Month: November 2022

Barnes and Monk lead Kings in scoring defeat Pacers 137-114

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Sacramento Kings De’Aaron Fox (right) welcomes former teammate and Indiana Pacer guard Buddy Heild (24) back to Golden 1 Center in Sacramento on Wed Nov 30, 2022 (AP News photo)

By Jeremiah Salmonson

SACRAMENTO–The Sacramento Kings were back in action on Wednesday night. However, it was no ordinary weeknight game. Wednesday marked the return of Tyrese Haliburton. Haliburton was the subject of much controversy last year as he was moved at the trade deadline for former All-Star Domas Sabonis.

The NBA community and Haliburton himself have widely scrutinized the trade. Haliburton quickly became a fan favorite before the surprise trade. Haliburton has been very vocal on Twitter about his displeasure about leaving Sacramento, and he has backed that up with excellent play. The Kings were set to take on the Indiana Pacers on Wednesday at 7 PM PST. The King dominated the Pacers 137-114.

In the first quarter, the Sacramento faithful were out in full force. Every time Buddy Hield got the ball, they would reign down boos from the rafters. On the court, the Kings played one of the better quarters of the season so far. The Kings outscored the Pacers 33-20 in a solid offensive show. However, the defense is what stood out. Harrison Barnes started the game out hot, scoring eight points in the first.

In the second quarter, the Kings continued to put up a formidable fight on the defensive end. The Pacers picked up the offensive pressure in the second quarter, but the Kings continued to play solid defense. The Kings limited the Pacers to 28 points in the second quarter.

The Kings scored 29 points in the second quarter to take a 62-48 lead into halftime. Barnes led the way for the Kings in the first half, scoring 13 points. Former King Hield scored 13 for the Pacers. If the Kings kept up the defensive intensity, they would come away with a win.

In the third quarter, the defense was not great for the Kings. However, it wouldn’t matter because the Kings offense took over. The Kings scored a massive 45 points in the third compared to the Pacers’ 35. The Kings would take a 106-83 lead into the final 12 minutes of the game. It was all but a done deal in Sacramento. The only question was could the Kings seal the deal?

In the fourth quarter, the Kings did just that. The Kings finished the game strong and defeated the Pacers 137-114. It was maybe the best game played by the Kings this year. They played well in the first half, winning the defensive end of the floor and, in the second half turning up the offensive jets.

It was an impressive win for the Kings, who improved to 11-9 on the season. The Pacers fell to 12-9. The Kings and Pacers both scored 31 points in the fourth. Yet, that doesn’t tell the whole story before the Kings bench came into the game. The Kings ran away from the Pacers in the fourth at one point up more than 30 points.

Barnes led the Kings in victory, scoring 22 points. Jalen Smith led the way in defeat for the Pacers, scoring 22 points. It was a fabulous win for the Kings after a rough three-game losing streak.

Up Next: The Kings travel to LA to take on the Los Angeles Clippers on Saturday at 1 PM PST.

Wild special teams power past Barracuda in 5-3 win

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San Jose Barracuda and Iowa Wild players skirmish after the whistle at Tech CU Arena on NOV 30, 2022. (San Jose Barracuda)

by Marko Ukalovic

SAN JOSE — A battle of special teams sunk the home team.

The Iowa Wild scored two power play goals and a short-handed one en route to a 3-1 victory over the San Jose Barracuda on Wednesday evening at Tech CU Arena.

Iowa swept the two-games series and has won two in row. San Jose has lost two in a row and closed out the month of November losing three out of the last five games.

Iowa (7-6-2-2) drew first blood on the power play late in the first period. A clean faceoff resulted in Joe Hicketts finding Sammy Walker on the right side. Walker skated in a snapped home a wrist shot past ‘Cuda goalie Eetu Makiniemi for his ninth goal of the season at the 14:59 mark.

The Wild have scored three power play goals in the two-game series against the ‘Cuda.

