Month: February 2023

Lakers hang on to down Warriors 109-103

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Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green (23) shoots against Los Angeles Lakers forward Rui Hachimura during the first half at the Chase Center in San Francisco on Sat Feb 11, 2023 (AP News photo)

By Jerry Feitelberg

The new-look Los Angles Lakers (26-31), playing without LeBron James, who was out with a sore foot, won the game in crunch time to down the Golden State Warriors (28-28), 109-103.

The Lakers acquired guard D’Angelo Russell from Minnesota on Thursday. The Lakers also added Jarred Vanderbilt and Rui Hachimura to their lineup. The Warriors’ Stephen Curry is out with a knee injury, and the team will re-evaluate his status after the All-Star break. The Warriors were hoping to atone for their loss in crunch time to the Portland Trailblazers Wednesday night.

Neither team could get anything going in the first quarter. Buckets took a lot of work to come by. Each team seemed out of sync. The Warriors committed seven turnovers in the first 12 minutes of the game. The Warriors finished the first period leading by one point, 22-21.

The Warriors’ offense came to life in the second period. The Warriors raced to a 39-31 after Kevon Looney’s basket. It was the Warriors’ biggest lead of the night. The Lakers kept coming back as they tied the game at 49 late in the first half. The Warriors held on to lead by two, 53-51, at the end of the first 24 minutes of the game.

For most of the third quarter, neither team would give an inch. If the Warriors had the lead, the Lakers found a way to either tie the game or take the lead. The game was tied six times until late in the period. With the score tied at 79, the Lakers scored the last quarter six points of the period to lead 85-79. The Warriors gave the Lakers a big break when they fouled Jarred Vanderbilt at the buzzer.

Trailing by six entering the last 12 minutes of the game is relatively easy to overcome. All the Warriors needed was for someone to get hot. That someone was Jordan Poole. Poole was the only player on the floor to put points on the board until late in the quarter. Poole scored 17 points to bring the Warriors within three, 96-93.

Backup guard, Ty Jerome, tied the game at 98. The Lakers went on a 7-0 run to lead 105-98. Donte DiVincenzo connected on a three. The Lakers scored to lead 107-101. Di Vincenzo made a two-pointer to trail 107-103. The Warriors needed a miracle to win the game, and the miracle didn’t happen.

Game Notes and stats: With the loss, the Warriors are now 28-28. The Lakers are 26-31.

The Warriors had six players in double figures Saturday night. Poole led the team with 29. 17 of his 29 points came in the fourth quarter. Di Vincenzo and Jerome were the other Warriors to score in the fourth quarter. Di Vincenzo had five, and Jerome had two. Andrew Wiggins, Draymond Green, JaMychal Green, and Klay Thompson failed to score.

Thompson was ice-cold in the fourth quarter. Thompson took 80 shots and missed on all eight attempts. Thompson had 15, Wiggins 12, Draymond Green had 12 points and ten rebounds, JaMychal Green had eleven, and Jerome ten.

The leading scorer for LA was Dennis Schroder, with 26. Hachimura had 16, Anthony Davis 13 points and 16 rebounds, and Vanderbilt 12. D’Angelo Russell, in his first game as a Laker, knocked down 15. 

The Lakers shot 45% from the floor, the Warriors 41%: the Lakers made eight threes, and the Warriors 12. The game was won at the free throw line for the second game in a row. The Lakers made 21 free throws in 26 tries. The Warriors made eleven in 12 tries. The ten-point difference at the free throw line won the game for LA.

The Warriors host the Washington Wizards at the Chase Center Monday night. The game will start at 7 pm.

Wranglers outlast Barracuda in 5-4 shootout win, sweep series

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San Jose’s Jeffery Viel fights for a rebound against Calgary’s Daniil Chechelev at Tech CU Arena on Saturday FEB 11, 2023. (San Jose Barracuda)

Marko Ukalovic

SAN JOSE — Matthew Phillips scored the winning goal in the shootout to give the Calgary Wrangles a 5-4 victory over the San Jose Barracuda on Saturday evening at Tech CU Arena.

