Category: NBA

Golden State Warriors podcast with Barbara Mason: Warriors drop second straight game; Curry to miss two weeks

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Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry takes in the game from the Warriors bench against the San Antonio Spurs at the Chase Center in San Francisco on Sun Mar 20, 2022. Curry is expected to miss two weeks of action due to a left foot injury. (AP News photo)

On the Warriors podcast with Barbara Mason:

1. Setback for James Wiseman and what that means for the Warriors.

2. More news for the Warriors in Stephen Curry missing two weeks at the very least.

3. Last night’s crazy game against the San Antonio Spurs and who were the heroes for Golden State

4. Draymond Green misstep and what that meant in this game.

5. Thoughts on the Warriors road game Tuesday night in Orlando against the Orlando Magic (19-53)

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

Suns overtake Kings 127-124 in OT

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Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) is fouled by Sacramento Kings forward Trey Lyles (41) in the second half at the Golden One Arena Sacramento on Sun Mar 21, 2022 (AP News photo)  

By Daniel Dullum
Sunday, March 20, 2022

The Phoenix Suns continued their winning ways Sunday at Golden 1 Center, squeaking out a 127-124 overtime win over the Sacramento Kings. Sacramento has lost 10 of its last 13 games.

Landry Shamet sank a 3-pointer with 31 seconds left in the extra period to put the league-leading Suns ahead to stay. Moments earlier, Damien Jones converted a put back to give Sacramento a 121-120 lead shortly after the Suns’ Devin Booker fouled out.

It was Shamet’s fifth 3-pointer of the game. He finished with 21 points, followed by Deandre Ayton with 12 points and 10 rebounds. Backup center JaVale contributed 14 points before fouling out in overtime.

After Mikal Bridges sank the second of two free throws, Jones made 1 of 2 from the stripe, Aaron Holiday got the rebound on the second free throw and Torrey Craig’s dunk sealed the game for Phoenix.

Booker’s jump shot put Phoenix ahead 110-108 with eight seconds remaining in the fourth quarter, but a layup by Davion Mitchell forced overtime.

Booker scored 19 of his 31 points in the third quarter as the Suns improved to 58-14, nine games ahead of Memphis in the overall NBA standings. There’s been a lot of pressure on Booker to pick up the slack while Chris Paul is sidelined with a broken right thumb, and sixth-man Cam Johnson is sidelined with a right quad contusion.

The Suns were also without backup point guard Cam Payne due to a non-COVID-19 illness, And Jae Crowder left the game with a right foot injury in the third quarter.

Mitchell had 28 points and nine assists for Sacramento while filling in for the injured De’Aaron Fox. Domantas Sabois added 18 points, 12 rebounds and six assists before leaving the game with a possible left knee injury.

The Kings travel to Indiana to face the Pacers on Wednesday.

Warriors Lose In Final Seconds to Spurs 110-108

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San Antonio Spurs forward Keldon Johnson (3) leads the charge after hitting the game winning shot at the Chase Center in San Francisco against the Golden State Warriors on Sun Mar 20, 2022 (AP News photo)

Warriors Lose In Final Seconds to Spurs 110-108

By Barbara Mason

What will the Golden State Warriors look like without Stephen Curry taking the court for at last the next two weeks? The Warriors got their answer Sunday night when the Warriors (47-23) took on the San Antonio Spurs (27-44) in a two point loss 110-108 at the Chase Center in San Francisco.

The Warriors know that everything including games won go way down without Curry playing. This means that everybody has to step their game up offensively and defensively. These guys need to be a fine-oiled machine when Curry does comes back for the playoffs. The team now has the time to gel and prepare for the post-season and Curry’s return.

The lineup for the Warriors in this game was a more than capable bunch with the expected Klay Thompson, Draymond Green, Jordan Poole, Andrew Wiggins and Kevon Looney.

It was a very slow start for Golden State falling behind 22-10 in the first quarter. The Spurs were keeping the Warriors out of rhythm which resulted in so many missed shots for Golden State. This was the obvious game plan that the Spurs came in with. San Antonio led after the first quarter 36-22. The Warriors had four turnovers in the quarter and had a lot of work to do in the second quarter.

