Category: NBA

Kings deliver again edge Heat 115-113 at Golden One; Sac has won three of last four games

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Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler (22) pushes the ball against the Sacramento Kings forward Marvin Bagley III (35) at Golden One Center in Sacramento on Sun Jan 2, 2022 (AP News photo)

By Jeremiah Salmonson

SACRAMENTO–The Sacramento Kings were back in action on Sunday afternoon for the first game of 2022. The Kings last played on Friday afternoon as they took on the Dallas Mavericks at home. On Friday, the Kings played a terrible game against the Mavericks that saw them lose 112-96.

It was summed up post-game by Kings head coach Alvin Gentry who said, “If anyone needs me, I’ll be at home drinking.” It was a rough game that the Kings showed no effort. On Sunday, the Kings would look to clean up the action on the court as they welcomed in the Miami heat at 3 PM PST. The Kings defeated the Heat at home 115-113 on Sunday afternoon.

It was a weird first quarter in Sacramento. Neither team seemed like they could find a rhythm on the offensive end of the ball. However, the Kings did outscore the Heat 26-18 in the first quarter.

The Kings defense was playing well from the outset, and the Heat also were not hitting their shots. The Kings could take advantage of this in the first quarter and hoped to keep up the defensive pressure as the game continued.

In the second quarter, the defense crumbled. The Kings allowed the Heat to go off for 39 points in the second quarter and put the Kings lead in jeopardy. The Kings countered with 35 points of their own which preserved the lead.

It was a defensive nightmare for the Kings, almost giving up 40 points in a quarter. The saving grace for the Kings was that Miami didn’t play much defense either. The Kings would go into halftime with a 61-57 lead. Damian Jones led the way for the Kings in the first half with 14 points. Kyle Lowry led the Heat with 14 first-half points.

It wasn’t a complete meltdown for the Kings in the third quarter. Nonetheless, the third quarter was not kind to the Kings. While avoiding the breakdown, the Kings were outscored in the third quarter, 33-29.

However, the Kings went on a run towards the end of the quarter to avoid going into the fourth down. The score would be tied 90-90 going into the final 12 minutes of action against the Heat in Sacramento.

In the fourth quarter, the game was up for grabs. Both teams traded baskets until the score was 113-113 with 26.6 seconds to go. De’Aaron Fox would be fouled on a drive and make both of his free throws to make it 115-113.

The Heat had one final play with 6.2 seconds left. Jimmy Butler drove to the rim and missed his floater, and the Kings would win the game as time expired 115-113. It was a gritty win for the Kings, who had ample opportunity to implode.

Instead, they held their own and ended the Heat’s five-game winning streak. De’Aaron Fox played a significant role for the Kings down the stretch and finished the game with 24 points. Buddy Hield added 26 points for the Kings during the win. Tyler Herro led the way for the Heat in defeat as he scored 22 points along with Omer Yurtseven.

Up Next: The Kings will travel to Los Angeles on Tuesday to take on the Lakers at 7:30 PM PST.

Mavericks even the score take second game of series 112-96 at Golden One

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Dallas Mavericks forward Sterling Brown (0) drives towards to the hoop only to get fouled from behind by the Sacramento Kings center Damian Jones (30) at the Golden One Center in Sacramento on Fri Dec 31, 2021 (AP News photo)

By Jeremiah Salmonson

SACRAMENTO–The Sacramento Kings (15-22) were back in action on Friday afternoon, the last day of 2021. The game was slated to take place at 3 PM PST against the Dallas Mavericks (17-18) The Kings last played on Wednesday when they also took on the Mavericks.

That game went in the Kings favor at the last second when Chimezie Metu hit the game-winning three-point shot as time expired. The Kings beat the Mavericks 95-94. The Kings and Mavericks played again on Friday, and the Mavericks trounced the Kings 112-96.

In the first quarter, the Kings got off to a hot start. The Kings outscored the Mavericks 39-34 in the first quarter. The offense hit all cylinders, and the Mavericks defense could not keep up. De’Aaron Fox led the attack that saw him be ultra-aggressive in the first quarter.

Unfortunately, the Mavericks also put the hurt on the Kings defense, scoring 34 points as neither team looked prepared for the other on the defensive end of the floor.

In the second quarter, not much went right for the Kings. The Mavericks offense continued to click, but the Kings offense fell dormant. The Mavericks scored 28 points in the second quarter, which was an improvement for the Kings defense.

