Author: Charlie O. Mallonee

I have been a sports reporter/broadcaster since 1976 which means ... I'm old and I love sports. I have done play-by-play for minor league baseball - including the infamous "Bad News Bees" - San Jose State football and football and high school sports in the Bay Area and on the Monterey Peninsula. I had the great privilege to host a weekly sports talk show on KNRY Radio Monterey/Salinas with my producer the late,great Gary Araki. I also hosted and produced "the Sports Fanatics" talk show on KSAC Radio in Sacramento. For the last 10 years, I have been a beat reporter covering the Oakland Athletics for Sports Radio Service. Three years ago, I became the senior reporter for our Sacramento Kings coverage. My goal is to bring you the news, views, fun and excitement of every event I am assigned to report on for Sports Radio Service.

Kings fall in San Antonio 95-93

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Photo credit: D. Clarke Evans

By Charlie O. Mallonee

Rudy Gay missed a baseline jump shot with seconds left to play in the game and the Kings lost to the Spurs 95-93 on Saturday night in San Antonio.

Both teams came into the contest looking to stop losing streaks that had been caused by injuries to key players. The Spurs had lost three in a row while the Kings were 0-6 since DeMarcus Cousins went down with a sprained ankle.

The Kings had played well enough to win in four of those six games, but lack of defense came back to haunt Sacramento as potential wins turned into losses. On Saturday night, the defense showed up but the offense came up lacking for the Kings.

The Kings held the Spurs to just 52 points in the first half. Then, Sacramento allowed San Antonio to score just 19 points in the third quarter and only 24 points in the final quarter. The Kings allowed only 95 points to a team that averages 104 points per game.

The big problem for the Kings was the Spurs defense. San Antonio allowed the Kings to score just 93 points which is minus 8.9 points below their season average of 101.9 per game. The Kings were able to score just 15 points in the fourth quarter.

The most glaring stat of the game can be found in bench points. The Kings bench managed to score just 25 points while the Spurs’ reserves poured in 48 points coming off the bench.

Isaiah Thomas led all scorers in the game with 26 points and five assists. Rudy Gay posted 23 points, seven rebounds and six assists for the game. Gay and Thomas both had outstanding games.

The Spurs were led by Tim Duncan with 23 points, 17 rebounds and five assists. Tony Parker returned to the San Antonio lineup and hit for 18 points and 10 assists. Second unit players Patty Mills scored 15 points while Boris Diaw added 14.

The loss dropped the Kings record to 15 wins and 32 losses. San Antonio improved to 34-13 on the season.

DeMarcus Cousins did dress for the game but did not play. The Kings are 0-7 without Cousins in the lineup.

The Kings flew home after the game and will begin a short two game home-stand. The Chicago Bulls will come to call on the Kings on Monday night followed by the Toronto Raptors on Wednesday.

Kings fall short in Dallas 107-103

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Photo credit: Glenn James

By Charlie O. Mallonee

The Sacramento Kings went to Dallas on Friday night looking to end a five game losing streak. In the association, the toughest place to attempt to break a losing streak is on the road. The road is brutal to visiting teams in the NBA. It was brutal to the Kings on Friday as they lost to Dallas 107-103.

The game versus the Mavericks was the sixth consecutive contest the Kings have played without the injured (ankle) DeMarcus Cousins. Sacramento is 0-6 without their star center in the lineup. Yes, they do miss their big man.

The number one problem for the Kings has been a lack of consistent defense. The Kings played strong defense in the first quarter holding the Mavericks to just 24 points. In the second quarter the defense broke down and Dallas scored 30 points. Sacramento came out in the third period and held the Mavs to just 21 points. But in the fourth quarter, the Kings’ defense went dormant as they allowed Dallas to put up 32 points. Head coach Michael Malone described his team as having “no defensive mindset” in the final quarter.

The Kings committed 14 turnovers to just 4 for the Mavericks. Dallas outscored the Kings in the paint 50-44. The Mavericks scored 16 fast break points to just 5 for the Kings. Michael Malone said, “It’s very hard to win on the road when you beat yourself.”

Sacramento shot 50.7% (38-75) from the field while Dallas shot just 47.5% (38-80). The Kings shot 87.0% (20-23) from the free throw line while the Mavericks shot 80.6% (29-36) from the stripe. The Kings out-rebounded the Mavs 39-37. Sacramento played a strong game. It was lapses of defense in the second and fourth quarters that cost them the game.