Iowa doubled its lead while killing a penalty with less than two minutes remaining in the opening frame. Marco Rossi cleared the puck out of his own zone that sprung Joseph Cramarossa on a breakaway. Cramarossa slid a backhander past Makiniemi into the back of the net for a short-handed goal, his fourth goal of the season at the 18:07 mark.

Cramarossa has begun to heat up for the Wild as has scored in three straight games.

Wild goalie Jesper Wallstedt was busy in the first period as he stopped all 16 shots the Barracuda threw his way.

Iowa scored its second power play goal of the game and third unanswered early in the second period. Hicketts found Steven Fogerty in the right slot and Fogerty roofed a wrist shot over Makiniemi for his fifth goal of the season at the 5:43 mark.

San Jose broke through on the scoreboard with a power play goal halfway through the middle frame. Daniel Gushchin wired a rink wide pass over to Thomas Bordeleau who rifled home a one-timer past Wallstedt for his team leading ninth goal of the season at the 9:48 mark. The ‘Cuda needed only four seconds to cash in their opportunity.

The Barracuda had an excellent opportunity to cut the Iowa lead even smaller when they were awarded a full two-minute 5-on-3 power play when both Ty Ronning and Fogerty went to the sinbin for holding and cross checking. However, the ‘Cuda didn’t generate any quality scoring chances and Iowa was able to kill off both penalties with no damage done.

Iowa made the most of their opportunities with the mad advantage in the two-game series scoring four power play goals compared to two for San Jose.

“I didn’t see anything different structurally, ‘Cuda head coach John McCarthy said regarding his team’s penalty kill. “They had some nice shots (on net) honestly. Secondly, when we take as many (penalties) as we took, our penalty killers get tired. It wears on them. So over time I kind of see that as one of the reasons. We’re looking to get back on track against Tuscon (this weekend).”

The Wild regained their three-goal lead early in the third period. Mike O’Leary cleaned up a rebound with a backhander from a shot by Ronning for his third goal of the season at the 2:36 mark.

San Jose inched closer over a minute later when they scored a goal four-on-four. Gushchin finished a two-on-one inside the Wild zone when he buried a pass from Artemi Kniazev right through the five-hole of Wallstedt for his fifth goal of the season at the 3:54 mark.

The Barracuda the deficit to one-goal when Gushchin, who earned a multi-point game with his goal and two assists, set up William Eklund all alone to the right of the net and Eklund rocketed in a one-timer into an empty net for his fifth goal of the season at the 11:47 mark.

Adam Beckman closed out any chance for a ‘Cuda comeback with an empty net goal with 23 seconds remaining to seal the deal for Iowa.

Wallstedt finished with 31 saves on 34 shots to earn his second straight victory. Makiniemi made 20 saves on 24 shots in the losing effort.

GAME NOTES: San Jose finished 1-for 6 on the power play. Iowa was 2-for-6.

The Three Stars of the Game were: 1) Gushchin 2) Hicketts 3) Cramarossa.

UP NEXT: San Jose continues its six-game homestand with a weekend series against the Tucson Roadrunners on Saturday 12/3 at 6:00pm at Tech CU Arena.

Rough Times, Dealing With Adversity: Cal remains winless after 66-51 loss to USC

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By Morris Phillips

BERKELEY, CA–Against the USC Trojans, the first pass was difficult, and the second pass nearly impossible.

Cal’s deliberate pace didn’t move the defense an inch but instead left the Trojans more rooted in the paint. Devin Askew, the Bears’ nearest thing to a catalyst, was then left to put up a bunch of difficult shots.

And that was the opening half, and Cal’s best 20 minutes of the evening, after which they trailed 27-22.

To recap, the hosts, buoyed by their most enthusiastic crowd of the season, totaled one assist, 28 missed shots, and one made three in the first half.

The Bears got as close as 46-43 in the second half, only to see the Trojans score 20 consecutive points to turn a close game into a rout.