However, the Kings offense fell by the wayside. The Kings only scored 17 points in the second, which put them in a hole going into halftime. The Kings trailed the Mavericks at halftime 62-56.

In the third quarter, the Kings began to implode. The Kings offense and defense simultaneously fell apart as the Kings were outscored 32-20 in the third quarter.

It was a baffling sight to behold. The Kings appeared to show good energy in the first half, but that is a familiar sight for the Kings only to see the meltdown in the fourth. The Kings would need a miracle on both ends of the floor to come back against the Mavs without Luka. The Kings entered the fourth quarter down 76-94.

The story doesn’t get any better for Kings fans in the fourth quarter. At one point, the Kings went 0-12 in a 7:29 stretch that sealed the deal for the Kings. The Kings did outscore the Mavs in the final quarter 20-18.

However, most of those points came in garbage time as both teams emptied the bench. Overall, the Kings lost the game 112-96 and snapped their two-game win streak. Notably for the Kings was the performance of De’Aaron Fox.

Fox scored 10 points in the first eight minutes of the game. Yet, he could not score any more points the rest of the game. Tyrese Haliburton led the Kings with 17 points in the losing effort. The most impressive performance for the Mavs came in the form of Jalen Brunson, who scored 23 points. It is time for the Kings to take stock in the team. The team needs to be rebuilt from the ground up—nothing anyone can do with this current group.

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

Warriors, Nuggets Bit By the Covid Bug

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The Golden State Warriors Draymond Green (left) defends against the Sacramento Kings Buddy Hield (right) during contest at Chase Center San Francisco on Mon Dec 20, 2021. Green said there were Covid 19 protocol rules in place to prevent the postponement of Thu Dec 30, 2021 game in Denver against the Denver Nuggets (AP News photo)

Warriors, Nuggets Bit By the Covid Bug

By Barbara Mason

Tuesday night the Denver Nuggets barely beat the Golden State Warriors 89-86. The Warriors were at a significant disadvantage with a number of starters and bench players sitting this game out on covid protocol. The team was scheduled to play the Nuggets in Denver in a back-to-back Thursday night hoping to settle the score.

The Warriors had arrived in Denver and shortly before the game were advised that this game would have to be postponed due to covid. This was the second Denver game this season that has been postponed. The Nuggets have 7 players that are out (injury) and four that were questionable for tonight’s game. Also out were Head Coach Michael Malone as well as a number of staff members.

The Warriors were waiting to see if the questionable players would be able to go. It was finally decided that this game would not be played tonight.

It was a very frustrating waiting game for Golden State. Draymond Green was vocal on social media blasting the NBA. “How do you continue to cancel games when you’ve implemented rules to prevent this from happening?

Is that not a competitive advantage for other teams? The guys we didn’t have due to the protocol list played no role in Tuesday’s loss? Pick a side but don’t straddle the fence,” he said. The game that will have to be played at a later date will probably be a back-to-back for the Warriors which is another advantage for Denver. Another great point that Green expressed.

So the bottom line is that between the covid cases and the injuries on the Nugget roster the team was unable to put together the league minimum eight players available to start this game. It is what it is but it’s the Warriors that will potentially suffer when this game is finally played.

There was no date for the rescheduled game at the time of this posting. So this virus continues to run rampant across the league. There are currently about 120 players on covid protocol along with countless head coaches joining them on the protocol.

Besides the Nuggets Head Coach Michael Malone on the covid list, Doc Rivers (Philadelphia), Frank Vogel (Lakers), Billy Donovan ( Chicago), Monty Williams (Phoenix), Chauncey Billups (Portland) and Mark Daigneault (OKC) also join Malone in the protocol. Every head coach in the NBA has been fully vaccinated.

The next game for Warriors is scheduled for Saturday night against the Utah Jazz at 6:00 PM. This road game for the Warriors has the Jazz slightly favored to win. With all the disruptions that the Warriors have faced lately they will have to dig deep once again. They have faced adversity before, it is no stranger to the Warriors. They have handled it in the past and they will attempt to do it yet again in Utah.

