Author: Sports Radio Service

Kings bounce back to defeat Lakers at Golden One 125-116

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Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (6) gets a pass off by Sacramento Kings guard De’Aaron Fox (5) and center Alex Len (25) at the Golden One Center in Sacramento on Wed Jan 12, 2022 (AP News photo)

By Jeremiah Salmonson

SACRAMENTO–The Sacramento Kings were back in action on Wednesday night in Sacramento. On Monday, the Kings last played and lost to the Cleveland Cavaliers 109-108. It was a tough loss for the Kings, who had the chance to win the game with the final shot.

However, De’Aaron Fox missed the last shot as the Kings lost. On Wednesday, the Kings welcomed Lebron James and the Los Angeles Lakers to town. The Kings had played the Lakers tough this year and were hoping to win against the rival from Los Angeles. The Kings won the game by the final of 125-116 against the Lakers. 

In the first quarter, the Kings defense got off to a rough start. The Kings allowed the Lakers to score 34 points to put themselves in an early hole in the first quarter. Fortunately for the Kings, the offense got off to a decent start. The Kings scored 29 points in the first quarter to trail the Lakers by only five after the first. However, the Kings would need to tighten up the defensive end to stay in the game long term. 

In the second quarter, it was rough early for the Kings. The Kings started the second, struggling to score the basket and allowing the Lakers to get pretty much whatever they wanted. However, the Kings turned up the intensity towards the end of the second as they began driving more to the basket and taking fewer perimeter shots. The Lakers outscored the Kings 33-32 in the second quarter to marginally increase their lead going into halftime.

The Lakers were led in the first half by Lebron James, who had 17 points. The Kings strongest first-half performance came from De’Aaron Fox, who scored 14 points. Nevertheless, the Kings trailed the Lakers, heading into halftime 67-61. 

In the third quarter, it was all Kings. That pretty much sums up the quarter perfectly. The Kings had an offensive outburst as they scored 40 points in the third quarter to take the lead on the Lakers. On the other hand, the Lakers only scored 23 points in the third to put themselves behind the Kings 101-90 heading into the fourth quarter. Could Lebron James and the Lakers come back to defeat the Kings? We found out in the final 12 minutes. 

In the fourth quarter, the Kings played tough. The Lakers outscored the Kings in the final quarter 26-24, but it wasn’t enough to overcome the Kings surge in the third quarter. The Kings defeated the Lakers by the final of 125-116 and improved to 17-27 on the season.

The Lakers dropped to 21-21 on the year as Lebron James couldn’t bring his team back to victory. However, Lebron James led the game in scoring with 34 points. The Kings leading scorer was De’Aaron Fox, who scored 29 points for the Kings. It was an excellent win for the Kings with an electric crowd behind them at Golden One Center. 

Up Next: The Kings take on the Houston Rockets on Friday at 7 PM PST in Sacramento.

Roadrunners third period blitz take down Barracuda 4-3

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The San Jose Barracuda drop the first of two games on Wed Jan 11, 2022 against the Tucson Roadrunners at the SAP Center in San Jose on Wed Jan 11, 2022 (image by the San Jose Barracuda)

by Marko Ukalovic

SAN JOSE — When you don’t play for a full 60 minutes, it usually comes back to bite you.

The Tucson Roadrunners scored three unanswered goals in the third period for a 4-3 comeback victory on Wednesday evening at SAP Center.

San Jose have lost two of its past three games. Tucson snapped its three-game losing streak.

The game marked the return for former Barracuda goalie Josef Korenar who played in his first game at The Tank in a visiting uniform with the Roadrunners.

It also marked the first game back for Scott Reedy and Jayden Halbgewachs for San Jose. They had been up with the Sharks the past week. They were on a line with John Leonard put together by ‘Cuda head coach Roy Sommer.

San Jose (12-16-1-0) drew first blood early in the first period. Jake McGrew sent a puck on net that bounced out in front of the crease. Kyle Topping’s chance was stopped by Korenar but Zachary Gallant sneaked in and chipped the puck just underneath the crossbar for his first goal of the season at the 4:12 mark.

It was Gallant’s second career AHL and his first in 42 games when he scored his first back on March 6th, 2021, which also happens to be his birthday.

Tucson (12-11-2-1) answered back with a power play goal late in the opening frame. Matias Maccelli sent a pass over to Jen Jenik in the right slot. Jenik snapped home a wrist shot past ‘Cuda goalie Alexei Melnichuk for his seventh goal of the season at the 16:16 mark.