Rudy Gay led all scorers with 35 points on just 16 shots. He was 15 of 17 from the free throw line. Gay posted 12 rebounds giving him a double-double. Isaiah Thomas put up 19 points and dished out six assists in 42 minutes of playing time.

Dirk Nowitzki led Dallas with 34 points. He was 11 for 11 from the free throw line. Monta Ellis added 20 points. Jose Calderon scored 14 points while Brandan Wright put up 10 points.

The Mavericks’ record improved to 27-21 on the season with the win. The loss dropped the Kings’ record to 15-31.

Sacramento has no time rest and regroup as they have to play the Spurs in San Antonio on Saturday night. The Kings will need to play four quarters of defense just to stay in the game with the Spurs.

Kings lose to Pacers 116-111 in OT

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Photo credit: Rocky Widner NBAE/Getty Images

By Charlie O. Mallonee

The Sacramento Kings faced an almost impossible task on Friday night. They needed to beat the Indiana Pacers without DeMarcus Cousins and Rudy Gay in the lineup. The Kings came out and played hard, played physical and left it all on the court, but in the end, Sacramento came up short 116-111 in overtime.

After the game Kings Head Coach Michael Malone had one simple statement to make about his team, “I’m very proud.”

The Kings backcourt of Marcus Thornton and Isaiah Thomas combined for 80 points. Thornton scored a career high 42 points. Thomas poured in 38 points. They were the only two Kings to score in double figures.

The Pacers starting five all scored in double figures and were led by Paul George with 36 points. Lance Stephenson put up 24 points and pulled down 10 rebounds to record a double-double. David West added 22 points while Roy Hibbert and George Hill scored 10 points each. Hibbert grabbed 10 rebounds for a double-double of his own.

The Kings came roaring out the gate scoring 37 points in the first quarter while holding the Pacers to just 26. Sacramento shot 55.6% from the field and hit for five 3-pointers in the period. Marcus Thornton tallied 22 points for the Kings hitting for four from beyond the 3-point arc.

The Kings cooled off in the second quarter scoring just 23 points and shooting just 36.8%, but they held the Pacers to just 24 points. Sacramento played well enough to take a 60-50 lead with them into the locker room at halftime.

The Pacers came out in the third quarter looking determined to put an end to the Kings run and put this game away. Indiana outscored the Kings 29-24. Sacramento maintained an 84-79 lead at the end of the third despite shooting just 8 for 26 (30.8%) from the field. Again, it was Thornton and Thomas combining for 20 points that kept the Kings in the lead.

The Kings really struggled in the fourth quarter as fatigue began to set in. Sacramento scored just 19 points in period led by Marcus Thornton with 12. The Kings shot just 6 for 22 (27.3%) in the fourth. The Pacers shot 9 for 22 (40.9%) and outscore the Kings 24-19.

The back-breaker in the fourth quarter came with 15.1 seconds left in regulation. Paul George put up a 26 foot jumper that was good for three and was fouled. George hit the free throw to make it a four point play and tied the game at 103. The Kings were unable to score and it was off to overtime.

In overtime, there were three lead changes and the Pacers led by as many as five points. The Pacers outscored the Kings 13-8 led by Paul George’s eight points. At the buzzer, it was the Pacers on top 116-111.

“Our guys came out and played their hearts out and they put themselves in a position to win the game. It was a game we should’ve won. I couldn’t be more proud of everyone who played tonight – this shows you a lot about our team,” said Coach Malone.

After being asked if his goal was to come out and take shots, Marcus Thornton said, “Yeah, when you have 43 points sitting on the sideline between Rudy (Gay) and (DeMarcus Cousins) Cuz, somebody had to step up. I took it upon myself to be that guy. It was a great team effort by the whole team.”

Indiana Head Coach Frank Vogel said, “You have to give Sacramento credit for playing a terrific, terrific basketball game. We knew they would be up. We knew they would be loose with their two top scorers out and they were.”

The Kings record falls to 15-27 overall (2-2 in overtime). They are 9-14 at home. It was the 12th straight home game in which the Kings scored at least 100 points this season.

The Pacers record improves to 34-8 (2-0 in overtime). Indiana is now 13-7 on the road. The Pacers have won six of their last seven games.

The Kings will be back in action on Sunday night versus the Denver Nuggets at Sleep Train Arena.