The Warriors cut the Spurs lead in the second quarter to four points but San Antonio quickly pulled back to a ten point lead. Golden State wanted to end the half on a high taking the momentum away from San Antonio.

The Warriors did cut the 14 point Spur lead to six. San Antonio had a beat-the-buzzer three point play to end the half leading 63-57. Despite that last play the Warriors did have to feel good after two quarters. They played with more energy and rhythm in the second quarter and needed to take that into the third.

As the third quarter got underway San Antonio proved hard to catch. Golden State had not led once in the game. The Warriors got within one point in the early minutes of the quarter but had yet to take the lead.

The one thing that the Warriors had going for them in this game was their offensive rebounding which was great with second and third chances. When it looked like the Warriors had a better rhythm going a miserable call on Green got Green ejected from the game and the Warriors were facing yet another challenge.

The Spurs took advantage of the fracas and took a ten point lead. The 12 turnovers that the Warriors had were not make things any easier for Golden State. The Warriors were fighting to stay within striking distance.

The Warriors were coming up with some stellar possessions but still trailed. With 27 seconds left in the third quarter, the Warriors took their first lead of the game 84-83. They took that lead into the fourth quarter.

Going into the fourth quarter there had been 23 Spur points off Warrior turnovers. This game would go down to the wire. With under three minutes left in the game it was all tied up at 101. San Antonio would foul Wiggins with three seconds left on the clock and the Warriors would take a 108- 107 lead. An unfortunate rebounding foul on Kevon Looney iced the game for San Antonio 110-108.

The Warriors had enough to win this game but it just didn’t happen. Poole finished with 28 points the high in this game. This was his ninth straight game with 20 or more points. Thompson had 24 points and off the bench Porter Jr. had 16 points and 16 rebounds. Great numbers for the Warriors. It’s a loss and it stinks but a lot of positives to take away from this game.

Next up for the Warriors will be the Orlando Magic on Tuesday night. Tipoff is scheduled for 4:00 PT.

Celts blowout Kings 126-97; Tatum leads with 32 in Boston victory

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Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0) is defended by Sacramento Kings forward Harrison Barnes (40) at the Golden One Center in Sacramento on Fri Mar 18, 2022 (AP News photo)

By Jeremiah Salmonson

SACRAMENTO–The Sacramento Kings were back in action on Friday night at Golden One Center. The Kings were welcoming in the Boston Celtics. The last game the Kings played was on Wednesday against the Milwaukee Bucks.

The Kings lost to the Bucks and go no relief with another top-ranked NBA team coming into town on Friday. On Friday, the Kings lost to the Celtics in blowout fashion 126-97.

In the first quarter, the game went back and forth. The Celtics started the game off hot. The Celtics scored the first nine points in the first quarter. The Kings then came back to tie the game, but it was not long-lasting.

The Celtics then went on another run of their own to outscore the Kings 32-26 in the first quarter. It was a shaky first quarter for the Kings that would look to tighten up the defensive going forward in the game.

In the second quarter, the Celtics took over the game on the Kings. Jason Tatum and Jaylen Brown went off in a massive second-quarter for the Celtics. The Kings we outscored by 35-22 in what was an embarrassing quarter.

However, you have to give the Celtics credit where credit is due. The duo of Jason Tatum and Jaylen Brown proved impossible to overcome.

The Kings were doing their best to stay in the game but the firepower of the Celtics was proving unbeatable in a game without De’Aaron Fox. The Kings would look to improve in the second half down 67-48.

In the third quarter, the Kings showed some life. The Kings scored 31 points in the third quarter to make a bit of a comeback push. On the other hand, the Celtics scored only 25 points to let the Kings inch a bit closer. Could the Kings continue their good play to make a comeback on the Boston Celtics? The Kings went into the final quarter down 92-79.

In the fourth quarter, the Kings showed fight early but were ultimately unable to mount much of a comeback on the Celtics. The Celtics outscored the Kings 34-18 in the final quarter to win the game by the final 126-97.

It was an ugly ending for the Kings in a game they didn’t have much hope of winning from the jump. The Celtics were led by Jason Tatum who finished with 32 points followed by Jaylen Brown who scored 30.

On the Kings side, Domantas Sabonis played a great game going for 30 points, 20 rebounds, and five assists. It was a great performance from the big man that unfortunately will go overshadowed by the Celtics blowout. The Kings will look to turn the page in their next game.

