Category: NBA

Golden State Warriors podcast with Barbara Mason: Warriors on four game losing streak; Will try again in Denver tonight

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The call may not have gone the way Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James may have wanted as he’s seen here reacting after being called for a foul but he wound up scoring a team leading 56 points against the Golden State Warriors on Sat Mar 5, 2022 at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles (AP News photo)

On the Warriors podcast with Barbara:

#1 The Los Angeles Lakers (28-35) LeBron James had the hot hand against the Golden State Warriors (43-21) on Saturday night with a team leading 56 points and the Warriors had complications trying to shut his offensive game down.

#2 The Lakers 124-116 win snapped their four game losing streak it had to be a relief for a LA team with a tandem of superstars like LeBron, Russell Westbrook, Anthony Davis and Carmelo Anthony.

#3 For the Warriors it just seemed like a struggle to shut down LeBron’s game as LeBron said in the post game conference, “I felt pretty good with my game tonight, every part of the floor, and I was able to make a couple plays to help us win,”

#4 It was the third highest point total for the regular season for LeBron, For the Warriors it just seemed like a struggle to shut down LeBron’s game on the defensive side of the ball.

#5 Klay Thompson said his shot wasn’t falling and some even hit the backboard on Saturday night. How do you see Thompson and the Warriors as they match up tonight against the Denver Nuggets at Ball Arena in Denver.

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

Doncic Out: Kings catch a break, then get broke off late and lose to the Mavs, 114-113

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By Morris Phillips

No Luka? For the Sacramento Kings that late, injury news appeared to be the opening needed for a victorious Saturday afternoon in North Texas.

But the Mavericks taking the floor without their singular superstar and his 27 points a game wasn’t the determining factor. The fact that the Mavs–winners of 22 of 29–are red hot was.

Dallas overcame a 19-point deficit and shocked the Kings in the game’s final minute, winning 114-113.

De’Aaron Fox scored a game-best 44 points and his jumper with 2:55 remaining gave the Kings a 110-103 lead. But they would miss their next five shots and commit a turnover, putting the Mavs in position to steal it.

Spencer Dinwiddie hit a jumper to cap an 8-0 run for Dallas that gave them a 111-110 lead. Then after Fox made one of two free throws, Dorian Finney-Smith hit a 3-pointer to give the Mavs a 114-111 lead with three seconds left.

Harrison Barnes attempted a long 3 and missed, and the rebound was scooped up by Justin Holiday, who scored from under the basket just ahead of the final horn.

Dinwiddie scored 36 points in just his fifth game with Dallas after he was main piece coming back from Washington in the trade of Kristaps Porzingis. The gifted scorer moved into the starting lineup for Doncic, but the hosts started slow, and trailed the Kings 65-51 at halftime.

“We want Luka playing, and it took us some time to get used to him not being on the floor,” coach Jason Kidd said. “I thought the guys got their legs, and got their rhythm without Luka out there. It helps us – makes us a better team – but hopefully Luka’s back Monday.”

“I do what I do, and I don’t do what I’m not supposed to do,” Dinwiddie said. “That goes 1-through-15. Everybody here follows that type of mentality because we understand that to not just win basketball games in the regular season, but in the playoffs, you need that.”

Domantas Sabonis was the Kings only other bright spot offensively with 15 points, 10 rebounds but he wore down late against the defense of Finney-Smith.

With the loss, the Kings saddled themselves with a 16th consecutive losing season that will likely be joined by a just as lengthy streak of missing the playoffs. At 24-42 only a torrid finish with just two or three losses would put them in position to pass Portland, New Orleans and San Antonio and move into the 10th spot and a two-game shot at a playoff berth.

On Monday, the Kings return to the Golden 1 Center to host the Knicks at 7:00pm.

Fourth Quarter Meltdown Hands Warriors Fourth Loss In A Row 124-116

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LeBron James who scored a game leading 56 points against the Golden State Warriors takes the ball against the Warriors Andrew Wiggins (22) at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on Sat Mar 5, 2022 (AP News photo)

Fourth Quarter Meltdown Hands Warriors Fourth Loss In A Row 124-116

By Barbara Mason

Saturday night two struggling teams were trying to set their ship right. The Golden State Warriors (43-21) took on the Los Angeles Lakers (28-36) at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles and fell to the Lakers 124-116. The Warriors have lost four in a row for the first time this season.