A’s sign reliever Eric O’Flaherty

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Photo credit: savannahnow.com

By Charlie O. Mallonee

The Oakland Athletics have signed left-handed pitcher Eric O’Flaherty to a two year contract through 2015. Outfielder Corey Brown was designated for assignment in order to clear a spot on the 40 man roster for O’Flaherty.

O’Flaherty pitched for the Atlanta Braves last year before experiencing a strained left elbow. He was 3-0 with a 2.40 ERA in 19 appearances before going on the disabled list. O’Flaherty had “Tommy John” surgery on the elbow and missed the remainder of the season.

O’Flaherty, who is 28, recorded a 1.45 ERA in 161 opportunities on the mound in the last three seasons. He held the opposition to a .220 batting average. He has eight seasons of major league experience split between Seattle and Atlanta.

Having undergone “Tommy John” surgery, O’Flaherty may not be available for the A’s until mid-season due to the time needed to rehabilitate the elbow and get into pitching shape.

Cousins to participate with USA Men’s National Team

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Photo credit: Kings.com

By Charlie O. Mallonee

Sacramento Kings center DeMarcus Cousins has been chosen to participate with the USA Men’s National Basketball Team. He is one of 28 players selected to be part of the team’s pool. The 2016 USA Olympic Team will be filled with players from the National Team’s player pool.

 Cousins is having an outstanding season averaging 22.6 points and 11.6 rebounds per game. He has posted 28 double-doubles and had a streak of 15 in a row. That streak was just broken last night in Houston after Cousins rolled his ankle.

“I am humbled by the invitation and opportunity to compete for a spot on Team USA,” Cousins said. “It would be a huge honor for me to represent my country.”

Cousins will have his work cut out for him in order to make the team. The 2014-16 USA Basketball Men’s National Team roster includes: LaMarcus Aldridge, Carmelo Anthony, Bradley Beal, Tyson Chandler, DeMarcus Cousins, Stephen Curry, Anthony Davis, Andre Drummond, Kevin Durant, Kenneth Faried, Paul George, Blake Griffin, James Harden, Gordon Hayward, Dwight Howard, Andre Iguodala, Kyrie Irving, LeBron James, Kyle Korver, David Lee, Kawhi Leonard, Damian Lillard, Kevin Love, Chris Paul, Derrick Rose, Klay Thompson, Russell Westbrook and Deron Williams.

The USA Men’s National team is coached by Duke University’s Mike Krzyzewski. Assisting Krzyzewski will be Syracuse head coach Jim Boeheim, Chicago Bulls head coach Tom Thibodeau and New Orleans head coach Monty Williams.

Kings lose in OKC 108-93

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Photo credit: Layne Murdoch

By Charlie O. Mallonee

Kevin Durant scored 30 points and Serge Ibaka added 20 points as the Oklahoma City Thunder downed the Sacramento Kings 108-93 on Sunday night. The Kings kept the game close in the first half, but the Thunder dominated the second half on the way to their 31st win of the season.

The Kings were led by Isaiah Thomas who scored a career high 38 points on just 18 shots while dishing out 6 assist. Thomas scored on both dribble drives to the basket and on long field goals. He was 4 for 8 shooting 3-pointers.

DeMarcus Cousins posted another double-double. He scored 16 points and grabbed 14 rebounds. Rudy Gay scored just six points in the contest. Gay was ejected from the game in the fourth quarter when he picked up two technical fouls for arguing with a referee.

There was positive news for the Kings on Sunday. Carl Landry, who had been sidelined for the entire season with left hip flexor muscle tear, saw his first live game action. Landry played eight minutes scoring six points and pulling down four rebounds. The Kings have needed another player who can play the post and that is Landry’s specialty. Expect to see more of him in New Orleans and Houston.

After the game, Kings Head Coach Michael Malone analyzed his teams’ play versus the Thunder. He felt the Kings committed too many turnovers (21). Oklahoma City scored 34 points off those turnovers. “We have to do a better job of valuing the basketball,” said Malone.

Malone mentioned how happy he was for Isaiah Thomas having such an outstanding game. “Isaiah got us off to a great start,” he said.

Coach Malone also said, “We’ll bounce back. We will now focus on New Orleans.” The Kings play the Pelicans on Tuesday in the “Big Easy”.

Malone told Landry to wear a uniform on Sunday. Malone seemed pleased to have another weapon on offense to throw at opposing teams.

Jimmer Fredette played only eight minutes versus the Thunder. Malone pointed out, “Jimmer did not see many minutes because Isaiah (Thomas) was hot!”