Up Next: The Kings stay home to take on the Phoenix Suns on Sunday at 3 PM PST at Golden One Center.

Sacramento Kings podcast with Jeremiah Salmonson: Kings need to shutdown Celtics offense tonight to have a chance

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Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) is fouled by Sacramento Kings forward Trey Lyles (41) at the Golden One Center in Sacramento on Wed Mar 16, 2022

On the Kings podcast with Jeremiah:

#1 Jeremiah, it’s like you were saying in your column after Wednesday night’s game that the Milwaukee Bucks (44-26) Giannis Antetokounmpo was just too much for the Sacramento Kings (25-46) to handle.

#2 The Kings certainly looked a lot different than Monday night when they lead the visiting Chicago Bulls from wire to wire. With the Bucks there was very wiggle room to try and get the lead.

#3 All night Giannis and Kris Middleton proved too much for the Kings to overcome. Giannis scored 36 points followed by Kris Middleton who dropped 32 in the contest.

#4 For the Kings, Domantas Sabonis scored 22 points followed by De’Aaron Fox with 21 points. The Kings had six players in double figures in the loss.

#5 Tonight the Kings will try and get some that traction back from Monday night as they host the Boston Celtics are hot they have won six of their last seven games. They beat Golden State on Wednesday night 110-88. The Kings who played the Bucks Wednesday night in high scoring game will they have their hands full trying to defend the Celtics tonight?

Join Jeremiah for the Kings podcasts each Friday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Giannis, Bucks just too much for Kings 135-126

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Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) takes the ball up the floor against the Sacramento Kings on Wed Mar 16, 2022 at Golden One Center in Sacramento (photo from AP News)

By Jeremiah Salmonson

SACRAMENTO–The Sacramento Kings (25-46) were back in town on Wednesday night to take on the Milwaukee Bucks (44-26) at Golden One Center. The Kings last played on Monday night against the Chicago Bulls and beat them 112-103. On Wednesday, in what appeared to be a lopsided challenge, the Bucks beat the Kings 135-126.

In the first quarter, the Kings put up a surprisingly good start to the game. The Kings managed to start the offense on a high note scoring 31 points in the first quarter. On the other hand, the Bucks also put up a decent first quarter.

The Bucks scored 28 points in the first to keep the Kings within reach. Neither team played great defense in the first as it looked like they both came out with a focus on the offensive side of the ball.

In the second quarter, the Kings took a big lead early. However, the Bucks would come back and make the game close again as the second quarter came to a close. The Bucks ended up outscoring the Kings in the second quarter 40-30 to take a lead into halftime.

The Kings defense crumbled in the second quarter as the Bucks took advantage. Kris Middleton had a big first half leading the Bucks in scoring with 17.

Giannis trailed just behind him in points with 14. For the Kings, they received their best first-half contribution from Domantis Sabonis who had 13 points. The Kings would look to keep the game close or come back in the third quarter. The Kings went into halftime down 68-61.

In the third, the Kings continued to lose ground. The Kings were outscored by the Bucks 33-31 in the third to dig their hole a little bit deeper. The Kings couldn’t stop Giannis and the Bucks as they continued to have their way on the Kings defense. The Kings would end up down 101-92 heading into the final quarter of action. Could the Kings come back?

In the fourth quarter, the Kings weren’t able to mount a full comeback. The Kings put up a fight but ultimately fell to the Bucks 135-126 at Golden One Center. The Kings battled in the fourth all the way to within a few points of taking the lead.

The Kings and Bucks both scored 34 points in the fourth. All night Giannis and Kris Middleton proved too much for the Kings to overcome. Giannis scored 36 points followed by Kris Middleton who dropped 32 in the contest. For the Kings, Domantas Sabonis scored 22 points followed by De’Aaron Fox with 21 points. The Kings had six players in double figures in the loss.

Up Next: The Kings will stay home to take on the Boston Celtics on Friday at 7 PM PST in Sacramento.

