It’s Five In A Row For Sacramento Beating Spurs 130-112

San Antonio Spurs guard Josh Richardson (7) and Sacramento Kings guard Malik Monk (0) chase the ball during the first quarter at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento on Thu Nov 17, 2022 (AP News photo)

It’s Five In A Row For Sacramento Beating Spurs 130-112

By Barbara Mason

Thursday night the red-hot Sacramento Kings (8-6) took on the San Antonio Spurs (6-10) looking for their fifth win in a row. The Kings have one of the high powered offenses in the NBA right now. Their ball movement is on fire and they are taking high percentage shots and not forcing anything. This team is not leaning too heavily on one player, but rather they are trusting each other. The Huerter Sabonis connection has been insane and so much fun to watch.

This was true test for the Kings playing against a Gregg Popovich led team. The Spurs played hard and pushed Sacramento to the limits. The Kings played without Keegan Murray who sat out the game with a back issue. His injury is not considered to be a long-term issue and that is good news for the Kings. The Kings picked up their fifth straight win over the Spurs 130-112 at Golden One Center in Sacramento.

The Kings won the first quarter 37-28 leading at one time by sixteen points. The Spurs made a push getting to within four points but the Kings pushed back and held a 63-56 lead going into halftime. De’Aaron Fox had scored 12 points in the first half and off the bench Malik Monk also had twelve points.

The Spurs refused to go away and this game was tied a number of times in the third quarter. With 2:09 left in the quarter the scored was tied 80-80. At 1:18 the score was again tied at 82 and the Kings would have to go the distance and pull out all the stops in this one. After three quarters the Kings led 89-82.

The Kings would extend that lead down the stretch in the fourth quarter. Fox and Monk were shooting lights out. Monk was shooting 50% from downtown and Fox was 10 of 13 and 24 points with 7:32 left in the game. With a little over two minutes left on the clock, Sacramento was in the driver’s seat. With 1:37 the Kings had a 128-110 lead and their fifth win in a row was in sight.

All five of the starters for the Spurs shot in double digits with Devin Vassell the high with 29 points. The Spurs just could not handle the offensive excellence of Sacramento. De’Aaron Fox finished with 28 points and Malik Monk had 26 off the bench.

This was an all-around effort by the Kings. Harrison Barnes and Domantas Sabonis both had 16 and off the bench Trey Lyles had 14 points and Chimezie Metu with 10. This was just another solid offensive and defensive game for Sacramento. They fought throughout the game holding onto the lead through four quarters.

Next up for the Kings will be on Sunday when they take on the Detroit Pistons. They will be gunning for their sixth win in a row. Tipoff is scheduled for 3:00 PM.

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: Harsh conditions expected for Griner in Russian penal colony

WNBA star Britney Griner is escorted from a Russian courtroom after a hearing in Khimki a suburb of Moscow on Aug 4, 2022. Griner this week was transferred to a undisclosed location to a penal colony. (AP News file)

By Amaury Pi Gonzalez

Brittney Griner has been sent to a Russian penal colony. In an court appearance Griner admitted to mistakenly packing two vape cartridges in her luggage and provided documents that showed the hash oil was legally prescribed by her US doctor for pain management. The WNBA Phoenix Mercury star was sentenced to nine years.

According to rights group Amnesty International, conditions in these colonies and prisons are among the worst in Europe. The facilities are located in remote locations, far from cities, making it difficult for family or human rights workers to visit. This form of isolation is believed to be part of the punishment of pseudo-exile. There are about 700 penal colonies in Russia and close to one million prisoners, making it the most common imprisonment institution.

These penal colonies in Russia are infamous for harsh conditions and forced labor. Sleep deprivation torture is one of many tactics with little medical treatment. An estimated 18 million people were sentenced to gulags between 1929 and 1953, until the death of Soviet leader Joseph Stalin. About 1.6 million died in work camps. When Griner was arrested the Russia-Ukraine war was beginning, with no resolution it is a war that could go on for a longtime and she was caught in the middle of an international situation.