The lengthy USC run to close the game exposed the Cal bench, which had four guys play a combined 35 minutes, but shoot 0 for 8 and go scoreless. The quartet of ND Okafor, Obinna Anyanwu, Marsalis Roberson, and Monty Bowser could be an area of growth going forward for Cal, but none have the experience or breadth to impose their will at this point. Sam Alijiki, Cal’s most impactful frontcourt reserve missed the game due to concussion protocols.

Askew once again led Cal in scoring with 23 points, but missed 14 of his 21 shot attempts and committed three turnovers as Cal never gave USC a reason to veer its attention in other directions.

“You have to finish… you get a chance to lay the ball off the backboard, you have to finish it.” coach Mark Fox said.

Lars Thiemann had 10 for Cal, but he too was harassed by a collapsing Trojan defense.

Reese Dixon-Waters led USC with 17, Drew Peterson and Joshua Morgan added 14 each.

The Bears are 0-8 for the first time ever with a visit to Arizona up next. Among Power 5 teams, Cal surprisingly has company: the Louisville Cardinals are 0-7, and no team in the Power 5 Era has started 0-10.

Fox, in his 18th year as head coach at the Division I level, cited the miraculous rise of Bill Snyder’s Kansas State football teams from his youthful days in Kansas. Fox said he told his team the K-State story the other day in an attempt to get them to tap into the mindset needed to turn around their daunting circumstances.

“This team’s going to have to earn their right to win, and that’s going to be difficult,” Fox said.

“He’s been the most positive on the whole team. He refuses to let us quit,” Kuany Kuany said of Fox. “I feel like we’re all picking up from that. He’s very consistent with his energy. We look at him and don’t want to quit because we’ll let our coach down.”

Cal Bears podcast with Morris Phillips: Cal’s effort was there but Trojans pull away for win 66-51; Bears remain winless at 0-8

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Lars Thiemann Cal Bears center (21) gets the finger roll going against the USC Trojans at Haas Pavilion in Berkeley on Wed Nov 30, 2022 (CalMBBall photo)

On the Cal Bears podcast with Morris:

#1 First half action it was probably the most thrilling the Cal Bears have put out on their home floor for awhile although not catching the intermission lead they cut the USC Trojan’s 12 point lead three times and came away with a five point half time lead 27-20.

#2 Morris, I know you said the Cal offense was just not quick enough during this seven game skid did you see anything in this contest that they have improved on trying to move the offense quicker certainly the Trojans are a challenge in the Bears season opening Pac 12 game.

#3 The Bears Devon Askew was fired up each time he had an opportunity to take the lane and drive he led Cal tonight in scoring.

#4 One thing you saw from Cal was they did not let up on USC in either the first or second half each player seemed like when they got the ball they were battling to get a decent pass or a decent shot off.

#5 Cal has a real challenge for their next game in Arizona against the undefeated Wildcats on Sunday at 2:00pm can they hand the Wildcats their first loss this season at the McKale Center in Tucson?

Join Morris for the Cal Bears podcasts Mondays and following Cal Bears home games at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Late Error Costs Sharks in 3-1 Loss to Maple Leafs

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Toronto Maple Leafs’ Mitchell Marner, left, celebrates with Auston Matthews after scoring an empty-net goal at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto on Wed Nov 30, 2022 (AP News photo)

By Matthew Harrington

A late goal sunk the San Jose Sharks in Toronto Wednesday night with the Sharks falling to the Maple Leafs 3-1 in the second game of a back-to-back.

Matt Nieto scored in a second consecutive contest and Aaron Dell made 29 saves in his first start of the year but Pierre Engvall goal with 2:27 left in regulation eliminated an opportunity for San Jose (8-14-4) to pick up a three-point (or more) trip through Canada’s Original Six squads. Ilya Samsonov made 23 saves in the win.

The Maple Leafs (15-5-5) had won four-straight entering play and took a 1-0 4:19 into the second period after sustained pressure in the offensive zone. On the goal Auston Matthews redirected a shot pass from Mac Hollowell for his 12th goal of the year.

