Category: NBA

Golden State Warriors podcast with Barbara Mason: Warriors go for second straight win in game 2 tonight at Chase

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In first half action at the Chase Center in San Francisco on Sat Apr 16, 2022 Golden State Warriors guard Jordan Poole, left, is congratulated by guard Stephen Curry (30) in game one of the NBA Playoffs against the Denver Nuggets (AP News photo)

On the Warriors podcast with Barbara:

#1 Does Warrior head coach Steve Kerr really have a tough decision to make deciding to go with Stephen Curry or Jordan Poole who scored 30 in game one against the Denver Nuggets.

#2 The Nikola Jokic of the Nuggets led with 25 points on Saturday not enough to catch the Warriors who beat them by 16 points.

#3 Curry who scored 16 said that he had a good time watching Poole work his offensive magic who admired his ability to be the leading scorer.

#4 Barbara, Klay Thompson contributed with 19 points was second in scoring the Warriors had to be glad to have him healthy considering all that he’s been through before this season.

#5 Warriors host the Nuggets tonight for game 2 at Chase Center do you see this being a competitive contest and the Nuggets will really have to get up for this one or the Warriors should handle them just like they did in game one.

Join Barbara Mason for the Warriors podcasts each Monday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Warriors open series with 123-107 win; Takes game 1 at Chase Center upon Curry return

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Stephen Curry (30) made a return performance for the Golden State Warriors in game 1 against the Denver Nuggets at the Chase Center in San Francisco on Sat Apr 16, 2022 (AP News photo)

Warriors Open Series With 123-107 Win; Take game 1 at Chase Center for openers

By Barbara Mason

Saturday night the Golden State Warriors (53-29) took on the Denver Nuggets (48-34) in the first round of the 2021-22 playoffs. The Warriors welcomed back Stephen Curry who had missed significant time with a sprained ligament in his left foot.

A determined Curry worked hard to get back into tonight’s game apparently with limited minutes but bringing the leadership that his team relies on from him. All eyes will be on Curry as he plays his first game in over four weeks.

One of the biggest challenges for Golden State will be MVP from last year Nikola Jokic and quite possibly repeating as MVP again this year.

This was a hotly contested game as expected. After one quarter the Nuggets held a 27-26 lead. As the second quarter came to an end the Warriors had outscored Denver 32-20 and had a 58-47 half-time lead. Jokic had 14 points in the half but it was Jordan Poole and Klay Thompson with 17 and 14 points that made the difference. With 4.2 seconds left in the second quarter Curry made a 28-foot three point jumper to finish the first half in Warrior style.

Golden State had to continue to try and contain Jokic and keep his shooting to a minimum He is the heart and soul of the Nuggets and the last thing you want is for him to go on a scoring frenzy.

The Warriors continued to pour it on and after three quarters led 90-70. While this game was far from over, Golden State was playing with intensity and purpose.

The Warriors were one quarter away from taking game one in this series. Poole continued to play lights out basketball through the fourth quarter. With under three minutes left in the game the Warriors bench took it home. The final was 123-107.

Nikola Jokic finished with 25 points, ten rebounds and Will Barton had 24 points for the Nuggets. Tonight it was all Warriors from the second quarter on and there was no stopping them.

Poole finished with 30 points and was five of seven from downtown. It was a great night for Curry in his return with 16 points and he was three of six from beyond the arc.

Game two at Chase Center will tipoff at 7:00 PM on Monday night.

Golden State Warriors podcast with David Zizmor: Former Warrior Cousins says Nuggets need to be prepared for Golden State

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The Denver Nuggets DeMarcus Cousins says they have to really reach down deep in order to battle the Golden State Warriors who are the NBA’s toughest nemesis this Sat Apr 16 at the Chase Center in San Francisco for game 1 on (file photo from Denver Stiffs)

On the Warriors podcast with David:

#1 One thing for sure the Denver Nuggets DeMarcus Cousins knows the Golden State Warriors all too well and the Warriors potential to do some damage in the first round of the playoffs.