The Barracuda regained the lead with 26 seconds left in the first period. After a battle along the corner boards, Kyle Topping fed a pass back to the point Artemi Kniazev. The 20-year defenseman skated in, made a move at the left faceoff circle and fired a wrist shot to the far side for his career AHL goal.

“I saw the guy dropping (down) on me (I got) some open ice and took the shot,” said Kniazev. “Obviously it’s nice to score my first pro goal but it didn’t help to win the game, so it means nothing.

Things became chippy in the second period. There were two fights in a span of less than two minutes. After the second fight between Patrick Holway and Blake Speers, both teams begin to push and shove each other in the neutral zone near the teams’ benches long after the whistle had blown.

Tucson evened the game with seven minutes left in third period. Hudson Fasching made a nice a move around a ‘Cuda defender at the left point, skated in and centered a backhand pass over to Maccelli who buried a one-time from point-blank range for his ninth goal of the season.

The Roadrunners gained its first lead 68 seconds later. Maccelli sent a back pass to Cameron Hebig who beat Melnichuk to the short side for his sixth goal of the season at the 14:08 mark.

“We can’t keep shooting ourselves in the foot,” Sommer said. “You’re not going to keep coming back from these all the time. We had played up to that point, pretty good. Again, we gave up too much trying to protect the lead.”

Tucson sealed the game with their second power play goal with 1:23 left in the third period. Hudsom Elyniuk fed a pass over to Speers who buried a wrist shot to the short side past Melnichuk for his second goal of the season.

San Jose made it a one-goal game with 22 seconds left when Reedy scored his team-leading 15th goal of the season. Reedy cleaned up the rebound off a shot from the point by Nick Cicek.

Korenar finished the game stopping 20 of the 23 shots he faced to come back to haunt his old team in earning the victory. Melnichuk (7-7-0) made 18 saves on 22 shots in the losing effort.

GAME NOTES: San Jose finished 0-for-4 on the power play. Tucson was 2-for-4.

The Three Stars of the Game were: 1) Maccello 2) Kniazev 3) Jenik

San Jose is 16-12-3-2 all time against Tucson, including 9-6-1-1 on home ice.

Tucson has four of its last five games on the road.

UP NEXT: San Jose and Tucson conclude their two-games series on Friday 1/14 at 7:00pm at SAP Center.

That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary: MLB and Players Union to meet Thursday January 13

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MLB union chief Tony Clark, right, and lead union negotiator Bruce Meyer at a press conference last Thu Jan 6, 2022 in Arlington. MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred, Clark and Meyer hope to solve the lockout as MLB and the Players Union meet Thu Jan 13, 2022 (AP News photo)

MLB and Players Union to meet Thursday January 13

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

Commissioner Rob Manfred on behalf of MLB announced the current lock-out on December 2, 2021.

Here some of the most interesting issues they are hope to address and eventually come to agreement.

1-Minimum salary: A rookie at the end of 2021 salary was $570,000. The players union is looking for a raise that could go for a minimum of between $700,000 to $750,000 and there could be a compromise here. Today baseball rookies have the lowest salary among the four top pro-sports league. Here are the others: NBA: $925,000, NHL: $775,000, NFL $660,000. While MLS is $81,000. (All players have to pay taxes and a fee to their respective agents)

2-Free Agent: Today a rookie becomes a free agent when he reaches his sixth year of service. The MLBPA thinks it should be five years, not six. Unlike the minimum salary this one could be tougher to come to an agreement as the owners do not see it the same way as the players. You cannot ‘split the baby’ here, is either one or the other. The owners always want to keep a player under control for as long as they can.

3-Expanding the Playoffs: This one is about the owners wanting to have 14 teams in the playoffs, while the players want 12. Of course with 14 teams there will be more revenues. But some say it diminishes competition, the season is already a long 162 game campaign. But, do you want a team with 75 wins to be in the Playoffs? However, there is Money here and never bet against money. Television loves this. I think there is a good chance this makes it to the owner’s delight of 14 playoff teams.

4-NBA Style Draft Lottery: If above is approved and the postseason expands to 14 teams then the remaining 16 teams in MLB would enter a draft lottery like in basketball.

5-Universal Designated Hitter: There is plenty to chew here. I know many fans and regular media people that are split on this and I have heard all sides. One: Why should David “Big Papi” Ortíz be a Hall of Famer, he was a one-dimensional player, a hitter. The other side: Yes, true, but he played for 20 years and hit 541 home runs and was a leader. For those that forgot already, as a rookie in 1997 Ortíz played 15 games at first base for his first team, the Minnesota Twins. Like it or Not, the DH is going to the National League, just like the Umpires used to wear different garb in the AL and the NL and for decades now they all wear the same.