When the season started, the Warriors almost looked unbeatable and the Lakers with their impressive starters were actually picked to win the Western Conference. Fast forward and the Lakers are fighting to maintain a spot that will make them eligible for the play-in game. They have lost every game since the All-Star dropping four in a row.

The Warriors, although in a much better spot than Los Angeles, having been struggling losing seven of their last nine games. They are missing Draymond Green and right now there is no timetable for his return. Golden State does have the second best record in the NBA.

Before the game Magic Johnson was explaining exactly what has been happening with the Lakers and their lack of offense and defense. Everything that he said could have been applied to the Warriors as well. Both of these teams were hoping to turn things around tonight.

The first quarter was all Lakers as they took a 25-11 lead. They were pounding the Warriors in the paint and keeping the Warrior offense at bay. It was an ugly start for Golden State. As the quarter began to wind down the Warriors made a move cutting the Laker lead in half 32-25.

After the quarter Head Coach Steve Kerr was asked what he though of the first quarter. “I didn’t think much of it,” he said. “We didn’t put up much of a fight.” The way that Golden State ended the quarter was far better than their start.

The Warriors kept the pressure on the Lakers and at 7:12 in the second quarter had taken the lead 45-40. There had been a 24 point turnaround since the start of the game. The early Laker start had gone completely awry. After trailing by as much as 14 in the second quarter the Lakers made a move as the half came to an end trailing by the score of 67-62.

LeBron James had scored 26 points in the first two quarters. The high score for the Warriors was off the bench as Jordan Poole came away with 16 points. Stephen Curry had 14.

The Warriors continued to lead through the third quarter but it all turned around in the fourth. The Golden State offense began to stumble and LeBron hit a couple of three’s that gave the Lakers their first lead of the second half 100-97.

The Golden State defense needed to tighten up. The final seven minutes of this game was electrifying. Great offense and defense by both teams, a flurry of three’s and this game was up for grabs.

The Warriors had a meltdown in the final three minutes offensively and defensively. Giving the Lakers wide open looks was not going to win very many games and late game turnovers sealed the Warriors fate as they lost their fourth game in a row.

LeBron finished with an amazing 56 points. Curry had 30 points and Poole had 23 off the bench for the Warriors in just one of another disappointing game for Golden State. This loss coupled with the Memphis Grizzlies win dropped the Warriors into third place in the Western Conference.

It doesn’t get any easier for the Warriors as they take on the Denver Nuggets Monday night. Tipoff is scheduled for 6:00 PM.

Sacramento Kings podcast with Jeremiah Salmonson: Kings rebound pick up big win in San Antonio on Thursday night

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Sacramento Kings forward Domantas Sabonis (10) grabs a rebound over San Antonio Spurs center Jakob Poeltl, right, at the AT&T Center in San Antonio on Thu Mar 3, 2022 (AP News photo)

On the Kings podcast with Jeremiah:

#1 Jeremiah, talk about the Sacramento Kings Harrison Barnes he had 27 points he was the go to guy as the Kings came away with a 115-112 win over the San Antonio Spurs at the AT&T Center in San Antonio on Thursday night.

#2 Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich had picked up his 1,334th career win but now have lost three straight games and it was an accomplishment that was none too easy for the Kings.

#3 The Kings got scoring help from De’Aaron Fox 26 points, Domantas Sobonis 12 points who also had 12 rebounds and fouled out of the game.

#4 It was the Spurs first home game since Feb 4th because of the San Antonio Rodeo. Could that have made a difference being away so long and given the Kings an advantage?

#5 The Kings head to Dallas and face a very physical and offensive Mavericks team lead by Luca Doncic on Saturday afternoon at 2:00 pm PST how do you see that match up?

Jeremiah Salmonson does the Kings podcasts each week at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Dallas Wins Season Series Beating Warriors 122-113; Golden State drops fifth out six games

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Luca Doncic (77) of the Dallas Mavericks keeps the ball away from the Golden State Warriors Andrew Wiggins (22) at the American Airlines Arena in Dallas on Thu Mar 3, 2022 (AP News photo)

Dallas Wins Season Series Beating Warriors 122-113

By Barbara Mason

Thursday night the Golden State Warriors (43-20) lost to the Dallas Mavericks (38-25) 122-113 and in a second meeting in less than a week. The way that Dallas is playing right now, they are very real contenders in the upcoming playoffs.