Red Hot Celtics Roll Warriors 110-88; Curry out for rest of game with foot injury

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Red Hot Celtics Roll Warriors 110-88; Curry out for rest of game with foot injury

Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry, left, can’t quite get the loose ball as Boston Celtics guard Marcus Smart makes the recovery at the Chase Center in San Francisco on Wed Mar 16, 2022 (AP News photo)

By Barbara Mason

Wednesday night the Golden State Warriors (47-23) took on the Boston Celtics (42-28) in their quest for a fifth win in a row. This will be another tough match-up for the Warriors especially since the Celtics are one of the hottest team in the NBA right now. The Celtics lost a close game to the Mavericks Sunday night 95-92 while the Warriors took care of the Washinton Wizards Monday night 126-112.

The Celtics are an elite defensive team led by Jason Tatum and will challenge the Warriors winning streak. The Warriors will need to take care of the ball in this game and limit the empty possessions.

The first quarter was a disappointing start for the Warriors. They looked out of sorts and continued to force those three’s that were not dropping. Instead of driving the basket they kept on attempting three’s and it was not working. At one point in the quarter Golden State trailed by eleven points but was able to pull to within four points.

The second quarter was a replay of the first with missed three’s and as the quarter began to wind down points in the paint were 18 to 6 in favor of Boston. The Celtics had their largest lead of the game 44-30 with 1:48 left before the half.

The Warriors would have a lot of work to do in the second half. Another concern for the Warriors was Stephen Curry who had left the game and headed into the locker room with left foot soreness.

Boston led at the half 48-32. This was the lowest scoring half for the Warriors all season which was testament to the Celtics amazing defense. Golden State was 4 of 24 from beyond the arc and with little success in the paint the Warriors were in trouble.

The way that Golden State was playing in the first half, they probably couldn’t throw the ball in the bay. They were terribly off but the Celtics were thankfully missing some of their own. So no Andrew Wiggins. Nemanja Bjelica, Andre Iguodala and now Curry and Moses Moody were out for the remainder of the game.

The third quarter was a wild one and it belonged to Jordan Poole. Six minutes into the quarter the Warriors trailed by 24 points. Than along came Jordan Poole with five shots from downtown plus a couple of two point jumpers. It was an electric quarter for Poole and pushed the Warriors to within ten points of the Celtics after three quarters 79-69.

When it looked as if the Warriors just might make a run the Celtics came roaring back. They finished off the Warriors 110-88 and Golden State’s winning streak came to an end.

The Warriors are lacking the big man in the middle, and tonight Golden State saw what a great defense looks like. The Celtics showed why they are so hot offensively and defensively right now.

A lot of credit to the effort in the third quarter by Golden State. The bright spot in this game was a resounding Poole with 19 points in the third quarter but the loss of Curry and Moses Moody was a blow. Poole finished with 29 points and Klay Thompson with 18. They were the only two players on the floor tonight in double digits. Looney and Draymond Green had eight rebounds each.

The Celtics Jason Tatum and Jaylen Brown each had 26 points.

The Warriors will have some much needed time off not playing again until Sunday. They will be taking on the San Antonio Spurs at Chase Center. Tipoff is scheduled for 5:30 PM.

Golden State Warriors podcast with David Zizmor: Warriors looking for fifth straight win host Celtics tonight at Chase

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Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green (23) guard Jordan Poole (3) head down the floor against the Washington Wizards at the Chase Center in San Francisco on Mon Mar 14, 2022 (AP News photo)

On the Warriors podcast with David:

#1 Dave, the Golden State Warriors (47-22) are on a four game win streak in the last win on Monday night against the Washington Wizards (29-38) for his birthday Stephen Curry led the Warriors with 47 points in their 126-112 win at Chase Center.

#2 The Warriors Draymond Green didn’t waste anytime after returning Monday from his time off. Green in the first 11 seconds back passed to Curry who shot a three pointer to get Green on his way back.

#3 The Warriors host the Boston Celtics (41-28). The Celtics after winning five straight dropped their contest against the Dallas Mavericks (42-26) 95-92 at TD Waterhouse Garden in Boston. Celtics can take it to any club in the NBA how do you see the Warriors and Celts matching up on Wednesday night?

