis is 0 for 32 this season and hasn't gotten a hit since Sept. 14, 2018, setting the mark for most consecutive hitless at-bats by a non-pitcher. (Kenneth K. Lam/The Baltimore Sun via AP)

Chris Davis’ record-long hitless streak can’t be unseen

The once-feared slugger, who set a franchise record with 53 home runs in 2013, has become the baseball equivalent of a car crash at home plate. No matter how gruesome his latest strike out or pop up, no one can look away.

April 11, 2019
Washington Wizards coach Scott Brooks watches during the second half of the team's NBA basketball game against the Boston Celtics, Tuesday, April 9, 2019, in Washington. The Celtics won 116-110. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

Scott Brooks expects to be with Wizards next season

Scott Brooks talks like a man who expects to return to the Washington Wizards next season. Even with last week's ouster of longtime general manager Ernie Grunfeld, the Wizards coach discusses the team as if he'll for sure be a part of it.

April 10, 2019
Washington Wizards guard Bradley Beal reacts from the bench during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the New York Knicks, Sunday, April 7, 2019, at Madison Square Garden in New York. The Knicks won 113-110. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer) **FILE**

Bradley Beal shines amid Wizards’ messy year

In previous years, Bradley Beal could point to one game in the long slog of an 82-game NBA season that sparked a turnaround for the Washington Wizards. The Wizards, after all, had made a habit of getting off to slow starts, only to hit their stride around the middle of the season.

April 9, 2019
St. Louis Cardinals relief pitcher Bud Norris reacts after the Cardinals defeated the San Diego Padres 2-1 in a baseball game Thursday, May 10, 2018, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull) ** FILE **

Nationals interested in Bud Norris to help bullpen

Jon Heyman reported the Nationals are eyeing veteran Bud Norris, who had 28 saves and a 3.59 ERA last year with the St. Louis Cardinals. Norris, 34, became a free agent last week after the Toronto Blue Jays released him from his minor league contract.

April 9, 2019
James Madison defensive lineman Andrew Ankrah (93) latches onto Villanova quarterback Jack Schetelich (9) during the first half  of an NCAA college football game in Harrisonburg, Va., Saturday, Oct. 14, 2017. (Daniel Lin/Daily News-Record via AP) **FILE**

Redskins sign two players from AAF

The Redskins announced Monday they signed linebacker Andrew Ankrah and guard Salesi Uhatafe -- both of whom last played in the AAF.

April 8, 2019