Sunday night after leading by 21 points going into the fourth quarter, the Warriors went cold losing to Dallas 107-101 in a 27 point turnaround. Lack of energy, execution and effort were the downfall of Golden State. Losing on their home court is something that we rarely see but it has been happening lately.

The Warriors tried their luck in the Mavericks building trying to even the score in these last three games. January 5th in Dallas the Warriors lost 99-82. Then again in January on the 25th, the Warriors manhandled the Mavericks 130-92.

That was then and this is now and the Warriors needed to get their act together. Jason Kidd has coached the Mavericks brilliantly and the Warriors need to impose their will instead of visa versa. Better execution and effort will be the order of the day in this game.

They needed to start hitting those open looks and if the three’s are not dropping they have to drive the basket, maybe draw some fouls and stop making the long ball the end all be all. Thursday the team needed help from Klay Thompson who returned to the court. In the one game that Golden State won this season against Dallas, Klay played.

The Warriors opened the first quarter working very hard defensively but it was a slow start offensively. The Mavericks got of to a great start leading 14-7 mid-way through the quarter. Luca Doncic was the driving force for Dallas shooting and drawing fouls. After a single quarter Doncic had scored 19 points. The Mavericks held a 38-27 lead and had shot 60% from the field.

The Mavericks became far too comfortable offensively in the first half. The Warriors had to do something to disrupt their flow in the second half. It was as if the Mavericks could not miss through two quarters. Dallas’ three point shooting was the difference in this game. The Mavericks held a 68-54 half-time lead.

The Warriors made up some ground in the third quarter which became a shooting marathon between both teams. With four minutes left in the quarter Doncic already had 35 points. The Mavericks were having their best three-point shooting night of the season with 15. The Mavericks maintained their lead after three 99-91. The Warriors had made up some ground but still had a lot of work to do.

After being 17 down the Warriors had tied up this game thanks to Jonathan Kuminga and Moses Moody dropping three’s. These rookies had come to play. With 6:26 left in the game and the score 104 apiece this was anyone’s game.

The Warriors put up a fight but just could not handle Doncic and company. Doncic finished with 41 points and the Mavericks had 17 from downtown in an amazing game. The Warriors had 15 from long which is not at all shabby.

It was just too little too late in yet another game that Golden State was unable to finish. “We did not start out the game the way that we wanted to,” said Head Coach Steve Kerr after the game. “We let him (Doncic) get going,” he said.

The Warriors had a great fourth quarter but it was just not enough to make up for the first half. Jordan Poole was the point leader in the game with 23 points.

It’s onto Los Angeles for the Warriors to take on the Lakers Saturday. Tipoff is scheduled for 5:30 PM.

Kings Edge Spurs 115-112;Sac ends four game loss streak

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Sacramento Kings guard De’Aaron Fox (5) drives to the basket against San Antonio Spurs guard Joshua Primo (11) at the AT&T Center in San Antonio on Thu Mar 3, 2022 (AP News photo)

Kings Edge Spurs 115-112; Sac ends four game loss streak

By Barbara Mason

Last night the Sacramento Kings took what was probably their most disappointing loss all season to the New Orleans Pelicans. Before this game both teams were vying for the tenth seed and a chance to play in the postseason.

Lack of defense and turnovers were the main culprits in this loss. The win put the Pelicans into tenth place in the Western Conference. The loss dropped the Kings into 13th place.

Thursday night the Kings (24-41) took on San Antonio (24-39) in a game that highly favored the Spurs. The Spurs have a 24-38 record and sit in the twelfth spot in the Western Conference. After last night’s loss in a must-win scenario, the Kings needed to bounce back.

They really want to see if their win right now trades have made a difference. Tonight the defense has to show up and they need to protect the ball. Those will be the keys to this road game.

The Kings got a great start in the first quarter leading after one 30-27. Sacramento extended their lead at the half 64-51. De’Aaron Fox and Harrison Barnes both had a nice first half for the Kings.