#2 Cousins was part of the Warriors success in previous teams and had an opportunity to play with Warrior stars Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson. Cousins knows what they can do and says the Nuggets needs to bring their A game each night to the arena.

#3 David talk about Curry returning after spending weeks after suffering a foot injury how game ready do you think he’ll be ready for this Saturday.

Join David for the Warriors podcasts throughout the playoffs Wednesdays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Golden State Warriors podcast with Barbara Mason: Thompson improving getting better and better; Could be huge for club in the post season

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Golden State Warriors guard Klay Thompson (11) goes up in the air against the New Orleans Pelicans guard Jared Harper (2) at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans on Sun Apr 10, 2022 (AP News photo)

On the Golden State Warriors podcast with Barbara:

1.Sunday night the Warriors took on the New Orleans Pelicans. How important was this game for Golden State.

2 .Klay Thompson had an amazing game even better than his performance last Thursday.

3. We can’t talk about this season without talking about Kevon Looney and what he was called upon to do.

4. Another super hero for the Warriors this season was Jordan Poole really stepping up in whatever roll he was called upon to do.

5. Finally let’s take a peak at the upcoming match-up between the Denver Nuggets and the Golden State Warriors.

Join Barbara for the Golden State Warriors podcasts each Monday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Warriors Finish Third In Western Conference With Win Over Pelicans 128-107

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The Golden State Warriors guard Klay Thompson (11) gets the finger roll shot over the New Orleans Pelicans guard Jose Alvarado (15) at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans on Sun Apr 10, 2022 (AP News photo)

Warriors Finish Third In Western Conference With Win Over Pelicans 128-107

By Barbara Mason

Sunday night the Golden State Warriors (53-29) clinched for third place finish in the Western Conference. They beat the New Orleans Pelicans (36-46) 128-107. Both of these teams are playoff bound but the Warriors really need to finish the season on a high note heading into the post-season.

Klay Thompson was back on board for this game. Andrew Wiggins sat this one out and Moses Moody was on the starting roster with Draymond Green, Kevon Looney, Jordan Poole and Klay Thompson.

The Pelicans took an early lead but it would not be long before the Warriors started to crank things up. At the end of the first quarter the Warriors had a slim lead 27-26. The Pelicans had a seven point lead early but the Warriors erased that lead to win the first quarter.

The second quarter was a good one for the Warriors. Golden State finished the first half shooting an impressive 63%. Thompson went off finishing the half with 21 points and was 4 of 9 from downtown.

Jordan Poole had a better game tonight with 12 points after two quarters. Golden State had a 20 point lead at the half 68-48. The Pelicans are one of the poorest three- point shooting teams in the league and so it was no surprise that they shot only three in the first half to the Warriors ten.

The Warriors had shot 72% in the second quarter which was impressive. Every time that Thompson was open he was letting them fly and he was connecting. The team was protecting the ball and limiting those turnovers and had to keep that kind of play going into the second half of the game.

Both offenses began to slow down in the third quarter. It was the Pelicans that began to heat up in the final four minutes of the third quarter cutting a 29 point Warriors lead to an 11 point deficit.

Golden State took their foot off the gas and the Pelicans took it all the way to the bank and cashed in on a 22 to 4 run. The score after three quarters was 89-78 in favor of Golden State. It is a sure bet that the Dallas Mavs had renewed interest in what was going on in this game.

Going into the fourth quarter the Warriors had 16 turnovers and more importantly the Pelicans had scored 20 points off those turnovers.

The Golden State offense turned things around big time in the final quarter thanks to the shooting of Thompson. The Warriors really pulled it together when push came to shove. The victory for the Warriors gives them the third best record in the NBA.

Klay Thompson had his first 40 point game since his comeback shooting 41 points. Jordan Poole was back shooting for 22 points. The entire team had a beautiful defensive effort with 41 rebounds.

We now know that the Warriors will be taking on Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets at Chase Center Saturday. Tipoff is scheduled for 5:30 PM. It still remains to be seen if Stephen Curry will be ready for Game One in playoff series.