Other topics: Revenue Sharing, Salary Arbitration, Remove Qualifying Offer and like always some tax matters than are way too boring even for some very bored accountants.

Finally: Like any negotiations of this magnitude, no one side is going to get everything they want. My father used to say “a half loaf of bread is better than no bread at all”. Let’s hope that they can come to something of an agreement that would satisfy both owners and players. For the good of the game.

Amaury Pi Gonzalez does News and Commentary podcasts each Tuesdays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

San Francisco 49ers podcast with David Zizmor: Can 49ers stop a hot Cowboys team Sunday?

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San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Jauan Jennings (15) is jubilant after getting in the end zone for a second half touchdown at SoFi Stadium against the Los Angeles Rams on Sun Jan 9, 2022. The 49ers are in Dallas for the NFC Wild Card round Sun Jan 16, 2022 (AP News photo)

On the 49ers podcast with David:

#1 In view of the San Francisco 49ers (10-7) win over the Los Angeles Rams how much confidence does and momentum does that give the 49ers going into Dallas on Sunday for the NFC Wild Card game.

#2 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo showed no signs of any problems with the thumb throwing 23-32 for 316 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions. He threw for over 300 yards but was intercepted twice.

#3 The 49ers battle the Dallas Cowboys (12-5) Sunday in Dallas for the NFC Wild Card round. The Cowboys have won five of their last six games. They absolutely crushed the Philadelphia Eagles (9-8) last Saturday 51-26 on the road in Philadelphia. Cowboy quarterback Dak Prescott 295 yards and five touchdowns.

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

San Jose Sharks podcast with Mary Lisa Walsh: Kane’s trip to Vancouver violating Covid protocols led to his release; Sharks edge Red Wings 3-2 Couture shoots for game winner;

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San Jose Sharks center Logan Couture (39) is jubilant after scoring the game winning goal in overtime with Brent Burns (88) and Jonathan Dahlen (76) against the Detroit Red Wings on Tue Jan 11, 2022 at SAP Center in San Jose (AP News photo)

On the Sharks podcast with Mary Lisa:

#1 Former Shark Evander Kane released for going to Vancouver during the holidays after testing positive while being on Covid 19 protocols pretty much was his last chance if any while playing on the Sharks AHL affiliate the San Jose Barracuda.

#2 The San Jose Sharks (20-16-5) got a win over the Detroit Red Wings (16-16-5) in an overtime win 3-2 on Tuesday night the Sharks got clobbered by the Red Wings 6-2 in their last meeting back on Jan 4th.

#3 Logan Couture is the game hero scoring the game winning goal in overtime, Couture was coming off the five day Covid protocol list a remarkable game for Couture considering he was away for five days.

#4 A fan threw a octopus on the ice near Couture and he asked the official to remove it and when the puck was dropping starting play Brent Burns sent the puck up towards the Red Wings net and Wings goaltender Alex Nedeljkovic stopped it right but juggled the puck which fell on the goal crease and Couture came around and knocked it into the net.

#5 Mary, the Sharks are becoming a good overtime team they have a perfect record 6-0 and just somehow have confidence in overtime and last night being no exception picked up another crucial win.

#6 The New York Rangers (23-10-4) are in San Jose on Thursday night who were defeated by the Los Angeles Kings (18-13-5) 3-1. The Rangers are not be underestimated with that 23-10 record one of the toughest teams in the NHL. Tell us how you see this match up for Thursday night at SAP?

Join Mary Lisa for the Sharks podcasts each Wednesday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Cardinal end long layoff with 75-69 triumph over No. 5 USC

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Stanford forward James Keefe (22) defends as Southern California guard Ethan Anderson (20) at Maples Pavilion in Palo Alto on Tue 1-11-22 (AP News photo)

By Daniel Dullum
Tuesday. January 11, 2022

It took 15 years, but Stanford finally defeated a Top 5 men’s basketball opponent and did so after a nearly three-week break for COVID-19 protocols.

The Cardinal overtook Southern California 75-69 Tuesday at Maples Pavilion behind the 21-point efforts by Harrison Ingram and Spencer Jones.

Prior to Tuesday, Stanford (9-4 overall, 2-1 Pac-12) lost 14 straight games to AP Top 5 opponents, I with its last such win coming on Jan. 28, 2007, against No. 3 UCLA.