Sacramento Kings podcast with Jeremiah Salmonson: Kings tip off against Mavericks Friday in second of 2 game series at Golden One

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The Sacramento Kings forward Chimzie Metu (7) can do it all he not only scored the game winner on a buzzer beater but earlier in the game snuffs a scoring attempt on the Dallas Mavericks Moses Brown (9) at the Golden One Center in Sacramento on Wed Dec 29, 2021 (AP News photo)

On the Kings podcast with Jeremiah:

#1 Jeremiah, talk about the thriller that the Sacramento Kings (15-21) Chimzie Metu gave fans when he sunk a three point shot a buzzer beater for a Sacramento 95-94 cliff hanger to edge the Dallas Mavericks (16-18).

#2 I know Morris mentioned in his report that the Kings wanted desperately for a storyline and head coach Alvin Gentry wanted more passion and desire and got it from the players who hung with the Mavericks all game long something they weren’t getting last Sunday against the Memphis Grizzlies.

#3 Gentry after that Memphis game Sunday said that in his over 30 years in the NBA that was the worst effort he ever saw. Since that game the Kings have won two straight on Tue 28th against the OKC Thunder and on Wednesday night against the Mavericks.

#4 Jeremiah, this is the first of a two game series against Dallas at Golden One the Kings match up against the Mavericks again Friday at 3:00pm. The Kings are hoping to pick up their third straight win while the Mavericks have won two of their last seven games.

#5 Wednesday was a solid team effort the Kings had six players in double figures with De’Aaron Fox leading in scoring with 16 followed up by Davion Mitchell and Harrison Barnes both who finished with 14.

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

Metu, But Not For Two: Kings get three from an unlikely source at the horn to beat Dallas, 95-94

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By Morris Phillips

SACRAMENTO–Alvin Gentry wanted more passion and desire, Gentry’s players were desperate for a different storyline, and Kings’ fans demanded a win on a blustery, cold night.

And the key to pulling all these wishes together?

Trust your teammates. That’s exactly what De’Aaron Fox did with his decision to find a wide open Chimezie Metu with the game on the line.

“He turned the corner and went so quickly,” Gentry said of Fox’s decision. “He said, ‘I was either gonna dunk it and try to get to the line or if I saw them pull in so far I was going to try to hit the corner guy.'”

“It’s tough,” Dallas coach Jason Kidd said. “Unfortunately if we give up a layup the game is tied, we go into overtime. But DP (Dwight Powell) went to help and they made a shot.”

Metu’s 3-pointer at the buzzer made the Kings winners, 95-94 over the shorthanded Dallas Mavericks, who were without superstar Luka Doncic for the ninth, consecutive game due to COVID protocols. The Kings found themselves in far more favorable circumstances regarding COVID with Davion Mitchell, Alex Len and Louis King gaining clearance for Wednesday’s game although only Mitchell saw playing time.

The Kings took control with a 35-13 second quarter only to see the Mavericks respond with a pair of significant runs in the third quarter, which set the scene for a tense, tight fourth quarter in which the Kings had just one lead, 92-90, until Metu’s final shot.

Gentry’s frustration with his club got the desired effect, as the Kings were better defensively. But at critical junctures, the hosts had no answers for the 1-2 punch of Kristaps Porzingis and Jalen Brunson, who combined for 49 points to lead Dallas.

The Kings got efficient efforts from the rookie Mitchell and De’Aaron Fox who combined for 30 points. They were two of six Kings that scored in double figures, though none scored more than Fox’s 16.

The Kings satisfied Gentry’s desire for more focused play by shooting 38 percent from three along with a 46-40 edge in points in the paint. The Kings free throw shooting perked up as well with the team canning 13 of 15.

Defensively, the Kings were far from stout, but there was a competitiveness in their play, as they collapsed on drivers in the paint, and showed some resistance, especially with Dallas’ wings and their aggressive guards, particularly Brunson, who made tough shots throughout.

Wins on consecutive nights pulled the Kings within a half game of 10th place San Antonio in the densely packed Western Conference playoff race, and made it more likely that the club will look within for improvement as opposed to trying to orchestrate a high profile trade.

How unlikely was Metu’s decisive shot? The 6’9″ forward didn’t make a three in either of his first two seasons in San Antonio, and was shooting just 26 percent from three this season. But with game in the balance, Metu was composed and ready to shoot. His mean mug reaction to the game winner was priceless as well, as he never broke a smile even after his teammates mobbed him in celebration.

“It was a great moment,” he said. “Since I’ve been in the league, for sure one of the best moments I’ve had. For us to grind that one out, it felt good.”

The Kings again host Dallas on Friday night with the possibility that Doncic and some combination of seven other Mavericks in protocols could be cleared to play.

