NBA 101

Lukaku’s last-gasp goal ends Napoli’s winless run at Hellas Verona

MILAN (AP) — Romelu Lukaku’s first goal of the season with the last kick of the match ended Napoli’s winless run on Saturday.

Lukaku, who had played just 41 minutes this campaign following a serious preseason thigh injury, pounced in the sixth minute of stoppage time to help Napoli win at bottom club Hellas Verona 2-1.

The 32-year-old Lukaku appeared to tear up when the final whistle blew seconds later. His last goal was on May 23.

It was Napoli’s first win in four matches in all competitions. The defending Serie A champion remained third in the league table but inched to within 11 points of leader Inter Milan, which was hosting lowly Genoa later.

Verona remained nine points from safety.

Napoli got off to a great start as Rasmus Højlund’s looping header from 12 meters gave it the lead after less than two minutes.

However, Højlund was also involved in the equalizer in the 65th. He attempted to clear a Verona corner but it came out to Jean-Daniel Akpa Akpro, whose shot was deflected in by Højlund. The goal was credited to Akpa Akpro as the initial shot was on target.

Verona almost won it in stoppage time but Kieron Bowie couldn’t keep his attempt on target after Napoli goalkeeper Alex Meret flapped aimlessly at a cross.

And instead it was Napoli which snatched the win. A corner was played short and eventually crossed in by Giovane for fellow substitute Lukaku to sweep in first time from close range.

Earlier, Como came from behind to win at relegation-threatened Lecce 3-1.

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AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer

Reed, Dilione late heroics send Penn State to surprise win over Iowa 71-69

Josh Reed scored a career-high 25 points, shooting 9 of 12, and Penn State rallied to beat Iowa 71-69 on Saturday, ending the Nittany Lions’ three-game losing streak.

Freddie Dilione V scored 15 points, and Ivan Juric scored 11 for the Nittany Lions (12-17, 3-15 Big Ten). Penn State finished 64% shooting (25-for-39), including 60% (9-for-15) from 3-point range.

Cooper Koch scored 18 points, shooting 6 for 9, and Bennett Stirtz added 16 for Iowa (20-9, 10-8).

Knotted at 69, Dilione was fouled on a drive to the hoop with 1.5 seconds left and promptly made two free throws for the go-ahead foul shots. Iowa failed to get off a shot after a timeout while facing the full length of the floor.

Stirtz’s layup with eight seconds remaining tied the game at 69. The basket was the first points for Iowa since a Cam Manyawu dunk with 4:30 remaining left put the Hawkeyes up 67-62.

Reed countered with his 6-0 run, making four foul shots, and Melih Tunca made a free throw for a 69-67 Penn State lead.

Iowa, which now has lost two of its last three games, led 38-34 at halftime.

Up Next

Iowa: Hosts third-ranked Michigan on Thursday.

Penn State: Hosts Ohio State on Wednesday.

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No. 5 Houston takes out the frustration of 3 straight losses with a 102-62 win over Colorado

HOUSTON (AP) — Milos Uzan had 26 points and six assists, Joseph Tugler scored 14 and No. 5 Houston snapped its three-game losing streak with a 102-62 win over Colorado on Saturday.

Uzan had 16 points on 5-of-7 shooting in the first half as the Cougars (24-5, 12-4 Big 12) built a 55-29 lead at the break. Houston shot 56%, including 6 of 11 on 3-pointers, in the first half.

Chris Cenac Jr. scored 12 points, Kingston Flemings had 11 points, six rebound and eight assists and Chase McCarty, Emanuel Sharp and Mercy Miller finished with 10 points each for Houston, which shot 60% for the game and 10 of 17 on 3-pointers.

The Cougars forced Colorado into 15 turnovers and converted them into 21 points. They outrebounded the Buffaloes 34-22.

Isaiah Johnson had 19 points, Bangot Dak added 15 points and Sebastian Rancik scored 11 for Colorado (16-13, 6-10). The Buffaloes, who had their two-game winning streak snapped, shot 46% and were 3 of 14 on 3-pointers.

Colorado coach Tad Boyle was ejected after receiving two technical fouls for arguing with the officials with 3:06 remaining in the first half. Houston coach Kelvin Sampson was whistled for a technical foul in the second half. In total, there were 35 fouls called. The Cougars were 24 of 31 from the free-throw line, while Colorado was 13 of 18 from the line.