It was the Cardinal’s first game since Dec. 23, when they defeated Liberty in the semifinals of the Diamond Head Classic in Honolulu. Stanford entered COVID protocol before having to cancel its championship game against Vanderbilt. The Cardinal then postponed games with California and UCLA.

Isaiah Mobley paced the Trojans (13-1, 3-7), with Boogie Ellis scoring 14 points. The loss by USC, along with the defeat of No. 1-Baylor, left no undefeated teams in Division I college basketball.
Stanford used back-to-back 3-pointers by Noah Taitz midway through the second half to surge ahead 50-49.

The Cardinal surged ahead to stay at 70-66 when James Keefe made a layup to start an 8-2 run that was completed with a pair of free throws by Ingram with 1:18 remaining.

The Trojans went cold in the final five minutes, missing three free throws and making 1 of 7 field goal attempts.

The effects of inactivity were noticeable early, when Stanford had a stretch of missing 8 of 9 shots. The Cardinal trailed by seven with 6 minutes remaining in first half before surging back to take a 33-32 lead.

Attendance was limited to family members only due to a recent spike in coronavirus cases.
The Cardinal visit Washington State on Thursday.

Morant Leads Grizzlies To Win Over Warriors 115-108

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Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant (12) shoots against Golden State Warriors center Kevon Looney (5) and forwards Andre Iguodala (9) and Andrew Wiggins (22) in Memphis on Tue Jan 11, 2022 (AP News photo)

Morant Leads Grizzlies To Win Over Warriors 116-108

By Barbara Mason

Tuesday night the Golden State Warriors (30-10) took on the red-hot Memphis Grizzlies (29-14). Memphis is riding on a nine-game winning streak and they will make the Warriors work for this game. They are led by Ja Morant one of the best point guards in the game today. The absence of Draymond Green would be a factor in this game. So a lot of tough challenges in this game for Golden State.

The Warriors were outplayed in the first half. The ugly turnovers were an issue and the three points shooting was almost non-existent. Golden State was three of 13 from downtown. The Warriors have been struggling offensively especially from long range and the Grizzlies have a solid offense and defense that turned the Warriors away shot after shot.

Many of the turnovers from Golden State were due to the unrelenting defense of Memphis. With the Grizzlies leading 59-51 and under one minutes left in the half, the Warriors wanted to make a small run before the clock ran out. At the half. the Warriors had cut an 18 point deficit to eight.

The points off of the 12 Warrior turnovers were hurting them while the Grizzlies were fueled by three point shots the entire half. Ja Morant finished the first half with 18 points. Going into this game we all knew he was going to be a handful and he certainly was in the first half.

Stephen Curry had 12 points and Andrew Wiggins finished the half with ten. In the third quarter the Warriors had to limit those turnovers and do their best to contain Morant.

The Warriors started the third quarter with two steals and just like that had cut the Grizzlies lead to 59-56. Golden State came alive in the second half and the three’s starting dropping giving the Warriors a 71-66 lead. Midway through the third the game had totally flipped.

We saw a different defense from the Warriors in the third quarter and Memphis starting missing those long balls. As the quarter began to run out the two teams began trading the lead. The Warriors led after three quarters 90-87.

The Grizzlies led for much of the fourth quarter by the slimmest of margins. At 6:15 Memphis led 103-99. With both Curry and Klay Thompson on the sidelines this game was in jeopardy. With 4:39 left in this game the splash brothers came in to finish the game.

The hottest team in tne NBA would try to hold off the Warriors with 2:48 left on the clock. A missed three by Golden State and Ja Morant finished off the Warriors 116-108.

The Grizzlies took 100 shots in this game to the Warriors 80, not a winning formula The turnovers killed Golden State giving Memphis their tenth win in a row. The Warriors fought hard in the second half but it was the first half deficit that lost this game for Golden State. Points off turnovers were disastrous for the Warriors.

The Warriors will now head off to Milwaukee to take on the World Champs Thursday. The tipoff is scheduled for 4:30 PM.

San Jose Barracuda podcast with Marko Ukalovic: A tribute to coach Sommer’s 800 career wins as head coach

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San Jose Barracuda head coach Roy Sommer and his 800th career win image achieved on Sat Jan 8, 2022 at SAP Center vs. the Henderson Silver Knights (image by the San Jose Barracuda)

On the Barracuda podcast with Marko:

#1 San Jose Barracuda (12-15-1-0) coach Roy Sommer has reached a monumental achievement in winning his 800th game this past week on Sat Jan 8th against the visiting Henderson Silver Knight at SAP Center in San Jose. It’s a long time in the making but it had to be a proud moment for Sommer.