THE RETURN OF I.T.: Did anyone attend Wednesday’s game expecting to see Isaiah Thomas in uniform? Probably not, but Kings’ fans were ready with a hearty ovation when Thomas entered the game for Dallas in the second quarter. The 32-year old signed a 10-day deal with Dallas on Wednesday under a COVID hardship rule, and scored six points in 13 minutes. Thomas was originally drafted by Sacramento and played his first three seasons with the Kings.

Kings get six point win over Thunder 117-111; Snap 3 game skid

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Sacramento Kings guard Tyrese Haliburton (0) gets a pass off in front of Oklahoma City Thunder forward Gabriel Deck (6) at the Golden One Center in Sacramento on Tue Dec 28, 2021 (AP News photo)

By Jeremiah Salmonson

SACRAMENTO–The Sacramento Kings (14-21) were back in action on Tuesday night against the Oklahoma City Thunder (12-21). The Kings last played on Sunday when they took on the Memphis Grizzlies. That game got out of hand in a big way for the Kings as they fell 127-102 to the Grizzlies. On Tuesday the Kings were set to take on the Grizzlies at 7 PM PST. The Kings managed to defeat the Thunder 117-111.

In the first quarter, both teams started the game about even. Neither team really got an immediate offensive spark. The Kings upped the pace towards the quarter but the Thunder outscored the Kings 34-42 inn the first 12 minutes of action. Harrison Barnes and Lu Dort who respectively each had eight points.

In the second quarter, the Kings and Thunder matched each other’s play for the most of the quarter. However, the Kings managed to take the advantage going into halftime. The Kings outscored the Thunder 29-23 in the second quarter to take the lead 61-57.

The Kings were led in the first half by Harrison Barnes and Tyrese Halliburton who each scored 11 points. The Thunder received their biggest contribution from Shai Gilgeous-Alexander who scored 11 points. The Kings would look to close out things out in the second half.

In the third quarter, the Kings melted down early. However, they were able to survive and bring themselves back before the end of the third. The Kings all in all outscored the Thunder 26-24 in the third to take the lead into the fourth quarter. Could the Kings close out the game?

Yes! In the fourth quarter, the Kings went up big early. However, that wouldn’t tell the whole story. The Kings didn’t hold their large lead late in the fourth quarter. The Thunder managed to claw their way back and get within six points as the game ended.

The Kings and the Thunder both scored 30 points I. The fourth as the Kings managed to defeat the Thunder 117-111 at Golden One Center. The Kings didn’t play particularly well on Tuesday. Yet, what matters is that they won the game.

The Kings improved to 14-21 on the year as the Thunder fell to 12-21. The Kings are currently one game back of the San Antonio Spurs for the last play in spot. The Kings were led by Tyrese Haliburton who scored 24 points as Shai Gilgeous Alexander scored 33 for the Thunder.

Up Next: The Kings stay home to take on the Dallas Mavericks on Wednesday at 7:30 PM PST.

No Post-Christmas Miracle For Golden State Nuggets Prevail 89-86

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Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry after he converts shooting a 3-point basket, the 3,000th of his career runs up the other end of the court against the Denver Nuggets on Tue Dec 28, 2021 at the Chase Center in San Francisco (AP News photo)

No Post-Christmas Miracle For Golden State Nuggets Prevail 89-86

By Barbara Mason

The absence of Draymond Green really hurt the Golden State Warriors (27-7) offensively and most of all defensively. They dug a very deep hole for themselves in the first half of this game with poor shooting and turnovers. The results for the Warriors were just as bad in a three point 89-86 loss to the Denver Nuggets (17-16)

The good news for the Warriors was the return of Andrew Wiggins Tuesday night. They took on Nikola Jokic and the Nuggets in the first of back-to-back games against Denver.

There was some bad news however for Golden State in this game. The Nuggets completely outplayed the Warriors in the first quarter. Turnovers and missed shots gave the Nuggets the early 31-16 lead. While it was great to have Wiggins back, he needed help from his teammates who could not get anything going.

At the half the Warriors were looking at a 60-36 deficit. Denver was totally beating up Golden State in this game. The shots from downtown were elusive for the Warriors shooting 4 of 17. This was the lowest score of the season for Golden State in a first half. They were shooting 23% after two quarters. The Nuggets got off to a running start in this game and it would be tough to slow them down.