Kings Beat No.1 Team in NBA 116-109; Positive result to end 2021-22 Sacramento season

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Sacramento Kings forward Justin Holiday throws down in front of Phoenix Suns forward Cameron Johnson (23) in first half action at the Footprint Center in Phoenix on Sun Apr 10, 2022

Kings Beat No.1 Team in NBA 116-109; Positive result to end 2021-22 Sacramento season

By Barbara Mason

It has been a long long season for the Sacramento Kings (30-52). They have fought through the loss of a Head Coach (Luke Walton) and injury and lots of frustration. With all that they have endured throughout the season, they have to finish it playing the best team in the NBA the Phoenix Suns (64-18).

It was a bit of a surprise to see the Kings leading after the first quarter 33-24. What was even more surprising was the fact that they extended their lead to 67-51 at the half. Of course the Suns were not playing Devon Booker, Chris Paul and Deandre Ayton not risking injury to their starters and keeping them fresh for their post-season run.

On the other hand the Kings De’Aaron Fox and Domantas Sabonis were out with injury so missing their top scorer Fox and newest acquisition Sabonis.

A win for the Suns makes no difference in the standings. A win for Sacramento would give them their 30th win of the season and a little something to hang their hat on after the disappointment they have gone through all year. The Kings shocked picking up a win at Footprint Center in Phoenix over the first place Kings 116-109.

The Suns made up a little ground in the third quarter but the Kings stubbornly held on with some great play from Justin Holiday and Davion Mitchell. They continued to hold a double digit lead mid-way through the third.

The Kings saw their 16 point lead start to shrink as the quarter came to an end. After three quarters Sacramento held a 86-77 lead. They would have to dig deep to finished the season with a win.

The Kings maintained a double digit lead until the final three minutes of this game. With 2:38 left on the clock the Suns were trailing by eight points. The Suns would make if really interesting trailing by three points with 8.6 left on the clock. The Kings refused to go down in this game and finished off the Suns.

Sacramento had some great work from Damian Jones, Mitchell and Donte Divincenzo all with 19 points. So now we bid a brief farewell to the Kings as they head into the off-season. With a healthy De’Aaron Fox, Sabonis, Damian Jones, Mitchell Divincenzo and Harrison Barnes there is some optimism going forward for the Kings.

Our thanks to our Sacramento Kings beat writer staff for the 2021-22 season, Jeremiah Salmonson, Charlie O, Morris Phillips, Barbara Mason, Jessica Kwong, Daniel Dullum and Marko Ukalovic

George, Clippers roll past Kings 117-98

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Los Angeles Clippers guard Paul George (13) battles his way to the hoop as Sacramento Kings forward Harrison Barnes (40) puts the stop on George in first half action at the Crypto Arena in Los Angeles on Sat Apr 9, 2022 (AP News photo)

By Daniel Dullum
Saturday, April 9, 2022

Paul George scored 23 points, dished out 12 assists, and pulled down eight rebounds for the Los Angeles Clippers Saturday night, leading the Clips past Sacramento 117-98.

It was the Clippers’ fourth straight win. Los Angeles will face the Minnesota Timberwolves on Tuesday in the NBA’s play-in tournament. If the Clippers win, they will reach the playoffs for the fourth straight year and meet the No 2-seed Memphis Grizzlies in the first round.

A loss to Minnesota would send the Clippers into a game against either New Orleans or San Antonio on Friday. The winner would face the overall top-seed Phoenix Suns.

George missed 43 games due to an elbow injury. Since his return, George is averaging 22.6 points, 5.6 rebounds and 6.8 assists while the Clippers are 5-1 in that stretch.

The Clippers led from start to finish, as Norman Powell scored 20 points off the bench and Ivica Zubac added 15 points and 12 boards for LA.

Davion Mitchell led the Kings with 22 points, followed by Trey Lyules with 15. Damian Jones scored 12 points to go with four steals, and Neemias Queta added 10 points off the Sacramento bench.

