Month: February 2023

The Warriors hold on to beat the Dallas Mavericks 119-113

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Dallas Mavericks guard Spencer Dinwiddie (26) drives to the basket against Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) during the first half at the Chase Center on Sat Feb 4, 2023 (AP News photo)

By Jerry Feitelberg

The Golden State Warriors hosted the Dallas Mavericks Saturday night at the Chase Center. The Mavs came into town without the services of their All-World star Luka Doncic. Doncic suffered a heel contusion in his last game and could not play.

On the other hand, the Warriors had all their All-Star players back in the lineup. Draymond Green and Klay Thompson were back in the lineup with Stephen Curry. However, Curry suffered a knee injury late in the third quarter. X-rays were negative, but Curry will undergo an MRI to see if there was any damage.

At this point in the game, the Warriors led by 16. As in Minnesota last Wednesday night, the Warriors played poorly in the fourth quarter but held on to win 119-113.

The Warriors did everything right in the first half. They ran the court, making three-point shots as they sent a message to Dallas that the Mavericks were in for a rough night. The Warriors led by 15 at the end of the first half, 73-58.

The Mavs fought back in the third period but could not make any headway in closing the deficit as the Warriors won the quarter 29-28. Curry left the game with about two minutes to play in the third period.

Then came the fateful fourth quarter. Knowing the Warriors blew large leads in several games this year, the Mavericks came out firing. Dallas was making stops on defense. The Warriors were committing turnovers, fouling, and their shot selection left much to be desired. The fans were getting nervous as Dallas kept creeping closer.

With just 1;28 left to play, Tim Hardaway, Jr. connected on a three-pointer to bring Dallas within five points, 116-111. Fortunately, the Warriors defense prevailed, and the Warriors were able to pick up the win.

Game Notes: With the win, the Warriors are 27-26 for the year. The Mavs are now 28-26. The Mavs are 0-7 in games without Doncic.

Curry led the team with 21 points. Green had a fantastic performance for the Warriors. Green knocked down 17 points and nine rebounds, and nine assists. Green made a terrific defensive play near the end of the fourth quarter that took the wind out of the Mavs’ sails.

The other Green on the Warriors, JaMychal Green, knocked down 14, and Thompson also had 15. Jonathan Kuniga and Donte DiVincenzz each had 13. Kevon Looney was solid again and added ten more for the Warriors.

Spencer Dinwiddie led the Maverick’s attack with 25. Hardaway, Jr. had 22, and Dorian Finney-Smith added 18.

After the game, Warriors coach Steve Kerr had this to say about the team’s performance “I think when we get down the stretch, we stop doing the things that worked,” Draymond said. “When you have something that works all game long, you don’t go away from it.”

The Warriors meet the Oklahoma City Thunder Monday night at the Chase Center. The game will start at 7 pm.

Pro Bowl podcast with Rich Perez: NFL All Star featuring flag football format on Sunday at Allegiant Stadium

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Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas site of the Pro Bowl as seen here on Sun Feb 6, 2022 is the site of the Pro Bowl game on Sun Feb 5, 2023. (AP News file)

On the Pro Bowl podcast with Rich Perez:

#1 The Pro Bowl is in Las Vegas for the second consecutive year and once again they’re expecting large crowds for the game on Sunday at Allegiant Stadium.

#2 Rich talk about Derrick Carr ex-Raider quarterback coming back as an AFC quarterback and what it will mean to Raiders fans to see the former Raider appear in Vegas for the Pro Bowl?

#3 Carr participated in the passing skill competition and lead all quarterbacks with 31 points.

#4 This year’s Pro Bowl will have former NFL quarterbacks Eli Manning and Peyton Manning as NFC and AFC coaches.

#5 Rich this year’s Pro Bowl saw different skills competition and flag football games. Talk a little about the different format of this year’s Pro Bowl.

Rich Perez is a Las Vegas Raiders beat writer for http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Canucks three goal second period edge Barracuda 3-2, sweep series

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The Abbottsford Canucks celebrate a goal against the San Jose Barracuda at Tech CU Arena on Saturday FEB 4, 2022. (San Jose Barracuda)

by Marko Ukalovic

The Abbotsford Canucks scored three goals in the second period as the defeated the San Jose Barracuda 3-2 to sweep the weekend series on Saturday afternoon at Tech CU Arena.

