Month: January 2020

Dallas continues their dominance blows out Golden State 124-97

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By Jerry Feitelberg

San Francisco- There was good news and bad news for the Golden State Warriors as they hosted the high-scoring Dallas Mavericks at the Chase Center Tuesday night. The bad news is that the Mavericks blew out the Warriors 124-97. The good news is that the Warriors will not face them again this season. The Mavs trounced the W’s all three times. The only time that the Warriors lead was in the first quarter when Draymond Green knocked down a three to give the W’s a 3-2 lead. From that point on, it was all Dallas.

In the first quarter, with the Mavs leading 16-13, the guys from Dallas hit three consecutive three-point shots to lead 25-13. The Mavericks finished the first quarter with a 10-point advantage 36-26. The Mavericks, led by Luka Doncic and Dwight Powell, continued to pour it on. The Mavericks had a considerable height advantage. They utilized their huge center from Serbia, seven-foot four-inch, Boban Marjanovic, to control the boards and protect the rim at their end of the court. The Mavs finished the first 24 minutes of play with a commanding 64-47 lead. The scoring leader for Dallas was the former Stanford Cardinal, Dwight Powell. Powell led the Mavs with 15. Doncic had 10. Tim Hardaway, Jr, the son of the former great Warrior guard Tim Hardaway, added 10. Maxi Kleber had nine, and the Dallas bench kicked in with 21. The Mavs shot 55% from the floor. The W’s 42%. The Mavs outrebounded the Warriors 30 to 15.

The Mavs dominated the third period as they built a 28-point lead 84-56. It was at this point that the W’s went on a 13-0 run to make it 84-69. Dallas regained the momentum and finished the third period with a commanding 23-point cushion 94-71.

There are not too many teams in the NBA that can come back from a 23-point deficit to start the fourth quarter. Tuesday’s game was not the exception. The Mavericks cruised to a comfortable victory. The Warriors’  rookies Jordan Poole and Eric Paschal had the opportunity to get more minutes of playing time. Poole, who was demoted to the G-League for a couple of games, has played well since his return. Paschall appears to be rounding back into playing shape after missing several games. Dallas won the game 124-97.

Game Notes and Stats- With about four minutes left in the second quarter, Jacob Evans was injured. Evans was going for a rebound when he was stuck in the face by Dwight Powell. Powell’s elbow landed near Evans’ cheekbone, and Jacob crumpled to the floor. He was able to stand, but he looked dazed and wobbled, walking back to the locker room. It was reported that the team sent Evans to the hospital for treatment. The extent of his injury is not known at this time.

The Warriors did not play Damion Lee or Ky Bowman Tuesday night. Lee is expected to sign an NBA contract with the team on Wednesday. The Mavericks’ big guy Kristaps Porzingis did not play due to an injury.

The Warriors are expected to sign Marquese Chriss to a two-way contract on Wednesday. Chriss will split his time playing in the G-League with Santa Cruz and will be recalled when needed to play with the W’s.

The Warriors had six players in double figures. Poole led the team with 17. Eric Paschall had 16, D’Angelo Russell13, Glenn Robinson 13, Alec Burks 10, and Omari Spellman 10.

Dwight Powell, who loves to torment the Warriors, led the Mavs with 21. Luka Doncic, who averages 29 points a game, was “held” to just 20. Maxi Kleber had 11, the big Serbian Marjanovich finished with a double-double 13 points and 11 rebounds. J.J. Barea had 11.

The Warriors dropped to 9-33 to own the worst record in the NBA. The Atlanta Hawks won their game and just 1/2 game better with a record of 9-32. The Mavericks improved to 25-18. They currently reside in sixth place in the Western Conference.

The Warriors resume play Thursday night when they host the Denver Nuggets at the Chase Center. The game will start at 7:30 pm.

Coyotes hold off ‘desperate’ Sharks with late empty-net goals 6-3

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sfgate.com photo: Arizona Coyotes left wing Taylor Hall (91) scores a goal as Coyotes center Christian Dvorak (18), San Jose Sharks defenseman Mario Ferraro (38) and Sharks defenseman Radim Simek (51) look on during the second period of an NHL hockey game Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2020, in Glendale, Ariz.