Trailing 10-2 about three minutes into the game, Houston responded by outscoring Colorado 36-11 over the next 10 minutes to take a 38-21 lead on a 3-pointer by McCarty. Uzan scored nine points in the run.

Up next

Colorado: Travels to Utah on Tuesday night.

Houston: Hosts Baylor on Wednesday night.

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Cole Certa scores 32, lights it up in overtime, and Notre Dame stuns N.C. State 96-90

SOUTH BEND, ind. (AP) — Cole Certa scored 32 points, including 12 in overtime, Jalen Haralson added 25, and Notre Dame defeated N.C. State 96-90 on Saturday.

The loss damages N.C. State’s hopes of finishing in top four of the ACC. The top four teams in the regular season earn byes into the quarterfinals of the ACC Tournament. N.C. State (19-10, 10-6) drops from a tie for fourth place into seventh with two games remaining.

Certa, a 12.1 points per game scorer, has cracked 30 points three times in the last nine games. He drained three 3-pointers in overtime, helping the Fighting Irish take a 93-88 lead with 1 1/2 minutes remaining. N.C. State went 1 for 8 from deep in overtime while trying to catch up and Certa’s two free throws with 19 seconds left sealed the win for Notre Dame (13-16, 4-12 ACC).

N.C. State never trailed in regulation, but a 3-pointer by Braeden Shrewsberry got Notre Dame within 81-79 with two minutes remaining. Two free throws by Haralson tied it for Notre Dame with 19 seconds left. N.C. State’s Darrion Williams missed a 3 at the buzzer.

Ven-Allen Lubin had 24 points and 10 rebounds for the Wolfpack. Williams and Quadir Copeland scored 17 each, and Paul McNeil Jr. added 11.

Shrewsberry scored 16 points and Sir Mohammed added 10 for Notre Dame.

On senior day for Carson Towt, Kebba Njie and Matt MacLellan, the Fighting Irish evened the overall series with N.C. State at 11 wins apiece.

Up next

N.C. State: The Wolfpack wrap up the regular season with home games against No. 1 Duke on Monday and Stanford on Saturday.

Notre Dame: Stanford comes to South Bend on Wednesday and the Fighting Irish play at Boston College on Saturday.

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Cavaliers vs Pistons Prediction, Picks & Odds for Tonight’s NBA Game

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Two of the best teams in the Eastern Conference do battle when Cade Cunningham and the Detroit Pistons host James Harden and the Cleveland Cavaliers.

With Cleveland banged up, Detroit is a 6-point home favorite, but my Cavs vs. Pistons predictions break down why the East’s No. 1 seed still deserves more respect.

Read more in my NBA picks for this matchup, set to tip off at 7:00 p.m. ET from Little Caesars Arena in Detroit.

Cavaliers vs Pistons prediction

Cavaliers vs Pistons best bet: Pistons -6 (-110)

It feels like people aren’t giving the Detroit Pistons enough respect. Cade Cunningham and Jaren Duren are stars, and the only team that has a better net rating than the Pistons this season is the Oklahoma City Thunder.

They’ve also been a great team at home this season, going 22-7 with an average margin of victory of 10.3 points.

Meanwhile, the acquisition of James Harden has been a home run for the Cleveland Cavaliers. Unfortunately, he’s questionable to play with a thumb injury while Donovan Mitchell is already out.

That’s too much to overcome against this really great Pistons team.

Cavaliers vs Pistons same-game parlay

Sure, the James Harden thing has worked for Cleveland so far. But he won’t help the fact that the Cavaliers allow the fifth-most points per game to opposing guards. Give me Cade to go Over 25.5 points, something he’s done in eight of his last 11 games.

The Pistons are also an elite rebounding team, ranking second in rebounding rate. Tobias Harris has hauled down six or more rebounds in seven of his last eight games, and with the Cavs potentially down their top two shooters, there could be plenty of boards up for grabs.

Cavaliers vs Pistons SGP

• Pistons -6
• Cade Cunningham Over 25.5 points
• Tobias Harris Over 5.5 rebounds

Our “from downtown” SGP: Cade!

Cade is getting some MVP buzz down the stretch, and a big game against an East contender could bolster that case.