San Jose heads into the All-Star break with having lost three of its past four games. Abbotsford has won three games in a row.

San Jose (18-24-0-3) drew first blood on the power play early in the first period. Danil Gushchin fed a pass back to the point over to Derrick Pouliot who skated in a wired a wrist shot past Canucks goalie Arturs Silovs for his second goal of the season at the 7:23 mark.

Abbotsford (25-15-2-2) evened the score 30 seconds into the second period. A shot from the point pinballed off traffic in the middle over to Tristen Nielsen who deposited the puck into an open net for his ninth goal of the season.

The Barracuda regained the lead exactly five minutes later with an even strength goal. Kyle Criscuolo cleaned up the rebound on a shot by Max Veronneau, who earned his first point in a ‘Cuda uniform, for his ninth goal of the season at the 5:30 mark.

The Canucks scored the equalizer less than three minutes later. Chase Wouters made a wraparound move from behind the net and a trailing Linus Karlsson banged home the puck past ‘Cuda goalie Strauss Mann for his 15th goal of the season at the 8:05 mark.

Abbotsford gained its first lead, a lead they wouldn’t relinquish, late in the middle frame. Matt Alfaro centered a pass through the crease where Vincent Arseneau scored his fourth goal of the season from point blank range.

There was no scoring in the final frame despite the ‘Cuda pulling Mann for an extra attacker late in the game.

Silovs stopped 28 of the 30 shots he faced to earn the victory. Mann made 30 saves on 33 shots in the losing effort.

GAME NOTES: San Jose finished 1-for-6 on the power play. Abbotsford went 0-for-5.

The Three Stars of the Game were: 1) Arseneau 2) Pouliot 3) Karlsson

Abbotsford is 5-1 against San Jose this season.

UP NEXT: San Jose hosts the Calgary Wranglers for a two-game series starting on Friday 2/10 at 7:00pm at Tech CU Arena.

NHL All Star Game podcast with Matt Harrington: Bruins Pastrnak not worried about becoming a free agent; NHL Skills contests reviewed; plus more

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The Boston Bruins forward David Pastrnak addresses the media at the 2023 All Star Game in Sunrise Florida on Fri Feb 3, 2023 (NHL.com photo)

On NHL All Star Game podcast with Matt Harrington:

#1 Matt, will David Pastrnak will become a free agent at the end of the season. Pastrnak said that he’s not concerned and is still pushing hard on the Boston Bruins and says he not worried about his contract status.

#2 Matt, the NHL All Star skills contests were presented  The Enterprise NHL Splash Shot,  Chipotle NHL Pitch ‘n Puck, Sunshine State golf hole, Discover NHL Tendy Tandem.

#3 The next set of NHL All Star skills are Upper Deck NHL Fastest Skater, GEICO NHL Hardest Shot, Great Clips NHL Breakaway Challenge, and Honda NHL Accuracy Shooting.

#4 The Washington Capitals Dylan Strome came to an agreement with the Capitals signing a five year $25 million deal which starts next season at $5 million a year. Strome is third on the Capitals with 36 points with 11 goals and 25 assists.

#5 Matt, today is the NHL All Star game in Sunrise Florida this is the first time the Atlantic Division won the three on three format defeating the Central Division 7-5.

Join Matt Harrington for the NHL podcasts Saturdays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Kings Fall Short Against Pacers 107-104

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Sacramento Kings’ Kevin Huerter (9) goes to the basket against Indiana Pacers’ Buddy Hield (24) during the first half in Indianapolis on Fri Feb 3, 2023 (AP News photo)

Kings Fall Short Against Pacers 107-104

By Barbara Mason

Friday evening the Sacramento Kings (29-22) took on the Indiana Pacers (25-29) at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. The Pacers narrowly lost to the Los Angeles Lakers 112-111 Thursday night while the Kings are coming off a 119-109 win Wednesday against the San Antonio Spurs. De’Aaron Fox was ruled out in this game for personal reasons. The Kings fell short on Friday night 107-104 to the Pacers.