By Daniel Dullum
Sports Radio Service
Tuesday, January 14, 2020

GLENDALE, Ariz. — If there’s such a thing as key empty-net goals, the Arizona Coyotes came up with two of them to put away the San Jose Sharks Tuesday.

With the Sharks mounting a late rally, Hunter Garland and Taylor Hall each converted empty-netters to seal a 6-3 victory, as Arizona moved back into first place in the NHL Pacific Division while snapping a three-game losing skid and stopping San Jose’s winning streak at two.

With the Coyotes leading 4-2 in the third period, Evander Kane scored his team-leading 19th goal of the season on the power play to pull the Sharks to within 4-3.

In the final two minutes, Conor Garland and Taylor Hall each popped in empty-net tallies while San Jose was employing a sixth attacker.

“It was just simple plays that got us back in it in the third period,” Hall, who had two goals and an assist, said. “In that third period, we played to our talent really well.”

Coyotes coach Rick Tocchet said, “I liked our response against San Jose. They were making a press there in the second. They’re a good team; we were playing a desperate team and I thought we answered the bell when we had to.”

Kessel’s 10th goal of the season for Arizona opened the scoring at 12:03 of the first period. After Derek Stepan dug the puck out along the boards in the neutral zone, he sent a headman pass to Kessel, who fired a wrister from the right circle over San Jose goaltender Aaron Dell’s glove and off the crossbar.

Arizona made it 2-0 on its second power play opportunity. With Stefan Noesen serving a tripping minor, Kessel scored his second goal of the night, taking a centering pass from Christian Dvorak from behind the net and sent a one-timer from the slot past Dell at 5:01 of the second period.

San Jose responded at 6:42 of the second when Kevin Labanc mopped up on Kane’s original shot from just outside the crease, pushing It past Adin Hill, cutting the Arizona lead to 2-1.

Nearly three minutes later, Timo Meier scored the equalizer on his 16th goal of the season. Patrick Marleau threaded the needle on a lead pass to Meier, who slipped a wrist shot past Hill.

“Even in the first period, we played well,” Meier said. “We made some mistakes and gave them some chances. They cashed in on some and in the second period, we came back. We fought back, and in the end, we couldn’t finish it.”

Arizona regained the lead at 17:14 of the second period, when Hall took a rebound and redirected Jordan Oesterle’s original shot from the deep slot for his 11th goal.

Lawson Crouse’s 11th goal of the season put the Coyotes up 4-2 at 8:09 of the third period.

“I thought we were resilient coming back from (being down) 2-0, even at the end on the goalie-pull coming back,” Sharks coach Bob Boughner said. “We didn’t execute well enough tonight. It started on our breakouts. I think we were sloppy going back or making clean exits.

“I thought that we got sloppy a little bit on our penalty kills, and that’s what happens.”

The Sharks’ road trip continues at Colorado on Thursday and Vancouver on Saturday before taking their nine-day break.

“We were sloppy on execution, turning over pucks at the wrong time in the wrong situations,” Boughner said. “Give those guys (Coyotes) credit. They played well. I don’t think that we thought we were ever out of the game.

“We kept pushing, but tonight we just weren’t good enough. It’s one of those games where we’re going to have to make some corrections and come out a little more structured against Colorado.”

SHARK BITES: Arizona’s Taylor Hall recorded his 132nd career multi-point game and his third since joining the Coyotes. … Coyotes RW Phil Kessel recorded his 55th career multi-goal game. … San Jose scratches were Logan Couture (injured), Tim Heed and Joachim Blichfeld. Blichfeld was called up from the AHL Barracuda on Monday. … Coming into the game, the Sharks own the NHL’s best penalty kill, killing off 88.2 percent. San Jose also leads the NHL with least power play goals allowed with 20. … Attendance at Gila River Arena was 14,716.

TAGS: San Jose Sharks,Arizona Coyotes,NHL,Taylor Hall,Phil Kessel,Sports Radio Service

Headline Sports with Barbara Mason: LSU tops Clemson 42-25 for Championship game; NFL Playoffs previews: plus more

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yahoo.com photo: LSU quarterback Joe Burrow (8) had a record night in the NCAA Championship throwing for 463 yards and six touchdowns Monday night against the Clemson Tigers

On Headline Sports with Barbara:

#1 It was the battle of the Tigers and only one Tiger would finish on top. The LSU Tigers got a huge victory over the Clemson Tigers 42-25 in the NCAA Championship behind LSU quarterback Joe Burrow who threw for 463 yards and five touchdowns no wonder LSU won it.