Although Griner was not that well known in the US and other parts of the world because the WNBA is not the NBA and gets little publicity and coverage still she was in Russia to play basketball to supplement her WNBA salary which is a six-figure salary instead of the approximately $1.5 million she normally earns in Russia.

This could have been avoided if Brittney Griner understood the laws of Russia, which are totally different to the US. For example; cannabis is in fact, illegal in Russia, a country with over 145 million people and largest country in size in all of Europe.

Russia is known for having the highest number of people currently (per capita) imprisoned for drug offenses. When a US citizen travels outside the US he/she is subjected to the laws of whichever country she visits, as a tourist or to work in the case of Griner.

It never ceases to amaze me how many people forget that other countries have different laws to US laws, and when we travel we have to obey those laws, which is just common sense. It is either ignorance or arrogance (or both), we travel abroad and we must obey the laws or suffer the consequences. Nobody knows how much time Brittney Griner will serve in prison of her nine (9) years sentence, however, we know that the US is strongly supporting Ukraine to the tune of billions of dollars in weapons in their war against Russia.

More than likely Russia will detain Griner until the current war between those two countries comes to a resolution. She is a small piece of the biggest land war in Europe since WWII, but Russia is using her and will continue to use her because that is how Russia and other countries with similar types of governments operate.

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

Golden State Warriors podcast with Jerry Feitelberg: Kerr admits team is getting long in the tooth

Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr (right) talks strategy on Nov 14, 2022 at the Chase Center in San Francisco with guard Stephen Curry (left). Kerr said in an interview this week said that this team won’t be together forever and this might be their last year. (AP News photo)

On the Warriors podcast with Jerry F:

#1 In an interview this week with NBC Sports Bay Area Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr said he to come to the conclusion that yes his star players are getting a little older and that might have been part of the reason why they had run into that five game losing streak.

#2 The Fearsome Foursome of Stephen Curry, Draymond Green, Klay Thompson, and Andre Iguodala won’t be together forever said Kerr saying this could be the last year they will be together.

#3 It’s too early to tell but the Warriors after losing those five in a row have now won three of their last five games so if they can get to the finals with this team could they come back next season?

#4 Green’s future with Golden State is doubtful and after the famous punch he threw in practice at Jordan Poole other NBA team sought his services in case the Warriors let him go, Curry’s contract runs for three more years, and Thompson’s contract expires at the end of this season.

#5 Warrior and Knicks battle at the Chase Center on Friday night the Warriors are looking for their four win in five games and the Knicks are playing .500 ball winning four of their last eight games.

Join Jerry for the Warriors podcast at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Stanford Cardinal podcast with Michael Roberson: Cardinal head to Cal for a shot at the Ax in the Big Game Saturday

Stanford safety Jonathan McGill, left, makes an interception as Utah tight end Dalton Kincaid (86) falls during the first half at Salt Lake City Sat Nov 12, 2022 (AP News photo)

On the Cardinal podcast with Michael Roberson:

#1 Cameron Rising threw three touchdown passes, Taylon Thomas ran for 180 yards and two scores, and No. 13 Utah dominated Stanford (3-7) in a 42-7 Pac-12 football win for the Utes at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City.

#2 After Stanford (3-7 overall, 1-7 Pac-12) took a 7-0 first quarter lead on a 1-yard quarterback sneak by Tanner McKee, it was all Utah (8-2 overall, 6-1 Pac-12), which used a big third quarter to pull away for good.

#3 Utah scored three times within seven minutes in the third quarter to put the game away. Rising connected with Thomas Yassmin for a 14-yard touchdown at 9:21, and threw a 19-yard scoring pass to Micah Bernard at 5:58. Rising has 18 touchdown passes this season.

#4 McKee, who was sacked seven times, threw 23 passes, completing 11 for 155 yards. Mitch Leigber was the Cardinal’s top rusher, with 40 yards on 12 carries. Elijah Higgins caught seven passes for 105 yards.