Game recap: The first quarter was a tight one with the Pacers coming out on top 28-27. Indiana continued to pile on the points and won the second quarter 32-21 and led at the half 60-48. The Kings just could not get this game rolling in their favor.

Sacramento had a better second half winning the third quarter 32-27 and after three quarters trailed 87-80. The Kings pulled to within four points in the early minutes of the fourth quarter. The Kings bench was heating up with Chimezie Metu, Terence Davis and Malik Monk all shooting in double digits through three quarters.

When it looked as if the Kings were rolling the Pacers began to push taking a nine point lead with nine minutes left in the game. There was still plenty of time for Sacramento but they had to contain the Pacers offense.

The Kings got to within one point 94-95 with six minutes left put just could not push it over the top. Every time the Kings made a push, the Pacers answered and Sacramento was running out of time with 2:09 left on the clock.

The Kings won the third and fourth quarters but just came up short. They missed Fox in this game but got some great shooting from their bench and starter Harrison Barnes who finished with 23 points. Domantas Sabonis had 16 rebounds and 15 points. Kevin Huerter also had double digits shooting for 16 points.

Sunday the Kings will travel to New Orleans to take on the Pelicans at Smoothie King Center. Tipoff is scheduled for 4:00 PM.

Canucks get late goal in third period for 3-2 comeback win over Barracuda

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San Jose’s Kyle Criscuolo fires a shot on Abbotsford’s Jake Kupsky at Tech CU Arena on Friday FEB 3, 2022. (San Jose Barracuda)

by Marko Ukalovic

The Abbotsford Canucks scored two goals in the third period for a 3-2 comeback victory over the San Jose Barracuda on Friday evening at Tech CU Arena.

San Jose has won two out of its past three games/have lost three out of its last four games. Abbotsford has lost four out of its last five games/have won two in a row after losing three games a in a row.

San Jose (18-22-0-3) drew first blood early in the first period with an even strength goal. Martin Kaut sent a rink wide pass from along the left boards over to an unmarked Andrew Agozzino who one-timed the puck past Canuck’s goalie Jake Kupsky for his 15th goal of the season at the 6:24 mark.

Kaut, who was acquired by the San Jose Sharks back on January 25th from the Colorado Avalanche, has three points in his three games with the ‘Cuda.

The former 2018 first round draft pick said he is glad to have a fresh start with a clean slate in San Jose after five tumultuous years in the Rocky Mountains.

“Honestly it’s been my dream to play for the Sharks. “I have to play every game good, play hard. Hopefully the chance will come soon, if not..I believe it will come if I play the way I am able to,” Kaut said.

Abbotsford (24-15-2-2) answered back with an even strength goal just under three minutes later. Nils Hoglander found a trailing Christian Wolanin who deposited the puck into an open net for his fifth goal of the season at the 9:18 mark.

Wolanin has scored in back-to-back games after not scoring in 24 consecutive games.

It didn’t take long for the Barracuda to regain the lead thanks to its fourth line. Jeffery Viel led a rush up the ice and found Adam Raska on the left wing. Raska beat Kupsky with a wrist shot to the far side for his third goal of the season at the 11:03 mark. ‘Cuda goalie Aaron Dell received the secondary assist, his first point of the season.

Raska has three goals in his last two games. However, Raska did not finish the game as he left due to an illness.

Kupsky suffered an apparent lower body injury at the 6:07 mark of the second period when he awkwardly fell inside his crease and injured himself. He was replaced by Arturs Silovs. Kupsky finished with 17 saves on 19 shots.

Abbotsford dominated the rest of the game from the halfway point of the middle frame till the end as they capitalized on San Jose’s mistakes.


“We gave it away, we gave it away,” said ‘Cuda head coach John McCarthy on how disappointed he was with his team’s performance. “Turnovers. I didn’t like our start. They (Abbotsford) took it to us probably the first six or seven minutes (of the game). In the second, I think we generated some momentum, played pretty well. Then it in the third, (it was the) same old story. Penalties, not hard enough on loose pucks. We gave two points away.”

Abbotsford scored the equalizer early in the third period. Nils Aman received a pass up in the neutral zone from Noah Juulsen. Aman skated in a roofed a backhander over the shoulder of Dell and off the crossbar for his fourth goal of the season at the 5:15 mark.