#2 We’ll start with the NFC Championship coming this Sunday. The Green Bay Packers are coming to Santa Clara with quarterback Aaron Rogers. The Packers in a close game against the Seattle Seahawks will face the 49ers. The last time the two teams met were in November and the 49ers won convincingly 37-8.

#3 In the AFC Championship the Kansas City Chiefs made offensive work of the Houston Texans 51-31 on Sunday. The Chiefs will host the Tennessee Titans in the AFC Championship. The Titans shocked the football world on Saturday with a 28-12 win over the Baltimore Ravens.

#4 The Golden State Warriors continue to slide this time to the Memphis Grizzlies on Sunday 122-102. It was the eighth consecutive loss for Golden State.

#5 The San Jose Sharks (21-23-4) fall off the tracks tonight with a 6-3 loss to the Arizona Coyotes (26-18-5) in Glendale. The Coytotes and Sharks were tied in the third period 3-3 but the Arizona went on a three goal rally and that was the difference.

Barbara Mason does the Headline Sports podcasts each Tuesday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: Bang the drum slowly; Terrible 2020 for Puerto Rico; Alex Cora is Out as Red Sox Manager

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abchouston13.com file photo: Former Boston Red Sox manager Joey Corey was fired on Tuesday by the Boston Red Sox after it was disclosed that he over saw the technology of sign stealing via TV monitors and plastic cans as drums when as bench coach of the Houston Astros and manager of the Red Sox

Terrible 2020 for Puerto Rico: Alex Cora is Out as Red Sox Manager

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

Amaury Pi-González

Days after Puerto Rico was shaken by powerful earthquakes, another thing has shaken the island. A day after the Houston Astros fired their Manager and General Manager, the Boston Red Sox part ways with their manager Alex Cora. This decision directly related to the investigation of the Astros sign-stealing allegations in the 2017 season. Cora was the bench coach for the Astros in 2017 and was found to have been involved in the operations from the replay room to transmit the signs in game situations.

Commissioner Rob Manfred statement on Alex Cora: “Cora was involved in developing both the banging scheme and utilizing the replay review room to decode and transmit signs,” Manfred wrote in his findings. “Cora participated in both schemes, and through his active participation, implicitly condoned the players’ conduct. I will withhold determining the appropriate level of discipline for Cora until after the [Department of Investigations] completes its investigation of the allegations that the Red Sox engaged in impermissible electronic sign stealing in 2018 while Cora was the manager.”

Alex Cora won the World Series as manager of the Boston Red Sox in 2018, becoming the first manager born in Puerto Rico to do so. Carlos Beltrán named new manager for the New York Mets last year, after season’s end, is also under investigation as he also was part of decision making for the the Houston team.

This has been a terrible beginning of this 2020 year for the island of Puerto Rico. The recent earthquakes that continue to devastate the island and now what just happened with Cora and also potentially Carlos Beltrán also born in Puerto Rico. The difference is that Beltrán has not managed his first game yet this upcoming season.

We probably have not heard the last on the sign-stealing scandal. And there should be more to come.

Amaury Pi Gonzalez has been covering the MLB sign stealing scandal and is the Oakland A’s radio Spanish play by play announcer on KIQI 1010 and does News and Commentary each week at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary podcast: Third person to die this year at Baltimore home game; 49ers the favorites in NFC Championship; plus more

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sfgate.com photo: Green Bay quarterback and former Cal Bears quarterback Aaron Rogers (12) will face the San Francisco 49ers this Sun Jan 19th at Levis Stadium for the NFC Championship

On That’s Amaury’s podcast:

#1 A third person died at Baltimore’s M&T Bank Stadium this season and during Saturday’s playoff game between the Tennessee Titans and the Baltimore Ravens a male fan fell while climbing the stairs in the stadium’s upper deck. Medics tried to resuscitate the victim who later passed away.

#2 The Green Bay Packers caught a big break just getting by the Seattle Seahawks to advance to the NFC Championship with a 28-23 win give credit to Packers quarterback Aaron Rogers.