The Spurs mounted a comeback in the third quarter outscoring the Kings 31-24. The Kings still led but it had dissolved significantly 88-82.

The Spurs continued to threaten the Sacramento lead in the fourth quarter. De Jounte Murray was having a great game with 21 points but the point leader through three for the Spurs was Lonnie Walker IV with 30 points off the bench.

At 7:45 San Antonio had tied the game at 91. Momentum was clearly on the Spurs side. With under four minutes left in the game San Antonio had taken the lead 103-101. With under two minutes left in the game the Kings had a slim 104-103 lead.

Sacramento took back the momentum in the closing minutes of the game winning 115-112. This game could not have been any closer and after leading through most of this game the Kings came dangerously close to losing it. Harrison Barnes was the point leader with 27 points for Sacramento.

The Kings will be on road in Dallas to take on Luca Doncic and the red-hot Mavericks Saturday. Tipoff is scheduled for 2:00 PM.

One Big Easy Win: Sacramento Gets Rolled By Pelicans 125-95

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New Orleans Pelicans forward Brandon Ingram (14) shoots over Sacramento Kings guard De’Aaron Fox (5) and Domantas Sobonis (10) at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans on Wed Mar 2, 2022 (AP News photo)

Sacramento Gets Rolled By the Pelicans 125-95

By Barbara Mason

Wednesday night two struggling teams met at Smoothie King Center. The Sacramento Kings (23-41) traveled to New Orleans to take on the Pelicans (26-36). They have both started the second half of the season on an improved note.

The Pelicans beat the Phoenix Suns 117-102 with CJ McCollum on a scoring spree. He is still working on his on-court chemistry with the Pelicans. New Orleans also beat the Lakers pretty handily 123-95. The Kings won their last game against the Thunder 131-110. The Pelicans handled the Kings on Wednesday night 125-95.

Both teams have made some nice changes to their roster. Changes for these two teams have been paying off nicely.

As expected these two teams played a very close first quarter. The Kings edged the Pelicans in the opening quarter 33-31. At the half the Pelicans had taken the lead 65-61. DeAaron Fox led the Kings with 17 points and Harrison Barnes turning in 15.

The Pelicans Brandon Ingram had a great first half with 24 points. Both teams got some great work from Domantas Sabonis (Kings) and Jonas Valanciunas (New Orleans) each with eight rebounds. They would both finish with 14 apiece.

The Pelicans would continue their role into the third quarter leading after three 96-82. New Orleans proved to be to hot to handle for Sacramento. Every one of their starters had double digits with Brandon Ingram shooting for 33 points. He was 15-of-19 which is a tough act to follow.

The high for the Kings was Fox with 25 points and Harrison Barnes shooting for 19. The Pelicans simply had a whole lot more fire power than Sacramento, as the Kings continue to struggle.

The Kings will now travel to San Antonio on Thursday night taking on the Spurs. Tipoff is scheduled for 5:30 PM.

Golden State Warriors podcast with David Zizmor: Warriors drop two consecutive games; Go to Dallas on Thursday night

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The Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) knows things are a little off kilter as the Minnesota Timberwolves guard Patrick Beverly (right) is enjoying the moment at the Target Center in Minneapolis on Tue Mar 1, 2022 (AP News photo)

Golden State Warriors podcast with David Zizmor:

#1 Dave, Karl-Anthony Towns really took the bull by the horns and help lead the Minnesota Timberwolves (34-29) to a 129-114 victory over the Golden State Warriors (43-19) with a leading 39 points on Tuesday night at the Target Center.

#2 The Wolves were able to slow the Warriors Stephen Curry’s outside shot keeping Curry to a minimum going 5-16 on the three point attempts. Curry finished with 34 total points.

#3 The Warriors who have now lost two straight games and losing four of their last five games face the Dallas Mavericks (37-25). The Mavs are coming off two straight wins after defeating the Warriors Sunday and the Lakers Tuesday night. How do you see the Mavericks and Warriors in Dallas on Thursday night?