Nieto scored his 6th of the year, matching his total from last year in 70 games, taking a feed from Logan Couture from behind the net for the point blank shot to tie the game 7:26 into the second frame.

The heartbreaker came with 2:27 left in regulation when the Sharks were attempting to rush up the ice. An errant Tomas Hertl pass in the neutral zone was picked off by David Kampf who rushed back into the offensive zone. He fed the puck to Alex Kerfoot, but Dell made the save. The rebound bounced to Engvall who potted it for his third of the season. Mitch Marner added an empty-netter to extend his point streak to 18 games.

The Sharks get a little rest before their next stop in Ottawa. They face the Senators Saturday night. The Sharks will be waiting in Kanata for the Sens who play against the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden Friday night.

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: His name is Freedom, and he Means it

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Enes Kanter Freedom photographed before he made a trip to play in China for the Boston Celtics (photo from CNN)

His name is Freedom, and he Means it

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

Enes Kanter Freedom played in the NBA; he is 6’10” 250 pounds center and played from 2011 to 2022. His conviction cost him his high-paying job. He changed his name to Enes Kanter Freedom as he continues to speak against the president of his native Turkey as well as injustices in China.

Enes Kanter Freedom sacrificed his career as a professional basketball player to be a voice for the voiceless. This is one of his quotes: “Whatever happens in life, always stand for the truth. Stand for justice and stand for whatever you believe in, even if it means sacrificing everything you have,”

Freedom, who has spoken out against human rights abuses at the hands of the Chinese Communist Party and has raised awareness surrounding the mistreatment of Uighur, Tibetans, Hongkongers, and Taiwanese, as he received an award as Most Valuable Patriot from the Fox News Network this year,

Professional basketball player Enes Kanter Freedom accused the National Basketball Association (NBA) of hypocrisy over its decision to host a “civic engagement night” the day before Election Day, the mid-term elections here in the US, while remaining silent on the Chinese “dictatorship” that he says the league is “profiting off of.” and: “The NBA’s biggest backer is China — so when they promote Civic Engagement here, do they care to comment about a dictatorship they are profiting off of? The NBA constantly told me ‘we don’t want to get involved in politics’… I guess what they meant to say was ‘we don’t want to “upset China”

Kanter Freedom has been targeted by the Turkish government for his outspoken nature and was dropped from the Houston Rockets this year but the pushback hasn’t stopped him from advocating for those who need it most. In 2021, he took his activism to new heights when he became an American citizen, changing his name to “Freedom”. “The reason I wanted to add “Freedom” behind my jersey was to remind every child in America how blessed they are in the best place in the world,” he said. “I believe America is going to have even better years going forward. That is giving me so much motivation to fight for what’s right. I represent freedom. That’s, like, the best thing that I could do.”

Some athletes get the call for justice causes and lose their jobs, in 2016 San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick took a knee for black justice and since then never returned to the NFL. Enes Kanter Freedom is an opinionated ex-basketball player who spoke publicly about the NBA involvement in China a country where human rights abuses are well documented worldwide and recently lost his job, but he seems to be happy and at peace.

Enes Kanter Freedom, nickname Enes The Menace, played in the NBA and his basketball skills made him a star in the NBA but his activism has made him more of a hero and well-known all over the world, even in the countries where the NBA is not that big.

The irony is that while Enes Kanter Freedom paid a price for speaking the truth, even the US government and other organizations are on his side. It is well documented that the U.S. government and human rights organizations have accused China of using slave labor, especially in the Xinjiang region. If you want to know more, here is the US State Department site ttps://www.state.gov/forced-la

Freedom to speak your mind is a beautiful thing. We just witnessed the USA 1-0 victory over Iran in the World Cup. The Iranian government threatened their payers for not singing their national anthem. The Iranian government could torture and imprison the families of these soccer players in the Islamic republic which is totally controlled by the government. Those Iranian soccer players are as courageous as any athletes in the world and deserve our respect and admiration.