#5 The Cardinal head to UC Berkeley for the Big Game this Saturday the Bears have lost six straight games. The Cardinal have lost three straight games as both teams are looking to snap their losing streaks.

Join Michael for the Cardinal podcast Wednesday nights at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Mann earns first career shutout in 3-0 Barracuda win over Eagles

Jeffery Viel celebrates with Strauss Mann after the San Jose Barracuda’s 3-0 win over the Colorado Eagles at Tech CU Arena on Wednesday NOV 16, 2022. (San Jose Barracuda)

by Marko Ukalovic

SAN JOSE — Strauss Mann is making the most of his opportunities.

The San Jose Barracuda goalie made 21 saves to record his first AHL career shutout in a 3-0 victory over the Colrado Eagles on Wednesday evening at Tech CU Arena.

San Jose has won three out its past four games. San Diego has lost five of its past five six games and only have one win in the month of November.

A week after getting his first AHL win, Strauss didn’t need to do much to earn his first career shutout as San Diego weren’t able to generate many good scoring chances during the game. San Jose had the ice tilted in its favor the majority of the 60 minutes.

After a scoreless opening 20 minutes, the Barracuda broke through the deadlock just past the halfway mark of the second period. Montana Onyebuchi’s pass off the board landed on the foot of Jasper Weatherby and the former 2018 fourth round draft pick roofed a backhander past Gulls goalie Lukas Dostal for his second goal of the season at the 11:02 mark.

San Diego (5-9-0-0) were only able to generate five shots in the middle frame as San Jose’s defense played one of its best periods of the season.

San Jose (7-5-0-1) put the game away with two goals in third period, one early and one late to seal the Gulls fate.

William Eklund sprung an odd man rush for the ‘Cuda with a pass out to the neutral zone. Thomas Bordeleau skated into the Gulls zone on a two-on-one break with Scott Reedy. Bordeleau centered a pass over to Reedy who beat Dostal with a one-timer for his third goal of the season at the 5:00 mark.

San Jose scored its third unanswered goal when Andrew Agozzino snapped a 10-game goaless draught. Reedy carried a turnover at the neutral zone into and centered a backhand pass over to the ‘Cuda captain who rifled home a wrist shot past Dostal for his second goal of the season at the 17:43 mark.

Dostal had a busy night as he made 39 saves on 42 shots in the losing effort.

GAME NOTES: San Jose went 0-for-4 on the power play. San Diego went 0-for-3.

The Three Stars of the Game were: 1) Mann 2) Weatherby 3) Reedy

UP NEXT: San Jose begin a five-game road trip with a two-game weekend series against the Tuscon Roadrunners starting on Saturday 11/19 at 6:00pm at the Tucson Convention Center Arena.

Warriors Lose Eighth Road Game To Phoenix 130-119

Warriors Lose Eighth Road Game To Phoenix 130-119

The Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (right) is guarded by the Phoenix Suns Damian Lee (left) in first half action at the Footprint Center in Phoenix on Wed Nov 16, 2022 (AP News photo)

By Barbara Mason

Wednesday evening the Golden State Warriors (6-9) traveled to the Valley of the Sun taking on the Phoenix Suns (9-5). Back on the road again the Warriors attempted to win their first road game of the season but stay winless on the road with a loss to the Suns 130-119. Golden State has lost eight games this season, seven of them on the road. They are solid at home but on the road it is a quandary.

The Warriors took an early lead in the first quarter of this game. Mid-way through the quarter the tables turned in favor of the Suns and the Warriors would not see another lead for the remainder of the quarter. The Suns led 36-33 after the first twelve minutes.

The second quarter was more of the same for the Warriors. They could not regain the lead. They needed to slow down the Suns and it just wasn’t happening. Second chance points for the Suns were hurting the Warriors despite guard Stephen Curry coming out on fire. Curry was keeping his team in the game but so far it wasn’t enough to get on top of Phoenix. The Suns kept the pressure on and led at the half 72-65.