The Nuggets Will Barton had 17 points but it was the huge presence of Jokic that ruled the court in the first two quarters. The Warriors had a lot of work to do in the second half.

The Warriors had dug a deep hole and would need a monster third quarter to make up this deficit. Wiggins was high point man in the first half with 12 points and was the only player with double digits. Stephen Curry had two points and was 0-5 from downtown and they needed to somehow get Curry open. The bench didn’t have much going either. The bright spot of the contest Curry hit his 3000th career three pointer to become the first NBA player in history to accomplish such a feat.

This game could possibly be the best game that the Nuggets have played all season. They had it going at every turn, forcing turnovers and missed shots and they had totally contained Curry.

Golden State cut the 24 point half time deficit by nearly a half in the third quarter. The Nuggets started to miss some shots but the Warriors could not take full advantage of it. The third quarter did end on a high note as Curry hit his first three point shot of the game. Trailing by the score of 74-61 the Warriors needed stops and they needed a lot of them.

In the fourth quarter Jonathan Kuminga cut the Nugget lead to single digits with eight minutes left in the game. Denver had been held to 27 % shooting in the second half trying to hold onto a five point lead 79-74.

Denver had only shot 19 points in the second half with six minutes remaining. With less than a minute the game was tied at 84. The Nuggets Will Barton was the difference in this game scoring a tipped shot and a couple of free throws.

The final was 89-86. The post-Christmas miracle that almost was, did not come to fruition. Golden State certainly had a lot of opportunity to win this game but they just had too much to overcome.

Great defense by the Warriors in the second half was just not enough. The missed free throws, 15 in all, and the turnovers really hurt the team in this game. The double coverage on Curry all night was also challenging. He did finish with 23 points and five from downtown. It was just too little too late for Golden State.

The Warriors continue the home at home series and will have the opportunity to even the score Thursday night in Denver when they play a second game. Tipoff is schedule for 6:30.

Golden State Warriors podcast with Barbara Mason: Green, Poole, Lee and Wiggins all out on Covid protocols

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Golden State Warriors Stephen Curry (30) and Phoenix Suns Devon Booker (1) battled on Wed Dec 25, 2021 for the NBA Christmas Day special at Footprint Arena in Phoenix (AP News photo)

On the Warriors podcast with Barbara:

#1 The Golden State Warriors Draymond Green is out for Covid 19 protocols as announced by the team today with Green out of the line up how do you see that impacting the team as they prepare for the Denver Nuggets on Tuesday night at Chase Center. Andrew Wiggins, Damion Lee, and Jordan Poole all out for Covid 19 protocols with Green.

#2 The Golden State Warriors (27-6) got a Christmas Day 116-107 win over the Phoenix Suns (26-6) at the Footprint Center in Phoenix on Wednesday. This is the second time the Warriors have defeated the Suns this season.

#3 The win puts the Warriors on top of the Suns for the NBA lead by a game with the Warriors having one more win than the Suns in the win column.

#4 Warriors leading scorer Stephen Curry had 33 points against the Suns coming after he scored 46 against the Memphis Grizzlies on Thursday. The Warriors battling one of the best teams in the NBA needed all the help that Curry and the offense could provide in beating the Sun by nine points.

#5 Otto Porter Jr scored seven crucial points in the last few moments of the game he got a hot hand and it was the difference in his 19 point game to help Golden State win it.

#6 The Denver Nuggets (15-15) who are playing .500 ball winning five of their last ten games before their game Sunday in Los Angeles against the Clippers will tip off against the Warriors on Tuesday at Chase Center, Barbara tell us how you see that match up?

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

Grizzlies boat race Kings to 127-102 finish at Golden One Center; Memphis ends 3 game skid

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Memphis Grizzlies forward Jaren Jackson Jr. (13) and center Steven Adams (4) are two on one against the Sacramento Kings forward Chimezie Metu (7) in the first quarter at the Golden One Center in Sacramento on Sun Dec 26, 2021 (AP News photo)

By Jeremiah Salmonson

SACRAMENTO–The Sacramento Kings (13-21) were back in action on Sunday afternoon after the Christmas break. The Kings welcomed the Memphis Grizzlies (20-14) to town in what was hoped to be a solid matchup between the two teams from the west. Unfortunately for Kings fans, the Grizzlies boat raced the Kings at home 127-102 on Sunday afternoon.