San Jose has lost five games in a row. Calgary has won three games in a row and swept the two-game series with San Jose.

Calgary (33-11-2-0) drew first blood late in the first period. Emilio Pettersen point blank chance was initially saved by ‘Cuda goalie Eetu Makiniemi but the rebound was tucked home by Kevin Rooney for his third goal of the season at the 18:49 mark.

Both teams had two power play opportunities, but neither were able to capitalize on their chances with the man advantage.

San Jose (18-25-0-4) answered back with a power play goal midway through the second period. Martin Kaut’s shot from the left wing was initially saved by Daniil Chechelev but Andrew Agozzino tapped home the rebound for his 16th goal of the season at the 10:42.

It was the first power play goal San Jose has scored against Calgary this season.

The Wranglers regained their lead late in the middle frame. Walker Duehr centered a pass to the crease where unmarked Clark Bishop chipped the puck over the shoulder of Makiniemi for his fifth goal of the season at the 16:11 mark.

Calgary went up 3-1 two minutes later with a power play goal. Duehr centered a pass from the behind the net to Adam Klapka who one-timed the puck past Makiniemi for his fourth goal of the season at the 18:22 mark.

San Jose responded right out of the gate to start the 3rd period. Artemi Kniazev sent a back door pass over to an unmarked William Eklund who buried the puck into an empty net for his 13th goal of the season at the :33 mark.

The Barracuda evened the game five minutes later with an even strength goal. Mark Veronneau centered a pass from the right boards over to Tristen Robins who beat Chechelev with a backhander for his 10th goal of the season at the 5:42 mark.

Calgary regained the lead less the two minutes later with an even strength goal. Josh Brook found Pettersen in the middle of the point. Pettersen skated in unchecked before firing a shot over the right shoulder of Makiniemi for his 12th goal of the season at the 7:58 mark.

The Barracuda scored the equalizer with its second power play goal 61 seconds later. Thomas Bordeleau found Eklund at center ice. The rookie forward skated in between two Calgary defenders before snapping home a wrist shot to the far side for his second goal of the game and 14th goal of the season at the 8:59 mark.

Calgary had a power play in the overtime session but failed to take advantage of their opportunity as San Jose forced the game into the shootout.

Chechelev finished the evening with 29 saves on 33 shots to earn the victory. Makiniemi made 27 saves on 31 shots in the losing effort.

GAME NOTES: San Jose finished 2-for-4 on the power play. Calgary was 1-for-6.

The Three Stars of the Game were: 1) Phillips 2) Eklund 3) Bordeleau

UP NEXT: San Jose host the Ontario Reign on Wednesday at 7:00pm at Tech CU Arena.

Stanford Tames and Infects #4 Arizona with Cat Scratch Fever 88-79

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Stanford guard Michael O’Connell (5) celebrates after making a 3-point basket during the second half against the Arizona Wildcats at Maples Pavilion in Palo Alto on Sat Feb 11, 2023 (AP News photo)

By Michael Roberson

STANFORD, Calif. — Michael O’Connel’s career-high 22 points helped his Stanford Cardinal (11-14, 5-9 Pac-12) upset and brake the #4 Arizona Wildcats (22-4, 11-43 Pac-12) inside a crowded Maples Pavilion, 88-79.

Stanford took charge after the opening tip-off and led for the first six minutes of the game. However, the desert cats of Arizona clawed their way back to take the lead

Both teams battled the rest of the half, with Stanford orchestrating a 7-0 run and 5-point lead, while Arizona put on a 13-0 run and garnered a 9-point advantage.

After 20 minutes of action, the Wildcats were in front by three, 44-41.

The Cardinal had no player in double-figures, but Maxime Raynaud scored nine. Arizona’s top baller was senior guard Courtney Ramey (14) with four 3’s made.