Curry was phenomenal shooting 31 points in the first half. Kevon Looney had ten points but they would need Klay Thompson, Andrew Wiggins and Jordan Poole to step up in the second half. Defensively the Warriors fell short in the first half. 14 second chance shots for the Suns had been the downfall for Golden State in the first half. The rebounding for the Warriors was a glaring insufficiency and had to turn around in the second half if their first road win of the season was in their future.

The Suns wasted no time in creating a double digit lead less than three minutes into the third quarter 78-65. The Warriors continued to hang around and the good news for Golden State; Wiggins and Thompson were heating up climbing into double digits. With 3:44 left in the third Curry committed a technical and two Phoenix free throws followed. The Suns held onto the double digit lead going into the fourth quarter 103-89 their largest lead of the game.

Despite Curry finishing with 50 points the Suns were just the better team winning 130-119. So the search for the elusive road win continues. Thompson and Wiggins both shot for 14 points. Poole struggled playing for 26 minutes and coming up with two rebounds and two points.

All five starters for Phoenix shot in double digits with Cameron Payne the leader with 29 points. Devon Booker finished with 27.

The Warriors will travel home to take on the Knicks Friday night. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:00 PM.

Cal Bears football podcast with Michael Duca: Cal has home field for Big Game; Can Bears edge Stanford for the Ax?

California wide receiver Monroe Young (14) misses a pass from quarterback Jack Plummer during the second half of the team’s NCAA college football game against Oregon State at Corvallis on Sat Nov 12, 2022 (AP News photo)

On the Cal Bears football podcast with Michael:

#1 Cal who fired two of their assistant coaches on Sunday Bill Musgrave offensive coordinator and offensive line coach Angus McClure was this firing a matter of a poor job of coaching the offense by Musgrave and McClure or the talent on the Bears just isn’t there?

#2 Head coach Justin Wilcox said that it was in the best interest of the team and that changes in the coaching staff was necessary.

#3 After the changes in assistants how do you see the benefit of the change for the Bears offense going forward.

#4 Cal is on a six game losing streak at this rate is there a possibility if the continue to lose do you see them making a change at head coach with Justin Wilcox?

#5 Stanford has lost three straight games going into the Big Game this Saturday Cal has home field can you see a chance for a bounce back especially after the assistant coaching changes for Cal to edge this one out?

Michael does the Cal Bears football podcasts at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

San Francisco 49ers podcast with David Zizmor: 49ers having a great run on offense; Niners set for Monday Night Football in Mexico City

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo (10) reacts after Christian McCaffrey scored a touchdown against the Los Angeles Chargers at Levi Stadium in Santa Clara on Sun Nov 13, 2022 (AP News photo)

On the 49ers podcast with David Zizmor:

#1 The 49ers (5-4) have won four of their last six games and recently have defeated the Los Angles Rams and Los Angeles Chargers are the 49ers locked in.

#2 Dave talk about the 49ers running their offense at full strength and it’s got them to got them and some wins.

#3 All the talk is about running back Christian McCaffrey and his addition has helped the 49ers in their recent four of their last six wins.

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

Kings upend Nets 153-121;Davis leads Sac with 31 pts

Sacramento Kings guard Terence Davis (3) shoots between Brooklyn Nets guard Edmond Sumner, left, and forward Nic Claxton in second half action at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento (AP News photo)

By Jeremiah Salmonson

SACRAMENTO–The Sacramento Kings were back in action on Tuesday night. The Kings are riding high after defeating the defending champion Golden State Warriors on Sunday night. The Kings beat the champs at home 122-115.

The Kings have been playing excellent basketball lately and should have a better record than 6-6. However, the Kings aren’t living in the past and are looking forward in the season to improve their record. The Kings welcomed the Brooklyn Nets on Tuesday at 7 PM PST. On Tuesday, the Kings defeated the Nets 153-121 in blowout fashion.

