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Matthew Paras

mparas@washingtontimes.com

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

Articles by Matthew Paras

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver waves to Los Angeles Lakers owner Jeanie Buss sitting nearby as he attends Game 2 of basketball's NBA Finals between the Lakers and the Miami Heat on Friday, Oct. 2, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

NBA Finals ratings hit historic lows

LeBron James can seal his fourth championship if his Los Angeles Lakers close out the Miami Heat on Friday for Game 5 of the NBA Finals. But chances are, unlike in past years, not as many people will be watching.

October 8, 2020
Washington Football Team quarterback Dwayne Haskins (7) wearing a Davon McNeal sticker on his helmet walks the turf before an NFL football game between the Washington Football Team and the Baltimore Ravens, Sunday, Oct. 4, 2020, in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Steve Helber)  **FILE**

Kyle Allen to start against Rams, Dwayne Haskins benched

Washington plans to start Kyle Allen for Sunday's game against the Los Angeles Rams -- while benching Dwayne Haskins. The change comes after Haskins has struggled through the first four games of the season, most notably in a Week 3 loss to the Cleveland Browns in which he tossed three interceptions.

October 7, 2020
Washington Football Team wide receiver Terry McLaurin (17) rushes during the first half of an NFL football game against the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2020, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/David Richard)  **FILE**

Terry McLaurin active against Ravens

Washington receiver Terry McLaurin is active for Sunday's game against the Baltimore Ravens despite being previously listed as questionable with a thigh injury.

October 4, 2020
Washington running back Bryce Love (35) runs with the ball during practice at the team's NFL football training facility, Monday, Aug. 24, 2020, in Ashburn, Va. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)  **FILE**

Bryce Love placed on injured reserve

The Washington Football Team is placing Bryce Love on injured reserve with a knee injury, but the running back is not expected to miss the rest of the year.

October 2, 2020
Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) runs with the ball during the second half of an NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs, Monday, Sept. 28, 2020, in Baltimore. The Chiefs won 34-20. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

Jack Del Rio sees no flaws in Lamar Jackson

Ahead of Sunday's game against Washington, Lamar Jackson, coincidentally, is coming off one of his worst games as a pro: He was held to just 98 passing yards and 83 rushing yards in Monday's 34-20 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. But that poor performance is seen as an exception. After all, Jackson is still the reigning MVP -- and his throwing arm and legs remain just as threatening.

September 30, 2020
Miami Heat's Jimmy Butler (22), Tyler Herro, bottom center, and Jae Crowder (99) celebrate a game tying basket by Butler late in the second half of an NBA conference final playoff basketball game against the Boston Celtics on Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)  **FILE**

Lakers, Heat brought to NBA Finals by seclusion, chemistry and coffee

The NBA bubble hasn't been easy for teams. Some players and coaches have gone months without seeing their families, even as the league eased restrictions to allow some members to enter the bubble when the playoffs reached the second round. And there have been trying off-court moments related to racial justice. But the Heat and the Lakers remain standing, in part, because of the chemistry holding them together.

September 29, 2020
Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry (22) is tackled by Minnesota Vikings middle linebacker Eric Kendricks (54) and free safety Anthony Harris (41) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2020, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn)  **FILE**

NFL faces first major test with Titans coronavirus outbreak

The NFL is facing its first major test of whether football can be played during the pandemic as the Tennessee Titans and Minnesota Vikings suspended in-person activities Tuesday after several members of the Titans tested positive for the coronavirus.

September 29, 2020