Part 2 of the contest demonstrated more of a conference scuffle, as both teams exchanged leads, but the Cardinal really took charge at the 3:28 mark, establishing a 10-point lead.

Although scoreless in the first half, Cardinal senior forward Spencer Jones contributed an impressive 18 points in the second stanza.

The Farm Faithful energized the home team to perform a 10-0 run and lead by as much as 11 points and they finished off the felines from the Grand Canyon State by nine, 88-79.

Stanford’s entire starting lineup was in double-figures: Michael O’Connell (22) Spencer Jones (18) and six rebounds Brandon Angel (14) Maxime Raynaud (13) and five rebounds Harrison Ingram (12), nine rebounds and seven assists Arizona produced four double-digit scorers: Courtney Ramey (26) on eight treys, six rebounds and five assists. Cedric Henderson Jr. (12), Pelle Larsson (12) and Kerr Krisa (10).

The Cardinal travel downstate to take on the UCLA Bruins Thursday, February 16 at Pauley Pavilion, while Arizona heads back to Tucson to host the Utah Utes on the same date.

Spencer Jones has his Kansas City Chiefs winning SB LVII.

Underwhelming In Overtime: Cal’s spirited effort short-circuits late in 70-62 loss to ASU

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By Morris Phillips

BERKELEY, CA–Foul trouble and poor shooting didn’t doom the Cal Bears, but the fatigue they carried into overtime certainly did.

Arizona State picked it up in the extra, five minutes, and escaped with a critical, 70-62 road win. The Sun Devils, who went from ice cold during a lengthy stretch in the second half to red hot in overtime, made it work with their incredible effort on the glass.

Coach Mark Fox felt the ASU rebounding was the deciding factor in what was otherwise a statistically even ballgame.

“I felt like defensively they were terrific,” Fox said of his Bears. “We just didn’t rebound it well. Gave up 20 offensive rebounds, and that’s probably the difference in the game.”

The visitors snagged 56 rebounds, a total they hadn’t reached since February 1996 in Pac-12 competition. That big advantage helped them survive 33 percent shooting and a stretch where they made just one of their 20 shots.

Reserves Grant Newell and Monty Bowser kept Cal in it with 14 points a piece, but foul trouble ultimately wore the hosts down as starters Lars Thiemann and Kuany Kuany played limited minutes.

“We don’t have any depth, and everyone knows we don’t have any depth,” Fox said. “Tonight, it showed in the overtime. We wore down a bit.”

Desmond Cambridge led ASU with 24 points, and DJ Horne added 12. As productive as they were spoaradic, those two typified the Sun Devils’ ragged play with 21 missed shots between them. But in the end, the visitors kept their NCAA Tournament aspirations alive with an unlikely Bay Area sweep.

“I don’t know if I want to be in a close game with (Cal) because we could get tight, just thinking about their record. I don’t think that happened. Our guys were pretty clutch down the stretch,” ASU coach Bob Hurley said.

The Bears have dropped nine straight and played in front of another small, disappointing crowd at Haas Pavilion. Given that, a trip to Los Angeles to face USC and UCLA might be the best medicine for Cal after their 22nd loss of the season.

Super Bowl podcast with Tony Renteria: Can Eagles offensive line buy time for Hurts in the pocket?

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Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts addresses the press during media week in Phoenix, Hurts as the Eagles face the Kansas City Chiefs Sun Feb 12, 2023 at State Farm Stadium in Glendale AZ (AP News photo)

On the Super Bowl podcast with Tony Renteria:

#1 Tony each of the Philadelphia Eagles and Kansas City Chiefs have scored the first touchdown in 12 of their 19 games. This kind of clues fans watching these teams what kind of offense they’ve had this season that has led to their success.

#2 Along those lines Tony the Eagles running back Miles Sanders and quarterback Jalen Hurts have scored the game’s first touchdown three times for a team high. Those accomplishments have help inspire the Eagles offense.