Kings come up short in Memphis 91-90

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Photo credit: Joe Murphy

By Charlie O. Mallonee

The Kings and Grizzlies game on Friday night was decided in the final 1.9 seconds. With Memphis leading 91-90, Rudy Gay and Tayshaun Prince faced off in the top of the key on the Kings’ end of the court for a jump ball. Gay controlled the tip but the Kings could not take control of the ball and the game was over. Sacramento lost to Memphis 91-90.

After the final buzzer sounded, Kings Head Coach Michael Malone went to center court to express his displeasure with the officiating. Malone felt that his team was fouled several times in the final minutes without a whistle being blown. When you lose by one point, a free throw could have changed a loss into a huge victory on the road. Malone left the court obviously unhappy.

The game was a hard fought, physical affair that featured strong defensive performances and some less than spectacular sequences on offense. The largest lead of the night was seven points by the Kings in the fourth quarter. Neither team could take control and run away from their opponent.

The Kings were led by DeMarcus Cousins who of course posted another double-double. Cousins played 39 minutes, scored 22 points and pulled down 17 rebounds. Rudy Gay put up 19 points and handed out three assists in a return to Memphis to face his former team. Isaiah Thomas had an off night scoring just 14 and shooting just five for 14 from the field. Derrick Williams scored 10 points off the bench while Ben McLemore recorded 7 points in one of his more productive outings in some time.

The Grizzlies were led by Mike Conley who seemed to have a response every time the Kings appeared ready to break open the game. Conley scored 25 points and dished out six assists. Marc Gasol was back in the lineup and put up 17 points plus four blocked shots. Courtney Lee added 17 points for Memphis.

The Kings shot just 40.7% (33-81) but shot 45.5% (5-11) for 3 pointers. Memphis shot 46.2% (36-78) from the field and just 35.3% (6-17) from 3 point-land.

Sacramento out-rebounded the Grizzlies 43-37. The glaring stat is turnovers. The Kings turned the ball over 15 times to just 10 turnovers for Memphis. The game was simply too close to have 15 turnovers. One less turnover could have led to a Kings road win.

The good news for the Kings is that they played well enough to win, but that is only a moral victory and we all know what those victories are worth.

The Kings are now 1-2 on this six game road trip. Up next for Sacramento is the Oklahoma City Thunder on Sunday in OKC. The Thunder beat the Warriors on Friday night 127-121. Kevin Durant led the Thunder with 54 points.

The Kings will have their work cut out for them versus the Thunder.

Kings destroy Cavs 124-80

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Photo credit: Rich Pedroncelli/AP Photo

By Charlie O. Mallonee

The Sacramento Kings did something on Sunday that they had not done since December 2012. The Kings won their third game in a row by blowing out the Cleveland Cavaliers 124-80 at Sleep Train Arena. The victory gave Sacramento a 3-2 record on their five game home-stand.

The Kings were led by Isaiah Thomas with 26 points, six assists and 2 steals. After scoring just nine points on Friday against the Magic, Thomas hit the floor on Sunday looking like a man with something to prove. He proved that he is one the best shooting point guards in the association.

Rudy Gay also had a big night. He scored 20 points on just 12 shots. Gay also was three for five for 3-pointers.

DeMarcus Cousins posted another double-double putting up 16 points and grabbing 11 rebounds.

The Kings second unit had another strong game. Derrick Williams and Jimmer Fredette scored 13 points each. Ben McLemore added nine points, Travis Outlaw six and Quincy Acy scored five points. The bench scored 49 points total for the Kings.

The Kings had their strongest defensive showing of the year versus Cleveland. After allowing the Cavs to score 32 points in the first quarter, the Kings held them to 18 points in the second, 11 points in the third and 19 points in the fourth quarter. Sacramento outscored Cleveland 65-30 in the second half.

Kings Head Coach Michael Malone was very pleased with his team’s defensive effort. Malone feels his club has bought into the defensive scheme that they need to win in the NBA. “I am happy with the defense.”

Malone also pointed out his team’s rebounding domination against the Cavaliers. The Kings out-rebounded the Cavs 50-32. Malone was especially happy with the rebounding effort of Jason Thompson who recorded 16 rebounds in the game.

After the game Isaiah Thomas said, “We’ve got the momentum for the road trip. If we keep this going, we can be very successful.