Cavaliers vs Pistons SGP

• Cade Cunningham Over 25.5 points
• Cade Cunningham Over 5.5 rebounds
• Cade Cunningham Over 9.5 assists
• Cade Cunningham Over 1.5 steals

Cavaliers vs Pistons odds

• Spread: Cavaliers +6 | Pistons -6
• Moneyline: Cavaliers +200 | Pistons -240
• Over/Under: Over 227 | Under 227

Cavaliers vs Pistons betting trend to know

The Pistons have covered the 1H spread in 28 of their last 45 games (+10.75 Units / 21% ROI). Find more NBA betting trends for Cavaliers vs. Pistons.

How to watch Cavaliers vs Pistons

Cavaliers vs Pistons latest injuries

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Falcons dismiss assistant defensive line coach LaTroy Lewis

FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. (AP) — The Atlanta Falcons have dismissed assistant defensive line coach LaTroy Lewis, the team announced Friday.

The dismissal came shortly after the Falcons said they were looking into sexual assault allegations that recently surfaced on social media.

“We are aware of allegations regarding LaTroy Lewis,” the Falcons said in a statement on Friday before making the move to fire Lewis. “We are in the process of gathering information and will have no further comment at this time.”

A direct message seeking comment was sent to Lewis on social media.

The allegations date to Lewis’ time at the University of Michigan, where he served as a graduate assistant for the 2022 season before being promoted to assistant defensive line coach for the next two seasons.

Lewis spent the 2025 season as the defensive line coach at Toledo before being hired by the Falcons earlier this month.

Milford Police, which the social media report said responded to a 911 call involving Lewis, said police reports weren’t currently available. A request was sent to Ann Arbor Police to obtain the police report and protection order tied to the allegations against Lewis that were published on social media by podcast host Justin Spiro.

“The Ann Arbor Police Department was just recently made aware of allegations regarding a sexual assault reported to have occurred on December 5, 2024,” spokesman Chris Page said. “The AAPD Detective Bureau launched an immediate investigation into the incident. This investigation remains active and ongoing.”

It is department policy not to publicly disclose the name of individuals unless they are formally charged with a crime, Page said.

Lewis coached under former Michigan coaches Sherrone Moore and Jim Harbaugh. Moore was fired in December after having an inappropriate relationship with a staff member and charged with three crimes, including felony home invasion and stalking.

“As we have noted, the university launched an investigation of the circumstances and conduct leading to Sherrone Moore’s firing, as well as a broader culture review of the athletic department,” Michigan spokesman Paul Corliss said Friday. “We continue to urge anyone with relevant information to reach out to the law firm conducting the investigation.

“The work is ongoing, and we will be able to share more when it is completed.”

The 32-year-old Lewis, who is from Akron, Ohio, was a standout linebacker at Tennessee and played in two NFL games with the Houston Texans during the 2017 season.

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AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFL

Kings vs Mavericks Prediction, Picks & Odds for Tonight’s NBA Game

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Want to know how bad the Sacramento Kings are these days?

The Dallas Mavericks are without Cooper Flagg and PJ Washington, with a few other guys banged up, and they’re still favored by a touchdown tonight.

My Kings vs. Mavericks predictions and NBA picks break down why it will be another long night for Sacramento on Thursday, February 26.

Kings vs Mavericks prediction

Kings vs Mavericks best bet: Kings team total Under 114.5 (-115)

The Sacramento Kings are down bad. They’ve lost 17 of 18, and Domantas Sabonis and De’Andre Hunter are out for the season.

The Kings have the third-worst offensive rating over the last 13 games and are averaging just 106.8 points over that stretch.

While the Dallas Mavericks have all the struggles of a young team, they’ve been surprisingly stingy, ranking eighth in opponent effective field goal percentage and 14th in defensive rating.

The Kings have a team total of 114.5. It’s tough to see them going Over, as it’s a number they’ve stayed Under in nine of their last 13.

Kings vs Mavericks same-game parlay

A bad offense means lots of rebounds, which is something else the Kings don’t do well, ranking 28th in rebounding rate.

Marvin Bagley III has been getting more of a run with all the Mavs’ injuries and has pulled down double-digit boards in two of his last three games.

Meanwhile, one of the newest Mavs, Khris Middleton, has topped this number of 4.5 in four of his last five games.

Kings vs Mavericks SGP

• Kings team total Under 114.5
• Marvin Bagley III Over 8.5 rebounds
• Khris Middleton Over 4.5 rebounds

Our “from downtown” SGP: I’m seeing double-double

Both teams struggle to defend the paint. Bagley has a double-double in two of his last three, while Precious Achiuwa has two in his last four.

