Kings Fox and Hield help in getting big road win in Phoenix 114-103

photo from sacbee.com: Kings guard De’Aaron Fox, center, drives between Phoenix Suns guards Ricky Rubio, left, and Tyler Johnson on Tuesday in Phoenix

By Jeremiah Salmonson

The Sacramento Kings are above .500! Well, that statement isn’t entirely true. The Kings are above .500 in the year 2020. Having won two of the first three games this year the Kings were looking to continue to get back on track against the Phoenix Suns. Tip off was set for 6 PM PST at Talking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix. The Kings got an 11 point win over the Suns 114-103.

In the first half the Kings battled. Harry Giles got his first start of the season and Dewayne Dedmon was active for the first time in three games as the Kings played without Richaun Holmes. The Kings managed to shoot 50% from the field and 43.7% from downtown to score 53 points in the half.

The Suns shot 51.1% from the field and a mediocre 31.5% from deep. De’Aaron Fox player great with 16 points in the half followed by Buddy Hield and his 12 points. Also not to be forgotten was Harry Giles with eight points in 11 first half minutes. Leading the way for the Suns in the first half was Deandre Ayton with 14 points almost all dunks. Right behind him was Devin Booker with 11 first half points. The Kings looked to continue the solid performance in the second half.

Early in the second half the Kings began to implode. The Kings only managed to score six points in the first seven minutes of action in the third as the Suns built a 21 point lead. Overall the Kings only managed to shoot 26% from the field compared to the Suns 55% in the third.

The Kings would need a large second half comeback to have a chance to start a winning streak. Fortunately for Kings fans, the Kings came roaring back. From the 4:25 point in the third quarter the Kings went on a 52-20 run the rest of the way to win the game 114-103. De’Aaron Fox emphatically led the Kings finishing with 27 points followed with a great performance by Nemanja Bjelica who had 19.

Dewayne Dedmon played a season high 31 minutes with 12 points. Devin Booker led the Suns with 34 points in 39 minutes of action in defeat. The Kings are now 3-1 in 2020 and looking to carry that into a solid month.

Up next: The Kings head back home to take on the Milwaukee Bucks in Friday night at 7 PM PST.

Headline Sports podcast with Barbara Mason: A look at this weekends playoff games; Cal tries to get back in win column host Wazuu this Thursday

sfgate.com file photo: Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins (8) drops back to pass as he throws a pass that was fumbled and recovered by the New Orleans Saints in the first half of an NFL wild-card playoff football game, Sunday, Jan. 5, 2020, in New Orleans.

On the Headlines podcast with Barbara

#1 Taking a look at NFC Playoff game for Saturday, the Minnesota Vikings who surprised just about everybody with a huge victory over the New Orleans Saints at the Super Dome come to Levis Stadium on Saturday to face the 49ers. Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins threw a overtime four yard touchdown pass for the victory could the Vikings shock the 49ers too?

#2 The AFC Playoff game for Saturday the Tennessee Titans will face the Baltimore Ravens a team favored to make the Super Bowl the Ravens have been tough all year.

#3 On Sunday in the AFC the Houston Texans are in Kansas City to face the rugged Chiefs. The Chiefs with quarterback Patrick Mahomes have been doing it all season.

#4 Seattle got that big victory in Philadelphia on Sunday now head to Green Bay this should one for the ages as this one will be played on a very tough Lambeau Field

#5 Cal’s Men’s basketball has seen some tough times they took a tough loss to the Stanford Cardinal last Saturday and are hoping to turn things around this Thursday at Haas Pavilion against the visiting Washington State Cougars.

Join Barbara each Tuesday for all the latest in Headline Sports at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary podcast: Pats and Brady to decide future; Can Vikings surprise 49ers Sunday? plus more

usatoday.com file photo: Tom Brady might have played his last game in New England however Robert Kraft team owner is knocking at Brady’s door

On the podcast with Amaury:

#1 The New England Patriots have lots of questions in their off season about Tom Brady’s future where does head coach Bill Belichick and the Patriots go from here?

#2 The San Francisco 49ers are hosting the Minnesota Vikings. The Vikings are coming off a huge win New Orleans one thing for sure the 49ers can’t be too over confident going into this game.

#3 Dallas Cowboys Jerry Jones is not one to keep coaches long although his last one Jason Garrett survived nine seasons and finished this season at 8-8 as the Cowboys failed to make post season. Garrett will be replaced by former Green Bay Packers head coach Mike McCarthy.

#4 It was mentioned that congress might take away baseball’s exemption status if MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred goes ahead and reduces 42 minor league teams. Will this give Manfred something to think about before pulling the trigger on the 42 minor league teams.