#3 Other Eagles to execute the first touchdown of the game tight end Dallas Goedert (twice) Pro Bowl wide receiver J.T, Brown (once), running back Kenneth Gainwell (once), running back Boston Scott (once) and wide receiver DeVonta Smith (once).

#4 Tony talk about Hurts in the pocket does he get a lot of time, protection from his offensive line which will he rely on in order to throw against the Chiefs defensive line.

#5 Tony it’s off to Super Bowl LVII with the Kansas City Chiefs and the Philadelphia Eagles this Sunday at State Farm Stadium in Glendale just wanted to get your prediction on how you see this one.

Tony Renteria is the Las Vegas Raiders podcast analyst at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

NHL podcast with Matt Harrington: Leafs Samsonov stops 30 CBJ shots for shutout; Rangers Tarasenko breaks in with game’s first goal vs. Kraken

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Toronto Maple Leafs goalie Ilya Samsonov, left, makes a stop in front of Columbus Blue Jackets forward Boone Jenner, right, and Maple leafs defenseman TJ Brodie during the second period at Nationwide Arena in Columbus on Fri Feb 10, 2023 (AP News photo)

On the NHL podcast with Matt:

#1 The Toronto Maple Leafs (32-13-8) goaltender Ilya Samsonov stopped 30 Columbus Blue Jacket (15-33-4) shots in the Leafs win over the Jackets 3-0 at Nationwide Arena in Columbus. The Leafs John Taveras scored two goals in the win.

#2 What a little inspiration will do as the New York Rangers (30-14-8) Vladimir Tarasenko on the first night on the job for the Rangers scored the Rangers first goal of the night at 2:49 in the first period vs. the Seattle Kraken (29-18-5). Tarasenko who was dealt to the Rangers from the St Louis Blues is enjoying his new environment.

#3 Matt, the Los Angeles Kings Dustin Brown is having his sweater number retired #23. Brown also had his statue unveiled at Crypto.com Arena, Brown’s statue also joins former Kings greats Wayne Gretzky and Luc Robitaille statues outside of the arena.

#4 The Dallas Stars Jason Robertson is grabbing all publicity that he can he is fifth among US born players in points with 193 goals in 178 games. Robertson is fourth of US born players with 91 since joining the NHL in 2020-21. His teammate Joe Pavelski who is second of US born players has 435 goals.

#5 While the Chicago Blackhawks Patrick Kane says he’s intrigued about going to the New York Rangers. Kane feels that Tarsenko filled that void going from the Blues to the Rangers. How true is that and could Kane help fill a void in Madison Square Garden?

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

Kings Drop Game One To Dallas After a Sluggish Start 122-114

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Sacramento Kings’ De’Aaron Fox, left, and Harrison Barnes guard Dallas Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving during the second half at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento on Fri Feb 10, 2023 (AP News photo)

Kings Drop Game To Dallas After a Sluggish Start 122-114

By Barbara Mason

The Sacramento Kings (31-24) came into Friday night’s game against the Dallas Mavericks ( 31-26) riding high after a most improbable win Wednesday night in Houston. De’Aaron Fox hit not one, or two but three free throws with one second left on the clock to win the game 130-128.

The Kings are also playing this game at home another bonus but just couldn’t get this first of back to back games against the Mavericks in a 122-114 loss at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento.

The first quarter was a real shocker as the Mavericks won the first twelve minutes by a landslide 45-25. Trailing by 20 points is not the way the Kings wanted to start this game. The Mavericks had hit 12 shots from beyond the arc while the Kings had only three shots from downtown. Sacramento had shot 50% from the field and Dallas had 51% but it was the long ball that was killing the Kings.

The Kings did win the second quarter by two points 31-29 but when you drop a first quarter by 20 points there is a lot of catching up to do. The Mavericks led at the half 74-56.