#3 The Packers and San Francisco 49ers match up in the NFC Championship as the 49ers are coming offf a convincing 27-10 win over the Minnesota Vikings

#4 The Texas Rangers signed third baseman Todd Frazier to a one year deal worth $5 million. Frazier hit .251, 21 home runs, 67 RBI in 133 games last season.

#5 Ed Sprauge Sr a former original Oakland Athletic from the 1968 team died at 74 years old. Sprauge pitched in the show for eight years and his son Ed Jr also played part of his 11 years in the majors for the A’s survives his father.

Amaury Pi Gonzalez is the Spanish radio voice for A’s baseball on KIQI 1010 and does News and Commentary at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Sacramento Kings podcast with Charlie O: Kings can’t force overtime lose by a bucket 114-112 to Orlando

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nbcsports.com photo: The Sacramento Kings De’Aaron Fox (35) defends against the Orlando Magic’s center Nikola Vucevic (9) Monday night at Golden One Center in Sacramento

 On the Kings podcast with Charlie O:

#1 The Kings were focused and concentrated but in the end they lost by a bucket in a see saw fourth quarter loss to the visiting Orlando Magic 114-112 on Monday night at Golden One Center.

#2 The Magic wanted this one just as badly as the Kings did and both team played to death and maybe forcing sudden death but the Magic were able to survive and win in regulation.

#3 Four players in double figures for the Magic with Nikola Vucevic finished on top for the Magic with 26 points it was hard to defend the Magic.

#4 Talk about the kind of night that Nemanja Bjelica who led the Kings in double figures with 34 points the highest scorers for both team

#5 Wednesday night at Golden One the Kings will try again to get in the win column as they tip off against the Dallas Mavericks at 7:00pm

Charlie O does the Kings podcasts each Tuesday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

 

San Francisco 49ers podcast with David Zizmor: 49ers dominated Packers in their last meeting in November

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sfgate.com file photo: San Francisco 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garropplo (10) hopes that he and the 49ers can be number one after Sunday’s game with the Green Bay Packers at Levis Stadium

On the 49ers podcast with Dave:

#1 The last time the San Francisco 49ers met Green Bay Packers the 49ers won big at Levis Stadium 37-8 back in November. This time can the 49ers dominate the Pack in a game that is one step away from the Super Bowl.

#2 This one’s for all the marbles the 49ers are one win away from the Super Bowl. They have home field advantage and a good game plan against the Packers will get them there.

Join David each Tuesday for the SF 49ers podcasts at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Empty Sac: Kings battle back only to come up short, lose to Magic 114-112

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By Morris Phillips

SACRAMENTO–Slow starts, heartbreaking finishes, the Kings have seen enough of those this season.

But the reality is that’s what the Kings are about, and Monday’s heartbreaking 114-112 loss to the Magic–decided on Aaron Gordon’s three-point play with 1.1 seconds remaining–was another painful reminder.

“You don’t want to come down to these one-point games because crazy things happen,” coach Luke Walton said. “You have to take care of business before that.”

The Magic came in as the NBA’s lowest-scoring team, averaging just above 103 points per game. But the Kings immediately made the visitors feel comfortable by allowing them 33 first quarter points, which matched their best output in the opening quarter this season. Orlando didn’t have to up the tempo, they just took what the Kings gave them: 26 shot attempts, ample second chance opportunities, four made threes and five made free throws. Down 33-25 after a period, the Kings were already trending negatively.

With the threes falling, and the free throw opportunities swinging dramatically in Orlando’s favor, the Magic took their biggest lead of the night, 65-48 with a minute remaining before halftime. At that point the Kings not named Nemanja Bjelica started to play, constructing a 15-2 run ending the second quarter and starting the third that got them back into it.

Bjelica was keeping the Kings afloat at that point, scoring 25 of the team’s first 63 points. Bjelica would go on to put up 34 points and eight 3-pointers, both career bests, but his super efficient output wasn’t what consumed his thoughts after the game.

“We lost the game earlier, and we need to stop that,” Bjelica said. “We need to start the game like we finished the last five minutes.”

In the game’s final five minutes, Kings’ guard De’Aaron Fox turned on the jets and helped his club wipe out a 100-93 deficit. As the capper to his 31-point, 10-rebound, 8-assist night, the speedy guard got into the lane and converted a three-point play that gave the Kings a 112-111 lead with 15 seconds remaining. As a small consolation, Fox thoroughly outplayed Markelle Fultz in matchup of guards taken in the first five picks of the 2017 NBA Draft. Fultz finished with 16 points and two assists.