The Canucks earned its first lead with a power play goal late in the third period. With Luke Johnson in the sinbin for tripping, Hoglander redirected a shot from the point by Wolanin past Dell for his sixth goal of the season at the 14:24 mark.

Silovs was a perfect 12-for-12 coming in relief to earn the victory. Dell made 22 saves on 25 shots in the losing effort.

GAME NOTES: San Jose finished 0-for-3 on the power play. Abbotsford went 1-for-3.

The Canucks are 4-1 vs Cuda this season. They scored a power play goal in every game against San Jose this season.

The Three Stars of the Game were: 1) Wolanin 2) Hoglander 3) Agozzino

UP NEXT: San Jose and Abbotsford conclude their two-game series on Saturday 2/4 at 2:00pm at Tech CU Arena.

No. 2 Cardinal women rout WSU 71-38

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Washington State center Lauren Glazier, bottom, and Stanford center Lauren Betts, top, go after a rebound during the second half in Pullman on Fri Feb 3, 2023 (AP News photo)

By Daniel Dullum
Friday, February 3, 2023

No. 2 Stanford traveled to Beasley Coliseum in Pullman, Wash., Friday and routed Washington State 71-38 in Pac-12 women’s basketball behind Haley Jones and Cameron Brink spearheading a complete team effort.

Jones scored 13 points and had nine rebounds for the Cardinal (22-2 overall, 10-1 Pac-12), while Brink had 10 points, eight rebounds and two blocks in 16 minutes. The Stanford bench scored 37 points as 15 players saw action; Lauren Betts scored 10 points and Elena Bosgana had eight.

Charlisse Leger-Walker led WSU with eight points and six rebounds. Bella Murekatete was next with seven points. The Cardinal defense held the Cougars to 14 of 56 field goal shooting and forced 17 turnovers while holding Washington State to its season low in points.

The Cardinal, who had a 41-32 rebounding advantage, jumped to a 15-3 lead after one quarter, building a 36-18 halftime advantage. Stanford shot 50 percent from the field (29 of 58), hitting 7 of 18 3-pointers.

Stanford is 72-0 in the series against the Cougars (15-7 overall, 5-6 Pac-12).

The Cardinal travel to Seattle on Sunday to face Washington.

Cardinal men win fifth straight, topple Utes 78-72

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Stanford forward Harrison Ingram, left, and Utah guard Lazar Stefanovic, right, battle for the ball during the second half in Salt Lake City on Thu Feb 2, 2023 (AP News photo)

By Daniel Dullum
Thursday, February 2, 2023

Stanford received 22 points from Spencer Jones, Michael Jones scored 15 points off the bench, and the Cardinal extended their men’s basketball winning streak to five with a 78-72 victory over Utah Thursday in Salt Lake City.

Brandon Angel and Michael O’Connell scored 11 points apiece for the Cardinal (10-12 overall, 4-7 Pac-12). O’Connell’s 11 points were a season-best to go along with seven rebounds. Harrison Ingram contributed six assists and made a pair of free throws in the closing minutes to help secure the win. Maxime Raynaud grabbed eight rebounds.

The Cardinal have won four straight conference decisions, with a non-conference win over Chicago State in the middle of their current streak. Stanford made 10 of 18 3-pointers, their best conference shooting effort from behind the arc this season.

Stanford never trailed in the game. They outrebounded the Utes 36-33 and held a 24-20 scoring advantage in the lane.

Utah (15-9 overall, 8-5 Pac-12) tied the game on Marco Anthony’s layup with 6:39 left in the first half. The Cardinal responded with a 22-7 run to build a 46-31 halftime lead.

The Utes battled back, cutting their deficit to 57-54 with 11:55 to play in the second half, but never got closer.

Lazar Stefanovic led Utah with 26 points while hitting 6 of 14 3-pointers. Branden Carlson was next for the Utes with 17 points and seven boards, followed by Rollie Worster with 10 points, 10 assists and seven rebounds..

Stanford’s road trip through the Rockies continues on Sunday, when they play Colorado.