The Clippers led by as many as 20 points in the first half before Sacramento used a run to pull within 59-45 at halftime. The Kings scored the first seven points of the third quarter to cut its deficit in half.

That was as close as Sacramento would get, as Los Angeles used a 19-5 run over the last five minutes of the third quarter to take a 92-71 lead going into the fourth quarter.
The Kings travel to Phoenix on Sunday.

Warriors Win Fourth in a Row Against Spurs 100-94

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Golden State Warriors’ Jonathan Kuminga (00) takes it to the San Antonio Spurs’ Joe Wieskamp (15) in the first half at the AT&T Center in San Antonio on Sat Apr 9, 2022 (AP News photo)

Warriors Win Fourth in a Row Against Spurs 100-94

By Barbara Mason

With two games left in the 2021-22 season, the Golden State Warriors (52-29) traveled to San Antonio to take on the Spurs (34-47). The Warriors were looking for their fourth straight win and finishing strong and the got it with a 100-94 victory over the Spurs on Saturday night at the AT&T Center.

Klay Thompson got the night off in this game. They rested him keeping him fresh for the post-season. Thompson is playing some great basketball right now. He has his legs under him and his shot selection is excellent right now.

The Warriors can expect great things from him and to finish the season and going into the playoffs. This team is peaking at the right time. They got great offensive rebounding and limited turnovers in this game.

Damian Lee started the game along with Jordan Poole, Draymond Green, Andrew Wiggins, and Kevon Looney.

The first quarter was a close one. The Warriors had a slow start leading after one 23-21. As the second quarter wore on Golden State really got on track leading at halftime 54-44. The Spurs had totally shut down Poole.

Poole finished the first half with a goose egg. He was still looking for his first basket. Jonathan Kuminga was the high score for the first half with 13 points. The Warriors held the Spurs to 33% shooting after two quarters.

Green had an excellent 23 minutes through the third quarter with 11 rebounds 10 points and 6 assists. It doesn’t get much better than that. He would finish this game with 13 rebounds, 12 points and 8 assists.

It was a nervous time for the Warriors as they saw a 17 point lead evaporate to a 78-71 lead. Golden State went without a basket for over five minutes in the third quarter. Their shots from downtown went ice cold.

The Spurs Lonnie Walker IV was having a great game with 24 points off the bench in 21 minutes. The Warriors were 0 for 7 on three’s in the third quarter.

Kuminga entered the game in the fourth quarter and made an immediate impact with a shot from downtown. The Spurs clawed their way back into this game trailing 90-88 with five minutes left in the game.

This game would go down to the wire and it was decided by free throws from Poole. After a tough first half Poole finished with 18 points in the Warriors 52nd win.

Tomorrow the Warriors will play their final game of the regular season in New Orleans taking on the Pelicans. If the Warriors win this game they will finish in third place so their fate is completely in their hands. They will be looking for their fifth win in a row to end the season. Tipoff is scheduled for 6:30 PM.

Warriors Dismiss Lakers 128-112; Third straight win for Golden State

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Los Angeles Lakers center Dwight Howard, left, is fouled by Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green at the Chase Center in San Francisco on Thu Apr 7, 2022 in first half action (AP News photo)

Warriors Dismiss Los Angeles 128-112

By Barbara Mason

Thursday night the Golden State Warriors (51-29) took on the Los Angeles Lakers (31-49) in the final regular season game for the Warriors at Chase Center. The Warriors will finish the season on the road. The Warriors have secured a first round home stand in the playoffs and are trying to hang onto third place in the Western Conference. The Dallas Mavericks are nipping at their heels and should they tie at season’s end, the Mavs hold the tie-breaker.

It was a very disappointing season for the Lakers especially with the roster that they carry. Besides LeBron James, Russell Westbrook, Dwight Howard, Anthony Davis and Carmelo Anthony round out the roster. After losing their seventh straight game tuesday against the Phoenix Suns 121-110 Los Angeles was officially eliminated from playoff contention.

Both teams tonight will take the floor without their superstars, the Warriors waiting on the return of Steph Curry and the Lakers missing James. Klay Thompson will be back for this game after the team had three days off. The Warriors came away with their third straight win over the Lakers 128-112.