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

47 candles for 47 points on Curry’s birthday as Golden State takes out Washington 126-112

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Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) is congratulated by forward Draymond Green (23) after scoring a three pointer in the first half at the Chase Center in San Francisco on Mon Mar 14, 2022 (AP News photo)

By Barbara Mason

It was a great Monday night game for the Golden State Warriors. It was Stephen Curry’s birthday and we saw the return of Draymond Green. It had been 1005 days since the tenacious threesome Curry, Thompson and Green had played a game together. Reunited and it sure felt good. The Warriors (46-22) took on the Washington Wizards (29-37) at Chase Center.

The Wizards are 11th in the Eastern Conference and are 3.5 games out of 10th place. It is a given that Curry will again be double teamed but not to the extent that he was against the Bucks Saturday night.

The Warriors had an amazing start to the game and had hit seven three’s in the first quarter. They led 33-30 with the Wizards nipping at their heels for the entire quarter. There were monstrous cheers when Green hit his first basket. Curry was able to get loose even having some uncontested shots. Although a close game so far the Warriors were looking real good.

Golden State really got going in the second quarter leading at the half 73-57. It was a far different game for Curry tonight already having scored 20 points in two quarters. Not known for their three-point shooting, the Wizards rely on shooting in the paint, which the Warriors shut down pretty well.

Washington was forced to attempt three point shots and was actually having some success although it was not enough to keep up with Golden State. Green had five points and four rebounds in his return in the first half.

The Warriors went into the third quarter with Curry playing lights out basketball shooting for 34 points a vast difference from Saturday’s game. Thompson already had 20 points and Poole had 14 points. They led 101-84 after three. The Warriors had hit 15 from downtown and there was some outstanding defense going on for the Warriors.

The Wizards made a move in the fourth quarter and had pulled to within 11 points. They had gotten some great work from their bench with 38 points. The Warriors had cooled off mid-way through the final quarter and Washington was trying to take advantage. With 5:15 left in the game the Wizards trailed by single digits.

Closer Curry came in to finish off the Wizards. Curry continued to get some great separation and had made nine of his last ten shots. He was playing on another level, an unearthly level and couldn’t be stopped. He finished with 47 points and Golden State had won their fourth game in a row.

Poole and Thompson both came away with 20 points in this game. This was such an efficient game for the Warriors offensively. It was a vast difference from a week ago, a total reversal.

“I’ve got to get my timing back. It’s just like riding a bike,” said Green after the game. “Obviously the two seed would be great but whether it be the two seed or the three seed it doesn’t matter,” he said.

It was a huge disappointment for Washinton. They had gone 0 for 4 on this road trip and hopes for a play-in game were rapidly fading.

Wednesday night the Warriors will be taking on the hottest team in the NBA right now the Boston Celtics. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:00 PM.

Shots On Target: Efficient Kings build a big lead and hold on, beat the Bulls 112-103

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By Morris Phillips

SACRAMENTO–The crowd showed up, and the Kings showed out.

If any NBA team needs circumstances to be just right from available players, a representative start to the early evening sunset bestowing sufficient daylight within the Golden 1 Center, it’s the Kings.

On Monday, the circumstances were right and the Bulls were made to pay, in a 112-103 loss to the Kings.

Sacramento built a 20-point halftime lead by hitting 3’s and going near perfect from the free throw line, and held on, surviving a Bulls’ 12-0 run in the fourth quarter to break a four-game losing streak.

De’Aaron Fox led the Kings with 34 points, six rebounds and six assists, capped by a pair of made free throws in the game’s final minute that increased Sacramento’s lead to 110-103 with 36 seconds left.

“De’Aaron is playing so well right now and he’s doing an extremely good job of controlling the game,” coach Alvin Gentry said. “Night in and night out what he is doing for us is amazing. He’s playing as well as anybody in the league if you go back over the last month or so.”

Domantas Sabonis returned from a two-game absence and added 22 points, seven rebounds while keeping Bulls center Nikola Vucevic to similar numbers (23 points, 10 rebounds). That virtual draw at the center spot allowed the Kings to fully benefit from off-shooting games from Demar DeRozan and Zach LaVine.

The dangerous backcourt duo for the Bulls shot 15 of 35 which dragged the visitors shooting from the floor to 41 percent. The Kings far more efficient shooting numbers–including 10 for 25 shooting from distance–spelled the difference in a game driven by each team’s surges offensively.

Bulls 12-0 run down 90-89 with 8:17 remaining after DeRozan FT’s.