#2 Back on Dec 3, 2017 Sommer was one of seven coaches in pro hockey to total 700 wins combining his work in the AHL, NHL and ECHL to reach that total it was five years ago a lot has happened between now and then.

#3 The win Saturday Marko snapped a two game losing streak for the Barracuda in a come back win over the feisty Henderson Silver Knights (15-8-2-1) 6-3 a large number of goals for the Barracuda to score to overcome the Knights.

#4 A big night for Sasha Chemlevski who scored a hat trick for his sixth, seventh and eighth goals of the season. For Chemlevski he also had an assist and it was his first hat trick of his career.

#5 The Barracuda take on the host the Tucson Roadrunners on Wed night Jan 12th at SAP for a 7:00 pm puck drop at SAP Center. It will be the first of two meetings the second being Fri Jan 14th at SAP Center another 7:00 pm start.

Join Marko for the Barracuda podcasts each Tuesday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary podcast: 49ers head to Dallas Sunday; Raiders in Cincinnati Saturday; MLB lockout update; plus more

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San Francisco 49ers cornerback Emmanuel Moseley (4) picks off a pass for an interception intended for Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Ben Skowronek (18) at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles on Sun Jan 9, 2022. The 49ers advanced to the NFC playoffs Sun Jan 16, 2022 against the Dallas Cowboys in Arlington (AP News photo)

On That’s Amaury’s:

#1 The San Francisco 49ers on the last day of the season needed to defeat the Los Angeles Rams in a game that could not have been scripted any better. Winning on a field goal in the fourth quarter 27-24 and now advance to the NFC Playoffs for this Sun Jan 16th in Arlington against the Dallas Cowboys.

#2 The Las Vegas Raiders were another team that just got into post season battling it out with the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday Night Football. With the game all tied 32-32 in overtime and no time left the Raiders kicker Daniel Carlson booted a 47 yard field goal that got the Raiders into post season 35-32 in a game that was almost scripted for a Hollywood movie. The Raiders had their share of tragedies this season but bounced back winning their last four games to get into post season.

#3 Amaury, why aren’t the owners and players talking in MLB from the sound of it spring training in February and March could be put on hold until something is agreed upon. Feb 26th is the first spring training game and it looks in question.

#4 The St Louis Cardinals announced they have canceled their annual winter warmup Bill Dewitt III the Cardinals team president said unfortunately due to the current circumstances of the lockout the planning of the winter warm up has been canceled. This was an opportunity to allow fans to interface with Cards players. Baseball is huge in St Louis so you can imagine many Cardinal fans will be disappointed.

#5 In the MLB Baseball Hall of Fame voting Barry Bonds and Roger Clemens it was reported on ESPN will not get enough votes to make the Hall of Fame and former Red Sox pitcher Curt Schilling who was 16 votes short last year will be much shorter last year due to that dark cloud of steroid use.

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

Cal Bears basketball podcast with Morris Phillips: After two straight loses to LA schools Cal looks to pick up the pace in Washington Wed night

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California guard Jalen Celestine (32) shoots against UCLA guard Tyger Campbell (10) at Haas Pavilion in Berkeley on Sat Jan 8, 2022 (AP News photo)

On the Cal Bears basketball podcast with Morris:

#1 It wasn’t much of a contest as the Cal Bears (9-7) went down to defeat for the second time to a LA university this time to the UCLA Bruins (10-1) 60-53 a eight point win as the Bruins controlled the offense from wire to wire.

#2 Once again Cal guard Andre Kelly did most of the heavy lifting coming away with 22 points. Kelly executed inside the paint and had a multiple dunk show with one displaying some hang time but regardless Cal came up short.

#3 Morris, knowing what the USC Trojans and UCLA Bruins would bring in this week to Haas Pavilion it really wasn’t a surprise for Cal head coach Mark Fox but from what you saw did the Bears leave that best effort out on the floor this week.

#4 The Bruins had two players in double figures with heavy NBA potential guard Tyger Campbell with a team leading 17 points and coming right behind him guard Jaime Jaquez Jr with 14 points to contribute to the Bruins tenth win of the season.

#5 It’s off to Seattle and the Washington Huskies (6-7) in Cal’s next contest. The Huskies have won four of their last eight games and got a six point win over the Utah Utes (8-7) 74-68 on Thu Jan 6 in Utah. Morris after getting a double dose of loses this week the Bears are certainly looking to get back in the win column in their visit to Washington on Wed Jan 12th.

Join Morris for the Cal Bears podcasts each Monday morning at http://www.sportsradioservice.com