#5 He’s called the Cuban Ohtani- Oscar Luis Colas who defected from Cuba is headed for The Show. Colas is a left handed pitcher, an outfielder and a first baseman.

Amaury Pi Gonzalez is the radio play by play talent for the Oakland A’s and can be heard on KIQI 1010 San Francisco and does News and Commentary at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

 

Sacramento Kings podcast with Charlie O: Kings dominate Warriors from tip to finish 111-98

sfgate.com photo: All the Golden State Warriors could do on Monday night at Golden One Center was scramble for the basketball as seen here against the Sacramento Kings

On the Kings podcast with Charlie O:

#1 Charlie what happened to former Sacramento King Willie Cauley Stein of the Golden State Warriors  who was held to only six points

#2 The game wasn’t even close the Kings dominated from the tip to the end of the game

#3 The Kings had five players in double figures which tells part of the story of this game

#4 De’Aaron Fox and Buddy Hield both finished as the Kings top scorers with 21 points

#5 The Kings are in the Valley of the Sun in Phoenix tonight set this match for us

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

 

San Francisco 49ers Playoff podcast with David Zizmor: After surprise win in New Orleans will Vikings be a challenge for 49ers?

sfgate.com file photo: Kirk Cousins #8 of the Minnesota Vikings and Jimmy Garoppolo #10 of the San Francisco 49ers greet each other on the field after the game at U.S. Bank Stadium on September 9, 2018 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Vikings defeated the 49ers 24-16

On the 49ers podcast with David:

#1 The 49ers host the Minnesota Vikings on Sat Jan 11th at Levi Stadium. The Vikings are coming off a win in New Orleans. Can the Vikings come out and surprise the 49ers after what they did in New Orleans?

#2 The Vikings forced overtime on Sunday against the New Orleans Saints. Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins threw for a four yard touchdown in overtime on first possession for the win.

Join David for all of the San Francisco 49ers Playoff podcast coverage at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Kings bounce back, Holmes hurt in ragged 111-98 win over the Warriors

By Morris Phillips

SACRAMENTO–“Wake your *ss up!”

Coach Steve Kerr’s profane directive hurled at referee Jason Goldenberg wasn’t prudent or appropriate, but it certainly fit like a glove in describing a sleepy night of basketball at Golden 1 Center on Monday night.

The Kings came in despondent, the victim of too many close losses, and left slightly less despondent, thanks to a 111-98 win over the Warriors that was stained by a potentially serious injury to Richaun Holmes.

De’Aaron Fox and Buddy Hield led Sacramento with 21 points apiece, and Trevor Ariza and Harrison Barnes each contributed 18 in a game the Kings led by 31 points in the third quarter only to see the Warriors erase more than half that lead before the final buzzer. Coach Luke Walton emptied his bench early, mindful of the Kings’ quick turnaround with a game against the Suns in Phoenix on Tuesday.

“We continued to do what we wanted to do offensively,” Walton said. “We got better and made some progress tonight.”

The win interrupted a stretch of nine losses in 10 games for the Kings, including Saturday’s two-point loss to the Pelicans in which the NBA admitted Derrick Favors should have been called for an offensive foul on the game’s final play for over aggressively setting a screen on the Kings’ Ariza that created a path for J.J. Reddick to get the basket for the game-winning layup.

Entering Monday’s game, the Kings had an NBA-worst 10 losses by five points or less.  The Warriors anemic shooting–almost from the outset–put an end to the Kings adding to that dubious total of close defeats.

The Warriors missed their first 15 3-point attempts, and scored just 40 points before the halftime break. That break was just minutes after Kerr went ballistic, frustrated with whistles that went in favor of the Kings on one end, and against the Warriors at the other. Kerr’s choice words got him tossed in short order. Ironically, Kerr opted to sit Draymond Green, after he was ejected in the Warriors’ home game on Saturday against Detroit, saying the veteran needed a mental break, caused by a draining season of losing following five straight trips to the Finals.

In getting ejected by Goldenberg, Kerr appeared to be needing that same break.

Ariza was the Kings’ catalyst early with three, first half dunks, and a pair of threes in the team’s burst that extended their lead to 15 early in the second quarter. Fox with his quickness, and Buddy Hield rediscovering his shooting stroke also put the Warriors at a disadvantage.  Then with the visitors already reeling, the Kings came up with eight made threes in the third quarter to extend the lead to 30.

“It was just to be aggressive, get to the basket, and just try to create, obviously make free throws,” Fox said.