Join David Zizmor for the Warriors podcasts on Wednesdays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Warriors Drop Second In a Row to Timberwolves 129-114

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Minnesota Timberwolves center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) collides with Golden State Warriors center Kevon Looney as Warriors forward Andrew Wiggins, left, watches at the Target Center in Minneapolis on Tue Mar 1, 2022 (AP News photo)

Warriors Drop Second In a Row to Timberwolves 129-114

By Barbara Mason

Tuesday night the Golden State Warriors (43-19) took on the Minnesota Timberwolves (34-29) at Target Center. After Sunday’s game against the Mavericks, what we will see from the Warriors is the question of the day.

Will we see the mental mistakes that we saw Sunday? Will we see another meltdown? Will they start making those open shots? A lot of questions that will be answered tonight.

The team will still be missing Klay Thompson and Andre Iguodala. The Timberwolves Anthony Edwards will not be starting tonight.

The Timberwolves led for most of the first half. After one quarter they led 34-27. The Warriors continued to hang around until the final minutes of the second quarter when Minnesota took their largest lead of the game 68-56.

More turnovers for Golden State and again missing those open shots was hurting the Warriors. The Timberwolves Karl-Anthony Towns had the high score for Minnesota with 20 points and D’Angelo Russell had 15 at the half. The Warriors were being tested defensively in this game. Kevon Looney had seven rebounds but also had three personal fouls at halftime.

The Warriors needed to slow down Towns in the second half and start hitting those open shots if they wanted to rebound and win this game.

In the third quarter the Warriors started hitting those open shots. After trailing by 12 the Warriors had cut the deficit to four points. Five Warriors were in foul trouble, Andrew Wiggins and Gary Payton with four so another obstacle that Golden State had to deal with.

Every time the Warriors would get close, the Timberwolves would come back and extend their lead. The Warriors had worked so hard to pull to within four only to watch Minnesota extend their lead back out to 12 points.

The biggest problem in this game was for every point that Minnesota gave up, the Timberwolves would make up offensively. The Warriors were unable to slow Towns or Russell. In the fourth quarter the Timberwolves had their biggest lead of the game at 18 with six minutes left in the game.

When you miss 17 open shots it makes it difficult to come away with a win. The Warriors were looking at their second loss in a row since the All-Star game. Golden State trailed by 20 plus for most of the final four minutes of the game. The final was 129-114.

Towns finished the game with 39 points and Stephen Curry had 34 for Golden State. The Timberwolves were just too much for the Warriors tonight. Golden State got beat offensively and defensively. This could possibly be a playoff match-up as we head into the playoffs. The Warriors are in a real rut that they have to shake off going into their next game.

The Warrior have dropped six of their last eight games as they head into Dallas Thursday night to take on the Mavericks. Tipoff is schedule for 5:30 pm PST.

Kings use big second half to knock off Thunder 131-110 in OKC

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Sacramento Kings guard De’Aaron Fox (5) shoots between Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2), forward Isaiah Roby (22) and guard Aaron Wiggins, right, at the Paycom Center in Oklahoma City on Mon Feb 28, 2022 (AP News photo)

By Daniel Dullum
Monday, February 28, 2022

The Sacramento Kings (23-40) had six players in double-figures Monday, as the Kings traveled to Oklahoma City (19-42) and emerged with a 131-110 win over the Thunder.

The Kings (23-40) emerged from a 59-all halftime deadlock with a big second half, outscoring OKC 72-51 in the final 24 minutes after the Thunder opened the second half with a 9-0 run. The Kings battled back to take a 99-90 lead at the end of the third quarter.

Oklahoma City cut the Kings’ lead to 102-96 in the opening minutes of the fourth quarter, but could get no closer, as Sacramento snapped a four-game losing streak.

DeAaron Fox led the Kings with 29 points and ten assists. Trey Lyles was next with 24 points, followed by Harrison Barnes with 23, and Domantas Sabonis with 14 points and 16 rebounds. Donte DiVincenzo and Davion Mitchell added 14 and 13 points, respectively, off the Sacramento bench.

DiVincenzo did his offensive damage in 22 minutes, and Fox’s ten assists matched his personal season high.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored a game-high 37 points for the Thunder (19-42) to go along with seven rebounds, ten assists and three steals.

Oliver Sarr was next for OKC with 12 points, followed by Tre Mann with 11 and Vit Krejci with ten . Atemleksej Pokusevski finished with nine points, eight rebounds, five assists, two steals and two blocks.

The Kings continue their road trip on Wednesday against the New Orleans Pelicans.