It would be an uphill climb for the Kings in the third quarter. They had to try and chip away at the deficit a basket at a time and a stop at a time and it just was not happening for Sacramento. The Kings did win the third quarter 31-27 but continued to trail 101-87. They had made up a bit of ground but had a real challenge ahead of them in the fourth quarter.

The Kings would make a nice run in the final quarter and with 7:41 left in the game trailed by ten points 104-94. They had made up a lot of ground and had to keep their foot on the pedal. There was still a lot of time left on the clock. Did the Kings have another “miracle win” left in the tank.

Late quarter turnovers and missed possessions were the culprits for Sacramento. They continued to fight hard but Dallas, although giving up some ground, hung onto the lead 110-100 with 3:55 left in the game. The Kings would get within six points but ran out of clock.

Sacramento played three winning quarters but it was the sluggish start in this game that was the difference. Fox had the high with 33 points. The Kings will be back on the court with the Mavericks Saturday night. Sacramento will need a better start but winning the last three quarters of tonight’s game speaks volumes. They need to get their shots from downtown going and limit the empty possessions. The Kings usually keep the turnovers to a minimum however in this game they had 14.

Kyrie Irving had 25 points for the Mavericks.

There will be no rest for the Kings as they take on the Mavericks in a back-to-back at Golden 1 Center Saturday night. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:00 PM.

Dominican Republic wins Caribbean Baseball Series -Cuba Finished Last –

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Robinson Canó (center) and teammates pose with the championship trophy on Fri Feb 10, 2023. (Ariana Cubillos/AP)

Dominican Republic wins Caribbean Baseball Series -Cuba Finished Last –

By Amaury Pi-González

The Dominican Republic (Licey) beat Venezuela (Caracas) 3-0 Friday night in the title game of the Serie del Caribe, which this year took place in Venezuela.This is basically like the Yankees vs. Dodgers of the winter leagues. These are also the two countries, among all Latin American countries, with the most players in the major leagues.

From the best to the worst; team Cuba was the biggest disappointment as they ended last with a 1-6 record in the tournament which ran from February 2 to 10. Team Cuba was a total disaster and in a way one of the biggest news coming out of this tournament, because of the great tradition of Cuban baseball.

After the terrible showing of the Cuban team, ending in last place among all the eight participants, the Cuban Government used the old lie excuse that they have been using for decades, Cuba blames the US blockade when in fact they trade with other countries like Canada, México, Spain, China, Brazil, the Netherlands, and others.

Cuba’s government is the only to blame for their situation, the failure of a repressive system without individual freedom, shortages, and bad living conditions is responsible for the current situation in Cuba, and baseball a historic institution in the largest island in the Antilles has greatly suffered together with the whole country.

Today after over 60 years of a communist dictatorship, baseball on the largest island in the Caribbean has steadily declined. The first Caribbean Baseball Series took place in Havana, Cuba, and ran annually from 1949 through 1960, with Cuba winning seven times.

However, in 1961 Fidel Castro declared himself a Marxist-Leninist in a speech in which he said “I am a Marxist-Leninist and I will be for the rest of my life”, that same year the communist dictator canceled professional baseball in Cuba, followed was an exodus of established Cuban major league star players as Orestes “Minnie” Miñoso, and Octavio”Cookie” Rojas who left the island for good.

During the last 20 years, some of the best Cuban players have left (via defection) and are now playing in the major leagues. More than 650 Cuban ballplayers have defected to the United States and elsewhere over the past six (6) years alone; this was reported by their own state-run media, which with the advent of social media still is very dishonest in what they report on baseball. In other affairs (aside from baseball) the Cuban government continues its communist propaganda. In 2022 a record number of Cuban players defected.

Not all that leave had to risk their lives in homemade boats, balsas in Spanish, but some do it in other ways. For example, veteran Aledmys Díaz, now with the Oakland A’s stuffed his jersey into a small backpack and walked away from the Cuban National Team during a tournament in the Netherlands in 2012 and asked for political exile.