Like Enes Kanter Freedom for speaking against the NBA and their affiliation with communist China, he can do that because he lives in the US where you can speak your mind. One of the most famous athletes in US history, Muhammad Ali when he refused the draft, to be inducted into the US Armed Forces citing his religion forbade him from serving.

It cost him a lot, like the stripping of his heavyweight title, a suspension from boxing, and a $10,000 fine which in 1967 was enough to buy a home in the US. Not to mention the criticism inside the US Armed Forces serving at that time. I was serving at that time in the US Army and Muhammad Ali was not very popular among the troops. If you believe in free speech, you have to respect these athletes.

Join Amaury Pi Gonzalez for That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcasts heard each Tuesday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Stanford Cardinal basketball podcast with Michael Roberson: Cardinal open up against UCLA at Maples on Thursday night

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The Memphis Tigers drive on the Stanford Cardinal in the ESPN Invitational in Orlando on Sun Nov 27, 2022 (photo by USA Today)

On the Stanford Cardinal basketball podcast with Michael R:

#1 Taking look at this week’s ESPN Invitational on the Memphis Tigers opened the first half with a slim lead in the opening minutes 4-0 but the Stanford Cardinal wasted not time in catching up and taking the lead mid-way through the first 20 minutes 14-9. The Tigers fought back tying the game at 14 and the teams traded leads for most of the opening half.

#2 At 15:42 in the second half, the Tigers took a double digit lead 31-21. The Cardinal continue to fight back but both Harrison Ingram and Brandon Angel were struggling in this game with three and two point efforts midway through the second half.

#3 Angel had 22 points in the Florida State game and Ingram had 24 against Ole Miss. It was a let-down that Stanford could not afford.

#4 Stanford showed the will to win in the final minutes but every time they got to within striking distance, Memphis answered and refused to let Stanford back into the game. The Cardinal had pulled to within four points at 2:12 50-46. Stanford just didn’t have enough to pull this game out. The final was 56-48.

#5 Stanford opens up Pac 12 Conference play against UCLA on Thu night Dec 1 for a 7:30 pm tip at Maples Pavilion Michael get your take on how you see this game coming up.

Join Michael Roberson for Stanford Cardinal basketball podcasts Wednesday nights at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

San Francisco 49ers podcast with David Zizmor: Without Mitchell for 2 months how 49ers will cover at running back

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San Francisco 49ers running back Elijah Mitchell (25) gets tackled after carrying the ball at Levi Stadium on Sun Nov 27, 2022 . Mitchell is out with a chipped knee MCL for the next two months. (photo by the San Francisco Chronicle)

On the 49ers podcast with David Zizmor:

#1 Dave, talk about how the Elijah Mitchell injury (sprained MCL) for two months will impact the 49ers (7-4) at running back.

#2 49ers wide receiver Deebo Samuel said that former 49ers running back and current Miami Dolphin (8-3) Raheem Mostert needed to be real after Mostert said that the 49ers medical staff mishandled his chipped knee in 2021 injury the 49ers were upset that Mostert decided to go with surgery and miss eight weeks rather finish off the season and get surgery afterward.

#3 Dolphins are hot they are on a five game winning streak and they face the 49ers who are on a current four game win streak it’s the tale of two of the winningest teams in the NFL how do you see this match up at Levi Stadium this Sunday?

Join David for the 49ers podcast Wednesdays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Wild score early then hang on to edge Barracuda 4-3

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The Iowa Wild celebrate a goal along the bench against the San Jose Barracuda at Tech CU Arena on Tuesday NOV 29, 2022. (San Jose Barracuda)

by Marko Ukalovic

SAN JOSE — The Iowa Wild scored three unanswered goals in the first period and then hung on at the end for a 4-3 victory over the San Jose Barracuda on Tuesday evening at Tech CU Arena.

San Jose had its two-game winning streak snapped. Iowa snapped its two-game losing streak with its sixth win in the month of November.