In the first quarter, both teams got off to a slow start on the offensive end of the floor. The Kings slow start on offense wasn’t as dire of a situation as it could have been. The Grizzlies also struggled to get the ball in the basket early. The Kings managed to pick up the pace on offense towards the end of the quarter, scoring the Grizzlies 24-20.

Damian Jones gave the Kings the best minutes in the first quarter as he scored nine points. The Grizzlies were led in the first quarter by Desmond Bane, who scored nine points for the Grizzlies.

In the second quarter, both teams played relatively the same. The Grizzlies picked up their play on the offensive end and outscored the Kings 29-26. Neither team had a momentum surge in the first half. The Kings and Grizzlies went back in fourth.

The Kings would lead the game 50-49 going into halftime. Damian Jones had 11 first-half points, followed by Harrison Barnes with 10 points leading the way for the Kings on offense in the first half. The Grizzlies got their most significant contribution in the first half from Desmond Bane, who scored 15 points. It felt like whichever team went on a run in the third quarter would win the game.

In the third quarter, the Grizzlies went on a run. In the third quarter, the Kings defense fell apart as they allowed the Grizzlies to score 40 points. The Kings only managed to score 27 points during the barrage from the Grizzlies in the third quarter.

The Kings would fight back towards the end of the quarter to pull a bit closer, but they would still trail 89-77 going into the final quarter.

In the fourth quarter, it was more of the same. The Kings defense continued to be atrocious as the Grizzlies scored 38 points. On the other hand, the Kings offense only managed to put up 25 points.

It was maybe the worst Kings loss of the season as the Kings core showed no heart down the stretch “This is the most disappointed I’ve been in my 34 years in the NBA” said Kings head coach Alvin Gentry.

As a result, the Kings lost the game by the final of 127-102. There wasn’t much to say after this loss for the Kings. They played without much heart and allowed the Grizzlies to run rough shot over them. The Kings would have to look to Tuesday to game back in the win column.

Up Next: The Kings will host the Oklahoma City Thunder on Tuesday at 7 PM PST.

Battle of the Titans Favors Golden State over Phoenix 116-107

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Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) gets between Phoenix Suns center Deandre Ayton (22) and guard Cameron Payne to take a shot at Footprint Center in Phoenix on Sat Dec 25, 2021 (AP News photo)

Battle of the Titans Favors Golden State 116-107

By Barbara Mason

Otto Porter Jr. and Gary Payton II took the court in the absence of Andrew Wiggins and Jordan Poole to spur their team on to a 116-107 win over the Phoenix Suns.

Once again the Golden State Warriors (27-6) took the court on Christmas Day against the Phoenix Suns (26-56). It is the second year that they have played on the holiday and Head Coach Steve Kerr is not pleased with this schedule. He is confident however that this will not be the case next year but it is not at all fair. With the two top dogs in the league matching up it is all about the ratings.

Again the Warriors will be short-handed with Andrew Wiggins, Damian Lee and Jordan Poole still on covid protocol giving the Suns a definite defensive advantage.

The Warriors took the lead after the first quarter 33-27 but were outplayed in the second quarter by quite a margin, ten points. Golden State trailed at the half 62-58.

After two quarters the Suns had four of their starters in double digits but not a lot from their bench with only six points but it was enough to hold a narrow lead.

Guard Stephen Curry led the Warriors with double digits but it was the bench that kept the team in this game. Mid-way through the third quarter they had scored 20 points. The third quarter was a crazy physical affair and the Warriors began to build a slight lead with 4:36 left in the quarter 77-71. The Suns came roaring back and as the third quarter came to an end the score was tied at 84.

As the fourth quarter got underway one thing was certain, this game would have a wild finish. It was fast and physical as the Golden State bench continued to shine with 34 points after six minutes into the final quarter. The depth on this team is amazing and in the absence of Wiggins, Poole, Porter Jr. and Gary Payton II took care of business.

The Warriors won the game 116-107. Curry finished with 33 points, five from downtown. Otto Porter Jr. finished with a season high 19 points and Payton II with 14 points. Draymond Green was rock solid with seven rebounds, ten assists and eight points. Again we saw a great game from rookie Jonathan Kuminga with 12 points.

The Suns fought hard to the end with Chris Paul scoring 21 points. This was an elite matchup between two elite teams. The fact that the Warriors were short-handed was testament to the depth on Golden State right now.

Next Tuesday the Warriors will be home at Chase Center to take on the Denver Nuggets. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:00 PM.