Cuban players will continue to defect until Cuba is free and can go back to the days when Cubans and other players from other countries could participate in the Cuban Professional Winter Leagues, which was considered one of the best in baseball, attracting even major league stars born in the United States, that went to Cuba to play during the winter, i.e. Brooks Robinson, Jim Bunning, Jackie Brandt, Bob Shaw, Hoyt Wilhelm and other American players went to Cuba during the winter, it was the highest level of winter baseball and the pay was the best, as some of those players have told me.

This 2023 we congratulate the Dominican Republic which continues its dominance in the Caribbean Baseball Series, winning its 22nd title.

Next in Baseball: After a six-year wait, the World Baseball Classic (WBC) has returned, and it is bigger than ever, with a total of 20 teams. The tournament with teams from North America, Latin America, Asia, and Europe will have three new participants in England, Czech Republic, and Nicaragua.

The 2023 World Baseball Classic will be held in three countries, the United States, Japan and Taiwan. Games in the U.S. will be played in Miami at loan Depot Park and in Phoenix at Chase Field. Japan will host games at the Tokyo Dome and Taiwan will host games at Taichung Intercontinental Baseball Stadium.

Wranglers roll past Barracuda 4-1, in first place in Pacific

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The Calgary Wranglers celebrated one of their four goals on the evening at Tech CU Arena on Friday FEB 10, 2022. (San Jose Barracuda)

by Marko Ukalovic

SAN JOSE—The Calgary Wranglers dominated the San Jose Barracuda in 4-1 victory on Friday evening at Tech CU Arena.

San Jose has lost four games in a row in its first game since the All-Star break. Calgary has won two games in a row and regained first place in the Pacific Division with Coachella Valley’s loss to San Diego.

Calgary (32-11-2-0) drew first blood early in the first period with an even strength goal. ‘Cuda goalie Aaron Dell made a save on Ben Jones’ breakaway attempt, but Matthew Phillips tapped home the rebound into an open net for his league-leading 25th goal of the season at the 5:37 mark.

San Jose (18-25-0-3), despite having two power plays in the opening frame, weren’t able to figure out Wranglers’ goalie Dustin Wolf, who stopped all 17 shots he faced.

The Wranglers doubled its lead near the halfway mark of the second period. Phillips won a battle behind the net where the puck found its way onto the stick of Jones who blasted a one-timer past Dell for his 11th goal of the season at the 8:02 mark.

Calgary scored its third unanswered goal late in the middle frame. A great individual effort by Jeremie Poirier where he skated in from right to left, regained his own rebound and wired a wrist shot past Dell for his fifth goal of the season at the 15:22 mark. Kevin Rooney and Colton Poolman were credited with helpers on the goal.

Radim Zohorna made it 4-0 Wranglers early in the third period. Phillips skated into the ‘Cuda zone and fed a pass over to Zohorna who one-timed a point blank shot past Dell for his eighth goal of the season at the 2:01 mark.

Thomas Bordeleau spoiled Wolf’s shutout bid when he scored his team leading 19th goal of the season with 2:20 remaining in the game. Daniel Gushchin set up Bordeleau, who snapped a five-game goal-less skid, along the right slot and the rookie sniper buried a one-timer past Wolf to the short side.

Gilroy native, Wolf stopped 42 of the 43 shots he faced to earn his league leading 27th victory of the season. Dell (7-11-1) made 26 saves on 30 shots in the losing effort, his third straight loss.

GAME NOTES: San Jose finished 0-for-5 on the power play. Calgary went 0-for-4.

Calgary has outscored San Jose 16-3 in their three wins this season against the ‘Cuda.

The Three Stars of the Game were: 1) Wolf 2) Jones 3) Phillips

UP NEXT: San Jose and Calgary conclude its two-game series on Saturday at 6:00pm at Tech CU Arena.