San Jose (10-8-0-1) drew first blood early in the first period. Andrew Agozzino intercepted a pass at the red line from a pass that exited the Wild zone. The ‘Cuda captain skated down the left wing and on a delayed penalty beat Wild goalie Jesper Wallstedt with a wrist shot from a tough angle for his fifth goal of the season at the 2:50 mark.

Agozzino has been streaking with points in his last seven of eight games.

Iowa (7-6-2-2) answered back three minutes later. Daemon Hunt fed a pass down to Joseph Cramarossa who slid a backhander past ‘Cuda goalie Strauss Mann for his third goal of the season at the 5:52 mark.

The Wild went ahead with a power play goal late in the opening frame. Joe Hicketts found Marco Rossi along the left slot and Rossi rifled home a wrist shot top shelf past Mann for his first goal of his AHL career at the 13:40 mark.

Iowa scored its third unanswered goal in the first period on its second consecutive goal with the man advantage. Sammy Walker blasted a shot from the point past Mann for his eighth goal of the season at the 15:27 mark. Rossi and Adma Beckman were credited with assists.

San Jose cut Iowa’s lead down to one early in the second period. Luke Johnson beat Wallstedt with a show between the five-hole for his fourth goal of the season at the 4:38 mark. Ryan Merkley and Scott Reedy recorded assists on the team’s second goal.

It didn’t take long for Iowa to regain its two-goal lead. Damien Giroux set up Hunt at the left slot and the Wild defenseman roofed a wrist shot top shelf for his first goal of the season 38 seconds later.

San Jose closed the gap to a one-goal deficit with 58 seconds left in the third period with the man advantage. A shot from right slot by Tristan Robbins deflected off Reedy and was batted out of the air by C.J. Suess for his third goal of the season.

Wallstedt finished with 30 saves on 33 shots to earn the victory. Mann made 29 saves on 33 shots in the losing effort that snapped his two-game winning streak.

GAME NOTES: San Jose finished 1-for-5 on the power play. Iowa went 2-for-6.

The Three Stars of the Game were: 1) Rossi 2) Hunt 3) Hicketts.

UP NEXT: San Jose and Iowa conclude their two-games series on Wednesday 11/30 at 7:00pm at Tech CU Arena.

Sharks, Kähkönen Shut Out Habs 4-0

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San Jose Sharks goaltender Kaapo Kahkonen deflects the puck off his glove during the first period. Kahkonen faced 28 shots and stopped all of them to shutout the Montreal Canadiens at the Belle Centre in Montreal on Tue Nov 29, 2022 (The Canadian Press photo/via AP)

By Matthew Harrington 

Kaapo Kähkönen and the San Jose Sharks shut out the Montreal Canadiens 4-0 Tuesday night at the Bell Centre in Montreral in a penalty-filled contest. Tomas Hertl scored a pair, Logan Couture had two points and Matt Nieto scored for San Jose (8-13-4) to snap a three-game winless streak. Kähkönen made 28 saves for the win over Montreal (11-10-1).

Kähkönen was stellar in net, giving the Sharks confidence in their net situation with James Reimer currently out with an injury. Reimer had earned the bulk of starts while Kähkönen scuffled early in the year. 

Nieto opened the scoring on a wrister just 1:33 into the contest, but the real damage came in the thirs period. Hertl tipped a puck past Habs netminder Jake Allen 2:29 into the period for a 2-0 lead. Just 1:15 later Couture would beat Allen with a wrist shot then Hertl chipped in the empty netter with 2:14 left to play. Kevin Labanc assisted on both Hertl’s goals for a two-point period.

The Canadiens went on the man advantage six times, including a 5-on-3 to open the third, but Kähkönen was stout in the crease. The Sharks also had their power play chances, going up a man five times without scoring.

San Jose continues the Canadian road trip with a back-to-back, facing Toronto Wednesday night. Then its on to Ottawa Saturday for a match-up with the Senators.