On the Magic’s final possession, Evan Fournier patiently dribbled down Fox, but didn’t gain much advantage, and seemed content to settle for an off-balance jump shot at the free throw line extended. Instead Fournier got the ball to Gordon in the lane, who flipped the ball in the basket as Cory Joseph fouled him for the three-point opportunity. The resulting free throw put the Magic up 114-112 with little time remaining.

The Kings felt a foul should have been called on the game’s final play in which a pass in bounds gave Harrison Barnes a four-foot shot opportunity that fell short. But whistles weren’t blowing in Sacramento’s direction on Monday: the Magic converted 25 of 30 free throw attempts to the home team’s 10 of 11.

The Kings fell to 15-25 with the loss, and it was eighth time this season they’ve lost by three points or less.

Marvin Bagley Jr. returned to the lineup after missing the previous ten games and had a strong game with 18 points, six rebounds and two blocks in 23 minutes. Buddy Hield added 16, but Barnes and Trevor Ariza combined to miss 11 of their 14 shots.

The Kings continue their homestand on Wednesday when the Dallas Mavericks come to town looking to break a four-game losing streak to Sacramento that dates back to last season.

 

 

 

 

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: Houston We Have a Problem, Manager and General Manager Fired

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houstonchronicle.com file photo: Astros general manager Jeff Luhnow and manager AJ Hinch (right) have been suspended by Major League Baseball for the 2020 season and now have been fired by team owner Jim Crane.

Houston We Have a Problem: Manager and General Manager Fired

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

Amaury Pi-González

Today the Houston Astros fired their Manager A.J Hinch and General Manager Jeff Luhnow,after MLB released the results of their investigation about the team stealing signs. Astros owner Jim Crane dismissed both decision makers.

Houston Astros owner Jim Crane made the announcement and also added at news conference today at Minute Maid Park:”There are two very important points I want to make today: “I have higher standards for the city and the franchise, and I am going above and beyond MLB’s penalty.” Crane went onto add “Today, I have made the decision to dismiss AJ Hinch and Jeff Luhnow. We need to move forward with a clean slate, and the Astros will become a stronger organization because of this today.” Crane said he made his decision after the MLB report, because they both shared responsibilities in stealing signs.

The Astros were also fined $5 million dollars by MLB (maximum by MLB bylaws) as they will forfeit their first and second round picks in the 2020 and 2024 draft. Although the club have not announced who is going to be their manager this season and none has been named as of today, owner Jim Crane spoke about Joe Espada and said (quote) “he will be a capable manager”, Joe Espada was interviewed by the SF Giants managing position,before the Giants named Gabe Kapler.

The Astros won the American League West for the third consecutive year in 2019 and will be picked favorites to repeat again this 2020. This scandal is not only bad for the Houston Astros organization but for baseball in general. Not a shining moment in the history of the sport, after finally surviving the steroids years this is not exactly what the Commissioner had in mind. Absolute blemish on baseball.

Amaury Pi Gonzalez is vice president of the Major League Baseball Hispanic Heritage Museum and does News and Commentary each week at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Cal Bears podcast with Morris Phillips: Cal comes off big win over Washington prepares for tough USC Thursday night

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calbears.com photo: The Cal Bears Matt Bradley (20) takes a shot over the Washington Huskies forward Jaden McDaniels (0) on Saturday night at Haas Pavilion in Berkeley

On the Cal Bears podcast with Morris:

#1 How important was this 61-58 win for Cal (8-8) to get under their belts on Saturday night at Haas Pavilion

#2 The Bears had been struggling and they was some concern of when they were going to pick up their first win in the Pac 12

#3 The Washington Huskies (11-6) were the odds on favorites coming in they have had a few more successes than Cal but this was one game when the win loss records were thrown out the window

#4 Three players finished in double digits for Cal on Saturday, Matt Bradley (17 pts), Grant Anticevich (13 pts), and Paris Austin (10)

#5 The USC Trojans (13-3) who have won seven of their last eight games, they beat UCLA in their last game 74-63. USC are Cal’s next opponent how do you see Cal handling the Trojans this Thursday the 16th?

Morris is the Cal Bears beat writer and does the Cal podcast each Monday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com