The Kings played without Bogdan Bogdanovich, who was still suffering from the flu, and Marvin Bagley Jr., who continues to be out with a sprained foot.

Mike Bibby, the Kings’ standout point guard from the 2002 Sacramento team that reached the Western Conference finals attended the game and received a nice ovation from the crowd. Willie Cauley-Stein was greeted by a mixture of cheers and boos in his first game back in Sacramento after he signed with the Warriors in the off-season.

Holmes was injured in the third quarter, and left the court in visible pain while holding his shoulder. The 6’10” forward/center has proven to be indispensable for the Kings with his scoring and rebounding, and any prolonged absence would put the Kings in a tough spot. Holmes leads the Kings with 13 double-doubles and his constant presence has made Dewayne Dedmon expendable.

Marquese Chriss was waived following the game, a move the Warriors felt was necessary in order to free up a roster space for emerging guard Damion Lee, who is signed to a two-way contract that would limit his availability for the remainder of the season. The 22-year old Chriss is a Sacramento native, and was forced to greet his friends and family after the game following the news of his release.

 

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: 2020 Caribbean Series Cuba Out,Colombia In

photo from septimaentrada.com: Logo for 2020 Caribbean Series in Puerto Rico

2020 Caribbean Series: Cuba Out,Colombia In

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

Amaury Pi-González

Because of visa problems the Cuban National Baseball Champions will not be able to travel to Puerto Rico next month to participate in the 2020 Caribbean Series.As confirmed by the CPBC (Caribbean Professional Baseball Confederation) on Sunday.and officially announced by Dominican, Juan Francisco Puello,Commissioner of the CPBC.

The 62nd edition of this tournament is scheduled to begin on February 1,with the representative of champions from the following countries:Colombia, México, Panamá, Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic and Venezuela. Panamá is the defending champion.

They will play three games daily at the Hiram Bithorn stadium in San Juan,Puerto Rico. For the first time in history,forcing three games per day during the first round, because for the second time there are only 6 participants.The first four days will consist of three matches daily. On opening day,Colombia will play Venezuela,México vs Dominican Republic and Panamá vs Puerto Rico.

2019 Caribbean Series took place in Panamá,although originally scheduled for Venezuela,for the second consecutive year had to be moved to an alternative location because of the political crisis that continues to this day in that country.

The reigning champions Toros de Herrera (Panamá) became the first team from Panamá to win since the Carta Vieja Yankees in 1950 and it was the first appearance by Panamá in a Caribbean Series since 1960.

There will be coverage of this popular tournament on this site. Also you are welcome to visit the Hispanic Heritage Baseball Hall of Fame Museum,new site at: https://www.hhbmhof.com/ with information in English and Spanish.

Amaury Pi Gonzalez is the vice president of the Major League Baseball Hispanic Museum join Amaury at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Kings trounce Warriors 111-98 at Golden One; Warriors on a five game skid

stlouisdispatch.com photo: Golden State Warriors Willie Cauley Stein (2) dribbles against his old Sacramento Kings teammate Buddy Hield on Monday night at Golden One Center in Sacramento

By Jerry Feitelberg

It was not a good night for the Warriors (9-29) as they played the Sacramento Kings on Monday night in Sacramento. The Kings, who had lost nine of the last 10 games, were hoping to get back on the winning track. The Warriors wanted to snap their four-game losing streak. Sacramento realized their hope and won easily 111-98. The final score did not reflect the drubbing absorbed by the Warriors.

The Warriors were missing D’Angelo Russell, Draymond Green, and Kevon Looney. Eric Paschall started in place of Green, and Ky Bowman took Russell’s spot in the lineup. The Warriors had another poorly-played first quarter.

They started well and had an early 6-0 lead. The Kings tied the score at 10 and then had their first lead 13-10. The Kings maintained the lead for the rest of the game. Sacramento went on a 12-2 run to lead 20-12. The Warriors just could not get their offense going, and the quarter ended with Sacramento ahead 26-19.

The Kings continued to play well while the W’s look flustered. The Warriors could not make a three-point shot to save their life. They tried thirteen times and missed all thirteen. It was the first time in 20 years that the Warriors would go o-for-10 or more on threes in a half.

The W’s offense could not put the ball in the basket. With six minutes played in the second quarter, they put just five points on the board. Late in the quarter, the W’s head coach Steve Kerr was tagged with a double technical. The Kings’ De’Aaron Fox was fouled driving for a basket.