Kings vs Mavericks SGP

• Marvin Bagley Jr. double-double
• Precious Achiuwa double-double

Kings vs Mavericks odds

• Spread: Kings +7 (-105) | Mavericks -7 (-115)
• Moneyline: Kings +230 | Mavericks -270
• Over/Under: Over 236 (-110) | Under 236 (-110)

Kings vs Mavericks betting trend to know

The Kings have hit the Team Total Under in 32 of their last 50 games for +11.50 Units and a 20% ROI. Find more NBA betting trends for Kings vs. Mavericks.

How to watch Kings vs Mavericks

Kings vs Mavericks latest injuries

This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here and view our best betting sites or check out our top sportsbook promos.

Brady Tkachuk slams White House TikTok as 'clearly fake' after anti-Canada slur

OTTAWA, Ontario (AP) — American hockey player Brady Tkachuk said Thursday that he did not appreciate a doctored TikTok video shared by the White House that made it look like he was disparaging Canadians after winning Olympic gold, calling it fake and something he would never say.

The video includes fabricated audio of Tkachuk referring to Canadians as “maple syrup eating f—s,” with the expletive bleeped out. Tkachuk called it “clearly fake,” said the voice and lip movement did not match, and added he would never use that language. The video carries a note that it “contains AI-generated media.”

Tkachuk also denied being the voice heard shouting “close the northern border” during Team USA’s celebratory phone call with U.S. President Donald Trump after Sunday’s 2-1 win over Canada to win the gold medal at the Winter Olympics.

The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Tkachuk, a 26-year-old Arizona native, is the captain of the NHL’s Ottawa Senators. He and other members of the U.S. team returned from Italy this week and are resuming the NHL season. Some of them attended Trump’s State of the Union speech in Washington on Tuesday night and were cheered by those in attendance.

The U.S. women also beat Canada 2-1 in overtime three days earlier, the first time the Americans swept both Olympic hockey tournaments.

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AP Winter Olympics: https://apnews.com/hub/milan-cortina-2026-winter-olympics

Tkachuk returns to the Panthers as a gold medal party awaits against the Maple Leafs

SUNRISE, Fla. (AP) — Matthew Tkachuk is ready to go back to work. That doesn’t mean he’s ready to stop celebrating Olympic gold.

Tkachuk — part of the U.S. men’s hockey team that won gold at the Milan Cortina Games — is in the Florida Panthers’ lineup for their first post-Olympic game Thursday night against the Toronto Maple Leafs. The Panthers are throwing a gold medal celebration and U.S. captain Auston Matthews, who also captains the Maple Leafs, is set to be part of it as well.

“I really think our team really showed what it’s like to be true Americans and the pride we played with and how we would do every single thing for our country,” Tkachuk said, gold medal dangling from his neck. “So, the support we’ve gotten is incredible.”

It has been a whirlwind since Sunday for Tkachuk: an all-night party in Italy before a charter flight back to the U.S., more parties with the team in Miami on Monday, then a trip to the White House for the State of the Union with most of his Olympic teammates.

And life has been one big celebration for Tkachuk in recent years anyway, with a Stanley Cup win in 2024, another in 2025, a wedding in there as well — and now, gold.

“The hardest thing to do in sports is winning the Stanley Cup,” Tkachuk said. “You go through an 82-game grind and then your four playoff series, some Game 7s probably, and just the physicality and the travel and everything, it’s crazy. Whereas you could almost argue it over there at the Olympics, it’s so hard because it’s just one-game elimination.”

Tkachuk is one of seven Panthers players who won Olympic hockey medals: Brad Marchand, Sam Reinhart and Sam Bennett won silver medals for Canada, while Anton Lundell, Niko Mikkola and Eetu Luostarinen won bronze medals with Finland. Panthers general manager and hockey operations president Bill Zito was part of the braintrust for the U.S. team in Milan, and equipment manager Teddy Richards had the same role for the Americans at the Olympics.

They’ll all be part of Thursday’s ceremonies.

“It’s a weird dynamic,” Marchand acknowledged. “Obviously we’re disappointed and you want a different outcome, but at the same time, trying to remember to be grateful for the incredible part of it all.”

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AP NHL: https://www.apnews.com/hub/NHL

James Harden suffers right thumb fracture, officially questionable Wednesday vs. Bucks