The Kings do have their work cut out for them as they must head out on a six game road that begins Tuesday in Indiana versus the very tough Pacers. Sacramento will also play in Minnesota, Memphis, Oklahoma City, New Orleans and Houston on the trip. Winning two out of six and playing great defense would be a very good goal for the Kings.

Coach Malone pointed out that his team cannot be satisfied with winning three in a row. He wants the Kings to play defense on the road.

For now, the Kings can travel to Indiana knowing they have just completed their best home-stand of the season.

Kings stop the Magic 103-83

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Photo credit: Rocky Widner NBAE/Getty Images

By Charlie O. Mallonee

There are games on the NBA schedule that are must win games. On Friday night, the Kings had one of those games as they hosted the 10 and 25 Orlando Magic. The Magic came into the game tired from a long road trip and with a terrible record against the Western Conference. The Kings did what they needed to do and won the game 103-83 for their second consecutive win at home.

The Kings were led by DeMarcus Cousins with another double-double. Cousins put up 24 points, grabbed 14 rebounds, had six assists, three steals and one blocked shot. Rudy Gay scored 22 points and pulled down 10 rebounds for his own double-double. Jason Thompson had a very productive night recording 14 points. Derrick Williams added 14 points off the bench while Jimmer Fredette scored 11 in a reserve role for Sacramento.

The Magic’s leading scorer was Tobias Harris with 16 points. Arron Afflalo had 15 points. Victor Oladipo added 13 while Glen Davis scored 12 and posted 12 rebounds.

The story was really in the numbers for this game. The Kings shot 51.3% (41-80) from the field and 94.7% (18-19) from the free throw line. Orlando’s field goal percentage was 33.3 while they shot 29.6% from beyond the 3-point line. The Kings out rebounded the Magic 54-37.

The game did not start off looking like a Kings victory. Orlando outscored the Kings 24-18 in the first quarter. The Magic shot 50.0% (5-10) from behind the 3-point arc. The Kings did not go to the free throw line one time. It was not a great beginning for Sacramento.

The Kings came alive in the second quarter scoring 28 points to just 16 for the Magic. Sacramento shot 47.6% for field goals while finally getting to the free throw line four times and hitting on all four opportunities. Orlando came back down to earth shooting just 33.3%, but the Magic still hit six of 15 tries from 3-point land. The teams went to halftime with the Kings leading 46-40.

The Kings needed to come out after halftime putting together some point runs, getting physical under basket and creating opportunities from the free throw line. That is exactly what Sacramento did.

The Kings started the third quarter by getting physical. Sacramento had 14 attempts from the charity stripe and made good on 13 of those tries. They also established a solid lead. The Kings led by 17 with 1:37 to go in the period. The Magic put on a five point mini-run to end the quarter but still trailed the Kings 76-64.

The Magic kept trying to comeback in the fourth quarter and cut the Sacramento lead to 10 with 7:22 to go in the game. The Kings then bore down and went on a 12-0 run to open a 22 point lead. Both coaches emptied their benches and Sacramento cruised to a 103-83 victory.

After the game Coach Michael Malone said, “It was unchartered territory for us. It felt good, obviously, to come out here and have the most complete defensive effort that we’ve had. We held them to 83 points and 33% from the field. To get out and score 21 fastbreak points, to play defense, to dominate the glass and the paint was great. I thought our starting lineup was terrific tonight. The 60 points and 30 something rebounds between Rudy Gay, Jason Thompson and DeMarcus Cousins really set the tone for us. I was very impressed with Derrick Williams. That’s two games in a row where he has played very aggressively and with great confidence. I need him to continue doing that.”

Per DeMarcus Cousins the win validated the win over Portland, “We did take steps forward. I still think we kind of started out slow; we could’ve had a better start. The second unit came in and did a great job, really got the game going and we finished the game off strong I believe. We did have a little stretch where we let them make a run but overall I think we did a pretty good job defensively. Offensively we came along during the game but I think we did a great job tonight defensively.”

The Kings record improves to 12-22 overall and 8-13 at home.

Sacramento returns to action on Sunday afternoon when they host the Cleveland Cavaliers at Sleep Train Arena.

Kings Waive Ndiaye

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By Charlie O. Mallonee

The Sacramento Kings have requested waivers on center Hamady Ndiaye. The 7’0” Ndiaye had been with Sacramento from the beginning of the season.

 Ndiaye averaged 0.4 points, 1.3 rebounds and 5.3 minutes per game. He had seen little action in recent games and had been sent to the Reno Bighorns of the NBA Development League to play last Friday night.