In the first quarter, the Nets got off to a slow start offensively. The Nets couldn’t buy a basket in the first half of the quarter. The Kings took advantage of that and built up a lead. After that, however, the Nets would start scoring and returning to balance the quarter.

The Kings outscored the Nets in the first quarter 36-30 to open up an early lead in Sacramento on TNT. Kevin Durant did every day Kevin Durant things leading scorers with 12 points.

In the second quarter, the momentum shifted a bit early on in the quarter. The Kings struggled to hit shots, and the Nets picked it up on the offensive end. Yet, the Kings started to get out ahead in the last minutes of the half.

The Kings managed to outscore the Nets 37-24 in the second quarter to grow a 73-54 lead heading into halftime. Kevin Huerter led the Kings in the first half with 14 points. Kevin Durant was the only bright spot for the Nets in the first half, scoring 18 points. Could the Kings make it two halves against Kevin Durant?

In the third quarter, the Kings just took over the game. The King’s offense was firing on all cylinders as the Nets struggled without Kyrie Irving. The Kings outscored the Nets 42-28 in the third quarter. It was a full-on blowout at this point. The Kings could do no wrong on Tuesday night.

In the fourth quarter, the King sealed the deal. The Kings were outscored by the Nets 39-38 in the fourth quarter. It was an impressive game for the Kings, who have been playing well lately. It was a real show of force that the Kings mean business this year if they can maintain the defensive end of the floor.

Terence Davis led the way with an incredible performance for the Kings, dropping 28 points. Kevin Huerter was the runner-up for the Kings scoring 19 points in the game. Kevin Durant led the way for the Nets, scoring 27 points in the game. The Kings are flying high and deservedly after a great season start. The Kings would empty the bench in the game and defeat the Nets 153-121. The Kings are now 7-6 on the season.

Up Next: The Kings stay home to take on the San Antonio Spurs on Thursday at 7 PM PST.

Stanford Ambushed by San Diego State at Maples 74-62

San Diego State forward Jaedon LeDee, left, knocks the ball away from Stanford forward Maxime Raynaud (42) during the first half at Maples Pavilion Tue Nov 15, 2022 (AP News photo)

By Michael Roberson

STANFORD–The Stanford Cardinal (1-2) were under attack the entire 40 minutes by the visiting #19 San Diego State Aztecs (3-0) and captured Maples Pavilion, 74-62.

“We knew coming in it would be a battle,” said Stanford Head Coach Jerod Haase. “We would have to play our A-Game to be able to get there. I don’t think we played our A-Game, but I also think they deserve a lot of credit for playing really well.”

The Aztecs didint care that the Cardinal was just returning from the Midwest tangling with a team from the Power 5 Big Ten.

Stanford never led in the first half, and trailed by as much as 17 points during the initial 30 minutes of play. 41-30 SDSU.

The Aztecs converted six threes, contributing to their double-digit advantage over the Cardinal.

The home team managed to get their deficit to single-digits (6) a few times in the second stanza, but the Aztecs were on the defensive to be victorious.

San Diego State pushed the lead to 12 points by the sound of the final buzzer. 74-62 SDSU.

The Cardinal was led by senior forward Spencer Jones with 15 points, six rebounds and three blocks, while sophomore teammate Harrison Ingram also chipped in 11 points and four rebounds.

Spencer expressed his feelings on his all around game, “I’ve always felt my defense has been getting better and better every year; this year is no different. I try to lead my team defensively and offensively. I give my best effort on each end. I’ll do whatever I can to make this team win.”

The Aztecs had three players in double figures: Senior forward Jaedon LeDee dropped 14 points and four rebounds; junior guard Lamont Butler committed 11 points and six assists; Oakland native and San Leandro High star, Keshad Johnson put 11 points on the scoreboard.

Stanford will next be in action Friday, November 18, hosting Cal Poly, while San Diego State heads back down south to host Ohio State, Monday, November 21.