Kerr argued that Fox was fouled before the shot left his hand. The referees said that the basket was a continuation of the drive. Kerr lost the argument and had to leave the game. Mike Brown handled the coaching chores for the rest of the way. The Kings won the quarter 26-21 to lead 51-40 at the end of the first half.

The Kings blew away the Warriors in the third quarter. They outscored the W’s 38-24. They led by thirty 85-55 at one point. With the score 65-44, Glenn Robinson knocked down the first three of the night. The Kings finished the third quarter in the driver’s seat, leading 91-64.

The Warriors, in the fourth quarter, found their offense. They won the quarter 34-21, but they could not overcome the 27-point deficit they faced at the start of the period. With the score 111-85, the Warriors scored the last 13 points of the game. It was not enough, and they lost their fifth in a row 111-98.

Game Notes and Stats- Glenn Robinson led the W’s with 16. Omari Spellman had 13 points and 6 rebounds. Eric Paschall had 12, Alec Burks 10, Damion Lee 8, Marquese Chriss 8, and Ky Bowman 8.  The W’s shot 39.5 % from the floor. The Warriors made 5 threes. The Kings made 15. The 30-point difference won the game for Sacramento.

Buddy Hield and De’AaronFox each had 21. Former Warrior, Harrison Barnes had 18. Trevor Ariza also had 18, and Cory Joseph finished with 12.

The Warriors’ record dropped to 9-29. Sacramento improved to 14-23. The Warriors return home to face the Milwaukee Bucks at the Chase Center. The game will start at 7 p, PT.

Cal Bears podcast with Morris Phillips: After Stanford debacle can Bears right the ship against Wazzu Thursday?

calbears.com photo: Grant Anticevich(15) who led the Cal Bears in scoring last Thursday takes the ball on offense at Maples Pavilion in Palo Alto

On the Cal Bears podcast with Morris:

#1 Like the headline said in your article regarding the Bears (6-8) offense from last Thursday’s game at Stanford (12-2) the Bears simply didn’t have a shot

#2 The two top scorers for Cal against Stanford were Grant Anticevich with 16 and Matt Bradley with 13

#3 It wasn’t even a contest as Stanford took it 68-52 for head coach Mark Fox lots of Xs and Os but trying to get any kind of inside game on the Cardinal seemed to prove fruitless

#4 The Cardinal forced 18 turnovers and the Bears just couldn’t recover from something like that

#5 Pac 12 Conference play continues this Thursday night as Washington State (10-5) comes to Haas Pavilion can the Bears get back in the win column against the Cougars?

Morris Phillips does the Cal Bears basketball podcasts each Monday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: MLB New Cuban Phenom Defects

photo from sierramaestra.cu: MLB Cuban player outfielder, first baseman and left handed pitcher Oscar Luis Colas waiting on a pitch will be in the big leagues soon enough

MLB: New Cuban Phenom Defects

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-Gonzalez

Oscar Luis Colas,21-year old Cuban phenom recently defected and is looking for an opportunity to play in the major leagues. According to LasMayores.com reporter Francys Romero. He can play all three outfield positions,first base and is also a left-handed pitcher.

He is already been called “The Cuban Othani”in reference to 2018 Japanese star Rookie of The Year with the LA Angels Shohei Othani. The 21-year old 6’1” 190 pounds youngster will have to wait for at least another year to be eligible to be selected by a major league club.

Colas first must establish residence in a country outside the US (in past a lot of Cuban defector have gone to Dominican Republic or México) and then wait under the period that starts on July 2 and ends June 15, 2021. This is the normal process for these type of players.

A lot of Cuban players have made their careers in the major leagues since Esteban Bellán in 1871 was the pioneer as the first Latin-born player in a top professional league in the United States. Bellán born in Cuba played for the Troy Haymakers through 1873 of the National Association which later became the National League,as we know today.

Below are all the Cuban-born players that were active and played in the major leagues in 2019.

José Abreu,Yonder Alonso,Yordan Alvarez, Rogelio Armenteros, Randy Arozarena, Michael Baez, Ronald Bolaños, Aroldis Chapman, Nestor Cortés Jr,Odrisamer Despaigne, Aledmys Díaz,Yandi Díaz, Roenis Elías,Yasman Grandal, Yuliesjy Gurriel, Lourdes Gurriel Jr, Adeiny Hechavarría, Guillermo Heredia, José Iglesias, Raisel Iglesias, Yoan López, Leonys Martín, Yoan Moncada, Kendrys Morales, Adrián Morejón, Cionel Pérez, Yasiel Puig, Rangel Ravelo, Jorge Soler, Yasmani Torres. Some might not be on the list because of injuries, like Mets Yoenis Céspedes.

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