The Lakers led after the first quarter 32-27. At one time in the first quarter the Lakers had a nine point lead before the Warriors took the lead in the second quarter. The two teams would trade the lead a number of times leading up to half time. Golden State led at the half 65-62.

The Lakers Malik Monk, Austin Reaves and Talen Horton- Tucker were the number one reason that the Lakers were still in this game. The Warriors Thompson had a great first half with 23 points.

The Warriors really got going in the third quarter leading by as much a ten points and finished the quarter leading 91-84. Thompson already had 31 points after three quarters. Trouble with transition on defense was the main issue for the Warriors in the quarter despite the lead.

With two minutes left in the game the bench would take over for Golden State. Despite 15 turnovers the Warrior offense was just too much for the Lakers as the bench exploded to end the game with the win.

It was another big performance for Thompson with 33 points in 33 minutes. Head Coach Steve Kerr fell that it was one of his best games since his comeback. Jordan Poole had 19 points and Andrew Wiggins with 17 points.

Right now it appears that the Warriors are peaking at the perfect time. They are looking strong, confident, and focused heading into Saturday’s game. The turnovers still need to be addressed but in general this team is right on course.

The Warriors will finish the season with two road games. The first of those two road games will be a matchup in San Antonio taking on the Spurs Saturday night. Tipoff is scheduled for 5:30 PM.

Pelicans control Kings wire to wire in Sac’s last home game 123-109

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The New Orleans guard CJ McCollum (3) drives to the bucket against the Sacramento Kings at the Golden One Center in Sacramento on Tue Apr 5, 2022 (AP News photo)

By Jeremiah Salmonson

SACRAMENTO–The Sacramento Kings (29-51) were back in action on Tuesday night for their last home game. The Kings were set to welcome the New Orleans Pelicans (35-44) on Tuesday at 7 PM PST in Sacramento. The Kings last played on Sunday evening against the Golden State Warriors as they lost that game 109-90.

On Tuesday, the Kings lost to the New Orleans Pelicans by the final of 123-109 in the Kings last home game of the season.

In the first quarter, both teams started slow. The Kings fell behind early in the first quarter only to pull closer as the quarter came to a close. Overall, the Kings scored 25 points in the first quarter compared to the Pelicans 27. The Kings offense was down several players on Tuesday, but most notably, it was De’Aaron Fox and Domantas Sabonis.

In the second quarter, It wasn’t any better for the Kings. The Kings offense played well in the second quarter as they began to pick up the pace. However, the increase on offense also led to worse play on the defensive end.

The Kings scored 32 points in the second quarter but allowed the Pelicans to score 33 points and further their lead. Damian Jones led the way for the Kings in the first half as he scored 15 points. Jaxson Hayes led the way for the Pelicans on offense as he scored 12 points in the first half.

The Kings would need to control the Pelicans on offense if they wished to secure a win in their final home game of the season. The Kings went into halftime down 60-57.

In the third quarter, the story only got worse for the Kings. The Pelicans offense remained in high gear as the Kings struggled to mount any sort of gameplan on the defensive end of the floor.

The Pelicans continued the offensive onslaught as they scored 35 points on the Kings in the third quarter. On the other hand, the Kings only scored 27 points in the third as the deficit grew in Sacramento. It would tackle a miracle for the Kings to come back in the fourth quarter as they were down 95-84.

In the fourth quarter, the Kings didn’t show much fight. The trend of being outscored in every quarter of the game continued as the Pelicans outscored the Kings 28-25 in the final quarter. It was a disappointing end to a disappointing season for the Kings.

The Kings fell to the Pelicans by the final of 123-109. The Kings were led in the defeat by Damian Jones, who had 22 points. The Pelicans leading scorers were Jaxson Hayes and CJ McCollum, who each had 23 points. This game would conclude the 41 home games the Kings played at Golden One Center for the season.

Up Next: The Kings go on the road to take on the LA Clippers on Saturday in LA time of the game TBD.