Woes Continue: Cal wears down in 59-46 loss to Colorado at Boulder

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By Morris Phillips

The lead up to Thursday’s game wasn’t positive: the Cal community lost heralded coach Lou Campanelli, the architect of their mid-80’s resurgence, who directed the Bears to their first NCAA Tournament appearance in 30 years.

Then, leading scorer Devin Askew, who ironically has yet to participate in a win at Cal, was declared out for the remainder of the season with a nagging, sports hernia injury.

On Thursday evening, the Colorado Buffaloes’ defense proved burdensome as well.

The Bears suffered three lengthy, second-half scoring droughts and bowed meekly to CU, 59-46. The loss was Cal’s sixth in a row following an encouraging, early January win over Stanford.

Colorado’s win is their sixth consecutive over Cal at the CU Events Center, and it interrupted a rough stretch for the hosts in which they dropped five of their previous six games.

The Bears reached halftime both leading (27-24) and struggling, as they went the final 2:38 before the break scoreless. That trend would continue as the Bears scored just 19 points the rest of the way.

“It’s a testament to their grit and their toughness and not letting that frustration on offense bleed over into defense,” Colorado coach Tad Boyle said. “I’ve gotten on our guys about that at times this year when that’s happened, and tonight, it didn’t happen.”

The Bears shot just 37 percent from the floor and compiled a telling, nine assists. Leading scorer Kuany Kuany tallied 10 points but missed eight of his 10 shot attempts.

“We have to play with a tougher mentality on the road,” coach Mark Fox said. “We played about 25 good minutes, and then they made a run, and we collapsed for five or six minutes.”

Tristan da Silva led the hosts with 20 points and KJ Simpson added 10. Colorado gained revenge for their 80-76 loss at Berkeley on New Year’s Eve.

Cal’s road swing continues Saturday in Salt Lake City, where they will face Utah on Saturday.

Warriors Start Hot But Finish Cold Losing to Denver 134-117

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Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic, center, loses control of the ball as Golden State Warriors forward Andrew Wiggins, left, and guard Jordan Poole defend in the first half at the Pepsi Center in Denver on Thu Feb 2, 2023 (AP News photo)

Warriors Start Hot But Finish Cold Losing to Denver 134-117

By Barbara Mason

After a tough loss last night in Minnesota, the Golden State Warriors (26-26) were back on the court against the top dog in the Western Conference, the Denver Nuggets (36-16). The Warriors were challenged by Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray.

The Nuggets are the number one team in the league from downtown so threats on every side including on the defensive side of the ball. The Warriors made it close in the first half but the Nuggets came out in the second half with some great defense and as expected some great offense from Jokic and Murray in a 134-117 win for the Nuggets.

The Warriors would be without Draymond Green who was a late scratch with right calf tightness. Jonathan Kuminga started in place of Green. Klay Thompson was also out due to injury management.

The Warriors starting lineup was Kuminga, Kevon Looney, Andrew Wiggins, Stephen Curry and Jordan Poole. Golden State also leaned heavily on their bench.

Game recap: The Warriors edged the Nuggets in the first quarter 35-34. The Nuggets came back to win the second quarter by 36-34 in this tight game. Denver led at the half 70-69.

The Warriors had a great first half. Early in the second quarter they already had 11 shots from downtown. They finished the half with 13 shots from beyond the arc shooting at almost 62%. Six of those three’s came off the bench.

Donte Divincenzo was four of four from downtown. Golden State was playing as well as one could in hostile territory shooting at 55.6 from the field. They had also protected the ball in this game with only five turnovers.

In the third quarter the Nuggets began to distance themselves from the Warriors. They led after three quarters 105-91. The nine turnovers from Golden State in the third quarter was a huge reason in the turnaround. The Nuggets had a 16-0 run and Golden State had a huge task in front of them.

In the fourth quarter the Warriors were getting stops but did not capitalize on them. The Nuggets extended their lead and won this game. The Nuggets took advantage of a stagnant Warrior offense in the final quarters of this game.

The Warriors bench had 38 points collectively. The high score for Golden State was Curry with 28 points. Poole had 22 points and Kuminga playing in place of the injured Green had a great game with seven rebounds and 17 points.

The Warriors head home to Chase to take on another great offensive team, the Dallas Mavericks Saturday night. Tipoff is scheduled for 5:30 PM.